A New~member Brunch will take place on March 28th, Palm Sunday, after the worship service.   All church attendees are encouraged to attend and welcome our new members. The menu will include eggs, sausage links, fruit, breads and muffins.  The Evangelism & Fellowship Committee will handle set up, cooking and clean up.   A sign-up sheet for foods will be posted in the Meeting Hall for other items.

Anyone interested in attending these orientation classes may call the church office, 655-3191

We have not done badly as a faith community this past year. In fact, you have bucked the trends of most churches. Your membership rose above 300 this year. Through your faithful giving of time, talent and money, along with sound management by your various boards and staff, you have kept us within our budgets. We enter into 2010 with some strength.

This is not to say that we are out of the financial woods. We still face a couple years of reduced income from the Wendell-Hubbard Fund due to value reduction and a new three-year averaging formula implemented last year by the fund to compute income. You, however, are the bright and shining stars in this scenario! Through the giving of your time, talents, skills and money, we have seen pledge income remain stable in difficult times and we are projecting a modest increase for 2010. Thank you for your faithfulness!

They, you are still our greatest assets. I give thanks to God for you.

Steve

Pledge information has been mailed to your homes, but if you need additional information, please contact the church office. There are pledge cards in the pew pockets for your convenience, also. Please be sure to include your name and address.

Last minute contributions for 2009 must be in the church office by December 31, 2009, or must be mailed to the church with a postmark no later than December 31. There is no “grace period” for this with the IRS!

In the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA), a Christmas offering was first taken in 1960. Called the White Gift, its funds were used for general mission and world relief. In 1964, the name was changed to the Christmas Offering, and receipts provided support for health and welfare concerns related to children. The emphasis on global work with children continued until 1973, when the offering was used to assist former servants of the church who were living on inadequate pensions.

In 1974, minority education was added; and in 1979, nursing home care assistance was also included. Funds were distributed evenly between the Board of Pensions and minority education.

In 1988, the PCUS and the UPCUSA offerings were joined into one offering, the Christmas Offering Joy Gift. It was agreed that neither the Board of Pensions nor the racial ethnic schools would suffer in the merger of the Joy Gift and the Christmas Offering. To accomplish that, the 1987 General Assembly set a distribution ratio of 65% to the Board of Pensions and 35% to the racial ethnic schools.

In 1989, the offering was renamed the Christmas Joy Offering; and in 1991, the 203rd General Assembly changed the distribution of funds to 50% to the Board of Pension and 50% to the Presbyterian racial ethnic schools and colleges.

Members and friends of First Presbyterian Church will have the opportunity to take part in this offering. During the Advent season, there will be inserts included in the weekly worship bulletins. Offering envelopes are included in this newsletter and will be available in the pews during the month of December. If you would like to make a contribution for the offering, please make your check payable to First Presbyterian Church and be sure to mark it in a way that the office staff will know your intentions for including it in the Christmas Joy Offering. The offering will be dedicated Christmas Eve.

Friday, December 4, 5:00 p.m.
Women’s Association Christmas Soup Café and Bake Sale
After the tree lighting in downtown Cazenovia
Carol Sing with Sounds of Chimes, Jubilate Choir ringing hand bells and hand chimes
Cazenovia High School String Ensemble, directed by Mary Coburn

Sunday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. ~ Second Sunday in Advent
Sermon: “Prepare the Way of the Lord”
The Reverend Dr. Steven R. Thomas, Jr.
Lighting of the “Bethlehem” Advent Candle
Special Music: Patrick Carney and Nathan Kaecher, trumpeters;
Sounds of Chimes Choir

Sunday, December 13, 10:00 a.m. ~ Third Sunday in Advent
A Traditional Service of Lessons & Carols
Lighting of the “Shepherd” Advent Candle
Special Music: Senior Choir, Jubilate Bell Choir and Children’s Choir

Sunday, December 20, 10:00 a.m. ~ Fourth Sunday in Advent
Christmas Pageant ~ “The Story of Christmas” featuring our Sunday School
Lighting of the “Angel” Advent Candle
Traditional Christmas music by the Jubilate and Senior Choirs

Thursday, December 24, 10:00 p.m. ~ Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Christmas Message: “I Bring You Good News”
Special Music: Mary Coburn and Natalie Brandt on violins, Senior Choir

Merry Christmas!