No Images? Click here
the PRES
December 2017
Welcome Rev. Dave Poland Pulpit Supply for the month of December 2017
Dave Poland is a retired pastor who served PCUSA congregations in five states (Missouri, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), starting new church developments in three of those. He recently completed a nine-month part time Stated Supply relationship with the Christ Presbyterian Church in Gibbstown, New Jersey, and is now providing pulpit supply for churches on an as-needed basis. Dave's wife, Linda, is the Assistant Children's Librarian at the William Jeanes Memorial Library in Lafayette Hill, where she has gained fame as the sidekick to her loudmouthed blue puppet, Lucy. Dave's avocation has been a treasure hunter (metal detectorist) for thirty years and enjoys detecting churchyards and the yards of old homes. He writes for Western & Eastern Treasures, the country's premier magazine produced for and by treasure hunters, and for Reminisce Magazine. He also has a stamp collection with over a million pieces in it, an accumulation that began at the age of six. Rev Poland would like you to know that he will be available for any pastoral needs throughout the month of December. Feel free to contact him on his cell phone, 610-888-5091. ADVENT PREPARE for Christ's Coming A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3) Advent is a time of preparation. Yes, we are preparing to celebrate Christ's birth with music, hanging of the greens, lighting the Advent candles and scripture. It is also a time to prepare for Christ's second coming. The Gospel lessons tell us that we must be ready. Christ's own words in Mark 13 tell of his second coming heralded by the Angels. "Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come" (v 33). In Mark 1 and John 1, John the Baptist tells the people of Judea that he baptizes with water, "but He will baptize with the Holy Spirit" (Mark 1:8). Mary is prepared for giving birth to the Son of Man by the Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38). May we answer like Mary,"I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (v 38). Please join us as we PREPARE. Chrismons There is a rich tradition in the Christian church of using Chrismons (Christian symbols or Christ and Monogram) to help us remember that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus's birth. As a church, we made Chrismons several years ago for our sanctuary and homes. We will again use them this Advent to help us and our children remember the season's Gospel readings:
An Angel holding a trumpet heralds the second coming of Christ (Mark 13:24-37)
A Shell recalls our baptism with water (Mark 1:1-8)
A Candle recalls that Jesus is the True Light (John 1:6-8, 19-28)
Mary's Rose reminds us that Mary was a willing servant of the Lord (Luke 1:26-38 Advent 2017 - PREPARE FOR CHRIST'S COMING December 2nd, 2017 10:00 am-noon Hanging of greens to prepare the sanctuary for Advent. Coffee and bagels provided December 3rd, 2017 10:30 am Mark 13:24-37 The second coming of Christ. Chrismon is an Angel with trumpet. and noon Coffee Hour and Decorating the Fellowship Hall December 10th, 2017 10:00 am and following the Service, Janelle Spedding will have the Advent Stations set up in the Fellowship Hall 10:30 am Mark 1:1-8 John the Baptizes with water, the Messiah will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Chrismon is the Shell December 17th, 2017 10:30 am John 1:6-8,19-28 John the Baptist prophesizes that Jesus is the True Light. Chrismon is a Candle 4:30 pm Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata, God with Us. Followed by a light supper in Fellowship Hall (see below) December 24th, 2017 10:30 am Luke 1:26-38 Mary is visited by the Angel. Chrismon is Mary's Rose. The Children's Pageant will be in lieu of the Sermon 11:00 pm Candlelight Service/Service of Carols with soloist, Sheila McCaffery. December 31st, 2017 10:30 am To be determined CHRISTMAS CONCERT December 17, 2017 4:30 pm The Chancel Choir will present God With Us! which is a collection of anthems that reflect the wonderful Advent and Christmas season. The music guides the listener from the anticipation of the coming of the Messiah to the birth of the “child that came to Earth as God Wrapped in flesh to shed light in the darkness, bring hope to the hopeless and peace to the restless.” This year’s concert features the music of several composers: Pepper Choplin, Mary McDonald, Victor Johnson, Jay Rouse, Lloyd Larson and many more. We are excited to sing a new Introit “Angels We Have Heard on High” with new melody and accompanied by hand-bell performers, Gayl Koster and Anne Glass. We are grateful to Summit Presbyterian Church for allowing their hand-bells to be used for this performance of our Introit. Our two soloists for the concert will be Sean Duffin and Sheila McCaffrey who will perform solos to compliment the message and theme of God With Us! We are grateful to Roberta Goren who returns to perform again this year on flute, and we welcome cellist Jane Roberts who will be performing for the first time at East Falls Presbyterian Church. The choir extends a warm welcome and a word of gratitude to Christine Woody (soprano) and Jean Rust (alto) for singing with us once again. We also welcome and thank Matt Murphy (bass) for singing with us for this Christmas Concert. We hope to fill our church on December 17, 2017 with the beautiful music of the anthems, the singing of congregational carols, the glorious sound of the instruments and the moving candle lighting ceremony at the conclusion of the concert. A light meal will be served following the concert. Hope to see you there! YOUTH PAGEANT This year’s Christmas pageant is called “A Little Christmas” written by Susan Howell and Sharon Chatwell. It is the traditional Nativity Story told by Narrators, Readers, and the characters: Mary, Joseph, Angel Gabriel, Shepherds, More Angels, Wise Men and King Herod! The children, youth and our high school members are all looking forward to sharing the story of the birth of Christ. We are grateful to all the adults and parents who have helped with planning, costumes, and music. We hope everyone will come and see our pageant on, Sunday December 24th, Christmas Eve at our 10:30 worship service. Submitted by the pageant committee: Bethany Mandes, Cathy Michini, Julie Haines, Brenda Browne DEACONS UPDATE Coffee Hour will be hosted after church by the deacons on December 3rd, December 10th, December 31st, and January 7th. Because of the positive response and attendance to Coffee Hour, we will be extending Coffee Hour through the winter until Lemonade on the Lawn resumes but will be asking for families in the congregation to help with hosting it each week beginning January 14th. Joseph Wilson will be helping to coordinate the schedule and confirm volunteers. Look for more information from him throughout the month of December. We are excited to keep this time of food and fellowship on the calendar all year round. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Our annual congregational meeting on December 10th following worship. The purpose is to hear the report of the nominating committee in order to elect officers and to select members-at- large for the 2018 nominating committee. The session will also present the 2018 budget. NEWS AROUND OUR CHURCH The church will host (building use only) Breakfast with Santa on December 9th. Please feel free to bring your children to meet Santa Claus. East Falls resident and First Pres member, Marvin Keenze, will be using our sanctuary 3 times a week to give voice lessons. He was a professor at Westminster Choir College. Stephanie Valucci: Our New Nursery Worker Stephanie worked in the Toddler Program at Green Lane Preschool for the 2014/2015 school year. She also worked in the Three Year Old Program at Hey Diddle Diddle Day School. She is currently enrolled at Gwynedd Mercy University taking courses for Early Childhood Education. Stephanie is excited in her new role at Four Seasons! A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO KEN ROSS With this edition of "the PRES" we would like to express our sincere appreciation to you for supporting East Falls Presbyterian Church during the most recent FMLA and the past 20 months, leading us in the Adult Forum and Worship. You have seen us through 2 Advents, 2 Strawberry Festivals, 1, Lent and how many coffee hours or lemonades on the lawn, and let's not forget 1 deceased body who had expired on our property. Ken we would like to extend our sincere gratitude for leading us in worship, and we wish you only best in all ventures that you undertake. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Our annual congregational meeting on December 10th following worship. The purpose is to hear the report of the nominating committee in order to elect officers and to select members-at- large for the 2018 nominating committee. The session will also present the 2018 budget. NOVEMBER & DECEMBER EAST FALLS HAPPENINGS DOUG & HEATHER ALCORN December 8th 2017 (+ / -) will be a day to welcome a new member to the Alcorn family. We wait to hear the good news, but we now extend our best wishes for the upcoming birth of their first child. Dave McClenahan Following a call from his cardiologist, Dave faced an open heart surgery to replace the heart's aortic valve. It wasn't an emergency but had to be done "soon". Following a 5 hour operation on 11/15, Dave spent 5 days in ICU before being released to recuperate which may last between two to three months. Remembering Bill O'Callaghan A long time friend of East Falls Presbyterian Church & the East Falls community, Bill's knowledge of "how to", conquering endless "emergencies" and followed by his ever present smile and husband of Allison O'Callaghan will greatly be missed by all. |