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NORTH PARK NEWS PASTOR | THX | DEACONS | CE | PW | PRESCHOOL | WISEMAN | SCHOONERS | Top Be PreparedThe angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John…. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him…to make ready a people prepared for the Lord…." Luke 1:13-17 Be prepared is a motto any Scout takes to heart. Whether it's making sure you have your rain poncho—just in case!--or laying out all the ingredients ahead of time when cooking, being prepared can save a lot of trouble. What if you put all the above ingredients in a bowl—and then find you're out of chocolate chips? Be prepared. From the above passage, it's obvious John the Baptist was destined to be the greatest scout master ever known! His purpose on earth was to make ready a people prepared for the arrival of the Lord. Not an easy job—but so crucial that the angel Gabriel visited John's father Zechariah to tell him the news. Of course, at this time of year, we know a lot about preparation. Outdoor lights began appearing Thanksgiving weekend, and most of us are busily buying gifts and writing names on Christmas cards. We're thinking a lot about holiday events—dinners and shows and school performances and open houses. We're pulling out decorations and deciding where to buy the Christmas tree. We're hoping for a little snow Christmas Eve (but after the church service!) and coordinating arrivals of family and friends. Personally, I enjoy all of these Christmas preparations—the excitement of finding just the right gift, the anticipation of holiday gatherings—the appreciation of the winter beauty that comes to Western Michigan this time of year. And I also wonder what all of this has to do with preparing for the Lord? Now we could answer that question, as some Christians do, by throwing out the tinsel, leaving the trees in the ground and refusing to buy anyone anything. No Christmas cards, no mistletoe—and certainly no Santa Claus! Yet maybe a better way to answer is to do what John the Baptist suggested to prepare for the Lord. Look at your life, he said to them. If you're being dishonest, cut it out. If you're cheating on your taxes, stop it. If you're spending too much, quit—and be satisfied with what you have. Look at what God is doing in your life—and turn in that direction. These days it's easy to get caught up in the frantic holiday pace and forget the connection between our preparations for celebrating Christmas—and why Christmas is important to us. Food and family time and lights and presents aren't an end in themselves. They all point to one thing—celebrating the birth of our Savior. We eat in anticipation of the great banquet in heaven. We connect with family as a sign of love and reconciliation brought to us by Christ. Lights are a symbol of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. We give gifts to remind us that God first gave us the gifts of love and grace and forgiveness. One way to keep in mind the connection between our preparations and the coming of the Lord is simply to make time to think about it, every day if possible. Attending worship can help—attending our Adult Advent Bible study can help—using a daily Advent devotional book can help—planning family devotion time around your very own Advent wreath can help. As the carol says, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come, Let earth receive her king…" So be prepared—for the descent of your in-laws and all the holiday parties. Wrap the packages and bake the cookies and enjoy the blessings of this holiday season. And prepare your heart and soul for the coming of the Lord—it's his advent after all. "Let earth receive her King." Blessings & Peace, SERMON SNEAK PREVIEW 12/3 A City Called Righteous 12/10 The Good Messenger 12/17 The Chancel Choir Cantata 12/24 Not Just a Little Town PASTOR | THX | DEACONS | CE | PW | PRESCHOOL | WISEMAN | SCHOONERS | Top Thank you, thank you, thank you.... --to liturgists in November Alice Davey, Lori Redner, Wendy Reycraft, and Oma Werner Is there anyone we need to thank for any reason? Please let us know so that we can express our gratitude! PASTOR | THX | DEACONS | CE | PW | PRESCHOOL | WISEMAN | SCHOONERS | Top The Board of Deacons is wrapping up another busy year of service to our Church family. Have you noticed that the Deacons have gotten some of our youngest members to help with the task of ushering? Thanks to the kids that want to help out with things around the Church! In September, we donated money to Guiding Light Mission; in October, to Gideon's; in November, to Visiting Nurses; in December, to the North End Community Ministries. The Deacons have begun their annual Poinsettia sale for Christmas. Purchase them now for display in the Sanctuary for Christmas, then take them home for post-holiday cheer. In addition, we are continuing to sell coffee mugs for $8.50. A North Park Presbyterian Church Mug would be a great Christmas gift! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from your Board of Deacons! PASTOR | THX | DEACONS | CE | PW | PRESCHOOL | WISEMAN | SCHOONERS | Top ADULT BIBLE STUDY Come and join us for Adult Bible study for the Advent season. From 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on three Wednesdays - December 6, 13, 20. We will be studying the first three chapters of Luke. Bring your Bible. Babysitting will be available. If you would like to come but need a ride, call the church. PASTOR | THX | DEACONS | CE | PW | PRESCHOOL | WISEMAN | SCHOONERS | Top We are pleased to say that the Craft Sale & Bazaar went very well as was mentioned last month before the final count was in. The proceeds were well over $1800.00. We are looking forward to the "Christmas Tea" to be held on Saturday, December 2nd. at 1:30 PM. Our special guest will be Lynnelle Pierce. She puts on a musical and ministry program. We invite everyone to attend. I am sure you will enjoy it and won't go away disappointed. Friday, December 1st. our pastor, the Rev. Helen Havlik will be giving a book review for the Church Women United at John Knox Presbyterian Church at 9:30 AM. All women are invited and encouraged to attend. They will conclude their meeting with a luncheon at 12:00 noon which costs $5.00. Both Meengs & Priscilla Circles were happy to have Helen join them for their meetings in October and participate with them in their bible studies. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it! The board members met in the kitchen on October 26th and packed everything in boxes for storage during the remodeling project. Many thanks to: Dave Davey, Grant Ellsworth, Fred Jewell, and Frank Phillips for doing all the moving of the very heavy boxes to the storage areas. Porter Hills is looking for volunteers. If you have some time to give please let a circle chairman or board member know, and we will coordinate it with their staff. WE WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY AND JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON. Submitted by Oma Werner, PASTOR | THX | DEACONS | CE | PW | PRESCHOOL | WISEMAN | SCHOONERS | Top We are all excited about the coming season, Santa, the snow, presents etc..... Working with preschoolers is a joy at this time of the year. Our enrollment currently stands at 11 in the two day class and 18 in the 3 day class. We celebrated Thanksgiving with our annual feast dressed as pilgrims and Indians. This is always one of the children's favorite days!! Our Christmas parties for parents are on December 18 & 19. We are learning songs for our program and decorating the room. Have a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year from Preschool! PASTOR | THX | DEACONS | CE | PW | PRESCHOOL | WISEMAN | SCHOONERS | Top The inspiring story of Artaban who also saw the star. Just who was that Fourth Wiseman? The Rev. Dr. Henry Van Dyke thinks he knows! At least the story he weaves from an authentic historical background serves as an opportunity to look into the oriental mind of a mystic and searcher of truth. It also presents us with the realism of the birth facts and ministry of Jesus Himself. Artaban intended to follow his brothers, Baltsabar, Caspar, and Melchoir, but was delayed first by the reluctance of still other "wisemen" who did not share the dream. And then the story reveals how ministry to a poor Jewish peasant detained him. Later in Bethlehem he comes close to finding the Christ child - only to be thwarted again. Years later at Golgotha, the final opportunity seems to present itself - as the story comes to its climax. Ron Smeenge, master storyteller and dramatist, has been telling this story to congregations for over 40 years and now his newly written dramatization makes it possible for others to witness this advent adventure. It becomes the true Christmas story again - and again. You are invited to experience this one-man play at North Park Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 31 at the 11 o'clock service. This is a "5th Sunday!" PASTOR | THX | DEACONS | CE | PW | PRESCHOOL | WISEMAN | SCHOONERS | Top On November 11, Schooners met at the church for our annual Thanksgiving dinner. We had turkey and all the trimmings, so we felt very full and thankful for all the blessings we have received. After our devotions, we had a fun time playing bingo. On December 9, we'll have our Christmas potluck. Ham will be furnished. Bring a dish to complete this dinner. Also we'll have our annual gift exchange. Bring an unwrapped white elephant in a large brown paper bag. Come and enjoy a fun day with us. 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