Volume 21, Number 10 December, 2008

A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR

Beginning on November 30, the first Sunday in Advent, there will be a change in our Sunday morning schedule. Early worship will begin at 8:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages will take place at 9:15 a.m., followed by choir rehearsal for children and youth at 10:15 a.m. Late worship with chancel choir will be offered at 10:45 a.m. We will monitor how well the schedule is working, and recommendations for adjustments will be made to the session as needed.

This change comes in response to recent surveys and group discussions regarding worship schedule and style. It requires a modest change of 15 minutes by each group of worshippers in order to move the start of the first service toward a time when young adults and families have a slightly better chance of joining us on a regular basis. It provides a bit more time between services in order that needs may be

met for both Christian education and music rehearsal. The schedule maintains traditional worship at the later hour, while allowing for a flexible format and style at the earlier hour, as the identity of the service evolves based on those who attend and participate.

Since we live in a world of rapid change, it is natural for us to be concerned about stability in the place where we receive our spiritual grounding. The Worship, Music, and Arts Committee has approached the process of change carefully, never departing radically from our tradition, and always listening carefully to your feedback. You may expect the spirit of that process to continue. During Advent, early worship will feature a fresh order and inspirational music, supplemented by familiar hymns and holiday traditions. As we implement the new schedule, your support and feedback will be greatly appreciated.

In Christ’s Service,

John C. Hembruch, Pastor

You may view First Presbyterian’s “Ministry Plan” and “Facilities Development Proposal” by visiting the church’s website, and selecting the “Long-range Planning” button from the menu bar on the home page.

The newsletter is posted on our website: fpcedw.org. If you would like to receive electronic notice whenever the latest newsletter is posted, send an e-mail note with the word “subscribe” in the subject line to Elaine@fpcedw.org

TRIVIA NIGHT THIS SATURDAY

Trivia Night takes place on Saturday, Nov. 22. The Youth Group is hosting this event in support of its Mission Trip. Study your encyclopedias; read your newspapers; brush up on your geography! Be thinking of all those smart people to invite to your table. Many great prizes from area business will be available. Doors open at 5:30; the fun begins at 6:00.

CHANCEL CHOIR SPECIAL PROGRAM

On Sunday, Dec. 14, the Chancel Choir will present “My Son,” written and directed by Dr. Dallas Blair. A 12-piece orchestra will accompany the presentation at both worship services.

CAN YOU HELP US WITH STUDENT OUTREACH?

The Church Promotion committee is once again preparing "care mugs" for students at SIUE this Advent season. We are looking for donations of hot chocolate mix or instant soup packets and small wrapped candies or chocolates. Please bring your donations to our basket in fellowship hall. If you have any questions talk to Gayle Driscoll (692-4538 or bearcat88@charter.net). As always, thanks for your generosity!

KATRINA RECOVERY MISSION TRIP REPORT

Eighteen enthusiastic members of the greater Alton area churches spent the week of Oct. 26-31 in New Orleans. We stayed at Olive Tree, one of six Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Katrina Recovery villages. Our group worked on reclaiming two homes including installing siding and flooring, doing considerable drywall preparation and painting.

The area continues to have extensive needs, with new construction scattered among homes where no repair has taken place or in various stages of repair, throughout all socio-economic neighborhoods. Homeowners are thoroughly screened and required to contribute of their own resources to get help through PDA. They are most appreciative of what they receive.

We want to thank those who contributed through our church to make this mission trip possible. Lois Noto

POINSETTIAS

Poinsettias will help decorate the sanctuary for the holiday season and are available for purchase through Dec. 3. Proceeds benefit our Youth Groups’ mission trips next summer. Fill out the form available on Sundays or call the office (656-4550).

Colors available are Red, White, Pink, Jingle Bells (red/white), Plum Pudding (almost purple) and Monet (pink/cream). Prices are $6 (4” pot, 3-5 blooms); $11(5-8 blooms); $20 (8-12 blooms); and $28 (12-15 blooms). You may take your plant home with you after either Christmas Eve worship service or it can be delivered to a shut-in.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) annually sponsors the Christmas Joy Offering which provides assistance to church workers through programs of the Board of Pensions and also funds education at Presbyterian racial ethnic schools and colleges through its National Ministries Division. Enclosed in this mailing is an envelope for your participation in this program. You may return it by mail or the offering plate any time during December. Thank you for your support.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Nov

Sat 22 5:30 p.m. Doors open for Trivia Night

Sun 23 8:15 a.m. Early Worship Service

9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

10:30 a.m. Late Worship/Congregational Meeting

11:45 a.m. Coffee Hour

5:00 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Service

Mon 24 7:00 p.m. Long Range Planning Task Force

Wed 26 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thu/Fri 27/28 Church offices closed-Happy Thanksgiving

Sat 29 Preparation of Decorations for Advent

Sun 30 8:30 a.m. Early Worship

9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

10:45 a.m. Late Worship

11:45 a.m. Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall

Dec

Wed 3 10:30 a.m. Spiritual Growth Group

12:00 noon PW Lunch and Program

6:15 p.m. Worship, Music & Arts Committee

7:00 p.m. Youth Committee

7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

8:15 p.m. Program Division

Thu 4 7:00 p.m. MetroEast, Evangelism, Mission Interp.

8:15 p.m. Outreach Division

Sun 7 8:30 a.m. Early Worship

9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

10:45 a.m. Late Worship

11:45 a.m. Coffee Hour, Fellowship Hall

11:45 a.m. Christian Ed Committee

5:00 p.m. Christmas Caroling

Mon 8 6:30 p.m. Personnel, Building, Fiscal Mgt.

8:15 p.m. Corporate Affairs Division

Wed 10 10:30 a.m. Spiritual Growth Group

7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Sat 13 10:00 a.m. Choral Cantata Rehearsal

1:00 p.m. Eagle Scout Ceremony

Sun 14 8:30 a.m. Early Worship

9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

10:45 a.m. Late Worship

11:45 a.m. Coffee Hour, Birthday Sunday

High School Youth go bowling

Mon 15 6:30 p.m. Session/Deacons Meeting

Wed 17 10:30 a.m. Spiritual Growth Group

7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Fri 19 6:30 p.m. Middle School Youth Group Lock-In

Sun 21 8:30 a.m. Early Worship Service

9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

10:45 a.m. Late Worship Service, Coffee Hour

4:00 p.m. Youth Groups Christmas Party

Wed 24 5:30 p.m. Early Christmas Eve Service

11:00 p.m. Late Christmas Eve Service

Thu/Fri Church offices closed-Merry Christmas

Sun 28 8:30 a.m. Early Worship Service

9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

10:45 a.m. Late Worship Service

11:45 a.m. Coffee Hour

7:00 p.m. High School Lock-In

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Advent and Christmas are soon here; there are several activities planned:

November 29-Decorating the church November 30-Advent Sunday (we will begin lighting Advent candles during both services on this day)

December 7-Carol singing, 5:00 p.m.

December 14-Choir Christmas program, both services

December 24-Children’s Christmas program, early service.

Watch the “Window” for more information about times and meeting places.

Congratulations to the elementary students on their production of Moses in October. They did a great job as the many parents who attended the performance will confirm.

Did you enjoy the visit from Jesus’ disciple Thaddeus recently?Look for visits from other disciples during the next few months!

Don’t forget that SCRIP gift cards make great Christmas gifts,

especially for family and friends who live far away from here.

Peace to you, Liz

GLEN ED PANTRY NEWS

Sandwich Night will not take place during November or December due to holiday distribution of food baskets and other donations. We would like to show our support of the Pantry with a large donation of Paper Pool products. You may help by:

*writing a check to the church (marked Pantry in the “memo” line) to help us purchase paper products, or

*bringing 4 or 6-roll packages of toilet paper, paper towels, or tissues to the purple wading pool in Fellowship Hall. Thank you for your continued support in all our mission projects.

YOU ARE INVITED to the Eagle Scout Ceremony for Brett King, Patrick Lambdin, and Spencer Lambdin which will take place in the sanctuary on Sat., Dec. 13, at 1 p.m.

THANK YOU

Dear Congregation, On behalf of the Madison County Juvenile Detention Center, thank you for the generous donation for our youth-what a pleasant surprise. We will see that this money is spent for the benefit of residents by supporting their educational needs and pro-social development. Scott Elliff, Coordinator

FOR THE RECORD

New Members: Jason Coomer, Jennifer Payne

Births: Abigail Grace Perhacs, daughter of Becca and Scott Perhacs, granddaughter of Jan and Jane Vest, Oct. 25. Abigail joins big brother Troy, uncle Scott Vest and aunt Beth Bottje.

Abigail Grace Nevins, daughter of Charity and David Nevins, granddaughter of Suzanne Nevins, Nov. 18. Abigail joins big brother Charlie, aunts Emilie Nevins & Dionna Raedeke, uncle Dan Raedeke, cousins Mallory Nevins and Gramm Raedeke.

Death: Our sympathy is extended to the family of Stanley Suddeth, cousin of Joy and Ron Myers, who died on Nov. 1.

OASIS WOMEN’S CENTER UPDATE

Please do not bring clothing donations for Oasis until after Christmas. We are again planning to provide special gifts for the residents including blankets, pillows, sheet sets (any size) and towels. Monetary donations are also appreciated as we will go shopping in early December to purchase some of these items. Please make your check payable to the church with “Oasis” on the memo line. Our efforts on behalf of these families in transition are always greatly appreciated.

YOUTH NEWS

Middle School

Dec 7 5:00 pm Caroling with the whole church invited.

Dec 14 NO Meeting Scheduled

Dec 19-20 6:30 pm – 8:30 am Middle School ONLY Lock-in – Permission slips will be needed unless you have one on file with Pastor Joy. Friends are welcomed but must have a permission slip completed before they arrive.

Dec 21 4:00-7:00 pm Christmas Party at the Cassens’ home – There will be a white elephant gift exchange. DO NOT buy anything new but wrap something from home that you no longer use but is still in good condition. Both youth groups will attend this activity.

Dec 28: NO Meeting Scheduled

Jan 3: Saturday (time to be announced) Making Breakfast Tacos for sale at church on Jan 4!

Jan 11: We’d like to plan a Skating party. Any parents interested in helping with this

activity??? We’d love your help!

Middle school students will be traveling to Green Lake, WI for THE GREAT ESCAPE from July 20-25, 2009. To date, we have received only six reservations for this event. This means that we have missed the deadline to get the cheaper price for our registration. There is still time to get in those reservations. I know that it is a LONG way off but please try to decide if your youth wants to attend. We can adjust numbers down up to two months before the event but it is very hard to add someone new to the mix. Please send a note to Pastor Joy about your participation in this event. Total cost for the event will be $379.00 plus transportation and food. Families are being asked to pay $100.00 per youth for the event. Speakers and Musicians are listed below for the 2009 Midwest event.

Kenn Kington
Kenn is one of the most sought after comedians in the country, and one of the most creative and humorous speakers anywhere.  Kenn is also author of various books on relationships including Searching for a Super Man Watching for a Wonder Woman, and his recently released Reconnecting Super Husband and Super Wife.  The books have been written up by the Associated Press, and have been featured by NBC and Fox news, as well as radio talk shows around the country.

His ability to use comedy for outreach, encouragement and other situations is cutting edge and provides unparalleled success.  Kenn Kington takes teaching and speaking to another level.  He speaks to various organizations, corporations, conferences and conventions around the country and has been doing so for years.  With a background and personality which blend well to comprise a sincere style of humor, Kenn reaches across age and cultural barriers to encourage and challenge those looking for real answers to life’s toughest questions.
Kenn lives in Marrieta, GA with his bride, Heather, and their three kids. To find out more about Kenn, visit www.kennkington.com/.

Six Days From Sunday
SIX DAYS FROM SUNDAY formed in 1997 as a worship band at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  Between 1997 and 2002, they recorded 2 EPs, the You Are Here worship album, and the full original album Just Like Oatmeal.  They have toured across the country, as well as Canada and Great Britain.  In November 2003, the band released

a 3-song EP called Releases to keep fans and industry folk up on where the music is going.

The band has a loyal fan base -- the result of their energy and sincerity in concert and their efforts to connect with fans offstage.  They stay in steady contact with fans through their website and the humorous email newsletter Inside Oatmeal.

'Cool deep rock' is how the band describes their music.  With musical influences like The Smashing Pumpkins, Paul Simon, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and U2, the result is alternative pop rock that's tricky to pin down, but very accessible. The full-length album Just Like Oatmeal utilizes the experience of producer Ronny Cates (Creed, Sister Hazel, Less Than Jake).  The album is diverse and distinctive as it surges between energy, desperation, and worship.  The sincere, powerful lyrics deal with the struggles and hope of real-life Christianity and declare to hold on to Jesus through it all.

It seems like the music is right how the band would like it:  it's cool, it's deep, and it rocks! To learn more about Six Days From Sunday visit 6dfs.com.

HIGH SCHOOL

Dec 7: 5:00 pm Caroling with the whole church invited.

Dec 14: TBA Bowling – location TBA

Dec 21: 4:00-7:00 pm Christmas Party at the Cassens’ home – There will be a white elephant gift exchange. DO NOT buy anything new but wrap something from home that you no longer use but is still in good condition. Both youth groups will attend this activity.

Dec 28-29: 7 pm-8 am High School ONLY Lock-in. Permission slips will be needed unless you have one on file with Pastor Joy. Friends are welcomed but must have a permission slip completed before they arrive.

Jan 3 Saturday-Make Breakfast Tacos for sale on Jan 4!!

Jan 11 We’d like to plan a Skating party. Any parents interested in

helping with this activity??? We’d love your help!

To date, we have received fourteen reservations for the mission trip. I realize that June is a long way away and much can happen between now and then but we really need to make reservations this EARLY. Please talk to Pastor Joy if you even think you will be going. We can always adjust the number of participants down but it is hard to adjust the number up. I am hoping the date and location are still open at this date on the calendar; the sooner you contact Joy the sooner we will know about the date! We still hope to travel to Perryville, AR and work on the Heifer Ranch this summer June 14-20, 2009. A reservation requires half the payment up front. We are asking

parents to pay $100.00 per youth and we will fund-raise the balance due. Cost for the week (including housing, food and program costs) is $365 per person plus transportation and meals while traveling. If you are interested in participating, contact Joy soon.

EVANGELISM AND CHURCH PROMOTION

Door hanging took place again on Nov 22. This was the 5^th door hanging of the year and we are grateful for those who responded when asked to help.

Again this year we will offer a “cup” of hospitality to University students facing their final exams in mid December. Cups are purchased by the committee but we’d like a little help to fill them. Along with an Advent devotional guide and some information about activities at First Presbyterian, we’d like to share a packet of hot chocolate or an envelope of instant soup mix and maybe a chocolate candy or a hard candy or two or three. Can you help fill the cups with cheer? Bring your candy, hot chocolate or soup mix to the church and leave the offering in the Fellowship Hall. A box will be designated to receive the donations. Your help is greatly appreciated not only by the committee but by the student recipients as well.

Have you heard? Rev Paul Burden who has so ably led the United Campus Ministry effort at SIUE will be following his wife to Cincinnati where she has accepted a new call to begin early in January 2009. We will certainly miss Paul at the Ministry but know that God will have plans for him in this new location as well. The Ministry board will be discussing what the plans are to replace Paul at their next board meeting. Check with Paul Cochran or Donna Crider who are our representatives to the board to find out what is happening!

►Christmas Greens that were ordered can be picked up the Sunday after Thanksgiving - Nov 30. Any that are not picked up will be delivered!

LOOKING FOR A GRAND CHRISTMAS GIFT?

Why not try our Equal Exchange Fairly Traded coffees, teas, chocolates! We are charging only the cost of the item and because we order more than four cases at a time there is no shipping. Support the small farmers globally (some products are even produced in the USA!) and give a wonderful gift that will be used right away!

FUND RAISING FOR THE YOUTH GROUP

Breakfast Tacos will be for sale again pre-Epiphany this year on Jan 4 between services and after the second service until they are gone. Those who have tried these in the past have really enjoyed them! Plan to eat with us on Sunday, Jan 4!

Planning Ahead

Chef Tyler Underwood and his crew (including his sister Carlyn) will be preparing a meal for our

February dinner fund raiser. The menu is yet to be determined but you can count on excellent food and

a wonderful time of fellowship with fellow diners. Sunday, February 15, is the date to set aside for this pleasant evening.

Watch for a notice about a special “Share” Night at Culver’s. The youth will be “working” one evening to help serve meals and to clean the dining area. Culver’s has agreed to share a portion of their sales that evening with youth to help fund their trips this summer. We hope you will decide to “dine” with us on Share Night. (the actual date is yet to be determined)

ADVENT

November 30 is the beginning of Advent this year and we will begin the season with a special worship service and a “Hanging of the Greens” where we will adorn the sanctuary with the elements of the season and learn why we use what we do as we “dress” the sanctuary. Come and join in the festivities as we begin the new church year. Services are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

All Presbyterian Women are invited to the 5th annual Women’s Advent Retreat which takes place Dec. 5-7 at Mound Ridge Camp and Retreat Center. This year’s theme is “A Season for Mary.” This is not a traditional conference but is a time for you to rest and experience time alone with God in a beautiful outdoor sanctuary. Talk to Joy Myers for more information.