FINLEY
FOCUS
December
2007
Founded 1891
Picture by
Thoughts
from the Interim Pastor…
Grace to you and peace from
God and from our Lord Jesus Christ!
“In those days John the Baptist
appeared in the
wilderness of Judea…”
-- Matthew 3:1
Thought
#1): Hello to you all from your new
Interim Pastor. I am truly looking
forward to my time with you, of meeting you in worship, in small group
gatherings, and as you come by the church.
Since remembering a large number of names gets more difficult as I get
older, I am going to request you tell me your name until I call you by it. The small group gatherings are going to be a
terrific way for me to get to know you – much better than a Sunday morning
handshake, so please say yes when you get your invitation. Folks from other churches have even admitted
to learning something!
Thought
#2): I am looking forward to beginning
my time with you during the Advent season as we begin the new church year and
prepare for Christmas. Years ago I read
an article about interim ministry that referred to John the Baptist as the
first interim pastor – coming as he did between the prophets of Israel and
Jesus the Messiah. I particularly like
that imagery because John the Baptist held a mirror up to the people, enabling
them to see themselves as God saw them.
I am going to be holding up a mirror as well – a mirror in which you all
will see yourselves as a Body of Christ, and begin to decide who you are, and
who you would like to be in the future.
Then together, we’ll begin to prepare for that future. It’s an exciting time for us all.
Thought
#3): A little about myself – I am a
professional interim pastor, and was certified as such in 2003. Finley is my 8th
interim in almost 14years. I have served
at Hermitage, Westminster, Bethel, Waynesboro 2nd, and Augusta Stone
in Augusta County, and Oxford and Buena Vista in Rockbridge County. Prior to interim ministry I was Presbyterian
Campus Minister at the University of South Carolina and Associate Pastor at the
Lexington Presbyterian Church. I
graduated from Louisville in 1985 and was ordained that same year. I received a B.S. in Speech Communication
from Northwestern University and spent 13 years in advertising before going to
seminary.
Thought
#4): That’s the technical stuff. On the home front my family in Columbus, Ohio
consists of my brother Ron, sister-in-law Molly, niece Kelly and her husband
Chad and their daughter Gwendolyn, and my nephew John. My family in Fairfield consists of Irish
Setters Rosie and Bridie. You all will
soon discover that I am an avid sports fan, a music lover (not heavy metal!),
and that all things being equal, I would rather be in Ireland at almost any
time. I made my first mission trip there
in 2006 and hope to go back next summer.
At the church I love preaching, visitation, and even a committee meeting
or two. I take Mondays off, plan to be
in the office Tuesday through Friday most weeks, and look forward to sharing my
love and joy of God and of the church with all of you.
Yours
in Christ,
Sally Robinson
Notice from the Session
There
will be a called congregational meeting on Sunday, December 9 for the purpose
of electing a slate of nominees for the class of elders for 2010. The slate of
nominees presented by the nominating committee are; David Cohron, Jeff Crist,
Dan Hatter and Margie Robison. If you would like to add a nominee, please make
sure you have their permission before nominating them.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Christmas Pageant practice has begun! We will be practicing for this year’s Children's Christmas program each Sunday morning during Sunday School. Please join us for singing and practice each Sunday until Christmas. All youth through high school are invited to be in the program or to help out. Any adults that would like to help please be there Sunday morning and join in the fun, we can always use more help! If you have any questions please contact Gina Henderson at 241-2770 or Dawn Christian at 649-4013. The program will be held on Christmas Eve. The time of the program will be announced at a later date. Please plan to join us on Sunday mornings and on Christmas Eve.
Merry Christmas
Sue Brubaker
Health Topics
Well, it’s that time of year again.
Sickness is everywhere and it seems likely everyone you encounter either has
the flu or just got over it. You hear people going crazy about either not being
able to get a flu vaccine or getting sick from the vaccine. What is the flu and
what do you need to know about the flu vaccine?
Influenza is a viral respiratory illness.
The major symptoms of flu are high fever, body aches, and dry cough. This
differs from other respiratory viruses such as the common cold which are more
likely to cause runny nose, junky cough, and sore throat. The symptoms of
nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps sometimes referred to as the “stomach flu”
are rarely caused by the influenza virus. If these are the major symptoms, you
likely have a stomach virus, not influenza.
Although most healthy individuals recover from the flu in a week or two, some
people can develop life-threatening complications such as pneumonia. If you
suspect you may have the flu, it is important to see your doctor quickly
because the antiviral medications available to treat it should be started
within the first two days of your symptoms to be effective.
The flu vaccine available as a shot each
fall contains dead copies of the influenza virus. Each year the vaccine
contains the three types of influenza virus researchers feel are going to be
the most common that season. These viruses have been inactivated and cannot
cause you to get the flu. The vast majority of people have no side effects from
the vaccine. However, it is possible your body might react to the vaccine by
developing local swelling around the injection site, a low grade fever, or mild
achiness for a day or two.
The vaccine is available for anyone over 6
months of age, but is particularly encouraged for those under age 5 or over 50,
pregnant women, anyone living in a nursing home or similar facility, and anyone
with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or lung disease. Anyone in
close contact with a person at high risk from complications of the flu should
also get vaccinated. This includes anyone living with either a child under six
months of age or living with someone with one of the above conditions.
The flu vaccine is available through many
physicians’ offices and pharmacies. Both Stuarts Draft Family Pharmacy and Rite
Aid in Stuarts Draft are giving flu vaccines this year. The cost is about $30
without insurance and is often cheaper with insurance. You can also contact
your primary care physician to see if it is available through his or her
office. Many times it is covered as part of your co-pay during a routine office
visit.
Kim Cheek, MD
Scripture Readings and Sermon Titles For December
December
2 Isaiah 9:2-7
Matthew
25:1-13
“A Light for
Our Darkness”
December
9 Isaiah 40:1-5
Matthew
3:1-12
“Hope In Our
Wilderness”
December
16 Isaiah 35:1-10
December
23 Isaiah 7:10-16
Matthew
1:18-25
“God Is With
Us”
December
30 Isaiah 63:7-9
Matthew
3:13-23
NOVEMBER
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Beginning Balance------------$440.35
Total receipts---------------$10,709.96
Total-------------------------$11,150.31
Total Expenses--------------$9,408.40
$1,741.91
Transfer From
Ending Balance--------------$2,423.73
Transfer was from the yard sale account to help fund
Finley’s two iCare children at $450 each. The yard sale account is now at 0.
This account was designated to be used for this purpose.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Adult Sunday School Winter Session
For the winter term (Jan.
6-Mar. 30), the adult Sunday School class will be studying the book “The
Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People” by
John Ortberg.
This is a book about
spiritual disciplines for Christians written in an easily understandable,
practical format and contains a study guide which includes, for each chapter,
questions, scripture, prayer direction, and personal reflection guides.
The following is a book
summary from amazon.com:
This is more than just a
book about things to do to be a good Christian. It is a road map toward true
transformation that starts not with the individual but with the object of the
journey - Jesus Christ. As with a marathon runner, the secret to winning the
race lies not in trying harder, but in training consistently, training with the
spiritual disciplines. The disciplines are neither taskmasters nor an end in
themselves. Rather they are exercises that build strength and endurance for the
road of growth. The fruit of the Spirit: joy, peace, kindness, etc. are the
signposts along the way. Paved with
humor and sparkling anecdotes, The Life You’ve Always Wanted is an encouraging
and challenging approach to a Christian life that’s worth living a life on the
edge that fills an ordinary world with new meaning, hope, change, and joy.
The book contains these 13
chapters:
1) “We Shall Morph Indeed”: The Hope of Transformation
2) Surprised by Change: The Goal of Spiritual Life
3) Training Vs. Trying: The Truth About Spiritual
Disciplines
4) A “Dee Dah Day”: The Practice of Celebration
5) An Unhurried Life: The Practice of “Slowing”
6) Interrupting Heaven: The Practice of Prayer
7) “Appropriate Smallness”: The Practice of Servanthood
8) Life Beyond Regret: The Practice of Confession
9) The Guided Life: Receiving Guidance from the Holy
Spirit
10) A Life of Freedom: The Practice of Secrecy
11) An Undivided Life: The Practice of Reflection on
Scripture
12) Life with a Well-ordered Heart: Developing Your Own
“Rule of Life”
13) A Live of Endurance: The Experience of Suffering
Each chapter can stand
alone, so participants who cannot attend each Sunday need not fear falling
behind or being left in the dark. You
may purchase the book on your own through bookstores or amazon.com. or contact Mike
Robison about them. There will be
several extras available during each class for those who may not have purchased
a book.
It has received rave reviews
and seems especially useful for Sunday School classes. Here are 2 reviews:
By Dr. Robert W. Kellemen (Crown Point, IN)
In "The Life You've
Always Wanted," pastor and author John Ortberg calls Christians back to
the basics. In fact, you could think of his book as "Spiritual Disciplines
101," or "The ABCs of Growing in Grace".
By N. Simpson :
Our Sunday School class is
finishing The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg. It has been a big hit.
Ortberg is very readable. He knows his subject matter well, ties the Bible in
appropriately, tells good stories and offers excellent insights. Yet he does it
in a very transparent and humble fashion. He never pretends that he has it all
together and is now going to enlighten the little people. He is candid about
his own failings and challenges, which makes his work much more approachable.
It has study questions for each chapter in the back, so it works well for a
Sunday School class format.
Church Closing Info
It is a good time now for us to review the inclement
weather procedures in preparation for the winter. Please keep in mind that we
will do all we can to have worship on Sunday mornings if possible, therefore we
will always try to make a decision to cancel by 8:00am at the latest on Sunday
morning, so you will need to keep looking and listening for information about
cancellations after 8:00am. Please remember that it takes time for the
information to be posted on the news and reported on the radio. Below is a
listing of where you should be able to find information about our church
services on Sunday morning should there be inclement weather.
WHSV – TV 3 Channel 3 This is the best and quickest way to find out info.
WVIR – TV 29 Channel 4
WKCY 1300AM / WKCI 970AM
WNLR 1150AM
December 25, 2002 my wife Edith and I woke up to a white Christmas, during the night a light snow had covered everything fluffy white. We sat in the family room drinking coffee and looking at the birds eating at a snow covered feeder. A beautiful red cardinal flew in and perched on the deck railing, he cocked his head and seemed to say something. I ran and got my camera, although I knew he would fly away as soon as I opened the door. Much to my delight he stayed on the snow covered rail as I took several pictures. I came back indoors and the words of a poem came to me. I sat down right away and wrote "The Red Cardinal" before the words would surely be gone forever.
The Red
Cardinal
By Roy
Rotenberry
A red cardinal came to visit us
On this snowy Christmas Day,
I wondered…..if it was
the snow that kept Santa away?
Then it dawned on me
This is not Santa’s birthday,
That we celebrate,
each in our own special way.
Instead it is the birth of a baby born
in a manger of straw and hay.
The cardinal cocked his head and seemed to say,
“In Bethlehem, with a virgin birth,
God showed us the way.”
Don’t Miss the Dec. 9 Advent
Celebration Activity!
Don’t know much about Chrismons? Come join in a fellowship activity to learn more about the symbols of our faith and decorate your tree at the same time! Join us in the Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday, December 9 for a spaghetti lunch and make some Chrismons to hang on your tree at home and on our tree in the Sunday School wing.
Chrismons
The word ‘Chrismon’ is derived from Latin meaning ‘Christ monogram’. Chrismon ornaments are tree decorations in the form of symbols which represent Christ and our Christian faith. Popular Chrismons are: crowns, crosses, doves, shells, and stars. Most Chrismons are white embellished with gold beads, ribbon, glitter, and sequins. White is the liturgical color of the Christmas season and gold is the color associated with king and the majesty of God.
The history of the first Chrismon tree:
Mrs. Frances Spencer, a member of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia, began making her own Christmas tree decorations and eventually became a professional tree decorator. In 1957 she was asked to decorate the tree at her church. Wanting to make the tree decorations special in order to reflect the tradition of her faith, she began to use these early Christian symbols. Thus the "Chrismon Tree" was born. Since 1957, her ideas have been published in several books (she assigned the copyrights to the name "Chrismon" to her church). One stipulation is that Chrismons may never be sold for profit, which explains why you don't find Chrismons in stores. (http://apmethodist.org/advent-trad.htm#christmon )
Symbol Origins
The symbols represented by Chrismons have their origin in the early history of Christianity. Symbols were used for several purposes:
· as a sign of recognition among Christians
· as a way to teach biblical truths
· as a way to remind Christians of their faith
· as a way to memorialize Christian beliefs for future generations
Look for more information about Chrismons on these websites:
Avondale Pattillo
http://apmethodist.org/advent-trad.htm#christmon
The Voice: Biblical and Theological Resources for Growing Christians
http://www.cresourcei.org/symbols/chrismon.html
Christian Symbols Unlimited
The
Handbell Choir will be presenting a concert of Christmas music Sunday, December
23 at 7:30 pm (including our new 3rd octave!). Please invite your friends and neighbors and
join us as we share some holiday handbell music and sing some familiar
Christmas hymns together.
Our prayer chain is in need of more ‘links’
to help keep us connected. If you would like to join our prayer chain to pray
for needs of our church family as well as community friends and family, please
notify Jacquelyn at 337-0935 (H) or 949-8187 (W) or smithjb@ntelos.net. Thanks
to all who pray with us now – your time is greatly appreciated.
CALLING
Eight Gifts that Don’t
Cost a Cent
1.
The Gift of Listening… But, you
must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response.
Just listen.
2.
The Gift of Attention…
Be
generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let
these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3.
The Gift of Laughter…
Clip
cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to
laugh with you."
4.
The Gift of a Written Note…
It
can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief,
handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5.
The Gift of a Compliment...
A
simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super
job", or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6.
The Gift of a Favor...
Every
day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7.
The Gift of Solitude...
There
are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to
those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8.
The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition...
The
easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not
that hard, to say, "Hello" or "Thank You".
Youth News
Middle School Youth Group: Meeting at
Beth Gibson’s house, 7-8:15. Don’t forget to invite your friends!
High School Youth Group:
Sun., Dec. 2
– Fellowship & Devotion at the Coble’s 7:00-9:00 pm. Bring your
friends and your Bibles!
Sun., Dec. 9
– THERE WILL BE NO REGULAR YOUTH MEETING
Sun., Dec. 16 – Fellowship & Devotion at the Coble’s 7:00-9:00 pm. Bring
your friends and your Bibles!
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Nursery Schedule |
Visitation Schedule |
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Dec. 2 |
Jeff & Julia Crist;
Mary Hadley |
Marjorie Shreckhise |
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Dec. 9 |
Dawn & Jay Christian |
Esther Winton &
Beverley |
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Dec. 16 |
Darlene Bowles, Shirley
Meijer & Alisha Alcala |
John Gibson & Gloyd
May |
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Dec. 23 |
Karen & Ron Bing-Wo;
Esther Winton |
Don Markle |
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Dec. 30 |
Kathy Boswell &
Carolyn Palmer |
Darlene Bowles |
Jane Schumin CH
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Yvonne Simmons |
Paul Willey |
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Tom Elliott |
Darlene Bowles |
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Sue Brubaker |
Randy Fink |
All women are invited to
join us for our meeting on Tuesday, December 4 at 7pm. Thank you to all who
bought gifts for our angel tree. There will be a lot of people blessed by your
generosity this Christmas.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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1 |
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2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 Katie Lowe’s Birthday |
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9 Justin Orzech’s Birthday |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
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16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
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23 |
24 Tommy |
25 Jesus Christ’s Birthday |
26 Ann Schumin’s Birthday |
27 |
28 John Steele’s Birthday |
29 |
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30 |
31 Mike Moneymaker’s Birthday |
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And she gave birth to her firstborn son and
wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no
place for them in the inn.
Luke 2:7
2007
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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1 |
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2 Men’s Breakfast 4¢-a-Meal |
3 |
4 Presbyterian Women Bell Choir |
5 Chancel choir 7:30pm |
6 |
7 |
8 |
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9 Congregational meeting |