November 2007

FINLEY FOCUS

November 2007

Founded 1891 Picture by Karen Brown

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Just a little update to let everyone know how our Sunday school program is doing!

To start with, the preschool class could really use a few more students. As much as Anna Grace loves the attention she gets being the only student with 2 teachers, I'm sure she, as well as Darlene and Yvonne, would rather have a room full of preschoolers.

My class K - 3rd grade is doing really well. I am pleased to say that we have 5 to 7 students show up each week for class but there is always room for more!

The 4th - 7th graders and the high school students have combined classes for the next several weeks. That class is now studying the Ten Commandments and painting them on the wall in the basement. We would like to invite everyone in that age group to come and help with the painting. Everyone should check out the wall each week to see how it is progressing!

We also have an adult class for you to attend while your children or grandchildren are in their classes. (Please set a good example for the children and go to your class without making too much of a fuss.)

With the decline of morals in today's society we as parents and as a church need to see that our children have the moral and religious foundation that they will need before they go out to face the world as adults. In years to come they will look back on their early years in church and thank you for taking them (or forcing them) to church. Parents and Grandparents please bring your children, grandchildren and even the neighbors children to Sunday school and you can stay for the adult class!

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

It is getting close to the time of the year when we start thinking about the Holiday season. For the children in the church, one of the most exciting things that happens during the Holiday season is the Christmas Pageant. I am sure nearly everyone in the church looks forward to Christmas Eve when they can see the children up in front of the church, with their smiles and giggles, putting on the Christmas play. Getting volunteers to help with the play usually isn't a problem. What we really need is someone to be in charge of the play. If you are interested in being in charge of the Children's Christmas play, or even helping out with it, please see me, Sue Brubaker, after church on Sunday or call me at 540-241-4737 or 540-943-8270.

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.

Our Chancel choir has begun practicing our Christmas Cantata, Holy Night of Miracles. We will be singing with the Calvary choir both at Calvary and here at Finley. If you would like to practice with us, and add your voice to the chorus, please meet with us on Wednesdays at 7:30. Practice is only an hour, so please consider joining our ministry of music.

CALLING ALL MEN! Our monthly Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be served on Sunday, November 4, at 8:30 am. Please join us for food, fellowship and service.

DON’T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR SUNDAY MORNING NOVEMBER 4^TH FOR THE END OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME.

Presbyterian Women will meet at 7pm on Tuesday, November 6. All women are invited to attend our meetings and participate in our bible studies and service projects. For generations, Presbyterian women have responded to God's love by offering this love back to the world in tangible ways. With our wide variety of talents, resources and our sincere desire to help others, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of people everywhere.

Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home and Blue Ridge area Food Bank are joining forces to stomp out hunger in the Valley. If you would like to contribute food to the Food Bank, you now have the option of bringing it to the Waynesboro Chapel or Staunton Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes. For more information call 949-8383 or 886-2363.

Thank you to all area Boy Scouts for their hard work collecting food for the Food Bank during their annual Scouting for Food drive.

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. Nov. 4 Fellowship & Devotion at the Coble's 7-9 pm. Bring your friends and your Bible's as we continue our study of Jesus' miracles.

Mark your calendars for the second weekend in November. We'll go either Friday or Saturday evening depending upon what's happening with SDHS sports. Full details will be announced.

Sun. Nov. 11 Fellowship & Devotion at the Coble's 7-9 pm. Bring your friends and your Bible's.

Sun., Nov. 18 Fellowship & Devotion at the Coble's 7-9 pm. Bring your friends and your Bible's.

Sun., Nov. 25 Fellowship & Devotion at the Coble's 7-9 pm. Bring your friends and your Bible's.

	Nursery Schedule	Visitation Schedule
Nov. 4	Leslie & Lance Allen; Linda Peery	John Gibson & Gloyd May
Nov. 11	Allison & Randy Fink; Jacquelyn May	Don Markle
Nov. 18	Sue & Jessica Brubaker; Gina Henderson	Darlene Bowles
Nov. 25	David & Lisa Seaman; Paul Willey	Janet Robinette & Doris Willey

Dan Hatter CH

Ray Snyder	Beryl Lunsford
Buck Earhart	Jeff Crist
Shannon Wimer	Art Hendrickson

Chicken & Rice Casserole

2 cups cooked rice

2 cups (8oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or Co-Jack, or cheddar, or whatever!)

1-1/2 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast meat

1 can (12 fl oz) Carnation Evaporated Milk™ (fat free or regular)

½ cup finely chopped onion

2 large eggs, lightly beaten (or egg beaters)

¼ cup finely chopped cilantro (or parsley, or 1 T dried)

2 T butter or margarine, melted

1 T Ortego™ diced jalapenos (or fresh chopped)

Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly grease 2-quart casserole.

Combine all ingredients in casserole dish and stir well.

Bake 45-50 min. or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

In a medium pot, place 2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup milk and bring to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and first add 3 cups of oatmeal (quick works better) and mix well.

Then add 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix and drop by spoonfuls for cookies or spread in a pan and cut into bars when firm.

A prayer for today

O Lord, this day is your gift to me,

what I do with this day is my gift back to you.

As I begin this day, I center myself on you.

Let no ungenerous thought be in my mind today,

no intent that has bitterness in it,

no purpose that has harm in it,

not only toward others, but toward myself.

To each one I meet this day,

let me be quick to speak a grateful word,

willing to hear a painful word,

eager to believe the best and forgive the worst.

Touch me, O God,

with the sweet simplicity of this fresh new day,

and may gentleness and hope fill my heart. Amen!

--Rev. DeWane Zimmerman

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Hunter Crist’s Birthday

Debbie McCormick’s Birthday

Jessica Blythe’s Birthday

Amanda Argenbright’s Birthday

Randy Fink’s Birthday

John & Carol Gibson’s Anniversary

Brian Boswell’s Birthday

2007

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

All Saints’ Day

World Community Day

Men’s Breakfast 8:30am

4¢-a-Meal

Presbyterian Women 7pm

Bell Choir

7pm

Election Day

Chancel choir 7:30pm

Blue Grass Gospel Concert 6:30pm

Session

7 pm

Veterans Day

Bell Choir 7pm

Chancel choir 7:30pm

Thanksgiving Offering

Pot-luck after worship

Bell Choir 7pm

Chancel choir 7:30pm

Focus article deadline

Thanksgiving

Christ the King Sunday

Bell Choir 7pm

Chancel choir 7:30pm