This is our 15th Advent and Christmas together. This season of the year is always very special. I want to thank all of those who work so hard to make it meaningful. There are numbers of people who have been working on special music for the month. Lee and Allen are heading that effort up, but many have said yes when contacted to sing with a group or alone. We are all grateful for the folk who decorate the sanctuary and other spaces. The individuals and families who lead in worship are important as well. The Christmas dinner is always a special evening and we look forward to that taking place on Wednesday, Dec. 18th. There is always a good crowd that goes into the neighborhood to Carol and that will take place on Friday, Dec. 20th. The Christmas Musical, “Bethlehem Morning” will be sung by our Christmas Choir on Sunday, Dec. 22nd. For most people, the service that is so very special is the Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service. That service will begin at 7 PM on Christmas Eve.

It takes all of us to make these services possible, so I hope you will take advantage of each one. Most years I also remind you to carve out some “Family Time” just for your family to have some time together where you do not have scheduled events to go to. The schedule can get so full that you don’t have the time to enjoy the season with those who are most special.

Merry Christmas,

Howard

As we prepare to turn our calendars to November, we have noticed a change in the weather, a change in the landscape and soon we will transition into the holiday season as well. The weather has seen the arrival of cooler weather with some rain! The leaves are changing and the color will be great to view.

As we transition into November, we also move toward the holiday season. Thanksgiving is always special as we give thanks for all of the blessings that God has shared with us. Advent will follow and it will be time to prepare our lives for the coming of the Messiah.

These special seasons of the year give us opportunities to reflect on our relationship with our Lord and with other people that God has brought into our lives. It is easy to overbook your time with parties, meals, church events, family gatherings, etc. I want to encourage you to carve out some intentional reflective time when you have days or evenings just to be quiet and listen to God’s voice during this busy season.

Howard

The New Church Year has begun. The final pieces of the Church Leadership Puzzle have been put into place. The Deacons have met and chosen their leaders and they selected the new team leaders. These team leaders have been busy recruiting their team members. If you have not been asked, then go to the one who is leading the ministry you are excited about and volunteer. Below you will find the Deacon Teams and their new leaders. The new Deacon Officers are: Chair – Judy Bendle, Vice-Chair – Margaret Robinson and Secretary – Nancy King. This also fills out the positions on the Church Council and the Ministry Leaders Teams. Those names are listed below as well.

Deacon Teams

Grief Support Ministry Team – Nancy King Visitation Team – Donald Leggett and Linda Pickering
CABC Orientation Team – Beverly Wong Mission Outreach – Rosa Coleman Spiritual Support Team – Annette Bryant and Margaret Robinson
Partnership Ministry Team – Rosa Coleman and Nancy King

Church Council

Pastor – Howard Germany Deacon Chair – Judy Bendle Trustee Chair – Doris Wollett Treasurer – Melanie Hickman Church Clerk – Gloria Lucy

Ministry Leaders

Pastor – Howard Germany
Minister to Families – Claire George Mission Outreach Team Leader – Rosa Coleman Director of Bible Study – Nancy King Deacon Vice Chair – Margaret Robinson Music Coordinator – Lee Germany Nominating Committee Chair – TBA

Make plans to attend the Bi-Annual business meeting on October 13. We will begin promptly at 9:30 in the Fellowship Hall. If you have an item to be included on the agenda, please give that to our Moderator, Doris Wollett or Pastor, Howard Germany by Wednesday, October 9.

Howard

September begins a new church year and with this new year we begin living into our new structure in earnest. The Church Council has had several meetings. They are preparing for the first Semi-Annual Business meeting. By the way the date has been changed to October 13th due to Allen and me being away on the 6th. The meeting will take place during the Sunday School hour. We will begin promptly at 9:30 AM. All members and regular attenders are encouraged to attend. Both groups are allowed to speak and vote.

The Ministry Leaders will meet on Wednesday, August 28 to work on a coordinated calendar for the new church year. The Theme for the year will be: “Love In Action.” Hopefully we will be planning events that help us show God’s love in concrete ways.

The Deacon’s will meet on Wednesday, September 4th at 6:30. They will elect officers and choose new Deacon Team Leaders. September 8th the Deacons will be recruiting team members to assist them with their work. Please find them and volunteer to help.

The new Sunday School year is also beginning. I hope that many of you will make a renewed commitment to study God’s word with a small group of people each Sunday. There are plenty of options for the adults. I hope you will find your place. We are also doing some regrouping of our children and youth classes, so I hope our children and youth will make an effort to attend and give the new classes a try.

Howard

Our church held its last Quarterly Business meeting in July. The reason it is the last one is not because we are going out of business but because we are moving to a Bi-Annual meeting in the Fall and Spring. We will meet on Sunday mornings during the Bible Study Hour. The first of those meetings will be held on Sunday, October 6th. We took care of some important business in that final meeting.

We elected three deacons to begin service on September 1. These individuals are: Linda Pickering, Rosa Coleman, and Annette Bryant. We will be scheduling an ordination service in September or October.

We also re-elected most of our church officers, the one change is in Historian. Lori Robertson is step- ping away from that responsibility and Donna Adams has agreed to take it on. There is a new position, Music Coordinator. My wife, Lee Germany, has agreed to take it on. The responsibility is to coordinate the Music program of the church, including special choirs, the calendar of the Saints Alive and Handbell Choir, and any special music. She will continue to work with Allen and others to get the work done. The other change is the position of Moderator. The pastor will no longer serve as Moderator of business meetings. Doris Wollett has agreed to serve in this role.

We also elected our first team leaders. They are as follows: Shepherd Team Leader – Judy Bendle; Sanctuary Readiness Team Leader – Sandy Beale; Media Team Leader – Russ Gathright; Building and Grounds Team Leader – Steve Brown; Fel- lowship Team Leader – Gloria Lucy; Special Events Team Leader – Lynne Lilley. The Nominating Committee is still seeking a team leader for the Tally Team.

In August, there will be sign up sheets in the Fellowship Hall for everyone, (members or attenders) to pick the team you want to be a part of. If you are not sure of the responsibilities, talk with one of the team leaders. They will also be recruiting team members. For this new structure to work, we need people to volunteer where you want to serve.

Howard