Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy Weekly Newsletter

Newsletter

December / 13 / 2022

Rejoice...If You Can

"Could we risk...rejoicing in the mercy that comes through Jesus Christ even though that mercy may not save each of us from his or her deepest dilemma? Is it possible to have faith in the One who comes even though His coming may not rescue US from whatever imprisons us – to rejoice though we remain behind bars?" (Bartlett)

The Third Week of Advent

Message from Rev. Bill Vincent

Pacific Presbyterian and First Presbyterian Church-Union

Click Here

Our Presbytery - Our Work

Weekly Prayer Basket

Please pray for...please pray for those struggling with loss as the holidays approach, and for those in the hospital away from their families.
Please pray for.. pray for those who have and will bring new life into this world in Advent and the coming year.
Please pray for...those in the hospital, receiving treatments, or struggling with health burdens

Submit a Prayer

PC(USA)

Quick Connect

Support Ministry

Help Wanted

Positions Available Found Here

Save the Date - Holiday Open House

Presbytery Office Open House

Hybrid Open House

(at the Presbytery Office and on Zoom)

Thursday, December 15 | 4 pm to 6 pm

Join Zoom meeting by clicking here:

If using the Zoom App, enter

Meeting ID: 822 2319 3110

If joining us in person, this event will be held in the Oaks Building First Floor Meeting Room, next door to the Presbytery Office, located at 1001 Craig Rd., Ste. 170, St. Louis, MO. Directions Here

Upcoming Ministry Team Meetings

This Week

Next Week

Wed., Dec. 14

12 pm - COM Click Here

No Meetings Scheduled

The Presbytery office will be closed from Friday, December 23 until Monday, January 2. We will still be accessible to you, should you need support. Our contact information is found at the bottom of this newsletter.

Saddened to Report

Kathryn McKie

March 28, 1931 - December 3, 2022

We are saddened to report the passing of Kathryn McKie, the beloved wife of Rev. Eldon McKie.

Obituary, Service and Memorial information, found by clicking here.

Celebrating Ministry of First Presbyterian - Cuba

Reception and Fellowship following worship service.

A celebration of service and ministry, of First Presbyterian Church, Cuba was held on Sunday, December 11 at 3 pm, for members and friends of the congregation. We give God glory for the 156 years of mission, ministry, and love shared with their community.

The congregation, with the support of the Presbytery, has voted to end ministry at that site on December 31, 2022.

Photos by Rev. Ryan Landino and Janice McMillen

News & Updates

SAVE THE DATE - MAKE PLANS

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

Christmas Worship Schedules

Friends, we know that many travel for Christmas, and want to make sure that in the busyness of the season, you have somewhere to worship, in person or virtually.

Click Here

If your church is not listed, but you will be hosting in-person, hybrid or online services up to and including Christmas and New Years, we would love to add them to this booklet. Email [email protected]

Don’t miss our FINAL event of the year!

As the end of the year approaches, church offices often feel overwhelmed with year-end giving, holiday bonuses, and budget planning for 2023. In this free webinar, attorney, CPA, and senior editor Richard R. Hammar from Church Law & Tax will equip and provide leaders with confidence going into the new year.

This FREE webinar will cover key updates and reminders, including:

How to correctly handle business expenses for pastors and staff

How to properly set minister housing allowances

How to document and process charitable contributions

How to identify and prepare the records and paperwork that ministers, staff members, and the church will need for the upcoming tax-filing season

You won’t want to miss this perennially popular event!

Details Found Here

Our Selah offers clergy a safe space to connect, give and receive, exhale and release, be prayed for and cared for. Because it is a nationwide Zoom group, Our Selah allows a certain amount of anonymity that pastors do not feel in similar presbytery groups; plus, all members are invited to make a commitment to confidentiality and members may come with cameras off, as well.

In Search of the Christ Child

Join A Place of Grace in a Walk to Bethlehem. The original goal was to make the 6416.84 mile trek to Bethlehem in time for Christmas, however because of the distance, we may expand the journey with an estimated arrival time on Epiphany. Either way, we're going to need a lot more people with us on this journey. Twenty minutes of intentional movement equals one mile. Each day, you'll be guided by a musical prayer prompt, and you'll be asked to report your mileage by email or through the designated Facebook group. You can RSVP via the Event Form at this link: https://www.aplaceofgrace-juliegvillo.net/upcoming-events.html . We hope you'll join us ... it's never too late to join the search for Jesus in our world!

Interactive Cantata

Sun., Dec. 18 at 2 pm

On Sunday, December 18th, First Presbyterian Church, Alton, together with A Place of Grace, will present an interactive cantata. Congregants will be invited to create an original, once-in-a-lifetime piece of art during creating spaces throughout the course of the cantata that will be completed by the end of the musical offering. The cantata will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 18th at First Presbyterian Church, Alton, IL at the corner of E 4th and Alby Streets. Art materials will be provided. The event is open to the public. We hope you'll join us for this experience of art and sabbath.

Tips for Caring for God's Creation

Try to Have a Green Christmas! It's not too late!

The underlying message of all eco-friendly holidays is to simplify the buying and the busyness. Enjoy the spirit of preparation for the coming of the Word into our lives! Here are some earth-friendly ideas: shop locally-owned. Use sustainable wrapping paper. Donate to the PC(USA) Christmas Joy Offering and to local charities. Consider giving "experiential" gifts rather than material things. Use energy-efficient LED lights. Put Christmas lights on timers. Use reusable dinnerware rather than disposable. Avoid soda bottles or cans.

Deadline Extended

The office of Vital Congregations invites presbyteries to join together in covenant relationship to God and each other, as we seek the Spirit’s revitalizing power for a vital life together, through a two-year Revitalization Initiative -which is a covenant relationship between presbyteries and the PC(USA) to prayerfully walk with pastors and existing congregations in intentional efforts of revitalization. The deadline for enrolling in the 5th Wave of the Vital Congregations Initiative has been extended. There's still no application or fees!

Click Here for Information

New Home for Choir Robes (FREE)

Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church would like to find a new home for its choir robes. There are 16 green robes (fabric: polyester; style: Symphony; sold by: Cokesbury; manufactured by: Collegiate) with 15 matching cream-colored satin collars. We also have 8 gold robes. Photos are available upon request.

If interested, please leave a message with Saint Andrew at (314) 353-0979.

Fraught & Flummoxed, a conference for those seeking courage and creativity as they elevate the Gospel. Join us January 30–February 2, 2023, as we engage mind, body, and spirit in the analysis of anti-racism.

Have you been trying to engage your congregation in conversations on anti-racism in light of the myriad of issues brought to light over the past two years? These are important - albeit hard - conversations to be having, and we want to do everything we can to help support ministers and lay people alike as their congregations tackle issues of social reform in an ever-polarized political landscape.

Come – join us for a few days as we gather (online and in person) to grieve the losses we have endured due to illness, fear, convenience, laziness, complacency, workaholism, and comparison. Jesus is calling us to rest – really rest. It is our hope that you will find rest and company during the Annual Event.

Learn more by clicking here.

Calvin Symposium on Worship

February 8–10, 2023

Register now for the Calvin Symposium on Worship, held on the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This annual, ecumenical conference gathers worshipers from across Canada, the US, and beyond; brings together people from a variety of roles in worship and leadership, including pastors, worship planners and leaders, musicians, scholars, students, worship bands and teams, organists, visual artists, preachers, chaplains, missionaries, liturgists, council and session leaders, and more; and encourages leaders in churches and worshiping communities of all sizes and settings.