Glorifying God

This week's Scripture Lessons: *Isaiah 2:1-5 and *Matthew 24:36-44

Sermon Title: "Unexpected Advent"

Liturgist: Al Eads

LITURGIST NEEDED January 1

Liturgists lead the Call to Confession, Prayer of Confession, Assurance of Pardon, and the First Scripture Reading. A script will be provided in advance. Contact Rev. Cameron Smith if you have any questions. Sign up below today!

Growing Disciples

Our sister church, St. James Presbyterian, has produced an in-house Advent devotional with submissions from people across the presbytery. You can choose below to download the entire devotional or subscribe to receive each day’s devotion in your email inbox.

The Adult Sunday School Class will begin their Advent study of The Light Will Shine by Carol Miller this week at 9:45 AM in Classroom 1. Sunday School is a great way to prepare your heart for Christmas as we study God’s Word together each week.

Our Youth Class will also focus on Advent for the next four weeks. The Children’s Class will learn the Christmas story and work on getting ready to help lead worship on December 4 and December 18, when they will present their Christmas Pageant. There is something for everyone! If you have questions about Sunday School, contact Martha Trussell.

Once again this Advent/Christmas season, our Loaves and Fishes ladies are offering holiday breads for sale. The breads will include past favorites: Apple Fritter Bread, Cranberry Orange Bread, and Pumpkin Ribbon Bread. A new savory offering, Cheddar Scallion Bread, has been added this year.

Orders must be received by December 4.

When one of our YPPC Committees doesn’t sponsor a special meal, we gather following worship for light snacks and fellowship provided by our YPPC members. Congregational Ministries furnishes all the paper products, lemonade, and serving ware. Please sign up on the Fellowship calendar in Memorial Hall if you are able to help with this ministry or contact the church office.

Mid High Retreat to Bethelwoods was a SUCCESS!

Our Mid Highs traveled with James Island Presbyterian to attend the Fall Retreat earlier this month with churches from across the presbytery. Everyone had a wonderful time learning, playing, and making new friends.

Meeting Human Needs

Angel Tree Ministry

Our annual Angel Tree is decorated and shining brightly in the Fellowship Hall. This ministry provides an opportunity for our church family and friends to make Christmas a little merrier for the 21 children (ages 2 -17) who are served by our Food Pantry. If you would like to participate, please mark your donation “Angel Tree” and place it in the offering plate or mail to the church before December 18th. Please see our Angel Tree Coordinators, Terri Myers or Kristi Lynch, if you have any questions.

In Week 4 of THORNWELL EMPHASIS MONTH, we again highlight the mission of Thornwell to prevent child abuse and neglect, build and reunite families, and support healthy communities in the name of Jesus Christ. 

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats told by Jesus in Matthew 25 says: “And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Many of the children Thornwell serves, either through the residential program or in the foster parent network, have been taken from their homes because of circumstances beyond their control. These children are cared for and supported by Thornwell because of the generosity of churches and people like you.

Thornwell cares for hurting children by giving them a loving home, feeding and clothing them, providing therapy for psychological healing. Most important, Thornwell provides spiritual healing. Some children learn about and experience God for the first time. Often these children who have very little are the first ones to give what they can to help others in need.

Recently, the middle school girls who live at Thornwell were challenged to think about ways THEY could serve others who needed help. Several years ago, a man named Wilson Ferrell partnered with Thornwell to create a fund – the Ferrell Fund – in which money would go to support local, national, or even global charities. However, it would be up to the kids at Thornwell to research and decide which charities would receive the donations as a way to teach the meaning of philanthropy and the importance of giving back. 

When it came time for the girls to make their choices, they were visibly moved and excited. They knew so many people give to support them, and it was their turn to give back! In all, the girls were supported in giving $7,500 dollars to various organizations (food bank, shelter, free clinic, etc.) through the Ferrell fund.

The girls didn’t stop there. Each of them wrote letters of encouragement, and drew loving pictures to be sent along with their money. “We found the girls learned that despite what they may or may not have themselves, they could find ways to support others with prayers, with their kindness, and with love,” said Lindy Scott, Thornwell’s Executive Vice President. 

Please click the button below to view "Lighting the Way to Jesus", our concluding Thornwell Minute for Mission Video.

Thank you for your generous gifts to Thornwell last Sunday. If you would still like to give, please make your check to YPPC and mark it for Thornwell.

A new list of items needed to fill the Christmas Food Boxes will be listed here each week. We will fill at least 24 boxes for our pantry families. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Updates from the Session

November 20 Session Meeting Highlights

• A new roof for the back building was approved.
• Elder-elect, Chip Maglione, was examined.
• Martha Trussell was elected as commissioner to the December 13 CAP meeting.
• Elder Ordination and Installation was set for January 22, 2023.
• The annual Congregational/Corporation Meeting was set for January 29, 2023.
• Our Triennial visit from Presbytery is scheduled on December 18, 2022.
• 2023 Communion dates were approved.
• A report on the results of the annual reviews of the staff and clergy was received.

Stewardship Update

As of Monday, November 21st, 51 YPPC households have turned in pledge cards so that we can “step out in faith in 2023.” Thus far, we have $243,180 pledged for the Regular Offering and $24,980 pledged for the Building Fund. In addition, members turned in their “Time and Talents” pledged cards, and those names will be passed along to our committee moderators. Thank you to everyone who has pledged time, talent, and treasures so far.

If you have not yet turned in your pledge cards, please do so as soon as possible so that the session can make plans for next year’s budget. If you need a pledge packet, please contact the church office.