First Presbyterian Church

The Presbyletter

December 2021

“When something hits close to home, it affects us deeply. During the Advent and Christmas season, we journey through scriptures and rituals that are tender, heavy with emotion, and vulnerable. We carry the memories and truths of this season close to our hearts." Close to Home acknowledges the “already but not yet” tension of our faith: Emmanuel is with us, and yet, God’s promised day—our everlasting home—is not fully realized. It names our deep longing for God to come close to us.

The Advent and Christmas scriptures are rich with home metaphors and imagery. John the Baptist prophesies about the One who is to come, but reminds us that we are still wandering far from God’s promised day; his message hits close to home, especially for those experiencing inequity and oppression. After receiving the angel’s news, Mary retreats to Elizabeth’s home, seeking refuge and safety. Christ is born in the midst of a journey home, in a crowded dwelling amidst livestock and shepherds alike. The Magi travel far from home to pay homage to Christ, and, having been warned in a dream, they avoid Herod by traveling home another way. In these scriptures, home is both physical and metaphorical, something we seek and something we are called to build. Ultimately, God is our home and resting place. God draws near and makes a home on earth—sacred ground is all around us.” (from A Sanctified Art, the provider of our themed materials this Advent season).

We at First Presbyterian Church will spend the weeks leading up to Christmas hearing familiar stories and prophecies that call us back to that deep longing we have for our true home, in God. Having returned to in-person worship, we will light the Advent candles together, sing the familiar (and new) hymns that speak to our longing for Emmanuel, and finally, on Christmas Eve, share in a candlelight service as Christ is born into our world and we find ourselves home once again.

Please take the time to look over this month’s calendar and find ways to connect with us once again.

You are loved and you are welcome to a home with us this Christmas.

Peace.

Pastor Katie

Click here for a printable devotion for Advent.

Close to Home: Advent Lessons for Children

The holidays are a magical time for children. We’ve created these children’s lessons to be used with our Close to Home series for Advent–Epiphany (Year C) at home. Each week includes a scripture to read from the International Children’s Bible, some “wondering” statements, a good news statement, a prayer, and extension activities for home or church.

We invite you to leave some time for silence between each of the “wondering” statements. Often, children will volunteer their thoughts freely, but phrasing these questions as statements of wonder takes pressure off of children to have an immediate response.

View each week's Advent lesson: tinyurl.com/C2HAdvent.

Print the Advent calendar here: tinyurl.com/C2HCalendar.

Print the Lessons here: tinyurl.com/C2HLessons.

December Celebrations

Birthdays

Bob Oleson (12/3)

Tom Harrold (12/3)

Bill Hite (12/4)

Marty Larson (12/5)

Nelle Ratliff (12/5)

Nancy Gaietto (12/15)

Rosalie Loving (12/16)

David Adkins (12/22)

Dr. Jamie Pursell (12/29)

Stay up to date with our calendar!

December Worship

November 30 at 3 p.m.: Decorating the Church

December 5: Advent 2 Worship followed by watching last year's Christmas pageant

December 12: Advent 3 Worship

December 15 at 4 p.m.: Session Meeting

December 19: Advent 4 Worship with Christmas communion

December 19 at 4 p.m.: Community Longest Night Service with special music at FPC

December 24 at 6:30 p.m.: Pre-service Music begins with Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m.

December 26: Christmas Worship

January 2: Epiphany Worship

Watch the Worship Services at tinyurl.com/FPCTWorship!

Welcome to the new Presbyletter!

Please let us know your thoughts! If you received this by mail and would prefer an email, please call Brittany at 419-447-2004 or email her at [email protected]. If you received this as an email and would prefer a printed copy, contact her as well! We hope you enjoy the new and revived Presbyletter!

2022 Directory Update

We're looking for your information for the 2022 Directory! Please check your listing in the current directory. Don't have a printed copy? Check out the website at fpctiffin.org/directory. The password is "presbyterian." If you have any updates—including recent photos!— contact Brittany at 419-447-2004 or at [email protected]!

Pantry Update

We have a new Tiffin Community Non-Food Pantry website! Visit TiffinPantry.com to check it out and find out what products we need to keep the pantry up and running.

Want to help? We are always in need of volunteers and donations. If you are interested, please contact us at [email protected] or by calling the church at 419-447-2004!

Thanks to the Tiffin Columbian Choirs for their donation of diapers to the Non-Food Pantry! Haley Welter, left, and John Bailey, right, and the choirs collected over 1,000 diapers for the pantry.

Upcoming Pantry Dates

First and Third Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

December 2

December 16

January 6

January 20

First Thursdays

Hygiene Items

Toilet Paper

Bar Soap

Shampoo

Conditioner

Deodorant

Toothpaste

Trash Bags

Toothbrushes (every 3 months)

Third Thursdays

Household Items

Toilet Paper

Bar Soap

Laundry Detergent

Dryer Sheets

Multi Purpose Cleaner

Dish Detergent

Trash Bags

Christmas Giving Tree

Our Christmas Giving Tree will be decorated in the church narthex soon. This year our giving is dedicated to the Non-Food Pantry. We are asking all to give packaged diapers - a variety of sizes - that will be given to those that come to our pantry drive-thru. This will be a wonderful way to show our God's love by sharing these needed gifts.

We especially need size 2 and pull-ups, but all sizes are a welcome gift!

Thank you for showing God's love.

Notes from the Mission Committee

Cards for parish members celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, special events, or just that we are thinking of you have been placed in the Narthex for members to sign.

A special thanks to all that donated diapers for the nonfood Pantry and to the Lyon family for representing our church passing out candy during the annual Downtown Halloween trick or treat event.

Note that the committee has purchased coffee mugs filled with candy treats that will be given to visitors.

On Sunday, December 19 we will have the opportunity to participate in the last of four special offering conducted by the PCUSA—the Christmas Joy Offering. This offering will provide assistance to current and retired church workers and their families with critical financial needs, and for students of color attending Presbyterian related schools and colleges to learn and grow in the faith. Please give this offering your consideration.

Print the devotional here.

Journey Towards Wholeness:

Another Advent Devotional Recommended by Rev. Dr. Matt Meinke, General Presbyter, Maumee Valley Presbytery

Advent begins in just a few days. If you are looking for a fresh, new devotional to guide you through Advent, let me lift up Journey to Wholeness.

Rev. Meinke's colleague from John Calvin Presbytery, Susan Rosenbaum, put together an Advent devotional written by women clergy and CLPs from around the country. Meinke has permission to share this with you! What a gift Susan and many of our women clergy have provided us.

New FPCTiffin.org Website

The newly updated website is up and running! Be sure to check it out—make sure you see the News section, which will include all the correspondence sent out to the congregation week by week!

FPCTiffin.org

Pastor Katie installed as moderator of 2022 MVP

Congratulations to Pastor Katie on her installation as the moderator of the Maumee Valley Presbytery for 2022! Also pictured are the MVP general presbyter (on left) and the new vice-moderator and outgoing moderator (at mic). We promise to pray for her as she serves the larger church.

The Presbyletter is a publication of

The First Presbyterian Church.

Pastor: Rev. Kathryn Treadway

Organist: Rachel Hopple

Music Director: Darci Porter

Administrative Assistant: Brittany Cook

Worship IT Director: Logan Lyon

The church office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Join us for worship service at 10:30 a.m.