From the Pastor

On Sunday, Christmas Eve, we will have one service in the sanctuary. Prelude music will begin at 5:15 p.m., followed by the chiming of the hour, the pouring of baptismal water, and the lighting of Advent Candles at 5:30 p.m.

During this service we’ll light the Christ Candle and hear the story of Christ’s birth through Scripture and song. We’ll share communion together and make a circle inside the sanctuary, singing “Silent Night, Holy Night” around candlelight.

We’ll also reflect on the story of the magi coming from the East, following the star of Bethlehem because they wanted to pay homage—with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—to the Christ child, who had been born King of the Jews.

Our short reflection on this reading from Matthew 2:1-12 will focus on “Making Room for God.”

See you on Christmas Eve,

And Merry Christmas!

Paul

Christmas Joy Offering

This month CHPC will be collecting contributions to the Christmas Joy Offering, one of the special offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Your gift to the Christmas Joy Offering strengthens the church by supporting past, present, and future church leaders. The offering supports leadership development for communities of color and helps Presbyterian church workers who have urgent financial, medical, or housing needs.

You may contribute during worship December 17 or 24 using one of the envelopes provided. You may also give online at the church

website or mail a check to the church. Please give generously!

Highlights of December 13 Session Meeting

At its December 13 meeting, the Session:

• Enjoyed a potluck dinner with incoming and outgoing elders and deacons, hosted by Gail and Darrell DeMarsh.
• Examined incoming elder Soni Castleberry and incoming deacons Shannon Langley, Claudia Foulkes, and Patti Marcum in preparation for their installation December 17. Incoming elder Beth Yeager was absent due to illness and will be examined at a future date.
• Expressed appreciation for the service of outgoing elders Dana Walker and Harrie Buecker, outgoing deacons Allen Bridgman and Soni Castleberry, and Shannon Langley, who has completed her term as deacon but agreed to serve another year.
• Heard a report from treasurer Jack Marcum, who noted that we will end the year in the black, but pledges for next year are lower than the previous year.
• Agreed to look into the possibility of hosting a blood drive at CHPC.
• Approved a request from Bunbury Theatre to continue having rehearsals at CHPC in January.
• Discussed upcoming in-person interviews with 2 candidates for the part-time pastor position. (John Odom, General Presbyter of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery, met with the Session on Zoom December 6 to discuss the candidates and possible questions to ask them in the interviews.)
• Approved preachers to fill the pulpit December 10 (Rebecca Barnes, after the fact), December 31 (Bill Williamson), and January 7 (Emily Odom).
• Discussed plans for the January 5–7 Officers Retreat.

Community Chair Yoga

Beginning January 8, the Rev. Ginny Brown will be leading a Chair Yoga class at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church. Yoga is a beautiful journey of one’s body, emotion, mind, and spirit. A yoga practice teaches us how to be present in the moment, feel our feelings without judgment, and move inside. Chair Yoga increases flexibility, strength, endurance, and focus. Breath work is central, offering a respite from tension and a time to calm our central nervous systems, re-entering the world from a different place. Yoga is accessible to every “body” as we learn to be kind and affirming of ourselves – knowing there is no competition, simply community. Please bring a blanket.



Invite your friends and neighbors. Each person is required to fill out a waiver, and there is a suggested $10 donation to support the ministries of Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church. We will meet in the fellowship hall from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday mornings, beginning January 8, 2024. Please arrive early. For more information, contact the Rev. Ginny Brown at DHWVLB@Aol.com.