Our neighbors, families, and friends need hope. The whole world needs hope. Christians in the 16th century needed hope too. They coined the Latin phrase Post Tenebras Lux, which means “After Darkness, Light.” They knew the darkness they were living in would not last and that Jesus Christ is the Light that brings hope. We know that too. This Advent, join us as we encourage one another with the Hope of Christmas.

Join us for In-Person Worship on Sunday Mornings at 9 AM!

• Masks are optional.
• Nursery care is provided.
• Communion is served in factory-sealed packets the first Sunday of the month.
• Children's Sunday School is available for ages 3-yrs through 5th grade after the Junior Sermon.

Cozy Christmas Women’s Event TONIGHT

Cozy Christmas was postponed last week due to snow and has been rescheduled for today! Women ages high school and up are invited to join us for a cozy Christmas TONIGHT, December 15, from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Skylight Room. We’ll have a short devotional, optional Christmas crafts, delicious finger foods and a hot chocolate bar, and Christmas games. Childcare for ages 11 and under will be provided. Wear your jammies, bring a friend, and enjoy a time to take a deep breath in the midst of the busy holiday season.

Kids’ Day Out This Saturday

This year, we will be offering our first Kids’ Day Out! This will happen on December 17, from 1 to 4 pm, and will be a time that kids from birth (nursery available) through grade 5 can come and watch a movie, eat pizza, play games, and just enjoy being together! The cost per child will be $5 to cover the cost of food. We hope that this will be a time for parents to run errands that are difficult to do with kids in tow!

JAM Kids Will Be Singing This Sunday

JAM Sunday School is cancelled this week since the kids will be singing in the service, and their slot is in the middle of the service. They will start the service sitting at the front, and sit with parents after they sing. Students should arrive no later than 8:30 am for practice with the band before the service. There will be nursery available for the entire service.

A Great Light

Christmas Eve at Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church

Jesus forms truth from untruth, offers joy from despair, provides hope for the hopeless, and can turn our darkness into light. Join us as we welcome the light of Christ at our Christmas Eve Services on Saturday, December 24.

• 3:00 PM: Service with candle lighting and Christmas carols led by a jazz combo
• 5:00 PM: Service with candle lighting, communion, and Christmas carols led by our Chancel Choir
• Both services are in person and streamed live at hamblenpres.org/live-stream

Christmas Day Service--Live-Stream Only!

Worship Christmas Day when it is convenient for you! The service will be available to stream starting at 9:00 AM at hamblenpres.org/live-stream.

Advent Sanctuary Decorations

Purple Advent Banners

Designed and sewn by Mary Mattie.

Pew End Banners

Designed and sewn by Jo Ann Nielsen.

Explanation:

• Images are from a traditional Jesse Tree which represents the people, prophesies, and events leading up to the birth of Jesus.

Advent Candle Display

Constructed by Larry Ham in 2022, with help from Kyle, Hillary, and Debbie Ham.

Explanation:

• Constructed from a maple tree on Helena Street, close to Hamblen Church.
• Triangles in all plains signify Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Triangles are continuous, signifying eternal life.
• Natural wood stain signifies purity.
• Christmas star on the bottom front signifies hope.
• Christmas candle in the middle signifies that Christ is our “center”.
• It is not without flaws, but that was the goal. We should also strive to improve our relationships, attitudes, and actions.
• The design is simple, but very complex to put together. Let us keep it simple in love, getting along, and making peace to make our complex world a little better. 

Did You Miss the Blue Christmas Service?

If you weren't able to attend the Blue Christmas Service last night, you can stream it at any time here.

Journey Kids’ Club Schedule

There will be no Journey Kids’ Club for the next two weeks. Journey will resume January 4, 2023.

Neighborhood Outreach Thanks YOU!

We have been busy little elves this last month, as this is one of our most fun times as Deacons of

Neighborhood Outreach. We have shopped, collected, delivered, organized, and set up many

wonderful gifts this holiday season. We are so grateful for all of the fantastic donations we have

received this month. The Toy Store officially happened for the Liberty Park Community

Development Center and their families on Friday, Dec 9th. We have delivered $500 worth of

Fred Meyer gift cards to both Adams and Hamblen counselors for them to share with families

during this season. We have continued the Bite 2 Go pickup and delivery with our fantastic

volunteers. It has been a wonderful time for everyone involved. THANK YOU, HAMBLEN

PARK PRESBYTERIAN FAITHFUL!!!

Pledge Cards Due This Sunday!

Thank you to everyone who has returned a pledge card so far! If you have not returned yours yet, please do so as soon as possible so that we can set our budget for next year. If you have lost your card or have questions, you can email Heather Notske directly at [email protected]. 

Away in a Manger? Christmas Beyond the Barn

Wednesdays, December 7, 14, 21, 9:30 AM

When we think about the story of Christmas, we picture animals gathered around the infant Jesus, angels singing, and a star shining over a stable. But the story of Christmas is more than a quiet scene depicted on a Christmas card. For three weeks in Advent, we’ll study stories in the gospels of Matthew and Luke that didn’t happen on a silent night but teach us about the One in the manger. Join us Wednesday mornings at 9:30 in the Skylight Room.

Office Hours

Church office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM, and Friday, 9 AM to Noon. As always, staff will be available for appointments and meetings beyond the posted hours.

All events meet in person unless otherwise noted:

Year-End Deadlines

If you volunteer for ministry, please note that any outstanding receipts that you would like to be reimbursed for, must be turned in to the office by noon on January 6.

Any contributions that you would like included on your 2022 giving statement must be turned in to the office or postmarked by December 31.

Wednesday Morning Winter Bible Study



Not Your Favorite Bible Story: Wrestling with the book of Judges

January 4, 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15

“In those days, there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.” In many ways, this evocative final line of the book of Judges summarizes the content of the entire book. Much of the narrative in Judges leaves us shocked, confused, and in some cases, terrified. Engaging this text brings us into encounter with characters and stories we might wish were deleted from the Bible. This winter we’ll wrestle some of the most challenging texts in the Hebrew scriptures to boldly ask deep questions about God and humanity. Join us Wednesday mornings at 9:30 AM in the Skylight Room.

Book Club

You can join the Book Club for a discussion in person on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 2 PM. For more information, contact Betty Thompson at [email protected].

2023 Reading List:

January 19: When We Were Young and Brave by Hazel Gaynor

February 16: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

March 16: When the Last Leaf Falls by Bill Myers

April 20: War Bonds by Cindy Hval

May 18: Horseback Honeymoon by Dorothy Ballard, Ellen and Quincy Scott

Oasis Connect Retreat

January 20th-22nd marks our yearly high school winter retreat to Tall Timber! This retreat is all about connection and community—both what a healthy Christian community looks like, as well as what it means to be an active part of that kind of community! This retreat ideally leads into a time for students to discern what it looks like to commit to this church.

Family Dodgeball Night

We will hold our yearly Family Dodgeball Night on February 17, 2023 from 7-9 pm! This is a fantastic opportunity for parents to play a fun sport with their kids! Even if you don’t have kids, please come! We would love to have anyone that is interested come and play! There will be dessert after we are done playing to help you get your strength back! If you are interested in playing, please RSVP to Cindy Dicken, Director of Children’s and Family Ministries, at [email protected].

Opportunities to Serve at HPPC & in the Community

Visit our website at hamblenpres.org/getinvolved to check out a list of ways to get involved at HPPC and grow as a disciple of Jesus. You will find 10 different categories along with a few examples of things that fit in each category. In front of each category is a checkbox. If you think you would like to try out a new ministry, print the list, check the box(es) of the categories that interest you, return it to the office, and we will contact you when we have a need for volunteers. Thank you for serving with us!

Join the Snow Patrol



Colder weather is upon us! Our parking lot gets plowed when it snows, but we depend on volunteers to keep our walkways safe and clear of snow during the winter. If you would like to sign up in advance for a specific day that you would be willing to snowblow our sidewalks, we would love to hear from you! We have a snowblower, shovels, and de-icer. Training can be provided! Sign up for one day this season or volunteer for multiple days--your choice! If interested, contact Heather Notske at 509-385-0627 or [email protected] or sign up online HERE.

Bite2Go

Thank you to our volunteers who have faithfully picked up Bite2Go this fall. The sign-up Genius has added dates from January through March for new and returning volunteers. The spots fill up quickly, so, if you are interested in taking a turn, get online soon at bit.ly/Bite2GoHPPC! Or, choose to support the program with a monetary gift designated to the Bite2Go budget. Thank you!

An Update from the Moe Family

You can read an update from Betsey and Eric Moe, mission co-workers serving in Guatemala, and see a photo from this year's HPPC mission trip to Guatemala at bit.ly/MoeUpdateWinter2022.

Children’s & Family Ministry

Volunteer Opportunities

You can sign up at bit.ly/ChildMinistriesHPPC to help with J.A.M. Sunday School, Wednesday evening Journey program, or other volunteer opportunities that impact children. For information on our children's programs, visit our website or contact our Director of Children's and Family Ministries, Cindy Dicken, at 509-385-0626 or [email protected].

JAM (Jesus and Me) Children's Sunday School

J.A.M. Sunday School is right after the Children’s Sermon during worship. Each week this fall, children ages 3 years through 5th grade will gather for lessons on the Parables of Jesus. There is so much to learn from these amazing stories that our Savior told while He was on earth! We have fun activities, skits, and wonderful messages planned! It’s going to be so fun!

Journey Kids' Club (K-5th Graders)

Journey Kids' Club meets Wednesdays, 5:00 to 7:00pm. We are so excited to spend time playing games, eating food, and learning more about God in this really wonderful time together! A weekly donation of $5 is suggested to help support the cost of dinner. You are encouraged to bring a friend!

Youth Ministries (6th-12th Grades)

Come join us for a hangout, games, and some Jesus time! For more information on our youth programs, visit our website's youth page at hamblenpres.org/youth. For questions, contact Mitchel Pierce, Director of Student Ministries, at [email protected].

Caravan (6th-8th grade):

Mondays 6:00-7:30 PM.

Oasis (9th-12th grade):

Sundays 6:00-8:00 PM.

Sunday Donuts!

Come grab a snack! Immediately following the service on most Sundays, our middle schoolers and high schoolers meet in the youth room for donuts and a chill hangout time.

Support the Ongoing Mission of HPPC with Your Tithes & Offerings

To make a donation to HPPC (one-time or recurring gift) you may do so HERE.

Thank you for choosing to support our mission to grow active followers of Jesus Christ

and build his community!

Connect with Pastors & Staff

We are here for you! Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM and Friday, 9 AM to Noon. You can connect with pastors and staff by clicking on a link below to email them. Our cell numbers are also listed. Please reach out!

Click to email Pastor Steve Watts, Pastor, Head of Staff, or call/text: (509) 251-0366

Click to email Pastor Jennie Barber, Assoc. Pastor of Care & Outreach, or call/text: (206) 794-0689

Click to email Heather Notske, Director of Operations, or call/text: (509) 251-6468

Click to email Cindy Dicken, Director of Children's & Family Ministry, or call/text: (818) 321-1551

Click to email Mitchel Pierce, Director of Student Ministries, or call/text: (206) 739-6126

Click to email Scott Dicken, Director of Worship Arts, or call/text: (818) 464-6034

Click to email Trina Limbaugh, Administrative Assistant, or call the office: (509) 448-2909 ext. 101

To submit a prayer request or to be added to the prayer chain, send an email to [email protected].