The First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall extends a warm welcome to all new
residents.
A period of fellowship follows each service of worship, providing
members of the church and guests an opportunity to visit.
More information about
the church may be obtained by contacting the church office at (972) 771-5702 or
by e-mail.
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“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.
In the New Testament we find no mention at all of a Christmas festival.
But the medieval church adopted the feast of the winter solstice
(the longest night of the year), with its Yule logs, evergreens, and candles,
rightly recognizing in the old holiday the elements of hope and expectation
that surround our anticipation of the coming of Jesus. Christmas is a wedding
of the secular and the religious. The word “Christmas” is itself a clue. It means
“Christ-Mass.” The word “mass” means a feast. Christmas is the story of Emmanuel,
“God with us.” Christmas is the church’s baptizing of a pagan feast, giving it
Christian content and meaning.
Christmas joy enfolds us as we celebrate God’s entering time and space.
Royalty appeared in a straw bed, wrapped in swaddling clothes. God dwelling
in all society. The sound of carols in shopping malls is eternity moving in
on the world. God dwells with us in all times and in all places.
How do we prepare to receive the One who came to serve and die for us?
Advent. . . a time to get ready. . . a time to wait. . . a time to hope.
During morning worship each Sunday, different families, starting with the
family of our graduating senior, will lead in the lighting of the Advent Wreath.
Dec. 2 The David Hoover family (John Hoover will graduate in 2002.)
Dec. 9 The Kevin Logue family
Dec. 16 The Curtis Roughton family
Dec. 23 The David Catlin family
Dec. 24 Candle Light Service: The Reeves family
Kim Dobbs and her committee have again published an outstanding Advent
devotional resource, Advent 2001. Various church members wrote the devotions.
Art work accompanying each devotion, is the creation of the children of
First Presbyterian. Your copy is in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday December 2nd
Hanging of the Greens during morning worship.
Sunday December 2nd
Presbyterian Women’s Red Stocking Tea
Sunday December 9th
Christmas music festival with bell choir and organ at 6:00 PM followed by dinner.
Sunday December 16th
The Children’s Christmas Pageant 6:00 PM followed by dinner.
Sunday December 23rd
During worship the Sanctuary Choir will present a Christmas Cantata.
Monday December 24th
Christmas Eve Communion Service at 7:00 PM
CAROLING HAYRIDE
Church-wide Caroling Hayride Sunday, December 23rd.
Carolers will leave from the church parking lot at 4:30 PM.
For more information contact Bob Reeves in the church office, 972-771-5702
JOY GIFT
The Christmas Joy Offering will be received on December 23rd.
Receipts from the offering provide assistance to Racial Ethnic
Schools and Colleges, Congregational Ministries Division, and
the Board of Pensions. This offering provides extraordinary service
in order that deserving individuals and institutions receive support.
BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER GROUP
Wednesday night Bible study and prayer group meets at 7:00 PM
in the conference room. For more information contact Bob Reeves.
STEWARDSHIP
2002 PLEDGE DRIVE:
As of November 26, 2001, with 2/3 of our members responding, pledges in the
amount of $178,000 have been received. This represents 88% of budgeted
pledge income of $203,000 for 2002. Many families were traveling during
the Thanksgiving holiday and the weekend prior. We expect that once all
responses are tallied, we will meet our 2002 target. If you have not yet
submitted your pledge, please turn it in by this Sunday and join the entire
congregation in supporting our budget for next year.
Thank you for your generous commitment to the mission of First Presbyterian Church.
We look forward to opportunities in the coming year to grow spiritually
through our gifts.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
LADIES NIGHT OUT: Monday, Dec. 3rd, 7:00 PM at the home of Kim Dobbs.
Dinner will be pot luck. Bring a wrapped ornament for exchange. Book discussion:
“Gift From the Sea” by Anne Lindbergh.
MORNING CIRCLE: Will meet Thursday, Dec. 13th at the home of Wilma Foster, 10:30
AM. A salad luncheon will follow the meeting.
EVENING CIRCLE: will meet Monday, Dec. 17th, 7:00 PM at the home of Jannie Clark.
Salad supper and gift to exchange.
BETTER THAN HOUSEWORK: Will meet Wednesday, Dec. 5th for a special shopping trip with Shahla Layendecker.
RED STOCKING TEA: All women of the church and guests are invited to the home of
Kathy Miller, on Sunday December 2nd at 3:00 PM. The Tea is hosted by Kathy Miller
and Phyllis Urquhart.
DONATIONS: The Presbyterian Women are preparing a box of personal care items for the patients at Terrell State Hospital. Donations of items and/or money/checks to “Volunteer Services, Terrell State Hospital” may be left in the box in fellowship hall.
BAKE SALE: The Presbyterian Women’s monthly Bake Sale is
Sunday, December 9th following worship.
PRAYER CHAIN: What is a prayer chain? It is a list of names and telephone numbers
of persons who wish to be contacted when a prayer request is received. Each person
on the list may be asked to contact one or more people to pass the request on.
We have used the prayer chain to communicate and to request prayers for members,
friends, or co-workers during crisis, illness or other times of need. We believe
in the collective power of prayer. If you would like to have your name added to
the list of persons to be contacted when a prayer request is received, please
contact Barbara Sinclair. Prayer requests are also listed on the web site. Please
check periodically for updates.
OFFICER TRAINING: Sunday mornings starting December 2nd and continuing for the next three Sundays. Meeting in church office 10:00 AM.
MEETINGS:
SESSION MEETING: The regular stated meeting of the Session
will be Tuesday, December 18th at 7:30 PM in the conference room.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Immediately following morning worship December 16th all December "Babies"
will celebrate their birthdays in the fellowship hall.
Susan Bee
Suzanne Biffle
Cassi Clinton
Jill Culmo
Joanie Mehl
Elisabeth Minnerly
David Powell
Bill Proudfit
Bob Reeves
Laura Slackney
Norma Wilck
If you have a December birthday and your name is not on the list, please contact
the church office.
POINSETTIAS
We will be using Poinsettia Plants to decorate the sanctuary during the Christmas season. If you would like to order a plant, please fill out the following form (CLICK HERE for printable form) and return it to the church office with a check for $10. Orders must be in by Friday, December 7th.
I WISH TO ORDER A POINSETTIA FOR THE SANCTUARY:
IN MEMORY OF:_____________________________________________
IN HONOR OF:_______________________________________________
DONATED BY:_______________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The Trinity Trails Update:
The CE Committee is making progress. Two rooms are in the process of being prepared for our new Sunday School program for 1st - 8th graders.
The Audio Visual/Puppeting room is being painted and the computer and Bible game room is being set up.
This is an exciting time for our children. Come join the team of workers creating this new learning environment! All helpers are welcomed and needed!
“IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LOVE”
Senior High Youth Connection
Austin college in Sherman, Texas
February 1-3, 2002
Registration Fee is $35.00
Register now! See Kathryn Carpenter for registration form.
EPIPHANY PICNIC
Sunday, January 6, 2002
12:30 PM following Worship
Bring your lunch or purchase a sack lunch: $2.50 adults, $1.50 children, $7.00 family
Sign up by December 30th.
Come and be apart of this celebration that announces that Christ came as Savior for people everywhere, regardless of race, color, or creed. This story will be re-enacted by the Wisemen following the star to where the Christ Child lived with his mother Mary and Joseph, his earthly father.
Everyone - children and adults may participate in this “all of a sudden pageant!” Epiphany - which means “suddenly” is the 12th day after Christmas - January 6th.
PLAN NOW TO JOIN US!
THE CHURCH IS PEOPLE
OUR PRAYERS FOR: The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are extended
to Wilma Foster and her family on the death of John.
THANK YOU: I want to thank the members of the congregation for the support
they have given me since John’s sudden death. The prayers, food,
cards and the caring words have all been deeply appreciated.
I love you all.
Sincerely,
Wilma Foster
NEW MEMBERS: We welcome into our church family:
David and Janet Catlin and
their son, Shawn (in new directory)
Angus Gascoigne (in new directory)
Dr. Roger Alexander
JUST A REMINDER: to bring canned goods the first Sunday of each month to help stock the food pantry at Helping Hands.
LAY LEADER FOR DECEMBER
Jim Tonne
USHERS
Roy and Julie Rowan
