Post on 23-May-2018
Advent/Christmas Schedule
November 29 - First Sunday of Advent - Hope We begin our Advent journey together, lighting the first
candle, and preparing our hearts and lives to receive God’s
incarnate love anew!
December 6 - Second Sunday of Advent: Love We will light the second candle of Advent and celebrate the
Sacrament of Communion. The children will continue their
practice for the Christmas Program.
December 13 - Third Sunday of Advent: Joy As we head into the shortest days of the year, awaiting God’s Light, we will share in
another service of Healing and Wholeness.
December 20 - Fourth Sunday of Advent: Peace The Children will present their annual Christmas program. The congregation will also have a role to play in this year’s pageant!
December 24 - Christmas Eve (5 p.m.): The Christ Candle We will gather for our annual Christmas Eve Communion and Candlelight service
at 5 p.m.
December 27 - First Sunday Join us for a Sunday of Christmas carols and fellowship!
Upcoming Events
Saturday, Nov. 28 –
Starting at 9 AM, come
trim the church for
Advent/Christmas!
Sunday, Dec. 6 –
Sunday School meets.
Congregational Meeting
with election of officers
Sunday, Dec. 13 –
Youth Group
Sunday, Dec. 20 –
Children’s Christmas
Program during worship
Thursday, Dec. 24 5
PM Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
Sunday, Dec. 27 –
Hymn Sing
December 2015
Vol XXXIII No. 12
Pastor’s Page 2
Committee News 3
Deacons & Session 4
Announcements 5
Volunteers 6
Calendar 7
Miscellaneous 8
Youth Group – Pac-Man and Pizza!
On Sunday, December 13 we will travel to Rossi’s Pizza in Monona for some
pizza and some awesome vintage arcade games! We will leave the church around
12:30 and return by 3pm. Youth will need money for pizza ($5) and quarters for the
arcade games.
In a recent homily deliver during the Vatican’s “Hanging of the Greens” festivities, Pope Francis
said: “Christmas is approaching: there will be lights, parties, Christmas trees and nativity scenes …
it’s all a charade. The world continues to go to war. The world has not chosen a peaceful
path...There are wars today everywhere, and hate...We should ask for the grace to weep for this
world, which does not recognize the path to peace. To weep for those who live for war and have
the cynicism to deny it...God weeps, Jesus weeps...What shall remain? Ruins, thousands of children
without education, so many innocent victims, and lots of money in the pockets of arms dealers.
Jesus once said: ‘You cannot serve two masters, either God or riches...The men who work war,
who make war, are cursed—they are criminals.”
These are pretty pointed words worth sharing. Every Christmas season (and for me the Christmas
season begins with Advent not pre-Halloween as it does for many business and retail stores), we
hear reports on the “War on Christmas”. This year the first controversy arose when Starbucks
released their holiday cup, which was a simple, holiday red color. Some “Christian” preachers and
groups accused Starbucks of being anti-Christmas. At the same time, terrorists attacks were
occurring in Paris, bombs exploded in Beirut and again in Baghdad, not to mention the daily killings
in our own country. While stores seek to attract throngs of Christmas shoppers in hopes of
making it a financially successful year, streams of refuges were fleeing their homes due to the
violence and death all around them. While some are making room in their homes for all the
Christmas gifts purchased, some are finding others making no room for them in their countries.
Pope Francis said “Christmas is approaching: there will be lights, parties, Christmas trees and
nativity scenes … it’s all a charade.” Perhaps, it is all a “charade”? In Luke’s Gospel, we hear about
a Middle Eastern family, who leave their home, and find no room for them in their time of need.
Matthew’s story (Chapter 1-2), we find this same refugee couple, taking their baby, and fleeing the
threat of violence and death, crossing a border into another country, seeking safe shelter. In
Churches across our country, we will tell this story, celebrate it, act it out, and sing about it. Yet,
when it comes to enacting the meaning of this story in our lives and world, we still seem to miss
the point, turning away refugees, who like Mary and Joseph and the Christ Child, only seek safe
shelter and find no room for them. Is Christmas a charade? What do you think? How do we live
into this story as a people of faith? What if it was our family fleeing for our lives, seeking safe
sanctuary in another community, another land among strangers? Would we find room in the inn
or would we be denied a place to stay until the wars ended? As we trim our trees, bake cookies,
prepare for parities, and tell the story in worship, may we give pause and reflect on Christmas
true meaning in our lives and world.
Pastor Scott
Pastor’s Page
2
2016 Pledges
As we have heard from Mark Touhey, there are some realities and dreams to be taken into
consideration as you prayerfully consider your 2016 pledge. Pledge cards can be found in the
pews. A letter will also be sent to the members and friends of OCPC in the coming weeks lifting
up the ministry, mission and 2016 budget, along with a pledge card. Pledge cards can be returned
via the offering or by mailing them to the office or dropping it off at the church.
Mission News
By Cheryl Stitz, Moderator
Pres House
On November 1, a group from OCPC
attended the Pres House worship service
and served the fellowship meal. There
were about 70 people who attended the
service. Those attending the service from
OCPC were Randy Johnson, Renee
Roland-Johnson, Melanie Rumpf, Judy
Schroeder, Angela Stitz, Mike and Cheryl
Stitz, Mark Touhey, and Pastor Scott
Marrese-Wheeler.
A special thank you to the following
people who provided food for the
fellowship meal: Cheryl Bettenhausen,
Ann Febock, Randy Johnson, Kay Lund,
Pastor Scott Marrese-Wheeler, Judy
Pearson, Renee Roland-Johnson, Melanie
Rumpf, Judy Schroeder, Jenine Spack,
Cheryl and Mike Stitz, and Mark Touhey.
Share in the Joy of a Promise
During Advent we remember God's
promise to us. We gather together and
wait in hope for the coming of the
promised Emmanuel, God with us. And
God, who has promised, is faithful (Heb.
10:23), so on Christmas Day we celebrate
that the promise is kept in the birth of
Jesus Christ! The Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) provides the opportunity for
congregations to join this celebration of
God's faithfulness by supporting those in
need of help and hope.
Thanks to your gifts, the Christmas Joy
Offering is able to provide financial
assistance to individuals and families that
have dedicated their lives to the church
and also support racial ethnic education
and leadership development for students
attending Presbyterian-related schools
and colleges.
The promise made is one of hope in
situations where hope can be hard to find.
When we give, we declare that our hope
is well founded, because it is God who
has promised, and God who is faithful.
Floor Cleaning Project By Cathy Thiltgen
How many of us wash our hands repeatedly every day? How many of
us clean our homes regularly? If you answered yes to one of these
questions, you are someone who cares about cleanliness – and your health.
When people sit in the pews on Sunday mornings, do they think
about their health? When parents take their children to the nursery
where they may crawl directly on the carpet, do they think about
their little ones’ health? Please consider what Sam Hughes from
Bluegreen Carpet Cleaning said: “Carpet traps pollutants from the air
in the carpet and having the carpets professionally cleaned will help keep the air clean and prolong the life of the carpet.”
Sam, president and owner, met with me on Nov. 3 at the church.
We looked at many rooms together and discussed the different types
of flooring, the age, the condition, and the possibilities. The Building
and Grounds Committee met with me on Nov. 8. I gave them
Bluegreen’s recommendations as well as the itemized pricing for the
cleaning. Later I developed a plan for acquiring the money for this
large project which I offered to lead. I gave that to them, too.
Session discussed this topic on Nov. 10 and agreed that a fundraiser could take place and I could go forward with it.
You are now invited to participate in this project and it will be fun
and exciting! You will be getting more information in December,
January and in February and will learn about all the benefits of having
this important job done. One of the benefits is that OCPC will
receive a 15% clergy discount for carpet cleaning. Also, we will
receive a 10% discount for the cleaning of the basement kitchen and
dining room floor if we have that stripped and protected at the same time.
The rooms/areas that we hope to have cleaned in February by Bluegreen are the following:
First Floor: sanctuary, offices, rug at rear entrance, stairs to
basement
Lower level: hallway, nursery, children’s library, Sunday School rooms, kitchen and dining room
The church pew cushions are planning to be cleaned in February,
too. Hot water extraction will be used for the cleaning. With this
and Scotch Gard for the upholstery, each of the twenty-seven
pews will cost $10.79 for the “Best Protection”. At this time, I
am asking each person reading this article to prayerfully consider
“buying a pew” which means, obviously, you will be paying for the cost to have “a pew” cleaned.
Donations of any size will be appreciated now and in the next three
months. Please contact me with your monetary contributions and
any questions you may have. Join the fun and excitement! Start now with “Buy a Pew”.
THE SESSION:
Class of 2015
Jerry Thiltgen
Building and Grounds
Finance-Stewardship
Mark Touhey
Building and Grounds
Finance-Stewardship
Personnel
Class of 2016:
Cheryl Bettenhausen
Fellowship
Mission
Judy Pearson
Clerk of Session
Memorial Hostess
Worship/Theology
Class of 2017:
Debra Cade
Communications
Personnel
Charleen Janus
Fellowship
Nominating
Dick Trailer
Building and Grounds
Finance-Stewardship
Personnel
Treasurer: Dick Trailer
BOARD OF DEACONS:
Class of 2015
Randy Johnson
Moderator
Judy Schroeder
Rose Ann West
Secretary
Class of 2016:
Al Bettenhausen
Building and Grounds
Worship/Theology
Linda Porter
Class of 2017:
Trent Bettenhausen
Nancy Kristiansen
Nominating
Pastor / Moderator of Session:
Rev. Scott Marrese-Wheeler
(608) 417-0231 Cell
Pastor@OCPChurch.com
DEACONS CORNER By Deacon Rose Ann West, Secretary
Another year has passed and we would like to
again thank all of you who donated and
volunteered to support our work for the year.
With your help we were able to raise enough
funds to send $100 to the Cambridge Food Pantry
and $500 to Heifer Fund International. We
decided to purchase a water buffalo, a sheep, a pig,
and a share of a goat for those in need. We look
forward to another year serving as your deacons.
We wish you and your families a blessed Christmas and a wonderful 2016!
SESSION NOTES By Elder Judy Pearson, Clerk of Session
The stated Session meeting was held on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 and was
opened by Pastor Scott with a scripture reading from Mark 12:41-44. Discussion
was held on generosity. “Who was the most generous person you know, how did
they demonstrate it, and how did their generosity influence your life?”
Thank you note was read from Pres House for the wonderful meal on
November 1. Thank you to Cheryl and Mike Stitz for organizing this project.
Baptism of Deacon Wurtz will be on Sunday, November22, 2015
Session and Deacons will hold their annual joint gathering on Sunday,
December 13, 2015 following the morning church service.
No Ecumenical or OCPC Thanksgiving service will be held this month.
Cathy Thiltgen researched and will chair a fund raiser for “Cleaning of the
church floors and pews.” We are dealing with the company, Bluegreen.
Note that the parking lot apron cement is in the progress of repair. Thank
You to the Buildings/Grounds Committee.
We will pledge $500 to JKP for 2016 Shared Mission Support.
Personnel and Nomination Committees to meet this month.
Reviewed the visiting pastors to serve in absence of Pastor Scott for
November29 and December 27, 2015 and January 3, 2016.
December 27 will be our Annual Hymn Sing service. Communion will be
moved from January 3 to January 10, 2016.
Session voted to invest Memorial funds, instead of gaining almost no interest
in a bank account. Finance Committee also reported that the Gillingham
fund has met its mark, and we will now see regular money coming into the
General fund.
Next meetings of the Session will be on Sundays following church for the
winter month of Dec., Jan. and Feb. Next meeting is December 13 2015.
Budget Update:
Year-to date Income: $63,573 (Includes $6,000 transferred from
Year-to-date Spending: $65,199 Clyde Heberlein Memorial)
Double the Impact of
Your Support for CART
The Cambridge Area Resource Team
(CART) is a qualified non-profit
organization that assists eligible
families in our community with
various needs such as transportation
to medical appointments, searches
for housing options, outreach to
other social agencies, job searches,
emergency financial assistance, and
much more.
Your support demonstrates that you
believe in our mission, and CART
would like to share this important
opportunity to double the impact of
your support during this holiday
season.
Two generous donors have come
forth and have offered CART a grant
that will match every financial gift
between now and December 31st
with a two-for-one offer up to a total
of $15,000.
That means that for every dollar donated it will be matched by the
grant with a two dollar donation. So,
a gift of $10 is matched with a $20
grant contribution for a total impact
of $30. Or a larger gift of $100 ends
up having a total impact of $300.
By making a donation today, through
CART, you can double the impact on
helping to make a difference in the
lives of those in need in our
community. As always, all assistance
big and small is greatly appreciated.
Donations can be mailed to the
CART office located at 223 Jefferson
Street, Suite 1, Cambridge, WI
53523 and any questions may be
directed to cartforhelp@gmail.com.
Ken Bilstad
Mary Hartwig
Mary Trailer
Stacey Brandenburg (friend of OCPC & Julie Floyd Anderson)
Griffin Clark (grandson of Bill & Patty Strohbusch)
Nancy & Lori Davis (relatives of Kay Lund)
Don Dieter (Marilyn Schuster’s brother-in-law)
Marjorie Erickson (friend of Kay Lund)
Jane Feggestad
Judy Hottman (friend of Judy Pearson)
Egil Kristiansen (Jan Kristiansen’s brother in Oslo, Norway)
Charlene “Charlie” Porter
Kodi Porter (son of Jeremy & Abby Porter)
Vicki Redford and her son, Ryan
Scott Simon (Carol Simon’s son)
Our children and unchurched children and families, our military around
the world, our enemies, our church leaders, families and individuals
experiencing financial, job-hunting, health, or relationship problems.
Families who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
If you would like to be added to our weekly prayer list, please leave
word in the church office or contact the pastor. Permission to be
included in this publicly posted list has been obtained from those listed
or their families.
A Note from
Worship and Theology…
Again we ask for you to sign up to be a Service
Assistant for a Sunday. Otherwise, we will be
assigning you, so check the list to make sure
when your name is included.
* Kay Lund; Christmas Eve Dec. 24 – Judy Pearson, Al Bettenhausen DEC 6
* Ann Febock JAN 10
Kari & Trent Bettenhausen Family NOV 29
Lori Peterson & Bruce Erickson
DEC 6
Mark Olson; Al Bettenhausen DEC 13
Cheryl & Al Bettenhausen DEC 20
Judy Pearson & Emily Kilian DEC 24
Kay & Stan Lund Jan 3 Mark Olson; Al Bettenhausen DEC 27
Trevor Leto Advent Candles: Kari & Trent Bettenhausen Family
NOV 29
Charleen Janus Advent Candles: Phil Yeadon & Rose Ann West
DEC 6
Joe Leto Advent Candles: Melanie Rumpf & Emily Hanson
DEC 13
Sun. School Children Advent Candles: Randy Johnson & CE
DEC 20
Mare Stewart Advent Candles: Leto Family
DEC 24
Judy Pearson Jan 3 Julie Anderson
DEC 27
Deacons NOV 29
Deacons DEC 6
Deacons
DEC 13
Deacons DEC 20
Deacons DEC 27
Sylvia & Larry Jensen NOV 29
Jodi Kelter; Wendy & Peter Stark DEC 13
Julie Anderson; Marilyn Schuster DEC 6
CE Christmas Program – Birthday Party for Jesus – Worship/Theology Committee
DEC 20
Cathy & Jerry Thiltgen DEC 27
Kari & Trent Bettenhausen; Sue & Derek Bettenhausen JAN 3
Dec 1-15: OPEN; Dec 16-31: OPEN; Jan 1-15: OPEN (Dec-Cathy T—Bathrooms)
DEC/JAN
If you are unable to serve Communion, as Usher/Greeter, or Lector, please try to find someone to
substitute for you. Or, contact Al Bettenhausen (608) 322-2932 or Judy Pearson (608) 764-8159.
JAN 10 Kelly Homann; Nancy Bowe
DATE BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES DATE BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES Dec 3 Richard Trailer Dec 21 Stan Lund
Dec 5 Jan Kristiansen Dec 28 Phillip Yeadon Dale & Ann Febock
Dec 6 Kari Bettenhausen Dec 29 Larry Jensen
Dec 9 Cheryl Bettenhausen Dec 30 Larry Janus
Dec 13 Trevor Leto Dec 30 Rose Ann West
Dec 19 Mike Stitz
4
8:30 AM OA
3
7:30 PM AA
5
11
8:30 AM OA
12
2
6
Sunday School
Congregational
Meeting–Election
of officers
7
8:30 AM OA
8
9
10
7:30 PM AA
13 9 AM Choir
Library Day
11 AM Joint
Session/Deacons
12:30 PM Youth
Group
14
8:30 AM OA
15 16
17
7:30 PM AA
18
8:30 AM OA
19
20
Children’s
Christmas
Program
21
8:30 AM OA
Newsletter
articles due
22
23
24
5 PM Christmas
Eve Service with
Communion
7:30 PM AA
25
8:30 AM OA
Merry Christmas!
26
27
Hymn Sing with
worship
No Sunday
School
28
8:30 AM OA
29
30
1
31
7:30 PM AA
Sunday Schedule Worship Service 10:00
Communion first Sunday of each
month Sunday School 10:00 from September
through May
Abbreviation Key
AA: Alcoholics Anonymous
CCA: Cambridge Clergy Assoc.
CC: Communications Committee
CE: Christian Education
FC: Fellowship Committee
GN: Good News
MG: Membership & Growth
OA: Overeaters Anonymous
SG: Support Group
WT: Worship & Theology
YG: Youth Group
December 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Advent Preparation
On Saturday, November 28th starting at 9
a.m., the Fellowship Committee and
Deacons will be trimming the church for
Advent and Christmas. All are welcome.
Many hands make light work!
Do you have a few extra minutes before
Christmas? If everyone could come on over with
their favorite dust cloth and spend just an extra
hour, we could also give the church a good
cleaning for the holidays! Any help is
appreciated!
THANK YOU!
Kudos To: Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the potluck meal after the worship service at
Pres House on November 1. See the list of names in the Mission article on page 3. Special thanks to
Cheryl & Mike Stitz for organizing everything.
Mark Touhey, Jerry Thiltgen and the Building & Grounds Committee for getting the concrete poured
for the parking lot entrance ‘before the snow flew!’
Randy Johnson and Cathy Thiltgen for cleaning at the church.
Everyone who contributed to the CE bake sale on November 22. Yummy!
The Worship/Theology Committee for lining up a source of poinsettias for us to order, and everyone
who ordered flowers for the beauty of our church. (You may still bring a plant of your own choice.
Let Ruth know if you wish to do so in memory or honor of a loved one.)
CHURCH SCHEDULE
WORSHIP SERVICE & CHURCH SCHOOL: 10:00 a.m. Sunday
COMMUNION: First Sunday of each month
FELLOWSHIP & REFRESHMENTS: Following worship service
each week.
VIDEO OF WORSHIP: Cable Channel 98 or 987
Sun 5:30 PM; M-T 8 AM & Noon
(Link to video also available on our website or Facebook page)
OFFICE HOURS
PASTORAL OFFICE HOURS: Generally 9:00 - 12:00 Tue
BUSINESS OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 - 12:00 Mon – Thu
TELEPHONE/FAX: 608-423-3001
EMAIL: Office@OCPChurch.com or
Pastor@OCPChurch.com
WEB: www.OCPChurch.com
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Oakland-Cambridge Presbyterian Church