Ashland Church News December 2018

January 2019

Ashland Presbyterian Church

116 Ashland Road

Cockeysville, MD 21030

Phone: 410-527-1844

The Rev. Shannon Meacham, Pastor

On the web at: www.ashlandpc.org

Clerk of Session Bob Williams

Church Treasurer

Pamela Caras

Financial Secretary Cathy Griffiths

Session

Members 2018-2020

Jerry DeBoer Rene Florendo Tom Griffiths

Will Nassau Jacquie Sasser

Carla Ulgen John Walter

Pre-school Director

Anne Auvil

Organist & Music Director Sheila Slade-Lee

Office Manager

Cecil Weber

Ashland Presbyterian Church

@AshlandPresbyterianChurch

Pulpitshenanigans

“We are fragile creatures, and it is from this weakness, not despite it, that we discover the possibility of true joy.” ― Desmond Tutu, The Book of Joy:

Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

Full confession- I’ve never been very good at joy.

In seminary I spent a summer working as a chaplain in a local hospital. I was assigned to the Cardiac Care units (both intensive and not) and a Mother-Baby unit. My supervisor pulled me aside after about a month and told me, “You know you’re really great in a crisis. I get nothing but compliments about you from the nurses when it comes to emergencies, but I’m afraid you don’t know how to celebrate when good things happen.” He was absolutely right.

Maybe it was the way I grew up but I have spent all my life trying to get past the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop. This is no way to live a life. There are moments in our lives of pure joy, pure delight. Holding our children for the first time, getting married, roaring with laughter. But these moments are fleeting and so we ask, how do we live into joy all the moments in between?

December 2 starts the church year and we have declared this to be a “Year of Joy!” I don’t have all the answers today, as we are just beginning this journey together, but I ask you to join me- in worship, in conversation, and in special events as we explore joy in all it’s forms.

December is a great time to start with Luke’s declaration that the Christ-Child will “Bring Great Joy to All People!” (Luke 2:10)

Join us for Advent and Christmas as we explore joy.

With anticipation in Joy! Pastor Shannon

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE

10:30 AM

DECEMBER 2 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT HANGING OF THE GREENS SERVICE SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 AM DECEMBER 9 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT—CANTATA SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 AM DECEMBER 15 BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE/LUNCHEON 11:00 AM—1:00 PM MARYLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DECEMBER 16 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT SUNDAY SCHOOL: DECEMBER 23 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT SPECIAL MUSIC WITH BRASS REFLECTIONS NO SUNDAY SCHOOL DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS SERVICES 5:00 PM FAMILY SERVICE 7:00 PM CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

DECEMBER 30 1ST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS LESSONS & CAROLS NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

Presented by Ashland Presbyterian Church Choir Sunday, December 9, 2018

10:30 AM This cantata is filled with beloved carols and original seasonal

songs which tell the story of Christ’s birth through music and

scripture. Please join us!

Ashland Presbyterian Church

116 Ashland Road

Cockeysville, MD 21030

ANNUAL ADULTS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY Friday, December 7, 2018

6:30 p.m. Home of Bonnie & Bill Clarke

13 Chesterfield Court Monkton, MD 21111

Sign up to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert (sign up sheets on the table in the

hallway). You can also RSVP to Cecil in the office

(410-527-1844 or at office@ashlandpc.org ).

The Sunday School invites you to participate in the Giving Tree this Advent season. We are supporting a family in need this year. There are ornaments on the Christmas tree with the name of an item to provide.

ITEMS ARE TO BE NEW AND UNWRAPPED AND INCLUDE A GIFT RECEIPT.

Please take an ornament from the tree, purchase the item and place it in the basket by the tree. The deadline

for returning your gifts to Ashland is SUNDAY DECEMBER 23.

BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE/LUNCHEON A Service of Wholeness and Healing

December 15, 2018/ 11:00 am—1:00 pm Maryland Presbyterian Church , 1105 Providence Rd.,

Towson, MD Blue Christmas is a special service of worship designed to seek hope and light during the Advent season. This is a time when hope may not be easy to find because of a loss, grief, or sadness that we carry. Rev. Beth Scibienski will lead the worship and share her own story of loss.

Special Music

Brass Reflections will return on Sunday, December 23 at the 10:30 am Worship with

their festive music during the Christmas season. The Quintet is composed of Chris

Bennett and Tom Edge on Trumpet; Leslie Wharton, French Horn; Mike Wirtanen,

Trombone and Director Jim Wharton, Tuba. They are all accomplished musicians and

we are very pleased to have them share their talents with us.

Looking Ahead:

Sunday, January 13 Kuznick Violin and Cello Duo

With appreciation and thanks to the Congregational Care Team Angels who each

signed on to send monthly cards with written messages to our APC shut-ins,

those having a health problem, surgery or the loss of a loved one. A big thank you

to:

Marlene Uhler Susan Ruhl Jennefer Thomas Karen Hensley

Penny DeBoer Barbara Crow Debbie Nassau Bonnie Clarke Debbie Berlin Sandy Losemann Julee Ward Sandy Losemann took on an extra months for cards. Julee Ward began a flower ministry, taking arrangements and visiting once a month to some of our shut-ins as well as to those who we haven’t seen at worship in some time. Cards, flowers and the visits were well received and very appreciated by all. If you are interested in becoming a Care Team member in 2019, please call Margie Berlin at 410-472-1320.

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL,

AND RANSOM CAPTIVE ISRAEL,

THAT MOURNS IN LOWLY EXILE HERE,

UNTIL THE SON OF GOD APPEAR.

REJOICE! REJOICE! EMMANUEL

SHALL COME TO THEE, O ISRAEL!

Full Disclosure. I used to get annoyed at those TV thanksgiving dinners – you know, Mom, Dad, the three children, both sets of grandparents, smiley relatives passing around the casserole, all decked out in a Martha Stewart set table. I’d ask the universe, why don’t I have that? It took me awhile to realize that nobody has that! The characters may be at the table but underneath the perfectly scripted scene is…well…something. Some issue, some problem, some family drama.

On the flip side, at the intersection of the traditional gathering, the “friends-giving”, the restaurant turkey buffet or the turkey sandwich/college football afternoon is…well…something! Something wonderful, interesting, inspiring, fun!

Hence the eleventh commandment:

“Therefore, thou shalt not compare thy church to thy neighbors church. Thou shalt, instead inquire of the Lord thy God what the Lord requires of thee.”

Comparing your church to another is a losing proposition, especially if you are bemoaning the fact that you are not a larger congregation, or for the large ones – a mega church. It’s apples and oranges. If the grass is greener, the water bill is higher! Every church has “something”, a struggle and a blessing. What’s your blessing? What can you offer that no one else can? How are you making disciples where God has placed you? How can you rewrite the script of lack and see abundance?

Tis' the season, after all!

Cold are the people, winter of life,

We tremble in shadows this cold endless night,

Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping, Flowers that will echo the sunrise,

Fire of hope is our only warmth, Weary, it's flame will be dying soon.

Voice in the distance, call in the night

On wind you enfold us You speak of the light,

Gentle on the ear you whisper softly, Rumors of a dawn so embracing,

Breathless love awaits darkened souls, Soon will we know of the morning

Spirit among us, shine like the star,

Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar,

Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely, Rising in the warmth of your Son's love,

Star unknowing of night and day, Spirit we wait for your loving Son.

-David Haas

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

2 1st Sunday of Advent

9:30 am Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service

3

Project Linus

9:30 am

4 5 6 7

Adult Christmas

Party 6:30 pm

8

9 2nd Sunday of Advent 9:30 am Sunday School

10:30 am Cantata Service

10

11

Session

6:30 pm

12 13 14

15

16 3rd Sunday of Advent

9:30 am Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service

17 18

19 20 21 22

Sarah’s Hope 2-5 pm

23 4th Sunday of Advent

NO Sunday School

10:30 Worship w/Brass

Reflections

24

Office Closed

Christmas Services 5: 00pm Family Svc. 7:00 pm Candlelight Service

25

Office Closed

26 27 28 29

30 1st Sunday After

Christmas

NO Sunday School

10:30 Lessons & Carols

Shannon—Away

31

New Year’s Eve

Sunday School 9:30 am

Worship 10:30 am

Fellowship after Worship

WEEKLY EVENTS ...

Sundays Special Needs Troop #927 2:00 p.m.; Church of the Nazarene 5:00—7:00 p.m.

Mondays Daisy Troop #1623 6:00-8:00 pm

Tuesdays Daisy Troop #625 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Church of the Nazarene Choir Practice 7:30—9:30 p.m.

Wednesdays Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings 8:30 p.m.

Thursdays Contemporary Worship Practice 6:30 p.m.-7:30 pm; Chancel Choir: 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Fridays Church of the Nazarene 7:30 pm -9:30 p.m.—2:00 a.m.

Saturday Alcoholic Anonymous Svc. Mtg. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Church of the Nazarene 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Shannon & Cecil Out of Office

Sunday School 9:30 am

Worship 10:30 am

Fellowship after Worship

WEEKLY EVENTS ...

Sundays Special Needs Troop #927 2:00 p.m.; Church of the Nazarene 5:00—7:00 p.m.

Mondays Daisy Troop #1623 6:00-8:00 pm

Tuesdays Daisy Troop #625 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Church of the Nazarene Choir Practice 7:30—9:30 p.m.

Wednesdays Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings 8:30 p.m.

Thursdays Contemporary Worship Practice 6:30 p.m.-7:30 pm; Chancel Choir: 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Fridays Church of the Nazarene 7:30 pm -9:30 p.m.—2:00 a.m.

Saturday Alcoholic Anonymous Svc. Mtg. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Church of the Nazarene 7:30-9:30 p.m.

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1Office Closed 2

Shannon—Vacation

3 4 5

6 Epiphany of the Lord

9:30 am Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service

7

Project Linus

9:30 am

8

Session

6:30 pm

9 10 11 12

13 Baptism of the Lord 9:30 am Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service

Shannon Away

14

15

Session

6:30 pm

16 17 18 19

20 2nd Sunday After

Epiphany

9:30 am Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service

21 Office Closed 22

23 24 25 26

Sarah’s Hope

2-5 pm

27 3rd Sunday After Epiphany 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Service

28

29 30 31

ASHLAND CHURCH FAMILY CELEBRATIONS

BIRTHDAYS Deacon/Elder Ordination Anniversaries

December January (continued) 12/3 Kathy Nicht 1/6 John Walter 12/15 Tom Griffiths Nancy Starr 12/27 Lillian Holland Peg Paterson 12/28 Barbara Crow 1/7 Lillian Holland Jennefer Thomas 1/8 Nancy Stickles 12/30 Bill Clarke 1/13 Deb Miller Sandy Losemann Jacquie Sasser 12/31 Barbara Crow 1/14 Sandy Losemann 1/16 Bill Kobokovich

January Bonnie Clarke 1/1 Barbara Porter 1/17 Carla Ulgen Will Nassau Gene Ruhl 1/19 Tom Griffiths Kim Aspden 1/22 Bill Kobokovich Mary Thompson Penny DeBoer Steve Swift 1/23 John Walter Sue Ruhl 1/24 Jennefer Thomas 1/2 Dick Uhler Sue Ruhl Priscilla Barrett 1/25 Butch Zink 1/3 Bob Williams 1/26 Debbie Modisette

Kim Aspden 1/27 Amy Cavolo 1/4 Jerry DeBoer 1/28 Debbie Berlin Kim Bednarik 1/29 Amy Rudai Julee Ward 1/30 JoAnn Ruther

DECEMBER 12/2 Lee Shang

Cheri Wheeler

12/3 Jerry DeBoer

Kathy Nicht

12/4 Deb Miller

Will Nassau

12/9 Kaylin Bending

Christine Swift

12/10 Cathy Griffiths

12/12 Don Williams

12/15 Katie Zhu

12/17 Kim Bednarik

12/19 Greg Merrill

12/22 Bob Hensley

Dick Uhler

12/23 Gene Ruhl

12/24 Natalie Wagner

12/28 Barbara Porter

12/29 Luke Wagner

JANUARY 1/8 Grey Benzak

1/10 Cerys Beckwith

1/12 Sue Ruhl

1/15 Andrew Bednarik

1/18 Will Sasser

1/21 Butch Zink

1/22 Brenda Holland

1/23 Trish Deimel

1/25 Zachary Ciemian

1/26 Morgan Hensley

1/27 Elyssa Ruth

1/28 Betty Grubb

1/31 Kathy Aspden

ANNIVERSARIES DECEMBER

12/10 Butch & Marcie Zink

12/20 Jim & Sandy St. Germain

12/31 Thomas & Sarah Beckwith

Do we have YOUR family’s important dates to share and celebrate? Have we made any mistakes?

Please contact the Church Office at 410-527-1844, or office@ashlandpc.org with additions and/or

corrections for the database.

ASSIGNMENTS

2018/2019 December January

USHERS/ GREETERS

12/2 12/9 12/16 12/23 12/30

1/6 1/13 1/20 1/27

SERVERS 12/2 1/6

LITURGIST 12/16 12/23 12/30

1/13 1/20 1/27

VAN DRIVERS

12/2 Derrick Weston 12/9 Jerry DeBoer 12/16 Butch Zink 12/23 Bob Hensley 12/30 Bill Kobokovich

1/6 Derrick Weston 1/13 Jerry DeBoer 1/20 Butch Zink 1/27 Bob Hensley

As the New Year begins, why not become more involved in Worship? Sign up to be

an usher/greeter, liturgist or server. Sign up sheets are on the table in the hallway.

Ashland Presbyterian Church

116 Ashland Road

Cockeysville, MD 21030

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees

Oh hear the angel voices

Oh night divine

Oh night when Christ was born

Oh night divine Oh night divine

In case of inclement weather please call the church office (410-

527-1844) or check our webpage (www.ashlandpc.org) or our

Facebook page for closing information