Session

Board of Deacons

Corporate Officers

Jill Sumner, President Bob Morris, Vice President

Bob Purcell, Secretary Betty Jones, Treasurer

Church Staff

Ron Pfeifer, Pastor

Karen Medrano, Director of Music Ministries Steve Gardner, 9:30 A.M. Music Leader

Rick Dahlinger, Organist Danny Birstler, Sound Booth Coordinator

Karen Dallas, Office Administrator Cathy Canfield, Receptionist/Secretary

Vicki Oorbeck, Child Care Attendant Keitha Stoney, Wedding Coordinator

Danny Sullivan, Facility Manager Gary Oorbeck, Grounds/Maintenance/Security

Pastor Emeritus - Craig S. Davies

Church Office Hours

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday

8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Friday

Worship - Study Schedule

Traditional Sunday Morning Worship (Nursery Provided at the 11:00 a.m. Service) ·· 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Contemporary Worship (Nursery Provided) ·························································· 9:30 a.m. Sundays

Sunday Coffee Fellowship Time ·········································································· 9:00-10:45 a.m.

Adult & Children’s Sunday School ··············································································· 9:30 a.m.

Youth Ministry ····················································································· 3:30-5:30 p.m. Sundays

Presbyterian Women’s Circles (September - May) ························································· 1st Tuesday

Bible Study ······································································································ as Scheduled

Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021

Paul Alford Jim Freund Murray Bennett

Cheryl DeVore Sandra Koonce Gail Fiske

Russ Hackett Bob Morris Pedro Fuentes

David Meyers Barbara Rains Frank Robertson

Ella Nardone Jill Sumner Debbie Viers

Adele Wardrop Bob Suplee Linda Waldron

Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021

Ron Embling Bruce Cook Bonnie Buesching

Diane Freund Ron Hatton Barbara Inmon

John Keyte Judy Morris Phyllis LaFontaine

Jeanie Roberts Sandra Olson Georgia Lovelace

Tom Zurawski Keitha Stoney Connie Reynolds

First Presbyterian Church

Mission Statement:

“To Know Jesus Christ personally, to make Him known,

and to reflect His love through worship, education, and service to all.”

A Stephen Ministry

Congregation

206 Washington Avenue Inverness, FL 34450-4942 Telephone: (352) 637-0770 Fax: (352) 637-6326

Email: fpcinvoffice@gmail.com Website: www.fpcinverness.org

PREPARATION AND PRAISE

PRELUDE

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE ADVENT WREATH

Leader: God spoke through the prophet Daniel, and promised that, when the time of the

Messiah finally came, life would triumph over death and light would outshine darkness,

saying, “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of the

nations until then. But at that time, your people – everyone whose name is found written in

the Book of Life – will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake:

some to everlasting life, others to disgrace and everlasting shame. The wise will shine with

the light of the heavens, and the righteous will be as radiant as the stars above

forever” (Daniel 12:1b-3). Let us pray together:

People: Lord of heaven and earth, Your light shines in the darkness, and the darkness

cannot overcome it. Fill our hearts and our lives with Jesus, the Light of the world, as we

celebrate His birth this week, and help us always to rejoice in all the everlasting promises

which are now ours, in and through Him. Amen.

THE FOUR ADVENT CANDLES ARE LIT Keitha & Billy Joe Stoney

OPENING SONG “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER, Page 16 (“Debts”, “Debtors”)

PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY “Heaven Everywhere” Alicia Downing Solo

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Order of Worship Fourth Sunday of Advent December 22, 2019 CHRISTMAS PAGEANT “My Christmas Essay”

Cast

Mother - Jones/Sally Smith

Daughter - Sally Smith/Julia Jones

Isaiah, Shepherd, Wiseman - Jack Anderson

Micah, shepherd, Wiseman - Brody Stauffer

Malachi, shepherd, Wiseman - Brenden Boccia

Mary, Angel - Bella Boccia

Gabriel - Mary Beth Smith

Angel - Blakely Stauffer

Several of our puppet friends are helping with vacant spots as well

Director - Amy Coleman

Lighting/sound - Danny Birstler

Solo - Alicia Downing

ADVENT MEDITATION Pastor Ron

BRIEF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

BLESSING FOR LUNCH

POSTLUDE Karen Medrano

Next Week

“Happiness and Holiness”

Leviticus 11:44-45

Matthew 5:1-12

Elder Nominees

Bill Buesching

Linda Cridland

John Engberg

Barbara Kerr

Paul Parker

Bob Purcell

Deacon Nominees

Ron Embling

Diane Freund

Jeanie Roberts

Linda Tompkins

Tom Zurawski

Special Thanks

To Those Serving Today

Ushers

10:00 a.m. Greg Andreichuk

Alice Capps Terri Christoffers

Barbara Hand Arnold Johnson

Betty Jones Frank & Audrey Mattox

Dave Meyers

Greeter

10:00 a.m. Lori Greene

Ask Me Information Desk

10:00 a.m. Linda Tompkins

Sue Black

Sunday Morning Coffee

Ron & Judy Embling Linda Waldron

First Time Visitors

Frank & Audrey Mattox

Thank you everyone.

Attendance Last Sunday: 309

Operating Revenues & Expenses for 2019 November YTD Revenues $39,235.24 $435,403.89 Expenses $48,136.01 $385,158.01 Difference -$ 8,900.77 +$ 50,245.88

This Week at FPC

Sunday, December 22

4th Sunday of Advent

No Youth Group

10:00 am One Service with Christmas Pageant

Followed by Brief Congregational Meeting &

Recognition of Ron Shotwell’s Retirement

Followed by Light Lunch for Congregation

11:00 am - 4:00 pm Praise Kids Are Making

Christmas Presents and Cards

Monday, December 23

*6:00 pm Cub Scouts - Youth House

Tuesday, December 24

Christmas Eve Day - Church Closed

5:00 pm Christmas Eve Communion Service

7:00 pm Christmas Eve Communion Service

Wednesday, December 25

Christmas Day - Church closed

Thursday, December 26

Friday, December 27

10:00 am Simple Yoga

Saturday, December 28

Sunday, December 29

8:00 am Traditional Worship

9:00 -10:45 Coffee Fellowship Time

9:30 am Contemporary Worship

9:30 am Sunday School

11:00 am Traditional Worship

12:15 am Session Meeting - Parlor

11:00 - 5:00 Praise Kids Skating Trip

No Youth Group

*Outside Groups

Attendance Log Please don’t forget to sign-in on the attendance log located at the end of your pew.

Flowers The flowers on our Chancel this morning are given to the glory of God and in honor of Wilson’s Birthday by Mildred & Wilson Martin.

Stewardship Message “The best of all gifts, around any Christmas tree, is the presence of a happy family wrapped up in each other.” - Burton Hills

Ron Shotwell’s Retirement Ron Shotwell will be recognized and honored for his many years of service after the Christmas Pageant today. As many of you know, Ron Shotwell recently retired. We will have cake and a basket for cards in the Fellowship Hall following the Congregational Meeting. Please extend your best wishes to Ron for his many, many happy years of service working at FPC.

Christmas Pageant and Congregational Meeting with Lunch Today is the time that the congregation can enjoy the Christmas Pageant, followed by a brief Congregational Meeting to elect new Elders and Deacons. Ron Shotwell will also be recognized at this service. A free light lunch will be provided by Mary Hiers and the CE Committee. Please make your reservation for lunch using a Meal Reservation Card or by calling the church office.

Welcome

Especially to those who may be worshiping with us for the first time.

We pray that you experience Christ’s presence in our midst, and that it will sustain you in the week ahead. We hope you will consider making First Presbyterian Church your church home in Inverness.

Large Print Bulletins and Hearing Assistance Units are available from an Usher.

A Nursery is provided during the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. The Narthex can be used as a cry room.

Please complete the Ritual of Friendship (navy blue attendance folder) with your address and phone number so we may contact you personally following the service.

Silence Your Cell Phone As a courtesy to others, please silence your cell phone during all worship services.

Christmas Eve Service Times The Christmas Eve service times are 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. with communion at both

services, and the choir will present a Cantata. Anyone needing transportation to the Christmas

Eve services, as well as to any service, should call the church office for arrangements.

Christmas Joy Offering This year during the four Sundays of Advent, the Session has authorized the collection of the

Christmas Joy Offering, which is one of four special offerings received by the Presbyterian

Church (USA) throughout the year. The Christmas Joy Offering is used by the denomination

to supplement the income of the retired pastors in need, and also to support church-related

schools and colleges which educate people of color. If you would like to contribute to the

Christmas Joy Offering this year, simply write a check to our church and put “Christmas Joy

Offering” on the memo line. Thank you for your generosity. See insert.

Christmas Present Making - December 22 - 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After the Christmas pageant, we are having a Praise Kids day to make cards and Christmas

presents for the families. We’ll have lunch at 11:00 a.m. and then spend the afternoon making

presents and cards. Everything will be wrapped, and children will be ready for pickup at 4:00

p.m. This should give the parents and caregivers plenty of time to do some last-minute

Christmas shopping or just take a breath. We will need 4 or 5 volunteers for this event. Look

for the sign-up sheet in the Narthex!

Praise Kids Skating Trip - December 29 - 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Praise Kids will make mini pizzas, play a few games, and then leave for the skating rink at

12:45 p.m. We will spend the afternoon skating at the Roller Barn and return to the church by

5:00 p.m. for pick up. We will need a bus driver for this event. Let Mary Hiers know if you

can drive 352-220-3175. We will also need volunteers. Please see the signup sheet.

New Years Eve Lock-In

December 31 at 6:00 p.m. to January 1 at 10:00 a.m.

We’re having a Praise Kids lock-in. We will have games, movies, crafts, and lots of fun.

Because of the planning and commitment involved in this event, we will have to have RSVP’s

by no later than December 27. You will need to sign your child up by that date. We will also

need to know who plans to volunteer. We, of course, need people to stay the night but are glad

to have people come to help with activities on January 1. We are happy to have the youth help

with this event as well. Any questions, please call Mary Hiers at 352-220-3175.

2020 Men’s Fellowship Trash and Treasure and Bake Sale Once again, it’s time for the annual Trash and Treasure and Bake Sale. We need your

donations of furniture, clothing, appliances, household items, etc. to make this a success.

Please keep in mind that we do NOT accept tires, large appliances, or items that are broken or

in poor condition. Electronic equipment, including computers, VCRs, CD and DVD

players, cameras, etc., must be in good working order.

Schedule for the Sale Week:

Donations: May be brought to the church Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, January 13-15, from

8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you need help transporting large items to the church, please call the

church office at 637-0770 to schedule a pickup.

Sale to the Public: Thursday and Friday, January 16 and 17, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and

Saturday, January 18, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The Bake Sale will be held during the sale to

the public.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to help those in need.

Chairman: Dennis Bennett at 501-207-3118.

Prayer Garden Memorial Bricks This is a wonderful opportunity to have a loved one’s name engraved into a brick as a

permanent remembrance for everyone to enjoy. The brick can be engraved with In Memory

of or In Honor of or just with a name. Extra request forms may be picked up at the Ask Me

Information desk in the Narthex or at the church office. The cost of the brick with

engraving is $50 each. The letters will be in black and the bricks are brown.

Please return the request form to the church office and mark on your check made payable to

First Presbyterian Church, “Memorial Brick” in the memo section. The monies generated

from the sale of the bricks will be used for the maintenance and improvements of the garden.

For further information on Prayer Garden Memorial Bricks, please contact Carol Kircoaf at

(305) 396-6212, or contact the church office at (352) 637-0770.

Our Tree of Life Our beautiful Tree of Life, displayed on the wall in our Narthex, is composed of many leaves,

and it grows through donations to our Tree of Life Fund. The fund was established for the

purpose to earmark donations for unexpected near-term repairs in our church facilities and

repair or replacement of our equipment.

As Christians, many of us are desirous of making a bequest to the church. Some just feel the

need to give, while others wish to commemorate an event in their lives or to honor loved ones.

These leaves represent a beautiful, tangible, and lasting way to express this need.

Members or friends of the church may purchase a leaf for $300, which may be paid in $100

increments. Upon receipt of the total, the leaf will be engraved with the sentiment of the

donor’s choice and placed on the tree.

For further information on our Tree of Life, please contact Carol Kircoaf at (305) 396-6212,

or contact the church office at (352) 637-0770.

Men’s Corner Did you know that your Men’s Fellowship in 2019 have

given:

$500 for the Relief Fund for the Bahamas;

$160 toward Coffee Supplies for Coffee Hours;

$250 to our church’s Angel Tree; and

$200 to the Citrus Veteran’s Mission!

This has been possible from the monies primarily raised at

Trash & Treasure and its related programs.

They were Hungry and We Fed Them A record number of 105 persons came out on Saturday, December 6 to enjoy the end of the

year, all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast of 2019. Among those numbers were new residents,

church members, and homeless individuals. Some interesting statistics: 30 people were served

at our March 30 breakfast; 56 in June; 74 in September. We feel so very blessed at the success

of this new program and are so appreciative of all of you who came to eat as well as those who

helped flip pancakes, serve, and clean up. Please stay tuned for dates in the new year!

The Outreach Committee

Crusade for Kids, Christmas Angels I would like to thank all the congregation and all who assisted in buying gifts and giving

donations to this wonderful cause. We were once again able to provide clothes, shoes, and

numerous gifts for 43 needy Citrus County children. They will all be truly blessed this

Christmas through your very generous giving. Much appreciation for your help. May you all

also have a blessed Christmas. Peace, Jill Sumner

387! That’s the total number of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes our church family filled for

2019. Last year our total was 335 - a 15% increase. Next year, let's strive for 400! Thank you,

church family, for your inspiring mission spirit. We’ll take an OCC break for December and

January, then begin collecting monthly items for our 2020 goal. Any questions? Contact

Audrey Mattox, mission committee, at 341-2484 or see her in church. And, Merry Christmas

to children all over the world!

How Can You Help Your

Church Touch the Lives

of Someone New?

Have you ever thought of being the first person to reach out and contact a visitor? If so, this is

your chance. We are looking for individuals to build up our teams of First-time visitors. It all

starts with a phone call. If you have any questions contact Linda Waldron via e-mail at

lmrwaldron@gmail.com or by phone at 352-697-2112.

Outreach Committee

The Outreach Committee is looking for volunteers. We would like to invite anyone able and

willing to come and help at any of our events contact me. Over the past year we have done

some NEW events such as 4-Pancake Breakfast’s, Teen Storms was presented by Robby Van

Hook, Breakout BBQ with live music which fed approximately 300, Our committee helped

with Cornerstone Baptist Church for the 2nd year of MERGE.

I know that each of us has talents, so if you enjoyed last year’s events, come and help us build

new memories together in 2020. If you wish to become a volunteer you will not be asked to

attend meetings. For more information contact Linda Waldron at 697-2112.

Cookies Needed for Sunday Coffee Hour The Fellowship Committee is asking for packaged cookies for Sunday Coffee Hour. Please

leave your cookie donations in the kitchen. Thank you!

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study Scripture Searchers continue to share Christmas Traditions Around the World through De-

cember. In January, we begin an investigation of the Apostle Paul. Plan to join us at 10:30

a.m. in the library. Come when you can, leave when you must. - Jeanie Roberts.

Worship Flowers

Next year’s signup booklet for 2020 Worship Flowers is now available at the Ask Me Desk

for people interested in reserving a specific date for honoring their loved ones. Worship flow-

ers are $35, and please indicate whether you are going to pick them up or whether you want

them donated to someone in the hospital or an assisted living facility.

2020 Greeter & Ushers Schedule - 8:00 a.m. Please call Tom Zurawski at (352) 250-2931 or email tfz708@yahoo.com with any changes to

your 8:00 a.m. Usher Team schedule. We are looking for additional Greeters and Ushers as

well as subs. All are welcome. The new schedule will be published around December 16 for

the first six months of 2020. You will only have duties once a month on a rotating schedule.

2020 Usher Volunteers Needed -11:00 am Service We urgently need more Ushers for the 11:00 a.m. service for 2020. Ushers serve once a month

and many of our Usher teams are incomplete. Contact Barbara Rains, Worship Committee

Chair, at 352-341-4761 or email jrains3@tampabay.rr.com.

A Mission Opportunity Ever wanted to go on an international mission trip? We have an opportunity for an adult/older

teen mission trip during spring break (March 21-29, 2020). An informational meeting will be

held after Thanksgiving. Watch the bulletin. For more information, phone Frank or Audrey

Mattox at 341-2484 and let’s talk about an exciting opportunity to serve.