First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Georgia December 2012

Sunday, December 2nd

John the Baptist and the Risk of Listening

Sunday, December 9th

Mary and the Risk of Surrendering

Sunday, December 16th

Joseph and the Risk of Forgiving and Trusting

Sunday, December 23rd

Shepherds and the Risk of Sharing Faith

Monday, December 24th Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion

Services 4:30 & 6:30 p.m. Jesus and the Risk of Incarnation

Sunday, December 30th

Simeon and the Risk of Waiting

Sunday, January 6th

The Magi and the Risk of Worship

The anticipation and joy of Christmas hang in the air. We are not quite ready, however,

to celebrate. Instead of heading straight to Bethlehem to hear the angels sing and worship

the Christ child, Advent takes us on a journey through some challenging terrain. When we

take this path, we discover Christmas is risky business. Not only for us but for God; who

out of His great love for us, sent His only Son to earth, as an infant who will grow to be our

Savior. Talk about a risk! We take a risk when we resolved to let go of control and let God

lead our lives. Why not decide to take a risk this Advent and Christmas season and follow

where the Holy Spirit leads? It is a risk worth taking.

INSPIRE Page 2

Sunday, December 16 – 3rd Sunday of Advent Christmas Breakfast 9:30 a.m.

No Sunday School

Wednesday, December 19 Church-wide Caroling at the Ralston

Thursday, December 20 – Advent Lunch Series

Rev. Adam Borneman, Teaching Pastor Second Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL

Sunday, December 23 – 4th Sunday of Advent

No Sunday School

Monday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services

4:30 p.m. Children & Youth Choirs 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir

Tuesday, December 25

Merry Christmas!

Advent & Christmas Christmas Breakfast Sunday, December 16

at 9:30 a.m. in the gym

Come join us for our annual Christmas

Breakfast featuring Rennie Bickerstaff’s

country ham along with other awesome

foods. The 10:30 a.m. band will be back

and there may even be a guest appear-

ance by Frosty himself. Along with all the

fun, it’s a great time to reconnect with

friends.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion

Services

4:30 p.m. featuring

Children & Youth Choirs

6:30 p.m. featuring

the Adult Choir

INSPIRE Page 3

James Wade began working at First Presbyterian

over 16 years ago, but he grew up a little farther north,

in West Virginia, working in the coal mines, then man-

aging a pizza parlor until his parents became ill and

needed a full-time caretaker. James devoted many

years of his life to the care of his parents. When his

father passed away, his mother moved to Columbus

to allow his brother to take over her care, but shortly

thereafter, James joined his family here. He worked

for Doctor’s Hospital on the housekeeping staff for

five years then he was promoted to Central Supply.

After leaving the hospital, he spent several years at

TSYS until he came to work at First Presbyterian.

James may have been working here for a long time,

but he is more than a fixture, he is a friend to all. Eve-

ryone knows James−from the youngest to the oldest.

October 9th of this year, James was diagnosed with

Squamous Cell Lung Cancer.

He began radiation treat-

ments in mid-November and

is on his third week of chemo,

but you wouldn’t know it by

looking at him or hearing him

talk about his life. He is up-

beat and jovial, continually

thanking God for his blessings

Our Salvation Army Kettle collected $3,250.56 for our week at Wal-Mart!!! We also saved the Salvation Army $450 by filling the week with volunteers!! They are so appreciative of our help and our Mission Ministry is grateful to those who participated as well.

and telling those he comes in contact with how great

God has been to him and how he knows God is on his

side.

To show our love and support for James and to help

remind us to keep him in our prayers, Rev. Hasty

suggested we order white bracelets to help us “band

together” with James. While white represents lung

cancer, each bracelet is also inscribed with God is Able

Daniel 3:17 JTW (James’ initials). This passage is often

referenced by James as he reminds us that “whether or

not God chooses to heal me, God is able to heal me.”

And James is trusting Him to do just that!

Members of James’ church are also wearing these

bands as a sign of love, support and encouragement to

him. There are a few bracelets still available in the

reception hall if you would like one.

James would like to thank everyone for their prayers

and support. He is very grateful for the outpouring of

love that has been shown to him all the years he’s been

here, but especially now.

James has given a lot of his life to help others and

now we are able to give back to him through our

prayers and support. If you would like to send him a

card or letter, you may do so:

James Wade

5808 Valleybrook Road

Columbus, GA 31907

INSPIRE Page 4

December’s Emphasis is on

CARING ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE’S NEED.

December Service Project

Mitten Tree

for Open Door Community House

Christmas Sing-A-Long

Thursday, December 20th

11:30 a.m. around the tree

in the Reception Hall

December 24 – January 9

FX2:42 Schedule for December/January

December 19 Family Caroling at the Ralston

December 26 No FX2:42

January 2 No FX2:42

January 9 Iona Service of Healing

January 16 FX2:42 Family Experience

January 23 FX2:42 Bible Study

January 30 FX2:42 Bible Study

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Our youth group went shopping to buy Thanksgiving food for two families who are unable to afford food for themselves.

Youth Summer Trips It’s time to start thinking about summer trips for our youth! This year we will be planning for the following trips:

Chattanooga Mission Trip − July 6-12

Triennium − July 16-20 (students currently in grades 8-12)

High School Montreat − June 9-15 (Presbytery Trip)

Middle School Montreat − July 24-28

December

19 Caroling at the Ralston

23 No SNL! (family time)

24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services 4:30 – Children & Youth Choirs 6:30 – Adult Choir

25 Merry Christmas!!!!

26 No Church Family Supper or Activities

30 No SNL! (family time)

Our beautiful Chrismon Tree was decorated by our Youth in loving memory of Terrell Tuggle Adams (September 12, 1956−September 20, 2012).

Page 6 INSPIRE

Year End Reminder

In order to receive contribu-tion credit for the year 2012, please be reminded that all monies must either be received in the church office or postmarked no later than Monday, December 31st. All donations of stock must be transferred on or before that date as well. The church office will be open until 5 p.m. on Monday, December 31st. Contributions received after December 31st will be credited to the year 2013.

Clare Bowles Bonnie, Kevin & Nyla Reherman

Zeke Schriver

WE ARE CALLED

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

As of Wednesday, December 12th, we have received 215 pledge cards totaling $1,202,136.72. The average pledge is $5,591. This represents a 11% increase over the same pledges last year. We have reached 84.5% of our goal.

88 Increased their pledge 71 Remained the same

36 Decreased their pledge 20 New Pledges

215 Total Pledges

Page 7 INSPIRE

27 Robert & Tootie Bickerstaff

Bunky & Cherry Pease Cecil & Terry Whitaker Katherine Kimbrough Madden Hatcher, Jr. Laurie Billiot Ed Adams, III Lindsey Bauler Cain Harrelson Laura Chapman Benton Bruce

28 Bud Paepcke Jake Burrus, Jr. Thomas Adams, IV

29 Lynn & Ida Page

30 Thomas Cooper Edward Heard, Jr.

31 Stan & Jill Copelan Bill & Sara Heard

1 Terry Whitaker

Judy Dean Mitchell Jarrett Will Richards

2 Edith Pignato Jack Norman

3 Cal & Virginia Holman Ted Neumeister Tyler Rogers

4 Rick Peebles

5 Richard Doub Suzanne Saunders Julie Straus Berry Wells Charlie Straus Minna Straus Boyd Bickerstaff

6 Kathy Peebles

7 Frank & Tamie Lumpkin Carol Jackson Bob Elliott, Jr. Chase Pennington

8 Eleanor Grear Bill Poovey, Jr. Mint Flowers

9 Julie Chapman Mark Littleton Frank Tommey Maggie Johnston Garrett Welch

10 Cindy Jones Kate Snodgrass

11 Mitzi Allen Janis Miley

12 Lucile Flournoy

13 Mary Margaret Stone

Edgar Chancellor, III Samuel Coffin

14 Jeanne Johnson Ed Adams Lew Sheilds Hendley Badcock

15 Lisa Powers

16 Diane Andrews

17 Jim & Amelia Lawlor Jimmy Campbell Daniel Adams

18 Chong & Jane Lee Jim & Pam Moye Ron & Meg Murray Jake Burrus, III

19 Ginna Norman Ken White, III Henry Lemieux Anna Hurtt

20 Davis Quinn Madison Quinn Isabella Loomis

22 Dexter Jordan, Jr. Gary Bruce

23 Allie Murray McKinley Bath

24 Virginia Holman Glen Giles

25 Chris Moore

26 Pete & Amy Pease

December Anniversaries and Birthdays

If your birthday or anniversary is this month, but is not listed, please contact the church office so we can add it to your member profile.

Share God’s Love

First Presbyterian, a historic church located in uptown Columbus, Georgia, seeks to minister to all people in Christ’s name through an inclusive, caring, and faithful community that joyfully shares the gift of salvation from a loving and forgiving God.

1100 First Avenue

Columbus, Georgia 31901

Phone: 706.322.4523

Fax: 706.596-8531

Web: www.columbusfpc.org

First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church Mission Statement

To opt out of receiving the Inspire Newsletter by mail, please contact JoAnna Williams at 706.322.4523 or jwilliams@columbusfpc.org.

Coming in 2013

Take your marriage to a whole new level.

February 22-24 Destin, Florida

For more information, contact Rev. Doughton, 706.322.4523, or attend the information meeting on December 16 after the 11 a.m. service in the Parlor.

WeekendToRemember.com

Merry Christmas to you and yours from the Staff

of First Presbyterian