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St. Andrews Presbyterian Church November 2016

In This IssueLetter from our PastorEcumenical Election DayIntergenerational Advent Preparation8­Week Parenting ClassG2G Kids & WOWAdvent BannersSession ReportAARP Driver CourseCoffee, Tea & ChocolateSt. Andrews SchoolNovember BirthdaysNovember Anniversaries

www.standrewspresbyterian.org SAPC Staff

PastorRev. Camille LeBron Powell (ext 106)camille@standrewspresbyterian.org

Associate Pastor for Children and YouthSteve Sankey (ext 109)steve@standrewspresbyterian.org

Seminary InternMichael Sanchez

Letter from our Pastor

Presbyterian pastors often struggle with howpolitical to get from the pulpit and everywhere else.If you pay attention to the news or social media youknow that not all pastors have that struggle, but Ido. However, I do not have any doubt that part ofour call to responsible human living as disciples isto be good citizens of the world.

The fall of 2004 was the only time I have placed apolitical sign in my yard. In Little Rock churchmembers regularly drove past our house andneighbors knew I was a pastor, so I knew it wouldbe seen. The sign said "Vote Hope". That's it.There was no tiny donkey or elephant in the corner,no website or candidate's name. It just said "VoteHope." I can get behind that.

Presbyterians have a history of taking ourresponsibility as citizens seriously and involvingourselves in the public affairs of our community, ournation, and the world. We have been involved in

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Director of Music David Lukens (ext 118) ]dlukens@standrewspresbyterian.org

Organist Edward Weaver (ext 118) eweaver@standrewspresbyterian.org

Administrative AssistantRebecca Croke (ext 107)office@standrewspresbyterian.org Financial AdministratorDebbie Hutto (ext 104) finance@standrewspresbyterian.org

Director of St. Andrews School Ann McKinney (ext 120) standschool@gmail.com

Environmental Services Lidieth Fenimore

civic affairs since our country was founded. TheRev. John Witherspoon is believed to have beenthe only clergyman to sign the Declaration ofIndependence, but he was not the onlyPresbyterian. At least 14 of the 56 signers werePresbyterian. In fact, our Presbyterian form ofgovernment was a model and major influence onAmerican democracy.

What about the separation of church and state?We have supported that for a long time too. Thisprinciple is at the heart of our freedom of religion.But, as Roger Powers has stated, "To say thatpeople of faith should not be involved in politics orin public affairs because of the separation of churchand state is a gross misrepresentation of theConstitutional principle. The relevant Constitutionalclause says, 'Congress shall make no lawrespecting an establishment of religion, orprohibiting the free exercise thereof...' The principlewas never meant to prevent people of faith fromexercising their rights and responsibilities ascitizens, as some people like to argue."

Faith leads directly to action. Therefore we exerciseour right to vote at election time and participate inthe democratic process between elections. It'sabout being responsible citizens and faithfuldisciples. So I encourage you all, if you haven'talready, to do your homework, learn about thecandidates and the other ballot issues. Then vote.And on November 9, when (hopefully) the dust hassettled and we know the way forward, rememberthat an important part of authentic faith is humility,not assuming that one party, candidate, or traditionpossesses all truth.

Abraham Lincoln, in closing his first inauguraladdress said: We are not enemies, but friends. Wemust not be enemies. Though passion may havestrained it must not break our bonds of affection.The mystic chords of memory, stretching fromevery battlefield and patriot grave to every livingheart and hearthstone all over this broad land, willyet swell the chorus of the Union, when againtouched, as surely they will be, by the better angelsof our nature.

He closed with an appeal to the "better angels ofour nature." We still need that. Though thecircumstances are quite different now, we can stillheed his advice. Remember what Lincoln said inhis second inaugural address: With malice towardnone, with charity for all, with firmness in the rightas God gives us to see the right, let us strive on tofinish the work we are in, to bind up the nation'swounds, to care for him who shall have borne thebattle and for his widow and his orphan, to do allwhich may achieve and cherish a just and lastingpeace among ourselves and with all nations.While the election may seem to be all about

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winning and power, we must remember that thegospel is not about winning or power, it is aboutlove. Scripture tells us: There is no fear in love, butperfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18a).

Election Day PrayerBesides voting, another act of faith you can engagein on Election Day is prayer. The polls are openfrom 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. During those hours youare invited to prayer. Soon you will be gettinganother email with information about a prayer vigil.You'll be invited to sign up online for a 20 minuteslot. You can prayer wherever you are. There willalso be a guide to prayer to use during your time ifyou so desire. And at the end of the day, if youwould like to join with others in worship you find alocal church offering worship. There will be anEcumenical Election Day Communion Service atDecatur First United Methodist Church at 7:30pm.Prayer is always a good idea, but in anxious timesit is especially helpful in reminding us that Godultimately holds the future.

Ecumenical Election DayCommunion Service

Tuesday, November 8 ­ 7:30pm at Decatur FirstUMC 300 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Decatur First UMC, Columbia Presbyterian,Decatur Presbyterian, First Baptist Church ofDecatur, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)of Decatur, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, LutheranChurch of the Messiah, North Decatur PresbyterianChurch, St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

After we've made our different choices in the votingbooth, let's make the same choice together. Let'smeet at the same table to break bread and passthe cup. Election Day Communion is a chance toremind ourselves that our allegiance to Christ ishigher than allegiance to any party or politicalcampaign. That the power to truly change the worldis found not in politics or presidents or protests, butin the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Thiselection day, let's share communion. Let's do this inremembrance of the one who unites us­ the onlyone who can truly set us free.

Intergenerational AdventPreparation Celebration

Sunday, November 20th at 9:00 A.M. All ages areinvited to gather in Heffner Hall during the Sundayschool hour on the Sunday before Advent begins.

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This will be our chance to help get our church andourselves ready for Advent. There are a variety ofways to participate. You can choose to: hangwreathes, fluff garland, make crafts, pick up yourAdvent devotional, or listen to a story. Come join usas we prepare ourselves to celebrate the season ofAdvent.

8­Week Parenting Class with Say Spencer Say Spencer of Thornwell's Building Familiesprogram, will be offering an 8­week parentingseries for St. Andrews families. The series will takeplace on Sundays from 4pm­6pm and will beginSunday, November 6th and end December 18th.This unique program was created for parents whowant to decrease stress in their homes, andimprove relationships with their children. The smallgroup environment offers a chance to learn newskills, engage in group discussion, and learnthrough experiencing and exploring alongside yourpeers. We invite you to meet other parents, whilelearning practical skills to build self­worth inchildren, correct misbehavior, explore familymorals, values and rules and encourage positivebehavior both at home AND at school. Childcarewill be provided. Email the church office to sign up.Space is limited. More details to follow.

WOW Adult Programming

November 2­ Was America Founded as aChristian Nation? Come explore the question ofwhether America was founded as a Christiannation, examine the relationship between thereligious views of the nation's founders and theinstituting documents of the nation, and reflect onwhat difference it makes for the Christian citizentoday.

November 16 ­ Advent Preparation

November 30 ­ Movie Discussion

Advent Banners

On October 16 and 19 church members wereinvited to paint fabric that will be used to createnew banners for the Advent season. Keep youreyes open in worship beginning the first Sunday ofAdvent, November 27th, to see what MargaretWilliams does with your creations.

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Session Report

The Session of St. Andrews Presbyterian Churchmet in the Meeting Room of SAPC on October 16,2016 at 11:30 a.m. The Rev. Camille LeBronPowell was the moderator. A motion to approvethe agenda with one addition was made by M.Ashby, seconded by D. Buchanan, and approved.

The Session joined in a discussion of a videoabout the role of music in worship. Wediscussed our favorite hymns, their personalmeanings to us, and our overall relationshipwith music as an integral part of the worshipexperience. Following the discussion, theSession shared joys and concerns, followedby a time of prayer, and the unison readingof the SAPC Mission.A motion to approve the consent agendawas made by J. Thomas, seconded by E.Johnston, and approved.Motion to approve the baptism of MihatiaHasina Ranaivoarisoa on Sunday, November13th, was made by M. Ashby, seconded byE. Johnston, and approvedMotion to change the date of the jointmeeting of the Session and Diaconate fromDecember 18th to December 11th was madeby M. Ashby, seconded by D. Buchanan, andapproved.Motion to change the date of the NovemberStated Session Meeting to November 13thwas made by E. Johnston, seconded by D.Buchanan, and approved.Motion to approve the updated SAPCOperations Manual was made by J. Thomas,

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seconded by D. McCowen, and approved.The 2017 Session Retreat will be held onFebruary 24­25 at the Decatur PresbyterianChurch Retreat Center on Lake Lanier.Reservations have been made. Furtherplanning will be made at later meetings. AllElders are asked to reserve this time on theirschedules.New plans/schedules for the Hanging of theGreens was discussed. Detailed plans will bemade, and congregation will be asked to joinin the decoration of the campus.The meeting was adjourned with prayer at12:20 p.m. The next stated Session meetingwill be held on November 13th, 2016.

AARP Driver Course

39ers are hosting an AARP Driving Course onNovember 23rd from 9am­3pm in the meetingroom. Bring a sack lunch. Please contact RonWeber if you plan to attend.

For the holidays...coffee, tea andchocolate! Wrap your hands around a cup of organic coffee,tea or bar of chocolate and breathe in thegoodness of life! Celebrate as you support smallfamily farmers throughout the world who raisecoffee, tea and chocolate for your enjoyment. Knowthat your support of the Presbyterian CoffeeProject insures quality products and the absence ofslavery in its production. Taste the goodness of thiscoffee, tea and chocolate and proclaim your part increating a better world for all of God's children! Order forms are in the narthex or from Mary Evans,770­493­9489, tmevans@bellsouth.net. Pleaseorder by Nov 6 for delivery by Thanksgiving.

News from St. Andrews School

Hello Everyone,

Greetings from SAS, the month of October hasbeen a very busy and exciting one. The childrenare really enjoying the change in the weather andhave taken a special interest in the beautiful fallcolors of the leaves on the trees.

The school hosted our annual Picnic/Open housealong with this year's Scholastic Book Fair. The

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weather was beautiful, the children and theirfamilies enjoyed their picnic meal in the courtyard,followed by visiting the classrooms at the schooland shopping at the book fair. Both events haveproven to be a great success.

I would like to thank Pasty Cannon, Jill Jarvis, VickiMealor and many others who worked so very hardto make this year's Arts and Crafts Shindig a hugesuccess.During the week of November 7th­14th SAS will becollecting non­perishable food for the Net Pantry. Acollection box will be located in the main hallway ofthe school.

SAPC members we appreciate you, your devotionand love that you have for SAS. May the blessingsof God continue to be with you always; for all thatyou do for others.

In Christ,Ann McKinneyDirector, St. Andrews School

November Birthdays

3rd= Bill Blasingame, Louis Todd7th=Pat Zrolka, Kyle Dayoub8th= Carolyn Krutoy, Janet Shiver10th= Heather Morse11th= Sharon Shenkman12th= Mary Evans14th= Betty Weber15th= Nancy Herbert16th= Luke Williams17th= Mark Mahaffey, Tami Phillips18th= Jill Jarvis19th= Scott Oxford22nd= Doug Cannon, Shannon Maloney23rd= Jermaine Ayuk25th= Peggy Heffner26th= Marianne Pattillo, David Shiver29th= Inez Allen, Evelyn Oxford

November Anniversaries 2nd= Paige & Craig Kubik 13th= Sue & Dennis Ritchie22nd= Deanna & Robert Hall26th= Elinor & Foster BryanCorinne & Philip Graffunder27th= Marsha & Peter Ashby

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 4882 Lavista Rd Tucker, GA 30084, Tucker, GA 30084

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