January 2020 Volume 83

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PASTOR’S PAGE

With the dawning of 2020, I have already had a few conversations with friends who have expressed gratitude for the new year and the hope that comes with a fresh start.

Maybe the Magi, who ventured to the newborn King, felt the same kind of anticipation and strengthening (Matthew 2:1-12). Their journey, which we celebrate at Epiphany (January 6) points us to God’s promise and illumines our response. They had studied prophecies, they knew the times, they saw the star in the east, and set out. From taking stock, they took action and began the journey of their lives.

Epiphany reminds us that Jesus, the light of the world, has arrived helping us to see all things, and even ourselves, in a new light.

So if we’re having trouble getting started in this new year, let’s follow how the Magi began. They knew of a promise and sensed it was time. Then they set out into the fulfillment of that promise.

So what are the promises out there waiting for our response?

Maybe God’s promise to be with us, Emmanuel, will give us more courage in the changes we want to make and challenges we face this year.

Maybe the promise of forgiveness will free us from debilitating guilt and the workings of shame. Maybe we’ll be a bit more at ease with life and with each other if we’ve received God’s forgiveness and learn to offer it.

Maybe the promise that Jesus will give us power through the Spirit to be His witnesses near and far will release us from timidity. Maybe we’ll stop playing small and be more confident in the power of God to do good, speak truth and be a faithful witness to the love of Jesus.

Let’s walk together this new year into the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Tom

“Journey of the Magi” James Jacques Joseph Tissot

“Light of the world, we bow before You in awe

and adoration. Bless us and our simple faith

seeking understanding. Epiphany means

manifestation, lifting the veil, revelation.

Reveal to us then what we need to know to

love You, and serve You, and keep Your word

with fidelity and truth, courage and hope, this

day and always. Amen.”

- Miriam Therese Winter

Hanging of the Greens 2019

First Sunday of Advent 2019

JANUARY WORSHIP GIFTS

JANUARY 5

“What Do We Bring?”

Rev. Dr. Tom MacMillan

Isaiah 60:1-6 & Matthew 2:1-12

Family Sunday & Communion

JANUARY 12

“Servants of the Lord”

Rev. Dr. Tom MacMillan

Isaiah 43:1-9

Healing Prayer

JANUARY 19

“Justice, Humility, Kindness”

Rev. Dr. Tom MacMillan

Micah 6:1-8 & Matthew 5:1-12

Franciscan Blessing

JANUARY 26

“Enriched in Every Way”

Rev. Dr. Tom MacMillan

I Corinthians 1:1-9

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JANUARY CALENDAR

JANUARY 6 Committee Night — 7 PM

JANUARY 13 Session — 7 PM (Lounge)

JANUARY 14 Session & Deacons — 7 PM

(Trinity Hall)

JANUARY 26 Annual Meeting — 10:30 AM (Sanctuary)

JANUARY 28 Community Meal — 5:30 PM (Trinity)

JANUARY 31 Performance Series Concert: Cleveland

Bluegrass Orchestra — 7 PM (Trinity)

Pancakes & Pajamas 2019

WHAT’S UP AT JKPC?

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SESSION HIGHLIGHTS December 9th

• The meeting was opened with prayer and devotions. Session watched the video “What if God Had Waited.”

The message from the video was that we can’t wait for the perfect time or perfect plan. If we wait for the per-

fect time, we will miss it. Maybe now is the right time.

• A motion from the Safe Church Task Force was approved to adopt the Automatic External Defibrillator

(AED) Policy and Procedure. The Task Force is a small group that is working on a Safe Church Policy for

JKPC that will be presented to Session for approval as it is completed. Two AEDs that were donated will be

installed in recommended locations and registered with North Olmsted First Responders

• Heard the Treasurer’s report that the year-to-date offering has been below the targeted pledge amount for the

last 3 months. There are no additional big-ticket items left this year, and we usually have a strong December,

so it is hoped that this will close the gap between receipts and expenses.

• Heard a report from Finance Committee that we are at roughly 75% of the goal for pledges. They are going to

contact anyone who pledged in the past but have not yet for 2020.

• Heard a request from General Presbyter Sharon Core that they are looking for people that would be interested

in joining a Grapes and Leaves Group to help the Presbytery in visioning for the future.

• Heard a report from Christian Education that the Pancakes and Pajamas activity was a success. Their next

event was the Night in Bethlehem on December 18th. They needed volunteers for stable crew, greeters, set up

and tear down.

• Heard a report from Building and Grounds Committee (old Property and Planning Committee), that there was

a flood in the Youth hallway caused by a rusted and leaking pipe from the boiler. The valve on the leaking line

was able to be shut off so that heat could be restored to the rest of the wing.

Marilyn Panco Ordination

SERVICE & OUTREACH

SERVICE & OUTREACH

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A HEALING PRAYER TESTIMONY

OFFERED BY MARY CORDRAY

Mark 5:25-34

My name is Mary Cordray. My husband Jim and I joined JKC in 2002. We have been involved with a few ministries; and, recently I joined the Healing Prayer Ministry.

I often wonder why there is not a LONG waiting line when healing prayer is offered. I wonder if members hesitate to come forward to share their burden and to ask for prayer for similar reasons that caused me to pause. I worried about what others might think or that I would get emotional when I shared my prayer request.

I have to admit my fears were silly. I did approach the members of the prayer team a few times to request prayer. I realized that I was pretty sure that when Tom gave the blessing and dismissed the congregation that everyone was either engrossed in conversations or had left the sanctuary in warp speed to get cake and coffee! Who had noticed me? Only the members of the prayer team. And, who cares if I got emotional....even Jesus cried!

I know many of you believe in the power of prayer. One of my favorite quotes about prayer is from a sermon by Charles Spurgeon. He said, “Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of the Omnipotent.”

In the Gospel of Mark 5:25-34 there is an account of a woman who had been ill for 12 years. She had endured much under many physicians, and she was no better. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “if I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

I invite you to press through the crowd of your fears to come forward to pray with members of the healing prayer team. Be assured that they will continue to carry your burdens to our Lord in prayer.

JANUARY 2020 FOOD PANTRY REQUEST

For the month of January, we will be gathering shelf stable breakfast foods including:

Cereal - Oatmeal - Canned Fruit Pancake Mix (just add water) - Syrup

Breakfast/Granola-type bars Please bring your donations to the Love Buggy or to the church office. Donations must be in their original packaging, labeled, unopened and not be compromised in any way. Contact Sally Schwarz (nicasally@yahoo.com) with any questions.

Proverbs 22:9

“Those who are generous

are blessed, for they share

their bread with the poor.”

Healing Prayer is offered the

second Sunday of every

month after both services.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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SAVE THE DATE

ANNUAL MEETING

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 10:30 AM IN THE SANCTUARY Please plan to attend the annual meeting of the Corporation/Congregation of John Knox Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) on Sunday, January 26, 2019, immediately following the 9:30 am worship service. The 2020 budget will be presented and the Terms of Call for our pastors will be voted upon.

VALENTINE PARTY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 5:30 PM Plan to shake off those winter blues, meet friends and make new friends at the Congregational Life Valentine Party. We have some new plans for this year’s party and hope you will join us. Mark your calendar now to save the date. More information will be shared soon.

VIOLIST PETER SLOWIK APRIL 3, 7 pm SANCTUARY Violist Peter Slowik will perform an all-Bach program. Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas and his Six Suites for Solo Cello represent the pinnacle compositions for each instrument. This special concert, which includes all six cello preludes and the famous Chaconne, celebrates the three-hundredth birthday for these well-loved treasures. Save the date!

THE CLEVELAND BLUEGRASS ORCHESTRA JANUARY 31, 7 PM TRINITY HALL Join us for a free concert on January 31 at 7 pm. The Cleveland Bluegrass Orchestra is the world's most exclusive bluegrass band. To be eligible for membership, one must first be accepted into The Cleveland Orchestra on a different instrument. Comprised of Trina Struble, fiddle; Mark Dumm, banjo; Jeff Zehngut, mandolin; Henry Peyrebrune, guitar; and Derek Zadinsky, bass, the band brings to life classic bluegrass, newgrass and classical music in an engaging show. We hope to see you there!

YOUTH GROUP NEW YEAR CELEBRATION JANUARY 12, 5 PM Youth aged 6th-12th grade are invited to join our Crew and TNT groups for an evening at the Main Event in Avon, OH on January 12

from 5-8 pm. Cost is $15 for pizza and activities. Contact Susanne Bendoraitis at sbendoraitis@johnknoxpc.org for more details.

ANGEL TREE Thank you to all who participated in the Angel Tree this year. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to help seven local families have a better Christmas.

THANK YOU!

HANGING OF THE GREENS DONATIONS

A special thank you to all who donated socks, scarfs, mittens and gloves during Hanging of the Greens. Through your generous support many in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties now have warm hands and warm feet due to your kindness. Thank you!

2019 JKC MITTEN TREE Many thanks to everyone who donated mittens, hats, scarves and socks for men, women and children for the JKC Mitten Tree. The donations were delivered to these three locations: Garden Valley Neighborhood House, University Hospital Elyria's mitten tree in the ER and The United Methodist Church in downtown Elyria for their ministry to the those experiencing homelessness.

RISE AGAINST HUNGER A message from Rise Against Hunger - We are delighted to announce that the meals from your Rise Against Hunger Experience on 10/23/2019 have been shipped in a container totaling 285,120 meals from our Pittsburgh warehouse. The meals will be received by our in-country partner Salesian Missions in The Democratic Republic of the Congo. Salesian Missions is an organization that nourishes lives through food assistance and other services in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To learn more, please visit our partner/country spotlight on the Impact Stories tab and click and drag on our World Aid Map at riseagainsthunger.org/global-impact/. As the meals you packaged reach the hands of those in need, we invite you to continue your impact by donating today. Every contribution enables people in need around the globe to rise! Thank you for generously giving your time as a volunteer with Rise Against Hunger. We are sincerely grateful for your dedication and for sharing our vision of a world without hunger.

Hanging of the Greens, 2019

CHRISTMAS CONCERT PHOTO GALLERY

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25200 Lorain Road North Olmsted, OH

44070

Phone: 440-777-3744 E-mail: info@johnknoxpc.org

Website: johnknoxpc.org

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