From The Pastor’s Desk

Southminster Presbyterian Church

4200 Cartwright Road

Missouri City, TX 77459

(281) 499-2310

http://www.spcmc.org

Non Profit

Permit #4

POSTAGE PAID

Missouri City, TX 77459

Rev. Kent Landry……....……………….............. Pastor

Rev. David Northcutt…………….....…Parish Associate

for Pastoral Care

Rev. Lynne Hall Buckridge……….…..Parish Associate

for Children and Family Ministry

Pam Drake………….…..…………….Church Secretary

Scott Lofgren.................................Facilities Coordinator

Angela Holden …....………………..Business Manager

Scott Bonasso……..……..…Director of Music Ministry

Andrew Meddaugh…..…...Contemporary Music Leader

Donald Doucet…...……….………………Accompanist

Gabriele Hodges.......Dir. Handbell & Children‟s Choirs

Leslie Crosley……......…………………...Signal Editor

Jeanne Peabody…………..……..Childcare Coordinator

Irma Feliu-Badalo…...…………....Childcare Supervisor

Hope Schnick……..….…………....Childcare Attendant

Eva Pedrosa………………………..Childcare Attendant

*********************************************

Southminster School

Helen Jackson.………......Head of Southminster School

Karen Rombach..................................Preschool Director

As Christmas season descends upon us once again, I thought that I‟d share a story that I did not know when a fellow pastor shared it

with me. Some of you also may not have heard it before – the true story of Saint Nicholas – that “good „ol Saint Nick” from the story

"Twas the Night Before Christmas" that we all know by heart. Instead of sugar plums and sleeping children, St. Nick is found in the

following description of a jail cell from an ancient Greek writer:

"A vast multitude was imprisoned in every place," wrote an eyewitness. "The prisons -- prepared for murderers and robbers -

- were filled with bishops, priests, and deacons ... so there was no longer room for those condemned of crimes."

You'd hardly expect to find old St. Nick in jail. But St. Nicholas is more than a children's Christmas legend. He was flesh and blood,

a prisoner for Christ, a bishop of the Mediterranean city of Myra.

What do we know about the real St. Nicholas? He was born, ancient biographers tell us, to wealthy parents in the city of Patara about

270 A.D. He was still young when his mother and father died and left him a fortune. As a teen-ager, Nicholas' humility was already

evident. He had heard about a family destitute and starving. The father had no money for food, much less the dowry needed to marry

off his three daughters. He was ready to send his oldest girl into the streets to earn a living as a prostitute. Under the cover of night,

Nicholas threw a bag of gold coins through the window of their humble dwelling. In the morning the father discovered the gold. How

he rejoiced: his family was saved, his daughter's honor preserved, and a dowry for her marriage secured. Sometime after, Nicholas

secretly provided a dowry for the second daughter. And he did so again for the third daughter. But on the third occasion, the girls'

father stood watching. As soon as the bag of gold thudded on the floor, he chased after the lad till he caught him. Nicholas was morti-

fied to be discovered in this act of charity. He made the father promise not to tell anyone who had helped his family. Then Nicholas

forsook his wealth to answer a call to the ministry.

At the nearby city of Myra a bishop supervised all the churches of the region. When the bishop died, the bishops and ministers from

other cities and villages -- Nicholas among them -- gathered to choose a successor. Nicholas was in the habit of rising very early and

going to the church to pray. This morning an aged minister awaited him in the sanctuary. "Who are you, my son?" he asked.

"Nicholas the sinner," the young minister replied. "And I am your servant. Come with me," the old priest directed. Nicholas followed

him to a room where the bishops had assembled. The elderly minister addressed the gathering. "I had a vision that the first one to

enter the church in the morning should be the new bishop of Myra. Here is that man: Nicholas." Indeed they did choose him as bish-

op. Nicholas was destined to lead his congregation through the worst tribulation in history.

In A.D. 303, the Roman Emperor Diocletian ordered a brutal persecution of all Christians. Those suspected of following the Lord

were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods. Nicholas and thousands of others refused. Ministers, bishops, and lay people were dragged to

prison. Savage tortures were unleashed on Christians all over the empire. Believers were fed to wild animals. Some were forced to

fight gladiators for their lives while bloodthirsty crowds screamed for their death. Women suffered dehumanizing torment. Saints

were beaten senseless, others set aflame while still alive. Yet persecution couldn't stamp out Christianity. Rather it spread. Third Cen-

tury leader Tertullian observed, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." Those who survived Diocletian's torture cham-

bers were called "saints" or "confessors" by the people, because they didn't forsake their confession that Jesus Christ is Lord. Nicho-

las was one of these. Finally, after years of imprisonment, the iron doors swung open and Bishop Nicholas walked out, freed by de-

cree of the new Emperor Constantine. As he entered his city once more, his people flocked about him. "Nicholas! Confessor!" they

shouted. "Saint Nicholas has come home." The bishop was beaten but not broken. He served Christ's people in Myra for another thir-

ty years. Through the prayers of this tried and tested soldier of faith, many found salvation and healing. Nicholas participated in the

famous Council of Nicea in 325 A.D (where the Nicean Creed was written). He died on December 6, about 343, a living legend, be-

loved by his whole city.

St. Nick of yuletide fame still carries faint reminders of this ancient man of God. The color of his outfit recollects the red of bishop's

robes. "Making a list, checking it twice," probably recalls the old saint's lectures to children about good behavior. Gifts secretly

brought on Christmas Eve bring to mind his humble generosity to the three daughters. Yet if he were alive today, this saint would

humbly deflect attention from himself. No fur-trimmed hat and coat, no reindeer and sleigh or North Pole workshop. As he did in life

centuries ago, Bishop Nicholas would point people to his Master. "I am Nicholas, a sinner," the old saint would say, "Nicholas, serv-

ant of Christ Jesus."

So remember the faithful example of a great Christian, St. Nicholas as you hear the words “'Twas the night before Christmas…”

In Christ,

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government

will be on his shoulders. And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

BRIDGE

The Bridge Group

will meet on

Friday, December 17, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you would like more information

concerning the Bridge Group, please

contact Betty Duckworth.

The deadline for the January 2010 Signal will be 8pm on December 15th. Please email your article(s) to Leslie Crosley at crosleyca@aol.com. Articles may also be submitted to the church office with your name and phone number.

EDITOR’S

CORNER

FOOD BANK

The products for December are

Flour, Corn Meal

and Dry Pasta Please give generously as all food

products are needed. Our days to

work at the Food Pantry:

December 7 & 21 from 10:00am - 1:30pm.

Please come and join us!

RECYCLING

Thank you for your

recycling efforts.

Please remember to

bring your aluminum

cans the first Sunday

of each month.

EYEGLASSES

Dorothy Goforth is collecting

eyeglasses for a mission in Mexico.

Please leave them in the treasure box

in the Narthex.

Fellowship for All Adults

What child is this, who, laid to

rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

from “What Child is This” English Ballad 16th Century

We are pleased to introduce the

newest member of our

Southminster Family:

Welcome!

Carolyn Stephens

4231King Cotton Ln.

Missouri City, TX 77459

660-247-5239

Saturday December 11 6:00 pm

hosted by Norma Reyna and held at:

The Memorial Hermann

Wellness Center

7731 Southwest Freeway

Houston, TX 77084

Dinner will be served at a $10/person charge.

RSVP by Thursday, Dec. 9

Contact Norma Reyna norma.reyna@memorialhermann.org 713-456-4304

Date Night Saturday, December 4, 6-9 pm

Christmas is right around the corner.

Drop the kids off and do some shopping or just have

a night to yourselves to get in the Christmas spirit.

(Date Night is a group of caring individuals who watch over your children while you enjoy a night out.)

Thank you to all my Southminster family who called, sent cards, and kept me in your prayers throughout my recent illness. I very much appreciate your many expressions of caring concern. Julia Herron

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins

release us;

Let us find our rest in Thee.

from “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” Rowland Hugh Prichard 1831

If you’ve previously attended DATE NIGHT, a registration form will be emailed to you. If you’ve never been to DATE NIGHT pick up a registration form from the church office or school office. Completed forms will be accepted starting Sunday, November 28, through noon Wednesday, December 1. If you have any questions contact Dorothy Watts at 281-565-5115.

Worship Notes

On Sunday, December 12, at 7:00pm, the Chancel Choir, accompanied by Donald Doucet on the organ and an ensemble of professional instrumentalists, will present George Frideric Handel’s famed masterpiece, “Messiah,” in celebration of Christmas. The performance will include Part I of the oratorio in its entirety (the Christmas Part) as well as selected arias and choruses from parts II & III, including the “Hallelujah” chorus and “Worthy is the Lamb.”

The Handbell Choir and Youth Choir will also be performing various Christmas selections.

You don’t want to miss this musical presentation. Come hear why this music is considered timeless, brilliant, visceral…Handel himself said that he wrote “Messiah” to make the people who heard it better.

Money or Gift Certificates for Turkeys

Stuffing Mix

2 Cans of Chicken Broth

1 Large or 2 Small Cans of Sweet Potatoes

1 Can of Evaporated Milk

1 Box of Instant Mashed Potatoes

2 Cans of Green Beans or Corn

1 Can of Pie Filling or 1 Cake Mix and Frosting

1 Bag of Sugar

1 Bag of Flour

1 Can of Fruit

1 Can Pumpkin

1 Can Cranberry Sauce

1 Pkg. of Gravy Mix

Groceries Provided by the Food Pantry

1 stick of Butter or Margarine

1 Package of Bread

Fresh Fruit

Grocery Items Requested for

Christmas Baskets

Holiday Food Drive

The mission of EFBHNM is to address the basic human needs

of families in financial crisis in East Fort Bend County.

Nourishing our Community since 1990!

Handel’s “Messiah”

Handel was the Jupiter of music...; his hallelujahs open the heavens.

He utters the word 'Wonderful,’ as if all their trumpets spoke together. - Leigh Hunt, 1851

Handel understands effect better than any of us --

when he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt. - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

He is the greatest composer that ever lived. - Ludwig van Beethoven

Now is the time to sign up for duties at our Family Promise Inn! We will be

hosting the families from Sunday, December 26 to Sunday, January 2nd, and we need lots of volunteers to make the holidays nice for our guests. Look for the board in the narthex or call Ellen Earle (281.265.3696) to sign up!

We will have 4 families to cook for and tend to...Two fathers that each have a four year old son, one mother with two young children and another mother with four kids! It is the largest number of guests we have ever hosted to date! The need is great.

Team up with a friend to cook a dinner or sleep over one night. Check the board for the many opportunities and help us make this time special for these very special families.

Southminster Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir to present...

the

Lord

is Come! from “Joy to the World!”, Handel, 1742

Christmas Events and Schedule

Dec 03 7pm Hanging of the Greens and Cookies with Santa Dec 05 5:30pm Sr High Youth Group Christmas Party and Gift Exchange Dec 07 6:30pm Southminster School Christmas Play “Once Upon a Night” Dec 11 9am Chancel Choir Dress Rehearsal 6:00pm Divine Diners Christmas Dinner at Wellness Center Dec 12 7pm Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir & Youth Choir Concert Dec 19 11:15am Angel Tree gifts due under tree 2pm Angel Tree gift distribution by Sr. High Youth Dec 24 5:00pm Children’s Christmas Eve Service 7:30pm Contemporary Christmas Eve Service 10:30pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Dec 26 10am Single Worship Service—No Sunday School 12 noon Family Promise host week begins

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!

from “O Come, All Ye Faithful” John Francis Wade 1740-1743

Are you interested in learning

more about the bible while

meeting new friends?

Please join us on the first Monday

evening of each month from 6:30 to

8:00 pm for a Women’s Bible Study

at Lynn Atherton’s home. Contact

Anne Beatty at 281-499-1821 for

further information.

HORIZONS

BIBLE STUDY

Journey Through Revelation:

Apocalyptic Hope for Today

All women are invited to join us as we

explore the Book of Revelation together.

We meet the 2nd Monday of each month

in the Choir Room at 9:30 am.

For information call Joyce Smith

at 281-438-6103

Middle Schoolers In God’s Hands Together

5:30pm

Sr. High Youth Group

Dec 05 Christmas Party! Bring a gift under $10.00 to exchange with others

Dec 12 NO MEETING. Attend the Chancel Choir Concert.

Dec 19 Angel Tree Deliveries! Meet at the church at 2pm to deliver the Angel Tree presents.

Dec 26 NO MEETING

W.O.W. (Women on Wednesday)

We are currently on holiday break.

We will resume meeting January 13 when we will

begin a study of the 12 disciples.

Please feel free to join us on any Wednesday morning you happen to have free. We meet in

the choir room at 9:30 am. Contact Leslie Crosley at 281-778-0129 or

Jennifer Plummer at 281-403-9159 for more info.

Come out and join in the fun

and fellowship each Wednesday night at 6:15 pm

December Menus

Dec 01 Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches,

Salad and Dessert

Dec 08 Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans,

Salad and Dessert

No Mid-Week Manna Dec 15, 23 & 30

Dinner reservations are due Tuesday by 10 am. RSVP to Marianne Irish

281-437-7888 or irish7171@aol.com.

Wednesday night at 6:30 pm

Ladies Bible Study—Beth Moore’s Revelation study

Mondays, 9:15-11:15 a.m. in the Youth Lounge (skipping all school holidays) Leader: Lisa Landry, 713-447-5203, lisalandrytx@gmail.com $10.00 for workbook. Child care is available upon request.

Call Lisa if you have any questions.

The Youth Group will be making Birthday Boxes for Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services (PCHAS). We are looking for donations of a box of cake mix with a can of frosting (any flavors).

Help give a PCHAS child a happy birthday.

Dec 01 Isaiah in the Cave. Dinner: Leslie

Dec 08 Here and Now Lesson 4 brought to you by Marty

Ugarte! Dinner: Lance

Dec 15 Christmas Party! Bring a “white elephant” gift

Dec 22 No Meeting

Dec 29 MOVIE NIGHT! Let’s have a little post-Christmas

fun. We’ll eat junk and be real couch potatoes!

Christmas Hope

Christmas Peace

Christmas Joy

Christmas Love

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Jean Benner

Becky Bramer

Karen Saldana

2

3 Faith Barnett

Brad McFarland

Madeline Nytes

Hanging of the Greens and Cookies

with Santa

4 Tina Ohabunwa

5

Pam Drake

Greta Hauschel

2nd Sunday of Advent

6 Princess

Ohabunwa

7 Ann Pierpont

School Christmas Play

8 Noah Lofgren

John Owens

9 Kyle Landry

10 Cody Hodge

11 Lynne Buckridge

Jeffrey Hodges

Suzanne Jarrard

Divine Diners Christmas Dinner

12 Clara Goforth

3rd Sunday of Advent

Choir Concert

13 Evan Juneau

14

15 Ashley Buell

Kara Earle

16

17

18 Jenny Harper

19 Victoria McMillen

4th Sunday of Advent

Angel Tree

20 Cara Cooper

Allyson Jackson

Daniel Maxwell

Reed Wettman

21 Peter Newell

22 Dana Garcia

Grace Wallace

23 Erin Cashion

24 Kathryn Batek

Christmas Eve Services 5:30 Children’s Service

7:30 Contemporary Service 10:30 Candlelight Service

25 Carol Anderson

Ida Earle

26 Matthew Bonasso

Charles Brod

Jeanne Peabody

10am Worship Service

Family Promise begins

27

28 Jerry Bobo

Nicole Freund

29

30

31 Greg Evans

AUDIO VISUAL

9:00 am 11:15 am

5th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Benny Gilbert

Debbie Yoho

Brad McKee

Benny Gilbert

Don Johnson

Jon Schwartz

12th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Jon Schwartz

Stephen James

Jon Schwartz

Benny Gilbert

Benny Gilbert

19th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Leslie Crosley

Rick Bramer

Niki Bramer

Leslie Crosley

Ava Humme

Ava Humme

24th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

TBA TBA

26th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Single 10am

Service

Benny Gilbert

Carrie Freund

Nicole Freund

CHILDREN’S SERMON

9:00 am 11:15 am

5th David Northcutt David Northcutt

12th Ellen Earle Lynn Atherton

19th Doug Earle Kent Landry

26th Single Service 10am No Children‟s

Sermon

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

9:00 am 11:15 am

5th David Northcutt David Northcutt

12th Doug Earle Adelia Humme

19th Travis Boyd Owen Irish

26th Single Service 10am Abby Hodge

TELLERS

5th Penny Johnson

Chandler Mayes

12th Larry Purcell

J.O. Dravis

19th Bea McClung

Sir McMillen

26th Don Watts

Clif Peabody

COMMUNION PREPARERS & SERVERS

Comm. Preparers Dec 5 11:15 am

Servers Christmas Eve Servers

Dec 5: Sarah Wood 7:30pm Doug Earle

Kay Hardcastle Alan Harkins Chandler Mayes

Dec 24: The Crosleys John Tomlinson 10:30pm Frank Haines

Dec 5: 9am Servers Debbie Balsaver Barbara Reynolds

Cheryl Corbin Nancy Johnson Ava& Adelia Humme

Sir McMillen Barbara Reynolds David Bauer

Is your birthday missing or incorrect? Contact Pam Drake in the church office.

ACOLYTES

11:15 am

5th Gracie Christie

12th Jason Landry

19th Adam Hauschel

26th Single 10am Service

CHILDREN’S CHAPEL

9:00 am 11:15 am

5th Elizabeth Northcutt

Jim, Colin& Jamie Harper

Marisa Harkins &

Kathy & Violet Pitts

12th Joe & Jennifer Mockaitis Kay Hardcastle

Sam Federwisch

19th Yvonne & Shawn Reed Chandler & Cindy Mayes

26th Single 10am Service Kathy & Violet Pitts

Christian Education News

Southminster School's annual Prayer Around the Flagpole was held on November 10 to honor our veterans. The Dulles High School Color Guard presented the colors, and the school's Ensemble sang The Star Spangled Banner. Southminster parent and veteran Will Reed spoke to the children and guests, after which our fourth and fifth grade students read the honor roll of veterans composed of family and friends of Southminster families. It was a beautiful day and a touching ceremony.

Our Preschool children are enjoying a monthly program of literacy enrichment presented by Merrymakers. Laura Norman, former Southminster teacher, shares a story followed by an age-appropriate activity with each class

Southminster students donated many Teddy bears for the November mission project. The bears will be given to the Missouri City Police Department for use with children in traumatic situations. Officers carry the bears in the trunks of their cars so that they always have one available.

Fall public informational meetings were held on November 17 for interested prospective families. Another round of meetings will be held on January 12 at 9:30am and 7:00pm. Please invite any families you know that might be interested in enrolling for the 2011-2012 school year. After reading the book Flat Stanley, Mrs. Cushenberry's second graders sent their own Flat Stanleys to people they knew all over the world. They received many responses back - from as far away as Australia - and displayed the letters on a world map for all to see. What a fun way to learn about other parts of the world!

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

December 26

10 am Worship Service

followed by fellowship

Get

into the

Christmas

spirit early! Be a

part of our annual Angel

Tree project. Beginning on Sunday,

November 28, you can help families in our

community have a happier holiday. Take an angel

off the tree and sign up to provide two new gifts for that

person. One gift will be clothing and the other, a more fun-type

gift. Gifts will be delivered by the Senior High Youth Group on Sunday,

December 19. This is one of the best things you will do this

Holiday Season!

For more information

call Helen Jackson at

281-980-1440

How can you help bring the Christmas

message of hope to a child this year?

It may be as simple as a Christmas cookie! Please bring

Christmas cookies to any service on Christmas Eve and drop

them off in the kitchen before you leave. Norma Reyna and

friends will take them to the Ft. Bend Juvenile Detention

Center on Christmas Day. Your cookies may be home-made or

store-bought. The message is the same. If you want, you can

join Norma and deliver the cookies Christmas Day from

12 to 2pm. Contact Norma at 281-980-2076