December 4: 8:30AM Worship ~ Communion

9:15AM Sunday School 10:30AM Worship ~ Communion 11:30AM Congregational Meeting

December 11:

No 8:30AM Worship 9:15AM Sunday School

10:30AM Christmas Cantata

December 18: 8:30AM Worship

9:15AM Sunday School 10:30AM Worship

5:00PM Children’s Pageant and Pasta Potluck

December 21:

7:00PM Longest Night

December 24: Meals on Wheels ~ Circle #2

5:00PM Family Worship 8:00PM Worship

December 25:

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Meals on Wheels 10:00AM Worship

No 8:30AM Worship No Sunday School

NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER 2 West Faye eville Street

Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 910.256.2819 www.li lechapel.org

♥ ♥ DECEMBER DECEMBER ♥♥

Merry Christmas

Pastor Pat

Mary Brooks

Emily Donovan

David Heinzman

Dan Holt

Angela McConnell

Martha Parker

Joan Denney

From Your Staff

With Love

Page #2 Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

A letter from Jesus about Christmas Dear friends,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking my name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth, just get along and love one another!

Now having said that let me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting my birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your front lawn. If all my followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square, because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grapevine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks was. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give me a present as a remembrance of my birth, here is my wish list. Choose a thing or two from it. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are afraid and lonely this time of year.

Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up...It will be nice hearing from you again. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you cannot afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the

people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store did not make so much money on that day, they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - especially one who takes my love and the Good News to those who have never heard my name. Here’s a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no Christmas tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in me and they will make the delivery for you. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of myself. Just love me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember:

I love you, Jesus

PAT & MARCIA cordially invite

their Little Chapel family

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

11 West Oxford Street

Saturday, December 10, 2016 2:00-5:00PM

December 2016 Newsletter Page #3

ALL IN THE FAMILY Aria DiLoreto, 12 year old vio-

linist, won the junior division of the concerto competi-tion in Wilmington, NC on November 19, 2016 play-ing a Mozart Violin Concerto in G major. She will per-form with the Wilmington Youth Symphony orchestra next spring. Aria has been studying violin with her mother Shelly DiLoreto since she was two years old and is a 6th grader at Cape Fear Center for Inquiry. Aria is the granddaughter of Sue Stevenson, handbell ringer here at the Little Chapel. Congratulations Aria!

CANTATA SUNDAY DECEMBER 11

LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS

Back by popular request, Love Came Down at Christmas will be repeated on Sunday December 11, 2016 at the 10:30 a.m. service. Our Chancel Choir, Youth Choir, Chamber Ensemble and guest concert pianist Stephen Field will be under the direction of David Lee Heinzman. Composed by Joel Raney, the inspiration for this can-tata was Christina Rossetti’s 1885 poem, Love Came Down at Christmas, a poem which has remarkably sur-vived without being attached to a specific melody. Lines from this classic poem are scattered throughout the cantata, which incorporates original music as well as many familiar Christmas carols. There are four main sections corresponding to the four prominent themes of Advent – Hope, Peace, Joy and Love - each section being introduced through narration.

HANDBELL SCHEDULE The Little Chapel ringers will be ringing a Prelude for the Christmas Cantata on December 11 and they will also be ringing at the Christmas Eve 8:00PM Candle light Service.

BONUS DEVOTION Be Prepared!

The admonition to “be prepared” took on a whole new meaning as hurricane Matthew headed our way this past October. I had never experienced such a cre-scendo of anticipation that began with a common tropical depression. Casual acknowledgement moved to mild interest when the tropical storm developed. Concern followed when the hurricane was named and its path forecast. Action was a final response to the possibility of landfall near our coast. As a former resident of Southern California, I was quite used to being prepared for natural disasters – es-pecially earthquakes. Californians always have to be ready for “The Big One.” But there is a major distinc-tion between earthquakes and hurricanes. With a hur-ricane you have the luxury of knowing pretty much when it will arrive, which is not the case with an earth-quake. Scripture tells us that “only the Father knows the time” of Christ’s return. Further, we should always be ready and prepared for His return. Those of us that took hurricane Matthew seriously know that preparation takes time. Just go to the grocery store or Home De-pot a few days before a hurricane and you may not get all the supplies you need! How would we act – how would we live – how would we treat each other if we knew that Jesus was making landfall, say, next Friday?

CHANCEL CHOIR

Chancel Choir will be off on Sunday December 25 and there will be no rehearsal Thursday December 29. Choir will resume weekly rehearsals on Thursday Janu-ary 5, 2016 at 7 PM in the choir room.

Note: There will be no music fellowship dinner in December due to Christmas Celebrations

Page #4 Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

(Grades 6-12)

CONGRATULATIONS, MATT TAYLOR!!

PYC's Youth Mentor, Matt Taylor, is leaving us at the end of December for the best possible reason. He is moving back home to start his own youth ministry pro-gram!!! We are so proud of Matt and know he will do amazing things. Please give him a big "Thank You!' the next time you see him for his commitment and service to Little Chapel. We are going to miss him so much. Matt Taylor's Goodbye/Not Goodbye Party

Sunday, December 4th 4:00PM - 8:00PM

McLaughlin's House 410 N. Colony Cr.

Wilmington , NC 28409

♥

PYC Christmas Party Sunday, December 11th

5:30PM - 7:30PM Spring Arbor Assisted Living of Wilmington

PYC & SPRING ARBOR UPDATE

PYC has "adopted" Spring Arbor Assisted Living of Wilmington as our mission focus this year. We are ex-ploring how Jesus taught us not only to care for the poor, sick, and helpless; but also care for the widowed and aging. Money cannot cure the poverty of loneliness; but time and attention can. That is why our purpose is simple: Build Friendships. Spread Joy. Share Smiles.

Spring Arbor is a wonderful facility with a caring staff and they welcomed our idea with open arms and hearts. In October, Little Chapel's Youth and Children minis-tries joined forces with the preschool to host a Trick or Treat event at Spring Arbor. The residents and staff are STILL talking about this day.

In November, the youth went door to door and deliv-ered loaves of bread and Thanksgiving wishes to each resident. We spent a few moments Building Friendships as we shared our bread.

In December, PYC will have its annual Christmas Party at Spring Arbor. We thought it would be fun to play Se-cret Santa with our new friends. Please help us. You can sign-up to fill a gift bag of "favorite things" for one of the participants at Spring Arbor. The sign-up sheet with gift ideas are located in the narthex. All gift bags need to be brought to church by Sunday, December 11.

MEMORY QUILT CHALLENGE

Thank you to all who spent time creating fidget blankets for the month of November. PYC will pass these out as Christmas gifts to the memory care residents at Spring Arbor. Ask anyone who works with memory care pa-tients and they will tell you, these blankets really do work! They also have a tendency to get "lost" along the way so there is an ongoing need for them. Feel free to continue to make more in your free time. PYC will store all extra quilts and give them to other memory care facil-ities as the need arises.

DECEMBER 4

Matt Taylor's Goodbye/Not Goodbye Party 4:00PM - 8:00PM

DECEMBER 11

PYC Christmas Party 5:30PM - 7:30PM

DECEMBER 18

No PYC Children's Christmas Pageant

Potluck Pasta Celebration

DECEMBER 25 No PYC

Merry Christmas!!

FEED THE PIG Thank you for feeding the pig! Your contributions make a difference everyday for those who suffer from hunger in our community!

December 2016 Newsletter Page #5

(Pre-K-Grade 5)

DECEMBER CALENDARDECEMBER CALENDAR Sunday, December 4

Sunday School and Children’s Church Work on Christmas Program

Sunday, December 11

Sunday School and Children’s Church Work on Christmas Program

Saturday, December 17

10:00AM - Noon Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal

Sunday, December 18

5:00PM Children’s Christmas Program

followed by Pasta Potluck ~ fellowship hall

Saturday, December 24 5:00PM

Children’s Christmas Eve Service

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

Please join us for this year’s Children’s Christmas Pageant on Sunday evening, December 18 at 5:00PM. Everyone is encouraged to attend as the audience plays a vital role by helping to sing the hymns. Our program will be followed by fellowship at our Pasta Potluck supper celebration. Bring a pasta dish to share and Children’s Ministry will provide the salad, bread and drinks. SAVE THE DATE: Our next PKC Sunday night gathering is scheduled for January 22 from 5:30PM to 7:30PM. Additional dates may be added for 2017.

Mary Brooks, Director of Children’s Ministries 910.256.2819 mary@littlechapel.org

We offer 5 day Monday through Friday

or 3 day Monday, Wednesday and Friday half day program for 3, 4 and 5 year olds

from 9:15AM to 12:15PM.

Weekly Chapel Time with Music Weekly Christian Themed Puppet Show “Kidding Around” Yoga Class

Our Montessori inspired program is based on the belief that children are individuals with their own

strengths, needs, likes and learning styles.

For more information about our Preschool Contact: Angela McConnell, Director/Teacher

(910) 256-2819 ext. 104 or angela@littlechapel.org

We would like to remember our

LITTLE CHAPEL STAFF

with our appreciation for all that they do for us all year. If you wish to make a contribution to Staff Christmas Gifts, please make your check payable to the Little Chapel and memo “Staff Christmas Gifts.”

You can place your gift in the offering plate, mail it to the church, or leave it in the church office. Thank you!

~Personnel & Planning Committee

Page #6 Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

There are angels at Little Chapel!

Whenever I am at the church I am struck by how many angels are present!

Those angels are the amazing and wise women of Little Chapel who open their hands and hearts to ensure that what needs to be done gets done. They bring us music, thoughtful Bible studies, competent organization, great ideas and ever present support for the myriad tasks that must be performed in our ministries as Presbyterian women. The Christmas season brings us an opportunity to celebrate those open hands and hearts.

On December 5 at 6:00PM the doors to Little Chapel will open

for our covered dish Christmas Gathering.

The Fellowship Hall will glisten with lovely Christmas decorations as we are greeted by the wonderful aromas of delicious things to eat and hugs from another angel.

We will welcome Catherine Herring who will talk with us about her time of ministry in India. I'm sure she will inspire our hearts and hands to open even wider as we celebrate the greatest gift any of us have ever received. A tiny baby lying in a manger and listening to the angels sing.

Please mark your calendar and join us for a joyful evening!

Dru

CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX GIFTS

For more years than most of us can count, members of LCOB have prepared and delivered Meals on Wheels on Christmas morning to neighbors in need, before cele-brating with their own families and neighbors. This mis-sion of our church is rewarding both to the givers and recipients, but the Little Chapel with the Big Heart goes a step further. We see to it that every meal is delivered with a lovingly wrapped shoebox, filled with small sun-dries and treats.

Please consider this a way that YOU can make a differ-ence! Empty boxes are available in the fellowship hall to help you start spreading the joy of the season. Please return your filled and wrapped shoe boxes on or before Sunday, December 13 and apply one of the provided labels for male/female/either. We will need about 70 of these gift boxes to accompany our meals.

Below are a few gift ideas for your shoe box gift:

Thank you for your generous support for these gifts which may be the only ones some friends in our com-munity receive for Christmas.

Males Cologne

Handkerchief Razors Socks

Shaving Cream

Females Dusting Powder

Nail Polish Lipstick Perfume Jewelry

Either Bookmark

Brush Kleenex Lotion

Lifesaver

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE

Christmas is a time of joy and anticipation. But for those who have recently lost a loved one, a job, or can't seem to shake the hopelessness of depression, Christmas can become the hardest time of the year. During these hard times, the joy of God's great gift of the baby Jesus can quickly get lost in the memories and despair that we are feeling inside. When grieving or de-pressed, we need the light of Jesus to shine brightly in our lives. However, it is nearly impossible to experience this on our own. We need the faithful fellowship of others to help us get through the holidays.

Wednesday, December 21 at 7:00PM, we will have "A Longest Night" service. It will be a ser-vice of remembrance and connection. If you have lost a loved one, are depressed, or are in need of feeling God's comforting touch this Christmas season, I invite you to come and receive the blessing of worship and prayer. This will be a quiet service of reflection, music and healing pray-er as we invite Christ to walk beside us during this difficult time.

Blessings, Pastor Pat

December 2016 Newsletter Page #7

POINSETTIA CROSS MISSION

The poinsettia cross will be up for the first Sunday of Advent, November 27 when we have “The Hanging of the Greens” and remain up through January 9, 2017.

If you would like to make a donation to honor some-one or in someone’s memory you may do so for a $10.00 donation. These names will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.

Starting in 2012 we began using permanent poinsettias. In lieu of purchasing a fresh poinsettia, the donations will go to support the Christmas Day Meals on Wheels Mission this year. The Flower Fund is an unbudgeted item. It is an in and out fund. The only funds for deco-rating the church come from donations of flowers, etc. throughout the year. A form is provided below for you to complete and return to the church office.

BLANKET OFFERING

Christmas Eve Our Christmas Eve offering will support the Church World Service Blanket Program. With this offering, we are telling those in need, “You are not alone. Someone cares.” The CWS Blanket Program provides warmth, hope, and care during cold and trying times.

Your contributions provide disaster survivors with blankets, food, shelter, safe water, and tools for a long-term recovery. We know more disasters will oc-cur. Let’s work together to put faith and compassion into action; so help is there when it’s needed most.

You can make a difference for those in need. I urge you to participate in this Christmas Eve offering.

Thank you!

If you have not turned in your pledge card for 2017, it is not too late. Stewardship information and commitment forms are available in the narthex. Please prayerfully sup-port Little Chapel with your financial gifts.

Please PRINT clearly! This information will be used in the bulletin. Cost is $10/per dedication.

Please make your check payable to “Little Chapel “ and mark the memo section: Poinsettia Mission.

This donation is given by:

E-mail or Contact Phone Number:

(Check one box) [ ] In honor of [ ] In loving memory of

(Check one box) [ ] In honor of [ ] In loving memory of

2016 POINSETTIA DONATION FORM

Page #8

TILESTON OUTREACH

Please share your hats, coats, gloves, blankets, etc.…so someone might

keep warm this winter.

The Sister Isaac Center is in need of warm winter cloth-ing for men and women, household items, warm blan-kets and linens. For December, Sister Isaac has made a special request for clothing of all sizes for children. Toiletries for Tileston are always welcome! The end of the year is a perfect time to clean out your closets and give your unused items to those in need. As always, your donations are most appreciated.

Please place your items on the Tileston Bench at the Little Chapel. For end of year tax purposes, you may find Tileston donation receipts under the toiletry basket on the mission table.

If you have furniture, appliances or a large quantity of boxed/bagged donations, you may call Sister Isaac’s office and leave a message requesting a van pick-up. Leave a detailed description of the items you wish to give at 762-5491, Ext 135. A volunteer will return your call to arrange a time for pick-up.

If you have any questions, contact Ellen Dudley at 470-7588 (ehdudley@gmail.com) or Jacalyn Bristow at 471-5959 (jacalyn@bristowsurveying.com).

December 4 Linda & George Johnson December 11 Betty & Gary Gischel December 18 & 25 Tileston Closed

Reminder: Tileston closes for the holidays the week of December 18 and reopens on January 3.

JOY GROUPJOY GROUP (Just Older Youth)

The JOY Group Steering Committee met on October 17 and started planning for 2017! There are plans in the works for a movie every month beginning in February and on July 5, 2017 we will host a Potluck to honor our Veterans These are just a few of the fun things planned...watch the JOY Group bulletin board (in the fellowship hall) and newsletters for more details and upcoming activities!

On November 14 - 15 this group of Little Chapel friends embraced the holiday spirit and traveled to Asheville to enjoy an evening at the Biltmore by Candlelight. Look for more of these fun filled day trips to be offered in the coming months and we invite you to join us.

Start your Saturday off right!

Treat yourself to a great breakfast and a healthy dose of spirituality!

You are invited to join the Men of Little Chapel at

The Boathouse Restaurant at 9:00AM.

Join us this month: December 3, 17 and 31.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast

TEAM TILESTON DRIVERSTEAM TILESTON DRIVERS

December 2016 Newsletter Page #9

In the Mail

Dear Little Chapel Family, Thank you to everyone for helping to decorate the church for Advent and Christmas. We had a lot of help and it was all appreciated.

Thanks, Janice

Dear Little Chapel Family, Pat and I would like you to know how very much we have appreciated all the love and support you have shown us since the loss of my mother. The flowers, the food, the cards and especially the prayers and hugs have done so much to uplift our spirits. We are blessed to be serving such a caring congregation.

Blessings & Love to each of you Pat & Marcia

To All LCOB, Please know that you are very special to me and you are always in my prayers. Thank you for thinking of others and reaching out to care for some. Your donations help us touch many lives. Blessings, prayers and peace.

S.M. Isaac Dear Knitters and Crocheters of the Little Chapel, Thank you so much for the beautiful blue shawl you sent me by my daughter Dianne. Now that I’m at Rose Mary Nursing Home in Rose Hill, I will put it to good use. In Christian Love, Ruby Matthews

Dear Little Chapel with the big heart, Thank you so much to those who made monetary gifts to the Walk to End Alzheimers. I raised about $1,100 for the cause because of you. Your thoughts and prayers were so appreciated. A special thank you to Harriett An-drew and Linda Shahaltough who walked with me. We had a great day for a walk.

Dianne Matthews

Dear Joyce Zimmerman, Thank you for coordinating the Sunday, November 13 blood drive. We were very pleased with the drive overall and the willingness of the donors to share this life sav-ing gift. The efforts of LCOB have always been greatly appreci-ated and their support of the community blood program will go a long way toward replenishing blood supplies and ultimately saving lives. In addition, we very much appreciate your efforts dur-ing this crucial time. You may be interested to know that 30 donors registered, 4 donors were deferred and 29 units were collected! We also registered 9 first time donors!

Again, thank you for your contribution and ongoing support of this important community program. I look forward to working with you again on an upcoming blood drive. Sincerely,

Tanya Tilley-Hall American Red Cross

We are incredibly grateful for your support of the 2016

WARM Harvest Luncheon You will change the lives of elderly, disabled, and other

low - income families by providing: heating system repairs - plumbing repairs - flooring re-pairs - roof repairs or replacement - stairs & landing

construction - wheelchair ramps - grab bars - and many more other safety - related repairs.

THANK YOU! www.WARMnc.org

NOVEMBER SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

1. There will be a Called Congregational Meeting on

December 4, 2016 after the 10:30AM Worship Ser-vice for the purpose of electing new church officers (elders and deacons).

2. At the last Presbytery meeting, October 29, 2016, our pastor was elected Co-Chair of the Mission Cabinet of Presbytery of Coastal Carolina. Thanks for your service to the Presbytery, Pat!!!

3. At the November Session Meeting, Dean Cobble was elected Treasurer of LCOB and Jean Schild was elected Clerk of the Session.

4. Communion will be celebrated at the Family Christ-mas Eve Service, December 24, 2016, 5:00PM, and at the 8:00PM Christmas Eve Worship Service.

5. The annual Staff and Officers Retreat will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, at Wrightsville Beach. All staff and elders and dea-cons will participate.

6. Our youth, under leadership of Emily Donovan, are actively engaged in partnership with Spring Arbor of Wilmington, an assisted living facility for seniors. We are very proud of our youth for their activities with these senior residents.

7. The Children's Christmas Pageant will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2016, 5:00PM, and a potluck pasta dinner will follow the children's program.

8. The Property Committee is considering options for replacement of the boardwalk/sidewalk at the main entrance to the sanctuary.

9. Traveling Communion will be taken to our shut-ins by elders and deacons on December 4, at the con-clusion of our worship service.

Page #10 Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

DECEMBER CARD MINISTRY

Sylvia Solley OFFICERS OF THE MONTH John Moore and Jim Alexander TILESTON DRIVERS

December 4 Linda & George Johnson December 11 Betty & Gary Gischel December 18 Tileston Closed December 25 Tileston Closed

PRAYER AND SHARE LEADERS

December 6 No meeting December 13 Freddye Ledford December 20 Marcia Rabun December 27 Silvey Robinson

WORSHIP LITURGIST

December 4 Barbara Williams

December 11 CANTATA December 18 Harriett Andrew December 25 Merry Christmas

USHER CAPTAIN

Gayle & Jim Rivenbark

Dec. 01 Laura Wadsworth* Dec. 03 Lambert Long* Joyce Zimmerman Dec. 05 Jean Northrop Dec. 06 Alyce McInnis Rob Reynolds Dec. 07 Stuart Brewington Dec. 10 Julie Hieronymus John Moore Dec. 11 Carlson Miller Dec. 12 Hellen Knowles Dec. 13 Pat Vass Dec. 14 Jim Legg Dec. 16 Lara Cottle Marie Kiely Dec. 18 Scottie Anderson Dianne Bullard* Iris Davis Robert Schaffer Dec. 19 Fran Lassiter Dec. 20 Thomas “Chris” Bell Tom Gerow# Dec. 21 Janet Auvil Bill Morine Dec. 22 Wendy Simmons Dec. 23 Jim Alexander Linda Johnson Turner Rogers* Dec. 25 Betsy Akerhielm Katherine Blanton Butler Bridger# Dec. 29 Kathy Coble Dec. 30 Estelle Baker Vivian MacPherson

* = Baptized non confirmed members of LCOB # = Nonmember friends of LCOB

CONGRATULATIONS! Larry and Gwynn Honeycutt have a new grandson! Benjamin James Clark (Ben), born to Allison and Nate Clark on October 15, 2016.

SAVE THE DATE TO UN-DECORATE: Christmas Clean up……..January 9 at 9:00AM

Happy Birthday! December ♥ Volunteers

Thank you LCOB Kitchen Crew and

Food & Fellowship for providing us with the

BEST BREAKFAST on the beach every fourth Sunday!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9:15 Preschool 7:00 Chancel

2 9:15 Preschool

3 9:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast ~ The Boathouse

4 8:30 Worship ~ com-munion 9:15 Sunday School 9:45 Chancel Choir 10:30 Worship ~ communion 11:45 Membership Committee ~ room 102 4:00 PYC

5 6:00

(Doors Open) PW

Women’s Gathering

6 6:30 Handbells

7 9:15 Preschool 9:30 Knitters & Crocheters ~ parlor 10:00 Chair Yoga

8 9:15 Preschool 7:00 Chancel Choir

9 8:30 Garden Club 9:15 Preschool

10 2:00-5:00

Christmas Open House at the Manse

CANTATA REAHEARSAL

11 9:15 Sunday School 9:45 Chancel Choir 10:30 Christmas Can-tata 11:45 Property Com-mittee ~ fellowship hall 11:45 Christian Ed. ~ room 102 5:30 PYC Christmas Party

12 9:15 Preschool 7:00 Boy Scouts

13 9:15 Preschool 9:30 Prayer and Share ~ rm. 102 6:30 Handbells

14 10:00 Chair Yoga

15 9:15 Preschool 7:00 Chancel Choir

16 9:15 Preschool

17 9:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast ~ The Boathouse

10:00 - Noon Children’s Rehearsal

1:00-5:00

Jane Davis Recitals

18 8:30 Worship 9:15 Sunday School 9:45 Chancel Choir 10:30 Worship 11:45 Session 5:00 Children’s Pageant & Pasta Potluck Dinner

19 9:15 Preschool 10:30 Preschool Yoga 7:00 Boy Scouts

20 9:30 Prayer and Share ~ rm. 102 6:30 Handbells

21 9:30 Knitters & Crocheters ~ parlor 10:00 Chair Yoga

7:00 Longest

Night Service

22 7:00 Chancel Choir

23 24 Christmas Eve Meals on Wheels ~ Circle #2 5:00 Family Service 8:00 Traditional Ser-vice

25 Merry Christmas!

Meals on Wheels

10:00

Worship

26 Church office

Closed

27 9:30 Prayer and Share ~ rm. 102

28 10:00 Chair Yoga

29 30 31 9:00 Men’s Pray-er Breakfast ~ The Boathouse

Happy

New Year!

DECEMBER

2016

Church office closing at Noon daily, December 27– 30

Page #12 Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

STAFF

Rev. Pat Rabun Minister

pat@littlechapel.org

David Lee Heinzman Director of

Music Ministry david@littlechapel.org

Mary Brooks Director of

Children’s Ministry mary@littlechapel.org

Emily Donovan Youth Director

emily@littlechapel.org

Martha J. Parker Office Administrator

martha@littlechapel.org

Joan Denney Bookkeeper

jdenney@littlechapel.org

Angela McConnell Director of Preschool

angela@littlechapel.org

Daniel B. Holt

Custodian danielbholt@aol.com

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 2 W. Fayetteville Street • Wrightsville Beach, NC

(910) 256-2819 www.littlechapel.org

LITTLE CHAPEL ON THE BOARDWALK

♥ THE LITTLE CHAPEL WITH THE BIG HEART ♥

Presbyterian Counseling Center CENTERPOINT

“What do you say to someone who is deeply grieving the loss of a loved one?”

I posed that question to a church group. We imagined ourselves at the funeral home waiting to speak to a family member. “He’s in a better place,” was one suggestion. “You will always have your wonderful memories,” was another idea. “You were so lucky the whole family could make it to the hospital.” “It’s God’s will, even if we can’t understand.”

As well meaning as these comments are, they imply that grief should be avoided. It is as if people can talk their way around grief with reassuring words. Yet the reassurance is only for the person offering the consolation. We seek to comfort ourselves more than offering compassion.

Instead of trying to help others escape their grief, the most helpful thing might be to enter the grief and share it with them in some small way. Perhaps the most helpful phrase we might say is simply, “I am so sorry for your loss,” coupled with a caring handshake or a sincere hug. Perhaps the most helpful thing we can do at such a mo-ment is to let ourselves feel sad. To explore troubling feelings, call the Center at 910-452-7370 or visit www.presbyteriancounselingcenter.org.

DEAR FRIENDS AT LITTLE CHAPEL,

Your enthusiastic sense of giving is a true inspiration. Thank you for your gener-ous, exuberant presence and mission support for the center!

The mission of the Center is flourishing more than ever. This year has been excep-tionally busy in numbers of client sessions. The Board of Directors has engaged in some wonderfully creative discernment of new directions for the Center moving into the future. The mission support of churches is more vital to the ministry of counseling than ever!

While the work of counseling is individual and confidential, I often think of your joyful support when I am sitting with a client. You join me in the session. Just this morning, a client mentioned at the end of our time together that he felt a dawning sense of freedom and relief in his life. You are there in the spirit of that session and in the way God’s grace and hope moves.

You are enabling growth and wholeness to bless individuals and families. You are touching people with God’s love!

“Hope and Healing for All!” Thank you for your continuing support of the Cen-ter!

In Christ, Jonathon R. Kelley