december 9, 2013 - st. stephen presbyterian church · 2015. 8. 13. · december 9, 2013 page 2...
TRANSCRIPT
2700 McPherson Ave • Fort Worth, Texas 76109 • 817-927-8411
VOLUME 29 NUMBER 63 www.ststephen-pcusa.com December 9, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 2
Generosity and Creativity by Rev. Fritz Ritsch
Page 3
Room in the Inn
PCUSA Customized Christmas Cards
Preparation for Worship
Page 4
Princeton Conference in North Texas
Calendar of Special Events
Calendar of Christmas Eve Services
Page 5
Adult Education and Family News
Page 6
Children, Youth, and Family News and Activities
Page 7
Weekly Calendar of Events
Prayer Requests
SERRV
INTERNATIONAL
MARKET
Yes, it’s that time again, when you
can stop by the Parish Hall to
browse over the many amazing
gift items handcrafted by artisans
from 70 community-based
organizations in 36 countries.
These made for non-profit gifts
will be exhibited on Sundays, beginning on November 24
through December 22 from 9:30-10:45 am and again, from noon
-12:30 pm.
This is the perfect one-stop
gift shop! For questions or
if you can help with sales,
please contact Peggy
Wadley at 817-921-1883 or
email to
2014 Flower Chart Posted
The 2014 flower chart has now been posted on the bulletin board
outside of the church office, directly across from the Chapel.
Honor your loved ones by dedicating the chancel flowers one
Sunday. Sign up now to save the dates in memory of a loved one
lost or in remembrance of a special birthday or anniversary.
The chancel guild wishes to thank all of those for their
dedications throughout year 2013.
Monday, December 9, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary
Special Music Series:
Choir of Fossil Ridge High School (Keller)
“Gloria” by John Rutter
Josh Powell, director;
J. Brent McCartney, organist
ONE-STOP SHOPPING!
December 9, 2013 Page 2
Generosity and Creativity Rev. Dr. Fritz Ritsch
Generosity and creativity are attributes of God that we need to practice, and to celebrate when we
see them emerge in the life of the church.
Generosity has been abundantly displayed at St. Stephen of late. We’re all grateful for the new
roof on the sanctuary and the excellent Heating and air conditioning system we have been able to
install thanks to the Capital Campaign. All of this is possible because of the generosity of this
congregation. The three-year capital campaign ends December of 2014. You have pledged
$1,114,090, and as of November, 74 per cent of your pledges have been paid. A loan of $490,000
has been secured. We’re hoping, with your generosity, to pay it out by the end of 2014, and we
will be able to if everyone follows through as promised. Every bit we receive now reduces our
interest cost and allows faster reduction in principle.
Creativity and generosity merged when Rick Bender conceived and implemented our new
“Parking for Profit” program, in which we charge folks for parking in our lot for TCU games.
This program has generated around $10,500, which has been contributed to the payout for the
Capital Campaign. It’s done more than that, though. It has created a wonderful opportunity for
fellowship and presented a positive, upbeat face to the neighborhood and community. Rick,
Nora, and all the volunteers who’ve turned out with high spirits and friendly faces have made a
wonderful contribution to St. Stephen!
Creativity and generosity merged as well in the recent Stewardship Campaign, conceived by the
Budget and Finance Committee as one of our “People-Intensive Projects (PIP).” The idea of the
PIP projects is to engage as many people as possible in the life and mission of the church. This
year’s stewardship campaign, headed up by Elder Jack Hunnicutt, was an every-member canvass
that engaged numerous visiting stewards. It has generated at least 10 new pledgers and, as of
right now, has collected pledges for $531,000. There are still a number of folks we need to hear
from, but so far we have collected slightly more in pledges than we did in 2013. Thanks to all of
you for your generosity to the church!
December 9, 2013 Page 3
.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
The Third Sunday of Advent
December 15, 2013
The Prelude:
“Magnificat on the Fifth Tone” – Samuel Scheidt
The Lections:
The Hebrew Testament Lesson: Isaiah 35:1-10
The Epistle Lesson: James 5:7-10
The Gospel Lesson: St. Matthew 11:2-11
The Sermon: “Decision” - The Reverend Dr. Warner M. Bailey, parish associate -
The Congregational Hymns:
“O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”
(VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN – pg. 104)
“Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn”
(REJOICE! REJOICE – pg. 106)
“Prepare the Way, O Zion”
(BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN – pg. 106)
The Gradual:
“Song of Zechariah” (MERLE’S TUNE – pg. 109) – Hal H. Hopson
The Choral Music:
“Magnificat ” (from the ‘Gloucester Service’) – Herbert Howells
“O Root of Jesse” (from “O” Antiphons) – John Weaver
“O Key of David” (from “O” Antiphons) – John Weaver
“O Adonai” (from “O” Antiphons) – John Weaver
The Postlude:
“Savior of the Nations, Come” (BWV 661, NUN KOMM –
pg. 102) – setting, Johann Sebastian Bach
8:30 a.m. Ushers:
Carole and Fred Kelly
8:30 a.m. Advent Wreath:
Julia, Robert and Caroline Huseman
11:00 a.m. Ushers:
Team 6-B: Rick and Nora Bender; Faith and Jim Mallory;
Ginny Strathdee; Chuck Mallin
11:00 a.m. Advent Wreath:
Katie, Greg, Trinity, Emory and Addison Hinckley
11:00 a.m. Leader:
TBA
St. John Columba Team:
Jacob Fergus; Bennie Ritsch; Aidan Berg
Flowers:
Elizabeth, Mitchell, Jack and Grant Murphy
Room in the Inn (RITI)
Returns to St. Stephen
The month of December is upon us and our
Room in the Inn guests are back! Once again
we will need volunteers to assist with our homeless guests
every Tuesday evening and Wednesday mornings through the
month of February.
The following items are needed for our guests:
Socks
T-shirts (large and x-large)
Chapsticks
Cough drops
Wide-tooth combs
Readers (glasses - found at $ stores)
Individual lotions
Deodorant ***No more hats/caps are needed at this time.
We always need folks to wash sheets/towels, to visit with
guests from 6 or 7 p.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. Tuesday (bedtime), and
to be there for breakfast (6 - 7 a.m.) Wednesdays. Thank you
for considering volunteering for this worthwhile mission!
PC(USA) Customizable
Christmas Cards - Now
Available
PC(USA) Special Offerings are excited to offer customizable
Christmas cards as your personal way to share Christmas joy
with friends and family while contributing to the work of
ministries supported by the four churchwide Special Offerings
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Choose from five card designs featuring artwork from recent
PC(USA) Special Offerings posters. Use the standard greeting,
or customize the cards with a message of your choice.
Let this be your gift that provides blessings throughout the
year. Order today by visiting pcusaspecialofferings.com.
December 9, 2013 Page 4
Two Day Event:
Monday, Feb. 10, 10:00 a.m.
Through
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 3:30 p.m.
Registration and Conference Details will be
available soon at:
www.ptsem.edu/northtexas
In Memory of Catherine Durway
Our amazing Catherine Durway, at age 109, passed away in her
home last Tuesday while under the care of hospice. Catherine
was born on January 9, 1904. Her membership date is June 6,
1923. Catherine’s son, Rev. Robert ‘Bob’ Durway has been
sharing a home with her. For cards of condolence, his address is
as follows:
Robert Durway
2229 Stanley Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76110-1839
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter
under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to
plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and
a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a
time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to
dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
THE PRINCETON CONFERENCE IN NORTH TX
SAVE THE DATE:
MONDAY AND TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 10 - 11, 2014
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church
9800 Preston Rd., Dallas, TX 75230
Equipping the church for today’s challenges.
Hear Princeton President M. Craig Barnes speak on
Church Leadership in a Changing Ecclesiology.
ALSO:
Hear PTS Faculty members in plenaries and workshops
Experience renewing and uplifting Worship
Four Christmas Eve Services
Tuesday, December 24
Noon - 12:45 p.m.-
Service of Lessons and Carols
Chapel of the Holy Trinity
5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.–
Early Candlelight/Child-Friendly Service
Sanctuary
8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.–
Carol Service sung by the Sanctuary Choir
Sanctuary
9:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. –
Festal Service with the Lord’s Supper Sanctuary
14th Annual Service of Christmas
Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 29, 10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
(One worship service only today)
*Please note the earlier time.
1904 2013
December 9, 2013 Adult Education & Fellowship News Page 5
817-927-8411 office [email protected] 817-875-9704 cell
Sunday School For Adults
Every Sunday, 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.
Faith and Family Class has Rev. Warner Bailey and
Dr. Fritz Ritsch leading the in December: “Adult
Christ in Christmas” is the theme with focus on the
Virgin Birth, Genealogy, Star, Wise Men. Come join
them upstairs. Come January, Dr. Carol A. Stalcup
will facilitate this class using the book, Children’s
Spirituality, What it is and Why it Matters! By Rebecca
Nye. She will begin January 12 and run it through
February 23, 2014.
Star Bucks Adult Class has started a new study, A
Guide Through the Old Testament by Cecilia Brewer
Marshall. Mike Windsor and Mitch Murphy, are
teaching. There are more books available to those
wishing to join the Old Testament study.
Northminster Adult Class concluded the study on the
“Confession of 1967” on reconciliation on December
8th. The class will be touching on the Magi’s visit to
Herod, the massacre of the innocents at Bethlehem and
Jesus’ escape, on Sunday, December 15. Dr. Warner
Bailey will follow to discuss with us, his sermon on
“Christmas Catastrophe” on Sunday, December 22.
Mark Scott, Minister of Music, will be leading the
class in January on the many facets of the New
Presbyterian Hymn Book!
The Fisher Adult Class is always welcoming to
everyone to their Bible Study using “The Present
Word” curriculum in the Eastminster Room. Teacher
Marvin Champlain invites you in for a visit.
50 More Christmas Angels
Need Adoption (Found on Christmas Tree In
Sanctuary Narthex)
Benefitting Fort Worth PCHAS
(Presbyterian Children’s Homes & Services)
Parents and Children
& Veterans via Veterans Administration
Outpatient Clinic
Bring Gifts Wrapped in Boxes or
Gift Bags with Tissue
& Name Tag from Tree.
Gifts request range from specific to gift
cards.
Due by Dec. 15th, Sunday!
Christmas on the Hill
Thank You to All Volunteers! Vicki Johnson and I are overwhelmed at
the number of St. Stephen Presbyterian
Church members who volunteered for
assignments at Christmas on the Hill.
As you may recall, the Christian Education Committee
decided back in the Fall to blend two activities into one.
The Advent Family Event - typically held on the Sunday
following Thanksgiving, was transformed into Christmas
on the Hill - which was on a Wednesday closest to
Christmas Day! That strategy was a boon to the event.
What a turnout! We suspect 100’s were here, though we
don’t know if it were 200, 300, 400 or in between.
The volunteers were wonderful and made the event such a
success. We recognized Day School families present, St.
Stephen folks, PCHAS families, guests of members and
the community.
All the hard work and organization paid off and the
compliments still ring in the air! What an event! What a
turnout! What a statement that St. Stephen has for the
community:
All are Welcome Here! Young and Old!
Come Enjoy the Presence of God and have Fun, too!
December 29th,
Only One Worship Service, 10 a.m.
No Sunday School That Day!
Interested in Arlington Men’s
Softball Team ?
Craig Burton is interested in getting
a Men’s Softball team going. He has
investigated Arlington P&R and there
is a league beginning January 15th at
the cost of about $20 per player with 10 - 12 on the
team. It’s a Monday league and the games are played at
Harold Patterson or Randol Mill Park. Contact Craig if
you are interested: [email protected] or via
phone 817.437.9590.
December 9, 2013 Children & Youth & Family Activities page 6
817-927-8411 office [email protected] 817-875-9704 cell
Youth Activities
Dec. 8, 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Shop for the Needy
PCHAS Families:
13 individuals. at Target or Walmart.
Eat out!
Dec. 15, 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Deliver Gifts to the Needy Families. Need
Another Adult Sponsor. Eat out!
Dec. 22, 5 - 8 or later.
Youth Christmas Party.
Need 2 homes For Traveling Dinner.
#1 Bergs, #2 ? , #3 ?
Dec. 29, 5 - 8 or later
Movie? Relax at Someone’s Home? Need
Suggestions!
YOUTH
OVERNIGHTS LOOKING to MLK
WEEKEND
January 17 - 18 Confirmation Retreat Fri. night, 5 p.m. - Sat. noon. Led by Rev. Fritz Ritsch, Beth
Fultz, Confirmation Teachers, Tommy Wadley and
Confirmation Partners.
January 19 - 20, 5 p.m.-8 a.m. Youth LOCK OUT Sun. night - Mon morn.
Flight Deck, Movie, Broomball at Ice at the Parks, IHOP.
Need someone to sponsor a Jump House. Projected cost
$35 per person. Friends Welcomed. Scholarships available.
www.ststephen-pcusa.com is the church website.
We are keeping it up to date and starting to add more and
more to the site, Including photos. Do you have some
pictures of recent events or events to announce?
Let Beth Fultz know. Test it out for us!
If $$$ are ever an issue,
please contact Beth.
We’ll see to it that all Youth can participate.
Thank You For Supporting
The Hungry.
Over 60 Thanksgiving
Baskets Were Donated
From St. Stephen
Church Members
South Central Alliance of Churches, of which
St. Stephen is a member, was grateful for our
donations which were distributed to folks in
76104, 76109, and 76110 areas of Fort Worth.
60+
Christmas Eve at
St. Stephen;
Four Services to
Choose From:
12 noon in Chapel of
the Holy Trinity
5:00 p.m. Child-Friendly Worship
With Christmas Skit in Sanctuary (Mary & Joseph, Shepherds, Angels,
Wise Men, Innkeepers will be recruited!
Children are encouraged to don costumes
& be a part of the skit)
All Children receive a Christmas Bag!
Hot Chocolate & Cider following!
8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Carol Service Sung by the Sanctuary Choir
Sanctuary
9:00 p.m. Festal Service of Holy
Communion for Christmas Eve
Child Care is provided at
the 5 p.m., 8 p.m.
& 9 p.m. Services
PRAYER REQUESTS
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time
of need. Hebrews 4:16
Recent Requests: Micah Ahern (requested by Darlene Housewritght), Jane and Roger
Forsythe (parents of Melissa Forsythe), Melissa Phillips (SSPC
member), Rheygan Purnell (friend of Carol Kretchmar), Jessica
Sandoval (friend of Megan Thornton)
Members with Long-Term Needs:
Becky Balcom, Dan Bechtel, Anne Boyd, Jim and Betty Corbett, Bob
Durway, Holly Fawcett, Woody Graham, Dale Henderson, Jim
House, Marilyn Ketterlin, Nancy Schmidt, Alan Strait, Rebecca Van
Hooser, Marietta Watson
Family and Friends:
Joe Alengo (friend of Kathy Flores)
Adelaide Andrews (cousin of Bobbie Marrow)
Ann Louise Armstrong (cousin of Bobbie Marrow)
Nadia, Nuri and Justice Atterbury (great-granddaughters of Kitty
Mitchell)
Mark Beal (uncle of Gina Galloway Wood)
Mary Ann Beck (friend of Beth Fultz family)
Richard Beckwith (father of Vicki Johnson)
Linden Blackmon (Friend of Bobbie Marrow)
Sarah Bourland (mother of Bob Bourland)
Brynn, Aubrey and Sydney Carson (nieces of Melissa Phillips)
Jane & Daniel Hugh Cooper (friends of Margaret & Henry Hash)
Sharon Curry (PCUSA Missionary)
Matt Ferrell (friend of Chris Flores)
Greg Garrett (son of Dorothy Garrett)
Earl Hamlin (husband of member Rosemary Hamlin)
Sherry Hill (Friend of Bobbie and Warren Marrow)
Martha Fultz Jeffrey (sister of Robert Fultz)
The Kazda Family (friends of Laura Meyn)
Madison and Tucker King (grandsons of Booty Jones)
Jim Kniese (friend of John & Teke Walters)
Simon Krov (nephew of Greg and Katie Hinckley)
Anita and Royston Lanning (parents of Julia Mallin)
Walker Madison (friend of SSPC)
Jackie Mayes (brother-in-law of Peggy Bender)
Jeri Mayes (sister of Peggy Bender)
Cindy McQueen (sister-in-law of Peggy Bender)
Kerry Morse (brother of Wendy Larmour)
Cathy Ngeny (daughter of Kitty Mitchell)
Keith Raines (friend of John E. Davis)
Dwayne Reed (friend of Ted Lovato)
Patti Sellers (friend of Darlene Housewright)
Lynn Sullivan (mother of Lanie Sanderson, grandmother of Tristen
Sanderson)
Philip Thompson (brother of Bobbie Marrow)
William Wood (son of Barbara Pierce’s Godson)
Antonnie Wylepski (son of Cindy Darby)
Schedule of Events | December 9-15, 2013
December 9, 2013 Page 7
Pray For Our Military:
Chris Hall, Scott Menking,
Brian Myers, Gabriel Ngeny,
Lewis Russell Wayt
Monday, December 9
Visitation 9:30 am Sacristy
SSPC Day School 9:30 am-2:30 pm Ed. Building
Staff Meeting 1:30 pm Pastor’s Study
PW L.O.T.E. 6:30 pm Holly Fawcett’s
Fossil Ridge High School Choir 7:30 pm Sanctuary
Tuesday, December 10
Budget/Finance Meeting Noon Parish Hall
Room in the Inn 5:00 pm Parish Hall
Scout Merit Badge Class 6:00 pm Library
Troup 17 Boy Scout Meeting 7:30 pm Scout House
Wednesday, December 11
SSPC Day School 9:30 am-2:30 pm Ed. Building
Bible Study Class Noon Eastminster
Property Committee Meeting 5:30 pm Eastminster
Officer’s Dinner/Exam 6:00 pm Parish Hall
Thursday, December 12
Morning Prayer Service and Breakfast 7:00 am Chapel/PH
Cherub, Bethlehem, Junior Choir Rehearsals 4:15-5:00 pm Room 223
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 6:30 pm Choir Room/PH
Friday, December 13 No Scheduled Events
Saturday, December 14 The Way of Life AA Group 10:00 am Eastminster
Sunday, December 15 New Member Sunday
Worship Service/Lord’s Supper 8:30 am West Transept
After Worship Fellowship 9:30 am West Transept
Sunday School Breakfast 9:30 am Parish Hall
Receiving New Members/Inquirers 9:30 am Session Room
SERRV International Market 9:30 am-10:45 am Parish Hall
Sunday School Classes 9:45 am Ed. Building
Bethlehem/Junior Choir Rehearsal 9:45 am-10:00 am Room 223
Worship Service 11:00 am Nave
Receiving New Members/Inquirers Noon Session Room
SERRV International Market Noon – 12:30 pm Parish Hall
Special Music Series: Singing Girls of Texas Christmas Concert
5:00 pm-7:00 pm Sanctuary
Youth Activities 5:00 pm Meet at the Church
St. Stephen Presbyterian Church
“A welcoming community of believers" 2700 McPherson Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76109-1405
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
St. Stephen Presbyterian Church Staff Tele: 817-927-8411 Fax: 817-927-8221
Worship Services 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
[email protected] (email)
www.ststephen-pcusa.com (website)
The Rev. Dr. Frederick Field Ritsch, III, Pastor
Mark Scott, Minister of Music/Organist
Beth Fultz, Director of Christian Education
The Rev. Dr. Warner M. Bailey, Parish Associate
Sharon Curry, PCUSA Missionary (Republic of So. Sudan)
Dolores Morgan, Business Manager
Sharla Trice, Day School Director
Judi Greathouse, Office Administrator
Eddie Shaw, Sexton/Building Supervisor
Visitation Committee Needs You!
Every Monday morning around 9:30 a.m., members of our
visitation committee meet in the sacristy area behind the West
Transept of the Sanctuary to arrange flowers in vases and
deliver them to the homebound. We’ve had several faithful
members that have been doing this for years. They are now
asking for help! Generally a couple of folk go one Monday, then
different visitors go the next Monday, etc. Their group is now
too small to handle each Monday of every month. With Advent
just around the corner, the homebound and ill really need this
touch of tender loving care! Won’t you consider joining this
visitation group? If you can help, even one Monday each month,
contact Myrtle Adams at 817-292-2168.
You can make a difference!
Office Volunteers are needed for the
month of December. Any hour or
hours helping in the copy room and/or
answering the phones would be
appreciated!
A temporary Friday volunteer is also
needed for about two hours each
Friday in the morning or early
afternoon placing inserts into bulletins
and preparing the newsletter for
mailing.
If you can help with any of these
tasks, please contact the church office
after Thanksgiving week at 817-927-
8411.