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HILLSBOROUGH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Hillsborough Presbyterian Church
102 West Tryon Street Post Office Box 717 Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 732-3131 (Office) Rev. Marguerite Sirrine [email protected] www.hillsboroughpres.org
The Church Mouse December, 2017
Dear Church Family,
As we begin that broad cultural and religious holiday season we know as Christmas, I expect to see
unfamiliar faces at HPC for the Choir Concert December 10 and Christmas Eve candlelight service
December 24. Perhaps we’ll see an uptick in visitors attending Sunday morning worship during December.
Even avowed secularists can find themselves stepping across the threshold of a Christian sanctuary this
time of year (as well as Easter). We regulars call these “C&E” Christians but as I anticipate meeting with
some of them soon, I’ve been wondering if they may have something to teach those of us who attend
regularly.
You’ve heard the popular refrain among the non-churched these days: “I’m spiritual, not religious.”
These folks expect to experience God or it isn’t “spiritual.” And this experience usually – not always, but
usually -- coincides with either strikingly beautiful sights of nature or some inner experience of meditation
and epiphany, maybe in silence or with decidedly non-choral, non-Western church music. When these folks
come to worship services, they say, they don’t experience God.
I know that to those of us who attend worship regularly “them’s fightin’ words.” But as we prepare to
welcome folks back this Christmas, some of whom may feel this way about church worship services, what
would happen if we concede that they’re right. Christian worship, especially at Christmas and Easter,
ISN’T for experiencing God. Christian worship is for us to turn to Scripture and its interpretation to make
sense of experiences where we think God has come to us -- and those where we think God has left us. It is
about keeping faith with the ancient record of people who have tried to make sense of these same
experiences of God with us and God leaving us. And in the process learning that faith isn’t about
experiencing God at all. It is about how to live a life of faith, hope and love regardless of that experience.
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe,” says Jesus to Thomas (John 20:29b)
So let us welcome, and bless, any and all who come seeking the light in the darkness this December.
Let them remind us why we keep coming even when worship doesn’t strike a chord with us or we are
irritated with people in pews next to us. Let the “C&E” Christians remind us that we don’t come to church
to experience God either. We are here to seek a relationship with a God who cannot be commanded to
show up at a sunset or a worship service, whose presence is always, always, a gift undeserved and
unexpected. At church, in long Session meetings and relentless Sunday School lessons and commission
tasks, we seek to grow our faith such that “I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have
plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of
having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-
13)
There. I hope that takes some of the pressure off of trying to have the “perfect Christmas experience”
for you and your family. Prepare to receive the gift of peace, hope, love and joy whether you are
experiencing them at the moment or not. Let the light of the world shine in the darkness – and in us.
Happy Advent; Merry Christmas!
Rev. Marguerite
FELLOWSHIP / COMMISSION NEWS
WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
Saturday, December 2, 9:30 – 11:00 AM
Drop by Strudwick Hall for warm bagels,
holiday breads and beverages, followed by an
optional cookie exchange at 10:15AM.
Take part in the cookie swap by bringing one
batch of homemade cookies (2 ½ - 3 doz). Gluten
free cookies/and bread will be available. Let Lisa
Flinn know if you need childcare.
CHRISTMAS BONUS
We appreciate our Interim Pastor,
Organist/Choir Director, and church Secretary.
Please consider making a gift toward the staff
Christmas Bonus, to be equally divided. Please
note ‘Christmas Bonus’ on your check or giving
envelope, and place in the offering plate or mail.
Deadline is Sunday, December 10.
HPC CHOIR CONCERT
Gather at HPC on Sunday, December 10th
at 6:00 PM for our HPC Choir Concert. Join us for
Christmas music by our HPC Choir along with
congregational carols.
CIRCLE #1
All women of Hillsborough Presbyterian
Church are invited to join with Circle 1 for our
holiday covered dish lunch on Monday, December
11, at 11:00. We will meet at the church, and
discuss possibilities for our Bible study. Please
come and enjoy sharing time together.
Questions? See Ann Sebesan.
YOUTH GROUP
Our Youth Group will meet on December 6, 13,
and 20, Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
Dinner will be provided. To sign up for a
Wednesday evening to provide the meal see the
sign-up sheet in the hallway! Questions? See Eric
Cathey. (Youth Group resumes on January 17,
2018)
DIACONATE UPDATES
* HPC Directory update packets were printed in
July, tagged with household name, and are
available for pick-up in the narthex entrance to the
HPC Sanctuary. Please continue to let us know
about needs for updates by contacting the HPC
Office [email protected] . We will
plan another HPC Directory update printing
toward the end of 2017.
* If you would like to be part of our Caregivers
group, please contact our church Office Manager
to let her know of your needs or your ability to
volunteer ([email protected]).
* Hanging of the Greens, December 1, 6:00pm:
Join us on Friday, December 1, at 6:00pm for a
soup supper followed by decorating our Sanctuary,
doors, and Strudwick Hall with Christmas trees
and decorations. This year's windowsill
decoration theme is "Vintage Christmas" in
keeping with beginning our 3rd Century as an
organized church on the same site. We are asking
for temporary loan of your old favorite Christmas
items to gingerly place on windowsills of the
Sanctuary. Items will be returned when we
remove decorations from the Sanctuary on
December 31 following the church service.
The Men's Fellowship 2018
Planning Meeting will take place in
Strudwick Hall on Saturday, January
13th
at 8 AM. All men in the Church
are invited. Please bring ideas
for the calendar.
FELLOWSHIP / COMMISSION NEWS
HPC BOOK CLUB
Club will meet to talk
about our holiday
selection, Rosamunde
Pilcher’s classic, Winter
Solstice, on January 14.
In Winter Solstice Rosamunde Pilcher brings her
readers into the lives of five very different people....
- Elfrida Phipps, once of London's stage, moved to
the English village of Dibton in hopes of making a
new life for herself.
- Oscar Blundell gave up his life as a musician in
order to marry Gloria. They have a beautiful
daughter, Francesca.
- Carrie returns from Australia at the end of an ill-
fated affair with a married man to find her mother
and aunt sharing a home and squabbling endlessly.
- Sam Howard is trying to pull his life back
together after his wife has left him for another. He
is without home and without roots, all he has is his
job. Business takes him to northern Scotland, where
he falls in love with the lush, craggy landscape and
set his sights on a house.
It is in this house, on the shortest day of the year,
that the lives of five people will come together and
be forever changed… a novel of love, loyalty and
rebirth.
Book Club meets one Sunday evening most months
of the year at 7:00 at the church. Visitors and guests
are always welcome, and refreshments will be
served!
HPC CHILDREN’S CHOIR
“JOYFUL NOISE”
Scott and the HPC Choir would like for the
children to sing the choral introit on the first
Sunday of every month, next scheduled for
December 3. Rehearsal would be on the first and
third Sunday each month at 9:45. We will have a
short Sunday School lesson, then practice. Any
questions? See Scott Schlesinger or Cheryl Maxey!
Interim Update – December
“A well-done mission study involving the whole
congregation takes months to prepare and execute.
It would be best if a committee … were appointed
by the Session to design and implement a mission
study process. The size of this group will depend
on the size of the church. In a small church as few
as three people could do it but a larger
congregation might need a team of 6-8 people.
The Mission Study Team (MST) should plan to
meet weekly until their task is done. If they are
not prepared to meet that often, the mission study
could take a year or more to finish.” – New Hope
Presbytery Guide to Interim Time
HPC has so much going on, how are we going to
fit a mission study in?, you might ask. The interim
process, by definition, must refocus the work of
the church. Its purpose is to achieve a visible,
measurable goal: the calling of a new installed
pastor with the gifts identified by the church as
needed for its next season of ministry. To do that,
some ongoing work of the church may necessarily
need to shift in priority. Some ministries that do
not have needed support may take a break. Some
that haven’t been able to take root may begin.
During transitions, it’s important to remember
Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a
season, and a time for every matter under
heaven.” We who are usually impatient often
complain about everything taking too long. In
retrospect however, we usually see that God’s
timing was exactly right.
The Session received three nominations and heard
nominations for three more folks during our
November meeting. We will begin calling these
folks and plan to organize the Mission Study
Team early in 2018. I am excited about the people
who have agreed to serve and the people the
Session hopes will accept the call. They have a
deeply meaningful task awaiting them – and they
will be inviting all of us to come along. Can’t
wait!
FELLOWSHIP / COMMISSION NEWS
COATS FOR KIDS
The Youth Group is sponsoring the 3rd
Annual
HPC Youth Coats for Kids drive. Please bring
new or gently used children’s coats to the collection
box provided in the hallway by December 17th
.
Checks are also welcomed, note in memo line
“Coats for Kids” and we will do the shopping for
you! Our goal is to collect 75 new and gently used
coats for Kids. The coats will be donated to the
Orange County Schools in collaboration with the
OCS Social Workers. Questions? Contact Eric
Cathey.
2018 TOOTAL PLEDGED-to-DATE
General Fund: $139,280
Building Fund: $11,575
Organ Fund for 2018: $875
2018 HPC PLEDGE
Thanks to all who turned in pledge forms!
What a help you are to the session. Thank you for
dedicating a portion of your gifts to HPC. If you
have not yet turned in your 2018 financial pledge,
please pick up a copy of the pledge form from the
foyer and place it in the offering plate, or mail or
email your pledge form to the church office. Or, if
you’re unsure if you turned in your pledge, just give
us a call or drop us an email! (P.O. Box 717,
Hillsborough or [email protected],
919-732-3131)
WINTER WARMTH 2018
November 26 - December 31
Once again this winter the Mission Commission
will be collecting items to help our neighbors in
need. Similar to an "Angel Tree" look for a line of
Mittens hung on the Mission Bulletin Board in the
hallway downstairs.
Each mitten is marked with an item needed by
OCIM or by our Syrian Refugee Families. If you
would like to participate please choose a mitten,
purchase the item, and return it, WITH the mitten
attached by December 31st. These are not gifts and
do not need to be wrapped. If you would prefer to
support our neighbors by making a donation please
write a check to HPC and put "Winter Warmth" in
the memo line.
There will be a collection box in the hallway to
place items.
Thank you for helping us support our friends and
neighbors this winter.
Questions? Ask Jane McIver or Robin Barnhill.
A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN REPORT
I wanted to drop a quick note to you all to let
you know that as of this week, the Capital
Campaign has taken in $300,781, which represents
almost 75% of the total pledged by the
congregation! 20 pledgers have paid in their entire
Capital Campaign pledge, and almost every pledge
account has made some progress toward their
pledge total.
As of October 15, there is $104,712 in
expected but not yet paid Capital Campaign
pledges. I point this number out, as I informed
Session at their last meeting about the negative net
worth shown on our Operating Balance Sheet.
Assuming that we see all of these pledges come in
and that the South Carolina property sells in the
coming year, we will be able to pay off the entire
renovation loan balance and still have a comfortable
cash reserve to support our congregation's mission.
-- James Watts
FELLOWSHIP / COMMISSION NEWS
To the HPC Church Family.
I am writing this as of Sunday, November 12th
. In part to reflect on the completion of the "Gracious Giving" campaign and
raised awareness of the life of HPC. Also, I will have had shoulder surgery as of November 15th and will likely have limitations
in generating email communication. I have been genuinely moved by our accomplishments through Mission, Christian
Education, Worship and Community outreach. Thank you all for your support toward a successful Stewardship campaign. The
Gracious Giving campaign was well received. The HPC Stewardship Commission developed a goal for enhancing Stewardship
awareness regarding activities and allocation of resources. Each month will have the moment for Stewardship communication to
be included in the HPC Newsletter, sent out through the HPC list-serve, and the second Sunday of each month will include
a moment for Stewardship during worship; as part of Stewardship's goal/commitment to raise awareness. This month I wish to
share the words I spoke at Dedication Sunday as the message is directed to the HPC Church Family to include those not in
attendance.
The focus of the 2018 commitment to finance has been on raising awareness, through "Gracious Giving", and answering God's
call. In John 15:15 (NRSV) Jesus said, "I do not call you servants[a] any longer, because the servant[b] does not know what
the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my
Father." Over the past four weeks (October 22nd thru November 12th) Stewardship hosted a breakfast. The HPC Youth
explained what is Stewardship. They reminded us with the words they proclaimed at Youth Sunday to "give until you miss it".
These are strong words and a reminder of Jesus' teachings. Members of Stewardship presented a moment for Stewardship and
reviewed our commitment to the Earth and designation as an Earth Care Congregation. Our efforts as a church of Welcome and
our refugee outreach. Dianna Montgomery provided examples of our involvement in the community, Christian Education and
Mission. James Watts (HPC Treasurer) spoke on November 5th, emphasizing how our money is allocated, payroll expenditures
and overhead related to facilities - keeping the lights on and doors open at HPC. These necessities enable us to be better
stewards: Teach Christian Education; Provide meals and a place of learning for Youth; Host Mission Events and provide meals
for Food For All.
The commitment to finance is done annually and should not be a surprise. There have been discussions of starting the
commitment to finance in July to aid Session in budgetary preparations. There is always a need to redistribute and share God's
gifts. Stewardship focuses on sharing what God's has given and entrusted to others. Doing this helps to share God's love with
others so they may come to know the love and covenant we share with our Lord and Savior. This charge to share God's gifts in
not like a subscription to Netflix or a gym membership. Where we contribute monthly without thought. We need to attend
worship and be involved. As the "Gracious Giving" campaign emphasized from John 15: 5 "I am the vine, remain in me."
So much of the church's work is done without recognition. Martin Luther proclaimed we cannot buy God's grace. We are a
family. Charged to share God's gift with our neighbor. During this time of preparation, I reflected on the NPR pledge drive in
which they asked for money. And how I wanted to change the channel. Stewardship is NOT finance. Stewardship is about
sharing our resources (gifts of time, talent, money). Stewardship is NOT asking for money. This time, "Gracious Giving" is
about raising awareness. Session meets in a week, November 19th, to begin establishing a budget for 2018. We can do what we
always do and form a Faith budget, or we can commit to what we have determined of importance. When pressed we respond, as
evidenced by our response to the Capital Campaign.
This is our commitment to each other. Our commitment to our church family and neighbor. Focus your continued giving on the
HPC church's Mission and Vision:
Mission: God has blessed our congregation with diverse vocational, religious and denominational backgrounds. The
goal for our congregation is to take these personal experiences and perform God’s work within our church and in
cooperation with other Christian communities. Together with God, we will promote youth and young adult ministries,
ecumenical unity within our town, and a deeper commitment to our local community’s spiritual and material needs.
Vision: Building upon the strength we receive from God, we seek to serve God through programs of education and
outreach, and to provide opportunities for fellowship and care. We open the doors of this historic church to this
community of faith and to the community at large. We encourage one another to share the good news of Jesus Christ
with those around us through expressions of Christian faith in our daily lives.
I read an article this morning (11/12), stating research shows giving makes people happy. God teaches us because we are happy
we give generously. Today, is a day to celebrate. Thank you for prayerfully considering your response to God's call and your
commitment to our family and neighbor.
As a reminder, Dedication Sunday (November 11, 2018) is only 11 months away. Please continue to pray for our the HPC
family and how you may remain in the vine through Gracious Giving.
Thank you,
J. Eric Cathey, HPC Stewardship Moderator
FELLOWSHIP / COMMISSION NEWS
HAPPY DECEMBER
BIRTHDAY TO:
01 Jane McIver
13 Gail Crane
13 Kirsten Talley
15 Suzy Williams
19 Forrest Heinze
21 Tom Beveridge
21 Tyler Erdosy
26 Mae Lee Brizendine
30 Susan Waldrop 31 Roxanne Barksdale
30 Judy Brown 31 Silas Rowe
To update the Birthday List or Anniversary List
please contact JoAnn in the church office
(732-3131) or [email protected]).
DECEMBER LECTIONARY
READINGS
3 Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19;
I Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
10 Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13;
II Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
17 Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11; Psalm 126; Luke 1:47-55;
I Thess. 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
24 Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96;
Titus 2:11-14; Luke :1-20
31 Isaiah 61:1-10-62:3; Psalm 148;
Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40
◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ◙ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
GREEN NOTES!
In this season of giving, go through your
closet and donate unneeded clothes to OCIM, Dress
for Success, or other local ministries.
(Green Notes are provided by PCUSA’s
Environmental Ministries
and your Stewardship Commission.)
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
December 3 Advent I
Liturgist: Linda Jaubert
Children’s Sermon: Karoline Mathewson
Advent Candles: Cam Cover
Youth Meal: Karoline Mathewson (12/6)
Nursery: Karoline Mathewson, Andrea Bernard
Greeters: Sam Nesbit
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
December 10 Advent II
Liturgist: Martin Brown
Children’s Sermon: Eric Cathey
Advent Candles: Bill and Lisa Flinn
Youth Meal: Ina Phay Johnson (12/13)
Nursery: TBD
Greeters: Sam Nesbit
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
December 17 Advent III
Liturgist: Sam Nesbit
Children’s Sermon: Marguerite Sirrine
Advent Candles: O’Connor Family
Youth Meal: Stephenson Family (12/20)
Nursery: Cathy Ely, Rosie Summers
Greeters: Sam Nesbit
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December 24 Advent IV / Christmas Eve
Liturgist: Hervey McIver
Children’s Sermon: Hervey McIver
Advent Candles: McIver Family
Nursery: Stephanie Morgan
Greeters: Sam Nesbit
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December 31
Liturgist: Robin Bedingfield
Children’s Sermon: Barbara Younger
Acolyte: TBD
Nursery: Robin Barnhill
Greeters: Sam Nesbit
December, 2017
SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT
1
Hanging of the
Greens and Soup
6:00 PM (Strudwick)
2
Women’s Breakfast
and Cookie
Exchange 9:30 AM
in Strudwick Hall
Advent I 3 9:45 AM Children’s Choir (#221)
12:15 PM Security Mtg. (#201)
4 Personnel Meeting
6:30 PM (#201)
5
6
Youth Group
6:00 PM
(Strudwick)
7
Choir Rehearsal
7:00 PM (#221)
8
Choir Concert 9 Rehearsal 1 - 4 PM
Kid’s Rehearse
2 PM
Piano Recital 9 AM
Advent II 10 9:4 5AM Children’s Choir (#221)
12:15 PM Mission (#204)
6:00 PM HPC Choir Concert
and Reception
11
Circle #1
Christmas Potluck
11 AM (Strudwick)
12
13
Youth Group
6:00 PM
(Strudwick)
14
Deadline for
HPC Newsletter
1:00 PM
Choir Rehearsal
7:00 PM (#221)
15
16
Advent III 17
9:4 5AM Children’s Choir (#221)
11:00 AM Joy Gift Offering
18
19
20
Youth Group
6:00 PM
(Strudwick)
21
No Choir Rehearsal
22
23
Advent IV / Christmas Eve 24
No 9:45 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM Joy Gift Offering
7:30 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight
Communion Sevice
Christmas Day 25
26
Food for All
5:30 PM (Strudwick)
Office Closed
27
NO Youth Group
Office Closed
28
No Choir Rehearsal
29
30
31 11:00 AM County Down Sings
12:15 PM Unhanging Greens
NOTE: If you have any January calendar dates or articles that you would like included in the newsletter – just send an email
([email protected]) or call the church office (732-3131) – by 1:00 PM on the 14th
of December!
Join us on Sunday mornings!
Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 AM
Traditional Worship at 11:00 AM
Children’s Sunday School at 11:00 AM
FOOD FOR ALL
Thank you to all who participated in our September Food For All. The
meals were MUCH appreciated. Our next Food For All meal will be
Tuesday, December 26th
. (It's always the 4th
Tuesday.) The sign up sheet
is in the hallway on the Mission bulletin board. Questions? See Jane
McIver.
***************************************************************************************************
Hillsborough Presbyterian Church
102 West Tryon Street
Post Office Box 717
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 732-3131
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web page: www.hillsboroughpres.org
SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday School 9:45 AM (for all ages!)
Nursery 9:45 AM (for infants/toddlers)
Traditional Worship 11:00 AM
(Children’s Sunday School - ages 4 years through 5th
grade -
will again be provided during worship. Children may leave
for class following the Conversation with the Children )
Check out our HPC WEB PAGE at www.hillsboroughpres.org – click on any event on our
calendar page for details! You will also find the monthly newsletter and the weekly bulletin
posted on this webpage! A great way to keep up with what’s happening at HPC!