Rehoboth Beacon December 2016

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good work and give glory to your Father who is in

heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

From the Pastor’s Desk . . .

Watching and Waiting

Advent is the season watching and waiting. It is a season for quiet introspection. Cold winds whistle through the trees. The leaves have long since fallen away. The days grow shorter and the darkness creeps in. We feel the passage of time with each chilly breeze that blows. We recognize the things that aren’t there anymore: the warmth of the summer, the leaves on the trees, and perhaps the loved ones that are no longer with us. From a theological standpoint, Advent is a time for reflecting on the inbreaking of God’s kingdom, in the person of Jesus Christ. In this season, we read the words of Hebrew prophets who spoke of the coming Messiah, God’s promise of deliverance to the chosen people, Israel. The voices of these prophets are filled with a yearning for justice and righteousness. They want God to make the land and people of Israel whole again. They long for something better. We know that these prophecies were fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ; now we wait for Christ’s return. It seems to me that Advent is also a metaphor for this congregation in this interim period. I know that many of you are wondering how long this interim period will last and when you will call your next installed pastor. These are important questions, but there are some other questions that must be an-swered first. Who are you, as the congregation of Rehoboth Presbyterian Church? What are your needs as a congregation? What are you called to be? The last time you wrestled with these questions was nearly thirty years ago. To find the right pastor to lead this congregation you will certainly need to spend a great deal of time and effort wrestling with the questions of who you are and who you’re called to be. This process will not move quickly. Nor should it. There is a great value to watching and waiting and doing the im-portant work of self-analysis. I will guide you through these tasks; the work begins next year. I will use this space in The Beacon to communicate the process to you. I didn’t understand that Advent was about watching and waiting when I was a kid. Introspection was completely lost on me. I was blissfully unaware of the season of Advent. For me, and I suspect most other kids, the watching and waiting was all about Christmas presents. That was all. And yes, I was raised in the church and I knew the story about the baby in the manger. Still, it was all about the toys under the tree. When we’re children, we don’t have enough years behind us to notice the things that aren’t there any-more. But as we get older, we remember and we reflect. So I encourage you to begin this process of watching and waiting. Begin to think about who you are and who you’re called to be. Your work will bear fruit in another season. Prepare yourselves for what is to come and remember that you have to journey through Advent before you can get to Christmas Day. May the peace of Christ be with you this Advent season and may you all have a merry Christmas!

Rev. Alan Olson

December

Articles

1. Mitten Tree & Salvation

Army Xmas Tags 2. Lessons & Carols at St.

Sebastian on 12/11 3. Christmas Eve Services 4. Deacon News 5. Poinsettia Orders 6. Nursery School Xmas

programs 7. Sessions Minutes

Rehoboth Presbyterian Church 442 Rehoboth Road

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania 15012 (724) 929-7020

www.rehobothchurchpa.org

December Worship Schedule

December 4 — Second Sunday of Advent Time: 11:00 a.m. Greeter: Allan & Debi Buza Worship Leader: Al Freet Acolyte(s): Jason & Jocelyn Chapman Children’s Sermon: Pastor Alan Olson Youth Sunday School: Rachael Zenobi Ushers: Debi Buza, Dave Smith, Bill Strickler, Amy Flower & Louetta Hayden Counters: Ed Moore & Doug Zundel December 11 — Third Sunday of Advent, & 2¢ a Meal Offering Time: 11:00 a.m. Greeter: The Doug Zundel Family Worship Leader: Carol Lewis Acolyte(s): Andrew Foringer & Olivia Saxon Children’s Sermon: Pastor Alan Olson Youth Sunday School: Rachael Zenobi Ushers: Ed Moore, Doug Zundel, Colleen Ress, Carolyn Clark & Al Freet Counters: Luanne Zundel & Kristie Russell December 18 — Fourth Sunday of Advent & Our Christmas Joy Offering Time: 11:00 a.m. Greeter: Ray & Carolyn Clark Worship Leader: Paul Stratton Acolyte(s): Ava Zenobi & Sarah Zundel Children’s Sermon: Pastor Alan Olson & the children will sing Youth Sunday School: Rachael Zenobi Ushers: Doug Zundel, Dave Blacka, Dave Smith, Debi Buza & Andrew Zundel Counters: Frank Thomas & Sandy Stratton December 24 — Christmas Eve Services Time: 7:30 p.m. - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and Communion Greeter: Al Freet Worship Leader: Rachael Zenobi Acolyte(s): Brendan & Brianna Krall Ushers: Kevin Huebner, John Zenobi, Doug Zundel, Andrew Zundel & Ed Moore December 25 — Nativity of Jesus Christ/ Christmas Day Time: 11:00 a.m. Greeter: Pam & Frank Thomas Worship Leader: Sandy Stratton Acolyte(s): Andrew Foringer & Sarah Zundel Children’s Sermon: Pastor Alan Youth Sunday School: TBA Ushers: Frank Thomas, Dave Smith, Dave Blacka, Bill Strickler, & Colleen Ress Counters: TBA

December Birthdays

1 - Carol Zundel 2 - Colby Nill 3 - Denise Evans Chelsea Lynn Rozik 4 - Alexander Nash 6 - Martha Breakwell 8 - Janiel Bradley Billy Smith 9 - Rachel Orr 10 - Ray Ott 11 - Diane Morgan 13 - Gene Hough 17 - Kathryn Rosborough 19 - LeAnn Covey Kristen Lee Joe Uchelvich 21- Iris Thomas 22 - Payton Walsh 25 - George M. Yartin

December Anniversary

11 - Justin & Amy Nash 11 - George M & Kim Yartin 21 - Russ & Penny Moon 24 - Larry & Diane Morgan 29 - Rick & Edwina Matson

Christmas Eve Services at Rehoboth Church

There will be only one worship service on Christmas Eve and we hope you will join us.

Traditional candlelight service with

communion at 7:30 p.m.

NEW ADDRESS

SGT. HAYDEN, JAMES R HHC, 1-16 IN, 1 ABCT, 1ID UNIT #15961 APO AP 96271

Church News

Deacons Bench

Highlights from the Rehoboth Deacon's meeting of November 8. Carolyn read the minutes from the October meeting. Al discussed the treasurer’s report.

We discussed the Vendor/Craft show that we had on Saturday, November 5th. We made a total of $1881.50 from the sales of food in the kitchen, the bake sale, the Chinese auction, Smith craft table, and vendor tables. We will give the church $50 for the use of electricity by the vendors. We were very happy with the result of hosting our second Vendor/Craft show.

The Harvest Dinner will be held on Sunday, November 13 after worship service. We discussed the menu and when to setup the tables in the social hall. We expect to have about 60 people for dinner. This is a time for good fellowship and great food to be shared by all who attended. We want to say Thank You in advance to everyone who brought side dishes and desserts to share.

Jannine sent out a Subway gift card to the college student in October.

Poinsettias will be sold again this year for $8 each. Watch for a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Smith vestibule. We hope everyone will consider purchasing Poinsettias in-order help decorate our church for Christmas.

We will be put up the Mitten tree by November 20th. Once again, we will be having Christmas tags from the Salvation Army for children. Let us not forget to add mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves to the tree.

Our November donations will be to the Salvation Army and City Mission for $150 each to help feed the hungry for Thanksgiving and the Rostraver Food Bank for $100 which will help provide food items to families in our community.

Our next meeting will be December 13th.

The Deacons hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Mitten Tree and Salvation Army Gifts Tags

The Deacons have put up their annual Mitten Tree. This year we will again help the Salvation Army with “Treasures for Children” tags for children in-need. The children’s gift tags for a present from “Santa” will be hanging on the tree. Please feel free to take a one or two tags to help with this project. Remem-ber, this is a wish list, you can use your judgment when buying gifts. Leave the gift unwrapped with the tag taped to the bag. You may include a roll of gift wrap. Please returned all gift by Sunday, Dec 11th. We will also be decorating the mit-ten tree with mittens, gloves, socks, hats, and scarves for children and adults. They will be distributed to people of the Food Bank that are in-need. Thank You for your help with this mission project.

The Deacons

Church News

Christmas Poinsettias

Let’s fill the sanctuary with the beauty of the season which will also be a beautiful plants for your home

or to give as a gift !!

Place your order on the sign-up sheet in the Smith Vestibule or by calling the church. The Poinsettias cost $8.00 each. Your

choice of colors are pink, white and red.

Orders and money are due by Sunday, December 4th. Give your money to Al Freet or any of the Deacons.

Make checks payable to: Rehoboth Deacons

The Ministerium Presents:

Lessons & Carols at St. Sebastian Church on

Sunday, Dec. 11th at 6:30 p.m.

The Belle Vernon Area Ministerium is sponsoring the region’s Lessons & Carols at St. Sebastian Church on Sunday, Dec. 11th at 6:30 p.m.

They are in need of volunteers and cookies donations for the fellowship gathering afterwards. Cookie donations will be welcomed starting Dec. 1 through Dec. 11th. Please contact our parish office or call Christy Cabaniss @ 724-929-9300 if you are able to help.

Rehoboth Nursery School December 2016

Merry Christmas!

We are looking forward to our annual Christmas activities with our chil-dren. The 3 year old class will have their Christmas party on Monday, Dec. 19th. The 4, 5 year old class will have their par-ty and program on Tuesday, Dec. 20th.

Have a blessed and safe holiday season.

Liz, Karen & Terri

Women of Rehoboth

The WOR will met on Tuesday, December 20th at Peppermill Grill Restaurant in the

New Clarion Inn on 827 Finley Rd, Belle Vernon at 6:30 pm for dinner.

Please call or see Jannine Blacka to make your reservation for dinner.

Church News

Rehoboth Presbyterian Church Highlights from November 10, 2016 Session Meeting

Approved Communion schedule and Special Offerings for 2017

Approved pastor's vacation request for December 26, 2016 – January 1, 2017

Scheduled a single Candlelight Communion service on December 24, 2016 at 7:30 PM

CHILDREN WANTED

TO SING

Children will sing during worship

on Sunday, December 18. We will

have practice on Sunday,

December 4th and 11th. I hope a

lot of children will come all three

Sundays.

Carolyn Smith

CONGRATULATION ! !

We would like to say Congratulation

to SARAH REEB on

passing the bar exam.

What a great accomplishment.

Best wishes and God Bless,

Your Rehoboth Church Family

THANK YOU NOTE

The Deacons would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who helped us with the Vendor/Craft Show on November 5. For the Boy Scouts on setting up the tables,

ladies who helped in the kitchen, all the bake good for the bake sale, all the nice gifts for the Chinese auction and everyone who helped cleanup after the show. We are very grateful

and appreciate your time and effort to help us make this event very successful. The money will go along way in helping with our many outreach and mission projects.

Very Sincerely, The Deacons

Church News

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

The song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, come out of the tradition of celebrating twelve days between Christmas and the Epiphany, This song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, is said to have Christian messages. The “true love” in the song refers to God’s love for us. In the first verse, “the partridge in a pear tree” refers to God’s only son, Jesus (how the wounded Je-sus protected and redeemed us, as a partridge protects her young). So, in the songs, God gives His only Son, Jesus, to us on Christmas Day. During this Advent and Christmas sea-son, let this song ring with new spiritual meaning in your heart and soul ! Song of the other interesting interpretations of this song are: Two Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testament. Three French Hens refers to faith, hope and charity, the three theological virtues. Four Calling Birds are the evangelists, the four writers of the Gospels. Five Golden Rings are the first five books of the Old Testament, called the Pentateuch. Six Geese a-Laying are the six days of creation. Seven Swans a-Swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Is 11:2-3). Eight Maids a-Milking are the Eight Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-11). Nine Ladies Dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). Ten Lords a-Leaping are the Ten Commandments. Eleven Piper Piping are the eleven faithful apostles. Twelve Drummers Drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed.