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Northminster TimesNorthminster Presbyterian Church of Kansas City, Missouri

Glorifying God • Equipping Disciples • Serving Otherswww.northminsterkc.org • 816-453-2545

Volume 53, Issue 10 December 2015

Yours in Christ,

Some Things Never Change

There were certain things in the Christmas of my childhood that I could always count on. The Sunday night before Christmas the whole church gathered in the basement for a huge pot luck dinner. As soon as the kids were done eating we would hurry upstairs to the sanctuary to get dressed for the Christmas pageant.

Every year, the youngest children were gathered into the angel choir. Each little angel donned a white robe with a golden tinsel halo. I can tell you with certainty that my brother and I had not earned our halos, but we were granted them for the pageant none-the-less. Every year the angel choir sang, “Away in a Manger.” As the years went by, my brother and I graduated to be wise men with gifts of gold painted shoe boxes or shepherds in our dad’s bathrobe with a tea towel headdress. Everyone knew whose father had received a new bathrobe for Christmas the previous year, based on how his son was dressed for the pageant. Don’t think people don’t pay attention to these things! Most of the girls had real costumes to wear. Mary, the mother of God’s Son, could not wear a bathrobe, so she had a special robe just for her. Since there were so few parts for the girls to play, every year our Gabriel was a Gabrielle complete with white robe, golden wings, and a beautiful halo. I did feel bad for the girls who outgrew the angel choir and did not make the cut for Mary or Gabrielle, because they had to join the boys in tending sheep, while wearing their dad’s bathrobe. They were never happy shepherds. Every year the pageant ended with a rousing chorus of, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” At the end of the song, right on cue, the big man himself entered with a giant red bag filled with brown paper lunch sacks each containing a piece of fruit, some chocolate candy, stickers, crayons, and a small coloring book. All the kids all tried to guess who Santa was. We knew he wasn’t the real Santa, but we never could figure out who he was. Every year it was the same pageant. The story was the same. The songs were the same. Santa’s gifts were the same. Don’t get me wrong, these are fond and treasured memories of my Christmas past. I would not trade these memories for the world. They are both comforting and familiar. We live in a world where sometimes it seems that change is the only constant. There are some days I wonder if the world I wake up in today will be the same one I went to sleep in last night. There can be a great strength that comes from retelling the same stories again and again. There are some different ways to tell the story, but the story is always the same. The message is always the same. “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” (Matt. 1:23) May you find this Advent and Christmas that there is still good news of great joy, because God is still with us and that will never change!

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In this Issue:

Presbyterian Women .................2 Calendar ......................................4 Prayer List ...................................5Birthdays ....................................5

Our StaffPastorRev. Seth WheelerOffice AdministratorTeri VanGilderCommunications ElderLisa BurdenEditorNyla Mischke

Presbyterian Women

MLM for December — Packaged cookie mix, cake mixes, brownie mix, canned milk. If you have any extra 2016 calendars, MLM clients appreciate receiving them. Please place them in the grocery cart.

Circles Meet Wednesday, December 9Rebekah - 10:SSalad LuncheonModerator: Pastor Seth

Martha - 1:00 p.m. Dining Out

Lydia - 7:00 p.m. (at church)

J.O.Y. MeetsDecember 3

The November JOY meeting will start promptly at noon with lunch. The luncheon entree is turkey casserole. The kitchen team is Team D. Tom and Isabella Roberts will present show music. Tom will be on piano and violin and Isabella is the vocalist. The Roberts recently moved to Kansas City from Las Vegas where they performed in stage shows. This is their first time to perform for JOY members.

The PW Giving Tree went up on Sunday, November 29. While you are out shopping, if you find a good deal, think of the Giving Tree and buy two. We need socks, mittens, gloves, hats, underwear, pj’s for women and school-age children.

Thank you for your help and caring for those in need.

Bruce Hughes has been the program coordinator for the JOY Group for the last 10 years...doing a great job finding programs, organizing and keeping the group going.  Bruce has resigned this position as of December 2015. We sincerely wish him well! Thank you Bruce! As of January 2016, Jeanette Hartke and Sue Fine have agreed to organize and continue the JOY Group with your help. There are a few changes taking place in the JOY Group beginning in 2016... our goal is to include everyone in this group of friends as we enjoy food, fellowship and programs which we have secured for 2016. Enclosed in this newsletter is the 2016 JOY Group calendar. (Page 6). The menu has also changed to include some new items which will add to the fun and progress of our group. Let’s make 2016 a “New Year” for our JOY Group and please invite your friends to attend with you. Thanking you in advance for your help in maintaining a group of people who enjoy one another and share a common bond. Jeanette and Sue

Look for the Men’s Breakfast Adopt-a-Family wreath in the Narthex by the santuary.

Please take a tag if you can help this family. Melinda is a single mom with 2 boys and 1 girl. Please use

the tags on your gifts. Wrapped gifts can be dropped off in the church office NO LATER THAN Monday, December 14.

Adopt a

Family

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2016 Per Capita Tax is $39.52 per person. If you would like to pay your 2016 Per Capita Tax, please pay AFTER JANUARY 1, 2016. In the memo line of your check, please indicate Per Capita Tax. Thank you – paying after January 1 helps with our recordkeeping.

Are you willing to shovel snow at Northminster? Join the Snow Crew! Call the church office or sign your name on the white board in the hallway (across from the AED).

Bake Sale and Cookie Exchange on Sunday, December 6

(immediately following Worship). Proceeds will benefit Northminster’s

Fellowship activities.

Holiday Market & Visit with

Santa!Saturday, December 12

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Everyone is encouraged to shop for gifts at the Flea and Craft Holiday Market on Saturday, December 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and visit with Santa from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Northminster. If you, or your friends, have items to sell that would make great gifts call Teri (816-453-2545) to reserve a free table space. Spaces will be limited to the first 24 callers. This is another wonderful outreach opportunity for you to be an ambassador for Northminister. Volunteer at the hospitality table. Pass out invitations to upcoming church events. Bake cookies. There are several volunteer opportunities. A sign-up sheet is located in the Narthex. Show the community why we love our church. For more information, call our Outreach Elders George Gates (816-786-2927) or Pat King (816-741-8708).

Join us for our

Christmas Eve Service at

8:00 p.m.

Poinsettias in the Sanctuary

if you would like to donate to the

SANCTUARY DECORATING FUND

in honor of/memory of a loved one,

forms are available in the Narthex

or in the church office.

Session is Collecting Donations for Staff Christmas Gifts.

This includes Pastor Seth, Teri, Sue, Cynthia and the 3 Nursery Attendants. If you would like to donate, please mark Staff Gift in the memo line of your check or on the outside of the envelope. You may donate through

December 13. Questions? Contact Debbie.

& COOKIE EXCHANGE

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Church office will be closed Friday, December 25

December Calendar1 10:00 a.m. Tuesday Study Group 2 PW Coordinating Board Meeting CANCELLED 7:00 p.m. Team Meetings 3 12:00 p.m. JOY Group 6:00 p.m. Bells 7:00 p.m. Choir 4 10:00 a.m. Friday Coffee Café 5 9:00 a.m. Jamaica Mission meeting 6 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Service - 2nd Sunday of Advent Bake Sale & Cookie Exchange 7 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 8 10:00 a.m. Tuesday Study Group 9 Circles 6:00 p.m. Deacons 11 10:00 a.m. Friday Coffee Café 12 9:00 a.m. Holiday Craft & Flea Market 13 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Service - 3rd Sunday of Advent 14 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 15 10:00 a.m. Tuesday Study Group 16 7:00 p.m. Session 17 6:00 p.m. Bells 7:00 p.m. Choir 18 10:00 a.m. Friday Coffee Café 19 1:00 p.m. Mike & Karen Miller’s Anniversary Celebration 20 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Service - 4th Sunday of Advent 21 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 22 10:00 a.m. Tuesday Study Group 24 7:15 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS! 27 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 28 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 29 Tuesday Study Group CANCELLED 31 Bells & Choir CANCELLED

Because you have shared in their liveswith your friendship and love

we invite you to join us as we honor the

50th Wedding Anniversaryof

Karen and Mike MillerSaturday, the nineteenth of December from 1-3

pmNorthminster Presbyterian Church

1441 NE Englewood RdKansas City, MO 

 (no gifts – cards only)

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Prayer Requests

December Birthdays2 Carol Wagner 6 Jason Burden Emily Mischke Joel Wheeler11 Dorothy Service Tammy Spencer 13 Joe Shafar Betty Strausbaugh 15 Jessica Luther 20 Clint Darling 21 Cheryl Lupton 22 Clyde Jones Will Vaughan 23 Scottie Shafar Don Spencer 25 Nick Artz 26 Jennifer Artz 28 Everett Fine Nathan Harper 30 Ann Underwood31 Laura Kinnamon

Clint Darling and family, Anne’s passing Family of Sandy Wolfing, her passing, Linda Drollinger’s childhood friendMary Greenup, health concernsMargie Sowder, health concerns, Jerry Brown’s sisterSharon Brown, back painStan Ferguson and family, loss of his mother, Amanda Renno’s friendMary Lou Clark, health concernsKathi Honeywell, cancer, Bruce and Lois Hughes’ daughter-in-lawFamily and friends of Lyle Brown, his passing, Jerry Brown’s brotherJane Shank, breast cancer, Sandra Correu’s nieceJamie Humphreys, health concernsFamily of John Kalmus, his passing, co-worker of Rich Luther, Rex and Josh WoolleyStudents at University of Missouri - Columbia, Esther ThorsonMichael Trawinski, health concerns, Alex Harriger’s father-in-lawKevin Bost, his mother’s passing, Keith Langabee’s friendBetty Ross, health concernsJ. Ed O’Reilly and family, he has injuries resulting from accident and Nancy, his wife, passed away, friends of Ken & Lisa BurdenJoel Wheeler, health concernsWes McKeller, brain cancer, former student, Gina LaneMike Hensley, employment search, Keith Langabee’s friendWard Family, personal situation, Beccy Vaughan’s neighborsFamily of Gary Sayers, his passing, Joyce Sage’s friendJim VanSickle, broken hip, Donna Douthit’s husbandFamily of Brad McReynolds, his passing, Horton & Pat King’s nephewEric Myers, health concerns, son of a friend, Vince & Janet KaylorGreg & Cathy Ash, his health concerns, Lisa Burden’s co-workerTyra Lorson, health concerns, Beth & Rich Luther’s great-niece

God’s Prayer GardenVickie Stewart, liver cancer, Bill Auch’s daughter Heather Saam, return of cancer, Lana and John Colomy’s daughter Dr. Larry Wheeler, health concernsNathan Harper, brain tumor Lauren, unsuccessful heart surgery, John & Toni Platt’s granddaughterBetty Scott, serious health concerns Clyde Jones, health concernsBob & Corinne Brown, health concernsCleta Homer, health concerns David & Jo Harper, health concerns Anita & Joe Shelton, health concerns, Brent Shelton’s parents Lorene Dieckman, lung cancerSarah, long term health concerns, Dick & Martha Pierson’s daughter-in-lawCheryl Lupton, thyroid cancerJoe Rembolt, health concernsMary Thompson, health concernsBruce and Lois Hughes, health concerns

Tuesday Morning Study Group:

We will cancel study group on Tuesday, December 29,

January 5 and January 12.

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Northminster Presbyterian Church1441 N. E. Englewood RoadKansas City, MO 64118816-453-2545 — www.northminsterkc.org

Northminster Presbyterian Church is committed to seeking and serving God, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and reaching out to others.

The Northminster Times is published 11 times a year (each month except July) by:Northminster Presbyterian Church1441 N.E. Englewood Road, • Kansas City, MO 64118(816) 453-2545http://www.northminsterkc.org

Articles are due the 15th of the month prior to publication. Submit copy to nmischke@kc.rr.com or leave in the newsletter mailbox in the church. Electronic submissions should be typed in Microsoft® Word or directly into your e-mail document.