PRESBYTERIAN MESSENGER            

High Mountain Presbyterian Church (HMPC) December 20, 2016 #51   201-891-0511/FAX201-891-0517 pcfl.org

UPCOMING EVENTS. . .

Every Sunday 10:00 AM Worship

Communion served 1st Sunday of Month

Choir Practice 8:30-9:30AM

Knitting Group 2nd Sunday of Month in

Sanctuary 12-1:30PM

Every Tuesday – Bible Study 7-8:30PM

Every Wednesday – Bible Study with

Rev. Lou Kilgore 10-11:30AM

Bell Choir Practice 7PM

Wed 12/21 Longest Night Service 7PM

Sat 12/24 Christmas Eve Service 9:30PM

Sun 12/25 Christmas Day Service 10AM

Mon-Fri 12/26-1/2 Office Closed

Christmas Eve Service at High Mountain Presbyterian Church-9:30PM

Please join us on Saturday, December 24^th at 9:30PM for our Christmas Eve service celebrating the birth of the Christ Child.   HMPC Bell Choir, Adult Choir and guest musicians will be performing on this most holy of nights Everyone is invited!

Wednesday AM Bible Study

Bible Study Wednesday, December 21, will be at 9:30AM to 10:45AM and NOT at 10AM.  Thank you.

Book Club at HMPC

The Book Club meets on the 4th Friday of the month and anyone is invited to come and discuss the books. The Book

Club will meet again on January 27, 2017, at 1PM.

The Longest Night Service

December 21st is the longest night of the year. Christians often associate the darkness of the nighttime with everything that is hard in life. The coming of the night is a time of vulnerability and sometimes aloneness. When the night is long it reminds of our fears and losses.  Christmas is a celebration of light in the darkness. But sometimes we can’t get to the celebration because the grief or loss is overwhelming us. This may be the first year at the holidays without your mother or your husband. Perhaps you have lost your job, experienced a divorce, or you or a friend are fighting for life against cancer. This year we will set aside a time to acknowledge the hardship and the loss that comes in life. You are invited to come to a service of prayer, poetry, encouragement and comfort. During the longest night service you have permission to be sad, or depressed. This is a place where you can be honest about how it feels to be surrounded by the signs of wonder and joy when you just don’t feel that way. This service is not for everyone but it may be just what you need. Even though it takes place in December, it is not a Christmas service. This service may be just the thing to help you or your neighbor or your friend who is wondering how they are going to make it through the holidays.  Mostly in times of hardship and grief we need to know that we are not alone.  Come to the longest night service and you will discover that you are not alone.  Bring someone who needs some encouragement and prayer. It is on Wednesday, December 21 at 7PM. The service will last for one hour and there will be refreshments following the service.

                                                                                                                                   Prayer Breakfast

Saturday

January 7, 2017

8:30AM

High Mountain Presbtyerian Church

Franklin Lakes

Bring in the new year with prayer, conversation and breakfast.

Bring an item to share.

Hope to see you then!!!

Ḟaithworks

Last Sunday, December 18^th was our family Christmas Service. Together we learned and remembered again a familiar story “The Nativity Story.” A BIG thank you! to all children, youth, adult leaders, friends and families who attended and participated in the retelling of the Story. Thanks to your prayers and team work the Nativity pageant was a time of community and enjoyment for youth and adults of all ages. I have included a few pictures for you to enjoy! This Saturday, December 24^th at 9:30 PM, please join us on for our Christmas Eve service celebrating the birth of the Christ Child. High Mountain Presbyterian Church Bell, Choir, Adult Choir and guest musicians will be performing on this most holy of nights Everyone is invited.

We will light the fifth candle, that represents Jesus. When we light this candle, we remember Jesus’ birth. As we welcome the Messiah, the Christ child born into the world, may our collective “wow” at God’s revealed glory prompts our response in praise to Jesus, through whom God’s glory is reflected. There is no Bible class (Faithworks), on Sunday December 25^th Christmas Day but childcare will be provided for children under 4 years old.

           Feliz Navidad everyone!           

Prayers & Announcements

Announcements for the Sunday Worship service should be emailed to the church

office. If you would like the community to pray with you please call the office at 201-891-0511.

       Sunday Server Sign-Up Sheet; Fourth Quarter 2016

     Sunday Server Sign-Up Sheet; First Quarter 2017

*Assigned families can decide who will be reader. Please inform Chris who is reading one week before you are scheduled. If you cannot be available when assigned, please switch with someone else and inform the office of this change.  Please check PM regularly to see the date of your assignment.  We need a few more volunteers for the listed duties.  If you can help in anyway, please call the office at 201-891-0511 and we can add you to the list. Thank you for your kindness and generosity in assisting with the church service.