PRESBYTERIAN MESSENGER

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

Fri 1/27 HMPC Book Group 1-3PM                                

Sat 2/4 Artist Reception 1-4PM

Fri 2/10 Annual Reports Due in Office

Thu 2/16 Session 7PM Personnel 10AM

Sun 2/26 Congregational Mtg. 11:15AM

My Personal Wishes

A few years ago, Linda Latham, Mary Guidetti McColl, Carol Margreither and Barbara Fernstrom met several times to develop a booklet, “My Personal Wishes at the Event of My Death”. This was to give those who were interested a guideline to express to their families how they would like everything to be handled after their death. This includes requests for funeral arrangements, memorial donations, organ donations, information for death certificate and newspapers, as well as location of important papers. If you would like a copy of this form, please contact Chris Buckley. It is suggested a copy be given to a family member for reference. We hope you will find this helpful.

Annual Reports for 2016

A reminder that the office would like all annual reports in, via email, by Friday, February 10, 2017.  Thanks!

Ḟaithworks

I found-out that the word “Kingdom” is mentioned over 100 times in the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible!! What is this Kingdom that Jesus is talking about and what’s my place in it? Well, it’s a totally different and up sided-down kingdom. Join me at Faithworks as we explore our focus Bible story for this Sunday which is in Matthew 5:1-12.   Jesus’ words in this section of the Sermon on the Mount can give young people permission to live what they already are. In this beautiful vision, Jesus turned upside down the world’s idea of happiness. We will try to make sense of this vision and help our children and youth to discover the things that bring true happiness. Jesus teaches that the blessed (happy) ones are those who are humble of heart (“poor in spirit”), who are gentle, who show mercy, who are persecuted, hunger and thirst for God’s ways. Blessed are those who suffer because they will be comforted and those who work for peace and justice will be called God’s family. Matthew writes from a context where the temple has been destroyed, the people is scattered and Jesus is no longer with them. The new Christians are in times of distress and uncertainty about their future. They were trying to live and relate to one another in a way that was very different from the way of the Roman world around them. What is the good news for those trying to be faithful Christians in a hostile world? Our experience today is, in many ways, like that of Matthew’s community. We may not be persecuted for our faith, but the “Beatitudes” seem foolish compared with the values of our society today: blessed are the rich, blessed are those with good healthcare and retirement plans, blessed are the powerful and popular, and blessed are the young and the good looking. Although peer approval is not that important for our youth, they can be persuaded by savvy advertisers and by peers that happiness comes from material possessions such as brand-name clothing or electronics. The pressure to be part of the “best” is not limited to athletics. Top performance is also expected in academics, the arts, even extracurricular activities, bringing sometimes feelings of disappointment and frustration. How can our young people use their faith and emerging abilities to bring about God’s dream in the present in tangible and life-giving ways? All children and youth are welcome to join us for Bible story time and activities on the 2^nd floor after the time of conversation with the pastor in worship. Childcare is available for children 4 and under on the 2^nd floor as well.

Mission Team Project for “Souper” Bowl Sunday

This year’s collection for the Center for Food Action (CFA) includes a new option in addition to cans of soup. On Sunday, January 15^th, you can pick up a CFA soup container “Bank”, use it to collect spare coins and cash for three weeks, then bring it back on Sunday, February 5^th.  Canned soup is a great gift, too, but cash is more versatile and will allow CFA to provide a variety of foods for families in need.     

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 this Friday on January 27, 2017, at 1PM

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; 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.