Financial statement                      october        year-to-date____

total income                                         4,934.92                      58,285.62

TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS                        7,826.55                     55,834.28       

balance (for month)                        (2,891.63)                      2,451.34        

October Balances:   Check Book      $5,752.42           Memorial          $5,869.06

Endowment  $5,571.31    Money Market  $3,305.56    Mutual Funds  $23,966.26

 

October Attendance 10/6    95      10/13    83      10/20    74      10/27   79           

      

                        December            Birthdays & Anniversaries

2        Kay Babbitt                                                      24        Elaine Goetschius

3    Hilda Stout                                                       28        Paul Daniels

4    Richard Stebbins                                              28        Dale Johnson

6    Burton Daily                                                     29        Betty Burdick

8    Marion Boucher                                               29        Bill Lehman

9    Neal Hallett                                                      30        Ross Robarts

10  Kelsey Anderson                                              31        Alan Hills

11 Roland Smith                                                    31        Marilyn Hullihen

13  Merrie (Geer) Mann          

17  Florence Skillman                                             Anniversaries 

17  Bill Attwood                                                     12        Lloyd & Ethel Grames

23  Richard Kennedy                                              18        Adam & Jennifer Sorochin

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Officers & Staff of Christian Temple           Pastor Rev. Anna Shirey

                                                                 Ministers: The people of Christian Temple

President:           Richard Stebbins      Treasurer:                    Beulah Howe

Vice President:   Don Newland          Financial Secretary:   Jeremy Johnson           

Trustee Chair     Dale Anderson         Deacon Chair:             Brenda Robarts

Elder Chair:         Dale Johnson           Steward Chair:            Jean MacMurray        

Music Director:  Richard Kennedy     Assistant Music Dir.:  Connie Stebbins

Accompanist:      Jim Knapp               Hand Bell Director:    Richard Kennedy        

Secretary:            Mary Matteson        Communication Coordinator :  Sue Johnson

 

If you know of someone who is ill or hospitalized and would like a visit or call please notify the church office (593-3370).

 

Note from the Pastor

 

“The ordinances of Yahweh are true and righteous altogether.  More to be desired

are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings

of the honeycomb..”  (Psalm 19:9-10).

 

I’ve always responded to this message with pious agreement.  Of course, I ought to desire God’s laws and ordinances, craving them like the sweet honey.  But I don’t really.  For me, the word “law” always brings to mind piles of dusty legal briefs and lawyers making dry arguments before an unsmiling judge.  How could that possibly be more appealing than a big bowl of ice cream, or a piece of apple pie?!

 

Then, this past Sunday, we watched “Chocolat” – a movie which would provoke chocolate cravings in even the most devoted dieters.  As we watch the movie, though, we come to understand that the chocolate represents something more profound than physical appetite alone.  It represents the heart’s desire.  The movie argues that it is our desire which connects us to God.  Therefore our expression and fulfillment of desire are the only things God’s law requires of us.  God’s law – which calls us to love and freedom, healing and reconciliation, power and courage.  The very things we most want to be, the very things our heart calls us to be, that is what God’s law is trying to accomplish in us.

 

So it turns out that God’s law is really just an invitation to a great feast.  This holiday season may we be reminded of the blessings of that feast – as we relish the faithfulness of family and friends, as we sample the beauty of sparkling lights and snow, and as we drink in the warmth and hospitality of a crowded kitchen.  May we spend less time worrying about accomplishing a multitude of small tasks; and instead just remember to open our mouths, to receive the sweetness of God’s love-law, tasting it carefully and allowing it to slowly melt on our tongues.

 

 

Anna

 

 

 

Upcoming Wedding:

Rev. Anna Shirey will be returning to Alabama after Christmas to marry Clint Coffey. Clint is a Disciples Minister and he has been pastor of

a church in Alabama for the past 4 years.  He will be relocating to Wellsville in January.  We wish them the best as they start their new

life together.  Everyone is invited to a special celebration at Christian Temple on Sunday, January 5 to meet and congratulate Clint and Anna.

Daily Bible Reading Guide for December      

         First Sunday in Advent              16        Isaiah 62:1-12

1           Mark 13:24-37                      17        Jeremiah 31:1-14

2           Obadiah                                 18        Jeremiah 31:15-26

3      Malachi 3:1-18                      19        Joel 2:18-27

4      Malachi 4:1-6                        20        Micah 5:2-9

5      Ruth 4:1-22                            21        Luke 1:1-25

6      Nehemiah 8:1-12                      Fourth Sunday in Advent

7      Ester 9:18-32                         22        Luke 1:26-38

   Second Sunday in Advent          23        Luke 1:39-56

8      Isaiah 11:1-16                       24        Luke 1:57-80              

9      Isaiah 12:1-6                            Christmas Day

10    Zephaniah 3:8-20                  25        Luke 2:1-20

11     Zechariah 9:9-17                   26        Luke 2:21-40              

12     Psalm 24                                27        Hebrews 1:1-14

13     Psalm 48                                28        John 1:1-18

14     Isaiah 60:1-22                        29        Isaiah 9:1-7

   Third Sunday in Advent             30        Isaiah 52:1-12

15    Isaiah 61:1-11                       31        Isaiah 55:1-13

 

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WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

December 1 - 7           Isaiah 64:1-9                                       Psalms 80:1-7,17-19

1st Sunday in Advent   1 Corinthians 1:3-9                             Mark .31:24-37          

December 8 - 14         Isaiah 40:1-11                                    Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

2nd Sunday in Advent  2 Peter 3:8-15a                                   Mark 1:1-8                 

December 15 - 21       Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11                               Psalm 126

3rd Sunday in Advent   1 Thessalonians 5:16-24                    John 1:6-8,19-28        

December 22 - 28       2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16                            Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

4th Sunday in Advent   Romans 16:25-27                                Luke 1:26-38              

December 29- Jan 4   Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3                              Psalm 148

                                    Galatians 4:4-7                                   Luke 2:22-40                                                                                      

Please send Prayers for the following:  

Jack Darr                Marge Hand               Jake Strong           Martha Beach         

 

Memorial Received:                  In Memory of Ed Swarthout

                                             Given by Pat & Roland Smith and Donald & Sharon Barnes

 

Community (Soup) Kitchen:  Volunteers Needed!!!!!! see Robin Kellogg (593-4982). 

Poinsettias in the Sanctuary:  If you would like to place a Poinsettia in the sanctuary in memory of a loved one.  You can bring in your poinsettia anytime between now and Christmas Eve.  Be sure to give the information of who is giving the Poinsettia and whom it is in memory of to the church office so it can be included in the bulletin.

 

The Second Christmas Concert to benefit the Community Kitchen 
will take place on Saturday, December 21st at 7pm, 
featuring Sound Foundation and the CT chancel choir plus area soloists.  
There’s no charge for admission but a free will offering will be accepted.

Remembrance Boxes- The boxes and plants are delivered to our shut-ins as a holiday greeting from their family at Christian Temple.  If you can help with a monetary donation or help assemble the boxes on Saturday, December 7 see Hilda Fitch.  They will be delivered on Sunday, December 8.

 

Christmas Cards for your church family

can be deposited in the black divided

cabinet in the Narthex.

 

Worship Service

for

Sunday

December 15

 

Coffee Hour following worship

 

 

Join us for an afternoon of Christmas Caroling on

Sunday December 22 following worship. 

Bring a sack lunch to eat before heading out to sing.

Everyone is invited (children, youth and adults).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

December 24 @ 11 PM

CWF – Christian Women’s Fellowship Christmas Party –  We will  meet on Monday, December 2 @ 6 PM, at the Johnson Apartments Recreation Room.  Bring 2 dozen cookies and a gift for your secret pal.   A light dinner will be provided.

 

Coffee Hour Hostesses Needed:  Please sign up in the Narthex.

 

Worship Department Meeting – Tuesday, December 3 @ 7 PM

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Elders Meeting – Tuesday, December 17 @ 7 PM

 

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“Sunday Night at the Movies” will resume after the holidays.

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Penn York Camp – Winter Escape for ages 14-18 on January 10 – 12

                              Winter Breakaway for ages 11 – 13 on January 24 – 26

Pick up registration form in the Narthex – Register by December 21 for discount.

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World Needs

Christmas shopping can be an opportunity not only to give to those you love, but also to give to the greater world.  Purchase gifts from fair trade organizations, which promote social and economic justice for artisans in impoverished countries.  Our own Gift Shop carries items from SERRV, one such organization.  (You can find an even wider selection – including chocolate! – by checking out their website: www.serrv.org.)  If you like to shop in Rochester, check out the “One World Goods” shop in the Pittsford Plaza on 3349 Monroe Ave. – which carries items from Ten Thousand Villages (www.tenthousandvillages.ca) another fair trade organization.  Or you might get a little more creative, making a donation of a goat or a flock of chickens through Heifer International (www.heifer.org), which provide livestock for rural communities, helping them develop sustainable agriculture.  This Christmas let us fill our gift-giving with the spirit of the greatest Gift-Giver, who has blessed us abundantly, and who asks us to remember our kinship with each other and with the world.

 

CT Gift Shop Hours:  Thursday and Fridays from 11 AM to 4 PM

Sign up in the Narthex to work a 2 ½ hour shift.

The shop is in the process of “Going out of Business”

If you would like to visit the shop at another time – see Sue Johnson.

Note from Financial Secretary:  2003 Pledge Information –

29% of Pledges were returned      and     38% of those were increased

54% of the budget is covered with the Pledges received to date.

 

It’s not too late to return your 2003 pledge card and Time/Talent Sheet. 

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Stewardship Thought

Be a Participant – Not a Spectator

               Is the sole role of your church to serve you or are you suppose to provide service to your church?  Well, let us see if the Bible has an answer to this question.  How about the verse in Matthew 20:26-28, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.”  Or in John 12:26 we read, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

Jesus served us

               The lesson is quite clear that Jesus served us by dying on the cross for us and He asks us to serve others in return.  We are to live a life of serving because the Chief Servant has served us.  Service done at your church, in the community and in the world for the benefit of all of God’s creatures and creation is part of our total stewardship of life.  The use of talents, gifts and skills for the well being of others is a habit that leads to spiritual maturity.

The church serves you

               Your church serves you through its worship services and the many programs it provided for you and you in return are expected to reciprocate by participating in the operation of the church.  George Barna writes in his book “The Habits of Highly Effective Churches” that “Highly effective churches agree that ministry is not the domain of spectators; it must be populated by activists.  Rather than allow people to simply come, watch and give money at ministry events, great churches make it clear that you cannot be part of the real church unless you gat involved.”

We serve the church

               Churches have a myriad of opportunities for involvement.  There is something for everyone.  There is a job for everyone for we all have God given gifts (Romans 12:6-8) that can be put to work.  I agree with George Barna’s comment that “To be a part of church, you must be involved for then there is no uncertainty about expectations nor any value associated with “Spectator Christianity.”

               Don’t be a spectator; use your gifts to provide a service to your church! 

                                                                                                                          -W. Wassweiler

 

Board of Church Extension Loan Balance as of 9/1/02     $5,308.12

 

Memorial Fund: Building Fund (Debt Retirement)   The Chicken BBQ profit

was designated to help make the loan payments each month. ($1990.54)

                                                            Balance as of 9/1/02    2,250.74

Monthly Payment $504.00

 

Our Goal is to have the loan repaid early in 2003.  If you would like to give a donation please send it to the church designated for the Building Loan Payment.

 

RECAP: $25,000 was borrowed from the Board of Church Extension in November 1998 to make improvements to the church & Parsonage.  We installed the pew cushions, bought the multimedia projector & screen, and replaced the outdated mimeograph machine in the office with a digital duplicator.  This is similar to a copier but costs a lot less to make greater quantities of copies, for the bulletin and newsletter.  We refurbished our Chapel with paint and new furniture.   We also installed a chimney insert in the Parsonage fireplace. Several other small projects were completed also.

 

 

FLOWER CHART for 2002

in the Narthex – on the bulletin board.

If you would like to place flowers in the sanctuary for an event or in memory of someone, please sign up under the appropriate Sunday.  Use the envelope next to the chart to give your $18 donation on that Sunday.

 

 

 

Thank you to those who have made special donations to help cover the heating bills.

Donations Received to Date for 2002: $156.00         (Grand Total $3,207.00)

 

 

National Fuel Bill Information: Monthly Payment $438.00

 

April Bill Used (YTD) --- $3266.65        Charge for March  $618.85

                    Paid  (YTD)---   $2451.00

Balance owed      --- ($815.65)                                   Balancing Month – December