John Calvin Presbyterian Church

CLOTHING DRIVE: We are doing a clothing drive for Program of Hope. We are looking only for these specific items: men’s t-shirts and sweatshirts size XL or larger, men’s pants, and men’s shoes. We will be collecting clothing until Jan 31st when we will have a sorting party. 

PROGRAM OF HOPE: We will be making lunches and serving at Program of Hope in February. Please join us on February 6th, 12th, 20th and 27th at 2:00 PM to make sandwiches and assemble lunch bags. Then join us on Wednesdays in February at First Presbyterian Church to serve at Program of Hope. See Sue, Richard, or Sharon for more details.

PROJECT REGENERATION: The session and Deacons will be engaging in a discussion with the Presbyterian Foundation using the book ‘Sailboat Church.’ If you are interested in this discussion or would like to read along with us, please let Aaron know. The first meeting will be on January 23rd.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: We will have a congregational meeting on February 4th to elect new Elders.

DEVOTIONALS FOR LENT AND EASTER: Get yourself ready for Lent by ordering your devotional now. Here is this week’s suggestion: Pause: Spending Lent with the Psalms by Elizabeth F. Caldwell. The season of Lent encourages Christians to consider a different pace—one of slowing down, noticing, pausing—than what our dominant culture values. The invitation to pause with the Psalms begins on Ash Wednesday, starting with a mark of ashes on our foreheads that reminds us that in spite of our failures—things we have done or failed to do—we belong to God. Readers are then guided into an exploration of Psalm 51 and the theme of a clean heart. Each chapter helps readers to connect an image drawn from that psalm, such as paths, faces, blessing, tables, waiting, thanksgiving, listening, being alone or abandoned, and hands, with their own lives. At the close of each chapter, readers are invited to try a different prayer practice to help them continue to reflect on the theme and psalm each day. This intentional engagement—without feeling burdensome—opens just enough space and time for a creative spiritual practice to flourish, sustaining the life of faith during the Lenten season in ways that can make a difference in God’s world.

CANTATA REHEARSALS COMING SOON: Would you like to be a part of the choir but can’t committee long term. Then joining us for the Palm Sunday Cantata is the perfect solution. Join us Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM starting February 7th. There will not be a rehearsal on Ash Wednesday. The Cantata will be on March 24th at the 10:30 Worship Service with a dress rehearsal on March 23rd. 

MONTHLY FOOD PANTRY DONATION: Each month we are asking you to Donate one or two items to the food pantry each week. This month we are asking for Proteins including canned chicken, tuna, SpaghettiOs pasta, pasta sauce, and soups. If you prefer to donate a small amount of money just mark it for the food pantry and we will shop for you.

CALENDAR:

1/22 – 9:00 AM – Bible Time for 3’s in their classroom 

          1:00 PM – Staff Meeting 

1/23 – 9:30 AM – Bible Time 4’s and 5’s 

1/25 – 10:00 AM – Game Day 

1/28 – 9:15 AM – Adult Sunday School 

          9:30 AM – Youth Fellowship time 

         10:15 AM – Choir Warm-up 

         10:30 AM – Worship Service with offering for Evergreen 

• Children’s Church 

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL: Join us on Sunday Mornings at 9:15 AM for Adult Sunday School. Relationships are often difficult; and so is forgiveness. How do we deal with broken relationships? How can we forgive? As we explore the story of the prodigal son, we will explore the Bible’s advice on healing broken relationships.

PROJECT REGENERATION: The session and Deacons will be engaging in a discussion with the Presbyterian Foundation using the book ‘Sailboat Church.’ If you are interested in this discussion or would like to read along with us, please let Aaron know.  

PLAYSCHOOL FUNDRAISER: It’s time for the playschool Little Caesar Fundraiser. Grab a brochure from the table in the narthex, with instructions. Then order some delicious treats. 

CHOIR RETURNS: The choir starts weekly rehearsals again today! Join us after the service until 1 pm for rehearsal. The choir will return to services on January 28th. 

DEVOTIONALS FOR LENT AND EASTER: Get yourself ready for Lent by ordering your devotional now. Here is this week’s suggestion: Lent of Liberation: Confronting the Legacy of American Slavery by Cheri L. Mills. This Lenten devotional invites readers to learn more about the brutal institution of slavery and its impact on Black people in America and recognize how its evolution and legacy continue to harm their descendants in the United States today. Each of the forty devotions includes the testimony of a person who escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad, a Scripture passage, and a reflection connecting biblical and historical themes to challenge modern readers to work for liberation. Reflecting on Lenten themes of exodus, redemption, discipline, and repentance, readers, both Black and White, will be empowered for the work of racial justice.

CLOTHING DRIVE: We are doing a clothing drive for Program of Hope. We are looking only for these specific items: men’s t-shirts and sweatshirts size XL or larger, men’s pants, and men’s shoes. We will be collecting clothing until Jan 31st when we will have a sorting party. 

ZOOM BOOK STUDY: We plan on continuing the weekly Zoom book studies after the new year. Please fill out the form in the bulletin to let us know your preferences for the start date and book to study. The study will remain on Thursdays from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. 

DEVOTIONALS FOR THE NEW YEAR: Start the new year off right, now is a great time to order your devotional for 2024. Here is this week’s suggestion: Seeking Aliveness: Daily Reflections on a New Way to Experience and Practice the Christian Faith By Brian McLaren “The quest for aliveness is the heartbeat that pulses through the Bible . . . It’s why we gather, celebrate, eat, abstain, attend, practice, sing, and contemplate.”

Based on his book We Make The Road By Walking, Brian D. McLaren presents a 52-week devotional to inspire and activate you in your spiritual journey. If you’re a seeker exploring Christianity, if you’re a long-term believer feeling downtrodden, if your faith seems to be a lot of talk without much practice, here you’ll find a reorientation from a fresh and healthy perspective.

Brian D. McLaren shows everything you need to explore what a difference an honest, living, growing faith can make in your life and in our world today. Through 52 weeks of thoughtful readings, SEEKING ALIVENESS gives an overview of the message of the whole Bible and guides you through a rich study of interactive learning and personal growth.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING: God has blessed the Church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. This Offering addresses the support needed by some of our leaders, including supporting leadership development for communities of color and providing support for Presbyterian church workers in their time of need. Please use the envelopes provided for your donation. 

ZOOM BOOK STUDY: We plan on continuing the weekly Zoom book studies after the new year. Please fill out the form in the bulletin to let us know your preferences for the start date and book to study. The study will remain on Thursdays from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. 

CHURCH AUCTION!! Thanks to everyone who participated in the Auction, we raised around $900. 

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING: God has blessed the Church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. This Offering addresses the support needed by some of our leaders, including supporting leadership development for communities of color, and providing support for Presbyterian church workers in their time of need. Please use the envelops provided for your donation. 

CAROLS IN THE COURTYARD: Join us in the courtyard to sing carols and enjoy your beverage of choice. This is a BYOB event, wine and beer, or any non alcoholic beverage you choose. 

ZOOM BOOK STUDY CONTINUES: We plan on continuing the weekly zoom book studies after the new year. Please fill out the form in the bulletin to let us know your preferences for start date and book to study. The study will remain on Thursdays from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. 

DEVOTIONALS FOR THE NEW YEAR: Start the new year off right, now is a great time to order your devotional for 2024. Here is this week’s suggestion:The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio (Author), Tama Fortner Nicola Anderson (Illustrator) Well-known for his powerful and highly visual messages about science and the Bible, Louie Giglio has a passion for inspiring kids to notice, enjoy, and marvel at God’s creation. In The Wonder of Creation, children will find new delight in God’s creativity with 100 devotions that explore:animals, space, people, Earth, and much, much more!

With engaging illustrations and striking photography, this fun and informative book is ideal for children ages 6–10. Each of the 100 devotions features a scientific fact or an easy activity for exploring faith, a short Bible verse, and a closing prayer. As kids explore this awe-inspiring devotional, they’ll be amazed at the many wonders God has made!

• Family and friends of Rose Klimick, friend of the Ocharts
• Mark and Nadica Hillman, a former supervisor of Bill B, who were in a serious auto accident. Mark’s father is doing poorly. 
• Elizabeth Campbell, daughter of Bill B’s friend, recently lost her husband and is taking care of her four children and estate processes.
• Anita and family, part of Ashley Marler’s extended family, who was in a car accident and is in ICU. Also for her daughter, son in law, and their children. 
• For Tristen and her family, friends of Ashley Marler still trying to restore home after Ida. 

November 26th

• An unspoken request.
• Provision and guidance as the Mayfields fix up their new home, (also prayers for a lawn mower)
• The nephew of Mr. Ed, having health issues

November 19th 

• Juanita Dugas, recovering from eye surgery
• Loretta and Bob Roth, friends of Emily Garland.  Loretta is battling brain cancer and Bob was rushed to the hospital yesterday morning and is in CCU diagnosed with stage 2 Sepsis. 
• Gale Sparazza and her family, friends of the Ocharts. 

November 12th 

• Matt and Jenny, friends of the Ocharts
• Ann O’Hara, grandmother of Kelly Cuppett, has just been diagnosed with leukemia. 
• Roger Harper, a Friend of Linda Lowry, who is struggling with pneumonia. 
• Family and friends of Linda Nakamoto, a friend of Palermos, who passed away. Their sons have been friends since elementary school. 

November 5th

• The 2024 Pledge Campaign “Saved to Serve”
• Ryland Smith (20-month-old) recovering from RSV, and family.
• Curtis, son of Ernie and Dennis, is having shoulder surgery on November 7th. 

CONTINUING PRAYERS FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH HEALTH ISSUES: Zoe Gurdy, Teddy Brock, Ernest and Patricia Ellis, Neil Freudenthal,  Buddy Haw, Tony Hill, Tom Moore, Wayne Tracy, Bob Wooderson, David Russo, and others struggling with health issues.

 Announcements:

CHURCH AUCTION!!  Our Church Auction is live. Here is the link: https://www.32auctions.com/JCPChurch You all have donated so many wonderful items. Now we need people to buy them. Don’t forget to share the link or use the flyers we have provided to invite your friends and family. On Facebook go to John Calvin Presbyterian Church’s Facebook page and share the Auction post to your feed. Also don’t forget we also need volunteers to staff our drop-off days and times and pick-up days and times. So if you have available on the 15th or 16th of Dec. please talk with Sue. 

ALL CHURCH GATHERING OPPORTUNITY: Do you want to see a full solar eclipse and fellowship with your church members and other Presbyterians at the same time? We have a great opportunity to join Presbyterians from all over the country in Little Rock AR for an Intergenerational Creation Care Event culminating with the total solar eclipse at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center. Please see the insert for more information. You can register with this link https://bit.ly/creationcareevent2024. We are asking everyone to register on their own, so you can select the accommodations that best suit your family. Then let us know that you will be attending. We hope that families and individuals of all ages will join together for this wonderful all-church event. 

DEVOTIONALS FOR THE NEW YEAR: Start the new year off right, now is a great time to order your devotional for 2024. Here is this week’s suggestion: The Upper Room Disciplines 2024: A Book of Daily Devotions. Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, a three-year cycle of Sunday scripture readings, Disciplines features: a focal scripture passage for each day, short daily meditations from 53 thought leaders from diverse Christian traditions, a reflection or prayer to carry with you each day, weekly scripture overviews, an index of scripture readings, and a guide to daily prayer.

POINSETTIAS: Please fill out the form in the bulletin and place it in the offering plate by December 10th.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Mark your calendar for Dec. 10th to join us for the Annual Christmas Cantata and the Luncheon to follow. 

ALL CHURCH GATHERING OPPORTUNITY: Do you want to see a full solar eclipse and fellowship with your church members and other Presbyterians at the same time? We have a great opportunity to join Presbyterians from all over the country in Little Rock AK for an Intergenerational Creation Care Event culminating with the total solar eclipse at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center. Please see the insert for more information. You can register with this link https://bit.ly/creationcareevent2024. We are asking everyone to register on their own, so you can select the accommodations that best suit your family. Then let us know that you will be attending. We hope that families and individuals of all ages will join together for this wonderful all-church event. 

ADVENT DEVOTIONALS: Now is a great time to get your advent devotional ordered. Here is this week’s suggestion: Rise Up Shepherd! Advent Reflections on the Spirituals By Luke A. Powery. Valuable not only for their sublime musical expression, the African-American spirituals give us profound insights into the human condition and the Christian life. Many focus on an essential scene of the Christian drama: the coming of God as the child in Bethlehem as the hope of the world and the liberator of God’s oppressed people.

In these devotions for the season of Advent, Luke Powery leads the reader through the spirituals as they confront the mystery of incarnation and redemption. In Rise Up, Shepherd, each devotion features the lyrics of the spiritual, a reflection on the spiritual’s meaning, a Scripture verse, and a brief prayer.

ZOOM ADVENT BIBLE STUDY: Join us each Thursday evening in December at 6:00 PM for a special Zoom Bible Study for Advent. We will be studying the book: Holy Disruption. Holy Disruption presents a fresh understanding of the holiness of Christmas grounded, not in a conventional cozy Christmas message, but through Mark’s disquieting gospel which invites its readers to experience God’s disruptive but transformative love for us and our world. Each week a different teacher will walk us through one of the four advent lessons.You can purchase the book on the PCUSA store or Amazon. If you need a quick Zoom tutorial or refresher prior to the start of the Bible study let Louise or Pastor Aaron know and we will get you set up. 

PLAYSCHOOL HAPPENING AND FUNDRAISERS: Join us on Nov. 29th for a fundraiser. Eat at Reginelli’s between 11:00 am – 9:00 PM and they will donate 10% of your order when you mention the playschool.

POINSETTIAS: Please fill out the form in the bulletin and place it in the offering plate by December 10th.

1. Coat drive Nov. 2nd – 17th Drop coats of outside the playschool office
2. Nov. 29th Reginelli’s fundraiser. Eat at Reginelli’s between 11:00 am – 9:00 PM and they will donate 10% of your order when you mention the playschool

As bestselling author Dandi Mackall reflects on the events and lives of these Three Wise Women, she encourages you to: Delve deeper into what these real-life women may have experienced. Ponder a new aspect of the journey toward Christ’s birth and beyond through the voices of Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna. Meditate on Old and New Testament Scriptures that speak to women’s hearts across generations and cultures. Grow closer to God through insightful devotional readings about Patience, Hope, Faith, Trust, Persistence, Sacrifice, Joy, Grace, Love, Confidence, and more. Reflect on your own life using the daily “Pondering Questions,” as you see the story of Jesus’ birth afresh through the eyes of faithful women. (If you would like to see all the recommendations for this month check out the new reading recommendations tab on our website.) 

CHURCH AUCTION COMING UP!! We are planning an online only auction to raise money for the church and we need your donations. We are looking for good quality furniture, vintage items, gift baskets, gifts cards, and other high value items to auction off for the church. Look through your house and see what treasures you are willing to part with. Items need to have a minimum value of $25. Take up to four pictures, send them to Louise (via email) along with a detailed description and we will get it on the website ready for a buyer to find that special item. If your items have any scratches or defects please make sure to snap a picture of that and put it in the description. Items will not be brought to the church until the auction has closed and your items have been purchased. Have questions? Talk with Sue or Louise. Don’t have an item that’s okay. We will be sending the link for the auction and will need you to share it with all your friends, family, and social media outlets. 

PLEDGE DRIVE: The Annual Pledge drive is this month. Be on the lookout for your pledge letter and card in the mail. Please send in your pledge card by November 5th, even if you are unable to pledge at this time. As of Friday we have $132,000 pledged. Turn in your pledge card today and help us get to our goal of $225,000.  

ANGEL TREE: Every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year. So grab a tag off the tree on Nov. 12th, shop for your child, and  return gifts to the church by Dec. 3rd. You can do this on your own or team up with a friend. We even have elves willing to do the shopping for you if you prefer to make a monetary contribution instead of shopping.  More information can be found on the tag and the attached information sheet, when you take one off the tree. 

FOOD DRIVE: Thank you to all who participated in the Fall Food Drive.  Twenty boxes of food were delivered to Jefferson Presbyterian Food Bank. These items will be distributed to over a hundred families who participate in their food program. This food bank is a USDA approved food distribution site which is open on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Our donation was much appreciated by the church.

HELPING HANDS: We could use a few hands to help get down the Christmas decorations and set up the Christmas tree on Nov. 19th after the church service. 

PLAYSCHOOL HAPPENING AND FUNDRAISERS: See the bulletin board for more information on any of the items bellow. 

1. Coat drive Nov. 2nd – 17th Drop coats of outside the playschool office
2. Kendra Scott fundraiser Nov. 8th and 9th. Shop online and in-store and 20% of your purchase will benefit the playschool. Use code GIVEBACK-EXYTR online or mention it at checkout in-store. 
3. Nov. 29th Reginelli’s fundraiser. Eat at Reginelli’s between 11:00 am – 9:00 PM and they will donate 10% of your order when you mention the playschool.