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Crossing Boundaries: The Budget & Finance Committee asks that you prayerfully consider your contributions for the coming year. If you haven’t done so already, please return your 2020 Estimate of Giving card this Sunday via the offering plate, the church office. Please also return your “Opportunities to Serve” form. Cards and forms will be available on Sunday if you did not receive them. Thank you for your continued support of God’s mission through the church.
First Sunday of Advent - Sunday, December 1, 2019
Bible Study – 8:15 a.m.
Worship – 9:30 a.m.
Childcare is available for infants through preschool age, downstairs in Rooms 4 and 5
Children & Youth Sunday School – after worship
Bible Study Seminar, Session 2 – 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel
Communion at Clark-Lindsey – 1:30 p.m.
“Protection,” by Einar Jonsson, in Reykjavik, Iceland
The sculpture by Einar Jonsson beautifully conveys the promise of the scriptures for the First Sunday of Advent. Isaiah imagined swords turned into plowshares and spears turned into pruning hooks. He hoped for a time when we would not make war anymore. Then Jesus describes the need for his disciples to be ever vigilant, ready for the time of his appearing. By remaining vigilant, he assures us that we will be ready. Readiness. Peace. Protection. We long for these things. The challenge for disciples is this: we must long for these things for everyone, and work for them for everyone. “As you did it for these least of these my sisters and brothers, you have done it for me.” Join us on Sunday as we hear the comfort and the challenge of Advent faith.
Pastor David
Mission Giving at First Pres Seminar Series: 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel.
November 24 and December 8. Members of the Mission Committee will share details and insights about the different groups supported by First Pres Urbana mission funds and how we decide on levels of giving.
Tomorrow, Sunday, November 24, we'll paint a big picture of mission giving by discussing our Christmas Offering--supporting benevolence and local mission, Alternative Gifts--supporting our Malawi Partnership, Thrift Shop mission and other outreach mission funds that are part of our church budget.
Sunday, December 8, we will be joined by a representative of empty tomb, inc. to talk about their community work providing assistance to local people in need. First Pres Urbana donated 2019 benevolence funds to empty tomb to support weekly assistance referral calls.
2019 Advent Devotional and Book:
There are two options to choose from this year. First, for a daily devotional, we will have copies of “Straw for the Manger: Creating a Matthew 25 Advent Season,” published by Presbyterians Today. For those who might be interested in a more in-depth study, we will feature a book by Cynthia M. Campbell, Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes. With beautiful illustrations from architect Kevin Burns, she re-imagines each of the four Gospels as a “house,” which the church visits at Christmas. In each section, Cynthia M. Campbell reflects on the distinctive perspective of the birth of Jesus or the incarnation offered by each Gospel. Copies are available in the Office. Please let the office know if you would like to take part in this reading and discussion, which will be with Pastor David in the December 15 Adult Seminar.
