Sunday Morning Adult Study Class—Our current six-week study of Galatians based on Timothy Keller's materials has included lively discussions about the role of “works” with regard to salvation, great theological teaching about justification, and close looks at the image and significance of being adopted by God as sons and heirs.  Join us for our last three sessions of this study.  The Adult Study class meets at 8:30 AM in the library on Sunday mornings.

From February 26 through April 1 (the duration of the Lenten season), the adult study class will return to the Kerygma Hallelujah: Advent curriculum. We will focus on the biblical texts of the Messiah and the story they tell of the life and message of Christ. 

Join us for our Sunday morning Adult Study offerings for the 2011-2012 year.  You will find a nice selection of Bible studies, one New Testament book; the Kerygma Hallelujah study for Lent; and the Visual Bible International production of the Gospel of John narrated by Christopher Plummer (DVD) just to mention a few.
 

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Adult Study—Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM in the library

January 8-February 19

Timothy Keller's Galatians

February 26-April 1

Kerygma Hallelujah: Lent

April 15-June 3

DVD-Gospel of John and a variety of engaging short studies

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Ongoing small groups:   If you are not currently participating in a small group, you might be interested in one of our ongoing small groups listed below!

Men's Book Group—1st/3rd Monday 7-8 PM (What Good is God, Phillip Yancy) at the church…see Walter Winfield
Women's Group—Thursday 10:00-11:30 AM (Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster) in the church library…see Robin Scott
Men's Group—Thursday at 6:00 AM at the Lebens' home…see Mick Lebens

Monday Women’s Book Study…evening study and dinner at The Odyssey Café—Monday at 5:30 PM (New Testament in-depth study: Hebrews)…see Joanne Breffle or Anne Spohnhauer

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ACE Committee meetings are the second Sunday of the month. The next ACE meeting is on Sunday, February 12 shortly after church.  If you are interested in the spiritual development of the adults in our congregation and would like to become a member of this committee, please contact Anne Spohnhauer.

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Just a word to say “thank you” for the catching up on pledges at the end of the year.  We were getting behind to a point that we were starting to get concerned…but at the end of the year, pledge giving was at virtually 100%!   In a time when income is less predictable, I am grateful for your commitment and generosity.  And that is especially so when some other areas of income are less than anticipated. 

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Nominating Committee is underway.  We have a terrific committee and look forward to bringing on a new group of Elders and Deacons.  You can help by suggesting names of people you think would be potential candidates for serving in leadership (Elders) or in our parish caring ministry (Deacons).  Use the form in this issue of the Templetones and place it in the box in the Narthex or send it to the church, attention Evan Mason, who is the moderator of the Nominating Committee.

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As many of you know, especially if you were in worship on January 22, Joda Harrington died and went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 17.  Had she lived until August 26 she would have celebrated her 50^th year as an active member of this congregation.  We look forward to celebrating her life as a witness to the resurrection of Christ, and of all those in Christ, on Saturday, February 11 at 11am.   Joda’s membership spanned almost 40% of the total number of years this church has been in existence – 125 years come this May 8.  As I indicated in this column last month, we will celebrate that history, as well as this moment in that history as we seek to be faithful to the vision of Rev. Francis Robinson and the 14 charter members who signed the membership roll on that day.  Please reserve the weekend of May 5-6 for some special times of commemoration and celebration.

Faithfully,

I think our church was one of the big “hits” at Templeton’s first A Main Street Christmas, with cake pops and popcorn on the corner of 6^th and Main for all who passed by (and plenty did), as well as a community-participation handbell and chime choir songfest.  It was a delight to see people get up out of the pews and make music in a way they never had before.  Especially touching was what appeared to be a mother and her adult child with apparent development disability issues ringing together and having a marvelous time.

I don’t think anyone left the sanctuary on December 11 who wasn’t blessed by the Faith Factory presentation of Miracle on Main Street.  It was obvious that the children and adults had worked hard to prepare a musical for the worship experience of the whole church, which is a blessing in itself, but the experience was magnified by the message itself.  It was a moment in which we were presented with the truth of the gospel through the singing and acting and speaking of those whom Jesus commanded that we give full access to Him – the children. 

Our Living Nativity enjoyed what I believe was our most successful year to date, both in terms of attendance (over 700), in terms of animals (2 sheep, a donkey Mary could ride, and…drumroll please…a camel!), and in terms of congregation and community involvement.  I’ve already reserved the camel for next year. J 

Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services were well-attended and allowed options for people to choose both the time and type of service that would best facilitate their celebration of the birth of Christ.  I was glad that people took “come as you are” seriously, and children were free to come in their pajamas, and adults in their furry slippers.  A personal thank-you to those who were brave enough to recite portions of Luke 2:1-20 for our scripture reading on Christmas Day. 

These events were beautifully surrounded by Sunday morning worship services, Advent at Night, numerous fellowship gatherings (i.e. parties) of various ministry groups, and probably most important of all – the love within each and every family of the church as we lived this season together in our homes, sharing in the traditions, rituals and everyday life that makes Advent and Christmas the special time it is.

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The year 2012 is a special year.  Not just because it is the last year on the Mayan Calendar (get ready for a slew of doomsday scenarios), but because 125 years ago our church was founded.  In our official church records, we read these words,

“…on May 8^th, 1887, the First Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. Francis J. Robinson
with fourteen (14) members whose names appear upon the roll.”

One Hundred and Twenty-Five years is worth celebrating, so we plan to do that.  We have set aside the weekend of May 5-6 (Sat-Sun) to celebrate 125 years God’s faithfulness…125 years of persevering stewardship of the Presbyterian portion of the body of Christ in Templeton…AND this particular moment in time in which God has entrusted the current and future mission of this congregation into our hands – those whom God has called together at this time to be church on 6^th and Main.  I hope you will all set aside Saturday and Sunday (Sunday especially) to be a part of what will take place on those days.  More details will be forthcoming soon.  We are forming a Task Force to help plan the May events, and would welcome anyone who would like to participate.  Please speak to me or Walt Winfield if you are interested. 

As we enjoyed a long and rich past … may this year be full of new signs of the kingdom of God among us – signs of love and power and grace and growth…signs of the presence of God in Christ Jesus through the work of the Spirit – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen!

Faithfully,

Charlie

Sunday Morning Adult Study Class—Think back to the last time you attended a performance or listened to a recording of Handel's Messiah…because of the magnificence of the music itself, we are often distracted from following the libretto or text used in this oratorio.  For the four weeks of Advent, our class will focus on the biblical text of the Messiah beginning with Isaiah chapter 40.  The Kerygma Hallelujah: Advent curriculum, which includes the London Symphony's recording, will provide us with historical contexts and encourage our personal reflection.  We will conclude this study of the Messiah during six Sundays in Lent.  The Adult Study class meets at 8:30 AM in the library on Sunday mornings.

Be on the look-out for the next time Ray Derby teaches a class; he just concluded an information-packed, three-Sunday study of the Old Testament book Micah…he is exceptionally well prepared, thorough, and knowledgeable!

The Women's Retreat on November 12 was delightful!  We studied Matthew 25:1-13, the ten maidens and the bridegroom, and realized that this text, which on the surface reminds us that we need to be prepared and patient while waiting for the Lord to come (along with other long-awaited events), really speaks to us (the five prepared maidens) about the presence of the Holy Spirit (the oil) in our lives (lamps) who will hold the door to the banquet feast open for us.  Thanks to the great organization and instructions of Nancy Hutchison, we made beautiful Advent wreaths!  There are several bags of everything you need to make a wreath still in the fellowship hall…cost is $10.  Our lunch and desserts were wonderful also.  Thanks to all who diligently worked to make this happen and all who attended.

Join us for our Sunday morning Adult Study offerings for the 2011-2012 year.  You will find a nice selection of Bible studies, one New Testament book; the Kerygma Hallelujah study for Advent and Lent; and the Visual Bible International production of the Gospel of John narrated by Christopher Plummer (DVD) just to mention a few. 

Adult Study—Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM in the library

November 27-December 18

Kerygma Hallelujah: Advent

January 8-February 19

Timothy Keller's Galatians

February 26-April 1

Kerygma Hallelujah: Lent

April 15-June 3

DVD-Gospel of John and a variety of engaging short studies

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If you are not currently participating in a small group, you might be interested in one of our ongoing small groups listed below!

Ongoing small groups:  

Men's Book Group—1st/3rd Monday 7-8 PM (Saved Without a Doubt, John Macarthur, beginning December 19) at the church…see Walter Winfield
Women's Group—Thursday 10:00-11:30 AM (Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster) in the library…see Robin Scott

Men's Group—Thursday at 6:30 AM …see Mick Lebens

Monday Women’s Book Study…evening study and dinner at The Odyssey Café—Monday at 5:30 PM (New Testament in-depth study: Hebrews)…see Joanne Breffle or Anne Spohnhauer

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ACE Committee meetings are the second Sunday of the month. The next ACE meeting is on Sunday, December 11 shortly after church.  If you are interested in the spiritual development of the adults in our congregation and would like to become a member of this committee, please contact Anne Spohnhauer.

Christ, Culture and the Church – Oct. 23
Sola Scriptura – November 6
And God said, “YES” … and “No” – November 13
And God said, “YES” … and “No”, Part 2 (The Practice of Homosexuality) – November 20
Also, I encourage you to pick up the article, “Homosexuality and the Church – Moving through and Beyond the Debate”, published in Theology Matters.  Both the CDs and article are available in the Narthex and Butler Hall.

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One action the Session has taken in response to denominational decisions is to review its policy with regard to per capita payments to the General Assembly.  Per Capita is the annual assessment to each congregation that pays for the administrative costs necessary to run the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly.  It is not money that goes to mission, at least not directly, but to administration and overhead.  Each year we publish what that amount is and invite members to pay it separately (over and above) from their annual pledge.  Because we have made a commitment in the past to pay the entire amount regardless of how much we receive from individuals, we include about 50% of the total in the budget.  That means if anyone does not pay it, for whatever reason, we pay for it out of the General Mission budget.  Based on conversations with members and the conviction of the elders, Session voted to change that policy with regard to the General Assembly portion ($6.63 for 2012). 
It became clear that many people were uncomfortable contributing to the General Assembly given the current departure by the denomination from scriptural authority.  They were also concerned that if they chose to pay only the per capita for Presbytery and Synod, the church would go ahead and pay it anyway, using General Mission budget money.  The Session was very sympathetic to that concern, and after much discussion, voted to no longer pay the GA per capita portion for all who, for whatever reason, do not pay it themselves.  We will explain how this will work in more detail once we actually get into 2012, as well as publicize all the per capita amounts for Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly.

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Some exciting IMPACT news – Miriam Lomelino will be going to Haiti in January as the doctor in residence.  In September the IMPACT Council was concerned we would not have an M.D. as part of the team, so the Council was charged with finding a doctor.  I spoke with Miriam at the Church Picnic, and after much prayer and conversation with her family, she felt God was leading her to go.  More details about Miriam’s trip are in the Missions article on page 7, including information on how to support her financially if you so desire.

Faithfully,

Charlie

Men…a Men's Ministry Team is forming for the purpose of planning men's retreats and various other activities.  This subcommittee of ACE will meet as needed to plan the May men's retreat.  If you are interested in serving on this team, please attend the brief Sunday, November 6 meeting in the library right after church. 

Sunday Morning Adult Study Class…the three week November study will be a Bible study on Micah, the Old Testament book of prophesy.  Our teacher will be Ray Derby who is always very well prepared, thorough, and thought provoking! 

Join us for our Sunday morning Adult Study offerings for the 2011-2012 year.  You will find a nice selection of Bible studies, one Old and one New Testament book; the Kerygma Hallelujah study for Advent and Lent; and the Visual Bible International production of the Gospel of John narrated by Christopher Plummer (DVD) just to mention a few. 

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Adult Study Classes 2011-2012

November 6-November 20

Old Testament Prophet Introduction Micah—Ray Derby

November 27-December 18

Kerygma Hallelujah: Advent

January 8-February 19

Timothy Keller's Galatians

February 26-April 1

Kerygma Hallelujah: Lent

April 15-June 3

DVD-Gospel of John and a variety of engaging short studies

____________________

If you are not currently participating in a small group, you might be interested in one of our ongoing small groups listed below!

Ongoing small groups:  

Men's Book Group—1st/3rd Monday 7-8 PM (What Good is God, Phillip Yancy) at the church…see Walter Winfield

Women's Group—Thursday 10:00-11:30 AM in the church library…see Robin Scott

Men's Group—Thursday at 7:00 AM at the church…see Mic Lebens

Monday Women’s Book Study…evening study and dinner at The Odyssey Café—Monday at 5:30 PM ("Is Hell for Real or Does Everyone Go to Heaven")…see Joanne Breffle or Anne Spohnhauer

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ACE Committee meetings are the second Sunday of the month. However, since the Women’s Retreat is on November 12, the November 13th ACE meeting will be canceled.  If you are interested in the spiritual development of the adults in our congregation and would like to become a member of this committee, please contact Anne Spohnhauer.

             …Great time together at the All-Church Retreat this past weekend!  It was good for me to get to spend the whole weekend out at the camp this year.  Wish I could be in two places at once, though!  Congrats to Ric Gahm and Trago Wallace as our Horseshoe Tournament champions, edging out the team of Dean Woodruff and Charlie Little, 6-5, in a time-shortened finale.  We had some pretty awesome hoe-downers dancing up a storm to the Texas Star and Virginia Reel, though in some cases it did resemble a bit of orchestrated chaos!  Still, a good time was had by all… even for little Dexter Wallace who spent the entire time suspended in mom Leslie’s baby sling.  The Jellyfish grabbed a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the San Francisco Dodgers (don’t ask!), 19-18.  It would have ended in a tie were it not for a critical Easton Weir RBI in the top of the last inning.  The play of the game, however, was a charging shoe-string catch of a Robert White screaming line drive by Elizabeth Magie, worthy of one of those ESPN defensive gem replays.  We had a wonderful turnout and mix of all ages, and hope to see even more out next year!

…I appreciated the conversations we had on Sunday the 23^rd following my first sermon dealing with the current changes in our constitution with the passage of Amendment 10-A.  Most of the questions and concerns related to what our future relationship to the PCUSA might be.  There were some concerns regarding contributing financially in good conscience to something that does not align with one’s beliefs.  Session is currently discussing our current per capita contribution policy as part of our response as a congregation.  Session also approved funding to pay for my attendance at the Fellowship of Presbyterians’ conference in Orlando in January.  If you did not attend worship on October 23^rd, I encourage you to get a copy of the sermon CD, as that sets the foundation for what this means and does not mean for us as a congregation.

…Thank you for all the responses to the Outreach Feedback form. We received 63 responses.  Assuming that they represented families and not just individuals, we estimated that it represents a majority of those active in the congregation.  The results were interesting and illuminating.  For example, we learned that:

+ Only one sheet marked “Wouldn’t be here” if they hadn’t received the card, 3 said it was important, and 14 said it helped influence their decision to attend here.

+ Only one sheet marked Living Nativity as the time of their first visit, 3 marked Christmas Eve and 3 marked Easter.  So, after 3 years of Christmas/Easter mailings, only 7 are here after a visit during those times. 

+ 53 marked “Regular Sunday” as their first visit, by far the highest category.

+ In the “PRIMARY MOTIVE” section, the highest category marked was “Presbyterian” (29), with “Templeton” next (18), “People I knew” (14), and “Heard about ministry” (10).  “Cute building” actually got 7 – so kudos to the building committee that “built” the new sanctuary and CE building!

SO…what does all that mean?  Though we’ve had some positive results from the mailings, it is questionable if  our money is best allocated there.  With “Regular Sunday” as the highest response at 53 and the Christmas and Easter seasons combined only at 7, our advertising dollars may best be spent locally throughout the year.  This Christmas instead of mailing 15,000 cards, we are purchasing 2,500 cards for selective mailing, handouts during Christmas on Main St., distributing to businesses in Templeton, and making available to the congregation to personally give to friends as part of an invitation to attend something at our church during Advent and Christmas.  We’re also purchasing banners that match the postcard design for displaying on the front lawn, all of which, in the end, will save us over $2,000. 

…Heads up on our participation in the Templeton Chamber of Commerce “Christmas on Main Street” this year.  This is a new community celebration they are trying, which will take place on Friday night, December 2^nd.  Our Adult and Handbell Choirs will be a part of the festivities as we open up our church as one of the ‘stops’ for people strolling up and down Main St.  More information will be forthcoming as the event takes shape, but mark the calendar for an early Christmas mini-concert in support of our church’s participation in this community Christmas activity.

Faithfully,

Ladies…we will be having a fall retreat that includes making an Advent wreath on November 12…mark your calendars!

Join us for our Sunday morning Adult Study offerings for the 2011-2012 year.  You will find a nice selection of Bible studies, one Old and one New Testament book; the Kerygma Hallelujah study for Advent and Lent; and the Visual Bible International production of the Gospel of John narrated by Christopher Plummer (DVD) just to mention a few. 
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Adult Study Classes 2011-2012

Below is our year-long Adult Study calendar. 

September 11- October 23

• Church-wide small group study: Max Lucado Fearless

November 6-November 20

• Old Testament Prophet Introduction and Micah

November 27-December 18

• Kerygma Hallelujah: Advent

January 8-February 19

• Timothy Keller's Galatians

February 26-April 1

• Kerygma Hallelujah: Lent

April 15-June 3

• DVD-Gospel of John and a variety of engaging short studies

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Ongoing small groups:  

If you are not currently participating in a small group, you might be interested in one of our ongoing small groups listed below!

Men's Book Group—1st/3rd Monday 7-8 PM (What Good is God, Phillip Yancy) at the church…see Walter Winfield

Women's Group—Thursday 10:00-11:30 AM (church-wide Fearless study) in the church library…see Robin Scott

Men's Group—Thursday at 7:00 AM at the church…see Mick Lebens

Monday Women’s Book Study…Monday at 5:30 PM  evening study and dinner at The Odyssey Café—(church-wide Fearless study)…see Joanne Breffle or Anne Spohnhauer

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ACE Committee meetings are the second Sunday of the month. If you are interested in the spiritual development of the adults in our congregation and would like to become a member of this committee, please contact Anne Spohnhauer.

Recently I read a blog entry on my daughter Shannon’s blog on her upcoming mission trip to South Africa for the year 2012.  http://shansouthafricastint.wordpress.com  It was about prayer.  The bulk of the blog was actually copied from a Mars Hill Church blog she had read that spoke powerfully to her.  It did to me as well; so much so that I copied it as an ongoing word from God to me.  In hopes that it may speak to you, I have copied the portion of her entry below that quotes from the Mars Hill Church Blog:

“Prayer is a declaration of war on self-sufficiency, as we become more and more dependent on God.”

• “It’s war on independence because you have to admit that you can’t do it alone.

• It’s war on self-importance as you praise something greater.

• It’s a declaration of war on anxiety as you trust that God will provide.

• It’s a war on the temporary pleasures that the world has to offer around us, as we praise the Giver of all gifts above his gifts as an end in themselves.

• It’s a declaration of war on the frantic pace of life that all of us fall into as we take time to be still and to think and to listen and to try to hear from God and what he has for us.

• It’s a declaration of war on justification by results as you have to acknowledge that it’s God who works in you.
• It’s a declaration of war on cynicism and unbelief as we step out in faith that he hears and answers.

Prayer, as I’ve been convicted, is a declaration of war on this self-centered, short-term, whatever’s-in-front-of-my-face kind of living. Living for my own kingdom. 

Apart from prayer, I am convinced—I know at least it’s true in my life—I’m convinced that apart from prayer, we live life as if whatever seems most urgent and whatever is right in front of our face is the best and most important thing in all eternity and in all the universe. In prayer, when we take minutes to withdraw and to be still and to listen, we become remade in the image of Jesus. In prayer, our priorities get bent to his, our mission gets realigned to his and we get convicted about where we’re building our own kingdom and we get changed to be part of his.”

In the hope that we are ever-growing to become a congregation and a people of prayer.

As your Pastor,

Charlie

Wasn’t that an terrific picnic two Sundays ago?  Kudos to Fellowship and Children’s Ministry in particular!  Great to see so many of us all come out.  And my burger meat was cooked to perfection.  Hopefully we all had a chance to meet someone new or get better acquainted with someone we already knew or had recently met.  And next year, someone needs to dethrone the reigning champs (two years running now) of the egg toss (that would be Mick and Ryan Lebens).  J
 

It was great to see a nice turnout for the Ukraine Mission Trip presentation Sunday night.  We all left with a profound sense of the power of the Ministry of God’s Hidden Treasures, of Nita’s faithfulness and impact for the kingdom of God, of the blessing Bill's and Rose’s leadership provided the people and children there, and how their hearts were transformed in just a week.  Check out the picture of the quilt map of Ukraine we now have as a reminder and testimony of their trip (a small picture is on page 5).
 

On October 7-8 the session will be devoting their annual retreat this year to addressing the recent constitutional change regarding ordination standards.  We have been studying the question of homosexuality from a Biblical perspective and will be considering how to respond as a congregation – articulating what we believe and how God has called us to be faithful, both in obedience to his Word and purposes, as well as in love for one another.  In the near future we will schedule a time for some congregational conversation to discuss this as a body and share the Session’s work on this matter.
 

Last, please take note of the question regarding our Post Card outreach we’ve done the last three years at Christmas and Easter (see page 6).  We need input to make a good decision about cost vs. benefit – is this good stewardship of our financial resources as we seek to reach out to the community in which God has placed us?

Faithfully,,