On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, Jonathan Kimball will be preaching, “A Big Risk,” based on Luke 1:39-55. This is the story often called “The Visitation,” as well as Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat.

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Live stream: https://youtube.com/live/36aocmTW3w8?feature=share

We are continuing to collect the Christmas Joy offering throughout Advent. This special offering of PC(USA) supports current and retired church workers and their families as well as students at Presbyterian related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.

Join us Christmas Eve at 6 pm for a candlelight service of lessons & carols. This is a wonderful time to bring your family and your friends to experience God’s love and celebrate love made flesh, born two millennia ago and also born anew in our hearts each year at Christmas, and every day.

Please join us for a special service this Sunday, December 15, 2024. The Chancel Choir will be presenting “God is Alive in Bethlehem” a cantata for the Advent season using music from the First Presbyterian choral library.  The featured selections have been compiled and arranged with additional readings to create our Advent cantata.

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Live stream link: https://youtube.com/live/ZZ9ZHjQClE0?feature=share

Mark your calendars for the Christmas Eve service at 6 pm. We are also collecting the Christmas Joy offering throughout Advent as well as Christmas Eve. When we give to the Christmas Joy Offering, we prepare the way for leaders of our church – past, present and future. 50% of our gifts smooth the path for current and retired church workers and their families in their time of need. The other 50% of our gifts prepare students to learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Through this offering we reflect God’s perfect gift to us. Envelopes are on the table as you enter the church.

Please join us for worship this Second Sunday of Advent. Susan Murray will be preaching, “Wait Until Your Father Gets Home,” based on Luke 3:1-6.

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Live stream link: https://youtube.com/live/3hKambJEwmc?feature=share

Announcements:

• The Chancel Choir will present its cantata, “God is Alive in Bethlehem,” next Sunday, December 15, during Worship. We hope you can join us for this special worship service in song and word, as we journey through the Advent season towards Christmas.
• Our Christmas Eve candlelight service of lessons and carols will be held at 6 pm on December 24.
• The Christmas Joy Offering is one of the PC(USA) Special Offerings that is
  collected during Advent. When we give to the Christmas Joy Offering we
  prepare the way for leaders of our church – past, present and future. 50% of
  our gifts smooth the path for current and retired church workers and their
  families in their time of need. The other 50% of our gifts prepare students to
  learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian related schools and colleges equipping
  communities of color. Through this offering we reflect God’s perfect gift to us.
  Envelopes are on the table as you enter the church.

December 1 marks the beginning of Advent and the start of the Christian year. We will gather to worship and commune at the Lord’s Table. Jonathan Kimball will preach, “God Wins,” based on Luke 21:25-36.

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Live stream: https://youtube.com/live/qS8qEZ7eDhk?feature=share

Presbyterian Manor has reached out to us in hopes that we can be Secret Santas. They have residents that are without family and may not receive any gifts. Below is a list of popular items that are always needed.  This has been passed on to us with short notice and items will need to be collected by December 8th. However, if the hustle and bustle of the season keeps you from being able to pick items up, you may always mail or drop a check off to the Presbyterian Manor.  There will be a collection box in the Sanctuary as well as copies of the list.

Please mark your calendars:

• December 15 will be our Christmas cantata during regular Sunday worship.
• December 24 will be our candlelight service at 6 pm.

As the weather changes, please note that any changes to our worship schedule will be posted on the website no later than 8:30 am on Sunday morning. The live stream should always be available unless there are unavoidable technical difficulties.

November 24, we celebrate Christ the King as we end the Christian year. Susan Murray will be preaching, “Blessed Assurance,” based on Revelation 1:4b-8.

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Live stream: https://youtube.com/live/4tpQ8zkfgwA?feature=share

The Rolla Choral Arts Society will present Benjamin Britten’s St. Nicolas on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 3:00 p.m. The cantata shares the story of St. Nicolas, Bishop of Myra who lived during the fourth century. The stories and legends attributed to St. Nicolas became the basis for the legend of Santa Claus.

We are excited to welcome Rev. Frank LeBlanc this week. He has been moderating our session since the summer. His sermon, “The Image of the Master,” will be based on Matthew 25:14-30.

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Live stream link: https://youtube.com/live/2GgGwBnqKG4?feature=share

Immediately following worship, we will hold a congregational meeting for two purposes: to amend our bylaws as discussed in the October newsletter and to elect new officers. The congregational meeting will not be live streamed or recorded.

The Rolla Choral Arts Society will present Benjamin Britten’s St. Nicolas on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 3:00 p.m.  The cantata shares the story of St. Nicolas, Bishop of Myra who lived during the fourth century.  The stories and legends attributed to St. Nicolas became the basis for legend of Santa Claus.  Tickets will be available after the service during fellowship.

Jonathan Kimball will be preaching this Sunday, “Vessels of God’s Love,” based on Mark 12: 38-44.

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Live stream link: https://youtube.com/live/SLoPyVsif2Q?feature=share

Announcements:

• The Christmas Cantata will be held during worship on December 15. The choir has begun its rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. We welcome additional singers to join us for this special presentation.
• We will hold a congregational meeting following worship on November 17 for the purpose of amending our bylaws and electing officers.
• The Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering is this Wednesday, November 13, at 10 am. We will meet in the sanctuary for coffee and a light brunch.
• The Rolla Choral Arts Society will present Benjamin Britten’s St. Nicolas on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 3:00 p.m. The cantata shares the story of St. Nicolas, Bishop of Myra who lived during the fourth century. The stories and legends attributed to St. Nicolas became the basis for the legend of Santa Claus.

Let us together remember all those who have joined the Church Triumphant, all the saints who have gone before us and have helped to bring God’s reign to fruition. Susan Murray will be preaching this Sunday, November 3, on John 11:32-44, The Story of Lazarus.

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Live stream link: https://youtube.com/live/9j-E7R1ds3k?feature=share

DON’T FORGET TO FALL BACK!

Presbyterian Women will have their annual Fall Gathering on November 13 at 10 am. They will meet in the sanctuary for coffee and a light brunch.

On November 17, immediately following worship, we will have a congregational meeting for the purpose of amending the bylaws and electing officers. Please contact a current elder if you have any questions.

The choir has begun its extra rehearsals for the cantata, which is scheduled for December 15. If you would like to join the choir for this special service, the cantata portion of rehearsal will start around 7:30 pm each Wednesday.

This Sunday, we celebrate the start of the Reformation, October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. Susan Murray will be preaching, “Freedom in Christ,” based on John 8:31-36.

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Live stream link: https://youtube.com/live/mKJKxGBS6Kc?feature=share

If you have signed up to provide items for the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance “blue buckets,” please bring them this Sunday.

We have postponed game night and are doing First Friday Out on November 1 at 6 pm at El Maguey. Let Mary Kwantes know by October 30 if you plan to attend.

Please join us this Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost for worship at 9:45 am. Jonathan Kimball will be preaching, “Righteous King of Peace,” based on Hebrews 5:1-10.

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Live stream link: https://youtube.com/live/hMCW_eLM3Fg?feature=share

Please note, last week, the network failed during the live stream. If that ever happens, a recorded version will be uploaded, most likely sometime on Sunday.

Announcements:

• The Rolla Choral Arts Society will present “Sing Joyfully” on Sunday afternoon (10/20) at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian.
• During the month of October, we will be collecting items for the Presbyterian Disaster Relief Blue Buckets. We have a sign-up sheet on the easel near the entrance of the church. As in the past, there are specific sizes and amounts listed. Please use those guidelines. They are used to make sure everything will fit in the bucket. If you have difficulty shopping and would like for us to do that for you, we will accept monetary donations as well.
• The Presbyterian Preschool and Greentree Learning Center will be working together to celebrate a Fall Festival for our families. We will be hosting the event at our church on Thursday, October 24. Please consider donating boxes of snack cakes (which are individually wrapped) for the snack-cake walk. If you prefer, monetary donations are welcome and we will purchase them. Please bring any donations to church or the church office by this Tuesday, October 22. Volunteers are welcome to attend and help greet families, set up activities, or serve food.