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Soundings
November
2008
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
On Sunday, November 2, during the 10:30 AM worship
service, First Presbyterian Church of Easton will observe All
Saints Sunday. It is on this day that we in the church
celebrate the witness of all who have gone before us in faith.
This is a day we remember that we are one in the “communion
of saints” with the Church through the ages.
“For
we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we
have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal
in the heavens.” (2
Corinthians 5:1)
SEMINARIAN TO PREACH
Seminarian
Patti Smith will preach on Sunday, November 9, at the 10:30 AM
service.
WELCOME
LEHIGH PRESBYTERY

On
Saturday, November 15, Lehigh Presbytery will meet at the First
Presbyterian Church of Easton. The stated meeting and worship
will be held in the sanctuary. Luncheon will be served in
Legacy Hall.
PEACEMAKING
OFFERING
This year's
annual Peacemaking Offering totaled $363.00; many thanks to all
who contributed. One-quarter of the monies will be used for the
2009 summer Vacation Bible School program.
INQUIRERS' SEMINAR
Interested in
learning more about the Christian faith in general, the
Presbyterian Church, or First Presbyterian Church, Easton? Have
you been thinking about making First Presbyterian Church your
home? These are all good reasons to attend our next Inquirers'
Seminar on Sunday, November 16, when we will address all those
questions and more. We will meet from 11:45 AM – 1:45 PM
and a light lunch will be served. Professional nursery and
child care is available but needs to be arranged in advance by
calling the Church Office, 610-253-3579. Please call the Church
Office or Rev. Holm, and let us know you will attend the
November 16 get-together.
NO CHURCH SCHOOL
Sunday Church
School will not be held on Sunday, November 30. Children and
youth are invited to sit with their families in worship.
Nursery care will be available.
NEW
MEMBERS TO BE RECEIVED
New
members will be received into the life and fellowship of the
First Presbyterian Church of Easton on Sunday, November 23,
during the 10:30 AM service.
FROM
THE MISSION TEAM...
November 9th
is Stewardship Commitment Sunday. We ask that all members
consider their annual financial commitment to the church and
especially so in these tumultuous financial times. Your church
is no less affected by the uncertainty in the financial
markets. You might want to consider using a bill pay vehicle to
complete your pledge, which will easily help both the church
and you by keeping your financial commitment up to date.
The Mission Team
has agreed to participate in the Adopt- a- Family program over
the Christmas season. This is a wonderful program coordinated
by the Third St. Alliance and Spring Garden Children’s
Center for needy families. Becky Bartlett coordinates this
effort for our church. Please look for details in Soundings and
the Bulletin.
Our congregation,
in its tradition of embracing diversity, is welcoming two guest
preachers this month: Rev. Roger Purce from Northern Ireland,
and Moufid Khoury, Commissioned Lay Pastor of Arabic-Lebanese
descent.
The Safe Harbor
meal for November will be provided by the Property Team and in
December by the Gifts and Growth Team.
- Pat Stanek,
Member
Mission:
Interpretation and Stewardship Team
NEW
PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
We
are excited that we are going to create a new pictorial
directory of our church family. The directory will help us to
connect names with faces. It will be an ideal outreach tool and
will capture the history of our church congregation.
Every
participating family/household that selects a pose for the
directory will receive a free directory and a complimentary
8X10 Custom Natural Portrait.
You
will come to the church only once for photography and for
portrait viewing.
The
program is available at no cost to the church budget.
You
will have the opportunity to order additional portraits during
your scheduled appointment time.
If
you wish to purchase extras, the portraits come with a 100%
Satisfaction Guarantee.
Whether
you decide to dress formal or casual, you will want to make
the most of this opportunity.
If
you have not already signed up to have your picture taken,
please do so ASAP. Although the sign-up sheets in the narthex
are almost all filled up, there are still MANY
times available
for all three days if you sign-up online at
www.signup.olanmills.com
The
scheduled Dates for Photography and Portrait Viewing Are:
Monday,
November 10, from 3:00 – 9:30 PM
Tuesday,
November 11, from 1:00 – 7:30 PM
Wednesday,
November, from 12 2:00 – 8:30 PM
Sign
up in
the narthex or online at www.signup.olanmills.com.
Use the church phone number (610-253-3579) or the contract
number (36243) to log in. If you have questions, please contact
Susan Mackay, Leader, Membership Team, 610-438-4627.
THE ADVENT WREATH: A GERMAN CUSTOM

Advent
begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. The Adventskranz
(Advent
wreath) is part of the Advent celebration in Germany.
This wreath is made from pine, fir, or cedar
branches, four purple candles and one white candle. One purple
candle is lighted each Sunday, and the white one is lighted on
Christmas Eve. The custom of suspending the wreath from the
ceiling or placing it on a table comes from northern Germany.
It is not known how this custom of using the
Advent wreath started. Early people thought the “ever
green” fir tree would give them strength to face the
coming winter. Or perhaps the fir tree would get rid of winter
altogether. At the time when the days were short and the nights
long, they thought the hanging of the fir tree branches would
protect them against the gloomy darkness. In the eighteenth
century, candles were added to the wreath. It is believed that
the first Advent service was celebrated at Rauben Haus near
Hamburg, Germany. A new candle was lighted at the daily
service.
Four candles were used, it is thought, from the
medieval belief that the world was created four thousand years
before the birth of Christ. The candles stand for the time the
people had to wait for the coming of the Messiah.
Of course,
today we use the candles to mark the Sundays before Christmas.
Usually, a large white candle is added to the center of the
wreath to light on Christmas Eve.
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
The
deadline for the December “Soundings” is Monday,
November 10. Articles can be mailed, dropped off or
e-mailed
to the church office, office@eastonfpc.org
POINSETTIAS
AND GREENS

Each
Christmas season our sanctuary is beautifully decorated. If you
would like to contribute towards the poinsettias, greens and
decorations, please fill out the form below and return to the
church office before Friday, December 12. You may have a
listing in the bulletin in memory or honor of a loved one. The
cost of one listing is $9.00.
**********************************
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IN MEMORY OF _______________________________
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IN HONOR OF ________________________________
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NAME _______________________________________
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PHONE NO. _________________________
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AMOUNT
ENCLOSED $________________
GUEST
PREACHER
The Rev. Dr. Roger
Purce, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Groomsport, County
Down, Northern Ireland, will be our guest preacher on Sunday,
November 16. He has also agreed to meet with interested persons
following worship that day for an informal discussion on the
present state of affairs in Northern Ireland. After years of
internal dissension, known to the Irish as “the
Troubles,” peace has finally come to this lovely green
country. We want to know how the agreement is holding, and what
the changes have brought.
Dr. Purce also
knows the United States very well. As a Princeton Seminary
Field Education supervisor he has visited the USA annually to
interview students for Groomsport’s highly regarded
Internship Program. He also spent time traveling in the USA
when he pursued a Doctor of Ministry degree at Princeton
Seminary. He was also involved in pastor exchanges which took
him to various parts of our country. He may be persuaded to
offer a comment on our presidential election.
Roger Purce is a
native of Belfast. He took an honours degree in history and
philosophy at Queen’s University there. He studied
theology at Union Theological College, Belfast and at Princeton
Theological Seminary. He began his ministry as an assistant
minister in Fisherwick Church in Belfast, and then served for
twelve years as minister of two country congregations,
Loughbrickland and Scarva. For the last sixteen years he has
been minister of Groomsport Presbyterian Church, twenty miles
from Belfast.
Rev. Purce has also
served his denomination as the Presbyterian Church's World
Development Convener; and as a trustee of Christian Aid, the
aid and development agency of over forty British and Irish
denominations. He is the chair of Christian Aid, Ireland. He is
also the Secretary of the Christian Education Movement Northern
Ireland which organizes conferences for students aged 16 and 17
between the state schools which are largely Protestant, and the
Roman Catholic schools. These conferences focus on helping
students to get to know each other and to hear each other's
understanding of faith and politics. His wife Doreen is a
teacher, and they have two daughters, one son and a grandson.
He greatly enjoys hunting and fishing.
When asked about
the major issue facing the church today he said, “How to
speak of faith to a world that increasingly does not care about
such matters.” He noted that these present times may be
preparing the world to listen once again.
Please extend a
warm welcome to our guest.
ADOPT-A-FAMILY
First Presbyterian
Church of Easton will be participating in the Adopt-a-Family
program again this holiday season. Adopt-a-Family is organized
by the Spring Garden Children's Center and Third Street
Alliance. It seeks to provide local families in need with gifts
and clothes for Christmas.
For every child in
our assigned family we will collect a sweater, pants, hat and
mittens, a book and a toy. Monetary donations are used to buy
gift cards to Wal-Mart or a local supermarket. A Christmas tree
will be placed in the Narthex with paper ornaments. Each
ornament will include the family member's age, and gift
request. Choose an ornament, buy the gift indicated and bring
the present, wrapped or unwrapped, to church by December 7.
Thank you in
advance for your donations to this local mission. If you have
questions, or would like to help wrap gifts, contact Becky
Bartlett, 610-746-3192.
Stewardship
Commitment Sunday
November
9, 2008
PRAYER LIST
First
Presbyterian Church has a prayer list which is updated and
printed weekly. Prayer lists are available from an usher on
Sunday morning, on the back table in the sanctuary, or on the
Deacons' information table in Legacy Hall. You may also receive
this prayer list weekly by email just by calling the church
office. Also, you may add the name of anyone for whom you have
prayer concerns to this list by calling the church office.
Names will be automatically removed after six weeks unless the
office is notified otherwise. Please consider obtaining this
list and supporting those in need of prayer.
- Board of
Deacons
BRUNCH
BUNCH
On
Sunday, November 9, the Brunch Bunch will go to Charlie Brown's
Restaurant in Alpha, New Jersey. Meet after worship for
directions and car pooling. Everyone is welcome to join this
group for a time of good food and fellowship. Contact Rose
Marie Leone, 610-258-3063, for more information.
ADVENT
“The
people who walked in darkness
have
seen a great light” (Isaiah
9:2)
As
the days grow shorter and winter darkness surrounds us, we
begin the season of Advent. Advent means “the coming”
of the Light of the Christ Child into the darkness of the world
around us. As we watch and wait for that Light in this season
of long shadows, we light special advent candles in our
worship. As each week we light one more of the four candles of
the Advent wreath, the light increases and strengthens as we
draw nearer and nearer to lighting the Christ candle on
Christmas Eve.
PROPERTY CORNER
Restroom Repaired: Thanks to Al Rutherford for tackling
a tough plumbing project by repairing the toilet in the
restroom outside the narthex.
Sanctuary Side Door Lock: For security reasons, the
sanctuary side exit door lock has been changed. Contact the
church office or head usher if you need to unlock that door.
Thank you.
-Carl McGloughlin, Property Team
LOCAL
MISSION
Every
second Sunday of the month envelopes are in the bulletin for
contributions to ProJeCt
of Easton.
These
monetary gifts benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry ($1.00 allows
ProJeCt to distribute $15.00 worth of food). ProJeCt of Easton
also offers comprehensive emergency assistance and language and
literacy services. Please continue to give generously to this
local mission.
Thanksgiving
Community
Choir Festival
“That
With Our Neighbor, We May Be Fed”
Sunday,
November 23
4:00
– 6:00 PM
at
Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church
2115
Washington Blvd, Wilson Borough
Ample
Parking Available
A
special and inspirational experience! Choirs from the greater
Easton faith communities gather to celebrate their distinct
legacies of faith expression through song. Everyone is invited
to attend this unique celebration of gratitude and
thanksgiving.
“One
with another, so that, rejoicing with us, all others may know
God's care.”
Offering to benefit
ProJeCt of Easton
“Praise
and Thanksgiving”

Book
Club Selections
The
FPC Book Club will meet on the following Mondays in
the Brainerd Gathering Area to
discuss and reflect upon the following books. The
meeting time has changed to 1:00 PM. Everyone
is invited to join us even if you never attended before. You
may obtain a copy of the books at your local public library, or
call/see Cathy Burnet 610 588- 6738 as there are several copies
circulating throughout the membership. Books the club has
previously read are in Legacy Hall for members to borrow.
Nov.
10 The Gift by
Richard Paul Evans Fiction
The Bible says that God has chosen the weak things
of the world to confound the things which are mighty. Evans’
book is about one of God’s weak things - a frail, little
boy with a very special gift of healing. This is a classic
story of faith, hope and healing.
No
Meeting in December
Jan.
The Wind is My Mother by
Bear Heart
Bear
Heart, one of the world’s last Native American medicine
men, demonstrates how traditional tribal wisdom can help
us maintain spiritual and physical health in today’s
world. This book is an easy read, entertaining, and
inspirational.
C ROP
WALK
The
2008 Easton area CROP Walk for the Hungry is now history!
$12,000 was raised for the hunger fighting efforts of Church
World Service/CROP. Twenty-five percent of the total receipts
will remain in Easton and benefit the hunger work of ProJeCt.
Thank you to everyone who walked and to those who sponsored
walkers! Walkers from First Presbyterian Church, please see
that your collected monies are turned in no later than October
31.
SHAWL MINISTRY
Daytime
Meeting: Monday,
November 3, 1:00 – 3:00 PM in the Brainerd Gathering Area
Evening
Meeting: Monday,
November 17, 7:00 – 9:00 PM in the Brainerd Gathering
Area
Donation
Donna
Bradbury took approximately 10 shawls to Fox Chase Hospital in
Philadelphia. The many cancer patients will find warmth, love
and comfort in these items.
New
Project for October and November
An
article appeared in the Easton Express-Times by Bill and
Barbara Arp of Emmaus expressing the need for handmade knitted
or crocheted scarves for soldiers fighting in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The temperature is quickly dropping in that part
of the world. The daytime group thought it was a good idea to
pursue. Fran called Bill and he suggested items be made in
colors that would go with the soldiers' camouflage uniforms.
Many skeins of yarn have been bought and are in the Shawl
closet. Yarn can be picked up on Sunday or ask Nancy Penman for
a key during the week. The deadline for mailing will be the end
of November. The Arps will do the mailing.
Nut
Sale
If
you haven't ordered nuts yet, please do so by November 3.
Contact Fran Dean or send orders to the Church Office. All
proceeds go toward purchasing yarn and supplies. Remember,
these nuts make great gifts for the holidays: baking, snacking,
gift giving, and stocking stuffers!
Come
to the November meeting with ideas for a Christmas party. Last
year we did a narrated walking tour of downtown Bethlehem and
ate dinner at the Bethlehem Hotel. Anyone for a lunch or dinner
at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse with a holiday musical review?
Other ideas?
November
9 is the Westminster Village Lemon Tree Holiday Bazaar.
Westminster Village is on Wahneta Street in Allentown. It's a
nice event with many items to buy and lunch is served in their
dining room. The hours are 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. We will have a
table with Shawl Ministry items to sell for the benefit of the
Presbyterian Home. Hope to see you there.
For
more information, contact Fran Dean at 610-838-7779 or email
fidean@ptd.net.
Shawl Ministry continues
to bring God's love
to those in need of
comfort!
NOVEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
1
Helena Hill, Gregory Peil
2
Patricia Martin, William Rush
3
Lauren Gygax
5
Kathy Wagner
7
William Dorko
8
Ruth Lippy
9
Sofia McGloughlin
10
Barbara Canfield, Carol Freebairn, Leigh Gygax, Luke
McGloughlin, Kari Kirchgessner
Noah
Oliva, Maddox Oliva, Dorothy Wheelen
12
Laura Hill, Charles Keim, David Rister, Martha Schermerhorn,
Chris Wagner
13
David Hill
14
Wendell Smith
15
Kylie Dicker
17
Marion Slater
19
Joyce Cordts
20
Beth Ann Vaughn, Greg Washburn
21
Jeffrey Haldeman
22
Lucinda Bennett, Bernice Wortman
24
Virginia Henderson-Stout, Albert Jackson, Jade Oliva
25
Kelsey Dicker
27
Jacob Bruce
28 Olivia
Dorko
Floral Design
Workshops
with
LeRoy Cooper
The
classes will be limited to 20 participants, so sign up early.
Both workshops will be held in Legacy Hall, First Presbyterian
Church of Easton. Cost is $10.00 for each class as a donation
to the Capital Fund. Cost of materials, approximately
$12.00-$18.00, will be collected at the time of the sessions.
Fall
Harvest Centerpiece
Learn
how to make a Thanksgiving table arrangement
using
fresh fall flowers, gourds and wheat.
Date:
Wednesday,
November 19, 2008
Time:
7:00
PM
Register:
By
November 11
Bring
your own container, or one will be provided.
Fresh
Pine Wreath and Holiday Bows
Learn
how to make holiday gift bows and bows for home decorating.
Decorate a pine wreath for your home.
Date:
Saturday,
December 6, 2008
Time:
9:30
AM
Register:
By
November 21
Ribbon
will be included in materials fee, but please bring your own
decorations, such as balls, berries, cones, etc.
Call/Contact
Cathy Burnet for additional information – 610-588-6738.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008
Floral Design Workshops with LeRoy
To
Register: Return
this form to the Church Office. Please include a check for
$10.00, payable to First Presbyterian Church, with Capital Fund
on the memo line. Additional materials fee of approximately
$12-$18 will be collected at each class. Check below the class
or classes for which your are registering.
______Fall
Centerpiece, 11/19
______Pine
Wreath and Bows, 12/6
Name_____________________________Phone
No._____________
Amount
enclosed_________________ Check #______________
THANK YOU!
Dear Friends,
Thank you very much
for all your prayers, cards, calls, and visits following my
surgery. Thank you for the beautiful flowers and the lovely
shawl from the Shawl Ministry. All your thoughtfulness is
appreciated and helps me get through the rough days of
exercise. The shawl wraps me in your love.
Yours in Christ,
Lorraine
Fugere
SAFE HARBOR
The serving of meals at Safe Harbor on the first
Monday of the month has been an enduring mission of this
congregation. For many years we have fed, eaten with and talked
to homeless people of our area. It is a “hands-on”
ministry.
There
are several dates available in 2009: January, February and
April. A team, family or group of people can volunteer to
prepare a meal. Please contact Pat Stanek, 610-253-3735, for
more information.
THANKS FOR A JOB
WELL DONE!
A very special
'thank you' to member Fred Hubscher who recently refinished the
large wooden wall cross that for many years hung in the
downstairs fellowship hall. The oak cross has been re-hung in
the first floor Church House hallway across from the entrance
to Ridgway Lounge. Thank you, Fred, for beautiful work and a
job well-done!
SANCTUARY FLOWERS
The beautiful flowers that grace our sanctuary on
Sunday mornings serve several purposes. Of course they add to
the beauty of the church on Sunday mornings and symbolize many
things including life, Jesus' sacrifice, purity, and God's
dominion over the earth. But they also have a very important
purpose that goes far beyond their presence in the sanctuary
for an hour on Sunday morning. Following the service, the
flowers are taken by the Deacons to shut-ins, the sick, or
those in the hospital. These flowers then brighten the days of
those in need of cheer, and also serve as a way for the Deacons
to manage their ministry of caring.
The cost for flowers has been increased this year
to $45 for two arrangements; if the cost for the pair of
arrangements presents an issue, please consider teaming up with
another member to donate flowers. If you have questions, or
would like to donate flowers, please contact our flower
coordinator, Rose Marie Leone (610-258-3063), or Bill Bartlett
(610-746-3192) Leader, Worship Team. The following dates are
available to donate flowers: November 30, December 28, as well
as dates in 2009.

MUSIC NOTES
There is still
time to join the Chancel Choir to learn music for the
Thanksgiving service on November 23 and Christmas music service
on December 7. Rehearsals are Thursdays at 7:30 PM and Sunday
mornings at 9:30 (November 2 and 9). All singers are welcome!
- Beth Ann
Vaughn
Director of
Music
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS -
CONGRATULATIONS!
*
Rev. Dr. David Chen's book, “Calvin's
Passion for the Church and the Holy Spirit,” was
recently published by Xulon Press.
* Member Pat
Stanek celebrated a recent birthday by parachuting out of an
airplane over Hazleton, PA airport.
Advent
Luncheon and Carol Sing
Everyone is invited to an Advent luncheon and
carol sing in Legacy Hall on Sunday, December 7, immediately
after worship. The Deacons will provide the meat, rolls,
desserts and beverages. You are invited to bring a hot or cold
side dish to be shared. Bring food items to the kitchen before
worship. Following lunch, our program will conclude with the
singing of Christmas carols. Please join us as we begin the
Advent season.
SOUNDINGS
(permit
#480) published monthly by First Presbyterian Church, 333
Spring Garden Street, Easton, PA 18042-3573 Email:
office@eastonfpc.org
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