December gateway by Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church

Christ is Born, Christ is Risen. One of my favorite tasks as a child was to assemble the nativity set at our house. Our figures were ceramic and hand painted by a friend of the family. They came with a wooden stable about a foot wide and at least as high. I arranged the holy family inside the stable with a sheep and a cow. The shepherds and the other sheep had to gaze from the entrance. The kings could come in, but their camels had to wait outside. The angel was supposed to hang somewhere and since I could not find a hook on the stable, I suspended her over the whole scene with fishing line tied to the shade of a table lamp. One year, I complained to my mother that there was no hay in the stable. She found some gold foil tinsel and that worked quite well. Jesus was born in stable and laid in a manger full of hay. Everyone knows this. Every Christmas card confirms it. Our little Lord Jesus is asleep in the hay. Easter Orthodox churches have a bit of a different take on the Nativity. The icon painters at our church have been working on an icon of Mary and the new born Jesus. In this icon, Christ is born not in a stable, but a cave. Instead of a manger, Jesus is lying in sarcophagus, an ancient stone burial chest. Jesus looks like he is in swaddling clothes, but he has the face of a grown boy, not a new born. Why so different? The icon is a visual link between the nativity and the resurrection. The dark cave is both the womb and the tomb. Jesus is the light of the world that shines in the darkness as he is the new life that bursts forth from the tomb. The sarcophagus is open with the birth of new life. The swaddling clothes are a reminder of the linen cloths that will be left in the corner of the tomb on Easter morning. Christ is born! Christ is risen! Why does Jesus’ face look more like a full grown boy than a new born baby? The theological concept is that Jesus was born fully grown in wisdom and spirit, therefore, he is depicted as a “little man”. Why doesn’t Mary look directly at him? While she lovingly touches his head with her cheek, she also ponders in her heart the meaning of this birth. Our Christmases are made richer by learning about different cultures and customs. Do you hang a Moravian star? A piñata? Will you put candles in paper lanterns? Will you hide your broom sticks? Or put your boots outside your door? Will you leave a mince pie by the Christmas tree for Santa? On Christmas Eve we will light candles and sing Joy to the World! Christ is born! And if you happen to say “Christ is Risen!” you would be right as well. God’s Blessings,

The Nativity Icon used on cover and in “Christ is Born, Christ is Risen”, was painted by Rev. Molly for the icon class. 2

Gifts of Hope | Sunday December 3, 10, 17 | Chadsey Hall, after services CCPC’s alternative market—Gifts of Hope—will be in Chadsey Hall after services on Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Pick a “gift” and a Christmas card with an insert describing what you bought in the recipient’s name. You can view the catalogue on pages 10 & 11. DCFLUTES | Sunday, December 3 |4pm | Sanctuary On December 3 at 4 p.m. DCFlutes, directed by Aaron Goldman, principal flutist of the NSO, will present a concert of seasonal music in the sanctuary of our church. DCFlutes is the official flute choir of the Flute Society of Washington and is a vibrant performing ensemble of approximately 25 flutists playing piccolo to contrabass! They were founded in 2010 and perform around the region several times a year at festivals, flute fairs, conventions and other FSW events. DCFLutes rehearses biweekly at CCPC and we enthusiastically welcome them in concert this month. The concert is free and a reception will follow. Christmas Concert | Sunday, December 10| 4pm | Sanctuary The Chancel Choir, Junior Choir and Handbell Choir will join harpist Beth Mailand (of the U.S. Army Band) in presenting the annual Christmas Concert. The featured work on the concert will be Benjamin Britten’s beloved Ceremony of Carols for four-part mixed choir and harp. The traditional community carol sing will engage you in the Christmas spirit! Bring a friend and welcome the season! A reception will follow. Christmas Pageant | Sunday, December 17 | During 9:15 worship service On December 17th, all of our children are invited to be part of the presentation of the story of Christmas in the annual Christmas Pageant during the 9:15 a.m. worship service. Bobb Robinson is currently rehearsing carols with the children in their classrooms and casting major roles. K-5th grade will rehearse during the first part of Sunday School in Westminster Hall on December 3rd and December 10th. The primary, mandatory dress rehearsal for K-5th graders will be Saturday, December 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon in the Sanctuary. Come be part of this memorable telling of the story of Jesus’ birth. Questions? Contact Bobb Robinson at Bobb@chevychasepc.org.

Celebrate Christmas Eve with us! |Sunday, December 24 •

10:00 am | Worship Service & Ornament Making Party Music: Chancel Choir, Preaching: The Rev. Eric Peltz. Following the Time with Children, during the 10am service, all children/youth are invited to an ornament making party in Westminster Hall.

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4:30 PM | Children and Family Service This child-friendly service will include reading of the Christmas Scripture, singing of favorite carols, an interactive story written by Rev. Molly , and Candle lighting.

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7:30 PM | Traditional Service of Lessons, Carols, and Candles, Music: The Intergenerational Christmas Choir , Preaching: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert.

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10:30 PM | Chancel Choir and Organ Prelude

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11:00 PM | Service of Lessons, Carols, and Candles Preaching: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert .

Christmas Joy Offering 2017 “Serving Those Who Have Served” Giving gifts is a dominant part of the Christmas season. We especially remember God’s great gift of love to us when he sent our Savior, Jesus Christ, to live among us. In response, we too are eager to give back to God and spread that love. Part of our Christmas sharing as Presbyterians is the Christmas Joy Offering. For almost 188 years, the Christmas Joy Offering has helped support active and retired church workers such as missionaries, pastors, and other church workers and their families with unexpected needs. Half of our annual offering allows the national church to stand with our pastors and other church workers in their hour of need. The need for church workers and their families is real and growing. The Presbyterian Board of Pensions provides critical financial assistance to eligible active and retired workers in the Presbyterian Church USA and their families. Those funds help church workers with urgent financial needs, retired church workers with financial and housing needs, and pastors with vocational leadership needs. One example of the support provided by the Christmas Joy Offering provides funds in emergency situations resulting from a variety of unforeseen circumstances, such as additional medical or other family expenses, or the aftermath of a hurricane, flood or tornado. The other half of the Christmas Joy Offering provides scholarships and some basic operating costs to five Presbyterian-related colleges and one college preparatory school whose major emphasis is serving African American, Native American and Hispanic students. All continue to survive but needs have grown as the recession has hit students and these institutions hard.

CCPC will gather our gifts for this special offering on December 10 and 17. You will find donation envelopes in the pews starting soon. You can also donate by check made out to “CCPC” noting “Christmas Joy Offering” in the memo line, or by credit or debit card on CCPC’s website, http://ChevyChasePC.org/give/, noting the amount and “Christmas Joy Offering” in the “Other” donations boxes. Please give generously to support individuals who have served so faithfully and institutions that are educating our next genera-

Sunday School | Notes for December 2017 Sunday School classes for Age 2 through 8th Grade continue on December 3 and 10 during the 9:15 a.m. worship service! Children and youth are encouraged to attend worship with their families or with friends and then go to their classes after the Time with Children (around 9:30) each week. Children in Kindergarten through Grade 5 will meet their teachers in Chadsey Hall; 6-8th Graders and Preschoolers exit through the pulpit door. Kindergarten and up will go with their teachers to Westminster Hall first for a Christmas Pageant rehearsal and then go to their classrooms. On December 24, following the Time with Children during 10:00 a.m. worship, all children/youth are invited to an ornament-making party in Westminster Hall! Come make an ornament for your family tree and enjoy being together. There will be no regular Sunday School classes on Sunday, December 31, 2017; join us for worship at 10:00 a.m. Children and youth are encouraged to attend worship with our church family and childcare is available for preschoolers and younger in Room 108. Regular classes and schedules for children and youth will resume on January 7, 2018. 4

Adult Education and Nurture Opportunities for Growing in Faith and Community

Sunday Mornings, 10:20 – 11:05 a.m. December 2017 Faith Trek (Meets from 10:00 – 11:05 a.m. in Room 350-A, third floor, Education Building) – Note: NO CLASS on December 24 or 31. Faith Trek is a small group of CCPC adults who are curious about their faith and the world and who want to explore in the company of a circle of friends. The circle expands easily, and we would be delighted to have you join us. The group will continue reading Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels. Check with Margaret Chan (301/656-5034) for more information. Open Forum (Meets from 10:20 – 11:05 a.m. in Geneva Hall, second floor, Education Building, street side) Open Forum offers a forum for the discussion of a variety of topics on the intersection of faith and life. Join us in November for these discussions: December 3 – Seeking Faith: Images of the Annunciation. The Christmas Story is one of the most beloved and celebrated parts of the Biblical story in the classical arts. Artists have shared their inspiration and interpretation of this sacred story with the world through a wide variety of media. Give yourself a special, early gift this year and plan to join our guest presenter, Amy Gray, Associate Director of the Henry Luce III Center for the Arts and Religion at Wesley Theological Seminary to watch, listen and wonder once again at the incarnation of Jesus Christ and its meaning for us today December 10 – Seeking Faith: Images of the Nativity. Amy Gray, Associate Director of the Henry Luce III Center for the Arts and Religion at Wesley Theological Seminary, returns to show and discuss the story of Jesus’ birth in classical art. Come explore how art can shape what we know and what we think we know about the Biblical narrative. December 24 – NO CLASS. One worship service at 10:00 a.m. today. December 31 – NO CLASS! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The Bible in Context Class (Meets from 10:00 – 11:05 a.m. in Room 350-B, third floor, Education Building) – Note: NO CLASS on December 24 or 31. The Bible in Context continues its study this fall of The Letters of Paul. Come explore Paul’s letters to the early churches, learn from his and their struggles and celebrate the faithfulness of the early church. Group discussions are led by Dottie Boerner and John Weicher. All are welcome and you don’t even need to bring a Bible – Room 350B has more than a dozen Bibles, plus more recent books by Biblical scholars, maps, and coffee. Come try us out!

Advent Devotion Materials Available Check out the table in the Narthex and Chadsey Hall for devotional materials to guide your Advent preparations. There are booklets for adults (Moving Toward the Manger: Reflections on the Writings of Frederick Buechner by Martin Marty) and a special Reverse Advent Calendar for families to use during the season (see more info on page 6) Please take only what you will use or share so that everyone can benefit. 5

Next Inquirers’ Seminar | February 2018 The next Inquirers’ Seminar of the program year will be offered on Sunday, February 11, 2018 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Room 250 (Geneva Hall) at CCPC. This session is open not only to those persons who may have decided to become members, but also to persons who exploring their call to Christian discipleship as members of this congregation. The format for the afternoon following lunch includes a brief overview of the basic history, beliefs, and traditions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as well as an outline of specific opportunities for using your gifts with others in ministry at CCPC. Those choosing to join will do so on February 25. If you are interested in participating in the seminar on February 11 (or know someone who may be interested), please contact Associate Pastor Lynn Jostes at 202/363-2202 or lynn@chevychasepc.org for more information or to sign up. Come join with the disciples of The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church as we discover our gifts and answer our calling, and together serve our Lord.

Calling all Prospective Families: Tours for the WNS 2018-2019 School Year have begun. Please come visit and send your friends and neighbors too ! Tours at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church Weekday Nursery School for the 2018-19 school year have begun for prospective families. Tours run weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:3010:15am through mid-February. Visit our website for more information at www.ccpcwns.com or register for a tour date by emailing wnsoffice@chevychasepc.org CCPC welcomes children ages 18 months to 5 years of all faiths and backgrounds to our community. We believe a child-centered, play-based curriculum is the strongest foundation for future academic success. From our large (and always active) playground to our vibrant classroom settings, we support each child’s individual development at their own pace helping to grow self-reliance, confidence and imaginative play. Did You Know that Morning classes run from 9am-noon and extended day from noon- church members 2:30pm. We hope you’ll consider joining our engaged community of energetic receive priority admissions at our families, dedicated and loving teachers, and over 115 fantastic young children nursery school? who thrive each school year as we grow together.

A New Way for Families to Observe Advent

There are many traditions for marking the days of Advent, from opening doors on a special calendar-sometimes with treats inside--to lighting candles on an Advent wreath. But the meaning can get lost for kids—and even adults—if it feels more like a countdown to Santa than preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus. This year, CCPC families will have an opportunity to experience Advent in a different way—by creating a Reverse Advent Calendar and performing daily acts of kindness. To get you started, special calendars will be distributed in Sunday School classes and at worship services leading up to the first day of Advent, Dec. 3. The calendar will include ideas for random acts of kindness plus spaces for you and your family to record the good deeds you plan to do each day. Don’t keep your acts a secret! Share your experiences with church school teachers and the congregation by telling stories and sending photos for use on the church’s Facebook page and other communications. That will give other families ideas and make this year’s Advent a more meaningful time for the whole congregation. 6

Christmas Poinsettias and Flowers The beauty of our sanctuary during Advent and the Christmas Season is due to the generosity of our members and friends who donate poinsettias in memory, honor, or celebration of loved ones. The Flower Committee counts of your support year after year, so that we can give Glory to God through the use of flowers during this joyous season of the church year. The cost of poinsettia is $20 per plant. An order form is attached below. Orders will be received during Coffee Hour on Sundays, November 26, December 3, 10, and 17 or directly to the church office through Sunday December 18. We Thank You in advance for your continued support.

GIFTS of HOPE: THE CHEVY CHASE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in SHIKOKHO CCPC has been involved with the village of Shikokho in western Kenya for more than 25 years. Our work there began with helping the Shikokho Women’s Group to build, staff, and run the Shikokho Medical Clinic to serve this small rural community. Since that time our mission in Shikokho has expanded to include several other community projects which are directly funded through the Gifts of Hope. Shitoli Solid Rock Feeding Program provides lunches for elementary school children who are orphans – having lost one or both parents – or who are deemed at risk by teachers at Shikokho Elementary School. The program, run by a combination of volunteers and paid staff, continues to feed about 170 children each school day. This is 55 children in a day care program and 120 children from the Shikokho Primary School. Funding from CCPC through the Gifts of Hope helps to provide food for the program – rice, beans, maize, some meat and fruit if not too expensive. Shikokho Secondary School Scolarships. Funding for the SSS scholarships comes directly from the Gifts of Hope program each December. The funds provide an average of $50 to 60 students, about 15 in each of the 4 grades at the school, to be put toward their tuition. Most of these students rely on these scholarships to remain in school.

Dr. Bobb to continue as Interim Assistant Director of Music We have been blessed by Bobb Robinson’s direction of the children’s choirs and are happy to let you know that Bobb Robinson (Dr Bobb!) will continue with us until May 1, before departing on his trip to Spain! Dr. Bobb will continue to direct the Carol and Junior Choirs, bring music in to the Sunday School classrooms, and focus our young people in making music together for worship, including the Christmas Pageant (Dec 17) and the Spring Musical (April 15). During the interim period we will be refining the position description for the Assistant Director of Music. Never hesitate to contact me at jevans@chevychasepc.org with your feedback. Peace to all and gratitude for your commitment,

Julie

First Wednesday Concerts | January 10 @12:10pm On January 10 at 12:10 p.m. Julie Vidrick Evans will present a program on the “First Wednesday Concerts” series at Saint John’s Church, Lafayette Square, DC. The 35 minute program will feature music by French composers on the beautiful Lively-Fulcher organ. https://stjohns-dc.org

Apollo Orchestra | January 28 @4pm The January 28 concert on the 47th Season of Chevy Chase Concerts welcomes the Apollo Orchestra, made possible through the generosity of the Downing Family Foundation. The concert will feature Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists of Washington National Opera. Included on their program will be Hindemith’s: Kammermusik no. 7 with guest artist Julie Vidrick Evans, scenes and arias from American operas, and Beethoven’s Symphony no. 3, the “Eroica”. 8

The Perfect Gift -by Susan Price, For the Gifts of Hope Committee As we approach the holiday season, consider how you might make the friends and relatives on your gift list happier with an “alternative gift.” This year, CCPC’s alternative market—Gifts of Hope—will be in Chadsey Hall after services on Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Pick a “gift” and a Christmas card with an insert describing what you bought in the recipient’s name. You’ll have lots of choices. Heard your mom fretting about the recent hurricane damage? Support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s relief efforts. Know someone who had trouble replacing a lost ID? Help TAP help poor people who can’t pay the fees for ID documents. Have an aunt who has recently benefitted from good medical care? Consider Doctors Without Borders. Or choose to help refugee families through Lutheran Social Services, buy an animal from Heifer, provide grocery cards for clients of Bread for the City and Interfaith Works, or give scholarships or hot lunches for the CCPC’s projects in the village of Shikokho, Kenya. Save yourself a trip to the mall! Involve your kids! Shop at Gifts of Hope and make the world a better place.

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Check It Out!: Christmas Books In Our Church Library Among the many Christmas books in the CCPC library are some of the classics which bring enjoyment and wonder year after year: •

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. There are two versions, one illustrated by Mercer Mayer and the other by Lemony Snicket’s Brett Helquist. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Anita Lobel. A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, illustrated by P.J. Lynch. The Polar Express, written and illustrated by Chris van Allsburg. But there are others just as deserving that you may not be familiar with:

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The Spirit of Christmas, written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman. “The best part of Christmas will always be… You beneath my Christmas tree.” The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Clooney. The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Anselm Grun, illustrated by Giuliano Ferri. Christmas Present from a Friend by Yuriko Kimura, illustrated by Masako Matesumura. 9

December Worship December 3, 2017 1 Advent Services at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. PREACHING: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert Music 9:15 - First Service Singers Music 11:15 - Chancel Choir

December 10, 2017 2 Advent Services at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. PREACHING: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert MUSIC 9:15 - Revelations Guitar Group Music 11:15– The Chancel Choir

December 17, 2017 3 Advent 9:15 am : Christmas Pageant 11:15 am: Morning Worship PREACHING: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert MUSIC : The Chancel Choir

December 24, 2017 | Christmas Eve •

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7:30 PM | Traditional Service of Lessons, Carols, and Candles, Music: The Intergenerational Christmas Choir , Preaching: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert.

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10:30 PM | Chancel Choir and Organ Prelude

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11:00 PM | Service of Lessons, Carols, and Candles Preaching: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert .

December 31, 2017 Christmas 1 One Service at 10:00am PREACHING: The Rev. Lynn Jostes MUSIC : Karen Bartman

Merry Christmas!