November/December FPC News

Advent Edition

featuring weekly devotionals A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MARIETTA NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 | VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 10

As a kid, I was often referred to by peers and adults as an optimist because I always had a BIG smile on my face. I began to realize as I got older that those “compliments” were never compliments to begin with and were rather simply coded language intended to comment on my naivety, for if I really knew anything about the world then I wouldn’t be such an optimist. Maybe like me, many of you began to perceive optimism as weakness exchanging it for a preferred rational cynicism.

I think because of this exchange, I have always approached the season of Advent with a little bit of suspicion, especially the first candle of Advent. I mean, how do I really know that the branch of David is going to come and bring with him justice and righteousness? We haven’t seen it so how can we believe it? Honestly, it is much easier for me to see things that reinforce my cynicism than diminish it.

It seems that this question of how we move from cynicism to hope is the big question of the season of Advent.

Is it even possible to move from cynicism to hope in a world like ours or must we keep ourselves safe and not get caught up in hoping?

Well, maybe the point of Advent isn’t to jump to hope, but rather it is to journey there. There can be a lot of shame and guilt surrounding the Advent season for those who may have a few more questions than answers around the whole thing.

If you get one takeaway from this it is that those questions are totally fine, and you are totally fine for having them. The point of Advent is not to put on a different person’s experience for a season because we feel we must, but rather the point is for us to approach the one called Emmanuel just as we are right now.

Christ is with the cynics and the optimists, the believers and the nonbelievers, those who feel God’s presence and those who don’t, those who are dedicated church attendees and those who may not go as much as they would like to, and everything in between.

The hope of the season isn’t that our lives and that the world itself are always going to be right all the time, but the hope of the season is that in the messiness of the world, we are met by the One called the Branch of David, Root of Jesse, and God With Us!

The first Sunday of Advent November 28 Rev. Michael Sanchez

hope

Peace The second Sunday of Advent, December 5

The Gospel Reading for the Second Sunday of Advent every year is about John the Baptist. This year it is Luke 3:2b-6.

|

Rev. Joe Brice

…The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

The Advent Wreath Candle we light for the Second Sunday of Advent every year symbolizes Peace.

blight or toss you into the incinerator like chaff... one of his favorite ways of addressing his congregation was as a snake pit.”

This seems odd to me. John the Baptizer doesn’t portray what I usually understand Peace to be like. Frederick Buechner described him like this:

Peace? However, it has been said that there can be no true peace without the repentance John was demanding. This means that to reach a true peace with God and one another, we must address what needs to change about the world and about ourselves.

“John the Baptist didn't fool around. He lived in the wilderness around the Dead Sea. He subsisted on a starvation diet, and so did his disciples. He wore clothes that even the rummage-sale people wouldn't have handled.

When he preached, it was fire and brimstone every time.

The Kingdom was coming all right, he said, but if you thought it was going to be a pink tea, you'd better think again. If you didn't shape up, God would give you the ax like an elm with the

This Advent Season could be a time to watch for things that could change for the better. Like John, we can be bold to tell one another what those things are. We could also consider using different words or a different tone of voice from what John used. After all, your family or friends might find it hard to take you seriously if you called them a “snake pit."

The Peace of Christ be with you all.

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES Your FPC Staff were invited to share Christmas memories and season 'favorites.'

One of my favorite Christmas memories is from my childhood. We would drive for what seemed like an eternity on Christmas Eve, arriving at my grandparents' house in Foley, Alabama just in time to help them finish decorating the tree.

Rising before dawn on Christmas morning, we would all pile into the car and drive to a church in nearby Robertsdale for the Swedish Christmas sunrise service called Julotta. There was a sizable community of folks in South Alabama who, like my grandfather, had come to America from Sweden around the turn of the 20th century. Part of the Julotta service was in English, and part in Swedish, and we did our best to sing the Swedish hymns! After the service was a fellowship breakfast (every kid's favorite part), and then everyone headed home to open gifts and spend the day with family. Alesia Jones, Assistant Director, Club 3:30

Joy to the world. This song gives me cheer and the Christmas mood It is fun to sing and play. I have loved this song since i was a little. Whenever I listen or play Joy to the World, it makes me smile.

Chohee Kim, Organist

When my Georgia nieces were little(r), I decided I wanted to give them experience gifts for Christmas instead of stuff. Eden Mew had a role in Madeline’s Christmas at the time, so for our annual Christmas Experience gift, I took them to Tasty China and then to the show! This year is year 6 and is the first time their experiences have been separate. I took Lin to see Hamilton and Alice’s turn is coming up!

I love that the time together give us the opportunity to slow down and enjoy just being together, and I hope that these “gifts” will give them great memories with their Aunt Becca. It’s been wonderful for me, though it is getting harder and harder to think of special and exciting things to do with them. Got any ideas?

Becca Yan, Ministry & Membership Coordinator

Year 2: The Polar Express

Year 4: Overnight trip to Helen

Year 6: Hamilton

Soon after college, I went to a different city for a job offer. The holidays are typically the busiest days of the year for the company, so I had resolved that I wouldn't be celebrating Christmas with my family that year. It was the first time I would not be spending it with them. I convinced myself that it was part of “adulting," and I was going to be fine. It was Friday, two days before Christmas, and I was on my way to work. I was feeling so miserable, I knew I wanted to go home. During lunch, I booked my ticket and flew home after work that day. I spent Christmas with my family, and I was so happy I made the decision to come home. Sunday evening came- my scheduled flight back. My friends drove me to the airport, and the weather was bad; we were running late for my flight. They teased that I was going to miss it. Of course the thought of it made me thrilled- I never liked flying, and I have missed many of my flights before. In my head, missing this flight meant more family time at home.

Mary (9) with her sisters, Carol (left) and Ann (center)

We got to the airport about the same time my flight was scheduled to leave. Much to my surprise (and disappointment), the plane was leaving a little late because of the weather. Needless to say, I made that flight back. I might have cried the entire 45-minute flight, but I’m pretty sure the 7 other passengers onboard that Christmas flight didn’t mind. I knew it was going to be fast, I knew it was going to be exhausting, but I also knew it was going to be worth it. It was definitely so worth it, and I made sure I never missed Christmas with my family again. Andy Nismal, Food Bank Coordinator

My favorite Christmas tradition was on the night of December 23rd my parents would lay out new Christmas pajamas (that my mom had sewn) and after changing into them and bundling up in winter coats and hats drive us around our little town listening to Christmas music looking at Christmas lights. After about an hour we would head back home

to find all the lights on and our Christmas presents under tree. We all felt incredibly special that Santa had come to our house a day early so we could spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Grandparents and Great-Grandparents – one of the benefits of having parents that grew up in the same town!

Mary Groves, Director, Club 3:30

There are several Christmas traditions that our family has enjoyed for a minimum of 45 years!

The first two are food related.

Breakfast and Christmas dinner are ALWAYS the same. Breakfast is cinnamon rolls and bacon.

Christmas dinner is always grilled steak and French fries. The third tradition was started when our children were babies. We always read the Christmas story from Luke 2 before opening gifts and take a moment to reflect on Jesus and the first Christmas. Thanks be to God! Susan Palacios, Executive Assistant

joy

The third Sunday of Advent December 12

In today’s scripture, Paul reminds the faithful (Philippians 4:4): Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. He goes on to say (Philippians 4:6): In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Now rejoicing and experiencing anxiety seem to be mutually exclusive. I think we will all agree that the hustle and bustle of our holiday schedules, gatherings, and preparations make most of us anxious. Think about adding the elements of the season to the troubles of the world. How can we have joy with a COVID pandemic, with national divisions, and with the world’s problems of human migration and conflict? As we dwell on these things, our anxiety grows, and our joy diminishes. How can we increase our joy?

Let me remind you of a little-known scripture (Zephaniah 3:17): The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. The prophet tells the people in Jerusalem that God is with them, that he rejoices over the faithful, and that he experiences joy from his people. God sings with joy over his people. As we apply this promise to ourselves, just imagine God singing over faithful people in worship. God singing with joy over our rejoicing in worship together.

Imagine biblical worshipers approaching the Temple of Herod for worship, singing as they approach. What joy they must have experienced!

Can you sense their joy? And yet their daily lives

|

Rev. Dr. Paul Sherwood

were full of struggles and hazards. They must have focused all their attention on God during their worship. Think about our own recent service. Didn’t we find joy while we celebrated in worship with the Kirkin’ of the Tartan?

Perhaps our joy increases as we increase our love of the Lord; as we seek to love God with all our heart, strength, and soul. We have this example through the life of our Savior. Jesus was able to maintain a focus on God, despite the human misery he encountered. He experienced joy and peace, which he possessed because of his own love of God and his continual focus on his heavenly Father.

Finally, Paul tells us (Philippians 4:7): And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. That’s it! That’s the answer; through Jesus Christ. What can we do in the face of the world’s problems, which are always with us? We can change our focus. We can focus on the carols we sing in the Christmas season. We can focus on the song at a child’s baptism: O Loving Father, to Thy care, we give again, this child of Thine...We naturally redirect our focus during our worship and praise and prayers. Our focus on Christ will bring us peace amid the chaos.

Imagine our own prayers and gratitude being lifted before God. Imagine the Lord looking upon us and singing. As we apply this image to ourselves, we can change our focus every day to the peace we gain when we pray and praise. Even as our hearts sing to God, we can imagine God singing over us. We can smile at the peace we find through his love. Amen.

Preparing to Embrace Love | Luke 1:39-45 Some people enjoy being surprised on Christmas morning. Others, like my aunt, do not. Growing up, my aunt would sneak around the house – sifting through attic junk and dusty closets to find each and every one of her Christmas gifts. She’d slice open the tape and peel back the wrapping to reveal the gift inside. Armed with her new knowledge, she’d reverse the steps – refolding the paper and retaping the edges with such precision that it was years before my grandparents found out.

Surprises disrupt. They shift our status quo and force us to adjust to a new reality. The tire on your car blows out. Your favorite TV show is cancelled. You wear a hole in your favorite sneakers. You crack the screen on your smartphone. The Zaxby’s by your house closes without warning and now you have to drive 10 miles out of the way for the Big Zax Snack. Surprise.

These surprises are minor – they might ruin an afternoon. Other surprises are far more serious.

Your doctor calls with a concerning test result. Surprise. Your closest friend moves away. Surprise.

The promotion you counted on never materializes. Worse yet, layoffs are imminent. Surprise. Your spouse betrays you. Surprise. Your loved one passes away. Surprise.

Or perhaps you are an unmarried teenager learning that she is pregnant. Surprise. In Luke’s gospel, a teenager named Mary is visited by an angel who exclaims, “Rejoice favored one!” When Mary doesn’t rejoice, the angel tries again, “Do not be afraid. You are favored by God!” Mary is still not sure about this sudden visitor and his shiny promises. Is she favored? Pregnant and unmarried.

Disgraced and cast out. Unable to provide for herself or her child. God’s blessing looks more like a curse.

This surprise rocks Mary’s world. She travels out of town to stay with her cousin Elizabeth, the angel’s words heavy on her heart. As soon as Elizabeth lays eyes on her cousin, she begins to reiterate the angel’s words. Elizabeth’s encouragement – Elizabeth’s ability to see God’s hand in this startling and disorienting surprise – opens Mary’s eyes as well. At last, Mary finds the voice to sing, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”

We cannot anticipate every surprise, but we can respond faithfully to them. Like Elizabeth, we can help one another see the hand of God in the unexpected. Like Mary, we can trust God’s goodness even when the way forward is hidden. Maybe God is cultivating a new relationship from a shared tragedy. Or steering you to a more meaningful career. Or grounding you with a stronger sense of self after a difficult winter of the soul. At every unexpected turn, we can trust that our God goes before us and guards behind us and is ever with us.

God does not abandon Mary; God claims her. God has not cursed her; God has blessed her and has made her a blessing to all creation. Let us not be afraid of surprises. Let us embrace them! Let us rejoice like Mary did, for it is in the unexpected twists and turns that we encounter the power and presence of God.

The fourth Sunday of Advent December 19

|

Rev. Cassie Waits

love

A Christmas Day Devotion

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Luke 2: 22-40 I spend a lot of time looking forward to today. The Christmas morning of my imagination looks something like this – there’s a fire burning in the fireplace, sausage and bacon are frying in the kitchen, both our girls are overjoyed sitting under the Christmas Tree, I’m wearing a Christmas sweater, and everyone is listening to me sing a rendition of I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas because it’s snowing outside.

Now that’s not exactly how it goes, for our fireplace has been deemed unsafe for use, I’ve developed a sensitivity to pork, our girls often move quickly from opening their presents to writing next year’s Christmas list, I don’t own a Christmas sweater, no one would ever listen to me sing anything, and it’s likely to be 70 degrees on Christmas morning.

Maybe like you, I dream up the ideal in my head, then the reality can’t measure up.

Weddings, the birth of a child, and certainly a baby’s baptism are all like that.

Therefore, I’m sure Mary grew up looking forward to her wedding day, and I doubt she pictured being pregnant when the big day came. I bet she also grew up thinking about being a mother, and I bet a barn and bands of cloth had nothing to do with her imaginary scenario. Then, maybe she had come to grips with how different her wedding day was, maybe she had accepted her child’s birth for what it was, but could you blame her if she wanted the day of his presentation at the temple to be different?

Everything up unto this point had been so different from how she imagined it, finally she was doing something the way it was supposed to be done, and gladly bought the appropriate offerings: a pair of turtledove or two young pigeons. It must have felt so good, to do what the Gospel of Luke tells us, “was customary under the law,” everything up until this point having been so un-customary.

Only then comes Simeon.

“Simeon took him in his arms” and this moment was taken like the others. Still, the time came and so the child had to be brought up to Jerusalem, because it’s there in the law for “every firstborn shall be designated as holy to the Lord.”

If that’s how it was with Jesus, then what if that’s what holy is?

What if holy isn’t perfection?

What if holy isn’t the attainment of every dream and ideal and imagination?

What if holy is just what Jesus was – a human being born into an imperfect marriage, born on a day when nothing went how it was supposed to, and began his life with his mother knowing that one day something was going to happen to her little boy that would pierce her soul?

It’s not the way I would dream it up, but it’s the way it happens.

Today, more than anything else, I hope you’ll give thanks for Christmas, the Christmas that you have even if it’s not the Christmas that you dreamed of, because holiness isn’t perfection.

No, instead, Christ entered our imperfection and made it all holy.

So Merry Christmas, and may you see Christ with you today.

Rev. Joe Evans

JOIN US FOR THE

ADVENT SEASON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28 - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 LIVE NATIVITY Sunday, December 12 | 4:00-6:00pm

A tableau of the manger scene with live animals to pet, including a camel!

Join us for hot chocolate, snacks and games!

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS LECTURE Sunday, December 19 | 9:45-10:45am | Great Hall with Dr. Brennan Breed

THE LONGEST NIGHT

Thursday, December 23 | 7pm | Sanctuary A more subdued and reflective worship service, especially for those who struggle during the holidays.

CHRISTMAS EVE Friday, December 24

12pm Communion Service

4pm Family Service Details about participation and a special offering can be found at fpcmarietta.org/upcoming-events

7pm Candlelight Service A nursery is provided only at the 7pm Service.

11pm Candlelight/Communion Service

Online services available at fpcmarietta.org/live-stream/

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

Poinsettias will decorate the church this season.

Consider donating one or more in memory of a loved one or to honor a special person at Christmastime.

Those who have donated may pick up a poinsettia after Christmas.

Forms can be found at fpcmarietta.org/upcoming-events or in the Gathering Space.

AVAILABLE THROUGH ADVENT Advent Family Devotionals

Family Advent To-Go Kits are available in the Gathering Space.

They include weekly devotionals, an advent calendar, crafts and supplies, and hot chocolate. Please pick up a kit for your family or loved ones.

One per family please.

A Different Kind of Christmas

Gift options for New American Pathways and DFACS Secret Santa for Foster/Adoptive Children.

You can order directly from their Amazon wish lists.

Go to fpcmarietta.org/upcoming-events

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION December Sunday School Offering Supports: The Zone-Davis Direction Foundation

Christmas Joy Offering

God has blessed the Church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported, as well.

This offering, collected during Advent, addresses the support needed, including supporting leadership development for communities of color, and providing support for Presbyterian church workers in their time of need. specialofferings.pcusa.org/offering/christmas-joy/

Sunday, December 26

Worship at 8:30am and 11:00am in the Sanctuary No Sunday School for Children & Youth

__________________________________________________________________________

COMING IN THE NEW YEAR! A new women’s Bible study based on the television series The Chosen kicks off January 10 at 7pm and will be held offcampus on alternate Mondays.

Want to learn more about The Chosen?

Go to youtube.com/watch?v=K1-FoFj8Jbo Contact Connie Shiplett at Shipletten@aol.com to learn more and for directions!

Information about all small groups at FPC can be found at fpcmarietta.org/adults

FPC News (USPS 442-780) Monthly Publication by FPC Marietta FPCMarietta. Periodicals Postage Paid @ Marietta, GA. POSTMASTER: Please Send Address Changes to: FPC News, First Presbyterian Church 189 Church Street, Marietta, GA 30060-1629

Sundays at FPC Worship: 8:30am and 11:00am

__________________________________________________________________________ November 28: Candle of Hope Preaching: Rev. Joe Evans December 5: Candle of Peace Preaching: Rev. Cassie Waits

SUNDAY MORNINGS Worship 8:30 & 11:00am In Person and Online Online at fpcmarietta.org/live-stream Dial in to 678-722-8395

December 19: Candle of Love Preaching: Rev. Joe Evans

9:45-10:45am Sunday School for all ages Children & Youth Sunday School 9:45-10:45am Children 3yr Preschool - 1st Grade (Room 113) Children Grades 2-5 (Lower Level in Track 25) Youth Grades 6-12 (Room 213)

December 26 Preaching: Rev. Cassie Waits Both services will be held in the Sanctuary.

No Sunday School for children and youth.

Adult Sunday School 9:45-10:45am 30s-50s Gathering (Room 053) Faith Builders (Room 057) Explorers (Room 049) Find details at fpcmarietta.org/adults

Interested in becoming a member?

Email Matt Burnham at info@fpcmarietta.org

GIVE TO THE CHURCH WHILE YOU SHOP! Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to FPC if you begin each online shopping session at smile.amazon.com.

December 12: Candle of Joy Preaching: Rev. Joe Evans

Phone 770-427-0293 Fax 770-427-0295 Editor: Kelly Dewar | KellyDewar@fpcmarietta.org

Go to smile.amazon.com, click on the “supporting” tab in the upper left of the screen, and set it to First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, then continue shopping as usual!

FPC News Team: Jeff Byrd, Tom Clarke, Kelly Dewar, Ken Dutter, Natalie Foster, Martie Moore