December 2014 outreach

T h e F i r s t P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h o f N a p l e s

December 2014

IN THIS ISSUE From Dr. Browne Music

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Pastor Nominating

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Finance Presbyterian Women

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Missions Calendar

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Evangelism

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Preschool Children and Youth Staff Spotlight

10 11 12

News and Events

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Serving FPCN

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Rev. Dr. Will Browne,

Interim Pastor/Head of Staff

I love Advent because I love Christmas. All my life I have loved Christmas. I have never been moved by those who fume about the commercialization of Christmas. I rather wonder at the power of a baby’s birth that induces business men and women to draw attention to our celebration of Christ’s birth!

November 30 begins Advent for us this year and we are planning pieces of our weekly worship to help us live afresh the story we have heard all our lives. Advent candles, trees, poinsettias, children’s time, decorations, lesson and carols, Christmas songs, words of comfort and joy.

A poet friend of mine, Lee Bekes, wrote this poem that is in my heart as Advent carries us to Christmas:

willb@fpcnaples.org

Music

Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, briceg@fpcnaples.org

A Season of Music A Service of Lessons and Carols with the Chancel Choir Sunday, December 7, 2014 4:00 p.m.

This special worship service, made popular by Kings College Cambridge, has become a tradition at First Presbyterian Church. Our Chancel Choir will sing many favorite Christmas anthems including the Angels’ Carol and Star Carol by John Rutter, portions of Handel’s Messiah, including And the Glory of the Lord, the famous tenor solo, Comfort Ye and Every Valley, and the soprano solo, Rejoice Greatly.

You will add your voice to the service by joining our choir in singing many favorite Christmas carols—including Once in Royal David’s City, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night.

Come and remember the reason for the season!

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Pastor Nominating Committee

From Your PNC Committee

As the holiday’s are approaching the Pastor Nominating Committee is not slowing down. We are still hard at work looking for a new pastor. We continue to have weekly meetings and in some cases have been meeting twice a week so we can interview potential candidates.

Recently members of our congregation have approached me about a concern they have. The question always seems to be the same. How are we doing background checks for potential new candidates and are we looking at them closely? This was also a concern for the committee early on in the process and we have developed an approach to attempt to look at a candidate from several different directions.

Here are some of the steps we are taking to review candidates.  Each PIF (Personal information form) has references we can check. Of course, we realize these references are from the candidate and are people they have selected.  Contact the Presbytery where they currently serve and in some cases the former Presbytery if they have only been at the current one for a short period of time.  A visit to their current church to see how the members of the congregation interact with them. In quite a few cases we are able to question the current congregation to see how they feel about the pastor. Of course no one knows who we are so we often get very candid answers.  A review firm was hired that specifically deals with matching churches to potential pastors. For lack of a better term it is like a personality profile being done. The

Libby Biehl, PNC Committee Chair, infonaples@gmail.com

candidates have three hours of written questions to answer and a three hour interview with the review firm. Then the committee is contacted with the results.

If anyone has additional questions about the review process, I will be happy to answer them either through email at (libbyfpcnaples@gmail.com) or feel free to stop me at church in Spencer Hall.

On a more personal note I would like to thank everyone for their love and prayers. Our daughter, Grace, was born on October 21 and we are both doing well. We appreciated the flowers, cards and meals we received.

We are truly blessed not only by our new addition, but to be part of such a loving, kind and wonderful church.

Blessings, Libby Biehl PNC Chair

Finance

Natalie Duff, Director of Finance, natalied@fpcnaples.org

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YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS PLEASE NOTE: All 2014 contributions MUST be either postmarked by December 31, 2014, received in the church office by 12 p.m. or processed online

by December 31, 2014 in order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2014. As we approach the end of 2014, persons who make year end contributions might want to consider donations of stock. Please contact Natalie Duff at 239.262.1311 ext. 242 or natalied@fpcnaples.org if you wish to make a stock donation.

What is Alternative Giving?

Alternative giving, virtual giving or graceful giving is a form of gift giving that has a symbolic value to the recipient and benefits a meaningful cause at the same time.

The gift giver makes a donation on the gift recipient’s behalf, rather than giving them an item. In 1916, Lily Hardy Hammond wrote, "You don't pay love back; you pay it forward.”

Have your children often wondered what to give you for a Christmas gift? Have you said many times, “I don’t need a thing?” Church member, Ed Wilson, answered his children by giving them a wonderful and thoughtful response…“I want you to make a donation to my church!”

Why not give your children the same response? Gifts can easily be made to the church in honor of a loved one.

The gift is a tax deduction for the gift giver and warms the heart of the recipient. The church will send the recipient a card informing them that a gift has been made to the church in their honor and a letter is sent to the giver for tax records. All donations will be deposited to the General Fund of FPCN

Financial Report October 31, 2014

Offerings Other Income Total Operating Expenses Operating Gain/Loss

YTD

YTD Budget

YTD

YTD Budget

2014

2014

2013

2013

722,200

737,583

803,496

807,966

324,524 1,240,880

298,953 1,382,880

344,230 1,419,692

345,970 1,491,534

(194,156

(346,344)

(270,966)

(337,598)

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Presbyterian Women

Ann Goodnight, PW Moderator, flgoodnight@aol.com

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S GATHERING The December Women’s Gathering will be held on Wednesday, December 3 and features a concert by Brice Gerlach and Michele Byrd. They always delight us with their musical talents in presenting a heartfelt program.

Menu: Ham, scalloped potatoes, five bean salad, Christmas ice cream and cookies. Sunshine Circle will be the hostesses.

BIBLE STUDY VIDEOS The Bible Study videos will be shown on Monday, December 8 and Thursday, December 18 at 10 a.m. in Room 204.

LOOKING FORWARD January 7— Women’s Gathering will take place at noon in Spencer Hall. The program will be a style show by Chico’s. Menu: Meatloaf, oven roasted potatoes, salad and dessert.

January 12—Bible Facilitators Meeting January 18—Blanket Sunday

CIRCLE MEETINGS The third week of the month is Circle meeting week.

Tuesday, November 18 and Wednesday, November 19.

Missions

Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net

Feed the 5,000 Luke 9:10-17

Wish List: 2 cans of meat, fish or chicken 2 cans of vegetables 1 pound of rice 2 pounds of pasta baby food items peanut butter and/or jelly macaroni and cheese fruit cups, applesauce, or fruit boxes for children If you can help, please pick up a Publix bag from an

Youth Haven receives the food we gather this month. Our donations help to make it possible for Youth Haven to serve more than 2,400 children and family members as shelter, counseling, food, and caring is provided to those in need.

usher as you leave the Sanctuary on the first Sunday of the month, and bring your food contribution to the Sixth Street Church entrance on the second Sunday. Checks are welcome and should be payable to "First Presbyterian Church" with the memo marked "Feed the 5,000."

Missions

Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net

Someone once said, “You can give

without loving, but you can’t love without giving.” Love affects giving. And

the best part of this church is the love that we show. We have had two amazingly successful mission projects this Fall and I thank everyone for their participation and gifts. Mision Peniel in Immokalee was delighted to get our collection of clothes, food, toiletries, baby items, shoes, and bedding. They have given almost all of it away to people who need it the most. We were happy to be able to work with Pastor Miguel, a Presbyterian minister who is leading this meaningful charity, for this donation and look forward to our workday which is scheduled for February 6, 2015. Watch the Outreach for sign-up of this event.

Secondly, Helps Outreach, a community Christian ministry received our donations from our November food drive. They also received the Project 5000 bags and cash. The church supports this agency with a cash donation as well and it is our plan to continue working with them through the church budget in 2015. Thanks to everyone who participated in the food drive. You supplied many needed Thanksgiving baskets.

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December you can ring the bell for the Salvation Army and I want to thank our two Santa's, Pat Warner and Ed Wilson for handling the sign-up. We are assigned the week of December 8 at the Neapolitan Publix, both doors. Like you, I always feel good about stuffing my pockets with a few dollar bills because I can never pass up a Red Kettle, even if I have sent the Salvation Army their Christmas check. Ringing the bells is our church’s contribution to the Salvation Army.

And please pay special attention to the article on page 14 about our Angel Tree. Shirley Hagerson has organized this task and tags are on the tree in Spencer Hall waiting for you to grab one. After everyone has taken a tag, bought and wrapped a gift, and left it under our tree, our special Santa and his Elf will deliver them to 6L Migrant Farmworkers.

It’s hands-on, fun, and meaningful. I hope you will join in.

The Missions Committee disbursed funds in November to the following agencies that we support: Grace Place, St. Matthew’s House, Immokalee Child Care Center, The Guadalupe Center, Collier County Hunger and Homeless Coalition, Shelter for Abused Women and Children, Helps Outreach, and Mision Peniel, which are all local charities. We also supported The Reformed Church in America/Juan Kempers Presbyterian Seminary. If you want further information or have questions, please call one of the committee members or Betty Mangos 239.254.9883.

And thank you to the committee for being Christ’s hands and feet in the world: Shirley Hagerson, Betty Plum, Karen Ryan, Roger Neumann, Roger Kempers, Ted Rojahn, Bill and Susan Stafford, Keith Gahagan and Sue Vernia. We are always thrilled to be adding new members and joining us in 2015-Carol Graham, Jeanne Perkins, & Sherry Huffman.

If you have a heart for missions, you belong here.

Join us! The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 13 at 2 p.m.

We had a wonderful local Missions tour on November 11 visiting Grace Place, St. Matthew’s House (where we had lunch), and Helps Outreach.

The next scheduled Missions tour will be in February to our Immokalee agencies. We will have a date Betty Mangos and sign-up information available soon.

Missions Committee Chair

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Calendar

Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, sandyp@fpcnaples.org

December SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

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2

3

4

7:30 a.m. Blood Drive

7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate

10:30 a.m. PW Coordinating Team 12 p.m. PW Gathering 4 p.m. PNC meeting 7 p.m. Choir

11 a.m. HUDDLE 9:30 a.m. Cookie 5 p.m. Christmas Tree Baking Lighting on 5th Ave. 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

9 a.m. Hanging of the Greens

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location)

9 a.m. Prayer Shawl 11 a.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group 4 p.m. Session

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SATURDAY

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8

9

10

8:30 & 10 a.m.

Worship 10:15 a.m. Children’s Sunday School 11 a.m. Adult Ed. Class 12 p.m. Cumberland Church 4 p.m. Season of Music Concert

9 a.m. Bible Facilitators

7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate

4 p.m. PNC meeting 9:30 a.m. Stephen 7 p.m. Choir Ministry 10 a.m. Sew&Sews 11 a.m. HUDDLE 4 p.m. Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking 5 p.m. Christmas Carol Pot Luck Dinner

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15

16

17

18

19

20

8:30 & 10 a.m.

Worship 10:15 a.m. Children’s Sunday School 11 a.m. Adult Ed. Class 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

OUTREACH DEADLINE 3 p.m. Finance Committee

7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate

9:30 a.m. Love Circle 10 a.m. Friendship Circle 12 p.m. Sunshine Circle 1 p.m. Peace/Honor Circle 4 p.m. PNC meeting 7 p.m. Choir

10 a.m. PW Bible Facilitators Video 11 a.m. HUDDLE 4 p.m. Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking

3 p.m.

Remembrances Preparation

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22

23

24

Merry Christmas 26

8 a.m. Facilities Committee 9 a.m. Prayer Shawl 2 p.m. Missions Committee 4 p.m. Barnes & Noble fundraiser

8:30 & 10 a.m.

Worship 10:15 a.m. Children’s Sunday School 11 a.m. Adult Ed. Class 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

28 8:30 & 10 a.m.

Worship 11 a.m. Adult Ed. Class 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

location)

location)

9 a.m. Prayer Shawl 9:30 a.m. Faith/Joy Circle

7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate location)

Christmas Eve Services 5 & 7 p.m.

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30 7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate location)

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12

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Church office closed Preschool closed

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Evangelism

Joan Gust, Evangelism Committee Chair, jrwgust@gmail.com

Christmas Potluck Dinner Join us for a fun night of Christmas Caroling on Friday, December 12 at 5 p.m.

Why I am a member of First Presbyterian Church of Naples:     

The Hope I have for our family.

The Peace that fills the Sanctuary.

The Joy of worshipping with my church family.

The Love our members have for the Triune God. The Happiness I find being part of the membership of First Presbyterian Church.

Joan Gust If you’d like to share why you call First Presbyterian Church your home, please contact us at publications@fpcnaples.org or send us a note to: Outreach Newsletter 250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102

Those whose last names begin with the following please bring: A-G Side/Salad H-P Main Course Q-Z Dessert Sign up in Spencer Hall or call the church office at 239.262.1311.

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Preschool

Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org

Annual Christmas Walk and

Tree Lighting Ceremony 5th Avenue South Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 5 p.m. in front of Sugden Theater Join First Presbyterian Preschool as they perform classic Christmas Carols at the opening ceremony.

The children will perform at approximately 5:45 p.m.

Afterwards, stop by the booth hosted by First Presbyterian Church and Preschool where participants can make an ornament or a necklace.

2015-2016 Preschool Enrollment Enrollment start dates: Church members January 12, 2015 Current students and siblings January 26, 2015 Open enrollment February 9, 2015 Enrollment packets will be available in the church and preschool offices and online beginning in January

Children and Youth

Shana Dublan, Director of Children and Family Ministries shanad@fpcnaples.org

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Youth Group December 4 Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting This year the Preschool has been asked to sing at the 5th Avenue tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Afterwards they have a little festival where First Presbyterian Church will have a booth. At this booth anyone can make a Christmas ornament and learn more about what we have to offer at the church and the school. NO YOUTH GROUP December 4.

However, if you would like to sign up to help run the craft booth, all you have to do is have your parent e-mail Miss Shana at shanad@fpcnaples.org or text her 815.342.1412 with their permission. Parents will be responsible to arrange pick up from the event.

December 11 Youth Group at 4 p.m.

We will decorate the youth room for our Christmas

Party!

December 18 Youth Group at 4 p.m.

Christmas Party with gift exchange! Please keep the gift around $10 and bring something you would like. So if you are a girl bring a girl gift and if you are a boy bring a boy gift. On the tag simply write Girl or Boy.

December 21 Youth Sunday Youth will participate in the worship service. After service we will have a Christmas play rehearsal.

Lunch will be provided.

December 24 Christmas Eve Family Christmas service at 5 p.m. Please plan to attend.

If you are in the play please be here by 4:30 p.m.

Enjoy your Christmas Break!!!

January 8 regular youth group resumes.

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News and Events

Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org

Q: What are your favorite TV shows?

A: 20/20, Primetime and College Football Q: Favorite Actor/Actress?

A: Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence

Ashley Houk Preschool Director In an effort for you to get to know the church and preschool staff a little better, we will be spotlighting one staff member each month in the Outreach.

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: Mooresville, NC Q:When did you move to Naples and why?

A: My husband’s career brought us to the area in 2004.

Q: How long have you worked at First Presbyterian Preschool?

A: Three and a half years

Q: Do you have a favorite author?

A: Nicholas Sparks Q: What would it be impossible for you to give up?

A: Chocolate Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

A: Interior Design Q: What profession would you not like to do?

A: Doctor Q: What sound or noise do you love?

A: My son laughing Q: What sound or noise do you hate?

A: Styrofoam Q: Name a few things on your bucket list.

A: Take a Disney Cruise

Q: Are you married?

Q: What would you like God to say to you when you A: My husband, Scott, and I have been married over arrive at the pearly gates?

13 years.

A: Come in, your Dad is waiting to see you.

Q: Where does your husband work?

A: Scott is a chemical manufacturing representative.

Q: Do you have any children?

A: We have a son, Seth, who is 9 years old.

Q: Where can we find you when you’re not working?

A: At the lake, on the boat or on a sports field.

Q: Which sports do you enjoy participating in or watching?

A: Baseball, college football, soccer Q: Name some favorite Movies?

A: Comedy—Bridesmaids Christmas— Elf; Fantasy—The Hobbit; Drama—Steel Magnolias

Some of the above questions were taken from “Inside the Actors Studio”

News and Events

Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org

Valentine’s Dinner and Sing-a-long

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Hanging of the Greens

featuring Peter Strachan singer—comic—impersonator

Please join us on Saturday, December 6 as we make our church beautiful for the Advent season. Meet in Spencer Hall at 9 a.m. for coffee and instructions. We need help fluffing the trees, hanging garland and wreaths, decorate Spencer Hall trees, and Nativity scene set up.

Many hands make light work!

If you have any questions, please contact Susan Stafford at wcssas@aol.com or 239.262.8761.

February 13, 2015 Tickets will be available December 7 in Spencer Hall or online $15 per person/$30 per couple Includes a delicious meal prepared by St. Matthew’s House Catering and served by our Youth Group.

Limited number of tickets, so get yours early!

Join us for an all church event full of fun, music and entertainment!

   

2 vacuum cleaners—$1800 Replacement of 4 round tables—$400 Replacement of 2 Christmas trees for Spencer Hall—$880 each Locked cabinet for audio/visual equipment in the Youth Room

Donations for the above items would be welcomed and appreciated.

Please contact Sharman Pfaus (sharmanp@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311) with any questions on the items for the wish list.

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News and Events

Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org

Thank You

In Memoriam Ann Stork

Dear Staff and Friends,

November 8, 2014

I am so blessed to work with such wonderful people! Since my surgery and during my recovery, I have been overwhelmed with love, prayers, cards and visits. To the staff, thank you for all you have done and are doing to keep up with everything. We certainly have the “dream team” at FPCN and I am grateful for all you.

To the Congregation, Deacons and Stephen Ministers, your visits with my family at the hospital, cards, calls and prayers have meant more than you can know. Thank you for your kindness and care. To Dr. Browne for his understanding and patience as I work through my recovery, I thank you. A special thank you to the Prayer Shawl Ministry Group for their beautiful gift of the prayer shawl. Along with your prayers, it provided comfort and peace during times of discomfort and unrest. May God bless you all as he has blessed me.

With Love in Christ, Sharman

 Pastor Miguel from Mision Peniel has picked up our final donations for our October Mission project. They have been thrilled to distribute our gifts of food, bedding, toiletries, clothing, shoes and children/baby things. Thank you for participating to provide these very appreciative and indigent people with these muchneeded items.

The Missions Committee

 Dear First Presbyterian Church, Thank you so much for inviting Hope Visiting Nurses to your flu clinic. Looking forward to seeing you all next year.

Hope Visiting Nurses

The Angel Tree

Serving First Presbyterian Church of Naples Program Staff

Facilities Staff

Dr. Will Browne Interim Pastor/Head of Staff

Sandy Poore Director of Facilities

Dr. Brice Gerlach Director of Music Ministries

Leticia Martinez Custodian of Facilities

Shana Dublan Director of Children and Family Ministries

Audio Visual Staff

Office Staff Sharman Pfaus Executive Office Manager

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Mike Calyore Isaac Dublan Sound and Video Technicians

Preschool Staff

Natalie Duff Director of Finance

Ashley Houk Director of Preschool

Kathleen Law Coordinator of Communications

Liz Psota Preschool Administrative Assistant

Please consider dedicating a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one, and help beautify the Sanctuary for the Christmas season. Fill out the following form and return it along with payment to the church office. Please note Poinsettia Dedication on the payment. All orders must be received no later than Friday, December 12. Please use one form per dedication. Additional forms may be found in the church office, Spencer Hall or online at www.fpcnaples.org. The cost is $25 per poinsettia.

Please PRINT CLEARLY the information you would like to appear in the dedication.

In memory of _________________________________________________________________________ In honor of ____________________________________________________________________________ Given by _____________________________________________________________________________ Your name _______________________________________ Phone _____________________________ Amount enclosed $________ A list of dedications will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletins.

You may pick up your poinsettia following the 7 p.m. service on Christmas Eve.

First Presbyterian Church of Naples 250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 www.fpcnaples.org 239.262.1311

Non-Profit Org. Postage PAID Naples, FL 34102 Permit No. 8