THE CARILLON IRVINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DECEMBER 2013

Dear Members and Friends, Starting December 1st, we enter the season of Advent that precedes Christmas. Advent means coming or arrival, the time before something important happens. Frederick Buechner, in his book Whistling In The Dark, describes Advent this way. The house lights go off and the footlights come on. Even the chattiest stop chattering as they wait in darkness for the curtain to rise. In the orchestra pit, the violin bows are poised. The conductor has raised the baton. In the silence of a midwinter dusk there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You walk up the steps to the front door. The empty windows at either side of it tell you nothing, or almost nothing. For a second you catch a whiff in the air of some fragrance that reminds you of a place youve never been and a time you have no words for. You are aware of the beating of your heart. The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment. The Salvation Army Santa Claus clangs his bell. The sidewalks are so crowded you can hardly move. Exhaust fumes are the chief fragrance in the air, and everybody is as bundled up against any sense of what all the fuss is really about as they are bundled up against the wind-chill factor. But if you concentrate just for an instant, far off in the deeps of you somewhere you can feel the beating of your heart. For all its madness and lostness, not to mention your own, you can hear the world itself holding its breath.

With Tidings of Comfort and Joy,

ChristianEducation

December 1 FamilyWorshipThanksgivingweekend 8 ChapelTimeCarolService 15 SundaySchoolclassesfollowingChildrensTime. 22 SundaySchoolclassesfollowingChildrensTime. 29 FamilyWorshipChristmas/NewYear *Anyoneinterestedinthepossibilityofteaching,whowouldliketositin onsomeclassestogetafeelforthegroupsandcurriculum,pleasespeak toLisaNivenoranyoneontheChristianEducationCommittee. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ACOLYTES December1 DevinReilly December22 SarahGarcia December8 BellaSmith December29 volunteerneeded December15 CarolineBayer ___________________________________________________________________________________

ADULTEDUCATION

TheAnatomyofaSermon(continued)

Butwhatgoesintocraftingasermon?Howaretheystructuredand howaretheyinspired?GeorgeBollenbacherwilltakeusthroughthe historyofsermons,startingintheBibleitselfandhelpusunderstand howapreacherconstructsthisspokenmessage. Sundaymorningsat9:00intheUpperRoom: December8&15,2013

(noclassonDecember1,ThanksgivingWeekend)

ReligionandtheFoundingoftheAmericanRepublic

AlthoughAmericahasbeenportrayedasthelandofreligious freedom,religionandPresbyterianisminparticularhada significantinfluenceonourConstitutionandlaws.Attorneyand ElderBradBreenwillreviewthepolityofthePresbyterianChurchin the18thcenturyandexplainhowitimpactedthebirthofAmerica. Sundaymorningsat9:00intheUpperRoom: December22,2013January19,2014

(noclassonDecember29,ChristmasWeekend)

 IPCBookClub
TheIPCBookClubwillmeetintheParlorfrom9:0010:00amonThursday, December12thtodiscuss HATESHIP,FRIENDSHIP,COURTSHIP,LOVESHIP,MARRIAGE ashortstorycollectionbyAliceMunro Formoreinformation,contactSusanBreenatsusan@susanjbreen.com. (Jan.9Zealot:theLifeandTimesofJesusofNazarethbyRezaAslan)

DECEMBERYOUTHACTIVITIES

MIDNIGHTRUN

Friday,December13th5:45PM

YouthvolunteersinGrades5andolderareneededtohelp!MeetintheIPCKITCHENorcomewhen youcantopreparingour100orsosandwiches.Wethenhelpwiththeassemblyof lunchesandpackingfortherunnextdoor.Planonstayinguntil9:00PM.Pleaselet Peterknowifyouplantohelp.Tovolunteer,emailPeteratpeterfishpan@aol.com.

TOTSTOTEENSCHRISTMASPARTY Saturday,December14th6:00pm Forchildren,youth,friendsandparents.Webeginat6:00PMintheWestminster Roomdownstairs.Therewillbefood,festivities,andfunactivities.Getintothe holidayspiritaswemakeornamentsandhelpdecoratetheParlorChristmastree!

CHRISTMASCAROLINGATNURSINGHOMES Sunday,December8th BringtheholidayspirittoseniorresidentsatareaNursingHomesaswevisitand carolthroughthehalls!Youthin4thGradethroughadults,friendsandparentsare invitedtojoinus. 12:30PMPutItAllTogetheratIPCand1:15PMDeparture Driversneeded!EmailPeteratpeterfishpan@aol.com ACarolingTripisalsointheworksforSunday,December23. LIVINGCRCHETuesday,December24th 4thgradersandup:Recreatethegoodnewsforthecommunitythrough thestoryofthenativity.Friendsarewelcome! Startingimmediatelyafterthe4:00pmFamilyChristmasEveservice,with hourslotsuntilthe11:00pmservice. Sharecocoa&snacksandamemorablefellowshipexperience. Signup(required)intheParlorortextorLouiseElliotat9155060601orcontactLisaNivenat lisa.niven@irvingtonpresbychurch.com

YouthandChildrensChoirScheduleforDecember
YouthChoir ChildrensChoir SunDec1 9:30amrehearsal 11:30amrehearsal FriDec6 Rehearsal,TBD SunDec8 9:30amrehearsal 11:30amrehearsal 12:30rehearseforcarolingatnursinghomes SunDec15 9:30amrehearsal 11:30amrehearsal 2:30call 2:55call bothChoirssingat4:00CarolService SunDec22 9:30rehearsal 11:30rehearsal PMcaroling? TueDec24 2:45call 2:55call bothChoirssingat4:00pmChristmas SunDec29 NOYC NoCC EveFamilyService

FROM MISSION AND MUSIC Organ Recital Please join us for an afternoon of French organ music on Sunday, November 24, at 4 p.m., performed on our Klais organ by Gesa Graumann, a member of the Klais organ building team from Bonn, Germany. Gesa returns for her twelfth annual recital to perform music of Guilmant, Messiaen, and Widor. Messiah Is Coming! The Chancel Choir will present selections from Handels Messiah on Sunday afternoon, December 8, at 4 p.m. The annual performance of this beloved sacred oratorio by our choir, orchestra, and soloists, ushers in the season of Advent as we prepare our hearts and minds for the birth of the Christ Child in Bethlehem. Please contact the music director if you are interested in joining the choir for this concert. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 8 p.m.; dress rehearsal is on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m.1 pm.

Join our friends in the neighboring congregations of Immaculate Conception, Aldersgate, Greenburgh Hebrew Center and St. Barnabas for the Community Thanksgiving Service to be held at IPC on Wednesday November 27th at 8PM. Fr. Ashman of Immaculate Conception Church will preach. A reception will follow the event.

Christmas!
Messiah Sunday, December 8th
4:00 pm in the sanctuary

Candle-light Carol Service and Christmas Dinner Sunday, December 15th, 2013
4:00 pm service in the sanctuary followed by Dinner & a program of songs and readings in Calvin Auditorium. All are welcome. Child care in the nursery.

Family Christmas Eve Services Tuesday, December 24th

4:00 pm in the sanctuary Hear, sing, and help tell the Christmas story. An informal, interactive service for the whole family, with participation of the Youth and Childrens Choirs.

The Living Crche Tuesday, December 24th

4th grade and up, Friends welcome! Re-create the good news for the community through the story of the nativity. Starting immediately after the 4:00 pm Family Christmas Eve service. Share cocoa & snacks and a memorable fellowship experience. Sign-up ahead in the Parlor

Candlelight Service Tuesday, December 24th

11:00 pm in the sanctuary

FROM THE BOARD OF DEACONS New Beginnings You know how this time of year you get lots of calendars in the mail? Well, hang onto them! The Deacons will be collecting 2014 calendars to donate to New Beginnings, which is an organization, based in Ossining, that helps formerly homeless people make the transition to their first homes. Many of the recipients are veterans. Well have a box near the Rice and Beans box, in the entry way to the sanctuary. Thank you for helping with this cause. If you have questions, please contact me at susan@susanjbreen.com.

DEACONS' OFFERING The Deacons thank the congregation for your generous gifts to help support our funding of activities such as: Pastor's monthly discretionary fund, Communion, Community Food Pantry, Dinner Brigade, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, individual needs such as Irvington Parks & Recreation Summer Camp. IPC Cookbooks Still need a stocking stuffer? The IPC Cookbook will make a very personal gift for your family or friends this Christmas. They are for sale this month at Coffee Hour or in the church office for $10. The profit from the cookbooks help support the ministry of the IPC Deacons. Thank you. I want to take a moment to write about our Congregation's ongoing support of the Community Food Pantry (serving Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, and Irvington families). The Pantry counts our church as one of its most reliable suppliers of donated food. In October, our congregation donated 35 lbs of rice and 22 lbs of beans to the Pantry; a bit lower than previous months, but still a great amount. To put the operations of the Pantry in a bit of perspective, in October, the Pantry supplied food to more than 800 individuals, or 230 families. Both of these numbers were records for the 4-year old Pantry. While the Pantry only opens once a month, on that single day, it gives away $5,000 in food! This is a 25% increase from the amount of food the Pantry was giving away just this spring due to the growth in the number of families seeking assistance. And this increase will only continue. As many of you know, Food Stamps benefits were cut across the board this month. Leaving the political and social commentary that these cuts so rightly demand for another day, it is clear that they will be devastating to many in our community. More families than ever will be forced to rely on the Pantry to feed their families. Donating 2 lb bags of (white) rice and 1 lb bags of dried beans is one of the best ways we can support this effort. Every bag is important and every bag makes a difference. Your donations are collected in the sanctuary entrance and transported to the Pantry monthly. There are also additional ways to help the Pantry if you're interested. They

are always looking for volunteers, both on the Pantry day as well as days before and after. If you're interested in learning more about these opportunities, please see me or one of the Deacons. All of this is to say that your continued and renewed support of the Community Food Pantry is truly needed and greatly appreciated. Thank you.

FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN (PW) ANNUAL CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4thth This years Christmas workshop will be held on Wednesday, December 4th, at 10:00 am in the Church Parlor. This is a wonderful opportunity to share in fellowship and holiday spirit while working together to complete table centerpieces for Cedar Manor Home. Please plan on joining us for fun and a productive morning. Bring your greens clippers, scissors and work gloves if you have them. Refreshments will be available. DECEMBER CIRCLES/MEETINGS Christmas Workshop Wednesday, December 4th at 10:00 am in the parlor Cookies Exchange Saturday, December 14th at 1:30 pm in the parlor PW Board Meeting Sunday, December 1st at 11:45 am in the Library Dining Out Club To be determined. Look for a News Flash Hooks and Needles - Friday, December 6th, at 10:30 am in the Library Yoga Tuesdays at 10:30 am in the Parlor; $10.00 per class COOKIE EXCHANGE Cookies, cookies everywhere! We are having a cookie exchange on Saturday, December 14th, at 1:30 pm in the Church Parlor. What a great way to have a variety of cookies on hand for holiday gatherings! Please plan on joining us as we share our favorite COOKIES. Bake enough cookies to share with the group, either in packages of 6 or 12 depending how much time and energy you have for baking. You are welcome to attach your recipe with your cookies, if you choose to do so. Please RSVP to Sarah Seitz at 914-693-2474 or sarahseitz0617@gmail.com if you plan to attend. We hope to see you there!

THE CHILDRENS CENTER AT BEDFORD HILLS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY The PW will once again collect donations for the The Childrens Center at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in Bedford Hills. Please consider adding something to your Christmas gift list for these children in order to brighten their holiday. Your support and generosity is truly appreciated. Bring your new, unwrapped donations to the church office clearly labeled as donations for The Childrens Center by Sunday, December 15th. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated. All donations are tax deductible.

HAIKU May we speak your Hope Saturate us with your Word Joy be on our lips.
These three lectionary texts for the Advent season inspired Rev. Martha Louise Harkness Haiku: Isaiah 35:1, Philippians 4:4-7, and Luke 1:47. All of them have the word "Rejoice."

Again and again the savior is born in human form. His message is received by the pious, but also falls on deaf ears. The savior gets close to us and then we lose him again. Again and again the savior rises above the world, Carries the burdens and the desires of all people, And each time we nail him to the cross again. Time and again God sends his message, Reaches from heaven to the valley of sin, Longs as eternal spirit to suffuse flesh. The savior is always moving among us, In order to bless us today and tomorrow. He looks with calm eyes straight into Our fears, rears, problems and agonies But we do not dare to face him directly. Only the eyes of children can bear his gaze. The Savior (Herman Hesse 1940 The Seasons of the Soul)

Respectfully submitted by Bettina Speyer

The Irvington Presbyterian Church CARILLON is published monthly, September through June, by the Irvington Presbyterian Church in order to inform congregation and friends of church activities, invite participation in our Christian fellowship, and spread the good news of the Gospel. Reverend David R. Harkness, Minister 25 North Broadway, Irvington, New York 10533 914-591-8124 (Church Office) email: ipcminister@aol.com now on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IrvingtonNYPresbyterianChurch

Sunday

Mon 2

Tuesday 3 Yoga in Parlor @10:30

Wednesday 4 PW Christmas Workshop @ 10 am in the Parlor

Thursday 5

Friday 6 Hooks & Needles @ 10:30 am Library Youth & Childrens Choir TBD

Saturday 7

DECEMBER 2013
Youth Choir 9:30 am Family Worship/Sunday Service @ 10:30 am Childrens choir @ 11:30 am PW Board Meeting @ 11:45 am 8 Adult Ed-Upper Room @ 9 am Youth Choir 9:30 am Chapel Time/Sunday Service @ 10:30 am Sunday School Childrens choir @ 11:30 am Christmas Caroling @ 12:30 pm Messiah Concert 4 pm 15 Adult Ed in Upper Room @ 9 am Youth Choir 9:30 am Sunday Service @10:30 am Sunday School Childrens choir @ 11:30 am Carol Service & Dinner @ 4 pm Deadline for gifts for Childrens Center 22 Adult Ed in Upper Room @ 9 am Youth Choir 9:30 am Sunday Service @ 10:30 am Sunday School Childrens choir @ 11:30 am Caroling TBD 29 Family Worship/ Sunday Service 10:30 am

10 11 Yoga in Parlor Choir @ 10:30 am Rehearsal @ 8 pm Session in Upper Room @ 7:30 pm

12 13 Book Club Midnight Run Prep in Parlor @ @ 5:45 pm 9 am Tots to Teens Deacons Christmas Party @ Upper 6 pm Room @7:30 pm 19 20 Midnight Run 6:30 pm

14 Greening of the Church 9 am 1 pm Adult Choir rehearsal 10 am 1pm Cookie Exchange @ 1:30 pm

16

17 18 Yoga in Parlor Choir @ 10:30 am Rehearsal @ 8 pm

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24 Family Christmas Eve Service 4 pm Living Creche 5 -11 pm Candlelight Service 11 pm 31

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