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On this, the second Sunday in Advent, children during the Time of Wonder placed a manger, a sheep, a donkey and a a bird on the simple stable that is a focal point in the sanctuary. More figures will appear in the weeks to come.
Peace is the theme for this week in Advent. A second banner is hung in the sanctuary, and we sing, "peace is a ribbon that circles the earth.." as two candles are lit.
The Tree of Warmth has sprouted scarves, hats and mittens this week! The group of women who are forming the new Prayer Shawl Ministry decided to focus this month on items for the tree and at least four new hand-knitted scarves have appeared since Thursday! Items will be donated to Isaiah 58 for clients who can use them.
Upcoming items of interest:
- Christmas special offering will be received on December 14 and 21. This offering helps support the ministry of our Mid-America Region of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. More information will be shared in worship on these dates.
- Tuesday, December 9, 7 p.m., Soul Care for Advent.
- Thursday, December 11, 6:30 p.m. Chicken and dumpling supper and gingerbread house making.
- Sunday, Dec. 21, 5-8 p.m. Pastor's open house.
- Wednesday, Dec. 24, 6:30 p.m., Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship and caroling on Flora Place, followed by cider and goodies at the Kreugers.
- Elders Circle will not meet this month. In a special called meeting today, the elders voted to donate $6,000 from memorial funds they control to the Compton Cares Campaign when a CD matures later this month. Thank you, elders!
One final note: During 2008 Compton folk raised $420 toward a $50,000 pledge by the Christian Churches and United Churches of Christ in our Southeast Gateway Area to support a missionary couple in Haiti. A link to the blog by Patrick and Kimberly Bentrott is on the right side of this blog, just below the link to the Advent Devotional. Take some time to read the blog posts by Kimberly, a physician, and Patrick, who is working at the local seminary and teaching English in the school. When they left the U.S. this fall, they expected it would take them almost a year to absorb the culture, learn Creole, and become effective in their mission. NOT! A cursory read shows they are already in the thick of things and already making a difference. The blog is honest, about the ups and downs of being in a foreign culture, facing incredible poverty, and trying to do something with almost nothing. In 2009 we will have additional opportunities to support this mission financially, but for now, read the blog and if you are so moved, leave a comment on it, or e-mail the Bentrotts on the link they provide. I can imagine that being so far from home and yet knowing that people here are following their story, praying for them, and giving them feedback would be the best Christmas present this young missionary couple could receive!
We began Advent on Sunday in worship by lighting the first candle in the wreath and singing Advent hymns. It's wonderful to see children like Maya bringing in the light of Christ and Colton studiously lighting the first candle.
"Hope is a star that shines in the night," we sing and that theme is reflected in this banner, which was hung on Saturday by the crew that also put greens all over the sanctuary.
Meanwhile, in the hallway, the Tree of Warmth waits to be decorated with scarves, gloves, hats, mittens and other items that will be distributed to Isaiah 58 clients.
Upcoming Advent events include
- Prayer shawl ministry group, Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m.
- Soul Care, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
- Elders circle, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m.
- Advent event with a chicken and dumpling dinner, dessert, hot cider and gingerbread house building, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.
- Reading circle, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-noon at 6 North Coffee.
- Pastor's open house, Dec. 21, 5-8 p.m.
- Christmas eve candlelight worship, caroling on Flora Place and treats at the Kreuger's, 6:30 p.m.
Remember to download a copy of the Advent Devotional from this page, or pick up a printed copy at church. Inspiring reading, some of it written by people you know!
Each year Compton and Tyler Place Presby- terian hold a joint Thanks- giving worship service on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Both churches are partners in Isaiah 58 Ministries as well as other community projects. This year, we added a new ecumenical twist. The Rev. Bob Hagel from Tyler Place (at right in photo) and his wife Kate asked Jacque if she would baptize their baby daughter in the Presbyterian tradition. After the elders gave Jacque a resounding "yes," arrangements were made to bring the font over from Tyler Place. Disciples of Christ practice believers baptism by immersion, but we are part of a covenant of 7 denominations that recognize each other's baptism and share open communion. Our sanctuary was packed with members of Compton and Tyler Place and a large number of Hagel relatives. Rev. Hagel gave the sermon. Jacque and our elders officiated at the communion service. All undesignated offerings were given to Isaiah 58 Ministries and totaled $497. After the worship service, about 80 people gathered in Fellowship Hall for traditional turkey and all of the delicious carry-in trimmings. A good day.
Friday night, Nov. 21, CHCC member Talya gave a faculty recital at Forest Park Community College, accompanied by David, our organist. A large group of Compton folk came out to support the event, along with many of Talya's students and her proud family. The lighting wasn't the best for shooting with available light, but Talya was stunning both visually and vocally. We are so blessed to have Talya as part of our congregation: this talented mezzo-soprano hits all the high notes in our anthems and brings a wealth of experience from appearances with many local musical productions, including the Muny. The best part: Talya turned the recital into a benefit for Isaiah 58 Ministries as those who attended brought enough non-perishable food to fill at least 4 boxes for the food pantry. Thank you Talya, for all you do!
Something new has been added to worship this month, called Time of Wonder. We have three or four children now in worship regularly and our student associate pastor, Lorrie Kovel, has started this time especially for them. Today she is reading the story Stone Soup before we take up the Thanksgiving special offering. Children and youth are encouraged to take part in the life of the church and worship in various ways, including acting as acolytes, bringing in the light and carrying it out.
For almost a year now, the Rev. Bob Miner has been an active member and parti- cipant at Compton. He has accepted a call to be the pastor of First Christian Church in Osceola, Iowa, and we gave him a special blessing at the end of today's worship service. Pastor Jacque Foster presents him with a book of Advent readings on behalf of the congregation, since he is moving this week and begins his ministry in Iowa on the first Sunday of Advent. Godspeed, Bob; you will be missed but we know you'll bring many gifts to your new congregation.
One of Bob's gifts we have enjoyed at Compton is his musical ability and wonderful singing voice from the pews. Last Sunday, he brought the special music during worship. Bob's daughters, Kim and DebE remain as active members and deacons at Compton, and Deb and her husband David are anticipating the birth in the spring of baby #4. We are grateful for this talented and gifted family.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, Jenn and Josh brought baby Elizabeth to be dedicated, and to dedicate themselves as parents. Elizabeth is the second of four babies born or expected in the congregation within a year. We do not baptize infants, but have this ceremony of promises to nurture children as they mature in the community.
Pastor Jacque Foster introduces Elizabeth to everyone in the pews, as we all sing Jesus Loves Me. Elizabeth likes music, it seems, because she quit fussing and just enjoyed the attention.
Also on this day, Sarah and Bryan became parents of Peter Eliot, who came into the world around 4 a.m. Peter is baby #3! We hope to have photos of him soon.
Our garden at the corner of Flora Place and Grand is vibrant with changing color this week, including this lovely sweet gum tree. One of the newer flower beds is in the foreground and in the distance, two of the benches are visible. Sunday was warm and the space was inviting. You may click on the picture to enlarge it and see more detail.
In services we remembered those saints who have shown us the face of God and who have gone before us. Many former members were named aloud in the service, and other saints known perhaps only to the individual thinking of them were named silently. It was a joy to have Elizabeth and her parents, Josh and Jenn, with us, as well as several visitors.
In the figures at right, some numbers have been changed this week. GoodSearch has inexplicably lowered our total earnings on the web site by about $35, so that amount is now lower. The change came in estimated earnings from GoodShop, and could be due to an error in the original estimate or perhaps someone returned items previously bought, which also would result in a deduction. Usage of the site increased in October so we hope more people will use the search and shopping functions to benefit Compton Cares.
The amount listed the past two weeks for the initial pledges was also incorrect--I had mistakenly picked up the amount received to date on pledges instead of the original amount pledged. That has been corrected. On Sunday, Dave B. announced that we now have 8 full bags of aluminum cans in his and the Rev. Jacque's basement. We need only 7 more to make a trip to the recycler with over 100 pounds. The other day I spied 4 empty fruit punch soft drink cans next to a parking space and I jumped out of the car and grabbed them. Empty cans are everywhere. Be on the lookout! You can collect cans even if you never touch soft drinks!
Upcoming: Comptonites will celebrate the Rev. Bob Miner's call to serve a church in Iowa and give him a proper sendoff on Nov. 16 in worship and coffee hour. Bob's daughters, DebE and Kim, are active members at Compton. And Compton will host the Thanksgiving service and dinner for our partner churches on Nov. 23. Bring a dish to share and join us.
On this, the second Sunday in Advent, children during the Time of Wonder placed a manger, a sheep, a donkey and a a bird on the simple stable that is a focal point in the sanctuary. More figures will appear in the weeks to come.
Peace is the theme for this week in Advent. A second banner is hung in the sanctuary, and we sing, "peace is a ribbon that circles the earth.." as two candles are lit.
