December 2024 News and Information

What’s New

Musings by Pastor Bruce

A Story That Is Still, To This Day, Unrivaled

Once there were many shepherds; they were smelly, dirty, but hardworking shepherds who labored day in and day out. Most of the townspeople never had much of anything to say to the shepherds; they would rather look at the earth under their feet than make eye contact with someone who raised sheep.

One night, long ago, the shepherds were tending to their flocks; it was a wintry eve and campfires were built in order to provide any warmth or light. Yet any light that effused from the fire paled in comparison to the brilliant light that shone from the heavens and blanketed everything in its wake. Out of the light, one of God’s messengers appeared. And she spoke to the shepherds; and there was a lilt and inflection in her voice that soothed the ears of the weary and wondering shepherds: “Do not be afraid. I have been sent to tell you wonderful news! It is the kind of news that the whole world will rejoice at hearing, but you will hear it first. Right now, even as your sheep are grazing in the fields and your fires are burning, a little baby boy has been born in Bethlehem—David’s city. And this small infant who is nursing at his mother’s breast is named Messiah, for he has been anointed by I AM. If you’re wondering how to find this baby, and how to know it is him and that the words I have spoken are the truth, then listen! You will find the wee child lying in a feeding trough for animals and he will be wrapped up in old bits of tattered and torn cloth.”

Suddenly, the one messenger who had been sent by God was joined by hundreds of others. And they all sang the sweetest melody; in unison, they chanted: “Glory to God in the highest heavens; and on earth, peace and good will toward all people.”

After the messengers departed, so too the shepherds left their sheep in the darkness of night; they walked to Bethlehem to discover for themselves all that they had seen and heard.

Family of God, my favorite author –Frederick Buechner—writes: “The incarnation means that by this birth, God himself is never safe from us. God comes in such a way that we can always turn him down. God comes to us in the hungry person we do not have to feed, in the lonely person we do not have to comfort, comes to us in all the desperate human need of people everywhere that we are always free to turn our backs upon. This birth means that God put himself at our mercy not only in the sense of the suffering that we can cause him by our blindness and coldness and cruelty, but the suffering we can cause him simply by suffering ourselves.” (The Hungering Dark).

More than anything else, maybe that’s what the shepherds heard in the angel’s message. Merry Christmas to you all!

Bruce and Jean Mulder

January 2025 FYI Deadline: Friday, December 20

Upcoming Events and Mission Opportunities

 

What happens when a city family, the Kings, gets hopelessly lost while cutting down a Christmas tree in the woods and is rescued by an extended back country family, the Shepherds? Find out by attending the Christmas comedy “Shepherds and Kings” by Karen Jones.

Town Hall Sunday, December 8th!

Join us December 8th at 11am in Knox Hall for an informational session regarding important data.

FREEDOM HOUSE – Urgent Need for Winter Boots

Freedom House provides a comprehensive approach to assisting those who seek asylum in the U.S. and Canada. Most Freedom House residents have never experienced a winter like ours. All of them arrive with just what they can carry. A good pair of boots will help someone get through the winter safely and comfortably.

If you would like to provide a pair (or more) of boots this Christmas for those who have none, you can purchase pre-selected boots in the Amazon link below.

• Be sure to select Barb Lovan as the delivery address; she will wrap all the boots for the holiday party before Christmas.
• All boots must arrive before December 15 so don’t delay! However, some boots may have a later delivery date. Please order anyway.

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/N49Y2KUP3HG9

1. Select item/s
2. Select “Proceed to Checkout”
3. Select “Barb Lovan” under delivery address
4. You can write a message under “gift options” and then “save gift options”
5. Lastly, place your order.

44th Men’s Advent Breakfast

On Saturday, December 14 at Kirk in the Hills, the 44th Men’s Advent Breakfast will take place. New this year, there will be breakout sessions on Stewardship and Communication. RSVP to Tom Neal at [email protected]. Attendees will meet in the church parking lot at 7 a.m. on December 14.

Join the New Hospitality Team

The Membership Committee encourages you to join our Hospitality Team. Help us welcome guests each Sunday. Pastor Bruce will be leading a Hospitality Training Session soon. If you are interested, please reach out to Colleen Tavor or Tom Neal.

Congregational News

Peter Cartwright Introduction

Peter Cartwright has been a music director for churches in the greater Detroit area for the past 32 years. He obtained his B.A. and M.A. in piano performance from Oakland University. Peter has been a past president and program coordinator for the National Guild of Piano Teachers and is a member of the American Guild of Organists. He has performed and entertained extensively in classical, pop, and jazz genres. Welcome, Peter!

Seventh Annual Craft Show Raises $3,050 for the Music Program!

We had a wonderful craft show in November thanks to the support of the church and raised $3,050 for the Music Program!

Here’s a little background to the craft show that some of you may not know. When we moved here from Virginia in 2013, I wanted a way to sell my weaving. I grew up in the church and I like to sing, so I thought, why not put these two things together and do a fund raiser for Worship and Music?

The first two years of the craft show were in our home and since that was successful, we moved it to the church and opened our show to outside crafters. This last show was our 7th annual show with a fifth of our crafters returning. Per crafters’ requests for a Spring show, we plan to have a Spring and Fall show in 2025.

We had 290 attendees, a wonderful lunch from Genetti’s Hole – in – the-Wall, a bake sale, and homemade ice cream. All the crafters with whom I spoke were very happy and I saw many visitors leaving with purchases. With the funds we raised, we are able to have guest musicians including the jazz group we enjoy so much. So, a great thank you to Sue Cooper, Leslie Moyna, Matthew, the bakers for our sell out bake sale, the strong men for moving tables, and those who helped handle advertising via signs and the internet. All these efforts together ensured a successful craft show!

I welcome any suggestions as to how we can improve our next show, which will be held on April 26-27, 2025. Thanks, everyone! Deborah Draper

“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Ephesians 5:19)

290 shoppers visited our beautiful craft show!

Needed: Your Pledge Forms or Letters of Intent

If you haven’t done so already, please mail in your pledge form or letter of intent to the office or drop them off in the collection basket when you attend the Sunday service. We are putting together our 2025 budget and need your pledge or letter of intent.

Thank you for your generosity in supporting the programs and ministries of First Presbyterian Church of Famrington. We couldn’t do what we do without you! A townhall on Sunday, December 8, will discuss our Stewardship needs.

Another Well in Malawi!

The Well Program not only provides safe drinking water but also the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to manage and maintain the protected water source, so that safe drinking water continues in future years. Where wells have been built, waterborne diseases are eliminated.

This well was installed on October 1, 2024, in the village of Maliseni, Malawi and will serve 100 people, thanks to the donation of FPCF.

Hurricane Helene Relief: Doing More Together

World Central Kitchen is first to the frontlines, providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. The Mission Ministry sponsored a “matching funds” project for the congregation, who donated $1,920 to the World Central Kitchen in response to Hurricane Helene Relief. Mission added another $1,000 and a check for $2,920 will be sent to World Central Kitchen for the work in areas hurt by Hurricane Helene. Thank you for your generosity and partnership with your Mission Ministry. Together we made a bigger difference!

JOY! Study welcomes new members

The JOY! Study meets via Zoom on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:00 p.m. We‘re studying the book of Romans. If you would like to join the group, please contact Sharon Cressman to receive the Zoom information.

Adult Bible Discussion – The Wired Word

All are welcome to join our Bible study on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. The class meets in the library and ends in time to join in worship at 10:00 a.m. Every week there is a new topic selected by The Wired Word staff based on current events and ideas. An advance copy of the weekly lesson is sent via email to each of the class members and friends requesting a copy. These meaningful discussions are a wonderful way to share and get to know church members. Sign up by contacting Tom Neal.

Consecration Sunday Luncheon and Farewell to Shari

The Consecration Luncheon was held on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Over 75 people attended the luncheon, which was catered by Olive-Thyme Catering.

Shari Fiore-Bloom retired as Minister of Music & Organist/Pianist and November 3 was her last day performing for the congregation. Her family joined her in Knox Hall for the luncheon, while Jim Tubbs, Sue Andrews, and Mary Carson expressed appreciation on behalf of the entire congregation and Mary presented Shari with some memorable gifts. Shari will be sorely missed. A jazz quartet made the day special as well.

All Saints Day was also remembered on November 3.

As you can see from just the dessert tables, we had a yummy end to a great meal on Consecration Sunday!

FPCF Session Meeting Highlights – November 20, 2024

The Treasurer gave an overview of the financial reports as of October 31, 2024. The Month-to-Date revenue versus expenses are negative, but the Year-to-Date continues to be positive. The loan balance is $84,069.59.

Session continues to work on developing the 2025 budget with a goal to finalize it in December. The 2025 budget will be based on the total of the 2025 pledges received and other estimated giving. As of 11/18/2024, the 2025 pledges total $196,749. To compare, the 2024 pledges budgeted amount was $228,000. A Town Hall will be scheduled for December to review this with the congregation.

The Mission Study Team (MS6) is working hard and still on target to complete this task by the end of December.

Session approved the following Action Items:

• Accepting the results of the annual church roll review and removing (23) non-active members from the church rolls based on a lack of participation since 2019.
• Increasing the 2025 Per Capita from $36.00 to $37.00 per member, based on a Presbytery increase.
• Sponsoring the Boy Scouts Pack 231 who meet at Lanigan Elementary School with limited use of Church resources.
• Scheduling a Carol Sing for the Sunday, December 29, 2024 Service.
• Electing Randy Edwards as the new Corporation President with his term to start on January 1, 2025.
• Scheduling a Spring Craft Show for Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27, 2025.
• Approving the Farmington/Farmington Hills Optimist Club to meet one Wednesday evening per month in addition to their Wednesday morning meetings to help attract new members.

The next Session meeting will be on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 6:30 p.m.

Dorothy Tait, Clerk of Session

Randy Edwards Becomes President of FPCF

An Update from Your Property Committee

Building Security
All members and groups that use the building must make sure the building is secure after their meeting. This means all doors are locked when the meeting is over. Do not assume that someone else will be locking the doors. Please make sure that each group, circle, meeting, etc. assigns one person to be in charge of locking the doors upon leaving the building.

Property Budget Update
How are our Utility Expenses doing against our Budget? (Through October)
Electric:            Spent $12,471 YTD       vs         Budgeted for 2024 of $13,000
Gas:                  Spent $6,123 YTD         vs         Budgeted for 2024 of $12,000
Water:              Spent $1,131 YTD         vs         Budgeted for 2024 of $1,500
Dumpster:       Spent $522 YTD            vs         Budgeted for 2024 of $1,200

Facility Reservation: Please remember that the Facility Reservation Form must be filled out to reserve any room. These forms are available in the office. After the form has been completed, please return the form to Liz Labourdeth in the church office. Liz will notify MJ Floreno, the Reservation & Rental Program Coordinator, of your request. The church calendar will be checked to make sure there are no conflicts before it is approved.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact MJ Floreno. Thank you.

Mission Study Surveys Completed and Compiled

This report from the MS6 team summarizes the information from the various surveys:
FPCF Family: Thank You for all your input, wisdom, and ideas!

As we’ve collected and evaluated all the information from the two surveys and two Town Hall Gatherings, here are the five key areas that will shape the foundation of our report, based on what we heard and learned from you all.

That report will be used to write the Position Description for our next pastor. The five arenas are below and ranked in no particular order:

• Christian Education Ministry
  • Establish Children Youth Ministries
  • Build on existing Adult Ministries
• Technology; Communication
  • Upgrade technology
  • Become more proficient in communicating
• Missions
  • Grow them; collaborate with other churches and their local missions
  • Offer our building to other ministries
• Fellowship
  • A core strength!
• Stewardship and Spiritual Gifts
  • Desire to learn about and put both to even stronger service

We will continue to work, pray, and discern on behalf of the entire FPCF Community. Please continue to hold us in your prayers.

Grace and peace from your Mission Study Team,

Colleen Tavor, Katie Malisow, Becca DeSloover, Tom Neal, Alvine Cooper, and Ginny Hubble

Coming Soon: New Vision Statement for FPCF

A vision statement is preferably short and should describe why the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington exists.

At the townhall gathering in November, we asked each table to submit their choices for our new vision statement from a list of examples that other churches have used and had already been narrowed down to about 30 examples by the First Pres Sailors Committee last year. The Mission Study Team tallied, sorted, and prayed over the selections from the town hall.

Of all the submissions, here are the top three (in no particular order):

• Welcoming All; Sharing Christ; Serving Others
• Embracing All; Sharing Christ, Serving Others
• Helping People Know God; Discovering Their Purpose; Making a Difference

We are now asking the congregation to rank their choices of these three. If you have not already, please rate these as: 1. High, 2. Medium, 3. Low.

If you have not yet participated, call the office and let them know your ratings. The winning vision statement will be announced at the town hall on Sunday, December 8.

Annual Meeting scheduled; annual reports due soon

The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, in Knox Hall and via Zoom following worship at approximately 11:15 a.m. Reports to be included in the 2024 Annual Report should be emailed to the church office by no later than Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The 2024 Annual Report will be emailed to members who have signed up through the church website to receive the FYI newsletter, annual report and other church information via email. To sign up for the newsletter and electronic communications, please go to www.farmington-pres.org. A few printed copies of the 2024 Annual Report will be available at the welcome center on Sunday, January 26, 2025 or copies can be mailed by contacting the church office.

Important year-end information regarding ontributions

Please be aware that the last bank deposit for contributions for the tax year 2024 will be made on Thursday, December 26, 2024. This means contributions must be received in the church office by mail by Tuesday, December 24, 2024, or be submitted at the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Any funds received in the mail after these dates will not be counted or deposited until after the end of the year and will be counted as 2025 contributions. Please note these dates so that you will know in advance how to plan your year-end giving.

2025 offering envelopes

Those who have used numbered envelopes in 2024 will automatically receive envelopes for 2025, unless you inform us otherwise. If you have NOT used envelopes this year, but DO wish to have them for next year, please contact the church office at 248-474-6170 to make your request known.

Numbered envelopes facilitate the speed and accuracy of the data entry process for our offering counters, so we do encourage you to use envelopes if you contribute manually on a regular basis.

We also encourage the use of electronic debit. If you wish to automatically submit your pledge electronically from your bank account monthly, please call the church office to have the forms sent to you. If you have any questions, please call the church office at (248) 474-6170.

2025 Worship Flower sign-up available

Please consider donating flowers in memory of a loved one or to recognize a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary, or to the glory of God. The arrangement is $25.00 and enhances our in-person and livestreamed worship services. More than one arrangement may be ordered for any Sunday and will be displayed on plant stands near the pulpit during the service. Your donation will also be acknowledged in that Sunday’s worship bulletin. Please complete an order form for 2025 flowers located on the kiosk or order through the church office at least one week in advance. You may take home the flowers after the service, ask to have the flowers delivered to you or request to have them delivered to one of our homebound members.

Join us for Coffee and Treats after In-Person Worship

We’d love to have you join us for Hospitality Time in Knox Hall after our worship service!
Stick around for a few minutes and chat.
If you can’t join us in person, watch our livestream:

Special Last Yoga Class of 2024

Stretch Christian Yoga invites all to a beautiful Candlelit Christmas Practice featuring your favorite Christmas carols on Monday, December 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Farmington In Knox Hall. Event is in support of Living Hope for AIDS Generation Orphanage Uganda. Suggested cash donations of $10-20 accepted in class for this special Christmas Charity Class. Or via VENMO @SoulStretchYoga. Details at https://soulstretch.org/.

Custodian Needed!

We at First Presbyterian are actively seeking a permanent part-time custodian. The candidate should have a good background in building maintenance. The job is 18-20 hours per week. The pay for the position is $20 per hour. Please refer any candidates to Bob Van Hamme at [email protected].

We Keep In Our Prayers

God of all seasons,

As we move through Advent and Christmas, we look for you. You ask us to hold onto hope: the hope that Jesus truly is Emmanuel, God with us; the hope that you will bring light to the darkness; the hope that this good news will reach everyone, even our own hearts. We give thanks for this joyful holiday when we can celebrate our Savior and his love for us. With joy we pray, Amen.

Church Directory App

If you haven’t yet added the church pictorial directory app from Universal Church Directory to your smart phone, you’re missing a great resource. Contact Tom Neal to receive your family’s unique identifier and simple installation instructions for convenient access to names, photos, addresses, emails, and phone numbers of your church family.

Thank You

Sadie Brown
“Dear Church Family,
Falls really did cost me an arm and a leg for several months. Your lovely cards, calls, and well wishes gave me encouragement and brightened my days. Thank you, everyone, and thank you, God, for my recover.

In God’s Love, Sadie Brown”

Neighborhood House – Mission Ministry Helps with Car Repairs
“Dear Congregation,
I wanted to personally thank you for your generous donation of $1,000 towards car repairs for our client. Lawanda is a single mother of two boys, one who has special needs. She currently has two part-time jobs that bring in just enough money for their bills. The flexibility allows her to take care of her boys, taking them to school and their doctor’s appointments. Her car is her lifeline, and this was a huge burden that you helped lift. We truly appreciate your support of Neighborhood House and the people we serve. Please know that your efforts have truly made a difference in our families’ lives. Barbara Dresden, Board President”

News from the Church Office

Office and Church Donations
Please note, regarding dropping off items and or donations to the church office, prior approval is requested for ANY donations. If you leave something on the desk of Pastor Bruce and/or Liz’s desk, kindly leave a message of what the item is, what needs to be done with it, who is leaving the item and whom to contact.

Current Office Hours and Special Closings
The office is now open Mondays through Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and is closed on Fridays. The office will be closed on Wednesday, December 25^th in observance of Christmas Day and the birth of our Savior as well as on Wednesday, January 1^st in observance of New Year’s Day.

Contacting Pastor Bruce
If you’d like to connect with Pastor Bruce, please use this email: [email protected]. His information is also on the UCD app.

Need to request a bulletin announcement?
All announcements for the worship bulletin must be turned in the week prior by no later than Tuesday at 12 noon or they will not go in the bulletin until the following week. The announcement request must include the dates on which it should be placed and the date I should be removed from the bulletin. Font Size: Arial Narrow, Size 14. It is best if the announcements are included in a Word document attached to an email.

Additionally, as a reminder, you will need prior approval for inclusion of an activity on the church calendar. Contact the church office at [email protected] with any questions and/or submissions.

The church office will be closed on these dates in observance of the designated holidays. Session Approved December 13, 2023

Winter Calendar

You can view our monthly calendar at https://farmington-pres.org/events/.

   2024 Christmas Poinsettias   
Deadline for ordering is Tuesday, December 10

Please complete and return this form to the church office along with your payment. The cost for a red or white eight-inch double Poinsettia plant with gold foil cover is $18.50 each. Poinsettias are available for you to take home after the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Contact Eddie Matteson or the church office to arrange to pick up your poinsettia at another time, have it delivered to your home or to donate it to one of our homebound members.

Please make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church and mark it for poinsettias or Christmas flowers. For last-minute orders, please contact the office at 248 474-6170 and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Please PRINT the following information so that it will be published accurately.

NAME:  _______________________________________________ PHONE No: (_______) __________________
Number of red poinsettias:  _______          Number of white poinsettias:  _______
Amount due to First Presbyterian Church:   $ ___________       Payment Enclosed:  Yes ____     No ____

From: _____________________________________________________________________________________

In honor of: ________________________________________________________________________________

In memory of: ______________________________________________________________________________

Newsletter Editors                                    Colleen Tavor & Karen Spica

First Presbyterian Church of Farmington

Church of the Open Hands

26165 Farmington Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(248) 474-6170