Christmas Eve = Welcome Home!

Where is home for you? Is home the place you were born? Some literally do not have a place they can call “home.” And sometimes we do not feel at home no matter where we go.

On Christmas Eve will hear the great hymn of the Incarnation—of God becoming flesh, God crossing the threshold of heaven to make a new home with us. God on Christmas Eve chose to make a home not just in Mary’s womb, not just in our bodies, but in our hearts … on earth … in our neighborhoods, and in everything that has breath.

Come to Christmas Eve service on Friday, December 24 at 7:30 p.m. and join us as we are welcome to “Come Home” again on this night of nights.

This year, we will celebrate during one service on Christmas Eve. We are taking advantage of the closeness of Christmas Eve (Friday, December 24 at 7:30 p.m.) and the first Sunday after Christmas (Sunday, December 26 at 10:00 a.m.) to present the full Christmas story as a special two-part drama presentation with seasonal music. Both services will also be available via livestream and videocast along with the bulletin on the church website at: www.farmington-pres.org. Watch the weekly bulletins for details.
Consecration Sunday was Special

The Consecration Sunday service was a very special day. Todd Lipa of CARES provided an inspiring message on abundance and gratitude, the jazz ensemble led us out into the narthex to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In,” and the atmosphere in the narthex after the service was buzzing with energy. Many people stayed for fellowship and box lunches after the service while others took box lunches home for later or to loved ones who could not attend the service. It felt so good to be in fellowship together! All Saints Day added a special flavor to the day as we remembered those who had passed on to More Life.

Colleen presented Todd Lipa with a $500 check for CARES (covered by Mission and Stewardship) as well as the proceeds of a free will offering from the congregation of $210.

“Remember that God is waiting for you to ask how YOU can make a difference, or when you feel there might not be hope, that is the time for you to ask even harder.”
– Todd Lipa, CARES

January 2022 FYI Deadline: Friday, December 17

 

Stewardship—Remember to Turn in Your Forms

Many thanks to those of you have returned your pledge forms so that the Operations Committee can move forward with planning a budget for 2022. Even if you don’t plan to pledge this year, please indicate this on the form and return it to the church office. We appreciate your prayerful consideration.

FFHFYF Award 2022 Grant to Youth United

We’re thrilled to announce that the Farmington and Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth and Families has awarded a $1,500 grant to Youth United for their 2022 program year.

With this funding, teen volunteers working at CARES of Farmington Hills will create art, crafts, and upcycling projects that serve CARES clients. These and other projects such as birthday and meal kits help prevent food insecurity, lack of supplies that contribute to inequalities in education, and stresses that are detrimental to clients’ mental, physical, and financial well-being.

If you know of any teens who would enjoy working with Youth United volunteers or would like to serve on our teen leadership team, please reach out to Laura Hedgecock or Karen Linnell at [email protected]. We would love to have them aboard. Adult volunteers are welcome too.

Volunteers Needed for Resume Writing & Interviewing Workshop

The Mission Ministry Team is partnering with Danika Community Development, Inc (DCDI) to put on a Resume Writing & Interviewing Workshop beginning in mid-January 2022. FPCF will host and sponsoring the workshop, which will be held in Room 208/210 for from 10:00 am–12:00 pm, on four consecutive Saturdays – January 15–February 5. Volunteers will be needed for:

• Welcoming participants and helping them find the room, the bathroom
• Set up water & snack table
• Assist with break-out sessions (e.g., help participants write a summary for resume, if needed, etc.)
• Conduct a mock interview with a participant (February 5 only)
• General assistance
If you are able to help even for one Saturday, or a particular task, that would be great. Please contact Colleen Tavor for more information at 248-302-9396 or [email protected]

Presbyterian Men’s 41st Annual Advent Celebration

The Presbyterian Men of the Presbytery of Detroit invites everyone to the 41st Annual Advent Celebration on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 9:00 am. This year, the Advent Celebration will be livestreamed to Facebook from the St. Thomas Community Presbyterian Church. (website: www.stthomspres.com). The Advent Celebration will begin with a Worship Service led by Reverend Charles Sadler and will include Communion. Please prepare your own Communion elements at home. Following the Worship Service, the George Irwin Service Award will be awarded to a man who exemplifies Christian Stewardship in the Presbytery of Detroit. And the Keynote Speaker this year is Rev Kevin Piecuch, Executive Director at the Southwest Detroit Immigration and Refugee Center.

Mission and Nurture Ministry Teams: We Need You!

The Mission and Nurture Ministry Teams are seeking new members to join us as we assess and plan to meet the needs of the communities around us and worldwide, as well as in our own congregation. The two committees are active throughout the year on a variety of projects, big and small. Join others who are fired up to serve others and be the hands and feet of our Lord! Some projects under consideration: a temporary clothes closet providing free clothing to those in need, a resume writing and interview workshop (in cooperation with Danika Community Development Inc.), creating a life skills curriculum for the community, plus more.

If you are looking for a rewarding and meaningful way to spend some time, even a couple of hours, we invite you to join one of these committees. For more information, contact Colleen Tavor (Mission) and Karl Cressman (Nurture).

Lighthouse 2022 Update

Considering the ongoing pandemic, Lighthouse clients have been housed in an area motel and will continue to be through February 2022.

If you’d like to help with this cornerstone mission event:

• You can sign up for one of the two nightly meal distribution slots Jan. 16-23 at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E45ABA928A3F85-lighthouse  or by clicking the SignUp Genius photo to the right.
• You can also make a special contribution earmarked for Lighthouse 2022 either in the collection plates or by dropping it off at the church office.

In case you’re wondering, Lighthouse management hopes to return to traditional, rotational hosting in 2023.

Any questions? Call Chris or Emily Davis at (248) 349-5146, or [email protected].

Stephen Ministry Looking for New Leaders

Stephen Ministry is looking for new leaders! What do Stephen Leaders do? They train new Stephen Ministers, talk to possible care receivers and provide ongoing supervision for Stephen Ministers. You don’t have to be a trained Stephen Minister to be a Stephen Leader. The two roles involve different tasks, gifts and skills, so people who have no experience as Stephen Ministers can make excellent Stephen Leaders.
Training for Stephen Leaders takes place through the organization’s headquarters in St. Louis. The training is delivered over Zoom and consists of 10 sessions of 2-½ hours each, held twice weekly over five weeks or once weekly over ten weeks. It is offered with the option of morning, afternoon or evening sessions. First Presbyterian will cover the cost of the training.
Think you might be interested? Please talk to Helen Thomas or Lois Caito and they will be happy to provide you with more information!

Social Justice Book Study Starts a New Book in January

We’re starting a new book study in January 2022, meeting on the last Monday of the month. The group selected Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The Pulitzer Prize–winning, bestselling author of The Warmth of Other Suns examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. “An instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far.”—Dwight Garner, The New York Times #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD LONGLIST •

Please join our friendly group of church friends! Contact Deb Hemmye or Colleen Tavor for more information.

Advent Study–Advent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Ten Objects

Advent is, above all else, a season of hope–a virtue that is all too rare in our world.

“Oh, to hell with it.” That’s an interesting phrase. We use it when we feel like quitting—like giving up. We use it when we don’t feel like it’s worth giving an honest effort at a particular task and, of course, we know hell as that “place” where there is no hope. Life in general, let alone during this pandemic lifestyle, is full of challenges and obstacles that can often lead us to despair—to an “Oh, to hell with it” attitude. Advent is the antidote to this sentiment. Because of Emmanuel—God with us—we are compelled to never give up and to always have hope because we are not alone.

At Christmas, God came into our ordinary world in the form of a child, and still today, God is at work through the ordinary stuff of life. Through ordinary objects like gates, trees, cloth, light, and water, participants will discover new meaning in the biblical story of Jesus’ coming. By connecting everyday objects with biblical text, Advent in Plain Sight by Jill. L. Duffield will prompt you to see the near kingdom of heaven on earth and ponder what that divine proximity enables and asks you to do and be. Each daily devotional features a Scripture reading, prayer, and reflection, reminding us Christians and curious minds that God still dwells among us, even in the most ordinary places.
Instead of speed dialing into the Christmas rush, slow down and join, in-person, Pastor Eddie every Tuesday morning for four weeks (November 30 and December 7, 14, and 21), in the warmth of Room 208-210 (upper level), from 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Advent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Ten Objects, is a prayerful attempt to invite us to pay attention to a particular object—see, hear, feel—and allow that tangible item to point to the sometimes-ineffable work of God in our ordinary lives and world. Save the dates: Tuesday mornings from 10:00–11:00 a.m., November 30 and December 7, 14 and 21. Copies of the book are available in the Church Office at $10.00 each.

May this Advent season be one where your anticipation of Jesus’ birth and your expectation of Christ’s return allow you to always see God in all things and, as we continue to navigate this pandemic lifestyle.

Presbyterian Women: Sue Carlson Made Honorary Life Member

Each year Presbyterian Women has conferred an Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) upon an outstanding individual in recognition of faithful service in one or more areas of the church’s work. Each life member receives a pin and certificate and recognition during the worship service. A reception is held after church to meet and greet the honoree.

On Sunday, Nov. 21st, we again bestowed this award. This recipient was selected in 2020, but church services and all other activities were shut down due to the pandemic. Therefore, this is a much overdue award presentation.

Sue Carlson is a graduate of Birmingham Groves High School, has a BA in Spanish from the U of M and an MA in teaching from MSU. She studied abroad in high school in Uruguay and in Columbia while in college. Sue was an English teacher and translator at the John Kennedy Centre in Sao Luis Maranhao, Brazil. Back in the US, she taught Spanish, was a translator, and then a secretary at Chrysler Corp. (where she met her husband Dave).

In particular, she was a Spanish and World Language teacher in the Wayne-Westland Community Schools in1981-1984 and again 1992-2011. She and her husband have one son as well as three children from his previous marriage, and they have 10 grandchildren. Her interests include walking, cats, baseball, theater, and decorating for the holidays.

Sue joined our church after enrolling her son in the Preschool here. She was a member of ACTS Circle for many years before joining Lydia Circle. She has been very active in PW over the years, serving as Vice Moderator, Moderator (for 3 years), PR person, and photographer (with her husband). She has researched and selected some excellent plays for the PW Christmas program for many years. And you have seen her perform in a wide variety of roles with the PW players, running the gamut of one of the fingers on a hand, a young woman falling in love, a Wise Man, a judge, a woman unsure if her life has had any meaning, an angel looking for Christ, a store owner, a mouse and the Nativity Angel from a manger set. There may have been a few more, but most recently you saw her as the queen in the Quiltmaker’s Gift.

Congratulations, Sue! You’ve enriched PW and all of us by sharing your gifts with us. First Pres is blessed to have you in our church family.

PW Hat and Mitten Tree

The Presbyterian Women’s Hat and Mitten Tree is up in the Narthex in mid-November. As a Matthew 25 church, we know that outreach is the heart and soul of being a Matthew 25 church. We, at First Pres, want to continue helping those less fortunate than ourselves in Farmington/Farmington Hills.

Since with quarantining, we know some of you may not wish to come by the church to drop off donations. So, we are ready with new ways to continue PW outreach:

1. Items can be brought into the church building and placed on the dowel tree near the Information Table in the Narthex during normal business hours.

2. We will place a covered plastic bin (clearly marked) outside the main church entrance where you can place items without entering the building.

3. Or we can come to your home to pick up your donations.

Please leave price tags on items. Handmade items are also welcome. This year the collection time will run through December 6. Donations will be distributed though Neighborhood House, Goodfellows, and Second Mile Center.
Please call Dale Hawkins or Sally Kirsten for more information and to arrange contactless pickup.
Dale Hawkins                                                                 Sally Kirsten
H:  248-478-6283  C:  248-765-2759                        H:  248-474-2366  C:  248-219-2752

Join us for Coffee and Treats after In-Person Worship

If you can’t join us in person, watch our livestream.

We’d love to have you join us for Hospitality Time after our worship service in Knox Hall!
We’d love to see you back in church!
But if you can’t join us in person, watch our livestream

1. Go to our Worship Services page at: https://Farmington-Pres.org/worship/sermons.
2. Click on the image that looks like this:

If the service has started, this will take you to the embedded livestream. Because our livestream will play through YouTube, you will find it that way too. If you don’t watch the service live, there may be a delay of one to several hours before YouTube posts the video.

The Wired Word—Applying the Bible to the Headlines—Join us!

Consider joining our Adult Discussion Class as we apply the Bible to stories in the headlines. It makes for some lively, interesting, and insightful discussions among friends. The class is led by Tom Neal and Rev. Craig Aue. We meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00–10:00 am. You can attend in person in room 208/210 or by Zoom. Contact Tom Neal at [email protected] for more details and the Zoom link. Many of us join early just to chat and catch up. Please join us! All are welcome!

Session Meeting Highlights

A regular meeting of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington (FPCF) was held on November 17, 2021. Session approved the following Action Items:

1   Implementation of the Computer, ‘Internet and Email Usage and Password Management Policy” and “Social Media, Website, and Internet Posting Policy” which were created to establish guidelines for Internet usage at FPCF.

2  The following changes to the COVID-19 Guidelines:

• Adding a Liturgist to the worship services as a permanent change, effective 11/28/21.
• Expand the Chancel voices to (12) from the existing (8) while still observing COVID-19 safe distancing protocols.
• Holding one service on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.

3   Commission an Ad Hoc Planning Committee to undertake planning for the church with the purpose to develop a long-term plan that will accomplish:

• Develop ways to grow the church membership
• Make the church more connected to the community
• Find ways to activate the membership in fellowship and action
• Create a financial plan that can accomplish the goals.

Other Highlights from the meeting include:

• The Mission Ministry is working on an initiative with Danika Community Development Inc. to develop a Resume Writing and Interview Practice Workshop for women who are returning to the workforce. This is planned for January 2022 and will be hosted at FPCF.
• The Nurture Ministry is working on planning outdoor activities for families following the recent apple picking activity.
• Session is continuing to develop the 2022 Budget.
• The Clerk met with Detroit Presbytery area church clerks for the Annual Reading of the Minutes. There were zero exceptions reported on the 2020 FPCF Session Minutes, which is the highest rating.
• Materials for the FPCF 2021 Annual Report are due to the Church Office by January 6, 2022, to allow time to assemble the report before the annual congregational meeting, which is scheduled for Sunday, February 6, 2022.
• Pastor Eddie has been continuing to reach out to church families through in-person visits, texts, emails, and phone calls. He has also been attending multiple meetings in church and outside in the community, in addition to sending out worship bulletins to families with children.
• The next Session Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

 

Annual Meeting scheduled, annual reports due soon

The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, in Knox Hall or via Zoom following worship at approximately 11:15 a.m. Reports to be included in the 2021 Annual Report should be emailed to the church office by no later than Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. The 2021 Annual Report will be emailed to members who have signed up through the church website to receive the FYI newsletter, the annual report and other important 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 2021 Annual Report will be available at the welcome center on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2021. Or contact the church office to arrange for one to be provided to you.

Important year-end information regarding contributions

Please be aware that the last bank deposit for contributions for tax year 2021 will be Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. This means contributions must be received in the church office before Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. Any monies 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 2022 contributions. Please note these dates so that you will know in advance how to plan your year-end giving.

2022 offering envelopes

Those who have used numbered envelopes in 2021 will automatically receive envelopes for 2022. If you have NOT used envelopes this year, but DO wish to have them for next year, please do:

• Contact Jerry Scheel at 248-859-4753 or by email at [email protected].
• 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 submit your pledge electronically from your bank account monthly, please call Jerry Scheel, Financial Secretary, to have the forms mailed to you. If you have any questions, please contact Jerry Scheel or call the church office at (248) 474-6170.

2022 Worship Flower sign-up available

Please consider giving 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. An arrangement is $24.50 and enhances our in-person and videotaped 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 the Sunday worship bulletin. Please sign up on the flower calendar 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.

Helping Loved Ones Divided By Politics

Join us on Saturday, December 11th from 2-3:30 pm Eastern Time for a live demonstration of Braver Angels co-founder, Bill Doherty, Ph.D., helping family members divided by politics learn new tools for connecting and communicating.

Bill will interview a married couple who will demonstrate how a difficult political discussion regarding government covid mandates usually goes for them. Bill will then coach them on a Braver Angels approach and they will repeat the conversation using these new skills. Afterwards, a reflecting team of red and blue Braver Angels will comment on what they observed and learned from the experience.

The goal is to help the participating pair and the audience learn better ways to manage their political differences for the sake of their relationships. We hope it helps our country as well!

This is a free event brought to you by Braver Angels as part of its mission to depolarize America with the ultimate goal of uniting America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Year-end Office Hours

We suggest that you contact the church office between Christmas and New Year’s to confirm that someone is available to meet and assist you. The Office will be closed on Monday, December 27 in observance of Christmas Day and Friday, December 31 in observance of New Year’s Day.

Congregational Concerns

 

Thank you notes

Heartfelt thank-you messages were received from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Crossroads of Michigan, Neighborhood House, Fort Street, and CARES for the faithful support of First Presbyterian Church Farmington through our Mission Ministry.

Message from the Presbytery of Detroit

December 2, 2021

To the congregations, pastors, and members of the Presbytery of Detroit:

On behalf of the leadership of the Presbytery, we are saddened by the horrific shooting that occurred on November 30, 2021, at Oxford High School within the bounds of the Presbytery of Detroit Late Tuesday, authorities said that three students were shot and killed within five minutes. Another student died Wednesday morning, leaving an additional seven students injured.

According to Everytown Research, every day, more than one hundred Americans are killed with guns and more than two hundred are shot and wounded. The effects of gun violence in America extend far beyond these casualties-gun violence shapes the lives of millions of Americans who witness it, know someone who was shot, or live-in fear of the next shooting. The 219th General Assembly (2010) adopted the resolution, “Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call,” in exercise of its responsibility to help the whole church address matters of “social righteousness.” Our denomination laments the prevalence of gun violence and its dramatic cost in human life. Over the course of a typical year, about 30,000 will be killed through gun-related murder, suicide, accident, or police intervention. Approximately 70,000 will survive gun injuries, only to have their lives and those of their families forever changed. Most tragically, almost 21,000 of the victims are American children and teens (ages 0-19). Reasonable restrictions on firearms and a societal commitment to reduce violence are the call of every Christian, and we affirm that call as leaders of the Presbytery of Detroit.

Statistics can make our eyes glaze over, but understanding the pain involved for each of these families can only lead us to grieve like Rachel.
A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.(Jer. 31:15)

Therefore, we lament. We grieve the loss of lives yet unrealized to their fullest potential. We grieve and lament with the students, faculty, staff, and members of the larger community in Oakland County who have experienced suffering and loss. We grieve, lament, and pray for the victims, their families, and the communities impacted by this impulsive act of violence. Lives have been lost, dreams have been trampled, and hopes have been crushed. We issue a call to pray.

How shall we respond?

As Reformed Christians, we claim the hope that God is active in the world, and that there is hope in this world, as well as the next, that God’s glory can be manifest. As sinful as humans are, individually and collectively, the good news is that God does not give up on us; not ever. Transformation is possible, and God’s “Yes” in Jesus Christ confirms for us every day that we are worth the effort.

Therefore, we ask that every congregation of the Presbytery of Detroit have a time of prayer during worship this Sunday for all affected and impacted by this act of terrorism and violence. We ask that our congregations reach out to neighboring schools and build relationships so that our common bonds can supersede the desperation and resignation of our times. We ask our congregations to mobilize in ways that remove any barriers and call us to community, compassion, and concern.

We, as followers of Jesus Christ, have a hope that transcends our current realities. Let us be bold in proclaiming that hope to our grieving neighbors, even as we work to be agents of collective change, love, and healing for all.
Faithfully Submitted,

Dr. Flo Barbee-Watkins, Transitional General Presbyter
CRE Charon Barconey, Associate Executive Presbyter for Congregational Outreach and Nurture
Rev. Marianne Grano, Stated Clerk

2021 Christmas Poinsettias

Deadline for ordering is Tuesday, December 14
Please complete this form and return it 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 $16 each. Poinsettias are available for you to take home after 7:30 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. 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 ____
In honor of: __________________________________________________________________________________________
In memory of: __________________________________________________________________________________________