DECEMBER, 2016 -  MESSENGER  

  

                    GREENFIELD   AVENUE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH 

                                  1455 S. 97^th St., West Allis, WI 53214

                       Church Office (414) 453-3710     Pastor Kevin G. Tarvid     

                          Pastor’s Cell Phone for Emergencies   (414) 588-0159

                     Sunday Morning Worship                 Sunday Church School 

                                 9:30 AM       www.gapc-usa.com       10:45 AM

 

    Faith    Hope   Love  = GREENFIELD  AVENUE  PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH     GAPC      

       

 

                              Worship Schedule  Dec 4 – Dec 25, 2016

 

Sun.  Dec 4 – 9:30 AM    Communion Worship  -   2^nd  Sunday of Advent 

First Reading:   Isaiah 11:1-10

Second Reading: Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon: “Living Proof God Is Willing to Work with Just About Anybody” 

Liturgist/Children’s Message: Sue S.

Servers: Phyllis, Dan & Kerstin, & Lori  

 

Sun. Dec 11 - 9:30 AM       “Penny Sunday”  -    3^rd Sunday of Advent

First Reading:  Isaiah 35:1-10

Second Reading:  James 5:7-11

Sermon:  “Patience is A …”

Liturgist: Barb B.      Children’s Message:  Pastor Kevin

 

Sun. Dec 18 – 9:30 AM     4^th Sunday of Advent

First Reading:  Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Second Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon:  “What’s in a Name?”

Liturgist: Lori;  Children’s Message:  Christmas Program

 

Sat., Dec 24 – 6:30 PM  Christmas Eve Service of Lessons & Carols

 

Sun Dec 25 – 9:30 AM    Christmas Day  & “Penny Sunday”

First Reading: Psalm 98

Second Reading: John 1:1-14

Sermon: “Greatest Gift Ever!

Liturgist  Barb B.

Children’s Message:  Pastor Kevin

 

 

CHRIST  CHURCH  TOY STORE – Please bring UNWRAPPED toys, games, books,  mittens, scarves, etc. & place under our sanctuary tree BY DEC 11, as we support this Christmas ministry which serves kids ages 2-12.

 

We’ll have a SPECIAL  CHILDREN’S TIME  during worship on Dec. 18.  It’s going to be very special -- & when the kids help us celebrate the impending birth of the Christ Child, you never know what might happen!   It’s sure to be a fun-filled yet meaningful hour.

 

There’s a CAROL SING, led by Music Minister Sheri , during Sunday School time on Dec. 18.   What an opportunity!  Get lost in the wonder of music & the Christmas season -- & invite your friends to come & be with us, as we sing to the accompaniment provided by this outstanding musician!  

 

Our CHRISTMAS EVE  SERVICE OF LESSONS  & CAROLS will begin at 6:30 PM on Sat., Dec. 24.  What a wonder-filled night it will be!  Picture it:  colorful Poinsettias decorate the sanctuary; the Christmas tree shimmers; garlands of evergreen drape across the chancel arch; candles glow as we join in singing “Silent Night” …We look forward to this celebration of Christ’s impending birth all year long!  And on Christmas morning, our usual Sunday worship will be enhanced, just because it’s CHRISTMAS!   “O Come, All Ye Faithful!”

 

FROM  OUR  PASTOR:   Happy Holydays, Beloved… 

          As we enter into this season of giving, I’d like for us to consider giving the most important gift of all – the Body of Christ.

          It is occurring to me more and more that our society is missing out on a most vital aspect of life (and beyond) – the gospel!

          In many ways, the church has brought this upon ourselves – we’ve put so much emphasis on “being good” and “just believing” and “having a personal relationship with Jesus”, that we’ve forgotten that Jesus has called us to be in community.  While those things I just mentioned are important, and good, they don’t reveal the just how important being part of the faith family is!

          It is clearly Christ’s desire that we work together to make this world the better place it’s meant to be.  

          So, let’s be as absolutely warm and welcoming as we can be this Holyday Season!  Let’s invite left and right, and give our friends and loved ones the greatest gift of all, Jesus!

God loves you.  Me too!                   -  Pastor  Kevin

 

You can ORDER  SCRIP on  both Dec. 4 AND Dec. 11 !  It’s your 1-stop gift shop!  See JT to place your order!

THE  HABITAT TREE in the narthex needs ornaments!  YOU can help decorate it by making a contribution in ANY amount to Habitat for Humanity.  When you donate, you’ll be given an ornament to place on the tree, & a card (or cards) to send to loved ones, indicating that you‘ve made a donation to Habitat, in their honor.   What a privilege, to be able to help provide a HOME for deserving families.  Your donation helps this wonderful organization purchase nails, hammers, & so MANY other items needed for building!  To quote Dorothy: “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home!”              

 

The WONDROUS GIFT IS GIVEN – The Christmas Joy Offering – This Special Offering of the PCUSA celebrates the coming of  the “wondrous gift” of God with us, Jesus.  He arrived in a humble stable in small & insignificant Bethlehem to lead & teach in truth & love, & bring about God’s salvation to the world.  It was a gift so profound that the only response was the bringing of more gifts; the Magi arrived with gold, frankincense, & myrrh to honor the Christ Child.  The Christmas Joy Offering honors faithful current & retired church workers in times of need by providing financial assistance to support them when challenging life circumstances arrive.  In 2015, income supplements from the Board of Pensions helped nearly 300 households, while housing supplements helped more than 200 households.  Additionally, the offering promotes education & leadership development by supporting racial ethnic schools & colleges.  Your gift is needed, & greatly appreciated!

 

GAPC  DOES  MAKE  A  DIFFERENCE !  Spinning Yarns Knitting Ministry distributed:   20 hats to Wilson school;  15 hats & 3 scarves to the Christ Church Christmas Toy Store;

89 hats & 12 pairs of mittens to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission; & 35 hats to Good Samaritan.   WOW!  Thanks, knitters!

 

FROM INTERFAITH, WEST CENTRAL we received the following;

“Hello All, 

The holidays are quickly approaching and we are making plans on how to best share Christmas joy with our clients.  “We are especially thankful for any donations this year as one of the giving programs that previously provided client gifts has been discontinued.  This is reducing our holiday gifts to local seniors by more than 40%.   Please find my article below and include it in your newsletter. .  

Tammy  Herro,  Director, Interfaith West Central 

 

“Christmas is coming!  Help us share holiday joy with local seniors and shut-ins.  We are accepting donations of small gifts and gift cards now - Dec 12.  We also welcome Christmas cards, cookie bakers (we will provide the boxes), drivers to deliver gifts, and drivers to transport clients to the Christmas party on Dec 10.  For more info, please contact the West Central Interfaith Office at (414) 774-1747 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.”

 

The Rev. Craig M. Howard, who has served as Executive Director in the Presbytery of Milwaukee for the past 3 ½ years, will be leaving our area on December 31.  In his letter to the churches of this presbytery, he writes:  “At this time, I believe God is calling me to ministry in a different location.  I have accepted the call to be the Transitional Presbytery Leader for the Presbytery of GiddingsLovejoy in St. Louis, MO. The call is for 3-5 years, with the possibility of a permanent call. In St. Louis I will help to rebuild the presbytery, including staffing, and implementing a new structure in the shadow of the social unrest created by the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson. My organizational gifts and relationship building skills will be fully utilized both in the presbytery and the St. Louis area. I feel a strong sense of call to this area and this work.”  We thank Rev. Howard for his devotion & dedicated service to the Presbytery of Milwaukee, & pray that he will be blessed with great success in this important new venture.

 

Don’t forget to  help us as we continue our support of   WILSON SCHOOL! This fall, we began our 4^th year helping provide donations of back packs & school supplies; we’ve already delivered a generous amount to the school.  BUT – we need to do even MORE!  This WAWM elementary school, (like so many others in the area) has a significant number of students whose parents, through no fault of their own, cannot afford the necessary school supplies.  Teachers & administrators often dig deep into their own pockets to provide for these children, whom they care about so deeply.   We applaud them, and we want to offer as much assistance as we’re able, also.  There’s a LIST of needed items taped to the collection box in the narthex; please jot down a few of the items, watch for sales, & pick up some to bring to church. Helping to get kids off to the best possible educational start is one of the most loving acts that we, as Christians, can perform, & we’re thankful to have the opportunity to help.  Let’s see how much we can collect, before the next box (or boxes) filled with supplies are ready to be delivered.  THANKS!

 

We support GOOD SAMARITAN OUTREACH CENTER’S FOOD  PANTRY, & each month, we suggest a CHALLENGE  ITEM  for you to donate,  as generously as possible.  Monthly challenge suggestions are below – but remember, you may donate ANY non-perishable food items at ANY time!  Good Samaritan reminds us that:  “Your contribution of food is more significant because it enables Good Sam’s to provide greater variation in the food that we distribute.  We tend to provide our community members with a somewhat routine menu of food, & we are delighted to be able to surprise them with different foods.”  December --- Baking items (flour, sugar, brown sugar, etc.) 

                

The Guest House asks:  “When is the last time you wondered: “ When will I eat next?  where can I find a place to shower?  What will I wear tomorrow?  Where will I sleep tonight?”  Most of the people the Guest House serves asked these questions on a daily basis, before coming there.  Their web page states: “Since 1982, the Guest house has provided #OneWarmBed  to people in our community in need of shelter – but providing one warm bed is not all we do.  The Guest House is more than shelter – we provide permanent housing, job training, access to addiction & mental health counseling, & much more.  We know that in order to overcome homelessness, providing one warm bed is only one piece of the puzzle.  Will you help us provide one warm bed this holiday season?  Visit us at guesthouseofmilwaukee.org” to find out how to help, by donating needed items.                    

 

 

 

                           

“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”

                                                                                 -- Charles  Spurgeon

 

December 2016 - CALENDAR

 

 

 

 

Thurs Dec 8      7:00 PM – Friends of MS meet

Mon Dec 12      7:00 PM – Resources Committee 

Tues Dec 13     7:00 PM – Session meets

Sun Dec 18      9:30 PM – Kids’ Program

                        10:45 AM – Carol Sing in S.S. *

Sat Dec 24       6:30 PM – Christmas Eve service

Sun Dec 25     9:30 AM – Christmas Day worship

Sun Dec 26 – Our church offices are CLOSED as the staff celebrates the Christmas holiday

Sun Jan 1, 2017  9:30 AM – We celebrate the New Year during worship this morning     

 

PLEASE NOTE:  If “the weather outside is frightful”, & you think Sunday worship may be canceled, tune in to Channel 12.  We’ll let them know, VERY early on Sunday morning, if we WON’T have services.  Then you’ll know you can stay home by a fireplace that’s “so delightful” (provided you have one …) Remember:  Don’t take a chance.  If you think the roads will be unsafe, be wise, & stay home.

 

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS, and for 20217, A HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!        -  from your GAPC  Staff