NO Bell Choir tonight. Chancel Choir will rehearse at 7:00 p.m.

There will NOT be a mission committee meeting for the month of January.

Pastor John will conduct leadership training on Saturday for all Elders, Deacons, and Trustees of the church as well as for anyone interested in the future of our church.  Judy Boyd will be bringing homemade vegetable beef soup and crackers for everyone for lunch.  You may also feel free to bring a brown bag lunch.

See you there!

I failed to include Jonathan’s article in the January Newsletter.

Happy New Year!  As I have recently stepped up to chair the worship & music committee, I wanted to share a few thoughts with everyone.  The first thing I have learned is how many people contribute to making worship happen, both those visible (like John, Jeff and Lorie) and those behind the scenes.  The other thing I have realized is how difficult it is to balance competing objectives in planning worship: being liturgically and theologically correct; maintaining continuity while being open to change; managing logistics; fostering an openness to the Holy Spirit; and making each service meaningful to most or all congregants.  During this time of transition, we are also updating our order of worship in hopes of achieving a better balance.  If you have any suggestions, the committee will consider them and integrate them as appropriate.  Also, if you would like to participate in the planning and execution of worship, please contact me, or come to one of our regular meetings (generally, second Monday of the month at 5:30pm).

I would also like to mention a few changes that you should expect.  First, we will continue to introduce new-sounding hymns.  Our target for now is one song per month, possibly increasing as our little band, the New Presby Minstrels, builds its repertoire.  If you are an instrumentalist who would like to join the band, or if there are particular songs that we should consider using, please let me know.  Second, in response to a member’s wonderful suggestion, we are going to experiment with changes to the Doxology and Gloria Patri (one at a time!).  Although we are all comfortable with these two choral responses, that comfort can sometimes blind us to their meaning.  We will try new words for the Doxology that are more inclusive (and that address the full Trinity in a more balanced way) and a new tune for the Gloria Patri.  Finally, we will continue to tweak the order of worship—no big changes, but small adjustments to improve flow.

Again, thanks to all of you who make worship a meaningful experience for me and for all congregants.  I wish you peace in the new year.

Jonathan Kimball, Worship & Music Committee Chair

Despite the snow, today’s worship service is ON!  At least a few of us will be there.  Drive safe if you come out to join us.

The title of Pastor John Oerter’s sermon for the week of January 05, 2014 is Jesus Came Home based on scriptures from John 1: 1-5, 10-12, 18.  The hymns for Sunday are I Come with Joy and Bread of the World.

Worship begins at 9:45 am, followed by education and fellowship at 11:00 a.m.  Our church provides a Nursery during worship service.  First Presbyterian Church is located at 919 E. Tenth Street in Rolla.  Our website is www.rollapresby.org.

The annual congregational meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. following worship.  Please plan to attend.

The PALS will meet for lunch on Monday, January 06, 2014 at 11:45 a.m. at Fortune Inn.

The Heritage Cookbooks are available.  Call or come by the office to place an order or pick up a copy.

The Mission Committee will be collecting paper products for the month of January for the Russell House.

The title of Reverend Robert Roger’s sermon for the week of December 29, 2013 is Christmas … a Sober Exuberance based on scriptures from Matthew 2: 1-20.  The hymns for Sunday are We Three Kings of Orient Are and What Child is This.  Special music, Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head and A La Ru will be sung by Mary Kwantes.

Worship begins at 9:45 am, followed by education and fellowship at 11:00 a.m.  Our church provides a Nursery during worship service.  First Presbyterian Church is located at 919 E. Tenth Street in Rolla.  Our website is www.rollapresby.org.

The Heritage cookbooks are now available.  Cost is $10 each.  Call/come by the office to place or pick up your order.

The Mission Committee will collect paper towels, toilet tissue, napkins, and Kleenex for the Russell House during the month of January.  There will be a box located in the foyer.

Join us this evening for services at 7:00 p.m.

Cookbooks are ready for everyone who ordered them.  You may pick them up in the office.  There are also additional copies available.  You may place your order in the office for additional copies.