January 2010

Brookwood Presbyterian Church

January 2010

BROOKWOOD FOOD PANTRY

As we embark on a new year, let us continue to be mindful of the needs of so many in our community. We are blessed in so many ways! By sharing a small portion of our bounty---one or two cans of food each week if we are able---will enable Brookwood’s food pantry to continue to make a big difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Of course, monetary donations are always welcome. The food pantry staff can do the shopping. We appreciate all contributions---no donation is too small! Food items can be placed in the barrel in the hallway outside the food pantry. Monetary donations should be marked “Food Pantry”.

Suggested food items for donation are: canned vegetables, canned soup, canned fruit, canned pork and beans, canned pasta, cereal (hot or cold), pancake mix & syrup, spaghetti & sauce, macaroni & cheese, ramen noodles, Tuna Helper, boxed potatoes, cake mix & frosting and jello.

THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!!

The Food Pantry Staff

Greetings from the Pastor’s Corner:

UPDATED FROM LAST MONTH’S ECHOES

→ PLEASE NOTE NEW DATES ←

Evangelism Classes to Begin in January

“Friend Makers for God”

Hi there. As one of your pastors, I want to personally invite you to a class I am starting called, “Friend Makers For God”. It is an “Evangelism Class” - a “friendship Evangelism” class. It is a class targeted for us as individuals who are unique (and not made from a cookie cutter); and targeted for us as people that are not used to “doing evangelism”. That’s correct. I have no interest in forcing you into some kind of evangelistic mold. I have every interest in helping you become the faith sharing, “Friend Maker for God”, that God created you to be.

Personal Evangelism Classes

Friend Makers for God

Wednesdays “next year”

7:40 pm - 8:30 pm

Mariner’s Kitchen

RSVP to the Church Office

January 6 January 20

January 27 February 3

February 10 February 24

Christianity is NOT a religion - it is a relationship between Christ and his disciples. We are some of those disciples. Christianity is communicated from one person to another through relationships where the Good News about Jesus Christ is shared. This communication opens up doors into people’s lives where we are then given the opportunity to explain the living relationship we have with Jesus Christ. Here is where the “Friend Maker for God” idea comes in; God created us for those faith sharing relationships. God created us to be able to share our faith in very normal and relaxed ways that fully affirm our personalities. I am here to show you how to do this, and do it naturally.

Somewhere along the road of life, we have become believers in Jesus, and we have a story to tell. Amen ... But, what is your story? Finding that story and learning how to tell it is called evangelism. And that is very contagious. Perhaps we can not explain our faith in an eloquent way, but we need to at least be able to explain it with simple terms and examples of God’s work in our lives. For example: we need to be able to speak to why we feel the peace of God in our lives, and how we know that we will be resurrected one day; we need to be able to explain to others why we are convinced that life is worthwhile, and that our sins are forgiven. We need to be able to express verbally that we know God sent his Son to live and die for us and to be resurrected, and that he now lives eternally interceding for us. We will never be able to explain every verse in the Bible, but we can always be able to testify to why we believe, and what Jesus has done in our lives.

Faith is very personal --- but NEVER meant to be only private.

We have to be willing to ask people to be our guests here at Brookwood.

If we are not willing to do this --- what will our present and future be?

(Matthew 28:16-20).

Worship Outlines for January

1/2/10 Saturday Night Worship 5 pm

Theme: Evangelism

Message: “A New Song of the Same Old Story”

Passage: Psalm 98

1/3/10 Second Sunday after Christmas see 1/2/2010

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Pastor Jim gone for the Brown Bag Sabbatical -- 1/8-1/17/09 -- Continuing Education

1/11-1/15 Ockenga Institute: Brown Bag Sabbatical (GCTS)

1/12-13 Harvard Divinity School

1/14-1/15 Cooley Lecture with Craig Evans (GCTS)

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1/23/10 Saturday Night Worship 5 pm Pastor John preaching

Pastor Jim gone ice fishing on the Men’s Discipleship Weekend

1/24 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Pastor John preaching

1/30/10 Saturday Night Worship 5 pm

Theme: Importance of the Word of God and God’s Holy Spirit in our Witness

Message: “All Will Come Alive!” Acts 10:34-43 I Cor. 15:19-26; Lk. 24:1-12

1/31 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time see 1/30/10

2/6 Saturday Night Worship 5 pm see 2/7/10

2/7 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Theme: Being Christ’s Ambassadors

Message: “Ambassadors As Evangelists” II Peter 3:1, 2, 8-10, 13

2/13 Saturday Night Worship 5 pm see 2/14

2/14 Theme: - Jesus is our High Priest - He makes intercession of us

- Reformation

Message: “Jesus, Our Priest” Hebrews 7:23-28

SAVE THE DATE

Brookwood Presbyterian Church will be having their Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 24^th 2010, following worship with a potluck lunch in the Fellowship Hall.

Christmas Reflections

Thank you to the musicians and the youth that participated in "At the Manger" as part of the worship services on December 12 and December 13. Regardless of our age, it is important that we think of the true meaning of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The following people all helped to make it a special time.
Violin: Julian Chitu
Piano: Andreas Chitu
Lector: Gabriella Gegenheimer, Kelly Salmon
Mary: Melissa Gear, Brigitta Gegenheimer
Joseph: Jeffrey Nicosea, Les Smith
Caesar Augustus: Brittany Cook
Angels: Maya Figurski, Caroline Sams, Bonnie Nicosea, Erin Huskey, Abi Figurski, Grace Markoff, Charlotte Salmon, Isabella Montjoy
Shepherds: Chelsea Tanksley, Xavier Montjoy, Kyle Figurski, Noah Salmon, Jake Nutter
God: Nate Salmon
Wise Men: Rev. Gear, Rev. Birkner

Thank you too for all the support of the parents and the adults who stepped in to help tell the Christmas Story.

Pastor Jim’s Sunday School Class

The Shack

Book available in Book Stores

Day: Sundays, for 5 weeks

Jan. 3, 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 am

Place: Mariner’s Kitchen

John Calvin: His Life and Legacy

DVD curriculum

Day: Sundays, for 4 weeks

March 7, 14, 21,

Time: 9:30 - 10:15 am

Place: Mariner’s Kitchen

Birthdays

1/3 Chelsea Tanksley

1/10 Nancy Hartmann

1/17 Marilyn Cook

1/24 Ellen Bennett

1/31 Craig Bailey

1/1 Nathan Rine

1/4 Zach Cashwell

1/7 Julie Huskey

1/10 Odessa Adams

1/12 Rhonda Dodson

1/20 Susan Kuhn

1/20 Kyle Figurski

1/20 Abigail Figurski

1/21 Nate Faubel-Ravely

1/24 Virginia Greene

1/27 Anneliese Gegenheimer

1/28 Martha Buhrmaster

1/29 John McAllister

1/30 Jake Nutter

Lay Readers

1/3 Chelsea Tanksley

1/10 Nancy Hartmann

1/17 Marilyn Cook

1/24 Ellen Bennett

1/31 Craig Bailey

Communion Date

1/10 Baptism of the Lord – Intinction

IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR THE SUPER BOWL and YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS—SUBS! 

The Youth will once again be having a Super Bowl Sub Sale. The cost will be $5 and all of the proceeds will go toward various youth activities (meetings, retreats, mission trips, etc). We will be selling Italian, Turkey or Veggie subs. You may order the subs after the services the weekends of Jan. 23^rd-24^th & Jan. 30^th-31^st. Our sub pick-up time will be after the church services on Feb. 6^th & 7^th in the Fellowship Hall. Thanks for your continued support of our youth! 

If you have questions or to place an order contact Pam.

Thanks again!

Mitten Tree

The Deacons will once again be having a mitten tree located next to the food pantry in the lobby area. Items needed for the mitten tree include mittens, hats, scarves and gloves of all sizes. They will be delivered to needy families in the Columbus area in January. We will be collecting items through Jan. 10^th. Thanks for your help!

The Board of Deacons

Winter Youth Retreat

The Presbytery is once again sponsoring a Junior/Senior High Retreat for all of the Presbyterian Churches in our area. It will be the weekend of Feb. 12^th-14^th at Camp Akita (That’s where it’s been for the past few years! Beautiful area, great lodge & fantastic food!) The cost for our youth will be $50. We will need to have the registration forms and money by Sunday, January 24^th. Scholarships will be available. If you are interested in going or chaperoning, contact Pam.

Wild At Heart

A New Kind of Men’s Group

Men’s Outdoor & Indoor Group

Schedule

Initial Meetings:

At our initial meeting, on Saturday, December 12, we had 4 men in attendance. We talked about the future and the present, our desires for the group and our interests in certain activities. We discussed the need for all of our meetings to include four things: Sharing our lives - Prayer for those areas in need - Word of God applied to everyday situations - Activity that we all like.

Our next Meeting is a long one:

7:00 am Thursday - Sunday, January 22-24 ICE FISHING

Topic: Being “Fishers of Men”…NOT sitters on the asphalt and in the pews.

Then we meet again in earnest in February:

9:00 am Saturday, February 20 at Brookwood Fellowship Hall

Topic: Wild At Heart - DVD & books & journals - now we are cranking!

Wild At Heart

“Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, Wild at Heart, a guide to understanding Christian manhood and Christian men, offers a refreshing break from the chorus of voices urging men to be more responsible, reliable, dutiful ... and dead.”

Dead not good. Alive good.

Finance

By the time you read this Echoes the financial books for 2009 for Brookwood will be closed. You will find the final details for the year in your annual report. As of the end of November we were showing nearly $15,000 deficit; that is our Expenses exceeded our Income by that amount. This will undoubtedly carry over into the final tally for the year. Brookwood is facing serious financial problems. Session is, and will be, addressing these problems and will keep you, the congregation, informed. You can help with your continued support thru your offerings and special gifts. If you have not already done so, please pick up your offering envelopes from the tables in the lobby outside the office.

Hill To Valley

Low Impact - High Enjoyment

Breathing Space

Clear Your Head

Deal with Stress

No Cost

- Hill to Valley offers an opportunity for relaxing, healthful and communicative activities out in the wonders of nature.

- Hike Central Ohio in the safety and security of a group.

- Pastor Jim, an experienced hiker (all over the USA), has planned many hikes in the past and enjoys sharing what he has learned about the wilderness.

- These hikes will go rain or shine, warm or cold. Make sure you bring appropriate shoes and clothing.

Contact Pastor Jim for details and recommendations / Contact Church Office to RSVP

Hill to Valley is open to all and without charge, but reservations are required (so we know how much food to cook for breakfast).

Parks:

The First Five Parks We Will Visit … Alum Creek Greenway / Three Creeks / Pickerington Ponds / Blacklick Woods / Chestnut Ridge

2010 Monthly Schedule: (usually first Saturday) / January 2 - Alum Creek

Greenway N. / February 6 - Alum Creek Greenway S. / March 6 - Three Creeks

April 10 - Pickerington Ponds / May 8 - Blacklick Woods / June 5 - Chestnut Ridge

Scheduled Parks subject to change due to weather or Park conditions.

Saturday Schedule:

9:00am Gathering

9:05 Breakfast - in Fellowship Hall, basement

9:40 Hiking Lore - Trail Lore - Bible Lore

10:00 Carpool to Park - driving routes and trail maps always available

10:30 Arrival upon Trail

Noon Return to Brookwood

12:30 Farewell

Get Moving … Eating … Exploring

Why is Christmas such a big deal? Copied (and Edited) from Purpose Driven

It’s the largest celebration around the world each year - other holidays get a single day, but

Christmas is emphasized for an entire month - one twelfth of every year. During the Christmas season, billions of people set aside their normal routines to decorate their homes, send out

greeting cards, buy gifts, go to Christmas parties, attend church services, sing Christmas songs, watch Christmas TV specials, and travel long distances to be with their families. Christmas sights and sounds are in the air everywhere. There are stores and even careers that are exclusively dedicated to preparing for and celebrating this holiday. When Christmas comes you can’t miss it, it is everywhere.

THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS If you stop to think about it, it is astounding that the simple, unassuming birth of a peasant boy born two thousand years ago in the Middle East has caused such commotion. His birthday even causes traffic jams today in places like New York City, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro. You may have never realized that every time you check your calendar or refer to a date or write one down, you are using Jesus Christ as your reference point. Because of Jesus, history is divided into BC (before Christ) and AD (anno Domini, in the year of the Lord). Every other event in history and every event on your calendar today is dated by how many days and years it has been since Jesus Christ appeared on earth. Even your birthday is dated by his birthday. The night Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, a small group of poor shepherds was quietly tending their flocks of sheep in a nearby field. Looking up at the stars, nothing seemed any different from a thousand other nights. But what was about to happen would transform not only the shepherds lives but billions of other lives as well. The world would never be the same. Suddenly a bright light lit up the sky, and an angel from God appeared above them and began speaking to them. It seemed unbelievable and scared them. The Bible gives us the original Christmas story. There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:8–14 The angel said that Christmas would bring “great joy for all the people.” Really? For many people, getting ready for Christmas seems more of a hassle than a source of happiness. It is a source of stress. They feel pressure, not pleasure, when it comes to Christmas. It’s a duty, not a delight. They endure Christmas rather than enjoy it.

There are many possible reasons you might feel uneasy or lonely or even depressed during the Christmas season. You may dread spending time with oddball relatives. Maybe relationships are strained and uncomfortable in your family. Maybe you don't have anyone to be with this Christmas. Christmas may remind you of losses or hurts or how things have changed. You may have a religious background that doesn't include Christmas, or you may have no faith at all and watching others celebrate may make you feel uneasy. Maybe you are just exhausted and worn out from all that has happened in your life this past year.

God cares deeply about how you feel, and so do we here at Brookwood.