Christmas 2002
From Humbug to Hallelujah
What reason have you to be merry? scoffed Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. With all
the increased pressures associated with the month of December, maybe you feel like Scrooge: Christmas? Bah, humbug.
Maybe you cant
afford Christmas. Maybe youve lost- or never had, loved ones. Maybe you wish your loved ones were someone elses. The simple
fact is that problems are often aggravated by the busyness and togetherness the holidays bring.
Thats why truth
needs to sink in: Christmas is special because of Christ. Decorations and gifts, special meals and get-togethers must not
overshadow the Ultimate Gift and real reason for Christmas- Jesus, born to us and died for us. The Cross enables us to experience
true joy, real happiness, and an everlasting relationship.
Be sure to nurture
your soul this Christmas season. On Sunday mornings well be exploring this Humbug
to Hallelujah theme from A Christmas Carol. Have family or private devotions using our Advent calendars. Come to the Christmas
Cantata, the progressive dinner, Christmas Eve. Remember, Christmas without Christ is a miss.
Please Come to our Christmas Events
Sat., Dec 14th 6:00
pm Progressive
Dinner.
Sign up right away with Alison Cox, 201-612-8498. Start with hors doeuvres at the Coxs, to assigned homes for dinner,
and finish at the church with dessert and carols.
Sun., Dec 15th 10:30 am A Midnight Clear Christmas
Musical
Come hear the adult
choir and youth Worship Arts team present a multimedia musical encouraging all of us to look beyond the incidentals and experience
the profound- worship Messiah, born in a manger and yet a King.
Sun., Dec. 22nd 10:30 am Meet Me at the Manger Christmas Pageant
Children and youth sing
and act at Herods Department Store. Mr. Herod and all of us get to learn what brings God real delight at Christmas: wise men
(and women) who still follow Him.
Tues., Dec. 24th 8:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
A blend of the contemporary
and traditional, a service for families and singles, people of all ages and places.
Move from Humbug to Hallelujah and Rejoice in Christmas miracles.
Wed., Dec. 25th 11 am Christmas Day Worship.
Celebrate Jesus birth
with friends; sing your favorite carols, share stories of Christs love. Dress is casual.
Children and Youth
Sun., Dec. 15th 4 pm Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
Sat., Dec. 21st 10 am Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal
12 pm Christmas
Party!
Young Life WinterCamp weekends at
Lake Champion are coming up. Save the date, send in a $50.00 deposit.
Senior High: January 24-26 (deposits due immediately)
Junior High (Middle School): March 7-9
SPCs 100th Anniversary is June 8, 2003 Rev. Bob Shannon, SPCs pastor from 1981-1987, will
be our guest speaker for the Sunday service and we are planning a weekend of fun and festivities. Please join the Centennial Planning Committee to help us put together a nice weekend for all. We need more
people! Next meeting is Tuesday, January 14, 8:00 pm
in the office.
Alpha Celebration Supper Wed., Jan. 22
Come on the Alpha Course, so they say in England. What is Alpha about? Its about dinner with friends, new and old; some good singing; funny jokes
(and thats a promise); an intriguing video talk by Englands newest rave, Nicky Gumble; delicious desserts; open discussion where everyone is loved
and accepted. Check out www.alphausa.org for more info. What is the meaning of life? Why is there evil in the world? Who is Jesus? Come on the course and learn!
New Members and Inquirers Meetings
Young adults (senior high and college age) along with other adults are invited to come to the Kemps home for three
Sundays in January to discuss what it means to be a member of Suffern Presbyterian Church. Well have dinner together and then
have each group meet for teaching and discussion. Dinner will be at 5 pm and well meet on Jan. 5, 12, and 19.
Beginning Jan.26 Daring to Dream Again: Overcoming
Barriers that Hold You Back. The 50 Day
Spiritual Adventure returns. Journaling, funny skits, good small group Bible Studies, interesting themes for accelerated Christian
growth. Details to come.
March 14-15 Alpha weekend away
March 29 Cumberland Boys Concert
April 4-6 SPC Dunamis Conference weekend with Brad Long teaching on Healing
Merry
Christmas!
