THE IXTHUS 
October 2009		  

DAISY’S DIARY

I have always though of fall as the months of goldenrod, trees full of color, and hickory nuts. There is a special smell that comes as the leaves crackle when you walk in the woods. When the sun shines during this time the sky takes on a brilliant blue. Of all the seasons this has been my favorite.

Autumn Leaves was the title of an older group in the church I served in Houston, Texas. I am happy to be in that Autumn-leaf time of my life. After 30 years of being a Minister of the Word and Sacrament, I still keep some words written to me that autumn I was ordained:

Go forward! Leave behind things that are past,
Look upward! Never mind skies overcast,
Move onward! In the way which Jesus trod,
Rise heavenward! Day by day from the earth to God.

It’s good to continue a motto all through your life and life tastes even better in Autumn Years.

Blessings,
Daisy

PEYTON'S PONDERINGS

Dear friend,

Every year our congregation joins Christians around the world in celebrating World Communion Sunday. Born in a time of international unrest as nations were about to enter another world war, World Communion Sunday’s central focus is the Lord’s Supper instituted by Christ and its unifying message for all who partake of it. We are one in Christ Jesus and not to be separated by the nations, ethnic groups or denominations we belong to, or for any other reason.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) also marks the day by a call to peacemaking, urging us to be followers of the Prince of Peace. One concrete way that we do that is by receiving the Peacemaking Offering. Through this special offering, we work together with others in our presbytery, our synod and nationally through the General Assembly’s Peacemaking Program to learn and live out the ways of peace.

The Peacemaking Offering invites each congregation to find ways to promote peace within the congregation and within the community. For that reason, our church will retain 25 percent of the Offering we receive, and we will decide how best to put this money to work. Another 25 percent goes to our presbytery or synod, and the remaining 50 percent goes to the General Assembly for peacemaking involvement throughout the world.

Join us on October 4 to celebrate World Communion Sunday and to commit ourselves to working for the unity of the church and the peace of Christ. Come ready to give generously to the Peacemaking Offering.

Shalom and Agape,
Peyton

SCHOOL NEWS

Our days are filled with meeting new friends and teachers, renewing last year’s relationships, learning about ourselves and others, and settling in to the happy routine of school. We are anticipating rebuilding our garden beds, then planting them with herbs, fall vegetables and flowers. We are looking forward to our annual “nighttime party at school” (Open House!). The children love introducing new and old friends; giving guided tours of the classroom centers; pointing out pictures of themselves and friends engaged in classroom activities; displaying family pictures, stories and other creations they have made since the beginning of school. Everyone enjoys visiting and snacking in the cool of the evening on the playground! Many thanks to our wonderful Preschool/Kindergarten Committee members who always provide delicious refreshments. At the end of the month the children will march in a Parade of the Animals to raise money for Cystic
Fibrosis research. Pastor Gabe and his guitar provide musical accompaniment with “All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir.” We are sowing the seeds of Christian love!

Remember that Jesus welcomed the children to Him and charged us, the adults in their lives, with the responsibility of building a lasting foundation for their spiritual, physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth.

Looking for the harvest,
Barbara

October Events

Oktoberfest Fellowship Dinner
Tuesday, October 13, 6:30 pm

Our annual German dinner of bratwurst, sausages, sauerkraut, German potato salad, and dessert is a sure crowd pleaser. Hot dogs will be served to the kids., along with a keg of (root) beer. Entertainment will be provided after the meal.

  

Elementary BLAST

During the first two weeks in October elementary children will continue using their activity stations to learn about God’s great creation. Next they will learn stories about David as a young man and how to face the giants in their own lives. They will be painting to music, playing a board game, listening to music that evokes an emotion, making lyres and enjoying a video and popcorn.


WEE Believe

The preschool aged children are learning about God’s love in Sunday school. They began learning about God as creator and this month will learn about God’s care for Moses throughout his life. The children are enjoying their time singing with Miss Marcella, finding out what special item is in the storyteller’s bag each week, and creating a take home activity to remind them of the day’s story.

 

Middle School Connections

The middle school youth room is busting at the seams with all of the students actively participating in this wonderful overview of what faith in God is all about.

 

Senior High Coffeehouse and ECHO

Sunday morning our senior high youth are discussing contemporary issues of faith, relating them to Bible stories. Wednesday afternoons they are learning the great stories of the Bible and asking some difficult questions!

 

What’s Happening in November?

November 6—Youth auction

November 10—Annual Soup and Chili Cookoff

November 15—Consecration Brunches in Fellowship Hall, Contemporary worship in sanctuary

November 15—Crop Walk on the Beach for Hunger Relief

November 22—Mission Adventures and Alternative Gift Fair, Fellowship Hall, contemporary worship in the sanctuary, children’s Christmas program rehearsal during Sunday school

 

Community Presbyterian Auction

Friday, November 6, 6:30 PM

Mark your calendars for Friday November 6, 2009 to help celebrate the annual Community Presbyterian Youth Auction. In its thirteenth year, the youth auction is the biggest fund raiser for youth activities at CPC.

Robert is currently accepting donations for new articles for the auction and the silent auction. This is not a garage sale! Please consider contacting any business you deal with about making a donation of a gift certificate, services or items. We count on the entire congregation to support this event. All donations must be received by October 30 at the latest.

New for this year’s auction is the “Pre-Bid” feature. Starting several weeks prior to the event, premium auction items will be displayed in the fellowship hall. Everyone will have the opportunity to bid on these items prior to the auction itself. You may also pre-purchase tickets for the large cash drawing that evening. The doors open at 6:00 pm for dinner and bidding on silent auction items. Our traditional auction will begin at 7:00 pm.

Make sure you do not miss this fun-filled, frenzied evening of entertainment for the whole family. Nursery will be available upon request. Contact Robert, 249-8698 ext. 225.

Ski Trip Deposits are due November 1!

Your spot will be opened to others if no deposit is received by this date.

 

THE FOLLOWING ARE ADS :

Please join us in Fellowship Hall Saturday November 7th from 12:00-3:00 PM
as we celebrate Hallie Fussell’s 90th Birthday please rsvp by Oct. 24th
to Luanne at 241-2685.

 

AGELESS WONDERS
Senior Adult Ministry

 

OKTOBERFEST
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009
At Montgomery Presbyterian Conference Center.
“Including a tribute to Bobbie Hatcher”
Bus will leave the church at 7:15 a.m.

Call Church Office by Oct. 15th
for free registration of $14.

 

GAME TIME

October 29, 2009
5:00 PM Sawgrass Marriott

Please help support Mission House by joining with your friends at Countdown to Kickoff for the Florida-Georgia Weekend on Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Spa at the Marriott Sawgrass. Tickets are $50.00 per person. Featuring live music from Pro Bono, a Silent Auction featuring Sports Memorabilia and other wonderful items, a great poolside fashion show with clothing from A’PROPOS Boutique, plus special Spa treats, “Countdown to Kickoff” promises to be a fantastic event to help Mission House. Be there to enjoy heavy hors d’ oeurves, a complimentary cocktail and truffles, a cash bar, plus special services from the Spa including a mini-massage. Rachael Todd, Miss Florida 2009, will host the event and MC the fashion show Tickets for Countdown to Kickoff are available from Mission House; please call Jan Flager at 241-6767.

 

FOOLS FOR CHRIST

A new tradition is being planned for the Advent season this year: an adult Christmas play, to be performed on Sunday evening, December 6. The performance is being tentatively titled “Preparing for Christmas 2009". Of course for this to happen, people are needed to act, design sets, obtain props, and operate sound and lights (it’s contemporary, so no costumes this time). If you are interested in possibly helping out or being a part of this production, please plan on attending an informational/organizational meeting on Monday October 5 at 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. If you have no desire or time to participate in the production, then please mark the date on your calendars now, invite your neighbors, and plan on an evening out to support your brothers and sisters in the faith who will be working hard to bring you a comedy/drama you will be thinking about long after the applause dies.