The week in-between

It's the week in between Christmas and New Years.  That sort of no-man's land when some people are home, some are at work, others are still visiting relatives, all the kids are off from school, and no one really knows what to do with themselves.  We are cleaning up and eating left-overs as well as playing with the new gadgets we received from Santa.

It's quiet here at church as we all work hard on planning 2012.  We are looking ahead to what God will do with our ministry in the year ahead.  It is an exciting time.  A time to be thankful for the quiet pace of the week so we can spend time in prayer and preparation for all that lies ahead.

The 4 worship services that encompassed Christmas Eve and Christmas morning brought over 1200 people through our doors.  WHAT A BLESSING!

The voices of children in song, the sound of laughter as old friends greeted one another, the familiar carols, the young faces in worship, multiple generations of church famillies gathered together, the candles lit in glory to the celebration of Jesus - the true light of the world!

It is our prayer at Central Presbyterian Church that 2012 may bring you and your loved ones many blessings, including the knowledge of how God is at work in the world through you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

~Pastor Cynthia

It may be 51 degrees and foggy but no worries Christmas is really coming!

Church is filled with poinsettas, wreaths, choir rehearsals, cookies, and lots of people in Christmas sweaters!

We are preparing for the miracle of Christ's birth, God's in-breaking into our world as the Emmanuel, God with us!

Please join us at 4 pm on Saturday, Dec. 24th for the Family Christmas Eve service featuring the youth vocal choir, the youth bell choir, and 4 different famillies reading from the birth narrative of Jesus, plus we will sing some of you favorite Christmas carols!

For those of you who are night owls, you are welcome at our 8 pm or 11 pm service which begin with pre-service music at 7:30 and 10:30 pm and include candles.

Sunday morning, after you sneak some candy from your stocking, please join us for Christmas Day worship at 10 am.  All are welcome, even if you are still in your pjs.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

~Pastor Cynthia

LIVE ANIMALS

The Outdoor Nativity was a HUGE SUCCESS!!

45 youth and adult CPC actors, 5 goats, 5 ponies, 2 donkeys, 1 llama, and 1 alpaca, plus 15 behind-the scenes volunteers, and over 300 people in attendance!!!!

This event was filled with joy, familiar faces, new friends, crafts, cocoa, cookies, carols, and most importantly reminders of the true meaning of Christmas!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the planning and attended this past Sunday evening.

We hope to see you in worship on Dec. 18th for BELL SUNDAY!

~Pastor Cynthia

GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!

Youth Fellowship on Sunday, Nov. 27^th

4:30 to 6:30 pm Thanksgiving Left-Overs party!

·       Bring your favorite thanksgiving food (either made especially for us or a left-over from the big meals of this long weekend)

·       We will gobble gobble together and relax

6:30 to 8 pm

·       “Joan of Arcadia” episode viewing and discussion

Hope to see you there!

~Cynthia

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I could not believe it when I turned the radio on in my car last night and heard Christmas carols!  It is not even Thanksgiving yet!

It is unfortunate when commercials, stores, radio stations, etc. start the holiday season so early.  I feel it loses its impact.  By Dec. 25th we will all be bored and even irritated by the music and decorations.  What a shame!

This week we approach Thanksgiving.  A chance for us to gather with friends and family as well as give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.

Here at Central Presbyterian Church we will be giving thanks in many ways:

• During worship Nov. 20th we will have several prayers of thanks which will invite our congregation to voice their own thanksgivings aloud.
• At Faith Adventure we will be making thanksgiving themed placemats for SHIP
• Sunday evening the Summit Inter-Faith Council is hosting a Thanksgiving Service for the whole commuity at Fountain Baptist Church
• Next weekend, on Nov. 27th youth fellowship will be sharing a Thanksgiving meal together in the evening.

But even beyond these planned events our members will be gathering in the homes of friends, families, and neighbors.

I would ask that you truly immerse yourself in the joy of giving thanks, put jingle bells and rudolph on hold until December.

SNOWPOCOLYPSE 2011

The power of God's Creation is truly overwhelming!

No school in Summit this entire week as we all attempt to clean up from the storm, many of us still have no power!

In late August we had the Hurriquake and now this snowstorm in October!

When we read the Biblical account of fire raining down from the sky, plagues of frogs and bugs, seas parting in half, we can be somewhat thankful all we are dealing with is downed tree limbs and lack of heat.

I am looking forward, as I am sure all of you are, to getting back to 'normal'.

Please come out and join us this Sunday. 

• We will warm up together and have breakfast at Fatih Adventure at 9 am where we will play Bible Trivia.  THERE WILL BE PRIZES!
• We will worship at 10 am and have Sunday School at 10:15 am.
• Youth Fellowship will meet from 4:30 to 8 pm in the Youth Center and we will have PIZZA and watch the 4th episode of 'Joan of Arcadia'!

Most importantly, if you are able, come to the church this Sunday to fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ through faith development, worship, and the hospitality found in each other's presence.

~Pastor Cynthia

we survived painting!

The Youth Center has been painted.   It took 2 Sunday evenings to paint and a week to clean up but the room is now bright and clean!!!

This Sunday evening we will be baking harvest goodies so bring your cooking skills and appetite!

~Pastor Cynthia