JANUARY 2012 NEWS

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
The CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER will be observed on Sunday, January 8^th. “We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread, and long to feast upon Thee still; We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead, and thirst our souls from Thee to fill.” (attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, c. 1150)


MORNING PRAYER EACH SUNDAY
Morning Prayer each Sunday From 9:30 to 9:45 and again from 10:30 to 10:45, we gather in the sanctuary for prayer - only for a devoted time of prayer - spoken sometimes, always silent, occasionally guided. We are persons both of courageous prayer and of timid prayer coming together to pray ...
... for family, friends, ourselves, our church, our nation, our world, our elected leaders ...  
You are asked to bring your faith through prayer and join in this special time.

KIRK NIGHT SUPPERS IN JANUARY
Kirk Night Suppers in January Suppers are catered, and there is a charge of $5 per plate for adults, $3 per child under 12, with a $15.00 family maximum.
January 4^th:  5:30 p.m. - Wednesday, January 4^th 
6:15 p.m. program - A Church Budget: WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)?
January 18^th:  5:30 p.m. - Wednesday, January 18^th
6:15 p.m. program - A Church Budget: On Fund-Raising Devices in the Church

FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON
Our Fellowship Luncheon in January will be Sunday, January 8^th.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CORNER
WHY COME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL? Sunday School is an excellent way to connect with others, learn more about Scripture, ask questions and help others on their journey of faith. If you need more reasons then check out Pastor John’s letter in this month’s newsletter! Classes begin at 9:45; opening and prayer at 9:30.
Here’s What’s Happening click here.

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF LAFAYETTE PRESBYTERIAN
The Annual Meeting of Lafayette Presbyterian Church and its Corporation will be held at the conclusion of worship on Sunday, January 29th. At this meeting, the Annual Report to the congregation will be reviewed, including 2011 Financial Report and 2012 Budget. Also, changes in the Pastor’s Terms of Call for 2012 will be presented for action. Copies of the Annual Report will be available a week prior to the Meeting.

FROM THIS HOUSE TO YOURS

Dear Friends,

As this new year begins I struggle to think of what wonderful little gems of thought I can share with you to brighten your day, give you that “ah ha” moment, or maybe even a laugh. First of all, let me say thank you. As January 7th draws closer we celebrate two years together on this wonderful journey. I’ll save the comments on the year past and ahead for our annual report. Suffice it to say, THANK YOU can never be said enough. We made it through our first semester together. (This upcoming year will be the real test!) Your support and encouragement really helped me through the nervousness of a fourteen year break in my education. Thank you. There are so many of you who have given generously to the youth projects. Thank you. You also cook meals and transport us on a moment’s notice. Thank you. You have come up for the children’s moment. Thank you. You have given me a smile or a hug when I needed a boost. Thank you. You are willing to attend HOPE, Bible Studies, Youth Group, Freaky Friday, Sunday School, and the odd church wide activity. Thank you. In each of your comings and goings, big and small, you influence the education program here. For that I express my most profound gratitude. Thank you.

WORDS OF APPRECIATION FOR THIS CHRISTMAS
We give thanks to Dr. Linda Lovins, Director of Music, Dr. Deloise Lima-Ohlsson, Accompanist, and every member of our fine Adult Choir for the special music they prepared and presented to lift up our worship experience during Advent and Christmas. To you who rang handbells and to David Tucker, violinist, and Ivan Tucker, pianist, for their playing in our Christmas Eve Worship, we are also thankful. Thank you all!  Click here to read more.

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM JOHN AND TOYA ...
“Thank you for your always gracious and thoughtful gifts and cards at Christmas. You make us feel appreciated and lifted up by your affection. We also thank you as a whole congregation for the special Christmas gift given us on Christmas Eve. In that, you are particularly generous and kind to us. We are blessed to live and work among you. God bless you each one in turn. Thank you, again!”

SUNDAY FLOWERS IN 2012
Would you like the opportunity to make known to your Lafayette Church family the good news of a birth, marriage, or anniversary, or memorialize a loved one? We invite you to share the events in your life by purchasing and dedicating the weekly floral arrangement in front of the pulpit. Please contact Lynda Blount for more nformation (877-4428 or lpchurch@earthlink.net).

LAFAYETTE MEN OF THE CHURCH …
... will share their monthly breakfast at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14th. All men are welcome, friends and guests as well. This month’s cooks are Bob, Larry, Lorenzo & Victor. Breakfast includes a selection of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, biscuits and gravy, fruits, juice and coffee, and often more!
A brief devotional for men ends the morning event.

LAFAYETTE MORNING BOOK CLUB
Club meets at 11:00 A.M.
 • Thursday, January 19 - Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. Meeting will be at the home of Sandra Wiszneauckas, 4716 Plantation View Drive-Piney Z. Lunch provided, please RSVP 894-1833. Join us for the discussion of this moving and unforgettable book. Open to all!

The Morning Book Club will meet in the home of Sandra Wiszneauckas on January 19th. at 11am. We postponed our December meeting so everyone would have an opportunity to read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. This is a wonderful way to meet new people enjoy thought provoking discussion and a delicious lunch! Please call Sandra (894-1833) for directions and to let her know you will be there.

"COFFEE AND A COOKIE" CONTEMPORARY BOOK CLUB
3rd Monday of the Month – 7:00 PM Talk about the book of the month. Eat a cookie. Drink coffee. Meet new folks – men and women.

Titles and meeting dates:

 • Monday, January 16 - The Affair (Jack Reacher Series #16) by Lee Child
 • Monday, February 20 - The Gendarme by Mark Mustian

We are always looking for new participants – join us anytime – try this group once – you will love it! Call Martha McElveen, Karen Gunter, Russ Owens, Mary & Bob Keyt, Larry Lloyd, Denise Vandiver or Toya O’Hora for more information.

“DISCIPLEFEST” ...
... is an opportunity for you to explore new ideas about your Christian discipleship in a presbytery-wide setting. Meet, share fellowship at meals, worship, and grow in faith with Presbyterians from all of our sister Panhandle churches. It will be held from Friday afternoon to Saturday, January 27 & 28, 2012, at Edgewater Beach Resort, Panama City Beach. A brochure of workshop offerings, schedule, and the Registration Form is in the Narthex for you to pick up.

Our keynote speaker will be the Rev. Carol Howard Merritt of Washington, DC’s Western Presbyterian Church. As our featured workshop leader, she will focus on developing vital ministries in and with a new generation.

All members, all ages, are invited, not only church officers. Talk with Beth House or the Pastor if you find yourself interested! You will be delighted if you attend.

OUR STEWARDSHIP “ESTIMATES OF GIVING” FOR 2012
Through December 25th, 96 households responded with Estimates of Giving of $278,962. Thank you for providing your officers with this means to set a budget for 2012, as we set out to fulfill our ministry as today’s disciples of Christ our Lord.

MONDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY 11:00 a.m.
We are studying the gospel of Matthew. We look at the time Jesus spoke, the culture and how Jesus’ words touch us today. The subjects take on a WIDE variety each week. This is not your typical Bible Study. Come once and see what the fuss is about!

2012 CHURCH BUDGET
Through a special meeting the last week of December, the Session - working line-by-line - assembled a budget for the church’s ministry and missions in 2012. Before the Annual Meeting (January 29th), you will be able to review that budget and speak to it then if you wish. Given what we who are members have each declared to be our 2012 gifts, our new budget is marked by great cuts in benevolent mission support, Christian education resources and youth ministry, staff salaries, and important building and grounds maintenance. Most cuts in expenditures we feel we can work around and adapt, but not all. In other words, we will both see and feel the difference in a smaller budget. And there is still a small variance between giving and expenditures (we’re short).

Please watch, read and listen carefully as the 2012 Budget comes to you. Pray ... for any way you can lend a hand directly, offer more in financial stewardship, and share talents and time that will help. In whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we are God’s. Glory be to God!.

YOUTH EVENTS
Our regular meetings are on Sunday Evenings at 5:30 until 7:00 We enjoy a time of games, devotion, dinner and a special program. Our mission is: As Christian followers, we will help others and enjoy fellowship as we teach people about God and grow closer to each other and God.

January 1 - No meeting this evening. 
January 8 - Romans and Christians...the survival of the faith depends on YOU 
January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. What can we do to help? Are race relations still an issue? Do you have a dream?
January 22 - Service project. We will make a dinner for the Ronald McDonald home. 
January 29 - Special Speaker! Ms. Heather Brooks will come talk to us about public speaking. Youth have a VOICE in this congregation, and we need to make sure you 
are heard. Join us as we learn how to speak so people can understand what we say! Oh, and have fun too. 
February 5 - Super Bowl Sunday! Time for the annual party at the Vandivers. Kick off is at 6:30. Parent pick up is at half time.


Freaky Friday Will Meet on Friday, January 20^th
Yes! We are meeting a week earlier. This month we will meet on Friday, January 20th for a special event. We will be making cards for people in the armed services. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to gather for some fun and to say “thank you” to those who have given so much! We start at 6:30 with dinner and parents are welcome to 
stay or pick up at 8 p.m.

UPDATES
Do you have new Addresses or Numbers? ~ If you have a new mailing address or a new phone number (including from landline to cell phone only), or an Email address to include in the Membership Directory, plase let us know in the church office. You may indicate this on the Friendship Folder any Sunday also. We will complete the 2012 update of our Membership Directory in late January, and want your information entered correctly! Thanks!

BONFIRE AND COOK-OUT
Coming Soon! We will have a wonderful bonfire here on the church grounds. We will have a time of games for the children, or anyone who wants to play, cook out hot-dogs AND have s’mores! We may tell a story or two by the fire. This promises to be an evening of fun and fellowship. All you need to do is bring a side dish to share. What a great time to invite a friend.

VISIONS OF HOPE
Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28, 2012 “Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV1984) 

This year Disciplefest 2012 will be held at Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort in Panama City Beach. The special speaker is Rev. Carol Howard Merritt author of Tribal Church. Our Presbytery is offering a wide variety of workshops to help YOU! If you would like to attend, or need more information, please let Beth House know. Cost for a weekend at the beach is at discounted rates!!

PRAYER QUILTERS
Prayer Quilters will meet at the church on January 12 and January 26 at 9:30 a.m.

PACK 10 CUB SCOUTS
Pack 10 Cub Scouts recently went camping at Falling Waters State Park. Our service project was a trail cleanup. For many of our Tigers (6 year olds) this was their first ever campout. We had our Pack Awards ceremony Monday 12/12 and also had our Holiday Dessert Social. Nothing like packing on the sugar on a Monday night!! We are taking off for the Christmas season and will resume meetings on January 9th. The Webelos I and IIs (9-11 year olds) will be heading to Kennedy Space Center for a private tour and over nighter sleeping under a Saturn V rocket. This is a trip they wait years to go on and have earned this trip. Thank you and have a fabulous Christmas. Yours in Scouting – Bruce Ryan – Cub Master.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLES
 ● MORNING CIRCLE
 ● WOMEN OF THE WORD (WOW) CIRCLE
 ● CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
 ● EVENING CIRCLE

MORNING CIRCLE
We are continuing our collection of "Box Tops For Education", "Campbell's Labels" and Used Postage Stamps. The congregation can participate in this project by saving these items and placing them in the large "CAMPBELL’S" soup container in the Narthex.  Mabel Huffman is chairperson for these projects.

THE COLLECTION ON GAINES: A RESALE SHOP TO BENEFIT THE REFUGE HOUSE
The Morning Circle continues collecting women, men & children’s clothing for “The Collection on Gaines” (formerly The Refuge House Thrift Store). Also, toys, books & household items. Items may be brought the second week of each month. Contact May Tudor or Charlane Casey if you have any questions.

ECHO
Lafayette Church has long been a supporter of both ECHO and The Refuge House. There have been some changes to the collection facility for Refuge House. The new manager, Louise Madonin, has not only changed the name to The Collection on Gaines, A Resale Shop To Benefit The Refuge House, but has completely reorganized the center. She photographs the merchandise for her facebook page, www.facebook.com/Lulus.collection. She says she may be contacted even if you do not have facebook. The phone number is 850-487-8859 and the hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm.  Mr. Jon Hinkle of ECHO (524-0315) will pick up furniture and other such items to be used in ECHO’s program.
The two agencies cooperate with each other and exchange items when appropriate.

FAMILIES CARING FOR LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA
Families Caring for a Loved One with Dementia. That is the theme of Dr. Shuford Davis who comes to the continuing education night of our Stephen Ministers on Monday, January 23rd, from 6:30 to 7:15 pm. This meets in the C.E. Center.  All members of the church are invited to attend this presentation! Dr. Davis is Research Assistant & Senior Counselor with the ARCH Project, FSU College of Medicine.

Please let Pastor Lown know if you are coming so that we can set up adequate space.

HOPE - Helping Other People Everyday
Do you have a fun fabulous fellowship idea? Is there a place you’d like to go or a speaker you would like to hear? Then come to this month’s HOPE meeting. We will meet on January 27th at 11 a.m. First we will discuss plans for this upcoming year, then we will enjoy a lunch followed by the WHITE ELEPHANT gift exchange. So, look around your home for that one item that you never use and wrap it and bring it for our gift giving extravaganza! This is a wonderful group of people and we always have a great time.

TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES FOR NOVEMBER
 • 2^nd -17^th World Caravan Sale: Discounts on artisans creations from 38 developing nations
• 14^th Sat 11-4 “Souper” Saturday; Sample black bean, split pea, and 10 bean soups from Women’s Bean Project
• 28^th Sat. Tent Sale with good discounts for items under the tent

Open 10-6, Mon-Sat in Market Square on Timberlane Road: 906-9010

OFFERING ENVELOPS FOR 2012
If you wish a box of offering envelopes and have not received them, please contact Lynda Blount (877-4428) in the church office and she will see that you receive them. Using the envelopes, whether weekly, monthly, or quarterly, helps ensure the correct recording of your offering. The envelopes also help us who use them to remember the importance of our mission for Christ with our regular, planned giving throughout the year.

PRAYING FOR OUR SISTER CHURCHES ...
The Presbytery of Florida is encouraging every church of the Presbytery to pray for our fellow congregations, presbytery staff, and other special concerns that may be noted from time to time. A “calendar of prayer” will guide every church to pray for a specific church each Sunday. 

• January 1^st - Laurel Hill / Laurel Hill
• January 8^th - First / Lynn Haven 
• January 15^th - First / Marianna
• January 15^th - First / Milton
• January 29^th - First / Monticello

NEED A RIDE? 
Remember to call the Church office if you ever need a ride to any church event or service. A ride can always be arranged.

MEET AND EAT GROUPS
One of the challenges of our growing church family is getting to know one another. Food is one of our favorite ways to share ourselves. Martha McElveen will again be spearheading our efforts to bring people together in community through a dining "club”.

Groups of 7 or 8 will share a meal once a month. The next “round” will be November, December, January and February. Over this four month period of time, each member or couple in the group will “host" a meal for their group. As “host” you will have the option of choosing a restaurant in which to meet. After four months, we will re-group, and a new series of meals will begin with your new group. 

This is a wonderful way to become better acquainted with the people in your pew: to be able to put a name with a face, and with some personal knowledge about your fellow church members! This is a fun way for the church family to know you! If you would like to work with Martha to bring this ministry about, please call her at 942-4379. If you would like to participate, please fill out the form in the Narthex and return to Martha or Beth House.

SHARING THE HOSPITALITY OF CHRIST AT LAFAYETTE
As you have seen for yourselves in worship at Lafayette, we continue to have many new people join us each week. Your personal ministry of hospitality is extremely important in assuring these newcomers of the forgiving love of God in Christ which they may be missing in their life, and are searching for in coming here. The welcome, warmth and authenticity you extend to them will have more to do with whether they return than any other factor of their experience here. 

Let’s make sure that everyone who enters the doors at LPC - whether for the first time or as a long-time member - receives the hospitality of Christ from another member of this covenant community. 
And, let’s put into practice every Sunday an absolute pledge that ensures that no one comes or goes without a warm word of greeting in the name of Christ.
 
DID YOU KNOW? by Phil Ferguson
Phil provides interesting biblical anecdotes.  For more information click here.