The Pisgah Post

Pisgah Presbyterian Church December 2006 Versailles, Kentucky

Our Mission: to worship God, study the Scripture, practice the teachings of Jesus

Thoughts from Ground Level of the way or because we are unsure of what awaits us
when we get there. Indeed, we have been there before

A dvent holds deep meaning for me as a season of

the church year. Its two-part message to prepare
and expect God to act comes from both Old
Testament prophets and gospel writers who bring us
and we know the joy of that humble manger. We move
slowly to the manger because we are trusting in ancient
people of faith—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Malachi, Zephaniah,
and Micah—to lead us there on a path illumined by
powerful words in these days leading us into the
simple candlelight.
Christmas season.
The shepherds on the Bethlehem plain had angels to
Do you notice that, while we are gathering around a
tell them what sign to look for. The Magi had a star to
wreath, singing advent hymns, and hearing the message
follow. We have ancient words and the testimony of the
to prepare and expect God to act, much of the rest of the
early church to lead the way for us, that we might follow
world has long since begun speaking the language of
singing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Christmas. In the retail world, Christmas showed up
Isaac Watts’ great Christmas
right after the school supplies were put
hymn, Joy to the World, includes a
away, and just one isle over from
phrase that I think fits well with the
Halloween costumes. On radio stations
Advent theme of preparation: Joy to the
Christmas music has been playing since
world the Lord is Come; Let earth receive her
the week before Thanksgiving. Should
King: Let every heart prepare Him
we, like the world around us, be so
room...How we get that room in our
hurried to get to Christmas?
heart ready, how we prepare for the
When a church navigates through
great arrival of the one who became
the season of Advent in the days
flesh and dwelt among us, and then
between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it
how we receive the news that the Lord is
pauses over some theme that others
come is the stuff of the season of
have skipped over as they sprint toward
Advent. It’s not a season to rush
the manger. There is nothing wrong with
through-there’s too much value in the
a Christmas-only sense of these
prophets’ words. I encourage you
December days, but is something missed
instead, to savor these Advent days for
in as Advent-free sprint?
they are each growing shorter and
At a time of year when most of the
darker as the earth makes its way
world is counting down the days
around the December sun.
remaining before Christmas or to the
On the four Sundays of Advent
end of the year, our Advent message is
we will light a candle, and add light
that something new has begun. We have begun to retell
one flame at a time to the wreath until we get to
God’s story of Jesus Christ from the very beginning.
Christmas Eve. Then on that Holy night, we will entrust
With the first Sunday of Advent, we first hear hints
our light to the true light that is coming into the world,
of hope and expectation and coming from Old
and pray that God’s light might shine through us
Testament prophets who spoke long ago of God’s
brightly. I invite you to come and worship in this
faithfulness and what awaits the world in Jesus Christ.
wonderful Advent season, the first part of a new church
From Jeremiah come words to remember the
year, even as “fast away the old year passes.”
promise of God to cause a righteous branch to spring up
As we prepare to celebrate our fifth Advent and
for David, a leader of the house of Judah who would be
Christmas with the Pisgah family, my family and I wish
called, The Lord is my righteousness. From Malachi comes a
you all a merry Christmas.
message about the one who will prepare the way for the
Grace and peace,
Lord. The gospel writers call him John the Baptist who
Jon
cries out as a lone voice in the wilderness. From
Zephaniah are words that the one who is coming will be
the king of Israel, and because of this we shall fear no
more. Finally, from Micah comes the message that the
one who will rule shall come from Bethlehem in Judea.
In Advent, we mark time by candlelight and
prophets’ message. We move slower than those who
would sprint to the manger, not because we are unsure
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A Note from the Administration
Committee
We are well into the stewardship season and the
Administration Committee is finalizing our 2007 budget.
For 2007, the “Asking Budget” increased for three
reasons: (1) increased Presbytery per capita (from $2,874
for this year to $8,476 for next year), (2) increased
spending for education, and (3) salary increases with a Snippets
full staff. o Congratulations to Ike Graddy who is engaged to
If you have questions about the asking budget please be married to Lindsey Hollenkamp. They will be
see any member of our committee. If you haven’t made a married in 2007!
pledge please prayerfully consider these needs. Making a o Matthew Fister, who won the Stewardship Fair
pledge is important as it provides the Session with Cake Making Award, made the cake entirely by
information necessary to manage Pisgah’s finances and it himself, selected it that week and made it that
provides the members and friends of Pisgah to make a morning before church. It had been reported in
commitment to the ministry of our church. As of the last Post that Martin Fister had helped
December 10, the bookkeeper had received 52 pledges him….not true.
totaling $111,035, toward a requested amount of Additional “Snippets” are posted on the Pisgah
$185,069. Fridge in the Academy Building.
May God bless you and your family during this
holiday season. Session Notes
Don Schmidt The Session met in the Academy Building at 7:00
pm on November 28, 2006.
Property Committee Update • Deacon Joan Crowe attended the meeting.
Remember the Ice Storm of 2003, the remnants of
• Met with the elders-elect (Ed Clark, Lindsey
which are still obvious. At the time you receive this
McHatton, Jim Nelson, and Pam Stiltz) and set the
newsletter we are in the process of some preventive
date of Sunday, January 21, 2007 for their
grounds maintenance which has been approved Session.
ordination and installation.
We have contracted to have the large tree which sits
directly between the Sanctuary and the Academy • Called a Session meeting for January 9 at 7:00pm to
Buildings removed. This tree along with many others on finalize the 2007 budget based on pledges received
the church’s property suffered much damage. Most through December 31, 2006.
likely, you have not seen the damage to this tree, but •
during the ice storm a large section of it was broken off The minutes of all Session meetings are available for
and removed. Since that time a large crack has formed anyone in the congregation to read. The Session
through the rotted area causing some concern. If not Committee chart and monthly financial report is posted
removed, we would be facing the chance of about a on the Session bulletin board in the Academy Building.
thirty or more foot tall section of this tree falling into the
Sanctuary.
A Note from the Bookkeeper
Along with the removal of the tree the tree service 2006 gifts to the church should be received by
will be also going through the trees which are in the December 31, 2006.
immediate area of the buildings and parking areas to Ted Bendis, Bookkeeper
remove any damaged limbs.
Please bear with us during the time of this work, the
removal of the tree and stump may be done over a
couple of days, so some debris may be on ground until
work is finished.
We are doing this work for the safety of our
buildings and the safety of the Pisgah family when
attending church.
John W. Walker Jr., Property Committee
The Pisgah Post is published monthly by the Pisgah
Presbyterian Church, 710 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY Christmas Pageant with Children!
40383. The deadline for the January 2007 issue of the
newsletter is December 17. Please submit articles to Sunday, December 10 at 5:00pm
the church office or email them to A Potluck dinner will follow the program!
office@pisgahpresbyterian.org.
 3
“Quotable Quotes”
From The Stewardship Committee
Overheard at another church. “The good news is-
we’ve got plenty of money. The bad news is- it's still in
your pockets.”
Please continue to send in your pledges! The Old
Testament counsels us to give 10% to the church.
We are blessed at Pisgah to have an historic
sanctuary in which to worship God, peaceful grounds
and space in the Academy Building in which we study
the scripture, and resources from the congregation which
Pisgah puts towards practicing the teachings of Jesus.
Please submit your thoughtful pledge amounts by
December 31st to the attention of our bookkeeper (Ted
Bendis) or drop it in the offering plate during Sunday
worship.
Adventures of Troop 1784
By: Ian O’Canna, Troop Historian
Hello again Pisgah! Nice to write you again. We will
have a Court of Honor on Monday December 4 at
Pisgah.
Last month we went on a much enjoyable biking trip
in Pisgah’s surrounding area. That night we had
hamburgers and homemade macaroni & cheese. Yum!
Took keep us warm Joe Johnson helped make a roaring
fire. (No synthetic fuels used!)
We are soon going on our annual planning weekend
at Cumberland Lake. We will plan all of our activities for
the following year. We will be staying in cabins on the
resort. Also we will be swimming in the indoor
swimming pool at the lodge, eating there on Saturday
night, and play games in the arcade.
Yours,
Ian O’Canna, Troop Historian
Christmas Eve Communion
Wine and Juice at the 11:00pm Service
The Session approved serving both wine and grape
juice for communion at the late Christmas Eve service.
Whenever a Presbyterian Church serves wine for
communion, it is constitutionally bound to (1) have juice
also present, and (2) clearly mark which vessel contains
juice and which vessel contains wine.
In the history of Pisgah Church, wine was used for
communion from 1784 until 1955. The minutes of the
Session from January 8, 1935 describe a discussion
among the elders about the continued use of wine for
communion. Those minutes note that no action was
taken to change from wine to juice. There is nothing
more recorded in the minutes about this until January 9,
1955. In those minutes it’s recorded that the Session
voted unanimously to “use grape juice rather than wine
in our communion service.”
Schedule
December 24, 2006
11:00a.m. Morning Worship
(4th Sunday of Advent)
5:00p.m. Church Family and Candlelight
(Christmas Eve Service)
11:00p.m. Communion and Candlelight
(Christmas Eve Service)
Reflection from Sue
Today is November 28, 2006 and I am writing my
article for the Pisgah Post. To most people, this is not a
day of any significance -- but November 28th is my
personal holiday. You see, November 28, 1988 was the
day of the car accident that in many ways re-defined my
life. It was that event that became my reference point:
life “before” the accident and my life “since” the
accident. For several years, as this date approached, it
represented a mixture of anxiety and yet praise, as I was
flooded with memories of the accident and the long
rehabilitation that followed, as well as, a time of
gratitude for the grace and mercy God showed to me by
sparing my life.
Everyone knows of God’s goodness and greatness,
and we believe in God’s wisdom –but sometimes I just
have to acknowledge just how cool God really is.
November 28, 2005 is the day that I started my
position here at Pisgah Church. What a year this has
been! The anxiety I used to feel of that approaching date
has now been replaced with joy and thanksgiving. So
many wonderful memories come to mind: getting to
know each of you by name, learning Pisgah traditions,
experiencing different seasons during the year, having
the opportunity for growth in areas such as preaching,
working with others and being part a new church family
and with some new programs. I still get a kick out of
driving to the church each day and seeing the beautiful
countryside with the horses up against the fence.
I love you Pisgah, and I know that I am loved by
you. That sounds simplistic but it’s true and I don’t ever
want to miss the opportunity to express that sentiment.
The intimacy of this church family has allowed us to
share everything from joy and laughter to sorrow and
tears together – and that, is truly a gift.
 4
I wish you could have met my Mom. I shared with Innkeeper Olivia Hines
Jon that during what was to be my last visit with her in Shepherd 1—Eric Jacobson
September, she told me that as soon as she was Shepherd 2 – Johnnie McClanahan
discharged she wanted three things: 1) to have a cup of Lead Angel --Kendall Johnson
coffee again, 2) to drink a can of Diet Coke and 3) to get Angel 1—Katherine Martin
in the car and head for Versailles. I teased her by saying, Angel 2—Kelly Lake
“So a trip to my place is 3rd on your list?” to which she Angel 3—Aubrey Hines
replied, “I can drink the other two while in route.” I am Prophet Micah –Hunter Baker
so happy that I took my photo album—she saw pictures King Herod –Courtland Johnson
and put faces with the names of people in the stories I Wise Man 1 –Chauncey Hill
shared with her. Wise Man 2 --Grant Welling
The care and concern this church has expressed for Wise Man 3 –Samuel Welling
me and my family have been greatly appreciated. I Little Lambs, Shepherds and Chorus of Angels:
returned to find hand-made cards from our children and Preschool -Kindergartners
a poster from the youth on my desk. I was touched to Villagers: Middle and High School
learn that the church had tried to send flowers to the
funeral home. Thank you all, for your prayers, cards, Help Wanted
hugs, phone calls, invitations to dinner and meals We have all seen the company “Two Men and A
brought over to my house. From this point on, Truck” but the Children’s Ministry is in need of Two
November 28 will bring to mind so many kindnesses Dads and a Minivan! Jim and Wanda Rodgers have a
expressed. I am happy to be back home with you. 32” television they are willing to donate for the children
One of my favorite sayings is that “God shows His to use in their Sunday School activity room. The
great love for us through our friends.” Thank you my television is heavy and needs to be carried downstairs in
friends, and have a blessed holiday. the Academy Building. If you would be able to help,
Sue please talk to either the Rodgers or Sue Henry. Thank
you.
Happy Birthday to You in December
1 Bill Gray, Carlee Miller
2 Joe Graddy, Chad Scott
4 Beth Straub
5 Jesse Smith
8 Toland Lacy, Phil Lacy
9 Sue Fosson, Judy Simpson
10 Sally Dunlap
Pisgah Family Christmas Program 11 Albert Chandler, Mary Hinton, Doug Jones,
The Worship and Education Committees have David Pryor, Elizabeth Shropshire
worked together this year assisting the children and 12 Nancy Florence
youth in their presentation of a Christmas pageant this 15 Branham Chandler, Dee Harper
Sunday night. A flexible piece written by Sue Henry 17 Sarah Kindred, Carry Jacobson, Ted
allows the natural charm of the children of all ages to use Jacobson
their interpretation of characters in the telling of the 18 Leon Creek
Christmas Story. Roles are for readers as well as non- 19 Tonya Budovsky
readers. 20 Todd Mobley
It takes many hands to make such a program 23 Hart Gay James
possible and Lesley Kindred has coordinated it well. 25 Jesus, Patsy Field, Art Ortenburger
Aimee Baston and Jamie Torp have worked with the 27 Leslie James
children on selected carols. Linda Scott has served 28 Jud Davis
helped the children reherse their lines and Sheila Baker 29 Martha Prewitt
assisted as children’s coordinator getting kids ready. Sue 30 Bill Robinson
Fosson helped the children with costumes and John 31 Jessica Garrett, Jackie Prewitt
Baston worked on the set design. Kelly Hill, Laura Lilly And in early January …
and the Youth Group all assisted with the activities for 1 Louise Lagrew, Herb Marting
the Parent’s Night Out and rehersal. 3 Charlotte Easley, Willa Thomas
The cast of characters include: 4 Todd Graddy
Narrator – Sarah Kindred 8 Jac Fey
Star – Erin MacLeod 9 Jamie MacLeod
Mary –Taylor Johnson 10 Susanna Creek, Cathy Johnson
Joseph – Albert Chandler Please help us keep this list up to date!
Caesar Augustus-- Andrew Johnson
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Sundays at Pisgah Church
8:45a.m. Early Worship And One More Thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9:30a.m. Coffee Fellowship
9:45a.m. Sunday School
11:00a.m. Morning Worship
The Staff Email Youth Group Invitation
Jon: pastor@pisgahpresbyterian.org Join the Youth for The Nativity Story movie on
Sue: dce@pisgahpresbyterian.org Dec. 17. We will be meeting at Cinemark Fayette
Laura: youthdir@pisgahpresbyterian.org Mall for the 2:40pm showing. If any of the youth
Peggy: office@pisgahpresbyterian.org need a ride please let me know and something will
be arranged. My new number is 606-923-1077 or
Presbyterian Web Sites: email LauraMLilly@aol.com. Laura Lilly
Presbyterian Church (USA): www.pcusa.org
Transylvania Presbytery: www.transypby.org
Synod: www.synodoflivingwaters.org
Pby. New Service: www.pcusa.org/pcusa.brief.htm
Presbyterians Today: www.pcusa.org/pcusa/today
Pisgah Church Staff
Jon Martin, Pastor
Linda Jones, Organist
Sue Henry, Director of Christian Education
Laura Lilly, Youth Director
Peggy Graddy, Secretary
Ted Bendis, Bookkeeper
Bob Keller, Groundskeeper

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