Bells and Donations for Haiti

Our churches will place offering plates in the back of our worship spaces for the next few weeks for those who would like to contribute to the Presbyterian Disaster Relief's response to the tragic earthquake in Haiti. This Sunday, Jan. 17, churches in Delaware City and Port Penn are being asked to toll their bells at 1:15 p.m. as communities take three minutes to pray for the people there.

Following is a prayer by the moderator of the PCUSA:

We pray for Haiti

God of compassion

please watch over the people of Haiti,

and weave out of these terrible happenings

wonders of goodness and grace.

Surround those who have been affected by tragedy

with a sense of your present love,

and hold them in faith.

Though they are lost in grief,

may they find you and be comforted.

Guide us as a church

to find ways of providing assistance

that heal wounds and provide hope.

Help us to remember that when one of your children suffers

we all suffer;

through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives

and rules this world with you. Amen.

— Bruce Reyes-Chow, Gradye Parsons and Linda Valentine

Soup Sale!

Beat the winter chill! The Deacons in Delaware City will be selling soup beginning at 10 a.m. this Saturday, Jan. 16 at the church on Second and Jefferson Streets. Soups--French onion, tomato, vegetable, chicken noodle, navy bean, chili, senate bean and vegetable beef barley will be sold for $5-$6/quart. Come and scoop up these delicious home-made bargains!

Happy New Year!
How wonderful to start the New Year with 20 people in attendance in Port Penn on Sunday! Of course our joint service was due to the flooding and heater damage in Delaware City, but it's always nice to see a full house! We will keep you informed as our heater is repaired and let you know where we will be meeting on Sunday, Jan. 10. Meantime, the Delaware City Church is full of chilly and droopy poinsettias--if you want the one you donated you may want to rescue it soon!
If you need to schedule a time to get into the building, call 379-0590 and we will arrange for someone to meet you.

UpComing Events:

Delaware City's Session is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m., this Wednesday, Jan. 6 at the church. If the heater is still broken we will reschedule or find a warmer place to meet. Watch for an e-mail.

This Sunday, Dec. 10 a Prayer and Brainstorming Session is scheduled, along with a spaghetti dinner, at 4 p.m. in Port Penn. This will be a time of discussion and guided prayer as we gather to discern God's will for the church and its future. Please plan to join us. Members and friends who are interested in helping with a revitalization effort are welcome.

Christmas Eve Services

6 p.m., Port Penn
9 p.m., Delaware City
If you need a ride, please call 379-0590

We are thankful for our Christmas blessings:

1) For the Christmas angels from Elkton Presbyterian Church who put on such a lovely
evening program for the ladies of our churches last Friday. What a way to show the love of Christ and the good things that can happen with a bigger Kirk so willingly helps a wee Kirk!

2) For all of the singers who put in so much time to offer us an Ecumenical Christmas Cantata on Sunday and for the 68 people who attended! You really did "sing like the angels!" Special thanks to Ruth Smith for directing, Julia Morrill for accompaniment, Linda Heeren for programs, Bil Derrickson for setting up the church and taking care of the sound, and our deacons for providing a lovely and yummy dessert afterward! Everyone is talking about making this a new Christmas tradition!

3) For the 27 people who showed up to Christmas carol in Port Penn Monday night! Twice the number from last year! What a lovely way to share God's love with neighbors and friends. Thanks too to Ron Hartnett for the wonderful selection of carols, to all who so graciously received us at their doors and to everyone who provided desserts and beverages!

4) Our report from France that Marji Eriksen received our Advent package and is loving it! Marji and her parents say, "Thanks to all!"--or maybe that's "Merci!"

Don't Forget

1) The Christmas Pageant, featuring chldren from both churches, will be held this Sunday, Dec. 20 at a combined service that begins at 10:30 a.m. in Delaware City. There will be a rehearsal at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, also a First Pres. DC. Please let Priscilla Haugh know if your child, grandchild or a friend wants to participate so we have enough costumes for all.

2) Both churches are in the process of finishing up Adopt-A-Family giving. Items are due by Friday in Port Penn. There is a sign up sheet in the Sunday School Room in Delaware City and Jill Snow can answer questions about this project.

3) Our Last Minute Christmas Bake Sale will be held outside the Delaware City Post Office beginning at 8 a.m. this Saturday, Dec. 19. Stop by for last minute goodies for your Christmas dinner or last minute Christmas gifts--like the Port Penn Cookbook!

Advent Prayer

Help me, God, to stop. Help me to be in your presence. The tasks on my lists can wait. Still my mind; quiet my soul. Touch my eyes that I may see you as you continue to come into the world today. Amen.
*Adapted from "Where Heaven Touches Earth" by Rob Weber

Ladies!
Remember our Christmas Gathering is scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11 in the Fellowship Hall at Port Penn. This is a gift to you from Beth and her friends at Elkton Presbyterian Church. Please accept the gift of time and fellowship and come and join us! Everyone welcome!

Cantata!
Our first ever Ecumenical Christmas Cantata is scheduled for 3 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 13 at First Pres. Delaware City. Please come out and support our choir as they blend their voices with singers from every other church in Delaware City and Port Penn. Directed by our own Ruth Smith with accompaniment provided by our Julia Morrill! Refreshments follow!

Check out the photos from our Family Advent Event--now posted on our home page.

Advent Meditation
A little something to think about during this busy time of the year:
Dear Jesus, during this day help me quiet all the thoughts that fill my head--where I must go, who I must see, and what I must do. In their place, give me a sense of your order, your peace and your time...I give all my tasks to you and trust you to bring order to them.
-------From the book "Quiet Spaces" by Patricia F. Wilson

Thank You Thank You Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who helped with the Community Thanksgiving Service--those who sang, those who donated and served the food and most of all those who came to worship!

Many thanks to everyone who donated a coat for the local veterans. We had close to 20 coats/jackets and several warm caps that were much appreciated! Thanks to Priscilla for coordinating this important effort.

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the Hanging of the Greens at both churches. Everyone who got things out ahead of time really helped things go more smoothly. Thanks, too, to all who participated!

This Sunday, Dec. 6
Family Advent Make It and Take It craft time immediately after the 11:15 service. This event is being held in Delaware City but is for children and families from both congregations. We will order pizza, talk about the real reason for the season and make some advent decorations for the home.

Tuesday, Dec. 8--Session meeting, Port Penn, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 9--Pot Luck, Christmas dinner, Port Penn, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 11--This One's For the Girls
"A Christmas Gathering," 7 p.m. at Port Penn for all ladies from both congregations. You don't have to bring anything, you don't have to bake anything, you don't have to stay and clean up! Just come and enjoy the real meaning of the season with your friends from both churches. This is a Christmas gift to YOU from Pastor Beth and her friends at the Elkton Presbyterian Church.

Sunday, Dec. 13
First ever Community Christmas Cantata, 3 p.m., First Pres. Delaware City. Join your friends from all of the churches in Delaware City and Port Penn as singers from all congregations join together to present, "Behold That Star!" This inspiring cantata is directed by Ruth Smith from Port Penn with accompaniment by Julia Morrill from Delaware City. Please plan to join us and stay after for punch and cookies!

Monday Dec. 14
Christmas Caroling in Port Penn! Please plan to join us at the church at 7 p.m. We'll carol throughout the town and return to church for cookies and hot chocolate! This event is open to members of both congregations.