Consecration/Pledge Sunday is Nov. 3

You may have noticed the “Because of You” banners hanging in the church. The word “you” works both ways – “Because of You” (our God moments) and “Because of you”  (our church family moments). This year the Stewardship Committee is asking us to think about and share the “God moments”  and  the  “church  family  moments”  in  our  lives.  Please  check  out  the  bulletin  board  in  the  narthex and add your own moments! How has God and our church family blessed you?

Sunday, Nov. 3 is Consecration/Pledge Sunday, so please plan to join us for worship when we will present our 2020 pledges and also plan to stay afterward for the potluck luncheon that follows. Giving to others is such a joy. Your gift matters – it matters to you as the giver, and to the church, which utilizes it as a resource for mission. Please keep First Presbyterian Church of Farmington in your prayers as we, together, move towards discerning what gifts we will make in the coming years. Thank you!      Stewardship Team: Colleen Tavor, Jerry Shield and Sally Kirsten

All Saints’ Day celebrated Sunday, Nov. 3

On Sunday, Nov. 3, we will observe All Saints Day during worship. All Saints’ Day is a universal festival of the church. This festival day directs our attention to the richness of Christian history and the varied experiences of the grace of God by lifting up the lives of the saints. All Saints Day celebrates all the people of God, living and who have moved to “More Life,” who together form the mystical body of Christ. Below are the names of the members and friends of First Presbyterian Church of Farmington who have been baptized, confirmed or have “Moved from this Life to More Life” during the past 12 months. At this service we will remember them in our prayers, and we give thanks for their lives.

Baptized (Future Generation): Lukah David Piontek

Moved from this Life to More Life (Past Generation)

• H. James Brown Jr.
• Gene H. Buchan
• Judith S. Denniston
• Norma G. Eckley
• John E. Flint
• Patricia A. (Sowers) Fuerstenau
• Barbara A. Howe
• William L. Kinney, IV
• Finn F. Roed
• Patricia A. Sutherland

Deadline for articles for the December FYI is Friday, Nov. 15.

Welcome our new Child Caregiver, Leslie Van Hamme

We are pleased to announce that Leslie Van Hamme has been hired as our Sunday morning Child Caregiver, watching over our wee ones. Stop by and see her in the Nursery. More details on Leslie and the newly re-deco rated Nursery in next month’s issue. We are blessed to have Leslie Van Hamme taking on such an important role in our church. We are excited for our families to see Leslie greeting the children each Sunday. Leslie participates in the life of our church, has cared for young children at church and elsewhere, and is a graduate of Alma College. And, yes, she has a familiar last name since she is the daughter of long-time church members Bob and Marcia Van Hamme.

You’ll find Leslie in the renovated nursery each Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Please invite friends and neighbors with little children to join our Sunday morning fun and stop by to say hello to Leslie and welcome her!

 

Praying in our Own Words

This Advent, we’re again going to pray as a church family using “Daily Devotions for Busy Christians,” a booklet of short meditations based on the readings for each day of Advent. It’s our very own, written entirely by us, and we’re thrilled to report that we need only a few more authors. A packet of “how-to” guidelines has been sent to each author; if you didn’t get yours or would like to sign up as an author, please contact MJ Floreno. We will share this booklet with the broader church through our website and Facebook page — and publicize it in the secular press as well. Please keep our authors and this exciting project in your prayers as they break open God’s word for all of us.

Defibrillator Training

The church has purchased a new automatic external defibrillator. These lifesaving devices are very good at saving lives but are only as effective if we know how to use it properly. If you’re an usher, greeter or member of the church safety team or just interested, please sign up for one of the 21 slots available for training on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 11:30 a.m. Training should last about 90 minutes. The website is: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E45ABA928A3F85-fpcaed. Or call the church office if you need assistance signing up.

Check out Men’s Saturday Breakfasts

Mark your calendar now for a time of food and fellowship at the upcoming Men’s Saturday Breakfasts. And don’t forget the Men’s Breakfasts on Tuesday mornings at Leo’s – another great way to start your day!

November 2, 2019 – Stahl’s Automotive Museum located in Chesterfield, Michigan; we will carpool from the church parking lot at 10:00 a.m.

The Stahl Museum has over 80 cars on display ranging from the 1886 Daimler prototype to the muscle cars of the 1960s with special emphasis on the great cars of the 1930s and 1940s, a period of style and constant evolution.

November 9, 2019 – Knox Fellowship Hall at 8:00 a.m.

December 14, 2019 – Presbytery of Detroit Men’s 38^th Annual Communion & Advent Breakfast, Grosse Pointe Memorial Presbyterian Church; we will carpool from the church parking lot.

This Saturday program begins at 7:30 a.m. with a welcome, followed by the Communion Celebration then Breakfast and Fellowship. At 9:30 a.m., the George Irwin Service Award will be presented followed by keynote speaker Miguel Thornton, President of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Detroit Chapter. He served in active duty and reserve duty in the U.S. Air Force, both as a navigator and radar specialist. He later joined the National Guard here in Michigan where he served over 14 years. As a second-generation Tuskegee Airman, he helps to shepherd several programs such as the EAA Young Eagles and JROTC. Tickets are $15 per person and available through the Presbytery or Tom Neal.

Craft Fair offers early shopping opportunity

Our 4th annual Craft Fair & Bake Sale is THIS month!!. We have 45 crafters and in our bake sale, back by popular demand are Cathy Neal’s famous nut roll! On Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10 :00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., stop by Knox Hall to shop for unique and all homemade gifts of every type. These will become family memories knowing they were bought out of love. We will also have a wonderful bake sale. Anyone willing to volunteer to work two-hour shifts or bake are welcome. Come spend a day supporting  our crafters, the Cub Scouts who will be serving lunch and our church. Be sure to tell your friends and family about this fun event! For more information, please see Deborah Draper.

It’s PW Hat and Mitten Tree time!

Cold weather is here, and the forecast says it will be an “Arctic Winter.“ Hats and Mittens are going to be very necessary for local school children if the weatherman is right. Therefore, it is time for Presbyterian Women’s annual Hat and Mitten Tree collection.

From Sunday, Nov. 17 through Monday, Dec. 9, we will be collecting hats, mittens, underwear and socks (no scarves, please) for needy children right here in our own community. (These items are distributed through Neighborhood House and the GoodFellows.)

We will also collect these same items for adults:  hats, mittens or gloves, underwear, socks. (And the adults can use scarves.) There is an ever-present need for all these items during the cold, winter months. Adult items will be shared with Calvin East Presbyterian Church, Neighborhood House and GoodFellows.

Your new items should be placed on or below the dowel tree in the Narthex starting Nov. 17. Please leave price tags on items. Thank you in advance for your generosity. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at  248-474-2366. ~Sally Kirsten, PW Vice Moderator for Justice and Peace

Boy Scouts’ popular Christmas Wreath Sale on Nov. 24

The Boy Scouts of Troop 179 will hold their annual Christmas Wreath sale  before and after church on Sunday, Nov 24. Prices are $25 for a 12″ wreath (about 18″ across), $35 for an 18″ wreath (about 24″ across), and $25 for 25′ of Cedar Roping. A grave stand is $3. Larger wreaths and 50′ of roping wreaths may be ordered. If you are unable to be at church on Nov. 24, just contact Lisa Hayes and she’ll have a scout deliver your order.

Here are three First Pres scout pictured at last year’s wreath sale: Elizabeth Schmidt flanked by Calvin (left) and Nathan Malisow.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Community Service is Monday, Nov. 25

C.A.R.E.S. of Farmington Hills is pleased again to host this year’s annual interfaith community worship service on Monday, Nov. 25 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. It will be preceded by a Thanksgiving Community Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Representatives from a variety of houses of worship and community groups affiliated with the Farmington Area Interfaith Association will be participating. Be sure to join us for this inspiring multi-cultural worship service and help us welcome worshippers from throughout our community.

Tuesday morning Advent Study from Nov. 26-Dec. 17

A remarkable gift can arrive in an unremarkable package.  “Because of Bethlehem”  by Max Lucado is a four-session video Bible study exploring how the One who made everything chose to make himself “nothing” and came into the world. Jesus’s birth gives us the promise that God is always near us, always for us, and always within us-and that we no longer need to have marks on our record … just grace. In the midst of our hectic Christmas season, Max Lucado urges us to remember this and rekindle your connection to the Christ of Christmas and find hope for a lifetime. Laydown your endless Christmas to-do list and receive what Jesus has already done. Join Pastor Eddie on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. starting on Nov. 26 through Dec. 17. The cost for the book is $10.

Greening of the Church is Nov. 30

We invite family, friends and neighbors to help us decorate the church and prepare the church, our hearts and lives for the Advent season. Join us from 10 a.m. – 12 noon on Saturday, Nov. 30 for our annual Greening of the Church. Includes light refreshments and good fun for all ages!

Christmas Gathering is Dec. 9

Mark your calendar for Monday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m. for our annual Christmas Gathering. Come for coffee and cookies, special Christmas music and a play presented by Presbyterian Players, “The Gifts of the Ornaments” by Karen Jones. This is a comedy with a message, featuring ornaments on the tree talking to one another “Toy Story-”style. Presbyterian Women is your host for this popular annual event, which is open to all, including men, youth and guests. Tickets are $3.00 and are on sale at the Welcome Center.

Mission Opportunities

Second Mile Center outreach

Thanksgiving Baskets: Presbyterian Women is once again collecting nonperishable food for families in need who are served by the Second Mile Center in Detroit. There are blue bins marked Second Mile in the mission cove area. (If you would like to contribute to turkeys and other perishable items, Sue Carlson is collecting checks to SMC and gift cards to Kroger.) The items requested for the baskets are cranberry sauce, green beans, corn, yams, elbow macaroni, white self-raising corn meal, cake or brownie mix, and frosting. Other items needed for the Second Mile food pantry are tuna, peanut butter and hearty canned soup.

Christmas Gift Bags: Ruth Azar at Second Mile will soon be providing the wish lists of children from the Center who are hoping to receive gifts at Christmas. Each child on the list will get a bag containing an outfit, socks, underwear, a hat and gloves, and a toy or two from their list. If your group or family or you as an individual would like to sponsor one of these children, or if you would like to make a contribution to this project, please let Sue Carlson know ASAP.

The cupboard is bare!

We recently received word from the Lighthouse (formerly SOS) pantry manager that because they are currently serving 100 families OVER what they normally serve, they are critically low on some foods. Now until Nov. 10 we will collect items listed below and see that they get to Lighthouse.

Here are their immediate needs: macaroni and cheese, cereal,peanut butter and jelly, canned meat (i.e. tuna or chicken), pasta (and sauce),  canned soup, fruits and vegetables,  powered and condensed milk, boxed potatoes,  deodorant, shampoo, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, diapers, toilet paper, feminine products.

A more comprehensive list as well as a direct link to Amazon for online purchases that can be delivered directly to their door is on their website: https://lighthousemi.org/how-to-help/item-donations/. Thank you!

C.A.R.E.S. issues call for volunteers, supplies

Looking for an opportunity to give back? Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity and have 2-1/2 hours on a weekly basis? Check out C.A.R.E.S. of Farmington Hills, our local food pantry that is continuing to expand its offerings to aid those in need in our community. You will find it an enriching experience and your service will be such a benefit to those locally who are in need. C.A.R.E.S. also reports the following supply needs: razors, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, sunscreen, cleaning supplies, dish soap. Donations can be dropped off at C.A.R.E.S., 27835 Shiawassee Street at Inkster Road, on Tuesdays-Fridays 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Thursday evenings from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings 9:30 a.m.-12 noon.

Congregational Matters

Arts and Archives are blessings

Arts and archives are valuable not just because of their financial value, though this is a practical and important consideration, they also document the life – activities and decisions – of an organization.

The value of arts archives: why should we care, and why are they important and what wouldn’t we know if we didn’t have them?

The reason we embarked on a search-and-rescue undertaking was to trace a lost portion of the history of First Presbyterian Church of Farmington. Every painting, ceramic piece, woodcarving, stained glass, tapestry and planted herb tells our story of both the creative artist who created the piece, as well as the information the piece renders. Valuing something means that you care about it. Caring about that something means you will look after it.

Our art archives are vital to our understanding of who we are and whose we are.

Thank you, Ruth and Dan McKinnon for your invaluable leadership and commitment these past two years to finding, researching and rescuing such a vital piece of the history of FPCF. Also, a word of gratitude to all the docents, who took the time to walk us through this rich history so, we too could explore and enjoy the art. Lastly, a thank you to Karen Spica for creating an inventory workbook and an archiving system that is helping us access our living legacy. Thank you all for this incredible labor of love. ~Pastor Eddie

Arts & Archives “Did You Know?”

The church has great pride in showing the outdoor garden areas and items.

Cope Memorial Garden was constructed in 1976 with monies given in memory of Edge Taylor Cope. The garden is a quiet place to pray and meditate. The 27 Memorial Stones from Church of Our Saviour (C.O.O.S.) were added in 2017, in memory of loved ones who had passed away.

The Biblical Herb Garden was built on the grounds of Knox Chapel. Heather McKinnon designed and built it with volunteer help in 1987.  Her mentor was church member Marge Eirschele. Heather received her Girl Scout Gold award on completion of the project.

The Butterfly Art Sculpture was created by Jo Marasovich in 2008 for a contest to decorate the city with butterflies. It was purchased for C.O.O.S. by member Jan Dolan.

The bench at the church entrance has become a welcome to everyone. It was given to the church  by member Jan Dolan in honor and memory of her son Mark.

Placed in the garden near the entrance is a Medieval looking Iron Cross. It is thought to have been created from pieces of scrap steel, and was originally displayed in the courtyard at C.O.O.S.

Caregiving Ministry

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our Meet & Greet after church on Sunday, Oct 13.  It was great to see so many people attend and getting better acquainted with the members in their clusters. We encourage you to continue to nurture those relationships during future Hospitality Time and before worship. Thanks for making First Pres The Church of the Open Hands!