PresbyFolks Goes Caroling at Skilled Nursing Facilities
On December 16, the PresbyFolks met at the church at 5 pm to ride in the van to go caroling at Vista del Monte, Valle Verde Retirement Home, and Buena Vista Care Center. We then returned to the church via a route that provided views of many decorated homes in Santa Barbara. A delicious meal of chili and salad followed in the CFC. For more information about how you can participate in PresbyFolks' monthly activities, please visit our web page and/or call Juleine.
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LIFE OF THE CHURCH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DICK FREEMAN! Dick is celebrating his 91st birthday today with a cake on the patio following the 10:30 worship service.

THE POINSETTIAS ARE HERE! It’s not too late to order one (or more) to take home Christmas Eve. Plants may be taken following worship on December 24th. The Deacons will deliver to those who are ill or homebound.

FRONT PORCH AT UCSB. Suzanne Malloy (will be ordained January 10, 2010), who worships at neighboring St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, has revived the Presbyterian ministry to students on the campus of UCSB. She maintains a table at the student center and engages her charter members in local mission projects.  Pray for her or to help in other ways email her at frontporchucsb@verizon.net or call 967-2131.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND YOUNG ADULTS!! Josh Murray will meet you on the Patio on Sunday mornings at 10:30 for a pilgrimage to a nearby coffee shop or restaurant for a time of discussion, prayer, and fellowship.

PARISH NURSE REMINDER: This is the time of year to complete any changes for Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans for 2010. Some Medicare Advantage Plans have been eliminated in Santa Barbara County and you should have been contacted by mail. Deadline for changes is December 31, 2009.

THE CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING will be received Today, December 20. Half of this offering goes to support active or retired ministers with unexpected financial needs, the other half to students at one of our historically Black or Hispanic colleges. Thanks to your past gifts, both of these ministries remain strong. Give generously on December 20.

MISSIONAL CHURCH AND AMERICAN CULTURE. Ryan Bolger is Associate Professor of Church in Contemporary Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. He studies and writes about the emergent church and missional church movements. He will discuss in his workshop the interaction of missional church and contemporary American culture. His workshop is one of eleven offered in the S.B. Presbytery Missions Conference on Saturday, Jan. 16, at FPC. Register at www.sbmissionconference.org.

THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sunday, December 20 – 8:30 a.m. – Contemplative Worship in the Chapel; 9:00 a.m. - Informal Worship in Christian Fellowship Center; 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary

Tuesday, December 22 -  7:30 a.m. – Men’s Bible Breakfast in Anderson Lounge

Wednesday, December 23 –7 p.m. Sr. Hi Group- Youth Lounge (Josh 279-2391)

Thursday, December 24 – Office closes at noon today; 7:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Family Worship in the Sanctuary, followed by cookies and cider in the Christian Fellowship Center, bring your family and friends

Friday, December 25 – Christmas Day – office closed today. “For unto us a child is born…”

Sunday, December 27 – 8:30 a.m. – Contemplative Worship in the Chapel; 9:00 a.m. - Informal Worship in Christian Fellowship Center;    10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary

THE PRAYER CHAIN is available to pray for your needs. In the Narthex and Fireside Lounge are Prayer Boxes provided by the Congregational Care Ministry. Please place a request form in the box, call Chuck at: 687-0754 x 102 or email: ccurtis@fpcsb.org. Requests are kept confidential.

PRAYER AND INTERCESSION

Pray for:

· Missionary Nita Hanson in Ukraine (God’s Hidden Treasures)

· Those who are sick, hospitalized or recovering and need our support

· Our military personnel serving in the Middle East: Tech Sgt. Donald Adams (nephew of Jay and Marilyn Torrey); Capt. Sean Gardner, (grandson of Jeannette Klingler); Kyle Lauth, (grandson of Dolores Crisp); Sgt. Erich Johnson (grandson of Beverly Smaniotto); Nicolas Jones (grandson of Allen & Ann Braithwaite); Andrew Gaston (brother of Leah Gaston); the people of the Middle East, the pastors and people of the churches and for all those working for peace in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world

· Congregation & staff at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Thousand Oaks, Pastor Stuart Bond & Associate Pastor Dana Shaw