Mission Fair January 21st

On Sunday, January 21st, following the worship service, there will be a Mission Fair. It will be held in the fellowship hall appetizers hearty enough for lunch will be provided. Grab a plate and circle round the room.

Discover more about the organizations we support.out what they do and what their needs are now and how Orange Presbyterian Church serves these groups.

Maybe you will be inspired to serve in your own way.the latest from Love Outreach Food Pantry, Medical Benevolence, Boys and Girls Club, Camp Hanover,Rebuilding Together, Habitat, the Jail Ministry and others.

Come for just a little while.will be a informal format and fun too.you there!

Alice Crane, Mission and Outreach Committee

The Pastor's Ponderings

The New Year — 2007
The beginning of a new year is always an opportunity to think about changes we may want to make. On some occasions I’ve embraced the chance to make some resolutions at the beginning of a new year. On other occasions I’ve dismissed the whole notion. 2007 is one of those years I’m making some resolutions. In an Internet search I discovered a Top Ten Resolutions list from About.com:

So – how does this top ten list compare with yours? As I review the list some of those resolutions are right on the mark and others are ones that have never been an issue with me. I would definitely move the “Get Organized” resolution higher on the list.

I noticed one glaring omission from the list. The resolutions listed above address the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of life, but what about the spiritual? Of course, we think of the spiritual dimension from a Christian viewpoint. If you are considering resolutions for 2007 — and even if you’re not — let me encourage you to not neglect your spiritual side. You may want to resolve to take time each day to spend with God. Perhaps you will decide on a daily reading of the scriptures (there are lectionary readings listed on the front page of our Orange Presbyterian web page). You might want to pick up a copy of The Upper Room in the church narthex to assist you in developing a devotional time. You may resolve to spend time in prayer. Prayer is not bringing a list of requests to God, but engaging in a dialogue with the Creator of the universe. It means being willing to listen.

2007 — may it be for you a time of growth — in all aspects of your life.

Your resolute pastor,
Denise

“Souper Bowl Sunday”

Beginning on January 7th and continuing each Sunday until the Super Bowl (February 4th) we will be collecting cans of soup and other non-perishable food items. Help us meet our goal this year is 500 items. The food will be delivered to the Love Outreach Food Pantry by the Senior High Class in February. Thanks for your help. The Senior High Class.

Next Mission Trip to
New Orleans???

Are you ready to consider a trip to serve in New Orleans for a week?? If you would like to find out more about that possibility, come to a brief meeting after church on January 14th. Bring a calendar and think about when you would be able to go on a mission trip.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is willing for volunteers to come almost any time...all we need is a critical mass of volunteers to go. If you cannot make the meeting, but are interested, please email Cindy Reid at cindy_reid@woodberry.org.

Save Our Stamps Was A Big Success!

A prompt reply from Mrs. Reinhold to the package of canceled stamps sent to her in mid December is posted on the kiosk in the narthex. She was most appreciative. Special thanks go to Margie and Buckshot Clements for a boxful of thousands of stamps contributed earlier this year and more recently thanks to Robert Eason and Joanna Davies for large amounts and to all you anonymous contributors who help fill out the packages. Thousands of dollars are going out help and purchase Bibles and hymnals. Now, don’t forget the stamps from Christmas mail. Many thanks.
The Presbyterian Women

Treasurer's Monthly Report

• December Income as of 12/31/06: $26,038.39
• December Expenses and Benevolent Gifts as of 12/31/06: $12,965.58

• Year-to-Date Income: $216,346.48
• Year-to-Date Expenses: $205,665.94

The Finance Committee is pleased that our income has generally been sufficient for ordinary expenses. Please speak to me if you have any questions about the Orange Presbyterian Church budget.

Gail Chapman, Treasurer

December Session Highlights

• Heard a report from Mrs. Lynne Clements on her Master of Arts in Christian Education—Extended Campus Program from Union Presbyterian Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Richmond, and offer a prayer for her success.
• By common consent voted to allow our records to be moved from Montreat, NC to the Presbyterian Historical Society archives in Philadelphia, PA.
• Voted unanimously to move Gladys Carr (Dolly) Fox and Lelia Duxbury to the inactive membership roll.
• Decided not to hold LOGOS this year
• Voted unanimously to approve David Lyon and Carol Roop as 4 year old – 2nd grade Sunday school class teachers.
• Voted unanimously to hold Communion with the Christmas Eve candlelight service.
• Voted unanimously to approve 2007 staff salaries and benefits.
• Heard a report that the Presbyterian Weekday School’s governing board has reaffirmed its mission, namely that the Weekday School is part of the church’s program. In order to comply with the Commonwealth of Virginia statutes, the church will take over the Weekday School’s finances, and the teachers will become part of the church’s staff.
• Voted unanimously to hold OPC Annual Congregation meeting and election of Officer Nominating Committee on Sunday, February 18th after worship.
• Voted unanimously to hold 2007 Opening Session retreat, new officer examination, and stated monthly meeting on Saturday, January 27th from 9 to 2 p.m. at the church, and to hold the new officer ordination and installation service on Sunday, January 28th.
• Voted unanimously to approve 2007 Church Greeter, Usher, and Nursery helper schedules.
• Expressed thanks to Elders Crane, Cruickshank, Frobom, Haberland, A. Packard, Phillips, and Somerville for their service.

Session Retreat Scheduled for January 27, 2007

The session will hold its annual retreat on Saturday, January 27, 2007, beginning at 9:00 am. We are currently scheduled to meet at the church. The retreat will be a time of spiritual reflection and goal setting for the new year. Elders rotating off the session are encouraged to attend for the morning. We will also examine our new class of elders and plan for them to be ordained and/or installed on Sunday, January 28.

Advent/Christmas - Thanks

Thank you to all who helped make our Advent and Christmas worship so meaningful. The special music from the choirs, the candle lighters and all those who decorated the sanctuary and narthex.

Thanks from PMI

Thanks to all who helped with the President Madison Inn Christmas presents. The bags were all under the huge tree in the lobby of PMI and was a beautiful sight. Thanks again. Elinor Vasquez

Congratulations!

We extend our congratulations to Martha Clements who has been named to the National Honor Society at Orange County High School.

Martha is a junior at OCHS, plays soccer, and is involved in her many church activities - choirs, bells, and Sunday School.

Lynn Clements

The McLeod family

Lynne Clements

Eric Frobom