November Messenger

Where does the time go? We are already into Advent, Thanksgiving has passed, and Judie has retrieved her Christmas Village from the Simons where it has been safely stored since the fire. People are busy buying presents, sending cards, and families are setting dates for get-togethers. Speaking of families and get-togethers, Judie and I would like to invite the congregation to our home on Saturday, December 17, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. for some Christmas fellowship, some good food, and for a look at our new house. Many of you have been involved in different ways and WE WOULD BE PRIVELEDGED TO HAVE YOU AS OUR GUESTS ON THAT DAY. Please don’t bring anything, don’t dress up, and feel free to stay as long as you wish (I go to bed at 8 p.m.).

When you arrive, we should have parking for about ten cars in the yard, but some may have to park on the road. There will be parking under the carport for those who may have difficulty negotiating the hill which is a bit steep. So, I suggest if you want parking close to the house, you call us ahead of time and tell us approximately what time you will be arriving. I will make sure the ways are clear for your safety. I might also suggest that if you know of others who are planning to attend, you think about carpooling.

So, PLAN TO KEEP SATURDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 17, OPEN ON YOUR SCHEDULE. THE LUTEFISK IS CURING, THE ROLLA-PULSA IS BEING PREPARED, THE LEFSA IS BEING ROLLED AND THE AQUAVEIT IS LOST.

We’re looking forward to your visit; come snoop in every room, and the one who comes wearing the most unusual hat will win a prize.

Bible study is held Wednesdays at 9:45 a.m. Everybody is urged to join in a very interesting session led by Rev. Dean Williams. The current schedule is:

DEACON OF THE MONTH for December is Becky Bury (218) 692-1548. Remember to call the Church Office or Deacon of the Month if you hear of anyone with special needs.

Again this year we celebrate the birth of the Savior at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve which happens to be Saturday the 24th. Carols, candles, lessons, and a brief meditation will be observed. This is always a very peaceful time when the sun is setting, the animals are coming out for the evening, worshipers are arriving with the spirit of anticipation, the evening meal is ready and on hold at home, and the presents await. Please come and worship for the PRESENCE awaits in the gathered community of faith.

· Year-to-date General Fund Income totaled $124,950.83, and year-to-date General Fund Expenses totaled $131,463.10. Total cash on hand stands at $78,854. Additional Reserve Funds were not used to cover the October shortfall as there were sufficient funds in the General Fund receipts to cover the month’s expenses. Year to date we have used $6,749 of Reserve Funds to cover Operating Expenses, which is in line with budget projections.

· Advent observance begins with “Hanging of the Greens” on Sunday, November 27, 2005, concluding with the Christmas Eve Service at 4 P.M. on Saturday, December 24, 2005. Christmas Day Worship services will be held Sunday, December 25, 2005, at 10 a.m. Sunday School is not scheduled for Christmas Day as it will be a family Worship service.

· Elder David Fischer was named Commissioner to Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys meeting December 3, 2005 in Redwood Falls.

· The Congregational Meeting date was changed to December 18, 2005 following the morning Worship service due to a scheduling conflict. The agenda remains as previously stated.

· Session recommends to the Congregation the acceptance of the change to the By-Laws as written. All members of the congregation will receive a copy of the proposed By-Laws showing the changes in their mail slot on December 4, 2005. See the separate article for a synopsis of the proposed changes.

· The salary of Pastor Larson was adjusted for the year 2006 to $23,700 and the housing allowance to $19,200.

· The 2006 Budget was finalized with both Operating Fund Income (using $14,000 in Reserves) and Expense balancing at $165,500.

· George Young was elected Treasurer and Gene Clement was elected Financial Secretary for the Calendar Year 2006.

Session Minutes and Monthly Financial Reports are posted on the Bulletin Boards in the hallway. Feel free to contact the Pastor, Clerk, or Session Elders for further information if you have questions or suggestions.

Everyone is invited to attend “The Sunday Morning Stretch” Forums at 9 a.m. Come to learn and discuss with others as we seek to hear and apply God’s Word in our lives today. A variety of topics are planned throughout the year.

December 4th Mary Anne Bennett presents “The Symbols in The Christmas Story.” A look at artwork from throughout the ages and from different cultures that celebrate the story of Christ’s birth. If you have a crèche or figures celebrating the Christmas story, especially from other countries, please bring them.

December 11^th Mary Anne Bennett presents “The Arts and The Christmas Story.” A continuation from December 4^th. How have the arts made the wonder of Christmas come alive? If you have a Bible written in another language and are willing to read a few excerpts, please bring it to share. We will read the entire Christmas story and view the visual depictions of Immanuel, “God with Us.”

December 18^th Pastor Ray Larson presents “Parables: Yesterday and Today.” Parables are stories of fiction that contain significant truths for the writer and for the reader. With a bit of imagination we all can write a parable, short in length but long in meaning. He will lead the discussion and sharing of parables written by participants of the November 27^th Forum.

The forums will resume on January 8, 2006 with Chad and Lorin Ellertson showing and leading discussion of a video produced by high school students titled, “Daring to be Different…A Vision of Diversity.”

Mark your calendars and set your alarms so you won’t miss these interesting and enlightening speakers and presenters and the important messages they bring to us.

Our potluck dinner this month will begin at 5:30 p.m. with appetizers followed by dinner of turkey and ham at 6:15 p.m. A sign-up sheet is available on the table in the Narthex. Please also take a minute to sign up to bring a side dish.

Financial Facts

We have had a wonderful response to our sign-up sheets at Church for people willing to take “meals or wheels” to members in need. If you would like to help or if you are in need of a meal sometime or a ride to Church (or to a doctor appointment, etc.—not to Las Vegas, Earl!), please call the Deacon of the Month, e.g., Becky Bury (692-1548) for December.

Thank you to Mary Lu Dietz, Judie Larson, Betsy Simons, Marilyn and Donnie Black, and Cyndy Stenson for providing food for Marilyn and George Hobbs.

Linda Leaser has appreciated arranged visits from Karen Butler, Marge Angell, Betsy Simons, Becky Bury, and “nurses” Judie Larson, Mary Clement, and Mary Lu Dietz at this writing.

We apologize if we have forgotten to thank someone. You do know you are appreciated.

In addition, the Deacons have been busy this month with many phone calls and visits to other members of our church family. We know that other congregation members are doing the same thing, and we are grateful for your help in letting people know we care about them.

Remember to keep the Millimans in your prayers as they work with relief efforts from Hurricane Katrina.

The Deacons will be starting a Prayer Chain soon. If you would like to help in this special way, please call Mary Lu Dietz (543-4552) or Becky Bury (692-1548).

December 11 We will place Baby Jesus in the manger during the service and decorate our cookie churches with candy.

December 18 Children will decorate the Jesse tree outdoors. Please dress warmly.

December 25 Christmas Day—enjoy the service with your family. No Sunday School.

A big thank you from the Lakes Area Restorative Justice Project to Sharon Becker, Mary Lu Dietz, Joan Krueger, Judie Larson, Linda Leaser, and Elaine Taubert for the hot dishes, sandwich materials, salads, bars and cookies they provided for the first-ever volunteer training class at the end of October.

Sixteen community members undertook the intensive three-day training, including Mary Johnson and Faye Krohn from our church. In addition, police officers from Breezy Point, Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, and Nisswa were hosted at a lunch with a demonstration to familiarize them with this new project. Your hospitality was appreciated!

The Finance & Stewardship Committee wishes to thank all who have participated in our Stewardship Campaign thus far by making a Commitment of Support for 2006. Many of you were able to increase your support for the next year, and we are grateful for that. If you have not yet returned your Commitment Card for 2006 and are planning to do so, please return them as soon as possible so we can complete work on the budget before the Congregational Meeting on December 18, 2005.

Based on current projections, our general fund income for 2006 will be $151,500, which includes member commitments (pledges), loose offerings, and per capita. The proposed budget has been set at $165,500. To balance the budget, we then need to dip into the reserve fund for the $14,000 difference. As of October 31, 2005, our regular reserve fund is $19,257. We expect to use another $4,820 in 2005, which would leave a balance of $14,437 that would be used in 2006.

Session recommends to the Congregation acceptance of revisions to the By-Laws to move the Annual Meeting from June to January. All members of the congregation will receive a copy of the complete By-Laws detailing all changes in their mail slot on December 4, 2005. If you will not be in attendance to receive your copy of the By-Laws with changes and would like a copy mailed to you, please notify the office. The Congregation will vote on the changes at the Congregational Meeting scheduled for Sunday, December 18, 2005, immediately following morning service.

The following is a synopsis of the proposed changes excluding minor revisions which update references from the 2002-2003 to the 2004-2005 Book of Order.

Please note: Changes to be deleted are shown with parenthesis and the change is shown in bold italics.

There shall be an annual Ecclesiastical and Corporation Meeting of the congregation held concurrently (on or about the first of June) during January each year at a time and date specified by the Session.

One class of elders shall be elected each year for a two-year or three-year term at a meeting of the congregation called in October or November for the purpose of the election of officers. (or the annual meeting.) The date and time of that meeting shall be determined by the Session. Public notice of such meeting shall be in accordance with ARTICLE III, E.

The term of office shall commence with the installation of the elder and shall cease upon the installation of a successor. The normal term of office will commence in January for Elders elected in October or November.

One class of deacons shall be elected each year for a two-year or three-year term at the meeting of the congregation called in October or November for the purpose of election of officers (or the annual meeting). The date and time of that meeting shall be determined by the Session. Public notice of such meeting shall be in accordance with ARTICLE III, E.

The term of office shall commence with the installation of the deacon and shall cease upon the installation of a successor. The normal term of office will commence in January for Deacons elected in October or November.

The Christmas Joy Offering is one of four special offerings designated to provide congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in need. The receipts from the offering are distributed equally to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs and to National Ministries of the General Assembly Council to support Presbyterian racial ethnic education.

We will receive the Christmas Joy Offering on December 18. The collection from our Christmas Eve service will be designated for Christmas Joy Offering also.

The Landscape Committee is looking for one or two people that are interested in joining the Landscape Committee and beautifying the church grounds in the spring and summer. Many of the plants in the flower beds are perennials and return each spring bigger and better. Perhaps you will want to add more perennials or just add color with annuals. Please see Rusty Taubert or Don Hoger if you are interested in enhancing our curb appeal. It is a fun way to be involved in the church!

CPC MESSENGER

A publication of Crosslake Presbyterian Church

14444 Daggett Pine Road, Crosslake, MN 56442

Phone: 218-692-4769 Fax: 218-692-1659

Website: www.crosslakepresbyterian.org

To subscribe, contact the church office or e-mail the Office Administrator.

Pastor The Rev. Ray Larson Home 218-692-3229

E-mail: pastor@crosslakepresbyterian.org

Editor Cheryl Cole, Office Administrator

E-mail: newsletter@crosslakepresbyterian.org

Session and Church Officers:

Bill Bury, Membership Growth & Evangelism

Sharon Becker, Member Care & Fellowship

Becky Bury, Christian Education

Marge Angell, Worship & Music

Mary Clement, Mission Outreach & Social Witness

Rusty Taubert, Building & Grounds

George Hobbs, Personnel

Dewey Krueger, Finance & Stewardship

Marie Fischer, Clerk of Session

Gene Clement, Financial Secretary

George Young, Treasurer