Dear Friends and Members of First Presbyterian:
A number of people, for whom 2014 has been especially difficult, have shared with me that it's hard to get "into the Christmas Spirit" so far.  Maybe it's the warmer weather, or just the difficulties they have been facing this year.  

I hope you are finally getting into the Christmas Spirit.  We had such a beautiful evening at Center Street United Methodist sharing in the Christmas Cantata.  And just to add to that spark of the Spirit, we witnessed a little bit of snow last night, but not enough to cause a lot of inconvenience.  If you are traveling, or planning to travel for Christmas, I pray you have a safe and joyful journey.

Tomorrow night at 6:00PM we begin our worship.  What a wonderful way to welcome new faces into our congregation.  If you know someone you can invite to go, be sure and bring them.  Our Deacons got together after potluck on Sunday and put together a "little something special" for you to take home after the Christmas Eve Service.  

Hold in your prayers this week...

• Kevin Mueller who is now home recovering from his fall from the motel roof.  He suffered some broken bones and spent an awful lot of time waiting in the ER in ABQ (from Wednesday-Saturday).  Now Nancy I understand is sick.  
  
• Wayne Huffman who continues to progress following his knee replacement about 14 days ago.
  
• For the Donachy (spelling???) Family in Sherman, Texas, friends of the Cherry Family, who recently suffered a violent tragedy in their home.  
  
• For Calvin Southwood, a recent transplant here from Lamar, CO - whose truck recently was stolen.  He lives with his wife and in-laws at 1402 S. 4th Street.  They are extremely poor, and could use a little food.
  
• For Amber Varsallona, who still suffers from knee/leg pain and is trying to find out whether the doctors recommend surgery.
  
• For Larry Bell, brother of Marie Sims, who is suffering from cancer.
  
• For the flu bug going around, and through our congregation!

There are so many other prayers needed for ourselves and those close to us.  In spite of the joy and happiness this season is meant to bring, it can be extra hard for some of us.  Spread the Word of God's love with simple acts of kindness.  Click here if you missed worship on Sunday.

May God be with you wherever you are this week!
Love,
Amy

Dear Friends: 
Make sure you find a church this Christmas Eve, even if it is just for one evening of worship. 

Even if you have never set foot inside a church before. 

Even if you haven't darkened a church door for a year. 

Chase away those holiday blues and recover those warm and fuzzy Christmas feelings again, where there is candlelight and singing, old friends and new ones. 

You will find a group of worshipers and a church at their very best on Christmas, decked out with greenery and lights.  Here is a partial list of some of the places where you can worship in Quay County this Christmas Eve.  Click here!

Oh, I know where you can go! 

Come and worship with us Wednesday night, December 24th at 6:00PM, for a traditional Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols! Harpist, Bell Choir, Pianists, Clarinettist, and oh, that candlelight! 

Hope to see you there! Shalom.

Gift giving has become a large part of the Christmas spirit we celebrate each year. We give our family and friends presents to show our love for them, following in the tradition of the wise men the very first Christmas. It is through these actions that we are reminded of those in need, especially during the Advent season. 

The Christmas Joy Offering is a way for you to do more than simply give a gift; it’s a way to improve the lives of those who are struggling. 50% of all funds raised for this Offering are given to both past and current church workers who need a little boost to get over life’s obstacles. 

The other 50% goes toward providing quality education to students seeking higher learning and leadership development at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges. 

Thanks to your generosity, we can support those in need. Please help by visiting presbyterianmission.org/give/christmasjoy and give more this Christmas. 

You can make this season even more special.

Dear Members and Friends at First Presbyterian:
Hope this third week of Advent finds you well.  Also I hope that you have had a safe weekend.  What windy weather we had Sunday!

Our Christmas Party was a blast, with 23 people in attendance.  Sorry if we missed you there.  We had a lot of chuckles as we picked White Elephant gifts and then "stole" them from each other.  Oh well, I got a vegetable peeler, which is pretty practical.  

This Sunday is Potluck Sunday, don't forget.  And it looks like we will be "entertaining angels," thanks to Margie McKenzie's decorating.  Come and see.  Bring a dish to share and don't forget to invite a friend.

This Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Advent, and the 3rd Sunday in December, in case you're as confused as I am.

Just updating you on Wayne Huffman's status, Sharon tells me he has been transferred to Baptist St. Anthony's Rehabilitation Department, Room 109.  She will be home today to take care of some housekeeping.  

Also, did you know our Kayla Cherry is working now at the Golden Dragon?  Make sure you drop by and see her there, evenings or weekends.  

Take time out for God and God's Family this week:
Today at noon: Yoga!
This afternoon:  Quilters!
Tonight from 6-7PM at THS Auditorium, see Ricky Sursa's class do a holiday show.
W-F 9:00AM  Exercise, Eat and Pray 
Thursday night 6PM City Council Meeting (I will be doing the invocation)
Friday night 7:00PM  Christmas Cantata @Center Street UMC  come early for the best seat!
Sunday:  11 o'clock worship and potluck at noon!  The Jubilee Ringers will be back to play for us too! 

Who ever said there's nothing to do in Tucumcari?  They were wrong!

Be sure you hold Marie's brother, Larry, in your prayers.  He has been diagnosed with cancer.  And continue to pray for Wayne's recovery. 

The Christmas Joy Offering envelopes are in the pews.  Take a moment by clicking here (Christmas Joy) for a video. This offering was used last year to bring Revs. Cris and Harold Russell home after the typhoon in the Philippines where they were doing mission work.  Now they serve at Westminster Presbyterian in Clovis.

If you missed Sunday's worship, it was a little different.  View the sermon by clicking here.

Well, I hope to see you around town this week.  And I look forward to our fellowship this Sunday!
The Lord be with you,
Amy

Dearest Members and Friends of First Pres:Greetings!

It may be a busy time of year as we prepare for Christmas, but don't forget to take a moment out of your busy-ness, to dwell on the meaning of Christ's birth.  His birth into this world is the incarnation of hope - a hope that the world in pain might find peace, that those who suffer might one day find relief.  I think of that beautiful prophecy at the end of Revelation where it says, "he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”  (Rev. 21:4)

What a wonderful image for all God's creation.  It's a hope that we can begin with today, as people charged to live as members of God's kingdom in the world.

There is no need to wait until that fateful day, when we can live it now.  And we do each time we gather together as the church.  Be it welcoming the community in for Yoga or Exercise Eat and Pray, of the Quay-Z Quilters, or when our members gather for parties, as we will be later this week.  And of, course, as we worship the newborn King.
Here are some ways you can join in the Kingdom living:

• M-W-F 9:00AM Exercise, Eat and Pray
  
• Tuesday noon High Noon Yoga (for beginners, community welcome)
  
• Friday this week at 6:00PM White Elephant Christmas Party (All are welcome; bring a friend, a snack to share and a gift to exchange.  The gift may be silly or serious.)
  
• Sunday 11:00AM  An Especially Joyful Worship Service with Extra Singing!
  

Please note that the Quilters will be having a Christmas party on Thursday (12/11) this week during the day, so you will see a lot of cars at that time.

Also, I ask you to hold in your prayers Wayne Huffman, scheduled for knee surgery this Friday, 12/12, and be sure you keep his wife Sharon in your prayers as well.  

I am attaching for you this past Sunday's sermon and liturgy (Click Here).  Hope you find in this week a bright reminder of God's sure promises.  Remember, wherever we meet, be it the grocery store or the church sanctuary, we are the church.

Peace,
Rev. Amy Pospichal

Greetings in Christ!
So good to be back in Tucumcari after a lovely visit with my family.  Hopefully you are all arriving home safely from your own holiday travels.

Please remember that this Saturday is going to be full of activities around our church and town.  

First, come at 11:00AM and help us deck Fellowship Hall with holiday cheer.  You may bring some snacks to share and enjoy a little cocoa as we decorate the tree.  We need your help!  Following that, the Presbyterian Women will gather to have their Christmas party, when we find out the names of our 2014 prayer partners.  This is a potluck party, so don't forget your dish!  

Finally, as the sun begins to go down, bundle up and show up somewhere between South 1st Street and the Train Depot for the annual Christmas Light Parade and Santa Reception.  Look for our friends, Amber, Donald, Kay and Richard, who are very involved with making a float for this event!  Need to talk to Santa?  This Saturday is your chance.

Today at First Presbyterian we will have Yoga at Noon, and then the Quilters will come for the afternoon/evening.
Wednesday and Friday at 9:00AM Exercise Group meets.  It's an open group so anyone is welcome to come and visit.
Tuesday afternoon and much of Thursday this week I will be out and about visiting folks in the community.
Friday I will be in the office much of the morning and part of the afternoon.  

Also, do you have a favorite memory of Christmas in Tucumcari?  Please share by responding to this message.  I'd like to put them together in the Winter Edition newsletter by Christmas Eve.

Please hold Betty Ragan in your prayers as she heals up from being sick, and grieves the passing of her sister, Eva Lovelady.  
Additionally, please keep Wayne Huffman in your prayers, as he looks at knee surgery, very likely December 12th.

May God be with you always.  See you around town this week.
Blessings and peace,
Amy Pospichal