Visitors and those who wish to know more or are curious about joining…
are invited to join Pastor Wendy and Jenni Whitford in the West Lounge after church for coffee and conversation.
Faith Formation Updates
Bring your favorite Nativity set from home to display in Heritage Hall.
You can bring it before church and set it up; cards will be provided for you to write your family name, where the Nativity is from, or any other fun facts. Nativities will be on display during coffee hour.
The children (ages K-6th grade) will have practice on Wednesdays after school: Dec 4, 11, and 18
All children are welcome to join the pageant fun.
Dress rehearsal is Monday, Dec 23 at 10 am. If your child is younger than kindergarten, please attend the dress rehearsal only.
The pageant will be part of the 4:30 pm All Ages Christmas Eve Worship.
Higher Grounds Fellowship!
Can we count on YOU?
On the first and third Sundays, the Deacons are hosting a post-worship time centered around fellowship, good coffee, and light refreshments that enhance our growing sense of belonging to a beloved community.
We are looking for volunteers willing to help in the future, starting with the first Sunday of December. Our vision is to have a few rotating small groups who would be willing to provide baked goods (3 dozen cookies, a coffee cake, etc.), probably only once a month.
Can we count on you to join this ministry of hospitality? Please complete the Signup Genius today!
This Advent, we invite you to pick up a copy of the book Calling All Angels. We have these books available in the church office for $11. Wendy’s sermons during advent will go along with this theme of “Do not be afraid!”
Here’s a little more about the book from the Cokesbury website:
“Step into Advent where stories of angelic encounters come to life, echoing the timeless message of overcoming fear. Just like the characters in the nativity story, we're invited to embrace courage and join in God's transformative work.
Each time an angel appeared to one involved in the birth of Christ, they said: do not be afraid. Those words, though, are not just words of comfort; they are an invitation and a calling from God. In this captivating Advent study and devotional, pastor Erin Wathen challenges us to take this timeless message and apply it to our lives today.
Calling All Angels invites us to contemplate what would change in our relationships, vocations, congregations, and communities if we have the courage to overcome our fears like Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and the Shepherds in the story.
This book includes weekly studies for the Advent season, and so much more, including daily reflections, worship resources, even an Advent playlist for the season! Plus, free videos Free videos featuring the author are available online - perfect for beginning weekly studies, sparking meaningful conversations, and deepening your understanding of that week's story.”
Advent Workshop
Join us for the Annual Advent Workshop on Sunday, Dec. 1st (11:15am-Noonish) It’s going to be a ton of fun, and there are activities for the whole family!
Advent Activities:
Wreath Making (with fresh greens)
Nativity Story Stone Painting
Cookie Decorating
Christmas Countdown Jar
Ornament Making
Sat. Nov 9: Family Retreat Day
Meet at church at 10 am
We will pack food into backpacks for the YMCA Backpack program until Noon
We will eat lunch and return to the church for Games at church (Hide and Seek, GaGa Ball and Human Hungry Hippos)
Kids Choir Sings on Sunday, Nov 10th
Arrive at 9:15 am for warm-ups
Officer Training for New Elders and Deacons
Nov 10, 17, 24 at 8:45 am—Meet in the Class and Crafts Room
Team 78: Lunch Bunch—Sunday, Nov. 10th
Meet in Heritage Hall at 11:30 am; we will go to “The Lot”
NEW*NEW*NEW
Middle School Late Night Extravaganza!
Calling all 6-7-8th graders…
Friday, Nov 15th (7-11pm)
Games – Food – Service Project – Fellowship (friends are invited)
Please help support the Bake Sale
Drop off freshly baked pies, cakes, muffins, cookies, breads, or other goodies on Sunday or Monday (Nov 3 or 4).
Our church is a voting location, we will have 1000+ people come through our doors on Tuesday. The sale will go until supply runs out. Funds support PW and Disaster Assistance.
Plus—- THERE’S NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY (yes, again) but Jenni would love to bake with your kiddos from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Jenni to find out more.
Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 5th
Calling all BAKERS AND COOKS…
We are holding a Bake Sale on Election Day to raise funds to support Presbyterian Women and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PW and PDA)
We are asking for cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, breads, and any other baked goods to be donated to the Bake Sale.
Please drop off goodies at church on Sunday or Monday (Nov. 3+4)
Our church is a voting site – there will be A LOT of people coming to our building. We thought it was a great opportunity to share our church’s Mission and Outreach with our local community.
***We have approval by the County Voting Board.***
We’ve survived yet another Rummage Sale!
With deepest gratitude, we want to tell you that we raised right around $7,000 to support the middle and high school youth and the Angel Choir tour. We couldn’t have done it without all the help from the many volunteers throughout the week, and we are incredibly grateful for all the support from the congregation.
There are still a few treasures left in the chapel- please take a look!
Until next year!
Your friendly rummage-queens,
Jenni, Joy, and Kristin
Mark your calendars for oct 12
Children’s Music and Faith Formation started out last Wednesday with a bang!
We are picking the kids up from school Wednesday afternoons: walking to church for snack, Faith Formation and Music.
Mr. Aaron has introduced rhythm sticks and other percussion instruments to the children.
Jenni is teaching about Worship, Baptism and Communion. The kids will bake bread on the first Wednesday in October to share with our church family on World Communion Day, Oct. 6th.
The children will sing in worship on Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec 22.
Meet Marissa Maxwell!
Marissa is an OSU Music student, she graduated from Kilbourne High School, Worthington last year and she is serving as a volunteer assistant to Mr. Aaron in Kids Music.
Marissa is an actor who was in many high school musicals and sang in her church choir at Worthington Presbyterian Church.
Please introduce yourself and say hello to Marissa when you see her.
Nancy Eucker
Dean and Nancy have been married for 64 years and have three adult children who are seniors in their own right, a son who lives outside of Zanesville, a daughter in St. Paul, MN and a daughter in Napa, CA. They have three grandchildren, a grandson in Kentucky, two granddaughters who live in Napa, Ca. Then, they have an adopted son of 3 years, Lancelot, a Golden Retriever.
Both Nancy and Dean are retired, Dean from Abrasive Technology, and Nancy from Columbus City Schools.
The Euckers started together in St. Paul, MN where the two oldest children were born. They then moved to Waterloo, IA where the youngest was born. Next, they moved to Evansville and Newburgh, IN where they attended the same church that Wendy served, long before she came there. When they moved to Columbus, they joined St. Andrew Presbyterian Church where they were members for nearly 50 years until it closed.
Nancy’s hobbies are gardening, reading, and knitting. Dean busies himself with reading and managing a farm.
Nancy says, “We are happy to have settled here at First Presbyterian and have already made good friends. We're home.”
Kelly Hart
Kelly raised her kids (one adult son, Sam, one adult daughter, Hannah who is engaged to Fred, and no grandkids yet) in Missoula, Montana where she lived for 20 years.
Kelly worked as an executive assistant (and part-time artist) in Seattle, Washington most recently.
She loves spending time outdoors. She also likes to hike, bike ride and be around water in any form whenever she has the chance.
Katherine and John Stiltner
John was born in VA and raised in WV. He moved to the Columbus area in 1970 after serving in the Air Force. He and his late wife Connie have a son, John and daughter, Rione. (John lives in Lewis Center with his wife Kate and 10 yr old twins, Joy and Julia. Rione resides in Denver with husband Mike and 10 yr old son, Ethan.)
John retired from the City of Columbus as Assistant Administrator of the Division of Water. He then served as the General Manager of Southwest Licking Water and Sewer before his final retirement. He enjoys family time, golfing, and fishing.
Kathryn was born and raised in NE OH. She went to college in Atlanta GA and started her career in Contract Furniture there. Her positions as Major Accounts Manager with Herman Miller, Steelcase, and other manufacturers took her to Boca Raton and Miami, FL, Cleveland, OH, San Diego, CA, and finally, Columbus. In retirement, she enjoys family time, watercolor painting, and gardening.
They married in 2015 and moved from New Albany to Granville in 2020. Kathryn’s brother and extended families also relocated from NE OH to Granville.
The Moyer Family
Aaron, Erica, Kari and Emily (and two older sons, who have grown and flown) They moved from Reynoldsburg to Granville two years ago. Kari is a cheerleader for GHS JV football and JV basketball. Emily is a wrestler and softball player for GMS. Erica and Aaron have taken on many new house projects as their new hobbies.
Starting Sept 1st:
The Pray Ground table will remain in worship for those who wish to gather at the table. After the Children’s Time, children ages 3-5 will be dismissed to Child Care, K-3rd grade will join Jenni in The Rest of the Story. Worship bags will be available to all children who remain in worship.
Wonderful Wednesday’s start on SEPT 4th!!!!
Join us for an ALL-AGES meal and worship service each Wednesday. We start with a game (which determines who eats first, always a fan fav), dinner is served from 5:30-6 pm, followed by singing, scripture, a short lesson/worship, and are finished at 6:30 pm!
Dinner menu next week: Corn Dogs, Potato Salad and more yummies!
Rsvp to kream@granpres.org
I am nearing the end…
of the Master of Christian Education (MACE) program at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, NC.
The last requirement is to partake in “Supervised Ministry”. This is a bit like student teaching if you are pursuing an Education degree. I have been working as a Christian Educator for 24 years and I WANT to learn something NEW. I have never worked in a small church, I don’t know how the small church does Faith Formation, forms a budget, nominates officers, worships with less than 25 people, or how the small church office is run!
To that end, I asked Rev. Emily Kraus-Corzine to be my Supervisor, and my goal is to connect with THREE small churches in our Presbytery.
I will attend Session meetings, meet with Pastors, and various Committees, and offer MY experience and help to the churches with whom I partner. West Berlin, in Delaware, and Circleville 1st Presbyterian Church have expressed interest in working with me. I attended the Presbytery meeting this past week and shared what I was doing. I trust the Holy Spirit will direct me to the third church.
Please keep me, my fellow UPSEM student colleagues, and our Presbytery in prayer.
---Jenni
Third Grade Bible Presentation – this Sunday!
Reed Collins and Natasha Hoffmeister will each receive their very own copy of God’s word. This is a beloved spiritual milestone for our families. We invite you to please pray for Reed and Tasha and their families as they continue to grow in faith.
This Sunday
Back to School Blessing: Bring your backpack to church for a special blessing!
Each student will receive a tag for their backpack to remind them they are LOVED.
We will bless the donated school supplies that are going to Carson Elementary School, as well.
A Prayer for Back to School (written by Rev. Traci Smith)
At the start of the school year, we are beginning something new
New things can be exciting
New things can be scary
New things can be wonderful
New things can be confusing
God, you are always with us
You are with us when things are exciting, or scary, or wonderful, or confusing
You are with us every day
And all the time
God, please help us to feel your presence with us on the first day of school, and every day, Amen
Children’s Music is moving to Wednesdays!
Children’s Music is moving to Wednesdays! STARTING – Sept.4th
(permission slips will be created and shared ASAP) Students K-6th grade will be picked up and walked to the church. Jenni will meet the younger group (K-3) at 3:30 pm at the Elementary School. Kristin will walk to the church with the Intermediate School (4-6) students once the buses arrive.
Schedule:
Arrival – 4:15 pm: Snack, games, homework, and chill
4:15-4:45 pm: Faith Formation
4:45-5:25 pm: Music
5:30-6:30 pm: Dinner and Wonderful Wednesday Worship
Thanks!
Jenni