Pine Cone Press
Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 5340
1805 Pine Tree Road
Longview, Texas 75608
(903) 759-2685
Rev. Cindy Barton, Pastor
(442) 235-1393
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: https://www.pinetreecpchurch.org
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From the Pastor: Prepare to Receive and Share the Light of Christ!
Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”
We have begun the season of Advent in the church calendar. Advent means “coming”. In the four weeks before Christmas, we observe traditions that help us to focus on the light of Christ. Advent is a time of expectation, waiting, and spiritual preparation. Celebration of the birth of Jesus takes on greater meaning when we recognize our deep need for a Savior in the darkness of the world. Lighting of Advent candles depicts our growing understanding that Jesus was born to save us from sin and darkness. As we celebrate the first coming of Jesus, his birth in human form, we also wait in expectation for his promised return: we prepare our hearts for the fulfillment of God’s promise, the coming of his kingdom on earth.
The Advent wreath is a circle that emphasizes God’s infinite grace and love: it has no beginning and no end. Evergreens remind us of everlasting life, made possible for us by the work of Jesus Christ. The traditional Advent wreath has four purple or blue candles grouped around a central white candle. Purple candles symbolize the coming of Christ from the royal line of King David: Jesus comes as the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace! A pink candle, symbolizing joy, commonly marks the third Sunday of Advent. It’s use to brighten the somber mood of Advent penitence dates back to the Latin church of the Middle Ages. The central white candle, larger than the others, represents the light of Christ.
Meaning is attributed to the candles of Advent in several ways. The first candle reflects expectation or hope. The second candle reminds us that we are in a season of preparation, seeking peace. The third candle represents proclamation and joy. The fourth candle represents the revelation of God’s love in the gift of his Son as our Savior. Other aspects of Christ’s first coming that may be tied to the candles are the Prophets, Bethlehem, Shepherds, and Angels. The season of Advent ends on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, when the white Christ candle will be lit. The Advent vigil is completed when Christ the Lord arrives! We light Advent candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ; let us prepare ourselves!
Prepare yourself to receive and share the light of Christ by reading the word of God. Lectionary scriptures for the Sundays of Advent are printed on our prayer list each week of Advent and are also available on our church website.
Important Dates to Remember
Sunday, December 7 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Communion
Second Sunday of Advent
Thursday, December 11 Session Meeting 1:00 P.M.
Sunday, December 14 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Noon Meal
Third Sunday of Advent
Saturday. December 20 CPWM - 10:30 A.M.
Sunday, December 21 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Service
4:00 P.M.
Thursday, December 25 Christmas Day
Sunday, December 28 Sunday School – 9:30 A.M.
Worship – 10:30 A.M.
1st Sunday after Christmas
Wednesday, December 31 New Year’s Eve
Christmas Caroling in December
Pine Tree CPC members have expressed a desire to spread the joy of Christmas by singing carols at selected nursing facilities in December. We will gather to practice carols after worship on December 7 and 14. We plan to visit two nursing facilities the third weekend in the month. The specific venues and times for this musical offering have not yet been scheduled. Come sing with us for Sunday practices and we will keep you updated on our plans!
Christmas Eve Worship Service
Pine Tree CP Church will hold our traditional Christmas Eve worship service, including candle-lighting and communion, at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, December 24. Please join us as we ponder once again the beauty and mystery of Christ’s birth.
Poinsettias for Christmas
You are invited to bring a poinsettia (real or artificial) in memory of a loved one who has passed away or to honor someone who brings joy to your daily life. Poinsettias and the names of those honored or remembered may be brought to the church between December 15 to 24 during our regular business hours. We will use the flowers in decorating for the Christmas Eve worship service.
Pine Tree CPWM Activities
The Pine Tree CPWM met on October 18. At the business meeting, we voted to welcome male members to join us and received one new member! Helen Nunn presented the program, based on Isaiah 40:31, focusing us on the amazing strength and resilience of eagles, and reminding us that those who hope in the Lord will soar like these majestic birds. We enjoyed special food prepared and beautifully served by new member Brad Karl. We packaged treats and Bible verses for 65 residents at Pine Tree Lodge, which were delivered at Halloween.
We delivered ten shoeboxes packed with gifts for children of various ages during Operation Christmas Child Collection Week. These gifts will be distributed by Samaritan’s Purse along with prepared literature to spread the good news of the gospel of Christ in many countries of the world.
The next meeting of the Pine Tree CPWM will be Saturday, December 20 at 10:30 A.M. at the church. We will prepare platters of Christmas cookies for members who reside in nursing facilities or whose mobility challenges prevent regular attendance at church gatherings.
Outreach Dinner for Those in Need
On Thursday, December 18, we will hold our first outreach dinner for those in need, serving a hot meal to visitors from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Dine-in meal service will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Helpers are needed in food preparation, service, and clean-up. Consider joining us in this effort to care for hungry people in our community. The menu for this event is yet to be determined.
