First Presbyterian Church                       December 2023

                           

        Managing Christmas Stress

 

Angelic visits often start with the pronouncement, “Do not be afraid,” “Fear not,” or something to that effect.  In Luke 2:10, this is said to the shepherds and it is followed by, “I am bringing you good news of great joy,” and the prediction of Jesus’ birth.   When the angel Gabriel gives a similar announcement to Mary (Luke 1:26), he also has to reassure her to allay her fears.  Granted, he had to explain the whole virgin birth concept to her (which was somewhat stressful for Mary), but I find it interesting how  overwhelming angels and their messages tend to be.

The English word “gospel” is based on the Greek word Euaggalion, which literally means “good news”.  I try to be positive and encouraging in my sermon messages each Sunday and have some good news to tell in them.  Even so, there is much bad news out there, and even good news can be stressful when one does not know what to expect from it.  For example, when the shepherds left their flocks at night in order to meet Jesus, it was probably stressful for them not to mention the sheep themselves.

Anxiety, even over good developments, has a way of increasing when there is uncertainty.  So how does one manage it?  Well, let’s take a look at Mary and how she dealt with her first Christmas stress.  The first thing that she does is to gather information about what Gabriel had just told her.  She does this by asking him a question, “How can this be?”  He goes on to explain further until she finally understands and accepts his message by saying, “let it be with me according to your word.”

Mary does not simply wait around after Gabriel leaves for events to unfold though.  She visits her cousin Elizabeth and shares with her what has happened, which is perhaps also a way of protecting herself from the stigma of being an unwed mother.  Joseph has yet not been visited by the Angel Gabriel, who will later explain to him why he should not break off his engagement with Mary.  Incidentally, Elizabeth was thought to be barren but was made miraculously pregnant with Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist at about the same time.  When they meet, both women rejoice together about what God has done for them and will someday do in the lives of their children.

This last part reminds me of the importance of “living in the moment” and how this too can be a form of faith.  While it is good to plan ahead, not worrying about tomorrow’s problems today is a very good way to manage anxiety.  This is particularly true for potential problems that may or may not happen, especially if we do not have any control over their occurrence.  I cannot tell you how much time I have wasted worrying about things that never happened, so I am really preaching to myself here.  Good news invariably brings change, and change will always have some stress or anxiety associated with it.  Still, for this Christmas, may we learn to live in the moment once again of Christ’s birth and the world changing spiritual revolution that it set in motion.  For he is our Emmanuel, “God who is with us”.

Rev. Walter Stuber 

First Presbyterian Church 

11988 W. Main St., Wolcott, NY   14590

585-217-6030  stuberman1@yahoo.com

www.wolcottpresbyterian.com   

 

          Deacons’ Christmas Envelopes 

 

There are Deacon Christmas envelopes in the Narthex. Your donations will help some elderly people this year!  

 

             Christmas Concert   

 

The Christmas in Wolcott Concert sponsored by Lyons National Bank will be on Sunday, December 10that 3 p.m. at the Wolcott Presbyterian Church.  Admission is free.  All cash donations will benefit the regional food pantry.  Refreshments will be served this year.  We will need cookies so if you are able to help out, that would be great.

  

               Youth Christmas Pageant

 

On Sunday, December 17th the children and youth of the church will do a Christmas pageant.  Just show up at 9:30 a.m. for Sunday School that day, and they can pick what part they do for the 10:30 a.m. service.

 

 

              Christmas Boxes

 

The Christmas Boxes will be distributed on Tuesday, December 19.

 

 

           Pop-Up Choir

 

There will be a pop-up choir on the morning of December 24.  

 

                             Christmas Eve Service

​  There will be an ecumenical Christmas Eve Service at our church this year at 

7 p.m.  Ecumenical choir practices will be held on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. on December 5, 12, and 19.

 

 

            Steps of Faith Dance Studio Recital

 

Steps of Faith Dance Studio will be having a recital at our church on January 27th at

  5 p.m.                         Upcoming Events

 

Sunday, December 10th:  3 p.m.  Christmas Concert

Sunday, December 17th:  Youth Christmas Pageant

 

Tuesday, December 19th:  Community Christmas Boxes   

 

Saturday, December 24th:  7 p.m.   Ecumenical Christmas Eve Service 

 

 

            Financial Report

 

Contact Walter for Numbers

 

 

  In Our Thoughts

 

Perhaps you would like to send a Christmas card to the following people in our church family:

 

Valerie Cahoon:  c/o of William Cahoon, 12341 Bovee Road, Wolcott, NY   14590

 

Joyce Granger:  Seneca Nursing & Rehab. Ctr., 200  Douglas Drive, Waterloo, NY   13165

Edith Hutchings:  Wayne County Nursing Home, Garden Valley Room 171, 1529 Nye Rd., Lyons, NY  14489

           Maxine Pankratz:  Sunset Nursing and Rehab. Ctr., 232 Academy Street, Boonville, NY              13309-1397

Eleanor Stevenson:  Newark Manor, 222 W. Pearl Street, Newark, NY   14513 

 

Bob Strong:  c/o Stuart Strong, 3636 Estate Circle, Larkspur, CO   80118

Arlene Youngman:  Wayne County Nursing Home, 1529 Nye Rd., Lyons, NY  14489..

 

 

        December Anniversaries

       Bill & Cheryl Gilbert           12/31/67

    Randy & Marti Ann Gillette  12/28/73

    Mike & Laurie Johnson12/27/14

    Richard & Izetta Younglove12/22/71

 

           December Birthdays 

Tammy Vezzose12/18

Henry Felker12/11

Chris Kenyon12/4

Jackie Lockwood12/18

Michael Lockwood12/8

Maxine Pankratz12/9

Rich Steves12/25

Dan Tatum12/27

Noel Tyler12/25

Luna Vezzose12/25

Marissa Vezzose12/22

Izetta Younglove12/31