Monday, November 12, 2012

November 2012




A Note from Pastor Ben
Dear Friends,

For every “Thou Shalt Not” found in the Ten Commandments, there is a positive directive. For example, when the ten commandments say “Thou shalt not steal,” the positive directive is “you shall be generous.” Under this understanding of the Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt not make and worship a graven image,” becomes “you shall have a true understanding of who God is.” “Thou Shalt not commit adultery” becomes “you shall—if you are married—be a good and faithful spouse.” “Thou shalt not murder” becomes “you shall have a reverence for life.” “Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor” becomes “you shall say what is good and true about your neighbor.” “Thou shalt not take the Lord’ name in vain” becomes “you shall speak God’s name in ways that glorify God.”

As we live into November, it seems worth looking at the tenth commandment and at it’s positive directive. The tenth commandment demands, “Thou shalt not covet [envy or lust after] anything that belongs to your neighbor.” The positive directive derived from the command not to covet is this: “be thankful for what is yours.”

It can be hard to live lives that do not violate this tenth commandment. Most of us want what is unavailable to us—either because we cannot afford it or because it simply belongs to someone else—and gratitude can be elusive, especially when we live in a world surrounded by stuff that is unattainable.

However difficult it is to give thanks, however, gratitude is good and the work of giving thanks is important. When we give thanks we are freed from the need to pursue what we do not need. When we are grateful we are better able to focus our energies on what is important. When we are not seeking after the elusive pleasures of consumerism, we are better able to serve God.

This is why I am so happy to live in a country that sets aside a day each year to give thanks. The celebration of Thanksgiving is a great service to the American people. It makes us better by making us happier and healthier.

So give thanks every day, but especially on Thanksgiving, remember all that you have that is good and beautiful and true and be grateful.

Gratefully,
Ben

Financial Update
Sue Williams, Treasurer

























In addition, congregational members have been quietly giving to the roof loan pay-down effort.  Since the beginning of the year, we have received almost $900 which has been directed toward paying down the roof loan.  Thank you for sharing your bounty with the church.

While the roof loan payments are progressing nicely, we need to keep our pledged giving in mind.  As you can see by the charts, we are already behind.  During the budgeting process, we tried to predict the typical seasonal flow of giving, and based on prior year trends, we are already behind.  If you are able, please catch up your pledged giving.  If you would like information about your status, please contact either Nancy or Peg and they can provide you with the status of your giving account.


Halloween Festival a Successful and
Appreciated Community Event!!!
(Thanks to the volunteers and to those who made donations)

A special thank you to all who helped make the 2012 Halloween Festival happen:
  • Decorating on Friday and Saturday morning – Connie Carpio, Liz Barragan, Gary and Ryan Robertson and Scouts from Troup 13, Herb and Jan Miller, Jerry Siegfried, Bill and Nancy Leonard, Julie Cline and Christine Harkins and Peg Nickl;
  • Setting up and running games – Kevin Rockwood, Ronn and Anna Ealy, Sue LeValley, Jan Miller; Peg Nickl and Michelle Cassillas;
  • Fortune teller – Joanne Sanchez;
  • Manning the Trick or Treat doors – Jahn Wallace and Angie Carillo, Don Village, Harvey LeValley and Virginia Siegfried;
  • Thanks to the Siegfrieds – Jerry, Jeff, Brian, Yvonne and Darlene – for the wagon ride;
  • For the Enchanted House organized by Julie Cline and manned by Julie and Dana Marino and helped by the Nickl brothers;
  • And of course, the kitchen crew – Darlene Ristrim, Ruby Milam, Bill and Sue Waldrop, Joyce Banks and Rene’ Banks;
  • Greeters – Gay Southwell and Jane Wallace;
  • Popcorn lady – Tine Ude;
Thanks to everyone for help with the take down and clean-up – especially Heather Paunet who stayed late to vacuum so the narthex would be ready for Sunday morning.

Halloween means candy and lots of it, so thanks to all of the church family and friends, including the Jazzersize ladies who brought candy.

Extra candy and hotdogs were donated to the Lord’s Pantry before Halloween.

Nancy and Bill Leonard and Peg Nickl


*Special Days*
Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch
Tuesday, November 20th

*Spiritual Message is Giving*

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you
Luke 6:38

Preschool is Closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23

The Semibreve
Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries

MANY THANKS!
Schola Cantorum
To Dawn Imada, Dana and Benjamin Marino, Carol Tillman, Patty Potter for all the help at the Schola Cantorum concert.

South Bay Philharmonic
To Carolyn Clark and Shana Zajdel for preparing and setting up the food; Julie Cline for taking pictures; Herb Miller for averting a mess; Carol Tillman for being a great Associate who takes care of everything when I’m running around; Don Village for staying till the end to help clean up.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO!

TOM’S THOUGHTS…
Schola Contorum San Francisco presented a program of vocal works from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The motets, villancicos, and chansons were nicely arranged for the group and were well performed. The brief introductions by the choirmaster to some of the works were well thought out, informative, and entertaining.

The evening was organized into 4 parts by country, or at least language since some of the writers were not natives of the country in question. Music from France, England, Italy, and Spain was performed. Most works were presented by the entire group, but the one of the Italian pieces was done by a quartet. A second Italian piece was handled as a soloist with chorus, with the soloist performing in a more operatic style. Since the piece was by Monteverdi, a leader in Italian opera at this time, this seemed wholly appropriate. Several of the pieces had the addition of harpsichord, which was supportive but not intrusive.

Despite the variety mentioned above, it should be noted that almost all of the pieces were highly consonant with mainly the pieces by Dowland and Monteverdi showing a little creative dissonance to add interest. The arrangements used many different structures, but were also mostly very similar in style. Someone perhaps more familiar with music from this period might have been able to make the distinction, but this reviewer had a hard time detecting any national character to the pieces, despite the organizing principle of the concert.

In summary, an enjoyable late afternoon of early music from across Europe.

-contributed by *Tom Frey

-* Tom Frey is Julie Cline’s cool and smart husband.

FOOTHILL MESSIAH SING-A-LONG
Sunday, December 2nd, 4 PM

Ever find yourself humming or singing the Hallelujah Chorus? Well, now's your chance to sing it alongside music lovers in the community. The best part is you'll be accompanied by a professional orchestra! Wow!

Don’t miss the Foothill Messiah Sing-a-Long on December 2nd at 4 PM. Rehearsal with the orchestra will be on Saturday, Dec 1st at 11 AM. Attendance is highly encouraged.

Suggested Donation $10

Proceeds will benefit the Foothill Community Concert Series. The Foothill Community Concert Series is a member of the Silicon Valley Art Coalition. Thank you for your support.

Hope to see you there!

HANDEL’S MESSIAH DURING WORSHIP SERVICE
Sunday, December 9th, 10:30 AM

With the help of generous donations into the Psalm 150 fund, we are so blessed to be able to present Handel’s Messiah (Part 1) again! Joining our chancel choir and singers from other churches, professional and semi-professional musicians will offer Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah at the December 9th worship service.

Rehearsals are ongoing - Thursdays from 8-9 PM during chancel choir rehearsals. We encourage you to attend.

12TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF CAROLS
Friday, December 14th, 7 PM

Foothill Presbyterian Church musical ensembles and guests come together to usher in the Season of Advent through music. This year features the Foothill Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, Glory Ringers bell choir, the Peralta Consort early music group, Sine Nomine, our talented soloists, and our special friends Voices of the Valley.

Suggested Donation: Non-perishable food items, or a new pair of socks to benefit the Lord's Pantry and First Presbyterian San Jose's Bag Lunch program.

Incidentally, I will be at KKUP 91.5 on Friday, December 14th at 1:30 PM promoting this and other upcoming concerts. Don’t forget to tune in!

SNEAK PEAK OF UPCOMING CONCERTS
Albany Consort – Saturday, Feb 9th, 3 PM
Lawrence (Ronn) Ealy – Feb 10th

HYMN SINGING THROUGHOUT DECEMBER
Our Ukelele players Julie Cline, Carol Goedde, Dawn Imada (and me on keys) will be leading us in singing our favorite Christmas carols throughout December. Hymn singing will be held 15 minutes before next month’s worship services. Come join us!

WHAT’S UP IN THE HOOD?
*Vivace Youth Chorus Preparatory and Intermediate Choirs will be performing at The Atrium San Jose Retirement on December 12th at 4:45 PM.

MONTLY TIDBIT
Schola Cantorum is a:
a) music school
b) place where people chant
d) gastrointestinal disorder
e) singing group
f) Buddhist monastery

Hint: Latin

Please email me your complete response. If yours is correct, you get to choose the closing hymn of the final worship service this month. First one to let me know the correct answer gets the prize! Hurry!

After School Art Activities on Wednesday Afternoons 
in the Fellowship Hall at FPC:
Beginning in January, Christine Harkins and Julie Cline will be providing art lessons for children and youths aged 6 to 12 years. Together, Christine and Julie have experience with a variety of media: oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastes, collage and sculpting. Both also have had many years of experience working with children. As the classes progress and the instructors become familiar with their students, , Christine and Julie hope to fashion lessons that reflect their students' particular talents and interests. Classes will begin at 3:30 PM and end at 5:00 PM. The cost will be $ 65 for a 6 weeks session. The deadline for registration is December 19th. For more information or to sign up, please contact Julie Cline (juliacline@sbcglobal.net or 408-258-4984).