DECEMBER, 2019

First Presbyterian Church

Street: 10612 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN 37379
Mail: P. O. Box 9, Soddy Daisy, TN 37384 Phone 423-332-2327
E-Mail firstpresbyterian@epbfi.com

Knitted Together
"...speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up into Him in every way who is the head, into Christ, from
whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is
working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love." Ephesians 4:15-16 RSV
"For Thou didst form my inward parts, Thou didst knit me together in my mother's womb."
Psalm 139:13 RSV

PASTOR’S NOTES:
As we are called to be believers, we must focus on God each day. We were created to
worship God and to be with God. “Emmanuel” means God with us. God created us to love
us and bless us, and to be with us. The more we focus on God, the more we get to know
about how high, how wide, and how deep God’s love is. Do you feel God’s love today?
We see and hear only the things we can see and hear. We are limited to do only the
things that we can do. But God is higher than all powers and far beyond who we are. God
can do far more than we can ever do. Whether you think you are in the time of happiness
or the time of sadness or hardship, God is with us as He always has been and God only
plans to give you the best. We just need to turn towards God and seek Him and God will
reveal Himself and helps us where we are because God is always at work.
Through the time of Thanksgiving and Advent, I hope we can look back and be able to see
where God has been and where God is today in our lives, and the work that He has been
doing in our hearts. More than anything, I hope we come to know and understand more of
God’s love through Jesus Christ, who came to save us and love us. We can be truly thankful
and rejoice regardless of our current situation because God is love, Jesus came to save us
and Jesus is enough! Amen.

Rev. Peter Choi

LET’S PRAY TOGETHER!

Members and Participants: Heather Shannon Batson, Becky Burchard, Angela Choi, Sherry Clark, Billy Crowe, Nita Crowe, Danny
Curvin, Dottie Curvin, Gene Curvin, Bud Ellis, Bill Newberry, Barbara Newman, Jan Newman, Dora Sowell, Doug Stephenson, Lorie
Tessmer, Delores White, Taylor Williams.

Family and Friends: Becky Burchard (Irene Ammons’ niece), The Clifton Family (friends of Linda Kurzenberger), Gary Cross (friend
of Bill Newberry), Kevin Daughtery (nephew of Jan Newman), Marilyn Kurzenberger-Wittke (family of John and Linda Kurzenber-
ger), Bobby Legg, David McCarell, Jerry Newman (Gary’s brother/Barbara’s son), Karen Smith, Vickie Sullivan, Jill Tobin, Sophia
Turner.

Military: Thomas Pelham and Family. (Thomas is the son of John and Jody Pelham; grandson of Billy and Nita Crowe).

1
 DECEMBER, 2019

NEWS FROM THE SESSION

As we move from fall into the Advent season, we pause to celebrate Thanksgiving and reflect on all the bless-
ings God has bestowed on us as His church and family. We remain ever thankful that God sent Rev. Choi and
his family to lead our congregation. We have been blessed by the generous gifts of former and current
members and friends. These have enabled us to support Rev. Choi and invest in needed work on our facilities
to better serve God in our community. We are also extremely grateful and excited to have new people at-
tending and participating in our programs. We look forward with anticipation to celebrating Jesus’ birth and
the opportunities to worship and serve Him. Planning has begun for the Advent season special events includ-
ing the Adult Christmas dinner, a cantata, an outdoor live Nativity scene, a children’s program and party, and
the Christmas eve communion service.
Looking back on serving our community, in October we provided 81 coats for needy children at Soddy Ele-
mentary school. At the worship service on Sunday, October 6, we joined Christians around the world in cele-
brating World Communion along with the collection of the Peace and Global Witness offering Our annual
Pumpkin Caper on Wednesday, October 30 provided a time for good food, fun, and fellowship. We sup-
ported the Soddy Daisy Middle school Veterans Day program on November 12 by providing a shuttle service
for teachers parking in our parking lot.
At the Congregational meeting in October we elected Linda Kurzenberger, Bill Rock, and Dottie Curvin to the
Elder Nominating Committee for the Session Class of 2022. Please let Rev. Choi or any member of the com-
mittee if you are willing to serve as an elder next year. The elders will be elected at the annual congrega-
tional meeting in January.
We took a big step forward to make improvements to our facilities with the painting of the classrooms and
Installing new flooring in the Fellowship Hall, kitchen, hallway, and classrooms. Thank you to master painter
Bobby McCree and his helpers Jim Hargrove and Casey Fuller for the painting. The flooring installation be-
came a bigger job than expected when asbestos tile was found underneath the old carpet. This almost dou-
bled the cost of the flooring and added several days to the project, but it was something that had to be done
for the health of everyone using our facilities. The new flooring is Luxury Vinyl Planking (LVP) which is dura-
ble, waterproof, easy to clean, and very attractive.
We hope everyone has a merry Christmas and can spend joyous time with family and friends. We know there
are many members and friends who are suffering with physical and emotional ailments. We continue to pray
for them and their families. May the Peace of Christ be with you.
Jim Hargrove, Clerk of Session

YOUTH NEWS — Youth Monthly Meetings are Coming!

In 2020, we are planning to have youth outings and regular meetings
at church each month. For each event, the church will support with
ride and the cost. Please pray for our Youth Ministry and share the
news to join our future events. (Photos) Christmas concert attended,
performed by Chattanooga music club. Also Delanie Dempsey
received the National Honor Society . Congratulations!
2
 DECEMBER, 2019

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES

Please join us in these activities as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
December 1, Sunday - 11:00am Worship 1st Sunday in Advent
December 6, Friday – 7:00pm Adult Christmas Party *Remember to Bring a gift/person for gift exchange!
December 8, Sunday – Worship with Communion
December 13, 14, Friday & Saturday – Live Nativity 5:00pm – 8:00pm
December 15, Sunday – 11:00am Worship Christmas Cantata
December 22, Sunday – 11:00am Worship and Christmas Joy Offering
December 22, Sunday – 6:00pm Children’s Christmas Sing Along followed by Children’s Party
December 24, Tuesday – 6:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Service
December 25, Wednesday – Christmas Day, No Wednesday night Bible Study
January 1, Wednesday – New Year’s Day, No Wednesday night Bible Study

MEN OF THE CHURCH

The men’s group meeting was held on November 30th, Saturday at 9:00 AM.
Allen Branum, former Deputy Chief of Police for Hamilton County was invited
as a speaker.
Our next men’s group meeting will be on Saturday, January 25th and Calvin
Nunley will be speaking for us.
*We will not have men’s group meeting in December.
Gary Newman, Coordinator

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN As 2 years of my service as a moderator comes to an end I would

like to say “Thank You” for the help and support everyone has
New Officers
given me with patience, kindness, love, and especially prayers.
Moderator - Jan Newman
Vice Moderator - Julia McRee
Secretary - Adrienne Hargrove In His service,
Treasurer - Becky May
Nancy Burks

ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Adult Christmas Party will be on Friday, Dec 6th at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Please remember to bring a gift for each person for our gift exchange.
Be ready to enjoy good food, fun, and Christian fellowship.

3
 DECEMBER, 2019

THE ANNUAL PUMPKIN CAPER

Over 40 adults and children enjoyed a wonderful time of food, fun, and fellowship at he annual Pumpkin Caper on
Wednesday, October 30. The women of the church provided a great dinner and cakes for the cake walk. Jan and Gary
Newman lead the games which included a jelly bean count, the cake walk and bingo with prizes for everyone.

The cake walk is always fun with prizes of delicious deserts baked by the women for the lucky winners.

Multiple rounds of Bingo...

let everyone be a winner.

Children had their

own fun activities

4
 DECEMBER, 2019

NEW FLOORING IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL AND ADJOINING SPACES

This was a major improvement project that became more complex and expensive when asbestos tile was
found underneath the old carpet.

Thanks to Rev. Choi and his family for holding the

For everyone’s safety, the entire impacted part of
Women’s Bible Study and the Wednesday Night
the church was sealed off while the old tile was
Bible Study at the manse during the repair.
removed.

We give thanks to God for the new floor and even the new water heater too!
The new Luxury Vinyl Plank floor is attractive and will wear and clean up better
than the old carpet. Thank you everyone for helping out.

5
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE, MISSION, AND FELLOWSHIP DECEMBER, 2019

INTERCESSORY PRAYER: Prayer Team in coming from California

Intercessory Prayer Team is coming to our church in December. Team of eight people in various ages, who
are friends of Rev. Peter Choi are coming from California. They will be staying from Friday, December 27th to
Wednesday, January 1st. They are coming to pray together. They will be praying, using Nehemiah 52 Prayer
Material, every day from 10am to 8pm. They will pray with us, for the church, congregation families, Soddy
Daisy to Hamilton County for it’s spiritual revival. We plan to do a prayer walk around the ground of our
church on Tuesday, December 31 from 10 am and will have lunch together with the team. This would be
great opportunity to come together as a church in prayer and seek God together!
If you have any question, please contact Rev. Choi for more information. Please join us on any day, at any
time, for any amount of time that you can join to pray together. It will be a wonderful opportunity to pray
together and experience amazing works of God through prayer.

Nehemiah 52 Prayer
Definition…
Nehemiah 52 Prayer is continuous, chained, united, and focused 52 weeks prayer movement in which individual churches, the body
of Christ, commit a week prayer of 144 hours as one unit, to continue for 52 weeks a year in order for them to be recovered as the
places of prayer with the purpose in the revival of the Kingdom of God and completion of His great commission.

Background...
The birth of the Nehemiah 52 Prayer was from the retreat for the prayer team which was held in January, 2008, remembering
Nehemiah who have made the history of reconstructing the fallen wall within 52 days with a plow in one hand and a weapon on
the other with God’s direction. The Nehemiah of today is those who will set blazing fire of prayers for the restoration of the nations
for 52 days at the churches in their own districts.

Hope House at UTC (PCUSA)

Hope House is a campus ministry of the Presbytery of East Tennessee whose mission is “Making God known by modeling the
radical hospitality of Jesus Christ.” Beyond the traditional campus ministry offerings like weekly Bible study, fellowship, prayer,
worship leading, and volunteer opportunities, Hope is a ministry of evangelism that reaches those both inside and outside the
church by being the hands and feet of Christ. Hope is unique in that students of diverse faith, background, culture, economic
status, ability, theology, race, sexuality, and gender find a place that not only allows but encourages conversations and relation-
ships between people who might not otherwise have a chance to hear and see and learn from others who are different from
them.
Modeling the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ is about who we are and not our expectations of others. It is journeying alongside
students, offering respite for the weary, praying for them, reminding one another that NOTHING can separate us from the love of
God, and that they are in a space of grace. We believe we are modeling the gospel as Jesus Christ intended.
One of the ways we do this is by offering resources to students. 47% of students on UTC's campus have reported being food inse-
cure. These are the same students many of us have packed snack packs for, tutored, and volunteered our time to be with. They
have worked so hard and have come so far, have received scholarships to help cover college classes, but those students’ realities at
home have remained the same: the money for room/board/books/bills/fees is not there. These students have almost broken out
of the cycle of poverty, but being forced to choose between eating and buying their books is a reality.
Hope House is a place where students can have access to free or donation based resources: washer/dryer, wifi, computers/
printers, quiet study spaces, as well as access to food and drink daily. Every Tuesday Hope House offers a free hot meal, and many
of you have volunteered and given to this program where we feed over 150 students weekly.
Hope House's goals for Giving Tuesday this year are: recruit 5 new recurring donations, increase alumni giving by 25%, and
raise $2,730, which will allow us to provide meals to 15 students for the next semester.
Consider giving in honor or memory of a loved one, as a gift to a friend or family member, or helping to sponsor a student by giving
$182 with a one time or recurring donation. You can donate online at www.HopeUTC.org or simply mail a check to Hope House,
808 Vine Street, Chattanooga, TN 373403.
As always, we are so thankful to those who have supported this ministry with their time, money, and talents. In gratitude,

Rev. Tricia Dillon Thomas, Director/Campus Minister

Hope House UKirk at UTC 6
 DECEMBER, 2019

CHURCH SCHEDULE
SERVICES:
Each Sunday: Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Mission opportunities:
Adults in Fellowship Hall
Worship 11:00 a.m. Gifts of Talents:
COMMUNION December 8
Newsletter Editor: Monthly (talk to Rev. Choi)
NURSERY: Caregiver Kathleen Djami
available for children ages cradle to 4 years old; Knitting— no meeting in December
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP: Children ages 5 to 5th grade
Movie Nights will resume in January 2020.
* See Linda Kurzenberger if you are available to volunteer

Each Wednesday: Fellowship of the Table:

Adult Bible Study /Youth and Children’s Activities 6:30 p.m. Lunch following Sunday worship—various locations
Caregiver Kathleen Djami available Covered dish dinner Wednesday night —6:30 p.m.

Men of the Church Meeting

Opportunities of serving:
No meeting in December
Presbyterian Women—
Next meeting is on January 25, 2020
PW Circle— December 10th 10AM at Church
Acolytes—6 years and older
Greeters—for Sunday morning worship
Children’s Ministry—teachers, assistants

The Mission of First Presbyterian Church, Soddy-Daisy,

is answering the call to serve the needs of others in the Spirit of Christ.

We love to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries with our church

family. Please share your special dates and we will include it too!

DECEMBER 2019
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 ADVENT 2 3 4 5 6 7
Sunday School 10AM
No activities Adult Christmas
Worship 11AM
Party 7 PM
Gary Shannon

8 ADVENT 9 10 11 12 13 14
Sunday School 10AM Presbyterian Dinner 6:30PM LIVE NATIVITY LIVE NATIVITY
Worship 11AM Women’s
Bible Study 7PM 5 - 8 PM 5 - 8 PM
COMMUNION Bible Study 10AM
Youth Study 7PM
Casey Fuller Dottie Curvin

15 ADVENT 16 17 18 19 20 21
Sunday School 10AM Jim Hargrove
Worship 11AM Dinner 6:30PM
Bible Study 7PM
CHRISTMAS CANTATA Youth Study 7PM

22 ADVENT 23 24 25 26 27 28
Sunday School 10AM Christina Perrine
CHRISTMAS EVE No activities Intercessory Intercessory
Worship 11AM Bobby&Julia McRee CANDLELIGHT & Prayer Team Prayer 10AM-8PM
COMMUNION SERVICE Charlie Burks Arrival
CHILDREN’S
6PM
CHRISTMAS PARTY

29 ADVENT 30 31
Sunday School 10AM Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory Prayer
Worship 11AM 10AM
10AM-10PM
Intercessory Prayer (Nehemiah Prayer) (Praying for the church
2PM & lunch)

7
 8
Soddy Daisy, TN 37384
P. O. Box 9
First Presbyterian Church
Knitted Together will be published monthly near the 1st of the month. Please send items to publish
to Pastor Peter, soddydaisypc@gmail.com by the 20th of the previous month. Thank you.
Our newsletter staff is: (production manager); Jim Hargrove (distribution manager).
Review editors include Effie Heiss, Doug Stephenson, Danny Curvin, Peter Choi.
Please give Jim Hargrove (423-760-8787; jhargrove@epbfi.com) the names, mailing addresses or
email addresses of family and friends, and possible new members, so that we can send them our
monthly newsletter. Please let Jim know if you prefer your newsletter via email.
Newsletter can also be found on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/FPC37379
Church telephone number is 423-332-2327. Church email is firstpresbyterian@epbfi.com.
DECEMBER, 2019