November 2025 Newsletter

 

DST Ends

Don’t forget! Daylight Saving Time ends on Sun., Nov. 2^nd, at midnight. Remember the handy saying: “Spring forward, fall back.” Before you turn in on Saturday night, be sure to set your clocks back one hour. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep, and come to worship on Sunday morning feeling rested, refreshed, and ready to praise the Lord!

Sound Board Volunteer

While Neal & Debbie Crouse were away enjoying a wonderful cruise in the Caribbean, Jennie Woods graciously stepped in to operate the sound system and PowerPoint slides during Sunday worship services. Ryan Nunley also offered a helping hand. We are deeply grateful to Jennie and Ryan for their willing spirit and faithful service. Your dedication helps keep our worship running smoothly—thank you both!

Veterans Day Lunch

Each year, on Nov. 11^th, our nation pauses to observe Veterans Day, a time to remember and give thanks for the men and women who have served in the armed forces. The date marks the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month—signifying peace after great sacrifice. We celebrate this day not simply as a national holiday, but as a sacred opportunity to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who have worn the uniform. Their dedication has helped protect the freedoms and values we hold dear. As people of faith, we recognize that such selfless service reflects the spirit of Christ, who taught us to lay down our lives for others. To express our gratitude in a small but heartfelt way, Pastor Je invites all veterans in our congregation to join him for lunch at Pizza Hut on Tue., Nov. 11^th, at 11:30 AM The meal is his treat, offered in appreciation for your faithful service to our country and community. Let us remember to keep our veterans in our prayers—thanking God for their courage, their families, and the peace we enjoy through their service.

In Loving Memory

We share with sorrow yet with hope in Christ the passing of two beloved sisters in our church family.

Susan Michelle Giger, age 56, entered the Church Triumphant on Tue., Oct. 14^th, at Homewood Health Campus. Susan was a faithful member of our congregation, a devoted daughter, and a loving mother. Though there was no formal service, a visitation was held on Wed., Oct. 29^th, at Myers Mortuary. Please keep her family in your prayers during this difficult time. Her obituary can be read online at: https://www.myersmortuary.com/obituaries/susan-giger/#!/Obituary

We also give thanks for the life of Leanna Woody, age 92, who passed away on Tue., Oct. 21^st, at The Village of Avon. Leanna was a lifelong member of Thorntown Presbyterian Church, where she faithfully served as organist, pianist, choir director, and leader of the Presbyterian Handbell Choir. When Thorntown PC closed, she transferred her membership to us and continued her life of worship and service here.

Her Celebration of Life was held on Tue., Oct. 28^th, at Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary. In a touching act of faith and devotion, she chose to be laid to rest in her choir robe, as written in her will. Please remember her family in your prayers. Her obituary may be found at: https://www.strawmyerdrury.com/obituary/leanna-woody

As we grieve their absence, we also rejoice in the promise of eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Gourmet Seekers

Please note that there will be no Gourmet Seekers’ meeting in November, as the usual date falls the day after Thanksgiving. We hope everyone enjoys this special time of gratitude and fellowship with family and friends. The Gourmet Seekers will take a short break and resume their gatherings in January. Stay tuned for details—and come hungry for good food and great company!

Love INC Annual Banquet

Love INC will hold its Annual Banquet on Thu., Nov. 6^th, at Zionsville Fellowship Church, from 5:30 PM, with a silent auction and other enjoyable activities to follow. The cost is $40 per person or $300 for a table of eight. Our church has already reserved a table, so if you would like to attend and join in this evening of fellowship and inspiration, please contact Nancy Turner. Your participation helps support its ongoing mission of sharing Christ’s love through practical acts of service.

MHA Boone County

On Tue., Sep. 30^th, Pastor Je and Nancy Turner, Chair of the Mission & Outreach Committee, visited Mental Health America of Boone County (MHA) to present a $1,000 donation on behalf of our church. The cheque was received by Pascal Fettig, President, and Katie Pollock, Senior Vice President. MHA provides many valuable programs for the youth of Boone County, including BASE, School Breaks/Day Camp, and Growing Minds Preschool. They also offer a safe haven for victims of domestic violence, providing emergency housing and essential support when needed. Our donation will assist MHA’s Victims of Domestic Violence Program, helping to provide Christmas gifts for children living in temporary accommodations as a result of domestic violence. We give thanks for the opportunity to support this meaningful ministry, sharing God’s love with those in need right here in our community.

Per Capita 2025

Per Capita 2025 is $44.66 per member. $30.01 goes to the Presbytery of Wabash Valley, $3.81 goes to the Synod of Lincoln Trails, and $10.84 goes to the OGA. If you haven’t paid yours, please do so before the end of this year.

Serving This Month

The elder of the month is Nancy Turner. The liturgist of the month is Roy Flanary.

Church Building Maintenance

Our church home has received a few much-needed repairs and improvements. Several light bulbs in the sanctuary were replaced by Willis Electric and they did not charge for the service. The crumbling stairway on the east side of the building has also been repaired by Archway Concrete LLC, ensuring safer and sturdier steps for everyone. And, after a long wait, the Air Conditioning units for both the church office and the sanctuary have finally been repaired by Blue Fox—just in time for the cooler weather, of course! LMC Solutions came in for the winter maintenance of the furnace. We are grateful for these updates and for all who help maintain our building. Thanks to our Property Committee—Roy Flanary and Bruce McConnell—for their faithful care and diligent oversight.

Harvest Dinner

Our Annual Harvest Dinner will be held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving—Nov. 23^rd, following the worship service. As in past years, the church will provide turkeys and drinks. Everyone is invited to bring appetizers, desserts, or any other favorite dishes to share. For those who prefer not to cook, the Care & Nurture Committee (chaired by Nancy Kincaid) will arrange a selection of catered appetizers and desserts. A donation basket will be available in the Fellowship Hall to help cover the catering costs, and a sign-up sheet will be posted for side dishes. And yes—Pastor Je will cook his famous “Don’t-Tell-the-Doctor” turkeys with bacon! Come hungry, come thankful, and come ready to share in this cherished time of food, fellowship, and gratitude.

Mission Guest Speaker

We are delighted to welcome Matt Wilson, Executive Director of Boone County Mentoring Partnership (BCMP), as our guest speaker during the Harvest Dinner on Sun., Nov. 23^rd. BCMP is a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping Boone County youth reach their full potential through one-on-one mentoring relationships. The program connects caring adult volunteers with young people who can benefit from encouragement, guidance, and positive role models. By fostering consistent and supportive connections, BCMP helps youth build confidence, set goals, and make healthy choices for their future. Matt Wilson leads BCMP with a deep commitment to community service and youth development. Under his leadership, BCMP continues to strengthen its outreach to local schools, families, and volunteers—building a brighter future for the next generation through compassion and connection. Matt will also be joining us for the Harvest Dinner, so please take a moment to greet him, share a meal, and learn more about how to support or get involved in this life-changing ministry.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is one of America’s most cherished traditions—a time when families and friends gather to share a meal and give thanks for the blessings of the year. For us as Americans, it’s a moment to remember our shared heritage of gratitude, community, and generosity. For us as Christians, it’s a sacred reminder that every good gift comes from God. True thanksgiving is not just a holiday but a posture of the heart, recognizing God’s grace in both abundance and need. As we gather around our tables this year, may our gratitude deepen our faith, strengthen our love for one another, and inspire us to share God’s blessings with the world.

PPM

PPM has been very busy since returning from Fall Break. Decorating pumpkins, making spiders, bats and reading a lot of fun Halloween books. On Wed. we encouraged the kids to dress as a favorite Book Character, we had a lot of fun costumes. PPM teachers also dressed up in a different color of crayon. There are so many great books about crayons, but my favorite is The Day the Crayons Quit. The children were also invited to walk over to the Prosecutor’s Office to go trick-or-treating. What a great way to teach the children firsthand about community helpers and being good neighbors. Trying to get 90 kids across SR 39 was not easy but the kids had so much fun. Thank you to Pastor Je for taking pictures for us.  As Oct. comes to an end and a new month begins our lessons will focus on family, friendship and what it means to be Thankful. One of my favorite old hymns this time of year is Count Your Blessings. Years ago, I taught one of my classes this old hymn and after we would each say something we were blessed for. What are your blessings this year? At the end of Nov., we will celebrate the holiday with a fun Thanksgiving lunch feast with of course pumpkin pie for dessert. PPM is excited to be working with Boone County Cake Company for a fundraiser this year. More details will be sent out next week in the Midweek. This year the funds raised will go towards purchasing 2 AED machines for the church.

Miss Natalie has been busy working with the classes for the Christmas program. Listening to 90 kids singing Hark the Harold Angels Sing is priceless. We hope you can join us on Fri. Dec. 5^th at 10:30am. PPM is Thankful for you the church for supporting our program. Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Je’s Vacation

During the Lebanon Schools’ fall break, Pastor Je took a week of vacation with his family. After the Session meeting on Tue. evening, they set out for a trip to Niagara Falls, visiting both the U.S. and Canadian sides. Crossing into Canada was quick, but the return trip to the U.S. was quite another story—delayed by long lines at the border due to the federal government shutdown, which left only a few lanes open while hundreds of cars waited. Despite the delay, it was a memorable trip. Samuel was absolutely mesmerized by the grandeur and beauty of the mighty falls, and the family returned home refreshed and grateful for a wonderful time together.

Brainstorming Together

As many of you know, Eli Lilly’s new pharmaceutical campus is currently under construction. This major development will include corporate offices, manufacturing facilities, research laboratories, and distribution centers. Once completed, it is expected to bring hundreds of permanent jobs to our community.

This also means that many new employees—and their families—may be moving into our town. In anticipation, Session has begun discussing two important questions:

1.      How can we warmly welcome these new neighbors to our community?

2.     How can we extend an invitation for them to become part of our church family?

Because the construction will take a few more years, we have time to prepare thoughtfully. Pastor Je and the Session now invite all of you to join in this conversation. Your prayers, insights, and creative ideas are essential as we consider how to embody Christ’s love to our future neighbors.

Please share your suggestions with your Session members or with Pastor Je directly. Together, let us discern how God may be calling us to open our doors and hearts in this new season of opportunity.

Season of Advent

This year, the Season of Advent begins at the end of Nov., marking the start of the Christian year and the four-week journey that leads us to Christmas. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival,” reminding us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ—our Savior, our Emmanuel. For us as Christians, Advent is a sacred time of hope, peace, joy, and love. It calls us to pause amid the busyness of the season and to reflect on the twofold meaning of Christ’s coming—His humble birth in Bethlehem long ago, and His promised return in glory. We light the Advent candles each week not only to count down the days until Christmas, but to rekindle the light of faith within our hearts. As we wait, we remember that God is faithful, His promises are sure, and His light still shines in the darkness.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”— John 1:5

Sermon Series

This November, Pastor Je will lead a Reformation Sermon Series over three Sundays, beginning Nov. 2^nd. Last year’s series focused on the major reformers—the well-known figures who shaped the Reformation. This year, we will turn our attention to the lesser-known reformers: John Wycliffe, Dirk Willems, and Argula von Grumbach—faithful servants whose courage and conviction also helped shape the Church we know today.

During Advent, Pastor Je will continue with an Advent and Christmas sermon series exploring the cities of the Nativity—journeying through Nazareth, Bethlehem, Cairo, Jerusalem, and Baghdad. To refresh your memory, last year’s Advent series featured monologues of the Nativity characters such as Mary, Joseph, King Herod, the parents of John the Baptist, and the Magi.

Come and join us as we walk together through the stories and places where our Lord once trod, deepening our faith and wonder in this holy season.

Christmas Joy Offering

During the Advent and Christmas season, our congregation will join Presbyterians across the country in supporting the PC(USA) Special Offering: Christmas Joy. This annual offering is a beautiful way for us to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas—sharing God’s love by caring for others. The Christmas Joy Offering has two main purposes. One half of the offering provides financial assistance to current and retired church workers who face urgent needs—faithful servants who have devoted their lives to ministry. The other half supports the education and leadership development of students at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges, including those serving communities of color. By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, we not only honor the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all, but also extend His compassion and hope to those who have given so much in His name. Every gift—large or small—makes a real difference. Let us come together in this season of light and generosity to reflect the joy of our Saviors’ coming. Envelopes for the Christmas Joy Offering will be available throughout Advent and on Christmas Eve.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”— 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NRSV)

Gretel’s Book Launch and Signing

Our former church secretary, Gretel Magnuson, published a devotional book, titled “Sincerely Amen: Today’s Prayer.” Her book launch and signing is Sat., Nov. 8^th, from 10AM to 1PM at the Craft Room, 117 N. Meridian St., Lebanon, IN.

Called Congregational Meeting

The Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Lebanon has called a special Congregational Meeting for Sun., Nov. 23^rd, immediately following the worship service in the sanctuary—just before our Harvest Dinner. The purpose of this meeting is to elect elders to serve on the Session. Arlene Quinn and Sigmon Myers are completing their current terms at the end of this year. We give thanks for their faithful service and dedication to our church family. Happily, both Arlene and Sig agreed to serve another three-year term, beginning in 2026. Therefore, the congregation will be asked to approve their re-election to the Session. The meeting will be brief—no more than five minutes—but your presence and participation are important as we continue to discern and affirm those called to serve Christ’s Church.

Celebrations

(B = birthday, A = anniversary)

Sun.   Nov.  2^nd     Carolyn Dunham’s B.

Mon.  Nov.  3^rd      Pam & Ken Dies’ A.

Fri.     Nov. 7^th       Neal & Debbie Crouse’s A.

Sat.    Nov. 8^th       Rob Bevington’s B.

Sat.    Nov. 15^th      George Piper III’s B.

Mon.  Nov. 17^th      Ralph Willard’s B.

Tues.  Nov. 18^th      Samuel Piper’s B.

Sat.    Nov. 22^nd     Jane Myers’ B.

Mon.  Nov. 24^th      Leanne & George Piper’s A.

Sat.    Nov. 29^th      Nancy Jones’ B.

Church Calendar

Sun.   Nov. 2^nd       DST Ends.

Thu.   Nov. 6^th       5:30pm Love Inc. banquet

Tue.   Nov. 11^th      Veteran’s Day

                             11:30am Pastor Je’s lunch

                             with Veterans

Fri.     Nov. 14^th      11:30am BYOB

Tue.   Nov. 18^th      6:30pm Session Meeting

Sun.   Nov. 23^rd     Harvest Dinner w/

                             Guest Speaker Matt Wilson

Thu.   Nov. 27^th      Thanksgiving Day

Fri.     Nov. 28^th      Black Friday

                             5:30pm Worship Team

Sun.   Nov. 30^th      Caring Sunday

                             First Advent Sunday