First Presbyterian Church
Beeville, Texas
December, 2025
Volume 18, Issue 11Caring and Sharing
How Far Will You Travel?
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
Luke 2:4-5
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
Matthew 2:1
According to Google Mary and Joseph traveled approximately 65 miles to get to Bethlehem. A trip of 4 to 5 days. Uncomfortable for a very pregnant Mary riding on a donkey and Joseph walking.
According to Google the Magi traveled 700 to 900 miles to get to Bethlehem. A trip of 4 to 5 months. Nothing is known about how many Magi traveled but you can figure these men of great importance traveled with soldiers, cooks, slaves, tents, etc. For them it was a great adventure, I would say.
So how far will you travel this Christmas? As for Roylene and me, about 16 miles to the home of our youngest son. There will be lots of tamales, cheese dip, dessert, ham, goodies, etc. Aaron’s home is a place of constant motion with people coming and going. Loads of people, several dogs, presents, and children and smiles. No time for a nap.
And sometime during the day there will be a blessing for the meal. I usually have a few short words to say and we will all say the blessing as family. There may be more than a dozen folks there who have not said a prayer since the last time we gathered. Most are un-churched and the only time they are exposed to anything Christian is that blessing.
We are traveling this Christmas to take Jesus into a place where there are those gathered that need to remember why we celebrate Christmas. You can do the same. Therefore the question, “How Far Will You Travel?”
David Tiner
CHRISTMAS
JOY SPECIAL OFFERING
December 21 and 24
First Presbyterian Church
908 N. Washington St
Beeville, TX 78102
Phone: 361-358-5759
E-mail: fpc.bee@sbcglobal.net
December, 2025
Nov. 30 - Advent 1
Debbie Fulton Praise Sunday with Gary Williams
Dec. 7 - Advent 2 Rev. Don Taylor
Dec. 14- Advent 3 Rev. Diana Circelli
Dec. 21 - Advent 4 David Tiner
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Rev. Diana Circelli
Dec. 28 - Rev. Sarah Roemer
If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
SESSION MEMBERS
Class of 2025
Sarah Jaure (Worship)
Tim Rider (Bldg/Grnds)
Lisa Tindol (Personnel)
Class of 2026
Susan Dirks (Mission/ Outreach)
Frank Stewart (Fellowship)
Class of 2027
John Calvert (Bldg/Grnds)
Lana Massengale (Cong. Care, Personnel)
Gary Williams (Fellowship)
Louanne LeBourveau
Clerk of Session
Cindy Hilliard
Church Treasurer
MISSION STATEMENT
The First Presbyterian Church of Beeville is called to honor God through: Christ-centered worship, fellowship, outreach, and service encompassing the whole people of God.
Our Prayer List
If there is a name that you would like to add to the prayer list, please contact the church office. Names will be removed after a period of one month unless it is requested that they remain on the list.
Amy Hoffman (Gary Williams)
Barbara Hild (Meagan Jaure)
Carolyn Bender (Sarah Jaure)
Charlie Neelley (Jeannie Kesler)
Sharon Neelley (Anne Dehnisch)
Cayden Steinhauser (Shirley Calvert)
Cindy Govella (Mary Joy)
David and Roylene Tiner (Debbie Fulton)
Debbie Benavides (Jackie Ries)
Don Taylor (Debbie Fulton)
Dorothy Sugarek (Nancy Sugarek)
Doug Amis (Shirley Calvert)
Elizabeth Del Bosque (Debbie Fulton)
Gary Weise (Gary Williams)
James Pawlik (Sarah Jaure)
Jay Lawson (Gary Williams)
Jenni Griffin (Lisa Tindol)
Joanie Hileman and Babies (Shirley Calvert)
Joann Boren (Debbie Fulton)
Jody and Fred Jennings (Susan Dirks)
Joe Jimenez (Ellen Walden)
John Dunn (Nancy Sugarek)
John Wilson (Frank Stewart)
Johnny Leal (Melinda Leal)
Kaiden Cook (Susan Dirks)
Katy Nance Roden (Lana Massengale)
Kelly Willis Thomas (Carol Williams)
Kimberly Brenner (Patsy Kinkler)
Lillie Ramon (Debbie Fulton)
Logan Scott (Lisa Tindol)
Loyce Kolacek & Family (Debbie Fulton)
Mark VanDeventer (Susan Dirks)
Martha Stovall (Sarah Jaure)
Mary E. Perez (Sarah Jaure)
Mary Joy (Sarah Jaure)
Michael Hyer (Debbie Fulton)
Michelle Bond (Sarah Jaure)
Natalie Schendel Crotwell (Sarah Jaure)
Patrick Gray (Susan Dirks)
Patsy Kinkler (Debbie Fulton)
Phyllis Merrill (Sarah Jaure)
Rusty, Kelly, and Baby Dehnisch (Anne Dehnisch)
Sarah Jaure (Debbie Fulton)
Sherry Hatcher (Susan Dirks)
Susan Crumrine (Debbie Fulton)
Susan Heard (Carol Williams)
Thomas Caruso (Mary Joy)
Yolanda Montez (Debbie Fulton)
ELDERATIONS - Louanne LeBourveau
At their November meeting, Session members:
Noted that Sarah Jaure, Lisa Tindol, and Justin Williamson were elected by the congregation to serve on the Session’s Class of 2028
Noted that the biannual organ maintenance took place on November 2
Heard that the last Wednesday supper for 2025 will be tomorrow; the next one will be the 2nd Wednesday in January
Discussed the annual Thanksgiving Dinner. It will be catered and held Sunday, November 23
Noted that the Halloween on Main Street event was fun and successful. Thanks to all who helped!
Heard that our Christmas decorating will begin after the Thanksgiving Dinner on the 23rd
November 30 is the first Sunday in Advent
We will take up the Joy Gift Special Offering on Dec. 19 and 24
Noted that the Christmas Handbell Concert will be Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 pm
COMMON CHRISMON SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANINGS
CROSS: The most recognized symbol of Christianity, representing Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity’s sins. Variants include the Latin Cross and the Celtic Cross, which symbolizes eternity.
ALPHA AND OMEGA: The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying that Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things, as stated in the Book of Revelation. CROWN: Represents the kingship of Christ and His victory over sin and death.
FISH (ICHTHYS): An early Christian symbol used to identify believers, representing Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and Savior.
LAMB: Symbolizes Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” a title that reflects His role in salvation.
ANGEL: Symbolizes the messengers of God, who announced the birth and resurrection of Christ.
BUTTERFLY: Represents resurrection and eternal life, symbolizing the transformation from death to new life, akin to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar.
CROWN: Represents the kingship of Christ and His victory over sin and death. F
CHI RHO: A monogram formed by the first two letters of “Christ” in Greek, symbolizing Jesus as the Light of the World.
ANCHOR: An ancient Christian symbol representing hope in Christ, often used during times of persecution.
STAR OF DAVID: Represents the lineage of Jesus through King David and symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Wise Men.
News from the Presbyterian Women
The Presbyterian Women will meet on Thursday, December 11 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All women of the church are invited to participate in this special time of fellowship and study. Lesson 3 of our study book Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ will be led by Day Lohse, and hostesses for the meeting will be Sarah Jaure and Andrea Gibbud.
DECEMBER
CELEBRATIONS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Dec. 11 - 9:30 am
Presbyterian Women
Dec. 14 - 4:00 pm
Handbell Concert
Dec. 17
Poinsettia Deadline
Dec. 24 - 5:30 pm Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
Dec. 25 Christmas Day
BIRTHDAYS
3 Mary Jane Stark
7 Pat Looney
8 Anne Dehnisch
Susan Dirks
9 Dawn Dillard
10 Justin Kesler
Cherry McClintock
12 Sloan Harper Brown
15 Justin Stewart
16 Ellen Walden
17 Rita Ramon
20 Tyler Stewart
21 Jay Lawson
Jazmin Orocio
22 Eric Gonzalez
Susan Heard
24 Sylvia McCord
Jerry Ries
28 Sydney Lee Wesson
30 Kasen Paul Gonzalez
Lana Massengale
ANNIVERSARIES
1 Blanche and Jeoffrey Teke (2015)
19 Aboh and Caleb Mbah (2020)
