We have a simple and useful project in
mind.Haiti is beginning to establish
schools following the disastrous earthquake in February.Church World Service provides school kits for children in poverty-stricken
nations consisting of tote bags with school supplies, and we can be a part of
this program.
If you are interested in providing sturdy,
kid-friendly fabric (about ½ yard per bag) and sewing some tote bags, the
Mission Outreach Ministry Team will begin collecting school supplies to fill
them in August when supplies are on sale everywhere.
The
directions for making the bags are listed below.
Materials
needed:
½ yd “Kid friendly” fabric
Make
the bag:
·Cut two pieces of fabric 13”x17”
·Place the two pieces together,
right sides together,
and sew a 1/2” seam down one side,
across the bottom, and up the other side, leaving the top
open.
·Turn the bag so the seam is in the inside.
·Turn under 1/2” on the top edge and press.
·Turn under 2” at the top edge to form a hem and stitch.
Make
the handles:
·Cut two pieces of fabric 4”x22”
·Fold in half one of the 4”x22” pieces with right side together. Stitch
with a 1/2” seam allowance and turn inside out, or turn under and press ½” on
long side of fabric. Fold wrong sides together. Top stitch close to edge.
Press.
·Repeat for the second handle. Press.
·Turn under raw edges and stitch to the top of the bag.
Finished bag will be approximately 12”x14”. Place
school items in bag.
Highlights in July
Independence Day
Sunday, July 4
Office Closed (in observance of Independence
Day)
Monday, July 5
Edie Crider Memorial Service
Saturday, July 10
11 a.m.
Beach Bums Baseball Game
Friday, July 16
6 p.m. (leave church)
Veeda Javaid from Pakistan & Ice Cream
Social
Sunday, July 18
7:30 p.m.
In This
Issue
90
Years Old Celebration
Faithful
Servant – Jean Sheehan
Note
from Youth Director
Associate
Pastor
General
Assembly
Rev.
Jeeva Davaid & Ice Cream Social
Beach
Bum Ticket Holders
Gift
Card Program
Scripture
Readings for July
Children’s
Church Leaders Needed
Interim
Senior Pastor
Session
Highlights
Christian
Education
List
of Stephen Ministers
Stephen
Ministry
Dates
for Summer Events
Nativity
Set
Women’s
Association
New
Email Addresses for Staff
FirstPresbyterianChurch
Directory
Interim Senior
Pastor
The Rev. Harold E. Shafer
Associate Pastor
The Rev. Sandra K. Murray
Director
of Youth Ministry
Gary Bekkering
Director
of Christian Education
Pamela
Bekkering
Director
of Operations
Wayne Shuler
Clerk of
Session
Susan Cook
Interim
Organist/Choir Director
Cheryl Knight
Administrative
Assistant
SandraLake
Financial
Secretary
Liz Atkinson
Child Care
Coordinator
Melissa West
Church
Sexton
Mark Blackmore
Church
Custodian
Ronnie Blackmore
Pastor Emeritus
The
Rev. Dr. Daniel K. Herlein
2010
Corporate Officers
President
Jane Croftchik
Vice
President
James Mottern
Treasurer
Wayne Shuler
Secretary
Tom Calkins
Assistant
Treasurer
John
Werner
2010 Session
Class
of 2010
Class
of 2011
Class of 2012
Brenda
Corner
Brandon
Darin
David Branding
Melvin
Matchett
Peter Eckardt
William Clark
Sarah
Miller
John Moore
Susan Cook
Nancy
Muhlig
Ramona Nelson
Penny Novarro
Dale
Wagner
Betty Tezak
John West
2010 Board of
Deacons
Class
of 2010
Class of 2011
Class of 2012
Shanna
Branding
Sandra Davids
Saundra Blackmore
Mary Anne
Frey
Jan Johnson
Dianne Hall
Denise
Heeke
Len Orzechowski
Mark Haskell
Ellie
Holdsworth
Diane Thompson
Phyllis Staley
Adam
Schuler
Marge Weitschat
Cathy Weidman
2010
Board of Trustees
2010
2011
2012
James
Goodall
Loyal Cobb
Mark Blackmore
Donald
Shurte
Jane Croftchik
Thomas Calkins
Pete
VanDenBerge
Charlene Hansen
Kenneth Cook
Ken
Weitschat
Jonathan Heeke
James Mottern
Harry
Widman
Richard Schurch
David West
Ruling Elders
Ministry Team Assignment
Christian
Education
Mona Nelson, Betty Tezak
Communication
John Moore
Fellowship
Sarah Miller
Nominations
Mel Matchett, Nancy Muhlig
Nurture
Penny Novarro
Outreach
Betty Tezak
Personnel
Bill, Clark, Brenda Corner, Brandon
Darin
Stewardship
Dale Wagner
Worship
Nancy Muhlig, John West
Youth
Ministries
David Branding, Pete Eckardt
Others
Acolyte
Ministry
Gary Bekkering
Building
Committee
John
Werner
Elder
Commissioners to Presbytery
Penny Novarro
Librarians
Gary Fangboner, Jane Lund, Diane
Wagner
Membership
Secretary
Carolyn Gauthier
Newsletter
Editor
SandraLake
StephenMinistry
Referrals Coordinator
Sue Johnson
Webmaster
Terry Miller
Women's
Association
Cheryl Knight, Jennifer Haskell
Worship
Audio
Terry Miller, Peter VanDenBerge
AttentionBeach Bum Ticket Holders For
The July 16 Game!
What – no tickets? -- Bummer! For those fortunate enough to have
tickets get ready for peacorn, popnuts, bottled gum, and chewing water . . . along with lots of cheering and
fellowship fun at the ball game. Let’s meet up at the church at 6 p.m. on
Friday, July 16, if you want to carpool. See ya there!
Fellowship Ministry Team
Save the Dates For More Upcoming Summer
Fellowship Events
August 2
Ecumenical Service in the park – A lovely setting in Memorial Park for a
meaningful, community-wide worship service followed by a potluck.
August
22 & 29Historic walks around Elk
Rapids – Back
by popular demand, Adam Schuler and Terry Miller will again meander the streets
of our village with friends & neighbors, noting historic points of interest
and sharing village folklore. Last year more than 100 people enjoyed these
walks.(Church bus will be available for
those unable to walk.)
90 Years Old and Shining
The Nurture Ministry Team will host a
Birthday Party on August 22, 2010, for our wonderful 90 year old members/attendees.
The party will be held between the two services, around 9:30 a.m. Our choir
will lead us in a rousing round of “Happy Birthday”. We are pleased to honor Mary Foster (6/15) and
June Whittaker (6/21).
We plan to also recognize those in our congregation
who are over 90. Birthday bags will be placed in the narthex during the month
of August for you to place birthday cards for our honorees. If you will be 90
this year and we do not know it, please contact the office (264-8167) so we can
honor you too. Please plan to join us for this celebration . . . who knows,
maybe you’ll get some good longevity advice!
Piano to Donate
Do you know of a group or church who could
use a piano?We have one downstairs,
where the choir practiced, that the church would like to donate. Whoever would
like it must pick it up. Any questions please contact Wayne Shuler or
church office.
The human mind has
always amazed me. I love to think.Created in God’s image we are given the ability to think and act upon our
thoughts.Critical thinking is a way to
discern God’s will in our lives.In this
article I would like to show my reader how to understand critical thinking. I
believe critical thinking is the optimal way to enable us to grow
intellectually and spiritually.
What is critical thinking?
Daniel J.
Kurland a renowned advisor on critical thinking states, “No one always acts
purely objectively and rationally.We
connive for selfish interests. We gossip, boast, exaggerate, and equivocate.It is ‘only human’ to wish to validate our
prior knowledge, to vindicate our prior decisions, or to sustain our earlier
beliefs.In the process of satisfying
our ego, however, we can often deny ourselves intellectual growth and opportunity.We may not always want to apply critical
thinking skills, but we should have those skills available to be employed when
needed.” By saying this Kurland states we
don’t really think beyond our egos much before we offer an opinion. Listening
and reviewing all the data allows for better decisions.
Critical thinking helps a person to have
good taste and judgment. Critical thinking has a rationality, self-awareness, honesty, open-mindedness,discipline, and judgment
that help a person better understand how to differentiate between human wisdom
and Spiritual wisdom.
These are the avenues a critical thinker
takes to have better judgment on any idea or issue.Rationality
searches out the best explanation through reason rather than operating on
emotion. Self-awareness allows us to
define ourselves better by internally looking inward, weighing our own
assumptions, prejudices, and biases that could skew our overall outlook.Honesty
allows us to recognize those motives that allow us to deceive ourselves. Open-mindedness allows us freedom to
look at the issues from all angles. Discipline
develops a comprehensive and precise way to avoid being judgmental. These
avenues then allow our judgments to
become less assuming as we better weigh other perspectives openly.
Critical thinking allows for a well thought
out decision once all the information is properly processed.Time to decide and think through the topics
makes for an optimal outcome.Yes, to
think critically might take more time but offers a well thought through
decision. Critical thinkers are often skeptical. They question and analyze
their understanding of the facts to render a non-biased and non-skeptical view
of their final thoughts.To challenge
beliefs and realistically examine the issues with an open mind is more vital
today than ever before.
Critical thinking allows us to use our
minds as God created us to use them by asking questions and coming to resolve
issues that have become hard to think through.As we work together during this transitional period of First
Presbyterian Church’s life, may we opt to invite discussion on topics we might
not fully agree with, or even want to talk about, trying to understand issues
that divide and could overwhelm future endeavors in the life of this great
church.
May God’s blessing continue in all our
leadership roles at First Pres.I hope to see all in worship as we glorify
the One who gave it all for us.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Hal Shafer
Scripture Readings
for
JULY
July 4
2 Kings 5:1-14
Ps. 30
Gal.
6: 7-16
Luke 10: 1-11,
16-20
July 11
Amos
7: 7-17
Ps. 82
Col.
1: 1-14
Luke 10: 25-37
July 18
Amos
8: 1-12
Ps. 52
Col.
1: 15-28
Luke 10” 38-42
July 25
Hos.
1: 2-10
Ps. 85
Col.
2: 6-15
Luke 11: 1-13
Dear Friends,
This month I would like to continue my
discussion of worship.In worship we are
always becoming something new.But what
is it that we are doing during worship that helps us continue to be in this
unending process of becoming something new.This month I would like to focus on prayer.Prayer has to do with communication and
connecting with God.In 1 Thessalonians
5: 17, Paul wrote telling us to “pray
without ceasing”.Prayer has to do
with the renewal of our bodies, minds, and hearts.When we pray, whether alone or corporately,
we are changed.Paul is telling us that
our life is to be one of never-ending prayer.When we spend time in prayer something happens.Worship and prayer change us.
The early church was influenced by Jewish
worship, and prayer was a central part of that worship.“The New Testament uses a variety of words
translated in English as either ‘prayer’ or ‘worship,’ understood as
communication with God either by an individual alone or in public
gatherings.In the Judaism of the New
Testament times prayer was rooted in blessing and thanksgiving; … singing and
reciting texts of scripture; holy places, practices and ministries; it was part
of the Jewish genius that prayer should be associated with ordinary actions in
the flow of everyday life, part and parcel of righteous living, …..No prayer would be considered as totally
private, for prayer always had within it a consciousness of being Israel,
God’s people.” (George Culver, “Prayer” in the
Westminster Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship, ed.
Paul Bradshaw (Louisville, KY:
Westminster
John Knox Press, 2002, 381.)
Early Christian worship followed this
pattern of the Jewish tradition.The
church structured its liturgical calendar around prayers.An example of this is seen in the Book of Common Worship Daily Prayer.Daily services consist of psalms, hymns, and
other readings from the Old and New Testament.This pattern is still used by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and some
Eastern Orthodox churches.
We become responsible for one another when
we pray together in worship.As we lift
up our prayers for one another, healing, comfort, change, and unity
happen.This is why we have several
different types of prayer in a worship service:prayers of confession, prayers of the people, prayers for illumination,
prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for healing.
Prayers can be done in many different
ways.We can use our bodies in any form
and position, including standing, sitting, kneeling, or even lying down.Our eyes can be open or closed.We can position ourselves in various
directions – our hands can be folded, our arms stretched out, our hands
raised.We may be silent or respond
verbally to prayer.We can read prayers
previously written by people from all over the world, or we can pray
extemporaneously.No one way is better
or worse than any other, and the Spirit is free to move us in different
directions.In prayer we honor God and
each other.
As you worship, I hope that you will think
about prayer and how it connects you to God and to your fellow Christians.Think about ways that you might want to
expand your own view of prayer and let your life be a prayer shared with God
and one another.
Shalom,
Pastor Sandy
New Email Addresses for
First Presbyterian Church Staff
Effective immediately!
(Please use these
emails now and don’t forget to update your address book with our new addresses.
Thank you)
Our VacationBibleSchool program was
another huge success.Over 100 volunteers
helped to make this an amazing week for 130 children.The church was filled to bursting with
children and crew members.The weather
was wonderful for sailing.Each day
brought special miracles and blessings.Sailors sang great new songs like Vast
Voyage and Let the Praises Ring
and ate wonderful treats such as “Peter’s Jail Mix” and “Forgiveness Clouds.”
Kids also made Comfort Pillows and Bopper Poppers and played games such as
Drip, Drip, Drop.Included in all this fun were the wonderful messages about God: God’s
Word is true, God’s Word is comforting, God’s Word is surprising, God’s Word is
life-changing, and God’s Word is for everyone.The children enjoyed great stories, and memorized five Bible passages.
As always there are
so many wonderful people that made this week possible.Christian Education would like to thank
everyone that helped make this week a success.See the list of people who helped with our High Seas Expedition.There are so many more that provided
donations of needed supplies.VacationBibleSchool
is really an entire church family project.Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us.
We ended the week
with our VBS Celebration & Mission Sunday.We were so excited to share all we had learned with the congregation.
During the service the children presented the blankets they had made during one
of their stations.These wonderful
blankets will be sent to Africa with special
messages of encouragement from our children.This was one of our favorite projects of the week.
Thank
you once again,
Christian Education
Ministry Team
No
Christian Education meeting in July
We will start our fall planning at our
Monday, August 2, meeting.We encourage
you to come to any one of our meetings (first Monday of every month) with any
ideas or concerns you might have.We
meet at 6:30 p.m. at the church.
2010 Volunteers For Vbs
Mary Apczynski
Katie Atkinson
Nate Atkinson
Gary Bekkering
Don & Barb Bellinger
Dave & Jan Bellingham
Mark & Ronnie Blackmore
Taylor Blackmore
Tia Blackmore
Ali Branding
Shanna Branding
June Baaki
Tom & Sue Calkins
Maxine Cameron
Dick & Connie Claar
Brittany Clarkson
Jordanna Clarkson
Karen Cobb
Cheryl Coy
Jane Croftchik
Caroline Cutting
Amber Darin
Katy Derks
Gary Fangboner
Donnie Fedrigon
Jacob Fedrigon
Sue
Flowers
Carolyn
Gauthier
Roger Gehrt
Grant Gilreath
Jana Gillstrom
Rae Harfst
Stefani Harlan
Jeannie Harthun
Jennifer Haskell
Denise Heeke
Liz Hinkley
Mark & Scott Hoch
Sandy Holsinger
Barb Johnson
Gwen Johnson
Jan Johnson
Joanne Kline
Hanna Koeller
Natalie Koeller
Ron & Micky Kuite
SandyLake
Shirley Landon
Shania Lark
Olivia Lein
Jane Lund
Madeline Manby
Abbie Mandeville
Karyl Mangus
Judy Matchett
Renee Mischel
Nancy Muhlig
Mona Nelson
Nels & Lynda Nichols
Penny Novarro
Emma Oliver
Pastor Sandy
Paul & Vi Patchen
Louise Pond
Kennedy Reffitt
Jim Ribby
Raquel Rieck
Amanda Rottman
Adam & Chris Schuler
Jean Schurch
Bill & Sharon Shirley
Shively Family
Pam Shuler
Don & Jan Shurte
Betty Sinclair
Dan & Carol Sinclair
Jack & Linda Sisson
Anna Smith
Les & Joanne Teague
Adam Tezak
Betty Tezak
Barb Thomas
Mary Vasquez
Dale & Diane Wagner
Lu Wahl
Jane Weis
John & Marilyn West
Melissa West
Kathy White
Nell Widman
Kaye Yocum
Deb Zerafa
Maddy Brown
Sherry Boucher
Madison Babcock
Ken & Sue Cook
Norm Frey
Tom Wiltse
If we have forgotten
anyone, please forgive our oversight. Your help was greatly appreciated.
Christian
Education Members are: Elder Betty Tezak, Elder Mona Nelson, Pastor Sandy,
Nikii Brown, Abbie Mandeville, Melissa West, Gary Fangboner, Joanne Teague,
Linda Sisson, and
Pam
Bekkering.
A
note from the Youth Director
What is it about the word “Mission” that peaks our
interest?
Just ask Pam, Macy, Kaitlin, Elise, Marisa,
Katy, Madi, Joey, Nathan, Grant, Talon, Eddie, or Nate what “Mission” means to
them.This group of incredible youth
just returned from a week in Marvell,
Arkansas.Check out the pictures and information in the
Fellowship hall.For a few of them this
was their second trip, each one being different in many ways, but yet the
same.Mission in the sense of what Jesus is about
the message of life-change.It was
impossible for Jesus’ disciples not to have had the direction of their lives
changed forever!The desire is to
present the message of Jesus and challenge of Christ in all aspects.We trust God will work powerfully to create
life-change in our lives.Although we
use the building and repairing of homes as a way to see the love of Christ (1
John 3:18), this is not an end all.It is also about loving the community, children and elderly,
and serve with the local ministries and serving side by side with other
churches whom we just met.It is not a
work camp.It is not about the way the
repaired homes looked when we were done.It is about what God will do in our hearts and lives if we allow
it.It is about what God will do in the
lives of those we come in contact with, through the relationships we build at
the home site and through the Kids Club program.The world is thirsting for leadership.The kind the church can provide.We need selfless, humble, obedient, servant
leaders who follow Christ.(John 13).Servant leadership will be contagious.Adults will serve teens, teens will serve
communities, and communities will serve the world.By serving these, as Christ commands, we also
serve Christ himself.That’s what these
young adults are all about.
The theme for this year’s Mission
trip was “More or Less” from John 3:30.We live in a world that is constantly telling us we need more…more
money, more popularity, more stuff.But
what do you really need more of?And
what do you need less of?
Jesus asks us to have less “me” things…less
fear, less here-and-now rewards, and less ego.
Sometimes we even need to do less so that we can have a better relationship
with Jesus.When we worry less about
“me” and instead focus on Jesus, we get more…more courage, more time to be in a
relationship with God, and more ability to love others…as John 3:30 says,
“Jesus must become greater; I must become less.”
We want to thank
you for your prayers, financial help, and commitment.
Without your help
we would not be able to have this awesome experience.
Our
church is filled with an army of marching “faith servants,” doing God’s work in
their own unique ways.
On June 13, we recognized the important job
of Stephen
Ministers.It is impossible to choose
just one Stephen Minister to recognize in this column because they all do a
valuable service for their care receivers.Jean was “caught in the act” of doing another task for the church so we
are featuring her here.
When asked how she felt about her ministry
as a Stephen Minister, Jean said, “It opens my mind and helps someone
else.”She said that we all have
problems, but by helping another it puts our problems in perspective.“Serving another person who calls for help is
a double blessing because it frees you to love other people” in addition to
your care receiver.
Jean uses her StephenMinistry
training to listen to and care for others she meets, recognizing their
unexpressed call for help.She listens
for what isn’t said as well as what is said.She relates that one of these people calls her an angel.
In addition to being a Stephen Minister,
Jean has been cleaning out closets in the basement for Christian
Education.She figures she has spent
about 10 hours so far.Now she is in the
process of tackling the storage bins of arts and craft supplies, seasonal items,
and teaching materials.Organizing all
of these things so they can be found readily is a wonderful form of
stewardship.How often have we purchased
an additional item when we can’t find for what we’re looking?When asked why she volunteered for this
daunting task, she replied, “It’s my duty.I’m getting a lot of benefit from the church so I need to give back.”
Jean and her husband summered up north
until his retirement.They then split
their time between their TorchLake and Florida
homes.Following his stroke and death,
Jean has made “up north” her home.She
readily admits that her core of friends are members of
this church.
Amazing
Grace
is Jean’s favorite hymn because it expresses her deep joy of being a
Christian.She readily admits that her
life was cold and barren before she knew Christ.This gracious and articulate lady is a
wonderful example of a servant’s heart.
Children’s Church
Leaders
Needed
We are still looking for a coordinator for
the summer Sunday school program, Children’s Church.Responsibilities would include scheduling and
getting materials/supplies ready for Sunday mornings. We have a great new “Veggie
Tale” curriculum that is fun and easy to use. However, you are welcome to use
ideas of your own. Children’s church is for 4 year olds-5th
grade.This program is run June- August
during second service only. Children are dismissed after the Children’s Sermon,
Karen Ruedinger has volunteered to teach a
few Sundays, but we still need help on July 4, 18, 25; August 1, 15, 22, 29;
September 5 and 12. See the sign-up board in the Fellowship Hall if you are
interested in helping in this very important ministry, or you can call Pam
Bekkering, 264-8167.
Library
News…do you have any overdue library books?This summer the Library Team will be going
through the shelves attempting to locate missing and overdue books.Some books have been checked-out for years!!!!Please check your book shelves and closets
for any “late” books.Your help in
greatly appreciated!
A Nativity Set of Our Own
The Christian Education Ministry Team would
like to offer a huge thank you to the following members who spent their winter
months cutting out large wooden nativity pieces for our children’s programs
during the holidays: Loyal Cobb, Mark Haskell, Merle Morgan, and Harry Widman.
Great job, gentlemen!
We used the borrowed Nativity set from The
Presbyterian Church in Traverse City
last year, and our team decided that we needed our own set. As a cost-saving
measure, these dedicated men spent weeks cutting out animals, Mary, Joseph, and
baby Jesus. We are greatly appreciative of their efforts and look forward to
seeing how many ways we can use this beautiful set.
The painting of these pieces will begin
Tuesday, September 14, at the church. At this point our volunteers include
Peggy Bushnell, Sue Flowers, Jana Gillstrom, Mona Nelson, Louise Pond, Joanne
Teague, and LeRue Werner. If you are interested in joining us, please contact
Joanne Teague at 264-6162.
How to Make a Gift
to Those in Need Through the Gift Card Program
The Mission Outreach Ministry Team of the
First Presbyterian Church has created a Gift Card Program that allows you to
support needs in the community and at the same time send greetings to a friend
or loved one.
Here’s how it works:
1.Take a card from
the Gift Card display board located next to the water fountain at the north end
of the Narthex above the library.
2.Look at information
from the display board on spotlighted agencies.Decide which agency will receive your donation, and write the name of
the agency on the second line of the card.
3.Drop your donation
(checks only, please) in the box
located next to the display board. Please
make your check out to the agency, and the agency will acknowledge your gift.The Mission Outreach Ministry Team will
deliver it to the agency.
4.Mail the gift card
to your friend or loved one along with a personal note such as Happy Birthday,
Happy Anniversary, Congratulations!
Four local food pantries are being
highlighted by the Mission Outreach Ministry Team to initiate this program
starting July 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010.They are Acme Christian Thrift Store and Food
Pantry, Good Samaritan Food Pantry and Resale Shop, Mancelona Food Pantry and
Resale, and the Rapid City Food Pantry.
Please check out the Gift Card display
board in the Narthex, and consider a gift to one of our local food pantries.
The Mission Outreach Ministry Team
New Members Welcomed
The Nurture Ministry Team would like to
welcome three new members to their team. We are pleased to have Micky Kuite,
Marcia Sumerix, and Diane Wagner join us. Our meetings are the second Tuesday
of each month, at 2 p.m., in the Multipurpose Room. If you have any interest in
helping to nurture our flock, please contact Joanne Teague, chairperson, at
264-6162 or Penny Novarro, Elder representative, at 264-8807.
Do
you like Ice Cream?
Do
You Like Free Ice Cream?
What
Flavor do You Like?
On Sunday, July 18, Veeda Javaid, a
lifelong native of Pakistan,
is coming to First Presbyterian Church.
Veeda will be preaching two sermons on July
18 at 8:30 and 10 a.m. At 7:30 p.m., she
will present a program about life in Pakistan followed by discussion.
Veeda speaks perfect English and easy to understand. Veeda lives and works in Pakistan
as the Executive Director of the Presbyterian Education Board that has the
responsibility of overseeing 14 Christian elementary schools, high schools, and
La Hore College.
Since the 1850’s, the Presbyterian Church
has been providing education for the children of Pakistan. In 1972, the government
nationalized and took control of all elementary, secondary, and university
schools. The quality of education suffered, and the buildings fell in despair.
In 1998, the government began returning the schools to the Presbyterian
Education Board (PEB) and the task of restoring the schools to their previous
excellent condition was started. The educational philosophy is similar to the
book Three Cups of Tea - - - “teach
the girls who will be the mothers that will teach the children.” The difference
is the PEB schools are Christian schools. All elementary schools are co-ed
until the 8th grade. To learn more about the schools and what is
happening there, visit the PEB website:
Also, read an article in the May issue of Presbyterian Today “Education Is the Key”.
A copy is available in the library.
Mark your calendar now. Plan on attending
one of the worship services, and then join Veeda and the Outreach Ministry Team
for an evening of learning and ice cream sundaes.
2010
Women’s Association
**2010
Birthday Offering Coming Soon **
In 1922, to celebrate the 10th
anniversary of the Women’s Auxiliary (PCUS), it was decided that an offering
should be made for a definite cause. That year, Hallie Paxson Winsborough,
superintendent of women’s work, visited Miss Dowd’s School for Girls in Kochi, Japan.
Realizing its needs, she challenged members of the Women’s Auxiliary to give
one penny for each year of their lives (or a dollar if a woman preferred not to
reveal her age) as a birthday gift to the school. The Woman’s Auxiliary became
Women of the Church in 1948, and when Presbyterian Women was formed in 1988, it
was decided to continue the meaningful tradition of the Birthday Offering. The
offerings have enabled a long succession of new and often innovative mission
projects throughout the world.
This year on our Celebration Sunday,
Presbyterian Women will invite the congregation to join with us in contributing
to the Birthday Offering. Remember the challenge is to only give a penny or a
dime for each year lived. We also would suggest that since this year’s offering
recipients are children’s projects, you may want to honor your children and/or
grandchildren by giving a penny or dime for each year of their lives too. Pray
about it. Envelopes will be provided on August 15. Thank You!
August
12 – 7 p.m.
– We will meet at the church with Nancy Muhlig as our Hostess. We will be
studying Lesson 6.
August
15
is our “Celebration of Presbyterian Women” Sunday. The women’s association will
be involved in the whole service for Sunday Morning. Don’t miss out! This will
be a great service.
We look forward to seeing you at any of our
meetings and activities. If you have questions, please call Jennifer Haskell,
599-2946.
An Invitation to You
Stephen Ministry
Please consider becoming a Stephen
Minister.Every two years, a Training
Program prepares a new group to join this important ministry.
As a Stephen Minister you
are not thrust into ministry alone.You
will receive 50 hours of in-class training with reading, discussion, and
practice in how to support and help others effectively.You will engage in supervision and will
receive continuing education.
No Stephen Minister is
asked to do what he or she is not prepared to do.You will learn the limits of confidentiality,
how to pray with others, and how to refer people with serious problems to
professional help.
Listen for God’s call.Ask questions.Talk with any of the current or retired
Stephen Ministers and Leaders.Visit
with Stephen Ministers during Coffee Central between services.
Application forms are available from Pastor
Sandy or on the WelcomeCenter table in the
Narthex. Please return application by August 1.Classes begin September 7 and end November 16.
For more information, contact Pastor Sandy, 264-8167, Connie Clark, 264-5977, Charlene
Hansen, 499-9702, Sue Johnson, 264-6994, Pam Shuler, 599-2480
or Greg Socha, 264-9471.
Upcoming General Assembly
This year’s General Assembly is being held
in Minneapolis,
MN, July 2 -10.As many of you know, I
will be attending General Assembly, as minister-commissioner for the Presbytery
of Mackinac.I want to ask you to pray
for all of the commissioners.Being a
commissioner to General Assembly is a big job.I hope that you will pray for us as we look at and vote on all the
issues that come before the Assembly.Our commissioners for the Presbytery of Mackinac are Margaret LaPonsie
from Rudyard, and youth advisory delegate, Heather Kane of Alpena, and me.
If you are interested in following what is
taking place during General Assembly, visit their website at www.pcusa.org, for the latest information.
Pastor
Sandy
Stephen Ministers
Retired Stephen Leaders [Date
Commissioned]:
Rev. Dan Herlein[1998]
Connie Riddell[1998]
Stan Holzhauer[1998]
Clyde Williams (deceased)[1998]
Scott Stephan[2000]
Caitlin Richardson[2001]
Rose Lillich[2001]
Karen Leskinen[2002]
Retired Stephen Minister:
Jan Bellingham[1998]
Shirley Goddard[1998]
Betty Holzhauer[1998]
Marie Moulds[1998]
Dale Nielson[1998]
Eleanor Potter[1998]
Carol Sinclair[1998]
Dan Sinclair [1998]
Pat Stokes[1998]
Diane Wagner[1998]
Delphine Welch[1998]
Robert Wonacott (deceased)[1998]
Arlene DeMott[1999]
Susan Yoder Zak[1999]
Marge Weitschat[1999]
Tina Fields[2000]
Nancy Abbott[2001]
Bob Brugger[2001]
Kathy Magnell[2001]
Don Garrett[2002]
George Knight[2002]
SandyLake[2002]
Richard Muhlig (deceased)[2002]
Jean Ricker[2002]
Peggy Cutting[2004]
Paula Glick[2004]
Jane Hawkins[2004]
Arlene Lueck[2004]
Judy VerHage[2004]
Eunice Winters[2004]
Richard Winters(deceased)[2004]
Karen Ruedinger[2006]
Bea West[2000]
Luella Wahl[2001]
Maxine Cameron[2006]
Cheri Hawthorne[2006]
Len Orzechowski[2006]
Nina Stewart[2006]
Amy Clarkson[2009]
Micky Kuite[2009]
CURRENT STEPHEN LEADERS:
Rev. Sandra Murray[2000]
Greg Socha[2002]
Pamela Shuler[2003]
Charlene Hansen[2004]
Connie Clark[2009]
Sue Johnson[2009]
CURRENT STEPHEN MINISTERS:
Ellie Holdsworth[2000]
Pat Koch[2006]
Mel Matchett[2006]
Adam Schuler[2006]
Susan Wiltse[2006]
Joyce Fahl[2009]
Ron Kuite[2009]
Lynda Nichols[2009]
Nels Nichols[2009]
Jean Sheehan[2009]
Session Highlights from May 26
Rev. Hal Shafer called the Session meeting
to order on May 26, 2010, at 7:00 p.m.The
meeting was held in the Lighthouse. A quorum was present; the meeting opened
with prayer and roll was called.
Guests: The Youth Ministry
Team, Gary and Pam Bekkering, other parents of our youth, including Ronnie
Blackmore with two guests and Sue Johnson.The Youth Ministry Team presented the results of a survey conducted by
them regarding the success of the Youth program.
ØA
motion carried to commend the Youth Ministry Team for an outstanding job of
evaluating their program at FPC.We also
congratulated them (YMT) and Gary Bekkering for building a youth program we can
all be proud of.
The minutes of April 28, 2010, Session meeting
were approved as printed.
Treasurer’s
Report: Reportreceived.
ØA
motion carried to accept the Treasurer’s report.
The
Board of Trustees:
Report received.
Building
Committee:
Report received.
Director
of Operations:
Report received.
Clerk of Session: Report
received.The Special Session Meeting of
May 16, 2010, minutes were approved as written.
Interim Senior
Pastor:
Report received.
Associate
Pastor: Report
received.
ØBy
consent agenda, a motion carried to remove the name of Helen May Gibbs from the
rolls of First Presbyterian Church effective the date of her death, April 28,
2010.
ØBy
consent agenda, a motion carried to remove the name of Anne Therese
Avery-Miller from the rolls of First Presbyterian Church effective the date of
her death, May 4, 2010.
Membership count is now at 516.
Elder
Commissioner to Presbytery: Verbal report by Elder Penny Novarro.
Board
of Deacons: Report
received.
Nurture
Ministry Team:
Report received.
ØBy
consent agenda, a motion carried to approve the use of the Max Lucado’s study
of James in Carol Sinclair’s small group.
Stewardship
Ministry Team:
Report received.
Outreach
Ministry Team:
Report received.
Worship
Ministry Team: Report
received.
ØA
motion carried to accept the gifts of a painting of the church by and from
Louise Pond and a gift of a carved bust of Jesus by and from Stan Holzhauer.
Both these items will be used in decorating the Narthex.
ØA
motion carried to commend Terry Miller for the further development of the First
Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids website. Excellent work, Mr. Miller.
Youth
Ministry Team: Report
received.
Christian
Education Ministry Team: Report received.
Communication
Ministry Team:
No report.
Fellowship
Ministry Team:
Report received.
Unfinished
Business:
Elect two new Elder Commissioners to
Presbytery.
ØA
motion carried to elect Elder Penny Novarro to be our new Elder Commissioner to
Presbytery for 2010.Suggestion to put a
notice in the Sunday bulletin for a second Elder Commissioner as FPC is allowed
two Elder Commissioners.
Approval
of Reports: A
motion carried to approve all reports, less the Treasurer’s report
Adjournment: The meeting closed
with prayer by Rev. Hal Shafer at 11:05 p.m.
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