The Compass IN THIS ISSUE. March-April F I R S T P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H Portland, Indiana

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1 The Compass March-April 2019 F I R S T P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H Portland, Indiana Pastoral Perspectives on worship & music: through an order of service in spirit and truth by the way toward a life of prayer To the question of how we can know the way to the place where I am going Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. John 14:6 The Rev. Dr. Eugene Peterson writes: The Jesus way wedded to the Jesus truth brings about the Jesus life. In his book entitled, The Jesus Way, he refers to the verse above from the gospel of John (14:6). It is a paradigmatic statement by which followers of Jesus are formed and reformed in Christ. As Jesus disciples in journey by faith following the leading of the Spirit of Christ along the way, we are transformed by the renewing of our mind with the Word of truth. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 Our spiritual formation as worshipers in the reformed tradition is signified through liturgy in the order of service. As such being reformed in Christian community, worshipers of the Lord our God continually abiding in Jesus Christ through prayer are so led by the Spirit according to the Word. The Latin saying, lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi can be thought of in this way: As we worship, so we believe, and so we live that is, As we prayerfully worship in spirit and truth, we are continually formed and reformed in our way of thinking and belief in accordance with Word and Spirit so that our lifestyle and living is then affected and effected in the way, and the truth, and the life of Jesus Christ. The outline of the order of service in the bulletin/program/worship folder may also be viewed as being aligned with the A.C.T.S. of prayer Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication aspects of the life of prayer by which the liturgy is reformed and being reformed continually in accordance with the Word and Spirit. Various items in the order of service involve key elements of worship pertaining to these particular aspects of prayer interweaving throughout the liturgy. These may at times sequentially include the Gloria Patri and Prayer of Praise (Adoration), the Prayer of Confession (Confession), the anthems/hymns and the Offering/Doxology/Prayer of Dedication (Thanksgiving), and the Prayers of the People/Intercession (Supplication). As we venture upon the Lenten season through these lengthening days of spring following the vernal equinox, may our prayers through the very worship of God be blessed anew with depth of intimacy, reverence and awe to the glory of the Lord enthroned on the praises of the people. As the liturgically responsive saying goes, Soli Deo Gloria, Pastor Rex O Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers. 1 Eugene H. Peterson. The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways That Jesus Is the Way (Kindle Location 58). Kindle Edition IN THIS ISSUE Daylight Saving Time pg. 2 Ash Wednesday pg. 2 Maundy Thursday Service pg. 2 Good Friday Service pg. 2 Easter Sunday pg. 2 Happy Birthday pg. 2 New Members pg. 3 Acolyte Spotlight pg. 3 Thank You pg. 3 Bread of Life Meal pg. 3 PW Spring Gathering pg. 3 Easter Flower Orders pg. 4 In Memoriam pg. 4 Music Notes pg. 4 Community Meal Workers pg. 5 Calendar pg. 6

2 Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday, March 10 Remember to set your clocks forward one hour before retiring Saturday night, so you will be to church on time Sunday morning! Ash Wed Service March 6 First Presbyterian Church Joint Service with Asbury Methodist & Trinity United Methodist MARCH 01 Emily Goodrich Gracelyn Runkle 06 Debbie Ford Tristan Rodden Troy Rose 10 Mark Haggenjos Naomi Pryor 19 Shauna Runkle 23 Diane Byrum Emma Rodden Julia Schwomeyer 29 George Hyatt APRIL 01 Heather Ayers 15 Fran Austin 18 Julisa Antonia Meranda Teeter 28 Rachel Benirschke 30 Carol Green Reminder: You can view, download and print a color copy of this newsletter from the church website April 18 6:00pm Communion & Tenebrae April 19 Asbury United Methodist Church 204 East Arch Street, Portland Easter Service April 21 9:00am Worship & Communion Page 2

3 First Presbyterian Church recently welcomed new members Bruno and Rachel through transfer of membership from Bloomington First Presbyterian Church. Pastor Rex presented membership certificates and officially welcomed Bruno and Rachel into our FPC family. Madeline & Sam joined their parents in receiving a warm welcome. Photo by Dennis Ford. ACOLYTE SPOTLIGHT I want to say thank you for the care package from the church. It was an unexpected gift, but it made my day. Thank you so much! Emiley Bailey BREAD OF LIFE The next Bread of Life Community Dinner First Presbyterian Church will host is on Monday, April 29. If you want to help serve or if you would like to provide some of the food, please contact Julia Schwomeyer at or call the church office at Photo by Sarona Goodrich. Our Acolyte Spotlight shines this edition on Reny. Reny is seven years old and likes coming to church to talk about God and Jesus, and to pray. During Sunday School, Reny enjoys crafts and Sabbath (the rabbit). Her favorite Bible story is Noah s Ark. Thank you, Reny, for serving as Acolyte and blessing our congregation with your service. PW SPRING GATHERING Ladies, mark your calendars! Saturday, April 10:00am Join us for Food, Fellowship & Fun Page 3

4 Name In Memory of In Honor of In Celebration of Easter Flower Order Form Once again this year, we will be decorating the Sanctuary with flowers for the Easter service. In addition to lilies, we will also offer hyacinths and tulips. If you would like to purchase flowers, please fill out this order form and place it in the offering plate or return it to the church office by: Monday, April 9:00am. # of Hyacinths ordered x $15.00 = # of Tulips ordered x $15.00= IN MEMORIAM Condolences are extended to the family and friends of Stuart G Ronald. Stu passed away on February 5, He was a member of FPC for nearly 65 years. By Linda Rodden MUSIC NOTES As our congregation has noticed, our choir is getting smaller. But I want you to know how much I appreciate all the kind comments about our contribution to the services and how good we still sound, even in the absence of folks in the choir loft. We are still giving it our best and hope to bring you all some lovely new pieces in the coming months. While our old anthems are still part of our repertoire, we are trying some new arrangements and original pieces that I think will be more accessible to smaller groups like ours, and we look forward to learning these new offerings soon. We also look forward to hosting Ash Wednesday's service this year on March 6, when Asbury's choir will be joining us. We hope to see you all there, and again, thank you for your kindness and understanding. # of Lilies ordered x $15.00 = If possible, please pay for your flowers at the time you place your order. Total Amount Enclosed Editor s Note: It is the policy of The Compass to refrain from publishing names of children pictured in order to protect their privacy and identity since our newsletter is published on the church website. Adults may be identified in certain circumstances. Page 4

5 Thank you to everyone who provided food and helped serve the meal at the Bread of Life community dinner on December 31. It was New Year s Eve and everyone who attended and pitched in to help had a wonderful time of fellowship and fun. First Presbyterian serves the meal during months with a fifth Monday. The free meals are held at Asbury United Methodist Church. If you are interested in volunteering, please see Julia Schwomeyer. Photos by Julia Schwomeyer Page 5

6 F I R S T P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H 402 North Ship Street Portland IN Phone: mailto:office@firstpcportland.org Our Vision Statement To provide a ministry which will lead people to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and reach out with God s love. CALENDAR March 03 Communion/Food Pantry Collection Sunday 05 6:00pm Ash Wednesday Service 07 5:30pm Choir Practice 10 Daylight Saving Time Begins 1st Sunday in Lent 12 6:30pm Joint Meeting-Deacons & Session 6:45pm Session Meeting 6:45pm Deacons Meeting 13 7:00pm Nar-Anon 14 5:30pm Choir Practice 17 2nd Sunday in Lent 19 4:00pm Foundation Meeting 20 7:00pm Nar-Anon 21 5:30pm Choir Practice 24 3rd Sunday in Lent 27 7:00pm Nar-Anon 28 5:30pm Choir Practice 31 4th Sunday in Lent April 03 7:00pm Nar-Anon 04 5:30pm Choir Practice 07 5th Sunday in Lent Communion/Food Pantry Collection Sunday 09 6:30pm Session Meeting 10 7:00pm Nar-Anon 11 5:30pm Choir Practice 14 Palm Sunday 17 7:00pm Nar-Anon 18 6:00pm Maundy Thursday Service 19 12:10pm Good Friday Asbury 21 Easter Sunday-One Great Hour of Sharing 24 7:00pm Nar-Anon 25 5:30pm Choir Practice 27 10:00am PW Spring Gathering 29 Bread of Life Community Dinner Church Office hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am-2:00pm Closed on Friday.