Floor Cleaning Project

Transcription

1 January 2016 Vol XXXIV No. 1 Pastor s Page 2 Committee News 3 & Session 4 Announcements 5 Volunteers 6 Calendar 7 Miscellaneous 8 Upcoming Events Sunday, Jan. 3 Annual reports are due in the office. Saturday, Jan. 9 Come help with removing Christmas decorations starting at 9 AM Sunday, Jan. 10 At noon, Youth Group will meet to go bowling at Lake Ripley Lanes! Sunday, Jan. 24 Annual congregational meeting after worship, followed by a potluck meal. Floor Cleaning Project By Cathy Thiltgen TIME, MONEY, COMMITMENT, and a whole lot of elbow grease. This is what it will take to make the floor cleaning project successful for the church. That success is possible and every member and every friend of OCPC has the ability to make it happen. How will we have the time? How will we raise the money? How do we make the commitment? How do we create the elbow grease? The answer is in trusting God. Sam Hughes from Bluegreen Carpet Cleaning has been working with me since early November. The Session has also been working with me since then. Sam, the Session, and I will keep moving this project forward and I believe it will be a great fundraiser. Time? Yes. We have two more months to collect donations. Money? Yes. We are collecting donations steadily and with specific purposes. Commitment? Yes. We want to make our church a place that is fresh and clean and healthy. Elbow Grease? Well, we will leave that up to the professionals with Bluegreen. They will do the cleaning. The rooms/areas that we hope to have cleaned in February by Bluegreen are: First Floor: sanctuary, offices, rug at rear entrance, stairs to basement, church pews Lower level: hallway, nursery, children s library, Sunday School rooms, kitchen and dining room In December, as you know, we focused on the promotion: Buy a Pew and we were able to reach our goal. The sanctuary floor plan poster with the outline of the pews helped to create a visual aid. Each pew received a name on that poster as people turned in their gift boxes with donations. Every pew cushion is now paid for and ready to be cleaned in February. Thank you to those who bought a pew for the church for Christmas. In January I will focus on the lower level. A new poster with new information will be on display in the fellowship room. There will be an opportunity to participate in the new promotion which I have called, Buy a Square Foot. I will ask each person to buy a square foot (or many more) which means paying for the cost to have a square foot of flooring cleaned. The cost to clean each square foot will be announced in January. In February I will focus on the first floor. Look for more information during that month. The total cost for the floor cleaning project and the pew cushion project is approximately $2100. With your support from December and in the next two months, we can reach our goal. Please join the fun and excitement. Buy a Square Foot in January!

2 2 Around 3 BC, the first organ was invented in ancient Greece. This new technology, which would revolutionize the music world, took centuries to develop into the modern musical instrument we know today. As much as we see the organ as a vital part of our worship, that was not always the case. The Church rejected this new technology as pagan and childish, unworthy of God s praise. It wasn t until the 12th century, that this musical technology began to be accepted in the Western Catholic Church. However, it was not welcomed by all churches, even today. ( It s hard to image our worship without the organ or even piano, as both of these help us communicate the Gospel through the beautiful hymns we sing. The same could be said of another piece of modern technology - the printing press, which allowed for the Bible to be accessible to all people. One of the hymns we sing, printed in our hymnal and accompanied by the organ (or piano) is I Love To Tell The Story. Just as the organ was once a cutting edge piece of technology, slow to be accepted and then, widely embraced by the Church, the same is true of modern technological instruments. Today, many churches are using technology in creative, meaningful ways to help tell the Old, Old Story of Jesus and his love. One way you are experiencing this is through the church newsletter. While some of you still receive a copy of it in the mail, many of you now receive it electronically via . We also use modern technology to record our worship services, sharing the video with a larger community. We utilize social media through our website and Facebook. Over the past year, we have even experimented with using a projector in worship. For many people, these do help to enhance worship and communicate the Gospel. And while not everyone is (Continued on page 3) Pastor s Page Thank you to the people who donated poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary during Advent and the Christmas season. GIVEN BY: Julie Anderson Jack & Jenine Spack Charleen Janus Judy Schroeder & Mark Touhey Judy Schroeder & Mark Touhey Judy Schroeder & Mark Touhey Jody & Richard Wolf Jo Kubina Trent, Kari, Tyce & Tara Bettenhausen Sylvia & Larry Jensen Renee Roland Johnson Cheryl & Al Bettenhausen Linda Porter Stan & Kay Lund Jan & Nancy Kristiansen Jan & Nancy Kristiansen Monty & Judy Pearson Monty & Judy Pearson TO THE GLORY AND HONOR OF GOD, AND: In memory of Carol & Clark Floyd In memory of Janelle Spack; Frank & Anna Spack, Don & Marguerite McFadyen In memory of Alice Quam In memory of Brendan Schroeder Touhey In memory of Ernie & Doris Schroeder In memory of Leo & Loris Touhey In celebration of life In memory of Ed Kubina In memory of Grandparents Otteson, Bettenhausen, Busch & Grandpa Tyler In memory of Rodney & Sally Hackbarth In celebration of Bonnie & Dana Lumby In memory of all our friends and relatives who have gone to heaven In memory of Jan Scott Kristiansen In memory of Sandy Fergusson and Vigdis Gullerud In memory of our parents Chet & Hellen; Dorothy & Victor In memory of Nancy Koplin and Wayne Spalding

3 (Pastor s Page continued from page 2) connected to the wireless world, the new technology is here to stay. Schools, businesses, organizations, government agencies, and as you know, families, utilize modern technology for all sorts of reasons. Why not the Church? Why not our church? As we move into 2016, I would challenge us as a congregation to begin to invest our finances and selves in some new, improved technology as a form of evangelism and worship. Our sound system could be updated. We could use a new video recording system. It would benefit us to purchase a large flat screen monitor that would be connected to Wi-Fi, so we could use it in worship, for funeral visitations, and meetings. Sure, we can continue to tell The Old, Old Story in the same ways, our younger generation of worshippers, and potential members, will not be as connected. Will all of this increase our membership? Maybe? What it will do is help us continue to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ within the church and out into the larger community. People, young and older, will know more of who we are here at OCPC, and how we are engaged in the church and cultural, in a way that is relevant and meaningful. I believe that just may open a few new doors to people who might not have thought about us in our community. Pastor Scott Annual Reading Program Begins in Children s Library By Cathy Thiltgen On Sunday, January 10 the Annual Reading Program will begin for all the children of the church in the Children s Library. This program has been going on for over twenty years and continues to be a favorite activity for the boys and girls in the Sunday School. It is also a favorite of mine and I cherish the time we spend together during the ten-week program. A letter with all the details will be sent to the children soon explaining the program. It will end on Sunday, March 20. Please contact me with questions, suggestions, or comments. Mission News By Cheryl Stitz, Moderator Meals on Wheels were delivered during December by Cheryl Bettenhausen, Jo Kubina, Kay Lund, Judy Pearson, Jenine Spack, Patti Strohbusch, and Rose Ann West. Thanks for your help. Mission funds of $200 were sent to the Cambridge Food Pantry and $100 to the Deerfield Food Pantry. These funds were received during 2015 from the Least Coin Collection and Piggly Wiggly receipts. Christmas Joy Offering Giving We received $194. Souper Bowl 2016 will be on Sunday, February 7. Wear your favorite team jersey and bring a non-perishable food item to church. Soup will be served during Fellowship time. All donations of non-perishable food items will be given to the Cambridge Food Pantry.

4 THE SESSION: Class of 2016: Cheryl Bettenhausen Fellowship Mission Judy Pearson Clerk of Session Memorial Hostess Worship/Theology Class of 2017: Kay Lund Charleen Janus Fellowship Nominating Dick Trailer Building and Grounds Finance-Stewardship Personnel Class of 2018 Renee Roland Johnson Christian Education Mark Touhey Building and Grounds Finance-Stewardship Personnel Treasurer: Dick Trailer BOARD OF DEACONS: Class of 2016: Al Bettenhausen Building and Grounds Worship/Theology Linda Porter Class of 2017: Trent Bettenhausen Nancy Kristiansen Nominating Class of 2018 Julie Anderson Ann Febock Judy Schroeder Pastor / Moderator of Session: Rev. Scott Marrese-Wheeler (608) Cell Pastor@OCPChurch.com DEACONS CORNER No business meeting was held in December. SESSION NOTES By Elder Judy Pearson, Clerk of Session A brief Session meeting was called to order by Moderator Pastor Scott after the yearly joint gathering of the Session and (as required by the Book of Order) with prayer by him following Sunday morning worship on December 13, 2016 at noon. All elders were present with the excused absence of Debra Cade. This meeting was to cover the business at hand the treasurer and finance reports. The Finance Committee will meet early in January to finalize the budget to be ready for report to the congregation at the annual meeting which is set for Sunday, January 24, 2016 following the morning worship service. A potluck lunch is to follow. Session was updated on a bid to remove the maple tree in front of the Manse. The bid was approved. The contractor that did the cement work on the driveway has been contacted for some type of repair to the area of concern. The weather has contributed to nasty bumps. Ordination and installation of new officers for the coming year(s) will be on Sunday, December 20, 2015 during the worship service. Gift cards of appreciation have been given to Ruth Poole and Jean Gunnulson for years of service. The next Session meetings will be on the third Sundays of the month for January and February 2016, that is on January 17 and February 21. Meetings will continue to follow morning worship services. A special thank you to Elder Thiltgen for his last three years as a Session member and his commitment to continue on the Finance Committee. Thank you to Elder Touhey as he continues on a new term on Session. Best wishes are sent to Elder Cade who is moving out of state. We thank her for her years of service also. Budget Update: Year-to date Income: $72,519 (Includes $6,000 transferred from Year-to-date Spending: $72,713 Clyde Heberlein Memorial)

5 Worship and Theology By Judy Pearson A meeting was held on December 8, 2015 with all committee members present. Pastor Scott opened with prayer. Plans to rewrite the instructions for those who serve as liturgist were discussed and Pastor will write this. A plan to have more involvement by the liturgist will detail the collection of the offering and leading the congregation in the prayer. This new practice will begin this Sunday at the children's service. Christmas services are all finalized and anticipated with excitement again this year. The poinsettias will arrive on December 15. Members will arrange and decorate the church with their beauty. December 13, 2015 during the service Pastor will have a time for Healing and Wholeness for all who wish to participate and light a candle. This is in preparation of the longest night to come on December 21, On January 6, 2016 we will celebrate Epiphany. Music rotation is going well and we do thank our musicians. Next meeting will be in one month as we prepare for the Lenten season to begin. Finally, we would like to thank everyone who assisted us with our worship services this year. We sincerely appreciate your help! Ken Bilstad Mary Hartwig Kris Runge Mary Trailer Stacey Brandenburg (friend of OCPC & Julie Floyd Anderson) Judy Brandt (choir director at Grace Lutheran Church) Griffin Clark (grandson of Bill & Patty Strohbusch) Nancy & Lori Davis (relatives of Kay Lund) Don Dieter (Marilyn Schuster s brother-in-law) Marjorie Erickson (friend of Kay Lund) Jane Feggestad Judy Hottman (friend of Judy Pearson) Egil Kristiansen (Jan Kristiansen s brother in Oslo, Norway) Charlene Charlie Porter Kodi Porter (son of Jeremy & Abby Porter) Vicki Redford and her son, Ryan Scott Simon (Carol Simon s son) Our children and unchurched children and families, our military around the world, our enemies, our church leaders, families and individuals experiencing financial, job-hunting, health, or relationship problems. Families who are grieving the loss of loved ones. If you would like to be added to our weekly prayer list, please leave word in the church office or contact the pastor. Permission to be included in this publicly posted list has been obtained from those listed or their families. Youth Group January 10 The Youth Group will be bowling at Lake Ripley Lanes on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 12:00 noon to 2 PM. Cost (TBD) will include bowling, shoes and food.

6 If you are unable to serve Communion, as Usher/Greeter, or Lector, please try to find someone to substitute for you. Or, contact Al Bettenhausen (608) or Judy Pearson (608) FEB 7 * Ann Febock * Cheryl Bettenhausen JAN 3 JAN 17 JAN 24 JAN 31 FEB 7 Mark Olson; Al Bettenhausen Ann & Dale Febock Judy Person; Marilyn Schuster Rose Ann West & Phillip Yeadon Bettenhausen Family Kay & Stan Lund JAN 3 JAN 17 JAN 24 JAN 31 FEB 7 Julie Anderson Charleen Janus Mark Touhey Judy Schroeder Joe Leto Jerry Thiltgen JAN 3 JAN 17 JAN 24 JAN 31 JAN 3 JAN 17 JAN 24 JAN 31 FEB 7 FEB 14 Kari & Trent Bettenhausen; Sue & Derek Bettenhausen Kelly Homann; Nancy Bowe Jack & Jenine Spack Potluck Meal after the Annual Meeting of the Congregation Kay & Stub Lund; Bill Strohbusch Fellowship Committee; Cheryl & Mike Stitz Souper Bowl Sunday Rose Ann West & Phillip Yeadon JAN/FEB Jan 1-15: OPEN; Jan 16-31: OPEN; Feb 1-15: OPEN

7 DATE BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES DATE BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES Jan 3 Amber Rumpf Jan 16 Cathy Thiltgen Jan 10 Monty Pearson Jan 17 Wendy Yeadon-Stark Jan 12 Clay Rumpf Jan 18 Mary Hartwig Jan 13 Maxwell Rumpf Jan 27 Sam Marrese-Wheeler Jan 16 Shelby Kelter Jan 29 Judy Schroeder Jan 16 Melanie Rumpf Sunday Schedule Worship Service 10:00 Communion first Sunday of each month Sunday School 10:00 from September through May Abbreviation Key AA: Alcoholics Anonymous CCA: Cambridge Clergy Assoc. CC: Communications Committee CE: Christian Education FC: Fellowship Committee GN: Good News MG: Membership & Growth OA: Overeaters Anonymous SG: Support Group WT: Worship & Theology YG: Youth Group January 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 7:30 PM AA 3 No communion Annual Reports Due :30 PM AA 8 9 9:00 AM Remove Christmas decorations 10 9 AM Choir Communion Library Day Reading Pgm 11 AM 12 PM YG PM Session 14 7:30 PM AA AM Session Library Day Annual Reports Available 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Newsletter articles due 21 7:30 PM AA Annual Congregational Meeting followed by potluck meal Library Day :30 PM AA 29 30

8 Kudos To: All who helped decorate the church for the holidays. All those who purchased the beautiful poinsettias to adorn our sanctuary, and to those who arranged them. Everyone who has helped deliver Meals on Wheels during the last year. Everyone who turned in their Piggly Wiggly receipts and to Monty & Judy Pearson for totaling them up. Jerry Thiltgen, Debra Cade, and Randy Johnson for their faithful years of service as Elders and Deacon. Thank you to our new Julie Anderson, Anne Febock and Judy Schroeder! Thank you to our new Elders Renee Roland Johnson, Kay Lund and Mark Touhey! Thank you to Joe Leto for helping drive the youth to and from Madison for our December event! Thank you to Renee and Randy Johnson for helping with our October youth event! Melanie and Renee for helping with the Children s Christmas Program! The kids did a great job! Mare Stewart and Marilyn Schuster for providing special music for our service on December 13. The Worship/Theology Committee for helping to celebrate Jesus birthday with a cake and fellowship hour. The Finance/Stewardship Committee and Ruth for their continued diligence to keep our budgeted affairs in order, and Mark for communicating this to us. CHURCH SCHEDULE WORSHIP SERVICE & CHURCH SCHOOL: 10:00 a.m. Sunday COMMUNION: First Sunday of each month FELLOWSHIP & REFRESHMENTS: Following worship service each week. VIDEO OF WORSHIP: Cable Channel 98 or 987 Sun 5:30 PM; M-T 8 AM & Noon (Link to video also available on our website or Facebook page) OFFICE HOURS PASTORAL OFFICE HOURS: Generally 9:00-12:00 Tue BUSINESS OFFICE HOURS: 8:00-12:00 Mon Thu TELEPHONE/FAX: Office@OCPChurch.com or Pastor@OCPChurch.com WEB: Visit us on Facebook: Oakland-Cambridge Presbyterian Church Annual Congregation Meeting and Reports The Session has called for the Annual Meeting of Oakland- Cambridge Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 24 following worship. The deadline for reports is Sunday, January 3. Potluck Luncheon after the meeting. Hope to see you there!