Steeple Talk. Dear Friends,

Transcription

1 Steeple Talk Dear Friends, I picked up my 827 page Celtic Prayer Book this morning and it fell open to page 250, which just happens to be one of my favorite prayers in the book. The prayer really speaks to me, especially as we begin the New Year together. If we all prayed this prayer every morning it would change our lives, our families, our church, and the world. Let Me Be Your Servant is the name of the poem. B u i l d i n g R e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h P e o p l e i n C h r i s t January 2019 Brother/Sister, let me be your servant, Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to Let you be my servant, too. We are pilgrims on a journey, And companions on the road. We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load. I will hold the Christ light for you In the night time of your fear. I will hold my hand out to you, Speak the peace you long to hear. I will weep when you are weeping; When you laugh I ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow, Till we ve seen this journey through. When we sing to God in heaven We shall find such harmony, Born of all we ve known together Of Christ s love and agony. Brother/Sister, let me be your servant, Let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to Let you be my servant too. Let us pray. Yours, in Christ, Ron Page 1

2 Session at Work Deacon Report YOUR SESSION AT WORK I hope this Christmas season was joyful and inspiring for you. There were numerous programs here at BRPC to help us realize why we celebrate Christmas with the birth of Christ. The choir presented a beautiful Cantata, and as the youth presented their interpretation of the birth of Jesus, the birth of Christianity. OWLS brought food, fun and games to us. Many of us will enjoy an evening of games to welcome (We actually celebrate the turn of the year around 10:00 or 11:00 so we are home before midnight.) An enjoyable duty of the session is to vote in new members and to confirm the newly elected officers are fit to serve as officers. This was done as this past meeting by voting Connie Featherstone (Lee Starcke s mother) into membership and examining the deacons and elders elected at the last congregational meeting fit to serve in their respective offices. It was necessary for the session to pass a budget for It will be presented to the congregation at the January congregational meeting. It is unbalanced, but with our generous congregation and much faith, we are hopeful that by the end of the year, our finances will be in good shape. We have one of our elders returning for another three-year term. Thank you, Christi. The three not returning are John Starcke and Barry Holmes who have just completed the second consecutive three-year term and Avis Odenbaugh who completed a three-year term. It is likely the new session will reelect her as clerk of session again as no one has stepped forward requesting the job. One of my favorite quotes is we re not defined by our abilities but by our choices! I have several people I need to thank for the choices they ve made for the last 3 years. Their attention to the people of their flocks helped the Deacons reach out God s loving arms and make sure ALL of the members of BRPC were loved and made to feel a vital part of the church family. Those individuals are Dot Mitchell, Pat Scarlett, John Foster and Misty Urriola. Thank you, Thank You THANK YOU for your choice to serve! At the same time, there are several people who have answered the call to help for the next 3 years and they are Carla Weisz, Dixie Miller, Georgia McCauley, Jim McCauley and Barb Keogh. It s also exciting that the Ed and Lucy Becka have also agreed to be yoked Deacons with Lee Starcke. When you see any of these individuals, please help me thank them for their commitment to BRPC. I am excited about the work that will happen when these wonderful people step up along with the other Deacons. I want this to appear to be a BIG deal because it is. The Deacons are a hard working group that not only reach out to the home bound but stay in touch with all the other members and help carry out functions that assist with every Sunday s worship services (not to mention all the special services including funerals). We can never say Thank You enough so I m recruiting all of you to say Thanks whenever you can. Mike Schumacher, Deacon Moderator (tell me where the quote in the first line of this article comes from and win a prize) I personally thank John and Barry for their service on the session. I expect they will remain active members by serving on committees and singing in the choir. Surely the congregation will want to thank them as well. May you have a new year full of blessings. Avis Odenbaugh, clerk of session Page 2

3 Christian Education SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL at 9:30 AM. Come and join as we learn together and grow closer to God. Breakfast treats will be available at 9:15 AM. K-4 th Grades will continue their study of David and learn how God prepared him to slay one Big Giant. In each lesson children explore the BIGS in David s life Big Giant, Big Choice, Big Challenge and Big Faith. Adult Class will begin another Bible study led by Charlie Chick titled Are You Close Enough to Jesus to Hear His Heart Beat? This will be a six (6) week study covering 12 different themes (two each Sunday). Come and explore themes such as A closer walk with Him. (John 8: 31-36) and What does it really mean to follow Jesus? (Matthew 4: 18-22) 5 th -8 th Grades will explore the stories The Wise men and King Herod; Part of Red Sea; David and Goliath; and The Pharisees and Jesus. 9 th -12 Grades faith journey will continue as they discuss Pour it On; That Kind of Love; Universal Laws and Convictions vs Condemnation. Super Bowl Sub-sandwich sales will be held beginning January 20 th with delivery on Super Bowl Sunday February 3 rd. Proceeds will benefit youth activities and Christian Education programs. Rummage Sale As you replace old things with new or clean out that closet, please save any unwanted items for the church rummage sale to be held this June. Proceeds will benefit Christian Education programs and specifically the summer Traveling Day Camp. Nursery Hours are 9:30 AM 12:15 AM Children are welcome to join us in worship each Sunday. Page 3

4 PRAYING FOR YOU The Families of: Chris Gardner, Ann ToKolste and Virginia Cockrell. John Sinden Angela Skidmore Linda Schroer Donna Chavez Ed Ingram Marion Martin John Denham Melissa Doyle Rose Fitzgerald Lynn Forsythe Barbara Gregory Vi Guinn Betty Schroepher Grandson of Paul and Donna Vance serving in Afghanistan Linda Lockwood s friend Kathleen Bryland s Friend Patricia Jackson s cousin, Trenton, on second deployment Lee Starcke s sister Brenda also her friend Lisa Jim Orr, Friend of Sandy Moore John Foster s relative, Mike Hines Bill Banks, Betty Schroepfer s brother, with acute health issues Ed and Lucy Becka Bob Johannesen who is receiving hospice support as he continues to share in worship and activities at BRPC. Brent McWilliams who has been deployed to Kosovo with his army unit. (Connie Oliver s grandson) Sandy MacMorran, brother of Marsha Elbasani, and his wife, Ellen. Todd Radenbaugh, Oberlanders nephew, facing a recurrence of cancer Barry Holmes Family, daughter-in-law Heather in physical rehab in Iowa BRPC Sunday Schedule 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM - Nursery available for children up through 2nd grade 9:15 AM - Breakfast snacks 9:30 AM - Adult & Youth Sunday School classes 10:30 AM Chancel Choir 10:45 AM - Worship Coffee Fellowship in the parlor following Worship, everyone is welcome! Communion 1st Sunday Page 4

5 THANK YOU Missions and Outreach Big Thank you for the prayers and cards during the time of my surgery in Sept. A special thanks to Rev. Galvin who stayed at the hospital the entire time of surgery. Also a special thanks to Mary Ziegenhorn for meals that were terrific and gave me a break from soup. All acts of kindness and consideration were very much appreciated. Sharon Schroer Thank You to all BRPC volunteers Missions and Outreach is so pleased to announce that Carla Weisz and Teresa Land have joined us. How delighted we are to have these talented ladies as members of our committee. MICAH Special Santa's-- joy and gratitude were at Micah on Dec. 19th when Christmas presents were picked up. I wish you could have all seen the look on the young Mother's tearful face when she realized the large bag, including a car seat was for her new born baby..."all this, for my child"...at that moment I heard the voice of Mary as the wise men gave their gifts..,,a Micah miracle. Notes & Info UNITY WITH LOVE, PASS IT ON! MLK Celebration Multicultural Celebration on Sunday, January 20, 4PM at Raytown South High School. A free will offering will be received to support the work of the Raytown Emergency Assistance Program (REAP) and The Summer Lunch Ministry. To all of our BRPC Santa s thank you for the love you shared. Statistics are just that but we adopted 193 children and had enough to serve 53 walk-in, and send on some stuffed animals to the police department. It was truly a very blessed Christmas. REAP also had a bountiful array of beautiful Christmas gifts to share with families. Micah wish list warm blankets, adult large or larger size winter clothing, baby girl winter clothing 3-24 months, always welcomed paperback books and magazines. If you are back from travel, your small size hotel toiletries are perfect for distribution BOOK CLUB MAKE SOMEONE SMILE There are cards in the pews for you to write an encouraging word to someone in the congregation. These could put a smile on someone s face, provide comfort, or be used to boost someone s morale. You can mail it yourself or drop it in the offering plate and the office will mail it for you. Meets the 4th Wednesday at 1pm in the parlor. Our Jan 23rd meeting we will be sharing our favorite childhood book or a special child's book. We will set up our 2019 schedule at that time...all are welcome DATES TO REMEMBER February - You are loved mission, where we honor those at BRPC in service or away at school. We will be delighted to give goodies to Brent McWilliams (Connie Oliver's grandson) not in Kosovo, but here in the USA. Welcome back Brent March 16 Pancake breakfast to benefit REAP 1Chronicles 16:8 A blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you. Happy New Year Page 5

6 Finance Committee Property The finance committee will present it s 2019 budget figures at a later date. Happy New Year to All Fellowship Roof Replacement to Begin! Storage unit placement, equipment delivery, solar panel removal, and actual shingle removal and replacement work is now scheduled to begin right after the new year! Our start date was pushed back due to the solar panel company s schedule. We will have on-site storage units and large equipment in our south parking lot. Please be aware that the alley and east portion of the south parking lot will be CLOSED and off limits to car and pedestrian traffic. Workers will be using the parking lot s driving lane immediately next to the south side of the church during work each day. At the end of each day, this lane will reopen for our use at evening activities. Thank you for helping everyone stay safe. Please plan to use the front entrance or kitchen entrance during the day once work begins, unless notified otherwise. We will be flexible to accommodate the roof company s needs as well as ours. If needed, we will halt work on the roof to accommodate BRPC needs, but we want to optimize work as it can occur. Once work begins, on the flat roof first, we anticipate approximately 2-3 weeks of prep, labor, and reinstallation of solar panels, weather permitting. We will do our best to keep everyone apprised of the work status. Thank you in advance for your patience. Building Security Please help us! Please WAIT to check that all doors securely close and lock AFTER exiting the building. Also, please check restroom lights, coffee pots, ovens, etc. Thank you! Building Request Forms Please remember to submit a building use request form for any event that is not regularly scheduled. Thank you. Maintenance Needs/Concerns Please write any needs, issues, or concerns with the date and your name and place in Bobby Neal s mailbox. Thank you. Page 6

7 Grace Notes OWLS What a joy and delight to serve a church with so many people willing to sing and play. A big thanks to all the ones who sang in our Christmas Cantata this year and to our wonderful Chancel Chimes. You all did a great job. Christmas Luncheon and Gift Game A special thanks also to our wonderful youth for your willingness to share the pageant with us again this year. We celebrate Epiphany this month on the 6th. This is when we tell the story of the wise ones who came to visit Jesus after his birth. The gifts we share in honor of God's gift of love to us in the Christ Child are the same gifts of love we give to sustain and hold one another in God's love. When we experience God's love manifest our joy drives us to give back from ourselves to show our gratitude. There's no better way to do this than through the many ways to serve in our community of faith this year. May we all experience God's love so deeply that we can't resist to show that love in return. Thanks Grace January 16, We will once again ring in the new year by playing BINGO! If you have a new or gently used item to add to our prizes, it would be appreciated. But we do have some prizes so don t feel like you have to bring something Linda Schumacher Page 7

8 PULPIT SUPPLY On Sunday, January 13, Pastor Ron will be in Kentucky visiting with his mother. We are in the process of securing a pulpit supply minister. RAYTOWN MLK CELEBRATION On Sunday, January 20, everyone is invited to attend Raytown s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration to be held at Raytown South High School, 8211 Sterling, at 4 PM. This event is sponsored by the Faiths of Raytown. More information can be found online. SCOUT SUNDAY We will celebrate Scout Sunday on February 10, with Scouts helping lead worship. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Thank you to everyone who helped make the Christmas Eve candlelight services so special! The message, music, decorations, lighting, and candles all added to the evening s meaning. Special thanks to Sandy Moore and her helpers for the beautiful gifts presented to everyone after each service. A great deal of time and love were placed into each bag that contained goodies and a handmade prayer quilt. POINSETTIA ORDERS Thank you to everyone who purchased poinsettias in honor of loved ones. The beautiful red and white flowers added warmth and beauty to our sanctuary. Special thanks again to Shelley Melewski for coordinating the orders and typing up the dedication sheet. CHANCEL CHOIR CANTATA We appreciate the beautiful Christmas cantata presented by the choir on December 16. Thank you to all vocalists, instrumentalists, bell choir members, Grace Cox-Johnson, and Linda Mann for the continued supply of beautiful music this holiday season and throughout the year. Our music ministry touches many hearts. HANGING OF THE GREENS Due to cancellation of worship and Hanging of the Greens on November 25, we wish to thank Linda and Mike Schumacher for decorating the church so beautifully in time for Advent and Christmas services. COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE Thank you to everyone who attended the annual Community Thanksgiving Service on November 18 at Faith Presbyterian Church, sponsored by Faiths of Raytown. Canned goods and monetary contributions were collected for the REAP. SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 : Ordination and Installation of Elders and Deacons CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Thank you to the children and youth of BRPC, Grace Cox- Johnson, Linda Mann, and all of the adult volunteers for presenting a very special Christmas pageant on Sunday, December 23. Children will remember helping to tell the story of our Savior s birth, and adults always enjoy seeing the children and youth s faces and energy. Page 8

9 January Worship Volunteers Sunday Pastor & Liturgists Youth Message Nursery 9:30 am Tech Ministry Slides Audio Camera Guest Book 6 P: Rev. Dr. Ron Galvin L: Bobby Neal Dot Mitchell 9:15 Sally Ingram 10:15 John Foster S A C Jo Riggs Bryland Flowers Mike Schumacher Donna Vance 13 P: Rev, Dr. Ron Galvin L: Christie Neal Christie Neal 9:15 Angela McCorkle 10:15 Debbie Cardona S Linda Schumacher A Mary Ziegenhorn C John Starcke 20 P: Rev. Dr. Ron Galvin L: Connie Oliver Connie Oliver 9:15 Mary Ziegenhorn 10:15 Edgar Urriola S Michelle Miller A Alex Banks C Mike Schumacher 27 P: Rev, Dr. Ron Galvin L: Jo Riggs Ron Galvin 9:15 Misty Uriolla 10:15 Marleen Merrill S Bobby Neal A Bobby Neal C Bill Melewski January Coffee Fellowship Sunday Contact Person Helpers 6 Lee Starke Schroer, All Schumachers, All Scotts, Shelton, Sinden, Starke 13 Donna Vance Urriola, Vance, Webb, Weisz, Welch 20 Don Young All Wentz Withers, Young, Ziegenhorn 27 Joann Bagby Bagby, Banks, Botz, Cardona, Chick, Clevenger Page 9

10 The Year in Pictures 2018

11 January 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 30 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM Nursery 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM Worship 12:00 PM Coffee Fellowship 31 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM New Year's Eve Party 1 New Year's Day OFFICE CLOSED 2 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Connect with Pastor Ron (Pastor's Study) 3 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Classical Conversations 11:30 AM Faiths of Raytown at REAP 6:00 PM Girl Scouts 4 BRPC Business Office Closed 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Scouts Lock In Friday - Saturday 5-10:00 AM Scouts Lock In Ends 10AM Communion Sunday Epiphany 9:15 AM Breakfast Snacks 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM Nursery 9:30 AM Sunday School for Youth and Adults 10:30 AM Chancel Choir 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM Worship 12:00 PM Coffee Fellowship 7:00 PM Cub Scouts 12:00 PM Missions&Outreach Cmtee Mtg. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Scouts High Trail Meeting 6:30 PM Boy Scouts Ron leaving for Kentucky 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Classical Conversations 6:00 PM Christian Education Cmtee Mtg 7:30 PM Worship Comm. Meeting BRPC Business Office Closed 7:00 PM Bridge (Parlor) :15 AM Breakfast Snacks 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM Nursery 9:30 AM Sunday School for Youth and Adults 10:30 AM Chancel Choir 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM Worship 12:00 PM Coffee Fellowship 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Heart of America Chorus 6:30 PM Finance Committee Meeting 7:00 PM Cub Scouts 6:30 PM Boy Scouts 7:00-8:00PM Property Cmte Mtg 11:30 AM OWLS 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Connect with Pastor Ron (Pastor's Study) 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Classical Conversations 6:00 PM Girl Scouts BRPC Business Office Closed 7:00 PM Quiddler (Parlor) Funeral Service For Virginia Cockrel NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 9:15 AM Breakfast Snacks 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM Nursery 9:30 AM Sunday School for Youth and Adults 10:30 AM Chancel Choir 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM New Harmony Handful Rehearsal 7:00 PM Cub Scouts 6:30 PM Boy Scouts 1:00 PM Book Club 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Connect with Pastor Ron (Pastor's Study) 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Classical Conversations 7:00 PM Session Meeting BRPC Business Office Closed 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM KC Chorus of Sweet Adelines 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM Worship 12:00 PM Coffee Fellowship 4:00 PM MLK Celebration-RSHS Sub Sales Begin :15 AM Breakfast Snacks 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM Nursery 9:30 AM Sunday School for Youth and Adults 7:00 PM Cub Scouts 6:30 PM Boy Scouts 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Connect with Pastor Ron (Pastor's Study) 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Classical Conversations (home school) BRPC Business Office Closed 10:30 AM Chancel Choir 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM Worship 12:00 PM Coffee Fellowship 12:15 PM Deacon's mtg Page 11

12 Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church 6429 Blue Ridge Blvd. Raytown, MO Phone: January 2019 Website: In God We Trust The Mission of BRPC is to Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ; Worship God with reverence, warmth and joy; Nourish faith and discipleship through prayer, fellowship, giving, study and service; Work for justice and peace; and Share the love of Christ with the community and the world. BRPC Staff Pastor: Rev. Dr. Ron Galvin Cell Phone: Office Manager: Karen Argo Director of Music: Grace Cox-Johnson Organist: Linda Mann Nursery Supervisor: Kerri McCorkle