Volume 56 Issue 7 July 2012

Transcription

1 Southminster Presbyterian Church Volume 56 Issue 7 July 2012 Southminster Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Missouri, is called by God to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to minister in Love to the needs of members of the congrega on and residents of the community, and to promote peace and jus ce in the world. God and Country Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with par ality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? (Ma hew 22:16b-17). July is a tricky month for pastors when it comes to balancing God and Country. This quote from Ma hew always enters my head regarding the 4 th of July and the Sunday worship service closest to the holiday. It comes to mind because our country has a very complex rela onship between church and state. On one hand, our country was founded with religious freedom. There is no state religion and one is supposed to be protected from persecu on based on his/her religion. On the other hand, religion, or more specifically Chris anity, seems to be the country s guiding principle. We have biblical passages in courthouses, prayers at poli cal events, and the song God Bless America during the 7 th inning stretch at every baseball game. But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, Why are you pu ng me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax. And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, Whose head is this, and whose tle? They answered, The emperor s. Then he said to them, Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor s, and to God the things that are God s, (Ma hew 22:18-21b). This is Jesus response to the ques on posed by the group. Jesus himself seems to see a difference in the state and in the overall Kingdom of God. Jesus tells them that both have a place in society, both have followers and those followers have responsibili es; both, it seems, must co-exist in harmony. So, how does that translate for us? America is a wonderful country. We are free from many restric ons placed on ci zens of other countries. We have amazing opportuni es. We are protected to worship where, when, and whom we like with li le interrup on from the government. However, we are blessed by God not because we live in the United States, but solely because we have freedom in Christ given to us by God through the gi of God s son, our Lord and Savior. Our country gives us the protec on to worship God and for that we give appropriate credit to the State. But it is God in Christ who gives us freedom from societal expecta ons to live according to God s commands. We must first and foremost give thanks and praise to God for what God gave us originally. Long before God blessed those of us who live in America, God blessed the followers in Haran, Canaan, Egypt, Israel, Judah, Rome, Turkey, Greece, Switzerland, England, Scotland, and all of the countries that have come and gone through the ages. God con nues to bless the countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America and the Chris an believers here in America. Pastor Becky July

2 As we move ever closer to November in this elec on year, everyone s rhetoric grows stronger, the par es rela onships and connec ons con nue to unravel, and mainstream Chris an values actually pit us against one another instead of uni ng us as the Body of Christ. Below are a couple books that inten onally address some of the poli cal issues that almost every Chris an believes impacts his/her faith in some way and helps us look for ways to come together instead of pushing us farther apart. For Adults In Defense of Civility: How Religion Can Unite America on Seven Moral Issues That Divide Us by James Calvin Davies. As the tle points out, this book helps us as Chris an believers come together on a range of issues. Furthermore, if we don t hold the same opinions, the book tells us how we can be civil to one another and not declare one side or the other, since civility starts with each one of us. For anyone 18 and Older Votewise: Helping Chris ans Engage with the Issues - by Nick Spencer. Although this book talks specifically about the most important issues facing Britain today, we know that major social concerns are global, and not limited to one country. This book argues that poli cs should first and foremost be about right rela onships by encouraging Chris ans to bypass personali es, reputa ons, and even party loyal es and do poli cs remembering that these things concern real people, not just issues and laws. For Children You Are Mine by Max Lucado. This book is great to read with kids when teaching them about fi ng in. In this story, boxes and balls are the latest thing and everyone wanted to have some. Even more, Punchinello wanted to have the largest collec on, the best and most special collec on, and he was willing to do anything to make that wish come true. He didn t know what it would cost him to have the most and best boxes and balls. Then the Wemmick maker told him, You are special, not because of what you have, but because you are mine. This is a wonderful story and very applicable to our me when kids feel like they need more to be a be er person. Heartland Traveling Day Camp Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Friends and Neighbors Don t forget to fill out a camper registra on form for the special child(ren) in your life. We are going to have a wonderful me together studying God s word to us in Jesus parables through story, cra s, songs and overall fun ac vi es. Please use the registra on form that is found in the back of the Scroll and turn it in by July 27 th! Each camper needs his/her own form and the cost to you for each camper is $10. The church will be paying for the rest of the camp experience. Camp will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Lone Pine from August 6 th - 10 th. It will run from 9:00-5:00 and transporta on from Southminster will be available every day. We will leave from here each day no later than 8:30 and return around 5:30. Please let Pastor Becky know if your child(ren) will be going directly to Covenant or if he/she will be mee ng here for a ride to camp so she can have appropriate transporta on arranged. Also, if you would be willing to help as a cra leader, meal helper, or ac vi es helper please let Pastor Becky know this as well. In these roles you would only need to be at camp a por on of the day or days you can work. There will be training for these posi ons and everything you need will be provided. Birthdays: 1 Debbie Radford 2 Dick Harbaugh 8 Betty Potts 9 Betty Mulford Nancy Wageman 10 Patsy Palmer 15 Becky Schwandt Joann Wills 16 Benjamin Stone 24 David Kencade Schmoranz 27 Don Holt 28 Susan Appelquist 31 John Barnhardt Anniversaries: 1 Robert & Randi Laves 6 Todd & Kathy Morriss 10 Rich & Jane Bogue 18 David & Marcie Cottrill 25 John & Janese Barnhardt 31 Charlie & Kim Bush July

3 Commi ee/group mee ngs in July are as follows: July 3, 1:00 pm: Property July 3, 10:30 am: Congrega onal Care July 10, 6:30 pm: Session July 16, 5:30 pm: Chris an Educa on July 23, 2:00 pm: Mission July 29, 12:30 pm: Worship July 31, 9:30 am: Kathy Kaps RESUMING IN AUGUST DINNER WITH FRIENDS! Sponsored by Congrega onal Care Dinner with Friends is an opportunity for Southminster members to enjoy food and fellowship in a small social se ng. Par cipants may sign up as Guests or Hosts or both. Each month three or four guests are assigned to the hosts. The hosts may proceed with the guests assigned or invite addi onal guests. Hosts are responsible for deciding what their group will do and for coordina ng the date, me, and loca on with their guests. The event does not have to be a formal dinner and the hosts do not have to entertain in their homes. They may choose to host breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner and may wish to meet at a restaurant (Dutch treat), in a park for a picnic, etc. Dinners will begin in August and con nue through October. Sign-up sheets are available in the Narthex. Guest assignments for each month will be distributed before the end of July. For more informa on contact Sharon Marsh at or SOUTHMINSTER CLEANS THE CHAIRS As many of you know, 120 chairs were donated to our church from the Waterford facility. These chairs were formerly used in their dining room. This was a generous dona on, but because the chairs are 10 years old, they need some cleaning. We need everyone's help. The week of July 9-13 has been set aside for the mass cleaning effort. We need your help for as much me as you can contribute. There will be someone to show you what to do and help you get started. Here's the schedule: Monday/Tuesday July 9/10 10:00-12:00 a.m. Wednesday/Thurs July 11/12 3:30-5:30 p.m. Friday July 13 If needed Hopefully, one or more of these mes will be convenient for you. These chairs will be used in the Narthex area, choir room and other places in the church. If these mes are not convenient for you please contact Kathy Morriss ( ) to arrange another me. There will be chairs available for church members to have. If you're interested contact Pastor Becky. The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.' Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands. The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday a ernoon. The eighth-graders will be presen ng Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congrega on is invited to a end this tragedy. Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door. July

4 Webster's New Twen eth Century Dic onary, unabridged, defines peace as: 1. freedom from war or civil strife, 2. a treaty or agreement to end war, 3. freedom from public disturbance or disorder; public security; law and order, 4. freedom from disagreement or quarrels; harmony; concord, 5. an undisturbed state of mind; absence of mental conflict; serenity, 6. calm; quiet; tranquility. Some people, though, have a problem with civil strife, law and order, harmony, concord, calm, quiet and tranquility. Over a thousand hate groups reside in the United States, twenty six here in Missouri. Here in Springfield, we have at least three. The Southern Poverty Law Center issues this report every year in its publica on Intelligence Report. These groups go by different names and espouse different themes, some seemingly innocuous. Some arose from history and s ll are around. One group in Springfield is the Na onal Socialist Movement (NSM). "The Na onal Socialist Movement has its roots in the original American Nazi Party, which was founded in 1959 by former Navy Cmdr. George Lincoln Rockwell. Seven years a er Rockwell was murdered by one of his followers in 1967, two of his chief lieutenants, Robert Brannen and Cliff Herrington, formed the Na onal Socialist American Workers Freedom Movement in St. Paul, Minn. Leadership passed to Jeff Schoep in 1994, who renamed the group the Na onal Socialist Movement. NSM ideology mirrors that of the original American Nazi Party. The group openly idolizes Adolf Hitler, described in NSM propaganda as, 'Our Fuhrer, the beloved Holy Father of our age a visionary in every respect.' NSM says only heterosexual 'pure-blood whites' should be allowed U.S. ci zenship and that all nonwhites should be deported, regardless of legal status. As Schoep put it: 'The Cons tu on was wri en by white men alone. Therefore, it was intended for whites alone.' Excerpted from Intelligence Report, Spring 2012, Issue 45, Southern Poverty Law Center, Though we believe we live in a part of the world where an Anders Brevik, the Norwegian mass murder, or David Duke, s ll president of the KKK, or James VonBrunn, the killer of the security guard at the Holocaust Museum, wouldn't reside or carry out their agenda, it takes only a spark to ignite such a group, or individual, to violence. We can't live in fear of these groups, though that's what they want. Rather, we should speak up and counter their rhetoric with our beliefs grounded in our faith in God and as disciples of Jesus Christ. In simplest terms, we should prac ce peace. Learn more about hate groups at To my church family, Thank you for the prayers and thoughts during my recent medical tes ng. Rosemary Finney To Pastor Becky and my church family: Thank you all so much for your prayers, your cards, the flowers, and coming to see me a er my accident. Thank you to those who came to my birthday party. It was so good to see my shepherd and some of my church family. Thank you, Pastor Becky, for those mes you came to see me and my family and praying with me. June Speight Many, many thanks for all the prayers, cards, and expressions of love and concern a er the death of my daughter, Janet. The service was beau ful, and the lunch so very nice. What a wonderful church family we have! Jean Stokke July

5 In July 2000, with the help of mul ple gi s from wills and estate gi s, an Endowment Fund was created by the Session to help provide a stronger financial base for the Church. It was established to encourage individuals and other en es to make gi s to the Church. The Fund is also a means to a ract and manage opportuni es for ministry and specific capital projects. The ini al investment of the Fund can be used only for major capital improvements deemed necessary by the Session. Such expenditures require a 75% approval vote of the session at two consecu ve mee ngs and 75% approval vote of the congrega on at a congrega onal mee ng. Earnings of the fund in excess of $50,000 is used for mission projects designated by the Session. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Endowment Fund may do so at any me and for any amount. Contribu ons may be a way to remember or pay tribute to someone. Even small amounts joined together can have tremendous power. Our next photo date will be: Tuesday, July 17th from 2:30 to 9 pm You can schedule your appointment online at Just follow the Lifetouch link. If you are unable to make your appointment online, please call the church office to schedule your si ng. Every family group who has their picture taken will receive gi cer ficates worth $25 towards the purchase of portraits. Receive an addi onal $5 gi cer ficate by bringing a non-perishable food item when you have your portraits made. This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. Southminster Presbyterian Church is looking to fill a part me posi on for a Children s Ministry Assistant (5-6 hours a week). We are a neighborhood church with 125 members located at the intersec on of Seminole and Holland near Mercy Hospital. The applicant will need to be able to ar culate his/her Chris an faith, par cularly the belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the uncondi onal love of God for all people, and have a working familiarity with the Bible. The applicant must have experience working with children between the ages of 5-12 years old. Energy, intelligence, imagina on, and love are all characteris cs of an ideal candidate. A basic understanding of Reformed Theology and music is a plus. A background check will be required before hiring. Send resume to Southminster Presbyterian Church, 2245 S. Holland, Springfield, MO July

6 June 10, 2012 The Southminster Session held its Stated at 6:30 p.m. in the Southard Room of Southminster Presbyterian Church. With a quorum present, Reverend Becky Schwandt, Moderator, opened the mee ng with prayer. In the absence of clerk Sharon Marsh, Phyllis Feyh served as ac ng clerk. The minutes of the May 6, 2012 Stated Session mee ng were approved as corrected. The Treasurer s report was presented by Stewardship Chair, Pam Newton. Income for May: $10, YTD: $78, Expenses for May: $11, YTD: $71, Expenses over Income: $ Pastor s Report Job vacancies for Administra ve Assistant and Children s Ministry Assistant have been posted. Pastor Becky a ended a Con nuing Educa on/ Training Seminar on Conflict Management and Family Systems in Louisville. She also a ended a Synod Pastoral Sustenance mee ng for new pastors in Kansas City. Topic of this session was Business Management of a Church. Pastor Becky recommended ge ng copies of The Business of the Church to be used as a study during Spiritual Development at Session mee ngs. Session agreed, by consensus, to order the books. Pastor Becky is spending a lot of me reading and preparing for General Assembly. Clerk s Report Communion was served on May 6, 2012, Trinity Sunday. Jan Stokke Benne, daughter of member Jean Stokke, died on May 26, 2012 with services at Southminster on May 31, 2012; interment in Missouri Veteran s Cemetery, Springfield. Commi ee Reports: Chris an Educa on (wri en report) Phyllis Feyh and Brandt Shields The commi ee planned food, games and entertainment for the All-Church Picnic on May 30th. Pastor Becky provided informa on for the Heartland Center Traveling Day Camp. Southminster has reserved fourteen slots for its elementary-age children, friends, and rela ves. Congrega onal Care (wri en report) Sharon Marsh and Nancy Wageman There were 5 prayer chain calls for 5 people in May. Shepherds will be contacted monthly to ascertain members who might have special needs or concerns. Homebound members will be contacted to schedule a home photo session for directory pictures. The C.A.R.E. Mobile will be at Southminster on Monday, June 25, and commi ee members will be on site to assist with registra on. Mission (wri en report) Carolyn Mitchell and Charles Wills May Crosslines: Southminster served 64 families for a total of 168 individuals. Crosslines is now offering frozen food packages and meals to all interested individuals and families with no restric ons, guidelines or ques ons asked. Pricing and ordering instruc ons can be found at the following web sites. Smart Choice Food and Mid America Foods Property (no report) Mike Lyons Stewardship (no report) Pam Newton & Phyllis Feyh Worship (wri en report) Do y Thomas and Brandt Shields Pastor Becky will be gone for General Assembly July 1st and 8th. A hymn sing will be held on the 1st; a supply pastor will fill the pulpit on the 8th. Cost of Easter Lilies this year was $327.50; $390 was collected. The summer sermon series will be on Presbyterian beliefs and ques ons from the congrega on will be addressed in August. August 12 will feature students who have been in camp the previous week. Worshiping in Fellowship Hall and using the Ecumenical Version of The Apostles Creed during the summer were discussed. (Con nued on page 7) July

7 (Continued from page 6) The commi ee presented a mo on to worship in Fellowship Hall three mes during the summer - on June 17, July 1, and August 12. Mo on carried. The commi ee presented a mo on to use the Ecumenical Version of The Apostles Creed in worship this summer. Mo on carried. Administra on and Personnel (wri en report) Carolyn Mitchell and Do y Thomas Brenda Hilburn, Administra ve Assistant, will be moving to Texas in July. Pastor Becky presented a job descrip on update for the posi on and will send the informa on to Craig s List, Missouri State University, Drury College, and various other agencies. Applica ons will be accepted un l June 11, Interviews will be conducted by Pastor Becky and one or two members of A&P. Applica ons for a Children s Ministry Assistant are s ll being accepted; the search for this posi on is ongoing. The commi ee presented a mo on to compensate Pastor Becky $2000 for her addi onal work with children s programs. The mo on carried. Organiza on Reports: Endowment Fund (No report) Steve Palmer Peacemaking Todd and Kathy Morriss The Peacemaking group sponsored Southminster Proclaiming the Good News in Fellowship Hall following worship on Sunday, May 20. The event was designed to highlight Southminster s mission areas. A endees were encouraged to browse through the displays and answer a ques on sheet provided. The summer is in full swing and I have to admit, it is turning out to be a good summer. I have returned from an Arizona vaca on and have par cipated in the VBS in Iola which was a joint venture of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. I had a wonderful me with 100+ children all experiencing God s love in a variety of ways. I had never par cipated in such a large VBS and I was impressed with the organiza on of the event. Hopefully the success of this event has been replicated in churches across the Presbytery. If you have pictures of your VBS, some to me at pastoralpresbyter@gmail.com and I will put them on the website. As we gear up for General Assembly, please keep JCP s commissioners Becky Schwandt and Bill Budnick and our YAD Brandt Shields in your prayers as they prepare for this important task. We ask that you would also be in prayer for other commissioners, delegates, those who are preparing for the hundreds of people who will come and those who are working hard in the service industries to make this a posi ve experience for us all. May all that is done all be done for the glory of God. Have a great rest of the summer. Susan Rosenbaum Pastoral Presbyter, JCP Presbyterian Women (No report) Nora Burgess Seekers (No report) Mike Lyons United Ministries in Higher Educa on (No report) Sharon Marsh The mee ng adjourned with prayer and the Lord s Prayer. Bulletin: Thursday 9am E-News: Monday 9 am August Scroll: July 2:30 pm July

8 Cyclists ready to inspire, perspire Presbyterians' trek to Pi sburgh is part of legwork for nontradi onal ministry Even as a recent seminary graduate, Ryan Althaus has found the Sunday morning church service thing a bit monotonous. So for the past two years, he has been se ng up at road races, taking prayer requests from runners and triathletes and leading open-air worship a er races. He s been organizing church kickball and volleyball ac vi es. Who would have predicted that his idea of unchurchy church would become a poster child for revitaliza on within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)? But that s what s happening with Althaus and his Team Sweaty Sheep that is, once he and some colleagues break some more sweat. Althaus and a group of fellow cyclists took off from church headquarters near the Louisville waterfront on a sweltering Sunday a ernoon on the first leg of a seven-day trek of about 450 miles to Pi sburgh, where the denomina on is star ng its legisla ve General Assembly on Saturday. The heat really hasn t ever bothered me, said Althaus, who was mee ng his fellow riders at the church s headquarters on Witherspoon Street. He said he usually eats half a watermelon in the morning and another half at night. That s my hydra on secret, he said. The cyclists plan to ride 40 to 90 miles per day through Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. They ll be visi ng host churches along the route for revival worship services and potluck dinners. They plan to arrive just in me to ride right into the assembly s opening session Saturday. We re just trying to inspire some movement, said Althaus, a recent graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary who is not ordained. Althaus sees the ride as showing that God is moving in this world, is moving through us. The denomina on is showcasing Sweaty Sheep as a model for nontradi onal ministry. With the Presbyterian Church losing members steadily 3 percent last year the denomina on has launched a project called 1001 New Worshiping Communi es, seeking to sponsor outside-the-walls ministries that focus in areas that could range from fitness to environmental awareness to other areas. It s going to be a helpful and healthy way to raise awareness for some of the things we need to be about, said Philip Lotspeich, coordinator for church growth in the denomina on, who plans to ride the en re route. Some Presbyterians may join the cyclists for part of the route, but three riders are planning to go the distance Althaus, Lotspeich and the Rev. Peter Barnes-Davies, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Sco sburg, Ind. Cycling is a passion of mine, and a kind of spiritual discipline that connects physical, mental and emo onal health for me, Barnes-Davies said. When I ride, I feel be er. He also sees it as a way to remind himself and others that God s people have been mobile for centuries without the burden and blessing of internal combus on engines. Reporter Peter Smith can be reached at (502) Reporter Elizabeth Kramer contributed to this story. July 10 Tasia 4728 S Campbell August 14 Bandana 900 E Ba lefield September 18 HyVee October W Ba lefield Mexican Villa 2755 S Campbell July

9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:30 am Sunday School 10:45 am Morning Worship Services :30 am Congrega onal Care Commi ee 4 Office Closed :00 noon Free Lunch 8 9:30 am Sunday School 10:45 am Morning Worship Services :30 am No Hostess Tasia 6:30 pm Session 11 12:00 noon Free Lunch 5:30 pm Summer In- Depth Bible Study :00 noon Free Lunch 15 9:30 am Sunday School 10:45 am Morning Worship Services 16 5:30 pm Chris an Educa on Commi ee 17 2:30 pm to 8:50 pm Lifetouch Portrait Si ngs 1:00 pm Property Commi ee 18 PW Church Wide Gathering 12:00 noon Free Lunch 19 PW Church Wide Gathering 20 PW Church Wide Gathering 21 PW Church Wide Gathering 12:00 noon Free Lunch 22 PW Church Wide Gathering 9:30 am Sunday School 10:45 am Morning Worship Services 23 2:00 pm Mission Commi ee Crosslines Fish Day 12:00 noon Free Lunch 5:30 pm Summer Indepth Bible Study :00 noon Free Lunch 29 9:30 am Sunday School 10:45 am Morning Worship Services 12:30 pm Worship Commi ee :30 am Kathy Kaps July

10 July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 Liturgist Liturgist Liturgist Liturgist Liturgist Rich Marsh Jane Bogue Phyllis Feyh Bryce Shields Brandt Shields Head Usher Head Usher Head Usher Head Usher Head Usher Sharon Marsh Sharon Marsh Sharon Marsh Sharon Marsh Sharon Marsh Ushers Ushers Ushers Ushers Ushers Jane Bogue Phyllis Feyh Nora Burgess DeAnn Holt DeAnn Holt Kay Vergien Maria Nelson Debbie Radford Gene & Martha Charles Greeters Greeters Greeters Greeters Greeters Jim & Judy Anderson Gene & Martha Charles Janese Barnhardt Dee Diehl Jackie & Rosemary Finney Dick & Skeeter Harbaugh Carolyn Mitchell June Meyer Nora Burgess Sondra Gentry Bonnie Hunter Roberta Nicholson Kathy Miller Debbie Radford Gondy Shuler Do y Thomas Acolyte Acolyte Acolyte Acolyte Acolyte Aus n Lemons Michael T. Lyons Ryan Kelley Lance Barnhardt Aus n Lemons Sound Operator Sound Operator Sound Operator Sound Operator Sound Operator John Bogue Ryan Kelley Dylan Crowder John Bogue Ryan Kelley Child Care Worker Child Care Worker Child Care Worker Do y Thomas June Meyer Dee Diehl Child Care Worker Phyllis Feyh Child Care Worker Charles & Louise Newton "Someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith." James 2:18 Southminster Presbyterian Church 2245 South Holland Avenue Springfield, Missouri Phone: (417) Fax: (417) smtrpc@sbcglobal.net Website: July