the Messenger Chew On This -- First Presbyterian Church (EPC) 804 South Wolcott Street Casper, WY RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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1 First Presbyterian Church (EPC) of Casper the Messenger Chew On This -- A Message from Our Pastor FEBRUARY 2016 First Presbyterian Church (EPC) 804 South Wolcott Street Casper, WY RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Dated Material Enclosed John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. February is the month of love, with Valentine s Day, and also the month in which Lent begins. Love can be described as joyful, at least in the Hollywood version. This is the love that buys cards, gives candy and flowers, etc. It revolves around feelings of sweetness. But, when we come to Lent, perhaps we are not thinking of love much, especially the sweet kind. We think of Lent as a time of somber reflection, and so we should. We think of Lent perhaps as a time of sacrifice and repentance, and rightly so. We sing what some may say are dreary hymns such as O Sacred Head, Now Wounded. While Lent is all of these things, it is, above all, the most extraordinary example of love not a sweet love as we see it, but a much deeper, more meaningful love, a somber love, if you will. Somber is defined as something heavy, and this is a season of heaviness. We see Jesus approaching the cross of darkness, which will literally bring darkness. But out of darkness shines brilliant light on Easter morning. The love of Jesus is a thorough-going, comprehensive love which expresses itself not in chocolate but in suffering. In John, Jesus is giving his disciples a definition of love which is in conflict with our modern idea. Jesus says that it is demonstrated through radical suffering and sacrifice. Do you want to know what love is? Jesus says it is being willing to give up your life for a friend, and he says we are his friends. Jesus is here referring to the (cont. on p. 3)

2 Page 2 Page 11 From the Treasurer December 2015 Treasurer s Report December YEAR TO DATE Balance on Hand $ 2,921.79* January 1, 2015 $ -2, December Income 20, Income to Date 206, December Expenses 19, Expenses to Date 200, Income/Expenses 1, Income/Expense 6, December 31, 2015 $ 4, December 31, 2015 $ 4, *Adjusted beginning balance Souper Bowl of Caring For many years, FPC has collected SOUP for Souper Bowl of Caring on Super Bowl Sunday, and soup donations went to the Mission. This year, Parish Life suggests we all add additional monetary donations to the big VeggieDairian Ministry jar just outside the education wing entry to the sanctuary. With the money, we will purchase whatever the Mission kitchen is most in NEED of besides our normal milk donations-- fresh veggies, fresh fruit, or maybe even soup! Thanks so much for your EXTRA donations between now and February 7th! We re on the web! Church Officers and Staff The Board of Deacons Moderator: Grace Ward Secretary: MH Hennagin Class of 2016 MH Hennagin 2033 W. 42 nd mhhennagin@gmail.com (Evangelism/Parish Life) Carol McClure 2141 E. 21 st St cmcclure@bresnan.net (Christian Growth/Worship) Class of 2017 Nita Christensen 1319 Yorkshire Ave dnchris57@gmail.com (Parish Life) Phyllis Karns 1340 Newport phyllis.karns@yahoo.com (Christians Growth/Evangelism) Grace Ward 101 N. Kenwood (Worship) Class of 2018 Patti Christensen 3900 E. 19th P.O. Box chriskanspatti@aol.com Leith Culver 1912 Rustic Drive lculver52@msn.com Judy Schenk 720 W. 51st St tschenk@bresnan.net Church Staff (cont.) Choirmaster - Zach Vreeman 4043 Kent (402) Organist - Marilyn Fry 808 E. 13th St (307) Housekeeping - Meagan Vreeman 4043 Kent (402)

3 Page 10 Page 3 Church Officers and Staff Session Moderator: Rev. Mark Tippin Clerk of Session: Debbie Hutchins Treasurer: Leith Culver Class of 2016 Henry Groenenberg 3421 Valley Rd hg3421@live.com (Facilities/Personnel) Debbie Hutchins 636 E. 12th St debbie.hutchins@ur-energy.com (Clerk) Zach Vreeman 4043 Kent (402) zvreeman@gmail.com (Worship/Christian Growth/Nominating) Class of 2017 Sue Rainey 1105 E. 10 th St srainey@wyomingmedicalcenter.org (Christian Growth/Parish Life) Tim Schenk 720 W. 51 st St tschenk@gsgarchitecture.com (Facilities/Stewardship) Class of 2018 Mike Fankhauser Ranchero Rd mikef@rockymtnfire.com (Evangelism/Nominating/Facilities) Church Staff fax Pastor - Rev. Mark Tippin 172 Forget-Me-Not (724) Bookkeeper - Wendy Campbell 1201 Beaumont Dr (307) Administrative Assistant - Barb Martin 6961 Columbia River Road (307) Stewardship News We completed the year 2015 with a positive balance of $4000 in our general operating fund. This is good news since we have several large expenses coming up the first part of this year. Our third of four payments to the PC-USA is due the end of January. We have about $3000 saved and set aside for this. We have one more payment to go next year We have all worked hard with Pastor Mark, the Session, and committees to finalize the budget for It will be available to view in the annual report and discuss at our congregational meeting in February. Pledges were received throughout December for the upcoming year to help us estimate the income budget line. Chew on This (cont.) death he will die for the sake of the elect. Yet, he will go further and command them to love in like fashion. Now, this does not mean that we need to go out and find some wooden crosses to attach ourselves to, but rather that our The total so far is about $90,000 which is slightly below last year, but close to our historical yearly pledge amounts. Pastor Mark is checking with the EPC General Assembly to find out what they expect for our per member giving amount for This was formerly called the per capita amount. It was $48 last year. More news will be forthcoming regarding the need for repairs to the kitchen and hood over the stove. We have had two wonderful donations to that project and may come to you this spring with a request for more help depending on the cost of repairs and maintenance. Please check with Leith Culver or any of our members if you have questions or concerns. love for brothers and sisters in Christ would be radical enough that it would at least inconvenience our way of life. That s love self-sacrificial, Christ-like love. For His Glory, Pastor Mark

4 First Presbyterian Church of Casper 804 S. Wolcott Casper, Wyoming Phone: Fax: Facebook: First Presbyterian Church (EPC) Casper, WY Page 4 Elite 90+ Club Congratulations to Allene Smith who will be joining the Elite 90+ Club this year! Page 9 FebruaryBirthdays 2nd Betty Sanford 5th Linda Christensen 13th Fern Olsen 17th Claire Crone 18th James Traylor 22nd Tom Schumann 25th Ernie Sabec Allene will celebrate her 90th birthday on May 10th of this year. February Ministry/Committee Meetings Baby Bottle Boomerang Please take a baby bottle as you leave worship today for the True Care Baby Bottle Boomerang! Here s how it works: 1. Place your bottle in a prominent place in your home. 2. Pray for the staff, volunteers, and clients of the clinic. 3. Fill the bottle with coins, bills, and checks you collect. 4. Return your bottle on President s Day Weekend. (Feb. 14th) Thank you for partnering with our local pregnancy resource clinic to remove the perceived need for abortion in Natrona County! Parish Life Feb. 8, 2:00 P.M. Evangelism Feb. 8, 5:30 P.M. Stewardship Feb. 8, 7:00 P.M. Board of Deacons Feb. 15, 6:15 P.M. Session Feb. 15, 7:00 P.M. Worship Feb. 22, 8:45 A.M. Facilities Feb. 22, 5:30 P.M.

5 Page 8 Page 5 New Romans Study Parents Night Out Katie Gitthens oversees a cookie decorating station. The morning class of the NT book of Romans is going well and is full. You will want to watch for future sessions! Take a minute to ponder and answer yourself what THEY were asked recently: "If YOU were in a malfunctioning elevator crashing from the top to the basement of a 3-story building, how would you quickly explain The Gospel to the non-believers crashing with you?" In Memorium ERNEST SABEC FEB. 25, JAN. 19, 2016 Ernie was a long-time member of Casper First and a much-loved member of his church, family and community. He will be greatly missed by many, but is now at home with the Lord. Our prayers go out to his family. Anytime Pastor Mark is not at the church, he can be reached at FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Office Hours Tuesday: 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. Wednesday: 9:00 A.M.-noon Thursday: 9:00 A.M.-noon Al and Betty Sanford help with registration. A good time was had by all!

6 Evangelism Anticipated Donations Page 6 ANTICIPATED 2016 DONATION AMOUNTS FROM THE ESTIMATED TITHE OF OUR TITHES/GIFTS/OFFERINGS BASED ON DECEMBER 2015 PLEDGE CARDS FOR 2016 *2016 donations - Evangelism agreed to work with $15,000 as an anticipated tithe to be received from the congregation s 2016 gifts/tithes/offerings $1000 more than 2015 based on members pledge cards in Fall The following recipients/amounts are the same as 2015 * CNA: $1500 * Kenya: $4000 * CWRM - $500 * Fleece/yarn: $500 * EPC: GA $3000 Total: $ Lowered figure in 2016 * PCUSA: year 3 of 4 payments from reaffiliation obligations: $2000 or less ADDED TO $9500 = $11, Eliminated donation for 2016 * Interfaith: Evangelism/Session agreed Interfaith does not meet criteria of promoting the Gospel so we will not donate to them in 2016 (2015=$1000) 4. ADDITIONAL new recipients for 2016: * True Care: $500 * April Hymn Sing Fundraiser: $1000 (2016 to benefit CWRM; others may benefit in the future, this $ for nationally known organist; that organist s fees shared with CC) * EPC s Aspen Grove Church Planting Network: $1000 ADDED TO $11,500 = $14,000 REMAINING $1000 FOR EMERGENCY LOCAL OR GLOBAL MINISTRY IN 2016 ADDED TO $14,000 = $15,000 In addition, the $ left from 2015 will go into this emergency local/global ministry fund. Page 7 New Organist Welcomed MISSION STATEMENT Is God challenging you to read through the Bible in one year? Follow this link to find out how: A big welcome to our new organist, Marilyn Fry, and her husband, Jim! Marilyn is a life-long resident of Casper, with only a little time out to attend the University of Wyoming and the University of Montana. Jim and Marilyn have four children and three grandchildren (with the fourth on the way). Marilyn loves music and plays the piano and violin as well as the organ. She also enjoys sewing and spending time with her fur babies, her two Boston Terriers. Marilyn keeps busy as a substitute teacher as well. If you see Marilyn and Jim, please introduce yourself and welcome them to First PC! Out of humble gratitude for the free and undeserved gift of grace we have received through Christ, the mission of First Presbyterian Church (EPC) is: To proclaim, with boldness, God s glory, truth, and love revealed to us in his Word through the Holy Spirit. We seek to worship him with our entire lives, being continually reformed to Scripture, our only guide in faith and practice.