STEWARDSHIP: INWARD AND OUTWARD

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1 Trinity Presbyterian Church 4601 S. Surprise Way, Boise ID CATCH YOUR SECOND WIND! According to one Dictionary, second wind is a phenomenon where by an athlete who is out of breath and tired, suddenly finds a renewed strength or energy to continue an undertaking. Second Wind is the name of a comprehensive ministry focused at those in the community from the recently retired to the tired of being retired. That age span is large as well as the ability levels. The various needs are also just as expansive. The ministry has a threefold emphasis. First there is the fellowship supportive ministry fostered by doing what we do best, eating together. There will be a monthly covered dish luncheon that sometimes includes a speaker or program. Our inaugural lunch was hosted by our Pastor, who shared a video he produced embracing the 100 plus years of ministry of the Presbyterian Church in the Northwest. The second emphasis is upon shared activities. These will include trips to points of interest, concerts, plays, and some recreational times together. The first outing will be a trip to the Birds of Prey Headquarters on Friday, November 14th at 10:00 a.m.. Immediately following this will be cookies and punch at Dick & Natalie Thatcher s house. The third emphasis is to give back to our community in the name of Christ. Large segments of our retired people give of themselves all over the city, but as a group from our church we rarely do things together. There will be a regular scheduled community service activity planned as well. Also in the works is a community wide fair on the issues of aging. There will be seminars on retirement planning, health care, children caring for aging parents, parents caring for parents, the when and where of care facilities and hospice, to name a few. This event is tentatively scheduled for the spring of We hope you join us as you, catch your second wind! STEWARDSHIP: INWARD AND OUTWARD By Pastor Joe & Bill Drake William Temple once said, the church is the only society in the world which exists for the sake of those who are not members of it. Dietrick Bonhoeffer, a Christian Theologian who died in a Nazi concentration camp, put it even stronger. He said, the church is only the church when it exists for others. One of our core values as a congregation is that All People Matter to God, meaning those who are part of our community of faith, and those who are not. Part of Christian Stewardship is about marshalling the funds necessary to keep the doors of our church open so that people can come in and discover the love and hope of God, and keeping those doors open so that people can go out and share that same love and hope with others in whatever form is needed. The other part of Christian stewardship is not about funds, but about mobilizing the gifts and talents and abilities of those who are a part of faith community and using those in the mission of our church. In our church we see members as ministers, and that most of the ministry of the church happens outside our church building and not inside. We see what happens inside as empowering people to minister outside. Responsible Christian stewardship looks two directions at the same time, inward and outward.

2 CHRISTMAS NEWS By Susan Lewis Can you believe it s November? And you know what that means...it s almost time to decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas. If you are someone who enjoys decorating tress, then do we have a good time planned for you! Join us on Saturday, November 29th at 9 a.m., as we put up trees, lights, poinsettias and much more. Many hands make light work, so we need as many of you as can make it, and we do not limit this to the ladies of the Church, men and youth are more than welcome! Coffee, juice and donuts will be provided. Christmas is also the time of year that we have our annual sale of poinsettia plants to decorate our Sanctuary. We will begin the sales on November 23rd through December 7th. We will use live plants to decorate the Church on Sunday, December 14th and plants will be available for pick up after the music program in the afternoon. Watch for the order forms in your bulletin. Call Susan or e mail: slewis6956@msn.com if you have any questions. FALL SERMON SERIES BLOWN AWAY MOPS Musings... By Pastor Joe The Flatlanders is a long haired Texan country group. It is fronted by its Lubbock grown Butch Hancock. Hancock once tried to explain himself to a curious journalist. In Lubbock we grew up with two main things, he said, God loves you and he s gonna send you to hell, and that sex is bad and dirty and nasty and awful and you should save it for the one you love. You wonder why we re all crazy. We also get a clue why, when it comes to explaining the faith, that some people continually scratch their heads. In the book, UnChristian, What a New Generation Thinks About Christianity, David Kinnaman, opens with the words, Christianity has an image problem. He chose the title UnChristian because in studying those outside the church, their perception is that Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind, and that Christianity in our society is not what it was meant to be. One of my favorite sayings is that if you can t be Christian, be civil. Images, and perceptions are often hard to change, but as one of our leaders reminded me lately, it is by being authentic and vulnerable in one on one relationships that helps change perceptions and fix an image problem. It looks like we all have our work cut out for us By Michelle Bissey MOPS: The Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group continues to meet on the second Sunday each month from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.. Our next meeting will be held on November 9, 2008/ Bonnie Sheltrown will address our group with the topic, Happy Healthy Kids, at that meeting. If you are a mother of a preschooler (birth through Kindergarten), please join us as we celebrate motherhood, make connections and experience God s love through relationships and resources. In addition to exploring the MOPS International theme Adventures in Mothering, we will have dinner, learn from guest speakers, and participate in a craft project during our meetings. Nursery Care is available. We would like to thank our guest speaker at our October meeting, Nancy Dorociak, for an excellent presentation on the topic of identity. Thank you Nancy! Please contact Sheila Giffen at or Melissa Hale at if you have any questions about attending a meetings. For more information please view our website at November 2nd Blown Away By God s Great Commandment Matthew 22: November 9th Blown Away By God s Companionship November 16th Blown Away By God s Blessings Page 2

3 DEACON FOOD DRIVE By Darlene Bramble This year the Deacons are working with the Idaho Food Bank and the Boise Rescue Mission in gathering food for the holidays for those less fortunate members of our community. To support the Idaho Food Bank you can leave your donations in the food barrels located in the Church commons area, through November 30th. They ask for non perishable or canned food items. To support the Boise Rescue Mission you can make donations with a check made out to Trinity Presbyterian Church who will than write one check to the Rescue Mission. Please note Boise Rescue Mission in the checks notation line. $16.80 feeds, provides a warm bed, hot shower, and clean clothes for 1 person. $33.60 helps 2 people, $67.20 helps 4 people and $100 helps 6 people. If you have any questions, please contact deacons, Darlene Bramble, at or Betty Nowland at MISSION HOLIDAY TEA By Kathy Nielsen The third Annual Christmas Tea will be held Sunday, December 7th, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Church commons at Trinity. The cost is $15 per person. Proceeds will benefit Mission projects. Invite your friends and family and reserve a table of 4, 6, 8 or more! We also welcome couples too. Ladies, feel free to wear your prettiest hat! Reservations may be made throughout the month of November. Sign up at our display in the commons area. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kathy Nielsen at TRINITY TREASURES MISSION UPDATE NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY By Annette Slaybaugh Another N. T. Wright book has landed on our Library shelves. And for those N.T. fans, you won t want to miss this one! Judas and the Gospel of Jesus, Have We Missed the Truth about Christianity? Written in 2006, the year the gospel was made public, it addresses the topic in typical N.T. Wright fashion. As you will recall, the media made much of the Judas gospel, and it tied in nicely with the film release of the Da Vinci Code. Both fed into conspiratorial claims about church cover ups and the need to reinvent Christianity. In this book Wright takes on the hype and the search for an "alternative Jesus". He demonstrates that this new find offers very little to our understanding of Jesus, and shows how far apart Gnostic teaching is from biblical truth. So, for some very interesting and thoughtful reading come check it out!! By Annette Slaybaugh As you may recall, Trinity Treasures has been participating in the IdahoSTARS program that evaluates childcare and preschool centers throughout the state. As part of the process, centers are provided with continuing education opportunities. Some of our teachers are participating in a very worthwhile Strengthening the Family educational series. This program consists of 8 classes that on different strategies for strengthening families. One important piece of the effort is learning how to involve parents more in the life of the center. To that end, Donna, TT Director, is putting together our very first parent directory. The advisory board is very excited about this opportunity to improve our program with onsite classes for any staff member that chooses to participate. By Natalie Thatcher Our First Holiday Bazaar was a huge success. We are very excited by the number of children who will be helped both here and in Peru. The total money raised will be available very soon. Some of the Seasonal crafts will also be available at other mission events. Watch for these events in upcoming Spark and newsletters. Many thanks to all of you who contributed to the bazaar. Thanks to all those who helped create items for sale, baked goodies, helped out setting up or working the bazaar or just came and supported it by purchasing items. We could not have done it without all of your help! Page 3

4 by Susan Hartmann, Clerk of Session Session met on October 20 th. Treasurer: Elder, Terry Calnon, reported that 1st Presbyterian Church, Boise, will exchange financial records with Trinity for the annual review of financial records as required by the book of order. In addition, Terry reported that it is necessary to tighten the belt with regard to expenses. Missions: Elder, Carlos Diaz, encouraged Elders to come to the Mission Bazaar. It will be a big event for Trinity. Christian Education, Nursery 6th Grade: Elder, Holly Badke, reported (in absence) that Children s Theater has 21 excited actors and actresses. Steve Gross and Jody Rusk are keeping the young ones busy during GPS. Holly s motion to approve Brian Rippy as the new Sunday Superintendent for 2009 passed. Christian Education, Adult: Elder, Greg Collier s motion to hold the Women s Retreat October 9 11, 2009 in McCall passed. Trinity Treasures: Elder, Annette Slaybaugh is continuing to fine tune the new TPC/TT Policy. Her motion to approve the second section of the policy, Fiscal Operation of Trinity Treasures, passed. Membership and Fellowship: Elder, Susan Gross, encouraged the Elders to sign up to help out with Trunk or Treat. Stewardship: Elder, Bill Drake, reported that he is in the beginning stages of preparing for the Stewardship drive. O C TO B E R S E S S I O N S U M M A RY INCOME STATEMENT September 30, 2008 Year to Date NEW MEMBERS Annual Actual Budget Variance Budget Trinity Presbyterian Church Revenues: Pledges 170, ,870 (13,667) 245,158 Loose Plate 53, ,584 (10,767) 86,117 Other 33, , ,629 Total Revenue 257, ,925 (24,319) 375,904 Expenses: Missions 18, ,849 (6,556) 33,128 Stewardship (88) 750 Evangelism 2, ,997 (240) 4,000 Christian Ed Adult 1, , ,050 Christian Ed Crib 6th 2, , ,780 Christian Ed Youth 1, ,061 (120) 2,750 Membership 2, , ,900 Worship 2, ,878 (2,035) 6,500 Admin/Finance 51, ,370 (1,748) 71,158 Maintenance 40, ,490 7,825 43,320 Personnel 143, ,264 (15,842) 212,357 Total Expenses 267, ,281 (18,623) 381,693 Operating Income (10,052.26) (4,356) (5,696) (5,789) Trinity Treasures Revenue 444, ,000 (9,896) 608,000 Expenses Salaries 291, ,000 5, ,000 Other 151, ,616 (15,189) 216,775 Total Expenses 443, ,616 (9,315) 601,775 TT Operating Income ,384 (581) 6,225 Total Net Income (9,248.81) (2,972) (6,277) 436 Pastor Joe s motion to start the process (with a letter to the Committee on Ministry) for Tom Rasmussen to become a lay pastor passed. Pastor Joe spent numerous hours completing an 18 hour video on the history of the Snake River Mission Area (our Presbytery is part of the Snake River Mission Area which is dissolving December 31, 2008). Pastor Joe accompanied Nancy to San Francisco and was able to visit San Francisco Theological Seminary. New Members: Will & Lois Lindsay Page 6

5 Trinity Presbyterian Church 4601 S. Surprise Way Boise, ID Phone: Website: Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God. Romans 12:2 2 9 a.m. Worship & Church 9 9 a.m. Worship & Church 12:00 noon 1st Steps Class 5:00 p.m. MOPS meeting Youth Fall Retreat Ends 16 9 a.m. Worship & Church 23 9 a.m. Worship & Church 30 9 a.m. Worship & Church Food Drive Ends 3 7 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting 10 7 p.m. Deacon Meeting 17 7 p.m. Session Meeting 4 7 p.m. Boy Scout Troop # p.m. Boy Scout Troop # p.m. Boy Scout Troop # p.m. Boy Scout Troop # :30 a.m. Women s Bible Study GPS 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 12 9:30 a.m. Women s Bible Study GPS 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 199:30 a.m. Women s Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Treasure Valley Applique Society GPS 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 26 9:30 a.m. Women s Bible Study 6 7:15 a.m. Women s 9:30 a.m. Art & Crafts 13 7:15 a.m. Women s 9:30 a.m. Art & Crafts 20 7:15 a.m. Women s 9:30 a.m. Art & Crafts 27 Happy Thanksgiving! Office Closed 7 7 a.m. Men s Youth Fall Retreat 14 7 a.m. Men s 10 a.m. 2nd Wind Outing to World Center for Birds of Prey 21 7 a.m. Men s 28 7 a.m. Men s Office Closed 1 8 Youth Fall Retreat a.m. Decorate Sanctuary for Christmas

6 November, 2008 Upcoming Events XWISE YOUTH Youth Group Wednesdays 6:30 8:00 p.m.. Sunday morning Youth bible study 9:30 10:20 a.m.. Youth Fall Retreat at the Gross s cabin in Donnely, Friday, November 7th Sunday, 9th. 1ST STEPS CLASS If you are interested in learning more about Trinity Presbyterian Church or would like to investigate the possibility of becoming a member, please come to room 7 on Sunday, September 14th from 12:00 3:00 p.m.. A light lunch will be served and childcare is available! Call the church office at to register. 2ND WIND Are you near retired or already are? Than this new group is just for you! This month we travel to the World Center for Birds of Prey on Friday, November 14th at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Dick & Ruby Stauber at MOPS Come join the Mother s of Preschoolers on Sunday, November 9th from 5:00 7:00 p.m. as we discuss the topic of Happy, Healthy kids with guest speaker, Bonnie Sheltrown. In Touch Trinity Presbyterian Church 4601 S. Surprise Way Boise, ID Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 130 Boise, Idaho ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED