Church. Bell. September 23, 2018 THE

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1 THE Church Bell Vol. 70, No. 32 Sept. 18, 2018 THE CHURCH BELL (U.S.P.S. # ) is published weekly for $1 per year by First Presbyterian Church, 200 Church St., Neenah, WI. POSTMATER: Send address changes to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 100, Neenah, WI This coming Sunday... September 23, :00 a.m. Worship in the Chapel 9:00 a.m. FaithTime! Kids & Adults 9:15 a.m. Chancel Choir 10:15 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary SAVE THESE DATES! Fall Wonderful Wednesdays begin September 26 th Mini-retreat: The Lord s Prayer Saturday, October 6 th Adult Mission Trip Departs October 6 th Congregational Meeting to Elect Elders Sunday, October 14 th HARVESTFEST Saturday, October 20 th Coming NEXT WEEK: Wonderful Wednesdays Blessed Are the Poor If you were poor in the Fox Cities, where would you go for help? If you were poor and reading the Bible, what would you hear it saying to you? If you were a teenager and homeless, trying to finish school even while you were sleeping in a car or a shelter or on someone s couch, how would you get the clothes you needed to stay warm and to look like you belonged? This year s classes for kids and adults all focus on poverty. Learn about the reality of poverty here and the agencies that help; or learn what the Bible says about the poor; or knit scarves and hats for area high schoolers who are homeless (the Neenah Unified School District, alone, has forty students who are identified as homeless). Jesus said, Blessed are the poor. Be a part of making that blessing tangible. To register for Wonderful Wednesdays pick up a registration form from the Information Desk, call the church office ( ) or visit goo.gl/pyq6x6. Sept 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, & 24 5:30PM Dinner in fellowship hall 6 to 6:15PM Mission:LEARN LOVE SERVE 6:25 to 7:30PM Classes

2 A Message from the PNC As the church year kicks off its activities, we just wanted to let you know that the PNC is still hard at work in pursuit of our next pastor. I ve got some numbers for you to digest. We have reviewed 79 resumes; had 32 meetings; conducted 12 Skype interviews (with another one scheduled within the week) and have sent a team to another church to hear someone preach. We have listened to dozens of sermons and we have done a lot of internet sleuthing to help us learn more about each of these candidates. We have looked at their churches websites, read reviews, looked at their Facebook accounts, listened to their blogs, even searched through YouTube for their sermons or other presentations. Technology has been a wonderful tool in this process. We have had some great conversations during our meetings. At times, we are all in agreement and at other times, we are on opposite sides of an issue. But through it all, we all know that deep down, each of us is doing our best to hear God s voice in those discussions as he leads us closer to finding our person. We all want the same thing for ourselves and for all of you: the right fit for our future! Keeping this in mind has helped us during the more passionate moments amongst our committee. We appreciate your continued prayers and patience as we move forward in this journey. In our hearts, we truly believe that our person is out there and in God s own time, this person will be revealed to us. Keep the faith because we sure are!! Praying as Jesus Taught Us The Lord ssusan Prayer Stabile a mini-retreat with l l l l l l l l This day of reflection offers an opportunity to deepen our appreciation of The Lord s Prayer. Together we will consider each of the petitions contained in the Prayer and how we can live the Prayer more deeply. l l l l l l Saturday, October 6th 9am to 3pm Lunch provided by Zuppas. Free will offering. RSVP s appreciated - contact Gina Struensee. Fox Cities Marathon Sunday, Sept 23rd Street Closures This coming Sunday morning, over 5,000 athletes participating in the Fox Cities Marathon, ThedaCare Half Marathon, and the Orthopedic & Sports Institute Relay Marathon will pass our church including a team of First Presbyterians! Drive with extra caution, check for road closures at and allow for delays as you come to church that morning. Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner Thanks to all of you who voted on the menu options for the next Community Table at our Rally Day Activity Fair. Apricot chicken with rice was the winner so that is what we will have for our upcoming Community Table event on Saturday, September 22nd. The full menu, along with food and volunteer options are available on the From the Heart table or you can contact Anne Jones ( or anne65jones@gmail.com ). Hope to see you there! The Nursery Needs YOU! Help us keep our FPCN Wee Worship and Nursery kids learning and serving God by donating snacks. Snack donations can be dropped off in the nursery on Sunday mornings or in the office anytime during the week. We would prefer low-fat, healthy snacks that can be eaten quickly and without much mess, such as: veggie straws, goldfish, raisins, dry cereal, applesauce pouches, graham crackers, animal crackers, 100-calorie snack packs, etc. Thank you! Faith ime! Adults Sunday mornings at 9AM in the meeting room This coming Sunday, September 23rd, our FaithTime! for Adults class is: Immigration: Why Don t They Just Come Legally? Part I. Molly Smiltneek, Immigration Attorney, will provide an overview of how our current U.S. immigration system works. Part II will follow the next Sunday with Norys Pina, volunteer leader of Unidos Por Un Futuro Mejor (United for a Better Future), who will share the impact that the current immigration system has on real people, including her own immigration story. Want to know what s ahead for the FaithTime! for Adult classes? Visit the information desk for a flyer. Faith ime! This Week Sunday mornings at 9AM PreK 5th Grd Who is the Greatest! Mark 9:30-37 Middle School Meet in the JOY room High School Meet in the Library Also available after the Time for Children during the second service is Wee Worship. This week s Wee Worship program is: Who is the Greatest! Also on Sundays: Gather in the meeting room most weeks after the second service for Sermon Talk. Ask questions and discuss the scripture passage and sermon.

3 A Message from the PNC As the church year kicks off its activities, we just wanted to let you know that the PNC is still hard at work in pursuit of our next pastor. I ve got some numbers for you to digest. We have reviewed 79 resumes; had 32 meetings; conducted 12 Skype interviews (with another one scheduled within the week) and have sent a team to another church to hear someone preach. We have listened to dozens of sermons and we have done a lot of internet sleuthing to help us learn more about each of these candidates. We have looked at their churches websites, read reviews, looked at their Facebook accounts, listened to their blogs, even searched through YouTube for their sermons or other presentations. Technology has been a wonderful tool in this process. We have had some great conversations during our meetings. At times, we are all in agreement and at other times, we are on opposite sides of an issue. But through it all, we all know that deep down, each of us is doing our best to hear God s voice in those discussions as he leads us closer to finding our person. We all want the same thing for ourselves and for all of you: the right fit for our future! Keeping this in mind has helped us during the more passionate moments amongst our committee. We appreciate your continued prayers and patience as we move forward in this journey. In our hearts, we truly believe that our person is out there and in God s own time, this person will be revealed to us. Keep the faith because we sure are!! Praying as Jesus Taught Us The Lord ssusan Prayer Stabile a mini-retreat with l l l l l l l l This day of reflection offers an opportunity to deepen our appreciation of The Lord s Prayer. Together we will consider each of the petitions contained in the Prayer and how we can live the Prayer more deeply. l l l l l l Saturday, October 6th 9am to 3pm Lunch provided by Zuppas. Free will offering. RSVP s appreciated - contact Gina Struensee. Fox Cities Marathon Sunday, Sept 23rd Street Closures This coming Sunday morning, over 5,000 athletes participating in the Fox Cities Marathon, ThedaCare Half Marathon, and the Orthopedic & Sports Institute Relay Marathon will pass our church including a team of First Presbyterians! Drive with extra caution, check for road closures at and allow for delays as you come to church that morning. Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner Thanks to all of you who voted on the menu options for the next Community Table at our Rally Day Activity Fair. Apricot chicken with rice was the winner so that is what we will have for our upcoming Community Table event on Saturday, September 22nd. The full menu, along with food and volunteer options are available on the From the Heart table or you can contact Anne Jones ( or anne65jones@gmail.com ). Hope to see you there! The Nursery Needs YOU! Help us keep our FPCN Wee Worship and Nursery kids learning and serving God by donating snacks. Snack donations can be dropped off in the nursery on Sunday mornings or in the office anytime during the week. We would prefer low-fat, healthy snacks that can be eaten quickly and without much mess, such as: veggie straws, goldfish, raisins, dry cereal, applesauce pouches, graham crackers, animal crackers, 100-calorie snack packs, etc. Thank you! Faith ime! Adults Sunday mornings at 9AM in the meeting room This coming Sunday, September 23rd, our FaithTime! for Adults class is: Immigration: Why Don t They Just Come Legally? Part I. Molly Smiltneek, Immigration Attorney, will provide an overview of how our current U.S. immigration system works. Part II will follow the next Sunday with Norys Pina, volunteer leader of Unidos Por Un Futuro Mejor (United for a Better Future), who will share the impact that the current immigration system has on real people, including her own immigration story. Want to know what s ahead for the FaithTime! for Adult classes? Visit the information desk for a flyer. Faith ime! This Week Sunday mornings at 9AM PreK 5th Grd Who is the Greatest! Mark 9:30-37 Middle School Meet in the JOY room High School Meet in the Library Also available after the Time for Children during the second service is Wee Worship. This week s Wee Worship program is: Who is the Greatest! Also on Sundays: Gather in the meeting room most weeks after the second service for Sermon Talk. Ask questions and discuss the scripture passage and sermon.

4 Wonderful Wednesday Poverty Mission Project: The group from FPCN that traveled to Houston to help hurricane Harvey victims were stunned to learn how large the homeless population is in Houston, and how few resources exist to help them. The need there is greater than ever, so, as a Wonderful Wednesdays mission project, the youth will be assembling hygiene kits to send to Loaves and Fishes, Houston, for their clients. What can you do to help? Drop off any of the following items in the baskets outside the office from now until 10/17. Monetary donations are also appreciated. Please contact Gina Struensee or the church office with any questions. Supplies For Hygiene Kits: Gallon slider zip lock bags Toothbrush Comb Toothpaste Chapstick Emory boards Washcloth Soap (reg. size) Hand Sanitizer Unscented deodorant Individual wet one s Shampoo (reg.size) Sm. notebook Ball point pen Presbyterians mobilize to help southeast U.S. recover from Hurricane Florence Presbyterian Disaster Assistance News Presbyterian News Service And hope does not disappoint us, because God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has given to us. Romans 5:5 As news comes in of the devastating effects of Hurricane Florence in North Carolina and South Carolina, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is organizing a response that will help sustain life and restore hope in the coming days. Our hearts break and rise up in prayer for the people along the Atlantic coast and the inland areas of the Carolinas, says the Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, PDA director. Right now, we need the church s prayers and financial assistance. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been in communication with mid councils and pastors in the area to provide resources and guidance and working with our partners to meet immediate needs and support long-term recovery. 2 Ways to Give: 1. Directly to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance through their website ( or 2. Through this congregation. Write a check to First Presbyterian Church, with P.D.A. on the memo line, and we will get your funds to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

5 Friend s Class is Back for the Season! Friend s Class returns on Friday, September 28 th! Join us at noon for lunch followed by The History of Neenah (formerly Winnebago Rapids) with Jack Speech. The history of Neenah and this church are so inter-connected that they must be told together, so you will hear a mix of local and church history. Jack will take you from those early days to the present day, revealing some things you may never have heard before about our beginnings and the trials, tribulations, and successes along the way. Reservations are needed for lunch and can be made by calling Sue Lenz ( ) or Sally Hjerstedt ( ). The cost for lunch is $7. Both members and non-members are welcome to attend, so bring a friend to Friend s Class! Rides can be arranged - please let us know when making your reservation. Friend s Class has been moved to the fourth Friday for September ONLY. We will return to the third Friday of the month in October. Harvestfest Volunteers Needed Harvestfest takes place on Saturday, October 20 th, 9:00 a.m. to Noon with fall foods and lots of fun activities for the kids. The Membership Committee is seeking volunteers to help bake treats and/or help out during the event. Contact Jim Kading (jxkmjk@gmail.com) for a list of food needs or if you would like to volunteer for the event. 4 th Annual FPCN Golf Tournament Golfers enjoyed a bright and sunny day at the Fourth Annual FPCN Golf Tournament held last Saturday. This year s winners were Harvey Lorenz, Terry Tessier, and Dave Zimmerman! HABITAT for HUMANITY 2018 INTERFAITH Build Let s work together to show God s love! FPCN is participating in the Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Build. No experience is necessary to volunteer. You will be shown all that you need to know on the build site. To learn more, see dates and times, or to register visit: Please contact Amy Cebulski (acebulski22@gmail.com or ) to volunteer for the Rock the Block event or for more information on either of our Habitat for Humanity events! FPCN has been assigned Oct 9, 18, and Nov. 15 to serve lunch to all onsite volunteers! Used under license from shutterstock.com

6 Calendar of Events Sunday, Sept 23, :00am Worship in the Chapel 9:00am FaithTime! Kids & Adults 9:15am Chancel Choir 10:15am Worship in the Sanctuary 11:30am Sermon Talk Tuesday, Sept 25, :30pm Family Services Nurturing: Birth to 12 6:30pm Sweet Adelines Practice Wednesday, Sept 26, :30am Book Study 5:30pm Fall Wonderful Wednesdays 7:00pm Chancel Choir Thursday, Sept 27, :00pm Yoga Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 Noon Friend s Class Sunday, Sept. 30, :00am Worship in the Chapel 9:00am FaithTime! Kids & Adults 9:15am Chancel Choir 10:15am Worship in the Sanctuary 11:30am Sermon Talk 6:15pm JOY & SPY Kick-off Mtg First Presbyterian Church 200 Church St. Neenah WI Phone: Interim Senior Pastor: Terry Hamilton-Poore Associate Pastor: Paul Huxtable Consult our online calendar at for the most up-to-date information. Why Don t They Just Come Legally? Immigration has been at the forefront of the news for the last several months. As people from Central and South America have clustered at our southern borders, and as others who entered without documents have been detained or deported and separated from their families, it has raised many questions, like: My ancestors followed the rules when they immigrated: why don t they? Why would someone risk having their family separated like that? What are the rules to do it right, anyway? The next two Sundays, the Adult FaithTime class will provide an opportunity for you to learn the answers to these and other questions you may have (and some you may not know to ask!). This Sunday, September 23, Molly Smiltneek, an immigration lawyer, will give us an overview of the legalities of the system. Next Sunday, September 30, Norys Pina from Unidos Por Un Futuro Mejor will share stories of the impact the current system has on the people involved in it. Classes will take place at 9:00 a.m. in the Meeting Room. I hope to see you there. Blessings, Thanksgiving Food Collection Every year at this time, the FPCN Deacons collect non-perishable food items for distribution to struggling local-area families. Any non-perishable food will do, as we are not limiting our food collection to traditional Thanksgiving dinner fare. Please be sure to check expiration dates. Baskets will be located in the Cloister through Friday, November 16 th.

7 2018 FWW Registration Form Dietary requirements or special needs of which we should be aware: I won t need a meal. Registration is required by Friday, September 21 st. Please use this form to register or go online at: goo.gl/pyq6x6 Suggested donations of $15.00 per person or $45.00 per family to offset the cost of food. Please submit donations to the church office at the time of registration if possible. Online donations can be made using our secure payment system at If you are in need of financial or transportation assistance, contact Gina Struensee ( or gstruensee@firstpresneenah.org). CONTINUED ON OTHER SIDE... Wonderful Wednesday Poverty Mission Project: The group from FPCN that traveled to Houston to help hurricane Harvey victims were stunned to learn how large the homeless population is in Houston, and how few resources exist to help them. The need there is greater than ever, so, as a Wonderful Wednesdays mission project, the youth will be assembling hygiene kits to send to Loaves And Fishes, Houston, for their clients. What can you do to help? Drop off any of the following items in the red baskets outside the office from now until 10/17. Monetary donations are also appreciated. Please contact Gina Struensee or the church office with any questions. Supplies For Hygiene Kits: Gallon slider zip lock bagsone to hold items and an extra one to include in the kit Toothbrush Toothpaste Chapstick Comb Emory boards Soap (reg. size) Hand Sanitizer Small notebook Ball point pen Washcloth Unscented deodorant Individual wet one s Shampoo (reg.size) Children and youth will assemble kits on Wednesday nights. FALL 2018 Wonderful Wednesdays Blessed are the Poor September 26, October 3, 10, 17, & 24 Family Style Dinner served at 5:30 pm Registration Deadline Friday, September 21 st First Presbyterian Church 200 Church St., Neenah

8 Education & Fellowship for ALL Ages 5:30-6:00pm Dinner & Fellowship in the fellowship hall 6:15-7:30pm Nursery & Childcare please bring children to the nursery 6-6:15pm Mission:LEARN LOVE SERVE 6:25-7:30pm Classes locations to be determined Educational options: Blessed are the Poor... Really? Bill Urbrock, UW-Oshkosh Professor, will focus on how poverty and poor people are treated in the Bible, especially in portions of the Torah, Psalms, and the prophetic literature in the Old Testament, and in the Letter of James and the Gospels in the New Testament. We will ask each other: What guidance and challenges might these texts present to us? Advocating for the Poor with Local Organizations Learn about local organizations that provide much-needed services to individuals and families in need. Many of these organizations also work to raise awareness about poverty and hunger in their communities and to inspire others to help raise people out of poverty. Find out what you and we as a church can do to help. Knitting for Others Knitters will come together to keep high schoolers who are in need warm, one stitch at a time. Patterns and yarn for hats and headbands will be provided (feel free to bring your own yarn if you prefer). Please bring your own needles. FPCN children and youth will learn about how we can help those in need and will work together on mission projects FWW Registration Form ADULTS AGES 9 TH GRADE AND UP (1) Class: Blessed Advocating Knitting (2) Class: Blessed Advocating Knitting (3) Class: Blessed Advocating Knitting (4) Class: Blessed Advocating Knitting CHILDREN/YOUTH AGES 0 TO 8 TH GRADE (1) Grade: Age: (2) Grade: Age: (3) Grade: Age: (4) Grade: Age: CONTINUED ON OTHER SIDE...