Long ago, in a. From The Pastor s Desk. Pastor Terry. Dear Friends, WHAT IS INSIDE THIS ISSUE? GPC Newsletter - November 2015

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Gilbert Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) 235 East Guadalupe Road Gilbert, Arizona 85234-4536 Tel: 480.892.6753 Fax: 480.539.4594 E-mail: azgpc1@aol.com Web: www.azgpc.org WHAT IS INSIDE THIS ISSUE?

..6 November Activities Calendar...7 November Celebrations.

1 Gilbert Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) 235 East Guadalupe Road Gilbert, Arizona Tel: Fax: Web: WHAT IS INSIDE THIS ISSUE? From the Pastor s Desk...1 Church Staff...2 Clerk of Session Report...2 Pastor Jen s Youth Corner...3 GPC by the Numbers...4 Announcements...4 Stewardship Committee...5 Christian Education...6 November Activities Calendar...7 November Celebrations...8 GPC Newsletter - November 2015 From The Pastor s Desk Dear Friends, Long ago, in a time before Smart Phones and Bluetooth and DVDs, families had to come up with inventive ways to amuse themselves on long road trips. One favorite was the Alphabet Game. Do you remember it? The object was to find the letters of the alphabet, in order, on billboards and signs along the road. It was a fairly simple concept. But every so often you would stall and miles would pass until some of the more difficult letters appeared. I thought about some of those road trips and letter searches when I came across a picture of this sign offered on Facebook: What a gift that was! All the tough letters the answers to the games toughest challenges.all on one road sign! Wouldn t it be terrific if our life journey worked like that? Our journeys are a lot like those family road trips looking for letters. Sometimes the letters of life fall easily into place and make sense to us. Sometimes we cover long stretches of the journey where we see nothing and chaos reigns. Wouldn t a sign like this one be a welcome gift? Wouldn t you love to see a sign that read, Stuck in the Game of Life? That might be a good opener having a faith conversation with a friend. All of us feel stuck from time to time. Stuck in illness. Stuck in grief. Stuck in restlessness. Stuck trying to find purpose and meaning in life. Stuck trying to make sense out of a crazy world. Couldn t every church where God s people gather have a sign out front calling to folks to join us in looking for answers. (We are all stuck searchers after all.) Can we offer folks Q-uality relationships where the love of God is experienced? Can we offer folks X-cellent worship opportunities where we can respond to that love poured out for us in Jesus Christ? Can we offer a place where Y-outh of all ages can ask questions and feel accepted and grow? Can we offer folks a place to be that is Z-ealous in telling the world that Jesus is Lord? Those are four letters of the Christian journey that seem to be the most challenging to live out in our lives where folks end up getting stuck. How welcome a gift might it be if this body of believers who call ourselves Gilbert Presbyterian Church could be a place that lifted up ALL the letters of this wonderful life God has given us? Join us on the journey (and invite a friend!) You re Welcome! Pastor Terry GPC Crossroads 1 Nov 2015

2 CHURCH STAFF Pastor... Rev. Dr. Theron J. Palmer Pastor for Youth & Family Ministires... Jen Fraser Admin. Assistant... Carole Blake Director - Chancel Choir... Bill Goodenberger Director - Chancel Bell Choir... Bill Goodenberger Director - Chapel Orchestra...Jan Palmer Director - Youth Choir...Susan Martinez Pianist/Organist...Susan Martinez Director - Children s Bell Choir... Web Master... Paul Ihms WORSHIP - 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL - 10:00 a.m. Office Hours...9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday CHURCH OFFICERS SESSION Anne Barton, Ann Bernal, Karen Gallagher, Wendy Ihms, Denise Jones, Rocky Mackey, David Martinez, Dave Mossman, Jim Ralston, Pam Russell, Dorothy Smith, and Dennis Wilkie. Rochelle Mackey, Clerk of Session BOARD OF DEACONS Bret Blackburn, Carole Blake, Joe Carpenter, Laurel Coughlin, Linda Gibbons, Betty Gleason, Mary Ann Glenn, Ginny Goodbar, Tara Hall, Rob Jeffery, Erica Modzelewski, Rob Nagy, David Nape, and Angela Stover. GPC Session meets monthly on the 3rd. Tuesday Board of Deacons meets monthly on the 1st. Thursday STANDING COMMITTEES: Building & Grounds, Education, Evangelism, Finance, Mission, Nominating, Personnel, Stewardship and Worship. The Crossroads is published monthly; deadline is the 20th of the month before publication. News and information to be included may be submitted to the church office in hard copy, or as attachments to: azgpc1@aol.com Readers comments, ideas & suggestions are welcome. Editor: Tanja Bauerle Proof Readers: Grace Mossman & Carole Blake; Production & Circulation: Carole Blake; Layout & Design: Tanja Bauerle Clerk of Session Report Officer elections, Pastor s Terms of Call, 2016 budget discussed by Congregation VDeacons and Elders were elected at the Congregational Meeting on the last Sunday of October to serve 3-year terms ending in VThe deacons class includes Dan Bernal, Carole Blake (2nd 3-year term), Stacey Bruno, Cheri Peterson and Tom Russell. VThe new class of elders included Kevin Bauerle, Susan Lucas, David Martinez (2nd 3-year term) and Judy Walmsley. VAll nominations came from the Nominations Committee: David Mossman and Rocky Mackey, session representatives; Angela Stover, deacon s representative; and At-Large members elected by the congregation Eloise Annis, Janet Paterson, Irene Williams and Ray Zubler. VOther business included a review of the 2016 proposed budget and approval of the Pastor s Terms of Call. VThe latter had no changes; the former only minor increases. The modest increases were recommended by the Finance Committee which cited decreased offerings as the cause. The church has been behind in meeting its mission pledge to the presbytery. It is current because the session, at its October Stated Meeting, directed the Treasurer to make it current using moneys from the Cash Reserve Fund. These are to be repaid, with interest, as soon as possible. VIn other business at its October meeting, the session agreed to plans from the Christian Education Committee to have an interactive program during the day on Christmas Eve. It would feature activity centers through which the story of Christ s birth would be told. The concept is to make this an evangelism and outreach program, encouraging participation of neighbors around the church. VModerator Palmer shared plans to attend the next presbytery meeting, November 6 7, in Pinetop. Those from GPC planning to attend include: Jen Fraser, Rocky Mackey, David Martinez, Terry Palmer, Pam Russell, Dennis Wilkie, Cheryl Williams and Barb Zubler. VThe presbytery agenda includes Jen Fraser s ordination examination. She announced to the session that her ordination service is set for November 15, 2015, 3:30 p.m., at University Presbyterian Church, Tempe. Everyone is invited to attend. VA Confirmation Class of four to five youth is scheduled to begin in January. Other plans are being considered for families, youth and young adults. Pat Brooks and David Nape have agreed to assist with such activities. One that was attended by GPC youth recently was the Cardboard City event at the Scottsdale Stadium through which young people are introduced to a few of the problems associated with homelessness. VThe next Stated Meeting of the session is scheduled for November 17, 2015, at 7 p.m. in room 7 of the Christian Education Building. Any member who wants to address the session is invited to do so by scheduling it through the Moderator, Terry Palmer. Rochelle Mackey Clerk of Session GPC Crossroads 2 Nov 2015

3 PASTOR JEN S YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRIES O ne of my favorite books is titled Stages of Faith. It was written in 1981 and outlines in a general way how faith development aligns with cognitive and psychological development. (The author, Rev. James W. Fowler, died Oct 16 after a long battle with Alzheimer s disease.) What I like about the book is that it doesn t depict faith development as a good/better/best continuum. In other words, Fowler didn t support the idea that some people are more spiritually mature than others. That kind of thinking tends to place children at the bottom of the ladder, and it can dismiss the gifts that young people bring to church communities. Instead, Fowler described how we can strengthen and support our faith depending on the stage of life we are in. It s complicated, but the following is a short description of some of the stages: Birth to 2 years old faith development is supported through a safe and nurturing environment (this is why church nurseries are so important). Young childhood stories from the Bible come alive for this age and generally they don t need to be interpreted too much. It s amazing how much kids this age absorb, even if they can t tell you what they learned. Older childhood this is when kids want to know the rules and have an interest in justice. They also begin to identify with a community outside their family and value having a role in it (like being an acolyte). Adolescence there is so much happening at this age! One important facet however is a search for a reliable authority besides their parents (is it their friends, their teachers, their pastor?). The truth is we never really graduate from these stages. They stay with us. Yes, young children get so much out of listening to Bible stories but so do 80-year-olds. In many ways 40-yearolds are still looking for a reliable authority figure, 20 year olds like to have a role in their community, and we all need a safe and nurturing environment to really grow in our faith. This is why an intergenerational community is so important what we provide for each other feeds us as well. Gilbert Presbyterian Church is a wonderful intergenerational Christian community, and for that reason it is a great place to grow in our faith. Here are some of the events coming up in family ministries: High School Youth Youth Group bowling night Sunday, November 8th Youth Group on November 22 will be a blast with dinner and fun with some of GPCs youngest members. Middle School Youth Both High School and Middle School age youth will begin practicing for our Christmas event. More information coming soon. Young Adults This group is on its way with two meetings under its belt and we are working on plans for a short mission trip in the spring Parents of Young Children November 22 we will be gathering for a potluck. This is going to be good so put it on your calendar and bring the kids! All young couples are invited with or without children. Blessings, Pastor Jen GPC Crossroads 3 Nov 2015

GPC by the Numbers OCTOBER ATTENDANCE REPORT 2014 2015 Oct 5... 153 Oct 4...147 Oct 12... 156 Oct 11...159 Oct 19... 160 Oct 18...159 Oct 26... 162 Oct 25...144 Average... 158 Average...152 Total.

..609 TREASURER S REPORT Treasurer s Report as of September, 2015: Account Balances: ING Associate Operating: Mortgage: Savings: Pastor Fund: Sep 30, 2015 $13,762 $3,530 $21,872 $16,626 Total Income

Breakdown of Giving in September: Amount Unrestricted Giving Sunday Offering... $18,506 Facility Use...$795 Restricted Giving Mortgage...$3,530 Per Capita... $62 Christian Education...$134 Flowers.

4 GPC by the Numbers OCTOBER ATTENDANCE REPORT Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Average Average Total Total TREASURER S REPORT Treasurer s Report as of September, 2015: Account Balances: ING Associate Operating: Mortgage: Savings: Pastor Fund: Sep 30, 2015 $13,762 $3,530 $21,872 $16,626 Total Income received in September: $29,242 Total Expenses* for September: $30,724 *Includes loans, utilities, payroll, Presbytery pledges, etc. Breakdown of Giving in September: Amount Unrestricted Giving Sunday Offering... $18,506 Facility Use...$795 Restricted Giving Mortgage...$3,530 Per Capita... $62 Christian Education...$134 Flowers...$135 Safeway Proceeds... $30 Peacemaking Offering... $20 Mission...$157 Memorials...$310 Miscellaneous/Emergency Aid...$2,221* Worship/Music... $92 Extra Principal...$3,250 *From Sabbatical Account for Sabbatical expenses Christ s Kids Choir brought joy to the congregation on October 11 th. as they welcomed Pastor Terry and Pastor Jen. Lisa Knowles, Adam Knowles, Noah Walter, Dylan Nape, Lena Nape, Andrew Walter and Zoe Bauerle. DINE OUT & SUPPORT GPC Floridino's Pizza & Pasta 50 E Guadalupe Rd #107 Gilbert, AZ Northeast Corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe Roads Dimi from Floridino s has agreed to donate 15% of food purchases to GPC. Please turn in your food receipts (the large receipt, not credit card receipt) to: Carole in the Office. This is an ongoing event. Please pass this on to Friends and Family. Have your meeting, bible study or happy hour at Floridino s and help support a Gilbert Business and GPC. Each individual s giving is their personal arrangement with God. Please prayerfully consider your pledge (giving) for Further information about church finances may be obtained through the Finance Committee, David Mossman - chair. GPC Crossroads 4 Nov 2015 On October 11th, the installation and ordination took place for Karen Gallagher, elder, and Ginny Goodbar, deacon, who will both serve unexpired terms. Have you remembered your church in your will, trust or IRA?

A Fitbit for Stewardship? This past May I joined the Fitbit craze. A Fitbit is a personal fitness tracker. Mine is purple and is worn on my wrist like a watch.

It can also track my sleep if I should wear it during the night. My son set up my Fitbit so that I can get daily, weekly, and monthly totals and bar graphs of each of the categories on my computer.

What a cute little way to be encouraged by a fitness tracker! The Fitbit is like a game how soon will it buzz me or how many days in a row can I make my goal?

5 A Fitbit for Stewardship? This past May I joined the Fitbit craze. A Fitbit is a personal fitness tracker. Mine is purple and is worn on my wrist like a watch. It tracks my steps, heart rate, distance traveled, floors climbed, and calories burned. By pressing a little button on the side of my Fitbit I can see the totals in real time. It can also track my sleep if I should wear it during the night. My son set up my Fitbit so that I can get daily, weekly, and monthly totals and bar graphs of each of the categories on my computer. The Fitbit comes with a default goal of 10,000 steps per day. When that goal is reached the Fitbit vibrates and the screen flashes 10,000 and shows a happy face. What a cute little way to be encouraged by a fitness tracker! The Fitbit is like a game how soon will it buzz me or how many days in a row can I make my goal? It becomes a motivator to move more throughout the day. One time after working a long time on my computer, I looked down at my Fitbit and said to myself that is the same number of steps I had several hours ago. I immediately got up and went outside for a walk. Another time I wanted to watch TV, but I was 800 steps short of my daily goal. What to do? Easy, during the commercials I walked back and forth from the living room to the kitchen. It was surprising how few commercials it took to achieve my goal. But at the end of the day I feel like Cinderella. At the stroke of midnight all my wonderful, beautiful hard-earned totals for the day are stored, and the screen of my Fitbit shows zero. Each day is a new beginning in exercising with a Fitbit. What if we had a Fitbit for stewardship? Every smile or hug we give to someone would be like a step. Our magical Stewardship Fitbit would track our time we spend helping others. It would track our talents we use and our treasures we share. We might serve at a shelter, hand out H-pacs, make quilts for the veterans, teach Sunday School, buy a gift for an angel on the Christmas Tree, or be an usher. Just as there are many different ways to exercise our bodies, there are many different ways to share our time, talents, and treasures with others. All would count on our magical Stewardship Fitbit. We could also track our stewardship of the environment. Are we mindful of the amount of water we use or do we pick up empty soda cans and water bottles on our daily walks? We could set our own personal goals for stewardship. And when we achieve our personal goal our magical Stewardship Fitbit would buzz us and say job well done. But just like a fitness tracker, at midnight our stewardship tracker would store all hard-earned totals for the day and the screen would show zero. The next day would be a new and exciting beginning of sharing our time, talents, and treasures with others. On Sunday, November 1, many of you will come forward with your pledge of a monetary gift to God s Work through Gilbert Presbyterian Church. Now prayerfully consider your pledge to God of your time and talents. What goals would you enter into your magical Stewardship tracker? Eloise Annis, Stewardship Committee GPC Crossroads 5 Nov 2015

TRUTHSEEKERS WORKSHOPS: November Theme: David: Shepherd to King PreK through 6th Grade Concepts: To be able to find the events of David recorded in the books of I Samuel 16 through I Kings 2.

David to defeat the enemy Goliath, even though he was young, and wasn t trained as a soldier ~David was chosen by God & anointed as King by Samuel (Samuel was a prophet who was the little boy who

6 TRUTHSEEKERS WORKSHOPS: November Theme: David: Shepherd to King PreK through 6th Grade Concepts: To be able to find the events of David recorded in the books of I Samuel 16 through I Kings 2. To be able to retell some of the events in David s life: ~ David had been a shepherd (from the family of Judah Judah was one of Jacob s sons, & the brother of Joseph coat of many colors ~ God chose David to defeat the enemy Goliath, even though he was young, and wasn t trained as a soldier ~David was chosen by God & anointed as King by Samuel (Samuel was a prophet who was the little boy who heard God calling his name at night see I Samuel 3) David replaced King Saul, who was troubled and who turned away from God David played the harp & wrote songs (Book of Psalms) David was an ancestor of Jesus, the Messiah and the Good Shepherd, (For the census, Mary & Joseph had to travel to the home of ancestor David to the city of Bethlehem) God looks at who we really are, not on what we look like on the outside. God knew David, and God knows each of us even better than we know ourselves. Bible reference: 1 Samuel 16 David is a young shepherd anointed as King Memory Verse: The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, and my Savior. - 2 Samuel 22:2 Jr. Presbyterian Youth Connection (PYC): Starting Sept. 13, Jennifer Nagy and Katy Nasiff will lead this group on an interactive Bible journey with the ReForm series! Sr. Presbyterian Youth Connection: Sept. 13 will begin an active new series called Live: JesusCentered Life, led by Jen Fraser! Two Bible studies available for Adults: 1. DVD based Bible Study and Discussion Group led by Susan Lucas 2. Bible Study class PLUS: College/Young Adult Bible Study October s Art Masterpeace project. Adam Knowles, Dylan Nape, Lena Nape, Noah Walter, Andrew Walter and Zoe Bauerle (zipping around somewhere) GPC Crossroads 9 Nov 2015

November 2015 - Monthly Planner GIVE THANKS

7 November Monthly Planner GIVE THANKS WITH A CHEERFUL HEART GPC Crossroads 7 Nov 2015

8 Gilbert Presbyterian Church Presyterian Church (U.S.A) 235 East Guadalupe Road Gilbert, Arizona Tel: Fax: Web: ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED / DATED MATERIAL Remember It is never too late to send in your PLEDGE. Please help support the work of the larger church through Per Capita giving - $31 per member. Thank you! November Celebrations Birthdays: 1 Michael McCabe 4 Kathy Jo Purpura 6 Jodi Kevern 6 Thomas Lemme 7 Margaret McDougall 7 Erica Modzelewski 8 Gary Lolling 9 John Modzelewski 10 Maria Savarese 11 Ellen Roberts 12 Lauren Bruno 12 Barb Carpenter 12 Marilyn Goodenberger 13 Dave Lynch II 14 Lisa Christensen 15 Wendy Case 15 Ryleigh Hall 16 Hoyte Mitchell 17 Denise Jones 17 Art Nelson 21 Zoe Bauerle 22 Sheree Swanson 23 Vic Carpenter 25 Joshua Peterson 26 Cayleigh MacKenzie 27 Karen Harper 29 Tanja Bauerle Anniversaries: 23 Ralph & Joyce Johnson 23 Dave & Donna Ray 27 Mike & Pam Russell GPC Crossroads 8 Nov 2015

From The Pastor s Desk

From The Pastor s Desk Gilbert Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) 235 East Guadalupe Road Gilbert, Arizona 85234-4536 Tel: 480.892.6753 Fax: 480.539.4594 E-mail: azgpc1@aol.com Web: www.azgpc.org WHAT IS INSIDE