From The Pastor s Desk

Transcription

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 Evangelism... 3 GPC by the Numbers... 4 Scrip Gift Cards... 4 Stewardship Committee... 5 Service Opportunities... 6 Christian Education... 6 October Activities Calendar... 7 October Celebrations... 8 From The Pastor s Desk Dear Friends, The Evangelism Committee is planning a MINI- RETREAT FOR WOMEN on this Saturday morning, October 7 from 9 until 11 AM. The theme of the event is This is My Story and we will be spending some time looking at the unique story of our faith that God has given to each one of us. We all have a story to tell. What is yours? That is a question that can stop most Christians dead in their tracks, especially if they have been brought up to understand faith as a very private and personal thing. Some of us are much more comfortable just trying to BE faithful instead of talking about it. But if we don t develop some sort of vocabulary that allows us to draw what we believe into the conversations about the events that shape our lives and our world, we are missing an opportunity to let the light of Christ shine. Some folks have a tough time telling their stories because they have felt coerced or pressured at some point by the stories of others. Some religious traditions take very seriously a call to bring others to Christ, which has then been twisted into a score pad of how many people were saved by my story. We don t save anyone! That is God s work. When I was in college, I was part of a campus Christian movement that had a strong emphasis on sharing Jesus and witnessing to others about our faith. There were even opportunities of going door-to-door with our stories. It would have been easy to either be encouraged or discouraged at days end GPC Newsletter - October 2017 had we been keeping score. But the bottom line was not our business. I still have my bible from those days. And written on the inside of the cover is a quote from the training session for that sharing event. Success in witnessing is sharing Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God. Our stories are about planting seeds in the lives of others opening a window for a seeker to catch a glimpse of God in our lives. And all that is fueled by a triune God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And the outcome is in God s hands. For us, there is no pressure to perform no scores to keep or report. Our job is simply to let Christ shine in all we say and do. And our world really needs to see that light right now! Ladies, join us on Saturday, the 7th. Gentlemen, let me know if you might also find an event like this helpful! Shine On! Pastor Terry GPC Crossroads 1 October 2017

2 CHURCH STAFF Pastor... Rev. Dr. Theron J. Palmer Pastor for Youth & Family Ministries... Rev. Jen Fraser Admin. Assistant... Carole Blake Director - Chancel Choir...Jan Palmer Director - Joyful Ringers...Jennifer Nagy 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, Kevin Bauerle, Ann Bernal, Gaill Blackburn, Mike Gallagher, Wendy Ihms, Denise Jones, Susan Lucas, David Martinez, Dave Peterson, Judy Walmsley, Cheryl Williams. Rochelle Mackey, Clerk of Session BOARD OF DEACONS Dan Bernal, Bret Blackburn, Carole Blake, Stacey Bruno, Joe Carpenter, Linda Gibbons, Betty Gleason, Ginny Goodbar, David Nape, Cheri Peterson, Tom Russell, Angela Stover, Mary Sumner, Betty Walford, Mary Ann Wilkie. GPC Session meets monthly on the 3 rd Tuesday Board of Deacons meets monthly on the 1 st Thursday STANDING COMMITTEES: Building & Grounds, Education, Evangelism, Finance, Mission, Nominating, Personnel, Stewardship and Worship. The Crossroads is published monthly; deadline is the 20 th 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 Clerk of Session Report Talk about facilities continues, Along with regular business V Nine session members met for the September Stated Meeting. Before getting into the larger discussion about renovation and improvement projects necessary for our church campus, they heard reports on the following: V Several members of the Sunday school class led by Susan Lucas have stepped up to take her place; V Finances are getting better but we still need to catch up in some areas; V The Science Camp that used Falkenstine Hall for several summers received approval to use same space January 2 5, 2018; V A Personnel Policy Handbook is in development stages by the Personnel Committee; V The budget for 2018 is being developed and will be ready for presentation to members at the Congregational Meeting, October 22, between services; V The Nominations Committee is in the process of completing the slate of officers it will present for election by members at the Congregational Meeting; V Conversations regarding improvements and renovations consumed most of the meeting time, and it is hoped that they will be ready for presentation to the membership at the Congregational Meeting. V The next Stated Meeting of the Session is October 17, 2017, at 7 p.m. Anyone wishing to speak to the Session should contact Moderator Terry Palmer one week prior to the meeting for placement on the docket. Rochelle Mackey - Clerk of Session Readers comments, ideas & suggestions are welcome. Editor: Tanja Bauerle Proof Readers: Gaill Blackburn, Carole Blake & Judy Sullivan; Production & Circulation: Carole Blake; Layout & Design: Tanja Bauerle GPC Crossroads 2 October 2017

3 10/07/17 GPC Women s Gathering 9 am - 11 am Coffee & light snacks provided This Is My Story Coming together and sharing our faith journeys. Feel free to us at: with your ideas and event suggestions! The story of how you came to know Jesus is one of the most precious and personal gifts God gives to a believer. It is also one of the gifts that is the most difficult to share. The women of Gilbert Presbyterian are invited to a mini-retreat, "This is My Story," on Saturday morning, October 7 from 9am to 11am. Led by Pastor Jen and Pastor Terry. We will reflect together on our faith stories and how we might more effectively share those stories with others. 8 am Wednesdays 1661 E WARNER RD GILBERT, AZ (480) Men s Fellowship! Meet in Room 7 in the CE Building Caregivers 2nd Sunday of the month 4:30-5:30 PM 10/08/17 Those with mental health needs CANCELLED (We can look at this group again in the future as the need arises) Group Facilitator - Liz Hansen GPC Crossroads 3 October 2017

4 GPC by the Numbers SEPTEMBER ATTENDANCE REPORT Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Average Average Total Total TREASURER S REPORT Treasurer s Report as of August 31, 2017: Account Balances: Associate Operating: Cap One Savings: Pastor Fund: Aug 31, 2017 $12,104 $9,389 $1,186 Total Income received in August: $22,163 Total Expenses* for August: $26,537 *Includes loans, utilities, payroll, Presbytery pledges, etc. Breakdown of Giving in August: Amount Unrestricted Giving Sunday Offering... $18,993 Facility Use...$1,810 Restricted Giving Cash Reserve...$325 Mission... $83 Flowers... $95 Christian Education... $65 Deacons...$195 Worship/Music... $35 Honorariums...$200 Per Capita...$337 Memorials... $25 SCRIP GIFT CARDS Scrip Gift Cards will be available for sale from Betty Gleason on Sunday, October 15 (delivered on October 22). Make your Gift List and be ready to purchase these cards that make perfect gifts for Christmas and other times. Last year the church got about $800 from the sale of scrip cards. It is such an easy way to earn money for the church. As you can tell by the figures above, we are still spending more than we take in. We are three months behind in our Mission Pledge to the Presbytery. Further information about church finances may be obtained through the Finance Committee, Kevin Bauerle - chair. GPC Crossroads 4 October 2017

5 Thirteen years ago, late November 4th Arizona time, the phone rang. I answered. My son-in-law said, Listen. I then heard the first cry of my newborn grandson 2000 miles away. That was music to my ears. I too cried. A baby before he/she is born is surrounded by a melody of life the mother s melody the rhythm of her heartbeat. We all are born with rhythm. Some children are quick and lively jumping from one activity to another presto with staccato. Other children are more quiet and pensive with a more moderate speed and tempo, definitely more legato. Every child seems to be born with a particular style and tempo that does not seem to change as he/ she grows and develops. A child s emotions seem to be right on the surface happy one minute then the very next crying out in anger and disappointment. At times the child can be very carefree and happy, experiencing life in a major key. All at once discord and dissonance, now life to the child is in a minor key. All it takes on a piano to make a major key to a minor key is the slip of a finger. As we grow older and gain in maturity we begin to realize that disappointments will happen and are the facts of life. And at times there are lessons to be learned in our disappointments. As easily as it is to slip our finger from The Melodies of Life major to minor, we can just as easily slip our finger and our attitude from minor back to major. My husband and I had four children, each one of us with our own melody. Many times our family was one beautiful harmony ever working together. But there were times when the melody of one tried to over-power the melody of another. Add a collie named Lassie to the mix, our family then at times sounded discordant. But, somehow at the end of the day, all that dissonance resolved itself into a beautiful harmony -- sleep. There is nothing more beautiful than looking at four sleeping children and a dog at the end of day -- the wonderful melody of sleep. There are melodies in nature. As a child in Ohio I enjoyed listening to the crunching of the dry fall leaves under my shoes as I marched off to school. In the spring we listened for the chirping of the first robin. I remember my first visit to Niagara Falls. I could hear the water rolling over the rocks and the roar of the falls even before we saw the falls. That roar became louder and louder all the while more exciting and wonderful. I remember listening to the crickets during the summer. Let s not forget the melody of thunder reverberating from one mountain to another during the summer monsoon storms. The thunder and the accompanying rain was music to our ears when we lived in the mountains of Eastern Arizona. There are melodies that remind us of certain periods of our lives. I still get teary eyed whenever I hear the strains of Pomp and Circumstance. I remember my high school and college graduations, my four children s graduations, and my granddaughter s graduations. Her brother will soon be the next grandchild in my family to graduate from high school. Mendelssohn s Wedding March is another melody we do not forget. Then Happy Birthday is sung at every birthday party from a child s first to an elder s 100th. I feel joyful melodies whenever I help others. When I was teaching, I felt glad whenever the students understood the lesson. It was a delight to watch the students work harmoniously together on some math concept. Whenever we are helping others we sing a song of joy whether we are packing lunches, helping with Feed My Starving Children, contributing to the hurricane and earthquake victims, or being a greeter, usher, worship leader, choir member, bell ringer, or lighting the candles. There is a wonderful melody of joy by helping others. For some people the last few stanzas of life are like a large symphonic orchestra. We sit back and listen intently to the orchestra then all at once there is a loud crashing cymbal and complete silence. The orchestra members silently walk off the stage leaving the audience in awe and wonder. We too silently leave the auditorium deep in our thoughts as to the music we just heard. We just experienced seeing and hearing a beautiful melody coming to a close much too soon. For others there is a gradual decline due to illness and/ or old age. Their melody becomes slower and slower, with every measure more quiet than the one before until it is hardly heard at all. All the while the angels in heaven are singing ever more loudly, rejoicing a believer will soon be home. Just as we do not choose our birth, we do not choose our final stanza of life only God knows. Eloise Annis Stewardship Committee GPC Crossroads 5 October 2017

6 TRUTHSEEKERS WORKSHOPS: Bible References: Exodus Bible Memory Verse: Nothing in all creation can separate us from God s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! (CEV) - Romans 8:39 Concepts: V God gives us hope, & helps people who suffer. V God remembers and keeps His promises. V God commands us to remember God s salvation in worship. V God saved His people with a mighty hand. Concepts: To learn about Moses life and to learn about how God used Moses to save God s people. October Theme: Life of Moses PreK through 6 th Grade - 10 A.M. Sunday program Jr. & Sr. High Presbyterian Youth Connection (7th-12th Grades PYC): Meet at 10 AM for Sunday Youth Connection to focus on our Faith & Mission, led by Rev. Jen Fraser! Two Bible studies available for Adults: 1. DVD based Bible Study and Discussion Group led by a rotating group made up of David and Cheri Peterson, Cheryl Williams and Ray and Barb Zubler 2. Bible Study class PLUS: Young Adult Gatherings (approx. ages 18-24): Contact Rev. Jen Fraser for upcoming events! GPC Crossroads 6 October 2017

7 October Monthly Planner GPC Crossroads 7 October 2017

8 Gilbert Presbyterian Church Presbyterian 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 - $34 per member. Thank you! Birthdays: 1 Vince Eccles 1 Judy Sullivan 2 Donna Ray 3 Brian Hansche 3 Tom Walford 5 Audrey Shaw 6 Les Barton 7 Ralph Tromp 8 Erica Coe 9 Jessica Dickens 9 Dennis Wilkie 11 Winifred Modzelewski 15 Maxine Marshall 16 Jacob Heinkel 16 Kim Lynch October Celebrations 21 Harper Christensen 23 Jon Cox 25 John Ewoldt 26 Dan Bernal 29 Noah Walter 31 Laurel Coughlin 31 Sue Hassen Anniversaries: 2 Don & Caralee Howlett 4 Dave & Cheri Peterson 6 Ben & C.C. Bales 6 Steven & Linda Savarese 13 Steve & Cheryl Williams 19 John & Angela Stover 26 Larry & Stacey Bruno 28 Paul & Joyce Bengtson 28 Dennis & Sylvia Legal 30 Ed & Carole Blake 30 Dale & Mary Burger GPC Crossroads 8 October 2017