New Members Introduced Register for Women's Conference Rev. Griffin Announces Restoration Tour Associate Director of Youth Introduced

Transcription

1 New Members Introduced Register for Women's Conference Rev. Griffin Announces Restoration Tour Associate Director of Youth Introduced View this in your browser February 17, 2017 Amarillo, TX Rev. Dr. Scott Dudley to preach in annual Series, March 5 & 6 Faith in Motion: Thriving as We Follow Christ into the World will be the theme of the annual Joe S. and Lettie S. Morris Distinguished Preaching Series with Scott Dudley speaking, March 5 and 6. The 26th speaker in the series, Dr. Dudley is the senior pastor of Bellevue Presbyterian Church in Washington state. The distinguished preacher will speak at the three Sunday services, a combined Sunday school class, and a Monday lunch. Tickets for the lunch are available in the church office weekdays and on Sundays for $5 per person. Childcare will be available for all events. Dudley earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in English Literature and a Master s in Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. He has taught numerous writing and literature courses at Stanford University and Seattle Pacific University and has spoken at many Christian conferences. Formerly, Scott was College Pastor and then Teaching Pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. He currently serves on the Whitworth University Board of Trustees, the Seattle Pacific Seminary Advisory Council, and the Board of Jubilee Reach that partners with churches, schools, the city of Bellevue, social service agencies, and local businesses to provide resources, educational support, assistance, and community to families and students in need. Page 1 of 10

2 Named in honor of Joe S. and Lettie S. Morris whose bequest was the nucleus to make the series possible, its mission is to bring to First Presbyterian Church distinguished guest preachers and evangelical leaders who are recognized for their outstanding abilities, nationally or internationally, to preach the word of God. Welcome, New Members! Nineteen new members were received by Session, Sunday, January 29, following an orientation by Rev. Murray Gossett and Rev. Howard Griffin. The new members continued their introduction to First Pres and a meal, Sunday, February 5. Look for these new faces among us and extend your personal welcome to them! Kristen & Aaron Atkins Zack Brown Kenneth Duncan Kim & Larry Eccles Skip & Pam Forsyth Kathy & Jim Ray Page 2 of 10

3 Karen & Gary Renner Janice Tolk Alexia & Steven Tran Donna Walker Erin & Jeff Wyrick Session Approves Organ Project In 2009, the Jack and Alice Allison Fund was generously established to be used exclusively for the purpose of maintaining and repairing the Sanctuary organ, and for enhancing its musical quality and versatility. Because the current organ console in the balcony is in disrepair, Norman Goad has been working for some time on a plan to repair or replace the organ console. Thanks to the Allison Fund and new technology, he will be able to install a new organ console with digital pipes. This will make our organ the most dynamic and largest in town, making it equivalent to a concert-level instrument. Because of the size of the console and the location of the pipes, the new console will need to be located in the chancel once it is finished. We re excited to have Norman and our amazing choir lead us in worship from the front of the Sanctuary using this new organ console. After a unanimous recommendation from the Music Ministry team, both the Worship Committee and Session voted to approve the organ project. We re excited to see how God is going to use this new, dynamic instrument to open up more possibilities to worship Him! Page 3 of 10

4 Learn more about the All Church Retreat. Click HERE! Help build a Habitat House in Tulsa, March Contact Murray Gossett ( or murrayg@firstpres.com). Food Bank Service Day, March 25 Come serve under-resourced families in the panhandle at the High Plains Food Bank warehouse and garden, 815 South Ross St. Bring an unchurched friend to serve with you, and invite them to join you at church the next day! Meet in the food bank parking lot at 8:50 a.m. for prayer before dividing into our service groups. For more details, contact Will Esler ( or wille@firstpres.com)! NUFFs to meet March 9 NUFFs (None Under Fifty-Five) will meet Thursday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor (program will be announced later). Social time is at 10:15 a.m. with lunch at noon for $7 per person. To make reservations, call Martha Ruth Moreland ( ) by noon Monday, March 6. Visitors are always invited! Alan Meenan at First Pres March course March 11 and 12, in Dr. Alan Meenan, former First Pres senior pastor, Bible scholar, and founder of The Word Is Out will lead a training preparation for an FPC mission trip to Kenya in September. Will Esler says there are a few openings for the trip. Dr. Meenan will also preach at all Sunday services March 12. The congregation is also invited to join the Kenya trip intensive training sessions from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 (with breaks) Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, 2:00-5:30 p.m. The goal of the trip is to train pastors and church leaders in the most effective means of Bible interpretation. For more details or to join the Kenya team, contact Will Esler ( or wille@firstpres.com). Page 4 of 10

5 Register for "Give It a Rest" Women's Conference Registration for the Citywide Women s Conference Give It a Rest! is underway. With Vicki Courtney as guest speaker, this promises to be a spiritually uplifting event. Registration forms are available in the Great Hall, in the church office, or click HERE to register online. Vicki Courtney is a nationally-known speaker to women of all ages and the bestselling author of numerous books and Bible studies including, Move On, Ever After, 5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter, and 5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Son. She is a two-time ECPA Christian Book Award winner and has appeared on CNN and Fox News as a youth culture commentator. Vicki started her ministry in 1998 when she launched an event to encourage college women to base their worth and identity in Christ rather than the culture s shallow standards. The event eventually expanded to reach teen and tween girls. It wasn t long before a movement began. Now an empty-nester, Vicki has transitioned her ministry to adult women, but her ministry vision continues with a renewed passion to see women discover their worth in Christ and, in turn, point others to a life-changing gospel. Vicki and her husband, Keith, reside in Austin, Texas and are the proud parents of three grown children, two daughters-in-law and a son-in-law. They also have two grandsons and are blessed to have all their children living nearby in Austin and Houston. More information about Vicki can be found at VickiCourtney.com. Silver Ring Thing coming February 22 Parents and grandparents are encouraged to go to the event at the Civic Center with their children and attend the parents' portion of the event beginning at 7:00 p.m. A&O House will be closed on Wednesday evening in deference to this major event. First Pres is the primary sponsor of the event with participation from churches in the city. Associate Director of Youth Introduced Page 5 of 10

6 Intergenerational Ministries is excited to introduce Anna McCay, Associate Director of Youth for girls' ministry! Anna attended high school in Canyon and is proud to have grown up as a preacher s kid ; her father is a pastor at Washington Avenue Christian Church. Anna also grew up a camp kid. She and her family served at Camp El Porvenir in New Mexico throughout her childhood, where prior to joining our staff, Anna spent several years as Staff/Core Counselor. Her mother and sister currently work for the camp. Anna attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, where she earned a B.A. in Cross-Cultural Studies and Christian Education. There she worked as Youth Intern at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church. She has also studied in Manchester, England. After earning her degree Anna was an elementary teacher in Las Vegas, NM. Anna is an avid outdoors person and hangs out at the ARCH (Amarillo Rock Climbing House), where she has already made friends with many A&O students. The middle school and high school girls are so glad that she is a part of the team. Anna and Jake Schroeder, Associate Director of Youth for boys' ministry, will be working together conducting weekly programs, retreats, activities, and Bible studies. Anna will directly oversee the girls ministry; reaching out to and disciplining middle school and high school girls, and training and encouraging female youth volunteer leaders. Anna and Jake are supervised by Kim Talley, Assistant Pastor of Intergenerational Ministries. Please make Anna feel a part of the First Pres family, pray for her personally, and for God to use her in the lives of middle school and high school girls. 22nd Annual Bach s Lunch Series The Bach s lunch series is "Bach" by popular demand! Bring a box lunch and some friends with you. The Bach s Lunches are a wonderful time for Lenten reflection and good music among friends at various churches every Friday during Lent. Each 25-minute organ recital will begin promptly at 12:05 p.m. with the host church providing tea, coffee, and a place to eat lunch after the recital. You ll have plenty of time to get "Bach" to work by 1:00 p.m. This event has been very well received for the last 21 years, so plan to attend: Friday, March 3 -- St. Paul Methodist Church, Raenell McDonough, Organist Friday, March Westminster Presbyterian Church, Michael Raillard, Organist Page 6 of 10

7 Friday, March St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Rick Land & Russ Tapp, Organists Friday, March St. Mary Catholic Church, Jim Rauscher, Organist Friday, March First Baptist Church, David Lowe, Organist Friday, April 7 -- St. Thomas Catholic Church, Jim Gardner, Organist For more information, visit Facebook page, Amarillo Chapter American Guild of Organists, or The Bach s Lunch series is sponsored by the Amarillo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Celebrate 500 years of the Reformation! Join the Reformation Jubilee Tour of Germany, France, and Switzerland, September 19 October 1 On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk and professor of theology, posted his 95 Theses on the doors of the Wittenberg Chapel, and so began the Protestant Reformation that eventually gave birth to the Lutheran and Presbyterian Churches. The five-fold cry of the Reformation was Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, Scripture Alone, and Glory to God Alone. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasized the clear teaching of Scripture that we are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ alone, and Scripture alone is our authority in faith and life as we seek to bring glory to God alone. To celebrate 500 years of the Reformation, our church has been invited by College Hill Presbyterian Church, a sister ECO Church in Cincinnati, to join them on their 2017 Reformation Jubilee Tour of Germany, France, and Switzerland. This should be a spiritually enriching tour as we travel with fellow Presbyterians to the birthplace of the Reformation, where the word of God was translated into the language of the common man and it was made clear that we are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. We will fly to Berlin and begin our tour in Wittenberg, Germany, where it all began for Martin Luther. We will take a cruise on the Rhine River, then travel to Worms where Luther famously was tried and asked to recant from his teachings on grace alone through faith in Christ alone. In response to the request to recant, Martin Luther famously said, "Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen. From Worms, the tour continues to Strasbourg, then Zurich, and eventually to Geneva, Switzerland, where John Calvin launched the Presbyterian Church, Page 7 of 10

8 to visit Calvin s church where he faithfully preached through most of the Bible. The tour ends in Geneva at the Reformation Museum. Click HERE to learn more. --Howard Griffin Report from ECO Annual Gathering By Melody Alexander First Pres was represented by eight delegates at the 2017 ECO National Gathering in Greenville, SC, Jan ,200 people met together as one body with one purpose under the theme Entrusted, based on 2 Timothy 2:2: What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. This passage reminds us that we have been entrusted with the great responsibility to pass the baton of leadership and gospel sharing for generations to come, both in our lives and particular ministry settings, as we continue to nurture leaders, transform congregations, and plant churches in a way that is faithful to the word of God. ECO is committed to helping each congregation become a flourishing church. Page 8 of 10

9 The three-day agenda, full and enriching with stirring and challenging keynote speakers, stressed the importance of intergenerational relationships, encouraging and mentoring younger and older women in leadership and ministry, and implementing effective strategies to transform congregations from dying to healthy. Speakers discussed growing leaders equipped to bring in new disciples and challenged the church to reach, understand, and welcome younger generations. Breakout sessions provided training and information on church planting, division and hostility in our communities, investing in future generations, taking Jesus to the Muslim world, ministering to the 50+ generation, steps toward multi-ethnic congregations, global missions, developing missional strategies, long-term financial planning, Christian response to radical Islam, employee issues, and changing the world through disciple making. The Texas-Louisiana Presbytery met and were introduced to the new moderator, Mark Story. This provided a great opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones. Worship, an important part of the experience, included traditional choir and organ music, contemporary musicians, and blue grass/gospel music. Following are comments from some First Pres delegates: Worship was a glorious time for all of us to come together in His presence. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to attend. Melody Alexander To quote Dr. Paul Borden, The Great Commission is an imperative, not the Great Option. Anna Kent, ECO Director of Mission Affinity Groups, said, To be a flourishing church, we have to be flourishing disciples. In discussing ECO being a Movement rather than just another denomination, Dr. Jim Singleton, one of the founding pastors of ECO said, We must keep challenging each other to be The Church God is calling us to be. Stan Morris "Flourishing churches are high invitation, high expectation, praying, Spirit led, and focused on the Great Commission" according to Dana Allin, ECO Synod Executive. Church consultant and keynote speaker, Dr. Paul Borden, said, Whenever you have a choice on what is best for you and the community, choose the community. It is great to be a part of a new denomination that is focused on making disciples and doing all that we can to bless a broken and hurting world. Howard Griffin "I saw a sign over the door of one of our ECO partners -- 'No Perfect People Allowed Here!' We were encouraged to utilize the talents and wisdom of our age group, the most unused treasure in our church, in coaching/mentoring our young adults, youth and kids. Scott Gilmour "I enjoyed everyone being together with one goal of building flourishing churches as well as finding a place for all ages to help in the process. I felt challenged to fully understand where God is leading our congregation in the future. Chuck Alexander Page 9 of 10

10 Gifts in Honor and Memory Memorials Mildred Carroll Mary Ann and Noble Roberts Bud Tucker Av and Ken Bjork George Cason Julie and Greg Mitchell Laurie and Bobby Pinkston Susan and Norman Stewart Lily Wine Tamala and Alan Gurevitch Genie and Doug McCause Mary and David Mullin Joshua Gene Howard Tamala and Alan Gurevitch In Honor Gregg Jordan Darla and Doug White Tom Cambridge Tamala and Alan Gurevitch Gene Sidwell Carol and Bill Harper Nancy and Champ Turner Shelley Turner Hooper Copyright * CURRENT_YEAR * * LIST:COMPANY *, All rights reserved. * IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE * * LIST:DESCRIPTION * Our mailing address is: * HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML * * END:IF * Want to change how you receive these s? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list * IF:REWARDS * * HTML:REWARDS * * END:IF * Page 10 of 10