The Alpine View. From the Pastor. January 2018

Transcription

1 The Alpine View January 2018 BIBLE BASED AND FAMILY FRIENDLY As we brace ourselves for an arctic blast, we remember the light of the world, Jesus. The last day of Christmas (January 6), is called "Epiphany," the day commemorating the three kings, or magi, or wise men, who came to see Jesus. These men followed the light, the Bethlehem star, to where Jesus was. We celebrate Epiphany as a remembrance that God has appeared to us through his son Jesus Christ. Jesus is now our guiding light as the star was the guiding light to the wise men. On the first Sunday of January, we remember the Baptism of the Lord, Jesus, who was baptized by his cousin, John. On this special Sunday, we remember that baptism is a sign and seal of entry into a new life. Jesus entered his new ministry after his baptism and each of us is called by our baptism into a new life of ministry. If the way be clear, we will have a baptism on Sunday the 7th! As we remember Jesus' baptism, let each of us remember the call of God on our lives by our own baptisms. In January, we will also be ordaining and installing new church officers. Like baptism, ordination is a reminder that all of us all are given gifts by God through the Holy Spirit to enable us to serve the Kingdom (or Kin-dom) of God. Each of us should prayerfully consider how God wants us to use our gifts. If you have an idea how your gifts can better be utilized, let me or a church officer know. No gift is insignificant, because we are all necessary parts of the Body of Christ, which needs hands, feet, eyes, and ears. May all of us find better ways to serve God in this new year! Grace & Peace, Gordon From the Pastor January 2018 Table of Contents: Session Minutes 2-3 Church News 6-9 Calendar 4 Announcements 10 Community Service 5 Prayer Concerns 11 Contacts/Misc 12

2 The Alpine View Page 2 Regular Session Minutes, November 28, 2017 Alpine Presbyterian Financials (for the month of Nov.) Actual Contributions: $7, Other Deposits: $23, Total Deposits: $30, Budgeted Monthly Deposits: $16, Actual Monthly Expenses: $16, Budgeted Monthly Expenses: $20, The Regular Session Meeting of Alpine Presbyterian Church was held on November 28, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of Henderson Hall. Moderator, Reverend Gordon N. Blackman, Jr. called the meeting to order and opened with prayer using Psalm 12. Present at the meeting along with the Moderator were Roger Kiser, John McGrede, Mike Clay, Shana Jones, and Bill Mackey. Absent: Vicke Bailey. Absent but excused: Scott Dickerson. Clerk of Session, Roger Kiser, reported that a quorum was present. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved with a discussion of session meeting time limits added to the Pastor's Report. Approval of the Minutes: Session minutes were reviewed from the Regular Session Meeting, 10/24/2017; the Congregational Meeting, 11/05/2017; the Called Session Meeting 11/7/2017; the Called Session Meeting, 11/12/2017; and the Called Congregational Meeting, 11/26/2017. Spelling corrections were noted in various areas of the reports. With no other corrections needed, the Minutes were APPROVED by acclamation. Reception of New Members: No new members were presented for membership. Pastor s Report and Correspondence: Thank you letters were received from the Hiway 80 Mission, Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network, Camp Gilmont, and Azleway. Camp Gilmont is offering a Church Officer Boot Camp/Elder Training on January 19-20, New elder training will take place with Tom Price and Shawn McGrede. The date of ordination and installation of the new class of elders will be determined at the December session meeting. A Congregational Meeting will also need to be scheduled for the purpose of reviewing the Pastor's Terms of Call and change in compensation based on the 2018 budget report. Gordon presented a letter of resignation from Melissa Morton from the Elder class of John McGrede moved to accept; Mike Clay seconded. Her resignation was ACCEPTED. Roger Kiser made a motion to limit session meetings to 90 minutes with the caveat that the time may be extended by a majority vote of those present at the meeting. Shana Jones seconded. APPROVED. Personnel The committee reported that the congregational survey has been delayed. A meeting has been set for 6pm January 5th. It was suggested that the December payroll be moved up a week from December 24th to December 17th. John McGrede moved to change the payroll date; Roger Kiser seconded. APPROVED. Stewardship and Finance Scott Dickerson prepared and Gordon presented the church s Financial Report and income statement. Spending for 2017 has been under budget. The financial reports were APPROVED by acclamation

3 Page 3 BIBLE BASED AND FAMILY FRIENDLY continued from p.2 Building and Grounds A building use policy is in place for weddings; a general building use policy needs to be developed by the Building & Grounds for the Manual of Operations. Worship Mike Clay reported that there will be a combined Blue Christmas service on Dec. 21st at 6pm at Alpine with First Presbyterian and St. Andrew Presbyterian. Christian Education No Report Nominations No Report Outreach and Missions Roger Kiser moved that the $1000 in the Caitlyn Jones Scholarship Fund for educational scholarship be used for Yaya's college fund as presented by the Pan American School. Motion was AP- PROVED. Roger presented a Community Mission Covenant for the 300 Hours of Service to be signed by all participating churches. Session AP- PROVED signing the covenant. It was noted that budget support for 300 Hours of Service needs to be set at $100 for Roger noted that Solar Under the Sun training at Fern Cliff Camp is $485/ person and needs to be figured into the 2018 budget. The next Solar I & Solar II training will be May 3-6, Tom Price and Cole Price attended Solar II training in November at their own expense. Congregational Care and Fellowship Vicke Bailey completes her term as elder of this committee in December. Second Sunday Fellowship volunteers for January are Linda Kiser, Sandy Griggs, and Cathy Blair who will assist with a chili luncheon. Membership and Evangelism No report. Worship Service Security Plan No report. Old Business Manual of Operations N New Business None With no other business to discuss a motion was made to adjourn (with a total meeting time of 1 hour 8 minutes). With no opposition, MOTION TO ADJOURN PASSED. The meeting was closed with The Lord s Prayer. Roger Kiser, Clerk of Session

4 The Alpine View Schedule of Events at a Glance Jan. 14 2nd Sunday Fellowship Luncheon Jan.14 Youth Fellowship Jan. 16 Hiway 80 Dinner Prep January 2018 Page 4 Jan. 21 Ordination & Installation of Elders; Annual Congregational Meeting Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Jan. 23 Session Meeting Jan. 28 Youth Fellowship 11:30-1 Elder of the Month Mike Clay Elder duties include: set up communion, clean up communion after worship, assist in serving communion to shutins, display paraments in proper color each month, schedule communion servers, liturgists, & ushers for the month, & ensure volunteer duties are covered. Worship Volunteers: Ushers: Liturgists: Jan 7, 14: Kim Marshall Jan 21: Jan 28: Communion Servers 7 Bible Study 9:00 Worship 10:15 Communion Hymn Sing, 6pm 14 Bible Study 9:00 Worship 10:15 Fellowship Lunch/Youth, 11: Bible Study 9:00 Worship 10:15 Annual Congregation Meeting 28 Bible Study 9:00 Worship 10:15 Youth 11: HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2 3 Afternoon Circle, 1:30 Bell Ens 5:30 Bell Choir 6:15 Choir 7: Session Meetings 15 MLK Day Hiway 8 0 D i n n e r 4pm Session M e e t i n g 6:30 Bell Ens 5:30 Bell Choir 6:15 Choir 7:15 17 Men s Prayer Breakfast, 6:30am Bell Ens 5:30 Bell Choir 6:15 Choir 7: Bell Ens 5:30 Bell Choir 6:15 Choir 7:15 Bell Ens 5:30 Bell Choir 6:15 Choir 7: Epiphany of the Lord 11 Thursday Threaders 10am Thursday Threaders 10am Children s Sermons Kathy Poynor

5 Page 5 BIBLE BASED AND FAMILY FRIENDLY Community Service Options... Food Box Items of the Month: large peanut butter 1 lb rice 1 lb dry beans canned mixed vegetables, carrots boxed cereal (any size, any type) Since 1955, Hiway 80 Rescue Mission has been serving the needs of the homeless and needy in the East Texas area. Alpine Presbyterian members meet every third Tuesday of the month at the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission at 4pm to prepare the evening meal. Contact Rev. Blackman, Jr. with questions or just show up at the Mission ready to work. Our next dinner prep date is January 16th. NEWGATE MISSION STRIVES TO BE A BEACON OF LIGHT TO THOSE WHO LIVE IN A SEEM- INGLY HOMELESS WORLD. Newgate continues to serve up to 250 meals per day and provide worship and devotionals every single day. Newgate also offers an Apprenticeship Program that provides job readiness training, real work experience, and employment assistance. Additionally, they offer Getting Ahead classes through a partnership with Partners in Prevention, blood pressure checks & doctor consultations through a partnership with LeTourneau University and a local physician, and the Healing Arts program with local artist Anup Bhandari. Please call to get involved at Newgate Mission. The mission is to be a place for women and their children to come in out of the weather, eat a hot meal, and rest as they are ministered the Word of God. Current Needs: 3 Regular side by side refrigerators, no ice in doors necessary 7 drawer sterilite storage from Walmart Underbed rolling storage boxes. (100) Paper towel dispensers for bathrooom Irrigation system for front of building (per city code) Trees, shrubs, plants for front of building (per city code) Aluminum awnings for front of building Three wooden Desks Asphalt for parking lot Commercial washers and dryers Carpentry work inside Construction help 2 pot coffee maker More outlets installed in bedroom area (3) Six foot tables from Sam s If you would like to make a donation of any items or help with volunteering your time, please contact House of Hope at (903) or contact Sister Helen at (903)

6 THE ALPINE VIEW Congregational Care & Fellowship Page 6 JANUARY BIRTHDAYS! 3 Dianne Hobbs 8 Sandy Griggs 13 Richard Hollingsworth 25 Renee Redfern Contact the church office if you ve been left off the list! It s a chili luncheon this month to help ward off the cold! Join us after worship January 14th for chili bring your favorite chili side dish item or a dessert! (The Youth Ministry will provide hotdogs & buns as an alternative for the kiddos.) Hymn Sing, Jan. 7th, 6pm First Sundays at Alpine Presbyterian Please bring a refreshment to share following the Hymn Sing. We hope to see as many of you as possible for this uplifting experience! Hymn Sings for 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Sundays: Jan. 14, 6pm, Summerfield United Methodist Jan. 21, 6pm, Valley View Baptist Church Jan.28, 6pm, LaGrone Chapel Methodist Church

7 Page 7 BIBLE BASED AND FAMILY FRIENDLY Candlelight Service 2017 We had a blessed service on Christmas Eve celebrating the coming of our Lord. The Melton family lit the Advent wreath and Elizabeth Melton provided special music for the evening while regular members and visitors rejoiced in the good news: our Savior is born and a light shines on those who live in darkness. Adult Christian Education & Service Opportunities

8 The Alpine View The Joy Gift Program and The Christmas Cantata We had a very successful Joy Gift Program this year and raised $648 for the Joy Gift Offering. Thank you to all who came and to the children and their families who participated in performing The Nativity Story! Page 8 This year s Christmas Cantata was made even more special with all of our guest musicians and singers who joined our Alpine Chancel Choir to tell the Nativity story and praise God through word and song. Once again, thank you to all who participated to make this worship service a delight for all to hear. A little church humor...

9 Page 9 BIBLE BASED AND FAMILY FRIENDLY Youth Happenings! Youth Fellowship Schedule: January 14, 11:30-1 (in conjunction with the 2nd Sunday Fellowship Luncheon) January 28, 11:30-1 finalize Souper Bowl Collections; planning for the Heifer Project in February SHYC 2018 (SENIOR HIGH YOUTH CONFERENCE) WHERE:AUSTIN COLLEGE WHEN: JAN WHO: GRADES 9-12 HOW: Travel with the St. Andrew Presbyterian Youth & Sponsors This year the youth will participate in a one-of-a-kind mission project. Together we will package nutritious, low-cost meals for our brothers and sisters around the world. Kids Against Hunger is an organization that provides food around the world. Their mission is to significantly reduce the number of hungry children in the USA and to feed starving children throughout he world. Let Kathy know ASAP if you would like to go! I hope everyone had a safe holiday, and we ve been praying for all those hit by the flu during Christmas break! With a new year, we always hope to set new, attainable goals. The Alpine Youth are no exception! As the Director of Children and Youth, I have set some goals for 2018 for our youth that will get them more engaged with the local community, our communities at large, and our world. How in the world do you ask? First, through mission and service opportunities. We will begin the year by having the youth coordinate and help collect this year s canned good collection in January, aka Souper Bowl, which will benefit LCM but, this year we are upping the stakes by joining in a friendly competition with other Presbyterian youth groups to see who can collect the most food beginning January 1st and ending on Super Bowl weekend (Feb. 4th). We will be making announcements weekly to remind you to help the youth in this endeavor to help our local food pantry. In February, the youth will offer a Valentine s Day special during the 2nd Sunday Fellowship Luncheon: an opportunity to Love thy Neighbor and honor your loved ones through a Heifer International purchase. All purchases will fund farm animals (including bees!) to be sent to villages working in conjunction with Heifer International to improve their living conditions by providing sustainable means of income and food. Second, through attendance at Presbyterian Youth Conferences & Mission. Grace Presbytery & Synod Under the Sun offer many opportunities for our children to grow in faith and understanding, and the Alpine Christian Education & Alpine Session wants to encourage attendance. We have a new application system in place, & I ll get those to each child wanting to attend one of the upcoming opportunities as they come available. The first opportunity is SHYC (Senior High Youth Conference) at Austin College Jan for those in grades The year 2018 is full of wonderful opportunities for our Youth! Kathy Poynor Director of Children & Youth

10 The Alpine View Announcements Page 10 Thursday Threaders Sewing Day Jan. 11 Extra Sewing Days: Meet 10:00 am on 2nd Thursday of every month. Bring your own lunch or snack and sewing equipment. Drinks provided. Unless otherwise notified, bring your own project. Thursday Threaders Jan. 25th. Thursday Threaders meet at 10:00 am on the 4th Thursday of every month at Alpine Presbyterian church in Henderson Hall. Coffee, tea, and refreshments will be provided. Hymn Sing, Jan. 7th, 6pm Alpine Presbyterian Additional Hymn Sings for January: Please bring a refreshment to share following the Hymn Sing. We hope to see as many of you as possible for this uplifting experience! Summerfield United Methodist Jan. 14, 6pm Valley View Baptist Church Jan. 21, 6pm LaGrone Chapel Methodist Church Jan.28, 6pm Circle Meetings : Evening Circlewill not meet this month Afternoon Circle 1st Wednesday each month at 1:30pm in Henderson Hall (Jan. 3)

11 Page 11 BIBLE BASED AND FAMILY FRIENDLY Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Please keep these people in your prayers... Melanie Griggs Beak Pat Martin Shirley Vickers Charles Roberts Betty Sisk Kitty Attison Evie Snow Lewis Anita Bianchini Jack Gill J. T. & Ann Ramsey Don Thompson, III Susan Thompson Brenda Knight LaVerne Bitner The Family of Alice Vorsas The Family of David Wagner Shirley Henderson Carol Ussery Our Shut-In Members Doris McQueen Clarice Tibbs Shirley Henderson Harry Boucher Mary Louise Smith

12 Alpine Presbyterian Church 135 Hiett Lane Longview, TX Phone: Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9-2 To everyone at the home of: Pastor: Rev. Gordon N. Blackman, Jr. Church Administrator: Kathy Poynor We re on the web! Face Book page: