THE SEARCH FOR A NEW MINISTER The Pastor Nominating Committee continues to diligently

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1 A PUBLICATION OF COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WEST FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA. ORGANIZED APRIL 1, 1928 February, 2016 Ministers: The People of God 702 Sheyenne St., P.O. 546, West Fargo, ND Web: THE SEARCH FOR A NEW MINISTER The Pastor Nominating Committee continues to diligently search for the candidate God has in mind for Community Presbyterian Church. For a summary of its activities for the previous month, please see the bulletin board outside the sanctuary. PICTORIAL DIRECTORY Say, Cheese! To get ready for the eventual arrival of a new pastor, an informal pictorial directory is being put together. Over the next few weeks, Becky DeJong will be photographing posed CPC friends and members. The results will be placed in a booklet to help our future pastor get to know each of us from the beginning. Please assist Becky in making this a useful tool. Be prepared to smile. HELP NEEDED IN DIRECTORY UPDATE Do you have adult children who are members of CPC? If so, we need your help. The church office is in the process of changing membership data software. We want to make sure that we have the correct contact information for all members. Would you please send contact information for your adult daughter/son who is no longer living at home to our church secretary at office@cpcwf.org? Many thanks! DECEMBER CLERK S CORNER The regular meeting of Session was held on December 9, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the church narthex. Elders present were Lise Alves, Kevin Galt, Terry Meester, Dave Ruhnke, and Bonnie Thompson. Carolyn Meester was present. Cathy Birrenkott, Linda Bishop, and Dawn Larson were absent. The meeting was opened with prayer by Moderator Donna Monteith. The financial report was discussed. $2, will be paid from the general fund to pay off the 2015 per capita debt. Discussion was held regarding moving members to the inactive list and removing members from the rolls. Discussion was held regarding the paper used for the bulletins during worship. Paper of different quality will be used for a trial period of time. Halftime by Sheri would like to use the (Continued on page 2) In this issue Page Bible Study 5 Calendar 7 Dates to Remember 3 Deacons 4 Financial Report 5 Pre-Authorized Debit Form 6 Presbyterian Squares 4 PW Bazaar Request 5 Soul Train Schedule 4 Sunday School Calendar 4 Teachers Still Needed 4

2 (Continued from page 1) church Saturday, January 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for its annual potato feed fundraiser. Discussion was held regarding the placement of the Christmas tree. It was decided for logistical reasons that the tree would remain in the narthex. Deacons: The deacons are planning a Bingo party early next year. Christmas cards were sent out to various members of the congregation. Nominating Committee: The slate is full for Personnel Committee: Secretarial wages were discussed. Stewardship Committee: Budget reports are due. No reports: Christian Education, Mission, Service and Fellowship, Trustees, or Worship committees. Moderator s report: Many thanks go out to everyone for helping where and when needed. Clerk s report: 100 served communion on Sunday, December 6, Committee summaries are due in December. Hudson Lawrence Babb, son of Bryan and Heidi Babb, was baptized on November 1, Ava May Hauge, daughter of Brandon and Kayla Hauge, was baptized on December 6, Meeting closed with prayer by Dave Ruhnke at 8:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Becky DeJong, Clerk of Session JANUARY CLERK S CORNER The regular meeting of Session was held on January 20, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the church conference room. Elders present were Lise Alves, Cathy Birrenkott, Linda Bishop, Kevin Galt, Dawn Larson, Terry Meester, Dave Ruhnke, and Bruce Steele. Carolyn Meester was present. Bonnie Thompson was absent. The meeting was opened with prayer by Page 2 Moderator Donna Monteith. The financial report was discussed. $1, will be paid from the general fund to pay off the 2012 per capita debt. All past per capita debt has been paid. Please make your 2016 payment. It was discussed that for 2016 Session will meet the third Wednesday of every month unless otherwise noted and communion will be served the first Sunday of every month, as well as, Christmas Day and Maundy Thursday unless otherwise noted. Lise Alves will update the CPC bulletin insert that the Presbytery publishes. The 2015 statistical report was presented. A gathering will be held in the fellowship hall on May 1, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for Mayim Stith as she receives her Gold Star Girl Scout Award. Discussion was held regarding supplying several sturdier chairs with arms to be used in the fellowship hall. Three chairs were taken from the conference room for this purpose. Terry Meester will continue to supply paper for the weekly bulletins. Thank you Terry! Discussion was held regarding the African Ministry. Although their numbers are low, there is still the desire to continue to worship together. Christian Education Committee: Soul Train will be sponsoring the Souper Bowl of Caring on February 7 please bring canned goods. They will be sending a care package to a soldier, and on March 16, they will be helping at the Emergency Food Pantry. Sunday School teachers are needed! Deacons: The deacons are planning a coffee date at Sheyenne Crossings on February 13 at 10:00 a.m. They will be helping a member move and delivering Easter baskets. On Sunday, April 10, at 5:00 p.m., a White Elephant Bingo night is planned with a light meal being served. (Continued on page 3)

3 (Continued from page 2) All are welcome, but beware because Becky is very competitive at Bingo! Mission Committee: The missions for 2016 are: The Kenyan Instructor Fund (Jan/Feb), One Great Hour of Sharing (Mar/Apr), the Bdecan Church (May/ Jun), the Food Pantry (Jul/Aug), PATH (Sept/Oct) and the New Life Center (Nov/Dec). Nominating Committee: The slate is full for 2016 Deacons, Session elders, and Trustees. Stewardship Committee: The budget report was presented. Trustees: Thank you to Bob Galt for snow blowing. The snow blower will need some attention in the near future. The committee is working on updating the sexual misconduct policy portion of our insurance policy. Worship Committee: Thank you to Greg and Carol Sterup, Steve and Sue Hanna for decorating for Advent and removing decorations afterwards. No reports: Personnel and Service and Fellowship committees. Moderator s report: The southeast region of Presbytery of the Northern Plains will meet at Community Presbyterian Church at the end of February to discuss stewardship issues. The annual meeting of Churches United for the Homeless is Thursday, January 21, at 6:00 p.m. Clerk s report: 59 people were served communion on Sunday, January 3, Meeting closed with prayer by Kevin Galt at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Becky DeJong, Clerk of Session CALLING ALL LITURGISTS Interested in serving as a liturgist? Please sign up on the bulletin board outside of the sanctuary. Page 3 FEBRUARY DATES TO REMEMBER BIRTHDAYS 2-1 Cora Carlson 2-6 Carolyn Koerselman David Misheski 2-7 Tom Birrenkott Dolores Kinslow 2-8 Ann Corneliussen Jack Smith 2-9 Blair Moorhead 2-10 Linda Bishop 2-11 Tammy Nelson 2-14 Randy Meyer 2-17 Kevin Galt 2-19 Esther Hemm Alex Talley 2-20 Lise Alves 2-21 Scott Meyer 2-24 Lia Dobrinz ANNIVERSARIES Dixon and Mary Jo Moorhead Scott and Vickie Meyer PRAYER TIME for I know that through your prayers and God s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. Philippians 4:19 Join us for a half hour of prayer at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 10, as we worship, praise, and lay our petitions before our Lord and God. PRAYER CHAIN Sharing our needs and concerns in prayer with our church family brings us closer to one another and lightens our load. If you have a prayer concern for any person or need, please contact Gayle Thostenson (atgtet@far.midco.net or ). Also, it s never too late to join the prayer chain. Please note that prayer chain s are blind-copied and subject noted as prayer request. To become a member, just let Gayle know.

4 SOUL TRAIN SCHEDULE Sun, Feb 7 - Collection for Souper Bowl of Caring Sun, Feb 14-4:00-5:30 p.m. Broomball Sun, Feb 21-3:00-5:00 p.m. Roller skating at Skateland Sun, Feb 28 NO SOUL TRAIN SOUPER BOWL OF CARING The youth are participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring as a service project for this semester. They will be collecting canned goods until February 7th, or Super Bowl Sunday. All can goods that are donated will be taken to the Emergency Food Pantry based in Fargo. Please help to fight hunger and donate canned and boxed goods! Thank you! YOUTH POP CANS The youth are continuing to collect pop cans on an ongoing basis. This is a small yearround fundraiser for the youth. The small amount of money from this fundraiser will go towards special activities such as retreats and mission trips. Please bring your pop cans to church or take them to MinnKota (be sure to mention CPC). Thank you from the Youth! DEACONS If anyone in the congregation is hospitalized or needs a visit, contact the Deacons. If anyone in the congregation would like home communion service please contact Lise Alves. Deb Matzke Boots Misheski Lisa Steffen Caroline Talley Becky DeJong Boots Montgomery Lise Alves, Session Liaison Page 4 PRESBYTERIAN SQUARES February makes us think about Valentine's day and love. So it seems fitting that the subject for our Bible study this month is compassion! God has compassion on us and would like us to treat others the way God treats us. Not an easy thing to doright? Bring your Bible and join us at church for a light supper at 6:05 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, followed by our study on Compassion as written in Luke 10: Each month is an independent study so even if you haven't come before, you are always welcome. We will also visit about ideas for our fun spring brunch. WE STILL NEED YOU! Help! Our Sunday School classes are in dire need of supplies. Crayons, paper, scissors, and glue we have in ample quantities. What we need are TEACH- ERS! The sign up sheet is nearly empty! Teachers are needed for these classes: Feb. 7 1st & 2nd, Middle School Feb. 14 Middle School Feb. 21 Pre-K, 1st-2nd, Middle School Mar. 6 Pre-K, Middle School Mar. 13 Pre-K, Middle School Mar. 20 Pre-K, Middle School Apr. 3 Pre-K, Middle School May 1 Pre-K Please help our kids out. Keep your baptismal vows and sign up to teach a class for a week or two (or more, if you like). Pair up with a partner for fun. The relationships you build with God and your little brothers and sisters will reward you for it Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board. See LeAnn Tenderholt for clarification and curriculum SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR March 20 Palm Sunday March 27 Happy Easter! No Sunday School May 17 Last Day of Sunday School

5 WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY Join us Wednesday mornings at 10:00 in the sunny narthex as we study about Heaven. Most lessons on this subject are able to stand alone, so one does not need to attend every lesson to reap the benefits of the study. All are welcome! Contact Gayle Thostenson for more details. PM RUMMAGE SALE It s time to start thinking about bringing out your rummage for the Presbyterian Men s Rummage Sale on Saturday, April 9. More details will be forthcoming in the March and the April newsletters. PW BAZAAR REQUEST It seems early to be talking about the Presbyterian Women s Fall Bazaar, but Linda Bishop works year round to supply the Bazaar with mittens to sell. One problem: Linda s supply of knitted wool for fashioning the mittens is depleted. If you have any wool sweaters you no longer need, please share them with Linda so she can recycle them into fundraising mittens for the Fall Bazaar. SERVANTS NEEDED We need you to assist in the delivery and preparation of meals at Churches United for the homeless and Salvation Army. We help serve the meal at Churches United the second Wednesday of every odd month (January, March, May, July, September, November) at 4:00 p.m. We prepare, serve, and clean up after the meal for the Salvation Army every month s third Saturday. See Dixon Moorhead for details of how you can help. CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE SALVATION ARMY Thank you for your time and effort to serve this meal. Your gift of yourselves is most appreciated. See you all next year! Dixon FINANCIAL REPORT We ended 2015 with $18, in the building fund account. Our monthly payment on the building is $3, The money to make our building payment comes from funds that are strictly designated building fund, they do not come out of the general giving fund. To make a contribution to the building fund, write building fund on your check or use one of the pew envelopes and mark building fund. Thank you for your continued contributions. Currently the operating loan is at a zero balance. Per capita amount for 2016 is $43.50 for each confirmed member. God gave to us, and He continues to give. God s character is to give, and He works in us to help us become more Christ-like through our faithful giving. Through our giving, the recipients are blessed, and we, as givers, are blessed. God s Word in Proverbs 11:24-25 says, One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Page 5 Need to contact CPC s secretary/bookkeeper? You can reach Barb Jorgensen by phone ( ) or via (office@cpcwf.org). Her office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to noon. March Community Call deadline will be Thursday, February 18

6 Community Presbyterian Church is pleased to offer you a way to make contributions to the church using pre-authorized debits. You can have your contributions paid automatically each month. No check writing with associated charges Control over funds is guaranteed (via Regulation E) Easy to sign up and easy to cancel easy to change for whatever reason The authorization below gives Community Presbyterian Church and your financial institution authority to make contributions from your account. To take advantage of pre-authorized debits, simply complete the form as follows: Check whether your payment will be deducted from your checking or savings account. Fill in your name, financial institution name and location, and date. Attach a voided check for verification of all the financial institution information. If you are unable to attach a voided check, please provide your account number. Sign the form. Pre-authorized debits are safe, convenient, and easy. To take advantage of this service, please complete the following and return it to the church office. Pre-authorized debits customer authorization form I authorize Community Presbyterian Church and the financial institution listed below to initiate electronic debit entries (and if necessary, credit entries and adjustments for any debit entries in error) to my: [ ] checking account [ ] savings account for $ (This authority will remain in effect until I have cancelled it in writing.) (Changes can be easily made) *Please select from the following options to make contributions: MONTHLY 1 st OR 16 th TWICE A MONTH 1 st AND 16 th Please print the following: Name Address Financial Institution: Branch: Address: Signature: Date: Bank Routing Number (9 digits): Please return to: Office Community Presbyterian Church P. O. Box 546 Account Number West Fargo, ND Forms accepted at any time (A confirmation will be sent to you)