2017 Volume 20 - Issue 6

Transcription

1 People ministering to people for Christ s sake Volume 20 - Issue 6 * Stuff from the staff - CHARLIE * Summer Worship 2017 Beginning May 28 and continuing through September 03, the Sunday Worship venue will change: we will still have one Worship Service at 10:30 A.M., but it will be IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL. Coffee Fellowship will continue in the vestibule from 10:00 until 10:29. Nursery care will be available for children who have not yet been to Kindergarten. Entry points will be the double doors under the carport and closest to the elevator, the double doors facing Laurel Street that open into the Vestibule, as well as the door on Magnolia Street beside the wooden deck. To protect the surface of the new parking lot, the Session has designated the Magnolia Street driveway as a secondary entrance; it will ordinarily be gated to pass-through traffic, but it will be open Sunday mornings and for other church activities. Do-It-Yourself Hymnody: Here are your hymn choices for June: June 4, # 430 (PH) Come Sing, O Church, In Joy # 316 (PH) Breathe On Me, Breath Of God # 127 (PH) Come, O Spirit June 11, # 429 (PH) Lord, You Give The Great Commission # 140 (PH) Holy, Holy # 138 (PH) Holy, Holy, Holy! June 18, # 469 (PH) Morning Has Broken #2223 (SF) They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love # 525 (PH) Here I Am, Lord June 25, # 302 (PH) I Danced In The Morning Leaning On The Everlasting Arms # 9 (PH) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel June 32 The Wheels On The Bus (as requested by the The Itsy-Bitsy Spider Worship Committee) If You re Happy And You Know It

2 * MORE Stuff from CHARLIE * Texts and Themes for June: June 04 John 20:19 23 Breathe In! (Pentecost) June 11 Matthew 28:16 20 Breathe Out! (Trinity Sunday) Begin Summer Series - How Will They Know We Are Christians? June 18 John 13:34-35 They Will Know We Are Christians: Love One Another June 25 John 15:12-17 They Will Know We Are Christians: Love Each Other Communion and Good Samaritan Sunday, June 04 The first Sunday of each month is Communion Sunday; the Sacrament will be celebrated by Intinction. First Sunday is also Good Samaritan Sunday, when we particularly remember the mission work of the Good Samaritan Center. Offerings of food and money will be received along with the regular Morning Offering. Adult Sunday School We continue to review John S. Leonard s book, Get Real, Sharing Your Everyday Faith Every Day. The study is led by Mary and Scott Hime and will continue through June 25. Come join us in the Café at 9:00 each Sunday Morning. June Sunday School Grades 1-8: Topic: Eating and Drinking With Jesus June 04 - Matthew 26: The Meal That Changed The World June 11 - Luke 19: Guess Who Is Coming To Lunch June 18 - Mark 2: What To Do When You Are Hungry June 25 - John 6: The Big Picnic PENTECOST Sunday, June 04, is the Day of Pentecost, our annual celebration of the birthday of the Church: WEAR SOMETHING RED! The Pentecost Offering Each year on Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit as a bringer of new life with an Offering intended to nurture the faith of those newest among us. As one of the four Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Pentecost Offering unites us in a churchwide effort to support young people in Christ and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world. For your information, 40% of the Offering stays within our own congregation to fund projects and programs designated by Session. The remainder is sent to the General Assembly Mission Council to support other programs that help youth and young adults and advocate for children at risk. Among those programs, 25% of the offering funds Young Adult Volunteers (YAV), which trains and equips volunteers to engage in mission in the U.S. and around the world. Our own Katie Henderson will be spending a YAV year in Scotland, so our support of this offering also provides direct benefits for a member of our church family. (I love the connectional church!) Presbytery Meeting: Mission Presbytery will meet Friday and Saturday, June 23-24, at New Braunfels Presbyterian Church 2

3 * MORE Stuff from CHARLIE * Community Table, 02 May 2017 and Celebrating the 10 th Anniversary of The Community Table Ministry Devotional offered at May Meeting of Session Romans 14:17-18 (The Message) God s kingdom isn t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness sake. It is what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you will kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you. It was our time to host the meal, our first time since all our seasonal church family hit the trail for their other homes in farnorthern Texas. We fretted a bit: would we have enough volunteers to serve the meal in good order? We worried some: what if we are so overwhelmed that we end up losing some of our good folk to exhaustion/frustration? We talked about it: what does it say about us, our ministry, this church, if we cannot carry on effectively without help from visitors? I had decided to make a cameo appearance? (Remember those from old movies: someone vaguely familiar appears briefly on the screen, but adds nothing to the overall production?) I knew I would not be much help, but I kept my phone at the ready, in case I needed to issue an all-hands-on-deck message. Oh, me of little faith! We had more volunteers than I dared hope for, even some who came specifically to help clean up, and the prevailing spirit was one of such joy that my spirit was lifted before we ever opened the doors to the diners. And it got better: the diners exhibited the same joyful spirit (with perhaps one notable exception), the laughter was genuine and uplifting, and I felt that warm sense of gathered family that is one of the great blessings of Christian fellowship and hospitality. God is at work, friends! The Holy Spirit is busy enlivening and invigorating our endeavors, and the proof is in the pudding or. better yet, in the meat loaf, in the mashed potatoes, in the smiles, in the sharing, and in the heart of this pastor who really should stop worrying and fretting and expecting the worst. I guess I learned yet again to trust God s presence, to trust God s Holy Spirit, to trust God s people to bring joy and peace, and hope and a really nurturing/nourishing experience to those who need it most, including me! So, here is the truth as I have rediscovered it: for the modest expenditure of 2-3 hours every two months, you will be doubly blessed: you will not only be a blessing, you will also receive a blessing (more than one on both counts!). Oh, and I am not suggesting that we do not welcome back our winter family, or that we reject their help; I just think maybe we could greet them more in joy than in desperation! Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message) But what happens when we live God s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. 3

4 InReach Committee The 3nd Annual Summer Kickoff of our Ice Cream Socials was Wednesday evening May 17 in the Youth Building. Delicious Ice Cream sundaes, floats and cookies were served. Games, fellowship and just plain fun was had by all. If you missed it, don t worry, there will be more!! Watch the church calendar for an announcement. It makes a GREAT date night, so bring a friend next time! The following pictures were taken by Veronika Camehl. Thanks Vern for always being there with your camera! 4

5 InReach Committee - Introducing New Member... Debbie Gatewood Debbie Gatewood grew up in San Antonio and then moved to Corpus Christi for a few years before finally settling in Aransas Pass with her husband Daryl because they liked its quiet little community lifestyle. Debbie is co-owner with her husband of Gatewood s Marine Service & Repair located south of Rockport which repowers and services sport fishing pleasure boats, etc. They have 4 daughters, 1 son, 6 granddaughters and 1 grandson. She has taught them all to have a sense of service to community. Along with that teaching she leads by example by playing right beside them when she got them involved in organizations which taught responsibility to and for service. Both she and Daryl became involved in Boy Scouts even before their son D.J. was born (pictured above with Debbie.) She served as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts and supported her husband s efforts as he was first involved in Cub Scouts and then got asked by the Gulf Coast Council to start up another Boy Scout troop in Aransas Pass; which in turn made him the Scout Master for several years. She even worked with a group to raise funds to purchase a building in Aransas Pass so that the local Cub and Boy Scouts had a place to meet and call their own. Additionally, she served as the Secretary & then President of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for 5 years while her children attended school in Aransas Pass and also as the Vice President of the Aransas Pass Band Boosters for many years. She was also involved as a soccer team mom, a football mom, a dance team mom, etc., wherever volunteers were needed. She helped with the Youth group at her church for many years while her children were growing up. Ms. Gatewood has long been associated with Big Game Fishing and has served on the Board of Directors for the last 7 years for the Corpus Christi Big Game Fishing Club. She believes in fishing conservation and travels to Central America & Puerto Rico several times a year to support World Class Bill Fishing where the beautiful big bill creatures of the sea are caught and released. In 2007, Debbie s call to serve turned in a life changing direction when son D.J. decided to join the Marine Corps because he felt in his heart that he wanted to support & defend our great country. Before he deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 she reached out to other moms and families going through the same emotions and heart break of watching their child leave knowing they are going into harm s way half way across the world. She immediately became active in the Blue Star Mothers of America, Texas Coastal Bend Chapter 1, and now serves as its President and their liaison on the Corpus Christi Mayor s Committee for Veterans Affairs. In the early spring of 2012 Debbie attended a conference for military women which included active duty female officers and moms who had loved ones serving in active duty. The meeting was a divine appointment as she now serves on the ministry team of the organization that sponsored the event. Debbie has been serving behind the scenes in helping wounded warrior families, Gold Star families, serving women in the military, and is a Certified Suicide Prevention Counselor for the military. According to other members of her ministry team, Debbie Gatewood has a proven track record of serving with integrity, leading with courage and resolve, and still maintaining a presence of compassion and grace. She is a tireless worker for Christ, with a humble spirit. 5

6 Program Committee Members of the Program Committee, comprised of Kelly McNeely, Scott Hime, Tom Jaggard and Charlie Schuler, held their regular monthly meeting at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, May 9, ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING collection results: Donations in the collection plates on Easter morning amounted to $503, coin & currency in the FISH boxes was $ for a sum total of $ % collected is transferred to Mission Presbytery for distribution. We will collect the Pentecost Offering on Sunday, June 4 th. Tom Jaggard will present the Minute for Mission for this special offering. A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost Offering is retained by individual congregations to make an impact in the lives of young people within their own community. The remaining 60% is sent to Mission Presbytery to support ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. One of those ministries is Young Adult Volunteers (YAV.) The Program Committee recommends our congregation give its 40% retained share of this year s donations to Katie Henderson to help her offset costs of participating in the YAV program in Scotland after graduating from UT in May. Katie was baptized by Charlie and grew up in this church. Her parents are Kathy and Michael Henderson, and her grandparents are Carol and the late Pat Smith. SUNDAY SCHOOL will continue through June with Mary and Scott Hime leading the Adult Class through the study of Get Real; Sharing Your Everyday Faith Every Day, by John S. Leonard. Connie and Theresa teaching the Pre-Schoolers AND Charlie is taking a combined class of 1 st through 8 th graders on 4-week study of his own design called, Eating and Drinking with Jesus. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: MAKER FUN FACTORY Carolyn Watters hosted the first VBS meeting of the year in April, and reported things are going so well the group will not meet again until June. If you haven't volunteered yet (or ever), please do. I think the hardest part is to say YES. No task is overwhelming, but VBS needs lots of people to each do their little bit. Shalom, Kelly McNeely, Reporter

7 Program Committee : Vacation Bible School 2017 MAKER FUN FACTORY Created by God, Built for a Purpose Presented by the 1st Presbyterian & St. Peter s Episcopal Churches July 10 14, 9am to noon 2017 VBS begins with a pizza lunch on Saturday, July 8th. We will eat lunch together, kickoff VBS, and set up for the week of Vacation Bible School. We have many volunteers, but always welcome more! A planning meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 12 at 5:30pm in the Café. For adults in need of the Child Safety Training, we will set up a convenient time. If you would like to help, please contact: Carolyn Watters: carolyn.watters@gmail.com or

8 Register online at Presbyterian.org or fill out the following and deliver it to the Church Office VBS Registration Form-2017 First Presbyterian / St. Peter s Episcopal Church Child s Name M/F Child s Age Birthdate Last grade completed Name of Parent(s) Street address Mailing address (if different) City State Zip code Home Phone Cell Address Allergies or other medical conditions Emergency Contact #1: Phone # Relationship: Emergency Contact #2: Phone # Relationship: Authorized Pick-up Person #1: Phone # Relationship: Authorized Pick-up Person #2: Phone # Relationship: Picture Release: By registering your child for Vacation Bible School ( VBS ), you are giving permission for your child to be included in photographs or videos taken. This also gives your permission for photos and videos to be uploaded to our website. Signature of Parent/Guardian: Date: 8

9 2017 VBS SCHEDULE FOR ROCKPORT CHURCHES Dated: 5/25/17 (Listings are in chronological order) Coastal Oaks, 2002 FM 3036, Glenda Lindsay, Dates: June 5 June 9; Times: 6pm 8:30pm Theme: Sun Maker Factory Ages: 4 years to 5th grade PreRegister: church office or online at: coastaloakschurh.org A snack will be served First United Methodist, 801 E. Main Str., Dates: Mon., June 19-Fri., June 23; Times: 9:00am-Noon Theme: Hero Central Ages: Kinder to 4 th Grade Snacks will be served. Pre/Register online at: First Baptist, Patty Albin, 1515 N. Live Oak, Dates: Sun., June 25-Thurs., June 29; Times: 5:45pm-8:15 pm, Theme: Galactic Starveyors Ages: Kinder to 5th grade (Children must have completed kindergarten) A snack dinner will be served Pre/Register: Church office or online at First Presbyterian & St. Peter s Episcopal, 301 Highway 35 North, Dates: Mon., July 10-Fri., July 14; Times: 9am to noon Theme: Maker Fun Factory Ages: Pre-K to 6th grade Snacks will be served Pre/Register at: Church office or online at rockportpresbyterian.org Register in person Holy Cross Lutheran, 2872 FM 1781, Dates: Tues., July 11-Mon., July 17 Times: 9:00am-Noon Theme: Ages: 1 st to 5 th Grades Pre/Register: NO VBS programs this summer at: Fulton Community, 215 N. 3rd, Fulton, Church Unlimited, 902 Main Street, Peace Lutheran, 1302 W. Market, Sacred Heart Catholic, 209 N. Church, Status Unknown : Rockport Church of Christ, 1520 Omohundro, First Assembly of God, 813 East Laurel,

10 Fellowship Committee WHAT? Fellowship Lunch WHEN? June 11 WHERE? Youth Center THEME? It s time for a PICNIC! The Fellowship Committee will provide the fried chicken and beverages, the congregation is asked to bring their favorite picnic side dishes and sweets Here are some suggestions to help get you started: Potato, pasta or garden salad Cole Slaw Raw veggie platter Pickle platter Deviled eggs Baked beans Rolls / biscuits Fruit Desserts Make plans to join us in the Youth Center at the conclusion of the 10:30 worship service for good food and great company! Operations Committee, Treasurer s Report Treasurer s Report - YTD April 30, 2017 Year to Date 4/30/17 4/30/ Budget Income Loose Offering $ 5,833 $ 7,059 $ 4,568 Pledges & Other 84,370 92,519 73,455 Castaways 27,800 29,736 24,000 Special Gifts Sub-Total $113,413 $129,414 $102,023 Expenses $106,915 $107,447 $113, One Great Hour of Sharing results Collection Plates $ Fish boxes Total: $ Kay Stanley, Treasurer 10

11 Worship Committee As Summer approaches our services will take on a more casual atmosphere. We have now re-located to the Fellowship Hall and are following the Order of Worship via a Power Point presentation on the projector screen. Our hymnody for the Summer is once again a variety of your choosing, or: Ask and Ye shall receive. And how GREAT the sound of our voices with the acoustics in the Fellowship Hall it s goosebumps time! Come and be refreshed from those long, hot Summer days with your family at First Presbyterian Church... and invite a friend. It s Cool inside. Many thanks to those who participated in our Worship Services Head Ushers: Pati Vincent and All her Helpers Assisted or read Scripture... May 7 Scripture: Terri Hopman Assisting: Susan O Bryant May 1 4 Scripture: Nikki Yarnell Assisting: Caro Jackson May 21 Scripture: Dwight Edens Assisting: Tom Jaggard May 28 Scripture: Scott Hime Communion Preparer: Pati Vincent Servers: Sally Reynolds, Adelaide Marlatt, Nancy Bolks, Debbie Shedden Door Handler?Greeter: Kim Thompson Head Ushers: B.J. Edens and Dwight Edens, Other Stuff, On June 4th... W-E-A-R R-E-D it s Pentecost Sunday. Happy 1st anniversary to the beautiful Communion Banner Mimi Braniff, Barbara Goodlock, Lois Atwood and Kay Stanley designed and painstakingly pieced together last year. Their creation had its reveal in the Fellowship Hall on Communion Sunday, on June 5th. 11

12 Presbyterian Ministering to Men This is the recap for the Men s Breakfast and Meeting for May, but before I get into my notes, I need to let everyone know that I spoke to John Watters this morning. The deck treatment that was scheduled for Wednesday morning has been postponed due to the rain we received last night. I will let everyone know when we re-schedule. And a big thanks to Mike Revel for getting it pressure washed last week. It looks great!! Ok, on with the recap.. I want to thank my setup crew for getting to the church before 6am and getting everything ready. Pete, John, Resha, Charlie, and my friend Kyle were there to make sure everything was setup and the meal was prepared. We had slices of smoked pork loin in gravy, scrambled eggs, and biscuits. The meals seem to be getting better and better each month, and I appreciate everyone involved with the success. I want to thank Charlie for leading our devotional and getting the meeting started in the right spirit. Discussion Items: 1) HWY 35 Sign: John Watters reported that the sign restoration is now complete. It looks great. 2) Flagpole: Although a little more expensive than originally thought, we voted to go ahead and order the new flagpole. Jad ed me, and let me know that the order has been placed. 3) Memorial Plaque: We voted to add Bob Minnick to the plaque that memorializes men from our group. 4) Local Community Support: Spencer reported that he needs a little more time to find hotels that we can partner with when families are displaced due to a fire or other emergency. He did say that Penny Neff manages a condo complex on Key Allegro and is interested in helping. 5) Budget: Jad and Charlie will bring the budget to next month s meeting for review. 6) Katie Henderson sent us a request for donations and prayers for her while she completes a volunteer year in Scotland serving the churches there. We voted to award her $1000 and will keep her in our thoughts and prayers during her upcoming adventure. 7) Projects: John Watters presented the group with a couple more projects we could work on for the church. Deck outside the café needs to be cleaned up. Mike Revel pressure washed it on May 18. We have postponed the wood treatment that was scheduled for Wednesday this week. The chain link fence around the lot across the street is completely grown over. We will schedule a date, and ask for volunteers to work on this when the deck is completed. Next month s meeting will be held on Wednesday June 21 at 7am. Pete Chamberlain has volunteered to give the devotional, and I am sure no one will want to miss it. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for our group or ideas for improvement. Thank you, Jeremy Schuler Schuler's Home Services, LLC

13 Presbyterian Ministering to Men Recipe for the breakfast casserole served at the May Men s meeting 1 can of Grands butter milk biscuits quartered 2lbs of breakfast sausage 1 Dozen beaten large eggs 1/2lb of Monterey mushrooms sliced 1 can of green chilies diced 1 jar of sun dried tomatoes 1 package of white gravy mix 2 cups of shredded cheese 1 tsp comino 2 tsps chill powder 1 tsp garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste Directions Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Big Dude s Breakfast Casserole In large skillet brown sausage, add spices while browning. After sausage is cooked add mushrooms, green chilies and sun dried tomatoes. Stir until mushrooms are soft. Grease a 13X9 casserole dish, add quartered biscuits, spread on bottom, then add 1 cup of cheese, spread evenly sausage mixture over biscuits then pour eggs over all. Mix gravy as directed and pour over eggs. Spread remaining cheese over gravy. Place in oven for minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes and serve. Recipe provided by Michael Henderson 13

14 News from Presbyterian Women Women, these are opportunities during JUNE 2017 for growth and service, and a time to have fellowship with other women in the church. Please mark your calendars for the following experiences. 1. PW will meet Sept 5 at 10:00 am in the Cafe. All women are cordially invited to attend this business meeting. It will be the first meeting after the summer hiatus. 2. Quilters will meet June 20 at 9:00am in the upstairs Sewing & Quilting Room to make Prayer Comforters. 3. Circle Bible Study will meet Sept 26 at 12:00 pm in the parlor. All women are invited. Please bring a sack lunch. 4. Treasurer s Report: Income: $11, Disbursements YTD : $24, Checking Account: $59, Castaways: A. FPC s shift days are every Monday, 8:00am to 3:00pm, when we staff and manage the store and Thursdays, 8:00am to 11:00am, when we do the marking. There is plenty to do either day and the jobs are easy to learn! B. April was a good month for us. $14,000 went to the church. C. Pulling In June, will be Fri., June 30 at 3 pm. 6. Good Samaritans is looking for help. If you are available, contact Janet Gaskamp or just go by and offer your help. Interviewers are needed. Remember Good Sam s Sunday is the first Sunday of each month to bring food items or cash. 7. Backpack Buddies-This program ends this month for our 20 students, but will begin again in August. 8. Neet Feet- No report. 9. BEAS- Our student will attend summer school. 10. Cluster: No report. 11. Quilting Report- No report 12. PW Birthday Party was held May 1 at 5:30. Seventeen women attended a lovely salad supper. Belinda Simons, director of Su Casa, brought our program to us. We celebrated the birth of the Least Coin Offering by receiving $899 in donations. 13. Su Casa de Esperanza received donations totaling $340 collected in honor/memory of mothers the Sunday before and on Mothers Day. Actions taken by PW: 1. Considering doing Women s Mo Ranch Conference in 2020 with El Divino PC in Corpus Christi. No decisions have been made yet. 2. Will start announcing summer camps registration for our children with PW paying $600 towards the week. 3. Is still looking for a Prayer Quilt Chair to choose quilt, make info sheet, copy enclosed letter, and mail to recipient. 4. Voted to continue Weekend Backpacks in the fall when school starts. 5. Voted to pay for 10 subscriptions to Upper Room. 6. Voted to allocate $2000 to Young Adult Volunteers, so that Katie Henderson can serve a parish in Glasgow, Scotland, Voted to donate $50 to June Project in Julie Mercer s name. 14

15 Ministering to others through Prayer and Prayer Comforters From: Denise Carothers Requested by: Jack and Dot Rau Card Received: May 12, 2017 Card Inscription (if any:) Prayer Comforter : Show of support while Denise awaits results of tests from M.D. Anderson. Dear Sewing Ladies and First Presbyterian Church, I am moved beyond words for receiving my lovely Prayer Comforter. I feel so special as I know prayer is powerful! My sweet neighbors Dot & Jack Rau are my earthly angels and I thank them for adding my name to the church prayer list. Sincerely, Denis Carothers From: Red Lister Letter Received: May 16, 2017 Dear Friends at FPC I want to thank you all for your prayers and remembering me to get the F.P.C. news is like getting a letter from home. My new stint is working well. I go back in early June for another ultrasound on kidneys, I spend a lot of time in my garden. I have over a hundred tomato vines/plants. I planted 200 Hills cucumbers, the green beans came up but only a couple rows. Have lots of purple Hull peas but they re just coming up. I bought a new riding lawn mower, first one I ve ever owned. My daughter loves to use it for me. Please remember our church her in San Augustine in your prayers. (Their pastor had a trip planned for Israel but ended up having surgery for a detached retina instead.) Love you all Red Lister P.S. Hope to see you all this summer.? 15

16 MORE...Ministering to others through Prayer and Prayer Comforters Complete list of PRAYER CONCERNS AND CELEBRATIONS Through 05/25/17 Please include these individuals in your Prayers of Intercession AND notify the church office of any needed changes. Members At Home: Al Chalkley (heart,) Daniel Garcia (Multiple Myeloma cancer,) Ray Ingersoll (COPD,) Charlie Schuler; Ed & Lou Fegley (Manfield, TX) Members In Nursing or Care Centers: Lois Harrington, Pat Baugh (Gulf Pointe Village;) Berta Little (The Solana at Cinco Ranch, Houston;) Patrick Turley Brown (Holmgreen Health Care Ctr, Corpus.) Prayers for our Troops: Serving in Harms Way: Capt. Brandon Glass (Karen Glass son, Kay Patteson s grandson,) Serving our country near and abroad: CW4 Todd Jacobson, (Bev Jacobson s son;) Wyatt Curtiss Starr (Germany)(VeeAnn Wright s grandson;) brothers AD2 Taylor Jordan (Japan) and PFC Shiloh Jordan (M/M Daniel Garcia s grandsons/ruben Garcia s nephews.) Airman Becca Harris (Annette Ledbetter s daughter;) Praise/Celebrations/Congratulations/Announcements: April 28 through May 4, Including Sunday, April 30, 2017 Prayer Concerns: Debbie Shedden Husband Mike is scheduled for an CAT Scan Tuesday, May 2, and then a lung biopsy Friday, May 5. Those affected by the tornadoes in Canton, Texas Yvonne Jaggard: A choir student, Adam Armstrong, learned an hour after the choir returned from their spring trip that his father had passed away suddenly. Scott Hime: A prayer comforter in the Vestibule for his next door neighbor Sherré Ernster needs prayer knots so he and Mary can hand deliver it before she leaves for Houston to have breast cancer surgery Tuesday, May 2. Prayer Comforter Ministry for: Edwina Garrison, the mother of Kathy Henderson s friend Holly McMillan, is recovering from a fall and surgery to repair the damage. Denise Carruthers, Jack and Dot Rau s neighbor, is waiting for test results from M.D. Anderson. Prayers and sympathy of the church are extended to the family and friends of Earl Butch Stephens who passed away on Wednesday, May 3. Celebrations: Debbie Shedden announced it is Teacher Appreciation Week and after thanking her greatest teacher, Jesus she also thanked Charlie, Kay Patteson and her Church family. May 4 through May 12, Including Sunday, May 7, 2017 Prayer Concerns: Debbie Shedden - Mike came through CAT Scan on May 2 and lung biopsy on May 5 and Debbie Simmons, who taught at RFMS for many years, was sent home by M.D. Anderson and placed on Hospice after all treatment options were exhausted. Kingsbury Scott is in hospital undergoing tests. Prayer Comforter Ministry for: Edwina Garrison, the mother of Kathy Henderson s friend Holly McMillan, is recovering from a fall and surgery to repair the damage. Anne Ownby, mother of Veronika Camehl s friend Lisa Clingman, will be undergoing radiation for breast cancer for the next several weeks. Victor and Henrietta Hernandez, grandparents of RFHS student Victoria Hernandez who provides child care Wednesday nights during chancel choir rehearsals, were riding in an elevator on the side of their house when it fell. Their heels are broken and the grandfather also has a broken leg. Prayers and sympathy of the church are extended to Melissa Farrell, her family and friends at the tragic passing her husband, Kevin Farrell, on Saturday, May 6 and Sherri Banger, her family and friends at the passing of her husband, Don Plummer Christiansen, on Tuesday, May 9. 16

17 MORE...Ministering to others through Prayer and Prayer Comforters May 12 through May 18, Including Sunday, May 14, 2017 Prayer Concerns: Carolyn Watters asked for continued prayers for her neighbor Melissa Farrell, and her sons, at the tragic drowning of Kevin Farrell while fishing on Saturday, May 6. She cautioned gentlemen who fish alone to remember to wear their life jackets. Yvonne Jaggard asked for prayer knots for Victor and Henrietta Hernandez, grandparents of RFHS student Victoria Hernandez who provides child care during Wednesday night choir rehearsals. The couple and a 3-year old granddaughter were riding in an elevator on the side of their house when it fell. The grand child was unharmed but the couple sustained broken heels and Victor also had a broken leg. Faye Scott, husband Kingsbury was moved home on Wednesday, May 17, with advanced cancer and placed on hospice. Prayer Comforter Ministry for: Sherri Banger, her family and friends at the passing of her husband, Don Plummer Christiansen, on Tuesday, May 9. Anne Ownby, mother of Veronika Camehl s friend Lisa Clingman, will be undergoing radiation for breast cancer for the next several weeks. Dayla Pepi, sister in law of Stephanie (Goodlock) Pepi, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Catherine Webb, Becky Ley s mother, is recovering from a heart attack. Celebrations: Kelly McNeely, In celebration of Mothers Day the Program Committee handed out flowers to all women after worship. Terri Hopman s son Eric Kneissl is getting married in Houston on Saturday, May 20. After the wedding she and Jerry are heading north for the summer. May 18 through May 25, Including Sunday, May 21, 2017 Prayer Concerns: Patsy Owens, Betty Thompson s son has been diagnosed with cancer. Scott Hime s neighbor, Sherre Ernster, was diagnosed with two different strains of cancer. She sleeps with the Prayer Comforter which he and Mary delivered to her. Dot Rau, Ronnie Gaines from Harlingen had a heart attack and is in Houston for a shunt. Linda Myers cousin, Connie Robison, has been diagnosed with leukemia and has no insurance coverage. Prayers and sympathy of the church are extended to Faye Scott, her family and friends at the passing of Kingsbury on Friday, May 19. A memorial service will be conducted in the sanctuary on Saturday, June 3 at 2:00 PM with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall. Comforter Ministry for: JoAnn Little, hospitalized after a mild heart attack Saturday, May 20. Test results Monday showed 99 percent blockage of an artery which required a stint. She was released on Tuesday, May 23. Catherine Webb, Becky Ley s mother, is recovering from a heart attack. In sympathy to Cassandra Ford and her father Avery Ford (Cassandra worshipped with us last summer while staying with her Uncle John and Aunt Carolyn Watters) at the loss of Avery s mother, Cassandra s grand mother, Tommie Ford, who passed away Monday, May 22. Friends of Caroline Bernardy, Kaylynn and Zach Cantrell from Tonkawa, Oklahoma, have been told their unborn baby s brain is not developing properly. They have an appointment with a specialist for more information. Ingrid Little s friend, Rose Ann Elliott, pharmacist at Jerry s Pharmacy and a friend of Ingrid Little, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Celebrations: Debbie Shedden, test results from Mike s biopsy last week came back clear. 17

18 MINISTERING TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE USE OF OUR FACILITIES The Community Table FYIs and UPDATES: 1. June s serving schedule and FPC Coordinators Date Host FPC Coordinator June 06 Rockport Area Assoc. Realtors Kelly McNeely June 13 Coastal Oaks Church Veronika Camehl June 20 First United Methodist Church Sally Reynolds June 27 Lions/Rotary Clubs Janet Gaskamp years ago on Tuesday, May 29, 2007, The Community Table opened its doors and served approximately 65 people dinner in our Fellowship Hall and our Church hosted that meal. The concept of a soup kitchen was floated by a Winter Texan (Al DeGayner) at a Presbyterian Men s meeting where it was discussed at length and ultimately approved but rejected the soup kitchen in favor of a format where diners would be treated as honored guests in our home. There would be tablecloths and guests would be seated and served their meal, dessert and beverage. Charlie presented the idea to the Ministerial Alliance, gaining their full support. The pastors took the proposal to their church councils and soon the First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Peace Lutheran, St. Peter s Episcopal and Holy Cross Lutheran churches made commitments to participate. Next the venue was chosen and, because of our very visible location on Highway 35, tag we were it. By this time Pete Chamberlain had taken the ball and ran with it preparing and distributing flyers (in both English and Spanish) to local schools and appropriate organizations across town, pushed for newspaper articles heralding the upcoming weekly meal which had been named The Community Table, advocated and coordinated with government agencies, obtained necessary licenses, became our church s menu planner/meal coordinator/lead cook/shift organizer AND Community Table program director. A year after the first at first meal was served it had become more than obvious the old kitchen was grossly inadequate and antiquated in so many ways calls to update and upgrade were heeded and ground breaking on a half million dollar expansion project named Under One Roof was implemented. With it came the café, a state of the art kitchen & prep area, and a renovated the Fellowship Hall. During construction the Methodist Church opened their kitchen and dining facilities to keep the Community Table operating. When the average weekly attendance consistently reached or exceeded 300, the line of guests queued up from the Fellowship Hall entrance, through the vestibule and outside under the carport. Once again brain-storming started as something had to change. After Odyssey vacated our Youth Center and moved into another building - and while in the early stages of planning the annual Thanksgiving dinner - a suggestion was made to serve the Thanksgiving meal in the Youth Center. Its size would better accommodate the expected 400+ diners in addition to many other perks. The idea was approved, implemented and worked so well The Community Table relocated there permanently. Over the years we lost and gained hosts: Gone are Young Life, the Sr. Citizens Center and Peace Lutheran Church Gained but we have added First Baptist Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, The Lions/Rotary Clubs and, most recently, the Rockport Area Association of Realtors. The Community Table is self-sustaining, relying solely on unsolicited donations, one is most notably an annual and very generous, gift from the Presbyterian Women. Another critical donation is from HEB who annually donates $800 in gift cards to purchase turkeys and hams for the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. All operating expenses are borne entirely by First Presbyterian Church so that hosts only incur the expense of the groceries needed to prepare their menu. 3. STATS from May meals: 02: Mike s Meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, buttered corn, tossed garden salad, bread & butter Dessert: Assorted candy No. Served: 250 Host: First Presbyterian 09: Stouffer s Lasagna, seasoned green beans, Texas toast Dessert: Cake or cinnamon rolls No. Served: 242 Host: Holy Cross Lutheran Comments: Need to use all 4 ovens and don t tent the foil at first 16: BBQ chicken, homemade potato salad and Southern baked beans, pickle & onions, slice of bread Dessert: Assorted baked goods No. Served: 221 Host: Sacred Heart Catholic 23: Sausage, homemade baked beans and cole slaw Dessert: Assorted Danish rolls No. Served: 217 Host: First Baptist 30: T.B.D. Dessert: T.B.D. No. Served: T.B.D. Host: St. Peter s Episcopal Beverages offered: Iced Tea (Sweet and Unsweet, ) Coffee, Ice Water 18

19 MINISTERING TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE USE OF OUR FACILITIES PIRATES LANDING The Printed Word A man who was very much interested in old books ran into an unbookish acquaintance of his who d just thrown away an old Bible which had been packed away in the attic of his ancestral home for generations. He happened to mention it. Who printed it do you know? asked the book lover. Somebody named Gutensomething, recalled the man with an effort. NOT Gutenberg? gasped the booklover! You idiot! You ve thrown away one of the first books ever printed! A copy sold at auction recently for over $400,000! The other man was unmoved, My copy wouldn t have brought a dime, he answered firmly. Some fellow named Martin Luther had scribbled all over it. (Quoted from the Arkansas Baptist Newspaper) Submitted by Barbara Eckelmann 19

20 MINISTERING TO VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH USE OF OUR FACILITIES Veterans Outreach Center 900 East Laurel Street Old Guard Soldiers Salute Fallen With Flags-In Tribute By Shannon Collins, DoD News, Defense Media Activity/Published May 26, 2017 About 1,000 soldiers with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, kicked off the Memorial Day weekend yesterday by honoring America s fallen heroes by placing U.S. flags at gravesites for service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery here and at the U.S. Soldiers and Airmen s Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Established in 1784, the 3rd Infantry Regiment is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army, according to the regiment s website. The Old Guard soldiers fanned out across Arlington s hills and valleys with rucksacks full of bundles of flags. They approached each headstone, centering a miniature flag exactly one boot length from the base before sinking it into the ground. They placed the flags in front of more than 280,000 headstones and at the bottom of about 7,000 niche rows in the cemetery's Columbarium Courts and the Niche Wall. Honoring Fallen Troops Army Pvt. Gabriel Thyfault, a truck driver with the Old Guard, said he and the other soldiers were reading the names on the headstones where they d placed flags. It s a huge honor. I ve never experienced anything like this, said Thyfault, who hails from Chicago. I couldn t be more thankful to be out here, putting a flag on every single grave in the entire cemetery. It s such an overwhelming honor. Thyfault said his father served in the Navy, and his uncle served in the Air Force, both during Desert Storm. Army Staff Sgt. David Rivera, a squad leader from Orlando, Florida, said he s honored as well. The day was special to him, Rivera said, because he was able to place flags on the graves of friends who paid the ultimate sacrifice when he was deployed with them in Iraq in I wouldn t want to be anywhere else right now. I m only eight months into the Army right now, and I m out here doing something this honorable. It means a lot to me and to my family, said Army Pvt. Wes DeFee, an Old Guard medic from Charleston, South Carolina. DeFee said his grandfather served in the Philippines during World War II as a medic. Tradition "Flags-In" has been conducted annually since The Old Guard was designated as the Army's official ceremonial unit in Every available soldier in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment participates, placing small American flags at each headstone and at the bottom of each niche row. Army chaplains place flags in front of the four memorials and the headstones located on Chaplain's Hill in Section 2. Tomb Sentinels also place flags at the gravesites of the unknown interred at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Approximately 14,000 flags are placed at the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery. All flags are removed after Memorial Day, before each cemetery opens to the public. 20

21 MINISTERING TO VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH USE OF OUR FACILITIES Veterans Outreach Center 900 East Laurel Street (Continued) The Mission The Old Guard maintains a 24-hour vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, providing military funeral escorts at Arlington, and more. I would do this every single year I could until I retire if I could, DeFee said. It s such an honor to help the families and support them with honor and respect. We re representing the Army and it s a great honor, said Army Sgt. Iwona Kosmaczewska, a medic from Queens, New York City. We re trying to do our best to show that honor for the families and veterans. Army Pvt. Inem Uko, a medic from Milwaukee, said he loves being a soldier. Every day, you wake up and you re doing something big, and people look up to you, he said. It s a big responsibility. It s one of the best jobs you can have. I m glad I joined the Army every day. Memorial Day Memorial Day, a day to remember and honor the nation s fallen service members, is officially observed the last Monday in May. Take time to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, the ones who have served and given their lives for their country, Thyfault said. DeFee added, All these people out here have given their lives for our daily freedom to live in this great country the way we do. It shouldn t be taken for granted. It s a time to remember the people who died to protect our freedoms, Kosmaczewska said. Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) participate in the Flags- In mission at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. May 25, Soldiers placed an American flag at every grave maker in the cemetery. The Old Guard has conducted this mission annually at Arlington National Cemetery prior to Memorial Day. Army photo by Sgt. Nicholas T. Holmes 21

22 Odds and Ends.. Birthdays June 2 June 3 June 4 June 5 June 6 June 7 June 10 June 15 June 18 June 24 June 25 June 27 Dorothy Love Helen Bradshaw Carol Douglass Caroline Bernardy Annette Ledbetter Bobby Little Mindy Durham Brandon Henderson Jake Parr Veronika Camehl Merlene Flournoy Travis Smith Kyler Friebele Michelle Haun Zentner If your birthday is not listed, please call the church office and let us know. We want our records to be accurate and include everyone. JUNE FLOWER SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE: June 4 and June 11 Decorate our Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings with the beauty and aroma of fresh flowers - dedicated (at your option) for a purpose of your choosing. At the conclusion of the worship service, donors may either take their arrangements home to enjoy, or consider donating them to The Community Table. Host churches divide them into bud vases to decorate the tables on Tuesday night. 22

23 More Odds and Ends.. 23

24 Pres-by-lines TABLE OF CONTENTS DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) STUFF FROM THE STAFF - CHARLIE: Summer Worship 2017, Do It Yourself Hymnody selections for June 1 Texts & Themes for June, Communion/Good Samaritans Sunday, Adult Sunday School Grades 1-8 Sunday School, Pentecost & Pentecost Offering, Presbytery Meeting 2 Community Table, 02 May 2017 and Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of TCT Ministry 3 COMMITTEE REPORTS InREACH - 3rd Annual Ice Cream Social Fun Night Recap & Pictures 4 Introducing New Member: Debbie Gatewood 5 PROGRAM - Committee Report by Kelly McNeely 6 VBS 2017 by Carolyn Watters 7 VBS Registration form Roster of Rockport-area church VBS programs this summer 9 FELLOWSHIP - June s Fellowship Lunch Theme 10 OPERATIONS - Treasurer s Report YTD April, OGHS Offering results by Kay Stanley 10 WORSHIP - May Thank You s, June FYI s and Other Stuff by Mindy Durham 11 PRESBYTERIAN MEN - Recap of May s Breakfast & Meeting by Jeremy Schuler 12 Big Dude s Breakfast Casserole recipe by Michael Henderson 13 WOMEN - Recap of May s Board Meeting by Connie Schuler 14 MINISTERING TO OTHERS THROUGH PRAYER & PRAYER COMFORTERS Thank You correspondence 15 May s Prayer Concerns, Prayer Comforter Ministry, Celebrations and Condolences 16 & 17 THE USE OF OUR FACILITIES Community Table: May Menus & Stats & History of The Community Table 18 Pirates Landing 19 Veteran s Outreach Center 20 & 21 ODDS AND ENDS June Birthdays, June Sanctuary Flower Sponsorships, Happy Father s Day 22 & 23 PRESBYLINES is published monthly by: First Presbyterian Church 301 Hwy 35 North - Rockport, TX Phone No. (361) ; Fax No. (361) churchlady8@sbcglobal.net Webpage: rockportpresbyterian.org Attn: Postmaster Return service requested. 24