First Presbyterian Church

Transcription

1 What a blessing it is, to be installed as your pastor here at First Presbyterian Church. I was deeply moved by the installation service last month and filled with gratitude for all who have worked hard behind the scenes, not only to create a beautiful worship service and reception, but also to help our church be at a place where an installation could take place. I am grateful for the leadership in the church. I am grateful for the each member and friend of the church. I am grateful for the PNC and their hours and hours of work. I am grateful for the staff. And I am deeply grateful for our God, who continues to reveal hope and possibility, that we might be transformed to serve. I am deeply grateful for the faithful journey we have traveled together already and for the journey ahead. Blessings to each of you as we venture into the New Year, faithfully following God s star on the horizon, serving in ways that reflect God s Light. Rev. Terri Jo January 2019 Newsletter First Presbyterian Church 2230 Hariet Street Port Charlotte, FL (941)

2

3 ` SPOTLIGHT ON OUR MEMBERS: JANE SCHNEIDER Mrs. Schneider is prompt, neat in appearance, a very precise person who gives close attention to details. So wrote Belgian Consul General Ronald DeLayhe in the Kansas City, Missouri, consulate in 1973, in a letter of recommendation. When Jane Schneider walked into my office in the middle of December last month, very little had changed from that description. Jane, who just turned 91, could easily pass for someone twenty years younger, despite having, as she says, a miserable youth. She was born in the Dutch East Indies, now known as Indonesia. Her father was physically abusive, and her parents divorced when she was five years old. My mother was an angel, she reminisced. We were so poor. My father never helped us at all. Her mother worked in a market, and Jane and her three brothers would play in a special room. The Indonesians were so nice. When the Japanese occupied the country from 1942 to 1945 during World War II, Jane and her family, because they were Dutch, were placed in a Japanese concentration camp. Jane celebrated her sixteenth birthday there. Those confined were forced to bow to Japanese officers each morning. Often, due to a debilitating illness, Jane would get slapped across the face because she wouldn t bow low enough or fast enough. Sometimes my mother would just push my head down to keep me from getting hit, she said. Once the war was over and everyone was released from the concentration camps, Jane and her mother and brothers lived at the Salvation Army facility in Indonesia. Her family was soon sent to the Netherlands. She married René, who was a childhood friend of her brother Rudy, in Amsterdam in They were married sixty-three years, until René died in Since then, she has worn a 2 x 3 picture of him on a necklace every day. After President Eisenhower signed the Refugee Relief Act in 1953, René and Jane immigrated to the United States. Linwood Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, on behalf of Church World Service, sponsored them. Later, she and her husband, in turn, sponsored her mother. Jane was employed with the Belgian Consulate there from 1971 until 1973, when she was transferred to the Belgian Consulate in Chicago. She retired from that position in René was a superb handyman who fixed radios. He also owned a lampshade business for which he created and made lampshades. Her mother died at age 89 of pancreatic cancer, and one brother has also died. Her brother Robert, who speaks nine languages, lives in Illinois. Rudy lives in South Carolina. Both Jane and René were very active in the Presbyterian church. Jane worked at the daycare center and had twelve children in her charge. They clung to me every day, she smiled. If I so much as just touched my coat, they would start begging me to stay with them and not go home. Jane was also a deacon, and both she and her husband ushered and René did yardwork for the church. In 1994, they retired to Port Charlotte because, she says, We didn t like the cold. René sold his business, and they began taking cruises every year on their anniversary, preferring to travel throughout the Caribbean. The Schneiders joined First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte in Jane and René Continued on Next Page

4 Continued from Previous Page renewed their wedding vows on Valentine s Day in It s been very hard ever since René died, she said. I want to move into a smaller place, but it s just so hard. She talks with her brothers by phone every day to keep up her spirit. Jane has recently become involved with Kelsey, Kamron, and Kailey Scott. Jane s eyes lit up when she talked about them. I like those children. They re so nice and friendly, she explained. Jane has given them her extensive doll collection. I had over a hundred native-costumed dolls that friends and family had given me over the years. I just wanted those kids to have them. Daily prayer is important to Jane. My mother taught me when I was two years old to get on my knees and pray before ever getting in bed at night. I ve been doing that ever since. She also reads the Bible every night. Prayer sustains me, she said. As Jane sat in my office telling me her story and showing me family pictures and immigration documentation and, yes, that letter of recommendation, I sat fascinated and thrilled that a new chapter in her life has now begun with a new generation. By Janet Hart FPCPC HELPS THOSE IN NEED What would you do if you were brought to Port Charlotte by an interpreter and left after one week, on October 26, at the Presbyterian Towers, 1438 miles from your home in Iowa, with no friends or family, no money, no furniture, no food nor transportation? And, to make matters worse, you don t understand or speak English! On October 26, Sandee Pellerin received a call from Dawn at Presbyterian Towers on Aaron Street, asking if the First Presbyterian Church s Thrift Shop (aka The Yard Sale) could possibly help this 81- year-old Russian woman and could the Food Pantry spare any food for her? It seems that she had been lured to this area in hopes of making connections with the strong Ukrainian/Russian Community in North Port, only to find that those promises were dashed. Sandee and Brad Messick sprang into action and immediately began loading the church s pick up with a sofa/sleeper, side tables, a coffee table, a lamp along with four huge shopping bags full of food from our Thrift Shop and Food Pantry. In less than an hour, they were at our little Russian lady s doorstep unloading the furniture and bringing in the groceries. When she saw the furniture being placed in her new, bare home, she tearfully said, Beautiful. As the groceries were unpacked, she hastily grabbed a large bag of potato chips crying and smelling them at the same time. With such an outpouring of Christian love and caring, no words needed to be said. The thankfulness was spread all over the little Russian lady s face, but Brad said he heard her utter, God Bless, as they were leaving her apartment. We don t know her name, but the FPCPC outreach to those in need just keeps giving. By Barbara Edwards

5 FIRST FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP Friday, January 4 th 5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Meet Outside at the Turquoise Tables Meet at the Turquoise Tables on the front lawn for a time of casual fellowship. Come relax with friends for a little bit of unstructured time to "just" be together. Bring your beach/lawn chair and sit a spell with new and old friends. See you at the Turquoise Tables! DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY COMMITTEE The Disaster and Safety Team want to remind all that in case of the fire alarm sounding, please leave the building. Everyone should go out the closest exit. On Sunday mornings, please remember to use the sanctuary doors after 9:45 a.m. as the other entrances are locked during service. By Joan Barry OUTREACH ACTIVITIES Thank you so much to each and every individual for generosity of time and toys that helped make this year's Santa Run and Salvation Army Angel Tree Program a success. Once again, First Presbyterian Church s Outreach Committee, participated in two local programs: The Salvation Army Angel Tree program and the Annual Santa Run. This was Sandee Pellerin's (aka "The Christmas Lady") 6th year organizing the Santa Run which is co-sponsored by First Presbyterian Church and our church neighbors in Zone 3 Area of Port Charlotte as well as local merchants. First Presbyterian Elves and our own Santa handed out gifts to over three hundred children in the Parkside neighborhood that surrounds our church. We look forward to your continued support in By Joan Barry

6 This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. FOOD PANTRY Tuesday, January 1 st and January 15 th 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 9 th 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. Galatians 6: 9-10 Thank you all for supporting the First Presbyterian Food Pantry in The Food Pantry consistently feeds over 300 people each month and the number continues to grow. I thank you for your food donations, monetary donations, and your time to shop, stock, shelve, and serve clients. I also want to thank the Youth Group for crossing out thousands - perhaps millions - of bar codes. Publix and Winn Dixie are willing to work with us when we buy large quantities of food from them, but they request that the barcodes be crossed out before the food is given to our clients. You have witnessed the growth of the pantry from a closet in the kitchen of New Life Center to a small space in MacDonald Hall in 2015 to becoming a Harry Chapin Agency and three rooms in the main building. First Presbyterian is a needed and an important part of the Parkside community. To help our clients have a merrier Christmas, the Pantry gave each household a $10 gift card to Publix. Clients were very glad for the card; many commented that they now could get something special for their holiday meal. We gave out 72 cards at the Pantry on the first Tuesday in December and gave out another cards for Wednesday evening and on the third Tuesday of December. Wishing you all many blessings in By Nancy Sharpless PEOPLE ENJOYING PEOPLE (PEP) FIELD TRIP and LUNCH Thursday, January 17 th Meet at Palm Garden Parking Lot 10:30 a.m. Join the PEP group as we journey to Arcadia to tour the Joshua Citrus Groves. We ll take a wagon tour of their grove and visit their working packing house. We can finish with orange soft serve ice cream and check out their offerings of homemade jams and other items in their store. We will lunch at Magnolia Street Seafood and Grill in downtown Arcadia. They specialize in fresh foods (not frozen), making nearly all items in-house. A visit to some antique stores close by is possible and optional. Meet at our church s Palm Garden at 10:30 a.m. to carpool or follow in your car. Jan at JanetBaker44@Hotmail.com or call her at to reserve your spot or to ask her any questions. Start 2019 with a new adventure! We welcome all. By Jan Baker

7 KAMRON SCOTT TO BE BAPTIZED Sunday, January 13 th 10:00 a.m. During Worship in the Sanctuary On January 13, 2019, Kamron Scott will be baptized in the morning worship service. Baptism is the sign and seal of God s grace and covenant in Christ. As The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) explains, baptism signifies the faithfulness of God, the washing away of sin, rebirth, putting on the fresh garment of Christ, and adoption into the covenant family of the church. The baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God s love claims people before they are able to respond in faith. The congregation, on behalf of the whole church, assumes responsibility for nurturing the baptized children in the Christian life, and it is for this reason that the congregation makes such a promise during the service. In the unison prayer, we also remember that we too were baptized and, as children of God, are part of the worldwide family of faith. Please join us on the 13 th, as we celebrate God s special promise of grace offered to Kamron and each one of us. NOMINATING COMMITTEE On Sunday, January 6 th, 2019, we will be installing three Elders in the Class of They include Laverne Sinkia, John Gamble, and Ernest Rose. Five deacons will also be installed. They include Gay Sorensen in the Class of 2019, Donna Young in the Class of 2020, and Barbara Edwards, Jean Heim, and Sandee Pellerin in the Class of One Trustee in the Class of 2020, Clarence Diersing, will also be installed. Barbara, Jean, Sandee, Donna, Ernest, and Laverne will also be ordained to their perspective offices. By Joan Barry Scott s Spot Scott was born in Olean, New York, and owned a family Plumbing and Heating business for five years. In 1999, he moved to Leesburg, Florida, Soon after, he made his way to the Port Charlotte area and has lived here ever since. After working in the management end of the restaurant business for twenty years, Scott began volunteering his services at FPCPC, was hired as groundskeeper, and now is our Facilities Manager. Here s his update: We need volunteers to weed. Twenty minutes by twenty people would make a difference! AC s are in process of being changed and will be done after the first of the year. We re currently painting sidewalks and will be painting the back of the Sanctuary after that. If you need anything or see something that needs my attention, please call the church office.

8 Tues. Dec. 25 th : No Youth Group-Merry Christmas Tues. Jan. 1 st : No Youth Group-Happy New Year Tues. Jan. 8 th : FPCPC Food Pantry (Nancy Sharpless) Tues. Jan. 15 th : Souper Bowl Prep. (Sandy Asaro) Tues. Jan. 22 nd : Youth Sunday Prep. (Rev. Terri Jo Crego) Tues. Jan. 29 th : Ukes and Board Games (Lynn Webster)

9 ELEMENTARY SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. Room #128 This past month we combined our children and youth Sunday School classes since participants primarily range in age from 4 th -7 th grade. We are thankful for our new Assistant Teachers who are faithfully serving and building relationships with our amazing children and youth. Please join the Sunday School teachers in welcoming Assistant Teachers Rosemary Barrett, Hazel Brown, Amina Lee, Nancy Sharpless, Laverne Sinkia, and Lynn Webster who serve on a rotating basis each month. In January, our Sunday School class will engage in activities and conversation about the Lectionary Scriptures and Worship Readiness concepts. Jan. 6 th Jan. 13 th Jan. 20 th Jan. 27 th Songs and Psalms Celebration is our monthly first Sunday celebration which emphasizes Scripture and Spiritual Practices. Beloved: Children will grow in faith as they know themselves beloved by God, as Jesus was. (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22) (Baptism of Jesus) Worship Readiness Topic: Baptism of Kamron In One Spirit: Children will rejoice that they receive gifts from the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) (Spiritual Gifts) Worship Readiness Topic: Who are the People in our Church Family? By Sandy Asaro ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 a.m. 9:50 a.m. Parlor The Adult Sunday School class meets every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. in the Parlor. We are completing Genesis in December. In January, we will begin Exodus. We are using The Daily Bible to help guide us through God's Word. Currently, we have six adults attending on a regular basis. Theresa Phillips leads us through our weekly lessons. We would love to see more members join our group. It is very insightful and such a joy to learn, remember, and share our thoughts, ideas, and faith. By Janet Scott

10 PRAYER CARDS Sunday, January 6, 2019 When Mother Teresa was at the Swiss border to cross into Switzerland to be given the Nobel Peace Prize, she was asked by the border patrol if she had any concealed weapons with her. She replied in the affirmative, and when asked to turn them over, she produced her prayer books. There is Holy Power in prayer. Several years ago, a church where I served for nineteen years as an organist celebrated the 50 th Anniversary of its founding. A gala dinner was served, persons in its history introduced, and photo boards examined, recalling members and events of the past. As part of their history, I was introduced. After the dinner, a woman unknown to me approached my table and said, Finally I can put a face to my name. She introduced herself and told me she had prayed for me for three and a half years, not knowing my appearance. It seems that the church placed the name of each member on a slip of paper and placed them in a box which was near the exit door. As instructed, each member left the church with one name and was asked to pray daily for that person. She had drawn my name. Can you imagine how that knowledge made me feel? She had prayed for me every day for three and a half years! We can do that here! So we will. On Sunday, January 6, 2019, you will be privileged to draw a name of a member so that you can enclose that member into your prayer life. It is a mystical gift that, when we pray for others, we ourselves are changed. And if that is so, the love of our church will become stronger, binding us to each other. May God bless this holy journey. By Judy Prier BIBLE STUDY: DISCOVERING OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS Wednesdays: January 23 rd, January 30 th, February 6 th Conference Room 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Join Rev. Deborah Phelps as she leads a three-week Bible study that will examine spiritual giving. The first week will analyze the scriptural foundations for spiritual giving; the second week, each person will take a spiritual gift inventory which will reveal individual spiritual gifts; the third week will examine that individuality and discover the spiritual gifts which empower people to serve Christ from our hearts in ways that are personally satisfying. SECRET SISTERS REVEALING PARTY Saturday, January 12 th 1:00 p.m. New Life Center Would you like to be a Secret Sister? If you would, please come to the New Life Center on Saturday, January 12 th at 1:00 p.m. as our guest at our luncheon to see what fun we have when we reveal who our Secret Sisters were for For more information, please contact Sandy Kruse or call the church office.

11 SESSION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS DECEMBER 2018 The Session meets on the 2 nd Sunday of each month and receives the packet on the 1 st Sunday of the month. If, at any time, you have any questions or concerns for the Session, please send that information to our Church Secretary by the end of the previous month so the Session has time to prayerfully review. Rev. Terri Jo Crego has been unanimously approved by Presbytery to become our Called Pastor. Congregational Meeting Our congregation o Installation unanimously Service: Sun. approved 12/2 at the 4:00 following p.m. at FPCPC. officers: The offering o from Elders: our combined John Gamble, church Ernest Thanksgiving Rose, Laverne Service will Sinkia go to (All the Elders Class Charlotte County of Homeless 2021) Coalition. o Deacons: Gay Sorenson (Class of 2019), Donna Young (Class of A Congregational Meeting has been called for Sunday, December 9 th, for the 2020), and Barbara Edwards, Jean Heim, and Sandee Pellerin (Class purpose of electing officers (Elders, Deacons, and a Trustee). of 2021) Additional volunteers o Trustee: are Clarence needed to Diersing serve at our (Class church s of 2020) food pantry on the first Wednesday evening of each month from 5:00 7:00 p.m. Please see Nancy Sharpless if you can help. Session Meeting We Our are Membership thankful for count Betty is Smith s 155 Active faithful Members service and over 8 Affiliate the years Members. as our church Financial The Sanctuary Secretary, Air Conditioners and welcome are our in new process Financial of being Secretary replaced. Linda Trzaskos. The Baptism of Kamron Scott has been approved for Sunday, January 13, Rev. New Crego assistant expressed teachers her are deep in our gratitude children for and the youth journey Sunday leading School up classes to her on Installation a rotating basis. as our Pastor and looks forward to what God will continue to do in our church. o Each new assistant teacher participated in training and completed a Our November background Membership check. count is 155 Active Members and 8 Affiliate Members. o After efforts were made to reach members who have not been active Confirmation youth in church participants life for are 2 excitedly years or more, learning action and making was taken connections to remove 13 with their faith. names from our Active Member Roll. The Christmas tentative Eve 2019 invitations Budget was and cookies presented. will be delivered in our neighborhood. The For PEP Thanksgiving, group will go 97 turkeys to Joshua were Citrus distributed Groves to in our Arcadia food pantry on January clients. 10 th. Building and Grounds continues to make repairs regarding a leaky roof and is in the For process Christmas, of changing the pantry out hopes air conditioners. to give clients a $10 gift card to Publix. Elementary The Angel and Tree Youth is in the Sunday Narthex School and runs classes through have Sunday, combined December since 9attendees th. are similar The Santa in age. Run neighborhood toy drive will take place on Saturday, December 15 th. o Wrapping o Rotating parties Assistant will take place Teachers: 3 weeks Rosemary ahead of time Barrett, to prepare Hazel the Brown, gifts for delivery. Amina Lee, Nancy Sharpless, Laverne Sinkia, and Lynn Webster are all appreciated. The Worship Arts Committee highlighted the following December events: The Food Pantry gave $10 o Sat. December 1 st Publix gift cards to 72 families in the first week of : Decorating the Sanctuary for Advent at 9:00 a.m. December. o Fri. December 7 th : First Friday Fellowship at the Turquoise Tables. Christmas o Mon. Outreach December included 24 th : Angel Christmas Tree, Eve Santa Service Toy with Run, communion and Neighborhood by Cookie Deliveries intinction with Christmas at 7:00 Eve p.m. Worship Service invitations. o Sun. December 30 th : Carol Sing with liturgy and carols.

12 The Mission of First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte is to reflect God s light and love, empowering Christ-like living. Ministry Staff Rev. Terri Jo Crego, Pastor Betty Smith, Financial Secretary Janet Hart, Church Secretary Scott Austin, Facilities Manager Christy Blue, Choir Director Judy Prier, Organist pastor@fpcpc.com bsmith@fpcpc.com pastorsecretary@fpcpc.com scottaustin0557@gmail.com pianoplayinggal@yahoo.com judyprier@comcast.net Session Class of 2018: John Gamble, Nancy Sharpless, Ron Smith Class of 2019: Joan Barry, Rebekah Baird, Richard Lund Class of 2020: Sandy Asaro, Lynn Webster, Elaine Woods Deacons Class of 2018: Dottie Gamble, Pauline Paquin, Laverne Sinkia, Gay Sorensen, Donald Whitmarsh Class of 2019: Andy Buell, Clarence Diersing Class of 2020: Judi Anderson, Norma Campbell Trustees Richard Lund, President Ron Smith, Vice President Ambrose Woods, Treasurer Sandy Asaro, Secretary Class of 2018: Clarence Diersing, Member at Large Class of 2019: Bob Hull, Member at Large