CHURCH CURRENTS. June We seek to glorify God through:

Transcription

1 CHURCH CURRENTS First Presbyterian Church 210 S. Wayne Street Milledgeville, GA phone: June 2015 We are on the radio Our worship service is broadcast on WKZR (102.3 FM.) every Sunday morning at 11:00AM We seek to glorify God through: Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth, Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice and environmental stewardship. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN S RECYCLING EFFORTS If you were ever confused by our recycling efforts in the kitchen, please check out our "new" cans. One is the traditional blue recycling can with a note that we recycle all #1 and #2 plastic, paper and metal. The other can is noted for "Trash." *** That's everything that cannot be recycled *** including all food/plant waste and the plastic cups we use for meals/receptions. While our plastic cups are "compostable" and are made from plant material, they still cannot be recycled. We are looking into finding recyclable cups for church use. Please let us know if you have questions. We want recycling to be a church-wide project.

2 Interim Pastor: Rev. Martha Starnes Coord. of Children & Youth Ministries: Gloria Burns First Presbyterian Church Issue No. 231 June 2015 Admin. Asst.: Dianna Hendricks Director of Music: Jennifer Flory Organists: Kate Phillips Jenny Moore Child Care Providers: Charis Andrews Amelia Andrews Kathleen Green SUMMER WORSHIP Remember our congregational, small group meetings last fall? For those who participated, you will recall that one of the surveys you completed was on Worship. There were questions about our worship style, the hymns and other music, liturgy, etc. Based on the responses to that survey, the Worship Committee decided to try some different things in worship on the Fifth Sundays in The first 5 th Sunday was Palm/Passion Sunday, and only a few slight changes were made that day. So, our first attempt at what might be called blended worship was on Sunday, May 31. Some of the music was more contemporary in nature, and prayers from around the world were incorporated. The congregation joined the choir on responses, and litanies were used. A few elements of our regular, traditional worship remained the same. Those attending worship on May 31 were and are asked to provide feedback for the Worship Committee. Some persons completed feedback surveys after the service, during the fellowship time. A link to this survey is also being ed to those on the church list, for online completion. We are also including the survey below, in case you missed it elsewhere. If you were present in the sanctuary on the 31 st, or if you were listening on the radio, the Worship Committee would very much appreciate your feedback. Also, if any of you have suggestions for anything you would like to see done differently in worship this summer, please let me know. I cannot make promises about anything, but can assure you that all suggestions will be considered by the Worship Committee and me. Have a blessed summer, and I pray for us all to be in worship on Sunday mornings as often as possible! Martha FPC FIFTH SUNDAY SURVEY If you attended First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 31, 2015, please respond to the survey below, or online at (circle your choice please) How did you like the sung responses (congregation with choir)? Not at all Very much. How did you like the music overall? Not at all Very much. How did you like the multicultural aspects of the service? Not at all Very much. How did you like the service overall? Not at all Very much. What was/were your favorite part(s)? What was/were your least favorite part(s)? Any additional comments? If you would like to contact us directly, please fpchurch@windstream.net or call

3 JOIN US FOR WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP JOIN US FOR STUDY & WORSHIP Sunday School 9:45AM Sunday Morning Worship 11:00AM Potluck Wednesday 6:30PM Bible Study 7:15PM SANCTUARY FLOWERS The beauty of flowers enhances our worship services at First Presbyterian Church. Donating flowers for a service is an opportunity to celebrate the wonder of God's creation. Flowers are given to the glory of God, and then if desired in honor of, memory of, or thanksgiving for a person or occasion. Please see sign-up sheet in the church kitchen. The Worship Committee, on behalf of the congregation, appreciates recent flower arrangements given by Charles Morgan, Sr., Jennifer Flory & family, Anne Weathers, and Joseph & Catherine Dean. PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE The PNC has been hard at work and has already reviewed 65 Pastor Information Forms. We have had an extended conversation with one, but this did not work out. We have contacted another with the same result. As we continue to press forward, we continue to ask for your fervent prayers. For the PNC, Sam McChesney, Co-Chair JUNE AFTER-CHURCH REFRESHMENTS AND FELLOWSHIP Thanks to all of you who provided refreshments for May after-church fellowship. These include Bill and /Ruby Werts, Joseph and Catherine Dean, and Margie Dodd and Nancy Holbrook. Those who have volunteered for the remainder of May and June include: May 31 Nancy Miller and Anne Dennis June 7 Faye Heal June 14 Margie Dodd and Nancy Holbrook June 21 Alice and Mike Tenold June 28 Your Name Could be Here!! Please volunteer to provide after-church refreshments. Plates, napkins, and cups are provided. Tablecloths, serving plates, and punch bowl are also provided. All that is needed is a beverage, something salty and something sweet. Please contact Alice Tenold at or amtenold@charter.net for more information. We need this time of fellowship! Elders: Dave Baarda Marianne Edwards Jan Clark John Bradley Sam McChesney Doris Moody Anne Smart Nancy Miller, Clerk Charlie Morgan Deacons: Margie Dodd Joseph Dean Joel Burns Millie Murphy Becky Henderson Nita Peavy Bill Werts, Moderator Alice Tenold Irene Tchamna

4 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION YOUTH MISSION TRIP TO THORNWELL CHILDREN S HOME Our middle and high school youth will be going to Thornwell Children's Home in Clinton, S.C. June 19-21, Thornwell is partially supported by contributions from individual churches and the Synod of Porto Rico and the South Atlantic (our Synod). Thornwell began in 1875 as an orphanage but currently provides residency services to qualified children and youth of parents/guardians residing in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. We will be doing work on their farm or landscaping work in the mornings. Afternoons will be spent getting to know the resident children through recreation such as swimming. We will be staying in a seven bedroom house that sleeps fifteen people (linens are provided). We will be cooking our own meals. The cost is $20 per night per person to stay at the house (2 nights=$40). Those planning to attend will meet during fellowship time on June 7 to talk about meals and driving arrangements. There is still room for youth and parents interested in going. Please contact Gloria ASAP or gloryb.ce@gmail.com. Check out the website to learn more VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Christian Education is having a Vacation Bible School Program this summer for ages 4-elementary. We need adult & youth volunteers for refreshments and other activities. VBS will be held Wednesday Nights, 4-6:30 June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8 Please call Gloria Burns at or gloryb.ce@gmail.com if you are able to help so that we may plan accordingly. FOOD PANTRY We bring canned goods for the food pantry on the first Sunday of each month; the same day we celebrate the Lord s Supper. Items needed are canned meats, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, snacks for lunchboxes, soups, mac and cheese, pasta and spaghetti sauce. Each week our volunteers distribute food to many families in our community, some weeks we have helped as many as 23 families. Your donations enable the Food Ministry to provide food to these families. Volunteers are needed! Contact Mary Baker, or mmbaker65@hotmail.com if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. June 7 June 14 June 21 June 28 NURSERY SCHEDULE: Nan Rogers Anna Wright Young Doris Moody Cecilia Odihe Thank you for your faithful service to this mission in our church. If you cannot be present on your Sunday, please call someone on the list to exchange dates. Anne Smart

5 GREEN INITIATIVE ATTAWAY RECYCLING FIELD TRIP Our recycle box is in the garage and every 6 months or so I have to retighten the screws on that door knob because of the frequent trips that we make with our hands full of containers of myriad sizes. Sometimes, late on the night before our recycle pick up day, when I m bundling newspaper and junk mail or arranging cereal or pizza boxes around the edges of the recycle box to increase its capacity, I wonder if this effort really does reduce the input to landfills and turn this stuff again into useable products. Well, my field trip to the Attaway Recycling facility has certainly answered that question for me in the affirmative. Their compaction bailer is all day turning out 900 or more pound bales of milk jugs (#1), drink bottles (#2), steel cans, aluminum cans, newspaper, and cardboard. From this large warehouse these bales go to separate companies, to make new drink cans, new steel cans, new cardboard boxes, and other places where the material is incorporated into other products. The separation process is not rocket science but it does do some neat things with physical properties: the metal cans are snatched off of the conveyer belt by a large magnet, the cardboard and paper is floated to the top of the material moving along the conveyer belt, and all along the way there are busy human hands picking out and redirecting to other conveyer belts, milk jugs, drink cans, cardboard and paper, and (would you believe it??) removing things that people were not supposed to put in the recycle box. So, keep heart and keep tending your recycle box because this is one of the sterling examples of thousands of isolated people doing a little bit that actually gets multiplied for the good of the earth and all of the people on it. Dave Baarda Please recycle everything you possibly can. The earth is too precious to go to waste! Faye Heal THE FALL LINE FARMERS MARKET The Fall Line Farmers Market is off to a great start in the new location and time at Harrisburg Park, site of the Lucille Harris Community Garden. The Milledgeville Community Garden Association (MCGA) and friends appreciate all the great support that First Presbyterian Church provided during the first three years. The FPC leaders and members of the Green Initiative contributed countless hours, and the hard work was worth it as the market forges ahead in an effort to increase access to affordable fresh, locally grown food. Remember, the new hours are 2nd & 4th Saturdays from 9 to noon! Special thanks to Alice and Mike Tenold who allowed the transfer of their freezer chest to the Collins P. Lee Community Center. Many thanks also to Mary Baker who approved moving the locking file cabinet to the community center. These generous donations help us to stretch our small budget. It was great to see several church members at the market on opening day and we hope to see more familiar faces over the summer. Debbie Harshbarger MCGA Treasurer and Outreach Coordinator

6 COMMUNITY OUTREACH MAY PRISON FAMILY LUNCH Ah, the aroma of fried chicken and greens! Our guests had smiles on their faces as they walked through the door. We had a small group whose appreciation was large. Glad to have Sarah and Murphy back. We enjoyed visiting with Murphy who stayed and helped clean up after lunch. We also had a small but energetic group of helpers. Thanks to Gene Gunter, Nancy Holbrook, Joseph Dean, Catherine Dean, Marion Robinson, Millie Murphy and Margie Dodd. Special thanks to those who brought the delicious food. The Open Door is in need of men's shoes sizes If you have any to donate please put them into the large box in the hall provided for Open Door. Thanks again for all you do. Millie and Margie VIP S CORNER (Visually Impaired Persons) CARING IS OUR CALLING Mr. Keith Kuehn, President of Health Care Plus and Harmony Hospice, was the May speaker at the VIP Support Group Meeting.. Mr. Kuehn was asked to talk at the meeting at the request of two of our members who were well acquainted with him and his services. His companies specialize in providing a wide range of home based health services and hospice care. Caring is Our Calling is the motto of one of his companies, Health Care Plus. This company s services are provided for homebound individuals who are disabled or have medical needs. Services are provided in 32 central Georgia counties by over 100 professional care givers. Mr. Kuehn explained that services are geared to individual needs, and range from skilled nursing to assistance with activities of daily living. His staff helps with shopping, meal planning, errands, day trips and round-the-clock respite care. The staff works with individuals to allow them to heal within the comfort of their homes and help them identify funding for services. It is good to know that these services are available here by local care givers. Another service provided by Mr. Kuehn s staff is hospice care through Harmony Hospice. This service gives support for the client and his family and serves an area covering ten counties. The goal is to help the client and family live each day fully and with dignity. As he spoke it was apparent that his company s motto is also his personal mission. He is active in the Methodist Church and its outreach programs. He helps with the Wesley Foundation and the River of Life and Little Rivers programs. The latter two programs meet at the church but are not limited to Methodists members. The River of Life Program works with 6 th graders and above to build wheelchair ramps and other services needed to help disabled people in the community. The work is supervised by adults and is offered free of charge. The Little Rivers is a similar program for 5 th graders who do volunteer yard work. He encouraged us to let others know that anyone who might need these services may contact him for help ( ). Our community is fortunate to have such a caring individual. FOR ALL WHO LOVE MAKING A DIFFERENCE The Presbyterian Coffee Project is a partnership between the Presbyterian Church USA and Equal Exchange; a worker owned co-operative offering 100% fairly traded coffee, chocolate, tea, and foods, including healthy snacks. By supporting the project our congregation can enjoy fairly traded products at wholesale prices, while making a difference for farmer co-operatives around the world. Through Fair Trade, small farmers are able to free themselves from poverty, while gaining control of their own livelihoods and making progress in community development, organic agriculture and quality control. For every pound of Equal Exchange products you purchase, 15 cents per pound is donated to the Presbyterian Hunger Program, for sustainable farming and community development grants around the world. Orders may be placed through Joel Burns, joeldb@windstream.net The wholesale catalog and price lists are available in the Fellowship Hall.

7 This congregation & our life & ministry together during this transition time The Pastor Nominating Committee Illnesses: John Fish, the Baarda s son-in-law, leukemia, recovering from bone marrow transplant Ted Flynt, Jacqueline Northington s son, cancer Jenny Moore, recovering from foot surgery Mackenzie Morris, the Carroll s granddaughter, recovering from dog attack Joseph Callender, Craig s father, recovering from open heart surgery Russell & Kathleen Edwards, Marianne s parents, numerous health problems Ben Morgan, Jennifer Flory s brother & Charlie Morgan s son, upcoming move & job change Amy Smith, colon cancer Joe Owens, continuing recovery from broken back, and Charlotte, his faithful caregiver Nancy Selecman, Sue York s mother Betty Owens, Joe & Charlotte s sister-in-law, cancer Tom Murphy, colon cancer, Kathy Carroll s brother Roy Pound, Sunda Coleman s father Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman s son Ricky Spear, Vera Bales brother, chemotherapy after colon surgery April McMillan, in remission, Jeanene Vinson s granddaughter Leigh Humphrey, friend of Bill & Ruby Werts, kidney failure Marty Flory, Jennifer s mother-in-law, ongoing health issues REPORT FROM THE TREASURER: A wonderful thing happened on Mother s Day. After the church service, a woman and her daughter approached me and wanted to make a donation. I invited them into the church office so we could talk. She had come to pick up her daughter from college and they were driving around Milledgeville before heading home. They talked about how blessed their lives are and wanted to do something to help mothers in need. I told her about our different ministries and she was pleased to hear we had a food pantry. Then she surprised me by giving me the cash she had in her wallet to be used for our food pantry. As we parted I thought about the blessings in my life, in particular, the angels we meet when we least expect it. Financial Summary April 2015 YTD Contributions $15,155 $63,187 Other Income 532 1,662 Total Income 15,687 64,849 Budgeted Expenses 17,456 82,828 Net (Loss) (1,769) (17,979) Our income so far this year is approximately $19,000 below what was projected for the year based on pledges made last fall. As we enter the summer season, while school is out and we scatter for vacations, we will be relying on your continued contributions so that we can meet the financial commitments of our church. Online giving is a simple solution. If you need assistance setting it up, please call myself or the church office. As always, if you have any questions, please contact me. Anne Dennis asdennis@windstream.net or Those with Limited Mobility: Mary Carlton Helen Danuser Ben Gautier (& Donna) -visitors encouraged Fred Heal Bob & Eloise Lamb Jo Ann Manley Polly Morrison Gloria Smith Mary Barbara Tate Chuck & Ruth Treptow In Assisted Living: Jonnie Tenold, Mike Tenold s mother, Green Acres Katherine Lyda, Louise Sallstrom s mother, Green Acres Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns mother, Savannah Court Laurette Smith, Harbor Chase Room 319, 1385 Silver Bluff Rd. Aiken, SC Reba Vaughan, Pine Gate, 300 Charter Boulevard Apt. 109, Macon, GA 31210

8 Birthdays June Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 1 5:30 Christian Education :00 Choir :45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship w/ Communion Food offering received 8 5:30 Stewardship & Finance 6:45 Property 9 4:00 Mourning After :00 Bottle Brigade 7:00 Choir :45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 12:15 Deacons :30 Samaritan s Ministry 17 10:30 VIP s 18 2:00 LIR Reading 3:00 LIR Writing :00 Prison Family Lunch 21 Happy Father s Day 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship :15 Kiwanis :30 Session 6:30 Bridge 28 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship July 2 3 June 7 June 9 June 11 June 16 June 24 June 25 Anniversaries Jacob & Robin Poole Chuck & Ruth Treptow Glen & Glenda Kohlhagen Joe & Charlotte Owens David & Elizabeth Baarda J.F. & Tsu-Ming Yao Bill & Jennifer Flory Bill & Ruby Werts June 4 Nancy Miller June 6 Johnny Williams June 7 K. C. McGill June 8 Gloria Burns June 14 Michael Phillips June 17 Deanna Bivins Jo Ann Manley June 18 Jamie Jordan June 27 Jacob Poole Amy Smith June 28 Anne Dennis June 30 Bob & Kathy Carroll Gerald & Karen Grimes