Broadcaster. hank you. The Season of Epiphany, Prayer for Epiphany

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1 Broadcaster The FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH {xtüà Éy à{x v àç January A Monthly Publication of The Davenport, Iowa fpcdavenport.or Volume 42, No. 1 The Season of Epiphany, the Season of Liht Epiphany is the celebration of God s manifestation or self-revelation to the world in Jesus Christ. In particular, we celebrate the revelation of God s promise and purpose to the nations of the world, as the mai came from the East to worship to the Christ child, and God s covenant of race is extended to all who believe the ood news of Christ Jesus. The symbolism of liht is important: not only because of the star that uided the mai, but as it relates to the briht dawnin of God s self-revelation in Christ. An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 94-95): The word epiphany (from the Greek epiphaneia or theophaneia) means appearance or manifestation of God, and has roots in the word for sunrise or dawn. In ancient times, an epiphany meant either a visible manifestation of a od or the solemn visit of a ruler venerated as a od. For Christians, Christmas marks the comin of God to us; Epiphany celebrates the appearance of the Lord in the midst of humanity. The Christmas stories of the birth of Immanuel declare the divine entry; Epiphany extols the revelation of God to the world in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. In our celebrations of Christmas and Epiphany we rejoice in the dawnin and the arisin of Liht in darkness. Epiphany not only discloses the Savior to the world but also calls the world to show forth Christ, to be witnesses to God s true Liht. The timeless mystery of the incarnation, God in flesh, leads us forth to show and tell of Christ as God s ift of race and salvation for all persons. Some call this onoin epiphany the work of Christmas. Prayer for Epiphany God of endless liht, you sent a star risin from darkness, uidin seekers and saes, overwhelmin us with joy. Let the splendor of your dawnin liht row in us and in all the world until the whole creation shines with your lory; throuh Jesus Christ our liht. - Matthew 2:1-12 hank you A hue thank you to all friends and members who purchased ifts for this year s Anel Tree! The church provided for 42 families consistin of 124 children. This year, a majority of the families served were in our church s zip code area of 52803; it s wonderful we had the opportunity to serve so many children in our own neihborhood. Also, thank you to the volunteers who helped sort ifts in December and to everyone who delivered ifts out to the families! Davenport, Iowa fpcdavenport.or

2 PASTOR S COLUMN & CONGREGATION NEWS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. Richard E. Miller Out the Study Window Bein Good Stewards It can be easy to foret that God created the world we live in and us as well; that God created the air we breathe, the sun that warms the earth, and plants and animals; that God is the one that ave us our brains to think. The Psalmist reminds us that The earth is the Lord s and everythin in it, (Psalm 24:1) and in that verse we bein to understand that we are merely temporary possessors (or stewards) of thins that God owns. We are born with nothin and we take nothin with us when we leave. It all just ets passed on to someone else. So, as ood stewards we need to continually discover creative and effective ways to pass on what we have been iven by God. I feel blessed to be a pastor who leads practical people. Toether, we acknowlede that manain our finances is the tricky business of balancin our lives between not bein wasteful like Jesus talks about in John 6:12 and not livin with a poverty mindset either. It is easy to fall towards one of the extremes, but far more challenin to walk in the middle, with balance. That balance is what Jesus asks us to pursue as we seek to be practical stewards of our finances. It is an honor for me to lead a church where members seek to row in their ivin, expand their involvement in ministry, and wrestle with what it means to follow Jesus in the 21 st century. We have much to be thankful for, but we also have more work to do as well. We have experienced two ood years of financial stability. Durin those years we bean challenin ourselves to expand our witness throuh worship, mission, and ministry to youn adults, children, youth, and their families. In 2013 we will experience even more focus on these areas of ministry. So, as ood stewards we all need to continually discover creative and effective ways to pass on what we have been iven by God Budet News The past two years have brouht much joy to the Finance Office of the church. For 2012 we presented a balanced budet and, due to your ood stewardship, we are lookin to do the same for Our current budetin process has worked well the past two years. In Auust a joint budet meetin is held with the committee chairs of the Session and the Deacons, the Stewardship Committee and staff. We discuss the dream budet and how we can achieve our oals throuh efforts of the stewardship campain. We meet aain in the middle of December to discuss the plede drive and how close we are to attainin our oals. This year the Joint Budet Committee met on December 13 and all were pleasantly surprised to see that we were about $15,500 away from attainin the dream budet fiures. Some calls will be made by the end of the month and we are confident that the remainin funds will be raised. As of December 20, we have commitments of $810, in pledes (326 units pledin), an increase of $13, over last year s fiure at this time ($796, units pledin). The most excitin fact is that we have 36 new pledes for 2013! We hope to finalize the 2013 budet at the January 21, 2013, Session meetin and then we will be able to communicate the final budet to the conreation. This information will also be presented at the Annual Conreational Meetin to be held on February 24, 2013, at 10:00 AM. Per Capita - $33 per member Each January First Church is assessed a per capita contribution by the Presbytery. This year it is $33 per member. A member is anyone who has been confirmed or has been welcomed into the conreation by confession of faith, letter of transfer from another conreation, or upon reaffirmation of faith. Please use a special Per Capita envelope from the pew racks on a Sunday mornin and drop your clearly labeled contribution into the offerin plate, or brin it to the church office. You will receive credit on your ivin statement. Worship In the Style of Taizé Friday, January 4 at 6:30 Pm in the Chapel Taizé is an ecumenical form of prayer modeled after the ecumenical Christian monastic community in Taizé, France. The purpose of the prayer is to foster reconciliation and peace amon all people. The simple monthly service consists of simple son, scripture, a service of liht, and an extended period of silence for meditation concludin with prayers for the world. Please note: Childcare will be provided for this service. Church Officer Information A make-up trainin session for newly elected officers is set for Saturday, January 5, from 8:30 AM 12:00 PM. Currently servin Elders and Deacons may also attend. Installation and Ordination of church officers will be on Sunday, January 6, 2013, durin the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM worship services. Please R.S.V.P. to the church office ( ). New member Inquirer s Luncheon and Events Anyone who has considered membership at First Presbyterian Church is invited to attend the next New Member Inquirer s Luncheon on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 12:15 PM in the church Parlor. This is an informational meetin that provides a time for prospective members to ask questions about. A liht lunch will be served. On Monday, January 21, at 7:00 PM, those who have chosen to become members are invited to Fellowship Hall to meet and be reeted by church Elders and Pastors. Attendance at this event is required if you wish to become a church member. Sunday, January 27, is New Member Sunday. At that time new members will be welcomed by the Conreation at the 9:00 AM worship service and briefly introduced at the 11:00 AM service with a reception in Fellowship Hall in between services. If you are a member of First Pres. and know of someone who may be interested in membership, or if you have any questions about becomin a member of First Presbyterian Church, please contact Tammy Mayhew (563) or mayhew@fpcdavenport.or). 2 THE BROADCASTER JANUARY 2013

3 ACE, CCE, & YAYA Adult Christian Education Von Maur Seminars - Sunday mornins at 10:05 AM January 13 Fishers of Men Ministry Joshua Nao is known to many in our conreation in his role as interpreter and friend of the Selemani family. He also is the founder and drivin force in the Fishers of Men Ministry. Fishers of Men was created to help the poor and less fortunate in Africa and helps feed, clothe, house, and educate. Fishers of Men is based out of The Center on Brady Street. Joshua leaves aain for Africa later in January. January 20 in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection. You have heard this spoken by Richard and Pamela when they share with us about the death of fellow conreational member. It is more than a well-turned phrase. It is central to what Christians believe about death and it sinificantly influences the Presbyterian approach to funerals. Pastor Richard Miller will share with us how what we believe speaks to our conduct of funerals. January 27 - Livin in Russia and the Resurence of Christianity Church members Dave and Linda Larson returned to the Quad Cities this fall after several years livin in Moscow, Russia. We are excited that they have areed to share with us. Do not miss this opportunity to hear their most unique insihts. A new Sunday mornin class!! The Holy Land Revealed: Video series, 10:10-10:55 AM in the Chapel Gain new insihts and perspective on the Holy Land throuh our primary sources of information - ancient texts includin the scriptures and archaeoloical evidence. All are welcome! There will be no assinments. For additional information contact Penné Duncan ( , penndu@aol.com). Monday Mornin Video Class Life Lessons from the Great Myths, 10:30 AM 12:00 NOON in the Parlor This course will explore the relation of history and mytholoy. The oal is to understand how and why certain historical events are expanded and transformed into tales of leendry proportions and to learn from these tales. All are welcome! Contact Penné Duncan for additional information ( or penndu@aol.com). ACE Special: A year with C. S. Lewis ACE opportunities to row in life C.S. Lewis is reconized as one of the reat Christian writers. He died 50 years ao, but is still widely read today. He may be best known for his Chronicles of Narnia, he authored many reconized works includin The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, and The Four Loves. His Mere Christianity is one of the most famous defenses of Christianity. Lewis also wrote a sci-fi triloy for adults. The Adult Christian Education Committee is oranizin a book club to read and discuss C. S. Lewis books throuhout An oranizational meetin will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at 7:00 PM. We will discuss the books to be read, meetin dates, and format. If you are interested in helpin oranize the book club, please join us on that niht. For more information, you can contact Mark Jones at or mkjones@mchsi.com. Lookin ahead Dr. Erlin Larson, Pastors Pamela Hooheem and Richard Miller will be amon our speakers in February. faith and FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Wednesday Niht Fellowship nativity scene with tissue paper costumes: Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus (Jim, Dawn, and Katie Hickenbottom), Anel (Ella Hickenbottom), and Mai (Faye Blackman, Abby Saskowski, and Emma Saskowski). Spark Sunday School Sessions Resume January 6 See You In Class! This month we re learnin about Jesus teachin us how to pray with the Lord s Prayer. This is a reat unit on scripture that we say every worship service in the sanctuary, so you can talk with your children about what they re learnin and how God listens to them when they pray. Wednesday Niht Fellowship Beins on January 9 It s time for our Annual Indoor Snowball fiht! We ll playin so many ames this New Year and havin so much fun you don t want to miss how fun it is to be at church on Wednesday Nihts! Save the Date for Vacation Bible Camp! June 17-21, 2013 We ll o around the world in 5 days! Everywhere Fun Fair takes children to a lobal celebration with the look and feel of a world s fair. Children will make friends with neihbors around the world and discover that God s love can be found everywhere, includin their own neihborhoods. Children will be introduced to special places from all over the world and discover that we are all neihbors and all children of God. THE BROADCASTER JANUARY

4 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MISSION & OUTREACH Callin all Trivia Buffs AND Non-trivia Buffs! Saturday, January 26, 6:00 Pm Please join us for a fun evenin in support of Camp Wyomin, by sinin up for TRIVIA NIGHT on Saturday, January 26 at the Knihts of Columbus, 1111 W. 35 th Street, Davenport. The doors open at 6:00 PM; ames bein at 7:00 PM. Teams of 8 people per table are needed to play. However, if you do not have enouh people for a table we can place you on a team with others. The cost is $10 per person, or $80 per table. Please brin your favorite snacks to share with your teammates. All beveraes (includin water) must be purchased at the facility. Brin cash and/or your checkbook to play some extra ames or purchase items from the silent auction. To RSVP, please call, text, or Amy Saskowski by January 21 to reserve a table ( or amymikesas@msn.com). If you have any items or services you wish to donate, please contact Amy. Last year, First Presbyterian was well-represented at this annual event. We hope to continue increasin our support of this amazin camp. Can t wait to see you there! Camp Wyomin. a mission of the East Iowa Presbytery and part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is a Christ-based camp and retreat center. Camp Wyomin offers transformative experiences to equip people of all aes for a journey of faith throuh sacred space, intentional hospitality, and prorams that build relationships with God, each other and our environment. The camp is located near Wyomin, Iowa, within 60 miles of the Quad Cities. To benefit the 24 food pantries, meal sites, Winnie s Place and many other ministries of Churches United of the Quad City Area. Super Bowl Sunday is a day when our nation turns its attention to a football ame. Millions are spent on advertisin and publicity is hue. Our hope is that on this day people's attention can also be turned to carin for those in need. Tackle huner on Sunday, February 3 by contributin to the ministry of Café on Vine, a local mission which serves food to hunry people every day. The Hih School youth will be in the sanctuary to take your donations via soup pot. See you then! Guatemala mission Trip: July 26 - Auust 2, 2013 We re oin back to Guatemala! The joint mission between FPC and Grace Lutheran Churches continues in An informational meetin will be scheduled in February, as trip leaders hope to tailor the itinerary to the skills and interests of the participants. In the meantime, please consider how this opportunity miht enhance your faith journey durin the comin year. Deacons Corner Thank you for your enerous ivin of time, talent and treasure to the many projects and ministries facilitated by the Board of Deacons in While the list is lenthy and much was accomplished throuh the efforts of the conreation, the list may not be inclusive. Monthly or quarterly financial support to: Boys & Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley, $300 quarterly Café on Vine, $250 quarterly Churches United-CareLink, $600 monthly Churches United-Member Church, $650 monthly Churches United-Winnie s Place, $800 quarterly Humility of Mary, $375 quarterly PUNCH Ministry, $250 quarterly United Neihbors, $275 quarterly Discretionary financial support to: AMKA Africa School Foundation in Tanzania* Camp Wyomin* Children s Club in Harare, Zimbabwe* Community Garden Davenport Boys & Girls Club Scholarships, Wednesday niht meals, summer proram snacks Homecomin Dinner ILUGUA (Guatemala mission support) InTouch ifts and Upper Room subscriptions Little Dresses for Africa* Love Gift Mission trip projects on the Lakota Reservation Mission trip scholarships Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Sandy Relief* PUNCH Kick for Kids ReMember tools and equipment; sewin machines Salvation Army meals Selemani Outreach Fund * new mission projects in 2012 Other projects and events facilitated by the Board of Deacons: Advent Givin Tree: Anel Tree (Prison Ministry), Donations for Children s Club, Humility of Mary Niht at the Shelter, Love Gift, and the Boys & Girls Club Deacons Annual Picnic Deacons Fundraiser Event with Guys in Ties and silent auction Homework Helpers Kids Aainst Huner Sacred Heart Food Pantry at the Center donations Soldier Care Packaes The Board of Deacons thanks you with rateful hearts for your enerous support. Throuh reen envelope ivin, fundraisers for specific projects, and miscellaneous donations, the church has provided financial and hands-on support to a wide rane of ministries, mission projects, community aencies, and people. All support has been evaluated throuh the Mission Givin Criteria developed by the joint effort of the Board of Deacons and Session. THE BROADCASTER JANUARY 2013

5 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CONGREGATION NEWS Haven t You Always Wanted a White Elephant? Youn Adult Connection Fellowship Group Meets Saturday, January 26 BTC Book Club Between the Covers Book Club will meet on January 21, 12:30 PM, in the Church Parlor for dessert. The selected book for the discussion is Cuttin for Stone by Abraqham Verhese. All are welcome. Come join us for stimulatin and lively conversations. member News: The conreation of marks the followin occasions in the lives of those who make up the community. Birth: Jackson Bufe (son of Jerod & Carol Bufe, randson of Bruce & Andrea Bufe) - December 11, 2012 Baptisms: Brooklyn May Boyer (dauhter of Matthew and Amanda Boyer) - December 23, 2012; Henry Andrew Taber (son of Rachel and Bret Taber) - - December 23, 2012 Deaths: Geore Holmes - December 13, 2012; Mavis Cline - December 23, 2012 December Session Summary 4Approved movin the historic baptismal font to the new area next to the oran created by elevatin the floor of the old technoloy area. The area will be dedicated on Sunday, January 13, Received another positive report from the Finance Committee reardin a positive balance (income over expenses) throuh November. 4Approved chanes in the oranization of the Board of Deacons includin the elimination of the Treasurer, as the church Finance Office now handles these responsibilities. 4A draft of the 2013 church budet was reviewed which included a 4% increase in compensation for church staff. It will be their first salary raise in 3 years. The Session will vote on the final budet proposal in January. Cemetery Plot for Sale Get connected with other adults in their mid 20s-40s at the White Elephant ift exchane. It s a reat way to et to know other people in your ae roup sinle, couples, without kids and with children, we all have a fun niht. Gather at Sarah and Chad Greim s (1660 W. 51 st Street, Davenport) from 6:30-9:30 PM for an evenin of food, fellowship, and fun! Simply wrap up somethin that you don t want around the house anymore, a re-ift, or hilarious Goodwill find. Please brin a food or beverae to share. FAQs contact Pastor Pamela Hooheem on Facebook, text/call , or hooheem@fpcdavenport.or. was recently iven a cemetery plot in Davenport Memorial Park. We are told it is in the older section of the cemetery. If you are interested in purchasin the plot, the askin price is $2,300, but is neotiable. Please contact Dou Wells at wellsd@omezmaylaw.com or Shannon Gruhlke at ruhlke@fpcdavenport.or if you are interested in purchasin the plot. The proceeds of the sale will benefit the Endowment Fund of Foundation of. FINANCIAL FOCUS Financial Summary for the month of November, 2012 General Church Operation Fund Month YTD Actual Revenue 91, ,436 Expense 90, ,838 Surplus / (Deficit) $ 367 $ 41,598 Budet Revenue 61, ,733 Expense 71, ,622 Surplus / (Deficit) $ (9,956) $ (21,889) make a Note of it: 4 Committee reports for the 2012 Annual Report were due December 31, For more information, contact Diane Pumphrey in the church office (pumphrey@fpcdavenport.or). 4 Articles for the February newsletter need to be sent to Diane Pumphrey (pumphrey@fpcdavenport.or) by January The church office will be closed January 21, in observance of the Martin Luther Kin, Jr., holiday. 4 The Annual Conreational Meetin will be on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at 10:05 AM in the sanctuary. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH {xtüà Éy à{x v àç The Broadcaster: This newsletter is a monthly publication of First Presbyterian Church of Davenport, IA Staff: The Rev. Richard Miller Pastor Cell: The Rev. Sue Howes Associate Pastor Emerita The Rev. Pamela J. Hooheem Associate Pastor Cell: Steven R. Jobman Minister of Music Ahreum Han Principal Oranist and Assistant Director of Music Shannon M. Gruhlke, CM Finance Manaer Kirstin Marriott Accountin Assistant* Diane Pumphrey Office & Communications Manaer Tammy Mayhew Membership & Pastoral Care Coordinator Barbara Youn Administrative Coordinator Kerri Peterson Weddin Coordinator* Jessie Munn Nursery Coordinator* Georia Roberts Maintenance Manaer Dave Spauldin Custodian Kevin Wilson* Custodian Chad Dean* Custodian * Part-time employee Davenport, Iowa Phone: Fax: Office Hours: M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Sunday Worship: 9:00 & 11:00 AM Handicapped Services: First Church is handicapped accessible via the elevator entrances on the west side of the buildin. Childcare: Nurseries for infants throuh four-year-olds are provided in the Folwell Education Center (3 rd floor of the Christian Education Buildin) durin Sunday services from 8:45 AM - 12:15 PM. Fellowship: Enjoy refreshments each Sunday between the services. THE BROADCASTER JANUARY

6 Davenport, IA Nonprofit Or US Postae PAID Davenport, IA Permit 15 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED PLACE LABEL HERE T he Performin Arts Series of Find First Presbyterian Church on FACEBOOK, then like us! That s riht! Find out all the latest FPC news on the church s Facebook pae. Follow the link on the church web pae at or o directly to paes/first-presbyterian- Church-Davenport-Iowa/ GODSPELL The Broadway classic Reserved seatin Saturday, March 16, :30 PM Sunday, March 17, :00 PM Adults $12 Students $8 AHREUM HAN Internationally Renowned Oranist Principal Oranist and Artist in Residence of, Davenport Reserved seatin Sunday, February 24, :00 PM Adults $12 Students $8