Presbytidings. Thank you for all your expressions of sympathy in the loss of my brother Bob. Chuck Stitt. Church Staff

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1 Presbytidings First Presbyterian Church of Grand Prairie If you desire to borrow items from the church, such as chairs, tables, etc., please check with Jim or Jakie to make sure those items are not needed for a function that is on the church calendar. There is a sign up sheet inside the door of the water heater closet in the kitchen. Please sign all items out and then mark it off when returned. Thank you for your consideration Thank you so much for letting us use the hall for my Birthday Party. It was so very nice, I am so very proud to be a member here for so many years and appreciate how Mary has been accepted. Sorry I can t work for the church as in the past, but just feel lucky to still be able to attend. Thank you again, Jack Edwards Thank you for all your expressions of sympathy in the loss of my brother Bob. Chuck Stitt WE ARE SALT AND LIGHT! Gathered in community by Christ, Reaching out together to make a difference, we will Celebrate God s love and mercy, Grow in faith and discipleship, Care for the needs of people, Serve church and community, and Share in the joy and excitement Church Staff Rev. Dr. James Reinarz Minister Jakie Spinks Secretary Linda Stewart PDO Director Ron Ruyle Treasurer Kevin Glaser Organist, Choir Director Austin Yater, Youth Leader Cherish Roundstream Custodian Church PDO fpcgp@sbcglobal.net Pastor Jim s jpreinarz@sbcglobal.net Web site: Visit us on Facebook In this issue Pastor Jim 2 Session 3 & 4 PDO 5 St. Patricks 6 PW 7 Items needed 7 Quiz 8 Primetimers 9 Finance 9 Calendar 10

2 In his book, Life Together, Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes not only of how the community of faith worships and serves God, but how the church shapes us as faithful Christians and disciples. In his chapter, The Life Alone, he cautions us that until we are able to stand alone before God will we be able to live well in community. We must learn to wait in silence, listening for God s word, God s voice, struggling, praying, taking up our cross, confronting life and death, accountable to God. How do we learn to live alone before God? Bonhoeffer recommends three ways or three steps. 1) Devote time each day to meditating on the scriptures. Select a brief passage from the Bible or even one or two words. Meditate on this one short passage throughout the week, turning it over and over in our minds, letting it work on us, drawing us deeper into God s word. 2) Meditation on the scriptures leads naturally to prayer. Scripture speaks to our personal situations, our tasks and work, our decisions, temptations and sin. All those things that we can t talk with others about we can bring before God in silence. On the basis of scripture, we pray that God will throw a light on our day, preserve us from sin, and enable us to grow in holiness, that we may be faithful to our work and have the strength to do it. 3) The third element of our life alone with God is our prayers for other people, intercessory prayer. Here we remember all those people in our circle who have asked us to pray for them, all those people we live and work with, even those people we come into conflict with. We lift them up into the presence and care of God. We pray to Jesus, Lord, you yourself, deal with them according to both your firmness and your goodness. Now when we think of this time alone with God in silence, we recognize that this will take some time out of our day. Of course, we all have busy days and full schedules and wonder how we can make time for prayer and meditation. Consider, though, the amount of time we spend each week alone in unchristian environments. Surely we can find 5, 10, 15 minutes at the beginning of each day or at the end of each day to be in communion with God. Consider also the blessings that flow from these few minutes each day, to have God s word so deeply planted in our hearts that it holds and strengthens us all day long, leading us to active love, obedience, and good works. I know that some of you have very active and deep prayer lives, but for many of us there is something important lacking in our lives. The season of Lent is a good time to make a change in our habits. Instead of giving up candy or chocolate or cigarettes, which are honorable changes, consider finding time each day to be alone with God. Spend time in prayer and meditation seeking the strength, guidance and life that God offers to us. Your life as a Christian in this world and in our congregation will be deeper, richer, more loving and blessed because of it. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy upon them. Isaiah 55:6-7. Blessings and peace, Rev. Jim Page 2

3 A quorum being present, Reverend Dr. Jim Reinarz called the meeting of the Session of First Presbyterian Church of Grand Prairie to order on Sunday, February 23, 2014at 12:21pm. Reverend Dr. Reinarz opened the meeting with prayer. Elders Present: Elders Absent: Jim Mason, Ken Lantz Session Synopsis: February 23, 2014 Chris Chandler, Lowell Yoder, Bette Beegles, Margee Hastings, Ray Lunday, Melissa Martinez, Sara Molina Others Present: Mitch Sulipeck, Shelli Tilson, Zander Tilson, Stone Sulipeck Devotional: Ray Lunday downloaded DVD s for the Session members which were handed out. His devotional is titled In the Beginning, based on John, Chapter 1, starting with Verse 1. Baptism Request: Mitch Sulipeck and Shelli Tilson have requested that their son, Stone, receive baptism. The proposed baptism date is March 9 th. Election of Treasurer and Clerk of Session: Every year, the Session is required to elect the Treasurer and the Clerk of Session. The Session voted unanimously to re-elect Ron Ruyle as Treasurer, and Jane Mason as Clerk of Session. Committee Reports Christian Nurture/Youth: Sara Molina gave a report regarding Child Protection Training and Nursery Attendants. They are also looking into the Red Cross s baby sitting training for our teenagers. Also mentioned was the YMCA training offered to baby sitters. The committee is also discussing Sunday School and teachers. Austin Lantz is meeting with the youth. They are looking at March 8 th as a potential lock-in date. Congregational Care: Bette Beegles reported for the committee. During their last meeting, their committee discussed the annual shepherd meeting and a prayer chain for Diana Stewart & Connie Paul. The upcoming shepherd meeting will be on Saturday, March 8 th. Fellowship: Ray Lunday gave the report. March 5 th will be an Ash Wednesday service, with a dinner starting at 6pm. They will also be hosting a St. Patrick s Day event on March 16th. Saturday, March 29 th is the date that they are planning on for their church-wide garage sale. Proceeds from this sale will go to the missions for the church. Mission & Evangelism: Chris Chandler gave a report. They are working on the food bags for the homeless as well as visitor bags. The committee is also looking at a weekend mission trip to Arkansas. There also may be an opportunity to join with another church for a week long based mission trip for youth. The GAP group is going well. PDO: Melissa Martinez reported. The committee is still researching fundraising opportunities. They are looking into some restaurant night options as well. (continued on page 4) Page 3

4 Property & Grounds: Lowell Yoder reported that the committee did not have a meeting this past month. Session members are advised to be careful if they take down any ceiling tiles, due to what may fall on their head! LED lightbulbs have been researched, which may help reduce some costs. Lowell will check on lawncare issues. The Spring cleanup date has been changed to Saturday, April 5 th. Stewardship & Finance: Ken Lantz submitted a report from the Finance committee. Ken is checking on changing up some of our investments to get better returns. Their committee is also working on putting together lists of supplies needed by the church, so church members can help supply these items. Worship: Margee Hastings gave the report, on upcoming communion and Ash Wednesday dates. Treasurer s Report: Ken Lantz submitted a report from Ron Ruyle. We ll ask Ron to attend Session on a quarterly basis to answer any questions. Reverend s Report Presbytery Meeting February 28 March 1 in Richardson: We need a volunteer for a commissioner. Margee Hastings may volunteer to go on Friday. Elder Training: Date for training is March 15 th. Timeframe is 9:30 am noon. Long Range Planning: Rev. Dr. Reinarz is looking to the Session members for ways to kick start this process. Minneapolis Trip: Rev. Dr. Reinarz will be attending a funeral on March 2-4, Newletter: Session members were asked to find ways to save $$ s regarding the newsletter process. We are spending about $ $1500 per year with the current mailing process. We are looking at ways to send the newsletter out over or having copies available at the church. We may still mail newsletters to shut-ins. Pastoral Activities for January 2014: Other Business Hospital Visits = 7 Home Visits = 3 Other meetings = 7 Miscellaneous = Reynolds Memorial Service and Internment; Echelberger/Ebrahimi wedding; Bible Basics Class; Choir; Pathfinders Class; Mizo Fellowship; GAP meeting Next Committee meeting: March 2, 2014 Next Session meeting: March 30, 2014 Respectfully submitted, Jane Mason Clerk of Session Page 4

5 Enrollment 28 children keep our finances as stable as possible. meet their needs. It is a very important part of this community. PDO is doing well and having a great time. We are so ready for spring to bring warmer temperatures so we can play outside. It has been a long, cold winter and we need some outside time. Our enrollment is good. They seem to come and go this time of year as the parent s finances fluctuate. Hopefully we will keep growing. We are contemplating what to do in the summer. Last year I sent home questionnaires to see how many would be interested in a summer program and what time frame would be beneficial and profitable. We decided on a 6 week program to go through June and half of July. As it turned out, we had to stop at the end of June because we did not have enough children to pay for July. I am doing the same thing this year to see if a summer program is feasible. I will send the notes out next week and should know by the end of April. We are doing everything we can to make it work and Our toddler-2 class is studying about Spring, 3 s are studying about Dinosaurs and Preschool is studying about the Solar System. We are working hard and doing fun crafts and activities for each subject. The children are learning and having fun. It is a very busy place. One of preschool children has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and with our help and guidance has moved into the GPISD to get special help. It has been quite a journey but at the end of it I feel so happy and proud to have been able to help this family find the resources and help that they need for their child to flourish. It is these situations that remind me of how important it is to be here to help families with special needs of different kinds get the help that they need for themselves and their children. PDO is definitely a mission for the church. Thank you for appreciating our special work as we work with each family individually to The babies are growing so fast. We have been collecting items to send to a soldier this month and I am happy to report that we have sent 4 big boxes to Afghanistan for the troops. The children have enjoyed their participation as they have drawn pictures and made cards to send. I can t wait for the feedback from the platoon that we have adopted. I think they will be happy to receive some very special little gifts. As always, thank you so much for your support. Ken Lantz has posted an extended list of items on the bulletin board of things that we use in PDO. I will also continue to put a few things with this article each month of specific things that we need at the moment. We appreciate anything that you find to help us out. Thank you for your help. We really do appreciate anything that we get. PDO NEEDS Baby Wipes Snacks (crackers, cookies, microwave popcorn, etc.) Play Dough Glue Sticks. The magic world of a table covered with a sheet. Page 5

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7 Eight PW women met on Tuesday, 3-11, continuing our study of An Abiding Hope: the Presence of god in Exodus and Deuteronomy, led by Meg Fetter and Betty Beegles. The lesson covered Covenant Living: this time by specific instructions, the Ten Commandments, other laws and an address to the people by Moses regarding how they should live to honor God. We had a lively discussion about these laws and how they translate to modern life both personal, in our church and extended community, country and world. After fellowship at lunch, it was decided that next month (Tuesday April 8th) we ll meet at the church at 10:00 for our lesson, then go to Theo s for lunch. Come join us! ***submitted by Sharon Shelton*** There will be a First Aid CPR training class on April 26 from 9 until noon in the fellowship hall. Anyone may attend. The cost is $25 if you are renewing your certification or $40 otherwise. Cut off date to register is April 7. You may call the church office or Pat Jackson to register. Items Needed to Support the Church and the Budget If we all work together to help the church save money, we are doing the Lord s work. Here are some of the items we use on a regular basis. When you are out shopping pick up one or a few of these items. Every donation, regardless of size is a major help to the church. Coffee, regular & decaf 8 ounce coffee cups 16 ounce drink cups 5 ounce juice cups Napkins Liquid dishwashing soap Tea bags, large size Pinesol cleaner Clorox wipes Facial tissue Toilet tissue Lysol spray Plastic forks, spoons, knives Heavy duty dinner plates Dessert plates Lemonade mix 45 gal heavy duty can liners 8-10 gal can liners Sweetener packets Copy paper, white and color He is risen! W.E. Sangster ( ), a well-known pastor in England, contracted a progressive, incurable muscle disease. He lost the ability to move his legs, and eventually his voice faded away. Because Sangster wanted to continue serving God even though he could no longer preach, he became a prolific writer and organized prayer cells throughout England. On Easter morning, shortly before his death, Sangster wrote a note to his daughter in an unsteady hand. It is terrible to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice to shout, He is risen! he wrote. But it would be still more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout. Page 7

8 Baptism Quiz (based on the Book of Order, W-2.300) Why was Jesus baptized when he was already righteous and without fault or sin? What does Jesus command us to do in Matt.28:19? Baptism is the sign and seal of what? 4. Baptism means which of the following? a. Participation in Jesus death and resurrection. b. Death to what separates us from God. c. Raised to the newness of life, rebirth. d. The faithfulness of God. e. The washing away of sin. f. Putting on the fresh garment of Christ. g. Being sealed by God s spirit. h. Adoption into the covenant family of the Church. All of the above. Children should not be baptized, only adults or believers. T or F? Why? We recognize baptisms by all Christian churches in the name of the Father, son and Holy Spirit. T or F? Why? Who is authorized to administer baptism? Who authorizes or approves baptisms? Baptisms can be performed in private ceremonies or services. T or F? Baptisms are only something between the individual and God. The congregation really has no role to play in it. T or F? What is the responsibility of parents toward their baptized children? When baptized, disciples are empowered by the Holy Spirit to undertake a life of service and to be an inclusive worshiping community, sharing a life in which love, justice, and mercy abound. T or F? Page 8

9 Primetimers Rewarded on Bingo Day On March 6th, the Primetimers met in the Fellowship Hall for a good time of lunch and Bingo. Lunch was a light meal of sandwiches and salads with eight games of Bingo played afterward. Prizes were awarded to all winners. Jean spared no expense and got the finest prizes available at Dollar Tree. Winners were: Jeanine, Kathy, Tom, Dorothy, Mary, and Bruce; with Tom and Bruce each winning two games. What wonderful prizes! 1 Helen Song 1 Landon Dorman 2 Marion Dickens 4 Dorothy Rogers 6 Mack Stewart 6 Rebecca Wilson 8 Don Ramsey 12 Carrye Condray 15 Jack Mason 20 Elizabeth Crawford 22 Amanda Granados 28 Elva McClay Come, join with the Primetimers and you will be surprised at the fun you can have. February Jan-Feb Actual Income 10,267 29,185 Expense 17,297 30,807 Profit/(Loss) (7,030) (1,622) Page 9

10 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat See Tom Isabell for Primetimer information to Lone Star Park 1 2 Bible Basics at 6 p.m. Choir at Food Drive Committees 7 8 Presbyterian Women 10:30 a.m. 9 Bible Basics at 6 p.m. Choir at Men s Breakfast Palm Sunday Scouts 6-8:30 p.m. Fellowship hall 16 Bible Basics at 6 p.m. Choir at 7 17 Maundy Thursday Service Bible Basics at 6 p.m Choir at Bible Basics at 6 p.m. Choir at 7