January 14, A Letter from Leah. First Presbyterian Church 524 South Duncan, Stillwater, Oklahoma First Presbyterian Church

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1 January 14, 2015 AMBASSADOR First Presbyterian Church 524 South Duncan, Stillwater, Oklahoma First Presbyterian Church Pastor Leah R. Hrachovec Director of Children & Youth Ministry Katie Burgoon Older Adult Ministry Coordinator Margy Knox Organist/Interim Music Director Rebecca G. te Velde Church Administrator Cathy Fairbanks Finance/Office Assistant Mary Beth Garoffolo Custodian Mike Flowers Building Supervisor Peter Thomas Ambassador Designer Mary Woods Presbyterian Preschool Director Dana Brown Childcare Coordinator Kristen Kulling Church Treasurer Arletta Webster University Coordinator Doug Sides Church Office Main: (405) Fax: (405) Web Address A Letter from Leah It s hard to imagine what worship in a still-forming community of Stillwater must have been like 125 years ago. Presbyterians were among those who came to claim land, build homes, lives, families, a community, and help found the First Presbyterian Church. Worship started almost immediately after the Land Run, but FPC was officially organized on November 2, Much has changed in all these years, and yet some things back then would be remarkably familiar to us. Baptisms were celebrated, new members were welcomed, pastors were called, members sought to be faithful to God, and they hoped for the future. Throughout this year, we will be celebrating and remembering our predecessors in faith, and looking toward the future God is giving us. A team of members is working on specific plans to lift up this year as one of celebration and hope, but here are a few highlights ahead: Receiving a new anthem dedicated to our Chancel Choir by David Blackwell of Oxford, UK. Entitled My Son, the Beloved, this anthem is for Baptism of the Lord Sunday (celebrated this month on January 11). It is a gorgeous piece that will be a gift for years to come. Dedicating new pew Bibles and a new Lectern Bible for the Sanctuary, donated in memory of Frances Staff by Connie and Jim Stiegler. Working together for a new concert-quality grand piano for the Fellowship Hall, which will enhance worship and provide a new music venue for the community. Reaching out in mission, ministry, and thanksgiving for our neighbors and other members of the Stillwater community Worship with candlelight on All Saints Day in November (as members before us did in celebrating at least one anniversary of the congregation!) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2) May Jesus Christ guide our celebrating, that all we do may honor God and show God s love (and ours) for this community and world. Let the party begin!

2 The Ambassador 2 First Presbyterian Church P C Julian of Norwich prayed, "God, of all your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me. I may ask nothing less that is fully to your worship, and if I do ask anything less, ever shall I be in want. Only in you I have all."-quoted in Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, et al. Jo Ahrberg (Osborn) Jean Ames Delores Anaya (Anaya Sherry Aresco (Aresco) Noel Bagwell (Clark) Emily Bandurski Betty Bays Jeanne Bills (Bills) Carol Bischoff (Silver) Jeff Black (Fowler) Dawn Blair (Burgoon) LeNell Bowen (Myers) Laura Bradley (Ainsworth) Wanda Bradley Kirby Brock (Dearinger) Ted Burgoon (Burgoon) Vivian Burgoon (Burgoon) Tyler Butler (Arquitt) Lois Caldwell Tracy Carter Wayne Cartwright (Koeppe) Mary Ann Chambers (Chambers) Marilyn Choike (Bruce) Betty Christian (Parsons) Wally Christian (Parsons) Allison Christy (Breuninger) Abby Clapp (Clapp) Darlene Collyar (Silver) Carlton Comte (Comte) Lisa Cook Don Cooper Dona Cooper Joyce Cox (Jaynes) AnnaBeth Croom (Knox) Anita Davis (Kelly/Myers) Beth Delametter (Gumm) Missy Detwiler Michael DeTurk (Garoffolo) Carol Fairbanks (Fairbanks) Justin Fowler Ed Gallegos (Wilkinson) Robert Gibson (Wilkinson) Gary Gilliland (Houston) Mary Good (Good) Al Goodbary (Olson) Jaden Gray (Ainsworth) Lester Groom (te Velde) Myrtle Groom (te Velde) Jeanne Hall (Savage) Adelia Hanson (Jaynes) Steve Harrist Kendall Harvey (Shaw/Career) Mel Henry (Osborn) Nelda Hershberger (Knox) Chuck Hopkins (Burks) Joyce Hufford (Carter/Shaw) Marjorie James (Clark) Cindy Johnston (Myers/Kelly) Carl Jones Nelma Karnes (Jones) Susie Ketchell (Jacobs) Graham Kime (Krehbiel) Tom Koehn (Good) Tom Kunz (Shaw) Phyllis Leaghty Pam Leslie (Frohock/Leffingwell) Judy Lewis (Breuninger) Kathy Lisi (Holland) James Lodrigue Wendy Long (Burgoon) Donna Lowry (Anaya) Don & Barbara Lundstrom (Ainsworth) Tom Lutjens (Beckstrom) Marin Family John Martin A. J. Mason (Wilkinson) Lydia McNeal (Groshong) Bernie & Joyce McNickle (McNickle) Philip Meadows Tresa Miller (Miller) Paul Mullen Joe Myers Noel Nichols (Bobo) Robin Osborn (Breuninger) Christine Parson (Rex) Gwen Piersall Jean Potts (Bills) Sterling Powell (Gelder) Wayne Prater (Good) Karissa Reynolds (Walker) Leslie Roark (Frohock) Tad Robinson (Krehbiel) Sophie Rowe (Houston) Julie Rozman (te Velde) Phil Rutledge (Cook) Truett Shacklett (Silver) Addi Shamburg (Stiegler) Regina Sharp (L. Smith) Hunter Shedrick (Gumm) Steve Shedrick (Gumm) Brylee Shullanberg (Stiegler) Jeffery Silver Carrie & Robert Smith family (Ballenger) David Smith (Cooper) Dennis Smith Grace Smith Linda Stangl Mattie Stanley (Lanners) Ophellia Steptoe (Fairbanks) Sarah Sturzenbecker Carl Swanson (Swanson) Amber Teeman (Frohock) Benny Trout (Fairbanks) Sue Trei-Conrad Nettie Vick Liam Vollrath (Bobo) Barbara Ware (Fansler) Reeve Wessel Arvilla West Lorraine Wilborn (Garoffolo) Nona Wilhm (PW Bowling) Ruby Wise Betty Woods (Woods) Names in parentheses indicate the church family member requesting prayer for a nonmember. Please notify the Church Office if persons may be removed from the Prayer List. Thanks! Larger Church: Synod of the South Atlantic (SC, GA, FL) Synod of Southern California and Hawaii (CA, HI) S Kelsey Walker & Kaye White-Walker in the death of Lois Walker, Kelsey's grandmother the family of Karen Noller the family of Ray Matoy Courtney Savage and family in the death of her grandfather, Floyd Abrahamson Mike Melancon in the death of his sister, Megan

3 The Ambassador 3 First Presbyterian Church Staff News The Church Office will be closed Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Katie Burgoon and Rev. Andrew Long * * * Karin Stemm and Neil Moore January 3, 2015 Sarah Koeppe and Zackery Estes-Alford January 22 Rita & Ken Breuninger 50th Anniversary If you ve reached a milestone in your marriage this year, let us know and we ll include a Happy Anniversary wish to you, too! I M Ray Matoy Joined First Presbyterian Church January 3, 1983 Entered the Church Triumphant December 14, 2014 Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me shall never die. Pastor Leah Hrachovec will be out of the office attending classes at McCormick Seminary January Katie Burgoon, Director of Children and Youth Ministry, will be out of the office February 2 nd until February 9 th. She will be attending the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators Annual Event in Baltimore, MD Talent Show FYI: Mark your calendars!! The date has been set for the 4th Annual "FPC's GOT TALENT" Show and Pot Luck Dinner!!! When: Sunday, Feb. 8th, 6:00 PM Who can perform? Members and friends of ALL AGES can present short single or multiple person acts! Note: Sign up forms for talent show will be available in church bulletins and at the information desk in January. The number of acts will be limited due to time constraints. Acts will be selected based on the order their registration is received. Questions: Call Cynthia Shawley, Gospel Concert January 17, 2015 Saturday 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall For HIS Purpose Family and Friends - Bring a snack or dessert to share and enjoy a fun, uplifting relaxed evening of music. A love offering will be taken for the 2015 ministries of For His Purpose and Gospel with a Purpose. University Graduates Darcy Castleberry OSU BS in Physical Education Please let the Church Office know if you and/or a family member graduated. We would like to recognize them in the Ambassador.

4 The Ambassador 4 First Presbyterian Church Musically Speaking To kick off our church s 125 th Anniversary Year, an anthem was specially written by English composer David Blackwell for our Chancel Choir! Titled My Son, the Beloved, it is a beautifully-crafted, gentle setting of Mark 1: 9-11, and it was given its world premier by our choir on Baptism of the Lord Sunday, January 11, the choir s first Sunday of Choral Scholars Jo Beth Wasicek, Tiffany Hesser and Tom Chang-Wei Lin also sang it at the 8:30 service, thereby enabling our whole congregation to hear it. When published, it will bear the dedication for the Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, Oklahoma. About the Composer: David Blackwell (b. 1961) studied at Edinburgh University (organ) and later became head of music at Oxford University Press. Now working as a freelance composer, writer and performer, he is co-editor with me of Oxford Hymn Settings for Organists. He resides in Oxford, U.K. with his violinist wife, Kathy, with whom he collaborates on an acclaimed series of method books, String Time. Grand Piano Project The Session has approved a proposal to raise funds for a new grand piano for Fellowship Hall, beginning in January 2015 now! Our goal is $40,000 to purchase a seven-foot grand piano, dolly, and professional cover with lock. World Communion Sunday, October 4, is the goal to have it in place for that Sunday s special worship services in Fellowship Hall. Our esteemed consultants for this project are our very own Heather and Tom Lanners, both long-time piano faculty members at Oklahoma State University. They have extensive experience with piano selection and purchase, both at OSU and with churches. Please see the FAQ below for details surrounding this quest, and how you may contribute. If you have additional questions or would like to help in any way, please contact Becky te Velde (rgtevelde@brightok.net, ). FAQ: Why a grand piano, and why a seven-foot? Because the space in Fellowship Hall is large, with carpeting, a full -size grand piano is needed for the quantity of sound to fill the room and to lead/support congregational song. Piano size guide: concert hall grands are about 9 feet long. The 7-foot grand is most often used in churches, classrooms and small recital halls. Grand pianos 6 feet and under are used in studios and living rooms. A "baby" grand is 5 feet or less and, although pretty, is similar in effect to an upright piano. Could we repair the existing grand piano in FH? This instrument, kindly donated by the Koeppe family, has mechanical problems that would involve gutting and rebuilding the instrument. Its condition has deteriorated to the extent that it cannot hold a tuning. The Koeppe's are aware of the situation and fully support this fundraising project. Why Fellowship Hall and not the Sanctuary? Although it would be desirable to have a grand piano in the sanctuary, this is not a practical consideration given the space constraints, logistics (it could not be on the same level as the choir), and carpet (a piano needs to stand on a hard, reflective surface). Why do we need it? A piano is always needed when we worship in Fellowship Hall, but the existing upright is woefully insufficient to lead/support congregational singing. Beyond worship use, a quality instrument would open up many possibilities for the use of FH as a recital/concert space and for other forms of fellowship and entertainment, including wedding receptions and other gatherings. And it could foster new avenues of community involvement, outreach and ministry for our congregation. The availability of a quality grand piano in our beautiful, multi-functional FH would be an asset for our community as well as for ourselves. Why now? The old upright in FH needs to be tuned every time it is used, and it is not a wise use of our resources to spend any more money on the existing grand piano. We believe it is a worthy and attainable goal to place a new grand piano in Fellowship Hall during the 125 th anniversary year of this congregation. Once in place, the instrument would not only play an important role in celebrating this anniversary, but would be a lasting gift for future generations of worshippers and music ministry at FPC. How may I contribute? We are gratefully accepting checks made out to First Presbyterian Church and clearly marked Grand Piano The account number is #8185. ; you may place them in the offering plate, leave at the church office, or mail to First Presbyterian Church, 524 S. Duncan, Stillwater, OK, We also welcome your ideas and assistance for fundraising activities over the coming months!

5 The Ambassador 5 First Presbyterian Church Musical Offerings We are always happy to receive special offers of music for worship services, whether instrumental or vocal! Please let Becky know if you would like to play or sing or offer other gifts in worship, and we will work to find the appropriate service for you. New Hymns We are continuing to explore the wealth that is our new Glory to God hymnal, sometimes through the choir s offerings (introits, choral responses, even anthems) and sometimes corporately as a congregational choir with our hymns and responses. There is interesting and meaningful information below each hymn in the book to help us understand and enjoy it. Sometimes we are singing old hymns or songs that have been returned to us (such as Shall We Gather at the River on Jan. 11), or new hymns, or new-to-us hymns! We encourage you to join in making a joyful noise as you are able, and to also to be mindful of the text and its place in the service. Glory to God! Chancel Choir The choir rehearses each Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Westminster Room (choir room) and 10:15-10:45 on Sunday mornings, singing regularly for the 11:00 a.m. service. During this spring semester, the choir will also sing at both services on Palm Sunday and Easter, and for Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday services. We welcome new faces and voices anytime, so if you enjoy singing, please consider joining us! Please contact interim director Becky te Velde if you have any questions. Preschool News Winter has arrived! We are so thankful for the ability to use the multipurpose room on these cold, winter days. Lots of schools do not have a place to use as an alternative to exercise our large muscles when the weather keeps us from going outside. If the wind chill is below freezing, we will usually spend time in the multipurpose room exercising our large muscles. Sometimes teachers will bundle them up and just let them have a few minutes outside in the fresh air running! Christmas break was good and all the teachers came back refreshed and ready to tackle the spring semester. We are so thankful every day to reach into the lives of little ones and their families. I am grateful for our preschool that gives us these opportunities. Later this month, we set aside special time to honor the dads or other important male role models in our little ones lives. We do this by having Hero Parties! We invite the dads in for lunch, some special treats and a song. We are thankful for the dads in our lives and the important role they play. January is when we award our second round of scholarships. I am so thankful to the Deacons of the church for their donations that helps us award scholarships to our clients that need a little help. Because of their generous donation, we are able to award more money than we would be able to on our own. Thank you, Deacons! Dana Brown, Director Guest Preacher On Sunday, January 18, we welcome guest preacher and friend of the congregation Rev. Jan Dus. Rev. Dus is a pastor in the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB), which is our partner denomination in the Czech Republic. Rev. Dus is the Executive Director of Diakonia, the humanitarian and relief office of the ECCB. Formerly, Rev. Dus was Pastor of the ECCB congregation in Policka, CZ. Rev. Dus served for for a time at First Presbyterian Church in Ponca City as a visiting pastor. While he was in Oklahoma, he made connections between Cimarron Presbytery and the church in Policka. For many years, Presbyterians from Oklahoma, including some members of FPC-Stillwater have traveled to volunteer in Policka at "English Camp," a VBS-type week hosted by the ECCB church in Policka. Please welcome Rev. Dus and his U.S. associate Jeremy Ault to worship this Sunday. Rev. Dus's sermon is entitled "Called to Serve" based on Matthew 20:1-15.

6 The Ambassador 6 First Presbyterian Church From the Mailbox Hello Friends, I would like to thank you for donating books for my service project. Together, we collected over 200 books and were able to give book bags to 23 kids! Because of your generosity, these smiling faces will enjoy a lifetime of adventure through books. A special thanks is also due to the Second Mile Sewers (for making book bags), Gordon and Marty Edwards, Barb Sherer, and the Saturday morning brunch volunteers! Of course, none of this would have been possible without the generosity of the congregation, and for that I thank you. Have a lovely year, Bo Frohock Dear Friends, Thank you for the prayer shawl. It has been such a comfort as have meals, flowers, and cards. I have felt your prayers in each of these gifts. I am getting stronger every day and expect to be up and out soon. Thank you for all the care and concern. Gwen Piersall Our sorrow in the passing of Ray Matoy is surpassed by our gratitude in being blessed with such a remarkable father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His memory will remain with us forever. Thank you for the luncheon and opportunity for us to be together as a family. The food was fantastic and the mac and cheese especially thoughtful for the younger set. Anne Matoy and the Matoy Family Thanks to all who helped with the meal and to all those who prayed for me when I fell and broke my nose. God bless all of you! Sincere thanks, Ruby Wise Dear FPC Family, Thank you for the kind words, cards, and hugs. Though we continue to mourn the loss of my sister, your love and prayers have given strength to my family and me. Peace and blessings, Mike Melancon Thanks to a fond Congregation for your rememberances this Christmas time, and the bright and beautiful poinsettia. It sits on my dining table cheering my new home and reminding me of your caring. Thank you, thank you - Norma Roscoe To our Church Family Thank you so much for thinking of us at this blessed time of year and bringing Christmas joy to us with the beautiful poinsettia plant. The Presbyterian Women are to be thanked for remembering me (Linda) with a pretty holiday bud vase floral arrangement - it meant a lot to me - along with your prayers and well wishes, my cancer journey continues in a positive direction. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness. God bless you! Sincerely, Gerald & Linda Stangl Dear Friends, What a nice surprise to receive one of the beautful Presbyterian poinsettias. It was equally surprising that dad and Ann received one too. Thank you for thinking of us and having such good hearts. Nancy Beckstrom Many thanks for the beautiful poinsettia. Nevalyn Stotts We appreciate being able to use a high chair belonging to the preschool during the holidays. Our little Madeline made good use of it. Thank you so much. Madaline & Bob Harding Thank you so much for enduring the cold and delivering the beautiful poinsettia. I will really enjoy it during my recovery from hip surgery. Thanks, Rick Dearinger

7 The Ambassador 7 First Presbyterian Church From the Mailbox (continued) Dear Family in Christ What a wonderful display of love I received with the beautiful prayer shawl! I feel the warm wishes of those who took their time and talent to minister not only physically but emotionally to those of us who are having difficult struggles. Until you've been here, it would be hard to know how much it means to feel the love and prayers that accompany the shawl. Thank you so much for the exceptional gift and for the petitions on my behalf as I lean even closer to God for my strength. You are God's ministers in action. In appreciation and Christian love, Margaret Ann Berry On behalf of the Mission of Hope Shelter we would like to say thank you for your generous support. We ere able to take the clients out to dinner and then back to the shelter for an opening of their presents. They had a great Christmas. Thanks you for making it possible! Jana Nelson, Director Mission of Hope Thank you for your Christmas donation to our residents. Happy New Year and God bless. Tasha Voss, Activities Director Grace Living Center We appreciate your recent donation. Given the rising cost of providing services to our young people, donations from the community are essential to our success. Without the support of individuals like yourselves, we could not provide services that positively impact the lives of youth and families. Thank you for your support!! Janet Fultz, NCC, MS, LPC Executive Director Payne County Youth Services Your generous gift of $500 raises the bar on how our community does benevolence in ways that are both responsible and redemptive. You are among an association of 54 churches and agencies that contributes to creating a preferred future story for those who are under-resourced. As a valued donor to Stillwater CARES, you are integral to this unfolding narrative that is raising the quality of life for all. We are sincerely grateful for the long and strong relationship with Stillwater CARES and your leadership in the community among those "doing better at doing good." Happy New Year! Quinn Schipper, Director of Stillwater CARES Adult Education Beginning Jan. 11 there are two new short term classes for adults. Sue Dearinger and Sydney Reding will be leading a Bible study class The Bible from Scratch. This seven week class will explore the basics of the Old Testament as a foundation for understanding New Testament teachings. It is designed for those who feel they know little about the Bible and want to begin their path to understanding. It meets during the regular church school hour in the Multipurpose Room. A second short term class will explore one of the six great ends of the church, Seeking Social Justice. This six week class will be led by Jason White and meets in South Fellowship Hall. This class is part of the popular Being Reformed studies. For those of you who have been ready for your ongoing classes to resume they did on January 11! The Abiding Bible Study class meeting in the church library led by Dan Grischkowsky welcomes back old members as well as new members to their discussion format class. The Seasons of the Spirit class led by Denise Rex has also resumed in North Fellowship Hall. This class always welcomes newcomers and studies the lectionary scriptures for the current week. This is a good class both for early and late church service attendees. If you have not been participating in church school classes for adults, all of these classes welcome you. We look forward to seeing you in one of them! Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Stillwater invites the community to join in a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration on Monday, January 19th. There will be a parade at 6:30pm starting at the Stillwater Public Library, followed by a service at Mt. Zion at 7:00pm. The keynote speaker will be Stillwater Mayor John Bartley. We give thanks for opportunities to join in common worship and prayers for peace and justice for all God's children.

8 The Ambassador 8 First Presbyterian Church Session Organization The Session is organized into the following areas of responsibility. Members of the congregation join them in the work. If you have an interest in serving in an area, please contact one of the elders assigned to that ministry and volunteer. Do not be shy. As Presbyterians, we believe that the synergism of the Spirit increases with greater involvement and more people. Clerk: John Gelder Children s Ministry: Eric Savage, chair; Becky Bair, Claire Leffingwell Youth Ministry: Sandy Cohlmia, chair; Quinn Baldwin Adult Ministry: Andrea Arquitt, chair; Bill Segall Family Ministry: Kelly Nipp, chair; Thad Leffingwell University Ministry: Donna Koeppe, chair; Dan Grischkowsky Worship and Music: Dustin Reavis, chair; Linda Good Fellowship and Membership: Helen Brake, chair; Jenny Bobo Stewardship: Kay Keys, chair; Tim Krehbiel, Norman Durham Finance: Charles Bruce, chair; Gary Holland World Mission and Denominational Concerns: Julie Bills, chair; Ann Houston Trustee Liaison: Nancy Franklin Personnel: Mary McKinley, chair; Nancy Franklin; Thad Leffingwell Endowment Liaison: Donna Koeppe, chair; Bill Segall Nominating Committee: Linda Good Session Summary The Session met in it s Stated Meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 moderated by Pastor Leah Hrachovec. Session highlights: Examined 15 newly elected Deacons and Elders. Accepted resignation of Elder Edna Visnic Received Treasurer's report Noted the Fellowship Hall Landscaping project is complete Leah reported FPC received Payne County Youth Shelter Heart of Community Award Approved position descriptions for Youth Ministry Assistant, Director of Children and Youth Ministry, Youth Music Assistant and Choral Scholar, Children s Music Assistant and Choral Scholar Approved Sydney Reding and Sue Dearinger as Sunday School teachers Received report that membership is 521 as of November 30, 2014 Approved moving the required amount of funds from Budget Equity to the Capital Campaign Dedicated account to zero it out by Dec. 31, 2014 Accepted Scott Foster as Committee on Ministry Liaison to Associate Pastor Nominating Committee Renamed and moved Evangelism to special committee status as Communication and Outreach Set date of December 21 for Congregational Meeting to elect the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee and fill Deacon and Elder vacancies Associate Pastor Nominating Committee On December 21, 2014 at a called Congregational Meeting, the following persons were elected to serve as an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC): Carolyn Caldwell Susie Causley Judy Ferrell Brenda Johnson Claire Leffingwell Tim Schlais Betsy Showalter Ted Smith The APNC will meet this month to organize, elect a chair, and begin the search process. Rev. Scott Foster from Cimarron Presbytery's Committee on Ministry and Preparation has graciously offered to serve again as our liaison to Presbytery during the search. Please keep the APNC and our future Associate Pastor in your prayers. F F! Stillwater FPC has a Facebook page. Be sure to like us to keep up with all the news, upcoming events, and photos related to Stillwater FPC!

9 The Ambassador 9 First Presbyterian Church Faith Families We have several families who have expressed an interest to be matched in a Faith Family. So, we need families who are interested in being matched with them! New members, regular visitors, families with teens, and OSU students are among those looking for a Faith Family match. Won t you consider connecting with them as a Faith Family? Contact Katie Burgoon today! Brochures and applications are available in the Information Center in the Narthex or on-line at Faith Family Kick-Off Mark your calendars and plan to join the Family Ministry Council on Wednesday, February 11 th at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will have a light supper, fellowship time, and will be making valentine s cards to send to our homebound church members. Please RSVP to the church office by February 6 th. Annual Congregational Meeting The Annual Congregational Meeting of First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater is called for Sunday, February 1, 2015 at 12:15pm (following 11:00 a.m. worship) in Fellowship Hall. What is a Faith Family? Imagine a church where all children have grandparents; all elders have grandchildren; all single parents have aunts and uncles for their kids; all parents have mentors, all OSU students have a family here in Stillwater, and all teenagers have someone to be a positive influence on their life! With Faith Families this can be a reality! A Faith Family is a way to connect to others in faith, one more family to be supported by and connected to. It s an opportunity to share faith journeys and fellowship with one another as we develop life-long relationships with mixed ages of people. Children and youth benefit from relationships with older adults, older adult have the opportunity to share their wisdom with others, and all ages in between gain from sharing intergenerational experiences with one another. What will Faith Families do together? It s largely up to you! During the semester, there will be events sponsored by the church to get Faith Families together in fellowship. Other than that, it s up to your Faith Family to decide what you want to do together: watch children s sporting events, eat dinner together, participate in a service/mission activity, go to the movie, etc. anything that strengthens your Faith Families relationship with one another. Please sign up if you are interested in becoming a member of a Faith Family and we will pair you up with your Faith Family. Do you have an idea of who you would like to be in a Faith Family with? Let Katie Burgoon know! For the purpose of: Receiving Annual Reports Approving Terms of Call Receiving 2015 Budget Report Also: Annual FPC Corporation meeting Other business from the floor EVERY WEEK ~ EVERYBODY! 11:00 a.m. - Fellowship Hall Come Dine or Visit or Help! Boy Scouts will serve spaghetti lunch (donations to Boy Scouts gratefully accepted). Pies and cakes will given away throughout meeting! Note: There will be only ONE worship service on February 1 at 11:00am. There will not be an 8:30 a.m. service but Sunday School will be held as scheduled.

10 The Ambassador 10 First Presbyterian Church Children and Worship Children and Worship is off to a great start for the year! If you are interested in helping out as a Greeter or Helper, please contact Ann Houston at annchouston1@gmail.com to sign up! Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Sunday School Class Children preschool to kindergarten age are invited to join in play, games and songs as we explore God s love, grow in faith, and learn to share God s love with others using the Walk with Me curriculum. Fun in Faith: Fellowship for Grade-School Children The next Fun in Faith event will be on March 8 th. Check next month s Ambassador for information about the Spring Fling! Children, Youth, and Parents: If your child plays a sport, has a choir recital, or any other special activity that they would like Katie to come see, please let her know by contacting her at the Church Office and she ll put it on her calendar. Happy Birthday! First Presbyterian Church wants to wish a happy birthday to: Katherine Waits January 16 Ben Wells January 19 Will Greenshields February 1 Lucas Anderson February 12 Sawyer Aresco February 15 Eli Brosi February 16 SpiritLink Children follow Ruth from Moab to Bethlehem where she begins a new life with her mother-inlaw, Naomi. The children will learn what loyal living means by seeing Ruth loyally providing for Naomi. They will see how Ruth and Naomi were faithful throughout their struggles. They also learn that Ruth and Naomi thanked God for their blessings by showing care and kindness to others. They make a connection between Boaz being Ruth s kinsmen redeemer to Jesus being ours. Children s Christian Education Have you looked in the Worship Bags lately? In addition to the Children s Bulletin, notepad, crayons, pencil, and pencil, there are 2 things in the bag that can help engage a child in worship. There is a copy of A Children s Guide to Worship. It s a wonderful book, full of explanations of the different parts of worship and it has cute little illustrations too! Also, in the worship bag, there is a yellow sheet that gives a list of things you might do during worship. It suggests finding the hymns and marking them, marking the places where we stand in the bulletin, thinking of things that you d like to pray for during the Prayers of the People. We hope that you find the contents of the bag to be useful tools to help the littlest members of our congregation engage in worship. If you have suggestions of other things that might be helpful to include in the worship bag, please let Katie know. Fair Trade Store The Fair Trade Store has gifts for everyone on your shopping list! The store is stocked with new items as well as old favorites. The Store is open Sunday mornings. Contact the Church Office if you would like to make a purchase during the week. Reminder about Ambassador by We invite you to consider receiving your Ambassador by . Each month you receive an with the link for the new issue. You can view or print while saving printing and mailing costs for the Church. Cathy at fpchurch1889@swbell.net if you want to try receiving the Ambassador electronically. If it doesn t work for you, you can always change back.

11 The Ambassador 11 First Presbyterian Church For ALL 6th-12th graders Sundays, 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the Youth Suite Come to youth group for ping pong, pool, music, snacks, games, Bible study, and prayer. We will be studying the Bible from multiple perspectives this year, please join us! Retreats and service opportunities are also offered throughout the year. Come see what you REALLY know about the Bible. We ll look at everything from forgiveness, to holiness, to sinfulness. Come see what you know and what you think you know! Youth Ministry Staff: Katie Burgoon, Director of Children and Youth Ministry Sponsors: Preston Bobo, Sandy Cohlmia, Thad & Kim Leffingwell, Kelly Nipp, and Rusty Rex PYG on Social Media You can sign up to receive tweets from the Youth Group twitter account via text message. All you need to do is send Follow FPC_PYG to and you will start receiving tweets from PYG on your mobile device. If you do have a Twitter TM account, follow us The Youth Group also has an Instagram TM And we have a Facebook TM group called PYG!!!! Feel free to follow us on Social Media to keep up with all of the fun and exciting things that are going on with PYG. If Social Media isn t your thing, you can keep up with PYG another way! Parents, just to to get important reminders about upcoming PYG events. Youth, you can get in on this too! All you have to do is to and Katie will send you things that you need to know about upcoming PYG events. Youth Small Groups Mid High (6 th to 8 th Grade) Small Group meets in the Youth Suite on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Mid High youth will study the Gospel of Matthew using Matthew s Gospel from Scratch: The New Testament for Beginners. They will consider Matthew's matter-of-fact genealogy demonstrating Jesus' status as a descendant of King David, the soaring words of the Sermon on the Mount, and the lessons found in the Seven Parables of the Kingdom. They will find that Matthew's Gospel is rich and wonderfully relevant to contemporary Christians. Leader: Katie Burgoon Senior High (9th-12th grades) Small Group is looking for a time to meet. Maybe it will be after school on Tuesdays. Perhaps before school one day. If you have a suggestion about a time that would work, please contact Katie. Senior High youth will spend the Spring semester continuing their focus on Jesus Christ, the man, the myth, and the Legend. Jesus Christ was the Son of God. He was fully divine. But He was also a man? How can He be both man and God? Senior High youth will explore the many parts of Jesus life, those that made Him human and those that made Him divine. They will find out just how Christ was able to be man, myth and legend.

12 The Ambassador 12 First Presbyterian Church Monday Lunches Calling all High Schoolers! Ramen Noodle lunches will be the 2nd & 3rd Mondays of the month in the Hospitality Area. Lunches will be from 12:15 to whenever you have to go back to class. Bring your friends and come for some tasty Ramen Noodles. It s free, its fun, it s fantastic! January 19 th, February 9 th and 16 th Mid High FroYo Do you like Frozen Yogurt? Do you like to hang out with other kids in the Youth Group? Then do I have good news for you! Starting this semester, Katie will have FroYo with you twice a month at Orange Leaf (506 N. Main St). 1 st & 4 th Mondays of the Month at 4:00 p.m. (Come when you can. Katie will be there from 4:00 to about 5:15.) Labels for Education Bring your Campbell s Labels for Education to the Hospitality Area Kitchen. Cimarron Presbytery Lock-In February 13 th Meet at the church at 6:45 p.m. so that we can load up, head to Enid and have fun at the Presbytery s first annual lock in! We ll have 13 hours of fun on Friday the 13 th. We ll play games, watch movies, have a Bible Study, and so much more! You need to bring $5.00 and a snack to share, the Presbytery will provide the rest! Please send Katie an to let her know if you plan on joining the fun by February 8 th. Senior High Morning Fellowship Calling all Senior High youth! When can you meet Katie Burgoon before school for coffee, breakfast, fellowship, and fun? We ll meet at Red Rock and the church will buy your donut or other breakfast treat, so all you have to do is help to pick a day and show up! We are trying something new. We ll be meeting on THURSDAYS for the rest of the month at 7:30 a.m. Katie and Preston Bobo will be there until about 9:00 a.m., so come when you can for as long as you can. Youth Calendar January 11 Sun 5:00 p.m. PYG Forerunners of Our Faith 12 Mon 12:15 p.m. Ramen Noodle Lunch 18 Sun 5:00 p.m. PYG What is that Pain in Your Eyes? 19 Mon 12:15 p.m. Ramen Noodle Lunch 21 Wed 7:00 p.m. Mid High Small Group 25 Sun 5:00 p.m. PYG How God s Commandments Transform Our Lives 26 Mon 4:00 p.m. Mid High FroYo Happy Birthday!!! PYG wishes a very Happy Birthday to: Eli Parsons January 28 Micah Hill February 13 February 1 Sun 5:00 p.m. PYG Super Bowl Party (Location TBA) 8 Sun 6:00 p.m. FPC s Got Talent Show 13 & 14 Fri & Sat 6:45 p.m. Cimarron Presbytery Lock-In (@FPC Enid) 15 Sun. --- NO PYG 16 Mon 12:15 p.m. Ramen Noodle Lunch 4:00 p.m. Mid High FroYo 18 Wed 6:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service 22 Sun 5:00 p.m. PYG Love Your Neighbor 23 Mon 12:15 p.m. Ramen Noodle Lunch 4:00 p.m. Mid High FroYo

13 The Ambassador 13 First Presbyterian Church Dwight Mission Camp Schedule Dates Session Grades May Family Camp All Ages June 7-13 Night Owl 6-12 Counselor In Training 12-Grad June Elementary Camp I 3-5 The Wave 3-6 Junior High Camp I 6-9 June Leadership in Training Two Week Camp 6-9 June Elementary Camp II 3-5 Junior High Camp II 6-9 Let s Make Some Noise 7-12 June 28-July 4 Ozark Adventure 6-Grad July 5-9 Elementary Adventure 3-6 July 9-12 A Creative Mess 3-6 Senior High Gathering 10-Grad July Elementary Camp III 3-5 Junior High Camp III 6-9 A Creative Mess Glue, paint, and glitter, oh my! Let your creative juices flow and don t worry about this mess as you design unique pieces of art. Campers who attend this session will spend lots of time in the art room as well as participate in traditional camp activities such as Bible study, swimming, archery, and cooking! Counselor in Training (CIT) The second step in our counselor training program. Attending LIT is not required to be a CIT but is recommended. Campers will attend a week long training session to gain valuable counseling skills then choose a second week to come back and shadow a counselor. An Additional Application is Due by May 1 st to attend this session. Family Camp The ultimate family vacation for kids from 0-102! This vacation includes time for your family to grow closer to God through Bible Study, experiencing God s creation, and through fellowship with other believers. Families can chose to participate in one of our many traditional camp activities including canoeing, swimming, archery, arts and crafts, and many more. Families will be housed in private rooms and all food is included. Junior High Camp I, II, & III An opportunity to be yourself, let go and have fun, and grow closer to God. Campers will get to participate in activities such as challenge course, archery, dodge ball, canoeing, and zip lining. Leadership in Training (LIT) Have you wondered what is like to be a counselor at Dwight Mission? LIT is a two week camp to get your feet wet in learning the skills necessary to be a counselor at summer camp as well as a leader in life. Practice working together as a team to solve challenges and help lead some of our daily activities. Campers may participate in offsite activities through their stay. An Additional Application is Due by May 1 st to attend this session. Let s Make Some Noise Do you play an instrument or love to sing? Bring your instrument and use your talent during Lunch time singing, vespers, and to serenade all who will listen. Basic guitar and voice lessons will be available. Campers will also be able to participate in traditional camp activities such as swimming, campout, and arts and crafts. Ozark Adventure Take your adventure to the next level as we spend the week exploring the Ozark Mountains! Adventures might include hiking, canoeing, rock climbing and more. Campers will spend Monday-Friday off camp, sleeping in tents, and cooking their own meals. Specially trained staff will accompany your camper on their adventure. Night Owl If your idea of a perfect summer day is to stay up late and sleep in, then this is the ideal camp for you! Night swims, night crawlers, and other special after dark activities will all be part of the fun. Senior High Gathering Camp with the freedom to choose. This special Senior High only camp is more of a conference style where you get to choose what classes or activities you want to participate in. A special speaker and traditional camp activities such as challenge course, canoeing, and swimming are sure to be the highlight of your summer. Two Week Camp If one week of camp is just not enough for you, than come to two! Just please don t forget the sunscreen! Campers attending this session may leave camp for a weekend activity. The Wave Catch the wave this summer with a week of water fun! Campers who attend this session can expect to do lots of swimming, canoeing, and of course water games. Traditional camp activities such as Night Crawlers, Bible study, and energizers will also be part of the experience. For more information on pricing and to register for camp, please visit Dwight Mission s website at

14 The Ambassador 14 First Presbyterian Church DEACON S CORNER Home Communion The Board of Deacons is able to take Communion to members who are homebound. Please notify a Deacon or the Church Office ( ) if you or someone you know would like Communion brought to their home. Homebound Member Visitations The Deacons provide Homebound Member Visitations, where Deacons and Church Member Volunteers visit homebound members at least once every two months, or on times agreed by the homebound member and visitor. The visits are very informal and may include information about recent church activities or any other topics that come up. Please contact Deacon Coordinator Jim Webster ( ) or the Church Office ( ) if you or someone you know would appreciate a visit. Deacons Food Offering Basket Your gifts of non-perishable food and personal items to the shopping cart in the Narthex are more valuable and more appreciated than ever during these difficult economic times. The items are distributed to local agencies who help those in need. All items are appreciated but please consider bringing a sack with items that could create a meal for a family (such as spaghetti sauce, noodles, vegetable, and fruit.) Look for items that are simple to prepare and shelf stable. Love Feast Our church serves Love Feast on the 3 rd Wednesday of each month from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the south campus of First United Methodist Church, 2823 South Husband. If you are interested in helping serve or cook, please contact Deacon Mary Dillingham at marydill@aol.com. SEASONED ADULTS Happy New Year to all of you!! It seems that we just started 2014 not long ago and now we are starting 2015!! I used to think it was an age thing to speed through the year; however, I know much younger folks that agree that time really flies. We are starting off 2015 with a special musical program at our January 19th Seasoned Adults Gathering. Bobby and Dayna Simma, who have entertained us before singing Tunes of the 50s, will entertain us with Tunes of the 60s. This duo is fun, talented and entertaining. I hope you will put it on your calendar for the 19th. If you have suggestions for programs for the coming year, please let me know. Gary and Nancy Simpson will drive up from Austin in March to share their trip Berlin to Bavaria with us. I can t wait to hear the music that goes with the presentation! Lucy Newlin will entertain us sometime this spring. She does not need an introduction! I am looking forward to both programs. Just a reminder we have a wonderful group that meets at 10:00 am every Thursday morning for Bible study. Think about starting the New Year by joining us! Blessing to all!! Margy Recently Enlisted Justin Fowler enlisted in the United States Navy and recently left Stillwater for basic training. He would enjoy notes, cards, letters from his church family in Stillwater. Justin s address is: SR Fowler, Justin Ship 2 Div Ohio St Great Lakes, Il At this time, Justin can only receive letters. Care packages can be sent at a future date to be determined.

15 The Ambassador 15 First Presbyterian Church M I : December 2014 F All University students (Presbyterian or not) are invited to join in any of our fellowship and study opportunities. Whether you are interested in an indepth Bible study, a chance to engage in mission and service, or just some time to meet other students and talk about life and faith, there's a place for you here. If you have any questions concerning the University Fellowship, please contact Doug Sides, University Coordinator doug.sides@okstate.edu. Weekly Fellowship: Bible Study: there will be two half-hour Bible studies each week in front of Bread & Beyond in the OSU Student Union; days and times to be determined. Monthly Fellowship: Movie Night: hosted by members of FPC who want to welcome you and feed you a great homemade dinner and dessert! We will watch a movie that sparks thoughtful discussion about faith and life. Lunch Out: one Sunday each month, students meet after the 11:00 a.m. worship service and go out to lunch together. Lunch is free - the place is decided by those who gather. Watch for more information. Year to Date % of Budget Giving $ 47,991 $ 551, Other Income $ 1,775 $ 33, Total Income $ 49,766 $ 584, Expenditures ($ 42,319) ($ 560,052) 98.3 Net $ 7,447 $ 24,647 If you have questions about giving records, contact Mary Beth Garoffolo, our part-time Finance Assistant, or Arletta Webster, Church Treasurer, in the Church Office or by at accountantfp@swbell.net. PW News The next regular PW luncheon meeting will be held February 11, 2015, in the Fellowship Hall at 11:45a.m. We will have time to share visiting with each other, as well as to enjoy learning more about the Life Center from Jacqui Lutterbie. Hope you will plan to be there and bring a friend!! Lunch is $5. Reservations need to be turned in to the Church Office by February 9. Our Circles meet for Bible Study on the 4th Wednesday mornings at 9:15 a.m. at the church. This year's Horizon Bible Study is Reconciling Paul, a contemporary study of 2 Corinthians by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. Second Mile Sewing meets regularly on the first, third, and fifth Wednesday of the month. This group is always open to new members who like to sew and chat (they enjoy lunch together, too). Stop by and see the quilt and other projects they are working on. Be sure to pick up your new 2015 yearbook for updated information for the next year. Just in case you are not aware: every woman in our church is listed in our yearbook each year by name and phone number, several with addresses. All circle members and officers are listed with addresses as well, so this is a very handy reference to pick up each year. Your Circle Leader will be passing them out. (If per chance you are not in a circle, you may pick up a yearbook in the Church Library or at the Information Desk in the Narthex.) If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Sydney Reding, or any of the other officers. We have a very involved Coordinating Team, which welcomes suggestions and new ideas. Sydney Reding, Moderator sydney.reding@sbcglobal.net 2014 Giving Statements End of year giving statements are available to pick up in the Narthex. Please save the Church postage expenses by taking yours home. Review it as soon as possible. If you have questions regarding your statement, contact Mary Beth Garoffolo or Arletta Webster at accountantfp@swbell.net or

16 The Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, February 1, 2015 at 12:15 p.m. (following 11:00 a.m. worship) (See article on page 9) Visit us on the web at Worship at First Presbyterian Sunday Worship Schedule Worship - 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Morning Prayers 8:45 a.m. Monday, Tuesday & Thursday Worship Center Midweek Communion 8:30 a.m. Wednesday Worship Center Leah Hrachovec... Lhrachovec@swbell.net Katie Burgoon... childrenandyouth@swbell.net Church Office & Cathy Fairbanks... fpchurch1889@swbell.net Church Treasurer - Arletta Webster... accountantfp@swbell.net Mary Beth Garoffolo... officeassistant1@swbell.net Rebecca te Velde... rgtevelde@brightok.net Margy Knox... mhknox@sbcglobal.net Peter Thomas..collectorbooks@gmail.com Dana Brown... prespreschool@gmail.com Doug Sides... doug.sides@okstate.edu Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Stillwater, Oklahoma Permit No. 143 Deadline for Next issue: Thursday, February 12