Good Tidings. Pastor s Corner

Transcription

1 April 2018 Good Tidings Northminster Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, FL Pastor s Corner APRIL SERVICES Sundays at 10:30 AM Rev. Wally Johnson April 1 When God Whispers Your Name John 20:1-18 April 8 The Joy of Forgiveness 1 John 1 April 15 Guest Minister Rev. Ray Davies April 22 The Power of Love 1 John 3:16-24 April 29 Confidence Before God 1 John 4:7-21 Christ is Risen He is risen indeed! This response echoes in our churches as we remember the empty tomb and experience the reality of the resurrection in our lives and in our churches. Christ is Risen He is risen indeed! The call to remember the cross and the empty tomb is a call to us to walk daily in the newness of life. Paul prays for the church, in the Book of Ephesians, that we might come to know the power of God that is within us, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. There are no power outages where God is concerned! My prayer for you and for myself is that we become more aware of the presence of God with us on our journey of faith. I pray we will see him in the wonder of creation, in the smile of a friend, in the laughter of a child, in a warm embrace, in our tears, and in our joys. God is Immanuel God with Us! I pray we will be refreshed by his presence and refresh others with the ministry of presence! Christ is Risen He is Risen indeed! In His Service, Pastor Wally E-100 What on earth is E-100? Scripture Union promotes the reading of the Scriptures and they developed a program of reading the essential one hundred stories of the Bible over a twenty week period. There are fifty stories from the Old Testament and fifty from the New. Reading schedules will be available for you with five stories to read each week. Each week, during the study, I will preach on one of five weekly stories and, for those interested, we will have a discussion class over the other four. I think you will enjoy the journey of all of us reading the same stories each week and bringing that understanding to our worship. I am excited to share this journey with you. For our seasonal friends, please take a reading schedule with you and follow along. You can even listen to the sermons online and stay up-to-date that way as well. We will begin our readings Monday, May 14 and I will preach the first sermon on one of those stories on May 20. I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I will. Let s have some fun!

2 Page 2 GOOD Celebrating and Dedicating El Evangelio de Juan In Celebration of God s Word, both English and Spanish-speakers gathered together for Worship on Sunday, March 11. We prayed, sang, danced and, yes, shared together in a delicious meal provided by gracious hands. We had come to Dedicate El Evangelio de Juan our new Spanish Gospel of John. Many labored for years on this project. Rev. Paul Eckel, President of Bible Mission USA translated the original biblical Greek into conversational English. Rev. Julio Travieso, beloved retired pastor of Beth-El, converted the English into conversational Spanish. Juan s Gospel was edited by native-born Latinos and Spanish-speaking missionaries. Thank you: Patty Li, Mario Manrique, Christine King and Pat Christenson. Both translators and editors received a large and handsome sculpture of an eagle in flight. The eagle has always symbolized John s Gospel, soaring high in telling the story of Jesus. The dedication plaque on each eagle reminds us that God carried on eagles wings the people he had chosen for himself (Exodus 19:4). At the conclusion of worship, everyone was given a pocket-sized Evangelio de Juan. Farmworkers still in the fields will find in their bagged lunches this week a Spanish Gospel of John to share with their families. Northminster has been a strategic partner in this project. In fact, the inspiration to start this project began at NPC about three years ago. Dave Moore (the Ex. Director at Beth-El at the time) and I were both speaking at one of NPC s Mission Sundays. He talked about Beth-El and their ministry, and I about Bible Mission, USA and our newly published English Gospel of John. Afterward Dave said, If you could convert your English Gospel of John into Spanish, we could really use such a resource in our outreach to Latino Farmworkers. That was the start of what recently came to fruition. These pocket-sized Gospels ideal for workers-on-the-move! are provided at no cost to Farmworker Ministries. This is an outreach of Bible Mission USA. Pray for and support these ministries. And remember, farmworkers can now have the story of Jesus Life, Death and Resurrection as close as their own pockets! Dr. Paul T. Eckel, President Bible Mission USA Ten from NPC Walk for Hunger Thank you Northminster! The results are in from the March 4 th Church World Services CROP Walk. NPC s team raised $1,673! Twenty-five percent of this money goes directly to Sarasota s All Faiths Food Bank. The remaining seventy-five percent will go to support missions throughout the U.S. and the world to combat hunger. Thank you NPC, for your generous support. And kudos to our team of walkers: Carmen and Lee Anderson, Mark Goslin, Joan Kania, Joyce & Wally Johnson, Jerry Landis, Eileen McKenzie, Matt Stevenson, and Robin Sutcliffe.

3 TIDINGS Page 3 Your Mission Offerings Support... Beth-El Farmworkers Ministry Beth-El helps farm workers achieve self-sufficiency through its open opportunities to worship, its extensive education programs, and the many services it provides to meet basic needs. Among its core programs are worship, a food pantry, education, meals, camps for children, and counseling. In addition to financial support, Northminster collects clothing for the workers: specifically pants, white t-shirts, underwear, work boots, socks, and baseball caps. Other clothing, toys, and household items are donated to their resale shop. Free Wheelchair Mission FWM works around the world sending wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people. The durable, all-terrain wheelchair is simple, and cost-effective. In many areas of the world, injuries or defects, that could be easily corrected if medical care were available, condemn people to life as a cripple. A wheelchair brings mobility, independence, and dignity to those who would otherwise be forced to crawl, be carried, or live in isolation. The Presbyterian Church of Kirkuk, Iraq Approximately forty Syrian refugees are still housed in the Kirkuk Presbyterian church, where classrooms and offices have became small apartments. The Kirkuk Church has managed to not only minister to these refugees, but also to refugees in churches and camps elsewhere in northern Iraq. The Church still continues its regular programs including a Kindergarten and Child Care Center. Northminster helps to provide support for their relief efforts. Resurrection House Resurrection House is a faith-based resource center committed to transitioning at-risk individuals to a path of self-sufficiency. It serves as a day resource center to the homeless with services that include showers, restrooms, laundry, counseling, medical treatment, food, clothing, veteran's assistance, post office, phone, and more. We also collect hotel-size toiletries for their use. Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center SPARCC is the only state-certified center for domestic violence and sexual assault services for Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. They provide a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, and multiple services for survivors of abuse. In addition, SPARCC is actively engaged, through community education programs, in addressing and changing social norms that support violence against women. In addition to your offerings, we collect used cell phones, phone chargers, and accessories. Donated phones are refurbished and programmed to serve as 911 phones to help those in crisis. All Faiths Food Bank AFFB is the hub of hunger relief in Sarasota county, providing food for families with children, the elderly, the unemployed, and low-income earners. Every month a yellow barrel full of food is picked up from the Narthex. Monthly collections weigh anywhere from 12o to over 200 pounds. Some of the most needed items are: rice, dried beans, canned fruit and vegetables, canned meat and tuna, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, and canned tomato sauce. Please do not donate food in glass containers.

4 Page 4 GOOD Let s Get Together Try Metro s meatloaf. Were You Ready for Hurricane Irma? What can you do to be better prepared for a disaster? Join us on Saturday, April 7, at 9:00, when Steve Guetschal, from the American Red Cross, will talk to us about disaster preparedness. The Fellowship Committee will provide a delicious breakfast of egg casserole, sausage, and pancakes for $5.00. Please sign up in the Narthex. Presbyterians Eating Out You probably noticed the construction that was going on across the street from the church. Metro Diner is finally open and we will meet there on April 20 at 5:30 for our next PEO gathering. Metro Diner s Jacksonville location was featured on Food Network s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri. Sign up now in the Narthex for your chance to try their fare! Farewell Jack and Carol After serving the Northminster congregation for ten years as an Administrative Consultant and then Finance and Business Manager, Jack Tibbets is retiring (again). Jack and Carol have both consistently supported the mission of NPC through their participation in many groups and committees. On Sunday, April 8, we will bid them farewell with a party, in the Fellowship Hall, following the worship service. Please come and show them how much they will be missed. Artists and Crafters Unite! Artists and crafters meet every Wednesday from 10:30 til sometime in the afternoon, in the Education Building. Bring your project, supplies, and a sack lunch, and spend some time creating your next masterpiece with fellow artisans. ROMEO and JULIET The Retired Old Men Eating Out and the Just Us Ladies Into Eating Together groups will have breakfast at First Watch on the corner of Lockwood Ridge Rd. and SR70 on Fridays, April 6 and 20, at 8:30. These two groups meet in the same restaurant, but are seated at opposite ends. Please sign up in the Narthex. Tai Chi for Balance Several people have indicated interest in having a Tai Chi class here at NPC. The cost would be $20 for a fourweek introduction and we need a minimum of ten participants. If you re interested, please sign the sheet in the Narthex. Dates and time will be arranged to best suit those who sign up. Free Line Dancing Class Got two left feet? No rhythm? No worries! Come join us for user friendly line dancing, every Friday at 2:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Classes are free and beginners are welcomed. Come join us for fun, fellowship, and a chance to work off a few calories!

5 TIDINGS Page 5 Presbyterian Women PW Spring Luncheon The annual PW spring luncheon is scheduled for Monday, April 9, 11:30, at Der Dutchman. The cost is $17 and reservations need to be in by Sunday, April 1 st (Easter Sunday). The program is a Christian Comedienne from the St. Pete area, who has had rave reviews. Look for the sign up sheet in the Narthex and give your payment (correct amount in cash or check) to Debbie Latimer. Make your check out to PWNPC. Seating will be limited to 30 persons, so get your reservations in soon! April PW Meetings PW Coordinating Team Monday, April 2, 10:30 Esther Circle: Thursday, April 5, 12:00 Leader: Jane Clark Ruth Circle: Monday, April 16, 10:00 Leader: Valerie Wilde Mary Circle: Wednesday, April 25, 10:00 Leader: Debbie Latimer New Florist, New Flower Committee Would you like to donate flowers to commemorate a special date or in honor of a loved one? There are several open dates in April and May. Please check the flower order sheet in the Narthex. Note that we have ar new form which has a place for you to indicate your "flower dedication. There are also some Flower Donation Envelopes, attached to the clipboard, to remind you to place your flower payment in the offering plate. The florist has changed and so has the cost; it is now $35.00 per arrangement. Jo Ann Paul and Dee Sosnowski Thank You A heartfelt thank you to our Northminster family... Richard recently had an echo cardiogram and subsequent visit with the cardiologist who performed the TAVR (trans catheter aortic valve replacement) the second week of January. Dr. Schreibman advised that Richard now has a normally functioning aortic valve. No restrictions on activity. We are more than grateful for the prayers, calls, cards, visits, food, flowers during this rather difficult time. There is no doubt that they all made a huge difference in his recovery. We would be glad to speak with anyone who questions the power of prayer. We are indeed blessed and humbled by all of these contacts from our Northminster family. Blessings to all, Richard and Helen Healy

6 TIDINGS Page 6 Office Hours: Mon Thurs: 9:00-3:30 Fri: 9:00-2:00 April Deadlines Announcements for the Sunday Bulletin are due in the office by noon every Wednesday. Session Committee Reports are due in the office by Wednesday, April 11, for the meeting on Wednesday, April 18. Good Tidings: Please submit all articles, reports, and announcements for the May Good Tidings by Sunday, April 15, by , to office@npcsarasota.org. Watch for Your 2018 First Quarter Statement First quarter Pledge Statements will be mailed out this month. If you have any questions, please contact Isabel, in the office. Any corrections that may need to be made are easier at the beginning of the year! 1 Carl Rowe 2 Jeanne Peters Bob Price 5 Arianne Dahlem 7 Ken Dotzour Barry Ladd Sandy Stiles 8 Jan Gubrud 9 Earl Buell Bess Mitchell 11 Mary Stoltie 12 Joyce Menk Office Notes April Birthdays Earth Day is April 22 With Earth Day just around the corner, you can calculate your Environmental Footprint at There are many very small and easy steps that can be taken to decrease our impact on the environment, individually and as a congregation. Attn: Seasonal Friends As you prepare to head back home (or to a summer place), please be sure to contact the office and let us know when you re leaving and when you expect to return. If you follow a fairly regular schedule, you ll only have to notify us this one time. Our new database program will automatically update your address every year! Please call ( ) or (0ffice@npcsarasota.org) with this information so that we can send statements, newsletters, and other correspondence to the correct address. Isabel Oake 13 Cora Lee Cain Sally Hough 14 Joanne Brainard Allen Williamson Mary Winkle 15 Susie Smith 19 Bob Olson Jim Pinson 21 Steve Thompson 22 Ed Gremp Dick Robley 25 Betsy Lange 29 Bob Gubrud

7 Northminster Presbyterian Church 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Easter 10:30 Worship/ Communion 2 10:30 PW Coordinating Team-L 5:30 Fellowship Committee-L 3 9:30 Jazz-S 10 Bible Study 11:15 Staff 12 Worship Committee-L 4 Bible Study 6 AlAnon (EB) 7 Rose Group Women s AA-FH 4 10:30 Artists-EB 10:30 Membership Com.-L 1 Bridge-FH 5 10 Bible Study- FH 12 Esther Cir-L 2 Bible Study at Inspired Living 6:45 Choir-S 6 8:30 ROMEO & JULIET 10 Bible Study at Discovery Vlg. 2 Line Dance-FH 7 9 Pancake Breakfast-FH 8 9 Bible Study-FH 10:30 Worship 11:30 Farewell Party for the Tibbets 9 11:30 PW Lunch 10 9:30 Jazz-S 10 Bible Study 11:15 Staff 2 Deacons-L 4 Bible Study 6 AlAnon (EB) 7 Rose Group Women s AA-FH 11 10:30 Artists-EB 10:30 Mission-L Session Reports Due Bible Study- FH 11:30 Outreach & Marketing-L 6:45 Choir-S 13 10:30 Bible Study at Desoto Palms 2 Line Dance-FH Bible Study-FH 10:30 Worship 3:00 Suncoast Band Concert-S Good Tidings Deadline Ruth Circle-L 1:30 Discipleship Sq-L 17 9:30 Jazz-S 10 Bible Study 11:15 Staff 4 Bible Study 6 AlAnon (EB) 7 Rose Group Women s AA-FH 18 10:30 Artists-EB 3 Seekers Sq-L 7 Session Bible Study- FH 2 Bible Study at Inspired Living 6:45 Choir-S 20 8:30 ROMEO & JULIET 10 Bible Study at Discovery Vlg. 2 Line Dance-FH 5:30 Presbyterians Eating Out Bible Study-FH 10:30 Worship 3 Jazz Ambassadors-S :30 Jazz-S 10 Bible Study 11:15 Staff 4 Bible Study 6 AlAnon (EB) 7 Rose Group Women s AA-FH Mary Cir-L 10:30 Artists-EB Bible Study- FH 6:45 Choir-S Line Dance-FH 29 9 Bible Study-FH 10:30 Worship 3 Suncoast Band Concert-S 30 Locations EB=Education Bldg. FH= Fellowship Hall L= Library S= Sanctuary * The Spanish speaking congregation of Iglesia del Redentor, meets Sunday mornings in the Education Building.

8 GOOD TIDINGS Northminster Presbyterian Church st Street Sarasota, FL Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #526 Manasota, FL In God we trust CURRENT RESIDENT PLACE LABEL HERE Northminster Presbyterian Church Called by Christ. Sent by Christ. STAFF: SUNDAY WORSHIP: 10:30 a.m. Rev. Wally Johnson, Pastor OFFICE HOURS: Isabel Oake, Office Administrator 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM Monday Thursday office@npcsarasota.org 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Friday Jack Tibbets, Business & Finance Manager jack@npcsarasota.org PHONE: Sally Kirby, Clerk of Session FAX: clerkofsession@npcsarasota.org office@npcsarasota.org Edward L. Stiles, Jr., Music Director WEBSITE: music@npcsarasota.org Gail Ofterdinger-Ledgister, Organist Northminster Presbyterian Church Sarasota Florida Northminster Presbyterian Church Good Tidings is published for members and friends of the church to promote its programs and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.