The Lamb s Kin. Devotion for May. First Presbyterian Church. As Christians we should rise above the trash given us by popular culture

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church Devotion for May Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; And you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor. Isaiah 55:1-5 The Lamb s Kin May 2013 A message from our pastor Bill Proctor As Christians we should rise above the trash given us by popular culture W ell, it s happened again. Four years ago someone stole one of our trashcans trash and all. Though it had been my practice to put our two trashcans out by the curb the mornings of our trash pickup, I had decided to go ahead and put our trashcans out the night before like I had observed all of my neighbors typically did. The next morning though, as I started for work, I noticed one of our trashcans was missing not both of them just one. Thinking some teenagers had been by during the night and, as a prank, had simply taken the one and moved it to another house; I drove all around our neighborhood and never did find it. I confess I could not understand why someone would steal a completely full trashcan. When we moved to San Angelo nearly six years ago one of the first things we did was purchase two new trashcans. Trashcans, by the very nature of their use, do not age well and we had made the easy decision to leave our old trashcans behind in Pennsylvania when we moved back to Texas. Fast forward four years later and guess what? Our remaining trashcan was stolen last week. Once again it was taken when it was full of trash. None of our neighbors are missing their trashcans just us. If our two matching trashcans had been anything special or gold-plated or even sparkling clean I could possibly understand why someone would steal them. Yet in our case they were nothing more than used, dirty and yes smelly trashcans that sat in the alley along with those that belong to all of our neighbors. In the meantime, while I decide whether or not to bother replacing the trashcan, (or whether or not if I do replace it that I should also buy a lock and chain to fasten it to our fence), the experience of having two trashcans stolen has caused me to have a moment or two of theological reflection (which is something pastors are prone to do). My reflection is this we are often encouraged to take the good things we see in other people characteristics such as kindness, generosity, patience, faithfulness, honor, integrity and apply them in our own lives. The lives of the saints once served as such inspiration for Christians, while today we Presbyterians typically look to faithful men and women we know and admire for guidance and encouragement on how we might live more faithfully and fully. The challenge we face is that we live in a culture that more often than not hands out trash and then encourages us to take it and use it in our lives. Just as I am puzzled by why anyone would take our very used, smelly and full of trash trashcans, I am equally puzzled by why we humans are so willing to take the bad stuff of our culture and use it in our lives. Continued on page 2

2 P A G E 2 Continued from page 1 Community-wide prayer service for rain, May 8 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. San Angelo Convention Center 500 Rio Concho Drive I like to think that if someone offered us an old, used trashcan full of trash we would decline the offer. Yet when our culture offers us trashy music, movies, television shows, fashion, language, YouTube videos and so on and so forth many of us embrace them and use them to guide our thoughts and direct our opinions. Followers of Christ are called to a higher standard. We are called to evaluate carefully to choose wisely to prayerfully consider and to determine who we are and how we are to live according to the standard we find in the Word of God. Having our trashcans stolen ranks low on the scale of tragic life events but choosing to live in ways that trash God s good name and deny God s love for us is tragic indeed. We can do better. May we choose to live better, and more faithfully, day by day, in the light of God s love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Bill It s not too late to volunteer for VBS! V BS 2013 will be here before we know it and there are still some Station Leader positions that must be filled! This year s theme is Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong for God. Pre-School Chadder s Theatre a rotation for the little ones that involves showing a video segment each day and sharing the daily bible point and bible verse is in need of one more volunteer; Pre-School Palace Games a rotation for the little ones that involves fun physical activities and the sharing of the daily bible point and bible verse is in need of one volunteer; Fanfare Finale the final rotation of each morning where all ages are together is in need of one more volunteer and involves zany ways of reinforcing what the children have learned that morning; lastly, an official VBS photographer is needed someone who will provide the Spotlight VBS segment each day. The children of VBS are the stars of Spotlight VBS and they love seeing themselves up on the screen as part of a daily slideshow! Finally, youth volunteers are needed to serve as Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders. These two positions are vitally important to the success of VBS. The children adore the crew leaders! This is a great way for youth to get any needed volunteer hours for school or civic groups. Additionally, for those college-bound youth it looks great on a college application to have been a VBS volunteer year after year! Please call Susan Gober, at , to volunteer or FMI.

3 5/3 Doris Goodson, Madison Massey 5/4 Robin Vosseteig 5/5 Annalisa Day, 5/7 Cynthia White 5/8 Dean Hunt 5/10 Karen Early, Allyn Byars, Jan Coffey 5/12 Meredith Cecil 5/13 Ross Baxter 5/14 Rick Stinnett, Luke Uherik 5/15 Sherrie Klein P A G E 3 5/16 Maryana Symes 5/17 Jamie Barker, Clay Gibson 5/18 Bradley Heare, Mary Jo Thomson 5/19 Zach Stinnett, Julia Boster 5/20 Pat Attebery, Kyle Stinnett, Jensine Doyle 5/21 Carolyn Cargile, William Jost 5/22 Tom Granaghan, Gerry Palmer 5/24 Garrett Walling, Cassie Doyle 5/26 Davis Cornell 5/27 Katherine Kappelmann, Richard Duerksen, Clay Palmer 5/30 Glee Montgomery 5/31 Alice Sisco, Lorenzo Lasater Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 6:45 MBS :30 WID - CR :00 Youth/ Parent Lunch 4 5 TEACHER APPRE. 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Serv Youth Fundraiser Lunch NO Ground Up 6 5:15 PRTF - CR 7 12:45 CE CO - CR 5:30 p.m. Adult CE CR 8 6:45 MBS :15 Diaconate 107 Music & B/S as usual 9 10:30 WID - CR 5:30 Music TF - CR Mother s Day 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Serv NO Ground Up 13 PRTF :45 Staff 15 6:45 MBS Music & B/S as usual 16 10:30 WID - CR Pentecost w/ Communion 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Serv 12:00 Sr Banquet- Commons 5:00 Ground Up Hirschfelds 20 5:15 Steward. - CR PRTF :15 Session :45 MBS Music & B/S as usual :15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Serv NO Ground Up 27 MEMORIAL DAY OFFICE CLOSED NO SCHOOL Soup Kitchen NO AA 5:15 PRTF - CR :45 MBS Music & B/S as usual SAISD last day of school

4 P A G E 4 Thankful Hearts C alling all women, working outside the home or inside the home! There will be a summer book club starting Tuesday, June 25. The club will meet again on July 30 and August 27. Each session will begin at noon and end at 1:00 p.m. Book titles will be made available as soon as the decision is made on the books to be read and discussed for the three meeting dates. There is not a designated leader for the book club. Each person should come prepared with 3 discussion points from the book. Bring your lunch if you d like. Iced tea and water will be available for everyone. Please call the church office, , to signup so we know how many copies of the book to order. Each participant will then purchase the book from the church. Dear Church family, I wanted to send you a note of thanks for the care packages you sent. You may think it was a small gesture but it wasn t to us. Thank you again for showing us that after 12 years of war, our country still loves us as much as we love it. May God bless you and keep you all. Pray for us. Semper Fi, Major B. Shannon Arnwine, USMC Dear Christian friends, Thank you so much for the beautiful Easter lily that was delivered to me by Jasper McClellan. It is heavy with blooms and will be a reminder of your caring love for days to come. Also, it is always a pleasure to visit with Jasper, even briefly. We are so blessed to have him with us. May the good Lord through our Savior continue to bless your lives in very special ways. Gratefully, Martha Williams Dear Friends, The flowers and visit from Barbara Rogers after the April 7 service were beautiful and much appreciated. Thanks for your prayers, notes, cards and calls from Jasper. I hope to be able to attend Worship again very soon. Love, Wanda Cook Dear Church Family, Just a note say thank you to Bill and Jasper for the many hospital visits and prayers. The flowers I received from the church were beautiful and still are. They were greatly appreciated. Thanks to all. God is Great! Jerry Lee Dear Friends of Project Dignidad, On behalf of the Project Dignidad staff and board, I want to thank you for your generous donation of 10 Easter baskets and hams for needy families and individuals. We simply could not do what we do without the unflagging support of donors like you. As we give thanks to God for the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we remember the words He told us in the Gospel of John, Love one another as I have loved you. Your support of Project Dignidad is a testimony to the love of Christ being lived out in our midst. God s blessings this Eastertide and always, Celia Ellery Board Chair

5 P A G E 5 Youth news Parent Luncheon All parents of current 5th-12th grade students are invited to attend our parent luncheon on Friday, May 3. This luncheon has a fourfold purpose: 1) To give parents an opportunity to share their ideas for the youth program, 2) To give parents student faith development resources, 3) To inform parents of youth program events and the summer schedule, 4) To provide a time to meet the Youth Staff. The luncheon will be held in the FPC parlor from 12:00-1:00. Chore Board Will work for camp There are several of our students eager to pay for camp this summer. We are looking for some odd jobs or chores that they could do to earn money towards their camp balance. If you have some work that the youth could do, please consider posting it on our new Chore Board in the commons. Youth Fellowship at the FPC Lake Lodge will start on June 3! Nearly every Monday evening throughout the summer, everyone is invited to come share a meal, swim, go out on the boat, play horseshoes, volleyball, checkers or whatever you wish to do with your friends. A devotional period will be mixed in the fun. We ll open the doors at 5:30 and close at 8:00. Sunday school Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser Luncheon Join us for a Taco Salad Lunch right after the morning worship service on May 5! The middle school students who are attending The Great Escape Camp will be hosting the meal in an effort to raise money for their camp costs. Plates will be served on a donation basis. Coin Collection for Joplin, Mission Trip Help us raise money for our Rebuild Joplin Mission Trip by donating your loose change! We have a large container set out in the commons that we are hoping we can fill up. We will be taking donations throughout the summer. Our trip is July 27 - August 3. S unday, May 5, is the day we will recognize and honor our Sunday school teachers! If you have taught Sunday school for the school year, please make every effort to attend worship on May 5. This is for teachers of ALL ages! In addition, we will ask all teachers in public, private and higher education to stand and be recognized as well. May 6-May 10 is the nationally celebrated Teacher Appreciation week!

6 P A G E 6 Meet the FPC Confirmation Class of 2013 Madison Wall Bates, daughter of Liz & Devin Bates and granddaughter of Kay & Dale Bates and Pollyanna & Steve Stephens. Madison is an 8th grader at Cornerstone Christian School. Cameron Scott Hunt, son of Ruth & Dean Hunt. Cameron is an 8th grader at Glenn Middle School. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6 Meredith Grace Cecil, daughter of Julie & Steve Cecil and granddaughter of Joy & Bill Morehead. Meredith is an 8th grader at Glenn Middle School. Beau Cameron Lasater, son of Leslie & Lorenzo Lasater and grandson of Annette & Laurie Lasater. Beau is a 9th grader Central Freshmen Campus. Avrey Elizebeth Curry, daughter of Cari & Jeff Curry. Avrey is an 8th grader at Lee Middle School. Macy Michelle Massey, daughter of Margay & Doug Massey and granddaughter of Mary Erwin and the late Nelson Erwin. Macy is an 8th grader at Glenn Middle School. Hannah Avery Hill, daughter of Amy & Shane Hill. Hannah is an 8th grader at Christoval Middle School. Catherine Allison Walvoord, daughter of Kim & Keith Walvoord. Catherine is an 8th grader at Ambleside. Cameron, Catherine, Avrey, Macy, Madison, Hannah, Meredith, Beau

7 P A G E 7 Morgan Evan Anderson Morgan grew up in San Antonio as a triplet to his two sisters. A graduate of Trinity University, Morgan enlisted in the Air Force and currently works in intelligence at Goodfellow Air Force Base. Recently engaged to Brin, who is also in the Air Force and currently stationed in California, they plan to be married sometime in the New Year. Morgan is interested in all things related to the outdoors, including sports and camping. Courtney Blackwell Epstein Courtney grew up in Cuero, TX, as a member of First Presbyterian Church there. While a student at Texas A&M University she met Evan Epstein, who grew up in Austin. Evan is a JAG at Goodfellow Air Force base. They were living in northern Italy where Evan had been stationed when their twin boys Eli and Porter were born. Eli and Porter will soon celebrate their third birthday. The move to San Angelo was great because it brought them back to Texas and close to their families once again. Courtney works at Community Health Center and lists as her interests visiting all of the playgrounds in San Angelo with her two boys, and Aggie football. Wes and Tara Langerhans Wes grew up in Austin and was in the Corps at Texas A&M, which is where he and Tara met. Tara grew up in San Angelo and Water Valley. They are the proud parents of Watson, who recently turned three years old. Wes works for T-Star Ranch and Southwestern Livestock Mineral. Tara also works for Southwestern Livestock Mineral which, along with the T-Star Ranch, belongs to her family. F irst Presbyterian Church, for the second year in a row, is forming a team of volunteers to prepare and serve a meal to House of Faith campers on July 2 at Lake Brownwood! Last summer a team of FPC volunteers went to Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat and fed over 300 elementary-age children and their counselors. We cooked over 300 burgers and quite a few hotdogs too! Catalani Produce out of San Antonio donated numerous delicious watermelons, tomatoes, lettuce and onions to our cause. The Catalani s have ties to Nancy & John Cargile. And, many wonderful FPC bakers got busy and baked scrumptious Brownies that we served to all those hungry campers! We d never seen so many yummy Brownies! If you were part of the team that went to Lake Brownwood last summer and would like to do it again, or if your schedule didn t allow you to volunteer last year and it will this year, then please give Susan Gober a call at the church office, It was a busy day. It was a long day. More than anything it was an awesome day. They sent us on our way by singing to us and praying for us. God was clearly present join us this summer you will be blessed if you do.

8 Charlotte Fisher & family on the death of Bruce Fisher, March 28, 2013 Becky & Ted Swiderski & family on the death of Becky s mother, Willadeen Barrett, March 28, 2013 Nancy & Richard Hooker & family on the death of Nancy s mother, Lois Nixon, April 5, 2013 Ruth & Dean Hunt & family on the death of Dean s grandmother, Betha Hicks, April 9, 2013 Teri & Tim McQueen and family on the death of Teri s father, Joseph Brininstool, April 9, And to Karla & Wally Hohmann & family on the death of Wally s mother, Mildred Hohmann, April 26, Food for the month of May Crackers, any kind of canned meat, Also, powdered or canned milk would be appreciated. Canned vegetables and dry pasta are needed as well. Please place your donations in the basket in the Commons. The Lamb s Kin is published monthly for the members and friends of First Presbyterian Church. Deadline is the 20th of each month. Please your news to Susan Gober gosusan@msn.com Church office: Church office choffice@gte.net May 5 Ronnie Hooker, Donna Crisp, Julie Cecil, Allyn Byars May 12 Fran & Tom Early, Robert Meyer, Julie Quam, Randy Gardner, Tom Granaghan May 19 Gabriela Spraggins, Steve Stephens, Susan & Paul Little, Janet & Warner Phillips May 26 Kathy & Ken Newman, Evalie & Neal Grigg, Bette & Don Allison May Flower Delivery May 5 Bradley Heare Ruth Hunt May 12 Casey Puckitt Ezra Walling May 19 Paul Little Doran Reynolds May 26 Noma Perrine Julie Quam