BELLVIEWS. April First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Center FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DALLAS CENTER, IA UPCOMING EVENTS: In This Issue:

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1 April 2017 Page 1 BELLVIEWS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DALLAS CENTER, IA April 2017 In This Issue: We at FPC have a vision to Know Jesus: To listen to his story, to sing his praises, To paint His portrait for all to share Pastor s Message 2 Greeters, Fellowship, Liturgists, Deacons, Birthdays, Anniversaries 3 Announcements 4 5 Christian Ed. page 6 Calendar Church Information 7 8 UPCOMING EVENTS: April 9 OGHS Palm Sunday Session Meeting April 13 Maundy Thursday dinners April 14 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Service April 16 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 Easter Services with communion General Office Hours 9:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Center Pastor s Office Hours 8:00 a.m. Noon Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

2 April 2017 Page 2 Just Who Do We Think We Are? Have you noticed, dear saints, the change taking place in our community? Have you noticed the new housing developments being constructed in Dallas Center? The farm land south of our church building has been purchased for the purpose of future development. Dallas county is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. There are new faces around town and in our community many of whom have no roots in Dallas Center. A new church has started in our community in anticipation of this growth and change. Have you also noticed the change taking place in our congregation? Have you noticed the new faces in worship, at WOW, and in our life and ministry? Do you know that 30% of our members commute to church from outside of Dallas Center? Do you know that we have been gradually growing in our membership over the last 6 years, and so have many of our programs? Do you know that average regular church participation for many of our members is closer to once every other week rather than weekly? You ve probably seen by now the addition of a new stage area, a praise band, and better use of technology in our worship space and classrooms. We have expanded our mission and education ministries. We are now dreaming and discerning together about expanding our facilities. We are in the middle of transformation, dear saints. We are a little larger, more diverse in our membership, and we reflect the growing national trend of less frequent worship and ministry participation. It s an exciting time in the life of our congregation, but it can also seem a little scary. Because things have been changing so quickly we really haven t had the time to get to know one another. This is especially true between our long-time members and our new members. In some ways, we have different ideas about being the church, about being in community together, and even about doing ministry in the church. We have different values, priorities, and commitments. And with less time to get to know one another, share our lives and our stories together, it becomes challenging to know just who we are as a congregation. While some might call this a challenge I think what we really have is a wonderful opportunity to build community at FPC in new and intentional ways. We have an opportunity to share our stories with one another, to learn from one another, and to grow deep and wide in our faith as a congregation in new, relational ways. In the early Church, the Apostle Peter calls the Church a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5). He wants to share with the people of God that the Church serves as an intermediary between God and the world, and it is in the togetherness of the people that they serve in this role. Peter equates the people of God to building blocks being fashioned into a spiritual house where Christ is the cornerstone. In this house spiritual sacrifices (our whole lives) are offered to God (1 Peter 2:5). In this house all of the blocks are fashioned together in relationship with each other. The Apostle Paul also reminds us that the Church is like a body where Christ is the head and all people work together as the body to fulfill God s purposes (1 Corinthians 12:12). What bonds the spiritual house together and what synchs the body s parts in order to work together are the trusting relationships the members have with God and with each other. Friends I invite you on a journey of exploration and discovery as we dive into our call as a priesthood of all believers. We will learn what it is to be the Church together, to be priestly storytellers, listeners, givers, and meal-sharers to, for, and with one another. This worship series will begin on Sunday, April 23rd and go through Sunday, May 14th. Each Sunday, we will be exploring how God calls us as a royal priesthood, and what that means for our lives individually and together. On the corresponding Wednesdays (April 26, May 3, May 10 & May 17) we will host an evening of small group events where we will also explore our call as a priesthood of all believers. At these events we will also share food together (potluck), and will have time for discussing and relating that call to our lives. Times TBD. Blessings, dear saints, as we continue on in ministry together. I am grateful for each and every one of you and for your sense of call in the church. May God continue to work in and through us each and every day. With Joy & Gratitude, Pastor Adam

3 April 2017 Page 3 GREETERS for APR/MAY Apr. 02 Jon & Brenda Johnson Apr. 09 Duane & Liz Heaberlin Apr. 16 Will & Erin Myers Apr. 23 Linda Nelson & Joel Myers Apr. 30 Tom & Connie McClure May 07 Daniel & Heather Willrich May 14 Chris & Eva Helps May 21 Jim & Irene Gardner May 28 TBA If you are not able to serve on the day scheduled, please trade with someone and contact the church office. Apr. 02 Delaney Kidd Apr. 09 Jeff Van Houten Apr. 16 Craig Ivers Apr. 23 Curt Pion Apr. 30 Kurt Greiman May 07 Denise Kelly May 14 Marco Bejarno May 21 Delaney Kidd May 28 Jeff Van Houten Deacons FOR APR/MAY LITURGISTS For April Apr. 02 Corey Coon Apr. 09 Cindy Kisting Apr. 16 Debbie Snyder Apr. 23 Denise Kelly Apr. 30 Youth Anniversaries in April Apr. 04 Kurt & Tina Greiman 1992 Apr. 30 Adam & Sarah Smith 2005 Fellowship for APR/MAY Apr. 02 Will & Erin Myers Apr. 09 Jim & Irene Gardner Apr. 16 Mike & Donna McClure Apr. 23 Curt & Cindy Pion Apr. 30 Mitch & Michelle Hansen May 07 Family of Ivan Myers May 14 Julie & Griffin Kopecky May 21 Jeanette Bodermann & Maddie Kobus May 28 Gary & Nancy Wilson If you are not able to serve on the day scheduled, please trade with someone or call Richard Myers, Birthdays in April Apr. 01 Eli Wilson Apr. 01 Grant Wilson Apr. 04 Nancy Wilson Apr. 05 Max Bodermann Apr. 06 Zachary Smith Apr. 08 John Chambers Apr. 08 Marco Bejarno Apr. 10 Dennis Britson Apr. 16 Alex Kluss Apr. 16 Zach Kluss Apr. 17 Rachel Hillman Apr. 21 Brian Myers Apr. 21 Lisa Luellen Apr. 21 Cyrus Schoonmaker Apr. 21 Clare Schoonmaker Apr. 21 Caden Fenn Apr. 23 Alex Hansen Apr. 24 Linda Chambers Apr. 27 Jordan Lint Apr. 27 Zach Johnson Apr. 30 Rowan Kidd

4 April 2017 Page 4 Palm Sunday Procession for Peace Sunday, April 9, 2017 By 3:00 pm Gather in the parking lot of Grace United Methodist 3700 Cottage Grove 3:00 pm Process to First Christian Church 2500 University (Those unable to walk in the procession are invited to go directly to First Christian Church.) 3:30 pm Prayer Service for Peace First Christian Church 2500 University Please join the community for a Palm Sunday Procession and Prayer Service for Peace! As is the tradition, the procession will be led by a donkey. Participants are invited to bring signs with favorite quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The prayer service will be held at First Christian Church where Dr. King spoke in 1959 and will be focused on Dr. King s speech at Riverside Church delivered 50 years ago this April. Local award-winning actor, Aaron Smith will re-enact portions of the speech. The service will be rich with Dr. King s message, with music and movement calling us to recommit ourselves to the cause of peace and to move toward what Dr. King called the Beloved Community. Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace. Service Board (Youth Fundraiser) Do you need any work done around your house? Your yard? Your farm? Do you need some painting done, odds and ends tasks done, or neighbors that might need some extra workers? Well the Linkage Youth want to help out. Beginning in November and continuing until the Summer 2017 we have created a SERVICE BOARD fundraiser. On this bulletin board, anyone from the congregation can post work they need done around their house/yard or anything else AND how much they are willing to donate to the youth program to have youth come over to help. Here s how it works: simply write on a piece of paper the work you need done, what tools youth will be required to provide, how much you are willing to donate to the youth program, and a phone number to be contacted at. Youth and groups of youth will be checking the board weekly. We encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity that can both benefit you and our growing youth program. Treasurer s Request Regarding Checks Written to the Church: Two years ago, our bank, Wells Fargo, changed their method of processing deposits. In the past, your check could be written for more than one item your pledge, and for instance, a mission project or special offering. I could then split the deposit and part of the money would go into the general checking account and the other to its appropriate account. Now, if you make your check for two items, I have to deposit the entire amount to one account and write a check from that account to another account. So in the future if you are writing a check for more than one item, would you please make separate checks? I am sorry to ask you to do this, but it saves a lot of extra bookkeeping. If you have questions about this, please do not hesitate to ask me, Sue Beavers, Treasurer. Thank you very much! First Presbyterian Online! Don t forget to keep up-to-date with the life and ministry of FPC using the church website: You can find information about church events, listen to Sunday s worship messages, look through photos, download forms and monthly newsletters, lift up prayer requests, and the like. Also find us on Facebook at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Center or follow us on Twitter at First Presby. FirstPresbyDCIA. We re always open to feedback to find ways to better communicate the life and ministry of our congregation to each other and to the world around us. Choir News: Practice takes place at 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday through May 17. Celebration of Communion Communion will be celebrated the first Sunday of each month. Additional Communion dates will remain for Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, & Easter services.

5 April 2017 Page 5 Sixth Annual Community Service Auction! Join us on Sunday, May 7, 2017 from 5-7pm as we join together to help raise money to support those in our community. We are now seeking donations for the auction. Consider donating an item, service, or get together with friends to create a unique gift item. Here are some ideas: 2 hours of yard work/gardening Homemade food items (e.g., pies, cookies, salsa, jam) Painting 3 rooms in a home/office or dusting floor boards Themed gift packages (e.g., Cubs tickets, t-shirt and hat) Weekend trip or hotel stay Running errands/buying groceries once a month 4 hours of babysitting Fruit of the month package Handcrafted items (e.g., jewelry, knitting, woodworking) We will also be serving a free-will offering meal at the event. Come and join us with Auctioneer Shane Boston at First Presbyterian Church. Bring a friend and a generous spirit! Note: Please notify Gary Wilson at glwilson@exede.net to donate your items and services now. Cutoff time for delivering tangible donations to First Presbyterian Church is noon on Saturday, May 6 th. Maundy Thursday Guess Who s Coming to Dinner Thursday, April 13th) Instead of a Maundy Thursday worship service at the church this year, we will be doing potluck dinners at different church members houses. This is a great way to get together for food, fellowship, and to remember Jesus last meal with his disciples. Signups are in the narthex. Easter Sunrise Worship Service will be on Sunday, April 7a.m. at the church and will be led by the Linkage youth. We will celebrate the sacrament of communion. Easter Worship Service will be on Sunday, April 10 a.m. at the church. We will celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we will flower the cross, and celebrate the sacrament of communion together! Adult Sunday School - It s back!! By popular request, we are back on for a Sunday morning Adult Discussion Class. We are 9a.m. and we are meeting in the north section of the narthex. So as you come into the church, drop your kids off, grab some coffee, and come on over and join us. Through Lent, we ll be tagging along with our worship texts, and talking about how they are relevant to you, and me, and our congregation. The Community Good Friday Worship Service Friday, April 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. Join us as we gather to remember the trial and crucifixion of Jesus as a Dallas Center community. All the churches from the community will participate in worship leadership. Just Who Do We Think We Are? - Join us in worship April 23 - May 14th and in a 4-week Small Group series on Wednesdays (April 26, May 3, 10, 17) as we explore and discover just who we are as a Priesthood of All Believers. We will learn about our priestly call to share our stories, listen to God, give of ourselves, and eat! Not only will we learn about the God who loves us beyond what we can know, but we will get to know each other.

6 April 2017 Page 6 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER Mark your calendars for Christian Ed. in ! Things to look forward to this year: Confirmation for 7th and 8th graders Adult Christian Education New opportunities in Youth Ministry Lots of ways to get involved and volunteer 5:00-5:45 Class time/confirmation 5:45-6:15 Activity/Music/Linkage 6:15-7:00 Dinner WOW Nightly Schedule for : WOW is for kids who are in Kindergarten-12th grade. Active participation by at least one parent (grandparent or family member) of every youth is required. This participation is a critical signal to the youth that this program is important. Since the staff is voluntary, part time service by a large number of people is essential to keep the many activities going. At least as important, however, is the morale boosting effect of a parents' physical presence and visible support of the program. You can sign up to help in the following ways: Classroom Teacher, Activity Leader, Kitchen food prep/serving, Dishwasher, Vacuum/Clean-up, and Table Parent. No WOW on: April 12. DATES TO REMEMBER Sunday School Apr 16 No SS Apr 23 Last Day Apr 30 SS Recognition LINKAGE Linkage is our youth program for all middle and high school youth. Linkage involves a whole lot of fun, fellowship, community, mission, service, and learning. The middle school group meets at the church on Wednesday evenings along with WOW. The high school group meets at the church on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m.

7 April, 2017 First Presbyterian Church Dallas Center Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday April 9 2 Sunday School Worship / Communion 9 Worship OGHS Session Meeting 16 7am Easter Sunrise Worship 10am Worship B: Alex Kluss B: Zach Kluss 23 Sunday school Worship B: Alex Hansen 30 Sunday School Worship A: Adam & Sarah Smith B: Rowan Kidd 3 4 A: Kurt & Tina Greiman 10 B: Dennis Britson 17 B: Rachel Hillman 24 B: Linda Chambers B: Nancy Wilson WOW Choir Practice B: Max Bodermann WOW Choir Practice WOW Choir Practice WOW Choir Practice Small Group 6 B: Zachary Smith 13 Maundy Thursday Dinners 1 B: Eli Wilson B: Grant Wilson 7 8 B:John Chambers B: Marco Bejarno 14 Good Friday Service 7p B: Brian Myers B: Lisa Luellen B: Cyrus Schoonmaker B: Clare Schoonmaker 27 B: Jordan Lint B: Zach Johnson B: Caden Fenn

8 Bellviews April 2017 page 8 Church Address: First Presbyterian Church th Street PO Box 368 Dallas Center, IA Contact Information: Pastor: Rev. Adam Smith Cell: Church Phone: Church s Website: dcpresbyterian.org Pastor s pastor@dcpresbyterian.org Church s office@dcpresbyterian.org Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Youth Elder Treasurer Clerk of Session The Session Duane Heaberlin Cathy Kelly Gary Wilson Darci Kidd Richard Myers Jeani Shepherd Ann Beavers Abbey Drake Julie Kopecky Ben Beavers Sue Beavers Nancy Wilson Capital Development Committee: Sue Beavers, Dennis Britson, Trent Drake, Tina Greiman, Mitch Hansen, Duane Heaberlin, and Aaron Wilson Church Staff Pastor...Rev. Adam Smith Secretary.Nancy K. Zehr Choir Director Jeani Shepherd Organists.....Carol Arrasmith, Jeani Shepherd & Nancy Wilson Pianists...Carol Arrasmith, Joanne Knoll & Sarah Smith Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Youth Deacon Board of Deacons Marco Bejarno Curt Pion Craig Ivers Jeff Van Houten Kurt Greiman Denise Kelly Delaney Kidd