BELLVIEWS. July First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Center FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DALLAS CENTER, IA

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1 July 2015 BELLVIEWS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DALLAS CENTER, IA 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 Page 1 July 2015 In This Issue: Pastor s Message 2 July 4th Quiz 3 Greeters, Fellowship, Liturgists, Deacons, Birthdays, Anniversaries 4 Announcements 5 6 Session Report 7 Christian Ed. Corner 8 Calendar 9 UPCOMING EVENTS: July 05...Communion July 08...Still Kickin July 11 Carpenters Tractor Show & Pig Roast July 1, 8, 15 Worship on Wednesday July Vacation Bible School July 28-Aug 4...Delegation travels to El Salvador 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 July 2015 Page 2 Repent! The End Is Near!!! I know. It sounds like a line from one of Hollywood s many apocalypse movies or from the huge genre of end times fiction books that seem to captivate the imagination of the masses. Or maybe it sounds like the rantings of one of the kook evangelists that keeps trying to put a date and time on the end of the world. Or maybe you ve seen this phrase used on social media in the last week or so in response to the Supreme Court s ruling on gay marriage. I know I have to my dismay. Besides the common use of this phrase being an abhorrent misinterpretation of apocalyptic texts in Scripture, this phrase does have within it an existential observation and a question that captivates us as human beings. The observation is: we are mortal and that means a finite physical existence. And the question that follows is: How do we live our lives with the limited time we have? Regardless of religious affiliation or lack there of, this observation and the question it begs is for everyone, and its one we continually ask in some part, even subconsciously, in every decision we make. For Christians, we have faith that our mortal end is not THE end. God s grace in Jesus Christ has promised more for us; an everlasting life with God. Our faith gives us hope. Our hope is because of God s unconditional love. And because of this grace, God guides us to live our lives with Jesus as our model and our norm. In other words, Christians are different. You and I are different. Are we more loved by God than those who have not come to know Christ? No. Grace is offered for everyone. (Praise be to God!) But grace changes us when we come to see it in our lives. Jesus transforms us to be the hands and feet of God s grace in the world; not because our salvation depends on it, but because the kingdom of God that we so long for, is here and now for us to live in, not just for us when we die. In Jesus we have the chance at a whole life, a full life right here and now, and so does the rest of humanity. Why do I bring this up, dear saints? Our denomination, other denominations, the church of Jesus Christ, and our country has been embattled in theological debates that have spawned such strong convictions and feelings in opposition to one another. This is not just a recent happening, these disagreements and conflicts have been stewing in the Church throughout its long history. The book of Acts is teaming with conflict; the Apostle Paul is ALWAYS writing to address some theological or doxological issue at another church. We are always in a state of seeking understanding through the lens of Jesus Christ through God s Word in Scripture, because we want to know what to do with our finite lives in this world. We want to be in the right. We want our lives to mean something. We want to follow God to the best of our ability with faithfulness, dedication, persistence, and conviction. And so when our convictions and beliefs are challenged, even in the slightest way, either from within the Church or outside of it, we hold fast to what we know and have accepted over time because, in many cases, an attack on one issue or another feels like an attack on our entire faith. For many the approval of same gender marriage by the Supreme Court feels like a direct attack on the Christian faith. It s challenging the very authority of Scripture, the Word of God that Christians hold fast to. For many, it seems to threaten the way they ve chosen to live their lives with faithfulness to God. However, while I am not going to write about the issue of same-gender marriage, I will say that the topic of marriage in Scripture is much more complicated and involved than the typical coined phrase: between a man and a woman, we so often hear as sound bites from a number of churches. And the issue of homosexuality in general in the Bible is also not as straight-forward as we might think. The 7 places we find texts on this topic are often pulled out of literary context as well as situational/historical context. And too often, and I have been guilty of this from time to time, small parts of Scripture can be pulled out and used without being read and interpreted through the lens of the greater witness of Scripture specifically through the lens of God s grace in Jesus Christ who was notorious for fulfilling the law by flipping everything upside down. But my point of this article is that the content and character of our faith does NOT rely solely on one or more theological issues our church or our culture might be debating, and if it does, then we ve grounded our faith in something other than Jesus Christ, and we ve closed our minds to how God might still be at work in the world, in our lives, and maybe even secular society from time to time through the Holy Spirit. (continued on page 6)

3 July 2015 Page 3 The July 4 Quiz by Stanley P. Santire 1. The committee formed to draft the Declaration of Independence was headed by: a) George Washington b) Thomas Jefferson c) James Madison 2. Independence Day was first celebrated in what city? a) Boston b) Washington D.C. c) Philadelphia 3. On what day in 1776 did the Continental Congress vote for independence? a) July 2 b) July 4 c) July 6 4. In what year did the U.S. Congress declare the Fourth of July a national holiday? a) 1776 b) 1865 c) How many men who had served as U.S. president died on the Fourth of July? a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 6. Which of these major battle victories occurred on July 4? a) British surrendered to Washington at Saratoga b) Jackson defeated the British near New Orleans c) Grant broke Confederate resistance at Vicksburg 7. Who was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence? a) George Washington b) Thomas Jefferson c) John Hancock 8. How many times does the term United States appear in the Declaration of Independence? a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 9. What slave owner objected to leaving out of the Declaration of Independence a criticism of British slave trade? a) George Washington b) Thomas Jefferson c) Edward Rutledge 10. Who was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence? a) Benjamin Franklin b) John Adams c) Steven Hopkins ANSWERS: 1) b. Jefferson 2) c. Philadelphia. That s where the Second Continental Congress met and the Declaration of Independence was adopted. 3) a. July 2. On July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. 4) c ) c. 3. A lot of people know that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, but it is less well known that James Monroe died on July 4, ) c. Grant broke Confederate resistance at Vicksburg on July 4, ) c. John Hancock signed first, as the president of the Continental Congress 8) a. 0 times. There are two mentions of the united States of America. At the beginning the declaration says: The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, Near the end it says: We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America. But nowhere does it say the United States of America. 9) b. Jefferson 10) a. Franklin. He was 70 at the time.

4 July 2015 Page 4 GREETERS for July/August July 05 TBA July 12 Ben & Denise Kelly July 19 Connie & Tom McClure July 26 Craig & Linda Ivers Aug 02 Troy & Paige Fenn Aug 09 Jack & Nancy Lister-Settle Aug 16 Rick & Barb Ross Aug 23 Ardie & Glen Enderson Aug 30 Corey & Ryan Coon If you are not able to serve on the day scheduled, please trade with someone and contact the church office. Fellowship for July/August July 05 TBA July 12 Julie Kopecky & Griffin Kopecky July 19 Aaron & Sarah Wilson July 26 Linda Nelson & Joel Myers Aug 02 Dennis & Barb Britson Aug 09 Troy & Paige Fenn Aug 16 Nancy Lister-Settle / Norma Jean Lister Aug 23 Craig & Janet Hougham Aug 30 Ben & Denise Kelly If you are not able to serve on the day scheduled, please trade with someone or call Cindy Carpenter at Deacons FOR July/August July 05 Amanda Niebuhr-Lint July 12 Spencer Hansen July 19 Craig Ivers July 26 Amanda Niebuhr-Lint Aug 02 Marco Bejarno Aug 09 Kara McClure Aug 16 Corey Coon Aug 23 Sherry Madole Aug 30 Spencer Hansen LITURGISTS FOR JULY/August July 05 Linda Nelson July 12 Shelley Horak July 19 Janet Hougham July 26 Joel Myers Aug 02 Kurt Greiman Aug 09 Mitch Hansen Aug 16 Doug Beavers Aug 23 Amanda Niebuhr-Lint Aug 30 TBA July Anniversaries July 01 Troy & Paige Fenn (2000) July 02 Dave & Sheryl Shields (1988) July 08 Marco & Betsy Bejarno (2006) July 10 Gary & Nancy Wilson (1971) July 12 Chuck & Georganna Beavers (1980) July 15 Ben & Fran Kelly (1977) July 20 Curt & Cindy Pion (1996) Birthdays in July July 04 Eric Yoerger July 04 Gina Gibson July 06 Adam Smith July 07 Darren Madole July 10 Lorry Hoksch July 10 Jon Johnson July 12 Betsy Bejarno July 14 Niah Howard July 14 Aidan Bryan July 15 Elsa Lint July 16 Cindy Carpenter July 21 Janice Miles July 21 Melinda Bryan July 21 Darci Kidd July 23 Scott Kopecky July 24 Chuck Beavers July 25 Shelby Johnson July 26 Brice McCleary July 27 Shirley Thomas July 27 Brooklyn Myers July 28 Alexander Myers

5 July 2015 Page 5 Picnic in the Park First Presbyterian Online! at the Brenton Arboretum followed by potluck meal 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. August 23 Sunday Worship Special Summer Music We will be asking folks who are musically gifted to give of their talents during the Sunday worship service this summer. You don t need to wait for us to ask! If you have some music that you would like to offer, please talk to Linda Nelson or Jeani Shepherd. Either vocal or instrumental would be great! With busy summer schedules and vacations, we know that there will be Sunday s that we will not be able to find someone to share their musical talents. On those Sundays, we will add a special hymn to the service. It will be special, because we are asking for suggestions from you. Thumb through the hymnal and find an old favorite! Or maybe there is a church camp or youth retreat song that you would like to sing. Their will be a Summer Hymns box in the Narthex on the small table under the clock. Pen and paper will be available for you to submit your requests and drop the suggestion in the box. 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.

6 July 2015 Page 6 Historical Money-Saving Workshop Old-time practices still apply [PERRY, Iowa] During the 1930s, during the Great Depression, money and resources were scarce. Iowans made do with what they had by growing their own food in home gardens and cooking from scratch. Learn how these practices are still relevant today with Money-Saving Lessons from the Great Depression on Sunday, July 19 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Forest Park Museum in Perry. Taught by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Specialist, Mary Krisco, this presentation will incorporate low-cost, easy meal ideas, how to stretch a dollar in today s economy and even noexpense entertainment for both adults and children. The development of money-saving practices can create healthier, happier lives for ourselves and future generations to come. This workshop presentation is $3 which includes light refreshments, take-home recipes and ISU Extension and Outreach research-based materials. In lieu of the registration fee, participants may bring a can or box of food for donation to a local pantry. Register by contacting Dallas County Conservation at (515) or conservation@co.dallas.ia.us. Special Summer Music in July It may not be Jazz in July, but we will have some great special music to praise God during the Sunday worship service in July! On July 5, Sarah Smith will sing for us as she accompanies herself. We have heard her as part of the Praise Band and sometimes during the Summer Wednesday night services with Adam. As you know, she was a beautiful voice. We will be looking forward to this! On July 12, we will have a service filled with special music. The Melody Makers from Earlham will be returning. We missed them last year, so it will be good to hear them again. On that same day, Jessica Kimple, daughter of John Kimple, will sing a couple of pieces for us, and she will be accompanied by her mom, Janis Bowden. July 26 we will hear some special music sung by the kids who participated in Vacation Bible School from July If the past is any indication, these kids will be rocking! Thanks to all for making the summer music special! (Pastor s message continued from page 2) Yes, we re called to be different, counter-cultural as has become a media catch phrase by some churches. And that s because we, as Christians, are continually seeking to know and follow Jesus in our lives. Our faith gives us an answer to that age old human question that our mortality begs. So when parts of our faith are challenged, always turn to look at Jesus first before anywhere else. Always look at Jesus before you hang all of your cards on the Law from the Old Testament as did the Pharisees whom Jesus continually challenged. Don t let anger guide your response. Don t let the anxiety of what might feel like an attack on your faith close you off from listening to the Holy Spirit in your midst through other people (maybe even non Christians). Let conflict and questioning be an opportunity to grow in your faith and perhaps know God a little bit more. I have sure and certain hope in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for that I am forever grateful and filled with joy. It is my hope and my intention, with the rest of my life, to share God s love with all around me and to do this in partnership with my brothers and sisters in Christ, even in our theological disagreements, because this is what I see from my Lord and Savior. Blessings to you all this summer and into the next year. With Joy & Peace, Pastor Adam

7 July 2015 Page 7 First Presbyterian Church Dallas Center, Iowa June 14, 2015 Regular Session Meeting CLERK S REPORT- Elder Nancy Wilson -Upon motion made, minutes from the Regular Session meeting held on were approved. -Average attendance for the month of May was 72 adults and 18 children for a total of Mallory Brown was presented for Christian baptism on Elder Betsy Bejarno assisted with this service of baptism. -Aidan and Grayson Brown, sons of Aaron and Mallory Brown, were presented for Christian baptism on Elder Betsy Bejarno assisted with this service of baptism. -Aaron and Mallory Brown, Nathan Carman, Kate Erickson, Barry Gehlsen, Curt and Cindy Pion and daughter Anna, and Tim and Debbie Snyder were recognized as new members during worship on Elder Betsy Bejarno assisted Pastor Adam Smith with this service of recognition. Todd and Amy Lawton and son Drew, and Jeff Van Houten were not present and will be recognized at a later time. -Communion was served by intinction on to 48 individuals. Rev. Lynn Williams, pulpit supply for the day, presided and the assisting elders were Sue Beavers, Grace Horak, and Linda Nelson. COMMISSIONER S REPORT FROM PRESBYTERY- Elder Ryan Coon - The 500 th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Des Moines was held on Saturday, at the Collegiate Presbyterian Church, Ames, IA. Ryan and Pastor Adam shared items of business. This was an especially interesting and historic day as it was a joint meeting with the Presbytery of North Central Iowa and the 500 th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Des Moines. Ruling Elder Heath Rada, the Moderator of the 221 st General Assembly (2014) was with us to share what is going on in the denomination and a time of dialogue was held with those at the meeting. During worship our newly elected Synod Executive Ruling Elder Elona Street Stewart preached. The two presbyteries came to the Lord s Table together. It was shared that Rev. Philip Barrett, General Presbyter will retire at the end of A special meeting was called for to determine the course of action regarding his retirement. TREASURER S REPORT - Elder Sue Beavers -Ending May 31, 2015: Total Income= $ 13,269.71, Total Expenses = $ 8,598.37, Voided March Check = $9.24and Balance= $ 46, CHRISTIAN EDUCATION- Betsy Bejarno, Ann Beavers, Grace Horak -Plans continue for VBS which will be held July FELLOWSHIP Cindy Carpenter, Ryan Coon - Fellowship time will be held at the church following the internment service for Barbara McDonald which will be held on Saturday, PERSONNEL Gary Wilson, Betsy Bejarno -The committee met with Pastor Adam for our quarterly meeting. A good discussion was held of current and future activities, including encouragement for continuing with the Wednesday evening services during June and July. WORSHIP Linda Nelson, Duane Heaberlin -Liturgists for May were Cindy Carpenter, Ardie Enderson, Gary Wilson, Dana Myers and Nathan Carman DOCTOR OF MINISTRY UPDATE _ Pastor Adam Smith I attended my first doctoral class at McCormick Seminary from June 1- June 5. The course title was, Where Three or More Are Gathered The course looked at group dynamics. The class discussion centered on groups within the church and the psychology of group life. We discussed the 6 books assigned ahead of time and shared with the group case studies that each of us brought from his/her own ministry setting. In summary, the week was wonderfully uplifting, educational, and inspiring, and at the same time exhausting. My assignment is to form and Advisory Group on Ministry (AGM). It is a learning group. It is a think tank, made up of representatives from the church in which I can talk with others about ministry challenges and opportunities. It is an advisory group that works with both me and the session to think about how my doctoral course assignments might be used or applied to opportunities and needs for the ministry in the church. I will talk more about this at the session meeting.

8 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER Page 8 July Vacation Bible School First Presbyterian Church July 19-22, 5:30-7:45pm. This is different than last year! There is no fee and dinner is included. The theme this year is G-Force: God's Love in Action! VBS is for kids age 4 through 5th grade. Younger siblings are welcome to attend if parents are volunteering at VBS. I will let you know when registration information is available. If you would like to help, please let me know. Here are some ways that you can volunteer: Crew Leader - monitor a group of kids as they visit different stations Kitchen Helper - prepare meals, clean up after dinner Help with Story/Snack Station or Mission/Craft Station Youth Helpers Food Donation Please let me know ASAP if you are able to help! You do not need to attend every night, even volunteering one night helps tremendously! Thanks so much!!! Betsy Bejarno VBS Parents, Volunteers, and Kids: Sunday, July 26 - We will be sharing a slideshow of pictures from our adventures at VBS, and the kids who participated will share two of the songs that they learned with the congregation during the Children's Sermon. We hope you can join us! Vacation Bible School Food Donations This summer First Presbyterian Church will once again be partnering with United Methodist Church of Dallas Center to host Vacation Bible School (VBS). VBS will be on July 19-22, 2015, and we would love your support with donating food for VBS dinners. A donation sign-up sheet and a large envelope for monetary donations will be on the small white table in the narthex. If you give a cash donation, please put it in a small envelope with your name on it so that you are credited this with the church. After you sign up you can bring your items, marked "VBS", and leave them in the kitchen or in the freezer/refrigerator. Please deliver items to the First Presbyterian Church by 5pm, Wednesday, July 15th. If you have questions, please Sarah Wilson, sarah.nelson.wilson@gmail.com. Cross Ministries Back to School Giveaway CROSS Ministries will be holding the 23 rd annual Back to School Giveaway on Thursday, August 6 in the Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Mission Center. The Giveaway grew out of the awareness that the children of low and no income households are most affected by the poverty their families experience. The best way to get them out of the poverty cycle is through education. If a child has to start school without the basic supplies needed, or has to start school late while waiting for the money to purchase the supplies, it puts them at a major disadvantage. Last year, CROSS Ministries assisted more than 1,300 school children. We hope to prepare for 1,500 this year so no child will need to be turned away without supplies. Please help us continue to meet this basic need for the children! For EVERY $15 that you donate, one child living in poverty, in our surrounding area, can receive a backpack filled with the grade appropriate school supplies needed to begin the school year. donation cards are in the Narthex. You can mail these with your tax deductible donation to CROSS (address in on the card) or leave them in the designated manila envelope. I will make sure CROSS receives your contribution. Any questions, contact Linda Myers, (25984 S Ave). Thank you!!

9 July, 2015 First Presbyterian Church Dallas Center Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 5 Worship w/communion 12 Worship B: Betsy Bejarno A: Chuck & Georganna Beavers 19 Worship VBS 26 Worship B: Brice McCleary 6 B: Adam Smith 7 B: Darren Madole B: Niah Howard B: Aidan Bryan 20 VBS 27 B: Shirley Thomas B: Brooklyn Myers 21 B: Janice Miles B: Melinda Bryan B: Darci Kidd VBS 28 B: Alexander Myers Delegation trip to El Salvador 1 Worship 7pm A: Troy & Paige Fenn 8 Worship 7pm A: Marco & Betsy Bejarno 15 Worship 7pm B: Elsa Lint A: Ben & Fran Kelly 22 VBS 2 A: Dave & Sheryl Shields 9 10 B: Lorry Hoksch B: Jon Johnson A: Gary & Nancy Wilson 16 B: Cindy Carpenter 23 B: Scott Kopecky B: Eric Yoerger B: Gina Gibson Happy 4th of July! B: Chuck Beavers 11 Carpenters Tractor Show & Pig Roast 25 B: Shelby Johnson

10 Bellviews July 2015 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 2015 Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Youth Elder Treasurer Clerk of Session The Session Sue Beavers Cindy Carpenter Linda Nelson Ann Beavers Betsy Bejarno Ryan Coon Duane Heaberlin Cathy Kelly Gary Wilson Grace Horak Sue Beavers Nancy Wilson Capital Development Committee: Dennis Britson, Sue Beavers, Trent Drake, Tina Greiman, Mitch Hansen, Shelley Horak, Kara McClure, and Aaron Wilson Church Staff Pastor..Rev. Adam Smith Secretary.Nancy K. Zehr Choir Director Jeani Shepherd Nursery...Justine Johnson & Shelby Johnson Organists....Carol Arrasmith, Nancy Wilson & Jeani Shepherd Pianists..Carol Arrasmith, Joanne Knoll, Pat Lint & Sarah Smith Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Youth Deacon Board of Deacons Craig Ivers Sherry Madole Kara McClure Amanda Niebuhr-Lint Marco Bejarno Corey Coon Spencer Hansen