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

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1 June 2017 Page 1 BELLVIEWS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DALLAS CENTER, IA June 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 Church Mouse Greeters Fellowship Liturgists Deacons Birthdays Anniversaries Announcements Graduates Calendar 13 Church Information 14 UPCOMING EVENTS: June 4 Blessing of the Bikes June 10 Beavers Open House for 50th Anniversary June 3-11 Linkage Mission Trip June 14 Session Meeting 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 June 2017 Page 2 You Are a Royal Priesthood: Didn t You Know?! In our growing, transforming congregation God is on the move in such wonderful and powerful ways: our ministries are growing and changing, our life together is creative and unique, and God s grace continues to shape our discernment. But in our transformation, we have become a congregation that doesn t know itself so well. Quite literally, many of us do not know some of our new brothers and sisters that have joined our church family in recent years. Some of us may not even know every elder serving on the Session or deacon serving on the deacon team. And so for the last four weeks in worship and in the Faith and Fellowship Wednesday evening gatherings, we have been looking at our biblical identity as a priesthood of all believers to look for ways to build up our congregation and get to know one another better. We ve rediscovered that: God is building us up together as a royal PRIESTHOOD. Like a SPIRITUAL HOUSE where each living stone is vitally important to the whole structure, we are fashioned by God, bonded together by God s love and our love for each other so that we can live into our true selves (1 Peter 2:1-10). We are created in the image of God; an image of being in relationship with others. This relationship is founded on love, but not just any kind of love, the grace Christ shows us. It involves both LIS- TENING and SELF-GIVING to others. One of our priestly calls is to be STORYTELLERS sharing the mighty acts of God in our lives with our brothers in sisters in Christ. When we share our stories together and truly listen to how God is working in one another, our stories begin to be transformed by one another in such a way that we more clearly grow in our relationship with God and with one another. Another of our priestly calls is to GIVE SELFLESSLY to others. When we confess that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we confess that as disciples we are called to live life in a certain way: the way of Christ. Christ gave of himself to others - his time, his energy, his attention, his care, and his life - selflessly serving others. The message at the heart of the gospel and the Christian life is found in the SHARING OF A MEAL: Blessed, Broken, and Given. In the act of meal-sharing, we not only remember the gospel of Christ, but we live that message together as a community. (No wonder we like to eat as a church family!) In the near future, you will hear about a new opportunity in the life of our church. Over the summer and on into the fall, we will be hosting a series of Faith and Fellowship opportunities. These will be opportunities where get to practice our priestly call to: SHARE OUR STORIES, LISTEN, GIVE OF OURSELVES, and SHARE A MEAL. We are going to take some time to get to know one another, to build our relationships together, and to share our stories. Some of these events will take place during or after worship, others will take place in people s homes and on weeknights. We are inviting - rather we are challenging - every person in the church to participate in at least 2 of these 8-10 gatherings. (continued on page 5)

3 June 2017 Page 3 Is Failure Bad, Worse, Worst? Have you ever failed at anything? I mean really failed, flat-out-on-your-face, I can t believe this happened to me? Well, folks, failure has been going on since the beginning of time. Ever heard of Adam and Eve and an admonition not to eat the fruit from a certain tree in the Garden of Eden? Have your failures and yes, I definitely meant that word to be plural been so spectacular that they were written into the Bible to be read throughout millennia? Nope and neither have mine. But I ve had one or two that could be denoted as a real lulu. I have known people who failed in business, marriage, and raising families. I have known God-fearing, church-going people who failed in business, marriage, and raising families. It happens to us all. It is part of life. And it can happen to church-goers just as easily as to Atheists. Some of us mope around afraid to try again for fear there will be rejection and more failure. We become so stuck in the fear of failure, we are impotent to do anything. Others of us bounce right back, head held high, and face the world and new ventures and adventures with fearless attitudes. The longer we live the greater the chance we have of encountering failure. Unknowingly and unwittingly, it is sometimes possible for us to cause failure to occur in succeeding generations. The sins of the fathers (and mothers) may create obstacles that the children find insurmountable, unforgiveable, and unforgettable. It isn t a bad idea to follow the old adage of learning from your mistakes. It is a bad idea when those mistakes and failures take up residence in your memory bank. How many years have your mistakes and failures lived rent free in your memory? And one more question. How many others know or even care about your failures from decades long ago? Are you clutching onto memories of failures going back to your childhood that are remembered only by you? Am I? If so, give yourself a break. We did the best we knew how with what we knew then. If we were faced with the same set of circumstances at our current age, we would do the best with what we know now. Would it be different? Sure. Would it be better? Possibly. Possibly not. The Bible is replete with passages in both the Old and New Testaments relating to failure, from exhorting us not to gloat over our enemy s failure, to turning failure into success, to faith versus failure. As it turns out, the Bible is a pretty good primer on failure and how to overcome and learn from it. In Jeremiah 17:18, there is the following: Let my persecutors be shamed, but do not let me be shamed, let them be dismayed, but do not let me be dismayed. Not to be outdone, both Job and Paul have plenty to add about failure. Failure is as old as time but that doesn t mean we have to perpetuate the false assumption that our failures define our lives as being a failure. God s people, time and again, turn away from God and fail to live into the covenant (promise) they ve made. And do you know what? God never breaks that covenant with them, always working to restore God s people back to Godself. We cannot change our failings, but we can learn from them, grow from them, find God s light in the wake of them, and always find the grace of God waiting to embrace us in the midst of them. In God s Unfailing Love, The Proverbial Church Mouse

4 June 2017 Page 4 GREETERS for June/July Jun 04 Curt & Cindy Pion Jun 11 Sonny & Kara Gannon Jun 18 Justin & Corinne Rowe Jun 25 Adam & Sarah Smith Jul 02 Ken & Jeani Shepherd Jul 09 Mike & Donna McClure Jul 16 Tom & Karla Pinegar Jul 23 Arlene Swendsen Jul 30 Jordan Lint & Amanda Niebuhr-Lint If you are not able to serve on the day scheduled, please trade with someone and contact the church office. Jun 04 Craig Ivers Jun 11 Curt Pion Jun 18 Kurt Greiman Jun 25 Denise Kelly Jul 02 Marco Bejarno Jul 09 Delaney Kidd Jul 16 Jeff Van Houten Jul 23 Craig Ivers Jul 30 Curt Pion LITURGISTS For June June 04 Rev. Roger Todd June 11 Ken Shepherd June 18 Reverend Todd June 25 Betsy Bejarno Deacons FOR June/July Anniversaries in June June 01 Brian & Libby McCleary 2008 June 14 Ryan & Sarah Kluss 2008 June 17 Rhett & Joanne Knoll 2006 June 18 Jordan & Amanda Niebuhr-Lint 2005 June 19 Carl & Cindy Carpenter 1965 June 21 Cy & Ann Schoonmaker 1985 June 26 Mike & Donna McClure 1976 June 30 Audie & Laura Carman 1979 Fellowship for June/July Jun 04 Craig & Joyce Biggs Jun 11 Joel Myers & Linda Nelson Jun 18 Tom & Connie McClure Jun 25 Ken & Jeani Shepherd Jul 02 Corey & Ryan Coon Jul 09 Dennis & Barb Britson Jul 16 Rhett & Joanne Knoll Jul 23 Tim & Debbie Snyder Jul 30 Troy & Paige Fenn If you are not able to serve on the day scheduled, please trade with someone or call Richard Myers, Birthdays in June June 02 Lillian McClure June 04 Judy Rhinehart June 09 Linda Myers June 09 Chloe McCleary June 09 Kyle Barton June 15 Joanne Knoll June 16 Janet Hougham June 16 Rhett Knoll June 18 Sandy Clinkinbeard June 19 Karla Pinegar June 20 Delaney Kidd June 23 Cindy Kisting June 23 Ryan Coon June 24 Denise Kelly June 28 Charlotte Nelson June 28 Libby McCleary June 30 Sandi Boyer June 30 Nile Horak

5 June 2017 (continued from page 2) Why do we think these are important for you to participate in? As we continue to grow and change in our membership, our identity as a church continues to transform as well. When we take the time to gather, to hear each other s stories, to listen and give of ourselves over a meal, we live into our priestly call and we grow together as a community discerning who God calls us to be. At the heart of a congregation s life and ministry are the relationships members have with God and with one another. So, my dear saints, it is my hope and my challenge to each of you, to invest in this radical endeavor in the midst of our crazy, busy schedules. We hope to have more information to you all in the next few months including all of the dates and times for these Faith & Fellowship gatherings. With Grace & Peace, Pastor Adam VBS 2017 Hero Central July 23-26: The Dallas Center United Methodist Church and the First Presbyterian Church will be co-hosting Vacation Bible School again this year. Please join us at The United Methodist Church for a fun filled evening for 4-year old s - 5th graders (grade completed). Supper is provided at 5:30 pm. Follow the link to register! At the end of the registration process, it will ask for a t-shirt size. We are not ordering t-shirts. This is just part of the default registration site. If you are interested in volunteering to help or have questions, please contact one of the people listed below! Pam Deeds - pdeeds0@gmail.com Abbey Drake - abbey.drake@hotmail.com Betsy Bejarno - bbejarno@yahoo.com Page 5 Waukee Community Closet DROP OFF TIMES June 7 6:30pm 08:00pm June 13 12:00pm 2:00pm June 19 3:00pm 5:00pm June 24 8:30am 10:00am SHOPPING TIMES June 7 4:30pm 6:30pm June 13 10:00pm - 12:00pm June 19 5:30am - 7:30pm June 24 10:30am 12:30pm waukeecommunitycloset@gmail.com 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 Summer Church Camp - July 9 15 Mark your calendars, church camp will be here before you know it! Camp Wesley Woods in Indianola is the site for this week of fun. There are different camps for different age groups. Scholarships are available to help pay for camp. Our church provides a scholarship equal to 25% of the total cost of camp. Additionally, Presbytery of Des Moines also provides a scholarship. If you have any questions or would like enrollment forms, please talk with Ann Beavers. 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 June 2017 Page 6 First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Center 2017 High School Graduates Brody Gannon Hailey Chambers Spencer Hansen Haley Greiman William Horak Shelby Johnson

7 June 2017 Page 7 Brody Gannon will be graduating from DCG this spring. While at DCG, Brody has taken every opportunity to be involved in a wide range of activities and groups. He has played basketball and football, ran track for a couple of years and will have played 4 years of DCG baseball after this season. Volunteering and getting involved in programs such as National Honor Society, Peer PE, Key Club, Reggie s Sleepout, Student Council and Best Buddies has also provided Brody with experiences that have helped shaped who he is today. Brody will continue his education and baseball career at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake this fall. His plans are to major in Athletic Training with minors in Human Performance & Conditioning and Psychology. Sonny & Kara (and Lani) will miss him around the house next fall but couldn t be prouder of him and his accomplishments.

8 June 2017 Page 8 Hailey Chambers Parents: Damon and Meleena Chambers Siblings: Ty, Tucker, and Pacie Hailey s passion is animals. She s been involved with fostering dogs and cats in need of forever homes. She fostered 5 cats and 3 dogs, then eventually became a foster fail to the big lug in her senior photo. Her future plans are to attend DMACC to either become a Vet Technician or do her general education.

9 June 2017 Page 9 Spencer Andrew Hansen Parents: Mitch and Michelle Hansen Brother: Alex Hansen Activities: Football, basketball, baseball, and track Future Plans: Spencer plans to attend Iowa State.

10 June 2017 Page 10 Haley Greiman Parents: Kurt and Tina Greiman I enjoy showing cattle and playing volleyball throughout the year. I have been involved in volleyball, track, NHS, Key Club, and FCA throughout high school. I am attending Iowa State University and am planning to major in Chemical Engineering while continuing to focus on agriculture.

11 June 2017 Page 11 William Michael Horak William is the oldest son of Steve and Shelley Horak. He has been active in Cross Country each of his high school years. Will's interests include art and guitar. In the Fall, he will attend Iowa State University to study Civil and Environmental Engineering.

12 June 2017 Page 12 Shelby Johnson Shelby is the daughter of Jon and Brenda Johnson. She has participated in several events through the years. 4-H, FFA, FCA, Student Council, Key Club, Softball, Track, Swimming, Cross Country, Golf, Choir, Show Choir, as well as assisting a wrestler with Williams Syndrome during Wrestling season and peer PE.

13 June, 2017 First Presbyterian Church Dallas Center Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 Day of Pentecost Worship Communion Blessing of the Bikes B: Judy Rhinehart 11 Worship 18 Worship B: Sandy Clinkinbeard A: Jordan & Amanda Niebuhr-Lint 25 Worship 1 A: Brian & Libby McCleary 2 B: Lily McClure B: Linda Myers B: Chloe McCleary B: Kyle Barton A: Ryan & Sarah Kluss 19 B: Karla Pinegar A: Carl & Cindy Carpenter 26 A: Mike & Donna McClure 20 B: Delaney Kidd Session Meeting 21 A: Cy & Ann Schoonmaker B: Charlotte Nelson B: Libby McCleary 15 B: Joanne Knoll 16 B: Janet Hougham B: Rhett Knoll B: Cindy Kisting B: Ryan Coon B: Sandi Boyer B: Nile Horak A: Audie & Laura Carman 3 Mission Trip June pm-7pm Melvin & Sue Beavers 50th Anniversary Open House 17 A: Rhett & Joanne Knoll 24 B: Denise Kelly

14 Bellviews June 2017 page 14 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, Abbey Drake & Jeani Shepherd Pianists...Carol Arrasmith & Abbey Drake 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