The View. Pastor s Corner

Transcription

1 The View Volume XIII Issue X Pastor s Corner Find the Time to Prioritize First Presbyterian Church 147 N. Main St. Cleveland, GA Pastor: Rev. Andy Chambers pastor@fpccleveland.org Office: info@fpccleveland.org Prayer Request: firstpcprayers@gmail.com Website: INSIDE THIS ISSUE Pastor s Corner cont. 2 New Member 3 Women s Page 4 October Calendar 5 Men of the Church 6 Financial Report 7 Tai Chi/Yoga 8 Pumpkin Fest 9 October Menu 10 t s time again to turn the page on another calendar month. By the time you read this, October will be here which means not just another month, but another season is upon us. Fall, with it s oranges, reds, and yellows, reminds us of the ever changing world we live in. This is an in between time--a time of transition, from the hustle and bustle of vacations and the endless running around of summer to the calm, cold, dreariness of winter. Any time of change or transition is a good time for all of us to self-examine our lives. How are we spending our time and with whom? How are we spending our money? What s really important in our lives? What are our real priorities? Pastor Andy With Christmas just around the corner and the endless lists of wants and NOT needs, the beginning of fall is a good time for us to really determine the things that are most important to us. For some of us, this means we might need to clear out the clutter. For others, it means we move to the forefront things we usually keep near the bottom of our to-do lists; quit putting them off til tomorrow, those things we really need to get done today. Urgency is a word that has come to mean so much more in my life, since last October. I can no longer believe I am invincible. I can longer believe I am immune to this world. Things like family, exercise/self-care, and taking advantage of every day are no longer items I wish to push down my to-do list. Every day is an opportunity to truly love the ones I am graced to be around, whether they live in my house or not. Andy Stanley, one of my favorite preachers, says, We don t drift in good directions. We discipline and prioritize ourselves there. Growing up going to the lake and being around boats helps me understand exactly what he is getting at here. Boats don t have breaks, they drift until an opposing force moves them in a different direction. A rudder, a sail, a gas powered propeller, all move a boat in a way that is more disciplined than simply drifting. With discipline, there is purpose, there is direction, and if we think about it, we are more efficiently able to arrive at our destination, wherever that may be. Continued on PG 2

2 2 Pastor s Corner Continued from PG 1 I believe faith takes an enormous amount of discipline to be effective in our lives. Sure we can drift, willy nilly, occasionally paying attention to it, but without much result. Giving it priority, however, moves us in good directions. Jesus tells his disciples (that s us) to seek first his kingdom. There s no really no other way to interpret this command than to know he wants us to first choose those things he was about. At the top of that, I believe, is love. If we could just prioritize love above all else in our lives the world would be a better place and be more like the kingdom He envisions. Read the Gospels and all the The Kingdom of Heaven is like. stories and we will find a way of being that directly contrasts most of what we see going on around and in us. Hopefully, at this point in this article you have already identified a few things you need to re-prioritize in your life. If not, here are a few suggestions: Pray---a great way to start your day and can be done before you get out of bed. Exercise--nothing makes you feel better than when the blood starts pumping sending happy thoughts to your head. Take a walk, lift some weights, ride a bike, the suggestions are endless. Give--of course, I have to mention this as your pastor. Give of yourselves, give of your time, give of your financial resources. To me, nothing makes me feel better than when I give to others. How about you? Remind those in your life how much they mean to you--no 3 words are more powerful than I. Love. You. Give it a try. Of course, there are so many other ideas, but hopefully these can help you get started if you need a little help. Let us all enjoy the cooler temps (if they ever get here) and prepare ourselves for the winter to come. Blessings on a great October. We have lots planned this month---make it a priority to be a part of it all. Pastor Andy What is Your Favorite Hymn? The Worship Team wants to hear what your favorite hymn is, that is not in our hymn book, so that it can be added to our FPC Songbook. Please send your suggestions to dwessely@bellsouth.net.

3 3 WELCOME NEW MEMBER MARIA ROBIN We are happy to welcome Maria Robin to official" membership in our church family. She has been faithful in her attendance at worship and on Wednesday evenings even though she has to rely on others to get rides to and from church. Maria believes completely in the power of prayer as she has shared her need for prayer for herself and her family. She has also invited several of her friends and neighbors to share the experiences she has found in our church. We are so glad that Maria has felt a warm welcome here and has made the commitment to join in membership. MARK YOUR CALENDARS OCTOBER 2 - WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY - WORSHIP OUTSIDE AND POT LUCK OCTOBER 4 - MENS OUTING ON LAKE BURTON OCTOBER 6 - LADIES ROAD TRIP OCTOBER 15 - CHURCHWIDE WORKDAY OCTOBER 29 - KIDS 1ST PUMPKIN FEST OCTOBER 30 - KIRKIN O THE TARTANS OCTOBER 3rd, 17th, 24th and 31st - THI CHI/YOGA DON T FORGET WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER AND BIBLE STUDY

4 4 CHURCH WORKDAY OCTOBER 15 8 am to 12 noon Listed below are some items to be worked on for church wide spruce up. We are aware that all items may not be completed, but it is a start. Replace A/C Filters OUTSIDE Trim Crepe Myrtles Trim Shrubs INSIDE Paint Curbs Front of Steps (Yellow) to Parking Lot Trim Grass in Pine Islands Repair Faucets in Kitchen Clean Light Sconces in Fellowship Hall Clean Blinds in Fellowship Hall Clean out Library Room Remove Trash from Room Underneath Sanctuary Repair Leaking Faucet Beside A/C Unit Plant Trees Around Field of Dreams Playground Jim Crawford (770) (Rain Date October 22 8 AM to 12 Noon) September Remembered: We started our Bible Study, Who is Jesus this month and are looking forward to the next lesson. Thanks to Becky Clark, Lindalee Walters, Debbie Wessely, Betty Smith and Judy Winski who helped with the Habitat for Humanity Booth at the Clarkesville Fair. And, thanks to all who helped set-up, take down, sell and visited our booth at the Cleveland Agrifest. An extra thank you to all who purchased items that help us support our charitable efforts. October Calendar: October 2 The musical, Chicago. Sign up in the Upper Narthex. See Lindalee for details. October 5 2:00 CT meeting October 6-9:30 meet at church for Shopping and lunch. All women invited. Feel free to invite a friend to join us. Please sign up in the Upper Narthex. We plan to return by 4:30. We will be traveling by van and carpool if needed. October 13 Bible Study 10:00. All women are invited to join us as we continue our study Who is Jesus. We encourage you to invite a friend to join us. October Synod Gathering on St. Simon. Ladies Trip to Blairsville October 6-9:30 am Multiple Shopping Stops Lunch in the Mountains Sign up in the Narthex

5 First Presbyterian Church Cleveland October 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 World Communion Sunday Pot Luck -Chicago the Musical 9 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship 2:00 Yonah Pickers 16 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship 23 Synod of Southeast PW Triennial Gathering 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship 30 Reformation Sunday Kirkin O the Tartans 3 10:30am Tai Chi/Yoga 10 Happy Birthday Jannie DeWaart 6:30 Lions Club 17 Happy Birthday Genie Bogart 10:30am Tai Chi/Yoga 24 10:30am Tai Chi/Yoga 6:30 Lions Club 31 10:30am Tai Chi/Yoga 4 Men s Outing Lake Burton 12:00pm Rotary 7:00pm NarAnon 11 12:00pm Rotary 7:00pm NarAnon 18 12:00pm Rotary 7:00pm NarAnon 25 11:00 Rotary Board 12:00pm Rotary 7:00pm NarAnon 5 2:00 PW CT Meeting 3:30 Knit & Stitch 3;30 Kids First 5:30 Dinner 6:15 Bible Study 12 3:30 Knit & Stitch 3:30 Kids First 5:30 Dinner 6:15 Bible Study 7:30 Choir 19 3:30 Knit & Stitch 3:30 Kids First 5:30 Dinner 6:15 Bible Study 7:30 Choir 26 3:30 Knit & Stitch 3:30 Kids First 5:30 Dinner.. Mike & Karen Madson Missionaries here 6:15 Bible Study 7:30 Choir 6 Ladies Outing Blairsville 8:00 PM NA 13 Happy Birthday Gyp Smith 10:00 PW Meeting 8:00 PM NA 20 Happy Birthday Joyce Naivar 8:00 PM NA 27 8:00 PM NA 7 7:00 PM NA 14 7:00 PM NA 21 Happy Birthday Becky Clark Synod of Southeast PW Triennial Gathering 7:00 PM NA 28 7:00 PM NA 1 5:30 Community Worship Service Rev Travis Gatson 8 5:30 Community Worship Service 15 Churchwide workday, 8 am Noon 5:30 Community Worship Service 22 Synod of Southeast PW Triennial Gathering 5:30 Community Worship Service 29 Happy Birthday Melody Thomason Kids 1st Pumpkin Fest 5:30 Community Worship Service 5

6 SEPTEMBER PRESBYTERIAN MEN by Bruce Morgan By Bruce Morgan The PM will meet on Tuesday, October 11 for their monthly dinner and fellowship at 6:00 We would love to have more of our men and older young people join in these enjoyable evening get-togethers. We are looking forward to an outing on Lake Burton, hosted by Hugh Walters, on Tuesday, October 4th. Please sign up in the Narthex for a lunch and boat ride during the fall color season. Kirkin O the Tartan We will process from the town square once again as we kirk the tartans and celebrate our Reformed heritage. Shortbread and lemonade for refreshments following worship. Many of you have been asking about the progress of the Growing Place. We really appreciate your support and prayers. Please continue to pray for us as we work to tidy up the last of the details and please pray for the children that will one day be in our care. It is our prayer that we will be the growing place for these children as they prepare for pre-k or kindergarten. Clair Arvold

7 7 Mission Team News OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Toys: cars, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up School supplies: pens, pencils, crayons, markers, sharpeners, solar calculators Non liquid Hygiene items- toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths Accessories: shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, jewelry, flashlights, Candy: hard candy, gummy bears, caramels, taffy and gum It's that's wonderful Operation Christmas Child time of the year already! Once again FPC will be participating in one of our favorite activities, packing shoeboxes for underprivileged children in other countries. The packing party will take place Wednesday night November 9, We will eat pizza at 5:30 then pack. You can pack your own shoebox ahead of time or you can bring items to share with the group. We will have boxes for you to use or you can use your own and wrap it in Christmas paper. Here are some items you can be buying as you find them. Buy several of an item if they are a good price. Everything must fit inside a shoe box, so nothing very large. A WOW item: something to delight a child: stuffed animal, toys, puppets, truck, doll, musical instrument, outfit, shoes. A personal note with your photo. Include address and name and they may write back. If you would like to read more about this ministry of Samaritans Purse, check out Samaritainspurse.org. There are some awesome videos of children receiving shoeboxes that always inspire. Don t miss this opportunity to be a blessing and be blessed! FINANCIAL CORNER August, 2016 Financial synopsis Income for Operating Expenses: $17, Operating Expenses: $19, Net Income for the month: $- 2, Checking Account balance (for operating expenses): $36, Money Market Fund (Savings Account for Designated Funds): $18, Savings Account (CD): $61, A complete listing of the church s August financial documents is posted on the church office glass wall (by the office door). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Tom Harbst

8 8 WEDNESDAY NIGHT WELCOME VICTOR AND TRACY HOLT If you have not been on Wednesday night for Dinner, you need to come and try Vic s delicious specially prepared meals. GREAT BIBLE STORIES FELLOWSHIP AND FOOD

9 9 PUMPKINFEST ON THE FIELD OF DREAMS Saturday, October 29th What could be better than a crisp fall day of fun!!!! There will be hot dogs and s'mores, loads of games, pumpkin decorating, hay rides, a huge pumpkin hunt, and, of course, candy! We'll need lots of cars decorated for trunk-ortreating! Adults are also encouraged to take advantage. What fun it will be. This is a perfect opportunity to get to know the youngest of our church family and those in the community! If you'd like to help out with the kids, by donating candy or supplies, or by bringing your car for trunk-or-treating, please slip a note to Clair Arvold, or arvold@windstream.net. Invite all of your friends and neighbors! This is an adventure you won't want to miss!

10 First Presbyterian Church 147 N. Main Street Cleveland, GA Phone: Fax: Website: Prayer chain: NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER DEADLINE OCTOBER 19TH Chairperson & Editor Bruce Morgan Publisher Cookie Mathis Committee Members Mil Clyburn Jan Hopkins Judy Winski Wednesday Night Fellowship Suppers 5:30 PM Bible Study to follow Share the Lord s Church here on Presbyterian Hill. Invite a friend to wor- Desserts are needed for the Wednesday Night Meal 10 OCTOBER WEDNESDAY NIGHT MENU 10/5 - Beef Stroganoff 10/19 - Chicken Parmesan 10/12 - Chicken Noodle Soup 10/26 - Meat Loaf Cream of Potato Soup If you have any questions please let us know. Any and all suggestions are welcome for future menus! We are so excited to get this started and be with you all again! You can message me here or Vic at vicholthb@hotmail.com or of course on Facebook.