Presby Press First Presbyterian Church 114 East Jefferson Street Ottawa, IL (815) Volume 39 No.

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1 Page 1 Presby Press First Presbyterian Church 114 East Jefferson Street Ottawa, IL (815) Volume 39 No. 6 JUNE 2015 our mission To be the loving Community of Jesus Christ that will WIN new followers of Christ to saving faith GROW All followers to deeper faith GO Into the world and demonstrate faith Dear friends, FROM THE PASTOR S STUDY Many may know that our wonderful secretary of nearly eleven years, Dianne Jamison, has submitted her resignation. She says she and husband, Scott, will both enter retirement together. The good news is that while Dianne will no longer be found in the church office as secretary, she and Scott will still be here as part of the FPC family. We have all been deeply grateful for the quality of person Dianne is in our midst, as employee, fellow FPC family member and ordained elder. Her witness to Christ in all her dealings with people and her work ethic have been a wonderful asset to the smooth and faithful operation of our FPC mission To be the LOVING COMMUNITY of Jesus Christ. I have been blessed immeasurably to work with Dianne. Her vibrant faith, joyful spirit and hospitable heart have helped make the weekly workings of FPC s life and ministries very fruitful. It is so evident that she does all she does for love of Christ and you! I am humbled by Dianne s example of servantleadership, and I, personally, will deeply miss her partnership in this aspect of our ministry together. Thank you, Dianne, for being you and for your loving community service to us these eleven years! While we will miss Dianne in her secretary role, we will be blessed by the good work the Personnel Committee has done to find a suitable replacement: Cindy Arjes. I am excited to work with Cindy, who also has a great spirit of love for Christ and his people as well as the needed skills to do all the work of support for our ministries and mission. Though we already know and love Cindy as an FPC family member, and have been blessed by her leadership as an elder, please join me in welcoming Cindy in her new role as our FPC secretary. Welcome Cindy! (Continued on pg 2) Remember to Pray for One Another! Your First Presbyterian Church Family believes in the power of prayer. (See Romans 1:9b-10a). You are invited to pray intentionally for one another in the First Presbyterian Church family.. Please pick up a name of someone to pray for from the basket at the back of the sanctuary.

2 Page 2 Moving on to other matters in our midst, Per Capita seems to be on the minds of a number of us. Per Capita is the amount FPC pays per member (currently $35.61) to our national denomination, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), for all the connectional support in ministry and mission our denomination provides. Some of that support can seem invisible to a congregation s members, but it really can be considerable, especially at the local Presbytery level of denominational life. For each member at FPC, our Per Capita provides resources of staff people (especially at Presbytery) who are always working to improve ministry and mission of the local congregation. Congregations throughout our own Presbytery of Blackhawk have been blessed by the leadership of our General Presbyter, the Rev. Dr. John Rickard, and his staff, and the number of boards and committees made up of pastors and elders in our Presbytery who labor to support and equip congregations and pastors to provide fruitful witness to Christ in the world. It is an on-going and important work that I can personally say FPC-Ottawa benefits from and truly needs. The great majority of Per Capita payment for each member goes to our Blackhawk Presbytery (currently $24.73) and the remaining portions of the total goes to the next levels of denominational government, The Synod of Lincoln Trails ($3.81) and General Assembly ($7.07). The Lincoln Trails Synod connects seven Presbyteries across Indiana and Illinois, of which Blackhawk Presbytery is one. The Office of the General Assembly is located in Louisville, KY, and oversees administration of many ministries and missions of the PC(USA) nationally and internationally, as it also prepares for the bi-annual meeting we call The General Assembly. You may not be aware of some of the connections at these next higher levels of our denomination s government. They include Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), which works quickly to get relief in the name of Christ and the church to areas where disasters have occurred. PDA was on-site and helping in recent nearby tornado-ravaged Washington and Fairdale, IL communities, and flood-damaged cities in Iowa a few years ago. PDA goes to help as well with far away disasters, like the earthquake in Nepal and Tsunami in Indonesia, all in the name of Christ and the church. Our Per Capita builds our mission partnerships throughout the world and supports PC(USA) missionaries. Per Capita provides support to many PC (USA) colleges, develops needed evangelism and leadership support programs for our congregations, pastors and elders. Per Capita gives local and national mission grants to congregations and trains pastors for ministry at some of the best seminaries in the world. I tell you all this (and there is lots more) because I know most of us are not fully aware of what this Per Capita thing is, and of just how those monies are used for ministry and mission in our national church and the local congregation. I hope this has been educational information to receive. And it will be important to have as much information as possible as the session makes some important decisions soon about what to do with FPC s Per Capita budget monies. In light of decisions made by the General Assembly meeting last June regarding changes to the definition of marriage, some in our congregation have asked that session consider withholding Per Capita, or a portion of it, as a response. Continued on page 3 Pastor John W. Walker jwalker@ottawafirstpres.org Church Secretary Cindy Arjes fpcone@ottawafirstpres.org Treasurer Betty Angus Westminster Choir Director Lloyd Chapman Lloyd@udnet.net Organist Diane Chapman The Presby Press is published monthly by First Presbyterian Church 114 E. Jefferson St., Ottawa, IL Telephone

3 Page 3 Our Elders are committed to serving. Diane Kennedy (Worship) Dave Farrell (Worship) Lori Trolinger (Discipleship) Lisa Mestelle (Discipleship) Brad Angus (Trustee) Steve Kennedy (Trustee) Dan Duggan (Trustee) Dianne Jamison (Mission) Jim Keely (Administration) Fran Hess (Administration) Kerry Gerding (Fellowship & Outreach) Betty Ehret (Fellowship & Outreach) Joy Huebner (Deacon) Diane Farrell (Clerk of Session) (continued from pg. 2) Session has been prayerfully considering this issue for some months and hopes to make a decision soon, perhaps as early as the June session meeting. Your input is needed. Elders will ask each of their committees at their next scheduled meeting date of Tuesday, June 9, to weigh-in on Per Capita. Each committee will discuss Per Capita options and come to the June 23 session meeting with recommendations from the various committees. Please do two things. First, please pray that God would guide us all as the LOVING COMMUNITY of Jesus Christ to make gracious and just choices that we each would listen lovingly to one another and hear all ideas and suggestions with an open heart. Pray, too, for your elders as they weigh these matters and vote their conscience on this issue. Second, please come to the June 9 committee meetings and participate in the process of loving, fruitful discussion. Even if you do not regularly come to committee meetings, come anyway. Know that you will be welcome in any one of the six committees meeting throughout the building that night. As we move through life together as Christ s Loving Community, I am so grateful for the good people and good opportunities God gives us to grow together and give witness to his Holy Spirit in his church and kingdom work. May God bless us and lead us. Joyfully serving with you in this good ministry, Pastor John Walker Thank you to everyone who participated in A OK Sunday!! It was a wonderful day with many hands making light work of all the projects we had scheduled. We gathered with friends from Calvary Baptist Church in the morning, went out to serve, and gathered back at FPC for a time of reflection, communion, and a wonderful lunch! We have received several notes from the project sites that want you to know how much they enjoyed and appreciated what we have done for them! A BIG THANK YOU! to the F&O team that kept us well-fed all morning long!

Page 4 A Spiritual Adventure in the Holy Land The Footsteps of Jesus Experience is a unique two-week journey to the places where Jesus lived, made disciples, built a spiritual family, and fulfilled

4 Page 4 A Spiritual Adventure in the Holy Land The Footsteps of Jesus Experience is a unique two-week journey to the places where Jesus lived, made disciples, built a spiritual family, and fulfilled his mission. We focus on the historically verifiable sites from Jesus life and the spiritual impact these can have on us person ally. The trip begins by exploring the Old Testament roots and the social setting of the Gospels in and around Jerusalem, Judea, and the Dead Sea. Then we follow the course of Jesus life from his birth in the city of Bethlehem, to the Sea of Galilee where he called his disciples, to the far north of Israel, and then back to Jerusalem for the climactic conclusion of our journey. Each day will begin with time for prayer and Scripture-reading based on our itinerary that day. We will visit the sites with the greatest historical significance that illuminate the biblical account of Jesus life. At each site we will offer an overview of the history and archeology and then conclude with a time of biblical reflection, sharing, and prayer. Each day we will pause at a meaningful place for worship and teaching. The evenings will alternate between opportunities for worship, processing in small groups, and free time. The group will be limited to 24 people so we can get to know each other and to facilitate more flexible movement. We will stay in Christian guesthouses within the ancient walled city of Jerusalem and on the peaceful shores of the Sea of Galilee. We visit many sites by foot so participants need to be physically fit and able to walk 4-5 miles a day up hills in warm weather. Before departure you will have the chance to participate in an eight-session online preparatory course introducing the biblical history and archaeology of the sites we will be visiting. The course includes an extensive handbook with hundreds of maps, plans, charts, and site reconstructions, which will become your reference guide for the trip. This book also includes reflection questions on key Scriptures related to the sites we will be visiting each day and space to do some journaling. Our trip leader is Bob Rognlien, pastor, teacher, and guide with nearly 30 years experience. Bob has lived in Jerusalem where he conducted post-graduate studies in the archaeology and sociology of Jesus life. The trip cost, including meals and expenses is $2550 per person. The additional airfare expense to Tel Aviv will be coordinated for our group through a travel agent. This is not a tour, it is a spiritual pilgrimage. Many people who have taken this journey with us over the last 20 years have called it the trip of a lifetime. It is certainly an unforgettable experience that will profoundly shape your reading of the Gospels and your walk with Jesus. Go to to learn more. If you are interested in joining us or want more information, please contact John Walker at jwalker@ottawafirstpres.org or (815) , ext.4. Space is limited, so if you are feeling led to join us on this spiritual adventure, send a non-refundable deposit check for $550 made out to God Experience to John Walker, First Presbyterian Church, 114 E. Jefferson Street, Ottawa, IL (See next page for dates and daily itinerary)

5 Page 5 The Footsteps of Jesus Experience With First Presbyterian Church and Pastor John Walker May 21-June 3, Daily Itinerary Friday, May 20: Depart for Tel Aviv Sat., May 21: Arrive Tel Aviv PM, stay in Old City of Jerusalem, evening visit to Holy Sepulcher and Western Wall Sunday, May 22: The World of Jesus, Sadducees and Pharisees: Jerusalem Museum, Temple Mount, Mount of Olives (Abraham and Issac) Monday, May 23: The World of Jesus, Essenes & Zealots: Wilderness of Judea, Qumran, Masada, Dead Sea (Joseph) Tuesday, May 24: The Birth of Jesus: Bethlehem, Shepherds' Fields, and Herodium (David) Wed., May 25: Jesus' Baptism and Temptation: River Jordan, Wadi Kelt, St. George's Monastery Thurs., May 26: Jesus' Home in Galilee: Nazareth, Sepphoris, Cliffs of Arbel, stay at Sea of Galilee Friday, May 27: Jesus' Headquarters: Capernaum, ancient Galilee Boat, boat trip on the lake Sat., May 28: Jesus Mission Field: Magdala, Tabgha, Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, Mount of Beatitudes Sunday, May 29: Jesus Mission Field: Chorazin, Bethsaida, Kursi, Hippo Monday, May 30: Jesus' Retreats: Gamla, Caesarea Philippi, Banias Waterfalls, return to Jerusalem Tuesday, May 31: Jesus Triumphal Entry: Bethany, Lazarus Tomb, Mt. of Olives, Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit Wed., June 1: Jesus' Teaching and Healing in Jerusalem: Temple Mount, Pools of Bethesda & Siloam, Hezekiah s Tunnel, return via Herodian Street or Hakeldema and Hinnom Valley Thursday, June 2: Jesus' Last Supper & Trials: Upper Room, St Peter in Galicantu, Garden of Gethsemane, Wohl Museum, Palace of Herod, Passover dinner Friday, June 3: Jesus' Crucifixion & Resurrection: Via Dolarosa, Golgotha, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Easter Service at Herodian Family Tomb, closing dinner, depart Tel Aviv on evening flight Saturday, June 4: Arrive home! (Revised: 01/03/15)

many families in their homes and work with the precious children at Glory Primary School.

Two young ladies from Ottawa High School and three older ladies.

If you would like to donate to this mission trip, we are looking to raise funds for: Mama Kits ($10 each) AFRIpad

6 Page 6 Mission trip to Uganda. June 16-July 1 We always have several projects to work on while we are in Uganda and, best of all, we get to visit many families in their homes and work with the precious children at Glory Primary School. It is truly a life-changing trip. This year we are a team of 5. Two young ladies from Ottawa High School and three older ladies. We appreciate your prayers for successful planning, safe travel and great blessings while we are in Uganda! If you would like to donate to this mission trip, we are looking to raise funds for: Mama Kits ($10 each) AFRIpad Kits ($15 each) School fees ($90 for a 1 year s fees, uniform & supplies) Amagara Ga Boona medical center (to help finish the building) To share with needy families (for food, blankets, mosquito nets, etc) Please contact Dianne Jamison, Debbie Damron, Betsy Feagans or Cindy Arjes. The Mission Committee thanks you for your continued support!

Page 7 Dust off your cookbooks and dig out your pans, it s time for our Annual Outdoor Service and Community Meal/Picnic. Please plan to bring a dish to pass according to the following breakdown.

The meat dish, drinks, and table service is being provided by Fellowship and Outreach Committee. More information will be coming about the outdoor service from Worship Committee.

7 Page 7 Dust off your cookbooks and dig out your pans, it s time for our Annual Outdoor Service and Community Meal/Picnic. Please plan to bring a dish to pass according to the following breakdown. A-G Vegetable H-Q Dessert R-Z Salad Please note, the desserts are NOT a vegetable or salad (despite popular belief). The meat dish, drinks, and table service is being provided by Fellowship and Outreach Committee. More information will be coming about the outdoor service from Worship Committee. WANTED: Small groups/families to serve Community Meals for the months of August, September, and December! Please see Kerry Gerding or Betty Ehret to sign up! Are you a photo buff? (Even a selfie pro with your phone)? Stay tuned for a fun activity coming up this summer headed by the Fellowship and Outreach Committee!

Page 8 Olde English Faire Rain or Shine! October 3rd & 4th 9am to 4pm Adults- $10 Ages 7-12- $5 6 & under- FREE Turkey Legs! Merrie Music Castle Tours To inquire more: strongholdcenter.org 815.732.

8 Page 8 Olde English Faire Rain or Shine! October 3rd & 4th 9am to 4pm Adults- $10 Ages $5 6 & under- FREE Turkey Legs! Merrie Music Castle Tours To inquire more: strongholdcenter.org Hi! My name is Chris Busker, Marketing and Sales Director at Stronghold. I only started this position a few months ago, however Stronghold has been in my life ever since I can remember. With years of summer camp experience, 2 summers as support staff and my Eagle Scout project on site, I am prepared to answer any questions on how Stronghold can help you. From a group tent camping area to a hotel-style building, we have many levels of luxury. Please give me a call or send me an - whatever you prefer- to let me know when you would like to come. (815) x607 Chris@strongholdcenter.org 1922 N. Route 2 Oregon, IL 61061

church family, the greater Ottawa community, our missionaries and prayers for our nation and the world. Free Community Meals; 3rd Sunday of every month: LOOKING TO FILL August, September & December!

9 WIN, GROW, GO: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Page 9 Wednesday Prayer Team: Please come pray each Wednesday, 9:30 am 10 am, in the church library with a team of dedicated pray-ers lifting praises and concerns to the LORD for members of our church family, the greater Ottawa community, our missionaries and prayers for our nation and the world. Free Community Meals; 3rd Sunday of every month: LOOKING TO FILL August, September & December!! Might God call you to work on the community meal project? On the third Sunday of each month volunteers are needed to do the following: Organize the meal (decide what to make, plan the purchase of food); cook the meal; visit with those eating; clean up. Who can help? Anyone, any age. Are you feeling like you and your friends can be the next ones? Contact Kerry Gerding ( ) or Betty Ehret ( ) for more information and to sign up. Prayer Ministry Team: Please consider joining this group. We meet the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Library, and we would love to add to our group. Please contact any of our current team: Mike & Diane Farrell, Gayle Schmitt, Cindy Arjes, Susan Hayward, or Pastor John Walker. Prayer Shawls: Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is still going strong. Do you know someone who could use a hug from God (who doesn t)? Please call us so that we may provide a Prayer Shawl for you to give that someone who needs God s hug. Jackie Bean Why not join a small group? At FPC small groups are important. Why? Because few experiences encourage and build our faith more than small groups. Small groups teach us how to better know, understand and apply God s word in daily life. They also become a place of good friendship and caring. Want to join a small group? It s easy! Just talk to Pastor John or one of the small group contacts listed below: Mike & Diane Farrell (Sun. PM): Diane Kennedy (Thurs. PM): John Walker (1 st Sun. PM monthly): Lisa Mestelle/Women-Beth Moore Bible Betsy Feagans (Mon. PM): Study (Thurs. PM): Jack & Sandy Finnegan (Thurs. AM): Jim Keely/Men (Sat. AM): Carol Engberg/Women: (Thurs. PM, once a month) Handy Food Receipts Please save your receipts and bring them to church. We can earn 1% of the receipts totals for our church! Boxes will be in Scott Hall and on the table by the church offices. Ottawa Community Food Basket: Donations for the Food Basket for the month of June is pasta/spaghetti. Let s fill the barrels at the entrances to our sanctuary and share our gifts with the less fortunate in our community. Sunday Greeters needed: We need your smiling face to greet newcomers and "oldcomers" at the front door on Sunday mornings. Please contact Chris Keely ( ) to pick a Sunday for you and/or your family. This is a great way to contribute to the life of your church.

10 FOOD, FELLOWSHIP& FAMILY Page 10 LADIES NITE OUT Tuesday, June 2, 6:00 p.m. at Red Lobster. Please contact: Dorene Pratt ( ) for info & reservations. All women are invited for the fun!! Bring an extra $1 and maybe win a free meal! NEEDED: someone to be the Director of Summer ZONE. Leading this program involves finding the volunteers to lead each week and making up that volunteer schedule, as well as making sure that the video and questions for that week are made available to those leading. To find out more information or to offer yourself as a volunteer for one week this summer, please see Lori Trolinger. Thank you. We will have spots to fill this fall in our children's ministry programs. We ask that you prayerfully consider how you can help, or get involved, with Children's Church and ZONE once September rolls around. There will be more information about the specific roles we will be hoping to fill as the summer winds down, but please consider how God can use you in these programs. JUNE Nicole Stevenson 1 Madisyn McGrath 3 June Buckingham 8 Fran Hess 10 Maxine Brockman 10 Ruth White 14 Donna Burkey 14 Jenna Smithmeyer 17 Tim Huebner 20 Bill Buckingham 26 Max McGrath 26 Chuck White 28 JULY Carol Woeckel 3 Ryan O'Connor 3 Nicholas Angus 4 Randy Ehret, Jr. 4 Mary Ellen West 5 Peggy Harvey 5 Zachary Hoffmann 5 Drake Stuedemann 7 Joy Huebner 8 Dorene Pratt 9 Mark Wegner 10 Erica Hoffmann 10 James Keely 19 Gail Dial 19 Berry Haralson 19 Cindy Zeilmann 20 Bob Chapman 22 Linda Lindeman 25 Stacey Bragg 25 Ernie Brown 29

11 Every Sunday 9:00 am Fellowship 9:30 am Prayer 10:00 am WORSHIP 11:15 am Adult Ed. 9:30 am Prayer, library 9:30 am Seniors Small Group Page 11 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Every Wed. Every Thurs. Every Saturday 6:30 am Men s Small Group Recognizing our Grads in Worship 6 pm Ladies Nite Out :30 am Adult Ed. Series Class 14 Infant Baptism 7 pm Session Committee Mtgs Come to Discuss Per Capita :30 am Adult Ed. Series Class 6pm LOL4JC 21 9:30 a.m. JOINT WORSHIP WITH CALVARY BAPTIST & CHRIST COMMUNITY 12:00 pm Community Meal 28 HAPPY FATHER S DAY! Infant Baptism pm Session pm LOL4JC June

First Presbyterian Church 114 East Jefferson Street Ottawa, Illinois 61350 Page 12 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Ottawa, Illinois Permit No.

12 First Presbyterian Church 114 East Jefferson Street Ottawa, Illinois Page 12 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Ottawa, Illinois Permit No. 271 Return Service Requested June 21 Joint Worship Service with Calvary Baptist and Christ Community Churches Worship begins at 9:30 a.m., community lunch to follow. Bring you most comfortable lawn chair, ground blanket, or magic carpet. :) Bring an umbrella to shade yourself, if needed larger shade coverings provided What a great day Father s Day to worship our heavenly Father together and give witness to Ottawa of the church s unity! * From the Pastor s Study pg. 1 * From the Pastor s Study cont. pg. 2 * From the Pastor s Study continued pg. 3 * Footsteps of Jesus Trip: May 2016 pg. 4 * Footsteps of Jesus Trip itinerary pg. 5 * Uganda Mission Trip pg. 6 * Church Picnic/Community Meal pg. 7 * Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center pg. 8 * Win, Grow, Go pg. 9 * Food, Fellowship, & Family pg. 10 * June Calendar pg. 11 * Highlight of the Month pg. 12 * Prayer Partners: pg. 1

Presby Press First Presbyterian Church 114 East Jefferson Street Ottawa, IL (815)

Page 1 Presby Press First Presbyterian Church 114 East Jefferson Street Ottawa, IL 61350 (815)433-1045 www.ottawafirstpres.org Volume 39 No. 4 APRIL2015 From the Pastor s Desk: Keeping Company with Jesus