2011 Seniors. Bridgeport Presbyterian Church. Church Events

Transcription

1 Bridgeport Presbyterian Church NEWSLETTER OF BRIDGEPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH JUNE 2011 VOLUME 18 NUMBER Seniors Church Events. June 5 Choir Celebration June 5 Children s Summer School Begins June 6 PW Bible Study June 8 Stephen Ministry June 12 Worship in the Park June 12 MS Walk & Lunch June 18 Pool Party Bridgeport Muni Pool June 22 Men s Breakfast Our Seniors, Loran Davis, Emily Gray and Marcus Pinti wrapped in love from Bridgeport Presbyterian Church. Best wishes and God s blessing as you begin your next phase of your life.

2 Using Our Gifts Scripture: Romans 12:1-8 During Paul s three month period in Corinth. (AD56-57) Verses 12:4-8 are among my favorites. We are a people of a variety of gifts. If we willingly give these talents and gifts to our church, we can make a complete and vital church body. Each of us needs to reflect: Are we using our individual gifts in a way that is holy and pleasing to God? If not, we need to look inward to see what is holding us back from using our gifts more fully. Private time of prayer and reflection are vital to discovering what God is calling us to do. I see so many in our congregation with a variety of abilities. Some have musical gifts; some an ability to organize; others to teach the Word; still others have gifts of photography, computers, and artistic creativity. The list goes on with a variety of gifts we can use in serving our Lord and our church. With the collective use of all these talents and gifts (along with individual determination) our church family can continue to grow in its mission to serve the community, the larger church and our own congregation. No one person can do it all. But sometimes we see people who try to be involved in so many aspects of the church that we wonder if they are spreading themselves too thin. On the other hand, some feel that if they aren t involved in a large number of activities in the church, they are not doing enough and avoid any kind of involvement altogether. Perhaps you are a person who needs to focus your talents in specific areas. It is okay to select only a few areas of need to focus upon instead of trying to do it all. My hope is that each of us can find and acknowledge our gifts and talents, and make an effort to use them in a way that will be pleasing to God. If your gift involves care-giving of others whether it is as a listener or actively helping another, we hope you will make an effort to learn about Stephen Ministry. As you listen to the information presented today about the Stephen Ministry program, we ask that you prayerfully consider this ministry within our own congregation. Is this program one that interests you? Is this care-giving ministry something that you feel is worthwhile enough to devote the time needed for the training that is required to become a Stephen Minister? Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the many gifts and talents that You have given to each of us. We ask that You be with us this morning as we learn more about Stephen Ministry. Please guide us so that all that we do and the decisions we make will be pleasing to You. Help us to recognize our own gifts and to know how to use these talents for your benefit and for furthering your work through our church family. Give us the zeal and enthusiasm that we need to know the ways in which we will continue to serve this congregation. In Christ s holy name, Amen. Stephen Ministry is..listening. Listening is caring. Listening is the most important skill that a Stephen Minster uses. Listening is an active process requiring much personal involvement and commitment. Good listening takes work. A Stephen Minister patiently takes time to understand the care receiver s needs and to listen fully as the person works through his or her situation. Many times, people in crisis know exactly what they should do. What they need are patient, listening ears- people who can be completely present as they express their feelings. God works through such care giving to inspire in people the courage to do what they know they must do. Men s Breakfast For the June get-together, the Men s Breakfast Group will meet in the back room at Eat 'n' Park Restaurant at 7:00 AM on Wednesday, June 22, Come along and bring a friend.

3 WALK FOR A WEEK AND BEYOND!!! Let the Congregational Life Committee get you started on your summer walking routine. Beginning Monday, June 6th from 7-8pm We will walk together every evening Rain or Shine Bring your own water, buddy or dog! Questions: Call Beth at TREASURER S REPORT APRIL 30, 2011 General Fund Identified receipts for the month of April were $15,000, versus a budgeted amount of $11,000. Year to date receipts are $56,000 versus a budgeted amount of $45,000. This variance is the result of the booking in 2011 of prepaid giving that was received in When this is considered, the giving was $4,000 ahead of budgeted levels. Expenses for the month were unfavorable by $100 as compared with budget, while the year to date expenses were favorable by $2,600. It is expected that as committee activities get underway for the year, expenditures will be at budgeted levels. Building Fund The balance on the note that resulted from the building improvement and expansion project is $34,900. Thank you for your continued support of our church. Charlie Burkhammer Treasurer JUNE BIRTHDAYS 1 Bob Graeber 13 Dean Burns 1 J.D. Lister 15 Marcus Pinti 3 R.J. Bean 17 Traci Liebig 4 Drew Tate 18 Jo Sturm 7 Mary Jo Hitt 19 Courtney Smith 8 Steve Atkinson 20 Courtney Miller 8 Beth McCaugherty 20 Pauline Synder 11 Barbara Judy 23 Nancy Aucremanne 12 Jo Miller 25 Robin Ray 12 Gordon Stearns 27 Kevin McMullen 12 Janet Calfee JUNE ANNIVERSARIES 1 Kathy & Phil Dodson 10 Nancy & Steve Atkinson 16 Barbara & Ralph Bean 21 Rita & Carl Friebel 22 Ruth & Bob Allen 23 Cindy & Gerald Frederick 26 Judi & Tom Giffen 27 Stacey & Kevin McMullen

4 Pearl s 90 th Birthday Serving at Ronald McDonald House Youth Sunday Our Seniors Loran Davis, Emily Gray and Marcus Pinti Beth s Quilt for the Humane Society PW s gifts to the Humane Society

5 Session Minutes The Session of the Bridgeport Presbyterian Church met for their Stated Meeting on Tuesday evening, May 10, 2011, with Reverend Robin Ray moderating. Nancy Aucremanne opened the meeting with devotions and prayer. Highlights of the meeting included the following: Average attendance for April = 88. Pastor Robin advised churches were still voting for Amendment 10-A, giving gay pastors the right to be ordained.. Information was presented regarding Presbytery s trip to the Presbyterian Offices at the United Nations in New York City, cost per person for four days is $400. A non-refundable $200 payment is due for each participant no later than Monday, June 27, with the remainder due no later than August 1. Registration will be on a first come, first registered basis. Date: August 29 September 1. If you are interested contact Pastor Robin. Stephen Ministry is planning a class in the fall. If you are interested contact a member or Pastor Robin. Presbyterian Women have Flip Flops, Faith and Friends scheduled May 26 with salad and ice cream sundae bars. The Birthday Offering will be collected at that time. Christian Education will be honoring Sunday School teachers on May 22. Ruth Allen will make ice cream sundaes. Summer Sunday School begins June 5 through August 28. Normal Sunday School hours resume September 11. Congregational Life has scheduled the MS Walk for June 12 at Compton Park with lunch. Hot dogs and hamburgers furnished. There is a sign-up sheet for side dishes on the bulletin board for the congregation. The walking together program will resume June 6, Monday through Friday from 7:00 8:00 pm. Session approved 40% of the Pentecost Offering that stays in our church go to the Pastor s Discretionary Fund. Session approved the loose plate offering on Pentecost Sunday going to the Pentecost Offering. Worship requested approval to have outdoor services at Compton Park on June 12, July 24 and August 21. This was approved. They also decided not to serve communion in the nursery Pastor Robin will serve communion to nursery attendants in her office prior to the worship service. The Outreach Committee is in the process of purchasing from the Sheltered Workshop red baseball caps to be sold to the congregation at a price of $10.00 and worn on Pentecost Sunday and other church functions. Naomi Burkhammer, Clerk

6 MS WALK June 12 will be a special day in many respects. First, weather permitting; we ll have our worship service outside at Compton Park. Then after church our annual MS Walk will take place in and around Compton Park and environs and finally the Congregational Life committee will be providing us with a delicious lunch. Our church has been participating in MS Walks since 1995 with the exception on We began walking in support of Kathy Dodson who had just been diagnosed with MS. During that time, our church has raised more than $13,000 which can be documented. There were five years of walks without documented results. Since 1995, the church has been recognized statewide for raising funds, recognized for the largest church group in the state, and won the Golden Shoe Award for the largest team. Since 2007, our church has sent the money collected directly to the National MS Association for research. For those you us who will be wanting to walk after the service, the loop around the park is.2 miles. There is a path at the back of the park that leads up to James Street through a nicely vegetated area for a longer walk and then there are the neighborhoods close to the church for walking also. Don t forget to get your red Bridgeport Presbyterian Church hat in preparation for the walk and Pentecost. The Outreach Committee will be collecting the $10 charge for the hat starting May 29 in the Fellowship Hall. That will be an excellent time to sign up for the walk and what food you will be bringing to the lunch. Congregational Life is asking the congregation to bring baked beans, salad or dessert. See you on the 12th for a very unique day in the life of our church! COLLECTION FOR HAITI The Session has approved a motion to collect items for Pastor Robin s Mission trip to Haiti which will take place from June 26 to July 3. The items to be collected are: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, Ibruprophen, antibiotic cream, vitamins all ages, and Motrin. These are among the most needed items in Haiti currently. A collection bin will be placed in the narthex and the collection will take place from June 1 to June 24. We are hoping to fill a whole suitcase with these gifts which Robin can then take with her. CHILDREN S HEALTH PANTRY BOOK SALE The book sale will take place August 26 and 27. Save your books to donate for the sale. No magazines or encyclopedias will be accepted. The church will be glad to receive books for the sale after August 1. The Presbyterian Woman will once again be providing lunch. Look for a delicious lunch at a bargain! LUNCH FOR A BUCK Thanks to Gail Leibig for doing the shopping, Bev Sandy, Janet Calfee, Annabel Timms, and Penny Ranson for the preparation and Jeannie Pote for the delivery of our 28 lunches for the Campus Ministry Center at WVU. The meal consisted of sandwiches, chips, carrots and celery sticks and cookies. Drinks are provided at the Center. The lunches are a service of the Campus Ministry Center to WVU students for $1.00. MISSION WORK DAY On Saturday, May 7, eight church members under the direction of Rod Jennings, set about residing an annex area of the Women s and Children s dorm at the Clarksburg Mission. They were: Barry Ranson, Carl Friebel, Gail and Craig Liebig, Joyce Hartzell, Jim Compton, and Alison Deem. The work began at 9:30 AM and stopped at 2:30 PM at which point we ate a lunch of baked chicken, macaroni and cheese and salad prepared by the Presbyterian Women for the clients of the Mission. All the siding was torn off of ¾ of the annex, and plywood and Tyvek were reapplied. Siding was put up on one side and started on another. The Mission took over at that point and has finished the project. The next time you re in Glen Elk check it out! It s the grey siding on the second floor of the Clarksburg Mission building. SHEPHERD S CORNER Thanks to Kathy Dodson, Allie Alonzo, Craig Liebig and Joyce Hartzell who served on May 10 at The Bridgeport Presbyterian Church s day at the Shepherd s Corner on May 10. The volunteer shifts are from 10 AM to noon and from noon to 2 PM on the second Tuesday of the month.

7 From the Choir Director June Newsletter 2011 Summer break is soon ahead for the choir. In fact, our final Sunday until Sept. will be June 6 th. I hope that many of you will come out that day to revisit with us some of our favorite pieces from the past year. Thank you for all the support that you have shown the choir, Beth, and I over this past year. I pray that many of you will consider joining us when the group convenes in the fall. Of course, there are numerous opportunities for each one of you to share your gifts over the summer. The infamous yellow pad is already marked off with the dates and lying in wait. Please consider sharing your gifts with us over the summer. Most of you know how much I love to do research, so if there is a specific piece of music, style, or composer you d like me to write about in future newsletters, jot me a note and leave it in my mailbox at church or me at davisly2002@yahoo.com. Have a fun and safe-filled summer, Lynne Davis, Director of Music. Tea Time Attention all ladies of Bridgeport Presbyterian Church! Saturday June 11 th, 2011 Bridgeport Baptist Church (on Worthington Dr.) is hosting a tea. This will be an Ecumenical Women s event. For the past three years, several Bridgeport area churches have come together for an annual luncheon in February and several other events. So far, no official ecumenical women s group has been formed to continue to promote this ministry that is until now! After this past February s Women of Faith luncheon, representatives from those participating churches met to discuss the possibility of officially forming an ecumenical women s ministry in the Bridgeport area. The result was the formation of: B.A.S.I.C (Bridgeport Area Sisters In Christ) During the tea, the B.A.S.I.C coordinating team will be introduced, plus the presentation of our new Name, Logo, Mission Statement and more! It was decided that since all of our churches are so involved with the continued efforts of Sheppard s Corner, we will focus our mission activities to helping the women who visit there. As an admission price for the tea, we are asking that you bring a woman s care item from the following list. Kits will then be made with those items for women in need in our area. Please RSVP to Anna Winans by June 4 th. If you have questions or RSVP, please contact Anna at any time via phone , annawinans@hotmail.com, or in person. What: BASIC Tea, hosted by Bridgeport Baptist Church Women Where: Bridgeport Baptist Church on Worthington Dr. Time: 2pm RSVP: To Anna Winans by June 4 th Cost: Any or all of the following items for Woman Care Kits: Small bar soaps Small shampoos & conditioners Deodorant Tooth brush Tooth paste Combs / Brush Lotions (body) Emory boards Nail Polish Pads Any other Sanitary needs Any other items that will fit in a gallon size bag

8 NEWS FROM PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN 25 people were in attendance on Thursday, April 28 as we met in the fellowship hall for an evening to celebrate All God s Creatures. We enjoyed desserts provided by Betty Jo Jones, Pastor Robin and Erma Reel. Brad Ford then entertained us with a thoughtful power point presentation on the 10 life lessons that we can learn from a dog. A surprise appearance by the Ford family dog culminated Brad s speech. Our very own Laura Miller, director of the Harrison County Humane Society, gave us some facts about the local shelter and received the many donations brought to the meeting that night. The donations included over $100 in cash along with bleach, towels, blankets, kitty litter, puppy food, kitty food, cleaning supplies, pet treats and large plastic storage containers. Grooming items, flea and tick prevention kits, pet toys, laundry detergent, air freshener, pet collars and leashes and a kitty litter box and scoop were also brought to the meeting. A member of our church who wishes to remain anonymous brought in 400 pounds of kitty litter to the shelter. Many other unnamed members took in pet food and kitty litter. Laura and the staff at the shelter are very appreciative of all our efforts. Laura also wishes to thank Beth McCaugherty for sewing the beautiful quilt with the dog and the cat stitched on it; she was truly touched by that gift so lovingly made for her. Laura has reported that the word of our project spread quickly to other churches. Many members of local congregations also donated pet food and supplies. First Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg made a sizable cash donation and provided pet food through a food drive. And, at least one of our members has donated of her time to go administer some TLC to some little critters at the shelter. PW provided a meal for the Clarksburg Mission on Saturday, May 7; thanks to Betty Jo for coordinating that activity. We also provided a meal for the residents of the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown on Monday, May 9. We appreciate Lori Gray for heading up that project. Summer is fast approaching, and the PWCT has arranged for two different activities. We are sponsoring a mini Bible study series on Wednesday evenings beginning June 29 at 6:30 PM in the lounge. We will also meet July 6, July 20 and July 27. This study is open to ALL interested members and friends, men AND women. Please watch the bulletin and announcements for further information. Our second activity is our annual summer outing. We will journey to Morgantown on Saturday, July 30 to enjoy lunch together. We will meet at the church at 11:15 AM to carpool to the restaurant (location to be announced later). After lunch we will travel to the WOW! Factory for an afternoon of fellowship and painting a ceramic project, creating a piece of jewelry or designing a mosaic tile. The PWCT will provide snacks for the afternoon session. You will need money for lunch and the project of your choice. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to join us. CANDLES AND WORSHIP Have you ever asked or wondered why lighting and extinguishing candles is a part of our worship service? Have you ever wondered why it happens at the beginning and then at the end of the service? Have you ever wondered if it really matters how they are lit or extinguished or whether or not we should hurry to get it done or take our time? So what is the big deal about lighting and extinguishing those candles? The tradition of candles as part of the worship service, is just that a tradition. For every denomination, or even individual churches within a denomination, the tradition of candles in worship varies as does the number of candles used, and the way the candles are lit. But the number of candles used or how they are lit is not as important as the why. The candles symbolize the light of Christ. The acolytes, at the beginning of the service, carry the light of Christ into the worship service so that Christ is with us during worship and at the end of the service they carry the light of Christ out into the world. Jesus said, I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won t be stumbling in the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life (John 8:12). When you are asked to light the candles you are not just being asked to light candles, you are being asked to carry Christ s light into the worship service and out into the world. I am the light of the world shouldn t it matter how I AM carried into and out of the service? The candles are lit during the Prelude and extinguished during the Postlude. There are many verses to the music that is played, allowing the Acolytes time to slowly carry Christ s light in and out of the service, If you follow me, you won t be stumbling in the, darkness... When lighting the candles place the light of Christ on the bottom candle lighting to the top candle, this leads the congregation s eyes to the cross and places them, eyes, minds and hearts, at the foot of the cross in preparation for worship. After being renewed by the service and enlightened by His word the congregation is again led to the foot of the cross by extinguishing the candles. They are extinguished from bottom to top, lighting the candle lighter with the top candle before extinguishing. The congregation is then reminded that we should carry the light of Christ with us throughout the week as His light is carried out of the sanctuary.,.because you will have the light that leads to life So what is the big deal about those candles? I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won t be stumbling in the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.

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10 Bridgeport Presbyterian Church The Church Office is open Monday-Friday 9:30am 12:30pm Pastor Robin Ray Office Website: Pastor Robin Ray Clerk of Session Naomi Burkhammer Treasurer Charlie Burkhammer Director of Music Lynne Davis Organist Beth Armentrout Presbyterian Women Sue Davis Janitorial Support Sharon Salate Church Secretary Jane Merandi Bridgeport Presbyterian Church 1 John Calvin Drive Bridgeport WV 26330