Transitional thoughts from the Pastor...

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Transitional thoughts from the Pastor... To all the Followers of Jesus Christ, The Gospel lesson on Trinity Sunday began with Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.

1 Transitional thoughts from the Pastor... To all the Followers of Jesus Christ, The Gospel lesson on Trinity Sunday began with Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. (John 3:1-2) The Gospels refer to Nicodemus once again after the crucifixion of Jesus. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. (John 19:39-40) I have often wondered if there were other encounters between Jesus and Nicodemus that were not recorded in the Biblical record. My imagination says that there were probably several encounters between the two and often included other people. I can see Nicodemus appearing at one of the many homes Jesus stayed to listen to the Rabbi read the Scriptures and explain its meaning. I can see Nicodemus appearing at the gates of The City and watching Jesus give sight to the blind man. I can see Nicodemus appearing at the home of Mary and Martha and hearing Jesus call Lazarus from the grave. I can see Nicodemus listening to Jesus confront the Pharisees about letting the one without sin cast the first stone. I can see Nicodemus standing in the crowd listening to Pilate address them saying that he found no fault in Jesus and asking to release Jesus or Barabbas. I can imagine Nicodemus present for so much of Jesus ministry. I also have wondered what would I have thought if I happened to hear Jesus during one of his public discourses. I surely hope I would have become a follower of the Messiah. But that is all conjecture and held captive in my imagination. The real question is, how do I respond today to the reality of Christ? Isn t that the question for all of us? The embracing of the reality that Christ transforms our thinking, our living, our entire lives. Nicodemus was transformed! The disciples were transformed! Paul was transformed! And by the grace of God, each of us can be transformed! Alleluia! By His Grace, Pastor Kim Our Mission Statement: As God s family, through Jesus Christ, we seek to know God through prayer, worship, and Bible study to be open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to share God s love with each other, our community, and the world

STEPS IN FAITH BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES This is the project to update the facilities of Koinonia Hall.

(Some of the chairs are for Westminster Hall.

Also luncheon events, wedding receptions and large meetings can occur in Koinonia Hall with the new vinyl floor mats to protect the finish of the recently refinished gym floor and with the comfort

2 STEPS IN FAITH BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES This is the project to update the facilities of Koinonia Hall. We are on our way to raising the $75,000 needed to add air-conditioning and heating, protective floor mats, heat reflective curtains for the South wall, and stackable padded chairs for Koinonia. (Some of the chairs are for Westminster Hall.) Think of the joy and excitement of those now able to use Koinonia Hall in the Summer after the air-conditioning is installed: youth and adult basketball, tai chi classes and summer camp activities. Also luncheon events, wedding receptions and large meetings can occur in Koinonia Hall with the new vinyl floor mats to protect the finish of the recently refinished gym floor and with the comfort generating new airconditioning. FAITH is ACTION. We have not yet reached our goal. Add your contribution to the Steps in Faith. Your prayers and action on this project are needed to continue to serve this church and this neighborhood as a concrete example of Christ working in our lives. May God bless you with precious gifts that money can t buy on your special day the gift of love the gift of friendship the gift of family the gift of happiness **Black = Birthdays **Red = Anniversaries June 2 June 2 June 6 June 7 June 11 June 16 June 17 June 20 June 27 Dylan Vaughn Ian Vaughn Carol Dietrich Don & Mary Lou Hover George Herron Kim Roider Megan McKee Adam Yanes Tami Buckley We will be recognizing birthdays and anniversaries every month during worship on the fourth Sunday, followed by birthday cake in Westminster Hall. If your name or date is wrong, or you are not on the list and want to be, please let the Office know: Thank you. PG 2 MAY 2018

Some of the new features include greater and easier access to the full Power, Love, Peace, and Wisdom of the Sacred Heart of Christ.

3 Good morning UPGRADE YOUR SPIRIT It s a new day! Be aware that a spiritual systems upgrade is currently being downloaded. MONTHLY FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON Our Fellowship Luncheon will be after worship on June 10th. This month we will have an International Potluck. Some of the new features include greater and easier access to the full Power, Love, Peace, and Wisdom of the Sacred Heart of Christ. There is an added layer of protection which seeks out and destroys all activities of the great deceiver. If at anytime you feel a suspicious message or activity being sent to you, do not open it or pursue it. Immediately move it to the new file called In Jesus name we are free. You will also notice a new font called the Word. It has choices of amazing colors, and it autocorrects any form of negativity. Overall you will notice a supernatural band of access to a courageous and more compassionate heart, a brain with unlimited knowledge and the Peace that surpasses all understanding. And uniquely joyous, you will feel you are always home and at ease wherever you go because you will continuously be in the Presence of God. Bring and share a dish from another culture. Be prepared to label your dish with the country or culture it represents. Cupcakes will be provided. Come share this time with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Best of all, the entire process is Graceoperated so all you have to do is pray and enter the Peace and Quiet, the Silence, which is the Divine Coded Language of God in this upgrade all else is a poor translation. So enjoy and have a blessed day! By: Douglas Silva Be sure to vote! Tuesday, June 5th. MAY 2018 PG 3

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS At the Session meeting on May 20th, the following items were approved: Scholarships for the Restore Summer Leadership Camp.

Dates to remember: May 27th June 3rd June 12th Memorial Day Gun Violence Prevention Workshop Pneu Matrix Meeting In hopes of stretching the Church s budget, there

These items are: CHURCH WISH LIST Reams of paper for our copier letter, legal (bulletins) and ledger sizes (Window) Bio-degradable paper plates (9 ), bowls, cold

Coffee decaf and regular (ground) Power washer (we currently borrow Pastor Kim s) Pledge furniture polish (no generic please) Thank you to all who have helped.

4 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS At the Session meeting on May 20th, the following items were approved: Scholarships for the Restore Summer Leadership Camp. Renting additional office space to Reinvent Stockton, beginning June 1, A Grant request for Presbyterian Mission Funds to support Family Promise. Dates to remember: May 27th June 3rd June 12th Memorial Day Gun Violence Prevention Workshop Pneu Matrix Meeting In hopes of stretching the Church s budget, there are some items that could be donated to the Church. These items are: CHURCH WISH LIST Reams of paper for our copier letter, legal (bulletins) and ledger sizes (Window) Bio-degradable paper plates (9 ), bowls, cold cups and coffee cups for coffee hour, Fellowship Lunches, and other meetings that take place here. No Styrofoam or plastic please. Coffee decaf and regular (ground) Power washer (we currently borrow Pastor Kim s) Pledge furniture polish (no generic please) Thank you to all who have helped. If you are able to donate any of these items, please contact Suzi in the Church Office. READERS-R-US Readers-R-Us will be meeting on Thursday, June 14th at 3:00 p.m. At Helen Mar s house to discuss The House of Broken Angels By: Luis Alberto Urrea FINANCIAL UPDATE April 2018 Income $17, Expenses $22, Net Income ($ 5,281.70) PG 4 MAY 2018

RESTORE UPDATE Our congregation continues to be very generous to ensure that our Little Free Library is always stocked.

You can either bring them to church on Sunday or drop them off in the Church Office (Monday-Friday, 9am to 1pm).

We hosted several end of the year parties amongst our various programs, and were able to spend some significant time sharing memories from the year and creating new ones.

5 RESTORE UPDATE Our congregation continues to be very generous to ensure that our Little Free Library is always stocked. Thank you Evelyn Morrow for brining in a box of children s books and Sylvia Cavanaugh for the Readers Digest books. We have an ongoing need for books and magazines of all kinds. You can either bring them to church on Sunday or drop them off in the Church Office (Monday-Friday, 9am to 1pm). Mentoring Programs: Restore s mentoring programs have all wrapped up for the school year, with joy and celebration. We hosted several end of the year parties amongst our various programs, and were able to spend some significant time sharing memories from the year and creating new ones. As leaders, we could not be more blessed to work with such amazing kids; they are truly the future leaders of our community and we are confident that each one of them will go far in life, whether they continue in our programs or not. After school mentoring, on campus mentoring, and garden mentoring will all be taking a break for the Summer and will resume at some point when the new school year begins in the Fall. Summer Camp: Restore will be hosting its fifth annual Summer Leadership Camp immediately following the end of the Stockton Unified School year. The camp will run from June 4th- 8th this year, and will include an overnight camping trip to Lake Hogan for all the participants. Our theme this year is Camp L.I.T. (Leaders in Training), and it will be a focused time to continue pouring into the youth and raising up world changers! There is a fee for participants for the camp, and we are always grateful for donations of scholarship funds for youth who may not be able to afford the camp, as well as donations of fresh food for camp meals. For questions, more information, or to make a donation, please contact Restore at info@restorestockton.com or call Another wonderful year of on-campus mentoring between Pittman Elementary and Health Careers Academy! Thanks to Delta s Horticulture Club for the generous donation of plant starts! MAY 2018 PG 5

CENTS-ABILITY OFFERING Cents-Ability is a small step in the battle against hunger and

This simple act is an expression of thanks for what we have received.

to involve individuals and families in a corporate response to world hunger.

joyful noise unto the Lord as they are received and dedicated.

June 10th will be the last time to hear the Temple Choir until after the Summer.

6 CENTS-ABILITY OFFERING Cents-Ability is a small step in the battle against hunger and poverty. We invite everyone of all ages to contribute a few cents every day. This simple act is an expression of thanks for what we have received. It is also a commitment to share with others in response to Jesus command You give them something to eat. Cents-Ability originated in 1976 as Two Cents A Meal, a project begun by Presbyterian Women to involve individuals and families in a corporate response to world hunger. When we bring our offerings to church on Sunday, June 24th, all of those coins make a joyful noise unto the Lord as they are received and dedicated. Be sure to pick up a can and start saving your change to support our Cents-Ability Offering. June 10th will be the last time to hear the Temple Choir until after the Summer. Be sure to thank them for their beautiful music! AMGEN TOUR GOES BY FIRST PRES On Thursday, May 17th, the Amgen bicyclists and their support vehicles went right by First Pres on El Dorado Street! The groupies from First Pres and Gravity gathered to watch. PG 6 MAY 2018

The Mission Committee of First Presbyterian Church of Stockton invites you to a Conversation! Sunday, June 3, 2018 After worship Please RSVP Email the Church: office@fpcstockton.

7 The Mission Committee of First Presbyterian Church of Stockton invites you to a Conversation! Sunday, June 3, 2018 After worship Please RSVP the Church: office@fpcstockton.org or call Cheryl Hunt: so we can provide brunch items. In the last year, over 36,000 Americans died from gun violence. Our schoolchildren fear being shot at school every day. No other nation in the world lives this way. With each mass shooting, public momentum for change rises and then falls away. Our nation needs the help of the church on this issue. Americans need safe places to talk together about the issue, study groups to learn what steps are possible to prevent gun violence and to share their own experience with gun violence. Local churches can mobilize a national conversation to find compromises that will make a difference, balancing gun rights with public safety. This is not about taking away anyone s guns or supporting any political party or group. This is about loving our neighbor. In the meantime, we invite everyone to pray this prayer that is being shared with General Assembly: Gracious God, whose mercy never ends, whose Spirit brings the Kairos moment for change. We confess our past willingness to abide the deaths of over one million, six hundred thousand souls lost to gun violence since the children, the parents, the distraught, as well as millions more injured, ruined, orphaned, widowed. Help us to comprehend this carnage and not become numb. We commend and give thanks for the long witness of the General Assembly and all Presbyterians who are already engaged in preventing gun violence. We thank you for raising up the students to lead us with their marches, their walk-outs, their passion born of pain. We call upon you, Lord; we have nowhere else to turn. Galvanize all of us, every congregation in the Presbyterian Church. Wake us up in our pews and our lives; do not let Christ find us asleep on this watch. Rather, Lord, grant to our church members, both those of us who own guns and those of us who do not, a unity of purpose to change the national debate on gun violence. Show us the path. At all the places where you are proclaimed, give us courage to stand against principalities and powers. Grant us the joy of using the gifts that you provide energy, intelligence, imagination and love to help our communities and our nation heal from this sorrow and tragedy. In Christ s name we pray, Amen. MAY 2018 PG 7

org Business Office Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m.

8 First Presbyterian Church of Stockton 31 E. Vine Street Stockton, CA Phone: Website: fpcstockton.org Business Office Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The deadline for submission of articles for the July Window is June 20th. WORSHIP ASSISTANTS Date Name June 3 Bill Alessio June 10 Craig Holmes June 17 Janet Sepiol June 24 Carol Dietrich MAY 2018

September CHANGE IN WORSHIP TIME. Worship time returns to 10:30 a.m. September 2nd. Greetings from the Second Floor

September CHANGE IN WORSHIP TIME Worship time returns to 10:30 a.m. September 2nd Pastor Kim was unavailable to write an article this month, so we bring you... Greetings from the Second Floor By: Nathan