Jeff s thots on living the Faith

Transcription

1 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 7100 Harvard Hills Rd. P.O. Box 846 Harvard, IL Office Phone Jeff s Home September 2016 CHIMES Upcoming Communion Dates Sept 10th & 11th Oct 1st & 2nd Nov 5th & 6th, 26th & 27th Dec 3rd & 4th, 10th & 11th, 17th & 18th, 24th & 25th Jeff s thots on living the Faith The time for my departure is near, I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race I have kept the faith 2 Timothy 4:6-7 Many of you have seen by business card or have received something on my letterhead stationary with this very quote at the bottom. It is a scripture verse that has been a key reminder of how I believe God called me into ministry. I first was drawn to this passage when I was running cross country races in High School and it has stuck with me all these 50 years. Over the years I have battled for what I believe God wanted and especially for our members who needed a paraclyte. I always looked at my time with the churches I served as a long distance run that proved its value over the years rather than months. Holding onto Jesus through it all has kept me from quitting on many occasions. So it is this verse that was the subject of the evening devotions when I met with our Session and shared with them my retirement plans. Folks have been speculating on that for a while and so I thought it would be helpful if I disclosed those plans now in order that together we can make good plans for a smooth transition. Barring any dramatic changes, I intend to retire this next Mother s day of I will happily complete one last communicants class and finish the year with our Kid s Club. Rev. Kit Standish from the McHenry Presbyterian Church will be meeting with our Session at their September meeting to outline the next steps for our church. I trust and respect Kit completely. Quite honestly I have to confess that I can not longer give you what I would call my best. But I promise for the next eight months will give you everything I have. Shalom, Jeff

2 2 Return to Fall/Winter Worship Schedule Sunday, September 11th 9 am Worship 9 am Sunday School 10 am Fellowship 10:30 am Worship Saturday Worship remains the same at 5 pm Daily Scriptures for reading through the Bible in 50 Weeks Week 36 The Week of September 4-10 Day 1 Mark 1-3 Jesus stirs up religious controversies Day 2 Mark 4-6 The Twelve are sent on a mission Day 3 Mark 7-8 The First lesson on the Cross Day 4 Mark 9-10 The second and third lessons on the cross Day 5 Mark Dark lessons on the time to come Day 6 Mark The Passion of the Christ Week 37 The Week of September Day 1 Luke 1-2 The Birth of Jesus Day 2 Luke 3-4 The start of our Lord s Ministry Day 3 Luke 5-6 Turn the other cheek, love your enemies Day 4 Luke 7-8 The Humble Centurion Day 5 Luke 9-10 Satan falls from heaven Day 6 Luke Jesus teaches his disciples to pray Week 38 The week of September Day 1 Luke The time you have is NOW Repent! Day 2 Luke The lost is found rejoice! Day 3 Luke More lessons on prayer Day 4 Luke The rejected stone, the rejected son Day 5 Luke The Passion begins Day 6 Luke Why do you seek the living one among the dead? Week 39 The week of September 25-October 1 Day 1 John 1-2 The word became flesh and dwelt among us Day 2 John 3-4 For God so loved the world Day 3 John 5-6 Jesus the Bread of Life Day 4 John 7-8 The woman caught in adultery Day 5 John 9-10 The good shepherd Day 6 John Jesus the resurrection and the life

3 3 CHIMES, SCREEN AND BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT DEADLINES Bulletin and screen announcements MUST be in by 9 am the Wednesday morning before that Sunday. For the CHIMES your signed article MUST be in by 9 am the morning of the 21st [Disclaimer: All articles will be printed as is as content/spelling is responsibility of submitted author] IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR CHIMES ARTICLES: We follow guidelines for non profit organizations bulk mailing restrictions. These restrictions relate to the type of advertisements allowed: the advertisement of a product, service or announcement of an activity must substantially contribute to one or more of the purposes on which our organization is authorized. Restrictions also apply to cooperative mailings, credit, debit, charge or similar financial instruments, or advertisements. These restrictions became effective on October 1, CHIMES usually available on-line on church s website after the 26th of each month. There will be paper copies of the CHIMES available in the Narthex after its completion each month KITCHEN INSPECTOR for the month of September is Sue Bowe A kitchen inspector s job is to check the kitchen and the parlor once a week during your month. Inspect the refrigerator for spills, old food and beverages which should be thrown out because of being expired. Please also take home any dish towels that need washing and return them the following week. If you are unable to inspect for your month please get a fill in for you. Thank you for your help!!!!

4 4 CIRCLE IV will meet on Thursday, September the 8th with Betty hosting. HARVARD FOOD PANTRY NEWS Food Pantry Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of each month but you can bring in donations anytime and place in our grocery cart in the hallway. Perishable items are purchased from cash donations to the Pantry. Presbyterian Work Day for the month of September is the 20th Contact Florence if you are able to help BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARY Sep 15 M/M Kelly Woodcock Sep 19 M/M Abel Solorio Sep 20 M/M Tom Thomas Anniversaries Sep 02 M/M Paul Hildreth Sep 06 M/M Gregory Munks Sep 09 M/M Daniel Beetstra Sep 12 M/M Timothy Soutar, Jr. Sep 18 M/M David Sunden Sep 19 M/M Shawn Hartman Sep 23 M/M Bob Rife Birthdays Sep 01 Kathleen Yates, Elena Olbrich Sep 02 Kyle Morris Sep 03 Montana Anderson Sep 05 William Anderson Sep 08 Dennis Reilly, Marley Orr, Devin Wangler, Jacob Grivna Sep 10 Helgi Shields, David Hegge Sep 11 Zachary Adamson Sep 12 Lucas Hermonson Sep 13 Mary Ellen Reilly Sep 15 Barbara Cutts, Catherine Nail Sep 16 Marion Beetstra Sep 18 Lyle Kleckner Sep 20 Hunter Shields Sep 21 Lynell Ingram Sep 22 Charlie Vandebogert Sep 25 Reese VandeBogert, Gladys Munks, Delbert Wells Sep 26 Gary Hildreth Sep 27 Janet Claussen Sep 28 Tanner Beetstra, Cole Coffer, Betty Davidson, Jason Beetstra Sep 30 Ryley Adamson

5 5 CHURCH FUNDRAISERS Sentry Funds for Friends: Shop at Sentry in Walworth, and save your cash register receipts, A DATE MUST APPEAR ON EACH GROCERY RECEIPT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GIVE US CREDIT, please do not cut off the date on the receipts. GROCERY RECEIPTS CAN NOT BE SUBMITTED IF THEY ARE MORE THAN 4 MONTHS OLD. Return your receipts as soon as possible to the church with a Funds for Friends Sticker on the back and place them in the container in the Narthex under our bulletin board. Shop on line at to sign up. Enter your cause as First Presbyterian Church of Harvard to earn us a % of your purchase for any of over 900 popular online sites. Many of the sites are linked to igive.com, so once signed up, when you make a normal purchase we will receive the donation automatically. You also can browse the participating sites at igive.com and see the related % of giving through each retailer. Direct your questions to Mike Engle. WE ARE NO LONGER COLLECTING USED INK CARTRIDGES Go to the church website And see the church s calendar and also upcoming events. You may sign up to receive your copy of the monthly CHIMES via your by filling out a yellow form available in the Narthex by the bulletin board for Jeff s weekly blog and return to the church office. LADIES POTLUCK TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th at 12 noon Bring a dish to pass and join us for a delicious luncheon and plenty of laughs. Don t worry if you don t have time to make a dish, there is always plenty. Also ask a friend to join us.

6 6 OFFICE CLOSED Monday, September the 5th and Friday, September the 9th The Mission Quilters return from the summer off on Tuesday, September the 13th at 9 am. You do not need to know how to quilt to join them, there are other things you can help with, or come learn how to quilt! The ladies will stay following their morning of quilting and enjoy the Ladies Potluck that begins at noon. Foundation WILL MEET ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER THE 1ST AT 6:30 PM It s that time again to welcome everyone to another year of Sunday School. We are excited to begin again September 11th at 9 am. Classes will be offered for preschool through high school once again. We are hoping to build off of last year and bring more excitement to our classes. Extra registration forms available in the church Narthex. We are looking forward to another year of diving into the Bible and learning more about Jesus. Our Sunday School lessons involve Bible Stories, playing games, doing crafts, and spending time with our friends. We hope to see you there with us. STILL NEEDED: Sunday School Teachers. Contact Eileen for more information. SPECIAL NOTE: Kids Club will begin on Wednesday, September the 7th for children in kindergarten through 8th Grade at 3 pm and Communicants Class will also begin on the 7th at 5:30 pm. Contact Rev. Jeff if you have any questions about either.

7 7 Place your stamps in the box by the workroom door. POP TOP COLLECTION PROGRAM: Little things can make a big difference. You can help the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago by saving the little tabs you pull to open soda, soup, or other aluminum can. The funds generated from recycling these aluminum gems help offset the House s expenses. You can help by bringing your tabs to the church and placing them in the box by the door of the work room. Thank you, Florence Spesard

8 8 The full PW MEMOS is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. It includes a registration form on page 24 that you may copy.