The Presbyterian Bridge Celebrating our uniqueness Coming together in Christ

Transcription

1 The Presbyterian Bridge Celebrating our uniqueness Coming together in Christ first presbyterian church of menominee inmation members and friends of january 2018 Annual Meetings An annual meeting will be held at each church on Sunday, February 4th following each worship service. Annual reports from committees will be due on Monday, January 22nd to either Darlene at Pioneer Presbyterian or Gina at First Pres. Church of Menominee. Many Thanks Many thanks to all who particiapted in our Advent and Christmas services. We couldn t have done it without our Bell Choir, Chancel Choir, children and youth, readers, instrumentalists, ushers and worship leaders. New Year s Eve Morning Service December 31 Joint Serve at First Pres. Church of Menominee 10:30 am You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abudnance. Psalm 65:11 Pastor s Bible Study The Pastor s Bible Study will continue on Wednesday, January 10 at both 10:00 am (Pioneer Presbyterian) and 6:30 pm (First Presbyterian). DEADLINE the February 2018 Issue of The Presbyterian Bridge is JANUARY 20th. To ensure that your article will be included, please submit your materials on time!

2 new beginnings As I am writing this passage, I am gazing out of my office window watching the falling snow and thinking about the gift of grace we receive in Jesus Christ. As the Lord proclaimed through the prophet Isaiah: Though your sins were as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). The new year is often celebrated as a time new beginnings. New Year s resolutions help us to strive new goals in the coming year, but, untunately, if you are like me, we often find ourselves not maintaining those resolutions throughout the year. That doesn t mean that we should give up and not strive to become better. Reliant upon our own endurance, we often fall back into old patterns. That is why I am so thankful the grace of God. The grace of God isn t reliant upon my titude and ability. It is a gift given freely to each of us. Jesus Christ came into the world precisely because God knew that we could not achieve our redemption on our own. It was redemption that we received when he paid our sins upon the cross. Much of our Christian life is lived falling short of the grace and love we have received in Jesus Christ. This is a sad fact of our fallen humanity. However, striving to live in love and the reception of grace are great blessings of being a Christian. When we realize our fallen situation, confess our sins, and asks God s renewal, we are made new again. We have a new opportunity to reflect Christ within our lives. It is like receiving a new layer of snow over our fallen selves, but even better in Christ we are not just covering up our sin, we are redeemed from it. We are purified in Christ and made completely whole from the inside out, at least spiritually. We are put in right relationship with God once again. Looking at the snow from a warm office is pleasant, yet it is an artificial experience of the world. When we walk out into the snow, we realize the bitter sting of the cold world and yet we experience the vibrancy of life. Our senses are heightened and we are made aware of what others out in the world experience. As Christians, we are not called to stay huddled within the warmth of our Christian faith while watching others suffer outside. We are instead called out into the world, to experience life, and to share the warmth of Christ with others. By getting out into the world, we realize what a harsh world we live in, but we also realize its beauty and blessing. It is in the striving to be more like Christ that we find the blessings of Christianity. This New Year, I thank God each of our new beginnings. I thank God the blessing of being in the world with all of you and striving to be more like Christ with you. As I gaze upon you, I see you as I see myself: We are not perfect, but through Christ we are loved and redeemed! In reaching out to the community with you, I have witnessed the harshness of the world and the struggles that you endure. However, it is in playing out in the snow with you that I have found childlike joy and wonder. Many blessings to each of you in this new year! Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Jon 2

3 January ~ BIRTHDAYS 18 Roy Peterson 30 Marilyn Rupert ANNIVERSARIES 3 Nancy & O.R. Herrild 4 Wayne & Barb Kopish 27 Ken & Joan Fifarek LITURGISTS 7 Julie Skrzypinski 14 Karen Bickel 21 Wally Hitt 28 Ann Eggener MUSICIANS 7 Joan Campbell 14 Marilyn Schoen 21 OPEN 28 OPEN New Office Hours Starting in January there will be a slight change in office hours. Monday - Wednesday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Thursday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Thank You Potluck Donations Thanks to the generosity of our congregation we received donations of $300 and the Outreach committee donated $200 a total of $500. This was given to the Marinette school system assistance to the homeless high school students and others in need of assistance. With this amount of money many students will be helped. Recognition and Thanksgiving Celebration Laurie Davidson Sunday, January 7, :00 a.m. Join us as we show our love and appreciation to Laurie her years of service to the choir and congregation of Pioneer Presbyterian Church. - refreshments following service - 3

4 Pioneer Christmas Party fun! Christmas, Jesus & Santa! A wonderful permance by our kids and youth. Pioneer families, kids and youth ringing the Salvation Army bells. 4

5 first presbyterian church of menominee Book Club The next meeting the Book Club will be January 25, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. We meet at Harbors in the fourth-floor library. This month s selection is The Whole Town s Talking by Fanny Flagg. With her wild imagination, great storytelling, and deep understanding of folly and the human heart, the beloved Fannie Flagg tells an ungettable story of life, afterlife, and the remarkable goings-on of ordinary people. In The Whole Town s Talking, she reminds us that community is vital, life is a gift, and love never dies. If you have read a good book and would like to share it, please contact any book club member with the title and author. We enjoy reading new books as well as classics and would love to have your suggestion fun and interesting reading material. We welcome new members and would love to have you join us. If you need a ride please call Janet Johnson at Happy reading! Reminders The first Sunday of each month is the Food Pantry Collection. One of the Deacons gather up the donations and distribute to the local food pantries. The loose coin offering is collected the third Sunday of each month. All dollar bills and coin are donated to a special mission of our choice. Anyone wishing to sign up Flowers or Coffee Hour can do so on the bulletin board in the Gathering Room. The sign-up sheets are a three-month period but if there is a special date that isn t there and you would like to reserve it, please contact the church office and it will be reserved on the calendar. If you know of someone who would like to be added to our current homebound church list, please contact the church office as we update it frequently at A Deacon will be contacting the individual to setup home visits and discuss their needs. Mission News January Birthdays 2 Lary Fernstrum 4 David Fernstrum 6 Jack Parker Sr 11 Nancy Zeratsky 12 Pat Lohff 16 Wes Hoffman 22 Peggy Fernstrum 23 Camryn Ferm 24 Norman Williams 27 Spencer Howard 28 Janet Kraus 28 Todd Waypa 29 Mary Ann Langill 31 Mary Nelson 31 Almeta Williams We will continue to collect personal items men, women, and teens. These items will be donated to The Abundant Life Mission (the homeless shelter). Please place your donations in the basket in the Gathering Room. Thank You! Presbyterian Women The Presbyterian Women s Club will meet on Thursday, January 4th in the library at 10:00 a.m. This is open to everyone and hope that you will join us. 5

6 first presbyterian church of menominee Deacon s Doings The Deacons met on Dec. 4, 2017 with one absence. Communion setup on Jan. 7 Janet Smith & Mary Anne Langill. The Harbor s service is held the first & third Thursday at 3:45 p.m. by Pastor Jon. Deacons helping are: Nov. 16th Sue Plautz Dec. 7th Sue Plautz Dec. 21st Carol Symyneshen Coffee Hour Dec. 10th Carol Mick. The Food Donations went to the Salvation Army Dec. and was delivered by Ann Schultz. Committee liaisons to Session: Christian Education Deacon: Pam Maye Session: Kay Waypa Fellowship Deacon: Sue Plautz Session: Steve Engeldinger & Sheri Zorn Missions Deacon: Janet Johnson Session: Jane Stripling Nominating: Deacon: Helen Thibodeau Session: Sam Hofer We made up Christmas gift bags shut-ins and gave them hummingbird sun catchers. We assisted with the funeral Fran Smith and donated a white rose. Prayer table is being handled by Mary Nelson. She addresses cards birthdays and special needs. The congregation signs and then cards are addressed and mailed by Gina. A special thanks to Janice Wilke buying the cards. Next meeting Jan. 8th. 6

7 Celebrating our uniqueness Coming together in Christ Pastor Jon Nelson first presbyterian church of menominee 923 5th Street Menominee, MI Administrative Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 noon SESSION Clerk of Session Donna Rife Building & Grounds Steve Engeldinger Christian Education Kay Waypa Fellowship Steve Engeldinger Finance Leigh Howell Mission Patricia Johnson & Jane Stripling Personnel Sam Hofer Worship Patricia Johnson, DeeAnne Polhmann Evangelism/Membership Sam Hofer BOARD OF DEACONS Moderator Alice Estebo Alice Estebo Janet Johnson MaryAnn Langill Pam Maye Carol Mick Mary Nelson Sue Plautz Ann Schultz Janet Smith Carol Symyneshen Helen Thibodeau 1947 Riverside Avenue Marinette, WI office@pioneermarinette.org Administrative Hours: Mon. - Wed. 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 noon Thurs: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. SESSION Clerk of Session Karen Bickel Administration Liz Murphy Building & Grounds Joe Reines Christian Education Ann Eggener Finance Bill Lenca Memorial & Mission Karen Bickel Outreach & Fellowship Ellis Langjhar Personnel Karen Buyarski Worship & Music Rich Ulrich Nominating Joe Reines BOARD OF DEACONS Co-Moderators Marilyn Galineau Pat Pottratz Secretary Linda Baumler Sarah Austad Linda Baumler Marguerite Braley Karen Curtis Mark Franzen Karen Hipwell Barb Kopish Sue Ochs Myrna Stanley