THE MESSENGER. First Presbyterian Church, Glendale 155 E. Fountain Ave, Glendale, OH May 2015

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1 THE MESSENGER First Presbyterian Church, Glendale 155 E. Fountain Ave, Glendale, OH May 2015 Dear Friends in Christ, I admit I don t get it. I don t get wearing baseball caps backwards. A photographer looking through the camera view finder, an umpire behind home plate, watching your horse sprinting down the far stretch at the Kentucky Derby yes, turning the brim backwards is necessary. Otherwise with your cap turned backwards you just look kooky to me. It defeats the purpose of shielding the eyes from the sun. If you want to protect your neck from sunburn, they sell desert caps like the French Foreign Legionnaires wore. Since wearing one s baseball cap serves no functional purpose, it must be a style thing, some means of expression, but expression of what? A jaunty look? A James Dean-like defiance of authority? I don t get it but it is pretty clear that the vast hordes pretty much don t care that I don t get it. It is a stylistic wave sweeping the nation. As a boy my family often vacationed at the New Jersey shore. One of the great boyhood activities was body surfing in the waves. It does not take long to realize that one can either ride the wave or be knocked over by the wave. The other option, of course, is to sunbathe on the beach but that isn t much fun for a kid. Ride the wave, get knocked over by the wave or stay on the beach and watch the world go by. By now you may be wondering if your pastor is kooky for going off on baseball caps and body surfing. But I think you would agree there is a lot we do not get about the modern world, especially when it comes to church and religion and God. The other day one of our seasoned members shared with me his favorite radio station, 88.7 FM. They play all his favorite music: country and western, Big Band and other genres. I wondered silently what his parents thought of his musical tastes. Every generation moves aside in fits and starts to make way for the next generation rising up. We don t get the backward baseball caps. We don t get the music. There is a lot we don t get but we know this is the way of the world. A part of us wants to bring new members to this community of faith so First Church Glendale can survive and even thrive in the generations to come. But we are not a merely a club seeking to insure our institutional survival. A part of us wants new members so they can experience what we have experienced Continued on the next page

2 A faith in God s loving care and ceaseless mercy. The example and the friendship of Christ. The power and guidance of God s Spirit. Worship which honestly connects us with God in praise, instruction, inspiration, comfort and a setting of our spiritual and moral compass. The confidence that there is more to life than life and that Christ has opened for us the way to the eternal. A community of friends woven of love with whom we can laugh and cry and upon whom we can depend and to whom we are responsible. A context where we can learn, be invited into a closer relationship with God and challenged to spiritual growth and holier living. Service which takes us beyond the cocoon of self and leads to generous and purposeful living. Becoming relevant to new generations requires us to move out of our comfort zone, try new things, think new thoughts, be open-minded. Peter and Andrew left their comfort zone when they dropped their nets and followed Jesus. Matthew had to leave the familiar when he shoved himself away from his tax collector s table to follow Jesus. The Apostle Paul was stretched way beyond his roots as a Jewish Pharisee when he embarked upon his highly successful missionary journeys. I am certain were Paul a missionary today, he would be on Facebook and Google + and tweeting away on Twitter to his potential converts. He had a few go-arounds with Peter about jettisoning some of the practices of the early Christian church which was made up of Jewish followers of Christ. Just as Paul needed to move beyond his Jewish roots and practices to connect with the Greeks, we need to learn a new language to speak with relevance to a new age. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son If God loved us enough to put himself in a form we can understand in the mystery of the Incarnation and the sending of His Son, can we do less than put the Christian faith in a form this generation can understand? We want to build upon the past and reach for the future. In Matthew 28 Jesus gave the Great Commission, charging us, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations He said make disciples not clones. See you on the beach and we ll ride some waves. If you wear your baseball cap backwards, I ll know you get the point but I ll still think you look silly! Your fellow traveler in Christ, Pastor Steve Page 2

3 Deacons Give them a hand! The Deacons offer prayer, companionship, rides or meals, but don t always know where care is needed. If you know of a need (your own or another s), call the church or any of our Deacons: Sylvia A., Susan A., Nancy G., Carol H., Betty R. or Bob S. Notes from Session, April 12 was a regular called Session meeting. This meeting dealt with the more normal courses of action. Steve requested and was granted time off from May 13 thru May 19 th for his annual fishing trip. The report from the Ministry Associate Fund was given showing that the Session and Moderator have given $800 over their goal to this fund. Members of the fund raising committee are being recruited. The Stewardship committee has been formed and the financial drive will be from May 3 rd thru Pentecost. The Christian Education Committee reported that they will be placing a sign out in front of the church to advertise the 2 nd Saturday Bible School just as they did for in the past for Family Freedom Friday Night. Other actions included a motion from Missions to forward money collected for the Christmas Joy Offering and the Blanket + Fund to their respective recipients, and a motion from Buildings and Grounds to have carpets cleaned, preventative maintenance done on 11 furnaces and air conditioning units, and roof and gutter repair. Both motions were approved. The next meeting of Session will be, May 10th. Page 3

4 Ministry Associate Update from Session It is not too late! Please don t forget to drop off or mail in your special donation to the church to help our effort to fund the Ministry Associate staff position for the new fiscal year beginning July 1, Our early numbers are encouraging. We have received 100% participation from our pastor and session. In order to guarantee funding for the Ministry Associate staff position on an ongoing basis, a committee whose purpose will be to work year round raising outside monies, is in formation right now. We would welcome your time and talents in this endeavor. To indicate that your gift is intended for this special fund please add M/A fund on the memo line of your check. We thank you so much for your support and your generosity as we look forward to the ways in which First Presbyterian Church, Glendale may continue to grow in its service. Christian Education Easter Egg Hunt enjoyed by all ages! Check out the C.E. bulletin board (outside the church office) for more Easter pictures. Page 4

5 Community Youth Group 2015 Civic Initiative: We can change the world and we start in Glendale. Building on the CYG spring program theme We can change the world, the Community Youth Group explored how they can be proactive in making the world a better place by starting in their own neighborhood. The youth participated in their own Glendale Civic Initiative, meeting with Chief Dave Warman and Lt Dave LeCompte at the Glendale Police Department for a tour, discussion and Q & A time; visiting with Mayor Ralph Hoop at the Glendale Town Hall for a tour, mock Village Council Meeting (with agenda) and discussion of village government; and observing an evening of Mayor s Court with Magistrate John Smith and Prosecutor Sandra Schilling, followed by questions and answers. We thank each of our town officials who were generous with their time and attention, and shared their wisdom gained from their professional experiences. As we teach our youth to be Christ s healing hands in this world, the initiative was a practical introduction to how their village functions and how the youth are called to be actively supporting a safe and healthy society. CYG students assemble Easter baskets for GLAD House Check out the CYG bulletin board (outside the church office) for more pictures. Page 5

6 Ministry to Youth and Young Adults Much is written in current religious publications about how to engage college age and young adults into the life of a congregation. One suggestion is to have college students serve as mentors to the church s youth group teens. Our Community Youth Group is benefitting from the Christian leadership of FPCG member and Miami University student, Maggie M. Maggie and a friend recently hosted a MU tour and a second dialogue about the transition from high school to college for our CYG students. Our thanks to Maggie, Sruthi, and Leslie M.! Small Group Ministry Update The Small Group ONE finished a ten week study of Spirit Gifts; One Spirit, Many Gifts. They will gather monthly through the summer, and begin a new book study in September. Small Group TWO will begin in late August. Stayed tuned for more information. Building & Grounds B & G Spring Work Day Thank you The B&G work day on Saturday, April 18 was a huge success. I think everyone would agree that the work done by Rev. Steve Garstad, Snowden A., Rev. Jim Brazell, David B., Bill C., Mike F., William F., Dick G., Carol H., Jerry K., Fred L., Dick O., and Jane & Bob S., had outstanding results. Thanks also Leslie & Gary M. who provided needed lawn care products. I believe I listed everyone who was at the church that day. If I missed your name, your help was deeply appreciated. My apologies. Page 6

7 Mission Fill the Glendale Square with Food Saturday June 13, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This will be our fifth year for this annual event. Each year we have collected over $ in canned goods and other non perishable foods and personal care items, and delivered them to The Valley Interfaith Food and Clothing Center in Lockland for needy families. We always appreciate help in the Village Square on that Saturday morning but the most important thing is to encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to bring food. We even have a Concierge Service. We will do your shopping for you and we have a Pick-Up Service. $$$$ Money $$$$ is always welcome. Call Dave C., or the church office if you have any questions. P.S. Flag Day is June 14th, so we will display lots of flags! GLAD House Easter Baskets Thank you to everyone who donated chocolates and other goodies for the 36 Easter baskets. A special thank you to Sharon Clegern, Carol H., Mary S., and the Community Youth Group who prepared the baskets for the children at GLAD House. The baskets were brimming with special treats for the children and enough to share with siblings. There were smiling faces all around. Please Join Us Do you want to learn more about how the $$$ s disbursed through the Mission Committee benefit some of the people in the Greater Cincinnati community? The Mission Committee invites you to join them in a visit to IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) and GLAD House on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 19. These are two of the agencies supported through the Mission program at Glendale First Presbyterian. This opportunity will allow you to learn more about the mission of these agencies, see their facilities and meet some of the clients they serve. If you are interested in joining us, please call Mary S. or the church office to learn more and/or join us in the visits. Valley Interfaith Food & Clothing Center Food Offering:, May 17 Items needed this month: cereal, crackers, canned soup, ramen noodles, canned spinach, canned tuna, and canned fruit. Personal hygiene items, and paper products are always welcome. Page 7

8 Membership/Fellowship 2015 Graduates The church would like to recognize all those who are graduating this spring. Please contact the church office if you or a family member is graduating from high school, college, or with an advanced degree this year. Men s Lunch at SKYLINE First Presbyterian Men are invited to meet for lunch at Gold Star on Springfield Pike on Wednesday, May 13 to discuss whatever comes to mind. Come and join in on great conversations and delicious chili at 12:30 p.m. Worship The Next Lord s Supper will be on, May 3 2nd Saturday, May 9 Pentecost, May 24, May 10 MONDAY, MAY 25, May 24 First Presbyterian Church, Glendale 155 East Fountain Avenue Glendale, OH Phone: , Fax: glenpres@fuse.net or visit us at Staff Contact Information: Rev. Steven R. Garstad heygarstad@earthlink.net Sharon Clegern Ministry Associate sclegern@fuse.net Elliott Smith Choir Director smith.elliotthickson@gmail.com Amy Duke Organist glenpres@fuse.net Beverly Cody Church Secretary glenpres@fuse.net Page 8

9 Date MAY 2015 Time May 1 Friday May 3 May 5 Tuesday May 7 Thursday May 8 Friday May 9 Saturday May 10 May 12 Tuesday May 13 Wednesday May 14 Thursday May 15 Friday May 17 May 18 Monday May 19 Tuesday May 21 Thursday May 22 Friday May 24 May 25 Monday May 28 Thursday May 30 Saturday May 31 Gentle Yoga CYG Friday Fun Night Worship (Communion) Small Group ONE Choir Rehearsal Gentle Yoga 10:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m.. 7:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 2 nd Saturday Worship Service 5:00 p.m. Worship Session Small Group ONE Men s Lunch at GOLD STAR M/F Meeting Choir Rehearsal CYG Coffee House (off campus) Worship Food Offering CYG Program Deacon s Meeting Newsletter deadline Small Group ONE Choir Rehearsal Gentle Yoga Worship Youth Service Archibald Fund Offering Memorial Day- Office closed Choir Rehearsal CYG Day Retreat at Camp Ernst Worship Archibald Fund Offering 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. Page 9