THE GRAPEVINE F I R S T P R E S B Y T E R I A N O F S A N D P O I N T, I D A H O J - A

Transcription

1 THE GRAPEVINE F I R S T P R ES B Y T E R IAN OF S A N D P O I NT, I D A H O J u ly - A u gu s t From the Pastor Someone once made the observation that if you want to fear or be disgusted with America, watch the news. But if you want to fall in love with America, go on a trans-continental bicycle tour. Reports on the news tend to sensationalize as they focus on the War and the Economy. Violence, political struggle, and scarcity are main themes to the saying that prioritizes reported headlines, If it bleeds, it leads. Stories with positive focus, human interest as we call them, are barely mentioned at the end of a broadcast. Certainly the world is complicated and the news items should not be ignored or glossed over, but basing our worldview on the experience of watching corporate media is limiting and tends to make our lives contract rather than expand and explore. Bicycle tours, by contrast, literally take you out of the fast lane of the mainstream. The slower pace and more frequent stops encourage interaction with other people and the natural world. From a bicycle, for example, you can actually hear the water of a stream as you ride over a bridge, you feel the wind as you notice the grass bending with the breeze, and you can wave at people as you notice them looking at you as if you re some kind of wildlife. Parking a bicycle that is fully loaded with racks of panniers, bundles of gear, and shiny parts is often an icebreaker for conversations. Little markets that are usually driven by become treasured oasis offering well appreciated breaks. Rather than avoiding or looking the other way, many people actually approach to ask how you re doing, where you re headed, and share something about themselves. The longer the tour, the more opportunities for connection with people, putting you in touch with the heart of America by relating with people face to face. Hosting two cross country cycling events this summer, our congregation recognizes that our Christian faith breaks the ice. Hospitality as an expression of God s love casts out fear and invites interaction and care. One cyclist, Paul Shol from Fargo, North Dakota, is raising awareness of economic justice, supporting low income families through the school system he works for as a teacher. The Bike and Build group raises awareness regarding the need for affordable housing. By visiting face to face their message gets the personal touch and helps bring about positive change, especially benefiting people in difficult situations. Christian faith calls us to trust in Jesus Christ as we journey in faith. Though the church may not be in the mainstream of our culture anymore, we can share love and joy in many ways as the Holy Spirit leads. Whether we are in the checkout line at the grocery store, walking along a sidewalk, or interacting with our neighbors, our faith helps break the ice with a genuine concern for the other, a listening ear, and a love that casts out fear.

2 2 Enjoy the summer, and wave and talk with those cyclists through welcoming care. Deep Peace, Pastor Andy KIDS ALIVE DAY CAMP (cont.) The Day Camp theme this year is Rooted, Imagine What Will Grow! and is part of Camp Lutherhaven s day camp ministry. This is for kids entering grades K-6, with youth volunteers grades Adult volunteers working with children are required to fill out a consent form for a background check; contact Susan in the office for this. Thank you! MEMBERSHIP UPDATES KIDS ALIVE SUMMER DAY CAMP July we participate jointly with United Methodist and First Lutheran churches to provide a day camp for the local children. Our responsibility is for Wednesday, July 27th, when we need to provide breakfast for the Lutherhaven staff (usually 4 young adults) that come to run the day camp, morning snacks of fruit and crackers for the children, and a couple of volunteers to prepare and serve those snacks. We also need a volunteer to provide dinner to the Lutherhaven staff that evening. If you could help with any of these items, please contact Mary Sturgis via at sturgismc@icloud.com or call at There is a signup sheet on the bulletin board by the office. Thank you so much for considering helping. Adding to the Active Roll, on June 21 the Session met with and voted to receive Dan and Jill Murphy, both by Reaffirmation of Faith. Dan and Jill are recently retired and are new permanent residents, although they have visited the area for many years. Bill Bissell was received by having his membership reinstated. Bill originally joined the church in 1983 but after a few years moved out of the area, returning recently following his retirement. Samantha Bissell was received by Profession of Faith, as she was baptized here as an infant years ago but has also moved back to the area. Becoming an Active Member is an intentional step of celebrating Christian faith through participation and commitment to the worship, mission, and service of Christ through this congregation and the larger church to which it is connected. Welcome new members!

3 3 PEACE GARDEN The Session voted to receive the recommendations of the Peace Garden Committee to continue the transformation of the church yard into a Peace Garden outdoor sanctuary that provides a welcoming space for people of the church and community. Some of these recommendations include: Removal of the chain link fence on the south edge of the yard Relocating the Memorial Garden from under the maple tree to the east, closer to the street Installing round picnic tables under the birch tree Creating a catering patio outside the church back door Installing a Little Free Library box with benches Installing a bike rack On July 20 the Peace Garden Committee will hold an informative presentation for the neighbors of the church from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. This presentation will include a slide show illustrating the benefits of the Peace Garden for our larger community. MEMORIAL SERVICE, RECEPTION, AND PICNIC On Saturday, August 13, 2016 we will gather in Resurrection hope for a Memorial Service honoring the life of Carl Olson. His wife, Joanne, and their family invite you to First Presbyterian Church at 3:00 for this service, followed by a light reception in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to gather for a picnic later that afternoon at Farragut State Park. A flyer with directions will be available.

4 4 SEPTEMBER PEACEMAKING SERIES We have another interesting line-up for the September Peacemaking series we call "Getting to know our neighbors - Peacemaking through community". In the past two years we have hosted and heard from the Holy Myrrhbearing Women Orthodox Church from Naples, Id, the local Quaker Community, the local Jewish Community, the Sravasti Abbey, Tibetan Buddhist monastic community from Newport, the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, the Sandpoint Sangha Meditation Group, the Monastery of St. Gertrude Benedictine community and the local Baha'i community. These discussions have been enormously enriching. The line-up for this September has not been confirmed so you will be hearing more about that later. However, you can tentatively pencil in Wednesday evenings, 5:30-7:00 p.m., September 7, 14, 21 and 28, 5:30-6:00 p.m. is a gathering time with light refreshments, and discussion time is from 6:00-7:00 pm. The series has been well attended by the community and it is a delight to be able to offer it again. Please contact Judy Labrie if you would like to help out in any way. Judy Labrie, Peacemaking Series Committee FINANCE As of June 30, 2016 please be aware of the following needs and priorities as we meet the financial needs of our church. 1. As of June 2016 our Year-to-Date Budget requirements is $66,462.00, current offering received Year-to-Date ending June 2016 is $60, Currently yearto-date financial giving is short $5, of meeting the giving budget. 2. Per Capita Apportionment for 2016 is now at 90% paid. Thanks to all members for responding to meet this financial commitment. All members are encouraged to please pay the $34.00 per capita for Please note per capita on your check s memo line. Dave Sturgis, Finance MISSIONS We are providing a place to stay and meals for a solo cyclist, Paul Shol, who is raising awareness an fund for a project called Legacy Children s Foundation, which assists challenged youth. Paul will be arriving in Sandpoint, Friday afternoon or evening, July 15th. If you would like to be among those meeting and greeting him at the church, please let Marilyn Robertson know, and she will try to predict his arrival time that day after he updates us. (maridaho@gmail.com (208) )

5 5 TIMELY TIPS FROM KERMIT THE FROG Kermit says Its Easy Being Green The Earth Care team and Kermit want to share some royal gardening tips. In a recent TV documentary about Queen Elizabeth s gardens, it was mentioned that she prefers to avoid using chemical pest controls. Her gardeners keep the rose beds free of aphids by using a garlic spray, possibly just in water. (A recipe was not given.) A Google search has several articles, including one with a recipe for a garlic/ cooking oil spray. That was from and entitled Homemade Spray for Aphid Control. PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Presbyterian Women have recessed for the summer. However, a friendly reminder to start saving for the fall Rummage Sale, October 7-8. Please contact Susie Haskins to order a Bible Study book on Who is Jesus. This study will examine how the Old Testament and Paul s letters view the Messiah. Barbara Rolph

6 6

7 7 Dear Church Family: I hope you had a very nice holiday and I was thinking of America for the Fourth of July! How wonderful it is for me to have my American Church Family. You are often on my mind, I give Thanks for welcoming me and teaching me so much. How to extend God s Love and care to "sisters and brothers" we meet. I have learned so much from the care and compassion of our Church members; and the support I have received in my training and my mission to help others during these last three years. It brings humble feelings to my spirit. I will bring this with me forever and I am so thankful for every day I wake up, read my Upper Room and Jesus Calling, sitting in quiet and praying and giving Thanks for the blessings I receive. I pray that you all having some sunshine in your lives. My sunshine is little Elias (Elijah) whom just turned 1 year; what a joyous miracle it is for me to experience him and this time with my family. Love, Margareta

8 8 July 3 Chuck Scott 7 Alexandra Krames 8 Marian Ruyle 15 Barry Gage 18 Enid Thompson 21 Bob Maricle 25 Anna Bates 31 Chuck Bauer August 3 Bill Bissell 4 Shelley Wogman Bellotty 6 Dan Murphy 7 Samantha Bissell 9 Jill Murphy 10 Darcy Taylor, Peik Wahl 17 Vern Fleisher, Emily Taylor 20 Lyle Campbell 22 Terrin Dustman, Susie Haskins 27 Shirley Parker 30 Phyllis Meagher

9 9 Calendar Announcements July 3 Noisy Offering & Food Bank Collection 12 Worship & Music meeting at 4:00 p.m. 24 City Beach Service Kids Alive Day Camp August 12 Creating Moments of Joy Seminar First Lutheran Church (see announcement poster on page 6) 13 Carl Olson Memorial 3:00 p.m. at FPC 14 Outdoor Service in the Peace Garden Bike & Build Hosting by FPC Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Regular Monthly Events Summer Worship 9:30 a.m. Fellowship, following service 6:00 p.m. Al-Anon Book Study Group 2:00 p.m. Contemplative Prayer Group 3:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Companions in Christ on 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, Church Breakfast will resume September 7th, 8:00 a.m. at Connies (first and third Wednesdays of the month) Choir Practice, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Thursday 12:00 p.m. Al-Anon 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous

10 10 First Presbyterian Church Ministers: Members and Friends Pastor Andy Kennaly 417 North Fourth Avenue, Sandpoint, Idaho Pastor cell phone: