Desert Pulpit January 2018

Desert Pulpit January 2018 First Presbyterian Church Elko 1559 Sewell Dr., Elko, Nevada Tom s Corner: Interim Pastor.. Tom Holslag Director of Family Ministries. Melissa Fonder Office Manager Bertha Lister Financial Secretary Caren McBride Organist. Jim Hill Pianist Brandolyn Thran Choir Director. Patty Fisk Desert Pulpit Editor. Bertha Lister Church Office. 775-738-3430 Church e-mail. fpchurch@frontiernet.net info@elkofirstpres.org Website.. ElkoFirstPres.org Facebook www.facebook.com/first Presbyterian.ChurchOf. Elko Well 2018 has finally arrived and I trust that all you survived your New Year celebrations with family and friends and even experienced some peace, rest, and some time to reflect during the Christmas season. The coming year promises to be a challenging one in many ways with all the fractured relationships between nation states and its peoples throughout the world. The secularization of the culture here in North America continues where the gospel message is either being downplayed or ignored by many of its young people. The church at large needs to continue to re-think how we do church if we are to have a sustained impact on what is ethically and morally acceptable in today s society. Maybe that s why I felt it important to emphasize Simeon s and Anna s prophecy and faithfulness concerning the Gentiles and all peoples in my last sermon of 2017. For Jesus role was and still is to proclaim salvation to all of humanity and creation. In other words everyone and everything needs to be seen as valuable and having worth in God s eyes. And if we are to be true to the end purposes of the gospel we need to take on the mind of Christ in all that we do and say. It is fitting that the last day of Christmas is Epiphany with the coming of the wise men to honor this newborn King. Even these Zoroastrians from a totally different religious practice knew that Jesus was the one who would forever change the direction of cosmic history. As we move forward in this New Year my hopes and prayers for you and me are that we all grow more into that person God in Christ has intended us to be. Shalom, Rev. Tom Holslag Interim Pastor

Director of Family Ministries Annual Youth Fundraiser Spaghetti Feed & Talent Show Come join the fun! Sunday, January 21st after worship service! The Youth Group will be having their annual fundraiser! * Spaghetti Lunch: Come enjoy salad, spaghetti, and garlic toast for a $5 donation per plate. The food is served by your Teens Working With Christ (TWC) kids. * Talent Show: Everyone is welcome to compete! Each talent show contestant will be given a bucket after the show and members of the audience will vote by putting dollar bills in the buckets of the ones they like best. Nursery HELP WANTED. We are still seeking a Sunday morning Nursery Attendant for 8:45am to 11:45am (approximately) during Sunday School and Worship. Please contact Jim Byars at 738-4505 if you are interested in this paid position. Youth Kids 6th through 12th Grade The Youth Group meets every Sunday for lunch at noon and then from 1:00 to 2:30 for missions and Bible study. We also meet on Tuesday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 for games and fellowship. January 28th the youth group will begin a five-week study called "Grounded: Relating to Your Mormon Friends in Truth and Love" by the Salt Lake Theological Seminary and taught by Melissa Fonder. Anyone interested in this topic is welcome to sit in on the study. The teaching will be directed at the youth and their participation will be the priority, however this is a great study that may be relevant to adults as well. Please contact Melissa with any questions at 775-397-1832. College and Young Adult The college/young adults are meeting at Charlyn's house each Saturday afternoon at 4:30 for a potluck and Revelations D&D. Adult Bible Studies Our current adult Bible Studies: Women's Monday 9:00 am study with Becky Schaffner Men's Monday 3:30 pm study with Reverend Tom at John Butah's house at 773 Juniper St. Adults Wednesday 9:30 am study with Kathy Reyes Children's Leaders This Month: Children's Message Children's Church January 7 Becky Schaffner Heather Norero January 14 Melissa Fonder Becky Schaffner January 21 Heather Norero Malissa Bisson January 28 Becky Schaffner Bev Klem New Year's Blessings, Melissa

Notes from the Keys by Brandolyn Thran January 2018 From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:16 Happy New Year!! Welcome to 2018!! As I sat at the piano throughout December, there were so many thoughts swirling through my head and in the end, after much pondering, they all boil down to one word: Teamwork. As December approached, my thoughts were reflective. December brought to close my first year as the piano player. What a year of growth and unexpected experiences! A year full of challenges and blessings, and each one included others my first glimpse at the role of teamwork. From the weekly music of hymns and choir anthems for Sunday to the special music of a funeral or a children s play there were so many people involved in the selection, planning, announcing, and performing for the end-product to happen (the performance ) there was quiet and subtle teamwork happening all along the way! Each team member had an important role, and on those weeks when life was happening and a team member went missing due to family commitments, or illness, or vacation, the gap was felt, and other team members simply recognized the need and worked to fill the hole. To me, the super cool thing is that no one called us together and gave us a pep-talk as a college basketball coach would, we don t wear team jerseys that announce we are a team; we aren t an obvious team but yet we are a powerful team working for God. My next ah-ha moment occurred while the Bell Choir was playing. As I sat there on my bench, where I could only see part of the ringers, but I could hear all of them, it donned on me how critical the teamwork was to make that beautiful music happen. I found myself asking, what would happen if one of them decides not to show up? Both teamwork examples are wonderful real-world and very visible analogies for what the Bible tells us about each of us being part of the body, and each having our special gifts. What a great reminder of why it is so important that each one of us show up and do our part. And, a further great reminder about why we need to do OUR part and not get caught up in worrying about their parts. What a blessing that God gave each one of us something critical for the team. We don t have to compete, we just need to complete! To all the individuals that I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from in 2017, and who have encouraged me, each are part of God s team, each have been such a blessing, and each team member is appreciated with the deepest gratitude.

Birthday Party for Jesus Heartfelt thanks to everyone for the wonderful baby gifts you provided at our 25th Birthday for Jesus celebration. One hundred twenty gifts were again delivered to the Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital to be distributed to those in need throughout the year. These gifts are sincerely appreciated by hospital staff and families. Janet & Bill Strickland FRIDAY, APRIL 20 FROM 2:00 TO 6:00 SATURDAY, APRIL 21 FROM 8:00 TO 2:00 PM Start saving your gently used and no longer needed item to being to the church the week of April 16. Welcome Poets Western Folklife Center will once again be using the Kitchen and Fellowship Hall on January 30 and 31 from 7:30 am to 6;:30 pm. The Mission Committee would like to thank the congregation for the generous collection taken for the Joy Offering. Total collected was $769.00. The Christmas Eve offering taken for F.I.S.H. was a total of $288. Janet Strickland presented the baby items to the Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital received during the 25th annual Birthday Party for Jesus. Jennifer Koopman was present when the local hospital donated to GBC student food panty. Bill and Ann Nisbet of the Elko Community concert Association were featured registering and selling tickets to the November 13 concert. Spring Creek senior Kaitlyn Mcleod was named as Division 3A 1st Team All-League and 1st Team All State midfielder for the second straight season. A celebration of the Chilton Centennial Tower honoring Elko s railroad, mining, and gambling industries located on Seventh Street between Railroad and Commercial Streets. ANNUAL REPORTS PLEASE GET YOUR REPORTS IN NO LATER THEN MONDAY, JANUARY 8. THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 21. The Presbyterian Coffee Project is a partnership between the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Equal Exchange, a worker-owned co-operative offering 100% fairly traded coffee, chocolate, tea. You can purchase these items in the church office during regular office hours. They make good gifts.

ATTENTION! IF YOU USE THE CHURCH BUILDING YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THE DOORS ARE LOCKED AND LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF WHEN YOU LEAVE. HELP KEEP THE CHURCH BUILDING SAFE FOR EVERYONE USING IT. T G I S (Take Groceries In Sunday) The Mission Committee will partner with our youth (TWC) during January by collecting food items that will be given to the Committee Against Domestic Violence Harbor House. You can bring in your contributions any time during January or on Super Bowl Sunday. Please check the expiration dates on your donations and put them in the box in front of the office. Thank you for supporting CADV and our youth. REVEREND RALPH C. BOLIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Scholarship forms are available in the church office. All applications must be completed in one sealed envelope and received by noon on Monday, April 16. Applicants must have an affiliation to Elko First Presbyterian church to be considered for this scholarship. The scholarship may be used for academic or vocational education. Ordination and Installation of Elders & Deacons will be held on January 14, 2018. Deacons class of 2020 Bev Klem, Jenny Byars, Toni Mendive, Pricilla Mason, Matt Niday, Joyce Roberts, Eric Fonder Youth Elders class of 2020 Brandolyn Thran, Susan Merschel, Tara Lounsbery, Victor Godina. French Toast Casserole - from www.foodnetwork.com by Paula Deen. 1 loaf French bread (13-16 ounces) 8 large eggs 2 cups half and half (I used whole milk) 1 cup milk 2 T sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg Dash salt Praline Topping (recipe follows) Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick each. Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9x13 baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, half-and-half, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Beat until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the mixture. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, preheat oven to 350 F. Spread Praline Topping over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Praline Topping 1/2 lb (2 sticks) butter 1 c. packed light brown sugar 1 c. chopped pecans 2 T light corn syrup 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg Combine all ingredients and blend well. Submitted by Tara Lounsberry THANK YOU to our GREAT support family at First Presbyterian Church. Our Christmas season, culminating in our Concert on Sunday, December 17, was quite successful, and we surely appreciate all the assistance given by the church and its members. Next year we will hope to connect with someone who can record our concert, and make it available to ringers and those who couldn't make the concert. ELKO HANDBELLS, SUNRISE RINGERS (Ann Nisbet)

Being FIT in 2018 through God s Word 1 Thess. 5:23 says, MAY GOD HIMSELF, the God who makes everything holy and whole, who makes you holy and whole, put you together - SPIRIT, SOUL, BODY - and KEEP YOU FIT for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If He said it, He ll do it! (MSG) God Himself has made you in three parts = Spirit, Soul and Body. Part 1: The Spirit is the part of us that directly communicates with God, who is a Spirit Part 2: The Soul is our mind, will and emotions Part 3: The Body is our earth suit that houses our spirit and soul. Spirit, Soul and Body working in tandem with what the Bible says about you is God s spiritual fitness program. And He promises to be completely dependable in every area of your life. 2 Peter 1:2-4 says,... Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you - your tickets to participation in the life of God (MSG) Learn the Master s way to be truly fit this year by being transformed more and more into His image through your Spirit, Soul and Body. In the next issue, I ll share more about the part of you that is SPIRIT. For more information, contact Ginny at virginiaoustad@gmail.com or call 559-284-9264 or join us Wednesday mornings at 9:30 for the Spirit, Soul and Body Bible study. Epiphany of the Lord January 6, 2018 Epiphany, also Theophany, or Three Kings' Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally the visit of the Magi to the Christ child, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Moreover, the feast of the Epiphany, in some Western Christian denominations, also initiates the liturgical season of Epiphany tide. Eastern Christians, on the other hand, commemorate the baptism of Jesus on both sides of the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. Qasr el Yahud in the West Bank, and Al-Maghtas in Jordan on the east bank, Al-Maghtas is considered to be the original site of the baptism of Jesus and the ministry of John the Baptist.

02/04 Patty Fisk, Cooney Family, Fonder Family, Hall Family, Erin Munson 02/11 Hill Family, Alyssa Culp, Diana Atiemo, Pearson Family, D Ette Burgess 02/18 Bondo Family, Sally Winsley, Doris Toothman, Jan Petersen, Pat Pearce. 02/25 Daniel Family, Thran Family, Jill Phillips, Nickel Family. You will also need to help set up and clean up Everyone Welcome! BIRTHDAYS 01/02 Larry Hall 01/06 Rick Glass 01/09 Liz Better 01/09 Pam Anderson 01/10 Vicki Goicoechea 01/12 Sally Winsley 01/19 Frances Schain 01/26 Ann Nisbet 01/27 Penny Pruitt 01/27 Steven Boyce 01/29 Mike Nahnacassia 01/30 Evan Munson February 4, 2018. Bring non-perishable goods and place them in the box provided. Donated goods will go to C.A.D.V. February 17, 2017 at 7:00 pm Updated 2018 Church Directories are available in the church office. Per Capita is $42.00 per member Pat Tempel s new address: 4201 Corbett Dr. #357 Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

January-2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 OFFICE CLOSED New year s Day 9:30 Bible 4:30 Webelos/Lions 5:30 Wolves/Bears 12:00 PW Bible Group 5:30 Tigers 5:30 NAMI Epiphany of the LORD 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Communion Sunday 9:00 Sunday School for all ages 10:10 Worship Worship and Music Meeting 12:00 Youth Studies Annual Reports Due 9:00 Women s Bible 3:30 Men s Bible 5:00 Cub Scouts 6:00 Boy Scouts 9:30 Bible 4:30 Webelos/Lions 5:30 Wolves/Bears 5:30 Tigers 5:30 NAMI 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 9:00 Sunday School for all ages 10:10 Worship Orientation and Installation of Elders & Deacons Mission Meeting 9:00 Women s Bible 3:30 M & E 3:30 Men s Bible 5:00 Cub Scouts 6:00 Boy Scouts 6:00 SESSION 9:30 Bible 4:30 Webelos/Lions 5:30 Wolves/Bears 5:30 Tigers 5:30 NAMI 12:00 Youth Studies Office Closed for Martin Luther King Day 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 9:00 Sunday School for all ages 10:10 Worship ANNUAL CONGRE- GATIONAL MEETING Youth Fundraiser Talent show and spaghetti feed DEACONS Meeting 9:00 Women s Bible 3:30 Men s Bible 5:00 Cub Scouts 6:00 Boy Scouts 9:30 Bible 4:30 Webelos/Lions 5:30 Wolves/Bears 5:30 Tigers 5:30 NAMI 28 29 30 31 9:00 Sunday School for all ages 10:10 Worship C.E. Meeting 12:00 Youth Studies 9:00 Women s Bible 3:30 Men s Bible 5:00 Cub Scouts 6:00 Boy Scouts 7:30 6:30 PM Western Folklife Center 7:30 6:30 PM Western Folklife Center 9:30 Bible