FirstNews Monthly A Look Inside Your October Edition: 175th Anniversry Chllenge Updte 2 Fll Fmily Fun: Not One, but TWO invittions! 3 Something Specil for Young 20-50-something Women 4 Excerpts from our soon-to-be vilble Church History Publiction 5 Women s Fll Gthering Info Der Friends, When cell phone goes off in room full of people, bnner unfurls bove the owner s hed: I m necessry. I m involved in something so urgent tht it cnnot wit. These re the words of Brbr Brown Tylor in her book, When God is Silent. She mkes the point tht mny of us hve n instible desire to feel tht we re necessry, tht our lives hve some significnce nd tht we re needed. We buy into the mentlity tht seems to reign supreme keep busy, look nd sound importnt, rejoice when your cell phone rings, nd sok up the dmirtion of others who re mde to feel less importnt. Perhps this ttitude is rection to the fer tht we re surplus to requirement, expendble, nd left on the scrphep. Pul, in his letter to the people of Corinth, writes bout the Church s the body of Christ nd mkes the point tht every prt of the body hs unique role. For the body to function helthily nd efficiently, ech prt must to do wht it ws designed to do. Too often this truth is lost on us when we ssert tht one is more importnt thn the other, our viewpoint, our opinion, of more vlue thn tht of nother. Our fith reminds, over nd gin, tht we re ll importnt nd tht we ech hve prt to ply in our fmilies, workplce, community, church nd world. Quoting gin from Brbr Brown Tylor s When God is Silent: To let the phone ring, to leve the e-mil unred, to unplug the fx mchine these mount to socil sbotge. To choose silence for even n hour, we must risk the loss of connection with other people who my hve hrd time understnding how nything could be more importnt thn responding to them. Sometimes we need to choose silence, lthough this mens the risk of loss of connection with others, we my find room to connect with God. In the silence, when we re still nd free from the demnds mde of us in our busy lives, we mke spce to her the quiet voice of God whispering to us. Tht voice my be exctly wht we need nd long to her, for it is the voice tht tells us tht we re loved nd tht we do not need to prove ourselves worthy of God s love for it is given freely nd extrvgntly. In the midst of our turbulent, frightening, demnding world let us mke spce to her gin the still smll voice of God urging us : Be still nd know tht I m God. My the pece nd the love of God be with you.
Deborh Circle/ Senior Gems To continue our tour of nerby loctions of interest, Deborh Circle will meet on Tuesdy, October 21 t 11:30.m. t Gtewy Technicl School in Rcine for n interntionlly themed luncheon. The tsty mel is prepred by the culinry students there nd served in the downstirs cfeteri. Prking in the Gtewy lot my be limited so cr-pooling from the church is recommended. Plese cll Ginny Holle 884-0230 if you pln to come. 2014 Edition; Volume 10 716 COLLEGE AVENUE RACINE, WI 53403 262.632.1686 Senior Pstor Ben Johnston-Krse Associte Pstor Gillin Weighton Visittion Pstor Steven C. Fringer Pm nd Steve Simpson donted the lst of their 175 books in delivery split between Becker Shoop of Lincoln Luthern nd to Bethesd Thrift Shop. Another 175 th Anniversry Chllenge hs been dded to the list. Brbr Armstrong will be showing the jewelry she mkes for sle t the cost of the beds plus $10 on ech piece to go to the church. Of course, she hopes to give the church t lest $175. There will be multistrnd necklces nd 23 rd Pslm brcelets. Plese visit Brbr in Ihrmn Hll on Sundy, October 5 th, to see if there isn t something you d like for yourself or for gift. If you won t be t church tht Sundy, just give Brb cll nd she ll mke other rrngements with you. She ll lso hve Slt of the Erth for sle there lso, which Bruce hs been selling with the gol of 175 jrs in sight s of erly September, Bruce hd lredy sold over 150 jrs! Ross Oestmnn finished 175 knitted hts nd they hve lredy been given to Cre Net in the Rcine re. Ross hs donted hts to them the pst couple of yers but never kept trck of how mny. He hs been ssured the locl homeless, veterns nd needy people in the Rcine re pprecite the wrmth of the hts nd continues to mke more s he hs time. Deb Cpener, who pledged to donte 175 hours of volunteer lbor hd lredy logged 135.75 hours by September 7. Mry An Sthl hs 146/ 175 pirs of socks nd will gldly dd your offering to her totl. Finlly, Jen Seversen continues her work on her hygiene pckges for the homeless. She puts sop, shmpoo, nd conditioner into ech pcket, long with beutifully hnd-crocheted wsh cloth. More thn hlf-wy to her gol of 175, Jen continues to crochet these lovely cloths. Orgnist Gerld E. Buck Choir Director Alejndro Alumbreros Hndbell Choir Director Nncy Buck Music Leder Mrk Pffrth Office Administrtor Julie Nondorf Finncil Secretry Doris Deschler Sexton Leneen Schrieffer Nursery Worker Angel Mrtini e-mil: julie@firstpresrcine.org Web site: www.firstpresrcine.org PLEASE RECYCLE
Finncil Updte We heding into the home stretch of 2014 nd August totl income ws $25,681 which ws higher thn the previous August of $22,686. August 2014 yer-to-dte (YTD) totl income ws $222,653 compred to lst yer of $217,239. YTD 2014 totl income is fvorble to prior yer t +2.5%. Costs in August 2014 were bout the sme compred to prior yer. For August 2014 costs were $28,622 resulting in net loss of ($2,941) for the month. In August 2013 costs were $28,887 with similr net loss of ($6,201). August YTD 2014 costs were $278,397 compred to YTD 2013 of $245,202. The higher costs YTD in 2014 hve more thn offset the slightly higher revenue resulting in much lrger net loss this yer, ($55,744), compred to lst yer, ($27,963). At the rte we re going, we re projected to finish the yer with net loss just bove ($40,000). The budgeted loss for 2014 is ($19,650). The lst two yers our full yer net loss hs been much smller t ($11,680) nd ($12,595) in 2013 nd 2012, respectively. These operting shortflls hve been covered by reductions to our foundtion fund. Ed Holle Tresurer Autumn Chpel Art Exhibits The theme, Medittion, Contempltion, nd Pryer, is inspired by the yer-long Bible redings tht some of us t First Presbyterin Church hve been doing. We still need more pieces to relly fill out this show. The rtwork need not be spiritul or religious in content. Rther, items cn reflect whtever the words Medittion, Contempltion nd Pryer stir up in you. This exhibit will remin hnging in the Chpel until Sundy, October 19. The next exhibit will be themed Abundnce of Gifts. This theme is perfect for the sooner-thn-you -think Thnksgiving holidy. Pieces cn be ny medium but should ll include lbel tht provides the rtist s nme nd contct informtion, s well s whether the item is for sle or not. If you d like your rt to be for sle, plese include the price nd keep in mind tht 10% of ll sles go to the First Presbyterin Church Art Fund. I look forwrd to this next show being bundntly full, nd n bundnt blessing. Thnk you for your support of the chpel exhibits. Ellen Crdwell Chpel Art Show Coordintor Here s informtion on two gret events you won t wnt to miss! COMING IN OCTOBER Attention young fmilies! Let s do something fun soon! How bout messy, sloppy, scry, rtsy something? How bout Pumpkin Crving Prty!? We re looking for one fmily or couple of fmilies in conjunction with one nother to host this spooky event, which will be held on Sturdy, October 25th, time to be decided t the convenience of our hosts. We ve received generous dontion of pumpkins for this fun event. If you cn serve s host fmily for the event itself, plese let Pstor Gillin or Pstor Ben know, or contct the office t 632-1686. Thnks! COMING IN NOVEMBER Love to et food? Love time of fellowship? Love the Pckers? This nnul November event, sponsored by your Christin Eduction Committee, Hs ll three! Join us, everyone, on Sundy, November 16th right fter Sundy school nd Adult Ed in Ihrmn Hll. We ll shre pot luck mel nd wtch the Pckers ginst the Egles. It s gret time of fellowship nd the kids will enjoy working on the decortions for the 2014 Angel Tree the Decons do. Mrk your clendrs for this time of fun now, nd we ll see you on the 16th!
R E N T A Y O U T H So much to do...so little time? Too hevy, too big, too overwhelming, too high? Help is vilble! We do yrd work, pinting, orgnizing, clening, computers nd more for dontion to the Summer Youth Mission Trip! Contct Ben Nel for informtion nd ppointments. You cn emil benel@hotmil.com or phone him t 262-497-6545. Plese join us on Thursdy, October 23rd t noon in the chpel s we work together to prepre the November newsletter for miling. Bring lunch nd come enjoy the compny! Ldies Ages 20-something 50-something! Cre to get together with other women to shre life experiences, lugh together, enjoy glss of wine, explore our fith? Come s you re to 912 Clevelnd Avenue October 7th, 7:00 p.m. No gend. Just get-together. Questions? Cll Gillin t 414-581-6919
Church Fmily Updtes Michel Clobes Eline Eifler Krin Roch Mry Lou Hill 4223 S. First St. 500 Min St. # 119* Home Phone: 1600 Ohio St. #5 Milwukee, WI Rcine, WI 53402 262-681-3140 Rcine, WI 53405 53207 Anne Tredwell Andy & Denise Prk 3900 N. Min St. #124 6507 Open Medow Rd. Rcine, WI 53402 Rcine, WI 53402 *Plese note the correction to Eline s prtment number YOUR FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY BOOK WILL BE HEADING TO THE PUBLISHER SOON! COPIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE NEXT MONTH JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS GIVING. HERE ARE A FEW EXCERPTS: From the Forwrd by Pstor Ben Johnston-Krse This is book bout church. As such, it s not book bout building, snctury, or prticulr rchitecturl style. And it s not book bout doctrine, progrms, or, heven forbid, committees. It is ultimtely book bout church living, thriving, evolving fmily of fith tht for decdes hs strived to remin fithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ nd hs now, by the grce of God, reched its 175 th Anniversry. From the Erly History Chpter by Mrk S. Hertzberg The exhilrtion of the First Presbyterin Church s 175th nniversry celebrtion contrsts shrply with the tumultuous erly history of the church. The celebrtion is more thn milestone, it is wy to recognize the congregtion s resilience throughout its history. While there ws certinly gret spiritul joy in the founding of the church, the congregtion fced significnt prcticl nd theologicl chllenges. From the Equity Chpter by Mrk. S. Hertzberg Prospective church members hd to swer tht they hd never owned slves. Nncy R. White pplied for membership in the young congregtion on Jnury 3, 1846, seven yers fter the church ws founded. She presented letter of recommendtion from her Presbyterin church in Slisbury, North Crolin. Her ppliction ws denied becuse it ws believed she hd been slve owner. From the Community Involvement Chpter by Mrk S. Hertzberg Helth cre ws one of the dozen issues identified, unemployment nother, [Sr. Brend, who worked with Bill Little nd First Presbyterin on the formtion of the HelthCre Network] sys. One committee ws workshop for unemployed people, wht could we do to help them? We sw mothers coming in, bbies. They hd no help for dentl cre, pin in their tummy we sid we cn t let this continue. A little group met nd we tlked to few doctors nd hospitl, nd sid, Let s try. From the Recent History Chpter by Mrk S. Hertzberg Rev. Bush reflected on his tenure t First Presbyterin. I hd done ll I could do in Rcine. In my mind they needed to her new voice. I ws quietly thinking bout nother church. I wsn t doing it ggressively.
Prish Nurse Notes Listen to the Children Tke moment to listen tody to wht your children re trying to sy. Listen tody, whtever you do, or they won t be there to listen to you. Listen to their problems, listen to their needs. Prise their smllest triumphs, prise their smllest deeds. Tolerte their chtter, mplify their lughter. Find out wht s the mtter, find out wht they re fter. But tell them tht you love them, every single night. And though you hve to scold them, do mke sure you hold them, nd tell them it s ll right. Dinners for 8(ish) Dinners for 8 is super -fun wy to get to better know others here t First Presbyterin Church. If we tell our children ll the bd in them we see, they ll grow up exctly how we hoped they d never be. But if we tell our children we re so proud they wer our nme, they ll grow up believing they re winners in the gme. Tke moment to listen to wht your children re trying to sy. Listen tody, whtever you do, nd they will come bck to listen to you. ~ Anonymous ~ Plese remember Ntionl Children s Dy October 8 th. My we ll nurture our children in God-plesing wy. If you hven t signed up lredy, plese register your group or yourself on one of the clipbords in Ihrmn Hll. God s Blessings, Peggy Tylor, RN Prish Nurse As prt of the 175th Anniversry celebrtion, First Presbyterin Church is offering prt two of its lecture series. Plese feel free to invite your friends, neighbors, collegues! On November 20, Mrk Hertzberg, well-known locl historin nd ntionlly recognized photojournlist, will tlk bout his experiences writing book on the history of First Presbyterin, which will be published in mid-november. Mrk will shre interesting fcts bout the people, philosophy, nd mission of the church over the yers. Mrk s presenttion will tke plce t First Presbyterin Church, 716 College Avenue, beginning t 7:00 p.m. An informl reception will be held fterwrd. Author nd ntionlly cclimed photojournlist Mrk Hertzberg
Dvid & Nicole Higgs October 3 22 yers Willim & Annette Anderson October 8 59 yers Stephen & Pmel Simpson October 8 48 yers Wrren & Nncy DeKry October 13 57 yers Wyne & Robert Moulds October 16 15 yers Brin & Kristie Crpenter October 19 12 yers Todd & Jennifer Seversen October 19 12 yers Edwrd & Dine Lehmnn October 20 41 yers Mc & Mrilyn McCughey October 21 36 yers Kristin & Dvid Krftzenk October 22 9 yers Edwrd & Brbr Rowe October 24 50 yers September Birthdys Oct. 4 Ollie Hopkins Oct. 16 Alice Schefer Oct. 24 Trici Eifert Oct. 5 Nncy Ritter Mrlene Wilson Nicols Jkubowski Gry Wingte Oct. 17 Eric Ringwlt Andre Nitz Oct. 6 Amy Clobes Oct. 19 Bill Little Amy Yonker Oct. 7 Wyne Hrtmn Jeremy Nitz Oct. 25 Mry Lou Schuler Oct. 8 Jerry Buck Dniel Pirtle Pulette Oestmnn Oct. 9 Junit Clobes Oct. 20 Cierr Bker Oct. 26 Ktherine Wright Dvid Titus Blnche Gunderson Steven Wright Oct. 10 Sophi Higgs Oct. 21 Dve Esley Oct. 27 Nicole Higgs Oct. 15 Denise Prk Steve Hnsen Oct. 28 Jennifer Gleichuf Ryn Schl Ann Rose
WOMEN S FALL GATHERING INFO! Milwukee Presbyterin Women Fll Gthering October 18, 2014 Vernon Presbyterin Church S71 W23280 Ntionl Ave, Big Bend 8:30-9:00 m Registrtion 9:00 m to 2:30 pm Progrm PARTNERING WITH GOD S CHILDREN MORNING Welcome to Vernon Getting to Know our Sisters & Brothers from Ghn Educte Child, Trnsform the World Sndee Gross Judy Jggrd Mrilyn Gmm WORKSHOPS-Choose One AFTERNOON 1. Horizon Bible Study Rev. Deb Bergson-Grhm Bring your copy of the Horizon 2014-2015 Bible study 2.Hnds On Mission-Alzheimer s Sensory Blnket Project Bring your scrps of ribbon, Brick-rck, lce, buttons, zippers, snps, pockets, Velcro, ppliqués, smll empty thred spools, different pieces of fbric for 12x12 blocks, terry cloth, burlp, velvet or suede, denim, polyester, prints, flnnel-nything will work, but should wsh well. CLOSING WORSHIP WITH OFFERING & THANKOFFERING DEDICATION TO GET YOUR FALL GATHERING RESERVATION FORM... Plese cll or emil MONICA GRAMLING: 414-961-1809 Register the number ttending from your church. or grmlingmonic@yhoo.com by October 12, 2014 to: Registrtion Fee: $12.00 per person, py t Gthering DIRECTIONS TO VERNON: is locted 3 blocks Est of Hwy 164 on county highwy ES/Ntionl Ave. NORTH: Hwy 83 left 59 right on 164 south to Ntionl Ave/ES, turn left t, McDonld s nd Kwik Trip on corner, proceed three blocks to church on left. OR Tke 83 to Mukwongo nd pick up Ntionl Ave/ES or Hwy 43, Hwy 43 to 164 left to Ntionl Ave, turn right on Ntionl proceed three blocks church on left. WEST: 94 to 43 to Hwy 164 Big Bend exit, right on 164, right on Ntionl Ave/ES to church on left. SOUTH: Hwy 43 to Hwy 164 Big Bend exit, left t 164 to Ntionl Ave/ES right to church on left.