NEWSLETTER OF BRIDGEPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH JULY 2010 VOLUME 17 NUMBER 7 WWW.BRIDGEPORTPRESBYTERIAN.COM Bridgeport Presbyterian Church Church Events July 7 PW Bible Study July 12-15 VBS July 17 Youth Overnight July 18 Worship on Patio July 21 PW Bible Study July 26 Stephen Ministry July 28 Men s Breakfast Night with the Wild Things The Congregational Life Committee sponsored our annual baseball outing and we had a great time. The Wild Things played an amazing game and beat the Kalamazoo Kangaroos 8-4 sweeping the series. Aug 22 Blessing of the Backpacks Aug 25 Men s Breakfast Aug 27 CHP Book Sale Aug 28 CHP Book Sale Aug 29 Worship on Patio
THE MS WALK THAT WASN T It wasn t as if we didn t try. Exhortations in both the newsletter and Around His House were a constant reminder of the walk, routes were laid out and maps copied, tee shirts sold, and Congregational Life arranged for lunch to be served to the hungry walkers but when Mother Nature nixes the program with tornado warnings there is no use arguing. But as one of our local church sages says, We love to eat. So no harm done! A delicious lunch was served in a sea of blue shirts and the most important thing was accomplished. Our church raised $1002.00 to be sent to the MS Society for research. Good job everybody! July 18 Special Summer Worship Opportunities Worship on the Patio Commissioning of the Triennium Team August 22 Blessing of the Backpacks Children and Youth are invited to bring their back packs to worship. This is a time for us to bless our children as they begin school. August 29 Worship on the Patio Sunday School Kick-off We will gather after worship to hear about the opportunities in Adult Education, Children and Youth will meet their teachers and we will celebrate with a picnic afterwards. Men s Breakfast The Men s' Breakfast Group will meet at 7:00 AM on Wednesday July 28th in the back room of Eat 'n' Park Restaurant on Bridgeport Hill. Our speaker will be Mr. Matt Chisler, Director of Public Relations for United Hospital Center. Matt will present a complete update on the new UHC Hospital currently under construction, and almost complete, near the FBI Center along I-79. This will be a very interesting and timely talk and Power Point Presentation since this hospital will be a major addition to the Bridgeport area and a facility that most, if not all, of us will be using at some time or other. Don't miss it!
JULY BIRTHDAYS JULY ANNIVERSARIES 2 John Hartley 12 Pete Martin 3 Kaden Lhotsky 13 Gerald Frederick 5 Samantha Silva 15 Barry Ranson 5 Anna Winans 16 Nicholas Green 5 Eric Winans 16 Ann Wilson 6 Cindy Frederick 17 Robert Stearns 6 Louise McCauley 17 Leah Trippett 6 Donna Trickett 18 Tammera Faris 8 Jody Tetrick 28 Bob Allen 11 Scott Ayers 30 Jonathon Fischer 12 Garth Leech 12 Sarah & Michael Wilson 18 Jo & Jack Sturm 22 Sue & Doug McKinney AUGUST BIRTHDAYS AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES 1 Ken Pote 20 Craig Ray 3 Brandon Smith 20 Lois Withrow 3 Matthew Wilson 21 Martha Stearns 7 Michael Ehrhart 22 Joyce Hartzell 12 Lorraine Mann 22 Beverly Rinker 13 Olivia Arbogast 23 Nathan Lhotsky 13 Corey Yager 27 Thomas Giffen 15 Lauren Giffen 28 Patrick Deem 16 Judith Giffen 30 Carl Fischer 17 Samantha Davis 2 Beth & Dan McCaugherty 5 Wanda & Gary Lhotsky 7 Gail & Craig Liebig 18 Tammera & David Faris 20 Nikki & Dana Arbogast 21 Laura & Michael Miller
From the Choir Director Great Hymn Writers Part 2 Robert Lowry Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 12, 1826, Robert Lowry displayed great musical talent as a child. He learned to play every instrument he could put his hands on. By the age of seventeen, he became an active member of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia as a Sunday school teacher and choir member. By twenty-two, he had decided to become a minister, and six years later, he graduated with highest honors from seminary. He would continue on this course for the next twenty years, pasturing numerous churches in Pennsylvania and New York. While he excelled in the ministry, Robert Lowry also had a passion for music and hymn writing. Although it took a sabbatical from preaching and an editorship in publishing house to direct him to his musical destiny, Robert Lowry would write some of the most memorable hymns in American history. His most famous are Shall We Gather at the River, Christ Arose, Nothing But the Blood, I Need Thee Every Hour, How Can I Keep from Singing, All the Way My Savior Leads Me, and We re Marching to Zion. Robert Lowry often said he would have rather preached a sermon than write a hymn, but his volume of work has been translated into many languages and comforted many a lost soul along the way. When Robert Lowry died in New Jersey in 1899, he lived on in his hymns and sermons. Respectfully submitted, Lynne A. Davis Director of Music Just a Note! Lots of empty slots for soloists and other assorted groups of singers and instrumentalists for the summer! See Lynne or Beth to sign up!!! Women s Summer Bible Study Presbyterian Women is sponsoring a Bible study for women on Wednesday night this summer, we will meet at 6:30 pm for some light refreshments and Bible study. Each week is an independent study so that you can come as your summer schedule allows. Please feel free to bring a friend. Our studies for the summer are: June 30 Philemon July 7 Esther July 21 Simon July 28 The Unwanted Woman
June 21 was the start of Summer The Great Let Down? Do you maintain your discipline all the way through winter, get your lawn in shape and race to numerous graduation parties, and then sink into the Summer Let Down? No more school sports or classes or plays, network television shows go into reruns or reach the end of their entertainment life (No more Law and Order! No more Lost! Only reruns! ), and vacation schedules take hold in schools, offices, and churches. Busy, disciplined life gives way to travel, play and time away. We Let Down. The Bible word for this is Sabbath! We all need time away from work, time for re-creation, relaxation and regeneration. It seems that God wants this to be normal, that people in his creation should not work all the time. He set apart 1/7th of all time for doing no work at all. He made this not working day one of the Top Ten Commandments. And the idea caught on, passed from culture to culture. The weekend is God s mark on the calendars of the world, showing his love and concern for all people: Take a day off, for my sake! The seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant... Exodus 20:10 Sabbath is the weekly reminder that we were not made to work for God, we were made to walk with God. Sabbath is not God s demand that we do one church activity after another God s Day for Church Work! Adam and Eve enjoyed just strolling in the Garden with God in the cool of the day. Sabbath is our weekly reminder that we are made to enjoy his company, his providing for all our needs, his protection and care, his great plans for all our days to come. We can stop working because we trust in the goodness and power of God, who loves us. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you!1thes. 5:18 Thanksgiving is a great spiritual discipline for Summer. It s so easy to give thanks in Summer! We see friends, enjoy the weather, barbecue, sight-see, sleep late, dress casually. What s not to like? Spiritual disciplines are not necessarily difficult or painful! This is the key to Pray without ceasing. (1Thes. 5:17) Pay attention to what God is doing, what he has given you, how he has answered your prayers, what progress you see in peoples lives, the beauty of his creation. Giving thanks is prayer. Thanksgiving can lead to prayer that asks for God to intervene in your life and in others lives. It may lead to confession, that you have ignored God s goodness, become obsessed with comparisons to others who seem better off, and become bitter. This discipline simply asks, How can I thank God in this situation? Choice: Bitter or better. I will give you thanks, for you answered me. Psalm 118:25 Wherever you go, God does go with you. Your spiritual life will grow more out of church than in it. You re only in church one or two hours a week, after all! So don t suffer the Summer Let Down just because you are away from church at home. Enjoy your Summer Sabbath: Stop working, pay attention to the goodness of God, and give thanks! Blessings, Pastor Robin Summer Sabbath: Let Down or Thankful?
About the Fundraiser Books! Baskets! Baked Goods! The Management Board of the Children s Health Pantry announces a combination Books - Longaberger Baskets - Baked Goods sale on Friday and Saturday, August 27 and 28, 9:00-3:00, in the Fellowship Hall. Presbyterian Women will sell hot dogs, drinks, and chips. This will be the major fundraiser for the Children s Health Pantry this year. Everyone is invited to contribute books for the sale (sorry, no magazines or encyclopedias). Books may be brought to the church after August 1. A drop-off location will be designated. Everyone is invited to help with book sorting and other work: setting up, making signs, etc. This work will be done August 23, 24, and 25, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 9:00 am -12 pm, lunch provided. On sale days, we will have 2-hour shifts of 2 persons each, with one additional person in charge. Sign-up sheets for work opportunities will be posted. About the Pantry CHILDREN'S HEALTH PANTRY FUNDRAISER August 27 & 28 The pantry helps at-risk children, birth-age 18, who are receiving services from seven social service agencies in Harrison County, and also helps children and families staying at Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown while a family member is hospitalized in Children s Hospital. The help provided is: age-appropriate personal care kits, household cleaning kits, and lice eradication kits. The average cost per kit is $17.00. In the first 5 months of 2010, 446 kits were provided. For 2009, the total was 1,118. The newest group to receive kits are special needs students in Harrison County high schools, as part of a job placement and retention program. A special educator at RCBHS sent the following note: "Throughout the school year we used and distributed numerous hygiene/self-care kits provided by your church. You have absolutely no idea what a blessing this was for many of my students and I especially wanted to thank you for your kindness." In addition to the Board of Education, the other Harrison County agencies are: WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Community Action, Clarksburg Mission, Health Department, Health Consultants Plus, and Family Options Providers. The last three agencies implement Right from the Start (prenatal and postnatal services), a WVDHHR program. In addition to kits, Ronald McDonald House receives the collections of toiletries brought back from travels by our congregation, and WVDHHR receives new duffel bags for children going into foster care. For infants being taken to foster care, large diaper bags are provided to serve as duffel bags. The Management Board has estimated the 2010 budget at $17,000. contributions and prudent purchasing help with expenses. As in previous years, in-kind About twenty dedicated volunteers do the work of the pantry. You're invited to join!
TREASURER S REPORT GENERAL BUDGET Identified receipts for the month of May were $18,000, versus a budgeted amount of $11,000, while the year to date amounts are $67,000 and $55,000 respectfully. This variance is the result of the booking in 2010 of prepaid giving that was received in 2009 and members paying their pledges in a lump sum. When this is considered, the giving exceeds expected levels by $1,800. Expenses for the month were unfavorable by $1,200 as compared with budget, and year to date amounts were favorable by $4,600. It is expected that as committee activities get more underway for the year, expenditures will be at budgeted levels. BUILDING IMPROVEMENT FUND In 2004, the church decided to do a building enlargement and kitchen remodeling project that cost in excess of $300,000. Payment was supported by a three year pledge drive from the congregation, transfer of funds from our major maintenance investment fund, and a note at the bank of $85,000. Session decided, in 2007, that rather than have an additional fund drive to pay off the note, we would encourage members to give periodically to cover the principal amount of the monthly payments, and pay the interest portion of the payments from the general budget. Currently, the note balance is $42,100. The monthly principal payments are $420. The fund from which we make these payments has a balance of $1,176. Thanks to you who are making contributions to the building fund a part of your giving. Charlie Burkhammer Treasurer
Session Minutes The stated meeting of the Bridgeport Presbyterian church was called to order by Pastor Robin Ray at 7:00 PM on June 8, 2010. Present were Session members Ruth Allen, Nancy Aucremanne, Sue Davis, Rita Friebel, Rod Jennings, Gary Lhotsky, Drew Tate and Joe Timms. Excused were Alison Deem, Philip Martin, Tom Giffen and Doug Gray. Also present was Clerk Robert Allen, Treasurer Charles Burkhammer and members from the presbytery Committee on Ministry members James Morley and William Laughlin. The meeting was opened with devotions and prayer by Joe Timms. The first part of the meeting was a session with the representatives of the Committee on Ministry and a discussion of the following nine questions: What were your perceptions from the PNC and the pastor relating to the call? After nine months, what are your observations? So far, what have been your surprises in the new pastoral relationship? So far, what do you feel best/worst about? What exciting changes are happening? What do you see in the immediate future of the church s ministry? Describe the strong points of your regular meetings with the pastor? How could these meetings be more helpful? Messages to COM or Presbytery staff? Administrative Items: A motion to approve the agenda by Joe Timms was seconded and approved. A motion by Drew Tate to give Bob Allen and Charles Burkhammer privilege of the floor was seconded and approved. Clerks Report: A motion to approve the minutes of the May meeting with spelling corrections was seconded and approved. Average attendance for May was 62 A letter of resignation was received from Elder Gary Lhotsky effective in late July, who will be moving to Tenn. A motion by Joe Timms, Seconded by Sue Davis, and the resignation was accepted with regret. Treasurer s Report: The treasurer s report was approved as presented. Trustees Report: A motion from the trustees to add to the Policy for Scholarship Applicants a third category of eligibility was approved. This addition will be added to the policy and state: 2. C.c. A child of a Church employee. Grandchildren of employees will not be eligible. Stephen Ministry: No report. Presbyterian Women: The women were very busy. Some of the tasks undertaken in May included: their Spring Gathering with 20 women in attendance. Fleece blankets were taken to Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown, and a fashion show of clothes collected to be given to Clarksburg Mission. Projects planned are: Summer study on June 30 th ; July 7 th ; 21 st ; and 28 th, a mission dinner on July 3 rd a summer outing on August 7 th and a book sale to benefit the Children s Health Pantry on August 27 th and 28 th. A Fall retreat on Saturday September 25 th, the theme Circles of Love has been selected. Fall Bible study will start September 13 th. Worship Committee: No report Christian Education Committee: They are finalizing plans for Vacation Bible school. They still need teachers for Summer Sunday School on some of the July and August Sundays. They plan to have the Fall Sunday School Kick Off in late August to get the Sunday School program an earlier start this year. Outreach Committee: Heard a report concerning the move of Shepherd s Corner by Mary Ellen Depue and Shirlene Isabella. Several members of our church helped with the move. We are one of the founding congregations of Shepherd s Corner. In 2009 over 6000 people received clothing, 665 food orders were supplied at a cost of roughly $20, 000. The MS walk was successful despite the rain. A dinner for the Clarksburg Mission served fifty people. Soles for Souls project sent 250 pairs of shoes to aid those who may need them. It was suggested that we do this program every other year due to shipping cost. Congregational Life: The committee provided a covered dish meal with hot dogs and hamburgers after the MS walk. The committee is planning to do Soul Comfort Meals for those persons who are homebound or have had a recent family problem. They plan a trip to Washington, PA to see a Wild Things baseball game on June 19 th. They will tail gate before the game at the stadium. They will prepare a lunch for the fall Quadrant Presbytery Meeting September 14 th. Resource Management Committee: The committee purchased a new mower and retired the old one. They are working on ways to repair the floor in fellowship hall where the old floor meets the new addition floor. The air conditioners at the manse need checked also. Personnel Committee: The annual performance reviews have been completed and the committee has reviewed them. They will then be discussed with the church personnel and the pastor. Nominations Committee: They are in the process of organizing. Pastors Report: Asked that all Elders who will be returning next year state their preference to which committee they would prefer and give this to the nominations committee. She also asked Session s thoughts for establishing Deacons to help with some duties now being done by session members. There will be no meeting in July unless one is called.
Bridgeport Presbyterian Church The Church Office is open Monday-Friday 9:30am 12:30pm Email: Pastor Robin Ray pastorrobin@bridgeportpresbyterian.com Email: Office office.bportpresby@verizon.net Website: www.bridgeportpresbyterian.com Pastor Robin Ray 842-3332 Clerk of Session Bob Allen 842-3638 Treasurer Charlie Burkhammer 842-2819 Director of Music Lynne Davis 842-2211 Organist Beth Armentrout 745-4881 Presbyterian Women Sue Davis 842-6532 Janitorial Support Sharon Salate 842-2211 Church Secretary Janice Oldaker 842-2211 Bridgeport Presbyterian Church 1 John Calvin Drive Bridgeport WV 26330