Monthly Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church July, 2016 From under... The Redbud Tree INSIDE THIS ISSUE A prayer for uncertain times 1 July Lay Readers 2 Birthdays & Anniversaries Serving in worship for July Special Dates JUST CHURCH CHUCKLES 3 Session Highlights 4 Summer Special Music A Good Place Thank You Five ways people beat the 5 Heat before air conditioning Cereal Drive 6 Finance Meeting Minutes The P.L.A.C.E Crossword Puzzle 7 Calendar 8 Last page 9 A prayer for uncertain times.. An hour before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, pastor and author Stan Purdum was reading Psalm 66, which includes the words, We went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a spacious place (v. 12 NRSV). After watching the destruction, Purdum composed a prayer that remains relevant today, as terrorism and threats often make peace seem more specious than spacious : O God of heaven and earth, who s bigger than nations and factions, be with us as we live through times of terror, despair and danger. Be the strength of people who ve been touched personally by disaster. Come with healing to those who are injured. Be the eternal rest of those who ve died. Be the energy, compassion and fortitude of those who must pick through the wreckage. Grant our leaders courage and a double portion of your wisdom. The day of universal brotherhood seems farther off than ever, O God, but help us not despair of trying to accomplish it. Strengthen our faith. In Jesus name. Amen. 1
3 Charlotte Cherry 4 Marty Hasty 12 Evalyn McGill-90th 14 Carolyn Hannon 21 Bob Foos 21 T.J. Lawson 24 Christopher Constantine 29 Andrew Ruegsegger 30 Kathryn Templin IF YOU DON T SEE YOUR BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE SO WE CAN GET YOU STORED IN OUR RECORDS!! THE SAME GOES FOR ANY MISTAKES YOU MAY SEE!! (we can t fix it...if we don t know it s broke!) We appreciate your help! 11th - Carl & Bev Jansma 14th - Jack & Marion Coffman 3rd - Pete Wells & Mike Hasty 10th - Pete & Sissy Wells 17th - Nancy Priest & Joyce Johnson 24th - Nancy Priest & Joyce Johnson 31st - Robert & Yvonne Kilpatrick Special Dates July 1st - Canada Day July 4th - U.S. Independence Day FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 3rd - Marty Hasty 10th - Don Crapnell 17th - Sherman Fine 24th - Wayne Faust 31st - Carolyn Hannon FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 3rd Sissy Wells 10th Nan Jordan 17th Pete Wells 24th Nancy Priest 31st Gale Newman 2
Now Lord, y o u v e known me a long time. You know me better than I know myself. You know that each day I am growing older and someday may even be very old, so meanwhile, please keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from trying to straighten out everyone s affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody, helpful but not overbearing. I ve a certain amount of knowledge to share; still it would be very nice to have a few friends who, at the end, recognized and forgave the knowledge I lacked. Keep my tongue free from the recital of endless details. Seal my lips on my aches and pains; they increase daily and the need to speak of them becomes almost a compulsion. I ask for grace enough to listen to the retelling of others afflictions, and to be helped to endure them with patience. I would like to have improved memory, but I ll settle for growing humility and an ability to capitulate when my memory clashes with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that on some occasions I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably kind; I ve never aspired to be a saint.saints must be rather difficult to live with...yet on the other hand, an embittered old person is a constant burden. Please give me the ability to see good in unlikely places and talents in unexpected people. And give me the grace to tell them so, dear Lord. Written by: Cary Grant Submitted by: Sissy Wells 3
Session Highlights June 21, 2016 The Finance Committee audited the April and May 2016 records; the June and July records will be audited in August. The Finance Committee also recommended that the Church begin again sending out quarterly statements to church members. We donated 256 pounds of food for the Food Basket for the month of May. We delivered 677 personal care items and 9 fans to the Ozark Center of Hope. The Personnel Committee announced that we are looking for a new custodian. This position will be open beginning June 25. If you know of someone who may be interested in this position, please tell them to contact our office. The Ministry Committee announced that the summer book study will begin Thursday, June 23, and that seven people were participating. Respectfully submitted, Marti Frazier, Clerk of Session A Summer Special Music sign-up sheet: is located on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. Please sign up or talk to Marilyn Seel for a Sunday during June/July/August that you would like to provide us with your special music. A GOOD PLACE This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in. Theodore Roosevelt To the First Presbyterian family: Thank you for any way in which you contributed your time and energy to honor the memory of Nancy Pool She was a very special person and I was both helped and moved by every kind expression on your part...the cards, the calls, the personal expressions, the memorial gifts and flowers, the food, the celebration of life in worship, and simply your warm presence, not only for me, but for all her family and friends. Please know that your thoughtful gifts were of great value in such tender moments, and I want you to know how grateful I am. Very Sincerely, Carl Cook 4
Five ways people beat the heat before Water fountains air conditioning. Water fountains were very different in the 1800s and early 1900s than they are now, but they still provided an easy way to cool off in the summer. Some fountains in big cities were built as large troughs so people could do more than just take a drink of water. On a hot summer day, they were an oasis where people could submerge their heads to stay cool. While fountains like these made it easier to find some relief from the heat, they also made it easier to contract an illness. Not only were many different people using these fountains, but sometimes horses and other animals would use them as well, often rendering them unsanitary. Ice blocks With an eye on the summer heat, people would harvest and store ice blocks during the winter to be used in the warmer months. Having ice available in the summer took some planning before refrigeration was available. People would have to harvest ice from lakes that were frozen over during the winter months. The ice would then be stored in naturally cool buildings, called ice-houses, where they would sit before being distributed months later. Using ice to cool down on a hot summer day was efficient, but it was not always reliable due to the variability of winter weather. If there was a mild winter, not as much ice would available to harvest, making it a rare commodity months later when the heat would build. However, in frigid winters, more ice would be available to harvest, making the ice cheaper and more accessible during the summer. High ceilings Creative architecture was another way to prevent indoor conditions from becoming stifling and uncomfortable. Because hot air rises, some buildings were built with high ceilings. The hot, rising air would then escape through windows near the ceiling to create a natural air flow. Front porches Architects also incorporated front porches onto houses to give homeowners some relief from the heat. People could then sit outside during the evening and early in the night when it was cooler. The porch eventually turned into a place to socialize with friends and family while cooling off after a long hot day. Napping in the shade Possibly the simplest way to beat the heat before air conditioning was to take a nap in a grassy area under a tree. Trees can be found almost everywhere, even in the heart of a New York City and provide plenty of shade for people nearby. Taking a nap in the afternoon also meant not doing any strenuous work during the hottest part of the day, reducing the threat of dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. BOY, ARE WE GLAD WE ARE HERE IN THE MILLENNIUM!! IN AIRCONDITIONING. 5
CEREAL DRIVE TO BENEFIT MOUNTAIN HOME FOOD BASKET Between now and July 17, the Mission Committee will hold a cereal drive to benefit the Mountain Home Food Basket. During the summer months when school is out, the Food Basket gives out twice as much cereal to families. We would like to help them have enough cereal to give out during this period. The Mission Committee thanks you for helping us with this project. Church finances for May May Income: $12,165.89 May Expenses: $11,099.29 Devouring the Word While traveling in Scotland, the great evangelist Charles Spurgeon came across a very old, worn Bible at a wayside inn. As he examined the book and held it up toward the light, he noticed a small hole where a worm had eaten from cover to cover. Lord, make me a bookworm like that, Spurgeon said. From Genesis to Revelation, it has gone clear through the Bible. 6
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REDBUD CALENDAR JULY, 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat I ve learned so much from my mistakes. I m thinking of making a few more! 1 2 C L O S E D 3 10 am - Worship Service 11am - Coffee hosted by Finance Committee 11am - Blood Pressure Screening Deacons Offering 4 OFFICE CLOSED 5 9 am - Counters Vacation week.. The office closes each day at 12:00 noon for this week. Normal hours will resume on Monday, July 11th 6 10 am - Lectionary Bible Study 7 8 9 C L O S E D 10 10 am-worship Service 11 am - Coffee hosted by Ministry Committee Copper Kettle offering 11 9 am - Counters 12 10 am - Finance Committee 13 10 am - Lectionary Bible Study 14 15 16 C L O S E D 17 10 am - Worship Svc. 11 am - Coffee hosted by the Worship Committee 18 9 am - Counters 19 1pm - Session 20 10 am - Lectionary Bible Study 21 22 C L O S E D 23 24 10 am Worship Service 11am - coffee hosted by the Special Volunteers 31 10 am Worship Service 11am - coffee hosted by the Men of the Church 25 9 am - Counters Redbud Deadline 26 27 10 am - Lectionary Bible Study Please verify committee meetings with the Moderator as days/times are subject to change! 28 29 30 Publication Deadlines C L O S E D Weekly bulletin - Wednesday afternoon by 2:00 pm Newsletter - Monday, July 25th Please submit all articles in writing. You may drop them off at the office or email to Connie McLaurin: fpcmh@centurytel.net Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 8
Church Office Hours 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday Church Mailing Address: 1106 Spring Street Mountain Home, AR 72653 870-425-3799 fpcmh@centurytel.net Website: www.fpcmh.net Rev. Mike Clark, Interim Pastor Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m. Secretary: Connie McLaurin Support Staff: Marilyn Wheat Bookkeeper: Nancy Priest First Presbyterian Church 1106 Spring Street Mountain Home, AR 72653 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 9
First Presbyterian Church 1106 Spring Street Mountain Home, AR 72653 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Church Office Hours 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday Church Mailing Address 1106 Spring Street Mountain Home, AR 72653 870-425-3799 fpcmh@centurytel.net Website: www.fpcmh.net Rev. Mike Clark, Interim Pastor Sunday School: Sunday Worship: 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Secretary: Connie McLaurin, Support staff: Marilyn Wheat Bookkeeper: Nancy Priest 10