The Belltower A Monthly Publication of Dunnellon Presbyterian Church August 2016 Dear Members and Other Friends; Many people have kindly inquired about my family vacation this year and the reply I offer seems to be consistent and sounds something like this: It was great. It was a little different in the past because we began our vacation with a sort of stay-cation and ended with the same with five nights in between at the beach. While different, it was good and I feel rested, something I could not have always said in the past. As I think about my response, I note a couple of features. The first is that it was a little different. That may be the understatement of the year. Beginning and ending with Stay-cation time enabled us to get some household chores done that were long neglected. The three of us actually sat down and watched whole movies together, and believe it or not, Debbie enjoyed only her second float down the Rainbow in 18 years of living here! On the tail end of our vacation we also enjoyed time at home. Instead of rushing home and unpacking getting ready for Sunday, we had to look at a calendar to know the day and date. In the past, vacation has been like a family reunion, often with 25 + people of all ages gathering for at least parts of two weeks at Sea Pace in St. Augustine Beach. This year, the most that were there on any one night was 14. Many people who were missing were missing for the first time in dozens of years. Most notably missed was my mother who died last June and who along with my Aunt Jo had organized and mostly financed this gathering for almost forty consecutive years. Yes, she was not present last year, but her place had been taken by cousins who had never been able to join us and fond memories of mom kept her very present. We varied not only in numbers, but also in who was able to attend. My niece Taylor had never missed in her 22 years of life, but having graduated from college and in a new job she was missing this year. My sister Edith, who is a sun fanatic, could not be with us because of a recent broken shoulder and continuing challenges with her diabetes. It was a little different in having infant Granddaughter McKinley Louise Rabold with us as well. The final difference though, was that for the first time in many, many years, I came back from vacation rested. A couple of factors led to that sense of being rested. One was that I turned off my telephone and the internet- well almost. Two members caught me about 3 days into my vacation and messaged me messages that basically told me- get off the blanking internet. Stop- unplug! Those two voices were not the only voices speaking the same words, but I heard them clearly. I did check messages from the office, but did as little as possible to respond despite deep feelings of guilt and responsibility that urged me to do otherwise. The tardiness of the Belltower arriving in your homes is because I rested instead of working to the deadline (I apologize for the inconvenience). A biblical verse that came to my mind was, It is in vain that you rise up early, and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives rest to his beloved. (Psalm 127:2) The voices of those two women reminded me of the vanity of thinking if one stays busy he/she is in control, while the opposite is the truth. One needs to accept God s gift to his beloved- and rest. Another was God s promise to Moses as after he received the law
and God promised him, My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Yes God was everpresent at the beach, but also back here at home. God would give those who were left to minister all that they needed and still provide for my rest. I hope each of you will be able to enjoy some of the refreshing rest I experienced on vacation this Summer and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to know when to work and know when your work is to rest. Pastor Jeff ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ McKinley Louise Rabold was born to proud parents Anna-Louise and Jarrod Rabold on July 8, 2016 at about 2:00pm. All is well with mom and baby! Brothers Jackson and Jefferson love their new baby sister!
"Java with Jeff" has been a delicious success this summer. Wondering who to thank for the great time of fellowship and treats? Following is a list of folks who contributed in June and July and also for those who have signed up to supply goodies in August: Rosetta Kelley, Barb Dantzscher, Sue Koppler, Terry Blaes, Diane DeBaro, Wayne Chambers, Ali Tank, Ann Grant, Bette Nagele and Katherine Heindel. All summer long Arlene Heaton has arrived early to set up and brew coffee, in addition to having a turn bringing in yummy snacks. This has been a wonderful time for food and fellowship. If you haven't made it over yet you still have time to join us. The official starting time is 9:30 am every Sunday during the summer schedule, however coffee and tea are hot and ready even before then. Come Enjoy!!! Family Data Updates We will be printing an updated church directory at the end of August, so we are asking you to please contact the Church Office via phone or email if you have any changes to your Contact Information. Such as: Name, Address, Home phone numbers, Cell phone numbers, Emergency Contact Person and phone number(s). We wish to serve and assist you better. Church Office Phone: 352.489.2682 Office Hours: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Mon - Fri Email: dunnpreschurch@bellsouth.net Website: www.dunnellonpcusa.org LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Did you know we have a Facebook page? And you can read our public Facebook page, even if you do not have a Facebook account. If you have not visited our Facebook page, please go to https://www.facebook.com/dunnellonpresbyterian Reminders about church events and inspirational information are posted often. And don t forget, if you have a Facebook account, LIKE and SHARE us with your friends.
Christian Education IT Youth Group IT will begin again on Sunday, August 14 th at 5:00pm 7:00pm. Dialogue & Dessert Monday Evening Bible Study with Pastor Jeff, will begin again on August 15 th at 6:30 pm Sunday School All Ages Sunday School classes of all ages will begin again in September. Watch the Sunday Bulletins for dates. Faith in Life Adult Sunday School Class When Sunday school resumes in September, the Faith in Life Adult Sunday School class will be starting the study of Saving Jesus From the Church: how to stop worshipping Christ and start following Jesus, by Robin R. Meyers. It's a challenging look at what it means to be a Christian. Special Request Special request from Laurie S., who is a Pre-School Teacher, by profession, at a local business, as well as being DPC s faithful and caring Nursery Attendant since November 2009. Let s all try to assist Laurie! I am creating a Bowling Set for each child in my classroom as a Christmas Gift this December. I am making these sets using recycled materials. The bowling pins will be made using Coffee Mate liquid, flavored coffee creamer containers. All sizes and any color lid, but especially red green and gold. Please bring your empty, clean containers to the church office on Sunday or any morning Monday through Friday. The collection container is in the office lobby. Thank you for helping me make an inexpensive but very fun gift for each of my students. Laurie THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION A much overdue thank you to Lou Ann Boemio, our long time youth Sunday school teacher. In spite of teaching middle school all week long and earning her master's degree during the last year, Lou Ann shows up on Sunday, week after week, to teach our middle and high school youth. She then comes back on Sunday evenings and helps with the youth group. Thank you, Lou Ann, for your continued dedication to the youth of Dunnellon Presbyterian Church. Missions SCHOOL SUPPLIES Summer is still going strong. Just take a step outside, but soon school will begin again. When you see a sale, remember to pick up school supplies for our annual supply drive for Romeo Elementary. The collection box will be in the Narthex during August. Supplies will be collected until September 11 th. If you would like to give a donation and let someone else shop, just drop it in the offering plate, marked for school supplies. Thank you for your support. Music Chancel Choir Chancel Choir practice will start up again, Thursday August 25th at 3:00 p.m. Anyone interested in joining the choir, please call Sue Koppler, director, at 352-566-6168 or leave a message with the church office at 352-489-2682.
Church Community Activities MOVIES WITH MEANING August 6 th at 2:00 pm If you've ever driven to Cedar Key for Tony's world-famous clam chowder, you've passed through the former town of Rosewood. Did you stop to read the historical marker on the way? Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, and Jon Voight star in a 1997 R-rated film about the 1923 incident that destroyed the town when a white woman claimed to have been raped by a black man. "Rosewood will be shown August 6 th at 2 p.m., and discussion will follow. Sloppy Joe Luncheon Sunday, August 7 th at 11:30 am Immediately after the Church Service on August 7th, we will enjoy our annual Sloppy Joe Luncheon. A donation of $7.00 would be appreciated. All members and friends of the church are invited. Come enjoy! Exercise class Every Monday and Thursday morning at 9:15am. Mah jongg Every Thursday at 12:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. Thank You Note June 13, 2016 Dear Friends of DPC, I woul;d like to thank all my friends at D.P.C. for all your cards, prayers, food and phone calls. All the well wishes were appreciated. I m doing a lot better. The dizziness is gone. God Bless You All, Carmen P. Presbyterian Men AUGUST MEN S BREAKFAST Thursday, August 18, 2016 at 8:00 am The Men s Club will meet for breakfast, fellowship, prayer, and to discuss concerns of the Church at 8:00 am at the Purple Sage Restaurant on August 18, 2016. The meeting will last 1 hour. $2 in dues will be collected, as well as donations towards The Backpack Program. Please call Don K. at 352-566-6168 by Monday, Aug. 15 th, if you plan to attend. Presbyterian Women PW Coordinating Team August 17 at 1 p.m. Hope everyone had a great summer! PW CIRCLES Again this year, we will have a "Kick-off" for our Bible study. We will gather at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall on August 24th. Refreshments will be served. We will continue with the Bad Girls of the bible! But the study is "Really Bad Girls of the Bible: More Lessons from Less-Than-Perfect Women" by Liz Curtis Higgs. The books will be paid for by the Presbyterian Women this year. Hope to see you there! QUILT CIRCLE Sew Day Tuesday, August 2 nd 10:00 am 4:00 pm We will meet on August 2nd and continue to work on our "purple" project. Come join us for a fun day! Questions, call Jean K. at 489-4757. PW Mission Socks and Undies are being collected in the box in the Narthex throughout the Summer. Needed most are sizes to fit 10-14 year olds. These donations will support Camelot Community Care.