Our Mission Statement Is to Share the Love of Christ, to Empower People to Serve, and to Glorify God. October 2016 Just a few fallible words about what I think from month to month Rev. Susan And it just so happened that the word of the LORD came to [Elijah], 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks... " 1 Kings 17:8-10 Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, French author, penned the phrase The more things change, the more they stay the same in 1849; and its relevance has not diminished. Having just said goodbye to another Christian Education staff person, we find ourselves in flux and change again and needing to fill a very important role. However; this time, it just so happens that our part-time Organist/Music Director, Arthur Ghere-Folse, moved to Texarkana at the end of the summer. It just so happens that he hasn t found a fulltime day job yet. It just so happens that Arthur has a Master s of Divinity degree in Christian Education along with his Masters of Church Music. It just so happens that from 2008 to 2010 Arthur worked simultaneously as a part-time Organist at Parkway Presbyterian Church in Metairie, LA while also performing parttime duties as Director of Youth & Children at the Chinese Presbyterian Church of Kenner, LA.; all this while completing his M.Div. degree. (Don t ask me how. All I can say is, Hmmm. Amazing what 20 somethings can do!!) Two years ago when we were searching for a Christian Edu-preneur we were looking for someone to maintain our Youth ministry and re-develop our Children s ministry; definitely a full-time job. God sent us Sarang Kang a uniquely gifted person who fit that bill brilliantly. Sarang accomplished what we called her to do!! And she did it in a matter of a few months! She came to Texarkana thinking she would be here about six months, and then be called to the Mission Field to return to her childhood home of Thailand. That plan was taken off the table by the PC(USA) Presbyterian Mission Agency which ran into several large ministry problems that year and ran low on monies for mission funding. So, God lent us Sarang about three times longer than expected. Today we find ourselves in need again, the more things change, the more they stay the same, but this time for an interim Christian Education Administrator. We use the word Administrator because the majority of our volunteers for this year s C.E. programs had already been recruited, and most of the programming and curriculum has been developed. We needed someone at the helm with C.E. knowledge and experience to carry out a pre-developed plan and resource existing volunteers; a job that can be accomplished with a part-time status. Arthur graciously offered to step in to cover this vitally important ministry area for us; splitting his time between Music and C.E. administration. He s got the education, the experience, and the desire. He relishes the opportunity to work full-time in the church setting right now. And he has hit the ground running at full-tilt speed. Please welcome Arthur to this new area of ministry with and for us, and give thanks that it just so happens God once again sent us a uniquely gifted person to fit our ministry need bill brilliantly.
Diaconate will be hosting a potluck fall picnic Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. and food will be served by 6:30 p.m. There will be plenty of fun, food, and games! If you would be interested in volunteering or helping, please contact Val Buster. Church Family, Please Save the Date! Nancy Emerson and Charles Jackson will exchange wedding vows in the Sanctuary on Sunday, November 20th at 12:30 pm. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. In Loving Memory of Cecil Pavey April 14, 1927 - September 17, 2016. Congratulations to to Chuck & Beth Morgan on the arrival of their grandson, Levi David White, born on September 2 and their granddaughter, Emerson Grace Morgan, born on September 22! Recycle Reminder We are still asking everyone to recycle. We have placed recycle bins for plastic, paper, aluminum, glass, etc., in the room across from the fellowship hall. Benefits of Recycling: Saves energy Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators Conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change Helps sustain the environment for future generations Helps create new well-paying jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States OCTOBER WORSHIP/STUDY SCHEDULE SUNDAY Worship Services WEDNESDAY Family Night Supper THURSDAY Brown Bag Bible Study 11:00 a.m.: The Meal 2 (World Communion Sunday) Exodus 12:1-14 & 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 FNS Study 5 THE WAR ROOM SESSION #5 NO BROWN BAG BIBLE STUDY 6 11:00 a.m.: Seeing God in our Graveyards 9 (Question from the Pew) Lamentations 3:18-26 & 2 Timothy 1:1-4, 11-12 11:00 a.m.: Persistent Prayer 16 Psalm 119:97-104 & Luke 18:1-8 11:00 a.m.: Abundant Blessing 23 Joel 2:23-32 & 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 11:00 a.m.: God s Got A lot! (All-Saints) 30 Psalm 65 & 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 FNS Study 12 Who Is God? Old Testament FNS Study 19 Who Is God? New Testament FNS Study 26 JOHN WESLEY, THE REFORMER Bruce Bennet, Pastor - FUMC, AR 13 Who Is God? Old Testament 20 Who Is God? New Testament 27 Who Is God? Church History *Bold type=preaching text **(Parentheses=secondary reading)
I am excited about the opportunity to take on the Christian Education. I have met with those who have been volunteering with the youth & children and we now have some plans in place for October. The youth will be attending the Presbytery of the Pines meeting on October 15 for their confirmation class and then will go bowling after presbytery meeting. Also the youth group will be going to the DixieMaze Farms in Shreveport to the corn maze on October 29. We are also working on plans for the next couple months and larger plans for 2017. Summer 2017 we are looking at sending the senior high youth to Montreat s summer Youth Conference. Youth weeks at Montreat are awesome. The Bible studies, games, fellowship, and worship services with over 1,000 other teenagers is a great spiritual experience. We are also looking at sending the 5-8 graders to Montreat for the Worship & Music Conference. At this conference our youth will be participating with others in children s choir, Bible studies, games, and worship services. I have been to the youth weeks and the music weeks in Montreat. Both of these conferences have had a lot of meaning to me personally. If you are interested, or have students who would be interested, please let me know. We will have a meeting in October to look at these conferences and discuss them further. Youth Schedule: October 2 Confirmation Orientation 6:00pm October 9 Youth Group 6:00pm (shorter youth group, because of organ recital) October 15 Presbytery Meeting & Bowling, time to be announced later October 16 Youth Group 6:00pm October 23 Youth Group 6:00pm October 29 DixieMaze corn maze 12:00 noon (pizza after in Texarkana) October 30 Fall Picnic at church Youth Quake 2016
PW Women Updates - October 2016 Council meeting - 10/10 12:00 p.m. - Library Beck Circle - 10/11 10:00 a.m. - Annex Griesser Circle - 10/18 10:00 a.m. - Library Moore Circle - 10/13 6:00 p.m. - Annex PW Thank Offering will be taken during October and November. This offering funds projects such as agricultural development, child care, homelessness, elderly care and much more. At least 40 percent of the offering supports health ministries throughout the world. The remaining 60 percent funds new creative ideas for mission. at 10:00 am Family Night Supper Study Theology 101 The Things We Share in Common There are numerous expressions of the church, but at its heart there are doctrines which have been embraced by all Christendom with little variation. Do you know what we share in common? Do you understand how those essential are rooted in scripture? If not, come join us for "The Bible and Theology as we explore eight major Christian doctrines. For each theme we look at 1) the Old Testament texts that inform belief, 2) the New Testament texts that inform belief, 3) and explore how the church has formulated that belief as a doctrine. Come learn the roots of what we share in common. Who Is God? How Are We Saved? Who Is Jesus? Where is Authority? What is the Church? What Is the Kingdom? What Are the Sacraments? Who Is Humanity?
WEEKLY EVENTS SUNDAY 9:30 a.m. Prayer Time - Pastor s Study 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 11:00 a.m. Worship 2:00 p.m. Handbells 6:00 p.m. Youth Group/Bible Drill TUESDAY 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting WEDNESDAY 10:00 a.m. Card Ministry Team 5:30 p.m. CLICK Ministry 6:00 p.m. Family Night Supper 6:30 p.m. Godly Play - Evergreen Residents 6:30 p.m. Youth Group 1 - Charlie Morehead 1 - Erin McCasland 1 - Robert Veon 2 - Blanche Barber 2 - LaWanda West 3 - Sally Sue Rodgers 4 - Sherry Wilburn 4 - Chad Triptow 6 - Andrew Gloster 8 - Danny Gray 13 - Carlyn Brown 13 - Cordell Klein 15 - Maxwell Blain 17 - *Joy Keck 19 - Laura Lacy 21 - Thomas Boyles 22 - Frank West 23 - Nina Madden 23 - Margo Strickland 23 - *Randy Glover 24 - Jacob Boyles 11 Molly Beth & Bruce Malcolm 19 Savannah & Cameron Calhoun 19 Shannon & Josh Davitt 31 Merilynn & Don Johnson 26 - Brycen Jackson 26 - Dorothy Siebel 27 - Merilynn Johnson 27 - Valerie Buster 27 - Kaleigh Anthony 29 - Amy Triptow 30 - DeeDee McHenry-Pope 30 - Joshua Davitt (*Evergreen Folks) 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY 9:00 a.m. Angel Quilts 10:00 a.m. Sharing Place 12:05 p.m. Brown Bag Bible Study SPECIAL EVENTS SUNDAY, October 2 10:30 a.m. Around the Coffee Pot 6:00 p.m. Dinner for Randy Sams Shelter 6:00 p.m. Confirmation Orientation - Youth Group MONDAY, October 3 Master Gardner's Meeting All Day - Fellowship Hall 5:30 p.m. Christian Education Meeting TUESDAY, October 4 7:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast WEDNESDAY, October 5 5:15 p.m. Stewardship Meeting SUNDAY, October 9 7:00 p.m. Evening with the Organ - Reception with Reception Following MONDAY, October 10 12:00 p.m. PW Coordinating Meeting - Library 2:00 p.m. Federal Retiree Meeting TUESDAY, October 11 10:00 a.m. Josephine Beck Circle - Annex WEDNESDAY, October 12 5:00 p.m. Diaconate Meeting THURSDAY, October 13 6:00 p.m. PW Zelle Moore Circle - Annex SATURDAY, October 15 Pines Presbytery Meeting - Hope, AR - Youth Bowling After Meeting SUNDAY, October 16 12:05 p.m. Congregational Meeting 3:00 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting TUESDAY, October 18 7:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast 10:00 a.m. PW Greisser Circle - Library WEDNESDAY, October 19 5:00 p.m. Evangelism Meeting THURSDAY, October 20 5:00 p.m. Session Meeting SATURDAY, October 29 12:00 p.m. Dixie Maze Corn Festival SUNDAY, October 30 5:00 p.m. FALL POTLUCK PICNIC
Ongoing Financial Status For the Four Months Ended August 31, 2016 August Actual August Budget Texas Presbyterian Foundation Year to Date Actual Year to Date Budget Income $ 19,172.00 $ 26,840.00 $290,371.00 $214,720 Expenses 33,474.00 29,407.00 223,278.00 235,249.00 Net Income (Loss) (14,302.00) (2,567.00) 67,093.00 ($20,529.00) AUGUST Initial Amount Invested $115,853.23 Income Earned Since Inception 23,488.56 Subtotal 139,341.79 Unrealized Gains Since Inception 24,426.02 Total Value of TPF Funds $163,767.81 Randy Sams Mission The volunteers for the next few months are as follows: October 2 *Carla & Randy Lacy; Lucy Sarrett, Michael & Amy Gilliland * Group Coordinator November 6 *Martha Nell & Mark Richards; Peggy & Larry Davis, Bonnie Judd & Sherry Wilburn December 4 *Beth & Chuck Morgan; Joan & Tommy Boyles & Kathy & Dan Boyles Additional volunteers would be helpful for these months. All you need to do is contact the Team Coordinator for the specific month you desire, or Pat Davitt of the 2016 Diaconate. Again, please consider being a local mission volunteer for FPC and this great calling! It s Thanksgiving Baskets Time! It s time to start gathering food and preparing lists. Our Thanksgiving Food Basket ministry allows us to share food with those less fortunate than us, or in great financial need. We are blessed to share baskets with our community neighbors and with Angel Fund Foundation Clients. The baskets will be delivered Sunday, November 20, but we will begin gathering food starting Sunday, October 2. Please bring canned goods and other nonperishable items such as cereal, dried stuffing, peanut butter, dried beans and pasta. If you would rather make a donation and let the youth do the shopping for you, please leave your donation in the church office. Thank you for your continued love and support of our annual service and outreach project! Sunday, October 2, 2016, is World Communion Sunday We will be serving The Lord s Supper by intinction (see photo we dip vs. drink from a common cup). There will be two stations at the front of the sanctuary and one ambulatory station which will begin at the back of the sanctuary and be ready to serve
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 516 Pecan Street Texarkana, Arkansas 71854 Phone: 870-774-6453 Fax: 870-773-4199 Our Mission Statement Is to Share the Love of Christ, to Empower People to Serve, and to Glorify God. Church Staff Reverend Dr. Susan M. Arnold, Pastor Cell: (903) 908-5487 Arthur M. Ghere-Folse, Director of Music, Organist & Interim Christian Education Administrator Rebecca Johnson, Administrative Assistant Ron Cantu, Custodian Sheila Moore, Clerk of Session Val Buster, Moderator of Diaconate Maggie Uzzell, Church Treasurer Junior High Youth Quake September 23-25 three Jr. High youth and I went to Ferncliff for the 2016 Jr. High Youth Quake; Ethan & Bailey Davitt and Seth Sexton. The main them for the weekend was community - how we are one together. One of the coolest experiences was communion by intinction served by youth elders! The Jr. High kids learned they have a place in the church in the future. They learned how to function in a church community with each other. It was really awesome seeing a group of 100 plus Jr. High kids being that captivated by the key note talks and the group activities; anybody who s ever worked with Jr. High kids know that s not an easy thing to do. Just being able to be a part of it was amazing. Hearing our three say it ended too soon, they wished it was longer, was so cool. The kids left Quake yearning, wanting more. The weekend gave them the desire to seek. Thanks to ALL of you for allowing us to experience this weekend, Josh Davitt Youth Parent