This month we ll be focusing upon stewardship. One of the central aspects of being children of God is that God has called us to be good stewards of all life. This includes our mind, body, soul and our finances. So, finances is only one aspect of stewardship. A steward is one who has been entrusted with the master s treasures. A steward manages and looks after all the master s property. Life is a gift from God and we God s people are to be good stewards of all life. Here are some things to think about. How are you caring for yourself? Your mind? Your body? Your spirit? Do you strive to grow in knowledge and faith? Do you strive to find ways to share your faith with others? Being a good steward of God s gifts means being a good steward of your whole life. When we think about stewardship, we often jump right into our finances and the sharing of them through the church. This is an important part of stewardship, because what our Lord said is true; where our treasure is there our heart will be. (Matt. 6:21 & Luke 12:34). In worship we ll be sharing different aspects of stewardship. We ll be striving to take a holistic look at this important aspect of our spirituality and our life. Here s some things we ll be looking at: Sunday, October 4, World Communion Sunday we ll look at how interconnected our world is and how what we do here does impact others around the world. Sunday, October 11, we ll be looking at the sharing of our time, talents and special gifts. Sunday, October 18, The Rev. Jane Huffstetler will be preaching as the elders gave me a special gift. Time off for good behavior. LOL (laughing out loud). No, really they gave it in appreciation of the care given many families in the church through the losses we ve had this year. Thanks for this gift. On this Sunday we ll be taking a look at life gifts, gifts given through our estates. These gifts have helped our church through some difficult times and helped with repairs around the church. Sunday, October 25, will be our annual stewardship Sunday when we will come together to reflect on how God has blessed us and share together in our estimates of our giving for 2016. Our regular tithes and offerings. Unlike some pastor s, I actually look forward to focusing upon stewardship because God has truly blessed us and through our gifts we can help bless others. Friends, God has blessed us in so many ways, it is only right that we share our gifts so others can be blessed. Prayerfully consider all God s blessings and how these gifts can be shared with others through your sharing them through the church. Your very blessed pastor, Dennis
Session Digest September 24, 2015 Session Digest Nine of the ten elders were present, along with elders elect Tex Ritterbush and Linda Reynolds. Also present were Presbytery Triennial Visit Team - Jane Crabb, ruling elder Crane Presbyterian Church; The Rev. Melana Scruggs, pastor at Crane Presbyterian Church and stated clerk of John Calvin Presbytery. Meeting opened with prayer and devotion. The reading of the selected scripture 1 Corinthians 12: 4-13 reminded us that we all have spiritual gifts to offer and we welcome new members who bring their special gifts to us. PRESBYTERY TRIENNIAL VISIT Guests Jane Crabb and Melana Scruggs introduced themselves and shared information about their work. We learned that small churches make up the large part of the Presbytery and Community Presbyterian Church is amongst the larger congregations of our presbytery. Jane and Melana shared the importance of our shared mission and per capita gifts to the larger church. Presently there is ongoing litigation with First & Calvary Church in Springfield. Those from that congregation who remained with Presbyterian Church USA are now meeting in the sanctuary of Westminster in Springfield. The discernment process involving First Presbyterian Church in Branson is going well. Session member Ed Legge was given the opportunity to tell about our involvement in the community and our very successful Mentor Program which involves a number of other churches and reaches so many students through our school. Pastor Dennis expressed his appreciation for Melana s faithful work and commented that she made his term as moderator of the Presbytery very easy. EXAMINATION OF ELDERS ELECT Linda Reynolds and Tex Ritterbush shared their journeys of faith and confirmed they could answer in the affirmative the Book of Order ordination/installation questions W-4.4003. On a motion by Ed Legge, seconded by Buddy Roberts, the session sustained their examination and approved the date of Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 for the ordination/installation of Linda Reynolds and Tex Ritterbush as ruling elders class of 2016. A healing service will follow. REVIEW OF OUR FINANCES Treasurer Georgia Roe commented that we experienced more generous giving this month as well as having five Sundays and greater attendance. (See financial report in this newsletter.) OLD BUSINESS UPDATE ON OLD FELLOWSHIP HALL Plumbing work is being done this week. Rewiring and updates to lights in the Sanctuary is the next step in our electrical work. When the finished carpentry work is completed in Old Fellowship Hall that area will be painted. Bids to upgrade our recording equipment will be coming soon. The committee continues to work on a list of other projects which would benefit our church ministry and the community. Upon recommendation from the Presbyterian Women, we will move away from the use of Styrofoam cups and plates by using paper products and reusable coffee cups. This recommendation came from their initial study of water in scripture. Each committee reported on their work. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm. Next meeting will be October 15, 2015 at 6:30 pm. 2
Statement does not reflect all of the expenses through the end of September. Benevolence Fund Report: During September we helped 18 families: 7 with utilities, 6 with rent, 3 with transportation, 1 with prescription medicine and 1 with food. We received several donations to the fund this month, including a generous donation from the E.T.C. Committee, in the amount of $4500! We also received donations from several members and friends of the church, including a local business, and funds from the sale of Ed Legge s CD. Thank you to ALL who donate to this fund! If you would like to make a donation to the Benevolent Fund, please do so by marking your check special gift - benevolent fund. Those who receive our assistance greatly appreciate your gifts! 3 Diabetic Focus Group The regular meeting of the Diabetic Focus Group will be held Monday, October 5 th at in Fellowship Hall of the church. Sarah Woodward from the Taney County Health Department will be our featured speaker. The Diabetic Focus Group is a good opportunity to share concerns and questions regarding diabetes and how we support good diabetic habits among our group. We generally have no less than 12 people at our meetings and our discussions are insightful and supportive of not just diabetes but of other chronic diseases. (Plus the coffee, though sometimes not always the best is always hot!) Don't have diabetes but know someone who does? Some of our participants are nondiabetic, but attend because of interest in the subject and want to learn more about it. Everyone is welcome and we encourage you to come and bring a friend.
Sunday lectionary Readings for October: Oct. 4 World Communion Sunday: Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Psalm 26:1-12; Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 and Mark 10:2-16 Oct. 11 Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Psalm 22:1-15; Hebrews 4:12-16 and Mark 10:17-31 Oct. 18 Job 38:1-7 (34-41); Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c; Hebrews 5:1-10 and Mark 10:35-45 Oct. 25 Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22); Hebrews 7:23-28 and Mark 10:46-52 A Taste Of Heaven Cookbook! The book contains over 600 recipes submitted by members and friends of the church. Cost of the book is a very reasonable $12.50 each. Also, if you have friends or family out of town, they can be ordered online at http://www.cookbookshoppe.com/ a-taste-of-heaven-3/. (There is a small shipping fee when ordering online.) The Bookies The book we ll be reading for next month, October 1, is The Road to Grace, the third journal of the Walk series by Richard Paul Evans. Inspirational/ Bestsellers After receiving help from a stranger in Miles to Go, Alan Christoffersen continues his crosscountry journey. On the way from South Dakota to St. Louis he encounters a Holocaust survivor, a single mother, and his late wife McKale's estranged mother, who had abandoned her young daughter. Bestseller. 2012. Come and join us on Thursday, October 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Bring a friend! 4
Due to the death of Susan Rosenbaum s father, her Presbytery news column will be back next month. Our prayers are with Susan and her family at this time. WHEN: October 15 and 16, 7:45 A.M. 10:30 A.M. WHERE: Forsyth Junior High School WHAT: OACAC R.E.A.L.L. Simulation R.E.A.L.L. is a dropout prevention program designed by OACAC. The program challenges youth to consider how the choices they make now may result in challenges in adulthood. Day one is the Reactive setting.we present each student with real life scenarios set for failure. The kids would experience lack of education, employment, no spiritual or family support, etc. and the consequences of making those choices in life. Day two is the Proactive setting..we present the kids with the scenarios of good choices in the same areas and how those good choices will benefit them for a lifetime. Volunteers are needed to play the roles of the employer, landlord, family services, daycare, church, power company, etc. In addition to the above 2 dates, there will be a short training session for volunteers on either October 13 or 14. Pastor Dennis is planning on volunteering for this event. If you would like to help, please contact the office and we ll add you to the list. 5 Blessings Gerri DeBres/P.W. Moderator
GETTING TO KNOW ELDER: Dr. Reed Click Dr. Reed Click, born in Dallas, TX, was the oldest of 3 children. As a child he dreamed of becoming a pastor or a physician. How many of us reach our childhood dreams? Dr. Click attended Rhodes College and became an internal medicine physician in private practice in Dallas from 1978 until 1995. He then joined the faculty at the University of Texas Medical Center in Dallas for the next 15 years. He took over Dr. Roston's practice here when they moved to Forsyth. him would differ. Among other community activities, he has been a Panther Partners mentor for 5 years and is involved with hospice care. The next time you see Dr. Click, thank him for not only his service as an elder, but also for the excellent medical service he provides to our community. You're also encouraged to share your ideas, suggestions and concerns with Reed or any of our other elders. He met his wife, Lee, at the Dallas VA Hospital when he was an intern caring for a relative of hers. They have been married 38 years and have 2 children, Stephanie and Kristi. Stephanie is currently an ER pediatric nurse in the Dallas area while Kristi is an Associate Pastor in Houston. Pastor Dennis felt blessed to have been part of that very special time when Kristi was ordained. Dr. Click and Lee also have 2 grandchildren, Lacey and Savanna. Dr. Click s hobbies include golfing and jogging. He wasn't willing to tell me what his golf handicap is. I'm guessing somewhere between the upper and lower numbers of his blood pressure. The Clicks moved to Forsyth in 2010 because Reed was tired of his long hours at the Medical School and Lee loves to fish. When she reportedly caught a 6-pound trout off the fishing dock at Rockaway Beach while vacationing, she said that this is the place for me. I don't think she has bettered that 6-pound catch yet, but like a true fisher person, she is still trying. The Clicks have been members of CPC for 5 years. We have been blessed to have Reed serve as an elder for 4 of those 5 years. He has also served as an elder at First Presbyterian and North Park Presbyterian Churches in Dallas. I asked Reed how he would describe himself. He replied that he sees himself as a servant of God. I don't believe that anyone who knows 6
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BIRTHDAYS 2 Lee Click, Dick Hibben 5 Jennifer Holder 7 Ken Bavuso, Riley McCormick 9 Jeanne Legge 13 Ramona Hawthorne 15 Ginger Clifford 16 Allison Merrell 18 Kris McKee 25 Jim Robbers 26 Nancy Iden 27 Jim Johnson 28 Tex Ritterbush 30 Cathie Sutherland ANNIVERSARIES 16 Aage & Joyce Jensen, 33 years 17 Jim & Deb Robbers, 38 years Quote of the Month Thanks to everyone who sent cards and called me during my daughters illness and death. It was comforting to hear from my church family. Mary Jane Wallahan Food Pantry Sundays The first Sunday of each month we will have a special offering for Christian Action Ministries Food Pantry. Although food can be donated for this effort, CAM can turn each $1 into $4 to purchase food for the pantry. September s total food pantry collection was $210! " When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt. " Henry J. Kaiser Planning Ahead for Shut-Ins Gift Baskets The Presbyterian Women are collecting items for Christmas gifts for shut-ins. They are looking for the following to fill the bags: Knick-Knacks (aka dust collectortype objects!) Hotel/Motel Toiletries Regular Size Bars of Soap Toothpaste Candy & Sugar-free candies Money to purchase these items! Any of the above items may be brought to the office or placed in the wooden collection bin in the hall. For any questions, please call Cindy Werner at 546-6140. Thank you! Coming Soon The 3 rd Annual Ecumenical Cookie Sale December 5, 2015 Get your oven ready and watch for more details in next month s newsletter! 8
Ushers/Greeters Jim & Deb Robbers Barbara Graham Madelon Kinkade Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Every Sunday: Sunday School 9:00 am Worship 10:30 1 The Bookies 10:30 am Bar Assoc 11:30 am 2 3 Harvest Moon Car Show/Craft Fair 8:00 am 3:30 pm Oktoberfest - Catholic Church 3:00 6:00 pm 4 CAM Food Pantry Sunday Bill & Sarah wedding reception 11:30 a.m. 5 11 12 Diabetes Focus Group Esther Circle 11:00 am 6 Yoga 9:00 am Study Group 5:30 pm 13 Yoga 9:00 am Exercise Chamber Lunch 11:30 am Study Group 5:30 pm 18 19 20CHIMES Deadline Yoga 9:00 am 7 Wmn s Breakfast Men s Breakfast Hannah Circle 1:00 pm 14 Wmn s Breakfast Men s Breakfast Calico Cutups Choir 7:00 pm 21 Wmn s Breakfast Men s Breakfast 8 15 Session Mtg 6:30 pm 22 9 10 Forsyth Fire Dept Silent Auction & Open House 4:00-6:00 PM 16 17 Forsyth Sr Ctr All You Can Eat Breakfast 7:00-23 24 Study Group 5:30 pm 25 26 27 Yoga 9:00 am Choir 7:00 pm 28 Wmn s Breakfast Men s Breakfast 29 30 31 Study Group 5:30 pm Choir 7:00 pm 9
COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P.O. Box 486 Forsyth, MO 65653-0486 C O M M U N I T Y P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H PO Box 486 271 Main Street Forsyth, Missouri 65653 (417) 546-2584 Dennis Winzenried, Pastor Website: www.compresby.org Email: compresby@centurytel.net Community Presbyterian Church Staff Members Pastor...Dennis D. Winzenried Secretary...Denise Carr Choir Director.Arliss Stillings Organist.Linda Stillings Custodian....Paul Weeks Sunday School Sunday Worship Service 9:00 am 10:30 am 10