FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Rev. Sue Krummel It is hard to believe, but I have been with you for almost six months now. We have shared some exciting events together, especially Celebration Day Camp and our Celebrating Diversity Sunday. I think that more people in Princeton know that we are here. Hopefully some of them will choose to join us for worship and mission. The session would like to invite you to an event on June 20, the evening of their regular meeting. John Rickard, the General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery will be with us that evening to talk about what comes next for the church. At 6 p.m. that evening, the session asks any church members who would like to attend to come to an open discussion of the future, led by John. The church has many assets-- two functional buildings, enthusiastic members, money in the bank. John will help us to think about how to use those assets to their best advantage. The discussion will last no more than an hour so that the session can then proceed with its regular meeting. The church is 180 years old this year and has served many people over those years, including its own members, the citizens of Princeton and the surrounding area and people around the world who have been served by our participation in denominational mission. As we celebrate those accomplishments, it is also time to take stock of where we are and what God is calling us to be and do. I hope you will bring your energy, intelligence, imagination and love for the church to this discussion as we begin to plot the course ahead. WORSHIP IN THE PARK The annual church picnic will be held at Zearing Park on Sunday, June 11th, with worship starting at Deacons will provide meat and dessert. Please bring a dish to share and table service. Ways to contact us: First Presbyterian Church 320 Park Ave East, Princeton Ph. 815-875-1306 Email: 1stpresprinceton@gmail.com Check out our Facebook page! @ First Presbyterian Church IN THIS MONTH'S LIGHT: p.2 Sunday Snapshots p.3 Notes from the Session, Those Serving in June p.4 M-D-F Celebration pics, Thinking of the Homebound, Our Daily Bread, B-days & Anniversaries p.5 June calendar
Many thanks to Beth Schultz for capturing all of these events! DIVERSITY SUNDAY: "Celebrating our gifts from God" APRIL 30th Welcome friends & staff FROM GATEWAY SERVICES! Guest musician David Brown performed "For Everyone Born" Graduation Sunday May 21, 2017 May 7th Sunday school presentation about our Mission's Compassion Child, Daniel Desanto. Jim Cochran spent "Time With The Children" during the May 7th worship service. Thank you, Jim!
The Session met on March 21, 2017 for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting opened with prayer and the treasurer s report were approved as written. The February minutes were approved as corrected to show that Karl and Mark Schultz were not absent but excused. The number of persons who were served communion on the first Sunday in March was 30. The number of home communicants was 3. Pastor Sue will take communion to the home bound on April 11 th at 10 am. Chuck Stiles will attend Presbytery in April with Pastor Sue. It was approved by the Session to accept the sponsorship of the Mobile Meals organization pending a check of their past financial reports and a discussion with our insurance company about liability. Discussion about better use of the church library yielded a decision to build a Little Library to be placed in the front yard of the church so the books can be read by those in the community. Session agreed to let the Quilter s Guild use Fellowship Hall on the first Thursday of the month from 9 am to 5 pm and 6-9 pm. Occasional Saturday workshops from 9am to 4 pm will be scheduled. A Celebration Day Camp for youth from 5 years old through 5 th grade will be held at the church on Good Friday, April 14 th. Three other churches will help: First Christian, Hampshire Colony Congregational, an St. Matthews. Stronghold Youth Ministries is also coordinating this. "Discussion about better use of the church library yielded a decision to build a Little Library to be placed in the front yard of the church so the books can be read by those in the community. " It was also decided to give the proceeds to Athletes in Action-CRU of Northern Illinois University from Lunch in the Park to be held on June 16, 2017. On Good Friday Mark Schultz will help with the candle lighting and extinguishing. Carlie Schultz will help Pastor Sue with the children s part. Pam Cochran will be the reader. The PNC committee will be working with Pastor Sue on the application for a permanent minister. There will be no April meeting and the May meeting will be held on May 17 at 7:00 pm The meeting closed with all reciting the Lord s Prayer. THOSE SERVING IN JUNE: Deacon: Beth Schultz Lay Leaders: 4- Beth Schultz 11- (in the park) 18- Roland Gibson 25- Karl Schultz Communion Servers June 4th: Lisa Bettner Nancy Sims Ushers: 4 & 18 - Kaitlyn & Lisa Bettner 11 & 25 - Nancy Sims & Carolyn Workman
Mother,Daughter,Friend Celebration May 3rd Strength for the Weary Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31 Special thanks to Author Jan Powelson for presenting the program! Member at home: Emma Krase Members & Friends at Retirement Communities: Greenfield Home: Ruth Davis, 500 Park Ave East Ann Mickow Princeton 61356 Colonial Hall: Norma DeRose 515 Bureau Valley Parkway Princeton 61356 Millcreek Care Center: Marilyn Pryor 3319 Ginger Creek Rd Springfield, IL 62711-7236 Liberty Village: Helene Gleason, 140 N. 6th St Lil Johnson, Princeton 61356 Diane Seidel, Robert Linden On a beautiful, sunny day, I was walking in a park and feeling very weary in spirit. It wasn t just one thing weighing me down it seemed to be everything. When I stopped to sit on a bench, I noticed a small plaque placed there in loving memory of a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend. Also on the plaque were these words, But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (Isa. 40:31 esv). Those familiar words came to me as a personal touch from the Lord. Weariness whether physical, emotional, or spiritual comes to us all. Isaiah reminds us that although we become tired, the Lord, the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth will not grow tired or weary (v. 28). How easily I had forgotten that in every situation [the Lord] gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (v. 29). What s it like on your journey today? If fatigue has caused you to forget God s presence and power, why not pause and recall His promise. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength (v. 31). Here. Now. Right where we are. Lord, thank You that You do not grow weary. Give me the strength to face whatever situation I am in today. When life's struggles make you weary, find strength in the Lord. PICK UP YOUR FREE COPY OF "OUR DAILY BREAD" IN THE NARTHEX! Alexandra Powelson Al Longman Brad Powelson Dana Schultz June Larson Ann Mickow Ed Kapp Mary Jeanne Brown 3rd 10th 13th 18th 19th 20th 25th 29th Happy Anniversary! Chuck & Margaret Stiles Len & Barbara Brumbaugh June 14th June 21st
Be still and know that I am God. ~ Psalm 46:10 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 VBS meeting at Hampshire colony 6:30 p.m. 4 Communion 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 AT ZEARING PARK 12 13 14 15 16 FPC "Lunch in the Park" 17 18 Father's Day 25 19 "Our Table" @ UMC 26 20 Session meeting 7 p.m. 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 Presbyterian Women Triennium in Peoria)