CALLING ALL DISCIPLES Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church One of the youth, Joanne, from a Presbyterian youth group had a friend who died by suicide. At the funeral, there was talk of heaven and hell; about suicide being an unforgivable sin ; about the fact being punished for eternity by an act of desperation. Joanne decided she wasn t so sure about heaven and hell and even began to wonder where she would end up when she died. Joanne could not believe that a loving God would punish someone for being in so much pain that suicide seemed the only way to deal with it. (prompted by a case study in Being Presbyterian in the Bible Belt) There is sometimes a prevailing idea that getting saved is first and foremost an insurance policy to be sure you get to heaven. You take out the policy by believing and doing the right things, and then it s paid off when you die and get your reward, (pg 20) say Foote and Thornburg. Unfortunately, that seems to make us focus on what comes next rather than on what we can do here and now. As the authors say, we tend to focus on the probabilities of the future rather than on the realities of the present. (pg 20) It also seems to divide the world into two groups: those like us who go to heaven and those others (not like us) who go to hell. These ideas seem very black and white and leave no room for error. How does one ever know if we have done and believed all the right things? But we also see the hell on earth in the lives of the people around the world from foreign soils to our own backyard. We live in a world where both evil and love dwell. Even though we would never deny the existence of evil (even Satan or the Devil) in the world around us, we trust that God has overcome all evil, including all death and calls us to live a life of resurrection. As believers in the reformed tradition, we Presbyterians celebrate life in joy and gratitude not in guilt and shame. Life is more a celebration than a test to see the fitness of our souls. (pg. 26) So for, Joanne, her thoughts about God were truer to her reformed tradition. God does not have a list of unforgiveable sins; God does not sit enthroned watching to see what mistakes we make; God has already rescued all of us from sin and death. Our Brief statement of Faith reminds us: In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives (pg. 25) Thanks be to God! Pastor Judy None of us truly knows what heaven (or hell) is really like. Many of those in the reformed tradition believe that being in fellowship with God is heaven; being out of fellowship with God is hell. We believe in a God who is constantly seeking and reaching out to us in forgiveness, love and grace. Our good deeds are not to earn us a place in heaven but are in response to the love and grace of God that we already have experienced in our own life and see in Scripture. God even forgives our turning away and seeks to bring us back, like a father who welcomes his wandering son, or a woman who searches for a lost coin, or a shepherd who leaves behind the many to seek that one which is lost. 2017 November 1 Calling All Disciples
First Presbyterian Church 700 N Central Avenue Connersville IN 47331 765-825-4189 Communion Sunday will be November 5 th Deacons to prepare the Sacraments are: Kay Bishop and Ann Kirschner PASTOR: Rev. Judy Fitchett CLERK OF SESSION: Carla Beard OFFICE HOURS FOR SECRETARY: Wednesday and Thursday 9 am 2 pm Email and Website: pastor@connerpres.org office@connerpres.org www.connerpres.org In This Issue: November A Word from Our Pastor, p 1 Spread the Word, p 2 This Month at FPC, p 3 Prayer Concerns, p 4 Other Church News, p 4 Deacon s Notes, p 5 Session Notes, p 6 Poinsettia Order Form, p 7 November Calendar, p 8 November 24th 2017 November 2 Calling All Disciples
Liturgist for the month of November : Carla Beard ============================================== Coffee Hour November 5 th Sarah Smith & Kay Bishop November 12 th Open November 19 th Open November 26 th Carla Beard *************************************************** The Price for altar flowers will continue to be $15.00 this year. November 5 th Open November 12 th Ann Kirschner November 19 th John and Joyce Bohlander November 26 th Tina Butcher Please let the church office know how you want the flowers to be dedicated. *************************************************** Serving Community Meals in November will be Chartwells Deacon of the Week - Visitation Schedule Nov. 5 th Nov. 11 th Nov. 12 th Nov. 18 th Nov. 19 th Nov. 25 th Nov. 26 th Dec. 2 nd John Bohlander Art Fitchett Jill Yaryan John Bohlander Usher/Counter Teams Schedule Nov. 5 th Myra King and John Fairchild Nov. 12 th Jill Yaryan and Richard Leiter Nov. 19 th Kay Bishop and Sarah Smith Nov. 26 th John Bohlander and Doug Ross =========================================== == Church and Community Activity Schedule November 3 rd Fellowship Hall Reserved November 5 th November 6 th November 8 th November 12 th November 15 th November 19 th Worship, 10:30 am-communion Rotary Club, Noon Yoga Class, 6:30 pm Fellowship Hall Reserved Choir, 6 pm Deacon s Meeting 7:15 pm Worship, 10:30 am Choir, 6 pm Session Meeting, 7:15 pm Worship, 10:30 am November 20 th Rotary Club, Noon Bible Study, 6 pm Yoga Class, 6:30 pm Community Thanksgiving Service 6:30pm At Calvary Baptist Church November 21 st November 23 rd November 26 th November 29 th November 30 th Newsletter Deadline Thanksgiving Day Church Office Closed Worship, 10:30 am Choir, 6 pm Fellowship Hall Reserved 2017 November 3 Calling All Disciples
Helen Parvis Will Rose Ellen Doty Mindy Bohlander Myers Charles Maxwell Bob Begley Ron & Betty Gay Fox Karen Coffman Nathan Meyer Dink & Betty Thornberry Robert Benson Betty Mason PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE WITH ANY CHANGES TO THIS LIST. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mission Activities As of Wednesday, October 18, we have collected the following for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets. 107 rolls of Toilet Paper Need 100-200 64 rolls of Paper Towels Need 50 68 cans of Corn Need 100 97 cans of Green Beans Need 100 32 Dish Soaps Need 50 49 Liquid Hand Soap Need 50 53 Jars of Peanut Butter Need 50 13 Boxes Mashed Potato Flakes Need 25 39 Jars/bottles of Jelly Need 50 13 Boxes of Stuffing Need 25 12 Jars of Gravy Need 25 23 Boxes of Au gratin Potatoes Need 25 49 Boxes of Saltine Crackers Need 50 41 Boxes of Corn Muffin Mix Need 100 65 Boxes of Macaroni & Cheese Need 100 If you see these on sale and could help, we would appreciate it. Thanks, The Mission Committee xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Many, many thanks for the gift of a donation to Mission Encounters International in my honor as an expression of your appreciation. It was a wonderful gift! Thank-you also for the many cards, notes, messages and warm greetings to say thank-you; each of you is a gift to me and to this congregation. Pastor Judy 2017 November 4 Calling All Disciples
Deacon's Meeting - 11 October 2017 PRESENT: Pastor Judy, Cathy Kirk, John Bohlander, Art Fitchett, Ann Kirschner, Kay Bishop and Jill Yaryan Devotions: Jill Yaryan read a devotion written by Diane Markins. It was titled Finding God s Timing. Both Isaiah 40:31 and Psalm 138:8 were included in the devotion. Twenty=five (25) verses from the Bible all emphasizing, waiting on God s timing, were found on the internet with a different devotion. Jill then read a prayer asking God to teach us to wait on Him. Art Fitchett volunteered to give devotions for the November meeting. John Bohlander moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting. Art Fitchett 2 nd and motion carried. Deacon Business: John Bohlander had prepared the birthday/anniversary cards for signatures for November. Ann informed us that Monday, October 16 th at 2:00pm is the best time to deliver the Hickory Creek residents treats. John Bohlander had filled cute Halloween containers with candy. Ann & Judy/Marilyn will prepare a pumpkin shaped tag to fit inside each container to let the residents know they are from our church. Everyone, that is able to help, should meet at the nursing home around 1:50-1:55 pm to help deliver the Halloween treats. Prayer Concerns: Art informed us that his knee replacement has come apart a second time. He will have a bone scan on November 8 th and will get a 2 nd opinion at Ortho-Indy to plan the next step of repair. Families of Brian Roberts (40 Yrs.) who died from complications while at St. Vincent s. Karlene and Bill Gray (who is over maintenance at courthouse) & James Roberts- Parents Lisa Kunkle Roberts widow and three children Elson Hobbs heart blockage, diabetes and kidney stones. Sue Evans safe travels to her Father-in-law s and then possibly to Florida Will and Nan Rose Victims of: Fires in California; Las Vegas shootings; storms Vickie, Don s daughter has chemo on Friday Prayers of Thanksgiving: Tina Butcher her important service for our Congregation and community again teaching Sunday school and Coffee hour hostess and ideas for outreach in our Community. Communion: November 5 th team A (Kay & Ann); December 3 rd & December 24 th team C (John & Jill) Pastor Judy has gone over the directions and will have Marilyn type new revised directions for setting up Communion soon. Deacon of the Week: Nov 12 Nov 18: Art Fitchett; Nov 19 Nov 25: Jill Yaryan; Nov 26 Dec 2: John Bohlander; Dec 3 Dec 9: Kay Bishop; Dec 10 Dec 16: Ann Kirschner; Dec 17 Dec 23: Cathy Kirk; Dec 24 Dec 30: Ann Kirschner; Dec 31 Jan 6: Art Fitchett. Reports: Art mentioned that the SAWS did a major build in Richmond recently. He had helped with measuring and cutting the materials for the Hill Pet Food Group who put it together. The SAWS organization is still short on funds right now and not sure when the next project can be completed. Flowers: Ann will continue to order the Christmas poinsettias from Rieman s. The Congregation will need to turn in their requests to the office by November 27 th and Ann will order the poinsettias for deliver by Saturday, December 9 th for set up in the sanctuary on Sunday, December 10 th. New Business: Pastor Judy mentioned that there will not be a Hanging of the Greens Service as in the past, since Christmas falls on a Monday this year. We will try to hand the greens sometime between November 27 th and December 1 st. Pastor Judy mentioned that the Session is possibly moving up the Christmas Eve service to 6:00pm in order to invite the Community Meals participants to come join our service after they have had their meal. Giving Tree: The Deacons voted to reduce the number of children we buy for to 20. This will allow our congregation to continue to provide a nice Christmas for each child in spite of our smaller donation base and our limited budget. Jill will let Lori Bane at the Division of Family and Children know and ask for information ASAP. Cathy Kirk closed the meeting in prayer. Respectfully submitted, Jill Yaryan, Secretary Next meeting: November 8, 2017-7:15 p.m. 2017 November 5 Calling All Disciples
Session Report The Session of First Presbyterian Church, Connersville, Indiana, met on October 18, 2017. Treasurer, Larry Zumkeller, reported that income for September was $8,052.25. Expenses for September totaled $9,646.61. Elder Don Kirk is still looking for an industrial-strength vacuum cleaner with a long hose and power head for use in the sanctuary and fellowship hall. Rather than overhaul our organ, we will continue with maintenance and repairs as needed until we exhaust the funds in a designated music account. The new bathroom upstairs has been completed. Reminders will be posted regarding locking the doors after using the fellowship hall. The all church birthday party took place October 15 and was deemed a great success. Plans are underway for Breakfast with the Christmas Angel on December 2 nd. Calls are already coming in for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. We will partner with Family Video for the meats and with IGA for perishables. Elder Lisa Hazelrigg will post pull tabs on the doors of the parlor for items that we still need. Pastor Judy reported that she joined Wyatt Bohlander in a See you at the Pole at Fayette Central Elementary. This was a student-led gathering for prayer before school. Our food rescue partnership with Fayette Central is working well. The Nominating committee has begun its search for new officers. They will present a slate at the November Session meeting, and a Congregational meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3 for a vote. The Personnel Committee is working on Pastor Judy s Terms of Call for 2018. Everyone agreed that secretary, Marilyn Stevens current work schedule of two days a week is working out. The Stewardship Committee has held some informal discussions. Pastor Judy was honored during worship on Oct. 15 in observance of Pastor Appreciation Month. Guest speakers will fill the pulpit Oct. 22, Oct. 29, and Nov. 5, while she is on vacation. Pastor Judy s activities in September included the following: * conducting Bible study * meeting with the Presbytery s Committee on Ministry * meeting with a wedding couple * officiating at wedding rehearsal and ceremony for Dr. and Mrs. Andy Yaryan * meeting with the Nominating Committee * meeting with Elder Mary Swope regarding Advent worship * preparing for her absences by finishing bulletins and talking with those who will fill the pulpit while she is gone. * submitting an article for the News-Examiner * attending community groups * participating in Community Meals The meeting closed with prayer. Many thanks to Elder Cindy Crispin for serving as Clerk Pro Tem. 2017 November 6 Calling All Disciples
On October 15 th, we celebrated Pastor Appreciation Sunday. We honored Pastor Judy during worship by presenting a donation to Mission Encounters International in Helene, Honduras in her honor. Rev. Larry Benson, Executive Director, is Pastor Judy s brother and has visited our church and filled our pulpit. Following worship, at our All Church Birthday Party, we shared a special cake and presented Pastor Judy with cards of appreciation. *************************************************************************************** Poinsettia Order Form The Deacons will again be ordering flowers with which to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. Flowers may be picked up after the Christmas Eve service. Orders must be in the Church Office by Monday, November 27, 2017. Please return form to church office 700 Central Avenue, Connersville, IN 47331 Checks may be made payable to First Presbyterian and included with your order. Flowers are $15.00 each. Total Poinsettias Ordered Ordered by: In Honor of: In Memory of: I would like to keep my Poinsettia I will deliver my Poinsettia to someone specific Please deliver my Poinsettia to a shut-in 2017 November 7 Calling All Disciples