FIRST THINGS FIRST A publication of The First Presbyterian Church of Kingsville, Texas 302 W. KLEBERG P.O. BOX 1551 KINGSVILLE, TEXAS 78364 (361) 592-2114 TRANSITIONAL PASTOR: Website: www.fpckingsville.org THE REV. SONJA DALGLISH e-mail: fpckingsville@sbcglobal.net EDITOR: MICHELE BARNETT March 31, 2016 Dear Friends, We have passed through Easter and heard the good news: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! The cross is empty. Death has been defeated! My mother collected crosses and had them displayed on a black velvet board in her bedroom. When she was dressing, she could choose which one to put on that particular day. She had several favorites that she wore over and over again, such as the Jerusalem cross with the four smaller crosses that symbolized the wounds in Jesus hands and feet. In one of our messages during Holy Week this year, a pastor spoke of a research project centered on why people wore crosses. Someone stopped people on the street and asked each one why they were wearing a cross and what it meant to them. Not surprisingly, a number of answers were given, including ones that had nothing to do with Jesus, but were reflective of the beauty of the necklace or the love of the person who had given it as a gift. When people are asked various questions of the blue, they can give answers that also seem to be snatched out of the air and may not reflect what they later wished they had said. How would you or could you respond if someone asked you such a thing and you wanted to give an answer that would reflect your deepest thoughts, your truest feelings? I have thought that perhaps I might like to say that it is a symbol of the one I follow, Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. But, I also like the answer that the cross reminds me of the love of the one who gave it to me, the God of all creation. (continued on page 2) 1
Following my mother s lead, I, too, collect crosses, several of which she gave me. I frequently wear them, including an equi-armed cross of sterling silver that has birds and flowers carved within it. It is the one I think of as the Easter morning cross. It is a symbol of life on the instrument of death. What was once a symbol of a shameful death has become for us who believe in the resurrection a symbol of life and renewal. I wear a cross to remind me of the sacrifice of Jesus and the incredible love of God. I wear it to remind myself that, as our forebears wrote in the Heidelberg Catechism: My only comfort is that I belong body and soul, in life and in death not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins... I wear it to remind myself who I am and to whom I belong. I wear it to proclaim the love of God who loves all creation. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life! ~ John 3:16 (KJV) If someone asked you why you wear a cross, presuming you do, what would your answer be? Peace of Christ be with you, Pastor Sonja MARGINAL NOTES: The cross is a constant reminder that we are helpless in the saving of our own soul. It was Christ who died and rose again to put eternal hope within reach of all. No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown. William Penn Christendom bows humbly before the cross. The crown of thorns has become the crown of light. John Skelton Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and Hallelujah! is our song. Pope John Paul II 2
HOSPITALIZED JIM HELMS - Spohn- Shoreline Hospital, Corpus Christi (Released) The THURSDAY EVENING CIRCLE will meet on April 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Church Library. The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper will be celebrated during the morning worship service at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 3. The DIACONATE will meet on Tuesday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the Library. The SESSION will meet on Tuesday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library. Please pick up your information packets from the table in the Narthex following the Sunday morning worship service on April 10. The BUNCO GROUP will meet for food and fun on Wednesday, April 13, at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The TUESDAY MORNING CIRCLE will meet on April 12 at 11:00 a.m. at the home of Christa Corley. The BILINGUAL CIRCLE will meet on April 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library. The Chancel Choir will rehearse on Wednesdays, April 6, and April 27 in the Choir Room. New members will be warmly welcomed. The fellowship is excellent and you have guaranteed seating for all worship services! Thank you for letting us know your favorite hymns. You may notice that we use at least one of them each week, and print the background story of the hymn, author, or composer as a bulletin insert. It is never too late to add a hymn you love. You can drop a note in the offering plate or email us at: fpckingsville@sbcglobal.net 3
On Sunday, April 10, immediately following the morning worship service, we will honor the g r a d u a t i n g S eniors o f Presbyterian Pan American School with a hearty FPC L U N C H E O N i n Fellowship Hall. The Fellowship Committee will provide brisket and beverages; you are asked to bring your favorite side dish (salad, potato, veggie, dessert) with a little extra to share with our 47 honored (and hungry!) guests and their 4 sponsors. Where are we in the process of calling the next pastor? We are in the information-gathering stage, getting input from everyone in the congregation. We want to know who you are, what your passions are and your best memories of this congregation. We will want to know what you think, what you need, and what you are excited about. We want to carry the best of the past into the future. In April, the Transition Team will be asking the first questions of the th congregation at the April 24 Potluck. Make plans to be there. We want all voices heard. The questions will also be in the May 2016 Newsletter and also in bulletin inserts. DUCT TAPE OR A NAIL A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter says, Here s how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you ve done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in. Okay, the man says, I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart. That s wonderful, says St. Peter, that s worth three points! Three points? the man says. Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service. Terrific! says St. Peter. That s certainly worth a point. One point!?!! I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans. Fantastic, that s good for two more points, St. Peter says. Two points!?!! the man cries in exasperation. At this rate the only way I ll get into heaven is by the grace of God! Bingo, 100 points! Come on in! We often try to fix problems with WD-40 or duct tape. God did it with a nail. 4
The Session held its stated meeting Tuesday, March 8, 2016. Among other business, the Session considered and/or approved the following: 1. Report from the Diaconate regarding Buildings & Grounds: 3 spots and 4 fluorescent light bulbs replaced in the Sanctuary; some ballasts may need to be replaced by an electrician. New faucets to replace old ones in Kitchen have been ordered. Trees have been trimmed. Connections for electric range and hot water heater in kitchen are being installed. Chain link & post flanges for fencing around A/C units have been ordered. 2. Survey of Congregation/appointment th of PNC will be done at April 24 potluck luncheon. 3. Pastor Emeritus Event: Sonja has had Chuck s photos framed with an appropriate subtitle. She will contact Wendy Nave about having a cross made to give to Chuck. 4. PPAS Sophomore Kevin Lee, a Korean student, would like to be Baptized on Palm Sunday at PPAS during worship. PPAS would like to borrow our baptismal font. Session agreed by consensus to allow PPAS to borrow the font and for us to supply the certificate. 5. Tom Langschied moved, Judy Arnold seconded, that we approve the removal of the front pew on the west side of the sanctuary in order to make more room to access the new piano; motion carried. 6. Manual of Operations: Corporate By- Laws and Job Descriptions were made available for elders to review. Just a reminder that we can send your newsletter to you electronically! If you would prefer to receive your newsletter by email, please contact the church office (fpckingsville@sbcglobal.net or 361-592-2114) and give us your correct email address. If you just want to *try* email, but want to keep your paper copy, we can do that, too. 5
Birthstone: Diamond Flower: Sweet Pea 1 Reba Howard Nohemi Castillo 2 Weston Vinyard Russell 5 Paul Treptow 6 Reagan Wright 9 Tracie Jannell Mendietta 10 Cathy Henry 11 Traci Park Preiss 12 David Mebane 14 Riley Scott Wright In April 15 William (Bill) Jones 16 Ethan Luciano Perez Steve Marbach 19 Barbara Oates Whitney Cornett Esau Perez 21 James D. Arnold 22 Anthony Wells 27 Leslie (Mebane) McClain 29 Judy Arnold 30 Susan Holemon APRIL ANNIVERSARY: 22 Jed & Nancy Munn (2006) If your April birthday or anniversary is not shown, please call the church office (592-2114) so we can include you on our list and not miss the big event next year. We want to celebrate with you whether you are an official church member or not! 6