First Presbyterian Church Highland Herald April 2012 FPC is progressing and getting into the new age with our own QR (Quick Response) code. Have you noticed the small code now in our bulletins? And, it is in a larger form on the front page of our newsletter. For those of you with a smart phone just scan this QR code and it brings you directly to the FPC web site. You can view our web site for upcoming events, calendars, weekly bulletins, newsletters and even Pastor Jim s sermons. You don't need a computer or a tablet to see what is happening. Try it and let us know how you like it. Scots Sunday is May 20 th! Come and celebrate the heritage and traditions of our church with bagpipes, a grand processional/recessional and Scottish shortbread during the hospitality hour. All current elders and deacons are asked to attend for participation in the service.
Efforts are being made to ensure that visitors to our church are made to feel welcome, and we have some dedicated folks who are working to ensure that we put our best foot forward with every visitor. You may have seen our new welcome center table and new visitor folders. Greeters give their service to the church by extending a warm greeting to all who come. Still, sometimes we fall short of showing the hospitality we want to share. Recently someone visited and let us know that beyond the greeter at the door, no one spoke to her. It happens. But if we work together, we can make instances like this the rarest of exceptions and never the rule. There are some obstacles to good hospitality, but they are small and can be overcome with a little effort. Perhaps the trickiest one is finding a way to avoid the awkwardness of welcoming a visitor who is not a visitor but rather a member you don t recognize. Let s look at some ways you can greet without fear of a situation like this and, more importantly, how you might help others feel confident in greeting people! Consider the 20 Steps to Improved Hospitality. Does that seem like a lot of steps? Maybe not so much when you discover that the 20 steps are really just one step in the process. From the front doors of the church, you need only take 10 steps to the name tag board and 10 back. It s not very far to go out of your way, especially when you consider that it may help someone feel better about greeting visitors. You are all courteous people. Your moms and dads taught you the importance of saying Please and Thank you. Wearing your name tag in church is a common courtesy that is every bit as important and considerate. If you forget when you come in, get up and go get it! Consider it an offering. Our offerings are always appropriate in worship. If you are a member who is greeted by someone who mistakes you for a visitor, be gracious. Say, Oops, I forgot to wear my nametag, but I m so glad you said hello. My name is... Make sure they leave the conversation feeling encouraged to continue the important ministry of greeting people they may not recognize. We intentionally do not introduce visitors during worship time. People who visit almost never want to be pointed out to the whole group. However, individual greetings are well received and hugely important. Consider this approach: It s so nice to worship with you this morning! I m not sure if we ve met before. I m. Can you improve upon that? I bet someone can, so I am announcing a contest. A Pam Correll Homemade Pie will be given to the person who submits the best wording for a greeting that can welcome a visitor while minimizing any potential awkwardness if the person is a member or attender. Submit your entry by May 13. Also be aware that visitors will almost never attend after-worship hospitality without a warm invitation from someone willing to accompany them. Here s a great way to make an invitation with some light humor: Can I buy you a cup of coffee? Or how about, If you have a few minutes, I d love to show you where we serve refreshments and visit after services. Loving fellowship has been a hallmark of growing churches since the beginning. 1 Peter 5:14 says, Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. We won t be planting kisses on our visitors anytime soon, but the New Living Translation of this verse captures the spirit of what we are to do: Greet each other with Christian love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ. That s your charge. Give it your best! Pastor Jim
GOOD TIMES So, does your calendar look like mine? Probably not. We all have busy lives, but undoubtedly different interests and activities. If you use an electronic calendar as I do, you have the option of labeling your events with colors and categories. My calendar is mostly green with work and various musical functions dominating my days. Then there are those wonderful blocks of time devoted to family and friends, like the week I spent with my twin grandchildren, now 20 months old and full of curiosity and adventures! Well, April has been a very full month, no matter what the color or category designation and there have been so many GOOD TIMES at FPC! The organ pipes FINALLY arrived and were installed in time for our Easter celebration. Time with Delphia Rucks working on gospel choir music for two Tuesdays (17 th and 24 th ) plus singing for worship on April 29 th. Sweet Harmony Benefit Concert on the 22 nd, helping raise funds for the Bringing Tanya Home Adoption Fund. Three Monday evenings with Ben Grostic and Finding Purple a dear friend and gifted author, passionate about his work and building a better world. Stay tuned for May my calendar is already looking very colorful! May 13 Mother s Day with youth leading worship and celebrating graduations. May 20 Scots Sunday (a new tradition for this Dutch girl) complete with bagpipes. May 27 Pentecost/Memorial Day weekend And the usual assortment of choir, handbell and children s music rehearsals. Get your calendars ready and start filling in all your favorites hope to see you at some of MY favorites right here at FPC! Jackie Fisher, Director of Music One Great Hour of Sharing The Stewardship and Interpretation Council would like to thank the congregation of First Presbyterian Church for their contributions to the OGHS Offering. This year $755 has been collected to help assist people struggling with issues ranging from hunger to natural disaster. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Bob Bengston, Moderator Stewardship & Interpretation Council Many thanks to those who supported the Deacons Fund through flower orders and donations. Your generosity assists the Deacons in supporting those in need within our church family and in the community. A big thank you also to the many people who have provided flowers for the sanctuary. Your thoughtfulness and caring are greatly appreciated. Barb Reckell, Deacon
Christian Education Jill Vande Zande - Director of CE/Youth Ministries In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16.9) This became one of my favorite verses when I first read it as a teenager in a devotional by Point of Grace. And these words run through my mind again as I am fully aware that the days of Vacation Bible School 2012 are upon us! May God direct our steps and bless our efforts as we plan this wonderful event. First Presbyterian Church June 18 22, 2012 5:30 8:00 p.m. (includes dinner) We need the following volunteers. If you are interested in filling any of these positions, please come see me and I ll fill you in! Registration helpers (2) Decorations Supply gather-er(s) Prayer warrior(s) for the week Lifeguard Lagoon (Bible Story) teacher/helpers (1 teacher and at least one helper) Coconut Café chair helper(s) (to coordinate a few snacks we ll be serving with the meal each evening) Fun Time Falls (Outdoor activities) helper(s). You ll be working with Greg Boughton! Thanks Greg! Crew/group leaders to shepherd participants (4) Our crafts positions have already been filled, but we could use helpers here! Anyone else who wants to volunteer! We ll find a place for you! Pancake Breakfast 2012 A huge thank-you to the following youth and adults who helped out with this year s pancake breakfast! You made it possible! Mat Moore Carol Moore Bob Bengston Sheila Wahamaki Joan Scofield Katherine Young Chris Rausch Teresa Christensen Annalisa Christensen Nathaniel Christensen Gordon Christensen Jennica Rausch Jacob Rausch Mitchell Anderson Paul Young Jessica Bogner Amber Young Eric Hussey Andrew Hussey Delaney Hussey Nicole Kary Jason Cloutier We weren t able to break even on costs this year, but a great time was had by all the helpers and the consumers, I think! Thank you especially to Teresa and Annalisa who helped me prepare on Saturday and directed the kitchen on Sunday so that I could focus on other things. And to all the youth who showed up on your last day of spring break, you make my heart sing!
Mission Report Cents-Ability Offering Sunday, May 6 th The Cents-Ability Offering, Presbyterian Hunger Program, supports the Supper House located at Mission for Area People in Muskegon Heights, the Saturday Neighborhood Breakfast at First Congregational Church UCC and the Feeding America Food Truck twice per year. The Cents-Ability Offering is the only source of revenue for these vital local mission hunger projects. $176.11 was received in the April bread pan collection. An additional personal contribution added $300.00 to the spring quarter. The offering will be received again on Sunday, May 6 th. BREAD for the WORLD BREAD SALE May 6 th Sunday, May 6 th is the next Bread for the World Bread Sale which will be held in the Chapel. Baked goods and breads of all kinds are welcome and you may price your items or we will price them for you. Bread for the World is a Christian Citizens organization which serves as an advocate for hungry persons in our country as well as other parts of the world. We have been a Covenant Church member since 1983 paying our pledge with our bread sales and an occasional individual contribution. We thank all our generous bakers and buyers who have been so faithful to this important commitment of First Presbyterian Church. We deeply appreciate an individual contribution of $75.00 received in April as there was no sale. Volunteers Needed for Food Truck May 19 First Presbyterian Church will cosponsor our 15 th Feeding America mobile food pantry truck with First Congregational UCC on Saturday morning May 19. At least 20 volunteers are needed to help repackage and distribute the 10,000 pounds of free fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and bread from this truck. This will provide a three to four day supply of food for about 200 families. Men and women who can help are asked to sign up on the list posted in the Wickham hallway next to the nursery. Volunteers should report to the parking lot of First Congregational Church, 1201 Jefferson, by 8:15 a.m. and be prepared to work about two hours. Contact Julie Ayers if you have questions. Thanks in advance to all our dedicated volunteers who will sign up and show up to work to feed the hungry in our community on May 19. And thanks also to everyone who contributes to our Cents-Ability Offerings that help pay for two mobile food pantry trucks each year. Reminder: Please continue to donate your pop can metal tabs for the collection cup on the Mission table. The tabs are given to the Ronald McDonald House in Grand Rapids to help families of hospitalized children. Thank you.
MAY MISSION BOX AGENCY MUSKEGON RESCUE MISSION We have received a special request for the following food items: spaghetti sauce and pasta, soups, juice, Jell-O, box dinners (helpers), canned meats, peanut butter, canned fruit, canned tomato products, sugar and powdered milk. Thank you notes have arrived from Muskegon County Cooperating Churches and Love In the Name of Christ for our regular quarterly financial support. We also received a thank-you note from Diane Stubbs for the $500 sent to Mission for Area People for the "Healthy Choice" food pantry. We also received a thank you letter from the Presbyterian General Assembly Mission Council. "Thank you for your gift of $323.50 to the Peacemaking Offering. Your gift supports peacemaking ministries in Christ's name throughout the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). "As Christians, we long for a more just and peaceful world--where the worth of every person is valued, where greed no longer rules and hunger no longer results, where bullets and bombs no longer devastate. God's Word shows us the way: that the harvest of justice and righteousness will be sown by peacemakers, planted and nurtured in words and deeds of peace." Rev. John McCullough, Executive Director and CEO of Church World Service, wrote after receiving our Blanket Sunday contribution of $958. "I want to thank you for your generous contribution -- especially appreciated in this challenging economy. "In a world wounded in so many ways, I remain hopeful because of the creative, resilient women, men and children we assist around the world, and because of caring people like you, who empower us to act on your behalf. May God bless you for your compassionate support." --Hunger Committee and Mission Council The Rescue Mission also has need for personal grooming items including shampoo, soaps, tissues, hand lotion, toothpaste and brushes, and all baby items especially diapers and sippy cups. Last year the Rescue Mission community pantry provided over 1,000 meals each week. The Mission served over 1,000 meals per week in their two shelters. Every month they provide 1,916 night of lodging in their shelters. HUNGER - Robert Laurence Binyon I come among the peoples like a shadow. I sit down by each man's side. None see me, but they look on one another, and know that I am there. My silence is like the silence of the tide that buries the playground of children; like the deepening of frost in the slow night, when birds are dead in the morning. Armies trample, invade, destroy, with guns roaring from earth and air. I am more terrible than armies, I am more feared than the cannon. Kings and chancellors give commands; I give no command to any; but I am listened to more than kings and more than passionate orators. I unswear words, and undo deeds. Naked things know me. I am first and last to be felt of the living. I am hunger.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 As many of you may know, the sewage pump in the church basement failed two times a few weeks ago, and we had a flooded Fellowship Hall, kitchen and restrooms. A new pump was purchased and installed three days later. A big thank you to all who helped clean and sanitize the affected areas. Also thanks to Mike Foster for extra help with sump pump issues. Property Council is pursuing an alarm system that will alert four designated people in case of a pump failure so that any future flooding can be avoided. Spring clean-up of the church grounds was a huge success thanks to all who came out and raked, pruned bushes and picked up sticks. The lawns and flower gardens looked beautiful for Holy Week. We had about 14 hearty souls that showed up; thank you for your dedicated help. Thanks to Jon Mills who helped Bob and Cheryl clean up the tree limb mess. Work on the foyer replacement is progressing. One estimate has been received. Samples of the color and type of aluminum framing to be used have arrived for viewing (see Bob Hartman). An architect will complete a color mock-up for viewing at a later date. The same lawn, irrigation and fertilizer contractors are with us again this year. I m assured that the church s lawn will rival that patch they call Augusta. MAY BIRTHDAYS 05/04 Yuri Mills 05/04 Gary Ostrom 05/04 Cammie Hussey 05/06 Ron Rop 05/09 Erin Schaner 05/17 Harold Hines 05/18 Jon Mills 05/22 Jackie Seward 05/23 Amanda Rosselott 05/24 Ezekiel Kinney 05/24 Ryan Sutton 05/28 Jon DeVoogd 05/30 Charlie Kara 05/30 Phillip Kara 05/31 Louise Haas Just a reminder: if you plan to use the church for personal business or the van for your group s outing, please fill out the proper form so your request can be approved in a timely manner. Thanks. Robert Hartman, Moderator Property Council Sarah Circle is proud to announce Shirley Almond-Meeks as the new 2012-2013 chairwoman for Sarah Circle. Shirley will begin as chair in July. Watch for the announcement of next year s study. The study is to be chosen at the June meeting. That meeting will be June 12 th beginning at Hage s Christian Bookstore at 11:30 a.m. and followed by a potluck at the church. Meeting details: 05/08/12: Hostess Inge Boelkins; Devotions Peg Schaefer; Study Barbara Foster 06/12/12: Hostess Barbara Foster; Devotions Joan Barnes; Study Mary Rop MAY ANNIVERSARIES 05/05 Jim & Alison Edmonson 05/06 Kirk & Sheila Wahamaki 05/24 Dan & Carol Burling 05/26 Bill Papo & Julie Stewart 05/28 Russ & Barb Reckell 05/29 Bill & Peggy Schaefer If you would like to attend a Whitecaps game in August, please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway. A block of tickets will be purchased if there is enough interest. We could meet at the ballpark or if you need a ride, the church van will be available.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2577 Wickham Drive Muskegon, Michigan 49441-3182 www.fpcmuskegon.org Email: info@fpcmuskegon.org Phone: (231) 759-1275 Fax (231) 759-7825 Mark Your Calendar: 04/22 - Sweet Harmony Benefit Concert 04/29 - Brown Bag Sunday 05/03 - MAP Supper House 05/13 - Mother s Day Youth Worship Service 05/19 - Feeding America Food Truck 05/20 - Scots Sunday 05/27 - Pentecost