May 2017 Page 1 BELLVIEWS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DALLAS CENTER, IA May 2017 In This Issue: We at FPC have a vision to Know Jesus: To listen to his story, to sing his praises, To paint His portrait for all to share Pastor s Message 2 Greeters, Fellowship, Liturgists, Deacons, Birthdays, Anniversaries 3 Announcements 4 5 Don Justo Coffee 6 Calendar Church Information 7 8 UPCOMING EVENTS: May 4 Food Bank 4-6pm May 7 Long-Time Member Celebration May 7 Service Auction 5-7pm May 17 Session Meeting 530pm May 21 Senior Recognition General Office Hours 9:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Center Pastor s Office Hours 8:00 a.m. Noon Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
May 2017 Page 2 You Cannot be Church by Yourself Let s start off with a provocative statement, shall we? You are called by God to be the Church, and you cannot be the Church by yourself. I know what you re thinking. Wait a minute. I thought I could have a personal relationship with Jesus all by myself. Can t I be a Christian apart from others? I can follow Jesus commandments and share the grace of God on my own. I CAN be the Church by myself. In fact, this individualistic understanding of discipleship has become increasingly popular in our contemporary culture. People long for and crave nourishment for their spiritual lives, but are increasingly more distrustful of institutions. Many want to fashion their discipleship apart from the influence of others, away from judgment, from critique, and from obligatory forms of commitment. In our hyper-individualistic culture we want the McDonalds have-it-my-own-way form of faithfulness. I get it! I don t want a community of people telling me what to do, or pointing out when I fall victim to sin, or asking me for yet more money. I ve seen the crazy televangelists swindle money away from innocent people, church leaders embezzle money from congregations they serve, and churches publicly endorse political candidates who are about as far from exemplifying faithful discipleship as you can get. I ve seen failures in the communal Church and it hurts more and more each and every time something awful happens in the Church. I can see why, for many, it might seem that discipleship is possible outside of the community of faith (the Church) since the community at times seems lost. But let me ask you this, though: Wouldn t you say that we have been created in the image of God? And if that is the case, have you ever truly thought about what being created in God s image really means? You see, the image of God is not the image of a loner who thinks and acts as an individual. Rather the image of God is an image of three unique, distinct persons (the Trinity) working in relationship together (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). God always exists in relationship. The Orthodox theologian, John Zizioulas, goes so far as to say that God is indeed relationship itself. As the people of God, the Church, we are created in the image of God to be in relationship with one another just as God is in relationship with Godself and with us. The Apostle Peter knew this when he reminded us that we are living stones, that Christ is the cornerstone, and we are being built up into a spiritual house together (1 Peter 2). Take away one stone and we are not whole or complete. The Apostle Paul knew this when he related the Church to being a body with many parts that works together and in relationship with one another (1 Corinthians 12:12). Take away one part and the body does not function. Each person, working together, is vital to the function of the body as a whole. Yes, we hear about some of the terrible, broken things that happen in the church, but what we often don t hear is how God works in and through the community. We don t hear how members lift each other up in prayer. We don t hear how the church houses the homeless, feeds the hungry, fights against injustice. We don t hear how the church lifts up and cares for the widows, for the orphans, for the mentally ill. We don t hear how the church speaks loving truth to us when we sin and turn away from God, and how the church works to put us on the right track again. We don t hear how we learn about God and how God is working through the relationships we have with our brothers and sisters in Christ. In reality, faithful discipleship is paradoxical in nature. We cannot be a faithful disciple by ourselves apart from the community (such is against our created nature and Jesus Great Commission), nor can we be a part of the community without being ourselves, unique individuals. Faithful discipleship is necessarily both communal and individualistic and cannot be either one or the other. So what does that mean for us, dear saints? I think God knows that we need each other, to hold each other accountable, to be both teachers and learners in the faith together, to practice together the greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves, so that, that becomes our modus operandi. We need the community of faith to help us grow as individuals, to discern our call from God, to affirm our gifts, to keep us humble, and to develop and strengthen our relationship with God. In the community together, in the presence of God, we [fashion] disciples of all nations teaching them to obey all that [God] has commanded (Matthew 28). As we go out into the world, my brothers and sisters, let us not forget whose image we bear: the image of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God, whose very being is in relationship. Let us not fall into the trap of creating our own me and Jesus discipleship, but rather let s live into the fullness of who we were created to be and dare to be in covenant relationship with one another in the Church. In a broken and fearful world in need of hope and peace, let us commit to the Body of Christ, to be the collective voice of love and salvation. With Hope & Peace, Pastor Adam
May 2017 Page 3 GREETERS for MAY/June May 07 Daniel & Heather Willrich May 14 Chris & Eva Helps May 21 Jim & Irene Gardner May 28 Jun 04 Curt & Cindy Pion Jun 11 Sonny & Kara Gannon Jun 18 Justin & Corinne Rowe Jun 25 Adam & Sarah Smith If you are not able to serve on the day scheduled, please trade with someone and contact the church office. Fellowship for MAY/June May 07 Family of Ivan Myers May 14 Julie & Griffin Kopecky May 21 TBA May 28 Gary & Nancy Wilson Jun 04 Craig & Joyce Biggs Jun 11 Joel Myers & Linda Nelson Jun 18 Tom & Connie McClure Jun 25 Ken & Jeani Shepherd If you are not able to serve on the day scheduled, please trade with someone or call Richard Myers, 515-710-1445. May 07 Denise Kelly May 14 Marco Bejarno May 21 Delaney Kidd May 28 Jeff Van Houten Jun 04 Craig Ivers Jun 11 Curt Pion Jun 18 Kurt Greiman Jun 25 Denise Kelly Deacons FOR MAY/June LITURGISTS For May May 07 Lisa Luellen May 14 Sarah Wilson May 21 Dan Willrich May 28 Ardie Enderson Anniversaries in May May 01 Todd & Amy Lawton 1993 May 05 Stephanie & Jason Harris 2001 May 09 Max & Jeanette Bodermann 1992 May 26 Darren & Sherry Madole 1990 May 27 Melvin & Sue Beavers 1967 May 30 Jack & Nancy Lister-Settle 1976 Birthdays in May May 01 Jack Kidd May 02 Vicky Myers May 04 Dana Myers May 05 Kara McClure May 08 Jeanne Shields May 08 Joanne Dutcher May 08 JoAnne Ramaeker May 09 Hannah Luellen May 09 Gavin Drake May 10 Joe Keller May 15 Barry Gehlsen May 16 Ivan Myers May 16 Brody Gannon May 18 Brian McCleary May 19 Alex Barton May 21 Sarah Smith May 23 Lacy Pinegar May 24 Eva Helps May 25 Jon McClure May 25 Alex Biggs May 29 Debbie Snyder
May 2017 Page 4 We honor the veterans in our church family: John Arrasmith Melvin Beavers Tyler Carman Alan Clinkinbeard Glen Enderson Eva Helps Craig Ivers Jon Johnson Joe Keller Ben Kelly Ivan Myers Service Board (Youth Fundraiser) Do you need any work done around your house? Your yard? Your farm? Do you need some painting done, odds and ends tasks done, or neighbors that might need some extra workers? Well the Linkage Youth want to help out. Beginning in November and continuing until the Summer 2017 we have created a SERVICE BOARD fundraiser. On this bulletin board, anyone from the congregation can post work they need done around their house/yard or anything else AND how much they are willing to donate to the youth program to have youth come over to help. Here s how it works: simply write on a piece of paper the work you need done, what tools youth will be required to provide, how much you are willing to donate to the youth program, and a phone number to be contacted at. Youth and groups of youth will be checking the board weekly. We encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity that can both benefit you and our growing youth program. Waukee Community Closet DROP OFF TIMES May 3 6:00pm 8:00pm May 9 11:00am 1:00pm May 15 3:00pm 5:00pm May 27 8:30am 10:00am SHOPPING TIMES May 9 9:00am 11:00am May 15 5:30pm - 7:00pm May 27 10:30am - 12:30pm waukeecommunitycloset@gmail.com First Presbyterian Online! Don t forget to keep up-to-date with the life and ministry of FPC using the church website: www.dcpresbyterian.org. You can find information about church events, listen to Sunday s worship messages, look through photos, download forms and monthly newsletters, lift up prayer requests, and the like. Also find us on Facebook at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Center or follow us on Twitter at First Presby. Church @ FirstPresbyDCIA. We re always open to feedback to find ways to better communicate the life and ministry of our congregation to each other and to the world around us. Choir News: Practice takes place at 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday through May 17. Celebration of Communion Communion will be celebrated the first Sunday of each month. Additional Communion dates will remain for Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, & Easter services.
May 2017 Page 5 Sixth Annual Community Service Auction! Join us on Sunday, May 7, 2017 from 5-7pm as we join together to help raise money to support those in our community. We are now seeking donations for the auction. Consider donating an item, service, or get together with friends to create a unique gift item. Here are some ideas: 2 hours of yard work/gardening Homemade food items (e.g., pies, cookies, salsa, jam) Painting 3 rooms in a home/office or dusting floor boards Themed gift packages (e.g., Cubs tickets, t-shirt and hat) Weekend trip or hotel stay Running errands/buying groceries once a month 4 hours of babysitting Fruit of the month package Handcrafted items (e.g., jewelry, knitting, woodworking) We will also be serving a free-will offering meal at the event. Come and join us with Auctioneer Shane Boston at First Presbyterian Church. Bring a friend and a generous spirit! Note: Please notify Gary Wilson at glwilson@exede.net to donate your items and services now. Cutoff time for delivering tangible donations to First Presbyterian Church is noon on Saturday, May 6 th. Blessing of the Bikes When school is out and as all the summer fun begins, we want to take a moment in worship on June 4 to "bless the bikes" which will be taking our kids around town to their various activities!! Skateboards, scooters, and all of those "vehicles" are included! We invite the kids to bring their bike helmets to the Faith Discovery time as we talk about safety and ask God's blessings on their comings and goings this summer! This will take the place of the "blessing of the pets" service we have had the last several years! Please see Jeani Shepherd, worship team leader, if you have any questions! MAY BREAKFAST Dallas Center United Methodist Church, 1504 Walnut St., Saturday May 6th at 9:00 a.m. Please bring a non-perishable item for the food pantry. Call Janice for reservations at 515-360-9055. Adult Sunday School - It s back!! By popular request, we are back on for a Sunday morning Adult Discussion Class. We are meeting @ 9a.m. and we are meeting in the north section of the narthex. So as you come into the church, drop your kids off, grab some coffee, and come on over and join us. Just Who Do We Think We Are? - Join us in worship through May 14th and in a 4-week Small Group series on Wednesdays (May 3, 10, 17) as we explore and discover just who we are as a Priesthood of All Believers. We will learn about our priestly call to share our stories, listen to God, give of ourselves, and eat! Not only will we learn about the God who loves us beyond what we can know, but we will get to know each other.
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May, 2017 First Presbyterian Church Dallas Center Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 7 Worship Communion Long-time Member Celebration Service Auction 5-7p 14 Worship Baptism: Chloe McCleary 21 Worship Senior Recognition B: Sarah Smith 28 Worship 1 A: Todd & Amy Lawton B: Jack Kidd 8 B: Jeanne Shields B: Joanne Dutcher B: JoAnne Ramaeker 15 B: Barry Gehlsen 2 B: Vicky Myers 9 A: Jeanette & Max Bodermann B: Hannah Luellen B: Gavin Drake 16 B: Ivan Myers B: Brody Gannon 22 23 B: Lacy Pinegar 29 B: Debbie Snyder 30 A: Jack & Nancy Lister-Settle 3 Choir practice 10 Choir Practice B: Joe Keller 17 Choir Practice Session Meeting @ 5:30 p.m. 24 B: Eva helps 31 4 B: Dana Myers 5 A: Stephanie & Jason Harris B: Kara McClure 11 12 13 18 B: Brian McCleary 25 B: Jon McClure B: Alex Biggs 19 B: Alex Barton 26 A: Sherry & Darren Madole 6 May Breakfast @ Methodist Church 9:00 a.m. 20 27 A: Melvin & Sue Beavers
Bellviews May 2017 page 8 Church Address: First Presbyterian Church 1204 13th Street PO Box 368 Dallas Center, IA 50063 Contact Information: Pastor: Rev. Adam Smith Cell: 515-528-3538 Church Phone: 515-992-3531 Church s Website: dcpresbyterian.org Pastor s E-mail: pastor@dcpresbyterian.org Church s E-mail: office@dcpresbyterian.org Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Youth Elder Treasurer Clerk of Session The Session Duane Heaberlin Cathy Kelly Gary Wilson Darci Kidd Richard Myers Jeani Shepherd Ann Beavers Abbey Drake Julie Kopecky Ben Beavers Sue Beavers Nancy Wilson Capital Development Committee: Sue Beavers, Dennis Britson, Trent Drake, Tina Greiman, Mitch Hansen, Duane Heaberlin, and Aaron Wilson Church Staff Pastor...Rev. Adam Smith Secretary.Nancy K. Zehr Choir Director Jeani Shepherd Organists.....Carol Arrasmith, Jeani Shepherd & Nancy Wilson Pianists...Carol Arrasmith, Joanne Knoll & Sarah Smith Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Youth Deacon Board of Deacons Marco Bejarno Curt Pion Craig Ivers Jeff Van Houten Kurt Greiman Denise Kelly Delaney Kidd