September 2017 Making disciples of Jesus Christ who go to make disciples of others. FIRST PRESS On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy (unofficially known as "Superstorm Sandy") slammed into the Northeastern coast of United States. The Category 2 storm became the largest Atlantic hurricane on record (as measured by diameter, with winds spanning 1,100 miles). Experts estimate that the storm's monetary damages topped $68 billion. At least 286 people were killed along the path of the storm in seven countries. As Hurricane Sandy bore down on New York City, almost everything shut down except one rogue Starbucks near Times Square. Desperate (addicted?) but highly committed Starbucks junkies fought high winds, dangerous rains, and dire warnings just to get a latte or a cup of coffee. Bethany Owings, 28, walked 10 blocks with her one-year-old daughter for a fix. "I saw on Facebook that they were open," she said. "It was scary not having Starbucks." Her neighbor and friend 29-year-old Chris Hernandez came along and later said, "When she said they were open, I was like, 'Pack the baby up. Let's go!' I didn't know they were all going to close. I started panicking. There's nothing else I would've gone out for. This makes my day complete." Oh, really? Alex Mwangi, 25, walked more than 20 blocks looking for an open Starbucks. He told reporters, "It took half an hour. But I'm a Starbucks fanatic. I go four or five times a day." David Low, also 25, said he went to three closed Starbucks before learning this particular store was open. Low said, "I'm really happy these guys are open. I can't get a pumpkin spice latte anywhere else. The 10-minute wait was worth it." October 29, 2012 was a Monday. Pure speculation on my part, but I wonder how many people would have ventured out into the storm to find a church conducting worship services if the storm had hit the previous day? People will make sacrifices for what they value. If we value Jesus, we will lay down our lives for him. We may label the individuals in this true news story crazy. However, we have to admit that they weren't lukewarm or uncommitted about following their deep desire for a pumpkin spice latte. Do we pursue Jesus with the same fervor, or is he worked into our busy schedules when it is convenient? Psalm 37:5-6 remind us, Commit your way to the Lord trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. I hope to see you in worship in the weeks ahead! Keep the faith, Pastor Tony
PAGE 2 Reminder! Deacons hope you can bring some nonperishable food on Aug 6th to feed those in our community who are in need. What Deacons Do: You may have noticed quite a few expectant mother at church lately. It is an exciting time here at First Presbyterian as we anticipate the arrival of six new little ones this summer! When a baby is born to a member of our congregation, the Deacons mark the event by giving an engraved baby spoon to the family. Let s all pray for those precious infants and their families and thank God for the joy of new life! Just A Reminder: There are donation bins in the church hallway for clothing, baby items, toiletries and food. Please make sure that all food items are NON-PERISHABLE. Thank you. Within the frame of time, a picture of a family is revealed through opportunities to serve and be served. Appropriately, we often call one another our Church Family. Families are a wealth of services provided and received. At First Presbyterian Church of Hanford, we annually recognize efforts, opportunities and service; from the person who takes one available chance to get to serve, to those who have ministered for decades in the same area, faithfully doing their tasks over and over. Please know that First Presbyterian Church of Hanford appreciates your time, efforts and talents creating an accumulated example of the gifts God gave us. And by our accumulated acts of service that are normal and regular, our great God, through His Son is revealed.
JEFF AND CHRISTI BOYD TO SHARE WITH US PAGE 3 Jeff and Christi Boyd, PCUSA missionaries to Africa will be with us to share about their work during the worship services on Sunday September 3. Jeff grew up in this church and we have been supporting his and Christi's mission outreach for most of their over 25 years of service there. With education as a priority, Jeff serves as Regional Liaison for Central Africa for partner churches with which he works. Christi is Facilitator for Women and Children's interests in the Congo, Madagascar, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Here are excerpts from their recent newsletters: Jeff was taken to visit a community health center being built with funds from a Presbyterian Women Thank Offering Grant and on land donated by a member of the Presbyterian Church of Equatorial Guinea. He tells us, Providing basic care and health education for the community is one way for the women of the IRPGE to express their faith in Jesus Christ and to demonstrate concern for the well being of of their neighbors....traveling the tens of miles that separate community from the nearest hospital can be a financial and logistical obstacle, and a precarious undertaking for the seriously ill. Because the most prevalent illnesses, malaria and water-borne diseases, are preventable by raising awareness and curable with affordable treatment if caught on time, the health centers provide a great service to the community at large. Christi tells us of a children's camp in Goma, East Congo where facilitators were trained during a nine day intensive course, and who then put that training to work with the 50 children who came burdened with wounds of severe emotional trauma. It has been well established that unhealed childhood trauma increases the risk of developing personal problems and a tendency toward violent behavior in later life....healing children's wounds of trauma is therefore way to break the cycle of violence, trauma, and behavioral disorders, a first and necessary step for peace building in conflict zones such as the volatile region of East Congo. You will not want to miss this visit.
PAGE 4 Shoe Box ideas.. As you travel this summer, you might want to keep in mind items that enhance your shoebox gifts. I always check clearance aisles and sidewalk sales wherever I go. Below are ideas for 2-4 year olds. A WOW Item Girls ages 5-95 9 years Doll Stuffed animal Soccer ball (include a manual air pump so that the ball can be re-inflated.) Personal Care Items Comb or Hairbrush Toothbrush Washcloth Blanket Bar soap (packaged and/or in a container) Adhesive bandages (Colorful ones. No liquid antibiotic ointment.) Reusable plastic containers: Shirts and pants Pillowcase dress (loosefitting sundress) Underwear Shoes and socks Flip-flops Clothing & Accessories Pencils & Pencil case Small manual pencil sharpener & Erasers Colored Pencils & Crayons Markers & Pens Coloring books Notebooks Blank Index Cards Ruler & Protractor Scissors (blunt tip) Solar-powered Calculator Glue stick (not liquid glue.) An outfit of clothing to wear Small musical instrument (such as a harmonica or woodwind recorder) Backpack cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils (Consider filling an empty container hair bows, bracelets, sunglasses, or washcloths, maximize space.) Flashlight & Batteries Compact Mirror Non-liquid Lip Balm Hat/scarf/mittens Sunglasses Tote bag/purse Hair bows Friendship bracelets (woven with yarn or embroidery School Supplies & Craft Activities Toys Foam ball Kickball (include a manual air pump to re-inflated) Yo-yo Small Frisbee Small adhesive tape Watercolor set (paint brushes, canvas or paper) Make-it-yourself craft items or kit Puzzles or Stickers Chalkboard & Chalk Playdough (Consider adding plastic cookie cutters) Binoculars Jump Rope Plastic Toys Small Kite Costume/Dree-up items Etch-A-Sketch A WOW Item Boys ages 5-95 9 years Soccer ball (include a manual air pump so that the ball can be re-inflated.) Stuffed animal An outfit of clothing to wear Personal Care Items Comb or Hairbrush Toothbrush Washcloth Blanket Bar soap (packaged and/or in a container) Adhesive bandages (Colorful ones. No liquid antibiotic ointment.) Shirts and pants Underwear Shoes and socks Flip-flops Clothing & Accessories Toys Pencils & Pencil case Small manual pencil sharpener & Erasers Colored Pencils & Crayons Markers & Pens Coloring books Notebooks Blank Index Cards Ruler & Protractor Scissors (blunt tip) Solar-powered Calculator Glue stick (not liquid glue.) Foam ball Kickball w/ manual air pump Baseball & mitt Tennis ball Plastic dinosaurs, animals, action figures Small musical instrument (such as a harmonica or woodwind recorder) Backpack Reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils (Consider filling an empty container bracelets, sunglasses, or washcloths, maximize space.) Non-liquid Lip Balm Flashlight & Batteries Hat/scarf/mittens Sunglasses Wrist watch School Supplies & Craft Activities Small adhesive tape Watercolor set (paint brushes, canvas or paper) Make-it-yourself craft items or kit Puzzles or Stickers Chalkboard & Chalk Playdough (Consider adding plastic cookie cutters) Binoculars Building blocks Tool set Toy cars Yo-yo Small Frisbee Etch A Sketch Small kite Hacky sack
All-Church Family Campout October 27-29, 2017 On the Road Pismo North Beach Campground Cost $70/Family Includes: a campsite to be shared with another family, s mores Friday night, breakfast & dinner on Saturday, breakfast on Sunday Non-refundable Deposit of $15 due when signing up. NEED to have sign-ups soon to confirm sites together. Don t want to camp?...get a hotel room on your own and join us during the day for activities including the meals at $30/family and $15/person RSVP & Questions contact Kevin McCarty 707-7357 sherlymccarty@gmail.com OPTIONAL: Friday TACO dinner served 5:30-7pm Cost $10/family or $3/person (reserve & pay in advance) 2017 EPC Askings PAGE 5 We seek to accomplish God s Mission! We need your help to support our EPC Presbytery of the Pacific with our EPC Per- Member Askings for 2017 of $38 per member. The $38.00 per member Askings provides $23 towards the EPC General Assembly (GA) while $15 goes to the EPC Pacific Presbytery region. The Per Member Askings are voluntary and the primary source of funding for both the GA & Pacific Region s budgets. Session has committed to funding our 118 members for a total amount of $4,484. To date we have received $890 towards our Askings, last year at this time we had received $1,717. The Finance Ministry Team Adult Classes: Dinner 6:00 p.m. Adults, $6 Teens, $5 Children (to age 10), $3 $18 (max for family) Programs & Classes 6:30 p.m. September 13th November 15th Children s Bible Fun & Games Youth Group Chancel Choir Practice-6:45pm. Praise Team-8pm Faith Under Fire - Exploring Christianity s Ten Toughest Questions. This dynamic video-based small group study answers tough questions about the existence of God, Christianity vs Islam, faith and science. Class led by Pastor Tony. I AM: Discovering Who Jesus Is - This study examines 8 claims of Jesus from the Bible. Prepare to have your life changed as you experience His words on Salvation, Survival, Direction, Security, Eternity, Peace, Purpose and Confidence. Class led by Susan Feaver.
PAGE 6 Our GOAL is to get as MUCH of God s Word as we can as DEEP into the hearts as we can so They will KNOW, LOVE and SERVE Him! TruthSeekers Thursday Afternoons 3:30 5:00pm August 24 May 10 Kindergarten 5th Grade Adults and Youth (8th grade and up) are welcome to join us, assisting children to learn that the Bible is God s story emphasizing Who He is and What He has done for us. For further information contact Charles or Susan Feaver 584-7656 September Refuge News Sept. 6 - Kinney home (5:30-8:00) dinner, study, & games Sept. 13 Nov. 8 - Body Life @ church 6-8pm 9/6 Money & Lifestyle: The Narrow Path 9/13 Body Life Stressors: Future 9/20 Body Life Stressors: Busyness 9/27 Body Life Stressors: Self Esteem Prep for the Harvest Every Saturday 9-10am @ Miss Naomi s home (214 N. Green St.) Mary 707-7787 Sheryl 707-5409 Sept 29 Oct 1st RVSP by Sept. 20th
PAGE 7 Many opportunities for you to join with others... Jolly 1 s & 2 s On September 10 th we will be going to the Temple Theatre to see the play Dixie Swim Club. Please let me or your caller know by September 3 rd if you wish to attend. If you don t get your First Press in time, contact Janet at 583-8817 and I will still try to get tickets for you. Cost is $14.00, depending on how I purchase them. I have asked for clarification from the box office on their pricing. We will eat at Asia Garden after church (approximately noon). Let us know if you wish to join us so I can reserve a table. CPR/AED/First Aid Training with Rick Lacey (certification is good for two years) Cost: $50 When: Oct 7th at 10:30 Where: In the Fellowship Hall If you are would like to attend the class please contact Renee Loewen 924-0940. You may put a check written to FPC in the offering plate with CPR TRAINING in the memo. It is available to the first twenty people. If we have a large interest we will be setting up a second class. Women s Society (Agape) Agape will begin again on September 14 at 1:00pm. Agape is a women s group that meets the second Thursday of every month through May. In November we hold a silent Auction to raise funds for various mission organizations. Programs consist of a devotional, a talk by one of our women or a guest speaker, and refreshments. We are still in need of people to give talks and some devotionals. Contact Janet Harader (583-8817) if you are interested in getting involved in Agape programs. Games and Company 2017 @ 1:30 pm Sept 1 Sally Gordon. 1204 Van Ct. 585-1311 Oct 6 Sue Hensel. 797 E Fargo Ave. 589-9332
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P O Box 1185 HANFORD CA 93232 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED First Presbyterian Church Worship Center: 340 N. Irwin St. Church Office: 415 N. Redington St. Mail: P. O. Box 1185, Hanford, CA 93232 (559) 582-0283 FAX (559) 582-0336 www.fpchanford.org STAFF: Tony Winterowd Tom & Margie Fritz Janice Mills Jaime Christoph Renee Loewen Annette Rajskup Gail Forsythe Gary England Pastor Music Directors Music Ministries Director of Youth & Children s Ministries Child Care Coordinator Office Manager Bookkeeper Custodian Send staff emails to staff first name@fpchanford.org send prayer requests or other information to office@fpchanford.org Non-Profit Org U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 88 Hanford, California September Birthdays & *Anniversaries 3 Ruben Hernandez 5 Gary England, * Mr. & Mrs. Lance Larson 6 * Mr. & Mrs. Harry Wibeto 7 Susan Feaver 9 Mallory Ehlers 10 Hope Kinney, Sophia Trezza, * Mrs. & Mrs. Tony Winterowd 11 Stephen Fritz, Evelyn HetJonk, Ricky LeFils 12 JR Infante 13 Delaney Cuzzort 17 Norman VanBeek 20 Gail Forsythe, * Mr. & Mrs. Tim Bowers 22 Andrew Garcia, Dorothy Lehmann 23 Eddie Azevedo 25 Justin Elers, Wes Lehmann 26 * Mr. & Mrs. Chris Longabaugh 27 * Mr. & Mrs. Enrique Garcia 29 Lori Cossey 30 Jordan Azevedo, Jackie Evans 15 Enrique Garcia 16 Kailyn Christoph Please contact the office with any updates, additions or corrections. We don t want to miss anyone or list your special date incorrectly. s..