CALLING ALL DISCIPLES Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church My husband, Art, receives a daily e-mail copy of the business blog by Seth Godin. I do not know much about Seth except that he seems to inspire a lot of people in the business world. Art often sends me a copy of Seth s blog because there is such a corollary between honest and good business practices and caring for the business of the church. This was the blog that was run on Tuesday, September 30, 2014: The Sophistication of Truth A common form of complexity is the sophistication of fear. Long words when short ones will do. Fancy clothes to keep the riffraff out and to give us a costume to hide behind. Most of all, the sneer of, "you don't understand" or, "you don't know the people I know..." "It's complicated," we say, even when it isn't. We invent these facades because they provide safety. Safety from the unknown, from being questioned, from being called out as a fraud. These facades lead to bad writing, lousy communication and a refuge from the things we fear. I'm more interested in the sophistication required to deliver the truth. Simplicity. Awareness. Beauty. These take fearlessness. This is, "here it is, I made this, I know you can understand it, does it work for you?" Our work doesn't have to be obtuse to be important or brave. These words struck me as something we need to consider in the church and in sharing our faith with others. Are we guilty of what Seth Godin calls the sophistication of fear? Long words Do we hide behind long churchy words because we have heard them quoted from the pulpit in the church? We ourselves may not even fully understand what they mean but we use them to make ourselves feel/ look/seem a little holier than thou. Fancy clothes Much like the executive wear in the business world do we have our church clothes that set us apart and separate us from others who might want to wear something different, something we do not deem appropriate attire for church? It s complicated Do we say the Gospel is complicated mainly because it is counter-culture? Fear Are we hiding in fear because we cannot do church and religion perfectly; therefore we are afraid people might see our slip-ups and call us hypocrites, irrelevant? Like Mr. Godin, I am more interested in what it takes to tell the truth. For me that truth would be God s truth, but I think the same rules of sophistication apply: Simplicity: The Truth is God loves us! You, Me, Them, Us! For God so loved the World Awareness: God is at work through all of us. We need to help each other do life. We are all in this together not just the folks in church but even more the folks not in church. We need to make them aware of God s presence and let them make us aware of God s presence. Beauty: What could be more beautiful than allowing God s love for all humankind to flow through us to Others everywhere, beginning here. What beauty as God reveals God s self to us in new ways, through those Others, as we begin to love like God loves. Simplicity, Awareness, Beauty good goals for a life well lived in the presence of God! In Grace and Peace, Pastor Judy For Information on Seth s blog: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/75733032/0/sethsblog~thesophistication-of-truth.html 2014 October 1 Calling All Disciples
October 24 th Newsletter Article Deadline October is Pastor Appreciation Month Communion Sunday will be October 5, 2014 Deacons to prepare the sacrament are: Ann Kirschner and John Fairchild Deacon/Session Meeting Scheduled for October 15 th at 7:15pm First Presbyterian Church 700 Central Avenue Connersville, IN 47331 765-825-4189 PASTOR: Rev. Judy Fitchett CLERK OF SESSION: Carla Beard OFFICE HOURS FOR SECRETARY: Tues. and Thurs. 9:00am 2:00pm Fri. 8:00am 1:00pm Email and Website: connerpres@frontier.com www.connerpres.org In This Issue: Pastor s Message, p. 1 Spread the Word, p. 2 Prayer Concerns, p. 2 This Month at FPC, p. 3 More First Happenings p. 4 Session Report p. 5 Deacons Report, p. 6 My Coloring Page, p. 7 October Calendar, p. 8 Keep in our Members and Friends Barbara Bowden Health Concerns Ellen Doty - Health Concerns Molly Fairchild - Health Concerns Esther Hassler Health Concerns Margaret Hurst - Health Concerns Mary Ann McFall Health Concerns Helen Parvis Health Concerns Richard Pea Health Concerns Cora Alice Underwood Health Concerns Nancy Walker Health Concerns Barbara Bates Health Concerns (Mother of Tina Butcher) James Hamilton s mother Stage 3 cancer (Friend of Robert Bryan) Dave Hannah-Cancer (Nancy Bohlander s uncle) Judy May Lung cancer (Aunt of Tina Butcher) Lauri Miscoi Liver transplant - Improving (Friend of Linda Ward) Tom Yocum Heart Conditions (Mary Swope s brother) Robert & Cathy Schmidt Cathy, major health issues, Robert, care-giver (Robert is co-worker of Linda Ward) Eli-Liver transplant (Grandson of a Friend of Lea Ann Robinson) Mina Snyder - Multiple injuries and paralyzed from fall (Friend of several in congregation) 2014 October 2 Calling All Disciples
Liturgist for the Month of October is: Lisa Hazelrigg except October 5 th is Richard Baker ============================================== Coffee Hour October 5 Sarah Smith, Kay Bishop, Susie Rogers October 12 Ann Kirschner October 19 Open October 26 Open ******************************** The Price for altar flowers will continue to be $15.00 this year. October 5 Joe & Myra King October 12 Will & Nan Rose October 19 Sondra Miller October 26 Bob and Mary Swope Please let the church office know how you want the flowers to be designated. ********************************************** Please note the enclosed envelope for your 2014 Peacemaking Offering. This offering gives a way to contribute locally and nationally to the work of peace enabling the Presbytrerian program to: This Month at First Presbyterian 25% remains with congregation for ministries 25% to Presbyteries and synods to support projects focused on peace 50% to Presbyterian Peacemaking Program Deacon of the Week Visitation Schedule September 21 September 27, Ann Kirschner September 28 October 4, Jill Yaryan October 5 October 11, Doug Ross October 12 October 18, John Fairchild October 19 October 25, Linda Ward Usher/Counter* Teams Schedule October 5 Kay*Bishop, Sarah*Smith and Larry Zumkeller October 12 John*& Joyce Bohlander and Doug*Ross October 19 Liza* and Jordan Hazelrigg and Robert*Bryan October 26 Joe & Myra* King and John*Fairchild ========================================= Church Activity Schedule October 1 Choir Practice 6:00pm October 2 October 4 Fellowship Hall Reserved October 5 Worship Service 10:30am Communion Sunday October 7 Fellowship Hall Reserved 11:00am October 8 Choir Practice 6:00pm October 9 Bible Study 10:30am @ Brian s October 12 Worship Service 10:30am October 13 Fellowship Hall Reserved - Evening October 15 Choir Practice 6:00pm Deacon/Session 7:15pm October 16 Bible Study 10:30am @ Brian s October 18 Fellowship Hall Reserved 2-4:00pm October 19 Worship Service 10:30am October 22 Choir Practice 6:00pm October 23 Bible Study 10:30am @ Brian s October 24 Newsletter Article Deadline October 26 Worship Service 10:30am October 30 Bible Study 10:30am @ Brian s Fellowship Hall Reserved 11:00am 2014 October 3 Calling All Disciples
Work Day, October 11 th At Church From 8 to Noon Bring your pruning tools and wheel barrows. Refreshments and coffee will be available. All help appreciated for any length of time available. ********************************************************************************** Pastor Judy will be out of the office on October 30 th and return to the pulpit on November 9 th and this will be Communion Sunday. ********************************************************************************** Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets Yes, I know. It s only September. However, we are listing the items we will be collecting for the 25 Thanksgiving and 25 Christmas baskets this year. We have found that a lot of these items are on sale in October and November not so much in December. So as you are doing your routine shopping, please keep us in mind and pick up a few of these items when they are on sale or you have coupons. We have added a few paper and soap products to the list as we have discovered these are items that many of our families need as well. The new Dollar Tree has all items for $1 so that might be a good place to look for some of these items. We will have a large box in the back of the church for any items you want to bring in during the upcoming weeks. Thank you, The Mission Committee Boxed mashed potatoes Peanut butter Canned corn Jelly Canned green beans Saltine Crackers Boxed Macaroni and cheese 4 pack of toilet paper Boxes of stuffing Twin pack or 1 large roll paper towels Jars of gravy Liquid Dishwashing soap Jiffy cornmeal muffin mix Liquid hand soap **************************************************************************************** Pastor Judy has a New Bible Study starting October 9 th at 10:30 am at Brian s. Why Jesus Makes Me Nervous Ten Alarming Words of Faith by Joy Jordan Lake Everyone Welcome ***************************************************************************************** Calling all Angels Polish off your halos and dust off your wings it s time to descend and plan our tenth annual Breakfast with the Christmas Angel. An organizational meeting will take place in the Fellowship Hall on Thursday, October 9 th at 7:00 PM. We will need help with food, tickets, decorating, publicity, the angel craft, etc. If you are willing to help, but cannot attend the initial meeting, please contact either Susie Rogers or Kathie Matney. We look forward to your heavenly help with one of our favorite church projects. Please join us! 2014 October 4 Calling All Disciples
The Session of First Presbyterian Church, Connersville, Indiana, met in the Fellowship Hall at 7:15 p.m. with the deacons for their stated monthly meeting on September 17, 2014. SESSION Deacon John Fairchild opened the meeting with devotions, and Pastor Judy offered prayer. After discussion of items of mutual concern, the two groups separated for their own meetings. Total income for the month of August was $7608.92. Expenses totaled $6993.49. The State Assessment of our property value has increased by $53,000. Plans are in place for a landscaping work day on October 11. We have an estimate from Hubert Corum of $7550 to restore all 41 pews. The cost includes both repair and refinishing. This decision was tabled pending additional thought. There s a request to remove the pew closest to the piano, so that the piano can be moved and the pianist can see the choir director when the choir sings. The phone in the pastor s office has been replaced. The boiler passed inspection. Robert Bryan thanked the 3 teachers who volunteered to help teach Sunday school every Sunday on a rotating basis this year. A curriculum has been established. Rally Day was September 7, and everyone enjoyed good food and fellowship. John Fairchild did his usual outstanding job on the grill, and everyone appreciated the floral centerpieces donated by Ronda Leiter. The Bible Study group completed study of Phillip Yancey s book Prayer: Does it Really Matter? The Mission Committee reported that Family Video will donate meat for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets again this year. Many items that we donate for those boxes are on sale at lower prices now, so we might want to donate early. We ve added nonfood items like toilet paper and soap to the list this year. Things will be stored in the former men s restroom. The Mission Committee asked Session to consider our offering a free Sunday evening meal to help feed the hungry. Session approved. Our annual stewardship campaign will be underway soon. The Worship Committee recommended purchase of the new Presbyterian Hymnal, Glory to God, as an additional worship resource. It will not replace the existing hymnal. We will use funds donated to the church in memory of Roger Doty and also offer the congregation an opportunity to donate toward the purchase. Session approved the purchase. The Community 9/11 Day of Remembrance Service, sponsored by the Fayette County Ministerial Association, was held at our church. The Hope Center has invited Pastor Judy to be a table host for their fundraiser in October. She thanked Mary Swope for her work coordinating people to host the 9/11 Service and Bob Swope for volunteering to play the organ for that service. Roger Tyler will direct the Community Messiah Concert in December. Rehearsals will held at our church and will begin Thursday, Oct. 2 until Thanksgiving. Session approved this use of the facility. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for my daughter Carol; before, during and after her surgery. Surgery went well and she is at my house now for recovery. God Bless you all. Marilyn Stevens 2014 October 5 Calling All Disciples
Deacons Meeting September 17, 2014 PRESENT: John Bohlander, John Fairchild, Doug Ross, Linda Ward, Jill Yaryan; members of Session and Pastor Judy Fitchett ABSENT: Ann Kirschner Devotionals: John Fairchild gave the devotionals from Grace for the Moment. Lisa Hazelrigg will do devotions in October. Business: Carla wanted to make sure everyone got an invitation to the Vesper Service at Don and Cathy Kirk s, Saturday, September 27. There is a sign-up sheet. The fund shows a deficit of $568.62, which may be because members are not necessarily designating their checks for the flowers. Larry will check into this. This probably is an accumulation over time. Refurbishing: Robert will be contacting the John Bohlander s and John Fairchild about this project. Prayer Concerns: We need to keep our secretary, Marilyn, and her daughter, Carol, in prayer. Betty Jobe sounds better. Ellen Doty did not answer her phone when Pastor Judy called. Her surgery is scheduled for the 22 nd to check out the possible cancerous spot on her pancreas. We need to keep Helen Parvis in prayer. Robert reported his uncle is doing better. Jessica Schmitt s grandfather has been diagnosed with dementia, which has rapidly progressed. Mary Lynn is having surgery October 3 rd. Events: October 11 th is Landscaping Workday, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Hanging of the Greens will be on November 30 th. Jill will have The Giving Tree up on that Sunday for Advent. Lisa Hazelrigg is taking care of the Holiday Baskets. Christmas Eve service will be at 7:00 p.m. ============================================================================================== Minutes: The minutes of the August Deacons meeting were approved. Flowers: (see above in Business section) Communion: October 5 Team A (John F. and Ann); November 9 Team B (Jill and Linda); December 7 Team C (Doug and John B.); Christmas Eve? Deacon of the Week: Sept. 21-27, Ann; Sept. 28-Oct. 4, Jill; Oct. 5-11, Doug; Oct. 12-18, John F. Oct. 19-25, Linda. John closed the meeting with The Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Linda Ward,Secretary Next meeting, 15 October 2014, 7:15 p.m. 55555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555 Deacon s Reminder for Upcoming Projects: More information will follow. THE GIVING TREE Ornaments will be hung on the Parlor Christmas Tree with information for 25 children on Sunday, November 30 th (Hanging of the Greens). Congregation members or Friends will be able to pick up their ornament(s) and begin shopping (or donating to a Deacon to shop) for one or more of the less fortunate children in our community. POINSETTIAS Deacons will again check for cost and let the Congregation know when the money and orders need to be turned into the office for us to have our Sanctuary decorated with Poinsettias for two Sundays prior to Christmas. 2014 October 6 Calling All Disciples
My Coloring Page 2014 October 7 Calling All Disciples