the Volume 42, Number 5 - May 2017 Westgater Collegiate Presbyterian Church & The Vine Student Center l Ames, Iowa The mission of Collegiate Presbyterian Church is To worship and serve God To welcome all people into the community of Christ To grow in Spirit To live Christ s love for the world Pastor Nominating Committee Elected A congregational meeting was held following worship Sunday, April 23 and the following people were elected to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee: Nancy Anderson, Betty Baker, Tim Hoekstra, Olivia Jenks, Joanne Marshall, A.J. Pollard, Selden Spencer (chair), and Susan Tucker. The PNC met the same day for an organizational meeting from 11:30am-2:00pm with Jim Dubois (the Committee on Ministry Liaison from the presbytery) and David Feltman, (the Pastor to the Presbytery). They began their work and will provide progress reports. Nancy Anderson Betty Baker Tim Hoekstra Olivia Jenks Joanne Marshall A.J. Pollard Selden Spencer Chair Susan Tucker
Farewell Sendoff for Jennifer Suydam The University Ministry Committee will host a farewell reception for Jennifer during the Fellowship time on Sunday, May 7th, which will be her last Sunday at CPC. We hope that you can join us in expressing our appreciation for her contributions as Campus Minister over the last three years and in offering her best wishes on her move to Streator, Illinois, where her husband has accepted a new call to ministry. If you would like to contribute towards a congregational gift for Jennifer, you may do so by placing a check made out to CPC with Jennifer s Gift on the memo line in the offering on Sunday, April 30th, or by dropping it off in the office by Thursday, May 4th. Also we invite you to participate in a "card shower" for Jennifer. Please bring a card to her reception on May 7th in appreciation for her services as Campus Minister. MAY AD U LT S P I R I T U AL F O R M AT I O N C L AS S E S Sunday, MAY 7 & 14-10:45 a.m. WGCtr - Bible/Theology Track: Craig Palmer and Barbara Gaddis will begin a four week series on the history and theology of Christian worship. Come to learn where our liturgy comes from, what the first Christians did to worship God, and why we currently do what we do on Sunday mornings. Helser - Social Issues Track: Join a discussion of the DVD series Half Truths that reintroduces us to clichés many of us have grown up with, and we have come to correlate with Christian teachings. Come to learn to break down the common sayings using scripture and story, in an effort to avoid causing hurt and leading people to conclusions about God that are untrue and may push them away from God. Phrases include: Everything happens for a reason, God won t give you more than you can handle, and others. Sunday, MAY 21 No Spiritual Formation classes - Mission Fair Sunday, MAY 28 No Spiritual Formation classes - Memorial Day Weekend All Church Workday Thank You A sincere thank you to those terrifically hard working members who participated in the spring work day. They cleaned the parking lot, pulled weeds, trimmed bushes and shrubs, cleaned up flower and shrub beds, and moved a large amount of mulch. A special thank you to the university and high school students who participated, to Paul Readhead and Terry Clark for hauling away the debris, and to the office staff for all their help. Well done and much appreciated!
August 20: 2nd Service Begins /Schedule Change August 20 marks the start of our second service and the Sunday morning schedule change to the schedule CPC followed two years ago when two worship services were offered on Sunday. On April 25, Session approved the following schedule to begin August 20: Worship 9:00-10:00 Fellowship 10:00-10:15 Spiritual Formation 10:15-11:05 Transition 11:05-11:15 Worship 11:15-12:00 The Worship Committee meets May 2 to begin planning and implementing the promotion for the second service. Meal & Music - May 21 Good food. Great music. Warm fellowship, uplifting worship. What could be better? Just a reminder that the next Meal and Music alternative service at CPC is scheduled for May 21, at 5:30p. Pizza will be provided this time (Dinner is at 5:30pm; worship starts at 6:15pm) This service is growing and developing, and we encourage your involvement to prepare for the August 20 start. Spread the word! Wednesday, May 10, @ 1:30pm Helser Chapel Paul & Marsha Readhead Paul and Marsha Readhead will be sharing about the adventures of their recent trip. Refreshments following the program. Members and visitors welcome. WOW on Hiatus for Fall A variety of changes are in the works leading to the need for a hiatus for WOW this fall. Club CPC is returning to the schedule prior to the start of WOW in October 2015 meaning they will not be present for WOW. With Jenny Suydam's departure from our staff in May, neither Betsy (staff for Club CPC) nor Jenny would be available to plan and lead WOW. Their involvement is a critical component to WOW taking place. Our Sunday morning schedule and our worship opportunities will be evaluated in November to determine how the variety of changes are working to fulfill our mission and vision. Thank you to those who attended over the past two years. CPC Mission Fair Opportunities to learn about various CPC mission projects and to volunteer for these projects will be provided at a Mission Fair after the May 21 service. CPC mission activities needing additional volunteer support will be highlighted at tables in the Social Hall with leaders of these activities available for information and questions. Church and Society is currently planning tables for Food at First, Emergency Residence Project, Home for Awhile, Matthew 25 House, Alternative Gift Market, Worship Committee, Spiritual Formation Committee, and Living Waters of the World. Additional groups wanting to do tables should contact Ann Thompson at eat@iastate.edu. The Mission Fair will occur following worship in the Social Hall.
Updates from What a year this has been! We have grown The Vine, not only in numbers, but in our faith, community, and fellowship. It was a joy to lead worship for University Ministry Sunday, and to debut After All, a song written and performed by The Vine. We also celebrated the baptism of Travis Miller, and the ordination of Caleb Corona during that worship service. Part of our life together is to support one another as we are involved with things on campus. From the Fashion Show, to Open Mic Night at the MU, to band concerts, we have been supportive of our friends and their interests and passions. We spent time with the University Ministry Committee after University Ministry Sunday for the 3rd Annual Retreat, to review the year, to dream and plan for next year, and to share some of our joy we have experienced with The Vine. On April 23rd, we were able to say THANK YOU! to some of the volunteers who have been so wonderful in preparing lunches for us this past year. We enjoyed this intergeneration activity with kids of all ages! We also helped with several mission areas in the church the Rummage Sale cleanup and Labor of Love. Jenny is busy planning for Finals Week from Giant and Messy games to an Un-Birthday Party, to Zombie Burger and maybe a movie night, she has a lot planned to help give us a break from studying! Soon it will be time for many of us to leave for the summer. We had the opportunity to celebrate and pray for Leslie Harder, who will be graduating this May. We appreciate your prayers as we leave you for the summer, and look forward to the fall when many of us will return.
High School Graduates On Sunday, April 30th, we honored our 2017 high school graduates with a reception in Social Hall. CPC s 2017 high school graduates are Taylor Monroe, Kaitley Peterson, David Vigil and Evan Welk. 3rd Grade Bibles On Sunday, April 30, we gave Bibles to our children who are completing 3rd grade. Those 3rd graders receiving Bibles were: Meredith Frandsen, Trysten Collins, Isla Garcia, Caroline Brandon, Zachary McKay Hero Central Vacation Bible School Hero Central Vacation Bible School will be held here at CPC June 5th-9th from 9 am to noon each day. Children (age 3 and potty-trained through finishing 5th grade) will take awesome adventures alongside some of their favorite Bible heroes and discover the qualities that make us truly heroic in God. VBS Hero Central uses epic music, spectacular science, crafty crafts, heroic recreation, and fantastic Bible stories to help kids (and leaders) discover their strength in God! We hope you take a moment to register your children and find ways to volunteer your time and talents to teach CPC's children about God's love and how to put our faith to work. Registration forms are now available and have been mailed to families. Volunteers and participants can also register by going to this link. http://tiny.cc/vbscpc2017 VBS Donation Needs It takes many hands, supplies and snacks to help make Vacation Bible School a success. Please take a look at our donation needs and see if you can supply some of them! http://tiny.cc/vbsdonations2017 Ames Chamber Artists has a concert on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. at Collegiate Presbyterian Church, 159 Sheldon Avenue, in Ames. Join the audience as singers and new Musical Director, David Johnson, close ACA s 29 th season on the theme of Beauty, Life, and Love. Advance tickets for the Ames performance are $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and students ($15 at the door). Children under 12 are admitted free. Advance tickets are available at Everts Flowers Home and Gifts and Rieman Music in downtown Ames or from CPC choir members Tim Hoekstra, Mary Pepper, Karla Tebben, or Barbara Schendel.
Lenten Season Responses During this past Lenten season you were invited to share examples of wondrous love in acts of others or in your own experience. Then each Sunday as we gathered for worship, heart-shaped post-it notes were passed along with the fellowship pads. Below are the responses that were written on the heart-shaped post-it notes. In the scripture Sue chose for her service we are reminded to love one another. She certainly did! Healthcare workers direct care Sonya s guardian angel Caregivers of ALL stripes! Family, friends, Hugs smiles Marty Schiel Generously giving memorial money (Harold) for plants and court embellishment Pray for our family and other families during this Easter time Thankful for Home for Awhile Preparing meals for Sue in hospice care Sharing the gift of music and art The love shared at the memorial of a loved one It is Wondrous that God s word is all truth and it never changes to suit man s or society s preferences. Friendly people Yesterday s wonderful tribute to Sue Proescholdt! Neighbors caring about neighbors JCP clerk s compassion Bryan Shanks at ERP Care! Hearing stories from our children about the love they share with their children Wondrous Acts OF LOVE -- A THANK You card from Jim & Chelly Forgiveness! Grace! Grandchildren Including hard of hearing in community An organization in AZ puts out backpacks with a blanket, canned food & water for migrants coming across the border seeking a better life. CPC members extending care & concern to many strangers during rummage sale Your love can melt the hardest heart Washer/dryer for Boone Habitat family Meals are being delivered to Proescholdt family during their time of need Ken & Myrna Rummer are worshiping with us! High school students willing to go on mission trip Wonderful and caring doctors and nurses A CPC member welcomed me as a new member nice! 5 people held the door open for me at the post office this week Compliment on my work The CPC talent at the Talent Show Kind words to my daughter to recognize her effort Those willing to offer meals to someone ill. A wife who had to rely on God s grace and love to take her young husband off life support to die The birth of Lainey Rummer Caring for someone in grief My baby sister is ok Living Waters for the World Honduran efforts Friends working at Iowa State house David s caring for me Grandson s gifts of hugs and company Husband went out and got ice cream for me I m grateful for family members who painted basement Jesus is in the midst of struggles and suffering J Herbert, Tony, Wilson, Ken, PCUSA, Jan, Denise, Marsha March for Black Lives Matter Terry, Sue, Andrew, James, Dal Laugh long Family who drives for distances to support you Carolyn Jones commitment to Raising Readers Held door for me Prayers for smart and caring doctors Mayor s humility in leading our group tour when the tour guide was called away (and the warm welcome given to the foreigners in our group) Welcoming strangers Time for fellowship after Wednesday Service A hug Relationships Held door open for me It is wondrous that the Lord would use a wretch like me to show His Love to others... My wife helped me Friday, when I needed help Having all our grandchildren & children together for a birthday celebration Reconnection with friends from years ago who have been influential in our lives Beautiful music that glorifies God High school students willing to attend worship service New friends For caring words and hugs of comfort The gift of music Cora s 2nd birthday At Green Hills Kathryn Andre devotes 6 hours/week as a pool buddy soothers can do therapy Sharing and caring Give thanks for family, fellowship, friends, forgiveness because God loves us! The Vine students on mission trip showing grace, love, humility, & laughter. A man publically forgave a person (who suffered from debilitating guilt) whose mistake caused the accidental death of his young son. Dreamer risking self to share her story Spring break chaperones For the Vine students offering love and support Members bringing a meal to a couple experiencing challenges Denise & Jan The sights and the sounds of my nieces In my Parkinson s therapy class young ladies, Morgan & Taylor help me learning to dance Door held for me I see God s love in my husband s support and care for my interests and commitments A visit to one of our shut-ins that cheered me! Gina s compassion and companionship on Michael (Picture of two adults and a child, cloud and sun) Grandson Teddy s concern for 2 ill classmates who had to miss learning about the Braille typewriter The embrace of Honduran friends old and new Jane helped me cause my back hurt
Pentecost Offering - June 4 The Pentecost Offering is the second of four special offerings collected by PC (USA) in the calendar year. Receiving this Offering allows Presbyterians to invest in faith formation of one of the church s greatest resources-our youth-and join in ministries that address the needs of at-risk children and encourage, grow, and support our young people. 40% is retained by this congregation for investment in local programs focused on children at risk. 25% Young Adult Volunteers which bring young adults together in fellowship, worship, and service throughout the world. 25% Youth Ministries which guide youth in their walk with Christ and inspire those called to accompany them. 10% Advocacy that protects and education that nurtures our children and youth in mind, body, and spirit. The Church and Society Committee (the mission arm of our church) has decided CPC s share of the Pentecost Offering (40%) will support the backpack-school supplies program offered through Hope in Christ Back-to-School Celebration. This is the same program we have supported for many years. It is a needed program in our community as evidenced by the increased number of participants each year. The Pentecost Offering will be collected Sunday, June 4. Prayerfully consider giving to this special offering which supports youth. Honduran Lunch Fundraiser Join us for a Honduran Brunch on Sunday, June 11th. We will be serving rice, beans and eggs following the morning worship service till 12:00. This will be our only fundraiser prior to our installation trip in July when a team of eight will be helping the village of La Talanquera install a water filtration system. We will also have a silent auction of some Honduran items. See you on Sunday June 11th. Emergency Residence Project Meals May 11 Lee and Jeanette Smithson May 18 Marty Schiel May 25 Alisa Frandsen C P C S TA F F Craig N. Palmer Interim Pastor craig.palmer@cpcames.org Betsy Thompson Children & Youth Minister betsy.thompson@cpcames.org Jennifer Suydam Campus Minister Jennifer.suydam@cpcames.org Barbara Gaddis Parish Associate barb.gaddis@cpcames.org Doug Sweeney Choir Director dsweeney@carrolltigers.org Laura LaGrange Organist laura.lagrange@cpcames.org Josh Hall Contemporary Music Leader josh.hall@cpcames.org Jennie Foley Administrative Assistant jenny.foley@cpcames.org Victoria Knight Secretary secretary@cpcames.org In God s Hand Services Custodial Services 515-663-0000 www.cpcames.org
May Sunday, May 7, 2017 Communion 9:30a Worship Service (SANC) 10:30a Farewell Reception for Jennifer Suydam (SH) 10:45a Spiritual Formation for All Ages Sunday, May 14, 2017 Mother s Day 9:30a Worship Service (SANC) 10:30a Fellowship Coffee (SBL & Library) 10:45a Adult Spiritual Formation Sunday, May 21, 2017 Music/Teacher Appreciation 9:30a Worship Service (SANC) 10:30a Fellowship Coffee (SH) 10:30a Mission Fair (SH) 5:30p Meal & Music (SH) Sunday, May 28, 2017 9:30a Worship Service (SANC) 10:30a Fellowship Coffee (SBL & Library) Collegiate Presbyterian Church & The Vine Student Center thewestgater