Untitled

Transcription

Untitled

YOU CAN REACH US
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1001 S. Rankin
Edmond, Oklahoma 73034
Sunday Schedule
8:30 am - Traditional Worship
9:45 am - Sunday School
10:55 am - Contemporary Worship
Office Hours
Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
Phone 405-341-3602
FAX 405-341-5248
Staff Extensions
Pastor On Call
Dr. Mateen Elass
Rev. John Gruel
Rev. Leo Wideman
Rev. Dave Leard
Alice Tritthart
Melissa Tisdell
Gretchen Crane
Suzanne Seidel
Jim VanHemert
Anita Plummer
Chris Brown
Bill Crouch
Christy Ford
Kristin Leard
Lori Jirousek
Shelly Fryer
Lynette Warnock
Debbie Frantz
Tracey Rice
Jim Booher
Dave Dabrowski
Zena Nipper
Joel Rayburn
222
299
227
226
256
223
225
221
221
281
278
277
238
255
233
242
292
236
284
224
240
260
235
262
to e-mail any staff member:
first name initial, full last name
@fpcedmond.org.
You can also contact us through our
website: www.fpcedmond.org
PRES (USPS 568-380) is published monthly by the First
Presbyterian Church of Edmond, 1001 S. Rankin, Edmond OK
73034-4766. Periodicals postage paid at Edmond, OK 73034.
POSTMASTER: Send address change to PRES, 1001 S. Rankin,
Edmond, OK 73034.
Many of you have asked, “When are you going to share what happened on the Uganda trip?”
The answer is Sunday, September 9th. This summer’s evangelism trip was very successful,
in large measure because of your prayer support. If you were on the email list or read the
blogs online, you may have felt like you were there. If you would like to have more “personal
access” to what Jesus is doing in East Africa, your chance will be Sunday, September 9th ,
(but not in the morning!) Since worship is a sacred time, the team will be hosting a “Dessert
and De-Brief” at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 9th, in room 2115. YOU are invited. Come
if you would like to:
(1) Experience stories/pictures/videos
not shared online
(2) Ask questions of the team members
(3) Learn about future evangelism
opportunities
(4) Sing Ugandan praise songs
(5) Eat free dessert! (rsvp to Leo, ext 226)
One of the many blessings that comes from reading the works of
Christians from past centuries is that they sometimes state familiar truths
in language that sounds very fresh to contemporary ears. I had that
welcome experience two weeks ago as I was reading a passage from A
Preface to Obedience by William Tyndale.
Tyndale was one of the earliest translators of the New Testament into
English, an early British Protestant who was martyred for his faith in 1536.
His writings are filled with passionate expositions from the Scriptures.
The odd sentence which caught my eye in this particular book was: “God
is no patcher.” I’ve never heard God described that way. And yet, this is
a very biblical thought.
In Matthew 9:16-17, Jesus observes, “No one puts a piece of unshrunk
cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a
worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the
skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new
wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”
God is not interested in preserving and extending the old ways of the life
of the flesh. Instead he intends to create something new in place of the old. He isn’t
willing to patch up the fraying threads of our self-constructed lives; he means to give
us a new life instead. He isn’t interested in shoring up our short-sighted dreams; he
wants to grant us a glorious future beyond our imagining. God refuses to build on
our shaky foundations, as if what we’ve started is good enough, needing only a bit of
refreshing or remodeling. If we let him, he will tear down the shoddy workmanship
of our fallen characters and replace it with the masterpiece of Christ’s perfect nature.
Only such a comprehensive overhaul can meet our desperate situation. So, “God is
no patcher.”
I find it hard to accept this truth at times, because I’m partial to patches. Indeed,
when Cindy and I were dating many years ago, she nicknamed me “Patches”
because my two favorite pairs of jeans were barely held together by numerous
colorful patches sewn on over the years by compassionate friends. I like to believe
that the life I’ve constructed by my own efforts is worth saving by adding a few
patches when necessary. But God’s declaration is that my best efforts, even when
aided by patches, will not finally hold together in the face of God’s final judgment.
What is needed is a new kind of life, not the extension or makeover of my old life.
God will not build on an old foundation because the old will ultimately crumble.
Instead he offers us through his Son the gift of a new nature, and promises
that he will build on that foundation an ever-expanding life able to embrace the
eternal joys of heaven.
So I put my pride on the altar of sacrifice, and ask God not for a patch here or
there so as to save my precious life the way it is, but for the end of my way of
doing things and the gift of a new creation instead. As the apostle Paul once
said, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away;
behold the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17).
Indeed “God is no patcher.” He is instead the author of our new creation, and
his work far-out distances anything we might create on our own. To him be
the glory!
Yours warmly in Christ,
Mateen
counselor and after learning the background,
I recommend a fast track plan for the parents
to explore. Sometimes Plan “A” doesn’t
work so we have to go on to Plan “B” or “C”.
Parents Helping Parents also sponsors a
support group so parents have opportunities
to meet with others in similar situations. At
times, I meet personally with parents but
often my only contact with a troubled parent
is through an anonymous call.
Would you speak to why parents choose
to remain anonymous when seeking
help?
Pat: Parents Helping Parents is a confidential
ministry….that goes without saying. However,
I find it sad that many are concerned that
their church not find out their problem.
Addiction is an illness, not a social disease.
I have never been in contact with a single
addicted person who got there by personal
choice. Shame often keeps help away and
we separate ourselves from Christ when we
try to keep things secret. Of course, I honor
the request for confidentiality but I wish our
churches offered a greater sense of trust for
families in trouble.
As we continue to explore ways FPCE
members are providing care for others, I
recently interviewed Pat Nichols; founder
of the Edmond chapter of “Parents Helping
Parents” He and his wife Vickie became
involved in this ministry in 1999. Vickie is a
“background” disciple who assumes a heavier
role in their travel business so Pat can devote
much of his time to helping others. Pat is
quick to say he couldn’t do what he does
without Vickie’s support. He says Vickie is
his partner in life and in Christ.
Martha Turner
Congregational Care
How did you get involved in this
ministry?
Pat: I was on a personal search for God’s
plan for my life although after taking the
Gifts Class, I continued to be conflicted.
Finally, I visited with the Gift’s facilitator who
suggested I prayerfully wait until I “felt God’s
pleasure.” Today, I know this is exactly where
God wants me to be. I know first hand the
pain that addiction can cause because I
am a recovering alcoholic and our son was
addicted while he was in high school.
How many families in Edmond have
Parents Helping Parents impacted?
Pat:
Over 1300 families---about 80% of
them from Edmond. The children who were
dependent have ranged in age from 14-42.
What help do you provide?
Pat: I work with the family who finds
themselves on a difficult and lonely journey--often after they have been visited by
the police. I am a resource person, not a
What can the Church do to help?
Pat: First and foremost, the congregation
must develop a non-judgmental posture
toward families in crisis. I can’t emphasize
enough that children slip into dependency
through a series of small harmless looking
choices. There is no shame in a bad choice….
only shame in pretending things are all right
when they are not. I suspect there is not a
single family in our church that has not been
impacted in some way by drugs or alcohol-- by a family member, relative, friend, or coworker. . We are all sinners….all of us! There
is also a tremendous need for volunteers to
help with this growing problem.
How do you see God in this ministry?
Pat: God’s power and grace have kept me
in recovery for the past 9 years and I am
thankful every day for His mercy. Addiction
is the enemy among us and is a growing
problem everywhere. God doesn’t want his
children to live in dependency. My job is to
go where God leads me in helping families
separate their children from harm.
What advice would you have for parents?
Pat:
Of course, all teens who experiment
don’t become addicted but all addictions begin
with a single beer or a first drug experience.
It is common for parents and teens to underestimate the problem and over estimate their
ability to handle it without outside help. If
you suspect a problem, the sooner you seek
outside help the better. Don’t wait and hope
the “problem” will go away It won’t!
What signs should parents watch for with
their children?
Pat: Patterns of changing behavior, different
friends, dropping grades, change in social
activities, dishonesty, and smoking. These
are the proven early warning signs of possible
substance abuse.
What would be your advice for teens?
Pat: You have a choice. Make that choice
not to drink or do drugs. It’s pretty much that
simple. And, if you are already in trouble,
get help. Start with your parent(s), or if this
isn’t possible, speak with your pastor, school
counselor, or someone you trust. Addiction
leads to loss of life, divorce, sexually
transmitted diseases and loss of jobs. Don’t
wait until the problem extends itself into other
areas of your life.
We’ve all heard stories about how
expensive it is to seek treatment. Is this
true?
Pat: Some programs are expensive but
others are surprisingly reasonable. There is
a program in Enid that costs $2,000 to enroll
and $300 a month. There is a Teen Challenge
program that is an inpatient international
Christian treatment program for both teens
and adults. Lack of money isn’t an excuse
for parents to talk themselves out of seeking
help. It will end up costing either way….
wrecked cars, adult children still living at
home, or grandparents raising grandchildren.
Addiction carries a price whether through
treatment or consequences of abuse.
What about alcohol/drugs at college?
Pat: This is a critical time in the life of a teen
because often there are no established
boundaries. Society encourages drinking at
all levels and being away at college provides
lots of opportunities.
For example, binge
drinking is very dangerous and often shows
up on a campus. I recommend parents talk
to their collage age children, ask for a written
contract and then watch them carefully—just
as they did when they lived at home. One
problem is that many parents remember their
own college experience and believe drinking
is a part of the college scene. Today’s teens
face considerably more opportunities for
becoming dependent on drugs/alcohol than
did their parents.
How can you be reached?
Pat: Parents can call me at (405) 642-8198 or
[email protected]. Also, the Edmond
Chapter of Parents Helping Parents meets
the first and third Tuesday of every month
at the Oklahoma Blood Institute building
located on the SW corner of the Broadway
Extension. The entrance doors face north
toward 33rd street. The meeting starts at
6:30 P.M. and anyone is welcome.
Our
mailing address is: Parents Helping Parents
at 3416 S. Boulevard, Edmond, OK 73003.
Report on Coalition
Gathering X
Held in Houston
August 14-16, 2007
The meeting was held at Grace
Presbyterian Church in Houston. It started out
very HOT on Tuesday, but ended up cooler,
with over 5 inches of rain on Wednesday and
Thursday.
Tuesday the focus was primarily on
worship. Mary Naegeli, Co-moderator of the
Coalition welcomed us and led us in opening
worship.
Terry Schlossberg, Executive
Director of the Coalition then laid the
foundation for this Gathering, reporting on
the Coalition’s work throughout the past yearfulfilling mandates they received at last year’s
Gathering in Atlanta. In speaking specifically
about the desire by some for the major
renewal organizations to merge, a desire that
prompted conversations between PFR and
the Coalition in the early months of this year,
Terry said, “Organizations exist for specific
callings. Each has distinctives that contribute
to the whole.” This, along with many other
comments and gestures of welcome, helped
create a spirit of togetherness among the
numerous Renewal Network organizations
who were present. Terry then outlined the
proposal the Coalition has created this past
year, “Let Us Rise Up and Build: A Plan for
Reformation in the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.).” This plan was based on a study
of Ezra and Nehemiah, and was the focus of
work throughout the next 36 hours. (A copy of
the summary page of the plan is attached.)
Mark Patterson, a pastor from Ventura,
CA, was up next, giving a wonderfully
clear and challenging presentation entitled
“Theological Integrity--Spiritual Vitality.” One
of the most compelling points he made was
that no one renewal organization is going
to be able to change the denomination,
and if people are waiting for that, they are
waiting pointlessly. We need to be working
together--the believers rising up and taking
responsibility for renewal and reformation
each in our own area. His call was for us to
come back to Jesus, and for God to give us a
compelling passion for His Son.
Jerry Andrews, Co-moderator along with
Mary Naegeli, then gave a “State of the
Church” presentation, also working in the
Coalition plan. There was much positive
information for evangelicals in Jerry’s report.
Evening worship was very carefully
designed following Calvin’s order for
repentance. Just as we did at 1st Pres.
of Edmond, after studying the scripture
regarding renewal and recommitment,
the Coalition plan began with a time for
confession and repentance. Jerry Andrews
preached and Joshua Lee, Moderator of the
National Korean Caucus, gave a compelling
challenge to seek the power of the Holy Spirit
through sincere prayer, convicting us that
we do not properly approach our holy and
powerful God. A time of prayer followed.
Wednesday and Thursday both began
with Bible study led by Mark Brewer, pastor
of Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los
Angeles. Mark continued the Gathering’s
focus on Nehemiah, offering a fresh and
powerful witness from his context of ministry
in the heart of the LA entertainment industry-clearly claiming who he was as a believing
Christian while at the same time offering the
welcome of Christ and the Good News to a
culture suspicious about biblical claims and
teaching.
Mary Naegeli followed with a plenary
session entitled “Recovering Our Knowledge
of Scripture.” She began by affirming that
in order for God’s people to live confidently
amid days of renewal and the rebuilding of
the church, we must be able to answer two
key questions: “What is Jesus saying to us?”
and “How do we know it is really Jesus?”
The answer to both comes in our deepening
knowledge of and personal interaction with
Scripture. Mary called us back to Scripture opening the Bible together; reading Scripture
and getting it into the hands of our people;
to centering all of our worship around
the proclamation of God’s Word; to read
Scripture “transformationally”...slowing down
and allowing the Holy Spirit to interpret for us;
and to encourage a joyful acceptance of the
authority of Scripture in our lives and in the
life of our congregations.
Workshops were the focus of most of the
rest of the day, 19 in all, spread across three
different sessions.
For some, the highlight of the day came
in the evening presentation by Rev. Tom
Taylor, (a proclaimed evangelical) the newly
appointed Deputy Executive Director for
Mission of the GAC. His appointment, along
with other evangelical appointments, is one
of the really positive developments in the
denomination. Tom walked us through the
restructuring of the GAC staff leadership,
affirming the spiritual gifts these directors
bring to their positions, including the most
recent appointment of Hunter Farrell (another
self identified evangelical,) in leadership of
world missions. Tom continued, suggesting
that all this restructuring logically leads to
the question, “What is next?” Tom’s vision
is to help the denomination “...move from
attrition to attraction.” In order to do this, he
has identified four goals or “lenses” through
which he is challenging the GAC staff to see
their work:
1. Evangelism and witness based on the
Great Commission
2. Justice and compassion based on biblical
mandate
3. Leadership and vocation in the spirit of
Ephesians 4
4. Spirituality and discipleship shaped by
loving God and loving neighbors
Tom is determined to help the
denomination once again become united
in Christ-focused vision, to do everything
that can be done to re-establish trust with
congregations, to communicate God’s
faithfulness in a compelling way, and to share
the Good News of Jesus Christ with the next
generation(s). We have our work cut out for
us if we intend to be witnesses to the Good
News without the baggage of perceptions and
denominational history. Tom’s presentation
was heart-felt, honest, and compelling. We
should be in daily prayer for him and for
others in the leadership of the GAC structure
who are truly committed to Jesus Christ and
the proclamation of the transforming gospel
of Grace.
The day concluded with participants
gathering together in groups of similar
Presbyteries to discuss how they might work
toward implementation of the portions of the
plan specifically related to Presbyteries.
After Bible study Thursday morning, the
Coalition Gathering concluded with feedback
from the group sessions the previous evening,
an “open-mike” time for sharing, a time for
participants to reflect on which portions of the
plan they will personally commit to trying to
implement, and a final worship service.
Report prepared by Jim Cahalan
LET US RISE UP AND BUILD:
A PLAN FOR REFORMATION IN
THE PC(USA)
The Plan in Summary
The overarching goal of this plan for the
reformation of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
is the same as it has always been in the history
of the Church, that we as a body will exercise
what John Calvin said is the Christian’s first
and lifelong calling: repentance. We pray that
our repentance will produce fruit that will be
the reformation of the Church, Christ’s visible
body, and that we together will become more
faithful, certainly not perfect, disciples of the
Church’s Savior, fulfilling the “Great Ends of
the Church” and displaying its marks.
The need for reformation is deep, widespread,
and urgent. Thus, we long for a pervasive
reformation that affects every level and every
aspect of the church. We recognize how
central and essential our congregational life
is to the worship of God and to carrying out
his gospel mission in the whole world.
continued on next page...
And we recognize that congregational life is
supported by the relationships we have as
a body that necessarily extend to fartherreaching covenant communities, which in
our polity are presbyteries and General
Assembly.
We emphasize our own need for reform
and our own identity with the deep distress
of our whole denomination. We seek to
rebuild our own part of the ruined walls of this
church. Our goals reflect our commitment to
speak first to ourselves and then to the larger
church, so that what is rebuilt is of one piece
and we are part of it.
The working goals of this plan recognize
the serious spiritual, theological and moral
decline that constitutes the ruin of our body.
They are offered as means to strengthen the
church’s covenant life and mission by:
1. Returning to the Scripture. Rediscover a
right understanding of God’s Word under
the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
2. Developing elders competent in order to
provide spiritual leadership and pastoral
care for the congregation.
3. Preparing elders to lead our congregations
and the larger church into the fullness of
life that God intends, manifested in direct
mission and evangelism efforts and in
participation in the governance of the
church at every level.
4. Examining ministers of the Word and
Sacrament and those in the preparation
For three days I had the privilege to attend
and participate in the Presbyterian Global
Fellowship Conference recently held August
16 through 18 in Houston, Texas with Kristin
and Jim Cahalan.
Many of you are wondering, “What is
Presbyterian Global Fellowship and why do
they have a conference?” PGF is a missional
movement within the PCUSA that is a network
of relationships, ideas, and best practices
for equipping persons and congregations to
fulfill our calling as the “sent” and “missional”
witness to Jesus Christ. This was the second
annual conference since the birth of the
movement 16 months ago in the spring
of 2006. The purpose of the conference
was to bring leaders, pastors, elders, and
church members together for a time of
encouragement through the mutual sharing of
resources, needs, and opportunities. We did
this by sharing stories of how God is working
from the inside-out in the local church.
The conference was held at George R. Brown
Convention Center. They converted Hall B3
process according to the constitution.
5. Strengthen the church’s covenant life
by building up one another and forming
covenant communities for mutual
accountability and support among
presbyters.
6. Building up our pastors’ preparation for
and practice of the ministry of Jesus
Christ.
7. Streamlining synods by reducing their
functions to only administrative and judicial
commissions. Move other responsibilities
into presbyteries, providing for missional
relationships among and between
presbyteries.
8. Establishing a closer relationship between
presbyteries and the General Assembly
in regard to responsibility and authority
for policy-making.
9. Electing - to any office at the General
Assembly level - those who conform in
faith and manner of life with the theology
and polity requirements of the constitution,
as promised in their vows.
10. Identifying and supporting a candidate
for Stated Clerk at the 2008 General
Assembly.
11. Preserving a polity that is faithful in
belief and practice to Scripture and the
confessions of the church, and best
represents reformed life in community.
12. Undertaking a study of the doctrine of the
Church (ecclesiology) from a particularly
reformed perspective.
O Lord God of heaven, the great and
awesome God who keeps covenant and
steadfast love with those who love him and
keep his commandments, let your ear be
attentive and your eyes open, to hear the
prayer of your servant that I now pray before
you day and night for the people of Israel your
servants, confessing the sins of the people
of Israel, which we have sinned against you.
Even I and my father’s house have sinned.
We have acted very corruptly against you
and have not kept the commandments, the
statutes, and the rules that you commanded
your servant Moses. Remember the word
that you commanded your servant Moses,
saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you
among the peoples, but if you return to me
and keep my commandments and do them,
though your dispersed be under the farthest
skies, I will gather them from there and bring
them to the place that I have chosen, to make
my name dwell there. They are your servants
and your people, whom you have redeemed
by your great power and by your strong hand.
O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer
of your servant, and to the prayer of your
servants who delight to fear your name, and
give success to your servant….
(Nehemiah 1: 5-11)
into the main gathering space for worship
with projection screens, lights, and a stage.
During the three day event we were on a
non-stop schedule that included six main
sessions with 12 speakers along with three
different workshop times covering more than
29 different topics. There was plenty to hear,
see, and do. It was definitely an experience
like no other.
Proclamation. Just as God stepped out of
heaven in the person of Jesus Christ we also
must put ourselves in a place where we walk
beside others and point them to God as we
serve them.
The conference opened and closed with
keynote speaker Michael Frost, the founding
director of the Center for Evangelism and
Global Mission at Morling Theological
College in Sydney, Australia, and author of
six books, including Exiles. He brought a
fresh prospective on the word “missional”
and what it means to “live missionally in
a post-Christian culture.” He opened the
conference by giving us a definition for the
word “Missional” with three phrases: Mission
of God, Participation with God, Bearing the
Image of God. Michael talked about how
we are sent by God to participate in what
God is doing in the world around us. During
the closing worship service he challenged
us by saying, “We can’t delegate Mission.”
Michael encouraged us to remember that
being missional involves four characteristics
he summed up with these “P” words:
Proximity, Presence, Powerlessness, and
Sandwiched in the middle of the conference
were speakers including Dr. Dave Peterson,
Senior Pastor of Memorial Drive Presbyterian
Church of Houston, and John Ortberg,
Teaching Pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian
Church. They all touched upon the issues
facing the world around us, along with those
in our own backyards, and how the church
is called to respond. They all challenged us
to leave the security of the familiar ways in
which we “do” church and mission. The yall
called us to risk everything for the sake of
the kingdom of God. Ultimately, we were
encouraged to change our thinking about
what it means to be “The Church”, and what
it means to be the face of Jesus in the world
today. It is the call to respond to the radical
claims of the Gospel: to die to self and serve
the least of these.
David Leard
Associate Pastor
Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the Apostle’s
teaching and to the fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer
We experienced a full run of the Gathering
last year, getting together to share food and
fellowship, prayer, and study, and I think we
are developing a rhythm now. We have been
blessed by Jean Carroll taking over the meal
supervision and the great team(s) of folks
who have so faithfully helped prepare, serve,
and clean up.
As we get ready for the next phase
we need to remember the importance of
community as a major motivation to our
gathering. The Holy Spirit calls the church
into being as a people. And the church itself
is indeed the provisional demonstration of
the Kingdom of God. In a culture that is
increasingly individual, personal and private
we are called to demonstrate fellowship.
Let us imitate the New Testament church as
we gather for teaching, fellowship, breaking
bread, and prayer.
In order to make the meal more
accessible to everyone we are reducing the
suggested cost of the meal to $5.00, with
children 8 and under free, and a maximum
of $20 per family. Please join us.
We will continue to offer B.L.A.S.T. for kids
ages preschool through 5th grade which will
offer the development of musical production.
CAOS for middle school will continue, and
there will be a variety of classes for adults.
Revolution for high school students is moving
back to Wednesday evenings at 7:45. Adult
classes will be a blend of “core curriculum”
subjects and topical classes. Check out the
classes being offered and register now.
Sometimes we approach these things
with the attitude, “What will I get out of it?”
We challenge each of you to consider it from
the perspective of “What gifts have I been
given for the building up of this body? Who
may be blessed by my presence? How can I
truly participate in the life of this congregation
in this way?” Stay tuned for details and we’ll
plan to see you there.
THE GATHERING
BEGINS
SEPTEMBER 5th
Dinner
5:15 pm – 6:15 pm
For dinner reservaations please contact
Melissa Tisdell at 341-3602 x225, fill out a
pew card or make reservation online.
Chancel Bells
6:15 pm – 7:15 pm
Adult Classes
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
CAOS
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
BLAST
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
(5 week teaching/subject rotations)
J.A.M.
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Sanctuary Choir
7:15 pm – 8:45 pm
Revolution
7:45 pm – 9:00 pm
(Facilitator may adjust time
to accommodate lessons)
Scheduled Meals
for September
September 5
September 12
September 19
September 26
Taco Salad
Hot Ham & Cheese
Sandwiches
Chicken Caesar Salad
Hamburgers
Room 2115 / Facilitators: Rev. Leo Wideman & TBA
Women’s Sunday Morning Bible Study Philippians and Colossians
Daniel
Room 2127 / Facilitator: Emily Blaess
Room 2101 / Facilitator: Tim Hast
Becomers
S.M.A.R.T. Moms “Bad Girls of the Bible”
Room 1238 / Facilitator: Clyde Stevens & Rachel Boggess
Room 2111 / Facilitator: Cora Boyd
The Covenant
Pathfinders - One Year Through the Bible
Room 2124 / Facilitators: Scott & Lori Briggs, Jason & Traci
Eliot, Robert & Amy Reid and Mike & Julie Schneider
Bible 101: Old Testament
Room 2126 / Rev. Dale and Barbara DePue
John
Room 2106 / Facilitator: Don Boyd
Crossroads - The Gospels and Psalm 119
Room 2109 / Facilitator - Richard Crum
Fellowship - God Created a People (September
through November)
Room 2108 / Facilitators: Julie Cox & Gene Wilson
Building Faith / Building Family
Room 2114 / Facilitators: Alvin Myers
The Newlywed Game
Room 2123 / Facilitators: Brian & Laura Reeves
* Core Curriculum offerings are those subjects that everyone should experience at
some time as part of an intentional process of discipleship formation. These subjects
will be identified as Core Curriculum and offered on a recurring basis, both on Sunday
Mornings and Wednesday evenings.
When you see this symbol,
Curriculum class.
you will know you are participating in a Core
Hey kids, would you like to try something
new? At least, new at First Presbyterian
Church Edmond! This would be an
opportunity for kids in grades third through
sixth on Wednesday nights 6:15-6:45 pm to
play African instruments while sitting around
together in a circle. We will learn about
the instruments Shekere (beaded gourd),
Gankogui (bell-like instrument), Djeme
(drum), Djun Djuns (bass drum of the African
drum ensemble) and alto xylophone. There
is tremendous variety in the percussion
instruments of various cultures within the
African continent. Within a given country,
several different cultures may exist. We are
choosing to work primarily with the Mandederived instruments in our ensemble.
I first experienced playing in a drumming
circle a couple of years ago and I have been
wanting to share that with children or adults
at the church ever since. Last January, a
workshop was offered through Choristers
Guild by Kevin Holland in Dallas, Texas on
Remedy for a
Prune Face
‘Drumming in the Church’. I attended that
workshop and thought what a great way
to connect with our brothers and sisters in
Africa and other countries by singing spiritual
songs in their language. You may have heard
the children who participated in the “Made
for Praise” Fine Arts Camp sing and play a
couple of African songs in worship in August
led by Missy Attebery. It was fun and inspiring
to see the children enjoy this offering to the
Lord. This is a great way to build community
within the group as well.
Think about it and sign up on the web page.
The group is limited to 15. Who knows,
perhaps we will be going on the next mission
trip to Africa.
Amandla ku Morena
(Power to the Lord,
He loves his people)
Anita Plummer
“Do you want to stay young?
Then join a church choir. Those
who sing stay younger looking. A
singer’s cheek muscles are so well
developed by exercise that her/his
face will not wrinkle nearly as soon
as that of a non-singer.”
So, there you have it. Sing with the
choir to keep that young look which
everyone else spends lots of $$$ to
get!
Revised Ministry of Music Schedule
2007-2008
* by audition
For more information, please contact Jim VanHemert at 341-3602 ext 281 or [email protected]
Group
Age
Day
Time
Begins
Director
TBA
Wed
TBA
Sept 5
Anita
Plummer
Chancel Bells
Adults
Wed
6:15 - 7:15 PM
Started
Terry
Attebery
JuBELLation
7th - 12th
Grade
Sun
5:40 - 6:45 PM
Sept 9
Jim
VanHemert
Kids Bells/Chimes
3rd - 6th
Grade
Sun
4:30 - 5:30 PM
Sept 9
Anita
Plummer
True North
Adults
Thur
7:00 - 9:00 PM
N/A
Ben Meek
Sanctuary Choir
Adults
Wed
7:15 - 8:45 PM
Started
Jim
VanHemert
Contemporary
Choir
Adults
Sun
5:40 - 6:45 PM
Sept 9
Terry
Attebery
Youth Singers
9th - 12th
Grade
Sun
4:30 - 5:30 PM
Sept 9
Terry
Attebery
Youth Singers
7th - 8th
Grade
Sun
4:30 - 5:30 PM
Sept 9
Terry
Attebery
Blast Music
*
*
*
Attention Students,
Parents and
Congregation!
New this
fall!
Student
Singers
Beginning
September 9th
4:30 PM
Grades 9 -12
Grades 7 – 8
(By Audition)
Terry Attebery
Director
Jim VanHemert
Accompanist
To sign-up, go to
www.fpcedmond.org
and follow the links
or e-mail
Jim VanHemert
at
[email protected].
Like many of you, I find great enjoyment from watching a really good movie and once I
latch on to one, I tend to watch it many times before moving on to a new one. My most recent
favorite is “The Guardian” with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kruther.
This movie has it all - action, romance, success, failure, and great struggles both
emotional and physical. It is the story of a highly decorated rescue swimmer with the Coast
Guard and a talented young swimmer working to become a member of that elite group. So
as to not reveal any more of the movie’s secrets, I want to skip to the ending. The lines that
caught my attention are “What makes a legend? Is it what someone did when they were
alive or how they are remembered after they’re gone?”
The idea of what makes a legend is an intriguing one and we can look through the pages
of history and find the names of many who have been found worthy to wear the mantle of
“legend”. Just recently, many of us sat mesmerized watching a man who is on the fast track
to becoming a legend win a prestigious golf tournament right here in Oklahoma. Baseball
can’t decide if one of their most prolific hitters deserves that title. Presidents, particularly as
they end their time in office, wonder what their legacy will be.
For believers, our legendary figure would certainly be our Savior, Jesus Christ. But what
men or women would follow Him? I’m confident that many of us would have people like Paul,
Martin Luther, Billy Graham or Mother Teresa on our lists because of their tireless spiritual
and humanitarian service. Though very different, they offered their lives as a living sacrifice,
wholly acceptable unto God.
Are all legends famous, accomplished, or rich? Are true legends recognized during their
lifetime or after their demise? Is it enough to be a legend in the eyes of a child or co-worker
or neighbor without notoriety or fanfare? Do all legends share the world stage or can they
be found living and working next to us? If you ask the world, the responses would surely be
varied. What if you were given the chance to pose that question to God Himself? Perhaps
He would respond by telling us to act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with Him. (Micah 6:8).
To summarize, be unfalteringly faithful to our calling as a believer and follower of Christ.
Two of my favorite songs offer some insight as to how we can quietly become a spiritual
legend to someone if not to many people.
“Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light,
Like a little candle burning in the night.
In this world of darkness, so let us shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine.”
“Jesus bids us shine first of all for Him,
For He sees and knows it if our light grows dim.
He looks down from heaven to see us shine,
“Jesus bids us shine for the world around,
Many kinds of darkness may be found.
Hunger, need and sorrow, so we must shine,
Words by Susan Warner
© Public Domain
“O may all who come behind us find us faithful,
May the first of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave lead them
to believe,
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.
Oh, may all who come behind us find us
faithful.”
Words and Music by JON MOHR© 1987 BIRDWING MUSIC
(admin. By EMI CHRISTIAN MUSIC PUBLISHING
c/o: MUSIC SERVICES) / JONATHAN MARK MUSIC.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION.
For heaven’s sake!
Jim VanHemert
Minister of Music
KIDS’ SUNDAY OFFERINGS
KIDS’ WEDNESDAY OFFERINGS
Sunday School for Children in 1st - 4th Grade!
BLAST! - Believe, Live, Apply, Share, and Tell!
Workshop Rotational Sunday School
Wednesday Nights from 6:30 – 7:30 / for 1st – 5th Grade
Students
GRAPPLE – New Sunday School for 5th Grade
Students!
Preschool Wednesday Nights
6:30-7:30 / JAM (Jesus and Me!)
Nursery Sunday School - God Loves Me
3 year olds - Room 1115 / Pre-K and Kindergarten - Room 1112
Infant Room 1124 / Toddler Room 1121 / 2 year olds Room 1123
3-year-old – Kindergarten Sunday School Heartshapers
3-year-old Sunday School / Room 1119 and Room 1115 / (Check
classroom for class list)
4-year-old Sunday School / Room 1104
Kindergarten Sunday School / Room 1112 and 1113 / (Check classroom
for class list)
* Childcare is available during both Worship Services
M
y Sunday School memories reach
way back to the late 1950’s and
early 1960’s to an era of women
wearing hats and white gloves to church
every Sunday, the men wore ties and coats,
and everybody ate roast and potatoes for
lunch after church, usually with company
gathered around the table. My congregation
was a growing fellowship of young families
who resided in the Brookside area of Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Most of the families had one car,
one TV, one phone, and attending church was
the highlight of our whole week. My Daddy
was the worship leader, so that meant I would
often sit on the front pew while he was up
leading the congregation in all the well-loved
hymns that we could sing by heart.
Sunday School was the only time we were
separated into age groups because there
was no nursery or children’s church during
worship. Just a “cry room” for the tiny babies
and their mothers, and a cloak room for those
of us who needed an occasional disciplinary
“talk” that might result in a swat if the offense
warranted extreme measures. While some
people might have had unpleasant memories
of these experiences, mine were tempered
with the knowledge that I was loved, and my
boundaries were secure.
There were many people who helped
shape a sense of “belonging”, and in those
days every Mom was a part of each other’s
support system in raising their children.
Every Mom, and a few Dads, taught Sunday
School at one time or another, but a few of
them were so gifted (and called) that they
taught all the time and we children had them
several times over the course of our growing
up years. Such was my favorite teacher
“Miss Marcheta”. Her name was Mrs. Ray
Felts to the world, but I always called her,
along with all my teachers, by their first name
with the title “Miss”. Her family history and
mine were intermingled in that her parents
and my grandparents were close friends and
had gone to church together for many years.
She grew up with my Mother and her sister,
(my Aunt Gretchen), who eventually became
her roommate in college. They were in each
other’s weddings, babysat each other’s kids,
and as we would say today, “did life together”
on a daily basis.
Miss Marcheta was a Biblical Scholar,
although she would deny that, and it was
clear that she had a love for the Word
beyond simply reading or memorizing it.
She loved the power of the words of Jesus
to move us to actions of service, repentance,
and obedience. She longed to show us the
reality of God’s love for us and His nature as
revealed through the relationships of men
and women He nurtured and guided in the
scriptures. One lesson I recall as the clearest
was a study of the travels of the Apostle
Paul. She took us on the journey from Paul’s
participation at the stoning of Stephen, all the
way to his final push to share the gospel with
his Roman captors and the Jews at large.
She had a big map on the wall that showed
each path he followed over land and sea, and
every lesson helped us see the human side
of a man who was used of God to bring Christ
to the world. I think she understood that
teachers hold the key to making the Bible
come alive for eager little souls who need
to know that God is real, and that He uses
everyday people to do extraordinary things.
My faith was shaped by the passion of a
teacher who loved the Lord, and loved me
enough to invest herself in my life. Sunday
School teachers are the foundation of faith
builders for future generations.
Gretchen Crane
Sensitize
by Elise Port
Darkness
It’s de-sensitizing
Darkness
It’s what you think you want
Darkness
Tries to make you feel better
Darkness
It’s all a lie
Revolution: SEPT Calendar
Sept. 2
Fall Sunday School / 9:45am – 10:45am
Sept. 5 Revolution / 7:45pm – 9:00pm
Sept. 6
Sr. Lunch @ Bill’s
Sept. 9
Youth Choir / 4:30pm- 5:30pm
Bells / 5:40pm- 6:40pm
Sept. 12
Revolution / 7:45pm – 9:00pm
Sept. 13
Sept. 16
Sept. 19
Sept. 20
Sept. 23
Sept. 26
SEE YOU AT THE POLE (at school)
GARAGE SALE
Saturday, November 3
3 Ways to get involved in this FUNdraiser:
DONATIONS: We are looking for items
such as: children’s toys, furniture, dishes,
sports equipment, books, and electronics.
Please call Christy at 341-3602 ext. #255
to arrange a time to drop off your items or
if you need us to come and pick up an item
at your house.
PICK UP: We need people to assist us with
picking up donations. If you have a truck
or a trailer or would like to lend us your
muscles we could use the hand.
SET UP: We need people to assist in
sorting of donated items and pricing them.
We will be setting up the week of October
28 through November 2.
All of the proceeds from this year’s garage
sale will go to support our Mission projects
like Soul Food and the Back 2 Back Mission
Trip.
One day you wake up
One day you find out
One day you realize
That it’s not what you want
You’re not feeling better
You’re de-sensitized, you want to hide
Because it’s a lie; but you can’t
Then one day the light shines through
One day you discover you
One day the truth is revealed
And now you’re alive
Sensitized
Darkness
Tries to steal you back
Darkness
Tries to focus on you
Darkness
Tries to scare you
Darkness
Tries to hide the truth
But it won’t work
You’re being fought for
It won’t work
You are revived
It won’t work
You don’t belong lost
It won’t work
You’re sensitized
Because, now you know;
You now have hope
You now have life
You now have love
Sept. 27
Sept. 30
Invite a Teacher to Church
Because on that day the light shone through
That day you discovered you
That day the truth was revealed
You’re now alive
You were revived
You were
Sensitized
CELEBRATION
AN AMAZING WEEKEND FOR HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS WORSHIP,
FELLOWSHIP, FUN, FOOD!
YOU WILL LOVE IT!
OCTOBER 19-21 AT CANYON CAMP
COST $95
Senior Lunch at Bill’s
Every Thursdays: 1st & 2nd lunch hours
2513 Tredington Way in Chimney Hills
Corner of Tredington Way & Chimney Hill
Road
See You At The Pole
Wednesday, Sept 26
7:15 AM @ school
STAFF AND PARTICIPANT
APPLICATIONS
AVAILABLE IN THE PALMER ROOM
What happened to the Red Room? The Red Room got a new paint job this summer. What is the new
color? Blue. WHY? Many of you are wondering about the Red
Room and what’s up with it being painted blue. For one, the room
needed a new paint job. The red paint job was showing its’ age.
Two, we wanted to brighten the room up so it wasn’t so dark. But,
there is the other reason . . . We wanted to be REDefined.
We want you to start thinking outside of the box. You see, life isn’t
always what it seems to be. Is there any reason why we can’t
call a blue room “the Red Room?” Not really! We know it is not
what people are expecting. When they hear the color red they
are thinking it must be a room that is painted red, not blue. We
are sure it will make you stop and think and wonder why and talk
about it. To be honest, we really wanted to get your attention on
this one. Although the Red Room is now blue, we’re going to keep
calling it the Red Room. Why? Because we believe this is a year of
REDefining who we are . . . who we are in Christ, what we believe
about Christ and lastly, REDefining how we live for Christ. Don’t
miss out on what God is doing. Come and Get REDefined! See you
in the Red Room.
CAOS: SEPT Calendar
Sept. 2
Sept. 5 CAOS / 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Sept. 9
Sept.12
CAOS / 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Sept. 16
Sept. 19
CAOS / 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Camp CAOS Registration DUE
Sept. 20
Late Fee $25 Applies to
Camp CAOS Retreat
Sept. 23
Sept. 26
SEE YOU AT THE POLE (at school)
CAOS 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Sept. 30
Invite a Teacher to Church
September Class Schedule
Nancy Norton Fund: You can
make the difference in the life of a
teenager today with your donation.
Nancy Norton was an active church member
and was an adult leader for the youth at the
time of her death in June of 1993. Nancy
loved her Lord, her family, her friends and her
horses. She was an encourager. Because
of her love for her church and teenagers, the
Nancy Norton Fund was established in her
honor. Students are able to “earn” $5.00
per hour they serve others through a variety
of opportunities. The money they earn is
applied toward up to half the cost of all the
trips and events our Student Ministries offers
during the year. We currently have over 80
students participating in the Nancy Norton
Fund. It really starts to add up at $5.00 per
hour. If all of these students attended one
of the Fall Retreats that would amount to
over $3,600 – not to mention the Ski Trip or
Mission Trip or Summer Camp. The good
news is students are using the Nancy Norton
Fund. The great news is you can make a
difference with your donation to the fund. If
you would like to make a donation to help
replenish the fund you may send it directly to
the church finance office or with your weekly
offering. Simply put in the memo line of your
check – “Nancy Norton Fund”. Thank you for
encouraging our students, honoring Nancy,
and celebrating what God is doing in our
lives.
Sun. 2 - Creation page 5
Read Genesis 1 -3
Sun. 9 - Noah and Abram page 6
Read Genesis 6-16
Sun. 16 - Ropes Course Retreat
Bring a sack lunch / Wear your Class T-Shirt
Sun. 23 - Abraham and Moses page 8
Read Genesis 17, Exodus 1-12
Sun. 30 - Ten Commandments – Part 1 page 9
Read Exodus 19-23
If you have questions or need
more information please call Class
Coordinator Laura Ganz at 715-0922 or
email her at [email protected]
Financial Peace Univ., 5:30 pm
The Gathering Dinner, 5:15 pm
Mothers Prayer Group, 5:30 pm
African Drumming, 6:15 pm
Chancel Bells, 6:15 pm
Adult Classes, 6:30 pm
CAOS, 6:30 pm
BLAST, 6:30 pm
JAM, 6:30 pm
Sanctuary Choir, 7:15 pm
Revolution, 7:45 pm
Parents Praying, 8 pm
Cursillo - Camp Canyon
Congregational Care, 9:30 am
Troop 78 Scoutmasters, 6 pm
Civil Air Patrol, 6:30 pm
9/1
AA Meeting, 8 am
9/2
Stephen Ministry Sunday
Supervision Group, 8:30 am
Traditional Worship, 8:30 am
Sunday School, 9:45 am
Contemporary Worship, 10:55 am
Cursillo Renewal Group, 6 pm
9/3
OFFICES ARE CLOSED!
9/13
9/4
Troop 78, 6 pm
Cub Scouts “Bears”, 6:30 pm
Cub Scouts “Wolves”, 6:30 pm
Denom. Relations, 7 pm
Joint Meeting of Mission &
Evangelism Comm., 6:30 pm
Stephen Min. Tuesday
Supervision Group, 7 pm
9/14
9/15
Friday Morning Men’s Group, 6:30
MOPS, 9:30 am
Men’s Conference, 11:45 am
9/16
9/17
Kids Bells/Chimes, 4:30 pm
Youth Singers (9th-12th), 4:30 pm
JuBELLation, 5:40 pm
Contemporary Choir, 5:40 pm
9/5
Wed. AM Bible Study, 6:30 am
CAOS, 6:30 pm
BLAST, 6:30 pm
JAM, 6:30 pm
Revolution, 7:45 pm
9/6
Stephen Minister Leaders
Meeting, 5:30 pm
Care-Giver Support Grp., 6:15 pm
9/7
Friday Morning, Men’s Group, 6:30
9/8
9/9
AA Meeting, 8 am
9/10
SMS Band Rehearsal, 4 pm
Troop 78, 6 pm
Kids Min. Comm., 6:30 pm
Cub Scout “Tigers”, 6:30 pm
Worship Comm., 7 pm
Adult Disc. Comm., 7 pm
Journey Kick-Off, 9:45 am
Team Uganda Presentation, 7 pm
9/11
Oklahoma County Elections
Character Council
of Edmond, 11 am
Tuesday Morning Men’s Gr. , 1 pm Troop 78, 6 pm
Cub Scout “Bears”, 6:30 pm
Missional Church Listening Group, 6:30 pm
9/12
Character Council
of Edmond, 11 am
Men’s Conference, 8 am
AA Meeting, 8 am
F&P Comm. Mtg., 5:30 pm
Troop 78, 6 pm
Cub Scout Tigers, 6:30 pm
Board of Deacons., 7 pm
9/18
Tuesday Morning Men’s Gr. , 1 pm
Troop 78, 6 pm
Cub Scouts “Bears”, 6:30 pm
Cub Scouts “Wolves”, 6:30 pm
Stephen Min. Tuesday Supervision Group, 7 pm
9/19
CAOS, 6:30 pm
BLAST, 6:30 pm
JAM, 6:30 pm
Revolution, 7:45 pm
9/20
Care-Giver Support Grp., 6:15 pm
Missional Church Listening Group, 6:30 pm
9/21
Friday Morning Men’s Group, 6:30 am
9/22
AA Meeting, 8 am
9/23
UNION, 9:45 am
9/24
9/25
Tuesday Morning Men’s Gr. , 1 pm
Troop 78, 6 pm
Cub Scout “Bears”, 6:30 pm
9/26
CAOS, 6:30 pm
BLAST, 6:30 pm
JAM, 6:30 pm
Revolution, 7:45 pm
9/27
9/28
Friday Morning Men’s Group, 6:30 am
MOPS, 9:30 am
Troop 78, 6 pm
Cub Scout “Tigers”, 6:30 pm
Session Meeting, 7 pm
9/29
AA Meeting, 8 am
Daughters of the American
Revolution, 9 am
9/30
PLUG-IN SUNDAY
Plug-In
Sunday
Many think we come to church
and we get service. The reality
is that we are the church, and we
come to worship and to serve
the Living God! God is calling
you to “plug-in” to what He is
doing. On Sunday, September
30 the Great Hall will be filled
with various ministries of the
church. Learn where the Lord
Jesus is calling you to serve
Him .
What better way is there to celebrate someone’s birthday than by praying for
them? Please use this list not only as a birthday reminder but a resource to
pray for every individual of the church body throughout the year!
10/01
Taylor Belote
M.l. Hill
Carly Jump
Lisa Murray
Betty Lou Patterson
Katie Roberts
John Wayant
10/02
Jay Dawes
Bennie Dutcher
Joshua Eliot
Bill Martin
Jeff Stone
10/09
Don Hildebrand
Jim Hughes
David Hull
Chelsea Mitchell
Micah Sielert
Robbie Slawson
Carol Stearns
Lance Torcom
10/03
Trent Braden
Keri Sue Carter
Kenny Frazier
Jacob McCarley
Richard Nix
10/04
Maddeline Lisle
Joetta Myers
Berkley Petersen
Kristi Roberts
Tanna Smith
Rex Thomas
Matty Tripp
10/05
Dee Dee Brander
Mark Hanneman
Hannah Hartzog
Sherri McClain
Stephen Sturges
Brett Szymanski
10/06
Olivia Edwards
Steve Gray
Ty Gunter
Carol Harrison
David Hooper
Rene Jacocks
Rebecca McCalmont
Brooke Reed
Charlie Ruff
Zona Scholl
Graham Turner
Ruth Ann Wright
10/07
Stephanie Coldiron
Terry Johnson
Easton Mitchell
Susanne Nix
10/08
Michael Indelicato
Patrick Palmer
10/10
Kelsey Brockert
Nancy Coffer
Gabrielle Dawes
Nicole Knox
Tricia Seem
10/11
Linda Rash
Caitlin Shogren
Chelsea Shogren
Laura Vansickle
Cindy Winters
10/12
Gratia Bowen
Matt Brown
Joseph Carothers
Scarlett Gooch
Dustin Keele
Mackenzie Kreplin
Amy Livingston
Brett Murphy
Andrea Tyler
10/13
Emily Hopkins
Susanne Jones
Austin McLean
10/14
John Bryant
Cody Hellstern
Mollie Hemric
Terry Johnston
Debbie Peterson
10/15
Collin Berry
Jeffrey Spelman
Gene Wilson
Matt Swanson
10/16
Anne Carter
Dave Hager
Marilyn Morton
10/17
Alison Filley
John Jennings
Alexander Lau
Keith Montgomery
Kathie Price
10/18
Jasmine Banister
Corbin Lothes
10/28
Linda Childress
Seth Fuller
Ian McCasland
Veta Roberts
Gene Stephenson
Deborah Thomas
10/23
Matt Bown
Matthew Jones
Benjamin Reid
10/19
Nancy Barrett
Allison Craig
Caroline Craig
Charlotte Greaves
Jim Konrad
Sidney Longley
Don Schiesz
10/29
Morgan Anderson
Kelly Jackson
Christopher Knott-Craig
Haley Swenson
Vicky Windsor
10/24
Grayson Brown
Bill Clune
Tami Hearst
Jenni Hoffman
Wyatt Landrith
Maggie Martin
John Meyers
Beth Rees
Chris Schuyler
10/20
Decker Lardner
Rachael Mason
Tanna Reed
Kristen Sigl
Ryan Simm
Kristine Wall
Chloe Workman
10/30
Elaine Abernathy
Shawn Driver
Dennis Hughes
Dave Peeler
Carol Redditt
Mike Sharp
Shara Snyder
Leslie Tucker
Paige Warner
Brad Windsor
10/25
Aubrey Bailey
Mack Cogburn
Melinda Norton
10/21
Suzanne Chew
Steve Costello
Mark Deimund
Graham Hill
Karen Martin
Mike Moore
Bill Moran
Lance Robnett
Jackie Rowland
Connie Shanhouse
10/31
Rachel Baer
Susan Belote
Reese Potts
Cindy Schaus
Brenda Workman
10/26
Amanda Brown
Ted Drab
Paul Pustmueller
10/27
Veida Blick
Sid Brown
Liz Cannon
Cynde Clark
Warren Filley
August Attendance Numbers
8:30
Service
10:55
Service
Total
Sunday School
August 5
271
692
963
281
August 19
176
733
909
288
August 12
August 26
252
323
494
708
Friends and Members, we have started changing locks here at the church. By the time you
receive this message, all the exterior locks will have been changed. A small percentage of the
interior locks will also have been changed. If you need a key, or keys, please fill out a key request
form which may be found in the main entry of the church or in the main office. I hope the transition
to a more secure building goes smoothly, and I thank you all for your continued patience.
Chris Brown
Facilities Manager
Laura Holbrook
Kim Lange
Lou Ann Moore
Derek Reid
Bryan Spencer
Jennifer Welborn
10/22
Laura Baer
Kelsey Corken
Darlene Dooner
David Ezell
Laura Ganz
John Harrod
Daniel McGarry
Nikki Nilsen
Charles Redditt
Denise Ross
Lauren Spelman
746
1031
205
703
Financial Report
Year-to-Date receipts and expenses
compared to budget as of July 31,
2007
Where We Should Be
Receipts Budgeted
$ 1,347,792
Expenses Budgeted
$ 1,347,500
Receipts less Expenses $
292
Where We Are
Receipts Actual
$ 1,202,829
Expenses Actual
$ 1,309,410
Receipts less Expenses $ - 106,581
Actual minus Budget
Receipts/Income
Expenses
Income less Expenses
$ -144,963
$ -38,090
$ -106,603
The Finance and Property Committee
members listed below thank you for
your continuing financial generosity
that permits FPCE to work in so many
areas toward the accomplishment of
our mission. Feel free to contact us
should you have questions about this
report.
Gordon Andersen
Gary Moore
Dave Timberlake
Tim Hopkins
David Story
Rick Vermillion
The Friday Morning
9:30 AM Class,
“Walking through the Word”
resumes Sept 7 in Room
2114. The study will be led
by Jim Pennington.
IT’S COOKIE
BAKING TIME AGAIN!
We need 3,000 dozen cookies for the Kairos
weekend this Fall. In Hebrews 13:3, we
are told “Don’t forget about those in prison.
Suffer with them as though you were there
yourself.” Kairos is a prison ministry designed
to establish strong Christian communities
among the residents and staff of correctional
institutions. We do this by holding three-day
spiritual experiences for selected residents
where we provide an opportunity for religious
renewal. Each person in the institution (not
just those on the weekend) is given one
dozen cookies each day of the retreat. We
had enough last Spring to hand out both days
– we need to do it again!
With all these cookies coming in, they have to
be sacked in white bags, a dozen each. This
There are now two kinds of Spam in the
world. The Spam I loved as a kid, and the
spam I hate as an adult.
The sardine-like key (back before the
pop-top lids)...the sound it made coming out
of the can...the salty-soft texture of “spiced
ham” from Hormel. Like baby food...except it
tasted good. What’s not to love?
Two things happened to Spam that made
me fall out of love with it. (1) I grew up and
started reading the nutrition label; and (2)
we gave away the name “Spam” to describe
junk email. Getting spam from anonymous
sources is inconvenient; spam from friends
is unfortunate; but what do you do with spam
from God?
I recently tried to establish a morning prayer
routine that begins before anyone is awake in my home.
Probably not a good idea for a night-owl like myself, but I gave it a go. I prayed to God I
would wake up in the morning and spend some time with Him. I set my alarm for 5:00 a.m.
but I found the snooze bar was so easy to push (9 times) I stopped setting the alarm. The
second day, birds outside my window were making noise at 5:00 a.m. The third day the dog
woke me up at 5:00. I thought, “that’s odd,” and let him out before going back to bed. The
fourth day the weather radio went off at 5:00 with a tornado watch. The fifth day a thunderclap woke me up with a fright...at 5:00 a.m. “I’m starting to get it, now,” I thought. Day six,
fully expecting to be awakened by some sign from God, I actually woke up on my own at
exactly 5:00 a.m. I forced myself back to sleep out of disbelief. Finally, on day seven, my
phone started to buzz at 5:00 a.m. I got up to turn it off, and realized I had received a spam
email greeting card. “I can’t believe God spammed me,” I whispered. I guess talking helps
me to wake up, because after that whisper I was ready to go. I thanked the Lord of Heaven
for sending me an alarm clock, some birds, a dog, a tornado warning, thunder, body rhythms,
and a spam email...just to wake me up.
Our quiet time happens later in the morning now, but it’s nice to know that even when
we’re casual about prayer, God isn’t. He doesn’t mess around. If you pray it, God hears it,
and if He wants it, you get it! Only God could get me to love spam again, because now when
I get it (or see it on the shelf), it gets me talking.
Leo Wideman
Associate Pastor for Evangelism and Mission
is done at the churh near the prison where
the team stays for the weekend. The leader of
the weekend this Fall has aksed me to be in
charge of getting this done - HELP! We seem
to have trouble getting help to sack these
cookies on Thursday afternoon and Friday
morning or early afternoon of the weekend.
If you are able and feel you would like to help
with this ministry in tis way, please plan to
have some of that time free on Thursday, Oct
18 and Friday, Oct 19. Give me a call and I
will give you all the details.
The Women’s Kairos Prison Ministry for this
Fall is October 18 - 21. Each team member is
asked to provide 100 dozen cookies. I need
your cookies by 3:30 PM Wednesday,
October 17. Please call me and tell me
when you will be leaving cookies in the
Church Office so I wil pick them up.
There are specific types of cookies that
you can donate; these include Oatmeal,
Chocolate Chip, and Peanut Butter. Do not
add any fruit or nuts to the cookies and do not
sprinkle sugar on top. Place cookies in even
dozens in boxes. Label each box with type of
cookie and how many dozen. Put wax paper
between each layer.
Love you all and God bless you for giving
your time to this important ministry.
Julie Cox, Kairos volunteer
359-8882 e-mail: [email protected]
Whiz Kids Tutors Needed
Dearest Family of God,
Now that both our children’s weddings
are done, we must thank ALL of you for being
so supportive and warm during this exciting
time in our lives. Your gifts of presence and
presents, plus your well wishes have gone
beyond generous. We will rely upon you for
your continued prayers and support as they
embark on this incredible love lesson from
God.
A special thank-you to our hardworking
custodial staff (who had to stay late on our
account), the secretaries (especially Melissa
who did more than she should have), Joel
Rayburn, our amazing sound crew (Landon
and Tom), Jim VanHemert, the marriage
committee, Jean Carroll and her gracious
assistant, Ann Hawkins (who both did
an amazing job with Laura’s reception)
and Denise Bergner, our faithful wedding
coordinator who keeps many a bride and
mother from totally decompensating. But
ABOVE ALL we thank our Triune God for
the opportunity to glorify Him in obedient
ministry with you. May He increase as we
decrease.
Your fellow servants,
John and Leslie Gruel
EMERGENCY
If you have an EMERGENCY, but
the church office is closed, call
341-3602 (church line) and follow
the prompts to the designated
extension. Your message will be
automatically forwarded to the cell
phone of the pastor or pastor’s
representative on call.
Please
reserve the use of this extension
for pastoral care needs that require
immediate attention.
You can help break the cycle of illiteracy
and poverty for a child this year. Join
our church’s partnership with Wildewood
Christian
Church
and
Eisenhower
Elementary on Oklahoma City’s north side
helping at-risk kids become good readers
and learn biblical principals for living.
Signups are open for caring adults from teen
agers through golden agers. Training and
orientation will be at Wildewood Thursday,
September 13. We’ll meet in our church’s
south parking lot at 5:30 pm and take the
church van. This is a great opportunity for
couples or parents and their teens to work
together on a vital mission effort right here
at home. For more information call Ken
Rees – 210-0828 or John Denneny – 2050086. We’ll see you September 13.
FALL
At A Glance
The Gathering
Begins September 23
If you are interested in joining the
membership of FPCE please register
for the upcoming New Members Class.
This 5-week course is an opportunity
to explore the basics of Christianity, the
Presbyterian tradition, and the mission
and purpose of the Church. Lunch and
childcare will be provided. Register
online, or by calling Melissa at the
church office: 341-3602, ext. 225.
for the October issue of
PRES is
September 18, 5:00 p.m.
The easiest way to get
something in the PRES?
Email articles to
[email protected]
(you will receive a confirmation
e-mail of your submissions). Use
Joel Rayburn’s box in the church
office to drop off photos of your
past events.
Members
in the Military
Wednesday, September 5
2 Lt. Andrew T. Wilson,
Taegu, Republic of Korea
BLAST
Lt. Colonel Lance Rodgers,
Djibouti, Africa
Wednesday, September 5
Men’s Conference
September 14 - 15
Cursillo
Major Jonathan Whitney,
Washington, D.C.
USMC Corporal Jason Gay,
Kunia, Hawaii
September 27 - 30
Captain Laura Lester,
Phoenix, Arizona
Plug-In Sunday
Opportunity Sunday
T Sgt. William Nordstrom,
Iraq
Sunday, September 30
Camp CAOS
October 12 - 13
Membership Pictures
USMC Captain Jameson McGee,
Monterey, California
Greg Schulke, USAF,
Ft. Irwin, California
October 14 and 21
USAF Staff Sgt. Tibor S. Beczo,
returned to Georgia from Qatar
Celebration
USMC Private First Class
Andrew Pearson, Iraq
October 19 - 21
New Members Class
DEADLINE
Garage Sale
November 3
Green House Union (student)
4th Sunday of the month
Together Forever Conference
December 7 - 9
One Incredible Moment
December 14 -16
Marriage Retreat
January 18 - 21
Jonathan Wall, US Coast Guard
in New Orleans, Louisiana
Kevin Tushka,
US Army, Iraq
Sgt. Samual Mooneyham,
Army National Guard, Iraq
Lt. Col. Greg Roberts,
Chief NATO AWACS Modernization
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers
Mons, Belgium
Cadet 4th Class Jeffrey Roberts
US Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Untitled

Transcription

Similar documents

Week03

Weekly Worship Guide August 21, 2016

Sheyann Webb, Memories of Selma

Come see what we`re up to on Sunday mornings! FLOWER CHART

Sunday Paper $1

Spanish Ministry - Emmanuel Pentecostal Church

A word from the Pastor… - First Baptist Church of Toccoa >> First

the cornerstone - communitycovenant.com. On

April 26, 2016 - Second Baptist

What if Wilma Rudolph? - Perry First Christian Church