June 27, 2013 - presbyterian fremont
Transcription
June 27, 2013 - presbyterian fremont
The Bell June 27, 2013 CHICAGO 2013 MISSION TEAM Top row: Peyton Cobb, Derrick Sheppard, Jon Heldt, Ross Brown, Rowen Mitchell, Walker Hulett, Colin Alderson Middle row: Joy Jensen, Taylor Poehling, Erik Watson, Hannah Cobb, Dana Dillon, Mikaela Ashley, Madeline Kindler, Ciera Hartung, Ryan Pennington, Steve Cobb Bottom row: Jay Beltrand, Chase Jensen, Hanna Dillon, Catherine Schlapfer Not pictured: Kelsey Martinez, Jon Ashley “Nothing in all creation will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” - Rom 8:39 Twenty high school students and three adults left for inner city Chicago on Sunday, June 2, looking forward to a week of serving and loving people in the name of Jesus. We never could have predicted, nor would we have wished, for our week to unfold as it did. After our first full day of ministry in partnership with the New Life Community Church in the largely Hispanic Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, we learned of the tragic car accident that took the life of three teens, including Trey Hansen, son of Todd and Shannon Hansen, and brother to Ty and Hope Hansen. I flew home that day and the rest of the group drove home the following day ~ and Fremont became our mission field. Our students and staff participated in memorial services for Jackson Blick, Tyler Walling, and Trey Hansen, and prayed with and for Jake Burnside’s family for his recovery. We continue to walk with our youth, the Hansen family, our congregation, and our community in God’s unending love, grace, peace and comfort. As I recall, our morning devotional for Monday, June 3, was titled “Be Loved”, and referenced Romans 8:26-39, which says in part, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words… And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them… I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life…neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In the days following the accident, our Chicago 2013 Mission Team and our church family demonstrated the love of God in action. May we continue to live out our vision to Love God, Love People, and Change Lives. BACK-TO-SCHOOL BACKPACKS A Love-Your-Neighbor Project The Walmart Foundation has made a generous donation of $500 to purchase new backpacks for children participating in the Summer Lunch Program. Now we need your help in filling them with school supplies. Donations of new supplies from the following list may be dropped off in the box in Fellowship Hall marked "Backto-School Supplies". Monetary donations to help purchase remaining needed backpacks and supplies are also welcome. (Please make checks payable to “The Presbyterian Church”--Memo: "Backpacks"). #2 pencils - no mechanical or decorated 12-count colored pencils 8-count Original washable classic colors markers 10-count classic colors markers (no skinny markers) 24 count crayons - standard size red, blue, and black pens (no click pens) black, permanent/Sharpie markers - medium tip and broad tip yellow highlighters dry erase markers - large size - black dry eraser hand-held pencil sharpener pink eraser - large size pencil top erasers or hand-held zipper pocket for pens, pencils, etc. pencil box/school box - 5x8 size and 6x9x2 size glue sticks small bottle of Elmer’s glue scissors - metal - rounded tip 12 inch ruler with metric markings (not flexible) spiral notebooks, single subject - regular ruled and wide ruled package of loose-leaf notebook paper - regular-ruled and wide-ruled 3 ring binders - 1” and 1 ½ “ (NO Trapper Keepers) plain colored pocket folders - with and without fasteners package of ruled index cards page protectors for portfolios box of zip lock baggies - any size facial tissue - large (200-count) box antibacterial wipes - large package Backpacks will be stuffed with school supplies at 1:30 PM in Room 102 on two different days: Friday, July 12 (to be distributed July 15 & 16 for Washington/Grant students) Wednesday, August 7 (to be distributed August 8 and 9 for all other students) For more information or to help stuff backpacks with supplies, please contact Marcia Fouraker at 402-721-6338 or 402-719-8276. Together, we can help Fremont kids know they are loved! SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE 9:00 a.m. Modern Worship 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship CHRISTIAN EDUCATION HOUR Church School classes are available each Sunday for ALL ages. Come and join in! SUMMER CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall / Room 105 Kindergarten through 4th grade June 2 - August 18 PRESBYTERIAN SEARCHERS 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Pete Heintzelman Room 109 THE BIBLE IN 90 DAYS 10:00 a.m. Amy Pimper, Amy Haave, Curtis King Room 102 THE ELEVEN COMMANDMENTS 10:00 a.m. Bill Svoboda Room 104 SERMON BASED DISCUSSION GROUP 10:10 a.m. Group led Library A Nursery is provided for children through kindergarten age and younger during worship; and during the Family Christian Education Hour for children under three years old. SESSION HIGHLIGHTS - June 18 • Session prayed for elder Todd, Shannon, Ty and Hope Hansen, as well as for our church family and our community, as we grieve the deaths of Trey Hansen, Jackson Blick and Tyler Walling, and continue to pray for the recovery of Jake Burnside. 1,147 people attended a Celebration of Life service for Trey on June 8 at First Lutheran Church, with a lunch reception following at The Presbyterian Church. Session commended our pastors, staff and many members who stepped up to provide a ministry of Christian comfort, care and hospitality in these difficult days. • Session acknowledged the many children, youth and family activities being offered this summer including assisting with the Pie and Ice Cream Social (June 25), presbyYOUTH Sports Camp in conjunction with the Summer Lunch Program (July 1-5), John C. Fremont Days HS Funnel Cakes Fundraiser (July 12-14), a MS/HS mission trip to Denver (July 17-21), and other special events. • The Mission Committee’s Urban Plunge slated for Saturday, August 17 in Omaha is actively seeking participants to enroll in this one-day inner-city mission trip in partnership with First Lutheran Church. Registration forms are available in the church office. Session Highlights CONTINUED • Membership & Fellowship Committee has a volunteer opportunity to serve as the Coffee Hour Coordinator. Please contact the church office to help. • New A/C units have been installed in the “Peak” and in Rooms 105/106. SUMMER OFFICE HOURS From Monday, June 3 through Friday, August 2 there will be a receptionist on duty from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. FROM THE BUILDING & PROPERTY COMMITTEE As most of you probably know, effective January 1, 2013 we contracted with Brandon Osness to provide our custodial services. That contract will expire June 30, 2013. We have communicated with Brandon that we will not be extending or renewing the contract but, will be looking into meeting those needs another way. We would like to thank Brandon for his services the past six months and wish him well in finding new employment that will fit well with his being a full time dad to his young daughter. At this time we don't have anything definite in place for custodial services to replace Brandon but, are actively working and praying on it. We welcome your prayers, thoughts and physical help and cooperation as Building & Property Committee, Personnel Committee and existing staff seek to find the best solution to this issue for our church family. Obviously there will need to be changes, probably both temporary and long term, to how we do some things. ! One of those things is building security and who will be responsible for making sure all doors are locked and the alarm is on, etc. Effective July 1, any individual or group using the building outside of our normal week day and Sunday hours, will need to check out a key from Cheryl Ferguson and be responsible for making sure the building is secure. ! Secondly, there will probably be more of a need for each of us, who are able, to do what we can in helping to set-up for regular and special events at the church. If you are interested in helping set-up from time to time, we will have a sign-up list at the back of the Fellowship Hall or you can contact the church office with your name and contact information. We have a wonderful large church campus with which the Lord has blessed us to minister to our church family and our community. I hope you will all pray for our B&P Committee and Personnel Committees as well as our regular staff and Session as we seek God's will on how to best meet the custodial needs of our church. As good stewards, I hope each of us will also pray how we might be of service during this transition. FROM THE INTERPRETATION & STEWARDSHIP (I&S) COMMITTEE Summer has arrived! What come hand in hand with Summer? . . . VACATIONS. The I&S Committee would like to remind you to plan your giving for when you are gone on vacation. As we become busy with summer activities and vacations, don’t forget to send your gifts to the church, so the church can remain strong and fulfill our mission of passionately pursuing the calling of Christ to Love God, Love People, Change Lives. AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE Our church is in need of a Coffee Hour Coordinator to arrange to have people serve coffee after the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service. It does not take that much time and you can do it from home. Step out of your comfort zone and step up by helping us out with this opportunity to serve our church. Please call the church office or Carolyn Nelson (402-721-8924) if you can help us out. MAN TRIP 2013 Fishing. Canoeing. Hiking. WORD. Brotherhood. And don't forget the manly essentials of wings, steaks, brats, and more. Plans are underway for the second Annual Men's Retreat at the Bracker Ranch near Valentine, NE, in late July/early August. Call Bryan Maschmeier for details (402-720-4884). LEARN TO PLAY UKULELE A summer ukulele group began meeting on Wednesday, June 5, starting at 6:30 p.m. in Room 102. Beginners are absolutely welcome and all ages are encouraged to join us. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. If you are an experienced uke player, please come and help the beginners. A small number of loaner ukuleles will be available. Let us know if you have a ukulele to loan to the group. THIS ACTIVITY IS OFFERED AT NO CHARGE FOR FREE SUMMER FUN. Questions - contact Amy Haave (402-720-1131 / [email protected]). CHECK OUT THE "BOOK NOOK” Please check out the "Book Nook" bookcases just outside Pastor Jon's office. Envelopes are provided to use in making your payment. Just fill out the information on the envelope, insert your money, and place the envelope in the offering plate during worship or take it to the church office. NOTE: New - Ty Schenzel’s book A Thousand Screaming Mules - the cost is $20. MARINERS Tuesday, July 9 TIME TO PUSH PRESBYS TO PLUNGE! Urban Plunge time is getting near. Saturday August 17 is our adult mission experience: a day in Omaha learning how we can become stronger and more productive in our mission efforts in Fremont. We'll tour the Hope Center and attend a meeting at the North Omaha Good News Bears Club. We'll also do some service work there. Then we will meet with representatives from Eagles Nest Church and learn about how they impact the youth in their neighborhoods including their work with Wakonda Elementary School. We are teaming with First Lutheran Church and will be able to join their attendees in their van. Your expenses are covered for this learning opportunity. All that is needed from you is your willingness to give a day to help us design mission efforts in Fremont that will benefit our community. The First Lutherans already have nine people committed to this day trip August 17. Are we going to let them out-number us! NO!! So contact any Missions Committee member or pick up an application from the table at the back of Fellowship Hall. Return the form to the church office or to Norma Gier, Missions Committee Moderator. Don't miss this exciting adult missions experience. Missions Committee members: Avis Andrews, Norma Gier, Diane King, Curtis King, Marlene McClean, John Ramsay, Lois Svoboda, Odetta Wacker, Tim Wacker. 6:00 p.m. Presbyterian Mariners met on Tuesday, June 11 with 35 members present. Hosts were Jerry & Pat Malcolm, Jeanette Muhle, Carolyn Nelson and Shirley Small. Bob Mehaffey from North Bend was a guest. Following dinner, birthdays and anniversaries were observed led by Carolyn Nelson. Virginia Schroeder gave devotions on "Blessings". Dr. Earl Underwood presented an interesting overview of the cancer, Chordoma. This cancer is extremely rare. Out of ten million people, eight are diagnosed in a year. Unlike other cancers, the cause of this cancer is known to be formed from a left over cell of the notochord which is found in the embryo. After a 13 hour surgery with 19 doctors and a 28 day stay in the hospital, we are blessed to have Earl with us still fulfilling God's plan in his life. During the business meeting, minutes were read and approved. Joyce Westphal reported a total of $917.65 in the treasury. The program for July will be given by Staff Sergeant Luis Velazques from the United States Army Reserves. Hosts for the July meeting will be Kyler & Carolyn Nelson, Jay & Phyllis Foster, Joyce Westphal and Betty Lou Jelinek. SUMMER CAMP AT CALVIN CREST Plan to make camp a part of your summer. Information can be downloaded from the Calvin Crest website www.calvincrest.org - and brochures are available from the church office. The church office also has a copy of the registration form, or you may print one up from the website. (*) Summer Camp is a great way to provide your child the opportunity to mature socially, emotionally, intellectually, morally and physically. And attending a session at Calvin Crest offers the additional benefit of focusing on the spiritual aspect of your child's life. We have the added benefit of being so close to Calvin Crest!! TO REGISTER FOR CAMP: 1) FILL OUT THE REGISTRATION FORM. (*) 2) MAIL OR BRING THE FORM TO THE CHURCH OFFICE. THIS MUST BE DONE IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE A CAMPERSHIP! (For up to 100% of the registration fee.) WE WILL FORWARD THE SIGNED FORM TO CALVIN CREST. For information about the Policy for Awarding Camperships, please call the Church Office. DUTCH AUNTS & UNCLES NEEDED Once again this year, the Membership & Fellowship Committee of the Session is sponsoring the Dutch Aunt & Uncle program, which provides scholarship aid for Third and first-time-camping Fourth Graders to go to a Middler Camp at Calvin Crest. The cost for this event is $315. If you would like to anonymously sponsor a Third or Fourth Grader’s camp experience this summer, please make out a check in the amount of $315. (or less, for a partial scholarship) to The Presbyterian Church, please write Dutch Aunt / Uncle on the memo line. This money will be used to encourage our Third and Fourth Grader’s participation in camp. You may mail your contribution to the Church Office - or place it in the offering plate - clearly marked as a Dutch Aunt / Uncle Scholarship. GENERAL CAMP FUND ANY FUNDS NOT NEEDED FOR THIS YEAR’S MIDDLER SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE PLACED INTO THE GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND, TO HELP PROVIDE OLDER CAMPERS WITH SCHOLARSHIPS. PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Next PW Gathering Thursday, September 5 1:15 p.m. Presbyterian Women met on Thursday, June 6, 2013 with Moderator Carolyn Nelson presiding. Prayers were given for members and those needing them. The Treasurer's Report was read. Mary Letterman gave reports to the BELL and Tribune. Betty Lou Jelinek sent 15 cards during May. Circle 1 had 21 ladies present and will be holding devotions on Wednesday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Nye Pointe. Circle 2 had seven ladies present at Carol Pirsch's home. They will be holding devotions on Thursday, July 25 at 2:00 p.m. at Nye Legacy. Circle 4 had five ladies present and will be holding devotions on Thursday, August 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Merrick Manor. Circle 4 is laundering towels from May - August. Mary Letterman is laundering them in May and June, Alma Totusek in July and Jeanette Muhle in August. Low Income Ministry needs these items during the summer: In June - 30 gallon garbage bags, tall kitchen bags and sandwich bags. In July - Kleenex, toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant, carpet cleaning products, counter and bathroom and glass cleaning products. In August - school supplies: back packs, erasers, glue sticks, rulers, zippered pencil cases, scissors, colored pencils and washable colored markers. We served coffee and rolls to Habitat for Humanity workers Saturday, June 8 and will be serving coffee and rolls on Saturday, July 13 and Tuesday, September 24. The Pie and Ice Cream Social is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 (five and under free). There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall to sign up to bring pies, flowers and to work. Mary Letterman will be selling tickets after both services every Sunday. Our church kitchen clean-up day is Thursday, August 15, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Please mark your calender and come to help. Carol Pirsch gave the Birthday Offering Dedication. Deadline for information going into the 2013 - 2014 Year Book is Monday, July 15 and they need to be turned into Carolyn. The PW Year will now run from September - May. There will be no PW meetings or circles in June, July or August. The next PW Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 5 at 11:00 a.m. and the PW Gathering at 1:15 p.m. We will NOT have a potluck lunch. Circle 2 will host. 2013 DIRECTORY CHANGES Please make the following changes in your 2013 Membership Directory: GREG & Chanel Krafka 3121 Buffalo Speedway #5407 Houston TX 77098 I so very much appreciated all of your thoughts, prayers and concerns for my brother Chuck during his illness and his passing. Thank You for all the cards and memorials that I received from so many of you. You are wonderful. Love and Hugs, Carolyn Nelson FUNERAL LUNCHEON VOLUNTEERS TILLARA Kruse PO Box 83 Pender NE 68047-0083 ERIN Wolsleben PO Box 112 Cedar Bluffs NE 68015-0112 2013 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORIES are available - in Fellowship Hall and on the Literature Rack in the Narthex! PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY IN THE SERVICE (Carolyn Nelson’s grandson) CW2 Ryan Gabrukiewicz C CO 1-501st Task Force Nighthawk FOB Shank APO AE 09364 (Kurt & Renee Peck’s son) Justin Peck Unit 3E (Seabees) APO AE 09354 Thank You! THANK YOU . . . ... to Joyce Westphal for donating two coffeepots, clothes, books and some plates and bowls! ... to Izitta Burgan for making laundry bags for our graduating seniors, and donating some of the supplies! Special thanks to Nye Legacy, Fremont Area Medical Center Hospice, Rev. Earl Underwood, Presbyterian Women, Moser’s Funeral Chapel, Family and Friends for the cards, phone calls and support during the recent death of our mother, Maxine Mayer. Your kindness and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. Jim & Pam Mayer & Family, Janet & Al Justianeo & Family, Bob & Jan Mayer & Family, Steve & Mary Mayer, Linda Foster & Family Thank you to the following people for their contributions of food, money or help for the Rasmussen, Martens and Hansen Funeral Luncheons: Izitta Burgan, Carolyn Nelson, Cynthia Glidewell, Kathy Murphy, Jeanette Muhle, Michal Hume, Diane King, Carrie Rehder, Jan Nosal, Mary Letterman, Peggy Iverson, Pat Malcom, Sharon Keep, Odetta Wacker, Pam Mayer, Jeanine Riggs, Marilyn Gordon, Carlene Bowen, Theresa Bruner, Mandy Lackey, Janice Yanke, Luanne Voss, Amy Burns, Renee Peck, Linda Kincanon, Tim Wacker, Tami Roschewski, Dixie Sorensen, Shelley Partridge, John Partridge, Maggie Peters, Vicki Ramsay, John Ramsay, Aileen Heintzelman, Alma Totusek, Lori Welbes, Marlene McClean, Bryan Maschmeier, Lisa Maschmeier, Renee Peck, Suzy Wess, Marilyn Wise, Jody Sheppard, Amy Pimper, Amy Haave, Kathy Lackey, Linda Williams, Nancy Hass, Patty Dillon, Kay Brown, Linda Schlapfer, Alberta Rowe, Carin Miller, Delores McLey, Suzy Kluthe, Raegen Yount, Rita Freeman, Lisa Manka, Amy Coughlin, Kim Mitchell, Maxine Bray, Virginia Schroeder, Joyce Westphal, the Senior Highs and all the wonderful men, women and youth that helped both Friday night and Saturday. While serving others, we serve the Lord. The Funeral Committee FROM WORSHIP COMMITTEE WORSHIP ASSISTANTS - 11:00 a.m. - July Sunday, July 7 (communion) - Lloyd Schulz Sunday, July 14 - Carolyn Nelson Sunday, July 21 - Izitta Burgan Sunday, July 28 - Marcia Fouraker COMMUNION SERVERS - July 7 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a..m. Carolyn Nelson Izitta Burgan John Ramsay Kathy Murphy Lori Welbes Carolyn Nelson Kyler Nelson Jan Nosal Dixie Sorensen Bill Svoboda Alma Totusek MEMORIAL GIFTS The Endowment & Special Gifts Committee wants to recognize those who make contributions to the various funds under our jurisdiction. We thank God for every gift given in memory of loved ones. Our listing of Endowment and Memorial gifts appears monthly in the newsletter. The following memorials have been received: IN MEMORY OF TREY HANSEN Bill & Joannie Bowers IN MEMORY OF CHUCK LAMBRECHT Larry & Mary Letterman Earl & Laura Underwood IN MEMORY OF MAXINE MAYER Janet Torrens Earl & Laura Underwood Pete & Aileen Heintzelman Marian Rohloff Bernadine Devoe Alberta Rowe Bill & Marcella Michaud Beverly Benham Larry & Mary Letterman Vic & Betty Wennstedt Verle & Carol Denning Wayne & Jeanine Riggs Roger & Diane Stricklett Nancy Hass Patricia Evans Patrick Gene Moore & Karin Kay Montague First Mortgage Co. Sedona Knapp Dee & Mark Nelson Barbara Boettner Don & Deb Andrews Jo Ann Bisizak Moser Staff Vern Gruenke Dale & Sylvia Krenzer Al & Jean Meenen Sandy & Rod Gruenke Ron & Lori Wehinkel Jo Lynn Roumph Mel & Nadine Haynes Shelli Kincanon Helen Jasa Donald & Marilyn McPherran Marianne Simmons Lloyd & Darlene Smith IN MEMORY OF ALBERTA MARTENS George & Sylvia Hermone Larry & Mary Letterman Marianne Simmons Alma Totusek Vic & Betty Wennstedt Larry & Judy Gitt Belinda Frederick Harry & Judith Kahnk Karyl Martens Kirk & Susan Martens James & Rochelle Mullen Carl & Sharon Strong Jann Harrington Vance Plumbing Ann Tekolste Janet Papenfuss IN MEMORY OF MAVIS RASMUSSEN Larry & Mary Letterman Lloyd & Darlene Smith IN MEMORY OF MAE VOSS Wayne & Jackie Petersen IN MEMORY OF WILMA MARES Wayne & Jackie Petersen IN MEMORY OF BOB EPP Larry & Mary Letterman Earl & Laura Underwood Bill & Jane Dugan Joe & Connie Swenseon Arthur & Ruth Albright Harold & Marian NottRichard & Maureen Bruenig Nye Square Dr F. T. & Carol Waring William Eaton Donald & Marilyn McPherran GIVE A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING The Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund is a way to do just that! Your gifts will make a difference for Christ’s sake even after you are in the nearer presence of the Master. If you’re interested in learning more, please call the Church Office (402-721-7904) ENDOWMENT & SPECIAL GIFTS COMMITTEE Our church Endowment Fund has been blessed many times with the consideration of families over the years. We could not pay for building repairs or improvements without special fund raising activities, if not for those funds in our Endowment and Memorial Accounts. Special projects and programs have been funded by those gifts not endowed, but left as undesignated memorials from families of lost loved ones. Our sound equipment, youth programs and the scholarship funding are examples of memorials the endowment fund uses. If you are considering the church in your estate, or wish to make a contribution to one of our special gifts accounts, please see me. I would be glad to sit down and explain the process. You can make a lasting impression for years to come by planning today. Paul Voss, Endowment & Special Gifts Committee Moderator The Presbyterian Church of Fremont, Nebraska Visit our website at www.presbyterianfremont.org Office Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday - Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunday Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modern - 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, Traditional - 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary (With communion of the first Sunday of each month) Jon Ashley, Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] - Ext 103 Cheryl Ferguson, Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] - Ext 102 Joy Jensen, Family Ministries Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] - Ext 105 Jen Ashley, Assistant Family Ministries Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] - Ext 104 Emily Peck, Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] - Ext 107 Nancy Hass, Kathy Allender, Peggy Iverson, Receptionists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] - Ext 101 Tracy Kindler, Music Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] - Ext 109 Karen Schneider / Diane Hokamp, Organists . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] / [email protected] Paul Valla, Modern Worship Director / Media Technology Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Earl F. Underwood, Parish Associate . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Our Vision is to passionately pursue the calling of Christ to: LOW INCOME MINISTRY During the month of July, Low Income Ministry is asking for kleenex, toilet tissue, shampoo, deodorant, cleaning products for carpet, counter and bathroom and glass cleaning products. During May 2013, financial assistance was distributed in the amount of $4,767.10 providing assistance for 126 households / 350 persons. To date financial assistance has been distributed in the amount of $17,953.86 to assist 491 households / 1,284 persons. During May 2013 Pantry Distributions were made to 480 households / 1,048 persons. To date Pantry Distributions have been made to 2,303 households / 4,862 persons. We have all been made aware of existing hunger needs. Low Income Ministry Pantry has seen an increase in visitors as well. At the present time we are in need of vegetable and chicken noodle soup, peanut butter, eight to twelve ounce boxes of cereal, stage 2 baby food and popcorn. Of course, all non-perishable food items are always welcome. Thank you for all your help! DISCOUNT FOOD BOXES SHARE IOWA & FREMONT SHARE This special program provides food boxes at wholesale cost to anyone who is interested. Food packages are available from SHARE Iowa and the sign up for the JULY package will be from Saturday, June 22 to Thursday, July 11. Pickup Day is Saturday, July 27, 2013. See the bulletin board in the hallway by Fellowship Hall for more information. NOTE: Fremont SHARE is NOW being distributed at The Presbyterian Church on Pickup Day - and sign ups can be done at The Presbyterian Church Office during the sign up time. For more information or to sign up please call Shirley Small (402-721-7719) or The Presbyterian Church (402-721-7904). Please call, we would love to tell you more about this money saving program! MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Be an early riser and attend the Men’s Bible Study and breakfast at Outpost Grille at 6:30 a.m. every Friday morning. FYI A breakfast buffet will be served on the third Sunday of each month from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. A continental breakfast is served on the other Sundays. PER CAPITA FOR 2013 IS $32.80 PER MEMBER Have you paid yours for this year? Per Capita helps support the regional, national, and global ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Thank you for your partnership in spreading the gospel. FROM WORSHIP COMMITTEE Worship Committee is always looking for USHERS, GREETERS and WORSHIP ASSISTANTS. If you would like to volunteer for any of these duties please contact either of the Worship Committee Elders: Dixie Sorensen (402-7214821) Tami Roschewski (402-721-0292). Thank you. LOST & FOUND We have a lot of stuff in our lost and found - please check out the portable cabinet in Room 101 (the room between Fellowship Hall and Room 102) - dishes, sunglasses, etc. In addition to the stuff there, we have a couple of coats that have been here for awhile (a Gallery, size medium, maroon with hood, inside zipper, outside snaps; a Liz Claiborne, size 10, black with zipper.) We also have a pair of glasses or two. Any items that remain at the end of August will be donated to Low Income Ministry. Walking with God: A Life Without Regret - Autobiography of Pastor Mark - Part 16 of 17 Preface: I met Pastor Mark, an 80 year old Lisu pastor, on a rainy day near the top of a steep mountain when I was in Yunnan province in southwestern China two years ago. With his erect posture and bright smile he impressed us with his youthfulness and cheerful spirit. The document you are about to read was spoken by him in his ethnic minority Lisu language to a writer, after which it was translated to Mandarin, the dominant Chinese language, which in turn was translated into English, and then mailed to me and others by David Bridgman, whom our church supports. We plan to excerpt Pastor Mark’s story each month this year in the BELL. By Lois Svoboda, Missions Committee Member Establishing the County Lianghui From 1988 to now I have been the prefectural PCC member. At every plenary session of the conference, I always play an active role in making reports on social conditions and public opinion. From 1989 to 2008, I have been the vice chairman of the Lushui County Committee of the CPPCC. I spoke for the churches on this platform; and the government gave me salary and benefits. From 1990 to 2000, I have doubled as the president of the Lushui Christian Council. At the beginning, the Lushui Lianghui did not have any office. I knew that aging delays for no man. The time during when I still would be able to work would soon run out. I should do my best to do things while I still have energy. I cannot fool around. So during my term as the president, I sent reports on the condition of the Lushui Lianghui and applications for aid to the Provincial Lianghui. With help from the Provincial Lianghui as advocate, we received prayers and help from brothers and sisters at home and abroad, making it possible for us to buy land in Denglongba and erect an office building on the land for the Lushui Lianghui, and also build a church that holds about 300 people. This put a final end to Lushui Lianghui having no office building and no room for church workers training. After finishing the building, we organized and conducted every year one or two training sessions for church workers and for training in women's ministry in Lushui Lianghui. Training has significantly advanced church work and ministry. In 2000, I stepped down from the position of chairman and president of the Lianghui at both prefectural level and county level and gave positive recommendations for young fellow workers to take up these posts. To my great relief during my lifetime, I have seen young fellow workers grow up and became competent successors, so they can carry forward the church work and make further development of the church possible. Ordained as Pastor Now I am called a "Pastor" by brothers and sisters, but "pastor" is just a title. When I was robust and young I was eligible to be ordained. It was shortly before my stepping down that I was finally ordained (May 3, 1998, in Kunming). On the other hand has special meaning to be called a "pastor" during my later years. It seems to recognize and sum-up my lifetime of work. I received an honorary title of "pastor" after a lifetime service. In 2000, I went back to Chenggan, my hometown, to enjoy my twilight years. [In 2010, Pastor Mark at 81 was still active, preaching and leading his village church in Zizhu, high above the Nujiang River near the Myanmar border.] In Retrospect - Things for Which I Am Grateful (2001 to 2010) Meeting the Premier I have been privileged to meet several top leaders of the Party and government. Among them, Premier Zhou Enlai was the most impressive. In 1956, he came to Kunming for the Sino-Burma border issue and he gave a report on the issue at a meeting in the Shengli Hall in Wuhua District, Kunming. The provincial government required us ethnic minorities' leaders and religious leaders from border areas to attend this meeting. At the beginning of the meeting it was arranged for us to meet with the Premier in a meeting room of the provincial government building. During that meeting Premier Zhou talked to us for about ten minutes on the issue of Sino-Burma border. After that the Premier went to the hall to give the audience a report and we also attended that meeting. The Shengli Hall was crowded to overflowing. The Premier gave a day-long report (four hours in the morning and four hours in the afternoon). His speech was so excellent that everyone was listening carefully and silently. He did not smoke. While giving report, he did not sit down, but stood all day long. From his report one can see that he was a dutiful and diligent premier. My Family In 1958 when I was arrested, I had a son and a daughter. My son was then one year old, and my daughter four years old. In 1978 when I was released from the prison, they had already grown up. Since my son was one year old only when I was arrested, he could not remember what I looked like. We had our first family reunion twenty years later. Looking back over the past years I was overcome with emotions and all sorts of feelings. Before I came back to my home town, my daughter had gotten married, but my son was not yet married. In 1984, my son was married and now he has two sons and one daughter. Three years after I returned to my home my wife died of disease. In 1984, I married Yue Shuma, a woman from the same village. In November 1996, she died of diabetes and a gastric disease. In 1997, I married Ku Sidi, a sister from Chihengdi village, Fugong County. She has been very nice to me though she was 28 years younger. She is a virtuous and kind woman. I know that God provided all these helpmates for me. As the Scripture says: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." I have experienced how God's words are always authentic and reliable. Church Family Joys and Concerns Please lift up the following joys and concerns in your prayers. JULY BIRTHDAYS (0-17 and 75+) Health Concerns (at home) Dawson Coughlin - July 1 Kyler Nelson - July 1 Alberta Rowe - July 1 Hope Perlinger - July 2 Madison Perkins - July 5 Paul Larson - July 6 Betty Means - July 6 Robert Moeller - July 6 Maxine Beatty - July 7 Capri Beaton - July 9 Tyler Show - July 9 LeRoy Nickolaison - July 10 Mikaela Ashley - July 11 Smith Carter - July 12 Grant Pleskac - July 13 Donald Adams - July 15 Brant Ferguson - July 15 Martin F. Koolen - July 15 Margaret Wade - July 16 Lena Clausen - July 17 Betty Hotovec - July 18 Tristan Paulson - July 18 Landon Joneson - July 19 Betty Price - July 19 Drew Pennington - July 20 Allysa Stoupa - July 20 Polly Kerbs - July 21 Colin Bute - July 27 Susan Cobb - July 27 Emmalee Sheppard - July 28 Edgar Hancock - July 29 Addison Yount - July 29 Richard Havens - July 30 Alma Totusek - July 30 Shelby Lineberry - July 31 Lou Feuerstein in Hospital or Care Centers Oren Paulson - NE Med Center Esther’s granddaughter Tera Vern Welch - Nye Legacy Virginia Dritley - Nye Courte Maxine Beatty - Nye Legacy Laurie Phares - Nye Legacy David Williams - Edgewood Vista Loss of Loved Ones Tracy & Bryan Kindler & Family (Tracy’s nephew) The Family of Trey Hansen The Family of Jackson Blick The Family of Tyler Walling The Family of Alberta Martens Carolyn & Kyler Nelson & Family (Carolyn’s brother) The Family of Mavis Rasmussen OUR WORSHIP ATTENDANCE June 2 June 9 June 16 June 23 - 174 160 190 147 The next BELL DEADLINE is Friday, July 19 for the BELL that will be mailed out on Thursday, July 25, 2013! May the love, peace and strength of Almighty God sustain the family and friends of Alberta Martens who died on May 31, 2013; and Trey Hansen, who died on June 4, 2013. Our Lord has said, "Because I live, you shall live also". KEEPING PLEDGES CURRENT May Income May Expense 29,431.57 36,431.09 < - $ 6,999.52 > Year to Date Income 172,799.05 Year to Date Expense 176,381.02 < $ 3,581.97 >. JULY ANNIVERSARIES (35+ years) Jay & Phyllis Foster - July 10 Earl & Laura Underwood - July 23 Robert & Janet Steenblock - July 27 Dan & Georgean Weddle - July 28 Birthdays - Age 0 to 17 and 75 and over, and Anniversaries - 35 and over are printed in the BELL. If you are under 18 or 75 years old or older, or have been married 35 years or more and have not seen this information in the BELL, please call the Church Office to make sure we have the correct information in the computer! Hospitalized? Please let the church know so that we are aware. Wherever you are admitted, register as a member of The Presbyterian Church, Fremont, Nebraska. For however long you are in the hospital -- even if it is only overnight or a couple of days -- let us know. We care about you! SCHEDULING and PUBLICITY A current calendar of scheduled events is available at www.presbyterianfremont.org. Please schedule and submit all publicity to the Church Office surrounding the following activities and meetings: ALL events within the building; ALL Church-related events outside the building. VISION STATEMENT The Vision of The Presbyterian Church of Fremont is to passionately pursue the calling of Christ to: Love God. Love People. Change Lives.