Newsletter - First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church 301 N. 7th St. Saint Joseph, Missouri, 64501
816-232-3358 [email protected] www.firstpres301.com
Holding forth the word of life
What is Stewardship anyway?
Most Church-goers hear the word “Stewardship”
and think only one thing, “okay, they are going
to ask me for money.” Well, yes, it eventually
gets to that, but that is not the real job of the
Stewardship Ministry Team. Let’s start at the
beginning, what does the word “stewardship”
mean? In our context the only definition that
makes sense is: “the careful and responsible
management of
something
entrusted to one’s
care.” (Webster’s
Dictionary) So,
how does the
Stewardship
Ministry Team
fulfill that
responsibility?
Let’s look into
that a little
deeper.
One of the responsibilities of the Stewardship
Ministry Team is to help all members of FPC
St. Joseph to understand our responsibility for
the care of our brothers and sisters. Isn’t that
one of the primary roles of our Church mission
activities? It is! One of the first responsibilities
we have as a Ministry Team is to interpret our
Church’s mission activities to the congregation.
Once each month
we hear about one
of the important
outreach activities
of FPC and the
vast majority of
those relate to
caring for people.
So our goal as a
ministry team is
to help you
understand our
Church’s mission
When we ask,
outreach is our
“what is the most
most important
important thing
stewardship
entrusted to you,”
function. That
what do you think of?
is not the only “something” entrusted to us as
Children? Family, Spouse? (Interesting, how
many of you thought “money”? Not too many we Christians, but it is the most important.
bet.) Family is probably the first thought of most
Next month we will talk about some of the other
of us. Who is “family” anyway? We have legal
important things over which we must care.
definitions which are carryforwards of ancient
definitions. What is God’s definition of family?
Step one in stewardship, take care
I think God knows we are all brothers and sisters
of God’s family.
(God’s children!). In Matthew 22:39, Jesus says:
“And the second (most important commandment)
As you pray this month, say an extra prayer
is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as
for those who need our help.
thyself.” That leads us to a simple conclusion.
October 2016
Dear friends,
This is a marvelous quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book Life Together:
“Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ.
No Christian community is more or less than this. Whether it be a brief, single
encounter or the daily fellowship of years, Christian community is only this.
We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ.
What does this mean?
It means, first that a Christian needs others because of Jesus Christ.
It means, second, that a Christian comes to others only through Jesus Christ.
It means, third, that in Jesus Christ we have been chosen from eternity,
accepted in time, and united for eternity.”
As we prepare to celebrate World Communion Sunday, I am reminded that it is at table – whether the
table in our Sanctuary, the table of fellowship around meal sharing, the tables of the Open Door Food Kitchen –
where we experience deep community through Jesus. And our community’s primary practice is love.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer ministered in a very horrific time. The culture around him had moved into the despotic,
genocidal reality of Nazi Germany. He sacrificed his life in order to live out the love he found in Jesus Christ.
In this very difficult political season in our own country, my fervent prayer is that we will practice that love.
It’s perfectly appropriate to engage in civil discourse and debate about issues. But I believe that it is
unacceptable, as Christians, to enter into the violent rhetoric we are seeing in this political season with further
violent rhetoric. Though I may disagree with many political candidates, as a Christian I am not called to hate
those with whom I disagree. I am called to pray for all candidates. The division among candidates in our
nation, particularly the two major party candidates running for President, is a reflection of deep divisions in our
nation. Christians have a choice as to whether they will contribute to those divisions or seek understanding
and even reconciliation no matter what political party (or none at all) they subscribe to. As Christians, our
political affiliations are always subordinate to Jesus Christ, and no political party should dare claim that it is
the party of Jesus Christ. This also doesn’t mean we compromise how we seek to live out the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. But it does mean that we take Jesus to heart in the gospel of John when he says:
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love…..love one another as I have loved you.”
You are invited to join the Adult Sunday School class beginning Sunday October 2 as we study
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and as we seek to discern how we live in this community through Jesus
Christ and in Jesus Christ in our own turbulent times.
Peace - Krista
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
New Adult Sunday School Class Begins October 2 – 9:15am in the Library
In Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, renowned Christian minister, professor, and author of The Cost of
Discipleship recounts his unique fellowship in an underground seminary during the Nazi years in Germany.
Giving practical advice on how life together in Christ can be sustained in families and groups,
Life Together is bread for all who are hungry for the real life of Christian fellowship.
Join us as we explore Bonhoeffer’s experience in Christian community and how it informs our
community today. Cost of book is $8.00 – but please don’t let the cost prevent you from
being a part of this class. Talk with Krista if the cost is prohibitive.
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Jesus calls us to be peacemakers...
Feeding the Hungry
Teams from FPC served 351 meals at the
Open Door Food Kitchen this month!
Thanks to all who helped cook,
serve and/or provide cookies!
Friday team: Ed & Grace Andres, Tonya Amen,
George & Ruth Fountain, Sue Lichliter, Shelby Corf,
Maree Daise and Krista Kiger.
Tuesday team: Jeannie Miller, Bruce Reynolds,
Nancy Sharp, Jim & Ann Ringer, Charles Ringer,
Steve & Jo Lovely, Susie Burmont, Frank Thomas,
Sue Lichliter, Carol Merrifield, Lynne Dickens
and Heather & Sam Knapp.
The Season of Peace
Sept 4 - Oct 2, 2016
We receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering
Oct. 2 — World Communion Sunday
FAIR TRADE GLOBAL
MARKETPLACE
Nov. 5 … 1-5pm
Nov. 6 ... after Worship - 2pm
First Presbyterian Church
Save the date and plan your holiday gift planning/
purchasing around our Global Marketplace!
Buying from a fair trade market is a way to share the
gifts of God's grace with people in communities who
have few resources. Buying fairly traded products
allows the artisans to have a sustainable wage in
order to help care for themselves and their families.
Businesses who will be represented include
10,000 Villages, Silk Road Fair Trade Marketplace
(Presbyterian owned), UPAVIM (fair trade goods from
Guatemala), and the Global Orphan Project (GOEX),
which is organized in KC, MO and brings goods in
from Haiti and Uganda (made mostly by mothers to
support their families.) We will also have a fair trade,
organic coffee from Cafe Justo.
On Nov. 5 we will be open from 1 PM to 5 PM, in
conjunction with First Saturdays Downtown and from
after church to 2 PM.
Peace, Grace and Blessed Shopping!
The Social Justice and Global Mission Team
In addition, we thank Chuck Holm, Pat Capps,
Evelyn McClure, and Mary Ann Bibens who
donated money this month to help ODFK
cover their costs.
FPC pays for the food that is prepared
except for the desserts.
We continue to welcome your monetary
donations to the food kitchen. The price per meal
served by FPC teams averages $1.18.
Our next times to serve at the ODFK will be:
October 21 & October 25
Please continue to sign up in the Center Room
when you’re able to serve on either ODFK team.
Combined ODFK Financial Report
Sept
YTD
Income
Expense
$285.00
($388.26)
$3352.00
($3470.50)
Thank you for your continued support!
September Coin Sunday
collection:
$ 146.82
These funds go towards local mission needs.
It’s amazing how a few coins boosts the life of
someone in need!
The next Coin Sunday collection
will be taken Sunday, October 2.
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Meet Our New Members!
Tonya Amen
Her degrees in animal genetics has brought Tonya to St. Joseph because of the many
companies in the area that deal with animals. A native of Colorado, she spent her education
days in Texas at Texas Tech and Texas A&M. She has been impressed by the way this
church helps others and would like to help at the Open Door Food Kitchen or the Kitchen
Closet. In her spare time she enjoys discovering good places to hike in the area.
Leslie Graves
“A friendly place where everyone seems to get along” is the way Leslie describes First
Church. Even though her parents have been members for over 20 years, she wanted to
be sure it was her decision. She describes herself as empathetic and sensitive to not only
people but animals as well. She is a reader and a cat lover. Her preoccupation at the
moment is going to estate sales and feels St. Joseph is a treasure chest and she sells the
treasures on eBay.
Jason Michael Howell
People who come to church a little early may have noticed a young man checking to see if
the choir loft is ready for the choir as assistant to choir master Jerry Anderson. Although
he felt his career might be in technology, Jason Michael soon discovered music was where
he was happiest. A senior at MWSU he is considering several areas in the music field
including musical therapy. He would like to help update the website using his know-how.
Michael Travis Jasper
Michael was drawn to membership in this church because he saw it as a place where he
always learned something new, whether if was in Krista’s sermon or in some other part of
the worship. Reading, writing, and research are areas he enjoys every day. Even thought
he is still considering several areas of ministry, he has not decided where he will serve.
His writing and research skills could add interesting material to our newsletter.
Lynette Rockwood
Lynette came almost half way around the world to join this church. After living most of her life
in the Philippines, Lynette came to St. Joseph to join her new husband, James Rockwood.
They were married Feb. 20 during worship with a reception following in the Center Room.
Lynette left behind part of her family , but has moved closer to another child living in the
states. She has already joined the Wednesday morning Bible Study.
New members
were received
at worship,
Sunday,
Sept. 18.
WELCOME!
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A Special Request
God has brought our church favor in providing the resources that we need for our many ministries. We are,
however, entering into the final quarter of our fiscal year and our planned for contributions are down by
$8,000.00. So we are asking that each household in our church please try to catch up with your pledges if
you are behind. If you do not pledge but give, we ask that you consider an extra gift. We are carrying a
current year-to-date deficit between our expenses and our income of approximately $19,000.00. Some of this
will even out toward the end of the year because we paid some big bills (like our insurance and per capita)
early in the year. This is also a reminder, as we move into our stewardship season, of how important it is to
make a pledge toward the ministries of our church. We appreciate all gifts, but if you pledge we can better
anticipate how to create our budget. Thank you again for your generosity.
First Thursday Noontime Concert Series
Lee and Helen Harrelson, euphonium
Ellen Sommer, piano
Thursday, October 6, 2016 — 12:10 P.M.
Helen Harrelson is a graduate of
the Royal Northern College of
Music in Manchester, United
Kingdom. She also holds a masters
degree in music from the UMKC
Conservatory of Music & Dance.
In 2005 she gained her Post Grad
Certificate of Education and served
as Head of the Bolton Wider Opportunities Music
Program, overseeing instrumental music curriculum
for over 50 schools. Since moving to the U.S.A. in
2008, she has worked to raise the profile of the brass
band movement and has provided numerous Brass
Expo workshops across the country with the aim of
inspiring the next generation of brass players to
explore the genre. Helen is delighted to be Head of
Performing Arts at St James Academy and President
& Founder of the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy.
Dr. Lee Harrelson is an Associate
Professor of Music at MWSU where
he serves as the Chair of the Dept.
of Music, coordinator of the music
theory program and instructor of
low brass and chamber music. Lee
attended the University of Southern
Mississippi, where he studied music
education and music performance
before completing his masters and
doctorate at the UMKC
Conservatory of Music and Dance.
Dr. Harrelson is the founder of the Fountain City
Brass Band and currently serves as its artistic director
and principal euphoniumist. At the 2011 All England
International Brass Band Competition, as a member of
the FCBB, Lee was named Best Instrumentalist; a first
for an American at an English brass band competition.
Ellen Sommer has quickly
established a reputation as a
much sought-after collaborative
pianist, chamber musician, and
vocal coach. She performs
extensively throughout the United
States, Canada, Central/South
America, and Europe. Sommer
often serves as a pianist for regional, national and
international competitions and festivals, as well as
recital series and radio broadcasts.
A graduate of MWSU, Sommer was also a member
of the keyboard and voice faculty there from
1994-2004. Currently, she is a Lecturer in Piano
at the University of Kansas School of Music, and
performs regularly with several members of the KU
music faculty, visiting artist recitals, and graduate
students on recitals and concert tours. In addition,
Sommer serves as administrator for the piano
accompanying and chamber music programs at KU.
A graduate of the UMKC Conservatory of Music, she
has studied with Richard Cass, Jerry L. Anderson,
Pia Sebastiani, Rita Sloan, and Robert Koenig.
The church sponsors the series in cooperation with
the MWSU Dept. of Music. The audience is invited
to bring lunch to eat during the performance.
Beverages provided.
In order to help defray expenses and to insure the
continuation of the series, a freewill offering will
be taken. The suggested minimum donation is
four dollars. Additional financial assistance
has been provided by the Commerce Bank
of St. Joseph.
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Blessing of the Animals Service
Saturday, Oct. 1
2:00pm
FPC Courtyard
Come join members and friends of First Presbyterian
Church, First Christian Church and Zion United Church
of Christ and other community members to receive
and express blessing over our animal companions,
current and passed on. Bill Luce from Domesti-PUPS
will share a reflection.
You are invited to bring your animal companions and
participate in this celebration of inter-species grace. You
may have a friend or family member take a picture of
you and your animal as you receive your blessing. All
animals are to be secure on a leash or in a carrier and
current on all vaccines. Owners are responsible to
clean up after their animals. Clean up bags will be
provided. We will provide drinking water for the
animals as well as a designated exercise area.
Sunday, Oct. 16
Dinner at 5:30
Party on the 3rd Floor from 6-7:30!
Games!
Treat bags!
Costumes welcome, but not required!
Volunteers are needed to help man the Halloween Party
games! No set up required! Just a smiling, fun loving
person to help the kiddos have a great time! If you’re
available, please let Leanne know! Also, if you would
like to provide individually wrapped candy (no peanuts
please), they may be given to Leanne or put in the
Nursery by Oct. 9.
Presbyterian Women’s Circle
Wednesday, Oct. 5 ~ 7:00pm
The Women's Circle will meet at Ruthie Bireline’s
(502 E. Meadow Lane) this month. The topic will
be “Who is Jesus”, according to Matthew.
Beth Lukehart has the lesson and Jan Storts
will provide refreshments.
Please call 816-262-7299 if you need directions!
All Saints Service
Sunday, Oct. 30
Each year, on a Sunday close to All Saints Day,
we hold a service of remembrance during Sunday
morning worship for members and friends of FPC
who have died in the past year. We also remember
relatives of members and friends who have died
this past year. At the service, we read the person’s
name, ring a bell, and invite a family member to
light a candle in their memory.
If you have a family member or close friend
who has died since Nov. 1, 2015 and would like
to have that person remembered at our All Saints
Service on Oct. 30, please contact the church
office 232-3358 by Tuesday, Oct. 25.
After the All Saints service, everyone is invited to
share in an all-church potluck. Please bring a dish
that corresponds to the first letter of your last name:
A-H = Main Dish
I-O = Salad/vegetable/side dish
P-Z = Dessert
Krista Out of Office
Can You Help?
Krista will be away from Oct. 17-24. She is off to
California and will have the joy in assisting in the
baptism of her two great nephews, Max Andres Villegas
and Logan Lou Villegas at her family’s church, St. Mark
Presbyterian, in Newport Beach, CA. Krista will return
Oct. 24 with her mother, Dorothy, who will be staying
with her through the month of November. As Krista has
said, “I am putting my mom to work here at First Pres.
while she is here! ” Welcome back Dorothy!!
Leanne is still in need of help to cover the nursery
Oct. 23 & 30. This involves covering the kiddos –
reading a provided Bible story with a picture to
color, chatting with the kiddos about the story and
then letting them play. The kids are wonderful to
be around and would benefit from being closer
with other people at church, too.
We welcome Rev. Jackie Thomas as our Guest
Preacher on Sunday, Oct. 23!
Thanks!
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Please let Leanne know if you can help!
OPENERS /CLOSERS
2
9
16
23
30
FRANK THOMAS
BOB SPURGAT
JIM RINGER
JIM WALLERSTEDT
ED ANDRES
LITURGISTS
2
9
16
23
30
DIANE WADDELL
JAN STORTS
BOB WADDELL
PAT HARDING
SHELBY CORF
SOUND SYSTEM
2
9
16
23
30
TIM DAVIS
SAM KNAPP
NATALIE WARD
JERRY REEVES
TIM DAVIS
USHERS/GREETERS
DAVE & SUE LICHLITER
COMMUNION PREP
DAN & NANCY SHARP
FELLOWSHIP HOUR HOSTS
2
9
16
23
30
BERTIE CRANDELL AND CAROL & DAVE MERRIFIELD
SHELBY CORF AND GLORIA & DEAN HURLBUT
BEV & BILL BARR AND SUSAN & BOB SPURGAT
DIANE & BOB WADDELL AND NATALIE WARD
POTLUCK LUNCH
MUSIC
2
Anthem: O Day of Peace (C. Hubert H. Parry)
Duet: On the Willows from Godspell (Stephen Schwartz),
Kaitlyn Christian and Ian Fast
Anthem: O Lord, Increase My Faith (Orlando Gibbons)
9
Anthem: With a Voice of Singing (Martin Shaw)
Solo: Here I Am (Allen Pote), Jason Michael Howell, tenor
16 Anthem: Hear My Prayer, O Lord (Camil van Hulse)
Solo: Give Me Jesus (arr. Mark Hayes), Ian Fast, bass
23 Piano/Organ Duet: Hanover (arr. Joel Raney), Martha Chesney,
piano, and Jerry L. Anderson, organ
Anthem: Lord, Have Mercy (Domenico Scarlatti)
30 Anthem: Crossing the Bar (C. Hubert H. Parry)
ANNIVERSARIES
01
05
15
Darren & Peggy Verbick
Jeremy & Phallin Thornton
Tim & Leanne Davis
21
22
Pete & Jan Thielen
Dean & Gloria Hurlbut
ALTAR
FLOWERS
2
To the Glory of God
and in memory of
Jim Marston,
Mary & Jack Carr
and Fred & Alva
Lee Marston,
by Pat Marston
9
To the Glory of God
and in memory of
my parents,
Delmer & Lois
Johnson,
by David Johnson
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7
HALLOWEEN!
Birthday: Dave
Lichliter
Adult Study 9:15
Worship 10:30
31 HAPPY
30 All Saints Service and
Potluck
Birthday: Kate
McAllen
24
Birthday: Tom
Russell
Krista out of
office
10/17-10/24
17
10
Birthdays:
Mason Chavez;
David Johnson
Mon
No Adult Study
Worship 10:30 - Guest preacher:
Rev. Jackie Thomas
Birthday: Emmalyn Davis
23
Birthdays: Judy Reed; Phallin
Thornton
Halloween Party 5:30
Adult Study 9:15
Worship 10:30
16
Adult Study 9:15
Worship 10:30
Birthdays: Lynne Dickens; Pat
Marston; Carol Perry
9
Adult Study (new class) 9:15
Worship 10:30
Birthday: Mary Ann Bibens
Peacemaking Offering
2 Coin & Communion Sunday 3
Sun
Cook 8:30
Serve 11:15
Session 7
ODFK
25
Finance 12
Ch. Ex. @ Panera’s 6:30
Birthday: Suzie
Reynolds
Bible Study 10:30
Ecumenical/Environ
Justice in FH 7
Birthday: Katie
Parra
26
19
18 1st Ed
deadline
Bible Study 10:30
Staff 1:30
12
CWU 10
Bible Study 10:30
FPC PW @ Ruthie
Bireline’s 7
5
Wed
Worship Team 10:30
Invitation &
Welcome Team @
Panera’s 6
11
4
Tue
Presbyguys 11:15
Bells 6:30/Choir 7:30
27
Presbyguys 11:15
No Bells/Choir 7:30
20
Presbyguys 11:15
Building & Grounds 12
Bells 6:30/Choir 7:30
Birthday: Carol
Merrifield
13
Presbyguys 11:15
Noontime Concert 12:10
Bells 6:30/Choir 7:30
6
Thu
October 2016
28
ODFK
Cook 8:30
Serve 11:15
Birthdays: Jo Lovely;
Bob Simpson
21 Office Closed
Social Justice 1
14
7
Fri
29
22
15
Kelcie Bentley/Jason
Harmon wedding
8
Blessing of the
Animals - Courtyard 2
Downtown
1 First Saturdays
Sat