The Presbyterian John's Corner A Newsletter of the First Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian
A Newsletter of the First Presbyterian Church
125 South Poplar Street, Bucyrus, OH 44820
October 2014
“Where everyone is welcome”
John's Corner
As we meander into October with the leaves morphing in color and slowly drifting from the trees, and
the temperature making more regular forays into numbers where our breath becomes conspicuous, we
are aware that an inevitable change is upon us. Reformation Sunday is coming up at the end of
October, and it is a time when we celebrate the Holy Spirit which brought an inevitable change to the
church. This change lead to a spectacular rebirth of the solidly biblical body of Christ - of which we are
distant offspring. But from that tumultuous birth has also come a movement which has repeatedly
sought to reform the character and nature of the church by the sole authority of scripture.
And for good reason.
Historically the Reformed church has placed a huge emphasis on one area: How is salvation
obtained? You could ask this very same question to a sampling of church goers from different
denominations and probably get a different answer each time. Given that the United States was at one
time 98% Protestant, the failure to agree on a common answer today is ample reason to continue the
call to reform. Faith in Christ is the only way that we as sinners can stand before a Holy God and live.
The bible tells us so. And as much as people nod their heads in agreement to that statement, there is a
subtly insidious Arminian tendency to want add our efforts or “works” to the mixture. Even more
unfortunate is that some churches actually teach this form of soteriology (The Study of Salvation). The
Reformers were adamant that the righteousness required for salvation was entirely outside ourselves,
it could be found only in Christ. This was to get us out of the mindset that we can “buy” our way into
salvation, which was Luther's complaint against indulgences. I have certainly belabored this point in
numerous sermons.
Another cool point is that we find equality before God in Christ because all of us are priests.
Remember “all men are created equal?” This is the “P” in “TULIP” which stands for the priesthood of
all believers. Here we find the basis for contemporary democracy. Jesus alone is our intercessor who
mediates between us and God. We go directly to Jesus without a human intermediary who claims
power over us. Did you know that Europe's church hierarchy and its aristocracy was brought down
because of this doctrine? Reformers did that! The cry of “Scripture Alone” also shaped the concept of
the bible as the constitution of the church, this placed distinct limits on the authority of the church
because folks could now read it for themselves to check against what the church told them. Thus we
derive the idea of appealing to “Constitution” to similarly restrict the over-reach of government. A
constitution is the final word over the accretions of men. It is the law of the land – as the bible had
once been in the early formation of our country. The checks and balances built into our Constitution
were also derivative of Presbyterian governance. The American War for Independence was also called
the “Presbyterian Rebellion.” Again, this is just a small taste of what the Reformers helped to
accomplished in western civilization and we should be proud to be part of its descendent family.
So give it up for Presbyterians yo! Who said church history is dull?!
In Christ's love,
John
Session Meeting
The Session meeting will be on Thurs., Oct. 16th, @ 7:00 PM in Fellowship Hall.
Deacons Meeting
The next Deacon's Meeting will be on Wed., Oct. 1st, @ 7:00 PM.
Worship & Arts Committee
The Worship and Arts Committee will meet on Wed., Oct. 8th, @ 7:00 PM.
Presbyterian Women
The Presbyterian Women will meet on Tues., Oct. 13th, at Pisanello’s. The business
meeting and Bible study will follow in Fellowship Hall.
Presbyterian Men
The Presbyterian Men's Group meets each Friday @ The Pelican @ 7:00 AM. The
meeting is held @ Gus’s the last Friday of the month. All men of FPC are invited to attend.
Womens Bible Study
The Womens Bible Study meets every Fri., @ 9:30 AM, in Fellowship Hall.
Choir and Bells
New members are always needed and welcomed for the choir and bell choir. Contact the
church office, Anya Schell, or just come to practice, each Wed. evening: 6:00 PM, bell
choir; 7:00 PM, choir.
Gamma Delta
Gamma Delta meeting will be held Wed., Oct. 15th, @ 12:30 PM, in Fellowship Hall.
The meal will be a potluck, so bring a dish to share and your own table service. Gennie Rios
will be hosting.
Author of Life Book Club
The Author of Life Book Club will meet Thurs., Oct. 2nd, @ 6:30 PM, in Fellowship Hall.
Contact Dorothy Watts or Diane Kaple if you would like to join.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE - 16th of Each Month
We are getting anywhere from 1 – 3 newsletters emails returned each month. If you are not
getting the newsletter, or your email has changed, please inform the office.
Remember to mark your calendars for the time
change this fall on NOVEMBER 2nd. Giving
advance notice since it falls so close to the start
of the month. Great time to change the
batteries in your smoke alarms!
B.O.R.N.
The labor pains of writing by-laws and the initial planning meetings are just a memory now as
B.O.R.N. (Bucyrus Outreach and Restoration Network) is about to become a viable
organization in our community to help those who find themselves in financial crisis.
Board Members include:
Lee Allen – Mt. Zion UMC
Catharine Cory – First Presbyterian
Rev. Paul Dalrymple – First Baptist
(Board Vice-President)
(Representative from the Bucyrus Ministerial
Fellowship
Elwood Gebhardt – Good Hope
JoAnn Hargis – St. John's United Church of Christ
Joel Kurtz – Christian Missionary Alliance Church
(Board President)
Barb Leuthold – Woodlawn UMC
Linda Leyda – Bucyrus UMC
(Board Secretary)
Mary Platt – Mt. Zion UMC
(Interim Director of Operations)
Karolyn Rebon – Father's Heart Healing Center
Bonnie White – First Baptist
(Board Treasurer)
Committees have been formed from the board and from volunteers from the nine original
churches represented in the planning group. Committees are as follows:
Executive Committee: Joel Kurtz, Catherine Cory, Rev, Paul Dalrymple, Lee Allen
Nominating Committee: Jeff Bell, Chris Hepner, Rev. Paul Dalrymple
Financial Committee: Chr. Elwood Gebhardt, Joel Kurtz, Bonnie White, Robin Hildebrand
Operations Committee: Chr. Barb Leuthold, Traci Wetterau, Carol Ewing, Greg Coffman,
Linda Leyda
Public Awareness Committee: Chr. Catherine Cory, Karolyn Rebon, Mell McDiffitt, Penny
Cuffman, Rachel Wion
The 501-C3 application has been filed to obtain a tax-free non-profit organization status.
Office space and furnishings are currently being sought. As the newly formed committees
meet, criteria for office staffing will be established and volunteers will be interviewed and
trained. Also daily procedure plans and forms will be created and criteria will be established
for eligibility of individuals seeking to receive financial aid. The funds used for the financial
assistance will come from donations by area churches, individuals and organizations.
The board hopes to have the office up and running within the next few months as soon as
office staff has been selected and trained. Additional proposals for the future are to offer
classes in financial management and to have pastoral representation on call if needed.
Linda Leyda, Secretary, B.O.R.N.
October Birthdays
1
4
6
8
9
10
15
16
17
18
21
23
Charles Rager
Sue Headley
Bob Thompson
Marcia Black, Craig
Inscho
Leon Diebler
Marcia Burkhart
Wayne Pelter, Amelia
Collene, Tom Miller
Ted Goldfuss, Leslie Motter
Helen Neff, Marcia Stout
Don Reed
Ralph Black
Austin Britton, Anya Schell
October Anniversaries
24
Rev. John and
Catharine Cory,
Randy and Cindy
Inscho
Worship Assistants,
October
Liturgists:
5 Jan Fulton
12 Cindy Inscho
19 Kami Davidson
26 Al Fulton
Children’s Time:
5 Debbie Hablitzel
12 Tom Heminger
19 Al Fulton
26 Jennifer Arnold
October Ushers/Greeters:
7 Sam & Judy Eichhorn
Scott Hastings, & Chet Johnston
14 Sam & Judy Eichhorn,
John & Phyllis Cole
21 Sam & Judy Eichhorn,
Tom & Joanne Miller
28 Sam & Judy Eichhorn,
Dorothy Watts and TBA
Duty Elder: Sam Eichhorn
Deacon of the Month: Lori Rager
Thank You
Dear Gamma Delta Fellowship: I would like
to thank you for your generous donation of
$300.00 toward a news sound system at
Bucyrus Aumiller Park. We will be looking
to purchase a weatherproof system that can
be in the pool area for safety as well as music
and games for the pool patrons. We greatly
appreciate your willingness to step up and
give to the community. Thank you again.
Very truly yours, Jeff Reser, Mayor
First of all, we would like to say we are
blessed to have such a loving, caring church
family. Would like to say thank you so very
much for all the support, phone calls, texts
and cards we have received during
everything. Can't say thank you enough to
the church deacons and Gamma Delta.
Thanks to Pastor John for all the hospital
visits for Steve and I. Mostly for all the love
we have felt and can't can't ask for a more
caring and concerned family as being a part
of any other church. Words just can't
express enough how much we love each and
every one of you. We have amazing prayer
warriors and we couldn't have made it this
far without your prayers and support. We
love you all.
Love, Steve, Heather, Hannah, Gabe Daniel
Deacons Sunday
Four times a year, the plate offering is given
to the Deacons for all they do for our church.
The Deacons partake in prayer requests,
make contacts and send cards to those in the
Parish Directory, help with funeral meals,
deliver flowers to shut-ins, and participate in
other activities such as Coffee Hour. They
also support various local missions. When
you see a Deacon, take a moment to thank
them for their time and dedication!
Women's Bible Study
The Women's Bible study group met recently to form a plan for this year's Bible studies. Following is
the list of books that we chose to study this year. The group meets every Friday @ 9:30 AM in
Fellowship Hall. All women of the church are welcome. Contact Catharine Cory at 419-581-6674 if
you wish to participate or just come on Friday morning!
1st
“The Marketing of Evil” by David Kupelian
$19.50
Americans have come to tolerate, embrace and even champion many things that would have horrified
their parents' generation-from easy divorce and unrestricted abortion-on-demand to extreme body
piercing and teaching homosexuality to grade-schoolers. Does that mean today's Americans are
inherently more morally confused and depraved than previous generations? “The plain truth,”
Kupelian writes, “is that within the space of our lifetime, much of what Americans once almost
universally abhorred has been packaged, perfumed, gift-wrapped, and sold to us as though it has great
value.”
2nd
“Courage to Stand” by Philip Graham Ryken
In Jeremiah's day, a time much like our own, public life was becoming dominated by pagan ideas and
practices. Jeremiah showed courage and passion even through his sufferings – to show us how to live
for God in today's difficult times.
3rd
“Mark” by Sinclair B. Ferguson
The Let's Study Series
Mark wrote out his good news about Jesus two thousand years ago, his Gospel was a completely new
kind of book. No one had ever written one before. In fact no one would have known what a Gospel
was...What made the Gospel of Mark unique was this: it was not written merely as the memoir of Jesus
as a great man, not even as the greatest man who had ever lived. Rather it was meant to persuade its
readers that Jesus was the Son of God...Who is Jesus of Nazareth? What is the good news (gospel)
about him?...This book presents us with Mark's answer.
Presbyterian Dolls for Sale
We have been notified of two beautiful Presbyterian dolls for sale. If you are interested,
pictures of these dolls are available in the church office. Following is a description of the
dolls.
The first doll is offered for sale by its owner, Janet Shuck, who was a close friend of Alice
Tupps. Some of you may know her as the lady who was head of the Cancer Society for many
years. Others might know her a s a volunteer at Bucyrus Community Hospital, or as a
wonderful cake baker, along with many other activities which keep her busy.
Janet has been the only owner of this doll, which has dark hair and lovely brown eyes
matching the beautiful print dress and bonnet she is wearing. The doll is in mint condition.
Also for sale is a cradle which fits her perfectly and made by one of the Harter Brothers. The
doll can be purchased with or without the cradle by calling Janet at 419-562-0373.
(These are not the dolls pictured.)
The second doll is offered by Eloise Barrows, who can be reached at 419-569-1799 or
email at [email protected].
This doll's beautiful attire was stitched by her husband's grandmother, Mable Zeigler. Mable
did not attend the Presbyterian Church, but she would lend her wonderful sewing skills when
needed. Alice Tupps painted her angelic face.
Eloise stated, “I have enjoyed the doll for over forty-five and and I feel it is time for a new little
girl, at heart, to have the same joy. The doll is in pristine condition.” She is accompanied with
a handkerchief doll. During the Civil War, supplies were scare. Resourceful women used
men's handkerchiefs to make dolls for their children.