church currents · 9/5/2012 · 2015 2016 2017 elders: dave baarda marianne edwards jan clark john...
TRANSCRIPT
CHURCH CURRENTS First Presbyterian Church 210 S. Wayne Street
Milledgeville, GA 31061
phone: 478-452-9394
www.fpchurch.org
We seek to glorify God through:
Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth,
Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice
and environmental stewardship.
September 2015
We are on the radio Our worship service is broadcast on WKZR
(102.3 FM.) every Sunday morning at 11:00AM
BOOK CLUB COMING IN SEPTEMBER
The first meeting of a new book club is planned for Thursday, September 10, at 2:00p.m. in
the FPC parlor. Please come with ideas for future books to read and discuss, as well as
suggestions for best times to meet and any other ideas for the group.
We are planning to discuss the newly released Harper Lee novel, Go Set A Watchman,
considered to be a companion piece to the highly regarded To Kill A Mockingbird. If you are
interested in the group, please contact Millie Murphy at [email protected] or Alice
Tenold at [email protected], or call, or talk with us, before or after church.
Coord. of Children &
Youth Ministries:
Gloria Burns
Issue No. 234 September 2015
First Presbyterian Church
Organists: Kate Phillips
Jenny Moore
Director of Music:
Jennifer Flory
Admin. Asst.:
Dianna Hendricks
Child Care Providers: Charis Andrews Amelia Andrews Kathleen Green
Interim Pastor:
Rev. Martha
Starnes
The past is over and gone.
That is SO true, in the respect that we cannot go back in time and/or change anything that has already happened.
We simply do not get any “do overs.”
The past is over and gone.
That is NOT so true in many respects. For instance, in a pleasant sense:
The past lives on in our hearts and minds. The memories of days and years gone by often bring us great joy
and pleasure.
Accomplishments, discoveries, inventions that occurred in the past – such as medical break-throughs and
technological advances – often make our lives better and easier today.
Our own accomplishments, teachings, learnings, growth, etc. in our past usually serve us quite well in the
present living of our lives.
However, in a negative sense:
Mistakes that we made in the past can often “haunt” us in the present.
Wars, anger, hatred, injustice leave devastation and consequences in their wake that are felt and suffered for
years, even centuries, afterward.
Some things that we learned from our parents, our grandparents, other familial ancestors, or even our ancestors
in the faith, are harmful. And they are so ingrained in us that often we have trouble “letting go, moving in a
different direction, deciding for ourselves, changing our ways.”
We all receive good and bad “legacies” from the past.
A GOOD legacy that is available to us all is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This is by far the greatest, the best, legacy to which we can cling.
When we cling to the Word of God in Christ, we find the means and the strength to overcome
and move beyond the negatives the past has left us.
We also find the truth and the light that can help us,
not only to prevent a recurrence of negative legacies, but
to leave a good and more positive past for future generations.
The past is over and gone, but its happenings and outcomes are still with us.
Our present will be someone else’s past.
May God help us to leave the most positive legacy we possibly can!
Amen.
Blessings!
Martha
2015 2016 2017 Elders: Dave Baarda Marianne Edwards Jan Clark
John Bradley Sam McChesney Doris Moody
Anne Smart Nancy Miller, Clerk Charlie Morgan Deacons: Margie Dodd Joseph Dean Joel Burns
Millie Murphy Becky Henderson Nita Peavy
Bill Werts, Moderator Alice Tenold Irene Tchamna
JOIN US FOR WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN RESUME MEETINGS
Presbyterian Women will resume meeting in September. The Sunday Evening Group will meet at 5:00 on September
13 and on the Second Sunday (this is a change) of each month through May. The Tuesday Morning group will meet
again this year at our usual time for Bible Study at 11:00 and for a covered dish lunch at 12:00. The first meeting will
be on September 8. The Bible study this year is entitled Come to the Waters and is written by Judy Record Fletcher.
She says this about our study:
Water plays a central role in the stories of scripture, from the chaotic waters of creation, to the River of Life in
Revelation, where chaos is no more. Sometimes there is too much water (think Noah); sometimes there is too
little water (think drought in the desert). In this study, we will explore some of the Bible’s more than 800
references to water, including the delivery of God’s people through the parting of the Red Sea and the
crossing of the Jordan River, the judgment of a people weak in faith, and the adoption of the people of God
through baptism.
Please join us for this interesting approach to the study of scripture. Rosemary Begemann will be the discussion
leader. Study books are available in the Church Office, the cost is $9, or see Rosemary to purchase your book.
We need your help!
Our after-church fellowship time is enjoyed by many. We need volunteers to provide
simple snacks and a beverage for this special time. If you have not done this recently,
please consider signing up for September or October.
Many thanks to Mike Tenold, Faye Heal, Margie Dodd, Nancy Holbrook, and Doris
Moody for providing refreshments in August. Thanks to those who have signed up for
September 6 & 13. The last two Sundays in September and all of October are currently
open, so please sign up on the sheet posted in the kitchen.
Please contact Alice Tenold at 478-968-7513 or [email protected] if more
information is needed.
MEMORIAL RECEPTION FOR MARY BARBARA TATE
On August 2, 2015, a reception was held to honor the life and memory
of Mary Barbara Tate. The reception was hosted by the Christian
Education Committee in remembrance of Mary Barbara’s devotion to
the children of First Presbyterian Church. Beautiful flowers were
placed in the sanctuary by members of the Wednesday Night
Group, and flowers were arranged in the Fellowship Hall by Sherrill
Jones and friends in the community. Stories and memories were
shared by members of the church, including touching recollections of
former youth. Thanks to all who shared in this special time.”
Mary Barbara Tate shared so much with so many. She will be missed.
JOIN US FOR STUDY & WORSHIP
Sunday School 9:45AM Potluck Wednesday 6:30PM
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00AM Bible Study 7:15PM
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
DECIDE TO CARE: CONNECT WITH OTHERS
Partners in Faith
Time With Children
Finding God in Others
For some time now I have stayed awake at night thinking about ways to have more
interaction within our church family. How can we get to know each other better?
Because I work with children & youth I began to think about how much the adults in this
congregation have to offer our young people but they seldom have the opportunity to do
so. We are beginning a group on September 20 that we are calling Partners in Faith.
The goals of this group include not only getting to know each other better, but sharing
with each other our experiences of faith and interactions with God. On the third Sunday
of each month, we will stay after church, and instead of having a fellowship time we will
pair up at tables and share a Bible Story with each other. Don't panic, you are only
required to show up. We will provide the Bible Stories, talking points or questions, as
well as coloring pictures or a simple craft for you to do. While sitting at a table with
other pairs you will spend a few minutes reading and talking about the story, when you
first heard it and what it means to you. Coloring and craft materials will be there, the choice is yours to use them or
not.
Over the next three weeks there will be registration forms in the bulletins. Please
fill one out and put it in the offering plate or give it to Anne Smart or Gloria
Burns. We will talk about Partners in Faith again before September 20, so
please let me know if you have questions. I will be glad to answer them indi-
vidually or as a group. If you are on vacation and miss the opportunity to sign up
just give me a call or send me an email to join our group. [email protected],
or 478-454-6285.
PARTNERS IN FAITH
Please fill out and place in the offering plate or give to Gloria Burns or Anne Smart.
(Forms also available in the Church Office, or see Gloria)
For Adults: Partners in Faith
I (please print your name)_______________________________________ am willing to commit to meeting once a month (3rd Sunday of each month) with a young person to share Bible stories and
conversation for the purpose of sharing our faith and getting to know each other.
For Children and Youth: Partners in Faith
I (please print your name)_______________________________________ am willing to commit to meeting once a month (3rd Sunday of each month) with an Adult to share Bible stories and
conversation for the purpose of sharing our faith and getting to know each other.
CHURCH COMMUNITY
NURSERY SCHEDULE:
September 6 Cecilia Odihe
September 13 Anne Smart
September 20 Doris Moody
September 27 Elizabeth Baarda
Thank you for your service to this ministry of the
church. We count on you to be in the nursery on this
date. If you cannot be there, please call someone on
the list and exchange dates. Our children are precious
and need you.
Anne Smart
SNAIL MAIL FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Would your college student like to get a card in their
snail mail box each month? Our S.T.A.R.S. send cards to
our shut-ins each month and we would like to add your
college students so please give Gloria their address
MARION ROBINSON
Each of you are in my thoughts. Remember me through
snail mail: God bless, Marion
Cumberland Island, NS
101 Wheeler Street
St. Mary's, GA. 31558
CARE GROUP Thank you to Holley & Sunda for hosting our Italian Feast! The food was delicious and the company delightful. It was
fun to learn more about each other thru interesting questions. Our prayer time reminded us that there are a lot of
needs in our congregation.
Mike & Alice have offered to host on Friday, September 11. Details will come later. Be a blessing
and let us know if you would like to join us.
& ,
Debbie Lamsma
From the Treasurer:
An update on our financial progress for the month of July and the year-to-date:
July 2015 YTD
Contributions $19,408 $118,421
Other Income 177 2,383
Total Income 19,585 120,804
Budgeted Expenses 23,482 143,284
Net (Loss) (3,897) (22,480)
Please don’t be discouraged by our financial information. The fact is that many of you responded to our request to
catch up on your pledges in July. The month of July had 3 check -writing periods. This happens twice a year be-
cause we write checks every two weeks. We have 26 pay periods per year and the extra pay periods are in January
and July this year. Our payroll expenses are about $5,800 per pay period and the extra payroll in July accounts for
the deficit of $3,897.
Our total income for the year to date is a bit less than was budgeted, about $26,000 less. This explains why we
have a deficit of $22,480 so far this year. This is why we rely on your pledges in planning our budgets each year.
Our committees have already begun discussing their budgets for next year. As they discuss their ideas, they are
very mindful of our financial picture and are working diligently to get the most from every dollar. I will keep you
updated on their progress.
As always, if you have any questions, please contact me.
Anne Dennis [email protected] or 478-452-6860
AUGUST PRISON FAMILY LUNCH
If you had walked into the FPC kitchen around 11am on
August, 15th, you would probably think a party was going
on!
The talking and laughing was loud. But guess what? By
11:30 a wonderful meal was on the table and our attention
had turned to our guests. It always gets done! No specific
assignments, no list of duties, everyone just does what ever
is needed. Oh, by the way, we always try to make sure that
men are washing dishes and driving the vacuum cleaner. We had 40 guests who enjoyed the BBQ sandwiches and many delicious side dishes. The desserts proved that FPC
members know what's good in the sweet department. Thank you to those who provided the food and desserts. I can
personally witness to the smiles that appeared as our guests (and members) perused the dessert table. Thanks also to the people who turned work into fun and fellowship. Alice and Mike Tenold, Barbara Rowe,
Bob Wilson, Faye Heal, Rosemary Begemann, Sunda Coleman, Holly Cowan, Nancy Holbrook, Margie Dodd,
and our hard working leader Millie Murphy. We are so happy that we can do it again next month on September 19th. Come join us! Margie
FOOD PANTRY We bring canned goods for the food pantry on the first Sunday of each month; the same
day we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Items needed are canned meats, fruits and
vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, snacks for lunchboxes, soups, mac and cheese,
pasta and spaghetti sauce. Each week our volunteers distribute food to many families in our community, some weeks
we have helped as many as 23 families. Your donations enable the Food Pantry Ministry
to continue to provide food to these families. Volunteers are needed! Contact Mary Baker, 478-457-5444 or [email protected] if you have any questions,
or would like to volunteer.
VIP’S CORNER (Visually Impaired Persons)
VIP’s Learn About Learning in Retirement If you are eager to explore new and exciting ideas and make new friends, then
Learning in Retirement maybe just the thing for you. Marie Farmer, the
President of the local Learning in Retirement Program, was the VIP August
speaker. She told the group about many of the fun activities the organization
offered, such as coursework in cooking, literature, history, etc. It also offers
opportunities to experience community events such as plays and take field trips to
interesting sites such as the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The local organization has
a book club and a writers group. So many fun things to be a part of!
The group meets every 3rd Friday at the Milledgeville Country Club. There is a
fee of $35/year to join. If you want to know more about this program, you may contact Marie Farmer, Harry Beck or
Anne Weathers. The VIP support group meeting will be Wednesday, September 16th at 10:30 AM here at the church.
Lt. Bobby Langford of the Milledgeville Police department will present a program about scams here. Anyone
interested in attending is cordially invited to join us.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
JUBILEE ADULT MINISTRIES (JAM)
of NEGA Presbytery invites you to
~A CELEBRATION OF LIFE~
Saturday, October 3, 2015
10:00am - 2:00pm
First Pres Church, 239 W. Candler St., Winder, GA
10:00am register, and Noon lunch ($7.00)
RSVP to Kathy Woodall: (770-867-2424) [email protected]
Those with Limited Mobility:
Mary Carlton Martha Chappell Helen Danuser
Ben Gautier (& Donna) Bob & Eloise Lamb Jo Ann Manley
Polly Morrison Gloria Smith Chuck & Ruth Treptow
This congregation & our life & ministry together during this transition time
The Pastor Nominating Committee
Illnesses:
Judy Bledsoe, Tom & Mary Lucik’s daughter, recovering from surgery
Harry Beck, malignancy
Charles Morgan, Jr., recovering from back surgery
Ben Gautier (& Donna)
Vona Wohlenberg, Mary Lucik’s sister, cancer, recovering from surgery
Julie Montemayor, Becky Henderson’s mother, back at home after rehab
Cephas & Jean Starnes, Martha's parents
John Fish, the Baarda’s son-in-law, leukemia
Ted Flynt, Jacqueline Northington’s son, cancer
Joseph Callender, Craig’s father, recovering from open heart surgery
Russell & Kathleen Edwards, Marianne’s parents, numerous health problems
Amy Smith, colon cancer, work & disability issues
Joe Owens, continuing recovery from broken back (and Charlotte)
Nancy Selecman, Sue York’s mother
Betty Owens, Joe & Charlotte’s sister-in-law, cancer
Tom Murphy, Kathy Carroll’s brother, colon cancer
Roy Pound, Sunda Coleman’s father
Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman’s son
Ricky Spear, Vera Bales’ brother, chemotherapy after colon surgery
April McMillan, Jeanene Vinson’s granddaughter, in remission
Leigh Humphrey, friend of Bill & Ruby Werts, kidney failure
Marty Flory, Jennifer’s mother-in-law, ongoing health issues
In Assisted Living:
Jonnie Tenold, Mike Tenold’s mother, Green Acres
Katherine Lyda, Louise Sallstrom’s mother, Green Acres
Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns’ mother, Savannah Court
Laurette Smith, Harbor Chase Room 319, 1385 Silver Bluff Rd. Aiken, SC 29803
Reba Vaughan, Pine Gate, 300 Charter Boulevard Apt. 109, Macon, GA 31210
Birth
days
Anniversaries
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
1
9:30-10:30 Food
Pantry
2
6:30 Pot Luck
7:15 Bible Study
3
6:30 IOBI
7:00 Choir
4
5
6
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship w/
Communion
Food Offering
Received
7
OFFICE CLOSED
8
9:30-10:30 Food
Pantry
11:00 PW Lunch
12:00 PW Study
4:00 “Mourning
After”
9
6:30 Pot Luck
7:15 Bible Study
10
10:00 Bottle
Brigade
2:00 Book Club
7:00 Choir
11
Care Group
Get Together
5:00 - 9:00 MNS
Choral Retreat
12
13
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
12:15 Deacons
5:00 PW Study
14
5:30 Stewardship
& Finance
6:45 Property
15
9:30-10:30 Food
Pantry
4:30 Worship
Committee
9:30 Samaritan’s
Ministry
16
10:30 VIP’s
5:15 S.T.A.R.S.
6:30 Pot Luck
7:15 Bible Study
17
2:00 LIR Reading
3:00 LIR Writing
6:30 IOBI
7:00 Choir
18
19
12:00 Prison
Family Lunch
20
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
12:30 Youth Group
5:30 Session
21
22
9:30-10:30 Food
Pantry
5:15 Kiwanis 6:30 Bridge
23
5:15 S.T.A.R.S.
6:30 Pot Luck
7:15 Bible Study
24
5:00 MCGA
7:00 Choir
25
26
27
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
28
Newsletter
Deadline
6:00 GS Leaders
29
9:30-10:30 Food Pantry
30
5:15 S.T.A.R.S.
6:30 Pot Luck
7:15 Bible Study
“This is the day
which the LORD
hath made;
we will
rejoice and be
glad in it.”
September 1
Jan Thompson
September 2
Sheree Applebury
Elizabeth Baarda
September 4
Joseph Dean
September 8
Eloise Lamb
September 9
Frankie Holder
September 10
Tom Wood
September 11
Mollie Ritchie
September 1 Roy & Kate Phillips
September 3 Thomas & Mary Lucik
September 20 Joe & Haywood Edwards
September 21 George & Nan Carpenter
September
September 14
John Bradley
Ellen Thompson
Reba Vaughan
September 19
Stephanie Azahar
Iain Flory
September 20
Lonnie Bales
Polly Morrison
September 22 Alice Tenold