Volume 34, No. 4 September 2013

Monthly Publication of First Presbyterian Church 133 E. North St. PO Box 196, Geneseo, IL 61254

Fall WORSHIP SCHEDULE Starting the 8th: Sunday School 9:15 Worship 10:30 a.m.

After Church Coffee 11:30 a.m.

Church Office: 309-944-5189

fpcgeneseo@geneseo.net www.geneseofpc.org

1 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:30 Worship Led by Joel Jackle-Hugh 8 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30 Worship Led by Joel Jackle-Hugh 15 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30 Worship Led by Archie Williams 22 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30 Worship – Communion Led by Rev. Becky Nystrom 29 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30 Worship

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Update on Teaching Update on Teaching Update on Teaching Update on Teaching ElderElderElderElder (Pastor)(Pastor)(Pastor)(Pastor) SearchSearchSearchSearch

A message from your Session The basic steps in the process of acquiring a new Teaching Elder (formerly known as Pastor) are as follows:

- Appoint an IPNC to seek, interview and hire a Transitional Teaching Elder (formerly known as Interim Pastor) working with and through the Presbytery.

- The prospective Transitional Teaching Elder will be approved by the Session and the Presbytery. - The Transitional Teaching Elder will, among other things, guide our church through the process of writing

both a Mission and a Financial Statement. - Our church will elect a Pastor Nominating Committee (“PNC”). - The PNC, working with the Presbytery, will seek, interview and bring forward a candidate for the position

of Teaching Elder and a proposed contract. - The Session and Congregation will approve this candidate and the proposed contract. - Presbytery will approve this candidate and the proposed contract. - The new Teaching Elder will assume his role within our church.

The above process could take eighteen to twenty-four months to complete. The following has been completed at this time: Your Session is serving as the IPNC. The IPNC requested a candidate list from the Presbytery. This list was narrowed down to three individuals. One of those individuals was chosen by the IPNC as the favorite and contact was established with him. Negotiations with the Presbytery and the prospective candidate for Transitional Teaching Elder proceeded with discussions concerning his abilities, his references, the contract and his availability among other items.

A proposed contract has been agreed upon and Session has approved this contract. We are currently awaiting Presbytery approval. Our new Transitional Teaching Elder will be Reverend Laurence Timothy Doty and he will begin on October 2, 2013. He will be residing in Peoria and commuting by vehicle or by telephone and Internet. He will be in Geneseo an average of three or four days a week. Please welcome Pastor Tim Doty to Geneseo. His church E-mail address will be fpcpastor@geneseo.net.

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New Administrative AssistantNew Administrative AssistantNew Administrative AssistantNew Administrative Assistant A new Administrative Assistant has been hired. Her name is Angela Cones who lives in Geneseo. She began serving our congregation on August 22nd. Please stop in the office and welcome her to our family. Her church E-mail address is fpcsecretary@geneseo.net.

MUSICAL NOTESMUSICAL NOTESMUSICAL NOTESMUSICAL NOTES

Where has summer gone? With all of our busyness, it doesn’t seem that we’ve had time to enjoy any of the “leisure” of the summer season. None the less, we are here looking toward the beginning of the 2013 – 2014 church year. I’m sure you are all aware that there are major changes in the structure of the Church staff. How this manifests itself in the worship service is yet to be determined. However, rest assured that the traditional part of our service will be just that, “traditional”. Your Choir will be there, and I am happy to say that all of our dedicated regulars will still be making beautiful music, although the accompaniment will be a little different. Choir rehearsals will be on Thursday evenings instead of Wednesday, same time - 7:00 to 8:30. (At least until we have a permanent organist/accompanist). I am looking forward to another good year. It would be a heck of a lot better year for all of the singers if we had some additional members. Don’t be shy; we’ll help you develop your abilities and confidence. An old choir director once told me “God gave you that instrument so you should use it to praise Him.” See you at 7:00 PM Thursday August 29th. George

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Adult Sunday SchoolAdult Sunday SchoolAdult Sunday SchoolAdult Sunday School Barbie Asay will once again lead the Adult Bible Study at 9:15 on Sunday mornings. This Bible Study is held in the west dining room, and everyone is encouraged to attend. We appreciate Barb’s willingness to lead this class (discussion) each week.

Kid's KingdomKid's KingdomKid's KingdomKid's Kingdom

It is that time again...Rally Day! In three weeks, on September 8th, we will be having Rally Day! We will be doing

something a little bit different for Rally Day this year. Because our first rotation will be focusing on mission and service, we will be serving the congregation for Rally Day. Starting at 9:15 Kid's Kingdom will be serving breakfast in the east dining room. The children will be serving the food and beverages. They will also help clear plates and clean up the dining room after the breakfast. This will put us off to a great start as we learn about actively serving others as Christians. This breakfast will also function as a fundraiser for IFD. We will have a suggested donation of $5

per person. IFD has set a goal of raising $1,500 this year in order to cover our portion of the church budget. We are already well on our way with the proceeds from the mini-golf fundraiser! Beginning the Sunday after Rally Day, Kid's Kingdom will dig into mission. Each week we will use games and other fun activities to learn about different missionaries and mission organizations from all over the world. We will use a map to plot each place we talk about. There will be a new Bible verse to go along with each session and there will be a mission challenge for them to carry out during the week. The kids will come home with a sheet about the person and place we learned about that day. I encourage you to go over it with them and help them to complete their mission challenge.

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Confirmation ClassConfirmation ClassConfirmation ClassConfirmation Class

I would like to again thank the confirmation class for taking care of mowing the church lawn this summer. They've done a great job! Our confirmation class will grow to 4 students this year...welcome Ethan Durian! Gary Asay will again lead the confirmation class and for that I thank him! They will be delving deep into the Bible this year and I truly look forward to hearing everything they will learn. It will be extra important that they bring their Bibles to class this year! I am really excited to begin this Sunday school year! I always love learning right along with the children and seeing the world through their eyes. Please call or e-mail with any questions! Olivia Melton, Christian Ed Director; 309.489.4168 (Home) 309.714.0193 (Cell) osmetlton@gmail.com

Presbyterian WomenPresbyterian WomenPresbyterian WomenPresbyterian Women PW is starting a new year with a new format. PW Gatherings will only be held four times a year in September, December, April and June. Circles will continue meeting monthly September through May except they don’t meet in December or January. We’ll see you on September 4th for a noon potluck. PW Coordinating Team

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From theFrom theFrom theFrom the

Geneseo Food PantryGeneseo Food PantryGeneseo Food PantryGeneseo Food Pantry

September 2013 Church Newsletter

Each year in July and August, the Geneseo Food Pantry asks for donations of school supplies to help families whose incomes do not allow for the purchase of many needed back-to-school items for their children. All donations remain in the Geneseo school district for use by students who live in and around the community. School started August 14th and our clients’ children once again enjoyed having new supplies to begin the new school year. This year we were able to help 73 children because of the many people who made financial donations or donated school supplies. Your help makes a big difference in the lives of everyone involved. As always, we appreciate your generosity.

Light-weight jackets, long sleeved shirts and jeans will be in demand soon as the weather starts to cool off. With Facebook pages for selling clothing and the opening soon of a Goodwill Distribution Center in Geneseo, the donations of good quality clothing to the Food Pantry are down. Please consider donating outgrown and no longer needed fall clothes to the Pantry. A large number of families and individuals consistently use the items donated by the community as a resource to reduce the dollar amounts necessary to clothe their children.

Many gardeners in the area have been bringing in surplus produce for our clients to enjoy. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to grow, harvest, and donate garden produce to the Food Pantry!

With the number of clients steadily rising each month, up almost 15% from this time last year, we are consistently in need of more food donations. Please keep us in mind when you are doing your grocery shopping. Thank you for keeping us in your heart!

Food needs for September are: Cereal, peanut butter, frosting, spaghettios, canned chicken, chicken noodle, creamed and ‘Chunky’ style soups, sugar free snacks and cookies, ketchup, applesauce, macaroni and cheese, refried beans, pork and beans, saltine and graham crackers, flour and sugar, and canned fruit. Non-food needs are: toilet paper, paper towels, anti-bacterial soap, and laundry soap.

Drop boxes at the church for Food Pantry donations are located outside the church office and in the coat room off the front entrance of the church. Donations are always appreciated and especially encouraged on the third Sunday of the month, which is designated Food Pantry Sunday.

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2013 Harvest Time Music Festival2013 Harvest Time Music Festival2013 Harvest Time Music Festival2013 Harvest Time Music Festival

All are graciously invited to Harvest Time Music Festival Weekend. On Saturday, September 28

th, the Geneseo Performing Arts Council (GPAC) will be hosting its 23rd Annual Maple Leaf Marching Band Classic at the High School. We have several area bands participating in the Classic (a marching band competition), starting around 3 p.m. Our wonderful Geneseo band program will open with the Middle School Marching Band and will close the evening with an exhibition from the High School Marching Band. Come and see some great marching bands and cheer on our own Geneseo kids. Concessions will be sold. On Sunday, September 29

th, the Geneseo choral music program continues the festivities in the Geneseo City Park. The Festival on Sunday consists of choral music from4th grade through High School choirs, live auction, raffle, talent show, and a grand finale. There will be a pork chop dinner, funnel cakes, and more. The fun starts at 11:30 and continues until 5 p.m. This is a great opportunity to support our children and also have some good old fashioned fun and food. Stop by and have lunch after church, listen to some beautiful music, and see why we are so proud or our performing arts program!! For more information feel free to contact Suzette Cravens at (309) 441-5276 or Melanie Curran at (309) 944-5772.

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Birthdays and AnniversariesBirthdays and AnniversariesBirthdays and AnniversariesBirthdays and Anniversaries

SEPTEMBER, 2013

2 Steve Krantz 2 Gabrielle Stancliff 2 Olivia Johnson 4 Toni Quayle 5 Barb Rahn 9 Barb Schang 11 Julie Durian 14 Jim Williams 22 Gerald Whelchel 25 Cathie Bell 27 Gen Atwell 27 Jay Hugh 29 Tyler Weisser 30 Delaney Jone Whelchel 30 Connie Vespermann

Sept. 3 Greg & Sue Wolf Sept. 4 Brandon & Olivia Melton Sept. 6666 Chuck & Barbara GrunwaldChuck & Barbara GrunwaldChuck & Barbara GrunwaldChuck & Barbara Grunwald Sept. 9 Gene & Diane Hartsock Sept. 11 Jon & Courtney Gentry Sept. 23 Gary & Barbara Asay Sept. 27 Jim & Lynn Schaefer If your birthday or anniversary is not listed, please call the church office.

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Prayers of the PeoplePrayers of the PeoplePrayers of the PeoplePrayers of the People

Our prayers continue for Dennis Carton, Shane Haas, Janet Borkgren, Sandy Haas, Carol (Mrs. R.C.) Johnson, Phyllis Keag, Pat Williams, Julie Rash Ulven, Nathan Simpson, Archie Cullen, Chuck Grunwald, Virginia Nelson, Barb Asay, Barb Palmer

Prayers and SPrayers and SPrayers and SPrayers and Sympathiesympathiesympathiesympathies Our prayers and sympathies go out to the family of Raymond Irwin Borkgren who entered eternal life on July 22nd. Pastor Dave presided at the funeral on July 26th and inurement on July 27th.

Thank YouThank YouThank YouThank You NotesNotesNotesNotes A special thank you to everyone who helped with the reception for Pastor Dave as he moves to a new phase in his ministry. We couldn’t have done it without your help; Joan Crider, Julie Durian, Pam Durian, Marcia Fleming, Barb Grunwald, Cathy Hadley, Louise Rash, Karen Stancliff, Sue Wolf,

Barb Schang and Tanya Stephens. The Session: Barb Asay, Gary Asay, Melanie Curran, Scott Durian, Steve Durian, Beth Simpson, Don Simpson & Al Ward

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For the last 20 years, you have been our family. You have been with us through sorrows and many joys. We want you to know that you are deeply appreciated and loved. We also want to thank you for the reception you had for us on our last Sunday in July. For those that organized the event, served through it and prepared

the beautiful and delicious cakes, we give thanks. We are grateful to remain in the area and to be able to continue our friendships with you. Our prayers are always with you as you begin the next chapter in the life of First Presbyterian Church. With love and gratitude, Dave and Sharon

Thank You Worship Leaders

Thank you to Elder Murray Pople, Elder Barb Asay, Joel Jackle-Hugh and Rev. Becky Nystrom for filling the pulpit in August. Robin (Asay) Gravert, Amanda Hayes and Diane Lodge thank you for your music leadership.

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New Grapevine Electronic FormatNew Grapevine Electronic FormatNew Grapevine Electronic FormatNew Grapevine Electronic Format

The Grapevine is being published a little differently now. The printed copy will be very similar to the previous format. The electronic version now in color will continue to be on the WEB page and e-mailed to those requesting it. However, it will contain exactly the same information as the printed version, not an abbreviated version as in the past. Previously the Grapevine had to be typed twice, once for each version. It will now be typed only once and both versions generated from this one copy. Check out the color version on our web site www.geneseofpc.org

Grapevine DeadlineGrapevine DeadlineGrapevine DeadlineGrapevine Deadline

Deadline for Grapevine article submission remains the 20th of the month prior to the publication.

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Inside This Issue of The Grapevine

Table of Contents Update on Teaching Elder (Pastor) Search ............................................................................... 2

New Administrative Assistant .................................................................................................. 3

MUSICAL NOTES ................................................................................................................... 3

Adult Sunday School ................................................................................................................ 4

Kid's Kingdom .......................................................................................................................... 4

Confirmation Class ................................................................................................................... 5

Presbyterian Women ................................................................................................................. 5

Geneseo Food Pantry ................................................................................................................ 6

2013 Harvest Time Music Festival ........................................................................................... 7

Birthdays and Anniversaries ..................................................................................................... 8

Prayers of the People ................................................................................................................ 9

Prayers and Sympathies ............................................................................................................ 9

Thank You Notes ...................................................................................................................... 9

New Grapevine Electronic Format ......................................................................................... 11

Grapevine Deadline ................................................................................................................ 11

133 East North Street Geneseo, IL 61254

www.geneseofpc.org