Church Office: 772-464-4263 Located: 2499 Virginia Ave., F. Pierce 34982

Office Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 Mon - Thurs

Congregational Care Line (after hours) 772-242-4633

January 2017

SonScriber

Pastor Bryan’s Pen...

Dear IRPC family and friends, Once again you have pulled together as a family and presented the most wonderful gift to our community…the real reason we celebrate Christmas…the story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Thank you for all that you did to make this gift possible. Many thanks go out to: -all the “behind the scenes” folks who work endlessly and faith-fully to prepare this gift.

- the workday crews, including those who show up the day be-fore the official first workday and get everything ready in ad-vance of the actual workday! This makes our first workday so productive.

-the kitchen staff for Saturday and Sunday night, as well as the food suppliers! You all are amazing cooks!!! Your gifts are deli-cious!

- the scene coordinators for taking your job seriously and work-ing with your team so effectively; you know how important it is to keep everything as genuine as possible and still enjoy the ex-perience.

Our Vision

IRPC envisions a

movement of the

Gospel transform-

ing lives, commu-

nities and the

world.

Our Mission

Love God

Love Others

Make Disciples

Monthly newsletter of Indian River Presbyterian Church

We are an ECO congregation—A Covenant Order of Evangelical

Presbyterians

(Continued)

-the costume director and her crew for providing great, authentic costumes and getting everyone fitted and ready to go! Your organizational skills are amazing!

-the beard applier and her mad skills!

- the parking lot crew and golf cart drivers! Keeping everyone moving in the right di-rection!

-to David and Sandy Hartley and Gator Trace Golf Club for providing the golf carts that help those who need it to get around!

- the sound specialists and electrical folks, who kept us hearing and seeing both nights, always facing the challenges with a smile or a confident grin.

-the firewood supplier who has worked all year splitting and gathering firewood to keep us warm.

- the Sheriff deputies who kept everyone safe coming and going-honestly we could not hold this event with out them! Thank you to Sheriff Mascara for supporting this ministry.

- the Boy Scout Troop 444 and their leader Michael Hazelief for filling the luminaries, laying out the path and keeping it lit all night, both nights.

- Bruce Hopper from Plant Haven Wholesale Plant Nursery for supplying all the plants to decorate our scenes! You are wonderful! Thank you too, to the IRPC crew who made several trips to pick-up and take back the plants!

- The FPUA crew who turns off and then back on, just the right lights on our campus!

- the office staff for remembering and coordinating the details and the sign-up sheets and keeping everything printed, organized and up to date!

-the Prayer Tent folks who prayed with the never ending line of people seeking pray-er.

-the exit greeters who handed out thousands of flyers about IRPC and blessed people as they left.

-ALL of the cast members for bringing the scenes to life and sometimes sitting or standing for hours to present your portion of the gift!

-the animal providers who work into the wee hours of the morning each night picking up the animals and bedding them down till the next evening while the rest of us are already snoozing! Your love and devotion is appreciated! Thank you to everyone! Each year, we receive several comments of appreciation dur-ing these two nights. This year we also received the following letter:

Pastor’s Pen (Cont’d)

We have been blessed to be a blessing indeed!!!

New Year’s greetings to all, Pastor Bryan Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

2017 WINTER AND SPRING STUDY AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

COLOSSIANS: CONFIDENT CHRISTIANITY

(2017 SPRING SEMESTER)

Colossians: Confident Christianity is a seven-week study on the book of Colossians that will

begin Sunday, February 19th and finish Saturday, April 8th. Colossians: Confident

Christianity is perfect for anyone already familiar with the basics of the Christian faith.

Colossians: Confident Christianity will cover the following topics …

Jesus our confidence

Jesus our Lord

Jesus our Rock

Jesus our fullness

Jesus our lifestyle

Jesus our ministry

Look for sign-ups in

February!

“After having brought my family out to our annual tradition of experiencing your church’s living nativity, I felt like I needed to share with you our extreme gratitude for what this is for us and our community. What a beautiful witness to the miracle of Christ becoming flesh, the expression of divine love that boggles the mind. We all commented how we recognized that the event seems to be “new and improved” in a number of ways; donkeys at the Inn where Joseph and Mary tried to get a room, the Davidic dancers are always my favorite, the realistic conversations between the tax collector and those he taxed, the Magi had a pool with waterfall and backdrop behind them and the infant actor who stole the show with his peaceful smile! IRPC has successfully kept this re-enactment fresh and engaging. God bless you and your body of Christ for the gift you have given us.”

~WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION~

Stephen Ministers are available to listen, encourage and pray with you when you are experiencing difficulties in life. Please look at a brochure inside the red friendship register and be in touch with Bryan at 464-4263, ext. 105 or email bryan@irpcfamily.org for more information about this

Christ-centered confidential caregiving ministry.

Seeing IRPC posts in Facebook

For the past couple of years Indian River Presbyterian Church has had a

Facebook page. Did you know that by "liking" our page, it helps Facebook push

the updates we post in to your News Feed? It's a great way to keep up with the

IRPC Family, and provides you with an opportunity to reach out to your

friends, family and neighbors when you "share" our posts to your own

timeline.

Here are the steps to make sure you are seeing our updates in your

News Feed.

Go to IRPC's Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/IRPCFamily/)

and make sure you "Like" it.

Now hover over "Following" or "Liked" near the cover photo.

Select "See First"

You can also help let your friends know about our page. To do this, from

our Facebook page click on "invite friends to like this page" on the right.

Then scroll through your friends list, and invite those who may be interested

in Indian River Presbyterian Church.

You can help others to become more aware of our posts by choosing to "like"

and/or "Share" them. This is a great way of boosting the awareness of our

posts and helps others to see the great things happening at IRPC.

Finally, be sure to "Message" us with your ideas and suggestions on what you

would like to see us post! We are always looking for great suggestions.

Like us on

Facebook!

What is Alpha? How can you participate?

Alpha is a global mission that is a practical introduc-

tion to the Christian faith.

What’s the point of LIFE?

What happens when we DIE?

Is FORGIVENESS possible?

What RELEVANCE does Jesus have for our lives

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO REGISTER FOR ALPHA:

STEP 1-Tell us who you are

Name(s):____________________________________________________

Email:______________________________________________________

Phone Number:______________________________________________

Step 2-How Many Dinner Reservations do you need?

Adults ____________ Children____________________

Step 3 Do you need Child care? We would love to provide child care for you;

however, we MUST have the children registered in advance.

Name:______________________________Age:_______

Name:______________________________Age:_______

Name:______________________________Age:_______

Evangelism is invitational...ALPHA is one of our next Evangelism events!

Do you want to learn more about our Lord or do you know someone that you

want to introduce to Him. Alpha is an incredible opportunity to Evangelism

by inviting others to participate.

Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a

relaxed, nonthreatening setting . It is low-key, friendly, and fun! It is also

an opportunity to share our faith by inviting others to participate.

Alpha begins January 17th , each Tuesday at 6pm through April 4th and

includes a wonderful meal. There is a special Saturday on March 4th!

Mark your calendar and save the

date for IRPC’s BIG BAZAAR Saturday,

February 11, 2017! The Bazaar runs from

8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. An activity of IRPC

Women’s Ministries, our bazaar this year will

feature more involvement of IRPC than ever

before! Proceeds from the bazaar will help our

Raise the Roof Campaign which is putting a

new roof on our educational/meeting rooms.

Organization of this event is going on now –

consider involving your IRPC group.

There will be something for everyone at THE

BIG BAZAAR. Welcoming our community

visitors, Women's Ministries members will be

available to provide information about our

worship services, programs and to answer

questions.

Outside features:

The Grill, selling delicious hamburgers and

hotdogs, prepared and sold by IRPC Youth;

Men’s Ministries are excited to stage the

IRPC Car Show again this year;

Family Ministries are putting up the bounce

house and planning fun activities for all

ages.

The Treasures Sale, where everyone finds

something, continues!

Vendor spaces are open outside for both

nonprofit and for profit businesses.

Inside features: In Sample Hall Women’s

Ministries continues our traditions of the

Scottish Tea, the Bake Sale and tables

featuring our talented artists, craftspeople,

photographers, collectors and church

business people.

Tours of the sanctuary featuring our

beautiful windows are scheduled at 10:00 AM

and 1:00 PM.

The Big Bazaar promises to be a great time

which will result in helping our Raise the Roof

Campaign, serving Christ by maintaining his

house of worship.

Contact Nancy Bredemeyer

(nancybredemeyer@hotmail.com, 772 240

1546) or Suzanne Varn

(suzannevarn@yahoo.com, 772 5793834) for

more information.

Mustard Seed Ministries is an outreach organization working cooperatively to provide assistance for individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. They address the financial, educational, physical and emotional needs through the power of cooperation and faith. Mustard Seed is also a local mission partner with IRPC. To support their outreach, food is collected for sharing with those in need. During the month of January, Mustard Seed is requesting, pasta and pasta sauce . Hygiene items are always much needed: bar soap,

tooth paste , deodorant . You may place your gifts in one of the brown leather benches in the Narthex. Thank you!

From Nancy Bredemeyer…..

Let Us Celebrate YOU January 1

Bill Kofoed

January 2

Alan Pohl

January 3

Betty Church

January 10

Linda Spodick

January 12

Keith Crawford

Lauren Hellstrom

January 13

Marcia Cully

January 15

David Hancock

January 16

Bob Bonebrake

January 17

Denny Green

Marian Lawrence

January 18

Denny Passman

January 20

Virginia Haigh

Dean Yonge

January 21

Joy Weaver

January 14

John & Carolyn

Welsh

January 16

John & Trina Long

January 23

Harold & Connie

Steel

January 30

Doug & Deborah

Girling

January 2

Dan & Stephanie DeIulio

January 5

Larry & Carol McGinnis

January 12

Bob & Judy Fox

Christopher & Ashley

Morales

January 14

Steven & Karen Maxwell

January 26

David Carling

January 28

Andrea Abernethy

January 29

Abigail Dixon

Chet White

January 30

Roy Ward

A Thank You from Mildred Smith….upon turning 100 Years Old! To Pastor Bryan and IRPC Members, Thank you for the beautiful flowers delivered by Judy Carlin. The varied colors; they were unbelievable! I enjoyed them for many days and I wish to thank you for your kind thought of me! Thank you, again-Thank you!

Diana Bunton also thought of me and invited me to the Christmas luncheon on Saturday-My thanks also go to Diana. The luncheon was superb! The food, decorations, music and meeting my friends again will be a memory long remembered. Love to all! Thank you, Thank you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year………….Mildred Smith

Our Prayers and Christian Sympathy to:

† The friends and family of Ginny Slagle who passed away on December 26th.

† Anne Henderson & family and the friends of John Henderson who passed away

on December 31st.

Please remember our Homebound and out-of-town members and friends

Mary Tidwell

Howard & June Turner

June Wauters

Eric Withers

Pat Allen

William Dannahower

Barbara Grinnell

Jay Harrison

Gene Hebb

June Heck

Gwen Henning

Hazel Henry

Betty Higginbothom

Sara Higgs

Eleanor Laurelli

Gerald McNamee

Ken Rawe

Agnes Siple

Mildred Smith

Ruth Smith

Sylvia Somerville

Mary Tidwell

If YOU need prayers and would like

your name added to the list, contact

Pastor Bryan.

From the Dewson Family…

Thank you to Diane Lund and the ladies for

the wonderful food they provided for Bill’s

Service.

Thank you also for the expressions of

sympathy by card, phone calls and prayers.

What a comfort and support being part of

such a wonderful church has been.

Our Love In Christ,

Sandi, Rodney, Donna & Brad Dewson

Butterfly Kisses Father-Daughter Dance to benefit Hope’s Closet 4 Children Sunday, February 12th 2017, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Pelican Yacht Club 1120 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949

Clothing, underwear and socks are items that many of us take for granted. Sadly many school age children miss school because they do not have school appropriate clothing. Thankfully the Treasure Coast cares for families in need…thousands of gently-worn, good quality items are donated every year so children can feel good about themselves and be ready to learn. Hope’s Closet 4 Children, a community program of Grace Way Village, a 501 c 3 organization located in Fort Pierce was created in 2010 to assist families with their clothing needs. More than 70 local social service agencies and the St. Lucie County School District refer children to Hope’s Closet 4 Children where every six months they may shop at no cost for school and casual play clothing. New socks and underwear, pajamas, winter wear, shoes and books are also offered. Every year Hope’s Closet 4 Children presents their signature fundraising event, Butterfly Kisses Father Daughter Dance. Not only does the event provide a wonderful afternoon for fathers and daughters (or other male family members) to create priceless memories together, funds from the event are used to support the organization which has given more than 200,000 items of clothing to families disadvantaged by poverty. On February 12, 2017, the beautiful Pelican Yacht Club will be transformed into a Butterfly Kisses wonderland complete with dancing, crafts, refreshments, glamor and glitz, photograph opportunities and fairy hair magic. There’s a silent auction offering beautiful baskets filled with treats and treasures that no dad can resist for his little princess. The dance is the perfect time to find a Valentine’s gift for mom. No moms are allowed to attend so dads can find a special gift for his Valentine. “Planning and attending Butterfly Kisses is something I look forward to every year,” says Linda Chastain, Hope’s Closet Director. “This is our 5th year to host the event and this dance promises to be one of the best ever. We are blessed with a generous group of sponsors and donors who open their hearts and help provide a lifetime memory for our guests. Seeing the little girls dance with their fathers absolutely melts your heart.”

The dance has sold out in past years and requires pre-registration. For more information see www.gracewayvillage.com.

Attention College and Graduate Students at IRPC

The Adrian M. Sample Scholarship is available for you to apply for as a member of IRPC and is renewable for up to four years. The scholarship is administered through the IRSC Foundation.

Visit www.adriansamplescholarship.com to download an application. Contact at the IRSC Foundation is Latrice Thomas @ 772-462-4786. Elder Buck Bry-an or Pastor Bryan Wenger can also answer any questions you have. The ap-plication deadline for the 2017/18 school year is Monday, April 10, 2017 .

Pastor Bryan

QUILTERS of I.R.P.C.

Wednesdays 9am-11am Room 107

Originally started off a Quilters, but through the

years encouraged others to join us with their

talents like

Knitting, Crocheting

Cross Stitch

Designing Crafts

We would like you to come and share your

talent, with us come have fellowship and

devotions with us

Ina Healy

Women’s Circle Meetings

Women’s Circles are for women of all ages, and they meet in many capacities, serving the church

and providing community. Each Circle serves a different purpose within the overall group. Circles

exist to challenge, nurture, reach out, grow, and send women out into ministry, both within the

church and outside of it’s walls. If you are a woman interested in becoming a part of a Circle, or

would like more information, contact the front office.

Deborah Circle – Meets in room 201 on the 1st Saturday of every month.

Esther Circle – Meets in various homes of it’s members on the 1st Tuesday of the month ..

Rebekah Circle – Meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 10:30 am rotating between home

and room 201 at the church.

Ruth Circle – Meets in room 107 on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 10 am.

Cathy’s Corner

A Quick Year Review of Women’s Ministries

As I am writing this, it is a mere two days before 2017 arrives. Wow! Did Fall just fly by in a blink of an eye? Hard to believe that we just got back together in September and I began serving as moderator for Women’s Ministries. Such a beautiful gathering for my installation and recommitment of circle leaders for IRPC. December brought our Christmas luncheon and what a turnout it was! Thanks to Chef Joe for all the work we ladies normally would do in the kitchen, we were all able to relax and

have a wonderful time of fellowship. I think a new tradition has begun!

Thanks to all the ladies who work so diligently beside me on the coordinating team. Some things circle members may not know (or perhaps just need reminding)) is how Women’s Ministries is such an integral part of this church. In the fall of 2016, we have contributed $1000 toward the Raise the Roof campaign with more to come. (See Nancy Bredemeyer’s article in this issue of Sonscriber.) We have also supplied new bibles this year for the youth and for the infants who have been baptized at IRPC. And let’s not forget the missions each circle supports. One only needs to go through her book to see the diversity displayed in charity and love; local schools, Gateway Village, Love’s Calling Int., Heifer

Int., local missions, and the Crop Walk just to name a few.

So ladies, are we essential in the life of this church and The Church? Yes! A thousand

times yes!

I thank the Lord each day for each and every one of you.

May God grant me the wisdom and grace to serve you well in the new year and beyond!

See you all at the Big Bazaar on February 11th!

In Christ’s Love, Cathy Coco

December was such a blessing to Grace Way Village! Aside from the regular privilege of ministering through our programs Hope's Closet 4 Children and Matthew's Café, Christmas rained presents...it truly did! Matthew's Café Director, Peggy Hennessey, collected toys for children who would be attending dinner on Christmas. She also had hygiene bags for the adults that were donated by an Eagle Scout. A Matthew's Café volunteer who delivers meals every week to the seniors and disabled in Fort Pierce received a grant from Thrivent Financial, contributing all of it to gift the 63 delivery residents a wonderful care package, including a Bible. Al's Family Farm donated oranges for all of the residents, too. Hope's Closet saw a great need for two families, collecting presents for them, too. When the need was heard for presents, quite a few individuals dropped some off. The Crossings Church took our breath away with two truckloads of presents! I told you that it rained presents! Having more presents than needed, the remaining presents will be gifted to Birthday Angels, a nonprofit that hosts birthday parties for homeless children. The heart of Grace Way Village is our volunteers. Their faithfulness and sweet spirits bless all they serve. Concerned that we would have a shortage of volunteers on Christmas Day, we prayed. Just as it rained presents, volunteers kept coming through the door. What a tremendous blessing!!!! It is with sweet contemplation that I wonder what motivates another to leave their personal celebration to come and serve others. Is this not a wonderful example of Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Grace Way Village's fall Getting Ahead class celebrated with its graduation on December 13. Eleven graduates shared with elegance, song, dance, and an abundance of delicious food! If you need a truly gifted pianist or wonderful caterers or bakers, please contact me. The entrepreneurs in this group are excellent! What a privilege to help another take a step out of poverty! All who donate to Grace Way Village impact each person fed, clothed, and educated. Each dollar given blesses abundantly in several very important ways. All at Grace Way Village are so very grateful for Indian River Presbyterian Church's continued support in this ministry that does so very much for our neighbors in need!

Cathie Mouring

Executive Director

Grace Way Village