the first presbyterian church of litchfield, mn may 2016 ... · may 2016 newsletter . upcoming...
TRANSCRIPT
Pastor Gordy’s Message By Pastor Gordy Pennertz
Verse for May: For great is the Lord, and
greatly to be praised; he is to be revered
above all gods. Psalm 96: 4 In a recent sermon, I made the point (or tried to at least) that the church is so much more than the hour we spend in the sanctuary on Sunday morning. It is filling bags for the Food for Kidz, it is making cards with or pancakes for the clients at WINGS. It is giving to or working with the Meeker Area Ministry board. It is sharing our joys and sorrows over coffee at McDonald’s. It is serving a meal at the funeral of one of our own.
I said this, “We perhaps are making a mistake about what it means to be a Christian if Sunday morning sitting in a pew quietly praying and singing is what we think church is. This...is about finding a venue to serve and to show love. This is about fellowship and hospitality. This is about worshiping our Lord and Savior and entering into a relationship with him.” We have expanded our ways of worshiping and serving the Lord. I do have a bone to pick though. Quarterly, there are a half dozen or so of us that gather to pray specifically for the people in our circle who are in need of prayer for whatever reason. We call it the Wellness Prayer service. It seems to me there should be many more of us gathering. James, in his epistle, is clear about our call to pray together for those in need. “Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save
the
sick, and the Lord will raise them up.” (James 5: 13-15) We miss out on the power promised through prayer if we fail to come together in prayer for one another. I encourage you, when our next wellness prayer service comes around, join us in the sanctuary as we join in a spirit of prayer, trusting in God's goodness, power and grace to touch the bodies and souls of those for whom we pray.
We miss out on the power promised through prayer if we fail to come together in prayer for one another. I encourage you, when our next wellness prayer service comes around, join us in the sanctuary as we join in a spirit of prayer, trusting in God's goodness, power and grace to touch the bodies and souls of those for whom we pray. Grace and peace,
Pastor Gordy
First Presbyterian Church of Litchfield, MN
May 2016 NEWSLETTER
Upcoming events: Wednesday May 4 Home communions 3:30
PM
Saturday May 7 Pastor Gordy and Julie in
Walk for Life in St. Cloud
Sunday, May 8 Mother's Day, French Toast
breakfast sponsored by Confirmation class
8:30-9:30
Tuesday, May 10 Session meets at 7:00
Wednesday, May 11 The Story Bible Study
at 4:30 at church
Thursday, May 12 CCC meeting 4:30
Sunday May 15 Day of Pentecost-wear red
Wednesday, May 18 Lilac Luncheon
Sunday, May 22 last day of Sunday school.
Monday, May 23 Mary Martha 6:00
Tuesday, May 24 Newsletter Articles due.
Wednesday, May 25 The Story Bible study
4:30 at church
Monday May 30 Memorial Day
LITURGIST:
1-Julie Rae Pennertz
8-Stephanie Rech
15=Ruth Townsend
22-Shirley Brooks
29-Kay Hanson
USHERS:
1-Roger & Mary Crosbie & Family
8-Amy & Wade Viehauser
15-Arlyce Dedrickson
22-??
29-Don & Jayne Ackman
Money Counters:
1-Julie Rae Pennertz & Jayne Ackman
8-Beverly Driver & Judy Holmes
15-Michael Joldersma & Julie Rae Pennertz
22-Shirley Brooks and Susan Berg
29-Gary Graphenteen & Julie Rae Pennertz
Communion Servers:
Shirley, Ann, Dottie &
Coffee Hour:
1-Amy Viehauser
8-Ann Abramson
15-Julie Rae Pennertz
22-Harriet Koelln
29-May serving Unit
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:
8-Joel Barrick
8-Lila Lundberg
13-Amy Viehauser
14-Cicily Savoy
18-Heidi Pennertz
24-Bruce Good
28-Mary Crosbie
“A dewdrop acts out the will of God as surely as the thunderstorm. God cares little about size; He cares immensely about service.”
SANCTUARY DUTY:
May: Amy L.
June: Shirley Brooks
July: Jayne
August: Julie Rae
Sept: David P.
Oct: Amy L
Nov: Rosie
Dec: Shirley
Jan: David P.
MAY Liturgy
1- Psalm 67 Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 John 5:1-9
8-Psalm 97 Revelation 22:12-14, 16-
17, 20-21 John 17:20-26
15-Psalm 104:24-34 Romans 8:14-17
John 14:8-17 (25-27)
22-Psalm 8 Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15
29-Psalm 96 Galatians 1:1-12
Luke 7:1-10
THE STORY” Bible Study:
We will hold class on May 11 and 25 at 4:30 at church if there are no more changes and challenges causing us to change! The 11th will be on
“Jesus, the Son of God” where we will study some of the claims Jesus made about who and what he was. The 25th is “The Hour of Darkness” which you probably realize is the story of the crucifixion. Please consider joining us for these classes and learn a bit more about the place of Jesus in our lives!
Word of the month:
Creed — A statement of beliefs which include the fundamentals considered necessary to salvation. Our
most familiar creed is the Apostles' Creed. It is one of 11 creeds, or confessions or catechisms that are part of the Presbyterian Church's Constitution. The rest are found in “The Book of Confessions”. A creed is usually written to clear up misunderstandings in the doctrines of the church. We do well to study our creeds to help us understand our faith better.
We will once again be going to
WINGS and making
cards with the kids
there. Come and join us
on Friday, May 13, at 2
PM. Help make some good
memories and reach out to those in
need of people to care for them!
Deacons serving
schedule: If you are in
need of a deacon for
rides, for help, for
notifying someone is in the hospital
etc…Please contact the deacon of
the month.
May: Amy V. June: Harriet
July: Julie Rae August: Harriet
Sept: Julie Rae Oct: Amy V.
Nov: Savannah Dec: Barb Bremseth
Dec 24th: Amy V. /All
PRESBYTERIN WOMEN NEWS: SPRING HAS SPRUNG. The Lilac Luncheon
will be held on May 18th this year. It
will be similar to last year. Shirley
Good will display her quilts again and
have a quilt that will be available for
raffling. We are asking members of
the church to sell raffle tickets at $2
each or 3 for $5. See Julie Rae to get
yours! We will also need many to help
display the Quilts and to feed those
who come to eat. Because our numbers
of helpers is down every one will need
to make at least two salads and some
more. Salad assignments are as
follows:
Jan-April: Meat May-Aug: Fruit
Sept-Dec: Vegetable
Mary-Martha Circle NEWS: Come and join us!! It is the final meeting until fall on Monday, May 23rd at 6 PM at Julie Rae Pennertz’s house for our annual potluck. Bring something to share and come and join the fellowship!
ALL women of the church are invited.
Food for Kidz: Thanks to all who gave to
and who worked for the Food for Kidz
project! We were able to pack over 103,000
bags of food for needy kids around the
world!
It is Super Hero Time!
It is the end of year Sunday school party for youth (including Confirmation!) So come on Sunday, May
22nd at 9 AM for games, treats and prizes! Don’t forget, the greatest Super Hero of all time…Jesus Christ!
May 22nd is also teacher appreciation Sunday, during morning worship.
Won’t you come and join the
youth as they bring us a French
Toast breakfast on Sunday, May
8th (Mother’s Day) starting at
8:30 AM and running til about 9:30 am or so. A
free-will offering will be taken and given to
Meeker Area Ministries homeless project.
MAY Prayer list
1-Ann Abramson
2-Don & Jayne Ackman
3-Ryan Ackman
4-Joshua Anderson
5-Dwight Barrick
6-Joel Barrick
7-Mortie & Susan Berg
8-Carol Blunt
9-david Boll
10-Linda Karg (Boll)
11-Heath Bozonie
12-Barbara Bremseth
13-Shirley Brooks
14-Melva Burnette
15-CJ Crosbie
16-Roger & Mary Crosbie
17-Arlyce Dedrickson
18-Beverly Driver
19-Bruce & Shirley Good
20-Gary & Rosie Graphenteen
21-Kay Hanson & Tim Lane
22-Greg & Karen Heath
23-Judy Holmes
24-Doug & Laurie Johnson
25-Jared & Courtney Johnson/Maci
26-Michael & Rhonda Joldersma & Savannah
27-Sierra Joldersma
28-Ken & Harriet Koelln
29-Owen KRagenbring & Family
30-Roger & Roz Landers
31-Jim & Lila Lundberg
SCRIPTURE:
The Bible is a good book. It contains
exciting history, challenging prophecy, and
sound advice. We could read it just like any
other time-honored classic and walk away
inspired. But, the Bible offers us something
better—the chance to walk away changed.
That’s because the Bible is different from
other good books you may have on your
shelf. It is the actual word of God. As you
read, God’s Spirit whispers to our hearts
how this ancient text directly applies to our
lives today. Throughout the Old and New
Testament, God will guide us, challenge us,
and comfort us. The only loving response to
this love letter from our heavenly Father is
to act on what we hear.”
“God did not write a book and send it by a
messenger to be read ata distance by
unaided minds. He spoke a Book and lives in
His spoken words, constantly speaking His
words and causing the power of them to
persist across the years.” AW Tozer
“When you have read the Bible, you will know
it is the word of God, because you will have
found it the key to your own heart, your own
happiness and your duty.” Woodrow Wilson
“Using the scriptures, the person who serves
God will be ready and will have everything he
needs to do every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:17
Happy Mother’s Day to all
women of the church!
Session Minutes – April 2016
Session met on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were: Sue Berg, Shirley Brooks, Arlyce Dedrickson, Gary Graphenteen, Judy Holmes, Michael Joldersma & Pastor Pennertz. Pastor Pennertz opened the meeting with prayer for our community.
1. Treasurer’s report: Decided we need
memo portion completed in order to
better review the reports.
2. Pastor’s report for March 2015: Pastor
Pennertz, Deacon David Pennertz and
Deacon Julie Pennertz served home
communion to three people.
Pastor Pennertz made 10 visits. Pastor Pennertz attended CRE Training.
3. Clerks report: Forty-two people were
served communion in April.
Communion servers for May are Ann
Abramson, Shirley Brooks, Judy Holmes
and Dottie Madsen.
4. Approved church use for a voice and
piano recital on Saturday, May 21, 2016
at 2:00 p.m. The teacher is Michelle
Seiffert. Savannah Joldersma will
perform. Michael Joldersma will have
the piano tuned before the recital.
5. Pastor Pennertz served dilly bars in
celebration of Sue Berg’s retirement.
6. Prayer mid-way through meeting:
Session members prayed the Our Father
prayer together.
7. Committee reports:
a. Worship/Christian Education:
Reviewed Holy Humor
Sunday. Considering a Hymn
Sunday soon. Summer church
hours begin on May 22, 2016.
Banner Committee will meet
after church soon.
b. Christian Community:
Reviewed Pancake Supper for
Wings. Prizes were given for
the pancake shuffleboard
tournament. Rosie and Gordy
Graphenteen delivered food
from the Pack the Pew
campaign to the Food Shelf.
Julie Pennertz deposited the
loose change from the Noisy
Can offering. A dozen people
signed-up to go to Branson on
the Road on June 21, 2016 in
St. Cloud. Dates for fishing on
the pontoons will be arranged.
Summer church hours will be
submitted to the newspaper.
c. Buildings & Grounds: The
Prayer Garden committee met
with Buildings & Grounds to
discuss replacing the steps
and door at the north
entrance and updates to the
prayer garden. The shrubs on
the west side will be replaced
with re-blooming lilacs. Greg
Heath will sandblast the two
urns in the prayer garden.
Greg Heath, Rhonda Joldersma, and David Pennertz will decide on flowers for the prayer garden and front yard. The pavers in the prayer garden will be removed and granite blocking will be installed. Rick Johnson is doing the prayer garden, steps and door remodel on the north side. Some of the pavers will be used at the back door to lessen difficulties when mowing. Eventually, the foundation of the whole church will be re-surfaced.
d. Stewardship & Personnel:
Peacemaking offering went to
our local Domestic Shelter.
Online banking is set-up.
Brochures about endowments
to the church will be available
soon.
The April meeting came to a close with session members giving our church’s blessing to one another. The next Session Meeting is on May 9, 2016.
Respectfully submitted by Judy Holmes
The annual Lilac
Luncheon will be
held on Wednesday,
May 18th
from 11-
1:30 PM. In
addition to our
delicious salads, Shirley Good
will be hosting a quilt show od
her latest quilts. In addition,
we will be raffling off one of her
quilts (Thank Shirley!) It is
beautifully hand quilted. The
cost of the raffle tickets is $2
each or 3 for $5. PLEASE help us
sell the tickets. You can get
your set of tickets from Julie
Rae. We need MANY people to
work the luncheon and ask
that you will sign-up to helo in
some way.
“If I Had My Life to Live Over
Again” By Erma Bombeck
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of
pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if
I weren’t there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a
rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the
carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living
room and worried much less about the dirt when
someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my
grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried
by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled
up on a summer day because my hair had just been
teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching
television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it
was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed
to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy,
I’d have cherished every moment and realized that
the wonderment growing inside me was the only
chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never
have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”
There would have been more “I love yous” and more
“I’m sorrys.”
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize
every minute, look at it and really see it…live it and
never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL
STUFF!!!
Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has
more, or who’s doing what. Instead, let’s cherish the
relationships we have with those who do love us.
“Mother always said, ‘You can never
judge a gift by its wrappings’.
Likewise, you will never know God’s
great gift until you open your heart
to Him.”
Shirley Pastor, David & Julie Rae
Rech Family Rosie Graphenteen
Savannah and Rhonda
Marshall & “The Grinch”
Katie’s Seuss Shoes!
SCENES FROM HOLY HUMOR SUNDAY!
Russell’s updated address:
Russ Joldersma
1335 N. University Drive #3
Fargo, ND 58102