Newsletter - First Presbyterian Church

Steve's Scratchings

At the Braden house, Sunday night is family video night. We're currently working through the Back to the Future series, and last week we watched the second installment. Released in 1989, this movie took its time-traveling hero (Michael J. Fox) ahead to the then-distant year of 2015. It was fun to see the technological innovations which were then science-fiction, but which have already become commonplace - huge TV's that hang on the wall like pictures, video-conferencing phones - and also those that have not - flying skateboards and cars.

But whether traveling backwards or forwards in time, the hero always finds the same kinds of problems, human problems - jealousy, anger, pride, lust, cruelty, greed. As the song goes, "The fundamental things apply as times go by."

Over the past few years, our congregation has been working to adapt to a changing culture, including post-modernity, the end of the "Christendom" era (when we assumed that "everyone was a Christian"), the emerging "digital culture" of people raised on video screens and rock 'n roll, the emergence of the contemporary mega-church, the decline of downtowns and emergence of suburbs, increased ethnic and religious diversity, and on and on.

These changes pose major challenges to almost every long-established downtown denominational church. Despite all these cultural shifts, "the fundamental things apply." But what are the "fundamental things?" It turns out that they are not matters of style or "the way we've always done things;" they are matters of substance. People still need to know of God's love and forgiveness; people still need Christ's help in finding hope, reconciliation, and healing.

Last fall, in response to our church consultant's recommendations, the session adopted a new mission statement:

Inviting all to know Christ, grow in Christ, and share Christ's love.

This statement is designed to bring us back to the "fundamental things" of our faith. These are not "fundamentalist things" - our congregation does not subscribe to the narrow confines of Biblical literalism or anti-scientific "creationism." Rather, they are the very core dynamics of every thriving Christian church - inviting "people far from God" to know Christ, inviting those who know Christ (including most of our members) to grow in faith and discipleship, and inviting all to share Christ's love by reaching out to those in need.

What does this mission statement mean in real life? How are we living it out? How are we called to live it out in new ways?

Over the course of the next four Sundays, Kathleen and I will be preaching on this statement. Over the course of the next few months, the session will be working on how to lead us in fulfilling this mission. But fulfilling this mission isn't up to the pastors or the session; it us up to all of us. What new things can you do to invite others, to grow in your faith, and to share Christ's love?

May God's blessing be with us all as we work in common purpose.

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Inviting All to Know Christ

Exploring Membership
Are you interested in exploring membership in First Presbyterian? The next class, with pastor Steve Braden, will meet Saturday morning, February 5, from 9:00-noon in the Reception Room at the church. If you have questions, or cannot make that time, please speak to Steve Braden.

The Ministry of Invitation
Have you invited anyone to worship with us recently? Personal invitations are by far the single most important factor in bringing new people into a church. Invite a friend soon!

New Church Sign
A task force from the Outreach Commission and Trustees are continuing to work toward selection and installation of a new free-standing outdoor sign with changeable type to be read from Beardsley St. The task force is excited by the designs being considered, and believes we will have a sign that is attractive, useful in promoting church activities, and congruent with the architecture of our church. Watch for further details.

Coming to the Bridge
In concert

Emily Laudeman
Sunday, February 27

Invite your friends for a special service opportunity
as local Christian singer, Emily Laudeman,
leads our morning Bridge worship

Join the F.E.A.S.T

What makes a F.E.A.S.T.?
It's not the food - it can be fancy or plain, gourmet or mac 'n' cheese!
It's the company! A F.E.A.S.T. is Friends Enjoying A Shared Table

F.E.A.S.T. groups are a wonderful opportunity to make friends, build relationships and strengthen our shared church community!

Sign up. You'll be placed in a F.E.A.S.T. group of 7-10 people. Each group will choose their own time to gather for several meals - meeting three or four times between January and May! Look for the F.E.A.S.T. sign-up table by the Gathering Place on Sunday mornings, or call the church office.

Come to the F.E.A.S.T. - and join other Friends Enjoying A Shared Table.

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Growing in Christ...

New Wednesday Adult Classes in January

Bible From Scratch - Can't tell your Old Testament from your New? Wondering which translations to read? And what is an "Epistle?" If questions like these are plaguing you - here's the class you've been waiting for!! Kathleen O'Connell will lead a six-week basic overview of the Bible. No question is too simple. This is designed for anyone who feels like a Biblical beginner or is looking for a basic introduction. Come discover the joy of God's amazing story! Wednesday nights, 6:30 - 7:30. Class continues through February 23 - it's not too late to join!

Gospel Explorations - Walt Davis will be leading a class beginning January 26. The study will be on Colossians and will last for six weeks.

New Small Group

One Anothering - Are you ready to experience the growth, fellowship and faith of a small group? The next One Anothering group begins meeting on Monday, January 17 at 6:30, and will be led by Pam Duncan in her home. A second group for couples is now forming, and will meet Thursday nights. This thirteen-week study explores the way we are called to care for, pray for and support 'one another' in our faith. If you are interested in participating in either group, please speak with Pam Duncan (266-1408) or Kathleen O'Connell (264-3109).

New Opportunities for Growth in February

Finding God in Life's Transitions

Finding difficult disruptions and transitions?
So did the Hebrew people.

Join us for a Lenten study of the book of Exodus
with the Rev. Sue Cluts
(a Presbyterian minister now worshiping with us)

February 13 - March 20
Sunday mornings, 9:45 a.m Room 101

The Men's Breakfast Club

Meets every Wednesday morning
8:00-9:00 a.m. at Alley Oop's
on Co.Rd. 17
(SW corner of E. Jackson)

Join us for conversation, prayer,
study, and fun.
(look for the private dining room)

Men's Retreat

Hey, Guys - here's a week-end just for you!
Time for fellowship, relaxing, and going deeper in your faith.

Where: Oakwood Conference Center, Syracuse, IN
When: Friday, February 25 - Sunday, February 27

Watch for more information and opportunities to register!

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Sharing Christ's Love...

Tsunami Relief
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is working with Church World Service and other relief agencies to bring help to the victims of the tsunami. You may make a check to our church marked "tsunami," and funds will be forwarded to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for this purpose. If you prefer, you can give online at www.pcusa.org/pda/response/asia/earthquake-1204.htm

Tools of Hope/Blanket Offering
God has blessed you many times over. Unfortunately, there are many people who do not have tools and blankets to make life easy or comfortable. We have an opportunity to reach out to these people by participating in Church World Services Tools of Hope/Blanket Offering. On Sunday, January 23, the congregation is invited to join Presbyterian Women as we collect the Tools of Hope/Blanket Offering. God is good to us - let's share our blessings with others!

Church Community Services
(New!) Food for Thought Tours:
You're invited to take a 1-hour tour CCS/Soup of Success to see their ministry first-hand. No donations will be sought.
Dates: February 7: 6:30 p.m.
February 9: 7:30 a.m.

Food Collection: To help the CCS Food Pantry, please bring items each Sunday:
1st Sunday - Fish (canned tuna & salmon)
2nd Sunday - Spaghetti & Spam (sauce & canned meat)
3rd Sunday - Teeth & Toiletries (tooth-paste, personal care items)
4thSunday - Canned Fruit
5th Sunday - Cleaning Supplies for Faith Mission.

Rent/Housing Assistance: Since the ministry of Dave's Place was merged into CCS at the beginning of December, CCS has been in need of continuing donations for rent and housing. To help in this area, you can make checks to this church marking them "CCS/Dave's," or you can make them directly to CCS marking them "Dave's"

Mission Advocates Sought

Two local missions are seeking an advocate within our congregation. If you are interested in either, please speak to Pastor Steve Braden:

Jail Chaplaincy Program, supporting the work of the chaplain and volunteer chaplains.

Wheels for the World, a now-being-formed local ministry helping find, rehabilate, and distribute old wheelchairs to third-world countries (started by Joni Tada Erickson).

Our youth will collect $1 donations after both services on February 6. There will be two soup pots - one for each team. Place your $1 vote in either soup pot to support whichever team you think will win!

The money received will be donated to Faith Mission. As we enjoy the satisfaction of food and drink while watching the Super Bowl football game, 34,000 young children around the world will die due to malnutrition and preventable diseases. Together, we can make a difference. Everyone WINS in the "Souper Bowl!" Thank you for caring!

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News for All Ages

PEACE: No better time than NOW!
This is our working VBS Theme for 2005. We'd love to have a great peacemaking-minded TEAM working to plan new and creative activities for this project. Does it interest you? Contact Mindy Suhr, Cheryl Ann Miller, or Jennifer Pitcher today. Yes, it's only January, but we're starting NOW to teach and talk PEACE for VBS in June! Be part of this life-changing experience!

JAM Time offerings for FaIl 2004 were sent to "host" a few coffee hours at Okeechobee Presbyterian Church following the hurricanes last fall. This winter/spring, the JAM Time students have decided to assist the Presbyterian Tsunami Relief efforts. Remember your Stu Bear Offerings!

Have you noticed our new calligraphy stairwell? It's located the "back hall" from what used to be the Montessori door, up to the 2nd floor JAM Time classrooms. There are 12 framed prints from calligrapher, Timothy Botts. The JAM Time students studied his works during Advent, and these were part of a similar collection. Thanks to help from Bob and Kathy Wall, they are now framed and hanging in a previously empty stairwell! Check the Bible verses out in person soon!

PoGo (Presbyterians on the Go), our new ministry for senior Presbyterians, is starting the year with a personal survey of all our members age 70+. In the next few weeks, PoGo volunteers will be calling members to schedule these interviews. Information to be gathered will help the church strengthen its ministry to each member, as well as help the members find new ways to connect to the church. These interviews do not involve asking for money.

Coordinated by Mary Ann Graves and Jackie Mackenzie, PoGo will offer a variety of activities and services to our senior members over the course of the year. Thank you to all the volunteers who will be conducting the interviews, and to those of you who will be interviewed!

Terry Bishop has returned as our sexton, doing maintenance and repair of our building, as well as sharing some duties
with custodians Patti Davis and Steve Seward.

Adam Hoffer, drummer in the Bridge Band, has replaced his uncle, Dennis Hoffer, as music coordinator for the Bridge. Dennis will continue playing in the band, as well as contributing to other areas of our music program. Adam's wife, Beth Ann, sings with the Bridge Band, and their 1-year old son, Devon, chimes in when he can.

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Trustee Tribune

Thank You for 2004 Contributions

2005 is here and 2004 is now a memory. The Trustee Members would like to thank everyone for the support during the past year. Church member support both financially and spiritually was a key to the many projects that were completed last year. Some of the projects that were completed were as follows:

Pews in the Sanctuary were re-spaced to increase legroom.
Prime locations for the physically challenged members were created in the Sanctuary.
Room air conditioners were added to two rooms to accommodate meetings and bride preparations.
An automatic door lock and security camera was added to the exterior door near the Chapel.
The downstairs hallway and two classrooms were painted.
Commercial variable speed ceiling fans were installed in the Sanctuary.
The parking lot was sealed and the lines were repainted.
Overgrown trees were removed and new trees and sod were installed on the west side of the Church to update the exterior of the Church.
New copiers were installed so that copies could be created directly from the computer system.
The area for the contemporary Bridge service was created with a new sound system, theatre lighting and wiring was completed.
A new security system was installed to monitor the exterior doors and interior areas for motion and fire.

2005 Projects

A new computer system is being installed which includes updated software.
New emergency exit signs are being installed.
New emergency lighting is being installed.

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Nominations

At the Annual Congregational Meeting on Tuesday evening, February 8, the nominating committee will place the following individuals in nomination for the position listed.

Session: Jan Horner, Dottie Arnold, John Holdeman, Betty Rice, Sydney Rieckhoff, Carol Steede, and Rachel Sirinek.

Deacons: Paul Randall, Elizabeth Davis, Betty Markel, and Michele Disch.

Trustees: Nico Valentijn, Norma Boyer, Terry Bishop, Kathryn Shanholt, and Dave Rice.

Foundation: Janet Scholtes and Sydney Rieckhoff.

Nominating Committee - 2005: Mary Rasp, Dian Holdeman, Jeanne Van Putten, Jennifer Pitcher, and Todd Miller.

Come and sew with the Presbyterian Women on Saturday, January 22, from 9:00 - Noon
Downstaris in the fellowship Hall.

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This 'n' That

Worship Schedule