Saturday, January 31 9:00 a.m. - PW Sewing Day/ Fellowship Hall
Sunday, February1 Communion/ Souper Bowl Sunday 8:30 a.m. -Worship/ Chapel 9:45 a.m. - Church School & Choir Rehearsal 11:00 a.m. - Worship/ Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. - The Bridge Service/ Fellowship Hall 6:00 p.m. - The Bridge Dinner/ Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. - PYF & Classes
Monday, February 2 6:30 am Men’s Fellowship/Callahan’s 8:00 a.m. - PBJ/ Room 100 10:00 am C is for Coping/Reception Room 11:30 am Brown Bag Book Bunch/Reception Room 5:00 pm Foundation/Room 101
Our youth will collect: $1 donations after both services on February 1. There will be two cup 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. The PYF (Presbyteriar. Youth Fellowship)
The Bridge will have a speciaI Super Bowl celebration on February 1. Enjoy our football-themed worship and stay for a meal and the first half of t:he game on the big screen. Invite your friends!
Throughout January, we’ve been having some fun at The Bridge preaching about “New Year’s Resolutions.” We’ve talked about “getting into shape,” “losing weight,” etc. But now we’re talking about how we get into Christ-like shape, how we lose the worries/fears that weigh us down. I admit, I’m not a big one for making resolutions. But if I were to make one this year, I think it would be this: “to be a bit more NUTS.”
Perhaps I’d better explain...
A few years ago, I heard a wonderful speaker at a conference - Len Sweet. He was talking about the church. And, his image for the people of the church was a container of mixed nuts. But, he said, we’re a wonderful mixed collection of people who just don’t conform to the expectations and values of the rest of the world. We’re not perfect and some of us are a bit more salty than others, but we put our lives in God’s hands, and follow a risen Messiah. That’s “nuts.”
Then, he went on to ask: “Do you know what it means to be NUTS about God?” Simply this...
Never Underestimate The Spirit!
I love that: “Never Underestimate the Spirit.” This year, I want to go NUTS. I know that God is doing amazing things in our church, in my life. And sometimes, I think we do underestimate all that God’s Spirit is about. We hold back, afraid to dream big dreams and really trust that God is here. And yet, as I remember to open my eyes and look at what God is doing - it is always beyond expectation, beyond my vision, and beyond my own limitations.
Never Underestimate The Spirit! What brought this back to mind? It’s due to a couple of things. First, I’ll be heading out to a conference next month. Len Sweet will be the speaker, and I’m looking forward to being challenged — learning new things and having my expectations and vision opened. I’m preparing myself to be open to what the Spirit may have to say.
But, I’ve also been aware of the movement of God’s Spirit in our midst. Two new small groups have sprung up over the past months. In each case, individuals have come saying “I’m looking for a way to grow deeper, spiritually.” And we’ve found other people with that same yearning. Now these groups are meeting regularly to study and listen to God’s Spirit.
Sunday nights, after The Bridge and dinner, some of us gather for additional Bible Study. And that is turning into a very special time to share our lives and prayers. And, I know of two more small group opportunities that are coming up in February — one at The Bridge and one on Thursday nights: each group coming together around the book The Purpose Driven Life There is a growing desire to go deeper in our faith — in our relationships with God and with each other. God’s Spirit is alive and working in our midst.
Never Underestimate The Spirit! I think that will be my motto/goal for 2004. I’m going NUTS!
Will you? I hope you will be listening for God’s Spirit calling in your life. I hope that you will feel that yearning to go deeper — and will be part of one of the opportunities here. (Or make your own! If you are interested in being part of an existing or new small group — talk with me. We can do that!!) I pray that you will see that Spirit alive in our life together — and especially in our outreach and ministry to others. And I continue to pray that together we will “Never Underestimate the Spirit,” and will be open and engaged with all that God would do in our midst. God’s Spirit be with you. Go NUTS!
Sonshine Kids class for pre-schoolers in Room 106.
JAM Time for elementary age children upstairs. Bible stories are learned and experienced in creative ways using the Workshop Rotation multi-sensory model.
New Horizons ongoing class for youth and adults with special needs. This is taught by special education teacher, Cheri Lea, and is held in Room 108.
Stained Glass Stories - .January 11 - February 1 led by Kathleen O'Connell in Room 101. You see it every Sunday. Now dig in to the stories pictured on the Sanctuary stained glass windows. See how it communicates the great truths of our faith.
Teen Decisions - A Class for Parents & Teens The teen years hold their own challenges and joys. Leaders Tom Spirito and Diana Cook return to lead this class on the unique issues facing parents of teens. There will be no Youth Classes during that time. Youth are invited to join in this class in Room 100.
• February 1 Parents, Curfews, and a Trip to Florida • February 8 Friends, Decisions, and Regrets
Upcoming Sunday Morning Classes
Presbyterian 101 February 8 in the Reception Room. Session members will be available to discuss and answer your questions about what’s going on in the church. Costa Rica - Learn more about the country we will visit on our mission trip, February 8 & 15. This class is held in Room 101 at 9:45 am, and will be led by Judy McDowell. Choices: Ministry in the 21st Century - Steve Braden will lead this video-based discussion of new paradigms and challenges for churches in the 21st century. Some of the material presented will be used in our upcoming church consultation.
Sunday Night Class at The Bridge
February 8... The Purpose Driven Life Have you been hearing about this book by Rick Warren? Several of us read it last fail at The Bridge, and want another chance to read, discuss and journal our way through this book. We’ll begin Sunday, February 8, and new folks are welcome. Come for worship and dinner, stay for discussion. If you’re interested in joining this group, please call Starr Robinson (522-1950) for more details, and to find out what to read for the first week. If you don’t have a copy of The Purpose Driven Life you can either pick one up yourself, or contact Kathleen O’Connell at church.
The JAM Time kids composed their own dream speeches.
For My Family... That we can have game night; that every one will be faithful to God; that my family stays healthy; that no one in my family will fight; that my family is never thrown out on the streets; love each other; that my family is not allergic to animals; that we care for each other.
For Myself That I could be a better person sometines when I make a wrong choice; to be a doctor when I grow up!;to be a teacher so I cn help other people learn; that I could get lots of money to give to poor peoplel to fly my own plane; to be an orthodontist; to be a veterinarian.
For My Community... That we keep it peaceful; that everyone has a home; that my community would keep up the Great Blue Ribbon School; that everyone could have a home; to keep Elkhart clean; that we love each other.
For my Country That we love each other; I have a dream no one will steal;that no one would get sick; that the countries won'f fight; that we will nave a good president that can solve tought situations; that we would not have any funs and no weapons; that we would have peace!
For the World That we would have world peace; I wish there were no bad people; I wish other countries would not fight; that the world would not be having hatred. . No wars and bombing.;Help everone to be welI fed and kept alive; people will not be abused.
Notes from the older kids... I have many dreams, one of them is that money wouldn’t be used for guns and bombs. It would be used to help people, like giving food to other countries. Some of it would be given to charity and education. People need education to make good choices. I hope to see cars that don’t pollute the air. It would be nice to see people having their choice of government. I hope that anyone that wanted college education would get it for free. I hope space exploration would unite us, and everyone would help in the Mars Mission.
All of these and more will be posted on the Christian Education bulletin board located in the hallway by the stairs leading up to JAM Time.
Healing Service Back by popular demand, our first healing service of 2004 is coming. Join us in the chapel at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, for a quiet service of scripture, song, and hands-on prayer.
Caring for our Building As good stewards of finances and facilities, we are doing a number of things:
Custodial Needs List.. .lf you see a need for cleaning, repair, or other custodial services, please write it on the notebook now posted on the sexton/custodian office door.
Reduction in Custodial Hours We are facing some reductions in our custodial staff hours, which may mean some minor inconveniences.
Lighting & Weather Stripping We are investigating possibilities for cost-savings in these areas.
Penny-pinching Ideas If you have suggestions for how we can save funds on our facilities, please write them down and leave them
Workshop for Liturgists To further improve our worship, we are offering a training workshop for liturgists. Chris Witman of our Celebration & Worship Commission, a trained and experienced actor and singer, will be offer a class on effective reading Sunday, February 15 at 9:45 in the Chapel. .To register for the workshop, please call the church office or sign-up on the table near the Gathering Place.
Annual Congregational Meeting and Lunch, February 22
On Sunday, February 22, our morning worship services will be combined into a 10:00 a.m. service. There will be no Sunday School. Immediately following the 10:00 worship will be our annual congregational meeting to elect new officers and receive the annual report. Following the meeting will be a congregational lunch. Come and join us!
Summer seems a long way away, but it will be here before we know it. This summer (July 20-25) presents an opportunity for youth between the ages of 15 and 19 years of age that will not be available again until 2007.
Imagine — a gathering of 7,000 Presbyterian young people from all across the nation and the world - right here in Indiana! What a fantastic opportunity for our youth to meet other Presbyterian youth and participate - in exciting worship opportunities and strengthen the connections with other young people!
The theme, “No Longer Strangers” (Ephesians 2:14-19) will be developed throughout the week through daily presentations, worship, workshops, recreation, and small groups. Wabash Valley Presbytery has been assigned 70 delegate spaces, which will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. So........ get your registrations in early!
Kathleen O’Connell is handling registrations from our church. See Kathleen or Tim for further information.
Financial News
The session and trustees held a special meeting on January 13 to discuss budget and finances. Here are some updates:
Elders and trustees expressed a strong thank-you to members and friends of the congregation who gave generously at year-end last year. Through extra donations and cost-cutting we were able to trim the year-end deficit from an estimated $37,000 to about $7,000.
After considerable trimming and discussion, the session adopted a budget for 2004 with anticipated income of $446,000 and projected expenses of $453,000, leaving a projected deficit of about $7,000. To reach this level, these decisions were made or affirmed:
The new financial secretary position was established at $10,000/year, replacing the discontinued position of building finance administrator.
The youth coordinator position (which Tim Bontrager is leaving in May) won’t be filled over the summer, and will be filled at a lower salary in the fall.
Custodial and sexton expenses will be reduced by 20-25%.
There are no staff raises from 2003.
The trustees have a very bare-bones budget.
Commissions were funded at 2003 actual expenses.
This is a tight budget, but the session and trustees believe it is reasonable and permits us to maintain our programs and worship at high levels of quality.
Note: Alice Morris, who has served so ably as our administrator of building and finance, has decided not to apply for the new position of financial secretary. As of this writing, the personnel commission is reviewing candidates for this position. In February,we will thank Alice for her years of service.
Our monthly support group for cancer survivors marked its two year anniversary at the January gathering by honoring Juanita Kurtz and Wayne Goshorn; celebrating medical breakthroughs in recent years, and the opportunities the future will bring.
This small group extends an invitation to anyone coping with cancer in his or her life to join us February 2 at 10:00 am. in the Reception Room It's no secret: we laugh, we cry, we share, we pray, we live, we cope, and we thrive!
I have a Dream!
JAM Time kids will be composing their own dream speeches in January - stay tuned for viewing dates!
Leap on Up! On February 29, we invite everyone to visit JAM Time. We'll have all the workshops open and ready for some fun activities, just for Leap Day! The last time Leap Day was on a Sunday was 1976, and the next one is 28 years away - so don't miss out on the MOST FUN JAM Time ever!
The PYF Mystery Retreat was a huge success!
We went to downtown Chicago, stayed at Fourth Presbyterian Church, ice skated at Millennium Park, ate at Ed Debevic’s, and had a devotional time Saturday evening. We were given free reign over all parts of the church that were unlocked, and the youth explored every bit of it as we played sardines. Sunday morning we made hygiene kits and stuffed plastic sandwich bags with cookies that will all be handed out to the hundreds of homeless that Fourth Presby sees on a weekly basis. We also experienced worship at Fourth Presby and all appreciated the uniqueness of their sanctuary. Look for pictures from this retreat on our bulletin board.
Life Line Screening
Where: Elkhart First Presbyterian Church When: Monday, February 9, 2004 Pre-registration is required. Call 1-800-407-4557.
Life Line Screening is America's leading provider of quality health screenings. These tests quickly detect arterial abnormalities which can cause irregular blood flow. "Our screenings are fast, accurate, and available at an affordable rate".
News of the PC USA
The national Presbyterian Church's weekly newsletter is going online. To save mailing costs, the publication will no longer be printed, but will be available on the web at www.pcusa.org/pcnews. You can also subscribe to receive the news via e-mail. Check it out to keep up- to-date on our denomination. You might also want to check out the websites of our synod www.lincolntrails.org and our presbytery (www.ourpresbytery.org).
Exploring Membership Class
Are you interested in exploring membership in our church? In learning more about the Presbyterian tradition and beliefs? In learning more about this congregation?
We will have an exploring membership class on Saturday, February 7 from 9:00 - noon in the Reception Room at the church. Come and learn with us.
The Book Bunch is reading some great books! If you're a reader, come join us! Our next meeting is February 2, 2004, at 11:30 am. Our list of books for 2004 is almost complete, but we can always make room for more. If you have a book to suggest, please do so. We'll see you next year! February Samurai's Garden, by Gail Tsukiyania A young Chinese man is diagnosed with tuberculosis, so his family sends him to their summer home in Japan. Stephen's sense of isolation corresponds to the forced isolation of a village of lepers nearby. As Stephen becomes friends with the Japanese people around him, he must also deal with the outside world, as Japan begins its conquest of China, just prior to WWII.
MarchOne Thousand White Women, by Jim Fergus When President Grant is asked to trade 1,000 white women to a tribe of Indians for 1,000 horses, he of course refuses publicly. Secretly, however, the government asks for "volunteers" to live with the Indians and "civilize" them. The diary of one woman tells the story of one small group of women who respond to the challenge.
February
Samurai's Garden, by Gail Tsukiyama
March
One Thousand White Women, by Jim Fergus
April
The Bonesetter's Daughter, by Amy Tan
May
Hidden Power: presidential marriages that shaped our recent history, by Kati Marton
Sew, what’s next?Thiscoming Saturday, January 31, we will be sewing up a storm for mission. Bring your sewing machine, supplies, or just yourself, and join us at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
You are invited to celebrate Valentine’s Day with us. All Presbyterian Women — young, old, and in-between — are invited to meet in Fellowship Hall on February 14 for food, fellowship, and of course a mission project. Grandmas, bring your granddaughters. Girls, bring your aunts. Bring a friend; come and make a new friend. Sign up by the Gathering Place or call the church office.
It’s time to retreat! Come to Geneva Center, April 16 and 17, for Let’s Learn Together. It’s a great way to relax, learn something new, and spend time with good friends. Watch for more details.
God’s Vision, Our Calling is the theme for this year’s Spring Gathering, Friday, April 30, at Mishawaka. Janice Cattron will be the featured speaker. Janice led the Bible study at the Churchwide Gathering last year in Louisville. Call Jill Stoll if you’d like to see a copy of Janice’s book.
Fabulous February
February 3 Tuesday
11:00 am., Bible study with Kathleen O’Connell
February 5 Thursday
1:00 p.m., Abigail Circle
February 8 Sunday
Tools of Hope/Blanket Offering
February 10 Tuesday
6:30 p.m., Coordinating Team
February 11 Wednesday
1:00 p.m., Circle I
February 14 Saturday
10:00 a.m., Valentine’s Day Party
February 18 Wednesday
9:30 am., Ruth Circle
February 19 Thursday
1:00 p.m., Abigail Circle
February 24 Tuesday
7:00 p.m., Lydia and New Paths Circles
Tools of Hope/Blanket Offering.
Have you ever planted flowers without a trowel or a spade? Have you ever put a nail in the wall without a hammer? Have you ever shoveled snow without a shovel? Have you ever been cold at night and wished you had another blanket for your bed?
If the answer to all these questions is no, 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 Service’s Tools of Hope/Blanket Offering. On Sunday, February 8, 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!
Reminder! If you haven’t turned in a recipe for the PW Cookbook, there’s still time. Forms are available at the church. Call Mary Seddon if you have any questions.
Coming Events
February 14 Saturday
Valentine's Day Party
March 6 Saturday
Sewing Day
April 16-17 Friday-Saturday
Geneva Center "Knit together in God's love"
April 30 Friday
Spring Gathering at Warsaw "Unity in Spirit - Connecting the Pieces"
(Information provided by Royal Greenwich Observatory)
Our solar year (the time required for Earth to travel once around the Sun) is 365.24219 days. Our calendar year is either 365 days in non leap years or 366 days in leap years. A !eap year every 4 years gives us 365.25 days, sending our seasons off course and eventually in the wrong months. To change .25 days to .24219, we skip a few leap days every one hundred years or so.
Here is the history: The Romans originally had a 355-day calendar. To keep up with the seasons, an extra 22/23-day month was inserted every second year. For reasons unknown, this extra month was only observed now and then. By Julius Caesar’s time, the seasons no longer occurred at the same calendar periods as history had shown. To correct this, Caesar eliminated the extra month and added one or two extra days to the end of various months (his month included, which was Quintilis, later renamed Julius we know it as July). This extended the calendar to 365 days. Also intended was an extra calendar day every fourth year (following the 28th day of Februarius). However, after Caesar’s death in 44 B.C., the calendars were written with an extra day every 3 years instead of every 4 until corrected in 8 A.D. So again, the calendar drifted away from the seasons. By 1582, Pope Gregory X recognized that Easter would eventually become closer and closer to Christmas. The calendar was reformed so that a leap day would occur in any year that is divisible by 4 but not divisible by 100 except when the year is divisible by 400. Thus 1600 and 2000, although century marks, have a Leap Day.
The calendar we use today, known as the Gregorian calendar, makes our year 365.2425 days only off from our solar year by .00031, which amounts to only one day’s error after 4,000 years.
This 'n' That
Flowers “in memory of” If you would like to provide flowers for worship, please call the church office to make arrangements. Information that the church will need includes: the date you want, how much you wish to spend (your check should be payable to First Presbyterian Church), and if there is a certain color or kind of flower you prefer (flowers will be ordered by the church secretary).
Pantry Sunday We designate the Loose Coins collection to Church Community Services every other Sunday. Also, the second Sunday of every month is Pantry Sunday, a time when we encourage adults and children to bring food stuffs to stock the CCS pantry. You may bring canned or packaged food. As a food bank, CCS is able to purchase food for 14 cents a pound, so if you wish to donate funds instead of food, designate your check by writing on it “CCS.” The next Pantry Sunday is February 8.
Annual Report Deadline February 6 is the deadline for Annual Reports to be turned in to the office.
Catie Brownewell will join us in worship on February 8 to share some of her mission trip experiences
Thank You's
Thank you for the lovely poinsettia you sent me for Christmas. They brightened my room and caused my much joy for the Christmas season. Best wishes for a Happy New Year. Alice Wiley
We would like to thank all of our church family for your support, love, notes, and prayers during this very difficult time for our family. Phid & Jeff Wells Hilaly & Erik Barrett, Mark & Allison Gritton
I want to thank you all for the kindness you have so freely given to Tim, Debbie, Meredith, and me during this very difficult time. It has been a great comfort to all of us. May God bless you all. Isabelle Freeman
Hospital pastoral care When being admitted directly or through the emergency room, your church preference may not be entered into the computer system at Elkhart General Hospital. If you are admitted to one of the other area hospitals, the church may not be notified. Please call or have a family member call the church office to let us know that you are in the hospital, so pastoral care visits can be made.
Leap on Up! On February 29, we invite everyone to visit JAM Time. We’!l have all the workshops open and ready for some fun activities, just for Leap Day! The last time Leap Day was on a Sunday was 1976, and the next one is 28 years away—so don’t miss out on the MOST FUN JAM Time ever!
Do you have a prayer concern?
Do you know of someone in the hospital, recovering from illness, etc.? Let us know, so we can hold you or your friend in prayer. Contact Pat Van Dyke or Bea Pyle to be placed on the prayer chain, or send information to prayer@www.presbyelk.org .
Newsletter Deadline The next newsletter will be inserted in the bulletin on February 8, and mailed the following week to those who are not in worship. Please submit articles for that newsletter by January 30.
Reminder! If you haven’t turned in a recipe for the PW Cookbook, there’s still time. Forms are available at the church. Call Mary Seddon if you have any questions.