Features & News

October 23 - November 19, 2005

Worship Schedule

8:30 a.m.  Chapel Service
9:30 a.m. The Bridge Service
10:30 a.m.  Sanctuary Service

Church School

9:30 a.m.
New Horizons
Tough Issues (adult)
10:30 a.m.
SonShine (toddler)
JAM Time (K-6)
Adult Class

Two Weeks at a Glance

Coming Events

The children of the community are invited to a safe, fun, Halloween alternative at our church on Wednesday, October 26 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The event is called: “Trunk or Treat”. Children will be collecting their goodies from the “trunks” of church members who will be in the east parking lot . Children will then move inside for a fun party time. Church members and children are invited to come in costume. Pre-registration can be made by calling the church office at 264-3109. Parents should pick their children up promptly at 8:00 p.m.

Church Picture Directory

We are doing a new church picture directory this fall. Photos will be taken at our church on November 16-19 and 28-29. Sign-ups begin Sunday mornings October 23 or can be done via the internet: go to signup at olan mills. and add your family information. If prompted for a church contract #, put 2204. Save, and you will be taken to a scheduling page. Pictures will be available before Christmas.

Women’s Fall Retreat

Join us November 4-6 at Quaker Haven Center in Syracuse, IN for a weekend of rest, recreation, and renewal with our special guest facilitator - Sr. Linda Kors. Flyers are located in the racks around the church. Registrations are being accepted now. Cost: $50.00 (scholarships are available). For more information call the church office at 264-3109

Advent events

Sunday, November 20 Hanging of the Greens

Saturday, December 3 Presbyterian Women Cookie Walk

Sunday, December 11 All Church Advent Potluck/ Carol Sing

Sunday, December 18 Children’s Musical at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, December 20 Longest Night Worship at 7:00 p.m.

Steve's Scratchings

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard it. In recent gatherings of local agencies that serve the poor, a common refrain is sounded: “Resources are extremely tight already, and I don’t see how we can meet the needs this winter!” The late-summer shortfall in CCS food donations has eased, but another local food pantry has been closed for two months – no food. As a fellow member of the Church Community Services board said at our October meeting, “I just don’t understand it – Elkhart’s economy is doing so well, and yet helping agencies, and the people they serve, are hurtin terribly!”

Elkhart needs its churches. Who else will speak the truth of the gospel – that those of us who live comfortably to see the poor and hungry at our gates, and to serve them. Who else will save us from our own self-centeredness, and build bridges to the needs of the poor and suffering?

A recent newcomer to our church shared a wonderful perspective on our congregation. The newcomer said, “I like this church because you don’t exclude and condemn others.” That, too, is an important word. Exclusion and condemnation are all too popular in some Christian circles, contrary to my understanding of Jesus’ example and message.

Church Community Services is severely limited in its funds for rent and utility assistance – it runs out of such funds before the middle of each month. And when they run out, they often call our church, because we are one of the few churches that has an “emergency fund” to be used for this purpose.

Elkhart needs this congregation. Who else can present a “generously orthodox” Christianity that welcomes and seeks to reconcile all peoples, and is committed to serving the poor?

A number of people recently have told me how much they have appreciated – and needed – the outpouring of love and support from our church that has helped them through difficult times. Others have told me how much they have needed the “blessed assurance” of their faith.

You and I need this congregation, even as we need our faith in Jesus Christ.

And this congregation needs you. It needs your generous participation in our Continuing to Grow campaign. It needs your help in its ministries and activities, particularly as we seek to raise faithful children and reach out to our neighborhood (“Trunk” or Treat). It needs your gifts, as the Emergency Fund is rapidly being depleted. It needs your participation and prayers. Can we count on you?

Some notes on other areas of our church’s life:

Celia Weiss, our Music Director and Organist, has had a relapse of symptoms resulting from Multiple Sclerosis. She is stable, but is not yet able to use her right hand and arm due to some weakness, numbness, and tingling which has affected her ability to play the organ and piano. She appreciates your prayers and good wishes and hopes to be back "on the benches and in the trenches" as soon as possible.

                              

Back to || Index || Top || Home

Growing in Christ

Mid Week

• October 26 - Jesus and the Bible: What do they have to say about
politics?

• November 2 - Conservatism: What are its underlying values and how do
they relate to faith?

• November 9 - Liberalism: What are its underlying values and how do < they relate to faith?
• November 16 - Wrap-up

Sunday Mornings
9:30

10:45

October 2 - November 20 " Messy Spirituality" - an exploration of Mike Yaconelli's wonderful book about "God's annoyinq love for imperfect people" (namely, us!) Kathleen O'Connell and Jill Windy will lead. Copies of the book are available in the church 0ffice for $10.00. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe This classic children's story will be released in December as a new movie. Written by noted Christian Theologian, C.S. Lewis, the book can be read as an engaging fantasy story. On a deeper level it addresses many classic Christian themes, including sin, sacrifice and redemption. This December, we will be offering an Adult Study class - Finding God in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Sunday December 2 - 18 at 10:45 a.m. in Room 107. Pick up a copy of the book now so you have time to read it before the class begins. Copies are available in the in the main office (cost $8.00) .

Growing in Christ: Children’s Ministries

On September 25, we presented Bibles to our students in third grade: Megan LaLone, Jessica Ann Miller, Evan Nix, and Liam O’Neill. If other 3rd graders wish a Bible, please call the church office or Linda Hartman.

Fun and Fellowship

PoGO News

October 27 is the date for Smoke on the Mountain at the Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres. It will be a Thursday afternoon matinee proceeded by lunch at the home of Gordon and Jackie MacKenzie. Car pools will be arranged. The play takes place at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church where the Sanders Family Singers have just pulled in to sing songs and tell their stories at an old-fashioned revival meeting. Things don’t go as planned, but I won’t tell you more. November 8 we travel to Warsaw to tour the Biomet plant where we will see how orthopedic appliances are made from start to finish. The tour will begin at 1:30. For those who are interested we will try to see the collection of vintage autos collected by the company’s CEO. A 12:00 lunch has been arranged at American Table near Biomet. Sign up at the table near the Gathering Place and we will arrange carpools. Phone Jackie (29505784) or Mary Ann (264-9794) if you have questions. November 22 is all about the new Medicare Plan D for prescription coverage. By that time all of the plans will have been announced and it is time to choose. We have arranged for a pharmacist from CVS to inform and answer questions about the many plans available. The Medicare handbook that just came out does not list all of the plans which will be available on November 15. If you are confused as most of us are, come join us at 10:00 a.m. in the Reception Room. Invite a friend. No reservation is necessary. December 11 is Seasons Serenade time again. The Sunday matinee at 3:00 will be followed by the annual Advent Potluck dinner at the church. Come join the fun and fellowship. The sign-up sheet will be posted soon.

Basketball.

The church basketball season is quickly approaching. Our first game is scheduled for November 5. The official time has not yet been determined as of this newsletter. The basketball season is 10 games played on every Saturday afternoon at Jimtown High School, with the exception of Holiday weekends. Following the regular season there is a double elimination tournament. Contact Sean Wall (875-1061) if you are interested in playing and have not yet signed up.

Men's Breakfast

What is the connection between our faith and our work? What difference does our faith make in the real world of the workplace? The Men's Breakfast begins exploring this topic this week. Join Steve Braden Wednesday mornings at 8:00 a.m. at Perkins at North Pointe Plaza (Cassopolis Street) for good food, good discussion, and prayer.

BBBB

The Brown Bag Book Bunch meets on the first Monday of each month at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the current book. The upcoming selections are: November 7, 2005 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin December 5, 2005 Empress Orchid by Anchee Min February 6, 2006 The Glass Candle by Jeanette Walls March 6, 2006 Deep South by Nevada Burr Join us on Monday, November 7 in the Reception Room.

Youth

October 28 PYF Fall Lock In
6 pm Friday until 8:30am Saturday

October 30 Discussion time 10:45 - 11:30am
No lunch or activities this afternoon

Sharing Christ's Love

Peacemaking

Traits of a Peacemaker? It is someone who...

• Cares about everybody
  
• Always willing to help
  
• No tolerance for teasing and fighting
  
• Helps people understand both sides of a story
  
• Compassion and caring radiates from her
  
• Mentor to her peers and also younger students she tutors
  
• Works with our Big Brothers/Big Sisters lunch buddy program Is kind, forgiving, and loyal

These are a few of the statements made about the students who received our 2005 Peacemaking Award. These $500.00 grants, given in May, to a graduating senior at Jimtown, Concord, Elkhart, Central, and Elkhart Memorial are made possible by your donations to our annual Peacemaking Offering in October.

A portion (25%) of the offering is designated to the National Presbyterian Peacemaking Program for use to develop peacemaking initiatives around the world. The remainder (75%) is used to award the Peacemaking Grants that we began in 1999-2000. We want to encourage and recognize youth who actively promote justice and reconciliation between people, and create opportunities for conflict , resolution and healing.

The Center for Healing and Hope

We have recently had the opportunity to partner with a number of area churches in a new mission outreach. The Center for Healing and Hope is based in Goshen, and provides medical care and referrals to noninsured and under insured individuals (those who fall in the middle between people covered by Medicaid and those with private insurance.) Approximately 25% of their clients come from Elkhart, and they are exploring the possibility of opening an Elkhart center on Monday evenings. A number of volunteers are needed, including receptionists, clinicians, and translators. If you’d like to know more, please talk with Kathleen O’Connell.

 

Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women have completed their mission projects for the year 2005. The following contributions have been made: 19 baby blankets, 10 baby gowns, 3 knitted bandages. These items were sent to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland. The following items were taken to the Family Christian Center in Nappanee: 19 Christmas drawstring bags, 10 handmade and filled book bags, 6 men’s health kits, and 5 women’s health kits. The Women’s Shelter in Elkhart received the leftover health kits items, as well as samples of shampoo, soap, and lotions

Church World Service received 120 handmade book bags filled with school supplies. Local school children were given 115 backpacks filled with school supplies. An additional 40 bags and extra school items were given to Beardsley School to help them with a project to help Katrina victims. A huge thank you is due to all of the First Presbyterian Church congregation for all the needed supplies and money to make all of these mission projects successful.
Harriet Sloop

Stewardship

This year’s stewardship campaign once again emphasizes the spiritual discipline of proportional giving, and is intended to help you grow to at least one step toward tithing, if you don’t already tithe. There is great joy in generous giving; discover that joy with us. The money received from your pledges will be used by the church and staff to fulfill our mission of inviting all to know Christ, grow in Christ, and share Christ’s love. We need every one of you to help. Let’s all CONTINUE TO GROW together Sincerely, Stewardship Commission   Trustee Tribune

The trustees have been busy. An engineering study of options for renovating, replacing, and expanding our HVAC system has been completed by M&E Engineers. The trustees have decided to renovate the existing system in phases. They are still awaiting further bids. Funding of current phases is being made from the Fran Stenburg bequest. The phases (in approximate order) are:

1. A new boiler has been purchased and (as of this writing) is being installed by Shreiner & Sons to replace the failed boiler. They have removed both the failed boiler and the old-old boiler. The heat can be turned on once the new boiler is installed.
   
2. The trustees are awaiting a bid on a new HVAC system for the fellowship hall/Bridge room, to be installed as the next step.
   
3. The trustees are awaiting a bid on engineering design of renovation of the boiler room piping, valves, and controls. Once the engineering is done, this will be taken out to bid.
   
4. The trustees are investigating renovation/replacement of existing valves and heating units outside the boiler room.
   
5. The trustees have a bid and engineering study, and are considering ways to air condition the education wing and other non-air-conditioned parts of the building (e.g. Gathering Place).

In addition to working on HVAC issues, the trustees have had several work days to scrape and paint the Samaritan Center porch and trim. The Fall Clean-Up day will be Saturday, November 26