| 9:45 a.m. | 10:45 a.m. | 10:45 a.m. |
| New Horizons Tough Issues (adult) |
SonShine (toddler) JAM Time (K-5) |
Youth Class Adult Class |
|
|
Lenten Sermon Series
The Beatitudes
In the Bridge, we will be exploring the Beatitudes. How do these
"blessings" bless us? How do they challenge us? |
Chaplain Barry Black
His presence is sponsored by the Ralph & Barbara Miller Endowment for Arts and Enrichment.
|
For the next four months, our capital campaign is going to occupy much of my time and energy, and the time and energy of many of our people. To help gear up for the campaign, I've set down some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about the campaign. These are some questions I've heard from our members. If there are other questions that need to be addressed, please let me know.
As you probably know, many churches, colleges, and other charitable institutions now conduct capital campaigns about once a decade. Indeed, who among us has not been solicited recently for multiple campaigns? And most of us don't enjoy being asked for money. So… should we dread this campaign?
By no means. There will be a lot of activities in our campaign. We'll have small group meetings, Bible studies, sermons, the telling of faith stories, a prayer vigil, and a strong focus on our church's mission and ministry. Most churches have found that the type of campaign run by Cargill, Associates is a very positive, energizing, unifying process. Many people will be asked to participate; no one will be overwhelmed with responsibilities. Everyone will be asked to give; no one will be asked to give more than he or she can. People from all services will be working together toward a common goal - a strong and vital future for our congregation.
I invite you to be praying for our campaign, and to respond affirmatively when asked to participate.
Questions & Answers on the Capital Campaign
Why did we retain a professional consultant?
Research has consistently shown that using a good professional capital consultant results in a significantly larger yield than conducting a campaign without a consultant. The difference is measured in multiples of the church's operating budget. The cost of the consultant is only a small fraction of the additional monies the consultant helps raise.
Why did we choose Cargill, Associates?
The steering committee (see below) contacted two consulting firms, and choose Cargill, Associates, of Ft. Worth, Texas (not to be confused with Cargill, the global grain merchant). We used Cargill for our 1990's campaign, with good results. Another church in our presbytery recently conducted two capital campaigns: in the first, with Cargill's assistance, they exceeded their goals and raised over $1 million; in the second, without Cargill, they raised only half their goal. In the pastor's words: We were very, very happy with Cargill. We found that at every step they were right on target. They exceeded their own expectations with our Capital Campaign. For more information on Cargill, Assoc., see their website: www.cargillassociates.com.
How much are we paying Cargill, Associates?
We are paying Cargill approximately $53,000 for a complete "package" including the FutureFocus workshop, the feasibility study, and the actual campaign. If they help us raise an additional multiple of our operating budget (~$500,000), this will be money well spent.
What is the schedule for the campaign?
At this writing, the second phase of the campaign, the Feasibility Study, is almost complete (though the results won't be delivered until February 19).
The all-church "orientation" to the actual campaign will take place following our annual meeting on Sunday, February 24. We are in the process of forming 10 teams, each of which has 2-3 directors, to conduct the campaign. There will be a variety of campaign events in March and April, including leader training, small group gatherings, special worship services, and a prayer vigil, all leading up to Commitment Sunday on May 18.
Who is involved in the campaign?
An initial steering committee, consisting of Doc Atkins, Pam Duncan, Steve Eldridge, Russ Gilpin, Bill Loftus, Jim Pyles, Janet Scholtes, and Troy Scott, staffed by Steve Braden, chose our campaign consultant and shepherded the initial phases. Over the next few weeks, a far larger group of people will be called to help lead parts of the actual campaign. Everyone will be involved one way or another.
Has it been decided what projects we will actually fund?
Not yet, but the decision is coming soon. Zip Long will present the Feasibility Study results to the Session on February 19. These results, based on the congregational survey and Zip's interviews, will give us a very good idea of how much we can expect to raise, and how the congregation perceives the priorities of renovations, purchasing land, and building new space. On February 21, at a special joint meeting of the Trustees and Session, we will decide which projects to include in the actual campaign. These will be presented to the congregation at the annual meeting on February 24.
Has it been decided that we will build new space?
No. All decisions on what we will do are awaiting the results of the capital campaign.
If we build additional space, has it been decided where and what we will build?
No, it has not. The preliminary drawings and plans shown at the FutureFocus workshop - done by Todd Miller - were for the purpose of showing what an addition might look like if built in the east courtyard. If we move forward toward building, other options will be considered as well.
Will the capital campaign involve multi-year pledges?
Yes. The campaign will seek commitments to be paid over 3 years.
If we do the HVAC repairs, when will they be done?
If the feasibility study supports making the proposed HVAC renovations, the plan is to do them this spring, primarily in May (between the heating and cooling season).
Will we need to take out a mortgage loan to do the HVAC work this spring?
Probably so. We hope to be ready to present information about a
proposed loan at the all-church meeting on February 24.
|
The next event we have coming up is the Easter Egg Hunt and activities. It is March 22, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., for children in grades K-6. Look for an invitation to come home soon. We will be making resurrection buns, have an Easter Egg Hunt, and other fun activities. We would love for any of the children to invite a friend. Please RSVP (look for a sign up sheet at church), if your child and friends are interested in coming. It is much easier to get the right amount of volunteers and supplies when we have an idea of how many children will be there. Speaking of volunteers, we will need volunteers to help on that Saturday from 1:30-4:00 to help with the Egg Hunt and activities. Also, we would love it if you could volunteer to bring some candy or to help stuff eggs. Please contact me if you are willing to help. VBS (Vacation Bible School)...It will be here before you know it! We had a great time last year and we were able to pull it all together with all the wonderful help of the volunteers. This year should be so much smoother. It helps to know what you're doing and start a little earlier. VBS is planned for the week of June 16-20. We have not picked a theme, but will pass along that information when we know it. We need lots of volunteers to make this a successful VBS for the children of our church and the community children who come and learn about Jesus and have lots of fun. If you are interested and able to help with any of the Children's Events coming up, please contact me 523-0866 or Kristy at presby.net . If you are unable to help at the events, please put us in your prayers. I would like to thank you all for the support I am receiving
from you. Remember, the children are our future.
|
Growing in Christ:Presbyterian Youth Fellowship
Summer is Approaching…Ready for Camp?That's right! Believe it or not it's time to start looking forward to summer. Ahhh…I can feel the warmth of the sun already. Smell that air and hear those birds chirping! Oops, I drifted off into a dreamland there for a moment. This summer we are looking at three different camps for three different age groups. Those entering 7th- 8th grades will be invited to attend
Explorer at Geneva Center. Explorer is an adventure camp! Stay in
cabins and enjoy all the traditional camp activities you love.
Bible study, crafts, swimming, nature studies, worship around the
campfire, and having fun with old and new friends will fill up your
days. You will also have the opportunity to challenge yourself while
canoeing and cooking outdoors. Possible dates:
June 15-20, July 13-18
PYF Retreat/ Focused Lock-InOn February 29 , Presbyterian Youth Fellowship will be having a Retreat/Lock-in here at First Presbyterian. Below is what you need to know. Lock-In Time : 8:00 p.m.-11:00 a.m. (Doors
lock at 8:15 p.m.)
PYF Schedule
|
Adult Classes & Small GroupsSunday Mornings:
Exploring Membership Class Start the New Year Right -
Nifty Sixties Men's Breakfast
|
| |
|
Dinner and Game Night – February 16
H20 Team Meeting – February 27 Bowling – March
8 Pottery Schmottery – March 15 Bible Study – Bible Study will
resume on Monday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. at
the Daily Grind Coffee Shop in Downtown Elkhart. The Bible studies will
then continue on Mondays until otherwise noted. Topics will be
announced in bulletins and newsletters as the information becomes
available. (The Daily Grind is located at 113 East Lexington Avenue
between Main and Waterfall Drive, across from the Knights of Columbus.) |
|||
| |
March 14-15, 2008 is the Let's Learn Together event at Geneva Center. This meeting is for all Presbyterian Women sponsored by the Presbytery of Wabash Valley. Tools of Hope/Blanket Offering - Thanks to your generosity, $1,181.00 was collected.
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
God and Me Scouts' Badge...We have several scouts in grades 1-3 interested in working on their God and Me award. If you have a child in those grades who would like to participate, please contact Pastor Kathleen. |
|||||
|
|
|
Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with people experiencing need. The ministries of One Great Hour of Sharing: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Self-Development of People - Presbyterian Hunger Program - provide a range of responses to immediate needs and disasters, as well as strengthening families and communities, and teaching techniques of land management and agriculture. A guide for Lenten prayers in your home is on the materials
tables by each worship area. Envelopes for the One Great Hour of
Sharing offering will be in the pews and on the materials tables
beginning February 17. The offering will
be received throughout Lent and will be dedicated on Palm Sunday, March 16.
Soup of Success, the women's job-and-life skills program of Church Community Services, is strongly supported by our church. In addition to hosting the SOS computer lab (in Room 105), Dick Bracken, and Eric & Betsy Semple volunteer in the program.
A special note from Dick Bracken, who has been rehabbing computers for SOS graduates. As you replace a computer with a newer version, please consider donating your old one to the SOS Computer Lab in anticipation of the July graduating class. I am able to copy your private information to a CD and remove your name and data from the computer. I thank those of you who have contributed computers and printers so that each graduate could receive an internet ready computer system.
We need the 'gently worn' shoes taking up space in your closet. It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unworn shoes lying in their closets. We can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life. Around the world, over 300 million children have no shoes. Nearly all the footwear that is thrown into our landfills could be used - and treasured as a luxury item - by people in third-world countries. Soles4Souls aims to recycle and reuse every unwanted pair of
shoes in the country by collecting and distributing these shoes to poor
people around the world. Soles4Soules has coordinated relief efforts
for the Asian Tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, netting over
900,000 pairs donated for these disasters. You can help -
clean out your closet of any currently unused shoes and drop them off
in the boxes at church. (It will help if you bind each pair up with a
rubber band.) Mention this project to your friends & neighbors as
well! New and used shoes - dress shoes, tennis shoes, sandals,
boots, etc. - in sizes from infant through adult are being accepted
through March 2.
We are forming a "Green Team" of adults and youth who are
interested in finding ways to be more environmentally and socially
responsible. Would you like to be involved? If so, please sign up in
the Gathering Place or speak to Pastors Steve or Kathleen. Elders and Deacons – current and ‘retired:' We will be visiting homebound and nursing home residents on Sunday, March 2 following each of the morning worship services. If you are available, would you share an hour of your time to enable our members to receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. If you've never served homebound communion, you'll be paired with an experienced server. Contact Kathleen O'Connell if you can help (kathleenoc at verizon.net) . Upcoming Mission Activities
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Church Community Services (CCS),
our ecumenical food pantry,
|
 Again, Thank you so much to Presbyterians who care! Karen Evans delivered to the Presbyterians here at Hubbard Hill some lovely poinsettias. Helen Hovey and I decided to put ours in
the lounge which is a few steps from our rooms. Actually the plants
were too large for our apartments. They are still beautiful. The light
is better out there. The housekeeper keeps them watered. Thank you for
thinking of us. Oh yes, we had a pleasant visit with Karen too! The support
I've received since my recent mishap, both in the hospital and at
home-the flowers, visits, cards, books, and more - are appreciated more
than I can express. Many, many thank yous to one and all. Baptisms…Katie Smith Chrobot,
daughter of Sara and Andy Chrobot, was baptized on January 13.
Do you have a prayer
concern? |
Women's Spring Retreat...Women, mark your calendars now. Our Spring retreat will be Saturday, April 19 at Fernwood Botanical Gardens. Take a day for yourself to rest and renew. Watch for more details soon! Softball Roundup ...It may be snowy outside but Spring Training is just around the corner. Pitchers and catchers report for duty soon. Shouldn't you? If you might be interested in playing on this year's Men's Softball team, please contact Bill Loftus ( wfml at aol.com ) or Kip Lytle ( macaddis at verizon.net or 262-1928). We'll let you know when practices will begin! Games begin in May and we play one night a week through August. Easter Lily Memorial Contributions may be sent to the church office along with the name(s) of those in whose memory the gift is given. A list will be printed in the bulletin on Easter Sunday. Lilies will decorate the church for Easter and then be delivered to our homebound members. Contributions must be received by Monday, March 17 . Funds remaining after lily expenses will be donated to the One Great Hour of Sharing. Newsletter Deadline |
|
February 17
|
February 24 |
March 2 |
March 9 |
|
| Preacher (8:30 & 10:45) |
Steve Braden | Kathleen O'Connell | Steve Braden | Steve Braden |
| Bridge Preacher (9:30) |
Kathleen O'Connell | Steve Braden | Kathleen O'Connell | Kathleen O'Connell |
| Liturgist | Johnny Bachman | David Lehman | Andy McCaskey | Jan Horner |
| Special |
|
Annual Meeting & Dinner | Communion | Daylight Savings Time begins |
| Greeters |
Steve Seward | Ruth Linton Steve Seward |
Steve Seward | Steve Seward |
| 8:30 am Ushers | Stephanie & Clark Wright | Stephanie & Clark Wright | Jane & Bruce Klonowski |
Jane & Bruce Klonowski |
| 9:30 am Ushers | Pam & Dick Whitcraft | Vernease & Jim Pyles | Jennifer & Vern Pitcher |
Cheryl Ann Miller Ly-Ly Rose |
| 10:45 am Ushers | Barbara Adcock Pam Duncan Susie & Wen Wu |
Andy Braden Sara LaLone David Mauser Stephanie Wright |
Daryl Greising Kirk, Derek & Scott Linton |
Alex Eraybar Joe Grolimund Paul Steward Art Wyatt |
| 10:45 am Music | Chancel Choir | Chancel Choir | Westminster & Chancel Choir with Kay Rowe, saxophone |
Chancel Choir |
| Hospitality Host | |
Gladys Cone | Carol Steede & Foundation |
Kristy Nix & Children's Commission |
| Counters |
David Mauser Nico Valentijn Stephanie Wright |
David Mauser Nico Valentijn Stephanie Wright | Bob Huber Kathryn Shanholt Walt Wagner |
Bob Huber Kathryn Shanholt Walt Wagner |
Well, we are getting ready to start our unit
on The Lord's Prayer. Our fallgoal was to do Workshop Rotation for
Church School upstairs and split the children into two different age
groups. We have not split them yet, but are going to start next week.
Therefore, anyone interested in teaching Church School will need to
commit to two weeks of teaching in a row. It will be the same lesson,
just teaching to two different groups of children. I think this will
work out well and the children will be able to get much more out of
Church School. After Easter we will start a unit on The Ten
Commandments. If anyone has a great passion for teaching the young ones
of the church about either of these lessons, let me know. 
Can
our church be more environmentally and socially responsible?
Can we live in greater harmony with our environment? Can we reduce the
ways we waste God-given resources? Can we adopt policies that bless
workers and other peoples in developing countries?
Habitat for Humanity
Apostles Build Project 
Susanna's
Kitchen is an ecumenical soup kitchen currently housed in
First Congregational Church, at Third and Marion. Our congregation
serves food the fourth Monday of each month. Volunteers need to be
there from 10:45-12:30. If you would like to help, sign up in the
Gathering Place or call Walt or Beth Davis(293-7786).
