Combined Youth Musical May 6

 The Melodia, Jr. Chorale, and Westminster Choirs will present the musical 100% Chance of Rain on Sunday morning, May 6 at the 10:45 a.m. service of worship.  The story is about the ark, the flood, the animals, and God’s wonderful promise.  Please join our choirs as they celebrate their faith through music!

Exploring Membership

Interested in exploring membership in First Presbyterian?  Our next membership class will be held on two Thursday evenings, May 3 & 10 , from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in Room 100.  Call the office for further information or if childcare is needed.

Last month, Presbyterian Outlook featured an article on "emergent churches," and the growth of "emergent" style worship in mainline Presbyterian churches. 

What is "emergent worship," and how does it affect our life in Elkhart?  The emergent church movement (sometimes also called "vintage" church, if you want to Google it) has been one of our strong influences as the Bridge worship has developed over the past four years.  Emergent worship is characterized by an emphasis on intentional community, multi-sensory worship, and encouragement for people to share their questions and life journeys together in faith.  Emergent worship is often difficult to pin down, because it isn’t as simple as adding a bunch of candles and a video screen.  It is a very organic style that grows out of the local setting and looks different in each worshiping community.  Perhaps my greatest learning has been that it really isn’t about how we ‘do worship’ at all, but the way we ’are community’ together, in faith.

What can it look like here?  Last week’s A Walk to The Cross  was a wonderful example of emergent style worship.  On Good Friday, a wonderful and creative team developed a prayer walk in Fellowship Hall to allow people to enter into the story of Jesus’ Crucifixion in a participatory and moving way. 

That day, the room was filled with a series of twelve worship stations—each with a portion of scripture to read, some personal reflection questions, an ‘enacted’ response to the scripture, and prayer suggestions.  In one station, you read the story of Judas’ betrayal and were invited to think of a person that you have hurt—writing their name on a piece of paper and covering it with a silver coin.  In another, a painting of the crucifixion, done by one of our members, became a place to meditate on Jesus’ death.  Near the end of the prayer walk, you entered into ‘the tomb’ and were met with the smell of spices and lilies as you anointed another worshipper’s hand with lotion.  All the while, words and images from the Good Friday story were projected on the screen and music helped to created a safe, meditative environment.  It was a very moving experience for many people, including a number of outside visitors to our church.

Multisensory… participatory… indigenous… experiential….community building...shared leadership.  These are the sorts of words that characterized the prayer walk, and are hallmarks of emergent worship.  And, they are infusing the worship opportunities happening at our church.

Many thanks go to the design team for A Walk to the Cross: Mary Ann Graves, Jan Horner, Diane Evans, Kristy Nix, Nikki Gernand, Doni Boal, Colleen Goode, Jill Windy, Roxie Coryell, Katie Henderson, and Cheryl Ann Miller. Thanks also to the construction and set-up team (Chuck Vetter, Phil and Linda Forgey, Jerry and Nella Putman, Emma Lalone, Karen and Julia Evans, Chad Gernand and Robert Nix), greeters (Roxie Coryell, Kip Lytle, Evie White, Jennifer Pitcher and Jill Windy), and to Todd Miller for his technical support.  (my apologies if I missed anyone—you all were great!)

It was a wonderful opportunity to experience Good Friday in a new way.  Thanks to Russ Gilpin and Starr Robinson’s publicity we had a number of visitors come for the event, including at least one who returned to worship with us in the sanctuary on Sunday.   I’m looking forward to more such multi-sensory worship opportunities!  In fact, if you’re interested in helping to plan the next prayer walk, please let me know!  Emergent worship is about letting ancient "vintage" traditions infuse contemporary life, worship and mission.  It’s an exciting growing edge, and I’m glad for the opportunity to grow, learn and experience it with you.

Saving Jesus

Our video-based exploration of new understandings of Jesus’ life, ministry, teaching, death, resurrection, and meaning, featuring some of the leading scholars of progressive Christianity, will continue for two more Sundays.   Join Steve Braden at 9:45 a.m. in the Reception Room for:

April 22 — The Resurrection
April 29 — Why Jesus is Important

May 6: Our Congregation: bring your questions, hopes, and concerns (Session)
May 13: Our Building: bring your questions, hopes, and concerns (Trustees)
May 20: Our Denomination: Peace, Unity, and/or Purity? (Braden)

Kaleidoscope: Thank You!

Our KALEIDOSCOPE: CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS was very successful, THANKS to many, many people!

I would first like to thank the wonderful, hard working team that spent many hours to present this production: They are Susie Lehman, Jackie MacKenzie, Jane Cherepak, Carla Schubert, and Kathleen O’Connell. The many artists and musicians did a fabulous job of displaying such beautiful talent! How wonderful it was to see and hear such exceptional talent coming from our own members!! The many volunteers (over 40) for the 2 1/2 days represented our church exceptionally. The eight ladies that prepared and served lunch did a great job!

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to show my appreciation for the congregation’s enthusiasm for this event. The participants felt a sincere camaraderie among the entire congregation. It would not have been a success without EVERYONE’S helpfulness.

Many members have expressed an interest in continuing this festival and having it "grow." We have wonderful reports and would welcome anyone’s interest and willingness to be on the team for next year’s event.

THANKS TO YOU ALL!
Betty Rice

I want to start off by saying thank you to all who have welcomed me, Interim Coordinator of Children’s Ministries, with such a positive response.  I hope to live up to all of your expectations;  I will certainly give it my all.  I am looking forward to working with the kids and getting to know them better as we work on getting to know Christ better.  I am enjoying this new challenge and it’s quite possible that this experience will enrich my life as much as the children’s.

Thank you to all of you who helped out stuffing the Easter Eggs for the egg hunt, and all of those who helped to hide them.  The children had a great time out there looking for the eggs and it turned out to be the only spring-like day for Spring Break. 

Vacation Bible School

It is now time to start thinking about VBS.  This year’s theme is the Great Bible Reef.  It is going to be a lot of fun to get ready for.  It is the week of June 17 , in the evening.  I will keep everyone posted on the exact time.  Customarily we would have begun planning by now, but because of the transition, we are behind schedule.  That being said, the more help we can get with the preparations, the better (and greatly appreciated).  Volunteers will also be needed for that week to help teach and lead the children.  If anyone is interested, please give me a call, or email me at kristy@presby.net.  Again, I appreciate all the words of gratitude and encouragement.       

Kristy Nix, Interim Children’s Coordinator

Easter Egg Hunt

The Sunday School schedule is:

Kindergarten thru 6th grade
 (meet in Fountain View Library - Room 200)
 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.  &  10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

3 to 5 year olds
 (Sonshine Kids - Room 104)   9:45 a.m.

Birth to 3 year olds
(Noah’s Ark Nursery - Room 103)  8:30 - noon

You may join any of these groups at any time during Sunday morning. We welcome you!

Summer Camp at Geneva Center

Geneva Center, our presbytery camp near Rochester, IN (about 75 min. south), has some wonderful summer camp opportunities for children & youth.  Call the camp for a brochure  (574) 223-6915, or check out their website at www.genevacenter.org,   Application forms are available in the church office or at the welcome desk.  Scholarship help for up to half the cost of camping is available from the church.   To request scholarship help, talk to Steve Braden.

Peacemaking Scholarships

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Peacemaking Scholarships last October and throughout the winter.

During the month of May we will be attending the Senior Awards Night programs at Concord, Jimtown, Elkhart Central, and Elkhart Memorial High Schools to present a $500 grant to a graduating senior at each school.

The students will be selected by their school counselors.  They will have been chosen because of their ability to promote justice and reconciliation between people, to create opportunities for healing, or to exhibit fairness and the ability to work for peace and wholeness in their school.  We will acknowledge appreciation to these winners at our Jazz Sunday worship service in June.

Thank you again, so very much, to everyone who has participated in this community mission opportunity.
Connie Minzey

Church Community Services (CCS), our ecumenical food pantry, distributes bags of food and (as funds are available) assistance with rent and utility payments to local families needing emergency help. Our church supports CCS with regular donations from our mission budget, and a number of our members make individual contributions toward rent assistance (since CCS now incorporates the work of the former Dave's Place). Several of our members volunteer at CCS, and they can always use more volunteers! We collect grocery donations each Sunday on the following schedule:

First Sunday - Fish (canned tuna & salmon) Second Sunday - Spaghetti & Spam (sauce & canned meat) Third Sunday - Oral Hygiene & Toiletries (toothpaste, personal care) Fourth Sunday - Canned Fruit Fifth Sunday - Cleaning Supplies for Faith Mission

Special Offering for
Presbyterian Shared Mission

 

Presbyterian Women

We commit ourselves:

to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible Study,

to support the mission of the church worldwide, to work for justice and peace,

and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God's Kingdom.
 

News 

Here are three dates coming up that all Presbyterian Women need to put on their calendars:
 
The annual Spring Gathering of Presbyterian Women of the Wabash Valley Presbytery is being held at Range Line Church in Hebron on Saturday, April 28, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time. Reservations are due by April 17.  If you are interested in going please contact Jill Stoll, 848-5322, for more information. 

BIRTHDAY OFFERING   April 29...We have a God who equips us for mission, unifies us with a cause and restores hope in the world through the birthday Offering of Presbyterian Women.  Let us give generously for men, women and children whose lives will forever be transformed by our contribution.  The 2007 Birthday Offering recipients are:

• HOPE'S PROMISE ORPHAN MINISTRIES, Arandis, Namibia.  A boarding school for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
  
• NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF THE KOREAN PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN, Seoul, South Korea KWANGJU CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL, Gwangju, Korea. Physical Rehabilitation Ward.
  
• MULANJE MISSION HOSPITAL, Mulanje, Malawi.  Renovation and Expansion Family Shelter.
  
• LIVING WATERS FOR THE WORLD, Franklin Tennessee.  Clean Water Program Expansion.

This offering will be taken up on Sunday, April 29 at all three services.Thank you for your generosity.

Our annual May Luncheon on a theme of a Birthday Party, will be held in fellowship hall on May 12 at noon.  Watch for your invitation, it will be coming soon!

In other news, Jane Cherepak reported that we provided St Paul's Clothes Closet with the following items from the mitten trees:

63 pairs of mittens
21 hat and glove sets
61 hats
11 scarves

Recently your coordinating team voted to donate $2,000.00 from our monies in the Foundation to seven local charities.  They are and the amounts given are as follows: Blankets and Sheets to our Presbytery Mission $200.00; Church Community Services $700.00; Michiana Youth Ministry $200.00; Silent Samaritan $200.00; Women's Shelter $200.00; CAPS $200.00; and B.A.B.E. $200.00.

Circle Moderators, don't forget to send the name of the coming years moderator to the CT and also any changes in the membership of your group.

Thank you so much for serving this year and helping us to further the mission giving of First Presbyterian Elkhart.

Jill Stoll

Dear Friends and fellow members of First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart: Sy and I wish to express our sincere appreciation for the wonderful care and expressions of love you have given us for the past four years. We have missed sharing in the church activities, however we shared in the prayer life of the members. Thank you for the beautiful Easter lily, delivered by Nancy and David Stetz, making us rejoice that "Christ is Risen" indeed.
Sincerely , Vivian & Sy Pell

A special thank you to several families for the Easter basket given to me and my family. It was very much appreciated in my time of need. My husband, Jim is now working and it helped fill in during that stressful time of need. God Bless , Patti Davis & family

Church Softball…The team is being organized NOW!  Practices will be Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at Greenleaf Park.  Please call "coach" Bill Loftus (266-6984) or Kip Lytle (262-1928) for more information!

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 to be placed on the prayer chain.

Brown Bag Book Bunch…
Please come and join our group at 11:00 a.m. (usually the first Monday of each month) in the Reception Room with your lunch and book in hand!
May  7  Stones from the River  by Ursula Hegi

Newsletter  Deadline
The next newsletter will be inserted in the bulletin on May 20 , and mailed the following week to those who are not in worship. Please submit articles for that newsletter by May 11.