Special Events
| From Creation to Flood
Where did we come from?
What does the Genesis story of creation,
"fall," and flood tell us?
Why are Christians still arguing about it?
How do faith and science relate?
In sermons and study classes in August
and September, we will be exploring these
and other fascinating questions. Join us! |  |
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Children's Outreach Event
September 10 - Although classes start earlier, we will kick off our children's program with family fun in "Almost Anything Goes" including competitive games and a talent show. More.
Presbyterian Women Fall Kick-Off
The Presbyterian Women are planning a fun all-church event the evening of
September 17 to start their study of Genesis. More.
Growing in Christ:
Youth Ministry
Presbyterian Youth Fellowship
PYF will have its fall kick-off event Sunday, August 27, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. All youth grades 7-12 are invited to PYF, which usually meets Sundays at 10:45 for class, lunch, and activities.
Upcoming schedule:
September 3 No PYF (Labor Day weekend)
September 5 PYF Planning Team meeting 7:00 p.m.
September 10 PYF Bible Study 6:00-7:30 p.m.
September 17 PMP Leadership 5:00-7:00 p.m.
For information about PYF, contact Johnny Bachman at the church (Tuesdays) or email .
Youth Sunday School
- Sunday School for youth will meet at 10:45 in the PYF room, starting August 20.
- We are seeking a teacher for a junior high Sunday School class to meet from 9:45-10:30 a.m. If you are interested, please contact Johnny Bachman or Steve Braden.
Celebrating Christ's Love: Worship
MUSIC NOTES
| Welcome to a new year of singing, ringing, and great fellowship! Our choir and handbell year will begin on Wednesday afternoon and evening, September 6. All choirs are directed by Celia Weiss, except the handbell choir.
Choirs meet in the Choir Room (west side of sanctuary) at these times:
Melodia Choir (grades 1-3): 5:00-5:25 p.m.  Sings one Sunday per month at the 10:45 a.m. service.
Jr. Chorale (grades 4-6): 5:30-6:00 p.m. Sings one Sunday per month at the 10:45 a.m. service. Handbell Choir (grades 7-adults) 6:00-6:30 p.m.  Plays occasionally at the 10:45 a.m. service. Director: Bob Decker
Westminster Choir (grades 7-12): 6:30-7:00 p.m. Includes singing and dramatic presentations one Sunday per month at the 10:45 a.m. service. Chancel Choir (adults): 7:30-8:30 p.m.  Sings at the 10:45 a.m. service Please join us as we sing and ring to the glory of God!
Celia Weiss
Director of Music and Organist
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Ushers, Greeters, and Welcome Table
We are going to try something different in worship greeting, to make most efficient use of our volunteers and ensure that our welcome center is fully staffed Sunday mornings. Here are the changes:
- We are eliminating the position of "Greeter" (currently done by elders, both active and inactive).
- Ushers will take over the duties of greeters, welcoming people to worship.
- Elders and others will be asked to be at the Welcome Table so that it is staffed during all services. Steve Seward has graciously offered to staff the table most Sundays during the sanctuary service.
- Deacons are no longer recruiting ushers, so we depend on people to sign up for the 8:30 & 10:45 a.m. worship services.
Adult Ministry
Adult Classes
Sunday morning Classes
9:40 a.m. Classes- Tough Issues (9:40 in Reception Room) Sunnis & Shi'ites August 27 & September 3
What do they believe? What are their differences? Mehdi Karbalaeali ("Mike"), a practicing Muslim, was born in Tehran and came to the US when he was 21. He's a friend of Dottie Arnold's and will share his experience, some background on Islam and it's various branches, and answer questions!
- Bible Study (9:40 in Room 107, across from nursery)
From Creation to Flood: Studying Genesis August 27—October 1
Steve Braden will lead this Bible study, which will roughly parallel the preaching texts for his Genesis preaching series. It will cover different material from his Thursday night class.
10:45 a.m. ClassesCurrent Issues in Faith (10:45-11:30 in Room 104, at end of hall past nursery)
- What Would Jesus Drive? August 27 & September 3
The Bible doesn't discuss soaring gas prices, hybrid cars or Hummers. Still, the choices we make on these kinds of daily issues are a way of living out our faith. What would Jesus drive? Come kick off the school year with some fun discussion!
- Dinner With A Perfect Stranger September 10-October 1
What if you were invited to dine with Jesus? Would you go? What would you want to
discuss? Join us for a discussion of this thought-provoking book by David Gregory.
Led by Jennifer Pitcher. Contact her now to order a copy of the book ($10.00) or
pick one up for yourself!
Thursday Classes
Thursday Noon Bible Discussion Thursdays in Room 107, starting August 24
The Beatitudes…Blessed are the meek? The poor in spirit? Those who mourn? What on earth did Jesus mean? Bring a brown bag lunch and join Kathleen O'Connell at noon for a discussion of the Beatitudes. (Matthew 5:1-12).
Thursday Evening Series Thursday evenings in Room 107, starting August 31
Genesis — the Big Questions
Join Steve Braden in exploring:
- Why are Christians still fighting over evolution and "intelligent design?"
- What does science tell us about the origin of the universe?
- The Evolution of Genesis — how did the book itself evolve?
- Adam & Eve: Is it really true that "in Adam's fall we sinned all?"
- Was there a flood? An ark? What difference does it make?
Notice to Those 60+
There will be a general meeting of all our "seasoned members" on Monday, September 18
at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of the meeting will be to determine the direction of activities for the coming year. We will evaluate the past three years and decide what we want to keep doing, what we might want to change, and what we might consider adding to make our ministry a worthwhile and viable part of the church. Come and express your opinions and ideas. The meeting will be held in the Reception Room and be over in time for Nifty Sixties.
Jackie MacKenzie, PoGO (Presbyterians on the Go).
Special Presby Day Celebration
A gathering of Presbyterian adults and their friends for spiritual growth, education, fellowship, lunch, and total life enrichment at Geneva Center, 5282 N Old US Hwy 31, Rochester, Indiana.
September 14 from 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Pre-registration is required with an $8 fee. Refreshments will be served 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Our day will include worship at Lakeview Pavilion, recognitions and celebrations of Presby Days, lunch, Geneva Center video tour (actual tour by foot or car) - opportunities to enjoy the beautiful setting - walk the labyrinth, and enjoy lots of fellowship.
All Presbyterian Senior Adults and their friends are invited. Reservations are to be made by August 30. There is a sign-up sheet located on the table by the Gathering Place. Checks are payable to Smock Senior Ministries Center and may either be given to Jill Stoll or dropped off at the church office. Carpooling will be arranged with the group leaving from First Presbyterian.
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Men's Retreat
Men on the Way: The Road That Leads to Tomorrow
 While your journey may not have been perfect, God has been at work in it. The questions we will consider are the C's in our lives:
Choices Courage Connection Character Conflict
Our past has been good enough to get us this far - now what? Join us September 29 - October 1 at Geneva Center for this weekend led by Rev. Bruce Haapalainen. The cost is $65.00 (grants available). Registration due by September 17. Space is limited, so sign up now! |
Walking the Labyrinth
Walking the Labyrinth is an ancient spiritual discipline. During the Middle Ages, it was used to symbolically represent a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Today, labyrinths are being used for reflection, meditation, prayer and comfort.  On Sunday afternoon, September 24, we'll leave together from the church, at noon, to drive down to Geneva Center. Once there, we'll have lunch and an introduction to the Labyrinth. Then you are free to enjoy the afternoon at your own pace. The cost of $15.00 includes lunch and a donation to support Geneva Center.
Please register by Wednesday, September 20 |
Ready for a good ole' Fashioned Pot Luck dinner!?!?!!?
This year, the Presbyterian Women's Bible Study will focus on the book of Genesis.
To kick off the year, they are inviting the entire church to join together on Sunday, September 17, for dinner and a program chocked-full of Genesis fun! Watch next month's newsletter for full details, but mark your calendars now. There is nowhere else you'd rather be from 5:00 - 7:00 on September 17! |
Other retreat opportunities
Friday, November 3 - Sunday, November 5: Fall Women's Retreat at Quaker Haven in Syracuse.
Guest leader: Rev. Marcia Smith Wood.
Friday, November 10 - Sunday, November 12: A Presbytery-wide PW retreat.
Watch for more details in the coming months.
Men's Breakfast Bible Study
Men are invited to meet at 8:00 a.m. Wednesdays at Perkins on No. Cassopolis for breakfast and Bible study. Steve Braden leads the discussion, currently Genesis.
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:
| September | The Emancipator's Wife | Barbara Hambly | | October | Portuguese Irregular Verbs | Alexander McCall Smith | | November | The Body in Transept
| Jeanne Dams
| December
| Night
| Elie Wiesel
| January
| 90 Minutes in Heaven
| Don Piper
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Join us in the Reception Room.
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Church Matters.
Presbyterian Scholarship Recipients
The Presbyterian Scholarship is given each year to a graduating senior who has been very active in the life of the church. The Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of one of the families in the church. The recipients of the $1,000 scholarship for 2006 are:
Michele Disch , who graduated from Central High School, has been active in Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, and serving as Youth Deacon. At Central she was the class treasurer and was active in soccer, tennis, Key Club, orchestra, and Honor Society. Michele will be attending St. Louis University and plans to major in nursing. |
Rachel Sirinek , who graduated from Concord High School, served twoyears as Youth Elder and has been active in Sunday School and youth and Musical activities. At Concord she was active in concert and marchingbands, Honor Society, and 4-H. She will be attending Kalamazoo College. |
The Presbyterian Foundation
The Presbyterian Foundation Committee will have its quarterly meeting on Monday, September 11, at 5:00 p.m. Any grant requests should be turned into the office no later than Wednesday, September 6, 2006. Grant request forms may be picked up in the office.
Trustee Update
Water damage in Rooms 100 & 101: The Trustees have had a professional mold assessment (none was found), and are working with ServiceMaster to abate the smell. The Trustees are also evaluating possible mold problems in other parts of the building. We have received an insurance check to cover part of the costs. It will be some time before Rooms 100 and 101 are back in service.
HVAC: The Trustees are awaiting a design-build proposal from Havel Bros. on renovating the piping and controls in the boiler room, and renovating existing pipes and valves where needed.
Everyone is invited to join the Fall 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!
Friends Enjoying A Shared Table
Friends Enjoying A Shared Table -- remember these get togethers? It is a great chance to meet new people, renew friendships, have a good meal, and generally have a good time. These groups will begin meeting again in the fall. We need lots of members to join.
You'll be put in a group with 7-10 other people, and will get together for dinner (or lunch) once a month from September through December. Each group decides when it is best for them to meet.
Please consider joining one of these groups. It's a great way to meet new people at church! If you have enjoyed this activity before, invite a friend to sign up also. If you've never joined this activity, TRY IT; You'll find F.EA.S.T. really fun. Sign up will begin in August. Look for the sheets on a poster in the hallways, or call the church office. Registration deadline: Sunday, August 27.
PoGO Planning Meeting
What shape will PoGO (Presbyterians on the Go) have this year? What kinds of outings, events, and service will it enjoy? Who will step forward to help lead the activities and events? There will be a call-out meeting for all interested people (primarily but not exclusively age 65+) on Monday, September 18, at 10:00 a.m. in the Reception Room. Watch for further details.
Sharing Christ's Love
Habitat for Humanity:
the Apostle's Project
We are now moving forward with our scheduled build. It will run from September 9 thru the 30, 2006, with a Prebuild Day on September 1st. First Presbyterian has already volunteered to provide the meals and devotion for September 1st, the Prebuild Day. We will need volunteers for this day. We will not necessarily need volunteers everyday, especially with the other participating congregations, but we will need a good level of participation to make sure we do our part.
If you have been, or currently are involved in Habitat, we are counting on you to participate in this build. If you never have, please consider a unique opportunity to share your time for a tremendously worthwhile cause, one that has been placing needy families in new homes all over the world! An added bonus is that it's just a lot of fun!
Also, if you belong to a business, or other entity that has the means to provide some of the building materials and or professional labor, please let us know immediately. As a volunteer you may help prepare meals, provide the morning devotion before work begins, help with the skilled, semi-skilled, or non-skilled labor, or all of these tasks. Either way, we need you, and want you.
Please contact Paul Romanetz at (574)210-8749 or via email to put yourself on the list of volunteers.
Overheard in the Hallway...Man: Say Walt! Can you tell me about Susanna's Kitchen? I've been thinking about serving there but have sort of been holding back... Walt Davis: Frankly, I can't think of an easier or more rewarding form of serving God...
Man: You're the person in our church responsible for recruiting for it...right?
 Walt: Yes, me and my wife Beth...
Man: Hmmm...Wonder if that's why you think that...?
Walt: (Going on regardless) It's a soup kitchen maintained by the Elkhart churches, using the facilities of the First Congregational Church at 431 S. Third Street. Our church is responsible for having two people there the third Monday of each month. Serving is from 11:00-12:00.
Usually we hang around to help clean up afterwards...So your total time there is really less than an hour and a half.
Man: And that's it?
Walt: That's it.
Man: And I don't have to sign in blood to do it forever and ever?
Walt: You sign up one third Monday at a time. You can sign the sheet that we've left in the Gathering Place, or you can call Beth or me at (574) 293-7786. It's a win-win situation, really. You help other people in a real tangible way...and you feel so good about it, afterwards.... Not to mention your heightened appreciation of what you have...
Man: Well, I guess I could do that...
Walt: Fantastic! But I'd advise you to sign up fast.
Man: Why's that?
Walt: (Shrugs his shoulders) Well, we only have two slots a month. And I'm putting something in this month's First Press. And this is such a great way to serve...!
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 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 |
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