Features & News

September 19 - October 22, 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

Exploring Membership
If you are interested in exploring the possibility of membership at First Presbyterian or just learning more about the church, classes will be offered in October. Join us in Room 100 either Thursday evenings, October 6 or 13 (6:30 - 8:00) or Sunday afternoon, October 16(11:30 - 2:30).

Our Youth Fellowship is moving to a new schedule:

Discussion at 10:45
Lunch at 11:30
Activities from noon-1:00

We have a new Children's Ministry director, Linda Hartman, and our Sunday School program is up and running - currently at 10:30. Details.

This year's CROP Walk is on Sunday, October 2.

Steve's Scratchings

There are so many good things going on at our church - our new children's director, Linda Hartman, new schedules for Sunday worship, Sunday school, and youth group, new adult classes starting planning for major HVAC and other facilities improvements, reorganizing our structure, new members joining - as well as so much happening in our nation (Hurricane Katrina) and our world, that it's easy to lose sight of happenings in the larger church. I want to catch you up on some of these.

It may seem an odd time to do so - the demands of hurricane relief and HVAC repair seem so urgent and all-consuming - but it is good to step back and gain some larger perspective.

We have a strong connection to the Presbytery of Wabash Valley, and will be recognized at its next meeting (in far-off Lebanon, IN) as one of the top-ten presbytery supporters. I am proud of our support - it is part of what makes us Presbyterian.

This summer, after years of passionate debate, the presbytery recognized the closing of long struggling First Presbyterian Church of Gary. Some of our members, including Jim Pyles, have worked hard over the years to try to find ways to help that once-thriving church survive, but to no avail. Its closing was a reminder that the gospel is eternal, but congregations live and die. Thus, we must always be creating new ones. The presbytery called a pastor, the Rev. Nancy Mockros, to start a new church in south Lafayette. Nancy is planning to start Life Path Presbyterian Church with "emerging worship" along the lines of our Bridge service. Pray for Life Path church as it gets off the ground.

Like other "mainstream" denominations, the Presbyterian Church (USA) remains divided over issues of Biblical interpretation and the role of gay and lesbian people. Though they are a slim majority some of our more conservative churches have long been unhappy about being in fellowship with more liberal churches. Some have now formed a movement, called "New Wineskins." One of the movement's leaders, the Rev. David Henderson of Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette, says that the movement is trying to reform our denomination, not to split it. However, I doubt that our denomination will adopt the "New Wineskins" theology, and I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the movement's churches leave, as the Warsaw Presbyterian church has already done. If you're interested in learning more, see www.presbywine.com.

Finally, a word on how we cope with disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. It raises the eternal question of where is God when calamity strikes? From Nicholas Wolterstorff's moving book Lament for a Son:

God is love. That is why he suffers. To love our sinful world is to suffer.
God so suffered for the world that he gave up his only Son to suffering.
The one who does not see God's suffering does not see his love.
God is suffering love.

So suffering is down at the center of things, deep down where the meaning is.
Suffering is the meaning of our world. For love is the meaning. And love suffers. The tears of God are the meaning of history.

Instead of explaining our suffering, God shares it.

                              

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Sharing Christ's Love

Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina

Our PYF is collecting these. You may create a whole kit, or bring in items for the youth to use. If you wish to create a kit, collect all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure and roll in the bath towel. Collection boxes are located outside the chapel and sanctuary and at the Bridge.

Sponsoring a Displaced Family's Move to Elkhart: our church has a history of helping sponsor families in moving to Elkhart. Several people have expressed an interest in the possibility of sponsoring one or more families who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Are you interested in exploring this possibility? If you are, please come to a meeting Sunday, September 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the church, or call the church office or speak to Pastor Steve or Pastor Kathleen.

Don't Forget Local Needs
The ill winds of misfortune are not confined to America's coasts. Elkhart's emergency services agencies are desperately short of food & funds for local relief. Church Community Services has bare shelves in its food pantry, and its funds for rent and utilities are far, far short of the growing need from area families. Other Elkhart food pantries and agencies are hurting as well.

Growing in Christ

Tough Issues - a Sunday morning discussion series 9:30-10:3O am in the Reception Room:

September 18 - "Reflections on Katrina" led by Rudy Gourdine. Rudy hopes to have first-hand information from residents of the hurricane area!

September 15 through October 23 - Tough Issues' topic will be "Islam- Should We Fear It?" led by Jack Cittadine. Wonderfully informative audio tapes from a discussion by a Presbyterian minister. You won't want to miss this!

October 2 in Room 100". Rebuilding: Peacemaking in Nehemiah". Richaid Fair will lead this timely study. How do God's people rebuild after times of disaster and displacement? Where is God in the process?

10:45 Series: Sunday morning classes held 10:45 - 11:30 a.m. in Room 107 (across from the nursery)

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.

Bible from Scratch...No question is too basic. If you've always felt intimidated by reading the Bible, this introductory class is for you! Begins this week. Wednesday. November 21, at 6:30 in Room 101. Leader: Kathleen O'Connell.
October 19 Faith and Politics, with Steve Braden.

JAM Time workship Rotations & SonShine Toddler's classes are at 10:30 a.m. The Children's Commission is seeking teachers to help with both classes, and possibly expand them to 9:30.

Fellowship and Fun

Presbyterians on the Go

It's time to sign up for a cruise aboard the double-decked Lily Pad on colorful Lake Wawasee. The date will be Saturday, September 24 at 1:00 p.m. for a two-hour cruise. The cost per person is $20 for the ticket including appetizers served as we cruise (drinks and gratuity not included). We must have paid reservations in by Sunday, September 18. How about taking a friend? Car pools will be organized.

On Thursday, October 27, we plan to attend a matinee performance of the comedy, "Smoke on the Mountain" at the Round Barn Theater at Amish Acres in Nappanee. The show is filled with humor, inspirational stories, and good ol' gospel music. We must be there at 1:45 for the 2:00 p.m. show.

Ticket price is $28 per person. We must let the theater know as soon as possible to guarantee a block of tickets, so sign up in the hallway by the Gathering Place. A light lunch will be served at the MacKenzies prior to carpooling to Nappanee.

 A calendar of coming events is posted on the Adult's Bulletin Board.

Tables Around the World Potluck Dinner

Share your heritage with others!
The Tables Around the World Potluck Dinner will be Sunday, October 9, at 5:00 p.m. Bring a dish to share that reflects your ethnic heritage - even if you're Scottish! We have a great program planned. If you are willing to host a table (decorating it with your ethnic heritage), contact Betty Rice at 875-8083.

Presby Day

Presby Day, a gathering of Presbyterian adults and their friends for spiritual growth, education, fellowship, lunch, and total life enrichment.

Come to the F.E.A.S.T.

F.E.A.S.T. groups are a wonderful opportunity to make friends, build relationships and strengthen our shared church community! Sign up through August. You will be placed in a F.E.A.S.T. group of 7-10 people. Each group will choose their own time to gather for several meals - meeting three or four times between September and December! Look for the F.E.A.S.T. sign-up table by the Gathering Place on Sunday mornings, or call the church office. Come to the F.E.A.S.T. - and join other Friends Enjoying A Shared Table.

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: October 3, 2005 Saturday by Ian McEwan 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, October 3 in the Reception Room.

Youth

September 18 PYF at 10:45 - 1pm Joan of Arcadia discussion Discuss plans for 2005-2006 Make paper cranes for Peace Sunday Lunch @ 11:30 am

September 25 10:45 - 11:30 Joan of Arcadia discussion. Lunch @ 11:30 am. Walk to Island Park for Volleyball/ 12-1pm

October 2 10:45 - 11:30 Discussion. No lunch today. Meet back at church at 1:30 pm for Crop Walk

October 9 10:45 - 11:30 am Discussions. Lunch @ 11:30 am. Mystery Destination - 12 - 1 pm

October 16 10:45 - 11:30 am Discussion. No lunch. Meet back at church at 6 PM to leave for the A-Mazing Acres Corn Maze

October 23 10:45 - 11:30 am Discussion Lunch @ 11:30 am. Pumpkin Game Day from 12-1pm

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

Church Community Services is in great need of items for its food pantry. The summer slump has left the shelves almost bare! Please bring items to the church on Sunday morning, or directly to CCS.

CROP Walk... Please join us for the 26th Annual Elkhart County CROP Walk, which will take place Sunday, October 2, 2005. Our Recruiter is Kathryn Shanholt, Watch for details and walk with us!

CROP Walkers...Remember to "walk the block" before you "walk the walk." Ask friends and neighbors to pledge their support. More sponsors mean more funds raised for vital emergency relief in our city, country, and around the world. Church World Service is transferring additional money to assist victims of recent hurricanes in the U.S. Local monies fund food pantries at Church Community Services, Inc. in Elkhart and The Window in Goshen. Thank you for helping us help the needy.

Computers for SOS graduates...Part of the Church Community Services Soup of Success women's job training program uses one of our classrooms for their computer lab. Using the computers donated by Jennifer Pitcher, Judith McDowell, and United Specialties, parts from Bob Decker and Mike Stoll, and monitors from the church, I was able to rebuild or upgrade five computer systems. These were given to the five participants of the graduating SOS class who did not already have a computer. Their appreciation and expressions of joy were ample reward for this project.

Alas, after two classes and seven computers, I have depleted my supply of computers, parts, monitors, hard drives, keyboards, and mice-er--mouses--er--those pointer things. Please contact me if you have an "extra" computer just taking up closet space, or you upgraded your computer for Christmas, or know of another company that is disposing of old computers. I would love to have some computers ready for the next SOS class that will graduate in February. Dick Bracken

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.

Please support the Peacemaking Offering in October

Presbyterian Women

It is the time of the year when Presbyterian Women are finishing this year's mission opportunity projects. We need your help to finish personal health kits for men and women. We have pledged 10 kits for this year, but would send more with your help.

Health care kits contain the following items:

Women Comb and hairbrush Toothbrush Toothpaste Emery boards Deodorant-lotion Tampons Hand Towels (new ones)

Men Comb and Hairbrush Toothbrush and Toothpaste Nail clippers Shaving Cream Razor blades Deodorant Hand towels (new ones)

You may bring items to the church and leave them in the plastic container on the credenza in Room 100. Presbyterian Women are also doing book bags again this year. We will again need your help to fill 100 back packs for Elkhart Schools and 100 more school bags for Church World Service. School supplies needed are pencils, scissors (blunt), colored pencils, crayons, glue sticks, spiral bound notebooks, and erasers. Construction paper and rulers are also needed for the overseas kits. Back packs and book bags are filled the middle of August. Watch for the sales! Our mission work could not be done without your continued support.

Stewardship

Recently, members of the Stewardship Commission have been preparing for this year's stewardship campaign, which is called "Continuing to Grow." We have declared November 13 to be Commitment Sunday. This program emphasizes the spiritual discipline of proportional giving, and is intended to help you grow to tithing, if you don't already tithe. As discussed last year, this plan allows you to transition to an intentional and joyful response to God, eventually achieving the goal of tithing. The money received from your pledges will be used by the church and staff to meet the needs of our members; Christian education to deepen our understanding and experience of Christ; Outreach to reach the pre-Christians in our area; and Maintenance to keep our facility attractive and sound. All of this starts with our income, which allows us to budget our expenses in a responsible manner. We need every one of you to help. Let's all CONTINUE TO GROW (at least one) together. Sincerely, Stewardship Commission