THE PRESBYTERIAN

THE PRESBYTERIAN

The Presbyterian Church of Garden City Newsletter 275-9141 May 9, 2007

Mission Statement

As faithful members of the Presbyterian Church of Garden City, Kansas, we accept God’s call to be involved in the ministry of God’s church. Our mission is a twofold responsibility; to nurture and support our local church; and to follow Christ’s call to serve in the world, thereby proclaiming the Gospel to all.

‘ THANK YOU ’

The Presbyterian Women would like

to thank everyone who helped out with this year’s ‘Spring Rummage Sale’

through setting up, tearing down, donating, and buying.

The ladies raised $1,178.63 for their missions.

All unsold items were delivered to Terrace Garden and the Salvation Army.

Meals on Wheels

Volunteers are needed to help deliver Meals on Wheels. Our church has been asked to deliver the meals during the weeks of June 18 to 23 and June 25 to 30.

Meal bags will now be ready for pick up at the South entrance

of the hospital at 11:15 am.

It takes approximately one hour to deliver each route.

Dear Presbyterian Church Family,

This is more of a “love letter” than a Pastor’s Prose. I need to say these things now as the time will pass very quickly. As you may have heard, Mark, Brian, and I are moving to Princeton, New Jersey. Mark and I have accepted positions with the American Boychoir School (this is the USA’s version of the Vienna Boy’s Choir!). I will be the Dean of Students and Mark will continue doing the carpentry work he so loves. Brian will be attending Princeton High School. We will move at the end of June.

The decision to move was exciting except for the part about leaving this church. You have been our family for the past 23 years. People often use the expression “church family”. In our case that is exactly what you have become. Our most wonderful of friends are found within this congregation.

Christ set such a perfect example for us in his life. He showed us it was possible to love all people. We will never forget how this church welcomed with open arms and a loving attitude all the different children we brought in as part of our foster parenting. The gifts you gave those kids in Sunday School, Youth Group and other church activities will last them the rest of their lives. You put Christ’s example into practice.

The rest of this year will have many changes. Our family has learned in this church that the more involved you are, the more time you spend, and the more you give to the church the rewards will come back to you many times more. Growth never happens without change and change is hard. But we have watched this congregation meet the hardest of situations with the highest levels of grace. As we prepare to say good-bye to Dave and Cheryl as our Pastor and get ready to welcome whoever comes next it is important that everyone be involved.

Most importantly of all, I need to thank my choir. I have no words to describe how much I love you and what you have meant to me. We have literally shared most of life’s joys and sorrows together. At a church workshop once the question was asked “If you had an emergency at 2:00 a.m., who could you call?”. The truth was, I could call any one of you. What we have together is truly special and goes beyond the magic of music (although there was also plenty of that!). My wish is that the wonderful music of this church continues to grow and spread the joy of God’s message.

I have been fighting our decision to leave such a special place and such wonderful people but then I realized that I will take you with me. A good friend (who knew I was struggling) sent me this scripture: “The Lord said: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-9. I had forgotten that very important piece. God will go with us, and so will all of you, in our hearts. Thank you all so much.

Love,

Mark, Suzan and Brian

PS We have a guest room and it needs to be used.

Sunday School/Youth Group News

To everything there is a season –

This is the season of endings …

…and beginnings!

-May 20, Sunday School classes end

for this term. Thank You Teachers!

-May 23, Youth Groups end for this

term. Thank You Sponsors and Kitchen Angels!

-May 27, 9:30 am, Pentecost Festival and Mission Trip Send-off

-June 10 & 17, and all of July,

Summer Sunday School for all ages on Presbyterian Missions in Kansas, the U.S. and internationally.

- There is a possibility of youth group activities continuing during the summer months, but frequency, age groups, type of activity is still under discussion by the Christian Ed. Committee. If you are interested in attending or helping during the summer, please let them know!

Looking for some joy in your life?

It’s coming in small, exuberant and thirsty packages called children! We have Living Water to give them.

We seek people who love God and love being around His kids to join us!

Vacation Bible School,

June 11 – 15, 1:00 – 3:45 pm

Clean Water for All God’s Children

We need people: Preschool leader -

Recreation leader – Registration - Group leaders, Helpers – Decorators (settings, backdrops, etc.)

We need:1 gallon plastic water jugs (empty, clean) cardboard tubes from rolls of paper towels, zip-lock bags – sandwich, quart & gallon size, 3/8” x 18” wooden dowels. drinking water in 8 oz bottles Cookies & lemonade or drink mix. Call Church Office for complete list!

Congratulations to Kurt Peterson

Kurt was named the Garden City LULAC Council 11073 Man of the Year at their annual Scholarship Banquet on Saturday April 28. Additionally, Kurt was named as the State of Kansas LULAC Man of the Year at the LULAC State Convention.

Congratulations Kurt for the recognition of the hard work you are doing to support

Hispanic Students in pursuit if higher education!

Update on Dave

At the time of this printing, Dave is still recovering in Scott City. He has begun therapy and is up walking and exercising. He is feeling better and had thought that they would release him to continue his recovery and rehabilitation at home. It has been a long process and will continue so for a time yet. In anticipation of his release, cards and letters can be mailed to Dave & Cheryl directly.

Their mailing address is 4695 Switchgrass Avenue Garden City, KS 67846.

Greensburg Update

From Don Owens - General Presbyter.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Dear Friends,

The pictures in the paper and on television do not begin to show the amount of devastation of Greensburg. Two members of the national Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Response Team and I accompanied Angela Madden from the Pratt Church to Greensburg yesterday. We spent the day talking to people and hearing their stories. We will be coordinating our response with other church bodies. In the meantime we have received $10,000 from PDA as a first response. We have also set up an account in the Presbytery to receive other monies from people and churches. The greatest need for people for work teams and money for uncovered expenses will begin in a few weeks when early responders have left the community. We will continue to keep you informed. Thanks for your help.

Thank you

We would like to thank everyone who turned out to help with our ‘Spring’ work day. We were able to fertilize the lawns thanks to the donation of fertilizer from Wharton’s. Trees and hedges were trimmed and minor maintenance was able to be done. There never seems to be an end to a general work day, however we did get a lot done. Thank you again.

Garden City High School

V Brynn Hamlett is the daughter of Daryl and Ann Hamlett. After high school

graduation, she plans to study Interior Design at Kansas University in Lawrence.

V Kristen Hitz is the daughter of Bob and Melinda Hitz. After high school graduation,

she plans to study Pre-Med at Kansas State University in Manhattan.

V Katie Ford is the daughter of John and Sharon Ford. After high school graduation,

she plans to study Pre-Med at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park.

V Aubrey Whippo is the daughter of Joan Parsons, and Bob and Jill Whippo. After

high school graduation, she plans to study at Kansas University in Lawrence.

Her major field is undetermined.

Garden City Community College

V J J Ford is the son of John and Sharon Ford.

After receiving his Associate Degree from Garden City Community College, he plans to

study ComputerEngineering, but he hasn’t decided where.

V Blake Burnside is the son of Joe and Jana Burnside.

After receiving his Associate Degree in Theater from Garden City Community College

this summer he plans to work and then continue his schooling.

Kansas State University

V Kendall Golay is the son of Ken and Marsha Golay.

After receiving his degree in Landscaping Design from Kansas State University he

plans to move to the Kansas City area and work in his profession.

V Abbie Wharton is the daughter of George and Debbie Wharton. She will receive her

degree in Architecture from Kansas State University and is seeking a position in a

related field.

University of Kansas

V Elizabeth Ann Crotty (Beth) is the daughter of Doug and Rebecca Crotty,

She is graduating from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology

with University Honors and a Minor in Chemistry with University Honors. After

graduation, she will leave for Hawaii where she will be working in the

“Teach for America” program.

Washburn University

V Jerrod Ansley is the son of Jon and Patti Ansley.

He is receiving an MBA from Washburn University.

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY

May 13, 2007

Greeters -

Lay Leader - Bob Whippo

Ushers - Bob and Audrey Law,

Fellowship - The Whippo family

Pray healing for Donna Jameson, Leona Crotty, Barbara Coram (Kathy Irvin’s mother), Greg Adams, Dave Sweley, Anna McVey, Rolland Mathias, Les DePew,

Yvonne Allman, Pat LeClerc, Susan Brookover, Bob Whippo, Dale Meadors, Marge Williams, Linda Friesner, Ruth Powell, Caroline Sundquist, John Lechliter, Nancy Stegman, Eden Raine, Belinda Fouse.

(Please call the church with your personal prayer request). God Bless All Of You.

The following families have recently lost loved ones.

Please pray for Don Schroeder and family on the death of Joyce.

This week’s prayer families are the people of Greensburg, KS.

Please pray for the Federated Community Church in Spearville, KS.

Birthdays Anniversaries

Daniel Bielfeldt 5/13 Gary & Lee Ann Shrader

Laurie Bock 5/13 5/25/1991

Ken Golay 5/13 Matt & Jennifer Jones

Mason Bock 5/15 5/26/2001

Jeff Whitham 5/15

Carl Bors, Jr. 5/19

Henry Bors 5/19

Mitch Ford 5/19

Pauline Weddle 5/20

Trace Woods 5/21

Rebecca Crotty 5/23

Hayley Mayfield 5/23

Mitchell Watson 5/25

Neely Burnside 5/26

Church Budget Update

Budget for 2007................... $253,331.00

Deposit to date..................... $ 80,213.65

Expenses to date.................. $ 80,446.58

Balance ..……….……...….$ (232.93)

*Transferred from Pre-paid 17,550.00

This Week’s Activities

Sunday, May 13

Bell Choir @ 8:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am, Worship 10:45 am

Tuesday, May 15

Celebration Team @ 7:00 pm

Wednesday, May 16

Celebrate Kids! @ 5:00 pm, Celebration Worship w/Pot luck dinner @ 6:00 pm,

Choir @ 7:30 pm

Thursday, May 17

Lay Ministry @ 6:00 pm, Stewardship @ 6:30 pm

Sunday, May 20

Bell Choir @ 8:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am, Worship @ 10:45 am

Tuesday, May 22

Celebration Team @ 7:00 pm

Wednesday, May 23

Celebrate Kids! @ 5:00 pm, Youth Groups @ 6:00, Choir @ 7:30 pm

Thursday, May 24

Deacons @ noon