Presbyterian
Church of Garden City
Newsletters
2009
January 28, 2009 February 11, 2009 February 25, 2009 March 11, 2009
March 25, 2009 April 8,
2009 April 29, 2009
May 13, 2009 May 27, 2009 June 10, 2009 June 24, 2009
July 8, 2009 July 29,
2009 Aug. 12, 2009 Aug. 26, 2009
Sept. 9, 2009 Sept.
23, 2009 Oct. 14, 2009 Oct. 28, 2009
Nov. 11, 2009 Nov. 25,
2009 Dec. 9, 2009 Dec. 23, 2009
December 23, 2009
Ordination and
Installation Of New Officers
Sunday, January 17 Session has set for the Installation and
Ordination of Elders and Deacons elected at the December Congregational
Meeting.
Keep the date:
May 28-June 4
Presbytery of So. KS mission trip, probably to
The annual
stewardship campaign for the Garden City Presbyterian Church is coming to an end. Thank you for all who have so faithfully
supported our church this last year and another thank you to those that have
made a pledge to support our important ministry for another year. Without
commitments like yours we could not go into the New Year with confidence that
our ministry could continue in this community and around the world. For those who want to make a pledge, but
have not made one yet, there is still time to stop by the office. It is
important to note that unpledged gifts are also very important to the financial
strength of our church and are greatly appreciated. If you would like to
consider a 2nd mile giving, we have some special projects ahead. We have now
installed our new sound system and perhaps you would like to designate a donation.
Thank you.
5 Easy Steps to Stay
Safe (and Private!) on Facebook
The New York Times, September 16, 2009
1. Make Friend Lists
2. Set who can see
what on your profile
3. Set who can see
your address & phone number
4. Change who can
find you on Facebook via search
5. Stop sharing
personal info with unknown applications
Recommended by the workshop leader at the regional APCE
training in October, this article shows how to accomplish each of these 5
steps. Mary can send you a link to this article or you can find it with a
search. If you would attend a workshop
on Facebook safety, please let Mary know (mrbuchele@hotmail.com).
C.E. could set one up.
Youth and Adult groups resume activities on January 6th with
dinner at 6:00 and games at 6:30. Bring
a friend for this informal activity at our church. The #1 reason people come to a church is because SOMEONE asked
them!
Across the Pastor’s Desk
During Christmas week we celebrate not
only the Savior’s birth, but also the memory of significant persons and events.
Ours is an historical faith in two ways: first, we affirm that God’s
self-revelation occurred in history,
definitively
for all times in Jesus of Nazareth; secondly, we remember key persons and
events that shaped our faith. We remember, not simply from historical interest,
but as the Spirit invites us to let the Christ Child be birthed within us and
grow into greater maturity.
On Monday we remember St. Stephen, Deacon
and Martyr The first recorded Christian Martyr. Stephen’s death recalls the
passion of Christ. ‘Martyr’ means witness’. While we do not seek martyrdom and
are actively to avoid it so as far as we can without disowning the Triune God,
we honor those for whom witness and discipleship involved this ultimate
sacrifice. Stephen symbolizes all ‘red martyrs’: those who poured out their
life’s blood in faithful witness to Christ.
On Tuesday we remember
On Wednesday we remember the “Holy
Innocents” - the children whom Herod butchered in his attempt to kill the
Christ Child. They symbolize the powerless of all generations who died
needlessly in wars, purges, and persecutions. They include the countless
thousands from all times who were killed, tortured, mutilated, enslaved, and
starved by tyrannical regimes.
While Reformed Churches do not
generally hold special services on these days nor use saints and martyrs as
intercessors, we must never forget those whose lives were directly impacted by
the Savior’s birth “Peace on earth, goodwill toward humans” remains the basic
message of Christmas. Yet it is a message that will be realized only by great
effort and great suffering. Pray that God will use us to “give us his Kingdom”
more visibly, soon!
Jim
2010 Church Directory
The 2010
Church Directory will soon be printed.
If you have
any changes to the information listed in the directory from last year,
please let
the office know.
Email address cannot be published without
your approval, if you wish for your email address to appear in the directory
please submit your email address to the office. Thank you.
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
December 27, 2009
Greeters - N/A at time of printing
Lay Leader - N/A at time of printing
Ushers - Doug, Mike and Shelby Heatwole
Fellowship - Ron and Janet Major
Sound Board - Aaron Hamlett and Steven Buchele
Church Family and Friends in Need of Special
Prayers:
Joan Parsons, Jonell
Friend, Leona Meadors, Faye Hunt, Abbey Bannister, Blanche Larson, Dale
Meadors, Larry Zant, Rolland Mathias, Jim Wharton, Tom Meschke, Debbie Harden,
Gladys Cripe, Linda Friesner, Pam Smith, Hazel Skinner, Gerri McKernam,
Blanche Wolfe, Ethel Kern, Eunice and Ralph Cooper, Charlie Robinson, Don
Davis, Suzan Tarwater, Eden Murphy, Annabelle Yocky, Marisha Cooper, Natalie
Hendrickson, Jim Hamlett, Dave Sweley, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver, 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: Mitchell Bock and family on the passing of Laurie and the passing of
his father Henry ‘Bud’ Bock, Bob Halloran on the passing of his mother Eleanor
and his brother Randy, Connie and Ken Harsha on the passing her mother Ruth
Buehler, the family of Robbin (Bannister) Ward, Debbie and George Wharton on
the passing of Debbie’s mother Jackie Cole, Joe York and family on the passing
of his brother George.
This week’s prayer family: Randy, Becky, Mandi, Amy and
Zack McVey.
This week’s prayer church: Westminster Woods Camp.
Activities
Sunday,
December 27
Sunday school @ 9:30 am, Worship @ 10:45 am
Monday,
December 28
Praise
Band @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, December 16
Choir @ 7:30 pm
Friday, January 1
New Year’s Day
Sunday, January 3
Bell Choir @ 8:30, Sunday school @ 9:30, Worship
@ 10:45
Monday,
January 4
Praise Team @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, January 6
Dinner @ 6:00 pm, Games night @ 6:30 pm
Choir @ 7:30 pm, Worship Committee @ 8:30 pm
Thursday,
January 7
CE @ 6:00 pm
Friday, January 8
PW Board @ 10:00 am
December 9, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
December 13, 2009
Greeters - The Jones family
Ushers - Ron Major, Sandra and Kirsten Neff
Fellowship - Kelley, Larry and Adah Jenkins
Sound Board - Aaron Hamlett and Steven Buchele
“Festival of Lessons and Carols”
December 13, 2009
Members of St James Lutheran Choir
and the Presbyterian Chancel
Choir invite you to their
presentation of the Christmas Cantata “Festival of Lessons and Carols.”
Please mark your calendar and join
us for a holiday musical worship experience.
We are now taking orders for Poinsettias to be placed in the Sanctuary during the Advent season in memory or honor of your loved ones.
This year’s poinsettias will be $25.00 for an 8” double plant.
If you'd like to order a poinsettia, please call the office with your request.
Christmas Eve
Communion and Candle light Service 7:00 pm
Emmaus House needs our help!
The Emmaus House needs donations to help fill
this year’s Christmas Baskets.
Items needed include:
Ham/Chicken; Corn; Beans (Green & Baked); Soup; Mashed or Sliced
Potatoes; Cake or Cookie Mix; Bread; Nuts; Mac ‘n’ Cheese; Fruit.
The food
baskets will be distributed on December 22, from 9:30-11:30 am and again
from1:00 to 6:00 pm on those days.
They
estimate approximately 250 food boxes will be going out to families in
need. Please bring in your donated
items or drop them off at the Emmaus House by December 18th.
Come and Worship with our children
and youth
Wednesday, December 16
6:00 p.m. Potluck Dinner
6:30 p.m. Worship, message brought by the children.
Pat Sanders, Kathryn Ochampaugh,
and our children have been hard at work preparing the new songs and
traditional favorites in "Charlie and the Cherub Cheerleaders."
The day has come at last! The Son
of God is being born on Earth and the angels can't wait to proclaim it to the
world.
But the angels disagree on how this
announcement should be made. "The Angelic Chorus" has prepared
a traditional masterpiece; heaven's praise band, "The Wingbeats,"
are ready to shake the pearly gates; and then there's Charlie, a misfit angel
who has a very unique way of praising the Lord! These groups of talented angels
have gathered on the set of "The Glory & Hallie Show" on HVN TV,
the best (and only) TV station in Heaven, to audition for the assignment of
announcing Jesus' birth. But who will God choose for this supreme assignment?
Come and worship with us!
Thursday Evening Bible Study
For the month of December the Bible Study class
will be held on December 17 from 6:45 to 8:15 pm
The worship committee would like to express our gratitude
to Kathryn Ochampaugh and Mary Buchele for organizing the Hanging of the Greens
activities and worship experience. All who participated enjoyed the activities,
the fellowship, and the worship. Everything was very well and nicely organized
and made for an excellent preparation for the Advent season. Thank you, Kathryn
and Mary, for your excellent and hard work. Your loving care showed in every
detail. We appreciate you and all you did to make the Hanging of the Greens
such a wonderful event!
Looking for something
different
to watch when the weather
outside is frightful??
We have the following DVD’s available: (contact
Mary to check them out)
-The Jesus Film (Based on the Gospel
of Luke, filmed in the
-The Bible Collection
Series: Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses,
Samson and Delilah, David
-The Visual Bible Series: Matthew, John, Falling Fire (Acts)
-The Story of David
-The Story of Paul the Apostle (History Channel)
-The Life and Passion of
Christ (International Bible Society)
-The Passion of the Christ (Mel Gibson)
-The History of Christianity (
-John Calvin, His Life and
Legacy (Witherspoon Press)
-More Than Dreams, The amazing phenomenon
of Jesus’ appearing to Muslims in dreams
-The Gospel, a film about
morality, faith, hope and recovery, with lots of gospel music
For Kids:
-The Littlest Light on the
Christmas Tree
-The Very First Noel
Merry
Christmas from your Church Staff
James O
Pitts, III, Connie Boese, Mary Buchele, Kevin Ochampaugh, Linda
Adams, Pat Sanders, Randy McVey, Juana Perez, Brenda Watson, Audrey Law,
Bob Law
Across the Pastor’s Desk
Christmas
and Mystery
“Religious mystery” is possibly one of the most significant, least
understood, and most misused of all religious terms.
”Mystery” is a Greek word marking a moment of revelation that words
cannot adequately describe and do not fully explain. The Latins translated the Greek term as “sacramentum”, from which
comes our word “sacrament” While the sacraments are religious mysteries that no
one can fully explain, the term “mystery” applies far more broadly.
All religious teachings, but especially basic affirmations
(about God, Christ, creation, sin, etc.) are ultimately mysteries. This does not mean that we cannot say
anything about them that is true; it does mean that we cannot fully exhaust
their significance.
As we approach Christmas with its notes of joy and excitement, it is
possible to forget that the message of this season stresses one of the two most
profound mysteries of the central Christian faith. With the Resurrection, the Incarnation of the Eternal Son of God
in the man Jesus of Nazareth stretches our minds almost to the breaking
point. It is the incredibility of the
Christmas message that has prompted all of the inadequate explanations of “who
Jesus is”, both in the present as in the past! It is to this great mystery that
we now turn our attention from now through mid January.
Officially we say: “When people
respond to God and communicate to each other their experiences of God, they must
use symbolic means, for God transcends creation and cannot be reduced to
anything within it. No merely human symbols can be adequate to comprehend the
fullness of God, and none is identical to the reality of God. Yet the symbols
human beings use can be adequate for understanding, sharing, and responding to
God’s gracious activity in the world since God has chosen to accommodate to
humanity in self revelation” - Directory for Worship
In our society, many try to deal with
“mysteries” as if they were “problems”.
If we think hard enough, we think that we can “solve” them. Precisely that we cannot do! Mysteries run so deep that the more we grasp
something about them, the more we recognize how much we do not know. Hence the
more mysterious they become. This is especially true of the twin basic
mysteries of Incarnation and Resurrection.
Eventually the best that we can do is
to meditate on the meanings that we
know, practice them, and pray for further light. The more that we do this, the more the central ones will come to
life within us. Usually we then
experience a sense of thankfulness for what we grasp and little by little
receive a deeper understanding. This has been the experience of the greatest saints
and teachers through the centuries. I
urge each of us to meditate on the Christmas message as it unfolds itself in
the coming weeks.
Jim
2010 Church Directory
Work has
begun on updating the 2010 Church Directory.
Please
contact the office if there has been any change in your information from last
year.
Email address cannot be published without your approval, if you wish for your email address to appear in the
directory
please submit your email address to the office. Thank you.
As you do your
holiday grocery shopping, you can help fund our youth mission trips by purchasing
Dillon’s certificates.
Available after
worship, or in the church office.
December
Birthdays
Kelli
Ford 12/14
Robert
York 12/14
Ryan
Ochampaugh 12/15
Jon
Ansley 12/16
Carol
Deaver 12/16
Kelley
Jenkins 12/16
Mike
Deaver 12/17
Bob
Hitz 12/19
Janet
Major 12/20
Joe
Burnside 12/24
Steven
Buchele 12/27
Church Family and Friends in Need of Special
Prayers:
Joan Parsons, Leona
Meadors, Faye Hunt, Abbey Bannister, Blanche Larson, Dale Meadors, Dorothea
Kline, Larry Zant, Rolland Mathias, Jim Wharton, Tom Meschke, Laurie Bock,
Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe, Linda Friesner, Tanya Pyle, Pam Smith,
Hazel Skinner, Gerri McKernam, Blanche Wolfe, Ethel Kern, Eunice and Ralph Cooper,
Charlie Robinson, Jonell Friend, Bob Swanson, Don Davis, Suzan Tarwater,
Annabelle Yocky, Marisha Cooper, Natalie Hendrickson, Eden Murphy, Jim Hamlett,
Dave Sweley, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver, 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: Connie and Ken Harsha on the passing her mother Ruth Buehler, the family
of Robbin (Bannister) Ward, Debbie and George Wharton on the passing of
Debbie’s mother Jackie Cole, Joe York and family on the passing of his brother
George, Bob Halloran on the passing of his brother Randy.
This week’s prayer families: Kathy Friesen, Jeanne
Hamilton, Carol Hodgkinson, Donna Jameson, and Dorothea Kline.
This week’s prayer church: Community Presbyterian
Activities
Sunday, December 13 - 3rd Sunday of Advent
Sunday school
@ 9:30 am, Worship @ 10:45 am
Monday, December 14
Praise Band @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday, December 15
Stewardship @
6:30 pm
Wednesday, December
16
Dinner @ 6:00
pm, Children’s program @ 6:30 pm, Choir @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, December 17
Deacons @ 6:30
pm, Bible Study @ 6:45 pm
Sunday, December 22 -
4th Sunday of Advent
Bell Choir @
8:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am, Worship @ 10:45 am
Monday, December 21
Session @ 6:30
pm, Praise Team @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, December
23
Choir @ 7:30
pm
Thursday, December 24
Worship @ 7:00
pm
Friday, December 25 -
Christmas Day
No activities
November
25, 2009
Christmas Caroling
We will be going
Christmas caroling on December 2 after
a meal at the church at 6:00 pm. After caroling
we will have hot chocolate at the church. Kids, adults who act like kids all
are welcome as we hit the streets for some fun and fellowship.
We are now taking orders for Poinsettias to be
placed in the Sanctuary during the Advent season in memory or honor of your
loved ones.
This year’s
poinsettias will be $25.00 for an 8”
double plant.
If you'd like to
order a poinsettia, please call the office with your request.
All ladies of the church and their daughters are invited to the
Presbyterian Women's Christmas Tea on Sunday December 6th at 2 p.m. in the
fellowship hall. We will be having our Thank Offering and installation of
officers for the 2010 year. Please bring a batch of your
favorite Christmas cookies to share.
“Prepare the Way of the Lord”
Our Advent
devotion booklet are in the atrium.
Each day’s entry includes a short reflection and prayer and a suggested
journal exercise, so users can create a personal record of prayers and
thoughts. Don’t worry about your skills
as a writer or artist – it is simply an invitation to reflect in your own
way. Advent is a time to open ourselves
to the love of God in Christ in a new way, as we ponder the traditional themes
of the season: expectation, hope,
preparation and longing.
“Festival of Lessons and Carols”
December 13, 2009
Members of St
James Lutheran Choir and the Presbyterian Chancel Choir invite you to their
presentation of the Christmas Cantata “Festival of Lessons and Carols.”
Please mark your
calendar and join us for a holiday musical worship experience.
Emmaus House needs our help!
The Emmaus House
needs donations to help fill this year’s Christmas Baskets.
Items needed
include:
Ham/Chicken; Corn; Beans (Green & Baked);
Soup; Mashed or Sliced Potatoes; Cake or Cookie Mix; Bread; Nuts; Mac ‘n’
Cheese; Fruit.
The food baskets will be distributed on
December 22, 2009 from 9:30-11:30 am and again from1:00 to 6:00 pm on those
days.
They estimate approximately 250 food boxes
will be going out to families in need.
Please bring in your donated items by December 18th.
Thursday Evening Bible Study
For the month of
December the Bible Study class will be held on December 17 from 6:45 to 8:15 pm
December 5, Three Events in One!
For Families with
Young Children
(for toddlers
& preschoolers)
We’ll have a
birthday party with games, story and balloons. Please bring an unwrapped gift
to be placed in our manger. The gifts
will be given to the Salvation Army for the Angel Tree program. Birthday cupcakes will be part of the
kid-friendly meal at 11:30 – 12:00.
II.
Celebration of Parents 10:30 – 12:00
Meet in the
Parlor with our Parish Nurse, Brenda Watson.
Lunch with the children at 11:30.
III. 10:00 – 12:00 Music Practice
for All Children
& Youth in the Christmas Program
Kid-friendly
lunch at 11:30 – 12:00.
Christmas Joy Offering a Presbyterian
Tradition
A Presbyterian tradition for almost
seventy years, the Christmas Joy Offering is an annual special offering
designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to provide
congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in
need. The receipts of the offering are distributed equally to the Board of
Pensions for assistance programs and to National Ministries of the General
Assembly Council to support Presbyterian racial ethnic education.
Through the Board of Pensions’
Financial Assistance Programs, the Christmas Joy Offering recognizes the
faithfulness of current and retired church workers by providing funds to help
them through difficult times.
To help retired church workers and
their surviving spouses, the board offers Income Supplements to raise incomes
to a level where retirees can live modestly and
continue to
maintain their independence.
If these individuals’ incomes do not
support their housing needs, the board provided them Housing Supplements. The
Shared Grant Program is open to all current and retired church workers.
Governing bodies, congregations, and employing organizations offer the grants
to church workers who have financial need or an emergency. The board shares the
funding with this partner organization.
Many times, Shared Grants and
Emergency Assistance Grants meet needs that might be considered routine, such
as additional medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance. Perhaps a
retiree needs a little help paying for equipment or services not covered by
traditional insurance. Other times, grants may help a church worker meet
unexpected financial needs or recover from am natural disaster.
Each of these grants is an
expression of Presbyterian’s faithful witness to and sharing of the love of
Christ for all people. Shared and Emergency Assistance Grants help people with financial
needs resulting from a variety of problems: an unemployed spouse, a flood or
tornado, a seriously ill child, or unexpected family expenses. Again and again,
recipients of grants large and small say that as important as the financial
assistance was, what really sustained them was the knowledge that the church
was standing with them in their time of need.
The Presbyterian Church has long
promoted education through establishing and supporting racial ethnic schools
and colleges. Christmas Joy Offering funds provide scholarships to deserving
students as well as help with basic operating costs. These institutions develop
leaders in the church and in society, and they enable students to discover and
pursue their professional goals. All Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) related
schools and colleges are open to any qualified student regardless of race.
Your congregation’s gifts allow
these schools and colleges to continue the ministries we have carried out for
decades, even as the ways we implement these ministries evolve in response to
changing needs and circumstances.
For example,
Knoxville College - Founded in 1875 by Presbyterian
missionaries, this college in Knoxville, Tennessee, offers a wide range of
study, including teacher education, health services, business, science,
religion, and social services. It is currently broadening its program so that
students who attend are offered opportunities to work for their tuition.
Stillman College - Founded by Dr. Charles A. Stillman in
1876 as an institution where students could “enter to learn and depart to
serve”, this four-year liberal arts college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, prepares
students for careers in medicine, business, law, education, and Christian
ministry.
Information
resource: 2009 Christmas Joy Offering
Mission Interpretation General
Assembly Council
Across the Pastor’s
Desk
Advent’s Two Faces
The Season of Advent initiates a new
Christian year! Advent picks up where
the Old Testament and the prophet Malachi end - Malachi proclaimed how YHWH
would send a Messiah; Advent announces that God’s promised New Age is here!
Now!
Thus Advent wears two faces, has two
orientations. Advent looks to the past,
reporting the longing with which men and women living in bygone eras
anticipated the coming of God’s Messiah. But Advent also points us to the
future in an attitude of expectancy for what God has yet to do in history. So Advent points us equally toward heaven
and earth - toward history and eternity, reminding us that we live in both and
can escape neither - despite the tension that involves. Seeking to reduce that
tension tempts us in opposite directions: some aspire to live as angels, spurning the physical world as much
as they can. Others claim only to be
creatures - animals - and glorify the physical side of life as fully as
possible. The central Christian
tradition seeks to integrate both of these: we are mammals, but mammals made in
the Image of God, able to reflect on who we are.
While we eagerly decorate the church and
avidly celebrate with the Advent wreath, Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to
overshadow the themes of Advent!
One pastor
humorously defined Advent as “that part of the Christian Year sandwich in
between Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas trees”. Yet it is precisely the major themes of Advent that would help us
better to celebrate a religious Christmas and less a retailer’s Christmas.
Advent invites us to reflect on the reality of eternity which envelopes time
like a cocoon. It is from eternity that
the Christ Child comes and to eternity that the Christ returns at the end of
his ministry. Cut off from eternity
Christmas becomes only a celebration of a exceptional human being whose life
ends tragically! Linked firmly with
eternity our Christmas celebrations
take on their fullest meaning.
During this coming year I would like to
suggest that, if you aren’t doing this already, that you live out the church
year and not just through it. I would
urge each of you to use some approach to link the weekly liturgy (what we do
together on Sunday) and your own private devotional life. These two are supposed to complement and
support each other. Neither is adequate
alone; neither is a useless waste of time.
Together our public and private worship - the communal and the personal
- mature us toward the goal of human life: growing into the image of God (the imago Dei) which is fully developed in
Jesus the Christ.
The challenge facing the Reformed and
Presbyterian churches today is how to keep before our members what we stand for
in a way that will inform our daily lives.
In previous generations church members were clear about our teaching
tradition. Currently many Presbyterians
are not that clear.
John Calvin (to many peoples’ surprise)
emphasized that religious knowledge is best digested through the medium of
prayer and worship. Both the flow of the Sunday service itself and the seasons
of the church year express our theology.
We celebrate the church year to help each of us incorporate anew both
the basic teachings of the Christian faith along with the specific emphases of
our
Reformed Christian
tradition.
Jim
2010 Church Directory
Work has begun on
updating the 2010 Church Directory. Please contact the office if there has been
any change in your information from last year. Email address cannot be published without your approval, if
you wish for your email address to appear in the directory please submit your
email address to the office. Thank you.
As you do your holiday grocery shopping, you can help fund our
youth mission trips by purchasing Dillon’s certificates. Available after worship, or in the church
office.
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
November 29, 2009
Greeters - Nancy
and
Advent Family -
George and Debbie Wharton
Ushers - Bob and
Audrey Law, Gordon & Priscilla Hallberg
Fellowship - The
Buchele family
Sound Board -
Aaron Hamlett
December Birthdays
Jerica Garcia 12/3
Mike Heatwole 12/4
Justin Reeve 12/4
Mildred Rumpf 12/4
Cole Brown 12/6
Joan Davis 12/6
Tamara Halloran 12/9
James Wharton 12/10
Rolland Mathias 12/11
Jacob Major 12/12
Kelli Ford 12/14
Robert York 12/14
Ryan Ochampaugh 12/15
Jon Ansley 12/16
Carol Deaver 12/16
Kelley Jenkins 12/16
Mike Deaver 12/17
Bob Hitz 12/19
Janet Major 12/20
Joe Burnside 12/24
Steven Buchele 12/27
Church Family and Friends in Need of
Special Prayers:
Faye Hunt, Abbey
Bannister, Blanche Larson, Dale Meadors, Dorothea Kline, Larry Zant, Rolland
Mathias, Jim Wharton, Tom Meschke, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe,
Linda Friesner, Tanya Pyle, Pam Smith, Hazel Skinner, Gerri McKernam, Blanche
Wolfe, Ethel Kern, Eunice and Ralph Cooper, Charlie Robinson, Jonell Friend,
Bob Swanson, Don Davis, Suzan Tarwater, Annabelle Yocky, Marisha Cooper,
Natalie Hendrickson, Eden Murphy, Jim Hamlett, Dave Sweley, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver,
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: Connie and Ken Harsha on the passing her mother
Ruth Buehler, the family of Robbin (Bannister) Ward, Debbie and George Wharton
on the passing of Debbie’s mother Jackie Cole, Joe York and family on the
passing of his brother George, Bob Halloran on the passing of his brother
Randy.
This week’s prayer family:
Jim and Judy Cornett.
This week’s prayer church:
Presbyterian Church of Marion, KS.
Sunday, November 29 – 1st Sunday of Advent
Sunday school @
9:30 am, Worship @ 10:45 am
Monday, November 30
Praise Band @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, December 2
Dinner @ 6:00 pm, Christmas Caroling @ 6:30
pm,
Worship Committee
@ 8:30 pm
Thursday, December 3
Christian Ed
Committee @ 6:00 pm
Saturday, December 5
Children’s Choir
practice @ 10:00 am, Birthday party for Jesus @ 10:30 am
Sunday, December 6 – 2nd Sunday of Advent
Bell Choir @ 8:30
am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am, Worship @ 10:45 am
Monday, December 7
Praise Team @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, December 9
Dinner @ 6:00 pm,
Adult/youth groups @ 6:30 pm, Choir @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, December 10
Mission &
Outreach @ 6:00 pm
November 11, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
November
15, 2009
Greeters - Bob and Audrey Law
Lay Leader - Youth
Ushers - Youth
Fellowship - Stewardship dinner
Sound Board - Aaron Hamlett
PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE (PNC) UPDATE
The PNC has: Spent more than 104
hours in weekly meetings
Reviewed over
175 PIFs
Spent more
than 30 hours on the phone with
potential
pastoral candidates
Met
face-to-face with two pastors
Prayed continually for God’s guidance in
finding the pastor that He has promised for the
Presbyterian Church of Garden City,
Please know that the PNC truly appreciates your support more than words can
express. Your kind words and encouraging prayers lift up the PNC and carry the
committee members through the difficult and disappointing moments that
inevitably occur along the way. Your constant support enables the committee to
continue the journey. Also, please know that although the PNC must keep many
details confidential, the entire PNC welcomes any inquiries about the pastoral
search process. Despite the fact that the search continues to be a lengthy one,
the PNC remains dedicated to the commitment of its call: to discern God’s will for the congregation
of the Presbyterian
God’s Blessings,
The PNC (Mike
Collins, Lauren Deaver, Daryl Hamlett, Adah Jenkins, Kathryn Ochampaugh, Pat
Sanders, and
Community Thanksgiving Service
Tuesday, Nov. 24.
The Word of Life Church will host this year’s
Community Thanksgiving Service.
The Worship Service will begin at 7:00 pm
Word of Life Church is located at 3004 North 3rd.
The
Men’s One Day Retreat on November 21, 2009 at St. Luke Church in
See bulletin board for more information.
Out of date photos in our
“We Are the Church” wall of fame
Kids grow up and families change and we’d like to update these pictures.
Nov. 15 we will have photographers and a “booth” set up in the atrium. We’ll send each person or family a copy via
email or on a disc – a handy thing for your Christmas cards or
newsletters.
Thursday Evening Bible Study
will not be meeting on the 4th Thursday of
November due to Thanksgiving. The Bible class has been scheduled to meet November
19 at 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm. For the month of December the Bible Study class
will be held on December 17 from 6:45 to 8:15 pm
Youth! Save the Date!!
PSKYC
November 20-22, 2009
PSKYC SleepLESS in
PSK Summer Camp (6th) - June 7-11, 2010
PSK Summer Camp 7th - 8th) - June 14 - 18, 2010
PSK Summer Camp (9th-12th) - June 21-27, 2010
PCUSA Triennium (High School) - July 20-24, 2010
More Info???
PSKYC - Kelly Whitesell
tgwklw@sbcglobal.net
PSK - westminsterwoods@terraworld.net
Triennium - Lisa Hart mama_heart@yahoo.com
Emmaus House needs
our help!
With Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, the Emmaus House needs
donations of the following food items:
for Thanksgiving:
Turkey/Chicken; Corn; Green Beans; Cranberry or Fruit (canned); Mashed Potatoes,
Evaporated Milk; Canned Pumpkin; Soup; Bread; Stuffing.
for Christmas: Ham/Chicken;
Corn; Beans (Green & Baked); Soup; Mashed or Sliced Potatoes; Cake or
Cookie Mix; Bread; Nuts; Mac ‘n’ Cheese; Fruit.
The food baskets for Thanksgiving will be distributed on November 24,
2009. The food baskets for Christmas will go out on December 22, 2009 from
9:30-11:30 am and again from1:00 to 6:00 pm on those days.
They estimate approximately 250 food boxes will be going out to families
in need. Please bring in your donated
items for Thanksgiving by November 20th and for Christmas by December 18th.
Mission and Outreach
Committee will begin selling ‘Turkey Dinner’ coupons to help
provide meals, as an easier way for
those who wish to give cash donations.
“Prepare the Way of the Lord”
Our Advent
devotion booklet will be available beginning November 15 in the atrium. Each day’s entry includes a short reflection
and prayer and a suggested journal exercise, so users can create a personal
record of prayers and thoughts. Don’t
worry about your skills as a writer or artist – it is simply an invitation to
reflect in your own way. Advent is a
time to open ourselves to the love of God in Christ in a new way, as we ponder
the traditional themes of the season:
expectation, hope, preparation and longing.
Hanging of the Green
Sunday, November 22
Plan to be part of the festivities as we
prepare
God’s House for
Advent and the Christmas season!
-Light lunch provided by the Fellowship Committee
-Adults needed -both organizers & worker bees
-to help decorate the sanctuary.
-Children & Youth (& a few adults!)
Advent Workshop on
Chrismons:
Christian symbols from the
catacombs and beyond!
-Worship around the atrium tree
as the Chrismons are hung.
(mid-afternoon)
Thanksgiving Break is coming, so…
Wednesday November 25th
-No Youth Group Activities
-No Adult Group Activities
We are thankful for all who brought gifts for
-Operation Christmas Child
-the “goodie bags” for our
college students
-Emmaus House
We are thankful for all who serve as teachers, sponsors, elders,
deacons, greeters, ushers, sound technicians, choir members,
accompanists, lay leaders, committee members, circle leaders,
for those who see a need and take care of it.
We are thankful for those who worship with us, study with us,
and pray with and for us.
Birthday Party for Jesus
December 5, 10:30 – 11:30 followed by lunch 11:30 - 12:00
Toddlers and preschoolers
learn why we give gifts at Christmas time.
2010
Church Directory
Work has begun on updating the 2010
Church Directory.
Please contact the office if there has
been any change in your information from
last year.
Email address cannot be published without your approval, if you wish for
your email address to appear in the directory please submit your email address
to the office. Thank you.
November
Birthdays November
Anniversaries
Anne Jones 11/15 George and Debbie Wharton
Mary Buchele 11/17 11/20/1977
Eva
Lewis 11/18 John and
Julie Ford
Jayson Neff 11/21 Bob and Melinda Hitz
Abbie
Wharton 11/22 11/26/1982
Jessa York 11/25 Bob and Audrey Law
Gary Shrader 11/26 11/27/1960
John
Frazier 11/28
Kathy
Irvin 11/29
Church Family and Friends in Need of
Special Prayers:
Faye Hunt, Abbey
Bannister, Blanche Larson, Dale Meadors, Patsy Roth, Dorothea Kline, Larry
Zant, Ken Golay, Rolland Mathias, Jim Wharton, Tom Meschke, Laurie Bock, Debbie
Harden, Gladys Cripe, Linda Friesner, Tanya Pyle, Pam Smith, Hazel
Skinner, Gerri McKernam, Blanche Wolfe, Ethel Kern, Eunice and Ralph Cooper,
Charlie Robinson, Jonell Friend, Bob Swanson, Don Davis, Suzan Tarwater,
Annabelle Yocky, Marisha Cooper, Natalie Hendrickson, Eden Murphy, Jim Hamlett,
Dave Sweley, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver, 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: Connie and Ken Harsha on the passing her mother Ruth Buehler, the
family of Robbin (Bannister) Ward, Debbie and George Wharton on the passing of
Debbie’s mother Jackie Cole, Joe York and family on the passing of his brother
George, Bob Halloran on the passing of his brother Randy.
This week’s prayer family: Jeff and Pat Whitham.
This week’s prayer church: Southwest Presbyterian Church of Wichita, KS.
October 28, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
November
1, 2009
Greeters - Jon and Patti Ansley
Lay Leader - Kathryn Ochampaugh
Ushers - The Ochampaugh family
Fellowship - The Buchele family
Sound Board - Aaron Hamlett
Congregational Meeting
Session has set the date of November 8th for a Congregational
Meeting
for the purpose of electing Officers,
Committee Representatives and Treasurers.
Please mark your calendars and join us for this important meeting.
A quorum is needed to pass any and all
motions.
Without your attendance we may not be able
to meet that requirement
and would have to re-schedule this
meeting.
College Bags
As the Thanksgiving holidays approach,
let’s not forget about our
college students who are facing final week! During the week of
Thanksgiving, the
microwave popcorn, nuts, crackers, candies, hot chocolate, coffee mixes.
Thank You
The Presbyterian Women would like to thank
everyone who
either worked the rummage sale or made a
donation to our Fall Rummage Sale and made it such a success. We received $1,009.29 from this rummage sale. We gave
the remaining items to the Salvation Army and Homestead Assisted Living.
Shoes were donated to GCCC for the shoe recycling program.
The Stewardship Committee would like to
thank everyone for their support for the annual ‘Fall Garage Sale’. Thank you
to everyone for cleaning our their garages, basements and sheds and donating
the proceeds to the missions of our church.
A total of $145.00 was raised through the sale.
Violinist, Priscilla Hallberg, and pianist Linda Adams, will be performing
as the interdisciplinary ensemble, “See the Music, Hear the Art!” The concert
will be held at the Presbyterian Church on Saturday evening, November 7th at
7:30 pm. Admission is free of charge. The two musicians have been playing
together for three years, giving concerts augmented by projected artworks on a
theme. This concert, “The All American Hoedown,” features American music,
artworks, and poetry. This synthesis of the arts in concert form is made
possible by computer technology.
Presentation on
November 1, 12:30
After Fellowship time, Steven Buchele will be making a presentation about
his 4-H Exchange trip to
Community Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, Nov. 24.
The Word of Life Church will host this
year’s Community Thanksgiving Service.
The Worship Service will begin at 7:00 pm
Word of Life Church is located at 3004
North 3rd.
The
Men’s One Day Retreat on November 21, 2009 at St. Luke Church in Newton, KS
from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Deadline to register - November 16, 2009
PWissink@aol.com
See bulletin board for more information.
Walk Thru the Bible”
Eastminster Presbyterian Church is hosting an exciting spiritual
growth event designed to help people engage in the Bible, Saturday, November 14
9 am to 4 pm. All adults and students, middle school and up, are invited. The cost is only $10 per person and includes
all activities and a seminar notebook.
For more information or to register for the event, please
contact Katy Lee at Eastminster, 316-634-0337 ext. 210 or
klee@eastminster.org.
DID YOU KNOW????????? The letters in PRESBYTERIAN can be rearranged to form
three words, “Best in Prayer”?
Youth! Save the Date!!
PSKYC
November
20-22, 2009
PSKYC SleepLESS in
PSK Summer Camp (6th) - June 7-11, 2010
PSK Summer Camp 7th - 8th) - June 14 - 18, 2010
PSK Summer Camp (9th-12th) - June 21-27, 2010
PCUSA Triennium (High School) - July 20-24, 2010
More Info???
PSKYC - Kelly Whitesell tgwklw@sbcglobal.net
PSK - westminsterwoods@terraworld.net
Triennium - Lisa Hart mama_heart@yahoo.com
Nursery Attendant
The Personnel Committee is asking for volunteers to help staff the nursery
on Sundays during Worship and on Weds. from 6:30-8:30 pm.
Please let the committee know if you would be interested in helping
out in the nursery either on an ongoing basis or just occasionally. In
the event that there are no volunteers available for the nursery, it will
always be open for parents to use with their children. Thank you.
Across the Pastor’s Desk
All
Saints Celebration
Often
Presbyterians have tended to forget the Christians of preceding generations -
“the saints”. Actually such
“forgetting” is not true to our tradition: “we do not despise the saints or
think basely of them. For we acknowledge them to be living members of Christ
and friends of God who have gloriously overcome the flesh and the world. Hence
we love them as brothers, and also honor them; yet not with any kind of worship
but by an honorable opinion of them and just praises of them. We also imitate
them. For with ardent longings and supplications we earnestly desire to be
imitators of their faith and virtues, to share eternal salvation with them, to
dwell eternally with them in the presence
of God, and to rejoice with them in
Christ.” (2nd
Helvetic Confession)
All
Saints’ Day is a time to rejoice in all who through the ages have faithfully
served the Lord. The day reminds us that we are part of one continuing, living
communion of saints. It is a time to claim our kinship with the “glorious
company of apostles . . . the noble fellowship of prophets . . . the
white-robed army of martyrs” (Te Deum). It is a time to express our gratitude
for all who in ages of darkness kept the faith, for those who have taken the
gospel to the ends of the earth, for prophetic voices who have called the
church to be faithful in life and service, for all who have witnessed to God’s
justice and peace in every nation.
To
rejoice with all the faithful of every generation expands our awareness of a
great company of witnesses above and around us like a cloud (Heb. 12:1). It
lifts us out of a preoccupation with our own immediate situation and the
discouragements of the present. In the knowledge that others have persevered,
we are encouraged to endure against all odds (Heb. 12:1–2). Reminded that God
was with the faithful of the past, we are reassured that God is with us today,
moving us and all creation toward God’s end in time. In this context, it is
appropriate for a congregation on All Saints’ Day to commemorate the lives of
those who died during the previous year.
Let
us then remember those Christians who have died confessing the central
Christian faith that is found in the great creeds of the church, its Sunday
liturgy, as well as in the Scriptures.
The scriptures, the creeds, and the Sunday liturgy all proclaim the faith
by which any genuine congregation of Christ lives out its life. In that Sunday liturgy we give thanks to the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who calls us with the saints from old
Israel, the prophets, the apostles of Christ, and all those baptized in the
Name of the Holy Trinity. Ironically,
as we ponder how to grow our congregation, we are identified with that
historical religion - Christianity - which is currently the largest religious
grouping existent today, While this may give us an attitude of complacency and
arrogance, this is intended to encourage our best efforts toward the love,
faith, and hope that was characteristic of the Christian movement in its first
centuries.
Jim
Emmaus House needs our help!
With Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, the Emmaus House needs
donations of the following food items:
for Thanksgiving:
Turkey/Chicken; Corn; Green Beans; Cranberry or Fruit (canned); Mashed
Potatoes, Evaporated Milk; Canned Pumpkin; Soup; Bread; Stuffing.
for Christmas: Ham/Chicken; Corn; Beans (Green & Baked);
Soup; Mashed or Sliced Potatoes; Cake or Cookie Mix; Bread; Nuts; Mac ‘n’
Cheese; Fruit.
The food baskets for
Thanksgiving will be distributed on November 24, 2009. The food baskets for
Christmas will go out on December 22, 2009 from 9:30-11:30 am and again
from1:00 to 6:00 pm on those days.
They estimate approximately 250 food boxes will be going out to families
in need. Please bring in your donated
items for
Thanksgiving by November 20th and for Christmas by December 18th.
Mission and Outreach Committee will begin selling ‘Turkey Dinner’
coupons to help provide meals, as an
easier way for those who wish to give cash donations.
Holidays aren’t always happy…
Do you know someone who has suffered a loss –
through death, divorce, separation, or loss of a job? Someone away from their family or suffering
from depression? Wondering how you can
be an understanding friend? Or maybe
that person is you? Then come to “Getting Through the Holidays,”
with Chaplain Deanna Fluck of St. Catherine Hospice, Wednesday, November 11,
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. (“Y’ all Come
Wednesdays,” dinner at 6:00.)
Out of date photos in our
“We Are the Church” wall of fame
Kids grow up and families change and we’d like to update these pictures.
Nov. 1, 8 & 15 we will have photographers and a “booth” set up in the
atrium. We’ll send each person or
family a copy via email or on a disc – a handy thing for your Christmas cards or
newsletters. Please help with this
project by participating in this “photo op.”
APCE (Association of Presbyterian Church Educators)
Regional Training, Oct. 18 -20 @ Excelsior Springs, MO
Becky McVey, Kathryn Ochampaugh and Mary Buchele were among 60 people
worshipping together and attending workshops like:Creating and Sustaining
the Broadly Graded Sunday School, Facebook 101 & 201, Group Building
through Recreation, Home and Church as Partners in Faith Formation, Stand Up
for Jesus: Experiential Children’s Sermons, Nurture and Development of a Young
Adult Ministry, Education in the Small Church, Using Scripture in Daily Life,
Tilling the Tough Turf: Doing Youth Ministry with “Tough” Congregations and/or
“Tough” Kids, Visual Arts and Spiritual Formation, Fresh Wine in “Old”
Wineskins: Youth Ministry Round Table.
If you are interested in hearing about any of the workshops they
attended, please ask them! (Mary was on
the planning committee for this event.)
If you shop at Dillons, consider purchasing certificates through the
Presbyterian Youth Mission Fund. For every $1000 worth of certificates we sell,
we earn $30, and it doesn’t cost you anything extra. To all those who purchase Dillons certificates – Thank you!
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
“Every shoe box offers an opportunity to share the Good News of the Savior
with a hurting child.” Our 1-4th grade youth group, Celebrate Kids
Club, will be filling several boxes over the next several weeks. If you would like help, here’s how:
-pack a box from you or your family & we’ll take it when we take
ours Nov. 11th. See bulletin
board for more info on this.
-bring items for the boxes our youth will be packing
-pray for
the children, their families, their circumstances, that their hearts would be
opened to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
-sponsor a
box each box cost $7.00 to ship
Ideas of what to pack:
-School supplies: pens, pencils & sharpener, crayons or
markers, stamps & ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators,
coloring & picture books (that will fit in the box!)
-Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed
animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-os, jump ropes, Slinky®, small Etch A Sketch®,
toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries).
-Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a
plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
-Other: hard candy (all candy in a plastic
bag), t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, watches, etc.
-A personal note, photo, possibly name & address
Do not include: used or damaged items, war related items
like toy guns or knives, chocolate, out of date candy, liquids or lotions,
medications or vitamins, breakable items or aerosol cans.
Visions of sugar plums…
No, Mary is thinking
about VBS 2010! If you have ideas about
a schedule or theme please visit with her, call her at 275-9141 mornings, or email her: mrbuchele@hotmail.com
.
Church Family and Friends in Need
of Special Prayers:
Blanche Larson, Dale
Meadors, Patsy Roth, Dorothea Kline, Larry Zant, Ken Golay, Rolland Mathias,
Jim Wharton, Tom Meschke, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe,
Linda Friesner, Tanya Pyle, Pam Smith, Hazel Skinner, Gerri McKernam, Blanche
Wolfe, Ethel Kern, Eunice and Ralph Cooper, Charlie Robinson, Jonell Friend,
Bob Swanson, Don Davis, Suzan Tarwater, Annabelle Yocky, Marisha Cooper,
Natalie Hendrickson, Eden Murphy, Jim Hamlett, Dave Sweley, John Hoxie,
Ruth Oliver, 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: Debbie and George Wharton on the passing of Debbie’s mother, Joe York
and family on the passing of his brother George, Bob Halloran on the passing of
his brother Randy, Larry and Pat Sanders and family on the passing of his
brother Steven, Ron and Janet Major and family on the passing of his sister
Connie German.
This week’s prayer family: Ken and Marsha Golay.
This week’s prayer church: Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church
of Wichita, KS.
Sunday, November 1
Bell Choir @ 8:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am,
Worship w/Communion @ 10:45 am
Monday,
November 2
Praise
Band @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, November 4
Dinner @
6:00 pm, Games night @ 6:30 pm,
Choir @ 7:30 pm, Worship Committee @ 8:30 pm
Thursday, November 5
Personnel @ 5:15 pm, CE @ 6:00 pm
Friday, November 6
PW Board @ 10:00 am
Saturday, November 7
See the Music, Hear the Art @ 6:00 pm
Sunday, November 8
Bell Choir @ 8:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am,
Worship Service @ 10:45 am
Monday,
November 9
Praise
Band @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 10
Stewardship @ 6:30 pm
Wednesday, November 11
Dinner @
6:00 pm, Adult/youth groups @ 6:30 pm,
Choir @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, November 5
Circle I @ 9:30 am, Circle II @ 2:00 pm,
Mission & Outreach @ 6:00 pm, Circle III @
7:30 pm
October 14, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
October 18, 2009
Greeters - Sarah Harms and Carol Hodgkinson
Lay Leader - Liz Marcy
Ushers - Youth
Fellowship - The Neff family
Sound Board - Aaron Hamlett
Congregational Meeting
A
Congregational Meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, October 18 following
worship for the purpose of electing our
Youth Elder for the Class of 2010.
Presbyterian Women’s
Fall Rummage Sale
The annual Women’s Fall Rummage Sale will
be held on October 15th, 16th AND 17th.
You may start to bring in your items for the sale on
October 11th.
The hours of the sale will be October
15th 1 pm to 7 pm,
October 16th
9 am to 4 pm and October 17th 9:00
am to noon. All proceed go to support the mission of the Women’s Association.
Garage Sale
Saturday, October 17th
from 8:00 am to noon.
It’s time again to start thinking
of our annual ‘garage sale’ and all the things that you would like to donate.
What a wonderful way to clean out the stuff that has been piling up in sheds,
basements, garages.
And what better way to get rid of it!!!
Please consider donating
items such as: old sporting equipment, yard equipment, useable furniture, even
those ‘I may need this someday’ items that have been around for years. Items
can be dropped off beginning Sunday, October 11th . If you are not able to bring them in and
would like to still donate them, call the church office and we will arrange to
have them picked up for you.
Thank you to all of our volunteers that signed up and
delivered ‘Meals on Wheels’.
Triennial visit
Representatives
from the Presbytery's Committee on Ministry will be doing a triennial
visit to our church at 6:30 on Monday, Oct. 19. This will include our church's
liaison from that committee, Rev. Roberta Karchner from Lakin.
The Session, the Deacons and other church members who have an interest
in attending will meet with the COM to discuss what is going on with our
church, to encourage us, to help us reflect on what is good and to
identify any challenges.
Emmaus House
needs our help!
With
Thanksgiving and Christmas fast
approaching,
the Emmaus
House needs donations of the following food items:
for Thanksgiving:
Turkey/Chicken; Corn; Green Beans;
Cranberry or Fruit (canned); Mashed Potatoes, Evaporated Milk; Canned Pumpkin;
Soup; Bread; Stuffing.
for Christmas: Ham/Chicken;
Corn; Beans (Green & Baked); Soup; Mashed or Sliced Potatoes; Cake or
Cookie Mix; Bread; Nuts; Mac ‘n’ Cheese; Fruit.
The food baskets for Thanksgiving will be distributed on November 24,
2009. The food baskets for Christmas will go out on December 22, 2009 from
9:30-11:30 am and again from1:00 to 6:00 pm on those days.
They estimate approximately 250 food boxes will be going out to families
in need. Please bring in your donated
items for Thanksgiving by November 20th and for Christmas by December 18th.
Mission and Outreach
Committee will begin selling ‘Turkey Dinner’ coupons to help
provide meals, as an easier way for
those who wish to give cash donations.
Across the Pastor’s Desk
Basic Leadership Principles
As
we approach the time for annual election of officers, it might be well for us
to review some of the basic assumptions and attitudes about the meaning of
leadership in our church. This is necessary
because a good procedure - rotation of officers - sometimes degenerates into,
“Well, whose time is it now?”
Understandable as it is, any congregation maintaining that basic
approach to officer election will remain relatively ineffective and discouraged. In the Presbyterian church, the key to a
strong congregation lies in electing the best people available for leaders.
Four
of our basic principles follow:
- “All ministry in the Church is a gift from Jesus Christ. Members and officers
alike serve mutually under the mandate of Christ who is the chief minister
of all. His ministry is the basis of all ministries; the standard for all
offices is the pattern of the one
who came .not to be served but to serve. (Matt. 20:28)” - G.60101. This
principle acknowledges that ministry to the world in general is ours by
baptism and profession of faith.In addition to this general ministry,
there are specific special ministries assigned to deacons, elders, and
ministers of word and sacrament. For
the sake of order we restrict their special functions to those elected (and designated) to fulfill them.
2. Presbyters are not simply to
reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and
represent the will of Christ.” G-4.0301(d).. Though this specifically refers to elders
and ministers, it is a general principle often neglected. Though we strive to be as democratic as we
can, the Presbyterian system does not attempt to be a pure democracy. In particular one democratic attitude
prevalent in our society is that the will of people should prevail. Again, a good principle is often subverted
by overemphasis. In our church what
should prevail is the will of God, regardless of what many or most of the
believe or desire. This principle
reminds us that while we hold title to our church, this church and all others,
belong to God and are devoted to God’s purposes.
3.
It is necessary to the integrity
and health of the church that the persons who serve in it as officers shall adhere to the essentials of
the Reformed faith and polity as expressed in The Book of Confessions
and the Form of Government. So far as may be possible without serious departure from these standards, without
infringing on the rights and views
of others, and without obstructing the constitutional governance of the church,
freedom of conscience with respect
to the interpretation of Scripture is
to be maintained.” G-6.0108. As
Presbyterians we strive to be as broad
as we can, though we recognize
that by its very nature there are boundaries to our Christian faith. While we seek
not to make those boundaries too rigid, there is a core faith running through
us that must be maintained, if we are
to remain genuinely Christian. In our
time, those boundaries are being
severely tested. To date we have yet to
become too broad, despite the
accusations of some. Nevertheless we
are perilously close. Hence we insist especially that all officially designated ministers - elders, deacons,
pastors - know about and are committed
to essential points of belief and government.
- “... the creeds and
confessions of this church reflect a particular stance within the history
of God’s people. They are the result of prayer, thought, and experience
within a living tradition. They serve to strengthen personal commitment
and the life and witness of the community of believers.” G-2.20500(b). This
principle extends the previous one without duplicating it. It
reminds us that every creed - ancient and modern - is somewhat time-bound
in the sense that it will reflect many particular issues of its day. For instance: The older Reformation
creeds contain some criticisms of the Roman Church that are no longer the
burning issues they once were.
This does not mean that all differences have ceased to exist, only
that both they and we have resolved some of the points of tension between
us. Reformed and Lutheran Christians have made even greater progress
toward agreement in fundamental matters.
We
have inherited a rich and beautiful heritage.
Only as each congregation and each of us seek to keep it healthy and
balanced will we have an equally good tradition to pass on to future
generations. Among us, the most
critical issue is maintaining the integrity of the official ministry of deacons, elders, and ministers of word
and sacrament. Among these the
integrity of the eldership may be the most critical.
Jim
“Prepare the Way of the Lord”
is the title of our Advent Devotion this year. Instead of writing our own, CE has decided to use this devotion
from Presbyterians Today. Each
day’s entry includes a short reflection and prayer, and a suggested journal
exercise, so users can create a personal record of prayers and thoughts. We have purchased enough for each family to
have one. Look for them in
mid-November.
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
“Every shoe box offers an opportunity to share the Good News of the Savior
with a hurting child.” Our 1-4th grade youth group, Celebrate Kids
Club, will be filling several boxes over the next several weeks. If you would like help, here’s how:
-pack a box from you or your family & we’ll take it when we take
ours Nov. 11th. See bulletin
board for more info on this.
-bring items for the boxes our youth will be packing
-pray for
the children, their families, their circumstances, that their hearts would be
opened to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
-sponsor a
box each box cost $7.00 to ship
Ideas of what to pack:
-School supplies: pens, pencils & sharpener, crayons or markers,
stamps & ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring
& picture books (that will fit in the box!)
-Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed
animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-os, jump ropes, Slinky®, small Etch A Sketch®,
toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries).
-Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a
plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
-Other: hard candy (all candy in a plastic
bag), t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, watches, etc.
-A personal note, photo, possibly name & address
Do not include: used or damaged items, war related items
like toy guns or knives, chocolate, out of date candy, liquids or lotions,
medications or vitamins, breakable items or aerosol cans.
LOOKING AHEAD
On Wednesday
evening October 28 from 6:00-7:30 our west parking lot will be
the site of TAILGATE TRICK OR TREAT.
This is your chance to see some of the little ones if you don't get
trick-or-treaters at your house, to spread the word of God in a fun way, and to
be a kid again yourself if you want to!
Just come a few minutes early, find a parking spot and set up to hand
out treats. You can decorate your vehicle (or not) and dress up (or
not). If you want to, attach a message or a Bible verse to the treats you
hand out. Be creative! For example, bags of goldfish crackers could
be accompanied by "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19 Mary Buchele has a list of other ideas.
The neighborhood children will be invited via flyers sent home with
Florence Wilson students so we hope to have new faces to meet and greet.
Grilled hot dogs will be served in the parking lot also.
Nursery Attendant
The Personnel Committee is asking for volunteers to help staff the nursery on
Sundays during Worship and on Weds. from 6:30-8:30 pm. Please let the
committee know
if you would be interested in helping out in the nursery either on an
ongoing basis or just occasionally. In the event that there are no
volunteers available for the nursery, it will always be open for parents
to use with their children. Thank you.
Committee Minutes
Committee minutes are due in the office by
Tuesday, October 20.
ATTENTION
LADIES!!!!!!
All girls (of
any age)
Are invited to join us for lunch each Fridays,
we meet around 11:45
am to 1:00 pm.
We will meet Friday, Oct. 16 at
Casa Alvarez.
Youth! Save the Date!!
PSKYC
November
20-22, 2009
PSKYC SleepLESS in
PSK Summer Camp (6th) - June 7-11, 2010
PSK Summer Camp 7th - 8th) - June 14 - 18,
2010
PSK Summer Camp (9th-12th) - June 21-27,
2010
PCUSA Triennium (High School) - July
20-24, 2010
More Info???
PSKYC - Kelly Whitesell tgwklw@sbcglobal.net
PSK - westminsterwoods@terraworld.net
Triennium - Lisa Hart mama_heart@yahoo.com
Reading
Rocks! Book Drive
Please
support children and literacy in our community by supporting the
Items needed include books, construction
paper, markers, crayons, glue sticks, child size blunt-tip scissors, poster
board, craft sticks, pom poms, wiggly/google eyes and sandwich bags.
Church Family and Friends in Need of Special
Prayers:
Blanche Larson, Tanya
Pyle, Pam Smith, Hazel Skinner, Debbie Huey, Dale Meadors, Patsy Roth, Gerri
McKernam, Blanche Wolfe, Dorothea Kline, Ethel Kern, Eunice and Ralph Cooper,
Henry Jones, Charlie Robinson, Jonell Friend, Larry Zant, Ken Golay, Rolland
Mathias, Bob Swanson, Don Davis, Suzan Tarwater, Annabelle Yocky, Debbie
Russell, Marisha Cooper, Tom Meschke, Natalie Hendrickson, Jim Wharton, Eden
Murphy, Jim Hamlett, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe, Dave
Sweley, Linda Friesner, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver, 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: Joe York and family on the passing of his brother George, Bob Halloran
on the passing of his brother Randy, Larry and Pat Sanders and family on the
passing of his brother Steven, Ron and Janet Major and family on the passing of
his sister Connie German.
This week’s prayer family: Mitchell and Laurie
Bock.
This week’s prayer church: First Presbyterian Church of Hutchinson, KS.
October
Birthdays October
Anniversaries
Theresa Heatwole 10/20 Doug
& Theresa Heatwole
Bob
Halloran 10/28 10/22/1988
Donna
Jameson 10/29
Shelby
Heatwole 10/30
Sunday, October 18
Bell Choir @ 8:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am,
Worship Service @ 10:45 am
Monday,
October 19
Triennial
Visit @ 6:30 pm, Praise Band @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, October 21
Pot luck
Dinner @ 6:00 pm, Celebration Worship @ 6:30 pm, Choir @ 7:30 pm,
Sunday, October 25
Bell Choir @ 8:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am,
Worship Service @ 10:45 am
Monday, October 26
Session @ 6:30 pm, Praise Team @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday, October 27
Staff Meeting @ 9:00 am
Wednesday, October 28
Tailgating Trick or Treat @ 6:00 pm, Choir @ 7:30
pm
September 23, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
September 27, 2009
Greeters -
Lay Leader - Yvonne Battles
Ushers - Krista Brown, Dillon Cunningham
Fellowship - Presbyterian Women
Sound Board - Aaron Hamlett
Breakfast at Church, September
27, beginning at 9:00 am
Come and enjoy breakfast sponsored by
Presbyterian Women. At 9:30, children will go to their classrooms and adults stay
in the Fellowship Hall with Rev. Mary Nebelsick here as part of World
Fall
Workday
How quickly the time is going by. Once again
we find ourselves preparing our church and grounds for the fall and winter
months. A fall work day has been scheduled for 8:00 am Saturday, October
3rd.
The Fellowship
Committee will host the annual ‘Potato Bar” dinner on Sunday, October 11th. The
Committee will provide the potatoes and toppings…congregation is invited to
bring additional toppings, salads or desserts to share.
Presbyterian Women’s
Fall Rummage Sale
The annual Women’s Fall Rummage Sale will
be held on October 15th, 16th AND 17th.
You may start to bring in your items for the sale on
October 11th.
The hours of the sale will be October
15th
1 pm to 7 pm, October 16th 9 am to
4 pm and October 17th 9:00
am to noon. All
proceed go to support
the mission of the Women’s Association.
Garage Sale
Saturday, October 17th from 8:00 am to
noon.
It’s time again to start thinking of our
annual ‘garage sale’ and all the things that you would like to donate. What a
wonderful way to clean out the stuff that has been piling up in sheds,
basements, garages. And what better way to get rid of it!!!
Please consider donating items such as: old
sporting equipment, yard equipment, useable furniture, even those ‘I may need
this someday’ items that have been around for years. Items can be dropped off
beginning Sunday, October 11th .
If you are not able to bring them in and would like to still donate
them, call the church office and we will arrange to have them picked up for
you.
Reading
Rocks! Book Drive
Don’t
miss the Reading Rocks Supply & Book Drive for Kansas Children’s
Service League and Head Start. This is your chance to clean out the cabinets and closets and
donate your new or gently used children’s books, and art & craft supplies
to a great cause – KCSL’s Head Start program.
Books and supplies will be used to make literacy kits for Head Start
children and families to use in their homes so they can get a “Head Start” by
learning to love reading.
Drop your donations off in the box provided in the atrium, or at 1517
Fulton Terrace.
For additional information, contact Lisa Knoll at Kansas Children’s Service
League at 805-6454, ext. 1131, or lknoll@kcsl.org. All donations are tax
deductible.
Items needed include books, construction paper, markers, crayons, glue
sticks, child size blunt-tip scissors, poster board, craft sticks, pom poms,
wiggly/google eyes and sandwich bags.
LOOKING AHEAD
On Wednesday evening October 28 from 6:00-7:30 our
west parking lot will be the site of TAILGATE TRICK OR TREAT.
This is your chance to see some of the little ones if you don't get
trick-or-treaters at your house, to spread the word of God in a fun way, and to
be a kid again yourself if you want to!
Just come a few minutes early, find a parking spot and set up to hand
out treats. You can decorate your vehicle (or not) and dress up (or
not). If you want to, attach a message or a Bible verse to the treats you
hand out. Be creative! For example, bags of goldfish crackers could
be accompanied by "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19 Mary Buchele has a list of other ideas.
The neighborhood children will be invited via flyers sent home with
Florence Wilson students so we hope to have new faces to meet and greet.
Grilled hot dogs will be served in the parking lot also.
Parents of youth –
Anyone
interested in helping with a movie night or lock-in Oct. 31st?
Please talk with someone from Christian Ed.
Committee – Chip Marcy, Pat Sanders. Rodney York,
or Becky McVey.
Crop Walk Sunday, October 4th at 1:30 pm
Sign up to participate or sponsor walkers for
this year’s crop walk. This event helps address the root causes of poverty and
powerlessness .
ATTENTION
LADIES!!!!!!
All girls (of
any age)
Are invited to join us for lunch each Fridays,
we meet around 11:45
am to 1:00 pm.
We will meet Friday, Sep 25 at
El Conquistador.
Across the Pastor’s Desk
Currently, and overall, our congregation is best described as continuing to
slide downward in a spiral of at least ten years duration. Yet it is my
conviction, and hopefully yours, that the Presbyterian Church in Garden City
can and must remain viable! Despite
many positive steps, there is a needed shift in attitude and emphasis and a
change in direction! Hopefully we will resist the temptation to gamble our
future on any type of quick fix! Rather
we need to renew two foundational emphases of our Reformed and Presbyterian
Christian tradition: stewardship and service.
More of those two in a minute, but first let’s look at our context.
We are needed for this city, for
obvious nor smart.
Our staff and leaders struggle vigorously to reverse this spiral and at
least to tread water. Note well and applaud our choir director,
musicians, and choir in their latest cantata. Note well and applaud our
Christian Educator, the C.E. Committee’s Chair and members, along with teachers
and leaders! Note well and applaud the
merged and renewed
What is needed is appropriate repentance
and action. We normally associate “repentance” with gloom and breast-beating,
with down cast eyes and gut-rending
confession! But not necessarily! A world famous English theologian decades
ago reminded Christians that repentance need be neither gloomy nor bleak. ”Repentance”, in its classical meaning,
means moving in a more constructive direction with a changed attitude. Two specific forms of repentance are needed
now.
First a change in attitude toward Stewardship as we move toward
Dedication Sunday. Normally we talk about Stewardship only as
“fund-raising”. Assuredly money is involved
and more money is needed - both now and for the future. But stewardship
involves much more! It should never be
primarily a religious term for separating Christians from their cash! Our Presbyterian tradition has historically
conceived of stewardship as our Christian response to life - as our stewardship
of time, talents, and treasure, and in that order.
Second, a shift in direction from focusing on keeping this congregation
alive to expending at least half of our energies in service to others in the
name of Christ. Authentic
congregational life in a Christian sense, does not consist in trying to
maintain ourselves, but in expending ourselves on behalf of others. This is not an alternate strategy for guaranteeing
extended life. It is a basic axiom of
Jesus himself: “For those who want to save their lives will lose it and those
who lose their life for my sake will find it.”
(Mt. 16:25) This was a hard sell, even for Jesus! Still and all, individuals and communities
have heard the call and responded.
At least two leaders, somewhat on their own yet with some continuing
congregational support, have stayed very active in: 1) serving at Emmaus House
in its ministry to the transient, the homeless, and those destitute and 2)
working with Habitat for Humanity so that some seriously struggling families
might have more adequate housing. Still others work regularly with additional
service-centered institutions and organizations. These agencies and services, and still others plead for even
greater Presbyterian participation and not by the same people!
Jim
Meals
on Wheels
We
need people to deliver for Meals on Wheels during the week of October 12th to October
17th. It takes approximately one hour of your time each day and is truly a
worthwhile use of your time. Even if you can only do it on 1 day, it is a
tremendous help to us and the community. We need 6 people for each of the days.
To
sign up, either call the church office or stop by. We hope you can help us with
this mission
opportunity.
The Nursery Attendant
position was not filled after all, so the Personnel Committee is asking for
volunteers to help staff the nursery on Sundays during Worship and on
Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 pm. Please let the committee know if you
would be interested in helping out in the nursery either on an ongoing basis or
just occasionally. In the event that there are no volunteers available
for the nursery, it will always be open for parents to use with their
children. Personnel Committee members are Carol Deaver, Audrey Law, Wayne
and Ellen Lynn. Thank you
Interested in Healthcare
Issues?
Brenda Watson’s is planning a
class with you in mind. Meet at 9:30 in
Parish Nurse Office
Sun. Oct. 4 - How our life experiences and faith
shape our view of the holiness of life, and help us resolve conflicts in
healthcare decisions.
Oct. 11 – How to be a Smart Healthcare Consumer
Oct. 18 – Panel Discussion
Children’s
Church
Jesus said,
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew
19:12
Beginning Sunday Oct. 4th,
after the children’s message, all of the preschool – 4th graders are
invited to “Children’s Church.” They
will have a 15-20 minute worship service geared just for them in one of the
Sunday School classrooms. They will
return to the worship service during the hymn of meditation.
Y’ All Come Wednesday Nights
October 7th Game Night
hope to see you there! This is a
great time to invite a friend, co-worker or neighbor to an informal event at
our church!
Thank you all for your patience
and assistance during the Filipino Awareness night and today's Cantata.
You are all great!! (The Christmas Cantata is ready for rehearsals and
St. James would like to attend. . .1st or Second Sunday in
December.)
Church Family and Friends in Need of Special Prayers:
Hazel Skinner, Debbie Huey,
Dale Meadors, Patsy Roth, Gerri McKernam, Blanche Wolfe, Dorothea Kline, Ethel
Kern, Eunice and Ralph Cooper, Henry Jones, Charlie Robinson, Jonell Friend,
Larry Zant, Ken Golay, Rolland Mathias, Bob Swanson, Don Davis, Suzan Tarwater,
Annabelle Yocky, Debbie Russell, Marisha Cooper, Tom Meschke, Natalie
Hendrickson, Jim Wharton, Eden Murphy, Jim Hamlett, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden,
Gladys Cripe, Dave Sweley, Linda Friesner, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver,
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 Larry and Pat Sanders and family on the passing of Larry’s brother
Steven, Ron and Janet Major on the passing of his sister Connie German, Juana
Perez on the passing of her niece, Frances Muck on the passing of Helen Chase,
Jeff and Mary Sterling and family on the passing of Wesley, Jo Stevens on the
passing of Dick,.
This week’s
prayer family: Darin,
Gloria, Conner and Zachary Hopkins.
This week’s
prayer church: First
Presbyterian Church in
October
Birthdays October
Anniversaries
Andrew
Garcia 10/4 Van &
Anita Salyer
Aubrey Whippo 10/5 10/6/1962
Kurt
Peterson 10/6
Kyle Deaver 10/10 John & Sharon Ford
Leslie
Ford 10/11 10/8/1983
Jo
Fouse 10/11
Bill Saunders 10/12 Greg & Linda Adams
Mark Tarwater 10/12 10/14/1990
Greg
Shaw 10/15
Audrey Law 10/16 Doug & Theresa Heatwole
Theresa
Heatwole 10/20 10/22/1988
Bob
Halloran 10/28
Donna
Jameson 10/29
Shelby
Heatwole 10/30
Activities
Sunday,
September 27
Bell Choir @ 9:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am,
Worship @ 10:45 am
Missionary Rev. Mary Nebelsick
Monday, September 28
Session @ 6:30 pm, Praise Band @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 30
Dinner @
6:00 pm, Adult/Youth groups @ 6:30 pm, Choir @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, October 1
CE @ 6:00 pm
Friday, October 2
PW Board @ 10:00 am
Saturday, October 3
Workday @ 8:00 am
Worldwide Communion Sunday, October 4
Bell Choir @ 9:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am,
Worship w/Communion@ 10:45 am
Monday,
October 5
Praise
Band @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday, October 6
Staff meeting @ 9:00 am
Wednesday, October 7
Dinner @
6:00 pm, Games Night @ 6:30 pm, Choir @ 7:30 pm, Worship @ 8:30 pm
Thursday, October 8
Circle I @ 9:30 am, Circle II @ 2:00 pm, Mission
& Outreach @ 6:00 pm,
Circle III @ 7:30 pm
September 9, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
September 13, 2009
Greeters -
Lay Leader - Carol Hodgkinson
Ushers - Ellen Lynn, Donna Jameson, Darlene and Madelyn Mathias
Fellowship - Fellowship Committee
Sound Board - Aaron Hamlett
Hamburger Feed
The Fellowship Committee will be hosting a hamburger feed after worship on
Sunday, September 13th.
Bring a side dish and salad or dessert and please come join in a time of fellowship.
Invitation from our Chancel Choir
Weds., September 16
we will be having a Philippine Cultural Awareness Night with special guests.
Dinner will be supplied and served by the Chancel Choir.
Peace and Devotion Cantata September 20, 2009
Monday September 21 is “International Day of Peace”
In commemoration, the Chancel Choir and members of St. James Lutheran Church Choir would like to invite you to a cantata service of “Peace and Devotion” on
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Breakfast at Church, September 27, beginning at 9:00 am
Come and enjoy breakfast sponsored by Presbyterian Women.
At 9:30, children will go to their classrooms and adults
stay in the Fellowship Hall with Rev. Mary Nebelsick here as part of World
ATTENTION LADIES!!!!!!
All girls (of any age)
Are invited to join us for lunch each Fridays, we meet around 11:45 am to 1:00 pm.
We will meet Friday, Sep 11at ??? (new Tai restaurant)
Sunday School starts Sept 13th Have we got a class for you!
Children & Youth:
The Story of Joseph for Pre-school through 6th grades
Confirmation Class for 7 & 8th grades
FAQ - High School – upstairs
Adult classes :
The Mighty Acts of God, led by Jim Pitts
9:15 – 10:30 in the Library
Beth Moore study
Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy
Through DVD, Beth Moore brings an exciting 12 week study for men and women. Join this faith-building study of prophecy and learn how to shine for Christ in our modern culture. Just as the prophet Daniel faced unbelievable pressures—to compromise his faith, to live in a hostile culture, and to confront temptations and threats—today's believers face many of the same trials. Cost of workbook is $15.00.
In the Parlor, led by Kathy Irvin and Paula Sloderbeck, 9:00 - 9:30 discussion followed by 9:30 - 10:30 video.
Parents of youth – Anyone interested in helping with a movie night or lock-in Oct. 31st? Please talk with someone from Christian Ed. Committee – Chip Marcy, Rodney York, Becky McVey or Pat Sanders.
Thanks to all who helped with the Philly Steaks and burgers at Tumbleweed! It was a wonderful weekend – the weather, the music, the food and especially the people! I saw lots of people looking at the photos from the mission trip while they ate or watched their steaks cooking. The fundraiser was the most successful in a long time – THANK YOU!
Community Theatre Auditions
Garden City Recreation Commission
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Roles for all ages!!!!
September 14th - 18th By Appointment Only
Call 276-1200 to set up an appointment for your audition!!
Performances December 17th - 20th
September Celebration Worship and Potluck dinner will not be held on the third Wednesday. The Chancel Choir will be hosting the Filipino dinner. Our potluck dinner will take place on Wednesday, September 23rd and we will follow this dinner with a Ecumenical Prayer Service at Community Congregational Gazebo.
Across
the Pastor’s Desk
Double Standard Christianity?
Every religious tradition - old or new - faces the issue of accommodating itself to a particular society and/or historical era. Because we inhabit a less than perfect world this accommodating movement is necessary. It is also a bit tragic, because that is how “organized religion” becomes corrupted and hypocritical to a greater or lesser degree. A quick trip through religious history - Christian or otherwise - will demonstrate this amply!
Since this is an expected phenomenon, live religious traditions also reform themselves periodically - sometimes dramatically (as in the Protestant Reformation), sometimes more gradually (as in recent Roman Catholic reforms since Vatican II).
A reform that is quietly and gradually occurring among us is the realization that the old “double standard” expectations for ministers and regular members simply won’t stand up, no matter how hard we try to resist it. The best part of this movement occurs when church members take their church membership vows more seriously. Its worst expression is when pastors conclude, “Well, it’s OK for me to be as big a sinner as the rest of the congregation! After all I’m only human like them” Probably all of us have seem some dimensions of both of these.
The “double
standard mentality” began centuries ago when Christianity became the official
religion of the
In the earliest days of Christianity the moral and spiritual expectations were the same for all Christians. To be sure there were different levels of Christian maturity, and pastors and elders were expected to be good examples. Yet there was no idea that just being a church member let you off the hook! That idea came a bit later when monastics were held to be the “truest Christians”, and the “baptized” were only expected to be just good enough to stay out of hell!
Then, when the pastors and priests were expected to live more like monks, the double standard was complete. Clergy and monks lived on a higher and purer level; ordinary Christians were only expected to avoid hell-deserving (mortal) sins. To the average person this meant that ordination to office was even more important than baptism. One healthy trend in modern teaching is the renewed recognition of the central importance of baptism as the sacrament on which the entire Christian life is built. With this recognition has come a renewed emphasis on church membership (or baptism) as the demarcation line between the world and the church. So it’s all of us who are to be “saints in the making”, not just pastors or church officers.
Let’s encourage us all (including pastors), and especially ourselves, to aspire to a more faithful living out of the lifelong meaning of our baptism “into the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.
Jim
September Birthdays
Kristen Hitz 9/12
Randy Grisell 9/14
Jack Hitz 9/14
Bonnie Erwin 9/20
Wayne Lynn 9/22
Eli Woods 9/22
Anita Salyer 9/23
Mike Collins 9/25
Debra Harden 9/25
KayeLani Irvin 9/25
Mat Tarwater 9/29
Kinlee Roth 9/30
Church Family and Friends in Need of Special Prayers:
Gerri McKernam, Blanche Wolfe, Linda Adams, Dorothea Kline, Ethel Kern, Eunice and Ralph Cooper, Henry Jones, Charlie Robinson, Jonell Friend, Larry Zant, Ken Golay, Rolland Mathias, Bob Swanson, Don Davis, Suzan Tarwater, Annabelle Yocky, Debbie Russell, Marisha Cooper, Tom Meschke, Natalie Hendrickson, Jim Wharton, Eden Murphy, Jim Hamlett, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe, Dave Sweley, Dale Meadors, Linda Friesner, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver, 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 Larry and Pat Sanders and family on the passing of Larry’s brother Steven, Ron and Janet Major on the passing of his sister Connie German, Juana Perez on the passing of her niece, Frances Muck on the passing of Helen Chase, Jeff and Mary Sterling and family on the passing of Wesley, Jo Stevens on the passing of Dick,.
This week’s prayer family: Joe and Jana Burnside.
This week’s prayer church: Presbyterian Church in
To
The church would like to keep in touch with you, so please send us your college address this year. You can call the church office or email your address to
Activities
Sunday, September 13
Bell Choir @ 9:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am,
Worship w/Communion @ 10:45 am Hamburger Feed
Monday, September 14
Praise Band @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday, September 15
Stewardship @ 6:30 pm
Wednesday, September 16
Dinner @ 6:00 pm, Adult/Youth groups @ 6:30 pm, Choir @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, September 17
Deacons @ 6:30 pm
Sunday, September 20
Bell Choir @ 9:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am, Worship @ 10:45 am, Cantata
Monday, September 21
Praise Band @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday, September 22
Staff meeting @ 9:00 am
Wednesday, September 23
Potluck Dinner @ 6:00 pm, Prayer service @ 7:00 pm Community Congregational Gazebo NO CHOIR
August 26, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
FOR SUNDAY
August 30, 2009
Greeters - Rodney and Lloydeen Wolfe
Lay Leader - Yvonne Battles
Ushers – Gary Friesner and Bill Saunders
Fellowship - Jan and Michael Collins
Peace and Devotion
September 20, 2009
The Chancel Choir and members of St. James Lutheran Church Choir would like to invite you to their performance of “Peace and Devotion” Cantata.
Invitation from our
Chancel Choir
Weds., September 16 we will be having a Philippine Cultural Awareness Night with special guests. Dinner will be supplied and served by the Chancel Choir.
ATTENTION
LADIES!!!!!!
All girls (of any age)
Are invited to join us for lunch each Fridays, we meet around 11:45 am to 1:00 pm.
We will meet Friday, Aug 21at Lonestar.
Hamburger Feed
The Fellowship Committee will be hosting a hamburger feed after worship on
Sunday, September 13th.
Bring a side dish and salad or dessert and please come join in a time of fellowship.
Come Work Out Your
Spiritual Muscles!
Sunday classes begin Sept. 13th
Adults – see the insert in this newsletter for fall topics.
High School meet upstairs for “FAQ”
7 & 8th Confirmation Class
P-6th Follow the footprints for great music, games & stories in a big group before small group activities.
Wednesday, September 2 6:00 pm
Mission & Outreach Committee will be preparing ‘breakfast’ for dinner. They will have ham; scrambled eggs, assorted muffins; fruit; juice and milk. Please let the church know if you plan to attend and how many.
Men’s Conference
Awake and Arise
$35/per person
Saturday, September 5, 2009 “Awake and Arise”
Men’s Conference,
Featured guests:
Michael Franzese, “one of the biggest money earners
the mob had seen since Al Capone..” His autobiography, Blood
Covenant, tells his story from the early days in the mob and rise to power
through his
Ron McGehee, “
Ron tours throughout the
Send payment to: Terry Martin 915 North 5th,
If you have any questions please contact Terry at 620-338-1605
Thank You… For all the kindness you have shown.
We thank you very much for your sympathy in sorrowing days. For friendships healing touch. With gratitude our hearts are full though words cannot convey the tender thoughts and thankfulness we hold for you today.
A special thanks to the Women of the Church for the reception they provided following the funeral.
The Family of Wesley Sterling
PRESBYTERIAN NEWS
World Mission Challenge 2009
The Rev. Mary Nebelsick, a mission co-worker at Philippine Christian University, will be speaking at several churched in Southern Kansas Presbytery Sep. 25 - Oct. 2 (Garden City Sep. 27) as part of the World Mission Challenge 2009. In this month-long event, 40 mission personnel are speaking in 150 presbyteries across the country.
The child
of missionary parents who served in
The intent of the World Mission Challenge is to emphasize the church’s commitment to partnerships and connect congregations with the work of PCUSA missionaries.
This summer
a group from First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado and Trinity Presbyterian
Church of Wichita went as a work team to
Across the Pastor’s Desk
The North American
Gay Debate and Basic Religious Symbols
Undoubtedly
many of you have heard that the
It is likely that among us there exists a wide variety of attitudes concerning this issue which will include not only the question of ordination, but also of “gay marriage”, civil unions, gay adoptions, artificial insemination, and a host of other related concerns.
In the midst of this, it is becoming increasingly clear that a large number of theological themes and slogans are being bandied about - sometimes to support, sometimes to oppose ecclesiastical endorsement and approval of a gay lifestyle.
In this column, as well as in the weekly bulletin, I intend to list and discuss several of these basic theological and religious themes. This whole issue is extremely complex and admits of no simple nor completely satisfying solution. However the misuse, misstatement, and/or misapplication of basic biblical and religious themes cannot but add to confusion, mistrust, and misunderstanding.
Since several of you have already become involved in
discussions about these issues and have formed at least tentative conclusions
about them, should anything in this brief article (or in any that follow) upset
or irritate you, I will be glad to talk to you about them on an individual
basis. The emotional impact of these
issues makes them difficult to discuss calmly, but
Several themes figure quite prominently in all discussions of this difficult subject: homophobia, as a knee-jerk, prejudicial hatred of gays; the emotionally-charged and unproven assumption that gay sexual activity is as natural to gays as drinking water or as heterosexual humans desiring union with the opposite gender; how the Scriptures and Christian tradition are to be interpreted; how our personal freedom in Christ relates to sexual ethics; what role the prophetic theme of “justice” should play in this issue; dealing with the observation that all existing religions and all ethical systems reflect a paternalistic and chauvinistic bias; how Christian love is to be expressed toward gays; whether the idea of “a personal God named YHWH or Jehovah” is not a completely outworn idea; ordination as a “constitutional right” for all Christians; whether it is appropriate to speak of Jesus as Lord and Savior of all people, or only of Christians, and a host of other themes.
At the present time PC(USA)’s official stand is that non-celibate gays are not eligible for ordination to any church office, but are to be welcomed by all congregations - either as visitors or as seriously professing Christians.
Again, if any of you wish to discuss any of these issues, please feel free to contact me, either for personal discussion or for any additional information on any of these or other topics.
Jim
Church Family and Friends
in Need of Special Prayers:
Dorothea Kline, Ethel Kern, Eunice and Ralph Cooper, Henry Jones, Charlie Robinson, Jonell Friend, Larry Zant, Ken Golay, Rolland Mathias, Bob Swanson, Don Davis, Suzan Tarwater, Annabelle Yocky, Debbie Russell, Marisha Cooper, Tom Meschke, Natalie Hendrickson, Jim Wharton, Eden Murphy, Jim Hamlett, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe, Dave Sweley, Dale Meadors, Linda Friesner, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver, 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 Ron and Janet Major on the passing of his sister Connie German, Juana Perez on the passing of her niece, Frances Muck on the passing of Helen Chase, Jeff and Mary Sterling and family on the passing of Wesley, Jo Stevens on the passing of Dick,.
This week’s prayer family: Adah, Kelley and Larry Jenkins.
This week’s prayer church: Bethel Presbyterian Church of Hutchinson, KS.
September Birthdays September Anniversaries
Becky McVey 9/3 9/1/1962
Ann Hamlett 9/5
Melanie Marcy 9/6 Larry & Pat Sanders
Kevin Ochampaugh 9/7 9/3/1971
Amanda York 9/8
Kristen Hitz 9/12 Craig & Jessica Wikoff
Randy Grisell 9/14 9/7/2002
Jack Hitz 9/14
Bonnie Erwin 9/20 Larry & Pattie Peitz
Wayne Lynn 9/22 9/11/1982
Eli Woods 9/22
Anita Salyer 9/23
Mike Collins 9/25
Debra Harden 9/25
KayeLani Irvin 9/25
Mat Tarwater 9/29
Kinlee Roth 9/30
Activities
Sunday, August 30
Bell Choir @ 9:30 am, Adult Sunday school @ 9:30 am, Worship @ 10:45 am
Monday, August 31
Praise Band @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September
2
Dinner and games night @ 6:00 pm, Choir @ 7:30 pm, Worship Committee @ 8:30 pm
Friday, September 4
PW Board @ 10:00 am
Sunday, September 6
Bell Choir @ 9:30 am, Adult Sunday school @ 9:30 am, Worship @ 10:45 am
Labor Day Monday,
September 7
Office Closed
Wednesday, September
9
Dinner @ 6:00 pm, Youth and Adult groups @ 6:30 pm, Choir @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, September
10
Circle I @ 9:30 am, Circle II @ 2:00 pm, Mission & Outreach Committee @ 6:00 pm,
Circle III @ 7:30 pm
Friday, September 11
Memorial Committee @ 10:00 am
August 12, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
FOR SUNDAY
August 16, 2009
Greeters - Yvonne Battles
Lay Leader - Steven Buchele
Ushers - Youth
Fellowship - The Buchele family
Tumbleweed Worship
Service
Sunday, August 23rd at 10:00 AM
our church is sharing an ecumenical worship on the west green of Lee Richardson Zoo.
Please join us as we come together as a community to worship God.
Bring a lawn chair and plan to spend the day. Stop by the Presbyterian food booth after
worship, the Philly Steak sandwiches are the best this side of
Hunger Barrel
Sunday, August 16, the
There is a great need in our community and your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Together, we can help ease the hunger in our community.
AllWomen In The
Church
A social network for women who are eager to explore their Presbyterian and Reformed identity with other women. AllWomen in the Church is complemented by resources, devotionals, and stories of women working in ministry and the hidden corners of the church.
This new online community website seeks to reach out to women, to aid them in their journeys and to deepen and widen their communities of faith. Join us!
Create a membership profile. Participate in the discussion forum.
www.pcusa.org/allwomen
Celebration Worship
No Potluck dinner and Celebration Worship Wednesday, August 19.
Why??
Because God wants us to –
We will tell the next generation…Ps. 78, Train a child…Prov. 22, Therefore go and make disciples...teaching them…Matt. 28.
Because we have told God we would -
Whenever we baptize a child in our church we promise
before God to nurture him or her.
And because God will bless us –
Leading children and challenging young people to a greater understanding of God and his love is rewarding and brings joy to the heart!
What??
Say “Yes, Lord” and be a teacher or sponsor.
We have a great group of children and youth who come to Sunday school and Youth Group. Please prayerfully consider
if you are called to lead them in their faith journey. The time commitment is 1 to 1 ½ hours/week, plus preparation time which varies. Team teaching allows for flexibility. Benefits are everlasting! Please contact Mary mrbuchele@hotmail.com) or any of the Christian Ed. Committee: Chip Marcy, Rodney York, Becky McVey, Pat Sanders.
College Students
The church would like to keep in touch with you, so please send us your college address this year. You can call the church office or email your address to pcgardencity@sbcglobal.net
Men’s Conference Awake and Arise $35/per person
Saturday, September 5, 2009 “Awake and Arise”
Men’s Conference,
Featured guests:
Michael Franzese, “one of the biggest money earners the mob
had seen since Al Capone..” His autobiography, Blood Covenant, tells his story
from the early days in the mob and rise to power through his
Ron McGehee, “
Ron tours throughout the
Send payment to: Terry Martin 915 North 5th,
If you have any questions please contact Terry at 620-338-1605
Tired of cooking every night? Want to invite people to an informal church event?
We have the answer!
Beginning September 2nd and continuing on Wednesday nights, join us in the Fellowship Hall for dinner at 6:00 p.m. Several committees are working together to bring a new look and feel to Wednesday nights. Here is some of what is planned:
6:00 – 6:30 meal for all youth groups, plus singles, couples, families
(Suggested donation $2-3/person, or $10 per family; Sundays’ bulletin will have the menu.)
6:30 – 7:30 Activities for all youth groups, plus adult groups, nursery available board or card games, bowling, mini-golf, frisbee golf, etc. on the first Wednesday of each month
potluck dinner and Celebration Worship once a month, usually on the third Wednesday
other Wednesdays –
Youth Groups – service & mission projects
Adult Groups – could include
“Parenting the Early Years”
a video
tour of the
“New Ways of Eating for Healthy Living”
Coal generated energy;
“How to Spell Presbyterian”
“Christianity, Cults and the Occult”
“Ushering Olympics”
“Evangelism,
witnessing for Christ, is an amateur activity.”
“Evangelism is an adventure. It is not a dirty word. We can do this stuff. God has given us an incredible story in the person of Jesus Christ. We can’t keep it to ourselves. But you have to get out of the church.”
“Take time to know your Bible, take time to find out what you believe about Jesus. Read the Bible, pray, consider how your life has changed because of your faith – how you’d answer, ‘Why do you believe?’”
Sound familiar?
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always
be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15
If you’d like to read more about the speakers and workshops held at the Big Tent gathering, ask Mary, or check the table in the office for the July 13, 2009 Presbyterian Outlook.
Church Bulletin
Goof-ups
The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing: “Break Forth into Joy”
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 pm - prayer and medication to follow.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
Parish Nurse Notes
Although it has been awhile since I have contributed to this newsletter, I have been spending time keeping up with the activities of being the parish nurse and deacon. The roles of deacon and parish nurse can compliment each other and overlap. I remember once when visiting Dave Sweley he asked me, “Are you here as a parish nurse or a deacon.” Dave really caught me off guard. I explained I was there as a deacon, but the nurse instincts will always be part of me.
Today I have some parish nursing goals I would like to share with you. First is that in addition to offering more regular blood pressure checks, I would like to start some other wellness monitoring on Sunday mornings after church. Something I am thinking about is weight, body mass index and waist hip ratio. One highly recommended and proven part of success in weight loss is weighing on the same scale at least once a week. It would be optional whether the person weighing in on the church scale shares their weight with me. We do have an accurate scale and a locked file cabinet in the parish nurse office which could be used keep the weights private and secure. My second goal is to share information and resources on current health issues. The issue that is most concerning to me is the healthcare reform bill. My education and experience in healthcare and my work with Medicaid and insurance would provide a good background to lead a group. I have also been spending much of my spare time trying to learn about the current bills. I don’t have all the answers (I only have a few answers) and I don’t want to push my political views on anyone, but I think we could have a meaningful discussion and learn from each other. Mary Buchele and I have currently scheduled a 3 week Sunday school course for October. I plan to divide healthcare issues into three different topics, so you can choose one session or all. Some of the topics I have considered are: How much will healthcare reform really cost?, Healthcare reform and the sanctity of life, and please let me know if you would like an additional evening session offered or if you have any thing else you would like me to address in these classes.
I want you to all know I feel much appreciated as a fellow church member and parish nurse in this congregation. There is so much love and support among the people of this church. I always welcome the congregation’s input into parish nursing. I hope you feel comfortable to pull me aside after church if you ever need to discuss something or have questions.
In Christ’s Love,
Brenda Watson RN, BSN, CCM
Looking Ahead
September 2 - Wednesday evening dinners begin with a games night.
September 9 - Youth and Adult groups.
September 13 - Sunday school for all ages, Hamburger feed
September 20 - Cantata
September 30 - Missionary Mary Nebelsick
Mary Nebelsick
along with her husband Paul Matheny were appointed as mission co-workers in
January 2001 to serve in the
Operation Christmas
Child Shoebox
With school supplies being on sale this would be a great time to pick up one or two small items for our Christmas youth mission project “Operation Christmas Child Shoebox.”
Congratulations
Congratulations to Kelley Reeve who has been named Assistant
Equestrian Coach for the Equestrian Team at the
Church Family and Friends in Need of
Special Prayers:
Connie German, Charlie Robinson, Jonell Friend, Elizabeth Hodges, Larry Zant, Ken Golay, Rolland Mathias, Bob Swanson, Don Davis, Suzan Tarwater, Annabelle Yocky, Debbie Russell, Marisha Cooper, Tom Meschke, Natalie Hendrickson, Jim Wharton, Eden Murphy, Jim Hamlett, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe, Dave Sweley, Dale Meadors, Linda Friesner, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver, 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 Frances Muck on the passing of Helen Chase, Jeff and Mary Sterling and family on the passing of Wesley, Jo Stevens on the passing of Dick, the family of Leona and Dale Meadors on the passing of Dean Bowald, the family of Anne Brown.
This week’s prayer families: Joy Anstaett, Yvonne Battles, Pauline Weddle and
Molly Wieland.
This week’s prayer church: Forest Park Presbyterian Church of Hutchinson, KS.
August Birthdays August Anniversaries
Cathaleen Cooper 8/16 Randy & Marsha Grisell 8/17/1974
Rod Buchele 8/17
Brynn Hamlett 8/17 Steve & Kathy Irvin 8/18/1984
Pat LeClerc 8/18
Lee Reeve 8/19 Jon & Patti Ansley 8/20/1977
Katie Wharton 8/19
Jim Pitts 8/24 Bob & Anne
Jones 8/26/1996
Daryl Hamlett 8/25 Wayne & Ellen Lynn 8/31/1968
Erin Jones 8/25
Lexi Billinger 8/27
Cashton Young 8/28
George Wharton 8/30
Blake Burnside 8/31
Phil Sloderbeck 8/31
ATTENTION
LADIES!!!!!!
All girls (of any age) Are invited to join us for lunch each Fridays,
we meet around 11:45 am to 1:00 pm.
We will meet Friday, Aug 21at the Clarion.
Activities
Sunday, August 16
Monday, August 17
Meals on Wheels, Praise Band @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday, August 18
Meals on Wheels
Wednesday, August 19
Meals on Wheels, Choir @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, August 20
Meals on Wheels
Friday, August 21
Meals on Wheels
Saturday, August 22
Meals on Wheels, Tumbleweed Festival
Sunday, August 23
Tumbleweed Worship @ 10:00 am - Lee Richardson Zoo
Monday, August
24
Praise Team @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday, August 25
Presbytery in
Wednesday, August 26
Choir @ 7:30 pm
THE PRESBYTERIAN
July 29, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
August 2, 2009
Greeters -
Lay Leader -
Brenda Watson
Ushers -
Yvonne Battles, Jay and Kathy Schoonover
Fellowship -
n/a at time of printing
Volunteers Needed
In the past our church has volunteered to
deliver ‘Meals on Wheels” twice a year for 2 weeks each time. We have found that delivering meals on a 2
week basis is sometimes difficult for our volunteers.
Beginning
August 17, 2009 we will now deliver meals 4 times a year but only 1 week each
time.
Once again we are seeking volunteers to
help. It takes approximately one (1)
hour to deliver the meals. We are
scheduled to deliver meals, Monday,
August 17th through Saturday, August 22nd. If you would like to volunteer for
this important community mission, the sign up sheet is on the front counter in
the church office. Thank you!!
“Dear Fellow Christians:
Join us and exclaim “YES” to Christian
entertainment at the
Bring your family, friends, staff or a
designated group to join fellow Kansans in full support and favor of this
talented, entertaining & Grammy winning group.
Purchase your tickets as soon as possible
as great seats are still available and include gate admittance entry if
purchased by August 31, 2009.
Once again, we encourage you to invite
your fellow associates, church small groups, members, and kindred Spirits to
attend the Gaither vocal Bank “Reunited Tour” at the
Church Girl Lunches
July 31 - El Zarape;
August 7 -
Applebee’s
Thoughts
From Our General Presbyter
A New Digital Face for the Presbytery
This week the Presbytery of Southern
Kansas has a new face on the web. Our new web site is fresh, colorful, and easy
to navigate. The focus id on the churches of the Presbytery. You will find
information about each church in the Presbytery and each week you will be
directed to the church(es) to be remembered in prayer. You will also find
information for each of the Presbytery committees and important documents. The
calendar will point you to upcoming events and meetings.
There is much to explore in this new web
site, so visit it often. It is being managed by Jan Lane, Administrative
Assistant and will be continually updated. So whether you need a resource from
the
Don Owens
We regret to
announce the death of Don Hammerli. Don served as Interim General
Presbyter in the early 90’s. Services will be held on Saturday, August
1st at 11:00 AM at Sunrise Presbyterian Church in
Thank you to everyone who participated in
the ice cream fundraiser. Certificates can be redeemed on Saturday, August 1 at
Stevens Park from 1:00 to 6:00 pm, at the “Seeds of Hope Jail Ministry, Inc.”
Interfaith Praise & Worship Day.
Across the Pastor’s
Desk
At a recent Session meeting the
question about church growth arose.
Several constructive, yet differing, views were aired. While brief, it may be a discussion that
this congregation needs to have in different settings. I would like to offer
yet another element to that discussion: congregations that live out what they
publicly claim to stand for generally thrive, even in difficult
circumstances. In our case, as a part
of a national denomination, that
involves
reflecting locally the major emphases of a long and well-honored
tradition. So what does PC (USA) stand
for? We often hear this question, sometimes as inquiry and sometimes as pointed
criticism. However it is voiced, it is a question worth addressing.
Publicly and officially we stand for a
religious and theological position best described as “Modern Orthodoxy”,
“Orthodoxy as a Growing Tradition”, or “Critical Orthodoxy”. Each term points out a different facet of
the same general movement. This
position is neither “Conservative” (though it honors the historic teaching
tradition of Christianity) nor is it “Liberal” (though, while it is open, it
nevertheless knows there are boundaries to what can be called “authentic,
historic Christian faith”).
Being neither “Conservative” nor
“Liberal”, this theological position is sometimes shot at by both sides. Nor should this position be construed as a
monolithic movement with clear and constant boundaries. Rather it is a broad movement with clarity
about at least three things: Among other emphases, it is determined: 1) to take
historic Christianity seriously, rather than cavalierly dismissing whatever
doesn’t suit our tastes; 2) to take the discoveries of the Scientific Era
equally seriously; and 3) to remain
open to other Christians while remaining
loyal to our own Reformed Tradition.
More
specifically, this position is well articulated in two places: the first in
C-67 in the Book of Confessions: “.. the Trinity and the Person of Christ are
not redefined, but are recognized and reaffirmed as forming the basis and
determining the structure of the Christian faith.” (C-9.03) Then in Chapter 2
of the Book of Order ten or more basic affirmations are made. Additionally, one statement later in the
Book of Order spells out a general principle : “The Presbyterian system of
government (and teaching) calls for continuity with and faithfulness to the
heritage that lies behind the contemporary church. It calls equally for openness and faithfulness to the renewing
activity of the God of history.”
(G-4.0303) This is what we mean
when we speak of “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda”. We have translated that ancient motto with
this phrase: “The church reformed and
always being reformed by the Word of God and the call of the Spirit.”
Though we are
not unique in this respect, Reformed and Presbyterian congregations
historically have earned the reputation for offering a very challenging
religious life that is deeply devout, ethically serious, and intellectually
responsible. None of these
characteristics alone is sufficient.
Devotion without hardheaded thinking easily degenerates into sugary sentimentality;
hardheaded thinking without devotion all too easily becomes merely an elitist
head trip. Devotion and hard-headed thinking without ethical expression is
simply hypocritical. All three are needed to proclaim the gospel. To be a
Reformed Christian is to drink deeply from the Scriptures, our
confessions
of faith, and our implementation of these concretely through the Book of
Order. We celebrate and pray these basic themes in our worship, especially through “The Service for the Lord’s
Day” where we celebrate the historic liturgy of the “one, holy, catholic, and
apostolic church”. Thus we join with Christians from all times and places in
the adoration and service of the holy and undivided Trinity.
Ours is an era
of such rapid change that we hardly become adjusted to our “ brave new world”
before another major change begins developing.
In this atmosphere many people feel tempted to equate current ideas as
being both “brand new breakthroughs never before considered” and “superior
intellectual, ethical, and spiritual insights”. The seduction to value current
ideas as both “brand new” and “superior” makes confessing an historic faith
exceedingly difficult. Others seem intent
on repeating past formulas as if they were a part of Holy Scripture;. This attitude makes any variation in
thought, expression, or practice problematic. Historians push us
to transcend
these two modern prejudices. However,
that is precisely what PC (USA) is seeking to do. One of our seminaries long ago adopted a motto that expresses
this idea: “To preach the ancient Gospel to a new and changing world.” At our
best this is what we strive for - denominationally and congregationally
Jim
Thank you to Nancy Sowers for repainting our
curbs and parking lanes!
Dear Scholarship Committee;
I would like to express my heartfelt
thanks for the
scholarship
awarded!
Once again our incredible church
family has blessed me with it’s generosity and support! I am so honored and
blessed to be part of such a supportive congregation. The money is greatly
appreciated and I will strive to honor the church with the use of the money.
In His Love,
KayeLani
Irvin
Men’s Conference
Awake and
Arise $35/per person
Saturday, September 5, 2009 “Awake and Arise”
Men’s
Conference,
Featured
guests:
Michael Franzese, “one of the biggest money earners the
mob had seen since Al Capone..” His autobiography, Blood Covenant, tells his
story from the early days in the mob and rise to power through his
Ron McGehee, “
Ron tours
throughout the
Send payment
to: Terry Martin 915 North 5th,
67835 (make check payable to: Awake and Arise”)
If you have
any questions please contact Terry at620-338-1605
While Jim Pitts is on
vacation…
While Rev. Pitts is on vacation we’ve arranged
to have Chip Marcy and Randy McVey fill the pulpit August 9th and August
16th. Randy will speak to his mission
work and experiences from his recent trip to
A lot more goes into a service than just
a sermon. Our services integrate
scripture, prayer, music and fellowship.
For instance, The Presbyterian Church USA suggests multiple scripture
readings from the Old and New Testament appropriate through out the church year
for each Sunday. Here in Garden City,
our pastor selects one of the Old and one of the New Testament readings for
each Sunday. For August 9th and 16th
our readings will be chosen in a similar fashion.
Worship is at the same time, a very
personal event, and a public affirmation.
To meet our needs of worship, all Presbyterian worship services
integrate scripture, prayer, music and fellowship integrated into a worship
“outline” that contains the following elements:
Gathering
around the Word
Proclaiming the
Word
Responding to
the Word
The sealing
of the Word
Bearing and
following the Word into the world.
If you examine our Sunday morning
bulletin, the sub-headings follow this worship outline. Each plays an important role in
worship.
Gathering around
the Word: Worship recognizes a common
bond, the need for fellowship among all of as we are part of Christ’s
Church. Gathering around the Word
includes music in the form of prelude, which many use as a means to prepare
themselves for worship. It also
includes concerns and announcements, the Call to Worship and the Prayer of
Confession – all which help us prepare our minds and bodies for worship.
Proclaiming
the Word: Not only does the sermon
represent a proclamation of the Word, but so do our scripture readings,
children’s time, and our Prayer of Illumination.
Responding to
the Word: Responding to the Word
includes acts
of commitment
and recognition. Music responses,
silent prayer, minutes for mission, the Lord’s Prayer and Passing of the Peace,
and other things represent means by which we respond to his Word. Other acts of commitment include marriage
ceremonies, installation of church officers and commissioning.
The sealing
of the Word: Sealing of the word focuses
on the
sacraments of
Baptism and Communion, as they are God’s acts
of sealing
the promises of faith within the community of faith as the congregation
worships.
Bearing and
following the Word into the world: The charge/blessing
at the end of a worship service is but a small part of carrying the Word into
the world. In many regards, this may be
the most important part of a worship service because our Christian faith does
not stop at the conclusion of our Sunday worship service. Our faith not only includes how we glorify
God, but in our witness through our actions to make a better world.
We hope that when you come on August 9th
and 16th, or any Sunday, that you will watch for these elements and consider
how each of these play a role in your faith and spiritual life.
Why??
Because
God wants us to –
We will tell
the next generation…Ps. 78, Train a child…Prov. 22, Therefore go and make
discples...teaching them…Matt. 28.
Because
we have told God we would -
Whenever we
baptize a child in our church we promise before God to nurture him or her.
And
because God will bless us –
Leading
children and challenging young people to a greater understanding of God and his
love is rewarding and brings joy to the heart!
What??
Say
“Yes, Lord”
and be a teacher or sponsor.
We have a
great group of children and youth who come to Sunday School and Youth
Group. Please prayerfully consider if
you are called to lead them in their faith journey. The time commitment is 1 to 1 ½ hours/week, plus preparation time
which varies. Team teaching allows for
flexibility. Benefits are everlasting!
Please
contact Mary mrbuchele@hotmail.com)
or any of the Christian Ed. Committee:
Chip Marcy, Rodney York, Becky McVey, Pat Sanders.
Youth Group Swim Party, Sunday, Aug. 9
@ Linda and
Greg Adams’ Rainbow Pool
1118 Pershing
(just east of East Dillons Store)
2:00 – 4:00
p.m.
Celebrate Kids (1st-4th grades)
3:00 – 5:00
p.m
Prime Time Presbies & High School
(5th -12th)
Bring a snack
to share, and invite a friend!
Tired of cooking every night?
Want to
invite people to an informal church event?
We have the
answer!
Beginning September
2nd and continuing on Wednesday nights, join us in the Fellowship Hall for
dinner at 6:00 p.m. Several committees
are working together to bring a new look and feel to Wednesday nights. Here is some of what is planned:
6:00 – 6:30
meal for all youth groups, plus singles, couples, families
(Suggested donation $2-3/person, or
$10 per family; Sundays’ bulletin will
have the menu.)
6:30 – 7:30
Activities for all youth groups, plus adult groups, nursery available
board or card
games, bowling, mini-golf, frisbee golf, etc. on the first Wednesday of each
month potluck dinner and Celebration Worship once a month, usually on the third
Wednesday
other
Wednesdays –
Youth Groups – service & mission
projects
Adult Groups – could include
“Parenting the Early Years”
a video tour of the
“New Ways of Eating for Healthy
Living”
Coal generated energy;
“How to Spell Presbyterian”
“Christianity, Cults and the Occult”
“Ushering Olympics”
Philly Steaks Coming Right Up!
Learn the
secret of making the best Philly Steaks in
Mark your
calendars for the Tumbleweed Festival, Saturday & Sunday, August 23 &
24.
Working in
our Youth Mission Food Stand is a great chance to have fun while working
together. Shift times are:
Saturday 9:30
– 1:00; 12:30 – 4:00; 4:00 – 7:00.
Sunday 11:00
– 1:30; 1:00-4:00; 4:00 – 7:30
For more info
or to sign up to work, call or email Mary (mrbuchele@hotmail.com),
or sign up on the board in the Atrium.
Highlights from Mission Trip, 5th-8th graders
22 youth from
Garden City, Covenant & First Pres. of Wichita
assembled 100
lunches and delivered to a drop in center for homeless
delivered
meals to shut-ins
toured & worked
@ Union Rescue
labeling a
pallet load of sheets,
filling backpacks with school supplies,
cutting out
cards for a scripture booklet presentation on endangered species tour &
environmental projects @ First Pres. Camp
devotions
capture the flag,
swimming,
other recreation
s’mores
Church Family and Friends in Need of
Special Prayers:
Jonell
Friend, Elizabeth Hodges, Larry Zant, Ken Golay, Rolland Mathias, Bob Swanson,
Don Davis, Jean Bisbee, Suzan Tarwater, Annabelle Yocky, Debbie Russell,
Marisha Cooper, Tom Meschke, Natalie Hendrickson, Jim Wharton, Eden Murphy, Jim
Hamlett, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe, Dave Sweley, Dale Meadors,
Linda Friesner, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver, 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 Jo Stevens on the passing of Dick, the family of Leona and Dale Meadors on
the passing of Dean Bowald, the family of Anne Brown, the family of George
Purnell, Larry Zant and family on the
passing of Marge Williams.
This week’s prayer family: Gary and Linda Friesner.
This week’s prayer church: First Presbyterian
August Birthdays August Anniversaries
Marsha
Grisell 8/1 Ken & Marsha Golay
Larry Pietz 8/1 8/7/1971
Jenny
Tarwater 8/5
Ellen Lynn 8/7 Jeff
& Mary Sterling
Larry Sanders 8/8 8/11/1984
John L. Ford 8/9
Pattie Pietz 8/10 Kirk
& Sara Brown
Van Salyer 8/11 8/15/1992
Dave Sweley 8/11
Don Harden 8/15 Don & Debbie Harden
Brian
Tarwater 8/15 8/15/1991
Cathaleen
Cooper 8/16
Rod Buchele 8/17 Randy & Marsha Grisell
Brynn Hamlett 8/17 8/17/1974
Pat LeClerc 8/18
Lee Reeve 8/19 Steve & Kathy Irvin
Katie Wharton 8/19 8/18/1984
Jim Pitts 8/24
Daryl Hamlett 8/25 8/20/1977
Erin Jones 8/25
Lexi
Billinger 8/27 Bob & Anne Jones
Cashton Young 8/28 8/26/1996
George
Wharton 8/30
Blake
Burnside 8/31 Wayne & Ellen Lynn
Phil
Sloderbeck 8/31 8/31/1968
Activities
Sunday, August 2
Worship
w/Communion @ 10:45 am
Monday, August 3
Praise Band @
7:00 pm
Wednesday, August 4
Choir @ 7:30
pm
Sunday,
August 9
Monday, August 10
Praise Team @
7:00 pm
Tuesday, August 11
Stewardship @
6:30 pm
Wednesday, August 12
Choir @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, August 13
CE @ 6:00 pm
July 8, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
July 12, 2009
Greeters - Leona Crotty and Ruth Richards
Lay Leader - Ron Major
Ushers - Wayne & Ellen Lynn and Bob and Audrey
Law
Fellowship - Rodney & Lloydeen Wolfe
Update from the PNC
Since
late summer 2008, the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has been working hard
to find a permanent Pastor for the Presbyterian Church of Garden City,
The
PNC wanted to share a recent email (used with permission) we received from a
pastor that we were in active conversation with recently. We hope that as a
congregation you all will be able to see how hard we are working at our
commissioned task, and what wonderful people we are meeting during this
extensive process.
Dear Michael and Committee;
I love you already so it is very hard for me to say that I cannot come to Garden City. My
mother, who is 87, lives in
Pastor K.
Please
continue to keep us all in your prayers. God WILL send the person he intends to
be our pastor; we just need to remember to be faithful and to realize that it
will occur according to HIS divine timeline. If you have nay questions or wish
to make a suggestion to help us along with this process, please feel free to
contact any member of the PNC. Although we are required to keep names and
personal identifying characteristics confidential, we are willing to share with
you how the process is going and where we stand at the present time with
calling a permanent pastor. God bless!
The Pastor Nominating Committee:
Michael
Collins; Lauren Deaver; Daryl Hamlett; Adah Jenkins
Kathryn
Ochampaugh; Pat Sanders;
Across the Pastor’s Desk
Frustration and Morale
It is certainly understandable both for
congregations as a whole and for individual members to become somewhat
discouraged when a pastoral search does not conclude more quickly. This is especially true for the members of
the PNC, who not only continue doing their regular “church jobs”, but also meet
several times a month, or more, additionally!
Nevertheless, the PNC continues to push
forward. From past experience in
previous Interims, I find this PNC remarkably energized and persevering. I only hope that many of you not only listen
to the PNC reports, but even more thank them for what each one is doing on
behalf of the congregation. It has long
been my impression that few congregations are fully aware of the job they do
and how incredibly difficult and exhausting it can be. Probably only those who have served on
previous PNC’s know in depth what they are experiencing.
Fortunately for this congregation not only
do you have a very active PNC, you also have an active Session with its several
strong committees and a creative and energized staff. Perhaps we will have to devise new and better ways of letting you
know what all is going on or being considered.
Although it is by no means necessary, most of the routine business of
the congregation goes first to the attention of a committee before it comes to
the Session. Though most of the time
the Session accepts the recommendations of its committees, the final decision
about most matters is only finalized when the Session endorses, amends, or
deletes a committee report. Then the matter is no longer a committee plan; it
is now the Session’s plan by their choosing to finalize it.
Also, our professional staff has recently
resumed the practice of holding regular staff meetings to facilitate
communication, coordination, and cooperation. We hope that the results of this
will become evident to many of you soon. Certainly holding staff meetings is no
novelty in this congregation. These
were held periodically during the previous twenty years and probably before
then. When I first came here we had
several staff meetings to work out some problems, to clarify misunderstandings,
and to help me become more quickly acquainted with the Garden City community and
this congregation. What we are doing
now is to ensure that these are both regular and ongoing,
at least until your new permanent pastor is on board. In all probability he or she will welcome this practice which is
rather standard for multi staff churches.
However much it may seem that little
progress is being made, behind the scenes considerable planning and creative
activity are underway. It will be
interesting to see what new possibilities will present themselves this fall.
In the meantime let us all ardently pray
that all of us may open ourselves to God’s indirect guidance by means of the
creative leadership of the men and women of this congregation. Jim
Potluck dinner and Celebration Worship
Wednesday, July 15
Is there a favorite dish
that you would like to share? An old family favorite?
On Wednesday, July 15 we will be holding our Potluck dinner and Celebration
Worship service. Singles, couples,
families - large or small.
Come join us as we share a
meal. Our Praise Team offers wonderful contemporary music during the worship
service. What a great midweek fellowship!!
Attention
All girls, women,
mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, friends,
females of the
Presbyterian ChurchIt’s time for ‘Church Girl Lunches’
During the summer
months we meet Fridays at noon to enjoy a meal and fellowship
together. All are welcome, and please, bring a friend!
Here’s
the Schedule
July
10 - Planks; July 17 - Pho Hoa;
July 24 - I Hop; July 31
- El Zarape; August 7 -
Applebee’s
THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
THANK YOU!
Thank
you to the Kevin, Kyle, Jacob and Jonathan Ochampaugh who have once again
volunteered to look after our church while our custodian Juana is on vacation.
Mary
Buchele, Audrey Law, Janet Major, Adah Jenkins, Ruth Richards, Yvonne Battles,
and Sharon Ford have offered to cover the church office during Connie’s
vacation July 10 through 26. Thank you to all our many volunteers! You
are truly appreciated!!!
Philly Steaks Coming
Right Up!
Mark your calendars for
the Tumbleweed Festival,
Saturday & Sunday,
August 23 & 24.
Working in our Youth Mission Food Stand is a great chance to have fun while working together.
Sign up to work a
shift. Sign up sheet is in the Atrium
or call or email Mary (mrbuchele@hotmail.com).
What a great time our
pre-schoolers had while “Meeting Moses” at VBS!
They learned how God was with Moses all during his life – protecting him
while he was a baby, calling him from a burning bush, leading him as he spoke to Pharoah and when he brought the
Israelites out of Egypt, and giving Moses the ten commandments. And they learned that God said, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with
you.” Thanks to Kathryn Ochampaugh
for all of her help with the seven pre-schoolers, Paige and Halle Jones, Ryan
Ochampaugh, Cole Brown, Jessa and Annalise York and their friend, Jareht
Herrell. Our youth helpers were Kyle
Ochampaugh, Liz Marcy, Mary Lynn Buchele, Lauren Jones, and Jon and Jake
Ochampaugh. Thanks also to Tara York
and Jennifer Jones.
Why??
Because God wants us to –
We will tell the next
generation…Psalms 78, Train a child… Proverbs 22, Therefore go and make
disciples...teaching them…Matthew 28.
And because we have told God we
would -
Whenever we baptize a child in our church we
promise before God to nurture him or her.
What??
Say “Yes, Lord” and be a teacher or sponsor.
We have a great group of children and youth who
come to Sunday School and Youth Group.
Please prayerfully consider if you are called to lead them in their
faith journey. The time commitment is 1
to 1 ½ hours/week plus preparation time which varies. Team teaching allows for flexibility. Benefits are
everlasting! Please contact Mary or any
of the Christian Ed. Committee.
“Godspell”
Garden City Summer Youth Musical, July 23 &
24
Interested in going as a group? Or meeting over lunch on Sunday afterward
to discuss “Godspell and Gospel”?
Please sign up on the bulletin board by the office.
July Birthdays July Anniversaries
Pat Roth 7/12 Phil
& Paula Sloderbeck
Debbie
Wharton 7/12 7/12/1975
Linda
Adams 7/16
Lucas Whippo 7/16 Michael & Jan Collins
Jill
Mayfield 7/18 7/17/1971
Annalise
Marsha Golay 7/19 Larry & Kelley Jenkins
Leona
Meadors 7/19 7/27/1991
Darcy
Reeve 7/20
Patti Ansley 7/24 Mark & Suzan Tarwater
Chip
Marcy 7/24 7/29/1978
Kayde
Rietzke 7/26
Jana
Burnside 7/29
Rodney
Wolfe 7/29
Tom
Walker 7/30
Church Family and Friends in Need of Special Prayers:
Elizabeth Hodges,
Litha Marriott, Bob Swanson, Rolland Mathias, Don Davis, Jean Bisbee, Larry
Zant, Annabelle Yocky, Debbie Russell, Ken Golay, Suzan Tarwater, Marisha
Cooper, Natalie Hendrickson, Tom Meschke, Jim Wharton, Eden Murphy, Jim
Hamlett, Yvonne Battles, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe, Dave
Sweley, Dale Meadors, Linda Friesner, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver, 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 the family of Leona and Dale Meadors on the passing of Dean Bowald, the
family of Anne Brown, the family of George Purnell, Larry Zant and family on the passing of Marge Williams.
This week’s prayer family: Gordon and Priscilla Hallberg and
Elizabeth Hodges
This week’s
prayer church: First Presbyterian Church
of Derby, KS.
Activities
Sunday, July 12
Bell Choir @
9:30 am, Adult Sunday school @ 9:30 am,
Worship w/Communion @ 10:45 am
Monday,
July 13
Praise Band @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday, July 14
Memorial @ 10:00 am
Wednesday, July 17
Celebration Worship w/Potluck dinner @ 6:00 pm,
Choir @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, July
16
Deacons @ 6:30 pm
Sunday,
July 19
Bell Choir @ 9:30 am, Adult Sunday school @ 9:30 am,
Worship @ 10:45 am
Monday, July 20
Praise Team @ 7:00 pm
Tuesday, July 21
Stewardship @ 6:30 pm
Wednesday, July 22
Choir @
7:30 pm
Thursday, July 23
Mission & Outreach @ 6:00 pm
Sunday, July 26
Bell Choir @ 9:30 am, Sunday school @ 9:30 am,
Worship @ 10:45 am
Monday, July 27
Parish Nursing Conference @ 6:00 pm, Session @
6:30 pm
Tuesday, July 28
Staff meeting @ 9:00 am
Wednesday, July 29
Choir @ 7:30 pm
June 24, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
FOR SUNDAY
June 28, 2009
Greeters - The Buchele family
Lay Leader - Kathy Friesen
Ushers - Carol Hodgkinson, Paula Sloderbeck, Carol & Lauren Deaver
Fellowship - The Ochampaugh family - Ice Cream Social
Nursery
The Nursery will be available for parents to use with their children during worship service for the summer, but there will not be an attendant on duty.
The Personnel Committee wishes to extend a BIG thank you to Tara York for her many months of volunteer service in the nursery!!
Attention
All girls, women, mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, friends, females of the
Presbyterian Church. It’s time for ‘Church Girl Lunches’
During the summer months we meet Fridays at noon to enjoy a meal and fellowship together. All are welcome, and please, bring a friend!
Here’s the Schedule
June 26 Jade Buffet
July 3 Golden Corral
July 10 Planks
July 17 Pho Hoa
July 24 I Hop
July 31 El Zarape
August 7 Applebee’s
Church
Hospitality Welcome everyone
Not only do newcomers need your warm welcome, regulars attenders also need a friendly greeting. Develop a good handshake. Be enthusiastic – about the day, the worship that is about to take place, about Christ.
VBS NEWS “MEET MOSES”
As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5b
Think about it - God was with Moses from infancy to old age, protecting him, guiding and teaching him, and showing his love to Moses. Moses met God face to face, though God hid his face so that Moses would not be blinded. And when Moses came away from those meetings, his face was brilliantly radiant.
While our faces
weren’t THAT radiant during our VBS Weekender, our seven children, three youth
and four adults enjoyed four exciting stories about God and Moses. We took turns hiding Baby Moses and finding
him, we saw shadow puppets of Moses and sheep before a burning bush, we parted
a
Thanks to the children who came: Zack McVey, Jonathan, Jacob and Ryan Ochampaugh, Madelyn Mathias, Lauren Jones and her cousin, Isabel Jones. Thanks to the youth helpers Kyle Ochampaugh, and Steven and Mary Lynn Buchele and adult leaders Kathryn Ochampaugh, Becky McVey, Pat Sanders and Mary Buchele. Thanks also to Kevin Ochampaugh who brought equipment to roast the manna.
Our VBS Mornings for Preschools will “Meet Moses”
Monday – Thursday, June 28 – July 2, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Brevin and Brad
Irvin returned Saturday from Can-Do Texas mission trip with Trinity
Lutheran. Ask them about the work they
did and the fun they had serving God and the people of
Youth in Grades 5-8 (completed) can work together in mission with the youth of two Wichita Presbyterian churches.
Tentative schedule:
Sunday, July 19
9:00 a.m. Meet at Garden City Presbyterian for 9:15 departure
10:30 Worship with First
Presbyterian of
3:00 p.m. Meet all
youth & sponsors @ Covenant Presbyterian, travel together to First
Presbyterian Camp,
4:00 - ? Team building activities, games, swim, eat, devotions, etc.
Monday & Tuesday, July 20-21 – service activities in the area, swim, games, and devotions at camp. Our projects may include working at a food pantry, preparing and delivering meals, visiting a nursing home, working on an environmental project at the camp.
Tuesday Dinner at Covenant
7:00 p.m. depart for home, arriving Garden City around 11:00 p.m.
Cost is $30, plus additional money for fast food during Sunday travel and 1-2 other meals. Scholarship available!
Registration-Permission-Release & money is due by July 6th!
Forms available from Mary, or see office bulletin board.
To receive a $20 scholarship from our Youth Mission account, please sign up to work at the Tumbleweed Philly Steak Food Stand. It’s a fun time to work together and see lots of people from the community!
Across the Pastor’s
Desk
Citizenship as Part of a Disciple’s Calling
Usually during the interim period between installed pastors we focus almost exclusively on congregational issues: coming to grips with congregational history, adjusting to the absence of the past pastor, repairing the building, encouraging the emergence of new congregational leaders, instituting any necessary new procedures, etc. Certainly none of these can be overlooked as you press forward in the pastoral search. However, an additional dimension is now emerging within our country: the need
for greater civic concern and political participation.
Unfortunately over the decades an unfortunate popular attitude has developed in the minds of many Americans: the separation of church and state is understood to mean: religion and politics are totally incompatible. Often Jesus’ statement about “Rendering to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” is used as a proof text for this. According to this understanding we are to revere God, support our church, mind our morals, and teach our faith with the right hand and with the left we are to be Republicans, Democrats, or Independents, and never the twain shall meet!
Classical Christian
faith has stressed the opposite! We
find this especially emphasized in the New Testament epistles. There we find civic responsibility stressed:
“
While this is certainly nothing new, the events of the last few months clearly demonstrate that we are a country in crisis! Few simple solutions seem to lie within our reach! Nevertheless we must not conclude that all of this will quickly blow over. We live in a country in a serious crisis, but not one whose future is fatalistically sealed! Throughout our national history we have demonstrated an enormous capacity to bounce back. Historical crises hold the potential both for great good and massive evil. The determining factor seems to be: the character and spirit of the nation.
As Christians, we are to stand shoulder to shoulder with our neighbors - be they Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, secularists, agnostics, or something else entirely - for the common good. While this is not always comfortable or easy, it is certainly most necessary for our future. In this process we are not to renounce core Christian values or ethics nor are we to seek to impose these arbitrarily on others. Rather creativity is called for. Some of us who are especially competent in the political process and experienced in the political arena may discover new opportunities both to witness to our faith and to provide critical leadership. For all of us there is the call to renewed citizenship!
Difficult as it may be to juggle our varied responsibilities, now is the time for the renewal of our nation as well as the Presbyterian congregation in Garden City!
Jim
Presbyterians believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don’t notify them that they are there.
July Birthdays July Anniversaries
Doug Heatwole 7/1 Robert & Rosemary York
Blanche Salyer 7/1 7/1/1968
Connor Wikoff 7/1
Ernie Wharton 7/3 Phil & Paula Sloderbeck
Anna Reid 7/6 7/12/1975
Rosemary York 7/6
Brad Irvin 7/8 Michael & Jan Collins
Connie Harsha 7/10 7/17/1971
Pat Roth 7/12
Debbie Wharton 7/12 Larry & Kelley Jenkins
Linda Adams 7/16 7/27/1991
Lucas Whippo 7/16
Jill Mayfield 7/18 Mark & Suzan Tarwater
Annalise
Marsha Golay 7/19
Leona Meadors 7/19
Darcy Reeve 7/20
Patti Ansley 7/24
Chip Marcy 7/24
Kayde Rietzke 7/26
Jana Burnside 7/29
Rodney Wolfe 7/29
Tom Walker 7/30
Church Family and Friends in Need of Special
Prayers:
Rolland Mathias, Don Davis, Jean Bisbee, Larry Zant, Nicki Twiss, Annabelle Yocky, Debbie Russell, Ken Golay, Suzan Tarwater, Marisha Cooper, Natalie Hendrickson, Tom Meschke, Jim Wharton, Eden Murphy, Jim Hamlett, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe, Dave Sweley, Dale Meadors, Linda Friesner, John Hoxie,
Ruth Oliver, 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 the family of Leona and Dale Meadors on the passing of Dean Bowald, the family of Anne Brown, the family of George Purnell, Larry Zant and family on the passing of Marge Williams.
This week’s prayer family:
This week’s prayer church: Hopewell Presbyterian Church of Anthony, KS.
Activities
Sunday, June 28
Monday, June 29
VBS for Preschool @ 9:00 am, Session @ 6:30 pm
Tuesday, June 30
VBS for Preschool @ 9:00 am
VBS for Preschool @ 9:00 am, Choir @ 7:30 pm
Thursday, July 2
VBS for Preschool @ 9:00 am
Sunday, July 5
Bell Choir @ 9:30 am, Adult Sunday school @ 9:30 am, Worship @ 10:45 am
Wednesday, July 8
Choir @ 7:30 pm, Worship Committee @ 8:30 pm
June 10, 2009
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR SUNDAY
June 14, 2009
Greeters - Matt, Jenni, Lauren, Paige and
Lay Leader - KayeLani Irvin
Ushers - Jeff, Mary and Chase Sterling.
Fellowship - Breakfast at the Church
Treat yourself to “Breakfast at Church” this Sunday, June 14.
The Fellowship Committee will be serving ham, pancakes and orange juice beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The congregation is invited to bring a side dish of fresh fruit.
Nursery
The Nursery will be available for parents to use with their children during worship service for the summer, but there will not be an attendant on duty.
The Personnel Committee wishes to extend a BIG thank you to Tara York for her many months of volunteer service in the nursery!!
You Are Invited!!!
Lauren Deaver will be presenting her Senior Piano Recital in the church sanctuary on Saturday, June 20 at 7:00 pm with a reception following. Congregational members are invited to attend.
Celebration Worship Wednesday, June 17
We begin the evening with a family potluck dinner at 6:00 pm
followed by Celebration Worship at 6:30. Mark your calendar and plan to join us.
The next meeting of Session will be held on June 29 at 6:30 pm. Committee Reports due June 24
Dear Presbyterian Church Scholarship Committee
Thank you so much for awarding me with your scholarship! I will show my appreciation for this and all the church has done for me in my life by working hard to continue to deserve your support.
Love
Lauren Deaver
Attention
All girls, women, mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, friends, females of the Presbyterian Church
It’s time for ‘Church Girl Lunches’ During the summer months we meet Fridays at noon to enjoy a meal and fellowship together.
All are welcome, and please, bring a friend!
Here’s the Schedule
June 12 Wendy’s; June 19
Pizza Hut (on
July 3 Golden Corral; July 10 Planks; July 17 Pho Hoa; July 24 I Hop;
July 31 El Zarape; August 7 Applebee’s
Welcome Patrick Douglas Bailey. Born June 2, 2009 Congratulations to proud parents Jennifer and Derek Bailey and grandparents Doug and Theresa Heatwole.
Hunger Barrel
Sunday, June 21,
the
There is a great need in our community and your generosity is greatly appreciated. Together, we can help ease the hunger in our community.
Card Ministry
We like to send cards and birthday wishes. If you have not received a birthday or anniversary card from us in the past, we may not have your information on file. Please contact the office so our Deacons can get you on their greetings list.
From the Personnel Committee
Our Administrative Assistant Connie Boese will be gone on vacation the weeks of July 13 and 20.
Now is your chance to be "Secretary for a Day". We are looking for volunteers to answer the phone, take messages and talk to people who come into the office. You would not be expected to type anything or do the many other administrative tasks that Connie ordinarily takes care of.
Please contact the church office and we will get your name put on the schedule. Thank you!!
As I was with Moses, so I shall be with you;
I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5
What a great lesson God has for us in the life of Moses! In our VBS Weekender we learned how God took care of Moses when he was a baby, and how he continued to be with him throughout his life. Thanks to the children who came, the youth (Kyle, Mary Lynn and Steven) who helped; to the leaders: Kathryn Ochampaugh, Pat Sanders, Becky McVey and Mary Buchele. Special thanks to Kevin Ochampaugh who brought a “camp fire” so we could have “roasted manna with chocolate and graham crackers.”
As Aaron and Hur helped Moses by holding up his arms, our
mission project will be helping others through Youthville. Youthville specializes in foster care, adoption,
Psychiatric Residential Treatment and Counseling and Therapy for 1,600
If you missed VBS but would like to participate in our mission project, we are collecting of the following items through July 5th:
- Labels for Education from
- Gifts-in-kind of materials
for babies (diapers size 3,4,5; wipes, bottles, shampoo, teething rings, toys, monitor, etc.)
for children 0-18, including school supplies, bedding and bath supplies, books in good condition, sports and recreation equipment, arts and craft supplies, stuffed animals, jewelry, stationery, birthday cards and gifts (gift cards, MP3 players, football, soccer ball, etc.)
for independent living teens – similar to above, plus kitchen, cleaning, laundry supplies
VBS Mornings for Preschoolers, June 29 – July 2nd, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Come and “Meet Moses”!
Aaah, Summer!
A beautiful season to be learning about our awesome God! Please keep these people and events in your prayers:
Can Do
Brevin and Brad Irvin will be representing our youth, working together in mission with the youth of Trinity Lutheran on hurricane clean-up, rebuilding and sharing the love of Christ.
We have youth attending camp every week during June. Thank you to the church and the Presbyterian Women for providing scholarships to an enriching and life-changing week at Westminster Woods. Our campers include: Jonathan and Jacob Ochampaugh, Zack McVey, Liz Marcy, Mary Lynn Buchele, Gary Harley, Leslie and Kelli Ford. We’ll also claim Lucas Whippo, who is on the WW staff again. Our 3rd and 4th graders have already returned from what sounds like a fantastic camp experience.
Dr. Randy McVey and Zack will be leaving at the end of June
for a mission in
JUST IN –
Mission Trip for 5-8th Grades, July 19 -21 to
Leave early Sunday,
July 19th to get to Covenant Presbyterian by 3:00. Worship with a Presbyterian Church along our
route. Meet up with youth from at least
2 Wichita Presbyterian churches. Stay Sunday and Monday nights at First Pres.
Camp northwest of
Madelyn Mathias will be in the Garden City Children’s Theater production of “Godspell.” Plan on attending one of the performances, July 24-25.
Across the Pastor’s Desk
Looking Toward the Immediate Future
The heart of an interim ministry is to lead a congregation (wherever possible), or at least some individual members, toward recognizing “the signs of the times” that will potentially dramatically affect that congregation’s future. Its difficulty is that this calls for changes in our outlook and/or value system. Since no one (especially a wise interim pastor) believes that even the best Interims are infallible, these changes are slow and difficult. For this reason I try to share with you the basis on which my suggestions are based. I also try to specify the assumptions that lie beneath each of them.
Parish
researchers - conservatives, middle of the roaders, and liberals - all tell us
of the “seismic upheavals” in Americans’ religious practice. This period poses both a great opportunity
and a dire threat. The opportunity is
similar to the one Jesus saw when he told his disciples: “The fields are white
unto harvest. Pray the Lord of the
harvest to send forth laborers.” The
threat is also similar to the one Jesus saw when his disciples were raving
about the beauty and the grandeur of Herod’s
So how might we respond? Our normal American Presbyterian reflex is to embrace cultural changes as much as possible. Often that has worked quite well. In Colonial times we not only embraced, but often led, the revolution toward modern democracy. Later we worked toward ending slavery, even to the point of advocating racial integration. After considerable debate, we certainly embraced greater equality for women. These were positive moves. Now our natural reflex is to embrace once more, almost unthinkingly, current societal shifts. In distinction to the past, our society now moves toward toning down (some call it “dumbing down”) the gospel to a set of religious sound bytes that seriously challenges no one and, so far, leads directly to a unitarian position. Americans are not ceasing to be “religious,” but one strong direction is against any recognizable form of Christian faith, unless by that we mean: “being moral and somewhat pious American citizens.” Is there some viable alternative?
PC (USA), wracked as we are by differences and alternate visions, still slogs ahead officially and publicly endorsing a position that is best described as “Critical Orthodoxy.” This position is embedded within all of our official publications: The Book of Confessions, The Book of Order, The Book of Common Worship, The Presbyterian Hymnal, our Christian Education materials, and most General Assembly study papers. This position is neither “Conservative” nor “Progressive”! What it offers is a way both to maintain our identity with the Central Christian Tradition and to embrace the best of current hopes and challenges.
What needs to happen is for rank and file Presbyterians to acknowledge our apparently natural reflex: to give up our past for almost anything new that claims to be better and to do so while only minimally understanding what the “new” is! Recognizing that temptation might impel us to look again at what the Central Christian faith actually involves, rather than assuming that we
already know it and practice it!
One piece of research that is potentially very heartening: any community that seeks to live out what it officially and publicly claims to stand for usually remains healthy and quite often thrives even under adverse conditions. The challenge to us: will rank and file members seek to discover what in fact we claim to stand for officially and publicly so that we can find additional ways to implement that more adequately?
Jim
Church Family and Friends in Need of Special Prayers:
Rolland Mathias, Don Davis, Jean Bisbee, Larry Zant, Katie Ford, Nicki Twiss, Connie Boese, Annabelle Yocky, Debbie Russell, Ken Golay, Suzan Tarwater, Marisha Cooper, Natalie Hendrickson, Tom Meschke, Yvonne Battles, Jim Wharton, Eden Murphy, Jim Hamlett, Laurie Bock, Debbie Harden, Gladys Cripe, Dave Sweley, Dale Meadors, Linda Friesner, John Hoxie, Ruth Oliver, 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 the family of Leona and Dale Meadors on the passing of Dean Bowald, the family of Anne Brown, the family of George Purnell, Larry Zant and family on the passing of Marge Williams.
This week’s prayer family: Nancy and Virginia Sowers.
This week’s prayer church: First Presbyterian Church of Independence, KS.