“Serving God With Love and Joy As We Reach Out to All People” · “Serving God With Love and Joy As We Reach Out to A JULY/AUGUST— 2009 Worship Schedule: Summer Worship—9:00

JULY/AUGUST— 2009

Worship Schedule: Summer Worship—9:00 am

Christian Ed will begin again in the fall

INVITE YOUR NEIGHBORS—BRING A

FRIEND—

COME FOR THE FUN!!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL STARTS JULY 20TH!!

Come on out and join us at 5:30 for a light supper.

Crafts, music, games, snacks, bible stories….FUN!!

Sessions will end at 8:30

Monday through Friday

Kids will present a program Sunday morning,

July 26th at 9:00 am

18095 Clay Street

Hebron, IN 46341

219-996-8746

[email protected]

www.rangelinepres.com

Rev. Rose Taul, Interim Pastor

T H E M E S S E N G E R

“Serving God With Love and Joy As We Reach Out to All People”

INTERIM STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE (ISPC) REPORT

The ISPC has met twice. At the first meeting we identified our task and talked about how the committee would go about its

work together. At the last meeting on July 8th, the ISPC reviewed survey results and the results of the Sunday talk-backs and

the feedback received from the June 28th worship service in Fellowship Hall. The committee made observations from the data

gathered and discussed recommendations for Session follow-through. The next meeting will be August 12th. The Committee

will review congregational and community statistics and demographics. Subsequent survey results will also be reviewed.

The Interim Pastor and members of the ISPC hope to submit their report to Session in October for approval. Then the report

can go to Committee on Ministry for approval before the end of the year. When the report is approved, copies will be available

for those who want to review it.

The Interim Pastor and members of ISPC thank those of you who have filled out surveys and attended talk-backs. There have

already been a number of insights gleaned from the information that has been received. In August, perhaps during worship,

Pastor Rose will share some of the highlights from the surveys and talk-backs. There will be a couple of more surveys. Your

participation and patience are requested. The more solid, accurate information that we can gather, the more focused the Pastoral

Nominating Committee can be in selecting just the right Pastor to fill your pulpit. In addition, some new directions are being

suggested by the data that has been gathered thus far.

The following two pages are the results from the surveys taken thus far:

CONGREGATIONAL FUNDRAISING QUESTIONNAIRE

Do you feel that it is appropriate for the church to conduct fundraisers? Yes_37__ No_3__ Unsure_1__

Do you regularly participate in church fundraisers? Yes_41__ No_0__

What are kinds of fundraisers that you are most inclined to support? (Please check all that apply.) 42___dinners (soup suppers, turkey dinner, etc.)

22___social, fun events (Bunco, teas, jewelry exhibits, etc)

27___sales such as nut rolls, pies, etc.

23___car washes

___Others If so, what are other fundraisers that you would

support? Concerts (2), Auction, Bingo, Rummage Sales

Do you feel the church holds too many fundraisers or not enough? Too many __5_ Not enough_15__ Unsure__17_

Just enough 1

If yes, how many fundraisers a year do you think is appropriate?_6, 6-10,

2, 12, any amount, 4 total, 4, 1 per month

Do you feel that members of the congregation are asked too frequently to support fundraisers? Yes_3__ No_27__ Unsure __7_ Sometimes 2

Do you think that each ministry group (committee or group) should sponsor fundraisers? Yes__23_ No_14__ Unsure_4___

Would you rather be asked for a donation or participate in a fundraiser? Donate 7 Participate 23 Both 6 Depends of fundraiser 1

Do you make a pledge to the church each year? Yes_30__ No_7_ If no, do fundraisers discourage you from making a pledge?

Yes_1__ No_15__ Unsure__5__

If you pledge already, do fundraisers discourage you from raising your pledge?

Yes_5__ No__15_ Unsure_5___

Are there fundraising activities that you wish we would try that have not be tried before? Yes_8___ No_11__ Unsure_10___ If your answer is yes, what is your idea? Flea market, craft show (2), dinners/

suppers, circus, *bingo (3), rummage sale, fix-it shop, pancake breakfast

Are there any other ideas or feelings in regard to fundraising that you would like to share? Fundraisers to support river property and hold them there – several said, “ask more people to be involved.” – All ministry groups should have 1 big fund-raiser together – keep them simple

– have a fundraising committee to relieve the ministry groups – good fellowship that sometimes includes the community – * a 50/50 raffle

at all dinners – need to include the entire church, not just the ministry groups – bring things to church to be fixed and leave a donation –

sometimes when people try to help, others are not welcoming and are bossy.

*The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a position paper on gambling. The paper is not binding on congregations but in general the

paper discourages any activity that smacks of gambling.

STRATEGIC PLANNING SURVEY #2

The following is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about Worship and our Christian Education programs. Please rate the following state-

ments by circling the number that best agrees with your opinion.

With respect to WORSHIP:

The worship services are helpful and inspirational.

Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Strongly Agree

0 2 1 9 23

There is something for everyone in our worship services.


0 2 3 6 23

The music makes a positive contribution to our worship.


0 2 1 3 29

The setting of our sanctuary helps me to worship God.


0 1 2 13 17

I feel welcomed when I come to worship.


0 3 1 4 27

Our church is friendly towards worship visitors.


1 1 8 12 13

The preaching speaks to me and to the needs of others.


1 0 4 8 22

Our worship reflects God’s love and is faithful to the Presbyterian traditions.


0 0 4 11 19

SUGGESTIONS/COMMENTS

A couple of people said that “worship was a lot better than it used to be.”

With respect to CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:

Our Christian youth education program assists with understanding the Bible.


0 0 4 15 7

Our youth education program assists with understanding the life and work of

the church. – Strongly disagree 1 2 3 4 5 Strongly Agree

0 1 7 10 7

Our youth education program assists with knowing our Presbyterian heritage.


0 5 6 6 7

Our youth education program assists with finding ways to respond positively

to current issues and concerns.


0 0 5 11 8

Our teachers and leaders are effective.


0 0 5 6 15

Our teachers are given opportunities to develop their teaching skills.


0 6 6 6 7

There is variety in our educational programs.


0 3 4 10 6

There is a need for more adult education at Range Line.


0 2 3 9 14

If regular adult education opportunities were offered, I would attend.


1 2 9 11 6

I would prefer educational opportunities to be held on: (Circle all that apply)

Sunday Morning—13; Sunday Evening—4; Weekday during the day—2; Weeknight—11; Saturday—0; All – 1 (so anyone

could attend)

SUGGESTIONS/COMMENTS

“Nice if members would support what we have.”

“Not that familiar with CE.” (rated CE all 3’s)

“I think it would be nice to have rotating fellow-

ship/bible study at different members homes 1-2

per month to be better acquainted to one another

and grow in our faith together. I think educa-

tional opportunities for adults that promote life

skills through the Christian perspective could be

helpful. Some examples: parenting classes, shar-

ing your faith in the “real world”, helping others,

looking for opportunities in the community, a

health fair.”

**Note: 35 surveys were returned. Survey

handed out on June 14th.

Gary Railcats Game

Join us for the Range Line Presbyterian Church Outing to the Gary Railcats game. The game is on Sunday August 16, at 2 pm. We need 20 people to attend to get the group rate of $9.00 per ticket. There is a sign up sheet on the Bulletin Board in the Narthex if you are interested in going. We will need the money for tickets by July 26.

Attention Singers: Do you sing in the high school choir? Did you sing in college? Do you

wish you had more opportunities to sing?

The Kankakee Valley Community Chorus is looking for singers.

The Chorus was founded in 1994 but has been on hiatus for the last two years. Members

range in age from high school through adults and come from the surrounding area of northern

and central Jasper county, as well as Newton, Lake and Porter counties. This organization

seeks to bring together musicians of varied church affiliations to perform quality sacred and

secular musical literature. The season usually consists of two annual performances. The mission of the chorus is to offer

scholarships annually in addition to perpetuating a Christian ministry through choral music. There are 8-10 weekly rehears-

als before each performance. Rehearsals will begin at the end of September on Thursday nights. You don’t have to audition,

but most people read music. We will have a Christmas and a Spring concert in the next year.

If you are interested in being a part of this group this fall in preparation for a holiday performance, please send an email to

[email protected] Becky Osborn KV Community Chorus

Vernon would like to share this poem by Chris Zambernard

Sometimes I stroll in quietness And often think and dream, About this fast pace living On this "one way" journey stream.

There is so much hustle-bustle Seems to me we've lost the way, And we're caught in the web of blindness That can darken the brightest day.

Yet there's hope for those who search for a more contented life, There is peace that's so much greater Without burden, blindness, strife.

Just steer to the right lane of traffic And blend right in with the flow. For this lane was designed especially For those who want to go slow.

In this lane you will find life much simpler And with you new peace better see, A new world with eyes that see clearly For He touched me-miraculously.

Chris Zambernard

WE HAVE TREES!!

Thanks to the generosity of several people...several trees have been planted by Gardens in the Prairie in memory or in honor of a loved one. A BIG THANK YOU to Nancy Nethery for spearheading this project. She has a list of several others that want to donate and will be putting in an order soon. If

you are interested give her a call at 996-5675 Douglas Fir = In memory of Douglas Straughen Variegated Tulip tree = In memory of Matt Moosmiller Galaxy Magnolia tree = In memory of Rhonda Sommerville 2 - Prairie Fire Crabs = In memory of Janet Evans Brandywine Maple = Laslow Family Colorado Blue Spruce = Doug Wiseman Norway Spruce = In memory of Marge Fitzpatrick 2 - Fall Fiesta Sugar Maples = In memory of Billy Morrow Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple = In memory of Ray Zanders Chanticleer Pear - In memory of Janet Evans Chanticleer Pear - Nancy Nethery Galaxy Magnolia - Hayden Family ALSO BIG, BIG, THANKS to Nancy and her son Allan Nethery for watering the trees everyday for two weeks...it takes 2 hours every day!

CAN YOU WORK THE TICKET BOOTH AT THE FAIR??

We have once again been asked to man a ticket booth at the Lake County Fair.

August 7th to 16th. The shifts are only 3 hours. Saturday and Sunday the times

are 9:00—Noon, Noon-3:00, 3:00-6:00, 6:00-9:00. Weekdays just two shifts

3:00-6:00 and 6:00-9:00. We make about $1400 for the week. This money will

go to the purchase of a new sign for in front of our church. If you could volun-

teer one or two shifts, we’d appreciate it. It’s kind of fun seeing all the people

that come in + you get into the fair for free!! The sign up sheet is on the table in

the narthex, or call Susie 746-5719 if you can help. Thanks!

We had an excellent turn out for the first summer bible study at the Moore’s—

thanks for having us. Our next study will be hosted by Judy Sharp—11598 N. 400 W.

Wheatfield, IN 956-0562. Please come and join us. If you would like to carpool, let

Pastor Rose or Susie know. We will start at 7:00 pm.

Congratulations to Chris and Christa Werling who were married by Pastor Rose at Deep River County park on June 27th. Also to Ryan & Jamie Thompson who were married here at the church on July 4th.

Bob and Barbara Asher, Edna Jane Miller and Carl Skinner recently visited Dorothy McGlinn of Wil-

ford, AR. Dorothy is a former member of our church. She used to live south on Range Line Road. She

was very happy to have company. She asked many questions about the church and different ones. She

enjoys receiving the messenger and reading about our activities that are happening here. She will soon

be celebrating her 90th birthday. She still has a little garden and many flowers. She is active in her

church and enjoys many friends.

♦ TREES—Thanks to Nancy and all who donated! Sorry, guys, mowing will be a little harder. The yard

really looks great this year.

♦ MONTHLY SUPPER—The first was a huge success. It looks like this is something the community will

support. Please see if you can help out.

♦ Jerry combined our wheat crop. There are 3-4 acres north of the driveway that belongs to the church. Jerry

keeps it separate from his own crop. We’ll be getting a check for the crop soon!

♦ Roger and Joe have been busy hooking up the new oven and soon the dishwasher. Thanks for your exper-

tise!

♦ A number of our youth have been to camp. They reported a good time had by all!!

♦ Pastor Rose gave a wonderful service for a good friend of many in the church, Warren Creekmur. He was

Vernon’s brother-in-law. Thank you to the ladies for serving a funeral dinner for the family.

NOT OUR USUAL HOG ROAST??!@#

Plans are in the works for our annual Hog Roast. We are going to change it up a

bit this year. Plans are in the works for a blood drive, health fair, activities for kids,

and of course lunch. We have been talking with the Red Cross about offering the church as a shelter when

needed. Watch for more information in the next newsletter. Keep the date Saturday, August 29th open.

You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth'

from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren,'Purpose Driven Life '

author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California.

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said:

People ask me, What is the purpose of life?

And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants

us to be with Him in Heaven.

One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.

I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up

act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity..

We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready

to go into another one.

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more inter-

ested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in

Christ likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop,

back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.

Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all

times you have something good and something bad in your life.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.

And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems:

If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.'

But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to

heal Kay or make it easy for her- It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her charac-

ter, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when

the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money

or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.

So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two dif-

ferent passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit.. We made no major pur-

chases. Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.

Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor,

care for the sick, and educate the next generation.

Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was

liberating to be able to serve God for free.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?

Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for

my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to

know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I

am than what I do.

That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

COMING UP AT RANGE LINE:

SUMMER WORSHIP TIME 9:00 AM

July 2—Committee night 7:00 pm

July 20-24 Vacation Bible School 5:30—8:30

July 26—Bible School Program during worship

July 29—Summer bible study 7:00

August 5—Monthly Dinner 4:30 –7:00

August 6—Committee Night 7:00 pm

August 7—16th—County Fair ticket booth

August 16—Railcats game at 2:00 pm

August 20—Session 7:00 pm

August 29—Annual Hog Roast 10:00—2:00

August 30—Camp Sunday—Church Picnic

2009 SESSION MEMBERS AND THE

MINISTRY TEAMS THEY SERVE

Clerk of Session—Janet Moore

Buildings & Grounds—Roger Parks and Joe Kormendy

Christian Education & Youth—Chari Hayden and Juanita McElroy

Evangelism & Mission– Susie Hayden and Alene Moore

Fellowship & Membercare— Norma Lance and Becky Trippe

Stewardship, Finance & Administration — Jerry Moosmiller and Dale Straughen

Worship & Music — Judy Sharp and Betsy Kubisz

Youth Elder—Tiffany McElroy

Deacons—Bev Laszlo, Karen Drabik, Alan Dockweiler, Ella Jurs, Edna Jane Miller, Carl Skinner, Dawn Straughen, Maxine

Green

PLEASE HELP THEM OUT BY SERVING ON A MINISTRY TEAM THIS YEAR!

You can come each month to ministry team meeting the first Thursday at 7:00 pm or just offer to volunteer for lay leader,

childcare, special music, greeter for a month, usher, serve refreshments one Sunday. Be involved in your church family!!

Happy Birthday to…..

July 2—Drew Hayden July 5—Jep Blackmon

July 8—Melissa Banter

July 10—Gordon Schontube

July 11—Amanda Banter

July 13—Kelly Tokarz

July 15—Tiffany Novotny

July 21—Mary Lou Parks

July 23—Susie Hayden

July 24—Carl Banter

July 27—Irene Schontube

July 30—Robert Hayden

August 3—Norma Lance

Richard Mangiaracina

August 5—Jeremy Hayden

August 15—Debbie Fritts

August 18—Jacinda Hayden

August 21—Kelly Blank

August 25—Judy Sharp

August 28—Conner Hayden

Bruce Osburn

Happy Anniversary to…. July 4—Ed & Candy Carter

July 7—Darold & Alene Moore

July 11—Jerry & Susie Hayden

July 26—Jep & Roylene Blackmon

July 28—Jake & Sarah Graegin

August 14—Matt & Roberta Bryant

August 26—Chris & Alicia Mogan

August 30—Curt & Debbie Fritts

PRAYER REQUESTS

Gladys Osburn Vernon Childress

Lillian Piske Alice Rinkenberger

Gertrude Sullivan Roy Brumbaugh

Sally & Clarence Bradley Norma Tyler

Larry & Sheryl Lynn White Richard Straughen If you know someone who should be on the Prayer List, please

contact the church at (219) 996-8746 or [email protected] .

There will not be a Messenger pub-lished in August. I will get one out before the end of August with the

Fall information in it.

To everyone at the home of:To everyone at the home of:To everyone at the home of:To everyone at the home of:

THE MESSENGER

RANGE LINE PRESBYTERIAN

18095 CLAY STREET

HEBRON, IN 46341

The Italian Dinner we served in July was interesting and profitable. The net profit was $939 and was given to session to decide where it can best be used. We learned a lot!! Since we sold about 80 tickets before the dinner, we estimated we would probable serve a little MORE THAN 100. We ran out of food, returned the cost of the tickets and apologized!! LESSON LEARNED: encourage the congrega-tion to buy and sell tickets so we can make a better estimate of the number to be served. Maxine Green sold 31 tickets and Nancy Nethery sold 21. We offered to give the family who sold the most tickets a gift certificate of $15 for Dairy Queen, however, Maxine decided to donate the $15 to the church. The team would like to

sincerely thank those of you who bought and sold tickets, helped with the preparation of the dinner, made des-serts, took tickets, served at the dessert table, served at the window, took care of the carry outs, did dishes, set up the fellowship hall, cleaned up, made tickets, and put the information on our "road signs"!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, August 7th Roast Pork Dinner 4:30-7:00 p.m.

We have decided to ask for donations for desserts.

Many of you offered and that really would be very much appreciated. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex for desserts for the dinner. PLEASE BUY AND SELL TICKETS, MAKE A DESSERT AND

HELP WHERE YOU CAN!!!

Documents

“Serving God With Love and Joy As We Reach Out to All People” · “Serving God With Love and Joy As We Reach Out to A JULY/AUGUST— 2009 Worship Schedule: Summer Worship—9:00