Community Press A publication of Community Presbyterian Church

Rochester, MN

July 2017

Community Presbyterian is “an open-hearted, open-minded Christian community sharing a ministry of faith, hope and love.”

Community Presbyterian Church is a proud member of the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA). We were found-ed by a group of Rochesterites who were committed to building a church based on the simple idea that Christians should be “open-hearted, open-minded.” We’re located at 3705 55th Street NW, just across from Sam’s Club.

Join us for worship at 9:30 Sunday mornings! You are welcome to join us on this journey of faith!

Community Presbyterian News Flash!!!The Spirit is moving us! And the church is literally getting a new address!

I wish you all could have been at last night’s session meeting! From this pas-tor’s perspective it was one of the most healthy and productive meetings I’ve ever been too. It just seemed like all the right ingredients were there... We started off by sharing our hi’s and low’s, and checking in with one another, and then we and lifted up our hi’s and low’s in prayer. It was a powerful night of dialog and of sharing highlights of the many events and ministries that happen around Community. I wish you could have been there!

The conversation that brought the most life and enthusiasm happened when we looked at some local street maps, and we read the contents of recent letters to our church:

Community Presbyterian Church, As you may know, the City of Rochester Public Works is reconfiguring the 55th St. NW / W Circle Dr. NW intersection this year. The reconfiguration will change the street you access, which will necessitate an address change for your building.

Your southern driveway will have access to a new street, Fairway Place NW, at the completion of the project (September 15, 2017). This will require an address change from 55th St. NW to Fairway Place NW. Your street number will be unaf-fected, so your new address will be:

Community Presbyterian Church, 3705 Fairway Place NW, Rochester, MN 55901---

The Session and your Transition Pastor see opportunity... The Spirit is moving us! So much that the church is literally getting a new address.

This Fall, the long season of road construction will finished. This will result in greater safety for our neighborhood and a better traffic flow. We hope that you'll join us in getting the word out and seeing this as an opportunity for Commu-nity to have greater flow of of people into our church.

There's an excitement in the air and we are grateful so much happens at Community that benefits our community. The Session your Transition Pastor are committed to making this a smooth transition. We value your support, encourage-ment, and certainly your prayers.

Ronda Marshall, Dave Copeland, Gene Kopecky, Mark Neville, Ivy Pillers, Amanda Ross, Mary Alice Richardson, and Pastor Steve Pannkuk

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SessionThe Session is the governing board of the church. It consists of six ruling elders, elected for three years. Much of the business of the church is conducted through committees. Each ruling elder chairs one of the committees. The Pastor, who is a teaching elder and moderator of Session, is an ex-officio member of every committee. Class of 2017 Ronda Marshall Finance and Stewardship Mark Neville Worship and Music Amanda Ross Christian Education

Class of 2018 Dave Copeland Nominating Ivy Pillers Mission

Class of 2019 Gene Kopecky Building and Grounds Officers: Mary Alice Richardson Clerk (Non-voting) Kim Nickander Financial Secretary (Non-voting) Joanne Powell Treasurer (Non-voting)

2017 Nominating Committee Ann Hesley, Stacy Kopecky, Mary Meyer and Jeanette Hallbeck

Membership (a sub committee of Mission) Chairperson: Stacy Kopecky

DeaconsThe Board of Deacons is responsible for ministering to all those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to all those who may be in distress. Deacons provide meals and transportation, among other requested needs. They maintain the Prayer Chain. Deacons are elected in classes of two for three years.

Head of Staff/ Transitional Pastor Pastor Steve PannkukChoir Director Meg BritainPianist Glenna Muir Bell Choir Director Judy KereakosCustodian Nancy Sanford Office Manager Stephanie PaschMinisters to the world Congregation Members

Community Presbyterian Church 2017 Leadership

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019Peggy McCarty Carol Bigelow Louis Bouchard Bernie Nicholson Jennifer Hall Mary Meyer

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Celebrations and Thanks!

Christian Education

On Sunday, June 25, Pastor Steve mentioned a devotion on a website.

The website is www.twolisteners.org.

There is a choice of God at Eventide (see example to the right) and God Calling. You can read or download devotions from the website or sign up to have them e-mailed to you!

Thank you to Carole Kinion Copeland for sanding and painting the sculpture in the garden! It looks great!

Thank you to Gene and Stacy Kopecky for taking care of the air conditioner emergency/water leakage on the week-end of June 17!

Birthdays and Anniversaries can be found in the print edition of the newsletter - pick one up at church!

Membership

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Looking for something to do this summer? Join us at Mayo Park for a Down by the Riverside Free Concert featuring Cassadee Pope on July 23 at 7 pm. Plan to arrive early! Sign up in the narthex so we can coor-dinate a meeting spot!

Contact Marcia B. with questions!

Wednesday, July 26, 5-8 pmFeaturing ZackaryZ Band and Incognito

Plan to meet up for great music and pizza! Bring your own beverage and chair. Pizza is CASH ONLY. Sign up in the narthex! Contact Stacy K. with questions.

Save the Date! Annual Church Picnic is scheduled for Friday, August 4! Watch the bulletins and e-blasts for more information!

Worship and Music

Your help is needed for Worship!Our Worship Volunteers create a warm, welcoming, and orderly environment so the focus of our worship services can remain on worship. Volunteering as a Worship Assistant, Greeter, or Liturgist is an important way to contribute to the CPC community. Nursery Volunteers and Refreshments Hosts are also needed.

Sign up on the sign-up sheet is in the Narthex or contact the church office.

The 39 Forever group annual potluck picnic will be Saturday, July 22 at Ann H.’s home. We will meet at 4:00 for a social, gathering time with dinner at 5:00 pm. Sign up with what dish to share you are bringing. Please bring your own utensils. Beverages will be provided. Questions call Ann.

39 ForeverPotluck Picnic

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Mission

On Sunday, June 4th, we collected the PCUSA Special Offering for Pente-cost. This offering is collected to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and support our congregation’s efforts of faith formation in the first third of

• Backpacks (Lg. 19”)• Notebooks, one subject,

wide-ruled, spiral (colors - red, blue, yellow, green)

• Folders, two pocket (colors - red, blue, yellow, green)

• Pens (black or blue)• Markers (washable)

• Colored Pencils (box)• Crayons (24 pack)• Highlighters (yellow)• Pencil Box/Pouch• Glue Sticks • Highlighter (thick/yellow)

Running Start for School is a community backpack and school supply drive for Olmsted County students in need!

Learn more: www.uwolmsted.org/RunningStart

Questions? Contact Emily Johnston:(507) 287-2002

runningstart@uwolmsted.org

Bring your donation to CPC by July 23rd!

life. Our congregation designated PossAbilities of Rochester to receive 40% of the offering. The other 60% will be sent to the Presbyterian Mission Agency to support national initiatives of the PC-USA focused on helping children, youth and young adults develop their life of faith through supportive communities, caring mentors, and faith-related nurture and service. This year, Community Presbyterian collected $467.00, of which $186.80 will go to PossAbilities. Thanks!

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From the Pastor’s DeskIn recent messages, we have been going over the essentials of being a disciple, building trust, and reminding you of what you already know...

The following from the letter I read our five Confirmation students on June 4:

Dear Child of God,What a day it is to be with you, your family and friends, today! Your day of Affirming and Confirming your faith is my first official Sunday at Community. There is always something new and fresh at the church. Together we are truly blessed!

I am called as a pastor to speak for God the Father, for Jesus Christ the Son and for the Holy Spirit. At the same time I’m called to speak for the saints who are now with them and the saints who are here now.

Some years ago, your family gathered with some of these same people, and water was poured, candles were lit, songs were sung and prayers were prayed. At your baptism, your family gathered with all the saints and they made promises with God.

Covenant Promises…That they would love you forever and always, and they would raise you up and pass onto you what had been passed onto them, the true amazing story of God’s forever love and God’s plan.

Today we gather again and we say “Amen and Alleluia” for your promises made, your intention.There is so much more I want to tell you that God must be saying. But, let me speak today some core essentials of the faith we affirm.• You are blessed …to be a blessing!• You are not alone, God is with you, Emmanuel, forever and always, Amen!• You are needed here and in the world that God created!• You are wanted here and in the world that God created!• Life can be really hard… We’ve been there, too! Again, you are not alone!• When you feel your worst – farthest away from God, that’s when God’s the closest!• You’ve got power like those first disciples, to heal, forgive, speak, and together you’ll change the world!• “Do a small thing with great love” one of my favorite quotes, sums it up well!• You’ve got a purpose you are a part of God’s love and God’s plan• Practice here, practice out there!!!! Live it out - out there and come back here for rest and encouragement!• When you encounter doubt, its OK because God wants your faith to deepen, to grow (but don’t get stuck

there!)• You’ve got power and with that power comes responsibility!!! You are stewards – caretakers of what is God’s

and not your own… and with these gifts, the earth and all that is in it, comes great responsibility to the saints here now but also to the saints of the future!

• God is still speaking, still breathing (breathe with me) and you take in God’s breath, God’s love, and God’s plan – and you are an active partner with God in that love and that plan!

• God needs you!!!!There are so many more things we want to pass onto you Abby, Dalton, Keara, Peter, and Jackson; and there’s so many things that you have to share with us. But, as I close, I can’t help but think of Jesus’ mother, Mary, when she was about your age. The angel, Gabriel, came to her with the most amazing news: “You’re going to have a baby and name him Jesus…” To which she said “Here, I am, the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to Your Word.”

Let each one of us be inspired and be so bold, O God, to pray that prayer for Your will to be done in our lives, O Lord. Thank you, O God for these five. We are blessed in them. In Jesus name, Amen.

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In the Garden

A Summer BlessingMay you walk with Godthis summerin whatever you dowherever you go.

Walking with God means...walking with honestyand with courage.Walking with love and respectand concern for the feelings of others

May you talk with Godthis summeron every dayand in every situation.

Talking with God means...praying words of praisefor the beauty of creation.Saying prayers of thanksfor friends and good times.

Asking God’s helpin all your decisions.Expressing sorrow when you have failed.May you talk with God every day. Amen.

©BeliefNet

Session Snapshot

June 27, 2017

This was our first session meeting moderated by Pastor Steve. It was such a good meeting that it lasted until 9:30 p.m. We all had a chance to laugh and get to know each other better, but Pastor Steve promised that our next session meet-ing would last no more than 90 minutes, not 150 minutes.

Session approved the Transitional Pastor’s contract.

Session approved the change in CPC’s phone service from Charter Communications that costs $256.00 per month to Google phone lines using Voice over IP phones that has an initial cost of approximately $500.00 and then is free. This saves CPC over $1200.00 each year.

CPC received notice that our address will be changing to 3705 Fairway Place NW on September 15. The Session has decided that we will celebrate the new address change on September 10 when we have our outdoor church service by having an ice cream social that afternoon. Please save the date on your calendar. More details will follow soon.

Sunday School will begin on September 17.

Community Presbyterian Church3705 55th Street NWRochester, MN 55901

Put these dates on your calendar!

July 23 Last Day to drop off Running Start School Supplies at CPC

July 22 39 Forever Potluck Picnic

July 23 Down By the Riverside Concert

July 26 Berne Wood-fired Grill Pizza and the ZackaryZ Band

A full calendar can always be found on the CPC website! www.cpcrochester.org

Did you know that you can support Community Presby-terian Church when you shop through Amazon. Go to smile.amazon.com, select Roches-ter Community Presbyterian Church and shop just as you normally would on amazon.com. A percentage of qualified sales will come back to CPC!

Around the Presbytery

I N T H E R E F O R M I N G S P I R I T !

Free Open to the Public

Do Luther’s reforming insights still speak? Come hear and converse with theologians as they address how Luther’s reforming insights speak to—and are redefined by—a range of current topics and issues. Sponsored by Luther Seminary and United Theological Seminary. Funded by the Minnesota Consortium of Theological Schools.

Contemporary Perspectives on Luther August 18-19, 2017

Northwestern Auditorium Luther Seminary 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN

Friday, August 18

9-10:15am Mark Thranvik, “Of Smelly Diapers and Cranky Kids: How Luther Turned His World Upside Down”

10:30-11:45am Deanna Thompson, “Luther in an Age of Trump: A Feminist Proposal”

1:15-2:30pm Steve Paulson, “Dangerous Luther: the Sound, the Fury and the Fun of Deus Absconditus”

2:45-4pm Kyle Roberts, “The Problem of Sanctification in Luther Reconsidered”

Saturday, August 19

9-10:15am Mary Lowe, “Totus Homo: the Embodied Person in Luther’s Thought and its Usefulness for Theologies of Embodiment”

10:30-11:45am Silas Morgan, “Luther as Political Theologian”

1:15-2:30pm Guillermo Hansen, “Luther, Faith and Cognitive Science”

2:45-4pm Paul Capetz and Lois Malcolm, Table Talk

FREE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

https://www.facebook.com/events/771495863024433/

Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area website: http://

www.presbyterytwincities.org/

PTCA weekly email newsletter... contact

communications@ptcaweb.org or go to the above website.

July 2017 - Community Presbyterian's Calendar

25

9:30am Worship

10:30am

Fellowship

1:05pm Honkers

Baseball Game

3:00pm

Redemption

Church

26

6:00pm Med City

Tai Chi Class

27

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

7:00pm Session

Meeting

28

6:30am Prayer

Group

12:00pm Bulletin

info due for both

7/2 and 7/9

29

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

30 1

2

9:30am Worship

with Communion

10:30am

Fellowship

3:00pm

Redemption

Church

3

Office Closed

6:00pm Med City

Tai Chi Class

4

Office Closed

6:00pm Brain

Injury Support

Group

5

6:30am Prayer

Group at CPC

6

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

7 8

9

Channel One

Sunday

9:30am Worship

10:30am

Fellowship

3:00pm

Redemption

Church

10

9:00am Med City

Driving

6:00pm Med City

Tai Chi Class

11

9:00am Med City

Driving

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

6:30pm Building

and Grounds

12

6:30am Prayer

Group

9:00am Med City

Driving

12:00pm Bulletin

info due

13

9:00am Med City

Driving

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

14

9:00am Med City

Driving

15

16

Noisy Can Sunday

9:30am Worship

10:30am

Fellowship

3:00pm

Redemption

Church

17

9:00am Med City

Driving

6:00pm Med City

Tai Chi Class

18

9:00am Med City

Driving

12:00pm Area

Presby Clergy

Group

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

5:30pm Finance &

Stewardship

19

6:30am Prayer

Group

9:00am Med City

Driving

12:00pm Bulletin

info due

20

9:00am Med City

Driving

12:00pm

Newsletter articles

due

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

21

9:00am Med City

Driving

22

39 Forever

4:00pm Social

Hour

5:00pm Potluck

Picnic

23

Running Start

donations due

9:30am Worship

10:30am

Fellowship

3:00pm

Redemption

Church

7:00pm Down By

The Riverside

24

6:00pm Med City

Tai Chi Class

25

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

7:00pm Session

Meeting

26

6:30am Prayer

Group

12:00pm Bulletin

info due

5:00pm Berne

Woodfired Pizza

and the ZackaryZ

Band

27

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

28 29

30

9:30am Worship

10:30am

Fellowship

3:00pm

Redemption

Church

31

9:00am Med City

Driving

6:00pm Med City

Tai Chi Class

1

9:00am Med City

Driving

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

6:00pm Brain

Injury Support

Group

7:00pm Christian

Education

Committee

2

6:30am Prayer

Group at CPC

9:00am Med City

Driving

12:00pm Bulletin

info due

3

9:00am Med City

Driving

5:15pm 4Kicks

Taekwondo

4

9:00am Med City

Driving

5:00pm Church

Picnic

5

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday