First Reports First Presbyterian Church Evansville, Indiana

www.firstpresevansville.com

FEB 2017

Back home in the Keystone State, the folks in Punxsutawney are getting ready for their annual moment-in-the-sun (or shadows). Early on February 2, the good folks who live in Punxsutawney (a Lenape word for “town of the mosquitoes”) will haul themselves out to Gobbler’s Knob before dawn and awaken the resident rodent of renown, Punxsutawney Phil, and ask him if he sees his shadow. As you can clearly see in the picture above, they get all gussied up – a black tie event – and ask a groundhog for a meteorological prophecy. Then, when finished, they all go and eat pancakes. And we all await the word from Gobbler’s Knob. We want to know if the groundhog sees its shadow. Will winter be over, or will it go on for six more weeks? I tell you all of that, because it makes getting up on a Sunday morning, dressing respectably, and driving to a heated and comfortable church building seem all that much easier. We’ve got good news, too! And, if it would be more enticing, we can talk about going out for pancakes. See you in church! Kevin Scott Fleming, Pastor

Check out our website

There’s lots of information about First Presbyterian Church on our website. You can download print

copies of sermons, watch sermons on-line, catch up on the latest news, and make contributions.

Visit us at: www. firstpresevansville.com

s February Worship

The Sundays After Epiphany continue throughout the month of February, as we hear stories of how God was made known in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Our worship will follow these themes during the month of February:

February 5 “High Sodium Living” “You are like salt for everyone on earth. But if salt no longer tastes like salt, how can it make food salty?” February 12 “The Life That Really Is Life” “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” February 19 “Living Beyond the Letter of the Law” “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven…” February 26 “Enlightened Faith” “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him.”

In our Book of Order, we are reminded:

Christian worship joyfully ascribes all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God. In worship the people of God acknowledge God present in the world and in their lives. As they respond to God’s claim and redemptive action in Jesus Christ, believers are transformed and renewed. In worship the faithful offer themselves to God and are equipped for God’s service in the world.

In the community gathered for worship, we are reminded of who God is and who God calls us to be. Life finds its balance in this discovery. We look forward to seeing you in worship throughout the month of February!

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated on Sunday, February 5 and Sunday, February 29, at 8:30 and 10:30 am.

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s Sunday Morning Seminar

s Nourished for Life

First Pres’ own Kristi Cirignano is a certified Life Health and Wellness Coach and we’re delighted to announce that Kristi will be leading two workshops to help parents give their kids a rich and healthy life. Here’s the schedule for February: LEAN ESSENTIALS WORKSHOP – Tuesday, February 7, 7:00-9:00 p.m. – A fun, fast-paced, interactive workshop to give parents an introduction to LEAN principles (Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude, and Nutrition) to help their children be their best. $20 fee includes a healthy snack and all activities and information! LEAN START WORKSHOP SERIES – beginning Wednesday, February 15, 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Three weekly, 2 hour workshops geared towards parents of children ages 3-12. Wednesday evenings February 15, 22, and March 1. LEAN Start teaches simple, scientifically based solutions that focus on whole food nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes to help our children feel, behave, learn, and grow to be the healthiest and best they can possibly be. $60 fee includes all six sessions, the LEAN Start Guide written by Dr. William Sears, healthy snacks, activities, and door prizes. Visit nourished-for-lite.com for more information or contact Kristi Cirignano, CHC at 812-760-6527 or Kristi@nourished-tor-life.com for more information and to reserve your spot. We thank Kristi for her commitment and her offer to share this important information.

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We’re introducing something new in the month of February. On Sunday mornings, from 9:30-10:15 a.m., we are offering a short-term study of Richard Rhor’s book, Great Themes of the Old Testament. Lasting just six-weeks, this seminar will do exactly what the title of Father Rohr’s book details. We will look at six of the major themes of the Old Testament. The schedule includes:

Sunday, February 5 The Call: Introduction to the Word Sunday, February 12 Exodus: the Journey of Faith Sunday, February 19 Joshua to Kings: The Ordinary Become Extraordinary Sunday, February 26 The Prophets: Radical Traditionalists Sunday, March 5 Genesis and Job: God and Humankind, Good and Evil Sunday, March 12 Salvation History: Faith in Evolution

The course will be taught in Kerr Chapel from 9:30-10:15 a.m. The cost of the book is $13. You can register for the course by calling the church office (812-423-6297) or online at https://www.facebook.com/events/1217311431656475/

Friday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m. First Pres’ own Director of Music, Robert Nicholls, presents the Advent and Christmas portions of J.S. Bach’s Orgelbüechlein, a collection of Chorale Preludes for the liturgical year. The Orgelbüchlein ("Little Organ Book") BWV 599-644 is a collection of 46 chorale preludes for

organ written by Johann Sebastian Bach. All but three of them were composed during the period 1708-1717, while Bach was court organist at the ducal court in Weimar. The remaining three, along with a short two-bar fragment, were added in 1726 or later, after

Bach’s appointment as cantor at the Thomasschule in Leipzig. Robert will inform us of the intricacies and unique aspects of each of the chorales. The chorales will be sung in English by the audience led by a small choir prior to Bach’s Chorale setting. The organ sounds for each piece will be different and explained in the program. While the concert begins at 7:00 p.m., we invite you to join us for coffee and desert at 6:30 p.m. in the Church Parlor. We might also suggest trying out one of the excellent restaurants in the Haynie’s Corner neighborhood. We’ll be looking for you on Friday evening, February 3!

Still Loved is an Evansville, IN based group focused on making our local Christian community more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people and their straight allies. We seek to provide healing and community for LGBTQ+ folk, and their straight allies, who have been rejected or hurt by non-inclusive churches. We also seek to lift up and increase the number of open and affirming or otherwise inclusive churches in Evansville, as well as in the broader Tri-State area. An LGBTQ+ & Straight Allies Faith Discussion Panel will take place on Friday, February 17, 6:30-8:00 p.m., in Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church. Join us as Lisa and Bill Muller, Troy Duncan, and Jerusha Van Camp share the stories of their faith journeys with us. This is an exciting and positive new way for the church to reach out to all people. We are delighted to host this first gathering and encourage all of our members and friends to attend the discussion panel and lend their support to their sisters and

brothers in faith.

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s Still Loved

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“All Nature seems at work; slugs leave their lair, The bees are stirring; birds are on the wing, And winter, slumbering in the open air, Wears on his smiling face a dream of spring; And I, the while, the sole unbusy thing, Nor honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing.”

– Samuel Taylor Coleridge

s Presbyterian Women Bible Study

Since September the PW Bible Study series, Who is Jesus?, has been looking for answers to that question from well-known scripture. Beginning in March we will turn to less familiar sources for additional perspectives about Jesus. On Wednesday, March 1, we will consider passages about Jesus from several non-canonical gospels. First we’ll talk about the canon (it’s NOT a big gun!) and what “non-canonical” means. Then we’ll read passages from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, the Infancy Gospel of James, the Gospel of Peter, and the Gospel of Thomas. If you want to do some advance reading, look at Lesson 7 in the Study Book or review the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke. Then, join us (whether you do some preparation or not) at 12:30 in Kerr Chapel, for about an hour, on Wednesday, March 1.

Are you low on energy? Are you strapped for time? Do you wish you could get more involved in the mission work of the church, but don’t think your body or your schedule is up to it? Well…there are other ways to do your part. Here’s one we just learned about from First Pres’s own Jim Edrington who is a regular volunteer at United Caring Services (UCS) which serves three meals a day to elderly, disabled, near- homeless, and homeless men, women, and children. That’s a lot of meals! And everyone needs a napkin for their fingers and mouth. For a few dollars a week, a month, or just “every so often,” you can bring a package of paper napkins to the church. Bringing it Sunday morning is fine. Leave it under the table with the bins for recycling items just outside the parlor door. Jim will do the rest…taking whatever he finds there to the Day Shelter at UCS. The clients, staff and volunteers at UCS will be very grateful!

s A Simple Act of Kindness

1 WEDNESDAY 12:00 p.m. Lunch Power Yoga - all levels 12:30 p.m. Presbyterian Women Circle 2:00 p.m. Little Lambs Store Open 2 THURSDAY 3:30 p.m. PYE 6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 3 FRIDAY 6:30 p.m. First Light 7:00 p.m. Bach’s Orgelbüchlein (Part I) 4 SATURDAY 10:00 a.m. Little Lambs Store Open 5 SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. Wide Awake Worship 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Hour 6 MONDAY 10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 12:00 p.m. Lunch Power Yoga - all levels

6:00 p.m. NA Group

The Book Group meets every 2nd Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in Kerr Chapel. Copies of the book to be discussed, discussion questions, and a complete schedule are available in the church office. For more information on the Book Group, contact Helen Templeton (476-5851; h.templeton@twc.com). On Monday, February 13, the group will discuss This Earth of Mankind by Pramoedya Ananata Toer.

7 TUESDAY 12:00 p.m. Power Hour Yoga - all levels 4:00 p.m. Choir School 7:00 p.m. LEAN Essentials Workshop 8 WEDNESDAY 12:00 p.m. Lunch Power Yoga - all levels 2:00 p.m. Little Lambs Store Open 6:00 p.m. Justice/Diversity Team 7:00 p.m. Deacons Meeting 9 THURSDAY 3:30 p.m. PYE 6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

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21 TUESDAY 12:00 p.m. Power Hour Yoga - all levels 4:00 p.m. Choir School 6:15 p.m. Welcome Team 22 WEDNESDAY 12:00 p.m. Lunch Power Yoga - all levels 6:00 p.m. Session Meeting 6:30 p.m. Central HS Choir Concert 7:00 p.m. LEAN Start Workshop 23 THURSDAY 3:30 p.m. PYE 4:45 p.m. Little Lambs Board 6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 24 FRIDAY 6:30 p.m. First Light 25 SATURDAY 8:45 a.m. First Pres serves at the Diner 10:00 a.m. Little Lambs Store Open 26 SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. Wide Awake Worship 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Hour 27 MONDAY 10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 12:00 p.m. Lunch Power Yoga - all levels 6:00 p.m. NA Group 28 TUESDAY 12:00 p.m. Power Hour Yoga - all levels 4:00 p.m. Choir School

We serve at The Diner at The Potters’ Wheel on the 4th Saturday each month between 8:45 and 11:30 a.m.

Please contact Ronda Hurt at 425-5991 or rondah01@wowway.com to volunteer.

10 FRIDAY 6:30 p.m. First Light 11 SATURDAY 10:00 a.m. Little Lambs Store Open 12 SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. Wide Awake Worship 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 11:45 a.m. Fellowship Hour 13 MONDAY 10:00 a.m. Mission Committee 10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 12:00 p.m. Lunch Power Yoga - all levels 6:00 p.m. NA Group 6:30 p.m. Book Group: This Earth of Mankind 14 TUESDAY 12:00 p.m. Power Hour Yoga - all levels 4:00 p.m. Choir School 15 WEDNESDAY 12:00 p.m. Lunch Power Yoga - all levels 2:00 p.m. Little Lambs Store Open 7:00 p.m. LEAN Start Workshop 16 THURSDAY 3:30 p.m. PYE 6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 17 FRIDAY 6:30 p.m. First Light 6:30 p.m. Still Loved: Stories of Faith 18 SATURDAY 10:00 a.m. Little Lambs Store Open 19 SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. Wide Awake Worship 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Hour 20 MONDAY 10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 12:00 p.m. Lunch Power Yoga - all levels 6:00 p.m. NA Group

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s Presbyterians at Work in the World

Pokr Vedi village is home to 3,000 souls, Christians nestled in the valley of Noah’s Mount Ararat between Turkey, Russia and Iran. Residents of the Armenian village remember ancestors brutally exiled and annihilated by the Ottomans 100 years ago – a horror still unrecognized by Turkey, whose closed border lies just a few miles away. Just 25 years ago these villagers lived under the Soviet state and have struggled to provide for their families ever since. How does one subsist with no resources to cultivate his land or her business? How does one recover faith after genocide and atheism? For the last several years, the Jinishian Memorial Program has helped these villagers form an agricultural cooperative to share equipment, technology, marketing tools and the vision not merely to survive but to move from communism to community. Low-interest loans, vital to their small businesses, were previously impossible to obtain. The Jinishian program fosters economic development through micro-lending to hundreds of farmers throughout Armenia. Participants in the Pokr Vedi cooperative faithfully repay their loans and have begun to flourish. To further encourage the community to invest in its own growth, Jinishian sponsored a grant competition. Pokr Vedi’s proposal to repair their kindergarten won the grant. Residents here trace their faith to the village’s ancient Khor Virap monastery, where St. Gregory the Illuminator miraculously survived years of imprisonment and starvation to share Christ with the pagan king around 300 A.D. Today, the Jinishian program helps send thousands of children from Armenian villages to summer camp to encounter this God – who is still freeing and feeding the children he loves – for themselves.

from the Presbyterian News Service: http://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/new-hope-old-village/

Our weekly giving supports the work of Presbyterian Mission in the world. Through your faithfulness, your are supporting the Jinishian Memorial Program.

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s Looking Ahead to March

Wednesday, March 1 Ash Wednesday Service Simple Supper at 5:30 p.m. Service with Imposition of Ashes at 6:15 p.m. Friday, March 3 First Friday Organ Concert Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 5 Lenten Choral Evening Prayer Sanctuary, 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 18 “The Gospel According to Mark” A Lecture by Mark Twain Soup Supper at 6:00 p.m. The trouble begins at 7:00 p.m.

“Out in a world of death far to the northward lying, Under the sun and the moon, under the dusk and the day; Under the glimmer of stars and the purple of sunsets dying, Wan and waste and white, stretch the great lakes away. Never a bud of spring, never a laugh of summer, Never a dream of love, never a song of bird; But only the silence and white, the shores that grow chiller and dumber, Wher’ever the ice winds sob, and the griefs of winter are heard. Crags that are black and wet out of the grey lake looming, Under the sunset’s flush and the pallid, faint glimmer of dawn; Shadowy, ghost-like shores, where midnight surfs are booming Thunders of wintry woe over the spaces wan.” – Wifred Campbell, The Winter Lakes

s Church Officers

2017 Session – First Presbyterian Church

As in all Presbyterian congregations, the Session is the leadership team or governing board of the church, responsible for all areas of the church’s life and ministry. It includes the pastors and

three classes of elders serving three-year terms of service, all elected by the congregation.

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Bill Asbury Rob Henson Dick Bernhardt Andy Hubbard Lynn Kyle David Logsdon Lisa Jones Penelope Pennington Wayne Rinks Lynn Richard Rich Siegert Andrew Singleton

Kevin Fleming, Pastor, serves as Moderator.

2017 Board of Deacons – First Presbyterian Church

In Presbyterian congregations, Deacons are ministers of sympathy, witness and service, after the example of Jesus. At First Pres, they are involved in congregational care, hospitality and fellowship, and bereavement. Deacons also serve in three classes for terms of three years

each. Deacons are elected by the congregation and accountable to the Session.

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Suzanne Aiken Nancy Erwin Elli Rinks Jim Edrington Kate McKinney Katie Ruthenburg Marjorie Hubbard Wally Paynter Lauren Ruthenburg Carrie Moore Jeanna Roggenkamp Jenny Singleton Don Qualls Kathy Simpson Julie Williams Susanne Stein Sarah Wolf

2017 Board of Trustees – First Presbyterian Church

The Trustees at this church are responsible for managing and investing the church’s endowment and trust funds and providing for the church’s appropriate insurance coverage.

They serve in three classes for three-year terms. Trustees are elected by the congregation and accountable to the Session.

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Michael Thissen Larry Arp Jean Beckman Scott Wylie Craig Ehlen Mark Krahling

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The Caring Connection

In the Life of Our Congregation . . .

We support: Al Shepherd, as he recovers following a

fall; Family and loved ones of Sally Eissler,

following her January death; Chandler and Jingle Hagey, as Chandler

recovers from a stroke; Family and loved ones of Ruth Wahoski,

following her January death; We remember in prayer:

Bill Asbury, Dorothy Becker, BC Lee, Margaret Spore;

We congratulate:

Sarah and Anny Pearce upon their January marriage;

We thank:

First Presbyterian Church officers: those retiring from service, those continuing to serve, and those serving for the first time;

We update our directories:

Joy Pullen and Tracy Shaw 1301 Connor Court Nolensville TN 37135 Jane Stalions Apartment 213 5311 Rosebud Ln Newburgh IN 47630 John and Shirley Weber 10778 Emma Lane Newburgh IN 47630 812-490-4025 jhweber72@gmail.com Don’t forget to keep the office updated

with all your current contact information, including college addresses!

Happy February Birthday!

Ehlen, Peg 01 Kim, Rumi 01 Robertson, Sharon 02 Meeks, Marcia 04 Carr, Micheil 05 Adams, Lin 06 Woolsey, Stephanie 06 Hubbard, Oliver 07 McKinney, Linus 07 Lovins, Julie 09 Winnecke, Ralph 10 McKinney, Jarvis 11 Asbury, Bill 12 Haynie, Charles 13 Coleman, Sarah 14 Ehlen, Craig 14 Hubbard, Francie 16 Mosley, BJ 16 Russell, Ben 16 Musgrave, Margaret 17 Williams, Olivia 17 Wolf, Susie 17 Weber, Shirley 19 Strange, Jr., John 21 Summers, Gerald 21 Oglesby, Carol 22 Hubbard, Andy 26 Anderson, Mary 27 Hills, Dave 27 Engel, Jon 28

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NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID

EVANSVILLE IN PERMIT NO. 909

First Presbyterian Church 609 South East Second Street Evansville, IN 47713-1107

Upon the earth the snow kisses Glittering flakes drop as the ice glistens My soul has awaken and now my heart listens In my mind your voice whispers When I close my eyes at night I dream of you When I awake to the morning dew I think of you Somehow I feel in your arms is where I belong I’ve waited for someone like you for so long Now my heart beats with a happy rhyme Couldn’t have asked for a better Valentine

– Angela M. Torrence