FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P.O. Box 188 - 6 KERYGMA · First Presbyterian Church 115 - 6th Ave. NW P.O. Box 188 Independence, Iowa 50644 - 6 Phone: 319-334-3523 Fax: 319-334-4134 Fax:

First Presbyterian Church

115 - 6th Ave. NW

P.O. Box 188

Independence, Iowa 50644

Come and

See!

- John 1:46

Phone: 319-334-3523

Fax: 319-334-4134

Email: [email protected]

Website: fpcindependence.com

THE SLURRY WALLS OF LIFE

2 All in the Family/

Synod 2014

3 10 Things You May Not

Know About Me/PW

4 VBS Memories

5 Window Project

6 Youth News

8 September & October

Worship Schedule/

Birthdays/Anniversaries

10 160th Celebration & Kickoff

11 Christian Ed News

KERYGMA

FIRST PRESBY TERIAN C HURCH

• Labor Day, September 1st • Nat’l Grandparents Day, September 7th • Patriot Day, September 11th

• First Day of Autumn, September 21st

• World Communion Sunday, October 5th • Columbus Day Observance, October 13th • Reformation Sunday, October 26th

Rev. John Hougen Home: (319) 334-5175


Church Office Phone: (319) 334-3523

Fax: (319) 334-4134

Office: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

Website www.fpcindependence.com

Staff Kathy Eilers

Youth Ministry Coordinator


Kathy Smith Secretary


George Hemmer Custodian

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

On Sunday, September 14, we will be celebrating our 160th anniversary. Stop and

think about that. 160 years of life and ministry and mission in Independence. I want to

encourage members and friends of FPC to come and join us on that Sunday. Following

our 10 AM worship service we will have fun and games for the whole family including a

picnic lunch sponsored by our Hospitality Team. At FPC we have a wonderful history.

There have been so many marvelous people who've been a part of this congregation

over the many years of its existence that have made this church a wonderful place to

worship, serve God, and form wonderful relationships with friends and family. And

while we have a rich history, we are not done by a long shot.

Our Property and Finance Team is currently engaged in a project to replace our

windows. They are starting to rot and we also would like to increase the energy

efficiency of them. We are currently undergoing a campaign for people to contribute to

our new windows which I hope you will consider contributing to. Our leadership is

committed to ensuring that our facility is kept current and looking nice. We are always

proud and pleased when visitors comment on how nice of a facility we have. Thanks to

the generosity and commitment of people like you we have a building we can be very

proud of and that supports the ministries in which we are engaged.

Beginning Wednesday, September 10, our Sunday school program is going to move to

Wednesdays. This is an attempt to increase attendance and participation not only by

our children but also our adults as well. Each Wednesday from 3:30 to 5:00 Treasure

Seekers (children age 3 through 6th grade) will gather for crafts, games, treats, music,

and a Bible story. On the first and third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7 PM

adults will gather for a study led by Pastor John. The start date for this is September

17 and our first study will be on the book of Esther. In addition at that same time on

the first and third Wednesday of each month our youth (grades 7-12) will gather for a

Bible study. Our youth group (grades 9-12) will also gather on Sunday evenings. Lastly

beginning on September 28 we will be starting a confirmation class for seventh and

eighth graders.

We are 160 years old but we are still going strong and doing wonderful things in our

community. Thank you for all you do to be a part of all that is going on in our

congregation. We are so thankful for your participation, for your generosity, and for

your presence among us. It's not the things that we do, it's the people that we do

those things with. At FPC we have a wonderful group of people and I am thankful to

God for each and everyone of you. Together we will trust God for the next 160 years.

Pastor John

Anniversaries, Windows, and Wednesdays

SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2014 P AGE 2

Many thanks to all who contributed to our

special music offerings this summer! We all

enjoyed your gift of song which made our

summer worship services more meaningful.

Bless you!

Melody Malek

TRIVIA NIGHT SEPTEMBER 28th at 6 p.m.

Proceeds go to the HOT program.

Synod School 2014 By Mary Klotzbach

We entered closing worship of Synod School as a line of African drums were beating

and the huge goose of the Holy Spirit was poised to send us back to our homes and

communities to be the church. We said Good bye to Veeda from Pakistan who warmed

our hearts with her accounts of the work of Presbyterian schools in her homeland. We

thanked Lois, a missionary and diplomat for 16 years in Central Africa and South Sudan

for allowing us to Scype the Boyd family and enquire about their work in education. We

thanked Bill Davnie for updates on Russia, Ukraine, and other mid East countries where

he had lived and worked for many years. And we embraced Elona, the Delaware Indian

woman who brought us up to date on the current status of American Indians.

Every morning before worship Bill Humphreys gave us a resume of daily news, ball

scores, and choice comics. Then the Dean, Jeff, led us in singing Happy Birthday to the

celebrants. This was followed by a family leading devotions. And then, Bob and the four

Sarahs acted the parts of Peter, Paul, Rhoda, Annanias, and Phillip to bring the Bible

stories alive. Children participated in worship before leaving for their classes led by

teachers doing the Conga.

Our Convocation speaker was Anna from McCormick Seminary and she spoke to us

from the perspective of our faith regarding evolution and resurrection, opening our eyes

to the wonders of God’s creation

The long list of daytime classes included Bible study, yoga, bell choir, basket weaving,

prayer shawls, art share, etc. We enjoyed visiting with old friends and making new

friends around the table eating delicious food from the Servery. In the evening there

were movies, mini classes, star gazing, and the Coffee House where families enter-

tained with singing, guitars, accordions, and other instruments. Back to our homes

with plans to attend another great year at Synod School.

We think Christian Education is important. We think giving our children and

adults a quality Christian Education experience matters.

So…

Starting Wednesday, September 10, we will begin something new.

Treasure Seekers: pre-school (age 3) through 6th grade will

gather every Wednesday from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. They will

have snacks, games, crafts, music, and a Bible lesson.

Questions? Visit with Kathy Eilers or Amber Krusey.

On the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings from 6:00

to 7:00 pm youth and adults will meet for Bible

Study. Youth in 7th to 12th grade will meet

together led by Kathy Eilers. The adults will meet

and be led by Pastor John.

Confirmation Class (7th and 8th grades) will be meeting

monthly. The first class will be Sunday, September 28,

8:30-9:30 am.

The Youth Group (grades 9-12) will meet Sunday evenings

from 6:30 to 8:00 pm (subject to change).

And now for something completely different...

KERYGMA P AGE 11

We will be having our Fall Kickoff and celebration of our 160th Anniversary NEXT Sunday, September 14th. Following worship there will be a picnic and activities for everyone. Thanks to our Spiritual Life and Hospitality Committees for organizing this event. They will be serving maid rites, hot dogs, chips and drinks and there will be ice cream to go along with our anniversary pies! Please bring a side dish to share and come for some fun!


TUG OF WAR Presbyterian Women met at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd at the church.

The Hostess was Lynda Fiester. Shirley Rozendaal introduced the new study,

“Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of II Corinthians”.

The Fall gathering will be in Mt. Pleasant on Saturday, October 4, 2014.

Quilting Sessions for the next couple of months will be September 9th, 23rd and

October 14th, 28th from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Any woman is welcome even if you’ve

never picked up a thread. If you have any questions call Ruth Liscum at 334-3515.

KERYGMA P AGE 3

1. I love games. It doesn't matter board, card, dice...I love to play. My favorite is backgammon.

2. I worked at my uncle's berry farm for many summers as a kid and could identify 10 different varieties of strawberries at one point.

3. I had a pet pig for a few months as a kid.

4. I was a nanny in Washington D.C. for 2 summers.

5. I worked at an all girls camp in the Adirondack Mountains of New York for 4 summers.

6. I did my student teaching at the American International School in Vienna, Austria.

7. For 2 weeks, I helped scientists collect data on an endangered species of zebra , Grevy in Kenya.

8. I love to bake cookies, cakes and pies.

9. I love to go hiking, camping and canoeing.

10. I love watching old movies from the 1930s and 40s. Katharine Hepburn is my favorite actress.


A special thank you to Janet Harms, Kelly Mitchell, Amanda Whitaker, Joni Ruffcorn, Kaylee & Kyle Eilers, Sean Geertsema, Brian Smith, Jenna Shonk, & Avri Ruffcorn for helping out with our Jungle Safari VBS!

~ Kathy Eilers

KERYGMA P AGE 9

2 Presley Conklin

3 Heather Johnson

Joseph Kaiser

4 Marian Conklin

7 Dorotha Sundquist

8 Judy Hess

Catherine Smith

9 Mari Butler

Eric Smith

10 Don Butler

11 Kathy Eilers

12 Mike Loveless

13 Jim Rozendaal

Laura Smith

14 Adam Ownby

15 Mary White

16 Angeline Sauer

20 Rick Frye

21 Lillian Cue

24 Talon Rodriguez

25 Allison Anderson

27 Braden Scott

Mike Hamilton

Samuel Hamilton

28 Bette Butler

30 Brock Eldridge

12 Monte & Lillian Cue

14 David & Chris Nelson

15 Steve & Beth Diers

18 Mike & Carrie Hamilton

Eric & Catherine Smith

19 Ryan & Kelly Mitchell

25 Jeremy & Jeanne Adams

Ushers: Co-Head Ushers: Roger Bahr, Don Mumm

5, 12, 19, 26: __________________________________________

Elder Greeters:

Oct: Norma DeJong, Melody Malek

Greeters: Children’s Sermon:

5: Dorotha Sundquist 5: Pastor John

12: Adams’ Family 12: Lynda Fiester

19: Mary Klotzbach 19: Janet Harms

26: Tammy Steenbock, Winona West 26: Melody Malek

Acolytes:

5, 12: Laura Smith, Katelyn Van Buren

19, 26: Alison Trimble, Jenna Smith

Flowers:

5: Margaret Ownby In Memory of Her Father

12: Hamilton Family in Memory of Douglas, James & Celia and Aunt Ruth Hamilton

19: Dorotha Sundquist

26: __________________________________________

Bulletins:

5: TeStrake Family

12: __________________________________________

19: Adams’ Family

26: __________________________________________

Fellowship Treats:

5: __________________________________________

12: Laura Smith For Her Birthday

19: Janet Harms

26: Andrea Ownby

Coffee Prep/Clean Up:

5: Frankie Bowden, Margaret Ownby

12: Andrea Ownby

19: Jon & Kim TeStrake

26: Tammy Steenbock


Ushers: Co-Head Ushers: Roger Bahr, Don Mumm

7, 14, 21, 28: Marcia Henderson, Justin Hougen

Elder Greeters:

September: Bill Burkett, Don Mumm

Greeters:

7: Frank & Sandy Sauer

14: Judy Hess, Ruth Hamilton

21: Lynda Fiester, Marcia Stoneman

28: Trimble Family

Acolytes: Children’s Sermon:

7, 14: Alison Trimble, Jenna Smith 7: Amber Krusey

21, 28: Anna Ruffcorn, Jenessa Barloon 14: John Butler

21: Mark Geertsema

28: Ruth Liscum

Flowers:

7: _______________________________________

14: Judy Olsen In Memory of Bill Heusinkveld

21: Audrey Conklin in Memory of Son, Jeff

28: Frankie Bowden in Memory of Arnie

Bulletins:

7: _______________________________________

14: Monte & Lillian Cue in Memory of Mother, Helen Nellist

21: _______________________________________

28: Frankie Bowden

Fellowship Treats:

7: Don & Carole Mumm

14: 160th Celebration

21: Frankie Bowden

28: The Trimble Family for Alison’s Birthday

Coffee Preparation/Clean Up:

7: Frankie Bowden, Margaret Ownby

14: Andrea Ownby

21: Jon & Kim TeStrake

28: Tammy Steenbock

1 Lucille Cottrell

Alicia Scott

3 Adam Nash

Melissa Savage

4 Megan Sorg

6 Tonia Weis

9 Clarence Rouse

10 Doug Kaiser

Lori Eschen

12 Jean Main

Dave Martin

13 Donna Jones

15 Tammy Steenbock

14 Jordan Geertsema

19 Marcia Henderson

20 Tony Rouse

Sondra Seward

21 Judy Olsen

Kyle Eilers

24 Bennett Diers

Shirley Rozendaal

26 Alison Trimble

3 Jason & Jaclyn Barber

Dale & Yvette Siglin

4 Mark & Leah Geertsema

9 Doug & Audra Kaiser

10 Tony & Dawn Rouse

15 Roger & Karen Bahr

28 Dick & Susan Watkins

29 Kevin & Pam Peterson

KERYGMA P AGE 5

Dear Friends of FPC,

Our Session, led by the Property and Finance Committee, has been

fully engaged in making our church building more energy efficient.

Recently we have installed new light bulbs throughout the building

that use a fraction of the electricity of our former bulbs. We have had

our insulation evaluated to ensure it is adequate. We have had energy

audits to determine what our needs are. We have concluded that our

single pane windows are very inefficient and costly. In addition a

number of our windows are starting to rot. It’s time to replace our windows.

We have 59 windows in our church. It will cost us $52,112.25 to replace them with a more energy

efficient (200% more efficient) double pane windows. We believe this is a project that is much needed

and which will have an immediate positive effect on our energy bills.

As part of our mission of adding value to the community we are committed to maintaining and improv-

ing our beautiful building. Our building is used not only by us, but by many organizations to include the

Scouts, the hospital, and the Red Cross to name a few. We enjoy hearing the nice comments about our

building and we are focused on it’s upkeep.

We are asking that you consider supporting our new window project. Your generous gift will assist us

in being more energy efficient and keep our building looking great. Each window will average $884.

Would you consider buying a window? Would you be willing to give something towards this project?

Please fill out the form below and return it to the church office.

And as always, thank you for your generosity.

Sincerely,

The Property and Finance Team

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I/We want to support the New Window Project. I/We will commit to buying a window for $884 or

giving ___________. I/We will give our gift:

_______ one time gift _______ weekly ________ monthly

Name(s) ___________________________________________


We were blessed again to be able to go to Nashville and work with the refugee kids at

the apartment complex. Thank you to everyone that made this journey possible.

Kathy Eilers

Thanks

to

Jeff &

Julie

Jetter

for

hosting

us in St.

Louis!

KERYGMA P AGE 7

Documents

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P.O. Box 188 - 6 KERYGMA · First Presbyterian Church 115 - 6th Ave. NW P.O. Box 188 Independence, Iowa 50644 - 6 Phone: 319-334-3523 Fax: 319-334-4134 Fax: