FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Mar... · 2020. 3. 1. · FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH—MARCH 2020 NEWSLETTER 1 A NOTE FROM ECCLESIAL OUR RESIDENT CHURCH MOUSE Well, February is behind us

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH—MARCH 2020 NEWSLETTER

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A NOTE FROM ECCLESIAL OUR RESIDENT CHURCH MOUSE

Well, February is behind us already. What a great month in the life of the Church! I’ve been watching Jan Smith working hard at cleaning out the CE Resource room on the fourth floor. She has been in here several days sorting, organizing, and getting rid of things that the church can’t use any-more. Maybe the church can’t use them but I had my eye on a few things to spruce up my nest. The closet looks great but my nest hasn’t changed at all! We had a Meet-N-Eat on a Sunday after service. The Fairborn School Chess Club Advisors came and gave us an update on what has been happening with their team – and to thank us for all the support we have giv-en them. We had a great meal of ham, macaroni & cheese, green beans, rolls - and to celebrate Presi-dent’s Day – there was apple and cherry pie with ice cream. We had a great crowd and everyone enjoyed the meal and hearing about this great program we are supporting. There was also an Ash Wednesday service – with a fel-lowship hour beforehand. Several folks provided fin-ger foods and desserts. This was a great way to start off Lent – sharing food, fellowship and a beautiful ser-vice, including the imposition of ashes. The Senior Center luncheon happened to be held on Ash Wednesday also. Again, my family and I were un-able to attend, but understand they had great vegeta-ble lasagna and all the trimmings. One of these months, we hope to get there and see what goes on. We understand they always have a great time, and love for church members to attend and share fel-lowship with the Fairborn community. The Thursday afternoon class is still going strong – and of course – there are snacks there also. I’m happy my family is Presbyterian – we love to cook and share with everyone. Spring and the renewal of all things living is upon us! God Bless all of you in this Lenten season!! ~Ecclesial Mouse

March 2020

LENTEN LITANY

Lent is a time to fast from certain things and feast on others. It is a season in which we: 1. Fast from judging others and feast on

Christ dwelling in them. 2. Fast from emphasizing our differences

and feast on the unity of all life. 3. Fast from apparent darkness and feast

on the reality of light. 4. Fast from thoughts of illness and feast on

the healing power of God. 5. Fast from gossip and feast on purposeful

silence. 6. Fast from discontent and feast on grati-

tude. 7. Fast from anger and feast on patience. 8. Fast from pessimism and feast on opti-

mism. 9. Fast from worry and feast on God’s provi-

dence. 10. Fast from complaints and feast on appre-

ciation. 11. Fast from negatives and feast on affirma-

tives. 12. Fast from hostility and feast on non-

violence. 13. Fast from bitterness and feast on for-

giveness. 14. Fast from self-concern and feast on com-

passion for others. 15. Fast from anxiety and feast on trust. 16. Fast from discouragement and feast on

hope. 17. Fast from lethargy and feast on enthusi-

asm. 18. Fast from suspicion and feast on truth. 19. Fast from thoughts that weaken and

feast on promises that inspire. 20. Fast from problems that overwhelm and

feast on unceasing prayer.


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CLERK’S CORNER

Session Recap

February 23, 2020

Pastor Kathleen Burslem led our opening devo-tions using the February 2020 Presbytery focus on Foundations of Presbyterian Polity: Principles of Order and Government from section F-3.02 of the Book of Order: “Principles of Presbyterian Govern-ment.” The Clerk reported a quorum was present. The roll of total members remains at 111. The January 2020 Financial Report prepared by Carolyn McMillan was distributed prior to the meeting. YTD Income $18,075.84; Expenses $17,100.91; Net $974.93 Session approved:

Approved the January 19, 2019 meeting minutes.

Approved the PCUSA 2020 Clerk’s report. Approved Sunday, March 15, 2020 as our next

regular meeting date. Committee Reports: CLS: Denominational offerings will be discussed in March. There will also be Lenten devotional cards from Bread for the World available in the lounge. CE Chair Jan Smith has cleaned the Resource room especially the bookshelves and filing cabinets. Hope Circle will clean the Nursery on March 4.

Operations: Drywall repairs and painting were com-pleted. Phone system issues were addressed. Due to the cost of replacing the entire phone system, the committee agreed to purchase new phones for the office area. The committee continues to work on ob-taining all the necessary paperwork needed before the Montessori School can officially move into the building. Personnel: No Report. Thank you volunteers for your dedication to staff the office. Presbytery Report: Ken Gadd reported on the meeting held at Springfield Covenant on February 8. Cindy Kohlmann, Co-Moderator of GA, was the spe-cial Presbytery guest who spoke about the history of our denomination, and also preached during the worship time. A video is available on the Presbytery website. An action item from COM requesting approval of an amendment to COM Policy and Practice related to temporary ministers and process for becoming an installed pastor was pulled for further review. A dis-cussion started with a question by Ken, quickly led to COM realizing that comments/suggestions raised needed to be addressed by COM. As our 2020 com-missioner, Ken asked session members to read the proposed amendment and provide feedback to him. Session reviewed the March Calendar moving the Session meeting to March 15, adding the date/time of the next Deacon’s meeting, and also adding COSI. Noting that FPC is a polling location for the Primary Election on March 17, we ensured that all arrange-ments have been made for access and use of the Fel-lowship Hall.

PASTOR SEARCH UPDATE—THE SEARCH IS OVER! It’s official. The Rev. Joe Hinds has accepted the call to our church effective April 1. As we celebrate the promise of eternal life this Easter, we will also be celebrating the joy of new beginnings at First Presbyterian Church of Fairborn. The search committee is excited to introduce our new pastor, Rev. Joe Hinds, who we feel will guide us and support us in our service to God. Joe and his wife, Kazy, have lived in Piqua since 2010. They have a son, Paul, who is a sophomore at Piqua High School. Before moving to Ohio, Joe and Kazy served churches in New York and South Carolina. Joe re-ceived his Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia in 1999 and comes to us with years of pastoral experience. He has served the church in small towns, suburbs, the inner city, and as a resident volunteer in a homeless ministry. He has served in traditional church settings as well as at re-treats and conferences, inner-city “revivals,” beaches, volunteer fire halls, coffee houses, and motorcycle blessings. He has visited parishioners at home, work, school, in hospitals, and jail. He has taught children, youth, college students, adults, seniors, and English as a Second Language. Spread the word. There is a new pastor in town and we look forward to the journey with him. “For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 The search committee is thankful to everyone for their prayers, support and encouragement. A special thank you goes out to Reverend Linda Niece, our COM Liaison, who guided us through it all. -Troy Oliver, Art Myers, Elaine Brown, Diane Sondergelt


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Adult Christian Education News

Sunday Mornings: This class gathers at 8:45 a.m. in the Boardroom. We are currently surveying Leviticus and Numbers, and are planning to study Deuteronomy next. We pray together, then look at a variety of translations each week, and discuss the relevance of the scriptures for our lives today. All are welcome! Please see Denise Lo Cicéro if you have questions. Thursday afternoons: JESUS AND JUDAISM - The 1:00 p.m. Thursday class is studying the DVD series, Jesus and His Jewish Influences, created by renowned archaeologist and biblical scholar Dr. Jodi Magness of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. All are welcome for food, film, and fellowship! Please see Shirley or Denise if you have questions. Here is a list of the five remaining classes. (Following these, we will take a Spring Break and then begin a new topic.)

Meet-N-Eat Feb 16 Fairborn Schools Chess Club Advisors came to talk about the great things this club is doing for the students of Fair-born. The outstanding members of this club have achieved statewide recognitions and awards. Congratulations Fair-born Chess Club!! Marlene Acus presented a check for $250 to continue our support of this worthwhile mission.

Save the Date: Alzheimer’s Symposium—March 21 You are invited to a care symposium at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton on Saturday, March 21, so mark your calendar. More details are available on the poster/sign-up sheet outside the lounge. The top-ic, “Alzheimer’s Care: A Neuroscience Approach,” will be presented by Dr. Govind Bharwani, an adjunct pro-fessor at Wright State University. The presentation will cover—among other things—basic understanding of neuroscience and the brain function, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, and how to com-municate with a person with Alzheimer’s using neuroscience techniques. Many individuals and families face the challenge of dealing with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. These challenges are especially significant for families keeping their loved ones at home. It can even be a struggle for visitors wishing to communicate with friends experiencing dementia. A continental breakfast will be available at 8:30 am, followed by the symposium from 9:00 to 11:30 am. The symposium is provided at no cost, but the registration deadline is March 16, so please sign up as soon as possible but not later than Friday, March 13. (Barb Bush will make a group registration with Westminster and coordinate transportation.) We’ll carpool from the church and do our best to provide rides from home if needed.

Date Topic Leader

March 5 Jesus’ Prophecy: Jerusalem’s Destruction Shirley Schlafman

March 12 Flavius Josephus: Witness to 1st Century A.D. Denise Lo Cicéro

March 19 Rabbinic Judaism’s Traditions About Jesus Shirley Schlafman

March 26 Jesus’ Apocalyptic Outlook Denise Lo Cicéro

April 2 Jesus’ Teachings and Sayings In Context Shirley Schlafman


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Happy Birthday!

Mar 13 Norm Willoughby

17 Joyce Burnette

19 Bob Lawler

20 Kay Smith

25 Tommy Thomas

26 Linda Hartsock

28 Christy Riselay

30 Paul Schneider

Apr 3 Bette Malavich

4 Jan Smith

SCHOOL PANTRY SHOPPING GUIDE (JANUARY 2020)

Kind and generous friends, again this school year there is a need at Fairborn Schools for food and other items for students in transitory housing. When you go shop-ping for yourself and your own family, think of these students and their families

1. FOOD (nonperishable/microwavable) such as: Breakfast bars Pop tarts Cereal cups or single-serving packaging Canned soup Cookies Crackers Chips Cracker sandwiches (peanut butter or cheese) Fruit cups Fruit or vegetable juice Mac & cheese cups Peanut butter Jams, jellies Pudding cups Pasta cups w/sauce & meat (e.g. Chef Boyardee) Single serve meals (e.g. Hormel “Compleat”) Snack bars (e.g. Granola, Trail Mix) Tuna or chicken packets 2. Body Wash, laundry & dishwashing detergents, toi-let paper, paper towels, lip balm (e.g. Chapstick), sham-poo, hair conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes.

Please leave your donation in one of the designate con-tainers in the lower narthex. If you want to document your donation, complete a “blue sheet” with attached receipts for the Financial Secretary. Forms and assis-tance are available in the church office) THANK YOU!

Maundy Thursday, April 9 We are planning a simple soup supper at

6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, followed by 7:00 p.m. worship in the sanctuary.

MEMORIAL GIFTS Gifts in memory of both

Shirley Hale and Anna Roselli were received from Ray and Marlene Acus,

Woody and Harriet Ensor, John and Chris Eubel, Evelyn Fueger, Ed and Marilyn Lŏw, and the Rona Hills Women’s Club.

Edith Carlson was remembered

by Jim and Kay Cox.

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, April 3 Memorial service for Shirley Hale

Details, when available, will be provided in the bulletins and the April newsletter.


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March 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 8:45 am Adult

Bible Study

10:15 am Worship with Communion

2 3 4

11:00 am Hope Circle meets at church to car-

pool to lunch at Carriage Inn (11:15) then

back to church for mtg. (1:00) and cleaning the nursery

5 1:00 pm Adult Bible Study in

Lounge

6 7

8 8:45 am Adult

Bible Study

10:15 am Worship

9 1:00pm Cook at

St. Vincent’s

6:00 pm Serve at St. Vincent’s

10 11 10:00 am Ops

Meeting


Lounge 2:15 pm CLS

Mtg in Board-room

13 14

15 8:45 am Adult

Bible Study

10:15 am Worship

Session Mtg after worship

16 10:00 am

Blanket Party Fellowship Hall

17 Election Day Polling Place

Fellowship Hall

18 19 1:00 pm Adult Bible Study in

Lounge

2:30 Deacon Mtg in Board-

room

20 21

22 8:45 am Adult

Bible Study

10:15 am Worship

23 24

8:00 am COSI Fairborn

Primary

25

11:30 am

Lunch at Sr. Ctr


Lounge

27 28

29 8:45 am Adult

Bible Study

10:15 am Worship

30 31


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Remember! FISH Pantry donations are the first Sunday of each month. Non-perishable items may be brought in any Sunday and placed in the barrel in the narthex. Suggested donations are: Canned Soups

Canned Vegetables

Canned Fruit

Canned Juices

Canned Meats

(Tuna, Stews, Spam, etc.)

Boxed Items

(Rice, Cereal, Crackers, Mac n’ Cheese, etc.)

Baby Items

(Diapers, Formula, Canned Foods, etc.)

Personal Hygiene Items

(Soap, Shampoo, Toothbrushes, etc.)

Thank you for your generous donations!

Articles for the April Lifeline need to be in the

office by March 25.

There will be a limited number of

copies of the Lifeline in the lower narthex

at the Welcome/Visitors table if you

want to pick one up.

_____________

Please let the office know

of any meetings that you have

scheduled in the church building

so that we can maintain an

accurate calendar and

answer questions as folks call.

Blanket Making Party March 16

Please join us on Monday, March 16, at 10:00 in the Fellowship Hall to make fleece blankets for our Transitional Living mission. No sewing skills are required. If you can use scissors and tie a knot, you can help! If you have a good pair of scissors, please bring them with you. Lunch will be provided. Please see Diane Sondergelt, Julie Brown, or Linda Hartsock if you have any questions.

Just a note to thank Shelda Cox and

Mitch Oliver for presenting me with

the lovely flowers to celebrate my

birthday. They are providing a bright

spot on these dull February days.

Yours in Christ,

Harriet Ensor


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Lifeline—the monthly newsletter of the First Presbyterian Church of Fairborn, Ohio

1130 Highview Dr, Fairborn, OH 45324 937-878-3954

“The Friendliest Church in Town”

Sunday Adult Bible Study: 8:45 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:15 a.m.

Stated Supply Pastor: Rev. Kathleen Burslem Education and Mission Coordinator and Director of Music: Denise Lo Cicéro

Financial Secretary: Carolyn McMillan Director of Chancel Ringers: Rena Leatherman

Organist: Jeff Firestone

Office Hours: Wednesday—Friday, 10 am—2 pm (closed Monday and Tuesday) Email Address: [email protected]

Phone: 937-878-3954

SESSION Moderator: Rev. Kathleen Burslem

Clerk: Kathleen Seewer Ruling Elders: Elaine Brown, Julie Brown, Ken Gadd, Dixie Jenkins, Bill McMillan,

Art Myers, Troy Oliver, Jan Smith, and Diane Sondergelt

Easter Lilies

You are invited to share in the decoration of the sanctuary with lilies. The bulletin for the Easter morning

service on April 12 will include names of the donors and the names of those for whom a gift was given.

It is suggested that gifts be at least $12.00 but may be up to any amount you wish. This form and your check

need to be received by Wednesday, April 8. The check should be made payable to First Presbyterian Church

and marked “Easter Lilies.”

Enclosed is my check for $_____________ for lilies

In memory of…………...In honor of……………..Celebrating (circle one)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Given by______________________________________________________________________________

(Please print names as you wish them to appear in the bulletin.)

Documents

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Mar... · 2020. 3. 1. · FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH—MARCH 2020 NEWSLETTER 1 A NOTE FROM ECCLESIAL OUR RESIDENT CHURCH MOUSE Well, February is behind us