From the Pastor’s Desk

I don’t know how much you know about the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation’s

highest award. There have been many recipients, but since the Vietnam War, it had only been

awarded posthumously. That was until November 16, 2010, when Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta,

then 25, became the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the wars in Afghanistan and

Iraq.

The simplified version of Giunta's Medal of Honor story is this: He ran through heavy fire to

stop Taliban insurgents from dragging away his mortally wounded buddy, Sgt. Joshua Brennan.

Giunta dragged Brennan out of harm's way as he and his squad repelled the ambush.

What struck me the most was how amazingly humble this soldier is:

"I am as ordinary as they come," Giunta said. "I'm just a kid from Iowa. I tell this story

because of the people I served with — to honor them and to honor what we can

become when we look beyond the individual."

"In the military, they teach you to forget about the individual," he said. "Your job is to

look out for the man to your right and the man to your left. In exchange, two men will

be looking out for you. That's how we're strong. That's how we're the best: together."

"We are the greatest, strongest and fastest country in the world," he said. "But we can

always be better."

Take a moment to give thanks for men and women like Sal Giunta as they put their very lives

on the line so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we often take for granted. For example, there are

over 65,000 men and women serving in Afghanistan right now. I’m sure that each one of them would

rather be at home, but they risk their lives on a daily basis so we don’t have to. We live in the greatest

country in the world because every one of these men and women give of themselves so that we can

enjoy the fruits of freedom. What a legacy of Christ-like faithfulness and courage!

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”

(John 15:13)

In Christ,

Southminster Presbyterian Church

4200 Cartwright Road

Missouri City, TX 77459

(281) 499-2310

http://www.southminpres.org

Non Profit

Permit #4

POSTAGE PAID

Missouri City, TX 77459

Rev. Kent Landry……....……………….............. Pastor

Rev. David Northcutt…………….....…Parish Associate

for Pastoral Care

Pam Drake………….…..…………….Church Secretary

Christy Balenene…………………….Business Manager

Scott Lofgren.................................Facilities Coordinator

Scott Bonasso……..……..…Director of Music Ministry

Andrew Meddaugh…..…...Contemporary Music Leader

Donald Doucet…...……….………………Accompanist

Gabriele Hodges.......Dir. Handbell & Children’s Choirs

Jane Rusk………........…………………...Signal Editor

Jeanne Peabody…………..……..Childcare Coordinator

Irma Feliu-Badalo…...…………....Childcare Supervisor

*********************************************

Southminster School

Angela Holden.….Acting.Head of Southminster School

Karen Rombach..................................Preschool Director

Our Deepest Sympathy extended to…

The Fitzgerald family as they morn the loss of Cathy Fitzgerald .

BRIDGE

The Bridge Group will meet

on FRIDAY, FEBUARY

15th from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. If

you would like more information

concerning the Bridge Group, please

contact

The deadline for the March 2013 Signal will be FEBUARY 15th. Please help me by emailing your article(s) to me, Jane Rusk, at rjrusk@clear.net as soon as possible.

EDITOR’S

CORNER

Suggested food

products are:

Jelly, Canned

Meat, Crackers

and Flour

Our days to work at the Food

Pantry are:

February 12 & 26.

Please come and join us!

RECYCLING

Thank you for your

recycling efforts.

Please remember to

bring your aluminum cans the first

Sunday of each month.

EYEGLASSES

Dorothy Goforth is collecting

eyeglasses for a mission in Peru.

Please leave them in the treasure box

in the Narthex.

Everyone is welcome at this weekly dinner and devotional time

Join us on Wednesday, February 6 - Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls, Salad, and Dessert February 13 - No MWM: Ash Wednesday Service February 20 -

Tomato Basil Soup and Grilled Chees Sandwiches, Salad and Dessert February 27 - Salmon Patties, Corn, Rolls, salad, dessert

Dinner reservations are due Tuesday by 10 am RSVP to Marianne Irish 281-437-7888 irish7171@aol.com.

The Houston marathon and half marathon was held on January 13 and

in spite of marathon day being cold, wet, and windy, Team Butterfly

prevailed.

The best news is that, thanks to your help, we not only met our $20,000

goal to help Presbyterian Children’s Homes & Services, we EXCEEDED it!

Donations are still coming in and we are so excited. Thank you all for your donations,

but most important thank you for your support. The prayers, hugs, encouragement,

and good wishes helped us to stay the course under less than ideal conditions.

We could not do this without you. Southminster – you are the BEST!

Team Butterfly 2013:

Becky Walker, Barb Reynolds, Dorothy Goforth, Norma Reyna, Pam Trull, Jenny

McAllister, Janet & Scott Meddaugh, Dustin James, Paul Martin, Ava Humme, Doug

Earle, Clara Goforth, Michael Goforth, and Casey Coleman.

All adults are welcome for this

time of fun and fellowship!

Red Covered Dish Dinner and Bingo!

Saturday February 9, 2013 6:30PM

Bring a red covered dish to share and

a ‘white elephant’ bingo prize.

(a red dish-appetizer, entree or dessert…anything of red color)

Hosted by Tish & Frank Haines and Lyn& Travis Boyd.

Dinner will be at the Boyd’s,

211 Savoy, Sugar Land in Venetian Estates.

RSVP by Monday, February 4th to:

Please sign up to show off your best chili dishes

By contacting Raymond Saldana or Cheryl

Corbin

OUR FAMILY PROMISE PROGRAM NEEDS YOU!! This great program is in need of a new coordinator. We’ll support you as

you help us plan to host families 4X a year. These temporarily homeless

families need our help and are so grateful as they

navigate their difficult journey.

If you are interested and want more info

please contact: Kathy Pitts

kathypnp@gmail.com or 925-984-4986

Sr. High Youth Group Middle-Schoolers in God’s Hands Together

If you would like to be a Worship Assistant or lead the Children’s

Sermon at either the 9:00am or 11:15am Worship Service; please

contact Pam Drake pdrake@southminpres.org

Adults and Youth are welcome to volunteer

WHISPERS Ladies’ Bible Study Meets Monday from 9:15am-11:15am in the Youth Lounge.

Jennifer Rothschild. Walking by Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark. For more information contact Lisa Landry at 713-447-5203

THE MARLENE CIRCLE Meets the 1st Monday of each month at 6:30pm in member’s homes.

For more information, contact Anne Beatty, 281-499-1821 HORIZONS BIBLE STUDY

All women are invited to join us as we meet the 2nd Monday of each month in the Multi Purpose Room at 9:30 am.

For information please contact Joyce Smith at 281-438-6103 WINGS CIRCLE (Women in God’s Spirit)

Meets the 2nd Monday of each month in member’s homes. For information please contact Ginger Jones at 281-835-9137.

WOMEN ON WEDNESDAYS (WOW) Meets each Wednesday at 9:30am .

For information please contact Jennifer Plummer 281-403-9159 or Leslie Crosley (281-778-0129).

Fresh Encounter: God's Plan for Your Spiritual Awakening Lead by Rev. Kent Landry

SR High Schedule

February 3 - No meeting - Superbowl Sunday

February 10 - Lesson #2 - Don't miss this one!

February 17 - Off-site Fun Night

February 22-24 Conclaves!!!! Meet in the church parking lot to leave for Cho-Yeh as soon as Middle Schoolers can get to the church after

school. Be ready for everything "CHO" - cho-food, cho-dome, cho-ropes, cho-friends.....

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Thank you for all your kind and helpful words, deeds, and gestures at a time when these things mean so much.

Your love and support are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, Gabriele Hodges and Family

Thank you for all the prayers, calls and food.

Sincerely Betty Duckworth

Middle High Schedule

February 3 - No meeting - Superbowl Sunday

February 10 - Activity Night

February 17 - Lesson 4

SESSIONAL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS 2012-2013 Clerk of Session: Greg Wettman Christian Education & Youth: (Moderator), Megan Hutchens Congregational Care & Fellowship: Jennifer Mockaitis (Moderator), Joann Dunmire Mission & Evangelism: Kathy Pitts (Moderator), J. O. Dravis Resources, Management& Stewardship: Myron Goforth (Moderator), Brian Wolf Southminster School: Bob Crosley (Moderator), Brad Federwisch Worship and Music: Tim Cashion (Moderator), Robert Hodge Treasurer: Richard Early

FORT BEND HUMAN NEEDS MINISTRY NEWS

The 4th Annual Fort Bend Empty Bowls Friday, April 5th at Safari Texas Ranch. We are

looking forward to a fun and entertaining event that will help East Fort Bend Human Needs

Ministry continue to serve our Fort Bend neighbors in need. Tickets to the event are on sale for

$25 each and can be purchased at EFBHNM or online at www.humanneeds.org.

Dine & Donate – Willie’s Grill is hosting a “Dine & Donate” evening for EFBHNM. On

Tuesday, February 5th from 4 pm till closing, when you mention East Fort Bend Human Needs

Ministry at the check-out register, the Ministry will receive 15%! Willie’s is located at 945 Hwy

6, near Sam’s/Walmart.

Concert for a Cause – Sunday, February 10th at 7 p.m. New Hope Lutheran Church in

Missouri City is hosting a special “Concert for a Cause” featuring two professional vocalists.

The evening will feature songs and arias, celebrating the best of Valentine Day-themed romantic

classical duets and Broadway favorites! Betsy Uschkrat, soprano, and Tyler Smith, tenor,

collaborate with Steven Blackmon, pianist, to bring their talents to Fort Bend. Proceeds from

the event will benefit two local non-profit interfaith agencies - Fort Bend Family Promise and

the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. Advance Tickets are recommended and available

online at www.newhopelc.org or call (281) 499-7611 $20/each.

Resale Shop – Now that the holidays are behind us it’s time to clear out the clutter! The Tri-City

Churches Resale Shop is the perfect place to donate your gently used items. Donating to the

Resale Shop is extremely easy at the Resale Shop located at 425 Stafford Run, Stafford, TX (Mon

-Sat). We can also send a truck to pick up your large donations and furniture – Call us at

281-499-8833 to schedule a pick up. Donations are tax deductible.

Feb 13 Ash Wednesday Service 7pm

Mar 28 Maundy Thursday Service 7pm

Mar29 Good Friday Service 7pm

Mar 30 Pancake Breakfast

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3

4 Theresa James

5 Anne Beatty

6 Betsy Wood

7

8

George Bisong

Olive Cherubini

9 Shivanna Sharma

10

11 Brittainey

Saldana

12

13 Skyler Bramer

14

Val Imperial

Ray Rusk

15 Alison Simmons

16

17

18

Jeff Cooper

Ellen Earle

19

20

21 Alexander

Hodges

22

23

24

25

26

27 Randy Corbin

Kent Landry

28 David Bauer

Andrew Christie

Andy Holden

Is your birthday missing or incorrect? Contact Pam Drake in the church office.

TELLERS

3rd Myron Goforth & Frank Haines

10th Bea McClung & Pat Welsh

17th Owen Irish & Bob Jones

24th David Bauer & Travis Boyd

CHILDREN’S SERMON

9:00am Service 11:15am Service

3rd Doug Earle Jeanne Peabody

10th

One Service

10:00am

Cherub & Calvin

Choirs

17th Sabrina James

24th Ida Earle

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

9:00am Service 11:15am Service

3rd David Northcutt Myron Goforth

10th One Service

10:00am

Cherub & Calvin

Choirs

17th Brad Federwisch

24th Harper Family

ELDERS SCHEDULED TO SERVE

FEBRUARY 3, 2013

Communion Preparers Communion Servers 11:15

Kay Hardcastle John Barnhart

Carole LeGard Frank Haines

Communion Servers 9:00 David Bauer

J. O. Dravis Joann Dunmire

Don Watts Barbara Reynolds

AUDIO VISUAL

9:00am 11:15am

3rd

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Leslie

Debbie Yoho

Brad McKee

Leslie Crosley

Jon Schwartz

10th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

One Service

10:00am

Benny Gilbert

Brad Federwisch

17th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Jon Schwartz

Rick & Niki

Bramer

Jon Schwartz

Benny Gilbert

24th

Set-Up

Audio

Visual

Leslie Crosley

Brad Federwisch

Stephen James

Leslie Crosley

Carrie & Nicole

Freund