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Northkirk Presbyterian Church
From the Pastor’s Desk
Peace… can we experience peace during such times as these? There are many reasons that we are feeling stressed, depressed, fearful, agitated, even angry in these days. Even as we shelter in place, the news we hear or read often agitates us. It does so because it reveals a world filled with suffering and uncertainty for many reasons. The prophet Isaiah spoke wisdom also in a similar time. Northern Israel had lost its way following our true God and was conquered and exiled. Southern Judah was tempted to make alliances with others for protection. Internally, there were haves and have-nots as well as cries for justice. Peace was missing, the peace that the Lord wanted his people to enjoy. Into this setting. Isaiah spoke. Isaiah reminds us peace comes from steadfastly trusting in the Lord above all else. Wherever we find ourselves in the whirlwind of such times as these, we can experience peace, the shalom of God. Remember a time in your life when all seemed good, hopeful when you woke in the morning looking forward to the day? God wants us to have such peace, even while we are here in this world which is filled with suffering and uncertainty. Isaiah reminds us the way into such peace is trusting God always. Trusting another implies a
relationship with them. One says to us, “I’ll take care of this,” and we trust their word. We say, “Thanks, I’ll follow your advice,” because we know they would not cause us harm. No one else in our life is as inherently good and powerful as the Lord. No other can be a reliable rock upon which we will always find peace for our life. When we read God’s word, we hear, “I’ll take care of this.” We are given direction for the small and big issues of our life which we may follow.
Many others invite our attention and trust. Let’s remind one another that the Lord is our first attention and trust, our first focus to help one another remain in peace. Finding peace doesn’t mean we
don’t care or are not engaged in care for others in these times. In fact, peace allows us to care for others with godly care! Our Lord Jesus demonstrated courageous care throughout the gospels through threats and events swirled around him. Yet his focus upon our Father enabled him to bring God’s wisdom and power to the suffering in an uncertain world. Even as we begin to consider how to safely resume our physical gatherings, Lord Jesus, fill us with peace so we might be your goodness for others.
“Those of steadfast mind You keep in peace—in peace because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4
June 2020
Sermon Series
Jesus’ Faithful Church
June 7 Matthew 7:12
Christ summarizes the whole of his sermon on the mount with a
single verse. What a helpful summary command to guide
us in all our interactions!
June 14 Matthew 7:13-14
Christ’s way is not easy but it does lead to true, good, eternal life. Are we expecting to take
an easy way instead?
June 21 Matthew 7:15-23
We find preachers and teachers of the Bible in many churches, small,
large, nearby, on the internet, in books, and on television. How can one tell if any one of them
will be helpful or not?
June 28 Matthew 7:24-28
As sure as inclement weather eventually comes, so too do life
challenges. How can we weather today’s storm as well as the one
unknown to come?
Worship Schedule
/Pastor Martin
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“When are we worshiping together again?”
This question has been asked many times in the past week. Some people are anxious to get back to worshiping in the sanctuary, and others are anxious about contracting COVID-19 if they do go back to worshiping together. It is a stressful time and no one is exactly sure what the best thing to do is.
The State of California issued Guidelines for re-opening churches on May 19th. Some of the guidelines as they pertain to church services are as follows:
• Attendance should be limited to 25 percent of a building’s capacity, but no more than 100 attendees.
• Discontinue offering self-service food and beverages.
• Strongly consider discontinuing singing, group recitation, and other practices and performances where there is increased likelihood for transmission from contaminated exhaled droplets.
• Modify practices such as limiting the number people reciting or singing, ensuring physical distancing greater than six feet between people, or opt to celebrate these practices outside with physical distancing, etc.
• Discourage staff, congregants, visitors, etc., from engaging in handshakes, hugs, and similar greetings that break physical distance.
• Consider using ushers to help people find places to sit and stand that are at least six feet apart from other guests/household groups.
• Ask congregants/visitors to arrive and leave in a single group to minimize cross-flow of people.
• Children should remain in the care of those in their household unit and not interact with children of other parties while visiting the facilities.
• Close play areas and discontinue activities and services for children where physical distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained.
Everyone is asking . . .
Taking all of these guidelines into consideration, the worship committee has discussed the options at length. Other considerations that have gone into the decision-making process are the pastor’s upcoming vacation and the difficulty of developing a safe communion method.
June 7 is a communion Sunday, so the committee decided not to hold in-person services that Sunday, and the last two weeks of June, Pastor Martin will be gone on vacation, so it doesn’t seem ideal to hold in-person gathers those Sundays either. July 5th is another communion service and it is a holiday weekend when attendance is usually low. So most likely, we will be gathering together again for worship beginning July 12th. By this time COVID-19 restrictions may be eased and it will be easier to comply with state mandates and hold in-house services.
Although many people are anxious to be together again, the safety of our congregation is of utmost importance and is the first priority. In the meantime, remember to reach out to those who may be lonely or anxious; stay in touch with one another through phone calls, Zoom and other social media.
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Celebrating the
Lord’s Supper
At Home
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Abundance of Food Donations
Inland Valley Hope Partners Sova Program Center 904 E. California Street Ontario, CA 91761 909-682-5474 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
TOUCH Ministries 219 W. Belmont Street Ontario, CA Food Program: $5 for up to $50 in groceries M, W, F 9:30 am - 10:50 am Bring your own bags
The people of Northkirk are so gracious in their giving. Northkirk was able to donate approximately 30 bags of groceries and 120 cases of cookies and chips to two food ministries. The cases of snacks were donated by Southwest Airlines. The Scout Master, Carolos Ortiz, of Boy Scout Troop 634, thought of Northkirk when his employer, Southwest Arilines, was looking for charitable organizations to donate to. Tim and Michael Atherton graciously made two trips to the Sova Food warehouse to deliver the cases of food. The cases barely hit the shelves and were already being handed out to the customers.
Sova’s operation has been modified to be conscious of social distancing. The customers, predominately low-income families from the Ontario area, come to the office to fill out a list of items they are looking for. The volunteers then take a cart and pick the items for them from the warehouse shelves and deliver the items to the customer’s cars. Sova was able to serve over 4,000 last month.
The rest of the food donations from Northkirk were picked up by Connie Anaya, Director of TOUCH Ministries. Her small SUV was packed to the roof
Missions
with Northkirk’s donations. She expressed how grateful she was that so many people are thinking of others at this time.
Connie said that TOUCH accepts clothing in good condition. They are always in need to children’s and men’s clothing. You can drop clothing off at the TOUCH Ministry location.
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Church Bulletin Humor
Ahhh, those wonderful Church Bulletins! These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins (not at Northkirk, of course) or were announced at church services: * Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. * The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.' * Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
* Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help. * Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the
congregation. * Next Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir. They need all the help they can get. * A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow. * At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice. * Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones. * Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want
remembered. * The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility. * Pot-luck supper Sunday at 5:00 pm - prayer and medication to follow. * This evening at 7 pm there will be a hymn singing in the park across
from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
* Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 pm. Please use the back door. * The youth group will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 pm. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
* Weight Watchers will meet at 7 pm at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double
door at the side entrance. And this one just about sums them all up * The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours!'
Ask Ed
Karen’s
Garden Spring Gardening
What should I be doing in my veggie garden this month?
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The temperature is starting to warm up and I’m anxious to get my hands in Mother Earth!
In South California, where summer takes over and brings with it oppressive conditions for both plants and people, we can't rule out a heatwave in June. Southern gardeners have to be especially watchful at this time when it comes to insect pests, plant diseases, and drought. Here are some things to keep in mind:
• Continue to direct sow the seeds for warm-season vegetables (beans, melons, squash, etc.).
• Ensure that your automatic irrigation system is working properly.
• Fertilize your roses.
• Fertilize citrus and avocado trees.
• Remove suckers from tomato plants.
• Prune shrubs that bloom on old wood after they are done flowering.
• Be on high alert for insect pests and diseases. These include but are not limited to aphids,
asparagus beetles, cabbage worms, cutworms, scale, snails, slugs, leaf spot, mildew, and rust.
• Use mature compost or aged manure to side-dress plants.
• Prune wisteria after it finishes blooming.
• Place row covers or netting over bushes with ripening berries to keep the birds from eating them.
• Inspect plants for damage from four-lined plant bugs
• Inspect trees for nests of bagworms.
• Inspect plants for Japanese beetles, including gourds, pumpkins, and squash.
For more information, and for those of you that haven’t started your veggie garden yet, refer to this website: https://ourstoneyacres.com/june-can-still-plant-garden
Pastor Martin led a brief study time based in Psalm 48, "Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise.” We are reminded to focus on God’s goodness. God is always good and caring, and we can trust that. • Session decided to delay the congregational
meeting to elect new church officers until it can be held in the sanctuary. Current officers (elders and deacons) whose terms are ending in June have agreed to continue until a meeting in the sanctuary can be held.
• One of the glass doors to the Fellowship Hall was broken and has been replaced.
• A special offering for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was approved for the last two weeks of May and $337 in memorial funds for Michael Allbaugh will also be directed to the Foundation.
• Giving has thankfully remained strong with pledges at 109 percent of budget and “loose plate” at 87 percent of budget. The IHOP fundraiser yielded $110 in April and has been extended through May.
• Session noted the passing of long-time member Marie Simpkins on May 13. A memorial service is being planned.
Average Sunday worship attendance for April included: 115 views via Facebook; 40 views via YouTube; 32 via Facebook Watch Group; and 3 conference callers. More people view our worship through our public Facebook and YouTube than via our private Facebook page—others are finding Northkirk online—food for thought and future planning.
May Session Highlights
Spotlight
On Aline Sardão
Aline Sardão is an amazing woman with multiple talents and skills. She performs, teaches, conducts, and now is adding audio and music editing to her list of accomplishments.
While many people have spent their “stay-at-home” time watching TV or YouTube, Aline has been learning to use Logic Pro X, a music writing, recording and mixing software program. The program allows you to record separate tracks (meaning recording several different instruments separately) and then editing and compiling them together to compose a full-sounding song.
Aline is able to play many different instruments, so she can play the majority of instruments needed for a piece of music. If you listened to the instrumental music at the end of the worship service these past few weeks, you heard the beautiful music that was created by Aline using Logic Pro X.
Aline and Megan McQuerrey recently made a portable audio recording booth that can be used by congregants to record voice over for videos, podcasts, voice and instrument recording. Aline hopes to study more about the recording industry and add audio recording as another arm of her profession. We look forward to hearing more of Aline’s music and how it enhances her career.
Aline Learns New Skills
In the summer of 2019, Aline was an extra for a movie being filmed in Los Angeles. She was chosen for the role because they wanted a musician who could really play the bass guitar, not just pretend to play. She was in several scenes, but her biggest scene was playing the bass in a club as part of a band. She had no idea if any of her scenes made the final cut -- until this past weekend when the movie came out. The movie is called High Note and stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson. Because theatres are closed at the moment, the movie was released On Demand.
Aline watched the movie on Friday night with friends and was excited to see that all three scenes she was in made the final cut! The first scene Aline’s character shows up in is approximately 59 minutes into the movie, and the second scene is shortly after that. Her last scene is in the final show at the end of the movie.
The High Note is a feel-good romantic comedy that you will be sure to enjoy.
Aline makes her Hollywood Acting Debut!
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Children’s Corner
Bored Adults Corner
1
Sharon Hayden
2
Alex & Ruth
Hernandez
3
Rexanne & Rick
Hess
4
Patricia
Huntsman
5
Thomas
Huntsman
6
Low-income families in the
community
7
Police Officers
8
Anu & Biju
Jacob
9
Caruna Jacob
10
John Lee
11
Mary Lee
12
Ruth Lee
13
County Leaders
14
Those
struggling with
depression
15
John Leongson
16
Chris & Les
Maitlen
17
Mat & Molly
Matthews
18
Margaret
Merhoff
19
Nancy & Eric
Michalski
20
State Leaders
21
Churches
across the
nation
22
Trudy & David
Milne
23
Ruben Miranda
24
Cathy Moody
25
Ashish Peters
26
Rebecca Peters
27
Federal Government
28
Those who are
lonely
29
Lily Pyu
30
Nancy & Lee
Rash
1
Pam & Mark
Rock
2
Ed Rugh
3
Aline Sardão
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June Prayer Calendar
During the month of June Northkirk is collecting Dried Beans for the Sova food bank. Sova is the Ontario branch of Inland Valley Hope supportive services.
Sova Program Center 904 E. California Street Ontario, CA 91761 909-622-3806 Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Serving Greater Numbers Every Day!
Hope Partners remains committed to supporting our low-income neighbors during the COVID-19 outbreak. Sadly, too many local families live in economic hardship, which means the loss of just one paycheck, or even one shift at work, may cause a dramatic decrease in financial stability, leading to food insecurity and jeopardizing their housing. Over the last few weeks Hope Partners has seen their normal client level more than double. They have also seen an increase of clients asking for assistance in paying their utilities. They anticipate all of these needs to continue to grow as the financial fall-out of the pandemic affects more and more families.
They have also had a huge drop in volunteers. Ninety percent of their regular volunteers have stopped serving so they have had to adjust how they normally operate.
If you are able to help physically, or through a donation, Hope Partners welcomes your gifts. Please continue to pray for all affected by the pandemic.
Deacon of the Month: Sharon Hayden (909)972-5186
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Prayer Part. 9 am
Fac & Grounds Mtg. 7 pm
3
Men’s Bible St. 7:30 am
via Zoom
4
5
6
7 Bible St.
FaceTime 8:30 am
Online Worship Service 9:30 am
Communion 3D Study via Zoom
8 9
Prayer Part. 9 am
Deacon’s Meeting (conf. call)
7 pm
Finance Mtg. 6 pm
10
Men’s Bible St.
7:30 am via Zoom
Pastor’s Bible St.
7 pm
11
12
13
Presbytery Zoom Meeting
14 Bible St.
FaceTime 8:30 am
Online Worship Service 9:30 am
3D Study via Zoom
15
16
Prayer Part. 9 am
Session Meeting (Conf. call)
7 pm
17
Men’s Bible St. 7:30 am
via Zoom
18
19
20
21 Bible St.
FaceTime 8:30 am
Online Worship Service 9:30 am
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Prayer Part. 9 am
24
Men’s Bible St. 7:30 am
via Zoom
Pastor’s Bible St. 7 pm
25
26
27
28 Bible St.
FaceTime 8:30 am
Online Worship Service 9:30 am
29
30
Prayer Part. 9 am
1
Men’s Bible St. 7:30 am
via Zoom
2
3
4
Happy Birthday! Janice Vance 06/14 Dean Collins 06/17 Diane Atherton 06/20 Sarah Vance 06/27 Christine Harlow 06/27
Prayer Partners Alta Laguna, #49, Rancho Cucamonga Call Nancy Rash for entry code 909-908-6405. Bible Study at 6:30 am Via Zoom, contact Lee Rash 909-225-4977 3D Study - Sunday, 11 am Via Zoom, contact Martin Smith 909-285-2130 Pastor’s Bible Study, Wednesday, 7 pm Via Zoom, contact Martin Smith 909-285-2130
Happy Anniversary! Tom & Bernadette Allbaugh 06/16 Marion & Steve Mildon 06/24 Tom & Jodie Stahl 06/27 Martin & Lorraine Smith 06/30
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
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Treasurer’s Report
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Operational Budget April April Year to Date Year to Date
Budget Actual Budget Actual
Giving/Receipts $16,756.70 $16,087.76 $67,026.87 $74,739.75
Expenses $25,816.97 $19,472.21 $103,268.20 $94,710.50
Net Operating Surplus/Deficit -$9,060.27 -$3,384.45 -$36,241.33 -$19,970.75
Treasurer’s Report as of April 30, 2020 Emily Scholz, Church Treasurer
Ask Emily
Electronic Giving Accounts [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
These may be used with Zelle. Currently [email protected] can be used with Venmo, the other accounts cannot.
The net operating deficit is subsidized by investment funds. The session has budgeted $108,728.46 to be withdrawn from our investments this year. We have withdrawn $20,895.00, which is 19% of the budgeted amount. 33% of the budget year has passed.
We are thankful to our congregation for stepping up their pledges and/or donating some extra funds for our church. Pledges are at 109%. As you can see the expenses kept up with our income. This is a big plus because it eliminates the need to withdraw funds at a time when losses are hitting our financial portfolio.
Deposits are made each week using the Bank of America’s mobile app. If anyone would like their checks that were deposited returned, please inform the office or our treasurer, Emily Scholz, otherwise the checks will be destroyed.
Many people are interested in growing their own vegetables right now. You can start your garden from seeds purchased in packets or purchase plants that have already been started.
If you don’t have room for a garden, you can plant your seeds in pots. You don’t have to purchase new pots for your vegetables, you can use heavy cardboard containers. I use the heavy paper inserts that come with our wine club shipments. I have found that these can be filled with planting medium and used to start flower or vegetable seedlings. Please let me know if you would like to use some of the paper inserts, I'll be glad to give them to you.
If you’ve been trying your hand at container gardening, please send Diane pictures on how your garden grows. Here's one from my husband Bill. Bill is growing tomatoes, herbs and flowers.
Job Opening
MOPS Childcare Director Position
Northkirk is looking to fill the MOPS Childcare Director position. For details contact Cynthia Alvarez at:
(909)472-7617 or [email protected]
Applications are available at the church office. Please apply by
June 29
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