Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Sunda
y
In This Issue
March 20, 2016 Volume 17, Issue 05
Reflections Page 2
Coming Up in Worship Page 3
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center Page 4
PYA Events Page 5
Coming Up @ Church Page 6 - 7
General Information @ Church Page 8
Cares and Joys Page 8
Bible Study Page 9
In the Future @ Church Page 9
March Calendar Page 9
April Calendar Page 10
Contact Us Page 11
1225 Fourth Street Road . Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54935 . Phone 920.922.0425 . Email [email protected]
3rd March
focus First Presbyterian
2
Reflections
“Be Not Afraid”
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where
the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and
said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20
After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the
disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21
Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As
the Father has sent me, so I send you.’22
When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to
them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
John 20:19-22
Repeatedly, as Jesus appears to the disciples, he begins with the words, “Do not fear.” It’s not just that
a lot of us are the kind of people who think it’s funny to jump out from around the corner and terrify the
unsuspecting. What is powerful about this is that Jesus is wanting the surprise of the resurrection to not
result in fear. The gift of Christ’s presence is always a gift of comfort, if we will welcome Christ.
Our problem is that, frequently, what we really want is control over the problems we are facing. We want
to feel security and comfort, but we prefer that the source of these feelings come from our own power.
The message of Easter is one that means we have to set aside our feelings of self-importance and
power to receive it.
The great gift of Easter is that death no longer has dominion over us. We would prefer that means that
we never have to suffer discomfort and can be assured that everything will be as we want it to be. The
gift of the resurrection means that God’s love overcomes judgment and sin. We would prefer to be able
to retain a small amount of judgment over the people we don’t like. Peace becomes the core of receiv-
ing the gift of the resurrection.
The one other element of peace that strikes me is that it must have been a bit awkward in that upper
room. The disciples had fled, leaving Jesus behind. When Jesus could have used someone to speak on
his behalf, Peter denied even knowing him. Judas had committed suicide, and the disciples were proba-
bly still uncertain who else might have been involved in betraying Jesus, or why. The fellowship of this
close group who had worked and lived together for three years had been broken. It was into the midst
of that turmoil Jesus pronounced peace.
Hopefully, that is our gift for Easter. We’d love the chocolate and fun with the kids, and family, but right
now throughout the world and throughout our homes, peace is in short supply. Let that be the gift that
we share from the resurrection. Share together the gift of peace.
Peace,
Pastor Jack
3
Coming Up in Worship
3/20/2016 Inviting Christ In Palm Sunday Sermon: “Open the Gates and Let Christ In” Theme: Christ comes into our lives to open a new opportunity for righteousness and peace, if we will let go of
our “inner Pharisees” and welcome the cleansing which will lead to our healing. Purpose: The congregation will welcome Christ’s presence to renew and open new avenues for healing. Scriptures: Luke 19:28-40 Jesus enters Jerusalem Triumphantly on a colt. Philippians 2:5-11 Have the same mind that was in Christ, that he emptied himself, taking the form of a
servant. Questions: What does it mean to fully invite Jesus into our lives? What does submission to Jesus mean to us today? Do we really want to submit our grudges, our grievances, and our hurts to Jesus? How do we open ourselves to cleansing of the re-mainder from the anger and memories of the past? What does it mean to have the mind of Christ which is willing to suf-fer humility for the sake of peace? What difference is there between humility for Christ and making ourselves a target for further abuse? 3/24/2016 Maundy Thursday The Maundy Thursday is a service of Communion and Tenebrae, recognizing Christ’s suffering for our forgiveness and salvation in the reading of scripture and diminishing of the lights. We join the disciples around the table, receiving from Christ the bread and cup, and then observe the sorrows he suffered in order to extend the love of God into all of our lives. Sermon: “The Place Where Grace Finds Us” Theme: We know grace as we receive it as a cost of suffering paid for by Christ Jesus on our behalf. Purpose: The congregation will open themselves to appreciating the cost of grace and will seek to share grace
with others rather than judge or hold onto condemnations. Scriptures: John 13:1-16 Jesus in the upper room with his disciples Luke 23:26-38 Jesus makes his way to Golgotha John 19:25-30 Jesus' words from the cross Mark 15:33-34 Jesus dies and cries out with a loud voice 3/27/2016 Easter Sunday Sermon: "The New Beginning Begins" Theme: Through Christ we are able to live in the wholeness of a kingdom of love, peace, and respect as we
open our hearts to Jesus' transforming work. Purpose The congregation will embrace living in resurrection life. Scriptures: Isaiah 65:17-25 The new heavens and a new earth will have peace and wholeness abound. John 20:1-18 The Story of Mary Magdalene and the stone rolled away from the tomb. Questions: How do we move from “an empty tomb” to experiencing the resurrection in our own lives? How do we open our hearts and minds to a proclamation of God’s love for us? How do we open ourselves to the gift of forgiveness and wholeness that transforms the world? What does it mean to us that the “lion and the lamb will lie down together?” What do we have to set aside in order to participate with Mary and the disciples in celebrating the gift of new life in the resurrection?
4
Session Plans to Invite Lombard Mennonite Peace Center to Provide Mediation Services
Session voted, at a special meeting on Thursday, February 25, to call for a congregational meeting on
April 17th, at 10:15. At that time, we will hear a presentation from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
(LMPC) about leading First Presbyterian Church through a process of reconciliation.
Rev. Bill Blank of the LMPC shared, with the Session, a process in which we will begin with workshops
for the whole congregation. The workshops will focus on developing an understanding of the systems
that create conflict and ways in which we can be faithful together, in the midst of differences, working
through conflict.
Besides these workshops the LMPC would begin information gathering through questionnaires, inter-
views, small groups, and examination of the church’s history, to develop an assessment of the chal-
lenges which have been experienced in the church. This would result in an “Interim Assessment Re-
port.” This report would become the foundation for a “Healing Phase” that would include structured dia-
logue and mediation.
Following the Healing Phase, we will begin a “Problem Solving Phase” that will develop plans and work
to develop ways for First Presbyterian Church to move forward and build agreements for the future.
This entire process requires congregational commitment. This is the purpose of the congregational
meeting on April 17th after worship. The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will provide a presentation
that will last about an hour. The LMPC will survey the congregation regarding its willingness to partici-
pate in the program, as well as the congregation’s view regarding the need for participation.
The cost of this process is significant, running between $40,000 to $50,000, over the course of a year.
Session has been wrestling with this cost and has begun working on developing resources to manage
the expenses. Session voted unanimously to go forward with this process. They believe that, with the
investment, we will see a much greater return in growth in the church and support for the ministries of
the church. Every time a cycle of conflict has taken place in our church, we have experienced greater
loss than what we are anticipating in expenses for these services. Our goal is that,through this process,
we will experience renewal that will open the way to new ministry and stability for healthy growth in the
future.
Please mark your calendar for April 17th, 2016 when we will have one worship service at 9:00 AM and
our congregational meeting. At that time, we will receive the presentation from the Lombard Mennonite
Peace Center.
Pastor Jack
Moderator of Session
For more information:
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center: http://www.lmpeacecenter.org/
Workshops:
Healthy Congregations: http://www.lmpeacecenter.org/events/hc/
Conflict in the Church: http://www.lmpeacecenter.org/events/cts/
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
"All this is from God,
who reconciled us to himself
through Christ, and has given us
the ministry of reconciliation."
2 Corinthians 5:18
5
PYA Events
Church Family Event - February
Mission Trip to St Paul, MN - June 12 - June 17
Our youth will be traveling to St. Paul, MN for the 2016 mission trip. We will leave Sunday, June 12th,
and return on Friday, June 17th, 2016.
Once again we are working with the company YouthWorks. YouthWorks is a ministry that coordi-
nates mission trip opportunities for youth all over the country. Our church has a history of working
with YouthWorks and they always provide a high-quality, spirit-filled experience for the students, the
adult leaders, and those we have the privilege to serve.
Please contact Jennifer 922-0425 with any questions.
Here are a few highlights for March and April:
Today 12:00 - 1:30pm PYA Easter Preparations Saturday March 26
th 9:00 - 11:00am Easter Preparations-Set up for Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday March 27
th 8:30 - 10:15am Easter Breakfast Fundraiser
Saturday April 2nd
10:00 - 3:00pm Train Show Fundraiser Come and help in the concession stand to help support PYA and Mission Trip.
Sunday April 3
rd 8:30 -1:00pm Train Show Fundraiser Come and help in
the concession stand to help support PYA. Sunday April 9
th 10:45 - 11:45am
PYA at the Woodlands
Feed My Starving Children Fond du Lac MobilePack
6
OGHS - March 20
One Great Hour of Sharing started
in 1949. One Great Hour of Sharing
is a long-standing ecumenical effort
aimed at raising the funds necessary
to provide relief and reconstruction
for communities in the aftermath of
disaster. What started as an hour-
long radio appeal has evolved over
the years, varying from 8 to 29
participating denominations, and
has become the most participated
offering in the PC (USA). Today, pro-
jects supported by One Great Hour
of Sharing are underway in more
than 100 countries.
Your gift is so important in helping
others succeed. Prayerfully consider
the needs of others when making
your donation.
Coming Up @ Church
Good Friday - March 25
The Ecumenical Good Friday Ser-
vice will be held on March 25th at
noon. Memorial Baptist Church (645
Forest Ave., Fond du Lac) is hosting
the service.
Maundy Thursday - March 24
On Thursday, March 24th we will par-
ticipate in our Maundy Thursday
Service at 7:00pm. We will join to-
gether for a service of Tenebrae,
remembering Christ’s time with his
disciples in the upper room.
We will gather around the table for
communion. We will offer prayers
and songs of praise. We will prepare
our hearts for the sacrifice that Jesus
made and receive the gift of the
resurrection for Easter, Sunday,
March 27th.
Easter Breakfast - March 27 Please join us for our mouth water-
ing, buttery pancakes and delicious
sausage breakfast on Easter morn-
ing, Sunday March 27. Breakfast will
be served from 8:30 to 10:15 am. All
proceeds from the donations benefit
our Youth mission activities and the
mission trip to St. Paul, MN in June .
Growing Connections - March
March 20 Human Trafficking:
What can we do to prevent it? Come and join the discussion of
what First Presbyterian Church can
do to prevent and/or stop human
trafficking in our community and the
world.
March 27 Happy Easter
EASTER CELEBRATION
When Sunday, March 27th
Activities Available from 9:15 - 10:15am
Who Pre-school thru 5TH
grade children and
families
Where Gathering Room
Come and join the
Easter Celebration
including crafts, a
snack and concluding
with an Easter Egg Hunt.
Wrapped candy and small prizes are
needed for the Annual Easter Egg
Hunt. Please put donations in the
Basket in the office by Sunday
March 20th. Thanks for your help!
7
Cribbage - April 15
Join us for Cribbage on April 15, at
7:00 pm. All skill levels are welcome.
It’s a time of fun and fellowship.
Church Camp - Family and Youth
Applications Due by - April 12
Do you want to go to summer
camp?
Pilgrim Center (Green Lake) and
Moon Beach (St. Germain) are two
great camps that are ideal choices
for people of all ages.
Each week campers gather to share,
play, relax and discuss, not to
mention, swimming, canoeing,
crafting and making new friends.
Here’s what to do if you want to
register for camp. Look at the
brochure outside the church
office. Information and registration
forms are also available on the
United Church Camps, Inc.
website - www.ucci.org. Fill out the
registration form and mail it immedi-
ately to the proper address with your
deposit.
If you wish to apply for financial aid,
please fill out the Presbytery
Campership Application (available in
the church office) or on the Presby-
tery website:
http://winnebagopresbytery.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/04/Camp-
Scholarship-Application.pdf
Leave the “amount your church can
pay” line blank and give to Jennifer
as soon as possible, no later than
April 12th. The Presbytery may
provide approximately one quarter of
the cost and our church’s contribu-
tion will be determined based on the
number of applicants.
Coming Up @ Church
College Scholarships -
Due April 15
Applications for academic scholar-
ships will be mailed out to those high
school seniors who are listed on our
membership rolls. Scholarships are
made available by generous dona-
tions to students who:
Are members of this church.
Have demonstrated a commit-
ment to the church
Have completed high school with
average grades or above
Will enroll in an accredited col-
lege or university.
Students enrolling in a technical col-
lege, adult students enrolling with
either part-time or full-time status and
students who are in their first, sec-
ond, third, or fourth year of under-
graduate education may also apply.
If you are, or know of, a person who
fits these qualifications, but will not
receive a mailed scholarship applica-
tion as a graduating high school sen-
ior, please contact the church office
for an application. Applications are
also available on the church website
fdlpresbyterian.org or in the church
office.
Application deadline for all the schol-
arships is April 15th, 2016. Applica-
tion may be mailed to the church of-
fice. Applicants may be called for an
interview at a time to be determined
by the Scholarship Committee.
Model Railroad Show - April 2 - 3
We are happy to let you know that
we have confirmed the date for the
First Presbyterian Church Model RR
Show as April 2-3. PYA will be serv-
ing food. Admission is free.
Model railroad exhibitors will present Z,N,HO,S,O-27,O, & G layouts/displays. Fond du Lac Society of Model Railroad Hobbyist's "HO" Gauge Operating Layout will also be exhibited. The schedule is as follows: Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm Sunday 9:00am - 2:00pm Please contact the church office, at 920.922.0425, if you have any
Feed My Starving Children -
April 9
On Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the Fond du Lac Fairgrounds Recreation
Building, our community will partner
with Feed My Starving Children
through MobilePack™. Volunteers
will gather to hand-pack 150,000 life-
saving, nutritious meals for children
around the world who are starving
and malnourished.
Ruth Circle - April 6
Ruth Circle will meet on Wednesday,
April 6 at 1:00 pm. We will be meet-
ing at Church.
Bonnie Hughes will be sharing her
experiences about her visit to Jeru-
salem. We extend an open invitation
to you to join us for this informational
talk and time of fellowship.
8
In March
Elder of the Month
Pedro Arellano
Deacon of the Month
Lee Munson
Coffee Hour Hosts
Outreach
General Information @ Church
First Presbyterian Focus
Please send submissions for the
Newsletter to:
Deadlines:
March 23 for April 3 issue
April 6 for April 17 issue
April 20 for May 1 issue
Ushers
March 20 - Palm Sunday
8:00 Sue & Bill Kuespert
Larry & Carol Merrill
10:30 Lew & Carol Smith
Michael Frize
Ray Tahlman
March 27 - Easter Sunday 8:00 Bob Block
Lynn & Judy Mellenthien
Laurie Leestma
10:30 Sue Baker
Les Mier
Wendy Wilcox
Cares and Joys
Buzzy (Marion) Seibel, June Benson,
Liam Anderson, Randy Bacon, Silas
Willey, Virginia Erdman, Sandy
Johnson, Chastity Geisthardt,
George Weigel, Kevin Hilbert, Pam
Coburn, Jim Stubbe, Dorothy Grundy
(Marie Laiten’s sister), Jesse Fisher,
Tim Thurke, Sammy Herzig, Steve
Streeter (Shirley Ries’ brother-in-
law), Jacqueline Harrison, Betty Pen-
nington, Jim & Judy Dassow on the
passing of Jim’s mother, and the
people devastated in the natural dis-
asters, and prayers for peace and
tolerance in our community, the na-
tion and the world.
Rejoice:
The gift of growing together in the
body of Christ.
Pray for those in the military:
Aaron Schaefer and Alex Sell
Prayer Partners
The prayer chain is ready to offer
intercessory prayer to God for your
concerns. Prayer request cards are
in the pew racks and in the Prayer
Box on the small table in the Nar-
thex. Put your request in either the
offering plate or the Prayer Box and
we will partner with you in prayer.
Names will stay on the prayer list for
6 weeks unless otherwise
specified. Please call the office
at (920) 922-0425 if you would like to
have your name added or removed.
Nursery Volunteers
March 20 Palm Sunday
8:00 Melissa Hierl
9:15 Robin Doyle
Youth Helper T.J. Vander Griten
March 27 Easter Sunday
8:00 Christine Langille
Sophie Langille
9:15 Jane Devine
Youth Helper Allison McElroy
April 3
8:00 Melissa Hierl
9:15 Trisha Wills
Youth Helper Emily Albrecht
April 10 Share & Connect
8:00 Christine Langille
9:15 Jane Devine
10:30 Emily Hayes
Youth Helper Jordan McElroy
Thank You - From Dianne Weber
Thank you to all of my church family
for your prayers, sympathy and sup-
port following the loss of my mother.
To feel God’s love in this way was a
great comfort to me.
Dianne Weber
Thank You - Creative Arts Team
Grace and Forgiveness
Skits add a great deal to our worship
here at First Presbyterian Church.
Having someone bring to life circum-
stances that resonate with our own
personal experiences assist in the
understanding of the message. As
our series comes to a close we thank
our Daryl Downer and Susie Sun-
shine dramatists: Shirley Ries, Dan
Mitchell, Phil Shepherd, Barb
Mitchell, Byron Sabel, Alyssa Sabel
and Cameron Wilke. Scripts were
written by Pastor Jack Harrison.
Creative Arts Team
9
March 2016 20 Palm Sunday
One Great Hour of Sharing 8a-9a Worship 9:15a-10:15a Edu-cation Hour 9:15a-10:15a Grow-ing Connections 9:15a-10:15a Talk Back 10:30a-11:30a Wor-ship 12p-1:30p PYA
21
2:30p-4p Staff 6:30p-8p Session
22
6p-7p AA Meeting (Resource Room) 6:30p-8p Boy Scouts
23
8a-9a Breakfast at Pump and Pantry 12p-1p Prayer 5:30p-6:30p Confir-mation Class 5:30p-6:15p Hand Bells 6:15p-8:30p Just Fare Board - Parlor 7p-9p Table Tennis
24
Maundy Thursday 7p-8p Maunday Thursday
25
12p-1p Ecumenical Good Friday Service (Memorial Baptist Church ABC\, 645 Forest Ave\, Fond du Lac\, WI 54)
26
9a-11a PYA Easter Set up 9a-10a Tech Re-hearsal
27 Easter Sunday
8a-9a Worship 8:30a-10:15a Easter Breakfast Served 9:15a-10:15a Easter Celebration 9:15a-10:15a Talk Back 10:30a-11:30a Worship
28
2:30p-4p Staff 29
10:30a-12p Bible Study 6p-7p AA Meeting (Resource Room) 6:30p-8p Boy Scouts
30
8a-9a Breakfast at Pump and Pantry 12p-1p Prayer 5:30p-6:30p Confirmation Class 5:30p-6:15p Handbells 6:30p-7:30p Worship Team 6:30p-8:30p Table Tennis
31
Notes:
Bible Study @ Church
Tuesday Morning Bible Study -
10:30 - 12:00
The Tuesday Morning Bible Study is
continuing through the Gospel Ac-
cording to Matthew using N.T.
Wright’s Matthew for Everyone. We
will continue through April 12th with
Matthew and then end our year with
a short examination of other topics to
be determined. The study provides
a lively discussion of themes from
Matthew. The Gospel According to
Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ human-
ity, emotions, and in that context the
emotions of the disciples, so it pro-
vides an opportunity to reflect upon
our own experiences as people try-
ing to follow Christ and deal with our
own angers, bitterness, confusion,
and doubts. We are not bible schol-
ars, but disciples seeking to follow
and grow in our faith.
Bible Study Schedule
3.22 Off
3.29 Matthew 27:39-44
Matthew 27:45-56
Jesus Mocked on the Cross
The Death of God's Son
4.05 Matthew 27:57-66
Matthew 28:1-10
The Burial of Jesus
The Resurrection of Jesus
4.12 Matthew 28:11-15
Matthew 28:16-20
The Priests & the Guards
The Great Commission
Upcoming Events
March 27 Easter Sunday
April 2 - 3 Train Show
April 3 Woodlands Communion Service April 10 Grade School Bible Presentation April 17 One Service with Congregational Meeting
April 24 Confirmation
May 8 Mothers Day
May 14 Presbytery Meeting
May 15 Pentecost
May 29 One Service Summer Worship Schedule Memorial Weekend
June 5 Graduate Sunday
In the Future @ Church
10
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 Train Show 10 - 4pm 9a-10a Tech Rehearsal
3 Train Show 9 - 2pm 8a-9a Worship 9:15a-10:15a Education Hour 9:15a-10:15a Growing Connections 9:15a-10:15a Talk Back 10:30a-11:30a Worship
4 2:30p-4p Staff
5 10:30a-12p Bible Study 6p-7p AA Meeting (Resource Room) 6p-7p Boy Scouts Committee 6:30p-8p Boy Scouts
6 8a-9a Breakfast at Pump and Pantry 12p-1p Prayer 1p-2p Ruth Circle 5:30p-6:15p Handbells 6p-8p Women in Faith 6:30p-9p Table Tennis
7
8
9 9a-6p AA Great Lakes Mini Conference 9a-10a Tech Re-hearsal 10:45a-11:45a PYA - at the Woodlands
Feed My
Starving Children
10 8a-9a Worship 9:15a-10:15a Education Hour 9:15a-10:15a Growing Connec-tions 9:15a-10:15a Talk Back 10:30a-11:30a Worship
11 Special Session Meeting with Confirmation Class 2:30p-4p Staff 6:30p-8p Outreach Team (Parlor)
12 10:30a-12p Bible Study 6p-7p AA Meeting (Resource Room) 6:30p-8p Boy Scouts 6:30p-7:30p Personnel Team
13 8a-9a Breakfast at Pump and Pantry 12p-1p Prayer 5:30p-6:30p Confirmation Class 5:30p-6:15p Handbells 6:30p-7:30p Deacons 6:30p-9p Table Tennis
14
15
16 9a-10a Tech Rehearsal
17 9a-10a Worship 10:15a-11:15a Congregational Meeting 11:15a-12:15p Talk Back
18 2:30p-4p Staff 6:30p-8p Session
19 10:30a-12p Bible Study 6p-7p AA Meeting (Resource Room) 6:30p-8p Boy Scouts
20 8a-9a Breakfast at Pump and Pantry 12p-1p Prayer 5:30p-6:30p Confirmation Class 5:30p-6:15p Handbells 6:30p-9p Table Tennis
21
22
23 9a-10a Tech Rehearsal
24 Confirmation Sunday 8a-9a Worship 9:15a-10:15a Education Hour 9:15a-10:15a Growing Connections -
Session Forum 9:15a-10:15a Talk Back 10:30a-11:30a Worship
25 2:30p-4p Staff
26 10:30a-12p Bible Study 6p-7p AA Meeting (Resource Room) 6:30p-8p Boy Scouts
27 8a-9a Breakfast at Pump and Pantry 12p-1p Prayer 5:30p-6:15p Handbells 6:30p-9p Table Tennis
28
29
30 9a-10a Tech Rehearsal
April 2016
11
Church Staff
Rev. Jack Harrison
Pastor
Jennifer Zander
Director of Christian Education
Kris Bartelt
Worship Coordinator
Mary Robotka
Financial Assistant
Deb Zorn
Communications Coordinator
Daliborka Koncos
Custodian
Volunteer Staff
Bell Choir Director
Joanne Marchionda
Angel Choir Director
Cheryl Clarenbach
Angel Choir Assistant
Alyssa Sabel
Financial Assistant
Sheryl Brown
Custodian Assistant
Dave Weber
General Information @ Church
Deacons
Sheryl Brown
Kay Burbach
J. Brian Conran
Bonnie Hughes
Jack Hughes
Joanne Klein
N/A
Andy Lorenz
Joanne Marchionda
Lee Munson
Phyllis Munson
Orv Kamphuis
Tina Sommerfeldt
Sandy Vahlsing
Elders on Session
Lew Smith
Clerk of Session
Pedro Arellano
Dave Erickson
Orv Kamphuis
Session Liaison
Barb Mitchell
Ruth Park
Scott Polacek
Shirley Ries
Phil Shepherd
Carol Smith
Krista Tahlman
Dave Weber
Cathy Wolfe
First Presbyterian Church, Fond du Lac First Presbyterian Church FDL
First Presbyterian Church Website Social Media and Website
Website: fdlpresbyterian.org