The 3rd

Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Carol Harr Greeters Tom & Ruth Drummond Chris Eriksen Ushers Bob & Cathy Cul-bertson Earl & Sharon Henderson Liturgist Vicki Thompson Care Board Chuck & Cindy Leggate Van Driver Don Harr Communion Chuck & Cindy Leggate Russ & Janet Kline Diane Noddings

The 10th Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Gary Lohnbakken Greeters June Pierce Eleanor Reinecke Judy Nusbaum Ushers Bebe Spring Cindy Leggate Ginger Green Jan Blackburn Liturgist Jean Noble Care Board Jody Lafko Van Driver Don Harr Sound Booth Chuck Leggate

The 13th Ash Wednesday Preaching Dave Thompson TBA Greeters Ushers Liturgist Care Board Van Driver Sound Booth

The 17th Preaching Dave Thompson Greeters Barbara Rice JoAnn Jones Jody Lafko Ushers Jerry Koch Bob Fedric Bill White Don Reed Liturgist Robyn Bauer Care Board Tom & Ginny Helmer Van Driver Kate Mitchell Sound Booth Bob Culbertson

The 24th Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Jeff Gruizenga Greeters Jim & Biff Hogue Lucile Weisbeck Ushers Bob & Norma Thiesen Kurt & Mary Grabow Liturgist Charlie Reed Care Board Edna Carlson Van Driver Don Harr

Sound Booth Jeff Gruizenga

Substitute Ushers: Pat Clark Kay Doss Anna Mae Dyce Chris Eriksen Ginger Green Tom & Ginny Helmer Biff Hogue Bob & Barbara Muir Jane Myhre if no choir Ray & Jean Noble Diane Noddings Charlie Reed Don Reed Barbara Rice George Schuman Charlene Surwill Bill Woolston Earl & Sharon Henderson

Substitute Greeters: Ann & Ken Chase Kay Doss Tom & Ruth Drum-mond Anna Mae Dyce Ruth Ewen Bob & Linda Fedric Ginger Green Jeanie Hekkel Tom & Ginny Helmer Earl & Sharon Henderson Biff Hogue Midge Jarrett JoAnn Jones Walt & Priscilla Laird Bob & Barbara Muir Marge Myhra Jane Myhra if no choir Ralph Myhra no choir Betty Ann Nesmith Ray & Jean Noble June Pierce John & Marie Reamy Charlie Reed Barbara Rice Jerry Swanson Lucile Weisbeck Bill Woolston

M e m o r y J o g g e r s f o r F e b r u a r y

P a s t o r ’ s P e n

February 2013 Volume 2

“Following God: Twists, Turns, and Detours”

“Come and follow me,” Jesus said to four unsuspecting fisherman from the shoreline of the

Sea of Galilee. “Leave your tax booth and follow me,” Jesus instructed Matthew while busy at

work. “Come down from that tree for I am coming to your house today,” Jesus tells Zacchaeus

who was simply trying to get a glimpse of Jesus over the taller crowd. “Go from your country to

the land that I will show you,” the Lord said to Abraham, who was 75 years old at the time.

Throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, we hear story after story of people of

all ages and backgrounds who are invited to follow God.

This invitation does not end with the Bible, but continues today as God invites us to follow.

God desires to live in a personal relationship with us, whereby we seek God’s ways and direction in

all that we do and say.

The season of Lent, the 40 day period leading up to Easter, will begin on Ash Wednesday,

February 13. I invite you to join us for a special worship service that evening at 7:00 PM as we

begin this season of preparing ourselves for the return of Christ and to grow deeper in our faith.

There will be several special opportunities for spiritual growth during the season of Lent.

On Tuesday, February 19 we will begin our five week “Lenten Lunch and Learn” series in the Fire-

side room from 12noon-1 PM. This popular series includes a free lunch and a time of study. I will

be teaching a series called “Following God: Twists, Turns, and Detours” from the life of Jonah.

Most of us can relate to Jonah, finding his own personal struggles of faith rel-

evant with our own.

During the season of Lent I will also be preaching a sermon series ti-

tled, “Finishing Strong.” During this series we will be looking at people from

the Bible, the likes of Joshua, Job, Ruth, and the Apostle Paul who finished

well. So often the Christian faith emphasizes new beginnings, without giving

much thought to what happens with our faith as our lives come to an end.

I look forward to this season of Lent that we will soon enter. May it

provide a time for us to reflect upon and renew our relationship with God.

May we respond to God’s call with unswerving hope and faithfulness as God

continues to lead our church and personal lives in His way.

Blessings,

Pastor Dave

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Session Notes/Finance/Church Mice

2

Birthdays/ Special Thanks

3

PW & Notices 4

Sunday School 5

Calendar/Mission 6

Misc. News/ Dinners of 8

7

Memory Joggers 8

P a g e 2

Office Hours: Mon—Fri 8:30 am— 4 pm 406-252-3434 mainoffice@fpcbillings.org www.fpcbillings.org Sunday School @ 9:15 Worship Service @ 10:30 STAFF Pastor:

The Rev. Dave Thompson

Office Manager:

Jeanne Thompson-Raney

Maintenance Supervisor:

Craig Berens

Music Director:

Denise Finn

Music Accompanist:

Bev Wornom

Nursery Attendant:

Catherine Kenney

SESSION MEMBERS Clerk of Session: Marlene Spencer 252-5027

Class of 2014 Carol Harr 656-3168 Janet Kline 652-6374 Gary Lohnbakken 656-2046 Bill Lorentz 656-8163

Class of 2015 Kathy Baskett 544-9857 Sharon Brady 655-9046 Marv Brown 256-0257 Jeff Gruizenga 850-3697

Class of 2016 Samantha Cormier 245-9497 Heidi Duncan 252-2373 Jenice Fugere 252-9641 Michelle Reed 252-5316

SESSION MINUTES

Session Notes During the meeting of the session on January 8, the el-ders thanked John Stewart who was attending his last meeting as a member of the current session. John’s many years of service to our church is appreciated by everyone. The property committee reported that the keyless entry system will soon be installed. Some people are training

to operate the sound system during worship services and special occasions. The sermons are now on line. The session voted to sponsor a house for Habitat for Humanity to be built in 2014. The group that worships at West Park Village will contribute to the cost of this project. Members of the church are not required to work, but are en-couraged to help in some way. Pastor Dave reported that he will be conducting a new members’ class in Feb-ruary. Per Capita this year is $42.90. Our church will host the Presbytery meeting on February 22-23.

2013 Income Expense Net

January $ 42,565 $ 43,720 $ (1,155)

Per capita for 2013 is $42.90 per member for the

year. If you are able and willing to pay your per

capita, we encourage you to do so. Simply just

indicate on your check, “per capita payment.” You

can also pay your Per Capita on line through our

church’s website at www.fpcbillings.org. Thanks!

JANUARY 2013

6th 161

13th 140

20th 181

27th

185

2013 Jan Average

167

2012 Jan Average

177

V o l u m e 2

Flower Sponsorship Opportunities

Our flower sign-up sheet is located on the back table in the nar-thex. We invite you to sign up for a particular Sunday to sponsor the flowers either in honor or memory of someone or a special event such as an anniversary, birthday, etc. Suggested donation is $25. Special thanks to June Pierce, Suzanne Braun, Don & Shirley Harr, and Dave & Vicki Thompson for donating flowers during the month of January.

Church Mice! You have probably heard the ex-pression “As poor as a church mouse.” These church mice are pleased to say that we are enjoy-ing a bounty of crumbs after fel-lowship on Sunday mornings. These wonderful cookies are brought in by members of the five circles and special ladies like Marie Reamy. Due to increased attendance during Coffee Fellow-ship, the congregation has been asked to bring cookies for the freezer. The Church Mice heartily endorse this request—as Cookies Monster would say “COOKIES.”

Church Women United “Black History Month”

When: February 1, 2013 Time: 12:00 PM

Where: Wayman Chapel 402 South 25th Street

406-248-3343 Please join us for fellowship

and worship

V o l u m e 2 P a g e 7

A new year is here. Let’s have a good year and make a lot of new friends in this small get together. I know that those that were held last year everyone had a good time. So let’s make this year one to remember. If you find that you cannot host, give someone on your team a call and see if they can do it. There are times that you just cannot host an event, but someone else may be happy to do it, give them a chance. The Host(s) (name is in bold/red print) picks a couple of dates during the subject Month that is convenient for you and calls your guests. If you short of guests, fill in the spaces with new faces with substitutes listed below or anyone not involved in dinners of eight (don’t forget new members or older members). Let your guests know when and where to come and what side dish or bev-erage to bring if any. (If you do not hear from your host call them.)

This is a very flexible program. Any activities to accompany or follow your dinner are up to you. Even the

dinner format can be modified to a brunch or whatever creative ideas you come up with including eating

out. Enjoy your dinners!

If there are any questions or problems, etc., please notify Pat Hastings immediately at 696-0281 or

pathast@msn.com (be sure to title it Dinners of Eight). Please note any new names on the list or

changes. Also, if you have a change in your email please let me know. I am getting some

back. February/March

Swanson Jerry Colleen 656-8104 Myhre Ralph Jane 652-9172

Brown* Phyllis 652-3727 Stewart John Susan 652-3637

Drummond Tom Ruth 656-5977 Spring BeBe 252-7898

Thompson Dave Vicki 252-2562 Mercer-Wallace Jody 656-4150

Albin Jo 656-5600

Hastings Mike Pat 656-0072

Ascheman Jason Meghan 259-1336

Morrow Beth 656-2292

Muir Bob Barbara 256-6099 Brady Sharon 655-9046

Kline Russ Janet 652-6374 Brown Marvin Janet 256-0257

Hogue Jim Biff 259-9114 Evans Jerry 869-9518

Klovstad Howard Sharon 254-2011

Lorentz Megan 855-5427

Wiens Greg Deb 652-1889 Woolston Bill Peggy 656-3908

Reed Don Michelle 252-5316 Dayton Bob Shari 256-3130

Jones Kay JoAnn 652-3185 Lohnbakken Gary Judy 656-2046

Montville Chris Michelle 281-4466

Lorentz Bill Colleen 656-8163

Taubert Carlene Mark Parker 698-2205 Alternates

Culbertson Bob Cathy 655-7826 Secker Shawna 208-7398

Hammermeister Lewis 252-8963 Fugere Jenice 252-9641

Eichenberger Ken Barbara 248-8563

Converse Margaret 259-2354

Gore Pam 694-6381 Reineche Eleanor 248-8293

Leggate Chas Cindy 896-0686

Spencer Marlene 252-5027

Riggs Thelma 658-0898

Repka* Sarah 238-0092

Dinners of Eight

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

2013

1 2 9-1 Celiac Mtg

3 9:15 Sunday School 9:15 New Members Class Begins 10:30 Worship Communion Sunday Installation of Deacons

4 6:30 Men’s Bible Study 1:00 Deacons 6 Billings Child Care Association Meeting

5 9:30 Women’s Bible Study 10 Staff Meeting

6 9 BSF Leaders 11 Grief Support Gr. No BLT 6 Deborah Circle 6 Youth Group 7 Choir Rehearsal 730 Young Adult Grp.

7 9—11 BSF

8

9

10 9:15 Sunday School 9:15 New Members Class 10:30 Worship 11:30 Fellowship Time

11 6:30 MBS

12 9:30 Women Bible Study 10 Staff Meeting 6 Beta Sigma 7 Session Meeting

13 Ash Wednesday 9 BSF Leaders 9:30 PW Board 12noon BLT 6 Youth Group 6 Deborah Circle 7 Ash Wed. Worship

14 VALENTINES DAY! 9—11 BSF 11: Fellowship Comm 4:30 Stephen Minis-try Supervision 6 MT Celiac Meeting

15

Newsletter Submission Deadline!

Youth Ski trip 15 –17

16 Youth Ski trip Feb 15 –17

17 9:15 Sunday School 9:15 Bible for Dummies class begins 10:30 Worship 11:45 Mission Meet & Eat

18 6:30 MBS

19 9:30 Women Bible Study 10 Staff Meeting 12 Lent Lunch & Learn in Fireside Room

20 9—11 BSF Leaders 9:30 Marian Circle Fir. 9:15 Naomi Circle Lib. 6 Youth Group 6 Deborah Circle 7 Choir Rehearsal 730 Young Adult Grp.

21 9—11 BSF 11 Chapter Y PEO

22 1 Presbytery meeting at our church begins

23 Presbytery meet-ing at our church Ends at noon

24 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:30 Fellowship Time

25 6:30 MBS 11:30 Stephen Minis-try Leaders Meeting

26 9:30 Women Bible Study 10 Staff Meeting 12 Lent Lunch & Learn in Fireside Room 6 Beta Sigma

27 6 Deborah Circle 6 Youth Group 7 Choir Rehearsal 730 Young Adult Grp.

28 9—11 BSF 4:30 Stephen Minis-try Supervision

P a g e 6 V o l u m e 2

Souper Bowl of Caring Offering will be received on Sunday, February 3 (Super Bowl Sunday). We invite eve-ryone to bring some non-perishable food items for the Billings Food Bank.

We will be having our next Meet ‘n Eat on Sunday, February 17 after worship and will again be a potluck fol-lowed by opportunities to help on mission projects.

Projects will include making carrying bags from plastic grocery bags and filling hygiene or school bags for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for continuing Hurricane Sandy relief. We will keep you updated in the Sun-day bulletin and Sunday mornings during worship.

Our church recently set aside money to become a major sponsor of a Habitat for Humanity house. The house we will sponsor will be built in the Spring of 2014 on Rebecca Lane, behind Newman Elementary. We are excited to be able to provide funds for this special project. More about this project will be shared in the coming months.

We will once again ask all of you to participate in our One Great Hour of Sharing Fishing derby. Last year we collected 181 pounds of coins in our fish boxes. Our goal this year is to surpass 200 pounds. Fish boxes will be distributed soon. Join the fun and let’s break another record!

The Mission Committee again wants to thank our very generous congregation for all the love you give to “the least of these God’s children.”

MISSION NEWS P a g e 3

V o l u m e 2

On a Personal Note We extend our condolences to the family of Susan Metzker who passed away on Sunday, January 20. Her funeral was held at our church on January 23 and burial was in Roundup. We share our sympathies with Charlie and Audrey Reed whose son Tim died in a car accident in North Dakota on January 18. Tim’s funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Jan. 23 Mary “Scotty” Jones has moved to the Wheatland Memorial Care Canter in Harlowton. Her new ad-dress is 530 3rd Street NW Room #213 Harlowton, MT 59036 Florence Hessler has moved to Canyon Creek Memory Care Community in Billings. Her new address is 1785 Majestic Lane Room #14 Billings, MT 59102.

Update from Interfaith Hospitality Network Final preparations are underway for the second annual Beach Blizzard. We are very grateful to Cloud Peak Energy, our presenting sponsor again this year. We also thank our other sponsors: Schutz Foss Architects, Shane & Gina Colton, the Ambuehl Family, Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center, Billings Federal Credit Union, Breakfast Exchange Club, Cal Northam-Realtor, Cross Petroleum Service, Dale & Jax Door & Glass, ECI Electrical Consultants, Energy Laboratories, Fisher Construction, Freyenhagen Construction, Hardy Construction, Horseplay on Ladders, Inc, Howard Sumner Real Estate, Industrial Communications & Electronics Inc, Little Horn State Bank, Merrill Lynch, RBC Wealth Management, Sign Products, Stewart & Mary Jane Taylor, Tire Rama, Town Pump, Mike & Kathy Woods. Beach Blizzard raises funds for IHN’s day in day out support for our families—both Network and graduated families—and we are deeply grateful to our sponsors for their generosity. This year, IHN will be sending email updates on our families as well as other news. Please call the office: 294-7432 or email me: adela@billingsihn.org with your email address so we can include you in these updates. Adela Awner IHN Executive Director

Annual Meeting Review

At our annual congregational meeting following worship on Sunday January 27, the follow-ing people were elected to serve as our new elders and deacons: Elders: Gary Lohnbakken, Sa-mantha Cormier, Heidi Duncan, Jenice Fugere, and Michelle Reed. Deacons: Jo Bartels, Dodie Cox, Pam Gore, Howard Klovstad, and Sharon Klovstad We also elected the following people to serve on the nominating committee, the group who selects next year’s elders and deacons: Jerry Koch, Deb Wiens, Megan Lorentz, and Don Reed. Thanks to all who attended the meeting. Your support of our church is greatly appreciated.

Birthdays 1 Leslene Cassel 2 Kerry Gruizenga 3 Ryan Johnson 4 Nicholas Wiens 6 Monica Parker 7 Marvin Brown David Bauer 8 Carol Harr 9 Caitlin McRae Shirley Harr 10 Chuck Leggate Earl Henderson

12 Paul Crellin 13 Bill Letson Alexander Repka Danielle Repka 14 Halle Spring Jody Mercer Wallace 15 Michael Repka 16 John Reamy Jim Wempner 16 Tayler Carey 17 Carl Johnson Jack Quandt Skip Hayes

21 Curtis Pattee Eleanor Ball Nichole Ferestad Lorrie Rimpe 22 Helen Montgomery Robert Thiesen 23 Bill Lorentz 25 Susan Stewart 27 Jason Pattee Dolores Reinhardt 28 Lewis Schoenberger 29 Ruth Kaufman

No Anniversaries Listed

P a g e 4 V o l u m e 2

Help!!! We need more cookies!!!!! It is such a delight to have so many people join together for fellowship and cookies after worship. We could really use some help supplying the cookies. So if you could bake and bring them to the church we would sure appreciate it. Bring them to the upstairs kitch-en clearly labeled for use on Sunday mornings. Please date your package of cookies. Thank you. In February we will be having our annual book sale. This year we will also have framed art. Please bring your donations of books and framed art that you can no longer use to the children’s li-brary.

Growing in the Spirit Women’s Retreat EAGLE ROCK SANCTUARY—Saturday, April 20, 2013 SAVE THE DATE! 9:00 – 4:30. We leave from 1st Presbyterian at 8:30. The Rev. Marcia Muir will be sharing about the active work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Marcia grew up in our congregation in Billings and is now pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Yuma, Colorado. Registration is $25.00. Call JoAnn Jones @ 652-3185 to register.

Grief support group continues every month

A new grief support group within our church continues to meet the first Wednesday of each month from 11-12 noon in the fireside room. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 5 at 11 AM. This new group is open to anyone in the church or community who is experiencing grief. Facilitated by Dr. Don Harr, this group will provide support and help to those facing grief.

Group for young adults continues A new Bible study discussion group has been formed for college students and young adults. This group meets at Montana Real Estate Brokers (2050 Broadwater) on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM. This group is being facilitated by Trina White and Jileasa Heidt. Please contact Trina at 698-8899 if you have further questions. The group is open to those from our church or community. Friends are wel-come to attend as well.

Coming Attractions

We have a busy month of activities planned for February. We encourage you to join us for these special events in the coming month:

Presbyterian Women’s book sale continues through February

New Members’ Class: Sundays February 3 and 10 at 9:15 AM in library

Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday: February 3– Bring some canned goods

Ash Wednesday Worship: Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 PM

Youth Ski Retreat: Feb 15-17: See Heather or Pastor Dave to sign up

Mission Meet and Eat after worship on Sunday, February 17— join us for a potluck lunch and projects

“The Bible for Dummies” class begins on Sunday, February 17 at 9:15 AM in the Fireside Room

Lenten Lunch and Learn series begins on Tuesday, February 19 at 12noon in the Fireside Room

Our church hosts the Yellowstone Presbytery meeting on February 22-22

We have lots to offer at FPC. Come and join us!

Presbyterian Women News

New church telephone directories coming soon Our new telephone directory will be soon available for pickup in the gallery. If you would like to have a

directory mailed to you, please contact Jeanne in the church office. Thanks!

P a g e 5 V o l u m e 2

Sunday school classes continue each Sunday morning

Sunday school classes are offered every Sunday at 9:15 AM. Lots of great classes are provided for all ages! Hope you all with join us! Opportunities for those who would like to help teach in our Sunday school program are available. Please talk with Heidi Duncan if you are willing and able to help in this area.

Classes for Kids: Kindergarten through 3rd grade: This class meets upstairs 4th grade through 6th grade: This class meets upstairs Middle School and High School: Youth meet in the fellowship hall. They are comparing Christianity with other religions.

Classes for Adults: New Members Class, taught by Pastor Dave, will be offered February 3 and 10. For those who would like to join the church and/or those who would like to learn more about our church and what we believe, this is the perfect class for you. Let Pastor Dave know if such a class is of interest to you.

The Bible for Dummies begins on Sunday, February 17 at 9:15 AM. Are you intimidated by the Bible? Do you wish you knew more about this book, but are too afraid to ask? Do you wish that a class was offered that would provide basic instruction of what the Bible is all about? If so, this is the class for you. Join Pastor Dave beginning on Sunday, February 17 at 9:15 in the Fireside Room for a four week class on the basics of the Bible. He will share in very simple terms the background of the Bible, its contents, why it has been the most popular book ever written, and how to use it.

Church and Society Guests in February:

FEBRUARY 3 Bill Mercer, Former Acting Associate Attorney General, presently at Holland and Hart Law Firm will talk about "Where Have We Been and Where Do We Go From Here? The Breadth of the Second Amendment and Governments’ Attempts to Reduce Violence.”

FEBRUARY 10 Stan Parker, Multimedia Journalist, will talk about "Banking on Trust,” a documentary that of-fers an intimate look at the lives of those working hard to climb out of poverty, and those helping them to do so. Based on the theory that micro lending will offer sustainable socio-economic ad-vancement the film features the borrowers, lenders, and experts from four micro finance institutions in Argentina.

FEBRUARY 17 Dr. Don Harr, neuro-psychiatrist for over 50 Years, (presently not in active practice), will ad-dress “The Comparison of our Local, State, and Federal approaches to Mental Health Care.” In light of the Newtown, CT. school shootings and discussions about mental health, Dr. Harr will also focus on what is available at the local and state levels and review how healthy is our mental health care

FEBRUARY 24 Janet Ballard, Montana Representative for Soles4Souls. With the mission of “Changing the World One Pair at a Time” Janet will discuss the various benefits of providing shoes to those impov-erished and how shoes are collected and distributed.