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THE CRIER December 2018
Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.)
Dear Friends, We recently made a quick trip to New York City, to gather with two of our sons for an unusual
family Thanksgiving. The apartment in Brooklyn wasn’t huge, but the meal certainly was. One of the boys is
engaged to a woman of Filipino heritage. Her mother, brother and cousin joined us and brought a host of
dishes from that culture, including an amazing ham and a tray of lumpia, which are basically Filipino egg rolls.
A rice noodle stir-fry was also prepared. We contributed our customary Saunders dishes – turkey, cranberries
etc.
So – eight people, two full thanksgiving meals, two cultures, two unfamiliar families, a small setting –
we felt as if we were on a movie set. And it was wonderful - a meal which will go down in family history.
Now, as the two of us turn our sights toward Christmas, we’ve had occasion to think over that evening
and that gathering. We think about a manger, which served as a gathering place for all kinds of folks. A two-
person couple became a three-person family as the Christ-child made his entrance. Many of us know that just
this event, like any birth, provided all the drama and excitement and new love that one can imagine. But there
was much more.
There were working-class shepherds – the locals. Along came a crew from far away, with different
customs and possibly different ethnicities. These wise ones were drawn by spiritual mysteries to this
improbable setting, and every crèche scene on every mantel includes them. Likewise, the scene was
completed by a heavenly host – strangers from a realm even more distant than the wise ones. What a cast!
And yet the event became even bigger than the sum of its parts. That story came to include all of us, and it
even connects to our coming month here in 2018.
For what is our church Christmas celebration other than a crowded gathering of strangers? We come
from very different circumstances. Some contend with loneliness, depression, illness. Some come from frantic
and anxious worlds at home, work or school. Some are blessed with great delights – the pieces of their lives
have come together in blessings of heart and well-being. Some are old veterans of the season at our church;
some are new in our midst. Yet all are drawn to the manger by the same mysteries that drew the original
characters, to something bigger, beyond expression.
As these weeks move by, let’s all let God do God’s thing yet again. Let’s move through our precious
traditions – the music, the pageant, Christmas Eve – with an appreciation of our all journeying together. Let’s
give a little nudge or invitation to anyone that God might be gathering into our midst. We’re being drawn to
something bigger than all of us – something that touches and transforms our hearts. It’s a season for
mysteries, and the great, complex, diverse gathering before a newborn Christ-child is a treasured Christmas
miracle for each of us, and for all of us together.
Yours in Christ,
Page 2
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CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
Presbyterians have long celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ by giving generously to an Advent offering. The Christmas Joy Offering dates back to the 1930s when the former Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) began an offering to supplement inadequate retirement income and provide supplemental medical insurance for former ministers, missionaries, church workers, and their families. In 1988 the PCUS and the UPCUSA offerings were joined into one offering, the Christmas Offering Joy Gift. In 1989 the offering was renamed the Christmas Joy Offering, and in 1991 the 203rd General Assembly changed the distribution of funds to 50% of the Board of Pensions and 50% to the Presbyterian racial ethnic schools
and colleges.
The church will be collecting the offering on Sunday, December 23. If you will be unable to attend the service that day please mail your envelope to the church. Make the check payable to First Presbyterian Church and on the memo line write Christmas
Joy Offering.
Alternative Christmas Giving Do you have people on your Christmas list that you wish to remember, but who really don’t need a thing? People who care about others and really want to make the world a better place? Take a look at the Presbyterian Giving Catalog and see if this might help you solve some of your gift-giving dilemmas this season. The manager of PCUSA Special Offerings writes: “People who use the Presbyterian Giving Catalog support life-
changing work in the United States and around the world. Every gift, large or small, makes a big impact by
expanding our witness to God’s gracious and abundant world. We are grateful for the people who continue to use
this resource to support these vital ministries in the church, and we hope others will be inspired to join them this
year.”
The catalog offers a wide range of giving options. For example, $10 buys agricultural tools for a family in the
developing world. On the other end of the spectrum, $1,200 purchases a fishing boat and accessories for
fishermen in the Philippines who lost their boats to Typhoon Haiyan.
There are items to support work with children and youth such as racial ethnic educational opportunities,
registration fees for Youth Triennium and school supplies for refugee students. Gifts that help unemployed people
find jobs and retired church workers live with dignity are also available as options from the 44 items in the catalog.
All gifts given through the Presbyterian Giving Catalog go to ministries supported by the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) four church wide special offerings.
To select a catalog item online and make a gift, visit presbyteriangifts.org. For more information, please call 800-
872-3283. Copies of the Giving Catalog are available in the Narthex and upon request from the church office.
Staff at First Presbyterian
Page 3
Co-Pastor Mary Jane Saunders
419/806-4712
Co-Pastor Gary Saunders
419/806-4712
Josh Dufford,Choir Director,
614/570-2031
Organist, Dr. Ed Duling
419/353-9273
Coordinator of Children & Youth
Ministries,
Adriane Weisert
419/494-1343
Office Administrator
Tammy Schnitker
419/352-5176
Office Information
Monday-Church Closed
Tues. & Thurs.-9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Weds.-8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Fri.-9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Phone: 419/352-5176
Fax: 419/352-8808
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:firstpresbyterianbg.org
The office is closed daily for
lunch 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Have you
‘liked’ us on
Facebook?
Just enter the
church name!
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OUR MISSION DOLLARS AT WORK – A Case Study
Our Church and Society Committee recently received a letter from Kirkmont Center, the camping facility where our children attend summer camp. Here are excerpts:
I am writing to describe activities beyond summer camp for which Kirkmont Center seeks financial support.
However we interpret “the least of these” and the fate of goats and sheep in Matthew chapter 25, what we do matters. In the past two years, Kirkmont Center has hosted the residents of two different women’s shelters who have been abused, trafficked, or suffered with addictions. We also twice collaborated with Springfield Promise Neighborhood, a nonprofit in Springfield that operates in a 110-block neighborhood served by an elementary school. We hosted a senior retreat of a STEM high school that serves Cleveland’s lowest income neighborhoods. We partnered with the Youth for Christ organization working in a west Columbus neighborhood that otherwise offers few options for youth. Kirkmont hosts the Champaign County Adult Residential Center the open week around July 4
th. The
resident-to-aide ratio is about 1:1. The residents look forward to that week. The past three weeks a homeless woman with two young boys stayed in the Kirkmont nurse station until she could find a less temporary place.
It takes a couple of hours for all the groups to begin to feel safe. Most of the youth have never been out of their neighborhood. They have never seen the stars through a telescope at night, never seen pond critters through a microscope, never walked through the woods. The shelter women exhibit supportive teamwork better than any other groups that go through the Kirkmont confidence, team building, and leadership course.
Visits from these groups are eye opening for staff and volunteers. Many of us cry when the groups get on the bus to leave.
Thank you for your consideration.
Floyd “Buzz” Reed
Chair, Board of Trustees
In response, the committee recommended that our church donate $1000 to Kirkmont Center to support these activities. The Session approved the recommendation and our check is in the mail.
This money comes from our budget – a line called “Locally Directed Mission.” As you make your pledges/estimates of giving to the church, you are creating the fund that will allow such donations in 2019. Let’s all remember Kirkmont, and the people they serve, in our prayers.
___________________________________________________________
First Friday for December – December’s “First Friday” will be held at El Zarape Restaurant in BG on Friday, December 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Contact Nettie Rose at 419/262-7889 or [email protected] before December 5
th.
Page 4 If you shop at Krogers, sign-up to help the church—enroll in Kroger Rewards
Presbyterian Women are offering Christmas Poinsettias for purchase. These poinsettias will be used to decorate the sanctuary during the Christmas season. The poinsettias can be purchased in memory of someone, as a celebration, or dedication to someone. This information will be shared in the Sunday Bulletins.
All poinsettias will be red and can be taken home after our Christmas Eve Service on December 24th. Please contact Pam Orr at 419-353-2014 or [email protected]. You can simply put this form in the offering plate to place an order. The price for poinsettia is $12.99. Checks can then be made out to Presbyterian Women with “poinsettias”
written on the memo line. Flowers will not be delivered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I would like ______ red poinsettias.
Name_______________________________________________________
Phone or email contact information._____________________________________
Memory of someone, as a celebration, or dedication to someone (circle one): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
************************************************tear here**************************************************************
Kindred Spirits Circle will meet Monday, December 10 at 7 p.m. at the home of hostess Lyn Long (1005 Gustin Ave., BG). Terry Housholder will lead the discussion of Lesson Four, “God With Us When We seek God.” All are welcome to attend. Wine, Women, and Wisdom—WWW will meet on Tuesday, December 11 at 7 p.m. at the home of Pastor Mary Jane, (875 Lyn, BG). Contact her to let her know you’ll be coming ([email protected] or 419/806-4712). Also please bring a small gift to exchange of something that you find very useful that someone else might too. Perhaps it’s a kitchen gadget or gardening tool, anything that is helpful to you that you think others might not have. As
always, snacks and beverages are welcome, but not required. ________________________________________________________________________________________
MARTHA’S KITCHEN
On Friday, December 7 at 3 p.m., our church is on call to serve dinner at
Martha’s Kitchen (United Methodist Church, BG).
We are in need of volunteers for various jobs that need to be done. We need help on Fri. afternoon (3:30-5) to help set-up and serve or (5-6:30) helping with the clean-up.
We presently have some people making the main dishes, but we do need Jell-O or green salads and vegetable dishes. The committee is especially looking for those who would be interested in becoming part of the regular Martha’s Kitchen crew. Thank you for helping feed the hungry of our community. Please see or call Eniko Szentkiralyi at 419/352-1726 to help with Martha’s Kitchen.
FROM THE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
Over a year ago the Memorial Committee took on a new project: the renovation of the lobby outside the church office. The Lobby Renovation Project is almost complete. There are now four new chairs and a love seat. Myrl DenBesten contributed new end tables and a coffee table came from the Marcin home. New flooring extends from the court yard door to the back door with walk off carpet for cleaning shoes at each entrance. The trustees extended the new flooring into the educational wing. Wally Fraker created a beautiful cross from the tree that had been planted in memory of Maggie Quinn. The tree was toppled in a storm. The cross has been framed and is hanging in the lobby. The Frakers donated a spotlight to highlight the cross. Wally and Gary DeLong brightened the walls with new paint. The committee plans to create new valances, recover the bench, and replace the area rug in front of the love seat when money is available.
The project was completed with large and small contributions to the church in memory of many church members. The lobby memorial money honors Ivan DenBesten, Dave Chilson, Dorothy Lugabihl, Dick Powers, Lucy Kaufman, Evelyn Wilkens, Connie Varney and Merle and Lolita Guthrie.
Other recent projects were also funded in part from memorial money. The new elevator was completed with gifts given in memory of Bob Platz. The new doors to the courtyard were built with gifts given in memory of Elmer Long and Ralph St. John. Gifts contributed in the name or Al Kepke will support the choral scholars. Gifts in memory of Sis Oman will be used to support the music program.
It is hard to see so many names of loved members of our congregation that are no longer with us but we have been pleased with gifts of remembrance that continue their service to our church.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
New Name Badges
An idea has been floating around for awhile about the name badges/tags/ids at the church. Some members would like to have a new one with a magnet on the back while others would like to continue to use the current one.
To the left is a sample of the one that will be available for purchase. The size of the badge is 2 15/16” x 1 9/16” and has a magnet fitting. The cost of the badge would be $20.98. If this is something that you would wish to purchase for yourself through the church office.
The cost would be at your expense and the badge would be yours, meaning it goes home with you as the church does not have plans to house them in the narthex.
Checks can be made payable to “First Presbyterian Church” and on the memo line write “name badge”. The badges will be placed as the orders arrive starting January 3, 2019. Below print your name as you would like it to appear on the badge. Your first name will be larger that the last name on the badge.
First Name: _________________________________________
Last Name:_________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________ (Will be used to contact you when your
badge can be picked up in the church
Cell/Phone: ________________________________________ office.)
Page 5 Please remember the church in your will.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - December 2018
Stewardship is Heart Work - Activity: Practice tithing and using your time wisely! If you get an allowance from your parents, ask them about giving a tenth during your offering time at church. Keep a daily or weekly log of how you use your time (outside of school and chores) and see where you are spending the most time. Is it being spent on things of God or “other” things? Make sure there is a balance between the two. Involve the entire family in these activities!
Sacred Space - Welcome Advent! During Advent we'll follow the stories in the Bible that lead us to the manger on December 25, including the prophets talking about Jesus, Mary & Joseph traveling to Bethlehem and the shepherds and wise men visiting Jesus.
We Meet - We'll be enjoying We Meet throughout December, including a special pot-luck style dinner on December 12th. Everyone is welcome to join us for dinner on Wednesdays. Warm food and warm friendship abounds!
Advent Workshop - Advent is the season of expectant waiting! Make a plan to join us on Sunday, December 9 following worship to create items to help count down and celebrate the days of Advent. We'll be making items to celebrate the nativity, sing some songs, and play a game or two. This activity will be designed for people of all ages and everyone is welcome. Please plan to join us! There will be a light lunch so please RSVP to the church office so we can
prepare materials and food.
Christmas Pageant - Our Christmas Pageant, “ Silent Night, Holy Night” , will be happening on Sunday, December 16 this year. It will be a wonderful presentation with people of all ages participating as our all-star cast. We hope that you'll join us for this very special event on Sunday, December 16 during worship. Rehearsal for the students and adults involved will be on Wednesday, December 12 at 7 p.m., following We
Meet dinner.
Christmas Caroling - Who doesn't like to remember the season and the good memories of Christmas with the music that goes along with it? We hope that you'll join us on Sunday, December 16 after the Christmas Pageant as we share these songs with our church family members in the local assisted living facilities and at home. We'll gather in the fellowship hall for a light lunch following worship and head out together to sing. After, we'll meet up at the
Pastors' home for cookies and hot chocolate. Students - plan to wear your Nativity costumes! The more the merrier, so everyone is welcome!
Join us on Monday, December 24th at 7 p.m. for carols, choirs, candles, the Christ child during our Christmas Eve service - an awesome night! This very special worship service will help us to truly celebrate the coming of the Savior. The service will end with the traditional lighting of the Christmas candles and the singing of “Silent Night”.
Page 6 If you shop online at Amazon.com please remember to use the Amazon Smile when ordering
Page 7
GOOD NEWS
Changing lives here at
First Presbyterian Church - November 2018
The Deacons Shop - our ministry of recycling used clothing to the people of Bowling Green. We sort & fold clothes on Wednesday mornings-come join us. Individuals with special circumstances may call the church office for help. Arrangements will be made to serve them. We are currently collecting heavy duty black trash bags and diapers in a variety of sizes, as well as fall/winter seasonal clothing, bedding, and towels. Want to volunteer? Contact Janet
DeLong at 419/353-1333.
The Wood County Alternative School , which services students who have not been successful in traditional school settings is housed in our church at minimal cost. The Alternative School currently has 7 students from 3 school districts in Wood County and 3 BGSU interns. They have helped haul down and back up to the 3rd floor items for the Jingle Jumble Rummage Sale, we volunteer for food distribution at First United Methodist, will be assisting the Deacons with unloading and sorting food for food baskets and continue to help in the Deacons’ Shop. The
monthly food bags from the church are greatly appreciated by the students.
Our “Backpack Project” is a church mission through which we buy and pack food supplies for the students of the Alternative School, some of whom come from food-insecure homes. Once a month we pack bags of nutritious, easy-to-prepare food and distribute them to students in the Alternative School. If you would like to learn more about the project, how to donate, or if you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Libby Allen-Dachik: [email protected] or 419-494-4117 or Nettie Rose, [email protected]. The Backpack Project has been a very successful, effective outreach program. We thank you for your generous donations.
We provide space at no charge for La Conexión de Wood County, a self-help and advocacy association for Latinos. They offer English as a Second Language classes here at our church twice a week, as well as holding monthly general meetings here. La Conexion’s English & Citizenship classes for adults as well as its tutoring/academic assistance classes for children and yourth will close the Fall session after first week of December. We will resume that last week of January. We are always thankful for the FPC congregation’s donation of the space we use for these programs. When our board and members were discussing which organization to recognize for its support to la Conexion at its 5th anniversary celebration event, the name of the First Presbyterian Church came immediately
to everybody’s minds. Below are pictures from a recent event.
SPECIAL OFFERINGS: Every month we send $1060 from our budget to the mission program of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to change lives for people in need all over the world.
YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE CHRISTIAN FOOD PANTRY IS APPRECIATED. Many thanks for your continued support of the BG Christian Food Pantry by giving food items in the grocery cart by the elevator. Every week or so we are filling up the cart and then delivering the donated items to the local Christian Food Pantry. I am continually thanked by the staff members who work at the Pantry and asked to extend thanks to all in our church who have assisted on a regular basis. I can confirm that the items we provide are also appreciated by the families and individuals we serve, and very helpful in providing basic needs for those who
need assistance. Thanks for your help and generosity. Dave Hyslop—on behalf of the Deacons
The church also has one Alcohol Anonymous group that meets here in our Fellowship Hall on Tuesday evenings from 7-9. We also have an Narcotics Anonymous group that meets on Wednesday evening in the Green Lounge from 7-9 and an Heroin Anonymous group that meets on Sunday evenings from 7-9.
If you shop at Krogers, sign-up to help the church—enroll in Kroger Rewards
Session Members
Chris Dunn Conner Geyman
Christina Guenther Emmy Hann
Carol Lashuay Christy Lunceford
Michael Penrod Marcy St. John Bonnie Stearns
Lee Welling
Chris Williams
Deacon Members
Mary Bielen Libby Dachik Janet DeLong
Beatrice Guenther Nancy Hess Dave Horger
Terry Housholder Dave Hyslop Betty Long
Doretta Schmidt
Deb Zappitelli
Trustee Members
John Barnes Dar Bevelhymer
Don Boren Gary DeLong Susan Dunn Drew Hanna Chet Marcin
Terri McNamara
Jason Sybert
Officers of the Church
Page 8
Different Ways to Help Your Church Earn Extra Cash
Kroger Community Rewards.
Dear First Presbyterian Church—BG(AD555),
The Kroger Co. Family of Stores is committed to bringing
hope and help to the local neighborhoods we call home. We
appreciate your participation in our Community Rewards program to
help accomplish that mission. The church received a check from
Kroger for $149.42 for Aug 2081-Oct 2018. Twenty-seven (27) households from our
congregation participated in the program during that time.
We have recently upgraded our Community Rewards system, and as a
result your NPO (non profit organization) has a new account number. (AD555)
Please reference the new number when contacting us for assistance. New members
can enroll by searching for either the new number or the name of your organization.
Go to www.kroger.com, sign in, and click on the “community” tab.
Scroll down to Kroger Community Rewards.
Click on View Your Rewards Details.
Then scroll down to Community Rewards. It will show if you are enrolled to benefit
First Presbyterian Church. Remember you have to reenroll every year so now is the
time!
If you are not enrolled, click edit and select First Presbyterian Church of
Bowling Green (Organization Number: AD555)
You may need to create an account, if you have not done so already. That's pretty
simple - just follow the directions on kroger.com.
Amazon also directs a portion of your purchase to First Presbyterian Church through the Amazon Smile
program. Follow these directions to sign up with Amazon:
Go to: smile.amazon.com
Select First Presbyterian Church Bowling Green as your designated charity. When you search for the church, be sure it is for First Presbyterian Bowling Green, OH. There are many First Presbyterian Churches on the list!
Then when you shop on Amazon, be sure to start at the smile. Amazon address in order to have your purchase credited to the church.
GIVING ONLINE - Did you know you can make a donation to the church with just a few clicks on a computer or even your cell phone? Go to our website firstpresbyterianbg.org and click on one of the “donate” buttons. You’ll be asked for an amount, and you can even leave an instruction note for the donation. If you
have a PayPal account, it’s extra easy, or you can provide credit card information. Why not give it a try with a small test amount to see how it works?
If you shop online at Amazon.com please remember to use the Amazon Smile when ordering
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First Presbyterian Church—December 2018
First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
126 South Church Street
Bowling Green OH 43402
phone:419/352-5176
email:[email protected]
web:www.fir stpresbyter ianbg.org
We are on Facebook.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
#23 U.S. Postage
PAID
Bowling Green, Ohio
Permit No. 23
Picture left & above are from our Dedication Sunday Service on Nov. 11th and
below is from the Peace March held in November here in BG.
