The Narthex January 2016

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The Narthex A publicaon for the purpose of spreading the Good News.

First Presbyterian Church, Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Jottings from Jan

As you’ll read inside, a couple of new things are happening at First Pres this year. Both of them give us

the opportunity for growth as the Body of Christ.

First, every Sunday morning at 10:30, we’ll be having a prayer me, called Partners in Prayer. This will

be a me to pray for one another and for our church. You never know what wonderful things will happen

when people get together and pray. So I urge you to join with this group in seeking God’s will in our own

lives and in the life of the church.

Second, we will be repeang Read the New Testament. I really hope that you will parcipate in this dai-

ly pracce of Bible reading. We can nish the New Testament in a year by reading just one chapter a day,

ve days a week. That allows the weekends to be a me to catch up, and to contemplate what you have

read. Much of the New Testament, especially the leers, talks about what a church should be and how

Chrisans relate to each other. The guides you will receive weekly (Thanks to Annee Haskins) will point

out the opportunies to think about what it means to be the church. I hope that we can all take those op-

portunies and grow together as a congregaon.

Third, I’m going to be preaching each Sunday from some part of the previous week’s readings. I am de-

liberately choosing passages that are not included in the leconary. I always wonder why some things

aren’t included. This year, we’ll have some me to nd out. It will be challenging for me to study less fa-

miliar texts.

Two years ago, we went through the New Beginnings project. This was a large project of study of our-

selves and our community. Out of this came our relaonship with Grand View school. Clearly, the hand of

God guided us in this process.

Some of you then expressed the desire never to go through such a discerning process again. So we

turned our discernment into acon, which has been very good. But the reformers called for us to be a

church that is “Reformed, always being Reformed, by the Word of God.” I urge you to parcipate in the

ongoing project of seeing where God wants us to grow, what adventure God holds for us around the next

bend in the road. Read with us, pray with us, study the word with us. And let it all be to the glory of God.

Peace,



New Ocers

New Ocers The nomination team has presented the following persons for open Elder and

Deacon positions:

Elders

Krissy Harris-Class 2018

Nancy Fuller -Class 2018

Bonnie Smith-Class 2018

Jessica Langston to fill 1 yr unexpired term

In the called congregational meeting of December 2013, these persons were

elected by the congregation. On January 10, 2016 the new officers will beinstalled.

A hearty “thank you” to all those who serve in our congregation in both leadership

and support roles. It is this service that keeps our church body healthy and thriving.

Deacons

Paula Young-Class 2018

Mike Condren-Class 2018

Karmen Green to fill 2 yr unexpired term

STEW RDSHIP QUESTION OF THE MONTH

We live life best as we give our strengths, gifts, and

competencies in the service of God’s mission. We arecalled to serve, not survive. Our giving makes a

difference in our work, our community, our world, and

our church.

We want our lives to count. We want to make a

difference. We do not want to spend and waste our

lives in flimsy, foolish ways. We want the confidence

that we are living for a cause that counts. Our lives

count best when we direct them to the mission of God.

In congregations focused on mission, there is never enough money. In growing congre-gations, there is never enough money. These congregations are always giving away

more money that they have. They are always living at the edge of their resources.

Declining and dying congregations never have enough money either, but for an entirely

different reason. These congregations have forgotten mission. They focus instead on

staying afloat for another year or two. For these congregations to thrive they must refo-

cus their thinking toward God’s mission for them.

So where does First Presbyterian Church stand in relation to a full participation in God’s

mission. That is this month’s questions, and our answer is crucial



Did you Sign Up for Through The New Testament Yet?

They say things are beer the second me around. We know that with God’s word, and

especially the words of Christ, every me we hear it we learn something new and pernent

to our lives.

In this spirit, we are going through The New Testament again in 2016. Via email or postal

mail, online and in your Facebook feed, we hope to invite in the community around us to

read and study each week.

Annee will again provide guides to the weekly readings. She promises to revise the ones

she wrote in 2015. These are an extraordinary help as we understand the readings. Annee

takes special care to relate the readings to our lives as individuals and as a church today.

Please take a moment to ll out a card to parcipate with us in this study. Cards will be avail-able in the Narthex or take a moment to cut this out and mail or leave it in the oce. You

can also call or email the oce to be put on the mailing list for the guides

THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT IN 2016

YES! Sign me up! I will receive the reading list and weekly notes.

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________ State ___________ Zip ___________

Phone: __________________(Home) ________________________ (Cell)

Email: __________________________________________

With the help of the Holy Spirit and in the company of this congregaon,

I commit myself to reading through the New Testament in 2016.

Please send me the informaon by: email postal mail

Signature _______________________________________ Date ___________________



Christmas Eve Service 2 15

Luminaries surrounded our church The Adams’ lit the Christ Candle

Hansen Johnson sang O Holy Night Jan told the story of Christ’s birth

while the nativity candles were lit.

The breaking of the bread. Communion

We welcomed in The Light of the World

Silent Night, Holy Night.

Merry Christmas



Exciting News from Grand View

Thanks to your extravagant giving to CHRISTMAS IN JULY we have been able to

provide Thanksgiving and Christmas food vouchers to 49 families whose children

participate in the backpack program. Your donations allowed us to give $25 Thanks-

giving and $50 Christmas vouchers to Save- A-Lot to help the families celebrate the

holidays. According to the Taylors, who own Save- A-Lot, the vouchers are warmly

received and expressions of gratitude are often heard.

How else can you help?

We still need tutors for our tutoring program. All that is required from you is an hour

per week during the school year. Please come by or call the office (918-456-2271)

and we will tell you more.

Dwight Mission Summer Camp Programs

Here are some summer camps for the kids coming to Dwight Mission in Summer 2016. Re-

member that the church pays part of each child’s fee.

Dates Camp Grades

Jun 12-18 Counselor in Training 11-12

Jun 12-25 Leadership in Training 10-11

Jun 12-18 Elementary Camp I 4-6

Junior High Camp I 7-9

Jun 19-25 Elementary Camp II 4-6

Junior High Camp II 7-9

Jun 19-Jul 2 Two Week Camp 7-9

Jun 26-Jul 2 Night Owl 7-10

Jun 30-Jul 3 Senior High Gathering 10-Grad

Jul 3-9

Ozark Adventure

7-Grad

Jul 5-9 Tiger Camp 3-5

Jul 5-8 Day Camp 1-6

Jul 10 – 16 Elementary Camp III 4-6

Junior High Camp III 7-9

Register before April 1st to get a $25 discount



Around e Religious World Update

For trip #3 in our around the Religious World series, we visited Temple Israel. We

braved a cold, wet, Black Friday night driving to Tulsa, but it was well worth it.

Temple Israel was very gracious answering our questions, and showed us one of

their beautiful Torahs after the service. We learned that The Torah is Judaism's most

important text. It contains the Five Books of Moses and is the source of the Ten

Commandments They had a small gift shop that we had a few minutes to visit before

hand. And we even got pie afterwards and visited with a few of their members. The

kids were very impressed with their "movie theater" style seats and EVERYONE was

impressed with their automatic opening walls at the back of the church opening up

into their "fellowship hall".

Partners n Prayer

New for 2016, we will be starting a prayer groupevery Sunday starting before worship services at

10:30am. We will start this group with the first

Sunday of the New Year on January 3, 2016.

Come pray for our congregation, our church and

those things you have on your heart.



Ginger Allen Sherry Marley

Dru Baker McCutchan Family

Baldridge-Harjo Family Park Medearis

Cathy Biele (cousin of Mike Condren) David & Shirley McDonald

Michael Boles (friends of the Condrens)

Mike Condren Betty Moore

John & Darla DeSteiguer Dana O'Dell

Wes Dickerson Adam Parish

Marion Dyer Barbara Parris (Janice’s mom)

(friend of Mary Ann Heck)

Keeli Peevy

Al & Virginia Douthitt (friend of Karmen Green)

Glenda Dye (Jay Dye's Mother) Michael & Claudine Ramirez

Jay Dye Elgie Raymond

Nancy Henley Ted Ridenhour

Jesse Henley (friend of Karmen Green)

Boyd Hogner Francine Rozell

Mary Jones (friend of Summer King)

Susan Jones Cathy Sanders(Mother of Jamerra Priddy) (Eve Couch's daughter)

Nancy Jordan Pat Scott

(Karmen Green’s aunt) Steve Smith (Karmen's father)

Vicki Leandro Nathan Webb

Gerald & Louise Mabray The family of Margaret White

(Marilyn Girdner’s parents) Roy Wilmer (friend of Mary Ann Heck)

Arlie Manship Kenny Young (friend of Condrens)

“For I know the plans I have for

you,” declares the Lord, “plans to

prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a

future.” Jeremiah 29:11



Session otes

December 17, 2015

Session met with 5 members present and the newly elected ocers class 2018 for examina-

on. Session heard and/or acted on the following items of business.

Newly elected Elders & Deacons were examined and the examinaon was sustained.

Moon to give the Administrave Asst. a bonus of $50.00 for all the extra work she has

performed esp. for the Memorial service of Becky Knox.

Retreat for Session & Deacons on Jan 8-9, 2016, plan to have dessert on Friday at 6:30

pm and Brunch on Saturday at 10:00 am.

Having to withdraw from savings to nish out the year.

2016 budget proposal was distributed for study, will present the nal budget proposal at

the stated meeng in January.

Revised the Choral Scholar Contract.

Christmas Eve Service has been planned and will pracce on December 20th

following

worship.

Fed 60 people at the December Neighborhood Dinner and the Clothing Closet gave out

lots of clothing.

Agreed to begin a prayer group on Sunday mornings from 10:30-10:50.

The meeng closed with prayer at 7:50 pm.

Bonnie Smith

Clerk of Session

Session Retreat

On January 8 & 9, your session, including the class of 2018 will meet at the church to look

at new ways of approaching the work of the church. Please pray for this retreat, that your

session might be guided by the Holy Spirit as we meet together.



November 2015 General Fund

First Presbyterian Church General Fund

November Year to Date

Contribuons to the Life of the Church

PLEDGE CONTRIBUTIONS $3,948.00

$39,756.00

OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS $1,933.00

$18,801.38

OTHER MISC INCOME $1.14

$666.54

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS $5,882.14

$59,223.92

EXPENDITURES FOR THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

PASTOR'S COMPENSATION $3,089.58

$35,255.35

WORSHIP $1,404.50

$13,122.91

TEACHING MINISTRY $95.00

$314.75

FELLOWSHIP $0.00

$454.19

OUTREACH & MISSION $0.00

$6,900.95

FACILITIES $995.99

$25,580.64

ADMINISTRATION $2,265.65

$23,980.81

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $7,850.72

$105,609.60

TRANSFERS FROM LEA DAVIS FUND $15,000.00

TRANSFERS To/From SAVINGS $35,889.60



January 2016SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

Office Closed

New Year’s Day

2

3

9:00 MF Mtg

10:30 Partners in Pray-

er

4

Jan back

from

5 6 7

1:00

Backpacks

8

6:30

Session

Retreat

9

9:00

Session

Retreat

10


er

11 :00 Worship

11 12

11:00

Presbytery

Women

13

6:15 Bell Choir

7:00 Chancel

Choir

14

1:00 Back-

packs

6:00 Deacons

15 16

17


er

11 :00 Worship

18 19

Presbytery

Work-

Group

20

5:00 N’Hood

Dinner

6:15 Bell Choir

21

1:00

Backpacks

6:30 Ses-

22 23

24


er

11 :00 Worship

25 26 27

6:15 Bell Choir

7:00 Chancel

Choir

28

1:00

Backpacks

29 30

31


er

11 :00 Worship

All events are also listed on our website:

www.firstprestahlequah.org/



Peanut Butter Jelly

Presbyterian Women

Next meeting: January 12th at 11:00 am

Please bring sanitary supplies for a mission project

for Grand View Schools.

.Kirk Lunch = Church Lunch

Have you ever wondered where Kirk Lunch gets it’s name? The word

for church in Scotland is kirk. So our Kirk Lunch literally means

“church lunch.” Interesting, aye?

The schedule for our Kirk Lunches has been confirmed and magnets

have been made, so don’t forget to pick yours up in the Narthex.

January Neighborhood Dinner

The Neighborhood Dinner for January will be potato soup, salad,

and bread or crackers. Please bring a dessert and come join us

for fellowship with our neighbors on January 20th at 5:00 pm.

Nancy Hensley January 3

Bey Moore January 5

Paula Young January 8

Tary Dye January 10

Eva Barre

January 13

Annee Haskins January 20

Jim Bynum January 23

Mar Creighton January 31



First Presbyterian Church

315 East Shawnee

(corner of Shawnee & Oak)

Tahlequah, Ok 74464

918-456-2271 tel

918-

456-

2339 fax

[email protected]

Pastor 918-207-1103 res.

Pastor 918-772-0580 cell

We are...

a community that

† believes in Jesus Christ,

† worships God,

† strives to discern God’s will,

† teaches discipleship,

† and ministers to human need.

IN THIS ISSUE

Jottings from Jan 1

2016 Officers 2

Through The New Testament 3

Christmas Happenings/Kirk Lunch 4

Grand view 5

Around the Religious World 6

Session Notes 8

Financials 9

Calendar 10

Missions & Giving 11

U.S. Postage Paid

Non-Prot Organizaon

Permit No. 20

Tahlequah, OK 74464

Return Service Requested

Find the full

Narthex and

keep up with

our latest

news and

events on our

website:

www.firstprestahlequah.org

Documents

The Narthex January 2016