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Tower Notes (USPS 634720) is published Weekly, except week of Christmas, by First Presbyterian Church, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur, IL 62523. Periodical postage paid at Decatur, IL. Postmaster: Send address changes to Tower Notes, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur IL 62523 (217)429-4195; (217)429-4712 FAX www.firstpresdecatur.org or email: [email protected] ********************************************************************************************************************* VOLUME 46 August 27, 2014 NUMBER 35 ********************************************************************************************************************* August 31, 2014 8:00 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel 12th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9:00 a.m. Christian Education Hour 9:15 a.m. NewSong Worship Service – Chapel 10:15 a.m. Chapel Class 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary September 1, 2014 Office Closed Labor Day
First Presbyterian Vision and Mission Statements VISION: As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to be an open, caring, compassionate congregation, and to bring about positive changes in our community and world. MISSION: We celebrate, explore, and demonstrate our Christian faith in loving service. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: 1) Continue to be an active community-oriented congregation; 2) Develop a passion for discipleship and advocacy; 3) Celebrate unity of purpose with diversity in action.
Wed., August 6
Taizé Worship Resumes
6:15 p.m. in Chapel Once a month, spend a quiet 45 minutes
Songs, scripture, readings, Prayer, contemplation
1st Wednesday before choir
SUMMER SHOWCASE Was a success!
Thank you to all our participating church groups
WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT Thurs., August 28, 2014 Crawford’s Pizza, Maroa 105 W. Main Street 5:30 p.m. - R.S.V.P. 429-4195
FAIR TRADE COFFEE PRICES Bright Day Brew - $6 bag Cozy Cup Decaf - $7 bag Hazelnut Decaf - $8 bag Olive Oil - $11/bottle Herb Packet - $5 Oil/Herb Combo - Sale $15 Geobars - Sale 50 cents each Coffees in basket not listed above – Sale $3/bag or $5/for two bags
JUST FLICKS BEGINS SEPTEMBER 14! Brochures are available at the church for any who wants the season’s film lineup.
Prayer and Peace Vigil
On Thursday, August 28, 2014, the NAACP Decatur Branch in partnership with the Church of the Living God CWFF will host a prayer vigil for parents who have lost their children due to violence and a Peace Vigil for the Michael Brown Family. Time: 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Location: Church of the Living God CWFF, 400 S. Franklin St. The church is invited; please let the church office know if you will join Miley Palmer and Phyllis McPherron that evening.
Study guide available Pathfinders
Wellness of mind, body, and soul
Join us in Fairview Park
Wednesdays from 4:00-5:00 p.m. August 27-October 1
Meet at the dog park back lot.
Join the group for exercise and book conversation!
Our walk will be cancelled only if weather does not permit. If you would like to receive their first weekly study guide, see this week’s attachment with Tower Notes or pick one up in the church office.
Tower Notes
OUR CHURCH FAMILY PRAYER CONCERNS: Cindy Wene’s mother, Judy Grieve, is receiving chemotherapy. John Meyer is home in hospice care. Gayle Bruckner’s daughter Debbie Patterson is home from the hospital and doing well.
URGENT-CARE/WALK-IN CLINICS
THINGS TO CONSIDER Urgent care and retail walk-in clinics are everywhere. More and more drug stores, supermarkets and big box stores are offering the
24-hour, 7-day-a-week medical service. If you have a need to use these services, here are some things to consider.
1. Take a list of all your medicines and supplements with you— also a list of all your allergies.
2. Walk-in clinics are best for acute, common, non-life-threatening illnesses, such as flu, sore throat, ear infection, and for immunizations.
3. If an antibiotic is ordered, ask if you have a bacterial infection (if not, you do not need an antibiotic).
4. Don’t feel pressured to use the on-site pharmacy.
5. Get a copy of everything that happened at the clinic to take to your doctor.
6. Do not use walk-in clinics for chronic disease management. This can result in fragmented care, which can be dangerous.
Walk-in clinics have been shown to give quality care for the basic conditions they treat. The average cost can be from $100 to $150. I would suggest that if your symptoms are not resolve, you are to follow up with your primary care provider. Of course, your very own parish nurse is very happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your health, Phyllis, Parish Nurse
NEW ADDRESSES Chad & Ashley Force family (sons Chad Nicholas II & Carter) 1015 Rosehill Lane Ellisville, MO 63021 Jackie Sharp Evans – WELCOME HOME! 1826 S. West Gate Dr. Decatur, IL 62521 Cell phone - 217-855-1826
SEPTEMBER 28 MISSION SUNDAY OPEN TO EVERYONE
We will work at Decatur Family Sanctuary (formerly Decatur Family Refuge) at 539 N. Water St. Meet at the church at 11:30 a.m. or at DFS at Noon.
Sept. 11 (Thurs.) – TBD: Oxford House, 2700 W. Monroe
Bringing MONTREAT to WORSHIP
VERY GOOD August 31 SUNDAY GREETERS Before Service #1 Debbie and Dwain VanZant #4 Mary Ward #2 Craig Mandernach #5 Terry Hogg #3 Dick Ward Computer Tech Coffee & Fellowship Fred Spannaus Susan Moore Webwatcher and Media Tech Theresa Boes
CHURCH SCHOOL HOUR August 31, 2014
9:00 Everyday Issues – Tom Griffith is leading a review/discussion of Philip Gulley’s latest book…. “The Evolution of Faith” through September 7. Gulley made a guest appearance at First Pres several years ago when his book “If Grace Is True” was published. 9:00 Youth Class – Junior- and Senior-high class is led by Chris Lawton. 9:00 and 10:30 Children’s Classes – summer break until September 7. 10:15 a.m. Chapel Class - This is a discussion group; no materials or handouts. We discuss the scripture and sermon of the day. Cindy Wene is discussion leader.
TUESDAYS WITH MILEY
Want to cozy up to a great class in the fall? Miley will be offering his Tuesdays with Miley in on September 23 for seven weeks. His plans are to cover Corinthians in “The Nature of the Church.” Keep Tuesday nights at 7:00 open. We have Bibles, but you can bring your own too. LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH FEED THE HUNGRY – August 30 First United Methodist, 201 W. North St., needs donations of desserts to feed the hungry for lunch at noon this Saturday. You can deliver pies (no cream, please), cakes or cookies from 9:30-11:30 to 201 W. North St. They would also like to have serving assistance for Dinner Downtown if you are free from 11:30 to 1:00.
E-mail articles to: [email protected]
WORSHIP SERVICES
August 31, 2014 12th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Rev. Bill Keagle, preaching Jerry Redford, 8:00 a.m. lay leader
Verlyn Rosenberger, 10:30 a.m. lay leader
Sermon "WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?”
Scripture
Luke 10:25-37 A Parable of the Kingdom
Special Summer Music
August Ushers Myung Kim, captain
Dan Austin Bob Bullock
Joli Cirks Carol Ferry-sub
Jim May Ellen Noblitt-sub Charlie Platt-sub Pat Smallwood David Williams Mike Zia-sub
Worship Aids
Children’s bulletins, large-print Bibles, and hearing amplifiers are available for use
during worship. Ask any usher.
AVAILABLE FLOWER DATES: October 12 & 19
Purchase Sunday flowers in memory of your loved ones- 429-4195 or [email protected].
Men’s Bible Study
The 7 a.m. every Thursday morning Bible study welcome
all men to join them as they continue to study the New Testament.
Paul, René, Dick, Ray & George
1ST PRES STRING BAND PRACTICE Every Wednesday at 5:00PM
– All levels welcome. Call Doug at 521-1314.
ANALYZING THE “HOLY COW”
(This is the first of three Tower Notes articles offering further information and analysis of the “Holy Cow” report and the questions raised in it.)
Some of the questions in the Church Assessment Tool (CAT) were designed to find out how members feel things are going in our church. “Drivers of Member Satisfaction” concentrates on a few things, unique to our congregation. At First Church, some “drivers” focus on the work of our Pastor (clergy-focused); others on the decision-making group (power focused). Fewer were focused on the various ministries of the church (ministry or mission-focused). Five “drivers” were identified for our church with the first four considered a High degree of focus:
Persons who serve as leaders in our church are representative of the membership.
The leaders of our church show a genuine concern to know what people are thinking when decisions need to be made.
Our Pastor helps us accomplish our mission by bringing out the best in everyone.
Our Pastor communicates in a way that keeps us informed and connected. Our Pastor articulates a clear vision for our church and keeps it before the
people in a compelling way. (Moderate focus.) When members think about the “Level of Excitement” in our church overall, they focus on the areas below, called “Drivers of Energy.” This tells us how important each item is to our members, although it doesn’t tell us how we scored.
The whole spirit in our congregation makes people want to get as involved as possible. (Degree of focus – High.)
Our church does a good job supporting persons in ministry by reminding them that they are making a difference. (Moderate focus.)
In our congregation, the laity work with the Pastor in leading and planning worship services. (Moderate focus.)
Why then are we rated “Low” on a “key indicator” called “Overall Satisfaction,” when we responded to the question, “On the whole, I am satisfied with how things are in our church”? 37% clearly agreed with this statement, but 52% said they were “on the fence.”
A similar response occurred to a question that helped to determine “Overall Energy”: “It seems to me that we are just going through the motions of church activity. There isn’t much excitement about it among our members.” 30% clearly agreed; 50% said they were “on the fence.” (Rating of church energy level: Low!)
Could these uncertainties reflect the timing of the survey (taken after Pastor Montgomery had announced his retirement) or the aging of our congregation (60% of those who answered the survey were 65 years of age and older) – reflecting both uncertainty about the future and a lessening of energy? Or maybe it was acceptance of the status quo?
Stay tuned for more analysis and questions in the future issue of Tower Notes!
Jerry Redford, chair, Administration
SHOWCASE OF CHILDREN’S CHURCH SCHOOL CLASS
On Sunday, September 7, please stop by our showcase from 10:00 to 10:30 to meet and greet our children and wish them well as they begin their new school year and church school year. Take a few minutes to look at our fall curriculum materials and visit with the great kids at 1st Pres. Who knows! You may even be inspired to sign up to teach for a month during the 2014-2015 church school year! This will also be the first day for the fall church school class, which will meet during the 10:30 worship service. All elementary age children are invited to attend!
September Birthdays Al Blickensderfer – 3 Emily Cook – 3 Jeremy Lycan – 3 Kay Mason – 3 Carol Scharfenberg – 3 Kevin Wisher – 3 Alyeea Bales - 5 Amy Pronk – 5 Ann Elder – 6 Ashton Falk – 6 Larry Hayes – 7 Adele Glenn – 8 Mary Turner – 8 Pat Watts – 8 Jamie Ellis – 9 Phil Smith – 9 Jeff Tish – 9 John Winick – 9 Steve Arnold – 10 Peggy Carpunky – 10 Yvonne Lewis – 10 Shannon May – 11 Liz Jones – 12 Chad Force II – 13 Mike Wakeland – 13 Jeff Paul – 14 Mary Lundin – 15 George Wells III – 17 Matt Yepsen – 17 Michelle Bakula – 19 Drew Miller – 20 Charlie Davidson – 21 Doris Fiala – 22 Debbie Evans – 23 Taylor Morthland – 23 Helen Corcoran – 24 Chuck Edwards – 24 Kendall Eisenhauer -- 25 Jeff Black – 26 Jennifer Delaney -- 26 Margrit Padrutt – 26 Bea White – 26 Jane Oaster – 28 Peter Smith-Phillips – 29 Jason Wittig -- 29 Jackie Sharp – 30
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER
2014
(7am-AA) 1
Labor Day Office Closed
(7am-AA) 2 8:30am Money Counters 10:30am Staff Meeting – L 5:15pm Tower Ringers - BR 6:00pm Peacemaking-GR 7:00pm Worship Mtg. – L
(7am-AA) 3 8:30am Tower Notes Folders-L 9:30am Parish Visitors - GR 4:00pm Pathfinders-Fairview Pk 5:00pm String Band - DR 5:15pm Church St. Bells – BR 6:15pm TAIZÉ Service – C 6:30pm Tenor & Bass – CR 7:00 pm Choir Practice – CR
(7am-AA) 4 7:00am Men’s Bible Study - GR 9:00am Volunteers at Good Sam
(7am-AA) 5 (7am-AA) 6
12:00pm Session Reports due
"September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours, but in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn.
-from September Days,by Rowland E. Robinson 7
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Bill Keagle Preaching 8:00am Worship – Chapel 9:00am Christian Ed Hour 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship – Sanctuary 10:30am Church School - S 4:00pm Serendipity – PO
(7am-AA) 8 8:30am Money Counters
11:30am Catholic Chairities
Board Meeting - DR
1:00pm Pink Smoke – C 5:15pm Adult Ministry Mtg. – L
(7am-AA) 9
10:30am Staff Meeting – L 11:00am DARTA Luncheon-DR
5:15pm Tower Ringers - BR
(7am-AA) 10 8:30am Tower Notes Folders-L 10:00am Prayer Shawls – C 2:30pm Caregivers Support-C 4:00pm Pathfinders-Fairview Pk 5:00pm String Band - DR 5:15pm Church St. Bells – BR 5:30 pm Evang/Memb Mtg - L 6:30pm Tenor & Bass – CR 7:00 pm Choir Practice – CR
(7am-AA) 11
9/11
7:00am Men’s Bible Study – GR
TBD – 1st Pres String Band plays at Oxford House
(7am-AA) 12
(7am-AA) 13
14 Bill Keagle Preaching
8:00am Worship – Chapel 9:00am Christian Ed Hour 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 10:30am Church School - S 11:45am Deacons’ Meeting - DR 4:00pm Serendipity – PO 6:00pm Just Flicks – CCC All Quiet on the Western Front
(7am-AA) 15 8:30am Money Counters 1:30pm Women’s Bible Study
- Gathering Room 7:00pm Session – GR
(7am-AA) 16 10:30am Staff Meeting – L 5:15pm Tower Ringers - BR
(7am-AA) 17 8:30am Tower Notes Folders-L 10:15am Backpack Assembly-L 4:00pm Pathfinders-Fairview Pk 5:00pm String Band - DR 5:15pm Church St. Bells – BR 6:30pm Tenor & Bass – CR 7:00 pm Choir Practice – CR
(7am-AA) 18 7:00am Men’s Bible Study - GR 10:30am Lunch Bunch – GR 5:30pm Presbytery Regional at
Pana United in Faith
(7am-AA) 19
(7am-AA) 20
21 Miley Palmer Preaching
8:00am Worship – Chapel 9:00am Christian Ed Hour 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 10:30am Church School - S 4:00pm Serendipity – PO
(7am-AA) 22 8:30am Money Counters 1:00pm Pink Smoke – C
(7am-AA) 23 10:30am Staff Meeting – L
5:15pm Tower Ringers - BR
7:00pm Tuesdays w/Miley-GR
(7am-AA) 24 8:30am Tower Notes Folders-L 10:00am Prayer Shawl – C 10:15am Backpack Assembly-L 2:30pm Caregivers Support - C 4:00pm Pathfinders-Fairview Pk 5:00pm String Band - DR 5:15pm Church St. Bells – BR 6:30pm Tenor & Bass – CR 7:00 pm Choir Practice – CR
(7am-AA) 25 7:00am Men’s Bible Study - GR
3:30pm Planning for Worship - L
5:30pm Women’s Night Out
at Doherty’s
(7am-AA) 26
(7am-AA) 27
28 Miley Palmer Preaching
8:00am Worship – Chapel 9:00am Christian Ed Hour 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 10:30am Church School - S 11:30am Congregational Mtg. – S 11:30am Mission Sunday Project 4:00pm Serendipity – PO
(7am-AA) 29 8:30am Money Counters 5:00pm Beta Pi Delta Kappa
Gamma Mtg. - GR
(7am-AA) 30 10:30am Staff Meeting – L
5:15pm Tower Ringers - BR
7:00pm Tuesdays w/Miley-GR
When squirrels are harvesting And birds in flight appear – By these autumn signs we know September days are here."
- Beverly Ashour, from September
