Several adult education opportunities available now at St. AndrewSeveral Adult Education opportu-

nities are available at St. Andrew now through April.

A Lenten Series five-week class on “Jesus: His Times and Passion,” led by Ken Zanca on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, begins March 6. The class will focus on such questions as “What Was the World of Jesus Like?”

and “How Would He Have Understood Judaism?”

Rev. Dr. Steve Marsh, pastor of Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, will be here Friday evening, Feb. 8, and Saturday morning, Feb. 9, for a discussion of our Christian values, the world around us and how we can address our response.

The Friday evening program be-gins at 6:30 and includes dinner. The Saturday morning session begins at 9 a.m. and includes a lecture and coffee.

Another five-week Wednesday eve-ning class led by Bill Johnson at 5:30 in the Fellowship Hall begins April 24. This will include a Soup Supper served first followed by the “TULIP” class

(Continued on page 8.)

Volume 26 February-March 2019 Number 1

48 stewardship pledges in mid-Jan. up $10,000 from 2018

Thanks luncheon—A celebration luncheon on Jan. 6 was the culmination of a suc-cessful stewardship campaign at St. Andrew.

Church leaders have expressed ap-preciation for the way congregation members and friends participated in and responded to the 2019 stewardship campaign.

Calling the campaign successful, Elder Diana Benitez, finance and stew-ardship co-chair, said 48 pledges total-ing $187,740 have been received so far.

The previous year, there were 46 pledges totaling $177,883.

In a letter that went out to the con-gregation in January, Diana said the $187,740 pledged this year, combined with the church’s rental income, invest-ment income and other funds resulted in a projected income of $280,000 for 2019, which when added to the be-ginning balance of $13,000 means the stewardship goal of $300,000 almost has been met.

“People responded very positively,” Pastor Julie Hodges told the Session at its Jan. 15 meeting.

In her letter, Diana said, “We have a small congregation with big hearts.”

The successful campaign means St. Andrew will be able to focus on its de-sire to find a children/youth director to help achieve the goal of attracting fami-lies with children to the church and of-fering programs for that age bracket.

The number of families with chil-dren attending St. Andrew has declined in recent years.

Committee chairs previously sub-mitted their budget requests, and the success of the campaign also means that most of those requests can be in-cluded in the 2019 budget.

A special luncheon was held after the morning service on Jan. 6 to cel-ebrate the success of the campaign.

Serving on the Finance and Stewardship Committee along with Diana are Patti Rosales, co-chair, and Susan McCormick.

Page 2 February-March 2019 Volume 26, Number 1

At the annual congregational meeting on Jan. 27, the following were elected: Jim Franson, elder, to fill the remainder of the late Criss Kiefer’s term, which expires in May; Dennis Birchard, deacon, to complete the term of Val Jacques who moved (term ex-pires in 2021); and Barbara Cousins, Joyce Johnson and Andi Zanca, at-large nominating committee members.

Also approved were the 2019 terms of call for Pastor Julie Hodges. They are the same as those approved by the congregation in May when she was hired as pastor. The $106,118 pack-age includes salary, housing, Board of Pensions contribution, benefits and re-imbursable expenses such as medical and auto.

New leaders elected

Volume 26 February-March 2019 Number 1

Published bimonthly for the congregation and friends of St. Andrew Community Presbyterian

Church47-192 Monroe St.Indio, CA 92201

Church office: (760) 347-5344Fax: (760) 347-1084

E-mail: standrewindio@gmail.comWeb site: www.standrewindio.org

www.facebook.com/StAndrewIndioDeadline: 15th of Jan., March, May, July, Sept.

& Nov.Letters and articles can be e-mailed to dcmahr@

msn.comthe Rev. Julie Hodges, pastorBob Bruce, office manager

Bruce Mangum, director of musicMay LeRoy, pianist

Karen Luoto, director of bell choirChris Mahr, Clerk of Session

Desi Coulson & Joe Hamner, youth directorsJeff DeBeck, custodian

Elders on Session: Diana Benitez, Finance & Stewardship chair;

Scott Coulson, personnel chair; Jim Franson; Joe Hamner; Thomas Park, Worship & Music chair; Carol Kocherhans, Mission & Evangelism chair;

Susan McCormick, Outreach & Fellowship chair; Sue Steding, Christian Education &

Spiritual Development chair; and Steve Stiles, Building & Grounds chair

Board of Deacons: Dennis Birchard; Diane Burke; Diane Carter; Desi Coulson; Merlyn

Hamner; Betty Morgin; Patti Rosales, treasurer; Helen Smith; Wanda Wise-Latta, moderator.

Corporate officers: Joe Hamner, president; Steve Stiles, vice president; Susan McCormick, secre-

tary & Scott Coulson, treasurerWorship schedule: worship service and Sunday

School, 9:30 a.m.Office hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. T-Th

Editors: Chris & Dennis MahrReporters: the congregation

Mailing staff: Diane Barrie, Diana Benitez, Diane Carter, Jeff & Annie DeBeck, Pat Laflin,

Mary Lois Long, Susan McCormick and Sue Steding

December beginning balance............................................. $2,210Income ................................................................................ $37,441Expense .............................................................................. $24,240December ending balance ................................................ $15,412Deacons December beginning balance............................. $1,865Income ....................................................................................... $70Expense .................................................................................. -$500December ending balance .................................................. $2,435

This past Sunday we looked at Jesus’ miracle of turning water to wine, at the wedding in Cana. This is what the master of the banquet, who didn’t know about Jesus’ amazing feat, says to the host of the wedding:

“Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” (John 2:10)

There are many ways to look at this miracle, but one of them is that God is full of surprises and has saved the best for last—his son, Jesus. He came for the people of Israel and ultimately, all the world who would receive Him. I don’t know how often you reflect about how our lives have been touched, changed, and saved because of Jesus, but I want to encourage you to consider how very blessed we are—to know the goodness of the Living Lord. His abundant love and life are here for the taking!

And, God is doing good things, with God’s miracle-working power, all around us. We see it every day here at St. Andrew, as lives are touched by all our worship and ministry experiences.

We continue to welcome new folks who are finding St. Andrew for the first time! Our 2019 budget g o a l s are near completion, and

we will be investigating options for a children/youth coordinator

this year. Our choir loft has been full this winter, and we

are hosting Dr. Steve Marsh for a “Weekend in the

Word” education event. We share our love in

mission and outreach with love and compassion. All these are signs of the life and overflowing goodness of Jesus with us.

May you be surprised and filled with the overflowing life of the Lord this winter!

In His Power, Pastor Julie

Volume 26, Number 1 February-March 2019 Page 3

Recipe Corner

The continent is not ‘owned’ by any country and is ‘governed’ by a years-long agreement to preserve the continent. Thus, only one ship at a time is in any location and only 100 people at a time are ferried via zodiac to the shore. We were lucky (ice and conditions permitting) to make two landings for most of the five days. Each landing was by zodiac. The expedition team had set out a course where we could walk, climb, hike, and always among three different kinds of penguins and three different kinds of seals and birds.

“Why go to Antarctica? Yes, some were there to say they had been to all seven continents. But, it’s more than seeing penguins, even though they are as curious about us as we are about them. The scenery is glorious. I didn’t realize how many shades of white

there could be. (There were) towering ice and land masses. ‘Alaska on steroids,’ said one

of the passengers. Also, so quiet, no tourist lines and totally adventurous.

“I returned proud of myself for being warm enough, graciously getting into and out of zodiacs and making my way through snow and rocky shores to see the sights of Antarctica. Sam thanked me more than once for the best adventure of his ‘entire life.’”

Sue Steding recently returned from a trip to Antarctica. Below is her account of her adventure.

“My son, Sam, my sister and brother-in-law met in Santiago, Chile, to join a Tauck tour of Antarctica. From Santiago, 90 degrees, we flew to Ushuaia, Argentina, at the southern most point of South America. This region is partially Chile and partially Argentina. It is the area known as Patagonia. The peninsula and island portion immediately surrounding the town of Ushuaia is called Tierra Del Fuego. It is summertime there.

“We boarded a French ship, Le Boreal, with cabins to hold about 200 people. It was a two-day trip across Drake’s Passage, both to and from Antarctica. For both crossings we were blessed with a “Drake Lake” as it was very calm.

“We spent six days in Antarctica sailing alone in and around Weddell Sea, Gerlache Strait and elsewhere along the northern edge of Antarctic. All the geographical area south of the 60 degree latitude line is ‘Antarctica.’

This recipe from Diana Benitez is for her son Mike’s cookies. Whenever Diana brings them to church, they rapidly disappear!

Mike’s Chocolate Chip Cookies½ cup each butter and margarine1 cup each sugar and packed

brown sugarCream those 4 items. Add 1 tsp.

vanilla and 2 eggs, and mix.2 cups flour2 ½ cups oats½ tsp. salt1 tsp. baking sodaMix and add the dry ingredients

to the rest of the mix; add 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips, a 4-oz. chocolate bar, grated, and ½ cup nuts. Mix.

*Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes.Makes 5-6 dozen.*Diana adds: Time in the oven

may vary. In my oven, it’s 7 minutes. The cookies will be soft so don’t overcook them. I use a stand mixer but you can use a hand mixer.

—by Chris Mahr

Page 4 February-March 2019 Volume 26, Number 1

St. Andrew family members in need of prayer for guidance, healing and strength.

Avice BeetlerJoe Benitez

Birthdays2/3 Oscar Rosales2/11 Michelle Miller2/15 Kelley Burke Andi Zanca2/17 Evelyn Becerra2/18 Joe Benitez Katrina McDowell2/21 Mary Ahrens2/25 Jean Ahlefeld2/26 David Hamner3/5 Sue Karr3/6 Delbert Long3/10 Ellen Fordham3/14 Richard McGill3/17 Ken Zanca3/28 Diane Burke3/29 Pat Laflin3/31 Steve Stiles

Anniversaries2/6 Marina & David Hamner Mary Lois & Delbert Long2/11 Angie & Joseph Hamner2/12 Michelle & Michael Thornburgh2/18 Diana & Joe Benitez2/20 Joyce & Bill Johnson

If a birth date or anniversary isn’t listed, the church doesn’t have it in the com-puter. Office staff asks that those people call to update their records.

Charlotte ClineKatie DaLuiso

Annie & Jeff DeBeckMatthew Ellis

Millie Fernquist

John HaleCarol Judge & family

Latta familyJoe Nicholson

Melba ScarboroughCheryl Sevier

Bev WatsonRev. Stu Wood

Persons with prayer requests or who would like to become part of the prayer chain ministry should call Merlyn Hamner, 398-5713.

Teaching reading—Joyce Johnson teaches reading and comprehension skills to students at Dr. Carreon Academy next to St. Andrew.

For the second year, a team of volunteers from St. Andrew are spending Tuesday mornings at neighboring Dr. Carreon Academy working with kinder-garten, first and second grade students to help them improve their reading and comprehension skills.

The volunteers work with groups of three to eight students selected by their teachers. The volunteers who started last year and are continuing this year are Joyce Johnson, Sue Steding, Barbara Cousins, Beverly Watson, Helen Smith and Chris Mahr. Terry Kelley joined the team this year. Joyce works with the school principal in coordinating the program.

The volunteers read to the students and also have the students read to them. They experience rewards and challenges in their interaction with the students.

“As a retired teacher, I enjoy working with kids without all the administra-tive gobbledegook with which REAL teachers have to cope,” Helen said. “It is so much fun to see the children learn and grow. It is also sometimes difficult to keep kindergartners excited about the names and sounds of the alphabet letters. Yes, nowadays, kindergartners are expected to learn to read!”

Sue Steding works with eight students in a first-grade class and eight in a second-grade class. At the turn of the semester, the first-grade teacher told her

St. Andrew volunteers help students read

(Continued on page 8)

Volume 26, Number 1 February-March 2019 Page 5

Notes from the choir loftGreetings!I have to say in my first

four (almost five) months of leading music and the choir here at St Andrew that my heart has been

blessed by the dedication of our musicians and singers, and their willingness to sing anything I put in front of them!  And the way the congregation has been so welcoming to me and Dan blesses me (and us) even more!

I wish to extend a warm word of thanks to everyone who attended my chamber music recital on Saturday, Jan. 26.  I feel it went very well, and the donations collected that day will go toward ordering some new music for the choir’s already amazing

library, as well as new folders for the choir members. The present ones are showing quite a bit of ‘wear,’ and it will help freshen our ‘look’ a bit.

Our choir will be singing a few Spirituals during the month of February to give a nod to ‘Black History Month,’ then our anthems will take on a more contemplative and worshipful mood as we enter March and the Lenten Season.

And finally, working with Pastor Julie on edging ourselves toward a more ‘contemporary’ feel to our services is one of the goals I look forward to in the New Year. This will entail bringing in occasional guest musicians who play drums and guitar, and we will prayerfully consider all the Lord has in mind for us in this matter.

May God continue to bless our efforts as we lift His name in praise and song!

Bruce Mangum Director of Music

Recurring Sunday schedule9:30 a.m.: Worship 10:30 a.m.: Fellowship & coffee

Sunday, March 3CommunionTransfiguration of the Lord

Tuesday, March 55 p.m.: Worship Committee

Wednesday, March 6Ash Wednesday

Thursday, March 7Community Bible study

Sunday, March 101st Sunday of LentDaylight Savings Time begins

Tuesday, March 124 p.m.: Mission Committee

Thursday, March 14Community Bible Study

Friday, March 155 p.m.: Messenger deadline

Sunday, March 172nd Sunday in Lent

Tuesday, March 196:30 p.m.: Session

Thursday, March 21Community Bible Study2:30 p.m.: Galilee

Saturday, March 2310 a,m.: Presbytery meeting, Big Bear

Sunday, March 243rd Sunday in LentMarch birthdays are asked to

contribute $1/year to sound system

Wednesday, March 278:30 a.m.: Messenger folding7 p.m.: Deacons

Thursday, March 28Community Bible Study

Sunday, March 314th Sunday in Lent

Recurring Sunday schedule9:30 a.m.:

Worship10:30 a.m.:

Fellowship & coffee

Sunday, Feb. 34th Sunday after EpiphanyCommunion

Tuesday, Feb. 55 p.m.: Worship Committee

Thursday, Feb. 7Community Bible study6:30 p.m.: Stretch & Pray

Friday, Feb. 86:30 p.m.: Steve Marsh

Saturday, Feb. 99 a.m.: Steve Marsh

Sunday, Feb. 105th Sunday after Epiphany

Monday, Feb. 115:30 p.m.: Personnel Committee

Tuesday, Feb. 124 p.m.: Mission Committee

Thursday, Feb. 14Community Bible Study6:30 p.m.: Stretch & Pray

Sunday, Feb. 176th Sunday after Epiphany

Monday, Feb. 18Presidents’ Day-office closed

Tuesday, Feb. 196:30 p.m.: Session

Thursday, Feb. 212:30 p.m.: Galilee6:30 p.m.: Stretch & Pray

Sunday, Feb. 247th Sunday after EpiphanyBirthday offering Febuary birthdays

are asked to contribute $1/yearPotluck

Wednesday, Feb. 277 p.m.: Deacons

Thursday, Feb. 28Community Bible study6:30 p.m.: Stretch & PrayUnless otherwise noted, all calendar activities are at the church. “Call” indi-cates location was not announced.

Page 6 February-March 2019 Volume 26, Number 1

Holiday & community activities keep St. Andrew busy

Clockwise from top left—Christmas Eve worship; Diana Benitez, and Desi Coulson serve dessert at the stewardship celebration luncheon ; Lois Armendariz and Denny and Saundra Juhola shop at the women’s holiday bake sale; Thomas Park in his finest the Sunday after Christmas.

Volume 26, Number 1 February-March 2019 Page 7

Volunteering at Christmas Store—St. Andrew members and friends spent an evening wrapping gifts, helping families pick out toys and packaging boxes of food at the Narrow Door’s Christmas Store.

Working at Galilee— Helping distribute food are, from left, Madge Luoto, Dennis Birchard, Barbara Cousins, Terry Kelley, Carol Kocherhans and Kurt Luoto.

Hosting Tamale Festival prayer booth—Below, volunteers at the St. Andrew prayer booth at the Indio Tamale Festival included, from left, Helen Smith, Joe Hamner, Carol Kocherhans and Diana Benitez.

Helping students read—Below left, Barbara Cousins reads to students at Dr. Carreon Academy. Volunteers from St. Andrew spend Tuesday mornings at the school reading to students.

Page 8 February-March 2019 Volume 26, Number 1

based on John Calvin’s basic convic-tions: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints.

Pastor Julie Hodges is leading a 12-week Bible overview of the Old Testament using the “Disciple” study. Held on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m., it began Jan. 27 and runs through April 14. Participants meet in the parlor.

Daily reading and weekly discus-sion are involved for those commit-ted to regular participation. There is a workbook for the class. It may be pur-chased for $16.

(Continued from Page 1.)

Several classes offered at St. Andrew

St. Andrew Community Presbyterian Church

47-192 Monroe Street

Indio, CA 92201

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PALM DESERT, CAPERMIT NO. 445

on p

The mission of St. Andrew Community Presbyterian Church is to glorify God, encourage commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and prepare all to serve Him.

or current resident

St. Andrew was able to send $878 to the Presbyterian headquarters in Louisville as a gift from our Christmas Joy offering.

Thank you for participating in the Gift of the Month featuring Shelter From the Storm. We appreciate your cooperation. We will be delivering the housekeeping supplies the first week in February.

Members and friends of St. Andrew have been traveling down to the Galilee Center in Mecca on the third Thursday of the month to distribute food to the families of the farm workers. Please sign up and join us on Feb. 21 as we provide food distribution to all those who come out of need. Our time with Galilee was especially blessed in December when we were able to provide special items for Christmas dinner.

During March the gift of the month will be items for Well in the Desert. We will collect new socks, new underwear, deodorant, razors, shampoo and conditioner, and soap, as well as slightly used blankets and shoes for both men and women. We will deliver them the first week in April. If any of you would like to witness the service that Well in the Desert provides, please contact Carol Kocherhans.

Again, please continue to pray for the missionaries we support financially, Gary and Marlene Van Brocklin. They appreciate our prayer and financial support.

—by Carol Kocherhans

she tested each child on their reading and was so very impressed with their improvement. Sue works with the same eight students in that class each week.

In the second-grade class, the teacher asked Sue if she could tell the students about her Antarctica trip, so for both classes, she put together a power point, “Antarctica for Kids,” which was a hit.

“Reading with 1st and 2nd-graders is like having another family to enjoy every Tuesday,” Joyce said. “We are like grandparents who hear all the inside information, both good and bad, and love them anyway. Seeing progress in

reading even in four months is a delight beyond words.”

“I love it when the boys and girls get involved with the story and are ob-viously having a good time,” Barbara said.

Children learn reading & comprehension from St. Andrew volunteers(Continued from page 4.)