ash wednesday dinner & worship service february 18, 6:00 p.m.storage.cloversites.com... · the...

The mission of Mount Olympus

Presbyterian Church is to invite

people to experience Jesus

Christ and become his passion-

ate followers.

Volume XLX, Issue 2 February 2015

Ash Wednesday Dinner & Worship Service February 18, 6:00 p.m.

Youth Activities and Children’s Ministry Events

(Pages 10-11)

2014 Was a Very Good Year at MOPC Favorite Memories on Page 3

February 2015

Dear MOPC,

Why pay so much attention to the Bible like we are doing this year in “God’s Big Story?”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote,

“We must learn to know the Scripture again…We must not grudge the time and the work that it takes. We must know the Scrip-tures first and foremost for the sake of our salvation. But besides this, there are ample reasons that make this re-quirement exceedingly urgent. How, for example, shall we ever attain certainty and confidence in our personal and church activity if we do not stand on sol-id Biblical ground? It is not our heart that determines our course, but God’s Word. But who in this day has any proper understanding of the need for scriptural proof? How often we hear innumerable arguments ‘from life’ and ‘from experience’ put forward as the ba-sis for most crucial decisions, but the argument of Scripture is missing. And this authority would perhaps point in ex-actly the opposite direction. It is not sur-prising, of course, that the person who attempts to cast discredit upon their wis-dom should be the one who does not seriously read, know, and study the Scriptures. But ones who will not learn

to handle the Bible for themselves are not evangelical Christians.” (from Life Together)

Knowing the Scripture and learning how to handle the Bible is like setting kindling in our lives, and our church, upon which the Holy Spirit can set a fire.

Scripture brings the spiritual nour-ishment we need. It teaches us how to live by faith in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture warns, corrects, encour-ages, challenges, soothes, strengthens and inspires. It is the catalyst to a deeper, enduring and thriving faith.

As Moses told Israel, and Jesus lat-er echoed, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Deut. 8:3, Matt. 4:4)

Keep reading. Keep discussing. Keep learning the Word.

“The unfolding of your words gives light…” Psalm 119:130

In His Grace,

Phil Pastor Phil

Pastor Phil’s blog is at utahgrace.tumblr.com

Ash Wednesday is February 18 Inverted Student Ministries (our youth) will host a dinner for the congregation at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Worship in the sanctuary will begin at 7:00 p.m. and their will be a special service for children.

This service begins the season of Lent, and encourages Chris-

tians to re-examine their lives in light of the cross of Jesus

Christ as we begin our journey toward Resurrection Sunday on April 5.

Shared at the Congregational Meeting on January 25th:

Karen Duzy: Her kids felt embraced and loved by Jamie & Dave White and Jared & Morgan McClure.

Jim Cobb: The opportunity for Hannah to give a sermon.

Maggie Loring: Singing “Shalom” on the last morning of the Women’s Retreat, first in a circle and then out to the world.

Chris Chytraus: Loved feeling a part of the MOPC community.

Kathy Terrion: Youth baptisms in Millcreek Canyon.

Ralph Paisley: Ruth beating us over the head with music—She gets out of us what the composer intended.

Jane Murphy: So much love and help when Leo died; and Phil makes potentially dry subjects very personal.

John Terrion: Mentoring experience with a couple from The Mount.

Donaree Neville: Prayer team updates and feedback; people have been so caring and constant.

Sheridan Metcalf: Christmas Eve candlelight service with grandchildren.

Nancy Harper: Surrounded by MOPC love with death of two family members and Josh’s brain surgery.

Mark Jackson: Moved with affection for fellow MOPC members as he observed them coming forward to take Communion.

Chuck Graybill: Blessed to be a part of the Board of Deacons and Bible study class.

Karen Jackson: Phil’s e-mail re: sock shopping—Fluffel socks for Phil!

Pastor Phil: Celebrating Nancy’s 50th birthday in July.

MOPC Memories

Hello Ladies of Faith and Action!

February, 2015 – Red, white, and blue are the colors of Febru-ary – Patriotic and Valentine’s Day!! For MOPC PW, February personifies “Brunch Out.” At our January monthly meeting, it was discussed and decided to continue with the PW Annual Christmas Bazaar. Willing work-

ers, planners and “doers” will be busy with ideas and finished products through-out 2015. We will determine if the Youth, directed by Jamie White, will also continue to hold a Cookie Bake Sale along with the Bazaar. The PW MOPC Annual Report is included in the Annual Congregational Report. The PW Coordinating Team of Utah will meet on Saturday, February 28 at 10:00 a.m. with a potluck luncheon at Springville Community Church, 245 S, 200 E. The Spring Gathering will be discussed and finalized at this meeting. The PW Prayer Shawl Ministry continues to bring joy, comfort and a tangible bit of love to those who receive them. Thank you to everyone who participate in making these shawls for others. Prayer Shawls are blessed by Pastor Phil be-fore they are given out. “Baskets of Love” filled with hygiene products were delivered to Rescue Haven and Family Promise in January. Thank you all who donate these to the “Women in Jeopardy” Box in the coat closet next to the Campbell Soup Label Can. Please continue to supply for others needs. Join us on Tuesday, February 3, 2015, 10:30 a.m. at Marie Callenders (3900 S 1100 E) for brunch out. Contact Mardi Lessey (801-942-1160) to make a reser-vation. Even if you cannot attend our monthly meetings, won’t you come to brunch and have fun with us! See you there with an appetite for food, as well as ways to be a “doer of the Word and not hearers only…” Bon Appetite !!

Q.COM USERS: We are aware that your e-mail to MOPC is undeliverable. This is not a problem we can resolve because it is caused by Q.com’s spam prevention protocols. Please contact technical support at Q.com to help us all solve this problem.

Senior Adult Fellowship: 12:00 noon on February 12th

We’ll have red, white and blue on the tables and Valentine love in our hearts.

Come and hear John Davison give a talk on "What it was like to be a Russian Linguist in Intelligence Gathering dur-ing the Korean Conflict." This will be a very interesting and eye opening program. Bring along a friend and a dish to share. We’ll have fun, food, fellowship and an educational experience of interest to all.

Fellowship Hall at 12:00 noon on February 12th. Hope to see you there!

If you are interested in exploring baptism and/or membership at MOPC or would simp-ly like to learn more about our church or the Christian Church in general, mark your cal-endar for Saturday, March 14th. Pastor Phil will teach an introductory class from 9:00 to 3:00. Lunch will be provided and childcare will be available upon request. Contact the church office at 801-277-2674 to sign up.

Update Your Church Directory: Contact the church office if you need a directory update and we will put one in your church mailbox. Complete directories are available for $15.

Drivers Needed: Some of our members do not drive at night, but would like to come to evening services and activities, such as our Ash Wednesday dinner and worship service. If you are willing to pick someone up, please con-tact the church office. Many thanks!

Prayer Concerns

Pray for MOPC members, friends and family who have health concerns. Pray for MOPC members and friends who are strug-gling with anxiety, stress or depression. Pray for the success of the Ulster Pro-ject Utah in this organization’s efforts to end strife between Protestants and Catholics by training youth from North-ern Ireland to become peace-makers. Pray that the effects of climate change may be mitigated by responsible actions on the part of individuals and govern-ments. Pray for those who have been orphaned, widowed, or displaced by the wars that are raging in the Middle East and Africa.

Prayer Requests?

Call the church office at 801-277-2674 e-mail [email protected] with your requests for prayer. If you would like to join the prayer chain, call 801-277-2674.

Prayers of Praise

Praise for our faithful volun-teers who work for the Utah Food Bank, Family Promise, Salvation Army, Rescue Mis-sion and Haven.

Praise for the leaders and coordina-tors of our local mission volunteers who devote many hours to hands-on local missions. Praise for our MOPC Choir, led by Ruth Rudy, and our Praise Band, led by Jason Stevens. Praise for our Stephen Ministers and the comfort that they bring to those in need. Praise for Elaine Davis who volun-teers her time to run our adult edu-cation program.

Message From Our Prayer Ministry: In the month of February the Prayer Ministry Team will be out visiting, praying and serving communion to our home-bound members. If you would like to come along, please contact Karen Jack-son. We would love to have you join us in prayer. If you need prayer or want to praise God, please join us in prayer at the front of the sanctuary on February 8th after the 8:30 and 11:00 services. MOPC is grateful for our caring and elo-quent prayer leaders, Karen Jackson and Kathy Terrion.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship

9:45 Sunday School 12 pm CM Art Show Prep

6 p.m. The Mount

2

12:30 p.m. Staff 6:30 pm Local

Missions Team

3

6:30 Men’s Bible 9:30 am PW

7 pm Children’s Ministry Team Office & Tech.

4

6 pm Youth Band 7 pm Youth

Stephen Ministry Choir

5

7 am Order of Thursday Men

9:30 Women’s Bible Study

6

7 pm Rescue Mission

7

8

8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship

9:45 Sunday School

6 p.m. The Mount

9

12:30 p.m. Staff

10

6:30 Men’s Bible

7 pm Finance Deacons

11


Choir

12

7 am Order of Thursday Men 9:30 Women’s

Bible 12 pm Senior

Adult Fellowship

13

9:00 Sandwich’s

for 4:45 pm Salvation Army

14

10:00 Utah Food Bank

15

8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship

9:45 Sunday School

6 p.m. The Mount

16

12:30 p.m. Staff

17

6:30 am Men’s Bible

7 pm Session

18

Ash Wednesday 6 pm Dinner

7 pm Service

19


Bible

20

6 pm Kenya

Team Retreat

21

6 pm Kenya Team Retreat

22

8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship

9:45 Sunday School 9:45 Youth Tracks

12:30 pm FISH 6 p.m. The Mount

23

12:30 p.m. Staff 7:30 Personnel

Team

24

6:30 am Men’s Bible

7 pm Facilities Team

25


Choir

26


Bible

27

28

“This is my great commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15.12

SPOTLIGHT ON MARDI LESSEY Mardi Lessey was born in Weiser, Idaho at the end of WWII. She grew up in Idaho Falls, and lived there until she left home for col-lege. Her freshman year was spent at Westminster College, here in Salt Lake, then she transferred to the U for a year, then the University of Idaho for a year. She went on one blind date during her college years—and ended up marrying her husband Ken at the end of her junior year. Ken’s first job took the Lesseys to St. Helens, Oregon, and Mardi finished her BS in English grammar and human biology at Portland State University. The Lesseys have two sons, Stephen and Joseph, both native Oregonians.

Mardi has worked as a note teller, teacher/demonstrator at Trojan Nuclear Plant, and busi-ness manager for their own small corporation. Eventually Mardi and Ken both went to work for Hewlett-Packard in the San Francisco Bay Area. She ended her career at HP as a mid-dle manager, responsible for profits in the customer support segment of the company. After 17 years with HP, Ken and Mardi both decided to retire. It seemed prudent to get away from the extremely high rent district known as Silicon Valley, and they chose Salt Lake, where Stephen’s family was located. That was ten years ago. Stephen’s family returned to Oregon, but Mardi and Ken have no intention of moving there. Mardi says, “Twenty-three years in the rain was long enough!”

While living in California, Mardi sang with the San Jose Symphony for 17 years. She trav-eled to many locations outside the U.S. with HP, and completed two European concert tours with the symphony. Ken also travelled quite a bit for HP, but does not enjoy foreign travel, so each time Mardi joined the symphonic chorale for a “gig,” as she calls it, her sister goes with her. Mardi says they’ve had some great trips together.

Mardi first realized that she was a child of God at the age of 4 or 5. She clearly recalls sing-ing “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” and believing every word. In high school Mardi be-came a Junior Elder on the Session of the First Presbyterian church in Idaho Falls. She never doubted her faith, and believes her lack of doubt is a gift from God. She spent quite a few years as both a deacon and elder at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church in California, and since moving to Salt Lake has served on the Session, the Personnel Committee, and as co-moderator of Presbyterian Women. She is an avid quilter, quilting teacher, and serves as the Charity Chairman for the Utah Quilt Guild. One of her favorite charities is Family Prom-ise. She sews for them, providing each family member with a quilt or a pillow case of fabric especially chosen for their age group and gender. She cooks a large wholesome meal for the families every time the families come to Wasatch Presbyterian, and she has written two successful grant proposals for Family Promise. Mardi is also active in community service: tutoring children, serving on Cottonwood Heights committees, and helping her neighbors.

Mardi and Ken swim five or six days a week and they enjoy playing competitive duplicate bridge. Swimming keeps them fit, Bridge keeps their minds sharp, and Mardi’s many volun-teer activities keep her very busy!

Mardi Lessey

Utah Food Bank: – Save a Saturday morning and join the MOPC Team at the Utah Food Bank, 3150 S 900 W, Saturday, February 14, 2015 (a sweet way to help others) at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Be there for fun, work and fellowship. As always, no open-toed shoes and ages 12+. If you need a ride, call Pauline Forster. See you there!

Crossroads Urban Center: The foods needed this month are canned beans, chili & pork, but all non-perishable food and beverag-es are appreciated, especially food in snack-size containers and single-serve beverages.

Plastic water bottles are always needed in addition to food and bev-erage items.

Please leave your donations in the Cross-roads box in the gathering area.

Greetings from Rwanda where the roofs are metal, the tap water is drinkable, and the weather is beautiful all of the time! Here at the Rafiki Village we have 78 resident or-phans housed in cottages with 8 Mamas. Our school educates them and 53 fee-paying town kids. We use a challenging, classical, Christian curriculum. During the Christmas break, I tutored students in math. Now I teach 5th grade Language Arts and Bible Study, along with reading aloud to other classes and helping with homework. I thank God for all He is doing here. He is faithful, indeed! —Nancy Douglass

Nancy Douglass with some of her students

February 2015 at Inverted

All Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. JH & HS Youth Groups 3 Tuesday 7:00-9:00 p.m. Skate Church 8 Sunday 12:30 p.m. Youth and Parent Interviews 20-21 Fri-Sat 6:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Kenya Team Retreat All Sundays 11:00 a.m.-noon Sunday Worship All Sundays 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Track 2 & 3 Learning Labs

Track Two & Three Learning Labs are running for six weeks: Sundays, January 25-March 1 from 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Take your pick between two great offerings: Track Two: The Bible. What’s the Bible really all about? Why is it so hard to understand and hard to read? Why does God want us to read it? If you’ve struggled to understand the Bible and why it’s important in your life of faith, then you won’t want to miss this class. It’s a video-driven class, with a small group discussion after each video week to week. Taught by Jared McClure. Track Three: Servant Leadership. What does it mean to be a leader? Is Jesus’ style of leadership different than other styles? How can I identify my strengths and unique gifts so that I can be a better leader and Christian? If you are already a Christian, and want to learn how to lead like Jesus, this class is for you. Taught by Jamie White.

Students and Parents: Would you be willing to be interviewed? On Sunday, Feb-ruary 8, researchers from “The Confirmation Project” will be here gathering information about how we disciple MOPC students. They’re curious about our Track One-Two-Three approach and want to talk to students and parents about it. If you’d be willing to chat with them, please stay after the 11:00 a.m. service that day! I’ll provide lunch.

Skateboard or BMX? On Tuesday, Feb 3rd join us for a free event at We Are One In-door Skatepark in Midvale from 7:00-9:00 p.m. We’ll have a time of worship and Bible study and then the park will be open to ride. No transportation or carpooling provided.

Mentor Me! We just kicked off our Mentor Me Project. Our goal is to pair every interested student with an awesome adult mentor who will meet twice a month to talk about life and faith in Jesus. We will tailor the mentoring materials to each student

Continued on page 11

February 1st: Art Show prep 12:00-2:00 p.m. Come with a packed lunch from home and ready to make art for our art show in May!

Family Retreat is Back! Date: April 24-26th Location: Park City This will be a time to play, grow, and just be together! Watch for details!

Vacation Bible School and SR 45 Service Camp June 22-26 9:00 a.m.-12:00 (VBS) 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Service Camp) The theme this year is "Conquering Challenges with God's Mighty Power"

Festival of Life: March 28 10:00am-12:00pm What in the world do jelly beans have to do with Jesus? Come and find out!

Continued from page 10

based on what their specific interests and concerns. For example, one student may re-ally want to spend their mentoring time learning about how to incorporate their beliefs about Jesus into everyday life of school and friends, while another student might want Adults: If you’re interested in being a mentor please contact Jamie asap! to focus on planning for near future and expectations for college life and young adult-hood. The point is this; we’re all in different places in our spiritual lives and we want students to be able to address the issues they are struggling with right now alongside a mentor who understands, has been there, and is willing to walk them through it. Students: If you’re interested in being paired with one of our fantastic adult mentors or have any questions, please contact Jamie at [email protected] ASAP. Also, watch your mailbox for more information and a Student Questionnaire that will help you sign up. Mentor Me will run for five months.

mailto:[email protected]

Church Staf f & Ministry Team Leaders

Pastor Phil Hughes Pastor Emeritus Jeff Silliman Executive Administrator Sheila Barnish Administrative Assistant Emily Piper Youth Ministry Directors Jamie White and Dave White Asst. of Youth Ministry Jared McClure Children’s Ministry Director Ruth Rudy Director of The Mount Melissa Dolloff Treasurer Jeanne Mehlhoff Child Development Director Julie Hessheimer Caretakers John Mehlhoff and Lauren Mehlhoff Adult Ministries Director Elaine Davis

Office Hours: Mon—Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Ph: (801) 277-2674 Fax: (801) 277-2059 Pastoral Email: [email protected] Exec Administrator: [email protected] Newsletter Email: [email protected] Website: www.mountolympuschurch.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/mountolympuspresbyterian Address: 3280 East 3900 South Salt Lake City, UT 84124

Elders Serving on Session

Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Bill Gartner Matt Cain Maggie Loring Donaree Neville Mason Harvey Mark Jackson Steve Mascaro Shauna Huston Armand van Hien Debbie Penney Fred Larsen Lauri Winge

Adult Ministry Pauline Forster Children’s Ministry Katie Peterson Congregational Life Linda Duffy Facilities Management Gary Peterson Finance Bill Gartner Financial Secretary Mitch Spackman Global Missions Debbie Penney Local Missions Gwen Mitchell Office and Info Tech Jim Wight Outreach Directors Marina Collins/Julie Davidson Pastoral Care Assistant Kathy Terrion Prayer Ministry Karen Jackson Worship Kathy Wight Youth Cathy Dupont

Our Ministry of Care BOARD OF DEACONS

Class of 2015: Debbie Harvey, Janet Hutchinson, Deanne Jorgensen, Marilyn Marshall, Carol Smedley, Kathy Vincent Class of 2016: Mike Bicker, Pauline Forster, Betsy Hamilton, Shirley Knox, Melissa Reynolds, Julie Shaheen Class of 2017: Barbara Lincoln, Chris Chytraus, Mindy deHoll, Karen Jackson, Mary Templeman, Karen Duzy

STEPHEN MINISTERS Kathy Terrion*, Candy Vila*, Bruce Bemis*, Barbara Alexander, Don Alexander, Paul Owen, and Sheridan Metcalf.

* Stephen Ministry Leadership Team

ash wednesday dinner & worship service february 18, 6:00 p.m.storage.cloversites.com... · the...

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