corona presbyterian church, denver, co january...

Corona Presbyterian Church, Denver, CO January 2016

Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters, “Do not remember the former

things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, No it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will

even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 NKJV

Corona Corner | January 2016 2

“Merry X-mas”?

I hope you have stayed warm and that your Christmas stayed focused on the Christ child. For me, it is easily one of the biggest highlights of the year. The thoughts, the smells, the feelings, the lights and the stories of Christmas linger for me for weeks after Christmas is officially over. I can hardly wait for next year!

From My Mind’s Eye...

We used “Xmas” instead of Christmas on our church sign this year. We had several comments both from inside the church and outside of the church. I want to clear the air about this so that anyone else experiencing frustration can hopefully be more comfortable with this expression. The “X” is not a secular redaction of Christ, but rather the first letter in the name “Christos” or Christ in the Greek language in which the New Testament was written. Certainly it is used as an abbreviation, but it is no way diminishing or as someone said, “lessening” Christ’s name in Christmas. I suppose we can be thankful that “messiah”, the Hebrew form of Christ, was not used for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. (Merry Messiah-mas?) We also need to remember that the term, “Christmas” is not found in the Bible. The first record of “Christmas” referring to Christ Jesus birth was in 1038, for Christ’s Mass. Thanks for letting me clarify this for us.

The up-coming year is going to be another opportunity of learning to listen to God’s voice and then join and participate in what God is doing. That is the calling for our church. There is no crystal ball that we can look into and see what is coming our way. However, we have something far greater and grander than any old crystal ball. We have the maker of heaven and earth leading the way. As long as we follow where He is leading and walk where He is going, we will find the hope to live by.

Please mark your calendarSunday January 17 at 11:15 a.m. will be our Annual Congregational Meeting. Attending and participating in this meeting is an essential part of being involved and a part of Corona Presbyterian church. I really want to see you there.

May the God of hope, peace, joy and love fill your hearts as we endeavor to be living proof that Jesus Christ is Lord.

In the great grip of our God,

Pastor John

Corona CornerPublished monthly by

Corona Presbyterian Church, DenverEditor: Kathy Hall : [email protected]

Layout & Design: Kristol Kumar: [email protected]

Please submit items to the newsletter box in the office or email Kathy. Thank You!


I Dared to Call Him FatherAuthor: Bilquis Sheikh, Richard Schneider

How do I give myself to God completely? What happens when I do? I Dared to Call Him Father is a book for everyone who has ever asked these questions. It is the fascinating true story of Bilquis Sheikh, a prominent Muslim woman in South Asia who faced these questions at the crossroads of her life-and found the astonishing answers. Her entire life turned upside down as a series of strange dreams launched her on a quest that would forever consume her heart, mind and soul.

Bilquis Sheikh was the wife of a high-ranking government official in Pakistan. She gave her life to

Corona Library

Jesus Christ in 1966. In 1972, sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse, she resettled in the United States, where she spoke widely and shared her faith with many. Years later Bilquis returned to Pakistan, where she died in 1997. She was given a Christian funeral.

This 25th anniversary edition contains a new afterword by a Western friend of Bilquis and a new appendix on how the East enriches the West.

Church Library Location: Biographies

Children’s Christmas ProgramOn December 13th, Jan Goellner and Jessica True led our children in a Christmas program. They both deserve a big thanks and an award. Each of the children did an amazing job. Thank you for performing for us, you all did GREAT.

THIS AND THATUpcoming activities:1/05/16 Trustees1/09/16 Un-decorate the Church1/12/16 Adult Ministries1/12/16 Committees1/17/16 Annual Meeting and potluck following Fellowship time (no Adult Sunday School)1/17/16 Youth, Worship On A Hill1/19/16 Session1/19/16 Deacons 1/20/16 FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER ARTICLES DUE

January Birthdays January AnniversariesDee Williamson, 1/12 Thomas & Diane Boblasky, 1/10Deanna Geiter, 1/17 Lowell Tursick, 1/17 Holly Ingels, 1/29

FROM THE BACK PEW…..Top 10 things you never hear in church:

10. Hey! It’s MY turn to sit on the front pew! 9. I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went overtime 25 minutes. 8. Personally, I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf. 7. I’ve decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to TV evangelists. 6. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the junior high Sunday school class. 5. Forget the denominational minimum salary – let’s pay our pastor so s/he can live as we do. 4. I love it when we sing hymns I’ve never heard before! 3. Since we’re all here, let’s start the worship service early! 2. Pastor, we’d like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas. And the number one thing never heard in church:

1. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign!

Contributed by Ed Black

On December 6, 2015 Corona and the Mission’s Committee thanked Chris Hicks for her tireless help and leading of WHI (Women’s Homeless Initiative) as she steps away from her positon.

Contributed by Lyn Hall


Tis the Season for the“It’s Me!”- Emergency Scam

With this holiday season, we know that we will see a dramatic increase in the number of seniors who will be contacted via telephone with the “Emergency Scam”. It has also been referred to as the “Grandparent Scam” due to its tendency to be targeted toward the elderly population. Often those who are targeted have large numbers of grandchildren which makes it harder for them to identify the caller.

Typically the caller will say: “It’s Me”, waiting for the person who answered the phone to identify someone he or she knows, which can often be a grandchild. The caller pretends to be that person and proceeds to claim that they need money for an emergency situation.

The reasons they might need money can be: Almost anything from bail money in order to get out of jail to money for medical help for a car accident that they were just in. Whatever the reason, they always assert that they need the money immediately.

To protect themselves, the con-artist will specifically ask the victim: Not to contact other relatives because the caller doesn’t want to “get in trouble” with other family members.

The final step is to persuade the victim to send them money: The perpetrator will always ask that the money be sent through an electronic money transfer, oftentimes to a place such as Canada where American law enforcement would have trouble seeking justice in the aftermath. Once money is transferred through a wire service the chances of getting it back are very slim.

Ways to protect yourself and loved ones

Resist the pressure to “act now”. Don’t Panic. Anyone calling and asking for money in an “emergency” situation should be asked a lot of questions, including personal questions that only that person should know, such as the name of their grade school, a pet’s name, or the name of another relative. Be aware that this scam is happening and warn others as well.

1-800-222-4444 or Denver Metro Area: 303-222-4444

www.aarpelderwatch.orgIf you need additional help, call an ElderWatch volunteer specialist at:

Prevent Financial Elder Abuse!

Contributed by Steve HallDenver Metro Team Leader for the Elderwatch Fraud Fighter


Juarez, Mexico Short Term Mission Trip June 18-25, 2016

JUAREZ, MEXICO Short Term Missions Trip – Casas Por Cristo (www.casasporcristo.org)During this wonderful season of giving, it is so important that we realize the blessings that many of us have and take for granted. A large blessing for most of us is the shelter we have every day. That shelter provides us the ability to get a good night’s sleep, relatively safety, warmth, and a place to have proper sanitation. Much of the world goes without some of those basic comforts even the poorest Americans take for granted.

Some of these folks suffer relatively close to home. Juarez Mexico is directly across the Rio Grande River from El Paso Texas. It is literally a stone’s throw from the United States, but is the site of tremendous suffering and hardship as families find themselves stranded without work. Corona is embarking on a short term mission trip to Juarez from June 18-25 to build a small home for a family.

Vision: Safely & successfully construct a house for a family in JuarezMission: To grow in our knowledge of God, experience the Love of Jesus through serving others.

We believe that through action the Lord teaches us about our faith and our own motivations. Through service, we get to show the love of Christ and experience it as well. Only by stepping out, can you truly achieve what God asks you to do – acting in faith.

James 1:27: Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

We would love to have your participation in one of several ways: pray for the trip, sign up to come, join us in fundraising for the journey, or help gather supplies to take to the family.

Please contact Tyson Ingels if you are interested in helping in any way. QUESTIONS? CALL TYSON @ 303-916-0240 ([email protected])

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This is a typical house in Juarez and the family who lives in it.

You’re probably running out of the bags that we stuffed last fall to give out to homeless people as we go about our day. Don’t worry we’ll be doing this again in February, watch for announcements in the weekly bulletin for when, and what we will need for donations.

Contributed by John Walbert


January ReadingsWe are continuing our journey using The Story; an abridged chronological Bible, which tells the grand narrative of scripture as one seamless story. We are using The Story in our sermons and in Sunday School for all ages.

Read one chapter a week to prepare for the up-coming Sunday. The hope is for all of us to be reading, studying, hearing and experiencing the whole account of scripture, together.

The schedule for January is as follows: January 3, 2016 13. Solomon 1 Kings 1-8, 10-11 2 Chronicles 5-7 Proverbs 1-3, 6, 20-21

January 10, 2016 14. Kings 1 Kings 12-16

January 17, 2016 15. Prophets 1 Kings 17 – 19 2 Kings 2, 4, 6 Hosea 4-5, 8-9, 14 Amos 1, 3-5, 9

January 24, 2016 16. Fall of Israel 2 Kings 17-19, Isaiah 3, 6, 13-14, 49, 53

January 31, 2016 17. Fall of Judah 2 Kings 21, 23-25 2 Chronicles 33, 36 Jeremiah 1-2, 4-5, 12, 21 Lamentations 1-3, 5 Ezekiel 1-2, 6-7, 36-37

Copies are in the foyer. Suggested price $5.00 each and obviously E-books work just as well! Children’s versions are available online.

“Growing deeper…reaching wider” is a statement that is meant to encompass Corona’s revised Vision/Mission Statement, which is attached to our newsletter this month. Our vision is: “to be a community of deeply rooted followers of Jesus reaching our city and beyond”.

Your Elders and Pastors have worked on updating Corona’s vision/ mission statement. We believe the revisions help capture, more faithfully, who and what we are as a church and what God is calling us to be and to do.

The hope is, this document will help clarify the essence of who we are for those looking for a church. We want this statement to help provide guidance for our leadership at Corona, at every level (Sessions, Deacons, Trustees and all committees) and in every area of church life.

We invite you to read it and help the church live by it.

Your Pastors and Elders


Sunday School:The Story is here! For the next few months, the Youth will join the church in going through The Story, a chronological account of the Bible, highlighting major events in the Scriptures. This will be an awesome, interactive experience, where each week we will take a different perspective on familiar stories.

Youth Group:Welcome to “The Table”! After many months of deliberation, the CPCYouth Group’s identity has emerged! “The Table” is a reflection of who the Youth are as a group and where the CPC Youth Group is headed in the future! The Table is a place where all are welcome. The inspiration for this new identity comes from the parable of the Great Feast in Luke 14, where all were welcome.

Events: Worship On A Hill is coming up! No, this is not literally a time we’re going to worship on a hill, but this is a special event in collaboration with Open Door Ministries. On this night, we will focus on worshipping God in fellowship with others. This is happening January 17 from 6- 7:15 PM. Invite your friends and meet some new ones! Come have a good time with a live band and experience God in a new way!


Another Tryad Ministries Christmas LuncheonOn Saturday. December 12th our Multi-Purpose room was the site of another successful Tryad lunch. TRYAD stands for: To Reconcile You Able-Bodied and Disabled. Dan Foster wrote the following in his thank you to Corona:

“We had a total of 70 with about 8 for whom it was a first time. The meal was great; of course, Ange got it all together and cooked the turkey and the dessert. Our son John got there at 9:15 and did a great job of getting it all ready to serve while Ange and I and others got the tables set up and decorated. The best part was singing Christmas carols after lunch. We had a great “choir” leader who interspersed info about some of the carols and I was amazed at how our sometimes unruly group stayed silent and glued to what he had to say;

God loves them all and we are blessed to be able to create moments of joy for them! Your fellowship hall was full of His joy.

Merry Christmas and hopes for a wonderful 2016. Dan; and for all of the TRYAD group”

Youth Group:Welcome to “The Table”! After many months of deliberation, the CPCYouth Group’s identity has emerged! “The Table” is a reflection of who the Youth are as a group and where the CPC Youth Group is headed in the future! The Table is a place where all are welcome. The inspiration for this new identity comes from the parable of the Great Feast in Luke 14, where all were welcome.

Did You Notice?Next time you are walking up the ramp, if you haven’t noticed already, look underneath. The tired old bark has been replaced with some beautiful river rock. On Saturday December 5th a group of hardy young men showed up to lay the rocks under the ramp.

Friends of the Geiter’s helping to spread rock under the ramp

Loading rock into wheelbarrows to place under the ramp

Daniel Weiss helping to spread rock under the entrance ramp.

John Reese and Deanna Geiter putting together table for foyer

Pictures by Sally Johnson


Wise Counsel for the New Year

(Alan Walden, one of JN’s (Joyful Newsletter) Jewish subscribers is a former news director of the NBC Radio Network, vice president of news for Metromedia Radio, and a commentator for WBAL Radio in Baltimore.)

By Alan Walden

If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights. “A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.”

The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate, for the good and the bad.

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve.

An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates with change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are.

Friends that don’t help you climb, will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don’t increase you, will eventually decrease you.

Consider this: Never receive consul from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how.

Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person.

Don’t follow anyone who’s not going anywhere.

Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships.

Happy moments? Praise God;Difficult moments? Seek God;Quiet moments? Worship God;Painful moments? Trust God;Every moment? Thank God!

From The Joyful NewsletterVol. 31 No. 1 Jan-Feb 2016


Corona Presbyterian Church Annual Congregational Meeting

Sunday January 17th following worship service.Lunch @11:15 with congregational meeting to follow

Please bring a side dish or dessert to share

Corona Presbyterian Church

Sunday WorshipWorship Service 9:30 a.m.

Fellowship 10:45 a.m.

Children’s Church

Sunday School for all 11:15 a.m

Childcare and nursery available until 12:15 p.m.

Staff

Rev. John Geiter Senior PastorAssistant Pastor Rev. Dr. Ed BlackNancy Rowley SecretaryDaniel Weiss Youth Pastor

1205 E. 8th Ave. Denver, CO 80218Phone (303)832-2297 Fax (303)832-1013E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.coronachurch.com

If you are receiving a newsletter and do not

wish to, please notify the church office.

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