First Presbyterian Church of Taymouth March 2018

Taymouth Tidings “Talking with God” Go to any religious or secular bookstore and look at the shelves full of books on spirituality, manuals of prayer, techniques in prayer, collections of guided meditations, etc…There is an incredible market for “how to” books regarding one’s prayer life.

In the 11th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus’ disciples ask him straight-out, “Lord teach us to pray as John the Baptist taught his disciples to pray.” In the 6 th

chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, the question is not asked, but in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins to speak of prayer. Jesus tells people why not to pray (that they may be seen), and why to pray (so your Father in heaven who sees secretly will reward you). He tells people where not to pray (on the street corners to be seen) and where to pray (in the storeroom in secret which was the only room with a door on it). He tells people how not to pray (do

not heap up empty phrases). In these two chapters (Mt. 6:9-13; Lk. 11:2-4) Jesus gives us a prayer that is not ours. He gives us God’s prayer—“The Lord’s Prayer”—words which is beyond all our own words—a word that God prays in us for our sake.

To be sure, we pray for many things with many words, but if we do not begin by letting ourselves be placed in the midst of God’s presence, our prayers will miss our needs and miss the activity of God in us. Let us prepare for Lent by unlocking the mystery of prayer by entering each word of prayer with our total being.

This year, the Lord’s Prayer will be our Lenten study on Wednesday nights. Please bring your favorite Bible so we can study together the essence of the Lord’s Prayer and its application for our lives.

The season of Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 14th. starting at 6:00 p.m. in the basement fellowship hall. All are welcome to break bread in fellowship over a potluck soup supper, followed by the imposition of ashes and celebration of Holy Communion. Come, bring your favorite soup, and join us in the fellowship and teaching of the Lord’s Prayer.

Each Wednesday night following Ash Wednesday’s potluck soup supper, everyone is asked to bring a favorite covered dish and/or dessert for the weekly potluck supper. Lenten meals, fellowship, and study start at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 7:00 p.m.

The Jewish mystic, Rabbi Moshe said, “When you pray even one word to God, enter into that word with all your body.” One of his listeners objected, “Rabbi, how can a full-grown person enter bodily into a tiny word?” And Rabbi answered him, “Anyone who thinks himself greater than a word of prayer is not the kind of person we are talking about.” (A Pilgrim’s Almanac , Edward Hays p.210, 1989)

ShalomPastor Scott

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 210:00a.m. By-Laws Session Member Committee

38:00 a.m.150th Anniversary Committee Meeting

4 5th Sunday after Epiphany 9:30a.m. Worship 10:30a.m. Coffee Hour 10:45a.m. Sunday School Yarn & Thread Group 11:00a.m. Worship Committee

5 6

7:00p.m. Building/ Grounds Meeting

7Noon – 1:00p.m.“Sack Lunch”Bible Study7:00p Choir

8

6:30p.m. Men’s Group Meeting

9 10

11 Transfiguration of the Lord 9:30a.m. Worship 10:30a.m. Coffee Hour 10:45a.m. Sunday School Yarn & Thread Group

12 13

6:00 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting

7:00 p.m. Session Meeting

14

Noon – 1:00p Bible Study 6 p.m. Lenten Soup Supper/Potluck dinner & Holy Communion 7:00p ChoirAsh Wednesday

15 16 17

18 1st Sunday in Lent 9:30a.m. Worship 10:30a.m. Coffee Hour 10:45a.m. Sunday School Yarn & Thread Group 11:30a.m. Christian Ed. Meeting

19 20 21

Noon-1:00p.m.“Sack Lunch” Bible Study6:00 p.m. Lenten Potluck Supper and Devotional Study7:00p Choir

22

Newsletter Deadline

23 24

25 2nd Sunday in Lent9:30a.m. Worship10:45 a.m. Sunday School Yarn & Thread Group11:00a.m. Mission Committee

26 27 28 Noon-1:00p.m. Please Note Office Hours are: Tues - Thurs “Sack Lunch” Bible Study 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Lenten Potluck Supper & Devotional Study 7:00p.m. Choir

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February 2018

>>JANUARY SESSION ROUND-UP

At the January 9, 2018, Session meeting The Rev. Scott Kroener called meeting to order.

All Session members present except Roxanne Bryce, who was excused, also in attendance was Janette Gonzales, Church Treasurer; Rev. Scott Kroener, Moderator.

Pastor Scott gave each Session member a new “Book of Order,” and “Being Reformed, Faith Seeking Understanding, for Ruling Elders. (Workbook One and Workbook Two). These will be used for Elder training prior to each Session Meeting, this year.

Accepted agenda as presented with any additional items that may come up from discussion.

Approved December 12th Session Minutes, and Special Session Meeting Minutes from December 24th.

Approved Treasurer’s report showing a [$8,502.96] deficit in General Fund thru December 31. Discussed current financial situation.

Appointed a Funeral Committee to review the Logistical Needs and Concerns, regarding services and dinners. Sharon Leach, Chairman.

Appointed Rob Minard and Cheryl Rogers to Scholarship Committee for 2018.

Appointed Jim Peters and Harold Irish to Nominating Committee for 2018.

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Taymouth Tidings September

Appointed Tiffany Fortier and Jason Reed to Audit Committee for 2018.

Fire Extinguisher in the kitchen needs to be replaced with a “K” rating extinguisher. Electrical outlets at the manse have been checked. Pastor has requested that there be lights installed under the manse kitchen cabinets. Bathroom needs towel rack repair and a ventilation fan installed. Checking on putting a gas log in the manse fireplace. Sunday School room needs painted in basement.

Approved the Youth Group for a Ski Trip to Caberfae Ski Resort in Cadillac.

13 Christmas Baskets were prepared and presented to elderly members.

Mission Committee to discuss how they want to distribute their 2017 funds.

Kathy Maurer and Robert Minard to attend Ruling Elder training to serve Communion in absence of Pastor Scott. Pastor Scott along with Jane will attend a

Clergy Workshop at Alma College on January 18, 2018 on “Misunderstanding Judaism…Jesus”.

Approved purchase of a new microwave for church kitchen when funds are available.

Meeting closed with prayer at 8:55 p.m. Sharon Leach, Clerk of Session

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Spring is just around the corner and we have so much to look forward to. First up, we are planning a family outing to go see the Butterfly Exhibit at the Dow Gardens. The date will depend on the weather and will be announced soon. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this beautiful display of God’s Creations! Next, a noisy offering will take place on Sunday, March 18th. The following Sunday, March25th, will be the traditional Palm Sunday children’s march. On Easter weekend, the Egg Hunt will be Saturday, March 31st, at 10:00 a.m. Bring a

basket and plenty of energy to find all the eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny!

The new verses for March are:P - Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; His love endures forever. –Psalm 106:1Q - Everyone should be Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. –James 1:19R – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE! Philippians 4:4

Happy Spring,Dawn Patrick

*******************************************************Presbyterian Women

Mission Committee NewsThe Lenten Soup Supper will be Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. Missions will be providing salad, dressings and bread for the supper. This year the offerings will go to different mission agencies. The agencies listed as follows: Lisa (Morel) and Chris Phillips is doing missionary work in China, Michael and Rachel Ludwig are missionaries in Niger, Matt Rogers for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Cathy Chang is a missionary in the Philippians, Young Adult Volunteers program (a part of Presbyterian Missions) is a faith based year of service for young people, and Kim Weston (daughter –in-law of Rich and Carolyn Weston) for Heavenly Hope International Ministries working in the Detroit area. Each evening there will be a short introduction concerning that night’s missionary group.

This year the Mission Committee will be Matching Dollar for Dollar all funds received from the Lenten Suppers. If you give $1, Missions gives $1 or if you give $5 than Missions will also give $5. Perhaps you might personally know someone from one of these organizations or just have a close connection with their work. All funds will be going directly to them to help with

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Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 1:00p.m.

their mission work. If you are unable to attend the Lenten suppers and desire to contribute to one or more of these causes, please use a pew envelope. Note on the envelope ”Lenten Supper” and/or who is to receive your contribution.

Later this spring, Missions will again host a “Women At Risk” party. This will be our third year of hosting this event. All proceeds from the sale of items will go directly to this group. Date has not been confirmed, so keep watching for more news on this event.

Missions Committee is still working on the events for this year. Keep reading your weekly bulletin and monthly newsletters for information and dates regarding upcoming Missions projects.

ADULT “Sack Lunch” BIBLE STUDY Bible study will be held every Wednesday from Noon-1:00pm. Bring your sack lunch and study the Bible with Pastor Scott. Invite a friend!

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Prayer CircleMany months ago, Cindy Rabe organized a “Prayer Circle”. The prayer request information is conveyed by telephone and your prayers at home would include these special intentions. If you have a special prayer request for yourself or a loved one, or if you would like to join the circle, please contact Cindy at 624-9274, or you may call her cell phone if unable to reach her at home, (989) 798-5797.

Men’s Club: Please reserve the date of March 9, 2018 for our Family Card and Game night sponsored by the TPC Men’s Club. Bring your favorite games, cards, Snacks to Share, Your Family and Friends. Provided: Coffee, Hot Water for Tea or Hot Chocolate; If you would like something else to drink, please bring it. Play will be from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Any questions please speak with Rob Minard@ (989)777-6789 or Pastor Scott. Come and have Fun with Us.

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PER CAPITA AMOUNT: This year’s Per Capita apportionment is $26.94 per member per year. Please use the designated envelope marked “Per Capita Apportionment” to pay this amount. The per capita apportionment is used to support the workings and ministry of the Presbytery of Lake Huron, and the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

WEEKLY OFFERING ENVELOPES: Please pick up your 2018 box of offering envelopes with your name on it downstairs in the fellowship hall. The offering envelopes are designed to provide an easy manner to give our weekly tithes and gifts to God. To help the church cover the cost of the printing and packaging, the amount of $5.00 is being asked of everyone to give and to be placed in the “Initial Offering” envelope located in the front of each box.

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First Presbyterian

Church of Taymouth

Our Vision –Coming together and growing as a community of believers, glorifying and always being refined by God, reaching out in grace and love to the world.

Our Mission – FPCT is a community of grace and love in which each person’s gifts, talents, and skills are welcomed and valued. We are a household of faith, a people gathered together

ABOUT CHURCH MEMBERSHIPMembership with First Presbyterian church of Taymouth is for anyone who acknowledges Jesus Christ as their Lord and accepts him as their Savior. An invitation to join with us is cordially extended to any person who wishes to join us in glorifying God and building friendships with other followers of Christ. Please contact Pastor Scott about membership classes.

PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE WHEN: You or a member of your family is (or when you know of someone in the congregation who has been) hospitalized, ill, injured, suffering hardship or is in distress;

You need to schedule/reschedule a committee or church group meeting;

You have important news or information to share with the whole church family (births, marriages, deaths, new addresses or phone numbers, employment, etc.);

You need to submit information for a worship bulletin, newsletter, or the website;

You have information related to meetings, special mailings, or church activities;

You have information related to community events and happenings that might be relevant to the life and ministry of the congregation.

THANK YOU!

STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES – VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDWe have several needs each Sunday morning. Throughout the year we are in need of the following:

Ushers: If you haven’t ushered before but would like to help, let the office know and we’ll pair you up with someone who has done it before.

Coffee Hour Hosts/Hostesses: We need Coffee Hour hosts/hostesses for upcoming Sunday mornings.

Being a host/hostess entails arriving to church before worship to start the coffee and then being present after the service to socialize. We have several ladies who are willing to show anyone the ropes. The coffee hour sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the kitchen.

Flower Donations for the Sanctuary: Currently, all dates are open on our flower calendar which is posted on the bulletin board in the kitchen. If you would like to furnish flowers for our sanctuary on a Sunday morning, please sign the chart. Your flowers, given in celebration, honor, or memory of someone or a special event, will enhance our sanctuary and be greatly appreciated by those in attendance at that worship service.

SEASONAL VOLUNTEERS: Snow removal of church sidewalks & entries. Please sign up on the sheet posted on the kitchen bulletin board OR contact the church office. THANK YOU for your STEWARDSHIP!

First Presbyterian Church of Taymouth12517 Morseville Rd Birch Run, MI 48415

Telephone: 989.624.9473 • Fax: 989.624.4904Email: Taymouthchurch@msn.com

Visit our website: www.Taymouthchurch.comConnect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TaymouthPresbyterianChurch

Sunday Worship – 9:30amSunday School – 10:45am

Adult “Sack Lunch” Bible Study – Wednesdays Noon-1:00pm

Rev. John Scott Kroener, PastorDawn Patrick, Christian Education Director • Floyd Roebuck, Youth Director

Judy Roebuck, Accompanist/Pianist • Heidi Smith, Music/Choir DirectorAnita Gilbert, Church Secretary • Paul Fortier, Custodian

Sharon Leach, Clerk of Session • Janette Gonzales, Treasurer & Bookkeeper

After-Hours Pastoral Emergencies: Pastor Scott Kroener(home) 989-244-6145 (cell) 559-816-9564