stephen ministers share their...

The mission of Mount Olympus

Presbyterian Church is to invite

people to experience Jesus

Christ and become his passion-

ate followers.

Volume XLX, Issue 10 October 2015

Fall Introduction to MOPC Class

(October 3rd from 9:00-3:00)

Stephen Ministers Share Their Experiences (Pages 12-13)

Congregational Dinner and Meeting (October 25, 4:00-6:00 p.m.)

Giving With Gratitude

What gives you gratitude as you think of MOPC? A relationship? An experience? Something that

happens here? A benefit or blessing you have known?

Come to the Congregational

Dinner & Gathering on Sunday, October 25th. There will be an

opportunity for anyone who wants to share their thanks.

October 2015

Dear MOPC,

Many significant changes are currently happening in our church, most of them in-volving people.

Several families are leaving MOPC due to relocation for job opportunities or for re-tirement. The Moresheads, Gordon and Jann, are one of these families. They have been active members of MOPC since the 1970s, raising their children here and serving in many capacities both in our church and our missions. Most recently Gordon has been a leader on our technology team, and Jann blessed us by singing in our choir and working with Children’s Min-istry. Gordon was instrumental in accomplishing our mission in the Solomon Islands, and Jann has been a regular volunteer at Res-cue Mission and Family Prom-ise. It is hard to say goodbye to people who have contributed so much to this church, and been such great friends. But we trust God to replenish our congregation with new people in the months to come.

Elaine Davis will resign as Director of Adult Ministries at the end of the year. Elaine has faithfully planned and overseen our Sunday morning adult classes, and oth-er programs for becoming more passionate disciples of Christ. She has nurtured our adult ministries with great faith and skill. We are looking for someone who has the interest and gifts to lead this vital area of our church, and hope you will volunteer if you sense this calling might be for you.

Ruth Rudy will step down as Director of our choir. Ruth will remain as Director of Children’s Ministry, but it has become too difficult to balance both positions, even for someone like Ruth who does so much so well. She will solely focus on

children and their families, which is a good investment of her time and gifts. At this time our choir will sing seasonally with Ruth as the volun-teer choir director. Melissa Dolloff will end her tenure

as Director of The Mount on October 1. We wish Melissa, Nick and McKenzie grace and peace as they leave. Matt

Cain will become Interim Direc-tor of The Mount on a part-time basis until further clarity about the direction and needs of The Mount are determined.

Changes always require new thinking and new approaches. And while I don’t always welcome such rapid shifting, it can keep us from getting into ruts. New growth often blossoms with new bless-ings.

People – whether on the church staff or those who so generously give of themselves as volunteers – make this church happen. I am so thankful for how people give of their gifts and time to strengthen this body.

In His Grace,

Phil Pastor Phil

Changes always require new thinking and new ap-proaches.

Sermons in God’s Big Story for October We are in the part of the Big Story that is told in letters. These letters were to churches and people because the church is the people of Jesus Christ, and it is through the church that God is working in the world. Most of the letters in the New Testament were written by a man named Paul who was the greatest missionary and evangelist in the early centuries of Christianity. He wrote to churches and individuals to help them know how to live

the life in Christ, and how churches should function.

Oct. 4 Colossians A letter from Paul that speaks of Christ as the center of all things, and how we can “wear” his life like clothing.

Oct. 11 I and 2 Thessalonians The Thessalonians were a strong group of Christians, but they were nervous about Christ return and what happens to those who die. This affirming letter is to give them confidence.

Oct. 18 I and 2 Timothy Paul wrote these two letters to a young pastor named Timothy, to whom Paul was passing the torch of his leadership.

Oct. 25 Titus Paul writes Titus to show how Christian living will show in our lives in tangible ways.

Giving With Gratitude Congregational Dinner and Gathering Sunday, October 25, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Every year we gather on this night to affirm our church through: Election of new elders and deacons Presentation of proposed budget for 2016

Think of at least one thing for which you give gratitude to God in our church. Everyone will have an opportunity to share their thoughts. Bring a dish to share.

Childcare will be available for young children.

ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES

Digging deeper into God’s Big Story

October 4 – Colossians: Power to Endure Joy Christ living in us! This is the supreme declaration of the Christian church. This is a first century letter that speaks to our twenty-first century lives. Paul writes to the Colos-sians: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col 1:27b) And God has made this available to all of us! October 11 – Sabbath Sunday: No class

October 18 – 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope for a Hopeless World Three things marked the Thessalonian believers: their work of faith, their labor of love, and their endurance in hope. Paul writes: “We give thanks to God always for you, con-stantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope.” (1 Thess 1:2-3a) October 25 – 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus: God Equips, Explains and Exhorts Pastor Phil will take us through these letters written to two of the very first pastors in the church: Timothy and Titus. Who better to walk through the “pastoral letters” than our own pastor!

These adult classes are taught every Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 502 unless other-wise noted in the bulletin. Look for the sign by the stairwell to see what the topic will be and who will be teaching. This year the classes complement the sermon series as we progress through God’s Big Story.

Sabbath Sunday – October 11 Begin to plan this day to make it a day of rest in honor of the Lord, and for your own rest.

Things will be scaled down that morning to give our teachers, ushers, and the many other people who serve so well on Sundays a day of rest, too. Pastor Phil will be preaching on I and II Thessalonians and we will celebrate Communion, but there will be no Sunday School for adults or children.

THANK YOU!

On Sunday, Nov. 1, all people who consider MOPC their home church are encouraged to make their financial commitment of giving for 2016. As we encourage one another to do that, the elders of our church want to say “thank you!”

… for supporting this church with your faithful giving;

… giving our staff the resources to do what we believe God has called them to do;

… loving our children and youth by providing great ministries, curriculum and experiences for them;

… helping us maintain a building that is open to and used by groups like the Chin Christian Church, Grace Deaf Community Church, and Alcoholics Anonymous;

… supporting God’s work in our community through places like the Rescue Mis-sion and Rescue Haven, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at the U, and Young Life;

… blessing the work of God globally in places like Kenya, Myanmar, Somaliland and the Philippines;

… nurturing many children and families through our childcare center,

… enabling us to help people who come to our church seeking help with things like food; rent or gas;

… providing a way for various groups (women, young families, young adults) in our church to have retreats;

… allowing us to reach and minister to a younger generation through The Mount;

… making this a place where all generations are honored;

… supporting a staff of strong, committed, and gifted leaders who bring health and vitality to our church;

… sharing your gifts with others;

… making this a place of worship, prayer and spiritual vitality; and

… being part of a community that is touching lives every day with the love, grace and peace of Jesus Christ.

Please come to the Giving With Gratitude Dinner and Gathering on Sunday, October 25 at 4:00 p.m. to meet our new elders and deacons, see the proposed budget for next year, and hear other ways God is working in our church.

Presbyterian Women

Hello Ladies,

Welcome to October, a time that GOD’S painted leaves are visible. See and enjoy them!

October will be our Rescue Haven “paper products shower.” Even if you cannot make our October 6

th meeting, feel free to donate paper products to Room 204

prior to October 6th, so they can be delivered to Rescue Haven. Thanks for par-

ticipating! Plans are well underway for the Bazaar and Youth Cookie Bake, and Presby-terian Women are busy making items to sale. Mark November 8

th on your cal-

endar – it’s a great time to holiday shop and donate to Family Promise as well! We would be happy to have your items of crafts, jams, etc. Work is finalized on the PW/MOPC e-mail list. If you did not receive a reminder e-mail and would like to, please contact Betty Merritt at 801-278-7526. Prayer shawls are available in the PW closet upstairs in the work room. If you would like to deliver one, just sign one out on the clipboard sheet and take a prayer card along with shawl. All shawls have been blessed by Pastor Phil and made by loving, caring hands. Our Bible Study “Come to the Waters” continues this month with leader, Vivian Hadley. Hostesses are Esther Emerson and Betty Merritt. Donaree Neville will present a program entitled “Pottery in Japan.” Come, hear Donaree, and join us as we strive to fulfill our “PW Purpose” and continue our mission work. See you on October 6

th at 9:30 a.m. for socializing and refreshments and our meet-

ing at 10:00 a.m. in Room 204. “Be ye Doers of the Word and not hearers only…”

We are back and once again having fun and enjoying each other! At our Thursday October 8

th meeting we will

have a representative from Midas Creek Home Health present our program. Bring along a friend and your favorite dish to share for fun, food, fellowship and valuable information! Thurs-

day, October 8th, 12 noon in Fellowship Hall. If you are available, come in at

11:15 a.m. to help us set up! Wee you there.

Our Thursday morning Bible Study meets at 9:30 a.m. in the library. We are currently study-ing the Book of Hosea, with a DVD-driven study by Jennifer Rothschild. Ladies, please join us as we study this interesting book.

Introduction to MOPC is a class for people who are interested in becoming members of this community, and knowing more about the values and workings of MOPC. Pastor Phil will teach this one-day class on Saturday, October 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register by calling or emailing the church office. Lunch will be provided and childcare will be avail-able upon request. Contact the church office at 801-277-2674 to register.

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.

Prayer Concerns For our members who need healing from illness, injury, or chronic conditions.

For our homebound mem-bers and their caregivers.

For those grieving a death or serious loss.

For Christians in spiritual crisis.

For persons who are facing life’s transi-tions in family life, career, and geograph-ical moves.

For people who are trying to overcome guilt or let go of past hurts and injustices.

For persons who have lost loved ones or property during natural disasters such as the recent wildfires and floods.

For the millions of refugees who are flee-ing their homelands and risking their lives to find safer homes with more opportunity for themselves and their families.

For cooperation among nations in the pur-suit of understanding and peace.

Prayers of Praise Praise for the caring work and relationships of our Ste-phen Ministers during the past 20 years.

For the Moresheads and the many ways they have helped in MOPC events and local missions. For Matt Cain as he assumes the role of Interim Director of The Mount. For our Session of Elders and Board of Deacons. For the many volunteers who help with our Sunday services: ushers, greeters, communion servers, lay readers, choir, organist, pastor assistants, sound and computer geeks. For those who serve on MOPC teams: Adult and Children’s Ministries, Con-gregational Life, Facilities, Finance, Global and Local Missions, Personnel, Prayer, Technology, Worship and Youth. For Pastor Phil and the rest of the staff at MOPC.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

. 7 am Men’s Bible Study

2

7 pm Rescue

Mission

3

9 am Intro to MOPC

4

8:30 & 11:00 am Worship

9:45 Adult Education

6 pm The Mount

5

12:30 pm Staff 6:30 Local Mis-

sions team

6

6:30 am Men’s Bible

9:30 am Presbyter-ian Women

7 pm Technology Children’s Team

7

7 pm Stephen Ministry

Youth

8

7 am Men’s Bible Study

9:30 am Wom-en’s Bible Study

9

Women’s Retreat

10

Women’s Retreat

11 Women’s Retreat

8:30 & 11:00 am Sabbath Sunday

Worship 12:15 Global Missions

6 pm The Mount

12 12:30 pm Staff

13

6:30 am Men’s Bible

7 pm Finance Deacons

7 pm Elders w/ New Members

14

7 pm Youth

15



16

17

18

8:30 & 11:00 am Worship

9:45 Education Hour

6 pm The Mount

19

12:30 pm Staff

20

6:30 am Men’s Bible 7 pm Session

21

7 pm Stephen Ministry

Youth

22



23

24

25

8:30 & 11:00 am Worship

9:45 Education Hour

4 pm Congregation Meeting and Dinner

6 pm The Mount

26

12:30 pm Staff 7:30 Personnel

27

6:30 am Men’s Bible 7 pm Facilities Team

28

7 pm Youth Cos-tume Party

29



30

31

Dear MOPC Family, I'm happy to report my treatment is done! My scans do not show areas of concern. That is the best news I can get! God is good! I am going to have routine MRI scans every other month for two years then as my doctors gain confidence, the time between scans will expand. I want to thank you for your prayers and support. Thank you for the prayer shawls. They are beautiful and provide peace and comfort at night. Thank you for all of the meals delivered to our home. I was in town for some and they were delicious! Katelyn and Anna had their first casserole and it was a hit! Thank you for your cards of birth-day wishes and encouragement when I was away from home. They were the best part of my day and great reminders that I was not alone. My family and I can't thank you enough for your kindness and generosity. God Bless, Melissa (Mel) Reynolds

Spiritual Care Volunteer Opportunity at Primary Children's Hospital

Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City serves children and their families from a five-state region in specialty areas such as trauma, childhood cancer, cardiology, pul-monology and newborn intensive care. Many of the people who come from far away for medical care are separated from their home churches as well as their wider families. Primary Children’s runs a Spiritual Care Volunteer Program that offers patients and families spiritual and emotional support, as well as religious connections. Under the guidance and supervision of Chaplain David Pascoe, volunteers meet with people of all religious backgrounds and belief systems to help them through difficult times while their child is in hospital. New volunteers are being recruited in September and October for training on November 7, 14 & 21. If you are interested in learning more, please con-tact Chaplain Pascoe at [email protected] .

mailto:[email protected]

Utah Food Bank ALERT! ALERT! The MOPC team will meet on the 3rd Sat-urday ONLY in October. Then we will be back to our regularly scheduled 2nd Sat-urday. The date this month is October 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. As always, no open-toed shoes and ages 12+. Thanks to our newcomers, come on back! We loved having Benjamin inside the box – “bowling anyone?” If you need a ride call Pauline Forster.

Crossroads Urban Center The foods most needed this month are canned tomatoes and canned soup. Thoughout the year, we collect non-perishable foods and single-serve beverages. Put your dona-tions in the Crossroads wagon in

the gathering area. Thank you so much for your generous contributions during the summer food drive!

NO SANDWICH MAKING OR SERVING AT ST. VINCENT de PAUL IN OCTOBER

Our 4th Quarter Loose Change Offering is going to Cafe Justo y Mas, a ministry of Frontera de Cristo, a Presbyteri-an bi-national border ministry. In addition to the fair-trade coffee industry they operate, Frontera de Cristo seeks to join a growing movement of people to provide alternatives to the illegal drug culture, and provide a space for arts and fellowship of the community in Christ.

Family Promise is coming to Wasatch Presbyterian Church the week of October 11-17. This inter-faith program, which is sup-ported by many congregations, wards, parishes, and synagogues nationwide, houses families and provides them with meals and mentoring while they are undergoing the trauma of homelessness. Can you spend 3 hours of your time reading to or playing with homeless children or interfacing with the adults? Sign up online at www.wpcslc.org or contact Emily Piper.

TWENTY YEARS OF STEPHEN MINISTRY On Sunday, September 20th, MOPC celebrated the 20th anniversary of our participation in Stephen Ministry. This program equips lay people to provide one-to-one Christian care to people in the congregation and community who are experiencing crises of many kinds. Here is what some of our current Stephen ministers have to say about their ex-perience:

Kathy Terrion: Being a Stephen Leader and training Stephen Ministers has been one of the great joys of my life. Stephen Ministry training not only helps people who are struggling, but enriches those who are trained. It provides listening skills, relationship skills, asser-tiveness training, and practice in facing all kinds of life prob-lems. During supervision meetings, ministers report in general terms about the status of their relationships with care receivers. These meetings are always uplifting because it is so clear that God acts through those relationships. The ministers grow in their own faith and ability to walk through challenges. It is a faith-builder for Stephen Min-

isters to see their prayers answered and their care receivers supported. Life is hard when people feel alone. Even in a family, a person can feel alone when no one really listens and cares. A Stephen Minister often gets to be “Jesus with skin on.” I am so grateful for the current Stephen Ministry team. Every one of us is there because this ministry is an excellent opportunity to use the skills and gifts God has given us to serve others. The team is highly motivated, totally dependable and encouraging to one anoth-er. Everyone has served far longer than the initial commitment period. I am blessed to be part of such a faithful group of Christians dedicated to helping other through life’s challenges.

Audrey Gann: Being part of the Stephen Ministry program at MOPC is one of the greatest blessings in my life. I loved being a caregiver and meeting weekly with people in that capacity, but my real thrill was training members to become caregivers, going through the 50 hours of training with them and watching them grow and be excited about what they were learning. Then seeing them put their skills into action was extremely gratifying. It is a wonderful program and I am grateful to have had that experience.

Continued on next page

Candy Vila: These are some things I've learned from my Ste-phen Ministry care receivers that have impacted my life and enriched me: How chaotic the end of life time is in the home and family. How some families live on the edge of complete poverty year after

year, never quite finding their way out. What it's like to lose your vision: waiting, trying treatments, hoping it

won't be the worst outcome. How marriages that seem on the verge of dissolving after many

years sometimes turn around and change their patterns. What working mothers experience: lack of personal time and intense pressure to do it

all. How difficult it is to deal with cancer diagnoses in one's parent. Once one of our Stephen Ministers had a care receiver that was frantic because her son was in another city and she didn't know where he was or how he was doing. We all wanted to support that care receiver; she seemed so alone. We agreed that we would all try to pray for her son at the same time every day, that God would guide him to the help he needed whatever it was. He showed up at her home after a few weeks, agreed to get some help, was ready to put his life back together. Most of all, the power of prayer - God's great gift to us that always, somehow, helps.

Bruce Bemis (Stephen Minister since 1998 and Leader since 2000): Stephen Ministry has been an opportunity for me to serve oth-ers and to enjoy the Christian fellowship of other Stephen Ministers over the years as well as continually learning about how we can sup-port others in particular circumstances.

It has been a most satisfying experience.

20 Years of Stephen Ministry continued

October 2015 at Inverted

All Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Youth (JH & HS) All Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 p.m. Youth Band Rehearsal All Sundays 9:45 a.m. Devo’s & Donuts 2-4 Friday-Sun Youth Fall Retreat at Big Canyon Ranch 25 Sunday 9:45-10:45 a.m. Learning Lab: “Understanding the LDS Faith” 28 Wednesday 7:00-9:00 p.m. “Under the Big Top” Detective Mystery Costume Party

Youth Fall Retreat Oct 2-4! Calling all Junior High and High School Students! We’ll head up to Big Canyon Ranch for our Fall Retreat Oct 2-4, $85 per person. We’ll learn about how to live a Worry Free Life and grow closer to each other and God. There will be bubble soccer, rock climbing, paintball and a 3-story swing! You don’t want to miss this one! Friends welcome.

Devo’s & Donuts: Every Sunday from 9:45-10:45 a.m., we’ll be in the back youth room, eating donuts and discussing our faith in Christ. We’d love to have you join us! On weeks we offer Learn-ing Labs we’ll take a break from our Devo’s & Donuts.

Youth Band Rehearsals on Wednesday before regular Youth: Do you sing? Play an instrument? Want to be a part of the youth band this year? Rehearsals begin Wednesday nights in October from 6:00-7:00 p.m., right before youth group. To sign up, email Jared at [email protected]. It’s gonna be a great year and we’ve got some new youth leaders to help coach the band!

Learning Labs are back starting Sunday, Oct 25th! Starting Oct 26

th from 9:45-10:45 a.m., meet in

the youth room to join our next Track Two Learning Lab, “Understanding the LDS Faith.” Obvious-ly we live in a city known for Mormonism and sometimes we don’t know as much as we’d like about what our friends and neighbors believe about God and how it differs from our own beliefs. We’ll do a 5-week Learning Lab to cover this important subject and learn more about the LDS reli-gion to help us understand and relate with our friends.

“Under the Big Top” Costume Party: This year our annual costume party will be Wednesday, Oc-tober 28 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and will be a murder/detective mystery game with a carnival flare, “Under the Big Top.” To find out which character/costume you’ll be that night, sign up for a mys-tery role with Jamie or Jared! *Annual Permission Slips/Medical Release Forms are PAST DUE. Please fill this out asap and turn it in to the church office. We must have parental release forms for every student who plans to attend any youth ministry programming.

mailto:[email protected]

Kaida and Rosalin Brozek were blessed on September 20th in the 11:00 a.m. service. Praise God for these wonderful children and parents who are committed to sharing the love of Christ with them.

We had a back-to-school pool party last month. It was loads of fun as we got to recon-nect from summer. This month, the kids will rehearse for a skit during the Sunday School hour for a performance in November.

Important October Dates:

October 4th is kick-off day for Operation Christmas Child. MOPC families will gather in the gym at 9:45 to decorate door hangers for Operation Christmas Child. Then, we will walk around the neighborhood by the church and hang them on doors. We will re-turn by 10:45 a.m. Please wear appropriate clothing. What a great way to begin the campaign!

October 7th 7:00-8:30 p.m.: Solid Rock 3,4,5 Wednesday Night Gathering

October 11th: Sabbath Sunday (Children stay in the service with parents. No Sun-day School)

October 25th: The Spiritual Parenting class begins during the Sunday School hour. This class is for anyone with a child under the age of 18.

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 Interim Director of The Mount Matt Cain Treasurer Jeanne Mehlhoff Child Development Director Julie Hessheimer Facilities Manager John 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

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