the chimes june 2014 · · 2014-05-29the chimes c o m m u n i t y ... june 2014 god’s spirit...
TRANSCRIPT
The Chimes C O M M U N I T Y P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H
June 2014
God’s Spirit Comes Upon Us
God’s Spirit comes upon us or at least that is my prayer.
This month on Sunday, June 8, we’ll be remembering and celebrating how God’s Spirit came upon God’s people in the past and how God’s Spirit comes upon us even today. This is one of the high holy Sundays of the Christian year. It ranks right up there with Christmas and Easter yet often it
goes unnoticed. Why? There is no secular celebrations to go with it. Maybe this is a real blessing in
disguise. Without all the commercial aspects of most high holy days, we are able to focus our
attention upon the gift of God’s Spirit given to us instead of gifts given to one another.
It is my prayer that throughout June we as God’s people gathered in Community Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) might sense God’s Spirit gifting us, guiding us and breathing new life into us.
Take just a moment and deeply breathe out. Count to ten or fifteen before taking a deep breath
in. Sense how you long for that next breath. Sense how as you breathe in you feel refreshed and
renewed. Deep breathing exercises can really open us up to every breath we take. Breathing deep
spiritually, taking in God’s very breath of life, can open us up anew to God’s Spirit that is with us and in us.
Use the first full week of June to prepare yourself to celebrate the gift of God’s Spirit given to us and then during the following weeks focus upon the new life the Spirit is giving unto you, unto us.
Another major event in the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is the bi-annual meeting of the
General Assembly. Please see Phyllis’ letter on page 7 in this newsletter about her going as a commissioner this year. Keep her and Dave Burgess and our Young Adult Advisory Delegate, Kayla
Beasley, all commissioners and GA staff in your prayers.
Saturday morning June 14, 10:00-11:30 a.m., I invite you to join me in the fellowship hall for the
Convening worship service of the General Assembly. We’ll live-stream this service in the fellowship
hall and receive the sacrament of Holy Communion along with those gathered in Detroit.
Here is a link to this meeting of the General Assembly. You should be able to follow events or get
updated news reports via this website. http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga221/
Something to keep in mind as the General Assembly meets; national and local news media will
report on actions of the General Assembly. Please note most of their actions will be recommenda-
tions that then have to be taken up by the presbyteries. It’s only after a majority of the presbyter-ies concur with the recommendation that changes can be made to our Book of Order.
Come Holy Spirit. Come upon us. Come upon those who will gather at the 221st General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Breathe into us and guide all of us. Amen.
Dennis
R e f l e c t i o n s F r o m P a s t o r D e n n i s
2
STATED MEETING DIGEST May 15, 2014 stated meeting
6:30 P.M. Quorum present.
Moderator Dennis Winzenried opened the meeting with prayer and devotional from Ephesians 6:10-18. He also shared reflections from church member Anna Koelling, which reminds us that
our salvation is a personal matter, while our mutual faith benefits the whole body of the church; followed by the Lord’s Prayer.
Pastor Dennis then shared with the elders some of the issues coming before this year’s General Assembly. He asked them all to keep all the commissioners to this year’s general assembly in their prayers. The financial reports were reviewed. See enclosed financial reports. Pastor Dennis will be meet-
ing with the budget and finance committee to develop a long-range plan to address some finan-cial concerns facing our church. The plan will be brought before the congregation.
The elders expressed appreciation to all who worked on getting the billboard sign designed and
installed. All were especially pleased with the phrase, “Always Involved”. The pastor pointed out that signage helps but it is the members who can best invite people to come and experience the joy we have in worshipping and serving Christ.
Elder Jim Robbers suggests invitation cards be made up using the picture and signage, the times
of Sunday School and Worship, and a space for members to include their name and contact in-formation. These could be handed out to neighbors and friends who might like to know more about our church.
The Wednesday night lectionary focus group continues to meet with an average attendance of
11 people who enjoy the good discussion and fellowship. Pastor Dennis will email the congrega-tion and others may wish to join us.
Parish Activities Committee reported on a change in their plans. They had hoped to hold a picnic in the park in May, but because of costs associated with a church picnic in the park the event has
been moved to the church. The June meal was also changed from bar-b-queue to an Italian themed meal.
The worship committee reported Communion was served on Maundy Thursday April 17, 2014, to 30 people during worship (30 people in attendance); Easter Sunday April 20, 2014, Communion
was served to 96 people during worship (103 in attendance); Sunday May 4, 2014, Communion was served to 81 people during worship (85 in attendance). Next Communion is Sunday, June 1, 2014.
Building and Grounds committee thanked all who helped make the spring clean-up day a big suc-
cess. Lots was accomplished and lots of items were given away, recycled or put out to be picked up with the trash. Many closets were gone through. Thanks to all who helped.
The next stated session meeting will be Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting closed with prayer at 7:55 pm, lead by Pastor Dennis.
3
Benevolence Fund Report:
During May we helped 13 families: 5 with
transportation issues such as car repair
parts, bus ticket and gas; 4 with utilities; 2
with rent and 2 with prescription medica-
tions.
We received two donations to the fund this
month, one in memory of Moss Prewitt.
Thanks for your generous gifts!
If you would like to make a donation to the
Benevolent Fund, please do so by marking
your check “special gift - benevolent fund”. Those who receive our assistance greatly
appreciate your gifts!
Does not include end of month salaries or expenses.
Diabetic Focus Group
The Forsyth Diabetic focus Group will meet at 10 AM on
June 2nd, the first Monday of June.
Regards,
Jack Kinkade 546-5856 or [email protected]
4
Join Us...
Sunday, June 8, 2014
11:30 a.m.
Fellowship Hall
Italian-themed potluck!
Bring your favorite
side dish or dessert.
‘Cause My Cup Has Overflowed I am thankful for my blessings And the mercies bestowed. I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed. And as I go along life’s way, I’m reaping better than I sowed. I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed. I don’t have a lot of riches, And sometimes the going’s tough. But I’ve got loved ones around me, And that makes me rich enough. Oh, I remember times when things went wrong And my faith got a little bit thin, But then all at once the dark clouds broke, And that old sun peeked through again. So, help me not to gripe About the tough roads that I’ve hoed. I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed. Please give me strength and courage, When the way grows steep and rough. I’ll not ask for other blessings, I’m already blessed enough. And may I never be too busy, To help another bear his load Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed.
John Paul Moore
I wish you everything!
Scrapbook Society
The scrapbooking group will meet
Saturday, June 14,
in the old fellowship hall.
Start time: 10:00 a.m. Until ?????
Everyone welcome!
Contact Leslie Wyman or Becky Roberts
for further information.
5
Pentecost is one of my favorite celebrations of the church year. I think it should rank right up
there with Christmas and Easter. After all, the Holy Spirit is a big deal. I love the Pentecost ban-ners, the sound of wind rushing and fire settling on the disciples. It is exciting. I have often won-
dered why we don’t celebrate Pentecost as much as other holidays and what I have come up with is that our society has not embraced Pentecost like it has embraced Christmas and Easter. But even if that is true, that is no reason for Christians not to celebrate Pentecost. How could we cele-
brate Pentecost? Well, there are lots of ideas. Our denomination once sent the church in Colum-bus pinwheels and balloons to celebrate. It would be a good day for red velvet or cherry cupcakes
with candles. What about red and orange streamers decorating the sanctuary? There are many other ideas including participating in the Pentecost Offering. Our denominational web site says this about this special offering, “Giving to the Pentecost Offering makes it possible for the church to encourage, develop, and support its young people, and address the needs of at-risk children. A large portion of this offering can be retained by individual congregations wanting to make an im-
pact in the lives of young people within their own community.”
If you are celebrating Pentecost in your church, let me know what you are planning at [email protected]. I love to hear about creativity in the church and look forward to hear-
ing from you. May your Pentecost as be as exciting and inspiring as the Spirit we celebrate.
Pastor Susan
The Bookies
Book Club
The next meeting of the Bookie Club
will be June 5 at 10:30 AM in the
Hospitality Room. The book we are
reviewing is a legal fiction bestseller,
Sycamore Row by John Grisham. Still
reeling from the racially charged case
in A Time to Kill, attorney Jake
Brigance learns he has been hired--
posthumously--by reclusive Seth
Hubbard. Before hanging himself,
Hubbard wrote a will that cut out his
children and bestowed his wealth on
his black housekeeper. Some strong
language. Bestseller. 2013.
We would like to update our list of
people who hold keys to the church.
Do you have front door keys? Do you have back door keys? Do you have both?
If you have keys, please let the of-
fice know….
Either phone or email
[email protected] and let us know what you have, if
you haven’t already done so.
Thanks!
6
PANTHER PARTNERS MENTOR PROGRAM
Mentors, school staff, and pastors met on May 1, 2014, at our church to celebrate the joys of mentoring this past year. Six of the 8 churches involved with the mentor program were repre-
sented by their pastors. There were 62 mentors this year, including 12 new mentors last fall. Community Presbyterian deserves recognition as this church has provided 19 of the 62 mentors this past year. And this tradition continues as we have 5, so far, from our church who have vol-
unteered to be mentors this fall: Bill and Janell Winkert, Jack and Madelon Kinkade, and Juanita Elders.
We began this program in 2007 with hopes of staying with our child through 4th grade, but ex-tended to Middle School at the request of the principal, who said that Middle School students
really needed a mentor, too. This fall there will be 9 mentors seeing their child in 5th grade and 6, in 6th grade.
We enjoyed a lasagna dinner, prepared by the mentor planning committee. Each year this
committee plans and coordinates recruiting mentors, training for new mentors, a kick-off in mid-September for the mentors/students at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, and the Celebration dinner in May. Members of the committee from Community Presbyterian (all of whom have served on
the committee since 2007) include Pastor Dennis, Pat Seals, Gretchen Keith, and Jeanne Legge.
Kindergarten teachers already have selected students who they feel could benefit from a one-on
-one relationship with a mentor this fall and hopefully we will have 20 new volunteers to begin mentoring these 20 first graders in September. The teachers have often requested a male mentor for the little boys—unfortunately, we don’t have enough men volunteers to meet the re-quest.
Please pray about how you could be a blessing to a child through the mentor program this fall.
If you talk with one of the mentors, you will see how their lives have also been blessed by being a mentor!
1 Student + 1 Mentor = 2 Lives, Changed Forever: Sums it up!
For more information, or to volunteer, complete this slip and return it to the
church office.
Name__________________________________________
Phone__________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
Email address________________________________________________________
Will volunteer as a mentor___________ Would like more information __________
7
June 2014
Friends of Community Presbyterian Church,
General Assembly is rapidly approaching (June 14-21) and I am asking for your prayers.
The General Assembly consists of commissioners elected by presbyteries. Half of
the commissioners will be Ministers of Word and Sacrament, half will be elders. Few will
ever have been commissioners to the General Assembly before, but most will have
served in one of the other governing bodies of our church. I have been elected by John
Calvin Presbytery to be your voting Ruling Elder at this General Assembly. With this op-
portunity, I will have served at every level of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
I believe this year’s General Assembly will prove to be a turning point for our
church. We have several “hot” topics to be considered that, once voices have been heard and votes are taken, will provide many opportunities for reflection and study
throughout the church. We will be considering such issues as Israel and Palestine, Social
Justice concerns, Congregational Vitality, Immigration, our Environment and the Mission
Field. I have been assigned to the committee that will deal with Civil Union and Marriage
Issues (Committee #10).
I requested from the Moderator of the Committee, a “list” of suggested resources
that would be helpful in discerning God’s will regarding this issue. Having received that information, my next few weeks will be spent becoming more familiar with what Scrip-
ture, the Book of Order, the Book of Confessions and even past General Assembly ac-
tions pertinent to this issue have to tell me. I have already begun to receive letters and
emails from around the US with individuals’ personal stories and concerns regarding Civil Union and Marriage.
I have never been to GA as a voting delegate. I am not sure what will transpire
once I arrive nor do I know how the Holy Spirit will work in my heart or the hearts of all
those who attend. I do know it will be hard work, long hours, lots of prayer and a tre-
mendous opportunity to grow and serve.
I look forward to the opportunity to share my experiences, insights and the pres-
ence of the Holy Spirit with you on June 29th during worship.
Please pray for me and our church.
Grace and Peace, Phyllis Winzenried
8
BIRTHDAYS
1 Mary Prewitt
2 Vera Hardin 4 Phyllis Winzenried 5 Roy Green, Kathy Weeks 6 Eloise Clark 7 Alexander Merrell 14 Judy Gathman 17 Cory Smith 21 Kim Reece 23 Madelon Kinkade 30 Wanda King, Tiffany Aley Redding
ANNIVERSARIES
1 John & Bonita Soutee, 1 year 2 Clayton & Margaret Cooper, 49 years 2 Ed & Bonnie Schanda, 50 years 14 Ed & Jeanne Legge, 14 years 15 Jonas & Taylor Stillings, 1 year 16 Richard & Pat Hibben, 64 years 23 Len & Ginger Clifford, 58 years 27 Ralph & Nancy Montee, 61 years 29 Bob & Cheryl Saforek, 29 years 30 Asa & Wanda King, 52 years
We wish to thank our church family for
their prayers and assistance during and after our recent hospitalizations. As al-
ways, Pastor Dennis was there with prayer and encouragement.
Additional special thanks go to the
Keiths, Kinkades, Ken Bavuso, and Vera Hardin for their extra efforts.
Ed and Jeanne Legge
Thank you for the prayers, thoughts and
good wishes while Gramma (Madeline Lumpkin) was in the hospital. She will
be at the Forsyth Care Center for rehab for a while, if anyone would like to visit with her.
Tammy Hagler & Family
Presbyterian Church-
I’m sending you this little note to Thank You and to say how nice it was to be thought of in a very special way.
Thank you for your prayers, cards & beautiful lap throw!
Thanks! Linda & Charlie Worster
9
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Every Sunday Sunday School 9:00 am Worship 10:30 am
2 Diabetic Focus Group 10:00 am
3 Yoga 9:00 am Exercise class 10:00 am AA 7:00 pm
4 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:30am
Lectionary Study 5:00 pm
No Choir !
5 Exercise class 10:00 am The Bookies 10:30 am Bar Assoc 11:30 am
6
7
AA 7:00 pm
8
Potluck 11:30 AM
9 Esther Circle 11:00 pm
10 Yoga 9:00 am Exercise class 10:00 am Chamber Lunch 11:30 am
11 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:30am Calico Cutups 10:00 am
Lectionary Study 5:00 pm
Choir 7:00 pm
12
Exercise class 10:00 am
13
14 Scrapbook Society 10:00 am Gen. Assembly Convenes 10:00 am AA 7:00 pm
15
16
17 Yoga 9:00 am Exercise class 10:00 am Chamber Lunch 11:30 am AA 7:00 pm
18 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:30am
Lectionary Study 5:00 pm
Choir 7:00 pm
19
Exercise class 10:00 am
Session Meeting 6:30 pm
20CHIMES
Deadline
21
General Assembly Ends
AA 7:00 pm
22
23
24 Yoga 9:00 am Exercise class 10:00 am
AA 7:00 pm
25 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:30am
Lectionary Study 5:00 pm
Choir 7:00 pm
26 Exercise Class 10:00 am
27
28 AA 7:00 pm
29
30
Ushers/Greeters Liturgist
TBA TBA
10
Community Presbyterian Church
C O M M U N I T Y
P R E S B Y T E R I A N
C H U R C H
PO Box 486 271 Main Street
Forsyth, Missouri 65653
(417) 546-2584
Dennis Winzenried, Pastor
Website: www.compresby.org
Email: [email protected]
Staff Members
Pastor....................................................Dennis D. Winzenried
Secretary…………………………………….....Denise Carr
Choir Director………………………………….Arliss Stillings
Organist………………………………………….Linda Stillings
Custodian……………………………….……...Paul Weeks
Sunday School 9:00 am
Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am
COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
P.O. Box 486
Forsyth, MO 65653-0486