The First EpistleFirst Presbyterian Church of Moorhead • Established 1872

October 2016 The Rummage SaleThe Rummage Sale was very successful this year. The final amount raised was $2,735. Thanks to all who sorted, set up, manned the sale, cleaned up, brought items for the sale and did some shopping. In addition to raising funds for the church, this project also touched lives beyond our church walls. A local group of women came to the sale looking for bed linens. They send sheets to a church in Liberia, Africa. They returned on Saturday hoping to find more. A group of ladies from North Buffalo Lutheran Church came to the sale looking for materials to use in quilt making. They make quilts and give quilts as part of their mission. A man and his family from the neighborhood came to the sale – we had helped him in the past with gas/food vouchers. He was very appreciative of our church and the support we had given him at a time in his life when a little help was needed. Clothing items at the end of the sale were donated to A Place for Hope: Recovery and Wellness, to be included in their rummage sale at the end of September to support their mission. The rest of the items went to St. Francis Thrift Shop (formerly St. Vincent de Paul Society ) to go toward their thrift store and mission in serving the community.

As you can see, your generosity has helped not only our congregation, but the greater Fargo/Moorhead community and beyond. Praise the Lord!

Congregation MeetingA congregation meeting will be held Sunday, October 9, following Worship. The purpose of the meeting is to elect congregation members to the Nominating Committee. Some members that were elected to the Nominating Committee in January 2016 are not able to fulfill their duty. If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee contact Paul Campbell or LuAnn Buehre.

Dinner and Congregation VisioningOn Wednesday October 12 at 6 pm the congregation is invited to gather for dinner. Following dinner, a Visioning discussion of the church will be held. What do we want the church to be in 1, 5, and 10 years? Come and be a part of this discussion!

ON THE INSIDE:

Prayers 2Birthdays 2Pastor Reflections 3News & Events 4-5Committee Updates 6Community News & Events 7

The First Presbyterian Church of MoorheadWorship: 10:30 am — Sunday School: 9:15am-10:15am (all ages)2900 Fifth Street South, Moorhead, MN 56560www.firstpresmhd.org Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/firstpresmhd218.233.1192

E-mail Addresses:Church: admin@firstpresmhd.orgNewsletter Articles: nadineswee@yahoo.com

Our mission is to be a caring community of God’s people who live by Christ’s teachings, reach out to others to share the love of God, and celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, thought, and action.

Prayers for Others:

Laura Hagemann

Donald and Marion DeJong

Carley Farley Meade

Josh Peterson

Mabel Schneider

Austyn

Birthdays

Bethany Cromwell Oct 2

James Gale Oct 9

Meskavanh Phonethep Oct 14

Kevin Kaufmann Oct 15

Dagne Forbes Oct 15

Vernon Bancroft Oct 16

Myrna Beattie Oct 19

Ronald Hagemann Oct 21

LuAnn Buehre Oct 30

Amity Cook Oct 31The newsletter is printed in Black and White to save costs. If you would like to see to color

version, you can find it on the church website!

Mid Week Meal & ProgramWed. October 5th

Supper: BBQ's, Chips, Pickles, Jello, Coleslaw, Milk, Cookies

Wed. October 12thSupper: Spacy Spaghetti with meat sauce, Star Salad, Galaxy Garlic Bread and beyond, Moon Milk, Solar Sundaes (Ice Cream)Visioning Week: Looking out in to the skies/heavens for ideas and the direction we would like to see our church take. Let's day dream together.

Wed. October 19thSupper: Chicken Enchiladas, Salad, Rice, Chips and Salsa, Milk

Wed. October 26thSupper: Gremlin Goulash (Tator Tot Hotdish) Bony Fingers (Breadsticks), Crunchy Critters (Assorted Veggies and Dip), Mummy milk, Bloodshot eyeball cupcakes

Meal time: 6:15-7:00pmProgramming: 7:00pm (Program may start early, 6:50 pm depending on meal)Meal donation is suggested at $6 adult / $2 childYou are always welcome to be our guest should this be a financially tight time in life. Your company is enough.

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Pastor ReflectionsWhat an exciting time as October starts. Sunday school has begun, music ministry is making “joyful noise” again, the youth group is meeting, and a confirmation class has formed. This year the confirmation class at First Presbyterian, Moorhead has joined together with First Presbyterian in Fargo. There is an equal number of confirmands from both churches. They will meet part of the year at Fargo then the second half of classes will be at our church, in Moorhead. It is an opportunity for our young people to share their own faith stories and grow

with others. It is always a richer experience when others are with you on the journey and encouraging you. We gain new insights and viewpoints from new and emerging friendships. There is more excitement in the announcements that the church has received a Dream Grant of $10,000 for starting a community garden. This is a wonderful opportunity for working with other organizations and groups outside of our church family, in the planning and implementation of this project. As a congregation we expand beyond the walls of the building and invite the community to grow in the soil around us. While walking with others, it provides a richer growth of the souls, both theirs and our own. Maybe a name for this new ministry could be “Soles in the Soil growing Souls”? (I know it is a CORNY idea) The season of fall harvest comes to an end, but the seeds for future growth are being prepared. More information will be coming about the Dream Grant and community gardens. Wednesday night Mid-Week programming will also return in October. During the second gathering on October 12, we will have a supper and then a “Visioning Conference for the Future”. The book of Proverbs tells us “Where there is no vision, the people perish”. We need to be constantly growing and discerning where God is calling us and His church. Living God’s vision involves imagination and planning. It is taking risks, experimenting and learning as we go. In one, five, or ten years, what type of a headline would you like to see about First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead? Make plans to attend and help us dream what that headline will be. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. We will have interactions and work with people we never expected to meet. God appears - opens doors and surprises us with who will be there and work with us. I was reminded this month of what my response needs to be when change presents itself. On 9-11, I re-read the prayer of the New York Fire Department Chaplain, who was one of the first people to die in the World Trade Center Towers, Father Mychal Judge. “Lord, take me where you want me to go, let me meet who you want me to meet, tell me what you want me to say, and keep me out of your way.”Grace and Peace, as we dream about the future together. And Lord take me where you want me to go.

- Pastor Paul

Card ClubSaturday, October 15 – 6:00 PM **Please note the change in meeting time!

In the Community Room at Crossings at Water's Edge1501 Belsly BlvdMoorhead, MN 56560Hostesses: Kathleen Wilkinson and Stephanie GaleCome join us for fun, food and whist. It is a potluck – Please bring a dish to share.

Bargain BonanzaThe Bargain Bonanza is quickly approaching, Saturday, October 15 from 9 am - 5 pm. We will need volunteers to sign-up to bring bake sale items. There will be a sign-up list in the fellowship hall. The youth group will be selling food items. Menu will be decided soon! It promises to be a fun-filled day with a wide variety of shopping options. Something for everyone! Come join the fun. Contact number for Kathy McKaig is 701-212-3789.

The First Epistle October 2016

Session News from September• Session reviewed the 2010 Visioning/Mission study

report. Ineke Justitz and LuAnn Buehre summarized the data, which had not been previously done. It was presented to session and sent to the PNC. It was felt a Mission Study was not needed but some Visioning should be done.

• A congregation dinner and visioning discussion will be held Wednesday October 12. Dinner will be at 6 pm, followed by a look to visualizing the future of First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead.

• A congregation meeting has been called for Sunday October 9 following worship. The congregation members previously elected in January 2016 – 3 of the 4 – are unable to complete their term. Therefore we need to elect 3 congregation members to serve on the Nominating committee. Then the Nominating Committee can begin their work of finding elders and deacons to serve the next terms.

• A date was set for the Talent Auction this fall, Friday November 4. People will be contacted for help to begin the planning.

• B&G reported the repairs to the library have been completed. Many Thanks to Frank Kratky for the work he did. Per the decision by session in August, church doors will remain locked to ensure the security of people and the building.

• Action Ministry Committee reported that the church has been awarded a dream grant of $10,000 to develop a community garden.

• The New Life committee is looking for a few people to serve on the committee. Contact Erik Swee if you would like to help with any activities New Life sponsors.

The process of Calling a Pastor:

The PNC will use the 2010 Mission/Vision study and the information gathered at the October 12 gathering to begin the work of completing the MIF ( the Ministry Information Form). The MIF provides a narrative picture of the mission and ministry of the congregation and its sense of call. Prospective pastoral candidates will look at the MIF.

Emergency Pastoral Care Team LeaderFor the month of September, please contact Dagne Forbes.

News & EventsOctober Hospitality Team:Vern & Liz BancroftJim & Marlys WinterMitch & Kathy McKaigChris & Nadine Swee**** Group Leaders

This month you will find a copy of the years Monthly Hospitality Groups assignments included in this newsletter for your information and convenience. Keep it so you can refer to it during the year. There is also a copy on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Thank you to everyone for signing up for a month, and in advance for those of you help out when there is a void. Thanks for greeting, ushering and serving coffee on Sunday mornings. A reminder to those who usher to please count the number of people in church (Nursery, Worship, etc.) on Sunday and record it on the sheet that can be found in the drawer in the table in the narthex.

Liturgists NeededWould you be willing to serve as a Liturgist for our Sunday Morning service? For more information, please contact Carole Smerud at 701-361-5933

Carley Farley Meade recently started a five month chemo regimen for colon cancer that returned and spread to her lungs. Carley lives in Nashville, TN and recently celebrated her 40th birthday, She is a niece of Barb and Walt Worman.Thank you for prayers for strength and health for Carley (and her husband Jon).

PAGE 5The First Epistle

News & EventsNominating CommitteeIn last month’s newsletter there was “A Learning Moment” article. It was how all of us are called into ministry. The “Nominating Committee” is the most important committee in the church.The members of this committee select the next leaders of the church. It is a very important mission. The Nominating Committee membership consists of two Session members and one Deacon Representative. The remaining members are from the congregation and need to be one more than the total number of session and deacons. They will have the majority. This membership is elected by the congregation. There needs to be 4 total congregation members to satisfy this rule. We need to elect 3 members from the congregation. The committee task will seek people with the gifts and talents Christ needs for First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead to complete the ministry and mission to the world. If you are person who knows many of the members of this church please consider volunteering to be a candidate for one of these very important positions. ”Come, Follow Me”, Jesus said. “I will make you fishers of people.” Mark 1:17

Fall Talent AuctionMark your calendars for some excitement: the Fall Talent Auction on Friday, November 4, 2016. Did you know that the word “talent” originally was a unit of weight, such as a talent-weight of gold or silver? In the parable of the talents, a talent or a bag of gold was about the equivalent of 20 years of wages for a laborer. Over time, the word “talent” took on the additional meanings of gift or skill or ability. This is apparent also in Matthew 25:14-30, when the man who goes on a journey gives each servant talents according to his (or her) ability.In any case, last year we had a great time socializing and bidding on all kinds of wonderful talents, such as baby-sitting, personal shopping, a private recital, a fancy meal, delicious preserves and baked goods, a weekend at the lake, and many more. Donate your talents to this year’s auction! Do you have a friend who would like to donate a talent? Whether you have a treasure in search of a good home, time to assist others, or the talent of music, share them with us. The funds raised will serve the greater good of the Church.If you would like to join the Talent Auction Planning Team, send an email to Kathy Shark, our office manager, at admin@firstpresmhd.org. You may also send or give her the talents you wish to donate. Additional details will soon be available. Thank you very much.Ineke Justitz

The First Epistle October 2016

Committee UpdatesBuilding SecurityWith the security of our congregation, staff and visitors in mind, Building & Grounds has made the determination to keep the building LOCKED at all times, with the possible exception of Sunday morning worship. B&G chooses to err on the side of safety for all involved.If you are leading an event at church, please keep in mind the exterior doors should remain locked and to account for those arriving to the building by having someone available to let people in.Those who need access to the building should already have a key gaining them access.If you have questions, please contact Tim Ortez or Frank Kratky.

Election Day Committee MeetingsCommittees who meet Tuesday November 9 may want to reconsider their meeting date. November 9 is election day and the church is a polling site on that day.

Saturday, October 8th- Haunted Corn MazeSaturday, October 15th- Youth Selling Food at the Craft FairSee Scott Ecker for more information.

Worship Committee NewsPlease join us for The Hanging of the Greens November 27th at 4pm. A potluck will follow. Christmas Eve there will only be the 5:30pm service due to Christmas falling on a Sunday. We will have 10:30am church service Christmas morning. Poinsettias will be available to order soon. More information will be coming out next newsletter. Looking for Chimes players! We will be performing at November 13th church service. Practice will be October 19, 26, November 2, 9 at 7:30pm in Fellowship Hall. If you are interested please contact Holly Martin (701) 866-1071.

Action MinistryThe Action Ministry Committee is excited to announce that we received a DREAM (Developmental, Risky, Experimental, Adaptive Mission) grant from the Presbyterian Mission Agency. The $10,000 DREAM grant will fund "How Does Your Garden Grow" a community, faith-based gardening project. "How Does Your Garden Grow" is a gardening ministry that will utilize the work of physically planting, nurturing, and harvesting nutritious foods to facilitate the seeds of faith, hope, love and peace in an ethnically-diverse neighborhood. The Korean Presbyterian faith community, the Kurdish American community, neighbors living in the area surrounding the church, and others will be invited to join this initiative. The Action Ministry Committee will begin planning this fall on Tuesday, October 11th at 6 pm. Please join us if you are interested in being part of "How Does Your Garden Grow."

PAGE 7The First Epistle

Community News and EventsDorothy Day House of Hospitality & Food Pantry: We will serve on Monday, October 24th at 6:15 p.m. Additional hours are available to help out on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. (or as long as you can stay).Please consider serving each month with your church congregation. It is great fellowship and helps out the pantry in a very important mission.We cannot do it without you! If you have any questions, please contact Marilynn Woods at 236-9917. Please join us when you are able!

Opportunity to support "Sheltering Churches" Oct. 2With our Peace and Global Justice offering on World Communion Day, Oct. 2, we all have the opportunity to contribute to our local effort to minister to area homeless families. When cold weather strikes all of our local shelters fill up and there is usually an overflow of 20-30 people who cannot be safely accommodated for the night. Rather than turn these folks out in the cold our local churches have organized "Sheltering Churches" to provide a safe, warm place to rest each night of our coldest weather.Here's how it works: folks still stop at the shelter, check in, have supper, and then if they are on the overflow list they are transported to a participating church for the night. A mattress, clean bedding and a snack await them plus hosts who can assist them in getting settled. In the morning they are transported back to the shelter for breakfast and another day of seeking permanent housing solutions. This program runs on donations, both volunteers and program costs. You can be a part of this ministry with your offering on Oct. 2.

Margo Zambian updateThis summer was a time of lows and highs for Peace Corps volunteer Margo Worman. A sprained ankle and treatment for schistosomiasis (a parasite) have added to the regular challenges of daily life. Fortunately the parasite was successfully treated with limited side effects. The ankle will heal but having to walk or bike everywhere makes this a bit more interesting. A high point of the summer was a visit from Margo's cousin, Suzy, and their visit to Victoria Falls. They also took a safari trip into northern Botswana where they saw herds of elephants, hippo, antelope, giraffe, zebras, lions, eagles and various other birds. And they visited a cat rescue sanctuary where they interacted directly the lions and cheetahs. Suzy even "walked" a cheetah on a leash. This summer Margo worked with her community to organize a two week nutrition training for parents and small children. Bean sausages was a favorite new food. Margo and fellow volunteers are now planning a one week boy's camp in December. Mail to Margo does not seem to be getting through to her post office box in Chibombo. So if you wish to send her a note, please give it to Barb or Walt. We can then include it in one of our packages to her. Thanks!

First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead2900 Fifth Street SouthMoorhead, MN 56560

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October Worship ScheduleSun. Oct 2nd - World Communion Sunday - Luke 17:5-10"When God Calls" SeriesSun. Oct 9th - The Fugitive - Jonah 1:1-17

Sun. Oct. 16th - Surrender - Jonah 2-3:1

Sun. Oct. 23th - Trust and Obey - Jonah 3-4

Sun. Oct. 30th- Reformation Sunday - John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34

SCRIP UpdateIt is hard to believe, but the holiday shopping season is quickly approaching! If you’re like me, you would like as many shortcuts as possible at your disposal. Multi-tasking is a great trick this time of year. Let me offer you a great time saver for this time of year – SCRIP! Whether it’s finding something for that hard to shop for person or picking up that last item to bake your famous cookies, scrip can help. And as always, when you shop with scrip, you help raise money for the church. So, if you’re busy this time of year and could use a little help, place an order. October Orders - Due 10/2, available for pickup 10/9 November Orders - Due 11/6, available for pickup 11/13 If you have any questions, talk to Chris Swee.