Tower Notes (USPS 634720) is published

Weekly, except week of Christmas, by First Presbyterian Church, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur, IL 62523. Periodical postage paid at Decatur, IL. Postmaster: Send address changes to Tower Notes, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur IL 62523 (217)429-4195; (217)429-4712 FAX www.firstpresdecatur.org or email: fpdec@comcast.net

********************************************************************************************************************* VOLUME 47 August 19, 2015 NUMBER 32 ********************************************************************************************************************* August 23, 2015 8:00 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel 13th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9:00 a.m. Christian Education Hour 9:15 a.m. NewSong Worship Service – Chapel 10:15 a.m. Chapel Class – Chapel 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary

First Presbyterian Vision and Mission Statements VISION: As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to be an open, caring, compassionate congregation,

and to bring about positive changes in our community and world. MISSION: We celebrate, explore, and demonstrate our Christian faith in loving service. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: 1) Continue to be an active community-oriented congregation; 2) Develop a passion for discipleship and advocacy; 3) Celebrate unity of purpose with diversity in action.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 4:00 – 6:00pm

EXPERIENCE DUBAI

John Kay will share his experiences during his recent trip to Dubai. A light supper will be served at 5:00 following the program. If you plan to attend and have not yet signed up, please contact the church office by phone or email as soon as possible so we will know how much food to prepare. A special program is planned for school-age children. Let the church office know if you will need childcare for preschoolers and younger. Donations accepted for supper.

WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT Thurs., August 27, 2015, 5:30pm Anna Thai-Sushi Restaurant 253 N. Main St. Be sure to RSVP!

MISSION

Join us in the gathering room on Sunday August 23 before and following the three services. You will learn about what the Mission Committee has accomplished in our community with volunteers and at First Pres. We hope you stop by our display and connect with us this Sunday.

BLESSINGS ON OUR CHILDREN RETURNING TO SCHOOL

Tower Notes

Notes

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

PRAYER CONCERNS Jack Brown is in Rm. 3528 at DMH after having a partial hip replacement on August 17. It went well and he already began therapy in the hospital for a few days with plans to move to a rehab facility for further therapy. Cindy Wene's mother, Judy Grieve, has entered hospice care. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early 2014. Jerry Atkin’s mother Lillian is at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Rm. 4147. Norma Stephens, Beth Coit's mother Janet Palmer’s aunt NEW ADDRESSES Leo Pondelick is in assisted living near his daughter. His new address is:

Millstream Commons 210-8th St. W #203 Northfield, MN 55057 Phone number: 507-645-6284.

Brett Eisenhauer 4214 Hart College Murray, KY 42071

Jerry Atkins 750 Millstream Pl. Decatur, IL 62521 Carol Ferry 2620 Central Ave. – Unit GN Flossmoor, IL 60422 708-798-2239 Dick Ferry is in assisted living in South Holland, IL.

WHY WE BELONG

For more than 200 years, Presbyterians have

remained unwavering in this one conviction: Jesus is

Lord (1 Cor. 12:3). All power, truth and salvation rest

with God alone. Today millions of people worldwide

worship in Presbyterian churches; they gather as a

grateful and loved people, eager to hear Scripture and

celebrate the sacraments. They gather because God

has called them into community to share with one

another and the world a greater love, a brighter

witness, a truer faithfulness, than they could achieve

alone.

Presbyterians have always chiefly been a “sent”

people. Today, the PC(USA) shares the gospel

through the ministry of 200 mission coworkers in 75

countries working on matters of evangelism,

reconciliation, and the alleviation of poverty.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance witnesses to the

healing love of Christ by caring for communities in

the midst of crisis. And heeding the call of the Holy

Spirit, Presbyterians across the country are building

up 1,001 new worshiping communities and

empowering congregations to seek out new

beginnings and engage their diverse communities.

Presbyterians may not agree on all things, but we do

commonly stand with one another as a people saved

and in service of God.

That’s why we belong. (pcusa.org/why-i-belong)

THANK YOU Dear Church Members, I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate all of your good thoughts and prayers. I know most of you don't even know me but know my sister Sandy. Thank you so very much! Lisa Peterson

LUNCH BUNCH

We’re mixing things up 9/24!

Recently our Adult Discipleship

Committee discussed the possibility of our Lunch Bunch group joining with the 'First Friends' group at First United Methodist Church on alternate months. Their group meets on most fourth Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and begins with some light snacks followed by a program similar to ours. They do not offer a noon meal at the church but decide where those who wish may go to eat lunch together at a nearby restaurant. Their first meeting of this fall is already scheduled for September 24. Our group could attend that one at FUMC and then FP would host the meeting at the October 22 meeting. We would skip November and December.

Persons of all ages are always welcome to join in the fun, starting with a 'meet and greet' at 10:15 a.m. No reservations would be required. You don’t have to be a Presbyterian or Methodist to enjoy the gathering! Paul Rosenberger

VERY GOOD

August 23 SUNDAY GREETERS

Before Service #1 Cheryl Thompson #4 Pattie Smith-Phillips #2 Nadine Wimmer #5 Bob Bullock #3 Jody Hantel Computer Tech Brenda Aymer Web Team Media Tech Theresa Boes Brenda Aymer Andy Rauff

Pathfinders Walk

NEW PATH IN OCTOBER

E-mail concerns to amcelder@comcast.net

WORSHIP SERVICES

August 23, 2015 13TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Sarah Grace Moore Montgomery, preaching

Dianne DeVore, 8:00 a.m. lay leader Terry Hogg and Pam Neeley

9:15 a.m. service leaders Dwain VanZant, 10:30 a.m. lay leader

Scripture

John 4:5-30

Sermon “Come and See”

Flowers

The flowers this Sunday are given by Frits and Amy Pronk in honor of their 60th

wedding anniversary.

August Ushers Myung Kim, captain

Dan Austin Bob Bullock

Joli Cirks Jim May

Eric Nevitt-sub Charlie Platt-sub Pat Smallwood David Williams Mike Zia-sub

Worship Aids

Children’s bulletins, large-print Bibles, and hearing amplifiers are available for use

during worship. Ask any usher.

AVAILABLE FLOWER DATES:

Oct. 18 & Nov. 15

Purchase Sunday flowers

in memory of your loved ones- 429-4195 or fpdec@comcast.net.

1ST PRES STRING

BAND PRACTICE Every Wednesday at

5:00PM in the Choir Room until the AC is fixed – All levels welcome. Call Doug at 521-1314.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY – NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED

We are using a study guide, “The Present Word” and applying it to our modern lives. We meet from 7 to 8 each Thursday morning at church. Come, try us on for size! Questions? Contact Jerry Atkins, Dick Fiala, Paul Rosenberger, George Batson or Ray Landon

AVOIDING THE ISSUE In the Sunday morning class on “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate,” we discussed why we all may avoid the issue of talking to family members about giving away or dividing personal property. Do any of these reasons ring a bell with you?

1. Bringing up death is uncomfortable. 2. It won’t be a problem in our family. 3. I don’t have anything of value. 4. There are too many other issues to cope with. 5. No one will listen anyway. 6. Family members will never agree. 7. Past conflicts between family members will just create

problems. The issue of what to do with all this “stuff” will not just go away. It will come up later at a stressful time when making decisions is more difficult. Planning ahead, starting the conversation gradually, sharing feelings, listening to each other, and using “I” statements, are suggested ways to begin the process. It was fun and informative listening to the

experiences that were shared this past Sunday. The class will continue for 2 more weeks and all are welcome. Thanks to Connie Requarth for leading this first class. Phyllis, Parish Nurse

CHURCH SCHOOL HOUR

August 23, 2015 9:00 Everyday Issues: Downstairs Youth area – Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate continues for two more Sundays, August 23 and 30, led by the Health Ministry Committee. It is for anyone who has downsized or cleaned out a loved one’s home, or will be in the future. We want to bring together the thought provoking ideas of the workbook with your real life experiences to make this transition easier and more satisfying.

10:15 a.m. Chapel Class – Chapel

Everyday Issues Class -upcoming speaker: September 6: Alida Graham will share updates on the Old King's Orchard Community Center and on the dream playground they hope to build at Peace Park on the grounds of Old King’s Orchard Community Center on September 26.

The inner city dream playground project in Peace Park is seeking donations of money this month. Please go to http://www.gofundme.com/4m4mh97zrw to donate, or give them a call at 428-2782. Their fundraising goal is set at $10,000. In order to receive the

playground (valued at over $85,000), they must raise 10% or $8,500. The additional $1,500 is money that will be used toward maintenance and replacing the ground surfacing as needed. Any amount that you can give to help them reach this goal will be much appreciated! In September they seek volunteers to help with this project. We might want to do this as a mission project. BUILD DAY is Saturday, September 26. All skill levels are welcome! If you are interested, put this date on your calendar.

Nearly New Thrift Shop

The Senior Center Nearly New Thrift Shop is holding summer clearance sales now. The Thrift Shop will have a bag sale on Friday, August 21. Regular-size bags will be sold for $3 each, big bags for $6 and you are free to stuff as many goodies as possible in the bags. The shop is open during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. They are in need of volunteers to work in the Thrift Shop especially on Thursdays and Fridays. Volunteers may work one day, one morning, or one afternoon a week. They are also looking for gently used items to sell in the Thrift Shop. Tax receipts are offered in return for donations. If you would like to make a donation or volunteer, please call the Senior Center at 429-1239.

First Presbyterian Church Prayer Chain

To request prayer for someone, call any one person on the prayer chain. Contact Lori Jensen

or Yvonne Lewis for further questions or information. An alternative to making a phone call is to send an email to the church at fpdec@comcast.net and/or lori.jensen1@comcast.net.

Your prayer chain people who pray for you are compassionate and caring. We do have a request for those who call in petitions for prayers: Please update Yvonne Lewis or Lori Jensen following your initial request within two weeks, so we can all pray specifically and intelligently.

Joan Brown 877-0880 Gayle Bruckner 877-4116 Marty Cushman 433-0526 Jean Gift 428-1698 Lori Jensen 429-3400 Yvonne Lewis 423-8727 Susan Marshall 422-0824 Verlyn Rosenberger 877-4789 Harriet Sadowski 428-5607 Jane Spires 520-1884 Sue Weinstein 454-7819 Joan Winick 428-5437

Babes Program shares tips for summertime and back to school The Babes Program Coordinator, Sandy Laesch, recommends one of the best resources for parents, grandparents and caregivers for keeping children safe outdoors and in public parks and places. It is the website of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com. Please check it out.

SENIOR ISSUES WORKSHOP On Wednesday, September 16, State Senator Andy Manar in conjunction with representatives from the Illinois Department on Aging will present a Workshop on Senior Issues at the Decatur-Macon County Senior Center, 1430 N. 22nd Street. The workshop will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Issues and problems will be addressed important to older residents. The event is free and many local and state agencies will have informational tables at the center. This is a great opportunity to be informed about services for seniors. Lunch is available for a suggested donation at noon. To sign up for lunch, please call the Senior Center the day before at 429-1239.

DOVE WILL BE HELPED

End of Summer

Reading

Michael Karunas, Senior Minister at Central Christian Church highly recommends Sticky Faith Guide to Your Family by Kara Powell. He gives it 5 pulpits! He recommends it for all families. The #1 determining factor in youth growing up to be people of faith in their adult years is having parents (especially dads) who practice faith themselves. This book offers over 100 practical ways families can practice faith without it even looking like they are “practicing faith.” Sounds like a great reading before the church school year begins!