Pasadena Presbyterian Church
October 2009
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From Me to You
Session Digest
Session Ministry Update
You're Invited to a Good Old-Fashioned Pounding for the Oliver Family
Stewardship Ministry Update
Financial Secretary's Report to Session
Stephen Ministry
Children's Church
Antioch Youth News
Pasadena Presbyterian Women
Calendar
Library
Evangemissions
Faith Community Nursing
Preschool
Ladies' Missionary Tea
Annual Bottle Drive
Sunday Worship Attendance
What's New at PPC
Birthdays
“Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys;
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:33-34 NAS)
That seems backwards. We would normally think where our hearts go is where we put our treasures—time, talents, gifts, resources, efforts, priorities, etc. Having our hearts follow our treasures sounds like idolatry.
But what Jesus is getting at here (Luke 12) is how God gives and grows our faith. Faith is our response to who God is and what God does. We are saved by faith because we believe and trust in Jesus and His sacrificial work to save us (Ephesians 2:8-9). Living by faith is what it takes to even possibly be pleasing to God (Romans 14:23). Growing our faith, and so, growing us in our faithfulness to and fruitfulness in Christ, is the foundation and goal of life with and for the Lord (Galatians 2:20). The book of James puts it this way:
“It isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless…Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds.” (James 2:14-17, 26 NLT)
GROW our faith TO GIVE by faith (i.e., “GROW TO GIVE”) is the theme for our 2010 (this year’s) Stewardship campaign. The idea is that as we seek Jesus and see Him as our best and eternal Treasure by faith, we will further put our faith in Him to work in every way He leads us, trusting Him to “provide where He guides.”
The culmination of our stewardship emphasis on faith-filled giving comes as we present our PLEDGE CARDS to the Lord in a single service (10:30 am) on Sunday, October 25 (Sunday School will be at 9 a.m.). You will be receiving a letter from our Stewardship Ministry shortly, which will detail this year’s theme and campaign.
Because of your faith in and faithfulness to Jesus, PPC is rebuilding and growing up, out and on toward the wonderful future God has planned for us. Please prayerfully consider what step of faith and commitment Jesus is calling you to make, as together we continue to put our hearts where our treasure is--in Him.
Grateful to be a Gospel partner with you--the faith-filled followers of Jesus we call PPC!
In Christ,
Carl
Session Digest: August 25, 2009
The stated meeting of the Session on August 25 was opened with prayer by the Moderator, Pastor Carl Crawford.
Kathie Schellhaas led in a devotion centered on Nehemiah. She noted powerful prayers, joy in the rebuilding community, and how Nehemiah quickly took care of problems of usury and protection. Then she closed with 
application to our own church by using Philippians 2:1-4.
The following items were discussed and acted on:
1. Pastor Carl reviewed the Norming Covenant pertaining to ordination vows and Session procedures.
2. The Director of Family Ministries position, funding, and search was discussed. It was decided that we should search for an intern from a seminary until we are ready to fill the permanent position.
3. It was decided to create a Missionary in Residence position to come along side the present youth and children’s ministry leaders to help with that ministry and help with training leadership.
4. It was approved that the Nominating Committee be reactivated to recruit six Deacons for election, hopefully by the end of the year.
5. Per their request, Rusty and Nancy Haak were placed on the inactive membership roll. Bob and Clo Malloy were removed from the rolls.
6. A ladies tea, in October, was approved in order for our women in missions to share their ministry.
7. A short term mission trip to Ecuador, under the leadership of Carl Crawford, in July of 2010, was approved. It was suggested that overseas short term trips be alternated with in-country trips.
8. The 123 house will be used for ministry to the community.
9. The financial report showed a positive balance of $56,906.36.
10. It was approved that October 25, 2009 be pledge Sunday for the general fund.
11. Elders White and Oline were elected as commissioners to Presbytery on October 1, 2009.
The meeting was closed with praise and prayer at 11:02 p.m. by Pastor Carl.
Larry Oline, Clerk
(Session minutes are public record and are available for review by PPC members in the church office.)
Dear members of the church of Christ at Pasadena Presbyterian Church:
For several months, your Session, through its Discipleship Ministry and the Youth Advisory Council, has been seeking the Lord about starting a new position to help us further and better fulfill the Lord’s will and His vision for our future. We are instructed in God's Word to search it to find our direction. So, we know that:
God doesn’t wish “for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)
God desires that “all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3)
God asks that we “train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Jesus desires “the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14)
The Session had earlier adopted as the church's purpose statement: “Glorify God, bear much fruit, show ourselves to be disciples of Christ” (John 15:8) Now, in answer to all our prayers, and to help PPC fulfill its purpose, the Holy Spirit has led us to contract with Anthony Oliver to be our first missionary-in-residence (MIR).
The Session concluded, at its meeting Sept. 14th that the responsibilities for our Missionary-In-Residence would be:
Evangelize children, youth and their families in the community; train PPC youth to share the Gospel effectively.
Disciple children, youth and their families; help equip them with the Word of God, to live and serve as Christ’s disciples.
Come alongside current church leadership in directing the programs and ministries for children, middle school and senior high youth and their families.
Recruit and disciple volunteer leaders in assigned areas of ministry.
The Lord brought Anthony, his wife Judy, and sons Philip and Michael to us from their mission with Caribbean Outreach International in Trinidad. For the past 11 years there, the Olivers have been ministering to bring children and families to Christ, disciple them, and start a new church. In their own words, Anthony and Judy believe “Jesus is Lord, no matter where you are” and “we must win the lost at all cost.”
As part of the Missionary-In-Residence position, the Olivers will reside in the church-owned house at 6720 Burlington Ave N (next to Pastor Carl and family). The MIR is a part-time (20 hours per week) position, and the contract is initially for 9 months (from October 2009 through June 2010). Anthony’s official start date is October 1st.
Please join your Session in welcoming the Olivers and thanking the Lord for bringing us together in the partnership of the Gospel with them. Please pray that the Lord will use them to help build bridges to the unreached and unchurched in our area, and move us further along the path of being Jesus’ church in Jesus’ mission (i.e., a missional church).
Yours In Christ,
The Session of Pasadena Presbyterian Church
You're Invited to an Old Fashioned Pounding for the Oliver Family
Date: October 4, 209
Time: 1 pm-4 pm
We are going to bless the Oliver family with an old-fashioned pounding to welcome them to the neigborhood!
Examples of items to bring:
- 1 pound of sugar
- 1 pound of flour
- 1 pound of laundry detergent
- 1 pound of apples/oranges
- Other non-perishable food/pantry items
Other Items to Bring include:
- Paper products
- Cleaning supplies
- Light Bulbs
- Etc.
Financial Secretary's Report to Session: August 31, 2009
The Financials for August show actual income $27,249.67 with expenses of $25,381.34 leaving us $1,868.33 in the black.
Year to Date 2009 |
|
| Actual Income | $291,865,20 |
| Actual Expenses | $232,088.26 |
| Black | $ 59,776.94 |
PPC Foundation |
|
| Pasadena Foundation | $ 25,791.61 |
| Wahl Scholarship | $ 49,945.67 |
Cash Reserves $156,257.16
Want to learn more about Stephen Ministry?
First Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Stephen Ministry Caring Workshop on Saturday, November 14th from 9 am to 1 pm. This workshop will be hosted by First Presbyterian’s Stephen Ministry team with a continental breakfast served by their Congregational Care committee. Come with curiosity and questions about Stephen Ministry and learn how it has helped transform 10,000 congregations worldwide by using distinctively Christian care giving. This workshop will focus on Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief, An Introduction to the Stephen Ministry Series System of Lay Caregiving and How to Care in a Distinctively Christian Way. This is an opportunity to learn about the Stephen Ministry system for helping those experiencing loneliness, grief, loss, illness and other of life’s crises. If you would be interested in attending this workshop or becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Lina Treleaven at 368-1349 or Pastor Carl.
September’s worship theme was “Service.” The children served God by making cards and placemats for the Kairos ministry members to take into prison with them. The children have such a desire to serve, and their cards were inspiring.
The theme for October will be evangelism, centering around Christ’s commandment that we “go and make disciples of all nations.” The gospel will be presented, and the children will practice using the Evangecube.
Children’s Church is a worship service designed specifically for children in kindergarten through grade 5. The children are dismissed from the Sanctuary during the 8:30 AM service each Sunday, with the exception of Communion Sunday.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you are to be upon you hearts. Impress them on your children.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Leslie Hughes
What's Happening in the Antioch Youth Group
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped send our youth to Night of Joy and Rock The Universe. We had a great time and saw the awesomeness of God. While we were at Night of Joy, God sent a total stranger to me to pray for and with me. This was a youth who said that God wanted him to pray for me and with me and as Brenda was not with us my mind was with her and prayer was what I needed. God is an awesome God. One of the highlight events in October is our Video Scavenger Hunt. Check out the October calendar for details. God Bless you and thank you again to all the leaders who gave their time (Leslie, Barb, Ruth, Jason and David).
Rob Taylor, Volunteer Youth Leader
THE PURPOSE OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN:
FORGIVEN AND FREED BY GOD IN JESUS CHRIST AND EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE COMMIT OURSELVES. . . . .
To nurture our faith through prayer and bible study
To support the mission of the church worldwide
To work for justice and peace
To build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God’s Kingdom.
Activities for Month of October at Pasadena
Monday, October 5th at 10:15 am PW Communion at The Springs
Tuesday, October 6th at 10:00 am Council Meeting – Boswell
Monday, October 12th at 7:00 pm Rachel Circle – Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, October 13th at 10:00 am Esther Circle –Becky McLaughlin’s Home
Tuesday, October 13th at 1:00 pm Ruth Circle – Dee McKee’s Home
HAVE YOU SEEN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL LATELY? Thanks to DAVE TERHUNE and BILL WYESS it looks complete and a wonderful job by these two talented men. At our last Council Meeting we voted to finish off the east end of the Fellowship Hall and it looks beautiful. Another thing that the women will be doing to honor the memory of Ruby Bortz is purchasing new round tables for the Fellowship Hall. We’re sure Ruby would approve of where her money is going as she was very proud of Presbyterian Women and was a faithful servant of God.
LOOKING AHEAD – PW Thank Offering Service will be held Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 10:30 AM with a combined service. As in previous years, we will again have a light lunch following the service with a special invitation for the congregation to share. Watch for more details in the next Alleluia Newsletter!
In Christ’s Love,
Patricia Watts, Acting Moderator
Library Enhances Collection of CDs for All Ages
Want to fill your hours productively when you can't be holding a book? The library is gathering a collection of many types of cd/books which will be ready to harvest this November!
Books on CD: The Problem of Pain, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, and Mere Christianity (all by C.S. Lewis); The Holiness of God (R.C. Sproul); Experiencing Prayer with Jesus (Henry and Norman Blackaby); The Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan); and others, including abridged Max Lucado books: Cure for the Common Life; and, a new one, Fearless, Imagine Your Life Without Fear; and (unabridged) For the Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven and Hope.
Bible Studies on CD: Max Lucado has the Max on Life series (four interactive Bible Studies for Individuals or Small Groups in each book with a CD): Growing the Marriage of Your Dreams; Gaining a New Attitude on Life; Finding Strength for Your Struggles; Discovering the Power of Prayer; Building a Godly Home; Becoming a Student of God's Word; and Dealing with Difficult People. and For the Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven and Hope.
Illustrated books with CD: Breath of Heaven (Amy Grant); God Bless the U.S.A. (Lee Greenwood)
Children: My Big Box of Split-track Bible Songs (60 Songs on 3 cds).
Laurie Smith,
Librarian
Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15-16, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the 
hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” I’ve often heard people say that we, as Christians, need to set an example for non-Christians, knowing that “we may be the only Bible that some people ever read.” Peter speaks about our “good behavior” making people ashamed of speaking badly about Christians. A portion of our testimony about our faith is the example that we set for non-believers. If people can see Christ through us by our actions, then that may speak louder than any words we speak.
Peter is also telling us that we need to be prepared to tell others about our faith in Christ. Christ commands us in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples of all nations.” This commandment is for ALL of us, and we can all share the gospel wherever we are – at work, school, at the grocery store, or even at church. Please pray about how God wants you to share the great things that He is doing in your life with someone who has not heard the gospel.
The EvangeMissions ministry is sponsoring a Ladies’ Tea, to be held on October 17th from 10am—12 Noon. Threse Hammond and Alma Oline will be speaking about their missions’ experiences this past summer. Please contact the church office to sign up for the tea.
Please pray for the following missions that receive support through our congregation: Campus Crusade, Heart to Honduras, Kairos, Mission India, and the St. Petersburg Free Clinic.
One of the purposes of the Health and Wellness Ministry is to keep a finger on the pulse of the congregation. Knowing those issues that make your heart beat just a little faster ~ stress, anxiety, challenges, learning something new and even illness, helps us to know what classes and programs will best fit our PPC family as we work together toward optimal health.
If you did not have a chance to fill out a needs survey, please let me know and I will be happy to get one to you through the first week of October. You can email me at debrivard@tampabay.rr.com and I will send you an electronic copy of the survey, or you can pick one up from the office, fill it out and leave it in the office for me. The deadline to complete and submit surveys is Sunday, October 4; the results will be posted on the FCN bulletin board by Sunday, October 11, 2009 along with a schedule of programs for October, November and December. Please take this opportunity to let your voice be heard.
The health tip for this month tells “the rest of the story” about your Health Age Assessment. No matter how you scored on the Health Age Assessment, when you follow all 7 of the good health practices, research has shown people live on the average of 12.5 years longer than those who follow 3 or fewer of the good health practices. Additionally, the research further showed the health status of persons not following a healthful lifestyle at all was similar to that of people 20-30 years older!
The 7 health practices that are the most significant predictors of longevity are: (1) Not smoking. Did you know, a smoker loses one day of life for every eight days he or she smokes in addition to increasing the risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke, emphysema, high blood pressure, ulcers AND the common cold? (2) Regular exercise. Did you know, on average, every hour you exercise increases your life span by 2 hours in addition to the fact that active people are sick less often, have more energy, are more successful at weight management, cope better with stress and pressures AND have less depression and a more positive self-image? (3) Eating breakfast daily. Did you know, skipping meals actually adds to the body’s stress load? When meals are skipped, the body tries to raise the blood sugar to the level needed to make the brain function normally. In the process, it releases adrenaline and other stress hormones into the blood. (4) Regular meals and limited snacking. Did you know frequent snacking increases tooth decay? Typical vendor snacks are high in sugar, saturated fats, salt and calories. (5) Weight in a healthy range. Did you know, today it is estimated that 64.5% of adults in the U.S. population are overweight or obese ~ that computes to 2 out of every 3 people. This is one of our nation’s greatest health problems from which multiple other chronic health conditions arise. (6) No alcohol, or moderate use only. Did you know 3% of all cancer deaths are linked to alcohol consumption? New research shows that even moderate drinking can increase your risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer. (7) Adequate sleep: 7-8 hours per day. Did you know inadequate rest can weaken the body’s immune system, making you more susceptible to colds, flu and other infectious diseases? While the body is resting, it repairs wear and tear and restores health reserves. It’s never too late to make healthy lifestyle changes, the next step is yours.
“I am now giving you the choice between life and death….Choose life” Deuteronomy 30:19
Debbie Rivard, RN
September has been a wonderful month at your preschool ministry. The children at Sonrise have all settled into their daily routine and are having fun learning about how wonderfully God has created them. We have been learning about our body parts, our five senses, and the gift of family and friends. We had a special Grandparents day celebration. The Grandparents joined the children in the classroom and it was a very special time. We had a special in-house visit from Great Explorations. They brought their animal exhibit to the school and the children had a first hand experience with God’s creatures. What fun!
In September we have provided artwork for the Kairos ministry and in October we will begin participating in the homeless ministry by having our children go with their parents to purchase items for the hygiene kits.
I thank God for the wonderful Christian staff that we have here at the preschool ministry. Their love and care for the children and their families is evident each day. As we continue on our journey this year, please join me in praying that the seeds that are being planted here each day will grow to give glory to God. May God continue to bless you and your families.
Laura Woodard, Preschool Administrator
Your mission committee will be sponsoring a Tea on Saturday October 17th from 10am—12 Noon . We will be hearing from some of our ladies who have gone on mission trips this year. If you would be willing to bring food (tea sandwiches, scones, muffins, fruit,…), help set up or clean up, or help as needed, please let Donna Crawford (368-5588) know.
It's that time again!
The Pregnancy center Of Pinellas County is having their Annual Baby bottle drive. This one is sooo easy: all you have to do is pick up a bottle at Church and fill it up! You can put it on your desk at work, put it by your front door, so you can empty your pockets when you come home, or, the ever popular "I'll just pop a check in there"! Any amount will do --large or small. Thanks for always being there for these babies, Pasadena!
Love; Barbara Gonzalez
Your Liaison for the Pregnancy Center
| 8:30 a.m. | 11:00 a.m. | Total | |
| August 2 | 97 | 48 | 145 |
| August 9 | 86 | 55 | 141 |
| August 16 | 98 | 35 | 133 |
Thank You
A message to say, “Thanks for just being you and for doing the wonderful things that you do!”
And all your prayers, visits, nice cards, phone calls, and hugs, smiles and food.
Thank you all for Loving Me!
Debbie Saathoff
Friends at PPC
To All Our Friends at PPC we want to extend our thanks for your continued prayers during Harold’s continued illness. They are much appreciated and we can feel the strength from God. Also, thanks for all the birthday greetings Harold received for his 92nd. Please feel free to call or stop by for a short visit. God loves you and so do we! Harold & Pat Watts
New PPC Directory
Please call the office to reserve your copy of the new PPC Directory which will be distributed in October.
Prayer Request E-mail List
Our PPC e-mail praise/prayer list is being revised.
If you would like to be included on our e-mail list to receive current Prayer Requests, please send your e-mail address to the church office at praisingGod@pasadenapc.com. Please be sure to put Prayer Request E-mail List in the Subject line.
and Updates
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