Alleluia Newsletter

March 2009

Go to:
From Me to You
Session Digest
Stewardship Ministry Update
Financial Secretary's Report to Session
What's Happening in the Youth Group
Preschool News
Children's Church
Pasadena Presbyterian Women
Church Women United
Calendar
Library
Life Groups
The Truth Project
Evangemissions
Pasadena Presbyterian a STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION
GLORIFY GOD, BEAR MUCH FRUIT, MAKE DISCIPLESN QUEVEDO, ECUADOR JULY 24 – AUGUST 1, 2009
Sunday Worship Attendance
What's New at PPC

From Me to You:

"The Good News must first be preached to every nation” (Mark 13:10).

Sunday March 15 will be our annual Missions Fair at PPC.  Through the faithful, “over and above” Faith Promise giving of our congregation, we are directly providing some financial support for 21 missionaries—an amazing testimony of God’s grace in our giving!

At the Missions Fair, you will be able to meet many of our mission partners.  It always helps to put a name, face and story together; so please take time to go by their displays in the Fellowship Hall between services, meet them, and find out how you can personally be on their prayer support team.  Prayer is the essential “fuel” on which the Gospel flies out to the world!

This year Brian Sanders, a “shoot” from our PPC family, will be the keynote speaker for our services.  Many of you have known Brian from his childhood, and watched him grow up to serve the Lord full-time with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship in the Tampa region.  Brian now is Pastor of the Underground Church in Tampa. I’m sure his messages will be quite soul-shaking and eye-opening for us to hear!

Being Jesus’ Church in the 21st century means being in Jesus’ mission just as the first century church was.  The task given Christians by Jesus—proclaiming the Good News to every nation (Mark 13:10 above)—remains our primary purpose today. 

Mission is not an option:  it is both a privilege and a command to us all.  The privilege of becoming missional comes as we each see ourselves as those in whom Jesus lives and through whom He makes His loving truth and offer of salvation known, here, everywhere, now and anytime He so desires to work through us. The command of mission involves our willingness and responsiveness to share God’s heart and follow Him out of our “comfort zones” and into the world to share Christ.  As Pastor John Piper put it, we either “go ourselves, help send others—or disobey.”

We are not unique at PPC in our desire to follow God’s design and become more missional.  What is unique about us is that we are here, in this location, with a particular set of relationships and opportunities to reach those around us and wherever the Lord leads us around the world. As Christ’s Church, we are committed to learning more and more how to cross the boundaries and barriers that cause us to keep the Gospel to ourselves, so we will see more people accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, and receive them joyfully into our family of faith in Christ.  We are becoming what we are to be—disciples who make disciples to reach the world with the Gospel!

Glad to be glorifying God, bearing much fruit, and showing ourselves to be disciples as Christ’s Missional Church!

In Christ,

Carl

Back to Top

Session Digest: January 27, 2009

The stated meeting of the Session was opened with prayer by the Moderator, Pastor Carl Crawford, at 7:00 p.m. Elder Tom Smith led a devotion from Ephesians 2:1-4 about thinking of others first.

The following items were acted on by the Session:

1. John Giacoletti was received into the church by reaffirmation of his faith, after giving a testimony and answering all the questions in the affirmative.
2. New shepherding lists and a proposed letter to each member were reviewed and approved with a few changes.
3. The statistical reports for the year 2008 were distributed and ratified.
4. Glenn and Lois Hamilton were received as members on transfer from NWPC. Harold and Penelope Welch, and Doris Rhodes were transferred to the inactivelist, per their request. Dave and Ruth McConnell, and Barbara Volin were removed from the rolls as they have joined another church.
5. A $5000. unrestricted gift from the estate of a former visitor has been received and will be placed in an undesignated account at this time.
6. The financial report indicated that the church ended the 2008 year with a surplus of $5348.95. The number of pledges toward the 2009 budget was 60 with a total amount of $206,678. pledged.
7. 7.  The pastor’s mentoring group, recommended by Presbytery COM, at this time has members Cammie Fine, Jack Stahley, and Pastor Augenbaugh. Their first meeting was scheduled for February 3, 2009.
8. Elder Tom Smith was approved as a representative to Presbytery on 2-28 in Sun City, with Elder Larry Oline as an alternate.

The meeting was closed with praises and prayer at 10:00 p.m.

The Elders continued to meet without the Moderator, discussing the pastor mentoring group until 10:25 p.m., and closed with prayer.

Larry Oline, Clerk

(Session Minutes are public record and are available for review by PPC members in the church office)

Back to Top

Stewardship Ministry Update

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose”
(Romans 8:28 KJV)

The Stewardship ministry is responsible for the care of church property entrusted to our congregation by generations of faithful members. This month we'd like to thank the family of Gretchen and Everett Dean for their generous bequest. Gretchen Dean taught an art class at our church from 1981 until 1994. You may remember the art displayed in Fellowship Hall during those years. Gretchen passed away in 2007 and her family has honored the memory of Gretchen and Everett Dean with this gift to help God's work here at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

PPC also has been blessed by those who gave so generously to the wish list. One of the major  results was the upgrading of the audio-visual system in the sanctuary last year. Though times were difficult our members went above and beyond our budget to give for items on the wish list.

One new item on the wish list is the Director of Family ministries. Churches similar to ours have created the concept of "director of family ministries," which carries a broad range of responsibilities. Director of Family ministries includes children and youth ministry and Christian education. It is everything that God is doing in the community through the congregation. A Director of Family ministries would work with the Sunday School and other educational endeavors such as youth and small groups (as a Director of Christian Education might), and would also coordinate and train volunteer leaders. A Director of Family ministries would select teaching materials, schedule          facilities, budget, and publicize. Developing groups and activities for all ages would be this person's calling, working closely with the Discipleship Ministry, the Pastor and the session. With the current economic conditions in the U.S., we do not anticipate staffing this position anytime soon. However, we want the congregation to be aware of the need.

If you have any suggestions or questions about Stewardship matters, feel free to contact a member of the ministry or email the church office (PraisingGod@pasadenapc.com).  Thank you for your support as we work in all things for God’s glory. God's been doing great things at Pasadena in many areas and He continues to surprise us.

Back to Top

Financial Secretary's Report to Session: January 31, 2009

The Financials for January show actual income $33,466.92 with expenses of $26,188.76 leaving us 7,278.16 in the black. 

Cash Reserves             $103,745.34   

Back to Top

What's Happening in the Youth Group

Greetings Everyone!

We would like to extend a special “Thank You” to Vicki Danz, who  coordinated and organized the Valentine Dinner  from start to finish, spending many hours volunteering in preparation, as well as taking everything down and cleaning up afterwards. Thank You Vicki! There were also many other people volunteering their time and hands, helping with whatever needed done. We would like to thank Ruth Hansell, Nancy Peters (a friend of Ruth’s), and Felicia Ragland for their many hours of volunteer service! Next, we want to thank all of you who came and enjoyed the evening with us, and helped to make the dinner a success! There were 66 people in attendance and you all donated $855.00! THANK YOU ALL!!!
As a Youth Group, we’re small in numbers but big in service and love. Some of our youth were out sick and some had previous obligations. We missed you guys!Thanks to our waiters. Great job guys… err…… guy and gals!

Looking ahead, we are getting excited about the events in the upcoming months. We are planning to attend “Acquire The Fire” in April as well as many other events and service projects.

God Bless!
Rob and Brenda

Back to Top

Preschool News

The pre-school ministry shared a “whole lot of love” in February. I would like to share with you what I think was the highlight of the month. On Ash Wednesday we had a beautiful service in the Sanctuary to mark the beginning of Lent. We started our service with the children singing “Give Me Oil In My Lamp” as we lit the candles on the Lord’s table. The lesson taught us to be proud to be a Christian, and the cross was a sign to the world that we wanted to share the love of Jesus. When we realized how blessed we were to know Jesus we sang “Rejoice in the Lord Always.” The children were then called forward one at a time to receive the crosses they had made. Each child was called forward with these words “………….Jesus has called by name.”  When the child heard their name they came forward and were asked if they would wear their cross as a sign to the world of their love for Jesus. When they responded, the cross was hung on their neck. There was silence throughout the service, with the exception of the classical musical that was softly playing in the background.  I could feel the spirit of the Lord in the Sanctuary, as each child, in awe of what was happening, came forward to receive their cross and pledge to show the world their love for Jesus. We ended the service singing “I Love You Lord” and I could feel the children’s love for their friend Jesus as they raised their voices and opened their hearts to Him.

What a blessing to know that Jesus has called each of us by name. How will we answer His call?

-  Laura Woodard

Back to Top

Children's Church

Throughout the month of March we will be taking a look at the prophecies of Christ's death in Isaiah 52 and 53.  We will see how Christ's death provided a way by which we can have an intimate relationship with God (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Hebrews 10:20), and how Christ's resurrection gives us the promise of eternal life (John 3:16;
1 John 4:9, 10).

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10 NKJV

It is an honor to serve both God and His children. 

Leslie Hughes

Back to Top

Pasadena Presbyterian Women

Activities for Month of March
Monday, March 2nd  at 10:15 am  PW Communion at the Springs
Tuesday, March 3rd  at  9:30 am   Council Meeting - Boswell
Monday, March 9th at 7:00 pm      Rachel Circle - Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, March 10th at 10:00 am  Esther Circle – Home of Becky McLaughlin
Tuesday, March 10th at 10:00 am  Martha Circle – Boswell Room
Tuesday, March 10th at 1:00 pm   Ruth Circle – Home of Ruth Gey 
Tuesday, March 17th at 7:00 pm   Lydia Circle – Cancelled

Saturday, February 7, 2009 was our General Meeting in the Chapel.  Gene Foster, Assistant Program Manager from Sallie House for abused children was our speaker.Sallie House is sponsored by the Salvation Army. This was a very informative meeting and we had 22 in  attendance .

Saturday, February 21,2009 Tampa Bay Presbyterian Women had their Nineteenth Annual Gathering at Peace Memorial Church in Clearwater. We had 6 of our ladies attend this  gathering and we’re sorry we didn’t have a better response. Hopefully next year!   

Don’t forget the Spring Retreat in Ellenton April 27-29, 2009. Look for details on the Presbyterian Women’s Bulletin Board.

Mark your calendars for our Birthday Celebration Luncheon and Style Show on Saturday, May 16, 2009. Program will be in the Chapel beginning at 10:30 a.m. with salad luncheon and style show to follow. 

July 11-15, 2009 – Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Louisville, KY. is now  accepting registrations.See Pat Watts for more details.

In Christ’s Love,
Patricia Watts, Moderator

Back to Top

Church Women United

World Day of Prayer will be held on Friday, March 6 at 11:30 A.M. at the Palm Lake Christian Church, 5401 22nd Avenue N. St. Petersburg .  The program will be featuring Prayers for Peace in the Mideast. An offering will be taken to go to a Christian group in the Middle East made up of mostly women working to create a peaceful commnity. This group makes and sells peace lamps ($15) each which are quite beautiful.

Questions - call Laura Prosser

Back to Top

Preparing for Resurrection Sunday Should Be Top Priority in Our Busy Lives

Whether you call it Resurrection Sunday or Easter, it is the most important day of the Christian year because it celebrates the day that our Lord rose from the dead, completing the act of saving us from our sins. This year it is April 12.

Here are just some of the library resources available to prepare our hearts for this day:

• The True Easter Story The Promise Kept: Teaching on site in Israel, historian Ray VanderLaan explains ancient Jewish holidays and customs and how God keeps his promises. (VHS or DVD)
• Jesus' Final Warning: Hearing Christ's Voice in the Midst of Chaos:  David Jeremiah using Matthew, "... offers perspective and timely insights from the Lord Jesus to comfort, encourage and challenge His Church." (product description)
• Just Like Jesus: Max Lucado writes, "What if for 24 hours Jesus wakes up in your bed, walks in your shoes, lives in your house, assumes your schedule?...What if for one day Jesus lives your life with his heart?" Study guide included.
• The Holiness of God  (CDs by R.C. Sproul): A "biblical survey of God's Holy character...demonstrates how the demands of His holiness are met in Christ," according to the case notes.

For children:

• The Best Thing About Easter (Christine Harder Tangvald): Leading little children from the cultural trappings of Easter (eggs, bunnies, etc.) to the real meaning of Resurrection Sunday, this book uses modern but soft artwork and easy sentences.
• Also: The Very First Easter; The Tale of the Three Trees (book and DVD); Benjamin's Box; The Story of Jesus for Children (dvd); The Parable of the Lily; Veggie Tales An Easter Carol (DVD), etc...

Virginia Rhoades Wants You To Borrow Her Books

When you read something good, you want to share it with others. In this case, Virginia Rhoades, from our congregation, recommends two books by the late J. Arthur Baird, a Synod Professor of Religion Emeritus and Senior Research Scholar at the College of Wooster (Ohio), (previously a member of the faculty, 1954-1986) and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Among many other books, he wrote Rediscovering the Power of the Gospel: Jesus' Theology of the Kingdom and The Greed Syndrome: An Ethical Sickness in American Capitalism. She would like to loan these books from her personal collection. (On the gray hall shelf)

The Rediscovering book "...attempts to remind the church that its supreme relevance is its Gospel. Its supreme attraction is its Christ. Its supreme imperative is the God it proclaims," (preface). In The Greed Syndrome, Baird concentrates on the economic problems in the U.S. but explains that greed is only a small part of the "moral disease which has spread into all aspects of American society." He points to "ethics and economics from a theological perspective."
Laurie Smith, Librarian

The Rediscovering book "...attempts to remind the church that its supreme relevance is its Gospel. Its supreme attraction is its Christ. Its supreme imperative is the God it proclaims," (preface). In The Greed Syndrome, Baird concentrates on the economic problems in the U.S. but explains that greed is only a small part of the "moral disease which has spread into all aspects of American society." He points to "ethics and economics from a theological perspective."

Laurie Smith, librarian

Back to Top

"BE JOYFUL" - New Life Groups Study

Starting January 11 and running through April 5th

Following up on Pastor Carl's Sermon on Joy, the Study is "BE JOYFUL!" a book on Philippians by Warren Wiersbe.  Wiersbe says that if you master Philippians then you should enjoy a happy Christian Life.  Discover the secret of Joy, walk out into the sunshine and be Joyful! Study Books and informational Brochures are available in the Church Office. Attend a group that works for you! 

LIFE GROUPS Two groups meet Sunday evenings 7-8:30pm, one at the Pilkington home (397-8487) and one at the Treleaven home (368-1349).  Another group meets Thursday evening 7-8:30pm, at the Gonzalez home (343-8008).  The fourth group is led by Larry and Alma Oline (344-8783) and meets at the Church on Thursdays from 2-3:30pm.  Please call the hosts for details.

Back to Top

The Truth Project

The TRUTH PROJECT is a DVD-based small group curriculum comprised of 12 one-hour lessons taught by Dr. Del Tackett. This study is the starting point for looking at life from a biblical perspective. Each lesson discusses in great detail the relevance and importance of living the Christian worldview in daily life.

More specifics about the Wednesday night class:

Location:  Chapel

Facilitators:  Owen & Mindy Irvine and Jim & Lynn Hildebrand

Back to Top

Evangemission

Evangemission Invitation

It is with much excitement and enthusiasm that Evangemissions request the pleasure of your company to join us for the Pasadena Presbyterian annual Missions Conference during the week of March 11 – 15, 2009. 

The conference will kick off with a Wednesday evening service led by PPC born and raised, Brian Sanders and will conclude on Sunday, March 15, 2009 with an opportunity to meet and greet a group of missionaries, many of whom we have the privilege of partnering with here at PPC in the Fellowship Hall at 9:45am—10:45am and after 12:00 noon. 

Join us as we fellowship with these men and women who raised their hands and said “yes” when asked, “whom shall I send”?  We have the joy of partnering with missionaries not only by our prayers and dollars, but also by encouraging them.  It is the tithe of your time.  Can you give an extra 30 minutes of the 10,080 minutes you are given each week?  Extend a hug, listen to a story, and give an encouraging word, such as “You have such beautiful feet!”   These are the hearts that have been moved by Romans 10:13-15, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

This is a wonderful opportunity to share with someone you know what God is doing in our church, our community and around the world.  Invite your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends to join us for the Mission Conference.

Better yet, bring them with you!

Paul Rivard EM Chair

P.S. - Dave Cabot is needing the loan of an RV for travels to visit mission partners in the U.S. in late April through May.  If you can help, please let him know!

Back to Top

Pasadena Presbyterian a STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

Stephen Ministry is a developing program at PPC with one Stephen Minister, Terry Odom. To keep this program strong, more Stephen Ministers are needed. Pastor Carl along with Stephen Leaders, Patty Burrows and Lina Treleaven are planning to start a new training class for Stephen Ministers in early 2009.

Stephen Ministry is a ministry by which church members are trained and organized to help provide one to one Christian care-giving to members of this congregation and community. This will provide our congregation a whole team of skilled caregivers who are equipped to bring Christ’s healing love to people who are grieving, in crisis, or experiencing other stresses in life.  Stephen Ministry is Christ caring for people through people.

Stephen Ministers are church members who have received 50 hours of training in providing high quality Christian care to individuals experiencing a crisis or challenge such as grief, divorce, loss of a job, hospitalization, relocation, or loneliness.  They listen, understand, accept and pray for and with care receivers who are working through a crisis or a tough time.

Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry where only the Pastor and one Stephen Leader will know who is receiving the care of a Stephen Minister. Everything a person tells his or her Stephen Minister is kept in strict confidence.

We need your help.  Please pray for this special caring ministry as Pastor Carl and the Stephen Leaders work to plan and organize this program.  Prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister. Share the good news that Pasadena Presbyterian is once again going to be a Stephen Ministry Congregation.

If you have been trained as a Stephen Minister or Leader in this congregation or in another, please contact Pastor Carl or any of the Stephen Leaders.

Back to Top

GLORIFY GOD, BEAR MUCH FRUIT, MAKE DISCIPLES IN QUEVEDO, ECUADOR JULY 24 – AUGUST 1, 2009

• Learn the skills and exercise the gifts that will help make you a disciple-maker in your own home town!
• Put the lessons you’ve learned from Be Complete, Be Joyful, and the Truth Project to work in a real-life, real-love, real experience of showing and sharing the Good News of Jesus with others!
• Be a part of a team that God will use to:
• Worship, encourage, train and become partners in the Gospel together with local churches!
• Witness person-to-person and see souls saved, lives changed, and new churches started!
• Engage in compassionate ministries of healing through a team-sponsored medical clinic!
• Help local congregations minister to their own communities by participating in building projects and other service ministries!

To JOIN THE TEAM, or for more information, contact Pastor Carl.

Deadline to sign-up is March 31st.

(This trip has the endorsement of the PPC Evangemissions Ministry)

Back to Top

Sunday Worship Attendance

Back to Top

What's New At PPC

Dear Church Family,

I would like to thank all my church friends for their cards, calls and prayers that I have received since I suffered a fall over my birthday weekend. Also, many thanks for all the birthday cards.

God Bless you all,
Love
Phyllis Truesdale

Operation Smile: March 18, 2009

Carl and Lina Treleaven will talk about some of their experiences as volunteers with Operation Smile, a medical charity that provides free plastic reconstructive surgery,     particularly for cleft lips and palates, to children and adults in the Third World.  The work of Operation Smile truly transforms the lives of those who receive surgery. Carl and Lina will talk about recent missions in Ethiopia, Madagascar, Cambodia, and India, describing what the missions are like, what conditions they’ve found, and how this work has  impacted their lives.  This is a “not to be missed” opportunity with lots of great pictures and stories.

Welcom Our New Members

Please welcome the following new members to our church:

Carol Greenberg
Glenn and Lois Hamilton 
John Ciacoletti

We are very blessed to have you here as part of our congregation and fellowship with the Lord!

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.

HOMELESS OUTREACH

The following items are needed for Personal Hygiene Kits that are given out during the Homeless Outreach lunch program: deodorant, toothbrushes, soap, and razors. Please place items in the blue box in the narthex.
God bless you and thank you for all you do for our homeless neighbors!

Back to Top