Pasadena Presbyterian Church
June - July 2011
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Evangemissions
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From Me to You:
YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH; THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS. THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN. LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED; BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END." (Hebrews 1:10-12)
CHANGE is something we don’t necessarily like, and probably never get used to (we aren’t called the “frozen chosen” for nothing!) And yet, CHANGE is the one constant characteristic of this world and our lives.
While CHANGE is often disorienting, confusing and sometimes downright causing consternation, it can also be helpful, constructing, revitalizing—especially when it is something God is doing: a CHANGE for the better!
We at PPC are experiencing several changes as we enter the season of summer.
First and foremost, we will be redefining our relationship with Pastor Anthony. The staff position he has filled for the past 2 years will end when the current 1-year contract does on June 30th. Instead, Session has added Anthony and his family to our missionary partner list. The house in which they have been living (6720 Burlington Ave N) will now be designated a “residence for missionaries.” The Olivers will continue to live there at no charge and with utilities paid—that is how we will support them. We are very grateful that Anthony, Judy, Phillip and Michael will still be around!
On June 30th, the present contract with our Director of Family Ministries (DOFM), Leslie Hughes will also expire. Session has agreed to rework a new contract, fine-tuning responsibilities according to the direction of our Discipleship Ministry, which will be offered to Leslie for the remainder of 2011. We are very grateful to the Lord for Leslie and her continuing help in our ministries of being and making disciples of Jesus!
Our VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be held June 13-17. Enrollment is already heading toward a new high, and the two camps we will be offering after VBS are also going to be full. WE WILL NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK to help with this overflow attendance at VBS this year—if you can help, even for 1 day, please contact Leslie before June 5th.
A new slate of officers (elders and deacons) will be elected in June and installed in July. Please continue to pray for our NOMINATING COMMITTEE as they seek the Lord’s will in recommending officer candidates.
And then there is the potentially biggest CHANGE of all: the implementation and ramifications of the “10-A” vote and change in our Book of Order wording regarding officer ordination standards. Your SESSION will continue to pray, study the Scriptures, listen to you and consult with other Presbyterians this summer, as we continue to seek the Lord’s wisdom and way forward for our congregation.
With all this CHANGE going on inside as well as outside our PPC, isn’t it great news that
GOD NEVER CHANGES,
HIS WORD LASTS FOREVER, and
JESUS CHRIST IS “THE SAME, YESTERDAY, TODAY and FOREVER!” (Hebrews 13:8).
In Christ,
Carl
The Session met for their regular stated meeting on April 26, 2011 in the Boswell Room. The Moderator was Carl Crawford. After prayer and a devotional from Luke 21 by Elder Oline, the following items were discussed and/or acted on.
1. A discussion of the PCUSA motion to remove the wording "fidelity and chastity" from the Book of Order was held. A letter, expressing the Session’s view and response will be drafted and mailed to each member of the congregation.
2. The financial report showed a present positive year-to-date cash flow balance of $8610.35; but our budget projections still show a possible shortfall of nearly $50,000.
3. A motion to replace the flat roof over the pre-school, library, and bathrooms by the summer of 2012 with the cost of $24,000 shared equally with the pre-school was approved.
4. Pastor Carl’s vacation request for May 2-9, with Pastor Bob on call and preaching on May 8, was approved.
Larry Oline, Clerk
Session minutes are available for any member to read in the office.
Thank you, Dave Terhune, for your service to the church above and beyond the call of duty!
Pasadena Presbyterian Church Wishlist |
||
| Nature of Project | Estimated Cost | Received |
| Youth Sound Equipment (speakers, etc.) | $1,500 | New item |
| Sanctuary Projector | $4,000 | New item |
The Financials for April show actual income $23.232.24 with expenses of $23,510.06 leaving us -$ 277.82 in the red.
Year to Date 2011 |
|
| Actual Income | $ 128,569.88 |
| Actual Expenses | $ 120,237.35 |
| Black | $ 8,332.53 |
PPC Foundation |
|
| Pasadena Foundation | $ 29,732.34 |
| Wahl Scholarship | $ 52.398/49 |
Cash Available
Checking Account Balance: $60.677.80
Cash Reserves
General Reserve MM $29,709.15
Total Cash $ 90,376.95
A few years ago we combined the (then separate) Missions and Evangelism ministries into one ministry and called it Evangemissions. When we were two ministries, the Evangelism Ministry focused on training and efforts like Evangelism Explosion, the welcome booth (which is still operational thanks to Buck and Shirley and Bill and Phyllis), advertising to our community and publications of various information brochures.
The purpose for bringing this to your attention is not only to say Evangemissions would like to direct more focus to evangelism but also to let you know we need help in leading efforts that we feel are important to be developed and functioning in our church. If you have interest and ideas that you would be willing to put effort behind please talk to one of the Evangemissions team about it. Going to Evangemissions meetings is not a requirement (though you would be welcome to attend) but putting ideas into action that would bring more folks to our church and/or bring more of our church folk to the community would be a huge contribution. Contact me by email ghammond@mspaceholdings.com or talk to Sandy Moore, Russ Cabot , Pat Mancini, Larry Oline, or Judy Bloomfield.
Don’t be hesitant to volunteer to do evangelism if you don’t feel comfortable standing on the street or going to someone’s house to share the Gospel. There are all kinds of sharing Jesus opportunities and avenues. Building a friendship builds trust and when someone trusts you it is much easier and often more effective to share what Jesus had done in your life so they can see what He can do in theirs. We sponsored the Metropolitan Ministries Donation Tent for this very reason last year. Many of you started building friendships with people making donations and receiving assistance. That’s how easy it is to be obedient to the Great Commission; which is usually interpreted “GO” but probably more accurately should be interpreted; “As you Go”. Are you willing to share Jesus “as you go” around in your daily life? Are you willing to help others see “what a friend we have in Jesus”? If so please let us know what your ideas are to do that. Whether you want to lead an effort of just be a soldier in God’s army we need you.
Pastor Carl has delivered some pretty good sermons lately and I can’t imagine how the worship music could be any better so it must be something else besides preaching and singing that needs to be added to what our church has to offer to fill more seats on Sunday. It could be that what will help our church grow both in numbers and in spirituality is what we put into evangelism and outreach. Those who want to share Jesus and those who are reached will find a place to do God’s work and a place to worship.
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38)
If we believe “as the scriptures say”, shouldn’t we be “flowing rivers of living water” to students from colleges and universities near us, to the poor who are open to our help and God’s love, to newcomers who move to our area, to tourists who visit our beaches? Are PPC visitor brochures for hotels, newcomers welcome packets, Sunday rides from the beach to church, and other innovative services ways to connect people who want to share Jesus and want to do this work of the Lord with our church? We are so positive that your answer is yes, we are eagerly expecting you to contact us this month and say you will lead, organize and/or participate in an outreach like this.
Gene Hammond for the PPC Evangemissions Ministry.
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.
Presbyterian Women celebrated the Birthday Offering on Saturday, April 30, 2011. Our guest speaker was Jerry Trask, Executive Director of D&D Missionary Homes here in St. Petersburg. We learned a lot about D&D and what they are doing in our community. Anyone interested in touring their facilities please contact me and we can work something out with a group (ladies and/or men). Our salad luncheon was “superb” and enjoyed by 35 women and 2 men. Our fashion show was a very successful event with our youngest model being 2 ½ yr. old Abigail (Terry Odom’s granddaughter). Our other models were Terry Odom, Leslie Hughes, Alma & Larry Oline, Ruth Gey and Marge Visser. A special thanks to all and also to Patti Burrows, who stepped in for Pat Drucker, as commentator. Our offering amounted to $743.00. Thank you one and all!
Barbara Kaplin, Becky McLaughlin, Aristeia Sowa and Pat Watts attended the Spring Retreat at Day Spring Episcopal Retreat Center in Parrish, FL the beginning of May. It was very refreshing, spiritually and mentally and a good time was had by all. Next year the retreat will be held the end of April (23-25) and then in July (18-22) The PW Worldwide Gathering will be held in Orlando, FL Our Annual Tea will be September 17, 2011. Keep these dates open. Watch for more information in later newsletters and our bulletin board.
Circles will not meet during June, July and August but will resume in September. Our three circles, Esther & Ruth will both be meeting at 1:00 pm (beginning in September) and Hannah will continue meeting the 2nd Thursday at 7:30 pm. Look for information on the bible study in the August newsletter. Have a wonderful refreshing summer!
God’s Blessings to all,
Patricia Watts, Moderator
Father’s Day Brunch
We will be having a Father’s Day Brunch on Sunday, June 19th, to honor our fathers in the church. Please plan to come and share some delicious food and fabulous fellowship.
We will begin serving at approximately 9:35am.
Registrations would be appreciated so we have an idea of how much food to purchase. Please call the church office. Thank you.
We will be honoring our high school and college graduates on SUNDAY, JUNE 12TH, during both services.
Cake will be served in Fellowship Hall immediately after the 8:30 service.
Praise Kids will not be meeting throughout the summer. Please check your August newsletter for the fall start date. Have a blessed and safe summer!
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14
MANY MORE MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS WILL BE READING TO THEIR CHILDREN
When PPC first-grader Steven Cook heard that he could help mothers and grandmothers read to their children and grandchildren, he wanted to do something about it. He knew that being read to was important in his life and wanted others to have this opportunity, too. The women at a nearby state prison needed donated books to read to their families, so he decided to collect them for a school project. He has collected over 300!
Choosing a service project was the assignment which brought about this large collection. The teacher for the gifted program which he attends at Azalea Elementary, asked that each student pick a way they could help others. Steven, whose base school is Westgate Elementary, decided to collect books for a program that would help mothers and grandmothers who were imprisoned and their families. His mother, Christine Cook, and grandmother, Patti Burrows, are active in the
Kairos ministry to prisoners which PPC supports. They told Steven how the chaplain at Women's Correctional Center in Hillsborough County wanted donated books for a program which would help these women read to their families. Prisoners would choose a donated book to read to their child; record a CD; and the CD and book would be mailed to the prisoner's child. Then, anytime the child wanted to listen to his or her mother or grandmother reading, he could.
Jason Cook, Steven's father, pitched in and they all told people they knew at work and friends at school and church about Steven's mission.
They say the chaplain was shocked to hear the great news of the collection of so many books and could only imagine what it will mean to so many children and the family ties it will strengthen. The Women's Correctional Center is the state's only faith-based prison for women. The recidivism rate is much lower than the state's overall rate, proponents say. It recently survived a proposed closing when volunteers and inmates championed saving it.
Laurie Smith,
Librarian
It is hard to believe that the preschool ministry has just completed its eighth year. It has been a wonderful year full of laughter, sharing, and learning. The last day of school is June 2nd. Graduation will take place at 12:00pm on this day. Many of our graduates have been our students since they were two years old. We will miss them. Please pray for all of our graduates and their families as they move on to their next adventure in the world. I pray that the seeds that have been planted here at Sonrise will blossom into beautiful flowers that will be a testimony to God’s awesome love. May their hands and feet be the hands and feet of Christ, may their eyes and ears be the eyes and ears of Christ, and may His light shine in them for the entire world to see.
I am so privileged to be able to serve the children and families of the community in this very special ministry. Thank you all for your support and prayers. Have a wonderful summer and I look forward to seeing you all in August.
May the Grace, Love, and Peace of our Glorious Savior be with you and your family. Laura Woodard
Have you noticed more of our members are wearing their name tags at service? Can’t find yours or never had one? Simple remedy for that, call me or print your name on the “Name Tag Request” form at the narthex on the table next to the name tag holder. I’ll get it made for you within a week or two.
Please remember, should you require transportation to church, all you have to do is to call Bill Wyess and he will make arrangements to get you there. It is important to all of us in the congregation, not just the Deacons, that you are able to attend services!
Your Deacons are here for you, we are always at services and, if need be, only a phone call away. Please do not hesitate to contact us so that we may be of assistance to you. Help us to help you.
In Christ,
Bill Schellhaas, Chair; Judy Bloomfield; Vicki Danz; Debbie Saathoff; Caeser Van Ardoy and Bill Wyess.
June 13 – 17, 8:30 AM – 12:00 noon
Registration forms are available in the church office, or you may register online.
There is no fee for VBS, however donations are accepted.
Aftercare available – 12:00 – 5:30 PM
Aftercare fee is $50/child for the week.
There will be a special PPC aftercare registration on Sunday, 5/1/11, 9:30 – 10:45.
Aftercare registration for the general public begins Monday, 5/2/11, 9:00 AM, in the hallway outside the church office. Aftercare spaces are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment for aftercare is due at registration.
Please direct any questions to Leslie Hughes.
PPC SUMMER CAMP IS COMING!!
2 Camp Weeks –
6/20 – 6/24 – Beach & Weather Camp
6/27 – 7/1 – Plants, Animals, & Insects Camp
All children age 3 (by June 1) through just completed kindergarten are eligible to participate. Tuition is $75/child/week. Camp hours are 9:00 AM – Noon. You may enroll your child in either one or both of the camps. Registration forms will be available in the church office beginning Sunday, April 24th, or you can download them here.
Regisration for PPC members begins Sunday, May 1st, 9:30 – 10:45 AM.
Registration for the general public begins Monday, 5/2/11, 9:00 AM.
Tuition is due at registration
The Session has called a CONGREGATIONAL MEETING for Sunday June 26 at 10:30am in the Sanctuary.
The purpose of the meeting is to receive the report of the Nominating Committee and proceed to elect 2 deacons and 5 elders to new classes and terms. Sunday School classes will conclude by 10:25am; the congregational meeting will conclude before 11am worship.
| 8:30 a.m. | 11:00 a.m | Total | |
| May 1 | 74 | 61 | 135 |
| May 8 | 73 | 57 | 130 |
| May 15 | 63 | 45 | 108 |
| May 22 | 63 | 47 | 110 |
| May 29 | 60 | 50 | 110 |
Please Help Keep Our Facilities Nice!
Please do not put paper flyers or announcements on the walls! We have billboards for our various ministries and groups to use to post items. If you need somthing posted, please check with the appropriate ministry or group or the church office. Thanks for keeping our facilities nice!
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