FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS TO SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST, TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO SERVE, AND TO GLORIFY GOD. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2016 & January 2017 Just a few fallible words about what I think from month to month Rev. Susan Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 15:22 & Proverbs 16:3 Back in 2003 our congregation underwent a thorough Long Range Planning process. Six major goals were identified, each goal having several sub-goals called objectives. Great work was done by a diligent committee, who then wrote in their summary We finally recommend that the plan be updated in 2008 so that it can continue to address our needs and programs. John and I came on the scene in 2008 with little to no knowledge of this long-range planning process; and by the time Remica Gray walked us through it, the congregation and John and I were already moving forward with full momentum. While John and I have lead the officers through strategic planning on a yearly basis to discern direction for that year, long-term goals haven t been constructed and pursued for thirteen years. Consequently, the 2008 update recommended in 2003 is severely overdue. Since John s departure in February, I have wondered how you, the congregation, and I would navigate the transition from co-pastors to solo; you have lost a pastor, but you haven t at the same time. This is unprecedented for a church. I have wondered if the congregation would be able to adjust its expectations in light of losing half its pastoral leadership. And I have, frankly, wondered how I would navigate the personal journey from identity as a co-pastor to a solo head of staff. While the transition has been tense and stressful, it has also been full of joy for me. Having to think about all aspects of this position, after having attended mainly to the areas I enjoy, has been a bit like facing my giants. However, I revel in the newfound freedom to spread my wings of creativity and voice. Ultimately, because there is just one of me now, I grieve having to give less attention to the areas I dearly love such as pastoral care. Since February my responsibilities in preaching have increased 100%, in teaching - 100%, in administration 50%, and we have gone from a full to ½ time administrative assistant. But my journey is only a fraction of our picture. First Presbyterian has had many wonderful accomplishments recently; such as the fall Organ Recital and our Youth attending Montreat. And yet, I sense a significant amount of discontent and fear (for lack of a better term) exist within the congregation. Trying to identify and put concrete words to this discontent has eluded the leadership. When clarity is achieved, what is heard are questions and statements such as: Where are we going? What is our mission? How are we being the hands and feet of Christ in Texarkana? It feels like we re anchor-less, just drifting. I am wondering, what is the source of these feelings? Are the traditional missions and ministries of Angel Quilts, Card Ministry, The Sharing Place, Thanksgiving Boxes, Angel Tree, Advent Concert Series, PW Bible study and service, Downtown Community Garden, Godly Play for Evergreen, the execution of well-crafted traditional worship, etc. not meeting your needs of service and purpose in the name of Christ? The question no one seems to be able to answer is, Why is there a decline in Sunday worship attendance? Has anything significantly shifted or changed in our worship experience? Or is there another reason we aren t identifying? I think we ve got some thinking and pondering and long-range planning to do. Continued on pg. 10

2 First Presbyterian Church The Sharing Place Picture Make Up Day will be January 22 from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 In Memory of Florence Crank, Founder p.m. Please call the church office to sing up if you have not already Thank you for all you do for our community had your picture taken! and all the people in need of clothing, house hold goods, etc. This is a miraculous gift you guys give every time you step in the sharing place! The sharing place is open Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. PLEASE TAKE NOTE! If anyone is interested in helping count the offering Sunday mornings, please Maggie Randy Sams Mission The 1st Sunday night of each month a dinner is served for the shelter. Below is the schedule of volunteers in charge of these dinners. December 4 *Beth & Chuck Morgan Kathy & Dan Boyles Joan & Tommy Boyles maggiemorgan1127@gmail.com January 1 or call the church office. *Youth Group & Youth Group Leaders All contributions to be counted as a 2016 contribution MUST be in the church office no later than 12 noon on Thursday, December 29. One final deposit for 2016 will be made that day. Any contributions received after that time will count as a 2017 contribution. February 5 *Ruth & Buddy Bell Lil McClerkin, Sarah Propps & Marilyn McCulloch * Denotes Group Coordinator Additional volunteers would be helpful for these months. Please contact the team coordinator to offer assistance. In Loving Memory Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Mrs. Helen Ivy August 12, October 28, 2016 Mr. Jonathan Keith Anthony February 22, November 19, 2016 We want food! The children/youth of the church meet weekly on Sunday evenings at 6, and we are a hungry bunch! If you are willing to feed us occasionally please let Betty Anthony or Stephanie Jackson know!

3 Presbyterian Women Updates December 2016 & January 2017 MARK THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR! Joy Gift Dinner November 30, 6:00 pm First Advent Concert with Lunch (prepared by PW) December 01, 12:05 pm Zelle Moore Circle December 08, 6:00 pm Josephine Beck Circle December 13, 10:00 am Elizabeth Ann Greisser Circle December 20, 10:00 am JANUARY 2017 Deadline for Honorary Life Membership Nominations January 15 Zelle Moore Circle January 12, 6:00 pm Josephine Beck Circle January 10, 10:00 am Elizabeth Ann Greisser Circle January 17, 10:00 am SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2016 Bring your gloves, yard tools, shovels, edgers, trimmers, aerators, grass seed, pansies, etc. We ll be sprucing up the grounds of the main campus AND adding the next phase to our new Memorial Orchard: planting Crepe Myrtles and Plum Trees (thank you, Martha Nell Richards)! BTW the sprinkler system was installed last month (thank you, Ronnie Walraven)! This year, FPC will be purchasing gifts for 21 adult clients of Evergreen Life Services. Their wishes are on the tree near the Fellowship Hall. They have chosen two gifts and a favorite treat. These adult clients have no family and this will be their only Christmas presents they will receive. Please chose a gift, write your name on the white card and return it to the envelope. There will be a red or green gift tag for you to take and attach to the gift. We should have the gifts returned to the tree by Sunday, December 18 th so they can be divided and ready for pick up. The PW thanks you for your support of the Evergreen Christmas Tree.

4 First Presbyterian Church Look at all the great things going on at First Pres! New sprinklers/grass, clean carpets, Joy Gift Dinners & concerts!

5 The family that prays together, stays together! It is a glorious sight to behold! Just look at all the fun & fellowship we have with our church family!

6 WEEKLY EVENTS SUNDAY 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 11:00 a.m. Worship 2:00 p.m. Handbells 6:00 p.m. Youth Group 6:00 p.m. Bible Drill TUESDAY 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting WEDNESDAY 10:00 a.m. Card Ministry Team 5:30 p.m. CLICK Ministry 6:00 p.m. Family Night Supper 6:30 p.m. Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Godly Play - Evergreen Residents 6:30 p.m. Youth Group 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Prayer in Sanctuary THURSDAY 9:00 a.m. Angel Quilts 10:00 a.m. The Sharing Place SPECIAL EVENTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 12:05 p.m. Advent Concert Series Followed by Luncheon 6:00 p.m. S.C.A.T. Meeting - Annex SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 8:45 a.m. Advent Taizé Service 10:30 a.m. Around the Coffee Pot 6:00 p.m. Dinner for Randy Sam s MONDAY, DECEMBER 5 5:30 p.m. Christian Education Meeting WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 7 5:00 p.m. Stewardship Meeting THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 12:05 p.m. Advent Concert Series Followed by Luncheon 6:00 p.m. PW Zelle Moore Circle - Annex 1 Nancy Sandefur 6 James Robert Lacy 7 Sue Ellen Letterman 8 Greg Brown 9 Chris Knowles 11 Savannah Thompson 11 Miranda Rhodes 14 Brenda Works 15 John Tice Parks 16 Reg Jackson 16 James Works 17 James Murphy 18 Charlie Norton 21 Betty Anthony 22 Karen Flowers DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 22 Anne Russell 23 Billie Ford 23 Chloe Gilliland 24 Marshall Moore 25 JoAnn Pope 25 Jesus Christ Our Lord 27 Ben Davis 27 Tony Uzzell 28 Ruth Arnold 29 Sarah Beth Davis SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 8:00 a.m. Church Work Day SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 8:45 a.m. Advent Taizé Service 6:00 p.m. Children s Christmas the Church MONDAY,DECEMBER 12 12:00 p.m. PW Coordinating Meeting - Library 2:00 p.m. Federal Retirees Meeting TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13 7:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast 10:00 a.m. Josephine Beck Circle - Annex WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 5:00 p.m. Diaconate Committee Meeting THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15 12:05 p.m. Advent Concert Series Followed by Luncheon 5:00 p.m. Session Meeting FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16 6:00 p.m. Parents Night Out SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 Lessons & Carols 8:45 a.m. Advent Taizé Service 6:00 p.m. Youth Christmas the Andrews TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20 10:00 a.m. Greisser Circle - Library WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21 5:00 p.m. Evangelism Meeting 6:00 p.m. Christmas Musical Night SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 11:00 p.m. Worship Service NO Other Activities MONDAY, DECEMBER 26 Office Closed for Christmas Holiday TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 Office Closed until 12:00 p.m. for Christmas Holiday 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28 NO Family Night or Youth Activities 20 Erin & George McCasland 27 Martha Nell & Mark Richards 30 Becky & Kevin Thompson DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

7 WEEKLY EVENTS SUNDAY 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 11:00 a.m. Worship 2:00 p.m. Handbells 6:00 p.m. Youth Group 6:00 p.m. Bible Drill TUESDAY 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting WEDNESDAY 10:00 a.m. Card Ministry Team 5:30 p.m. CLICK Ministry 6:00 p.m. Family Night Supper 6:30 p.m. Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Godly Play - Evergreen Residents 6:30 p.m. Youth Group 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Prayer in Sanctuary THURSDAY 9:00 a.m. Angel Quilts 10:00 a.m. The Sharing Place 12:05 p.m. Brown Bag Bible Study SPECIAL EVENTS SUNDAY, JANUARY 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR! 10:03 a.m. Around the Coffee Pot 4:30 p.m. Youth to Prepare Randy Sams Dinner 6:00 p.m. Dinner for Randy Sams Shelter JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 1 Carson Gray 1 Albert Wilhelm 2 Susan Flowers 3 Tyler Blain 3 Emily Lukins 6 Brett Jackson 6 Brent Stewart 8 Elzora Thompson 9 Matt Keil 9 Martha Nell Richards 10 Becky Rogers 10 Buford Willis 11 William Johnson 12 Patti Smith 13 Larry Davis 14 Beth McHenry-Pope 14 James R. Murphy 16 Chris Walraven 16 Lisa Doss 16 John Quinn 20 Seth Sexton 21 Samuel Moore 25 Michael Gilliland 26 Raleigh Andrews 28 Brandon Richards 29 Dan Boyles 29 Mark Jackson 29 Ernest Brown 30 Branden O Neal 31 Sydny Shepard 31 Audrey Sharp 31 Bennett Solomon MONDAY, JANUARY 2 Office Closed New Year s Holiday 5:30 p.m. Christian Education Committee Meeting TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 Office Closed until 12:00 p.m. for New Year s Holiday 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4 5:15 p.m. Stewardship Committee Meeting THURSDAY, JANUARY 5 6:00 p.m. S.C.A.T. Meeting - Annex SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 Ordination & Installation of Officers MONDAY, JANUARY 9 12:00 p.m. PW Coordinating Team Meeting in Library TUESDAY, JANUARY 10 7:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast 10:00 a.m. Josephine Beck Circle - Annex WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 5:00 p.m. Diaconate Meeting THURSDAY, JANUARY 12 6:00 p.m. PW Zelle Moore Circle - Annex SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 12:00 p.m. Joint Meeting; Elders & Deacons 4:00 p.m. Youth Lock In MONDAY, JANUARY 16 Office Closed - Martin Luther King Day 9:00 a.m. Pick Up Youth from Lock In TUESDAY, JANUARY 17 10:00 a.m. Greisser Circle - Library WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 5:00 p.m. Evangelism Meeting 6:00 p.m. Annual Congregational Meeting THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 5:00 p.m. Session Meeting SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. LifeTouch Picture Make Up Day TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 7:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES 3 Sally & William Bryant 3 Linda & Stacy Cogbill 9 Tamra & Bruce Seiler 18 Dian & Louis Acruman, II 24 Dean & Rob Ransdell 30 Gillette & Frank McClain

8 THANKS TO OUR AMAZING YOUTH FOR HELPING OUT WITH THE THANKSGIVING BASKETS! THEY ALWAYS DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB. ALSO, A BIG SHOUT OUT TO KATHY BOYLES, PEGGY DAVIS & SUSAN MOREHEAD & ALL THE REST OF YOU THAT VOLUNTEERED & GAVE FOOD, MONEY & TIME! WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR CHURCH SUNDAY NIGHT & ETC. YOUTH GROUP December 4th 6:00 pm Youth Group December 11th 6:00 pm Youth Group 6:00 pm Children s Christmas Party December 16th Help with Parents Night Out: 5:45 p.m.-8:15 p.m. December 18th Youth Group: A Very Ugly Christmas Party 6:00 Kurt & Susan Andrew s December 25th No Youth Group January 8th, 22nd & 29th 6pm Youth Group January 15th-16th Youth Lock In December & January COMING UP THIS WINTER December 11 th - The Children will be having a Christmas Party at 6:00 pm December 18 TH - A Very Ugly Christmas Party, Youth and Young Adults Christmas Party Location: The Andrew s Time: 6:00 pm. Attire: Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater/shirt! Gift Exchange: Prepare a gag gift between $5-15 in value January 1 ST - Youth serves Randy Sams, meet at church at 4:30 pm & Bring a Dessert January th - The Much Awaited Youth Lock-In; More information to come!

9 Ongoing Financial Status For the Month Ending October 31, 2016 October. Actual October. Budget Year to Date Actual Year to Date Budget Income $64,286 $26,840 $375,620 $268,400 Expenses $29,115 $29,401 $278,529 $294,057 Net Income (Loss) $35,171 ($2,561) $97,091 ($25,657) Texas Presbyterian Foundation OCTOBER Initial Amount Invested $115, Income Earned Since Inception 24, Subtotal 140, Unrealized Gains Since Inception 23, Total Value of TPF Funds $163, ADVENT & CHRISTMAS MUSIC Noon Advent Concerts December 1 - String Orchestra & Choir from Arkansas High School, Texarkana, Arkansas December 8 - Donald Brazile, tenor December 15 - Mary Scott Goode, piano & Arthur Ghere-Folse, organ (Each concert will begin at 12:05 p.m., last approximately twenty minutes, and will be followed by a light lunch.) Christmas Eve Candlelight & Christmas Services Lessons & Carols will be Sunday, December 18 & will feature harpist, Cherith Hendrich, the chancel choir, handbell choir & CLICK choir. Candlelight Christmas Service will be Saturday, December 24 at 5:30 p.m. (No 11:30 p.m. Candlelight Service) Sunday, December 25 - Worship at 11:00 p.m. (All other activities have been cancelled this day.)

10 Diaconate Missions for 2017 The Diaconate's missions for the 1st and 2nd Quarters in 2017 have been established. The 1st Quarter will be "Socks & Undies Sundays." There will be a collection box outside the Fellowship Hall. We will be collecting underwear & socks for ALL ages. The Sharing Place is in great need of socks especially for men; those who "shop" in the Sharing Place do seem to prefer white socks instead of color. The collection will be begin during first week of January and will end at the month of March. Disbursement will be during the first two weeks of April with the Sharing Place and Randy Sams Center. Any questions about this may be directed to any deacon. The 2nd Quarter mission will be a Fan Drive. The fans will need to be placed out side the Fellowship Hall. If you would like to give money instead of/or in addition to buying a fan, please direct the payment to the Church's Office with a notation that it is for the fan drive. Please bring these from April 1st through the end of May. Purchasing and delivering of the fans will be made during the month of June; hopefully before the weather becomes too hot. If you know of someone who needs a fan, please let us know; or if you know of someone who may know of those in need as Gene Scott knew, please let us know. The Diaconate appreciates all the responses there have been to the missions and pray that you will continue to be the caring congregation that you have shown to be. Tutoring Program 2017 The Evangelism Committee is planning on starting an after-school tutoring program in We will partner with the Texarkana Arkansas School District through their Partners to Achieve Student Success (PASS) program. The plan is to offer children in our neighborhood some after school activities, homework assistance, and possibly an afterschool snack from about 3:30-5:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you are interested in helping in any way, please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the round table outside of the fellowship hall. We are looking for people that are interested in helping children with basic homework (reading, writing, math, etc.), but we will also need people to hang out with the kids and help with snack prep. There is NO training required. If enough people sign up there will be a meeting further down the road for all involved to discuss the program in greater detail. This will be a great opportunity to make a practical and lasting impact on the life of a local child! We cannot move forward with this opportunity if we don t have enough volunteers! If you have any questions please see Michael Gilliland or any member of the Evangelism Committee. Continued from pg. 1 While it is unhealthy for ministers, elders, and/or deacons alone to tell a church who they are and where they are going; a congregation must engage in that process together, it is imperative that leadership help guide a congregation into and through that process. Upon completion, leadership must also help the congregation design, implement, and integrate the results and directives that emerge from the process. In conjunction with the Personnel committee, the ordained and program staff is exploring the possibility of a new in-depth long-range planning process for January/February of With a new year comes new hopes and new beginnings. I believe this process is just what we need right now. As we prepare for this potential process, I would like you to consider a couple of questions: 1) What would you hope to experience at First Presbyterian Church in 2017? 2) A year from now, what would you hope to see our church having achieved? I would love to hear your answers. To share your hope go to I leave you with this passage of Scripture, much like the ones at the top of this article Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Prov. 19:21

11 First Presbyterian Church Pictures actually can say a thousand words when is comes to the ladies of the angel quilts! They put their time, soul, and prayers in every quilt made. It is amazing to see these ladies at work, so please feel free to stop by and see what a outstanding things take place at the angel quilt work room! For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11 December Worship & Study Schedule Sunday Worship Services Wednesday Family Night Supper 11:00 a.m.: Peace 4 Kerygma-The Bible & Theology 7 Psalm 122 & Matthew 24:36-44 Who Is Jesus Christ? Old Testament 11:00 a.m.: Joy 11 Kerygma-The Bible & Theology 14 Isaiah 35:1-10 & Matthew 11:2-11 Who Is Jesus Christ? New Testament 11:00 a.m.: Love/Lessons & Carols 18 Christmas Musical Offering 21 Isaiah 7:10-16 & Romans 1:1-7 CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30 p.m.: O Holy Night Isaiah 9:2-7 11:00 a.m.: Christmas 25 No Family Night Supper 28 Psalm 98 & Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 Christmas Week Thursday Brown Bag Bible Study No Brown Bag Advent Concert & Luncheon No Brown Bag Advent Concert & Luncheon No Brown Bag Advent Concert & Luncheon No Brown Bag Recess Until January 5th No Brown Bag Recess Until January 5th January Worship & Study Schedule 11:00 a.m.: TBA Guest Preacher: Lance Jones 11:00a.m.: The Covenant Isaiah 42:1-9 & Acts 10: :00 a.m.: The Power of One 15 Isaiah 49:1-7 & John 1: :00 a.m.: Family Dynamics 22 Psalm 27:1, 4-9 & 1 Corinthians 1: :00 a.m.: Utter Foolishness 29 Micah 6:1-8 & 1 Corinithians 1:18-31 Kerygma-The Bible & Theology 4 Who Is Jesus Christ? Church History Nothing About Us Without All of Us 11 Presbytery Moderator:Pierre Boumtje Moderator Elect Erin Kaye Kerygma-The Bible & Theology 18 What Is The Church? Old Testament Les & Cindy Morgan 25 PCUSA Mission Workers/Bangladesh Kerygma-The Bible & Theology 5 Who Is God? New Testament Kerygma-The Bible & Theology 12 Who Is Jesus Christ? Old Testament Kerygma-The Bible & Theology 19 Who Is Jesus Christ? New Testament Kerygma-The Bible & Theology 26 Who Is Jesus Christ? Church History

12 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 516 Pecan Street Texarkana, AR Church Staff Reverend Dr. Susan M. Arnold, Pastor Cell: (903) Arthur M. Ghere-Folse, Director of Music, Organist & Interim Christian Education Administrator Rebecca Johnson, Administrative Assistant Ron Cantu, Custodian Sheila Moore, Clerk of Session Val Buster, Moderator of Diaconate Maggie Morgan, Church Treasurer Our Mission Statement Is to Share the Love of Christ, to Empower People to Serve, and to Glorify God POINSETTIAS If you are interested in donating Poinsettias, please complete the information below. We ask that you return this form and a donation of $10.00 per Poinsettia to the Church Office by Wednesday, December 7, Reminders for Poinsettia donations will be in the Bulletins. For more information, please contact the Church Office at (870) PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY Name: Date: Telephone Number: Quantity: Memorial Designation: Honorarium Designation: Form of Donation: Cash: Check: Total: $ Signature: