From the Pastor’s Pen... One Good Sermon Sometimes we find life-changing advice in unlikely places. That was the case with Brad Anderson, the CEO of the electronics retailer Best Buy, who told his story to Fortune. Anderson, the son of a Lutheran minister, briefly attended seminary, which he credited as “by far the best leadership preparation I received.” Anderson recalled his course in preaching: “The professor told us something that affected me deeply: He said that each of us would be lucky if we had one good sermon to give, and that it could take us years to find it. I found that idea to be intimidating, and I left the seminary not long afterward – without a sermon.” Anderson applied the lesson thirty-one years later when the founder of Best Buy was choosing a successor. “I did something that day that was completely out of character,” Anderson said. “I told him he should pick me. It had taken thirty-one years, but I finally realized at that moment what my one good sermon was – I could explain why I saw myself as a leader.” The most meaningful, memorable, and transcendent sermon that any of us can hope to give is the sermon of one’s life. What lessons on living well, peaceably, and faithfully are we passing on through the character we display each day? Continued on page 2... FLASHES fpc news Monthly Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church Barberton | May 2013 5.5 Worship w/ Holy Communion 5.19 Pentecost & Heritage Sunday 5.26 Graduation & Memorial Sunday 6.2 Worship w/ Holy Communion 6.19 Unity Service IMPORTANT Dates to Remember...
Transcript
From the Pastor’s Pen...
One Good Sermon
Sometimes we find life-changing advice in unlikely places. That was the
case with Brad Anderson, the CEO of the electronics retailer Best Buy, who
told his story to Fortune. Anderson, the son of a Lutheran minister, briefly
attended seminary, which he credited as “by far the best leadership
preparation I received.”
Anderson recalled his course in preaching: “The professor told us
something that affected me deeply: He said that each of us would be lucky
if we had one good sermon to give, and that it could take us years to find it.
I found that idea to be intimidating, and I left the seminary not long
afterward – without a sermon.”
Anderson applied the lesson thirty-one years later when the founder of Best
Buy was choosing a successor. “I did something that day that was
completely out of character,” Anderson said. “I told him he should pick
me. It had taken thirty-one years, but I finally realized at that moment what
my one good sermon was – I could explain why I saw myself as a leader.”
The most meaningful, memorable, and transcendent sermon that any of us
can hope to give is the sermon of one’s life. What lessons on living well,
peaceably, and faithfully are we passing on through the character we display
each day?
Continued on page 2...
FLASHES fpc news
Monthly Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church Barberton | May 2013
5.5 Worship w/ Holy Communion
5.19 Pentecost & Heritage Sunday
5.26 Graduation & Memorial Sunday
6.2 Worship w/ Holy Communion
6.19 Unity Service
IMPORTANT Dates to Remember...
I can offer humble thanks to God for the life lessons that I have the
privilege of witnessing first-hand in my ministry at First Presbyterian.
Ours is a compassionate and caring church.
As I mentioned in a recent worship service, we can also be so very
thankful for those members who gave sacrificially of their time and
talents to provide wonderful meals and Bible-based programs for the
children and youth of our area. From September to the beginning of
May, our church opened its doors to children and youth who looked
forward to being a part of our church. The sermon that they received
by your faithful support was this: we care about you so much that we
want you to know our Lord.
Thank you for making that significant outreach possible. Please keep
praying for these young persons to attend or help with Vacation Bible
School in July, and to return in the fall when our programs resume.
In Christ,
Richard Lapehn
Pastor’s Pen Continued …
To my church family,
On behalf of my family I would like to thank all of you for the prayers, love and support you’ve shown to Carl and I over the years. It was a rough three plus years for Carl and your cards and visits helped brighten his days. It’s very hard without him here by my side, but my Faith teaches me that indeed we will meet again.
In Christian Love, Nancy Fuss & my family
Special Thank YOU!
Upcoming Church Events… Deacon’s Annual Rummage Sale
Friday, May 17th 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
&
Saturday, May 18th 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Rummage Sale donations can be dropped off any time from NOW until May 14th. Place your items neatly on the stage in Fellowship Hall. Set-up will be May 14th - 16th. We are in need of volunteers to help! We will also need donations of baked goods! If you can assist at any time (even for a couple hours), or if you are willing to bake, please call Dee Hastings or Phyllis Brown. Thank you for your support!
Pentecost Offering Celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit!
May 19, 2013
“so I send you.” John 20:21
With the Spirits coming we can know the transforming and redeeming love of God
that makes the impossible possible. Jesus said, “as the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
Our church will retain 40% for our youth and 60% will be sent to the Eastminster Presbytery.
We appreciate your generous support!
We would like to give a
BIG THANK YOU to everyone who worked
so hard on Church Work Day! Thanks to the help of the
Barberton Kiwanis, the Boy/Cub Scouts &
our Congregation Members we were able to give some much needed TLC to our
beautiful building & grounds. Thank you again for all of
your hard work!
A Special Thank YOU!
“Sitting in the comfort of Our Heavenly Father’s Arms”
Our Women’s Ministry meets the second Sunday of every month. We will meet this month on May 5th at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite comfort food to share! If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Cheryl Dennison.
Hope you see you there!
May Volunteers Coffee Meet and Greet
A Special Thank You to Ty & Sue Stewart for hosting Coffee Meet & Greet for this month. Please join us after worship for delicious food
& great fellowship.
We still need volunteers to help for next month. If you are interested, please contact the church office.
Van Driver
This month our van driver is Dave Alexander. If you need a ride to Sunday School or Worship,
please call Dave at 330.848.4341. Thanks, Dave, for your help!
Ushers
Captain– Mendy Palumbo John Brown
Mike Keenan Harley Leach Roger Peake
Small Groups
Lunch Bunch The Lunch Bunch will be traveling to
Gus’ Chalet in Akron on May 2nd. Please meet in the church parking lot at 11:00 a.m.
To RSVP, or if you need a ride, please call the church office.
EVERYONE IS INVITED! On May 16th we will be headed to
Jake’s Steakhouse in Wooster. Hope to see you there!
Pastor’s Chat Room You are invited to join us every Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m.
in the conference room for a great discussion. Stop by and join us–
you won’t be disappointed!
Women’s Ministry Night
Flower Schedule
Below is a three month calendar for the Altar Flowers. Thank you to those who have already signed up! If you are interested in providing flowers for one of the open slots, please contact
Reminder:
Our monthly Ministry Meeting Night
is on Monday, May 6th at 7 p.m.
Session will meet on
Wednesday, May 15th at 7 p.m.
The Deacons will meet on
Monday, May 20th at 6:45 p.m.
The office will be closed on
Monday, May 27th in observance
of Memorial Day.
Mission & Outreach
This Month’s Homebound Member
Alice Gabriel
Help us brighten her day with your cards and prayers!
Please send cards to: Pleasant View Health Care Center
Attn: Alice Gabriel 401 Snyder Avenue
Barberton, Ohio 44203
Matthew 28:5
But the angel answered and
said to the women,
“Do not be afraid, for I
know that you seek Jesus
who was crucified.
May 5 Ketcham Maier
12 Forester Lloyd
19 J. Graham Stone
26 Dennison
June 2 Hastings
9 Berry
16 Unity Service
23 P. Brown Binkley
30 Kendron Mauer
July 7 Curtis
14 Lloyd
21 Arnold
28
Food Donations are needed for B.A.C.M. For the month of May, please drop off your donation of...
Mac ‘n’ Cheese or Canned Ravioli
Please place your donations by the church office door.
