office. I’ll cull through the list and do my best to address as many as I can. It is important to say up front that there is not a “proof-text” in the Bible to answer every question. It is rarely that simple. However, the answers /reflections we explore together will have their roots in scripture - which God’s Spirit has given to us for guidance and teaching. I also need to acknowledge that there may be some questions for which we will have no answer at all - simply because we are human and can’t know all there is to know. If for some reason I can’t answer your particular question in a 15-20 minute message, if you leave your name on it, I certainly would be glad to talk through it with you individually. I really look forward to hearing your questions. And I trust that the Spirit will guide us as we explore how the scriptures speak to them. Grace and Peace, Joe Albert Einstein once said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.” Questions are essential not only for science, but also for faith. When we read the Bible, we find that it is full of questions. And, it is full of people who even question God at very deep levels. Questions help our faith to grow and our theology to deepen. With that in mind, beginning on August 18 th I will be offering a series of Sunday morning messages based on your questions. In order to do so, I need your help. I am asking you to write down any theological and / or biblical questions you may have. You can then send me an email: [email protected]or hand them to me after church on Sunday, or drop them by the church JULY/AUGUST 2019 Pastor’s Article INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Deacons News 2 Presbyterian Women Riddle July /August Birthdays 3 and Anniversaries July Calendar 4 August Calendar 5 Servers for July 6 Servers for August Questions We Ask 7 Men’s Group CPR/First Aid Class Summer Giving 8 Financial Status Christmas Concert School Supplies 9 Preschool/MMO Update Officers and Staff Info 10 Join the Choir 11 When I Say I Am a Christian September Newsletter Deadline Geneva Presbyterian Church Questions We Ask
Transcript
office. I’ll cull through the list and do my best to address as many as I can. It is important to say up front that there is not a “proof-text” in the Bible to answer every question. It is rarely that simple. However, the answers /reflections we explore together will have their roots in scripture - which
God’s Spirit has given to us for guidance and teaching. I also need to acknowledge that there may be some
questions for which we will have no answer at all - simply because we are human and can’t know all there is to know. If for some reason I can’t answer your particular question in a 15-20 minute message, if you leave your name on it, I certainly would be glad to talk through it with you individually. I really look forward to hearing your questions. And I trust that the Spirit will guide us as we explore how the scriptures speak to them.
Grace and Peace,
Joe
Albert Einstein once said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.” Questions are essential not only for science, but also for faith. When we read the Bible, we find that it is full of questions. And, it is full of people who even question God at very deep levels. Questions help our faith to grow and our theology to deepen. With that in mind, beginning on August 18th I will be offering a series of Sunday morning messages based on your questions. In order to do so, I need your help. I am asking you to write down any theological and / or biblical questions you may have. You can then send me an email: [email protected] or hand them to me after church on Sunday, or drop them by the church
JULY/AUGUST 2019
Pastor’s Article
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Deacons News 2 Presbyterian Women Riddle July /August Birthdays 3 and Anniversaries
July Calendar 4 August Calendar 5
Servers for July 6 Servers for August Questions We Ask 7 Men’s Group CPR/First Aid Class Summer Giving 8 Financial Status Christmas Concert School Supplies 9 Preschool/MMO Update Officers and Staff Info 10 Join the Choir 11 When I Say I Am a Christian September Newsletter Deadline
Morning Circle - We will not have our regular meetings during the summer. Join us for our Summer Book Club lunch and discussion on Friday July 26th at Blackstone Grille at 12:00. Our book is “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown. Any questions please contact Amy Finnigan 635-9604 [email protected] Helping Hands will resume in September. Back to School Supplies service project for foster children in St. Johns County. See full list on page 9.
JULY/AUGUST 2019 Page 2
I was out on my bike today, and as I was riding along, I encountered several walkers. I hollered out “rider on the left.” What surprised me, was the number of people who thanked me for this simple act of courtesy. It made me think, (which is work!!), about how small things make a big difference. The time we take to greet a neighbor, visit a sick or lonely friend, or hold a door for someone. Maybe if we began with these simple things, we can begin to change some of the big things and along the way find ourselves in a closer walk with the LORD. The LORD really began His miracles with the comparatively simple act of changing water into wine.
Try the simple things this summer and see if you don’t enjoy yourself more and find a little more peace.
-Ken Ettinger
DEACON NEWS
Summer Event “Loved Carved in Stone”
Montgomery Conference Center
Saturday, Aug. 17 9 am - 3 pm
$25 includes lunch Sign up Sheet and mail in registration is on table in
lobby of our church. $20 if registration is before
August 1st. 2019-2020 PW/Horizons Bible Study: Love Carved in Stone – A fresh look at the Ten Commandments by Eugenia Anne Gamble. Join us in September when we begin our new Bible Study!
RIDDLE
This is an unusual paragraph. I’m curious as to just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so ordinary and plain that you would think nothing was
wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching!
15 Charlotte Hall 18 Kim Williams 19 Linda Harper 21 Susan Guthmiller
24 Marti Cheney 26 Connie Goodrich 27 Lee Dagnall 29 Celia Moore
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
July 18 Jerry and Alison Brannon
August 2 Rex and Norma King Jake and Kristen Daly
August 3
Mike and Kassie Norris
August 4 Scott and Jill Wild
August 24 Raymond and Linda Sharp
August 27
Cliff and Carol Calvert
August 29 Dave and Jan Kukar
August 8 Richard and Andrea Robert
August 12
Kenny and Vallis Henley
August 24 Ralph and Sally Pitzer
JULY/AUGUST 2019 Page 4 SU
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SERVERS FOR JULY
2019 July 7 July 14 July 21 VBS SUNDAY
July 28
CHILDREN’S CHURCH
Kassie Norris Sallyanne Smith Kassie Norris Lynda Schraut
ELDER OF THE DAY
Becky Thacker Kassie Norris Valerie McCall Lee Dagnall
GREETERS AND
USHERS
Jon and Chasey Grodecki
Jim and Lorraine Duck Ken Ettinger
Rita Bryant and Penny Knox
Mike and Kassie Norris Lorrie Watkins
Marti Cheney and Amy Finnigan Mark Cheney Ken Ettinger
Ian Parker
Erick and Lynda Schraut
Kay Foland Astrid and Phil Parker
LECTOR Kathie Ettinger Harrison Watkins Kevin Grant Fran Meza
MESSAGE FOR DISCIPLES
Joe Albright Lorrie Watkins Joe Albright Joe Albright
OFFERING COUNTERS
Cliff Calvert Kevin Grant
Vivian Lee Billy Watkins
Tony Clarke Steve Foland
Rita Bryant
SANCTUARY COMPUTER
Linda Harper Karen Bhola Linda Harper Karen Bhola
COMMUNION SERVERS - July 7 John Booth, Rita Bryant, Hunter Hartsell, Fran Meza, Becky Thacker and Harrison Watkins (Pat Ulp)
SERVERS FOR AUGUST
2019 August 4 August 11 August 18 August 25
CHILDREN’S CHURCH
Rita Bryant Valerie McCall Jen Weithman Lorraine Duck
ELDER OF THE DAY
Pam Lambert Hunter Hartsell Kevin Grant Rick Ulp
GREETERS AND
USHERS
Gerry and Vivian Lee John Booth
Ken Ettinger Joan Sheaffer
Billy and Lorrie Watkins Jon and Chasey
Grodecki Patricia Lyon
Phil and Ian Parker Astrid and Jessica Parker
Ken Ettinger
Janette Brege and Rita Bryant
Mike and Kassie Norris Scott Wild
LECTOR Chasey Grodecki Kathy Ettinger Susan Letizia Sharon Hartsell
MESSAGE FOR DISCIPLES
Joe Albright Joe Albright Joe Albright Joe Albright
OFFERING COUNTERS
Cliff Calvert Steve Foland
Tony Clarke Kevin Grant
Vivian Lee
Rita Bryant Billy Watkins
SANCTUARY COMPUTER
Linda Harper Karen Bhola Linda Harper Karen Bhola
COMMUNION SERVERS - August 4 Janet Lahti, Pam Lambert, Gerry Lee, Valerie McCall, Joan Sheaffer and Dave Shelton (Pat Ulp)
JULY/AUGUST 2019 Page 7
Men's GROUP Join us Sunday, July 28th and August 25th for our monthly group meeting. We will meet at 6 pm at Vito’s Italian Restaurant
Bartram Oaks Walk, St. Johns. This is a time of fellowship around the ta-
ble enjoying a meal together. All men of Geneva are welcome!
Any questions, please contact Ken Ettinger (742-5178).
SQUARES
Squares will take a break for the
summer and will start back Friday, September 6th.
Thank you to Cliff and Carol for opening their home this
past year for Squares and a special time of fellowship.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY (Church office will be closed on July 4th)
Vacation Bible School Snack Items Needed (thank you for your donations)
Bags of small pretzel sticks Bags of mini chocolate chips Various types of crackers (children friendly) Animal crackers Boxes of graham crackers Bags of mini marshmallows Rice Chex Cereal Boxes of popcorn Skittles candy Sandwich bags Whipped topping in tubs
Look in the weekly bulletin for more needed items
Please bring food items into the church or Fellowship Hall by
Monday, July 8th.
CPR/FIRST AID Class being offered here at Geneva Church on Wednesday, August 14 at 5:30 pm in the fellowship hall. Cost of the class is $25.00. If you wish to sign up, please contact Vallis Henley at (287-4865). If you have any questions regarding the class Vallis will be happy to assist you.
Financial Status – Income and Expenses Summary
May 2019
YTD through
May 2019
Actual Expenses $27,742.95 $143,148.86
Offerings to Operating Fund $23,017.47 $136,125.92
Over/(Under) ($ 4,725.48) ($ 7,022.94)
JULY/AUGUST 2019 Page 8
Answer to riddle found on page 2
The letter e, which is the most common letter used in the English language, does not appear even once in the paragraph.
Did you get the riddle correct?
SUMMER GIVING
Thank you for being a Good Steward of the gifts God has given you! Summer is a time when many of us will be traveling. This time of year can be difficult on church finances as expenses remain fairly stable throughout the year. Please remember to try and keep your pledge current even when you are not here. Thank you!
Hold the Dates Saturday, December 14th
and
Sunday, December 15th
7pm
School Year 2019/2020 We are happy to report that all the classes for the preschool have been filled for this coming school year and few of the classes have students on the wait list. Mother’s Morning Out (sponsored by Geneva Presbyterian Church) is almost full.
Monday/Wednesday (18m-24m) has 3 openings Tuesday/Thursday (24m-36m) is full with one student on
the wait list.
JULY/AUGUST 2019 Page 9
Geneva Presbyterian Church PW service project is backpack for foster children in St. Johns County. Money is also being collected for $20 gift card for a new pair of shoes. If making out a check please make it out to Presbyterian Women and in memo section write Back Pack. Deadline is Friday, July 19th. Your donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Items needed:
ruled paper (wide ruled) crayons glue sticks spiral notebooks (wide ruled) #2 pencils scissors pink beveled erasers folders with pockets and prongs colored pencils composition notebooks
Singing builds confidence, reduces stress and anxiety, and raises endorphins. No kidding!
So come out for a rehearsal and see what a great time we have.
TUESDAY NIGHTS Starting August 6
When I say I am a Christian
“When I say, ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not shouting, ‘I’ve been saved!’ I’m whispering, ‘I get lost!’ That’s why I chose this way. When I say ‘I am a Christian,’ I don’t speak with human pride. I’m confessing that I stumble – needing God to be my guide. When I say ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on. When I say ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt. When I say, ‘I am a Christian,’ I don’t think I know it all. I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught. When I say ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I’m worth it. When I say, ‘I am a Christian,’ I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name. When I say, ‘I am a Christian,’ I do not wish to judge. I have no authority – I only know I’m loved.”
Sunday 10:30 am Worship Service Tuesday 10:00 am Staff Meeting Fridays Church Office Closed
Geneva Preschool/Mom’s Morning Out
(Resumes August 12)
PK4 9:00 am Monday-Friday 3 yr olds Preschool 9:00 am Monday-Friday, Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Tuesdays/Thursdays Mom’s Morning Out 9:00 am (18 months—36 months)
