First Presbyterian Church Newsletter 250 W. Huron, Vassar, MI 48768 VassarFPC.org October 2017 ...from Doug’s desk... Every October 31st we celebrate a special Holiday—but not the one you are probably thinking. For the Protestant church, October 31st is not Halloween, but Reformation Day. And whatever Sunday immediately precedes it is commonly known as “Reformation Sunday.” On this day we remember the birth of the Protestant Reformation: a movement launched by Luther when he nailed his “95 Theses” to the Wittenberg church door. This year is extra special: it’s the 500th anniversary of that day. There is a lot we can observe about the Reformation that is very applicable today. First, Luther had no intent of starting a new church. When he nailed his theses to the door, he was simply doing what one does when they want to have a public debate. The difference this time was the printing press. For the first time, such a document could be reproduced en masse and circulated everywhere. The movement that launched caught everyone by surprise—Luther included. Which leads to a second observation: the Reformation was far bigger than Martin Luther or John Calvin or any other reformer. A leap in technology, combined with political realities and exasperation with the church, made it ripe for reformation: all that was needed was the spark. It was far bigger than any person or group, and impossible to control. For a good 100 years or so church and political leaders were trying to make sense of it and respond. And its ideas continue to ripple through history to this very day: not just in the church, but in government, cultural, our very way of life. Such a movement is no respecter of persons, and cannot be managed or controlled by the likes of us. This leads to the final and most important observation: ideas have consequences . Before we are too quick to dismiss debates in the halls of academia or in government, science, you name it, we must remember that it really does matter which of those ideas win out. That is especially true in the church, where we can see that certain ideas and beliefs winning out in a sub group have again and again divided us. In fact, the very idea that such disagreements warrant separation between the two camps is itself a powerful idea that’s had a huge impact—whether it has been a biblical one or not. The Reformation undoubtedly did a lot of good for the Church, including the Roman Catholic Church. But not everything about it was good. Whether its ideas were good or bad, they snowballed over time into lasting, deep-rooted change. It was unstoppable, because the factors that that fueled it were bigger than any one person. And whether one believes God directly launched it or not, He surely put it to good use to bring about reforms we needed in church and culture both. Many leaders today believe we are, right now, living through another reformation-level event. We may not know what the history books eventually call it, but the same confluence of technological change, political upheaval, and sense of exasperation with the church exist again today and have reached a boiling point. The pace of change and the capabilities we have are such as the world has never seen. The very nature of what is “Church” is being redefined, as is western culture and cultures the world over. Jesus Christ will always be Lord over His Church, nor will the gospel change. But the Protestant Reformation teaches us that, when it’s time for God to move, no one and nothing will stop Him, nor does he feel obligated to preserve our rules and forms and institutions. Discerning what faithfulness is in this time is a challenge: but one we can rise to. God is eager to bless his church, but we must not find ourselves fighting God in the name of God. We may have to let go of many things. But we can know that God is still in control, and knows what He’s doing. Our part is see what God is doing and come alongside Him. May we be found faithful in this historic time.
Transcript
First Presbyterian Church
Newsletter 250 W. Huron, Vassar, MI 48768 VassarFPC.org October 2017
...from Doug’s desk... Every October 31st we celebrate a special Holiday—but not the one you are probably thinking. For the Protestant church, October 31st is not Halloween, but Reformation Day. And whatever Sunday immediately precedes it is commonly known as “Reformation Sunday.” On this day we remember the birth of the Protestant Reformation: a movement launched by Luther when he nailed his “95 Theses” to the Wittenberg church door. This year is extra special: it’s the 500th anniversary of that day. There is a lot we can observe about the Reformation that is very applicable today. First, Luther had no intent of starting a new church. When he nailed his theses to the door, he was simply doing what one does when they want to have a public debate. The difference this time was the printing press. For the first time, such a document could be reproduced en masse and circulated everywhere. The movement that launched caught everyone by surprise—Luther included. Which leads to a second observation: the Reformation was far bigger than Martin Luther or John Calvin or any other reformer. A leap in technology, combined with political realities and exasperation with the church, made it ripe for reformation: all that was needed was the spark. It was far bigger than any person or group, and impossible to control. For a good 100 years or so church and political leaders were trying to make sense of it and respond. And its ideas continue to ripple through history to this very day: not just in the church, but in government, cultural, our very way of life. Such a movement is no respecter of persons, and cannot be managed or controlled by the likes of us. This leads to the final and most important observation: ideas have consequences. Before we are too quick to dismiss debates in the halls of academia or in government, science, you name it, we must remember that it really does matter which of those ideas win out. That is especially true in the church, where we can see that certain ideas and beliefs winning out in a sub group have again and again divided us. In fact, the very idea that such disagreements warrant separation between the two camps is itself a powerful idea that’s had a huge impact—whether it has been a biblical one or not. The Reformation undoubtedly did a lot of good for the Church, including the Roman Catholic Church. But not everything about it was good. Whether its ideas were good or bad, they snowballed over time into lasting, deep-rooted change. It was unstoppable, because the factors that that fueled it were bigger than any one person. And whether one believes God directly launched it or not, He surely put it to good use to bring about reforms we needed in church and culture both. Many leaders today believe we are, right now, living through another reformation-level event. We may not know what the history books eventually call it, but the same confluence of technological change, political upheaval, and sense of exasperation with the church exist again today and have reached a boiling point. The pace of change and the capabilities we have are such as the world has never seen. The very nature of what is “Church” is being redefined, as is western culture and cultures the world over. Jesus Christ will always be Lord over His Church, nor will the gospel change. But the Protestant Reformation teaches us that, when it’s time for God to move, no one and nothing will stop Him, nor does he feel obligated to preserve our rules and forms and institutions. Discerning what faithfulness is in this time is a challenge: but one we can rise to. God is eager to bless his church, but we must not find ourselves fighting God in the name of God. We may have to let go of many things. But we can know that God is still in control, and knows what He’s doing.
Our part is see what God is doing and come alongside Him. May we be found faithful in this historic time.
In the hospital? Home bound? In a nursing facility? Please let the church office know so that Pastor Doug can visit them! You may also call your care team Deacon.
FINANCIAL NOTES
AUG: ACTUAL INCOME: 5,914.83 EXPENSE: 7,220.65 NET: (1,094.52)
SAVE THE DATEThis year’s CROP WALK is October 8th from
2PM until you finish walking. Registration begins at 1:30PM. Please contact Kevin
Haines with any questions (989) 871-3293
October 29th is our next
Fifth Sunday Offering! The Session has designated this offering to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) for Hurricane aid. If you will not be here that Sunday, you may give this special offering anytime. Make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church and please put “5th Sunday Offering (PDA)” on the memo line. You can also give using our mobile app using the “5th Sunday” envelope.
Reminder: 5th Sunday (or any special offering) is its own offering. It is above and beyond what you have pledged or give to the general budget, and goes directly to the designated cause or organization.
We have adopted a missionary family!
As part of PCUSA, Michael and Rachel Ludwig have partnered with the Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger in its Community Health Evangelism (CHE) program. Through CHE,
Reverend Michael helps communities identify wither needs and find ways to resolve them using the community’s own resources. This
empowering ministry can be used to improve education, health, and literacy, while bearing
witness to Jesus Christ.
Each month, we send $40.00 to their ministry.
To read more about their ministry, sign up for their newsletters, and to find their eye-opening
blog, please visit their website!
Please pray with us as we lift them up. We are eager to see God’s work in action!
Sunday, October 29th, 5:00PM Watch for announcements on details!
GREETERS 1st-Bob & Diane Rice 8th-The Tim Childs Family 15th-Chuck & Robin Fabbro 22nd-Steve & Lynn Franko, Carlos Caselles Calle 29th-Ted & Connie Gamet
USHERS 1st-Mark Bilbee, Mark O’Connor, Bobby Staten 8th-Kevin Haines, Mike Kennard, Dan Zuzula 15th-Alex & Sue Campbell, Dan Johnson 22nd-Ted Gamet, Russ Hubbard 29th-Lynn Childs, Bill Shoop, Tanya Steele
WORSHIP LEADERS 1st- Kevin Haines 8th- Dianne Hackett 15th- Tanya Steele 22nd- Russ Hubbard 29th- Kim Wegrzyn
VIDEO/TECH 1st-Tanya Steele 8th-Tanya Steele 15th-Dianne Hackett 22nd-Shelley Abel 29th-Shelley Abel
03 Veronica Childs 04 Tracy Brightman 12 Casey Williams 18 Joan Bradanini 18 Melanie Dowe 19 Scott Wegrzyn 20 Kathy Fricke 21 Jim DuBois 22 Amy Baldwin 23 Jo Linda Manus
8 Chad & Amy Baldwin 16 Mark & Jill O' Connor 24 Shane & Kate Pease
WHAT’S GOING ON???
Please note: this calendar is always on the website at
vassarfpc.org/know/view-church-calendar/
and is subject to change.
October 2017Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1World Communion SundayCOMMUNION9:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship
2 39:00 AM Vassar Min-isterial Alliance
412:30 PM Study: All Things New7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
56:30 PM Discipleship & Growth Team7:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
6 7Vassar Fall Festival
89:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship6:00 PM YOUTH GROUP
9Columbus Day
10 117:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
125:30 PM Deacons7:00 PM Session
13 14Vassar Pumpkin Roll
159:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship
1610:00 AM Book Club
178:30 AM WIC
1812:30 PM Study: All Things New6:30 PM Communica-tion & Publicity Team7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice7:30 PM Mission & 8:00 PM Hand Bell
197:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
20 21
229:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship6:00 PM YOUTH GROUP
23 248:30 AM WIC
257:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
26 27 28
299:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship5:00 PM Fall Family Fun Potluck
30 31Halloween8:30 AM WIC
112:30 PM Study: All Things New7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
26:30 PM Discipleship & Growth Team7:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
3 4
1World Communion SundayCOMMUNION9:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship
2 39:00 AM Vassar Min-isterial Alliance
412:30 PM Study: All Things New7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
56:30 PM Discipleship & Growth Team7:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
6 7Vassar Fall Festival
89:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship6:00 PM YOUTH GROUP
9Columbus Day
10 117:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
125:30 PM Deacons7:00 PM Session
13 14Vassar Pumpkin Roll
159:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship
1610:00 AM Book Club
178:30 AM WIC
1812:30 PM Study: All Things New6:30 PM Communica-tion & Publicity Team7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice7:30 PM Mission & 8:00 PM Hand Bell
197:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
20 21
229:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship6:00 PM YOUTH GROUP
23 248:30 AM WIC
257:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
26 27 28
299:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship5:00 PM Fall Family Fun Potluck
30 31Halloween8:30 AM WIC
112:30 PM Study: All Things New7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
26:30 PM Discipleship & Growth Team7:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
3 4
1World Communion SundayCOMMUNION9:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship
2 39:00 AM Vassar Min-isterial Alliance
412:30 PM Study: All Things New7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
56:30 PM Discipleship & Growth Team7:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
6 7Vassar Fall Festival
89:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship6:00 PM YOUTH GROUP
9Columbus Day
10 117:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
125:30 PM Deacons7:00 PM Session
13 14Vassar Pumpkin Roll
159:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship
1610:00 AM Book Club
178:30 AM WIC
1812:30 PM Study: All Things New6:30 PM Communica-tion & Publicity Team7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice7:30 PM Mission & 8:00 PM Hand Bell
197:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
20 21
229:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship6:00 PM YOUTH GROUP
23 248:30 AM WIC
257:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
26 27 28
299:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship5:00 PM Fall Family Fun Potluck
30 31Halloween8:30 AM WIC
112:30 PM Study: All Things New7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
26:30 PM Discipleship & Growth Team7:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
3 4
1World Communion SundayCOMMUNION9:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship
2 39:00 AM Vassar Min-isterial Alliance
412:30 PM Study: All Things New7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
56:30 PM Discipleship & Growth Team7:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
6 7Vassar Fall Festival
89:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship6:00 PM YOUTH GROUP
9Columbus Day
10 117:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
125:30 PM Deacons7:00 PM Session
13 14Vassar Pumpkin Roll
159:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship
1610:00 AM Book Club
178:30 AM WIC
1812:30 PM Study: All Things New6:30 PM Communica-tion & Publicity Team7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice7:30 PM Mission & 8:00 PM Hand Bell
197:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
20 21
229:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship6:00 PM YOUTH GROUP
23 248:30 AM WIC
257:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
26 27 28
299:00 AM Sunday School10:00 AM Worship5:00 PM Fall Family Fun Potluck
30 31Halloween8:30 AM WIC
112:30 PM Study: All Things New7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir
26:30 PM Discipleship & Growth Team7:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group
Vassar First Presbyterian Church Ministry Team Summaries
If you would like to be a part of any of these ministries, please contact the chairperson.Come find your place with us as we build God’s Kingdom together!
Administration (Scott Wegrzyn)This team has two sub-teams: personnel and finance. It oversees these and other general administrative concerns of the church. It crafts a budget proposal each year for Session to approve, oversees staff, considers staffing structure, crafts job descriptions, and recommends building use policy. Buildings & Grounds (Lynn Childs)This team handles all things related to facility and property, such as routine maintenance, small repairs, facility or equipment upgrades, tech needs, or large projects as approved by Session. The church owns not only the church building and grounds, but also the upper parking lot and the pastor’s manse, as well as the equipment and appliances inside them.Communication and Publicity (Shelley Abel)This team’s focus is providing for and managing communications and publicity, with internally and externally, by prioritizing and appropriately timing these things and implying the most effective method for them. This is not only so that any given need gets the best exposure appropriate to it, but so that key events or initiatives don’t get “lost in the noise.” The team will work closely with the church secretary to execute communication and publicity, but will curate what, how, and when any communication publicity is done, and help establish processes and strategies for easy management of the same.Community Connections (Lynn Childs)This team’s focus is any event or project that brings the community together in Christian fellowship: which is “Christian-speak” for having fun and making connections. It serves a practical and cohesive function in our community of faith, and at the same time provides a safe space for new people to get to know us. The team executes several events each year to that end, and looks for smaller ways to facilitate a sense of connection between friends and members as well.Discipleship & Growth (Kevin Haines)This team’s stated mission is “Inviting you on a Journey with Jesus.” It oversees, enables, resources, and supports the person-inviting, disciple-making and disciple-growing aspects of the church’s ministry, from nursery to families to ecumenical Youth Group and VBS, to adult professionals, to retirees. It is concerned with education, but not merely as knowledge transfer, but heart changing: helping people of any age or stage meet Jesus, grow in faith, and become committed followers of Jesus. This team also oversees and resources any small groups that form, from study groups to affinity groups to service/mission groups. Mission & Outreach (Shelley Abel)This team concerns itself with supporting mission efforts that do not typically fall under our own congregation’s ministry. These may be local, regional, statewide, national, or global in nature. In many cases that support is financial, such as perhaps funding a missionary abroad. It may also sometimes be more personal, like forming a work trip to a devastated area of our nation.Worship & Music (Steve Franko)The worship & music team concerns itself with providing for the worship and music aspects of our congregation, and considers not only present needs but future directions for forms of and tools for worship. There are practical matters like making sure ushering and children’s sermons are covered, resourcing our choirs and accompanists, making sure candles are stocked, etc. It also, in collaboration with the pastor and music staff, considers weightier matters like the practice and philosophy of worship.
(Note: Nominating team is not listed because at-large members of this team are nominated by previous nominating team and elected at the congregational meeting. Steve Franko is the chairperson this year)
CONTACT PERSONS
Pastor Doug Abel, (989) 780-2813 (Voice, VM, or Text) Angie Ayotte, Church Office: (989) 823-7671
Elders
Shelley Abel (989) 780-2817 Kevin Haines (989) 871-3293.............. ....................
Nicole Baker (917) 776-9546 Dan Johnson (Clerk) (989) 823-2525............. ........
Alex Campbell (989) 823-3848 Diane Rice (989) 992-9333........... ........................
Lynn Childs (989) 868-4802 Scott Wegrzyn (989) 529-1147............... ..................
Steve Franko (989) 823-7590............
Deacons
Louanne Campbell (989) 823-3624 Bill Shoop (989) 823-1331... .........................
Mike Kennard. (989) 823-2192 Tanya Steele............... (989) 823-2278........... .....
Cheryl Sholty (989) 823-2438 Carol Swaffer (989) 823-3756............ ...................
Contact Persons Session Ministry Teams: Administration (Finance & Personnel) Scott Wegrzyn 529-1147 ........................... Buildings & Grounds Lynn Childs 868-4802 ...................................................... Discipleship & Growth Kevin Haines 823-3293 ................................................... Communication & Publicity Shelley Abel 780-2817 ............................................ Community Connections Lynn Childs 868-4802 ............................................... Mission & Outreach Shelley Abel 780-2817 ....................................................... Nominating Steve Franko 823-7590 .................................................................... Worship & Music Steve Franko 823-7590 ...........................................................
Deacons Kimberly Wegrzyn 233-8460 ...........................................................................Vassar Community Youth Initiative Pastor Doug 780-2813 ...................................Choir (Shared with FUMC) Pat Middlin 545-0948...............................................
Session HighlightsSession met on Thursday, September 14th, 2017. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting. Pastor Doug Abel was our Moderator.
• Steve Franko was excused, and Lynn Childs was absent.• Minutes of the August Session meeting was approved.
• Financial report shows we are operating on a -$10,003.72. Don’t forget that if you have not paid the 2017 apportionment, you can pay $26.17 per member, it would really help.
• Next 5th Sunday is October 29th. Donations will be collected for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) for Hurricane Relief.
• Communion was served on September 3rd by Rev. Dr. Saperstein. Steve Franko assisted. Elders serving were: Shelley Abel, Lynn Franko, Jo-Linda Manus and Diane Rice.
• Jake the Therapy Dog visited our kids Sunday School!
• Carole Essenmacher is planning the Christmas program again.
• The baptism of Evan Pease, on August 13th, 2017, unfortunately had to be postponed. It will soon be rescheduled as Pastor Doug’s health issues are now improving steadily.
• We again will be doing the Crop Walk, Angel Tree and Hygiene Bags, among other things.
• The Pumpkin Roll is a fundraiser for the cost of students’ participation in REACH. Reach will be returning to Vassar this coming summer for two weeks in July.
• A quote for an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) was presented; Session is exploring possible sources of grant money to fund it and has other approved its purchase. If anyone wishes to contribute toward it let Pastor Doug know.
• Next Session meeting will be Thursday, October 12th, 2017..
