November 2009

first pres

NOVEMBER 2009First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs

Paul HarveyThe Faith Behind the Man • 8

Love, Grow, Go—Together • 10

When Hurt Turns into Beautiful • 12

contentsMighty Kids Create Memories at Simply Christmas 4Helping Hands Reach into Cuban Prisons 5 Susan BuengerThe Faith Behind the Man Behind the Microphone 8 Paul J. BaturaLove, Grow, Go—Together 10 Paul Parsons and Nicole LowellWhen Hurt Turns into Beautiful 12 Paul Moede

in every issueFirst Pres Spotlight: First Pres Foundation 6 Rich BoyleStudent Ministries 15Children’s Ministries 16College/Young Adult’s Ministries 18Events Calendar 19

On the cover: Paul Harvey Aurandt, KFBI, Kansas, 1939

NOVEMBER 2009

Contributing Writers: Paul Batura, Rich Boyle, Susan Buenger, Joe Farrell, Alyce Fertig, Nicole Lowell, Paul Moede, Zola Griffin Paget, Paul Parsons

Contributing Editors: Pam Bland, Stacey Smith-Bradfield, Kathy Freyschlag, Christina Harrell, Adam Holz, David Phillips, Danny Shaw

Photographers: Alison Smith

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, © 1984 International Bible Society

First Pres Magazine, October 2009, Volume One, © First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, CO Published by First Presbyterian Church, a non-profit organization

To contact First Pres Magazine: 719-884-6103 or 219 E Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1392 or magazine@first-pres org Printed in the U S A

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Dear Blessed Saints at First Pres,November is a great month to focus on thanksgiving. Certainly the actual Thanksgiving holi-day weekend pushes us to remember our blessings and offer thanks to God. Yet, the whole month triggers a wave of thanksgiving. Stewardship season will have just finished and the chief motivation for our giving is always a thankful heart for God’s generous gifts. Our country set aside Veteran’s Day as a time to give thanks for those who have served this country in military service. First Pres men will have a chance to gather on a wonderful men’s retreat in November and I think all who go will be utterly thankful for that. There will be another Festival of Trees event for ESM in November. ESM is across the street, but it is really an arm of First Pres as the downtown churches began that ministry together 26 years ago.

In this edition of the First Pres Magazine, you will find a fasci-nating article by Paul Batura on the legendary Paul Harvey. Of course, Paul has written a biography about Paul Harvey and this article helps us see aspects of the radio legend’s character. Take note of Paul Parsons’ article on our mutual vision, Love, Grow, Go—Together. Paul describes in simple terms how each of us can be engaged in the missional church through the faith journey steps of loving, growing and going.

Notice also what Susan Buenger writes about Cuba and our new relationship in mission there, and what is said about the Mighty Kids Simply Christmas event—another important outreach of this congregation.

Most of all—as November comes—please know how thankful I am for each one of you. What a blessed congregation.

Yours in Christ,

Jim SingletonSenior PastorFirst Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs

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icture tables filled with green and red con-struction paper cut out in shapes of stars and

evergreens, pipe cleaners galore, shiny beads and multi-colored crystalline glitter. Picture hands—

big and little—creating for an afternoon, piecing together layer upon layer of cheerful elements with meandering strips of glue. Picture a prized, sparkling new Christmas tree ornament. And finally, picture great big smiles.

It’s a pleasure, and a tradition, that literally hundreds experience each year at Simply Christ-mas, a make-it, take-it crafts event for families who literally can’t wait for the season of holly, gar-lands, cinnamon candles, candy canes and, of course, Christmas tree decorating to get started.

For many years, Vicky Allard shared a special holiday moment with her daughter, Sarah, by kicking off the season at Simply Christmas. Each year, Sarah would make ornaments that would be especially hers and they would be added to her personal Christmas box so that one day, when all grown, she would have a box of ornaments for her own tree.

Now Sarah is 19 and away at college. But the tradition at the Allard home continues because Vicky now fosters three girls—ages 4, 5 and 7—and last year was the first time she shared Simply Christmas with them. “They absolutely loved the experience of doing all those crafts,” said Vicky. “And they were so excited about starting their own personal Christmas boxes.”

Vicky was able to experience a new facet of the Christmas event with her foster daughters by tak-ing them to the Mighty Kids Simply Christmas, designed for special needs kids and their families. Simply Christmas always happens the Friday eve-ning right after Thanksgiving and upwards to 500 or more attend and make crafts at the come-and-go event. Mighty Kids Simply Christmas happens that Friday afternoon and involves fewer crafts, so it is a quieter, more controlled event with fewer people.

“We couldn’t have made it last year if it wasn’t for the Mighty Kids event,” said Vicky. “There were fewer distractions for the girls and we were able to get through much faster, plus keep every-one together!”

Vicky’s plans are to be there again this Novem-ber. It’s a tradition that’s made new each year, com-plete with smiles and a box full of memories.

t is a Sunday morning in 1999, and Benito Hub-bard from Havana, Cuba, has stepped through the doors of First Pres. Knowing no one, he

longs to worship with fellow Presbyterians after years of suppressed faith expressions. God guided his steps, leading Benito to several significant rela-tionships with First Pres members who listened to, embraced and encouraged his vision to love and serve those in need in his own country. With the support, encouragement and connections of these friends, Benito developed a passion and vision for serving prisoners.

In 2002, he established the first ever prison chaplaincy ministry in Cuba. He now recruits, trains and mentors volunteer chaplains who share the Gospel in 22 Cuban prisons. The correctional system has issued special identification to some of the chaplains, opening the opportunity for regular visits to inmates, and relationships with inmate families. Through this ministry, believers can move in the mainstream of mission, discipleship and the search for justice. Murderers have become ministers, the hopeless are given hope, and prison authorities are left to wonder.

From 1959 until the early 90’s, the Christian church was suppressed in Cuba. Most believers chose to stay at home rather than to risk public worship. Whole generations never experienced corporate worship, keeping their faith private. In the current situation of new freedoms, the Church is reaching out with new passion.

Leveraging the power of relationship, a team of

five from First Pres made an introductory trip to meet Rev. Hector Mendez at the First Presbyterian Church Reformed of Havana and to visit Benito. The team saw the innovative and vital ministries developed by First Pres Havana: a lending library of Christian films, a church-sponsored YMCA and sports activities, the Friendly Phone offering support and counseling, senior exercise classes and two suburban church plants.

The team attended the 13th anniversary of a church plant to celebrate God’s work, witnessing four generations of believers experiencing the sweet fellowship and freedom that only Christ can give. The foundations built and maintained by faithful Christians have given birth to a vibrant church.

When our Cuban friends find a closed door, they look for a new door to walk through. We are learning from them that an obstacle is not a place of ending, but a place of beginning. Only God could have orchestrated what happened for Benito and First Pres when he walked through our doors in 1999. We give thanks for our friend-ship with him and our developing partnership with Rev. Mendez and the First Presbyterian Church Reformed congregation.

Susan Buenger is Director of Missions at First Pres.

M I G H T Y K I D S C R E A T E M E M O R I E S A T

The Gerhart family has made Simply Christmas an annual holiday tradition, too, but in a different way as their girls, Ashley and Madison, have grown.

Jeff, Vicki and their two daughters started volun-teering as helpers at the Mighty Kids Simply Christ-mas event last year, seeing it as an opportunity to help families with special needs children. They received an unexpected gift in return, according to Vicki.

“Some of the families were from the commu-nity—outside our church. They were so appreciative of the time that our girls spent with their children.”

Ashley and Madison enjoyed it as well, helping special needs children do something fun and special, and getting to know them one-on-one. “The girls don’t want to give it up,” said Vicki when confirming their plans to volunteer again this year.

To become a Simply Christmas volunteer, con-tact Priscilla Wittrock at 884-6206 or Danny Shaw at 884-6204.

Mighty Kids Simply

Christmas

November 27

1:30-3:30 p.m.

Weber Street Center

$3.50 per person

Simply Christmas

November 276-8:30 p.m.

Weber Street Center$4.50 per person

By Susan Buenger


arvey was one of the good guys. Active in his church and community, he was

always ready to help others. When he passed away, his friends were moved by all those who spoke of Harvey’s giving spirit.

But Harvey never thought about leaving a legacy. He certainly had a willing heart, but when he died, he hadn’t made arrangements to leave gifts to those causes he loved during his lifetime.

It’s too bad Harvey wasn’t a member of First Presbyterian Church where just last year an organization was created that enables members and friends to make both lifetime and testa-mentary gifts to advance the Kingdom of God locally and around the world.

It’s called the First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs Foundation. That’s a pretty formal name, but the purpose is simple: giving you a chance to support your passion for God’s Kingdom through endowment giving.

“I’m excited about it because it gives us the opportunity to advance the mission and programs of First Pres for future generations,” says Dave Phillips, a First Pres Foundation board member. “You can advance your passion whatever it is,” he adds.

Phillips also likes the fact that folks can establish a fund now and be able to see their contributions at work in their areas of interest while they’re still alive. “People can start a fund in their name during their lifetime,” he notes, “or they can contribute to one of the foundation’s existing funds.” One example is the John and Gail Stevens Fund for the support of a teaching church.

Another method is to make a bequest or a current gift to the foundation’s general endow-ment fund to support special needs at First Pres.

There are many ways to give to the founda-tion. They include cash, securities, bequests, life insurance, real estate and even gifts that can provide a lifetime income.

First Pres members Kevin and Vicki Witte have, like many others, already made arrange-ments to support First Pres through a bequest. “We’ve chosen to include First Pres in our will to support the ministries important to us,” says Kevin. “God has richly blessed our involvement in missions and youth ministry.”

“We want the young people in our own community to continue to hear the Gospel through First Pres camps and mission trips regardless of their families’ financial condi-tion,” adds Vicki.

Questions about the foundation? First Pres stands ready to answer them. Just contact Brenda Smith, leader of staff (884-6106) or Al Clark, leader of the business office (884-6161). Or look for a brochure on the First Pres Foun-dation in the church racks.

Harvey sadly couldn’t take advantage of a foundation like this . . . but you can.

Rich Boyle is a member of First Pres and a retired businessman.

CHRISTMAS

Kevin and Vicki Witte

Advancing Your Passions for Future Generations

FIRST PRES SPOTLIGHT

F I R S T P R E S F O U N D AT I O NBy Rich Boyle

For those aged 70½ or older, there is another opportunity to give. Through what’s called the IRA Charitable Rollover, a person can make a gift to the foundation from their IRA without triggering federal or state income taxes. Congress, however, has yet to extend this chance past the end of 2009, so quick action is necessary.


When ABC Radio newsman Paul Har-vey Aurandt slipped away to claim his eternal reward early in the evening of February 28, 2009, America didn’t just lose one of its most recognizable and beloved voices. She also lost one of her most overlooked and under-studied Christian evangelists.

That’s because Paul Harvey’s sermons, offered in the form of entertaining vignettes, poignant commentaries, and a million subtle asides, were often as pow-erful, insightful, and effective as the words spoken from the pul-pits of our nation’s most acclaimed preachers.

How did it all come about? Who was the man behind the microphone? Somebody once

suggested there are two com-mon themes found in the lives of most successful people: A dead parent and a paper route. Paul had both.

A native of Tulsa, Okla-homa, he lost his father at three years of age when a car-load of wild west desperados murdered the man he was only just beginning to know and admire. Raised by a single mother, he was scrappy and resourceful, a fairly typical depression-era boy. Provi-dence placed him in the class-room of another single woman, an English and speech teacher who taught Harvey and a class of future Holly-wood legends, including actor Tony Randall and Danny Dark, the voice of Charlie Tuna. The Tulsan learned the

ropes at small radio stations throughout the West: Tulsa, Salina, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Honolulu, Missoula and Kalamazoo, Michigan before taking his show national from Chicago on the evening of December 3, 1950.

He did it all while clinging to his faith in Christ, though admittedly, not very seriously and somewhat tenuously, until he was in his early 60’s. Paul had never run off the rails, never completely turned his back on the Lord, but after achieving all the fame and for-tune a person could desire, he still felt unfulfilled and incom-plete. A formal baptism and a recommitment to Jesus Christ turned the tide. “That’s when the fun began,” he told me, “when I stopped tearing myself in two.” From that moment on, he became bolder and more willing to engage in spiritual dialog both on the air and off.

To be sure, Paul Harvey liked to talk and write about God. In fact, his faith not only shaped and framed his thoughts, but it also defined his view of the world and everything in it, both past, present and future. “I am no preacher,” he would insist, “but I am a student of history and therein our professions overlap. This is history. Jesus was born…God spelled it out…where He’d be born, how He would live, and when He would die—on a cross against the Galilean sky.”

Harvey believed in the authority and authenticity of the scriptures, suggesting that the Bible was the “lamp” by which his feet were guided. “This history book is the experience of the world,” he insisted plainly. “This is the Master Plan.”

Interestingly, he was not overly concerned about the doctrinal differences within particular Christian denomi-nations. Though a descendent of five generations of Baptist ministers, his first church was First Presbyterian in down-town Tulsa, Oklahoma. His last was the historic Fourth Presbyterian in Chicago along Michigan Avenue. There would be other denomina-tions in between.

But time has moved on and like so many other stars who have faded from the scene, Paul Harvey is now history. The young may even barely remember the man with the mellifluous voice who com-manded a weekly audience of 24 million people in his hey-day. So, beyond a sweet mem-ory, what can we learn from his life of just over ninety years?

Quite a bit.Paul Harvey was moved

and shaped by the big ideas of little people and was very interested in what others thought because he instinc-tively knew that there was wisdom in the counsel of many advisers. In doing so, he was openly embracing the truth of Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” But

as a Christian man on a secu-lar network, he was careful not to boast in his own wis-dom or might [Jeremiah 9:23] but rather in the teachings of Christ. The evidence suggests he looked at life both bibli-cally and historically, believ-ing the heart of America found its beat and rhythm from the power of its own people whose lives were guided by their belief in God. He wrote his broadcast for one person, Aunt Betty, his wife’s sister. If he didn’t think she needed or would want to know a piece of news, he didn’t include it.

He was a man of mea- sure and moderation, never becoming overly wrought or inordinately exercised by cir-cumstance. He knew the final score, saw the end at the beginning of each challenge and believed that God remained in control of all time and space. “In times like these,”

he would say reflectively, “it’s important to remember, there have always been times like these.” He continued, “Re-member: Noise makes news! But history tells me that excesses ultimately, inevitably, eventually, are their own undoing.” When I asked him what he enjoyed most about growing old he replied with a twinkle, “The years don’t always add wisdom, but they do add perspective.”

That perspective helped him manage his priorities. “I believe in my God, my coun-try and myself – in that order.” He loved life, saw it as an adventure, skydived into his 80’s and always kept looking forward even when things went wrong and his beloved wife, Angel, was confined to a wheelchair. Advising younger colleagues, he would remind them that “it’s more impor-tant to make a life than it is to make a living.”

A pilot since the age of 15, Paul marveled at the wonder of the skies and saw a parallel between his hobby and God’s Word. “In flying,” he wrote, “they teach us when we can’t see where we’re going, go on instruments, and trust them.” Referring to the Bible, Paul concluded, “Read your tested and proved charts and instru-ments. They will see you through.”

Paul J. Batura is a biographer and author of the recently released, “Good Day! The Paul Harvey Story”. He and his wife, Julie [Big Blue] along with their son, Riley, are mem-bers of First Presbyterian Church of Colo-rado Springs.

By Paul J. Batura



These were the details we missed from our kitchen window. From the top, it’s the same mountain but different. And so are we.

Whether life-long believer or spiritual explorer, the vision for the First Presbyterian community is to share an adventure that’s even bigger than this Pikes Peak experience. It’s an adventure called Love, Grow, Go—Together, and it’s the heart of the First Pres mission: Help move people into loving God (worship), growing deep in maturity (transformation), and going into the surrounding world to give away what we’ve been given (missional life-style). All of this happens primarily in commu-nity (together). Each time we cycle through these movements on our faith journey, we let God lead us deeper into his heart.

It could start with a moment in Sunday worship when the harmony of a hymn drifts from our ears to our hearts. We’re illuminated with God’s love, overcome by awe, dazzled by his glory.

Once we’ve been captured by worship, we’re drawn to friends who are on this journey, too. Together, we pray and listen. Together, we study and trust. Together, we expose more of our hearts and find more of Christ’s heart exposed to us.

The same old world starts to look different. The real Kingdom ambushes us everywhere. We want to get in on what God is up to, so we buy plane tickets for far away or step out into our neighborhood’s closest need. Suddenly, we’re seeing redemption “close up,” the broken made whole, the lost found, the captives set free. Here is an intimacy deeper than we imag-ined the first time we sat in a pew.

Consider this your invitation. Hear Jesus say, “Follow Me.” Together, his Spirit is leading us to love more, grow deeper, go give it all away again and again. It’s time to join the adventure.

Paul Parsons is Sr. Associate Pastor for Missional Strategies and Discipleship at First Pres.

Nicole Lowell is Director of Ministry Involvement at First Pres.

Love, Grow, Go –Together

An Invitation to Adventure

by Paul Parsons and Nicole Lowell

Are you ready to accept the invitation? Here are a few ways to get started.

Opportunities to Love: Children’s Advent Musical and Candle Lighting Service, Dec. 2, Contact Joy at 884-6173Be swept away by God’s timeless tale of adventure as we anticipate the coming Messiah.

The Christmas Joy Concert, Dec. 13, Tickets available starting Nov. 16Contact Chris at 884-6172Join an extraordinary musical celebration of Emmanuel, God-with-us.

Opportunities to Grow: Contact Ina at 884-6117

CORE 2, 10 weeks starting Jan. 13, 2010Study the CORE of the Christian faith and discuss how we’re called to meet the culture head on.

Renovation Workshop, 14 weeks starting Jan. 13, 2010Join others to practice slowing down and making more space for Jesus in your everyday life.

Bridges out of Poverty, 10 weeks starting Jan. 13, 2010Become equipped for interacting with and serving the poor in our world.

Opportunities to Go: Contact Priscilla at 884-6108

Interfaith Hospitality Network, 2 weeks starting Nov. 29 and again starting Dec. 27Provide meals, activities, conversation, or just friendship for families in homeless situations.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing, December, 19 and 21Ring out a spirit of giving during the hectic Christmas season.

Native or transplant, most residents of Colorado Springs share an experience something like this: Every morning when we see Pikes Peak illuminated, we’re momentarily kidnapped by awe. And when we look at that mountain long enough, we want to know more. We read, talk to friends,

look at maps. The seeing and learning draw us further until we buy a ticket for the cog railroad or set foot on Barr Trail. Suddenly, we’re “close up;” seeing waterfalls and cliffs, alpine flowers and picas.



Editor’s Note: The following article is the second of a three-part series that explores the vital connection between willing hands that serve and willing hearts that give.

Winter Camp 2009 marked a significant turning point for high school senior Christina Melahn. As Christian singer Jonny Diaz performed More Beautiful You, she drank in the lyrics that spoke about true beauty, not just outward appearance. But she also knew she needed to do something.

“Just looking around at all the girls and women listening to that, it made me realize how it feels to have somebody telling me that there couldn’t be a more beautiful you,” Christina says.

“The world tells you have to be perfect and airbrushed and that’s just impossible. Nobody could ever be what’s on magazines and billboards because even models aren’t good enough. They have to airbrush them. They have to change the color of their

had been shaping in Christina since middle school.

“I had struggled with this issue all my life,” Christina says. “I really became passion-ate about reaching middle school girls…and spreading the news that you didn’t have to be perfect, because I didn’t hear it until high school.”

Working with other senior high girls and adult volunteers, Girls Only rolled out “Unmasked”—a two-hour event to exalt God’s perspective on beauty versus the tyranny of the perfect that culture promotes as the ideal. Christina found an eager audience.

“Most of them were surpris-ingly open,” Christina says. “They started saying things like, ‘God created us in his own image, so to say that you hate the way you look is to say you hate the way God looks.’”

Christina knew that God was at work because of the honesty and “the interestingly deep things that came to their minds.” She left the evening knowing that every ounce of planning the team put in was worth it.

“It’s great to see God work. We put in a lot of effort to make the event happen and to make it a good event. But compared to the things that God did in the hearts of those involved, I think that we didn’t do that much.”

Girls Only was a crowning work in Christina’s experience in First Pres Student Ministries. Starting in elementary school, she progressed from being a shy newcomer to being noticed and known. From there, she experi-enced salvation and service.

For Nate Stratman, who took over the leadership of Stu-dent Ministries in Christina’s senior year, her journey is a model of what he wants to see for everyone who attends a First Pres youth activity, from fifth grade all the way through high school.

“We have students coming each week from 25 different high schools,” Nate says. “We are pulling teens from every geographic part of town.”

According to Nate, it is the goal of Student Ministries to make sure everyone of them gets noticed.

“Here’s where we’re going,” he says about the teens who

skin, take out any scars, and that sort of thing.”

When Christina returned to the Springs, she emailed Nate Stratman, Director of Student Ministries, with an idea. Could she get the names of the middle school girls in the First Pres youth group so that she and her friends could spend time with them in her home to talk about what real beauty is in the eyes of God? Nate caught her vision and en-couraged Christina to think bigger and plan an event at the church.

Girls Only was born. In ac-tuality, it was something God

Success in First Pres Student Ministries depends on more than a paid staff. The minis-try thrives on volun-teers who make sure every student who enters our doors is noticed—the first step in their walk toward Christ. Nate Stratman doesn’t need bodies to throw at ministry. Instead he looks for two special qualities.

“We need certain types of people. We need people who are seekers of Christ and they need to love teen-agers,” Nate says.

“It is not an age thing. Hey, you can be dorky with a fanny pack and Cosby sweater. A kid just wants to be recog-nized. Ask him about his funky sunglasses and you are off to the races!”

H O W S T U D E N T M I N I S T R I E S M A K E S A D I F F E R E N C E

When Hurt Turns into

The “Who” of Student Ministries

By Paul Moede


come to First Pres. “We want to meet you right where you are and walk with you to meet Jesus.”

That walk means that Student Ministries isn’t “one huge program,” but a variety of multi-student ministries to meet the needs of different kinds of kids both inside and outside of the church.

“It is the most labor inten-sive but most fruitful thing we can do,” he says.

And behind all of the small groups, camps, Sunday school classes and special outreaches, is a ministry plan

Spencer NormanQ: Spencer, tell us a little bit about yourself.SN: Most people just call me Spence I started working with the high school in May I have five younger siblings, one sister and four brothers My mom still lives in Atlanta and is the greatest woman I know I grew up in Atlanta, but moved around a lot since high school I went to college at Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and that feels like a second home to me

Q: You worked at a camp there in Michi-gan too, correct?SN: Yeah, that was really what got me inter-ested in working with students I worked for three summers and a 15-month internship at a camp called Spring Hill in Northern Michi-gan My experiences there really changed my life, helped me to focus on the right things

Q: What do you do here at the Church?SN: I mostly work with the high school department, teaching and hanging out I am also part-time with the audio/video area here working with the website and doing various A/V jobs that need to be done

Katie HarrisQ: Katie, tell us a little bit about yourself.KH: I’m from Washington state, Vancouver—America’s, not Canada’s—down by Portland My parents, Jim and Gail, still live there I have one brother, JJ He and his wife Sue have two kids, my adorable niece and nephew I gradu-ated from Whitworth University in Spokane and started at First Pres in mid-March this year

Q: What drew you to student ministry?KH: I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, and it was through a local Presbyterian church youth group that I was brought to Christ and discovered my love for ministering to teens So I feel a strong call to support the church in its outreach to youth

Q: What do you enjoy about what you do?KH: I enjoy the enthusiasm of middle schoolers for life and friends Middle school is a time when students have a personal “Aha” moment, going from “here’s what my parents told me” to Jesus becoming real in their lives And I get to be there when they have their “Aha” moments It’s very neat to witness

that makes sure “ten key theological nuggets” are pre-sented throughout the year. It is a content plan that has been hammered out to ensure a solid biblically based experi-ence is in place.

“But before a kid follows a plan, they will follow a person,” Nate says. “We’re lis-tening to them.”

As a result, scores of First Pres young people are coming to faith and maturing that faith through service.

“These students aren’t the junior varsity church,” says Nate. “They are not just the

future. They are the now.”And when Nate thinks

about Christina, he sees how the process of salvation and growth can work in student ministry.

“Christina was hurt in the areas of image,” he says. “But what does she do? She goes to work with kids in the same area.

“She was filled up like a sponge and then wrung out to serve people. Filled up and wrung out.”

It’s what God does through Student Ministries.

Paul Moede is a Product Marketing Director at Compassion International and a member of First Pres.

The Cost of DiscipleshipThe students who come to First Pres reflect every economic stratum in the city. And the programs we offer come with a price.

When Grilled Cheese Tuesday arrives, First Pres “will go in the hole with the cost of cheese and bread!” says Nate Stratman, Director of

Student Ministries.And when Winter Camp and summer missions trips

come into play, a growing number of students are receiv-ing some level of scholarship.

“We have a large number of students who come from very poor families, and this economy has made it even

more difficult,” says Nate. The gifts of willing hearts are the gifts that shape lives.

We want to meet you right where you are and walk with you to meet Jesus.

STUDENT MINISTRIES

Our newest team members in student ministries are Katie Harris and Spencer Norman. We really feel like we have “completed” the student ministries team and are headed in the right direction. While Spence and Katie are the “newbies” of the group, they come to us with great experience and big hearts. Spence is working with our 912 ministry. Katie is leading our 78 ministry. We’re also thankful to have Collin Grant starting our brand new 56 ministry.

Meet the Student Ministries “Newbies”


Children’s Ministries at First Pres

Our desire is to partner with parents, as together we lay a foundation for life-long faith and discipleship. Our staff and teachers welcome the opportunity to join families as we seek to love God, grow in faith, and show this to our kids in trans-forming ways!

CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES

The Connection is a multi-dimensional Christian learning experience delivered in a hands-on setting for children in grades K-4.

NOVEMBER MEMORY VERSE:

And we know that in all things,

God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

In November, kids in the Connection will focus on the story of Joseph’s trials and obedience in Egypt (Genesis 39-41).

A wonderful Bible to share this story (and many others) with your young child is “The Young Readers Bible.” Older kids can share

reading with an adult from a Bible that is easy to understand. One great option is the New International Readers Version, which

is based on the NIV, but written at a fourth-grade level to make it easier for young readers to understand. The NIrV “Kids Study

Bible” by Zondervan gives loads of study tools that can be used as devotional tools in the home – something every family with

kids needs!

SNEAKPEEK

Creation Station is a place where preschoolers can begin to explore God’s Word through hands-on experiences that fit the unique needs and interests of children in this stage of development. We strive to be a model of Christ’s love by creating a nurturing environment where children can learn and grow as they begin the first steps of their faith journey.In November, children in Creation Station will learn about the life of Daniel, with key Scripture passages selected from the book of Daniel.

NOVEMBER MEMORY VERSE:Don’t worry about anything but pray about everything. Philippians 4:6

Preschool children enjoy music on Sunday mornings, and music is something families can share together every day, at home and on-the-run! If you would like to purchase one of the CDs that we use with your preschooler, contact Kathy Dobyns at 884-6127 or [email protected]. She will be happy to help you!

SNEAKPEEK


NOVEMBERweek of1–7

week of8–14

week of15–21

week of22–28

week of29–30

Sunday, Nov. 1 Bible Reading Brunch 12:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 4 Women’s Lunchbreak

11:45 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 5 Prime Time – 9:30 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 6 Christmas Card Making

Party – 6-9 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 10 The Engine Room/

Congregational Prayer 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 Veterans’ Day

Thursday, Nov. 12 Bents Old Fort Tour 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 13 Men’s Ministry

Fall Retreat Nov. 13-15

Friday, Nov. 13 Fall Festival Children’s

Choir Concert 6-7:15 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14 New Orleans Mission Trip

Student Ministries

Sunday, Nov. 15 Something Significant for Christmas Catalogs Available

Tuesday, Nov. 17 Deacons’ Meeting – 6:45 p.m. Elders’ Meeting – 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 Men’s Breakfast – 6:30 a.m. Men’s Lunch – 11:45 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 19 Prime Time – 9:30 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21 Prayer Pilgrimage

with Solid Rock

Monday, Nov. 23 Get Set Thanksgiving Dinner – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 23Help for the Holiday Blues 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day

Friday, Nov. 27 Mighty Kids Simply Christmas 1:30-3:30 p.m. Simply Christmas 6-8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 29 First Sunday of Advent 8:20, 9:45, 11:10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sanctuary 9:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall

Events Calendar

11/09 | www.first-pres.org | 19

I wonder about an apparent paradox of my generation. Many of us consider ourselves “green”—for the environment. But some-

times that doesn’t mean much more than recy-cling, and even then only if the trash company provides a special pick up service. Many in our generation are concerned about global temperatures, but not concerned enough to walk, ride a bike, or use public transportation to get to work. There is great concern for the global poor, sex-trafficking, and child labor sweat shops, but it doesn’t really influence our consumer habits.

Sometimes I wonder if we have good inten-tions and right hearts, but we struggle when it comes to making sacrificial commitments. Are we a generation of “if it’s convenient,” or are we something more? Because if we want to truly live out an authentic faith, and sincerely call ourselves disciples of Jesus, we are going to have to learn to live more than “convenient” faith.

Over the past several months, leadership at First Presbyterian has been working on a vision of what kind of church we believe God wants us to become in 2010 and beyond. Specifically, a great deal of time, thinking,

conversation and prayer have produced an expression that we think will help propel us towards our goal of becoming the church we believe God wants us to become (Love, Grow, Go—Together). This is not a “convenient” statement; this is a statement that will require sacrifice.

One key way we hope to implement this vision is to figure out how a large church like First Pres might feel like a collection of small communities. For college age people and young adults, we have begun creating small groups where we hope people will grow to feel connected, loved, cared for, and nurtured. But to be a part of a community that grows and cares for one another like this requires sacrifice and commitment. I hope these small groups become transformational communities.

I believe it is possible to be part of a trans-formational community, I have experienced it before. And I believe small groups of Jesus followers, committed to one another, living sacrificially, can even change the world.

Joe Farrell is Associate Pastor for College and Young Adults.

COLLEGE/YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES

AN INCONVENIENT FAITHBy Joe Farrell

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November 2009

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