THE WINDOW

A publication of

First Presbyterian Church

Hendersonville, TN

June 2015

Dear Friends,

On Mother’s Day I preached a sermon on blessing others with our lives. Gary Smalley

and John Trent have written a wonderful book titled The Blessing. They suggest five

parts to blessing others – a spoken word, meaningful touch, articulate a special future,

instill high value, and stay committed. I have found these suggestions very helpful in

my parenting Jonathan, Jesse, and Gracie. The blessings we give our children and

grandchildren are different for each child. The way we communicate these five elements

change, as the kids grow up into young adults. As Pam and I have said on several occa-

sions, “Raising kids is a wonderful, challenging adventure!”

I am reminded of some famous parent quotes. Maybe you have used some of these on this wonderful, chal-

lenging adventure we call parenting.

You’re not going anywhere until you....

Just wait till you have kids of your own.

You’re just like your father.

It’s not that we don’t trust you, it’s....

There are things growing in your room.

What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand?

You don’t know how lucky you are.

It is not just children and grandchildren, everyone needs a blessing. Psalm 139 tells us God creates our lives,

intimately knows us, is present with us, and thinks we are wonderful. We are blessed to bless others. There

are people around you every day who don’t know God thinks they are special. You need to tell them! The

Wal-Mart stocker, Publix bagger, and slow driver in the left lane. Obviously we can’t run down the five ele-

ments of giving a blessing with each person. However treating people as wonderful children of God com-

municates blessing.

One writer articulates blessing this way, “God has prepared each of our days as an opportunity to make music

that surprises people with unexpected and undeserved attention, kindness, and generosity. To bless someone

is to present that person with an alternative form of reality that is bigger and better and more harmonic than the

grim and discordant sounds of everyday life.”

Blessed to be a blessing. May we offer our family and friends, church members and colleagues, neighbors and

strangers a blessing. Help them see and experience an alternative form of reality that is bigger and better than

they can imagine.

Love and Prayers,

Responding to God’s love and grace,

our vision is to serve Christ through service to others.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dick and Barbara Brooks were just married on

April 18th of this year. They have known each

other from grade school. Barbara is a master gar-

dener and enjoys painting with watercolors. They

enjoy birdwatching and traveling. Between the

two of them, they have six children, seventeen

grandchildren, and two great grandchildren (two

more on the way!).

Dick and Bev Kerman enjoy watching movies,

playing cards, and traveling. Dick has been a

golfer in the past. Bev enjoys sewing and deco-

rating. He is retired from sales and marketing.

Bev is presently working as a Senior Care Giver.

Between the two of them, they have five adult

kids and five grandchildren who all live in Illinois

except one in South Carolina.

In the month of June we will be highlighting our Global Missionaries and mission work. Leisa Wagstaff is a

Mission Co-worker with the Presbyterian Church. She is an Education Facilitator and works with the prima-

ry and secondary schools Jonglei and the Upper Nile States of South Sudan. Due to the civil war in S. Su-

dan, she has been working in Ethopia. Philip and Bacilia Beisswenger are missionaries in Guatemala. They

work with the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala (IENPG) to help develop and support

healthy, covenantal relationships with U. S. Presbyterians. Their work includes communication and interpre-

tation, coordination of teams and delegations from the United States that visit Guatemala, visits to the PC

(USA) by Guatemalan partners, and support for the Guatemala Mission Network.

We will hear about Trinity Hope from our guest

speaker and preacher, John Hall, on June 21. This is a

wonderful mission we have supported for many years

feeding school children in Haiti. There will also be

more information on Heifer International.

Beisswenger Family Leisa Wagstaff

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Vacation Bible school will be July 6 –10

from 9:00—11:00 a.m.

Children will discover an interactive, energizing, Bible-based program that will give them an opportunity to

experience God’s love in action at G-Force Adventure Park. Email or call the church office to register as

soon as possible. For questions please call Karen Baylor (824-8829) or Jackie Decker (824-1902).

Adult Summer Sunday School: Mark your calendar . Beginning Sunday, June 7th thru

Sunday, July 26th, we will be offering a 7 week Adult Sunday School Class using Philip

Yancey’s DVD from his new book—Vanishing Grace. Philip Yancey said “… people inside

the church are still thirsty for grace. Grace can bring together Christianity and our post-

Christian culture, inviting outsiders to take a deep second look at why our faith matters and

about what could reignite its appeal to future generations.” This class will meet in Room

205 and is facilitated by Les Cleveland.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Summer Sunday School for children began on Sunday, May 31st. If you weren’t

there, we missed you. Children of all ages will be meeting together throughout the sum-

mer months upstairs in Room 212 (previously Bible Land). The summer session is called

“Films and Faith” and we will be viewing movies! Hope to see you there!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Session Listening Groups will be held on July 12 and 26, after worship at 11:30

a.m. We will us the upstairs classrooms with approximately 8-10 people in each

room with two elders. There has been a lot of things happening in our church with

the funeral home on the market and constitutional changes on same gender marriage.

You will have the opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns with the leaders

of our church. The elders believe it is important to listen and affirm the unity we

have in Jesus Christ, even though we have different opinions.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PDS Thankful For A Great Year!

It's hard to believe our 2014-2015 school year has end-

ed. Thanks to wonderful teachers, parents, board

members and the support we receive from Michael,

church staff and members the children experienced a

fun filled learning environment.

We ended the year with slideshows of the children for

families to enjoy and get a glimpse of their children's

time at the Day School. Our 3's and 4's also had fan-

tastic year end programs for their families and we are

proud of the great job they did.

We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing summer!

On Saturday, May 23rd a group of First Pres-

byterianers of Hendersonville worked the

morning at Miles and Joyce’s new Habitat

home. We cleaned up around the house,

picking up trash, wood, and leftover supplies.

Windows and screens were cleaned, along

with cabinets. Walls and molding were

touched up with paint and floors were swept.

We had a meaningful time working together.

We then were fed a wonderful lunch by Dar-

lene and Diann. There is already talk about

next year!

SERMON SCHEDULE

June 7 - Men’s Sunday (Communion)

June 14 - God alone is Lord of the conscience

June 21 - John Hall, Guest Speaker

June 28 - Steve Mar tin, Guest Speaker

SESSION ACTION

Approved minutes

Approved unit reports

Established an “Affiliate Member” category to our

membership

Discussed details of upcoming Session Listening

Groups

As the summer approaches, I’m sure many of us will be in and out with travels and oth-

er events, “recharging our batteries”. For me the summer time, with no teaching, is a

time for me to think, reflect and just rest. Often I attend conferences and conventions

as well as practice and learn new music. I also think about choir music, especially for

Advent and Christmas as well as Lent and Easter. It’s hard to imagine anyone thinking

about Lent and Easter at this point in the year when it wasn’t that long ago that we

were in that season.

One of the things that I am always thinking of is how to increase the numbers in the choir. We do have some new

faces, but there is always room for more. We especially need tenors. Tom Williams and John Westendorf are cur-

rently the tenor section. Since they are the smallest section of the choir, I know they would appreciate some help.

The summer time can be a good time to give singing in the choir a try. So, I want to invite everyone, sopranos, al-

tos, tenors and basses to try out the choir during this time. During the summer months, we will be singing on the

following dates: June 14 (second Sunday), August 2 (first Sunday) and August 9 (second Sunday). There will be

rehearsals each Wednesday in June beginning June 10 as well as July 29 and August 5. The music that is selected

is not difficult, so you will be able to pick it up pretty quickly. You will find that the choir members are a great

group of people and are a lot of fun. We laugh and joke during the rehearsals, but we get a lot accomplished.

As you think about joining us, please keep a couple of things in mind. The first is something that one of the choir

directors at the Montreat conference told me – “no matter how big or small the person’s voice, everyone makes a

contribution to the choir”. Second is not to let the number of people in the choir deter you. There is always room

for everyone. I’ll see you in the choir. - Tony Williams

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to assist in our worship of God through playing the hand

bells? Several people have mentioned that they would like to give it a try, but weren't sure how to start. Well,

now's your chance!! We would like to give new ringers an opportunity to learn what the bell choir experience is

like in a laid back way with a very small time commitment. The beginning choir will practice on June 7, and June

14 right after church, and participate in worship on Sunday morning, June 21 (with a brief set-up and run-through

on Saturday, June 20). The Sunday rehearsals are usually finished by 12:30 p.m., in plenty of time for lunch!

If you are interested, please contact Laurie Dishman

at L_dishman@yahoo.com or 615.500.8658. Feel free to talk with any of the current bell ringers

also for more information. See you soon with bells on!

Mark Your Calendar: Sunday, June 21st

Father’s Day Coffee with Pastr ies

9:00 a.m. - Martin Hall

(No Sunday School)

Please join us as we honor our Fathers!

Vacation Dates

Pastor Michael will be on vacation

beginning Monday, June 15—

Sunday, June 28th. If you are in

need of pastoral care during this

time, please contact Linda Agee in

the church office.

June

2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6

10:00 am Women’s Book Group

6:15 pm Local Missions Meet-ing

7:00 pm NA Meeting in MH

6:30 am Men’s Bible Study

7:00 pm Adult Choir

7:00 pm NA Meeting in MH

1:00 – 6:00 pm Blood Drive

7:30 pm NA Meeting in MH

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

9:00 am Sunday School

10:00 am Worship-Communion

11:00 am Handbell Choir

11:00 am Bldg./Grounds Meeting

11:00 am Staff Meeting

6:30 pm Book Club

7:00 pm Ses-sion Meeting

7:00 pm NA Meeting in MH

10:00 am Women’s Bible Study

6:30 am Men’s Bible Study

6:15 pm Worship Committee

7:00 pm Budget & Finance Meeting

7:00 pm Adult Choir

7:00 pm NA Meeting in MH

7:30 pm NA Meeting in MH

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

7:00 am Downtown Ministry

9:00 am Sunday School

10:00 am Worship

11:00 am Handbell Choir

11:00 am Education Meeting

7:00 pm NA Meeting in MH

Vacation -

Michael

10:30 am Sun-shine Ministry

5:00 pm Care-giver Support Group

Vacation - Michael

6:30 am Men’s Bible Study

7:00 pm Adult Choir

7:00 pm NA Meeting in MH

Window Deadline

Vacation –

Michael

Vacation - Michael

7:30 pm NA Meeting in MH

Vacation -

Michael

Vacation - Michael

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

9:00 am Father’s Day Coffee – No Sunday School

10:00 am Worship

Vacation – Michael

Father’s Day

7:00 pm NA Meeting in MH

Vacation – Michael

Vacation – Michael

6:30 am Men’s Bible Study

7:00 pm Adult Choir

7:00 pm NA Meeting in MH

Vacation –

Michael

Vacation - Michael

7:30 pm NA Meeting in MH

Vacation -

Michael

Vacation - Michael

28 29 30

9:00 am Sunday School

10:00 am Worship

Vacation – Michael

5:30 pm Mem-bership Com-mittee Meeting

7:00 pm NA Meeting in MH

First Presbyterian Church

172 W. Main St. | Hendersonville, TN

(615) 824-8604 ; Fax (615) 824-3631

Website: www.hendersonvillefpc.org

Email: linda@hendersonvillefpc.org

Sunday School—9:00 a.m.

Worship Service—10:00 a.m.

CHURCH STAFF

Michael Davis, Pastor

michael@hendersonvillefpc.org

Dr. Anthony Williams, Organist/Choir Director

tony@hendersonvillefpc.org

Linda Agee, Church Administrator

linda@hendersonvillefpc.org

Chuck Adamson, Building Maintenance

chuck@hendersonvillefpc.org

Amy Bleich, Nursery Attendant

Gloria, Braswell, P.D.S. Director

gloria@hendersonvillefpc.org

2 - Brayden Elliott

3 - Kelly Estepp

4 - Andy Roche

5 - Griffin Smith

7 - Amy Bish

9 - Pressley Settle

12 - Jesse Conner

18 - Don Tucker

19 - Wava Huddleston

Lois Foxall

21 - Melinda Elliott

22 - Sarah Brooks

Lucy Hardin

23 - Kathy Ebbert

25 - Reggie Craig

26 - Mike Estepp

27 - Sawyer Hales

28 - Lyndsey Holdren

Chad Young

30 - Gloria Braswell