Tower Notes (USPS 634720) is published Weekly, except week of Christmas, by First Presbyterian Church, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur, IL 62523. Periodical postage paid at Decatur, IL. Postmaster: Send address changes to Tower Notes, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur IL 62523 (217)429-4195; (217)429-4712 FAX www.firstpresdecatur.org or email: [email protected]********************************************************************************************************************* VOLUME 47 June 3, 2015 NUMBER 21 ********************************************************************************************************************* June 7, 2015 8:00 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel 2 nd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9:00 a.m. Christian Education Hour 9:15 a.m. NewSong Worship Service – Chapel 10:15 a.m. Chapel Class 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary First Presbyterian Vision and Mission Statements VISION: As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to be an open, caring, compassionate congregation, and to bring about positive changes in our community and world. MISSION: We celebrate, explore, and demonstrate our Christian faith in loving service. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: 1) Continue to be an active community-oriented congregation; 2) Develop a passion for discipleship and advocacy; 3) Celebrate unity of purpose with diversity in action. Circle Sunday, June 28 th on your calendar CHURCH POTLUCK PICNIC Kiwanis Park (off West Main Street) @ 4 p.m. Watch for details in June Tower Notes! Adult Ministry Team EVERYDAY ISSUES CLASS An Invitation to a Hindu Wedding Sunday, June 7, 9 a.m., Dining Room Cathy and Chuck Force will share photos and their interpretation of a recent family Hindu wedding in New Delhi, India. CANNED AND BOXED GOODS ACCEPTED SUNDAY First Sunday happens June 7! Share your blessings with the needy as you bring your food donations to all services for Northeast Community Fund. You may also bring food or monetary donations on Monday morning. Also, on the first Sunday of the month, the Peacemaking committee will sell olive oil and Equal Exchange coffee, tea and cocoa in the Gathering Room. Thank you for your support. JUNE SOUNDS OF MUSIC The Sanctuary Choir will host a luncheon after the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday, June 7, in the dining room. Entertainment will include a few Oldies but Goodies and songs from the popular musical Sound of Music presented by the Sanctuary Choir. Also on the program will be selections by the Belles ‘A Ringing trio and a piano duet. A chicken box lunch, including drink, will be $5.00. You may pay at the luncheon, but we need your reservations by Wednesday, June 3 by contacting the church office at [email protected]or 429-4195. Guests are welcome. Walk and Conversation... A Fellowship of First Presbyterian Pathfinders Please meet in the front church parking lot to walk each Wednesday through June 24 at 4:00 p.m. The walks are 45 minutes in length and go to the heart of the city. We look forward to your presence, weather permitting. Contact Connie-433-2781 or Kathy-620-7563. Tower Notes
Transcript
Tower Notes (USPS 634720) is published
Weekly, except week of Christmas, by First Presbyterian Church, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur, IL 62523. Periodical postage paid at Decatur, IL. Postmaster: Send address changes to Tower Notes, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur IL 62523 (217)429-4195; (217)429-4712 FAX www.firstpresdecatur.org or email: [email protected]
********************************************************************************************************************* VOLUME 47 June 3, 2015 NUMBER 21 ********************************************************************************************************************* June 7, 2015 8:00 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel 2nd SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9:00 a.m. Christian Education Hour 9:15 a.m. NewSong Worship Service – Chapel 10:15 a.m. Chapel Class 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary
First Presbyterian Vision and Mission Statements
VISION: As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to be an open, caring, compassionate congregation, and to bring about positive changes in our community and world.
MISSION: We celebrate, explore, and demonstrate our Christian faith in loving service. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: 1) Continue to be an active community-oriented congregation; 2) Develop a passion for discipleship and advocacy; 3) Celebrate unity of purpose with diversity in action.
Circle Sunday, June 28
th
on your calendar
CHURCH POTLUCK PICNIC
Kiwanis Park (off West Main Street)
@ 4 p.m.
Watch for details in June Tower Notes!
Adult Ministry Team
EVERYDAY ISSUES CLASS An Invitation to a Hindu Wedding
Sunday, June 7, 9 a.m., Dining Room Cathy and Chuck Force will share photos and their interpretation of a recent family Hindu wedding in New Delhi, India. CANNED AND BOXED GOODS ACCEPTED SUNDAY
First Sunday happens June 7! Share your blessings with the needy as you bring your food
donations to all services for Northeast Community Fund. You may also bring food or monetary donations on Monday morning.
Also, on the first Sunday of the month, the Peacemaking committee will sell olive oil and Equal Exchange coffee, tea and cocoa in the
Gathering Room. Thank you for your support.
JUNE SOUNDS OF MUSIC
The Sanctuary Choir will host a luncheon after the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday, June 7, in the dining room. Entertainment will include a few Oldies but Goodies and songs from
the popular musical Sound of Music presented by the Sanctuary Choir. Also on the program will be selections by the Belles ‘A Ringing trio and a piano duet.
A chicken box lunch, including drink, will be $5.00. You may pay at the luncheon, but we need your reservations by Wednesday, June 3 by contacting the church
PRAYER CONCERNS: James Nevitt had same-day surgery at Decatur Memorial Hospital on June 1. Bev Ritter is planning to have surgery on June 4.
Ruth Evelyn (Purdue) Smith, sister of Joan (Purdue) Jack, died on March 23, 2015. The Purdue children were raised at First Pres. Ruth's memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 7, at 3 p.m. at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church (4135 Mount Auburn Rd., Decatur). THANK YOU To all the members of First Presbyterian Church— I want to thank you for all the concern, kindness, food and the blanket that you gave to me. It is beautiful. I am blessed. Thanks, Carole Tobias
THANK YOU, CHURCH SCHOOL TEACHERS
The Children’s Ministry extends our deep appreciation and thanks for the volunteers who taught during the 2014-2015 church school year. Your love and dedication to the children of First Pres helped them to grow in their faith as important members of our church family. THANK YOU, Kathy Beube, Marty Cushman, Carol Fuller, Margi Nicholson, Donna Washburn, Cindy Wene, and Nadine Wimmer.
NEW ADDRESSES Jim and Elysa Montgomery 2055 Oak Run N Drive Indianapolis, IN 46260 Elysa’s cell (217)433-3965 Land line is (317)929-1650.
90th Birthday Celebration June 14, 2015 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Keystone Gardens 1455 W. Mound Road
Well wishes and cards only His children will be present.
STRING BAND PERFORMANCE Thursday, June 4
2:00 P.M.
Primrose Retirement
1145 Arbor
WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT
Crawford’s Pizza, Mt. Zion 170 Debby Drive Thurs., June 25, 2015, 5:30 p.m. Be sure to RSVP! 429-4195
VERY GOOD
June 7 SUNDAY GREETERS
Before Service #1 Susan Moore #4 Cheryl Thompson #2 Connie Requarth #5 Wally Minnis #3 Margi Nicholson Computer Tech Andrew Taylor Web Team Media Tech Theresa Boes Jackie Evans Andy Rauff June 7 COMMUNION SERVERS 8:00 a.m. – Mac Moore 9:15 a.m. – David Michl 10:30 a.m. – Current Elders & Deacons Other Elders Dan Austin Dale Jones Liz Jones Denise Lohmann Connie May Dan Foster Walt Lohmann Sally Krigbaum Larry Hayes Marty Grohne June Newsletter Volunteers Money Counters Betty Zeaman Lori Jensen Barbara and Anne Verlyn Rosenberger Hostetler
First FRIENDS SUMMER BREAK
First Pres Lunch Bunchers will be invited to join First Friends in the Susanna Wesley Room of First United Methodist Church in the fall when they resume. Enjoy your break.
SUMMER BREAK FOR CHILDREN
Thank you to the families who participated in our 2014-2015 church school. It was great getting to know each child who attended this past year. There will not be church school during the summer months, but I look forward to seeing all of you in the fall. Please watch the Tower Notes for upcoming 1st Pres summer activities that will be fun for the whole family. I look forward to seeing you then!
We are using a study guide, “The Present Word” and applying it to our modern lives. We meet from 7 to 8 each Thursday morning at church. Come, try us on for size! Questions? Contact Dick Fiala, René Corcoran, Paul Rosenberger, George Batson or Ray Landon.
Generous Hospitality
On the first Monday of each month, our
normally active meeting schedule becomes a
marathon. Yesterday was no exception. The
distinction was that, in every gathering, our
Interfaith Service was discussed in glowing
terms.
Some commented on the casual and
informative conversation at the 9:00 Study
hour. Some expressed amazement at the common themes of peace in both
the Bible and Qur’an that infused our worship. Some were delighted at the
number of Muslim friends who joined us. Others were amazed at how
nice it felt to be all together on one level. In fact, some of our musicians
whose ministry normally requires them to sit aloft were so inspired they
would like for us to continue sitting on the lower level from now on. The
sense of unity was infectious.
I met Muslims who had never before been in a Christian church and who
were deeply moved by the service and the gracious welcome. Some of our
members had never before entered a Mosque and were thrilled by the
warmth of welcome, the delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, and the happy
willingness of our hosts to answer any question. Connections were made,
friendships were discovered. Joy was shared.
Some said, “I have been longing for something like this for years.” Others
said, “I can’t wait for other opportunities to do things together.”
All of these responses are remarkable. I am deeply grateful to the many
who have helped pave the way for such an experience – to the members
of the Adult Ministry & Peacemaking committees for planning the multi-
week series on world religions during Lent, to Drs. Keagle & Palmer for
their wise and winsome teaching, and to the Session which endorsed this
event both unanimously and enthusiastically.
Most of all, I am grateful to all of you who attended, who expressed the
openness and warmth which is so characteristic of this congregation. I am
grateful that you are able to embrace the peaceful essence of Islam which
is vastly different from the media distortion and misinformation which is
so prevalent today. It was a complete joy to witness such generous
hospitality and I look forward to our next steps together.
Peace and joy,
John
A Summary of Similar Quotes taken from
the Bible and Qur’an in last Sunday’s worship service will be
offered in the Gathering Room this Sunday.
CHURCH SCHOOL HOUR
June 7, 2015
9:00 Everyday Issues: Dining Room – A Hindu Wedding—Cathy and Chuck Force share a presentation of their family's experience in New Delhi, India 10:30 a.m. Children’s Church School: Summer Break
UPCOMING Everyday Issues Series on June 14 & 21
Bill Keagle will lead a discussion of
Spirituality. What is spirituality? How can we
distinguish between genuine spirituality and pseudo-spirituality? These questions have faced and divided churches in America since colonial days. We will base our discussion on “A Treatise on Religious Affections” written by Jonathan Edwards in 1743 in the aftermath of “The Great Awakening” that shook every church in the colonies in the 1730s and 1740s. It was the beginning of the revivalist tradition in America that continues today with Billy Graham and Christian broadcasting. Edwards’ thoughts
about spirituality are incredibly relevant today.
CAN YOU SEE THE BOARD?
That is what we ask children who may need glasses. With adults it can be
more complicated than that. The 3 leading causes of blindness in the US – cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration – all become more common as we age.
This week I will discuss cataracts. The only way to cure cataracts – a clouding of the lens of the eye – is with surgery to replace the bad lens with an artificial one. This procedure is very safe and effective. The only pre-op requirements are that you be free of infection and have normal blood pressure and heart rate. The standard surgery is to replace the cloudy lens with an artificial, monofocal lens which provides clear vision either near or far. The multifocal lenses (provide both near and far vision) cost up to $4,000 more that is not covered by insurance. Also, a 2012 review found that they produce more complaints of halos and glare and people needing repeat surgery. Special lenses, called toric lenses, can correct astigmatism, but will cost an additional $1,000.
If you have general blurred vision, not corrected by glasses and notice more difficulty with night driving due to headlight glare, it may be time to see an ophthalmologist.
Remember the song, “I can see clearly now …..” - that is what you want to be singing! Phyllis, Parish Nurse
STOCK THE FREEZER
It’s that time of year again! We will be providing the meal at Good Samaritan Inn on July 5. Treats will be needed for that meal. Don’t have time to bake? Donate pre-wrapped treats such as Little Debbie Nutty Bars, Oatmeal Pies, Rice Krispies Treats, etc. Your pre-wrapped donations may be left in the kitchen. Please put any cookie donations in the kitchen freezer by Friday, June 26. You may also bring your donations on Sunday morning, June 28, as we will be bagging cookies in the Gathering Room between services. Remember, we are providing dessert for 300 people. Your help is always appreciated! Many thanks from the Deacons and the New Song Mission Group.
Meals on wheels
If anyone could drive a route one day for the week of June 15 through June 19, call Susie at 422-0824 or the church, 429-4195.
Our Pentecost Offering on May 24 has grown to $1375. The children and youth have joined
together to give their portions of 20% each to CASA, so CASA will reap 40% of your donations. We want to thank you for your generosity to children in need.
GOOD SAMARITAN INN June 4, 2015 Mark your calendar. The first Thursday of each month is when First Presbyterian Church prepares and serves at Good Sam. Hours are 9-2 p.m. The Inn operates solely on the good hearts of volunteers. It is located at 920 N. Union Street.
Please remember our
members, friends, and relatives in retirement communities and assisted living facilities:
The Glenwood: Mary Elizabeth Platt Heartland: Bill Grieve, John Winick Hickory Point Christian Village: Louise Bear, Esther Grissom, Festus Paul Imboden Creek Living Center: Jean Peak, Norma Stephens Primrose Retirement Community: Julia Bright The Willows of Hamburg in Lexington, Kentucky: Joanne Sly Wesley Willows in Rockford, Illinois: Maxine Mussulman
