rovidence PressP r o v i d e n c e P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h
“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood.”
The Word was first,the Word present to God,
God present to the Word.The Word was God,
in readiness for God from day one.
Everything was created through him;nothing—not one thing!—came into being without him.
What came into existence was Life,and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;the darkness couldn’t put it out.
There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
The Life-Light was the real thing:Every person entering Lifehe brings into Light.
He was in the world,the world was there through him,and yet the world didn’t even notice.
He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him.
But whoever did want him,who believed he was who he claimedand would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,their child-of-God selves.
These are the God-begotten,not blood-begotten,not flesh-begotten,not sex-begotten.
The Word became flesh and blood,and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,the one-of-a-kind glory,like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,true from start to finish.
John pointed him out and called, “This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me. He
has always been ahead of me, has always had the first word.”
We all live off his generous bounty,gift after gift after gift.
We got the basics from Moses,and then this exuberant giving and receiving,
This endless knowing and understanding—all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
No one has ever seen God,not so much as a glimpse.
This one-of-a-kind God-Expression,who exists at the very heart of the Father,has made him plain as day. (John 1: 1-18, The Message)
My prayer for the coming year is that the presence of the Word may shine through your life and give light to your neighborhood of work . . . living . . . and loving.
Have a blessed year, Mary
January 2017Volume 28 • Number 1
Pastor’s message
My prayer for the coming year
• page 2 •
Providence Presbyterian Church(251) 633–9701
Mary Montei Clark, PastorMichelle Devery, Discipletown
WorkerBob Ellis, TreasurerLaura Fletcher Wilson, Director of
Music MinistriesPam Fredelake, BookkeeperAmy Fletcher Messer,
Administrative AssistantPraise Band—Steve Crenshaw
(Bass), Josh Mosley (Guitar), Jimmy Roebuck (Percussion)
Boy Scout Troop 292 LiaisonCurtis Andrews 342-1375
Newsletter EditorKen Gadomski 660–8565
Prayer & Care Coordinator Sharon Smith 776-6958
SessionDodi Berry 202-4679
NurtureSteve Crenshaw 649-9518
Building & GroundsBob Ellis 639-1442
StewardshipMary Mastrangelo 602-1993
WorshipLeslie Hayes Rey
Clerk of SessionAggie Roebuck 665-4900
FellowshipJoan Rommes 653-4308
Evangelical MissionsBarry South 660-8670
DiscipleshipChristine South 660-8670
Administration &Communication
Providence Press is published monthly by Providence Presby-terian Church. Email articles to [email protected].
This month’s contributors:
� Laura Anderson
� Mary Montei Clark
� Jessi Gadomski
� Ken Gadomski
� Mary Mastrangelo
� Amy Fletcher Messer
� Aggie Roebuck
� Joan Rommes
� Manny Russo
WorshIPMARY MASTRANGELO, Elder
The caller of the month will contact each server. If you cannot serve on your scheduled day, please let the caller
know. You can also contact Worship Elder Mary Mastrangelo at (251) 602-1993 or (251) 786-0039.
Date Liturgist Communion Ushers PowerPoint / Sound Nursery
Jan 1 Don Bloom Intinction:
Aggie Roebuck
Joan Rommes
Bill Berry
Buck Bolton
Debbie Simmons
Joan Rommes
TBD
TBD
Myrna Andrews
Jan 8 Don Bloom Stacy Henry
Aggie Roebuck
Mary Mastrangelo
Jude Mosley
TBD
TBD
Joan Rommes
Jan 15 Graham Hayes Sharon Smith
Barry South
Kathy Taylor
Leslie Rey
Bob Ellis
Donna Ellis
Marlene Taylor
Les Taylor
TBD
TBD
Sue Drinovsky
Jan 22 Graham Hayes Jude Mosley
Debbie McLendon
Myrna Andrews
Buddy Scott
TBD
TBD
Kathy Taylor
Jan 29 Pam
Fredelake
TBD TBD
TBD
TBD
January worship volunteers
Angel Tree mission
The Evangelical Missions Team, led by Elder Joan Rommes, sponsored an Angel Tree again this year.
The Providence congregation, with some assistance by the members of Boy Scout Troop 292, provided Christmas gifts to 9 families with a total of 27 children!
• page 3 •
E v a n g e l i c a lM �I �S �S �I �O �N �S
Joan Rommes, Elder
E v a n g e l i c a lM �I �S �S �I �O �N �S
Joan Rommes, Elder
Backpack Program
� Every Thursday, 5:50 pm, and delivered to O’Rourke Elementary School on Fridays; throughout the school year
� Before the start of the school year (August); school supplies/back-packs for O’Rourke Elementary students
Blood Drives
� Sunday, January 15, 8:30 am–12:30 pm
� Sunday, TBD, 8:30 am–12:30 pm
Canned Tab Collection Project
� Every day; collection box in the kitchen
Closely Crafted
� Every Thursday night, 6:00 pm
Family Promise Hosting at Redeemer Episcopal
� Sunday–Sunday, January 15-22
� Sunday–Sunday,July 9-16
� Sunday–Sunday,October 5-22
Food Pantry
� Third Friday of every month, 10:00–11:00 am; prepare and distribute food to families in need
2017 Evangelical Missions calendar
McKemie Place (Safe Haven) Hosting
� Saturday–Sunday, April 22-23
� Saturday–Sunday, August 26-27
� Sunday-Monday, Decem-ber 24-25 (Christmas)
Offerings
� One Great Hour of Sharing—March
� Pentecost—May
� Peacemaking—September
� Presbyterian Home for Children Offering—November
� Christmas Joy Offering—December
� Christmas Angel Gifts—December
Ronald McDonald Dinners
� Monday, March 20
� Monday, June 19
� Monday, August 21
� Monday, October 30
Presbyterians affirm that God comes to us with grace and love in the person of Jesus
Christ, who lived, died, and rose for us so that we might have eternal and abundant
life in him. As Christ’s disciples, called to ministry in his name, we seek to continue
his mission of teaching the truth, feeding the hungry, healing the broken, and welcom-
ing strangers. God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, giving us the energy,
intelligence, imagination, and love to be Christ’s faithful disciples in the world.
—From the PCUSA website (https://www.pcusa.org/)
• page 4 •
E v a n g e l i c a lM �I �S �S �I �O �N �S
Joan Rommes, Elder
E v a n g e l i c a lM �I �S �S �I �O �N �S
Joan Rommes, Elder
Caroling at Lynwood Nursing Home—December 6
Above left (clockwise from back left): Linda Payne, Jessi Gadomski, Makayla Mosley (hidden), Mary Mastrangelo, Laura Anderson, Pastor Mary Montei Clark, Debbie Jones, Adria Mosley • Above (L-R): Director of Music Ministries Laura Fletcher Wilson, Laura Anderson
Above (L-R): Debbie Jones, Ernestine Bates, Mary Mastrangelo, Ken Gadomski, Linda Payne, Pastor Mary Montei Clark • Right (L-R): Adria Mosley, Jude Mosley • Not pictured: Aggie Roebuck
• page 5 •
Volunteers logged over 100 hours hosting the McKemie Place women on Christmas day. Thanks to all who helped.
� Laura Anderson
� Curtis Andrews
� Leah Andrews
� Myrna Andrews
� Ernestine Bates
� Pastor Mary Clark
� Sharon Crenshaw
� Steve Crenshaw
McKemie Place Christmas at Providence—December 25
E v a n g e l i c a lM �I �S �S �I �O �N �S
Joan Rommes, Elder
E v a n g e l i c a lM �I �S �S �I �O �N �S
Joan Rommes, Elder
� Sue Drinovsky
� Bill Duke
� Gene Duke
� Paula Duke
� Bob Ellis
� Donna Ellis
� Jo Everett
� Pam Fredelake
� Jessi Gadomski
� Ken Gadomski
� Pam Garner
� Stacy Henry
� Katie Johnston
� Mary Mastrangelo
� Adria Mosley
� Jude Mosley
� Linda Payne
� Aggie Roebuck
� Joan Rommes
� Nate Rommes
� Buddy Scott
� Sharon Smith
� Debbie Simmons
� Barry South
� Chris South
� Blake Stanley
� Nevia Stanley
� Robert Stanley
� Pat Spence
� Jeny Williams
� Jerry Williams
� Laura Fletcher Wilson
Thanks to all of you who
volunteered to make sure
we had we had shelter,
great food and great fel-
lowship. We appreciate all
of you for spending your
Christmas with us and
making it special with the
gifts. We could have spent
Christmas wandering the
streets of downtown
Mobile trying to find shelter
and food. You all have
shown us real Christmas
hospitality.
The Ladies at McKemie
Place
May the God of mercy, joy
and peace bless this
Church family forever for
the kindness you all have
displayed to us this year.
Left: Jude Mosley • Below: Adria Mosley
• page 6 •
McKemie Place Christmas at Providence—December 25
Above: Barry South and Pastor Mary Montei Clark welcome the first of the ladies to arrive • Left (L-R): Gene, Paula, and Bill Duke prepare grits • Right (L-R): Chris South, Joan Rommes, Buddy Scott • Below (L-R): Donna Ellis, Joan Rommes • Right (L-R): Kathy Taylor, Joan Rommes • Photos by Ken Gadomski
• page 7 •
McKemie Place Christmas at Providence—December 25
Above left (L-R): Bob Ellis, Nevia Stanley • Above right (clockwise from left): Katie Johnston, Kathy Taylor, Donna Ellis, Nevia Stanley, Pat Spence • Left (L-R): Barry South, Kathy Taylor, Debbie Simmons, Leah Andrews, Myrna Andrews, Joan Rommes • Right (L-r): Blake Stanley, Robert Stanley • Below left (L-R): Barry South, Donna Ellis • Below right (L-R): Kathy Taylor, Debbie Simmons, Myrna Andrews, Buddy Scott
• page 8 •
McKemie Place Christmas at Providence—December 25
Top left: In her Christmas message, Pastor Mary Montei Clark told the story of collecting and distributing bears to New York school children following 9/11 and then presented each McKemie Place lady her own bear • Top right (L-R): Sue Drinovsky and Linda Payne do a puzzle with a guest • Above left (L-R): Blake Stanley and Robert “Santa” Stanley arrive with presents • Above right (L-R): Blake Stanley, Robert Stanley, Barry South • Left (L-R): Robert Stanley, Blake Stanley, Barry South • Right: Ernestine Bates
• page 9 •
BETHLEHEMBETHLEHEMTHE JOURNEY TOTHE JOURNEY TO
Building a new manager • Left (L-R): Bob Ellis, Buddy Scott, Steve Crenshaw • Right (L-R): Jerry Williams, Steve Crenshaw • Bottom left (L-R): Bob Ellis, Jerry Williams, Buddy Scott, Steve Crenshaw • Bottom right (L-R): Buddy Scott, Bob Ellis, Steve Crenshaw, Jerry Williams • Not pictured: Ken Gadomski
• page 10 •
Left: Bob Ellis • Right (L-R): Bob Ellis, Jerry Williams, Steve Crenshaw • Below left (L-R): Steve Crenshaw, Buddy Scott, Bob Ellis • Below right (L-R): Bob Ellis, Buddy Scott, Pastor Mary Montei Clark, Steve Crenshaw
Repainting the Journey backdrops • Bottom left (L-R): Jerry Williams, Bob Ellis, Pastor Mary Montei Clark, Barry South, Leslie Rey, Don Bloom, Nedra Bloom • Bottom right (L-R): Barry South, Leslie Rey, Pastor Mary Montei Clark, Bob Ellis
• page 11 •
Above left (L-R): Bob Ellis, Barry South • Above right (L-R): Dodi Berry, Bill Berry • Left (L-R): Nedra Bloom, Don Bloom, Bob Ellis, Pastor Mary Montei Clark, Leslie Rey, Barry South; in background (L-R): Dodi Berry, Bill Berry • Right (L-R) Nedra Bloom, Don Bloom • Below (L-R): Bill Berry, Jerry Williams, Nedra Bloom, Don Bloom • Not pictured: Ken Gadomski, James Peavy • Photos by Ken Gadomski
• page 12 •
Right (L-R): Josh Mosley, Makayla Mosley • Below: Tour guide Nate Rommes (R) with guests
• page 13 •
Right: Nevia Stanley • All other pic-tures: Members of Providence’s Boy Scout Troop 292• Pictures by Laura Anderson and Jessi Gadomski
• page 14 •
Above (L-R): Kinsey Stanley, Guest, Ernestine Bates, Mykailah Knowles, Brooklyn Bates, Makayla Mosley • Left (L-R): Guest, Brooklyn Bates, Mykailah Knowles • Right: Makayla Mosley • Below (L-R): Bobby Bates, Josh Mosley, Robert Stanley; (in background, tending sheep): Nevia Stanley
• page 15 •
Top left (L-R): Mykailah Knowles, Dodi Berry • Above right (clockwise from right): Tour guide Sharon Smith, Joan Rommes, Guests, Amy Crenshaw Pritchett• Left (L-R): Blake Stanley, Roxanne Smith • Right (clockwise from front left): Adria Mosley, Nevia Stanley, Jude Mosley, Robert Stanley
• page 16 •
Church Officer & Leadership Training (COLT)
COLT is an opportunity that you don’t want to miss! Whether you are an Elder, Deacon, Youth Leader, PW Leader, Chair-person, Ministry Team Member or Sunday Morning Teacher—COLT is for you! Come enjoy this wonderful morn-ing as we grow together in our understanding of what it means to live and lead in faith despite an anxious culture around us. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to get fresh ideas and learn some new things to take back to your church! During and after lunch there will be tables of interests and representatives for each area. Take the time to ask ques-tions, pick up information, and gather ideas to take back to your church!—Reprinted from the COLT 2017 brochure
Keynote speaker
Keynote speaker Dr. Martha L. Moore-Keish is the Associ-ate Professor of Theology & Director of the Masters of The-ology Program at Columbia Seminary in Atlanta, GA.
Her credentials include a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and a PhD from Emory University.
We are thrilled to note that she has participated in two of our PSA Teens for Christ retreats, where she has spent the weekend talking with our young people about Reformed Theology. We look forward to getting to know Martha and hearing her most timely keynote, “Faith not Fear.”—Reprinted from the COLT 2017 brochure
• page 17 •
By Manny Russo,
Scoutmaster
December was a busy month for the troop. The troop had a Christmas Party with a lot of food and fun. And plates of fried chicken from Foo, numerous side dishes, and a lot of pies/cakes/candy! The scouts played “Dirty Santa” and had a blast.
The troop also provided Christmas gifts to a family from your Angel Tree. The
Blue Phoenix Patrol shopped with one of the parents and met the family with the gifts. The scouts enjoyed helping this family. One of the core values of scouting is “Service to Others.” Six of our scouts participated in the Christmas Nativity Program. They enjoyed helping and being a part of your program.
The troop attended Winter Camp December 27-30 at the Boy Scout Camp in Grove Hill. Twenty-seven scouts
participated in classes in Cit-izenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Personal Finance (how to budget one’s money), Com-munications (how to present to a group), Computers, Auto Repair, Electronics, and several other badges. The scouts enjoyed Winter Camp and the many activi-ties that took place.
In January the troop plans to camp in Robert, LA, and
visit the World War II Museum in New Orleans. They will also visit Global Wildlife Park. This should be a fun weekend.
February is the month for scouts to recognize their places of worship. Your troop will participate in one of your services during February.
Thanks for supporting Troop 292!
• page 18 •
• page 19 •
January 2017Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
18:20 am
Morning Prayer
9:15 am
Worship
10:45 am
Sunday School
11:00 am
The Grove
2 3 49:30 am
Exercise Class
7:00 pm
Choir
55:45 pm
Backpack Ministry
6:00 pm
Closely Crafted
7:00–8:00 pm
AA meeting
610:30 am
Worship Team Meeting
7
88:20 am
Morning Prayer
9:15 am
Worship
10:45 am
Sunday School
11:00 am
The Grove
9Cody Pritchett
106:30 pm
Boy Scouts
119:30 am
Exercise Class
10:30 am
FIRED UP
5:30 pm
FIRED UP
7:00 pm
Choir
125:45 pm
Backpack Ministry
6:00 pm
Closely Crafted
7:00–8:00 pm
AA meeting
13 14
158:20 am
Morning Prayer
9:15 am
Worship
10:45 am
Session Meeting
11:00 am
The Grove
16 176:30 pm
Boy Scouts
189:30 am
Exercise Class
10:30 am
FIRED UP
5:30 pm
FIRED UP
7:00 pm
Choir
195:45 pm
Backpack Ministry
6:00 pm
Closely Crafted
7:00–8:00 pm
AA meeting
Mykailah Knowles
2010:00–11:00 am
Food Pantry
11:30 am
Evangelical Missions Team meeting
21
228:20 am
Morning Prayer
9:15 am
Worship
10:45 am
Sunday School
11:00 am
The Grove
23 246:30 pm
Boy Scouts
259:30 am
Exercise Class
10:30 am
FIRED UP
5:30 pm
FIRED UP
7:00 pm
Choir
266:00 pm
Closely Crafted
7:00–8:00 pm
AA meeting
27Pam Garner
28
298:20 am
Morning Prayer
9:15 am
Worship
10:45 am
Sunday School
11:00 am
The Grove
30 316:30 pm
Boy Scouts
19:30 am
Exercise Class
10:30 am
FIRED UP
5:30 pm
FIRED UP
7:00 pm
Choir
Jude Mosley
26:00 pm
Closely Crafted
7:00–8:00 pm
AA meeting
Dodi Berry
310:30 am
Worship Team Meeting
4
Providence Presbyterian Church2320 Schillinger Road SouthMobile, AL 36695
www.providence-pc.orgwww.facebook.com/ProvidencePresbyterianMobileAL/
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