Minister’s Message
We have put the finishing touches on our Easter Celebration and our Lenten activities. Now we move into the time of year when the nice weather is rolling in, and summer plans are beginning to fall into place. It is the season of our Mother’s day celebration, graduation celebrations, wedding celebrations, family reunions, and summer vacations. God’s blessing is certainly present in each one of these instances, especially when we invite his blessing in. While it is true that the season for all of these things is just ahead of us, we must not forget that it is still the season for us to celebrate the good news that Christ is Risen and is alive in all of these celebrations that lie ahead of us. Technically, the season of Eastertide goes on until May 27, and then comes the season of Pentecost over the summer. But just because the calendar says that the season of Easter is over this month, that is no reason to stop praising God for Christ’s victory over the grave. When life is lived with the proper perspective, that is the Light of the Holy Spirit, then Easter makes an impact on all of these other celebrations, and all of life’s activities.
So, as we take the Easter Good News with us into the season of Pentecost, which starts on May 27, we then have to put some meaning to the season of Pentecost. As you may know, when we celebrate Pentecost, we remember how, in the “Acts of the Apostles,” the disciples waited in the Holy City for the Holy Spirit to come to them. That was what Jesus told them to do, and that was the only way that they would be able to do the work that God had placed before them.
Part of taking the good news of the risen presence of Christ with you into the rest of the year, and the rest of your life, is to wait on the Holy Spirit’s blessing and direction, and then live life in that light. If the disciples had just gone out from the tomb, and began to tell the world about Jesus without the light and the authority of the Holy Spirit, the Church would not exist. We would not be united in his presence as a church community. In our life, when we don’t wait on the Spirit’s leading, the same sort of thing happens. We are apart from God, and we cannot bear the fruit that he wants us to bear.
So take the name of Jesus with you in the Easter season, in the Pentecost season, in the summer season, and whatever season of life you are encountering. Don’t be caught living life without the Spirit of our Lord at the core. His love in your heart brings Glory to God. That is the purpose that God has given to you.
May his Light always be in your heart.
Pastor Tim
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
May 2012
Holy Communion
May 6:Lisa DeBaillie, Shirley Brown, Becky Morley, Brian Morley, Laura DeBaillie
Ushers
May 6: Brian & Becky Morley
May 13: Jim & Joan Gustafson
May 20: Sandy Karaway
May 27: Joyce Stephens
GREETERS
May 6: Alleyne Schriefer
May 13: Todd & Kelli Sandusky
May 20: Agnes Barnhouse
May 27: Judy Blankenship
Fellowship
May 20: Jim & Joan Gustafson, Terrie Palmer, & Dawn Turkal
Circles
Hope Circle will meeting at Denny’s, Southpark on Tuesday, May 8th, at 9:30 and Shirley Brown will be the leader.
Afternoon Circle will meet on Tuesday, May 8that 2:00 p.m., where Carrol Rugh will be hosting at the church and Mariann McWhinney will be the leader.
Presbyterian Lunch
The April Presbyterian Lunch will meet on Tuesday, May 22ndat11:30 at Bud’s Skyline Everyone is welcome! Please join us for this time of fellowship.
MOTHER DAUGHTER BANQUET
Mark your calendars for the Mother Daughter Banquet for Monday, May 14th at 6:00. We have a wonderful evening planned and the theme of this year’s banquet is the Fabulous 50’s. So dust off your poodle skirts, grab your bobby socks, roll up your jeans and be ready for some doo-wop fun! The doors open at 5:45 p.m. dinner is served at 6:00 p.m. Dinner is grilled chicken, au grautin potatoes, green beans w/slivered almonds, tossed salad and a dessert. The cost for the dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 10 and under. There is a sign up sheet at the back of church, please be sure to sign up by May 6th. Please come and enjoy this evening of
do-wah-ditty fun!
Money can be collected by any committee member or Kelli Sandusky in the office.
Graduates
The Deacons are requesting names of anyone graduating this year. Please let your Deacon know or call Kelli in the church office. Thank you!
Blankets & Tools
Coming up is our annual blankets and tools drive. There are envelopes in the pews and information about this opportunity to give farming tools and blankets to those who are served by Church World Service. The main collection day will be on Mothers Day but, all contributions for this drive should be contributed by May 13th.
MEMORIAL DAY Sunday
Sunday, May 27thwe will recognize Memorial Day with the Presentation of the Colors. We will have Veterans from our church provide us with this touching recognition for those who have gone before us.
CampWyoming
Camp brochures are available either at the back of the church or from Pastor Tim. Please consider summer camp for your child or grandchild. It could be an experience that will change their lives.
From Presbytery
Many of you may not know that our church has received two grants from the Presbytery of Great Rivers. The first one will help to fund our craft days this summer. That grant came from a fund established by a church that closed its doors several years ago. The people of that church wanted their remaining funds to be used to fund Vacations Bible Schools for other churches in the Presbytery.
The second grant was given to further the Food Pantry ministry. There was $4,000 given to fill a grant application. The purpose of the money is to help provide chicken, hamburger and tuna to all of the families who visit our food pantry. There is also a provision for us to replace two of our older freezers, and to help with the meat we provide in the Christmas baskets. The money provided with this grant will help us to cut down on the money we spend on meat, and perhaps expand what we are able to provide in other food categories.
Notice also the thank you that was communicated to us by the Presbytery for our Per Capita.
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
As a part of the Administration Team, I want to write and thank you for your participation in Presbytery through your payment of Per Capita.
Without congregations like you, our Presbytery would not be able to do the ministry that we share. Thank you so much for your faithfulness in this matter.
We hold you in our prayers. Blessings
Joyce Chamberlin
Children’s Corner
This summer we are looking forward to another exciting series of Craft days. Preliminary plans are already underway. The dates have been set up so that you can get them on your calendar early. All of the outings will begin at 9:00 a.m. and if there is not a field trip they will end at about 11:00. If there is a field trip associated with the day, then the ending time will be determined closer to the event. There will be a lesson each day with a scripture and lots of fun songs. And along with the craft, each day will have snack time with a tasty treat to share.
June 21, Thursday, will be Christmas in June, and the crafts and lesson will be all about the birthday of our Lord.
July 6, Friday, will be Easter in July, and the crafts and lesson will be about how Jesus rose from the dead.
July 20, Friday, will have the theme of “Noah’s Ark.” In addition to the lesson and craft, we will take a trip to the Niabi Zoo.
July 27, Friday, will have the theme “All the Children of the World.” We may be able to set up some sort of cultural field trip to help reinforce the lesson that Jesus loves all the children of the world, even if they are very different from us.
August 10, Friday, will have the theme of “Five Loaves and Two Fish.” In addition to the lesson and craft this day will have a field trip that includes a picnic possibly at Prospect Park.
The Crafts days will be for children up to fifth grade, and anyone 6thgrade and older can join the fun as a helper.
Of course we will need volunteers for treats, transportation to our field trips, crowd control and craft assistance for the children who need a friend to help them along on their craft day adventure. Let Pastor know if you would be willing to lend a helping hand for any of these events.