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“For whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:10-12) This Sunday will be a very special day in the life of our church, not only from a local perspective, but from a global one as well. Not only will we celebrate World Communion during the Sunday morning Worship Service, but we will also be asked to contribute to the Peacemaking Offering and support an important ministry designed to promote worldwide peace. Through the Peacemaking Offering we are able to spread the peace of Christ through the tireless work of not only this congregation, but its presbytery, its synod and our denomination in general. One fourth of the Peacemaking Offering collected on Sunday goes toward helping our congregation with its peacemaking endeavors. The remaining 75 percent of the Peacemaking Offering will be distributed accordingly among our presbytery, synod and General Assembly to support their work towards making the world a more peaceful place in which to live. Also Sunday, if the hallways and sanctuary look devoid of young and bright teenage faces, don’t worry, they’re still here in spirit. This weekend, our Junior High and Senior High youth groups will be at John Knox Ranch participating in their annual Main Event program. About 15 youth have already signed up to make the trek to the Presbyterian camp located just north of San Antonio. They are slated to depart the church on Friday around 1 p.m. and arrive back early Sunday evening. Our prayers go with them and their adult leaders for a safe trip both ways. Next Wednesday, October 6, the First Wednesday Dinner program returns to the Fellowship Hall from 6-7 p.m. This is a wonderful time for church members to enjoy a scrumptious meal, an excellent program and a side dish of fun fellowship with one another. So don’t miss it. On Sunday, October 10, our own Gwyn Kozma will be in the pulpit to deliver the sermon while Reverend Jesse Thornton is out of town. And finally, if you’re interested in learning more about the bible, the Wednesday Morning Bible Study is just what the minister ordered. Led by Rev. Thornton, the study group meets every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the parlor. Arise, and know God! – the Worship/Evangelism Committee (posted September 29, 2004)
The Present Word Bible Study led by David Pankake will begin on October 7 at 7:00 PM in the library. If you haven’t made plans to come yet but are interested in being part of this class feel free to come on October 7. (posted September 29, 2004)
Session has called a congregational meeting to be held immediately following worship on October 17, 2004 for the purpose of electing church officers. The congregation will elect six elders for the class 2007, one Youth Elder, and two elders to fill two unexpired terms. Please be in prayer for the election of church officers. (posted September 29, 2004)
Our first 'First Wednesday' will be on October 6 from 6:00-7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll have dinner together and then enjoy of time of old fashioned hymn singing. Cost for dinner is $4.00 per person or $15.00 per family. Plan to join us! (posted September 29, 2004)
The congregation of First Presbyterian Church is well-known for its loving outreach to those in need. It is also well-known for its concern for its members and nurturing of its young people. We need your help to combine the two and minister to our young people as they take the next steps of their lives, away from our immediate area. To assure them they are loved, thought of and prayed for, we need members of this congregation who can give a minimum of 20 minutes a month to write a note, drop a card, or send an email to just one of our young college people. If you can do more, that would be wonderful! Please pray on this ministry and if you can give just 20 minutes a month, please call the church office and speak to Lori Bowles, FPC church secretary. (posted September 29, 2004)
First Presbyterian Church is interested in organizing a Prayer Chain. A PRAYER CHAIN is a group of persons from the congregation, linked together by phone, who take up the responsibility to pray (in their own way, time and place) for certain persons or concerns made known to them by the prayer chain leader who receives these prayer requests from individuals on behalf of the prayer chain. The first step in starting a Prayer Chain is to issue invitations to our church members who are interested. Would you be willing to serve as a Prayer Chain participant? If you are willing to serve please call the church office, or fill out the form provided in the Sunday worship bulletin and place it in the offering plate on Sunday morning. When we get an appropriate number of participants a meeting will be called for those who have responded. At the meeting we will define expectations for participants and organize the prayer chain. (posted September 29, 2004)
October 3, 2004 World Communion Sunday-The Sacrament of Holy communion will be celebrated at our morning worship and we will receive the Peacemaking Offering. October 6, 2004 First Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Come and enjoy food and fellowship. Let's sing some of your favorite hymns from long ago! October 10, 2004 Welcome to our pulpit Gwyn Kozma who serves on our Session and will be preaching. October 17, 2004 Worship led by the youth of FPC with a meal to follow. Following worship we will elect new elders October 19, 2004 Monthly Taizé Service at 7:00 PM October 27, 2004 It's time for Fall Festival 2004! October 31, 2004 Kirkin O the Tartans Worship at 10:30 AM to celebrate our Scottish-Presbyterian heritage! (posted September 29, 2004)
Do you have a yearning to work with Senior Highs? Do you feel called to support the young people in our church? Then step right up, we need you! Senior High Youth Group needs a male to work on Sunday nights. If you're interested contact Lori Weedon at the church. (posted September 29, 2004)
The children and youth will be leading the service on October 17. This is always a great day in our church, so please come and support our young people. Then, following worship we will have a POTLUCK LUNCHEON to celebrate their gifts. Each family should bring 1 main and 1 side dish. Each dish should feed 8 people. Hope to see you there. (posted September 29, 2004)
Presbyterian Women Of The Church Wednesday, October 13, 2004 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Bring a sack lunch, enjoy sistering, and take part in one of several art projects available. Those working on your faith journey albums, bring your materials and work toward completion of the book you started at our spring retreat. (posted September 29, 2004)
Come and join others of First Presbyterian church as we celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries for the month of October. We will meet in the fellowship hall right after worship. (posted September 29, 2004)
Last time I addressed two of the four approaches to Christian Education, namely transformation and faith community and how our church fares in these areas. In Jack Seymour’s book, “Mapping Christian Education: Approaches to Congregational Learning” the third approach is spiritual growth. Anytime the word spiritual or spirituality is used some folks get uncomfortable. We’re not called “The Frozen Chosen” for nothing. How do Presbyterians engage in spiritually enhancing activities? Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is offering a certificate in spiritual formation. Their brochure describes the program as “an opportunity to drink deep of God’s love. You will practice spiritual disciplines, explore the resources of the Christian tradition, discover your own spiritual gifts, and share your needs and aspirations with other seekers.” I attended one of the offerings and was inspired by the prayers I learned and the insight I gained on spiritual practices. We offer opportunities for spiritual growth in the Bible studies we offer on Sunday mornings, Wednesday mornings, and Thursday evenings. The Taize service, with its periods of silence and meditation, allows God the chance to speak to us without the noise and business of our lives interrupting. The fourth approach to Christian Education is religious instruction. This is the area that most people think of as what CE is here for. Instruction is offered for all ages through Sunday School, Bible studies, VBS, and youth Group. The mission statement of Christian Education in our church is to learn, share, and live The Story together. The Story. That’s really what it’s all about. We want to pass down The Story of our faith, the details of our heritage. In education the pendulum swings one way, then the other. Those of us who’ve worked as teachers know that things that were old become new again. We try new approaches, bring new curriculum in, always looking to do the best job, have the newest equipment, etc. But often it goes back to the basics. The Story is the basis of our faith. What can we do to do a better job of imparting that knowledge? Rebecca Villarreal, DCE (posted September 29, 2004)
There are so many things that we all have to be proud of. Our families, our faith, our friendships, our God. The one thing that stands out to me today is how proud I am that I live in a free nation. A Nation where I am free to choose not only what I want to do, but even more, what I want to believe. And I know that the freedom we cherish is only ours because others have given up their lives to have it. That makes me so very proud to be an American. You know our little children here don't know much about wars and weapons of mass destruction and all of that, but they sure do understand the feeling of security. And our security and safety has come at a price for others. I not only lift up our troops in prayer but I also lift them up in honor. For without their commitment to our freedom, you and I and our little ones might not know what security even feels like at all. God Bless America and all our loyal troops. Pat Simpson, Preschool Director (posted September 29, 2004)
Main Event coming up October 1-3! Parents, registration forms went home with the kids last Sunday after Youth Group. The forms and fees are due back by September 26. It’ll be great fun so plan to come! (posted September 15, 2004)
Do you have a yearning to work with Senior Highs? Do you feel called to support the young people in our church? Then step right up, we need you! Senior High Youth Group needs a male to work on Sunday nights. If you're interested contact Lori Weedon at the church. (posted September 15, 2004)
Our babysitting board has been updated by our own Lori Bowles. Go by and check out her creativity and the great job she’s done. While you’re there pick up a card from one of our young people for the next time you need someone to watch the kids. If you’d like to be added as a babysitter just call Lori and she’ll set you up! (posted September 15, 2004)
We’re looking for a few folks to be Barnabas’ partners to our young people who are in their 1st or 2nd year of college. The responsibilities of a Barnabas is to contact the young person anonymously once a month from October-May. You offer them goodies, warm wishes, birthday greetings, and your prayers. Being away from home can be lonely so if you’re interested in helping out, call Lori Bowles at the church office. The Youth for this year are: Alexis Garcia Esteban Davila Victoria Montemayor Annie Koo Ashley McClellan Julianne Pruneda Caroline Collins Joanna Simpson Aimee Gonzales (posted September 15, 2004)
A service of meditation,scripture, silence, song,and candles. Please join us on Tuesday, September 21,at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall for the first Taizé service of the 2004-5 program year. (posted September 15, 2004)
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) Welcome back, Cotman! Our own beloved Bill Cotman, who has been enrolled at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary for the past couple of years, will grace the pulpit this Sunday, September 19, for the 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. His lovely wife, Teresa, and their daughter Muriel will accompany Bill as he returns to the Valley for what should be a very memorable event in the life of this church. Reverend Jesse Thornton will be the liturgist for Bill as well as for Ted Wardlaw, President of the Presbyterian Seminary school in Austin, who will preach in the pulpit the following Sunday, September 26. This is Rev. Wardlaw’s first trip to this area so be sure to show him that special Valley welcome. Besides those two guest preachers, the next two weeks at First Presbyterian-McAllen are going to be filled with plenty of activities for members to partake. On Tuesday, Sept. 21, the Taize Service resumes its monthly schedule at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 25, the second annual Wine & Arias takes place from 7-9 p.m. at Gin Offerman’s home. You can call the church office for address information. The Wine & Arias will once again be co-hosted by Gin as well as Dick and Gwyn Kozma, Dress is casual and bring your own favorite wine for others to taste. The tasting part is optional. Highlighting this year’s event will be Choir Director Dr. Terry Morris and Bells Director Cynthia Douglas, who along with piano accompaniment by Lucy Snearley, will sing a variety of Musical Show Tunes. Finally, don’t forget to bring your canned goods to church on Sunday, Sept. 26, to place in the grocery cart during the offering. The collected cans will be donated to the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank and later dispersed to needy families. The Worship/Evangelism Committee (posted September 15, 2004)
Hey Youth Choir Members! Time to make a joyful noise to the Lord! Our rehearsals are on Wednesday nights, from 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm upstairs in the drama room. Last year we had a lot of fun, and made some really beautiful music, too. If you love to sing and play musical instruments, then this group is for you. We'll be looking for our returning members plus a bunch of new faces, too! All kids from kindergarten to 6th grade are welcome. Let's get everyone involved! (posted September 15, 2004)
Thursday, September 30th at 6:00 p.m. First Presbyterian Church 566 N. Reagan San Benito, TX (956) 399-2235 It's time for the gathering of our Valley churches! We'll meet for singing, Bible Study, fellowship, and food, or course. Folks are asked to bring sandwiches and chips. Our hosts will proved drinks and dessert. We'll share some very pertinent information about coming events, and we'll have lots of fun together in the Spirit of Christ our Lord. It would be helpful if you would call and inform the San Benito church the number of participants in your party. We are eager to see you and be with you again. (posted September 15, 2004)
The children and youth will be leading the service on October 17. This is always a great day in our church, so please come and support our young people. Then, following worship we will have a potluck luncheon to celebrate their gifts. Each family should bring 1 main and 1 side dish. Each dish should feed 8 people. Hope to see you there. (posted September 15, 2004)
The Royal Circus of Moscow on Ice is coming on October 9 and tickets are available to those of us at FPC at a reduced rate. Tickets are $17. See Rebecca is you’re interested in attending. (posted September 15, 2004)
Kudos to Nadine Force and Maria Lopez for the great job they’re doing on our bulletin boards. If you see them be sure to thank them for their service. (posted September 15, 2004)
I liked Jesse’s sermon on “The State of the Church” and thought I’d put my two cents in regarding Christian Education. In Jack Seymour’s book “Mapping Christian Education: Approaches to Congregational Learning” he outlines four purposes for CE in the church. They are transformation, faith community, spiritual growth, and religious instruction. All four are vital to doing God’s work. Transformation is seeing what needs there are in your church, community, and world so that you can begin the process of discerning what God would have you to do and then acting upon it. We at 1st Pres are involved in a number of projects of transformation. We support groups such as Su Casa and Puentes de Cristo. The Witness committee reaches out to a number of other organizations and the youth participate in service projects. As we begin this new year, what kind of grade would you give us in the area of transformation? Faith Community is the second purpose for Christian Education. Presbyterians are known for their connectedness. It’s important that the people in our congregation feel connected to each other and to the broader church. This connection theme has been a calling for me in the last year. I believe that we are here to be a welcoming community. I believe that when new folks come here to visit, it’s imperative that they feel a part of what we’re doing here. If we don’t help people feel connected they won’t stick around. If they do stick around they won’t participate in the life and work of the church because we go where we feel loved and where we have friends who care about us. Community is built by involving people in a number of different ways. Small groups, large settings, social events, as well as church ministries are all ways to bring people in to the fold. I know we are a loving and giving group of people, but do we always reach out to newcomers or folks we haven’t gotten to know? Next newsletter, CE Part II Rebecca Villarreal, DCE (posted September 15, 2004)
Already, after only a few weeks the sights and sounds of school are getting pretty happy. I have heard it only takes three weeks to make habits, good or bad, so I guess we have now made some new good habits. It's nice to hear the joyous sounds of little ones and seeing the smiles that are beginning on some faces that started sad. The last two years we have tried something at Lynn Flowers Preschool. We have had a book fair in the fellowship hall in order to get more books in the families hands and give more excitement to little one about reading. This year our book fair is scheduled for Sept 27 thru Oct 1. It is open each morning that week from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 noon. Please take a moment and come see if we have anything that interests you or just come browse to see what children like now. Reading is such a gift. We must treasure it and pass that gift on to the next generations. We love you. Love, Miss Pat,Preschool Director (posted September 15, 2004)
David Pankake is a new face in our congregation. He and his wife Anita recently moved here from Sulphur Springs, Texas where he taught in the First Presbyterian Church. David used the Present Word Curriculum there and is enthusiastic about his teaching. He is offering a mid week Bible study and two times are being considered for his class. They are Tuesdays at 1:00 PM or Thursdays at 7:00 PM. You may sign up on the board in the Narthex or by calling Lori Bowles at the church office. Classes start the week of October 4 so sign up today. (posted September 15, 2004)
Well, Lynn flowers Presbyterian Preschool is back in full force. Maybe you have heard us; our laughter, our questions, and maybe even a few of our tears. A new school year is always a little bit hard at first, getting used to a new school, a new class, a new teacher, etc. I know it is hard on you as a church to get used to a new school year with us all over the grounds again. Thank you for being a patient people and working with us to start another good year. We are so thankful to be here and spread Lynn's love and philosophy with others. Love, Miss Pat Preschool Director (posted September 3, 2004)
Do you enjoy visiting with members of our church who are homebound? Pastoral visitation is one of the most important ways to maintain and build our community of faith. If you know of church members or their families who enjoy visits please keep the church office informed of those who are homebound. Please take the opportunity to visit and remember in prayer Anna Baldwin (1517 Highland, McAllen) and Fan Schneider (Las Palmas Nursing Home, 1301 East Quebec, McAllen). (posted September 3, 2004)
On the first Sunday of each month we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion in our worship. We will observe the sacrament on Sunday, September 5, 2004. Come and worship and join together as we share this sacred meal. (posted September 3, 2004)
A service of meditation, scripture, silence, song, and candles. Please join us on Tuesday,September 21, at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall for the first Taizé service of the 2004-5 program year. (posted September 3, 2004)
Hey Youth Choir Members! Time to make a joyful noise to the Lord! Our rehearsals are on Wednesday nights, starting on September 8 from 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm upstairs in the drama room. Last year we had a lot of fun, and made some really beautiful music, too. If you love to sing and play musical instruments, then this group is for you. We'll be looking for our returning members plus a bunch of new faces, too! All kids from kindergarten to 6th grade are welcome. Let's get everyone involved! Pauline Sexton, Youth Choir Dir. (posted September 3, 2004)
The first Sunday offering will be taken on September 12, 2004. Offerings for this Sunday will go to Hope Clinic. (posted September 3, 2004)
The Fellowship Committee will meet Tuesday, September 7, 2004 at 7 p.m. at the church parlor. Come prepared with ideas for next year's activities. New members are welcome! (posted September 3, 2004)
We are looking for someone to oversee the Barnabas program. This program matches our kids who are away at college with an anonymous friend from the church who will pray for them, write to them, and send them goodies occasionally. The responsibility of this overseer would be:
This is a great ministry for our young adults and those letters from the home church mean so much. Please call Rebecca if you have any questions or want to sign up as the leader of this important ministry. (posted September 3, 2004)
It’s rally time at the First Presbyterian Church-McAllen! Apart from Easter and Christmas, Rally Day at FPC has to be near the top of the list when it comes to the most important events to take place at our church. This year’s Rally Day, which hails the first day of Fall Christian Education classes for all ages, is set for Sunday, September 12. Come and enjoy a scrumptious breakfast and then meet our new set of Sunday School teachers who will be introduced along with the class offerings for the new season. In conjunction with Rally Day, the first annual Job Fair will also be part of the day’s festivities. Booths and tables will be set up in the Fellowship Hall representing each of the many great ministries that you can get involved in throughout the year. Then, following the morning’s Worship Service, Celebration Sunday will take place in the Fellowship Hall to honor all those members who were born in September. It all starts at 8:30 a.m., so mark your calendar for an extremely busy, but very special day in the life of our church. In addition this month, the Presbyterian Women will hold their Fall Gathering on Saturday, September 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Iglesia Presbyteriana located at 140 Diaz Street in San Benito. “What She Said: Quotable Women in Scripture” is the theme of the event and participants can enjoy lunch at the price of $5 for adults and $1 for children. Day care will also be provided. Interested persons need to RSVP by Sept. 3 to Ms. Susana Hernandez at (956) 423-8643. Wednesday Morning Bible Study, led by Reverend Jesse Thornton, will resume on September 1 in the parlor. The centerpiece of the morning Bible Study sessions is “The Purpose Driven Church.” So, turn your caps inside out and get ready to dig in for another exhilarating season of learning about Christ, the Bible and what it means to be children of God. GO, PRESBYS! (posted September 3, 2004)
I have shown your glory on Earth; I have finished the work you gave me to do. John 17:4, Today’s English Version The word “work” has gotten a bad rep. The American Heritage dictionary defines work as: a physical activity/effort or a mental activity/effort. That definition would cover just about everything except being in a comatose state. So it would seem that work in itself is not a bad thing. The problem is we think of work as the things we do in our occupation, and aren’t interested in putting in “work” anywhere else in our lives. I’ve been in that cycle before. There’s no balance. You’re like a hamster on a treadmill, jumping on in the morning and not stopping until dark. A few years back I realized that my job was my priority and everything else got attended to if there was time. I knew that my home, my family, and my church were suffering from lack of attention but my job was so demanding that I let it take over. It took a conscious effort to make time for other things but it feels good to work at more than just my occupation. The ministries of the church require time and work also. The effort can be greatly rewarding and there’s something for everyone! Even for those with very little time, helping out at one event, once a year can be a great assist. On Rally Sunday the ministries of the church will have booths set up in Fellowship Hall to inform you of their efforts and offer you a chance to help out in the kingdoms work. Hope you’ll avail yourself of the opportunity. by Rebecca Villarreal, DCE (posted September 3, 2004)
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