September 2006
From the Pastor:
Last month I began a personal journey of prayer for individual families of First Presbyterian Church. Each week I sent out a card informing those families that I would be calling and praying for them that particular week. By the time you receive this newsletter I will have made contact with almost forty families of First Presbyterian Church.
The experience has been heart warming and challenging as well. Some were prepared to receive my call and yet others where shocked that I would not just call but pray for them during the week. It has been good to be able to talk with some of you and share your joys and concerns. It has been a humbling, yet life changing experience for me, too.
The fact is prayer has been part of my journey of faith. And I find that it changes me and others in ways I never thought possible. One of the prayers that I have been lifting before God has been with me for the past eleven years. I want to take this opportunity to share with you what that prayer has been and how it has been answered.
The prayer I have been lifting up is that God would open the heart of someone who would be willing to begin a new Hispanic mission in the Fox Valley area. In June of this year I wrote a proposal and sent it to the Presbytery for their approval and direction. The proposal included the possibility of starting a new ecumenical Hispanic mission in the Fox Valley area.
The ministry would be led by a pastor who had the experience of ministering to and with Spanish speaking Latinos who made the Fox Valley their home. The mission would commence in people's homes with Bible study and a Sunday afternoon worship. In my proposal the ecumenical partners invited to do this mission would also be asked to be the administrative group. One of their task would be to find within their denomination the financial resources necessary to support this new ministry.
Representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Episcopalian Church, the United Church of Christ, and the Winnebago Presbytery all signed on board in July and began their work. During the month of June a small mission group began meeting in homes for Bible study and worship.
Early in August Bibles were ordered for the mission church and other financial assistance was secured. In July Grace Lutheran of Appleton was contacted and asked if the mission church could be housed in their building. A demographics study indicated that there was a large
concentration of Hispanics in that area. Choosing Grace Lutheran as the site was the best choice. Their governing board met on July 20 and approved housing the mission group at their church.
On August 20, 2006, at 2:00 p.m., the Hispanic mission, under the leadership of my father, Reinaldo A. de Jesus, began meeting at Grace Lutheran. Twenty one people attended the first service at Grace and three people gave their lives to Christ by making a public profession of faith.
Who knew that someone as close and dear to me as my father would begin this endeavour. After being retired for the past ten years, Dad accepted the invitation to lead this small mission church. God answers prayer in ways one never expects.
Both of my parents are now working with the small mission church but continue their membership at First Presbyterian. They expressed wanting to attend First Presbyterian and staying connected to our congregation. They wanted their ministry work to be an extension of our church's mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
I find myself overjoyed watching them both doing God's work in the midst of their golden years. Both have reminded me that there is no such thing as retirement in Scripture. And they will continue to do God's work in the years to come.
I share this story of answered prayer with you because their work has just begun. And I will need others to pray for this ministry too. Will you join me? We at First Presbyterian will continue to be impacted by this answered prayer. We have been given an opportunity for spiritual growth by joining the many others who are praying for this new ministry. Will you join us? I pray you will.
Until next time.
Peace and grace,Pastor Mara
Worship for the Month of September 2006
September 3, 2006
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction in the Sanctuary
Readings: Song of Solomon 2:8-13, 16-17 and Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Sermon Theme: Today we welcome Dick Kreager to the pulpit. Both the culture and the church have trouble dealing with sex. So what does God have to say? In today's Old Testament lesson the writer of Song of Solomon is not as concerned with the consummation of a physical relationship as he is with the desire and commitment that create a dynamic sense of anticipation for the couple. So what does the Bible say about sex? Plenty!
September 10, 2006
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time / Start of Sunday School
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 and Mark 7:24-37
Sermon Theme: Arthur Bühl is a master who can pick any lock in the world; but Jesus is the only Master who can unlock the human soul. There are three things Jesus has that open our hearts. Come and find out what those are and open your heart, to him in the process.
September 17, 2006
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Proverbs 1:20-33 and Mark 8:27-38
Sermon Theme: From parking meters to microwaves, ordinary objects are becoming wiser and more networked. In today's Old Testament lesson Lady Wisdom challenges us to embrace the full complexity of this world that God has created, and to plug into a network of Christians who are exploring what it means to be people of faith in a fast-paced, high-tech, multicultural community. There’s a message in this for disconnected Christians.
September 24, 2006
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Evangelism Sunday/ Invite a Friend
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 1 and Mark 9:30-37
Sermon Theme: True greatness results not from how far we rise above others but in how far we are willing to go to include and care for the least and the lowly in Christ’s name. That's the message of Christ to his disciples when they were trying to determine who was the greatest in Christ's kingdom. It's Christ message to us too.
Last month I began a personal journey of prayer for individual families of First Presbyterian Church. Each week I sent out a card informing those families that I would be calling and praying for them that particular week. By the time you receive this newsletter I will have made contact with almost forty families of First Presbyterian Church.
The experience has been heart warming and challenging as well. Some were prepared to receive my call and yet others where shocked that I would not just call but pray for them during the week. It has been good to be able to talk with some of you and share your joys and concerns. It has been a humbling, yet life changing experience for me, too.
The fact is prayer has been part of my journey of faith. And I find that it changes me and others in ways I never thought possible. One of the prayers that I have been lifting before God has been with me for the past eleven years. I want to take this opportunity to share with you what that prayer has been and how it has been answered.
The prayer I have been lifting up is that God would open the heart of someone who would be willing to begin a new Hispanic mission in the Fox Valley area. In June of this year I wrote a proposal and sent it to the Presbytery for their approval and direction. The proposal included the possibility of starting a new ecumenical Hispanic mission in the Fox Valley area.
The ministry would be led by a pastor who had the experience of ministering to and with Spanish speaking Latinos who made the Fox Valley their home. The mission would commence in people's homes with Bible study and a Sunday afternoon worship. In my proposal the ecumenical partners invited to do this mission would also be asked to be the administrative group. One of their task would be to find within their denomination the financial resources necessary to support this new ministry.
Representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Episcopalian Church, the United Church of Christ, and the Winnebago Presbytery all signed on board in July and began their work. During the month of June a small mission group began meeting in homes for Bible study and worship.
Early in August Bibles were ordered for the mission church and other financial assistance was secured. In July Grace Lutheran of Appleton was contacted and asked if the mission church could be housed in their building. A demographics study indicated that there was a large
concentration of Hispanics in that area. Choosing Grace Lutheran as the site was the best choice. Their governing board met on July 20 and approved housing the mission group at their church.
On August 20, 2006, at 2:00 p.m., the Hispanic mission, under the leadership of my father, Reinaldo A. de Jesus, began meeting at Grace Lutheran. Twenty one people attended the first service at Grace and three people gave their lives to Christ by making a public profession of faith.
Who knew that someone as close and dear to me as my father would begin this endeavour. After being retired for the past ten years, Dad accepted the invitation to lead this small mission church. God answers prayer in ways one never expects.
Both of my parents are now working with the small mission church but continue their membership at First Presbyterian. They expressed wanting to attend First Presbyterian and staying connected to our congregation. They wanted their ministry work to be an extension of our church's mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
I find myself overjoyed watching them both doing God's work in the midst of their golden years. Both have reminded me that there is no such thing as retirement in Scripture. And they will continue to do God's work in the years to come.
I share this story of answered prayer with you because their work has just begun. And I will need others to pray for this ministry too. Will you join me? We at First Presbyterian will continue to be impacted by this answered prayer. We have been given an opportunity for spiritual growth by joining the many others who are praying for this new ministry. Will you join us? I pray you will.
Until next time.
Peace and grace,Pastor Mara
Worship for the Month of September 2006
September 3, 2006
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction in the Sanctuary
Readings: Song of Solomon 2:8-13, 16-17 and Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Sermon Theme: Today we welcome Dick Kreager to the pulpit. Both the culture and the church have trouble dealing with sex. So what does God have to say? In today's Old Testament lesson the writer of Song of Solomon is not as concerned with the consummation of a physical relationship as he is with the desire and commitment that create a dynamic sense of anticipation for the couple. So what does the Bible say about sex? Plenty!
September 10, 2006
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time / Start of Sunday School
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 and Mark 7:24-37
Sermon Theme: Arthur Bühl is a master who can pick any lock in the world; but Jesus is the only Master who can unlock the human soul. There are three things Jesus has that open our hearts. Come and find out what those are and open your heart, to him in the process.
September 17, 2006
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Proverbs 1:20-33 and Mark 8:27-38
Sermon Theme: From parking meters to microwaves, ordinary objects are becoming wiser and more networked. In today's Old Testament lesson Lady Wisdom challenges us to embrace the full complexity of this world that God has created, and to plug into a network of Christians who are exploring what it means to be people of faith in a fast-paced, high-tech, multicultural community. There’s a message in this for disconnected Christians.
September 24, 2006
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Evangelism Sunday/ Invite a Friend
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 1 and Mark 9:30-37
Sermon Theme: True greatness results not from how far we rise above others but in how far we are willing to go to include and care for the least and the lowly in Christ’s name. That's the message of Christ to his disciples when they were trying to determine who was the greatest in Christ's kingdom. It's Christ message to us too.
NOTE OF THANKS
You Know Who You Are
We have several members who just show up at church fixing this and that. Some pick up lawn clippings, some put up window coverings, some hang pictures and do many other little but very helpful things around the church. You ask for nothing. Sometimes we don’t even know who you are.
Thank You
Worship Attendants for the Month of September:
Date: September 3
Ushers: Dee Luce and Nancy Beyer
Communion Servers: Jon Stilp, Jessica Harrison, Marty Buser and Jason Harmon
Lay Reader: Dick Kraeger
Greeters: Wayne and Allys Rudisill
Nusery Attendants: Patricia Christianson and Kaitlyn Mickelson
Date: September 10
Ushers: Nancy Beyer and Jessica Harrison
Lay Reader: Dick Kraeger
Nusery Attendants: Judy Grinnell and Sawyer Grinnell
Ushers: Nancy Beyer and Jessica Harrison
Lay Reader: Dick Kraeger
Nusery Attendants: Judy Grinnell and Sawyer Grinnell
Date: September 17
Ushers: Dee Luce
Reader: Dick Kraeger
Nusery Attendants: Dawn Schafer and the Schafer Boys
Date: September 24
Reader: Dick Kraeger
Nusery Attendants: Romi Norton andMorgan Verkuilen
Reader: Dick Kraeger
Nusery Attendants: Romi Norton andMorgan Verkuilen
YOUTH NEWS
9/17/06 Youth Fellowship - Plan the year and enjoy a picnic lunch. We will begin at 11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The Christian Education year begins on Sunday, September 10, 2006, with Sunday school for all ages. Cake and treats will be provided for all who attend. Classrooms are being made ready and classes are being planned. So come and join us for another fun filled year.
Adult Education for September and October- During the month of September and first two weeks of October we will be discussing a book entitled "When Religion Becomes Evil." The writer of the book, Charles Kimball, tells us that there are five signs that tell us when a religion has become evil. Join us as we learn how to discern our current religious climate. Books are $12.00. Write checks to Pastor Mara.
In October we will begin a three week discussion on the Peace, Unity, and Purity report adopted by our General Assembly. The discussion will conclude the first week of November. Join us as we discuss why some in the denomination believe this decision is one that will impact the life of the church for years to come.
Adult Education for:
September
10 When Religion Becomes Evil (Introduction and Chapter One)
17 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapter Two)
24 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapter Three)
October
1 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapters Four and Five)
8 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapters Six and Seven)
22 Peace, Unity, Purity (Christology)
29 Peace, Unity, Purity (Biblical Authority and Interpretation)
November
5 Peace, Unity, Purity (Sexuality and Ordination)
Puerto Rico Work Trip Meeting: On September 17th, at 1:30 p.m., we will meet to discuss the Puerto Rico mission trip and to choose a date for the trip. This is a required meeting and those wishing to go will need to make a commitment to the trip at this meeting. We will convene in Fellowship Hall. For more information please contact Pastor Mara at (920) 582-7531.
The Christian Education year begins on Sunday, September 10, 2006, with Sunday school for all ages. Cake and treats will be provided for all who attend. Classrooms are being made ready and classes are being planned. So come and join us for another fun filled year.
Adult Education for September and October- During the month of September and first two weeks of October we will be discussing a book entitled "When Religion Becomes Evil." The writer of the book, Charles Kimball, tells us that there are five signs that tell us when a religion has become evil. Join us as we learn how to discern our current religious climate. Books are $12.00. Write checks to Pastor Mara.
In October we will begin a three week discussion on the Peace, Unity, and Purity report adopted by our General Assembly. The discussion will conclude the first week of November. Join us as we discuss why some in the denomination believe this decision is one that will impact the life of the church for years to come.
Adult Education for:
September
10 When Religion Becomes Evil (Introduction and Chapter One)
17 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapter Two)
24 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapter Three)
October
1 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapters Four and Five)
8 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapters Six and Seven)
22 Peace, Unity, Purity (Christology)
29 Peace, Unity, Purity (Biblical Authority and Interpretation)
November
5 Peace, Unity, Purity (Sexuality and Ordination)
Puerto Rico Work Trip Meeting: On September 17th, at 1:30 p.m., we will meet to discuss the Puerto Rico mission trip and to choose a date for the trip. This is a required meeting and those wishing to go will need to make a commitment to the trip at this meeting. We will convene in Fellowship Hall. For more information please contact Pastor Mara at (920) 582-7531.
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