July 2007
From the Pastor:
The lazy, hazy, crazy hot days of summer are upon us. For years church staffs have enjoyed the summer because it gives us time to do those things we can’t do during the rest of the year. Some of us catch up on reading and other church related things.
However, for some of us the last ten years summer hasn’t been the restful, lazy, hazy, crazy times many have enjoyed in the past. Now I am not complaining, what I do want to say is that the work of Christ’s church doesn’t slow down to a snails pace during the warmer months.
The fact is the committees of the church continue meeting because they too are busy working on getting programs coordinated and off the ground during this crazy, lazy, hazy time.
Christian education for example is getting the mid week pot-lucks up and going each Wednesday evening. (By the time you receive this article they have already done three evening pot-lucks) They are also making decisions regarding curriculum and Sunday School for the fall.
The Property Committee is working with session to decide which electric company will do some updates on our electrical system. We will hopefully convert our circuit panels from fuse boxes to switches. We also hope to run independent lines for our window air conditioning units and for our multi-media equipment. Right now using the window units is baking our existing electrical wiring. And that’s something we need to avoid unless we want an electrical fire.
Evangelism is getting the directories printed and are working on advertising and other projects to help get the word out about our church and our programs. The committee is in the midst of planning a golf outing for the entire church too.
Worship is getting ready for a barber shop quartet the first Sunday of July, and then for Mary Catterton and the dedication of our new baptismal font on the 8th.
The Stewardship Committee is having Quick Books installed on our church computer so that we can produce financial reports professionally, and move into the technological age. They are also planning a huge fall celebration as a kick off to our “Made for Love” stewardship campaign.
The youth are finishing the last minute details for their Puerto Rico Mission trip. The Mission team is coordinating the return to school program which collects school supplies for local needy children.
Our Lay Pastors Dick Kreager and Jessica Harrison are getting ready to attend a National conference for Elders in Tennesse. Both are hoping to learn new skills they can use at First Presbyterian Church.
Clint Schafer is working on his Eagle Scout project installing new landscaping and a fire pit in the back of our building.
The Deacons are getting ready with the Puerto Rico Mission team to sell lemonade and cookies at their Sovereign State days booth.
I am currently meeting with four couples for pre-marital counseling to get them ready for their upcoming weddings. I am also working on getting all worship ready for July, August, September, as well as the daily schedule and worship for the mission trip.
The crazy, lazy, hazy, days of summer are a thing of the past. Life at church continues to flourish. Life at First Presbyterian is exciting and fresh. The question is, “Are you a part of it? Or are you just a spectator?” I’d like to invite you to live life to the fullest and to be part of the excitement at First Presbyterian Church. Who knows, by joining us those crazy, lazy, hot days of summer will turn into growth opportunities for you.
In love and peace,
Pastor Mara
Worship for the Month of July
July 1, 2007
Six Sunday After Pentecost9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction
Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 and Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Sermon Theme: The freedom to shop on Sundays seems like a gift to many Americans, but it leads to a surprising increase in iniquity. The question is why? Perhaps too much freedom isn't freedom at all. The freedom that Christ offers us frees us to love more fully. Perhaps that's the freedom we should be promoting. Come and listen to the visiting Barber Shop Quartet.
______________________________________
July 8, 2007
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Dedication of our New Baptismal Font
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 30 and Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16
Sermon Theme: What do heart surgeons and Christians have in common? Both need a process and procedure to fix brokenness. Join us this morning as we enjoy the beautiful voice of Mary Caterton and as we dedicate our new baptismal font. Rev. Nelson Craig will join us for the serve.
_______________________________________
July 15, 2007
Ecumenical Worship at Marble Park9:30 p.m. Worship
Readings: TBA
Worship Description: Today we will worship with other local churches at Marble Park. An ecumenical choir will participate. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a time of singing and praising.
_________________________________________
July 22, 2007
Worship with Lord of the Lakes and Grace Lutheran
9:30 a.m. Worship
Readings: TBA
Worship Description: Today we will worship with Lord of the Lakes and Grace Lutheran. Our yearly summer worship allows our faith communities to worship together and celebrate the communion both the Presbyterian Church USA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has with one another.
___________________________________________
July 29, 2007
Commissioning of Mission Work Trip Team
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Hosea 1:2-10 and Luke 11:1-13
Sermon Theme: What do your local police department and Hosea have in common? Mug shots of criminals that show the underbelly of human nature.
LAMPLIGHT LIBRARY
"Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalms 119:105
Book of the Month: CHANGEPOINTS
Author Joyce Landorf Heatherley
Under category Biography
The transition times. Sometimes you look forward to them: the time you get married; the time you become a mother. Some of those times come with a devastating shock: losing the job you had for twenty years; having a crippling accident. All these times require adjustment. In Changepoints, Joyce Landorf speaks her mind on women, change and God. "The point of this book," she says, "is not to inform you that in this life you'll be squeezed beyond belief by the octopus of change. That's already an established fact of life. No, I hope to explain some of our responses to change; to perhaps learn about coping with change; and lastly to check out the real needs versus the wants of our lives." Changepoints is a spirtual road map to guide you through those turning points of your life--no matter what extremes of turmoil they present. Here, Joyce displays her extraordinary empathy and keen insight as she reminds you that life, with its multiplicity of changes, is a "neverending time of needing the Lord." Strengthening your faith and trusting in God's love when you need it most will provide guidance in all areas of change. And the real question becomes not what you will do with another "changepoint" but what God will do with it. Changepoints will touch your heart and help you round off the corners of change in your life.
Last month's trivia question: How many categories of books are in the library? Nineteen
FAIR TRADE, WHAT IS IT??
For a few months now, we have been enjoying Fair Trade Columbian coffee during fellowship time following worship. In the fall, members and friends of the congregation will have an opportunity to purchase fair trade coffee and chocolate bars for their enjoyment at home also. In the meantime, we will use the next few months to explain more about what differentiates fair trade from free trade.
In 1759, Adam Smith, an early champion of capitalism, wrote “Every business transaction is a challenge to see that both parties come out fairly.” Media reports of sweatshops and child labor used to mass produce low cost goods for affluent shoppers clearly prove that not everyone involved in business transactions is treated fairly.
The criteria for a Fair Trade transaction are:
· Pay a fair wage in the local context.
· Provide equal opportunities for all people, particularly the most disadvantaged.
· Engage in environmentally sustainable practices.
· Build long-term relationships.
· Provide healthy and safe working conditions.
· Provide financial and technical assistance to workers whenever possible.
· Be open to public accountability.
· Offer opportunities for advancement.
Watch for future information on how we can all make a difference by the choices we make in our daily shopping.
The Mission Team
Mission's "Christmas in July" program
The past couple years our church has participated in the "Back to School Fair" program with the Oshkosh area WINR group. The goal is to provide the necessary supplies to enable the most needy children to return to school on a more equal level with their peers. Last year nore than 700 students were outfitted with backpacks, school supplies, hygiene items and a new set of clothes for the first day of school.
The Oshkosh Northwestern will again provide the backpacks. Businesses, churchs and service groups are being asked to help with the rest of the items.
Our church along with many others will help by doing the "Christmas is July" program. We will be asked to provide a "first day" outfit for about 30 different students. An outfit consists of socks, underwear,tee shirt and a new pair of jeans or slacks.
The first Sunday in July we will have a simulated "student" set up in the church foyer and tags provided to us by the "Back to School" committee will be pinned on the "student's" clothes. The tags will have the size or age-sex-and clothing item listed. You can pick a tag for a single item or for a whole "outfit". The new clothes will have to be at church by the last Sunday in July. The students will receive their gifts at the "Back to Scholl Fair" early in August.
Thank you for your help in this local mission effort.
PEOPLE OF FAITH HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED.
The lazy, hazy, crazy hot days of summer are upon us. For years church staffs have enjoyed the summer because it gives us time to do those things we can’t do during the rest of the year. Some of us catch up on reading and other church related things.
However, for some of us the last ten years summer hasn’t been the restful, lazy, hazy, crazy times many have enjoyed in the past. Now I am not complaining, what I do want to say is that the work of Christ’s church doesn’t slow down to a snails pace during the warmer months.
The fact is the committees of the church continue meeting because they too are busy working on getting programs coordinated and off the ground during this crazy, lazy, hazy time.
Christian education for example is getting the mid week pot-lucks up and going each Wednesday evening. (By the time you receive this article they have already done three evening pot-lucks) They are also making decisions regarding curriculum and Sunday School for the fall.
The Property Committee is working with session to decide which electric company will do some updates on our electrical system. We will hopefully convert our circuit panels from fuse boxes to switches. We also hope to run independent lines for our window air conditioning units and for our multi-media equipment. Right now using the window units is baking our existing electrical wiring. And that’s something we need to avoid unless we want an electrical fire.
Evangelism is getting the directories printed and are working on advertising and other projects to help get the word out about our church and our programs. The committee is in the midst of planning a golf outing for the entire church too.
Worship is getting ready for a barber shop quartet the first Sunday of July, and then for Mary Catterton and the dedication of our new baptismal font on the 8th.
The Stewardship Committee is having Quick Books installed on our church computer so that we can produce financial reports professionally, and move into the technological age. They are also planning a huge fall celebration as a kick off to our “Made for Love” stewardship campaign.
The youth are finishing the last minute details for their Puerto Rico Mission trip. The Mission team is coordinating the return to school program which collects school supplies for local needy children.
Our Lay Pastors Dick Kreager and Jessica Harrison are getting ready to attend a National conference for Elders in Tennesse. Both are hoping to learn new skills they can use at First Presbyterian Church.
Clint Schafer is working on his Eagle Scout project installing new landscaping and a fire pit in the back of our building.
The Deacons are getting ready with the Puerto Rico Mission team to sell lemonade and cookies at their Sovereign State days booth.
I am currently meeting with four couples for pre-marital counseling to get them ready for their upcoming weddings. I am also working on getting all worship ready for July, August, September, as well as the daily schedule and worship for the mission trip.
The crazy, lazy, hazy, days of summer are a thing of the past. Life at church continues to flourish. Life at First Presbyterian is exciting and fresh. The question is, “Are you a part of it? Or are you just a spectator?” I’d like to invite you to live life to the fullest and to be part of the excitement at First Presbyterian Church. Who knows, by joining us those crazy, lazy, hot days of summer will turn into growth opportunities for you.
In love and peace,
Pastor Mara
Worship for the Month of July
July 1, 2007
Six Sunday After Pentecost9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction
Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 and Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Sermon Theme: The freedom to shop on Sundays seems like a gift to many Americans, but it leads to a surprising increase in iniquity. The question is why? Perhaps too much freedom isn't freedom at all. The freedom that Christ offers us frees us to love more fully. Perhaps that's the freedom we should be promoting. Come and listen to the visiting Barber Shop Quartet.
______________________________________
July 8, 2007
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Dedication of our New Baptismal Font
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 30 and Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16
Sermon Theme: What do heart surgeons and Christians have in common? Both need a process and procedure to fix brokenness. Join us this morning as we enjoy the beautiful voice of Mary Caterton and as we dedicate our new baptismal font. Rev. Nelson Craig will join us for the serve.
_______________________________________
July 15, 2007
Ecumenical Worship at Marble Park9:30 p.m. Worship
Readings: TBA
Worship Description: Today we will worship with other local churches at Marble Park. An ecumenical choir will participate. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a time of singing and praising.
_________________________________________
July 22, 2007
Worship with Lord of the Lakes and Grace Lutheran
9:30 a.m. Worship
Readings: TBA
Worship Description: Today we will worship with Lord of the Lakes and Grace Lutheran. Our yearly summer worship allows our faith communities to worship together and celebrate the communion both the Presbyterian Church USA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has with one another.
___________________________________________
July 29, 2007
Commissioning of Mission Work Trip Team
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Hosea 1:2-10 and Luke 11:1-13
Sermon Theme: What do your local police department and Hosea have in common? Mug shots of criminals that show the underbelly of human nature.
LAMPLIGHT LIBRARY
"Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalms 119:105
Book of the Month: CHANGEPOINTS
Author Joyce Landorf Heatherley
Under category Biography
The transition times. Sometimes you look forward to them: the time you get married; the time you become a mother. Some of those times come with a devastating shock: losing the job you had for twenty years; having a crippling accident. All these times require adjustment. In Changepoints, Joyce Landorf speaks her mind on women, change and God. "The point of this book," she says, "is not to inform you that in this life you'll be squeezed beyond belief by the octopus of change. That's already an established fact of life. No, I hope to explain some of our responses to change; to perhaps learn about coping with change; and lastly to check out the real needs versus the wants of our lives." Changepoints is a spirtual road map to guide you through those turning points of your life--no matter what extremes of turmoil they present. Here, Joyce displays her extraordinary empathy and keen insight as she reminds you that life, with its multiplicity of changes, is a "neverending time of needing the Lord." Strengthening your faith and trusting in God's love when you need it most will provide guidance in all areas of change. And the real question becomes not what you will do with another "changepoint" but what God will do with it. Changepoints will touch your heart and help you round off the corners of change in your life.
Last month's trivia question: How many categories of books are in the library? Nineteen
FAIR TRADE, WHAT IS IT??
For a few months now, we have been enjoying Fair Trade Columbian coffee during fellowship time following worship. In the fall, members and friends of the congregation will have an opportunity to purchase fair trade coffee and chocolate bars for their enjoyment at home also. In the meantime, we will use the next few months to explain more about what differentiates fair trade from free trade.
In 1759, Adam Smith, an early champion of capitalism, wrote “Every business transaction is a challenge to see that both parties come out fairly.” Media reports of sweatshops and child labor used to mass produce low cost goods for affluent shoppers clearly prove that not everyone involved in business transactions is treated fairly.
The criteria for a Fair Trade transaction are:
· Pay a fair wage in the local context.
· Provide equal opportunities for all people, particularly the most disadvantaged.
· Engage in environmentally sustainable practices.
· Build long-term relationships.
· Provide healthy and safe working conditions.
· Provide financial and technical assistance to workers whenever possible.
· Be open to public accountability.
· Offer opportunities for advancement.
Watch for future information on how we can all make a difference by the choices we make in our daily shopping.
The Mission Team
Mission's "Christmas in July" program
The past couple years our church has participated in the "Back to School Fair" program with the Oshkosh area WINR group. The goal is to provide the necessary supplies to enable the most needy children to return to school on a more equal level with their peers. Last year nore than 700 students were outfitted with backpacks, school supplies, hygiene items and a new set of clothes for the first day of school.
The Oshkosh Northwestern will again provide the backpacks. Businesses, churchs and service groups are being asked to help with the rest of the items.
Our church along with many others will help by doing the "Christmas is July" program. We will be asked to provide a "first day" outfit for about 30 different students. An outfit consists of socks, underwear,tee shirt and a new pair of jeans or slacks.
The first Sunday in July we will have a simulated "student" set up in the church foyer and tags provided to us by the "Back to School" committee will be pinned on the "student's" clothes. The tags will have the size or age-sex-and clothing item listed. You can pick a tag for a single item or for a whole "outfit". The new clothes will have to be at church by the last Sunday in July. The students will receive their gifts at the "Back to Scholl Fair" early in August.
Thank you for your help in this local mission effort.
PEOPLE OF FAITH HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED.
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