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The Presbyterian Church of La Porte 307 Kingsbury Ave. La Porte, IN, 46350
(219) 362-6219; [email protected]. yourhomechurch.org
Check out our Facebook page: The Presbyterian Church of La Porte
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STAFF
Pastor Rev. Peggy Casteel-Huston (219) 362-6219
([email protected]) 586-530-3970
Administrative Assistant Mariana Zeedyk (219) 362-6219
Bookkeeper Jennifer Merrill (219) 362-6219, ext 106
Child/Youth Ministry Dir. Aaron Lickliter (219) 362-6219, ext 103
Choir Director Kathleen Lang (219) 363-8610,
Custodian Patrick Sightes
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The deadline to submit items for the May Newsletter is Thursday, April 17, 2020
Please email your article to Mariana Zeedyk at [email protected]
I was blinded today by a bright light. It took me a minute to realize
that the bright light was the sun shining in La Porte, Indiana. It wasn’t
a peek of sun – it was a clear blue sky and the sun was out most of the
day. As I write this article, we are just a little away from the beginning
of spring on Thursday, March 19th. While there may still be bits of
snow here and there on the ground, it will help my spirit knowing that
spring has come.
It may take a few more weeks to see the effects of spring in La Porte
but I encourage you to watch for them. Watch to see the ice on Pine
Lake begin to finish thawing; watch for buds to begin appearing on the
trees; watch for the crocus and daffodils to break through the wet
ground; watch to see people spending time outside; watch for the
temperatures to rise where we feel safe to put away the snow boots
with ice cleats on the bottom and our heavy winter wear until next
year; watch for color everywhere; watch to see God bring new life to a place where winter freezes everything.
As you see winter fade into a memory and begin seeing the effects of
spring, be reminded that, as Christians, we are to live spring everyday
of our lives. Friends, this is the message of Easter. As God gave His
Son Jesus as a ransom for us and raised Him from the dead, God has
given us spring. God has given us new life.
Maybe for you, it has been awhile since you have felt God’s gift of new
life. Maybe it has been awhile since you have felt your spirit thaw with
the warmth of God’s love. Maybe, spiritually, you feel frozen most of
the time. If this is the case, I would encourage you to read the gospel
of John 20: 19-23. I can’t imagine hearts more frozen than those of the
disciples as they watched Jesus suffer and die. I can’t imagine lives feel-
ing more bereft than the lives of the disciples who had faithfully fol-
lowed Jesus and believed He was dead. What it took for the disciples
for their spirits to thaw was Jesus appearing to them behind their
locked doors and breathing on them the Holy Spirit. Once Jesus
A Note From Pastor Peggy’s Pen
LIFE OF THE CHURCH
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Great Hour of Sharing Offering
A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing(OGHS) allows the Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance Program to work with communities around
the world as they recover and find hope after the devastation of natural
and human-caused disasters. It receives 32% of funds raised. Your gen-
erosity helps the Presbyterian Hunger Program to take action to
alleviate hunger and its systemic causes, and to help create access to
healthy food for entire communities. It receives 36% of funds raised.
Your sharing makes it possible for the Self-Development of People
Program to partner with people and communities with tools for de-
velopment and education to alleviate poverty, oppression and injustice.
It receives 32% of funds raised.
This offering is one of the four special offerings endorsed by the Pres-
byterian Church (USA). Many other denominations receive this offering
during the time of Passion as well. We will receive this offering on
Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020.
Give generously ! Your gift will be a gift of hope!
Submitted by Adi Veenendaal
Floral Photographic Exhibit
This upcoming Church Growing Season (May and June) we will grow in
appreciation of a variety of God’s Floral Arrangements as seen through
the lens of Photographer Glen Richardson. His floral photography will
be in the Narthex area on the brick walls. We will have an opportunity
to celebrate the talents of one of our own members at a reception.
No date or time has been set at this writing so stay tuned to future
newsletters and the web site: yourhomechurch.com.
Presbyterian Women News
PW Bible Study has been canceled for the immediate future.
The PW Spring Gathering will also be cancelled. We are hoping to re-
schedule in the Fall. 4
LIFE OF THE CHURCH
breathes His Holy Spirit upon us, our hearts and spirits thaw, awaken-
ing us to the new life God has given to us in the resurrected Jesus.
Don’t run and hide so that God must come looking for you, instead
look for Him. Look for Him in worship, look for Him in prayer, look
for Him in the Spring of Creation and go ahead, ask Him to breathe on
you and watch the ‘Son’ lift the gloom of a winter spirit and turn it into
Spring.
PLEASE SEE SPECIAL NOTE FROM ME IN THIS NEWS-
LETTER REGARDING WORSHIP.
Interim Note: Session approved the self-study at its March meeting.
This study will now be sent to the Committee on Ministry and the Vi-
sioning Leader Rev. Jennifer Burns Lewis. We anticipate them clearing
the way for this church to form a PNC. **The PNC must be approved
by the congregation so Session may have to take some creative steps
to make this happen. Stay tuned! Things are moving along!
Enjoying the journey with you,
Pastor Peggy
A Note From Pastor Peggy’s Pen
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING WORSHIP AT
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LA PORTE, INDIANA
As you all know, we are living through a time that is very scary for us
all. Our world is doing a battle with a Pandemic known as COVID19
or coronavirus.
In response to the pandemic hitting our world, the Session of this
church is taking extraordinary measures to be sure everyone is safe
and to meet the criteria set out by the CDC and government officials.
Session met March 17 (social distancing from one another) and deter-
mined that no inhouse worship will take place until after Sun-
day, April 12. Here are two ways you can can safely worship with us
every Sunday:
By the church’s Facebook page: Sermon goes live every Sunday at
9:30 a.m. See link from last week’s sermon: https://www.facebook.com/PresbyterianChurchofLaPorte/
videos/633873844118008/
LIFE OF THE CHURCH
** You do not need a Facebook account to tune in.
At 11:30 a.m. Pastor Peggy will be preaching to people in their cars
in the parking lot at the back of The Presbyterian Church.
Come, find a parking place, roll down your window or bring a
lawn chair (weather permitting). I will be preaching from a loud-
speaker towards the rear of the building. John Gouwens will
play the carillon immediately following the service. We have
ordered ‘to go’ communion so that communion will be able to
be offered safely on Palm Sunday.
All other services are cancelled; that includes: 20 minutes with God
and the Seder Meal being planned for Holy Week.
There is a link on the church web page where tithing can continue.
We ask that you continue to support the church as the church
supports our community during this time of great need.
The only thing that will change these plans is if the CDC or our govern-ment advises all citizens to shelter in place. Please monitor our
church’s web page for future advisories and updates at
www.yourhomechurch.org.
Rev. Peggy Huston
Interim Pastor
The Presbyterian Church of La Porte, IN
Garage Sale
WILL NOT BE a Garage Sale on April 24 and 25. Wait please till the
further notice.
Men’s Breakfast
WILL NOT BE a Men’s Breakfast on April 11. Wait please till the fur-
ther notice.
Merry Widows
Merry Widows will not meet in April . Look for further details.
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LIFE OF THE CHURCH
To support our local community, the Session Elders agreed to send
funds to help the fill a food drive for our community. PAX Center is
coordinating with local food pantries so that those who need supplies
can get help.
Subject: Emergency Food in LaPorte
Good morning, friends! We are working hard to help prepare those
in and around La Porte to cope with the Coronavirus outbreak. Our
food pantry will be open at our regular times, but we are changing
how the food is distributed. You can read more about that on our
Coronavirus page.
We have also assembled information from our partner agencies. You can find other food pantry times, school food programs, mobile food
offerings, and how to connect with your municipality during the shut-
down. We will continue to update this site as we gather further infor-
mation. If you know of other information that is helpful for people to
know, please send it our way. If you have any questions or don't know
how to ask, please email me or text/call my cell phone at (574) 386-
1420.
Finally, if you can donate to our work during this season, we would be
greatly appreciative. We have already heard of stores and restaurants
having to lay off staff members. We know our numbers will increase
past the 1,000 people on average we already feed each month. Your
donation will help the Pax Center keep La Porte County well-fed and
well-loved during this trying season for so many of our friends and
neighbors.
www.thepaxcenter.com/coronavirus/
Thank you!
Nate Loucks
CEO/President of the Pax Center
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LIFE OF THE CHURCH
Graduates to be recognized
Do you have a soon-to-be graduate from high school or college in
our congregation?
We will be recognizing our graduates (at a date to be determined) and
want to make sure we include everyone. Send your information to
Mariana at the church office:
Name of Graduate, From What School, Future Plans and a picture of
them (maybe their senior photo?). Contact information is helpful too.
Once we establish a date for recognition, we will let you. It’s always
nice to celebrate these milestones! Thank you for your help.
Dear Friends,
While in snowbird country, we are doing much as you in snow coun-
try: that is, washing hands, trying not to touch our faces while we stay
away from more than ten people at a time. COVID-19 threat is chang-
ing plans and life here as in La Porte. All of our scheduled visitors have
cancelled, so Ross and I must entertain ourselves and count on phone
and mail to keep informed. Phone calls from friends and family there
one day reported crocus, daffodils sightings - then snowfall within the
hour!
That reminds me of the church’s hilltop flower garden spring blooms
and prompts me to call for help with tending that space when we re-
turn next month.
Help Wanted! Contact Ross or Sue Lawrence 362-3202
We have worshiped with three different Florida Presbyterian churches
this winter and found none as friendly or with sermons as helpful as
that at “your home church”.
On April 15, we will start our drive to La Porte. We do miss our
church family, the activities and worship together. We wish you all
health, safety, and God’s blessings.
Sue & Ross Lawrence
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The Scoop on Children’s Ministry
Well, with everything that is going on with COVID-19, there are some
changes coming that impact all of the following ministries in my articles.
First off, the Kids’ Club program is cancelled until after Easter Sunday,
April 12. On Wednesdays, I am hoping to make recordings available to
guide children through the Bible stories that we would have been cov-
ering at Kids’ Club, so that families can have any additional resources
made available to them. Children’s Church is also cancelled as well. Re-
sources will be made available as soon as we have the ability to post
these items on either Facebook or the church website for church usage.
CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRY
Easter Flower Orders
The Visual Word Team will be doing something different this Easter
instead of our usual flowers that are ordered in Memory/Honor of or
loved ones. Those that have already pre-ordered will be contacted and
may have a check for the amount given returned to them OR may put
those funds into their tithe amount. Our team hopes to have the op-
portunity to honor our loved ones later this spring/early summer once
COVID-19 is under control and we are able to use our sanctuary again.
LIFE OF THE CHURCH
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The Scoop on Youth Ministry
Before you read my initial writings on PYG, know that changes are hap-
pening here as well. PYG will not meet in any fashion through April 12.
There will be different resources made available on both the PYG Face-
book page and also the PYG (@pYouthg) instagram account. Please
check those places for additional information.
Things are continuing forward for PYG. Our February and
March, Youth Breakfasts have been well attended and supported by the
church; thank you to everyone who has attended and donated to our
Summer Mission trip. Culver’s Give Back Days started on March 17.
However, these events may be impacted at least in the immediate fu-
ture by the concern over Corona Virus. PYG has been preparing the
breakfast for the P.A.D.S. center each months. Each meal that we have
served as a church has been greatly appreciated and ranked highly by those in attendance. Special thanks to Jan Moelker, Eric Moelker, and
Larry Sheagely for rallying and helping to serve. Due to current circum-
stances we don’t know when we will be cooking again.
Finally, basketball season has come to a close at St. John’s; I want to
thank everyone for being accommodating and supportive of this new
outlet for me. The school has asked me to come back and coach next
year. They have asked me to participate in their badminton tournament
this month and I was also honored at a morning service with a certifi-
cate for an outstanding season this year. We as a church family are also
benefitting from this time commitment as at least three of the students
who participated in the PYG congregational survey attend youth group
because of my involvement over at St. John’s.
CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRY
FINANCE
Financial Information
Thank you for all those who are trying to keep up with their church
pledges in these trying times. Offerings will be collected at our drive up
services and you can mail them in or drop them off at the church office.
Please call to make sure the office is open before coming over.
Mission Giving
At our Session meeting in March we approved the giving of $500 to
PCUSA for the disaster relief fund for the tornados in Tennessee. So
far this year, out of the budget, we have allocated approximately $1500
for mission. This amount and the money given to PAX Center locally
was distributed from this money.
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CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRY
NEWS
The Scoop on Young Adult Ministry
The April YA gathering at the escape room is also cancelled in order to
follow the decisions of The Presbyterian Church of La Porte.
It’s one easy step to get your news in
Information abounds in this newsletter – and you can help get the
word out even further! Our commitment to community outreach in-
cludes letting people know of our church’s activities and that they are
welcome to attend.
Wait – exactly how do you get the word out? Julie Kessler is availa-
ble to receive news about church events and write them for news out-
lets, including newspapers and radio stations. You can e-mail infor-
mation to Julie at [email protected]. She will be coordinat-
ing with our marketing committee and with Pastor Peggy. You don’t
need to ponder over the wording! If you like to write, have at it – oth-
erwise just send the information to Julie and she will write it. If it’s an
event, be sure to include date, time, place of the event as well as spe-
cifics about the event.
What if it’s not an event? Has your needlework group fashioned
something to donate to a community resource? We want the commu-
nity to know about such things, to help realize what we’re about, rec-
ognize our Christian offerings and outreach, and inspire further inter-
est! If you need to call instead of e-mail, Julie’s number is 363-4626.
SESSION NOTES
The Session met on March 17, 2020 in The Gathering Place. The fol-
lowing is a short report on business that was conducted.
Pastor Peggy will be in discussions with the Presbytery and Synod
regarding the Covid-19 church activities.
Creative worship services. Facebook, Website, Parking lot sermon.
Finance committee reported that 54 members have paid their per
capita.
Approved the Self Study to be sent to Committee on Ministry
Approved raising insurance deductible from $500 to $5000 to save
money.
Personnel Committee: Approved hiring of new custodian, Patrick
Sightes.
Approved a donation of $500 from Mission to the PAX center.
Approved a donation of $500 from Mission to the Presbyterian Dis-aster Relief fund for tornado relief in Tennessee.
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Average attendance for February was: Contemporary Service 30
Traditional Servicee
Financial report: Income for February was $15,822.03, expenses
$23,208.95
Operating fund balance as of February 29, 2020, was $9,622.34
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