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Presbyterian ‘Connection’ January 2018 Volume 25 Issue 1

BULL SHOALS MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE FUND

ANNUAL REPORT: NOVEMBER 6, 2017

Some of you probably have wondered how what I refer to as the Ministerial Alliance

Helping Hand Fund is utilized. We contribute to it at our annual Community

Thanksgiving Service and our Community 5th Sunday Sings. Below is a report for

the fund from 11/ 20/16 thru 11/15/17, basically from Thanksgiving to Thanksgiving.

This report was provide by Pastor Jerry Backus, Treasurer of the Fund.

Balance January 1, 2016 $2,903.28

Received 11/20/ 16 thru 11/15/2017 $2, 916.83

Paid Out 11/22/16 to 11/15/17

Entergy (5 Checks) $1,462.70

Water and Sewer (3 Checks) $ 276.98

Lodging $ 91.98

Transportation (Bus Ticket & Car Battery) $ 251.68

OM Sales (Gas) (8 Checks) $ 197.52

Checks Purchased $ 25.00

1 night lodging and moving expense $ 150.00

Total Paid Out (23 Families were assisted) $2,455.86

BALANCE AS OF NOVEMBER 20, 2017 $3,364.25

Our Church, also, contributes annually to the Fund with proceeds from

our Mission Endowment Fund. We share our blessings in the name of the

LORD.

God bless! Fred

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Our Church Face Book page

https://www.facebook.com/presbyterian.shoals

Church phone # - 870-445-4622

Our church email address

presch@suddenlinkmail.com

Connection Online

If you would like to read the “Connection” newsletter

online, go to our website;

http://www.presbyterianchurchofbullshoals.com

Click on the ‘Info Center’ tab at the top, then on the

drop-down menu, click on “Presbyterian Connection”,

then choose the month of the newsletter you would

like to read. The most recent newsletter will be at the

top.

Coffee & Fellowship

Be sure to drop in for coffee, maybe a

Danish or cookies and wonderful fellowship

on Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in

Memorial Hall!

November Income - $3,829.00

November Expenses - $4,239.76

THURSDAYS, FROM 11:00 A.M. TO NOON IN

MEMORIAL HALL. MEN & WOMEN WELCOME.

To My Church Family,

I want to say Thank You for the prayers &

beautiful cards sent on the passing of my

daughter Carol.

I know she is resting now with the Lord even

though to me, it was too early for her. But as we

know, these things are done in God’s time.

It means a lot to me to know, even though I may

not be with you, that I am not forgotten.

You are all with me daily.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

God’s Blessings,

Betty Aaron

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WORSHIP IN JANUARY

JANUARY 7th

“The Word”

John 1:1-18

COMMUNION

JANUARY 14th

“New Wine”

John 2:1-11

POT LUCK

JANUARY 21st

“New Temple”

John 2:13-22

BLESSING OF THE FOOD PANTRY

JANUARY 28th

“New Birth”

John 3:1-21

MINUTE FOR MISSION

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CHURCH USHERS/GREETERS COMMUNION SERVERS

January 7 - Sandy Erickson & Dr. Simons Ed & Peni Lloyd

January 14 - Celia & Roger Millard

January 21 - Linda Allensworth & Irene Bere

January 28 - Irene Bere & Faye Brackett

PRAYER LIST FOR CONGREGATIONS, PRESBYTERY OF AR.- 2018

January 7 - Presbytery of AR., does not have their 2018 list up on their website yet.

January 14 -

January 21 -

January 28 -

PLEASE NOTIFY PAT ERLEWINE IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO SHOULD BE ON OUR PRAYER LIST.

BIRTHDAYS

January February January 9 - Mary Kerr No February Birthdays

ANNIVERSARIES

January 28 - Ray & Pat Erlewine No February Anniversaries

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LIBRARY LINES - JANUARY 2018

We have book 2 of the Baxter Family Series by Karen Kingsbury entitled IN THIS MOMENT and we have a new donated fiction book entitled TANGLED VINES by Diane Noble.

The following is a synopsis of IN THIS MOMENT:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes a brand-new Baxter Family novel about a beloved high school principal who starts a Bible Study to improve the lives of his struggling students, only to become the national focus of a controversial lawsuit.

Hamilton High Principal Wendell Quinn is tired of the violence, drug abuse, teen pregnancies, and low expectations at his Indianapolis school. A single father of four, Quinn is a Christian and a family man. He wants to see change in his community, so he starts a voluntary after-school Bible Study and prayer program. He knows he is risking his job by leading the program, but the high turnout at every meeting encourages him.

A year later, violence and gang activity are down, test scores are up, and drug use and teen pregnancy have plummeted. The program is clearly working—until one parent calls the press. Now Quinn faces a lawsuit that could ruin everything.

With a storm of national attention and criticism, Quinn is at a crossroads—he must choose whether to cave in and shut down the program or stand up for himself and his students. The battle comes with a high cost, and Quinn wants just one attorney on his side for this fight: Luke Baxter. In This Moment is an inspiring, relevant story about the nuances of religious freedom and how a group of determined people just might restore the meaning of faith in today’s culture.

The following is a synopsis of TANGLED VINES: When beloved mystery writer Theodora Whimple disappears from the seaside village of Pelican Bay, California, her grandniece K.C. Keegan, publisher of the small town's newspaper, sets out to find her. The trail leads to the sun-drenched Napa Valley, where K.C. joins forces with Sheriff Elliot Gavin, an old flame. When they discover the Angels Crest vineyard is a front for a New Age cult, K.C. and Gav don hooded robes and infiltrate the cult in search of Theodora. But will their daring escapade entangle them in a sinister web of power and intrigue from which there is no escape.

Faye Brackett, Librarian

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MISSION MINUTE

JANUARY - 2018

The Christmas Joy Offering helps form future leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Their student days may have been a generation apart, but both Lemuel Garcia-Arroyo and his nephew Jasiel Hernandez found the Presbyterian Pan American School (Pan Am) to be an incubator for Christian leadership in their lives. Lemuel, now Associate Director in the Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries area of the Presbyterian Mission, came to Pan Am from southern Mexico in 1981 as a high school sophomore. He enrolled in the Kingsville, Texas, secondary school in part to escape the scrutiny that comes with being a pastor’s son. He says the space Pan Am gave him helped his faith grow and encouraged him to claim his love for the church. Jasiel, a senior at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, made the trek from southern Mexico to Pan Am 27 years after Lemuel. He grew up hearing stories about Pan Am from Lemuel and his younger brother Joel, who is an information systems manager and lay pastor in Mexico City. Jasiel heard his uncles talk about opportunities to excel academically, create community, and grow spiritually. Jasiel and Lemuel spoke highly of Pan Am’s academic preparation, chapel services, and extracurricular activities, but both also emphasized the importance of participating in student organized Bible study and prayer groups. “Who would have thought teenagers would voluntarily go to chapel to pray after breakfast?” Lemuel asks. “But that’s what we did. I wasn’t pressured to do it, but it helped solidify my identity and

my love for the church.”

Jasiel participated in a weekly dormitory Bible study. “It was there I discovered I wanted to learn more about God. I wanted to know more about people’s faith and their understanding about how God works in their lives through different events and situations,” Jasiel says. “So that Bible study really impacted my life. I wound up leading it my senior year.” Lemuel is grateful the Pan Am tradition continues and that it helped shape his nephew’s calling. “I am so proud and joyful that God would call him into ministry,” Lemuel says. Jasiel is looking toward ordination in the PC(USA) and doctoral work in theology and Christian education after he finishes seminary. Jasiel and Lemuel appreciate the scholarships that made it possible for them to enjoy Pan Am’s spiritually nurturing and high-quality academic programs. They draw a connection between the

student aid they received and gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering.

Your gift to the Christmas Joy Offering makes it possible for the Presbyterian Pan American School to prepare more leaders. Half of the Offering goes to Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges, and the other half supports current and past church workers and their families who are in critical financial need. Submitted by the Mission Committee

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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN & MEN

General Meeting

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Nine members were in attendance for our November meeting, held a week later than usual since the Bull Shoals Dam was closed to traffic on the second Tuesday of the month. Pastor Fred Taylor blessed the light meal hosted by Amy Johnson then we continued with the devotion given by Irene Bere who read from Mornings With Jesus in Guideposts. Afterward, Moderator Elaine Miller called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM.

Reports:

Secretary, Amy Johnson asked for any corrections or additions to the October minutes and there were none so they will be placed on file. She read correspondence from Betty Aaron and Mary Lou Guthrie.

Treasurer, Mary Kerr presented her October report. The beginning balance was $1267.90, with total receipts of $1151.60, and total disbursements of $126.66, leaving a balance on October 31 of $2292.84.

She reminds us that we will be paying out $700 in pledged donations that we agreed upon in the spring

Announcements: Pastor Fred commented that the community Thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church this year was well attended.

Publicity: Vicky Bair, absent, had nothing to report.

Best Choice Barcodes: Linda Allensworth was absent, but Mary reported that the anticipated $90 check from Linda's latest mailing has been received and deposited.

NEW BUSINESS:

Missions: Amy noted that with the balance of available funds, less the $700 that is due to be paid out, that we should consider other local needs for our surplus funds (approximately $700 less any expenditures for our Christmas In a Backpack project). Pastor Fred suggested we check with Faye Brackett regarding missions giving for the church budget, also. Irene Bere suggested supporting Alpha House, for homeless men in Mtn. Home serving Marion Co. as well as Baxter Co. Peni Lloyd also had a suggestion to donate to our Bull Shoals Library. After discussion, Celia Millard made a motion that we donate $100 to both Alpha House and BS Library. Amy Johnson seconded the motion and all were in favor.

2018 Officers: Co-Moderator Elaine Miller is stepping down from her office. Peni Lloyd will continue as Moderator. Amy Johnson will continue as Secretary and Mary Kerr will continue as Treasurer. After much discussion a final decision will be made at the next meeting regarding how to handle the Moderator duties if/when Peni cannot serve for a given month. In the past a Vice Moderator would step up, and at other times, the other officers would step in. At the December meeting, a vote will be taken for our 2018 officers.

2018 Meeting Hosts/Breakfasts: Amy brought up the need for possible changes in our meeting protocol next year since it's getting harder to find volunteers willing to be hosts. It was a unanimous 'no' to going back to the restaurant meetings since we have none open for breakfasts that can accommodate a meeting atmosphere. It was decided to cut out hosts all together and just have coffee made by whoever wants it, and then a treat provided if anyone feels so inclined (no sign-ups, no meals, no clean-up).

Con’t ….

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Till We Speak Again JANUARY 2018

Oh wow, a New Year!! Time sure does fly. I’ve found out that the older I get, the faster times

flies. Now it’s time to deconstruct the past holiday season and put it away till next time.

That brings up a good point, maybe we should also deconstruct our mindsets, and throw away those

things we really don’t need. I’m talking about my own mind of course. I’m going to try to throw away

fear, worry, envy, greed, selfishness, and laziness, If I can’t get rid of them completely, I’m going to

pack them away on a high shelf. Maybe with a lot of prayer and trust in God, I’ll be rid of them in

time.

I’m really going to have to make room in that closet to fit all of Christmas and my recent mind

cleaning. Maybe I just need a bigger closet!!

Happy New Year

Luv, Millie

PW&M - Con’t from previous pg.

OLD BUSINESS: Christmas In A Backpack project : Vicky, the chairperson for this project was absent today. Peni offered to make a poster with explanation of items needed to be donated by our church congregation with a collection receptacle in the narthex. We will also encourage any monetary donations. Deadline for donations is Dec. 3. Amy has secured 144 youth size toothbrushes donated by Bull Shoals Family Dental and Dr. Hunter Thomas and stored them in the Christian Ed. Room. We are asking for individual donations of toothpaste and lip balm in addition and will package these and any toys and candy together in gallon zip bags decorated with stickers that will then be placed by Flippin Schools into participating children's backpacks. Peni is also going to check with Harp's to see if we can set up a table there Dec.2 to encourage the community's involvement with donations as well. All this will come together at our December PW&M meeting on the 12th when we bag up all the goodies and make it part of our Christmas Party celebration.

PWM Christmas Party: Everyone please bring a jar of peanut butter. There will be no Bingo this year in lieu of the Christmas In A Backpack Bagging activity, but Vicky will have door prizes.

OTHER BUSINESS: Peni reports that a Volunteer Jobs Fair is in the planning stage for Bull Shoals businesses. Some businesses that would benefit include BS Food Pantry, BS Library, Little Bit Used, etc.

Next General Meeting: December 12, 2017, 9:30 AM for a short meeting & Christmas Party

Hosts: Vicky Bair, Mary Kerr and Celia Millard Devotion: Amy Johnson

Respectfully submitted by Secretary, Amy Johnson

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General Meeting

Sunday, December 10, 2017

We held our last meeting of the year and Christmas party after our monthly congregational pot luck dinner and a gathering of 'helping hands' to package up PWM's 'Christmas In A Backpack' packets for Flippin Schools' Backpack Program participants – 120 grade school children. Many of our church family stayed after the meal for the party hosted by PWM members Mary Kerr, Celia Millard and Vicky Bair (thank you for the special touches) to enjoy helping out, getting a treat of eggnog from Mary and Bill , and all receiving a gift from the 'door prize' drawings provided by Vicky in lieu of her usual Bingo game prizes . We thank you all for so many generous donations of items and cash for the Backpack packets which included candies, a toy, toothpaste and lip balm in prettily decorated zip-close bags. We thank, too, Hunter Tomas, DDS who donated all the toothbrushes through his dental practice here in town. After the festivities of the shared meal, Moderator Peni Lloyd brought the meeting to order and Pastor Fred Taylor opened with prayer and Amy Johnson read a devotion, Christmas In A Cradle, a hymn. Since the Coordinating Team members approved the November minutes and treasurer's report at the team meeting, Nov. 30, we were able to hold an abbreviated meeting. The only remaining order of business was to elect officers for the 2018 business year for PWM: Peni Lloyd, Moderator; Mary Kerr, Treasurer; and Amy Johnson, Secretary. All are incumbent officers. All members present, by a show of hands, were in favor. PWM will take a break for the winter months now until March 2018. Next general meeting: Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 9:30 AM Devotion: Amy Johnson. No hosts will be needed (we will no longer have breakfast meetings). Pastor Fred closed the meeting with prayer after Peni adjourned the meeting. Respectfully submitted by Secretary, Amy Johnson

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN & MEN

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JANUARY PUZZLE

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THIS WE BELIEVE FOR JANUARY

“TRUE WORSHIPERS WILL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH, FOR THEY ARE THE KIND OF WORSHIPERS THE FATHERS SEEKS… “

“John 4:23”

“We will be scripture-based to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ

and spiritually led to guide all people to be active doers of the Word”

Approved by Session on November 16, 2007

CHURCH STAFF

Pastor: Fred Taylor, Clerk of Session: Vicky Bair, Church Treasurer: Ken Hobart,

Secretary: Christi Partee, Financial Secretary: Elaine Miller

DEACONS

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Ed Lloyd Pam Hobart Sandy Erickson

Amy Johnson Vacancy Pat Erlewine

ELDERS

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

Meg Simons Ken Hobart Vicky Bair

Peni Lloyd Steve Broskovak Vacancy

Presbyterian Church of Bull Shoals

P.O. Box 305

Bull Shoals, AR. 72619