Church Office: 417-256-4247 Address: 112 Aid Avenue, West Plains, MO 65775 Email: 1stpresbychurch@centurytel.net Website: www.firstpreswp.org Facebook: FirstPresbyteri-

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First Presbyterian Church, West Plains, Missouri

August/September 2017

Chimes

Interim Pastor Rev. Dr. Timothy Stover

Session Craig Albin Jacob Garrett John Grisham Sylvia Hershenson Bo Pace Carol Silvey Dave Thomas

Deacons Erika Garrett Kay Garrett Emily Grisham Kristin Gullic Georgette Kerr Elizabeth Mitchell Sunie Pace Amy Thomas Susie Warden

August Birthdays Brandi Snider 8/1 Todd Robitsch 8/3 Daryl Dye 8/4 Betty Lou Stock 8/4 Thomas Pieralisi 8/8 Diane Cooke 8/12 Richard Silvey 8/16 Ellen Hones 8/20 Hayley Hershenson 8/23 Georgette Kerr 8/23 Joel McClure 8/23 Melissa Stewart 8/29 Ulf Werner 8/29

Sept. Birthdays Luke Skinner 9/13 Lucy Hershenson 9/14 Robin Morgan 9/16 Cary Stewart 9/18 Dave Thomas 9/18 Lauren Stewart 9/19 Janet McClure 9/21

(Continued on page 2)

God’s Peace, Tim

Pastoral Ponderings

17Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer disgrace.” 18And I told them of the hand of my God which had been upon me for good, and also of the words which the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. —Nehemiah 2:17-18

T here are certain values that are wo-

ven through scripture such as love of God and neighbor, the call to act justly and follow God’s precepts. Neverthe-less, there are distinct differences between the Hebrew community and the early Christian church. One of the es-sential differentiations is the emphasis on the centrality of the temple and synagogues in the Hebrew community and the call of the early church to go out into the world and spread the good news. In both the Jewish and Christian commu-

nities, the belief that the Temple, Jerusalem or church building is the center of religious life has persisted through-out the ages. Regard-less of God’s calling for Christians to extend the boundaries of the faith community, too often the church continues to be centered in a build-ing. Given God’s call to community, minding re-ligious facilities and sa-cred space is not anti-thetical to faith or spirit-uality. However, focus-ing on a particular space

does become detri-mental when the mis-sion beyond the walls is diminished. As the PNC continues its task of finding the next long-term pastor, we need to continue an outward vision of the church so that once the search is complete, the next pastor will find an alive and vibrant congre-gation already engaged in mission centered on the will of God.

1I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. —Romans 12:1-2

August/September 2017

Jake Garrett 9/25

August Anniversaries Jay/Mindy Padgett 8/4 Steve/Melonie Bunn 8/7 Larry/Kelly Dame 8/8

Birthdays/Anniversaries, cont. from p.1

Adult Bible Study Led by Craig Albin and Jay Padgett, the group is studying Finding Jesus in The Prophets. Books are available. Meets in Fellowship Hall.

“The Front Porch” Discussing “When Christians Get It Wrong,” a 6-part video series by Adam Hamilton. Each week stands alone, so join us for one or all, exploring today’s issues in light of what we understand about Christianity. On loan from Mtn. View Presby-terian, who highly recom-mends it. In the library.

Watch the 20-minute videos on our new A/V equipment, made possible thanks to the Samuel H. Grisham Memorial Fund. It includes a large flat screen monitor, DVD player, and cart for ease of mobility.

The Nursery Downstairs. Open 9 -11 a.m.

A will may be another “pocket” from which to give to strengthen the finances of our church.

An estate plan provides instructions for using your property after you no longer need it. It usually includes a will.

A “Christian will” is one that re-flects Christian values. You can remem-ber your family and special friends in ways that are shaped by your faith. You can remember organizations that further causes you believe in. You can remember our church and sustain its positive presence in West Plains.

Making a charitable bequest does not take away from your loved ones’ security. A bequest can be of the remainder of an estate. It can be made only after other desires have been

fulfilled. Or it can provide an income to a person during life, with a charitable gift made at that person’s passing.

To the church, a charitable bequest may make it possible to plan ahead, perhaps to fund a project or mission that’s been long deferred due to the pressure of ongoing upkeep.

Tell your attorney or other financial adviser what’s important to you as you plan your estate. The booklet, “Guide to a Christian Will,” can help you get started. You may pick up a copy for your family in Fellowship Hall.

Next time: More about long-range plans that benefit loved ones and the church.

What’s a “Christian Will”?

From Jay Padgett, chair of the Pastor Nominating Committee: The PNC is preparing the church’s mission statement and the accompanying Church Information Form (“CIF”) for Session approval. We’ll discuss it at a congregational meeting this fall (watch for details and please be there). Then the presbytery will ok it and post it online. Our plans

are to have it circulating to prospective candidates after the first of the year. The PNC asks for your continued prayers and support.

PNC Progress & Timeline

Daryl/Ann Dye 8/15 Steve/Elizabeth Mitchell 8/28

September Anniversaries Philip/Linda Wade 9/3 Chrys/Heather Fisher 9/19

Church Finances (the most recent 2 months only)

To fully fund worship, education, mission, and demands of the building, the budget calls for an average $11,000 in monthly gifts.

May Offering: $11,501 June Offering: $9,442

Sunday School for chil-dren & youth starts a new year on Aug. 27. Details of the form Sunday School will take will be discussed Mon., Aug. 14, at a special noon meeting for par-ents. If you have a school-age child, the Education Committee needs your input. Lunch is included and the meeting will be over by 1 pm. At OzSBI, 408 Washington.

“Living Waters” mis-sion: so far, $91.45 in change has been col-lected and another $260 has come in from youth workers. The mission continues….

August/September 2017

Shading = Worship Service at First Presbyterian. Sunday Morning: 10 am. Sunday School: 9 am. A nursery is provided 9-11 am.

August/ September 2017

Sept.

Sun. Mon. Tues. Weds. Thurs. Fri. Sat.

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 Cookout @ Morgan home, 5—7 pm

28 29 30 31 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Aug.

Choir 5:30 pm

Choir 5:30 pm

Choir 5:30 pm

Choir 5:30 pm

Choir 5:30 pm

Choir 5:30 pm

Choir 5:30 pm

Choir 5:30 pm

Deacons, noon

Session, 5:15 pm

Deacons, noon

Session, 5:15 pm

Looking ahead

Oct. 1 World Commun-ion Sunday.

Oct. 12 Save the date! Women of the church salad lunch and lesson. 10 am-2 pm. We will bring salads to share and Kay Garrett is work-ing on a lesson from Ad-am Hamilton’s book, Making Sense of the Bi-ble. Oct. ?? Afternoon at the Pumpkin Patch! Day and other details to

Aug. 14: Parents of children and youth meet about the coming year of Sun. School. Noon –1 pm. Lunch pro-vided. At OzSBI, 408 Washington Ave.

Aug. 27: Rally around a new year of Sunday School. New classes for chil-dren and high-schoolers start Sun. morning. Then come to an all-church picnic/cookout at the home of Chuck and Robin Morgan (bring potluck sides

and desserts). Meet at the church by 4:45 pm (sharp!) if you want to cara-van to the Morgan home.

The choir rehearses every Weds. at 5:30 pm and welcomes new members.

Sept. 10: A potluck breakfast is planned for 9 am. Drinks and paper products will be on hand; bring a breakfast or brunch item. Sunday School will be suspended that day.

Communion

Labor Day

Youth SS Starts

Communion

9 am, Potluck Breakfast (Sun. School canceled)

Guest pastor: Fr. Bob Williams

Choir 5:30 pm

Parents’ Sun. School Meeting, Noon– 1pm at OzSBI

First Presbyterian Church 112 Aid Avenue West Plains, MO 65775

Prayer concerns: The PNC, our nation, all war-torn areas of the world, Amy Barry.

Best wishes to Del Bowles and Sandy Lee Collins, married June 25 in Mtn. View by Dr. Stover. Con-grats, too, to Judy (Del’s mother) and Tim Bean.

Our house of worship greatly benefitted this sum-mer from gardening care by Kay Garrett; Hayley, Lucy, Samson, and Sylvia Hershenson; Gordon and Susan Huggins; Bo Pace, and Tom and Betty Lou Stock.

Welcome Every Sunday at 10 am, with

fellowship afterwards.

Start fresh on Sunday, Aug 27—

At 9 am, we’ll begin a new year of Sunday

school.

At 5 pm, a potluck cookout welcomes everyone

in our church family and guests.

See page 3 for details.

Explore faith questions in the morning and share

down-time later.

Special thanks to the following church indi-viduals who spent time preparing and deliver-ing food for the Vista volunteers who did flood repair work in West Plains in June and July: Christy Coleman, Kay Garrett, Ruth Hones, Susan Huggins, Betty Morgan, Robin Morgan, Carol Silvey, Susie Warden. A very special thanks to Stanley Mugeki who met us faithfully to re-ceive and distribute each weekly delivery (including on the 3rd of July).

Our church members who serve on presbytery com-mittees make it possible for the nearly 9,500 congre-gations of the PC(USA) to connect with each other. Time commitments vary widely (from very little to periodic meetings), but all offer a way to get to know fellow Presbyterians in the area. Thanks to Robin Morgan who signed on for a second 3-year term on the Sex-ual Misconduct Allegations Committee. Also serving are Craig Albin as an Ordi-nation Exam Reader and, on com-mittees: Ruth Hones (Representation), Bo Pace (Preparation for Ministry), Tom Stock (Administrative Services), and Dr. Stover (Ministry). If you’re an elder who might like to serve, see Ruth or Dr. Stover.

Service Through the Presbytery

Vista Thanks We’re on Face-

book—like our

page and keep up

with our church

family’s activities

about town,

events, and an-

nouncements. See our website,

too: firstpreswp.org.