Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
___________________________________________________
LIVE IN COMMUNITY WITH US.
Hello Saints of the Church,
February is the month to be reminded of what love is. think the
best description of love is found in I Corinthians 13. There Paul
tells us what mature love, what self-giving love, looks like. He
says
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end. . . .
until that completeness (comes),
we have three things to do to lead us . . . :
trust steadily in God,
hope unswervingly,
love extravagantly.
And the best of the three is love. (The Message)
Cards, flowers, and gifts can be beautiful expressions of love.
But, they are only the beginning and hopefully followed by the
hard work of learning to love unsel-fishly. Or the outward
manifestation of work well done. Love, Linda
Hyde Park Presbyterian Church
ChurchMouse
February
2015
2
If you are unable to serve on the date shown,
please trade with someone.
________________________________________________________
Financial Report
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
November 2014 December 2014
Income $8501.27 Income $2166.88
Expenses $6026.00 Expenses $7184.01
Total $2475.21 Total $5017.13
Thank you for your generous contributions.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Food P antry
Between November 26 & December 23,
4 people received groceries.
Your help is needed and appreciated.
As you give thanks for God’s many blessings,
please remember the needy and be generous.
“Truly I tell you, ‘Whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me.’” Matthew 25:4
Date Greeter/Usher Refreshments Liturgist Children’s Time
Communion
1
Ben/ Diego
April
Elsa/Steven
Linda
Setup: Emily Serve: Emily/George
8
Ben/ Diego
Luncheon
Ruth
Linda
15
Ben/ Diego
Elsa
Laura
Lisa
22
Ben/ Diego
Karen
Karen
Linda
VOLUNTEER
CALENDAR
February 2015
3
Finishing the study we began in the fall.
Discussion led by Emily Rochford.
Monthly
Potluck
February 8
Bring a Friend
and make your joy
complete.
Session meets
February 15
Session meetAfter worship. May 25 After worship.
Du Adult Church School
Sunday morning
9:30AM
Children’s Church
with Miss DeeDee
children 7-12
with Miss Ashley
children 2-5
Each Sunday
after Children’ Time.
4
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary will hosts its annual
Mid-Winter Lectures February 2-4. Featured speakers are Dr.
Beverly Gaventa, Distinguished Professor of New Testament,
Baylor University, Dr. Kimberly Bracken Long, Associate Professor
of Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia,
Rev. Dr. Jack Haberer, Pastor of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church,
Naples, Florida, and Dr. Karl Slaikeu, psychologist, mediator, and
author. Rev. Paul Roberts, Dean and President of Johnson C. Smith
Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia, is the preacher for the lectures.
I have heard Dr. Gaventa speak and found her to be interesting
and engaging. Mid-Winter’s is an opportunity to experience the best
the church has to offer in teachers and preachers. I encourage you
to make plans to attend. You can go to APTS’s website for the
schedule.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer and fasting leading up to Holy Week and Easter. Worshipers receive an
imposition of ashes rubbed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross as a symbol of mourning and repentance as they approach this reverent season. Symbolically, the ashes used are from the burnt palm
fronds used in the previous year’s Palm Sunday service. Another tradition is many people give up something meaningful to them as a fast during the season of Lent, or they take on additional spiritual disciplines such as more fervent prayer or study of Scripture. I hope you will join us for this reverent time of worship and prayer and consider doing a fast or discipline between now and Easter.
Fat
Tuesda
y
Lik
Like pancakes? Who doesn’t? Come, enjoy some good pancakes & great company! Fe February 17 6p
APTS Mid-Winter Lectures 2015
Feb February 17
5
A called Session meeting was held on December 14, 2014 at 11:50 a.m. in the sanctuary. Present were: Moderator, Linda Bourianoff and Elders: Elsa Aleman, George Bourianoff, Emily Rochford, Ben Rosales and Karen Laffere.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Linda.
The purpose of the meeting was to receive Eugenie Long into membership of the church. Eugenie expressed her desire to join the church and told us of her faith journey. A motion was made by Elsa to accept Eugenie into membership by profession of faith. A second was made by Karen.
A motion was made to adjourn by Ben with a second by George.
The meeting was closed in prayer at 12:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Approved by:
Karen Laffere, Clerk of Session Linda Bourianoff, Moderator
Called Session Meeting Minutes January 4, 2015
A called Session meeting was held on January 4th at 11:36 a.m. in the sanctuary following the worship service. Present were: Moderator, Linda Bourianoff and Elders: George Bourianoff, Ben Rosales and Karen Laffere. Also present was Student intern, Ruth Elswood.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Linda.
The purpose of the meeting was to set the date of the installation of elders George, Emily and Elsa. They will be installed on January 25th during the worship service.
The Annual Meeting will be held after the worship service on January 25th as well. George will get the budget out to the session members before that date for their review.
Ruth announced that she has decided to take a class to better prepare her for preaching and will no longer be able to continue her student internship throughout the spring. She will continue to worship in our church, will teach the adult class and will continue with other responsibilities that she had planned to do prior to her decision to take the class.
A motion was made to adjourn by Ben with a second by George.
The meeting was closed in prayer at 12:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Approved by:
Karen Laffere, Clerk of Session Linda Bourianoff, Moderator
Called Session Meeting Minutes December 14, 2014
6
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order in Wooten Hall at 12:20 p.m. by Moderator, Linda Bourianoff. Present were: Moderator, Linda Bourianoff, Student Intern Ruth Summers, and Elders: Elsa Aleman, George Bourianoff, Karen Laffere, Emily Rochford and Ben Rosales. Also present was Treasurer, Doris Lowe.
The meeting was opened with prayer. Psalm 100 was read and discussed. The agenda was adopted with a motion by George and second by Ben. Treasurer’s report was received with thanks to Doris.
Administrative Reports: Clerk’s Report: The minutes of the October session meeting were read and approved with one revision. Correspondence: No correspondence was received. Worship Attendance: was unavailable. Pastor’s Report: was read.
We received the review of the 2012 session minutes. Linda shared information from the October Presbytery meeting.
The administrative reports were approved with a motion by Emily and a second by George.
Ministry Reports: Christian Education: The adult class is will be studying “Journey” throughout Advent. Fellowship and Membership Care: 7 cards were sent out by Esther. Mission/Evangelism: The “Mission Fair” on was held on November 16th. Representatives from Micah 6, the Hutto Visitation Center and Presbyterian Children’s Home spoke to the congregation about their organizations and their mission in the community. A representative from Manos provided written materials about their work and volunteer opportunities. Property: Five weddings and three violin recitals are booked for next year. Stewardship and Finance: Pledge cards have been mailed out and members are asked to return them on November 23rd. Worship: Upcoming events for Advent: Hanging of the Greens- November 29th, Cantata and Warming of the tree – December 14th, Children’s Christmas party – December 21st. Elsa will ask different families to participate in lighting of the Advent Candles. The ministry reports were approved with a motion by George with a second by Elsa. Old Business:
A congregational meeting will be held on December 21st to elect elders. A motion was made by Karen with a second by Ben.
The audit needs to be done. George will call a meeting of the finance meeting.
Stated Session Meeting Minutes November 16, 2014
7
New Business: Monique asked if the church would sponsor a billboard for Steven’s team. The cost to do so would
be $350. The item was discussed and declined due to lack of funds. Ruth brought up Thomas’ need for food. He has Meals on Wheels during the week but has nothing
on weekends. She suggested that people take him meals or groceries for the weekend. Several members volunteered to participate. Ruth will make up a schedule.
Terry would appreciate calls. Each person will take a day to call and chat with her. It was decided that all of the money from the Holiday Market be used to pay benevolences and that
the Per Capita be paid out of the checking account. A motion was made by Ben to do so with a second by George. The vote passed unanimously.
Linda related that the Board of Pensions will increase in 2015 to 35.5% of the effective salary. The minimum salary is also increasing making Linda’s salary for 2015 $20,468.02.
Congregational Meeting December 21, 2014
A called congregational meeting was held on December 21, 2014 prior to the close of the worship service. A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 11:28 a.m. by Rev. Linda Bourianoff.
The purpose of the meeting was to elect elders to the session.
George, a member from the session on the nominating committee, presented the following names:
Emily Rochford for a one year term. Elsa Aleman for a one year term. George Bourianoff for a three year term.
The vote was unanimous to accept the nominations as suggested.
Linda would like to add George and Angela to her health insurance. The cost to do so will be an additional $50.00 monthly, which Linda will pay by having that amount deducted from her salary. Ben made a motion with a second by Karen to add George and Angela to Linda’s health insurance. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Ben made a motion to adjourn and Karen seconded the motion. The meeting was closed in prayer by Ruth at 1:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held on December 28th at 12:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Approved by:
Karen Laffere, Clerk of Session Linda Bourianoff, Clerk of Session Moderator
8
A motion to adjourn was made by Lisa with a second by Ben.
The meeting was closed in prayer at 11:32 a.m.
Respectively submitted: Approved by:
Karen Laffere Linda Bourianoff Clerk of Session Moderator
Month
Please Note
There was no session meeting in December due to so many people being ill with colds and
flu.
John 3:16 (Contemporary English Version)
God loved the people of this world so much
that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who has faith in him
will have eternal life and never really die.
9
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 22 3 4 5 6 7
The Lord’s
Supper
Angela’s
B’day
Weather
Forecaster
Day
Pay a
Compliment
Day
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
PotLuck
Sara’s B’day
Kite Flying
Day
Karen’s B’day Beth’s B’day
Valentine’s
Day
Ferris Wheel
Day
15 16 17 18 19 20
21
Session
meets
Susan B.
Anthony Day
President’s
Day
Fat Tuesday
Keith’s B’day
World Human Spirit Day
Ash
Wednesday
Harry Potter
Day
Nico’s B’day
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Inter-
national
Pancake Day
10
Katya Andresen says she loves the idea of Valentine’s Day. But somewhere
along the way, the occasion became fraught with problems.
A few years ago she and a friend conducted a Valentine’s Day experiment in
generosity. The idea was simple: reclaim Valentine’s Day and imbue it with true
love – the kind where you give without expectation. They named the experiment
Generosity Day. It’s a day when people seek to be selfless and see what
happens when generosity becomes the default. The experiment has grown
each year. Today, their goal is to inspire a million acts of kindness.
Hyde Hyde Park Presbyterian
Church
391 3913 Ave. B Aus Austiin, Texas 78751
Pastor’s email
Class of 2015
Karen Laffere
George Bourianoff
Elsa Aleman
Emily Emily Rochford Cla
Chu
ChurchMouse Editor
Florence McLeroy
Ponder Transforming Valentine’s Day into Generosity Day
11
A million acts of doing something big or small,
like giving of your money, your time, your talent, your love
or anything special that is unique to you.
You can buy coffee for strangers, work at a homeless shelter,
make dinner for a friend in need or give blood.
You can write a letter to someone, who touched your life
or tell a friend why they’re wonderful,
or smile at everyone in the street.
When you set out to be generous all day, you may find yourself feeling
happy. Once you help someone, you will feel amazing. There’s a scientific
explanation for this: helping others activates the pleasure center of your
brain. Researchers have shown that people who commit random acts of
kindness are significantly happier than those who don’t and spending money on
others makes you happier than spending money on yourself. They also have
discovered happier people help others more, and they give more. A positive mood
makes you nicer! This makes a circle: giving makes you happy, and when you’re
happy you give more, which makes you happier, which makes you give more.
Make this February 14th a day to open your hearts and share your
generosity. You could choose to begin the day with a simple act of kindness.
You could be wildly generous all day long. You could do that beautiful and
needed thing that your heart’s been whispering to you to do. What better way to
spend Valentine’s Day?
Adapted from a post written by Katya Andresen on behalf of the Case
Foundation:
12
