The 6th

Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Kathy Baskett Greeters Earl & Sharon Henderson Ginger Green Head Usher Jean Ross Liturgist Carol Harr Care Board Bob & Barb Muir Van Driver Chuck & Cindy Leggate Communion Deb & Greg Wiens Bill Lorentz Sharon Brady Kathy Baskett

The 13th Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Gary Lohnbakken Greeters George & Maxine Schuman Jody Lafko Head Usher Royal Johnson Liturgists Kay Doss Children’s Sermon Pastor Dave Care Board Chris Ericksen Van Driver Don Harr

Happy Mother’s Day

The 20th Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Bill Lorentz Greeters Bob & Norma Thiesen Kay Doss Head Usher Marlene Spencer Liturgist Jane Myhre Care Board Chuck & Cindy Leggate Van Driver Kate Mitchell

The 27th Preaching Dave Thompson Greeters Kurt & Mary Grabow Ann Chase Head Usher Jim Hogue Liturgist Don Harr Care Board Jody Lafko Van Driver Don Harr

Substitute Greeters: Ann Chase Kay Doss Chris Eriksen Tom & Ruth Drummond Ruth Ewen Bob & Linda Fedric Ginger Green Jeannie Hekkel Tom & Ginny Helmer Biff Hogue Midge Jarrett Walt & Priscilla Laird Bob & Barbara Muir Ralph Myhre Betty Nesmith June Pierce John & Marie Reamy Charlie Reed Jerry Swanson Lucille Weisbeck Bill Woolston Marge Myhra Barbara Rice Earl & Sharon Hen-derson Ray & Jean Noble JoAnn Jones Anna Mae Dyce

Substitute Ushers: Kay Doss Chris Eriksen Tom & Ginny Helmer Biff Hogue Bob & Barbara Muir Ray & Jean Noble Diane Noddings Charlie Reed Barbara Reed George Schuman Charlene Surwill Bill Woolston Pat Clark Barbara Rice Earl & Sharon Hen-derson Anna Mae Dyce Ginger Green Don Reed

M e m o r y J o g g e r s f o r M a y

P a s t o r ’ s P e n

May 2012 Volume 5

“A Great Time of Year”

I love this time of year, don’t you? Spring is certainly in the air as flowers are blooming,

grass is turning green, days are becoming longer, and outdoor activities resume. It is also a

special time for many as graduations, confirmations, and summer vacations are drawing near.

The month of May will be a busy month for us at First Presbyterian. Inside this newslet-

ter you will find lots of activities that will be offered through our church. We hope that you will

join us on Sunday, May 6 as we dedicate the “Milous Repka Tree” after worship. Pastor Mike

was such a instrumental part of our church for many years and we will be dedicating a tree in

his honor. More information about this can be found inside on page 4.

You are encouraged to join us on Saturday, May 12 as we spend time sprucing up the

building and grounds of our church. Held from 8:30-11:30, we will have a number of items on

our “to do” list that need to be accomplished. Your help would be greatly appreciated!!

Our church will welcome a new group of members on Sunday, May 13. It is great to see

our church growing as each of these new members will bring a fresh perspective to the life of

our congregation. We will be honoring women on Mother’s Day (also May 13) as we will be giv-

ing free flowers to the first 75 ladies who join us for worship.

On Sunday, May 20 we will be recognizing our high school and college graduates (we

should even be honoring their parents!) on this wonderful accomplishment.

We will culminate our May celebrations with Pentecost Sunday (May 27) as we return to

our 9:30 AM summer worship schedule with a time to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit.

We invite you to wear bright colors for this special occasion.

In addition to these special recognitions, our church will host a youth

Christian concert on Saturday, May 5 at 6:00 PM; a benefit spaghetti dinner

for MSU-B’s campus ministry on Sunday, May 6 from 4-6 PM; and we will

host Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) the week of May 20.

It certainly is a busy, yet exciting time to be involved in our church.

I greatly enjoy the ministry we share in the name of Christ and look for-

ward to growing together in God's love and service. I wish all of you a

wonderful spring. It certainly is a great time of the year!

Blessings,

Dave

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Session Notes/Finance

2

Birthdays/ Sunday School

3

PW & Notices 4

Church Mice/ Youth News

5

Calendar/Mission 6

Dinners of Eight 7

Memory Joggers 8

P a g e 2

Office Hours: Mon—Fri 8:30 am— 4 pm 406-252-3434 mainoffice@fpcbillings.org www.fpcbillings.org Sunday school @ 9:15 Worship Service @ 10:30 STAFF Pastor:

The Rev. Dave Thompson

Office Manager:

Jeanne Thompson-Raney

Maintenance Supervisor:

Craig Berens

Music Director:

Denise Finn

Music Accompanist:

Bev Wornom

Nursery Attendant:

Catherine Kenney

SESSION Clerk of Session Marlene Spencer 252-5027 Class of 2013 Heidi Duncan 252-2373 Gary Lohnbakken 656-2046 Michelle Reed 252-5316 John Stewart 652-3637 Class of 2014 David Culbertson 655-7826 Carol Harr 656-3168 Janet Kline 652-6374 Bill Lorentz 656-8163

Class of 2015 Kathy Baskett 544-9857 Sharon Brady 655-9046 Marv Brown 256-0257 Jeff Gruizenga 850-3697

SESSION MINUTES Session Notes Your session has had a busy April. At the regular meeting on April 10 the group was happy to examine the confirma-tion class. The young people read excerpts from their statements and then answered questions posed to them by the session members. They then voted to receive into membership Samantha Cormier, Carter Gall, Emily Harris, Sam McClain, and Hunter Skov. There was a public recep-tion during worship on April 15. Pastor Dave was given

permission to baptize Sam McClain on that date. Plans are being made for our church to be involved in the MS Walk on Saturday, May 19 and the Relay for Life on July 11-12.

2012 Income Expense Net

April $65,251 $20,418 $44,833

YTD $149,973 $100,143 $49,830

2012 Per Capita = $43.13/member

We are encouraging our members to pay their

per capita payment for the year. Per capita

goes to the ongoing work of our denomination

APRIL 2012

1st 213

8th 310

15th 194

22nd

175

29th 188

2012 April Average

216

2011 April Average

242

V o l u m e 5

Church Women United News Join us for “Good Friday Program” When: Friday, May 4, 2012

Time: 12:00 PM

Where: Central Christian Church 1226 16th Street West (252-1828)

Please join us for fellowship and worship! And a Potluck!!

New members’ class continues on Sunday, May 6 A class titled, How Do You Spell Presbyterian? taught by Pastor Dave, will continue on Sunday, May 6 at 9:15 AM in the library. This class will ex-plore the history of the Presbyterian church, the structure of our denomina-tion, the meaning of church membership, and ways to become involved in the life of our congregation. This is a great class for anyone wishing to become a member of our church and/or those wishing to learn more about our church and denomination. Those wishing to join our church will be welcomed during worship on Sunday, May 13.

Walking for a Cause Our church will be having a team at these up-coming benefit walks: MS WALK is coming on Saturday, May 19 at St. John’s Ministries, located on the corner of Rimrock and Shiloh. To join our church’s team, please sign up on the sheet located on the table in the gallery. RELAY FOR LIFE! Our church is organizing a team for the Relay for Life event that will be held on Friday, July 11 at West High. If you are interested in being a part of our team, please notify Chris Eriksen, team captain.

Flower Donations Our flower sign-up sheet is located on the back table in

the narthex. We invite you to sign up for a particular

Sunday to sponsor the flow-

ers either in honor or memory of someone or a

special event such as an anniversary, birthday, etc.

Suggested donation is $25.

Thanks to the children of Sarah Repka, Marian She-

hein, and the Presbyterian Women’s group who donat-

ed flowers during April.

V o l u m e 5 P a g e 7

Dinners of Eight Update

Spring is upon us. We’re excited to get together to enjoy each other’s company. The Host(s) (name

is in bold print) picks a couple of dates during the subject Month that is convenient for you and call

your guests. If you only have six or seven on your list or anyone is unable to come on the dates you

select, fill in the spaces with new faces not involved in dinners of eight. If you find that you cannot

host, give someone in the congregation a call and see if they can do it. Let your guests know when

and where to come and what side dish or beverage to bring if any.

This is a very flexible program. Any activities to accompany or follow your dinner are up to you. Even

the dinner format can be modified to a brunch or whatever creative ideas you come up with includ-

ing eating out. Enjoy your dinners!

If there are any questions that you see on the lists, etc., please notify Pat Hastings immediately at

696-0281 or pathast@msn.com (be sure to title it Dinners of Eight). Please note any new

names on the list or changes: April/May

PS. If you are interested please call me or email me at the above numbers.

Thanks

PatriciaHastings 406-696-0281Cell

Ecclesiastes 9:7 Until next time, "Go eat your bread with joy."

Taubert Carlene Mark Parker 698-2205 Swanson Jerry Colleen 656-8104

Kline Russ Janet 652-6374 Dayton Bob Shari 256-3130

Lohnbakken Gary Judy 656-2046 Muir Bob Barbara 256-6099

Thompson Dave Vicki 252-2562

Secker Shawna

206-306-3124

Spencer Marlene 252-5027 Fugere Jenice 252-9641

Woolston Bill Peggy 656-3908 Hogue Jim Biff 259-9114

Reed Don Michelle 252-5316 Jones Kay JoAnn 652-3185

Hammermeister Lewis 252-8963 Culbertson Bob Cathy 655-7826

Lorentz Megan 855-5427 Drummond Tom Ruth 656-5977

Croymans Lorrane 652-4428 Hastings Mike Pat 656-0072

Reineche Eleanor 248-8293

Myhre Ralph Jane 652-9172 Wiens Greg Deb 652-1889

Brown* Phyllis 869-9580 Morrow Beth 656-2292

Spring BeBe 252-7898 Brady Sharon 655-9046

Mercer-Wallace Jody 656-4150 Stewart John Susan 652-3637

Repka* Sarah 238-0092 Brown Marvin Janet 256-0257

Gore Pam 694-6381 Lorentz Bill Colleen 656-8163

Evans Jerry 869-9518

Alternates: Leggate Chuck Cindy 896-0686

Converse Margaret 259-2354

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1

10 Staff Meeting 10-3 Presbytery Continu-ing Ed event at our church

2 12 BLT Library 12 PW Luncheon 6:00 Youth Group 7 Choir Rehearsal

3 12 National Day of Prayer at Courthouse 4 Caregiver seminar

4 May Friendship Day! 7 RMC Baccalaureate Service

5 10 Montana Celiac Society Meeting 6 Scarlet Lie Concert

6 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Communion Dedication of the “Milous Repka Tree” 4-6 Spaghetti dinner

7 6:30 Men Bible Study 1 PM Deacons 6 PM Billings Child Care Association

8 10 Staff Meeting 7 Beta Sigma 7 Session Meeting

9 9-2 BSF Leaders 9:30 PW Board Mtg. 12 BLT Library 6:00 Youth Group 7 Choir Rehearsal

10 9-11 BSF 11 Fellowship Comm. 12:30 Mission team at Eagle Rock 7 Christian education team

11 Charlene Rich and Larry Switzer Wedding

12 8:30-11:30 Spring Cleaning Bridal Shower

13 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Flowers to first 75 ladies in worship for Mother’s Day

14 6:30 Men Bible study Presbytery Meeting in Forsyth

15 10 Staff Meeting Presbytery Meeting in Forsyth

16 9-11 BSF Leaders 9:15 PW Circles 12 BLT- library 1 PW Circles 7 Choir Rehearsal

17 9-11 BSF 11 Pastor Dave in Jail for MDA 4:30 Stephen Minis-try Supervision

18 Newsletter

Submission Deadline!

19 8 MS Walk at St. John’s Campus 10-3 Women’s Retreat at Eagle Rock

20 8 Set up for IHN 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship 6 Dinner for Graduates IHN here for the week

21 6:30 Men Bible study 11:30 Stephen Minis-try Leaders Meeting IHN here

22 10 Staff Meeting 6 Beta Sigma Fellowship IHN here

23 9 BSF Leaders Last One for the Year 1 BLT –library 7 Choir Rehearsal IHN here

24 9-11 BSF—Last One for the Year IHN here

25 IHN here

26 IHN here

27 New Summer Hours No Sunday school 9:30 Worship Pentecost Sunday cele-bration— wear red or yellow!

28

Holiday Office Closed

29 10 Staff Meeting

30

31

P a g e 6 V o l u m e 5

The mission committee would like to thank everyone for another successful “Mission Meet and Eat.” These quarterly gatherings are quickly becoming a tradition at First Presbyterian Church. 200 sandwiches and lots of cookies were made to be distributed to the needy through the local Salvation Army. The quarterly Noisy Offering was received on Sunday, April 29 will funds going to support of the Gide-on’s. Among other things, the Gideon’s place Bibles in hotels and prisons. $476.28 was raised through this special offering. Thanks to all who brought their loose change and helped us make some noise! On May 10 the Mission committee will be visiting Ponderosa Pines Nursing Home that we give to in December through your support of the “Angel Tree.” If you would like to be part of this visit please contact Pastor Dave or Carol Harr. In the future we hope to set up a work day for and with Habitat for Humanity. We will update you on this as we have more information. Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) will be staying at our church the week of May 20. Volunteers are need to host and cook meals. Please notify Eleanor Reinecke if you are able to help with this very important local mission effort.

MISSION NEWS

Mother’s Day Recognition Special recognition will be given to the ladies of the church on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13. The first 75 women will be given a complementary flower as they enter the sanctuary prior to our worship service. This special event is being provided by our church through the fellowship committee. Congratulations ladies on this special day!

P a g e 3 V o l u m e 5

Birthdays 2 Cindy Hessler

Royal Johnson

Ralph Myhre 5 Joanna Janiak

6 Cathy Culbertson Marty Wallace

7 Linda Fedric 9 Heidi Duncan

12 Bill Dimich

13 Lois Munger 18 Vickie Johnson

19 Jeff Gruizenga

20 Matt Lorentz 26 Marian Rudolf

30 Mary Rivers

Alta Dakolios

Anniversaries 12 Bob & Cathy Culbertson

14 Greg & Deb Wiens

17 Bruce & Cathlene Barone 19 Bill & Sharon Dimich

Carl & Vickie Johnson 22 Ray & Jean Noble

23 Earl & Sharon Henderson 25 Gary & Judy Lohnbakken

30 Bob & Linda Fedric

Adult Education Opportunities on Sunday mornings Church and Society Schedule for May: MAY 6: Reverend Daphne Grimes, Retired Episcopalian Priest. Daphne will be discussing some of the early history of the 1948 division of Palestine, the present situation, and the reasons that make a just and peaceable resolution difficult. Relying on her various visits to Palestine and meeting the late Yasser Arafat, she will also discuss the significance of US involvement. MAY 13: Denver Henderson, Field Organizer, Montana Abolition Coalition. The Coalition is an umbrella group of faith, civil and human rights organizations that support abolishing the Montana death penalty, be-lieving that it disregards the power of God's grace and sovereignty in human life. The presentation will challenge assumptions about people's values and the world we live in while looking at different perspec-tives regarding the death penalty. MAY 20: Dr. Don Harr, Retired Psychiatrist, "A Medical Perspective on Medical Marijuana" May 29: No Church and Society through Summer. Classes will resume on Sunday, September 9

Exploring the Parables is a Sunday school class that continues through Sunday, May 20. Led by Mark Bassingthwaighte, this six week class is exploring some of the parables of Jesus and their relevance applications for today. This class is held in the Fireside Room. How Do You Spell Presbyterian? is being taught by Pastor Dave on Sundays at 9:15 AM in the library (next to the Church and Society room). This class is exploring the history of the Presbyter-ian church, the structure of our denomination, the meaning of church membership, and ways to become involved in the life of our congregation.

Fundraising Opportunities: Help Pastor Dave get out of Jail! Dave will be “locked up for good” on Thursday, May 17 to help raise funds for MDA. Help Dave raise his bail money by supporting the cause. A sign-up list to help him can be found on the table in the gallery. Thanks for helping this great organization. Spaghetti Dinner! Our church is hosting a benefit spaghetti dinner on Sunday, May 6 from 4-6 PM. All proceeds will go towards the club’s mission trip to New Orleans in June. Cost is $5 for sin-gle or $15 for family. All are invited.

Foundation to give presentation during worship A representative from our church’s foundation will give a brief presentation during worship on Sun-day, May 6. Our Foundation is in place to receive funds through planned giving that will in turn be used to help the church fulfill its mission and ministry. To learn more about the foundation and ways that you can leave a gift to the church, we invite you to speak with Bob Dayton, Bill Dimich, or Pastor Dave.

P a g e 4

V o l u m e 5

We have been enjoying our wonderful study called Confessing The Beatitudes. In May we will study our last lesson for the year.

Next year’s study is called Dispatches to God’s Household The General Epistles. The Epistles or letters that we will look at include 1 and 2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude. We look forward to another year of study, prayer, mission, and care for each other, the church and communi-ty. The Gateway house needs new pillows, skillets, large spoons, and small containers of laundry detergent and other cleaning supplies. We would like to thank everyone who made the Praise Luncheon such a success. We served about 120 women lunch and had a wonderful program. Our music was by Denise Finn and Pam Gore. The Speakers were from Tumbleweed.

Presbyterian Women News

Women’s Retreat: Plans are being made for a retreat for the women of First Presbyterian Church and

ST. Andrew Church to be held at Eagle Rock Sanctuary on Saturday, May 19 from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

Each participant is asked to bring her own lunch. This will be a day of Bible study, prayer, music, and fellow-

ship. If you would like to attend, please contact Marlene Spencer at 252-5027or Jeanne Castberg at 371-

5291.

Health Hints Summer is approaching, and one sign of warmer weather is the happy change from closed, heavy shoes to the all-American “flip flop.” The NATION’S HEATLH, the newsletter from the American Public Health Association commented that flip flops are a good way to protect your feet at the beach or in a locker room shower. “They were designed for the beach as protection from the hot sand, “says Janet E. Simon of the American Podiatric Medical Association, but now people are using them on hard, concrete surfaces all the time, and that does not support the foot structure.“ Toward the end of summer and fall many health profes-sionals see an increase in heel and tendonitis complaints linked to the overuse of flip-flops and other non-supportive sandals, she says. If you feet hurt towards the end of the summer check it out. Better to be wise than sorry. May God bless you in mind, body, and spirit. Jane

National Day of Prayer event on Thursday, May 3 at 12noon Join Pastor Dave and other community leaders on Thursday, May 3 from 12noon to 1 PM at the Yel-lowstone County Courthouse lawn for the annual National Day of Prayer event. Dave will be leading part of the prayers alone with other pastors. All are invited for this special community gathering.

Tree to be dedicated in honor of the Rev. Dr. Milous Repka Join us after worship on Sunday, May 6 for a brief service as we dedicate the “Milous Repka Tree” along 13th Street. Pastor Milous served our church for many years as an associate pastor prior to his death last year. This tree was to be cut down, but after Mike persuaded the tree to remain, it has grown into a beautiful and full tree. The tree is located on the island between the two entrances to our church off of 13th Street. The service will include scripture and a prayer of dedication. Join us for this special recognition honoring a great man of our church.

Spring Cleaning: Saturday, May 12 from 8:30-11:30

All are invited to join us on Saturday, May 12 for our annual church Spring Cleaning. We have a number of jobs (both inside and outside) that need to be done for people of all ages and abilities. We welcome you to a rake, bucket, or cleaning supplies. Many hands make light work!

P a g e 5 V o l u m e 5

Youth News: Youth Group will recess for the summer on Wednesday, May 9. Special thanks to our awesome group of volunteers who give of their time each week to spend with the kids. Special thank also to Teri Pattee, kitch-en coordinator, and all of the volunteers who provided meals each week! FLOWER SALES! The youth have begun their annual flower sale fundraiser. See the display in the gallery. Funds raised will go toward our mission trip to Belize, Central America, where we will be building a house. A nice variety of flowers are being sold. Congratulations to Carter Gall, Emily Harris, Samantha Cormier, Hunter Skov, and Sam McClain who were confirmed during worship on Sunday, April 15. These kids have been meeting with Pastor Dave each Wednesday beginning last September. Our next confirmation class will be offered beginning next fall and will again be taught by Pastor Dave. The Christian band, The Scarlet Lie, will be in concert at our church on Saturday, May 5 at 6 PM. Two of the band’s members are Kyle and Sam McClain, both active in our youth group. All are wel-come to join us. The cost is $5 and the concert will be held on the church lawn. Senior Recognition Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, May 20. Please notify Pastor Dave at pastordave@fpcbillings.org if you have a graduating senior (either from high school or college) so that we will not miss anyone. In addition, our annual senior recognition dinner will be held on May 20 at 6 PM in the Fireside Room for graduates and their families. Vacation Bible school is coming June 4-7 from 9-12noon each day. Your help would be appreciated!

Church Mice! This month the church mice would like to high light our entire congregation. From our vantage point, we hear many, many compliments on what a friendly, joyful congregation we have. Visitors say, "You are such a warm, friendly group of people." "You reflect the spirit of God in the joy present in your congregation." "Everyone is happy to be in church worshipping." The mice are pleased to hear that and also to know that our congregation is ready, willing and able to help in all ways - financial, administrative, hard work that gets the nec-essary tasks accomplished and participation in the groups that are available for all ages. Take a moment to pat yourselves on the back - or better yet, pat someone else on the back and say "job well done."

Belize Mission Trip Update Twenty-seven youth and adults from our congregation are preparing for a week’s mis-sion trip to Belize, Central America from June 9-17. While in Belize we will be building a house with Oasis Ministries, an organization that helps disadvantaged children and families. We will also be remodeling another house for a family in need. More information about Oasis Ministry can be found on the web at www.oasisministrybelize.com. This trip is made possible through the incredible generosity of our congregation. The Travel Partner fundraiser for our Belize mission trip has reached its goal. Thanks to all of our

travel partners who contributed to this great fundraiser!! If you would still like to contribute, please indicate on your check “Belize Travel Partner.” Please see the display in the gallery. Each youth participant is paying $300 toward the cost of the trip and the adults are paying their entire way. Funds raised will go to the building supply costs and youth scholarship. It will be a great trip!!

Care for the Caregiver seminar: Thursday, May 3 at 4 PM

Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 3 and join us at 4:00 p.m. here at the church to hear from Laura Booth, Caregiver Support Group Coordinator at the Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County. She will be speaking to us about "Care for the Caregiver: Keeping Your Head Above Water". Most of us at some point in our lives will be faced with difficult situations when caring for a loved one. During this hour we hope to provide helpful information and resources to assist you with this sometimes stressful endeavor. Caregiving can be extremely rewarding when we avail ourselves of "tools" within our community.