I’d like to share how God works in strange, mysterious and wonder-filled ways.

Seven years ago we were in need of a janitor. We put an ad in the local paper. Sev-eral people applied but one stood out. I called her in for an interview. Before she showed up for the interview, Nancy Brush, said; “Dennis, you need to sit down I have something to share with you.” I did and she said; “I’m resigning my position as financial secretary so that Bill and I can once again work together but on your desk you have the person who can do my job.” I looked it over and sure enough, I did. So, the person came in for the interview for the janitorial position. We hired her, knowing that her mom would be working with her. Then I said, I have another question for you. Would you be interested in a part time financial secretary position along with the janitor position? She said that’d be great, it’d help her keep up with her computer skills. So, on June 22, 2009 we hired Denise Carr as janitor and finan-cial secretary. She and her mom did an excellent job as our janitors, but as her du-ties grew as financial secretary, to secretary, to administrative assistant she gave up the position of janitor. This was so she could dedicate herself to enjoying gar-

dening at home and time with Kenny.

Hard to believe it has been seven years since Denise started with the church.

What all does Denise do for us? The better question might be, what doesn’t she do? During her office hours, she answers the phone, keeps track of me, greets all peo-ple who come into the church, deciphers my notes, assists with the benevolent needs that come our way, makes appointments for me, does all the recording of our finances (income and expenses), keeps track of me, keeps up the data base of members & friends of the church, keeps up the website (that she created), sends out communications to members, fills the liquid candles in the sanctuary, is editor of the monthly newsletter and bulletins, attempts to straighten up my office, orders supplies for the church, prints reports for the session, assists clerk with the minutes of the session, maintains the calendars for the church and building use, and yes tries to keep track of the pastor. I once was told; “you know where you are and God knows where you are but neither matters if the secretary doesn’t know where you are.” She does everything she does, working 20+ hours a week. I propose – executive order – that the week of June 20 – 24 be Denise Carr appre-ciation week. Drop her a note, drop by and say thanks. From 10:30 till noon on Wednesday the 22, we’ll have an open house to thank her for her wonderful work seven years with us as Administrative Assistant.

Praise be to God, for working in strange and mysterious ways and sending us the

right person, for the right job, at the right time.

On another note, let us all give thanks for our dads who have helped us throughout our life. I have many fond memories of my dad and how he helped me. It’s been sixteen years since he died, yet his teachings and his love abide with me. Thanks dad for being a great father to me and Larry and Beth and showing me how to be a

good dad to Nathan and Scott.

Happy Father’s day to all you who are dad to your children. Dennis

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Session Digest

May 19 & 26, 2016

We had a lot on the agenda for our May meeting, enough that I didn’t get everything on it and we had a called meeting.

At the regular stated meeting (5/19/16) we had 8 of the 12 elders present.

The meeting opened with a devotion focused upon God’s gift of the Holy Spirit and gifts God has given us through the Spirit. The major focus was upon how gifts are given to each of us and how

these gifts help in the life and work of the whole church. Prayers were then offered up for our

meeting and members not present, especially Ed Legge.

The elders heard a report on the most recent Presbytery meeting and a gift of $2,000 given for

the ministry and mission of the church from the presbytery. Each church in the presbytery got a

check which was a tithe of the proceeds from the selling of the presbytery property.

The elders approved the pastor’s vacation schedule for the remainder of this year and approved the pastoral supply for those occasions.

The elders looked at documents related to the use of the church by outside groups. This is a

work in process, so more will be shared as it becomes available.

The elders heard progress reports and bids related to the refurbishing of the sanctuary.

The elders approved moving forward with getting some members trained as ushers, who can as-

sist when an emergency situation arises during worship. A training time will be set up in the

near future for ushers and elders, this training will include appropriate evacuation procedures

and basic CPR training.

The elders approved the Salvation Army using the Hospitality Room for about 10 hours a week,

so they could expand their “Pathway of Hope” ministry into Eastern Taney County.

Elder Ken Bavuso shared a possible mission project for the fall. Numana is a ministry that helps

feed the hungry. Numana provides all the supplies and food needed to package meals for fami-

lies far away and near at home. At a cost of $0.30 per meal, people can be fed. The thought is

to make this a community wide effort and package up several hundred/thousand meals. He and

Pastor Dennis will continue to look into this mission project and share more details in future

months.

The elders also heard reports from the different session committees.

At a called meeting of the session (5/26/16) the elders heard a report on the contract for pro-

pane for the coming winter season.

They also took action regarding the billboard ad that was up for renewal.

Both meetings were adjourned with prayer, giving thanks for how we are used in Christ’s minis-try and mission.

A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose

love shows us the way. -- Author Unknown

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Benevolence Fund Report:

During May we helped 22 people: 14 with rent, 7 with utilities and 2 with prescription medicine.

We were blessed with 5 donations to the fund this month. Thanks to all for your wonderful gifts!

If you would like to make a donation to the Be-nevolent Fund, please do so by marking your check “special gift - benevolent fund”. You can also donate to the fund through our website’s PayPal button. It’s toward the bottom on the first page. Please mark your gift for the Benev-olent Fund. Those who receive our assistance greatly appreciate your gifts!

Diabetic Focus Group

The regular monthly meeting of the Diabetes Focus Group will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. in Fellowship Hall. We will have a guest speaker -- Kendra Green speaking on “How To Stay Young The First 100 Years”. She is a practice representative from Forsyth Chiropractic on Coy Boulevard in Forsyth. Come and join us and bring a friend or a neighbor!

Does not reflect all of the income or salaries through the end of May.

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(Nov. 10, 2:00 p.m.)

(Nov. 24, 2:00 p.m.)

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The June meeting of the Bookie Club is sched-uled for Thursday June 2, 2016 at 10:30 AM in the hospitality room at Forsyth Community

Presbyterian Church.

The book we’ll be discussing is A Man Called

Ove: A Novel by Fredrik Backman.

Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom win-dow. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?

Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local resi-

dents’ association to their very foundations.

Please join us and bring a friend.

June is one of those months that I consider a transitional month. We are transitioning out of spring into summer and so the weather is unpredictable. For me, that is a good analogy for life. While we like to think we know what is going to happen in the days to come, a lot of life is unpredictable. However, that is not a bad thing. What I have learned in my life is that those moments that we never expected can be moments of amazing opportunities. Take for instance the time when someone asks you for assistance in the midst of a crisis in their life. What a wonderful opportunity to show them how the love of God works in your life and can work in theirs. Or the times that things don’t work out as you had planned. What a wonderful time to, as they say, make lemonade out of lemons and show others how God can equip you to handle the situation. Even those times when we feel like we have been knocked down and kicked in the gut can be times to show our faith. We can rely on God to be there and to walk through those times with us as our faith grows. Romans 5:4 from the Message says, “God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to

characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next.” Transitions are a fact of life, but being alert to opportunities and knowing God is with us makes all the difference in the world.

Have a wonderful summer.

Pastor Susan

The Bookies

Saturday, June 18

4:00 p.m.

At the home of

Steve & Susan Wood 379 Links Lane

Forsyth

(From Forsyth, turn right at

Riverview Baptist Church)

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PANTHER PARTNERS MENTOR PROGRAM

A child will soon forget the “presents” you give them, but they’ll never forget your “presence” in their life.

Spring is here! And that means it’s time to seek volunteers who would like to mentor a first grader at Forsyth Elementary School for this fall! We have

found that meeting with the child for 30 minutes a week seems to work best. We’ve had fun getting to know our child through games and puzzles (available in the Game

Closet in the room where we meet one-on-one with the child), through reading

books, or eating lunch with them. WE ARE NOT TUTORS!

We currently have 72 mentors from 9 area churches who are enjoying their mentor-

ing experience. Our goal is for our current mentors to continue this fall with the

same child who will be advancing to the next grade. Hopefully there will be 20 new

volunteers each fall to mentor incoming 1st graders. These are children who can

benefit from a long-term, positive role model in their lives. If you have any ques-

tions about being a mentor, please call Jeanne Legge at 546-3255 or talk with one of

the other mentors to get some feedback about their experiences.

Many of us travel during the year but have been able to send postcards to the child

while we’re gone and share our adventures/pictures with the child upon our return. So, your travel shouldn’t be a barrier in being a mentor.

Training will be provided to mentors in early September. Please pray about how you

can be part of this great opportunity to show God’s love for the children of Forsyth and, in turn, have a rewarding experience.

If you want to volunteer, or are just curious and need more information, please leave

this form in the church office or in the offering plate.

1 Student + 1 Mentor = 2 Lives, Changed Forever

Name__________________________________________ Phone__________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________ Email address________________________________________________________ Will volunteer as a mentor___________ Would like more information __________

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Projects completed so far: Electrical $8362 Drywall/Painting $6485 Plumbing $3105 Audio/Video $1256

Total Expenses $19,208

Wish list of future projects:

1. Upstairs men’s restroom handicap redesign

2. New LED lighting in Fellowship Hall

3. Front doors replaced and automat-

ic openers for handicap accessibility

and security for front and back doors

4. Monitors for the sanctuary

5. New LED lighting upstairs

6. New LED sign out front

7. Parking lot sealed

8. Sanctuary doors replaced

9. Carpeting in the sanctuary

10. New outside lighting

11. Baby changing station in wom-

en’s restroom

Building fund donations received to date: Memorials $6,425 Donations $3,950

Total Donations $10,375 Donations rec in April + $4,220 $14,595 Donations rec in May +$2,843.60 $17,438.60

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Cliff is a native Missourian, born in St. Lou-is, the second of two children born to a father and mother who owned and operated the Twilight Inn in Perryville, MO, where Cliff worked as a waiter, cook and bartender while

in high school.

He was on the basketball team at Perryville High School. I don’t know how good he was, but I can tell you that I have not heard him claim to having made a winning shot in triple

overtime or anything like that.

He met his wife, Ginger, at a dance in Scott

City, Missouri. He decided he wanted to dance the rest of his life with that girl in the Drum Major’s outfit from what is now Scott City High School. He has done just that for nearly 60 years. I guess Ginger was impressed by the young man who earned $27 per week as a drug store clerk and drove a black 1928 Chevy

sedan!

The couple has 4 children and 5 grand-children. However, Cliff and Ginger do have a third member of their current household, their beagle hound, Roxie. Roxie doesn’t fill the void left by the children leaving home, but she

gets and gives a lot of love.

Cliff has a great educational foundation. He has a BS in Business Admin. from MU. He appar-ently loved the world of academia, having accumulated credits from Southeast MO State U., OSU, University of Maryland, Washington

U., and New York University.

While Cliff is proud to be a Missourian, he has not let its borders fence him in as he has also lived in England, California, New York, and

New Jersey.

He is one of those people who worked his way up in the world vocationally. In addi-tion to working at his parent's business, he has worked as a pharmacy clerk, realtor, and 31 years in management at AT&T, where he was responsible for overseeing various areas of management such as public

relations and marketing.

Cliff represented his country by serving in the National Guard and served 4 years in the Air Force. Three of those years was as a Staff Sergeant in the Third Air Force Headquarters near London. Thank you,

Cliff, for your service.

He has various hobbies, including fishing (caught a 33”, 15 lb. brown trout on White River in AR--ask him about it, but remember he is a fisherman!), hunting, traveling, reading, collecting pocket knives

and vintage game calls.

The Clifford’s moved to Taney County in 1988 to take advantage of the lake-area amenities. You know, amenities such as

fishing, fishing and fishing.

Cliff and Ginger has been members of CPC for 12 years and have been a valued part of the congregation. He is serving his first term as an elder at CPC. Before moving to this area, he served as a trustee and dea-con at Liberty Corner NJ Presbyterian

Church.

In addition to Cliff’s participation in the church, he has also been active in the community in general through his involve-

ment in the American Legion, VFW, Public Relations Society, Toastmasters, neighbor-hood associations, Telephone Pioneers, Troop Chairman of Boy Scouts, and Basking Ridge, NJ, Township Committeeman and

Mayor.

The next time you see Cliff, thank him for his service as an elder. You’re also encour-aged to share your ideas, suggestions and concerns with him or any of our other

elders.

GETTING TO KNOW ELDER: Leonard (Cliff) Clifford

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Quote of the month:

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. —Joseph Campbell

Food Pantry Sundays

The first Sunday of each month we will have a special offering for

Christian Action Ministries Food Pantry. Although food can be donated for this

effort, CAM can turn each $1 into $4 to purchase food for the pantry.

The total food pantry collection for May was $102.

BIRTHDAYS

1 Mary Prewitt 2 Vera Hardin 4 Phyllis Winzenried 5 Roy Green, Kathy Weeks 6 Eloise Clark 7 Alexander Merrell 14 Judy Gathman 23 Madelon Kinkade

ANNIVERSARIES

1 John & Bonita Soutee, 3 years 2 Clayton & Margaret Cooper, 51 years 2 Ed & Bonnie Schanda, 52 years 14 Ed & Jeanne Legge, 30 years 16 Richard & Pat Hibben, 66 years 23 Len & Ginger Clifford, 60 years 29 Bob & Cheryl Saforek, 31 years

2016 Per Capita Rate

Per capita is an amount of money per member that our congregation pays to our larger Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This annual amount is shared between our local presbytery, regional synod and General Assembly.

For 2016, our per capita rate is $31.00 per member. Any contributions toward this amount would be appreciated. Please be sure to note your contribution as “Per Capita” to be sure it’s credited correctly.

To date we have received $406 toward the per capita assessment.

Thank you!

To Tex Ritterbush, Ken Bavuso and Len Clifford;

Thank you so much with your help with the flower beds in front of the church! Gerri DeBres

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Every Sunday: Sunday School 9:00 am Worship 10:30

1 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:15 am

Choir 7:00 pm

2 Exercise 10 am The Bookies 10:30 am Bar Assoc Lunch 11:30 am

3 Care Center Birthday Party 2:30 pm

4

AA 7:00 pm

5

CAM Food Pantry Sunday

6 Diabetes Focus Group 10:00 am

7 Exercise class 10:00 am

AA 7:00 pm

8 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:15 am Calico Cutups 10:00 am

Choir 7:00 pm

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Exercise class 10:00 am

10

11

AA 7:00 pm

12

13

Yoga 5:30 pm

14 Exercise 10:00 am Chamber Lunch 11:30 am

AA 7:00 pm

15 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:15 am

Choir 7:00 pm

16

Exercise class 10:00 am

Session Meeting 5:30 pm

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18 Forsyth Sr. Ctr. Breakfast 7 – 10

Father’s Day BBQ 4:00 pm

General Assembly Begins

AA 7:00 pm

19

20

Yoga 5:30 pm

21 Exercise class 10:00 am

AA 7:00 pm

22 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:15 am

Choir 7:00 pm

23 Exercise class 10:00 am

24

25 General Assembly Ends AA 7:00 pm

26

27

Yoga 5:30 pm

28 Exercise class 10:00 am AA 7:00 pm

29 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:15 am

Choir 7:00 pm

30 Exercise class 10:00 am

Ushers/Greeters Liturgist

Madelon Kinkade Edd Riley

Cindy Werner

Lera Warren

Cecil Shawver

*If you would like a copy of Sunday’s service, a DVD can be made available to you. Please contact the church office for more information.

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Community Presbyterian Church

Staff Members

Pastor....................................................Dennis D. Winzenried

Secretary…………………………………….....Denise Carr

Choir Director………………………………….Arliss Stillings

Organist………………………………………….Linda Stillings

Custodian……………………………….……...Paul Weeks

«AddressBlock»

COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

P.O. Box 486

Forsyth, MO 65653-0486

Sunday School 9:00 am

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am

C O M M U N I T Y P R E S B Y T E R I A N

C H U R C H

PO Box 486 271 Main Street

Forsyth, Missouri 65653 (417) 546-2584

Dennis Winzenried, Pastor

Website: www.compresby.org

Email: compresby@centurytel.net