The AEthan Williams [email protected] Preschool Director Dana Brown [email protected] Building Supervisor Vickie Foust Custodian Mike Flowers The Ambassador volume 61 •

www.stillwaterfpc.org 1

The AMBASSADOR

4 Announcements

4 Children’s Fall Ministry

6 Youth Fall Ministry

7 Adult Sunday School Classes

9 UKIRK Happenings

14 GiFT Recap

16 FPC Block Party!

A publication of First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, OK

The Summer Worship & Fellowship Edition

The September Ambassador deadline is Thursday, September 12th. Ambassador news may be sent to: [email protected]

August 2019 volume 61• number 6

What’s INSIDE

Change to Fall

Worship Schedule Sunday, August 18

Two Worship Services

@ 8:30 am and 11:00 am

Sunday School Classes

Soli Deo Gloria MUSIC, FRIDAY, AUG. 23

FPC FELLOWSHIP HALL AT 7:30 P.M. “MUSICAL COMMUNICATION IN ART AND NATURE”

Featuring Prof. Heather Lanners, pianist and

Dr. Tim O’Connell, ornithologist

See page 8 for details

See page 16 for details


First Presbyterian Church Staff

Pastor

Leah R. Hrachovec

[email protected]

Associate Pastor

Jenny Hardin

[email protected]

Director of Children and Youth

Jenna Campbell

[email protected]

Church Administrator

Magdalena Vinson

[email protected]

Finance/Office Assistant

Mary Beth Garoffolo

[email protected]

Church Treasurer

Arletta Webster

[email protected]

Director of Music/Organist

Rebecca te Velde

[email protected]

Handbell Choir Director

Allison Johnston

[email protected] Coordinator of Older Adult Ministry

Kelly McCarley

[email protected] Childcare Coordinator

Erin Lawson

[email protected] Children’s Ministry Assistant

Carleigh Epperson

[email protected] Youth Ministry Assistant

Mark Dieman

[email protected] UKIRK Assistant

Ethan Williams

[email protected] Preschool Director

Dana Brown

[email protected]

Building Supervisor

Vickie Foust Custodian

Mike Flowers

volume 61 • number 6 The Ambassador

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Child Protection Policy Training Sunday, August 18, 2:00 - 3:00 pm in Fellowship Hall

This training is for all volunteers who will be working with children or

youth who have not undergone our Child Protection training in the

last three years. Packets with necessary forms will be available

during this opportunity to be trained in our specific policy and

receive helpful guidelines to keep our children and youth safe.

Note: all volunteers in children and youth ministry are required to

be trained before starting their volunteer service. Training is good

for 3 years.

Blessing of the Animals Sunday, September 22nd, 4:00 pm

In the FPC Courtyard/Playground

All pets are welcome and invited, but need to be either on a leash

or in a carrier. This service is being jointly planned by the Worship &

Music Committee and the Earth Care Team.

Sunday School begins August 18!

Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 am

Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 am

Children ages 4-5th grade – begin in the Worship Center

Youth – begin in the Youth Suite

9:45-10:00 am Children – Worship Center; Youth – Youth Suite Adult Sunday School Classes:

Feasting on the Word in the Library

Common Ground will meet in Fellowship Hall

Introducing our Church App,

hosted by tithe.ly

There's a brand-new App, FPC! Go to your

App Store on your smartphone, and search

for tithe.ly. Select "First Presbyterian Church- Stillwater,

OK" and you'll be able to easily access FPC's calendar,

search Scripture, find new reading plans and videos,

make prayer requests, give online, and more.

http://tithe.ly/

http://tithe.ly/


[Jesus said,] ‘And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

-Matthew 28:20

Having just finished our GiFT (Generations in Faith Together) Week at FPC, I am thinking about our neigh-

bors in Stillwater, and especially students who will be arriving soon, full of hopes, full of anxieties, full of

expectations for a new semester. They are our neighbors, even if but for a few short years, and we have

the privilege of being an almost next-door neighbor to them through our church facility. Many students

have loving parents and communities back home that have supported them through their grade-school

years and even friends who arrive alongside them. For others, however, Stillwater is a strange, new com-

munity with little familiarity. They face dauntingly complex days of new schedules, financial stress, and

personal decisions to make.

This week we are also acutely aware of our neighbors a little farther away, in Texas and Ohio, who are

grappling with the latest mass shooting tragedies in our nation. Our denomination has recently called

Rev. Deanna Hollas as Minister of Gun Violence Prevention for the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Her hope is

that the church can step into our communities to help people listen to each other. She said recently,

“ [T]he real work is going to take a long time. And the real work is kind of this deep soul work. And what is

it that's making us so afraid? . . . How do we heal these wounds that have led to such violence?”

The church is a place where we can listen to each other, those inside and those outside the church. Fred Rogers once said, “Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors.”

Here are some upcoming opportunities to listen to one other:

Join a new Bible study. There are lots of opportunities, including two different Bible study times to

explore the Ten Commandments, Love Carved in Stone, in a fresh way (see p. 7 for details)

Come to FPC’s first Block Party and meet our neighbors! We are inviting business people and resi-

dents who live around FPC to join in a day of fun on Wednesday, August 28 (p.16)

Volunteer one Saturday a month at Saturday Community Brunch at FPC. One of the most valuable

ways to be involved is to sit down for brunch with some of our weekly guests to share a meal and

conversation

Get involved in Resilient Payne County, an effort to come together to prevent and mitigate the ef-

fects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in the lives of Payne County children and adults

https://www.acesconnection.com/g/resilient-payne-county-ok

As we listen to our neighbors and one another, we can also listen for Christ’s voice, as he promises to be

with us always. We can begin, continue, and deepen conversations with our neighbors in good hope,

for the One who redeems our lives is ever present in our midst.

In Christ’s love and peace,

A LETTER FROM LEAH

FAITH QUOTE

“Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors.”

-- Fred Rogers, You Are Special: Words of Wisdom for All Ages from a Beloved Neighbor


National Public Radio, “America’s First Gun Violence Prevention Minister,” interview aired August 5, 2019.

https://www.npr.org/2019/08/02/747504700/americas-first-gun-violence-prevention-minister

https://www.acesconnection.com/g/resilient-payne-county-ok

https://www.npr.org/2019/08/02/747504700/americas-first-gun-violence-prevention-minister



Children’s Ministry

Children’s Ministry Kickoff For all children 5th grade and under and their families

Saturday, August 25

6:30 pm @ Couch Park Pavilion #2 (by the playground!)

Enjoy

Fun and games – family style!

Ice cream bar – we’ll provide the ice cream. Please bring your favorite

ice cream topping to share!

Hear about exciting plans for children’s ministry this year too. Parents –

don’t forget your calendars! You’ll want to make note of exciting plans for

children’s ministry and hear about our vision for the year, in addition to

getting forms filled out to help make our ministries safe places for your

children. We’ll also give some tips and resources based on our yearly

theme – Prayer.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

Every Sunday from 9:45-10:45 am – begins and ends in the Worship Center!

Faith Kid-nection

Sunday School for children ages 4 and 5

9:45-10:45 am Children Pre-K to Kindergarten age are invited to join in play, games and songs as we explore God’s

love, grow in faith, and learn how to share God’s love with others using the Walk with Me curriculum.

This class meets in room 122 in the preschool wing, but begins and ends in the Worship Center.

Teachers: Melody Reavis and Nicole Eastman

SpiritLink for 1st-5th graders SpiritLink is a workshop rotation-model Sunday School in which students learn about a Bible story or theme

from different perspectives throughout each unit. Lessons are told throughout the year using various ways

of learning: art, science, computers, storytelling, cooking, movies, drama, and more! SpiritLink classes

are grouped according to age, with some flexibility to meet each child’s needs and keep the classes

balanced. This year, the classes are grouped as follows:

Creators: 1st-2nd graders – Shepherd: Jenny Fowler

Makers: 3rd-5th grades – Shepherd: Suzii Parsons

Each unit is six weeks, with four different workshop rooms for four of the Sundays. The unit also includes a

Celebration Sunday where we tie it all together and share what we’ve learned. Finally, the unit ends

with a Music Sunday, in which children will learn new songs together for worship and special events.

Gathering Time

Faith Kid-nection and SpiritLink children are invited to start the Sunday school hour at 9:45am in the

Worship Center. We’ll gather and sing together before the Shepherds take the kids to their classrooms.

They’ll be back to the Worship Center by 10:45 where parents can pick up their children.

SpiritLink Teachers and Shepherds 2018-2019 Thank you for serving!

Shepherds: Modern Magi – Virginia Charter

Jenny Fowler Scrolls & Scribes – Nat Cooper

Suzii Parsons Thou Art – Kim Leffingwell and Brandi White

On Location – Shannan Frohock

Burning Bush Theater – Courtney and Eric Savage



Interfaith Tour Sunday, September 15, 2019

Oklahoma City

For youth grades 6-12

Leave FPC parking lot by 10:45 am and return by

6:30 pm.

Sponsored by the Oklahoma Council of Churches,

this tour exposes youth to three diverse houses of

worship in Oklahoma City to gain understanding

and appreciation for other faith communities.

Locations on the Tour:

Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma

Nithyanandeshwara Vedic Temple of Oklahoma

OKC First Church of the Nazarene (Event Host)

Registration deadline: Wednesday, August 28

Cost: $25 (includes event entry, t-shirt, and snack)

Register at www.stillwaterfpc.org/youth


Children and Worship Resumes August 18th

Beginning August 18, children ages 3 through 3rd grade are

invited to come to Children and Worship each Sunday in

the Westminster Room following the Time with Children at

the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Just follow the banner and

the volunteers who will be waiting at the back of the

sanctuary!

We love sharing this time of age-appropriate worship with

our young children including singing and signing, praying

and scripture story-telling. There is also a time to respond to

the sacred stories using art, books, puzzles, or working with

the stories they have just seen and heard. As we respond to

God’s love, we also have a time for children to offer their

coins or talents. Parents may pick up children in the

Westminster Room following worship and are invited to join

us anytime.

Parents, please note: On days that communion is

celebrated in the sanctuary, your child will be brought

back to the sanctuary during the singing of the

doxology following the Offering. You may meet them at

the back of the sanctuary or volunteers will assist them in

finding their families in the pews. We think it is important

that children experience the Sacrament with their families

and congregation.

Parents, please also complete a children’s information

form for your child(ren) so that we are aware of any health

or allergy issues and have your current contact information.

The forms may be found in the red Friendship Folder in the

sanctuary or in the Westminster Room and may be turned in

to the Children and Worship volunteer or placed in the

offering plate.

Children’s & Youth Ministry


August

25 5:00 - 7:00 pm PYG Fall Kickoff @ FPC

September

1 NO PYG (Labor Day weekend)

8 5:00-6:30 PYG

15 10:45a-6:30p Interfaith Tour (OKC)

22 6:00-6:30 PYG

29 5:00-6:30 PYG

Youth Ministry


SUNDAY MORNING CLASSES FOR YOUTH

Our Sunday school curriculum is intentionally designed for

youth to explore their faith from a variety of perspectives

through their years in Youth Sunday School.

Gathering Time – 9:45-10:00am

Youth Sunday school will begin at 9:45 all together in the

Youth Suite for a gathering and connection time (with

snacks of course!) before splitting up into age groups for

more focused discussion and study.

Middle School (grades 6-7) (Youth Suite Blue Room)

re:form Ancestors of the Old Testament: Unlikely people

called by God to do amazing things. Youth will see the

similarities between themselves and their faith ancestors.

Every re:form Ancestors session follows a three-part

sequence: Encounter, Engage, and Respond. In each

session, youth gather to watch a hilarious animated video,

tap their creativity for activities that involve doodling,

connecting, and journaling, and then share thoughts and

ideas about the session’s ancestor.

Teacher: Tim Krehbiel

Junior High (grades 8-9) (Youth Suite Orange Room)

The Great Commandment

This class will explore what it means to Love God, Love Self,

and Love Others, including discussions on relationships, faith

and human sexuality.

Teachers: Brenda and Kelly Nipp, Mark Dieman

Senior (grades 10-12) (Youth Suite- Main Area)

Senior High Youth will gather weekly to discuss current

events, study the Bible, hear the faith stories of members of

the congregation, and to relax and spend time together.

Youth will be challenged to think for themselves about things

going on in the world.

Teacher: Mindy Martin, Sean East

PYG (Presbyterian Youth Group)

For ALL 6th-12th graders

Sundays, 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the Youth Suite

Come to youth group for ping pong, pool, music,

snacks, games, Bible study, and prayer. Retreats and

service opportunities are also offered throughout the

year.

PYG Sponsors for 2018-2019

Kim Leffingwell

Rusty Rex

Tim Riley

Youth Parent Gathering Thursday, August 15 from 7:30-8:30pm

@ Berry Creek Clubhouse (In the Berry Creek Neighborhood

between Western and Sangre just off of 19th)

Parents of 6th-12th graders – this gathering is just for YOU! As we enjoy

some beverages (we’ll have wine and some non-alcoholic drinks), we’ll

equip you with the information you need for the year – not only calendar

information and forms, but also resources and conversation around our

year’s theme on Prayer. Come get the support you need as a parent of

youth at FPC!


Fall 2019 Adult Class Offerings


Sunday School Class Meeting Locations

Feasting on the Word will meet in the

Library on all two-service Sundays.

Common Ground will meet in South

Fellowship Hall

Immigrants and Refugees will meet in the

Multipurpose Room

First Steps will meet in South Fellowship

Hall

Neighborhood Church will meet in the

newly renovated Upper Room (south end

of 2nd floor)

New! Monthly Sunday Evening Bible Study Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look at the Ten Commandments

You are invited to join a new, once-a-month Bible study this year, held on the 3rd

Sunday of each month. In Love Carved in Stone, we will explore what would it

mean to consider the Ten Commandments not as a harsh list of what not to do

but, instead, as a “love letter” from a loving God.

If this study sounds familiar, it is also the Bible study of Presbyterian Women this fall!

It’s such a great study, PW has agreed that FPC should offer it to the whole church,

men and women, at an evening time.

This evening Bible study meets 3rd Sundays in the Multipurpose Room, 5:00-6:30pm.

Mark your Calendar now!

September 15

October 20

November 17

December 15

January 19

February 16

March 15

April 19

May 17



FPC CHANCEL CHOIR Chancel Choir will resume regular Wednesday rehearsals on Aug. 21, 7:15–8:15 pm in the Westminster Room.

We welcome ALL adults and youth––FPC membership is not required! The Chancel Choir sings for most 11:00

am Sunday services and rehearses on Sundays at 10:15 am in the choir loft. All you need is a desire to sing with

others for the glory of God. Please join us!!

“O come, let us sing to the LORD;

Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” [Ps. 95:1]

FROM THE ORGAN BENCH

Music Staff

Director of Music/Organist

Rebecca te Velde

[email protected] Handbell Choir Director

Allison Johnston

[email protected]

Choral Scholars

Amanda Barber

Lexie Ferguson

Clayton Headrick

We are grateful for the talented

organ/piano leadership of Brett

Carver and David Hughes while

Rebecca te Velde is on vacation.

THIS MONTH–MARK THE DATE!!

Soli Deo Gloria MUSIC, FRIDAY, AUG. 23

FPC FELLOWSHIP HALL AT 7:30 PM “MUSICAL COMMUNICATION IN ART AND NATURE”

Enjoy a captivating presentation by pianist HEATHER LANNERS and

ornithologist TIM O’CONNELL! This annotated concert will feature piano

music inspired by birdsong, including music of Ravel, Rameau, Messiaen and

Balakirev. Together, Lanners and O’Connell will illustrate how birds and

people use music to communicate complex emotions, and how

understanding the musical structure of birdsong can help people learn to

identify the birds in their own backyards.

Admission is free (donations to SDG Music gratefully accepted) and a

reception will follow.

FPC BELL CHOIR Bell Choir will resume rehearsals after Labor Day (details TBA). This ensemble welcomes all adults and youth,

and no experience is necessary. Rehearsals are usually on Sunday afternoons from 4:00–5:00 p.m. in the “Bell

Balcony” in the Sanctuary.

For more information about these ensembles or the FPC music ministry in general, please contact

Director of Music Rebecca te Velde: [email protected], (405) 624-2612.


mailto:[email protected]


Boy Scouts from Stillwater'sTroop 820 enjoyed a

12 day Philmont Scout Ranch Trek in July,

covering 74 miles of hiking. Pictured from Left to

Right back row: Tom Oomens, Bryan Bailey, Alex

Bailey, Michael Kulling, Brayson Moody, and

Scoutmaster Warren Lewis. Pictured Left to Right

front row: Marek Oomens, Mack Kulling, Hayden

Balfanz, Philmont Ranger Brian Shea, Wyatt

Lewis, Alex Hill, Blake Little.

For information about Troop 820, or to join,

contact Scoutmaster Warren Lewis at (405) 742-

7192.



FROM THE MAILBOX

Dear Leah and Margie and Prayer Shawl Team,

My shoulders and heart are both warmed

and comforted by this beautiful blue on blue

prayer shawl. Margie is such a gifted and

gracious knitter. Thank you all who create and

share these gifts of love and prayer ministry.

With peace and appreciation

~Ann Houston

To Our Church family,

With John’s death, we found ourselves on the

receiving end of First Presbyterian Church’s hospitality. We

were humbled by the kind cards and notes, in awe of the

members who gave of their time to prepare our meal and

reception. Our facility was beautiful and well cared for,

and it gave the extended family a place to gather and

rest. The pastoral care was well organized and personal.

How blessed we are. Thank you for your care. Thank

you for loving John, he loved you so…

Forever grateful - Rick and Sue Dearinger

Acts of Stewardship – Building a Legacy Insight into Stewardship by Becky Schlais

Have you seen acts of Stewardship?? Let me ask you this - When you think of stewardship, what comes to

mind? Are we building a legacy of stewardship in our church, our families, our lives, our communities? Let me

share an act from just last year:

Last year during the lunch recap of the Mission Trip to Goodland, the group talked about and showed pictures

of the paintings that were worked on and hung in Bacon Hall at Goodland. They did not do them justice. I

walked into Bacon Hall at Goodland Academy in May of this year and you could see the love from FPC-

Stillwater. I was amazed at the feel of being surrounded by the Spirit. It was not just me. I was talking with

Martha Dearinger, wife of the Director of Goodland. When she heard that I was from Stillwater and FPC, she

told me the story of how impactful the paintings were.

As told to Becky by Martha Dearinger:

“I walked into Bacon Hall for dinner and it was the first time that I had seen the paintings on the

wall. I broke down crying and was so moved. It just changed the whole feeling of the Hall and

knowing that we were being blessed by such talent and how we were honoring Sarah Jean Clark. We

had her family come down to see the painting. Her dad and Granddad were so moved and touched

by the gesture; it was just too emotional for other family members to attend. Please let FPC-Stillwater

know what a blessing that they did for Goodland and the Clark family.”

I remember the comments made by Cynthia Shawley that she felt that she was just finding things to do to feel

useful during the mission trip. She was not able to help with the remodeling of the building like the majority of

the group, so she saw these paintings and thought, I can do this. She rounded up a few people and they

measured for frames, built the frames and hung the paintings around the Bacon Hall dining room.

She had no idea of the impact that this small gesture would have. The impact that would be felt all the way

across the state. It is in the small acts that sometime make the biggest impacts. Sometimes you have the

privilege of knowing the impact of these small acts!

What a powerful ministry and what a Legacy we are building! Thank you for all that you do for this church and

the many ways that you touch Stewardship through our many ministries!



Brenda Johns (Taylor) Ted Joy (Taylor) Nelma Karnes (Jones) Mary Jane Kirchenbauer (Breuninger) Steve Kirven (Conway) Pauline Kopecky Alice Kowalewski (Harding) Dottie Kraemer Karen Krehbiel (Breuninger) Tom Kunz (Shaw) Hank Lett Wendy Long (Burgoon) Alyssa Matal (Krehbiel) Philip Meadows Tresa Miller (Miller) Jean & Frank Moore (Stangl) Nora Nagaruk (Stangl) Pam Normile (Meinke) Denton Padgett (Fairbanks) Edith Padgett (Razook) Kathy Para (Holland) Jean Potts (Bills) Daniel Powell (Preston) Pat Razook Lisa Reavis (Stewart) Sydney Reding Sienna Rhoten (McKinley) Cooper Russell (Savage) Ken and Gloria Sandvold Don Savage (Savage) David Schmidly (Shaw) Carol Schoenhals (Shawley) Bradley Schutt (Schlais) Frances Seiler (Fairbanks) Bob & Bonnie Siddon (Stiegler) Karen Shippey (Swim) Brylee Shullanberg (Stiegler) Jeffrey Silver (Silver) David Smith (Cooper) Audrey Soehren (Garoffolo) Paul Sorrentino (Beckstrom) Lennie Steinbrink Jamie Stephens (Burgoon) Jo Lynne Stephens (Smith) Blaire Stevison Jen Tapley (Ainsworth) Rick & Rita Titus Upendo Kids (Shawley) Nettie Vick Emily Walker (Walker) Barbara Ware (Fansler) Darrell Warren (Silver) Arvilla West Nona Wilhm (PW Bowling) Jim & Lynda Williams Jim Wise Wojtec (Jerry) Wolniewicz Elizabeth Woodford (Leffingwell)

Prayer Concerns Amanda (Hrachovec) Landon Allen (Olson) Nick Amidon (Garoffolo) Shea Arnett (N. Thomas) Noelle Baker Carrie Ballenger family (Ballenger) Betty Bays Mariana & Isaac Becerra (Arquitt) Steve Bender (Arquitt) Mandy Blackburn Dawn Blair (Burgoon) Terry Bobo (Bobo) Rita Breuninger Bill Brewer Helen Britton Belinda Bruner Blake Buck Ashley Butler (Arquitt) Bob Campbell (Caldwell) Wayne Cartwright (Koeppe) Nancy Chapa (Fagan) Lynette Frye Chapman (Frye) Marilyn Choike (Bruce) Allison Christy (Breuninger) Abby Clapp (Clapp) Darlene Collyar (Silver) Andee and Kannon Cooper (Hrachovec) Steven Cornelius (Fairbanks) Dick Croom (Knox) Heather Davidson Anita Davis (Kelly) Martha Dearinger (Meinke) David Duel (Walker) Matthew Durham (Shawley) Lori Fagan The Flowers Family Ruby Flowers (Flowers) Mary Frye Ed Gallegos (Wilkinson) Josh Garnett (McCarley) Dorothy Gibbons (Holland) The Glasscock family Lauren Glynn (Stewart) Alana Harding (Redburn) Stephen Harrel (Preston) Ben Harris (Wilkinson/Frohock) Kendall Harvey (Shaw) Mary Ann Henley (Henley) Lori Henry (Olson) Bob Hert (Beckstrom) Charla Hilger (Roscoe) Carolynne Hopkins Linda Houck Ann Houston Sandy Ives Patty Jacobs Paul Dean Jenkins (Nipp)

Larger Church: Asia and the Pacific Synod of Mid-America

Names in parentheses indicate the church family member requesting prayer for a non-member. Please notify the Church Office if persons may be removed from the Prayer List. Thank you!

Military Members Members & family members of our church family who have been deployed in service to our country:

Jordan Buterbaugh Marines (Case)

Lt. Tom Cooper Air Force (Good)

Justin Fowler Navy (Fowler)

[email protected]

Col. James ‘grata’ Greenwald Air Force

Matt Krehbiel

1st Lt. Eric Murphy Army (Fairbanks)

Miles Smith (Schlais)

SPC 1st Class Bryn Williams JT Army (Williams)

Jim Seals

Joined First Presbyterian Church December 2, 1976

Entered the Church Triumphant

July 28, 2019

In Memoriam

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me shall never die.”

John Dearinger

Joined First Presbyterian Church December 9, 1997

Entered the Church Triumphant

June 30, 2019

In Memoriam

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me shall never die.”



It was good to see everyone at our July meeting. A special thanks to Dr. Belinda Bruner for her reading from

her novel, This Is Why We Sing. We do not have a meeting in August, but looking forward to September 16th,

we will be welcoming Dr. Damona Doye, who will present a program on her travels to Tasmania. Watch your

emails in early September for more information.

Pastor Leah and Mary McKinley represented Cimarron Presbyterian Women at the Presbyterian

Women Synod of the Sun Gathering (Live Abundantly in Christ—John 10:10) which was held at First

Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, July 25-27. There were 140 women attending from the 11 Presbyteries in

Synod of the Sun.

On Saturday, August 24, the Cimarron Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering will be held at the First

Presbyterian Church in Perry. Rev. Linda Sherry, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Guymon, will

present a review of the 2019-2020 PW/Horizon’s Bible Study: LOVE CARVED IN STONE —A Fresh Look at

the Ten Commandments by Eugenia Anne Gamble. Please call Mary McKinley, 377-4367, if you plan

to attend. There is no charge as PW will pay for the lunch.

PW/Circle will begin the new year on Wednesday, September 11, at 9:45 a.m. in the Hospitality Area.

Pastor Leah will lead us in the new bible study followed by lunch. You will receive your new

Presbyterian Women 2019-2020 Yearbook at this meeting. All women in the church are welcome.

Second Mile Sewing continues to meet the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays of the month at 9:30 a.m. in

Fellowship Hall. All who love to sew and chat are welcome to join the group. For more information

call Barbara Henderson, 377-6391, or Rosetta Silver, 269-2990.

If you have any questions about PW/Circle, please contact Mary McKinley, moderator, 377-4367.

PW NEWS

SEASONED ADULTS

DEACONS’ UPDATE

Mission of Hope Life Skills

Classes are taught the first and third Wednesday of each month to clients of Mission of Hope. The

classes offered include: Getting a Job; Keeping a Job; Getting Organized; Problem Solving and

Transactions; Maintaining Health; Budgeting; Keeping Your Money; and Legal Issues. Clients are

required to attend all eight of the session offerings, and childcare is provided during the class

time to enable presenters more time on task. Members of the Board of Deacons and the

congregation share their time and expertise in conducting these sessions. Many thanks to the

following who are presenters this year: Preston Bobo, Mary Emmet, Jennifer Ferrell, Judy Ferrell,

Jim Beckstrom, Belinda Bruner, Brenda Nipp, Lisa McGaw, Jason White, Casey Billingsley, and

Megan Matthews.



Monthly Income / Expense Report

July 2019 Year

to Date % of

Budget

Giving $ 53,098.85 $ 348,867.08 61.76

Other Income

$ 2,087.54

$ 22,742.22

71.14

Total Income $ 55,186.39 $ 407,609.30 62.22

Expenditures $ 52,347.76 $ 386,523.57 57.25

Net $ 2,838.63 $ 21,085.73

Session Organization The Session is organized into the following areas of

responsibility. Members of the congregation join

them in the work. If you have an interest in serving

in a certain area, please contact one of the elders

assigned to that ministry and volunteer. Don’t be

shy! As Presbyterians, we believe that the fruit of

the Spirit increases with greater involvement and

more people.

Clerk: John Gelder

Children’s Ministry:

Lyle Eastman

Sydney Reding

Youth Ministry:

Rick Dearinger

Courtney Savage

Adult Ministry:

Kent Olson (chair)

Ken McCarley

Fellowship & Family:

Becky Walker (chair)

Marilyn Waters-Seig

UKirk (University):

Tami Krehbiel (chair)

Paula Meriwether

Worship & Music:

Phyllis Taylor (chair)

David Silver

Brandi White

Stewardship & Finance:

Becky Schlais (chair)

Arletta Webster

World Mission &

Denominational

Concerns:

Bill Henley (chair)

Casey Campbell

Communications &

Connecting:

Kathy Thomas (chair)

Kay Burns

Trustee Liaison:

Cathy Fairbanks

Personnel:

Jim Trapp (chair)

David Silver

Brandi White

Endowment Liaison:

Becky Schlais

Session Summary

The Session of First Presbyterian Church met in its stated

meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at 5:30pm in the Fellowship

Hall. The meeting opened with prayer by Pastor Leah

Hrachovec. Highlights of Session action:

Approved request from GiFT (Generations in Faith

Together) Planning Team to take a collection the week of

GiFT to support Stillwater Public School’s Pioneer Pantry

Approved a request from Trustees on behalf of Cimarron

Presbytery to place a plaque in the butterfly garden to

mark the dedication of a tree in memory of Glen Bays.

Heard from Director of Children and Youth Ministries Jenna

Campbell that an Intergenerational Planning Team has

been formed. Ed Arquitt, Sharon Bennett, Mary Emmett,

Magdalena Vinson, Kim and Josie Leffingwell, Leo Reges

are members

Discussed “Spirit Sightings” – how is God enlivening our

ministries? Where is the Spirit’s guidance needed?

Rejoiced that 14 total campers will be experiencing at

least one week each at Dwight Mission Camp and

Conference Center this summer

Approved a request for a Minute for Mission from Austin

Presbyterian Theological Seminary on September 15th

Received the May 31, 2019 membership report indicating

496 members

Received highlights from Tri-Presbytery meeting (held May

31-June 1 at Westminster Presbyterian in OKC) from Ruling

Elder Commissioners Kathy Thomas and Jenna Campbell

Cancelled stated meeting in July 2019

Session adjourned with prayer at 6:20pm. The next stated

meeting is Tuesday, August 13th at 5:30pm in the Fellowship

Hall.


Reminder: Ambassador by Email

We invite you to consider receiving your

Ambassador by email. Each month you

receive an email with the link for the new

issue. You can view or print while saving printing

and mailing costs for the Church.

Email Magdalena in the church office at

[email protected] if you want

to try receiving the Ambassador electronically.


Loving God and Loving Neighbors at GiFT 2019


The sounds of laughter and learning flowed through FPC July 29-August 1 as we experienced our second ever

intergenerational VBS. Called GiFT (Generations in Faith Together), women and men, boys and girls – people of

all ages gathered around the theme of Will You Be My Neighbor? The week was full of faith-filled conversations,

songs, creative skits, and crafts and activities centered around scripture and learning about the call to love God

and love neighbors, with inspiration from one of our favorite neighbors, Mister Rogers.

At some point during the week, participants could be seen and heard:

Singing about our love for God and neighbor with Steve Foust

Discussing scripture at the Neighborhood of We Believe (using conversation and images to get to the heart

of the story)

Watching Mister Roger’s Neighborhood clips and being inspired by Fred Rogers, a Presbyterian pastor!

Weaving ribbons as we considered how we love God and love our neighbors

Playing the Islands game with hula hoops – and learning there is room for all when we welcome others

Creating banners of the neighbors we are called to love (but need to do a better job of loving)

Listening to “Room at the Table for Everyone” while decorating plates representing those who need a

voice and place at the table

Crossed the River, learning we can accomplish so much more when we share and work together

Considered creative ways to live out Matthew 25

Learned about organizations in our town, country, and world that are working to be good neighbors

Contributing food to Our Daily Bread and $417 to the Pioneer Pantry through the evening offering

Our “Community Celebration” on Thursday night ended the week with a great celebration. With mission stations

and games set up around the church, families engaged together in acts of service through projects that benefit

our neighbors near and far.

Thank you!

It took many people to create a successful GiFT week! Many thanks to those who prayed for the program,

provided supplies, participated in the program, as well as to the over 35 volunteers who shared their gifts with us.

Special thanks to the members of the 2019 GiFT planning team:

Coordinator – Sharon Bennett

Planning team - Leslie Baldwin, Mabrie Baldwin, James Causley, Judy Ferrell, Jimmy Oliver, Courtney Savage, and

Kay Solomon

2019 GiFT By the Numbers

112 Total Participants

60 Adults

12 Youth

40 Children

44 Families Represented

10 “New” families (those not previously associated with FPC)

6 3-Generation Families



Clockwise from Upper Right: “Crossing the River” game - working

together to achieve a common goal

“The Islands” game - learning about how

natural and human disasters affect

communities and how relief organizations

help

The Neighborhood of We Believe

Riding the FPC Trolley!


Std U.S. Postage

PAID Permit # 143

The August Ambassador First Presbyterian Church 524 S. Duncan Stillwater, OK 74074 405-372-5580 www.stillwaterfpc.org

Change to Fall Worship Schedule Sunday, August 18

Two Services @ 8:30 am and 11:00 am Sunday School Classes @ 9:45 am

Midweek Communion 12:10 pm

Wednesdays in the Worship Center

Worship at First Presbyterian

Address Service Requested


Our Daily Bread Volunteer Days Saturday, August 17th and Saturday, November

16th are the next FPC volunteer days to help in the

fight against food poverty in Stillwater. First

Presbyterian Deacons and congregation

members are scheduled to work at Our Daily

Bread from 9:00 AM till 11:30 AM.

Please arrive at 8:45 AM so we can begin our shift

at 9:00 AM. Approximately 12 to 15 people are

needed for each work day, but more hands are

always welcome! If you are interested in helping

Our Daily Bread, please sign up online at this link:

https://stillwaterfpc.breezechms.com/form/

b0dc7a68

Thank-you!!

FPC and UKIRK are hosting a Block Party,

and you’re invited! Wednesday, August 28th, 6:30 pm

Join us at 5th and Duncan as we welcome our neighbors

and say farewell to the end of summer with a block

party! We’ll have hamburgers, hotdogs, and all the

fixings, games and sidewalk chalk (maybe even some

water games to cool off!), and music by Code Shirley

(featuring FPC’s own Mike Melancon and Ritch Frohock)!

We’re inviting our neighbors, both residential and

businesses, and we hope you’ll join us too!

Look for a coming event notice on FB or contact the

church office to let us know you’ll be planning to attend

so we can make sure to have plenty of food for

everyone.

https://stillwaterfpc.breezechms.com/form/b0dc7a68

https://stillwaterfpc.breezechms.com/form/b0dc7a68

Documents

The AEthan Williams [email protected] Preschool Director Dana Brown [email protected] Building Supervisor Vickie Foust Custodian Mike Flowers The Ambassador volume 61 •