The First Epistle 2017 Newsletter.pdf · Birthdays2 Pastor Reflections 3 News & Events 4-7. Rummage Sale May 5-6, 2017. This coincides with clean-up week in the community and is a

The First EpistleFirst Presbyterian Church of Moorhead • Established 1872

May 2017

ON THE INSIDE:

Prayers 2Birthdays 2Pastor Reflections 3News & Events 4-7

Rummage Sale May 5-6, 2017This coincides with clean-up week in the community and is a great opportunity to "Pay It Forward" by donating your gently to moderately used items or to volunteer your time with the event. As always, this sale not only benefits the church and our mission, but has widespread effects around our community and even overseas! Please bring any items for donation to rooms 2-3 of the CE wing. Volunteers, look for the sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall to pick your favorite shifts. We'll need volunteers to set up throughout the week leading up to the sale, volunteers to staff the sale both Friday & Saturday, and volunteers to pack up the unsold items for donation after the sale. Please see a member of B&G with questions.Tim OrtezChair - Building & Grounds

Greta Larson, Isaac Nelson, & Landon Johnson,with Pastor Paul Campbell

The First Presbyterian Church of MoorheadWorship: 10:30 am — Sunday School: 9:15am-10:15am (all ages)2900 Fifth Street South, Moorhead, MN 56560www.firstpresmhd.org Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/firstpresmhd218.233.1192

E-mail Addresses:Church: [email protected] Articles: [email protected]

Our mission is to be a caring community of God’s people who live by Christ’s teachings, reach out to others to share the love of God, and celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, thought, and action.

Vernon Bancroft, Jr.Mark CoveyRaymond AustinTheresa SamuelsLaura Hagemann

Donald and Marion DeJongJosh PetersonMabel SchneiderAustyn

Patricia Pemble 3-May

Richard Cromwell 4-May

Khamboun Phonethep 4-May

Scott Ecker 6-May

Ayesha Pemble 10-May

Kim Kelsh 13-May

Sandra Gronhovd 15-May

Frank Kratky 19-May

Justin Conrad 23-May

Adam Massie 23-May

Terry Nelson 23-May

Patti Kratky 25-May

Bonnie Erickson 27-May

Jay Erickson 27-May

Nicole Hestbeck 31-May

Jerald Munighan 31-May

May Hospitality Team: Mary Skalet**

Kathy Giddings**George O'NeillJim GaleRoss & Ruth MatthewsRobert & Mary Long** Group Leaders

Presbytery begins process of reorganizing Committee StructureIf nothing else can be said about Presbyterians it is their belief that you need committees to solve every problem or issue that comes along, plus a few extra for added measure. With declining membership, this organizational structure of Presbytery has become increasingly difficult to support, both from a financial standpoint and from the availability of volunteers to fill positions on committees. General assembly addressed the need to streamline structure and reflected it in the implementation and writing of the latest Book of Order (BOO). BOO streamlined a Presbytery’s responsibilities to four areas: Mission, Leadership, Care for Congregations, and Care for Pastoral Leaders. In response, the Presbytery has begun formulating a restructuring of our current organizational structure. The plan to be implemented involves the use of groups called “Pods”. Information and an explanation in much greater detail is available on the Presbytery’s web site https://www.northernplainspresbytery.com/. Go to the link labeled “New Structure”. The link also has a video with Mary Holtey, associate pastor of the Fargo Presbyterian Church, explaining the process.

Erik Swee - Session representative to the Presbytery.

EPCTL for May is Barb Worman

PAGE 3The First Epistle

Pastor ReflectionsIn the liturgical calendar year for the church we have just started Easter. The joyous shouts of “He is Risen” and experiencing the hopeful resurrection have begun. The Easter morning celebration at First Presbyterian of Moorhead was a festive time. The Easter brunch and children’s egg hunt was well attended. It was enjoyable seeing the church community coming together. The month of May we will still be in the Eastertide Season for worship. May continues to be a busy month in the church. May 7th is CE volunteer Sunday. May 14th the 2nd graders receive their Bibles and May 21st

is Graduate Recognition Sunday. May 28th is Memorial Day weekend and the kick off for summer. Time after Easter is a growing season. Not only with the start of spring but also with growing of the church. We have had one Baptism and another one scheduled in the church. I want to congratulate our three new confirmed members: Landon Johnson, Greta Larson, and Isaac Nelson. Also we have received our new member, Karen Armstrong, into our faith community. Continue to pray for our church’s growth. Through the month of May, I have chosen to design the worship and sermons around 1 Peter in the lectionary series. The description title of 1 Peter, from my “Meeting God Bible”, calls the book Christians Under Construction. Easter reminds us that we are always offered new hope amid change. Our faith and church community are continually under construction. Change has been labeled as one of the only sure things in life. In the Reformed Theology we should be used to this. Our motto is Reformed and Always Reforming. That is often easier said than done. We like things to be familiar and comfortable. Christians, who believe in the resurrection, continue to grow and be filled with new ideas. We as an Easter People need to unite together and do amazing things. The resurrection tells us it’s a life changer.For the disciples after Easter everything changed and great things happened. We should be no different. As we continue through this season let us throw out the saying, “we have never done it this way”. This is a new time for you as a church. Remember that the true grace of God transforms our life. It can do the same for First Presbyterian of Moorhead.As the apostles realized that the physical Jesus was no longer present with them, they began to let the Holy Spirit guide them. They started sharing their experience of a Risen Christ and making disciples.A recent Gallup Poll published on Good Friday talked about why people go to church. Some of the responses were: Spiritual programs geared toward children and teens; Community outreach and volunteer opportunities; Religious leaders who are interesting and inspiring; Social activities that allow you to get to know people.We have opportunities over the summer to build on these suggestions. The New Life committee is planning several events where we can interact and get to know other people. Share your own faith stories with others. All of you have an inspiring faith journey to share. Let other people know about it.There are many needs in the community for volunteers. Find one that is your passion. Then join with others from our church and go out and serve. We can trust God to lead us forward into new endeavors. We can strengthen our relationships and look for new people to reach out to. Hopefully by June the new community garden will be showing signs of growth. We had a good turnout for the information meeting in March. The next step is to get the garden beds tilled then planted. The feedback from the Moorhead area has been positive. We are being commended for offering a needed service to the community.What other areas can we bring outreach projects to? Let the Grace of God transform our lives.

- Pastor Paul

“I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.” - 1 Peter:5-12

The First Epistle May 2016

* With Riding mower cut lawn * Sweep/blow grass clipping from sidewalks* With Push mower cut edges of lawn, against * Place grass seed on dead patches and

fence, around signs, etc… water as needed* With Trimmer, trim around signs, trees, etc… * Pick up trash on lawn, fence, lot, etc…

** Lawn should look good for Sunday services

Erik Swee 701-388-2675Chris Swee 701-532-0577

John Ortez 218-233-0066Judy Ortez 218-233-0066

Jerry Van Amburg 218-236-7659Ron Johnson 218-329-7542

Scott Dobovsky 612-986-9356James Gale 218-512-0600

Rev. Lim [email protected] Sung-Ho

Mitchell Mckaig 701-318-5916Adam Massie 218-422-5188

Tim Ortez 701-610-9574Frank Kratky 218-233-8382






First Presbyterian Church MoorheadLAWN CARE SCHEDULE 2017

Dates People Phone #

Responsibilities:

May 8 - May 21

May 22 - June 4

June 5 - June 18

June 19 - July 2

July 3 - July 16

October 9 - October 22

July 17 - July 30

July 31 - August 13

August 14 - August 27

August 28 - September 10

September 11 - Sept 24

September 25 - October 8

2017-2018Monthly Hospitality Groups

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRILRon & Peggy Johnson Bill & Marilynn Woods Garrick & Mary Larson Gerald & Janet Van Amburg

Cassidy / Landon Johnson Jeanne Walker Scott Ecker / Monika Brown Ineke Justiz

Jane Lobitz John & Judy Ortez Hal & Pegi Ecker Holly Martin

Clarence & Carole Smerud Tim / Ryne Ortez Jay & Bonnie Erickson Richard & Helen Pemble

Joni Lordeman Kim Reierson Kelsh

MAY JUNE JULY AUGUSTMary Skalet Robert & Mary Long Jane Lobitz Scott Dobovsky

Kathy Giddings Dagne Forbes Kim Reierson Kelsh Nicole Hestbeck

George O’Neill *USHERS ONLY *USHERS ONLY Maggie Sambo

Jim Gale Erik & Elizabeth Swee

Ross & Ruth Mathews *USHERS ONLY

Robert & Mary Long

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBERDoug & LuAnn Buehre Vern & Liz Bancroft David Miller Frank & Patti Kratky

Jim & Myrna Beattie Jim & Marlys Winter Jane Tandberg Julie Sorenson / Julie Munsey

Barb Worman Mitch & Kathy McKaig Dale & Sandy Gronhovd Diane Wray Williams

Adam or Joni Massie Chris & Nadine Swee Jerry & Arlene Munighan Greg & Renee Akason

Tim & Elise Nelson Dagne Forbes Walt & Barb Worman Steve Knorr / Flory Austin

Designates Group Leader

Duties: GreetersUshersCollect Offering Prepare, serve and clean-up coffee in Fellowship HallAttendance

Hospitality GroupsI would like to thank everyone for performing the duties assigned to the monthly Hospitality Groups during your assigned month. It is important to the functioning of the church that each person do what they can so all the work for the month doesn't fall on the shoulders of one or two people.

There are not enough members to fill the Hospitality Groups during the summer months. Beginning with Memorial Day Weekend Sunday through Labor Day Weekend Sunday there will not be any coffee available in Fellowship Hall after church. We will look forward to resuming this much enjoyed practice the Second Sunday in September.

PAGE 5The First Epistle

* With Riding mower cut lawn * Sweep/blow grass clipping from sidewalks* With Push mower cut edges of lawn, against * Place grass seed on dead patches and

fence, around signs, etc… water as needed* With Trimmer, trim around signs, trees, etc… * Pick up trash on lawn, fence, lot, etc…

** Lawn should look good for Sunday services






Mitchell Mckaig 701-318-5916Adam Massie 218-422-5188

Tim Ortez 701-610-9574Frank Kratky 218-233-8382






First Presbyterian Church MoorheadLAWN CARE SCHEDULE 2017

Dates People Phone #

Responsibilities:

May 8 - May 21

May 22 - June 4

June 5 - June 18

June 19 - July 2

July 3 - July 16

October 9 - October 22

July 17 - July 30

July 31 - August 13

August 14 - August 27

August 28 - September 10

September 11 - Sept 24

September 25 - October 8

First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead2900 Fifth Street SouthMoorhead, MN 56560

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

May Worship ScheduleSun. May 7th - Fourth Sunday in Easter Neutral Pulpit

- John 10:1-10

Sun. May 14th - Fifth Sunday in Easter Joe Obermeyer - Youth and Outreach Coordinator, Bdecan Presbyterian Church

Sun. May 21st - Sixth Sunday in EasterWisdom to Guide

- 1 Peter 3:13-22- John 14:15-21

Sun. May 28th- Seventh Sunday in Easter Hope and Promise

- 1 Peter 4:12-14- John 17:1–11

Documents

The First Epistle 2017 Newsletter.pdf · Birthdays2 Pastor Reflections 3 News & Events 4-7. Rummage Sale May 5-6, 2017. This coincides with clean-up week in the community and is a