A big thank you to outgoing elders Merry Theis, Mike Bush and Karen Leroux and deacons Carol Balvance, Sheldon Schultz and Steve Nicholas for their years of service to our church.
And welcome to new elders Ken Oliverson, Nathan Olson, Wendy Edberg and Michael Browers and new deacons Shirley Bjork, Colleen Bush and Rick Modlin. We look forward to working with you!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
LENTEN WORSHIP
The Lenten Season will begin with Ash Wednesday on February 25. The Ash Wednesday service will begin at 6:30pm following Wednesday dinner at 5:40pm. Wednesday dinners will begin at 5:40pm during Lent to accommodate the weekly worship services.
NEW BABY
Congratulations to Beth (Crider) and DJ Kennedy on the birth of their son Sydney Kamm Kennedy, who was born on January 16, 2009. Sydney was welcomed home by big brother Seth and big sister Sean. Proud grandparents are Lyle and Roberta Crider.
FAITH FEST
There will be a kick-off meeting for the 2009 Faith Fest at 7:00pm on Tuesday, February 10. Please consider joining this planning group to set the stage for the festival this fall. There will be several churches in attendance for this meeting as we continue to bring in partnering churches for this great event.
MISSION FOR FEBRUARY: CAP AGENCY FOOD SHELF
The CAP Agency Food Shelf, located in Shakopee, provides a nutritionally balanced, five-day supply of food to individuals or families from Scott and Carver Counties in need. The amount of food distributed per request is based on the number of members in the household. All food and household item donations to the CAP Agency Food Shelf are appreciated. The following items do, however, best help meet the needs of the food shelf:
Food items: Canned fruit, peanut butter, rice, cereal, baked beans, black beans, canned tuna, macaroni and cheese
Household items: Bar soap, diapers, laundry detergent, shampoo, toilet paper, toothpaste
Food Shelf donations of money are welcome. In fact, monetary donations sometimes go farther than food donations, as the CAP Agency is often able to purchase many food shelf items in bulk quantities. Monetary donations can be put in the offering plate during the month of February.
Food items: Canned fruit, peanut butter, rice, cereal, baked beans, black beans, canned tuna, macaroni and cheese
Household items: Bar soap, diapers, laundry detergent, shampoo, toilet paper, toothpaste
Food Shelf donations of money are welcome. In fact, monetary donations sometimes go farther than food donations, as the CAP Agency is often able to purchase many food shelf items in bulk quantities. Monetary donations can be put in the offering plate during the month of February.
Per Capita Apportionment
Blessings to you for giving to the Lord through your 2009 pledge. Your generosity is very much appreciated as we move forward in spreading Gods Word. As you may know, this is the time of year in which our 2009 per capita is due. As we are grateful for your tithe, we are also asking you to consider an additional gift to cover the cost of the First Presbyterian Church “Per Capita Apportionment”. Many people have questions as to what the Per Capita Apportionment is:
Is the Per Capita Apportionment the equivalent of Membership Dues? Is it a tax? Definitely not! A definition recommended by the Office of the General Assembly and approved by the 207th General Assembly is a follows: "Per Capita is an opportunity for all communicant members of the Presbyterian Church through the governing bodies to participate equally, responsibly, and interdependently by sharing the cost of coordination and evaluation of mission; of performing ecclesiastical, legislative, and judicial functions that identify a reformed church, while at the same time strengthening the sense of community among all Presbyterians."
The history of Per Capita goes back to at least the mid-1800's. A plan of mileage was adopted by the General Assembly to defray the costs of commissioners attending the General Assembly meeting. Uses of per capita have been broadened through the years. One of the major uses still remains, to cover the expenses of those we send to represent us at meetings of our governing bodies. Another important use is to operate our church judicial system.
For 2009, the per capita apportionment for us is $30.01 per member ("per capita" is Latin meaning each person), not per family unit. The $30.01 is broken down as $19.06 for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, $4.80 for The Synod of Lakes and Prairies, and $6.15 for the General Assembly. These amounts will allow each of these governing bodies to conduct their essential functions such as; Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Committee on Ministry, etc. These two committees have especially been an asset to me as I journeyed through Seminary. In addition, they were also an asset to you as you journeyed through the process of finding a new pastor.
Each member is invited and encouraged to contribute at least the amount of per capita, in addition to the amount that they would otherwise contribute. This will allow your Session to use the maximum amount possible for the Ministry of our congregation, the Presbytery, the Synod, and the General Assembly. As you prayerfully consider contributing $30.01 per confirmed member (in your household), you are taking part in what joins us together as Presbyterians. The Mission work that identifies us as Christians is above and beyond this amount, so if you are able to contribute more than this, please do, as that will help cover the per capita for some members who are unable to contribute this amount.
“7Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. . . 13I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.” 2 Corinthians 8:7, 13-14
Is the Per Capita Apportionment the equivalent of Membership Dues? Is it a tax? Definitely not! A definition recommended by the Office of the General Assembly and approved by the 207th General Assembly is a follows: "Per Capita is an opportunity for all communicant members of the Presbyterian Church through the governing bodies to participate equally, responsibly, and interdependently by sharing the cost of coordination and evaluation of mission; of performing ecclesiastical, legislative, and judicial functions that identify a reformed church, while at the same time strengthening the sense of community among all Presbyterians."
The history of Per Capita goes back to at least the mid-1800's. A plan of mileage was adopted by the General Assembly to defray the costs of commissioners attending the General Assembly meeting. Uses of per capita have been broadened through the years. One of the major uses still remains, to cover the expenses of those we send to represent us at meetings of our governing bodies. Another important use is to operate our church judicial system.
For 2009, the per capita apportionment for us is $30.01 per member ("per capita" is Latin meaning each person), not per family unit. The $30.01 is broken down as $19.06 for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, $4.80 for The Synod of Lakes and Prairies, and $6.15 for the General Assembly. These amounts will allow each of these governing bodies to conduct their essential functions such as; Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Committee on Ministry, etc. These two committees have especially been an asset to me as I journeyed through Seminary. In addition, they were also an asset to you as you journeyed through the process of finding a new pastor.
Each member is invited and encouraged to contribute at least the amount of per capita, in addition to the amount that they would otherwise contribute. This will allow your Session to use the maximum amount possible for the Ministry of our congregation, the Presbytery, the Synod, and the General Assembly. As you prayerfully consider contributing $30.01 per confirmed member (in your household), you are taking part in what joins us together as Presbyterians. The Mission work that identifies us as Christians is above and beyond this amount, so if you are able to contribute more than this, please do, as that will help cover the per capita for some members who are unable to contribute this amount.
“7Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. . . 13I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.” 2 Corinthians 8:7, 13-14
February Message from Pastor Bev
Valentine’s Day – the one day we set aside to tell those who are important to us how much we love them, thanking them for doing all they do. We even buy special gifts to honor them.
Do you set aside time to tell Christ how much you love Him and thank Him for all He has done for you? Do you bring him gifts?
Isaiah 45:22 "Look to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
“The greatest difficulty spiritually, is to concentrate on God and His blessings. Troubles almost always make us look to God, but His blessings tend to divert our attention elsewhere. When you read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew and Luke, you will find that the basic lesson of this scripture is to narrow all your interest until your mind, heart and body are focused on Jesus Christ.
Many of us have a mental picture of what a Christian should be. As we look at this image in other Christians’ lives, it becomes a hindrance to our focusing on God. It’s only when our difficulties, our trials and our worries about tomorrow all vanish do we look to God. So, Look to God, build your hope on Him no matter how many things seem to be pressing in on you. Be determined to push them aside while Looking To Him. “Look to me…” and receive salvation for it’s yours the minute you look.”
Adapted from: Oswald Chambers ~ My Utmost for His Highest
Our Heavenly Father gives us the greatest Valentine ever. He gives us His Holy Inspired Word, He gives us His time, He gives us Eternal Life. Give back to God – set time aside just for Him – Thank Him – tell Him how much you love Him!!
Happy Valentine’s Day
Pastor Bev
Do you set aside time to tell Christ how much you love Him and thank Him for all He has done for you? Do you bring him gifts?
Isaiah 45:22 "Look to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
“The greatest difficulty spiritually, is to concentrate on God and His blessings. Troubles almost always make us look to God, but His blessings tend to divert our attention elsewhere. When you read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew and Luke, you will find that the basic lesson of this scripture is to narrow all your interest until your mind, heart and body are focused on Jesus Christ.
Many of us have a mental picture of what a Christian should be. As we look at this image in other Christians’ lives, it becomes a hindrance to our focusing on God. It’s only when our difficulties, our trials and our worries about tomorrow all vanish do we look to God. So, Look to God, build your hope on Him no matter how many things seem to be pressing in on you. Be determined to push them aside while Looking To Him. “Look to me…” and receive salvation for it’s yours the minute you look.”
Adapted from: Oswald Chambers ~ My Utmost for His Highest
Our Heavenly Father gives us the greatest Valentine ever. He gives us His Holy Inspired Word, He gives us His time, He gives us Eternal Life. Give back to God – set time aside just for Him – Thank Him – tell Him how much you love Him!!
Happy Valentine’s Day
Pastor Bev
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)