 |
we are pleased to present your July-August 2017 First Presbyterian Church of Green Bay newsletter!
|
|
"Food for Thought" by Pastor Randy
Note: You can access previous, current, and upcoming blogs at the link below. You can also now access the Pastor's sermons in an
audio version here.
Discerning our Values 1
I recently took a week-long course in religious fundraising at Luther Seminary. As a requirement for the course, I had to submit a project proposal. My proposal was accepted and I now have to implement it. The Session and Stewardship Committee have been supportive of my plan. We are going to carry it out. The interesting feature of this project is that it requires your participation! I hope you will find it to be an enjoyable experience.
|
|
|
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is scheduled for August 1-
3 from 5:30-8:00 pm each day. The theme is "Hero Central", with a focus on local heroes, and we'll have a special surprise guest appearance! Don't miss it! If you are interested in helping out, please let Ken Sann know at [email protected].
The VBS schedule each evening will be:
5:00-5:30 pm Registration and Human Foosball!
5:30-5:50 pm A Light Meal
5:50-6:15 pm Opening / Music
6:15-6:30 pm Bible Story
6:30-7:30 pm Outdoor Activity / Inside Craft
7:30-8:00 pm Snack and Closing
Your children/grandchildren can be part of the fun by registering online! Click on this link: 2017 VBS Registration. Let your child's friends' parents know about this great opportunity so they can be part of the fun as well. You can also stop by the Church during our office hours to register. It will be a great time!
|
|
BTS Drive for Tank in August
August 1-30 are the dates for the Tank Back to School supply drive! Tank Elementary School is one of the most ethnically diverse and needy schools in the Green Bay public school district. First Pres has "adopted" Tank and has a long history of supporting and interacting with the school and students.
One of the ways we support these children is with a BTS supply drive - to make certain every child has the items they need to begin school on the right note.
Every kid deserves to have new pencils, crayons, glue, etc.
Find the list of supplies needed here. There is a table at the back of the Sanctuary to deposit your donations when you are here on Sundays (or any other day) through the end of August. Thank you!
|
Nancy Siewert has arranged for a free Summer Story Hour on
Tuesday mornings during
August from 10:00-11:00 am outside under the tree!
Stories, activities, snacks, and fun f
or ages 4-10. Your little ones won't want to miss it!
|
Cup O Joy Picnic is July 29th
The Outreach Committee is requesting donations of foods, your time, and/or your financial donations for the annual Cup O Joy picnic! Held in conjunction with First Presbyterian Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, and Cup O Joy, the picnic will be held Saturday,
July 29, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Cup O Joy, 232 S Broadway. The picnic is a neighborhood event that typically serves about 200 people. Cup O Joy is a Christian coffee house with a full schedule of musical events - see the list at
www.cupojoy.com. Free food and fun! Everyone is welcomed.
|
|
|
Feed My Starving Children 2017
Each year First Pres commits to raising money to help with our share of the FMSC Mobilepack. Please help us reach our goals by participating in one or more of the upcoming events!
Timeline for August/early September:
- August 15 - deadline to sign up for the 5K run/walk if you want to be guaranteed a t-shirt. More info & sign up here. (The sign-up forms are on the bulletin board as well - make sure you send to the P.O. address at the bottom of the form.)
- August 17 - youth groups can register for packing sessions
- August 20 - general registration open for packing sessions
- August 27 - Ice Cream Social!
- September 9 - 5K Run/Walk at Green Bay Community Church
|
We had a great day on Sunday, celebrating the Seymour Park neighborhood and meeting our neighbors. Thank you to all of the organizers, sponsors, and donors. Organized by First Pres, the Seymour Neighborhood Association, Trinity Lutheran Church, Voice of Faith Church, Crossroads Community Church, and the Green Bay Police and Fire Departments.
See more photos on our Facebook page . . .
|
|
Organ Recital Series Returns
The Power of the Pipes organ recital series is returning for summer 2017. There will be four recitals this summer:
- Tuesday, August 1 - First United Methodist - Jeffrey Verkuilen, organist
- Tuesday, August 8 - First Presbyterian - Robert Nickel, organist; Jennifer Hanson, pianist (pictured)
- Tuesday, August 15 - St. Paul's Methodist - Vashni Seitzer, organist
- Tuesday, August 22 - Grace Lutheran - John Kopp and Denise Zenko, organists
All recitals begin at 6:30 p.m. A free will offering of non-perishables or cash will be accepted at each location. The offering will benefit local food pantries.
|
|
Thank you and Congratulations!
Thank you to Tom Schoffelman as he rotates off Session as an Elder, and Gifty Berko, Jane Bies, Elizabeth Paag, and Dennis Siewert for their service as Deacons. We very much appreciate your service.
Congratulations to Judy Exl, Brandt Schoffelman, Lisa Solper, and Devin Wellner on being elected as Deacons. We also appreciate the continuing service of Sandy Deadman as a Deacon, as well as Mary Ginnebaugh, Phil Mikulsky, and Deb Shober as Elders.
Congrats also to the 2018 Nominating Committee at-large members Jane Bies, Bruce Deadman, George Hubbard, and Gene Reynolds.
Thank you to the current at-large members Jo Leicht, Lacy Schimmel, and Mary Steeno. In addition, we thank Elders Deb Gauthier and Tom Schoffelman, and Deacon Sandy Deadman, for serving this year with them.
|
|
|
Nate & Laura to be Wed July 15
Warmest wishes to Nathan Christensen and Laura Siemering who will be taking their marriage vows on
July 15. May God bless the two of you abundantly in love, joy, and happiness.
|
|
Sanctuary Carpet Update
The Carpeting Task Force reports that the carpeting has been ordered, with an installation time after the first week in August. Installation will take approximately five days.
The carpet fund is currently at $18,115, with a final goal of $21,568. Please consider "Paying it Forward Generously" with a donation to the carpet fund.
With your help, we can beautify our sanctuary and eliminate the bunching of the old carpet.
|
|
Harpsichord
On Sunday, June 18, the congregation was treated to a harpsicord and flute duet by Bob Nickel and Elizabeth (Leni) Spaude, respectively. This raised many questions because it had been a while since the harpsicord was played.
The instrument was built by Dean Scherer. His son Brian finished the wood on the entire project. The harpsicord was built for our 100th church anniversary in 1976. Shown in the photo are, from left, Dean and his son Brian.
|
|
|
Support Our Young Adult Volunteer
Your prayers and gifts are appreciated!
As you know, Lacy Schimmel was selected by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to be a Young Adult Volunteer for a year starting in August. Lacy will be joined by YAV Lauren LaMonica and the two will serve in various community-based ministries in Chinook, Montana.
YAVs need to raise money to help with their year-long expenses. Please consider helping Lacy with a financial gift. Click here to reach her fundraising page. (You can alternatively write a check to First Pres and designate it for Lacy. We will forward the total.)
Lacy explains how her decision to be a YAV came about, "Last summer I was a chaperone for Triennium and the week's message was 'GO'. I learned about the YAV program from one of the booths in the exhibit hall. So as the week went on, I kept hearing the call to go and do good, go and spread God's work. By the end of the week I knew I had to look more into the program and after looking at all the sites decided that there were a lot of great places that I could serve. I applied and got accepted to the Montana site which was my top choice. My full-time job for the last 4 years has been working at a day program for adults with special needs and they have taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to. So I'm taking a leap of faith and moving to Montana for a year."
We look forward to reading your blogs Lacy - have a wonderful and fulfilling year! |
|
|
Reynolds' 60th Anniversary
Blessings on Gene and Joni Reynolds as they celebrate their
60th wedding anniversary!
The couple also both turn 83 this year, Gene, actually on the date of their anniversary. As Gene noted, "
No problem for me remembering our anniversary." Happy birthday wishes to you both!
May all your days be filled with goodness and warmth, your heart be full of joy and hope, and your mind overflow with aspirations and the will to share the message of God - that is, the message of love.
|
|
|
CE Corner with Ken
Congratulations to our High School Graduates, Taylor Wittman, Olivia Crooks, Audrey Rasmussen, and Christian Gehri. May God's blessings be upon each of you as you enter the next chapter of your lives. Thank you to Julia Hansen for making the delightful cookies for the graduation reception held on June 11th.
(Connie would like to remind everyone - if you have photos, please share for our Facebook page. Reach her at (920) 621-3382 or [email protected].)
Reminder to the Unga-Bunga Tribe to watch for information about the Pool Party at the McCormick home this summer.
|
|
|
More Pay It Forward Stories
First Pres has continued to hear about the far-reaching goodness that has been generated by our
Pay It Forward Stewardship effort, and have a few to share. We welcome the opportunity to encourage others to act, so please don't hesitate to send us your own!
From Dave Nelson, a former First Presbyterian church member who was back in town visiting (and attending a Packer game) on the Sunday last year when the Stewardship Committee handed out the $5 with directions to pay it forward - generously to everyone who attended. Here is what Dave did with his $5:
Dave decided he would add to the $5 and donated $50 to what he refers to as Internationals - at the church he now attends. In Dave's words, "The ministry I am supporting helps international students who want to learn English. It is a ministry of Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison."
|
|
|
For July, the Pantry volunteers are requesting donations of spaghetti and for August, personal care items. You can place them in the shopping cart in the narthex at your convenience.
As always, they can certainly use monetary donations as well! Thank you.
|
|
|
Enjoy the convenience of online giving
The Stewardship Committee wants to remind you that we offer online giving as a way to automate your regular weekly offering. Online giving offers convenience for you and provides a much-needed donation consistency for our congregation.
Online giving is used to automatically transfer funds from your checking or savings account to the church's bank account.
You can set up on your online giving by going to the church's website (www.firstpresgreenbay.org) at any time. You can set up an automatic donation plan, make a one-time donation or view your online donation history.
As you contemplate future contributions, please consider online giving. For more information, visit the church website or contact Carol at (920) 437-8121.
|
|
Stained Glass Windows Facts
We continue our series of information about the very beautiful stained glass windows at our church...
Upper Window St. James Minor
The windmill is a symbol of his faith and forgiveness of his enemies. He was pushed from the top of a temple, and his limbs resembled a windmill as he fell. He was seriously injured, but rose to his knees to ask God's forgiveness of his enemies. The rising sun represents his presence at the Ascension, after which he began his extensive missionary journeys.
Upper Window St. Matthew
The moneybags represent his occupation as a tax collector, and the halbert, or battle-ax, his death by decapitation.
The PX symbol is the monogram of Christ, and the eight stars is for the Sermon on the Mount, with each star representing one of the eight Beatitudes.
|
|
|
Purple Churches
Red and Blue in the Same Pew
From
Presbyterians Today magazine:
"As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:27-29).
|
Th
ank you again to those of you who have asked your youth to consider signing up for our e-newsletter! And if you haven't yet, would you please suggest that your teens might want to sign up at:
www.firstpresgreenbay.org; or
text FIRSTPRESGB to 22828 and include your email address; or go to our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/FirstPresGB
. Questions, contact Connie at
[email protected]
or (920) 437-8121, ext. 116.
|
Please "like" our Facebook page
and invite your friends to like it:
www.facebook.com/FirstPresGB
. Let Connie Greenawald know if you need assistance.
|
|
3rd - Kenneth Kabacinski
|
19th - Michelle Lardinois
|
|
7th - Aubrey Early
|
20th - Hailey Gossen
|
|
10th - Susan Mikulsky
|
22nd - Marjorie Crowl
|
|
12th - Rosemary Minehart
|
26th - Marjorie Holmes
|
|
15th - Brenda Hubbard
|
28th - Robyn Gehri
|
|
16th - Ann Argall;
Teresa Schoffelman
|
|
|
18th - Mary Belanger;
Julia Hansen
|
31st - Mary Nickel
|
August Birthdays
|
1st - Barbara Oliver
|
17th - Mary Silverberg
|
|
5th - Holly Gehri
|
21st - Matthew Christensen
|
|
6th - Ryan Batal
|
25th - William Klass
|
|
7th - Nana Berko |
26th - Johnny Davis; Matthew Early;
Clarence Mickelson
|
|
10th - Samantha Belanger;
Joan Reynolds
|
27th - Evan Hansen
|
|
13th - Mamme Yaa Berko;
McKenzie Verheyden
|
29th - Bobbi Holl;
Zachary Wittman
|
|
14th - Jordan Doenges
|
30th - Susan Jenson
|
|
15th - Jill Stenson
|
31st - Stacy Bostedt;
Jacob Kabacinski; Brian Kage
|
|
16th - Ciera Rowell
|
|
|
Feed My Starving Children
- Sunday, September 10 will be a sloppy joe luncheon and the opening of the silent auction!
Casserole Cookoff is scheduled for Sunday, September 17 - be sure to share your favorite! The cookoff also benefits FMSC!
Silent Auction closes Sunday, September 24.
And, date in September to be determined, we'll have a Church-wide clean-up workday. Please help, as we all want our building to look its best! As soon as we have a date, we will let you know, thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
