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Call Us: (620) 342-0375
Address: 802 Commercial Street,
Emporia, KS 66801
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Welcome to the Emporia Presbyterian Church |
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Faith Statement: Through the love and inspiration of Jesus Christ and each other we reach out beyond ourselves to support others, continue to grow in faith, praise God, and celebrate His gifts.
In-person worship service Downtown
802 Commercial Street, 10:45a.m.
Join us for Online Worship
Go to our EPC website:
www.emporiapresbyterianchurch.org
click on the Worship tab
or watch from our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/EmporiaPresbyterianChurch/
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Tuesday, November 1
All Saints' Day
Sunday, November 6, 2022
Daylight saving time ends
Friday, November 11, 2022
Veterans Day
Monday, November 14, 2022
Session Meeting Downtown 6:00p.m.
Sunday, November 20, 2022
Christ the King
Hanging of the Greens
Thursday, November 24, 2022
Thanksgiving
Church office closed
Friday, November 25, 2022
Church office closed
Sunday, November 27, 2022
1st Sunday of Advent
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Giving Tuesday
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Join us for coffee and donuts
Sundays at 9:30a.m.
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Jodi & Kent Heermann Nov 3
Arlene & Ronald Dodge Nov 12
Michelle & Brett Stewart Nov 24
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Chuck Hanna Nov 2
Kelsey Gordon Nov 3
Valerie Conrade Nov 10
Robert Stewart Nov 15
Andrew Rees Nov 19
Richard Winter Nov 21
Takako Iyadomi Nov 21
Art Gutierrez Nov 21
Ana Chapman Nov 24
Valerie Parish Nov 28
Rosalinda Atchison Nov 30
Gwen Lorenz Nov 30
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Attitude of Gratitude
You’ve probably heard that we should live with an attitude of gratitude. The sentiment appears on memes and tattoos, in greeting cards and self-help books. The Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell, Regional Executive Minister for the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin (and my friend), takes dedicated time every day to jot down “Gratitude: Three Things” in her journal. I don’t always have that kind of daily dedication. However, I do start every Monday by filling out the “Good Things That Happened” portion of my planner, looking back on the previous week’s blessings and giving thanks for the good things that happened over the past seven days before venturing into the calendaring, To-Do listing, and actual doing of the new week at hand.
Gratitude and thankfulness, terms often used interchangeably, are bedrock principles of our Christian faith. The bible includes some version of gratitude, grateful, thanks, thanksgiving, thankful, and thankfulness 134-210 times depending on the translation we are reading.
Psalm 9:1 proclaims: I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 100:4 calls us to: Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and God’s courts with praise. Give thanks to God; bless God’s name.
And the Apostle Paul reminds the church in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
As we wind down Stewardship Season, counting the blessings God has given us and planning the ways we will bless others in turn in the new year; as we look ahead to November, with the Thanksgiving holiday coming soon; as we take stock of the day we’ve had, the years gone by, and the dreams we still have just waiting to be realized – I encourage you to embrace this bedrock principle of our faith. Be grateful. Be thankful. Grab a little notebook like Mindi, and each day for the next month (or more) write down three things you are grateful for. Or, if that’s more than you can commit to, each week as you start anew, look back for a minute and give thanks for the good things that got you through.
Happy thanks giving! I am grateful for you.
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Pastor's Appreciation by Pastor Phyl
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Sunday, October 9, was Pastor Appreciation Day, a day uniquely designed for your pastor to remind you – yes, you! – how much I appreciate you, our incredible church family, our congregational leaders, and the Rev. Pat Ireland (Honorably Retired) who filled the pulpit on that Sunday so I could chaperone and enjoy Girl Scout Mother/Daughter Camp with Annora.
One of my favorite bible verses is 1 Thessalonians 5:11:
Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, as indeed you are doing.
I am grateful to God for all the ways we build up EPC and our larger community together, and I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate the opportunity to be your pastor and serve alongside you. I also appreciate that you held Pastor Appreciation Day the next Sunday, October 16, too. Thank you for all the wonderfully kind and funny cards, the gorgeous mum, and for ensuring that I’m well supplied on chocolate, tacos, tea, and cocoa as we head into Advent! You are awesome, loved, and beloved! May you know deep in your soul how much you matter to this world, our church family, and me.
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Adult Sunday School Class by Ken Weaver
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On October 23, during Adult Sunday School, a member of the class observed that so many in the congregation would appreciate having this adult Sunday school class on a regular basis. Why? The class is called Understanding the Old Testament with a 30 minute lecture on a DVD followed by class discussion.
The leader of the course is an Old Testament scholar. Each member of the class learns something new every week. The October 23rd class was on the 10 Commandments. Overall, the class probably learned a dozen new facts about the 10 Commandments. This level of learning and discovery has happened every Sunday for the first seven lectures. Each class stands on its own in case you cannot attend them all.
Won’t you join us from 9:30a.m. to 10:20a.m., every Sunday morning in the Session meeting room?
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For the 8th year, Mission & Outreach has been collecting scarves to distribute to neighbors in our community as temperatures begin to fall. Scarves knitted, crocheted, or made from fleece, and ranging from children’s to adult sizes (36 x 6 inches to 60 x 9 inches) have been added to the chancel rail Downtown all through October.
We will dedicate the scarves in worship on October 30, praying that our neighbors will be warmed body and soul through this extension of Christ’s love.
Watch the December newsletter for a final tally for 2022 and combined totals spanning 2014-2022.
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Order Your Christmas Poinsettias
Members may order poinsettias to decorate our sanctuary throughout Advent. Plants may be purchased in honor of someone or as a memorial. Deadline to order is Friday, November 11, 2022. Make your check payable to Emporia Presbyterian Church. Cost is $15 per poinsettia.
I/We request ______ Poinsettias at $15.00 per plant
qty
In Memory of: ______________________________________________
Or, In Honor of: ______________________________________________
Given by: _________________________________________________
As you prefer name to appear in bulletin
Attached is a check in the amount of $__________
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At far left: Sheldon Stewart, son of Brad and Jennifer Stewart, was honored on the Student Athletic Leadership Team (SALT) as the “Athlete of the Month” for Emporia High. |
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At right: Taylor Moorman, son of Karen and Mitch Moorman, participated in the Executive Mentor Program in the College Business Administration at K-State University, and was recently recognized as the Mentee of the Year.
Taylor is also a member of the business fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon, and placed 4th out of 39 competitors in the West Regional Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon held in Denver.
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At left: Susan Severin with her husband Brian, was named Kansas Association of School Psychologists 2022 School Psychologist of the Year. |
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Advent is coming! Advent is the holy season of preparation, and unsurprisingly, we need to prepare to prepare. Below are our traditional Advent observance, including online and in-person worship. Please let Pastor Phyl know how you can help prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas.
For each observance below, you can sign-up to help just online, just in-person, or both.
Sunday, November 20 – Hanging of the Greens
Worship committee needs three more online readers (three people have
already signed up, thank you!) and six in-person worship leaders to help
prepare our homes and sanctuary for the Advent Season. Parts include
blessing and placing: the Advent wreath and candles; the paraments; the
evergreens; the Christmas tree; the poinsettias; and the creche.
Sunday, November 27 – First Sunday of Advent
We need readers / candle lighters for the Hope candle – both online and
in-person.
Sunday, December 4 – Cantata Sunday and Second Sunday of Advent
We need readers / candle lighters for the Peace candle – both online and
in-person.
Sunday, December 11 – Third Sunday of Advent
We need readers / candle lighters for the Joy candle (that’s the pink one!)
– both online and in-person.
Sunday, December 18 – No-Rehearsal Xmas Pageant and Fourth Sunday of Advent
We need readers / candle lighters for the Love candle – both online and
in-person.
Saturday, December 24 – Christmas Eve
We need readers / candle lighters for the Christ candle – both online and
in-person as well as liturgists for the Scripture readings.
Recording deadlines for online services are as follows:
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Save the Dates!
Need more information about the upcoming holidays and holy seasons that are quickly approaching? Be sure to mark your calendars and save these dates:
October 30 – All Saints’ Sunday and Dedication Sunday
We will celebrate the life of EPC saints who have died in the past year and dedicate the scarves donated to The Scarf Project along with pledges for the coming year.
November 13 – Thanksgiving Sunday
Give thanks for all God’s blessings, a week early, because the next Sunday brings …
November 20 – Hanging of the Greens
We will bless the symbols of the Advent and Christmas Seasons during worship. Then, after worship, you are invited to stick around and help deck the halls and sanctuary and Friendship Room for the holidays.
November 27 – Advent Begins
Journey through Advent as we consider how this holy season shapes us From Generation to Generation using resources from A Sanctified Art to guide us including Advent calendars, daily devotionals, coloring sheets, and more.
December 4 – Cantata Sunday
The Chancel Choir offers Morning Star: Celebrating the Everlasting Light of Christmas, leading in worship through Scripture and song.
December 18 – No Rehearsal Christmas Pageant
We will tell the story of Christmas – our story of Christ’s birth – donning costumes and walking from Nazareth, the fields, and a far-off country (your pew) to Bethlehem (the chancel), building the nativity scene together as a church family. No rehearsal needed! All ages welcome and encouraged!! But get here early if you have a particular character (sheep, inn keeper, magi) in mind. Costumes go quickly!
December 25 – Christmas is on a Sunday!
Celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas Day with simple worship, carols, and stories. Kiddos still in pajamas and/or adults in Christmas sweaters welcome/encouraged.
December 31 – Year-End Giving must be postmarked or in to the church office.
Contact Diana Hizar is you have questions about paying off your 2022 pledge, pre-paying 2023, or insuring other year-end gifts meet the IRS & EPC fiscal year deadline.
January 8 – Epiphany Sunday and Star Words
We begin the new year in earnest. Just as a star lead the wise to find Jesus, star words will be distributed to help guide each of us into and through 2023.
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Online Worship -- Holiday Deadlines |
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Online Worship has become an integral part of keeping our church family connected and sharing the Good News with others from Emporia to Cottonwood Falls to Kobe, Japan.
We are extremely grateful to Jacob Stutzman who edits each week’s worship service. For a “normal” Sunday: Toshi & Takako submit the week’s hymn a week in advance; Pastor Phyl records the liturgy a few days in advance; and Jacob has the final edit ready to post and email by Saturday night. “Special services” throughout the holy seasons take more time, because there are more people involved, more times are set aside to record, more pieces to stitch together, and more services than just Sunday mornings. To get everything done and ready to share, we need to work further in advance.
Below are the dates for Online Worship Holiday Services and the recording deadlines for all portions of those services so they are ready for our church family on time! Please keep these dates in mind as you sign up to lead a part of Hanging of the Greens, sing or play for the Cantata, moo/baa/read part of the Christmas Story for the Christmas Pageant, or assist with Christmas Eve.
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Christian Education & Nurture Committee |
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Christian Education & Nurture Committee is asking the congregation to join our Children and Youth Sunday School classes in sponsoring an S.O.S. family for Christmas. As in past years, the offerings received will be used to purchase gifts for a chosen family.
Sunday School classes will do the shopping for the sponsored family and place the gifts under our sanctuary tree until distribution time in early December. Donations may be placed in the red gift box in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings or given to the church office.
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Local Mission Assistance Fund Update |
Our Local Mission Assistance Funds are to help out locally for those in need. Funds are used primarily to pay for food vouchers and some utility bills. Thank you to those who have offered their gifts to keep the fund going.
In the month of October, we disbursed $401.00.
Currently, the Local Mission Assistance Fund balance is $11,266.55.
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For the month of November we are collecting deodorant, shampoo, bodywash/soap for Walnut School.
Place items on the table Downtown in the sanctuary or drop off in the church office.
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We encourage everyone to continue filling the Blessing Box outside of West Campus filled with nonperishable items, as great need continues in our community. |
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Treasurer's Report by Tammy Cheeseman
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Treasurer’s Report October 2022
1. As of the end of September, 39 Sundays (or 75% of the calendar year) have passed.
2. Pledges received in September totaled $14,585.00. Loose offering received was $611.81.
3. Operating expenses for September totaled $44,150.53.
4. We received a check from Wells Fargo for $9,719.28.
5. Utility cost for September were $2,003.18.
6. Through the ninth month of the year, here are the percentages of budget expended (see the Budget Comparison report for dollar figures).
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You may have seen “Love Your Neighbor” signs springing up in your neighbors’ yards the past few months. Now, thanks to a grant through Kansas Leadership Center, “Love Your Neighbor” signs are being shared with Lyon County Ministerial Alliance member churches which includes EPC! EPC still has 26 signs available on a first come-first serve basis. You can pick one up from the church office, or let us know and we can deliver. |
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We also have “Growing with EPC” signs still available from our family sign drop last Fall, a nice reminder as the grass keeps growing with all the rain. There are 9 of these left, if yours blew away, has seen better days, or if you missed the first run. Again, stop by to pick one up, or let the office know and we’ll drop one by. |
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Information needed by
November 15th
for the December 2022 Presby News.
To submit or suggest articles, contact
Diana Hizar, Business Manager,
620-342-0375.
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Weekday Office Hours:
Downtown Campus
Tuesday – Friday, 9:00am-3:00pm
Office Phone: 620-342-0375
Office Email: businessoffice.epc@gmail.com
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Website: www.emporiapresbyterianchurch.org
Pastor: Rev. Phyllis Stutzman
Email: pastorphyl.epc@gmail.com
Address:
Downtown - 802 Commercial Street, Emporia KS 66801
West - 1702 W 15th Avenue, Emporia KS 66801
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SESSION MEMBERS
Meets Second Monday of the Month Downtown at 6:00p.m., or via Zoom
Pastor Phyl moderator
Kathie Buckman clerk of Session (620)412-1971
email: kbuckman@hotmail.com
Nickie Edwards (620)794-3541
nickieedwards@yahoo.com
Rhonda Gordon (620)366-5169
rgordon7713@gmail.com
Amanda Gutierrez (620)794-7770
email: flick25_2000@yahoo.com
Becky Hadicke (620)343-5547
email: rhadicke18@gmail.com
Connie Jobe (620)255-3441
email: connie_jobe00@hotmail.com
Brett Stewart (620)340-9590
email: brett@trustpointservices.net
Kim Stewart (620)342-4792
email: bobandkim2915@gmail.com
Ken Weaver (620)757-1920
email: knweaver51@gmail.com
Church Treasurer – Tammy Cheeseman
email: tammy_cheeseman@yahoo.com
MISSION AND BUILDING FUND TRUSTEES
Dean Edmiston and Don Miller, Financial Administrators.
Chair, Brett Stewart (Session);
Vice-Chair, Rhonda Gordon (Session)
Secretary, Amanda Cunningham;
Members: Adriane Lang, Martha Shook, Sharon Stewart
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STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chair, Connie Jobe, Tammy & Michael Cheeseman, Carolyn Turney
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND NURTURE COMMITTEE
Co-Chairs, Amanda Gutierrez & Connie Jobe; Amanda Cunningham
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Chair, Brad Stewart; Kathie Buckman; Linda Miller
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
Chair, Lois Schrock; George Durler, Tammy Cheeseman, Amanda Gutierrez, Max Stewart, Sharon Stewart
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Becky Hadicke, Sue Jones, Susan Severin, Martha Shook, Brett Stewart
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
Chair, Ken Weaver; Karen Moorman; Margaret Davidson, Nickie Edwards, Becky Hadicke
VISITATION COMMITTEE
Chair, Sue Jones; Kathie Buckman, Betty Campbell, Margaret Davidson, Nickie Edwards, Karen Moorman, Max & Sharon Stewart
MISSION & OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Chair, Amanda Gutierrez, Amanda Cunningham,
Lois Schrock
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
Betty Campbell, Lee Tucker
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802 Commercial St. • Emporia, KS 66801
(620) 342-0375
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