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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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Sunday, October 2
World Communion Sunday
Peace & Global Witness Offering
Monday, October 10, 2022
Session Meeting Downtown 6:00p.m.
Sunday, October 30, 2022
All Saints' Day Celebrated
Dedication Sunday
Monday, October 31, 2022
Halloween
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Join us for coffee and donuts
Sundays at 9:30a.m.
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Jennifer & Brad Stewart Oct 4
Susan & Brian Severin Oct 20
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Rebecca Hadicke Oct 2
Dean Edmiston Oct 4
Teresa Franco Oct 8
Laura Parish Oct 10
Robin Parish Oct 10
Meredith Lang Oct 11
Barbee Castello Oct 14
Eden Noll Oct 15
Ken Weaver Oct 17
Bob Karr Oct 17
Zane Swanson Oct 18
Janet Rees Oct 18
Ine Sokari Oct 20
Richard Schrock Oct 23
Jovie Severin Oct 25
Cory Doudican Oct 26
Michael Ireland Oct 26
Andrew Spencer Oct 27
Sheldon Stewart Oct 27
Jose Franco Oct 29
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‘Tis the Season(s)
I love this time of year. Personally, I’m more an apple cider than a pumpkin spice girl, but I love how autumn invites us to savor the beauty and blessings that are so easy to miss in the chaos and confusion that can mark day-to-day life. Autumn invites us to see the forest, bursting with reds, oranges, yellows, magentas, and various shades of green, rather than fixate too much on one particular tree.
Perhaps the metaphor is a bit much, but we tend to do that. I know I do. We see an immediate problem at hand (a single tree) and focus all our energy and attention on fixing an unbalanced budget, hurt feelings, or sudden grief. Or, we check the calendar to see what this day – and only this day – needs, because it’s all we can do to get from doctor’s appointment A to doctor’s appointment B to physical therapy and then swing by the pharmacy all on time and before they close; or to get the kids fed and out the door to school, picked up, fed again, and then to practice or Student Council or 4-H or scouts on time, remembering to feed ourselves in there somewhere, before picking the kids up again, supervising homework, doing a load of laundry, and shepherding them (and ourselves) off to bed.
Autumn invites us to look at the bigger picture, see all the trees, and experience the beauty of this life in all its leafy, apple-y, pumpkin spice-y, sweater wearing, slow down and breathe in the cool, crisp air glory. God invites us to savor the blessings in our lives and celebrate as the holidays begin: donning costumes, eating candy, and recalling the saints on Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve) and All Saints Day; giving thanks on Thanksgiving; preparing our hearts and minds to encounter the living Christ throughout Advent; and welcoming Christ at Christmas, beholding his Light ready to guide us on through the next round of chaos and confusion in the new year coming.
‘Tis the season for seeing beauty, counting our blessings, and trusting that God has got us right in the palm of that Holy Hand, especially when we can’t see beyond today or the giant tree blocking our way. My prayer this season is that we can truly savor the goodness God provides.
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1
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Photos from Pizza and Pool party Sunday, Sept 11, 2022 |
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It's Scarf Project Season |
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For the 8th year, Mission & Outreach will be collecting scarves to distribute to neighbors in our community as temperatures begin to fall. Scarves can be knitted, crocheted, or made from fleece, and may range from children’s to adult sizes (36 x 6 inches to 60 x 9 inches). Collection will begin the first Sunday of October and continue all month long.
To date The Scarf Project has collected 665 scarves and 86 stocking hats and 1 pair of mittens. We know some of you already have scarves in the works. You may drop scarves off in the church office Tuesdays-Fridays in October or drape them over the chancel rail in the Downtown sanctuary on Sundays. We will dedicate the scarves in worship at the end of the month, praying that our neighbors will be warmed body and soul through this extension of Christ’s love.
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Holidays and the Holy Seasons of Advent and Christmastide 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 and 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 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 if you have questions about paying off your 2022 pledge, pre-paying 2023, or insuring other year-end gifts meet the IRS and EPC fiscal year deadline.
January 8 – Epiphany Sunday and Star Words
We begin the new year in earnest. Just as a star led 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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Stewardship & Finance Committee by Connie Jobe
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The Stewardship and Finance Committee along with the other church committees are beginning to work on the EPC 2023 budget. Each year we finalize the EPC budget based on pledged amounts from the congregation.
Currently, we are three-quarters of the way through 2022. If you realize that you're behind on your pledge and are able to catch up, please submit that amount in order for the church to meet its financial obligations.
In October you will be hearing more about Emporia Presbyterian Church and our Stewardship goals.
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Great Reads from your Church Library by Katherine Weaver
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CAN WE HELP: Kids Volunteering to Help Their Communities
By George Ancona
Yes, you can! And it doesn’t matter if you are eight or eighteen years old—you can lend a hand to help make your community a better place. See how the kids featured in this book volunteer to knit hats and scarves for people without enough warm clothes, pack up hot meals to deliver to people who aren’t able to leave their homes, train assistance dogs for people with disabilities, keep roadways clean, mentor younger children, and contribute in many ways. Giving back not only helps people in need—it makes you feel good, too! Wonderful photos for children but a great inspiration for all ages.
THE FOOD EXPLORER
By Daniel Stone
Given to the Library in Memory of Norman Betty.
What a read! I cannot put it down. And I’m taking notes. So, it seems that early American meals were once about subsistence, not enjoyment. Agriculture yielded stable, basic crops, and few growers considered flavor or variety. But in the 1890s, David Fairchild, a young botanist with an insatiable desire to explore and experience the world, set out in search of foods that would enrich the American farmer and enchant the American eater. Kale from Croatia, avocados from Chile, and pomegranates from Malta. Bananas from the Malay Islands were sold at the 1876 World’s Fair in Philadelphia! Fairchild’s finds weren’t just limited to food: from Egypt he sent back a variety of cotton that revolutionized an industry, and via Japan he introduced the cherry blossom tree, forever brightening America’s capital. Check out this book and discover where your favorite food hails from, and how it got to your table!
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Church Flea Market Update |
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The flea market at West was a great success this year! We raised $1,286.72 for our Local Mission Assistance Fund.
Many thanks to all the fantastic helpers who made it go smoothly.
To all that helped set up: Tammy and Mike Cheeseman, Lois Schrock, Belle Grimsley, Diana Holdeman, Pat Ireland, Nikki Edwards, Karen Moorman, Kathy Buckman, and Sharon Stewart.
To all that helped during the sale: Tammy Cheeseman, Lois Schrock, Belle Grimsley, Pat Ireland, Kathy Buckman, Karen Moorman , Nikki Edwards, and Diana Holdeman.
To all that helped with cleanup: Tammy and Mike Cheeseman, Belle Grimsley, Bob Edmiston, and Kathy Buckman.
And of course thank you to all who donated items for the market.
Betty Campbell and Margaret Davidson
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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 September, we disbursed $193.00.
Currently, the Local Mission Assistance Fund balance is $11,642.55.
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For the month of October we are collecting diapers (any size), baby wipes, and women's deodorant for Family Promise of the Flint Hills.
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 September 2022
1. As of the end of August, 35 Sundays (or 66.6% of the calendar year) have passed.
2. Pledges received in August totaled $6,098.00. Loose offering received was $435.00.
3. Operating expenses for August totaled $34,290.15.
4. We received a check from Wells Fargo for $12,432.19.
5. Utility cost for August were $1,834.00.
6. Through the eight 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
October 15th
for the November 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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