Eastminster Eagle
Volume 32, Issue 5
May 2015
HUNGER KNOWS NO SEASON
Be the Miracle
The story of Jesus miraculously feeding thousands of people is found in all four
Gospels. No doubt the story is about more than eating; it is a story about more
than food. These “feeding stories” paint a portrait of how much Christ cares for
us, how much he wants us to experience “table fellowship” and certainly how
Christ uses the power and authority given him to heal body and soul through the
provision of our needs. In all four accounts, Jesus gave thanks to God for
supplying their needs. In doing this, Jesus is modeling for us an attitude, the
attitude of gratitude for all God has done, is doing and will do for us.
Jesus instructed his disciples to bring the loaves and fish to him, telling them to
have the people sit and prepare for a meal. Even this must have tested the
disciple’s faith. They had no idea from where the food would come. But, they
asked the crowd to prepare…that’s what Jesus asked of them.
As the disciples did long ago, we have a tendency to focus on problems more
than solutions. The disciples wanted to send the people away to the city so they
could “buy” food for themselves. Jesus clearly says, “They need not go away; you
give them something to eat.” Jesus told the disciples that they had the means to
feed all of these people…they had the promise of the Lord himself to care for
others…body and soul. Eastminster, that promise is still ours today.
With thanksgiving to God, we have celebrated the first year of our Neighborhood
Breakfast. It has not been without some growing pains, but those pains have
produced endurance and joy and hope and fellowship and new friends in Christ.
As we pass this one-year mark, it could be easy to do as the disciples did…to see
the glass half empty. From where will the money come to buy food? Will there
be enough volunteer disciples to cook the food, serve it, show hospitality, and
clean up afterwards? I think Jesus would say, “Yes!”
I also believe that Jesus would say, Eastminster’s Neighborhood Breakfast is more
than eating. It is more than food. It is about Christian discipleship and fellowship
and caregiving. It is one way we can model our attitude of gratitude for the
“more than enough” that God gives each of us. It is one way we can share for the
common good of all.
Looking for a miracle? I think Jesus would say, “Let me make YOU the miracle!”
For the core group of volunteers that have
faithfully served this past year, we cannot express
enough gratitude, and they don’t do it for the
accolades; they serve because Christ has asked us
to care for one another, body and soul. But, just
as our Lord must have been hungry and tired
himself after hours and days and weeks of
preaching, teaching, healing…our bodies and
minds grow weary and need some time to
“retreat.” And the solution to this is YOU letting
God work through you, to be the miracle of Jesus’
hands and feet.
If each one of us would serve one Saturday this
year…just one…it would be a blessing to you, and
to those you would serve. Just one Saturday, and
one of your brothers or sisters at Eastminster
would be able to do as our Lord did…to go awhile
for just a while, to rest, to renew, to return ready
to serve with new energy. Serve together as a
class. A family. A group of friends. As elders. As
staff.
The tasks are not difficult and some of the faithful
volunteers would love to show you the joys of
serving. The Friday set-up crew does an
exceptional job of preparing for the next day.
When volunteers arrive on Saturday, here’s the
list of opportunities:
*The signs are placed around the building,
welcoming neighbor, friend, and member.
*As volunteers, we individually serve all of our
guests; no serving line on this day.
*Do you cook? We make pancakes, sausage,
eggs, and coffee. We serve milk, juice and water.
*Can you wait tables? Bus tables? Wash dishes?
Load the dishwasher?
*Can you wipe down tables? Vacuum?
Retrieve signs?
*Can you show hospitality?
During our first year, 232 different
neighbors attended the Saturday
breakfast, 78 different disciples gave
their gifts of time and service for a
total of 2,000 hours and 3,000 meals
served.
In feeding the thousands or the
hundreds or the tens, fifties, seventyfives, Jesus is telling and showing
us…don’t focus on the problem, focus
on our relationship with him, our Lord.
He is more powerful than any obstacle
we might face and Jesus cares deeply
and completely about our physical and
spiritual needs. Hunger…body and
soul…knows no season. So, with
prayer and thanksgiving, be the
miracle that our Lord created you to
be!
The peace and joy of the Lord be with
you!
Sherry
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Youth Summer Events
2015
OH THE PLACES YOU
WILL GO…
…and the friends you will
make and the service in
Christ’s name you will do!
Middle School Spirituality Trip to Rye, CO,
June 7-14, 2015: $150
With the generous commitment of Eastminster to
youth and the dedicated work of youth through fund
raising, the total cost of this trip per youth is $150.
The trip is open to youth grades 6 to 8. It is an
action-packed, prayer-filled journey that brings
together our youth and youth from Grace First,
Weatherford. Prepare for fun days and nights of
hiking, fishing, mission, fun and worship.
Youth Mission Trip to New Orleans, LA,
June 26-July 3, 2015: $200
Youth, grades 6 through 12, are invited to participate.
Working with Project Homecoming, the youth will
provide continued work and support on homes that
were damaged by Hurricane Katrina. With the
generous commitment of Eastminster to youth and
the dedicated work of youth through fund raising,
the total cost of this trip per youth is $200.
Synod Youth Workshop, University of Tulsa,
July 20-25, 2015: $110
Youth, entering 10th grade and newly graduated
seniors, from Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and
Texas have been gathering for over 50 years for an
incredibly Spirit-filled, life-transforming experience
at Synod Youth Workshop. Over 300 youth and
adults come together for a week in prayer, worship,
Scripture, service, group-building and much laughter
as the
body of Christ. With the generous
commitment of Eastminster to
youth and the dedicated work of
youth through fund raising, the
total cost of this trip per youth is
$110.
The QUILT winner
was Brenda Kemp,
who purchased the
ticket from Kellie
Karlen. Kellie has
worked with Brenda
for 14 years at Jackson
Technology Center in
Garland ISD. She only bought one
ticket!! She was totally surprised but
extremely happy to have won. The
quilt’s new home will be on Brenda’s
antique bed that belonged to her
mom and dad.
The sale of the tickets brought in
$650 for use in Congregational Care.
Thanks to everyone who sold and
bought tickets and especially to
Bettye Smith for making and
donating the beautiful quilt.
FROM THE PLEASANT
GROVE FOOD PANTRY
DIARY.
APRIL 7, 2015
124 happy families today, with so many happy
people, some with sinus problems, but they smiled and
laughed with us and helped us too. 4478.2 pounds
of food went out the doors, lots of oranges and
garden produce along with the canned goods, rice,
beans, cereal and the milk and eggs.
There were 213 adults, 41 seniors, 205 children
that makes 459 people, that shared cooking tips and
other ideas with each other and us. We are blessed
indeed. Thanks to all who work with us, pray for
us and give to us.
Page 3
NOTES FROM FRED
OUT WITH THE NEW AND IN
WITH THE OLD!
When I was a lot younger and the
Youth Choir Director and Interim Youth Director at
First Presbyterian Dallas the strong movement to move
from “traditional” worship to so called “contemporary
worship” was gathering steam. That steam moved so
strongly that at First Church we moved the very well
attended 8 30 service to the fellowship hall and like
many other churches who felt nothing was worse than
to be called “traditional”, the liturgy was stripped, the
organ was replaced by a band, the youth choir turned
into a “praise” group, the hymnals were printed songs,
some of which we did not have copyright permission to
use, such as the Coke song “I’d like to teach the world
to sing” and many others from Simon and Garfunkel’s
“The Sounds of Silence” to some songs that were being
written specifically for the contemporary services. The
architecture of worship in the sanctuary and the rituals
that fed believers in churches for hundreds of years
along with religious icons were left in the ditch. We,
along with many other churches in many
denominations, wanted to be socially acceptable, cool,
and above all a “relevant” package for the young and
the modern culture.
Over the last several years, I’ve mentioned some of the
problems that affect people spiritually and musically
from that narrow view of worship but today there is a
small but distinct movement of young people leaving
the multi-purpose buildings, the smoke machines, video
projections, rock bands, praise bands and songs, and the
celebrity pastors of the recent church models. They are
heading back towards traditional worship services where
the Word and the sacraments are central, and the liturgy
has an historic faith rootedness about it. Several
illuminating articles have been written in the past couple
of years about this trend by Gracey Olmstead, Rachel
Held Evans, Aaron Niequist, Ben Irwin, Erik Parker
and others. These articles interviewed many young
people (adults and teens) about why they are embracing
“uncool” church and becoming “liturgy nerds.”
Here are five major things they discovered that is
fueling the movement back to liturgy. Of course every
person’s experience is different, but here are five reason
that those who have grown up in evangelical churches
and churches with mostly stripped liturgy and modern
“pop” sacred music are increasingly drawn to high
church practices and historical worship forms.
1. Authenticity: People, more so than ever, have
been marketed to all their lives and many can see past
the gimmicks and tricks. They don’t need church to
pretend to be something it’s not – a nightclub, a rock
concert, a relationship course, an entertainment
venue. They are choosing to enter a building that
openly states itself as a worship space, where
ceremonies and rhythms focus unashamedly on
worship. As one writer puts it “they’ve swapped
the salesman’s pitch for simple sacraments.”
2. Rootedness: All of us, young and old, in
these days of constant rapid change want to feel
grounded and connected to our past whether we
admit it or not. Have you noticed in the news and
advertising that retro and vintage fashions are
making a comeback. This is why retro and vintage
fashions have made such a comeback in recent
years. Farmers markets, knitted scarves and
cardigans, typewriter fonts, nostalgic photo effects,
thick-rimmed glasses and Op Shop clothing are
the new “cool.” In the midst of chaotic change
and technology, there is a strong desire to be
rooted and grounded in traditions of the past.
3. Mystery: No 30 minute sermon can contain
God nor a 45 minute one. God cannot be seen,
truly understood, adequately explained, or proven.
Liturgy allows us to return to that sense of
mystery. As one young adult put it, “Ancient
forms of faith allow me to return to a sense of
mystery, rather than containing God in box made
of words.”
4. Icons and Symbolism: Shane Hipps in his
article points out; “icons and images are replacing
words as the main method of communication.
This generation is very visual and iconic. The
word centered (Preacher centered worship FW),
book dependent communication style of other
generations has given way to symbols and imagery
which are far better expressed in ancient liturgies
than in contemporary worship.”
5. Participation: Liturgy and sacramental
worship offer hands on, multi-sensory, and
participatory actions by the worshiping
community. The simple everyday rituals such as a
bath (baptism) and a meal (communion) are
interactive, tangible and invite God’s people to
actively participate, rather than passively listen.
This movement of young people from “new”
churches and worship to “old” ones can be very
confusing to those who grew up with strict
denominational boundaries. But it could lead to
healthy, restorative spaces for many of God’s
people.
At Eastminster we continue our tradition of active
liturgy, a variety of hymns, spirituals, praise songs,
and anthems. It may seem “old” but look for the
Page 4
meaning in the words you speak and sing, and God
may speak to you be you a child or extreme senior
citizen and remember,
We are after all, one in Christ.
THE NEW SOUND SYSTEM
Thank you to those of you who have taken
time to say how much you are enjoying the new
sound system and how much
better you can hear and enjoy
the service.
I receive a lot of those
accolades, but there are many
others who deserve to receive
them.
This past summer, the
Session put together a committee for the
purpose of coming up with a new system.
Members of that committee were Mark
Anderson, Tony Bennett, Sherry Holloman,
Gary Holloman, Chandra Karlen, Frank Karlen
Sr., Charlotte Turner, and myself. The
Committee spent several hours in meetings,
meetings with sound companies, and by email
to come up with a bid that would improve our
public address system and help some of the
reverberation. That was accomplished and the
Session found a way to pay for the equipment
and installation.
So when you see those people or members of
the Session or former or current members of
the worship committee, thank them!
Fred Watkins
“Presbyterian Communities And Services
Caring Funds Provide Peace Of Mind”
by Ann Abbe
When a person becomes a resident at one of Presbyterian Communities and Services (PC&S) continuing
care retirement communities, or comes under our
care as a hospice patient, that person, and their family, become part of our family. Sometimes circumstances come up in families where there is a need for
financial assistance. The Caring Funds administered
by the PC&S Foundation address these needs when
they occur.
Caring Funds supplement the cost of care for residents at Grace Presbyterian Village and Presbyterian
Village North and for patients at Faith Presbyterian
Hospice, thus ensuring comfort and peace of mind.
Many residents, through no fault of their own, eventually exhaust their retirement resources. It may be
because of unexpected events or a diagnosis, such as
Alzheimer’s, that requires an extended period of
higher-level of care. Our hospice families often face
emotional and financial turmoil and many are uninsured.
In our over 50-year history, we have never had to
ask a resident to leave our community due to their
inability to pay. Last year, our needs throughout
PC&S exceeded $1.7 million. Of that amount, more
than 10 percent is contributed by congregations such
as Eastminster Presbyterian Church.
There are numerous ways your gift, or contributions
from your congregation, can be directed to address
the particular needs of older adults under the care of
PC&S:
 Your gift of $160 will provide one day of hospice
care for a patient without insurance
 Your gift of $1,000 will provide physical therapy
for a Parkinson’s resident
 Your gift of $1,500 will provide one month of
Caring Fund support for a resident with Alzheimer’s
Eastminster Presbyterian Church has long been a
partner with PC&S in nurturing older adults. This
year the Session has graciously offered to receive an
offering to benefit the Caring Funds on Mother’s
Day, May 10, and Father’s Day, June 21. We ask that
you give prayerful consideration to how you might
support older adults through this important ministry.
And, as always, thank you for your faithful partnership with PC&S.
Page 5
Hygiene Kits: 57 have been
completed and will be delivered to
Ferncliff on June 3. Chandra and
Mark Anderson will drive to
Ferncliff, Arkansas to deliver the completed
Hygiene Kits. They will also use the time to
tour Heifer International. If you would like
to caravan, please let the office know.
Coming Up:
June collection for the Annual Payless
Shoes Shoe Drive for community children
served by Wilkinson Center.
July School Supply Drive for Presbyterian
Children’s Homes & Services.
Fall collection to purchase Blankets for
Church World Services.
December 12, 2015—The Eastminster
Christmas Village, an All-Church Mission
Event.
Continuing projects: The Food Pantry for
Eastminster and Pleasant Grove Food Pantry;
Eastminster Clothes Closet; recycling
collection of used ink cartridges, cell
phones and paper, and Books for the
Eastminster Lending Library.
And, in conjunction with the Evangelism
Committee, The Eastminster
Neighborhood Breakfast every Saturday.
Saturday, May 16 will be the Annual Spring
Clean-up Day. Please consider helping out.
There’ll be a thorough scrub down of the
nursery and the kitchen, and just a general
sprucing up!
More information will be coming.
Join the
celebration on
Sunday, May 31,
2015. After
worship, we will
have hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and
birthday cake to celebrate both the
Eastminster’s 31st birthday and the 4th
of July. Make your reservations to join
us on May 31st right after church for
fun and fellowship.
SUMMER CHOIR IS COMING!
This summer the Music Ministry and
the Worship Committee invites you to
participate in the Summer Choir. The
choir will meet at 10:40 in the loft and
rehearse a hymn, spiritual, or praise
song to sing as the
anthem during the
worship service that
day. After we sing
the sermon hymn
those who wish can
return to the pews
to join their family and friends for the
reminder of the service.
If you have thought about joining the
choir but you have work or have other
conflicts, but you want to share in the
leadership of the service, this is a great
way to serve.
All are invited regardless of experience
or ability.
Come serve as we lead the congregation in worship during July and parts of
August.
Page 6
The New Revised
Standard Daily Bible:
Read, Meditate, and Pray
through the
Entire Bible in 365 Days
From north, south, east and
west…we begin our daily
Bible study on May 3!
Should you want your own
copy, you are invited to
purchase the Bible entitled, The NRSV Daily
Bible: Read, Meditate, and Pray through the Entire
Bible in 365 Days, which includes short readings
for meditation, contemplation and prayer.
However, if you don’t wish to purchase a copy,
we will be providing the readings, meditations
and prayers for you using the New Revised
Standard Version.
Here’s what we need from you: Contact the
office to let us know how you wish to
participate:
Email?
Facebook?
Postal Service?
Webpage?
You will receive the list of the entire year’s
Scripture readings from May, 2015 to May,
2016. Daily meditations, contemplations, and
prayers will be provided at the beginning of
each week by email and daily on Facebook.
I welcome the sharing of any thoughts,
questions, insights, experiences…either with
me or with others.
Together day by day, as we are reading,
meditating, contemplating and praying as the
one united body of Christ known as
Eastminster may we grow into a deeper
spiritual relationship with our Triune God and
all of God’s children.
For each Book of the Bible, we will
have 4 steps:
Read: Overview of the Book we will
read;
Meditate: Bible verses from the Book;
Contemplate: Questions on the entire
book for you to consider; and
Pray: Inspiration from the book.
Then, we will follow the same 4 steps
for each daily reading.
Read: the entire passage and notice
what challenges, confronts, comforts
or guides you in greater understanding
of God in your life.
Meditate: What stands out in you
reading?
Contemplate: Thoughts of other are
listed to help you in an understanding.
In Christ,
Sherry
Fred Watkins began as Music
Director 34 years ago in May,
1981
Betty Crabtree began as Child
Care Provider on May 5, 1996 19 years ago.
Page 7
YAV – Financial Aid aka Fundraising
Daniel Pappas
When I first decided to go international after
college I knew my biggest obstacle was not
what program I would get accepted in, but
how much it would cost me. Plane tickets
alone can cost anywhere from $1,500 to
$4,000 depending on where you go, and I had
no idea of my destination. Thankfully the
YAV finance department was there to
demystify all of my serious concerns.
Let’s start with the facts:
1. To be an international Young Adult
Volunteer you are required to raise
$4,000
2. Half of that money is due by July 1st
2015
3. The other half is due by January 1st
2016
4. We are required to raise this money
however we can
5. We will be given a bank account
provided by the YAV office to funnel
all of the money into it.
Now, at first I was super worried. I would be
asking more people I know and love to help
out for what probably felt like the millionth
time. I have no doubt in my mind that I have
asked for your help in funding some film
project or another. Good news: all of those
projects are over with now so I can show you
what I have done.
What I came to understand is this: fundraising
for the YAV office isn’t about having enough
money, but about accountability. The main
idea behind petitioning for money and asking
others to help is to encourage accountability. I
want people to contribute to my cause so that
they can talk to me and ask me what is going
on. They have an investment in my experience
and want to be updated on how I am faring.
I was encouraged to engage all of the
communities I have been a part of. My
church community is my go to, and I will
always send news y’alls way first. But my
professors might want to keep up with what
I am doing. My old Boy Scout troop would
certainly love to know one of their own
graduates is going to live in Peru. Having
people give money to my Peru YAV year
reminds me that there is a huge support
network I may not see while I am there. It
helps me to remember that people love me,
appreciate the work I’m doing, and want me
to get the most out of this experience that I
possibly can.
Now, what we are paying for is just the tip
of the iceberg. It costs well over twenty
thousand dollars for a YAV year
internationally, and the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) has increased their contributions
greatly in the last ten years. You used to raise
$8,000 in order to be an international YAV.
The money we raise won’t pay for
everything. But it will help.
Why stop at $4,000? I am not the only one
going to Peru! I was told that if I can I
should continue raising money. Whatever
excess is raised will immediately help the
other Peru YAVs with their money. That way
we are a team and work together to
accomplish a dream. In fact, we do discuss
what extra amounts (if any) our YAV group
would like to raise. As of right now, the Peru
team has not set a goal. A few details are
still being determined for us that have
prevented me from actively seeking funding
until recently.
Now I know the disparity in wealth that can
be found in even the most common of
environments. I’d be remiss if I didn’t state
that my experience at Southern Methodist
Page 8
University has exposed me to a wealthier group of
people (how some families pay the ridiculous tuition
fees all on their own is beyond me.) I’ve also had the
chance to meet and befriend low income families or
individuals as well. I understand we all come from
different backgrounds. That’s why we are raising the
money. That’s why our parents are discouraged from
giving a significant amount of money. Whether they
are able to pay or not is irrelevant. What matters is
that we, the YAVs, find people who want to invest in
us through our fundraising efforts.
As of right now, I have not begun searching for
funds in earnest. I highly encourage anyone who
would like to contribute to email me, call me, or
send me a friendly message on social media. I will be
in discussion with Session and with Pastor Sherry so
that we can decide what is appropriate. Please,
please, please let me know before you give so that I
can help you find what is the right way to contribute.
For anyone who may feel they are not able to
contribute financially I want you to know that’s
okay! I’ve certainly felt that way before as a college
student. Search me out regardless and we can
negotiate some other way you may be able to help.
No matter what, please talk to me. I am always open
for discussion. If I do not know something, then
the YAV office can help or Pastor Sherry will have
great suggestions so communication is key.
For those interested in my adventure I will be
keeping a blog online to write and talk about my
experience. I actually already started. To read my
experience please go to:
http://peruyav.blogspot.com/
I will be keeping the adventure alive via this website.
Thank you all so much for your continued support
in everything I do. I will be continually updating
everything. Please feel free to contact me if you have
any questions!
The month of May brings
the current study series to
a close with Lesson Nine,
“A Call to Apostleship in
the Twenty-first Century.”
The Evening Circle is scheduled to
meet on Tuesday, May 5th, and the
Morning Circle will meet on Tuesday,
May 19th.
The last lesson continues to find Paul
working to maintain strong ties to the
Christian group in ancient Corinth.
His ministry attracted rival preachers
who challenged his message and
authority. Power and authority were
commonly thought of as dominance
over others, but Paul’s teaching
contradicted that idea and offered the
illogical belief of power in weakness.
He continued his faithful witness to
the Corinthians and made efforts to
authenticate his authority by speaking
of his experiences of a vision of a
“Third Heaven” and describing his
“thorn in the flesh.”
Major upheavals of society have taken
place in both Corinth and in the
current world. The author of this
study found relevance for Paul’s
messages in current church problems.
Being an apostle is still defined as
“one who is sent,” and in our
contemporary world there continue to
be countless “sharp and broken
places.” Healing and reconciliation
continue to depend upon those
empowered by 2 Corinthians 12:9,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my
power is made perfect in weakness.”
Page 9
Easter Egg Hunt
We had a fantastic Easter Egg Hunt on April 4.
Approximately 50 people, including adults and
children, attended.
Many of the people
were from our neighborhood
breakfast and our surrounding
neighborhood. I want to thank all
of the volunteers who helped with
the Easter egg hunt. I want to
thank all the members of the church for their donations of
candy and plastic eggs. We had a wonderful donation from
Parish Episcopal School of a big box of brand new eggs.
This allowed us to let the children to keep the eggs that we
hid and the candy inside. Thanks to Nancy Oliver for
stuffing all of the 200 eggs that
we hid. I want to thank Cheryl
Wood and Victoria Moore for
doing crafts and the egg dyeing
tables. Special thanks to Katie
Karen the youth that were there,
Lilly Pappas, Isabella Venegoni,
Kayla Kreger and Jacob Wood
for their work in face painting and tattoos. I want to thank
the following people for the lunch that was provided;
Christine Blair, Bobbe Brown, Alex Lindberg, Anne
Lindberg, Vicki Thiebaud, Michele Pappas, Sherry Holloman
and Tom Pappas. It was a wonderful Saturday morning.
Seniors’ Day Out at the Arboretum
April 2, 2015 we had a wonderful group of church members
who went to the Arboretum for Senior’s Day Out. We had a
good time walking around the gardens and then we all
enjoyed lunch at the Arboretum. We look forward to May 7
when will watch the movie, Heaven is For Real. June’s meeting
will be on June 4 when Michael Harrison performs folk
songs for the group. There will not be a meeting in July.
The August meeting will be in conjunction with EPW to hear
Rosemary Rumbley.
Vacation Bible School
Come one, come all to our Vacation Bible School this
summer, June 8-12, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The
theme for this year is Hometown Nazareth (the stories about
Jesus growing up.) We will be inviting our own children in the
church, our neighborhood breakfast
friends and our surrounding
community. VBS is for children who
have completed Kindergarten through
Fifth Grade. Members of the CE
committee may be contacting you to
help with this wonderful event. We will
have games, study classes, music,
games, drama and of course snacks.
We are hoping to have a fantastic turn
out for this event.
Youthquake
We had one of our youth, Alek Veloz
attend Youthquake, April 10-12, 2015.
Lilly Pappas was there too as a
Presbytery Pulse member, who helped
the staff lead the Youthquake.
Kidquake
Fantasy Delira and Justizz Davis
attended Kidquake 2015, April 17-19.
The theme for the weekend was “Are
you Ready for a Miracle?” The girls
and all of the other kids learned that a
miracle is an unexpected,
unexplainable, surprising event that
shows the power of God’s love. Three
Bible stories were illustrated in skits,
followed by small group activities.
Friday night the kids learned from the
Bible story of Jesus healing the lepers
that it is always good to thank God.
Saturday morning, the children learned
from the Bible story of Jesus healing
the paralyzed man that it was always
good to thank God for good friends.
We ended Sunday with the final story
of Jesus calming the seas with the
disciples in a boat. The kids learned
that we need to remember not to be
afraid and to trust God. The girls had a
good weekend doing crafts, canoeing,
and eating s’mores by the campfire. It
was a fun weekend for all.
Page 10
Senior Celebrations and Youth Sunday
Sunday, May 10, 2015
8:30 to 9:30 a.m.: Breakfast Honoring
our Graduating Seniors
11:00 a.m.: Youth Serve as Worship
Leaders
You are invited to a breakfast in the Fellowship
Hall on May 10th from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
celebrating the graduation of our senior high
students: Isabella Venegoni and Christian
Tapia. We will take a look back on the journeys
of these teens through picture and word and
offer our continuing prayers as their life paths
move forward.
All members and friends are invited to the
celebratory breakfast, not just family.
During the worship service, our youth will serve
as the worship leaders, giving thanksgiving to
God for all blessings and especially the blessings
of mothers, and all women who nurture and
care for others with a mother’s love.
GIVING THANKS TO GOD
FOR OUR SENIORS
Isabella is ending her high school journey as she
graduates from Plano West Senior High School,
and beginning a new adventure as she makes
plans to enter University of North Texas in
Denton this fall, with scholarship in hand,
concentrating her studies in engineering and art.
About some of her high school highlights,
Isabella has this to say:
At an art competition (called VASE), I was a state
qualifier sophomore year and a regional qualifier
freshman, junior and senior year. I have had my
artwork on display at UTD and around my school.
Art has been my entire being for as long as I can
remember. I have also been a member of National
Honor Society all four years of high school and a
member of National Art Honor Society this year.
Concerning highlights from Eastminster, she
says:
Youth events (such as Synod, SHYC, One Mo Trip,
mission trips, and Youth Sundays) have given me the
blessing of lifelong friends through worship, prayer,
service, and fun. It is through these events that I have
found friends, myself, and God and His purpose for
me in life. Experiencing new places and cultures
through service with new people has opened my eyes
and heart to know that God is truly present
everywhere.
Isabella’s words of thanksgiving:
I would like to express thanksgiving to every member
of Eastminster Presbyterian Church for showing me
their love and the love of God and Jesus Christ, and
that with this love, all things are possible. 1
Corinthians 13 perfectly encompasses my thoughts:
without the love that has been given to me the past
eighteen years, I would be without faith, hope, and
love for myself; I would be nothing. And for that, I
am eternally grateful and will forever consider
Eastminster my home and its members my family.
Christian graduates from A+ Academy after a
busy and successful senior year. His future
plans are still in the decision-making stage, but
his two greatest hopes at this time would be
1) attending college in Minnesota and playing
football, or 2) enrolling in culinary classes at El
Centro.
Christian shares his high school highlights:
Not only was I a member of a state championship
football team, I held the position of running back, a
running back that scored 36 touchdowns!
Church activities for Christian include:
Mission trips (St. Louis, New Mexico, New
Orleans) Synod Youth Worship, One Mo Trip,
Senior High Youth Connection, Sunday School and
Sunday afternoon youth gathering.
Christian’s words of thanksgiving:
My time at the church has made me a kinder person
and I consider everyone here as family to me, and I
just thank everyone for their support and teaching me
more about myself. Most of my life I have been told
the opposite of what I could do…anything from
graduating to attending culinary school to playing
football. But thanks to the kindness of everyone at
church, I am stronger and doing things that I didn’t
know were possible. It is an amazing feeling to know
I have accomplished what others said I wouldn’t and
just as amazing to have wonderful people in my life.
Thinking about the possibility of heading north to
Minnesota or losing my connection with church
because of time at college makes me sad. Again, my
thank you to all who have been kind to me and
supportive of me.
Page 11
Bible Quiz
According to Acts 2, on Pentecost some people accused the
disciples of being drunk. Why?
A. Because they were still asleep at 9 in the morning.
B. Because all the wine was gone.
C. Because they were all speaking in foreign languages.
D. All of the above.
Answer: C (See Acts 2:4, 13.)
A Prayer for Mom
A young boy had been misbehaving,
so his mother sent him to his room.
Sometime later, he came out and
told his mom he’d prayed about the
matter. “That’s good,” she replied.
“If you ask God for help to not
misbehave, he’ll help you.”
“Oh, I didn’t pray for help
behaving,” said the boy. “I prayed
for God to help you put up with
me.”
Scripture Readings for May
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Luke 7:1–17
Luke 7:18–35
Matt. 7:7–14
Luke 7:36–50
Luke 8:1–15
Luke 8:16–25
Luke 8:26–39
Luke 8:40–56
Luke 9:1–17
Matt. 13:24–34a
Luke 9:18–27
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Luke 11:1–13
Luke 12:22–31
Matt. 28:16–20
Luke 9:28–36
Luke 9:37–50
Matt. 10:24–33, 40–42
Luke 9:51–62
Luke 10:1–17
Luke 10:17–24
Luke 10:25–37
Luke 10:38–42
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Luke 11:14–23
John 14:21–29
Luke 14:25–35
Luke 15:1–10
Luke 15:1–2, 11–32
Luke 16:1–9
Luke 16:10–17 (18)
Luke 16:19–31
John 1:1–18
Page 12
To our church family
from the Pappas Family
Please come and help us celebrate
Daniel’s graduation from SMU.
Join us Friday, May 15th from 6:30-10:00pm.
Come eat, drink and celebrate!
4-8-15
Dear Friends of Grace,
The March birthday party you planed and carried out was delightful. You were so generous
with our bags of goodies. I am wearing one
of the scarves today. There was more—
candy, stamps, and a precious handmade card.
Your homemade chocolate cakes were yummy!
My mother, Faye Gilley, was a member of
Westminster and loved the people and your
pastor.
At our party, I sat by a gentleman who went to
the same summer camp, Camp Mustang, and
knew some acquaintances of mine there. The
world is so small
Thank you for making the day so memorable.
Come back any time just to visit, perhaps with
your youth.
In Christ
Ginger Gilley Heard
New Member
Larry Fomby
Thank you to all of the members of the
Sound Committee for all of the work that
has been completed in the sanctuary. I am
able to hear clearly now.
Thank you again!
Bettye Clark
4-7-15
To the Saints at Eastminster Presbyterian
Church:
You loving people have done “it” again!
Another year of hosting and giving of gifts
to the March birthday people at Grace
Presbyterian Village. Not only did you
“light” up our lives with a fancy LED flashlight, but nearly an ocean of lotion with a
notion to keep us soothed and smoothed.
Then, you topped it all with the 20 Forever
Stamps for which we can be forever grateful, thankful, and posted. You came a long
way bearing gifts and gracious blessing to
us and ours. Our gratitude know no
bounds! (Again)
Much love,
Tom & DeeDee Manton
Page 13
MAY
Neighborhood breakfast every Saturday (2, 9, 16, 23, 30)
3
Communion Sunday–Pews; Committee
Meetings
5
EPW Night Circle (7:00 p.m.)
7
Seniors’ Day Out—movie “Unbroken”
10
Youth/Senior Sunday Recognition/Mother’s
Day; Mother’s Day Offering (PC&S: PVNorth,
PV Caring Fund, Faith Hospice)
17
Stated Session Meeting
17
Spring Youth Worship
18
Newsletter Deadline
19
EPW Morning Circle (10:00 a.m.)
25
Office Closed (Memorial Day)
26
News Crew
JUNE
Neighborhood breakfast every Saturday (6, 13, 20, 27)
Shoe Drive for the Wilkinson Center at Payless
Shoes
4
Seniors’ Day Out
6
Stated Presbytery Meeting – FPC, Tyler
7
Communion - Pews; Committee Meetings
7-14
Middle School Trip to Colorado
21 - 26 Mo Ranch Youth Celebration
21 - 27 Gilmont Summer Camp (ages 7-10)
21
Father’s Day. Father’s Day Offering (PC&S:
PVNorth, PV Caring Fund, Faith Hospice)
22
Session Meeting (Monday, 6:30 p.m.)
22
Newsletter Deadline
28-Jul 3 Youth Mission Trip to New Orleans
28-Jul 2 Mo Ranch Junior High Jubilee #1
30
News Crew
JULY
Neighborhood breakfast every Saturday (4, 11, 18, 25)
School Supply Drive for PCHAS begins
No Committee or Session Meetings
5
Communion - Intinction
5-9
Mo Ranch Junior High Jubilee #2
6
Office Closed
8-15
Admin Assistant at APA Regional Conference
(New Orleans) and vacation
17-25 Pastor Sherry at Synod Youth Workshop
19
Pulpit Supply
20
Newsletter Deadline
28
News Crew
Seniors’ Day Out
at the Arboretum
Page 14
Those Who Will Serve in May
Greeters
5/3 Glenda Owen & Vicki Cook
5/10 Lilly Pappas
5/17 Jacqueline Robert
5/24 Talat Robert
5/31 John Sill
Session Elders
Mark Anderson
Christine Blair
Meg GarverHamilton
Jennifer Gailey
Evola Griffin
Review Attendance
5/3 Jackie Hickman
5/10 Doris LaPorte
5/17 Toni Bacon
5/24 Chandra Anderson
5/31 Marian Brown
Dick Knox
Kathy Kreger
Alex Lindberg
Wayne Maples
Will Nixon
Sharon Smith
Communion Team
(May 3)
Denise & Tony Bennett
Kathy Kreger Wayne Maples
Lay Reader
Blair Garrett
Ushers
Vicki Cook
Lilly Pappas
Will Nixon
Talat Robert
Lewis Thiebaud
Church Staff
Pastor
Sherry Holloman
Director of
Christina Education
Kathy Kreger
Director of Youth
Katie Karlen
Director of Music
Fred P. Watkins
Organist
Melody S. Davis
Administrative Assistant Chandra Anderson
Hostess/Housekeeper Minerva Hernandez
Child Care Provider
Betty Crabtree