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 PresbyNews Sunday Worship Services c 9 and 11 a.m. April 2015 Volume 40, Number 4 Published at 625 Florin Road Sacramento, CA 95831 (916) 428‐3439 www.faithpresby.org Sunday School Pre‐K – Grade 6: 9 and 11 a.m. Adult Class: 10:15–10:55 a.m. April 5 Easter Sunday and Holy Week One Great Hour of Sharing See page 4 April 12 Link Hall Open House and Ribbon Cutting See page 9 April 15 “Mary and Martha” Mosquito Net Awareness Film See page 6 April 22 Family Promise Anniversary Program See page 8 May 16 Celebration Tea Party See page 2 June 5‐7 Men’s Retreat See page 6 The PresbyNews is published monthly
by a team of volunteer writers.
Please send your submissions to
Editor Suzy Hughes at
[email protected].
2015 04 PresbyNews Pastor Jeff Chapman Associate Pastor Brett Shoemaker Associate Pastor Jim Zazzera Next PresbyNews Deadline: April 20 facebook.com/ FaithPresbyterianChurch Easter Sunday 2015
This year, Easter is on Sunday, April 5. Here at Faith, we will be celebrating Christ’s resurrection at three services throughout the morning: Our Easter Sunrise Service is at 7 a.m. We gather for worship on the church patio, and enjoy fellowship and food after the service. Easter Worship is at 9 & 11 a.m. in the Faith sanctuary. Because the Sunrise Service is different from the 9 and 11 a.m. Easter Worship Services, many people attend both, enjoying breakfast and time together in between. Invite your friends, family and neighbors to join us for our celebration of Resurrection Sunday! Page 1 of 18
Church Updates, Events, Notes and
Opportunities
Presbyterian Women’s April Luncheon
Presbyterian Women’s April meeting will be on Wednesday, April 22. Exciting news! For the first time in a long time, we will be meeting in Link Hall. Come and enjoy the new space! Our speaker on the 22nd will be Faith’s own Ileana Maestas‐
Selling, who is curator of the California State Indian Museum. As usual, Bible study will be at 10:00 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 Tax Preparation Benefits
Faith Church a.m. (Bring your own lunch.) Come and enjoy this informative topic as well as the time of rich fellowship. All women are invited – We hope to see you there!
Attention, All Lovely Ladies!!
Save the date for our Celebration Tea Party, to be held in the new Link Hall on Saturday, May 16, 2015. More information to follow… Want to be part of the planning or one of the servers? Please contact one of your hostesses, Betty McClure or Sheridan Smith. Once again this year, Bob McCarroll is preparing taxes for members of Faith Church, and all tax filing costs will benefit the Faith Building Fund to help reduce our mortgage on the new expansion project. Simply call Bob and he'll help you identify all the information and documents you need to gather before meeting with him. Bob is one of the founding members of Faith Church and a retired auditor for the State of California Department of Equalization. Basic returns begin at $55, and prices go up based on how complicated the returns are. All costs are donated to the Faith Building Fund. Contact Bob McCarroll at 392‐8154.
Assistance Needed for Sunrise Service!
If you will be up early for Easter Sunrise Service on April 5, 2015, we need help with a light brunch that is served after the service. Please contact Sheridan Smith, Fellowship Elder, to coordinate baking for or serving after this wonderful service. Reach Sheridan at 421‐8942 or [email protected]. Faith's List – Give or Receive Free Stuff!
You’ve heard of Craig's List. Faith's List is a similar resource to help the Faith congregation help one another. If you have an item that you no longer need or use, something that may be helpful to someone else, simply email your item’s description and your contact information, and we'll post it. If you need an item, do the same. You can find Faith's List on our website under the Resources tab. To list your request, email the item’s description to [email protected]. To take down your request, email the same address. To see what’s currently on Faith’s List, turn to page 5! Remember: Nothing can be bought or sold; everything must be free to be listed on Faith's List. 2015 04 PresbyNews Page 2 of 18
Pastor’s Column
God’s Time Pastor Jeff Chapman I’m rarely as patient as I know I ought to be. I suppose I’ve got an excuse. I’m immersed in a culture that wants things now. And for better or worse, our technology is helping us get it now. The Yellow Pages showed up at our door this past week and my wife and I both asked ourselves, “Are there really people who are still letting their fingers do the walking?” (My apologies to those under 35 for the dated ad reference.) Who would take the time to look up something in a book when a couple of touches on your screen can instantly get you the answer? I wonder how our relentless pursuit of “now” affects our understanding of God and God’s time. Of course, in some ways God is always the God of now. I believe that God is fully present in every moment and every circumstance. I know some people think God is horribly out of touch but these people could not be more wrong. Nobody better understands the truth of how things really are. Nobody better anticipates what is about to happen. Our living God is always the God of now. As Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Our God is perpetually relevant. This does not mean, however, that God always does things quickly or gives us what we want or need the moment we want or need it. Sometimes, maybe most times, the opposite is true. Recently I spent an evening sharing stories with some good friends. Each of us took some time to look back on significant times in our lives when, in retrospect, we now realize that God’s hand was at work directing and intervening to shape us or alter our course. Each person had some remarkable stories to share. In the end, what stood out most to me was the amount of time God took to direct each person to the place God wanted them to go. If I were God I think I would have moved things along more quickly. Couldn’t something that took 20 years in a person’s life to develop have been accomplished in ten? Or five? Or maybe just one? Apparently not. Or apparently God chooses not to speed things up in this way. Apparently God is patient with us, working slowly and, often, through very commonplace circumstances to shape and guide us. Usually, in fact, I think it takes years and years before we can look back and begin to get a sense of the overall movement of God’s hand in our lives. Perhaps it’s a bit like watching a sculptor chisel at a piece of marble and for the longest time you can’t tell what shape is emerging. I suppose this shouldn’t surprise us. We read through the scriptures and God never seems to be in a hurry. Abraham waits 100 years before he can hold the covenant child in his hands. Moses waits as a refugee in the wilderness for 40 years before giving his marching orders. Meanwhile, the Israelites have waited 400 years in slavery before God delivers them. Then they wander in the desert for another 40 years. Generation after generation awaited the arrival of the promised Messiah. And when Jesus finally did come, it took him 30 years to announce that he had arrived. In a way, I find this all very encouraging. Maybe we don’t have to worry when we don’t see all God’s promises rapidly coming to fruition. If God is so patient with us, maybe we can also be patient with ourselves and one another. Just because we don’t always see God’s hand at work in visible ways doesn’t mean that God’s hand is not at work in powerful ways. Just because you don’t see the tree growing doesn’t mean that it isn’t growing. It is growing, and someday we’ll be able to taste its fruit. As you may have heard it said before, God may not show up when you want him to, but he will always show up on time. Grace and peace, Jeff 2015 04 PresbyNews Page 3 of 18
Holy Week
Easter Sunday Worship this year will be on Sunday, April 5. Easter Sunrise Service is at 7 a.m. on the church patio, with fellowship and food to follow. Easter Worship will be at 9 & 11 a.m. in the Faith sanctuary. Invite your friends, family and neighbors to join us as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection! In addition, you are invited to join us in preparation for this Easter Sunday as it approaches. Maundy Thursday Worship — April 2 Worship will be at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. This service, commemorating the Last Supper, is an important time to gather around the Lord’s Table together. Childcare will be available, but there will be no dinner this year due to construction. Good Friday: Prayer Vigil & Service of Healing — April 3 ‐Prayer Vigil: Everyone is invited to come to Faith on Good Friday and participate in a self‐guided time of prayer and meditation (we’ll have resources available). The sanctuary will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.; come whenever you are able. ‐Service of Healing & Wholeness: All are invited to the sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. for a service of healing and wholeness. Childcare will be available. One Great Hour of Sharing
At each of our Easter worship services, you will have the opportunity to give to One Great Hour of Sharing, one of four special offerings received annually by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Here is a little information about this offering and the impact it can have in our world: Volunteers in blue t‐shirts offer their time and talents to rebuild communities impacted by disaster. Immigrants and refugees gain access to land that allows them to grow food and feed their families. Women who have experienced abuse work together to make changes in the social systems that have oppressed them. What do these stories have in common? Hope—the hope that comes when God’s love is enacted in tangible and life‐
affirming ways. The hope that can grow through gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5). By God’s grace, each day is a gift, a hopeful opportunity for a new beginning. Through abundant and generous gifts to OGHS, Presbyterians have for many years faithfully heeded God’s call to serve people who are seeking to reclaim hope and restore their lives. Your gift to OGHS is a gift of hope that allows Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to restore communities around the world affected by natural and human‐caused disasters. Your generosity helps the Presbyterian Hunger Program work with Presbyterians and other partners to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in this country and the world. Your sharing makes it possible for Self‐Development of People to affirm the dignity of all by assisting in the empowerment of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people. The programs supported by OGHS depend on support from congregations like ours. As a result of our gifts and the gifts of other congregations, OGHS will continue to be a reminder that through the simple act of sharing, we are blessed and we experience God’s abundance in surprising ways. Thank you for your longtime support of this special offering, as together we are sharing hope that is a witness to God’s love for all creation. Please give generously to One Great Hour of Sharing on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. 2015 04 PresbyNews Page 4 of 18
Stories of Jesus: Lenten Monologues
This year’s Lenten worship services were brought to life through sacred drama that focused on the Gospel narratives and the life‐changing stories of Jesus that they proclaim. For five weeks we were offered the chance to travel with Jesus, his disciples, passersby and angels as they journeyed to the cross at Golgotha. Ross Leader ‐ the witness of Pilate Emily Martin ‐ the witness of a servant Carolyn Kubish ‐ the witness of an angel Janet Leader ‐ the witness of a bystander Margaux Warren ‐ the witness of Mary With deep gratitude, I would like to thank Ross Leader for directing the youth and adults who offered these powerful stories so that we might contemplate Christ’s ministry, sacrifice and glorious resurrection! Items Currently on Faith's List
Remember all items offered must be free.
http://faithpresby.org/?page_id=1622
Donating/Free to a Good Home
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Whirlpool refrigerator, good condition. It’s a “side by side” with ice maker & dispenser. Almond color. 70″ high, 36″ wide, 30″ deep. 25 years old, but well taken care of. Available after July 14. No delivery available. Contact Bill or Em Baker, 392‐1337. 24‐inch flat‐screen monitor. Contact David or Sandi Bilbo, 424‐5222. Queen‐size Ikea mattress in very good shape. Non‐pillow top. Contact Patti, 599‐4433, or David Bill, 343‐2503. GE 2 (stacked) ovens from the old kitchen at church. Call Laura Anderson at church, 428‐3439. Two twin bed sets. Mahogany head board, foot board, and side rails, circa 1940 with somewhat new mattress and box springs. Take all or part of set. Contact Janet and David Leader at 395‐0889 or [email protected]. We have a 110‐year‐old antique Ludwig upright piano in good shape, free to a good home. If you are interested, contact [email protected]. I have an artificial pre‐lighted Christmas tree. 8 feet tall. Beautiful. Any interested parties can email me at [email protected], and I will have it delivered to you! Sofa with pull‐out queen‐size bed, approximately 20 years old but well cared for and not used on a regular basis. Dark blue with tan check pattern. Great for family or play room to provide that extra bed when needed. Contact Bonnie Alexander at [email protected] or 281‐8360. Need Item/Service
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Searching for a full‐size bed, with frame and mattress, and living room furniture. Please contact Sara Singh @ 588‐8117. I am looking for a dresser or 4‐5 drawer bedroom chest of dark wood. If anyone has one, I would surely appreciate it. Julene Leonard, (480) 205‐3403. My 13‐year‐old granddaughter has requested a Singer sewing machine and a sewing basket. We want to receive free a decent used Singer sewing machine. She wants to be a fashion designer. Contact Carol Rodgers at (510) 290‐8166 or [email protected]. 2015 04 PresbyNews Page 5 of 18
More Events and Opportunities!
Presbyterian Women Invite You to Watch the Film Mary and Martha Faith’s Presbyterian Women invite everyone to a screening of the HBO film Mary and Martha on Wednesday, April 15, at 2 p.m. in Link Hall. Mary and Martha, starring Hilary Swank and Brenda Blethyn, respectively, as the title characters, tells the fictional story of two grief‐stricken mothers who have each lost their only child to malaria. As a way of moving through their grief, they work together to found a nonprofit organization, with the goal of sending much‐needed mosquito netting to Africa. This is a motivational and uplifting film that demonstrates the impact each of us can have when we work to help meet one another’s needs. Although this film is fiction, it tells the truth about the deadly effects of malaria. According to the World Health Organization, over 584,000 people died from malaria in 2013, 78% of them children. These numbers are staggering and all the more so because, according to WHO, malaria is an entirely preventable and treatable illness. In past years, one of the missions of Faith's Presbyterian Women has been to raise awareness about malaria and to raise donations to send mosquito nets to countries in need. We hope to continue this mission in the months to come; stay tuned for more details. And in the meantime, please join us for this film! Annual Men’s Retreat Is Coming!
Save the Date! June 5‐7 at Westminster Woods A weekend in the redwoods. Fantastic food and plenty of it. Great fellowship with other men of the church. Time to hike, compete, sit by the fire, learn, swim, take a nap, be inspired. All men of the church are invited. This is not exclusively a father‐son retreat, but men are invited to bring along their sons or grandsons (ages 5 and up). Registration begins after Easter. A Loud & Grateful “Thank You!!”
From the Faith Crafters The Faith Crafters send a huge thank you to our Faith family and friends. Because of your generosity during our holiday craft events, we raised over $5,000! These funds have been donated as follows: $1,000 to the Sacramento Morals Values Program (MVP); $500 cash plus $500 in books and school supplies (total $1,000) to Reading Partners of Sacramento; $1,500 to SSIP; and $1500 to Family Promise. The Crafters thank everyone for your continuing and generous support. FILM: Mary and Martha Date: Wednesday, April 15 Time: 2 p.m. Location: Link Hall EVERYONE IS WELCOME! If you are interested in seeing the film but cannot come to this showing, please contact Lynn at [email protected]. If there is enough interest, we may be able to show the film again one evening.
2015 04 PresbyNews Page 6 of 18
SSIP’s New Storage Shed
Thank you, friends, volunteers, and churches who made SSIP’s new storage shed possible!
You exceeded our expectations with your generous support, but that is nothing new. We have
already received our first very large delivery from the Sacramento Food Bank, and the shed
holds it beautifully. Our cup runneth over. Thank you!
Future SSIP Events – Save the Dates
 Saturday, April 18, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
The Closet Monster Cleaning Day
 Tuesday, May 5, all day
Day of Giving 24-hour online giving opportunity
 Friday, June 5, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
SSIP’s Annual Dinner & Auction
Faith Presbyterian Church’s Link Hall, 625 Florin Road, Sacramento
2015 04 PresbyNews Page 7 of 18
10 Anniversary serving Sacramento th
APRIL 22, 2015 – 5:30 p.m. The RED LION HOTEL 500 Leisure Lane Sacramento, CA 95815 Tickets for Dinner & Program: $50.00 Karen Olson, national founder of Family Promise, will share her inspiring story. We will also hear from several former guests. Please support this important annual fundraising effort and join us for an inspiring evening. For tickets, contact Family Promise: 443‐3107 A Warm Welcome to Our New Coffee Host Coordinator! I am delighted to announce that we have a new Coffee Host Coordinator. Please help me welcome Lindsay Fong to this position. Lindsay will start in May and will be responsible for getting the hosting schedule out to all of you who are so hospitably serve our Sunday morning coffee and snacks. She will also be responsible for sending the schedule to the newsletter editor, office manager and communication elder. Lindsay and I will work together in April as we transition, and she will take the reins officially in May. We have some exciting plans for all of the coffee, tea and cocoa lovers in our congregation. And Lindsay has some wonderful ideas to enhance and simplify coffee hosting after services that I know you will love. You will also see some subtle changes in the coffee hosting kitchen as we move some items into the new kitchen. Thank you, Lindsay, for generously stepping up to help with this important ministry of hospitality! ‐‐Sheridan Smith, Fellowship Elder 2015 04 PresbyNews Page 8 of 18
A Day We’ve All Been Waiting For….
Please join us as we celebrate the grand opening of our new facilities on Sunday, April 12. There will be a ribbon cutting and blessing at 12:15 p.m., after which you are invited to tour the new classrooms and kitchen and spend time in the expanded Link Hall enjoying refreshments. Everyone is invited—family, friends and neighbors. Spread the word! Volunteers are needed to help with the Open House. If you can lend a hand, sign up in the narthex on Sunday mornings. Thank you for helping with this wonderful celebration! 2015 04 PresbyNews Page 9 of 18
Meet the Newest Member of Our Faith Family!
Bless Sheppard 2015 04 PresbyNews Bless Sheppard has spent most of her life in California. These days, she works in advocacy. Her favorite things to do include spending time with her family ‐‐ husband Jeremy and children Isabella and Tristan; reading; and watching favorite TV shows with Jeremy. Bless and Jeremy first came to Faith Presbyterian because someone invited them. However, they waited quite a while before following up on the invitation. In the meantime they visited several other churches, none of which left them feeling inspired. Eventually, they made their way to Faith, and here they have found their church home. Page 10 of 18
Adult Formation Opportunities in April Sunday Mornings: Vanishing Grace – Video & Discussion (March 15 – April 26) “Why does the church stir up such negative feelings?” Philip Yancey has been asking this all his life as a journalist. His perennial question is more relevant now than ever: research shows that favorable opinions of Christianity have plummeted drastically—and opinions of Evangelicals have taken even deeper dives. Yet while opinions about Christianity are dropping, interest in spirituality is rising. Why the disconnect? Why are so many asking, “What’s so good about the Good News?” In Vanishing Grace, Yancey shows the desperate need our world has for grace, and how Christians can truly make the gospel good news again. In this video‐based small‐group Bible study, participants will explore what kind of news is good to a culture that thinks it has rejected the Christian version. Wading deep into the transformative power of grace, they will hear illuminating stories of how faith can be expressed in ways that disarm even the most cynical. We will have plenty of opportunity to discuss these insights and consider how we can be people who share really good news! Walter Newport will lead this class. Jesus — Come Meet Him Again! A Short Study in Reading the Mind of Christ (Sunday Mornings Starting in May) Rev. Rick Hull This post‐Easter study is an invitation to meet with the Jesus the disciples knew … and to meet him again in his resurrection. Suppose, like them, you were invited to listen in on what was important to him … and then to unpack and reflect on the often‐unusual things he said and did. What questions would you ask? And what would it mean to know his mind so deeply and engage in his ways so well that people in your immediate sphere would begin to call you a “little Christ” yourself? In the days after the resurrection, Jesus reviews his instructions. They can ask him anything, hear what is on his mind, and re‐discover what this life with them was all about. In May 2015, we, too, meet with the Risen Lord, and for five weeks we’ll ask a similar question: “Jesus, what was on your mind when you said ...?” Led by Rev. Rick Hull, all are welcome to share in this time of study and exploration. Wednesday Evening: Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God A seven‐week spiritual formation group Wednesdays, April 8 – May 20, 7–9 p.m. (See next page for a full description.) 2015 04 PresbyNews Page 11 of 18
Wednesday Afternoon Discussion (Monthly): Book Study: Getting to the Heart of Interfaith Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye‐Opening, Hope‐Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi & an Imam (by Ted Falcon, Don Mackenzie and Jamal Rahman) is a deeply personal journey to interfaith collaboration that offers hope for an inclusive and healing way of being together in the world. This month the group meets on Wednesday, April 1, at 2 p.m. (We usually meets on the first Wednesday of each month.) All are welcome to join in this exploration. Please call or email Hilde Tetlow (447‐0469, [email protected]) to sign up. We look forward to seeing you there! Jim Zazzera facilitates this discussion. Hearing God:
Developing a Conversational Relationship
with God
A seven-week spiritual formation group
Wednesdays, April 8 – May 20
7–9 p.m.
"God spoke to me." "The Spirit spoke to my heart." "God revealed the idea to me." Being close to God means communicating with Him‐‐telling Him what is on our hearts in prayer and hearing and understanding what He is saying to us. It is this second half of our conversation with God that is so important but can also be so difficult. How do we hear God’s voice? How can we be sure that what we think we hear is not our own subconscious? What role does the Bible play? What if what God says to us is not clear? The key, says renowned theologian and spiritual director Dallas Willard, is to focus not so much on individual actions and decisions as on building our personal relationship with our Creator. In this seven‐week discussion and study group, we will work on gaining rich spiritual insight into how we can hear God's voice clearly and develop an intimate partnership with Him in the work of His kingdom. Through his Hearing God DVD and book, Dallas Willard will guide us in learning to listen closely to God. Study leaders on the DVD also include Richard Foster and John Ortberg. Alice Parente and Jim Zazzera will serve as discussion leaders and group facilitators throughout the series. Sign up in the narthex … or let Jim or Alice know you would like to attend … or just show up. Alice: [email protected]; Jim: [email protected]. 2015 04 PresbyNews Page 12 of 18
Water Is the Start By Natalie Reyes (This piece originally ran in the July 2014 PresbyNews.) The past four months have been a blur since returning from the Abaya Vision Trip in mid‐March. Events, activities, and obligations quickly filled my calendar, and I was back into the normal routine after spending ten days in such a beautiful place, so detached from my daily routine. At least one moment during each day since then I have thought about the time I spent with my sponsor child, Marta, and all of the wonderful development projects we saw being supported by Faith through World Vision, including school expansions, health posts, microloan programs, clean water wells, and more. Water is such a necessary feature in any human’s life, no matter where they live. For every one moment I spend thinking about Abaya, Ethiopia, and daydreaming about being back there, I equally think about the current status of water in California and my usage of that water. Every time I turn on a faucet or hop in the shower, I hurry to finish what I am doing and shut off the water in order to conserve. Everywhere on the news we see and hear about the staggering lack of water in California, the added fees we may have to pay, and the dangers we face with wild fire season approaching. Yet we still have the luxury of turning on our faucets, watering our lawns, and washing our cars without second guessing if water will actually come out. Even in a water crisis, we know that we have almost guaranteed access to CLEAN water. Such access the people of Abaya do not have; instead, they must walk several miles each Natalie and her sponsored child Marta
way to get water. On their return trip, they carry a 40‐pound container of water, which still needs to be decontaminated for drinking once they get home. While in Abaya, we saw in several communities water projects that provide clean water to thousands of people. Members of these communities told us how the water has changed their lives: girls can now go to school instead of walking for hours to fetch water; children can attend school rather than stay home sick from drinking dirty water; and women who fetch the water are less vulnerable to attacks and rapes. Building a community begins with clean, accessible water, making it a top priority for World Vision in Abaya. Once clean water is secured, the rest is a domino effect for success throughout the community. Clean water that is easily accessible means fewer sick people and more time for education, farming, entrepreneurship, worship and leisure. The next time you turn on the tap, I encourage you to say a quick prayer of thanksgiving for water. Not only for our own access to clean water during the harsh summer months in Sacramento, but also for the people of Abaya, who increasingly have ready access to clean water, thanks to the work of World Vision. Your prayers, support, and donations for World Vision make a huge difference in the Abaya community, and they do not go unnoticed. 2015 04 PresbyNews Page 13 of 18
HOPE IN HARD PLACES
H O P E P R AY E R T E A M
KEBEDE GIZACHEW/WORLD VISION
MARCH 2015
Pray for Ethiopia
Ten-year-old Mihret used to travel to Ethiopia’s
Yekashe River twice a day to get water for her
family. The Yekashe and the Begez rivers have long
provided water to the village of Chezha, where
Mihret lives.
For years, the water she carried home was contaminated. Mihret still remembers going to the
hospital when she got diarrhea, which accounts
for 20 percent of deaths among Ethiopian children
younger than 5, and as high as 30 percent in rural
areas.
“Now, when I see sick people, it reminds me of
the pain I had,” she says of her isolated village, 124
miles southwest of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital.
In 2011, World Vision began working in her
community and has since constructed 16 new
water sources and renovated 22 others, bringing
clean water to 28,000 people. Now Mihret has safe
water to drink and more time to study and play.
“I used to travel two hours to get 10 liters (2.6
gallons) of water, and [it] was not enough to do
what we want with it,” Mihret says. “Now look —
we have adequate water just at our house. Since
this water point went operational, I have never
been sick of any waterborne disease.”
Lack of clean
water causes many
problems across
“ The streams of God
Ethiopia that affect
food supply, liveliare filled with water
hoods, health, eduto provide the people
cation, and family
life. While much
with grain … . ”
progress has been
— Psalm 65:9
made in this eastern African country,
the need for clean
water sources
remains critical. Please pray with us this month for
World Vision’s vital water work in Ethiopia.
Content and design by Content Curation, WVUS.
To receive the Hope Prayer Team email in your inbox each month, sign up at worldvision.org/prayerteam.
KEBEDE GIZACHEW/WORLD VISION
PRAY for improved health, sanitation, and hygiene.
As part of its clean water program, World Vision also teaches
families how to practice good personal hygiene by washing
their hands before and after meals, before preparing food,
and after using the restroom. Last year in Ethiopia, more
than 168,000 community members received training in
personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, and water supply usage, which benefitted more than 428,000 people. In
addition, 734 villages earned open-defecation-free status,
which benefits more than 212,000 people by keeping water
sources clean and children healthy.
Lord, thank You for providing
clean water to so many people
and for equipping World Vision
staff members to teach others
how to care for their bodies
and communities. Continue to
provide clean water sources and
help people embrace sanitation
training so they won’t get sick.
For those afflicted by waterborne disease, please bring
comfort and healing to their
bodies.
KEBEDE GIZACHEW/WORLD VISION
PRAY for increased agriculture opportunities.
The once-desolate Antsokia Valley of the mid-1980s is now
a thriving, green valley thanks in part to World Vision’s water
work, which began as a response to that decade’s famine and
continues today. Water collection, transportation, and irrigation systems give farmers the ability to grow flourishing fields
of crops to sell at market and feed their families. In 2014, World
Vision provided agriculture and business development training
to 419,000 farmers across the country. Improved water access
also affects farmers’ animals. “During dry season, many cattle
die, infected of leech bite,” says Talu Atrifo, a 30-year-old man
from Chezha. “But now our animals drink from a [separate]
canal at the water point.” With healthy livestock, farmers can
breed their animals and sell them for income.
Almighty God, we praise You for
the transforming work You have
done in Ethiopia’s farms. We
ask that You continue to connect
farmers with clean water systems and training resources to
make their harvests larger and
animals healthier.
KEBEDE GIZACHEW/WORLD VISION
PRAY for stronger families.
World Vision drilled, capped, and constructed 393 water
facilities that benefited 1.25 million people in Ethiopia
last year. When Chezha village received access to water,
60-year-old Birknesh saw an improvement not just in
people’s physical health, but also in her family’s emotional
health. “As a housewife and mother, I had to travel to
Begez River every morning for at least two hours to have
water for the whole day’s activity,” she says. “Thus, in most
instances, I fail to provide breakfast to my husband, making him go to farm work without food, [and ending] up in
quarrel. … Thanks to World Vision, these have gone.”
Great Healer, we thank You for
providing not just the physical
healing of so many but also the
binding of emotional wounds.
Please bring families closer to
each other and to You with the
extra time and reduced stress
levels they have from getting
clean water sources close to
home.
KEBEDE GIZACHEW/WORLD VISION
PRAY for children’s educational opportunities.
Biruk Berhanu, 10, also lives in Chezha. Biruk became sick
with typhoid after drinking contaminated water, suffering from severe fever. Today he is healthy, working hard
in grade 3, and has big dreams for the future. “I want to
be an engineer to construct many potable water facilities
[for] the community,” he says. “Now that the water facility
is near my house, I have plenty of time to study and play
football.” Children now spend more time in school instead
of transporting water. They also have more free time to
play, study, and dream. Unlike Biruk, many Ethiopian
children don’t even think about college because only 15
percent attend high school. But as water becomes available, more kids can go to school.
Father God, thank You for allowing kids like Biruk a chance
to dream. Please continue to
provide the resources for even
more children to learn, grow,
and pursue careers that can
help them further transform
their communities in the future.
Youth Updates APRIL 2015
Youth Ministry Update “Gleaning” PARENTS!! COME JOIN US FOR SACRED PARENTING!! I’m thankful for the parents and supporters that have joined us for SACRED PARENTING. All are welcome to join us for our last session on March 31, when we’ll talk a bit about where we will move from here as parents who want to join together for prayer, support, future classes, and raising our kids in a godly way together in this place! Tuesday, March 31, 7 p.m., choir room … for parents and grandparents of all ages! What a Great Idea…. (Grades 6‐8) Munchies continues to meet on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Welcome to the four new students we met this past month! Keep bringing new friends! Core Group (Grades 9‐12) CORE GROUP is preparing to undergo big changes in schedule. Don’t want to give away too much here. Be prepared to be “blown away” with some April surprises! APRIL 5 CORE GROUP: Uh, it’s Easter. No Core group ‐‐ spend time with your family! APRIL 12 CELEBRATION: Join us as we help the church celebrate our new building. We’ll be helping to hand out popcorn around the church, but also to “showcase” our new youth room with some fun activities on our first day! 30 HOUR FAMINE!! See the notes about the event on the next page! “The Winds are Blowing” Be ready for anything. The high school group may or not be experiencing a surprise to launch us into a new way of being together as God’s people. My advice: Don’t try to guess what kind of surprise is coming. Be ready for anything! 2015 04 PresbyNews Questions about Faith’s Youth Ministry? Contact Pastor Brett Shoemaker at [email protected] or 428‐3439 Page 15 of 18
It’s here! It’s in April! Forms are ready! Come fight hunger with us!! APRIL 24‐25 (Friday Night and Saturday) DEADLINE: April 12, Sunday Forms and releases have been emailed out. Didn’t get one? Email Brett at [email protected] and he’ll send you one. FAMINE HELP NEEDED! We could use help both during and before the event in these ways! Contact Brett if you’d like to get involved! Tribe Leader: Be present for the whole event, shepherding a team of students! Break-FAST PREP: Help make the meal to end the event! Donations: Juice and other supplies? CONTACT US! Registration Assistant: Collect and count money; check students in. Erwina Bush is on it, but could use an assistant. 2015 04 PresbyNews See http://www.30hourfamine.org for more information
Page 16 of 18
Session March Highlights What is Session? Session is the governing body of our congregation. Made up of 16 members (pastors and elders) who are called by God and elected by the congregation, Session is charged by God to oversee the ministry and mission of Faith Presbyterian Church. By God’s grace, Session works hard to make sure that we are becoming, day by day, the sort of church God wants us to become – a community loving Christ, building disciples, serving all. What has Session been up to lately? The following are some of the decisions which were made this month at Session and some of the areas of ministry which were celebrated. We hope you share in the enthusiasm of Session for all that God is doing in our midst. As a reminder, Session meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. here at church. Unless otherwise determined, they are open meetings and church members are always encouraged to come and listen. We’ll even share our snacks! - 2015 Operating Budget Contingency Approved – Our 2014 Operating Budget ended with extra funds. In anticipation of added costs due to the opening of our new facility, Session voted to take some of those extra funds and designate them for the 2015 budget as contingency items which can be used if needed. The following funds were designated for the following areas: $25,000 Building Fund/Major Maintenance; $13,000 Property Maintenance Ministry; $10,000 Local Mission; $2,000 Community Outreach Ministry; $5,000 Fellowship. - General Assembly Decisions/Actions – Session concluded its discussion on our response to actions and decisions of last summer’s General Assembly. After a great deal of prayerful consideration and listening, we have reached a consensus as to what we feel our response ought to be. We have set two congregational forums in order to share our progress with the congregation. The forums will be held on Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, at 4 p.m. Both will be in the sanctuary. A letter will be sent to all members in the coming weeks outlining these forums and inviting participation. If you ever have any questions for any of our elders, a complete list of names, areas of ministry, contact information, and even photos can be found on our website under the “leadership” page. www.faithpresby.org 2015 04 PresbyNews Page 17 of 18
From the Deacons’ Desk
By Tammi Whitted What Is the Importance of Christian Baptism?
Christian baptism is one of two ordinances that Jesus instituted for the church. Just before His ascension, Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20). These instructions specify that the church is responsible to teach Jesus’ word, make disciples, and baptize those disciples. These things are to be done everywhere (“all nations”) until “the very end of the age.” So, if for no other reason, baptism has importance because Jesus commanded it. Baptism was practiced before the founding of the church. The Jews of ancient times would baptize proselytes to signify the converts’ “cleansed” nature. John the Baptist used baptism to prepare the way of the Lord, requiring everyone, not just Gentiles, to be baptized because everyone needs repentance. However, John’s baptism, signifying repentance, is not the same as Christian baptism, as seen in Acts 18:24–26 and 19:1–7. Christian baptism has a deeper significance. Baptism is to be done in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit—this is what makes it “Christian” baptism. It is through this ordinance that a person is admitted into the fellowship of the church. When we are saved, we are “baptized” by the Spirit into the Body of Christ, which is the church. First Corinthians 12:13 says, “We were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free, and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” Baptism by water is a “reenactment” of the baptism by the Spirit. Christian baptism is the means by which a person makes a public profession of faith and discipleship. In the waters of baptism, a person says, wordlessly, “I confess faith in Christ; Jesus has cleansed my soul from sin, and I now have a new life of sanctification.” Christian baptism illustrates, in dramatic style, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. At the same time, it also illustrates our death to sin and new life in Christ. As the sinner confesses the Lord Jesus, he dies to sin (Romans 6:11) and is raised to a brand‐new life (Colossians 2:12). Being doused with or submerged in the water represents death to sin, and emerging from the water represents the cleansed, holy life that follows salvation. Romans 6:4 puts it this way: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Very simply, baptism is an outward testimony of the inward change in a believer’s life. Christian baptism is an act of obedience to the Lord after salvation; although baptism is closely associated with salvation, it is not a requirement to be saved. The Bible shows in many places that the order of events is 1) a person believes in the Lord Jesus and 2) he is baptized. This sequence is seen in Acts 2:41, “Those who accepted [Peter’s] message were baptized” (see also Acts 16:14–15). A new believer in Jesus Christ should desire to be baptized as soon as possible. In Acts 8 Philip speaks “the good news about Jesus” to the Ethiopian and “as they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the Ethiopian said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?’” (verses 35–36). Right away, they stopped the chariot, and Philip baptized the man. Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Everywhere the gospel is preached, people are to be baptized. Got Questions Ministries, n.d. Web. March 16th, 2015
2015 04 PresbyNews Page 18 of 18
April 2015
What we are studying this month:
Godly Play
4/5
Easter Sunday Celebration
4/12 Parable of the Lost Coin
Luke 15: 8-10
4/19 Parable of the widow and the
judge
Luke 18:1-8
4/26 Parable of the sheep and
goats Luke 18: 9-14
Kairos Quest
4/5
Communion Sunday
4/12 God is Joyful over You
Luke 15:8-10
4/19 Don’t give up when you Pray
Luke 18:1-8
4/26 God loves a Humble Heart
Luke 18: 9-14
Vacation Bible
School
June 22 - 26, 2015
APRIL 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
Lent 6
9:00 AM Palm Sunday Worship
Service
10:00 AM Young Faith Singers
(Rm E2)
10:15 AM Adult Sunday School
(Rm 4)
11:00 AM Palm Sunday Worship
Service
8:00 PM AA Meeting (Rm 2)
Communion Sunday
7:00 AM Easter Sunrise Worship
(Outdoors)
9:00 AM Easter Worship Service
10:00 AM Children's Egg Hunt
(Playground)
10:15 AM Adult Sunday School
(Rm 4)
11:00 AM Easter Worship Service
12:00 PM Children's Egg Hunt
(Playground)
8:00 PM AA Meeting (Rm 2)
SSIP Food Collection
9:00 AM Worship Service
10:00 AM Confirmation (Rm 6)
10:00 AM Young Faith Singers
(Rm E2)
10:15 AM Adult Sunday School
(Rm 4)
11:00 AM Worship Service
12:15 PM Open House Celebration
12:30 PM Lay Ministry Meeting
(Rm E1)
8:00 PM AA Meeting (Rm 2)
9:00 AM Worship Service
10:00 AM Look @ Faith (Fireside)
10:00 AM Young Faith Singers
(Rm E2)
10:15 AM Adult Sunday School
(Rm 4)
11:00 AM Worship Service
12:15 PM Core Group (Offsite)
12:15 PM Gap Year Meeting
(Youth Rm)
12:30 PM Deacons Meeting (Rm
2)
12:30 PM Worship Band
Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
8:00 PM AA Meeting (Rm 2)
9:00 AM Worship Service
10:00 AM Young Faith Singers
(Rm E2)
10:15 AM Adult Sunday School
(Rm 4)
11:00 AM Worship Service
8:00 PM AA Meeting (Rm 2)
1:00 PM Faith
Crafters (Rm 2)
1:30 PM Men's Life
Group (E1)
3:30 PM Math
Tutoring (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Men's &
Women's Life Group
(Rm 4)
7:00 PM Women's AA
Meeting (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Women's
Life Group (Rm E1)
9:00 AM Faith Staff
Meeting (Jeff's office)
1:00 PM Faith
Crafters (Rm 2)
1:30 PM Men's Life
Group (E1)
3:30 PM Math
Tutoring (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Women's AA
Meeting (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Women's
Life Group (Rm E1)
9:00 AM Faith
Pastors' Meeting
(Jeff's office)
1:00 PM Faith
Crafters (Rm 2)
1:30 PM Men's Life
Group (E1)
3:30 PM Math
Tutoring (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Session
Meeting (Sanctuary,
E1)
7:00 PM Women's AA
Meeting (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Women's
Life Group (Rm 6)
9:00 AM Faith Staff
Meeting (Jeff's Office)
1:00 PM Faith
Crafters (Rm 2)
1:00 PM Women's
Daytime Book Group
(Offsite)
1:30 PM Men's Life
Group (E1)
3:30 PM Math
Tutoring (Rm 2)
5:30 PM Abaya
Meeting (E2)
7:00 PM Mission
Meeting (E2)
7:00 PM Women's AA
Meeting (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Women's
Life Group (Rm E1)
9:00 AM Staff
Worship Planning
1:00 PM Faith
Crafters (Rm 2)
1:30 PM Men's Life
Group (E1)
3:30 PM Math
Tutoring (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Women's AA
Meeting (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Women's
Evening Book Group
(Offsite)
7:00 PM Women's
Life Group (Rm E1)
4:00 PM Women's
Life Group (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Munchies
(Sanctuary)
7:00 PM Sacred
Parenting Class (Rm
E1)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
4:00 PM Women's
Life Group (Rm 2)
7:00 PM AA Business
Meeting (Rm 2)
7:00 PM Life Group
(Rm 6)
7:00 PM Munchies
(Sanctuary)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
4:00 PM Women's
Life Group (Rm 2)
5:00 PM Life Group
(Fireside)
7:00 PM Life Group
(Fireside)
7:00 PM Munchies
(Sanctuary)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
4:00 PM Women's
Life Group (Rm 2)
5:00 PM Life Group
(Fireside)
7:00 PM Life Group
(Fireside)
7:00 PM Munchies
(Sanctuary)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
4:00 PM Women's
Life Group (Rm 2)
5:00 PM Life Group
(Fireside)
6:30 PM Outreach
Team Mtg (Offsite)
7:00 PM Life Group
(Fireside)
7:00 PM Munchies
(Sanctuary)
7:00 PM Worship
Ministry Mtg (E2)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
2:00 PM Adult
Discussion Group
(Rm 2)
3:30 PM Math
Tutoring (Rm 2)
6:30 PM Life Group
(Rm 4)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
9:00 AM PW Board
Meeting (Rm 2)
3:30 PM Math
Tutoring (Rm 2)
6:30 PM Life Group
(Rm 4)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
2:00 PM PW Film
(Link Hall)
3:30 PM Math
Tutoring (Rm 2)
6:30 PM Life Group
(Fireside)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
10:00 AM PW Bible
Study (E1)
11:30 AM PW
Luncheon (Link Hall)
3:30 PM Math
Tutoring (Rm 2)
6:30 PM Children's
Ministry Meeting (Rm
5)
6:30 PM Life Group
(Fireside)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
3:30 PM Math
Tutoring (Rm 2)
6:30 PM Life Group
(Fireside)
7:00 PM
Congregational Forum
(Sanctuary)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
Maundy Thursday
9:30 AM Women's
Life Group (Rm E1)
2:00 PM Older Adults'
Life Group (Rms E1 &
E2)
7:00 PM Maundy
Thursday Worship
(Sanctuary)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
8:00 PM Chancel
Choir Rehearsal (Rm
E1)
9:30 AM Women's
Life Group (Rm E1)
2:00 PM Older Adults'
Life Group (Rms E1 &
E2)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
9:30 AM Women's
Life Group (Rm E1)
2:00 PM Older Adults'
Life Group (Rms E1 &
E2)
7:00 PM Chancel
Choir Rehearsal (Rm
E1)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
9:30 AM Women's
Life Group (Rm E1)
2:00 PM Older Adults'
Life Group (Rms E1 &
E2)
7:00 PM Chancel
Choir Rehearsal (Rm
E1)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
Good Friday
7:00 AM Good Friday
Prayer Vigil
(Sanctuary)
7:00 PM Good Friday
Healing Service
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
10:00 AM EOC Good
Friday Worship (Rm
2)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
6:00 PM AA Planning
Meeting (Rm 2)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
5:00 PM 30-hour
Famine (Youth Rm,
Link Hall)
8:00 PM AA Birthday
Meeting (Rm 2)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
9:30 AM Women's
8:00 PM AA Meeting
Life Group (Rm E1)
(Rm 2)
2:00 PM Older Adults'
Life Group (Rms E1 &
E2)
7:00 PM Chancel
Choir Rehearsal (Rm
E1)
8:00 PM AA Meeting
(Rm 2)
Holy Saturday
9:00 AM Spruce-up
Crew (Campus)
9:30 AM Faith Brass
Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
9:30 AM Faith Brass
Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
1:00 PM MTAC
Recital (Sanctuary)
7:00 PM EOC Easter
Worship (Sanctuary)
9:30 AM Faith Brass
Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
10:00 AM Movie
Marathon (Grace,
Youth)
2:00 PM GamperSweeting Wedding
(Sanctuary)
3:00 PM GamperSweeting Reception
(Link Hall)
12:00 AM 30-hour
Famine (Youth Rm,
Link Hall)
9:30 AM Faith Brass
Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
9:30 AM Faith Brass
Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
1:00 PM MTAC
Recital (Sanctuary)
April 2015 Assistant Schedule
Worship
Service
Acolyte
Coffee Hosts
Greeters
Media Center
Offering Escort
Ushers
Worship
Assistant
Worship
Service
Acolyte
Coffee Hosts
Greeters
Media Center
Offering Escort
Ushers
Worship
Assistant
Lockup
Tellers
April 5
9:00 a.m.
April 12
9:00 a.m.
April 19
9:00 a.m.
April 26
9:00 a.m.
Johnathan Little
Mike and Conner
Hankey
Larry and Noreen
Fruend
David Nash
Bennet Kubish
Dave and Terry Fong
Colin Cowling
Ann Johnson and Donna
Touros
Bill and Em Baker
Norma McKay
Tracy Cumming and Donna
Touros
Helen Frisch
Roy Chastain
Walter and Audrey
Newport
Claire Jesilink
Janet Leader
Bereket Chapman
David and Teri
Williamson
Kerrilee Blunt and Janeil
Hogue
Conner and Spencer
Hankey
Roy Chastain
John and Maria
Rodriquez
Isabel Chapman
11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Mathew Sanchez
Roy and Gail Bagby
Madyson Heron
Betty Straight and Lynn
Weston
Georgina Borton and
Beverly Sommerdorf
Rick Hom and Jon Coupal
Emily Martin
Pam Rock and Zarrin
Sanchez
Latimer family
David Sanchez
Paul and Betty Keller
Rick Hom and Pat Smith
Kay Russell and Janet
Sather
Dave Anders and Noel
Chapman
Norma McKay
Hal and Ilah Turner
Kristen and Kaleigh
Butler
Joe Parente and Damian
Thomson
Jarvis Arellano
Dick and Betty McClure
Dick McClure
Glen and Elizabeth Halford
Alice Parente
Chris Martin
Kevin Clark and Mike
Rock
Jarvis Arellano
John Coupal and Carey
Kincaid
Jon Coupal
Jim Tracy
Marilyn Becker and
Norma McKay
Roy Chastain
Bob Connet and Don
Sperling
Bob Bagby
Jarvis Arellano and Kitty
Tatro
David Nash and Nick Voskes
Dick and Betty McCLure
Dick McClure
Christianah Akinsanyo and
Julia King
Doug Johnson
Tom Busch
Jim Tracy and Erwina Bush