A PUBLICATION OF COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WEST FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA. ORGANIZED APRIL 1, 1928 September, 2013 Ministers: The People of God; Pastor: Rev. D. Matthew Stith 702 Sheyenne St., P.O. 546, West Fargo, ND 58078 701-282-4135 E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://cpcwf.org WATCH OUT FOR NEW TIMES! Beginning on Sunday, September 8, Sunday School, from ages 3 years and up (That means adults of all ages AND children are welcome!), will recommence at 9:00 a.m. followed by the worship service at 10:00 a.m. TOWN HALL PLANNED Sunday, September 15, in the sanctuary following worship, Session will hold a town hall to inform the congregation of decisions it has made regarding CPC’s current and ongoing relationship with Presbyterian Church (USA). A question and answer time will accompany the meeting. PW BAZAAR IS COMING! Presbyterian Women’s Bazaar is coming soon on Saturday and Sunday, October 26th and 27th. Why not start canning a couple of extra jars of jam or pickles or spending a rainy afternoon finishing off a craft project? Then, you will be ready when October rolls around. Thanks in advance for all your efforts! PASTOR’S PEN “What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The power of God not praised. The truth of God not sought. The wisdom of God not esteemed. The beauty of God not treasured. The goodness of God not savored. The faithfulness of God not trusted. The commandments of God not obeyed. The justice of God not respected. The wrath of God not feared. The grace of God not cherished. The presence of God not prized. The person of God not loved. That is sin.” John Piper I ran across the quotation above in, of (Continued on page 2) In this issue AED Calendar Clerk’s Corner Dates to Remember Financial Report Mission Opportunity PW Cards Roof News Page 6 9 3 5 8 6 7 8 Page 2 (Continued from page 1) all things, a Christian rap song that someone linked to in an internet discussion. The song is about atonement, the way in which Jesus, by dying on the Cross, bore the punishment that we deserve and the wrath that we have earned by our disobedience, so that in exchange we could be treated as if we had lived the sinless and obedient life he lived. The song is a powerful expression of this important doctrine of the faith, and, for those few of you who might be interested in rap songs that faithfully set forth Christian doctrine, I would be happy to provide a reference. My purpose in this column, though, is not to serve as a music critic, but rather to explore a bit more deeply the implications of John Piper’s words about sin, which really gave me pause when I heard them. I don’t think we think about sin all that often. Now, sad to say, we think about sinning all the time—that’s our fallen nature at work, lurching from temptation to temptation day in and day out. But most of us, I suspect, would struggle mightily to come up with a definition of sin itself, or of what makes it so bad. We might say something like “sin is when I break God’s rules,” or perhaps something like “sin is whatever separates us from God,” but I think Piper’s description points out, quite vividly, the flaw in these and most other common ways of thinking about sin: we tend to imagine that sin is primarily about us. It’s about when I break the rules, or about separating us from God. Certainly sin has an impact on the sinner, and certainly there is something of the sinner’s decision involved. But what makes sin sinful is the fact that every instance of sin, of every possible type and de- scription, takes away something that belongs to God. That’s the point of Piper’s definition. Notice how many times he refers to “I” or “we”: not once. Sin is sin because it perverts, omits, or even steals something that properly belongs to God. That means that there is no such thing as a purely personal or private sin, no such thing as a sin that “only hurts me.” Every sin, of any kind, offers insult and injury to the all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-just Creator of the universe. Thinking of sin in this way drives home the enormity of our sinful nature and status. We have done all of the things Piper describes, over and over again, and we have done them not to ourselves, not to a fellow mortal, but to Almighty God himself. The enormity of it makes me tremble. But the enormity of our sin is matched, and even exceeded, by the enormity of God’s mercy, a mercy that was expressed in its purest and highest form in the incarnation, perfect life, and atoning death of Jesus. Only God himself could bear the punishment we deserve for our offenses against him without being utterly destroyed, but only a human being could rightly pay the price for human sin. And only the infinite and unsearchable love of God could combine both divine and human natures in the one man who could do something about it. That is a gift worthy of song, no matter what style of music you may sing. CALLING ALL LITURGISTS Interested in helping out with the Sunday service by serving as a liturgist? Please sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board outside of the sanctuary. Page 3 JULY CLERK’S CORNER The regular meeting of Session was held on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. in the church conference room. Elders present were Kevin Galt, Jackie Petik, Dixon Moorhead, Carolyn Meester, Dave Ruhnke, Bonnie Thompson, and Scott Meyer. Anneus Meester, treasurer, was present. Brent Montgomery and Andrew Thostenson were absent. Becky DeJong, clerk, was absent. Anneus Meester presented the financial report. There are enough funds in the building fund account to cover the August payment. $1,000.00 additional was borrowed on the operating loan with the balance at $8,785.69. Discussion was held concerning issues and the format of the congregational meeting which will be held on September 15, 2013. Unpadded folding chairs and old tables can be borrowed from the church with permission from the pastor, Session, or Trustees. Tablecloths, punch bowls, coffee pots, and everything else need approval from Session on a case by case basis. Fragile or easily broken items will not be loaned. Christian Education Committee reported that Vacation Bible School is scheduled for July 28 through August 1. Dinner will be at 5:30 and activities will run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Craft helpers and guide for pre-school are still needed. 3 years to 5th grade are welcome to attend. Kevin Galt has the information to get a sign for advertising. Worship Committee has reworded and updated fees for the pastor and wedding coordinator in the wedding policy. The updated document will be sent to church office secretary, Lora Wehrung, and Matt. Personnel Committee stated the Music Director position is still being advertised. Colleges and some area churches have been contacted. Trustees requested bids from three contractors for roof replacement. One bid from M.J. Dalsin, Co. for a total of $18,623.00 has been received. Other bids are expected soon. A bid will need to be selected quickly since contractors are booked eight weeks out and we want the repairs to be completed this year. Mission Committee noted that Food Pantry items were delivered last week. United Way is the mission for July and August’s is school supplies. Stewardship had mid-year contribution statements sent out. The accompanying letter indicated the need for a new roof. The committee will be looking at some of the memorial money to see if it can be used to help pay the costs. The committee requested to move memorial plaques to one location at the end of the hallway near the elevator. Individual plaques will stay where they are. No reports were issued from Deacons, Nominating and Service and Fellowship committees. Moderator’s report: Pastor Stith requested vacation August 7 - 11. Vicki Riedinger will fill the pulpit on August 11. Clerk’s report: 56 people were served communion on Sunday, July 7, 2013. Meeting closed with prayer by Bonnie Thompson at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Carolyn Meester Page 4 AUGUST CLERK’S CORNER The regular meeting of Session was held on Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. in the church conference room. Elders present were Kevin Galt, Carolyn Meester, Scott Meyer, Brent Montgomery, Dixon Moorhead, Jackie Petik, Dave Ruhnke, and Andrew Thostenson. Anneus Meester, treasurer, was present. Bonnie Thompson was absent. Anneus Meester presented the financial report. There is enough money in the building fund account to cover the next two month’s payments. $2,640.00 was borrowed from the bank note and put into the general fund. $11,893.40 is in the roofing fund. Gloria Ruhnke, Ann Chale, and Delores Horn would like to hold a bridal shower for Blair Moorhead on September 14 at 10:00 a.m. in the narthex. The Presbyterian Women would like to hold the Annual Bazaar and Baked Potato Luncheon on October 26th and 27th in the church fellowship hall. On Saturday they would need the kitchen and fellowship hall from about 8:00 a.m. to about 3:00 p.m. and on Sunday from about 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Andrew Thostenson attended two recent special Presbytery meetings. The meeting in May voted to rescind the gracious separation policy because of a recent ruling from the PCUSA General Assembly Permanent Judicial Council. The meeting in June voted to remove Mark Frueh as a commissioned lay pastor from the Minot church and to appoint an administrative commission to work with the Minot church and its Session to resolve property issues, and if need be, dissolve its Session, and take control of the church if no agreements can be reached. Beginning in January, Andrew Thostenson is set to serve on the Committee on Ministry for the Presbytery. Our church will receive the electronic newsletter from the Fellowship of Presbyterians. Copies will be made available and placed in the library. Discussion was held regarding the upcoming meeting of Session with the congregation. The informational forum will be held on September 15, 2013 following worship. Session would like to visit with the congregation with regards to denominational issues. Christian Education reported that Vacation Bible School was a success with lots of helpers and lots of kids. Worship Committee would like to see the Minute for Mission moved to the beginning of the worship service during announcements. Personnel Committee noted that there has been interest and inquiries into both the Music Director and accompanist positions. Trustees have accepted the roofing bid from Tecta. Construction will begin in September and be done by the middle of October. Once started, the construction will take 30 days. Payment in full will be expected between the middle of October or November. An auxiliary sump pump has been installed. The glass tabletop in the conference room has been measured but a bid has not been received. The continued sticking of the front doors will be addressed soon. (Continued on page 5) Page 5 (Continued from page 4) Mission Committee stated that the raffle raised $2,850.00 minus expenses. The Kenyan Instructor commitment ends in December, and the committee must decide whether to continue this mission. The focus for September and October will be 18 year old young adults who are leaving PATH (Treatment Foster Care and Family-Based Services). Stewardship Committee mentioned that there are several designated funds that can be re-designated as the roofing fund. Furnishing/Sign/Landscaping has $3,402.67; 75th Anniversary Fund has $621.84, and Community Handbell Startup has $188.30 with a total of $4,212.81. No reports were submitted from Deacons, or the Nominating and Service and Fellowship committees. Moderator’s report: The next Presbytery meeting will be September 20-21 in Ellendale. Andrew Thostenson will be Session delegate to this meeting. Clerk’s report: 106 served communion on Sunday, August 4. Becky DeJong will be attending the annual Session record review in Casselton on Sunday, September 29, at 2:00 p.m. Meeting closed with prayer by Dixon Moorhead at 8:55 p.m. Becky DeJong, Clerk of Session MOMENT FOR MISSION Yearly, the Mission Committee allocates monies to the Andrew and Kari Downer who serve as missionaries in Cameroon. Also on an annual basis, the Mission Committee supports Youth for Christ’s Teen Moms which is under the direction of Linda Bass. This year each group will receive $500 from the missions fund. SEPTEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER BIRTHDAYS 9-1 Andrea Corneliussen 9-3 Clyde Van Cleve 9-4 Ryan Bastle 9-6 Meghan Hanna Amanda Herman Thomas Herman Bruce Steele 9-9 John Wilkinson 9-12 Gordy Pederson 9-13 Ann Chale Parker Nelson 9-15 Danielle Swart 9-16 Dale Matzke Vicky Whitcomb 9-17 Lee Dobrinz Shelly VanCleve 9-19 Debbie Matzke 9-23 Uneva Dobrinz 9-25 Joan Hall Louise Johnson Ted Martin 9-27 Nancy Herman ANNIVERSARIES 9-7-63 – Delbert and Donna Jenner 9-10-60 – Jim and Marlys Martin 9-18-54 – Dale and Gail Matzke 9-25-93 – Brent and Carolyn Talley 9-26-97 - Derek and Carrie Leopold 9-29-79 – Veril and Dawn Larson BRIDAL SHOWER A bridal shower is planned for Blair Moorhead and Jim Gallagher who will be getting married on October 13 in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Blair is a member of our church and the daughter of Dixon and Mary Jo Moorhead. The shower will be Saturday, September 14th, at 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall. All ladies of the church are invited. The couple is registered at Target and will be living in Arlington, Virginia following their wedding. Page 6 AFTERNOON CIRCLE Afternoon Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month September through May. This year Circle starts on September 10th at 12:30 p.m. in the church narthex. Ladies should bring their own lunch but coffee will be provided. We will be using the 2013-14 Study Guide from Horizons. The title of the guide is: An Abiding Hope: The Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Study Guides are available now from Delores Horn at a cost of $8.80. All ladies of the church are invited to attend. Carolyn Koerselman is Moderator of Circle. MISSION OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS Our congregation has recently been presented with another opportunity to serve God and our community. Churches United of Moorhead has asked our congregation to make a one year commitment of setting up, preparing, and serving dinner at their mission six times for the year. No clean-up will be required. The work would start this September on Wednesday, September 11, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and would continue every odd month on the second Wednesday until July 9, 2014. At least five people would be required to complete an evening’s tasks. Should our congregation take on this obligation? Is it a project you would be willing to personally support? If your answers are “yes,” please contact Dixon Moorhead. He can be reached by phone at home at (701) 277-1414 or at work at (701) 232-8283 or via e-mail at [email protected] WHAT’S UP WITH THE AED? You may have recently noticed this label on the front door to the church. This means we now have an AED, an Automated External Defibrillator. So why is this such a valuable addition to our building? Consider that in the U.S.: “Approximately 890 deaths from coronary heart disease occur outside of the hospital or emergency room every day. Most of these deaths are due to the sudden loss of heart function or sudden cardiac death. In 2001 and 2002, there were 6,628 workplace fatalities reported; 1,216 from heart attack, 354 from electric shock, and 267 from asphyxia. A number of these victims, up to 60 percent, might have been saved if AEDs were immediately available. Chances of survival from sudden cardiac death diminish by 7 – 10 percent for each minute without immediate CPR or defibrillation. After 10 minutes, resuscitation rarely succeeds. An AED is an electronic device designed to deliver an electric shock to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. Ventricular fibrillation may be restored to normal rhythm up to 60 percent of the time if treated promptly with an AED, a procedure called defibrillation.” Our new AED device has simple audio and visual commands and is designed to be easily used by lay people. You can find the device in a white cabinet which is mounted on the north wall of the old narthex. Simple instructions for use can be found in the cabinet. Short video training clips will be shown in the fellowship hall on Sundays during the month of September to let everyone find out more about how to use it. Page 7 SEPTEMBER HS & MS SOUL TRAIN SCHEDULE Sunday, September 1- No Soul Train Labor Day Weekend Sunday, September 8-Kickoff Saturday, September 15-Horseback Riding (or TBA) September 20-22- MS Fall Retreat at Presbyterian Clearwater Forest Sunday, September 29-Ultimate Frisbee SOUL TRAIN HELP NEEDED The Soul Train Youth are looking for an adult male (college-aged or older) to help chaperone retreats and lock-ins for this school year. Responsibilities include helping lead and participate in games, worship, and Bible study as well as hanging out with the youth. Talk to Samantha if you are interested or have any questions. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY RECOMMENCES Beginning September 18, join us on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 in the sunny narthex as we begin our study of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. See how life in God's kingdom differs from the way the world lives. The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of Jesus' teachings on life in the kingdom of God. Jesus reveals that life under God's rule is radically different from the way the world lives. Through topics that range from murder and adultery to prayer and forgiveness, Jesus deftly weaves the theme of living by true righteousness. Gain valuable insights on trusting completely in God and understanding God's will. All are welcome! See Bonnie Thompson with any questions. PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CARD MAKERS Have you checked out the greeting cards that the PW Card Makers have in the rack in the narthex? Many of these are one of a kind that the ladies make from “scratch”. Others are made from used greeting cards. This group started in early 2009 with eight to nine members who work one afternoon a week for approximately three hours. Can you guess how many cards have been sold in that time? Approximately 5,000 cards! This amounts to approximately $2,354.00 profit! So far, the ladies have contributed to many different projects for the church. Some of which are: counters for the kitchen, new chairs for the narthex, new lights in the old narthex, Project Open Door, license to be able to copy music from other hymnals than the one we use in the church, postage for mailing the Community Call, Roof Fund, soap for the dishwasher plus contributions to many mission projects approved by Session. So far, a total of $2,040.00 has been contributed to these projects plus the group is financial selfsustaining in that all supplies are bought with proceeds from the sale of cards or contributed by group members. The group meets each Thursday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the narthex. One of the best parts of these meetings is the fellowship and becoming close friends with other members. We also have coffee and treats each week (just ask Pastor Matt). We would like to invite any one from the church who is interested to come and check out the group and visit and share in the treats and coffee. Page 8 IT’S TIME TO REPLACE THE ROOF This May, something that has not happened for the past six years at CPC happened. It started in the old narthex and spread into the adjoining new narthex. It was water. The old annex roof was failing. For these past several years, you could tell it was October by the leaky roof. You see, every October the roofer came in and did some patching for a couple of hundred dollars, and then we would be okay again for another year. Well, this May, the leaks came back early and they were worse than before. So, we need a new roof. The old one, which was installed in 1982 served us well, but patches on top of patches simply will not do anymore. In June, we contacted three roofing companies to give us estimates. Two bid the job, and in early August we accepted an offer of $23,285. We decided to accept this bid because it will provide a 15 year warranty, it will be slightly sloped (¼ inch in 12 inches of run), and it will be integrated into our sanctuary and new narthex roofs (which are seven years old). Finally, the new roof will not require rock ballast, so this should help us tolerate greater snow loads. We expect the work to be done in September or October. We sincerely ask that all members and friends contribute funds to this essential enterprise so drying fans no longer need to be set up whenever rainclouds appear. October’s Community Call deadline will be Friday, September 20 ROOFING FUND UPDATE The roofing fund continues to grow. At this writing, we have a little over $18,000.00 of the necessary $23,285.00. The contract has been signed, and we will need to have the full amount in either September or October. For those who have contributed already, all we can say is a sincere "Thank You.” For those who are still considering their contribution, please prayerfully consider what you may contribute, so we may have the total amount when it is needed. Thank you, Kevin Galt , Stewardship Committee FINANCIAL REPORT Budgeted 2013 giving: $158,652.00 / 52 weeks = $3,051.00 per week Budgeted Actual Giving Giving Week to Date to Date 8/18/13 $100,683.00 $87,905.00 This does not include the mortgage payment of $3,146.54. We have funds designated to pay the mortgage through October. The balance of the operating fund loan at this time is $10,785.00. If we give generously to others and for the building of God’s kingdom, He will find ways to bless us. We can never out give God. Jesus tells us to “give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38). Our giving will reap blessings. SPAGHETTI FOR THE SOUL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Presbyterian Squares’ new study compares life to a plate of spaghetti! The soul satisfying seasonings of faith, hope, and love can transform one’s attitude, outlook and actions. At 5:55 p.m. at the church, we begin with a supper of spaghetti, followed by our Bible study.
© Copyright 2024