Volume 39, Number 9
October 2014
Good News According to Sylvia
I remember the first time I took Holy
Communion. A tenor sang “Let Us
Break Bread Together” a cappella.
His clear timbre filled the vaulted
ceilings of the sanctuary. The Elders
reverently passed the trays of juice
and bread. The Pastor prayed with
great emotion. I was thirteen years
old. I cried all the way through Communion. Jesus and His death on the
cross stunned me. I still tear up at
times during Communion. That
Christ would die for me; His body
broken, His blood poured out for me
still touches a deep place in my soul.
Such is the love of God for us; for
each of us, that He would give His
life for us. “But God demonstrates
His own love for us in this: while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
Holy Communion is traced back to
the night that Jesus had gathered
with His disciples to share the Passover meal. The Passover meal celebrated the Israelites freedom from
slavery in Egypt. Jesus inaugurated
a new meaning; freedom from the
slavery of sin and death. Just as the
Passover, celebrated every year,
reminded Israel of God’s deliverance, so the Lord’s Supper, celebrated each month, remind us of
Christ’s death and resurrection.
However, each time we take the
bread and drink the cup by faith, we
do more than “just remember”. This
is not a memorial service. Rather, by
the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is
present in a real and living sense.
That is one reason it is called
“Communion”; we are in communion
with Jesus Christ. He meets us at
His table. He ministers to us at His
table. If we allow Him, He will wash
our feet.
Another reason we call the Lord’s
Supper, Communion, is that through
this meal we are in communion with
our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This is a communal meal, not a private act. Together we direct our attention on the cross of Christ. Together we beg for forgiveness. Together we praise Christ for the gift of
eternal life.
One of the most meaningful moments on John’s and my trip to the
Holy Lands, was celebrating Communion at the Garden Tomb. As
our small group took the bread and
drank the cup, other groups from
around the world were there, also
taking the bread and cup. We
could hear these other groups in
different parts of the Garden singing songs of praise in German,
French and Korean. The Living
Lord, the Lord of all the nations,
was present and real.
World Wide Communion Sunday is
October 5th. MPC will begin our
two worship services at 9:00 and
10:30 on that Sunday. But also in
spirit we will gather together with
believers from around the world to
worship this Christ, “. . . who loved
me and gave His life for me.” Gal
2:20
In Christ,
Pastor Sylvia
October Sermons
Two Services 9:00 and 10:30 am
October 5
“Paradox: The Eternal Sacrifice in Time”
Philippians 2:1-11
October 12
“Paradox: Working on Letting God Work”
Philippians 2:12-18
October 19
“Paradox: Giving In Order to Receive”
Philippians 2:19-30
October 26
“Paradox: Losing Everything to Gain Life”
Philippians 3:1-10
*On October 5th, we will celebrate World Wide Communion Sunday this
year by focusing on MPC’s missions and ministries in East Africa including special music and testimonies of MPC’s work in Ethiopia, Zambia,
and Tanzania. If you have any African garb, please wear it this morning.
Multnomah Announcer
Page 2
Pastor/Staff
Appreciation
October 26th
Fall Cleanup Day
Saturday October 4th will be the annual Fall Cleanup Day at MPC. Please
feel free to come and help out any
time between 9 am and 12 pm. A light
lunch will be provided.
Some of the indoor tasks we have will
include things such as clearing those
pesky spider webs from corners and
base boards, cleaning of kitchen appliances and dusting window sills and
other surfaces.
For the outdoor enthusiasts there will
be bark chips to stir up, bushes to trim,
ivy to cut back from trees, sprucing up
the several gardens around the
church, gutters to clean and the always popular washing the windows on
the exterior of the building.
If you have any tools or specialty
equipment that may help with any of
these projects, please feel free to
bring them along and demonstrate
your skills with them.
You do not need to stay the whole
time, but any help would be greatly
appreciated.
If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact Randy McCourt (503
452-1547) or Dennis Zerba (503 2455605)
It is the time of year again when we
need to take time out of our busy
schedules and thank pastors and
staff at Multnomah Presbyterian
Church. Granted, we should do this
more than once a year, but it’s nice to
have a specific day for people to
share their love and thanks with Pastor John, Pastor Sylvia, Director of
Youth & Children Ministries Heather
Hellman, Music Ministries Director
Ray McKean, Office Manager Edith
Alben, Custodian Carlos Peña, and
Nursery Care provider Sharr McCoy.
Yes, there are many other volunteers
that help MPC function and remain a
caring, loving place (and they should
be thanked often!). But on this day
we are celebrating our paid staff. If
you wish, please bring a card to express your gratitude for the people
mentioned above. Baskets will be
available in Fellowship Hall. We will
also have cake at coffee hour following the 10:30 service. Please take
time to thank each of these wonderful
people for their time and dedication
to help us learn about God, to care
for others and to be a strong, Christcentered family.
Elders and Deacons for the Class of
2017 are scheduled to be elected on
November 2. The new officer threeyear terms start in January. The
Congregational Nominating Committee is seeking your prayers and help
for names of individuals to consider
for these positions. Contact me at
[email protected], 503-2466515 or any other member of the
Committee.
Congregational Nominating Committee
Mike Clopton, Chairperson
Fran Barth, Kathleen Loomis, Nancy
Trullinger, and Dan Williams
Session Activity
Approved application to Fred Meyer
Community Rewards program for
nonprofit organizations; apply 95% of
the proceeds to maintenance contingency and 5% to a mission account
to be identified.
Approved communion dates of September 7, October 5, November 2,
December 7 and January 4.
Met with staff and Deacons to discuss
goals and plans for the next year.
Autumn began, according to the calendar on September 23rd. This is a favorite time of year for those of us who love to see the fall colors, feel the coolness in the air, the harvest of summer memories and the thoughts of preparations for the season to come. There are many places in the city to see the fall
foliage. Perhaps we will enjoy a few more days of Indian Summer weather .
Oregon has many scenic roads, trails and State Parks where one can go and
be in awe of the "lavish" beauty God has provided. Here is where you can
insert your favorite picture of Autumn and reflect for a moment and praise
God.
Your Deacons
Page 3
October 2014
Do you shop at
Fred Meyer?
Help Needed
Facilities Maintenance Committee
MPC is registered with Fred Meyer
Community Rewards. If you link the
church to your Rewards card (Fred
Meyer's loyalty program), MPC gets a
donation based on the purchase
amount. You still get your personal
account credits. Links to FAQs and a
sign-up page are here: http://
www.fredmeyer.com/
company_information/
FM_Community/Pages/
community_rewards.aspx. MPC's organization number is 88436.
As we continue to enjoy the recent remodeling and additions to the church,
there is an increasing need to address the ongoing maintenance of all the
church facilities including the Open Door, parking lot and grounds. Some of the
items that need to be addressed may be one-time items while other items may
need to be done multiple times a year. Some need to be done now, while others
may be a few years away. Some of the items may just need willing volunteers to
provide some labor while other projects will require considerable financial resources and qualified contractors to complete the work.
To deal with this pressing need within the church, the Finance & Administration
Committee is soliciting volunteers to serve on a special MPC Facilities Maintenance Committee. This committee will be charged with putting together a planning document that will address present and future maintenance needs by identifying resource requirements (both financial and manpower) along with a proposed schedule to accomplish the identified tasks. The planning document
could be presented to Session and members of the church to help educate them
on the needs of MPC when it comes to maintaining our wonderful facilities. The
committee will also oversee all the ongoing maintenance activities associated
with the church.
The first organizational meeting of this committee is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, at 7 pm downstairs in Room 107 at the church. If you would be interested in serving on this committee, please contact Dennis Zerba (Cell:
503.710.7128 or Email: [email protected]). Even if you cannot attend the
first meeting but would be interested in serving on this committee, please let
Dennis know.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration on this matter.
Faith in Action Survey
Here are some of the answers to our survey! Thank you to all who participated. We encourage you to get involved in a
project that intrigues you.
Age group responders: More than half were over age 50. No one in the 20-30 age group completed the survey.
Did you feel satisfaction with what was accomplished with FIA this year: Most reported some level of satisfaction.
10% did not, and 13.3% left the question blank.
Do you think we should continue FIA: 93% said yes, and 7% not sure.
How long should the FIA commitment be: 56% thought 2 hours is ideal. 30% would commit 3 or 4 hours.
How about the number of FIA projects offered: 66.7% think the number is just right, but 23.3% feel there are too
many.
Are we connecting with people outside of our church enough: pretty evenly split—50% said no, and 46% said yes.
Is FIA one Sunday a year sufficient: 46.7% think we need to do FIA twice a year, and 26.7% think once a year is
fine.
Ideas about how to do FIA differently: No service but prayer before; not so many projects in one day; add one or
two new projects each year; do it quarterly; better descriptions of who/what/how/why on projects; spend time with shutins.
How can we improve outreach: Connect with neighborhood to do a project; pick local organizations like Neighborhood House, area schools, nursing homes and be a community partner; advertise our church; have name tags.
Ideas for new projects: More outreach to military families; Stevens Crossing; VBS follow up with activities for kids
and parents; God Squad—ready to help when needed; addressing older members’ needs; Hispanic service; involvement with Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc.; Friends of Gabriel Park or Ash Creek Neighborhood Assoc.
Printed copies are available at the Welcome Counter.
Multnomah Announcer
Page 4
Alaska Reflections
By Jenifer Aberle
When I first heard about the first mission to Alaska, I wondered: what is
this about? Why go to Alaska? Is this
worthwhile? It didn't involve building
houses, nor serving in a “foreign”
place, as I was accustomed to.
As I learned about it, and my oldest
son (who had also gone to Mexico to
build houses and help out at an orphanage), returned from the first trip
with good reports, I began to understand the value of this mission. Five
years later, having gone on the trip
myself, there is no doubt in my mind
that the trips to Alaska are at least as
valuable, as the typical youth group
mission to build houses in a developing country.
made our way down the street. His
family is from the Philippines, and
they move from place to place,
sometimes coming to Skagway to
work in the summer. His family had
recently arrived this season, but he
still wasn't sure if they would stay the
whole summer or leave after a week.
A number of the seasonal workers
are from different countries as well as
different states, and their transient life
-styles make the opportunity to form
meaningful relationships and our continuing commitment especially beneficial.
This mission is one that our youth
are well-suited for: building relationships and sharing their knowledge of
Jesus with their peers and younger
children. The youth practice these
skills every week at the Open Door
and every year at MPC's VBS.
Thanks to the internet they can continue in their support of the Skagway
kids throughout the year.
The on-going relationship we have
established is especially valuable for
the Skagway kids. As Heather has
mentioned, Skagway is a small community, providing few options for
activities and socializing, particularly
in the summer when most kids are
working full-time jobs, and also for
those kids whose families live yearround in Skagway. The summer is a
challenge for families also because
most parents are working long hours
during the tourist high-season.
Many of the kids are seasonal, coming to Skagway only during the high
season.
When we were running
around town doing the “Amazing
Race”, one of my team members
saw a friend from a previous summer,
and shouted a greeting. A block later, I realized he had joined us as we
Our mission in Skagway also provides an opportunity for our kids to
get to know these kids from different
churches and different places, from
Alaska and Pennsylvania to China
and India. Our youth benefit in other
ways as well. The kids do get to see
some fabulous sights and do some
great activities (either donated or discounted by the Skagway community),
but the trip also involves a lot of hard
work. While the work is not intense
physical labor, the hours are long and
skills such as teamwork, teaching,
group management, leadership, and
planning are very valuable and applicable to the kind of work they will likely do as adults.
If you have ever participated in VBS
at MPC, you know it requires a lot of
energy! In Skagway it requires even
more, as there are a lot of highenergy kids in a small spaces with
few resources. Our youth were
responsible for 50 young children
with minimal help from adults.
They were also the primary planners and leaders for the Youth
Group meetings we had every
night, where they made special
efforts to engage and relate to the
Skagway kids. They did such a
good job that as the week progressed Skagway's Pastor made
the ending time later and later.
Every day the kids participated in
meetings, where we reviewed the
previous activities and planned for
the next, similar to what happens
in many work settings. The kids
also were responsible for KP and
other cleaning duties on a daily
basis.
Not only was I impressed with
what the kids learned and accomplished on this trip, but also it was
amazing to see how Heather led
the group, how everything from
VBS to travel plans and activities
were well-organized, and how she
met unexpected bumps with creativity and grace. But best of all, it was
to watch her working with the kids;
caring, challenging and inspiring them
all (including those who are kids at
heart, like me).
Page 5
October 2014
Sunday School News - First Sundays
Kids will be in invited to participate in the service on the first Sunday of the
month. We will also bring kids up from their Sunday School classes
(Kindergarten through-5th grade) for communion time so they can observe and
or participate in the sacrament
Youth Group Schedule
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Middle School Youth
Thursdays at 7:00 pm High School Youth
Junior and Senior High School Sunday School
during the 10:30 Worship Service Each Sunday
High School
Survivor Weekend
October 10-12 High School Survivor Experience. We are camping at the Open
Door and playing the game of Survivor.
You will have a blast whether you survive
until the end or get kicked off of your tribe
and help with the production team. It will
be a great weekend! The cost is $40 for
everything.
Corn Maze Trip
We will be headed to the maze of
corn this month. Watch for details
at youth group and during Youth
Alpha on Sunday Mornings. It’s
too early to give you the price and
time, as we are still setting it up
with the Pumpkin Patch, but it will
be late October.
Alaska News
October 21st our monthly 2nd
through 5th grade youth group
will meet again. Good News
Tues will meet from 6-7.30. We
have dinner together, play games
at the Open Door, do an art project and learn about God's love
for us. Drop off is at the Open
Door and pick up is in the main
building by the downstairs kitchen.
The Holiday
Lock - In is Coming!
Our annual pre-Christmas All Nighter
for high school and middle school is
coming, and it’s never too early to start
looking for your ugly Christmas Sweater. Friday, December 19th is when the
festivities will take place, so mark your
calendars.
We heard great news from our
friends in Skagway. A local business woman wants to hold a
fundraiser to help fund our return
next summer. This person is
from the local community and
not the church itself. This is awesome! We also found out that
some missionaries we worked
with are going to stay there for
the whole year, and start a regular youth group with the church.
The work you have supported is
growing and growing, as God’s
kingdom grows in Skagway.
Multnomah Announcer
Page 6
Presbyterian
Women's Fellowship
Fall is here and Presbyterian Women
is in full swing! Last month was our
kick-off meeting, and we got things off
to a rolling start. We are beginning a
new bible study for the year, Ready or
Not: Following God's Call, which focuses on the books of Ruth and Jonah.
Portland/Metro East
Volunteers Needed!
Trillium Court Habitat for Humanity will be the first Habitat houses
built in southwest Portland. These
homes are scheduled for completion in
the summer of 2015 and will provide
stability and shelter for seven local families including 21 children. But between
now and then many hours of volunteer
labor is needed! With your help we can
make the dream of homeownership
become a reality for seven families right
here in our community.
Building will begin on November 8th and
22nd beginning at 8:30 am. Volunteer at
the building site and hammer nails,
paint walls, haul bark dust and change
the life of a local family. No previous
construction experience necessary.
For more information please contact:
[email protected]
Habitat for Humanity helps to build affordable, not-for-profit houses so that
families are freed up to pay for adequate food, child care, medicine and
other necessities. Habitat is transforming the lives of more than 3 million people around the world! Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Our mission is to put God’s love into action by
bringing people together to build
homes, communities and hope.
(All volunteers need to be 16 years
of age or older. Volunteers under 18
must be accompanied by an adult.)
1 Theresa Soumokil
2 Kristen Young
3 Carlos Pena, Jr.
Ryan Soumokil
5 Fred Kinsley
6 Ann Lemon
Linda Miille
7 Kathy McCourt
12 Karen Beers
15 Patricia Bell
Barry Thomas
18 Chester Hill
19 Sue Williams
22 Mary Jean Baumhofer
22 Emily Megarry
Callie Wheeler
23 Lisa Bode
24 Ruth Croft
26 Doug Sedwick
27 Shari Erickson
28 Dennis Erickson
31 Jack Bertell
Richard Eyberg
Elaine Lyons
We are also beginning to think about
this year's projects and programs,
such as the Women's Spring Tea.
If you have not been to our group before, we urge you to give us a try. We
are a little of everything for everyone,
and all are encouraged to come. We
meet the second Wednesday of each
month in the downstairs Fellowship
Hall at 11:45 for a bite to eat, a bible
study, and some amazing fellowship.
Baring your own sack lunch beverages are provided.
If you cannot make it to the meetings,
but would still like to participate in our
other goings-ons, or just to find out
what we're up to, please phone Kathleen Loomis at (503) 245-7452) or
email Shannon McKenzie at [email protected]
We would love to have every woman
at MPC part of our group in some
way.
Please keep those who can’t make it to
church each Sunday in your prayers:
Petie Biehler
Eleanor Caufield
Anna Dugan
Oneita Friese
Ron Hendricks
Bonnie Larson
Elaine Lyons
Catherine Nevin
Faye Quinn
Rosemary Roser
Lindy Sandstrom
Vic Smith
Ruth Sundby
Evelyn Walls
George Weidlich
Page 7
October 2014
Join a small group this Fall and find the joy of meeting with other brothers and sisters in Christ. In our small groups, together
we commit to studying scripture and caring for each other in deeds and prayers. It’s a simple format, but it can form deep
rooted relationships with each other and God. Look below for a group you would like to join and sign up on the Connect
Sheet, or at the Welcome Counter or email Sylvia: [email protected]
Daytime Small Groups
Tuesdays 10:00 am
Pastor’s Bible Class
Meet in the Chapel
Contact: John Dilworth (503 246-5459)
Thursdays 10:00 am
Women’s Bible Study
Meet at the home of Melissa Milnor
Contact: Melissa Milnor (614 783-7687)
Evening Small Groups
Wednesdays 7:00 pm
Pastor’s Bible Class
Meet downstairs
Contact: John Dilworth (503 246-5459)
Thursdays 7:00 pm
Men and Women Bible Study
Meet downstairs
Contact: Mark Trullinger (503 245-4388)
2nd Wednesday of each Month:
Noon
Presbyterian Women’s Bible Study
Meet downstairs
Contact: Kathleen Loomis (503 245-7452)
Fridays 6:30 am
Men’s Breakfast Study
Meet in the downstairs kitchen
Contact: Dave Tomastik (503 803-2089)
Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another—
another—and all
the more as you see the Day approaching.
approaching
Hebrews 10:25
Multnomah Announcer
Page 8
August
Financial Recap
August 2014 Year to date 2014
Income
$34,620.18
Expenses
28,640.00
Overall Total
5,980.18
First Friday
Book Group
The First Friday Book Group will be
reading a historical fiction novel for
our meeting in October (October 3rd).
The Last Runaway, by Tracy Chevalier, is the story of a young English
woman who leaves England for life
in the state of Ohio. This story involves quilt making, the Underground Railroad, and life as a Quaker woman in 1850. We will meet in
the downstairs fellowship room for
our discussion and potluck. EnglishAmerican food will be the potluck
theme. Come at 6:15, or before, and
dinner will begin at 6:30 PM.
Looking ahead to November 7th, the
book selected for this month, is the
classic, Slaughterhouse-Five, by
Kurt Vonnegut.
$241,406.55
238,790.18
Fall Party at
Slavin Court
October 30th 4:00—6:00 pm
Join us for food, fun and games with
our friends at this low income housing project
Contact Sylvia at 503 246-5459 for
more information.
2,616.37
Financial Review
Completed
In August, the Session brought in two
independent volunteer auditors with
strong backgrounds and experience
in church accounting, financial reporting and auditing. They submitted a
letter of findings and recommendations for the church to improve financial controls, consolidate programs of
the church within the annual operating budget, ensure security of personnel and contribution records, and
develop written policies guiding the
use of funds. The Finance and Administration Committee is reviewing
their recommendations.
Experienced
Volunteer Furniture
Finisher Needed
If you enjoy refinishing furniture the
church office might have a project for
you. We have a sturdy unfinished
pine storage cart in our front office
that currently has no finish . We
would like someone to put a rich dark
finish on this piece of furniture so that
it will blend with the other furniture in
the office. The cost of materials will
be reimbursed.
If you are interested, please contact
Edith in the church office
at 503 246-5459
or email [email protected].
Each month everyone is invited to
drop-in for the conversation, dinner,
and fun.
For more information,
please call or text, Karen Beers, 503
-799-8170, or Nancy Trullinger’s
email is [email protected]. Welcome!
Our
Depression
Support
Groups meet on the fourth
Sunday of each month.
(September 28) following the
10:30 worship service. Questions or comments?
Contact Dave Meyer
at 971-271-7086
We invite you to join us for prayer
night, Tuesdays at 7 pm, upstairs
in the Chapel. If you are in need of
prayer or know someone who is,
please let a prayer team member
know. We also encourage you to
come and be prayed for after worship
on Sundays.
Page 9
October 2014
September Snap Shots
Above: Families with Young Children gather for “The Last BBQ of Summer on September 12th.
Below: Wednesday at the Well resumed on September 17. Diners enjoyed “Falafel” a middle eastern specialty.
Multnomah Announcer
Page 10
Special October Events
Two Worship Services
9:00 and 10:30 am
Each Sunday beginning October 5th
Wednesday, October 29
Sunday, October 12
FUN FALL FESTIVAL
Fall Hike
Fun for the whole church family!
Following the 10:30 Worship Service
Bring your own sack lunch and water.
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
19255 SW Pacific Highway (99-W)
Sherwood, OR
(Sorry, no dogs allowed at the Refuge)
7555 SW 45th Ave.
Portland, OR 97219
Dinner at 6:00 pm Costume Party 6:30-7:30
All ages, from babies to seniors, are invited to come and celebrate at this Fall
Festival.
We will have dinner together at 6:00 (a special W@W menu) followed by a
costume party from 6:30 – 7:30. (Choir and classes will resume at 7:30). Prizes for best costume will be given for different age categories. Pumpkins will
be decorated. Intergenerational games will be played. Can kids and seniors
enjoy each other’s company? You bet we can as we build teams across the
generational divides. So Dad and Mom, kids and teens, singles and marrieds, Grandmas and Grandpas, with or without kids, come to our Fun Fall
Festival and have a blast. And don’t forget to wear a costume or a wig or crazy make-up or a mask . . . otherwise one will be provided. Cost: $5 per person for dinner plus a non-perishable food item to give toward our T-Day food
boxes. ($20 maximum cost for dinner per family)
Choir and classes will resume @ 7:30