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November 4, 2014
The purpose of Moorpark Presbyterian Church is to glorify God and to help people become
fully-committed, joyful disciples of Jesus Christ.
Ministry Staff:
From Pastor Mark’s office:
Head Pastor:
Rev. Dr. Mark McIlraith
Associate Pastor:
Rev. Janet Loughry
Parish Associate:
Rev. Dr. Daryl FisherOgden
Youth Minister:
Dave Hubbard
Youth Assistant:
Michelle Petersen
Acting Children’s
Ministries Director:
Kara Ayers
Worship Director:
Kristin Giffin
Small Group Coordinator:
Dan Crane
Music Director:
Steve Lady
It was so exciting for me to see all the new faces that joined our church this past
Sunday! This reminds me that you are such a warm, welcoming congregation! As MPC
grows and welcomes in more and more people, I am dreaming with our leadership teams
how we can better think outside ourselves as we continue to invite non-church attendees
into our midst and help visitors become eager to make this church their home. This is a
wonderful (and easy) way to grow in Christ together. To that end, you have noticed some
small adjustments to a few of the things we do in worship and other areas. This sort of
change is positive as we keep the “outsider’s” perspective at the forefront of our strategy.
At the same time, I acknowledge that change isn’t always easy. As a matter of
fact, there is always loss with change, and so many of you may be feeling a sense of
discomfort or even grief. As we step into a new future together, there are those in our
congregation who likely sense this loss in spite of being surrounded by our excitement for
newness. The complex issue is that we are poising this church for growth, which means
we are changing how we’ve always done things.
Remember: any one of us would feel incredibly uncomfortable at someone else’s
family reunion. With this reality in mind, please know I am always open to hear ideas about
ways to take all of our ministry areas to the next level with the “outsider” in
mind. To that end, feel free to drop me an email, give me a phone call, or set up
an appointment. You are also welcome to connect with one of our elders, too.
I am thrilled to be part of this new adventure as we embark on the voyage
Christ has set out before us. Thank you for the blessing and
privilege of doing ministry with you!
Godspeed,
(To reach the staff, call the
office at 805-529-8422)
Sunday Morning
Worship: 8:15 & 10:45
Sunday School: 9:35
Visit our website:
www.mppres.org
You can:
- view sermons
- see the MPC calendar
- read/search an on-line
NIV and KJ Bible
- Read the weekly
newsletter
- find out about all our
group activities
- see bios on our staff,
elders, and deacons
Pastor Mark McIlraith
Along with our Sunday School classes for children and youth, MPC also offers 4
adult classes at 9:35 between Sunday worship services. Pastor Janet teaches,
“Treasure” – a discussion about what we invest our lives in – in Room 11. “Faith
Commander” is a trip through some of the Bible’s parables with the Robertson family of
Duck Dynasty facilitated by Tom Flitsch, Mike Fehrenbacher, and Doug Fair in the Music
Room. Parish Associate Daryl Fisher-Ogden is teaching on the gospel of Mark in
Wilkinson Hall, and Todd and Christie Eckert are covering a book study on “Higher Love:
Discovering God’s Design for your Marriage,” in Room 8.
NEW! There are two wonderful church-family events coming up near the end of
November: 1) Our all-church Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. is a
warm, wonderful, BIG family-sized, traditional Thanksgiving meal together and 2) Our
family Advent Workshop on Sunday morning, November 31, during the Sunday School
hour. At the Workshop, each family gets to make an Advent Wreath with candles and fresh
greens. Make to sign up for both activities this Sunday after services!
In these difficult times, our country and
military need our prayers and support.
Join us on Veteran’s Day for
Drop in and Pray
Tuesday, November 11th
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Moorpark Presbyterian Church Sanctuary
Stop in to say an individual prayer or
pray with others.
MPC Women’s Ministries invites you to a:
CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
Celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Saturday, December 6, 2014
9:00 am to 11:30 am in Wilkinson Hall
→ The Children's Choir will come sing to us and we
have a very special speaker scheduled.
→ A Free-Will offering will be taken to support the
Women's Ministries Scholarship Fund
→ We will also be accepting donations to support
Community Pregnancy Center (CPC).
CPC's urgent needs are: Size 4 - 6 Diapers and Wipes
Sign-ups have begun! Come to the Women’s
Ministries table on Sunday mornings after services.
Start at the Heart
Prepare your home & heart for Jesus’
birth. . . one candle at a time!
Family Advent
Workshop
November 30, $15/Family
9:30-10:35 Sunday morning
Wilkinson Hall
50+ Adventures
Coming Events!
Breakfast & Bocce Ball, 9 AM–11AM
Saturday, Nov. 22, Tierra Rejada Park
$5 per person
Sign up between services Nov. 2, 9,
and 16.
Christmas Potluck Dinner and Gift
Exchange, 6:30 PM, Friday, Dec. 5,
Wilkinson Hall at MPC
Sign up between services Nov. 16, 23,
and 30.
We hope that you’ll join us for both of
these events! Bring a friend!!
For more information, contact
Ted and Linda Dahl
Information and activities for the whole congregation
Ministry Teams Meet November 18
NEW! Much of what happens in and
through our congregation starts with the
Ministry Teams. Ministry Teams meet
Tuesday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m. at
the church with the exception of the
Mission Outreach, Worship Ministry and
Facilities teams which meet at 7:00 p.m. Childcare is
provided from 7:15 - 9:00 p.m. Please call the leader of the
Ministry Team for more information: Christian Education,
Holly Gratke; Communications, Roy Smith; Evangelism,
Todd Eckert; Facilities, Roger Kahle; Fellowship, Kathy Paul;
Integration and Discipleship, Dan Luebbert; Mission
Outreach, John Colvin; Stewardship, Jim Petersen; Worship,
Shane Judd. Come bring your ideas and lend a hand!
Faith in Christ Ministries Trip
NEW! This Thanksgiving, express your thanks to God by
helping other less fortunate - be part of our upcoming volunteer
opportunity at Faith in Christ Ministries in LA. As we’ve
done in previous years, we’ll go down to assist FiC in
preparing their Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless and
needy in their area during Thanksgiving week. On Monday,
November 24, meet at the MPC parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and
we’ll car-pool down. We’ll be back at 3:00 p.m. Please let Bill
Moellering know you’re coming.
Operation Christmas Child
With Samaritan’s Purse, we are gathering
shoeboxes filled with small toys, school
supplies, and toiletries. Boxes can be
picked up now and returned to the
Mission Outreach Room, tagged for a boy
or a girl and when the box is returned by
this Sunday, November 9. Please include in the box a check
for $7 to cover the cost of shipping the box to its recipient.
Santa Barbara Mission Conference
NEW! THE THIRD THIRD OF LIFE. Retirement is a
misleading idea. Looking at purpose, passion, experience,
relationships, and renewal, Fuller Seminary’s Walter Wright
probes the questions that shape meaning and resilience in life
as we move forward in retirement years. His workshop is one
of eleven in the 13th annual Santa Barbara Mission
Conference, which takes place Friday evening, January 23,
and all day Saturday, January 24, at First Presbyterian
Church, Santa Barbara. Register by going online at
sbmissionconference.org or by picking up and completing a
brochure at any of the churches in the Santa Barbara
Presbytery, at Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara,
Montecito Covenant Church, or Coast Community Church of
the Nazarene.
Session Meets November 11
NEW! Session meets next week on Tuesday, November 11,
at 6:45 p.m., in Room 11. For more information, contact
Pastor Mark McIlraith (805-529-8422, x1).
Mental Health, Addictions and Post
Traumatic Stress Support Group
NEW! If you would like to be supported and cared for by others
whose lives are impacted by mental health concerns, addiction
or post-traumatic stress, please join us on Friday, November
14, at 7:00 p.m., in Room 11. We respect each individual’s
anonymity and offer Christ-filled communal support. We meet
the second Friday night of each month. There is hope! On
hand will be Julie Cast, a Licensed Marriage and Family
Therapist, Gail Beeker, a volunteer group leader at the
National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Carolin Migliazzo, a
student at Fuller Seminary with family experience with mental
illness and addiction. Check out our blog resources:
http://hopempc.wordpress.com/.
Joyful Ringers Need You!
Installation Service Video
NEW! If you weren’t able to come to Pastor Mark’s wonderful
Installation Service on October 19, there is a link to the video
both on our website under the sermon tab or use this link
here.
MPC bell choir, Joyful Ringers, is looking for music readers to
join them! Can you read music? Join the bell choir!
Rehearsals are in the Music Room (in the Sanctuary
basement) at 7:15 on Monday nights. For more information,
contact Joslyn Tillar or Karen.
Now Accepting Applications for…
We are currently looking for a Children’s Ministries Director
to take over leadership of our Children’s Ministry programs in
September. If you or someone you know would like to apply,
information and application forms are available in the church
office as well as on-line on our website at:
http://www.mppres.org/pages/positions.html
Completed
applications may be brought to the office, or given to Holly
Gratke at [email protected].
MPC Expressive Art Workshop
The MPC Expressive Art Workshop meets on the
2ndSaturday of each month in the downstairs Music Room from
9:30 a.m. to no later than noon. Please RSVP to Julie Cast
who will prepare the materials for each class. For more
information contact Julie Cast. You can leave a message, an
e-mail or a text. NOTE: The next class meeting is
scheduled for this Saturday, November 8. Please RSVP by
Wednesday, November 5.
(February 6-8, 2015). Please visit the Women’s Ministries
Table between services to find more information on both of
these upcoming events.
The Word Store
The Word Store ministry encourages us to store God's
word in our hearts; and as we cooperate with God, He
causes us to grow in love and grace. All of the verses
selected for 2014 have been set to
music and come from album 7, Not
One Falls, in the Hide the Word series
by Mark Altrogge and are taken from
the English Standard Version (ESV). Copies of the cd
are available at the website below for $12. Music can
be a huge help in memorizing scripture!
http://www.forevergratefulmusic.com/not_one_falls.htm
The Word Store Verse for November is #11 on the Not
One Falls cd. The verse is from Deuteronomy 32:4
18“The
Women’s Ministries Sign-ups Begin
Sign-ups have begun for the Women’s Ministries Christmas
Brunch (December 6) and the 2015 Women’s Retreat
Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves the crushed in spirit.
19Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
All Church Family
Thanksgiving Dinner
Sunday, November 23, 5:00 p.m.
(in Wilkinson Hall)
Sign up this Sunday at the Fellowship table after service!
For more information contact:
Kathy Paul
([email protected])
or
Joan Johnson
([email protected])
Small Groups, 50+ Adventures (Senior Ministries), Women’s Ministries, Men’s Ministries and MOPS
50+ Adventures (Senior Ministries)
Coordinators Ted and Linda Dahl
Breakfast & Bocce Ball, 9 AM - 11 AM, Saturday, Nov. 22, Tierra Rejada Park
This event is back, by popular demand! Join us for continental breakfast and lots of fun! Sign up between services Nov.
2, 9, and 16 or e-mail Ted or Linda Dahl.
Christmas Potluck Dinner and Gift Exchange, 6:30 PM, Friday, Dec. 5, Wilkinson Hall at MPC
We'll gather for good food, fellowship and Christmas cheer! Sign up between services Nov. 16, 23, and 30 or e-mail Ted
or Linda Dahl.
MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers)
For information call: Nicole Grimes or Melissa Ingemunson ([email protected])
MOPS is designed to nurture every mother with children from infancy through
kindergarten. MOPS recognizes that the years from infancy through kindergarten are
foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs. MOPS offers moms
the opportunity to share concerns, explore areas of creativity, and hear information on topics that
equip them for the responsibilities of family and community. MOPS is about celebrating motherhood, meeting needs,
making connections and experiencing God’s love through relationships and resources. The Moorpark MOPS group
meets on the first and third Fridays of the month from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., with the next meeting being this Friday,
November 7. For more information, contact Nicole Grimes or Melissa Ingemunson ([email protected]).
Do you have a heart for young mothers? MOPS needs you for a Mentor Mom! Contact Bonnie Boe for
more information (805-529-8422 or [email protected])
Men’s Ministries
For information call: Tom Flitsch
NEW! The Men’s Ministries team will have its monthly meeting Tuesday, November 25, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 8. Any
men are welcome to attend. For information call Tom Flitsch.
The Men’s Wednesday Small Group Bible Study meets at The Grinder in Moorpark each Wednesday at 6:45 a.m.
For more information contact Mark Parker or Dean May. All men are welcome!
Women’s Ministries
Coordinator Janet Stark and Tracy Flitsch
NEW! The next Women’s Ministries meeting is Sunday, November 16, after 2nd service in Room 11. All women are
invited to attend.
NEW! Join us on Saturday, December 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Wilkinson Hall for breakfast as we spend
time together celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Children's Choir will sing for us and we have
a very special speaker scheduled. A free-will offering will be taken to support the Women's Ministries Scholarship Fund
and we will also be accepting donations to support Community Pregnancy Center (CPC). CPC's urgent needs are: Size 4
- 6 Diapers and Wipes. Sign-ups have begun! Come to the Women’s Ministries table on Sunday mornings after
services.
More MPC Activities:
Mondays:
Tuesdays:
Handbell Choir Practice. Contact info: Kristin Giffin ([email protected])
Women’s Bible Study. Meets each Tuesday in Room 11. Contact info: Tracey Flitsch
Prayer Meeting in Pastor Janet Loughry’s office. Contact info: Pastor Janet Loughry (805-529-8422,
x2)
7:00 p.m. “Renew” Junior and Senior High Youth Group. Contact info: Youth Minister Dave Hubbard
([email protected]).
Wednesdays: 6:45 a.m. Men’s Small Group Wednesday Bible Study. Contact info: Mark Parker or Dean May. The group meets
at The Grinder restaurant in Moorpark.
10:00 a.m. Community Bible Study (CBS). Women’s weekly in-depth Bible study. Contact info: Diane Henderson
Thursdays: 5:30 p.m. MPC Kids Chorale practice. Contact info: Worship Director Kristin Giffin ([email protected])
6:30 p.m. Worship Band Practice. Contact info: Worship Director Kristin Giffin ([email protected])
Sundays:
9:30 a.m. The Living Voice Ensemble practice. Contact info: Steve Lady ([email protected])
7:15 p.m.
9:15 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
7 (Fri)
9:00 a.m.
8 (Sat)
11(Tue)
9:30 a.m.
5:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
14 (Fri)
7:00 p.m.
16 (Sun)
17 (Mon)
18 (Tue)
12:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
20 (Thu)
21 (Fri)
7:30 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
22 (Sat)
23 (Sun)
24 (Mon)
25 (Tue)
27 (Thu)
28 (Fri)
29 (Sun)
7:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
5:00 p.m.
8:30 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
NOVEMBER
MOPS (Mother of Pre-Schoolers). Contact persons are Nicole Grimes and
Melissa Ingemunson ([email protected]).
Expressive Art Workshop. Contact person is Julie Cast
Drop in and Pray (for our servicemen and servicewomen).
T.N.T. (Tuesday Nights Together). Contact person is Holly Gratke
([email protected]) Optional dinner at 5:00 p.m.
Session Meeting. Contact person is Rev. Dr. Mark McIlraith (805-529-8422,
x1)
Mental Health, Addictions, & PTS Support Group. Contact person is
Carolin Migliazzo
Women’s Ministries meeting. Contact persons are Tracey Flitsch and Janet Stark
Military Families Support Group. Contact person is Gary Belie
T.N.T. (Tuesday Nights Together) – last one in the series. Contact person is Holly Gratke
([email protected]) Optional dinner at 5:00 p.m.
Ministry Teams Meet. Contact the person in charge of each Ministry Team for more information.
Prayer Shawl Ministry. Contact person is Sue Wesner
MOPS (Mother of Pre-Schoolers). Contact persons are Nicole Grimes and Melissa Ingemunson
([email protected]).
Renovare. Contact person is Dennis Migliazzo
50+ Adventures Bocce Ball & Breakfast. Contact persons are Ted and Linda Dahl
All-Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner. Contact person is Kathy Paul ([email protected])
Faith in Christ Ministries trip. Contact person is Bill Moellering
Men’s Ministries meeting. Contact person is Tom Flitsch ([email protected])
Thanksgiving Day – Church Office Closed
Church Office Closed
ADVENT 1, Family Advent Workshop. Contact person is Kara Ayers ([email protected])
Children’s Ministries Page
Come to Our Celebration Programs!
What is my child learning after the Children’s sermon?
Every Sunday, all ages have a place just for them to help them
grow in worshiping God. Wee Celebrate – Every Sunday in
room 3, is where 3 yr olds – Kindergarteners have a short
worship time tailored to their little hearts and minds, full of
simple songs, ways to participate (who gets to light the candle
today?) and a Bible story.
Celebration Circle – 1st and 3rd Sundays in Room 4
is where 1st – 3rd graders learn about God by studying Psalms
with lots of fun activities!
Praise & Celebrate – 2nd and 4th Sundays in Room
11 is where 1st – 5th graders continue their worship time looking
at God’s promises and what that means to them. Fun music
and good discussion!
All ages can grow in worshiping our truly amazing Lord!
Come, join us, as we praise and celebrate Him!
Serve “Behind the Scenes”
NEW! Would you like to serve
“behind the scenes” in Children’s
Ministries?
In the next few
months, there is much to prepare
for the Advent workshop and
Christmas events! Do you enjoy
putting together crafts? Do you
have the gift of teaching, and would like to help create fun
activities for the children of this congregation? Please see
Kara at the Children’s Ministries table on Sundays. Or contact
Kara by phone or email (805-506-9916, [email protected]).
Don’t Miss Out on TNT!
What “fruits” are being fed to your child? Join us Tuesday
nights for TNT (Tuesday nights together) to find out about the
Christ-like “fruit” God promises for His children! 1st – 5th
graders from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. with optional dinner at 5:00
p.m. Join us for live music, games, and small group fun as we
study the Fruit of the Spirit. Register Sundays at the Children’s
Ministries table or download form here. Contact Holly Gratke
with any questions ([email protected]).
Thanksgiving Joy
NEW! Start Thanksgiving early &
grow joy in your home! Start
intentionally giving thanks to God
way before Thanksgiving Day: Place
a small basket or decorated jar in
the center of your dinner table, and
help your children cut out leaf
shapes from red, orange and brown
paper. Keep a crayon or pencil
handy so that at dinner time each
day, you can add a new, specific
blessing thanking and praising God.
Parents, keep in mind that thankfulness is a learned discipline
and one that is good regardless of age. An attitude of gratitude
reminds us that we are dependant on God. Thankfulness cures
any discontent we have and fosters joy—and who doesn’t want
a little more joy?
Advent Workshop, November 30
NEW! Let’s make this the biggest Advent Family
Workshop ever!! Bring the Light of God’s Word into your
home this Christmas! Come to MPC’s Advent Family
Workshop on Sunday, November 30th, from 9:30-10:35 a.m in
Wilkinson Hall. Create a fresh, evergreen Advent wreath for
your home for only $15 per wreath. Please register early so
fresh greens can be ordered. Invite your family, friends and
neighbors to discover the rich meanings behind the Advent
Season. Advent wreaths are a wonderfully effective devotional
“tool” for families as their candles literally shine with a growing
anticipation and understanding of Christ’s birth in a way that
reaches a child’s heart. This workshop is best shared as a
family so it will take the place of our children’s Sunday School
classes (3 years – 5th grade) that day. For safety reasons, all
children will need to be accompanied by a parent or
responsible teen in order to attend. Remember to stop by the
Children’s Ministries table this Sunday—extra flyers are
available to give to neighbors and friends! For questions or to
pre-register, talk to Kara Ayers. Nursery care will be provided
for children 3 years and under in Rooms 1 & 2.