March, 2011
Spring Valley Presbyterian Church 125 Sparkleberr y Lane - Colum bia, SC 29229
NEWS & updates
Dates to Remember
the season of Lent... Dear Friends,
Mar 9 - Ash Wednesday
As we move into March we begin to move into the Lenten Season. Lent is a time of preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus. The cross and the resurrection stand at the heart of our faith. Lent invites us to make preparations for remembering what Christ has done for us in his death, and to celebrate his victory over death on Easter morning.
Service Mar 11- Jr. & Sr. Highs
Winter Jam Mar 12 - Daylight
Savings time begins
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which is March 9. Lent lasts for 40 days, not counting Sundays. The biblical Mar 16 - Thornwell Café significance of 40 days is based on the 40 years Israel spent in the wilderness and Jesus’ forty day fast in the wilderness after his Mar 18 - Green baptism. We will have a service of the imposition of ashes at 6:30 in the committee book sale Sanctuary on March 9. Lent continues to Holy Week which begins with Palm starts. Sunday on April 17. Mar 19 - PLAN-A During Lent I will be preaching from Romans 8. I will be following along with the Mar 13 - Strikers
SVPC drama presentation
Mar 20 - PLAN-A
SVPC drama presentation Mar 27 - Youth Sunday
Inside Session Minutes APNC Report Schedule & updates
themes being studied during those weeks in the Equipping the Saints class. The dates, texts, and themes from Equipping the Saints are as follows: March 6 – Romans 8:12-17 – The theme is “Trinity” March 13 – Romans 8:18-25 – The theme is “Maker of Heaven and Earth” March 20 – Romans 8:26-30 – The theme is “Providence” March 27 – Youth Sunday. The youth will be leading the service. April 3 – Romans 8:31-39 – The theme is “Atonement and Reconciliation” April 11 – Romans 8:1-11 – The theme is “Resurrection and the Holy Spirit” As we move into this special season, let us take time to pray and reflect on the life of Christ, and all we have received in grace. I am continuing my Tuesday lunch-time Bible studies as an opportunity to reflect with me on the texts for the following Sundays. Romans chapter 8 is for me one of the special places in scripture and I pray that this series will be helpful for you in your Lenten preparations.
Visit us on the web at In Christ, Jack svpc.org
S ESSION MINUTES Condensed Minutes of the Session, February 20, 2011 Finance Report Del Rosebrock reviewed the financial report. He noted that we came in under budget in 2010 and informed the Session that the excess funds will go toward Missions and Outreach Ministry in 2011. Also, he noted that the “Supplement to Annual Report – Building and Capital Campaign Report” was inadvertently left out of the report to the congregation and will be included in a future bulletin. Ministry of Mission and Outreach: Two Action Items Motion 1: The Thornwell Committee would like to hold a café fundraiser on Wednesday March 16th. All proceeds would go to Thornwell The motion carried. Motion 2: The Green Committee would like to hold a donated/used book sale fundraiser March 18th-28th. Proceeds would go to purchase recycling containers for the church. The motion carried.
New Business The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee discussed the work they have done over the past eight months and noted they have narrowed down their search to several candidates with one candidate being a strong frontrunner Ministry Reports: Ministry of Stewardship: Terry Wade noted that Stewardship is focused on how we can draw more people to church. One Stewardship suggestion is to make the church more attractive from the street. Updated landscaping, including removal of the pine trees and installing an electronic sign, is being considered. Initial inquiries into the cost were 3 times higher than expected. More research will be done in this area. Also, the use of social media (possibly including Facebook and Twitter) to help promote the church is being considered. Cathy Reisch is consulting with Stewardship on this approach. Ministry of Worship & Congregation: Jack noted that the response to the kneeling bench utilized at the last
Communion was very good. A better location for the bench is being considered. Ministry of Christian Education: Linda Brown noted great results from the Souper Bowl Service Blitz. Also 22 have signed up for the Senior High Trinity Montreat Trip. The revised bylaws for the preschool will be presented at the next Session meeting. The April 13th café will be a fundraiser night for the Youth. Ministry of Community: Ted Rausch noted that the Decorating and Furnishings Committee has been reconfigured into the “Design Committee”. The committee has architects, decorators, etc. – actual professionals in this area to assist. Ted also noted there is a need for a lead person to oversee the Memorial Garden. He also made a security request to remind everyone that the hall door at the back of the church outside Potts Fellowship Hall needs to be locked on Wednesday nights as soon as dinner is over (around 7:00pm).
ASSOCIATE PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE The position we have been charged to fill is that of Associate Pastor for Christian Education. Working with appropriate committees of session, under the direct supervision of the Pastor, and working collegially with staff for Children’s and Youth Ministry, the Associate Pastor will have responsibility to plan and implement a Christian Education ministry for the entire congregation. The ministry will be Christcentered, Biblically based, in the Reformed tradition. Major areas of responsibility include: Recruit and train leadership Plan and implement a
comprehensive, coordinated education and nurture ministry for adults including and beyond Sunday School Supervise and direct the Children’s and Youth Ministry staff to create a comprehensive educational ministry for all ages Create new opportunities for Young Adult ministry and Family Ministry Participate in worship through preaching and leading worship as assigned by the pastor Pastoral care as directed by the pastor We had reviewed many PIFs and were working our way through the
paperwork on the journey to determine who God has called to help lead us. Currently, we have sifted through the vast numbers of interested candidates, and during the month of February have narrowed down our search to a list of 3 highly qualified candidates. We are currently working towards a resolution.
We ask for your prayers for the committee as we continue on our search, understanding that we are not simply hiring a staff member, we are looking for the person that God has called to SVPC to help us all on our faith journey.
F INANCE R EPORT
S TEWARDSHIP
Supplement to Annual Report Building Fund and Capital Campaign Report 12/31/2010
Building Fund-Annual
Run with Perseverance Campaign
Mortgage balance at 12/31/2010 Monthly payment Interest Rate Maturity Date
STEWARDSHIP ALL YEAR LONG
Spring Valley Presbyterian Church is your community.
Building Fund Balance 1/1/2010
Funds Received in 2010
Mortgage Payments in 2010
Building Fund Balance 12/31/2010
113,556
276,231
258,817
130,970
Total Pledges
Received Through 12/31/10
Balance Due
1,012,602
704,218
308,384
2,589,392 21,568 5.95% June 8, 2013
VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT HAPPEN AT
SOUPER BOWL SERVICE BLITZ We are here for you; get involved, volunteer, participate. There are so many activities and we can use you, dramas, choirs, helping with the sound system, Wednesday night Cafes, and ushering are just a few. And just for fun, the book club, lunch bunch, paint groups, and Saltshakers. Finding a place to serve is not only an opportunity, but also a great way to get to know
your church family and build community. Come join us, won’t you.
. . . O D O T F STUF
YOUTH
Senior High
Mar - 13 Sr. & Jr. Highs 5:30-7:30
Montreat 6/5-6/11 Cost: $365 2/20:
Youth Sunday planning
Mar - 16 Thornwell Café Youth serving
4/13:
Youth Café Fundraiser
4/24:
Rest of money due
Almost too late. Please sign-up today!
Senior High Salkehatchie 7/16-7/23 Cost: $215
Mar - 16 Youth Bible Study 6:45 PM
th
$100 Deposit Due
Mar 11 - 4:30 PM
2/20:
Click Here To sign-up online!
$100 Deposit Due
4/13:
Youth Café Fundraiser
4/24:
Rest of money due
Mission Week 6/13-6/17 Cost: TBA 5
Days of mission and fun.
More
information to come.
Meet at the church at 4:30 as we go see artists such as Newsboys, Chris August, RED, David Crowder Band, and a ton more! Best part of the concert is that it's only $10! We'll stop pretty early for a quick bite to eat before seeing one of the most awesome concerts ever. Bring money for dinner. Both senior and
junior high are invited!
YOUTH MONTREAT WEKEND “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” – Romans 12:2 What does it look like to live a life transformed by Christ? How are we transformed both outside and inside? Why does Zan keep saying, “Come at me bro!”? We wrestled with these challenging questions and more at Montreat during the Trinity Presbytery Senior High Retreat. While watching videos of real-life (cardboard) transformers and reading books about caterpillars and little blue trucks, we learned what it meant to live a life transformed for God. The speaker took us through Saul’s transformation on the road to Damascus and challenged us to intentionally look at our own lives. Are we the same person Monday through Saturday that we are on Sunday? On Saturday night the youth of Columbia showed off their talents in the talent show. SVPC had 3 acts! Ryland and Andrew performed an awesome rendition of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, Ainsley sang “It Just Takes Some Time” by Jimmy Eat World A cappella, and Zach played the harmonica while Nathan showed off his well-tuned posterior writing style at the same time. The youth of this church have such a wide variety of gifts and aren’t afraid to show them off! After a long weekend filled with small group discussions, recreation, friends, and robots we all stepped on the bus filled with a renewed sense of what it means to be a child of God always transforming to his image. “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18 Let us all be transformed by what God did and continues to do for us. Thanks, Jon
Don ’t monkey around! Getready ready
for
safari
fun
Save the dates! June 20 - 24 & Sunday June 26
Kids go wild for Kingdom of the Son VBS! They’ll discover exotic animals, create safari crafts, play exiting games, sing upbeat songs, and enjoy delicious safari snacks. And while your kids are having safari fun, they’ll also learn to talk to God as they explore the Lord’s Prayer, and go on an expedition into the pages of God’s Word.
Registration Dates SVPC members: May 1 thru May 8, 2011 Open registration begins: May 9, 2011
Teacher & Volunteer signup starts March 13! Contact Peggy Ley at christianeducation@svpc.org
March 13: 3:30-5:30 Meet at the church for activities and fun! Bring a friend and $3 for pizza. Spring Schedule March 27 April 17 May 1 May 22 (changed from the 15th)
Strikers Program Grades 3rd - 5th Contact Marilyn Dillon Strikers coordinator for more information on the program or to get your child involved. BrentMarilyn@sc.rr.com
WATCH FOR THE “CUT OUT THE LIGHTS'' PROJECT COMING SOON TO YOUR CHURCH LIGHT SWITCHES
Strikers are watt-watchers!
COMMUNITY MINISTRY Book Sale March 18 thru March 28 In the Atrium Funds raised will go to support the Green Committee Recycle Program for purchase of recycle containers for SVPC. Stop by the Atrium and browse the selection from March 18 thru the 28. Hardbacks $2.00, Paperbacks $.50, Trade Books $1.00
SVPC Green committee, part of our Community Ministry is working hard to keep SVPC green. Watch for more information on how you can help keep SVPC green!
Work day: Spring Cleaning! April 9 - 8:00am until noon We are going to do fun things like
K EEPING SVPC B EAUTIFUL
Clean out drainage ditches to keep water off parking lot
Paint exterior doors
Clean cobwebs from ceiling
Change bulbs and ballasts
Organize stuff
Clean carpets
Prune trees and bushes
MOC will prepare a breakfast that morning to be enjoyed by all.
E-mail tjrausch@sc.rr.com if you can help. Thanks for all you do, from your Community Ministry.
W ORSHIP & C ONGREGATION M INISTRY Join us for fun, fellowship & food at SVPC Weekly Café Make your Café reservations here
New Café pricing $6.00 - Adults $4.00 - Children (10 and under)
$3.00 - No increases for PBJ sandwiches, chips, fruit
Save money and buy monthly or season tickets for Café. Pick up the ticket pricing flyer at Wednesday Café.
Café
On the menu 03/16 THORNWELL NIGHT – Fundraiser Tom White’s special homemade spaghetti dinner 03/23 BARBECUE 03/30 Chicken salad, croissants, pasta salad, fruit, dessert 04/06 Chicken parmesan, pasta, salad, bread, dessert 04/13 YOUTH FUNDRAISER – menu TBA 04/20 Pork chops, macaroni & cheese, peas, salad, rolls, dessert
A special Wednesday Night Café with proceeds going to support the Thornwell mission. Mr. Paul de Holtzer, a Columbia lawyer and former Thornwell child, will speak.
04/27 Barbecue, fried chicken, green beans, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, rolls, banana pudding
SVPC A PPLAUSE ! T HEATER P RESENTS Tickets on sale now!
Don't miss it Two performances March 19 at 6:00PM March 20 at 4:00PM Adults - $7 Kids - $5 Tickets available Sunday between services in the Atrium & Wednesday at Cafe
M ISSIONS & O UTREACH M INISTRY God’s StoreHouse Current urgent needs Peanut Butter (plastic jars are best) Jelly (plastic jars are best) Hygiene kits (description below)
Celebrating the Thornwell Home for Children at SVPC
THORNWELL
Hygiene kits In a gallon Ziploc bag Small towel Washcloth Bath soap Shampoo Deodorant Shaving cream Razor Sanitary Napkins/tampons
You can drop off your donations in the God’s Storehouse closet in the Atrium.
Continuous need items For the kitchen Paper towels, napkins, cooking utensils, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, pots & pans, microwave, mixers Needed on the shelf Ziploc bags - all sizes Towels
- bath & kitchen
Washcloth
- bath
Washcloth
- kitchen
Shampoo
Deodorant
Dish soap
Laundry soap
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
home for children
Offering hope Changing lives During the month of March, the SVPC family will celebrate the mission of the Thornwell Home for Children, a charitable relief program affiliated with the Presbyterian Church since 1875. Thornwell provides a home for 88 deserving children who otherwise would not have one. Thornwell speaks to the heart of the SVPC Missions and Outreach program whose committee members invite your attendance and participation at one or more of the following events: Sunday Worship (Mar 6). Bill Tiller (Thornwell Vice President for Advancement) will speak during the worship services. Sunday Worship (Mar 13). A 10-minute showing of a DVD highlighting the children and mission of the Thornwell Home for children. Wednesday Cafe (16 Mar). A special Wednesday Night Café with proceeds going to support the Thornwell mission. Mr. Paul de Holtzer, a Columbia lawyer and former Thornwell child, will speak. Sunday Worship (Mar 20). A Special Offering in support of the Thornwell mission.
MEMBER
UP D A T E S
& EVENTS
NEW MEMBERS-INQUIRES CLASS I am planning a class for those who would like to know more about the church. We will cover topics such as Presbyterian Theology and History, The Lord’s Supper and Baptism, opportunities for service and growth, and how to be an effective church member.
See Birthday list on the web here.
See full calendar of events here.
The class will meet on Wednesday nights between 6:30 pm – 7:15 pm for 4 weeks; March 23, March 30, April 6, and April 13. Child care is provided. The class will meet in room 216, which is near the Coke machine in the long hallway. I hope these classes will be helpful for you in learning more about our life in the church. I look forward to being able to spend the time together, and answer questions you may have about Spring Valley and our ministries. In Christ, Rev. Jack Heinsohn
Prayer List MEMBERS - Chris MacDougal, Eleanor Porter, Butch Ross,
THIS WEEK
Gregg Spillane, Polly Slater, Sara Scruggs, Jackie Stoker, Carol Beaty, Keith Brown, Al Singleton, Teena Bridges & Family, Cameron Cliff, Rocky Morris, Keith Brown, Rozellen Bennett
NON-MEMBERS - Jennifer Sternecker (Chris McMenemy's
SPRING FORWARD Turn your clock ahead one hour!
niece), Michael Jones (Doug Jones son), Denise Mackey & family (Barbara Brandenburg’s sister), Connie McCarty, Davis & Joanne Walker (Rob Walker’s parents), grandson James & parents Sarah & Jason, Lillian Marchi, Destiny Stephens, Cindy Chavis (Alan Dale’s sister), Chris McMenemy's parents, Sally Evans, Matthew Coleman, Vicky Grier, TK Christy (Nancy Day’s Brother), Ed Fletcher (Dan Fletcher’s nephew), Erma Frieden (Dale Frieden-Bell’s Mother) Jane Gill (Paul Gill’s Mother), Betty Lomas (Pam Gill’s Mother) Jackie Bianchi (Dawn Indovino’s Mother) James McAlister "Mac" Dunbar & Family Deployed Military- CPT Al Davis -3rd Army, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
C HRISTIAN E DUCATION M INISTRY EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Sunday, 9:30 am or Wednesday, 6:30 pm. Equipping the Saints is moving into the middle segment of the program-two months of study on the foundation of our faith. To date over 90 persons have attended one or more of these popular classes offered on Sunday morning at 9:30 am and repeated on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM. These programs are designed to promote the "binding of the generations"-our rich and unique inheritance as members of our Presbyterian Community. What binds us together as Christians? What is the story that we present from generation to generation. This series is designed to strengthen our Christian Community of Faith through handing on our inherited faith story and shape the values and behavior of generations to come. Christians believe we get our understanding of God from two kinds of revelation-"general and special". General revelation means that God is revealed in nature, history, and the whole of human life. It places emphasis on such evidences of God as in the order and design of the universe, conscience, and spiritual awareness of a divine presence. Special revelation means the revelation of God through scripture, through the life of Christ, and in the church. This series places emphasis on God seeking us rather than on our seeking God. There is a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. To know about God is to believe intellectually that there is a God. To know God is to have a personal experience with God and to acknowledge, confess, thank, and serve God. March 6/9 Join Kathy Bradley, Elder to explore the topic of learning about God and God's expectations of us. "I believe in God" includes the study of theology - learning about God and God's expectations of us. Kathy with provide an overview of the Holy Trinity-one God or three. Through our study together we learn, grow and gain insights from each other. March 13/16 Kathy Bradley will continue our study of the Christian Doctrines through a study of God's role as the Maker of Heaven and Earth. What is the definition of theism, pantheism, and panentheism. Based on your understanding of these definitions which approach seems to you to do the best job of preserving both the transcendence and the immanence of God? March 20/23 The Rev. Dr. Lamar Potts, Pastor Emeritus will discuss the Providence of Evil. The age old question of where does evil come from will be examined. Our Christian faith faces the painful reality of evil from the Fall in the Garden to the Cross. We will distinguish between natural evil and moral evil. March 27/30 Dr. Stephen Bowers will return to lead the session on "Doctrine of Human Beings". Do we sometimes use our humanness to as an excuse for our behavior? So what does it mean to be made in the image of God? The class will review the Apostles Creed and reflect on the phrases in the creed about Jesus. During the month, the sermons will also support the study themes included in Equipping the Saints. The Rev. Dr. Jack Heinsohn’s Sermon titles include: March 6 – Romans 8:12-17 – The theme is “Trinity” March 13 – Romans 8:18-25 – The theme is “Maker of Heaven and Earth” March 20 – Romans 8:26-30 – The theme is “Providence” March 27 – Youth Sunday. The youth will be leading the service.
Growing in Faith Transf Learn
ormational ing