first pres
The Vegas Miracle • 4 From Missions to Missional • 10 Becoming Uncle Joe • 12
MARCH 2010 First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs
Dear First Pres Folks, Once we land in the month of March, it is time to remember our offering—One Great Hour of Sharing. We receive that offering on Palm Sunday (March 28). It is a gift that is designed to support our downtown ministries, providing immediate help in situations of great need. For four years now a portion of this offering was designated to help the Marian House Soup Kitchen with costs of rebuilding the facility. Every Tuesday a group from our congregation volunteers at the Soup Kitchen. Another portion of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering goes to the ministry of ESM. So many needs are met: groceries, assistance with rent and utilities, job searches, even warm showers. Many from this congregation also volunteer at ESM. Finally, a portion of our offering also goes to Springs Rescue Mission. There we know discipleship will happen in the lives of many who really want to see change in their lives. At the Rescue Mission, job training (in places like a commercial kitchen), clothing, evening meals, evangelism and leadership training are available. We are privileged to live and serve in a city with such ministries. In March, from John’s Gospel I will be preaching a series on the seven “I Am” statements. These seven statements are well known and yet we may find in them a deep insight into what Christ wants to bring into our lives. On Easter (April 4) we will study “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.” Once again our artists will assist us in gaining insight into these passages. The dust is clearing from all of the budget triggered changes. It will not be easy, but we are all finding our feet in this new season of ministry. Yours in Christ,
Jim Singleton, Senior Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs
march 2010 contents The Vegas Miracle . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Paul Batura No Soup Tuesdays . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 John Hegstrom Cairo Connecion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Alison Smith From Missions to Missional . . . . . . . 10 Jim Singleton
in every issue
6
10
13
First Pres Spotlight: Unseen Work in Visible Worship . . . . . 6 College/Young Adult Ministries . . . . . 12 Student Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Children’s Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Contributing Writers: Paul Batura, John Hegstrom, Joe Farrell, Alison Murray, Jim Singleton Contributing Editors: Susan Buenger, Kathy Fryschlag, Nicole Lowell, Michelle Swanson Photographer: Alison Smith All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, © 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. First Pres Magazine, March 2010, Volume Two, © First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, CO. Published by First Presbyterian Church, a non-profit organization. To contact First Pres Magazine: 719-884-6162 or 219 E. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 809031392 or magazine@first-pres.org. Printed in the U.S.A.
The
Vegas Miracle By Paul J. Batura
FROM HIS DESK in Hanson Hall, it’s a short and easy walk in any weather, just over a mile and a half, south down Nevada over to Las Vegas Street, to the Colorado Springs Rescue Mission’s new Life Recovery Center. But for Josh Staton, First Presbyterian’s 30-something manager of Ministry Support, the journey is much longer, at least metaphorically speaking. His story of days past is sad and sordid, but hardly unfamiliar. Growing up in a single parent home in San Luis Obispo, a picturesque city along California’s central coast, Josh never received the affirmation and guidance of a father. The absence of a male role model may have subtly taken its toll; it always does. But as one of three children, he says the slide down the slippery slope was at first gradual, a choice of his doing, and one that he takes full responsibility for.
4 | www.first-pres.org | 3/10
“I started using drugs recreationally,” he said, “and hanging out with the wrong people in the wrong kinds of places. Before long, the addiction took over and I was dealing, stealing cars, doing what I had to do in order to survive.” Hospitalized numerous times for drug related afflictions, he bounced from one problem and crime to another, feeding the habit and failing every time he tried to stop. When at last the law caught up with him, Josh was presented with a fairly easy choice to make. “They (law enforcement officials) told me I could either go to prison or go to rehab. So, I chose rehab (and reported to the Colorado Springs Rescue Mission).”
Founded in 1996, the Springs Rescue have made it. Others have not. But that hasn’t Mission has grown dramatically in both its stopped them from trying to help. It’s grace scope and size. Originally designed to feed the based.” city’s homeless and provide emergency shelter, Why would a church hire a man that most the organization now serves an average of more in town would not? than 4,000 families annually, or 22,000 people First Presbyterian has been partnering with per year. The new, sweeping 8,000 square-foot the Springs Rescue Mission for the past twelve facility has a sleeping area, kitchen, dining hall, years. During that time the church and its classrooms and recreation facilities. Those who members have been contributing to the organienter the residential recovery program are zation’s budget, providing volunteers for several placed under strict supervision and are required on-site programs, serving meals and conductto follow its comprehensive curriculum, includ- ing a church service at the center once a month. ing 500 hours of classroom training. Additionally, First Pres members have regu“When I first entered the program, I wasn’t larly hosted and served an Easter dinner at the very interested in it, and it Weber Street Center each year. showed” Staton freely admits. “I Conversely, graduates of the For a church was kicked out after 8 months Rescue Mission rehab program to be healthy and for having a bad attitude...and have come to a variety of church vital, and effective, based bible studies and other refusing to submit to authority.” Providence provided him a activities. it needs to second chance and before long, Observers both inside and embrace, promote outside of ecclesiastical circles desperate and committed to and encourage its rarely agree on much, but they are change his ways, and now clearly at the end of his rope, Josh was singing off the same song sheet members to put reinstated. He was required to on this topic. For a church to be their faith into start completely over and for the healthy, vital and effective, it needs action next 12 months attended a daily to embrace, promote and encourbible study, chapel services and age its members to put their faith received intensive counseling. into action, to exhibit and exemplify Christ-like “The people of the mission didn’t throw me behavior. The symbiotic relationship between away,” he reflected, “instead, they threw me a these two organizations is evidence and confirmaline to a better life.” tion of the validity and effectiveness of that ideal. When the time came to transition out of the But for people like Josh Staton and the 300 program and rejoin the Colorado Springs other men who have successfully navigated community in 2006, Josh was eager to find work. their way through the challenge of rehabilitaBut who would hire a man with his background? tion, the reason for their personal success is Now clean and sober, he was referred to First clear, and they’re anxious to give proper Presbyterian. Once inside, he found open doors credit. and open minds, first accepting an entry-level “The program didn’t change me,” Josh states position in the church’s mail room and later emphatically. “Jesus changed me.” training to be a press operator, before assuming That’s it, and that’s all. his current role on staff as a key player for both And that’s reason enough for First Pres to IT and the Communications Team. be partnering with the Colorado Springs “They took a chance and extended me a Rescue Mission. measure of grace,” he shared. “I know they’ve Paul J. Batura is a writer who lives with his wife, Julie (member of hired several like me from the program. Some Big Blue), and their 4-year old son, Riley, in Colorado Springs.
3/10 | www.first-pres.org | 5
First Pres Spotlight
Unseen Work in Visible Worship ehind the scenes every Sunday a team of incredibly dedicated and creative folks lead in Worship by creating and scrolling the slides that provide the song words, prayers and sermon images. They are the Worship Media Techs, and they love what they do! Meet the team!
B
Mattea Sportel Mattea designs the graphics that sit behind the hymns and praise songs and assembles the whole file each week. When Mattea is not designing slides for Sunday Worship, she can be found working on an art submission for the First Pres Artists Series or around Colorado Springs taking amazing photographs. Jan Weiser Jan is an accomplished musician as a member of the Pikes Peak Ringers and an alto in our own Big Blue. She also drives a school bus in District 11. As a volunteer, Jan leads our Children & Youth bell choirs on Wednesday nights and directs the Bell Camp in the summer. Eve Froebig The newest member of the team, Eve has spent her career in live radio and TV. Eve also takes her turn behind the camera on Sundays and is a volunteer photographer for First Pres Magazine. Natalie Dale The veteran member of the crew, Natalie has created and scrolled slides in worship for two and a half years. Natalie has a design and video background can also be found on Sundays behind the camera. Carl Nelson Carl, a Colorado Springs native, recently returned to Colorado Springs having done a turn in the technology industry back East. Carl also assists our sound crew and volunteers with our Children’s choirs on Wednesday nights. When asked “what is the favorite part of your job,” each member of the team responded “we love to see our unseen work aid in people truly experiencing Christ in worship. We hope what we do helps someone have a more beautiful worship experience.” Next time you’re in Worship, say hello to our Worship Media Tech team. 6 | 6 | www.first-pres.org | 3/10
he scraggly-haired man corralled his last three peas into a spoonful of mashed potatoes and a puddle of gravy. Before putting them in his mouth, he said, “You can make a silk purse from the ear of a sow, but the dilemma remains. What do you do with a oneeared sow?” This fragment of friendly conversation came from a patron at the Marian House Soup Kitchen. It was the last place I expected to hear the James Hickey quote made famous by the Texas Observer, but there were more pleasant surprises ahead. Moving among the bodies swathed in layers of clothing, backpacks and hats are the First Pres Tuesday volunteer core, a consistent twelve (give or take), led for well over three decades by the big-hearted Nod Mitchell and Iris Lucas. They organize the menu, buy the food, and of course supervise the volunteer cadre with cooking and serving. A diverse community of First Pres volunteers and patrons share 650 to 750 meals on any given Tuesday. I found business women, pastors, and an ex-concierge from the Broadmoor serving. Though the campers along Fountain Creek are regulars, the guest list also includes the mentally ill, addicts, and a 43% increase in the working poor with children. It warmed my heart when I learned they never serve liver, lima beans, and rarely beets at Marian House. “They just don’t like it.” Nod told me. There is no soup either at this soup kitchen; spaghetti, hotdogs and
shepherds pie are favorites. Guests appreciate it all without an air of entitlement. They enter the new building, washing their hands at two clean lavatories. For those who live with social and physical chaos, this place provides order and safety, as well as food and fellowship. I watched as one First Pres volunteer approached a burly gentleman who harbored the aroma of both cigarette and cottonwood smoke. “Would you like some more coffee?” our volunteer asked. The man replied, “No thank you, but I’ll take Vodka.” I saw a sweet, sly smile cross the volunteer’s face, a smile without judgment. Why do these church people do this? Emphatically,
they imitate Jesus. They have also found community, friends and fun. Yet there is a more common answer from the veterans, said with authentic joy and no calculation: “I came once and loved it.” At the core of their answer is the deep understanding of human frailty verbalized with humility, “Someday, someone in my family could be in this queue. But for the grace of God, it could be me. So I serve—I love it. My only concern is wondering who will carry the torch next. We need young blood.” Maybe you could find a place, too, on a no-soup Tuesday. First Pres member John Hegstrom is a volunteer Court Appointed Advocate for abused and neglected children.
Would you like to nourish hearts and bodies this Easter? We need volunteers to help set up, serve, and clean up an Easter dinner for the folks from Springs Rescue Mission. We will host them in our own Weber Street Center on Saturday, April 3. Call Missions at 884-8108 for more information.
By John Hegstrom
3/10 | www.first-pres.org | 7
8 | www.first-pres.org | 3/10
3/10 | www.first-pres.org | 9
From Missions to Missional By Jim Singleton
K
eeping up with new terminology is often a constant battle. “Re-boot” was a term I was clueless about 10 years ago. “Hanging chad” came into our consciousness during the election of 2000. “Drone” was something I thought a boring preacher did, until this war in Afghanistan. “Missional” is a term that was invented about the same time as these other three words, and it still sounds odd to me. Yet, that is the word used to describe a church in a postChristendom era that is aware of its mission. DarMissional rell Guder, who used to be a churches part of this church, helped help their to coin the term. congregations In a previous era, we engage the thought America was a Christian nation. Nearly culture they everyone was related to a live in. church. When I was growing up it seemed that the church was still at the center of culture. Where I lived, nothing but church was scheduled on Sunday mornings. But our world has changed. Being “missional” describes the churches that understand this difference. The word points to congregations that have embraced what it means to try
10 | www.first-pres.org | 3/10
to re-engage another culture—the culture of contemporary America. Missional churches take on the role of helping their congregations to engage the culture they live in. We can become confused about this – much like I did the first time I heard “re-boot” and thought my boots were already on. For quite some time, many churches have had extensive relationships with missions, missionaries, and mission organizations. First Pres would be one of those churches. For decades, this church has been engaged in the ministries of the city and the world. There are missionaries in our congregation doing amazing things all around the world. This church has been a missionsminded congregation for as long as anyone here can remember. Missional means that we know our neighbors and co-workers are likely not aware of what it means to know Jesus. They are likely turned off by the concept of a church. It is probable they will not understand the very motivation of our lives. But if our church wants to be missional, it means that we are ready to engage a changing world with the good news of Jesus. May God infuse us with His very heart for this day. Jim Singleton is the senior pastor at First Pres.
3/10 | www.first-pres.org | 11
college/young adult MINISTRIES
Becoming Uncle Joe By Joe Farrell
Photo by Kevin Rohr
T
he first time I saw her smile, she had me. Never would I be able to unplug her from my heart. Her name is Esacarli Mendoza. She lives near Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, and when I met her, she was three. Today, Escarli is almost fourteen. She, with her parents, brother, and sister, are students and staff at Mission Emanuel in the small communities of Nazarette and Cielo, two small “suburbs” of Santo Domingo. The Mendozas’ have been experiencing and serving the Mission for the past thirteen years. I sincerely consider one of my greatest honors to be the nickname this family has given me over the years, Tio Jose – “Uncle Joe.” At the end of this month, I will have the great privilege of leading a small team of college students and young adults to the Dominican Republic where we will begin construction on a new home for the Mendoza family. I am excited for many reasons, but the main one is because I have consistently experienced God’s work in my own life and seen His work in others when people have been willing to go on short term missions. These one or two week trips require sacrifices of time, energy, and money. But I have consistently witnessed God’s work so powerfully and tangibly that the return on those small sacrifices is more than “worth it.” My first experience on a short term mission project was my freshman year of high school. Even though I had grown up in a church, it was on that project that I came to sincerely believe Jesus was alive, real, knew me, and loved me. I was way out of my comfort zone, and that is exactly what the Holy Spirit needed to break through my walls and into my heart. Two invitations I would like to extend to you: first, I would like to invite your prayer for all our short term mission trips planned out of First Pres for this spring and summer (if you need something specific, pray for this DR team!); second, I would like to invite you to consider going on a trip yourself! Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to witness God’s work through another culture and another language. Allowing God to work in you and through you could very well be a faithgrowing, eye-opening, life-changing experience. Joe Farrell is Associate Pastor for College and Young Adults. 12 | www.first-pres.org | 3/10
student MINISTRIES
Students on a Miss ion Hands down, mission experiences serve as one of the best catalysts for creating community among students as well as giving them a great picture of the need and hurt in the world. Through Urban Immersion, The Longest Night, multiple summer mission trips and local opportunities we get the privilege to share stories, repair homes, worship and connect with our Creator on a new level. I pray that all students between 7th and 12th grades would consider joining us on one of these life-changing experiences.
By Nate Str atman
On the first day I was assigned to the kitchen to make snacks and meals. At first I didn’t really see the significance in this. I had this notion in my mind that serving God is all about the “big things,” like working with the homeless. But over the past few days, I have come to realize that as long as you are serving God it doesn’t matter what exactly you are doing. God is in all things, big and small. —Julia Morin in Vancouver That is a picture that will stick in my mind forever. —Katrina LeBlanc (after having a resident pastor show us around the 9th Ward of New Orleans. This area was the most devastated and to this day looks virtually the same as it did right after the storm. This week has been one of the most eye-opening times of my life. God has definitely been working. —Michelle Cage (8th grader who served in a nursing home in Rapid City, SD)
Nate Stratman is Director of Student Ministries at First Pres.
3/10 | www.first-pres.org | 13
CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
Meet the Children’s Ministry Staff Danny Shaw Q: How long have you been around First
Pres, Danny? DS: The better question would be how long have you been alive? I’ve been a member of First Pres since 1993, my 7th grade year! I’ve been going to First Pres since soon after I was born. I have been incredibly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful church! I’ve been working at First Pres for most of my working life, starting here December 1996 as a custodian for Kenny Hayward. I worked my way through college as a custodian! Danny Shaw and Joy Thomas oversee our Children’s Ministries. We wanted you to know them better!
Joy Thomas Q: Tell us about your hometown.
JT: Bedford, Pennsylvania, is an adorably small town with some really neat historical landmarks, including the “summer White House” for several U.S. presidents of old. The best thing about Bedford is feeling like I’ve stepped back in time every visit. I also love the quaint beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.
Q: How long have you been around First Pres? JT: 4 and ½ years. I’ve came on staff in June 2005, after graduating from Grove City College in PA.
Q: What’s the best thing about working
with kids? JT: Children are like sponges for truth, and they have such tender hearts which provide the perfect soil for the message of Jesus to take root. I love getting to interact with kids in any capacity. 14 | www.first-pres.org | 3/10
Q: What’s the best part about your job?
DS: One of coolest things about being around this church for a long time is to see kids grow up! This last year was really fun seeing a group that I had at Camp Elim as 4th graders graduate from High School. To be able to be a part of kids growing up in the church and in the faith is an amazing blessing.
Q: Do you have a favorite Bible Verse?
DS: Anything out of James, but probably James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously with to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
Events Calendar MARCH week of 1–7
Thursday, Mar. 4 Prime Time, Weber Street Center 9:30 to 11:00
Sunday, Mar. 7 ESM Food Collection Day, 7:45 a.m. to 11:10 a.m.
week of 8–14
Monday, Mar. 8 Wheaton College Women’s Chorale 7 p.m. Sanctuary
Tuesday, Mar. 9 Engine Room Prayer Service 5:30 p.m. Sanctuary
week of 15–21
Bible Reading Brunch 12 p.m. Fellowship Hall
Thursday, Mar. 18 Prime Time, Weber Street Center 9:30 to 11 a.m.
week of 3/22–4/3
Palm Sunday, Mar. 28 “One Great Hour of Sharing” First Pres North welcomes all northern El Paso County. Monday-Wednesday Mar 29-31 Holy Week Services 12 p.m. Sanctuary Holy Week Lunch 12:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall
Maundy Thursday, Apr. 1 Communion and Foot Washing Service 7 p.m. Sanctuary Good Friday, April 2 “Seven Last Words of Christ” Service 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sanctuary Good Friday Concert 7 p.m. Sanctuary
Saturday, Apr. 3 Springs Rescue Mission Easter Dinner 11 a.m. Weber Street Center
3/10 | www.first-pres.org | 15 3/10
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
219 East Bijou Street Colorado Springs, CO 80903
16 | www.first-pres.org | 3/10 Non Profit Org. U. S. Postage PAID Colo. Spgs. CO Permit No. 419