Together With Grateful Hearts • 4 The Bird Doctor of Colorado Springs • 8 Greed, Gratitude and MTV • 11 NOVEMBER 2010 First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs
Dear Saints,
I have lots of gratitude in my heart as we enter into the month of November. Whether you gather in a gymnasium up north, in the sanctuary downtown, online, or in Fellowship Hall, I celebrate the gifts God has given us in each other. As the sermon series continues this month, we will talk about other gifts that shape community—humility, love, and forgiveness. Another point of thankfulness comes as we wrap up our Stewardship season. I’ve enjoyed becoming more aware of the impact we have as the local body of Christ! It is a powerful invitation to gratitude as well as for giving of our time, talents, and treasures. This month’s issue of the magazine amplifies these gifts. You’ll read about one young man’s journey from pride to gratitude as he’s heard Christ’s voice and been embraced by the First Pres community. You’ll also find a story about how community and love have been a part of our congregation since the late 1800’s. And don’t miss the collection of words from our current congregation, as we raise up what we’re thankful for around here this past year. Most of all, as this season of gratitude takes hold, know how thankful I am to be part of God’s family with each one of you. In Christ,
Jim Singleton, Senior Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs
NOVEMBER 2010
contents
Together With Grateful Hearts . . . . . . 4 The Bird Doctor of Colorado Springs . . . 8 Dale McClure Double Hours of Double Honor? . . . . . 9 Gratitude: The Basic Christian Attitude . . 12 Joshua David Earls
in every issue 4
8
10
First Pres Spotlight: The Door Keepers . . . 6 John Hegstrom First Pres North: Prayer of Thanksgiving . 10 Hugh Eaton College/Young Adults: Greed. Gratitude and MTV . . . . . . . . 11 Adam Holz Love, Grow, Go—Together . . . . . . . . 14 Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Contributing Writers: Joshua David Earls, Hugh Eaton, John Hegstrom, Adam R. Holz, Nicole Lowell, Dale McClure Contributing Editors: Walter De Gunya, Nicole Lowell, Joe Farrell Proofreading Team: Daisy Jackson, Sandy Johnson, Marty Kelley, Karen Kunstle, Linda Pung, Gretchen Murphy-Bowman, Jennifer White Photographers: Marge Milne, Alison Smith, Michael Spratte 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, November 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.
Together With
In our own words, here are some of the ways we’ve seen God at work around Fi
“ Among our people, God is moving in a mighty way. He’s building community and helping us realize we truly NEED one another.” “I am most thankful for the love of God in our church.” “ I’m thankful that I get to live, laugh, and serve on this Kingdom journey with people I dearly love.” “ I greeted a young lady in the Fellowship Hall service who said she comes to First Pres because this church makes her feel happy. Yes, God is at work here!”
Photos by Marge Milne, Alison Smith and Michael Spratte
“Thank you, Lord, for the way your Spirit flows in our times of worship.” “ God was at work in our music camps this past summer! The sights and sounds emanating from more than 100 students included not just music but fellowship and the love of Jesus.” “ God is clearly at work building community among our church’s artists. Their creativity is deeply enriching our understanding of life in Christ.” 4 | www.first-pres.org | 11/10
Grateful Hearts
irst Pres this year. With grateful hearts, we thank our Lord for all that he has done!
“ I’m thankful for CanCare at First Pres! Cancer survivors and caregivers are loving God and reaching out to give hope to those fighting this disease.” “ I am so grateful for God’s Spirit at work in and through Big Blue. God’s love and faithfulness embraces me every time I am in the presence of our joy-filled choir!” “ New people find a warm welcome at First Pres! Over and over I hear how friendly our church is. Even beyond ushers and hosts, everyone is extending the love of Christ to the strangers among us.”
“ I’m thankful that God speaks in community, works in relationships, draws people together, and sets hearts on fire for his Kingdom purpose.” “ I’m thankful for Pete Martinez, our lead security guard! Not only does he keep a watchful eye on our property, but he knows every Get Set child by name, showing incredible care for the most vulnerable among us.” 11/10 | www.first-pres.org | 5
FIRST PRES SPOTLIGHT
THE DOOR KEEPERS By John Hegstrom
I
wanted to be an usher in 1968 (that was before the word could be confused with the entertainer Raymond Usher IV who goes by the mononym). In my juvenile mind, ushers were a jolly, congenial group that got to handle those aesthetically unusual wooden plates with red velvet in the bottom. For some reason I always liked the sound of those plates as the ushers stacked them, one on top of another. Roy Strickler and Gene Harsh brought my usher knowledge up to speed. In 1968, I had no idea of all that went into this structural ministry that provides an almost invisible order and form when things are running smoothly. There are 70 to 80 ushers at First Pres, with about 50 serving on any given Sunday. You’ll find up to 15 ushers overseeing things in the traditional sanctuary services alone. You know this group is loyal and dedicated because you see the same faces every week, many of them for decades. They are hospitable volunteers who take their marching orders seriously: “Meet, greet and seat!” One essential requirement to be an usher is a spontaneous love for people. Ushers are the first impression, the very first glimpse of our church that visitors encounter. They are more than just faces though; they carry a collective 6 | www.first-pres.org | 11/10
sensitive heart attuned to the various burdens that many carry through the church doors every week. Offering handshakes, hugs, and smiles, they reach out with Christ’s hands. They also are the eyes and ears for emergencies of all sizes and shapes. Some ushers are trained in CPR and defibrillator usage if these should ever be needed. But they also extend diplomacy for worshippers who “like their space.” These generous hosts even try to accommodate perfume allergies, as well as steering the hearing impaired away from the auditory dead areas of the sanctuary. The trained security personnel handle major security issues, but the hardy usher is left with the sensitive issues of dealing with backpacks and other paraphernalia that sometimes accompany church attendance. They dispense hearing aids and emergency pagers for willing physician members. Greet your usher next Sunday morning. Maybe thank him or her for the help. Realize they often miss worshipping with their families. Honor their gracious responsibility, dedication and commitment. Dr. John Hegstrom is a member of First Pres and a volunteer Court Appointed Advocate for abused and neglected children.
S
D 12 : : ..
.. T P P C
• First Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir • Vocal and Instrumental Soloists • Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale • Ballet Immanuel • Full Orchestra • Pikes Peak Ringers • 17 Piece Big Band
Tickets Available: Call First Presbyterian Church - 884.6144
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THE
Bird Doctor OF COLOR ADO SPRINGS By Dale McClure
Bearded Dr. W. W. Arnold in his Oldsmobile on Nevada Ave, 1903
Editor's Note: This begins an occasional series of stories from the First Pres archives.
D
r. William W. Arnold was a lover! He loved the Lord, he loved First Presbyterian Church, he loved children and he loved birds. He was ordained as an elder in our church in 1889. Though his day job was being a physician for people, Dr. Arnold had a bird hospital in the backyard of his home on North Nevada, just five blocks north of First Pres. The avian clinic was really just a screened-in shed with awnings that could be rolled down during inclement weather. But when neighborhood children found a hatchling that fell from its nest or any bird with a broken wing or leg, they would bring it to Dr. Arnold. He liked to have the children stay to watch as he would give the birds medicines or apply a splint to a broken bone. He modeled kindness and sympathy as he cared for the animals. When the feathered creatures were well, Dr. Arnold would release them healthy and happy. His hospital was usually populated by wild birds of small size, but it was not unusual to find a duck or owl or someone’s pet canary or parrot in residence. Through his example of compassion and love, countless children learned about God’s deep care for all he spoke into existence. In one sense you could say that Dr. Arnold loved his automobile, too. He brought one of the 8 | www.first-pres.org | 11/10
first gasoline-powered cars to Colorado Springs and drove his 1902 Oldsmobile roadster every day for 13 years. In 1915 the Oldsmobile Co. heard about his car and wanted to exhibit it as an example of how reliable their products were. They offered to give him a brand new Oldsmobile in exchange for his old car. Dr. Arnold said thank you just the same but I like my old car and it suits my needs quite well. Dr. Arnold was quite famous among bird watchers and nature lovers around the country. He published several magazine articles on bird care, including one in a Kansas City newspaper and another in the New York Times. And of course, he had several printed in the Colorado Springs Gazette. By all accounts, school teachers and conservationists for miles around revered him. In 1923 Dr. Arnold succumbed to influenza. The funeral was here at First Presbyterian Church. The newspaper headline announced, “Throngs pay tribute to Dr. Arnold. Filled church and flowers show esteem.” Many in the crowd were children. He loved them and they loved him, too. Dale McClure is the First Pres Archivist. He can be found digging through boxes of papers and photos, discovering the bounty of stories that make our church such a special place.
DOUBLE HOURS OR DOUBLE HONOR?
W
hen we see our seven staff ministers praying or preaching on Sundays, assisted by Parish Associates, it’s easy to think this “up front” time is most of what they do! But behind the scenes, the rest of the week, these men and women give so much more to the congregation. Did you know that our pastors visit about 175 people in our area hospitals each month? And during any given 30-day period, our dedicated pastoral staff spends a combined: 432 hours “on call.” 132 hours in leadership, planning , and staff meetings. 60 hours in Sunday Worship services. Add to this the time they spend: • leading meetings with lay ministry teams, including elders and trustees • having individual spiritual conversations with those who seek encouragement • teaching and discipling groups at the church throughout the week • officiating at weddings and memorial services as needed • studying and preparing sermons, talks, and other strategic meetings Putting in all of these hours is one thing, but our pastors are not simply “doing stuff ” when they show up to work. They are giving their full attention to whomever is in front of them and to Christ at the same time. Our ministers bring skills and gifts and education to the table every day, but they also bring their hearts and souls, serving the Lord on our behalf. No wonder the apostle Paul once wrote, “Those who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17). The next time you see any of our pastors, say a prayer, give a hug, offer a word of encouragement. But most of all, thank God for these diligent, caring shepherds who have given themselves to us.
Clockwise from top left: John Goodale, associate pastor; Jim Singleton, senior pastor; Jim DeJarnette, minister of music; Joe Farrell, associate pastor, Not pictured: Paul Parsons, Jennifer Holz and Jim Smith
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FIRST PRES NORTH
a first pres north
P rayer of
Thanksgiving Our heavenly Father,
Thanksgiving Day approaches and we come before you with gratitude for your blessings. We at First Pres North feel you have especially blessed our efforts to establish an additional place to worship. Our brothers and sisters at First Pres downtown constantly offer help and encouragement, but each August it is magnified when they meet to worship with us on the property so generously given by Classic Homes officials. Over five hundred people come to fellowship, worship and show their prayers and support. We are grateful for those at First Pres, including the staff, Session and Trustees, who first caught the vision to start a satellite church in northern El Paso County. It took courage to decide to begin this undertaking, given the difficult economic times, but it was an essential first step. Father, the Community Bible Study organization generously provides a meeting place for our core group to meet weekly to study your Word and pray for your guidance as we developed a preliminary plan. Now a more formal committee has been charged with developing a strategic plan to fund and build First Pres North. We pray you will enlighten this committee according to your wishes for our church. We are thankful for the wisdom of those who searched for and found our minister, Paul Parsons. He is filled with the Spirit and a faithful shepherd and counselor. We pray you will give him the energy and endurance he needs to establish our congregation solidly on your Word. 10 | www.first-pres.org | 11/10
By Hugh Eaton Photo by Alison Smith
Father, though we spent hours planning our start of Sunday worship services, it took your intervention to make it a reality. Thank you for providing the da Vinci Academy site for our services. We are grateful for the many volunteers with servant hearts who labor each Sunday morning to turn an auditorium into a warm and welcoming place of worship. Each Sunday a large, diverse group of people come together to worship you. We thank you for the sweet spirit of fellowship evident in our congregation. There is a feeling of being “one in the Spirit and one in the Lord,” despite any differences in age or economic circumstances. Finally, Father, we bow before you to thank you for the sacrificial gift of your son, Jesus, so we may have eternal life. We pledge to follow his example as we go forth to spread the good news of your love. In Jesus name, amen. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:4 Hugh Eaton regularly submits articles on our satellite campus, First Pres North.
COLLEGE/YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES
It’s no surprise that the marketers at MTV know what young people value. And recently, the cable channel formerly known as Music Television posted some interesting findings from a new study dubbed Youthtopia (mtvsticky.com). MTV’s researchers found that when it comes to what we want, even the sky is not the limit. “I want ... everything!” says a page describing young adult aspirations, noting how we’ve been influenced by celebrities to pursue levels of luxury that were unprecedented in previous generations. Now, I don’t think this value is solely confined to younger generations. But this study provides further confirmation of how we live in a culture that insists happiness can be achieved via four letters: MORE. The Apostle Paul, in contrast, suggested that authentic happiness and contentment have nothing to do with how much—or how little— we possess. In Philippians 4:10-13, Paul writes, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” So how do we appropriate the strength in Christ that Paul describes here? How do we learn contentment? Let’s focus on one area: cultivating a heart of gratitude.
Gratitude is the state of mind and heart that comes when we choose to thank God for what we’ve been given. When we embrace gratitude, versus surrendering to the greed our culture naturally instills, we gradually come to see that what we have is sufficient, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. Notice I used the word choose. I don’t know about you, but my heart isn’t naturally grateful. Oh sure, I have moments that I’m aware I’ve been given something good. But left to my own devices, I’ll fixate on what I don’t have. Given that tendency, I think gratitude— and the contentment that comes with it—is a spiritual discipline that must be learned. A spiritual discipline, of course, is any practice that enables us to receive God’s grace and to experience the goodness of His character. In this case, choosing to remember God’s blessings reorients our hearts toward Him and enables us to recognize the many good things He has already given us. As we habitually practice gratitude, we’re liberated from the shackles of bondage imposed by our culture’s endless quest for more. Instead of demanding, “I want everything!” a gratitude-saturated heart says, “In Christ, and by His grace, I want for nothing.” Adam R. Holz is the proud father of three kids and husband to Jennifer.
GREED, GRATITUDE
AND M
By Adam Holz
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By Joshua David Earls
At eight in the morning, peaceful was my slumber until I had a sense of dread. Soon my parents would wake me and bring me to the boring atmosphere of church. I knew what awaited me in that small building with the tiny congregation. First I would sit next to other youth in a program called Sunday school. I did not like regular school anyway, so to have school on Sunday seemed ridiculous. In Sunday school, we learned about the Bible. I did not see the point in this; I thought I knew everything about the book already. Instead of listening to the lesson, I would engage in making plans with friends. After Sunday school, the youth would get on stage and sing in the choir. This annoyed 12 | www.first-pres.org | 11/10
me because I did not like to sing. After we’d finished “Jesus Loves Me,” we would join our parents in the congregation and listen to the preacher preach. Since every Sunday I was deprived of sleep, I would nap during the sermons. This caused conflict between the pastor and me until I was in middle school. It was then I left the church for many reasons I won’t mention here. I enjoyed my new life without church; I did what I wanted to do. I felt no guilt about my choices. Five years without God in my life, and things started getting hectic. Nothing was good enough, except God, and through some events that changed my life forever, I finally came back to Him. But I was still arrogant, selfish, and
ungrateful; I did not return to church. I thought that every Christian was hypocritical and devious. I was unable to see the faults in my own life. I was not grateful for the gifts that God had given me; I only wanted more. It’s funny what can start to change an attitude of ungratefulness. A girl I loved broke my heart and I went into a depression, about as far from gratitude as you can get. When depression turned to anger, Foreigner and Bon Jovi songs were the sound track of my emotions. “You’re as cold as ice” was the phrase I heard when I thought of God. Since he was sovereign, I figured he must be the cause for my suffering. I was so angered that I didn’t even want to talk to God or read about him. After the break up, I got a tattoo of the Greek word for “remember.” Until then, my whole life had been about forgetting essential things. First, I forgot God. I forgot that he is just and that when I am not obeying him, he will rock my world. At the same time, I forgot that he is merciful and that he has poured his grace on me. I also forgot who I was; I would change myself for other people. I would forget that, as Martin Luther said, “I am just a man that can err.” I rejected my friends and my family. I would argue with my teachers at school just to argue. I tried to forget the pain in my life, but it was that pain that would help me grow into the man that God wanted me to be (James 1:2-17). I swallowed my pride one day and opened the Bible again. The verse I read was, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14). I started to reflect on my own faults instead of the faults of others. It wasn’t long after that when I had a revelation of God’s dealings with my life. He humbled me and I soon was thanking him for what had happened. I started to thank him for the break up, too, because I saw that it was for my own good. I noticed that because of it, I had started to become a better person. I saw God as a refiner, purifying me like silver and gold (Malachi 3:3). I am learning that we become ungrateful when we do not remember the good, essential things that God wants us to remember. Now I make it my goal to remember. I try to be more
Gratitude is the basic Christian attitude.
—Martin Luther
thankful at moments when it seems that there is nothing to be grateful for. The song I relate to my life right now is “Dead and Gone” by T.I. and Justin Timberlake. They sing about how the old self is dead and gone and a new man is in his place. With this new attitude, I have started attending church again. I go to the high school Sunday school class and to the 11:10 service at First Pres. This church is bigger than what I am used to, but I can see community all around. When I see the friendly wrestling, laughing and sharing lives that happens in the high school group at First Pres, I see and feel community. I do not feel judged at First Pres like I did at the church of my youth. When people come and talk to me, they are not afraid to shake my hand and have good conversations. When I worship now, it is not fake; it is really praising God. I am thankful to say that at this church I listen to the Sunday school teacher. In fact I have used some of the things Nate Stratman has said to explain complicated issues. When asked what I wanted to do with my life, I said that I want to learn and then take what I learn and apply it to everything I do. We are like sponges and if sponges don’t get wrung out, they can get stinky. So we, too, need to apply what we learn to new situations. I still do not like waking up early in the morning, but thanks to coffee, I do not fall asleep during the sermons. And I am grateful that they do not make me sing. But every once in a while, I’ll hum under my breath. Joshua Earls is part of the First Pres high school group and attends the 11:10 a.m. Worship service.
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Love, Grow, Go—Together. It’s a journey. It’s a state of mind. It’s who we want to be here at First Pres. For more details about the serving communities mentioned in this issue of First Pres Magazine, read on.
identified through the Lutheran Family Services and District 11 Adult & Family Education Program. We work alongside teachers from D-11. For further information, contact Michelle Swanson, 884.6111 or mswanson@first-pres.org.
Alpha. Are you interested in providing meals or learning more about what it means to facilitate a table group for Alpha? Contact Pat Dickinson at 884.6108.
First Pres North. There are many places to volunteer at First Pres North. Whether it’s spending time with children, greeting visitors, setting up for the band or bringing the brownies, First Pres North welcomes you to this special community. For information call 884.6141.
Christmas Eve Service Hosts. A missional community is a welcoming community, especially on Christmas Eve. If you have the gift of hospitality, and are looking for a place to love people on this special holiday, hosting might be for you. Contact Mary Frieg at 884.6189 or mfrieg@first-pres.org Ecumenical Social Ministries (ESM). Located on the corner of Weber & Bijou Streets, First Pres is one of eight downtown churches supporting this front-line ministry for the working poor and homeless. For further information, call Michelle Swanson, 884.6111 or online www.ecusocmin.org English as a Second Language (ESL). First Pres hosts an ESL class for political refugees
Habitat for Humanity. Help build our eighth Habitat House for the Greathouse family! Call Michelle Swanson at 884.6111 or mswanson@ first-pres.org. Student Ministries. Are you interested in hearing the stories of other youth at First Pres? Contact Nate Stratman at nstratman@firstpres.org or 884-6222. Usher Ministry. If you or someone you know would like to work with the usher ministry at First Pres, please contact Mary Frieg at 884.6189 or mfrieg@first-pres.org.
Other opportunities to serve? www.first-pres.org/volunteer Nicole Lowell 884-6162, nlowell@first-pres.org
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Events Calendar NOVEMBER
week of 1–6
Thursday, Nov. 4 Prime Time
week of 7–13
Sunday, Nov. 7 Saturday, Nov. 13 Daylight Savings Ends Habitat Build Day Bible Reading Brunch Interfaith Hospitality Network through 11/14
week of 14–20
Thursday, Nov. 18 Prime Time
Friday, Nov. 19 Children’s Fall Music Festival
Saturday, Nov. 20 Habitat Build Day
week of 21–27
Monday, Nov. 22 Help for the Holiday Blues
Thursday, Nov. 25 Thanksgiving, Church is Closed
Friday, Nov. 26 Church is Closed
week of 28–30
Sunday, Nov. 28 First Sunday of Advent
Saturday, Nov. 6 Habitat Build Day
Join us in Worship on Sundays
Downtown Campus – 219 E. Bijou Blended Worship with Choir, Sanctuary, 8:20 a.m. & 9:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship, 9:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall and 11:10 a.m. Sanctuary Contemplative Worship, Sanctuary, 5:00 p.m.
First Pres North – da Vinci Academy Contemporary Worship, 11:00 a.m.
First Pres Online – first-pres.org Sanctuary Services live broadcast beginning at 8:20 a.m.
For church information, call 719-884-6144 or mail@first-pres.org 8/10 | www.first-pres.org | 15 11/10
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
come with Mary
come with Mary —
219 East Bijou Street Colorado Springs, CO 80903
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e eAdvent AdventofofGrace: Grace:Luke Luke1:26-33 1:26-33 e eAdvent AdventofofMystery: Mystery:Luke Luke1:34-38 1:34-38 e eAdvent AdventofofJoy: Joy:Luke Luke1:46-56 1:46-56 e eAdvent AdventofofSurprise: Surprise:Luke Luke2:1-7 2:1-7 — — e eAdvent AdventofofGlory: Glory:Luke Luke2:6-20 2:6-20