M o n t h l y N e w s f r o m F P C Ty l e r • Vo l u m e 1 1 , I s s u e 6 : J u n e 2 0 1 6
Celebrating our Graduates by Dana Durman As May came to a close, we saw some of our youth marking a milestone in their life - high school graduation. While this can be a bittersweet transition, it is also a time that the congregation celebrates their achievements and accomplishments. On Sunday, May 22, the congregation celebrated Senior Recognition Day in Fellowship Hall with a reception in their honor. The seniors and their families created displays that chronicled their achievements, honors, interests and future plans. Members of the congregation had the opportunity to view the displays and were encouraged to jot a note of congratulations and best wishes in the students’ notebooks. In congratulating our graduates, we also pray for their continued success. Completing high school is an achievement that they should be proud of and we wish them more great journeys in their college life! The First Presbyterian Church graduates for 2016 include: Emma Collyer, daughter of Robert
and Lynn Collyer, is a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler. Emma was active in theater, where she won numerous district and school awards. A 16-year member of FPC, she has held various leadership positions within the church youth group and in Grace Presbytery, as well as attending conferences and mission trips. Emma has chosen to attend Tyler Junior College, where she hopes to transfer to a Presbyterian college to get her degree in either psychology or sociology and enter into ministry. Madeline Stanford, the daughter of Jim and Janet Stanford, is a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler. Ranked number 10 in her class, Madeline was active in National Honor Society, marching band, Texas Bank & Trust student board and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. She won numerous awards for her academic and community service. Madeline plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin, studying biology. Best of luck to Emma and Madeline! As they begin this next phase of their life, we know they will continue to be successful in the future endeavors with which they are involved.
i n t h i s i s s u e | h i g h l i g h t s & f e at u r e s Send Cards to Mission Team| Pg 3
PW Confer Lifetime Award | Pg 3
Mission Co-workers in Zambia | Pg 4
Your short note of encouragement or cards to students will help keep spirits high as they serve in Austin, TX.
Read more about the recipient who was recognized because of their faithful service to the church.
Learn about the Johnsons, our Global Mission Partners supported by FPC . First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701-1696 (903) 597-6317 | www.fpctyler.com
A Successful Youth Sunday
Our Graduating Seniors First Presbyterian Church’s 2016 high school graduates: Emma Collyer (left) & Madeline Stanford (below)
By all accounts, FPC’s Youth Sunday services held on April 24 were a success. “If you attended Youth Sunday, you would agree that the youth presented the congregation with a wonderful message and service. They spoke with clarity of the message in a very personal and professional manner while enjoying themselves,” said member Lynne Wagoner. This year’s participants included Emery Dubre, Katie Humphress, Henry Ainsworth, Isabelle Duarte, Brooklyn Wageman, Hanna Meg Leach, Julianna Leach, Charley Ross Ainsworth, Allie Wallace, Cameron Humphress, Alex Ellis, Michael Palady, Katie Stanford, Charlie Adams, Emma Collyer, Madeline Stanford, and Elizabeth Bunt. Held annually, Youth Sunday invites FPC youth to lead the congregation in worship, contributing their talents from the scripting of the service to the music and prayers.
co n g r e g at i o n a l n e w s Membership Updates New Members Join us in welcoming our newest members: • Samuel and Sam Hooker • Ann Tindall Marriages Congratulations to our members on their recent nuptials: • David Wayne Bergeron and Amanda Nicole Partney on April 3. • Edward O’Neil McKown IV and Erin Elise Huffman on April 9. Deaths Condolences to the families of FPC members who have entered the Church Triumphant: • Bette Perry
July Sunday Morning Schedule During the month of July, please join the congregation for Lemonade on the Lawn each Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. for fellowship and treats. Sunday worship will be held at a single service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Children’s worship will continue to meet in the Children’s Wing during this time. Sunday school classes will not meet. The normal worship schedule resumes August 7.
Staff Vacation Various staff members will be on vacation during the month of June: Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin, pastor, June 2-10; Neil McKown, director of student ministries, June 12-18; Rev. Pamela Leach, parish associate, June 1-12; Nanci Pollard, financial assistant, June 21-27, and Dana Durman, director of communications, June 21-27.
s a v e t h e d a t e | J u ly/A u g u s t 2 0 1 6 Junior High Jubilee | July 3
Synod Youth Workshop | July 25
Texas Rangers Weekend| August 12
Middle school youth are invited to Mo-Ranch for summer fun.
High school youth throughout the synod gather for a small-group intensive week.
Join us for our annual pilgrimage to Arlington to cheer on the Texas Rangers. For students in grades 6-12.
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M o n t h ly e v e n t h i g h l i g h t s Wedding Shower Honoring The McKowns
Send Off Luncheon for FPC Youth Mission Trip
Sunday, June 5 | 9:30 am | Fellowship Hall All are invited for punch and cake to celebrate the nuptials of our director of student ministries, Neil McKown and his sweetheart, Erin. If you would like to bring a gift, there will be a money tree, and they are registered at Macy’s and Target. Questions? Contact Lynne Wagoner (903-714-8079). For more information, visit fpctyler.com/events/weddingshower.
Sunday, June 12 | 12 pm | Fellowship Hall Come and share a meal with our ETY mission trip participants before they depart for a week of serving the needy in the Greater Austin area. Lunch will be provided by Student Ministries. This will be a time for our congregation to support, encourage, lift up, and pray for our mission team! Questions? Contact Neil McKown (903-279-6818/fpctyler.com/events/missiontriplunch).
P r e s b y t e r i a n Wom e n C o n f e r L i f e t i m e Awa r d By Martha Oates This year’s Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women (PW) was awarded to Alice Sjernstrom during the 11:00 a.m. worship service on May 15. This award is given to recognize an individual’s faithful service in some area of church work. Men, women,
moderators, leaders, teachers, officers, pastors, missionaries, and staff have received this honor. Alice’s longtime service to our FPC members and programs include many areas of church work. She has been instrumental in forming the Stephen Ministry program, served as an officer in PW organization, active on the mission
committee, and was a church office volunteer. Currently, Alice serves as a Diaconate and is in charge of the visitation schedule for our shut-ins. Congratulations to a most deserving recipient!
NEW! Online Giving for FPC! FPC is pleased to offer online giving through its website. In addition to checks and cash given in the offering plate during worship services or mailed in, you can give easily and securely one-time or scheduled ongoing gifts with your debit or credit card.
count. Once you get to the giving page, make sure to specify the account to which you want to designate the funds from the pull down menu. The pull down menu includes budget, building restoration and memorial funds (enter the name of the memorialized in the optional memo line).
To get started, go to FPC’s homepage at fpctyler.com, click on the GIVE button in the top right-hand corner, and follow the prompts. You may login as a guest or create a login ac-
For information or questions, please contact Nanci Pollard at the church office at (903) 597-6317, X108.
Encourage the Student Mission Team On June 12, students and adult sponsors from FPC Tyler will join other churches to embark on the annual East Texas Youth Mission Trip–this year to Austin, Texas. The camp will put them to work in the Round Rock
Area Service Center and Downhome Ranch in Elgin, Texas. Help keep their spirits high by mailing cards and notes of encouragement by June 8 in order to reach the church before our team heads home. 3
Mail cards to East Texas Youth Mission Trip, c/o Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3208 Exposition Blvd., Austin, TX 78703.
the mission store Yo u r m i s s i o n H Q a t F P C • M a t c h y o u r t a l e n t w i t h o u r c o m m u n i t y ’ s n e e d s
PATH (People Attempting To Help)
FPC Mission Co-workers in Zambia
During the summer months, PATH is collecting box fans for families living through the heat without air conditioning. At Home Depot, simply tell a cashier you’d like to buy a fan for PATH. You will be charged a discounted price, and the fan will be set aside for a PATH representative to pick up. It’s that easy!. Additional monetary support and volunteers are always welcome. Questions? Visit TylerPATH.org.
The Mission Committee recommended that the Session of FPC Tyler formally adopt Melissa and Charles Johnson, PCUSA Mission Co-Workers in Zambia, as Global Mission Partners supported by the church. The motion was approved! FPC Tyler will support the Johnsons through prayers, communication, and minimum yearly financial support of $2,000. They will be listed as staff/partners in the bulletin. Charles and Melissa have been invited to help the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian’s Zambia Synod expand its ministry of community development and food security. Charles will serve as a development specialist, and Melissa will support him in this role. They will focus heavily on developing the Chasefu Model Farm, an agricultural project of Chasefu Theological College. The farm feeds the students and also provides opportunities for future pastors to learn agricultural techniques. The intent is for pastors to be able to supplement their income through farming and share their agricultural knowledge with the communities they serve. Chasefu Farm also provides local farmers opportunities to learn innovative approaches to agriculture. In addition to agriculture, the Johnsons will work with the CCAP on projects related to clean water, micro-credit, health, and education. To learn more about Charles and Melissa, go to pcusa.org/ charles-and-melissa-johnson.
Sewing Bees - Sewing with a Mission Wednesday, June 15 | 10 am | F 104 Connect with sewing buffs of all ages and levels of expertise. Simple patterns and guidance provided. Help us continue the mission. For more information on the sewing bees, visit fpctyler.com/events/sewingbees. Group contact is Mollie Bobo (903-530-2772).
Knit Wits - Knitters Unite for Camp Ministry Monday, June 6 | 1:30 pm | 13493 S. Hillcreek Rd. | Whitehouse, TX Calling all knitters and wannabes - our current project involves knitting items to send to Camp Gilmont in Gilmer, TX, where they’ll be available for purchase with sales directly benefiting the camp. Join the group at the home of Kay Arms. For more information, contact Pat Cryer (903561-5242/ fpctyler.com/events/knitwits).
Stay in the Know
Analysis of Revenues & Expenses April 2016 Summary
Stay in the know about news and events by connecting with FPC online.
MTD Actual YTD Actual YTD Budget
Revenues
$75,398
$941,895
$930,360
Expenses
$85,600
$913,631
$1,011,462
Net Total
($10,202)
$28,264
($81,102)
Subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter, and you’ll receive stories, event reminders, and mission updates. You’ll even get a sneak peek into what Stuart has planned for Sunday’s pulpit! Follow the QR code above or find the e-newsletter signup link on the website at fpctyler.com.
Planned Giving Have you remembered the church and other charities in your will? If you need help, contact Nanci Pollard (903-5976317) to request information, or visit the Texas Presbyterian Foundation at tpf.org. Assistance is confidential and free of charge.
Stay in touch with us on social media, too: /fpctyler 4
@fpctyler
@fpctyler
Send Off Luncheon for FPC Youth Mission Trip
You’re making a what? A Cardboard City!
Sunday, June 12 | 12 pm | Fellowship Hall Come and share a meal with our ETY mission trip participants before they depart for a week of serving the needy in the Greater Austin area. Lunch will be provided by Student Ministries. Questions? Contact Neil McKown (903-279-6818/fpctyler.com/ events/missiontriplunch).
Can you imagine a city made of cardboard? We hope you can because we will begin building one starting the beginning of summer. Student ministry volunteers will host our youth a couple of times each week as they create the city which we will use in VBS. The youth will determine what this city needs, the order of importance for each building, and the design of our own Pres-B City. It will take many hours, involve some detail work and have a gratifying payoff when finished. Watch your e-news for the specific afternoons and times scheduled this summer to meet and accomplish this important task.
Youth Group: Bowling + Pizza Sunday, June 26 | 4-7 pm | Green Acres Bowling & Cici’s Pizza Come ready to knock around some pins and then go eat some pizza! Hint: ready means with socks in hand and money for snacks in your pocket. Friends are welcome to come, too. Parents, please drop off your youth at Green Acres Bowl and pick up at Cici’s Pizza by 7 pm. Open to all youth, grades 6–12 and incoming 6th graders (fpctyler.com/events/ygbowlingpizza).
East Texas Youth Mission Trip June 12 - 18 | Austin, TX fpctyler.com/events/summermission
Junior High Jubilee
Sunday Mornings in June & August
July 3-7 | Mo-Ranch | Hunt, TX For information: fpctyler.com/events/jhj
June 5, 12, 19, 26 | 9:45 am | Fellowship Hall August 7, 14, 21, 28 | 9:45 am | Fellowship Hall Our student ministry leaders have decided to give summer Sunday school hour a new look. We will have family ministry, with a mission focus. Join us as we work together making hygiene kits in June, and school supply kits in August (see below for more information).
Synod Youth Workshop July 25-31 | U of Tulsa | Tulsa, OK For information: fpctyler.com/events/syw
Mission Fellowship during Sunday School by Phyllis Kidwell Director of Children’s Ministries Our student ministry and children’s ministry leaders have decided to give our summer Sunday school hour a new look. We will have family ministry, with a mission focus. Students in all grades and adults are invited to gather in Fellowship Hall to work together making hygiene kits in June, and school supply kits in August. Children age 3 and under will continue to receive child care in the children’s ministry area. SO, if your class is not meeting this
summer, or takes a break, please come and join in the fun. In order to make the kits, we need everyone’s help. The kits are used by the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program, and shared with victims in need. We are currently gathering things for the kits. Please consider donating one or two of the items we will need. Each hygiene kit will require the following: • • • •
hand towel (approximately 16” x 28”, no fingertip or bath towels) washcloth wide-tooth comb nail clipper (no metal files or em-
ery boards) • bar of soap (bath size in wrapper) • toothbrush (in original packaging) • Band-Aids® Please do not bring toothpaste. We will share the list for school supply kits later this summer. Bring your donations to the box located inside the main church building near the entrance at the port-cochere. For more information, visit our website at fpctyler.com/events/missionfellowship. Hope to see you on June 5th!
Steeple Times is a publication of First Presbyterian Church, 230 W. Rusk St., Tyler, TX 75701. Acting editor: Stuart Baskin. FPC reserves the right to edit and/or exclude all submissions. Submit content to Dana Durman by the 15th of the month prior to publication: ddurman@ fpctyler.com, fax (903) 597-6326, or mail. An archive of the Steeple Times can be found online at fpctyler.com/archive.
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Children & Youth Calendar
June
Sunday
Monday
5
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
7
8
9
10
11
14
15
16
17
18
6 12:30 PM |
8:30 AM | Worship
Cardboard Construction
9:30 AM | McKown's
Wedding Shower 9:45 AM | Sunday School 11 AM | Worship 11 AM | Children’s Church
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8:30 AM | Worship 9:45 AM | Sunday School 11 AM | Worship 11 AM | Children’s Church 12 PM | Send off Luncheon
for ETY mission trip
1 PM | 3 - 5 grade Parent
Planning Meeting ET Youth Mission Trip departs
ET Youth Mission Trip returns
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20
FATHER'S DAY
21 5 PM | CM
8:30 AM | Worship
Meeting
9:45 AM | Sunday School
22
23 12:30 PM |
Team
Cardboard Construction
12:30 PM |
11 AM | Worship
Cardboard Construction
11 AM | Children’s Church
26 8:30 AM | Worship 9:45 AM | Sunday School 11 AM | Worship
27 6:30 PM | SM
Team Meeting
28
29
12:30 PM |
30 12:30 PM |
Cardboard Construction
Cardboard Construction
11 AM | Children’s Church 4 PM | Youth Bowling & Pizza Party
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24
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Children’s Ministry News & Events News About Kids’ Night Out...
3rd, 4th & 5th Grade Parents Planning Meeting
A BIG thank you from the children who attended First Friday Fun this past school year. We had members who taught our groups, members who volunteered to serve our meals, and some friends who made our meals and desserts. It was a fruitful year. We studied the fruits of the spirit learning new things each month. Thanks again and remember, First Friday Fun is on hiatus from June through August. The event series will resume in September.
Sunday, June 12 | 1 pm | Children’s Wing Parents and students: join us for a children’s ministry planning meeting following our send off luncheon for the Youth Mission Trip participants. Currently, we are scheduled to go flying in July, but we need to look at other activities for the fall. Contact: Phyllis Kidwell at (903) 681-5504/fpctyler.com/events/cmparentmeeting.
VBS - “Building Christians” (Age 3 - 5th grade) August 4-5 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm | Campus-wide August 6 | 10 am - 3 pm | Campus-wide We will learn about building relationships with Jesus Christ, our cornerstone. Our curriculum this year is “Building Christians on the Foundation of Jesus Christ” which is loosely based on Habitat for Humanity, using the scripture, “A precious cornerstone for a sure foundation.” The youth will help us create a structure, and we will make some things to use around our church campus. The congregation is invited to our Saturday meal starting at noon. FPC’s men’s group will grill hamburgers and hot dogs. Everyone can take part in VBS, whether you want to pray for those God will send to this ministry, have an hour to shop for supplies or food, lead or shepherd a group through the evenings or on Saturday morning, or help with preparing and serving the dinners. If you have a little time to give, we have a job for you. Contact: Phyllis Kidwell at (903) 681-5504. Registration coming soon (fpctyler.com/events/vacation-bible-school).
Sunday Mornings in June & August June 5, 12, 19, 26 | 9:45 am | Fellowship Hall August 7, 14, 21, 28 | 9:45 am | Fellowship Hall Our youth ministry leaders have decided to give summer Sunday school hour a new look. We will have family ministry, with a mission focus. Join us as we work together making hygiene kits in June, and school supply kits in August (see article on page 5 for more information). Children age 3 and under will continue to receive child care in the children’s ministry area. For more information, contact Phyllis Kidwell at (903) 681-5504 or visit our website at fpctyler.com/events/missionfellowship.
/ small group listing
s u n d ay s c h oo l Sunday School @ 9:45 am
| Lecture & discussion M202 | Proverbs | Contact: Bob Schmoker (903) 714-5746 faith builders
westminster | Book & discussion M 207 | A Love Worth Giving | Contact: Linda Pirtle (903) 881-9000
the forum | Lecture & discussion M102 | The book of Deuteronomy | Contact: Chris Bunt (903) 531-3535
| Sermon texts 2nd/4th Mondays 10 am | homes | Contact: Lynn Holliman (903) 5349190
men
| Lectionary Tuesdays 6:30 am | Premier Flexipac | Contact: Skip Womack (903) 533-9433 or Bob Schmoker (903) 714-5746
men
genesis | Bible study & discussion M205 | Toward a New Creation (Zephaniah/Romans) | Contact: Judith Guthrie (903) 530-3668 the 209ers | Young Adults M209 | TBA | Contact: Debbie Pitts (debbiepitts@gmail.com)
Small Group Schedule
A special “thank you” to Azalea Academy For Exceptional Adults for assembling our weekly worship bulletin.
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| Book & discussion Thursdays 9:30 am | Conference Room | TBA | Contact: Jan Carpenter (903) 566-8533
women
Meadow Lake Bible Study. 11:45 am, Meadow Lake. Wedding Shower for the McKowns. 9:30 am, Fellowship Hall. Mission Fellowship Sunday. 9:45 am, Fellowship Hall. Mission Fellowship Sunday. 9:45 am, Fellowship Hall. Send off Luncheon for FPC Youth Mission Trip. 12 pm, Fellowship Hall. 3 - 5th Grade Parent Planning Meeting. 1 pm, Children’s Wing. East Texas Youth Mission Trip. Austin, TX Steeple Times Submission Deadline. Mission Fellowship Sunday. 9:45 am, Fellowship Hall. Mission Fellowship Sunday. 9:45 am, Fellowship Hall. Youth Bowling and Pizza Party. 4 pm, Green Acres Bowl/CiCi’s Pizza. Fourth of July observed. Church office and campus closed. Fourth of July holiday. Church office and campus closed.
230 W. Rusk Street, Tyler, TX 75701
return service requested
Budget & Finance. June 9 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Building & Grounds. June 13 @ 5:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Children’s Ministry Team. June 21 @ 5 pm — Library | A 111 Diaconate. June 14 @ 6:30 pm — Library | A 111 Governance. June 6 @ 5:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Mission. June 13 @ 5:30 pm — Library | A 111 Risk Management. June 22 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Session. June 21 @ 7 pm — M 207 Student Ministry. June 27 @ 6:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Worship. June 7 @ 5 pm — Conference Room | A 110
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june highlights
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