Steeple Times, Jan. 2017 (Vol. 12, Issue 1) by FPC Tyler

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 2 , I s s u e 1 : J a n u a r y 2 0 1 7

Emmanuel: God is With Us by the Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin Nearly every year my column for the January Steeple Times is a brief reflection on the year gone by and a look at the year ahead. I often talk about the new beginnings and new possibilities a new year brings. While it is true that a new year often marks a sort of psychological, emotional new beginning, the reality is that a new year sometimes brings unexpected hardship and heartache. In the immortal words of Queen Elizabeth II, a year can easily turn into an “annus horribilis”—a horrible year. Now if you are by nature a pessimistic soul, it doesn’t take much to have a bad year. But even optimists sometimes have years that challenge even the sunniest of outlooks. Do I expect 2017 to be an annus horribilis? Not at all. But I am aware that for some of us, that’s exactly what it will turn into. Which leads me to the pastoral point of this column: even in the worst of times, never forget the lesson of Christmas: God is with us. God is with us when times are good, as well as when times are bad. Perhaps especially when times are bad.

I hope everyone has an excellent new year. But if this year brings more than the usual ordinary disappointment, do not forget: God IS with you. Always. FPC to Scotland OK, so this is a shameless plug. I’m leading a trip to Scotland in October and I want you to go with me. The tour begins in Edinburgh on the morning of Tuesday, October 3, but I suggest flying over on October 1, arriving in Scotland on October 2. This will give you a chance to rest, and it will allow plenty of time even if there are flight delays. The tour ends on the morning of Tuesday, October 10. If you are interested, let me know. There are brochures around the church that provide more information. The deadline for signing up (with deposit) is January 29. There must be at least 24 who have signed up by then for the trip to be a “go.” The “early bird” rate (for those who sign up by the 29th) is $2795. This is a “land only” price. Airfare and extra nights are your responsibility. I cannot guarantee much in this life, but I can guarantee this: you will have a wonderful time. Come with me!

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 FPC’s Busy Bees | pg 3

2017 Lenten Study | Pg 3

Souper Bowl of Caring | pg 5

Mollie Bobo shares the sewing bees latest projects.

Learn how we will meet God in Paul this Lenten season.

Help the youth collect canned goods and monetary donations for local charities. First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701-1696 (903) 597-6317 | www.fpctyler.com

C O 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: Joe and Debbie Jones Deaths Condolences to the families of our FPC members who entered the Church Triumphant: Linda Zeigler and Betty Keys.

PRAYERFULLY SPEAKING from the FPC Prayer Team Happy New Year! As we have just celebrated the birth of the Christ Child at Christmas, may we continue to celebrate God’s presence with us all year long. Let us give thanks for God’s blessings, and out of our gratitude may we resolve to serve Him more faithfully. Being faithful to God requires staying connected to God, and a great way to do that is through prayer. God is as close to us as the very breath we take. Speak to God in prayer; He is listening. “Our prayers do not need to be perfect. The Spirit takes our prayers and presents them to God, just as Jesus Christ intercedes for us. (Romans 8:34)”

Holiday Office Closings The office and campus will be closed on Monday, January 2 in observance of New Year’s Day and Monday, January 16 in observance of the Martin Luther King Memorial Holiday.

Sunday Worship Service Schedule Change

Sunday, January 1 | 11 am On Sunday, January 1, a single worship service will be held at 11 a.m. only. Sunday school classes will not meet, although Children’s Worship will meet during the 11 a.m. service. Additionally, the Lord’s sacrament will be celebrated.

Donald McKim, “Living into Lent.”

Thanks be to our Triune God for being with us in prayer! (If you would like to submit a prayer request, please fill out the form found in the church pew and drop it in the collection plate or into a prayer request box found in the Chapel, Sanctuary, and church office.)

Ordination and Installation of Officers Join us for our annual installation and ordination of officers for First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 8 at the 11 am service in the Sanctuary.

SAM’s Club’s Next Meeting in February

Chancel Flowers for 2017

SAM’s Club will not be meeting in January. The next meeting will the Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. For more information, contact Cynthia Welch at 903-561-3028.

All dates for 2017 to donate flowers are available! Call now to get your favorite date saved so you can honor a friend, celebrate a birthday, or memorialize a loved one by donating flowers to the Chancel. Arrangements are $80. Contact: Margaret Hilliard (903-593-1494).

Save the Date: Summer Plans As you begin to think about warm weather days, mark your summer calendars for FPC Tyler’s VBS. We will hold our VBS on Thursday, June 15 and Friday, June 16 in the evening and on Saturday, June 17 during the day, including sharing lunch together.

A Word of Thanks From FPC Thank you to our committee chairs, volunteers, helpers and donors for sharing your time, talent and treasure with FPC during 2016. Our volunteers are worth their weight in gold! Your generosity benefited countless others and your support won’t be forgotten. God bless you!

s a v e t h e d a t e | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 7 First Friday Fun Returns | Feb. 3

Fine Arts @ FPC: Jazz Brunch | Feb. 26

Mardi Gras 2017 | February 28

Kids’ night out for infants–grade 2. RSVP required.

Smooth jazz and good eats sponsored by Fine Arts @ FPC.

Gumbo cook-off, parade, silent auction —the whole bit. Won’t you join us?

M O N T H LY E V E N T H I G H L I G H T S New FPC Pictorial Church Directory

Bill Wagoner Pancake Breakfast

January 28-29 | FPC Campus Sign up now for your family portrait for the FPC church directory. All appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis, so make your appointment today. We need everyone to participate to help make this directory complete. Everyone who participates will receive a complimentary 10” x 13” professional family portrait, one printed directory, smart phone app, and online directory. Additional quality family portraits will be offered at competitive prices. Thank you for your participation, and smile! Questions? Call Shannon Franzen (903-576-4781). To schedule your appointment, visit fpctyler.com/events/churchdirectory.

Sunday, January 22 | 9 am | Fellowship Hall Join us and the Men of the Church as they will be hosting the 6th Annual Bill Wagoner Pancake Breakfast. All are invited to attend a morning of pancakes and mission. Help the Men of the Church and eat some of their delicious pancakes, hot off the griddle! Visit fpctyler.com/events/pancakes for more information.

FPC’s Sewing Bees are Busy Bees Indeed by Mollie Bobo Our Sewing Bees have had a very busy fall! We sent approximately 100 dresses and 50 boxer shorts to Haiti in December. These were handdelivered by Sally Smith-Garmon to the children in the villages that our mission team serves. Our “super sewer” Jan Clayton designed and made more than half of the dresses herself. Shannon Franzen, Anne Clarke and Pat Cryer burned some midnight oil boosting the number of boxer shorts. Great job ladies! In November, we switched gears to

help Phyllis Kidwell prepare for the Christmas pageant. We added new angels, shepherds and wise men to the costume inventory. Then we spent a fun-filled morning making animal headpieces for the little ones to wear on Christmas Eve. No sewing was required, just scissors and glue guns. We have used up yards and yards of fabric that was initially donated to us, and have purchased additional fabrics along the way. Presbyterian Women have generously provided funds for purchase of ribbons and trim. We will be looking for new sources of quilting cottons for our next projects. We are also glad to accept money for supplies

via checks made payable to First Presbyterian Church, memo: sewing bees (mail to: 230 W. Rusk, Tyler, TX 75701). Sewing Bees meets on 3rd Wednesday each month at 10 a.m. in F 104 for work, fun and fellowship. No equipment is required. We have 2 sewing machines and a serger that “live” permanently in our sewing room. If you would like to learn to sew or just refresh your skills, consider joining us. We can also schedule some specific classes at a different time. For more information, conatct Mollie Bobo at (903) 530-2772 or visit fpctyler.com/

2017 Lenten Study...Meeting God in Paul - Starting March 1st Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, hopes his short book “will convey a little of the energy and freshness of Paul’s witness to Jesus and the God he encountered in Jesus.” In the book, he helps modern readers understand Paul’s social world and why his teaching, sometimes considered antiquated today, was a disturbingly new interpretation of old traditions in his day. Together, we will meet God in Paul this Lenten season. If your group plans to take part in this year’s study or if you are willing to serve as a small group facilitator please contact Jennifer Bennett (jenb@rosethorne.com or 903-714-6426). 3

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)

Sewing Bees - Sewing with a Mission

As the weather turns colder, many clients are faced with the decision to heat or eat. Blankets are an inexpensive way to keep warm and save on utility costs. Please help and bring donations to the PATH crates located in the foyer of the Fellowship Hall and near the elevator in the main building. Visit pathhelps.org.

Wednesday, January 18 | 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, visit fpctyler.com/events/sewingbees. Group contact is Mollie Bobo (903-530-2772).

Merry Christmas from Lundazi

Save the Date: Mardi Gras 2017

As 2016 draws to a close, and Christmas nears, we want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. This year has seen many wonderful changes in our lives, as we’ve followed God’s call to Zambia. We have been welcomed by new friends, and shown the love of Christ by those we’ve met and we’ve done our best to do the same. We are truly at home in Zambia! Charles & Melissa Johnson

Tuesday, February 28 | 5:30 pm | Fellowship Hall Benefiting our mission programs, the Mission Committee is sponsoring the third annual Mardi Gras Celebration. Save the date and look for details to follow.

Music Minister Search Committee Resumes By Claudia Carroll The search committee for the director of music/organist is grateful to Lee Kohlenberg for serving as interim director. We think we made an excellent choice and feel that the music ministry is in capable hands. Not only is Lee working with our choir and music staff, he will conduct the Tyler Civic Chorale for the remainder of the 2016-17 season. Lee plans to stay in Tyler until the end of May 2017.

The committee did take a break after hiring Lee, but are now back at work seeking our permanent Director of Music/Organist. The position is publicized on the American Guild of Organists and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians websites. We are attracting many highly qualified and experienced candidates. The committee is reviewing resumes, listening to audio and video clips, speaking with experts in the

Analysis of Revenues & Expenses November 2016 Summary

MTD Actual YTD Actual YTD Budget

Revenues

$73,008

$384,918

$394,775

Expenses

$99,504

$443,689

$498,065

Net Total

($26,496)

($58,771)

($103,290)

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 4 free of charge.

field, conducting Skype interviews and talking about the qualifications and attributes of the candidates. We will be conducting on-site interviews and auditions as we narrow the candidates down to several finalists. We ask for your prayers as we undertake this next phase. If you have suggestions, please feel free to talk to any member of the committee: Claudia Carroll, Buck Files, Bill Girard, Judith Guthrie, Casey Johnson and Linda Pirtle.

Stay in the Know Stay in the know about news and events by connecting with FPC online. 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. Stay in touch with us on social media, too: /fpctyler

@fpctyler

Youth Group Gathering

Souper Bowl of Caring

Sunday, January 8 | 5:30 pm | FPC Tyler Join us for our first gathering of 2017! Come for food, games, and we will look at and discuss Youth Sunday! Visit fpctyler.com/events/youthgroup to let us know if you’re coming. For students grade 6-12.

PULSE (Praise. Unite. Lead. Serve. Energize.) #3 Saturday, Jan. 14 | 7:30 am | meet at FPC PULSE will be held at the Presbyterian Mission Center in Irving. For youth from grades 9-12. RSVP by January 5 to Neil McKown (nmckown@fpctyler.com). This will help us be able to plan transportation for our group!

Senior High Youth Connection January 27-29 | Sherman, TX | RSVP by January 10 Attention high school students - it’s time to start thinking about SHYC! The theme this year is Day 41 and the cost is $60. We will be spending the weekend at Austin College in Sherman, TX with over 400 of our Presbyterian friends listening to keynotes, talking in small groups, playing games, singing songs, participating in a service project, and more. For information and to register, visit fpctyler.com/events/ shyc or contact Neil McKown at nmkown@fpctyler.com.

The Souper Bowl of Caring’s vision is to use the energy of the NFL’s Super Bowl to mobilize youth in a united national effort to care for people in their local communities who are hungry and those in need. One hundred percent of the donations (monetarily and canned goods) go to local ministries in our communities! This year, FPC-Tyler has been challenged by our friends at FPC-Athens, FPC-Plano, and St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Longview to see which church can collect the most canned goods for the Souper Bowl of Caring! Throughout the entire month of January the youth are asking for you to help us by bringing as many canned goods and as often as you can in order for our church to win the honor of being the inaugural “Grace Presbytery Souper Bowl” Champion and fight hunger in our communities! All our collections here at FPC Tyler will go to PATH. Whichever church collects the most canned goods wins the inaugural “Grace Presbytery Souper Bowl” Champion trophy and bragging rights for a year! Let’s get in the spirit of giving!

Bullet Points from November’s Session Meeting Minutes recorded by Robyn Files The Session met on October 18 and conducted the following business: •

Receive Tad and Margo Hillin and Kristin Hoyer into active membership.

•

Approve the recommendation from the Worship Committee to celebrate the sacrament of the

•

Lord’s Supper on the following dates in 2017: February 5, March 5, April 2, April 13 (Maundy Thursday), May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, and December 3, and January 7, 2018.

•

Bettie Clancy announced that a new pictorial directory is being planned.

Full minutes are available from the church office upon request.

Souper Bowl of Caring - February 5 More than 25 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group: “Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat.” Since that day, more than $110 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring. It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around the Big Game into the nation’s

Dr. Baskin introduced Bassem Beskales, from Egypt, who has been visiting the church. Dr. Baskin also spoke briefly about a sabbatical and the possible assistance our church could get from the Eli Lilly Foundation

largest celebration of giving and serving. Through this mission, young people learn what it’s like to make a positive difference in the world—as they collect food, raise money and volunteer to work in charities that provide shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry and compassion to those in need. Be part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need. Give generously on throughout the month of January. For more information, fpctyler.com/events/ 5 souper-bowl.

Children & Youth Calendar

January

Sunday EPIPHANY OBSERVED 10:30 AM | Fellowship 11 AM | Worship 11 AM | Children’s Church

Monday

Tuesday

SHYC

REGISTRATION DEADLINE!

9:10 AM | Ring &

Sing 9:45 AM | Sunday School 11 AM | Worship 11 AM | Children’s Church 5:30 PM | SM: Youth Group

15 8:30 AM | Worship 9:10 AM | Ring &

NEW YEAR'S DAY OBSERVED Church & Campus closed.

8:30 AM | Worship

Sing

9:45 AM | Sunday School 11 AM | Worship 11 AM | Children’s Church

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY Church & Campus closed.

22 8:30 AM | Worship

Team Meeting

Friday

Saturday

14 7:30 AM | SM: PULSE

Choir 6 PM | SHSG

Gathering #3

5 PM | Carol

Choir

6 PM | SHSG

24 5 PM | Carol

Team Meeting

Sing 9:45 AM | Sunday School 11 AM | Worship 11 AM | Children’s Church

Thursday

5 PM | Carol

17 5:30 PM | CM

6:30 PM | SM

9:10 AM | Ring &

Wednesday

Choir 6 PM | SHSG

4:45 PM | SM:

SHYC departs

SM: SHYC at Austin College

31 KEY CM: Children's Ministry (6 weeks-5th grade) SM: Student Ministries (6th-12th grade) SHSG: Senior High Small Group (9th-12th grade)

8:30 AM | Worship 9:10 AM | Ring &

Sing 9:45 AM | Sunday School 11 AM | Worship 11 AM | Children’s Church 5 PM | SM: SHYC returns

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.

Children’s Ministry News & Events praise to the baby Jesus. Here are a couple of shots taken during our dress rehearsal. Check us out!

No First Friday Fun in January After our January break, we will resume First Friday Fun on these dates: February 3, March 3, April 7 and May 5. Reservation deadlines are the Tuesday before each event. and are important not only to ensure we have enough food and craft supplies, but to ensure our caregiver to child ratio is met. Register your children through fpctyler.com/ firstfridayfun so we can plan for them. Thanks to All! Many thanks to all those who participated in making the Christmas Pageant so special. From our Sewing Bees remaking our costumes to those who helped during the pageant itself, many hours came together to make it worthy of

Returning by “popular demand”…SAVE THE DATE...MARDI GRAS 2017 Date: Tuesday, February 28 Time: 5:30 – 8:00 pm Place: Fellowship Hall Don’t miss this year’s celebration! Benefiting our global and local mission projects, Mission Committee is again sponsoring a Mardi Gras Celebration. Festive plans for the evening include: a gumbo cook-off, home-made dessert sale, parade, music, activities for the children, and a silent auction. We need you! Individuals, Sunday School classes, Choir, Small Groups! Volunteer to be a: Gumbo Cook, Dessert maker, Sponsor, Silent Auction Coordinator, Decorating and set up helper, or Parade Participant As we enter Lent, we encourage you to serve and get connected with one of our mission outreach programs! More details will follow. For more information or to volunteer, contact Ginny Mattox, (903) 504-5016 or virginiamattox1@gmail.com

S U N D AY S C H O O L

/ SMALL GROUP LISTING

Sunday School @ 9:45 am

Small Group Schedule

faith builders

men

209ers | Young Adults M209 | TBA | Contact: Debbie Pitts (debbiepitts@gmail.com) the

| Book & discussion M 207 | TBA | Contact: Linda Pirtle (903) 881-9000 westminster

men

| Fellowship 2nd Wednesdays | 5 pm | M 102 | Contact: Shannon Franzen (903) 5764781 faith conversations

Thank you to Azalea Academy For Exceptional Adults for assembling our weekly bulletin and Marshall Ewing and his crew for assembling our “Steeple Times” monthly newsletter.

Budget & Finance. January 12 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Building & Grounds. January 9 @ 5:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Children’s Ministry Team. January 17 @ 5 pm — Library Governance. January 2 @ 5:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Mission. January 9 @ 5:30 pm — Library Risk Management. January 27 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Student Ministry. January 23 @ 6:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Session. January 19 @ 7 pm — M 207 Trustees. January 24 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Worship. January 3 @ 5 pm — Conference Room | A 110

COMMIT TEE MEETINGS

1 11 am worship service only; no Sunday school. 2 Happy New Year! (Office & buildings closed) 2 Knit Wits. 11:30 pm, Harper residence. 5 Meadow Lake Bible Study. 11:45 am, Meadow Lake. 8 Presbyterian Women Sunday Circle. 9:30 am, M 204. 10 Presbyterian Women Weekday Circle. 10 am, F 101-102. 11 Faith Conversations. 5 pm, M 102. 15 Steeple Times Submission Deadline. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Office & buildings closed) 18 Sewing Bees. 10 am, F 104. 22 Bill Wagoner Pancake Breakfast. 9 am, Fellowship Hall. 27 Officer retreat. 5 pm, FPC Campus. 28 Officer retreat. 9 am, FPC Campus. 26 - 29 Church Pictures for Directory. Campus-wide. 27 - 29 Senior High Youth Connection. Sherman, TX.

JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS

Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage

230 W. Rusk Street, Tyler, TX 75701

PAID

return service requested

Permit No. 683 Tyler, Texas 75701-1696

To everyone at the home of: