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 7 : J u l y 2 0 1 7
A Sendoff For The Kohlenbergs by The Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin July is often a time of transitions. This July we say goodbye to Lee and Elsie Kohlenberg. Lee assumed his duties as Interim Director of Music and Organist-Choirmastser last summer after the search committee conducted a national search. High quality classical music is one of the hallmarks of our church and is one of the things we are known for in the community. One of our challenges is finding a music leader who is an excellent organist as well as a gifted choir director. That’s harder than you might think. But with Lee, the committee found both. He is both an accomplished organist and an excellent choir director. In his tenure, Lee has been able to maintain our high standards for church music, consistently producing excellent sounds from the choir and playing superb organ solo pieces.
For her part, Elsie has been a valuable member of the choir. A fine Alto, she has added a depth to the Alto section that will be missed. Lee and Elsie will leave Tyler after their last Sunday, July 9. Please make plans to attend worship on July 9 and stay for a reception in Lee and Elsie’s honor as they prepare to return home to Charleston, South Carolina.
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 July Service Schedule | Pg 2
PW Officers for 2017-18 | pg 5
Cocktails For A Cause | pg 3
During July, join the congregation for Lemonade on the Lawn and a single worship service at 10 a.m.
PW officers were installed at the special Birthday Offering Service on May 22.
Join us for cocktails benefiting FPC-Tyler’s local and global mission projects.
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, Fran Hagaman and Richard & Madge Burton. Deaths Condolences to the families of our FPC members who entered the Church Triumphant: Betty Plyler, Richard Lee Clancy, Joy Massad and Ron Perry.
PRAYERFULLY SPEAKING from the FPC Prayer Team Something in a daily devotional recently caught my eye. “Jesus invites us to regularly join Him in a quiet place to pray and get some rest.” (D. McCasland, “Our Daily Bread”) I know there are many instances in scripture when Jesus goes off to a quiet place to pray, but it was the “get some rest” that grabbed my attention. What a wonderful “extra added benefit” of prayer time!
We Are Thankful! •
•
A heartfelt thank you to all the Vacation Bible School volunteers who gave tirelessly through their time, talents and treasures! We are thankful and blessed for all who helped with a successful VBS! We are grateful for the behind-the-scenes work that Margaret Hilliard does every year to make sure the donations for the Chancel flowers are coordinated. FPC is blessed to have her diligently working to make sure our worship services have fresh flower arrangements every week. If you would like to honor a friend, celebrate a birthday, or memorialize a loved one, contact Margaret at 903-593-1494.
Prayer brings us into God’s presence, causes us to stop everything else, to silence outside distractions, to focus. And what happens when we slow down and turn off the world outside? We get some much needed rest for our weary hearts and minds. Thanks be to God for the gift of rest through 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.)
FPC Office Closed The office and campus will be closed on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4 in observance of the 4th of July holiday.
Farewell Celebration for Lee & Elsie Kohlenberg
Lee Kohlenberg’s Last Sunday at FPC Lee Kohlenberg, Interim Director of Music and Organist-Choirmaster for FPC, will play the organ for the final time on Sunday, July 9 at the 10 a.m. service in the Sanctuary. Join us for a farewell celebration in Fellowship Hall honoring Lee and his wife, Elsie, following the service.
ALL ARE INVITED Sunday, July 9 11 a.m. Fellowship Hall
The Cryer’s 80th Birthday Celebration Saturday, July 8 | 2 pm | Anderson Room, F 101-102 Herman and Pat Cryer will be celebrating their 80th birthdays! Their children are hosting a celebration and all are invited to attend.
Join us for cake and punch as we say farewell to Lee and Elsie who have contributed their musical talents to FPC during the last year.
s a v e t h e d a t e | AUGUST 2 0 1 7 Group Dynamix Lock-In | August 4
Regular Sunday Service Returns | Aug. 6
Sunday School Returns | Aug. 6
Join us for our annual summer lockin. For students in grades 6-12.
Join us at our traditional service times beginning August 6.
Sunday school starts back beginning August 6.
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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 July Sunday Morning Schedule
Cocktails For A Cause
During the month of July, join us 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 at this time. Sunday school classes will not meet. The normal worship schedule resumes August 6.
Friday, July 14 | 6 pm | Home of Lynn and John Heines | 612 Tremont At this year’s Mardi Gras Celebration, the Heines graciously donated “Cocktails and Pick-Up Supper” for the silent auction benefiting FPC-Tyler’s local and global mission projects. Over 20 people “bought” a place at the party, but the Heines have offered to open this event to more. The dress is casual. Cost is $25 per person payable to “FPC-Tyler” with “Missions” indicated on the memo line. If you are interested in joining in the fun for a worthwhile cause, contact Ginny Mattox (903-504-5016 / virginiamattox1@gmail.com).
Celebration Honoring Lee & Elsie Kohlenberg Sunday, July 9 | 11 am | Fellowship Hall Join us for a celebration honoring the Kohlenbergs and to thank them for their musical contributions to FPC. Visit fpctyler.com/events/kohlenbergs.
FPC’s multi-age Summer Sunday school class is using a hands-on way to express compassion through painted pictures that depict different emotions. The picture on the left expresses movement. The photo on the right is the expression of kindness.
A Fond Farewell from Lee Kohlenberg by Lee Kohlenberg Interim Director of Music and Organist-Choirmaster Dear Congregation, I want to extend my grateful thanks for your welcoming graciousness and support of me during my ten months here at First Presbyterian ChurchTyler as Interim Director of Music and Organist-Choirmaster. I have enjoyed sharing my favorite organ music and my interpretation of service music and hymns on your two fine organs. It was
also quite a joy to rehearse, train, and hone your excellent Chancel Choir in offering their talents through some very beautiful choral music. Special thanks to Andy Martinez for his conducting in the back of the church. In addition, I want to thank The Rev. Stuart Baskin, Pastor and the staff (especially Susie Holley) for their leadership as well as their patience and trust in me. It was a joy for me to bring to a conclusion my life’s work as full3
time organist-choirmaster here. I will continue in limited substitute work as God leads and provides back in Charleston, South Carolina. Elsie and I will miss you as a group and as individuals and will continue to pray for the ministry of Weston Jennings as he begins in August as your permanent Music Director and Organist-choirmaster. Yours in Christ, Lee Kohlenberg
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)
Thank you from Rev. Angie L. Mabry-Nauta
Throughout the warm weather months, PATH is collecting new box fans to give to people in need. Not only do the fans help people stay cool, but they can cut utility costs. You may donate a fan in one of two ways. At Home Depot, simply tell a cashier you’d like to buy a fan for PATH. You will be charged a discounted price of $10, and the fan will be set aside for a PATH representative to pick up. It’s that easy! If you prefer, you can send a check to PATH and mark “Fan Drive” in the memo line. Visit tylerpath.org or call (903597-4044) for more information.
With a grateful heart I write to thank you, once again, for the opportunity to share Sunday morning with the fine folk of FPC. Despite the rain and traveling pastor, it was a glorious day! I was pleasantly surprised by the attendance. Also, everyone, especially Phyllis (Kidwell) and Lee (Kohlenberg), extended warm smiles and hands of hospitality to me. I was pleased to have a crowd of about 30 people attend my Sunday school presentation. By their questions and engagement, I can tell that FPC is very much a mission-engaged congregation - praise the Lord! One woman asked what is next…what happens now that I have visited FPC and shared about this wonderful educational ministry called Presbyterian Pan American School? I certainly welcome that conversation! Praying for FPC’s ministry this summer. Peace, Rev. Angie L. Mabry-Nauta Development and Marketing Coordinator Presbyterian Pan American School
Sewing Bees - Sewing with a Mission Wednesdays, July 5, 12, 19 & 26 | 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).
Knit Wits - Knitters Unite for Camp Ministry Knit Wits will be on summer hiatus until September. Group contact is Pat Cryer (903-561-5242).
Presbyterian Women Officers for 2017-18 include Sharon Bragg, Janet Burks, Katherine Erickson, Judy Schmoker and Pat Cryer.
Analysis of Revenues & Expenses May 2017 Summary
Stay in the Know
MTD Actual YTD Actual YTD Budget
Revenues
$61,522
$944,824
$988,183
Expenses
$89,205
$989,775
$1,064,947
Net Total
($27,683)
($44,951)
($76,764)
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.
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: 4
/fpctyler
@fpctyler
@fpctyler
Junior High Jubilee
Registration open! Youth Group: Group Dynamix Lock-in
July 2—6 | depart at 8 am from FPC | Mo-Ranch For all sponsors and middle school youth attending, we will be departing from the church. Visit fpctyler.com/events/jhj.
August 4—5 | depart FPC at 4 pm | Carrollton, TX We are having our annual summer lock-in at Group Dynamix and would love for you to join us for a night of fun. Activities include high ropes, inflatable games, glow-in-thedark dodge ball, and so much more! Registration deadline is Monday, July 17. Cost of FPC Tyler youth is $20. Cost for other churches is $42 per person. For more information, visit fpctyler.com/events/groupdynamix.
Synod Youth Workshop July 9—15 | depart at 12:30 pm from FPC | Tulsa, OK For those signed up, we will be leaving from FPC Tyler, so get here early to load your luggage! Visit fpctyler.com/events/syw.
Freebirds & A Flick
Sunday, July 23 | Freebirds World Burrito | 5105 S. Broadway Join us at Freebirds for some tasty food, followed by a great movie. Bring money for your dinner, and Neil will cover your movie. Times TBA! RSVP to fpctyler.com/events/ygdinnermovie.
Presbyterian Women Officers for 2017-18 by Martha Oates The following officers were installed at the special Birthday Offering Service on May 22: Sharon Bragg, Moderator; Janet Burks, Vice Moderator; Pat Cryer, Secretary; Judy Schmoker, World Missions Leader* and Katherine Erickson, Publicity Officer*. Returning
officers are Karen Novy, Treasurer; Priscilla Maxfield, Community Missions Leader; Lynn Davis, Historian and Pat Cryer, Past Moderator. The Sunday Circle Moderator is Ginny Maddox and Katherine Erickson will serve as Bible Study Leader. The Tuesday Circle Moderator is Karen Novy and
Martha Oates will serve as Bible Study Leader. Congratulations to these ladies that will serve! *These positions terms—2017-19.
are
two-year
Bullet Points from May’s Session Meeting Minutes recorded by Robyn Files The Session met on May 16 and conducted the following business: •
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Approve the minutes of the called meeting of the corporation on May 7, 2017, to approve the sale of .19 acres of the property at Broadway and Dobbs to Medicine Chest Pharmacy. Receive Brent Beverley, Amy Langas, and Tim and Barbara Taylor into active membership.
•
•
Dr. Baskin announced that he is planning a family trip to China pending the approval of his visa request. He then introduced Weston Jennings, who was welcomed to Tyler by the Session. A motion to elect Carol Allen, Carole Cook and Kenneth Cook to serve as commissioners to the meeting of Grace Presbytery in Dallas on Thursday, May 25, 2017. Motion passed. 5
•
Invite the Rev. Angie MabryNauta to preach and preside at the Table on Sunday, June 4, 2017.
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A motion to repair, blast, and powder coat the hand rails around the church and to polish and seal the brass rails for a projected cost of $14,104. Motion passed.
Full minutes are available from the church office upon request.
Children & Youth Calendar
July
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
KEY CM: Children's Ministry (6 weeks-5th grade) SM: Student Ministries (6th-12th grade) SHSG: Senior High Small Group (9th-12th grade)
2 8 AM | SM: Junior High
Jubilee |
Mo-Ranch | DEPART 9:15 AM | Lemonade on the Lawn 10 AM | Worship 10 AM | Children’s Church
9 9:15 AM | Lemonade on
Lawn
3
4
FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY OFFICE AND CAMPUS CLOSED
FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY OFFICE AND CAMPUS CLOSED
10
11
5
6
7
8
8 AM | SM: Junior
High Jubilee | Mo-Ranch |
RETURN
12
13
14
the
15 RETURN | SM:
Synod Youth Workshop | Tulsa
10 AM | Worship 10 AM | Children’s Church 12:30 PM | SM: Synod
Youth Workshop | Tulsa | DEPART
9:15 AM | Lemonade on
Lawn
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
the
10 AM | Worship 10 AM | Children’s Church
9:15 AM | Lemonade on the
Lawn
10 AM | Worship 10 AM | Children’s Church TBA | SM: Freebirds &
A Flick
9:15 AM | Lemonade on
the
30 Lawn
31 All Sunday School Classes will be in recess during the month of July!
10 AM | Worship 10 AM | Children’s Church
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’s Ministry News & Events Recap of VBS 2017: Mission Field - Haiti
Save the Date! Summer Sunday School Returns
Mission Field – Haiti! was a great success. We had an average of 32 participants and 28 volunteer youth and adults each day. Our volunteers deserve a BIG THANK YOU! Several highlights include: The Hatian Market - wow, what fun it was - learning to sew seams and making shorts, decorating T-shirts, making bracelets and hair clips for the children in Haiti, decorating backpacks and making prints using fish. We learned about mission work through the story of the Good Samaritan and about Haiti from Ginny Mattox and Sally Smith-Garmon who have been to work there with Dan Daniels and many others to build energy plants and water filtration systems to clean the water.
Sundays in August | 9:45 am | Children’s Wing The children will return to the Children’s Ministry area for combined children’s classes.
Rally Day Rally Day is set for September 10 during the Sunday school hour. Watch for details next month!
June Summer Sunday School Last month, the school age children joined the youth in Sunday school to learn about compassion and express it through art projects. Look for some new creations around the children’s area and the youth area in The Well. It was fun to focus on expressions using acrylics, water color, mosaic and spray paint (see photo collage).
S U N D AY S C H O O L Sunday School @ 9:45 am goes on vacation until Sunday, August 6!
/ SMALL GROUP LISTING Small Group Schedule
| Lectionary Tuesdays 6:30 am | Premier Flexipac | Contact: Skip Womack (903) 533-9433 or Bob Schmoker (903) 714-5746 men
| Book & discussion Thursdays 9:30 am | Conference Room | The Dawning: Christianity in the Roman Empire | Contact: Jan Carpenter (903) 566-8533
A special “thank you” to Azalea Academy For Exceptional Adults for assembling our weekly worship bulletin.
women
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Many thanks to Marshall Ewing and his crew for assembling our Steeple Times monthly newsletter.
Trustees. July 25 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110
COMMIT TEE MEETINGS
2 Lemonade on the Lawn. 9:15 am, Front Lawn. 2-6 Junior High Jubilee. Mo-Ranch, Hunt, TX 3-4 Fourth of July holiday. Church office and campus closed. 5 Sewing Bees. 10 am, F 104. 9 Lemonade on the Lawn. 9:15 am, Front Lawn. 9 Farewell Reception for the Kohlenbergs. 11 am, Fellowship Hall. 9-15 Synod Youth Workshop. University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 12 Sewing Bees. 10 am, F 104. 14 Cocktails for a Cause. 6 pm, Lynn & John Heines Residence. 15 Steeple Times submission deadline. 16 Lemonade on the Lawn. 9:15 am, Front Lawn. 17 Deadline to register for Group Dynamix Lock-in 19 Sewing Bees. 10 am, F 104. 23 Lemonade on the Lawn. 9:15 am, Front Lawn. 23 Youth Group: Freebirds & A Flick. 1:30 pm, Freebirds World Burrito. 26 Sewing Bees. 10 am, F 104. 30 Lemonade on the Lawn. 9:15 am, Front Lawn.
J U LY H I G H L I G H T S
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