Steeple Times, September 2017 (Vol. 12, Issue 9) by FPC Tyler

Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage

PAID

230 W. Rusk Street, Tyler, TX 75701

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 9 : S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 7

Permit No. 683 Tyler, Texas 75701-1696

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Debt Elimination: The Big Payoff by The Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin Many of you will remember that when we did our recent capital improvement project, we ended up about $750,000 in debt. While our capital campaign raised about $3 million, the necessary projects cost about $3.75 million.

To everyone at the home of:

Budget & Finance. September 14 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Building & Grounds. September 11 @ 5:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Children’s Ministry. September 19 @ 5:30 pm — Library | A 111 Mission. September 11 @ 5:30 pm — Library | A 111 Risk Management. September 27 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Session. September 19 @ 7 pm — M 207 Student Ministry. September 25 @ 6:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Worship. September 5 @ 5 pm — Conference Room | A 110

COMMIT TEE MEETINGS

First Friday Fun: Kid’s Night Out. 6:30 pm, Children’s Wing. Communion Sunday. 8:30 & 11am, Chapel & Sanctuary. Youth Group. 5:30 pm, The Well Church office and campus closed. Labor Day observed. Meadow Lake Bible Study. 11:45 am, Meadow Lake. Senior High Small Group resumes. 6 pm, Gabriel residence. Rally Day. 9:30 am, Fellowship Hall. Fine Arts @ FPC: From My Travels. 4 pm, Sanctuary. Fine Arts Garden Party. 5:30 pm, Babin residence. Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering. 6 pm, F 101-102. Achieving Dreams Circle of Caring Gala. 6 pm, Fellowship Hall. Steeple Times Submission Deadline. East Texas Youth Conference. Camp Gilmont, Gilmer, TX Sewing Bees. 10 am, F 104. Youth Group: Game Night. 5:30 pm, The Well Presbytery Meeting. All day, campus-wide. 1 3 3 4 7 6 10 10 10 13 14 15 15 - 17 20 25 30

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

To some this may come as a surprise, but it shouldn’t. The congregation voted to take on the debt, and we reported on it multiple times. Over the last several years, the trustees and the session have spent considerable time and effort to reduce the debt. In particular, there have been three major components of these efforts. First, several members have given sacrificial gifts in an effort to reduce the debt. Second, we were able to repurpose the old Youth House fund and apply it to the debt. Finally, we have amortized the debt into a 15 year loan, for which we pay about $40,000 per year out of the budget.

next door to the church. We recently closed on the property and received $75,000. As a result, of all these efforts, our debt has been reduced to about $140,000. Quite a change from $750,000! Now it’s our turn to help. The officers of the church are asking us to roll up our sleeves and see if we can make one last push to eliminate this debt. I am aware, as are the officers, that we all have different abilities to contribute. For some, $25 is about all they can afford. Others can afford significantly more. But all of us can contribute something. So won’t you join me in giving a little extra to eliminate this debt? We can get this done!

The most recent effort to reduce the debt was to sell a sliver of our property behind and to the north of the Scout Hut to the Medicine Chest Pharmacy, headquartered in the Fitzgerald House

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 Rally Day | Pg 4

Music Ministry This Fall | pg 3

Thanks to Our SM Leaders | pg 4

Catch the excitement as we kick off a new year of Sunday School classes with our annual Rally Day.

Music Ministry has opportunities for all to experience this Fall.

A hearty thanks to these members for sharing their gifts with our church and youth. 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

Children’s Ministry News & Events

Membership Updates Deaths Condolences to the families of our FPC member who entered the Church Triumphant: Elizabeth “Dee” Allen .

PRAYERFULLY SPEAKING from the FPC Prayer Team In his book, “The Pleasure of God”, J. E. Kalas talks about spiritual isometrics as a way of “pitting our prayerful thoughts against the circumstances of the day.”

We Are Thankful! Hats off to Pat Roberts! Pat is one of our faithful volunteers, weekly serving in the music library to organize music, create folders for the choir members and seeing that the robes are cleaned and ready to be worn in worship. She also bakes the buns for our Christmas Eve Moravian Lovefeast. Thank you, Pat. Know that you are appreciated.

It’s easier to give thanks for the positive happenings each day, but consider this from Kalas: “If the situation is negative, we can offer prayers of petition: if the highway is under construction, pray for the workers; if the news of the morning is distressing, pray for those who are suffering. Don’t fret, pray. Don’t allow the circumstances of the day or the culture to control your thoughts; rather, by prayer and thanksgiving transform the daily stuff of life into material for building the kingdom of God.”

FPC Ofﬁce Closed for Holiday The FPC office and campus will be closed on Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day.

New Church Ofﬁce Hours

We can choose....fret about it, or pray about it??

The church office has new office hours and is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am—5 pm, and Friday, 8:30 am—12 pm except holidays.

(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.)

Achieving Dreams Gala at FPC

Thursday, September 14 | 6 pm | Fellowship Hall Achieving Dreams, a non-profit day program committed to providing opportunities and support to adults with special needs, is having their 4th Annual Circle of Caring Gala at FPC. The “Achievers” have partnered with FPC as one of their Community Partners and they help with recycling for the church office. The evening will feature live music, dinner, a silent auction, and much more. Tickets are $35. Contact Bettie Clancy (903-521-1383) if you would like to attend, make a contribution, or learn more about this wonderful organization.

Make Plans To Join Us in Israel in 2018!

March 5-15, 2018 | $3,779 (land portion only) This trip should be on everyone’s bucket list! Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin and Rabbi Neal Katz are leading their biennial trip to the Holy Land and they invite you to come along. No other trip to the Holy Land is like this one. Christians get to see and experience things through Jewish eyes, and our Jewish participants get to experience things through Christian eyes. You’ll never read the Bible the same way again. For information, visit fpctyler.com/events/israeltrip.

The Peace and Global Witness Offering The Peace and Global Witness Offering is one of several special offerings designated by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in which FPC-Tyler participates. A gift to this offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice around the globe. This offering will be collected on World Communion Sunday, October 1. A portion of this special offering is designated for local use.

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

First Friday Fun Returns

Scope and Sequence - Sunday School Program

Friday, September 1 | 6:30 pm | Children’s Wing It’s time for 1st Friday Fun! This kid’s night out is for infants six weeks old through students in 2nd grade. We start in September and meet through April, except in January 2018. We will share dinner, a Bible story, crafts, games and end our time with a movie or book. Register at fpctyler.com/ events/firstfriday so we can plan our meals and volunteer staff. Friends are welcome with advance registration. There is no cost to the fun night out.

We have developed a new “Scope and Sequence” for infants through 5th grade students in our Sunday school program. Adopting and implementing this program means we are sharing our plan for the Christian education of our children with parents and church members. The children will continue to be prepared for their future through intentional teaching about our Triune God, the Bible, and our Presbyterian heritage. Many different approaches are used to teach these topics, each appropriate to the ages of our students. By the time the students reach confirmation class, they should be more prepared to understand those lessons and make the important decisions about baptism and church membership. Our new study year starts on Rally Day!

Rally Day Sunday, September 10 | 9:30 am | Fellowship Hall Rally Day is set and we want you to join us! We will start out in the Fellowship Hall where you will have a chance to meet our children, their teachers and the child care staff as well as our youth, their teachers and leaders. The adults will move to the church building where goodies will be served and everyone will have an opportunity to meet members of the adult classes and learn more about their studies. This event is designed to allow everyone the opportunity to learn more about FPC’s Sunday morning study groups. Visit fpctyler.com/events/rallyday.

Youth Sunday | October 15

Join us as the youth of FPC Tyler lead the congregation in worship.

Annual Congregational Meeting & Luncheon | October 15

Wednesday, September 13 | 5 pm | M 105 Join us for the first rehearsal for the Carol Choir (ages 4-grade 2) Visit fpctyler.com/music.

S U N D AY S C H O O L SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 9:45 AM

| Discussion & lecture M202 | What It Means to be Presbyterian | Contact: Bob Schmoker (903) 714-5746 FAITH BUILDERS

| Lecture & discussion M 205 | The Screwtape Letters | Contact: Chris Bunt (903) 531-3535

THE FORUM

209ERS | Young Adults M209 | Amazing Grace, a Vocabulary of Faith| Contact: Debbie Pitts (debbiepitts@gmail.com)

Fine Arts @ FPC | October 29

Tyler Civic Chorale presents Ein Feste Burg: 500 Years of Reformation.

We have some changes coming our way this fall. If you want to be a part of our volunteer crew by praying for our ministry, teaching or assisting in Sunday school or Children’s Church, working at 1st Friday Fun, or baking or serving food at 1st Friday Fun (by becoming a First Friday Foodie!), contact Phyllis Kidwell (903-681-5504). If you have lots of time, or a little time, we have a job for you! You will be richly blessed by our little ones and the love they give.

Carol Choir Rehearsals Begin

THE

s a v e t h e d a t e | OC TOBER 2 0 1 7

Call for Volunteers

/ 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

WOMEN |

Book &/or DVD & discussion Thursdays | 9:30 am | Conference Room | If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get out of the Boat | Contact: Jan Carpenter (903) 566-8533

| DVD & discussion M 207 | The Great Courses: The Old Testament | Contact: Linda Pirtle (903) 881-9000 WESTMINSTER

WORSHIP WITH US

FPC’s Regular Sunday Services 8:30 a.m. Service (Chapel) 9:15 a.m. Coffee Fellowship (The Hill Room) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School (campus-wide) 11:00 a.m. Service (Sanctuary)

Children & Youth Calendar

September Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

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

6:30 PM | CM:

First Friday Fun!

Saturday

MEMORIAL DAY: CAMPUS AND OFFICE CLOSED

12 5 PM | CM:

Carol Choir

8:30 AM | Worship

19 5:30 PM | CM

Team Meeting

9:45 AM | Sunday School 11 AM | Worship

15 6:30 PM | SM:

ETYC | Camp Gilmont |

6 PM | SHSG

5 PM | CM:

2:30 PM SM: ETYC | Camp

Gilmont | RETURN

8:30 AM | Worship 9:45 AM | Sunday School 11 AM | Worship

25 6:30 PM | SM

Team Meeting

Fine Arts Garden Party Fundraiser

Sunday, September 10 | 9:30 am | Fellowship Hall Join us as we kick off our new year of classes with our annual Rally Day. You will have a chance to meet our children, their teachers and the child care staff as well as our youth, their teachers and leaders. The adults will have an opportunity to meet members of the adult classes and learn more about their studies. This event allows all to learn more about the opportunities we have for Sunday morning study groups. The actual classes will resume the following week. Visit fpctyler.com/events/rallyday for more information.

Sunday, September 10 | 5:30 pm | Babins’ Gardens Plan to attend the kick-off fundraiser of the 2017-18 Event Season and introduction of FPC’s new Director of Music and Organist, Weston Jennings. The beautiful home and gardens of Kathy and Wayne Babin (207 East Charnwood Street/Tyler) is the setting for this wine and cheese gathering with entertainment by The Jazz Connection. Learn the exciting plans for this year’s season of fine concerts. Contact the church office (903-597-6317) with questions. For more information, visit fpctyler.com/events/gardenparty.

Fine Arts @ FPC: From My Travels

Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering

Sunday, September 10 | 4 pm | Sanctuary | Free Admission Following a summer concert tour of England, Scotland, Germany and Lithuania, FPCs new Director of Music and Organist, Weston Jennings, will perform works that draw upon the full resources of FPC’s superb pipe organ. With music composed by Mozart, Vivaldi, and others, alongside unique and charming commentary, this afternoon promises to entertain. Visit fpctyler.com/events/frommytravels.

Wednesday, September 13 | 6 pm | Anderson Room, F 101-102 All women of the church are invited to attend our Fall Gathering Dinner. A program on “Breast Cancer Awareness” will be presented by Dr. Gary Gross. Reserve your place at the table to join us for good food, fun music, and fellowship with friends. Cost is $10. Pay at the door. For more information, please contact Pat Cryer our 2016-17 PW Moderator at pcry@ suddenlink.net or 903/561-5242.

Music Ministry Opportunities Open For All To Experience! Chancel Choir (Adult Choir) The Chancel Choir resumed their singing season and will continue singing for the 11 a.m. worship service through mid-June. Anyone with previous singing experience is welcome. Call or email Weston Jennings, Director of Music and Organist (540-300-3287/wjennings@fpctyler.com). Carillon Choir (Adult Handbell Choir) This gifted adult handbell ensemble assists in leading Sunday worship approximately once a month at the 11 a.m. worship service. Basic music reading ability is required for participation in this group. If you are interested in joining, contact Andy Martinez (903-830-7566).

Carol Choir 6 PM | SHSG

11 AM | Children’s Church

Rally Day

16 SM: ETYC | Camp Gilmont

DEPART

M O N T H LY E V E N T H I G H L I G H T S

5 PM | CM:

Carol Choir

6 PM | SHSG

Carol Choir (Children’s Choir, age 4-2nd grade) Led again by the creative team of Margaret Bjork and accompanied by Ruth Hardy, this will be a time of fun working on anthems for the church and learning the basics of music to be a foundation for a lifetime of singing and worship. Contact Margaret (903-581-7667/bjorkdm@yahoo.com) or Ruth (903-581-7262/RuthLHardy@aol.com).

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.

Ring and Sing (Handbell and Handchime Ensemble/grades 3-8) Do you like fun, fellowship, making music together, and leading in worship? It is not necessary to read music, we will teach you. During rehearsals, we will learn to sing and ring music on handchimes and handbells. Our music will be shared in a variety of ways—as a part of the 11 a.m. worship services, children’s Christmas pageant, and Youth Sunday; to accompany other choirs and the congregation; and to lead in worship. Following the rehearsal, children and youth will be escorted to their Sunday School classes. Contact Laura Swartz (laura.swartz@tylerisd.org) for more information.

11 AM | Children’s Church 12:30 PM | SM: Confirmation

Parent/Student/Mentor meeting

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

Youth Group: September Gathering

PATH (People Attempting To Help)

Knit Wits - Knitters Unite for Camp Ministry

During September, PATH will be collecting 1 lb. bags of rice and beans. Drop off donations at our PATH collection bins located in Fellowship Hall or in front of the elevator in the Main Building. Visit tylerpath.org or call (903-597-4044).

Knit Wits is currently on hiatus. Group contact is Pat Cryer (903-561-5242).

Sewing Bees - Sewing with a Mission

This year’s PATH Week is September 5-9. The week is designed to raise awareness of PATH (People Attempting to Help) and the PATH programs helping to change the face of poverty, homelessness, and hunger in our community. Everyone is invited to the 2017 Community Celebration. Christ Episcopal Church will be honored for their 32 years of partnership on their 150th anniversary. The current Rector, Rev. David Luckenbach, and former Rector, Very Rev. M. L. Agnew, will speak at the luncheon. For information on tickets, visit pathhelps.org/PATH Week.

Wednesday, September 20 | 10 am | F101-102 We will continue sewing dresses and boxer shorts for the Haiti children. If you would like to do quilting, we will be making “fidget mats.” These are small pieces used to calm dementia patients with sensory challenges. Our 2-hour schedule seems short - we are considering bringing “brown bag” lunches and staying as late as 2pm. Your feedback is appreciated. For more information, visit fpctyler.com/events/ sewingbees. Group contact is Mollie Bobo (903-530-2772).

PATH Week 2017 Thursday, September 7 | 11:30 am | GABC Crosswalk

RALLY DAY 2017 - Catch the excitement! Join us as we kick off our new year of classes with our annual Rally Day. Last year, Rally Day resulted in many finding a Sunday school class that interested them. This year, we would like to see even more join a class. Rally Day will take place on Sunday, September 10 during the Sunday school hour at 9:30 am. We will start in Fellow-

ship Hall where you will have a chance to meet our children, their teachers and the child care staff as well as our youth, their teachers and leaders. The adults will then move to the church building where goodies will be served and everyone will have an opportunity to meet members of the adult classes and learn more about their studies. This event allows all to learn more about the opportunities we

Analysis of Revenues & Expenses July 2017 Summary MTD ACTUAL YTD ACTUAL

YTD BUDGET

REVENUES

$69,660

$64,136

EXPENSES

$77,967

$88,850

NET TOTAL

($8,307)

($24,714)

Planned Giving

have for Sunday morning study groups. The actual classes will resume the following week. Visit fpctyler.com/ events/rallyday for more information.

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.

Have you remembered the church and other charities in your will? If you need help, contact Nanci Pollard (903-597Stay in touch with us on social media, too: 6317) to request information, or visit the Texas Presbyteri/fpctyler @fpctyler an Foundation at tpf.org. Assistance is confidential and 4 free of charge.

@fpctyler

Rally Day

Sunday, September 3 | 5:30 pm | The Well Join us where we will pick out parts for Youth Sunday, play games and enjoy fellowship. Dinner will be provided. For students in grades 6-12. RSVP to Neil at nmckown@fpctyler.com. For more information, visit fpctyler.com/events/ youthgroup.

Sunday, September 10 | 9:30 am | Fellowship Hall Join us for breakfast and don’t miss the program, which will include special activities for all ages. Get a sneak preview for new opportunities planned for youth. Visit fpctyler.com/ events/rallyday.

East Texas Youth Conference

Sr. High Small Group Returns

September 15-17 | Gilmont Camp | Gilmer, TX Our theme is Ask. Seek. Knock. from Matthew 7:7. We have the privilege of having the Rev. Shane Webb from First Presbyterian Church in Mount Pleasant, TX as our keynote speaker. For registered students entering grades 6-12 in September 2017. Visit fpctyler.com/events/etyc.

Wednesday, September 6 | 6 pm | Gabriel Residence Small group for senior high school students will be gearing up for a new year! Dinner is provided - for 9-12 grade high school students. Visit fpctyler.com/events/shgroup.

Our Hats Off To Our Student Ministries Leaders! Student Ministries at FPC-Tyler is beyond blessed to have an amazing group of sponsors and teachers coming aboard for the 2017-2018 program year! We would like to say THANK YOU in advance for all the wonderful experiences you create, relationships you build, and growth that you will cultivate in the lives of our students! We’d like to give special thanks to: Student Ministry Team: Jennifer Ainsworth, Celia Bunt, Fran Cooper, Vivien Duarte, Jim Noble, Jeanne Stovall and Florrie Wallace Sunday Morning Teachers: Margaret Bjork, Chris Bunt, Mark Dahlgren, Dan Daniel, Robyn Files, Debbie Finley, Ruth Hardy, Patty Kirkpatrick, Ginny Mattox, David Palady, Roger Pierce, Debbie Pitts, Paul Pitts, Richard Poynor, Laura Swartz, Glen Van Dyke and Ruth Ann Van Dyke

Sunday Morning Sponsors: Charley Ainsworth, Louree Alexander, Kathy Babin, Jennifer Bennett, Curtis Cooper, Tad Hillin, Mike Jones, Jim Post, Lynda Womack and Skip Womack Recreation Leaders: Sarah Baskin, Katy Davis, Jane Lackey and Cory Schmoker HS Small Group Sponsors: Mallorie Farmer, Matt Gabriel and Pam Gabriel Youth Group Sponsors: Casey Johnson, Jill O’Farrell, Richard Lee, Julie Philley, Janet Stanford and Vandy Dubre Youth Parking Lot Sponsors: Joe Hewitt and Trey Morgan Youth Encouragers: Buck Files, Linda Pirtle and Cynthia Welch

Confirmation Mentors: Amy Baskin, Mollie Bobo, Jan Carpenter, Judith Guthrie, Jim Hardy, John Heines and Lynn Heines College Age Ministry: Cassie Edmonds, Patty Kirkpatrick, Sally Smith-Garmon and Becky Western Coordinators/Special Events: Sunni Brookshire—Youth Birthday Cards; Lindy Goode—HS Youth Care; Kristin Hoyer—Youth Group Meals; Debbie Jones—Youth Fundraising; Luci Morgan—Youth Group Meals; Libby Simmons—Youth Fundraising; Gerald Verbeek—Souper Bowl of Caring Thank you again everyone serving this year in all the areas of our ministry! We couldn’t do the work we’re doing without people like you! Thank you for sharing your gifts with our church and these students!