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 3 , I s s u e 1 : J a n u a r y 2 0 1 8
What Kind of Faith Do You Have? by The Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin During World War II, prisoners of war in Hitler’s Germany suffered all kinds of misery and deprivation. One deprivation was food. Not only was there not enough food to sustain the prisoners, but what food there was was bland at best. Prisoners took to replicating all kinds of food from whatever they could get their hands on. Of course, the prisoners were not the only ones to have to improvise; civilians and soldiers alike on both sides took to making ersatz goods, like bread, coffee, butter, and jam, out of a wide variety of things. It wasn’t very good, and for prisoners of war, it still wasn’t enough to sustain them. But in the short run it added a little excitement to the otherwise dreary routine of prisoner-of-war life. Of all the things prisoners made, perhaps ersatz jam was the most disappointing. At first it tasted sweet, but the sweetness quickly dissipated, leaving a sort of sawdust flavor behind. The Sunday after Christmas, the gospel reading includes the story of Simeon and Anna, two devout Jews waiting for the Messiah. Luke tells us that when Jesus’s parents brought their newborn to Jerusalem for the rite of purification,
both Simeon and Anna recognized him as the long-expected Messiah. Their faith was strong — much stronger, apparently, than many others who were also gathered at the Temple. What’s the connection between ersatz jam and the story of Simeon and Anna? Theirs was no ersatz faith. I see people with lots of different kinds of faith. There are those whose faith burns as a steady fire within their souls, not flaring up or making vivid displays, but simply providing a constant, sustaining warmth. Then there are those whose faith is like a twig of a Christmas tree thrown in the fire: it flares up quickly and makes a dramatic display, then dies just as quickly. In my experience, the former is like solid food that sustains a person. The latter is like ersatz jam, which tastes sweet initially, but then begins to taste like sawdust, and which fails to sustain a person over the long term. My prayer for the new year is that we all experience the faith of Simeon and Anna, a faith that can sustain us through both the highs and lows of life, and even through the “everydayness” of life. No ersatz faith.
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 We CAN Do It! | pg 3
Games Day Returns | Pg 5
Changes Coming to FIrst Friday | Pg 7
Get in the spirit of giving with FPC’s 2018 Souper Bowl of Caring.
All are invited to Games Day on Wednesdays beginning January 10!
Starting in February, infants and children from 6 weeks to 5th grade can participate in First Friday Fun! 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 We Are Thankful!
PRAYERFULLY SPEAKING from the FPC Prayer Team
We are thankful for our officers and trustees that have served the church and congregation this past year: Carol Allen, Mike Allen, Gene Archer, Jan Carpenter, Curtis Cooper, Debbie Finley, Judith Guthrie, June Hillis, Traci Kenner, Bob Schmoker, Bob Skorkowsky, Alice Stjernstrom and Bill Watson. The passion, intellect, insight, experience and resources you brought to the table have moved FPC forward. THANK YOU ALL!
As we turn the page on another year, are you thinking about a fresh start? Maybe you have a prayer regimen which could use some building up, or perhaps you would like to start one. Author Ray Stedman says, “....pray your way into a deeper relationship with God.” In speaking of how Jesus prayed, Stedman writes, “If the Son of God felt such a great need for contact with the Father, how much more do we!” He goes on, “....the purpose of prayer is not to inform God about our needs, but to conform us to His will. Prayer doesn’t change God. Prayer changes us. It changes our attitude from complaint to praise. It enables us to participate in God’s eternal plan.”
Membership Updates New Members Join us in welcoming our newest member, Angie Matthews. Baptism We are proud to have witnessed the baptism of Frederick Wagstaff, son of Preston and Lizzie Smith.
Chancel Flowers for 2018 Many dates for 2018 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).
God longs to hear from you. Speak to Him in prayer, with a grateful heart. (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.)
Holiday Office Closings The office and campus will be closed on Monday, January 1 in observance of New Year’s Day and Monday, January 15 in observance of the Martin Luther King Memorial Holiday.
Gilmont Women’s Retreat: Expectation vs. Hope February 2 — 4 | Gilmont Camp and Conference Center This retreat allows time to explore scripture, grow with friends and take time to renew in the beautiful piney woods of East Texas. This year’s theme is Expectation vs. Hope: How does our purpose frame our future? The retreat leader is Edwina Thomas, Christian disciple, learner and prayer warrior. Contact Martha Oates, (903-509-4781 / marthaoates@ yahoo.com) for more information.
Ordination and Installation of Officers Join us for our annual installation and ordination of officers for First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 14 at the 11 am service in the Sanctuary.
Pledge Cards for 2018 Did you miss Pledge Dedication Sunday? It’s not too late for you and your family to be part of FPC’s plan for the coming year. Pick up a pledge card from one of the foyers or the church office. Your generous support makes this congregation a vibrant place of ministry, mission, and fellowship.
SAVE THE DATE: FPC Officer Retreat Officers for FPC will have a retreat weekend on January 26 & 27. Details will be coming soon!
s a v e t h e d a t e | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 18 First Friday Fun Returns | Feb. 2
Kids’ night out for infants–grade 5. RSVP required.
Fine Arts @ FPC: An Afternoon of Woodwind Classics | Feb. 4
The Stone Fort Quintet performs. 2
Mardi Gras 2018 | February 13
Gumbo cook-off, parade, silent auction —the whole bit. Won’t you join us?
SPOTLIGHT ON SUPER BOWL OF CARING
We CAN Do It! 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 in need. One hundred percent of the donations (monetarily and canned goods) go to local ministries in our communities!
I’m sure you’ve seen Tyler, even if you don’t live here. When you look around you see a lot of good deeds - people holding doors for each other, the occasional person picking up trash. But there are always bad things, too. For instance, the long line of people who get there early for free food, miserable looking people driving when you turn to check if there are cars. Even in a nice place like Tyler, there is hunger and poverty.
Once again, 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 your help by bringing as many canned goods and as often as you can in order for our church to win the honor of being the “Grace Presbytery Souper Bowl” Champion and to fight hunger in our communities! All collections at FPC Tyler will go to PATH. Whichever church collects the most canned goods wins the “Grace Presbytery Souper Bowl” Champion trophy and bragging rights for a year!
But that’s what the “Souper Bowl of Caring” is for! Every year on the National Football League’s Super Bowl, while they work towards points, we work towards cans! All over Tyler and Grace Presbytery, we are inviting churches to compete with us. Whichever church collects the most cans to donate gets a trophy and (the best part if you ask us) bragging rights for a year! The competition will take place from January 1st until February 4th! To include our (crazy) youth group, it will be a bit like a contest within a contest, with a Sunday School Showdown competing in the race for cans as well because c’mon, you can’t leave kids out of the equation!
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. Our own Iris VerNooy, a 7th grade student at Moore Middle School, puts her perspective on the Souper Bowl of Caring:
Be part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need. Give generously throughout the month of January. For more information, fpctyler.com/events/ souper-bowl. Let’s get in the spirit of giving!
A BIG THANK YOU from Bettie Clancy and Florrie Wallace Thanks to all who contributed to the Annual Special Friends Party! Santa was great and so generous. It was a wonderful party and someone commented that “it was the best party I’ve been to, and I have been to many of these parties hosted by our church.” I want to thank each and every person who helped with making the party a success. Thank you for baking cookies, purchasing gifts, organizing and serving cookies and punch, playing the piano, singing, sitting at the table getting volunteers, writing letters to the organizations, and making sure all the friends had a gift. Without all of you, this could not have happened.
Père Michaud, priest in charge at the Haiti Education Foundation school and church in Saurel, Ayiti, sent a picture of the water filtration’s electric system. “The church has floors made of dirt. It is a gritty and beautiful place with beautiful people with big hearts and courage,” he commented. 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)
Knit Wits - Knitters Unite for Camp Ministry
PATH is collecting soup and oatmeal. Bring donations to the PATH crates located in the foyer of Fellowship Hall and near the elevator on the ground floor of the main building. Monetary donations are also accepted. For information, visit pathhelps.org.
Are you an experienced knitter or would you like to learn a new skill or enhance neglected skills? We have a place for you with the Knit Wits! Group contact is Pat Cryer (903561-5242).
Sewing Bees - Sewing with a Mission
Tuesday, February 13 | 6 pm | Fellowship Hall The Mission Committee is sponsoring their 4th annual Mardi Gras for Mission, benefiting our mission programs. Save the date and look for details to follow. If you are interested with assisting in planning, please contact Ginny Mattox at virginiamattox1@gmail.com. Visitfpctyler.com/ events/mardi-gras.
Wednesday, January 17 | 10 am | F 104 Connect with sewing buffs of all ages and levels of expertise. Simple patterns and guidance provided. Join the Sewing Bees and help us continue our mission of helping those in need. Visit fpctyler.com/events/sewingbees. Group contact is Mollie Bobo (903-530-2772).
SAVE THE DATE: Mardi Gras for Mission 2018
Bullet Points from November’s Session Meeting Minutes recorded by Robyn Files The Session met on November 21 and conducted the following business: •
•
celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper on the following dates in 2018: January 7, February 4, March 4, March 29 (Maundy Thursday), April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7, November 4, December 2, and January 6, 2019.
Approve the recommendation from Worship Committee to have one worship service on Sunday, December 31, at 11 a.m. and no Sunday School. Approve the recommendation of the Worship Committee to
•
Dr. Baskin reported on the meeting of Grace Presbytery
•
Lynn Collyer reported on REALM, the church management computer system, currently being installed.
Full minutes are available from the church office upon request.
Stay in the Know
Analysis of Revenues & Expenses November 2017 Summary MTD ACTUAL
YTD ACTUAL
YTD BUDGET
REVENUES
$64,713
$373,253
$378,491
EXPENSES
$91,485
$484,638
$474,140
NET TOTAL
($26,772)
($111,385)
($95,649)
Planned Giving
in Arlington on November 16. During this meeting Phyllis was elected moderator of the presbytery for the coming year.
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
January Youth Group Gathering
We CAN Do It - Souper Bowl of Caring 2018
Sunday, January 7 | 5:30pm | The Well Join us for games and fellowship. Dinner will be provided. For students in grades 6-12. Let us know if you’re coming. Questions? Contact Neil McKown, Director of Student Miistries (903-279-6818).Visit fpctyler.com/events/youthgroup to register!
Collection starts January 1 January 1 begins the Souper Bowl of Caring competition with the Sunday School classes and also with our friends from other churches. We collected 534 canned goods last year. Let’s double that this year. If the youth collect more cans than the other Sunday school classes, you will get a catered breakfast! We CAN do this! Visit fpctyler.com/events/ souper-bowl to learn more.
Senior High Youth Connection (SHYC) January 26 — 28 | Austin College | Sherman, TX Attention high school youth - it’s time to think about coming to SHYC. This year’s theme is With Christ…We Can! The cost is $75 and the deadline to sign up and get forms in is Wednesday, January 19. We hope to see you there! Questions? Contact Neil McKown (903-279-6818).
SAVE THE DATE: February Youth Group Gathering Sunday, February 18 | 5pm | Location: TBA Mark your calendar — we will be having a youth group event — more information to come!
Games Day: Popcorn Wednesday Begins Wednesday, January 10 1:00 pm in the Anderson Room Games Day will meet every Wednesday and is open to the ENTIRE church family — men, women, older children and friends! Games will include: Mexican Train, Dominoes, Bridge, Canasta, Hand & Foot, Bunco, and Mah Jongg. We will offer popcorn, coffee and lemonade and can coordinate transportation for those who cannot drive. If you are in a games group already, bring them on “Popcorn Wednesday” for fun and fellowship. All age groups are invited — contact Sharon Bragg (903-581-1941) so we will have enough tables. Games Lessons: If there is enough interest in learning how to play Mah Jongg, Sharon Bragg will conduct classes for six weeks. Contact Sharon (903-581-1941) to let her know if you are interested.
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Children & Youth Calendar
January
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 Changes are coming! Changes are coming!
Mark your calendars — VBS 2018!
What are those changes? I am so glad you asked! Beginning February 2, we are inviting all the infants and children from 6 weeks to 5th grade to participate in First Friday Fun. We will meet on the 1st Friday from 6:30pm until 9 pm. You need to RSVP via the church website by the Tuesday prior to the event. We have missed our older students and can hardly wait to offer challenging activities and crafts for them. Plan now for February, March and April!
As you get a new calendar and prepare it for 2018 — don’t forget to schedule FPC Tyler’s vacation bible school (VBS). It will be held from Wednesday, August 8 through Friday, August 10, in the evenings from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Our Saturday event will be on August 11, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. In the evenings, we will be learning about local missions in Tyler. Our Saturday will include our traditional bounce house and slip and slide following the cookout to which everyone is invited. Children, grandchildren and volunteers are always welcome! Most activities will be planned inside to beat the August heat in Texas. See you there!
Children’s Christmas Pageant - Thank you! Our Christmas Pageant, One Very Special Night!, was a lot of fun. Thanks to Ring and Sing directed by Laura Swartz, Casey Johnson and Janet Burks. The Carol Choir leaders, Margaret Bjork and Ruth Hardy, were a big help during both the rehearsals and the pageant. They say it takes a village, and what a village we have serving our infants and children in this ministry! The Christmas Luncheon following the pageant was a big success. We shared a wonderful meal, and children decorated cookies while they waited for the adults to finish their meals. The ending was a highlight — a tradition here at FPC Tyler. Dr. Baskin read the children a story, Twas the Night Before Christmas! and off they went with a little gift from the church. Enjoy pictures of our children from the pageant and luncheon...
S U N D AY S C H O O L
/ SMALL GROUP LISTING
SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 9:45 AM
SMALL GROUP SCHEDULE
| Lecture & discussion M202 | What It Means to be Presbyterian | Contact: Bob Schmoker (903) 714-5746
MEN
FAITH BUILDERS
| Lecture & discussion M 205 | Christian Doctrine | Contact: Chris Bunt (903) 531-3535
THE FORUM
209ERS | Young Adults M209 | Amazing Grace, a Vocabulary of Faith| Contact: Debbie Pitts (debbiepitts@gmail.com) THE
| Lectionary Tuesdays | 6:30 am | Premier Flexipac | Contact: Skip Womack (903) 533-9433 or Bob Schmoker (903) 714-5746 | Book &/or DVD & discussion Thursdays | 9:30 am | Conference Room | TBA | Contact: Jan Carpenter (903) 566-8533
WORSHIP WITH US
FPC’s Regular Sunday Services
WOMEN
WESTMINSTER | Study & discussion M 207 | The book of Mark | Contact: Linda Pirtle (903) 881-9000
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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)
New Year’s Day. Happy New Year! (Office & buildings closed) Meadow Lake Bible Study. 11:45 am, Meadow Lake. Youth Group: January Gathering. 5:30 pm, The Well. Presbyterian Women Weekday Circle. 10 am, F 101-102. Games Day. 1 pm, Anderson Room. Presbyterian Women Sunday Circle. 9:30 am, M 204. Officer Installation. 11 am Worship Service, Sanctuary. Steeple Times Submission Deadline. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Office & buildings closed) Sewing Bees. 10 am, F 104. Games Day. 1 pm, Anderson Room. Games Day. 1 pm, Anderson Room. Officer retreat. 5 pm, FPC Campus. Officer retreat. 9 am, FPC Campus. Senior High Youth Connection (SHYC). Sherman, TX. Games Day. 1 pm, Anderson Room.
230 W. Rusk Street, Tyler, TX 75701
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Budget & Finance. January 11 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Building & Grounds. January 8 @ 5:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Children’s Ministry. January 16 @ 5 pm — Library Governance. January 2 @ 5:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Mission. January 8 @ 5:30 pm — Library Potter House. January 8 @ 5 pm — Library Risk Management. January 24 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Student Ministry. January 22 @ 6:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Session. January 16 @ 7 pm — M 207 Trustees. January 23 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Worship. January 2 @ 5 pm — Conference Room | A 110
COMMIT TEE MEE TINGS
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JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS
Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 683 Tyler, Texas 75701-1696
To everyone at the home of: