Steeple Times, May 2019 (vol. 11, Issue 5) 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 1 , I s s u e 5 : M a y 2 0 1 9

The Time Has Come by The Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin I’m going to take a pause from my series of articles on the history of our church to speak more personally. Three years ago, we celebrated my 10th anniversary as your pastor. During that celebration, we talked about the possibility of a sabbatical as a way to celebrate that milestone. As most of you know, the time for that sabbatical has arrived. Some weeks ago, the Sabbatical Committee solicited your help in making this time possible. Many of you have given generously to make it happen. A portion of the money will help defray my expenses during my time away, and a portion will make it possible to increase Pam Leach’s hours as she and Jenni Marshall share duties as interim Heads of Staff. And part of the money will enable the church to bring in some guest preachers, some who grew up in the church, to come and help you reflect on our church’s heritage. Now after months of planning, the time is on hand. On Sunday, May 5, I will formally lay aside my duties and place them in the capable hands of Pam, Jenni, and the rest of the staff. We will formalize this transfer of authority during the 11 a.m. worship service. Then I will disappear from view until the beginning of September.

Three things must be said as I prepare to leave: First, do not think for a minute that because I am not with you on a day to day basis that you will not be in the forefront of my thoughts. I could no more not think about you than I could stop breathing. Second, in the spirit of sabbatical rest, and following the advice of many who have undertaken sabbaticals, I will be truly out of communication. I will turn off my email and leave the day to day running of the church to the staff. They are more than capable of providing for the ongoing pastoral needs to you, the flock. Last, but certainly not least, I am truly grateful for your generosity in providing the time and the funds to make this sabbatical possible. I will spend some of my time with my family in Scotland. I will spend a great deal more time at our family home in Marlin, where I will relax and read. I have a stack of books that I am very eager to dive into. Amy and I will spend some time traveling to West Texas in July to visit the McDonald Observatory and take in some of the rich history and beauty of that part of the state. I am very excited about this time and I anticipate returning rested and ready for many more years of ministry with you.

i n t h i s i s s u e | H I GH LI GHT S & F E ATU RE S New Office Hours| pg 2 Starting May 1, FPC will have new office hours.

Easter in Review | pg 3 Photographer Pete Houting contributed photos of FPC’s family during the Easter celebrations.

Let’s Get Cooking! | pg 4 As part of our sesquicentennial celebration, FPC will produce a cookbook that reflects our past, present, and future. First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701-1696 (903) 597-6317 | www.fpctyler.com

CO NGR E GAT I O NAL N E WS We Are Thankful!

PRAYERFULLY SPEAKING from the FPC Prayer Team

We are thankful for Julie Launey. She has been selected as a Synod of the Sun representative to the USA Mission Experience to the Finger Lakes Region, where she will explore the history that Presbyterian women have in the women’s and civil rights movements. Julie has been active in Presbyterian Women, mission trips, local church activities, and her community through membership in churches in Beaumont, Baton Rouge, and now FPC-Tyler. She has been a PW circle leader, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, deacon, and Stephen Minister. She is a member of the PW Coordinating Team and serves as Historian. We are truly blessed to have Julie as a member of our church and community.

The season of Lent has come and gone, but our Lenten study gave us much to hold onto for the rest of the year. I would like to share one more gem from author Donald McKim. In speaking about the petition “Give us this day our daily bread”, he writes: “Our heightened devotion to prayer in Lent comes to us with deep power as we pray this petition of the Lord’s Prayer that deals with the real stuff of every day life. It brings us to the point of our great needs and directs us to the only source of help....Most simply, prayer is the heartbeat of every day.”

Membership Updates New Members Join us in welcoming our newest members: • Betty & Rowe Anderson • Claudia Anderson • Craig & Debbie Dickerson • Karen Russell Births Join us in celebrating the birth of Warren Scott (April 2), son of to Jason Norwood & Courtney Watson. Deaths Condolences to the families of our FPC members, Mary Ann Weston (April 11) and Mary Kathryn Woodard (April 5) who entered the Church Triumphant.

(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 Officer Nominations The Officer Nominating Committee is beginning its work and would appreciate suggestions you may have for persons to serve as elders, deacons (both on the Board of Deacons and as Individually Commissioned Deacons), and trustees. There is also a slot for a three-year appointment to the Nominating Committee itself. You will find suggestion cards in the pew racks. Simply fill out the card and drop it in the offering plate. Visit fpctyler.com/leadership.

Memorial Day Holiday

Church Maintenance

The office and campus will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen Tuesday.

Your Building and Grounds Committee is working expeditiously on several issues around campus including the wall in the Chapel, roofing maintenance and handrails in certain locations. If the way be clear, these issues will be resolved before the 150th anniversary.

Grandfather Hudson’s Work Day Thank You A BIG thank you from the Building & Grounds Committee to all who helped with FPC’s recent work day. The task was large and the workers were few but we accomplished the objective to make our church shine for Easter. Thank you also to the Men of the Church for a delicious lunch. After all the hard work your tasty food hit the spot!

New FPC Office Hours Beginning May 1, FPC’s new office hours will be Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., except holidays. The office will be closed on Fridays.

s a v e t h e d a t e | J U N E & J U LY 2 0 19 Youth Mission Trip | week of June 23 FPC’s youth will travel to Burnamwood Appalachian Ministry in Irvine, Kentucky.

Lemonade on The Lawn | Sundays in July Join us for fellowship and treats at 9:15 a.m. 2

Services in July Sunday worship services be held at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Join us!

M O N T H LY E V E N T H I G H L I G H T S PW: Honorary Life Membership Presentation

Fine Arts @ FPC - The ‘King of Instruments’

Sunday, May 5 | 11 am | Sanctuary Join us at the 11 a.m. service where several honorees will receive the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. Recipients will receive a pin with symbols representing the qualities Presbyterian Women represent. For more information, visit fpctyler.com/events/pwlifemembership.

Saturday, May 18 | 11 am | Sanctuary

Fine Arts @ FPC - Alexander’s Feast presented by The Tyler Civic Chorale

Monday, May 20 | 11 am | Chapel & F 101-102 This annual Presbyterian Women event begins with a dedication service in the Chapel and a salad luncheon will follow. PW Coordinating Council officers for 2019-20 will be installed at the dedication service. All FPC women are encouraged to attend. Visit fpctyler.com/events/pwbirthday.

Free Admission

Discover the ‘King of Instruments’ with an organ demonstration by Weston Jennings, FPC’s director of music and organist. Visit fpctyler.com/events/organdemonstration.

PW Thank Offering Service and Luncheon

Thursday, May 9 | 7 pm | Sanctuary

Adults: $20 / Students & Children: Free

This rarely heard oratorio celebrates the power of music to transform the moods and passions of humankind. Set at a lavish banquet in the court of Alexander the Great, this ode to St. Cecilia was a consistent success during Handel’s lifetime and continues to capture the hearts and minds of audiences through its drama and Handelian flair. For more information, visit fpctyler.com/events/alexandersfeast.

Dr. Baskin’s Sabbatical Send-off Join us on Sunday, May 5 in the Hill Room at 9:30 a.m. for a celebratory send-off as Dr. Baskin begins his 4 month sabbatical. All are invited!

FPC’s Easter Sunday Celebration

Easter Celebration Many FPC members came out to celebrate Easter Sunday at the annual Eggstravaganza held between services. Many thanks to Pete Houting for the pictures and to all the helping hands that worked so hard to make Holy Week and Easter celebrations at FPC a success. Your contribution to our church is a blessing!

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)

Lets Get Cooking!

PATH is asking us to “get behind” a great cause - PATH’s Diaper Drive initiative! Each year, PATH provides thousands of diapers to young working moms, families and grandparents in need. The demand is equal to the number of diapers PATH receives. Bring your donations to the PATH crates in the foyer of Fellowship Hall and near the elevator in the main building. Monetary support is always appreciated. For information, visit pathhelps.org.

Get ready to celebrate 150 years of food, fun, fellowship, and the love of Christ at FPC-Tyler. As a part of our upcoming sesquicentennial celebration of the founding of our church, we will be producing a cookbook that reflects our past, present, and future. Men, women, and children of the church are encouraged to submit recipes for inclusion. If you are submitting someone else’s recipe, we will give them credit, also. All recipes must be delicious, and calories don’t count! If you are interested in working on the cookbook, sending a recipe, or need more information, contact a member of the Cookbook Committee. Members are Karen Novy, Fran Cooper, Debbie Jones, Luci Morgan, Janet Burks, Sharon Bragg, and Beth Shepperd. Recipes can be submitted to FPCcookbook@suddenlink.net. You can submit a two or three sentence note with your recipe that tells us about it (where you got the recipe, whose favorite it is, tips on cooking and storing, etc.) or any general tips for substitutions, shortcuts or other kitchen tricks. Let’s get cooking! Visit fpctyler.com/events/knitwits.

Knit Wits—Knitters Unite for Camp Ministry Monday, May 6 | 1:30 pm | The Hill Room, M 107 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). Visit fpctyler.com/events/knitwits.

Gilmont Camp Scholarships Gilmont Summer Camps scholarships are needed for children who otherwise would not be able to have this faithbased experience! This year, FPC has committed to 10 or more campers. There are many levels of support that individuals, Sunday School Classes or other FPC groups can provide. Full cost of one camper is $595; $285 provides lodging for a child for a week; and $100 covers activities for one child for a week. Checks can be made payable to FPC with “Gilmont Camp Scholarship” in the notation line. Or, your contribution can be mailed to Gilmont Camp and Conference Center, 6075 State Hwy 155 North, Gilmer, TX 75644.

Analysis of Revenues & Expenses March 2018 Summary

MTD Actual YTD Actual

Stay in the Know

YTD Budget

Revenues

$87,559

$859,957

$772,886

Expenses

$79,919

$793,350

$838,389

Net Total

$7,640

$66,607

($65,503)

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 (npollard@fpctyler.com/903-597-6317) 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

Youth Group

Youth Sunday

Sunday, May 19 | 8:30 & 11 am | Chapel & Sanctuary Join us as the FPC Youth lead us in worship! Our theme for worship is Jesus’ new commandment to love one another as described in John 13:31-35. Featured preachers will be eighth grader Mason Morgan and seniors Michael Palady and Brooklyn Wageman. The FPC Youth Group will be serving as liturgists, intercessors, and various other leaders. Let’s celebrate how God is working through our young people at FPC!

Summer Youth Mission Trip Week of June 23 | Irvine, Kentucky | For grades 6-12 Our mission team of fourteen youth and three adults will be traveling to Irvine, Kentucky on June 23 for a week of Burnamwood Appalachian Ministry. The deadline for the remaining $200 per person will be Sunday, May 26. More travel details to come! For questions or more information contact Jenni (jmarshall@fpctyler.com/803-924-0576) or visit fpctyler.com/events/ summermission2019.

Youth Spotlight Congratulations to ninth grader Juliana Leach, daughter of Jeff and Pam Leach, for earning a First Division at Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA) State Solo & Ensemble competition on April 5, 2019, at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth. Well done, Juliana! We are so proud of you!

High School Senior Displays Outside the Hill Room from May 5-19, our high school seniors, Rebekkah Garcia, Michael Palady, and Brooklyn Wageman, will exhibit their high school accomplishment displays. Join us in congratulating them on their graduation and see what their future plans will be. Visit fpctyler.com/ events/seniorrecognition.

Bullet Points from the March Session Meeting Minutes recorded by Jeanne Stovall The Session met on March 19 and conducted the following business: •

to receive Hank & Laura Resler, and Jim & Stephanie Stanton into active membership.

•

to amend the terms of call for Dr. Stuart Baskin at a meeting of the congregation on Sunday, March 3, 2019.

•

Dr. Baskin reported that he attended a reception held on the Student Terrace of the new UT Tyler School of Pharmacy. The Terrace is named for a former member of the church, Chris Wrenn. The Governance Committee reported on the election of Claudia Carroll to chair Worship

and Music Committee. Motion passed. •

The Personnel Committee reported on the renewal of the contract of the Rev. Pamela Leach for 2019 and the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Marshall for 2019. Motion passed.

Full minutes are available from the church office upon request.

See it! Snap it! Send it! Do you have pictures from FPC events that you would like to share? Photos of our members participating in fellowship are always welcome. You can send them, along with the photo credit, to church@fpctyler.com.

Children’s Ministry N ews & Events The Carol Choir celebrated a great year of praising God in song... The Carol Choir celebrated its end of the year party recently in Fellowship Hall. Directors Margaret Bjork and Ruth Hardy commented, “this party is a wonderful gift the church gives the children, and it means so very much to them.” After jumping in bouncy houses, the children enjoyed pizza and cupcakes. A special thank you to Weston Jennings, FPC’s director of music and organist, who made this special evening possible.

Marshall Ewing and his amazing crew recently gathered to assemble “Steeple Times,” FPC’s monthly newsletter. Their generous contribution of time EVERY MONTH helps get the newsletter out in a timely manner. Thank you for all you do!

SUNDAY SCHOOL / SMALL GROUP LISTING Sunday School @ 9:45 am

Small Group Schedule

faith builders

men

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

women

| Lecture & discussion  M 202 | TBA | Contact: Bob Schmoker (903) 714-5746 the forum

209ers | Young Adults M 209 | Red Letter Christianity | Contact: Drew Starnes (713) 540-0962 the

| Study & discussion M 207 | TBA | Contact: David Palady (davidpalady@gmail.com) westminster

Second Tuesday of the month | 6:30 pm | True Vine Brewing Co. | Contact: Jenni Marshall (803) 924-0576 6

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 (campuswide) 11:00 a.m. Service (Sanctuary)

may CALENDER HIGHLIGHTS 2 Meadow Lake Bible Study. 11:45 am, Meadow Lake. 5 Dr. Stuart Baskin’s Sabbatical Send-off. 9:30 am, Hill Room. 5 Presbyterian Women Life Membership Award. 11 am, Sanctuary. 5 Graduating Senior Recognition Displays. M 107. 6 Dr. Baskin’s Sabbatical begins. 6 Knit Wits. 1:30 pm, Hill Room, M 107. 8 Youth Group - Youth Sunday Preachers Only. 6 pm, The Well. 9 Fine Arts @ FPC: Alexander’s Feast presented by The Tyler Civic Chorale. 7 pm, Sanctuary. 12 Presbyterian Women Sunday Circle. 9:30 am, M 102. 12 Graduating Senior Recognition Displays. M 107. 14 Presbyterian Women Weekday Circle. 10 am, F 101-102. 14 Theology on Tap. 6:30 pm, True Vine Brewing Co. 15 Steeple Times Submission Deadline. 15 Youth Group - Youth Sunday Rehearsal. 6 pm, Sanctuary. 18 Fine Arts @ FPC - The “King of Instruments.” 11 am, Sanctuary. 19 Youth Sunday. 8:30 & 11 am, Chapel & Sanctuary. 19 Graduating Senior Recognition Displays. M 107. 20 Presbyterian Women: Thanks Offering & Luncheon. 11 am, Chapel. 22 Youth Group Dinner. 6 pm, Outback Steakhouse. 27 Memorial Day Holiday. Office and campus closed.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS Budget & Finance. May 9 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Building & Grounds. May 13 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Governance. May 6 @ 6:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Mission. May 13 @ 5:30 pm — Library Session. May 21 @ 7 pm — M 207 Stewardship. May 7 @ 6:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Worship. May 7 @ 5 pm — Conference Room | A 110

A special “thank you” to Azalea Academy For Exceptional Adults for assembling our weekly worship bulletin. 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.

230 W. Rusk Street, Tyler, TX 75701-1651

First Presbyterian Church of Tyler is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Grace Presbytery, and is steward of Potter House, a temporary housing ministry for families seeking medical care in Tyler. For a full listing of all ministry affiliations, please visit fpctyler.com/mission.

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WE ARE

In case of an emergency, such as a death or sudden hospitalization, your pastors can be reached by calling the church office (903-597-6317). After hours, please follow the directions for emergency pastoral care, and the message will be delivered to the pastoral staff.

EMERGENCY PASTORAL CARE

The church office hours are: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 p.m., except holidays. The office is closed on Fridays. Contact the office at 903-597-6317, or email church@fpctyler.com.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

The Rev. Dr. Stuart G. Baskin, Pastor | sbaskin@fpctyler.com The Rev. Pamela Leach, Associate Pastor | pleach@fpctyler.com The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Marshall, Associate Pastor, Student Ministries | jmarshall@fpctyler.com Phyllis Kidwell, Director of Christian Education | pkidwell@fpctyler.com Weston Jennings, Director of Music and Organist | wjennings@fpctyler.com Dana Durman, Director of Communications | ddurman@fpctyler.com Nanci Pollard, Financial Assistant | npollard@fpctyler.com Linda Chancellor, Executive Assistant | lchancellor@fpctyler.com Jessie Caldwell, Sexton Chris Beasley, Custodian Charles & Melissa Johnson, PCUSA Mission Co-Workers in Zambia

CLERGY & STAFF CONTACTS

Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 683 Tyler, Texas 75701-1651

To everyone at the home of: