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FIRST
February 2013
Draft No cover yet
“Glorifying God through equipping disciples to love and serve our neighbors.�
Volume 47
First Presbyterian Church of Yakima
9 South 8th Ave Yakima, WA 98902
Sermon Series [Conclusion] Treasure in Jars of Clay: Foundations of our Faith “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
(509) 248-7940
February 3, 2013 “God’s Design For Human Relationships” Galatians 5:13-26 February 10, 2013 “The Great Co-Mission” Matthew 28:16-20
Our Core Values Glorifying God with our best. Pioneering and ongoing outreach. Engaging and nurturing relationships. Being a cornerstone in the community. Equipping people for ministry through biblical foundation and service.
LENT – Kingdom Living – Being Available to God Starting in February, we will begin a new theme called “Kingdom Living.” Over the next year, we will focus on different aspects of what it means to live into God’s Kingdom. During Lent, we will focus on Being Available to God by highlighting a different spiritual discipline each week. This will serve as the foundation for our year of Kingdom Living and prepare us for Easter. In addition, we will be providing a Lenten devotional where you can “go deeper” with weekly homework and explore other spiritual disciplines. February 17, 2013 “Kingdom Living: Being Available to God” Matthew 4:1-11 February 24, 2013 “Kingdom Living: Fasting - Giving Up for God” Matthew 6: 16-18
Sunday Mornings
Intercessory Prayer 8:30a - 9:30a Chapel Everyone Contemporary Worship - led by Contemporary Worship Team 8:00a & 9:30a Sanctuary Everyone Traditional Worship - led by Organ & Choir 11:00a Sanctuary Everyone Worship - Cristo Vive (Spanish) 12:15p Chapel Everyone KidZone Sunday Classes 9:30a Upstairs K-5th Sonbeams 9:30a Mezzanine L2 2½ yr & 3yr Cubbies 9:30a Room 103 4yr & 5yr Adult Ed Bible Class 9:30a Adult Ed Adults 40 Days of Purpose 9:30a Mezzanine Adults Golden Circle 9:30a Lounge Adults Students (6th - 12th grade) 9:30a Youth Room LL7 Gr 6-12
Cookies & Cans February 3 : T-Z
February 10: A-F
February 17: G-M
February 24: N-S
Please bring a dozen cookies on your week, and non-perishable food items for Calvary Rescue Mission.
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Here@First is available in a PDF format on the church web page at www.fpcyakima.com. For inquiries, submissions, omissions, and corrections contact Curtis Rosenkranz in the church office. 248-7940 x 113 curtis.rosenkranz@fpcyakima.com
Calendar February Events Friday, February 1 Friday, February 1 Sunday, February 3 Wednesday, February 6 Thursday, February 7 Thursday, February 7 Friday, February 8 Friday, February 8 Saturday, February 9 Saturday, February 9 Sunday, February 10 Sunday, February 10 Monday, February 11 Monday, February 11 Tuesday, February 12 Tuesday, February 12 Tuesday, February 12 Tuesday, February 12 Tuesday, February 12 Tuesday, February 12 Wednesday, February 13 Saturday, February 16 Thursday, February 21 Tuesday, February 12 Friday, February 15 Saturday, February 16 Saturday, February 16 Saturday, February 16 Sunday, February 17 Wednesday, February 20 Wednesday, February 20 Friday, February 22 Saturday, February 23 Saturday, February 23 Sunday, February 24 Tuesday, February 26
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:00a Gym Moms Easter Project Dinner & Auction (Student Ministries) 6:00p Gym Everyone Chat with the Pastors 12:00p DF Lounge Everyone Women’s Ministry Meeting 4:00p Prayer Room Committee Happy Travelers Meeting 1:30p Adult Ed Committee Senior Adult Ministries Meeting 3:00p Adult Ed Committee Committee on Ministry Meeting 9:00a Adult Ed Committee Craft Night 6:00p DF Lounge Women Work Day at Ghormley (free lunch!) 9a-4p Ghormley Everyone Prayer Shawl Ministry 9:00a Mid High Rm Knitters Easter Project Training (Youth Mission Trip) 11:00a Adult Ed Youth Open Discernment Meeting 2:00p Sanctuary Everyone Preschool Board Meeting 9:00a Rhino Room Preschool Board Edith Ferry Circle Potluck 12:00p Parlor Women Service Ministry Team Meeting 6:00p Adult Ed Committee Fellowship Ministry Team Meeting 6:00p Parlor Committee Worship Ministry Team Meeting 6:00p Room 220 Committee Adult Education Team Meeting 7:00p Room 203 Committee Business Ministry Team Meeting 7:00p Library Committee Sacred Messengers Meeting 7:00p DF Lounge Committee Ash Wednesday Dinner and Service 5:30p/6p Gym/Sanctuary Everyone Couples Night (Cristo Vive) 5:30p DF Lounge Couples Ghormley Commission 6:30p Adult Ed Committee Sacred Messengers Meeting 7:00p DF Lounge Committee MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:00a Gym Moms National Day of Prayer Committee Meeting 10:00a DF Lounge Committee Aglow Women’s Speaker 11:00a Garden Room Everyone CV Couples Night 5:30p DF Lounge Everyone Childcare Staff Meeting 12:30p Adult Ed Staff Preschool Staff Meeting 12:00p Parlor Staff Foundation Board 4:00p Library Committee MOPS Creative Moments 9:00a Room 217 Moms Fellowship Ministry Team Meeting 9:00a Adult Ed Committee Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:00p Mid High Rm Knitters Deacon’s Meeting 3:30p DF Lounge Deacons Session Dinner and Meeting 6:00p Garden Rm/Mid High Elders & Prog’Staff
Sunday, March 3 March 8, 9 & 10
Trailseeker Auction Women’s Retreat
2:00p All Weekend
Gym Lake Chelan
Everyone Women
Weekday Events
M-W-F Exercisers 8:45a-9:45a Gym/GR Sr Adults Monday TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 10:00a Adult Ed Everyone Overeaters Anonymous 12:00p Adult Ed Everyone Trailseekers 2:30p Gym Al-Anon 5:15p Adult Ed Everyone Soaking Prayer 6:30p Prayer Rd Everyone Tuesday Women’s Bible Study (Spirit Led Life) 9:15a Gym Women Women’s Bible Study (Women in the Word) 9:45a Parlor Women Wednesday Women of Action 9:30a Chapel Women SOZO Prayer 5-9p SOZO Team Youth Group - Mid High 6-7:45p Youth Room LL7 6th - 8th gr Youth Group - Senior High 7-9p Youth Room LL7 9th - 12th gr SOAR: School of Spiritual Transformation 5:30p Chapel SOAR Students Thursday Bible Study Fellowship 9:00a Women Contemporary Worship Rehearsal 5:30p Sanctuary Worship Band Temple Choir Rehearsal 7:00p Choir Room Choir Friday SOZO Prayer 9-Noon / 5-9p SOZO Team
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Happenin’ @ First God Loves A Cheerful Giver
Have you ever felt the Spirit tugging on your heart to give financially...but you left your checkbook at home? Well now you can make the same donation online. Just go to www.fpcyakima.com and make a donation with your debit or credit card. You can even specify which ministry/ mission/fund you want it given to.
Coming for the Spring Session of Adult Education
The Creation – Evolution Controversy Coordinated by Larry Hasen & Ron Sanders With Team Teaching from some of the Scientific Experts from FPC.
One of the most profound statements found in the pages of the Bible appears in the very first verse where God declares that He alone is the Creator of both “the heaven and the earth”. Even so, many today debunk this statement as myth. Many in the scientific field say all that exists and all that we see today developed by the process of evolution. They claim that this is proved by the studies of the elite intellectuals during the last two centuries. Come join us as we discuss these important issues.
Happy Travelers
Thursday, February 21 we will go to the movies! Come join us for “The Impossible” at the noon showing. Meet at the Majestic. We are going to the Flight Museum in Seattle on Thursday, March 21. This will be an all-day trip because there is so much to see. We will be going by bus with an early start at 8a, and will have a guide to show us around. Costs: $15 for the museum ($13 for 65+), and $35 per person for the bus. Sign up at the Connection Center or in the church office.
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Habitat Home Dedication
Sunday, February 24, 2013 2p-3p 214 E "T" Street Yakima, WA 98901
Thank you for giving to Habitat for Humanity. This is a chance for you to see what your investment has done. Join us as we celebrate with the Garza family and bless their new 3-bedroom home. We will be recognizing the hard work and contribution of everyone who helped make this home a reality. Need more information? Call 509-453-8077 and ask for Gloria.
VOLUNTEER!
The 2nd Saturday of every month is “Work Day at Ghormley.” We have all sorts of odd jobs, both indoor and outdoor, which need help accomplishing. Come, work for the day and enjoy a free lunch. Please RSVP 672-4311
Clothing X-change
Start your spring cleaning now... Sort that overstuffed closet! You can DO IT! Drop off donations from Sunday March 10 — Friday March 15. Volunteer Friday, March 15 Saturday, March16
Financial Report
The “Per Capita” amount for 2013 is a total of $45.07...without the General Assembly it is $38.20.
Pastor Jack
Jack Peebles — Senior Pastor — jack.peebles@fpcyakima.com
Dear Church Family, On behalf of the Session and staff, thank you for your faithful giving in 2012. Between 2008 and 2011, we have seen a decline in overall giving to God through FPC Yakima each year. In 2012, we saw the reverse of that trend as overall giving exceeded the previous year. Total giving to God through FPC Yakima in 2012 reached $1,605,870. This was a $76,332 increase in total giving when compared to 2011. Because of your generosity, we were once again able to pay back $10,000 to the Foundation for the 2010 loan and ended this year in the black at $1,573 in terms of our operating budget. The increase in giving was due, in large part, to your support of missions beyond our local congregation. The designated mission giving above our budget was $254,949. Wow! We truly are a congregation that is living into our mission statement: “Glorifying God through equipping disciples to love and serve our neighbors.” If you haven’t had a chance please pick up or view a copy online of the annual report. What I love about this annual report is that there is a clear, intentional emphasis on loving and serving those who are not members. Thus, the ministries are developed so members of the church are being “equipped” to go out into the world and live for Christ. I said it before and I’ll say it again. Christianity happens at the speed of relationships! As we continue to live into our mission statement, we will be guided by our core values: • • • • •
Glorifying God with our best Pioneering and ongoing outreach Engaging and nurturing relationships Being a cornerstone in the community Equipping people for ministry through biblical foundation and service
A church’s core values articulate something of a particular church’s DNA. More specifically, core values articulate the very best of who that church has been and who that church will need to become as it lives into the future. They say something about the past, while guiding a church into its future. In 2012, we added to our “compass bearing” by identifying our mission priorities for the next few years. These mission priorities offer us direction as we seek to answer the questions “Who are our neighbors?” and “How will we love and serve them?” They are as follows: • • • • • •
Youth Children Muti-generational/-cultural Marriage Parenting Front Porch (this entails making our church more of a gathering place for our community)
The Session will meet with our TAG consultant one more time in March of this year. At the retreat, we will continue to discern God’s will and develop methods of measurement, which will articulated through the formation of a strategic plan. The following pages offer multiple examples of how we are focusing on our mission priorities. I invite you to take a moment to look through the pages of the annual report, and see the ways in which God has been active in and through the people of FPC. God is good…all the time! Living and Loving for Him,
ck Pastor Ja 5
Small Groups Small groups have been a trademark of First Presbyterian Church for a very long time. Each small group has unique talents, gifts, and ideas for His service. Deep friendships are often a warm side benefit. The group led by Judy Miller has been together for roughly ten years. Over that time frame they’ve shared joys and sorrows, but they agree that the gift of laughter has been particularly heart-warming. As an example, they giggle and blush when asked about their current book study, Really Bad Girls of the Bible. Each summer they change their regular pattern of meeting weekly in the church library to meeting for a special luncheon where different members share a variety of talents. As examples, Bev Sager has shared her card making skills and Judy has shared her inspirational writing, Michele has shared interesting historical anecdotes that have provided clarification and awareness with their studies. More recently, the group has become an example of Pastor Jack’s ‘Cracked Pots’ by becoming involved with a very unique gift of service. (Refer to his January 13 sermon notes about how we are all cracked pots though we may not yet know it.) Alba Richards, the Family Readiness Leader for 286th Engineering Unit of the National Guard, is a cherished friend of Bev Sager. Elba’s job is to help the families of soldiers who are deployed or getting ready to be
Elba Richards
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Bev Sager
deployed. In that volunteer capacity, she is always looking for resources to help these soldiers and their families. In December, this small group worked closely with Elba to provide a Christmas Party for a group of soldiers who will be sent to Afghanistan later this summer. All of the talents of this small group were utilized. One afternoon they all got together for a cookie bake to help with the refreshments. Alba works with a $0.00 budget but—according to Bev- is able to make donations of items or money go farther than anyone could imagine. Since there is no management cost, all contributions go directly to the soldiers and their families. “We can use ANYTHING,” she shared. “NOTHING goes to waste.” Judy’s small group members (Ruth Maloney, Esther Nelson, Kathy Keating, Cathy Glasen, Cathy Campbell, Kimberly Dukeshire and Michele Elledge) have found tremendous joy in being able to help these families. Other small groups might also wish to consider some sort of service in this direction. Elba Richards would welcome any additional resources no matter the form---time, money, ‘stuff’, or whatever excess might exist. She may be reached at 9522661. (You may also contact Bev at 965-1995.)
Ladies small group hosted by Judy Miller
Devotional
Laurie Kanyer
and tell you I will answer you ‘Call to me and do not know.’ chable things you great and unsear Jeremiah 33:3 ill give you e Lord, and he w Take delight in th ur hear t. the desires of yo Psalm 37:4
God has ways of sharpening us as Christians. One of my lessons from the Lord took seven years to come to fruition. It starts with a house. Our family had lived in a lovely brick home that was on the same parallel that my family of origin had lived for five generations. There was a main floor for my husband and myself, and a downstairs for the kids. There was even a second kitchen in the basement. The only drawback of the house was that a guest could walk in the front door and see directly into our bedroom. A small thing but still an annoyance. For seven years we looked for a new house. When we found what we were looking for it had much more than we needed, but it had many things we had prayed for over time. I would pray many nights as we considered if the house was to be ours and God would reply, “It is a gift.” Naturally, we had to sell our old home. Prior to finding “the gift home” we had completely remodeled the downstairs bathroom, which was a big investment. Within no time we found a buyer and were grateful for the possibility of a quick sell. As it goes with house negotiations there were some things the buyer wanted. Specifically, they wanted us to leave the new hot tub we had saved to buy, install a new dishwasher in the basement and put on a new roof! I was honestly taken back… we were talking about a great deal of money. I recall fussing a bit about all these demands. I recall prayer time with God and saying “I guess a roofer needs a job and these buyers need a house with a good roof.” I chose to trust in God; we roofed the house, left the hot tub, installed the dishwasher and moved.
During the process of purchasing the home and selling our old home, I began to teach parenting classes at First Presbyterian Church. There was a single mom who came to the class and in fact came to every series we offered over a span of a year and a half. She introduced me to her kids and often stayed after for prayer and follow up questions. This past Christmas she approached me at the MOPS tea (she is a participant and I am a Mentor Mom) and said “I have to tell you something. I live with my parents in your old house.” Turns out her parents had purchased our old house specifically so they could live on the top floor and she and her three kids could live in the basement. She said to me, “Me and the kids have never had so much room.” I was stopped in my tracks. I am still absorbing the lesson(s). God had given us a new house that far exceeded our needs and a new house for her that met her needs; and now she and I are friends—I get the privilege of supporting her as a momma, and I get the opportunity to ponder God’s hand in my life. A lesson learned!
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Discipleship Marriage Enrichment Groups Draw Large Response By Carol Licht
We are thanking God for the enthusiastic response to this winter’s Marriage Enrichment Small Groups. Four groups, each with six to seven couples, rapidly filled up when the word went out that the church was offering this opportunity. Each small group, led by a facilitator couple, will meet weekly over the next couple months to work on strengthening marriages. The Prepare/Enrich inventory assessing specific areas of strength and growth for each couple personalizes the experience for participants. A fun weekend retreat at Camp Ghormley, will cap the series in mid-March. At a time when our country is seeing so much destructive behavior, God is calling us to strengthen families through healthy marriages that form the backbone for effective parenting. It is no accident that our church has made marriage and parenting two of its key missional priorities. As the response to the Marriage Enrichment small groups suggests, this is an area of great interest to us all. If you missed the chance to sign up for a group this time, feel free to ask Shan Trick, Family Ministries coordinator, to add your name to the waiting list. Meanwhile, we invite everyone to participate by praying for the current small groups, asking God to use this experience powerfully to infuse deeper love into our families and church community.
Cristo Vive
Gustavo Carvajal — Pastor de Cristo Vive — Gustavo.Carvajal@fpcyakima.com
Cristo Vive 2013, A Year of Focus
Children and Youth Matter. We will organize workshops for Sunday school teachers and will also help our youth grow and connect with our community. On the one hand, as we put together a training for Sunday school teachers, we need the insight of those who have been in the trenches Sunday-in-and-Sundayout. Children are not only the future of the church, they are the church; of today and their involvement and participation in worship will make a difference in how we experience God. On the other hand, we have seen our youth grow in eagerness to know and follow God, which prompts us to help them find who they are and how their gifts can bless our church and community. It is our goal to welcome their participation in our worship services through music and drama. If God is stirring your heart to make this happen, please let me know. Call 248-7940x133 or cell 388-5752.
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Gus
Don Stuber
Young Life Growth – Reaching a World of Kids Young Life started in 1941 with the simple concept of going into the world of kids with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Adult leaders were trained to walk onto the high school campus and make friends with teens in order to help them through the tough years of adolescence. The founder Jim Rayburn said, “There is a season when faith blossoms best and we called that season adolescence.” Young Life grew slowly at first, and then more rapidly as the 20th century wore on. The ministry expanded into middle school because young teens were making lifestyle decisions at age 13. When adolescence stretched from age 12 to 27, Young Life started College Life to further disciple Young Lifers as well as to catch college-aged students who we had missed in secondary school. In 1992, Young Life developed a ministry with kids with disabilities called Capernaum. In 2000, Young Lives was started for pregnant teens. Urban work and small town ministry enlarged the outreach.
Missions - Young Life impacting one million students to two million. It took 70 years to reach the level of a million kids a year, and now they are succeeding at reaching the second million kids in only 7 years. Young Life is in their 4th year of this campaign, and they are on line to reach their goal. One of the main thrusts of Reaching a World of Kids is recruiting 80,000 new volunteers and establishing 8,000 new sustainable locations. Don Stuber is heading up the teacher movement to double the number of teachers who are Young Life leaders. Growth in Yakima has also been consistent. The number of leaders has grown from 50 to 80 this year alone. Yakima is one of the biggest areas in the USA, and they rank #1 in terms of the number of teachers who are leaders in the ministry. Many folks from Yakima have been to Young Life’s Malibu resort in British Columbia. Malibu has also had growth during the recent years. Over $10,000,000 has been raised to add a new dining room, to redecorate the club room, to add a snack bar and coffee shop, and build new work crew and summer staff quarters. Money is being raised presently to build new cabins for the campers. Young Life continues to grow at an exciting rate as described in Eph. 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine.” This growth puts strain on all of the staff and infrastructure of Young Life. Pray for this influential mission that they would keep their focus on Jesus, and find teens who have gone astray. It is not the well who need the doctor but the sick.
The real growth has come recently. Young Life focused on the International landscape. In 1990 Young Life was in 10 countries of the world; In 2000, in 33 countries, and today this incarnational ministry is in 90 countries of the world. The principle of loving kids where they are, without judgment and with a good dose of fun and adventure, is transferable around the globe. The center focus continues to be one and only one: introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. It took Young Life 70 years to impact a million students a year. The President Denny Rydberg has launched a new campaign to double the impact once again. Reaching a World of Kids is a seven year movement to go from
Don
FPC and YL have enjoyed wonderful relationship spanning many years. If you would like more information, contact Don Stuber at 248-9993
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Happily Ever After
H@F is excited to bring you an interview of Craig & Carolyn Sundquist who celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary in September 2012! H@F: How did you meet and how long have you been married? C&C: Caroline’s parents and Craig’s parents sang in Temple choir after the Russell family moved to Yakima in the fall of 1970. We first met when our families went water skiing in the summer of 1971—Caroline in 9th grade and Craig in 11th. Our paths crossed again the spring of 1975 when Mary (Caroline’s sister) and Curtis (Craig’s brother) got engaged and the two families started spending more time together. Caroline was 18 and Craig was 21 by now. Caroline flirted with Craig at Mary and Curtis’ wedding rehearsal dinner and Craig asked Caroline out to a movie in the middle of a cherry tree when the Russells came out to pick cherries. We dated for 13 months and were married on September 11, 1976, 36 years ago. H@F: Raising children and work demands are a major impact in many marriages. You are semi-retired now. How did you find time for each other during these stressful times? C&C: Caroline was a stay at home mom and Craig a busy orchardist. We decided, when our kids were in grade school, we needed to connect with each other on a weekly basis and we established an every-Friday lunch date. We also love the outdoors and we spent many Sunday afternoons hiking in the Cascades with our children and Craig’s father, Marvin. H@F: Sometimes major challenges come in marital relationships. What advice do you have for others facing challenges? C&C: Craig and I went through an extended period of hardship. We had, for many reasons, stopped talking and wanting to spend time together. We separated for 5 months. I believe that the Lord used this period in our life to draw us closer to Him. I also believe that you don’t know what you have until you face losing it. Through the grace of God and the prayers of many people we found our way back to each other and our marriage is stronger than it ever was before. One of the major words of advice I would give is never give up on your mate or the Lord and His power to make all things new.
r.” Many of us grew up “And they lived happily ever afte of stories hoping that would hearing those words at the ends life (even after a fairy tale be true for us, too. Sadly, in real rt. God has blessed us here wedding) many marriages fall apa marriages have stood the test at FPC with many couples whose H@F will spotlight advice of time. Over the coming months as we look closer at the from some of them. Read with us ‘happily ever after’. ‘really hard work’ that creates the freedom to take whatever time needed to recover. It is in these times when you feel the real presence of God when you are brought to the end of yourself. H@F: You’ve both been very involved with Habitat for Humanity. How can those kinds of projects impact a marriage? C&C: We have been privileged to be associated with Habitat for Humanity, both through the builds in Yakima that First Presbyterian sponsored and 3 trips to El Salvador and most recently a two-week build in Nepal. Our first trip was in celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary. We were thankful that God had redeemed our marriage and we wanted to give back. We had never been out of the country together and had never served others like this together. It was a truly amazing trip, bonding and connecting us as a couple. We continue to look for more opportunities to serve where God sends us. H@F: The church has been a big impact in your lives. Can you expand on that? C&C: Craig was born in Yakima and has attended FPC from the beginning. Caroline became a member in 1971. We have sung in Temple Choir since 1975. We love to sing and find this act of service expresses that love and is an expression of our soul/love for Christ. We have shared our one life with our fellow choir members over these many years, celebrating our joys and praying for our sorrows and pains. We call it an honor to serve together as Deacons. Because we have been members for so long, we have seen many pastors come and go, but the glue that holds us together is the love of Christ and the fellowship of believers at FPC.
H@F: “In sickness and in health…” Have you got any suggestions for couples who are coping with major illnesses in one or both partners? C&C: In 2007, both Craig and I experienced a major medical crisis, Caroline, a dissection of her carotid artery and Craig a slap tear in his shoulder. Through the months of tests, surgery and the long process of healing, we found comfort in scripture, friends, prayers and the
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A warm thank you to Craig & Carol yn for sharing these thoughtful respon ses.
Preschool
Rhonda Cardona — Director — Rhonda Cardona@fpcyakima.com
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Women’s Ministries
Ericka Clark — Women’s Ministries — Ericka.Clark@fpcyakima.com
Encouraging women to be intentional about their faith.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Soaking Prayer
Every Monday at 6:30p Prayer Room We will gather every Monday (except holidays) at 6:30p in the new prayer room by the Connection Center. Join us for a time of resting in the Lord’s presence immersing in worship, prayer, and scriptures, setting apart time to listen and be led by the Holy Spirit.
Aglow Ministries Presents: Sherry Hayes
Saturday, February 16 11:00am / Garden Room Sherry Hayes is a homeschooling mother to her 15 children. She loves the Lord and proclaims that becoming Christ-like is more than trying to be “good” but living a life completely surrendered to God’s plans, trusting totally in His goodness.
Time to Fly
Women’s Spring Retreat March 8, 9 & 10, 2013 Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan Spring Women’s Retreat is March 8, 9 and 10. We will be staying at Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan. Registration closes February 8. This year our guest speaker is Yakima native, Casey Mock. She currently lives in Tacoma and serves on the Women’s Ministry team at City Central Church where she passionately encourages women to settle for nothing less than the abundant life promised them in John 10:10. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Casey will be joined by five Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand other women from her church firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of who will help lead worship slavery. Original artwork by Karrilee Aggett and serve as a prayer team for the women at the retreat. This group of women has been experiencing the transforming power of walking in Christ’s authority and as part or whole have gotten to share with friends from around the world their passion for women to receive the fullness of Christ’s love and to walk in their inheritance as believers free of every stronghold that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. They will host original design prayer appointments for every woman at the retreat! What a gift! (Read next page to find out more about Original Design Prayer...)
If you want to encounter the power of God for your life and walk in His authority in a refreshed way, come to Chelan…it is TIME TO FLY!
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Women’s Spring Retreat
March 8, 9 and 10 at Campbell’s Resort in Lake Chelan Registration Closes February 8!
Original Design Prayer God designed you for a very special purpose and He wants to reveal who He created you to be. You are His Original Design. So get ready to fly in the freedom given to you by God our Father! Here are some testimonies from women who have had original design prayer... On April 18, 2008 God radically rocked my world through prayer for original design. I went to a FPC women’s retreat in Tacoma titled, “Flying Free! Living in God’s Original Design.” I didn’t know what was meant by original design, but I enjoy women’s retreats and I thought why not. Truth be told, I was feeling really down in my spiritual walk. I was feeling like God was really disappointed in me (lie #1). That the Holy Spirit was giving me the silent treatment (lie #2). On the first night I learned that God is not disappointed in me and I cried tears of relief. Then I learned that freedom is discovering your identity and purpose in Jesus in order to walk in the fullness of the Lord. This includes tearing down every stronghold/lie that opposes your ability to walk in the freedom of your original design. I experienced prayer for original design and encountered God in a way I had never encountered Him before. Two women from Tacoma, whom I had never met before prayed for me. They asked God what He wanted to reveal to me about how He created me to be. They sensed that the Lord wanted to reveal six areas of my original design. All of them were amazing; I’ll explain two of them. First, they saw me sitting at work. They told me that I am a woman of great significance and power. That I make things run smoothly. They said that my office is a hub of activity. This amazed me because I am the activities director at my school and this is a perfect description of my job. This was something only God would know. They said they saw a picture of me being playful, doing cartwheels, being childlike. When I was a child I loved to do cartwheels. I remember being in my backyard as a child and declaring that there will never be a time when I don’t want to do cartwheels. As the years have passed, I’ve done fewer cartwheels. God reminded me that He made me to be playful and pulled a memory from my childhood to reinforce that aspect of my original design. I was blown away by God’s loving attention to me. This experience started me on an all-out pursuit of God and His presence. It has been an amazing five years! - Susie Bennett It is a blessing to share my God-given original design with you. I received it in 2008 when a team of women from FPC Yakima attended a conference in Tacoma from the same team of women who will be ministering to us during the retreat in Chelan. Re-reading this
five years later empowered me to continue to live into who He created me to be. It’s reassuring to be able to live and love who you are because God has created us individually for His purpose. Here’s my original design: You are a utility player and can do many roles well, quickly, and do what needs to be done, effortlessly steady and strong in each position, faithful to do what is required. A peacekeeper and mediator bringing peace by speaking truth. You are a hands-on teaching disciple who is strong in development beginning to end, bridging fear for others. You have the heart of a worshipper, humming joyfully in His presence. You are a rock, faithful and steady in your trust in the Lord. You choose to trust God and put on a smile every day because you know He is trustworthy; you are a team member; husband relies upon you and you are loyal. Picture a lifeguard, you know when to protect and have a mother’s heart of protection. You are likened to Ruth and David, your life of obedience and heart after God. - Annonymous
I have believed in and loved the Lord all my life. However, when I started following my own path and making my own choices without looking to God, I found myself not liking me. I started to believe lies about me – “I’m not good enough”; “I’m worthless”; “I will never amount to anything;” “I’m a failure.” Then through prayer, Bible study, Christian retreats, classes and connections with spirit-filled Christians, I became awakened. I began to learn about and believe in God’s Original Design for me. God created me; I am intricately and beautifully made. Through God’s extravagant mercy and His tremendous love for me, I could begin to walk in my God-given destiny as His princess in His Kingdom, as His chosen and adopted child in His family. I have a victorious DNA in me. There is no way I can be a failure with God as my Creator! - Sheri Rynd
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Children
Susie Woodin — Children’s Ministries — susie.woodin@fpcyakima.com
This month we are hearing from Jessica Cavanaugh, a Cubbies KidZone leader. I hope she inspires you to get connected in the church and make a difference by sharing the Love of Jesus!! Susie: When did you start attending FPC, and what brought you here in the first place? Jessica: My husband I started attending FPC in April of 2011. We moved here from the West side of the mountains. I had been to a few Woman's Retreats with my sister-in-law, VBS, and had attended MOPS with her on occasion. Every time we visited I would beg my husband to move to Yakima. I loved it here! I loved all the women here and just knew God would bring us here one day. At first we tried different churches and it was not until the Easter service that my husband looked at me and said this was our new church home. So we got plugged in! Jason is now the Contemporary Worship Director, I serve on the Children’s Ministry Team, Women’s Ministry team, and we host a small group at our home. We are looking forward to 2013 as we begin marriage ministry as well. God has really used our family and circumstances and we want to bless others with His generosity. Susie: When did you start serving in the children’s department, and why? Jessica: Once we decided FPC was our new church home we got plugged in. I have always been involved in Children's Ministry since I was in my early 20's. It makes me feel old to know that the kids I taught Preschool to are now grown men and women. I keep in touch with some through Facebook. It is a blessing to see their hearts still on fire for God and raising the next generation.
February During the month of d an e rat we love to celeb have we se tho appreciate all Don’t th. wi ips sh loving relation e rat leb ce to e nu forget to conti s thi e lov t tes ea gr Jesus and His love with month. Sharing His best the ly ab a child is prob anyone. e giv n ca Valentine you ve you come We would love to ha th the kids. and celebrate Jesus wi
Susie: What is the most rewarding aspect of serving in KidZone and the children’s department? Jessica: The most rewarding thing about serving the kids at FPC is the smile on their faces when they see you. I love when you see kids around town and they recognize you. I think it is so important to make a great and lasting impression on the kids that will last a lifetime. I remember very special teachers who are near and dear to my heart even today all because they smiled at me, gave me a hug, or just told me they love me. Susie: Tell us about a time that you saw God at work while serving in the children’s department… Jessica: He is always at work in His children. However, I think watching the kids recite the stories and tell others is amazing. Sometimes in the Cubbies room you wonder just how much they are listening and then in those moments, when they share you are reminded of the difference you are making.
Quality Time Isn’t Nice; It’
s Necessary With his last hours, Jesus spe nt time with his closest friends . This wasn’t anything elaborate—just a simple meal together. But in that time set aside to be together, Jesus showed his disciples how mu ch he cared for them. He cou ld have lavished them with material gifts beyond compar e, or provided a meal and the n gone about his business (he had a lot on his mind, after all) …but he didn’t. Jesus knew we ll the irreplaceable value of spending time with those he loved. He knew his presence was what they craved more tha anything and that time togeth n er encompassed the greatest exp ression of his love. Much like the disciples wante d to be near Jesus, your kids want nothing more than time with you. Quality time is a lov e language everyone speaks—p articularly kids. Start a new habit in February: spend more quality time with your kids dai ly. Investigate what makes your kids feel most loved and center your efforts there. The n, as Jesus did, you too can live out the greatest expression of your love. (taken from the Feb. edition of
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Susie
Parentlink newsletter)
Worship
LENT
Before we can celebrate Easter, however, we need to prepare for its coming. Lent is the season that precedes Easter and, foundationally, it is a time of preparation. Many people will strive to “give up” something during Lent. Contrary to popular belief, the goal of Lent is not to get physically healthy through the elimination of chocolate or caffeine. The purpose of “giving up something” is to get spiritually healthy by making more room in our lives for God! “Giving up” something is one discipline you can attempt, but there are others! As Richard Foster puts it, the purpose of any spiritual discipline is to be formed more and more into the image of Jesus: “God has given us the Disciplines of the spiritual life as a means of receiving His grace. The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so he can transform us.” (Foster, p. 7) In the disciplines, we make ourselves available to God so that he can work in and through us. In this over-scheduled, busy world, the need for spiritual disciplines has never been more apparent. Starting in February, we will begin a new theme called “Kingdom Living.” Over the next year, we will focus on different aspects of what it means to live into God’s Kingdom. During Lent, we will focus on Being Available to God by highlighting a different spiritual discipline each week. This will serve as the foundation for our year of Kingdom Living and prepare us for Easter. In addition, we will be providing a Lenten devotional where you can “go deeper” with weekly homework and explore other spiritual disciplines.
ASH WEDNESDAY & HOLY WEEK
Our observance of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 13. At 5:30 we will gather in the gym for a simple soup and bread supper served by our Fellowship Ministry team ($5 suggested donation). A time of prayer with pastors and prayer ministers will follow at 6p in the Sanctuary. The Ash Wednesday service begins at 6:30. This poignant interactive service allows time to remember our need for salvation and forgiveness as we enter this time of preparation for Easter. Following a time of contemplation, worshippers will write on slips of paper. The areas of sin that have been revealed to them through prayer. Our intent to repent from sin is experienced through sight and sound as we come forward to “nail our sins” to the cross. Jesus came to take away the sin of the world and we hear again of His personal love for each of us as we listen to our own name read aloud as the paper we nailed to the cross is burned. The smell of our “burning sins” reminds us of His sacrifice and our renewed opportunity to do things differently as a new creation in Christ. We come forward once again to receive an ashen sign of the cross on our foreheads that is a sign to the world of His loving forgiveness and our devotion. Lent concludes with Holy Week, the week before Easter. On Palm Sunday, March 24, our children will lead us in worship at all services (parents, please note that practice will be on Saturday, March 16 – a week earlier than normal). The Sacrament of Communion will be celebrated on Maundy Thursday, March 28 at 7p. Tenebrae (Service of Darkness) will follow communion as we remember the final events of Jesus before his crucifixion. The Sanctuary will be open on Good Friday.
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Casey has a heart and desire for the next generation of women to love Jesus and run hard after Him. She encourages women to settle for nothing less than the abundant life promised to them in John 10:10. Her team has a passion to encourage and teach women how to free themselves from every stronghold that creates a barrier to the inheritance that has been given to us by the power of God. It’s TIME TO FLY with them to encounter God!