ÀrVW SreVE\WerLDQ FhXrFh
here@
FIRST
0DrFh 2012
d n a g n i r e Pione h c a e r t u O Ongoing “Glorifying God through equipping disciples to love and serve our neighbors.”
Volume 36
ACTS: Prayerful Preparation!
First Presbyterian Church of Yakima
9 South 8th Ave Yakima, WA 98902
(509) 248-7940
Our Core Values
Lent is the season of penitential preparation of the believer for the celebration of Easter. Part of this preparation is accomplished through prayer. Unfortunately, many of us struggle in our prayer life. When we do pray, our prayers more closely resemble letters to Santa than the complete conversations we are to have with God the Father. Over the course of this Lenten season, we will prepare for the Resurrection of Jesus by examining four crucial elements of prayer- Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Topics
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.
Adoration Philippians 2:1-11 Confession 1 John 1:1-10 Thanksgiving Psalm 95:1-6 Supplication Luke 22:39-46
Sunday Mornings oŶtemƉorary WorshiƉ - led ďy oŶtemƉorary WorshiƉ deam dradiƟoŶal WorshiƉ - led ďy demƉle hoir Θ KrŐaŶ WorshiƉ - risto sive (SƉaŶish) <id oŶe SuŶday lasses SoŶďeams uďďies Adult Ed iďle lass 40 ays oĨ WurƉose GoldeŶ ircle StudeŶt Small GrouƉs WareŶƟŶŐ lass
8:00a Θ 9:ϯ0a ϭϭ:00a ϭ2:ϭ5Ɖ 9:ϯ0a 9:ϯ0a 9:ϯ0a 9:ϯ0a 9:ϯ0a 9:ϯ0a 9:ϯ0a ϭϭ:00a
SaŶctuary SaŶctuary haƉel hƉstairs Rooms MenjnjaŶiŶe Rmϭ0ϯ Adult Ed MenjnjaŶiŶe >ouŶŐe Woǁer ,ouse Gym
EveryoŶe EveryoŶe EveryoŶe <-5th 2 Ъ yr Θ ϯyr 4yr Θ 5yr Adults Adults Adults Gr ϲ-ϭ2 Families
8:45a-9:45a ϭ0:00a ϭ2:00Ɖ 5:ϭ5Ɖ 9:45a 9:ϭ5a ϭ2:00Ŷ 9:ϯ0a ϲ:00Ɖ ϲ:00Ɖ 7:00Ɖ
Gym/GR Adult Ed Adult Ed Adult Ed Warlor Gym Adult Ed haƉel SaŶctuary Room 2ϭ7 hoir Rm
Sr Adults EveryoŶe EveryoŶe EveryoŶe WomeŶ WomeŶ MeŶ WomeŶ
Weekday Events M-W-F MoŶday duesday WedŶesday dhursday
2
Exercisers dKWS (dake Kī WouŶds SeŶsiďly) Kvereaters AŶoŶymous Al-AŶoŶ WomeŶ͛s iďle Study (WhiliƉƉiaŶs) >iviŶŐ a SƉirit >ed >iĨe - WomeŶ͛s iďle Study MeŶ͛s EooŶ iďle Study WomeŶ oĨ AcƟoŶ oŶtemƉorary WorshiƉ Rehearsal hrisƟaŶ Service riŐade demƉle hoir Rehearsal
oys
Here@First is available in a PDF format on the church web page at www.fpcyakima.com. For inquiries, submissions, omissions, corrections, contact Curtis Rosenkranz in the church office. 248-7940 x 113 curtis.rosenkranz@fpcyakima.com
March Events Thursday, March 1
HAPPENIN’@FIRST
Happy Travelers Meeting Senior Adult Ministries Meeting Friday, March 2 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Tuesday, March 6 Adult Education Ministry Team Wednesday, March 7 Program Staff Meeting Preschool Staff Lunch Mtg WOW (Women’s Ministy) Meeting Weds@First Class Finale Thursday, March 8 Family Ministries Board Meeting Friday, March 9 MOPS Steering Team Cristo Vive Women’s Craft Night Saturday, March 10 Prayer Shawl Ministry Sunday, March 11 Tumney Celebration/Thank you Cinnamon Roll Fundraiser / Student Min Student Easter Project Meeting Monday, March 12 Edith Ferry Circle Potluck Tuesday, March 13 Discipleship Ministry Team Meeting Thursday, March 15 Preschool Board Meeting Ghormley Commission Friday, March 16 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Saturday, March 17 Cristo Vive Couple’s Night Sunday, March 18 Congregational Meeting Tuesday, March 20 Service Ministry Team Meeting Session Leadership Wednesday, March 2 Naomi Circle Wednesday, March 21 Deborah Circle Friday, March 23 MOPS Creative Moments Youth Fundraiser Dinner Saturday, March 24 Prayer Shawl Ministry TAG Session Retreat Sunday, March 25 Guest Preacher: Garth Gustafson Chat with the Elders CV Small Group Focus Meeting Deacon’s Meeting Tuesday, March 27 Kaffee Klatsch Session Dinner and Meeting Wednesday, March 28 Women’s Spring Luncheon (Mary McLean Guild) Naomi Circle March 31 - April 7 Student Ministry Mission Trip Saturday, March 31 Clothing Exchange Starting Points/New Members Class Kidzone Palm Sunday Rehearsal Thursday, April 5 Maundy Thursday Service Friday, April 6 Good Friday Prayer Saturday, April 7 HUNT
1:30p 3:00p 9:00a 7:00p 10:00a 11:45a 4:00p 6:30p 4:00p 9:00a 6:30p 9:00a After each service All morning 8:00a Noon 1:00p 9:00a 6:30p 9:00a 6:00p 10:30a 7:00a 7:00p 10:00a 9:30a 9:00a 6:00p 1:00p 8:30a - 3p All morning 11a and 12:15p 2:00p 3:30p 9:30a 6:00p Noon 10:00a All week 9a-2p 9:00a 9a - noon 7:00p Noon-1p 10:00a
Adult Ed Adult Ed Gym Adult Ed Mid High Rm Parlor Rhino Rm Parlor DF Lounge Adult Ed DF Lounge Mid High Rm Garden Rm Adult Ed Parlor Adult Ed Rhino Rm Rhino Rm Gym DF Lounge Sanctuary Adult Ed Adult Ed Parlor Offsite Room 217 Gym Mid High Rm Gym
Everyone Everyone Moms Program Staff Preschool Staff Women’s Ministry Womens MOPS Women Knitters Everyone
Women Preschool Board Ghormley Board Moms Couples Everyone
Women Women Moms Everyone Knitters Elders & Prog.Staff
Adult Ed Everyone Parlor DF Lounge Deacons Garden Rm Everyone Garden Rm/Mid High Elders & Prog.Staff Garden Rm Women Adult Rm Women San Fransicso 9-12th graders Gym Everyone Adult Ed Sanctuary Kidzone Sanctuary Everyone Sanctuary Everyone Davis Practice Field Everyone
Holy Week April 1, Palm Sunday -Kids sing, see page 11 April 5, Maundy Thursday - Communion & Tennabrae April 6, Good Friday - Open Prayer April 8, Easter Sunday Easter Breakfast
8:00a, 9:30a, 11:00a Sanctuary / Gym 6:30p Sanctuary Noon-1p Sanctuary 6:30a (Sunrise), 8:00a, 9:30a, 11:00a All Morning (7a-11a)
3
The Cambodia Mission team will be serving a (Donation Only) Easter breakfast on April 8th. Breakfast will be available immediately following the Sunrise Service and end at 11:30a in the gym.
e Mission Trip Fundraising for othacc ir epting donations for the
e Student Ministries is als ent will takke t Auction Dinner. This ev Student Ministries Silen ll give at 6p in the gym, and wi place on Friday, March 23 selling by es elv ms the se money for students a chance to rai nated items. s as well as a variety of do their time and resource contact u’d like to donate, please If you have something yo 0 x 106. ima.com or call 248-794 Jeff at jeff.murray@fpcyak
All proceeds help to support the mission team headed to Cambodia June 25-July 9.
r Summer 2012 Happy Travelers Trips fo Guided Tour of the — Thursday, April 19 at 9:30a cy an erv ns Co Cowiche Canyon
And coming soon... rth two day trip to Leavenwo May 11-12 — Accethnt Tours eworks ars Baseballgame and Fir July (around the 4 ) — Be ndale Observatory. July 27 — Visit to the Golde
Cookies & Cans
March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25
T-Z A-F G-M N-S
Please bring a dozen (or more) cookies on your week, and cans of food for Calvary Rescue Mission
SOAR
Exercise at the church
You are invited to join us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, as ǁe condiƟon our ďodies Ĩor the Őlory oĨ God͘ ome Ĩor some liŐht-ǁeiŐht exercise, ǁalkinŐ, and ĨelloǁshiƉ From 8:45a-9:45a͘ Meets in Gym, or Garden Room deƉendinŐ on events͘
Are you ready to SOAR? Are you eager for transformation? Are you longing to live like Jesu s lived? If any of these questions strike a cord with you, perhaps it is time for you to apply for SOA R: School of Spiritual Transformation. For more information and applications click the SOAR butt on at www.fpcyakima.com. Applications are due by August 1st. God’s calling you higher than you havee ever been before. Will you answer the call?
HUNT!
We are excited to once again sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 7 s r e ld E e th h beginning at 10:00a at the Davis practice Chat Wit s and conundrums n io field on the corner of 7th Ave. and Tieton, st e u q r Bring you er the 9:30a ft a m o o R just down the street from the church. We d E to the Adult March 11. ay d n u S s e decided to move it closer to our church so ic and 11a serv that we might bless those in our church’s local neighborhood. We plan on stuffing All Women Invite 5000 eggs with candy and prizes and will d! Mary McLean Guild Spring Luncheon offer them to the community for free. Again will be held on Wedne sday March 28 at our hope simply is to bless our neighbors noon. Guest speaker will be Shirley Frare. Co ntact by offering a safe and fun event. Moreover, the Church Office by March 21 to re because the event is the Saturday prior to serve your chair. Sugges ted Donation $5. Easter, we will also extend an invitation to join us for worship on Easter. In addition to bringing your family, why not bring along a . 3 1 il r neighbor? e gym on Friday Ap MOPS Auctid dinner and silent auction in th the now on sale in tastic catere re n a fa ts a r ke ic fo T s . u S Join PC MOP et a discount. ) to support F OPS moms g M . le g in (5:30p-8:30p /S 0 ore info. uple & $17.5 01-1838 for m 9 t a e ie m office $35/co A r 1o 4 Contact Bree at 949-868
PRESCHOOL Thank you for your support of prayer and gifts! Through your generous giving, we have received the funds needed for the upcoming year for our Preschooler’s Bibles. Praise God! Our scholarship fund is still in need. Even this year we have added and increased needs for families attending. If you would like more information on how you can help a family in our preschool please contact Rhonda Cardona, Director at 248-7940, x119.
Rhonda Cardona Preschool Director rhonda.cardona@fpcyakima.com
Registration Continues for our 2012-13 school year. Classes are available for three and four year-olds, plus a pre-kindergarten class to help children get ready for their school career both academically and spiritually. Classes fill up quickly so don’t wait too long to register. Three Year Olds Tuesday & Thursdays 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Must be 3 by 9/1/12 $95 monthly tuition One time snack fee: $35
Four Year Olds Mon., Wed. & Fri. 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Must be 4 by 9/1/12 $125 monthly tuition One time snack fee: $45
Pre-Kindergarten Mon. thru Thurs. 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Must be 5 by 12/31/12 $150 monthly tuition One time snack fee: $55
Registration Fee: $80 for new families; $60 for currently enrolled families (this fee reserves your spot, supply fee, school t-shirt and bag)
5
PASTOR JACK Jack Peebles Senior Pastor jack.peebles@fpcyakima.com
Dear Church Family, Continuing in our theme of core values, FPC Yakima has always been committed to “pioneering and ongoing outreach.” From her very inception, people who sought to follow wherever God led have driven the church. They “blazed a trail” for the sake of Jesus Christ. The movement to found a protestant church in Yakima was spearheaded by Rev. John Roddick Thompson all the way back in the 1880’s. In Tent to Tower, he is described as a “Christian venturer, a pioneer whose aim was the extension of the church in the Pacific Northwest. He travelled far and wide, usually on horseback, sometimes by canoe, planting new churches – a score in all – on the frontier.” This Lewis and Clark spirit has always been a part of who we are. Consider, for example, the movement of the church from north Yakima to her present location. As the city grew toward the west, the church moved to where the people were. When there was a need to address the growing homeless population of the Yakima ma community, members of FPC helped to found the Union Gospel Mission. In more recent years, y
members sought to renovate the Madison House, to better facilitate ministry on the east side. One of the great missional passages is from Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When Jesus declared this to His disciples after the Resurrection, the world was a vast “mission field.” Whereas it once could be argued that the United States was predominantly Christian, the same cannot be said today. We are facing a culture that more closely resembles the New Testament world than ever before in the history of our country. In other words, we are living in a mission field that is in desperate need of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Within this issue of Here@First, there are examples of how we continue to be committed to “pioneering and ongoing outreach” and being His witnesses to the ends of the world. I invite you to take a look and consider how you might blaze a trail for the sake of Jesus. Enjoy! Living and loving for Him, Pastor Jack
6
Prayers and Praises LOVE, INC. Praise – They are seeing volunteers stepping forward to fill the need for the “TEAM “ Program. This program will help those people who need to learn how to care for themselves. To be able to pay their bills and still remain within their budget. Prayer – 1. Need more volunteers for the “TEAM” Program. 2. That their clients will recognize that they need help and that they will say “yes” to those volunteers that will mentor them to a better life style. 3. They lost a Board member due to poor health. Pray that the open position can be filled soon. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Prayer - for the profitability at the Habitat Stores in Yakima and for the new one in Sunnyside. The profits from these stores provide a large part of the money used to build homes. For more donations and more shoppers. Pray for lots/land to become available and affordable - both in Yakima and the Lower Valley. Safety for employees and volunteers working in construction. YOUNG LIFE YAKIMA Praise - For a strong group of committee folks who have agreed to 'link arms' and raise more funds for the YL mission. Prayer - Please pray for more adult leadership help for our Davis Club as our team leader has recently had to step down for health reasons DON STUBER/YOUNG LIFE SMALL TOWNS Praise - On, January 21-23, I organized a Small Town Summit where 120 small town leaders came to learn how to reach more kids for Christ. The Lord blessed the interactions between small town folks. Prayer - I am doing the third jumpstart this year in this region in Leavenworth on April 10-12. Pray that Jesus would open doors and windows allowing us to find His people to provide local adult.
MISSIONS PROJECT MERCY Praise - Marta had a successful corneal transplant. Prayer - for uncomplicated recovery. Pray also that Project Mercy runs smoothly while they are in the USA. JOE LAURVICK Joe is learning that asking more from God means being able to give more out to others. Prayer - That Joe would not hoard what God gives him, but would use it to minister to others. MENDING WINGS Praise - Twenty-two young people accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior two weeks ago. Prayer - They will continue to grow in their faith, and that people will come forward to guide and nurture them. CAMBODIA/YWAM Praise - Buying 13 acres for a new base, initial cost $750,000 for land and basic infrastructure; $3 million to complete the project. Garth is planning to come to Yakima in March. Prayer - Money for the project, volunteers, safe travel for Garth. AARON BARKER In January Aaron led worship at a YWAM conference on South Eastern Mission. In March, he is going to Cambodia to help Garth train about and build a food machine. Prayer – safe travel, family as he has been traveling a lot, success in starting food machine in Cambodia. LIVING WATERS Four men will be returning to Yotolin (the site of the first installation). The Yotolin community is hosting a conference of approx 200 Living Water Systems Operations in the Yucatan. After the conference the four men will go to Jalisco to do a site survey. Prayer - Safe travel, opportunities to minister and witness, the Lord’s wisdom on future installation sites. MADISON HOUSE March 9th is the Fiesta Fund Raising dinner to raise the rest of the money for the Children’s trip to Washington D.C. Prayer - Funds for programming and outreach.
7
M I L Y A F Mark Tumney
Shan Trick
Pastor of Family Life and Missions mark.tumney@fpcyakima.com
Assistant FLM Director shan.trick@fpcyakima.com m
How is Family Ministries seeking to live into our core value of pioneering an ongoing outreach and pursuing Jesus? Here are two current examples: Our Parenting Class Laurie Kanyer currently is teaching an 8-week class on successful parenting. This class is filling a current hole in our community—there are no other current parenting classes we’re aware of in the city! Our hope simply is to bless those who come by providing proven parenting techniques and offering an incarnational witness to the gospel. We currently have around 40 adults who attend the class with about as many kids—most of whom are from outside our church! Perhaps one of the most interesting features of the class is the way Laurie and Thomas Sudbury and Jennifer Bacon, who are teaching the K-5 grade kids, are coordinating the weekly topics. For example, if Laurie is teaching about how to discipline your child, the children will be learning how to obey their parents (though fun interactive games, songs, and Scripture). Moreover, the childcare staff and the youth staff also are providing concurrent programs so the whole family can attend. If you’re a parent or grandparent with a child in the home, come join us on Sundays at 11a—or, let a neighbor know about the class!
8
Working with the Children... has been very encouraging for both of us as we are able to take what Laurie is teaching in the adult program and transfer those truths to the youth. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus is the same Yesterday, today, and forever - This is important as we are able to reach out to both parent and Child with the same message, teaching them the Truth of Christ and his endless Love for us. To undertake this Challenge, we have created some lessons that show the 15 Youth who are attending how to show compassion to their parents and others, as well as how to hold tightly to the laws and guidance found in the Bible. They have learned two memory verses to date and have completed one challenge; To encourage a friend or family member by helping them throughout the week. With that in mind we have created a new addition to the room; a 5’ tall tree where the children show their growth by adding leaves for remembering their verses and doing their challenges each week. It is great to see the children develop as the tree gets each leaf. An encouraging time occurred one week when a youth helped a new member of the group learn last week’s verse. Not only did he get two leaves for this, but he also learned a wonderful lesson in living the Kingdom life. We are excited to see more events like these each week. Thomas and Jennifer Sudbury
Women’s Ministry of First Presbyterian Church Encouraging women up to be intentional about their faith. Ericka Clark Women’s Ministries ericka.clark@fpcyakima.com
I
did a quick walk around our yard and to my great joy, flowers are beginning to peak their heads through the hardened winter dirt. I saw the beginnings of peonies and green buds on bushes. Winter is over and spring is here. Praise God! With spring comes more sunlight, warmth, and time to get into my garden - oh how my heart brightens this time of year! I love being in the yard cleaning, planting and nurturing..until those pesky weeds showup. Sometimes they grow so fast I don’t notice they have taken over that section of my yard until it is just too obvious! But it’s not too late...for I am equipped with strong shovels, rakes and that do-hickey tool that is really handy for digging out weeds by the roots...what is that one called?
God desires great joy for us. He loves when our lives are in bloom, glorifying Him. Satan tries to sneak those weeds in, but remember ladies, we have access to the Armor of God! It is never too late because we are equipped with the sword of the Spirit, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of PEACE the helmet of salvation, and the belt of TRUTH! Praise the Lord, He has equipped us with the tools so that by the grace of Jesus, we can pull those weeds out by the roots and toss them for ever. Just remember to replace those weeds, those empty spots, with TRUTHS from God -- fill up daily with scriptures and promises from your Creator. He will bless you abundantly and you will be joyful!
Created for Competence Moving Your Man to God’s Plan! Teaching by Jamal Zakhary and Robin Stuber Saturdays 8:00a - 9:30a Ward Chapel at First Presbyterian Church April 14 through May 19 (six weeks!) All women are welcome to this teaching. No Childcare, nursing babies welcome. No RSVP necessary.
Women’s Spring Luncheon Hosted by Mary McLean Guild Wednesday, March 28 at Noon in Garden Room RSVP by Wednesday, March 21, 248-7940 Requested donation $5 Guest Speaker: Shirley Frare “Grandma’s Aprons”
WOMEN OF FAITH We have reserved seats for the Women of Faith conference in Spokane, August 17 and 18. Tickets are available and need to be paid for in full by June 1. Contact Ericka in the church office, 248-7940 or Karron Buchanan, 697-5268 for more information. We hope to make a “girls weekend” of this conference... carpool and stay in the same hotel. So, stay alert, there will be more details coming soon! We spend so much of our lives just waiting to be happy. When I meet “the one”... when the kids are grown... when I retire... What about enjoying life right now? Discover what’s possible at our all-new event. Hear from hilarious speakers sharing real-life stories. Experience exhilarating music & worship. Be encouraged, refreshed, and renewed at a one-of-a-kind event.
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
9
GHORMLEY Mark Washam Ghormley Meadows Director mark@ghormleymeadow.org 509-672-4311
Who would have thought that a summer hiking excursion for a few individuals 73 years ago would result in the establishment and ongoing ministry of Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp? Under the leadership of associate pastor Charles Ghormley, the Golden Circle group of young couples at Yakima First Pres. searched for, discovered and essentially built the first camp and its facilities in a matter of only a couple of years. At that time few organized camps existed east of the Cascade Mountains. Dr. Ghormley and those early pioneers were but a small part of a wave of Christian Camp founders who began their ministries in the decades of the 1930’s and 1940’s. From very humble beginnings with a handful of campers and counselors huddled around makeshift shelters and cooking over an open fire, to today’s modern year round facility that serves thousands with full food service and wireless internet, our purpose has never changed. We have always existed to: WIN THE LOST, EQUIP THE FOUND, and SERVE THE CHURCH In the intervening years, literally over 100,000 individuals and thousands of church groups have spent at least a day playing in our meadow, dwarfed by towering Ponderosa Pine trees, beneath an evening canopy of countless stars. Of those, tens of thousands have experienced the touch of God on their hearts and had their eternities directed towards loving and serving Jesus. An untold number have felt their first or confirming stirrings of a call to full time Christian service while gathered around a campfire or after a life changing message or conversation with a counselor. That heritage continues to this day and God willing, far into the future. Stay tuned as we begin to make plans to celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2014. If you would like to help plan and prepare for that celebration give me a call, I would love to talk with you. (509) 672-4311 To keep up with what is happening on a regular basis here at camp, check us out on facebook, just one of the new ways we continue to reach out to our community. Camp Ghormley serves as just one example of pioneering and ongoing outreach throughout the history of Yakima First Presbyterian Church. As we stay true to our past, what might God call us to do today in pioneering a new work to reach the least and the lost around us?
10
CHILDRENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MINISTRIES Susie Woodin Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ministries susie.woodin@fpcyakima.com
Hosannah to the King of Kings Palm Sunday and Easter and preparations have begunâ&#x20AC;Ś our KidZone classes are happy to participate in worship again this year during Palm Sunday services. We are already busy working on special music in all classes so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out on the fun in KidZone! Palm Sunday is April 1 and Easter Sunday is April 8 Palm Sunday music practice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 31, 2012 @ 10:00a Sanctuary This practice is for all KidZone classes! Sonbeams & Cubbies will practice first and K â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5th grades follow at about 10:15a. Practice should be over by 11:00a. Please come! Palm Sunday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April 1,2012 t Sonbeams and Cubbies will sing at the 9:30a and 11:00a services. Please have them to their class at 9:00a. They will be finished by 11:15a. t , UI (SBEF XJMM TJOH BU BMM TFSWJDFT Please have them to their classrooms by 8:15a. They will be finished by 11:25a. Pancakes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A pancake breakfast is planned for all children during the 9:30a KidZone hour. Pick-up â&#x20AC;&#x201C;All children will be ready for pick-up between 11:15a-11:30a in their classrooms.
VBS!!! June 25-29 9-Noon $35/child 4yoâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;entering 5th Grade
LIBRARY that spoke g, a sentence from the Bible son dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bir a e, ris sun a in e yb C.S. Lewis put it. ses of Heaven? Ma d â&#x20AC;&#x153;surprisedâ&#x20AC;? me with joy, as Have you ever caught glimp Go en wh es tim l era sev r be ich, like can remem mories are usually the sort wh me st be from Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart to yours? I ur â&#x20AC;&#x153;O s ite wr a Tad n e immediately al Home, Joni Eareckso ver quite forget and recogniz ne In her book Heaven: Your Re we g son a Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ls. sou r ou ate chord in heavenly echo.â&#x20AC;? a tuning fork, strike that reson print, and what we hear is a im His th wi d pe mm sta is it s you can whenever we catch its echo... ts from the Bible. Other book igh ins r he ers off i Jon n, ave more about he Unseen by Mark For those who desire to know vel by Randy Alcorn, Things no a ty rni Ete of ge Ed , orn s ndy Alc t Divorce a novel by C.S. Lewi ea Gr investigate are: Heaven by Ra e Th , am ah Gr ly Bil by the Life After Buchanan, Facing Death and y by Todd Burpo Ę?ʨQÉĄ Heaven is for Real a biograph 5Ę?QĘ?É&#x201D; '
11
STUDENTS Jeff Murray Student Ministries Director jeff.murray@fpcyakima.com Courtney Hutchins Assistant Student Ministries courtney.hutchins@fpcyakima.com
Flower Sale 12
Now through March 28th. Talk to any student or Jeff/Courtney if you want to purchase some garden flowers or veggies! The flowers will arrive Saturday April 28th to FPC. Help support Student Missions.
DEVOTIONAL Then God said, "Let us make people in Our image, to be like Ourselves. They will be masters over all life -- the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals." So God created people in His own image; God patterned them after Himself; male and female He created them. Genesis 1: 26-27 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous -- and how well I know it. Psalm 139: 13-14 Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. Ephesians 1:4 Take a moment and consider what thoughts you have had about yourself today. How do you see yourself? Do you use words such as inadequate because you did not secure the new job you interviewed to obtain, unlovable because of a broken relationship, or unattractive because you do not like what you see in the mirror? Now consider what would happen in our lives if we only thought about ourselves the way God does? Do you hear the Father speaking “My child, chosen, holy, covered in My love, without a single fault”?
Janet Krieger
Far too often we base our self worth on our accomplishments or how others see us. We may lack confidence or feel shame about things that have happened in our past. We establish our personal value based upon our physical appearance. And, we set expectations for ourselves that are unrealistic. But what if we could see ourselves as God sees us? We need to practice seeing ourselves, not through the eyes of this world, but to see ourselves through the lens of the Kingdom. We must recognize the royal inheritance we have as believers and acknowledge our identity in Christ . . . then we will see ourselves as God sees us . . . His beloved,, a child of the risen King! g
I KNOW WHO I AM I am God’s child (John 1:12) I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15 ) I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17) I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20) I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1) I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8 ) I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14) I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27) I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2) I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20) I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34) I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21) I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18) I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6) I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39) I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 ) I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 ) I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 ) I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 ) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13) I am God’s temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10) I am the branch of the True Vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5) I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1) I am God’s co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10) I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
13
HAPPILY EVER AFTER H@F is happy to be spotlighting long time FPC and Temple Choir members Bruce and Judy Dickey. This August they will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary. H@F: When were you married? B& J: We were married here at FPC in the Ward Chapel on August 12, 1967. Bruce’s father, a Presbyterian minister from Pennsylvania and a Church of the Brethren Minister friend from Washington performed the ceremony. We were raised in the Church of the Brethren in Ohio and Pennsylvania, connected by our families, his minister father and my minister grandfather. We’d each given our hearts to God at ages 11 and 12.
Many of us grew up “And they lived happily ever after.” of stories hoping that hearing those words at the ends real life (even after a fairy would be true for us, too. Sadly, in apart. God has blessed us tale wedding) many marriages fall se marriages have stood here at FPC with many couples who months H@F will spotlight the test of time. Over the coming with us as we look closer at advice from some of them. Read the ‘happily ever after’. the ‘really hard work’ that creates me get some of the materials ready for the week’s lessons helped pull us together. We also spent a lot of time together as family doing activities that didn’t take money we didn’t have.
H@F: Low cost entertainment? Fill us in! Give us some ideas! B& J: Cooking together was a lot of fun. Everyone had a part to play. Family meals were important to us. We often packed picnics and took them to a nearby park. That gave the children a chance to run and feel their oats. Bruce and I also enjoyed the time away from niggling tasks at home during those little outings. While gas was cheaper then than it is now, we sometimes would drive to the H@F: How did you meet? B& J: We both graduated from Brethren Colleges and also went into mountains and enjoy a hike together. Brethren Volunteer Services. Bruce served in Vienna, Austria two years We also encouraged our children to explore their talents with arts and crafts by sharing hand-made items at the fair. after college helping to rebuild a school. Judy served one year in Chicago before college, teaching English and Bible to Chinese women. My grandmother and God had a plan to get us together but we didn’t H@F: What would you tell young couples who hope for a long, happy marriage? see it until Bruce moved to California where I was attending college. We became good friends and then grew to love and trust each other. B& J: Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a formula? We wish we had one to share, but we don’t. However, we do know that prayer is vital factor. I Our parents were good models for a long and healthy marriage. My would most definitely encourage young people to make time for prayer parents were married for 71 years and Bruce’s over 50. alone and together a vital part of their lives. After 45 years, we’re still helping each other with all of the chores of daily living, striving for H@F: You have had extensive experience with both of you harmony and praying together each night. having demanding jobs outside of your home. How did you When we were newly married and when we were raising our family, manage to keep things going with raising children, stresses many older couples in the church routinely took it upon themselves to from your employers, and all of the challenges that accompany pray for the younger ones. We are sure that some of the saints now gone day to day living? B& J: Throughout our marriage we both worked at jobs outside of the were praying for us and our children. home, except for our move to Yakima when in l969 when I thought I’d be a stay-at-home mom. We adopted two children 4 1/2 years apart. When we adopted the second child, four other First Presbyterian families also adopted a child. That was a neat experience as we had so much in common. We shared ideas back and forth amongst the group. We’ve stayed close to our church family in choir, couples groups and Bible study. Family devotions and prayer are an integral part of our marriage. H@F: How do you handle bumps in the road? B& J: We learned from the beginning to work together and support each other. Bruce says we don’t play the ‘blame game’ and I don’t let him dwell on the ‘what ifs’ and ‘should haves’. If it’s too late to do over, we just ‘move on’. H@F: What pulls you together again? B& J: Music is an important part of our life. We’ve sung in choirs all through school, college and church. Choir at FPC is our small group and our ministry to glorify God. When the children were small, they went along to rehearsal with the choir families paying for a babysitter. That was a binding experience for all of us. While we very much value time as a couple and as a family, we also gave each other room to develop friendships and hobbies apart from each other. When I taught YVCC pre-school Bruce and the children spent Sunday afternoons helping me at Central Lutheran preparing for the week ahead. Getting the classroom ready for the children and helping
14
A warm thanks to Br uce & Judy for sharing these though tful responses.
THANK YOU MARK & STEPHANIE Thank you Mark, Stephanie, and Becket Tumney! Thank you for sharing your lives with us as you blessed Yakima in your service to God. We played together...
We worshiped together...
We served together... We prayed together...
We gave together...
We laughed together...
We created together...
We will miss you together!
We thank God for you, and wish you every blessing as you continue to serve the Lord in a new mission field.
15
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 9 SOUTH 8TH AVE YAKIMA, WA 98902
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID YAKIMA, WA PERMIT NO 59
AL h ANNNNUUAAL 6th 16 1
G C LOTH I N A G C E H N X Saturday, March 31 9:00a - 2:00p
Clean, usable CLOTHES for Women, Men, and Children, Games, Books, Toys, & Baby Gear.
FREE! Donations are appreciated, but n o t m a n d a t o r y.
Bring all donation s to church gym starting Sunday, First Presbyterian Church Gym (Koehler Hall) March 25 9 South 8th Ave 248-7940 www.fpcyakima.com