Spring 2020
INDEPENDENT Presbyterian Church
WINDOWS
Covenant Grace to the Generations HOLY WEEK
|
THE COMING GENERATION
|
KID GLOVES | YOUTH MINISTRY
A New People. A New Memphis.
My dear Friends: I am always thrilled with each issue of Windows, but this one is near and dear to my heart and, I believe, to the heart of our church, because in this issue, we are highlighting God’s ministry through us to our covenant children.
Windows is a publication of Independent Presbyterian Church. Go to ipcmemphis.org to view online.
In this issue:
2 TO TELL THE COMING GENERATION 4 SHAPING IPC’S FUTURE WITH KID GLOVES 9 THE WHATS AND WHYS OF YOUTH MINISTRY
Part of the reason this issue is so significant is that we may think we know what our church is doing with our kids—but we really don’t. You need to know so that your children and grandchildren might be involved. God has blessed us with over 400 covenant children in our membership; we want to make sure that as many of them as possible are being taught the glorious deeds and the good way of our God who has come to us in Jesus Christ. Knowing what and why we do might encourage you to involve your children in ways that you’ve not yet done. You need to know so that you might become involved yourself. As you will read in my essay, ministry to the coming generation is the “big fundamental” of any Christian church—if we fail here, we have failed as a church. Each baptism, we hold up our hands to promise to assist the parents in telling their children about Jesus, his Word and his way. And so, I hope that you will consider volunteering in some way with these ministries. Finally, you need to know so that you will invite others to be involved. One of the key outreach ministries that any good church offers will be its ministry to the coming generation. You need to know that IPC has one of the best as we teach and train your children—but you need to tell others as well. You are our best advertisement when it comes to reaching others with the Gospel and involving them in the life of this church. I trust you’ll enjoy this issue of Windows—and once you read it, share it with others to encourage them in the ways that God is using IPC to tell the coming generation of the glorious deeds of our God.
In the grip of God’s grace,
Sean Lucas Senior Pastor Independent Presbyterian Church
4738 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117 901-685-8206 | ipcmemphis.org
Martin C. Shea
Holy Week Palm Sunday Music Program Rejoice in the Lord! April 5 | 6:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Maundy Thursday Communion Service April 9 | 6:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Good Friday Service
April 10 | Noon | Sanctuary
Easter Eve Concert with Sara Groves April 11 | 6:00 p.m. | IPC Avon Parking Lot
Easter Sunday Worship Services
April 12 | 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. | Sanctuary
palm sunday Music Program
Rejoice in the Lord!
April 5 6:00 p.m.
Easter Eve Concert April 11 • 6:00 p.m. IPC Avon Parking Lot
sanctuary Please join us as we joyfully praise our Savior on Palm Sunday evening with anthems sung by the IPC Adult Choir, Senior High Choir, and congregation, accompanied by orchestra.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord:
Sara Groves
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Praising theFather and the Son through Psalms and Hymns
Singer-songwriter Sara Groves is a seven-time Dove Award nominee known for her beautiful voice and poetic lyrics that speak to the soul’s deepest longings and hopes. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy Sara live at our outdoor Easter Eve concert.
To Tell the Coming Generation Sean Lucas
For my first full-time ministry position, I served as a summer youth pastor at Chicago Corner Christian Church, Harrisburg, Indiana. The pastor under whom I served (and who would do Sara’s and my wedding a couple of years later) taught me so much as we went through the paces of ministry together that summer. Above all, I had the great joy of serving children and students; whether through activities or Bible studies or Vacation Bible School, my main objective was to tell them about Jesus, his faithful love, and his welcome for those who believe. After I graduated from college, I came back to that same
region to serve with Child Evangelism Fellowship as the East Central Indiana director. Sara and I were newly married and lived in New Castle, Indiana; my ministry was much the same as what I had done before: Backyard Bible Clubs and Vacation
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Bible Schools, telling children about Jesus with a wordless book that preached the Gospel to them. I mention this because these two first ministry experiences drilled into my heart something fundamental about ministry: one of our key tasks is to tell the coming generation about Jesus. And so, I am passionate about children’s and student ministries, about our covenant children being in worship with us, and about growing up the next generation of faithful Jesus-followers. That passion is not mine alone, of course: it is the Bible’s passion too. One place where that becomes clear is Psalm 78. One of the longest psalms in the Bible, stretching 72 verses, Psalm 78 is a historical psalm, meant to convey God’s faithfulness to his people through all of their sin and failure. But who was this song for? To be sure, it was for the adults as they sang, reminding them of the failures of their parents and grandparents. It wasn’t primarily for the adults, however, but for the children: “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the
coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4). And as this
coming generation about God’s glorious deeds. We are also to tell about his law (5). God has entered into
song was sung and as the children learned it, the expectation
a relationship with us, which we call his covenant, taking us
was they in turn would “arise and tell them to their children,
as his people so that we might take him as our God. And he
so that they should set
has given us his Word
their hope in God” (Psalm
as a light to our feet and
78:6-7).
a lamp to our path, one that teaches us about
In other words, the church’s mission is not
God’s will in nearly every
simply geographical, but
life situation in which
generational. Any church
we find ourselves. If the
that fails to teach the next
first words our covenant
generation—even if they
children should hear from
do short-term missions
us are “Jesus saves,” then
and plant churches and
surely the next words they
fund seminaries and all
should hear are “the Bible
the rest—has failed in the
says.” God’s glorious deeds
“big fundamental.” We are
and his perfect law—these
called to tell the coming
are what we are to tell the
generation.
coming generations. And who knows—
What are we to tell? We are to tell his glorious
maybe in telling the
deeds (4). In Psalm 78,
coming generation, we
among the glorious deeds
might be telling the next
to recount were God
pastor of Independent
dividing the Red Sea and
Presbyterian Church.
leading Israel through (13);
Prior to my dad’s
God leading his people
conversion, we were
with the pillars of cloud
essentially a pagan family;
and fire (14); God splitting
but I’ll never forget as a
the rock at Massah and
nine-year-old showing up
Meribah so that his people might drink (15-16); God providing manna and quail (24-27). But the most glorious deed of all was that God, “being compassionate,
If the first words our covenant children should hear from us are “Jesus saves,” then surely the next words they should hear are “the Bible says.” God’s glorious deeds and his perfect law—these are what we are to tell the coming generations.
to Vacation Bible School, which was my first real exposure to church. The first Bible stories, the first verses memorized, the first missionary stories— all happened at Woodside
atoned for their iniquity
Chapel, Fanwood, New
and did not destroy them”
Jersey, in summer 1980.
(38). There the psalmist refers to God’s forgiveness extended
I would never be serving you as your pastor today if it hadn’t
to his people after the golden calf incident. Yet we have a more
been for a children’s ministry, committed to declaring the
glorious deed of atonement to tell: that God himself in Jesus
glorious deeds of God and his good way.
Christ came and atoned for our iniquity through his death on the cross. Over and over, we use the entire Bible to tell the
To tell the coming generation—that is our call, that is our privilege.
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Shaping IPC’s future with kid gloves By Annie Howard
When Mrs. Susan and Bubba step outside their classroom, the queue begins.
Children’s ministry is “missions
“There are kids lined up,” says Lucy
IPC’s senior minister; it’s simply
Green, IPC’s Director of Children’s
work,” says Dr. Sean Lucas,
“A church that’s not intentionally declaring the good news of Jesus to children is a church that’s a generation from death.”
crossing over generations instead
Ministry. “Everybody has to
of cultures.
come by and get their hug.”
Reaching across
Susan and John Charles
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It’s a picture of IPC’s future.
Dr. Sean Lucas
Mentoring the next generation is a
that gap is crucial.
serious command, but one that’s fun in
(Bubba to countless IPC
“God commanded
practice. From Sunday school and VBS to
children) Wilson have taught
our ancestors to teach
choir and Camp Palmer, IPC’s Children’s
second grade Sunday school
their children. Psalm
Ministry, designed for children up to fifth
for 10 years. Every Sunday,
78 reminds us. ‘...Then
grade, offers many opportunities to knit
before their current class
they would put their
relationships together.
starts, they take the time
trust in God and would
to dole out hugs and candy
not forget his deeds.’
Dr. Lucas calls them, are Sunday School,
at their classroom door.
A church that’s not
Four Corners, and BLAST! All three pieces
Judging by the wait, and the
intentionally declaring
fit together to give kids a full picture of
many ages of the line-goers,
the good news of
Christianity. Sunday school teaches basic
The ministry’s three “tentpoles,” as
they’ve made quite the impression
Jesus to children is a church that’s a
Biblical knowledge; Four Corners, on
through the years.
generation from death,” says Dr. Lucas.
Sunday nights, covers missions education;
The Children’s Ministry’s three “tentpoles” are Sunday School, Four Corners, and BLAST!
and BLAST!, on Wednesday nights,
performance ushers, children’s choir
introduces children to musical worship
helpers: the opportunities are as
and the catechism. “These programs work
diverse as the programs themselves.
together to accomplish discipleship in the life of a child,” says Dr. Lucas. Beyond the fundamental programs
During Sunday school, children from 18 months through fifth grade settle into groups to learn about
are many others, from Bible-based ballet
the Bible. The curriculum varies
classes to Camp Palmer and VBS. In each
by age. Kindergarten, first- and
about a need for Sunday school teachers.
case, church members have a chance to
second-graders tackle a three-year
“And then I tuned it out,” she laughs. “I
fill different roles, surrounding children
overview of the Bible, using the Show Me
was thinking, that’s one thing I know I
with support and mentorship.
Jesus curriculum; third grade dives into
don’t do.” But as she was washing dishes
the Bible book by book; fourth grade
later that day, the thought wouldn’t leave
zero through fifth grade,” says Green.
studies the Old Testament, and fifth
her mind. “I looked up at the ceiling, and
“And that’s where you build a spiritual
grade, the New.
I realized it was a call. When you’re called,
“The children’s ministry covers ages
foundation. That’s where they’re asking
If you ask Susan Wilson how she got
questions. There are opportunities to
started teaching second grade, she’ll tell
impact a child’s life.”
you the story started in earnest at her
Sunday school teachers, Camp Palmer counselors, VBS leaders, ballet
kitchen sink. At church one morning, she heard
it’s not about what you can do. It’s about saying to the Lord, ‘Use me.’” Ten years down the road, it’s safe to say she and Bubba followed that call. The Wilsons, along with fellow teachers
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Jan Sawyers and Julie Austin,
when you’re older, and choir
share a classroom and have
buries those spiritual truths
become a much-loved teaching
really deep inside. They
team. “I signed up to help
revive when you need them.” Programs like choir also
teach for a year,” says Austin. That was five years ago.
build one-of-a-kind bonds.
While they describe
“Anytime you’re singing
their classroom as “four
together, you’re building a
grandparents and all these
special kind of relationship,”
kids,” Sunday school teachers
says Brown. “You’re singing
run a gamut of ages.
together to glorify God; there’s a higher purpose.”
“We’ve got teachers in their 30s, 40s, 50s; there’s a lot of
music leaders help them become part
diversity,” says Green.
of “something that’s been done in
kindergarten, but IPC’s overall choir
the church for centuries,” says Pam
program ranges from 18 months to high
As kids walk through the Bible for the first time, they need a guiding hand. Programs like BLAST!, for K-5th grade, connect children with a different angle of Bible knowledge: their faith tradition.
of Worship and Music Ministries. Kids play theory games, memorize hymns, and learn
study, then children’s choir.
music for performances.
“We want the very best texts. So much that you learn as a child you can still bring to mind when you’re older, and choir buries those spiritual truths really deep inside. They revive when you need them.”
Music ministry staff carefully
teachers use the New City Catechism
choose great hymns and
curriculum to cover one question each
songs, aiming not only to
week. It’s a space set aside for teachers
carry on a tradition but to give kids
and kids to engage with theology, core
truths to cling to in the future.
doctrine and tough topics together. “Kids have questions, and we want
“We try to be really careful with the music we put in front of them,”
them to feel the freedom to ask those
says Brown. “We want the very best
questions,” says Green.
texts. So much that you learn as
When the kids move on to choir,
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Brown, Assistant Director
BLAST! night is split in half; catechism During catechism time, BLAST!
BLAST! starts in
a child you can still bring to mind
Pam Brown, Assistant Director of Worship and Music Ministries
school seniors, plus the
“We try to reinforce that
and it’s important for children to see that
adult choir. That range
when these children
they...can have a role in assisting God’s
creates many moments
come into the sanctuary
people.”
for cross-generational
for a performance,
discipleship.
they’re leading God’s
ministry, like choir, introduces art as a
people in worship,”
tool for spiritual learning. Run by Rachel
older choir members
says Emilee Garrett,
Himebook, IPC Ballet’s Artistic Director
mentor the younger ones,”
IPC’s Children’s Choirs
and Instructor, the program infuses
says Brown. Adults help
Coordinator. “This
classical ballet with worship. Students
out across the board;
spring, children’s choirs
strengthen their bodies with stretches and
Senior High members help
are doing a musical
dance, but the spirit matters too; each
with Junior High Choir;
about Shadrach,
class opens in prayer, and the studio’s six
Junior Highs help with
Meshach, Abednego,
“We try to have the
Children’s Choir. Music also helps children realize
IPC Ballet’s dance program and
and Daniel called It’s Cool in the Furnace. As fun and silly as that is, it’s still worship,
their voice matters; they have a role in inspiring the congregation at large.
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events,” says Green.
teachers sometimes take a moment to walk through a Bible verse or devotional
A monumental effort, but a
with their classes. “It’s about learning to
worthwhile one, says Lucas. “We cannot
glorify Jesus through art,” says Himebook.
fully grasp or understand the value of
Classes meet at IPC four days a week. The program started eleven years
Director of Children’s Ministry, who both leads Four Corners and creates its programming. Wukasch also touches on the
the seed that’s sown and watered in that
importance of ministry close to home.
week.”
“This semester we’re focusing locally: what
ago with eight girls; today, it’s grown
are practical ways to love somebody?”
to a dedicated studio with six trained
she says. Four Corners gets kids
teachers, 27 classes throughout the
hands-on; this year, they’ve put together
week, and 240 students, from toddlers
care bags for the homeless, filled with
to seniors in high school. Students
water bottles, snacks, and a resource list
put on an annual spring performance,
for local shelters. No matter the program, kids are
choreographed by Himebook. Last year,
building relationships with their church
the theme was the armor of God.
family.
Of the program’s many protegees,
“These are all ways of binding
only 13% attend IPC; the rest are from the Greater Memphis community. “We’re
While some programs reach out to
people’s hearts together, of knowing
really the only Christian ballet studio in
kids, others teach the kids themselves
one another,” says Lucas. “...The number
the area; that’s a big draw for people,” says
to lend a hand. Four Corners, on Sunday
whom God saves is a numberless
Himebook.
nights, helps shape the missions leaders
multitude. You cannot count them, like
Many children’s programs are a
of tomorrow. Kindergarten through fifth
the sand by the sea. Well, how does that
means of outreach to children beyond
grade children learn about missions work
happen? It happens primarily as parents
IPC, such as ballet, Scouts, the church’s
and cultures around the world, from
tell their children, and grandparents tell
youth sports program, and 99 Balloons
countries’ food and wildlife to missions
their grandchildren, and their children
rEcess. Vacation Bible School is
needs.
tell their children. Through this grand
instrumental in reaching kids from all over
“Four Corners exposes kids to basic
multiplication, the Gospel goes forth to
the Memphis area. VBS takes a village,
elements of missions and different
the nations. It’s a generational, covenantal
from teen helpers and teachers to skit
cultures,” says Rachel Wukasch, Assistant
aspect over 2000 years of Christianity.”
members. It’s one of the true “churchwide
IPC’s Vacation Bible School reaches hundreds of kids throughout Memphis. 8
The Whats and Whys of Youth Ministry By Maryanna Story
W hat comes to mind when you think of youth ministry? Loud music, games, junk food, and 2-liter drinks are not wrong answers, but there is more than one
might gather from a quick glance while passing by the Junior High or Senior High rooms on a Sunday morning or Wednesday night. “In IPC Student Ministry, there’s a clear plan for our covenant children from the time they come into sixth grade to the time they graduate from high school,” said Sean Lucas, Senior Pastor. “There’s a clear plan for what we’re trying to accomplish in terms of getting the Gospel into them, not just intellectually, but how it plays out in their day-to-day lives. Do they get the Gospel? Do they understand it? Are they living it out in community and service and mission? There’s a lot of creativity, a lot of
thoughtfulness, in terms of accomplishing those goals. Each part of what Brad Robson and his team have developed fits into one of those aspects.” IPC Student Ministry has four full-time staff members. Brad Robson, Pastor of Student Ministry, has been at IPC for nine years; Stephen Felker, Associate Director, two years; Mary Virginia Felker, Assistant Senior High Director, six years; and Maryanna Story, Assistant Junior High Director, is in her first year. The Senior High ministry is for grades 9-12; the Junior High ministry is for grades 6-8 and is known as IPC IDK. “IDK stands for ‘I Don’t Know,’ and it does not mean anything. It’s just a silly name for our middle school students,” explains Robson. “One day during our staff meeting, we were
9
talking about how the children’s ministry does ‘That Thing,’ and we thought it was hilarious that their program is named that. Maryanna made a joke about calling middle school ‘I Don’t Know’ and I suggested IDK— we thought it was really funny and stuck with it.” The objective of IDK is for students to have a heart to find, to learn, and to know who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him. “The four big ‘whats’
The Junior High fundamentals are: 1. Who is God? 2. Who am I? 3. What does it mean to be a Christian? 4. What is justification?
that we emphasize in Junior High whenever we are teaching are the answers we hope students walk away knowing,” says Robson. The goal of these “whats” is that the students are resting in Christ alone for salvation, and that they understand God has loved
them from before time began, and that they are made right with God, not through anything they have done, but only through what Christ
IDK and Senior High both meet on Wednesday nights from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. for fellowship, snacks, games, and a lesson. Sunday mornings involve eating pancakes, spending time together, hearing large-group teaching, and then combining to sing together at the end. Small groups are another way for students to come and grow together in Christ in a more intimate setting. These groups meet at
has done for them. While IDK emphasizes gospel roots, Senior High emphasizes gospel fruit. The focus shifts from finding, learning, and knowing, to knowing what it means to live, experience, and trust. The goal of teaching in Senior High is for the students to walk away with an understanding of what it looks like to grow in their faith, be in union with Christ and his church, and to have hope as they live in this world. This philosophy plays out in the way the student ministry plans its programs. Weekly,
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Service Over Self
The four points of emphasis in Senior High are: 1. What does it look like for me to be a part of the kingdom of God? 2. What does it mean to be united to Christ? 3. What does it look like for me to hope as a Christian? 4. What is sanctification?
different times, and volunteers along with staff help lead and facilitate discussion. “As we think about philosophy of ministry, we really focus on large-group teaching, small-group discussion, and our staff members meeting with students regularly one to one. We also meet with students as they go through the process for profession of faith,” says Robson. Both IDK and Senior High take annual trips. IDK has the Buffalo Retreat at Victory Ranch the weekend before Thanksgiving with staff and Senior High chaperones leading and speaking. Middle school students can
IDK Buffalo Retreat
also attend the Edge Conference at Covenant College in June. Senior High students travel to Nashville for a spring retreat every February. In the summer, Senior High students can go to RYM (Reformed Youth
“Between middle and high school, our students come from over 30 different schools. How do we develop a sense of community in this place when we have so many students, who live in so many places, who go to so many different types of schools, who are involved in so many activities, and who are here at a variety of different times during the week or month? Brad Robson, Pastor of Student Ministry
Ministries), which is a week at Laguna Beach Christian Retreat Center. Throughout the year, IDK and Senior High have various monthly fellowship events, ranging from paintball, Grizzlies or Redbirds games, Brunch and Crafts, pool parties, Golf-n-Games, IDK360, Christmas Campout, and more. Our students also have opportunities to serve through the youth ministry. Stephen Felker heads up Leads, a senior high leadership team. The goal of a Leads meeting is to teach and encourage students who have a desire to serve in the life of the church.
sense of community in this place when we have so many students, who live in so many places, who go to so many different types of schools, who are involved in so many activities, and who are here at a variety of different times during the week or month? It’s important to know how to live with one another and to grow together, even though we are all different in a lot of ways. “We have lots of events for students to be able to come in and feel like they are welcomed and get to know other students. Even though that can be a challenge, I think that our student ministry’s diversity
Leads students help out with IDK when needed, chaperone Buffalo Retreat, and sometimes serve as co-cabin leaders at Camp Palmer. Robson notes, “I’m really excited about the future of Leads—for kids to begin thinking about what it looks like as a student to serve in the church, but also to help them think about what it means to be a servant and use their gifts for the kingdom of God.” All youth students can be teen helpers for Vacation Bible School, a great way to serve in the life of IPC. The biggest challenge for youth ministry at IPC is what Robson also considers to be the biggest blessing. “Between middle and high school, our students come from over 30 different schools. How do we develop a
The Edge Conference
Camp Palmer
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among places and types of students is one
Service of Lessons and Carols.
of our greatest blessings,” he explained.
Each spring, Junior High Choir
“What we have is a lot of different people
takes a weekend-long trip to lead
who come together because we are
Sunday morning worship at a sister
united in Christ as a new family—one
PCA church and while there, typically
that reflects what the kingdom of God
spends a day enjoying a theme park
looks like. Our hope is that students
or the beach. Our Senior High Choir
will get plugged in, grow in Christian
embarks on an eight-day choir
friendship, and be able to encourage each
tour every June, where the group
other.”
performs, leads worship, and shares
Student choirs are another avenue
spoken testimonies throughout
for students to grow in faith and
several churches in a region. A select
fellowship at IPC. Junior High Choir kicks off with a day at Horseshoe
group from Senior High Choir forms the Ensemble, which performs
Lake, Senior High at Pickwick Lake, then practice starts after Labor
choreographed popular music. Our Junior High Choir performs a
Day. Voices of all skill levels and experience are welcome. Junior High
commissioning concert before their weekend trip, and Senior High
Choir, grades 6-8, meets Wednesday nights, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.,
performs a homecoming concert at IPC after their tour.
with pizza for dinner. Senior High Choir, grades 9-12, meets Sunday
that we want people to be able to express. The Bible challenges us
5:00 to 5:45 p.m.
to worship in singing, and our hope is that when the students leave
“The goal is
us, they are equipped, not uncomfortable, not too shy, and not
not to produce an
bored. We are explaining biblical truth and hoping to enhance their
adult choir out of
understanding of what the words that they are singing mean as well as
the student choir,
enhance their understanding of worship.”
the goal in this
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Brown notes, “I think of music as a primary language of worship
afternoons from
As the staff at IPC seeks to be involved with junior and senior
is to help people
high students, Sean Lucas reflects on the role of youth ministry. “If
learn to worship
our students ‘get it,’ then what is the ‘it’ we are hoping they walk away
and to be confident
with? Ultimately, the big ‘it’ from the time they are in the cradle all
worshippers,” explains James Brown, Director of Worship and Music
the way through is that we want them to love Jesus more today than
Ministries at IPC. Brown directs with assistance from Pam Brown,
they did yesterday and more tomorrow than they did today. In order
Jennifer Velázquez, and Harrison Howle. Both student choirs perform
to have a lifetime of faithfulness, it starts in these early years, and our
for the Graded Choir Christmas program as well as IPC’s annual
student ministry team does a great job with that.”
o, Go G , o G
P E H S ! JO IPC VBS • 2 JUNE 8 02 -1 0 2
register at ipcmemphis.org
It’s about to get wild because we are headed to the Nile June 8-12! This year’s VBS theme is Go, Go, Go Joseph! So, hop on your camel and join the caravan because we are traveling our way through Egypt. We will study the life and story of Joseph, discovering how God is in control and means everything for his good! It will be a fun-filled, Christ-centered week for both children and adults. Our preparations are well underway, and we are very much anticipating the week’s explorations. Would you be praying for seeds of faith to be planted this week and pray for how you might get involved?
Pre-K through 5th Grade registration opens May 1 (children must be age four by June 1 to participate). Hope to see you at VBS!
A call for Volunteers to help lead our children! Volunteer registration begins Wednesday, April 1 Teacher Training (Classroom teachers only): s Wednesday night, April 22, 6:15 p.m., Room 205 s Sunday morning, May 3, Sunday school hour (9:45 a.m.), Room 205 s Sunday morning, May 17, Sunday school hour (9:45 a.m.), Room 205 Teen Helpers Junior & Senior High Students, want to help lead the way? Contact Leah Butler at leahjbutler@gmail.com VBS Prep Week: June 1-4; 9:00 a.m. to noon or 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Nursery provided by reservation from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Contact Lucy Green at lgreen@ipcmemphis.org to make reservations.
Women’s Ministry Spring Dinner
Tuesday, April 28 | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. | $40 Join us for dinner and a unique opportunity to have Mitch Maher lead us through his acclaimed “Clarifying the Bible.” The two-hour presentation frames the storyline of Genesis through Revelation in a passionate, compelling fashion that will help you dive into Scripture with confidence. Cost includes workbook. Mitch Maher
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
4738 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117 www.ipcmemphis.org
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PERMIT NO. 422 MEMPHIS, TN
Dated Material — Please Expedite
SPRING
CALENDAR At Independent Presbyterian Church
March
May
27-28 Women’s Conference with Paige Benton Brown
2 3
April 5
Palm Sunday Music Program “Rejoice in the Lord!” 7 IPC Scouts Blue and Gold Banquet 9 Maundy Thursday Communion Service 10 Good Friday Service 11 Easter Eve Concert with Sara Groves 12 Easter Sunday 22 Junior High Choir Commissioning Concert 25 Wellness Seminar with Dr. John Dunlop 24-26 Junior High Choir Spring Trip to Ohio and Kentucky 26 Senior High Recognition Sunday Lunch 28 Women’s Dinner with Mitch Maher 29 Children’s Spring BLAST! Program
IPC Ballet Recital Final Sunday Evening Praise for Spring 8-9 Pathway Class for Prospective Members 22-27 Camp Palmer 28 Senior High Choir Leaves for Tour of Southeastern States 31 College Cookout
June 4
Senior High Choir Homecoming Concert 5 College Drive-in Night 8-12 Vacation Bible School 12 College Trip to Six Flags 14 Summer Evening Praise Begins 15-19 Junior High at The Edge
