May/June Newsletter by Independent Presbyterian Church

Let the Lord Use You in the Life of a Child

don’t know if you’re like me or not, but I love the Lord, I like to have fun, I like to ask a lot of questions and I LOVE being around kids!

MAY/JUNE 2015

wednesday evening summer teaching series | 6:30 p.m.

Mercy Ministry in Memphis

I. Ministry of Mercy: LOVE

IPC Ministers May 6 Love Explained | Matthew 7, 23, John 3, I John 4 May 13 Our Sessions Ended | Richie’s Send Off Dinner May 20 Love Experienced | Romans 5, 8, I Corinthians 13, I John 3 May 27 Love Expressed | Galatians 5, Ephesians 5, I John 4

II. Ministry Partners: LOVING MEMPHIS

Teaching, Presentations and Panel Q&A June 3 God’s Love for Justice | Psalm 33:5, 37:28, 99:4 Memphis Teacher Residency | David Montague White Station Elementary | Sarah Hamer, Principal Tracie Thomas June 10 VBS Outreach Picnic June 17 God’s Love for the Fatherless | Deuteronomy 10, Psalm 82, Isaiah 1, James 1 Palmer Home & Camp Palmer | Lisa Turner, Jeremy Beavers God’s Love for the Sojourner | Exodus 22, Leviticus 25, Deuteronomy 24 Su Casa & World Relief | Tim Jewett, Steve Moses

June 24

III. Ministry Opportunities: LOVING MEMPHIS continued

Salt & Light Opportunities | July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29

IV. Ministry for Memphis: A LOVING CHURCH

Community Reports & Teaching August 5 The Centrality of the Gospel | John 3:16, Romans 1, I Corinthians 2 August 12 The Worth of the Individual | Genesis 1, Luke 15:7, I Thessalonians 2 August 19 The Importance of the Church | Matthew 28, Acts 2, 4, I Peter 2 August 26 The Renewal of the City | Jeremiah 29, Ezekiel 16, Revelation 21

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

May/June 2015

4 What’s big and fun with lots of giggles and squiggles? 4 What leaves you exhausted but renewed in your faith and in your hope for a brighter tomorrow?

4 What comes but once a year but lingers in your car,

your house and your heart all year long? (No, it’s not Christmas.)

4 What brings young and old together in the same place, with the same purpose for a whole week?

4 What provides opportunities for bible stories to be told, read aloud, acted out, drawn and designed, sung and shared in ways that children can understand?

4 What provides an open invitation to an entire community to come and hear and see and receive the love of Christ?

4 What allows teens to have fun and act crazy, yet at the same time puts them in a position of high esteem as leaders that young children look up to and as helpers that adults depend on?

indows©, (U.S.P.S.) #018597 is published bi-monthly by THE INDEPENDENT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 4738 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, Tennessee, 38117. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to indows©, 4738 Walnut Grove Rd., Memphis, TN, 38117. PERIODICAL POSTAGE paid at Memphis, TN POSTMASTER.

4 What gives everyone an opportunity to use his or her

God-given gifts for God’s glory and for the building of His kingdom?

Wednesday Evenings@IPC Fellowship Dinner @ 5:30– 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall | $6/Adult -and- $4/Child age 4 – 10 (3 & under FREE). Church Offices | open Monday –Thursday from 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday 901.685.8206 K-Church or Junior Church | 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for K –2nd Grade Children’s Sunday School for Kindergarten –5th Grade | 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Communities | 9:45–10:45 a.m.

www.indepres.org Ma y / Ju n e 2015 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Sunday Mornings@IPC | Worship Services, 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. A fully staffed nursery and preschool ministry is available for all services.

A few things to know about IPC

AT MEMPHIS, TN

PAID

PERIODICAL POSTAGE MayJunNewsletter_4-23-15.indd 1

4 What encourages meeting new friends and building

Bi-Monthly Issue #3 I want to leave you with a wonderful exchange that I had the other day with a church member. I hope that it will encourage you as much as it encouraged me and that it might inspire you to LOVE kids for Christ! David Mattingly: Hello Elizabeth…this is David Mattingly. Cheryl and I are already looking at summer activities and wondering when VBS is this year? Me: Whoohoo!! It’s June 8-12th. Hope that works with your schedules… would hate to not have y’all be able to be a part of it!! You are both amazing in that ministry each summer and it’s so encouraging to know that y’all want to be a part of it each year! David: It is humbling to serve…to see our children and the children beyond the walls of IPC as they continue to learn and Margaret Walker and Elizabeth Fowlkes at last year’s VBS. mature spiritually is such a blessing. I have been on several Rwanda trips…and even though our children have so much in comparison…their need for Christ is no different…Right here in our own backyard! For opportunities to LOVE kids for Christ go to our website www.indepres.org/vbs. Blessings to you all,

relationships among children and adults alike?

4 What gives a church the opportunity for its members

to fulfill the Great Commission in bringing the gospel to “all nations” and yet does not require them to travel thousands of miles?

Elizabeth Fowlkes IPC Children’s Ministry Director

And finally, what can’t happen without YOU??? You’re right! The answer is VBS!!!

Hopefully after ALL of my questions you’re beginning to make sense of the ‘LOVING to be around kids’ part as well as beginning to see how the Lord can use you if you are willing to be open and just say, ‘here I am Lord, use me’. Believe me, I know He will use you and I know of so many ways He can use you in the life of a child and I’d LOVE to help you get started, if you haven’t already! Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me and by all means…Ask questions!! Sermons are available online: www.indepres.org/resources/sermons

IPC podcast is available: www.indepres.org/resources/podcasts

4/23/15 1:45 PM

IPC ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations: To Rachel and Bryan Baddorf on the birth of their son, Charlie Dixon, on February 2, 2015; to Sheley and Sam Taras on the birth of their daughter, Reese Rembert, on February 2, 2015; and to Claire and Sy Wilson on the birth of their son, Samuel Harris, on April 1, 2015. Our Church in Bereavement: Our sympathy to the family of Mary Joyce Stevens, who died on, February 2, 2015; to Holly and Jason Cousar, on the death of her father, David Coburn Barcroft, on February 3, 2015; to Melissa Hay, on the death of her mother, Carolyn S. Cox, on February 4, 2015; to Janice and Mike Washburn, on the death of his mother, Wilma Faye Washburn, on February 7, 2015; to Leslie and Jay Jacks, on the death of his mother, Carolyn Jacks, on February 9, 2015; to Todd and Crocker Wallace, on the death of his father, Don Wallace, on March 14, 2015; to Sarah and Ed Currie, on the death of his mother, Barbara Scott Miller Currie, on March 24, 2015; to Carolyn Richardson, daughters Paige and Angie and their families, on the death of Carolyn’s husband and Paige and Angie’s father, David Richardson, on April 7, 2015. David was a long-time member of IPC. He had also faithfully served the church as an Elder and our business administrator for over 20 years. Our sympathy to relatives and friends of Amel Peterson, who died on April 9, 2015; and to Karon Farrow on the death of her husband, Troy Farrow, on April 20, 2015. Welcome: James W. “Bubba” Badgett

Independent Presbyterian Church

Christian Education | Sunday School Plan June 7, 14, 21, 28, 2015 Sunday School Electives Four Sessions The Final Apologetic | Parker Tenent | Chapel The Big Story of the Bible | Mike Malone | Room 237 Addiction, Estrangement, Terminal Illness: Ministering To Others in Difficult Places | Steven Guenther and Ed Norton | Room 132 Pathway Class | Murray Garrott | Third Floor Conference Room | 6 Sessions The Book of Job | Rankin Fowlkes | Fellowship Hall North Lost and Found, Luke 15 | Jeremy Jones and Nate Kellum Fellowship Hall South Loving Jesus and the Sanctifying Grace of Keeping His Commandments, John 14 and 15 | Jurey Howard Room 130 Christianity Explored | Feb Boswell and Hillary Butler Bride’s Room The History of Southern Presbyterianism | David Dunlap Groom’s Room For The Life of The World, Part One | Samuel Husband Room 131 Sunday, July 5, 2015: C o n g r e g at i o n a l B r e a k fa s t IPC Fellowship Hall 10:00 a.m. July 12, 19, 26, 2015 Sunday School Electives Three Sessions The Final Apologetic | Parker Tenent | Chapel The Big Story of the Bible | Mike Malone | Room 237 Addiction, Estrangement, Terminal Illness: Ministering To Others in Difficult Places | Stephen Guenther and Ed Norton | Fellowship Hall South What Do I Do To Make God Happy with Me? Cannon Allen | Fellowship Hall North Jesus’ Life in John 15 | Jurey Howard | Groom’s Room The History of Southern Presbyterianism | David Dunlap Bride’s Room For The Life of The World, Part Two | Samuel Husband Room 131 Pathway Class | Murray Garrott | Third Floor Conference Room July12 and 19

MayJunNewsletter_4-23-15.indd 2

Memories from a Camp Palmer Rookie and Veteran

Summer Choir Schedule 2015 Senior High Northeastern Choir Tour

May 28-June 5, 2015 Visiting churches in Cincinnati, OH, Grove City, PA, Houghton, NY, Schenectady, NY, Pasadena, MD, Harrisonburg, VA and Elizabethton, TN.

From a First-time Counselor —

I had been hearing about Camp Palmer for years but had never experienced it for myself until last summer. Let’s just say it was definitely an experience! I arrived later than I had expected and driving up all I could see were children everywhere. Big kids, little kids, familiar kids and new kids. Kids were everywhere!! And so were bugs. Bugs–were–everywhere! I’m not particularly a bug person and really was unsure of what I had gotten myself into for the week. I had agreed to be a second grade girls’ counselor. What was I thinking?!!! However, it did not take me long at all to love being there with my son as it was his first Camp Palmer experience too. As the days went on I saw new relationships being built. I saw old relationships being strengthened. I saw people showing each other the love of Jesus in ways that do not always happen back at home. And mostly I saw people laughing and having a really REALLY good time. There was a sense of community at Camp Palmer that is a little hard to explain until you have experienced it. We were all there gathered as brothers and sisters of Christ who left camp at the end of the week loving each other better and with a big desire to come back again the next year and do it all over again! And after a while I didn’t even notice the BUGS. — by Mari Elliot Dorrill

From a Long-time Counselor —

The first time I showed up at Camp Palmer in 1998 as a Youth Ministry intern, I didn’t know the difference between Palmer Home kids or IPC kids. I walked into my 8th grade girls’ cabin and immediately noticed Vera Bradley bags on some beds and garbage bags on others. I quickly realized these girls came from different worlds, but learned they all had their “baggage”, some tougher than others. As I began to meet my campers and as the days went by, I couldn’t keep up with who was from where–it just didn’t matter, they were ALL comfortable here. Given their different cultures and home lives, Camp Palmer is possibly the only time and place their paths would naturally cross, much less unite. This special week thrives because the playing field of life gets leveled and everyone loves 4-square, fishing for “Jaws”, the Chicken Dance, Sunday worship, Store, slip ‘n slide kickball, goofy skits, and waking up to “Early Morning Donkey”. Their bags may look more similar now, but camp, like no other place provides an opportunity to love on kids, especially Palmer Home kids for the baggage they bring with them and…we have a really good time! — by Grace Thompson

Senior High Choir Homecoming Concert

Friday, June 5, 7:00 p.m. Featuring the Senior High Choir and Ensemble with vocal and instrumental soloists

Children’s Summer Activities for 2015 Kindergarten – 4th Grade (5th Grade through May) Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Romper Room May 6, 13, 20 | June 3, 17, 24

“Dive-Ins”

1st & 2nd Grade, Mondays, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Locations TBA June 22, 29 | July 6, 13, 20, 27

“Dive-Ins”

3rd & 4th Grade, Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Locations TBA June 25 | July 9, 16, 23, 30

“2Fun Tuesday”

Kindergarten–4th Grade, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Romper Room | June 23, 30 | July 7, 14, 21, 28

Children’s “Kickoff” Carnival

Kindergarten in Romper Room, 5th Grade – Gym Wednesday, 5:30 –7:30 p.m. | August 26

Women’s Ministry “In Summer” Getting together with all ages and stages, serving together and having fellowship with one another. Tuesdays, June 23 – July 28, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nursery provided with reservation only, contact Cindy Wright at cwright@indepres.org to register your child or children. K-kids thru 5th grade – 2Fun Tuesdays. (Look for Children’s Summer Activities brochure.) June 23 — “Knitting for Beginners” — Susan Strong (Room 233) June 30 — “Celebrating Holidays in Your Home”— Vicki Halford (Room 131) July 7 — “Holy Yoga 101” — Mindy Johnson (Gym) July 14 — “Achieving Balance in an Unbalanced World”— Brigid Kay (Room 131) July 21 — “Learn all about Life Choices”— Stacie Maze and Natalie Thomasmeyer (Room 131) July 28 — “Cooking for Palmer Home Cottages” — Lili Jones and Lynn Schaefer (Kitchen and Fellowship Hall area) Prayer Time — Every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s Room. For information contact Susanne Wexler at swexler1@bellsouth.net. Questions? Contact: bcollins@indepres.org.

New Bookstore Now Open!

Come and experience Camp Palmer for the first time or the 100th.

Get ready to blast off on a Space Trek adventure! IPC VBS • June 8 -12, 2015

Friday, May 22– Wednesday, May 27

(1st – 12th Graders) Contact Lisa Turner at lturner@indepres.org for more information.

Please go to indepres.org/vbs for more information about volunteer opportunities.

BOOKSTORE HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Friday 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Wednesday 9:00 a.m.– 6:30 p.m. Thursday 9:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m. | Closed Saturday | Sunday 9:30–10:50 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. after worship www.indepres.org/resources/ipc-bookstore | 901.763.3932 | covenant@indepres.org

Find us on Facebook.

4/23/15 1:45 PM

wednesday evening summer teaching series | 6:30 p.m.

I. Ministry of Mercy: LOVE

A few things to know about IPC

Sunday Mornings@IPC | Worship Services, 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. A fully staffed nursery and preschool ministry is available for all services.

Sunday School Communities | 9:45–10:45 a.m.

Children’s Sunday School for Kindergarten –5th Grade | 9:45 a.m.

K-Church or Junior Church | 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for K –2nd Grade

Church Offices | open Monday –Thursday from 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday 901.685.8206

Wednesday Evenings@IPC Fellowship Dinner @ 5:30– 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall | $6/Adult -and- $4/Child age 4 – 10 (3 & under FREE).

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

May /June 2015

www.indepres.org

@IPCmemphis

PAID

PERIODICAL POSTAGE

AT MEMPHIS, TN

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Teaching, Presentations and Panel Q&A June 3 God’s Love for Justice | Psalm 33:5, 37:28, 99:4 Memphis Teacher Residency | David Montague White Station Elementary | Sarah Hamer, Principal Tracie Thomas June 10 VBS Outreach Picnic June 17 God’s Love for the Fatherless | Deuteronomy 10, Psalm 82, Isaiah 1, James 1 Palmer Home & Camp Palmer | Lisa Turner, Jeremy Beavers June 24 God’s Love for the Sojourner | Exodus 22, Leviticus 25, Deuteronomy 24 Su Casa & World Relief | Tim Jewett, Steve Moses

II. Ministry Partners: LOVING MEMPHIS

MayJunNewsletter_4-23-15.indd 1

Mercy Ministry in Memphis

MAY/JUNE 2015

III. Ministry Opportunities: LOVING MEMPHIS continued

Salt & Light Opportunities | July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29

IV. Ministry for Memphis: A LOVING CHURCH

Sermons are available online: www.indepres.org/resources/sermons

And finally, what can’t happen without YOU??? You’re right! The answer is VBS!!!

to fulfill the Great Commission in bringing the gospel to “all nations” and yet does not require them to travel thousands of miles?

4 What gives a church the opportunity for its members

relationships among children and adults alike?

4 What encourages meeting new friends and building

God-given gifts for God’s glory and for the building of His kingdom?

4 What gives everyone an opportunity to use his or her

same time puts them in a position of high esteem as leaders that young children look up to and as helpers that adults depend on?

4 What allows teens to have fun and act crazy, yet at the

nity to come and hear and see and receive the love of Christ?

4 What provides an open invitation to an entire commu-

read aloud, acted out, drawn and designed, sung and shared in ways that children can understand?

4 What provides opportunities for bible stories to be told,

with the same purpose for a whole week?

4 What brings young and old together in the same place,

your house and your heart all year long? (No, it’s not Christmas.)

4 What comes but once a year but lingers in your car,

and in your hope for a brighter tomorrow?

4 What’s big and fun with lots of giggles and squiggles? 4 What leaves you exhausted but renewed in your faith

don’t know if you’re like me or not, but I love the Lord, I like to have fun, I like to ask a lot of questions and I LOVE being around kids!

Let the Lord Use You in the Life of a Child

May/June 2015

4/23/15 1:45 PM

IPC podcast is available: www.indepres.org/resources/podcasts

Elizabeth Fowlkes IPC Children’s Ministry Director

Blessings to you all,

I want to leave you with a wonderful exchange that I had the other day with a church member. I hope that it will encourage you as much as it encouraged me and that it might inspire you to LOVE kids for Christ! David Mattingly: Hello Elizabeth…this is David Mattingly. Cheryl and I are already looking at summer activities and wondering when VBS is this year? Me: Whoohoo!! It’s June 8-12th. Hope that works with your schedules… would hate to not have y’all be able to be a part of it!! You are both amazing in that ministry each summer and it’s so encouraging to know that y’all want to be a part of it each year! David: It is humbling to serve…to see our children and the children beyond the walls of IPC as they continue to learn and Margaret Walker and Elizabeth Fowlkes at last year’s VBS. mature spiritually is such a blessing. I have been on several Rwanda trips…and even though our children have so much in comparison…their need for Christ is no different…Right here in our own backyard! For opportunities to LOVE kids for Christ go to our website www.indepres.org/vbs.

Bi-Monthly Issue #3