First Presbyterian Church

115 - 6th Ave. NW

P.O. Box 188

Come and See

!

- John 1:46

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Independence, Iowa 50644

RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED

Phone: 319-334-3523

Fax: 319-334-4134

Email: fpcoffice@indytel.com

Website: fpcindependence.com

When a couple received a rose bush as a gift, they planted and When a couple received a rose bush as a gift, they planted and When a couple received a rose bush as a gift, they planted and When a couple received a rose bush as a gift, they planted and

cared for it, eagerly waiting for it to bloom. A few months cared for it, eagerly waiting for it to bloom. A few months cared for it, eagerly waiting for it to bloom. A few months cared for it, eagerly waiting for it to bloom. A few months later, a bud finally appeared. Day by day, it began to fill out. later, a bud finally appeared. Day by day, it began to fill out. later, a bud finally appeared. Day by day, it began to fill out. later, a bud finally appeared. Day by day, it began to fill out.

The couple’s anticipation grew when they could see that the The couple’s anticipation grew when they could see that the The couple’s anticipation grew when they could see that the The couple’s anticipation grew when they could see that the

rose would be bright red. rose would be bright red. rose would be bright red. rose would be bright red.

One day, they were surprised to notice that the green around One day, they were surprised to notice that the green around One day, they were surprised to notice that the green around One day, they were surprised to notice that the green around

the bud had been pulled away and the flower petals were torn the bud had been pulled away and the flower petals were torn the bud had been pulled away and the flower petals were torn the bud had been pulled away and the flower petals were torn

apart. They asked their young daughter if she knew what had apart. They asked their young daughter if she knew what had apart. They asked their young daughter if she knew what had apart. They asked their young daughter if she knew what had

happened. “I just couldn’t wait any longer,” she said, “so I happened. “I just couldn’t wait any longer,” she said, “so I happened. “I just couldn’t wait any longer,” she said, “so I happened. “I just couldn’t wait any longer,” she said, “so I

blossomed it myself.” blossomed it myself.” blossomed it myself.” blossomed it myself.”

The psalmist tells us to “Wait for the LORD … ” (Psalm 27:14, The psalmist tells us to “Wait for the LORD … ” (Psalm 27:14, The psalmist tells us to “Wait for the LORD … ” (Psalm 27:14, The psalmist tells us to “Wait for the LORD … ” (Psalm 27:14,

NRSV). Instead of trying to help God along, let him bring NRSV). Instead of trying to help God along, let him bring NRSV). Instead of trying to help God along, let him bring NRSV). Instead of trying to help God along, let him bring

things to fulfillment in his perfect time.things to fulfillment in his perfect time.things to fulfillment in his perfect time.things to fulfillment in his perfect time.

KERYGMA

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHHURCHHURCHHURCH

It is fashionable to stand

on the brink of a new year

and reflect on the year

that was. Always one to be

in fashion, kind of, I would

like to take a look back on

events from 2010 that

represent how we are

significantly moving in

new directions.

Project of the Year for

2009: Our church received

the Chamber’s Project of

the Year award in 2010 for

our Backpack Program.

This undertaking

represents a major shift in

how we go about doing

mission and ministry. The

important change here is

partnerships. Successful

and meaningful mission in

the future will not be done

by churches that take a

“Lone Ranger” approach.

With the Backpack

Program we formed key

partnerships with the

Northeast Iowa Food Bank

and the Independence

Schools. Giving food to

over 100 kids every week

is important and notewor-

thy. The partnerships that

make it happen are just as

noteworthy.

Trivia Night: We began to

host Trivia Nights in 2010.

These evenings together

are fun and very enjoy-

able. They bring not

just church people

together, but community

people as well. If all this

event was about was fun

and fellowship it would be

worthwhile. But there is

another dynamic that

makes it significant. Each

Trivia Night involves an

offering for a beneficiary.

We have given to various

community ministries (like

Help Our Teachers and

Adopt A Family) as well as

national ministries (like

Haiti relief work). In

times when the pressure

on our church’s budget is

growing, Trivia Night is an

example of how we are

looking for new, creative

approaches to funding the

ministry we want to do.

3 Baptisms in 4 Weeks:

During the first 4

Sunday’s of Advent we

baptized children on 3 of

those Sunday’s. In

addition we saw our

worship attendance

improve significantly in

the last quarter of 2010.

And it sure seems like

there are a whole lot more

kids coming up for the

Children’s sermon. When

you look around the

sanctuary on Sunday

morning you can’t help

but notice that we are

getting younger. It

remains to be seen if this

trend holds into 2011.

But it does leave one with

a feeling of confidence in

the things we are doing

and gives us optimism

about the future.

Many years ago we

committed ourselves to

adding value to our

community. If our church,

or any church, is going to

do that we can’t keep

doing things the way we

always have. We must

change how we worship.

We must change our

approach to ministry. We

need to develop our

leadership. In 2010 we

saw two major ministry

changes at work: we are

forming key partnerships

and finding new ways to

fund what we do. Also in

2010 we saw an increase in

our attendance and more

kids in the church. Is that

a barometer of how we are

doing?

2011 is upon us. I will be

curious what we see in the

rearview mirror as we

enter 2012. For now, we

can enter 2011 feeling

good about the direction

we are moving and how

God is at work in our

midst.

Pastor John

RRRReeeevvvv.... JJJJoooohhhhnnnn HHHHoooouuuuggggeeeennnn Home: (319) 334-5175

Email: pastorjohn@indytel.com

CCCChhhhuuuurrrrcccchhhh OOOOffffffffiiiicccceeee Phone: (319) 334-3523

Fax: (319) 334-4134

Office: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

Website www.fpcindependence.com

SSSSttttaaaaffffffff Mark Geertsma

Christian Education Director

Janet Harms Youth Ministry Coordinator

Kathy Smith Secretary

Email: fpcoffice@indytel.com

George Hemmer Custodian

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2 2 2 2 Mark Your CalendarsMark Your CalendarsMark Your CalendarsMark Your Calendars

All in the Family/PWAll in the Family/PWAll in the Family/PWAll in the Family/PW

3 3 3 3 Activities for KidsActivities for KidsActivities for KidsActivities for Kids

4 4 4 4 CCCChhhhrrrriiiissssttttmmmmaaaassss PPPPrrrrooooggggrrrraaaammmm PPPPiiiiccccttttuuuurrrreeeessss

5 5 5 5 AdoptAdoptAdoptAdopt----AAAA----Family/Family/Family/Family/

CCCChhhhrrrriiiissssttttmmmmaaaassss AAAAllllllll OOOOvvvveeeerrrr tttthhhheeee CCCChhhhuuuurrrrcccchhhh

6 6 6 6 JJJJaaaannnnuuuuaaaarrrryyyy WWWWoooorrrrsssshhhhiiiipppp SSSScccchhhheeeedddduuuulllleeee

Birthdays/AnniversariesBirthdays/AnniversariesBirthdays/AnniversariesBirthdays/Anniversaries

7 7 7 7 FFFFeeeebbbbrrrruuuuaaaarrrryyyy WWWWoooorrrrsssshhhhiiiipppp SSSScccchhhheeeedddduuuulllleeee

Birthdays/AnniversariesBirthdays/AnniversariesBirthdays/AnniversariesBirthdays/Anniversaries

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 2

Newsletter articles must be

submitted to the church

office by Thursday,

February 17th

to be printed in the

March/April Newsletter.

JANUARY

6TH

ORDINATION/INSTALLATION OF ELDERS

& DEACONS

for the Classes of 2013 will be

Sunday, January 9th.

Wednesday, January 19th @ 6:30 p.m.

Dinner is @ 5:30 p.m.

COMMITTEE

CHAIRPERSONS -

Annual Report

Information must be

submitted to the church

office by Monday,

January 10th

Presbyterian Women met on Tuesday, January 4th, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. Our hostess was Fran Hood and the Bible Study lesson was #4 - “Diagnosing the Crises of Empire” - Revelation 6. The meeting in February will be held on Tuesday, February 1st.

Quilting sessions will be held on January 11 & 25 and February 8 & 22. We meet from 9 a.m. until noon and conclude with a potluck luncheon. Come and join us even if you have no quilting experience.

Our thoughts of Our thoughts of Our thoughts of Our thoughts of heartfelt sympathy heartfelt sympathy heartfelt sympathy heartfelt sympathy

are with the are with the are with the are with the following family:following family:following family:following family:

Ellen FolandEllen FolandEllen FolandEllen Foland Entered Eternal Life on

December 24th

Please keep this family in Please keep this family in Please keep this family in Please keep this family in your prayers.your prayers.your prayers.your prayers.

TRIVIA

NIGHT

JANUARY

23RD

6:00 P.M.

KERYGMA PAGE 7

Ushers: Co-Head Ushers: Roger Bahr, Don Mumm

6, 20, 27: Norm & Norma DeJong, Ruth Duritsa, Winona West

13: Hannah Butler, Mickey Geertsma, Olivia Kaiser, Chloe Kaiser

Greeters: Elder Greeters:

6: TeStrake Family Feb: Joni Ruffcorn, John Klotzbach

13: Mary Klotzbach, John Klotzbach

20: Melissa Savage, Randi Blume

27: Don Mumm, Gertrude Mumm

Acolytes:

6, 13: Brynn Martin, Brian Smith

20, 27: Kaylee Eilers, Sean Geertsma

Children’s Sermons: Nursery:

6: Youth 6: Hannah Butler, Choe Kaiser

13: Lynda Fiester 13: Randi Blume, Avri Ruffcorn

20: Janet Harms 20: Olivia Kaiser, Brynn Martin

27: Melody Malek 27: Mickey Geertsma, Brian Smith

Flowers:

6: Leonard McClenathan & Mildred Hicks In Honor of Their Anniversary

13: Ruth Hamilton in Memory of James & Celia Hamilton

20: Richard & Earlene Pint In Memory of Evelyn & “Bucky” Buckingham

27: Dorotha Sundquist In Memory of Grant

Bulletins:

6: ____________________________________________

13: Monte & Lillian Cue In Memory of Mother, Lee Forsythe

20: ____________________________________________

27: ____________________________________________

Fellowship Treats: Coffee Prep/Clean Up:

6: Jenna Smith for her 9th Birthday 6: Margaret Ownby

13: _____________________________ 13: Wayne & Sondra Seward

20: _____________________________ 20: Jon & Kim TeStrake

27: _____________________________ 27: Lonny & Tammy Bathen

1 Eileen Herzog

Cathy Butler

2 Jeri Titsworth

3 Marilyn Oline

4 Norm DeJong

Courtney Rouse

5 Jinger Hougen

7 Charlie Conklin

Neal Rathbun

10 Jenna Smith

12 Mary Klotzbach

13 Kaleb Clendenen

14 Pam Fitzgerald

Larry Johnson

Donna Jordening

15 Jorja Cue

Brynn Martin

16 Frank Sauer

17 Lauren Stilwell

18 Dale Siglin

19 Jo Willey

20 Roger Bahr

22 Carole Mumm

24 Olivia Kaiser

26 Sandra Johnson

27 Beth Ownby

29 Jeff Frye

7 Juan & Keri Rodriguez

10 Marty & Julie Brown

14 Chuck & Audrey Conklin

Leonard McClenathan &

Mildred Hicks

21 Ken & Kathy Partridge

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 6

1 Sandy Hood

Diane Yeager

Jenny Peters

3 Katelyn Van Buren

5 Travis Weis

6 Sean Geertsema

7 Margaret Ownby

12 John Butler

Ben Malek

15 Jacob Sorg

16 Hannah Butler

17 Sandra Sauer

Tom Butler

19 Ken White

Jessi Kennicker

20 Carroll Conklin

Janet Harms

Kris Martin

22 Ashley Conklin

23 Linda Hanna

27 Zachary Cue

29 Dick Siglin

30 Katelyn Trimble

31 Bob Blakesley

1 Darwin & Mary Jean

Johnson

29 Bud & Marian Hare

Ushers: Co-Head Ushers: Roger Bahr, Don Mumm

2, 16, 23, 30: Lee Bowden, Gary Humes, Howard Miller, Don Mumm

9: Haylee Rathbun, Brittany Robb, Zach Bathen, Justin Hougen

Greeters: Elder Greeters:

2: Ron & Judy Hess Jan: Tim Eilers, Don Mumm

9: Don & Lucille Cottrell

16: Wayne & Sondra Seward

23: Smith Family

30: Lynda Fiester, Marcia Stoneman

Acolytes:

2: Brynn Martin, Brian Smith

9, 16: Kaylee Eilers, Sean Geertsma

23, 30: Joseph Kaiser, Avri Ruffcorn

Children’s Sermons: Nursery:

2: Kyle Harms 2: Jordan Geertsma, Avri Ruffcorn

9: Ryan Ruffcorn 9: Mickey Geertsma, Randi Blume

16: Mark Geertsma 16: Hannah Butler, Avri Ruffcorn

23: Ruth Liscum 23: Chloe Kaiser, Brian Smith

30: John Butler 30: Olivia Kaiser, Brynn Martin

Flowers:

2: Dorotha In Praise for New Year

9: Kate Risk In Memory of Loved Ones

16: Frank & Sandy Sauer

23: Leonard McClenathan & Mildred Hicks In Memory of Loved Ones

30: Mary Klotzbach for February Birthdays

Bulletins:

2: Margaret Ownby

9: __________________________________________

16: Jean Main In Memory of Husband, Walt

23: __________________________________________

30: Lynda Fiester In Memory of Parents

Fellowship Treats: Coffee Prep/Clean Up:

2: Margaret Ownby and Don Adams 2: Margaret Ownby

9: _____________________________ 9: Wayne & Sondra Seward

16: BRUNCH 16: Jon & Kim TeStrake

23: _____________________________ 23: Lonny & Tammy Bathen

30: Katelyn Trimble for her 5th Birthday 30: Norm & Norma DeJong

KERYGMA PAGE 3

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 4

FEATURING:

Director: Mary Burkett

Eric Smith, Hannah Butler, Mickey Geertsma,

Sean Geertsma, Kyle Harms, Kaylee Eilers,

Joseph Kaiser, Brian Smith, Jenna Smith,

Olivia Kaiser, Lynda Fiester, Ruth Liscum,

Ruth Hamilton, Winona West, Sandy Sauer,

Avri Ruffcorn, Randi Blume, Kyle Eilers,

Laura Smith, Chloe Kaiser, Brynn Martin,

Alexis TeStrake, Courtney Rouse, Anna

Ruffcorn, Sue Stilwell, and Reese Martin.

This year our church was able to help 23 families thanks to the

following businesses or groups: Independence Federal Bank for

Savings, Buchanan County Health Center, McCormick Family,

Hansen Family, East and West Elementary Schools, Student

Council, Beta Sigma Phi, Q3 Innovations LLC, BankIowa, Red

Hats, Medical Associates, West Food Service, Work Out Group,

Independence Rotary Club, Ambassadors, Laree, Independence

Fire Department, Melody Malek's Bible Study, Fidelity Circle,

Our Youth Group, and our congregation at FPC.

The Community Life Committee thanks everyone who participated in the 2010 effort. The families that

were chosen really appreciated being part of this program this year.

KERYGMA PAGE 5