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

TEMPORARY RETURN SERVICES REQUESTED

Phone: 319-334-3523

Fax: 319-334-4134

Email: fpcoffice@indytel.com

Website: fpcindependence.com

KERYGMA

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHHURCHHURCHHURCH

• Member Spotlight — Zach Bathen

• Sunday School Kick Off Pictures

• 90th Birthday Party

• Pancake Supper Pictures

• World Communion Sunday - October 3rd

• Columbus Day Observance - October 11th

• Reformation Sunday - October 26th

Recently I have been thinking about what it means to be a Presbyterian. Not just generally what it means to be a Presbyterian. But more specifically, what does it mean to be a Presbyterian in Independence, Iowa? I’d like to share with you some of how I would answer that question.

First, to be a Presbyterian in Independence is to believe in the power and importance of relationships. Jesus summed this up nicely when he said you have fulfilled everything in all the rules and laws when you love God and love others. Investing in and building relationships is the engine that drives the life and ministry of our church. We intentionally nurture relationships within our church. We intentionally nurture relationships outside of our church. And we intentionally nurture our relationship with the God who loves all of us. It is in our relationships that we come to experience in real and tangible ways the love of God. When the church began the first thing that needed to happen was to establish a community of faith – relationships. Here at First Presbyterian we know the power of relationships to form us into the type of church that God has in mind for us to become.

Second, to be a Presbyterian in Independence is to believe that God calls us to add value to the community in which we find ourselves. God issued this command to the people of Israel living in exile, “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Our church is committed to making our community a better place. We adopt families at Christmas, we help feed the children of our community with our Backpack Program, we actively support the Food Pantry, the One Another Program, and we work cooperatively with other organizations, such as our schools, to support worthwhile activities. I have noticed, with some pride, that if there is a worthwhile project going on in Independence chances are excellent there are Presbyterians involved. And as Presbyterians in Independence we do all of this not just because God says to, but because we like doing it.

Nurturing relationships. Adding value to our community. For these reasons, and others (I could fill the newsletter), I am proud to a Presbyterian here in Independence. We are a friendly, compassionate, and involved group of people. Exactly the kind of people I want to be associated with. We are not perfect. We can do better. But here is the last important thing for me. As a Presbyterian in Independence we are constantly trying to improve. There is a creative spirit at work here. Just because something works does not mean it cannot be done better. And if something does not work, we reload and try again.

What does it mean for you to be a Presbyterian in Independence? I’d enjoy it if you would share your answer to that question with me. We are a special people and God is using us to do some wonderful things. And as important as it is to be proud of who we are, it’s even more important to be a people through whom God is at work blessing all those

around us. Together we are becoming the kind of church God has in mind for us to be.

Pastor John

Rev. John HougenRev. John HougenRev. John HougenRev. John Hougen Home: (319) 334-5175

Email: pastorjohn@indytel.com

Church OfficeChurch OfficeChurch OfficeChurch Office Phone: (319) 334-3523

Fax: (319) 334-4134

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

Monday-Friday

Website www.fpcindependence.com

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Mark Geertsma Christian Education Director

Janet Harms Youth Ministry Coordinator

Kathy Smith Secretary

Email: fpcoffice@indytel.com

George Hemmer Custodian

2222 All in the Family All in the Family All in the Family All in the Family

3333 Member Spotlight/Camp Member Spotlight/Camp Member Spotlight/Camp Member Spotlight/Camp

Wyoming MomentosWyoming MomentosWyoming MomentosWyoming Momentos

4444 Presbyterian Women/Presbyterian Women/Presbyterian Women/Presbyterian Women/

In Our CommunityIn Our CommunityIn Our CommunityIn Our Community

5555 SSSSuuuunnnnddddaaaayyyy SSSScccchhhhoooooooollll KKKKiiiicccckkkk OOOOffffffff PPPPiiiiccccssss

6666 Mark Your Calendar/Mark Your Calendar/Mark Your Calendar/Mark Your Calendar/

90th Birthday Party90th Birthday Party90th Birthday Party90th Birthday Party

7777 October CalendarOctober CalendarOctober CalendarOctober Calendar

8888 October Worship October Worship October Worship October Worship

Schedule/Birthdays/ Schedule/Birthdays/ Schedule/Birthdays/ Schedule/Birthdays/

AnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversaries

9999 Youth PageYouth PageYouth PageYouth Page

10101010 CCCCoooommmmmmmmuuuunnnniiiittttyyyy PPPPaaaannnnccccaaaakkkkeeee SSSSuuuuppppppppeeeerrrr

11111111 Kid’s ActivitiesKid’s ActivitiesKid’s ActivitiesKid’s Activities

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

OCTOBER PAGE 2

If you plan to head south

soon please contact the

church office to verify dates

at your alternate address.

Thank you to all those who helped

with the Sunday School Kick-Off

Carnival last month!

Thanks to Don Mumm for

painting, Tim Eilers for

Edging, and Monte and

Lillian for trimming the tree

outside the office windows.

Thanks also for those who

have contributed time and

effort to keep our facilities

attractive and welcoming.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of you for your prayers, your caring and loving thoughts, Pastor John for a beautiful service, Lillian’s

music and to all who served the wonderful lunch.

The Family of Ronnie O’Brien

Our thoughts of heartfelt sympathy Our thoughts of heartfelt sympathy Our thoughts of heartfelt sympathy Our thoughts of heartfelt sympathy are with the following families:are with the following families:are with the following families:are with the following families:

Bernice DodgeBernice DodgeBernice DodgeBernice Dodge Entered Eternal Life

on July 28th

Glen TutwilerGlen TutwilerGlen TutwilerGlen Tutwiler Entered Eternal Life on August 4th

Ronald O’BrienRonald O’BrienRonald O’BrienRonald O’Brien Entered Eternal Life on

September 3rd

Please keep these families in your prayers.Please keep these families in your prayers.Please keep these families in your prayers.Please keep these families in your prayers.

Mary’s 95th Birthday is on

November 4th. Please send

her a card to wish her a

Happy Birthday.

You may mail your cards to:

Mary Paisley

West Village Care Center

1610 3rd St. NE

Independence, IA 50644

Thank you to everyone that helped with our Community Pancake Supper. It was a wonderful evening! We raised $695 to support our community ministries.

Thank you to our Church Life

Committee for the after 90’s Birthday

Celebration you organized for us. The

corsages, boutonnieres, and cakes were

wonderful. We appreciated all that you

did for us that day. Thank you to the

church for sharing in this special day

with us. You are a blessing to us all!

KERYGMA PAGE 11

OCTOBER PAGE 10 KERYGMA PAGE 3

Hello, my name is Zach Bathen. My parents are

Lonny and Tammy Bathen. My dad works at Cy

and Charley’s and my mom works at the Buchanan

County Jail. I have two older brothers Dustin and

Ben. Dustin is in the Army and is stationed in

Kansas with his wife Michael and Ben is in the

Marines and is stationed in Hawaii with his wife

Melissa and their new baby girl Olivia.

Currently I am a sophomore at Independence High

School. I play basketball and soccer for school. I

used to play football, but last year I ruptured my

spleen so I decided not to play this year. I enjoy

playing the trumpet in the Independence High

School Band. After I graduate from High School in

two and half years I plan to go to the Police

Academy in Des Moines to become Police Officer.

All prices include shipping. Please complete this order form and mail to the Camp Wyoming office with your check

or money order. Thank you for your support.

____ Tie-Dye T-Shirt x $15.00 = ________ (Size: __________)

____ 2010-2011 Calendar x $12.00 = ________

____ Musical Christmas Ornament (Plays a camp song sung by Camp Staff) x $12.00 = ________

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Address/City/State/Zip: _______________________________________________________________________________

Phone/Email: ________________________________________________________________________________________

CAMP WYOMING * 9106 42nd Ave. * WYOMING, IA 52362 * 563-488-3893

OCTOBER PAGE 4

Presbyterian Women will meet October 5th at 9:30 a.m. Lesson #2 -

“Seven Letters to Seven Churches” from Revelation 2-3 will be studied.

Quilting Sessions this month will be held on October 12th & 26th. We will meet from 9 a.m. until noon and conclude with a potluck luncheon. Everyone is invited to attend. Come and join us even if you have no

quilting experience.

Free Childcare Available, Reservations call Chris at 319-827-1395

Feature: Women and Heart Disease - Deb Recker

Cardiac Rehab Nurse Manager at BCHC

Speaker: Rachel Snodgrass, Sheyboygan, WI

“In and Out of Control”

You are invited To

INDEPENDENCE, IOWA WOMEN’S CONNECTION!

Friday, October 15th at 9:30 am

Independence Senior Center, 400—5th Ave. NE

Brunch $7.75

Saturday, October 16th

9-3 p.m. - Free Admission

Homemade Concessions Available

Serving from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Adults: $7.50

Children 5-11 years: $4.50

Children 4 & under: FREE

NOON PRAYER & FELLOWSHIP

AT ST. JAMES’ EPISCOPAL

CHURCH ON THURSDAYS IN

OCTOBER.

Call Rev. Sue Ann

Raymond with ques-

tions at 334-4297.

Iowa Poet Laureate, Mary Swander, will direct local residents in a reader’s theater entitled “Farmscape” at the Agribition Center Saturday, October 9, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at Connie’s Hallmark, Laree’s and

members of LACES for $10.00. This includes a tour of the museum and

refreshments.

KERYGMA PAGE 9

10/03: HSF 6:30-8:00 p.m.

10/10: HSF 6:30-8:00 p.m.

10/17: No HSF

10/24: YOUTH SERVICE

Trick or Treat for

Pantry 1:00 p.m.

HSF 6:30-8:00 p.m.

10/31: HSF 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Trick or Treat for Canned

Goods will be in the

afternoon on Halloween.

Area youth groups are again participating in Trick or

Treat for the Food Pantry. Donation flyers will be

appearing in the Shopper’s Reminder the week of

October 18th. Please help the Food Pantry by

attaching the flyer to a filled bag with nonperishable

groceries. On Sunday, October 24th,

put the filled bag outside your front

door (by 1:00 p.m.) and youth from

local churches will pick up and deliver the bags to the Food Pantry. Adult

drivers are needed for pick up routes throughout town, so if you are over 21

and have a few hours free the afternoon of October 24th from 1 to 2:30 please

let Janet Harms know.

This event is sponsored by the Independence Area Youth Ministries.

10/12: 10/12: 10/12: 10/12: Hannah Butler, Michaela Geertsma,

MiKenna Rodriguez, Haylee Rathbun

(Pictured from left to right)

Mickey Geertsma, Mark Geertsma, Janet

Harms, Kyle Harms, Amanda Shonk, Hannah

Erickson, Hannah Butler, Zach Bathen.

2 Presley Conklin

3 Joseph Kaiser

Alene Reinhart

4 Marian Conklin

7 Dorotha Sundquist

8 Jeff Cue

Judy Hess

Catherine Smith

9 Mari Butler

Eric Smith

10 Don Butler

11 Kathy Eilers

13 Jim Rozendaal

Laura Smith

14 Adam Ownby

15 Mary White

16 Angeline Sauer

17 Karl Klotzbach

20 Rick Frye

21 Lillian Cue

22 Scott Risk

24 Talon Rodriguez

25 Aaron Reinhart

27 Norman Frye Jr.

Mike Hamilton

Samuel Hamilton

Sean McKeon

28 Bette Butler

30 Marian Hare

12 Monte & Lillian Cue

Peter & Ann Koskamp

14 David & Chris Nelson

16 Allan & Marilyn Oline

18 Mike & Carrie Hamilton

Eric & Catherine Smith

PAGE 8 OCTOBER

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

3, 17, 24, 31: Ruth Hamilton, Bonnie O’Brien, Shirlee Rathbun, Kate Risk

10: Hannah Butler, Michaela Geertsma, MiKenna Rodriguez, Haylee Rathbun

Greeters: Elder Greeters:

3: Melissa Savage, Randi Blume Oct: Tammy Bathen, Norma DeJong

10: Van Buren Family

17: Eilers Family

24: Trimble Family

31: Bonnie O’Brien, Kate Risk

Acolytes:

3, 10: Brynn Martin, Brian Smith

17, 24: Avri Ruffcorn, Sean Geertsma

31: Joseph Kaiser, ________________

Children’s Sermons: Nursery:

3: Pastor John 3: Hannah Butler, Olivia Kaiser

10: Lynda Fiester 10: Joni & Avri Ruffcorn

17: Janet Harms 17: Mickey Geertsma, Brynn Martin

24: Melody Malek 24: Chloe Kaiser, Brian Smith

31: John Butler 31: Mickey Geertsma, Brynn Martin

Flowers:

3: Dorotha In Honor of Pastor John

10: ___________________________________________

17: Hamilton Family in Memory of Douglas, James & Celia and Aunt Ruth Hamilton

24: __________________________________________

31: __________________________________________

Bulletins:

3: Wayne & Sondra Seward In Memory of Father, Earl Blanchfield

10: Dorotha Sundquist

17: Wayne & Sondra Seward In Memory of Mother, Pearl Blanchfield

24: __________________________________________

31: __________________________________________

Fellowship Treats: Coffee Prep/Clean Up:

3: Smith Family In Honor of 3: Wayne & Sondra Seward,

Laura’s Birthday & Frankie Bowden

10: BRUNCH 10: Margaret Ownby

17: Testrake Family 17: Jon & Kim Testrake

24: _____________________________ 24: Lonny & Tammy Bathen

31: Trimble Family in Honor 31: Norm & Norma DeJong

of Halloween!

KERYGMA PAGE 5

OCTOBER PAGE 6

Communion Communion Communion Communion ---- October 3rd October 3rd October 3rd October 3rd

DEADLINE: Newsletter articles must be submitted to the

church office by Tuesday, October 19th

to be printed in the November Newsletter.

October 10th

Following worship service

This month is Pastor This month is Pastor This month is Pastor This month is Pastor Appreciation Appreciation Appreciation Appreciation

Month Month Month Month ———— Be sure to Be sure to Be sure to Be sure to express your thanks to express your thanks to express your thanks to express your thanks to Pastor John for all he Pastor John for all he Pastor John for all he Pastor John for all he

does.does.does.does.

Our church celebrated all of our members over 90 years old on Sunday, September 26th during fellowship time. Cake and punch was served in their honor. Thank you to our Church Life Committee

who organized this event.

Those pictured here (clockwise from the front): Carrie Bates, Dorothy Malek, Dorothy Burkhart,

Marge Henderson, Mary Paisley, Eileen Humes, and Gertrude Mumm. Those not pictured are:

Genevieve Andres, Barney Foland, Norm Frye, and Mary Grace Matousek. (Also pictured with

the group is Alison Trimble who was celebrating her 7th birthday on this special day.)

FIRST

PRES

BYTER

IAN

CHURCH

115 6th Ave

. N.W

P. O

. Box 188

Indep

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ce, IA

50644

Phone: 334-3523

Fax: 334-4134

fpco

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indytel.com

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