GRACE NOTES

June 2015 Pastor’s Notes:

I will be away from June 8-21, first for study leave at the Frederick Buechner Writer’s Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary and then for vacation time. I am grateful for the church providing opportunity for both. I also hope to accomplish some reading over the summer. I thought I’d share with you some of those books I have recently read or am currently reading or hope to read – my “summer reading list,” so to speak – in case some of them might be of interest to you:

Michael G. Long, Peaceful Neighbor: Discovering the Countercultural Mister Rogers – The author is a professor of peace and conflict studies, and he applies his expertise to the work of Fred Rogers. He studies the shows created by Rogers (an ordained Presbyterian minister) in the cultural context in which they aired, showing that Rogers – far from the meek, slightly nerdy stereotype suggested by his TV image – was a rigorous pacifist who infused his shows with a high concern for peacemaking and teaching children to care for one another.

Joan S. Gray, Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice – A former PC(USA) moderator, Gray describes churches as being either “rowboats,” plugging ahead under only their own power, or “sailboats,” hoisting the sails and being led by the Spirit. Gray discusses the practices, including prayer, discernment, and spiritual formation, that help the church to be guided by the Spirit.

Mark Achtemeier, The Bible’s “Yes” to Same-Sex Marriage – A professor at University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, the author was long an opponent of same-sex marriage. Achtemeier describes how, through encounters with those affected by the church’s edicts on the subject and by thorough and careful study of scripture, his position came to change.

Neal D. Presa, Our Only Comfort: 52 Reflections on the Heidelberg Catechism – Another former PC(USA) moderator, Presa offers devotional reflections on one of the PC(USA) Book of Confessions’s foundational documents, touching on the nature of God, the witness of the Christian, and the church’s sacraments (among many others).

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June Birthdays

Please call the church

office, 352-376-5654, if your

special day is NOT listed.

June Anniversaries

Jun 5 Lisa Varvel

Jun 11 Steve Weaver

Jun 12 Dustin Rodgers

Jun 13 Sadie Merritt

Jun 13 Richard Ramer

Jun 13 Quinn Shorten

Jun 15 Judy Threet

Jun 18 Phyllis Manning

Jun 22 Sarah Robinson

Jun 24 Susan Gale

Jun 24 Ann Preston

Jun 27 Aaron Brask

Jun 29 Gail Long

Elders on Call

for June

Diane Millican (352) 214-2729

April Riley (352) 317-0970

Stephen & Lisa Weaver

Jun 21 Kevin & Kathy Youngblood

Jun 21 Al & Barbara Griseck

Jun 21 Paul & Grace Gillespie

Jun 23 Devin & Jesseca Suggs

Jun 30 Bill & Marie Cutler

Jun 20

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Continued from page 1

Jennifer Grace Bird, Permission Granted: Take the Bible Into Your Own Hands – We seem to live in an age in which many Christians tend to shy away from studying the Bible directly in favor of led about by popular pastors. Bird provides a scholarly foundation for individuals to plunge into scripture, even the difficult passages and books, while keeping a common touch and ability to communicate with the non-scholar.

Louis B. Weeks, A Sustainable Presbyterian Future: What’s Working and Why – Weeks is a former president of Union Presbyterian Seminary (before my time) and a historian of all things Presbyterian. This book explores how diverse congregations are surviving and even thriving in a time of seeming decline and despair. He includes case studies of

specific congregations and their ministries..

Reverend Charles Freeman

MISSION COMMITTEE We received $645.25 for the Blankets Plus Offering. LPG item for June is Peanut Butter & Jelly. The Good Samaritan Fund needs replenishing due to purchase of gas cards, Publix cards, and assistance to needy persons.

FROM THE TREASURER

The finance committee would like to keep the congregation informed as to our General Fund income and expenses and our pass through donations: April Year to Date Income $8,755.00 $49,574.22 Expenses $12,122.68 $53,242.74 Pass through donations: April Year to Date Two Cents a Meal $ 31.00 $ 98.00 Good Samaritan $ 52.00 $228.00 One Great Hour $425.00 $470.00

If you have any questions about our budget, please contact Lois Semer, treasurer, at 352-262-5893.

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WORSHIP AND MUSIC COMMITTEE

Dorothy Nevill

Full Communion will be served on June 7th.

Thanks to our special scripture readers of Acts 2: 4, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability” on Pentecost Sunday: Lyn Collins (German), Carl Crane (French), Bill Cutler (German), Charles Freeman (Greek and English), Hannah Michaeaux (Spanish), Mohan Raizada (Hindi), Laura Raizada (Swedish), and Hazel Williamson (Spanish).

The Worship and Music Committee will meet on June 14 right after the worship service.

The Rev. Sandra Hedrick will be our pulpit supply on June 14. She is the Stated Clerk of St. Augustine Presbytery and has previously graced our pulpit. Dr. Freeman will be on study leave at Princeton Seminary.

The Rev. Janice Kirk will be our pulpit supply on June 21st. She serves as a Chaplain at Haven Hospice and has previously preached at Grace. Dr. Freeman will be on vacation.

More Information about the new hymnal, Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal

Dorothy Nevill

How much will the new hymnal cost?

The Pew Edition will cost $20 each. The Enlarged Print Edition (loose leaf) will cost $30 each. The Enlarged Print Edition Word Only (bound) will also cost $30.

Can I buy a copy for myself or my family?

Yes!

Can I purchase a copy or copies of the hymnal in honor of or in memory of loved ones?

Yes. Free bookplates will be included with our order. These can be inscribed with the name of the loved one and the donor.

When will I be able to purchase the hymnals that I want?

Forms for purchasing the new hymnals will be available early in the fall. We must place our order before December 31, 2015 in order to be eligible for the above special discounted price.

What will happen to the current hymnals?

A sincere effort will be made to contact anyone who previously donated a hymnal in honor of or in memory of someone, to find out what they want to do with the hymnal that they donated.

The remaining hymnals will be donated to a church in our presbytery that needs them.

Can people other than members of the congregation donate hymnals?

Friends and former members, who would be interested in donating hymnals, will be contacted. We encourage you to tell a member of the Worship and Music Committee the name and address of anyone that you think would welcome the opportunity to donate a hymnal.

May I just simply donate money to the new hymnal fund?

Of course!

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2nd Sunday after Pentecost—June 7

1 Samuel 8:4–11(12–15)16–20

(11:14–15)

Psalm 138 2

Corinthians 4:13–5:1

Mark 3:20–35

3rd Sunday after Pentecost—June 14

1 Samuel 15:34–16:13

Psalm 20 2

Corinthians 5:6–10 (11–13) 14–17

Mark 4:26–34

4th Sunday after Pentecost—June 21

1 Samuel 17:(1a,4–11,19–23)32–49

Psalm 9:9–20

or 1 Samuel 17:57–18:5, 10–16

Psalm 133 2 Corinthians 6:1–13

Mark 4:35–41

5th Sunday after Pentecost—June 28

Samuel 1:1, 17–27

Psalm 130 2

Corinthians 8:7–15

Mark 5:21–43

Liturgy Passages for June

JUNE 2015

Phone: 352-376-5654 Fax: 352-376-1319

Email: office@gpconline.org Website: gpconline.org

Address Service Requested

Grace Presbyterian Church 3146 NW 13th St.

Gainesville, FL 32609-2175