Newsletter - WordPress.com...2016/04/04 · First Presbyterian Church Newsletter 250 W. Huron,...

First Presbyterian Church

Newsletter250 W. Huron, Vassar, MI 48768 VassarFPC.org April 2016

...from Doug’s desk... “Happy Easter everyone!”

“Wait: Pastor Doug, isn’t Easter already past?”

“Great question, my friend: No! Easter is a whole season! And even more importantly, Easter is a year ‘round frame of mind and life orientation!”

Many of us have heard of the admonition to be “Easter People.” What does that really look like?

First of all, it means we genuinely believe that the resurrection happened (really!!). If that sinks in, it can’t help but transform our hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit, living within us, wants to transform us form the inside out. He wants to free us from fear and fill us with the certain hope of the resurrection to come, and new life now. He wants us to be free of worry, no matter what our circumstances—to know with certainty that we are safe in God’s hands—jus like Jesus knew when he said “Into Your hands I commit my spirit.”

Have you ever dealt with a child, a niece or nephew, or a grandchild, who is afraid to do something, which you know they can do, and which is quite safe? Maybe it’s learning to ride that bike (ok, maybe it’s not completely safe!). You can see the reality they cannot. You understand what they are capable of, even if they don’t. You know even if they do wreck and skin their knee, it’s not a big deal. You know that the freedom and enjoyment they’ll gain is worth it. The child is afraid, because they can’t see what you see. But if they trust you, they discover there is nothing to be afraid of, and lots of new horizons are opened up before them. Soon they forget they were even afraid. And the same happens even to us as adults: when that new job or promotion comes, and we wonder “can I really do this?” A year later, we’re a pro, and much more satisfied by the challenge and better pay.

Have you ever considered that’s how it is between God and us? God sees what we can’t. He sees our lives this side of eternity are just a blip in light of forever. He sees we already have been rescued. He sees we have resurrection life now. He sees our full potential, our high calling as we play our part in advancing God’s kingdom. Most of all, He sees that the battle is won, that “it is finished.” That we have nothing whatsoever to fear as we face death if we belong to Him.

We can’t see. That’s scary. So we have to trust the One who can see. And that can be hard. But God knows the truth about death and life. He knows the truth about our fears in this life. He has conquered those fears. He also knows what we’re capable of, even if we don’t. When we trust God, we are freed to serve God with abandon and joy. We don’t have to walk anymore: we can ride our bike. We can have whole new vistas opened to us.

Being Easter People means trusting God and his resurrection power within us. To live in Love and Joy, not fear. HE IS RISEN! And because of Christ, so are we… Let’s live like it!

http://vassarfpc.org

http://vassarfpc.org

Do you or someone you know need visitation?

In the hospital? Home bound? In a nursing facility? Please let the church office know so that Pastor Doug can visit them! You may also call your care team Deacon.

FINANCIAL NOTES

February: ACTUAL INCOME: 10,999.00 EXPENSE: 7,724.15 NET: +3,274.85

JAN-FEB: ACTUAL BUDGET INCOME: 19,202.00 15,833.33 EXPENSE: 15,303.17 20,256.66 NET: +3,898.83 ( 4,791.70) Note: YAY!! :) Thank you for your generosity!

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION DEADLINE

Apr. 26

PASTOR DOUG’S CONTACT INFO: Cell/Text: (989) 780-2813

Email: [email protected]: facebook.com/pastordougabelLinkedIN: linkedin.com/in/pastordougabel

TWITTER: @REV_DSA

PIZZA! Tip Night #1: April 12, 5-8p.m.

PIZZA! Tip Night#2: April 26, 5-8 p.m.

Come on out and help the Youth make their trip to Plainfield, IL in July!!

Thank you in advance!!

City Wide Rummage Sale May 5, 6, & 7

Thursday and Friday times will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday will be 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

We will start collecting items after April 17. Times for drop off will be

Mon., Wed., & Thurs. 11am-12pm; Tuesdays & Friday 8:30 am-12:00 pm. Start

saving your STUFF!

Acceptable items will be: TOYS

BOOKS/MOVIES/MEDIA-ANY AGES TOOLS

SMALL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES DISHES/KITCHEN ITEMS

DECORATIVE ITEMS WINDOW TREATMENTS

JEWELRY ELECTRONICS

TABLEWARE/TABLECLOTHS/LINENS BLANKETS/BEDDING/TOWELS

FURNITURE (not to be accepted until May 4th after 5:30 p.m.)

IF YOU CAN WEAR IT, WE DON’T WANT IT!

All proceeds will go to our TLC Youth Group to help fund the mission

trip for REACH, which is in Plainfield, IL this year!

http://about.me/pastordougabel

mailto:[email protected]

http://facebook.com/pastordougabel

http://linkedin.com/in/pastordougabel

http://twitter.com/Rev_DSA

http://about.me/pastordougabel

mailto:[email protected]

http://facebook.com/pastordougabel

http://linkedin.com/in/pastordougabel

http://twitter.com/Rev_DSA

GREETERS April 3: Jim & MaryLou DuBois April 10: Kevin & Brenda Haines April 17: Ted & Connie Gamet April 24: Mark & Jody Bilbee USHERS April 3: Alex & Sue Campbell April 10: Ted Gamet, Nathan & Russ Hubbard April 17: Lyn Childs, Bill Shoop, Tanya Steele April 24: David, Scott & Zack Wegrzyn WORSHIP LEADERS April 3: Russ Hubbard April 10: Kim Wegrzyn April 17: Lori Hubbard April 24: JoLinda Manus VIDEO/TECH April 3: Dianne Hackett April 10:Shelley Abel April 17:Shelley Abel April 24: VACANT

BIRTHDAYS:

1 Tanya Steele 4 Winona Williams 6 Jennifer Bradanini 12 Mark O'Connor 13 Breanna Childs 14 Tim Childs 14 Mallory Finta 15 Ray Sowden 22 Kevin Haines 21 Courtney Abbs 23 Brenda Haines 24 Carole Essenmacher 24 Joan VanWormer 25 Selwyn Stuart 25 Alice Stuart 26 Jessie Shoop

ANNIVERSARIES:

28 Paul and Laurie (Faber) Oberle

WHAT’S GOING ON???Type to enter text

April 2016 March 2016S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24 25 2627 28 29 30 31

April 2016S M T W T F S

1 23 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 1617 18 19 20 21 22 2324 25 26 27 28 29 30

May 2016S M T W T F S1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday27

Easter Sunday8:00 AM Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt10:00 AM Worship

28 298:30 AM Church Of-fice Hours1:30 PM Pastor's Of-fice Hours6:00 PM Cub Scouts

301:30 PM Pastor's Of-fice Hours7:00 PM Combined Vocal Choir8:00 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal

319:00 AM Bob Alexan-der Viewing10:00 AM Bob Alexander Memorial

18:30 AM Church Of-fice Hours

2

3COMMUNION10:00 AM Worship5:30 PM Parenting Class6:00 PM TLC Youth Group


69:00 AM Vassar Min-isterial Alliance1:30 PM Pastor's Of-fice Hours7:00 PM Combined Vocal Choir8:00 PM Bell Choir

72:00 PM Alzheimer's / De-mentia Caregiver 6:00 PM Discipleship & Growth Team7:30 PM Worship & Music Team


9

10Pulpit &…r Ephesians10:00 AM Worship5:30 PM Parenting Class6:00 PM TLC Youth Group

115:00 PM Grief Group

128:30 AM Church Of-fice Hours1:30 PM Pastor's Of-fice Hours5:00 PM Pizza Tip Nite6:00 PM Cub Scouts

131:30 PM Pastor's Of-fice Hours5:30 PM Community Connections Team6:00 PM Women's 7:00 PM Combined 8:00 PM Bell Choir

142:00 PM Alzheimer's / De-mentia Caregiver Support Group7:00 PM Session


16

1710:00 AM Book Club10:00 AM Worship5:30 PM Parenting Class6:00 PM TLC Youth Group

1810:00 AM Book Club

198:30 AM Church Of-fice Hours8:30 AM WIC1:30 PM Pastor's Of-fice Hours6:00 PM Cub Scouts


212:00 PM Alzheimer's / De-mentia Caregiver Support Group6:00 PM Habitat


23

24REV. DR.…PREACHER10:00 AM Worship6:00 PM TLC Youth Group

25 268:30 AM WIC8:30 AM Church Of-fice Hours1:30 PM Pastor's Of-fice Hours6:00 PM Cub Scouts


282:00 PM Alzheimer's / De-mentia Caregiver Support Group


30

27Easter Sunday8:00 AM Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt10:00 AM Worship





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27Easter Sunday8:00 AM Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt10:00 AM Worship





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Vassar First Presbyterian Church Ministry Team Summaries

Administration (Scott Wegrzyn)This team has two sub-teams: personnel and finance. It oversees these and other general administrative concerns of the church. It crafts a budget proposal each year for Session to approve, oversees staff, considers staffing structure, crafts job descriptions, and recommends building use policy. Buildings & Grounds (Bob Rice)This team handles all things related to facility and property, such as routine maintenance, small repairs, facility or equipment upgrades, tech needs, or large projects as approved by Session. The church owns not only the church building and grounds, but also the upper parking lot and the pastor’s manse, as well as the equipment and appliances inside them.Communication and Publicity (Betty Jo Atkins)This team’s focus is providing for and managing communications and publicity, with internally and externally, by prioritizing and appropriately timing these things and implying the most effective method for them. This is not only so that any given need gets the best exposure appropriate to it, but so that key events or initiatives don’t get “lost in the noise.” The team will work closely with the church secretary to execute communication and publicity, but will curate what, how, and when any communication publicity is done, and help establish processes and strategies for easy management of the same.Community Connections (Mark O’Connor)This team’s focus is any event or project that brings the community together in Christian fellowship: which is “Christian-speak” for having fun and making connections. It serves a practical and cohesive function in our community of faith, and at the same time provides a safe space for new people to get to know us. The team executes several events each year to that end, and looks for smaller ways to facilitate a sense of connection between friends and members as well.Discipleship & Growth (Kevin Haines)This team’s stated mission is “Inviting you on a Journey with Jesus.” It oversees, enables, resources, and supports the person-inviting, disciple-making and disciple-growing aspects of the church’s ministry, from nursery to families to ecumenical Youth Group and VBS, to adult professionals, to retirees. It is concerned with education, but not merely as knowledge transfer, but heart changing: helping people of any age or stage meet Jesus, grow in faith, and become committed followers of Jesus. This team also oversees and resources any small groups that form, from study groups to affinity groups to service/mission groups. Mission & Outreach (Betty Jo Atkins)This team concerns itself with supporting mission efforts that do not typically fall under our own congregation’s ministry. These may be local, regional, statewide, national, or global in nature. In many cases that support is financial, such as perhaps funding a missionary abroad. It may also sometimes be more personal, like forming a work trip to a devastated area of our nation.Worship & Music (Steve Franko)The worship & music team concerns itself with providing for the worship and music aspects of our congregation, and considers not only present needs but future directions for forms of and tools for worship. There are practical matters like making sure ushering and children’s sermons are covered, resourcing our choirs and accompanists, making sure candles are stocked, etc. It also, in collaboration with the pastor and music staff, considers weightier matters like the practice and philosophy of worship.

(Note: Nominating team is not listed because at-large members of this team are nominated by previous nominating team and elected at the congregational meeting. Steve Franko is the chairperson this year)

If you would like to be a part of any of these ministries, please contact the chairperson.Come find your place with us as we build God’s Kingdom together!

CONTACT PERSONS

Pastor Doug Abel, (989) 780-2813 (Voice, VM, or Text) Kimberly Wegrzyn, Church Office: (989) 823-7671

Elders

Shelley Abel 780-2817 Kevin Haines 871-3293....................... .............................

Betty Jo Atkins 882-9021 Mark O’Connor 823-8663.................... ..........................

Nicole Baker (917) 776-9546 Bob Rice 652-9474............. ....................................

Lynn Childs 868-4802 Scott Wegrzyn 529-1147......................... ...........................

Steve Franko 823-7590 Dan Johnson, Clerk 823-2525...................... ...................

Deacons

Louanne Campbell 823-3624 Ray Sowden 871-9127............ ..............................

Cherie Herr 823-2094 Tanya Steele............... 823-2278......................... ...............

Mike Kennard, Mod. 823-2192 Carol Swaffer 823-3756........... .............................

Bill Shoop 823-1331 Kimberly Wegrzyn 233-8460........................... .....................

PRAYER CHAINS

Telephone Chain: Louanne Campbell....823-3624

Email Chain: Kimberly Wegrzyn....233-8460

Contact Persons Session Ministry Teams: Administration (Finance & Personnel) Scott Wegrzyn 529-1147 ........................................ Buildings & Grounds Bob Rice 652-9474 ................................................................... Discipleship & Growth Kevin Haines 823-3293 ................................................................. Communication & Publicity Betty Jo Atkins 882-9021 ......................................................... Community Connections Mark O’Connor 823-8663 ............................................................. Mission & Outreach Betty Jo Atkins 882-9021 .................................................................... Nominating Steve Franko 823-7590 .................................................................................. Worship & Music Steve Franko 823-7590 .........................................................................

Deacons Mike Kennard 823-2192 .........................................................................................Youth Cheryl Childs 868-4802 ..............................................................................................Choir (Shared with FUMC) Pat Middlin 545-0948............................................................

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS Session met on Thursday, March 10th, 2016. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting. Pastor Doug Abel was our Moderator

Steve Franko was excused.

Devotions were based on John 13

Minutes of the February 11th Stated Meeting were approved with one correction.

Financial report was received. We are operating in the BLACK after the month of January. If you plan on pledging, but have not yet submitted it, please do so ASAP.

If you can help by paying your part of the apportionment, that fee will be $26.00 per member. Again, this fee is voluntary, trying to replace money paid out of our budget. Checks still made out to the church, but put “apportionment” on memo line.

Communion was served on March 6th. Next communion will be served on April 3rd.

The next 5th Sunday will be May 29th.

Shelley Abel is the new Liaison to the Deacons. Rolls have been redistributed for Care Groups. Some felt they would like to visit prisons to give deacon ministry. Let Kim Wegrzyn know if there is a care request, and she will direct it to the proper Deacon.

The church will be joining the Vassar Chamber of Commerce.

The Worship and Music team has recommended we suspend the children’s message indefinitely due to the lack of children attending consistently.

Worship & Music Committee recommended the purchase of new table runners and pulpit scarves for the sanctuary, and put a cap of $400 on it. Nicole Baker presented samples and will make them as time permits.

Everybody is encouraged to invite friends to our church. If one knows of somebody curious about our church, please invite them to attend a service.

Respectfully submitted,

Dan Johnson

Clerk of Session

First Presbyterian Church

P.O. Box 117

Vassar, MI 48768

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