Mason First Presbyterian Church

You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the

apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-20

September 2019

What Are Your Gifts?

September 15!

Session Synopsis

Returning from a summer break, Session examined and accepted the Hammond family into membership and bap�sm. The congrega�on

can welcome Tim and Emelia to Ac�ve membership, Calvin to the Bap�zed roll and the bap�sm of infant daughter Josephine at the

September 15th worship service.

At the end of July the General Fund balance showed a $9,559 surplus with an all accounts balance of $196,388, total assets of $659,741,

and a loan balance of $311,733.

The Deacons reported gathering materials and dona�ons for the Back-to-School backpack program was on track to meet the demands of

the selected students.

The Personnel Commi4ee will resume year round evalua�ons of church staff. In September that will include evalua�ons of the Worship

Accompanist, Youth Music Director and the Sexton.

The Spiritual Growth Commi4ee is looking for addi�onal teachers for the growing number of upper elementary church youth as the school

season soon begins.

The Administra�on Commi4ee recommended and Session approved payment of the $8,500+ HVAC April/May repairs from the Webb

Fund. The Webb Fund is designated for major facility repairs and improvements. The repair bill otherwise exceeded the General Fund

Maintenance 2019 budget and was less than the insurance deduc�ble. Es�mates are forthcoming for LED light replacement of the

Memorial room and Sanctuary ligh�ng. The recessed lights in the Memorial Room and Sanctuary will remain off unless those spaces are

occupied aAer failure and a near fire of one of the exis�ng light fixtures that is now disconnected.

The GIFT team is interested in friends and members willing to learn more of their personal spiritual giAs and spiritual styles. Evalua�on tests

and tools are available to be4er understand the giAs and styles of others to enrich the church and spiritual experience.

The Finance Commi4ee completed a review of 2018 finances and reported all procedures and records are in good order. A presenta�on of

overall church finances is being prepared for the educa�on of the congrega�on. Next month Session will con�nue review of proposed

changes to the Higher Educa�on Policy to assure adequate annual scholarship funds without deple�ng invested fund resources.

The final ac�on of the Session was the appointment of Jenny Bond to represent the church on the U-Kirk Board of Directors.

Bruce F Archer

Clerk of Session

Mason First Presbyterian Church

Thanks to all who helped to support the Back to School Project! With your dona�ons, we were able to help kids start the school year off

with a backpack, supplies and an ouHit.

As summer is winding down, we are shiAing our focus to the Coats for Kids project. If you see any winter wear items (hats, coats, mi4ens,

snow pants, boots, etc.), please consider buying them for this great cause. We also can accept gently used coats, snow pants and boots.

In no �me, we will be geKng started on our Christmas Basket project. Monetary dona�ons would be greatly appreciated to support our

work.

Please remember that on the last Sunday of the month to bring two canned goods with your 2 Cents a Meal dona�on! Our food pantry is

currently running low on pasta, pasta sauce, cereal and jam/jelly.

Take a minute and do something for someone you do not know! We are not called to help just the people we know, but everyone in need

of encouragement. Be a blessing today!

BE The Gospel in Ac�on!

Deacons’ Corner

Mason First Presbyterian Church

Spiritual Growth

SPIRITUAL GROWTH FALL 2019

YOUTH PROGRAMS DATES!!!!

Camp Greenwood Family Camp September 6-8th

Wonderful Wednesday starts September 11th

Sunday school kick-off/potluck September 15th

“Many Hands” all youth mission trip October 2ND

Montreat in Michigan 8-12th

grade October 5th

Urban Plunge 6th

-12th

grade mission trip November 1-3rd

Presbytery of Lake Michigan event at November 17th

“Climb Kalamazoo”. All youth ages.

Nursery – (infants to 2 years old) – (offered during Sunday worship service 9:45am-11:30am in the upstairs educa�on wing)

We love our nursery-aged children! And our church family is blessed to have Livvy Henderson working in the nursery again, as

well as, rota�ng teens. Our “Deep Blue Kids” curriculum has take-home Bible story picture cards for nursery children. These

picture cards include ways to share your faith and simple prayers for toddlers. The Fall theme is “In God’s image” and the

verses are Genesis 1:26-2:4 – God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good.

Kid’s Church – (ages 5rd grade and younger) – (children are dismissed during the Sunday worship service to the upstairs

educa�on wing)

Kid’s church includes healthy snacks and fun craAs! Age appropriate small lessons are offered each week along with craAs that

complement our Sunday school curriculum, or seasonal themes. Many church service/mission projects are also accomplished

during this FUN young children's fellowship �me.

Pre-K through Kindergarten Sunday School- (ages 3 years-K) (following the Sunday worship service 11:15am-12:15pm in the

upstairs educa�on wing)

Parents of this age group can download the FREE Deep Blue Bible Storybook App and watch Bible stories come alive in 3D ani-

ma�on!

Elementary Sunday School– (following the Sunday worship service 11:15am-12:15am in the downstairs educa�on room)

Parents of this age group can download the FREE Deep Blue Adventures App and check out what we are learning each week on

the Parent Portal feature. There are also children’s games that reinforce the scripture verses and lessons!

The theme of the 2019/20 “Deep Blue Kids” curriculum is “Loving God, Loving Neighbor”. Although the Scope and Sequence is

the same for PreK - Elementary, all lessons are age- appropriate. Star�ng this Fall, our New Testament lessons focus on how

faith communi�es welcome, accept, forgive, and work together as one to grow in love for one another and God. And our Old

Testament stories will help the children learn about community founda�ons, and stories that shaped our faith communi�es.

You can review the en�re program at deepbluekids.com!

Submerge-(older elementary – tweens) (following the Sunday worship service 11:15am-12:15am in the downstairs youth

fellowship room)

This new class for older elementary/middle school youth allows students to read more of the Bible, enter into stories through

improvisa�onal drama, deep discussion and crea�ve ac�vi�es. Each youth is equipped with a “sketch & jot” journal that en-

courages reflec�on, art, and prayer. And the “submerge magazine” that asks student to make connec�ons between

biblical faith and modern culture.

Wonderful Wednesday! – (ages K – 12th grade) – (children come aAer school, the program concludes with a community dinner at

6:30pm)

WELCOME BACK TO WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY! Snack/Play�me – 4:00-4:45, Music 4:45-5:15, Educa�on 5:30-6:30, and

Dinner 6:30. Ms. Darlene will be direc�ng the youth music again this year. We can look forward to youth of all ages ringing

handbell/chimes and singing. Educa�on �me will be a con�nua�on of the Sunday school theme of “Loving your Neighbor,”

both locally and also faith communi�es from around the world.

Mason First Presbyterian Church

Youth Fellowship–

For 2019, we are exploring the concept of a combined teen fellowship �me with other churches from the Mason area. **Dates

and �mes of Fellowship and the con�nua�on/conclusion of Confirma�on Class will be announced soon.

**Be sure to fill out a new Parental Release Form for 2019/20.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Adult Sunday School – (Following worship from 11:20-12:15 in the library)

September 15th is the potluck and Fall kickoff during the Sunday school hour.

Please join the Adult Sunday school class star�ng September 22nd aAer worship for a study on the book “Everybody Always:

Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People” by Bob Goff.

Finance

Financial Report through July 2019

General Fund Balance (1/1/19)

$ 0

Income through July 167,589.32

Expenses through July 158,029.93

Ending Balance (7/31/19) $ 9,559.39

General Fund Balance 6/30/19

$ 9559.39

Revolving Accounts Balance 186,829.09

Investments (end of 2nd quarter 2019) 463,352.47

Net Financial Posi�on (7/31/19) $ 659,740.95

An�cipated Pledged Giving

through July

$141,001

Pledged Giving Received

through July

$141,807

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE

from August 26

TOTAL MORTGAGE $ 900,000.00

MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT $ 5,231.67

REMAINING PRINCIPAL $ 307,611.46

INTEREST PAID FOR SEPTEMBER $ 1,070.42

TOTAL INTEREST PAID TO DATE $ 51,949.51

PAYMENTS REMAINING 66

PLEDGED TO DATE (2018-2020) $ 562,941.00

RECEIVED TO DATE $ 335,540.00

Mason First Presbyterian Church

Please remember the following in your prayers

Parish Life

Bev Dufort Banks

Chris Carlson

Chloë ChaHield

David Dunham

Ray Elton

Erin Fallucca

Lynn Grove

Trina Hancock

Brian Hunt

Keith Kline

Zach Krisiak

Allene Kussin

Marie Lyon

Michael Okones

Rebecca Purcell

Carol Quinn

Carolyn Sexton

Kelsie Walters

Allison Weaver

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

September 15th is the annual potluck picnic at the church to celebrate the beginning of our fall activities

and the return of members and friends who have been away for the summer!

Chef Tom Seely will be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs to add to the yummy salads and desserts everyone will

bring, if they’re able.

Put this on your refrigerator so you won’t forget - you don’t want to miss this time of fellowship!!!

Birthdays in

September

Walt Fry 9/01

Eleanor Simpson 9/07

Jenny Bond 9/09

Suzie Threadgould 9/10

Sandra Wright-Auge 9/11

Linda Shaw 9/13

Marla St. George 9/16

Verlin Cook 9/18

Jerry Richards 9/18

Mike Cantrell 9/22

Marge Clarke 9/23

Shirley Kline 9/25

Colin Pinches 9/27

Rebecca Cornish 9/28

Wayne Komejan 9/28

Chris McElhone 9/30

CAMP GREENWOOD

CHURCH-FAMILY CAMP

Join your church family this September 6th, 7th and 8th for

fun and fellowship. Camp Greenwood

con�nues to be a valued church tradi�on and it’s a way for

our congrega�on and friends of all ages to share the best in

life together.

Thanks to our church’s commitment and sponsorships, some

of the cost of a4ending this camp is paid by the church. The

cost is $20 per person with children under 5 free

Sign up outside the office door beginning August 4th

or for more informa�on,

contact Tom Seely

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

A new 10-week grief support group for widows and widowers that

provides emo6onal and spiritual support in a safe, confiden6al,

non-judgmental se:ng is being formed now. Mee6ngs will start in

mid-September and are held at the First United Methodist Church.

For more details, see the flyer posted outside the office.

We’re looking for a couple

of gently used CD players

to replace a few that no

longer work!

First Presbyterian Church

131 E. Maple Street

Mason, Michigan 48854-1655

517.676.9333

Bulle4n Submissions are due by noon every Wednesday. Submissions for The Cornerstone are due: Noon on the 15th day of every month.

Please be prompt. Late submissions may not be honored.

Mason First Presbyterian Church MINISTERS - All Members

PASTOR - Rev. Bill Pinches

PARISH ASSOCIATE - Rev. Dr. Fred Graham

PASTOR EMERITUS - Rev. Charlie Herrick

OFFICE MANAGER - Sheren Wright

SPIRITUAL GROWTH DIRECTOR - Lori Filka

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP LEADER - Sarah Fay-Simons

ADULT SPIRITUAL GROWTH COORDINATOR

Michelle Mackey

SANCTUARY CHOIR DIRECTOR - Deb Melse

ORGANIST, BELL CHOIR and CHILDREN’S CHOIR

DIRECTOR - Darlene Ross

CHOIR ACCOMPANIST - Hrant Bagrazyan

ELDERS:

2019 - Travis Archer, Jenny Bond,

Lucinda Davenport.

2020 - Jason Blonshine, Debbie Markiewicz,

Mary Ozee, Steve Sowles.

2021 - Doreen Chapman, Ginnie Gibson, Rod Guy,

Tonya Seely.

Clerk: Bruce Archer

DEACONS:

2019 - Bill Friend, Linda Myall, Linda Peterson,

Marla St. George.

2020 - Diane DeVoe, Sandy Diehl,

Kathy Oesterle, Debbie Shellenbarger

2021 - Ann Butler, Laurie McGonigal,

Colin Pinches, Chuck Shaub, Peg Shaub

WORSHIP AT

MASON FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sunday morning: Worship begins at 10:00 followed by a fellowship hour. Sunday School for all ages - September through May. Noon every Wednesday: A 20-minute medita6ve prayer service.

Mason First Presbyterian Church

Find the latest, up-to-date church calendar at masonpresbyterian.org

Celebrating 160 Years

of Ministry and Service in Mason

1859 - 2019

THE SANCTUARY CHOIR IS BACK! Come and sing! We have a seat for you! The choir rehearses every Wednesday evening from 7:15 to 8:30 PM. No music reading skills are required! It’s a great way to worship and spread the word of the Lord. See Deb Melse or any choir member for more information!