“ Together We Serve”

Office — Mon-Friday 9:00 AM—1:00 PM

813-782-7412 — Fax: 813-782-4352

E-mail: firstpcz@verizon.net // Web site: firstpcz.org

Church Staff

The Rev. John W. Caster, Pastor

Home phone: 813-779-4394

e-mail: revjwcaster@yahoo.com

Debbie Edwards, Director of Music

Jason Edwards, Choir Director

Dell Anderson — Church Office Administrator

Vacancy — Clerk of Session

Mark Freeman — Youth Leader

Tracy Clemmer — Nursery Attendant

Session

Class of 2014

Yvonne Daume

Mark Edwards

Tim Franke

Class of 2015

Joanne Combs

Audrell Howard

John Wilcher

Class of 2016

Megan Hall

Robert Harmsen

Charles Pugh

Deacons

Class of 2014

Fran Crum

Kay Haas

Tom Hannold

Class of 2015

Sharon Harmsen

David Reifsteck

Rebecca Rognas

Class of 2016

Anne Brothers

Linda Lawson

Suzann Parrish

February, 2014

The First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills

5510 19th St. Zephyrhills, FL 33542

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Tampa, Florida

PERMIT # 7801

Address Service Requested

Delivered especially

for you!

February, 2014

The F.R.E.S.H. Youth will be

serving soup & sandwiches for the Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday, Febru-ary 2, 2014. We will join young people in churches across the country to collect canned goods & money for those who are hungry and hurting. In 2013, $7.47 million was collected by Souper Bowl of Caring participants for local charities. All of the canned goods & money collected

is donated to our food pantry - none of the money is sent to the Souper Bowl of Car-ing headquarters. Organizers only ask that each participant report their collection so national totals can be determined and announced. Since the Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990, more than $98 million has gone to help people in need. Please sup-port the youth of our church in this effort to “love our neighbors” by joining us for the Souper Bowl of Caring on February 2 following Worship.

Choir Roast Beef Dinner, Saturday, February 22

The choirs of First Presbyterian Church will be holding their annual Roast Beef Din-ner on February 22nd. Tickets will be sold in advance only. No tickets will be sold at the door. Menu is: roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, salad, dinner roll, dessert. Yumm… See Debbie Edwards or Jason Edwards for tickets.

A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. John W. Caster February, 2014

For everything there is a season, and a time

for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is

planted

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Most of you will have received a version of this notice: On January 11 I notified the session that I will retire, effective April 1, 2014. My final day at First Presbyterian Church will be March 31. Lynda will retire, as well, and we expect to move from Florida to Ohio shortly thereafter.

You are aware that a little more than two years ago I suffered a major heart attack that I almost didn’t survive. At that time I thought about retir-ing, but it didn’t seem like it was the right time, either for Lynda and I, or for the congregation. But, now, two years later, it is the right time.

In the past two years we have accomplished a great deal. We have begun new ministries and reached out in creative ways to our neighbor-hood. I am proud of the ministry we have done together here. You are ready to move on to new opportunities in ministry and mission.

I have appreciated the love and support of the congregation in my six years of ministry here in Zephyrhills. We value the friendships we have made and appreciate all you have done for us in these years together. Although we may remain friends, please understand, when I have retired I will no longer be able to be in any pastoral rela-tionship with anyone in the congregation.

The transition process has already begun. The session will hire an interim pastor to guide you through the transition and eventual call of your next pastor. An interim pastor search committee of the session has already been elected. The Presbytery of Tampa Bay, through the Commis-sion on Ministry and Interim Executive Presbyter Rev. Nancy Kahaian, will help to guide the church through this process. The interim pastor

search committee is: Ruling Elders Megan Hall (Chairperson), Bob Harmsen, Charles Pugh, and John Wilcher.

I am confident that with the strong lay leadership that is in place, the ministry and outreach of First Presbyterian Church will continue uninterrupted.

We still have some time to say our goodbyes. Lynda and I will be around until the end of March. There will be a number of occasions where we will have an opportunity to share our thoughts as we end our time together.

At the next meeting of the Tampa Bay Presbytery

on February 8 at the Grace Presbyterian Church

in Spring Hill, the Presbytery will vote to grant me

the status of “Honorably Retired.” Everyone who

would like to be there is invited to attend.

In response to numerous requests, I can say this emphatically: “Yes, Macie is coming with me! Sorry, she can’t stay.”

May God bless us all as Lynda and I (and Macie) move to the next phase of our lives and the church moves on to a new pastoral relationship and new adventures in ministry.

We thank God for all the members and friends of First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills.

Faithfully, John & Macie

MACIE will be dressed like this next winter in Ohio!

Phoebe Kay Haas

Moderator

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

TO EVERYONE

Mon., Feb.3 Leader's Meeting 1:30PM Tues., Feb.4 Joint Circle Meeting 7:00PM Wed., Feb.12 Crafts 1:00PM Sat., Feb.15 PW Annual Gathering 9:00AM Trinity Presbyterian Church Clearwater Sun., Feb.23 Installation of Officers 10:00AM Wed., Feb.26 Crafts 1:00PM

Please note that Circles this month are combined. Bible Study will be held along with a couple of short but fun activities. We will hold election of officers at this time.

The PW Annual Gathering is open to all women. It is a wonderful day opening with a Worship Service followed by Election of District Officers and their Installation. Registrations have to be made before Feb. 8th. Any one interested in attending should see Kay or Maggie as soon as possible. Registration fee is $8.00 which includes lunch.

PW has started collecting empty prescrip-tion pill bottles. Leave them on the PW table in the Fellowship Hall. Remember we still collect can tabs, used postage stamps, and soup labels. They can be left on that table also.

We would love to see some new faces at these events.

* IMPORTANT NOTICE * I will on longer be chairing the Craft Group as I have for the last 18 years. I am now the Modera-tor of Deacons and now feel that there is anoth-er VERY CAPABLE person out there in the Congre-gation that would be good at the position of Craft Chairperson. The group will still be meeting the 2nd and 4th Wed. of each month. I will still

handle the crafts at the Bazaar if that person so wishes. I will help them in any way possible and try to attend when my time allows.

Sincerely, Kay Haas (813)788-3454//Cell — 813 469-2225 e-mail: khaas5@tampabay.rr.com

Drumming For Dreams

The Shining Lights Sunday School class of First Presbyterian Church is a community partner with Woodland Elementary School through Drumming for Dreams. This is a program based on three princi-ples: Listen, Focus, Respect. Not only is this taught and reinforced in drumming, but it is connected to their home life, academic life and their social con-tacts.

There is a group of 25 students waiting for the pro-gram to get started. Teacher mentors have volun-teered to mentor about a third of the students. In order to continue the program, mentors are needed. These are 9, 10 & 11 year old kids that would bene-fit from a relationship with an adult role model.

A school psychologist has agreed to meet with any-one interested to help guide them in conversation as a mentor. Please see Debbie (organist) to volun-teer, ask questions, etc. These are sweet kids that may just be having a rough time at home; divorce, single parent, etc. Once we have a group of inter-ested persons, a date will be set to meet with the psychologist for a question and answer time.

The Church Office will be closed

on Monday, February 17.

From the

Deacons’ Corner

Happy Valentine’s

Day to you all! The Deacons, are excited

about opportunities to serve our Lord, our congregation and

our community in 2014!

Each February we ask our congregation to help stock our Food Pantry by filling grocery bags with

items that are used each month. After Worship on Febru-ary 9 and 16, gro-cery bags (with a printout of the items needed) will be handed out as you leave Church.

Please remember to pick up as many of

the items on the list as possible, and return the bag Sunday, February 23. This is a tremendous Bless-ing for our Food Pantry! In January we served 64 families - 2 were new. Everyone we meet on Food Pantry Day is always so thankful for the assistance; it is indeed a privilege to help God’s children on this journey.

Lenten Lunches begin on Ash Wednesday, March 5

th at noon! This is such an important time of inspi-

ration (guest Speaker); delicious soup, sandwich, dessert and drink and fine fellowship! This is the Deacons’ only fundraiser. Soon there will be a sign-up sheet that will offer opportunities for everybody to get involved and help by making soup, stuffing sandwiches, baking a cake, washing dishes, etc. Please mark your calendars and join us each Wednesday during Lent as we are fed spiritually and physically. Bring your friends and neighbors!

As always, we appreciate your help and your pray-ers; please be assured that you are in our prayers as well.

In Christian Love,

Kay Haas, Moderator

813-788-3454

813-469-2225

khaas5@tampabay.rr.com

Supper Club meets Saturday, February 8

at 5:00 PM at Maine-ly New England located off St. Rd. 54 in Zephyrhills. RSVP to Sue Reffit at 813 783 1299 by Noon on Thursday, February 6.

. Charles and Rosalyn Pugh wish to thank everyone for their pray-ers and concerns re-garding their grandson,

Joe Soueidan. He recently had surgery and is re-covering nicely.

HELP WANTED

Clerk of Session Volunteer opportunity for an organized, de-tail-oriented person. Keep the session rec-ords including minutes, membership rec-ords, and correspondence. Must have basic computer skills. For more infor-mation, please contact Rev. Caster.

A Retirement Dinner is be-ing planned for Rev. John and Lynda Caster for Sun-day, March 16.

Watch for details.

Mary Andersen/Daughter of Maggie Andersen April Martin Jean Basnight Family/Sister of Rosalyn Pugh Claudia Kopp McBee/Art Kopp’s daughter Scott and Elizabeth Beckley/friends of Mary Jackson Ruth McCall/Daughter of Martha McLaughlin Richard Beiling Gordon and Joyce McDonagh Kenneth Conrad Martha McLaughlin Stu Daume Jim Melton/Brother of Suzann Parrish Donna Engelbrecht Lee Mosher/Nephew of Anna Angelo Jeff Franke Ruth Mullen Mardell Franke Brian Murch Harriet Headworth Suzann Parrish Todd Hilbrandt/Son of John and Shirley Hilbrandt Joe Soueidan/Grandson of Rosalyn Nancy and Ken Keslar/Daughter/son-in-law and Charles Pugh of Donna Brooking

Pray for those in Nursing Homes:

Reba Carlson/Westbrook Manor — John Roberts/Royal Oaks-Dade City — Irene Finn/Heartland Joe Horak/West Winds Assisted Living — Don Edwards/Zephyrhills Health & Rehab.

Pray for those in the Armed Forces:

LSC(SS) Matthew E. Edwards/Mark and Debbie Edwards’ son — HE1(SW/AW) Jamie Edwards/Mark and Debbie Edwards’ daughter-in-law — Sr. Airman Jason Haas/Phoebe Kay Haas’ grandson Major Craig Young/Jack and Dianne Young’s son

04 Mary Ellen Badgero 16 Stoy Daume 05 Bill Hughes 16 Marilyn Wood 07 Maggie Andersen 19 Maxine Stevens 08 Joann Wuerfel 22 Jack Young 08 Joni Roberts 23 Vera Wilson 12 Donna Engelbrecht 23 Janet Horak 14 Lillian Inglis 23 Rosanne Vogel

13 Gordon and Joyce McDonagh 54 Years 24 Roger and Rebecca Rognas 46 Years 26 Joe and Anna Angello 21 Years

Prayer List

Stephen Ministry Leader's Training

Course

I departed after church Sunday, January 12, and ar-rived in Orlando for my week of leadership training. The place was bustling with Christians of many de-

nominations from 37 states and Canada. I immediately met people from Kansas, South Dakota, Alabama, Indiana, and Georgia. During the week I met people from Colorado, Wis-consin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, California, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland and, Tennessee and Canada. From so many places, we were all there together in Christ with the pur-pose of furthering our ability to listen to others' difficulties in a totally confidential and nonjudgmental way - just listen and chat, and pray and read scripture if the person desires that.

What we all had set out to do was learn to assist others in Christ, but to our delight and surprise, Christ visited our hearts too, and many of us had a tearful celebration with Him and each other.

So we all left with a great fulfillment ourselves and an enhanced ability to be Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders who can help run the Stephen Ministries at our own churches. There are more than 150 denominations with Stephen Ministry and 10,000 churches worldwide. More than a million people who had trials that seemed overwhelming have been nurtured and pulled out of the hole of sadness and overwhelming concern by Christ's love.

I want to thank the people of First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills for your love and support of our church's ongoing Stephen Ministry, and if you know anyone who might need a good confidential listener, let us know. Fliers that encourage people to call someone who cares are under the bulletin board in the coffee fellowship room; please take one.

Roy Marks, a Stephen Ministry Leader

POTTER … Prayer on Thursdays at Ten Equals Renewal… “God’s Little Devotional Bible” tells of a little shepherd

boy watching his sheep one Sunday morning and hear-

ing church bells ringing. He wanted to communicate with

God but didn’t know how to pray – so “he began reciting

the alphabet – A to Z - repeating his ‘prayer’ several

times.” The story goes on to say a man passing by asked the boy what he was doing and he told

him he didn’t know how to pray. The boy thought by saying all he knew, God could put the letters

together and spell what he wanted to say: asking God to take care of him and help him to care for

the sheep. • When we go to God in prayer, we needn’t worry if we don’t know what to say – “…He

can put your thoughts and feelings together and send you the answer you need, even when you

don’t know what you need.” • Wherever we are, or whatever we are doing, each Thursday at 10

a.m., let’s pause and pray.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Deacons to pass out

9th &

16th

Ministry Team Re-

ports are due on the

9th//Newsletter Dead-

line is on the 16th

1 Fellowship Hall is

reserved

2 8:30 Adult Study

10:00 Worship/

Communion

11:00 Souper Bowl

Ministry Teams meet

3 Presbyterian Wom-

en Leaders meet at

1:30 PM

Handbells 4:30 PM

Cub Scouts 6:30 PM

4 Presbyterian

Women/Joint Circles

meeting.

7:00 PM

5 9:30 SM training

5:30 REFRESH

6:00 Classes

7:00 Bible Study

7:00 Choir

6 7 8 Presbytery

Spring Hill/JWC re-

tirement

5:00 PM Supper Club

Maine-ly New Englnd

9 8:30 Adult Study

10:00 Worship/3¢

11:00 Coffee Fellow-

ship/Annual meeting

of the Congregation

10

Handbells 4:30 PM

Cub Scouts 6:30 PM

11 12 1:00 Crafts

2:30 Deacons meet

5:30 REFRESH

6:00 Classes

7:00 Bible Study

7:00 Parents REFRESH

13 10:00 AM

Food Pantry

7:00 Stephen

Ministers

14 15 Presbyterian

Women’s Annual

Meeting/ Clearwater

16 8:30 Adult Study

10:00 Worship

11:00 Coffee Fellow-

ship

11:45 Session meets

17 OFFICE IS

CLOSED/

PRESIDENTS’ DAY

Handbells 4:30 PM

Cub Scouts 6:30 PM

18 19 10:00 SM

5:30 REFRESH

6:00 Classes

7:00 Bible Study

7:00 Choir

20 21 22 Choir Roast Beef

Dinner

23 8:30 Adult Study

10:00 Worship/Food

Pantry Collection/

Deacon Bags are

returned

11:00 Coffee Fellow-

24

Handbells 4:30 PM

Cub Scouts 6:30 PM

25 26 1:00 Crafts

5:30 REFRESH

6:00 Classes

7:00 Bible Study

27

7:00 Stephen

Ministers

28

First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills 5510 19th Street, Zephyrhills, FL 33542

(813)782-7412 Fax (813)782-7412 February, 2014 Website: www.firstpcz.org