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First Presbyterian Church 225 North Holcombe, Litchfield, MN 55355 PO Box 6
www.firstpreslitch.org ch: 320-693-3548 Cell: 320-221-0489
AUGUST 2015 NEWSLETTER
Upcoming Events
August 4 Presbytery meeting in
Canby
Wednesday, August 5 Home
Communions 3:30
Sunday August 9 Noisy Can
offering-”Change for Change”
Tuesday August 11 MAM 11:00
AM-1:30 PM; Session 7:00
August 18: 4 PM
CCC mtg
August 23: 2-4 PM Open House at Pastor Gordy &
Julie Rae’s
Sunday September 6 Change
worship time back to 10:00
Sunday September 13 Sunday
School Kickoff at lake-- worship
and potluck picnic
First Presbyterian Church
225 North Holcombe / PO Box 6
Litchfield, MN 55355
Pastor Gordy Pennertz
Website: www.firstpreslitch.org
****Secretary’s email:
Pastor Gordy & Julie Rae
703 West Crescent Lane
Litchfield, MN 55355
1-320-693-3437
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, I get asked often “How are things going at First
Presbyterian?” It is a question that I find harder to answer the
longer I'm in my ministry here. There are good things happening,
but not everything can be reported as good. We have greatly
increased our participation in local missions; our membership rolls
continue to decline due to people moving away or passing away.
We have several opportunities for Spiritual growth through Bible
studies; the numbers in our classes are falling. Our giving to
world missions has increased; we have a hard time finding people
willing to assume leadership positions in the church. You see what
I mean, there are positives and negatives.
I've been challenged in some of my studies to find a vision
for our church. Now I understand all of our committees are
involved in visions and planning, but I'd like to see us resolve to
grow our church. But I'm not talking membership; Spiritual
growth! I will be communicating to our members this fall, asking
for ways we can work together to grow in prayer, in faith, in time
with God. Please consider how the church can touch lives to bring
God closer, and share those ideas with me or the Session. Growth
is important. Numbers are needed to keep the doors open. But, if
our spiritual lives aren't showing growth, perhaps we are missing
God's call in our community.
The peace of God be with you!
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and
rightly so, because your faith is growing more and
more, and the love all of you have for one another
is increasing.” (2 Thessalonians 1: 3 emphasis mine)
Pastor Gordy
“As servants of God, we open our doors wide with the heart of
Jesus welcoming all as children of God. We strive to provide
spiritual growth and support for all through prayer and community
and the acceptance of mutual respect.”
Verse for August: Psalm 111: 1 “Hallelujah! I will give
thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly
of the upright, in the congregation.”
August Communion Servers: Susan, Shirley, Dottie, Wade
Liturgist: Ushers:
2-Stephanie Rech Ann Abramson
9-Stephanie Savoy Amy & Wade Viehauser
16-Amy Viehauser Dwight Barrick
23-Susan Berg Savoys
30-Shirley Brooks Susan Berg
Money Counters: 2-Julie Rae Pennertz & Wade Viehauser
9-Arlyce Dedrickson & Michael Joldersma
16-Jayne Ackman & Shirley Brooks
23-Susan Berg & Beverly Driver
30-Julie Rae Pennertz & Judy Holmes
Worship Committee Sanctuary
Duty
August: Rhonda
September: Julie Rae
October: Jayne Ackman
November: Amy Levinski
December: Rosie Graphenteen
January: David Pennertz
LITURGY FOR JUNE:
2-Psalm 51:1-12 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35
9-Psalm 130 Ephesians 4:25-5:2 John 6:35, 41-51
16-Psalm 111 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58
23-Psalm 84 Ephesians 6:10-20 John 6:56-69
30-Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 James 1:17-27 Mark 1-8, 14-15,
21-23
AUGUST
2-Don Ackman
6-Stephanie Rech
9-Joshua Anderson
11-Emily Perez
25-Orville Reinke
28-Heath Bozonie
29-Dave Boll
COFFEE HOUR
SERVERS
2-Jayne Ackman 9-Lila Lundberg 16-Julie Rae Pennertz 23-Laurie Johnson 30-Serving Unit
Word of the Month:
Canon — A Greek reference to a "reed"
or measuring rule. This pertains to those
writings which are considered to be
sacred or divinely inspired. The books of
the bible are the Canon of the church.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS
The Spring Gathering of Presbyterian Women was held In Lake Crystal this
year. No one from our church was able to attend this year. Julie Hawker from Mankato was the guest speaker. She is the creator of the Tapestry Project. She has been honored with the Woman of the Year Award. Julie left a high-wage job to assume what was at first, part time marketing job with Lloyd Management. As her experience grew, so too did her awareness of challenges that refugee and immigrant families faced after arriving in Mankato. In response, Julie created the Tapestry Project as a community- wide vehicle for welcoming and integrating those families. The accomplishments aren’t what Julie keeps closest to her heart. IT is the man who remarked that it was the first time she had been invited into an American’s home the refugee woman who has taken to calling her as “mama”, and the ones who have shared that family members were lost, left behind or killed during the flight to America. The Fall Women’s Spiritual Retreat will be held Mon & Tues. Sept 28-29 at Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer. The cost is $75 for the two days and includes 3 meals and lodging. Rev. Elaine Boyd will be our program leader. Registration forms can be found in the Memorial Room. Brings friends along with you and take time for yourself for Bible study, worship, fellowship, food and laughter! Ann Abramson, PW Coordinator
PS: Session is giving $100 towards women going to the
retreat, to be divided equally among them.
August Prayer List
1-Jim & Lila Lundberg
2-Amy Levinski
3-Marshall & Dottie
Madsen
4-Jerry Meuleners
5-Emily Morrison
6-Emily Osmundson
7-David & Katie Pennertz
8-Pastor Gordy & Julie Rae
Pennertz
9-Heidi & Richard Pennertz
Ariel, William, Viola,
Rebekah, & Conor
10-Tina Pennertz
11-Scott & Stephanie Rech
12-Orville Reinke
13-Cicily Savoy
14-Stephanie Savoy
15-Kris Torkelson
16-Wade & Amy Viehauser
17-Philip & Leetha Waldron
18-Bill & Bev Barr
19-Lois Beckstrand
20-Rev Mark & Nancy
Chamberlain
21-Dave and Sharon Detert
22-Deb Holmes
23-Rick & Carrie Johnson
24-Russ Joldersma
25-Christa (Pennertz) &
Jacob Joseph
26-Sara & Tyler Schneider
27-Truman Stehr
28-Ann Abramson
29-Don & Jayne Ackman
30-Ryan Ackman
31-Joshua Anderson
"Somebody has said there are only
two kinds of people in the world.
There are those who wake up in the
morning and say, "Good morning,
Lord," and there are those who wake
up in the morning and say,
"Good Lord, it's morning."
“The STORY” Bible Study: We are continuing to take the summer off and will resume in September! Please be watching the September newsletter for information to join us!
Deacons Communion Schedule: August 2: Savannah Joldersma September 6: Harriet Koelln October 4: David Pennertz November 1: Stephanie Rech December 6: Amy Viehauser December 24: Amy Viehauser and help January 2016: David Pennertz...
Ryan Ackman
1112 6th Street, #4
Brookings, SD 57006
“Jesus said, ‘Put God’s kingdom first. Do what He wants you to do.”
Matthew 6:33
NIRV
Pastor Gordy and Julie
Rae invite everyone to
an afternoon get-together
at their “new”ly remodeled
new home on Sunday
afternoon, August 23rd
from 2-4 PM, 703 West Crescent Lane. Come
and enjoy a time of fellowship. It is our
pleasure to have you come. Blessings!!
SESSION MINUTES
Session met July 14, 2015. Members present were: Shirley Brooks, Arlyce Dedrickson, Judy Holmes, and Susan Berg. Absent: Wade Viehauser. The meeting was opened by Pastor Gordy with education from the book by Joan S. Gray, Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers and reciting of the Lord’s Prayer. Home visits and communions were served by Pastor Gordy and Deacons. The fishing trip was a success and the Pastor enjoyed the forum on Washington Island, Wisconsin. The Women’s Spiritual Retreat at Green Lake is September 28-29 and the Session has a $100.00 scholarship available to persons wishing to attend. Communion servers for August 2 are: Wade Viehauser, Shirley Brooks, Judy Holmes, and Dottie Madsen. A letter was received from the Presbytery thanking the church for contributing $1000.00 to the Unified Mission Giving offering and $225.00 to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. There is a need for Sunday School teachers. There is a new Red Box Project starting August 3-22 by the Christian Community Committee. They would appreciate new or almost new children’s books you wish to donate to be given to this project, and also they are
Faithfulness of God
Think about just a few of the
promises God has given us. He’s
promised to love us, forgive us,
fight for us, comfort us, answer our
prayers according to His plan, and
spend eternity with us, to name just
a few. God has never made a
promise that He could not nor
would not keep. That means we
can trust Him with our deepest
secrets, biggest dreams, and
greatest fears. WE can take Him at
His word and move forward in the
direction He’s asked us to do—with
total confidence. Even when it’s
difficult to see God at work in our
circumstances, His faithfulness is our
assurance that He’s not only active
and involved, but He’s using the
situation to bring good into our
lives.
“The Lord will keep His promises.
With love HE takes care of all HE
has made.” Pslam 145:13 NCV
“Though men are false, God is
faithful.” Matthew Henry
“God is faithful; by Him you were
called into the fellowship of His Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:9
“What more powerful
consideration can be thought on
to make us true to God, than the
faithfulness and truth of God to
us?” William Gurnall
“In God’s faithfulness lies eternal
security.” Corrie Ten Boom
collecting glue sticks and crayons for preschoolers. Ladies will be going again to WINGS in August to help make cards. There will be no potluck on the 5th Sunday in August as on September 13 will be Worship on Lake Ripley with a potluck lunch. On September 6th at 9:00 am Sunday school will resume and church will go back to 10 AM. A date has still not been set for the work to start on the front steps of the church. Sue is in contact with the ones doing it. All committee money budget reports need to be in by October 25 and pledge sheets for the congregation will be mailed out with the September newsletter.
Submitted by Bev Driver
“People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the
center of attention.”
CHANGE FOR CHANGE!
On the 2nd Sunday of August, November, February and May, the
Deacons will be sponsoring a loose change offering during the “Praises
from the People” time of morning worship. We are asking people to
bring in their loose change and donate it to the Meeker Area Food shelf. Throughout
the year there are times when the food shelf is in high demand and when it is in
“normal” operations. The deacons felt that if we do a regular collection to donate to
them, it will help throughout the year. Statistics show that the
average household has $90 in loose change lying around the
house. Just think what we could do to help others with just our
loose change!! The food shelf is able to purchase groceries at a
greater discount so our money goes a LONG way. BE PREPARED!
The change buckets will be passed on August 9th. Please empty
your pockets of change and help us make a change in our community! THANK YOU!
“”Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was
about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt."
Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for
tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about.
He said, "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas, just before
a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there
were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned
him toward a vacant pump. "Reverend," said the young man, "I'm
so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last
minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I
know what you mean. It's the same in my business."
We are in need of Sunday school teachers and helpers
for the upcoming school year. PLEASE prayerfully
consider taking on this rewarding job. We are looking at
rotating teachers and if we get enough it will be only
once a month that you would have to teach. Let Julie Rae
know if you would be willing to reach out to our young people. Thank you.
Ladies! Don’t forget that in September we will
be back to our study on “Women of the Bible”
and what we can learn from their lives and
apply to our own. Our first meeting will be on
Monday, September 28th
at 7 PM at church.
