The Ambassador - Stillwater First Presbyterian · Director of hildren and Youth comings and goings of the Saturday ... It is that energy and ... Food Pyramid Retail Recovery Program/Storehouse

www.stillwaterfpc.org 1

The Ambassador

2 Upcoming Events

3 Letter from Leah

6 Summer Sermon Series

6 YAV Update

8 Mission Trip Report

11 From the Organ Bench

12 Summer Worship Schedule

16 Summer Sunday Fellowship

A publication of First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, OK What’s INSIDE

AJS Honduras Presentation Sunday, July 23

See page 2 for details

J U N E 2 0 1 7 volume 59 • number 6

Summer Worship Schedule

One Service at 9:30 am Through August 13 See page 12 for details

Mission Trip Report Pages 8 and 9

Summer Sunday Fellowship Time

See back cover for details

The August Ambassador deadline is Thursday, August 3rd. Ambassador news may be sent to: [email protected]

Summer Sermon Series See page 6 for details

Meeting God in the Land of Lakes and Bayous

PYG Summer Activities Taco Tuesdays and more!


“Our Middle East Christian Family” Presentation by Rev. Gordon Edwards

Wednesday, July 12, 2:00 pm See page 7 for details

Summer Choir Date Set Sunday, August 6



The MESSENGER volume 7 • number 6

First Presbyterian Church Staff

Pastor Leah R. Hrachovec [email protected]

Interim Associate Pastor Deborah Meinke [email protected]

Director of Children and Youth Jenna Campbell [email protected]

Church Administrator Magdalena Vinson [email protected]

Finance/Office Assistant Mary Beth Garoffolo [email protected] Church Treasurer Arletta Webster [email protected] Director of Music/Organist Rebecca te Velde [email protected] Contemporary Music Coordinator Steve Foust [email protected] Coordinator of Older Adult Ministry Kelly McCarley [email protected] Youth Ministry Assistants Wyeth Leslie [email protected] Brianna Birsner [email protected] Childcare Coordinator Sarah Priest [email protected] Preschool Director Dana Brown [email protected] Custodian Mike Flowers Building Supervisor Peter Thomas [email protected]

Upcoming Events

Kitchen Manager Meeting

A brief meeting of all the Saturday Brunch kitchen managers will be Sunday, July 16 at 11:00 am in the library. This will be a chance for the managers to get together and discuss the comings and goings of the Saturday Brunch. If you are a Kitchen Manger please put this on your calendar and let Nancy Franklin ([email protected]) know whether you will be able to attend. Bring your thoughts concerning the brunch and any suggestions for improvements.

The Association for a More Just Society (AJS) is a Christian organization that, as a result of its fearless efforts to stand up for victims of violence, and government corruption in Honduras, is increasingly being recognized – both by Christian groups and secular agencies such as Transparency International and the United Nations—as a pioneer in the practice of achieving justice for the poor. AJS faithfully works in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Tegucigalpa and in the last 10 years has witnessed the crime rate decrease by over 75%. In addition to working to fight against soaring crime in communities, AJS is taking steps towards peace and public security on a national level through a public security reform process. Last year our congregation made a contribution to the work of AJS and one of our members, Scott Johnson, is a member of the board of AJS in the United States. On Sunday, July 23 a staff member of AJS will make a presentation after church in Fellowship Hall. Please plan to attend the regular Sunday Fellowship Hour and learn a little about what it means to be a brave Christian in today’s world.

Fellowship Time Presentation: Sunday, July 23, 10:30 am

Association for a More Just Society

2nd Mile Sewing has experienced the demise of one of our sewing machines. We would welcome the donation of a sewing machine (at least zig-zag capability), if someone has an extra machine or no longer needs one. Please contact Jane Durham at 405-372-7096. Thanks!

mailto:[email protected]


volume 59 • number 6 The Ambassador

Faith Quote

“There's really no such thing as the 'voiceless'. There are only the deliberately

silenced, or the preferably unheard.”

~ Arundhati Roy, Sydney Peace Prize Lecture

Indian author Arundhati Roy was the winner of the Sydney Peace Prize in 2004. She rejected the notion that she was representing the voiceless, instead making sure it was understood that the supposed “voiceless” are actually the “unheard” or the “silenced.”

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it…..” (Psalm 24:1)

It was quick, but several months ago, some digging started happening on the west side of the parking lot at FPC. The work blocked the west driveway off Duck Street for the better part of a week or so, but otherwise, it didn’t interfere much with our common life together. Not many people outside our Board of Trustees and the Session knew what was happening.

One of our geothermal wells underground had sprung a leak! Almost 10 years ago, the leaders of the building campaign that led the construction of the Fellowship Hall also had a vision for the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system under the parking lot, a linked system of 250 wells that takes water down into the earth and heats or cools the water (depending on the season) to around 55 degrees. This temperate water assists our HVAC system so that it does not have to work as hard to reach comfortable indoor temperatures.

Because of the Trustees’ energy audit this year (thank you, Trustees, and you, who helped fund this assessment!) we found out that fixing that one leak helped us get our geothermal system in full working order, and this one fix saves us nearly $6,000 per year in heating and cooling expenses (the whole system offsets even more heating and cooling costs.) More importantly, a geothermal system is one of many ways that we live into our commitment to be a “Creation Care” congregation, as we commit daily to caring for God’s creation by using our natural resources as wisely and creatively as we can.

This summer, our Cimarron Presbytery (along with the majority of other PCUSA presbyteries) voted to add “caring for God’s creation” to the present list of ways in which a faithful member of a congregation seeks to be involved responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s Church (Book of Order G-1.0304).

As part of exploring this Christian commitment, Interim Associate Pastor Deb Meinke and I invite you to journey with us in a summer sermon series “A Season for Creation.” See p. 6 for more on this series. Summer is a time when many of us experience the beauty and joy of being out a little more in God’s wondrous creation. Now is the time to turn toward this aspect of our discipleship, and how we may deepen our relationship with God as we care for all that God has made.

A Letter from Leah



PYG Schedule Taco Tuesday Schedule -

meet us there from noon to 1:00 pm!

June 27: Old School Bagel

July 11: Thai Loco

July 18: Pie Five

July 25: Qdoba

Summer Mondays at the Movies -

showtimes and movie selections TBD

June 26

July 31

Summer Swim Party Coming in July!! (date TBD)

Jenna and Casey Campbell’s

3602 W. Fountain View Ct.

Stillwater, OK 74074

SpiritLink Birthdays

Happy Birthday to these SpiritLink kids!

July 28: Lily Jones

PYG Birthdays

Happy Birthday to these PYGers!

July 9: Kaylee Lovern July 12: Joel Lanners July 14: Sofie Jones July 15: Audrey White August 9: Mandy Blackburn

Youth – Do you have a heart for service? We are excited to be focusing on a service weekend

planned for November and we are looking for youth (and

adults who are interested!) who are passionate about

serving others to help make plans for this special service

weekend. If you know of a need in the Stillwater area

where we could make an impact, or if you would like to

be a part of the detail work of putting together this

important weekend centered on serving our local

community, please let Jenna Campbell know!

Write to our Dwight Mission summer campers!

We had a great group of 10 campers attend Dwight Mission already this summer. Please keep them and those who will be attending future weeks of camp in your prayers as they grow in their faith through the transformative Dwight Mission experience.

Margaux Melancon: July 9 -15

Also keep Katharine Nipp in your prayers as she spends the summer at Dwight as a counselor! If you would like to write to Katharine or any of our campers, you can do so at:

Camper Name

Dwight Mission

100995 S. 4590 Rd.

Vian, OK 74962



Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! It is a joy to be back in Stillwater and such a privilege to once again serve this congregation. For those I already know here – I look forward to reconnecting with you! And to those I have yet to meet – I look forward with anticipation to being in ministry with you and sharing the Spirit together.

I am grateful for the Spirit’s leading my family back to this place we love. This congregation is vibrant and full of passionate, faith-filled disciples who are eager to use their God-given gifts for the building up of the kingdom. It is that energy and enthusiasm for ministry, coupled with the intentionality and hard work that has already gone into the youth and children’s program, that shows the investment this congregation is willing to make in the lives of young people in Stillwater.

Though this position’s title has not changed, the responsibilities have shifted to focus more on equipping and resourcing volunteers in their ministry roles. While I will certainly be present at many of the children and youth events, my focus will now be on preparing leaders in the church to be successful in their ministry with children and youth. This shift will be different for me – and for the church – but I believe that it will create a more healthy, sustainable way of doing ministry and will impact more kids’ lives through a strong team of equipped leaders than I could ever reach on my own.

My husband Casey and daughters Reese (age 8) and Emmy (age 5) and I are grateful for such a warm “welcome home” from all of you. Our hearts (and our pantry!) are full from the love you’ve shown to us already in these first few weeks. Thank you so much.

I’m looking forward to serving the Lord with each of you!

Peace, Jenna Campbell

Director of Children and Youth Ministry

Director of Children and Youth Ministry Update

Did you know? While some of the food cooked and served during Saturday Brunch each week is purchased from the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank or local food suppliers, our brunch ministry also relies on food donations from community partners. These partners range from grocery stores to local restaurants to community organizations, and are an important part of our work. The following businesses and organizations have provided food and partnership support thus far in 2017. As you cross paths with these partners, feel free to offer your thanks for their support of our brunch ministries here at FPC.

Panera 1907 Meat Co. Old School Bagel Café Our Daily Bread (partner) Food Pyramid Retail Recovery Program/Storehouse (food and partner)



A Season of Creation Worship is about being reoriented to God, ourselves, our fellow humans, and all other creatures – like using a global positioning system (GPS) to get our godly bearings in the universe. In this 500th anniversary year for the Protestant Reformation, our theology and our worship is shifting toward more serious reflection on the ecological challenges to our earth home and on our right relationship with the natural world. How can we experience nature in worship as our partner in praise of God? How can worship immerse us in God’s new creation, experiencing creation reformed and reconciled?

Join us as we celebrate a Season of Creation for six Sundays beginning July 2, 2017.

YAV Update

Hello there!

This summer sure is going to be sunny and funny! An important aspect of serving as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) is becoming and engaged member of my community. Here at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, my community is full of members of all ages as summer camp season continues. It has been a joy to witness children and youth fall in love with Creation as they learn how to become responsible stewards of the Earth we share. Because the Young Adult Volunteer program works with so many local organizations, it can look different in each city. I encourage you to check out https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/yav/sites/ to find out what is going on in other cities around the world.

With the Peace of Christ, Ashley Nipp

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/yav/sites/

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/yav/sites/



“Our Middle East Christian Family” Stories from Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and Syria

Presentation by Rev. Gordon Edwards July 12, 2:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Hosted by PW Cookies and punch will be served following Gordon’s presentation

On behalf of our Lebanese and Syrian Christian brothers and sisters, THANK YOU, First Presbyterian Church, for your support. You entrusted me with $2,319 to take to Lebanon in March to give to ministries addressing Syrian ministries.

$2000 was given to the Minyara Presbyterian Church's Community Center. Minyara is a community in northern Lebanon about 5 miles from the Syrian border. Because of its proximity, it is estimated that the ratio between Syrian refugees in Minyara and Lebanese is 1:1. This congregation, supported by the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, has opened a Community Center. In this center there are many programs offered to Syrian refugees as well as the local citizens: a medical clinic 5 afternoons a week staffed with doctors; a 4 hour per day school for Syrian refugee children 5 times a week; a community library. Your contribution enabled them to complete renovating a room to offer a dental clinic.

The Space for Hope ministry of the young adults of the Homs, Syria Evangelical Presbyterian Congregation received the remaining $319. This ministry, staffed by the young adults, each week brings youth from Christian and Muslim neighborhoods together for games and conversations that they might experience the humanity of each other, their common desire for peaceful community and the ability to trust on another.

When I come to be with the Presbyterian Women on July 12, I will share some of the stories and pictures of how your financial gifts have become extensions of your Christian love and hope. Thank you for giving me the pleasure of expressing your support for our Christian family in their faithful ministry to neighbors in great distress.

Salam! Gordon



2017 Intergenerational Mission Trip Report

Hot and humid, in other words, “business as usual” in Baton Rouge, LA, but our experience making new friends, learning new skills, and helping neighbors was anything but business as usual. Our visit to Whitney Plantation set the stage for a week of hard work, self-reflection, and gratitude. On our walking tour through the plantation church, slave cabins, slave jail, the big house, surrounded by sugarcane fields, we learned how brutal and short were the lives of slaves, treated as property, not beloved children of God. We used our evening devotion to reflect on systemic racism still showing its ugly head long after slavery ended.

We worked to rebuild interiors of 3 homes whose owners were “sheltering in place,” often helping out in the construction process of their own or neighbors’ homes, while they continued to shoulder regular jobs and family responsibilities. Like God’s grace, some of our handiwork would be invisible once the project was complete, and we learned to be OK with unfinished work handed on to the next team coming through. We reflected each evening on Matthew 9:35-10:8 and how we are called to be laborers in the Lord’s harvest, spreading compassion and relieving mental and emotional stress as we worked to bring a livable home out of a flood-damaged house. We received warm welcomes and great accommodations from University Presbyterian Church, Baton Rouge.

Thanks for supporting the cost of the trip and the work of our 16-member team, thanks for your prayers as we met God in Baton Rouge. The mission team invites your participation in next year’s mission adventure!

The Mission Trip Team enjoying shared meals.



The Team didn’t only minister through repairing and rebuilding, they also passed on the prayers and love of FPC through prayer shawls.

Cleaning, scraping, painting, dry walling...the team stayed busy helping to repair flood damage and make homes livable again!

Learn, Grow, and Serve by Becoming a Stephen Minister

Stephen Ministry training begins in October, but listening to God’s call begins today.

Do you have gifts for caring, encouragement, and listening? If so, please prayerfully consider becoming a Stephen Minister. Your gifts are needed. Stephen Ministers provide emotional and spiritual support and care to people who are going through a difficult time, such as divorce, grief, unemployment, illness, or loneliness. This care is generally provided during confidential, one-to-one weekly visits.

We provide excellent training and a supportive community in which you can try out listening and caring skills, and using Christian tools such as prayer and scripture.

Training Class meets October 2, 2017 - March, 2018, Mondays 6:30 - 9:00 pm, cost is $50 for materials (scholarships may be applied). Class participants: Trainees and Leaders from FPC and other area congregations.

Contact Kay Stewart for more information: 405.747.5913 or [email protected]



Robert Hungerford (McCarley) Sandy Ives Patty Jacobs Lou Ann Jesen Randy Jobe (Irwin) Ted Joy (Irwin) Choi Yung-ju (Brake/Taylor) Debbie K. (Hrachovec) Nelma Karnes (Jones) Vickie Karns (Houston) Kay Keys Mary Jane Kirchenbauer (Breuninger) Pauline Kopecky Dottie Kraemer Karen Krehbiel (Breuninger) Tom Kunz (Shaw) Phyllis Leaghty Hank Lett (Irwin) James Light (McPherson) Wendy Long (Burgoon) Lloyd Lutjens (Beckstrom) Tom Lutjens (Beckstrom) Lyndall Maddox (Gumm) David Marstellar (Botts) Alyssa Matal (Krehbiel) Bernie McNickle (McNickle) Philip Meadows Paul Meriwether (Meriwether) Micah Miller (Fairbanks) Tresa Miller (Miller) Kendra Moreland (Fowler) Karen Mott (Fairbanks) Peggy Murphy Bob Norris Charlotte Nowakowski (Cohlmia) Christine Parson (Rex) Jean Potts (Bills) Annette Preston Aaron Ray (Houston) Sally Ray (Houston) Walker Reese (Melancon) Ken and Gloria Sandvold Bradley Schutt (Schlais) Addi Shamburg (Stiegler) Karen Shippey (Swim) Brylee Shullanberg (Stiegler) Jeffrey Silver (Silver) Laura Simmons (Meinke) Carrie & Robert Smith family (Ballenger) David Smith (Cooper) Harvey Smith Raylene Smith (Breuninger) Titus Smith (Irwin) Linda Stangl Jamie Stephens (Burgoon) Blaire Stevison

Prayer Concerns Amanda (Hrachovec) Nick Amidon (Garoffolo) Charlie Anaya Sr (Anaya) Shea Arnett (N. Thomas) Roger Banks (te Velde) Mariana & Isaac Becerra (Arquitt) Lily Beckstrom (Beckstrom) Allison Bills-Eustis (Bills) Dawn Blair (Burgoon) Ken Breuninger Bill Brewer Helen Britton Belinda Bruner Blake Buck Ted Burgoon (Burgoon) Vivian Burgoon (Burgoon) Bob Campbell (Caldwell) Tracy Carter Wayne Cartwright (Koeppe) Susie Causley Nancy Chapa (Fagan) Bennet Charles (Olson) Marilyn Choike (Bruce) Betty Christian (Parsons) Allison Christy (Breuninger) Abby Clapp (Clapp) Darlene Collyar (Silver) Andee and Kannon Cooper (Hrachovec) Dona Cooper Dick Croom (Knox) Heather Davidson (Roach) Anita Davis (Kelly) Marcie Dennison (Fairbanks) Matthew Durham (Shawley) Ruby Flowers (Flowers) Ed Gallegos (Wilkinson) Marty Gallup Glenda Garrigus (Rex) Ann Garoffolo Goar (Garoffolo) Dorothy Gibbons (Holland) Charles Golden (Tyrl) Lauren Glynn (Stewart) Sam Hamilton Gwen Hanson (Olson) Kendall Harvey (Carter/Shaw) Jan Henderson (Kulling) Sue Henderson (Beckstrom) Mary Ann Henley (Henley) Nelda Hershberger (Knox) Bob Hert (Beckstrom) Charla Hilger (Roscoe) Jerry Hill (Preston) Gene Holbrook (Houston) Carolynne Hopkins Joyce Hufford (Carter/Shaw) Lee Ann Hulet (Osborn)

Jen Tapley (Ainsworth) Lorna te Velde (te Velde) Tom Thedford Upendo Kids (Shawley) Nettie Vick Barbara Ware (Fansler) Darrell Warren (Silver) Linda Wasson (Wasson/Emmett) Lynn Wenig Arvilla & Bob West Maggie Wiggs (Morrison) Nona Wilhm (PW Bowling) Doyle Williams (Stone) Emily Williams Jim Williams Mary Williams Jim Wise George Young Anne Zinn (Breuninger)

Larger Church: Synod of the Covenant Synod of Lakes and Prairies Synod of Lincoln Trails Synod of Living Waters

Names in parentheses indicate the church family member requesting prayer for a non-member. Please notify the Church Office if persons may be removed from the Prayer List. Thank you!

Military Members Members & family members of our church family who have been deployed in service to our country:

Jordan Buterbaugh Marines (Case)

Captain Joseph DeHoogh Navy (DeHoogh)

Commander Molly Jenkins DeHoogh

Navy (DeHoogh)

Justin Fowler Navy (Fowler)

[email protected]

Major Luke Hagen Air Force (DeHoogh)

CSM Steven Morwood Army (Morwood)

LT Eric Murphy Army (Fairbanks)

Garrett Walters Army (Williams)

Bryn Williams Army (Williams)



Bench Potatoes

Anyone 7 years or older is invited to sit up at the organ console during worship. Repeat visitors are always welcome, and there is no upper age limit! Contact Becky te Velde if you and/or your child would like to be a Bench Potato. “Two’s Company” on the organ bench!

Have you ever thought that it might be fun to sing in the Chancel Choir, but were either too busy or too timid to join? You are invited to come and enjoy the choir experience as part of our “Summer Choir”! (Please mark your calendars now!) Come to the choir loft at 8:45 am on Aug. 6 to learn an easy anthem for the 9:30 am worship service. Many members of the Chancel Choir will be there to sing with you and welcome you to the choir loft. No robes, no obligation–just come, and we will “make a joyful noise to the Lord” together!

Summer Choir: Sunday, August 6! View From the Choir Loft By Gary Holland

Almost thirty years ago Judy and I left Stillwater for an opportunity in Florida. Although we spent the next eighteen years there, we never quite felt like we were “home.” When the chance to return to Oklahoma came, we considered our options and decided Stillwater was where we wanted to be, and this church was a significant factor in the decision. Walking into First Pres again felt so natural, and we knew we were “home.” I decided to join the choir, because this

church has meant so much that

contributing to our church services is a

way of giving back. But I discovered

there is so much more to the choir than

singing our sacred songs. The choir is a

family within the church family, and

the wonderful people preparing each

week for Sunday continue to give with

their incredible talent and uplifting

spirit. So, while the goal is to

contribute a little, our choir keeps on

giving. I’m reminded of the Beatles

lyrics written fifty years ago, “and in

the end, the love you take…. is equal to

the love you make.”

Musically Speaking

Summer Music We sincerely thank these wonderful musicians who have offered their musical talents in worship recently: Hilary Baboukis, Gregory Campbell, Steve Foust, Bennett Frohock, Katharine Nipp, Jack Stemm, Magdalena Vinson, and members of the Chancel Choir (on Pentecost Sunday). Also, a special thank you! to Brad Newcomb for serving as organist on June 11!

We look forward to more wonderful music this summer from these musicians: June 25 Women’s Choir, and Ben Lanners, cello July 2 Hilary Baboukis, mezzo-soprano, and

Magdalena Vinson, violin July 9 Joel Lanners, piano [Fellowship Hall] July 16 Men’s Choir July 23 Brett Carver, organist; “Flute Choir”: Breanna Bunney,

Leah Hrachovec, Kim Leffingwell, Michelle Kuehn, Kay Solomon

July 30 Brett Carver, piano; Eli Johnson, piano Aug. 6 “Summer Choir” Aug. 13 Steve Foust, soloist; Katharine Nipp, [Fellowship Hall] Aug. 20 Greg Campbell, small pipes

Also, the harpsichord will make some appearances!



Rejoice! Gathering

The Rejoice! Gathering in the Worship Center starts at 9:00 am for the summer and is a come and go event. We would love to have you drop in and sing contemporary songs with us. You might even find us singing a hymn or two. When the main worship service is in Fellowship Hall (see worship schedule in the Ambassador for dates) the Rejoice! gathering will begin at 9:15 am. See you there!

~Steve Foust, Contemporary Music Coordinator

FPC Handbell Choir Starting This Fall! If you’ve ever thought it would be fun to ring handbells, or if you’ve rung bells in the past, mark Sept. 10, 4:00-5:00 pm on your calendar. We are excited to begin an intergenerational Handbell Choir, open to anyone 6th grade and older–no upper age limit! Youth, college students, parents, grandparents, friends, anyone who would like to ring is invited to join! (Non-members are also welcome.) This group will be directed by our new Handbell Scholar, OSU music major Allison Johnston, who sings in our Chancel Choir and is an experienced bell ringer/leader. Rehearsals will be Sundays 4:00-5:00 pm, and the choir will ring in worship several times during the fall semester, including one of the December services.

New Worship Banners

Members of the Worship and Music

Committee were pleased to unveil four new

worship banners on Pentecost Sunday, two of

which are pictured below. Our thanks go to

Presbyterian Women and Ted and Laura Smith

as funding for these banners came from the

Ginny Smith Memorial Fund. Be on the lookout

for these four banners and more in worship

services to come.

Summer Worship Schedule

Through Sunday, August 13, our summer worship schedule will be one service at 9:30 am. The Rejoice! schedule is also changing; when we worship in the sanctuary, Rejoice! will meet in the Worship Center at 9:00 am and conclude prior to 9:30 am worship. When we worship in Fellowship Hall, Rejoice! will meet at 9:15 in Fellowship Hall and will replace the prelude. If Rejoice! hasn’t fit into your schedule before, we hope this will give you a better opportunity to check it out and join in the singing.

Below is the summer worship schedule:

June 25 & July 2: Worship in the Sanctuary. Rejoice! in the Worship Center at 9:00. July 9: Worship in Fellowship Hall. Rejoice! in Fellowship Hall at 9:15. July 16 & 23: Worship in the Sanctuary. Rejoice! in the Worship Center at 9:00. July 30: Worship in Fellowship Hall. Rejoice! in Fellowship Hall at 9:15 August 6: Worship in the Sanctuary and communion by intinction. Rejoice! in the Worship Center at 9:00. August 13: Worship in Fellowship Hall. Rejoice! in Fellowship Hall at 9:15.



SEASONED ADULTS

The next Seasoned Adults will be on July 17th at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will be having Dinner and a Movie. Be sure to check your email for the ballot to vote for your movie choice! Feel free to email me with a choice to put on the ballot. Remember we will not meet in August.

Warren Joseph was born to Ali Aresco on May 23, 2017

9lbs 3oz, 23 inches long

Wedding Anniversary Milestones

Steven and Christina Miller June 8, 2002

Connie and Jim Stiegler June 17, 1967

Birthday Milestones

Thelma Burton June 17, 1919

Dave Harnly

Joined First Presbyterian Church May 6, 2007

Entered the Church Triumphant

May 21, 2017

Kirby White Joined First Presbyterian Church

June 23, 2015

Entered the Church Triumphant May 26, 2017

Carl Jones

Joined First Presbyterian Church April 10, 1960


June 12, 2017

Mike Mulvey Husband of Maxine Mulvey


June 16, 2017

In Memoriam

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me shall never die.”



DEACON’S

CORNER

Home Communion If you or someone you know would like to have Communion provided at home, please contact the Church Office (372-5580) to make a

request. It is an honor and a privilege to provide this service.

Hospital and Homebound Visitation If you know of any of our Church members who are in the hospital or incapacitated at home, please notify

the Church Office (405-372-5580). A Deacon would

enjoy visiting to brighten their day.

Deacons Food Offering Basket Your gifts of non-perishable food and personal items to the shopping cart in the Narthex are more valuable and more appreciated than ever during these difficult economic times. The items are distributed to local agencies that help those

in need. All items are appreciated, but please consider bringing a sack with items that could create a meal for a family (such as spaghetti sauce, pasta, vegetable and fruit.) Please look for items that are simple to prepare and shelf stable.

Love Feast Our church serves Love Feast on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the south campus of First United Methodist Church, 2823 S Husband St. If you are interested in helping cook and/or serve, please contact Deacon Mary Morrison at [email protected]

Bingo Prizes Needed for Mpower If you have anything that you would like to donate to Mpower for bingo prizes, please drop it off at the donation box located downstairs. If you have any questions, please contact Margy Knox at [email protected].

Saturday Brunch The Saturday Brunch ministry continues to provide meals for the community every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Nancy Franklin is now the Volunteer Coordinator. This new position is providing more organization for the entire ministry. Nancy is now compiling a substitute list for the brunch. Although each Saturday has a team to provide the meal, if some of the team members are not able to work on a Saturday, substitutes may be needed. The list will provide the

necessary people and will relieve the team captains from the task of finding the additional people. If you are on this list, you will be called if needed but probably not more than a few times a year. No experience is needed and all help is appreciated. If you can help, please contact Nancy Franklin at (405) 880-3819 or [email protected].

Rewarding volunteer position available! The second Saturday for the Saturday Brunch has a team of Kitchen Managers of 3 or 4 persons. I currently need one of these positions filled. One of the current members of this team needs to be replaced due to medical reasons. You would be in charge 3 or 4 times a year and would have a schedule well in advance which enables you to adjust for any conflicts. The job is one of leading a very loyal and well trained team of workers on your assigned Saturdays. It is enjoyable working with the group and rewarding to be providing a valuable service to the community. I will provide all needed training and will work with you as needed until you are comfortable in your position. Please contact Nancy Franklin @ [email protected] or 405-880-3819 if you are interested.

Can Stephen Ministry Help? Our Stephen Ministers are available to listen and provide confidential Christian care and support to persons experiencing a difficult time in life. If you would like to talk with someone who cares, contact Carolyn Caldwell, Referrals Coordinator, [email protected].

tel:%28405%20372-5580

mailto:[email protected]



Session Organization The Session is organized into the following areas of responsibility. Members of the congregation join them in the work. If you have an interest in serving in a certain area, please contact one of the elders assigned to that ministry and volunteer. Do not be shy. As Presbyterians, we believe that the synergism of the Spirit increases with greater involvement and more people.

Clerk: John Gelder

Children’s Ministry: Susie Causley Sydney Reding

Youth Ministry: Scott Johnson Katharine Nipp

Adult Ministry: Bill Segall Jenny Bobo Kent Olson

Fellowship & Family: Becky Walker (chair) Marilyn Waters-Seig

UKirk (University): Gary Holland (chair) Rick Dearinger

Worship and Music: Linda Good, (chair) David Silver Phyllis Taylor

Stewardship & Finance: Tammy Wasson (chair) Arletta Webster Norm Durham

World Mission and Denominational Concerns: John Steinbrink (chair)Dan Grischkowsky Gerrit Cuperus

Communications & Connecting: Paula Kendrick, (chair) Kathy Thomas

Trustee Liaison: Dick Shawley

Personnel: Thad Leffingwell (chair) David Silver

Endowment Liaison: Bill Segall

Monthly Income / Expense Report

May 2017

Year to Date

% of Budget

Giving $ 47,651.13 $ 248,347.61 39.52

Other Income

$ 3,188.11

$ 21,283.99 51.40

Total Income

$ 50,839.24 $ 269,631.60 40.25

Expenditures $ 47,523.87 $ 244,307.72 34.26

Net $ 3,315.37 $ 25,323.88

Reminder: Ambassador by Email

We invite you to consider receiving your Ambassador by email. Each month you receive an email with the link for the new issue. You can view or print while saving printing and

mailing costs for the Church. Email Magdalena at [email protected] if you want to try receiving the Ambassador electronically.

Session Summary The Session of First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, met in its Stated

Meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose

Room. A quorum was present. Scott Johnson offered the opening

thought and prayer. Session highlights:

Approved and directed a proposal by Dan Grischkowsky to create

more permanent nametags for members and regular worshipers

Approved a communion request from Mary Emmett and Tammy

Wasson to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at their

wedding on August 26, 2017

Approved hosting Mobile Dental Smiles, which provides free dental

care, for three sessions in 2018

Referred a request for a shower policy for Fellowship Hall showers

to Trustees with input from Deacons and interested individuals

Arranged for meeting with members of Trustees to evaluate bid for

renovating Upper Room (old choir room)

Directed Nominating Committee to begin discerning leadership for

an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee

Approved request from World Mission and Denominational

Concerns to allow Scott Johnson and a coworker from Association

for a Just Society in Honduras to highlight this justice mission and

collect donations for AJS on July 23, 2017

Ratified an electronic vote to approve a request from Christian

performer Wade Tower to shoot a short video inside FPC Sanctuary

Discussed learnings from recent Stewardship Kaleidoscope

webinar on giving and Tripresbytery meeting that included

speaker Clif Christopher on best practices for inspiring

generosity within the congregation

$18 was collected for Saturday Brunch

The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 6:56 pm. Unless

otherwise noted, the July stated Session meeting is

cancelled; the next stated Session meeting will be on

Tuesday, August 8th at 5:30pm in the Multipurpose Room.


The Ambassador volume 59 • number 6

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The Ambassador First Presbyterian Church

524 S. Duncan Stillwater, OK 74074 405-372-5580 www.stillwaterfpcorg

Summer Sunday Worship Schedule One Worship Service at 9:30 am

Through Sunday, August 13

Midweek Communion 12:10 pm

Wednesdays Worship Center

Worship at First Presbyterian

Your Your

Sunday Birthday Month June 25 August July 2 July July 9 June July 16 May July 23 April July 30 March August 6 February August 13 January

Join Us for Summer Sunday Fellowship Time!

This year, we invite all church members and friends to be part of the fellowship and ask that each of us have one Sunday assigned to bring something. It doesn’t have to be big or elaborate: fruit, cheese and crackers, veggies, or some bagels---whatever you enjoy.

The schedule is to the right, and your birthday month is assigned to one Sunday. If you have a March birthday, for example, you would bring something to share on Sunday, July 30.

Parents, your children have a birthday month, too—they might like to prepare something to share with their church family that Sunday.

If you will be out of town on your Sunday, please try to trade with someone or pick a Sunday and bring something to share.

Please mark your calendar for your Sunday this summer

Documents

The Ambassador - Stillwater First Presbyterian · Director of hildren and Youth comings and goings of the Saturday ... It is that energy and ... Food Pyramid Retail Recovery Program/Storehouse