Pasadena Presbyterian Church
May 2011
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“Realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.”
(2 Timothy 3:1)
A 9.0 earthquake in Japan. More than 14,000 known dead. More than 130,000 homeless. Four nuclear reactors in various stages of melt-down, spewing highly radioactive contaminants into earth, sea and sky.
Tornadoes—a record number for April, more than 600 this year (and May is the most active month); wide swaths of land, homes and towns destroyed from Texas to Virginia, with more than 50 lives lost.
Demonstrations—some violent—in Yemen, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon; revolution (of some sort) in Egypt; civil war in Libya.
Gas prices spiking; unemployment still high (over 11% in Florida); the U.S. economic forecast “downgraded to negative” for the first time.
Christians killed in Iraq, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, North Korea; house churches shut down in Cuba and China; our own PC(USA) denomination facing further turmoil over votes to change our Books of Order and Confession (changes which some see as apostasy).
--Need I go on?
All these events were foretold by Jesus to some extent as recorded in the Gospels (such as in Matthew 24:4ff). Many people—even some “notable” Christians are saying these are all signs of the end. I’m not debating that, but I am wondering why—with all these “signs” happening--why we in and as the church aren’t picking up on two other very important prophetic points Jesus made:
Jesus said “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Mathew 24:14)
-- If we are approaching the return of Christ, shouldn’t we be even more diligent to get the Word about Him—the Gospel—out to all the world?
Jesus also said “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:8)
– If these events challenge our faith and faithfulness to Jesus, shouldn’t we be even firmer and clearer about who Jesus is and what His Word says—what the Truth is?
May 2011 is ramping-up to be a time of challenging if not unparalleled “difficulties” around the globe and so in our lives; that means it is also an unprecedented opportunity to show a confused, sometimes hopeless, and often open-to-being-misled world, the truth, love and life we have and have to share in Christ.
Rather than hunkering down, turning inward, wimping out with worry, and dropping out in despair, now is the time for all disciples of Jesus to rise up in faith, lift Him up in hope, and in love help the whole world turn around and back to Him!
Looking forward to seeing Jesus face-to-face one day—maybe soon—with you, His saints and disciples at and as PPC!
In Christ,
Carl
Session did not meet in March so there are no notes to report here.
My family was fighting our way to the car. Dodging silk cords with small greenish worms dangling in the breeze. This year the Smith family had a plague of webs and worms dangling from our trees. Why does God allow bugs? Most times I wonder, but this time I think it was to show us a miracle. Because those worms made cocoons all over our eaves; then a week later, moths were everywhere. Every small green worm had to entomb itself in silken grave clothes to become the flying creature it was destined to become. Sometimes we act like Resurrection Sunday is just a story that happened long ago, but all of history and creation points to it. Jesus is the first fruit but we will all have a new body. As 1 Corinthians 15:42 says, “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”
Now we are like those little green worms, pushed around by ever gentle spring breezes. But soon we will have a secure new home and new bodies that fit right in. So don’t quit. Keep growing, and keep giving and working for the Lord. As the chapter concludes in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Food Police
The health department dropped by the church for their normal inspection and this time noticed out-of-date items in the vending machines and cited Pasadena. The two machines have been removed. Does anyone miss the machines? Please contact a member of the Stewardship ministry (Don Davis, Kathie Schellhaas, Thomas Smith, Dave Terhune, Arlene Tomin, Andy White) or contact the church office (PStrong@pasadenapc.com).
Tom Smith III
Stewardship Chair
Pasadena Presbyterian Church Wishlist |
||
| Nature of Project | Estimated Cost | Received |
| Youth Sound Equipment (speakers, etc.) | $1,500 | New item |
| Sanctuary Projector | $4,000 | New item |
The Financials for March show actual income $21,090.35 with expenses of $45,119.48 leaving us -$24,029.13 in the red.
Year to Date 2011 |
|
| Actual Income | $ 105,337.64 |
| Actual Expenses | $ 96,727.29 |
| Black | $ 8,610.35 |
PPC Foundation |
|
| Pasadena Foundation | $ 29,340.07 |
| Wahl Scholarship | $ 51,613.63 |
Cash Available
Checking Account Balance: $60,410.18
Cash Reserves
General Reserve MM $29,672.61
Total Cash $ 90,082.79
Get Involved in Sharing Jesus
If you think you can’t share Jesus – think again. We are not really promoting this as a PPC project but give it to you just as an example if you want to share and just can’t seem to get started. It’ for people who have online connection with a computer so it may not work for everyone but this is a pretty simple way to tell others about Jesus.
Millions of people search for God every day - online. Global Media Outreach, an Internet ministry, has websites where thousands of people each day learn about the Good News of Jesus and connect with Online Missionaries through e-mail.
An Online Missionary responds to people from all over the world who have requested follow-up from one of our sites. You can pray for them, help them begin discipleship or just encourage them with scripture if they are working through relationship, financial and other spiritual issues.
We provide training and ongoing support throughout your experience as an Online Missionary
It's safe! No one sees your e-mail address - you log in from a website to respond to emails.
You control how many e-mails you receive.
You can even help share the gospel with a financial gift. For $1 a day, you could reach 300 people each month - over 3,600 each year. Every dollar shares the gospel with ten people.
Watch this video: www.GMOjoinus.com
Don’t have a computer?
Even if you don’t, come to the equipping class that Pastor Anthony teaches on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM and learn how to grow and share Jesus the old fashioned way.
Thanks for your Faith Promises!
As of this writing Faith Promise Pledges have been received in the annual amount of $12,817. This is about 25% of what is needed to support our missionaries but we are thankful and have faith that more is on the way. Please pray for our missionaries. Thanks for doing your part to share the love of Jesus in partnering with them!
THE PURPOSE OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN:
FORGIVEN AND FREED BY GOD IN JESUS CHRIST AND EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE COMMIT OURSELVES. . . . .
To nurture our faith through prayer and bible study
To support the mission of the church worldwide
To work for justice and peace
To build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God’s Kingdom.
Activities for Month of May 2011
Monday, May 2nd at 10:00 am Communion at the Springs
THURSDAY – MAY 5th at 10:00 am PW Council Meeting - Boswell
Tuesday, May 10th at 1l:30 am Esther Circle – T.I. Yacht Club
Tuesday, May 10th at 1:00 pm Ruth Circle – Picadilly Cafeteria
Thursday, May 12th at 7:30 pm Hannah Circle – Library
Our Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Celebration will be held on April 30th at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel where we have as our guest speaker, Jerry Trask from D & D Missionary Homes right here in St. Petersburg. We welcome him to tell us what new things they might be doing on their campus and just what their needs might be. If you so desire, bring a can of fruit, veggies, meat or baby food items and diapers for their Thrift Shop. We will also be honoring a woman from our church as we present her with the Honorary Life Membership pin and award during our program in the Chapel. An offering (over and above women’s giving) will be received during our service in the Chapel. We will continue our celebration when we enjoy a salad luncheon prepared by the women of the church and then enjoy a fashion show, featuring men, women, teens and children from Pasadena modeling fashions from Beall’s Department Store.
Presbyterian Women of Tampa Bay will hold their spring retreat May 2nd to 4th at the Day Spring Christian Retreat near Ellenton. It’s a fun time and in a beautiful setting. We have four ladies going to the retreat. You will hear more about it and the fun we had in our next newsletter article.
Circles will not meet during June, July and August but will resume in September. Look for information on the bible study in next month’s newsletter.
In Christ’s Love,
Patricia Watts
Moderator
Sweeten the Day
Sunday Mornings
Please remember to bring in donations of juice, cookies donuts, coffee cakes, etc. for the fellowship time between services. Thanks for your help.
Mother’s Day
There will be a continental breakfast for all in honor of mothers and women on Sunday, May 8th. Please call the church office 727-345-0148 and let us know how many will be coming from your group.
We Need Your Help to Find All Our 2011 Graduates!
GRADUATION SUNDAY WILL BE ON JUNE 12TH
WE NEED…
+Name of person graduating from high school or college (including December graduates)
+The graduates can be yourself, your son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandchild, etc. Any person that has a direct connection with a member of our church.
+A brief biography about the graduate
+Deadline is Tuesday, May 31st, Please contact Leslie Hughes at lhughes@pasadenapc.com,
or at 727-345-0148 during church office hours.
+This is a special time for all graduates. We look forward to this celebration!
Listen to your favorite Christian Radio Station for ads for our Vacation Bible School, Sonsurf here at PPC.
- The Joy FM
- Spirit FM
- Moody
The light of Jesus shone through the children on Resurrection Sunday as they led the congregation in singing “Awesome God!” Praise Kids will continue through the month of May.
Thank you so much to the volunteers who served the Lord and the children in Praise Kids this year: Kathie Schellhaas, Felicia Ragland, Laurie Smith, Mindy Irvine, Linda Bellingar and Bob Bellingar.
“…and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.” 1 John 5:1
YOUTH GRADUATION CELEBRATION!!
WHEN: Friday, May 20, 5:00 PM
WHERE: Meet in Fellowship Hall for dinner to celebrate with our graduates.
BOWLING at 10 Pins Lanes following the dinner.
RSVP to Leslie
ESTHER BIERBAUM REMEMBERED AT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION MEETING
A special tribute was paid to the late Esther Bierbaum by her colleagues in the Church and Synagogue Library Association's Florida-Suncoast Chapter at its Spring meeting April 14. Esther volunteered on the national and local level of the group which helps librarians in churches and synagogues across the country. Esther was a long-time member, elder and teacher in our church and a blessing to its library, the association and public libraries, where she volunteered. Esther was one of the early PPC librarians and a staunch library supporter year after year. After I became librarian, years later, she encouraged me and gave me advice and was a loyal customer, frequently checking out books to study for the Bible classes she taught. Esther died Feb. 14, 2010, but is still greatly missed. Members of the association shared what Esther has meant to them and how they first met and grew to admire her.
Esther generously donated books to our library, including:
Nonfiction:
The Letter and the Scroll What Archaeology Tells Us About the Bible (A National Geographic book)The Dead Sea Scrolls, the Tel Dan inscription, the Merneptah Stele, and the Gabriel Revelation are modern archaeological finds which have added depth and understanding to the study of the Bible. This book, with many color photos will enrich your study of the Bible.
Extreme Grandparenting The Ride of Your Life (Tim and Darcy Kimmel) Dr. Tim Kimmel and his wife believe that grandparents can play a vital role in raising their grandchildren in many different ways. He heads up the organization Family Matters. He and his wife are also proud grandparents.
Youth:
A Friend at Midnight (fiction) Grades 6-8 (Carolyn Cooney) The story of a family torn by divorce which explores the teen's beliefs in God and her relationships with her family.
Introducing Russell (Debbie Walter) This book was a finalist in the children's fiction category of the National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards --PubInsider.com. According to the product description, "Jake the dog, Belle the cat, Russell the mouse, and their human ... meet new friends, cope with an injury, and become a family. ... Although geared toward readers aged 9-11, (it) has also been enjoyed by younger children who listen to the story read aloud and by the adults doing the reading!"
Easy:
Sleep in Peace
Four Feet, Two Sandals (Karen Lynn Williams) A fictional story of two girls and their friendship in a refugee camp, as they see how they can share a pair of sandals, highlighting the value of friendship.
Laurie Smith, Librarian
April was a wonderful month at the preschool ministry. We learned about the many different types of people that live in the world, and how God has created each and every one of His children to be unique and special. We had a wonderful gathering at family night and we celebrated how all people belong to God. We closed the evening with the families singing “Let Their Be Peace on earth.”
Holy week was very special. We celebrated Palm Sunday in the Sanctuary. The children waved palm branches and sang “Holy, Holy, Holy Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” as a child who represented Jesus walked down the road to Jerusalem. Next we sang a joyful praise song “He is K-I-N-G Lord of Lord and King of Kings!” The children were very excited to welcome Jesus and praise Him. On Holy Thursday we reenacted the Last Supper. The children learned that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and then the teachers washed their student’s feet. Next they broke bread and drank grape juice together just as Jesus and His disciples did. The children learned that Jesus came back to us after suffering on the cross because of His great love for us. They know He is with us forever, and teaches us how to live a good and holy life. On Easter Monday we had a great celebration!
May your homes and your hearts be filled with the Peace of Christ. - Laura Woodard
The celebration of Easter is now past but the full meaning of the risen Lord should always remain with us. We must always remember to act in true Christian love toward one another and to stay faithful to Christ. Now more than ever does the true meaning of John 3:16 speak to us. God loves us in an unfailing, never ending way. Our Christian love for each other teaches us to do no less.
Please remember that, as your Deacons, we are here for the “Soul Purpose” of serving you. Do not hesitate to call one of us if we can be of service to you in any time of need or if you just want to talk to someone. That’s we are here for and what you, as the congregation, have appointed us to do.
In Christ,
Bill Schellhaas, Chair; Judy Bloomfield; Vicki Danz; Debbie Saathoff; Caeser Van Ardoy and Bill Wyess.
June 13 – 17, 8:30 AM – 12:00 noon
Registration forms are available in the church office, or you may register online.
There is no fee for VBS, however donations are accepted.
Aftercare available – 12:00 – 5:30 PM
Aftercare fee is $50/child for the week.
There will be a special PPC aftercare registration on Sunday, 5/1/11, 9:30 – 10:45.
Aftercare registration for the general public begins Monday, 5/2/11, 9:00 AM, in the hallway outside the church office. Aftercare spaces are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment for aftercare is due at registration.
Please direct any questions to Leslie Hughes.
PPC SUMMER CAMP IS COMING!!
2 Camp Weeks –
6/20 – 6/24 – Beach & Weather Camp
6/27 – 7/1 – Plants, Animals, & Insects Camp
All children age 3 (by June 1) through just completed kindergarten are eligible to participate. Tuition is $75/child/week. Camp hours are 9:00 AM – Noon. You may enroll your child in either one or both of the camps. Registration forms will be available in the church office beginning Sunday, April 24th, or you can download them here.
Regisration for PPC members begins Sunday, May 1st, 9:30 – 10:45 AM.
Registration for the general public begins Monday, 5/2/11, 9:00 AM.
Tuition is due at registration
| 8:30 a.m. | 11:00 a.m | Total | |
| April 3 | 82 | 70 | 152 |
| April 10 | 71 | 79 | 150 |
| April 17 (Palm) | 92 | 76 | 168 |
| April 21 Maundy | 6pm 54 | 7pm 22 | 76 |
| April 24 (Easter) | 131 | 88 | 219 |
Please Help Keep Our Facilities Nice!
Please do not put paper flyers or announcements on the walls! We have billboards for our various ministries and groups to use to post items. If you need somthing posted, please check with the appropriate ministry or group or the church office. Thanks for keeping our facilities nice!
Thank You
From Shirley Phillips:
A BIG thank you to the congregation!
Seven more boxes have been shipped to our boys in the armed services.
Partner with Our PPC Kairos Women's Prison Ministry Team!
When the ladies go to Hillsborough Correctional for a KAIROS weekend we are allowed to take in lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the ladies. Each meal is about $5 or approximately $400 per day. We ask community, as a way of supporting KAIROS, to donate $5 for each meal ticket and the ticket is given to each resident which says, "Your meal is donated by _________." The ladies are visibly moved to know there are people who don't even know them that would actually buy a meal for them. Just as we rely on prayers, we also rely on gifts to make this weekend a special time for each participant in understanding unconditional love--- the way our Heavenly Father loves us all.
If you would like to contribute, please contact Patty Burrows.
Notice
Pastor Carl will be on vacation May 2-8. Please call Pastor Bob Bellingar, H.R. if you have a Pastoral need or emergency.
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