April 2016
We have all had our doubts about the risen Christ. We will explore the doubts of some of the followers of Jesus
Deepening our Discipleship
TABLE OF CONTENTS Deepening our Discipleship 1
Rev. Rebecca Luter
Triennial PW Gathering ...... 4
We have a hard time imagining the fear the disciples of Jesus faced. They had been students and followers of a man who had been executed for his teaching and activity. Now they were hiding, waiting until the uproar settled. Eventually, the disciples of Jesus would leave their hiding places. They didn’t know what they would do. Perhaps they would go home. Perhaps they would start over.
Presbytery News .................. 5
Hope was lost. Jesus was dead.
One of Many ......................... 6
What happened to transform these despondent, hiding followers? They became witnesses. They saw Jesus, resurrected. Each Sunday of April, we will hear their stories in worship and in them consider our own faith and doubt.
Lenten Focus ........................ 2 Day School News .................. 3 VBS Announcement ............. 4
Missions ................................ 7 Youth ..................................... 8 Christian Education ............. 9 Upcoming Events ................. 10 Midweek Meal Schedule ..... 11 Session Report ...................... 12 Acolyte Schedule .................. 12 Birthdays .............................. 12
On the Emmaus road, two of the disciples met a fellow traveler. They only recognized him as they shared a meal together. When do we recognize God’s presence? Jesus appeared to the disciples one evening while they were locked up together, hiding. Thomas wasn’t with them and would not believe until he had touched Jesus’ wounds. How can we believe when we can’t see and touch for ourselves? Saul persecuted Jesus followers and executed them. Then, he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. He became a wholly new person, the Apostle Paul. Does being believers transform our lives? (Continued on page 2)
Jesus said to the disciples, “You are witnesses of these things” and promised the power of God would clothe them. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit today?
Each of us has doubts. Over the coming weeks, we invite you to come and worship with us as we explore these stories and what they mean to our faith.
Earthly
Alone
Root
Restore
Cup
Remember
Bread
Humble
Doubt
Water
Injustice
Trust
Blessing
Dream
Glory
Silence
Wind
Receive
Praise
Crowd
Believe
See
Night
Tomb
Weep
He is Risen! Halleluiah!
O Rejoice
ver the season of Lent, members of Farmington took part in a Lenten Focus project. Participants took a picture of objects, people, and places that related to a given focus word each day. All the pictures received were posted outside the sanctuary for the congregation to enjoy. One for each day of March is posted here. This project also set up our Remind communications program. Those that sign up can receive instant updates from the church via text message. If you would like to receive instantly reminders and details from the Farmington Family, text “@FARMFAM” to 81010. Text “LEAVE @FARMFAM” to stop receiving messages.
Day School News Preschool and Before & After Registration Reading to Children of All Ages
O
ur world has become more and more technologically savvy and we have access to abundant educational tools. Computers, tablets and phones all have apps for all age learners, from sight words to math tutoring in Calculus. Knowledge is now at our finger tips! While this is helpful and definitely fun, nothing replaces reading with your child. This is a common practice when children are toddlers but, all too often, reading with children is forgotten as they get older. Reading aloud is widely recognized as the most important activity in language development. Language development does not stop when
children become verbal. Vocabulary, sentence complexity and complex grammar structures continue to develop well into middle school. Reading gives abundant background knowledge, which helps children make sense of what they see, hear and read. The more adults read to their children, the more they will know about the world around them. Reading aloud to children also helps foster and nurture a relationship with your child. The oneon-one attention is important for emotional development. You will soon find that your child looks forward to not only hearing what exciting thing is happening next in the story from the day before, but they are looking forward to spending time with just you.
Let the Adventure begin... All Pirates and Princesses are invited to Farmington Presbyterian Day School “Nighttime Storytime” Thursday, April 21st 6:30-7:30 3 yr., 4 yr., and 5 yr. olds will listen to fun stories and make crafts in the classroom. Come as you are or dress in a costume. Since this is our first time for this event, we are limiting this to our current preschool students, not including siblings. Meanwhile in the Sanctuary Parents of the Pirates and Princesses will be our guests as FPDS Teachers present topics that will help in your child’s educational development. Reading Readiness Writing Skills
Language Development
S
Vacation Bible School June 13—17 9am—12pm
pring is here and Summer is right around the corner. Time to break out the swim wear, kites, and surf boards for a fun filled trip to the coast. Enjoy the burning sands, the taste of saltwater, and the costly hotel fees. OR volunteer and send your kids to Farmington’s Vacation Bible School, Surf Shack! June 13—17 we will catch the wave of God’s amazing love for a whole week of fun in the sun. You can register your kids or volunteer at http://2016.cokesburyvbs.com/farmingtonpres or get a form from the bulletin board outside the preschool hall way.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser The Service Committee will host a spaghetti supper during VBS on Thursday night, June 16 at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of raising funds for the Mexico Cistern Ministry. Come enjoy a delicious meal and give what you can to the Mexico Mission Trip.
2016 TRIENNIAL GATHERING PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN SYNOD OF LIVING WATERS June 8-11
A
time to share joys and concerns, successes, challenges with other Presbyterian Women. A time for worship, Bible study, learning, sharing, reflection, fellowship with old and new friends. All workshops and plenary sessions will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, TN. Farmington’s own Bonnie Blair will be leading a workshop on Spirituality in Leadership. Information about the Retreat is available on the PW bulletin board.
Presbytery News
Missions
A 2 hour event to pack 10,000 meals for the hungry. Sunday, April 17 at 2:00 pm. Raw ingredients will be delivered to Farmington Presbyterian to be packed, stacked, and loaded as nutritious meals for delivery to hungry people all over the world. This event is fun, meaningful, and made available to adults and children 7 and up. To participate, call the church office (901)754-2794 or sign up outside the Fellowship Hall for one of two time slots. Help us Stop Hunger Now, April 17. If you would like to help fund the event, donations are accepted in the black buckets all around the church and day school. Each meal costs 29 cents.
Farmington Youth Fellowship (FYF)
Montreat Youth Conference. Cost: $255
This year, Farmington will be attending Montreat Youth Conference in Black Mountain, NC. Because this is our first time back in 10 years we are only requiring the youth to pay the registration for the trip! Don’t miss this incredible retreat with the Farmington Youth Group.
See RISEN as a group of Adults & Youth. April 3rd at 3:50pm. Youth and Adults are invited to gather at the Cordova Malco Theatre on Germantown Parkway to see “Risen”. We will have dinner afterward at the IHOP to discuss the film. SYNOPSIS Roman military tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) remains set in his ways after serving 25 years in the army. He arrives at a crossroad when he's tasked to investigate the mystery of what happened to Jesus (Cliff Curtis) following the Crucifixion. Accompanied by trusted aide Lucius (Tom Felton), his quest to disprove rumors of a risen Messiah makes him question his own beliefs and spirituality. As his journey takes him to places never dreamed of, Clavius discovers the truth that he's been seeking. Rated PG-13
Want to keep the lesson going at home?
“A World of Difference” July 17-23 @Montreat, NC
PRESCHOOL and NURSERY LESSON
ELEMENTARY April Memory Verse
Cut these pictures out of the newsletter and put them in a frame at home. Work with your children to commit the verse to memory!
“Welcome!” we said. On twelve Saturday evenings between November and March, we said “Welcome.” Our welcome was sometimes met with lowered eyes or jaded attitudes, but by the time we had eaten together our guests knew we meant “Welcome!” when we said it. Over the course of the winter months, 56 volunteers from Farmington Presbyterian showed the love of Christ to 169 homeless guests in whom we saw the face of Christ. Some of our guests spent the night more than once, and we always had a joyful “Welcome!” when we saw each other again. Many of our guests were
without a place to sleep because of personal, temporary circumstances. They shared how humbling it was to learn what being homeless really is like. Others of our guests have struggled for years with mental illness, disability, and other factors that inhibit their ability to provide housing for themselves. All of our guests were thankful for our hospitality. Thank you to all who volunteered with Room in the Inn this past season. We look forward to welcoming guests again next November with delicious food, hot showers, engaging and fun fellowship, and a safe, warm place to sleep on a freshly-made bed. We made new friends, listened to their stories, and rejoiced as we saw Christ in them and they saw Christ in us.
Upcoming Events Men’s Prayer Group FPC Men's group met on March 11th for breakfast, fellowship, prayer, and viewed Billy Graham's sermon on Jesus and Jonah. FPC Men meet next on April 8th and will study Billy Graham's sermon entitled "Choices". Join them at 6:30am in the Youth Room. Coffee and McDonalds breakfast are available.
PW Bake Sale
Join us for dinner at Mellow Mushroom on Forest Hill Irene. A percentage of your total bill will go to Farmington Presbyterian to support our Mission to Mexico. Last year we raised $750 for the mission by this event! Come, eat and help us provide clean water for families in Mexico.
Mark your calendar! The Presbyterian Women will have their annual Bake Sale on Wednesday, April 20, 12—6pm. All baked items will be greatly appreciated. A signup sheet is on the Presbyterian Women bulletin board. Please have baked items at the church by 11am on the day of the sale. Proceeds from the sale will go to fund the outreach mission projects of Farmington PW. If there is no time for baking, money donations are always greatly welcomed. Thank you in advance for your support of Presbyterian Women. Any questions, contact Charlene Still—(901)7545559 (jcmstill@aol.com
Feed Fayette Food Pantry SPRING CLEANING! Please donate Clorox wipes, magic erasers, sponges and paper towels. We will give these items to the Fayette County Food Bank for distribution to those in need. If you would like to help distribute food, call Bonnie Blair at 901-493-2344. Thanks to Jon, Charlene and Melissa Still for their work with the Fayette County Food Bank each month.
April 6- Beef Stroganoff Programs for Adults and Children April 13- Baked Chicken Programs for Adults and Children April 20 - Quiche Night Program for Adults and Children April 27 - Meatloaf Life App Wrap
Committee Meetings Christian Education 12:30 pm Sunday, April 3 Elder Nominating Committee 1:30pm Sunday, April 3 Congregational Care 10:00 am Tuesday, April 5 Property and Grounds 7:30am Friday, April 8 School Board 5:30 pm Monday, April 11 Service 6:30 pm Monday, April 11 Worship 12:30pm Sunday, April 17 Session 6:00 pm Monday, April 18 Administration 6 pm Tuesday, April 26
Sundays at Farmington Sunday School is at 9:30 am and Worship is at 11:00 am. Join us! Children gather in the Sanctuary with music and then proceed to their classroom (A6) Youth gather in the youth room at 10 am for The Story: Finding yourself in the narrative of the Bible. Adults choose between Hosea in the Interpretation Bible Study in the East Room and a study of the Book of Luke in the room
Acolyte Schedule
Session Report A congregational meeting was held on March 13th following worship for the purpose of electing the 2016 Elder Nominating Committee. The ENC of 2016 Laurinda Ingram MaryShelley Ritchey Paul Bourassa Sara Millar Camille Young Becky Hutchins Doug Barr
Chair, Elder Presbyterian Men Presbyterian Women Youth Choir Congregation at Large
April 3
Elizabeth Luter
April 10
Ethan Simpson
April 17
Mia Mittag
April 24
Olivia Mittag
May 1
Nicholas Luter
If you are interested in serving as an elder Staff Extensions or would like to nominate someone, please speak with one of the members of the Elder Rev. Rebecca Luter, Pastor, Ext. 23 Nominating Committee. Doug Barr, Director of Christian Education, Ext. 29
April Birthdays
Cyndi Bevington, Administrative Assistant, Ext. 21 Rhonda Pearsall, Bookkeeper, Ext. 22
2
Bailey Wann
12
Roger Rhodes, Sr.
Jenny Howell, Executive Director of Day School, Ext. 28 Linda Turner, Managing Director of Day School, Ext. 24 Gretchen Burch, Program Director of Day School, Ext. 32
13
Jack Ingram
Anthony Jones, Maintenance Technician
15
Kasi Wann
Session Members
16
Aline Bendall
Administration – Kirsten King Christian Education – Laurinda Ingram
22
Maureen (Mo) Smithers
23
Emily Rhodes
Clerk – Melanie Oest Congregational Care – John Hazen Fellowship – Mary Shelley Ritchey
27
Elizabeth Williams
If your birthday is not listed, please contact the church office to be added. We would like to celebrate with you.
Property and Grounds – Jerry Hosier School Board – Susan Bryant Service – Bonnie Blair Worship – Sandy Wann
If you have content for the May edition of New Vision, please email Doug Barr no later than April 25 at Doug@farmingtonpres.org Farmington Presbyterian Church and Day School 8245 Farmington Blvd. Germantown, TN 38139 www.Farmingtonpres.org