June 2021 Newsletter

Geneva News

June 2021

Vacation Bible School Register now for free VBS For kids K-5th Grade, June 28-July 2, 9am-12:30pm Press Play: Get in The Mix is the theme for this year's Vacation Bible School where your kids will learn to see themselves the way God sees them.

For five days, kids will enjoy amazing worship, fun activities and games to help them learn incredible truths from the Bible. As a result, they will leave knowing they are known, they belong, they are forgiven, they can change, and they can make a difference.

We are planning an in-person program adhering to COVID-19 protocols. If conditions change, we will

Volunteer!

Make a difference in the life of a child and gain a few friends along the way! Here's where we need help: Snack service

Small Group Leaders (help kids

Craft helpers

understand the lesson in small

Check-In support

group time and lead the group

Decorating

around throughout the day)

Note that as a volunteer you will be required to attend VBS Leader and Youth Protection Training. This is offered Sunday, June 13 from 1-2pm. If you can't attend, contact Pastor Ryan at rromberg@genevapres.org.

Register your children for VBS or sign up to volunteer at:

transition to a virtual VBS. Although, at the time of the

genevapres.churchcenter.com/

writing of

this article, things are looking

registrations. Questions?

good for

an on campus experience.

Contact Pastor Ryan or call the church office at 949-837-2323.

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GET THE CHURCH CENTER APP

WOMEN'S BOOK CLUB Tuesday, June 22, 1-2pm

A faster connection to Geneva is at In June, the group will be discussing The Book Woman of

your fingertips with the Church

Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. To

Center App. Here are just a few of

participate, join the Women's Book Club group at

the functions the App allows you to

genevapres.org/zoomactivities to receive meeting

perform from your smartphone:

details and a Zoom invitation. Check out books at most public libraries or purchase used books at amazon.com.

Event Registration

For technical support, email us at info@genevapres.org

Event Check-In

or call the church during office hours at 949-837-2323.

View In Community With Bulletin during in-person worship and at your convenience Connect to livestream worship

IN MEMORIAM

Join a group

Our sister in Christ, Pat Ingersoll, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 19th. Pat had been a member of the Geneva family since 1978 and will be greatly missed by many. Join us in extending prayers for her family and friends at this difficult time.

Make a donation Check the church calendar View the church directory ... and more Download the Church Center App from either the Apple Store or the Google Play Store at churchcenter.com/app. When you open the app for

PRAYER REQUESTS Email your request to prayer@genevapres.org or call the church office at 949-837-2323 and our

the first time you can either search for Geneva or allow the app to use your device location and confirm that you are at Geneva. Questions? Call the church office during office hours at 949-837-2323 or email us at info@genevapres.org.

team of prayer warriors will lift up your concerns.

All requests are strictly confidential.

Paul Arndt

Mary Geib

Jerra Lynne Beckhart

Hank Green

Pat Chapman

Carol Van Kirk

Beth Coombs

Char Konyndyk

Norm Coombs

Harriet & Bink Lewis

Mary Enser

George Marsh

Jonathan Flores

Joyce Walker

Lettie Freeman

Ruth Ward

Jack Garrison Our Church Prayer: God, we are members of Your family, shaped by suffering, one with everyone, a conduit to others knowing you and your presence.

Almighty God, the One who is always present, we are grateful for the Holy Spirit, Your presence in our lives.

VIRTUAL "MEET & GREET" Sunday, June 6, 11:30am-12pm Wednesday, June 16, 7-7:30pm Our new virtual Meet & Greets via Zoom are a more personal approach to introducing people to Geneva.

Meet & Greets will be offered the first Sundays and third Wednesdays of the month. Only 20-30 minutes, it's just enough time for two fellow Genevans to welcome guests, answer questions and discover how we may help those new to us connect. If you are new we invite you to attend by registering at genevapres.org/events. For current members, please use this as a tool to invite others to learn more about our church.

We, then, are Your presence in the world. Amen.

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JOIN THE VIRTUAL MEMBER DIRECTORY

Stay connected to your Geneva family at the touch of a button The new virtual directory allows instant access to your fellow Genevans’ contact information via computer, tablet or smartphone. Being listed in the virtual directory is optional. We will not list your information unless you authorize us to do so through the sign up process. If you choose to be listed, only Geneva members will have access to the virtual directory, so your information is

GENEVA KIDS SUNDAY

June Theme: The connection between confidence and God's character When it comes to confidence, we might try and base it on what we do well or what a teacher or parent might say about us. But true confidence should be built on something that lasts forever

safe and secure.

– how God sees us. And, when you put your

To sign up, look for this email

how God sees you.

confidence in Jesus, you can truly see yourself

invitation sent to all Geneva members. Upon opening, click the “Join Directory” button and follow the prompts. You have the option to update your information and add photos, although photos are not required. Don't forget to click the "Update" button at the end

MEET OUR GENEVA KIDS We want you to know our kids so from time to time we'll be introducing you to someone special in the 9am worship service. Here are the Geneva Kids highlighted in May. Feel free to introduce yourselves the next time you see them around campus (hopefully, soon)!

of the process. This saves your preferences and makes our information visible.

Malaki MacAllister

To sign up using the Church Center App, click Directory

Malaki is a fourth-grader

in the “More” section and follow the prompts. Using the

and the oldest child of

same instructions, you may also access the directory

Jason and Amanda. He

and sign up on your home computer at

likes to dance hip hop,

genevapres.churchcenter.com.

rollerblade, and his favorite pet is Kenji the cat.

We're aiming for 100% directory participation, so please call the church office at 949-837-2323 or email us at info@genevapres.org if you need additional assistance.

Kate Romberg Third-grader Kate Romberg likes to sing, dance, and make cards for people. Her favorite pet is a dog named Teddy. She's the child of Ryan and Stephanie.

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CURRENT WORSHIP SCHEDULE We have resumed in-person worship in the sanctuary at 9am Sunday mornings adhering to the state and county safety guidelines. To manage capacity limits, registration is required each week which you may at genevapres.chrchcenter.com/registrations or by calling the church office at 949-837-2323. You may also register using the Church Center App. Note that although the CDC has recently suggested the relaxing of mask requirements for fully vaccinated individuals, the state of California has not. Please continue to wear your face covering while attending in-person worship until further notice. Thank you!

Live stream worship continues at 10:30am as does the rebroadcast of last week’s service on Laguna Woods Village TV Channel 6.

THANK YOU FROM THE MUSIC MINISTRY The Geneva music ministry is grateful for the many months of service offered by Tech Team volunteers Taylor Horne and Gabe Burt during the pandemic.

Taylor has been video editing the traditional vocal, piano and organ solos recorded in the sanctuary for our worship services, and Gabe has been audio mixing the contemporary music offerings we've been enjoying for these past months. Both have been working diligently and faithfully, and we appreciate how they have used their gifts for all of us! Thank you, Taylor and Gabe!

CURRENT SERMON SERIES Now through June 13

Pastor Steve's current sermon series is Jesus’ Message: You Are God’s Presence. The Stan Jantz book, Fire & Wind is the resource book for the series which you may purchase through the church for $10. Call us at 949-8372323, send an email request to info@genevapres.org or visit genevapres.churchcenter.com/registrations to order online while supplies last.

GENEVA KIDS SUNDAY We're excited to welcome children nursery-aged through 5th grade back to campus! Masks (children age 2+) and social distancing are required in order to adhere to state and county COVID-19 protocol. Here's the new morning schedule: All families check in on the courtyard Nursery-aged children may go directly to the nursery in the education building Children PreK-5th grade begin the morning in the Sanctuary then are sent with a blessing to

BIBLE SUNDAY

June 6, during 9am worship

Room 1 (PreK and Kindergarten) in the education building and the Chapel (1st-5th grade) After worship at 10am, nursery-aged children may be

Bible Sunday is a tradition at Geneva whereby our

picked up in the nursery and kids PreK-5th grade will be

youngsters who fall between the ages of 3 and 5th

waiting for parents in the Chapel courtyard. If you have

grade are gifted an age-appropriate Bible in a video

any questions, please contact Pastor Ryan at

presentation during worship and receive a special

rromberg@genevapres.org.

blessing. Let's all pass along blessings of our own as they use their new gift to build and strengthen their relationship with Jesus.

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YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING

SUMMER PASTOR'S STUDY

Register @ genevapres.churchcenter.com/registrations

You Are God’s Presence: An In-depth Study on John 14-16

This training by Zoom is required for all people who

Join the Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh on Wednesday

Sunday, June 13, 1-2pm

work with children or youth (e.g. Sunday school teachers and helpers, VBS volunteers, middle and high school leaders, camp councilors, etc.). It is also recommended for any member of Geneva who wants to understand how to safely relate to minors in their intergenerational relationships.

If you have any questions about the training or cannot attend this session, please contact Pastor Ryan at rromberg@genevapres.org. In the meantime, thank you for supporting our Geneva Kids!

Wednesday evenings, June 16, 23 & 30

evenings, June 16, 23 and 30 from 6:30-7:30 pm by zoom, for an in-depth look at the Gospel of John, chapters 14-16, to see how followers of Jesus are truly the presence of God to others.

It is true. God lives in everyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. How, you may ask? By the filling of the Holy Spirit. God, the Holy Spirit, takes up residence in the believer. And, the Holy Spirit brings to remembrance all that Jesus taught and did to each follower of Jesus. Most significantly the Holy Spirit unites us with Jesus and the Father so that we have a dynamic

REGISTER FOR SUMMER CAMP For youth 6th-12th grade, June 18-21

relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

To receive additional information and the zoom email invite which includes the zoom meeting ID, register at

Get stoked for a Totally Rad Summer on Catalina Island.

genevapres.churchcenter.com/registrations. If you

With amazing live worship, an inspirational message,

need technical assistance, please call the church at 949-

island activities including swimming, snorkeling,

837-2323 during office hours or email us at

kayaking, paddle-boarding, and fishing, and a special

info@genevapres.org.

day in the city of Avalon, this camp is going to be epic!

We'll have a COVID-safe camp experience with a 50% camp capacity, outdoor meetings and dining, masks, distancing, etc... Students will be put in a cabin only with students from our church and their grade level (Middle School and High School are not in the same cabins). Counselors are background checked and fully vetted adults who are members of or closely tied to Geneva Presbyterian Church.

The cost is $400 per student. Full and partial scholarships are available. Register today at genevapres.churchcenter.com/registrations. For

NEW MEMBER CLASS

Saturday, June 19, 10-11:30am Simpson Hall This class is for those who are ready for membership or want to discover what it means to become a Geneva member. We'll answer questions such as: What does it mean to be a Presbyterian?

Why join the church?

What are the benefits of belonging?

How do I find my fit?

more information and/or to inquire about scholarships,

The class will meet in person at the church in Simpson

contact Pastor Ryan Romberg @

Hall in the education building from 10-11:30am or

rromberg@genevapres.org. Check out the Campus By

shortly thereafter. Register at genevapres.org/events

The Sea website (campusbythesea.org) to see pictures

or call the church during office hours at 949-837-2323.

and learn more about the camp.

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BE A "FOOD HERO"

FINANCIAL RECAP

Help deliver food to those in need in South OC

January through April 2021

Our friends at Delivering with Dignity Orange County

Actual

recently reached out to area churches asking for assistance in delivering food to the most vulnerable in South Orange County. Through partnerships with locally-owned restaurants, leading nonprofit agencies, and private corporations, the program delivers meals directly to the doorsteps of residents and keeps dozens of restaurant staff employed.

“Food Hero” volunteers abide by strict health and social distancing guidelines and must sign a waiver to participate. Delivery days in South Orange County are on Tuesdays and Fridays.

To learn more and sign up to volunteer, visit deliveringwithdignityoc.org/volunteer. If you have questions or need assistance with sign up, contact Pastor Ryan at rromberg@genevapres.org. Thank you in advance for serving!

LOVE PROJECT – LAGUNA Homeless Shelter Lunch Program

Budgeted

Difference

Pledges

$274,036

$214,129

$59,907

Total Revenue

$417,736

$348,544

$69,192

Total Expenses

$354,171

$364,730

$ (10,559)

$63,565

$ (16,186)

$79,751

Net Income

Our members have certainly remained faithfully committed to Geneva. Pledge revenue has exceeded the monthly budget in three of the first four months of this year! Other positive revenue additions have come from the Presbytery in the form of grants supporting our Channel 6 outreach effort and on-campus Covid- related efforts. We also benefitted from a Federal employee retention tax credit. Expense savings are related to efficiencies in staff hours and communication costs.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING RECAP Sunday, May 23rd a called Congregational Meeting was

It is part of the mission of Geneva to help relieve the

conducted via Zoom to approve a revision to the

suffering in our community the best we can. To this

church bylaws allowing electronic meetings to be

end, since May, the Love Project team, along with

conducted for church business when necessary. We're

many faithful Geneva volunteers, has been providing

happy to report that a quorum was established and the

30 sack lunches the first Saturday of every month to

motion to accept the bylaw changes was passed. Thank

the city’s Alternative Sleeping Location (ASL) on Laguna

you to all members who participated.

Canyon Road.

To lend a hand in making sandwiches, cutting up apples, providing baked goods and inspirational notes for the sack lunches, please sign up at genevapres.churchcenter.com/registrations or call the church during office hours at 949-837-2323.

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