October 2021 Newsletter

October 1, 2021

GENEVA NEWS Connecting | Worshipping | Learning | Serving | Giving

Encouraging You To Encourage Others Would you like to accept Steve’s challenge to invite someone to church but you don’t know quite how to go about it or what words to use?

We can help by providing sample emails and text messages to help with the invitation process.

New Meet & Greet Lunch

What will happen? For three weeks we will send you a couple of emails and text messages with encouragement or challenges. We will make it easy by giving you everything you need, step by step, to invite people in a personal and friendly way! Sign up by texting INVITE to (949) 575-8675 or by contacting Jane Kingston (janekingston@hotmail.com).

Sunday, October 3rd in Simpson Ha @ 11:45am In response to increased in-person visitor activity, our virtual Meet & Greet is now morphing into an in-person Meet & Greet Lunch. The rst lunch will take place Sunday, October 3rd in Simpson Hall directly after the 10:30am worship service.

Hosted by Pastor Steve and Geneva members, the goal of the new Meet & Greet Lunch is to provide a more personal setting where new visitors and guests can ask questions and meet others who are new like themselves. Genevans who are hosting guests are invited, too!

A Meet & Greet Lunch will be o ered after the 10:30am worship service the rst Sunday of every month. We need a few Genevans to help with light set-up and clean-up. If interested, contact Congregational Life elders Tom Jenkins at tomjudyj@cox.net or Linda Erickson at lindaericksonart@gmail.com.

If you are a member and plan on bringing a new guest to a Meet & Greet Lunch, please shoot Jane a quick email and let her know who is coming.

This wi help us with a meal head count. Thank you!

October inspiration awaits! Join Pastor Steve daily at youtube.com/ genevapresbyterianchurchoc.

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Geneva Presbyterian Church

Geneva Presbyterian Church

September 1, 2021

Jazz Vespers

The Word Is Out

Sunday, October 10, 4p

An update om Pastor Stev

Last month, seventy- ve people attended the rst Jazz Vespers service since the start of the pandemic. This is very encouraging and we believe this number will grow with the help of generous donors like you!

It is di cult to determine how many people we are reaching through online e orts and our Laguna Woods TV 6 broadcast. We can track online viewership through YouTube and Facebook metrics, yet we have no empirical data about Village TV 6. So, how do we know our e orts are working

I want to share with you some encouraging anecdotal evidence. In Geneva could not offer Jazz addition to weekly text messages or emails I receive from people Vespers without the generosity a rming how the online worship service has impacted their lives, of sponsors. If you regularly attend this service, or want to here are a few of my experiences which lead me to believe our help ensure we can continue to church is heading in the right direction. offer Jazz Vespers to our Three months ago on my walk in Laguna community, then please consider a sponsorship.

Woods Village, I was stopped by someone “…Thanks for all you The price range is $50 for coming toward me, “Aren’t you Steve and Geneva are doing a single service, to $1,200 Marsh?” the walker asked? I replied, “Yes.” for the good of people. And the walker said, “I watch you on TV 6 for the entire year. We welcome participation Laguna Woods TV 6 Viewer each week.” from members, visitors and guests alike.

At our recent New Member’s class, one attendee reported that her niece watches online worship and views my Daily Inspiration videos in New York. Another new member shared that it was our online worship service that brought him to the church.

Learn more and become a sponsor at genevapres.org/ jazzvespers or contact Geneva Business Manager Gary Pado at gpado@genevapres.org.

At last month’s Jazz Vespers service, two Laguna Woods residents spoke to me about regularly watching our online worship service and were attending Jazz Vespers after learning about it through the online announcements

New Sermon Series Jesus’ Message: You Are Integral For One Race And One Blood begins Sunday, October 24th and runs through November 21st. The resource is the T.D. Jakes book Planted with a Purpose: God Turns Pressure into Power. Purchase in the church of ce for $10 or online at genevapres.churchcenter.com/ registrations.

Two weeks ago, I was getting out of my car and a couple walking by turned around and said, “You’re Steve Marsh, right? Thanks for all you and Geneva are doing for the good of people.” Yes, another Village TV 6 viewer Well, I wanted to let you know that online worship, our Village TV 6 presence and Daily Inspiration videos seem to be making some impact. Let’s keep praying for the reach of these aspects of Geneva’s witness to the good news of Jesus Christ

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Upcoming Activities World Communion Sunday - October World Communion Sunday is celebrated by churches all over the world. This is also a special day because Geneva kids and youth who participated in the Sacraments Class will be taking communion with their larger church family for the first time with a new understanding of the true meaning of this important sacrament

Trunk-or-Treat

A Church Social - October 3, 2-6p

Friday, October 29, 5:30-6:30p

Genevans and guests are invited to the Romberg house for food and fellowship (and swimming for kids and kids at heart)! All ages are welcome, you only need a desire to encourage or be encouraged by the gift of presence. Help us with the headcount and receive directions by RSVPing to info@genevapres.org

The Geneva parking lot will be

Geneva Presbyterian Women - October 20, 1-2:15p GPW will meet on campus in Simpson Hall Wednesday, October 20 for fellowship and fun. Although there will be no formal luncheon, fellowship circles are encouraged to meet for lunch at Polly's Pies prior to the gathering. If you would like to join a circle, we encourage you to do so. Please contact Janie Williams at jw@janieonline.com or call the church o ce at 949-837-2323

Geneva Women’s Book Club - Tuesday, October 26, 1-2p This group meets the fourth Tuesday of the month in McLennan Lounge. The focus for the October discussion is the book When We Meet Again by Kristin Harmel. To participate online, join the book

the venue for little ones to show off their costumes and open up their goodie bags to receive treats from Genevans, the Geneva Children's Center Preschool and the Geneva School. Trunk participants will need to supply candy for approximately 100 children and are encouraged to decorate and dress up to help create a festive atmosphere. To reserve a trunk spot, email Geneva Children’s Center Director, Amy Lussier at MrsAmy@genevacc.org. Once we have you on our list, all "trunkers" will receive additional details as the event approaches.

Welcome New Members In worship Sunday, October 17, we are happy to be formally introducing our newest members to the church. Please help us welcome Shirley Fargo, Hsin Huang, Kwang Seo and Mimi Seo to the Geneva family.

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Geneva Presbyterian Church

September 1, 2021

club group at genevapres.churchcenter.com/groups to receive an email with the Zoom meeting ID. For questions or technical assistance, contact the church o ce at 949-837-2323, email us at info@genevapres.org

In Memoriam "...nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

5 Ways You Can Positively Impact Geneva’s Future

Romans 8:38-39

A 2011 Barna study found that 70% of students left the church after high school. Why? Participants often cited the lack of connection with adult Christians outside of their families. When children and youth spend all of their time with each other and specialized teachers, they miss out on the shared connection, oral history and simple modeling of a Christian life that those in other generations can provide. Fortunately, at Geneva we can o er this in abundance! Here are ve ways you can make a di erence!

With heavy hearts, we announce the recent passing September 23, 2021, of Geneva member Ruth Tevis, who had been part of our faith community since 1994. She will be greatly missed. Please join us in extending prayers for her family and friends at this difficult time.

Say He o And Let It Gro

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The “Rowdies” Are Now Hiring

Find a kid. Say hello. Share your name and ask for theirs. Find out one thing about them. Look for the same kid next Sunday and keep the conversation going. If they don’t respond the way you’d hoped, don’t be discouraged. Keep it up. Just say hello and let it grow!

Okay, so you won’t earn any cash, but you will be highly rewarded in food, friends and fellowship! Every Monday morning from 8am to noon, this fun and welcoming group of dedicated Genevans, friends and guests get together for fellowship and facility repairs.

They are the “handy-folks” of Geneva! The morning begins in the Annex with an hour of coffee, donuts and a short devotional, then the team is dispersed around campus to complete a wide variety of tasks. Anyone is welcome. Come whenever you can; every week, once a month, or whatever works for you. You do not need to be a church member to participate. We hope to see you soon!

Teach Children’s Sunday Schoo

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We’re in desperate need of teachers and assistants.

Curriculum, activities and resources are provided. We will also give you the training you need. For teachers the commitment is 2-4 Sundays/mo. Assistants need only commit 1-2 Sundays/mo

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Geneva Presbyterian Church

September 1, 2021

Be A Nursery Volunteer

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Without a vibrant nursery, parents won’t be comfortable coming to church. Help us cement in the minds of these little ones and their parents that church is a safe and loving place to be.

Become A Youth Voluntee

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Middle and high school students are only a few short years from moving into adult life. Volunteering for just three hours a week is all it takes to help ground them in God’s truth so that after graduation they continue growing in faith.

Serve At A Kids Or Youth Even

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Events like the recent Parent’s Night Out and the upcoming Trunk-or-Treat (see article on page 3) help us engage children and families, and in turn, help children and families get to know us. We simply cannot invite children on to our campus without your help. God has put you at Geneva for just a time as this! Get involved. It may change your life.

To become involved in any of the activities above, contact Pastor Ryan Romberg at rromberg@genevapres.org. You may also volunteer online at genevapres.org/events.

Other Service Opportunities San Joaquin Mobile Food Pantry - October 2 Our friends at San Joaquin Elementary School host a free mobile food pantry monthly, which supplies fresh produce for families in need. Volunteer shifts available: 11-12PM setup, 12-1PM food restock, and 1-2PM clean-up. Sign up online at genevapres.org/ events, email Pastor Ryan at rromberg@genevapres.org or call him at the church o ce by Tuesday, October 19th with your name and preferred volunteer shift

Drive & Drop Food Drive - November 4, 7:30-10:30a Geneva is teaming up with the Mission Viejo Rotary Club for another Drive & Drop Food Drive to bene t the South County Outreach Food Pantry. On your next grocery run, please consider purchasing a few items from the shopping list found at genevapres.org/events, or pick up a list in the church o ce. Items will be collected in the Geneva parking lot Thursday, July 8 from

October 3, 10, 17 & 24 in Simpson Hal The rst four weeks in October, all adult education classes will meet together for a study entitled Christ’s Grace & Loving Compassion presented by the Rev. Dr. Howard Hsieh. Some of the most comforting and assuring passages from the Gospels deal with Christ’s compassion and faithful love to people dealing with desperate situations, sins, and dif culties.

The series will focus on how our Lord Jesus Christ transformed people in these circumstances with His steadfast love and grace.

Congratulations San Joaquin Elementary Here’s an instagram message from Principal Shun from San Joaquin Elementary School, our local mission partner, sent September 8: “ WE DID IT! HUGE thank you to everyone who voted for us! San Joaquin has OFFICIALLY been announced as Parenting OC’s 19th annual RCA winner in the category of Best Public Elementary School!

SJES is a great place to be!”

Congratulations, Cheetahs! Get to know Principal Shun by volunteering for this month’s Mobile Food Pantry at the school (see article above left).

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Adult Ed Classes Combine In October

Geneva Presbyterian Church

September 1, 2021

7:30am-11:30am. Heavy plastic and reusable grocery bags are also needed. Thank you for your support

Generosity Campaign Begins November 7 With a campaign entitled Embracing the Future with Faith, the Generosity Service Team will be sending out letters and Estimate of Giving (pledge) cards in early November. We are asking that you return the cards by Ingathering Sunday, November 14 so that the Budget Team can start their work on the 2022 budget Pledging encourages us to make a commitment to God, and it enables Session to make practical plans for next year’s ministry. How much you give is entirely up to you. If you are not already a “tither” we encourage you to move toward that goal. If you are a current tither, we hope you will consider increasing your giving by a few percentage points. You won’t be disappointed as you cannot out-give God. Be looking for more information coming your way in the November newsletter. In the meantime, please pray about how you may respond to God’s call for us to give generously of our financial resources in gratitude for what He has done for us

Geneva Text Messaging You may have noticed that last month we began sending text message reminders promoting the beginning of Pastor Steve’s upcoming sermon series. According to data from Text-In-Church, a national church support organization with which Geneva has a relationship, text messaging campaigns greatly increase church attendance and general engagement.

We will use text messaging sparingly, but if you do not want to receive these messages, call the church o ce at 949-837-2323 and let us know.

We will take you o the list. In the meantime, thank you for receiving these messages in the good faith in which they are intended, which is to spread God’s word and grow His kingdom.

Paul Arndt Bill Barnes Jerra Lynne Beckhart Don Beckhart Pat Chapman Beth Coombs Norm Coombs Hank Green Cathy Kalina Carol Van Kirk Char Konyndyk Harriet & Bink Lewis George Marsh Carter Marchese and family Bob Warren Paul Woodward Email prayer@genevapres.org with a prayer request, call the church of ce or stop by and complete a Prayer Request Form.

Our Church Prayer Loving God, you have created each one of us in Your image and with a purpose to participate with Your ministry of reconciliation… first with You and then others. May our words and deeds demonstrate your reconciling will to be one family loving You and one another. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Prayer Requests