Nov 2013 Here@First

first presbyterian church

here@

FIRST

November 2013

Deeper Treasure

“Glorifying God through equipping disciples to love and serve our neighbors.�

Volume 56

First Presbyterian Church 9 South 8th Ave Yakima, WA 98902

(509) 248-7940

CALENDAR

Our Core Values • Glorifying God with our best • Pioneering and ongoing outreach • Engaging and nurturing relationships • Being a cornerstone in the community • Equipping people for ministry through biblical foundation and service

November Events Friday, November 1 MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) 9:00a Gym Moms Sunday, November 3 Ghormley Harvest Festival 12p - 7p Ghormley Meadow Everyone Monday, November 4 MOPS Photo Fundraiser PICK-UP 9a - 7p Garden Room

Fellowship Ministry Team 6:00p Lounge Committee

Living Waters Mission Meeting 5:30p Parlor Committee Tuesday, November 5 MOPS Photo Fundraiser PICK-UP 9a - 7p Garden Room Thursday, November 7 Happy Travelers Meeting 1:30p Adult Ed Committee

Senior Adult Ministries Meeting 3:00p Adult Ed Committee Friday, November 8 MOPS Steering Team 9:00a Lounge Committee

Craft Night 6:30p Adult Ed Women

Cristo Vive Youth Group 6:30p Gym Youth

Veteran’s Dinner and Program 6:00p Garden Room Everyone Saturday, November 9 Ghormley Work Day/Free Lunch/RSVP (2nd Sat) All day Ghormley Meadow Everyone

Prayer Shawl Ministry 9:00a Mid High Knitters Sunday, November 10 2nd Grade Gift Bible Presentation 9:30a Sanctuary 2nd graders Monday, November 11 Veteran’s Day (Church is open) Veteran’s Day / No Preschool Preschool

Edith Ferry Circle Potluck 12:00p Parlor Women Tuesday, November 12 Adult Ed Meeting 4:00p Adult Ed Committee

Service Ministry Team Meeting 6:00p Adult Ed Committee

Discipleship Ministry Team 6:00p Room 203 Committee

Worship Ministry Team 6:00p Parlor Committee

Business Ministry Team 7:00p Library Committee

Sacred Messengers 7:00p Lounge Committee

SLT (Session Leadership) 7:00p Adult Ed Committee Wednesday, November 13 Soar Guest Speaker: Chris Smith from Bethel 6:00p Chapel Everyone Thursday, November 14 Soar Guest Speaker: Chris Smith from Bethel 6:00p Garden Room Everyone

MOPS Set Up 5:00p Adult Ed, Gym, 2nd Floor Friday, November 15 MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) 9:00a Gym Moms Friday, 15 - Sunday, 17 Highschool Blast at Ghormley All weekend Ghormley Meadow 9th - 12th graders Sunday, November 17 No Youth Sunday School

Stewardship Dedication All morning Sanctuary Everyone Tuesday, November 19 Kaffee Klatsch 12:00p Adult Ed Everyone

Session Dinner and Meeting 6:00p Garden Room/Mid High Elders & Program Staff Wednesday, November 20 Thanksgiving for Mabel Swan 12:00p Garden Room Mabel Swan Residents

No Youth Group Thursday, November 21 Ghormley Commission 6:30p Adult Ed Committee Friday, November 22 MOPS Creative Moments 9:00a Room 217 Moms

Thanksgiving at Madison House 6:00p Madision House

Cristo Vive Family Night 6:30p Gym Families Saturday, November 23 Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:00p Mid High Knitters Sunday, November 24 Operation Child Christmas Shoebox Dedication All morning Sanctuary Everyone

Angel Tree Kick-Off All morning Garden Room Everyone

One Blended Service / No Classes Today 9:30a Sanctuary Everyone

Thanksgiving Meal 11:00a Gym Everyone Wednesday, November 27 No Youth Group Thursday, November 28 Happy Thanksgiving! Church Closed All day Friday, November 29 Church Closed All day Sunday, December 1 Tuesday, December 3 Wednesday, December 4 Friday, December 6 December 6, 7, 8

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1st Sunday of Advent Decorate Church Presbyterian Women’s Silver Tea MOPS Christmas Tea Mountain Meadow Christmas

1p - 4p 1:00p 9:00a All weekend

GR, Sanctuary, Parlor Garden Room Garden Room Ghormley Meadow

Everyone Women Moms Everyone

Here@First is available in a PDF format on the church web page at www.fpcyakima.com. For inquiries, submissions, omissions, and corrections, contact Curt Rosenkranz in the church office. 248-7940 x 113 curtis.rosenkranz@fpcyakima.com

Weekday Events M-W-F Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Exercisers 9:00a-10:00a TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 10:00a Overeaters Anonymous 12:00p Trailseekers 2:30p Al-Anon 5:15p Living a Spirit Led Life Women’s Bible Study 9:15a Women in the Word Bible Study 9:45a Women of Action (2nd and 4th Wednesdays) 9:30a Men’s Noon Bible Study 12:00n Contemporary Worship Rehearsal 6:00p - 8:00p Youth Group - Mid High & Senior High 6:00p - 8:00p SOAR: School of Spiritual Transformation 5:30p Bible Study Fellowship 9:00a Temple Choir 7:00p Cristo Vive Music Rehearsal 5:30p - 7:00p Cristo Vive Mid-Week Worship Service 7:00p - 8:30p SOZO Prayer NEW!!!

5:45p - 9:15p SOZO Prayer 9a - 11:30a Cristo Vive Youth Group 7p - 9p

Gym/GR Adult Ed Adult Ed Gym Adult Ed Gym Parlor Chapel Adult Ed Sanctuary Sr & Mid Hi Rms Chapel Sanctuary Choir Rm Chapel Chapel Lounge, Prayer Rm Chapel, Prayer Rm Gym

Sr Adults Everyone Everyone

Sanctuary Sanctuary Chapel Adult Ed Adults Lounge Chapel Youth Room Classrooms Gym

Everyone Everyone Everyone

Everyone Women Women Women Men 6th - 12th grades Soar Students Women Cristo Vive Cristo Vive SOZO Team SOZO Team Gr 6-12

Sunday Mornings Worship - led Contemporary Worship Team Worship - led by Temple Choir & Organ Worship - Cristo Vive (Spanish) Adult Ed Bible Class Golden Circle Firestarters (Concludes November 17) Youth Sunday School KidZone Sunday School Parenting Class (9/8 - 11/10)

8 & 9:30 11:00a 12:15p 9:30a 9:30a 9:30a 9:30a 9:30a 9:30a

Adults Adults Gr 6-12 3yrs thru 5th gr Parents

HAPPENIN’ @ FIRST

ghormley harvest festival

Various games/activity stations including • Pumpkin Painting / Previously Carved pumpkin contest • Kids Halloween Costume contest • Carnival type games • ...and more!

You are invited!3, r Sunday, Novembe Noon till 7:00p

Cider Pressing For a little extra cash you can get your own jug of fresh squeezed apple cider which we will be pressing on site.

Admission Adults $5 Children $3 6 years old and younger free.

A variety of food will be for sale (cash/ check) carnival style.

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HAPPENIN’ @ FIRST

SERMON SERIES “KINGDOM LIVING: DEEPER TREASURE”

COOKIES & CANS Every Sunday morning we serve cookies, coffee and punch during fellowship hours after each service in the Garden Room. Our church family provides the cookies each week.

Please bring cookies on the week beginning with the first letter of your last name.

Also consider bringing a donation of non-perishable food items for donation to Calvary Rescue Mission.

November November November November

3 : N-S 10 : T-Z 17 : A-F 24 : G-M

Church Holiday Hours:

• • • •

Thanksgiving: Closed November 28th and 29th.

Christmas: Closed December 25th and 26th.

Close at 1p on 24th, 27th, 30th and 31st.

New Years Day: Closed January 1st.

Normal Hours Resume January 2nd.

LOVE In the Name of Christ

LOVE INC is the primary partner for FPC in assisting people who walk through our doors with a physical need.

Due to the continued lack of volunteers in the Clearinghouse, they have been forced to reduce the Clearinghouse to two days a week. Effective immediately the Love INC Clearinghouse will only be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30a -1:00p. They desperately need volunteers to fill this urgent need. You provide a willing heart; they will provide the training. Clearinghouse volunteers answer phone calls from people in need, listen with a caring heart, and collect the necessary information from them to be able to determine how to best help. Call the Administrative Office at 453-2942 for more information.

Love INC of Yakima 811 W. Yakima Ave. Suite 104 Yakima, WA 98902 509-453-2942

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THEME VERSE: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44) From the introduction of The Treasure Principle: “All your life, you’ve been on a treasure hunt. You’ve been searching for a perfect person and a perfect place.

Jesus is that person; heaven is that place. So, if you’re a Christian, you’ve already met the person, and you’ve already headed to the place.

But there’s a problem. You’re not yet living with that person, and you’re not yet living in that place! You may attend church regularly, pray, and read the Bible. But life can still be drudgery, can’t it? You dutifully put one foot in front of the other, plodding across the hot, barren ground, longing for a joy you cannot find, a treasure that alludes you. Jesus told a story like that. It’s about a hidden treasure that, once discovered brings life changing joy.”

In this sermon series, we will explore four of the Treasure Principle Keys offered in Randy Alcorn’s The Treasure Principle.

NOV 3 CITIZENS OF HEAVEN

Treasure Principle #3 Heaven, not earth, is my home.

Hebrews 11:16 NOV 10

CAPACITY TO GIVE Treasure Principle #6 God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11

NOV 17

AN ETERNAL INVESTMENT DEDICATION SUNDAY Treasure Principle #4 I should live not for the dot but for the line.

Matthew 6:19-21

NOV 24

9:30A ONE-COMBINED-SERVICE 11:00A THANKSGIVING POTLUCK (no 8:00a, 11:00a services or classes)

DEVOTIONAL

Janet Krieger

Generosity Not long afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby cities and villages to announce the Good News concerning the Kingdom of God. He took His twelve disciples with Him, along with some women He had healed and from whom He had cast out evil spirits. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and His disciples. Luke 8:1-3 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously.

If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And, if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7 The Luke passage reminds us that although God created everything in the world, He relied on people to support Jesus’ ministry, and the reality is He continues to do so today. This partnership with His people is God’s way of allowing us the opportunity to participate with Him, in ministry, in a most tangible way.

We are a generous people. We give our money, resources and time to others. We give with the conviction that supporting the ministry of Jesus is the best investment of our treasures. We minister to our community whether it be at Madison House or in Cambodia. Our financial giving is also a demonstration of our commitment to His church, this Body of Christ. We appreciate the electric bill being paid with a well lit and warm sanctuary, paper available to print the bulletins and hot coffee on Sunday mornings to enjoy in the Garden Room.

In 2nd Corinthians, Paul says we should not give because we feel pressure to do so, we should not give because we feel we have to, rather we should give with heartfelt gladness. We should give because that is the example Jesus gave us . . . Sacrificial giving at the cross. The Holy Spirit moves in our hearts and we give generously, supporting the work of God and ultimately learning to trust God with our own finances. Giving to God demonstrates our honor of Him. It is our privilege to join in what He is doing to establish His Kingdom on earth. May we experience the blessing of sacrifice so that results are realized for the Kingdom of God. Our giving is an act of our worship and service to God. Our giving brings glory to His name. May we grow as generous givers who support this church in its ability to do the work of the Kingdom.

Let us meditate on the Scriptures, and ask the Holy Spirit to give us insight regarding how we can give generously to His Kingdom. Let us ask God to open our eyes to opportunities to give.

Janet

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PASTOR JACK Dear Church Family, Hopefully by now, you’ve had a chance to meet our new pastor, Cindy Carter. If not, you are in for a treat!

Slowly but surely, she and her husband, Greg, are getting acclimated to our Yakima Valley. Thank you to everyone who has helped them to feel at home and welcomed by reaching out to them. Cindy’s arrival marks a new chapter in our church’s history. With Cindy and Tyler Van Horn in place, our pastoral staff feels balanced, energized, and complete.

I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to offer a word of appreciation to the various people who helped with pastoral care and visitation during the interim.

In addition to the care provided by the Deacons, Ben Antonio, Steve Barker, Gustavo Carvajal, Walt Nelson, and John Stolzenbach all volunteered their time and gifts and had regular office hours at the church, providing care to those in need. We couldn’t have made it through the summer without their help!

I often hear the question, “What exactly do our pastors do when they’re not up there preaching?” Thus, I thought it would be appropriate this month to share with you the different responsibilities of our three pastors, so you can be fully informed as to our responsibilities. While there is some overlap in terms of our responsibilities, each of us has designated areas in which we focus our time, energy, and passion. It’s important to note that, while each of us has office hours and are available to meet at the church, ministry also happens out in the community! We do a lot of important contact work and are involved in relational ministry, so you may see us in various coffee shops in the community engaged in conversation and fellowship with people.

Jack Peebles (Senior Pastor): As Senior Pastor, I am the moderator, theological guide, and “compass bearer” for the Session (the governing body of the church), helping to ensure that the mission statement, core values, and mission priorities of the church are at the center of its work.

In addition to serving as moderator, I help the Session Leadership Team set the agenda in advance of our Session meetings, discerning priorities and appropriate delegation. I also work closely with several committees operating under the authority of Session, including the Worship Ministry Team (planning our worship services) and Service Ministry Team (missions), the Personnel Committee, and the Stewardship Committee (together with Cindy).

As Senior Pastor I have ultimate oversight of the staff, ensuring that the planning and implementation of our mission, as determined by Session, is being carried out.

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This entails attending various staff meetings and checking in with my direct reports, which include Cindy, Tyler, and our worship staff.

It is my privilege to represent our congregation in the community and beyond. Thus, I serve as a member of the Yakima Downtown Rotary, the advisory board for the Fellowship of Presbyterians, and I am the board chair for The Outreach Foundation, a global mission organization.

In addition to preaching around 75% of the weekly sermons, I lead several small groups/discipleship groups (including a leadership Discipleship Group). Together with our other pastors, I officiate weddings and funerals, offer pre-marital and pastoral counseling, and meet regularly with people from the church and community.

I will soon begin working on refining our membership process.

In addition to all of this, I am currently utilizing my allotted study leave time to pursue a Doctor of Ministry degree through Fuller Theological Seminary. My studies help sharpen my thinking regarding best practices for ministry, so that I can bring the best of myself to the work of our church.

It is an honor to serve you as your Senior Pastor and I am grateful to God for each and every one of you.

Cindy Carter (Associate Pastor for Church Administration and Congregational Care): For many years our church leaders have prayed for a Church Administrator, and Pastor Cindy is the answer to that prayer. If I, as Senior Pastor, function as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Cindy fills the role of Chief Operations Officer (COO). Cindy serves as the pastoral advisor to our Business Ministry Team and provides oversight of the operations-side of the church. This includes serving on our Personnel Committee and Stewardship Committee (along with me), and providing supervision to her direct reports, including our Director of Finance and members of the support staff. Cindy fulfills the human resource director need for our church, by ensuring that job descriptions get clarified and evaluations occur.

Cindy is also the pastor coordinating our caring ministries.

While she and our other pastors do provide care in certain hospital and emergency situations, she is excited to develop a more comprehensive caring ministry that invites members of our congregation to participate in pastoral care. To this end, she will be working closely with our Deacons. In addition, Cindy looks forward to being involved with our Senior Adult Ministries.

Cindy assists in worship and, as you have already experienced, is a capable preacher. Occasionally she

will teach in the Golden Circle class, and she will offer counseling appointments, participate in building up leaders through a Discipleship Group, provide support to the Fellowship Ministry Team, and officiate at weddings and funerals.

We welcome Pastor Cindy not only for the assistance she brings to many areas of our church life, but also for her exceptional wisdom and the deep and wide love for Jesus that she models for each of us as she goes about her pastoral work.

Tyler Van Horn (Assistant Pastor of Discipleship): Although not yet ordained, Tyler is currently pursuing his ordination and already functions as a pastor in nearly every respect. Once ordained, his title will change to “Associate Pastor of Discipleship.”

In his position, Tyler serves as the pastoral resource to the Discipleship Ministry Team and ensures that we are developing and implementing a discipleship strategy in the congregation. Tyler works with the Discipleship Ministry Team staff in order to support and strengthen our Children’s Ministries, Student Ministries, Family Ministries, and Connecting Ministries. He supervises the lead staff members of these areas with the hope of offering support and direction as these teams teach and demonstrate the ways of Jesus in their ministries.

Tyler also works with the Discipleship Ministry Team elders in order to provide oversight and encouragement for the discipling ministries of our church community. We have so many gifted leaders who are doing ministry in programs like MOPS, women’s ministry, adult education, SOAR, TrailSeekers, etc. Along with the elders, Tyler works to see these leaders empowered and onboard with the overall mission of our church.

Tyler assists in worship, preaches about 20% of the sermons, leads several Discipleship Groups, helps with funerals and weddings, offers pastoral counseling, and

fills in for pastoral care when needed.

Gustavo Carvajal (Pastor to Cristo Vive): Although Gustavo is not officially on the staff of our church (he reports directly to Presbytery of Central Washington), he and the Hispanic congregation he leads are an integral part of our church family. The members of Cristo Vive are also members of our congregation and it has been our privilege to hold a blended worship service with them annually on Ash Wednesdays. Cristo Vive's enthusiastic praise music flows from the Ward Chapel every Sunday morning.

Gustavo is an ordained Presbyterian minister and we appreciate his willingness to frequently assist in our worship services as well. In addition, Gustavo helps with the leadership of our Service Ministry Team and assists with pastoral care and visitation when needed.

We are further blessed to have other pastors who generously help out and we greatly appreciate their gifts of ministry. Every one of them helps out with pastoral care and visitation when needed. Steve Barker continues to be active in the life of the congregation as Pastor Emeritus, including leading weekly Bible studies and preparing study questions for the bulletin. Bill Starr continues as Parish Associate, assisting in worship and offering classes.

John Stolzenbach (our resident Luthe-tarian) enthusiastically volunteers his time to help us out in numerous ways!

I am excited about our pastoral team. Every pastor is a “team player” and has incredible strengths to complement our team. Just as importantly, they are all servant leaders!

Besides the excellent pastoral team, we have a tremendous program and support staff in place that is doing some great things. In future editions of the newsletter, we will be featuring these fine folks so you can get to know them and their responsibilities as well.

Again, it is an honor to serve you and the community of Yakima! I am looking forward to this next season of ministry as we love and care for one another and further the mission God has given our congregation: “Glorifying God through equipping disciples to love and serve our neighbors.”

Living and loving for Him,

ck Pastor Ja

Tyler Van Horn

Jack Peebles

Cindy Carter

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FAMILY Parenting Class: Love and Limits

We are a community in need. A need met here at First Presbyterian at 9:30a on Sunday’s. Parents needing help with a defiant or unruly child are being equipped with the tools they need. Parents going through the court system and seeking to get their kids back are getting the help in providing a stable home. Grandparents are learning how to be parents all over again. What an exciting adventure for all of us who have kids young and old! This semester we are blessed to be taught by a remarkable lady who assisted then led the children’s program during parenting class this past winter and spring. Robin Perches, is a mother of two boys and a past graduate of Laurie Kanyer’s Growing Capable Parents long term class. She is a trained educator who just graduated from Heritage University in May 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social work and minor in Spanish language. Robin has a background in Domestic Violence Education and Support as well as housing case management. Currently Robin works in homeless outreach and case management. Her passion is helping people young and old find solutions in their lives.

This semester we had a 10 week teaching on many topics including, but not limited to; learning why kids misbehave; setting reasonable limits; understanding your child’s temperament; gaining cooperation by listening to feelings; avoiding predictable problems and reducing stress for parents. Also, relationships are being built for both adults and kids. The community of adults who attend this class are almost 100% from the community outside of First Presbyterian, and for some, it’s the first time and a big step of faith just walking through the doors of our church. These men and women represent every social structure and income level; all learning how to be better parents. They are enjoying deeper relationships with table captains and fellow table mates each week. Their kids are having fun in Kidzone and are developing relationships with the other kids their age while learning about the love of Jesus. God is at work and it’s exciting to see what is taking place among families who participate in parenting class!

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Shan

GHORMLEY

Joel and Trisha Married!

We are excited to announce that Joel Whitehead and Trisha Bergemann were happily married on Saturday, October 26, in Portland, Oregon! They’ll be spending two weeks in Hawaii on their honeymoon, and then returning home. This will mark the end of Trisha’s employment at Ghormley. After five years as the Guest Services Coordinator, Trisha will be stepping down to pursue other interests. She recently graduated from Eastern Washington University with her Master of Social Work, and will be pursuing a career as a school social worker. Joel will be continuing in his role as the Program Director at Ghormley.

Congratulations!!!

Mountain Meadow Christmas

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than a weekend here at Ghormley devoted just to family and activities to help kick off the Christmas season!

Activities Include: Amazing meals all weekend!

Gingerbread House Building Contest Sledding Christmas Crafts Christmas Light Displays Family Game Night Carol Singing AND SO MUCH MORE! Don't miss out on an amazing weekend!

Make this a family tradition EVERY year!

For more information visit the camp website at www.ghormleymeadow.org.

• • • • • • • •

“Thank you” to all the people who bought Christmas trees from us in years past. We will be forgoing our usual Christmas Tree sales this year. Sorry for the inconvenience.

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STUDENTS

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VETERANS’

SENIOR ADULTS

BANQUET

It is the Veteran, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the Veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a free trial.

It is the Veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

Friday, November 8, 2013 @ 6:00p First Presbyterian Church

All veterans of all ages, war time and peace time, church member or non-member are invited to the banquet. Cost is $12/vets, $15/non-vets.

Please sign up at the Connection Center.

It is the Veteran, Who salutes the Flag.

The Happy Travelers trip to the Warehouse Theater’s Christmas Carol has been cancelled.

Mabel Swan

First Presbyterian Church is hosting a Thanksgiving meal for all the residents of Mabel Swan.

When: Wednesday, November 20 at noon.

Sign up at the Connection Center to come help serve our neighbors.

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PRESCHOOL

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15

The Power of a Simple Gift Touch the heart of a needy child this Christmas with a gift-filled shoebox and the Good News of Jesus Christ. Every shoe box gift is an opportunity to touch a child’s heart with the love of Jesus Christ.

2012 marked an important milestone for Operation Christmas Child, as they surpass reaching 100 million children with God’s love since the start of the project in 1993. Through gift-filled shoeboxes and evangelistic materials, hurting children across the globe are hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The congregation of FPC became involved with Operation Christmas Child in 2000, providing an average of 300 shoeboxes each year. Thank you First Presbyterian Church!!

This year we began this project on October 20. Look for information in the Garden Room, and bring your completed shoebox back to the church on or before Sunday, November 24. After that date please deliver to Westside Baptist Church before 5p on November 25. Boxes will be shipped out immediately after that date.

Jesus is Our Greatest Treasure!

This is our message every week in KidZone, and this holiday season we will be celebrating the wonderful treasures we find in Jesus through our kids!

All KidZone kids will sing in worship on December 15 this year.

There will also be some speaking parts available for kids who are interested. Please call Susie at the church if you know of a child who would like to participate in other areas beyond singing. Additional practices will be required for those kids, and all kids will attend a full rehearsal on Saturday, December 14 @ 10:00a in the Sanctuary.

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WOMEN’S MINISTRIES Encouraging women to be intentional about their faith.

“For we are God’s masterpiece.

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Women’s Ministry Team (back row) Loxi Engebretson, Ericka Clark (front) Olive Gambito, Sheri Rynd, Amae Merrill, Shan Trick, and Lois Hanks. Not pictured: Diane Kearby and Cindy McMinn

30 Days of Thankfulness Last year on Facebook, quite a few people took a moment each day in the month of November to share with friends and family for what they were thankful. It was impactful to read those thoughts each day. In fact, it was a great blessing to me and I began to look forward to reading those encouraging, joy-filled words. My mind was refreshed, my heart was happy. So, I began to daily write about how the Lord had been “Let the peace of Christ rule in blessing me. At first, effortless; the words rolled off my tongue! By day six or seven, your hearts, since as members I was challenged to find that day’s blessing. Some days I really had to dig. But, like of one body you were called to exercising any other muscle, it got easier and easier to see how the Lord was moving peace. And be thankful.” in my daily life. I began seeing people and circumstances through His eyes. If I was Colossians 3:15 NIV still, if I listened, I heard His voice and WOW - the blessings were bountiful!

It is vital, as Christians, to be in God’s Word daily. He has so much to share with us. It is also so important to share with others how God works daily in our lives. When you are challenged with sharing a blessing each day, it will change not only how you feel about your day but also change how you view your day. I encourage you this November, to daily share, whether it be in your journal, on Facebook or in a casual conversation with a loved one, for what you are thankful.

I pray you are filled with an abundance of joy which can only come from our Savior, Christ Jesus.

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Ericka

Presbyterian Women Silver Tea

All women are invited to the annual Christmas Silver Tea, to be held in the Garden Room on Wednesday, December 4 at 1p (no cost). Pastor Cindy will be sharing a Christmas story. The Davis High School Choir will give us a special Christmas concert. Don’t miss this fun traditional event.

Bring friends and enjoy the holiday spirit around the Christmas tree. Additionally, our Ladies Circles will provide yummy home made cookies for sale to raise funds for our local MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) group.

Happy Centennial Birthday!

Here@First is thrilled to extend to Dorothy Cleman Hall the most joyous of birthday wishes!

On November 15, 2013, Dorothy will celebrate her 100th birthday. Born to the Cleman family who homesteaded in the Wenas Valley, Dorothy is the second of three daughters (Vivian & Jean). They moved to Yakima, where Dorothy grew up, and attended Madison Grade School, Franklin Junior High, Yakima High School, and two years at Washington State College. She remembers attending the dedication of the First Presbyterian Church in 1927. She met her husband while attending WSC. They were married in 1942 before he went overseas while serving in the Army Air Force as a photographer during World War II. When her husband Edwin returned home he wanted to go to California, so they moved there where he went into the photography business. Dorothy & Ed have two sons, both of whom have families.

Dorothy moved back to Yakima after Ed passed away, and lived with her sister Jean, until Jean’s passing. Dorothy is currently at home at Living Care Retirement Home.

Please extend the warmest of birthday wishes to our friend and sister in the Lord on her very special day.

MEN’S MINISTRIES Monday, November18 First Presbyterian Men’s CA$H MOB

Sign up at the Connection Center or in the office. We want a somewhat accurate headcount so that the Sports Center can be prepared to serve us. If you plan to invite friends, mark them down also.

Where: Yakima Sports Center When: 11:30a - 1:30p (Whenever your lunch hour is) What is a CA$H MOB? It’s similar to a flashmob (seen on youtube.com). A large group of people makes plans to show up to a place. The difference is, instead of singing and dancing, they spend money. This is a great way to show our support to a local business, meet new people, introduce work friends to church friends and share the bounty with our community.

COME PREPARED TO: BE FRIENDLY TO THE STAFF LEAVE A GENEROUS TIP (They know a church group is coming in, so lets represent Jesus well, yeah?)

• •

Jeff

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MADISON HOUSE Heart Treasure When I was a junior in college, I read an article by Bill Hybels called “The Art of Self Leadership.” The article helped me self-reflect in a way I’d never known before, and it changed my life so dramatically that I make it a habit to read it annually.

One thing Hybels addressed was, “What do I treasure?”

Then, he told this story: When our kids were young and Lynne and I needed some husband-wife time, we'd get a babysitter. And I'd give those sitters my little talk. As we were heading out, I would say, "You need to know something. We only have two treasures in this life, only two. I don't care if you wreck our car or if the house burns down while we're gone. Really. Just promise me.

Promise me you'll take really good care of our children.

They are all that really matter to us in this world."

home, among my family and friends, and out in our community, help me to treasure You and people most of all.

Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jocelyn

God is saying to leaders, "Promise me. Give me your word. Take care of my treasures. Grow in leadership so that you become the greatest you can be at taking care of my treasures. Love them. Nurture them. Develop them. Challenge them. Mature them. They are all that really matters to me in this world."

It still brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.

It was during my years in college that my treasures saw a dramatic transformation. As an incoming freshman, the things I had my heart most set on were: getting excellent grades so that I could impress people with how smart I was, filling my resume with various leadership roles so that I could impress people with how competent I was, and attracting a handsome, brilliant, successful and nice husband.

By God’s grace and through much humiliation and failure, when I graduated from college, my heart beat for: a life-long journey of continually deepening my own love for and intimacy with Jesus, helping college students know and love Jesus, and a handsome, waytoo-strong-in-character-just-to-be-’nice’ musician named Jason Larsen.

Life is a journey. While God has righted some of my heart treasures, I know that there remain treasures in my heart that still need transforming. Oh, Lord, make my heart like Your heart. As I go about my day, in my

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Madison House Thanksgiving Dinner

Bring your kids and join us in hosting a table at Madison House on Friday, November 22 from 6-8p for a Thanksgiving meal alongside Madison House youth and their families! We’re excited to try something new as we continue to extend our reach to the parents in the Madison House community. Join us as we pray for breakthroughs in reaching Madison House families with the safe and trustworthy love of Jesus in a way they may never before have experienced! The meal will be catered and childcare will be provided (ages 0-5) in order to free us up to love, serve, and get to know our neighbors. Registration required. Table hosts will receive a letter with more information and orientation details in the weeks before the event.

Please contact Shan Trick or Jocelyn Larsen (509) 2487940 or shan.trick@fpcyakima.com or jocelyn.larsen@ fpcyakima.com) to register or for more information.

MADISON HOUSE

Robotics Lessons at Madison House When I was a teacher at Wilson, our principal said that he could always tell when good teaching and meaningful learning was taking place when he walked into a classroom and saw groups of rearends in the air and heads down in the center of a group of desks.

I know good teaching and meaningful learning is taking place when I walk into our computer lab on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and find Coach Betsy "The Robot Lady" Hunt sitting on the floor with eager groups of students, working out engineering problems with Lego sets.

He knew when good teaching and meaningful learning was happening when he heard conversation that was concentrated on the subject that was obviously in the center of the groups.

I know good teaching and meaningful learning is happening when I find a group of students surrounding a computer and going over the program to make a robot kick a ball into a goal, or jump up and down and whistle. Good teaching and meaningful learning are actually taking place in our Madison House Lego Robotics programs!

Good teaching and meaningful learning was demonstrated by kids who were reluctant to look up to answer a teacher's question or pause to listen to another instruction.

When the bell rang, kids were not waiting by the door, but still engaged to the last possible second, and frantically scrambling to clean after the dismissal bell rang.

The elementary level and mid/high level Robotics classes with Coach Betsy "the Robot Lady" Hunt are in full swing!!! If you have an interest in assisting the students, and Betsy Hunt, our robotics program instructor, please contact GanĂŠ Bourgeois, Director of Education, at 457-3370.

GanĂŠ

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CRISTO VIVE FIESTA: Great Food, Mariachi Guest Singer, Ministry Celebration, and more! Mark on your calendar Sunday, December 1st at 5:30p.

Dear Cristo Vive friends, on December 1st you will have a once-a-year opportunity to come and celebrate God’s work in our Latino community in Yakima. Please sign up at the Connection Center as a guest or Table Host, and invite people who love the richness of diversity, and who want to build bridges with the Spanish speaking community in Yakima.

Bertha’s Dream Home a Reality through Cristo Vive Restoration Ministry

We again praise God and thank you for supporting us to make a difference in our community. We finished painting Bertha’s house on October 16. Or I rather say, Ruben, Bertha’s brother actually finished, as he engaged us in the final window frame and trims painting. Ruben is a clear example of the heart of our Restoration Ministry. He, struggles with respiratory problems, and alcohol was somewhat disengaged in the fixing and painting tasks we tackled. However, towards the end, through prayer and encouragement, he gave his sister’s home the final painting touch. The transformation of Bertha’s house is a metaphor of what God is doing in our valley. There are people who need to fix their lives big time, but the task is so overwhelming that they need someone to come alongside to help, walk with them and encourage them to shine for God. We praise God for your call and our call to serve a God who is transforming lives in more than one way!

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MISSIONS - PROJECT MERCY Since 1993, Project Mercy has focused on community development programs in rural Ethiopia. In an area where there was no means for education; no medical care Project Mercy was invited to help. Today change has come and HOPE is blossoming in Yetebon. The founders, Marta Gabre-Tsadick and her husband Demeke Tekle-Wold have been building relationships through love while serving physical needs with the hope of sharing the Gospel.

Schools have been built for students from kindergarten through high school. These students are served breakfast and lunch each day. There are summer tutoring programs, and summer literacy programs where students go out two by two into the hills to teach the community.

The community now has clean water, electricity, test gardens with drip irrigation, fruit for each family, a dairy cattle breeding project to provide each family with a hybred cow that gives greater milk production and skill training programs to provide income-generating skills.

A state of the art hospital has been completed; a children’s institute where the homeless and orphaned become a family is in the process of being built; a worship center reaches out to the community and there are well over 1000 new believers in Christ.

The government of Ethiopia has asked Project Mercy to join them in preventing the great number of deaths connected with child-birth by providing a college where nurses can be trained to become certified midwives. This is their current vision and challenge.

Thank you for partnering with Project Mercy to bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ to the World.

Submitted by Frank & Suzanne Bacon

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 9 SOUTH 8TH AVE YAKIMA, WA 98902

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID YAKIMA, WA PERMIT NO 59

Thanksgiving Worship & Fellowship Sunday, November 24 9:30a One Blended Service 11:00 Thanksgiving Potluck Turkey & gravy will be provided.

So we will know how many to serve, please sign up at the Connection Center.

(Sunday School and regular services will resume the following week)