Here @ First - Nov 2009

November 2009

Here@First Published monthly for the members and friends of First Presbyterian Church.

“Worshiping God together, Growing in Christ-like maturity, Reaching those unconnected to Jesus Christ and Impacting our community and the world.�

This is a one-time mailing! to continue to receive this publication each month by mail, please fill out the response card located on the back page of this newsletter . You may also sign up by contacting the office : 248-7940

Volume 8

First Presbyterian Church of Yakima

9 South 8th Ave Yakima, WA 98902 509-248-7940

table of contents PAGE

3 4 5 6-7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

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November Events Sunday Morning Information / Weekly Events / Sermon Series Sunday Morning Class Information Letter from Pastor Jack - Stewardship Fellowship Ministry : Group Life Ministry News Fellowship Ministry : Family Ministries : Focus on Parenting Seminar Fellowship Ministry : Senior Adults News Discipleship Ministry : Student Ministry News Discipleship Ministry : Pre-School News Discipleship Ministry : Children’s Ministry News Service Ministry Team : Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp News Upcoming Events News Back Cover : Mountain Meadow Christmas at Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp

NOVEMBER Events Calendar

Nov 1 Sunday DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ENDS (fall back) Cristo Vive Potluck 1:45p Nov 2 Monday Wycliffe Dinner & Program 7:00p Nov 3 Tuesday Worship Mininistry Team 5:15p Family Ministry Leader Meeting 6:00p Adult Ed Meeting 7:00p Nov 5 Thursday Happy Travelers 1:00p SAM 3:00p MOPS Set up 6:30p Nov 6 Friday MOPS 9:00a Nov 8 Sunday Veterans Memorabilia / Garden Room Nov 9 Monday Edith Ferry Circle 12:00p Veterans’ Dinner 6:00p Nov 11 Wednesday Veterans’ Day No Preschool Today Handbells Rehearsal 4:30p Fellowship Team Meeting 4:30p Nov 12 Thurday Preschool Board Meeting 9:30a Discipleship Team Meeting 2:00p Nov 13 Friday MOPS Steering Team 9:00a Nov 13, 14, 15 SLAMquest (Students)/Ghormley Nov 14 Saturday Focus on Parenting Simulcast 8:15a Nov 15 Sunday Shoebox Dedication Handbells at all Services Nov 17 Tuesday Service Ministry Team Meeting 7:00a SLT 7:00p Nov 18 Wednesday Naomi Circle 10:00a Foundation Board 4:00p Handbells Rehearsal 4:30p Church Family Turkey Dinner 5:30p Thanksgiving Service 6:45p Nov 19 Thurday Small Group Core Team 12p MOPS Set up 6:30p Nov 20 Friday MOPS 9:00a Nov 22 Sunday Leadership Development 8:00a Congregational Meeting 10:35a Stewardship Dedication Nov 24 Tuesday No Spirit Led Life Today Preschool Thanksgiving Feast Kaffee Klatsch 9:00a Session / Dinner Nov 25 Wednesday Preschool Thanksgiving Feasts Nov 26 Thursday Happy Thanksgiving / Church CLosed Nov 27 Friday Church Closed Today Nov 28 Saturday Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:00p Cristo Vive Couples Night Dec 2 Wednesday Presbyterian Women Silver Tea 1:00p Dec 5 & 6 Spirit of Christmas Sale 9:00a-2:00p Mountain Meadow Christmas/Ghormley 3

Sunday Morninginfo

Sunday Morning Services Sanctuary Contemporary Services The Best of Classic Worship

RM 102 Childcare Ages birth – 21/2 years Kidzone Sunday School

Kinder - 5th Grade 2nd Floor

8 & 9:30a 11:00a During Services 9:30 -10:45a

Student Ministries Grades 6 - 12

Ward Chapel (Mid Hi & Sr. Hi)

9:30-10:30a

Adult Education Classes

Cristo Vive Hispanic Fellowship

Golden Circle 40 Days of Purpose Adult Ed Bible Class

9:30-10:30a 9:30-10:30a 9:30-10:30a

Ward Chapel

12:00p

Weekly Events at FPC

Monday, Wednesday, Friday Senior Adult Exercise Monday TOPS Over-eaters Anonymous

Trailseekers

Church Basketball Tuesday Women’s Bible Studies

Spirit Led Life

Series Studies with Jean Paulson Wednesday Men’s Bible Study Women of Action (Prayer) Re3 : Dinner and class for all ages Thursday Bible Study Fellowship Worship Rehearsal

Temple Choir Rehearsal

8:30a 10:00a 12:00p 2:30p 7:00p 9:15a 9:45a 12:00p 12:00p 5:30p 9:00a 6:00p 7:00p

Sermon Series November

Nov 1 1 Timothy 6:11-19 / “Investing in What Matters” Jack Peebles Nov 8 Matthew 6:19-24 / “Whom Do You Serve?”

Jack Peebles NOV 15 Ecclesiastes 2:17-23; 5:18-20 /“Money For Nothing” Jack Peebles NOV 22 Matthew 25:14-30 / “Responsible Grace” Jack Peebles NOV 29 Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 1:39-56/ “Born of a Woman” Gustavo Carvajal

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Sunday Morning

classes

KIDZONE (AGE 2 ½ THROUGH 5TH GRADE)

9:30-10:45 / 2ND FLOOR Kidzone helps our children apply biblical truth to their regular everyday experiences.

Sonbeams (preschool) 2 ½ to 4 years old meet on L2 Mezzanine in the Sonbeams Room.

Cubbies (pre-kindergarten) 4 & 5 yrs old meet in the Cubbies Room on the main floor (right next to childcare!). Kindergarten through 5th grades meet on the 2nd floor.

STUDENT WORSHIP & GROUPS (6TH-12TH GRADE)

9:30-10:45 / CHAPEL Following worship, Mid High and High School students separate for time to study and discuss issues of life and faith in smaller groups. Student Ministry is eager to welcome new students, introduce them to others and help them discover the amazing love of God.

ADULT EDUCATION CLASS

9:30-10:30 / ADULT ED / DR. BILL STARR RENOVARE’: Introduction to Spiritual Renewal RENOVARE’ (from the Latin “to renew”) is a program developed by a team of spiritual leaders led by Richard Foster, who is best known for his classic book “Celebration of Discipline.” It is committed to the renewal of the Church of Jesus Christ in all her multifaceted expressions. The mission of RENOVARE’ is to provide individual churches and their members with a balanced, practical, effective strategy for spiritual growth. This class will be based on the RENOVARE’ publication called “A Spiritual Formation Workbook” and will seek to explore the dynamics of a spiritually balanced life with Jesus Christ as its model. Bill Starr will be the lead teacher for this class, and will be supported by Bible studies led by Kathy Mathison, which will be woven into the framework of the class.

40 DAYS OF PURPOSE

9:30-10:30 / MID HIGH ROOM ON THE MEZZANINE STEVE HILDEBRAND / MARSHALL GROVE / FRED MALONEY The 40 Days class continues to study the principles found in Rick Warren's “Purpose DriveN Life” book.

This class discusses and examines, in a non-threatening manner, the Bible passages used through the book. After several years of study, this group is halfway through the book. You are invited to jump in and join this interesting study.

GOLDEN CIRCLE - PRESENT WORD

9:30-10:30 DAVID FERRY LOUNGE / TOM OLIVA & JIM ERIXSON Originally formed in the 1940's, this class continues to study Christian life together. The Golden Circle class is a caring and supportive class that includes prayer, music and study.

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Dearchurch family, 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.”

The theme of this stewardship campaign is First Fruits: Putting Hope in Christ! and that is just what we want to strive to do as a congregational church family. In understanding stewardship, we learn that it is everything you do after you say ‘yes’ to Jesus. Stewardship is a lifestyle choice that recognizes that everything is a gift from God and our calling is to deny ourselves and live sacrificially. Our responsibility as Christian stewards is to manage all the gifts that we have received from God – including our financial gifts. God is the true owner of all that we have in life. Through the giving back of what God has given to us, we grow. We grow in our love of God and our love of others. Together, we will explore what it means to commit financially to the Lord and His church.

Because of your faithful service and giving to FPC, many fruitful things are happening. We are truly implementing our mission statement – worship, grow, reach and impact.

God has blessed your giving in many ways in 2009 throughout our church, our community and the world including: • Careforce Lifekeys is reaching beyond our church and out into our community.

• Outreach Camp – 41 first-time commitments to Christ.

• Expanding short-term mission opportunities to New Orleans, Mexico, Egypt, youth to Cambodia and beyond.

• Vacation Bible School, preschool, children, and mid-high youth programs are expanding and growing.

• Enthusiastic leaders for men’s and women’s Bible studies.

• Giving and attendance are back up on Sunday mornings.

• Repairs and improvements to the Madison House.

• Partnering with other Christian churches through *Love, Inc. to help meet the needs of the Yakima Valley.

• A full-time Director of Worship, Don Hamrick.

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*Love, Inc. (In the Name of Christ) is a national ministry whose mission is to mobilize The Church to transform lives and communites In the Name of Christ.

In 2010, we would like to expand on the success with which God has blessed our church.

We have been called to reach those unconnected to Jesus so that they, too, might enjoy the riches of His love in this life and the life to come. It is only through your generous giving that we reach more and more of those unconnected to the Lord. Your support will help these ministries: • • • • • • • • • • •

Children’s, Youth and Family Ministries Continuing support for Madison House Expanding our missions (to places like Ethiopia) Group Life Ministries Senior Adult Ministries Careforce First Presbyterian Preschool Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp Cristo Vive More intentional in our evangelistic outreach New Associate Pastor for Family & Missional Outreach

Stewardship is God’s way of turning our eyes to the needs of others, which helps us to recognize how fortunate we are. The world of advertising feeds on our human tendency to be discontented and bored with what we have. Stewardship helps to set us free from our discontent.

Our ability to do effective ministry as a church – our co-mission to reach the unconnected, depends on the faithful giving of each of us. We urge you to take Christ’s invitation : “Give and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:38) God’s blessing to you!

In His Service, Your Elders, Pastors and Staff

Giving our first fruits out of Thanksgiving for God’s Faithfulness

First Fruits: Pu t t i n g Hope in Christ

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Fellowship Ministry Group Life / Family / Senior Adult

“Building Relationships that change lives by connecting the community to Christ”

GROUP LIFE news Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done.

Colossians 2:7

Judy Turner

Group Life Ministries

248-7940, ext. 135 judy.turner@fpcyakima.com

NEW CLASS Leadership Development Training Up Leaders!

Open to all!

Every 4th Sunday of the month.

8am Adult Ed. Room

NEW GROUP forming for single women Fellowship, study, and socializing.

Contact Judy for more information!

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Thanksgiving . . . roast turkey, cranberries, can-

died yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie. . .

Around heavily laden tables throughout our community families will soon gather to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. As women, we have a beautiful opportunity to prepare not only our hearts, but also the hearts of those we love, to live a life that daily expresses gratitude to God. Consider David’s song of praise to God in 1 Chronicles 16:7-36. Read this psalm and identify the four disciplines of thanksgiving we can use to express our appreciation to our LORD: 1) Remember what God has done throughout history and in your own life (verses 8-22), 2) Tell others about it (verses 23-25), 3) Show God’s glory to others (verses 26-28), 4) Offer to Him gifts of yourself, your time, and your resources (verses 29-36).

Janet Krieger

Our thanksgiving is an act of faith that acknowledges God’s ultimate sovereignty. Recognizing the wonderful works God has done allows us to look forward confidently to our futures, and to wait upon our LORD with expectant gratitude.

Before the busyness of the holiday season is upon us take time to consider how you can live a life that daily overflows with thanksgiving to our God. Take time and make the effort to express thanks to God. You are the only one who can express your gratitude, and He delights in hearing your praise of thanksgiving rise to Him. - Janet Krieger

Fellowship Ministry Group Life / Family / Senior Adult

FAMILY LIFE news Laura Pickett

Family Ministries Director 248-7940, ext. 125 laura.pickett@fpcyakima.com

LIVE VIA SATELLITE

8:15 am – 3:30 pm / Saturday, Nov. 14th First Presbyterian Church, 9 South 8th Avenue, Yakima Tickets: $30 per Individual / $50 per Couple (Lunch is included) For more information, please contact the Church Office at 509-248-7940 Or Register on-line: www.fpcyakima.com

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Fellowship Ministry Group Life / Family / Senior Adult

SENIOR ADULTS news Jim Erixson

Pastor of Senior Ministries 248-7940, ext. 130 jim.erixson@fpcyakima.com

Kaffee Klatch Fellowship, coffee, and cinnamon rolls are always a huge draw for this group and a good program just adds to the warmth of the morning.

A representative from the Yakima Police Department will be with us to share tips on Senior Safety. Be sure to circle November 24th at 9:30 for this gathering in the Garden Room.

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Veteran’s Banquet November 10th 6-8:00 p.m. Koehler Hall Please plan to be seated no later than 6:00 p.m. for the presentation by the Color Guard. This is the evening we honor our Veterans and thank them for their service to our country. Each of them has given selflessly so that we can enjoy the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. A wonderful meal will be prepared by New Hope Ministries. Those who have attended previously will remember the sumptuous fare. Cost is $12 for Non-Veterans and $10 for Veterans. Mr. Victor Nourani, a principal in the Yakima School District and a naturalized citizen to the United States, will be speaking about the privileges of living in a free country. You won’t want to miss this. Please get your tickets either in the church office or at the Connection Center by November 3.

Happy Travelers The travelers are staying home in November diligently reading the scriptures, but we invite you to mark your calendars for December 17, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. This will be our annual junket out into the community to see the Christmas lights. The color and sparkle on a cold night always provides delight. Afterwards we’ll have cookies and hot chocolate in the Parlor.

Exciting news! Happy Travelers will be very involved with an upcoming trip in 2010 entitled “Footsteps of Paul.” Participants will be able to see many of the actual sites where Paul did his ministry. Several churches will be involved with this venture. Accent Tours is working with the planners to provide the best cost/service possible. While many similar trips may be found in travel brochures, there are often hidden fees. This trip will run close to $4000 per person but all ground fares, port taxes, gratuities, as well as transportation between here and Seattle will be included. More information will soon be available but if this trip stirs your heart, please let Pastor Jim or Frances Lockwood know that you want to be kept up to date with the planning for this event.

Baked Goods Needed for Spirit of chirstmas sale December 5th and 6th are quietly sneaking up on us. Pat Drollinger welcomes all baked goods for our Spirit of Chirstmas Sale. If you happen to be baking one pound cake, you might as well bake two and tuck one in the freezer for this event. All you good cooks have your own favorite item. Time to share your talents! (Rumor has it that chocolate brownies are really big winners, too.) Please give Pat (972-1457) a call for more particulars.

Discipleship Ministry

Preschool / Children’s / Student’s / Women’s / Careforce / Men’s / Adults / Childcare / MOPS

STUDENT MINISTRYnews

SLAMQUEST

Mid High Retreat at Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp November 13-15 (Friday – Sunday) The cost is $75.

Did you enjoy summer camp?! We have a weekend event for students in 6th-9th grades. It is all the same fun and crazy games you play at summer camp, all crammed into one weekend. Lots of your favorite summer staff will be back for the weekend, so don’t miss it! If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to give Tyler or Karin a call.

Hope to see you there!

Tyler Van Horn

Director of Student Ministries 248-7940, ext. 106 tyler.vanhorn@fpcyakima.com

Karin Skone

Assist. Dir. of Student Ministries 248-7940, ext. 116 karin.skone@fpcyakima.com

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Discipleship Ministry

Preschool / Children’s / Student’s / Women’s / Careforce / Men’s / Adults / Childcare / MOPS

PRESCHOOL MINISTRYnews Rhonda Cardona Preschool Director

248-7940, ext. 119 rhonda.cardona@fpcyakima.com

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We are thankful for so much in preschool this November. This month, we are very busy celebrating by making Advent wreaths for each of our homes, bringing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, bringing items for our sponsored soldier who is deployed in Iraq, and sharing a Thanksgiving feast with family and friends. Our memory verse this month, “God gives good gifts” (Matthew 7:11), reminds each of us of all that Christ has and continues to give to us. We are so thankful for all we have!

We are also busy with fundraisers so that we can continue to offer the programming and scholarships for First Presbyterian Christian Preschool. Look for our annual calendars for sale at the Connection Center and in the main office. Also, we have our annual raffle prizes with many great items this year. Your support of these fundraisers help some of our families attend preschool who otherwise would not be able to come. It also helps us keep our wonderful and highly qualified teaching staff here. Please keep our preschool program and staff in your prayers as they provide a valuable and important ministry for this church.

Discipleship Ministry

Preschool / Children’s / Student’s / Women’s / Careforce / Men’s / Adults / Childcare / MOPS

CHILDREN’S MINISTRYnews

CALLING ALL CHILD-SIZED KIDS! The Children’s Ministries Department is excited about another opportunity to lead in worship and celebrate Christmas by presenting the ever popular “Child-Sized Christmas Service!” This year’s service is Dec. 13 during the 8:00; 9:30; and 11:00 services.

Children ages K- 5th Grade are encouraged to be part of this special service. A variety of parts are available and range from speaking/non-speaking/singing/ or just looking cute!

Requirements to participate include: Must be in K- 5th Grade and sign up on or before Nov. 8, 2009 (this is vital in order for kids to learn their parts!) You also must be able to attend every practice.

All children younger than kindergarten will be part of the program with their KidZone class during the 9:30 and 11:00 services.

If you would like to be part of this spectacular morning, or would like more information please call the church 248-7940 – Kathy ext.

114 and Susie ext .110 OR Email kathy@firstpresyakima.com or susie@firstpresyakima.com

OPERATION Christmas Child November 16-23 National Collection Week

Kathy Eaton

Director of Children’s Ministries 248-7940, ext. 114 kathy.eaton@fpcyakima.com

Susie Woodin

Assist. Dir. of Children’s Ministries 248-7940, ext. 110 susie.woodin@fpcyakima.com

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through giftfilled shoeboxes and the message of God’s unconditional love.

Anyone can participate in this simple, handson project.

Grab a brochure for complete information on this extraordinary ministry!

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Service Ministry Ghormley Meadow Christian Campnews Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp / Cristo Vive / Missions

Mark Washam

Director of Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp 672-4311 mark.washam@fpcyakima.com

There’s Snow place Like Ghormley in the Winter Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp is all about serving the children, youth, families and churches of Central Washington and the entire Pacific Northwest. Many people think we only work in the summer with our camps. In reality, we work and serve year round, providing events and facilitating guests 12 months out of the year. This fall and winter are no exception.

Two ways we might be able to serve you are coming up soon.

SlamQuest The weekend of November 13-15th, 200+ middle schoolers and volunteer staff will descend on Ghormley for SlamQuest.

SlamQuest is like a week of summer camp squeezed into a weekend of high energy-high impact ministry to junior high aged students. This year’s theme is entitled, “A Blueprint for Our Faith,” and will focus on the Word of God being the foundation and blueprint of how to live in this crazy world. Pray for this gathering of young people from around Central Washington. To register your 6-9th grader talk to Tyler Van Horn.

Mountain Meadow Christmas How many times have you dreamed of celebrating the holiday season nestled into a cozy mountain lodge, fireplace blazing, Christmas carols playing, Christmas lights glistening, with activities perfectly suited for all your family members. Dream no more, Mountain Meadow Christmas may just be the perfect family memory builder you have been looking for. Fabulous food, (that you don’t have to prepare or cleanup), sledding and snow fort building, hay rides, gingerbread house building, Christmas cookie decorating, s’mores, classic Christmas movies, cutting your own live Christmas tree, craft making and more, all in one affordable weekend. Short on time? You can also come up for just a day or evening as well. Pick up an informational card in the Garden Room and register online at www.ghormleymeadow.org. Don’t hesitate too long though, as our cabins will fill up quickly.

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Upcomingnews

ALL CHURCH TURKEY DINNER and family-friendly service!

Wednesday, November 18 at First Presbyterian Church Yakima 5:30p Dinner 6:45p Family Friendly Service of Thanksgiving We’ll begin our evening together with a delicious Thanksgiving-style turkey dinner prepared by Chef Extraordinaire Tony Crawford followed by a service of Thanksgiving at 6:45p in the Sanctuary. Sign up for dinner at the Connection Center to reserve your spot by November 11!

Veterans banquet

Tuesday, November 10 6:00 / Koehler Hall of First Presbyterian Church Tickets: $12 Non-Veterans / $10 Veterans Tickets available for purchase at the Connection Center on Sundays and in the office during the week!

Memorabilia tables will be displayed Sunday, November 8 in the Garden Room. If you wish to share some of your memorabilia with the congregation please bring items to the church office by Saturday, November 7.

Benefit dinner

November 12 / 6:00pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church 6015 Summitview Ave Tickets: $10 / Buy tickets ahead of time, or at the door.

Contact Rosie McFarland for more details : 678-3880 Help feed and support street children in Cambodia!

COOKIES AND CANS

Please bring cookies and canned food on your last names’ designated Sunday.

November 1 U-Z November 15 E-I November 29 N-P November 8 A-D November 22 J-M 15

RESPONSE CARD!

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looking ahead

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