Here@First Jan Newsletter

first presbyterian church

here@

FIRST

January 2012

1970s 1885

1885

1903

2012

1930s

What are our Core Values?

2000s

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

Volume 34

First Presbyterian Church of Yakima

9 South 8th Ave Yakima, WA 98902

(509) 248-7940

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.

New Sermon Series!

Here is the next series that begins on January 15th. This series will take us right up to Lent.

Series: “If You Build It…” “As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him—you, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5) Field of Dreams is one of my all-time favorite movies. The film offers us an appropriate metaphor on the church and its strategy for church growth for much of the last century: “If you build it, they will come.” For decades, this “come and get it” approach worked quite well. People flocked to churches that had a nice building, solid worship, programs, staff, and ministries. However, our North American culture has changed dramatically during the 126 year history of our church. Whereas church attendance and participation were once encouraged by society, that is increasingly no longer the case. If you build it, they won’t necessarily come. Families have other things to do on Sundays and other commitments to keep. Thus, we need to rethink how we (with a particular emphasis on “WE”) engage our community. At the same time, however, we need to be congruent with who we have been in the past.

A church’s core values articulate something of a particular church’s DNA. More specifically, core values articulate the very best of who that church has been and who that church will need to become as it lives into the future. They say something about the past, while guiding a church into its future. Over the course of this sermon series, we will explore our own church’s history and particular core values, which will shape and form our future ministry efforts together.

January 14 “If You Build It…” 1 Peter 2:1-9 (Psalm 31:1-5)

Cookies & Cans

January 1 N-S January 8 T-Z January 15 A-F January 22 G-M January 29 N-S Please bring a dozen (or more) cookies on your week, and cans of food for Calvary Rescue Mission

January 22 “Glorifying God with Our Best” 1 Corinthians 10:23-31 (Psalm 63:1-5) January 29 “Pioneering and Ongoing Outreach” Luke 10:1-12; 16-23 (Psalm 66:1-5) February 5 “Engaging and Nurturing Relationships” Acts 2: 42-47 (Acts 4:8-12) February 12 “Being a Cornerstone in the Community” Matthew 21:33-45 (1 Peter 2:4-5) February 19 “Equipping People for Ministry through Biblical Foundation and Service” Ephesians 4:1-13 (Psalm 51:1-2; 10-12)

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

Happenin’@First rs Planning Happy Travele

for Next Year

planning is hard at work y tr is in m rs e le e nues and som ve The Happy Trav w e n e m so We have ent. for next year. aveling enjoym tr r u yo r fo s e venu ce you more familiar 012, let us enti 2 r fo g n ri a d n So, in your cale ing schedule. with the follow ies off to the mov re a e W – ry a stions u Jan king for sugge o lo ars” re a e W – r – “The Last Five Ye te February ea Th se ou eh ar ee at the W March – A Matin servancy e Canyon Con h ic w o C – l ri p A Museum May – Maryhill ptor House June – The Ra ory a) dale Observat still be in Yakim ill w July – Golden ey th es (Y ll Baseba e time August – Bears Jacks and som ’ in tl is h W at Lunch September – ountains to enjoy the m

Lamplighter Bible

Study at North Star Lodge for cancer patients in treatm ent or recently completed treatment. It will be taught

by Marilee Shively, who is a retired do ctor and cancer patient , and will have sepa rate discussion groups for men and wom en led by our own Bill Starr and Laurie Oswalt.

There will be an informat ional luncheon on Monday, January 9 at noon at North Star to m eet the team, get more in formation and regi st er for the class. The class w ill begin on Monda y, January 23 at 11:30a to 1:00 p, and run for 9 w eeks.

Please RSVP for th e luncheon at: 509452-5882.

Ski Trip to Whit H e

igh Sch Pass ool January Students 2 Contact 8, 8a-5p Jeff Mur ray

Kids Kids Kids!

provided Praise the Lord! – together we ristmas over 200 gifts for kids this Ch Angel Tree! through the Salvation Army

New Life Recovery Worship at Westminster Presbyterian Church continues to meet on the first Sunday evening of each month at 6:00p (except January, when it will meet on January 8th). This is an open worship service for those in recovery from addictions. Led by Bill Starr and Rob Rife (music minister at Westminster) family members are welcome too. This is a casual service, so just come as you are.

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Starting Point

Starting Point is the place to discover more about First Presbyterian Church including its history, current vision, beliefs, mission and denominational stance. You will learn more about how faith in Jesus impacts our core beliefs and lives. You will also discover how you can get connected in such a large church. You will meet the pastors and staff and be given the opportunity to become a member of First Presbyterian Church at the conclusion of the class.

Starting Point @ First Presbyterian is an invitation to take a journey where questions and uncertainty are welcome and the course setting includes honest discussions about life and faith. Some of the topics that will be explored at Starting Point include: • Why am I significant?

• Why does everyone’s journey begin with “s” words (sin, separation, selfishness)?

• Why should I trust Jesus? What makes Him so special?

• How can I build a foundation for my faith and life with God? • What are the essential Christian beliefs about worship, the Bible, church and service?

Whether you are new to FPC, or you’ve been around for years, this is the place to start, or to get reconnected to the basics of the Christian faith. Starting Point will provide insights on God, the Bible, Christianity, and the beliefs of FPC Yakima.

Childcare for 5 years and under is available for the Saturday gatherings with prior reservation. For more information, contact Ericka at 248-7940x100 or email ericka.clark@FPCYakima.com Class will be held on Saturday February 4, from 9a-12n.

Meet with a small group February 4- March 31.

Follow up class will be held Saturday March 31, from 9a-12n.

Sunday April 8 (Easter) - Become a member of FPC (if you desire).

Are you single again? Do you have a friend who is?

Facing the challenge of being single again isn’t easy. There are a few people who would like to explore the possibility of forming a group for spiritual encouragement and fun. If you are interested please contact Tony Marin (509) 965-9770.

Annual Meeting

Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 29.

Angelia Crawford will be serving dinner at 5:30p, with the meeting afterward. Watch for more details.

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January Events Sunday, January 1, 2012 Two New Years Day services 9:30 & 11:00 Sanctuary Everyone Monday, January 2 Church Closed all day Entire Church Everyone Tuesday, January 3 Preschool Back!

Tuesday, January 3 Worship Ministry Team 5:15p Rhino Room Tuesday, January 3 Adult Education Ministry Team 7:00p Adult Ed Wednesday, January 4 WOW (Women’s Ministry) Meeting 4:00p Rhino Room Thursday, January 5 Happy Travelers Meeting 1:30p Adult Ed Thursday, January 5 Senior Adult Ministries Meeting 3:00p Adult Ed Thursday, January 5 MOPS Set Up 5:30p Friday, January 6 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:00a Gym Moms Monday, January 9 MOPS Auction Planning Meeting 10:00a Lounge Mops Monday, January 9 Edith Ferry Circle Potluck 12:00p Parlor women Tuesday, January 10 Discipleship Ministry Team Meeting 1:00p Adult Ed Tuesday, January 10 Movie Night: The Finger of God 6:30p Chapel Everyone Wednesday, January 11 Business Ministry Team Meeting 7:00a Adult Ed Wednesday, January 11 WEDS@First Kick Off 5:30p Gym / Classrooms Everyone Thursday, January 12 Preschool Board Meeting 9:00a Rhino Room Preschool Board Thursday, January 12 Fellowship Team Meeting 5:15p Adult Ed Friday, January 13 Cristo Vive Women’s Craft Night 6:30p Lounge Women Friday, January 13 Sozo Training (Pre-Register) 6:00p - 9:00p Garden Room Everyone Saturday, January 14 Sozo Training (Pre-Register) 9:30 - 5:00p Garden Room Everyone Tuesday, January 17 Service Ministry Team Meeting 7:00a Adult Ed Tuesday, January 17 Session Leadership 7:00p Adult Ed Wednesday, January 18 Deborah Circle 9:30a Women Thursday, January 19 Ghormley Commission 6:30p Rhino Room Thursday, January 19 MOPS Set Up 5:30p Gym/2nd Floor Friday, January 20 MOPS 9:00a Gym Moms Saturday, January 21 Couples Night (Cristo Vive) 5:30p Lounge Sunday, January 22 Preschool ART Show all morning Garden Room Everyone Sunday, January 22 Cristo Vive Small Group Focus Meeting 2:00p Parlor Sunday, January 22 Deacon’s Meeting 3:30p Lounge Deacons Tuesday, January 24 Kaffee Klatsch 9:30a Garden Room Everyone Tuesday, January 24 Session/Dinner 6:00p Garden Room/Mid High Wednesday, January 25 Naomi Circle 10:00a Parlor Women Friday, January 27 MOPS Creative Moments 9:00a Rm 217 Moms Saturday, January 28 Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:00p Mid High Rm Knitters Saturday, January 28 Student Ministries at White Pass all day White Pass 6th-12th graders Sunday, January 29 Annual Meeting Time 5:30p Sanctuary Everyone Friday, February 3 - 5th Bethel Firestorm Conference (Kevin Dedmon) Sanctuary All City Event

Sunday Mornings Contemporary Worship - led by Contemporary Worship Team Traditional Worship - led by Temple Choir & Organ Worship - Cristo Vive (Spanish)

KidZone Sunday Classes

Adult Ed Bible Class

40 Days of Purpose

Golden Circle

Student Small Groups

8:00a & 9:30a Sanctuary

11:00a Sanctuary

12:15p Chapel

9:30a Upstairs Rooms 9:30a Adult Ed

9:30a Mezzanine 9:30a Lounge

11:00a Power House

Everyone Everyone Everyone K-5th Adults Adults Adults Gr 6-12

Weekday Events M-W-F Exercisers 8:45a-9:45a Gym/GR Sr Adults Monday TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)

10:00a Adult Ed

Everyone

Overeaters Anonymous

12:00p Adult Ed

Everyone

Al-Anon

5:15p Adult Ed

Everyone Tuesday Women’s Bible Study (Philippians)

9:45a Parlor

Women

Living a Spirit Led Life - Women’s Bible Study 9:15a Gym

Women Wednesday Men’s Noon Bible Study

12:00n Adult Ed

Men

Women of Action

9:30a Chapel

Women Thursday Contemporary Worship Rehearsal

6:00p Sanctuary

Christian Service Brigade

6:00p Room 217

Boys

Temple Choir Rehearsal

7:00p Choir Rm

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Dear Church Family, Happy New Year! I know it’s difficult to believe, but 2012 is upon us. The beginning of the year is a great time to set our New Year resolutions. Personally, we set these resolutions so we can live better, healthier, and more loving lives. In many respects, resolutions help us to focus…at least through the first month or two. How are you doing so far?

The TAG Consultation gave us an opportunity to develop a new mission statement. Whereas previously our mission statement read that we were committed to worshipping, growing, reaching, and impacting, our new mission statement (draft) reads as follows:

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

While this is not drastically different from the previous statement, it does give us greater focus. What I love about this new statement is that there is an intentional emphasis on equipping church members to love and serve those who aren’t members. Our “neighbors” are clearly identified as the beneficiary of the church’s activity (glorifying and equipping). This, my friends, is biblical and what the church of Jesus Christ is all about! Don’t believe me? Take a look at Matthew 22:34-40. Again, I love it!

Although our “neighbors” are identified as the beneficiary, the membership is not neglected. The ministries are developed so the members of the church are being “equipped” to go out into the world and live for Christ. This includes giving people a solid Biblical foundation, helping them to engage with one another relationally, and putting them into a position to serve. I said it before and I’ll say it again.

Christianity happens at the speed of relationships!

As we live into our new mission statement, we will be guided by our core values. In case you missed them, they are: • • • • •

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

A church’s core values articulate something of a particular church’s DNA. More specifically, core values articulate the very best of who that church has been and who that church will need to become as it lives into the future. They say something about the past, while guiding a church into its future. Over the course of the coming months, each newsletter will be devoted to each core value, exploring how the church has 1) lived into these core values in the past and 2) is living into them now.

Personally, I am adopting these core values as my own New Year’s resolutions and will be sharing with you my progress in upcoming issues. I invite you to join me.

Living and loving for Him,

Pastor Jack Jack Peebles Senior Pastor jack.peebles@fpcyakima.com

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:34-40 NIV

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Looking to the Glory Years

in the forefront of this community. The experience that you have brought to this church today is invaluable We all have core values in our lives. Without them as we transition into a Misssional environment. As we we become useless and we lose our way. We all need direction as we navigate through the maze of everyday step forward and look to these core values, you become our mentors, helping us to understand the DNA of life. The church is not any different. Without core values we have no purpose to guide us in our vision and the community of Yakima. You may not have all the mission. As we look to the future, as a church, we need answers, but we need your support as we continue to to focus our mission out into the community of Yakima. re-shape our mission statement.

As the Session and the staff have been meeting, we have So, as we work on the draft of our Mission Statement, we will be looking for your help and support. The confirmed our core values as follows: community needs may be different today from • Glorifying God with our best what they were thirty or forty years ago, but the • Pioneering and ongoing outreach foundation will be the same. Pulling together all of • Engaging and nurturing relationships our intergenerational groups creates a strong fortress • Being a cornerstone in the community in Christ’s name in our church and in the Yakima • Equipping people for ministry through biblical Community. foundation and service We also established the importance of having a Front Porch for the community so they can easily find a Pastor Jim connection with the church. This is all centered around Jesus in community, prayer and discipleship.

As Senior Adults you are one of the stronger traits of Jim Erixson First Presbyterian. You are part of the “Glory Years” of this church, bringing with you the experiences that were Associate Pastor jim.erixson@fpcyakima.com successful, the ministries that have propelled this church

A Testimony

The first Bible verse we taught our children was “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Acts 2:21...Twenty-four years ago we were celebrating our honeymoon is Venezuela. Wanting to make our final day in that beautiful warm country last, we left our hotel at 4:15 am that morning in order to walk to a fishing port about a mile away. Engrossed in conversation we barely paid attention to the young men who rudely pushed by us nor did we hear them rush us from behind. One of the men knocked my husband to the ground. I started to swing my arm at the second assailant, but turned into a statue when I saw the knife he had pointed at my midriff. My husband got up from the pavement and marched menacingly towards the men but he too stopped in amazement and drew to my side when he saw that both men had knives trained on us. Seconds ticked by in silence as we waited for their demands. The leader gave a signal to his partner and by his eyes I felt with sickening certainty that they were going to kill us. As they moved closer I yelled out “Oh, Jesus! SAVE US!!” At the name of Jesus the partner seemed to jolt and he stared in horror over my husband’s shoulder. I turned to look as did the leader...but we saw nothing but the blackness of the pre-dawn.

The young man stepped uncertainly backwards, still reeling in fear. Then he turned and ran. The leader, still with his knife held towards me, hollered to his buddy. For a brief instant he turned his face but then shuddered once again and continued running. The leader hesitated and in his puzzlement, my husband pulled me away into the center of the street. We could see distant headlights coming our way and when we looked back the other would-be assailant had melted into the shadows. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Acts 2:21 — A Congregation Member

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Training by Deborah Havens from Bethel Church, Redding CA

Friday, January 13, 6:00p-9:00p Saturday, January 14, 9:30a-5:00p First Presbyterian Church — Garden Room Cost $60

• “Sozo” is a Greek word meaning, “to save or make well or whole.”

• “Sozo” is used 110 times in the New Testament • According to Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament “sozo” also means, “to save, deliver, heal and preserve”: Salvation—That if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that

God raised Him from the dead you shall be saved [sozo] (Romans 10:9) Healing—But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage, your faith has made you well [sozo],” and at once the woman was made well [sozo] (Matthew 9:22) Deliverance—And those who had seen it reported to them the man was demon possessed

had been made well [sozo] (Luke 8:36) God desires for people to be completely whole. Sozo’s ministry goal is to help people receive the fullness of salvation, deliverance, and healing. The Sozo training focuses on teaching useful tools for setting people free. The ministry aim is to love people, providing information so that the healing of past wounds can break strongholds, replace lies with truth, and close ‘doors’ to the enemy. The ministry seeks to connect people to the Godhead in a more intimate way so that they can continue to walk out and fulfill their destinies.

You are invited to join us for the Sozo training and become better equipped to bring God’s healing and freedom to others.

Contact: Julie Grove at 509-966-3407 for more information To register for the training, fill out the registration form and mail to: First Presbyterian Church, 9 South 8th Ave, Yakima WA 98902.

Attention: Julie Grove

Sozo Training Registration

Name: _______________________________Phone: (_____)-_____-_______________ Address: _____________________________ Email: ____________________________ _____________________________ Costs: Training $60 ______

Basic Sozo Manual ____ yes ($15) _____no, I will provide my own.

Amount included with registration___________ Please make checks payable to: First Presbyterian Church.

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The Student Ministries section of

the website is now up to date with new information and downloadable forms. You can now download the SM Calendar, Medical Release Form, Internship application and volunteer applications.

Make a Difference in the Lives of Students 1) Student Ministries is in need of more Sunday School teachers, Small Group leaders and helpers in the kitchen on Wednesday nights. Please check out the form online for more info on specific ways that you can be a volunteer for student ministries.

2) Lifeguard applications are out. They can be found on the web or at the Connection Center. Please fill one out and leave it in Jeff Murray’s box if you would like to become a Lifeguard for the remainder of the academic year through the summer.

Students need people praying for them!

3) The Powerhouse is in need of Christmas lights for the basement. Courtney and Jeff are redecorating the youth room to make it brighter (and hopefully less smelly) for our wonderful students. If you have Christmas lights that you’d like to donate, please leave them in the office.

4) If you or your small group would like to prepare a meal for a Wednesday night youth meeting, please contact Courtney Hutchins at Courtney.hutchins@fpcyakima.com. She can get you signed up for a specific Wednesday night and give you more details.

Jeff Murray Student Ministries Director jeff.murray@fpcyakima.com Courtney Hutchins

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Assistant Student Ministries courtney.hutchins@fpcyakima.com

WOW

Women of Wonder

Women’s Ministry of First Presbyterian Church

Equipping women up to be intentional about their faith.

Ericka Clark Women’s Ministries ericka.clark@fpcyakima.com

Winter Wednesdays@First

January 11 - March 21, 2012 6:30 - 8:00pm Parlor Women’s Ministry will be offering a Wednesdays@First study beginning in January.

We’ll be going through Jennifer Rothschild’s book, “Me, Myself and Lies.” This is a very effective video based Bible study which encourages women to clean out the all the junk in our thoughts and replace these hidden negative thoughts and failures with positive truths from God’s word.

Ladies, this is a great study and a positive way to begin the new year. So, invite your small group, your neighbor or your co-worker because you don’t want to miss out on this!

Cost for the book is $15 (Books will be available in church office and at class.)

Contact Ericka Clark for more information.

248-7940 or Ericka.Clark@fpcyakima.com

First Presbyterian Church Yakima’s Mission Statement and Core Values.

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

• 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

Movie Night!

“The Finger of God”

Tuesday, January 10 6:30pm Ward Chapel

This is an all church event.

Childcare is available only with a 48 hour notice.

248-7940x117

Director Darren Wilson describes his film, The Finger of God...A film, on the surface, about the miraculous. At its core, it is about the heart of God. It's about how He views us, and how He is desperate for a relationship with us. Along the way, He places his finger on our lives, touches us deeply, heals us, shows His creativity, and generally surprises us with every move He makes.

Love Inc... Small Ideas for Big Change in Yakima Love in the Name of Christ collects common items to assist those in our Valley who are in need. If you feel led to give, check out this list. These items are needed all year. You may drop items off at Love INC. Please call first! 453-0214.

Here is what we need 52 weeks a year: • Shampoo and conditioner • Household cleansers • Tooth paste and toothbrushes • Toilet paper • Soap: bar and body wash • Brooms/dustpans • Feminine sanitary products • Underarm deodorant • Baby wipes, shampoo & lotions • Laundry & dish soap Love in the Name of Christ

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Looking Back at 2011

Marriage Class: About 35 different couples attended a class on how they could improve their marriages led by Hamilton and Carol Licht. About 1/3 of the couples were recently wed.

Hunt: This outreach event attracted 500 people from greater Yakima to Franklin Park in a race to collect 5000 Easter Eggs. All families were invited to attend FPC’s Easter services.

Seder meal: On Holy Thursday the Jewish Passover meal was played out in costumes and with traditional foods as a way for families to learn the ritual of this important celebration and how it informs our understanding of communion.

Family camp: A number of families experienced Young Life family fun at its best during the weekend Family Camp at the Washington Family Ranch in Oregon. The sale of BBQ beef sandwiches helped to defray much of the cost for families to attend.

Summer activities: During the summer months, when families have some “down time,” we organized a number of fun activities to bring us all together. These events included camping in Leavenworth, Yakima River float, BBQ’ing and games in the park, hiking Boulder cave, and pool parties.

Parenting Class: Laurie Kanyer’s parenting class drew an average of 40 parents from all walks of life both inside and outside church walls. Laurie taught parents how to care for their children in ways that will support healthy growth and development in a Christian household.

All Church Round-up at Camp Ghormley: This has become one of the best multigenerational events that our church hosts throughout the year. This past September, around 200 people all had a great time being together as a church family in the mountain meadow beauty of Camp Ghormley.

Trunk or Treat: Approximately 300 kids from the neighborhood came to enjoy a fun and safe way of trick or treating from the decorated car trunks in the FPC parking lot.

Mark Tumney

Shan Trick

Pastor of Family Life and Missions mark.tumney@fpcyakima.com

Assistant FLM Director shan.trick@fpcyakima.com

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Dear Friends,

As we consider the collective “core values” of our church, it’s fitting to revisit some of the various things we have done over the past year. A church’s “core values” or “code” is its collective personality, shared intuition, and cultural archetypes. Similar to a person, a church functions best when it is true to its unique, God-given personality code. One thing that we’ve discerned clearly in our church’s DNA is a strong emphasis on supporting families and their children. Even before our leadership was consciously discerning and seeking how to live out our core values, it’s clear that we were “instinctively” acting out of our collective DNA in our ministry to families. Here are some of the wonderful things that God did in and through our church this past year with families—and a few peeks at what’s coming next year.

In Christ, Mark Tumney and Shan Trick

Looking ahead to 2012:

Parenting class: Because the response was so positive and the need so acute, beginning February 5th at 11:00 am in the gym, Laurie Kanyer will again offer a parenting class. Parents and caregivers will come away with proven, biblically grounded techniques to care for kids.

You will receive training to boost your confidence and diminish struggles with children. This class is geared both for people in our church and for those who do not typically go to church. Please prayerfully consider inviting someone you know who might appreciate the class and the community.

Families Connecting: God created us to be in community with each other. We are hoping to offer a renewed emphasis on small groups for families with kids at home. If you or someone you know would like to be a part of one of these groups, please contact Shan Trick at 248-7940.

Family Fun: Look for more information throughout the year for activities your family will enjoy coming soon.

For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. And

the government will rest on His shoulders. These will be His royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this! Isaiah 9: 6-7 Scripture tells us there is a future time when the King of Kings will rule over all the kingdoms and governments of the world. As we await that glorious day believers are to allow our Lord Jesus Christ to govern and rule the kingdom of our lives. Webster’s dictionary defines kingdom as “the realm in which God’s will is fulfilled,” and government as “the continuous exercise of authority over. . . ” Jesus is to be the ruler of our hearts.

We are to intentionally and moment by moment submit to Him. The royal titles given to Jesus describe how His rule will be made manifest in our lives. He is our Wonderful Counselor. There is never a time in Scripture when Jesus did not know the perfect word to speak into a life or situation. In John 14:6 Jesus said of Himself “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Our Wonderful Counselor is the source of all truth. His counsel and wisdom, offered in the Scriptures, are the ultimate and only true answers to our questions of how best to sort out the problems of this life.

He is our Mighty God, the Creator who spoke heaven and earth into being. Genesis 1:1-3 tells us God created order from an earth that was “empty, a formless mass

cloaked in darkness.” God is not only able to counsel us how to live our lives but He provides the order, the structure and the power for us to live as His sons and daughters. When we surrender to Him we become indwelt with the power and authority of His Holy Spirit.

He is our Everlasting Father, the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, the Beginning and the End. In Revelation 1:8 God speaks and proclaims Himself to be “. . . the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One." There is never anything that we experience in this life that is too complicated for the eternal Father. There is never a time in our lives when the ever present One is not present to carry the weight of our world upon His shoulders.

He is our Prince of Peace. In Philippians 4:7 Paul explains that we “. . . will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds . . .” as we submit to the rule of Jesus in our lives.

One day Jesus will return to rule over all the earth. But today, Jesus’ kingdom is in our hearts. Jesus wants to rule in our lives. He wants to counsel us through every day and give us power and authority for this journey.

He wants to be present and speak peace into our souls.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15

Janet Krieger

Dear FPC,

Just a warm word from Arizona to say Thank You for your thoughtful cards, kind words and prayers. All are boosting my recovery. I have to tell you I remember nothing of being ejected from my bike as I was hit by a car. I remember nothing of the helicopter ride to the trauma unit of neither the hospital; nor the cutting off of my bike clothes. But I will remember the color of my bruises, the feel of cracked bones (left side) and your thoughtfulness!

Today we are grateful for friends, for our daughters who left their families to help their ole mom, and for good health which is working its magic.

We are staying here for Christmas, thereby, missing Yakima events and friends but will not miss scooping snow!

With love and gratefulness Greta Bryan 11-26-2011

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Mountain Meadow Christmas 2011

Thanks everyone! Those who joined us for Mountain Meadow Christmas 2011 had a wonderful weekend experience filled with lights, little ones and laughter. Friday evening started off with a great buffet dinner followed by an evening of fun as families and friends competed for the winner of a Christmas edition of Balderdash. No, that’s not Santa’s 10th reindeer, but a contest to see who can guess the correct origination of various Christmas traditions, or fool their friends into believing their made up definitions. Saturday morning was initiated with a new possible winter Olympics event called “human curling”. Taking advantage of our frozen solid meadow, various children jumped into our sledding tubes and attempted to land in a bulls eye about 50 yards away, spray painted onto the ice. The closest to the target were the winners, (think shuffleboard with people as the pucks). Our world class brunch followed that, as did trekking for Christmas trees, crafts, our annual gingerbread house building contest, Christmas cookie decorating, (and consuming, YUM), hayrides and of course more sledding.

That evening we had another fabulous dinner followed by a dessert auction. The evening concluded with singing Christmas carols by the fireplace and the reading of the “Night Before Christmas” and Christmas movies with popcorn.

We had a great weekend and hope all of you can join us next year. For many families it has now become their Christmas tradition. For more pictures of the event and to keep up with what’s happening at camp, check us out and “like” us on Facebook @ Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp. Happy New Year!

Mark Washam Ghormley Meadows Director mark@ghormleymeadow.org 509-672-4311

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Happy New Year!

If you are anything like me you are wondering, “How could this year be over… having just got used to writing 2011, now I have to change to 2012?” I am amazed at how the older I get, the quicker the years fly by. I have decided though, not to mourn the quick passing of yet another year, but to praise God for the many blessings received and those to come in future years, (no matter how quickly they go by!)

This last year has been one of transition for the children’s department. I wouldn’t be honest if I said it’s been easy. I am sincere though when I say that it would not have been possible without the devoted servants who tirelessly give day in and day out not only for the children here at First Presbyterian Church, but the children throughout the valley. Thank you to all for your dedication to God, and the love and faith you share with our kids. You continue to amaze me with your generosity. As I look to the upcoming year, I can only envision it with you all as part of this wonderful, God honoring team.

I believe that God has many more blessings planned for us in the new year. As we continue to listen to God’s leading, our work with the TAG consultants will help us to follow the Lord in His will. The staff and leaders in the children’s department are excited to continue to provide excellent opportunities that follow the core values of this church.

• We will continue to engage and nurture relationships through KidZone, FPC Preschool, FPC Childcare Dept. and special opportunities such as Baby Celebrations and Christmas and Easter celebrations.

• We are thrilled to continually have the opportunity to pioneer ongoing outreach through events like VBS, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child, food donations for the food bank, and support of Evi, our Compassion International child.

• We are blessed to continue to equip people for ministry through biblical foundation and service within the children’s department. In the course of one year our department has more than 300 faithful volunteers who serve in one way or another. Through training and experience in service we are greatly blessed by an amazing amount of support and dedication.

• We have become a cornerstone in the community through special opportunities like the Child-Sized Christmas Service, The Holy Week Walk, VBS, and again through the ministries of FPC Preschool, KidZone, and our FPC Childcare Dept.

Above and through all these special ministries our goal is to glorify God by giving our best. From the smallest to the largest detail, we want to honor and glorify God in all we do. We have been blessed by the generosity of this church family.

You value children and it shows in your support of the Children’s Ministries Department. With your help we will continue to give our best and glorify God. We know that as long as we do that God will continue to bless our work in every way.

God bless you and Happy New Year!

Kidzone Sunday Resumes on January 8.

Susie Woodin Children’s Ministries susie.woodin@fpcyakima.com

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

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID YAKIMA, WA PERMIT NO 59

Wednesdays@First winter session Coming soon, watch for more details

Starting Wednesday, January 11th Parenting with Courage

– Careforce Lifekeys A flexible approach to parenting

Sunday Sermon – Merle Smith & Jerry Smith

A second helping of the Sunday sermon

SOAR

– Kathy Bricel & Susie Bennett

Discipleship on The Edge – Jack Peebles Continuing study of the book of Revelation

Me, Myself & Lies – Ericka Clark

Clean out the all the mental junk!

Search for Intimacy

– Careforce Lifekeys The theology of sex

School of Spiritual Transformationenrollment is closed

Dinner is served at 5:30p.

Pre-purchase your dinner tickets at the connection center by the Sunday before.

Most classes start at 6:30p and conclude at 8p.