Here@First - Nov 2012

first presbyterian church

here@

FIRST

November 2012

“Let u s

r un w ith e ndu that is r an set be ce t fore he us.” rac Heb e re w s1 2:1

p i h s d r a w e t S

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

Volume 44

Our Core Values

First Presbyterian Church of Yakima

Glorifying God with our best.

9 South 8th Ave Yakima, WA 98902

Pioneering and ongoing outreach.

(509) 248-7940

Engaging and nurturing relationships.

Being a cornerstone in the community.

Equipping people for ministry through biblical foundation and service.

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

Trailseekers

2:30p Gym

Al-Anon

5:15p Adult Ed

Everyone Tuesday Women’s Bible Study (Spirit Led Life) 9:15a Gym

Women

Women’s Bible Study (Women in the Word) 9:45a Parlor

Women Wednesday Women of Action

9:30a Chapel

Women

SOZO Prayer

5-9p

SOZO Team

Youth Group - Mid High

6-7:45p Youth Room LL7 6th - 8th gr

Youth Group - Senior High

7-9p Youth Room LL7 9th - 12th gr

SOAR: School of Spiritual Transformation 5:30p Chapel

SOAR Students Thursday Bible Study Fellowship

9:00a

Women

Contemporary Worship Rehearsal

5:30p Sanctuary

Worship Band

Temple Choir Rehearsal

7:00p Choir Room Choir Friday SOZO Prayer

9-Noon / 5-9p

SOZO Team

Sunday Mornings

Intercessory Prayer

Contemporary Worship - led by Contemporary Worship Team Traditional Worship - led by Organ & Choir

Worship - Cristo Vive (Spanish)

KidZone Sunday Classes

Sonbeams

Cubbies

Adult Ed Bible Class

40 Days of Purpose

Golden Circle

Students (6th - 12th grade)

8:30a - 9:30a Chapel

8:00a & 9:30a Sanctuary 11:00a Sanctuary

12:15p Chapel

9:30a Upstairs

9:30a Mezzanine L2 9:30a Room 103

9:30a Adult Ed

9:30a Mezzanine

9:30a Lounge

9:30a Youth Room LL7

Everyone Everyone Everyone Everyone K-5th 2½ yr & 3yr 4yr & 5yr Adults Adults Adults Gr 6-12

Cookies & Cans November 4: N-S

November 11: T-Z

November 18: A-F

November 25: G-M

Please bring a dozen cookies on your week, and non-perishable food items for Calvary Rescue Mission.

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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, and corrections contact Curtis Rosenkranz in the church office. 248-7940 x 113 curtis.rosenkranz@fpcyakima.com

Calendar November Events

Friday, November 2 Saturday, November 3 Sunday, November 4 Sunday, November 4 Monday, November 5 Monday, November 5 Tuesday, November 6 Wednesday, November 7 Friday, November 9 Friday, November 9 Saturday, November 10 Saturday, November 10 Saturday, November 10 Sunday, November 11 Sunday, November 11 Sunday, November 11 Sunday, November 11 Monday, November 12 Monday, November 12 Tuesday, November 13 Tuesday, November 13 Tuesday, November 13 Tuesday, November 13 Tuesday, November 13 Wednesday, November 14 Wednesday, November 14 Wednesday, November 14 Thursday, November 15 Friday, November 16 Friday, November 16 Saturday, November 17 Saturday, November 17 Sunday, November 18 Sunday, November 18 Sunday, November 18 Tuesday, November 20 Tuesday, November 20 Wednesday, November 21 Wednesday, November 21 Thursday, November 22 Thursday, November 22 Friday, November 23 Saturday, November 24 Tuesday, November 27 Tuesday, November 27 Wednesday, November 28 Wednesday, November 28 Wednesday, November 28 Saturday, December 1 Saturday, December 1 Saturday, December 1 Sunday, December 2 Sunday, December 2 Sunday, December 2 Monday, December 3 Monday, December 3 Tuesday, December 4 Tuesday, December 4 Wednesday, December 5 Wednesday, December 5 Thursday, December 6 Thursday, December 6 Friday, December 7

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) 9:00a CV New Member Class

3:00p-7:00p Daylight Savings Time Ends

Prayer Sunday

all morning Living Waters Meeting

5:30p Soaking Prayer

6:30p Adult Ed Meeting

7:00p Women’s Ministry Meeting

4:00p MOPS Steering Team Meeting

9:00a Craft Night

6:00p Prayer Shawl Ministry

9:00a CV New Member Class

3p-7p Veterans Dinner and Program

6:00p Veterans Memorabilia in Garden Room all morning Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes Due all morning CV New Member Class

10:30a Easter Project Meeting (Youth Mission Trip) 11:00a Veterans Day / No Preschool

Edith Ferry Circle Potluck

12:00p Discipleship Ministry Meeting

6:00p Fellowship Ministry Meeting

6:00p Worship Ministry Meeting

6:00p Service Ministry Meeting

6:00p Business Ministry Meeting

7:00p Thanksgiving for Swan Manor

12:00p Church Thanksgiving Dinner & Service 5:30p No Youth Group Tonight

Ghormley Commission

7:00p SOZO Advanced Training (pre-register) 9a-5p The Blast HS Retreat (Nov16-18)

all weekend SOZO Advanced Training (pre-register) 9a - 5p Couples Night (Cristo Vive)

5:30p Salvation Army Angel Tree Kick Off all morning No Youth Sunday School

Deacon’s Meeting

3:30p Preschool Thanksgiving Feasts (in classrooms) 10:30a Session Leadership Team Meeting 7:00p Preschool Thanksgiving Feasts (in classrooms) 10:30a No Youth Group Tonight

Thanksgiving Dinner at Ghormley Time TBA Happy Thanksgiving / Church Closed

Church Closed Today

all day Prayer Shawl Ministry

1:00p Kaffee Klatsch

9:30a Session Dinner and Meeting

6:00p Naomi Circle Meeting

10:00a Decorate Church for Advent

10:00a-3:00p Movie Night: Father of Lights

6:30p New Deacon Training

9:00a Breakfast with Santa - Advent Celebration 9:00a Kidzone Rehearsal (Singing in church 12/2) 10:00a Communion Sunday

all morning Kids Sing all 3 Services

all morning Kidzone Pancakes

all morning Living Waters Meeting

5:30p Soaking Prayer (Women)

6:30p Adult Ed Meeting

5:00p Session/Deacon Dinner and Meetings 6:00p Presbyterian Women Silver Tea

1:00p Women’s Ministry Meeting

4:00p Happy Travelers Meeting

1:30p Senior Adult Ministries Meeting

3:00p MOPS Christmas Tea

9:00a

Gym Adult Ed Sanctuary Parlor Rm 221 Adult Ed Prayer Rm Lounge Lounge Mid High Rm Adult Ed Garden Room Garden Room Sanctuary Lounge Adult Ed Parlor Rm 203 Parlor Prayer Rm Adult Ed Library Garden Room Gym Adult Ed Lounge Ghormley Meadows Lounge Lounge Garden Room Lounge Classrooms Adult Ed Classrooms

Moms Cristo Vive Everyone Everyone Committee Women Committee Committee MOPS Leadership Women Knitters Cristo Vive Everyone Everyone Everyone Cristo Vive Everyone Women Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Swan Manor Everyone 6th-12th grades Committee Everyone 9th-12th grades Everyone Couples Everyone 6th-12th grades Deacons Preschool Families

Ghormley Meadows

Preschool Families 6th-12th grades Everyone

Mid High Rm Garden Room Garden Rm/Mid High Adult Ed Sanctuary/Garden Rm Lounge Lounge Gym Sanctuary Sanctuary Sanctuary Gym Parlor Prayer Rm Adult Ed Garden Room Garden Room Prayer Rm Adult Ed Adult Ed Garden Room

Knitters Everyone Elders & Prog.Staff Women Everyone Everyone Deacons Everyone Kidzone kids Everyone Everyone Kidzone kids Committee Women Committee Elders/Deacons Women Committee Committee Committee Moms

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Happenin’ @ First

Open up a whole new life…through the power of a simple gift.

Samaritan’s Purse has changed the lives of children through Operation Christmas Child since 1993.

Every year the generous people of FPC have joined in lovingly packing shoeboxes with gifts…simple, yet powerful messages of God’s unconditional love. We kicked off Operation Christmas Child on Oct. 14, and will collect shoeboxes until Nov. 11…at which time we will bless all collected shoeboxes during worship before they begin their journey of love to children in far off countries.

When a child opens a shoe box, they are opening more than a present you lovingly prepared just for them. They’re opening up their community to the love of Jesus, and a world of life-changing opportunities. Whose life will your shoe box change this year?

MOPS Photo Fundraiser

First Presbyterian MOPS is selling coupons for $25, but you get $50 off a session (think Groupon or Seize the Deal) with one of 7 participating local photographers! YOU select the photographer whose style and packages best meet your family's needs. Coupons are valid for one year. Some restrictions apply. 100% of the coupon price goes to support the MOPS general fund and their ministry to local moms. Photographer list and coupons available in the church office.

Bistro Dinner Clubs

Bistro Dinner clubs have started up again, and typically are happening on the 2nd Friday of each month throughout the rest of the school year. The goal of these groups is to have a multi-generational experience of our church community so that deeper relationships can be cultivated.

If you would like to join one of these groups this fall, please contact Tyler Van Horn (tyler@fpcyakima.com).

Cristo Vive 2nd No Cost Fund Raiser Dinner

Welcome New Members!

Sue Skiles and Lani Johnson.

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Come and Celebrate our Ministry on Sunday December 9 at 6p! You will enjoy an authentic Mexican meal, at no cost; experience worship through song, testimony and get to know more about your Latino neighbors. Please sign up at the Connection Center as an attendee (we will assign you a table), or as a table host (invite 7 more people to join you at your table). Please invite people you know who are passionate about building bridges with the Hispanic Community in Yakima, and Hispanic acquaintances who may also enjoy our celebration.

Happenin’ @ First

Veterans Day Dinner

Our annual Veterans Day dinner will be on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 6:00p in the Garden Room. Our key note speaker will be Pastor Jim Erixson, Retired SMSgt, USAF. All veterans are invited to bring your memorabilia to show at the dinner and then on Sunday morning the 11th of November. The dinner is open to the public. So, come one, come all!

Reservations ($9 per plate) can be made at the Connection Center before 5p on Friday Nov. 9. You can also contact Harley Drollinger at 972-1457 for more information.

Hands of Hope Shelter

We will be opening the women's shelter located at 701 N. 40th Avenue on Nov. 15, and will stay open through Mar. 15. We need ladies to stay over night and ladies or gentlemen to provide meals and transportation. If you feel the Lord tugging on your heart to help get the shelter ready by November 15, 2012, please contact Melia Franck at 594-5470 or Tami McDaniels at 388-4750. Be a part of helping someone change their life.

Garth Gustafson Two Night Class

Garth is back in town for a few days and will be teaching on Mission & Evangelism in the book of Acts, for two nights, November 5 & 6 from 6:30p8p in the Lounge. All are invited.

A Holiday Celebration for the Whole Family!

December 7, 8, 9 2012 Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp Friday Dinner and Family competition; cocoa and s’mores by the fire; Saturday brunch; trek for your tree; crafts; scavenger hunt; Gingerbread House building contest; cookie decorating; sledding; hay rides; zipline rides; Saturday dinner feast; Christmas story and Christmas movies; games by the fire; Sunday worship and continental breakfast.

Stay a day, one night or the weekend. Reserve your space today by calling 509-672-4311 or register on line at www.ghormleymeadow.org.

Angel Tree

We are blessed to once again participate in the Salvation Army Angel Tree this year. Start your Christmas off by providing a gift for a child in Yakima… Angels will be available on the angel tree from Nov. 18 – Dec. 12

All Church Thanksgiving Dinner

Come celebrate Thanksgiving with us on Wednesday, November 14, with dinner and worship at 5:30p in the Gym. $12 per place, or $30 per family. Sign up at the Connection Center to save your place.

Mabel Swan Thanksgiving

Come help us serve our neighbors at Mabel Swan. We will host them with a Thanksgiving dinner here at the church on Wednesday, November 14 at noon. We need people to bring dishes, people to serve and clean up. Sign up at the Connection Center or contact Jim Erixson directly at 248-7940.

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Pastor Jack

Dear Church Family, This month, we celebrate Thanksgiving. It is one of my very favorite times of the year. The incredible food aside, the time spent with family and friends is enriching.

I love the new “traditions” that have developed here at FPC Yakima to celebrate Thanksgiving in recent years.

For example, the meal served for the folks at Mabel Swan has got to be one of the high points for me. The outpouring of love by members of the church toward our neighbors makes me incredibly proud of this family of faith. It is a great example of how we as a congregation are seeking to BE neighbors to those around us. For the faithfulness of our congregation and these expressions of love, I am extremely THANKFUL! November is also the month we hold our annual stewardship campaign. This year, our stewardship team has sought to frame our campaign and sermon series around the idea that giving back to God is a spiritual discipline. What is a spiritual discipline, you may be asking?

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

Fundamentally, spiritual disciplines make us more available to God. I love what Richard Foster writes in his classic book Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth: “God has given us the Disciplines of the spiritual life as a means of receiving his grace.

The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us.” (Foster, p. 7) Like the study of Scripture, prayer, fasting, or confession of sins, giving of our finances affords us the experience of placing all that we are and have before our Lord and Savior. Nowhere is this more needed than when it comes to our finances: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10) For many in our society, money enslaves. At the very least, it provides a false sense of security. When we can place everything that we are and have before God, He is able to work in and through us as His people.

I am often amazed how Christians think they can make a decision for Jesus, and stay stuck at the same level of spiritual maturity. In the same way that an athlete needs to train in order to compete in peak condition, we need to be engaged in spiritual disciplines so that we can grow in our faith and relationship with God. During our stewardship sermon series, we are encouraging everyone to get in shape by taking the following steps: Get Focused, Get Motivated, Set a Goal, and Make a Commitment.

For your commitment to Him and your willingness to serve as a part of this family of faith, I am extremely THANKFUL! Living and loving for him,

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Jack Pastor

Seniors

Jim Erixson — Associate Pastor — jim.erixson@fpcyakima.com

It’s Never too Early to Prepare for the Holidays According to the church calendar we are still in Ordinary Time and we have another eight weeks before we begin a new year and the first Sunday of Advent will be here soon. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it is time to make arrangements with the family for getting together for the holidays. After Thanksgiving, Advent will be upon us and we begin to prepare for the celebration of the coming of our Lord Jesus. Every year I look forward to this time and find it rejuvenates me after what seems to be a dry season of Ordinary time. I love to celebrate the birth of Jesus with the special services and the get-togethers that take place throughout the Advent and Christmas season. I also know that there are others who find this time of year depressing and memories are not as joyous as it is for others. I think this is a good time to start preparing for celebrating this special time with those who don’t see it as a special and joyous season and to find ways to share it with our neighbors in the Yakima community. Find ways to share the stories of the birth of Christ and how this means a new beginning, a new life for those who need a new hope in their lives. Share your home and a meal with those who won’t have family and friends to share with. Find ways to bring Christ into their lives and share ways that bring new hope, new joy, and a new meaning of life for them. Isn’t that what Christmas is about? God shared His only Son with us and gave us the gift of a new meaning for us so let’s pass it on to our neighbors who forgot to listen the first time. Let’s give them a second chance!

Jim

God’s Timing and the New Prayer Room Over the years some of our members have discussed the establishment of a Prayer Room. It’s even been considered adding on to the building in order to have such an area. As a praying church, we have desired to have a sacred space set aside to encourage people to seek the Lord in prayer.

The Lord has answered our prayers and His delivery has burst on the scene somewhat like a miracle. First, someone suggested turning a window into a door by the Connection Center in the Garden Room creating access to a remote room.

Miraculously, there was a beautiful original door discovered in storage that could be used for this purpose. That was the beginning. Every stage of the way the Lord went before us, from placement of the room to donations for the majority of the furnishings.

It was all amazing; there were no obstacles. This was without a doubt the Lord’s timing. He inspired many in our church with positive ideas and joy that there was to be a space designed specifically to honor the presence of the Lord through prayer.

Our congregation knows and has witnessed Gods providence of Healing Prayer.

This new room is being used in a variety of ways. As believers it is our privilege to pray when we or our families and friends are wounded physically and/or spiritually.

Every Sunday you will find Prayer Ministers available after each service to join with you in prayer. There are people engaged in intercessory prayer for all the services early on Sunday morning in this room. Often during our Session meetings there are intercessors in this room praying for your Elders. You can make an appointment to meet with a Prayer Minister during the week, and even arrange for a Sozo prayer appointment. Also, small groups and committees meet in this room. This is a room where all people can feel comfortable releasing their burdens and praises to our Lord. We praise Him and give Him all the thanks for this gift of a place for all people to “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.

Matthew11:28 Come, pray and be blessed in your new Prayer Room!

rick T n o r a Sh 7

Stewardship 2012 TRUSTING IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

FPC has a long standing tradition of presenting our pledges for the coming calendar year the Sunday preceding Thanksgiving. What better way to acknowledge our deep gratitude for God’s faithful care? This year Commitment Sunday falls on Nov. 18 and we want to urge everyone to set a giving goal and work towards it.

HOW IS PLEDGING LIKE RUNNING?

Preparing for a long run is the theme that - well, “runs” through this fall’s stewardship drive.

The analogy is simple: one is more likely to cross the finish line if one has set a clear end goal, a time-line, and a plan for getting there.

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 When we give prayerful consideration to filling out a pledge form it’s like signing up for a race we intend to run – it gives us a “training plan” to follow: each week or month we will strive to achieve a portion of the total objective, so that by year’s end we have the satisfaction of completing the goal that was set. A target may seem too daunting if it’s tackled all at once, but broken into manageable segments it becomes achievable with God’s help.

THREE THINGS FOR YOUR CARING CONSIDERATION:

1) We need to be mindful that the general budget pays for all of the infrastructure that enables us to share what we have with neighbors across the street and around the world. Staff salaries, the money to run programs like Sunday School, the quality of our corporate worship experience, care of our facilities, audio and visual equipment updates, communications and publications and so much more depend on our steadfast giving to the general budget.

2) Our dedicated staff has not had a cost of living adjustment in nearly four years. Whether or not we can afford as a church to help them out in 2013 directly depends on the results of our pledges. In addition, every program budget has been severely scaled back in recent years.

If we’re to remain effective we need to support the fundamentals: children, youth and family ministries, worship, discipleship training, and congregational care.

3) Our beloved Pastor Jim Erixson plans to retire in the spring. After considerable deliberation by a special task force, the recommendation was made to Session to seek a replacement ordained minister who can not only oversee pastoral and congregational care and senior adult ministries, but who will also function as a church administrator. To attract a highly qualified and experienced individual to this position, we need to be able to offer an appropriate salary.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO COMMIT? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 The budget for the coming year is based on what people promise to give. Our willingness to commit allows the church to plan ahead for how it will best serve God’s people. It can seem especially daunting to make financial commitments during economically uncertain times. But we are encouraged when we remember that though we may not know what the future holds, we know who holds the future. We belong to a steadfast God who has never let us down in the past. Why would we think that God would be any less faithful now?

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WHAT ARE OUR TOP PRIORITIES and PURPOSE? Making disciples…Who make disciples

Disciples are faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Our session recently spent considerable time prayerfully discerning areas in which God has especially called FPC to focus its time, talent, organization and financial commitment in order to make disciples. These areas are: • Children •Youth •Marriage & Parenting •Multi-Cultural Diversity •Front Porch Ministry While all ministry areas of our church are highly valued, research shows that thriving churches identify key focus areas that fit their particular context and calling. We need to strengthen our giving so that these missional priorities can shine! The new Bistro Groups are a great way to invite friends and neighbors into the life of our church. Food is a great mixer – consider combining people from across the age spectrum as well! Sign-ups are ongoing in the Garden Room.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?

Your stewardship committee has put together a “Narrative Budget” booklet that describes how the donations you make to the church are used. There is a helpful pie chart, pictures and short paragraphs that tell the story of how our monies are used for God’s work. You may pick up a Narrative Budget booklet at the Connection Center in the Garden Room, or on the table outside the main church office.

BE ONE OF 100!

We are seeking “runners” willing to commit to one of these goals: • 100 NEW FIRST TIME PLEDGERS: If you have been an occasional giver, we challenge you to set a goal to give to the Lord’s work here on a regular basis. The best way to do this is with a promise that you make both to yourself and to God. Fill out the attached commitment of giving card and join the throng of runners who are heading to the finish line on Commitment Sunday: Nov. 18.

• 100 PEOPLE WILLING TO INCREASE THEIR EXISTING PLEDGE: If you have pledged in the past, please consider increasing your pledge to help our church to be strong. Set a new “personal best”!

• 100 NEW PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR AUTOMATIC GIVING PLAN: There are currently 22 families or individuals who are signed up for an automatic giving plan. It would help to even out the peaks and valleys in our church giving patterns if more people would sign up for automatic giving. It also simplifies your life.

We are offering a new very simple way for you to do this through online giving.

HOW DOES AUTOMATIC ONLINE GIVING WORK?

FPC is pleased to announce that automatic online giving is now a quick and easy process. Just go to our web site: www.FPCyakima.com and click on “Giving”. We encourage you to make your tithes and gifts a part of your regular budget and hope you will enjoy the convenience of this service. Rest assured that the service is secure and that your data is protected using the highest industry standards. If you would like assistance in setting up your account, please feel free to contact the office. Staff will be happy to walk you through it. We hope you will find this to be a convenient way to schedule and track your giving from home. It also provides an easy way to generate reports of your online giving for tax preparation and record keeping. Please know that traditional giving methods are still being honored: the church remains happy to provide envelopes, the offering plate will still circulate, and your donations in any form will continue to be greatly appreciated.

COMING FORWARD ON SUNDAY, NOV. 18 - BLESSED BY GOD’S GENEROSITY; TRUSTING IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

The Commitment of Giving Cards will be offered up during all three morning services on the Sunday preceding Thanksgiving: Nov. 18, 2012.

This year the card is located in the Tri-fold mailed to homes and placed in pews. Just tear it off along the perforation.

The timing is very special as we bring forward our offerings of thanksgiving for God’s generous and faithful love.

You are encouraged to hold onto your card to present during a worship service on Sunday, Nov. 18 in order to come forward with the rest of the congregation, or place your card in the offering plate. You may also mail your card into the church office or place it in the offering plate on a subsequent Sunday.

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Preschool

Rhonda Cardona — Director — Rhonda Cardona@fpcyakima.com

First Presbyterian Christian Preschool is an outreach ministry to our community. We provide parents the support their children need to be ready for kindergarten. We provide encouragement to families in their parenting role. We provide a spiritual foundation to children that can be nurtured and grown throughout their lives. We reach families throughout the community, many of which do not have a church home.

Our scholarship program is made available to families who are in situations that would not be able to afford preschool otherwise. These funds come from our congregation here at First Presbyterian Church of Yakima. We have been able to assist many families with tuition for preschool.

This year alone the requests for scholarships have exceeded the $11,000 mark. Because of this we are also holding fundraisers. Please consider supporting the preschool through these fundraisers. The staff and Board of Directors for the preschool, plus the many families involved, thank you for your giving and for your support.

God’s Creation

• • • •

2013 Wall Calendars Pocket Calendars Greeting Cards (pack of 12) Christmas Cards (pack of 12)

$6.00 each

See’s Candy!

Look for us in the Garden Room on Sunday, December 2nd.

Or pre-order now in the main office and at Higher Grounds Coffee

gift! t a e r g a s Make 10

Ghormley

Mark Washam — Camp Director —Mark@ghormleymeadow.org

and the rest of our church us in jo to u yo e vit in y all I would love to form in the holiday season. g rin he us ts en ev ial ec sp family for two very Every other year Ghormley hosts a Thanksgiving celebration at the camp. In addition to the fabulous meal provided, it provides a wonderful opportunity to bring your family and friends up to the mountains to enjoy our beautiful grounds and the fellowship of those you love most. We do all the work and you can relax, play with your children or grandchildren and drink in the beauty of our mountain home. You can stay over night or just come for the meal.

Thanksgiving at Ghormley

12- Adult: 7-11: 6 and under:

Dinner Only $16.00 $8.00 FREE

Dinner & Overnight $32.00 $16.00 FREE

as

istm r h C w o d a e ntain M

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December 7, 8 & 9

Past participants have called this the highlight of their Christmas season. Check out the details on our website www. ghormleymeadow.org. The weekend is filled with memorable events and activities to share with your loved ones to start the Christmas season off in a truly meaningful way. If you’re not able to join us for the entire weekend, no worry, plenty of daily options are available.

Activities Include: Amazing meals all weekend! test Gingerbread House Building Con g Sleddin Christmas Crafts Christmas Light Displays Family Game Night Carol Singing AND SO MUCH MORE!

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Happily Ever After

H@F is excited to bring you an interview of Merle & Dorothy Smith who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September 2012!

H@F: How did you meet and how long have you been married?

M&D: We celebrated our 60th Anniversary on September 6. We met on a blind date at WSU. We were both sponsors in our respective living groups, and were paired by our dorm leaders at a joint dance.

This was around Christmas. After Merle impressed Dorothy by writing his name upside down and backwards on a frosty window, they decided to date. It wasn’t until that next Fall that marriage came into their plans, but they had more college to finish first.

r.” Many of us grew up “And they lived happily ever afte of stories hoping that would hearing those words at the ends life (even after a fairy tale be true for us, too. Sadly, in real rt. God has blessed us here wedding) many marriages fall apa marriages have stood the test at FPC with many couples whose H@F will spotlight advice of time. Over the coming months as we look closer at the from some of them. Read with us ‘happily ever after’. ‘really hard work’ that creates the

H@F: “In sickness and in health…” Have you got any suggestions for couples who are coping with major illnesses in one or both partners?

M&D: Having gone through some health challenges in the past few years, we have only to say trusting in the Lord and being positive no matter the outcome has helped us immensely. We will also add keeping in touch with our church family, as well as our own family, provides a great support when you need it. We know the Lord is in control of all things, and we feel comforted by that truth.

H@F: Lots of times each of you will differ in your preferences. How do you resolve conflict?

M&D: Well, using our home for an example, we usually have the same goal – it’s the procedure that is different. Merle is more lowkey, while Dorothy likes things “decently and in order.” This does cause some difficulties at times! We have learned, though, having to adjust does help us by providing some balance in our marriage, and being respectful of one another is very important. We will have to say our faith helps to keep us on the right track.

H@F: Raising children is a major impact in many marriages.

Occasionally, a mom and dad may have differing ideas about how that should be done. Got any advice for us?

M&D: We both agreed at the very beginning how we wanted to raise our children. We tried to be consistent in what we expected of them, and we felt it was very important they were raised in a Christian atmosphere. We were fortunate that we both came from stable, loving families that had similar backgrounds, which helped provide a home base for our children.

H@F: The church has been a big impact in your lives. Can you expand on that?

M&D: We’ll have to admit it was because of our children that we started attending First Presbyterian. We were at a time, when after a period of being away from church for some time, we realized we needed to start our children in Sunday School. Actually, at first we used to drop them off and pick them up afterwards. We were both in our 40’s before we learned about the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. It happened as a result of a class taught by one of our pastors, Jim Christianson. Since then, the Lord has played a very important part in our lives.

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A warm thank you to Merle & Dorot hy for sharing these thoughtful respon ses.

Ericka Clark — Women’s Ministries — Ericka.Clark@fpcyakima.com

Women’s Ministries

Encouraging women up to be intentional about their faith.

Coming Up..

Original Design For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully

made; your works are wonderful,

I know that full well. Psalm 139:13, 14

N

ational Public Radio has been airing a series on genetic sequencing. The episode I caught was focusing on the idea of having one’s own genetic code read. A person’s genome can provide all sorts of information from finding mutations behind a tumor, to helping doctors Merriam-Webster find medicine to Dictionary Definition of better treat an GENOME: one haploid

illness, as well as finding out potential medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s or diabetes.

set of chromosomes with the genes they contain; broadly : the genetic material of an organism

I find this study fascinating – to think God designed our bodies with such intricate structure and detail. He “knit us together in our mother’s wombs” and He created each of us, all billion plus, to be different. It is also pretty impressive that scientists and doctors can learn to read our individual genome; they can dig deeper into our wellness as well as our future health and well-being.

Amazing.

Do you know what I find even more thrilling? Original Design prayer – I first heard of this prayer a few years ago from a group of women who went to a retreat and had this prayed over them by other women they had never met. The pray-ers asked God what He wanted each woman to know about how and why she was created. What the Lord told each of the ladies was beautiful. Encouraging. Perhaps even life-changing.

When we ask, God will share intimate details about our design – the inner workings of our mind and actions, our likes and passions and our spiritual gifts. He created each one of us specifically, with certain gifts and talents for a reason. Just like reading You are beautiful. (and learning to understand) our genetic I know because I made you. code, we, too can know our “Origninal Design.” We do serve an awesome God who -God loves each one of us. He is soooo good.

• Soaking Prayer November

5. The 1st Monday of each month. Women are invited to meet in the new prayer room on the main floor for prayer and meditation.

• Craft Night Friday, November 9 - hosted by Katrina Carvajal and Cristo Vive. A fun night to share your creativity with other women.

• Father of Lights Movie

Wednesday, November 28 at 6:00p in the David Ferry Lounge. This is the 3rd of Darren Wilson’s documentaries on God’s powerful love and miracles in our world.

Soaking Prayer

First Monday of the Month We will gather the first Monday of every month at 6:30pm. Join us for is a time of soaking in the Lord’s presence immersing in worship, prayer, and scriptures, setting apart time to listen and be led by the Holy Spirit.

If you are interested in hosting an evening please call Ericka at 2487940 x100.

Spring Retreat!

Save the Date!

Spring Women’s Retreat is scheduled for March 8, 9 and 10, 2013.

We will be staying at Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan. Registration will begin in January.

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Devotional And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, promising not to stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship Me, and they will never leave Me. Jeremiah 32:40 Read 1 John 4:7-21 God Is Love Everlasting in Hebrew means "concealed to the vanishing point". That means you cannot see its beginning or its end! It is beyond time, eternal, always, continual, forever, perpetual... Only our Father God Who is and was and forever will be can offer everlasting love. And what a great love it is!

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:3-39 Theologian Geerhardus Vos wrote "The best proof that He will never cease to love us lies in that He never began." It is likely we have never stopped to consider that there was never a time God did not love us. Our knowledge of God’s love has pointed us forward toward His eternal embrace but we can also look back and have a confident assurance that there has never been a moment in time that Father God has not loved the people of His creation.

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God is in love with us! He has poured out His love over us. He would not have sent His Son to die for us if it were not the case. Father God longs for us to be near Him. He desires our fellowship. God is not a father who hurts or causes pain. No, He lavishes his love upon us.

How little we comprehend of His intense desire to have us need Him. How patient He is with us. He delights in us. Soak in these Scriptures that describe how Father God sees us, feels about us and loves us.

Janet Krieger

Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights.

Unlike them, He never changes or casts shifting shadows. James 1:17 For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song."

Zephaniah 3:17 Now if you will obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be My own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to Me. Exodus 19:5 "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, promising not to stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship Me, and they will never leave Me. Jeremiah 32:40 This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10 Since God did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else? Romans 8:32 The promises of His Word tell us how much He loves us; how He is always thinking of us.

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are His children. 1 John 3:1 Will we not take delight in Him? He takes joy in our presence with Him. Will we not take joy in spending time with Him? He loves us with an everlasting love; a love we will never fully comprehend. Will we not develop that same kind of intense love for our Father?

What steps will you take today to fall evermore in love with Father God?

Janet

Children

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

K

idZone is off to a great start thi s fall, but we are in great need of male leader s in our K/1st Grade and 2/3 Grade classrooms. Come on gu ys…don’t let the girls ou t do you this year! Call Susie and sign up to be part of this fun and rewarding ministry to chi ldren. You will be blesse d by the relationships you create with the kids and other lea ders…We have a special place just waiting for you!

Susie

Kidzone

kids will sing on Decem ber 2 in all three Sunday servic es.

Dress rehearsal will be on Saturday December 1 at 10a.

Please call Susie before

line!

the November 11 dead

Meet our KidZone Volunteers This month, we are excited to introduce you to Mark Watson, an attorney here in Yakima who is also leader in the 2nd and 3rd grade KidZone class. Mark is a wonderful example of being a neighbor to kids in our church, and throughout our community.

KZ: When did you start attending FPC, and what brought you here in the first place?

MW: After my daughter Alexann was born in 1995 I started attending more regularly. I had been a Presbyterian all my life. As they say, often it is having children, that brings you back to the Church.

KZ: When did you start serving in the children’s department, and why?

MW: When my daughter Alexann started kindergarten I volunteered to assist in her classroom. I followed her to the 2nd and 3rd grade classroom as a small group leader when Jake Kupp was the large group leader. After Alexann entered 4th grade I stayed with the 2nd and 3rd grade class, taking over as large group leader after Jake left to pursue other goals. I have been there ever since.

KZ: What is the most rewarding aspect of serving in KidZone and the children’s department?

MW: Teaching the children about God and the love of Jesus Christ. Their minds are so receptive to that message and they are excited to learn.

KZ: Tell us about a time that you saw God at work while serving in the children’s department…

MW: When the children talk about how they have applied the lessons they have learned in a particular situation that has come up at home or at school, their eyes light up and they are so enthusiastic!

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

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