Commun ty Matters Fort Scott Presbyterian Village
“Believe”
By President and CEO Bruce Shogren As I look forward to the holiday season, one word is key to this season: “believe.” I truly believe in three key people: Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and the employees of the Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America system. What could be more important than Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ? I grew up in a church in which every Sunday we would state our belief by reciting the Apostles’ Creed. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen. This belief statement says it all for me and has been the guiding statement throughout my life. It has given me the ability to believe in the power of prayer, BELIEVE continued on page 2
Seeking ‘angels’ for Good Samaritan Program
December 2014
Christmas angel ornaments – each representing a gift to the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care – are adding to the holiday decorations at Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s senior living communities. Donors responding to the annual Christmas Angel Appeal letter mailed in November include paper angel ornaments with their gifts. Each ornament will then be displayed at the PMMA community designated by the donor. During the past two years, angel donors have given more than $94,000 to the Good Samaritan Program, which assists PMMA residents who have run out of funds through no fault of their own.
Fort Scott Handbell Choir has long history
When Carol Crain first heard a handbell choir at her step-father’s church when she was 27, she was hooked. “I purchased my first set of handbells in 1975, and we’ve had a community bell choir for all those years. We have members from several churches, including Southern Baptist, First Methodist, Fulton United Methodist, First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and First Presbyterian. We’re a really close knit group of ladies,” said Carol. While the choir typically only performs at the First Presbyterian Church, they do make special appearances in the community from time to time. They will be performing at Presbyterian Village at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and look forward to sharing the joy of handbells with all. “Handbells started in the bell towers of Europe, and weren’t brought to the United States until Margaret Shurcliff brought them to Boston in the early 1940s. It’s bloomed since then,” said Carol. “We really enjoy all of the unique things we can do with them now. The new techniques really make it interesting.”