October 2014 Grapevine

October Grapevine
Jeremiah 5:24
'They do not say in their heart, "Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives rain in its
season, both the autumn rain and the spring rain, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of
the harvest
Church Office:
309-944-5189
fpcgeneseo@geneseo.net
www.geneseofpc.org
133 East North Street
Geneseo, IL 61254
www.geneseofpc.org
Inside This Issue of the Grapevine
Table of Contents
From Your Pastor ........................................................................................................... 3
Announcements & News .............................................................................................. 4
News From ......................................................................................................................... 5
Musical Notes .................................................................................................................... 6
Presbyterian Women ..................................................................................................... 7
Geneseo Food Pantry ..................................................................................................... 8
Birthdays and Anniversaries .................................................................................... 9
October Worship Schedule ......................................................................................... 10
Prayers of the People
Our prayers continue for Shane Haas, Janet Borkgren, Sandy
Haas, Carol (Mrs. R.C.) Johnson, Phyllis Keag, Pat Williams,
Archie Cullen, Gen Atwell, Terry Hein, Betty Miller, Helen
Ellsberry, Dennis Carton, Chuck Grunwald, & The Stephens
Family.
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From Your Pastor
If we could travel in time back to ancient Israel, we would see an interesting sight at harvest
time. A farmer would get a large basket and gather up some of each of his crops—wheat, barley,
grapes, olives, apples. He would put them in a basket and take them not to his house, not to a
neighbor, but to the Temple. There he would dedicate them to God. This was the offering of “first
fruits.” Along with the offering, the farmer would recite a statement of faith. He would
acknowledge that it was God who had freed him from bondage in Egypt and given him his land
in the land of Israel. In this way he would admit that all he had, the very land from which his
crops grew, was the gift of God. And the whole service of dedication would end with a
celebration of sharing: “Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among
you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your
house.” (Deuteronomy 26:1-11)
In most churches fall is the “stewardship” season. Here at First Presbyterian the Session, Deacons,
and committees are busy preparing a budget for 2015. Soon the Session will be appealing to you
to make a financial pledge toward that budget. Your pledge is like the first fruits of the harvest
that the Israelite dedicated to God. The church needs your financial support to provide worship,
education, fellowship, pastoral care, and mission. But more important, you need to pledge.
Making a tangible commitment to God through the church is one way of acknowledging that all
that we have comes from God. It is a way to grow in faith and discipleship. What God has given
us is not fully ours. It is ours to use responsibly for the good of our neighbors. We are “stewards”
of the good things God has given us. One way to celebrate God’s goodness is to share it with the
church and with those in need.
Tim
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Announcements & News
Finance Update
Our Church Budget Update:
Y-T-D through September 2014
Budget Income $72,583.64
Budget Expenses $87,635.47
Deficit $ -15,051.83
Wednesday Bible Study
In Bible Study we are in the middle of a study of the Dead Sea Scrolls. When we
have finished that, we will begin a study of one of the strangest books of the
Bible, Revelation. We will try to get beyond the misuse of Revelation as the
“key” to unlocking the secrets of current and future events. Rather we will try
to understand what is the central message of the book which made it
meaningful to its original readers in the first century, and equally meaningful
to a multitude of Christians at many different times and places in Christian
history. Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome
and you can join the group at any time.
Pastor Tim
Freezer Meal Fellowship Saturday
When: Saturday, October 25, 2014
Time: TBD by what works best for everyone that signs up.
The idea of this day is to spend time in fellowship with each other
As well as to take this:
And turn it into this:
Let’s face it life gets busy and how nice would it be to have a few meals in the freezer ready to go
when you have forgotten to plan a meal for the night. The idea would be to get together and have
everyone that participates take home the same three meals with them. I have a list of recipes to
choose from and the three most popular recipes will be the ones that we will make. I will do all
the shopping that is required to make the recipes and to store them; this way when you show up
everything is all ready to go for you. The only thing that I ask from you is a $10 deposit.
This deposit is just to ensure that I do not have people sign up and then they do not show up.
When buying the supplies for the meals I will be buying for the amount of people that will be
here so I would like it to be as accurate as possible. If you have a friend or family member that
you think would enjoy this and benefit from it I would love to have you bring them along as well.
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If you are interested in participating please contact me at the church office at 309-944-5189, or
on my cell at 309-507-3246. You could also leave me a note on my desk in the office. I will keep
track of who signs up and deposits up until Friday, October 24th, that is when I will go and do
the shopping.
Recipes to consider:
Baked Ziti, Chicken Parmesan Casserole, Mexican Chicken Chili, French Dip Sandwiches, Pesto
Chicken Stuffed Shells, Chicken Enchiladas, Meatless Enchilada Casserole, Coconut Lime
Chicken, Honey Dijon Chicken, Freezer Pulled Pork, Pizza Pasta Bake, White Chicken Chili,
Potato Soup, Black Bean Taco Soup, Slow Cooker Pineapple Glazed Ham, Slow Cooker Chicken
Curry, Slow Cooker Sweet Teriyaki Chicken, Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Pork Chops & Potatoes,
Slow Cooker Newlywed Beef Tips, White Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Million Dollar Casserole,
Stuffed Mexican Shells, Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole, Burrito Pie, Chicken Cordon Bleu
Casserole, & Easy Cheeseburger Casserole.
Heritage Sunday will be Sunday, November 2, 2014. This service is to
celebrate our heritage and also to honor our members who have been with
loyal to our church for 50 plus years. If you are a 50 year member please plan
on attending this service and allowing us to celebrate your commitment to our
church.
Veterans Day will be celebrated on Sunday, November 9, 2014. We will
recognize our veterans during this service. If you are a veteran and new to the
church could you please contact Virginia Nelson at 309-944-2249 so she can
get your information for this service. Please plan on attending this service and
allowing us to honor the service that you have provided us.
News From
The Sunday School classes have started the year learning about the Lord's Prayer, and in October
we will begin a curriculum about the Ten Commandments. On Rally Day the students
served breakfast to the congregation before worship. Please drop in on Sunday mornings to see
what we are doing. We'd love to share our activities with you.
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Musical Notes
The first thing I want to say in this month’s missal is that I am very pleased with the musical
presentations we had this past month. We began with the Celebration Band, the choir is back
from a short summer, and we ended with the Blackhawk Bagpipe Band – what a month. And we
found an excellent flutist (Kylie Gember) for when our “homegrown Robin” is unavailable. Kylie
also plays the piano – I’ll have to investigate that further.
As a matter of note: This year your choir is going to attempt to sing a few more difficult
pieces. They are a lot more fun to sing and more interesting to hear. The problem with that is we
should have more members to be able to make the sounds that are required. To keep the costs
down, we will be singing anthems that have been sung in the past, with a few brand new ones
thrown in for variety. (It’s great to have an “in” with other churches that are willing to lend us
some of their “tried and true tunes”.) But to make these ambitions a reality, we really need a few
people to step up and make a commitment to sing in the choir. If we can get members who can
only commit for one or two Sundays a month that would be fine – we can schedule the more
challenging music for those Sundays. But we need help!! Adults and junior/senior high school
age. I can see the “children” singing with us occasionally.
Come spend an hour to an hour and a half with us on Thursday evenings 7 to 8:15 + - its
fun, it’s relaxing, and it greatly benefits your church. As Dr. David Rash once said, “I joined the
choir because I didn’t want to see the choir go away. I didn’t realize how much enjoyment I
would get from it”.
Thank you for your continued support.
George
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Presbyterian Women
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the
Lord will be greatly praised.” (NLT)
PW October Meetings
Faith Circle
Date: October 15, 2014
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Hostess: Barb Schang
Lesson: Louise Rash
Lamplighters Circle
Date: October 27, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Hostess: Evelyn Leonhart
Lesson: Sharon Esche
Thank Offering – Sunday, October 19th
Thank Offering is a special offering take in the fall for designated project that are decided by
The Creative Offering Committee of the Church wide PW Coordinating Team. Forty percent
(40%) supports medical mission.
Of the 62 applications received this year the committee selected 30 to receive funding. 17 of the
projects are ministries serving people in need in the United States, and 13 projects are
International. More than 40% of the projects funded this year are health ministries.
Thank offering envelops will be inserted in the bulletins on Sundays October 19th and
26th. Please make checks payable to Presbyterian Women.
Beth Simpson
PW Together in Mission Coordinator
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From the
Geneseo Food Pantry
October 2014 Newsletter
Hard times are still upon us and that is being reflected in the number of households we are
serving each month. In August we broke another record; distributing food to 92 households.
With colder months ahead, we expect this number to continue rising. We are consistently in
need of food donations. Please continue to keep us in mind when you are doing your own
grocery shopping. If you would like to make a monetary donation designated for food purchases,
you many indicate that on your check. We are able to purchase some items from River Bend
Foodbank at .18 cents per pound.
For the entire month of October Geneseo Super Wash, at 810 W. Main Street, will be
donating 50 cents to the Food Pantry for every fully paid automatic car wash. If you prefer to use
tokens, they will also donate $1.00 for every set purchased (5 for $22.00).
We are in need of a volunteer to help in our clothing rooms on Thursday afternoons from
1:00 to 4:00. Please consider donating your time and talents. Just call the Pantry at 944-3165 if
interested.
Weather like this means the holidays are not far away. The Food Pantry staff begins making
plans for receiving and distributing Thanksgiving food baskets and Christmas gifts for client
families. Every year your Christian love is demonstrated in the many ways you make the holidays
better for the less fortunate in our area. For many years members of the community have assisted
client families in need during Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. This year will be no
exception. Help can be given in many forms including ingredients for a Thanksgiving dinner,
gift certificates for singles or elderly, food drives, or monetary donations, just to name a few. To
find out more about adopting a family for Thanksgiving or Christmas, please contact us.
Please continue to pray for our clients that they may find strength and comfort in God, as
well as have enough for basic needs.
Thank you for your continued support of our ministry.
Food needs this month are: canned soup (any), spaghetti noodles and spaghetti sauce, elbow
macaroni, and stuffing mix
Non-food needs: mouthwash, any cleaning products, toilet paper, shampoo, and diapers
(sizes 5 and 6)
Drop boxes at the church for Food Pantry donations are located outside the church office
and in the coat room off the front entrance of the church. Donations are always appreciated
and especially encouraged on the third Sunday of the month, which is designated Food
Pantry Sunday.
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Birthdays and Anniversaries
October 12th – Bill & Nancy Noord
October 18th – Sheldon & Ethel Schroeder
October 2014
October 19th – Doug & Melanie Curran
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29
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Lloyd Vespermann
Pat Williams
Jim Schaefer
Kayla Simpson
Don Griffith
Bill Noord
**Bernard Achterhof**
Andrea Lyman
Bonnie Asay
Darlene Christiance
Roger Stancliff
Callie VanKerrebroeck
Kelli Williams
Ken Atwell
Louise Rash
Randy Hugh
Marian Keag
Lily Johnson
Pam Durian
Alison Johnson
If your birthday or anniversary is not
listed, please call the church office.
**Golden Ager**
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October Worship Schedule
October 5th
17th Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Communion
9:45 a.m. Confirmation & Sunday school
11:00 a.m. Worship
12:00 p.m. After Church Coffee
Sermon: “What’s Going On in Here?”
(Psalms 19)
October 12th
18th Sunday after Pentecost
9:45 a.m. Confirmation & Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship
12:00 p.m. After Church Coffee
Sermon: “The Fruit of the Spirit
is…Strawberries”
(Galatians 5:16-25 & Psalms 1)
October 19th
Sunday after Pentecost
9:45 a.m. Confirmation Class & Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship
12:00 p.m. After Church Coffee
Sermon: “Return to Sender”
(Matthew 22:15-22; Psalms 99)
October 26th
Sunday after Pentecost
9:45 a.m. Confirmation Class & Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship
12:00 p.m. After Church Coffee
Sermon: “The Fruit of the Spirit
is…Peaches”
(Gal. 5:16-25; Psalms 145:1-9)
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20th
Deadline for article submission will be October 20th for November’s Grapevine.
Monthly Publication of First Presbyterian Church
133 E. North St. PO Box 196, Geneseo, IL 61254
Volume 34, No. 16
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