The Bridgebuilder - First Presbyterian Church – Hoopeston Illinois

First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church
Hoopeston, Illinois
Non-Profit Organization
P.O. Box 297
U.S. Postage Paid
915 E. Orange St
Permit No. 49
Hoopeston, IL 60942
Hoopeston, IL 60942
The Bridgebuilder
Return Service Requested
February 2016
Ash Wednesday Potluck and Worship
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my
transgressions. So begins Psalm 51, one of the traditional scriptures for Ash Wednesday, a day of
penitence marking the beginning of Lent, a journey of forty days to Good Friday and Easter. On
Ash Wednesday we are reminded of our mortality - ashes to ashes - as we
repent of our wrongs and prepare for death and resurrection—Jesus’ and
our own.
Pastor’s Letter,
Confirmation
2
Youth, Preschool
3
Valentine’s Day
4
Why are ashes, made from burning the previous year’s Palm Sunday
palms, used? On Palm Sunday we remember that the people rejoiced at
Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. They celebrated his arrival by
waving palm branches, not realizing that he was coming to die on the cross. By using palms from
Palm Sunday, we are reminded that we not only must rejoice in Jesus’ coming but also regret the
fact that human sin made it necessary for him to die.
Lent, Session
5
Finance, Mission
6
Prayers, Mail
7
Come and gather with your church family for a potluck meal at 6:00 p.m. on February 10 and will
worship at 7:00 p.m. Please sign up to bring a dish to share and encourage one another to come so
we can begin the Lenten journey together. Gwen Bandy is coordinating the meal.
First Presbyterian Church of Hoopeston
First Presbyterian Church
915 E Orange St
PO Box 297
Hoopeston, IL 60942
Phone: 217-283-6229
E-mail: church@fpchoopeston.com
We’re on the web!
www.fpchoopeston.com
Find us on Facebook
Head of the Church
Ministers of the Good News
Session Elders
Lent/Easter Season
Advent/Christmas Season
Pentecost Fall, Advent/Christmas
Epiphany Season
Pentecost Summer, Lent/Easter
Advent/Christmas Season
Lent/Easter, Pentecost Fall
Pentecost Summer Season
Lent/Easter, Epiphany
Deacons
Pastor
Organist and Music Director
Youth Group Director
Administrative Assistant
Custodian
Preschool Director
Preschool Assistant Teacher
Jesus Christ
All of Us
Larry Betka
Debby Dixon
Elizabeth Donley
Gloria Jahn
Debi Lankford
Linda Martin
Ashley Morgan
Joe Steiner
Karl Steiner
Arlene Miller
Shirley Wagoner
Rita Carter
Wade Meranda
Rick Brackmann
Kathy Watson
Betsy Schellhardt
Gary Deck
Chelsea Foster
Julia Kaeb
Inside this issue:
Lenten Devotion and Meals
During Lent we remember Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and the cross. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John all dedicate about one third of their Gospel story to the last seven days of Jesus’ life, days
that are ripe with themes of journey, compassion, betrayal, forgiveness, prayer, and reconciliation.
On Wednesday evenings during Lent (5:30-6:30 p.m.), we will explore some
of these themes with a video-led devotion series in which several speakers
share thoughts on each topic. The evening will begin with the twenty-minute
devotion in the sanctuary followed by a shared meal in fellowship hall.
Please sign up to bring a disk for the meal.
February 17
Devotion: Compassion - The Heart of Jesus’ Ministry
Meal: Soups and breads
March 24
Devotion: Restoring Relationship
Meal: Breakfast for dinner
March 2
Devotion: Prayer - Intimacy with God
Meal: Baked potato bar
March 9
Devotion: Embracing Mystery
Meal: Appetizer/little bites night
March 16
Devotion: An Invitation to a Journey
Meal: Salad bar
Pastor’s Letter, Confirmation
Pastor’s Letter
Dear Friends,
I invite you to come and share a devotion and meal
on Wednesday evenings during Lent. I sometimes wish
we could live in a communal community where all our
meals are shared together. It’d be much
better than eating alone and much more
healthy and a lot less expensive than dining at restaurants. How about a “church
dinner every evening” ministry?!
I invite you to give yourself some “me” time during
Lent, some time to reflect on your life journey and Jesus’ life journey. The time will be well spent and something good will come of it I bet. Our dog spends most
of her day in restful reflection and I admire her for it.
Prayers, Mail
Confirmed and Welcomed!
Annie Nelson has completed confirmation class and
was confirmed as a member of the church on January
31 during worship. She has participated in the life of
the church her entire life and we celebrate her profession of faith in Jesus Christ and her love for her congregation. Annie is a sophomore at Bismark-Henning
High School. Blessings to Annie . . . who is pictured
below with her confirmation teacher, Rev. Ann. Annie’s
statement of faith is beautifully written and is posted
on the bulletin board for all to read.
I invite you to remember your loved ones who have
died and to remember your God too. God died one Friday long ago too. The life journey we know is just too
short and it’s good for us to take time to remember
that. It’s also good to remember the life journey that
God knows, the one that dies and then rises on Easter
and continues on. It’s hard to imagine that our loved
ones are dead, so I bet they’re not.
I invite you to make a turn or two during Lent.
There is no straight and narrow path; it’s a winding
road we’re on, so make sure to turn now and then.
I invite you to come and receive the mark of the
cross on Ash Wednesday and begin this special time of
worshipping, sharing, reflecting, improving, remembering, and turning. God is with us on the journey.
Peace, Wade
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What Difference Does a Blanket Make?
Being alone and wishing for security,
Blanket, you are our comforter.
Living hard,
No home of our own,
Blanket, you are our carpet,
Our towel,
Our tablecloth,
And our cushion.
Aching with fear and cold,
Blanket, you are
Our warmth, our coat,
Our cover.
Needing privacy,
Blanket, you are
Our wall,
Our curtain, our shade.
I invite you to examine your finances during Lent
because living beyond our means is the root of so many
of our troubles and the major cause of broken relationships. The market economy tempts and takes every
cent we have if we let it, so let us protect ourselves.
I invite you to improve one of your broken relationships between now and Easter. We all have them and
it’s these that cause us to eat too much, drink too much,
isolate too much, and depress too much. Improve our
relationships and most of our harmful habits would go
away I bet, but I know it’s really hard to do. Kudos to
those who try.
Blanket Sunday Prayer
Knowing I can only take what I carry,
Blanket, you are my carrier,
My travel companion,
My helper.
Next Confirmation Class
One February 28 at 11:30 a.m. Rev. Wade would like to
meet with any youth who are currently enrolled in 7th
or 8th grace who would like to attend a confirmation
class this year, along with their parents. We will determine what schedule would work best for the group.
A confirmation class is provided every couple years for
youth who wish to become members of the church. It’s
a time for youth to learn and reflect on the Christian
faith and to confirm their intentions to love God and
neighbor. At baptism God chooses us as God’s beloved
child and at confirmation we choose God as our beloved God and profess our faith in Jesus Christ for ourselves.
Once confirmed, youth become
members of the church, like their
parents are. Please pray for our
youth as they consider making a
commitment to attend confirmation
class in 2016.
Evening time, black night
Settles on my shoulders.
Blanket, you are our shelter, our safety.
Trusting – there are many who care,
Whose gifts travel far.
Blanket, you are our lifeline:
To the Lord and the people
Whose love you send.
- Sherry L. Byrnes, CWS,
In Our Prayers
Those who grieve: Friends and family of Mike Murphy (G.
Jahn’s cousin), Nolan Gonzalez (E. Brown’s friend), Phyllis Coon
(L. Martin’s friend) and Travis McCalla (B. Burton’s cousin).
Those with immediate concerns: Steve Meyer (S. Smith’s
friend), Dorothy Swartz (R. Stump’s friend), Shannon Shumate (J.
Stump’s daughter), Vickie Anderson (J. Stump’s sister), Bernice
Smith (C. Steiner’s grandmother), Donna Masengale (S. Burton’s
mom), Steve Shoemaker (pastor), Carly Chase (R. Brackmann’s
friend), Steve Johnson (S. Wagoner’s friend), Don Frazier, Scott
Leemon (S. Burton’s friend), Jim Shields (L. Martin’s friend),
Cheryl Elder (R. Brackmann’s friend), Beckett Leslie (Small Wonders friend), Ann Coffman, Jerry Pugh (L. Martin’s friend), Carrie Farrell (K. Watson’s friend), Matt Schertz (G. Jahn’s nephew),
Paula Sims, Marsha Robbins (K. Watson’s friend), Doug Harper
(Huffman’s son-in-law), Gary Fritz (H. Steiner’s dad), Julio Paredes (HAMS student), Wendy Gernand (R. Stump’s friend), Jessica Cline (J. Nelson’s stepsister), Ann Wise
(L. Martin’s friend), Amy Linares (G.
Bandy’s friend), Holly Brown (K. Steiner’s
friend), Merridy Lanzy (P. Clem’s daughter), Howard Kellum (C. Flint’s brother),
Carol Sims, June Gholson, Ross Swartz,
Mort Young (G. Morgan), Martha Barner,
Alex Pickett, John and Carole Ronane (J.
Stump’s friends), Jennifer Fourez, Alex
McMahon, Beth Meese (G. Morgan’s
friend).
Those with long-term concerns: Mason Steiner, Ken Bryant
(pastor), Glen Foster, John Lindley, Mike Blankenship (R.
Carter’s friend), Gary Deck, Brigitte Wisdom (S. Wagoner’s sister
-in-law), Matt Davis (military, R Stump’s friend), Dick Martin,
Dennis and Renne Carter (R. Carter’s brother), Harold Vaughn
(S. Root’s grandpa), Imo Calvert (K. Watson’s Grandma), Vi
Hanson, John Masengale (S. Burton’s dad), Mason Whitaker (G.
Deck’s grandson), Glen Hoel (J. Gaddis’ uncle), Sue Burton, Pat
Foster, Abram Gainous, Charlie Pajor, Linda Briscoe (L. Huffman’s niece), Betty Kilgore (L. Huffman’s sister), Lori Egnew
Vaughan (G. Morgan’s friend), Sophia Voyda (E. Donley’s niece),
Debbie Catron.
Those homebound or in assisted living or nursing homes: Don
McFarland, Evelyn Spaur, Barbara Egnew, Dee Schellhardt,
Christa Bergstrand, Nadine Crose (J. Strawser’s mom), Vader
Clements.
Those in church leadership: Our Session and Deacon Board,
Wade (pastor), Elder Heath Rada (General Assembly moderator),
Gradye Parsons (G.A. clerk), Jan Mandernach (Presbytery moderator), Bill McLean (Pres. E.P.), Cindy Bean (Pres. clerk).
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Valentine’s Day, Birthdays
The Gift of Love
Saint Valentine’s Day
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not
have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I
have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all
knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, a but
do not have love, I gain nothing.
One early tradition of Valentine’s Day is that it was the
day that the birds began to choose their mates; only
later did it extend to the human population. The first
written reference to Valentine’s Day is from a poem
written by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1381. The line said:
“For this was St. Valentine’s Day, when every bird of
every kind comes to this place to choose a mate.” Let
us stop and celebrate the mystery and joy of human
love on February 14. It’s a gift from God! - Wade
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant5 or rude. It does
not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or
resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing,
but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things,
believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things. Love never ends.
But as for prophecies, they will come to an
end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for
knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part,
and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes,
the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke
like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child;
when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For
now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to
face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as
I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love
abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
- The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Senior Citizen Sweetheart Banquet
The HAHS Student Council and Heritage Health
Hoopeston is sponsoring the 25th annual Senior Citizen Sweetheart Banquet on Friday, February 12 at 12:30
in the high school gym. If you would like to attend,
please call the school (283-6661) before February 5.
February Birthdays
3
5
6
6
9
10
12
12
22
24
27
28
28
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Shirley Wagoner
Mason Jett
Carol Kloska
Jeremy Gaddis
Brady Gaddis
Owen Root
Julie Kaeb
Annie Nelson
Emily Carter
Matt Morgan
Brenna Deck
Gail Lithgow
Jeremy Deck
How Do I Love Thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being an ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,- I love thee with the Breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
- Elizabeth Barret Browning
A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech
when words become superfluous.
- Ingrid Bergman
I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love.
- Henry Ward Beecher
Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.
- St. Augustine
To love another person is to see the face of God.
- Les Miserables
When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with
somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as
possible.
- Nora Ephron, When Harry Met Sally
Lent, Session
Family Packets for Lent
Our deacons have put together a special packet of
Lenten devotional items for every family. Lent is the
forty day season that begins on February 10 and leads
us to the holy events of Holy Week and Easter.
Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and remembrance, and the
materials in the packets - devotions,
calendars, and other items - can enrich our practice and appreciation of
the Lenten side of our faith. For families with children,
additional age-appropriate items are included.
The packets will be available to be
picked up on Sunday, February 7, and
those not picked up will be delivered or
mailed that week. We are thank our
deacons for offering this ministry - Janet
Smith, Arlene Miller, Rita Carter, and
Shirley Wagoner.
Session Highlights
From the January 18 stated meeting:
• 10 out of 10 present
• Heard good news about Christmas Eve worship,
cookie exchange, pulpit supplies, and ordination of
officers
• Recognized and prayed for those on visitor list.
• Approved the Church Operations Policy for 2016,
including electing officers: Pat Catron, clerk; Barb
Park, treasurer; Dale Smith, commissioner to presbytery; Debi Lankford, president of corporation.
• Discussed and approved a new organization structure for the Session that is based on the seasons of
the year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent,
Easter, and Pentecost) rather than traditional categories like building, worship, mission, fellowship.
• Approved communion schedule for 2016.
• Authorized Debby Dixon and Debi Lankford to
conduct the annual audit of 2015 financial records.
• Reviewed pastor’s monthly report.
• Directed the Jan Ch-Ch offering for CWS Blankets.
• Reviewed monthly finance reports and several financial items in the 2015 Annual Report draft.
Making Room to Grow
A devotion I read recently reminds me of Lent and Easter
and with a fresh metaphor it asks us to examine our wardrobe and get some larger clothes that we can grow into. Lent
can be a time of reflection and aspiration too. Read these
words from Martin Copenhaver, president of Andover Newton Theological School, and you may appreciate the message
as I did. - Wade
Dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don't
plan to indulge your selfish desires. - Romans 13:14
As a boy, when I went shopping for clothes with my
mother, she would always ask me to try on items that
were about a size too large to fit me perfectly. If the
jeans I tried on were a bit long, she considered them
just right because they left me "room to grow." Until I
grew into them, I could fold the pant legs at the bottom—not much of a fashion statement, to be sure, but
at least that way I wouldn't need another pair of jeans
quite so soon.
Wearing clothes that don't fit perfectly can make you
look and feel foolish at times, but it is also a statement
to the world that you intend and expect to continue
growing. It is not a fashion statement. It is an aspirational statement.
That is how I understand the Apostle Paul's admonition to the Romans: "Dress yourself with the Lord Jesus
Christ." He is asking the Romans to assume some of the
qualities of Christ, to wear them as they would a new
set of clothes.
That's quite a charge. When I dress myself with Jesus, I
can feel like that boy who is trying to wear an outfit
that is at least a size too large. Not only do I feel awkward, I can even look a bit silly.
Then I remember my mother insisting
that it is important to leave "room to
grow." What causes me to trip all over
myself today allows for the possibility
for growth. I put on Jesus as I would a
new and ill-fitting outfit—in order that
someday it might fit and be a fitting
expression of whom I have become.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for leaving me room to grow.
Now, please, provide the growth. Amen.
• Met with Annie Nelson, heard statement of faith,
welcomed her as a member of the congregation!
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Finance, Mission
General Fund Giving
2016
Given as of Jan 31
Total for Year
$7,027
tbd
Pledges for Year
2015
2014
$7,981
$6,859
$107,211 $104,291
$107,362 $108,436 $104,506
Our Fair Share: Per Capita
The 2016 PC(USA) Per Capita dues are $40.00 per
member (adults and confirmed youth), the same rate as
last year. The purpose of the dues is so all 1.5 million
members in our denomination fairly share the administrative costs of operating the larger church. The Per
Capita funds are divided among the General Assembly,
synods, and presbyteries, enabling them to provide
necessary support and connections for
our congregations.
The Session encourages every member
to pay his or her own Per Capita before
February 29. Per Capita is a tax deductible contribution.
Milk Club Mission
We have received $2,764 in gifts for our Milk Club ministry so far this school year and we’ll need an additional $1,286 by May to fulfill our goal. We provide
milk for children who have parents
unable to provide. We give $450 for
Maple and Honeywell students every
month - or $4,050 for the nine-month
school year - enough to provide milk
for 95 children. Please give generously!
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Youth, Preschool
Change for Change Mission
Youth News and Mission Trip
Valentine’s Day at Small Wonders
You are invited to give on February 14 to support the a
healthcare fund for the family of Nolan Gonzalez.
Nolan died on January 24 of a rare kidney disease and
our prayers are with his wife, Ginger, and children,
Emma and Jacy. A benefit for the family will be held on
February 16 at HAHS from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and will include a bake sale, silent auction
and 50/50 drawing. Contact Myra
Goodrum at 772-1406 if you
would like to provide items for
the silent auction.
Our youth group (5th-8th) and discipleship class (9th12th) continue to gather twice each month. The gatherings include discussions on current issues that are important to the youth, Bible study, meals and snacks,
fundraiser and mission trip planning, prayers, and
other activities.
Happy Valentine’s Day! We just love celebrating this
month of love at preschool. We will be taking our 4
year olds to Heritage Health Nursing Home to sing
some Valentine’s Day songs on February 10. We will
also have Valentine’s Day parties for both classes on
February 11 and 12. The students will bring cards for
their friends and we will have
special Valentine’s snacks! Our
preschool is having a Valentine’s
Day food drive again this year too
and food will be collected for the
Grant Township Food Cupboard.
This helps us to teach our child
how to love our neighbors.
On January 17, the loose change offering of $324.81
was collected to support Blanket Sunday, an ecumenical mission ministry administered by Church World
Service. Many denominations support the work of
CWS. CWS works with partners to eradicate hunger
and poverty and to promote peace and justice around
the world. A special CWS blanket prayer is provided
on page 7. Thanks to all who gave.
Animal Shelter Mission
The second Sunday of the month, February 14, is donation Sunday for the Hoopeston Animal Shelter. The
shelter relies on volunteers and donations of supplies
and money. Please donate cat litter, towels, canned
dog and cat food, blankets, laundry soap, bleach, paper
towels, dog and cat leashes, collars, and toys.
On February 7 the youth will make the
Super Bowl subs after worship. A record
of 230 have been sold so far! Youth will
prepare the kitchen into a sub assembly
station on February 6 at 9:00 a.m. The
subs help to fund the summer mission trip.
On February 21 the Youth Group (5th-8th) will meet at
5:30 and the Discipleship Class (9th-12th) at 6:30. The
youth are encouraged to invite their friends.
Plans for the summer mission trip are underway. Sixteen youth and four adults will participate in the Bernamwood Appalachian Ministry (BAM!) in Irvine,
Kentucky, June 26-July 1. The Bernamwood Camp and
Conference Center is nestled in the side of a mountain
in the Daniel Boone National
Forest and is operated by our
denomination’s Transylvania
Presbytery. The youth will work
on home improvement projects
in the area as well as help in
some social service work. Bernamwood is 350 miles from
Hoopeston and 50 miles south of Lexington, KY. There
is still time to sign up for the trip. The youth attending
are: Annie and Ella Nelson; Ashley Morgan; Karsen
and Rhys Root; Connor, Cooper, and Cameron Watson;
Sadie, Lucas, and Nic Hofer; Nick and Ben Brown;
Colby Burton; Cameron Flint; and Trent Betka. Contact
Kathy Watson for more information.
Our big kids will be learning about cultures this month.
We are starting by learning about our own cultures and
will continue to learn about cultures of Mexico, China,
Egypt, Africa, and more! Our students last year loved
the cultures exhibits at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, so we decided to make it a theme of the month
this year. Our little kids will be learning about transportation and talking about cars, boats, airplanes,
semis, trains, and more. Preschoolers love all things
that go fast!
It is spring fundraiser time again! We
will be selling the Butter Braid cookies, pastries, and pizzas again! Our
fundraiser will start on February 16
and run until the February 29. The
items will be delivered on March 9. I
love this fundraiser and the company and I can’t wait
to work with them again. The money earned will go
towards our field trip to the Indianapolis Zoo in May! Chelsea Foster
Food Cupboard Mission
The fourth Sunday of the month, February 28, is our
Food Cupboard Sunday. We are asked to provide bars
of soap, but other items are welcome too: empty egg
cartons, canned fruit, tuna,
chicken, peanut butter, toilet paper. About 500 residents rely on
the food cupboard every month.
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