FIRST PRESS The monthly newsletter of Estherville

First Presbyterian Church

November 2015

“We Are Building”

This fall, we launched a new sermons series called, “We Are Building.” For three weeks each, we focused on the following themes: We Are Building, Who We Are, We are Building Upon Where We’ve Been, and We Are Building With What We Have. Above are the first five paintings from our series! From right to left, they illustrate the theme of that Sunday: We are loving and supportive; we are missional; we are connected through Christ; we are PC(USA); we are a local congregation. Check in weekly as we continue through this sermon series!

In this issue…

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Celebrations at First Presbyterian Church!

Committee Happenings

By the Numbers

November Calendar

Did you know you can make automatic contributions to the church? Never worry about writing a check or missing the offering plate! Go to www.esthervillepresbyterian.com and click on “make a donation” to give a one-time gift or to set

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Something to celebrate at First Presbyterian Church If you have something to celebrate, let us know so we can share it with

our family of faith in next month’s newsletter!

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Anniversary Congratulations 4-Tim & Patti Egeland 5- Jim & Julie Willey 13- Carl & Lavonne Ruschy 20- Lee & Virginia Moore 22- Lowell & Diane Swalve 24- Steve & Jean Rose 25- Neal & Bobbi Jo Ruschy 25- Frederick & Miss Lee Sabwa 30- Andrew & Melissa Thelen

   

 

Way to Go…  *Our Artists-in-Residence that we have had so far, Lori Donovan, Margaret White, Brad Carrico, Diane Swalve, Abby Sander, & Katie Hanson *Deacons for caring for families in need of support in October.  * Committees of the church for all your hard work throughout the year. * Congregation for providing the Emmet County Animal Shelter with supplies. *Larry Harsin, Jack Bixby, Brad & Lisa Hermanson for helping Dorinda move. * Julie, Carl & Lavonne Ruschy, Brad & Lisa Hermanson, and Pastors Chad & Kennen for cleaning out the manse.

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Birthday Wishes 2- Ev Drevs 2- Abby Sander 3- Craig White 4- Eli Hanson 4- Melissa Thelen 5- Josephine Kapinga 9- Jan Greig 9- Mark Gruwell 11-Tucker Milburn 12- Zachary Titus 12- Patti Egeland 12- Tim Swalve 13- Dorothy Green 13- Dorinda McKean 14- Mary (Billie) Rosendahl 15- Olivia Evans 15- Brad Hermanson 15- Georgia Whitehouse 16- Mary Clabaugh 17- Tanya Clabaugh 17- Sherry Nauss 18- James Rosendahl 19- Cheryl Baddeley 20- Lisa Loftis 20-Rozella Swalve 24- Lynda Hart 24- Corin Jensen 27- Russ Berkland 27- Kaiya Brechwald 27- Frederick Sabwa 28- Norma Myers 28- Judy Shadle 29- Sharon Archer 29- Dean Christensen 30- Chad Ensz 30- Helen Nitchals

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Committee Happenings Building & Grounds – No notes. The next meeting will be November 8th at 11:30am following worship. -Julie Graves, Chairperson

Christian Education –The CE committee continues to hear positive feedback from participants of Edu-worship and encourages everyone to try the worship service out every Wednesday at 5:45pm. The committee welcomes anyone who would like to join the CE committee, please let Katie know if you would like to be a part of the CE committee. The next meeting will be Monday, November 9th at 5:00pm. -Katie Hanson, Chairperson

Congregational Life/ Outreach –We are always looking for new faces on our committee; contact me if you are interested. The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 16th at 5:45pm. -Evy Strenge, Chairperson

Deacons – The Deacon meeting was called to order at 6:30pm on October 12th with opening prayer by Pastor Kennen. Lavonne Ruschy read the September minutes. Georgia Whitehouse gave the September treasurer’s report. Deacons serving communion on Sunday, November 1st will be Elaine Kaltved and Lavonne Ruschy along with the pastors. Diane Swalve will deliver November bulletins. We made corrections to the member list and updated our homebound list for December. Each member gave an activity report. The meeting was closed with all members joining in the Lord’s Prayer. Members encouraged to call the church office if you would like a Deacon visit or if you have a change of address or phone number. The next meeting will be Monday, November 9th at 6:30PM. -Pat Johnson, Moderator

Finance –The Finance committee has reviewed various statements prepared by Teresa Dalen and income is still behind budget. Expenses are in line with the budget this month. The tuck-pointing has been completed and the funds for the bill have been made available from the endowment. The next meeting will be Thursday, November 12th at 5:30PM. -Brian Bixby, Chairperson

Generosity Team –The Generosity Team met on October 12, 2015. Generosity Sunday is scheduled for November 15th, 2015. Estimated Giving Cards and letter will be mailed the first week in November. Lengthy discussion held regarding continued concerned expressed over the General Budget and ways to increase generosity. An attempt will be made to stress the financial status of the church to the congregation in November. Thank you to Janet Anderson for delivering items to the Emmet County Food Pantry and to the congregation for generous giving for September “Meet the Need” project. October project is the Emmet County Animal Shelter and November will be the Christmas Project. Update given on the Roof Fund with total at this time is $64,000, thank you to the congregation for the generous giving. The next meeting will be Monday, November 2nd, at 6:30PM.-Lisa Hermanson, Co-Chairperson

Presbyterian Women – The 2015 Community Christmas Project distribution day is Tuesday, December 1, 2015 from 9:00am-5:00pm. Suggested gift items are men, women, children clothing in all sizes, blankets, quilts, sheets, pillow cases, pillows, bath and kitchen towels, toys, & games. Only new items will be accepted and please do not wrap any of the items. Gifts are to be left on the “Meet the Need” table located in the back of the sanctuary starting November 1st running until November 29th. Monetary donations are accepted also and can be left in the church office or mailed to Community Christmas Project, PO Box 383, Estherville, Iowa 51334-0383. Make checks out to Community Christmas Project. The Community Christmas Project is sponsored by the Estherville Area Ministerial Association with assistance form DHS, UDMO, and many volunteers. This project helps anyone living in Emmet County and is a church wide mission. If you have any questions contact Dee Iseminger or Mary Clabaugh. The next sewing/quilting day is Monday, November 23 at 1:00pm at the church. The Shadle Circle will meet on Thursday, November 19th at 9:30am. The next PW Board meeting will be held Wednesday, November 18th at 10:00am. -Mary Clabaugh, PW Moderator Personnel – No notes. - Lowell Swalve, Chairperson

Worship –The worship committee met on October 12, 2015 and discussed whether or not each member should have a key to the church for Sunday’s when the pastors are gone. Pastor Chad would bring this matter in front of session for them to decide. They discussed the next artists for the wall and ideas for each subject. The “Hanging of the Greens” will be Sunday, November 22nd following worship service. A meal similar to last year was discussed and will be talked more about at our November meeting. Advent starts on November 29th this year. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 2nd at 5:30PM. Lori Donovan, Chairperson

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By the numbers… Average Worship Attendance September 2013 – 85 September 2014 – 89 September 2015 – 75 Pastors’ Stats Presbytery meetings – 3 Visits - 15 Home Communion was served on October 4th by the Pastor Chad and Deacons Janet Anderson, Diane Swalve, and Rozella Swalve.

Would you appreciate a visit from one of the pastors or your deacon? Schedule a visit by calling the church office or through our website! www.esthervillepresbyterian.com - 712-362-4772

General Budget 2015 General Budget - $169,274.06 Budgeted Giving as of 10/20 - $136,721.36 Actual Giving as of 10/20 - $94,943.44 Roof Fund 2015 Roof Fund Goal - $25,000.00 Received as of 10/20- $12,821.39

Thank you to the family of Jeff Weir for the monetary gift in memory of Jeff. Jeff was a loving father, brother and husband.

The Presbyterian Women (PW) Board and Circle have voted to disband as an organization December 31, 2015 due to lack of interest. We are hoping through Session these four committees will continue on. The Committees are as follows:

Sewing/Quilting Funerals Meals on Wheels Community Christmas Project These are all “Mission in Action” and are all local. The PW and Circle remaining funds will be given to our Church for the Roof Fund.

The mission trip group will be doing a Yankee candle fundraiser starting this week. If you are interested in purchasing any Yankee candles please let the mission trip group know or contact Katie in the office. They make great Christmas gifts!

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723 First Avenue S. Estherville, IA 51334 712-362-4772 www.esthervillepresbyterian.com

YOUR LEADERS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH Ruling Elders – Brian Bixby, Beth Carrico, Lori Donovan, Julia Graves (Clerk of Session), Katie Hanson, Lisa Hermanson, John Klingbeil, Emily Origer, Bobbi Jo Ruschy, Kevin Sander, Lowell Swalve,

Deacons – Pat Johnson (Moderator), Janet Anderson, Mavis Evans, Jan Greig, Elaine Kaltved, Cheryl Klingbeil, Paul Moffitt, Heidi Origer, Lavonne Ruschy, Evy Strenge, Diane Swalve, Georgia Whitehouse.

Building & Grounds – Julie Graves (Chair), Aaron Ruschy, Jack Bixby, Walt Jensen, Larry Harsin, Kevin Strenge, Carl Ruschy.

Christian Education – Katie Hanson (Chair), Liz Bixby, Natalie Brown, Bobbi Jo Ruschy

Congregational Life/Outreach – Evy Strenge (Chair), Jolene Greving, Sandy Harsin, Paul Moffitt, Shirley Moffitt, Chelsey Moffitt,

Finance – Brian Bixby (Chair), Shirley Moffitt, George Shadle, Lavonne Ruschy

Generosity Team – Beth Carrico (Co-Chair), Lisa Hermanson (Co-Chair), Janet Anderson, Judy Bixby, John Klingbeil, Kevin Sander, Diane Swalve, Craig White

Personnel – Lowell Swalve (Chair), Shirley Moffitt, Aaron Ruschy

Presbyterian Women – Mary Clabaugh, Moderator; Sandy Harsin, Treasurer; Shirley Moffitt, Secretary

Prayer Chain - Belva Henrickson, Marilyn Syverson, Velma White, Jean Wiant, Dee Zinnel

Worship – Lori Donovan (Chair), Paula Beaver, Beth Carrico, Paul Moffitt, Evy Strenge, Margaret White

Pastors and Staff – Chad Ensz, Pastor; Kennen Barber-Ensz, Pastor; Katie Hanson, Administrative Assistant & Treasurer; Andrew Thelen, Organist & Choir Director; Craig Kesler, Custodian

First Presbyterian Church