Happenings on the Hill Page 1

HAPPENINGS on the Hill

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI • AUGUST 2015

Nurturing Joyful Faith & Compassionate Service

Earlier this summer, Nancy and I traveled to Los Angeles to help lead a mission celebration and fundraiser for the work of the Jinishian Memorial Program assisting persecuted Christians in the Middle East, including in Syria and Lebanon. The commission that I chair hosted this mission event in the Discipleship Center of the Bel Air Presbyterian Church, overlooking the San Fernando Valley.

Dear church Family and Friends of FPC,

Although we at FPC Starkville have a Christian Education Building, in reality, we do not have a physical facility quite like the Bel Air PC’s Discipleship Center. However, the deeper truth is that everywhere members of our church family gather – on the FPC Campus, in our homes, and in our community – is part of an extended FPC Disci-

pleship Center.

Everyone whom Jesus calls to faith He calls to follow Him, learning and living as a disciple. In turn, in the Great Commission [Matthew 28:18-20], Jesus sends us, His Church, to make disciples from among all the

nations.

These integrated emphases -- on FPC’s being a Discipleship Center and on our call to be disciples while discipling others -- are particularly prominent for us this month, as we begin another school year. I encourage you to pursue this month’s new opportunities for learning and growth as a disciple of Jesus. Some of those opportunities are noted in this Newsletter. Others will be highlighted not only on Sunday mornings but also on Wednesday Nights. [As you can read about inside, we resume our Friends & Family Wednesday Night Fellowship and Studies on August 19.] Get involved!

The courtyard outside the Discipleship Center

of Bel Air Presbyterian Church overlooks the

San Fernando Valley. Pastor Lifer speaks at the Jinishian Dinner at Bel

Air, focusing on mission efforts in the Middle East.

(continued on page 2)

Happenings on the Hill Page 2

Your pastor and friend in Christ,

Martin Lifer

As we begin the school year and a new opportunity for Discipleship learning and growth at FPC, Pastor Lifer will open on the first Wednesdays of Friends & Family, beginning August 19, with a Plenary (all adults together) overview of Bible Basics, including:

*The formation of the Canon (what’s in, what’s not, why).

*The sequence and logic of the arrangement of the Books.

*Keys to Reading and Understanding the Bible – specific passages, specific Books, specific problems, specific themes.

*Don’t-Miss Messages of Bible as a whole.

*Translating and Interpreting the Bible.

*Loving and living with the Bible, God’s Word, and God’s Good News for you.

Weekly on Wednesday nights in Fellowship Hall, 5:50 – 7:00 p.m., immediately following our Friends & Family Dinner.

Also on Wednesday nights, 5:45-7:00 p.m.: Children’s and Youth Programs, as well as Nursery and Toddler Care. Friends & Family Dinner is served, open service line, from 5:15 through 5:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Adult Chancel Choir Practice begins at 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday.

Wednesday Night Friends & Family

Opening Wednesday Night Study for All Adults

INTRODUCTION OR RE-INTRODUCTION TO THE HOLY BIBLE

Led by Pastor Martin Lifer

As I preached on Sunday, July 26 — looking ahead to this month — Let Your Roots Grow Deep in Living

Water! Get involved in our renewed Discipleship opportunities on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, and our

special study groups at other times during the week.

(Continued from page 1)

Happenings on the Hill Page 3

The new school year is beginning, and a new football season is on the horizon, a time not just for the games but also for team spirit and tail gaiting. To help us welcome everyone back for the upcoming school and football season, please wear your favorite team’s colors to FPC Sunday, August 16, and then join us for our TEAM COLORS SUNDAY-FELLOWSHIP LUNCH, beginning at 12:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

How much team spirit do you have? If you would like to decorate a table in the Fellow-ship Hall or in the Breezeway with your team’s colors (and perhaps also provide treats related to your team’s traditions), please email or call Jay Cook (jcook227@gmail.com or 418-9605) or Ginger Jones (ginjones@bellsouth.net or 323-3843). Beyond your possible help with decorating a table for your favorite team, though, just plan to come and enjoy the lunch. Our FPC Fellowship Ministry is providing all of the food to be served at lunch!

During the fellowship, Pastor Lifer will provide some important updates on our fall ministry highlights and upcoming opportunities.

During the noon Men of the Church Quarterly Lunch meeting on

Wednesday, August 26th, Tyson Lee will be the guest speaker.

Happenings on the Hill Page 4

MEMBER NEWS

Nell E. Hartness

August 13, 1923 – July 8, 2015

Triplets Hannah, Charlie Faye, and Joshua Hilton were born January 8, 2015, to Zach and Haley Hilton of Richardson, Texas. Grandparents include Phil and Betty Hilton, and Martha Wade is the proud great-grandmother.

Sebastian Clark Schnur, son of Sean and Morgan Schnur, was baptized July 5,

2015. Sebi is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Clark and Mr. and Mrs. Rudi

Schnur.

Charles William “Bill” Bobbitt, Sr.

November 23, 1927 – July 23, 2015

Jennifer Kouns, our beloved FPC Child Care Director since 2008, is moving to Florida in August with her husband, Will, and son Cameron. Jennifer’s older son, Reed, will be a freshman this fall at MSU. Jennifer began her work at FPCCC in 2003, and during her time as director, the child care was twice voted “Best Day Care” in the Starkville Daily News’ People’s Choice Awards. We send our best wishes and pray God’s blessings for Jennifer and her family. She will be greatly missed!

The sacrament of Holy Communion will be observed Sunday, August 16, 2015.

Hawkins Mills Murdock, son of Jeremy and Ashleigh Murdock, was baptized July

26, 2015.

Happenings on the Hill Page 5

MISSION NEWS

Help with a Meal: Even beyond our special Fellowship Committee events, meals & fellowship are essential to some of our up-

coming fall semester ministries – including our new University Ministry Lunch Group (beginning Sundays after worship on Au-

gust 16) and our Friends & Family Church-wide Wednesday Night Fellowship (beginning August 19). You can greatly help one or

both of these ministries either by (a) simply committing to bring meal item or dessert or (b) helping coordinate & host one of

the meals. If you are willing to help in either way with the meals for our new College Student Lunch Group, then please contact

Janice Kinard (janicekinard@gmail.com or 662-418-5688) or Pastor Lifer. If you are willing to help in either way with Friends &

Family, please watch for the sign-up lists for “Fall Friends & Family,” which will be posted on bulletin boards in the Fellowship

Hall by early August.

“Mom, what is for lunch?” Those words are magical – because no matter what, your mom will

say “something good.” We have planned something good for you, too. Whether you are away

from home or a native of Starkville, you are our invited guest each week for Sunday lunch

provided by this church family.

What is the fee? 0.00.

When does it begin? Sunday, August 16, 2015.

Come downstairs to the Fellowship Hall and enjoy the food & fellowship after the 11 am worship service. Should you

come to either the 8:30 am or 9:15 am Renew services, you are welcome to return for the noon meal.

See you in the kitchen, Janice Kinard

Some time ago we talked about disciples being “learners” and “followers of Jesus.” Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, among other things talks about the unity of believers in the body of Christ (the church) (4:3-16) and the discipline of the Christian life (4:17 thru 6:18). In many respects, unity requires discipline as well as purity or holiness, and purity requires discipline. This circular reasoning may sound like a paradox, but in our lives as Christians, is it not through discipline that we grow? Paul teaches us to put off your old self – which is corrupt through deceitful desires - and put on the new self, created in the likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness. This is growing in holiness or sanctification. So, Christian discipleship is about being a learner, putting away the old (discipline), putting on the new, growing in holiness and following Jesus.

FPC has many opportunities for “learning.” If you are not attending Sunday School, Friends and Family, various Bible study groups and other opportunities, the upcoming fall semester would be a good time to begin. Watch the bulletin, newsletter, and other announcements for opportunities to grow your faith and learn more about our Savior and Lord.

—Allen Johnson

Happenings on the Hill Page 6

During August, meals for the children have been sponsored by the following donors:

August 5: Thomas and Elcy Philip

August 7: Member of our congregation

August 12: George Bennett in memory of his wife, Sara Ann, and his sister, Alma

August 14: Floyd and Christine Wade in honor of Rebecca Banzhaf’s birthday

August 19: Chris and Meredith Shapley in honor of their son, Jack

August 21: Briar and Michelle Jones

August 26: Harold and Dinah Clark

August 28: Mike and Jill Ferguson in honor of Wesley, Emily, Tate and Hayes Ferguson

NOTICE - NEW FOCUS: Starting Sunday, August 2, we will discontinue having conscripted parent-helpers

on a rotating schedule in our Sunday Morning Nursery & Toddler Care; instead, Sunday Morning Nursery

& Toddler Care will be provided constantly by (a) our Paid, Weekly Staff, and (b) FPC members who

specifically volunteer to serve in Nursery & Toddler Care. [If you have a heart and calling to help

with this ministry, please contact Amy, Janice Kinard, or Pastor Lifer.] All other parents and mem-

bers, please use this change as an opportunity to re-focus your time to more regular attendance in Wor-

ship and an Adult Discipleship Class on Sunday mornings, as well as preparing to teach TLC on a rotating

basis, when you are assigned.

Upcoming First Graders will be presented with new Early Reader Bibles on Sunday, August 9th at the 11am

worship service. Please make every effort to attend!

The following is an excerpt from the forward of a book entitled Sticky Faith by Dr. Kara E. Powell & Dr.

Chap Clark. The authors of the forward are John Ortberg & Jim Candy.

FOR THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION TO READ AND PONDER:

“[O]ne of our key goals is to have many adults who know and love kids and point them to Jesus Christ.

It isn’t just a ministry strategy; it’s the theological conviction that this is what the church is called to be.

Kids experience Jesus Christ when adults in the church give them grace, time, and genuine love with no

hidden agenda. Most kids lack connection to and investment from a church community that is mobilized

to reach them. Very few churches have transformed their culture to see kids as a mission field on their

own campuses. Turning theory into concrete practice matters to us. And it matters to anyone who dedi-

cates their time, energy, and even their whole lives to seeing young people embrace Jesus Christ at the core

of who they are. Sticky Faith is more than another book about kids and their faith; it’s a journey into the

heart of every adult who is forced to respond to the question of what, really, the church of Jesus Christ is

called to be.” (emphasis mine) —Submitted by Amy Aarhus

Happenings on the Hill Page 7

August is the start of our new PW year. All women are invited to meet on August 30th at 5:30 PM in the Fellowship

Hall for our Annual PW Meeting and Banquet. We welcome Michele Rackley as our PW Moderator for 2015-2016.

Michele, along with our new leadership team, will be introduced and installed during our Annual Banquet. In addition,

we will be announcing our Life Membership honoree.

I would like to share my thanks to those that have served on the 2014-2015 PW Coordinating Team. It has been an

honor and privilege to serve with them. Their dedication, love for others, and willingness to serve joyfully is inspiring.

Many thanks to the following ladies for their service on the PW Coordinating Team over the past year:

Susan Kuykendall

Anne McWhorter

Michele Rackley

Lindsay Warden

Sara Wilson

Bettie Cummings

Sara Fowler

Orly Hardin

Beverly Jones

Janice Kinard

It has been a joy to serve and work with so many of you throughout the church this past year.

Blessings, Heather Templeton

Peggy Branch

Nancy Bryson

Christy Burton

Avent Clark

Lou Cross

by Judy Record Fletcher, hosted by Bettie Cummings and Janice Kinard

Who? For women who want to be refreshed by God’s word after the long hot summer. When? Monthly - 4th Thursday -

beginning, August 27th; Where? FPC Parlor; Time? 6 pm-7 pm; Childcare is available. Refreshments - YES

When you think of water, what are the images/feelings that come to mind? Birth, Life, Thirst, Fun, Danger, Refresh,

Stormy, Calm, Justice, Chaos, Mercy, Hospitality, Hope.

The author of the Bible study came to AL/MS conference and presented this study of our Lord and how water is a symbol

of our life changed by Christ from Genesis to Revelation. Come and drink from the fountain of many

blessings given to us by God through his Word.

What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy him forever! We are going to enjoy God through his Word and our

fellowship with each other.

Starkville FPC is part of the region of Gamma in the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of St. Andrew.

Each fall, a gathering is scheduled for Presbyterian women in our region to come together and be informed about PW

events locally and globally. Gamma’s region has the opportunity to meet on Saturday, August 15, 2015. The ladies of

First Presbyterian Church, 400 West Jefferson Street, Tupelo, Mississippi, will welcome us. The purpose of the event is to

come together, worship, and enjoy fellowship, which prepares us for a renewed service to the Lord.

The Bible study, “Come to the Waters,” will be reviewed for our benefit by Reverend Michelle Howie.

Deadline to register is August 10, 2015. On or before 8/10, please notify Janice by text message, phone call, or email if

you will be included for lunch after the service.

Email: janicekinard11@gmail.com or phone # 662 418 5688. She will forward the RSVP numbers onto FPC, Tupelo on our

behalf.

Meeting’s Registration 9:00; Service begins at 10:00; Lunch will be at noon. Fee of $10 paid upon arrival at the church.

Happenings on the Hill Page 8

HAPPENINGS on the Hill

First Presbyterian Church PCUSA

307 University Drive

Starkville, MS 39759

Phone: 662-323-1994

Fax: 662-323-1999

E-mail: staff@fpcstarkville.org

Church Staff

Dr. Martin Lifer…………….Senior Pastor

Dr. Freddie Rasberry…..Pastor’s Assistant

Vicki Schramm……Church Administrator

Kim Beatty……..…..…..Church Secretary

Amy Aarhus………….Children’s Ministry

Coordinator

Dr. Craig Aarhus……........Music Director

Kathy McGill……..…….Children’s Choirs

Jennifer Blackbourn……..……….Organist

Jennifer Kouns…...........Childcare Director

Ellen Mauldin…...….......Church Librarian

Sunday Schedule

Worship (Sanctuary) - 8:30 a.m.

Renew Service (Contemporary Music/Music

Room) Beginning August 23rd—9:15-10:15

Sunday School - 9:45 to 10:30 a.m.

Fellowship - 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Worship (Sanctuary) - 11:00 a.m.

Deadline for next issue:

Wednesday, August 19th by 5:00 p.m.

E-mail articles/photos to:

Kim Beatty: kbeatty@fpcstarkville.org

Or

Liz Stringer: estringer@eastms.edu

View the newsletter online at www.fpcstarkville.org; click on Bulletin & Newsletter;

then click Select by Date to find the newsletter for the current & previous months.

First Presbyterian Church

307 University Drive

Starkville, MS 39759

Friday, August 14: The Men of First Presbyterian Church offer for sale their famous barbecue chicken halves ($5.00) and leg quarters (Pack of 2 for $4.00) to benefit Palmer Home for Children and other Men’s Cooking Ministry Charities. Please complete the coupon below and place your order in the offering or place your order with Kim in the church office (kbeatty@fpcstarkville.org or 323-1994), giving the number you wish to order and your phone number. Orders can be picked up from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Church Drive Thru next to Cadence Bank, 307 University Drive. Please pay in advance if you will be late picking up your order.

Name____________________________ Ph No. ______________

Number halves @ $5 _____

Number of pairs of leg quarter @ $4_____

Tear off coupon for offering plate: