Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1

6:00P Exercise Class 7:00P Session Meeting

2

3 6P Exercise Class 7:00P Thursday Evening Circle at the Church

4 9:30A Tipp Women Bible Study

5

6 COMMUNION SUNDAY 8:30A Chapel Worship Service 9:15A Chancel Choir Practice 9:30A Church School 11:00A Sanctuary Worship Service

7 9:30A Serendipity Bible Study 7:00P Troy Concern

MEMORIAL SERIVE FOR

ROY CARLSON 10:00 Visitation

11:00 Memorial Service FPC Sanctuary

8 6:00P Exercise Class

9

10 6:00P Exercise Class 7:00P Deacons Mtg 7:00P Trustees Mtg

11 9:30A Tipp Women Bible Study

12

13 8:30A Chapel Worship Service 9:15A Chancel Choir Practice 9:30A Church School 11:00A Sanctuary Worship Service

14 9:30A Serendipity Bible Study

Study

15 6:00P Exercise Class 7:00P Committee Meetings

16

17 6:00P Exercise Class

18 9:30A Tipp Women Bible Study

19

20 PENTECOST SUNDAY 8:30A Chapel Worship Service 9:15A Chancel Choir Practice 9:30A Church School 11:00A Sanctuary Worship Service

TEACHER RECOGNITION SENIOR RECOGNITION

21 9:30A Serendipity Bible Study 7:00P I&S Committee

22 6:00P Exercise Class

` 23

24 6:00P Exercise Class

25 9:30A Tipp Women Bible Study

26

27 SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE BEGINS

10:00A Sanctuary Worship Service

28 CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED

29 6:00 P Exercise Class

30

31 6:00P Exercise Class

Tues 7PM Narcotics Anonymous Thurs 7PM Alcoholics Anonymous Fri 6PM Alcoholics Anonymous

MAY 2 18

HAPPENING AGAIN!!!

beginning June 11, 2018 and ending June 15, 2018. The

camp is from 9:30AM to 12:30PM each day.

about, here is a bit about what we do:

Each day of camp has a theme. Each day includes a field trip, a mission project, games, crafts, and of course a snack!

The campers are given a daily Bible Verse from which they try and figure out where the field trip is to that day. All activities for the day are then

centered around the theme of the day.

This year includes some awesome themes that the campers are sure to love. This is a great week for kids to join together for fun, mission work, making new friends,

FUN & HE

SON

A Graduation Prayer

May God's blessing follow you all as you find new journeys to travel.

May you walk safely along the pathways of

your dreams.

May his gentle hand guide the decisions you will make and the passions that you follow.

May your hearts and lives always reflect

his love and truth, And may hope be a light within you that you

carry into each new day.

Amen.

PLEASE NOTE that the Christian Education Committee will be honoring our Graduating Seniors during 11:00AM

Worship Service on May 20, 2018.

NOW AVIALABLE!

You can pick up a registration form in the Church Office or contact Stefanie Swift at stefswift@fpctroy.org

ALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME!!!

We ask that you please RSVP your kids by May 18, 2018. We provide t-­shirts for all campers, but can ONLY GURANTEE A T-­SHIRT TO CAMPERS WHO ARE REGISTERED BY MAY 18, 2018. You are welcome to register campers after that date, but

they WILL NOT be guaranteed a t-­shirt.

We are looking forward to another summer of

JACOB WHEELER Jacob Wheeler is graduating from Troy High School with plans of attending The

school activities include swimming.

Presbyterian Church is his time in PYC.

CONGRAGULATIONS AND BEST WISHES, JACOB!

CAROLINE SENSEMAN Caroline Senseman is graduating from Tippecanoe High School with plans of at-­tending The University of Dayton on the pre-­law track and majoring in Criminal Justice to later study Criminal Law. Caro-­

track, National Honor Society, and work-­ing at Bob Evans and Randall Residence.

Presbyterian Church include participating in VBS when she was younger and she

loved her time in PYC.

CONGRAGULATIONS AND BEST WISHES, CAROLINE!

DANA WYNKOOP

CONGRAGULATIONS AND BEST WISHES, DANA!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

HERE IS WHAT IS COMING TO FPC THIS SUMMER:

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be held from

June 24 to June 28, 2018. 5:30PM Dinner

6:00PM to 8:00PM Adventure We are inviting kids on an action-­packed VBS adventure!

Rolling River Rampage invites children on a white-­water rafting adventure to experience the ride of a lifetime with God!

Along the river, children discover that life with God is an

adventure full of wonder and surprise, and that they can trust God to be with them through anything. Relevant music, exciting science, creative crafts, fun recreation, and memorable Bible stories will help kids know that God is always with them as they

ride the rapids of amazing grace!

MARGARET GRETCHEN RIGGLE Gretchen Riggle is graduating from

Bradford District High School with plans of attending Pennsylvania State University with a major in Industrial Engineering

Soccer, Cross Country, Basketball, Science Fair, Stem Club, Multiple Volunteer Clubs,

memories at First Presbyterian Church are the PYC Ski Trips at Kirkmont.

CONGRAGULATIONS AND BEST WISHES,

GRETCHEN!

HANNAH HARGROVE Hannah Hargrove is graduating

from Troy High School with plans of attending The University of Kentucky with a major in biology on a pre-­vet

include Student Government, National Honor Society, Reading Buddies, and

memories at First Presbyterian Church include participating in PYC and all the

great friends she has made.

CONGRAGULATIONS AND BEST WISHES, HANNAH!

DID SOMEONE SAY DINNER? Something new to VBS at FPC, we will be serving dinner to all children who attend. Simple meals will be served beginning at 5:30PM until 6:00PM before sending the kids off on their rafting adventure!

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED TO PROVIDE DINNER FOR THE KIDS EACH NIGHT. Each dinner will cost approximately $2.50 per child/per night. If you are

able to make a donation, please contact Stefanie Swift.

MEET ROMPER!

Romper will taking the Rolling River Rampage journey with us this

summer. You too can take the journey with us. We are currently recruiting for Station Leaders, Crew Leaders, Bible Story Actors, and more!

Where would you like to volunteer your talents???

GRADUATING SENOIRS

As Graduation nears, First Presbyterian Church is happy to honor our Graduating Seniors. It has been a privilege to have watched them grow from children into strong, intelligent young adults. Congratulations

to the following Graduating Seniors:

Hannah Hargrove

Gretchen Riggle

Caroline Senseman

Jacob Wheeler

Dana Wynkoop

Our love, support, and prayers go with each of you as you embark on your new journeys. You always have a home and a family at First Presbyterian Church!

Mark your calendars NOW for this summer's adult mission trip! July 9-­13, 2018, we will be working alongside the students at the University of the Cumberlands in the Mountain Outreach Program. Mountain Outreach is a nonprofit service organization operated by the University of the Cumberlands where volunteers build and repair houses for those in need. During the summer, students

coordinate projects and work with volunteer groups to help build homes for deserving families. Projects may also

include ramp building or interior painting, so all skill levels are needed.

An information meeting with more details will be held in June. The date will be posted in the Link, E-­Link, worship folders, and on the screens in the Sanctuary. Please contact Bruce Browning (937-­475-­7260) if you have any questions.

JULY 9TH THROUGH 13TH, 2018

ADULT MISSION TRIP

Here are just a few of our amazing teachers in action!

PLEASE NOTE that the Christian Education Committee will be honoring all teachers during the 11:00AM

Worship Service on May 20, 2018.

With sincere hearts, the Christian Education Committee would like to thank the following teachers for their time, talents, and dedication to the Christian Education Studies at First Presbyterian Church.

THANK YOU for your faithful service:

ELEMENTARY/YOUTH CLASSES: Brenda Browning Heather Galentine Janie Johnson Carol Smith Maxine Smith

ADULT CLASSES/STUDIES: Bruce Browning Ruth Dane Vicki Elliott Dianne Niece Doris Pettit Kathy Wehrman

Dianne Apgar Judy Barker Tara George Marge Mauntler Ellen Prescott Deanna Riley Linda Sponsler Carol Smith Maxine Smith

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT: Roberta Schroeder PASTOR: Rev. Hart Edmonds

May 3rd Brad Wackler May 6th Kerry Stanley May 7th Kathy McIntosh May 13th John Moffatt Michael Senseman May 14th Sue Cope Cate Rehmert May 15th Becky Hathaway Jackie Prouty Jake Stanley May 16th Lauren Richardson

May 18th Stefanie Swift May 23rd Harrison Timmer Carrie Trotter May 24th Carla Mercer May 25th Roberta Schroeder May 27th Savhanna Aycock Kiley Boyd May 31st Judy Barker Melba Long

SPRING VOLUNTEER DAYS

April 28 Trail Clean Up Day (rain date: May 5th) Walk the trails to pick up, trim overhang, and report any

fallen limbs.

May 12 Canvas Hanging Day (rain date: May 19th) 8-­10 able-­bodied adults are needed to install hardware,

remove existing canvas, hang new canvas for six cabents, and redistribute existing canvas to 12 cabents. Extensive work on

ladders with measuring and drilling. PLEASE CALL TO RESERVE YOU PLACE.

Call ahead for more information and to

let us know you are coming. (937)593-­2141

*For all days, please bring work shoes or boots, gloves, and a water bottle. For all day, breakfast and lunch are provided and

Friday night lodging is available.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

FPC WILL PAY HALF OF THE FEES OF THE CAMP

TOTAL FOR FPC MEMBERS AND

AND GRANDCHILDREN.

YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE A CHURCH

SCHOLARSHIP FORM COMPLETED BY FPC ALONG WITH YOUR CAMP REGISTRATION. THOSE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE OR

ONLINE.

KIRKMONT CENTER

2018 Summer Camp Registration is OPEN!

2018 CAMP LISTING AND SCHEDULE You and Me Camp::June 9-­10 (kids ages 3-­ Quilt Camp 1 June 10-­ Adventure Camp June 10-­15 (completed grades 3-­ *Add Horseback Option: $75 per person Beginners Camp June 17-­20 (completed grades K-­ PYC Junior Camp June 24 30 (completed grades 3-­ PYC Camp June 24 30 (completed grades 7-­ Camp Rejoice July 8-­14 (completed grades 3-­ Camp Pazy Alabanza July 15 20 (completed grades 5-­12)...$420 per person Adventure Camp July 15 20 (completed grades 3-­ *Add Horseback Option: $75 per person Discovery Camp July 15-­20 (completed grades 3-­ *Add Horseback Option: $75 per person Kids Camp July 29-­21 (completed grades k-­ Adventure Camp July 22-­27 (completed grades 3-­ *Add Horseback Option: $75 per person Sports Camp July 22-­27 (completed grades 3-­ *Add Horseback Option: $75 per person Quilt Camp 2 July 22-­ Family Camp August 3-­5

Please call Sara Metzler at the Kirkmont Office with any questions: 937-­593-­2141

CHOIR RECOGNITION

With our deepest appreciation, we honor your dedication, commitment, and talents. THANK YOU, Choir, for blessing our congregation with

your beautiful gifts of music!

CHOIR DIRECTOR: Kathy McIntosh

PIANIST: Brenda Vetter SOPRANOS: Stephanie Collier Sue Cope Joyce Fraas Alice McConnel Elizabeth Perry Kathy Wehrman ALTOS: Mary DeVault Nancy Eppleston Drake Gudim Barb Werth

TENORS: Glen Eppleston Grayson Galentine Tom Hurley Bill McIntosh Jim Riley Bob Twiss BASS: Caden Galentine Mark Senseman Jim Vetter

EASTER ART SHOW

Charlie Hormell

The first Easter Art Show was held at FPC on March 25th and exhibits were displayed

through Easter. Many FPC artists brought items for display in a variety of ways. Thank you so much to everyone who participated and viewed

prepare for next year!

Joyce Fraas

Kathy McIntosh & Owen Swift

Deanna Riley

During the month of May as Rev. Edmonds recuperates from knee

contact them directly or call the Church Office at 339.1317.

The Week of April 29th: Tom DeVault 937.660.0492 tdevault@woh.rr.com John Mauntler 937.216.3348 jmauntler@woh.rr.com The Week of May 6th: De Smith 937.339.4257 or 937.626.2966 dsmith8396@woh.rr.com John Mauntler 937.216.3348 jmauntler@woh.rr.com The Week of May 13th: Judy Kaster 937.271.9603 jkasterr@woh.rr.com Andrea Senseman 937.339.8564 viridian61@yahoo.com

The Week of May 20th: Elaine Jones 937.689.7003 Deanna Riley 937.335.2332 deannajim65@hotmail.com The Week of May 27th: Tom DeVault 937.660.0492 tdevault@woh.rr.com Joyce Fraas 937.335.1972 or 937.238.9192 rfraas@aol.com

Rita Hollenbacher

Sue Cope & Payton Zeh

Kathy Wehrman & Kiley Boyd

Elementary Sunday School

Sue Todd

APRIL 2018

The Rev. Sandy McConnel, honorably retired and former head pastor at Dayton Westminster, is moderating our session meetings now as well as preaching while Rev. Hart recovers. You might say he is our interim interim pastor. You might be interested in knowing that one of our former members, and now pastor, Rev. Katie Hartwell will be bringing her PYC group through Troy on their way to a mission trip. Session approved their stay over night in our PYC area in July. Stefanie noted that the time to sign up for Kirkmont camps is here! Session agreed to pay half of the cost of the camps for members and for the children and grandchildren of any of our members. Others will need to pay full price though. Session spent some time discussing a decease in attendance these last twelve months and the drop in giving that goes with it. Questions we discussed were:

last fall.) Why are people not attending? Do we need to adjust our budget? In what ways? Are we addressing the problem with a scarcity mentality instead of realizing the abundance God has given us?

On a brighter note, former member Toni Caruso, bequeathed $3000 to FPC. Session decided to place that money in the Endowment Fund. Both Rev. Hart and Rev. McConnel have talked to us about whether we should continue having a Chapel Service. So few attend at that time that both pastors wonder if it is an efficient use of the pastor's time. After much discussion, we decided to test the waters by having only a Sanctuary Service this summer and see what the congregation thinks about that. We also discussed the possibility of moving the Sanctuary Service and Sunday School to earlier times in the fall if we do drop the Chapel Service. Several of you have stopped me to say that you appreciate this addition to the Link. I would like to say that it was my idea, but the credit goes to Stefanie.

Respectfully submitted, John Mauntler, Clerk

WORSHIP COMMITTEE

When you attend church, do you like to be met with a smile and a hello? Do you appreciate assistance with a large-­print

bulletin, or a hearing aid device? Our ushers do this and more. Did you know our ushers are members who volunteer for this

outreach? Please consider signing up for this outreach and mission work. It's easy to do (and we have

directions!) You can be the friendly face of our church to members and visitors alike. Please see Barb Owen in the Lower Gathering area before Sanctuary service to sign up.

Thank you from the Worship Committee!

SUMMER MUSIC If anyone would like to share their musical talent during Worship this summer, please contact Beth

Peters.

PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Pastor Nominating Committee has been very busy working to narrow the search for a new Pastor. We are asking for

time we will have our new Pastor.

News & Information Spring 2018 CATCH THE BUILDING SPIRIT NETWORK

Presbyterian/Catholic Habitat Build begins May 26

Catch the Building Spirit, the Presbyterian/Catholic Habitat for Humanity partnership, now in its 26th year, will begin construction on this year's house on Shull Road, Huber Heights. Blitz Week (when the main structure of the house is built: framing, siding, roofing, etc.) will begin Memorial Day weekend, May 26, and will run through June 1. Construction will continue throughout the summer to complete all the rest of the house.

If your church is interested in participating with labor, hospitality, or financing, please email Hank Baust, Presbyterian Coordinator for Catch the Building Spirit, at bausthd@gmail.com or call 937-­429-­ 0360.

The 2018 Habitat House Family

Habitat Houses through Catch the Build-­ ing Spirit is a designated network of Presbytery of the Miami Valley.

www.catchthebuildingspirit.org

Presbytery of the Miami Valley www.miamipresbytery.org

MAY CHURCH NEWS

SECURITY SYSTEM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: On Tuesday, May 1, 2018 FPC will begin using the new security system. While the building will be open during church services, for the safety of our staff you will need to use the buzzer during

office hours. Office hours are M-­F 8:00AM-­Noon and 1:00PM-­

3:00PM. The buzzer is located on the right side of the double door entry on

Walnut Street.

ONE SERVICE

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Beginning on May 27, 2018, there will only be one Worship Service held on Sunday mornings. The Worship Service will be at 10:00AM in the Sanctuary. This will be the

Worship Schedule for the summer.

JUNE 16 23, ST. LOUIS, MO 223rd General Assembly of the PC(USA)

Commissioners and advisory delegates from all 170 PC(USA) presbyteries, and other delegates and observers from

Center in downtown St. Louis, June 16-­23, for celebrations, deliberations, and inspirations in support of the

The Presbytery of Giddings-­Lovejoy will serve as host to the

-­33, and will include rich worship services, the election of the Moderator and Vice Moderator or Co-­Moderators, action on a number of overtures, and much more. General proceed-­ings and worship during assembly will be live-­streamed.

https://ga-­pcusa.org

Register now for Summer Camp at Kirkmont Center

Registration is now open for 2018 Summer Camp at Kirkmont Center, Zanesfield.

Camps for all ages are available from June 9 through August 5 and include:

You and Me Camp, Quilting Camps, Beginners Camp, PYC Junior Camp, PYC Camp, Camp Re-­joice, Camp Paz y Alabanza, KidsCamp, Adven-­ture/Sports/Discovery Camps, and Family Camping Weekend.

http://kirkmontcenter.com

PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE TWO VERY IMPORTANT NOTICES ON THIS PAGE!

MAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

As I conclude my time of interim ministry with you, the thoughts of theologian Reinhold Niebuhr come to mind. These are interim times in the life of the church and Christianity in many ways, because the transitions we are all experiencing will not end in our life-­times. Christian faith as an expression of discipleship to Jesus Christ calls for an ongoing process of conversion to the way of life he embodied. Reinhold Niebuhr captured that sense of the ongoing conversion to discipleship in these memorable words:

saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do,

however virtuous, can be accomplished alone;; therefore we must be saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which is

May 6th: Communion Sunday

Texts: John 15: 9-­17;; I John 5: 1-­6

May 13th:

Text: John 17: 6-­19 May 20th: Pentecost Sunday

Texts: Acts: 2: 1-­21;; Romans 8: 22-­27

May 27th: Trinity Sunday

Text: John 3: 1-­17

COLOMBIA PARTNERSHIP NETWORK

Miami Valley Presbyterian partners visit Colombia

Members of the Colombia Partnership Network of Presbytery of the Miami Valley visited our partner Presbytery of the North Coast (PNC) in Barranquilla, Colombia in February. The trip included representatives of three of the Sister Church relationships within our Network: College Hill Community Presbyterian Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church of Springboro, and Westminster Presbyterian Church of Dayton, as well as a representative of Kirkmont Center, which is also active in the partnership. The Network renewed our partner-­ ship agreement during this trip and explored new avenues of shared ministry. This partnership has spanned 23 years and includes annual visits by Colombian young adults who participate in our Sister Churches' summer ministries at Kirkmont Center;; shared worship, spiritual, and musical events;; northbound and southbound delegation trips between Sister Church congregations;; and mutual support of each presbytery's pastoral and social justice ministries.

Sister Church Opportunities in Colombia The Network currently has five Sister Church relationships between congregations of the PMV and congregations of the PNC. There are seven additional congregations in the Presbytery of the North Coast seeking sister churches in Presbytery of the Miami Valley. Please email Colombia Partnership Network Moderator Jennifer Vicarel at d2jvi-­

carel@earthlink.net with any questions, comments, or requests for additional information.

She can come off sounding like a Jesus freak evangelical, gushing on and on about the Bible and your personal relationship with God. She can come

about tradition and sacraments. He can come off sounding like a bleeding-­heart liberal, prattling on and on about social justice and the need to constantly question old interpretations.

happens? What will growth look like? Will all those old, inactive members suddenly return? Will the pews be packed again? Will you need to start a second service? No. You might see a few more new faces

cannot be otherwise. The way to Easter Sunday goes through Good Friday. The way to the empty tomb goes through Golgotha. The way to resurrection goes through crucifixion. When Jesus told you to take up your cross and follow, did you expect it to lead anywhere else?

church willing to die so that it can truly live in the power of the Spirit.

Pentecost Offering helps young people The Pentecost Offering is traditionally received on the day of Pentecost, this year on May 20. It provides a di-­rect way to meet the needs of children at risk, youth, and young adults. Congregations are encouraged to keep 40% of the offering to support ministries benefiting these age groups in their communities.

The General Assembly's portion (60%) provides leader-­ship development opportunities for Presbyterian youth and young adults and supports children-­at-­risk pro-­grams at the national level.

Since 1998, Presbyterians of all ages have raised more than $14 million for these ministries that benefit younger members of God's family.

http://specialofferings.pcusa.org/pentecost.html

New books from Presbyterian Publishing

Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC) recently announced the launch of Flyaway Books, a new book imprint dedicated to creating titles to inspire the next generation to fly. The new imprint will offer books that carry themes of diversity, inclusion, self-­esteem, kindness, com-­ passion and care for our world. Many of the pressing social issues and the titles will be intentionally multicultural in their artwork and characters.

The first two books to carry the new Flyaway Books logo will be released May 2018. They will be Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts by Ian De Haes and The Marvelous Mustard Seed by Amy-­Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. Several books recently released under acclaimed Westmin-­ ster John Knox Press imprint will join the program. Future authors for Flyaway Books include Katherine Paterson, Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Kathy Bostrom, Barbara Brown Taylor, Amy-­Jill Levine, Michael Waters, and Katie Yamasaki.

https://www.flyawaybooks.com

First Presbyterian Church Rev. Hart Edmonds, Interim Minister 20 S. Walnut St., Troy, Ohio 45373 Rev. E.W. Sensenbrenner, Pastor Emeritus 937 339 1317 Stefanie Swift, Program Director www.fpctroy.org

May 2018

Church Home

LINK

Changing the Conversation

Quite soon you should be anticipating the call and arrival of a new pastor, with all the expectations that come with the hopes for

congregation goes looking for a new pastor, the first question on the minds of members and leaders alike is this:

No, she will not. No amount of pastoral eloquence, organizational ability, insightfulness, amicability, or charisma will take your

What then can your pastor do? She can make your Session meetings longer with prayer and bible study. He can mess with your sense of familiarity by changing the order of worship and the arrangement of the sanctuary. She can play those strange new songs and forget your favorite old hymns. He can keep on playing those crusty old hymns instead of that hot new contemporary praise music. He can bug you incessantly about more frequent celebration of communion. She can ruin your perfectly balanced budget with appeals for more funds to be allocated toward mission and outreach. She can take up your precious weekends with exhausting volunteer projects. He can keep on preaching and teaching that the church has to join God in the neighborhood, because God is busy there!

Continue to next page

SUMMER WORSHIP HOURS

Summer Worship hours begin on May 27, 2018 and are as follows:

Worship Service is held at 10:00AM

In the Sanctuary.

There is NO Church School during the summer.