northkirk presbyterian the grapevine · 2019. 12. 3. · the grapevine “in him was life ... ted...
TRANSCRIPT
Northkirk Presbyterian June 2017
June Worship Schedule “Overflowing Life” Series
June 4 Choir Sunday
The Lord has given us the gift of music to bless and carry us through our days.
Come be blessed as our vocal and bell choirs guide us before the throne of God to worship
and give thanks.
June 11 John 7:14-18
Jesus proclaimed the Father’s teaching in Jerusalem at Feast of
Booths. At issue was His trustworthiness. This is also our issue when others evaluate our
walk with God.
June 18 John 7:37-39
Jesus promised fresh life would emanate from us as we
follow Him.
June 25 Guest Preacher
The Lord blesses us by bringing others to encourage us by God’s Word! Come prepared to have your heart moved for greater
faithfulness to Jesus!
The Grapevine
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” John 1:4
We can take life for granted. Not just in the sense that we don’t pause to appreciate the gift of our physical or spiritual life. But we can also presume that the life we enjoy is life when in fact we may be experiencing more stress or suffering than joy or blessing. The apostle John tantalized the first listeners of his gospel by bolding proclaiming that true life is only found in Jesus Christ!
We began earlier this year learning from the apostle John that God’s purpose for everything is found in Jesus. We too, as part of everything of God, find our purpose in our Lord. And now, in these days of late Spring and Summer, we are learning in detail about overflowing life which is God’s purpose for his children.
It’s fascinating to see Jesus’ life in the gospels. Today we might say that ‘Jesus was the life of the party.’ Jesus also brought blessing to everyone around him (even if the blessing involved challenges to their understanding of God’s care) and, for those that followed him, Jesus also brought them new life. This life, John proclaimed, is now again the light for all humanity. Light represents the goodness and truth of God.
And so as our Lord Jesus leads us, his church, we are to be true life and light for a world that has lost these. And what a blessing to share in this ministry of God! We are led to also be the ‘life of the party’ as Jesus was. And, of course, life begins in our life together.
Most certainly Jesus stood out as he served the Father during his ministry. And, as he led his disciples, they began to shed their obsessions, worries, and fears. All the things that they may have thought were part of regular life. And we, too, are blessed to leave these behind as we grow in Christ. And because the church always has new disciples beginning along their walk, we are constantly bringing new ‘lives of the party’ into the world.
As we enjoy the gift of Summer days, let’s count the blessings of what we have left behind. Together, we have eternal life to share with each other as well as our neighbors also who need the life and light of Jesus. May our Summer be full of thanks to God for the life we have been given!
Pastor Martin
Pastor’s Page
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Prayer Page
How to Pray for Persecuted Christians
1. Pray for those in the midst of persecution- Global watchdog Open Doors reports that 322 Christians are killed every month
for their faith while millions more suffer persecution on a routine basis. Please pray that these believers will not only stay commit-
ted to the call of Christ but also will respond in love to the evil shown by their aggressors. God’s love will open doors for these be-
lievers to share the Gospel even more.
2. Pray for those who are doing the persecuting - Pray that God would open the eyes and soften the hearts of these individuals
who bring unfathomable abuse upon Christians. Remember as you pray that God sent His Son for the whole world. He does not
want anybody—even these individuals—to perish.
3. Pray for the families and loved ones of those being persecuted - Ask God to comfort families who many times do not re-
ceive updates about their loved one and are not allowed to visit, or it’s simply not safe enough to do so. Pray they, too, will remain
faithful to the calling God has placed on their lives.
4. Pray that churches would rise up - Support from the body of Christ is so critical. Whether we are giving up our time in prayer
or our resources in physical support, the church must rally around those suffering for Christ. American Christians also should rattle
the door of Washington by writing their elected officials. Remind them the persecution of Christians is a real issue that must be
addressed.
5. Pray that world leaders would do all they can to fight this persecution -God makes it clear in His Word that leaders have a
responsibility. Pray God would stir their hearts, and they would not only draft but enact the necessary policies and procedures to
make a lasting, global difference.
Please add the person or group listed below to your daily prayers.
Use the Numbers by their name as a guideline for the day to pray for them.
Thank you Dawn Collins for posting these names on our Face Book
1. Paul & Margaret McGough
2. Margaret Merhoff
3. Don & Sharon Peart
4. Christian Education Team
5. Rebecca Peters
6. Lily Pyu
7. Lee & Nancy Rash
8. Mark & Pam Rock
9. Ed Rugh
10. Paul & Winnie Sage
11. Facilities & Grounds Team
12. Mary Sanders
13. Aline Sardão
14. Bill & Emily Scholz
15. Pam Sickman
16. The Silva Family
17. Marie Simpkins
18. Membership/Fellowship Team
19. Martin & Lorraine Smith
20. Pete & Teri Smits
21. The Stahl Family
22. Bob & Gail Valenti
23. David Van Curen
24. The Vance Family
25. Missions Team
26. Rachel Vasquez
27. Anne Warder
28. Harold Willome
29. Frank & Beverly Wiltse
30. Pilar Yarur & family
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SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
. 1
6:30 pm
Bell Choir
2
7:30 pm
Children’s and
Youth Groups
3
4
9:30 am Choir Sunday
with Communion
1 pm New Mem. Class
2 pm New Officer Class
5 pm Quakes Game
5
6
7:00 pm
Team Mtgs.
7
6:30 am Men’s Fellowship
6:00 pm Potluck/Games
8
9
7:30 pm
Movie Night
10
9:00 am
NK Writers’ Group
9:00 am Work Party
11
9:30 am Worship
Recognition of Graduates.
11 am 3D Group
1 pm New Member Class
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13
7:00 pm
Deacon’s Mtg,
14
6:30 am Men’s Fellowship
7:00 pm Pastor’s Bible Study
15
16
7:30 pm
Children’s and
Youth Groups
17
18
9:30 am Worship
11 am 3D Group
Father’s Day
19
20
7:00 pm
Session
Meeting
21
6:30 am Men’s Fellowship
22
23
7:30 pm
Children’s and
Youth Groups
July Grapevine
articles are due
24
9:00 am
NK Writers’
25
9:30 am Worship
26
27
28
6:30 am Men’s Fellowship
7 pm Pastor’s Bible Study
June Calendar
Glen & Grace Gonzales 6/15
Tom & Bernadette Allbaugh 6/16
Bob & Gail Valenti 6/16
Steven & Marion Mildon 6/24
Tom & Jodie Stahl 6/27
Janice Vance 6/14
Dean Collins 6/17
Jesse Alvarez 6/18
Diane Atherton 6/20
Christine Harlow 6/27
To
29 30
7:30 pm
Children’s and
Youth Groups
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Fellowship
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” (Psalm 37:5 RSV)
“Give of your best to the Master, Give Him first place in your heart; Give Him first place in your service; Con-secrate every part….Gratefully seeking to serve Him, Give Him the best that you have.” (From hymn ‘Give of Your Best to the Master,’ words by Howard B. Grose)
Jesus' disciples called Him “Teacher” or “Master” (in older translations) and often were asking Him what they were supposed to do. His most common response toward the end of His human life on earth was for them to listen and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
June represents the beginning of summer, a time when school is generally out, when individuals and families often try to take time away for rest and relaxation, maybe to refocus or think about new possibilities. Questions may come to mind like, “Could I have done that better?” “Should I be doing something else?” “I’m tired; how do I go back with more enthusiasm and/or more energy.” Some of us may even ask, “Lord, what do you want me to be doing?” “Am I supposed to continue doing what I’ve been doing at Northkirk?” “Should I be doing some-thing else?” “Should I be doing something additional?” “How can I serve You at Northkirk when I have so many other time commitments, like work and family, and maybe a little rest and recreation?”
When most of us joined the church, we responded to a question asking us to “support the work of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents.” We are all aware of the annual fall request for a financial pledge to support the work of Northkirk. But we do not always think about ways we can give or are giving to the Lord with our time. Many of us could name members who give extraordinary amounts of time to Northkirk, both visi-bly and behind the scenes and most of us volunteer for something.
We are so thankful for everyone who volunteers their time to accomplish many things. We just elected new church officers and nominating committee members, and we thank them for volunteering their time to these sometimes overwhelming responsibilities. The rest of us can encourage them through prayer and continuing or beginning to volunteer our time to help with the myriad tasks—large or small, intermittent or continuing, a num-ber of which are listed separately in this newsletter.
We at Northkirk could think of ourselves as “just a small congregation.” I prefer to think of us as “mighty for God!” Let us each take some time this summer to ask God how He wants to use our time to His glory and listen to the Holy Spirit reply. I am convinced He will provide each of us with the time and energy and direction we need to serve Him if we will only commit way to the Lord and trust him.
Carol Entler
Membership/Fellowship Team
Next Potluck/Game Night – June 7th at 6 pm Theme: Luau
Well, we’re not roasting a pig... but bring your favorite Hawaiian
dish and wear a Hawaiian shirt if your have one. Please sign up at:
http://www.PerfectPotluck.com/meals.php?t=XMZM0437
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as of April 30, 2017 :
Good news! We’re doing better on our actual figures than what was budgeted for April and we have brought in more revenue than what was planned. Our year to date figures show our revenue is down. Please be on the lookout for information on “Planned Giving” in the future episodes of the Grapevine. For those of us that have an investment portfolio, one could transfer securities to the church’s investments and avoid the capital gains tax. If your investment is in a tax deferred security, you can also avoid the income tax. The total donation can be applied to your pledge.
If anyone has questions regarding our budget, bank balances, trust balances or investments, please contact the church office at 909-989-4919 and your questions will be forwarded to our church treasurer or to someone on the stewardship/finance team.
Emily Scholz, Church Treasurer
Operational Budget
Giving/Receipts
Expenses
Net Operating Surplus/Deficit
April Budget
14,745.88
23,078.80
-10,297.81
April Actual
15,656.14
23,078.80
-7,422.56
Year to Date Budget
58,983.46
100,174.81
-41,191.35
Year to Date Actual
55,285.17
87,835.70
-32,550.53
Stewardship and Finance
Treasurer’s Report
The Lord invites us to support the work of his church through our time and resources. Time given to serve in the many
ministries of Northkirk builds both the giver and the receiver. Resources are another generous gift that blesses both giver
and receiver. All financial giving supports our ministries. We are blessed to have an endowment that each year contrib-
utes to capital expenditure needs and operating expenses. As we have recently required use of some of these funds, our
Session elders have established a goal to restore our endowment principal over time. As of May 27, 2017 our balance
was 962,705.01. Our endowment is prudently invested yet it will change based upon market changes. Session elders
are praying for a restored level of principal of $1,000,000 by the end of 2017. We can all participate in this goal. Please
keep this goal in prayer each week. And please consider what you may be able to contribute to experience the joy of
shared giving. Don’t be afraid to start small. Consider ordering a smaller size coffee or drink and contributing the differ-
ence in cost of a larger size. The important thing is to step forward in effort, no matter the size. If we can have 50 people
contribute $2 per week for these remaining seven months of 2017 we will have contributed $3,000. Each week please
designate your contribution in a separate envelope titled “Endowment Gift”. Expect to be joyful in the act of giving to the
Lord’s work!
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Spring Musical
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The Bell Choir began the
program with In the Garden
There were dynamic duos!
There were piano solos
The 19th Street Band
performed Classic
Rock and then led us
in a Sing-a-long of
California Dreamin.
A husband and wife duet:
Bernadette on clarinet,
Tom on guitar
A brother/sister duet:
Ruth on violin,
Enoch on piano
Harold amazed us again with 2 piano solos.
We enjoyed a surprise performance by Flo when she
played and dedicated a love song to her late husband,
Ed Jr. and a polka dedicated to her parents.
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Session
MAY SESSION HIGHLIGHTS The Session held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. 1. Pastor Martin briefly discussed Colossians 3:1-2. We are to be a bit of fresh air in the world—the aroma of Christ. As often as we think about Christ, we will have some fresh air in the day-to-day stuff, at least in perspective and attitude. 2. Pastor Martin plans to be on vacation Monday, June 19, through Sunday, June 25. 3. Session received correspondence from the City of a public hearing about the property across the street requesting a 1-year extension of the project. 4. A suggestion was received recommending we shift our focus (as Co-General Assembly Moderator Jan Edmiston suggested at a recent presentation) from “the traditional ABCs (Attendance, Building, Cash)” to a focus on community needs. It was also sug-gested that we read another book together as a congregation next year. Some Session members reminded us that the MOPS program is a great example of community outreach and meeting needs, as well as Karen’s Garden and sharing our facility with two nesting congregations. 5. Team reports were given and actions taken as needed: Among the items reported were:
Christian Education plans summer move nights on Fridays, June 9, July 14, and August 11, and these were approved along with a selection of possible movies.
Facilities and Grounds reported recent thefts on the property including gates, statues, drip irrigation, roses, and equipment; they are investigating installation of a security surveillance system. We had a really good work party on Saturday, May 13.
Music, Worship and Arts Team discussed purchase and installation of a new flat screen monitor to replace the non-working one at the rear of the sanctuary, which was done; Session approved reimbursing a team member for the cost (and thankfully two generous donations have been received to cover the entire cost).
Stewardship/Finance remains concerned with funding of the current church budget and unanticipated expenses. The Grace Team (which oversees the church’s trust) met with our investment advisers and will be drafting an investment plan for Session approval as well as developing a spending policy to document our budget and approval procedures. Following the advis-ers and Team’s recommendation, Session approved the sale of 10 percent of our trust bond funds to purchase global growth equi-ties, giving us a better balance in our portfolio. Average worship attendance for April 2017 included 71 Adults, 2 Youth, and 5 Children. Not included above was attendance on
Maundy Thursday of 22 Adults, 1 Youth and no Children; and attendance on Good Friday as 14 Adults.
NEW CHURCH OFFICERS ELECTED At the congregational meeting on Sunday, May 21, the following members were elected to be ordained and/or installed as elders or deacons to begin serving on July 1, 2017.
Elected to Serve as Elders on Session: Class of 2018-2019: Grace Gonzales Class of 2019-2020: Diane Atherton, Dean Collins (for second term), and Paula Emick
Elected to Serve as Deacons: Class of 2017-2018: Nancy Rash and Bob Valenti (as co-deacon with Gail Valenti) Class of 2018-2019: Anu Jacob Class of 2019-2020: Christine Harlow, Cathy Moody, as well as Roy and Janice Vance (as co-deacons)
In addition, the following members were elected to serve a congregational representatives to the 2017-2018 Church Nominating Committee: James Beagle, Thelma Campbell, Sharon Hayden, and Teri Smits Alternates elected were: Nancy Michalski and Emily Scholz
Two additional members to the Nominating Committee are elected by the Session to represent that board, one of whom serves as Chair; one additional member to the Committee is elected by the Deacons to represent that board.
Please thank the members of the current 2016-2017 Nominating Committee for their diligence and persistence when you see them: Norm Balders (Chair), James Beagle, Thelma Campbell, Dean Collins, Paula Emick, Jamie Hambly, and Emily Scholz.
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The following list is not complete, but suggests many ways individuals can volunteer to participate in the
ministry of Northkirk. Please feel free to contact the individual mentioned for additional information.
Opportunities to Serve
Christian Education Tom Allbaugh
Sunday School teacher or assistant
Summer Sunday School teacher or assistant
Adult small group participant or leader
Youth ministry
Children’s Friday evening ministry
Summer movie nights
Planning a possible future weekend family campout
Facilities and Grounds Ronn Campbell
Monthly Saturday work parties
Installation and/or repair of inside and outside equipment
General maintenance
Deep cleaning events (pews, carpets, classrooms, etc.)
Planting, pruning, harvesting
Membership/Fellowship Carol Entler
Providing Sunday fellowship refreshments
(advance signups requested)
Providing setup, cleanup, and food for special events
Staffing the “name tag” table on the first Sunday of the month
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9 Opportunities to Serve (continued)
Missions Pam Sickman
Help with special Christmas giving, e.g., Samaritan’s
Purse shoeboxes
Help with MOPS (Cynthia Alvarez)
Help identify and plan for other mission activities
Music, Worship, and Arts Dean Collins
Ushers and Openers/Closers
Worship Assistants
Music:
Bell and/or Vocal Choirs
Praise Team
Substitute pianist/organist
Special music
Concert narrator/actor
Media/Sound Booth Operator
Stewardship/Finance Mark Rock or Emily Scholz
Offering counters
Trained annual financial reviewer
Assistant to the Treasurer
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Christian Education
Northkirk’s Bible Studies These Bible Studies will continue to meet throughout the summer months:
3D Group , 11:00 am on Sundays in Pastor’s office.
Men’s Fellowship Bible Study, 6:30 am every Wednesday at Coco’s Restaurant in Ontario.
Pastor’s Bible Study, 7:00 pm on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month in Pastor’s office.
Tech Connect
Our Website
If you missed any of our worship services, you can listen to them on your computer. Go
to our website, which is www.northkirk.org and click on Worship, and sermons current to
hear the latest service or sermons archive to hear past services. While you’re there,
check out other aspects of our church.
Church Directory On the Go
Did you know our church directory is available to view on your mobile device? Instant Church Directory - the program we use to build our church directory - has a free app for church members to download on their Apple, Android and Kindle Fire devices. To download the app go to your app store and search for Instant Church Directory. You will be asked to enter your email address as it's listed in our directory. If your email address isn't listed in the directory or it needs to be updated, let the church secretary, Gail Valenti know so it can be added. Once you enter your email address follow the directions on the screen to complete the login process. After you login, the directory will be downloaded to your device. Anytime updates are made, they will update on your device also. In the app you will be able to search for active families and members and call, email and text right from the app.
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Bible Studies taking
a summer break during
June, July and August:
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Campbell’s Small Group Bible Study
Women’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Bible Studies taking summer breaks
will resume in September.
Movie Nights are Back! Watch for movie announcements in the Sunday morning bulletins during the summer. Movie Nights will be the 2nd Friday of June, July and August. Invite a friend & bring snacks.
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Missions
From the ALVAREZ NEWSLETTER
New World Mission Association – PERU 10330 Rancho St. Alta Loma, CA 91737 May30, 2017
Dear Friends,
We returned from our mission trip to Italy in April with a great hope in what the Gospel can accomplish when we are bold to
proclaim God’s name, and place our hope in His plans. Rome reminded us of the early Christian church and how costly it can be
to follow Jesus Christ, even today. Christians suffering in Egypt, Indonesia, the Philippines and across the Middle East need our
constant prayers.
In the cities of Rome and Milan, we met for several days with denominational leaders
and the presidents of the council of churches. We listened to the unique challenges
Italy’s churches are experiencing and spent time praying together for the pastors and
faithful congregations across their county. The churches in Italy have been working
with Obed and Tokyo2010 to host a Global Council of Missions event in Rome for
November 2017. They are determined to gather key leaders from around Europe and
leaders globally to strengthen mission efforts to the 6 million Muslims in Italy and give
missionary vision to the European churches.
Because this is the 500th year Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, the other objective of the Roma 2017 event will be to reflect upon and embrace the new challenges the Church faces today. A document will be presented and published of a new set of “95 Theses”, which are being written by church leaders from around the world. Obed was invited by an Italian Christian Senator to speak as a Mission Anthropologist from Latin America to the Senate of the Republic about Biosafety, Biotechnologies, and Life Sciences. It was an extraordinary experience! Afterwards we were given a private tour of the Senate floor and other chambers, which is built atop the ruins of the
baths of Nero.
Thank you for working alongside us in ministry with your prayers and support.
We love you and thank God for your friendship always!
In His Service,
Obed and Cynthia Alvarez
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Food of the Month: Dried Beans
If you’d like to contribute to this, please place your donation of food on the Missions table or in the basket below it. These food offerings are provided to the needy in our Community. Thank you for caring for others in Jesus’ name. Thank you to Norm and Debby Balders for delivering the food to Sova Food Bank.
Obed with Senator Scilipoti (L),
Dr.Barau from Nigeria, and pastors
12 9101 19th Street
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701
909-989-4919
www.Northkirk.org
VISITORS are WELCOME
Sunday Morning Worship Service at 9:30 AM
Sunday School for Preschool through 5th Grade
and nursery care is available during the Sunday worship service.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STAFF:
The Rev. Martin Smith, Pastor, [email protected]
Aline Sardão, Music Director, [email protected]
Gail Valenti, Church Secretary, [email protected]
Jason Alvarez, Youth Leader, [email protected]
Harold Willome, Pianist, [email protected]
Pilar Yarur, Custodian
Kimberly White, Nursery Attendant
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Publication of Northkirk Presbyterian Church
(909) 989-4919
www.northkirk.org
Church office email; [email protected]