pine shores presbyterian church pine august 2017 lines

Pine Shores Presbyterian ChurchAugust 2017

“The Mission of Pine Shores Presbyterian Church is to encourage, equip and empower each other to serve the needs of a hurting

and broken world by sharing the hope and joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.”

continued on page 3, right column

Pine LinesIn July, Karen and I attended the Big Tent

Conference in St. Louis. The Big Tent is a bi-annual gathering of Presbyterians throughout the country. It occurs in the year that General Assembly does not meet. The Big Tent includes plenary events, bible study, workshops and worship. It was our first time attending the conference. Truthfully, the main reason we attended this year was so I could join with Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus in leading a workshop on the book we wrote “Recovering from Un-Natural Disasters.”

While Laurie and I did our thing, Karen attended a workshop on adult curriculum and then we both attended the workshop on Sanctuary Churches. It was very well done and we appreciate the information. It didn’t take long to realize that becoming a sanctuary church may not be where God is calling Pine Shores to go but refugee re-settlement is another issue.

Big Tent took place at Washington University. But that’s not what it’s called. I was quickly corrected. The cool people refer to it as “Wash U. (I’m finally in the cool crowd.) It is a beautiful campus but I didn’t know much about Wash U so I looked it up. The total enrollment is just over 14,000. In the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is it is ranked 19th best. The Bear is their mascot and, ready for this, it has $6.462 billion dollars in its endowment funds. (Pine Shores has a ways to go to catch up.)

After we finished dinner at the Mission Taco Joint (which had good energy and great food) we headed off to Graham Chapel for opening worship. The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Stated Clerk of the PCUSA was the preacher for the evening. The Chapel was basically full. It seats 800 people. So being good Presbyterians, in a room of good Presbyterians, there was no seating available in the back of the chapel and there was no way in you know what that I was heading down to sit in the front. So, Karen and I did the next best thing. We went up to the balcony and it was as if the light was shining brightly on us. There were seats still available in the last row. Perfect, so we settled in.

Almost immediately I realized that I could not hear - maybe a couple of words in each sentence but that’s all. I know that my hearing is not the best but Karen

soon confirmed that the quality of sound was poor, very poor. (I say this sarcastically, because you would think with 6.462 billion dollars in the bank you could pay for a decent sound system but I guess they have other priorities.) I could not hear nor understand what the preacher was saying. I started wondering why I even showed up or why I’m staying around for 20% of the 45 minute sermon.

But there is more. It was hot and made it uncomfortable. Living in Florida was not a benefit. (Even in the summer, Karen brings a sweater when we go out for dinner.) At first, I dismissed the uncomfortableness thinking it had to do more with the beef brisket birria, chicken al pastor and spicy chorizo tacos I ate. That however was not the case. It became brutally hot. It was simply stiffing. We were both miserable. As soon as we could leave without being impolite or rude, we scooted out of there. Now, it’s July in St. Louis and we wanted to be outside. That sounds crazy but it was true.

Okay, I know, the point? I’m getting there. I started reflecting about folks who come visit us at worship. What does it feel like for them to enter into our scared space? The very place where we gather week after week, singing, praying and listening in our language. My experience at Big Tent was important. Not being able to hear and understand the words, as well as my uncomfortableness in the chapel made me realized this might be what some visitors feel like when they come to Pine Shores. If they can’t hear or know the language we use, how can we expect them to understand and embody living Christ-like in their daily lives? If they can’t (metaphorically speaking) hear our words because they make no sense, sounding more like nonsense or gibberish causing confusion, bewilderment and uncomfortableness, just the opposite of our intent, how can we as a community expect to have much of an impact on them? I read about a couple that tried to go to church only to give up in frustration after a year. The reason? They couldn’t understand anything the pastor taught. The

Pine Shores Presbyterian Church Pine Lines

August 20171. Psalm 1002. Psalm 653. Psalm 864. Acts 9:32-435. Romans 156. Matthew 14:13-217. Genesis 37:1-48. Psalm 105:16-229. Romans 10:5-1310. Romans 10:14-1511. Matthew 14:22-2312. Matthew 14:24-3313. Genesis 45:1-814. Genesis 45:8-1615. Psalm 13016. Isaiah 66:18-2317. Psalm 138

18. 2 Corinthians 10:12-18

19. Matthew 16:5-1220. Isaiah 56:121. 1 Samuel 7:322. Psalm 130:1-223. Matthew 8:1-324. Psalm 138:1-825. 2 Corinthians 10:16-

1826. Genesis 50:17-2027. Exodus 1:8-2228. Exodus 2:1-1029. Psalm 12430. Psalm 13831. Isaiah 51:1-6

Pine Lines Issue #2017-8Published Monthly by:

Pine Shores Presbyterian Church (USA)6135 Beechwood Avenue Sarasota, Florida 34231

(941) 922-1597 • www.pineshorespres.org

Office hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Be A Good Example

Don’t forget to bring your dollar bill and place it in the offering plate. It’s a way to model giving and generosity for our children and those worshipping with us. It’s a simple way to teach about faithful giving.

Sunday Morning Worship Information

August 6th Care & Share Offering (Canned Meat)

Communion Sunday8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Contemplative Worship

in Meditation Chapel Sacred Space Rev. Dr. Kathleen Weller

9:45 a.m. Traditional Worship in SanctuaryRev. Dr. Bruce Wismer Preaching

10:00 a. m. Informal Worship Gathering in Community Center

Rev. Karen WismerNew Connections Music Team

August 13th 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Contemplative Worship

in Meditation Chapel Sacred Space Rev. Karen Wismer

9:45 a.m. Traditional Worship in SanctuaryRev. Karen Wismer Preaching

10:00 a.m. Informal Worship Gathering in Community Center

Rev. Cori Rigney Preaching New Connections Music Team



9:45 a.m. Traditional Worship in SanctuaryRev. Dr. Bruce Wismer Preaching


Rev. Karen WismerNew Connections Music Team



9:45 a.m. Traditional Worship in SanctuaryRev. Cori Rigney


Rev. Dr. Bruce Wismer PreachingNew Connections Music Team

Daily Devotion

August 2017 www.pineshorespres.org

In Memoriam

Patricia K. Courtright2/11/1932 - 7/22/2017

Richard Thomas Wray11/29/1958 - 7/8/2017

(Inge Wray's son)

Rev. Dr. Earl John "Jack" Roof11/24/1927 - 7/9/2017

Former Pastor at Pine Shores Presbyterian Church

Estate PlanningEveryone should have an estate plan. Gifts can be

made to Pine Shores in the following manner through your Will or Trust:• A specific dollar amount.• A percentage of your estate.• A particular asset such as real estate or other

valuables.If you have not documented your wishes, the

state will dictate how and to whom your assets will be distributed. The state does not provide for any charitable intent in its distribution scheme.

No matter how you decide to remember Pine Shores, a gift from your will accomplishes several key benefits.• It sends a strong message to your heirs that the

Church played an important role in your life.• It guarantees that your generosity to the Church

will be continued even after you are gone.• It provides important assistance to our parish.• It may even provide tax benefits for your heirs.Leaving a Legacy

A young man was surprised to find his sick and elderly grandfather planting a small peach tree in his backyard. When the young man asked his grandfather why he was planting the tree, the old man replied, “Son, all my life I have eaten the fruit from trees that other people have planted. I figure I have an obligation to make sure there is some fruit around for others to enjoy.”

Prayerfully consider the impact and legacy that you can have in the future by including Pine Shores in your will. If you have questions please contact Allan Beck, Pine Shores Treasurer, in the church office at 922-1597.

woman said “It was like he was speaking a foreign language.” I now know better how she feels.

So I’ve been pondering and in the quietness of one morning, there appeared the notions of clarity and compassion. This is for me as much as it is for you. If I (and we) can be more intentional about embodying clarity and compassion, perhaps uncomfortableness will begin to fade. If I (and we) can clothe ourselves with clarity and compassion maybe, just maybe there will be a better probability for someone to hear, listen and understand. Clarity and compassion may open a path for someone to experience God’s love in a new or fresh way.

Clarity, in one sense, is the intentional practice of decoding our language to make it more descriptive and understandable for others. In another sense, clarity means authentic living, both in our individual lives and in our life together. People see what we do and that matters.

Compassion, as author Fredrick Buechner writes: "is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too." Let me say it my way, compassion is “seeing others as God sees them” and that is a good, very good way to live.

Have compassion and let’s be clear about who we are and whose we are.

Written by Rev. Dr. Bruce WismerCo – Pastor at Pine Shores Presbyterian Church

Sarasota, FL

Noah Beck Fellowship AwardsThe 2017 Noah Beck Fellowships will be awarded

on August 6, 2017 in the sanctuary. This year's recipients are:

Audrey Meyer, Freshman, $500MacKenzie Vance, Freshman, $500Robyn Natherson, Sophomore, $750 and

$500 (Achievement Award)Adam Dodge, Sophomore, $750William St. Pierre, Senior, $1,600

Congratulations to the 2017 Noah Beck Fellowship Recipients!


Adventure Camps at Pine Shores Children’s Church & Sunday School

August 4th will be the last day of Oceans and Seas Summer Camp 2017. During the past 2 months 62 children in our community have enjoyed typical camp activities such as music, games, & crafts, as well as swimming, gymnastics, yoga, cooking, meditation, reading, computers, math, science and some amazing field trips: Sea World, 2 aquariums, boat rides, beaches and more! They discovered the 5 oceans and 2 seas and explored 7 different countries while eating in ethnic restaurants and sampling new foods. Each week they closed with a festival for the parents to see and experience some of what they learned.

Children’s Chapel and Sunday School have combined for one exciting program this school year for our elementary aged children. They will begin this experience in the Sanctuary at 9:45 a.m. and after the Moments with Children, they will be dismissed to attend Children’s Chapel. You might want to check out the covenant they signed with Miss Mary Moore this summer as they began this program. It is hanging on the wall on their room (107). This program will end at approx. 11:00 a.m. The only exception to this program will be on the 1st Sunday of each month when the children will not be dismissed to Children’s Chapel but will stay in the Sanctuary to participate in communion with their parent or other grown up. The Children’s Committee designed this program with consideration to the families, schedules, volunteers, and education needs of our children at Pine Shores. An emphasis on worship components, stories from the Bible, and life applications will be made each week as partner with parents, grandparents, and other church programs to ensure the spiritual nurture of our youngest members.

A special thank you to all the counselors and members of the church who made this possible. Your guidance and sharing of resources is truly appreciated!

Indian Rangoli Craft

How do you like the Arctic Ice Cream Sandwiches that we made? (I guess it’s time to start planning next summer…)

Care and Share Sunday is August 6th. The food and funds given are used to fight hunger here in Sarasota and to support our mission partner Beth-El Ministries. This month we are collecting canned meat.

Care & Share Offering

August 2017 www.pineshorespres.org

Young Adult Ministry - (Y.A.M.)Saturday, August 5th YAM Meet-up at TB Rays vs. Brewers at Tropicana Field.

Sunday, August 13th,8 a.m.YAM Kick-Off

Friday, August 18th, 6:30 p.m. YAM Kick-off Night

Pine Shores Youth (PSY)

Sunday, August 6th 11:00 a.m. (After worship)

Mid-high Ice Cream Social All 6th-8th grade students welcome to come to the youth house for ice cream and introduction of all

new middle school PSY students.

Sunday, August 20th 6:00 p.m.

PSY Kick-off in the Community Center.

Sunday, August 27th 6:00 p.m.

PSY Dinner and ProgramYouth House

Saturday, September 9th Rock the Universe Trip- details in the PSY Press

Who is Jesus?

Inquiring minds want to know. Martha’s Circle invites you to join us in the study on the 3rd Tuesday of every month beginning September 19th. We meet in the Narthex and the study is led by the Rev. Ruth Schaaff. If you have any questions or would like more information please call Peggy Collins at 941-504-5757.

Youth attending the Montreat Conference in July.

All will be quiet this August. Sometime in the first few weeks Cassie and Mary Moore will be leaving Sanctuary House, their summertime home away from home. Dr. Weller will attend the John Main Seminar in Houston August 7th-14th. And the end of the month will be spent doing some re-arranging and preparing for fall programming.

In some ways this little break from what is usual resembles a meditation practice. In meditation we ‘suspend’ what is normal or routine. It’s not that there’s nothing else to do – but we recognize all will still be there when we are back. In meditation as we take time to breathe deeply – we learn to pay attention and to notice. So during this break, we’ll have time to pay attention and notice both our space and our programs. Meditation teaches us how to make a space within ourselves that is whole and holy. So too in this time, we’ll consider what might make this contemplative ministry more whole and holy for those already here—and those who may come.

So all shall be quiet at Sanctuary House this August and I commend a similar practice to you in your life. (And August seems as good a time as any). Even with things on your plate…even with things not yet completed… and especially when you think you need to do it all and always… Schedule a break. Breathe. And wait to see what comes.

See you in September!

Rev. Dr. Kathleen Weller, Parish Associate

Sanctuary House


Our Handbell Choirs will be restarting later this month. • Clara Kaiser Carillon handbell choir:

Thursday, August 24th at 7:00 p.m.• Bells of Joy handbell choir:

Sunday, August 27th at 6:00 p.m.• Youth Ringers handbell choir:

Sunday, August 27th at 5:00 p.m.• The handbell choirs will be gathering on

Thursday evening August 17th at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday evening August 20th at 5:00 p.m. to clean the bells up so they will be ready for the new season.

We would love to have you join us for the season. If you have interest but have not rung handbells before, contact Rick Holdsworth to get a tutorial so you will be ready to ring when rehearsals begin.

Thank you to all of those that have been singing in the “Summer Choir” You can still join us as we rehearse on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. to prepare music for the day’s worship and a few weeks out. The Chancel Choir will return to their Wednesday evening rehearsal on September 6th.

Musical Notes

A Note of Thanks

My Choice Pregnancy Center needs your support! Help us help others! Supporting those who need our help is easier than you think. Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

• Counseling Pregnant & Parenting Women (training available)

• Work in the thrift store Our thrift store needs donations. Many items are

given to Moms, the rest is sold to benefit the moms and babies in our area. The following are needed most: small kitchen appliances, towels, bedding, household items like pots and pans and dishes, furniture (we can't take TV’s, computers, or appliances). Donations can be dropped off at My Choice Pregnancy Center’s Angels Attic located at 5277 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, just south of University Parkway. To learn more about us and to get involved please call 941-351-3007 or visit: www.mychoicepregnancycenter.com.

Thank You to our Audio/Video techs who volunteer weekly to enhance our worship experience by:

• Adjusting audio for everyone in the Sanctuary including the hearing assist units and hearing loop system

• Running cameras for our Livestream• Running MediaShout for the texts that are

shown on our new Monitor panels.

If you are interested in learning more about any of our sound and video equipment and are willing to lend a hand to this very important part of our worship ministry, stop by and talk to Mart Thurmond after worship and contact Rick Holdsworth who will be glad to get you trained up to assist and be part of the team.

My Choice Pregnancy Center

Concert Series

Our Concert Series is all lined up. You should have received a letter outlining this years’ program and asking for your annual donation which allows the series to continue. If you did not received a letter, simply bring or mail your donation and mark it “Concert Series”. Our promotional flyers will be ready to go by the first of September.

This season marks 50 years of Handbells being a part of the Music Ministry at Pine Shores Presbyterian Church. Our Handbell Committee: Russ Natherson, Russell Blackmer, Rebecca St. Pierre, Libby Tyner and Christy Blue are researching names and addresses of past ringers and directors, going through scrap books looking for interesting information from the 50 years, and planning our celebration weekend. If you ever rang, or know someone who ever rang with any of the Pine Shores handbell choirs, please contact a member on the committee to make sure we have you on the list. Mark your calendars for the weekend of April 14/15, 2018. Which is when we will have a celebration weekend including inviting past ringers to come and ring with us.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

For more information visit www.pineshorespres.org

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August 2017

Adventure Camp / CC8:00 AM AA Group1:00 PM Staff Meeting4:30 PM Music/Worship

Cmte./ Admin. Bldg.

Adventure Camp /CC8:00 AM AA Group6:00 PM Music Team

Practice / CC South Hall

Adventure Camp /CC8:00 AM AA Group9:00 AM Dorcas

Adventure Camp /CC8:00 AM AA Group10:00 AM Meals-On-Wheels

8:00 AM Al-Anon / CC

Communion SundayCare & Share Sunday8:00 AM Sacred Space

Worship / Chapel9:45 AM Traditional

Worship / SanctuaryNoah Beck Fellowship

Awards 10:00 AM New Connections

Worship / CC

8:00 AM AA Group9:00 AM Dorcas

8:00 AM AA Group1:00 PM Staff Meeting

8:00 AM AA Group6:00 PM Music Team



8:00 AM AA Group10:00 AM Meals-On-Wheels


8:00 AM Sacred Space Worship / Chapel

8:00 AM Y.A.M. kick-off9:45 AM Traditional

Worship / Sanctuary10:00 AM New Connections

Worship / CC

School Starts 8:00 AM AA Group9:00 AM Dorcas

8:00 AM AA Group1:00 PM Staff Meeting5:30 PM Property Cmte.



8:00 AM AA Group9:00 AM Dorcas1:00 PM Called Presbytery

Meeting/North Port6:00 PM Council Meeting6:30 PM Handbell Cleaning

#1 / Choir Room

8:00 AM AA Group10:00 AM Meals-On-Wheels6:30 PM Y.A.M. Gathering /

Off Campus



8:30 AM Summer Choir Rehearsal / Choir Room

9:45 AM Traditional Worship / Sanctuary

10:00 AM New Connections Worship / CC

5:00 PM Handbell Cleaning #2 / Choir Room

6:00 PM PSY Kick-Off Event / Comunity Center





8:00 AM AA Group8:00 AM Monarchs9:00 AM Dorcas7:00 PM Clara Kaiser

Carillon Rehearsal

8:00 AM AA Group10:00 AM Meals-On-Wheels



8:30 AM Summer Choir Rehearsal / Choir Room

8:30 AM Youth Sunday School / Youth House

9:45 AM Traditional Worship / Sanctuary

10:00 AM New Connections5:00 PM Youth Ringers6:00 PM PSY Dinner6:00 PM Bells of Joy





8:00 AM AA Group9:00 AM Dorcas7:00 PM Clara Kaiser

Carillon Rehearsal

Pine Shores Presbyterian Church6135 Beechwood AvenueSarasota, Florida 34231

Have you remembered Pine Shores in your will?

Would you like more information about including Pine Shores in your will?

Call Allan Beck, Treasurer, at 922-1597 ext. 109

• To subscribe to the weekly E-Gram, send an e-mail to [email protected]

Pine Shores Presbyterian Church • www.pineshorespres.orgOffice (941) 922-1597 • Fax (888)-243-4065

Our Church StaffRev. Dr. Bruce G. Wismer, Co-Pastor - ext. 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Rev. Karen A. Wismer, Co-Pastor - ext. 102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]. Cori Rigney, Associate Pastor - ext. 103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Ogilvie, Co-Pastors' Secretary - ext. 107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Holdsworth, Director of Music - ext. 104. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Angela Hall, Financial/Membership Secretary - ext. 105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Debby Wendell, Day Camp Coordinator - ext. 110 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Allison Vance, JOY Company Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]. Dr. Kathleen Weller, Parish Associate - ext. 108 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]. Ruth Schaaff, Parish Associate - ext. 111. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Miller, Administrative Assistant - ext. 106 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Allan Beck, Treasurer- ext. 109 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Matt Dienna, New Connections Music Team Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Fisher, Organist/Accompanist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected] Podsklan, MaintenanceRev. Dr. W. Robert Martin, Jr., Pastor Emeritus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Worship Services each Sunday morning at Pine Shores Presbyterian Church8:00 a.m. Sacred Space Worship in Meditation Chapel

9:15 a.m. Nursery & Child Care begins9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship Time

9:45 a.m. Traditional Worship10:00 a.m. Informal Worship in Community Center

Casting the Vis

ion

pine shores presbyterian church pine august 2017 lines

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