St. Philip Presbyterian Church

Hurst, Texas www.stphil.org

(817) 282-9181 (817) 282-6690 (fax)

Rev. Dr. Greg Garis, Pastor

Rev. Elizabeth Dick, Interim Assoc. Pastor

Rev. Dr. Charles Teykl, Parish Associate

VOL. 44 January 18, 2012 No. 1

REMEMBER IN PRAYER: The Family of Chap Isham, who passed away January 15th. A memorial service will be held at St. Philip, Saturday, January 21st at 10:30 a.m…CONTINUE IN PRAYER FOR: Lee Larkin...Sharon Curry…Jerry Daffern…Jim Toler…Mary Lou Singer…Faye Miller…Sue Ellison…Devon Volkel…Linda Cole…Ellis Rogers…Mertie Martin…Carolyn Jester…Lu and Sarah Brewer…Elma Lee Mulkey…Brenda and Roy Petersen….Ben Cross…David Moore.. Leah Moore...Pat Carlson... Charles Sutton...Colby Steddum...Carabel Chankaya...Sally Starr...John Juengerman…Dave Zanot...IN THE MILITARY: Zach Saunders, Tom and Lynette Mercer’s son...John Calhoun Miller, Mac and Ruth Calhoun’s grandson and Elaine Stokes’ nephew…Matt Kiser and David Kiser, sons of Helene Kiser… Josh Peck, son of Sherri Siler…Brandon and Ryan Burt, grandsons of Warren and Cindy Burt… Jennifer Reynolds, daughter of Margaret Reynolds...Matt and Cosmo Romo, great-nephews of Liz Hailey BE IN PRAYER FOR OUR FRIENDS FROM COOK CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER: ABIGAIL, Newborn. Pray for continued growth & development; ALEXANDRA, 3 years. Pray for relief from CP; ANGEL, 8 months. Pray he would survive more than one year with Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome; ANTONIO, 3 years. Healing and be free from pain; BRAELYN, 3 months. Please pray for her, born at 25 weeks gestation, pray for her mom too; CHASIN, 3 months. Open heart surgery, pray for a speedy recovery; CLARE and KANON, 1 week. Please pray for growth, strength, development for our twin daughters; DULCE, 8 years. Pray that everything will be well with her bone marrow transplant; ERNESTO, 5 years. Diamond Black Fan Anemia, please pray for him; ESSENCE, 3 months. Please pray for her lungs, weight and brain; EZEKIEL and ZADOK, Newborn. Born at 27 weeks; JADE, 3 years. Epilepsy, please pray for her; JANELY, 2 years. Pray for strength for surgery and for diagnosis; JAYDEN, 5 months. He may need surgery for PDA; TARIQ, 2 weeks. Cystic Fibrosis, he made need another surgery; ZARYA, 3 months. Meningitis, pray for God's protection.

Dear Friends:

In the past several months I have been meeting with two separate groups to study the

book Unbinding the Gospel by Martha Grace Reese. This is a book that was sparked by

her major study of what churches are doing in evangelism. Reese writes: “This book is

about untying the knots that keep us from living exciting lives … with God and with each

other.” “It’s about unbinding the Good News that God adores us and everyone else, that

God has shown this to us through Jesus Christ.”

I’ve seen some exciting things happen in some of the lives of the people that have

studied this book with me and through the Evangelism committee we have asked the

session to approve an “E-vent” which is a whole church study of the companion book

called Unbinding Your Heart. This study will take place in the season of Lent, February 22

through April 8. The book will be available to all those who wish to read it and we are

asking for a small donation of $ 5.00 to cover the cost of the book. Small groups will be

gathering to study the book together and work through the special prayer journal that is

found at the end of the book.

I invite you to join the members and friends of St. Philip to study this book as we

follow Jesus to the cross.

In the coming weeks you will hear more about signing up for small groups and how

you can participate in this important book study.

Peace be with you,

Greg

St. Philip Presbyterian Women

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

January 24 (Tuesday) 9:30 a.m. Lovies Fellowship Hall February 14 (Tuesday) 9:30 a.m. Grace Circle Room A February 14 (Tuesday) 10:00 a.m. Sheila Bradley Circle Parlor February 14 (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m. Mary Dietz Circle Parlor (Meet at Al Wadi for dinner at 6:00 p.m. It is located on Brown Trail between Norwood and the

121/183 freeway.) Note: Please continue to bring non-perishable food items (canned goods and dry goods) throughout the year and place them in the NEED bin on the Oak Terrace. Thank you.

A Grief Support Group will be forming here at St. Philip in the new year. Mary Gyarfas will lead the group, which will initially meet once a week during the month of January. At the end of that time the group will decide whether to continue into

the coming months. Exact day and time for the meetings have not been chosen, but will depend in part on the wishes of the participants.

Pastor Greg, Interim Associate Pastor Elizabeth, have agreed to help Mary as needed. In addition, some St. Philip members who have been in other grief groups will also offer support.

If you are grieving because of the death of a loved one, please con-sider joining this group. Also, please invite others in this situation to come to the meetings. All are welcome, not just members of St. Philip. Call Mary at 817-858-0608. wgyarfas@msn.com

Happy New Year and God’s blessings to all of you. I sincerely am so grateful for the assistance you gave me and all the information from others due in part because of Lee!

Continued Blessings L’Tanya

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS AND PROFESSIONALS

We need you! If you have a talent,

hobby or passion we need you! Our Women’s Retreat is

Saturday, April 21st and we want to highlight YOU! We are

hoping that you will share, display or sell what you love to do. Our theme is “Friendship” and we want to know our friends better by knowing what you love to do. So, if you are willing, please call Helene Kiser, 817-399-0940 to reserve your space to display your work. We will be setting up on Friday, April 20th in Fellowship Hall so that you can enjoy Saturday with us. Thanks in advance for your willingness to share. Sara Snell Retreat Coordinator

Wanted to thank the church for the prayers for my Step Dad and Mother. My Step Dad, Ray Martin, passed away on January 3, 2012. On December 21st, we moved our Mother, Mertie Martin, to a nursing home in Justin, Texas, to be close to her kids. Oma Allsbrooks

I wish to express my personal thanks to all St. Philip’s members that have been so gracious with attention, phone calls and cards.

Bless You All, Jim Toler

MARINERS Saturday January 21st

6:00 P.M. Fellowship Hall

Bring your favorite dish and join us for food, fellowship and games. If you have a favorite game, bring it, or join the Mexican Train or Bridge groups. See you Saturday night!!! If you have any questions call Hal Shane, Herb or Daphene Flagg.

Night Shelter Sandwiches The calendar for making/taking sandwiches to the Presbyterian Night Shelter in 2012 is now up in the

hallway. Please sign up—your family/group or whoever so we can cover each month in 2012. Thank you

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 12:00 p.m. Youth Council Office 2:00 p.m. Youth and Families Library 4:00 p.m. Praise Band Choir Room 5:30 p.m. Youth Dinner & Games Youth Hall 6:30 p.m. Footprints Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. Brazilian Church Choir Room MONDAY, JANUARY 23 6:30 p.m. Boy Scout Crew Youth Hall 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Fellowship Hall TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 9:30 a.m. Lovies Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. Girl Scouts Youth Hall WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25 8:30 a.m. Financial Aid Appts Taken 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Choir Room THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 9:00 a.m. Financial Aid Appts Sacristy 6:00 p.m. Legal Aid Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. Eagle Board CE Wing 6:30 p.m. Book Study Parlor FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 8:45 a.m. TOPS Room A SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 7:00 a.m. Boy Scout Pancake Fellowship Hall Breakfast

ST. PHILIP PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 745 W PIPELINE ROAD

HURST, TEXAS 76053-4999 JANUARY 18, 2012

DECEMBER 25, SUNDAY AT ST. PHILIP: TOTAL: 90 JANUARY 1, SUNDAY AT ST. PHILIP: TOTAL: 135 JANUARY 8, SUNDAY AT ST. PHILIP: 8:30 SERVICE: 58; 11:00 SERVICE: 217; TOTAL: 275 JANUARY 15, SUNDAY AT ST. PHILIP: 8:30 SERVICE: 52; 11:00 SERVICE: 181; TOTAL: 233 FIRST-TIME VISITORS: TAMMY BAUL; COURNEY LANCASTER; SCOTT AND JUDY METHVIN; HILLIARD CASHION, JR. RETURNING VISITORS: ROBERT MCGEE; JENNIFER ROBERTSON; LOUISE SCHEUCHL; PHYLLIS LEATH; DEAN AND DEBBIE RUGGLES; CHARLES CLAYTON; GASTEN SCHOONOVER; DOYLE PATRICK; FRANCISCO, SUZANE, MARISSA, LAUREN AND EMILY ANDRADE; JOE AND JUDY BOYD; TORI MARTIN; BERRY AND DARLENE KLINE;; ROSE KALIISA; GREGG AND NANCY SHANE OUT OF TOWN VISITORS: EDYTHE MCLEOD (OMAHA, NE); BOB AND LINDA SERINO (MEPHIS, TN); CHRISTY CALHOUN MILLER (SPRINGEFIELD, MO) AND SUE KRAMER (PITTSBURG, PA)

The next FOOTPRINTS Service for the month of January will be

Sunday, January 22nd 6:45 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

Staff Birthdays

Elizabeth Dick January 13th Greg Garis January 30th Gretchen Grow February 2nd

The cost of a postage stamp increases to .45¢

on January 22, 2012

January 22 5:30 PM Dinner & Games Youth Hall JrH, SrH & Sponsors 6:45 PM Footprints Worship Fellowship Hall EVERYONE!!! 27-29 5:00 PM SHYC SPPC Lot SrH & Sponsors 29 5:30 PM Game Night Youth Hall JrH & Sponsors

February

4 12:00 PM Super Bowl Sub Making Kitchen/Youth Hall JrH, SrH, & Sponsors

5 9:30 AM Super Bowl Sub Sales Oak Terrace JrH, SrH, & Sponsors

12:00 PM Super Bowl Sub Sales Oak Terrace JrH, SrH, & Sponsors

4:30 PM Super Bowl Party Home of the Ellis Family JrH, SrH, & Sponsors

11 5:30 PM Valentines’ Day Babysitting CE Building JrH, SrH, & Sponsors

The youth group will be meeting on Saturday,

February 4th to make Meatball Subs to sell the

following day on Super Bowl Sunday!!! We’ll be

gathering in the Youth Hall/Kitchen at 12:00 PM to make the

delicious subs! See you there!

The Super Bowl is February 5th and the youth group from St. Philip is ready to prepare your game day feast! Place your order now (using the order form in the Punch) for one of our wonderfully delicious meatball sub sandwiches. Sandwiches are individually wrapped and ready for heating and eating! The cost is $5.00 per sub. And if you bring a can of soup to support the Souper Bowl of Caring, you can take $1 off your sub order.

All proceeds help support Youth Summer Camps and

Conferences and the Souper Bowl of Caring.

The Youth Group will be playing “Minute to

Win It” games on Sunday, January 22nd at 5:30.

We’ll see you there for the fun, and

remember, it only takes a minute to

win it!!!

The Youth Group will be having a

Super Bowl watching party on

February 5th at the home of Ellis

family. We will be meeting at 4:30

pm. Girls bring snacks - boys bring drinks.

Watch your email for more information. See

you there!

The Senior High Youth that signed up for SHYC will be leaving from the SPPC Parking Lot at (or about) 5:00 PM on Friday, January 27th. We will return Sunday, January 29th, at about 3:00 in the afternoon. Please check your email for more information. Also, if you are in Senior High (9th-12th grades), it’s not too late to sign up. Please let Katie know if you are interested in attending this fun weekend conference.

On Sunday, January 29th, we will be

having a Junior High Game Night.

We’ll be getting together at 5:30 in

the Youth Hall for dinner and games.

Hope to see all of my Junior High friends there!

The Youth will be babysitting on

Saturday, February 11th! Youth

need to be at church by 5:30, and

the fun with all of the kiddos will

begin at 6:00. We have lots of fun activities

planned, so we hope to see you there!

The Youth Council will be meeting on January 22nd at

12:30 in the Church Workroom.

The Youth and Families Committee will be meeting at 2:00 on

Sunday January 22nd in the Church Library.

In January, St. Philip celebrates the baptismal birthdays of: Ryan Stark – January 4

Beth Ann West – January 8

Isaac Braly – January 9

Lindsey Zimmer –January 11

Hope Garis – January 13

Bobby Rippe – January 25

The Childhood Education Committee

will be meeting on February 5th at 12:30

in Room A. Please note this is a date change.

On February 12th, St. Philip

will be hosting a FEET event

(Families Experiencing

Enrichment Together) at

12:30 in the Fellowship Hall.

This event is for Pre-School and Elementary

age children. We will be making Valentines for

homebound members of the church. Hope to

see you there!

St. Philip Preschool News:

Due to new federal regulations, we have purchased all new cribs. If you know of anyone who is in need of a good gently-used crib, please call 817-282-0557 or email cindyb@stphil.org

Health Department regulations require that the

PDO refrigerator be used for PDO Only Now enrolling for the Spring

Semester. Please let your friends know!

Thank you for your support in Night of Wonder.

This year you provided the joy of Christmas for over 3000 children! As I look back at this event, one story replays in my mind. I was heading to my car after one of the parties had ended. Some of the last to leave, a little boy and his mother were walking ahead of me. I noticed he was looking at the ornament he had received and I sped up to see it. As I neared, he asked, "Mama, what does that mean?" as he pointed at the 6 Stones logo on the ball in his hand. His mother smiled and answered, "That means never stop praying, baby. God always hears you." Because of your participation, this mother had hope. This mother was passing that hope on to her little boy. That's my story of hope. Please take a moment and share your story with me at jbrown@6stones.org. Jake Brown

Warm Hearts Supper

Do you have a favorite soup, chili, stew or other hearty dish that warms the heart and soul on a cold night?

Then come and join your Saint Philip family for our Warm Hearts Supper.

Bring your dish to share for a Potluck Supper .

It will be a night filled with fun, fellowship, smiles and of course-Warm Hearts!!

Sunday, February 12th 6:30p.m. Fellowship Hall

Congregational Life will provide drinks and breads.

SEE YOU THERE!!!

February Birthdays

1 Bob Urban 2 Jerry Daffern 3 Elizabeth Trammell 3 Michelle Agee 4 Barbara Lambert 5 Merlin Carstenson 5 Shirley Roberson 6 Archie Moore 6 Joe Tucker 8 Ellis Rogers 8 Steve Noakes 9 Zachary Saunders 9 Godwin Senagbe 10 Ray Sprinkel 10 Ben Skodak 11 Patricia Kee 12 Bruce Cleveland 12 Sherri Siler 12 Sharon Curry 13 Johnny Wallace 13 Kossi Tchakpana 14 Scott Forester 15 Jack Kimball 15 Steve Koenig 16 Bob Barbour 19 Bill Manley 19 Rick Metzgar 20 Betty Laehr 21 Ashley Davis 21 Sarah Michelle West 22 Bruce Johnson 22 Lynette Mercer 23 Valerie McKeown 23 Rick Sloan 26 Doris Wilk 26 Diane Keller 28 Bama Rager 28 Molly Rippe

Parish Health Ministry

Next Blood Pressure and Health consultation date is

February 12, 2012 12:00 p.m.

Bonnie Skodak and Donna Koenig nurse@stphil.org or

We can be contacted through the church office.

LIBRARY NEWS

Children

JOIN THE LIBRARY FOR A SPECIAL 5th SUNDAY PROGRAM January 29th Grades K – 5th 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Come join us in the Library to hear the special story, “Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Patridge” by Mem Fox. Wilfrid, our main character collects special objects, and explores the meaning of special memories as he shares his objects with Miss Nancy, his neighbor and resident of a home for the elderly. Following our story we will make and decorate greeting cards for our own special St. Philip “home bound” folks.

Scripture: Philippians 3 : 1 “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

SONGS * STORY * DISCUSSION * CRAFTING

Come check us out!

N.E.E.D This month the following requests have been made: Ketchup Canned Chicken/Tuna Deodorant and Shampoo Dish Soap and Bath Soap

Thank you for your continued Support, Mission Outreach

Note of the Week………………

It’s hard to believe, but I have already ordered the music for Easter! Yes, we are well into January, and Ash Wednesday

is just around the corner! The Chancel Choir and the Praise Band are rehearsing again, and the bells start in February.

(The Praise Band will be singing in Worship on February 19th.) We would like to welcome Alex Robertson (Cecile and Robert

Lemmon’s grandson) to the group. He plays the violin and plans to join us again next week! (Yea!)

Looking ahead, the Chancel Choir will be singing a choral Tenebrae service on Maundy Thursday entitled “A Service of

Shadows” by Lani Smith. The ancient Tenebrae service dates back to the early years of the church. Coming from the Latin

word meaning “shadows,” Tenebrae depicts, through the extinguishing of candles and the dimming of lights in the sanctuary,

the flight of the disciples and the approaching crucifixion. The service is made up of these parts: “The Betrayal,” “The

Agony,” “The Arrest,” “The Denial,” “The Trial,” and “The Crucifixion.” Please mark your calendar for this service on

Thursday, April 5th.

This Sunday the Chancel Choir is singing “We Hope in Thee, O God” by J. S. Bach:

We hope in Thee, O God! The day wears on to night. Thick shadows lie across our world, In Thee alone is light. We hope in

Thee, O God! Our days go one by one. But lonely hearts can rest in Thee, When all beside is gone. We hope in Thee, O God!

Hope still, to Thee we sing the praise of Him who is our God, Our Saviour, and our King!

Joyfully Singing in Christ,

Pam Cochrane

Katie’s Comments

I found Sunday’s worship service to be powerful. It started with us singing some of my all-time favorite hymns, and then Greg preached from my favorite story from the Bible. I felt like God was speaking right to me. In this beginning of the year time, we are looking for the new; new changes to make in our lives, new ways to serve God, new ways to listen to God. I think that this is why Sunday’s worship service so moving. I love the story of Samuel’s calling. I love that he could not understand his call without the aid of Eli. He had to have someone that older and wiser help him to decipher the mystery that is God. You see, we can’t fully understand what it is that God is calling us to do on our own. I believe that faith is some-thing that occurs best in a community of believers. That way there will be others there to help you understand the words and callings of God. What a great God we have! Grace and Peace,

Katie

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS January 15, 2012 At the Stated Meeting, Session approved the following:

Reception of Ashley Davis and Thomas Hansen by Reaffirmation of Faith, and reception of Randee Teykl by Certificate of Transfer

Certificate of Transfer for Donna Hardekopf to University United Methodist Church, San Antonio, TX FEET event for Saturday, February 12, 2012, to make Valentine cards Easter Egg Hunt for Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 2:00 pm Youth to sell Superbowl Sub Sandwiches on the Oak Terrace on Sunday, February 5, 2012, after the 8:30 am

and 11:00 am services Youth to advertise Valentine’s Babysitting on the Oak Terrace starting on January 29, 2012 Warm Hearts dinner on Sunday, February 12, 2012 Griffith Roofing to repair the flat roof. They will demo the roof to the deck, install a tapered TPO system

and gutters at an estimated cost of $66,100, with funds coming from Phase II Building fund and Capital Repair and Replacement fund.

Authorized Building and Grounds to sign contract with Griffith Roofing Session Liaisons as follows: Administration – Bill Parmelee, Adult Education – Scott Forester and Don Wil-

liams, Building and Grounds – Jim Dixon and Tom Mercer, Children’s Education – Lee Larkin, Congre-gational Life – Ann Brice, Evangelism – Bob Lemmon, Finance – Anne Agee, Mission Outreach – Cin-dy Burt, Nurture – Cindy Burt, Personnel – Elaine Stokes, Worship – Martha Jane Staples and Michael Washburn, and Youth and Families/Youth Council – Bobby Rippe and Don Williams

Addition of 1) election of Nominating Committee and 2) approval of Bylaw changes to the agenda for the Annual Congregational Meeting

Reception of an anonymous gift of $10,000 to be used to purchase new choir robes (up to $7,500), and the remainder to the reserve funds for anticipated capital needs for the physical plant

Suspension of all committee meetings, and special outings or gatherings of the church through the period of Lent, except in those cases where meeting is necessary for proper functioning of the church. Suspension does not apply to meetings specifically for Bible studies or devotional studies.

Please! "Please tell everyone thank you. That is all I can say." That was my facebook message from Akobo this week when I told them how you gathered for prayer last week. And, add my thanks to that as well. It is prayer that lifts us up in the hard times and to know that you are all praying for us here brings more comfort and strength than words can say.

I realized last night how very different life is here. I am in Malakal now, after being evacuated from Akobo. I heard a noise in the back yard of where I am staying on another mission's compound. I looked out to find my neighbor, a young man, standing on top of our water storage tank looking down the road. His two partners, a couple about my age, were standing on the ground watching. I asked what he was doing. His response was, "I can't tell if it is a tank or a Caterpillar". It has only been several months since tanks came barging through the town, and the thought is still on the minds of those who live here when they hear a similar sound. I learned tonight that victims of recent attacks on the villages outlying Akobo are still making their way to the hospital where they are met with too few beds so some sleep outside. Their families are left behind so there is no one to prepare meals for them and they are hungry. But amazing work is being done to restore lives and heal the injured in spite of the difficult situations they are facing. In spite of these grim stories, God is doing amazing and wonderful work in South Sudan, and I am so privileged to be a part of it and a witness to it. I thank God for the opportunities to see and share with you all. And, I thank God for your prayers for me and people that you don't even know. I thank God for the tie that connects us all together. Peace is a long way off. Attacks of retaliation and revenge continue. It is the prayers that will bring an end to it all. So, from the bottom of my heart I thank you all. God be with you, Sharon

The Super Bowl is February 5th.

The youth group from St. Philip is ready to prepare your game day feast! Place your order now for one of our wonderfully delicious meatball sub sandwiches.

Sandwiches are individually wrapped and ready for heating and eating! The cost is $5.00 per sub. And if you bring a can of soup to support the Souper Bowl of Caring you can take $1

off your sub order. All proceeds help support Youth Summer Camps and Conferences and the Souper Bowl of Caring.

Turn Sub Orders into the box in the Church Office. Pre-Ordered subs can be picked-up after the 8:30 and 11:00 services on February 5th .

Name _______________________________________

Phone Number _____________________________

Number of Sub Sandwiches ________________

Please circle when you will be picking up your sandwiches:

8:30 service or after the 11:00 service.

Please make checks payable to St. Philip Presbyterian Church attn. Youth Fundraiser.

Make Plans for… Valentine’s Day (Weekend)

The youth of St. Philip are babysitting February 1lth from 6-10 p.m. at St. Philip.

We have a fun filled evening planned for children (infants to 5th grade).

The Youth (6th-12th graders) will be here to baby-sit your child. They will be supervised by adult sponsors from the church.

Saturday, February 11th from 6-10 p.m.

The cost is $20.00 for the first child and $5.00 for each additional child. (No family will pay more than $30.00)

Please return the bottom portion of this form by February 6th, this will help us best prepare for fun with your child!

Parent or Guardian__________________________________________________________________ Child’s Name________________________________ Age__________ Grade_______ Child’s Name________________________________ Age__________ Grade_______ Child’s Name________________________________ Age__________ Grade_______ Please list any allergies/ special instructions ______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Mom’s Cell Phone Number __________________ Dad’s Cell Phone Number __________________ Email Address ______________________________________________________________________ I _______________________give my permission for my child(ren) to participate in the St. Philip night of babysitting. He/She is in good physical condition and will be able to take part in activities. In the event of an emergency, I understand that every effort will be made to contact the parent or guardian; however, if unable, I give my permission to the event sponsor to seek treatment. ______________________________________________ _______________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date