trinity matters...received report from todd miller, director of community assistance ... approved...
TRANSCRIPT
October 2020
TRINITY MATTERS! The Newsletter of the Saints at Trinity Presbyterian Church
Please remember TPC in your estate planning!
“Finally”
Welcome back to church! That statement might seem a bit odd because, as you know, we have had church every week online. Yet, there is just something powerful and amazing about meeting together as the church! Especially when it’s been many weeks since we met together in our Sanctuary! These past six months have been quite trying, to say the least for all of us. For me as your Interim Pastor and the Staff here at Trinity, this building has felt quite empty every time we walk through it. We have missed the sounds of praise reverberate in the Sanctuary and CLC. We have also missed your voices as we worship together. When something is taken away that we have enjoyed for years like church, we begin to realize what a tremendous blessing it is in our lives! The Bible is quite clear of the value of meeting together: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25, niv).
As we move closer to the coming of the Lord, we must keep our focus of seeing souls won into the Kingdom of Christ. I believe it’s also vital that we, as believers meet together for worship and fellowship as we learn more about walking in the love of God. Our world needs the message the church has to offer. Andraé Crouch wrote a beautiful chorus by the title “Jesus is the Answer” years ago, which is quite simple in lyrics. The message is as needed today as when he wrote it:
Jesus is the Answer for the world today, Above Him there’s no other,
Jesus is the Way, Jesus is the Answer for the world today,
Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the Way!
I encourage you to be a person full of grace as we gather again. There are many different beliefs (and perhaps convictions) about the “way things should be,” yet can we be a people who will “major on the majors”? In other words, remember the essential thing is that we draw closer to Christ than ever before. To be filled with grace in this context would mean that we refrain from being critical of others because their thought process is different than ours. Some aren’t ready to return to in-person worship, and that’s just fine! Others are ready to start hugging and shaking hands immediately, yet we ask that you refrain from that for just a while. That’s especially difficult for the “huggers” in our midst! We will do our absolute best to make sure we are in a safe, yet welcoming, environment both for people AND the presence of God! Thank you for giving your leadership an extra dose of grace during this time as well. We are excited to have you back!
Yours in Christ,
From the Pastor’s Heart
Inside: Session Highlights ................. 2 Financial Snapshot ................ 2 C.A.M. ................................... 3 Transition Team .................... 4 On Stewardship ..................... 5 Buildings & Grounds.............. 6 From Your Choir Director ...... 7
TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
4365 Englewood Road Venice, FL 34293
Phone: 941.493.0018 www.TrinityPC.org
TRINITY MATTERS! is published monthly except for June/July and
December/January.
STAFF Rev. Bill Teng Interim Pastor
Juanita Fauser Church Administrator
Linda Trzaskos Finance Manager
Sue Brembs Choir Director
Doug Hamstra Organist
Dr. Jennifer Harris Worship Leader/
Congregational Care [email protected]
Todd Miller Director of
Community Assistance Ministry [email protected]
Walter Pratt Custodian
Charlie Bartell Facility Maintenance
“When something
is taken away that
we have enjoyed for
years like church,
we begin to realize
what a tremendous
blessing it is in our
lives!”
Page 2
SESSION
Class of 2020 Cookie Baker
Randy Clements John Frazee
Sondra Guffey
Class of 2021 Mike Hague Debbie Kretz
Mark Mitchell Bryan Page
Cheryl Szekeres
Class of 2022 Alan Balla
Ginny McGibbon Sally Strayer
Bob Ulasewich
Rev. Bill Teng Moderator / Interim Pastor
Sally Strayer Clerk of Session
DIACONATE
Class of 2020 Dot Beeman Kaye Elliott
Joellen Huddy Char Schnieders
Lou Szekeres, Moderator
Class of 2021 Wilson Bartker
Nancy Eells Mary Walters
Class of 2022 Alice Burton Diane Fuchs Dennis Ihde Dave Kretz
TRUSTEES Alan Balla
Randy Clements Terry Featherston
Dave Hubbard Bryan Page
Bob Ulasewich
Trinity Matters! Newsletter Editor
Juanita Fauser
Session Highlights
At its stated meeting on September 21, 2020, Session considered the following items:
Received report from Todd Miller, Director of Community Assistance Ministry (CAM);
Received and filed August Financial Statement which showed increasing deficit because August giving was down compared to expenses;
Approved transferring oversight of CAM from the Deacons to the Mission Committee, with authority to pursue a 501(c)3 tax-exempt status for CAM, in consultation with the Trustees;
Approved reimbursing the Operating Fund $3,600 from Memorial Funds for the cost of landscaping upkeep for the last two years at $150 per month as previously agreed by the Memorial Funds Committee;
Approved reinstatement of the monthly $150 to Operating Fund for the Memorial Garden’s landscaping upkeep, and establishment of Session oversight of Memorial Funds;
Approved plans to re-open facilities and re-start worship services and other activities beginning October 1, 2020 with certain safety guidelines;
Approved Worship/Music Committee’s recommendation to hire Dr. Jennifer Harris as Worship Leader & Congregational Care Coordinator on a 15-hour per week basis, and requested Personnel Committee to finalize her job description and compensation;
Approved an application for a Presbytery Virtual Church Grant for livestreaming equipment; and
Approved calling a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, November 22 to approve by-laws change to allow elders and deacons to serve two consecutive 3-year terms, elect a Pastor Nominating Committee and 2024 Class of Elders and Deacons.
The next Session meeting is scheduled for October 19. Please see Clerk of Session Elder Sally Strayer or Pastor Teng for any questions.
Financial Snapshot
September 2020 Y-T-D Receipts $22,750 $304,909 Expenses $43,257 $344,379 -$20,507 -$39,470
If you have any questions, please contact Linda Trzaskos at [email protected]. Thank you so much for your faithfulness. You may give to TPC at any time by going to the church’s website (www.TrinityPC.org) and click on the green “GIVE NOW” button. Or, you may simply scan the QR code on the right here with your smart phone. Set up a new account and start e-giving today!
Page 3
Community Assistance Ministry (CAM) Todd Miller, Director
MINISTRY TEAMS
Clerk of Session Sally Strayer 614-561-3276
Buildings & Grounds Randy Clements
703-598-5871 [email protected]
Boomers & More Cookie Baker
586-306-7796 [email protected]
Christian Education Bob Ulasewich
813-390-2878 [email protected]
Outreach / Membership Cheryl Szekeres
708-207-3564 [email protected]
Debbie Kretz
724-822-6041 [email protected]
Missions Mike Hague
404-277-6260 [email protected]
Sondra Guffey
941-302-8927 [email protected]
Personnel Bryan Page
863-255-1385 [email protected]
Mark Mitchell
240-818-7589 [email protected]
Worship / Music Ginny McGibbon
781-718-8634 [email protected]
A Note from the Office If your email address has changed, please notify the church office as soon as possible. Any updated
addresses, phone numbers, birthdays, and anniversaries
are appreciated.
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps”
(Proverbs 16:9, nlt). There have been a few Scripture verses that have continually risen to the forefront of my mind and spirit in these last few weeks. I’ve been realigned so often as of late with the counsel of the one above that I can no longer even keep track of the numerous instances! It seems like never before in my life have things changed around me so dramatically and so frequently! Every time I turn around I’m faced with a change which demands some adjustment from me … and to be perfectly honest, I just don’t like it! I don’t like it at all! But sometimes necessary medicine is hard to take. Even though I still don’t like the taste of it, I know it’s for my benefit. And so I take it! I roll with the punch. I make the adjustment. And I know I’m never truly all alone in any of this. And that helps quite a bit!! These days we’re all having to be understanding, flexible, and adaptable like never before! But we’re never alone … and thanks to one another (and to Him and His perfect protection and provision) we’re getting though these challenges! Together! His ministry we call CAM here at Trinity looks a little different at the current moment than it ever has before … It will soon look different than it does today…. But the really important things remain constant: God is always honored and glorified, His children (of ALL ages) are ministered to in their needs, and we are blessed to be His hands and feet together as His local ambassadors for Christ! What do I need these days? I need the reassurance and encouragement of seeing His hand in our church, in CAM, and in my life. I am weak. But He is strong. I so need these somewhat hidden silver linings to today’s all-too-apparent thunderstorm clouds! I share these thoughts here with you today, my Trinity Brothers and Sisters, because I want to be true to His leadings at all times, and because it seems likely to me that some of you are feeling these same stresses! Be encouraged today, this moment, that He who is Love loves you! He has us perfectly secure in the palm of His hand … And His will is done. Thanks be to God!
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FOR HEALING TPC Members
Terry Featherston Bill Hesterhagen
Willy Wolter
CHRISTIAN LOVE & SYMPATHY
Our Christian Love and Heartfelt Sympathy goes out to ...
Bob Elliot in the loss of his brother, who entered the presence of Christ
on September 10. .
FOR MINISTRY Mission Partners:
Rev. Dan & Elizabeth Turk,
PC(USA) Missionaries to Madagascar
Rev. Miguel Estrada, Misión Peniel
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
At their July meeting, Session voted to reactivate the Interim Pastor Nominating Committee (IPNC) to a new job to produce a Mission Study, and is now known as the “Transition Team.” The work of this team is the next step in the search for our next called pastor. The members of the new team are several of the members from the IPNC which include Geoff Baker, Sondra Guffey, Kim Joynes, Susan Mather, and Lou Szekeres. Additionally, Session voted in August to round out the team by appointing Becky Hague and Bob Ulasewich. To keep us on track, Pastor Bill will be an ex-officio member as well. I was asked to chair the committee and am excited to be working with the group. The job of the Transition Team will be to survey the congregation and create a Mission Study Report that will be submitted to Session and the Peace River Presbytery Committee on Ministry (COM) for approval. A Mission Study is a process that a congregation goes through to seek discernment about how God would have that church be and act in the future. It is a necessary step ahead of electing a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) by the congregation. The first step in our process is to determine how best to survey the congregation and, of course, design the survey itself. The pandemic is going to present us with a couple challenges (or opportunities as I like to call them) beginning with having to meet using online services. We have had eight meetings already and it seems to be working fine. We will be contacting everyone within the next month or so asking how best we can get a completed survey to and from you. Hopefully we’ll have the survey ready by the end of September. The results, along with a Venice area community study and demographics will help us begin a “futuring” process in which all members of the congregation will assist us in formulating our goals and vision for the next 5-10 years at Trinity. Once the results of the survey are complete, we will have a series of small group meetings at which everyone will be involved, either online or in person. These meetings will give our team the guidance we need to write the report. The report will give the PNC the guidance they need to determine who can best lead us into the future. We hope this process can be completed by January. We ask for your support in the survey process and meetings, as well as continued prayer for our team. Be sure to look for an update from our team in the weekly recorded service sometime in September.
Transition Team, Elder Geoff Baker
Page 5
On Stewardship
“Empowered by God — Responding by Grace” “Now as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you — so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking” (2 Corinthians 8:7). We are entering into our annual Stewardship Season entitled, “Empowered by God — Responding by Grace” beginning November 1. During that time, we will consider how God has empowered us and how our response, by grace through faith, can be used by God, especially in the ministry here at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Just what does it mean to be empowered by God? The Lord Jesus said that His disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8). That not only happened as He said it would, but we, too, receive God’s power by His grace through our faith in Christ as the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us. The words of an anthem by David Clydesdale and Claire Cloninger express this truth clearly: “Empower me! Like a rushing river flowing to the sea, Lord, send Your Holy Spirit flowing now thru me. ’Til I’m living as Your child, victorious and free. Send the power of Your love; empower me!” (Copyright © 1984 John T. Benson Publishing Co./ASCAP. All rights reserved.) As we experience God’s power through faith in Christ, our hearts respond. Our response begins with the realization that God owns everything. As Edwin Frizen stated, “ . . . Scripture is full of evidence that all that we have comes from God.” God is our Source. God is the Creator and Sustainer of life. God is the Provider of all that we have, whether it be life itself, the air we breathe, water which sustains us, or financial resources through which we obtain the necessities of life. On a daily basis, God demonstrates again and
again His abundant power as He “richly provides us with everything” (1 Timothy 6:17). And what should be our response to God’s provision for us? According to 2 Corinthians 8:7, we respond by “faith,” implicitly trusting God to provide all that we need. We respond by “speech,” sharing the good news of the Gospel with others. We respond by “knowledge” through the study of God’s Word. We respond in “complete earnestness,” that is, through a demonstration of the sincerity of our love for the Lord. And we respond by excelling in the “grace of giving.” As an example of what it means to give by grace, the Apostle Paul points to the Christians at
Macedonia. These were poor people — dirt poor, poor as the proverbial church mice — who were commended by Paul for giving beyond their ability to give. How could they do that? The answer is found in 2 Corinthians 8:5 — “ . . . they gave themselves first to the Lord.” Giving does not begin with the movement of the hand to the wallet, purse, or pocketbook. Giving begins in the heart. In fact, this principle goes back to God’s instruction to Moses in Exodus 25:2, “ . . . from all whose hearts prompt them to give you shall receive the offering for me.” This principle is still in operation today. As we give our time, talents and treasure to the Lord, we do so by God’s grace because we have
already given our hearts to Him. “Empowered by God — Responding by Grace.” That was true of the Macedonian Christians. May it also be true of us here at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
— Session has set the 2020 Stewardship Season for November 1-22, with November 22 designated
Stewardship Sunday. More information will be forthcoming later this month.
Page 6
Buildings & Grounds, Elder Randy Clements
Please contact Elder Randy Clements with any Building & Grounds concerns at: [email protected].
If you feel safe and comfortable, please join us in worship on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. We are following CDC recommendations — face coverings, social distancing, and use of hand sanitizers will be required. The following are additional information for gathering:
Please enter and leave through the front doors and doors adjacent to the office only.
Entrance doors will be propped open.
All greeters will wear masks, gloves, and offer hand sanitizer
The fellowship area will be closed (no coffee or snacks).
There will be one service in the Sanctuary — the CLC will be closed.
Social distancing will be followed, every other pew will be roped/taped off.
Family groups will be seated together
Please do not use the hymnal or pew Bible. Everything for the service will be on the screen.
There will be no physical contact — no hand shaking, hugs, etc.
Disposable elements will be used during Holy Communion.
The offering plates will be located outside the doors of the sanctuary.
Please adhere to 6-foot distancing rule when entering and leaving worship.
All surfaces will be sanitized weekly using an anti-viral fog.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and look forward to worshipping together (safely) on Sunday mornings.
Welcome to Trinity, Jennifer!
In order to enrich our worship life here at Trinity, Session — at the urging of the Worship/Music Committee — has taken a step in faith to engage the rich expertise and experience of Dr. Jennifer Harris as our part-time (15 hours/week) Worship Leader and Congregational Care Coordinator. Jennifer’s primary responsibility will be with the Contemporary Worship Service but, until we have two services again, she will be providing leadership in formulating “blended” worship to bring the two services together. She will also be working with our Stephen Ministers and the diaconate as coordinator for congregational care. We give thanks to God that an anonymous donor has come forward to fund Jennifer’s position for the remainder of 2020 and all of 2021. Jennifer is from Traverse City, Michigan, and comes to Florida by way of Ann Arbor, Venice, Pittsburgh, and Vincennes, Indiana. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Music in Voice Performance (opera) from the University of Michigan and a doctorate in worship studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. She has also just begun an online Master of Divinity program at Fuller Theological Seminary with the hopes of pursuing ordination within the year. Jennifer has a vision for worship being a place of formation and remembering the story of God that together bring transformation and healing, both the individual and to the congregation. She has many years of church music leadership and is versed in all styles and actions of worship — ancient, traditional, and contemporary. She is also trained as a certified lay counselor and recently completed a certification in Resilient Leadership. Jennifer is excited to come to Trinity to serve in music and congregational care ministries, and to support the work of Trinity in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!
Welcome to the Trinity family, Jennifer — May God richly bless your ministry among us!
Page 7
From Your Choir Director, Susan Brembs
During this difficult time, the Chancel Choir and I have sorely missed being able to rehearse and praise the Lord in song during our weekly worship service. I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to all the musicians who have volunteered for our recorded services. Doug Hamstra, our organist/pianist, for the outstanding voluntaries and occasional vocal solos. Brenda Ward and Rev. Teng, with their energetic voices, in leading the singing of our hymns, accompanied by Doug at the organ and piano, and Laurelee Duncan on the violin. Dr. Robert Felman for his amazing clarinet solos, Beth Morrison, for her lovely flute solos, Jody Aldrich, cellist, in our string quartet and Laurelee, once again, for her beautiful violin solos. Our special thanks to Randy Yoder, Bill Glover, Matt & Brittany Brandt for the Instrumental and vocal Praise songs. All of the above musicians have graciously given of their time and talent to provide us with music for our worship services necessary to carry us through this unsettling time. We could not have heard or viewed our Service without the help of Mike & Becky Hague who spent endless hours recording, editing, and using all the other technical skills necessary to bring our church service to you. We thank you! As plans are being made for our safe return to our worship in the church, the choir members are eager to begin rehearsals and start singing at our services. We are also figuring out a safe way to do this. Perhaps we might look a little different with masks made especially for singers! But, we will, with the Lord’s help, find a way! A decision however has been made not to have a full choir sing until the first of the year. I also hope, with the help of Beth Morrison, to have our Bell Choir start rehearsing again. We were off to a great start before this epidemic started! Hopefully, we will be able to prepare some music for the Advent and Christmas Services. If anyone is interested in learning to play the bells, or joining the Chancel Choir, please contact me, Susan Brembs, at [email protected] or 941-241-6480. The Venice Community Orchestra, under the direction of Bob Delfausse, have started rehearsing at Trinity and are anxious to present a concert for us. We look forward to hearing them once again. We certainly enjoyed our working relationship with them this past year and look forward to future musical endeavors.
Check us out and like us on Facebook — Trinity Presbyterian Church So Venice, FL — it helps to give Trinity more visibility in the Community. If you have something you would like posted, please contact Elder Cheryl Szekeres (Facebook Administrator) at 708-207-3564 or [email protected], and if appropriate, it will be posted on Trinity’s page. It’s a great way to stay connected.
Join Us on Facebook, Elder Cheryl Szekers
OCTOBER
2 Judy Jeynes Sandy Olson 3 Dick Stevenson Nancy Eells 7 Betty Thomas 11 Bill Thomas 12 Carol Carswell Fran Olsen Russ Gore 13 George Graner 14 Janice Jones Bob Speir 15 Don Fidler Wendy Quinn 17 Carolyn Ulasewich 19 Gail Marker Jake Scheeres 20 Jan Clements Jim Korman Kristi Mitchell Mark Otto 21 Don Eells 22 Earl Ephlin 23 Pam Foster 23 Lee Snell 27 Ken Schade Betty Stevenson 30 Joyce Crossland Donna-Beth Siegner 31 Dixie Hoffman
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OCTOBER 2020 Year A
4 Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9,12-20; Psalm 19
Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46
11 Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14
18 Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22
25 Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46
Sunday Lectionary Readings
OCTOBER
Dave & Debbie Kretz 10/03/1981 Randy & Jan Clements 10/06/1967 Peter & Mary Ven Housen 10/09/1953 Bernie & Gerrie Bowerman 10/10/1950 Jim & Cindy Parrett 10/30/1982
If we missed your birthday or anniversary, please email
[email protected] or call 941.493.0018 ext. 224.
NOW ON WEDNESDAYS
Do you miss praying and sharing with one another? Join Pastor Teng and
others for this 30-minute online Prayer-n-Share gathering on Zoom at
11:00 every Wednesday morning “Rejoice in hope; be patient in suffering; persevere in prayer”
(Romans 12:12).
Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17
Over the past couple of weeks we have
changed to a new church database.
We want our information to be as
accurate and updated as possible. If
you have changed your phone number,
email, or added a cell phone number
over the past year, please contact the
church office (941-493-0018), so we
can update our information. Also, any
northern addresses with the dates you
are away would be most helpful. Thank
you for your assistance in helping us
keep our records updated!
from the Church Office, Juanita Fauser, Church Admin.
zoom
Articles for our newsletter may be
submitted to [email protected].
Deadline for the November issue of Trinity
Matters! is October 26th.