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november 2011 a newsletter from the first presbyterian church family pastor r thomas brackbill 495 charles avenue alma michigan 48801 website www.firstpres.net 989 463-2940 fax 989 463-2094 email office@firstpres.net message from the pastor dear friends driving around on recent vacations pam and i had our fill of public radio pledge drives from wisconsin to tennessee we managed to listen in to a variety of styles and levels of success as the local stations solicited new members and their credit card numbers based upon recent emails magazine articles and bulk mailings coming into my office there are many ways to do a stewardship campaign in the church in the various congregations where i have served the style and comfort level of people dictated the type of program that was used to drum up support for the next year`s budget and pay the bills but when things boil down to their essential ingredients our approaches are basically two to encourage each other to be generous in our sharing god`s gifts with the church and to push a dollars and cents vision of who we are and what we do that first style recognizes and remembers god`s gracious gifts to us and has faith that we will be led to share and donate and pledge god will lead us to the level of giving and we will respond with gratitude and trust that second style focuses on facts and figures the costs of keeping up buildings the patterns and progression of giving over the years we must each take responsibility to support a portion of that brick mortar budget within which we will live while these might be two different approaches most stewardship programs use portions of each we speak theologically about god`s grace our gifts and our stewardship of god`s creation we speak practically about needed maintenance items rising costs of the utilities and stepping up in our giving our stewardship however is more than this end-of-year arm-twisting to get you to send in pledge cards our stewardship is the broader picture the over-view of how we respond to god`s generosity to us our stewardship is our mind-set our frame of heart in how we respond to god`s love it takes its form as the mission work and budget of first presbyterian church of alma we have faith and trust that god will provide the gifts needed to do our work ­ but we also have to plan on paying february`s utility bill probably more than $2,000 we give of our time and talent and energy to carry on many programs and missions ­ but we also have to be able to pay salaries to the staff when you receive your pledge card yes it should have come in the mail demonstrate your faith in god and your desire for the work of this congregation to grow in our community if you can make a pledge larger than last year if you didn`t send in a pledge last year please do so this year it takes all of our efforts to demonstrate the body of christ to our world you won`t need a toll-free number we don`t usually give out gifts to the first 20 pledges and we won`t ask for your credit card number it is between you and god to decide what is a good and faithful pledge we promise to use your gift in the best manner possible so that we will continue to make god`s love real empowered by the holy spirit we live in christ we lead others to live in christ we share christ`s compassion in christ tom

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i just moved not far just to st louis i know that doesn`t sound like a big deal but it stressed me right out the truth is i had forgotten how much i hate moving we moved a fair amount growing up now each move turned out to be a good thing i grew as a person met interesting new friends and learned about a new area of the country i don`t regret a single move really the process of moving however is a giant pain in the rump i really don`t like picking the right sized boxes for things that are frankly not box-shaped i hate wrapping things in that easily tear-able paper i hate having all my things in boxes i hate carrying all those boxes out of the old place and into the new place i don`t like unwrapping things from the now-shredded paper i hate trying to find the best spot to put all my stuff which by the way has somehow multiplied by about six trillion times while in those hateful boxes i hate hooking up the cable and internet in every single move something gets lost or broken i can never decide what needs cleaned after being in the boxes which is actually a moot point because i can`t find the cleaning supplies anyway art that looked great and seemed important suddenly doesn`t feel appropriate on the new walls furniture that looked good together doesn`t seem to fit quite right in the new place nothing about moving is ever easy ok so maybe i`m carrying some of my childhood issues into the present i know moving stirs up issues of control and uncertainty that are disproportionate to the current situation i get it but i think it`s a pretty common thing bringing our pasts into our present we all ache for a better time nostalgia is a powerful thing right up there with greed lust and a hatred of telemarketers but much like each of my moves change is for the best when the stress of the process settles once we have new art and clean dishes we start to see the beauty of our new lives the holidays are right around the corner bringing with them a desire for self-invented simpler times i`m sorry but you`re never going to have the same thanksgiving or christmas that you had as a child but that`s ok instead of pining for what you can no longer have give yourself permission to love the holidays this year just as much no matter how you choose to celebrate them so my friends breathe deeply enjoy the next few months appreciate your memories sure but celebrate the life you`re living now and please ­ help me find my toaster i know it`s here somewhere jessica piccolo the first pres birthday club is a special way anyone can support the education and family ministries endowment as an expression of gratitude for the gift of your life the life of your child or anyone who is ready to enjoy another candle on their birthday cake to celebrate an anniversary or for no special occasion at all give a gift to the permanent fund whose earnings help support the educational ministry of first presbyterian church give a gift every year 2011 birthday club members donna austin bona beckley brian beckley minnie corlew michael deel tincy goggin topher goggin brad liestenfeltz gene pattison jessica piccolo joann piccolo t j piccolo jim vanderbeek

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fall grounds clean-up day on november 6 wear your grubbies bring your yard tools we`ll serve a light lunch before we clean up if you are unavailable on sunday but would like to help another time please contact a member of the building grounds committee many hands make light work lambs of god a new first pres sunday program for our youngest youth who what when youth about 18 months five years old a program of play stories crafts and snacks monthly on second sundays beginning november 13 following the children`s message until the end of the church service about 11:30-12:15 where the nursery rooms planned in conjunction with the worship service and nursery programming this will be a more structured experience all young youth are invited and we welcome grandparents and non-members as well as current members to include their little ones there is no registration no fees and no advance notice needed for attendance for more information call anne raleigh at 463-2950 or linda luneack at 989-763-8680 please welcome new intern jon baker jon baker a lifelong presbyterian has experienced worship with many faith traditions including baptist roman catholic and moravian while working in the alaskan bush he spent two years with native alaskan yupik eskimo students at the alaska moravian seminary he is currently in the third year of training for commissioned ruling elder ministry with the lake huron presbytery beginning an internship with rev brackbill for the next six months he will introduce himself on november 6 and lead our worship service on november 13 he is a member of first presbyterian church of mt pleasant where he lives with his wife pam they have four grown children jon is the director of operations for cap-lab of lansing and works as a consultant in healthcare infection prevention and epidemiology 8-hour crop or craft will support pom pon team the 8-hour crop is a fundraiser for the alma high school varsity pom pon team the proceeds will be used for uniforms competition fees for the current team times are changing and our team has new coaches allison doran bethany vozar we are excited for the future and are working hard to make it a successful season you can pick up a registration form in the church office who alma pompon team what 8-hour crop bring your scrapbooking/crafting supplies and craft away for 8 hours pompon team will assist with unloading and loading vehicles silent auction from 11:00am 1:00pm where first presbyterian church fellowship hall when saturday november 12 2011 9 a.m 5 p.m why share ideas and have a great time with friends and to assist the pompon team with competition fees and uniforms cost $25 includes lunch snack and beverages make checks payable to alma poms send payment to alma pompon team c/o liz richardson 1500 n pine ave alma mi 48801

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the membership committee would like to offer heartfelt thanks to everyone who came to have their pictures taken to those who have sent in pictures because they couldn`t be here and to the folks who helped make things go more smoothly our thanks to kathy smith and linda luneack for making reminder telephone calls to nearly the entire congregation to those who handled the registration table sally geuder who put in several shifts sue malone gennie simmons kathy smith barb weis tim lambrecht and jeri piccolo special grateful thanks to lisa godfrey for arranging the picture taking of no fewer than seven of our folks who are currently living at masonic pathways if you bought a package of pictures they will be mailed directly to you in plenty of time for christmas the second phase of directory work is now in progress but we cannot predict with any certainty when your directories will arrive we are moving as fast as we can howl-loween at fpc boo first pres partnered with help furry friends state road animal hospital virtual reflections studio redbird pet food center and the alma police department to offer halloween fun for the whole community we had a pet costume contest carnival games fun portraits candy checks and warm beverages our parking lot was full by 5:30 when the official trick or treat hours began we started off slowly but we had lots of people stop to have their loot checked over by the police officers on hand many then drifted inside where parents and trick-or-treaters alike were grateful for the warmth a spot to sit down games for the little ones and use of a bathroom we`ve now got lots of great ideas for how to make it bigger and better next year special thanks to our folks who donated items and/or came out to help jean kimball mary hurley lisa godfrey karen smith gennie simmons sarah horn tom and pam brackbill jeri piccolo and jessica piccolo thank you to dave walsh for arranging for police officers to be here the first pres drama club name to be finalized soon has met several times and the people who attended and who have indicated interest ranged from teen to those with lots of life experience they also represented a wide range of theater experience if you ever had a burning desire to tread the boards handle the lights apply make-up to eager faces or any of dozens of more histrionic activities now is your time we`ve selected these ideas to start working on christmas pageant december 18 help plan and present a traditional christmas pageant with the nativity story and room for gifts of talent offered to the baby jesus contact jan caputo see below lectionary readers theatre jeanne wandersleben volunteered to explore ways to enliven sunday`s scripture readings that lend themselves to more dynamic presentations contact jeanne at 681-2518 madrigal dinner al bartholomew remembers past madrigal dinners with great fond ness and he agreed to head up this project with intended presentation in winter of 2013 yep you read that right a year away contact al at 463-8604 to be a part of this please note this is an open membership club not a committee you don`t have to wait to be solicited nominated or elected just drop in and join or fill out a member interest form and get that back to jan caputo via the church office or 463-6633 or 285-3171 or caputo@msu.edu the club will always be working on more than one project at a time and if one doesn`t suit you maybe another one will and if none are quite what you want we are open to new ideas with new leaders at any time no experience necessary no one turned away just fun for all and all for fun in the name of worship do you know anyone who needs some help do you need some honey-do list yard clean-up pruning raking changing furnace filters hard to reach light bulbs or smoke alarm batteries tv/electronics set-up a ride to the store an appt or a church function the honey-do team stands ready to help you out with any chores or small household repairs give rudy hornus a call at 763-5506 and we`ll send a honey-do team over you may also contact the church office.

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food pantry news thank you for all your gifts to our pantry god bless your generosity heartfelt thanks to those who volunteered in the pantry in october bona beckley pam brackbill bob joan fraker betty hannig deb jewell bob and barb marble who pick up the day-old products from family fare each week gennie simmons kathy smith bill beth walker annerose white ralph grossbauer john mccormack and gary rayburn helped to unload deliveries volunteers are always needed please contact kathy smith at 463-4572 we need folks to unload and shelve food when large amounts arrive as well as other non-tuesday tasks while you are doing your shopping consider picking up some donations for the pantry currently we are most in need of egg noodles cereal canned pork beans cake mixes apple or grape juice saltine crackers and cream of celery soup we also need dishwashing liquid shampoo laundry detergent and paper products monetary donations to the food pantry are always welcome and make it possible for us to obtain food cheaply through the american red cross good company good company our respite program for adults is designed to be a place a person will enjoy visiting while their spouse or other caregiver takes a break and tends to other needs or activities such as joining friends for lunch going shopping or attending appointments the program is extending an invitation to anyone who is interested in trying out the program for free persons who would like to have first hand experience should indicate their interest by completing the inquiry in the brochure or the form found on our web site at www.firstpres.net this tryout would be at no charge other than for lunch if they do not meet the commission on aging qualifications for the meal sessions are from 11 a.m to 3 p.m on mondays wednesdays and fridays you can sign up for one two or all three days for further information please feel free to talk with pastor brackbill or sue malone church office hours monday-thursday 9-5 closed for lunch friday 9-12 christian education director s office hours monday­wednesday 11:30-2:00 and by appointment food pantry hours tuesdays 1:30 ­ 3:30 p.m pastor s office hours monday-thursday 9-12 and by appointment deadline for the december first pres release monday november 21 church staff church phone 463-2940 home phones church cell phone 989-289-6046 pastor r thomas brackbill 796-4503 organist al bartholomew 463-8604 sanctuary choir director anthony patterson 989-906-4695 director of christian education jessica piccolo 297-0785 treasurer ray simcox 463-1412 financial secretary tadd godfrey 463-3369 recording secretary nancy sheasley 463-4197 administrative assistant jeri piccolo 463-4475 sexton memorial garden dale greer custodians larry and sue sanders good company coordinator

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confirmation class will begin meeting on monday november 7 potential participants should have received an invitation letter if you plan to attend or have any questions please contact jessica or tom pop can drives thank you for all your donations of cans and bottles in october our next drive will be in january so please save all your holiday cans and bottles that can be redeemed for cash until then the youth will save you a trip to the grocery store and raise some funds for their activities thanks so much here s what s happening call jessica piccolo 463-2940 with questions adult sunday school meets from 9:30 to 10:30 in the four seasons room through november 20 pastor brackbill leads the study entitled exploring prayer children s sunday school meets from 9:30 to 10:30 in the junior high room they will continue studying the histories beginning this fall with the book of ruth jessica piccolo is the teacher senior high group youth events grades 8-12 watch for new info confirmation class will begin meeting on november 7 at 7p.m if you have any questions please contact jessica or tom the women of the church bible study meet the second thursday of each month at 10 a.m in the garden room pastor brackbill leads the horizons study confessing the beatitudes by margaret aymer books are available in the office for $8 all women are invited the sabbath group meets weekly on mondays at 7 p.m in the garden room they are reading and discussing rob bell`s new book love wins join this women`s group for some lively discussion and fellowship!

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we have wheelchairs and walkers available if you have temporary need for these items please check with pastor brackbill or at the office we`re happy to lend them out to our members and friends december 6 tuesday 1 6:45 first pres do you need prayer know someone who does contact the church office and we`ll add your request to the online prayer chain if you are interested in being a worship leader please contact jimm lyon 463-6558 or to lead the time for children please contact kathy simcox 463-1412 if you would like to volunteer for community café call ken bruza at 463-6633 for kids kafe please contact sarah horn at 463-1178 thank you fair trade coffee you may purchase items on the first sunday of the month in fellowship hall or call the office to place your order and arrange a pick-up time regular coffee $7 decaffeinated $8 cocoa 6 french roast $7 mind body and soul organic coffee 7 hazelnut $7 tea $5 would you like to join an e-mail prayer chain please contact harmony nowlin to join or for more information harmonyn@att.net the first pres birthday club is a special way anyone can support the education and family ministries endowment as an expression of gratitude for the gift of your life the life of your child or anyone who is ready to enjoy another candle on their birthday cake to celebrate an anniversary or for no special occasion at all give a gift to the permanent fund whose earnings help support the educational ministry of first presbyterian church give a gift every year 2011 birthday club members donna austin bona beckley brian beckley minnie corlew michael deel tincy goggin topher goggin brad liestenfeltz gene pattison jessica piccolo joann piccolo t j piccolo jim vanderbeek every third sunday of the month a group of folks from first pres goes over to warwick living center at 2 p.m for an informal worship time with the residents we sing some hymns and have some christian fellowship everyone is welcome remembering our service members the board of deacons for parish care would like the names and addresses of family members who are in the military family members don`t have to be members of our church or even be from our area if they are dear to you we would like to honor them by sending care packages to those who are deployed and cards to those who are not if you have a family member in the military please call the church office 463-2940 fliers with lists of items needed for the care packages are on the narthex counter.

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fpc november serving schedule if your date is not convenient please change with someone else on your list and report the change to the church office by the wednesday prior to your date thanks so much for your help sunday head usher november 6 jim vanderbeek jim vanderbeek chuck hicks ken smith jackie smith bryan mccracken juanita wybenga kim mccracken kelsey mccracken kim lyon sheryle dixon robin lott chelsea nowlin connie boyne gennie simmons linda williams sue beckett bryan mccracken anne raleigh robin lott gabby beckett molly remsberg renu maslovich mark maslovich rudy hornus november 13 jim vanderbeek jim vanderbeek chuck hicks ken smith jackie smith rudy hornus lois manzullo john manzullo deanna timmins november 20 jim vanderbeek jim vanderbeek chuck hicks ken smith jackie smith timm thorsen julie fortino chuck fortino sue knarr readers group les rosan robin lott emma selmon bruce horn cathy horn nora roach roy roach timm thorsen topher goggin robin lott john lambrecht sue knarr dave knarr darcy hodges donna howe ruth seals michael selmon robin lott gabby beckett rick hakken julie hakken bryan mccracken kim mccracken november 27 jim vanderbeek jim vanderbeek chuck hicks ken smith jackie smith ruth seals renu maslovich jim seals emily maslovich topher goggin tincy goggin ralph grossbauer december 4 michael selmon ushers greeters worship leaders time for children nursery coffee hour hosts count offering communion 11/06 intinction communion 12/04 intinction set-up susan dinwoody serve ann baker kim mccracken bryan mccracken ken bruza bryan dinwoody clean-up kim and bryan mccracken set-up serve sue malone dave walsh bryan mccracken kathy simcox clean-up community café food pantry thursday food pantry tuesday november 1 bill walker beth walker betty hannig bob joan fraker november 3 november 8 annerose white deb jewell pam brackbill betty hannig november 10 gary ronk sue malone kathy smith november 15 bona beckley gennie simmons pam brackbill betty hannig november 17 november 22 kathy smith bill walker beth walker betty hannig november 24 commission on aging thanksgiving dinner 12:00 november 29 brian beckley bona beckley kathy smith betty hannig december 1 tincy goggin mary krieg topher goggin bryan mccracken community ruth seals café joe vozar

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of note in the community alzheimer s support group 1:00 on the third tuesday of the month garden room first pres jean mcnab from the commission on aging facilitates open discussion if you would like to join this group please come call jean at 875-5346 with questions or for information next meetings november 15 december 20 on-going adult grief and loss support groups all groups are facilitated by a trained midmichigan home care grief and loss support volunteer to register or for answers to specific questions call kelly france at 800-852-9350 or carol layman at 466-5529 see our bulletin board for more details wednesday morning adult moving-on group wednesdays 8:30-9:30 a.m main café 4th tues adult bereavement support luncheon 4th tuesdays 11:30-1:00 j.j ruby s state rd american red cross blood drives december 6 tuesday 1-6:45 first presbyterian church the american red cross needs your blood donations to help provide the 2,000 blood products used in michigan every day each pint can save up to four patients the main source for blood products is volunteer blood donors donating blood is safe it`s simple and it saves lives artventures grand opening friday november 11 7 9 p.m artventures a new collaborative effort of the mid-michigan creative arts guild pine river arts council alma college and area schools will host a grand opening on friday november 11 7 9 p.m at 107 e superior st the old tom billig shop artventures will create space for the community to have exposure to educational art opportunities for all ages an artist mentoring program for children and young adults and a community gallery space according to sandy lopez-isnardi professor of art and design at alma college dottie wassenaar and jan caputo are both involved with the project everyone is invited to the opening if you would care to make a donation please contact sandy at 463-2139 or 989-400-1233 or talk to dottie or jan american red cross baby pantry the american red cross gratiot county baby pantry is desperately in need of the following items diapers all sizes formula baby wipes and diaper bags call 463-3209 for more information or drop off items at the red cross in the wilcox non-profit center 525 n state street in alma ­ room 217 the baby pantry currently has an over-abundance of clothes and at this time is not able to accept any clothing donations thanks for your support lafayette to host harvest dinner friday nov 4 4 7 p.m the lafayette presbyterian church is hosting a harvest dinner they will serve a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixin`s cash donations are gratefully accepted thank you and bless you all facing the holidays thursday november 10 2 4 p.m midmichigan medical center gratiot celebrating the holidays after the loss of a special person can be stressful and emotionally painful the bereavement specialists at midmichigan home care will present a program designed to help individuals prepare for the holidays while all programs are available at no charge participants are asked to pre-register by contacting midmichigan health line toll-free at 800-999-3199 the power of interfaith cooperation friday november 4 6-8 p.m faculty dining room hamilton alma college open to campus and community members rsvp`s requested to soto@alma.edu or 463-7981 by the end of the training participants can · articulate the three-part definition of interfaith cooperation · articulate why interfaith cooperation matters for you and your community · begin building personal relationships with others from your community through an intentional shared values conversation honored hosts interfaith youth core sponsored by the alma college chapel interfaith council religious studies department and the center for responsible leadership

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of note in the community continued alma college every sunday evening that the college is in session students meet for a worship service in the chapel at 9 p.m campus chaplain carol gregg and invited speakers will be preaching and leading worship the public is welcome to attend middle of the mitten christian singles mmcs is a ministry founded to provide single never married single again or widowed adults adults in the gratiot county area with opportunities to find true community through fellowship that only happens in the context of relationships with other believers in addition to special events they gather every friday evening for supper and bible study calendar http calendar.yahoo.com/mcscalendar contact info mmcsingles@yahoo.com or 463-6729 check out the new website go to www.firstpres.net and see our new site we hope to make this a useful site for everyone please send your comments and suggestions to the office or to al bartholomew who has done a fantastic job with this project call us with any questions committee chairs group leaders etc please let us know what you would like the website to say about your particular area.

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