Monthly Newsletter: August 2023
From The Narthex News
Library
NARTHEX
NEWS:
AUGUST
2023
Produced by
First Presbyterian Church
128 E. Main St.
Lebanon, IN 46052
(765)482-5959
Staff:
Rev. Je Lee, Pastor
Gretel Magnuson, Administrative
Assistant
Lori Rowe, Presbyterian
Preschool Ministry Director
Narthex
News – August
Chapter
One: Bulletin Board for August
Chapter
Two: Signs of the Times
Chapter
Three: Come into the Courtyard with Praise
Chapter
Four: Life’s Paths
Chapter
Five: Come and Eat!
Appendix
A: Events Calendar
Appendix
B: Celebrations Calendar
Appendix
C: Mission of the Church
~
CHAPTER ONE ~
BULLETIN BOARD FOR JULY & AUGUST
Gourmet Seekers visited Harmony Steakhouse in Whitestown on July 28th. Stay tuned for news of the next delicious dining stop!
FPC’s very own bulletin board!
Located across from the office, next to the church library.
Sign up
to bring a Sunday-Fellowship treat!
Sign up to be a Greeter
3, 4,
At the PPM
Playground right next door
5, 6,
Kids can
practice more tricks
7, 8,
The kids think
it’s great
9, 10, It’s a big win!
In July’s monthly newsletter we showed you pics of new playground equipment being installed. This month we are sharing proof of the final product. It’s up and running (and the kids are running around in it!) The canopy up top shelters the kids from high sun and keeps the area cooler in the summer months. The
extra pieces installed exercise the kids’ critical thinking skills, practice fine-motor-control, and – best of the best – are fun! Don’t you wish you were small enough to try it? Oh, to be young again! We live vicariously through these beautiful young ones and are so thankful for the teachers and staff supporting the important work of the Presbyterian Preschool Ministry and encouraging these young families.
please contact Janet Landon, or contact Gretel in the church office and she will connect the items with Janet. Thank you!
Pastor
Je took a well-deserved vacation for the month of July. While he was away, the
following individuals stepped in to fill the pulpit in his absence. We thank
them for sharing their talents and time with FPC, and we thank the Lord for equipping
them for their service.
Ben Piper: July 9, 2023
“God
So Loved the World”
Scriptures
used: John 3:16; Romans 1:16
Reverend Joseph Park: July 16, 2023
“Is
the Bible a Reliable Book?”
Scriptures
used: John 20:30-31; 1 John 5:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Mt. 26:51-54; Judges 21:25
Ben Piper: July 23, 2023
“Fruit
for Thought”
Scriptures
used: Galatians 5:22-23 & Romans 12:1,2 & Proverbs 4:20-27
Reverend Jennifer Burns Lewis: July 30, 2023
“A
Parable for a Summer’s Day”
Scripture
used: Mt. 13:31-33, 44-52
~
CHAPTER TWO ~
Signs of the
Times
Signs
of the times . . . Such as:
~
Multiple coffee shops in town to provide the sorely-needed caffeine our
overworked society needs to function.
~
The arrival of pumpkin spice everything (coffee, donuts, cereal, candy,
muffins - and oh yeah, pie!) in the
stores signaling the approaching season of autumn.
~
Fireworks set off every night for at least a week straight confirming that July
4th is coming/is here/has just ended.
Wait – back up! Those aren’t the signs we are talking about in this article! I’m just here to share the literal signs of FPC:
There is a new church sign on the East Street side of the building. This sign was created by Sky High Signs out of Colfax, Indiana. They did a beautiful job. We are so grateful to Sky High for their hard work and to Roy Flanary for helping coordinate this project.
The front doors to the church sport a new sign expressing FPC’s support of The Caring Center. The sign also identifies the security status of this place of business. We are “a secure facility”. We do not accept walk-ins off the street and our assistance for members of this community who are in need comes directly from The Caring Center. We can assure you that, though we do not accept walk-ins off the street, we are interested in and supportive of the needs of this community. This is why we support both “Live for Life” and “The Caring Center” on a monthly basis.
We also are extremely supportive and
protective of the small children that visit this church every week, Monday
through Friday. The safety of the children in the Presbyterian Preschool
Ministry is of topmost priority. Due to the increased risk and danger to both
churches and schools in this day and age, we must take certain security measures
to assure the safety of those who frequent this building. The leadership of the
church thanks you for your support and your prayers for all that goes on here,
especially for the safety of those who work and school here on a regular basis.
~
CHAPTER THREE ~
Come
into the Courtyard with Praise
Whose courtyard, you
may ask, are we entering? FPC’s inner courtyard, the outside enclosed space
between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Why are we entering with praise?
Because it’s so beautiful! If you’ve not taken a peek through the doors or
windows that look out onto the courtyard space, we share pictures here with
explanation. Some lovely work has gone on there, and we want to give credit
where credit is due!
Landscape work began in 2022, courtesy of John Hawks, the son of one of PPM’s teachers. As an Eagle Scout project, John cleaned out the garden areas in the courtyard and built raised garden beds. Those beds are being used by the preschool students. They planted seeds and now get to watch new growth appearing each week.
The last item in the courtyard we want to draw your attention to actually has a twin which lives in the playground area next to the Presby Park. Two benches were purchased for the preschool as part of a grant from Boone County Waste
Management. The benches allow for a much needed
place for children and teachers to sit and rest a moment, while spending time
either in the courtyard or in the playground area.
We
close this section with an invitation to the courtyard. Come, enjoy the beauty
of the space and the presence of the Lord:
Psalm 100
“Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His
presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.”
~
CHAPTER FOUR ~
Life’s Paths
A poem by
Virginia Hussong
It isn’t always the smoothest path
That leads to the prettiest rose
To
where the delicate violet grows.
So
it is with us as we go through life,
Some
days bright as a rose kissed with dew;
But
some so thorny, rocky, and rough
That
we wonder if we’ll make it through.
But
when we’ve given our best to the task at hand
And
we’ve pondered, and thought, and worked, and planned;
Yet
it looks like we’re failing, and we’re in despair,
Pouring
our hearts to God in prayer;
Then
it’s good to remember that results which show
Do
not always mean the most, you know.
They’re
not really important, these worldly facts,
But
just the knowing that God has guided our acts.
God
has chosen people all down through the ages,
The
people whose stories fill our Bible pages;
They’re
not often the kind we’d have chosen to be,
A
leader, a teacher, prophet, or missionary.
God
must work through people like me, like you
Thru
humans who are selfish, lacking love ‘tis true;
Thru
humans who error, and are prone to sin;
Thru
these very human beings, God’s way will win.
So
if you just do the best you know how to do,
With
Christ’s strength and presence there helping you,
Then
through every trial, have faith – this is true:
God’s
plan will not fail,
His
will, will prevail,
And His love will carry us through.
~
CHAPTER FOUR ~
Come and Eat!
A Devotional by
Gretel Magnuson
My son was home for a quick visit.
Not knowing his schedule for the day, I sent him a quick text in the morning to
let him know when I’d be home for lunch.
About noon, I pulled in the drive. As I approached the front door, my son opened it, handed me a red rose, and enveloped me with a warm hug. As soon as I entered our home, I discovered that the table was set with a dozen roses and lunch all prepared, complete with dark chocolate for dessert. I was overcome with happy tears at the thoughtful attentions of my child.
As I headed back to the office after
lunch, I was struck with the reminder of another meal and another warm welcome.
It had been a long night of fishing
with nothing to show for it but tired bodies and weary minds. Peter and some of
the other disciples had been at it all night. Morning dawned and still no fish.
Then a man called from shore, asking them if they had any food. (John 21:5) When
they answered, “No,” he told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat.
(John 21:6a) They did so, and found the catch so large they could not draw in
the net for the multitude of fish. (John 21:6b) (Can you guess who was the man
on the shore?)
When they got to shore, they found Jesus cooking fish over a fire. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast,” and they drew close. (John 21:12)
What’s the connection between these two meals,
the one in my kitchen and the one on a beach by the Sea of Tiberias? Love. The
disciples were welcomed by the love of their Lord Jesus Christ. I was welcomed
by the love of my son. The disciples had a meal waiting for them, tenderly
prepared by One who knew them better than anyone, knew exactly what they
needed, and delighted in caring for them. The meal awaiting me was also tenderly
prepared by one who delights in caring for me.
How has the Lord tenderly cared for
you recently? Do you recognize His invitation to draw you closer? Have you
heard Him call to you, “Come and eat!” Jesus knows what you need. More than
that, Jesus enjoys serving you. Does that surprise you? You were called to
serve Him and yet He delights in serving you? Yes, He does. To serve the meal
to the disciples took planning, time, effort. Each step of making the fire,
each flip of the fish as they cooked, each detail of laying out the bread, was
done while He thought of His friends and companions. “Come!” He called to them.
This time, He was not calling them to come serve but to be served. He was not
calling them to challenge but to comfort.
Jesus does both – He challenges and He
comforts. He stirs our hearts to action but also provides rest for the weary. The
One who said, “Take up the cross, and follow Me,” (Mark 10:21 NKJV) is the same
One who said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28)
When my son prepared lunch for me, he
did not do it to ask anything of me. He simply wanted to spend time with me. His
act of service was a way of saying, “I love you.” When Jesus served a meal to his
disciples, it was an opportunity to spend time with them. Perhaps it was His
way of saying, “I love you.”
Did you know that Jesus wants to spend
time with you simply because He enjoys you? Does that concept change your perspective
on the time you choose to spend with Him? Do you ever feel reluctant to go to
Jesus because you think you’ll be met with an assignment? Are you afraid that
Jesus will give you a job to do? Had you considered that you can go to Jesus
simply to spend time with Him – no demands from Him, no pressure, no assignment
– just time. How quickly time flies in our world. In a blink, this year is
gone, and it’s taken five more along with it. Jesus walked this earth; He knows
what a precious commodity time is. Maybe that’s exactly why He wants to spend
time with you. Every moment counts, so let’s count every moment with Him.
Just imagine with me for a moment: you’re on a beach, waves gently lapping at the shore, a breeze tickles your cheek and brushes a strand of hair away from your face. Warm sunshine caresses you. The smell of smoke from a cooking fire wafts toward you with the scent of grilled fish close behind. Your mouth waters and you instinctively swallow, anticipating a satisfying, flavorful meal. But the best is yet to come. There, beside the fire, is the One who has prepared all this for you: Jesus. He looks up and smiles at you. “Come and eat,” he calls, waving you over. Jesus made this meal for you. The One who created the heavens and the earth, stretched out the seas and filled the heavens with the sun, the moon and the stars; the One who took upon Himself the sins of the world and died an excruciating death; the One who conquered sin and death and rose from the grave to restore what had been lost and bring new life to a groaning creation: this same One is seated before you cooking fish over a fire, slicing bread and offering you a piece. As one friend to another, Jesus invites you over with a gentle, “Come and eat!”
A rose in the hand, a fish on the grill,
an invitation to “Come” . . . Because of love. A beautiful creation, a
fellowship of learning, a cross of sacrifice . . . Because of love. “Love
never fails. . . . And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the
greatest of these is love.” ( 1 Cor.13:8,13)
Come and enjoy the love of your Savior.
Appendix A: Friendly
Presbyterian Calendar
AUGUST EVENTS
|
SUNDAY |
MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
FRIDAY |
SATURDAY |
|
|
LITURGIST FOR AUGUST: Echo Nunley
|
|
ELDER FOR AUGUST: Mary F. Meyer |
|
|
|
|
|
PPM on Summer Break all week |
1
|
2
|
3
|
4 Back to
School Lunch for PPM staff 12:30pm fellowship
hall
|
5 Live &
Learn |
|
6 Communion
Sunday
Meet Teacher
Night, PPM 5pm
|
7 PPM’s 1st
day of school year |
8 |
9 Faith Circle,
1:30pm church library; PPM Staff mtg.
5:30pm church library |
10 |
11
|
12 Live &
Learn |
|
13 Fellowship
Lunch after worship service; Life Sunday |
14 Counters |
15 Session mtg. 6:30pm church library |
16
|
17
|
18 |
19 Live &
Learn |
|
20
|
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25
|
26 Live &
Learn |
|
27 Caring Sunday |
28 Counters |
29 |
30 |
31 |
|
|
Appendix B: Friendly
Presbyterian Calendar
AUGUST CELEBRATIONS
|
SUNDAY |
MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
FRIDAY |
SATURDAY |
|
|
|
Janet Landon |
2
|
3
|
4 |
5
|
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10 |
11 |
Stephen &
Cheryl Gates |
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
Margi
McConnaha |
17 |
18
|
19
|
|
20
|
21
|
Bud &
Nancy Hunter |
23
|
24
|
25 |
26
|
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
Todd &
Mary F. Meyer Dick &
Janet Self |
31
|
|
|
Appendix
C: Mission of the Church
The
following is taken from “The Guiding Vision”, the mission statement of First
Presbyterian Church(FPC). For past sermons, newsletters, and more, please visit
the website for First Presbyterian Church: https://www.lebanonfpc.org
FPC
is a part of the denomination of PC(USA). More information on the doctrine and
abiding principles of First Presbyterian Church can be found at the website for
PC(USA):
“In
his life, death and resurrection, Jesus Christ reveals the fullness of God’s
love and demonstrates God’s desire for reconciliation among all people. Through
Christ, we are called together to be the church -proclaiming God’s love to all
and participating in his mission of healing, reconciliation, and transformation
to all of creation.
The
work of the church is not of human effort, but is a reflection of our obedient
response to God’s love at work within us.
By
the power of the Holy Spirit, the church is equipped and empowered to join
Christ in his mission.
At the same time, God’s perfect love insists that we not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
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