2025 September Newsletter
Reflection
As we observe Labor Day this September, we are reminded of the
value of work in the eyes of God. From the very beginning, Scripture tells us
that labor is part of God’s design: “The Lord God took the man and put him
in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Work is not
merely a necessity, but a calling to stewardship, creativity, and service.
The Apostle Paul also reminds us: “Whatever you do, work at it with
all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). Whether our
labor is in offices, classrooms, homes, fields, or factories, each task can be
offered as an act of faithfulness and worship.
This Labor Day, let us give thanks for the dignity of work, for those
whose daily efforts sustain our communities, and for the rest God grants us.
May we always remember that our true purpose in labor is to glorify Him and to
serve our neighbors in love.
Gourmet Seekers
The Gourmet Seekers enjoyed their August outing at The Journey
Chinese Buffet on Fri, Aug 22nd. Pastor Je was so busy enjoying the
food that he forgot to take a photo! Our next gathering will be on Fri, Sep 26th
at a new Mexican restaurant in town, Tres Agaves (322 S. Lebanon St. Lebanon,
IN; in the old Family Video building). For those who wish to ride-share, please
meet at the church at 11:30 a.m. Otherwise, you are welcome to meet us
directly at the restaurant by noon.
Mission Speaker
On Sun, Aug 24th, we were blessed to welcome Watson George
and his singing group, who shared both spoken testimony and music. His life
story, from Haiti to America, was deeply inspiring, and his music was uplifting
and memorable. We are grateful to Janet McConnell for
introducing Mr. George, and to Neal Crouse and Nancy Turner, who
worked with him extensively to ensure all went smoothly. Heartfelt thanks to Janet,
Nancy, and Neal for their dedication and support in making this event a
success.
Children’s Home
Breakfast
The Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home will host their
annual celebration breakfast on Sat, Sep 27th, at 9 a.m. This
event offers a wonderful opportunity to learn more about their life-changing
ministry and to hear inspiring stories of success.
If you would like to attend, please contact Nancy Turner, Chair
of the Mission & Outreach Committee.
Ice Cream Social
On Sun, Aug 10th, we enjoyed our first annual Ice Cream
Social. It was a hot day, and the delicious ice cream was the perfect way to
cool down. In addition to the ice cream, Nancy Kincaid thoughtfully
prepared small sandwiches, which everyone enjoyed. We are truly grateful to
Nancy for her generous care and hard work in making this fellowship time so
special.
Geneva Centre Sold
The Presbytery of Wabash Valley, a part of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), together with the Board of Directors of Geneva Center, Inc., a
501(c)(3) non-profit which has operated the center since 2016 under lease from
the Presbytery, has announced the sale of the Geneva Center property. All 228
acres, including its buildings and improvements, have been sold to Legacy
Christian Academy of Rochester, IN, effective mid-Aug. The Presbytery has
held title to the property since 1965. For nearly 60 years, the Center has served
as a beloved retreat, camp, and conference facility for congregations
throughout the Presbytery and beyond. Over the decades, it has welcomed
hundreds of churches, non-profit organizations, schools, and colleges from
across north-central Indiana. The Center has been a place where many have experienced
the wonders of God’s creation in a spirit of Christian fellowship. Rev. Burns Lewis said: “Over its 60 years of existence,
Geneva Centre has become a special place for many Presbyterians and others who
appreciate its beauty and the opportunity to commune with God in nature. Its
next chapter, through Legacy Christian Academy’s ministry, will continue that
spirit of nurture and growth. We trust that its legacy will endure in fresh and
faithful ways.”
Farewell Event
A final Farewell to Geneva Centre will be held on Sat, Sep 6th
from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Geneva Centre Pavilion. This will be a day to
honor the memories made here and to celebrate its lasting impact.
Highlights of the day will include:
·
Fellowship
and reconnecting with friends
·
Story-sharing and memory
time
·
Meeting and celebrating
Geneva Center icons
·
Lunch provided
·
Worship and music “the GC
way”
·
Displays of Geneva Center
keepsakes (Photos, t-shirts, etc.)
·
Special GC souvenirs and
“swag” available for donation
·
Bring lawn chairs- and a
joyful heart to share with old friends and new!
No registration is required. All are welcome to join this time of
remembrance, gratitude, and celebration.
New
Curb & Sidewalk
The curb and sidewalk on the south side of the church building had been badly crumbling, and Session had been discussing possible repairs. Then, on Mon, Aug 18th, the City of Lebanon came and replaced. It now looks neat and clean, and we are grateful to the City for their good work.
Quarterly Communal
Luncheon
On Mission Sunday, when Watson George and his group came to speak and
perform, we also enjoyed our Quarterly Communal Luncheon. Watson and his
team stayed to share the meal with us, giving everyone more opportunity for
conversation and fellowship.
A special word of thanks goes to Nancy Kincaid, who organized the
luncheon with great care—from arranging the fried chicken to setting up the
tables and ensuring everything ran smoothly. We are truly grateful for her
dedication in making this time of fellowship possible.
Pastor Je at
Montreat
Pastor Je attended a Board of Pensions (PCUSA) conference at Montreat, NC, from Mon, Aug 18th—Wed, 20th.
Brainingstorming
Together
As many of you know, Eli Lilly’s new pharmaceutical campus is
currently under construction. This major development will include corporate
offices, manufacturing facilities, research laboratories, and distribution
centers. Once completed, it is expected to bring hundreds of permanent jobs
to our community.
This also means that many new employees—and their families—may be moving
into our town. In anticipation, Session has begun discussing two important
questions:
1.
How
can we warmly welcome these new neighbors to our community?
2. How can we extend an invitation for them to become part of
our church family?
Because the construction will take a few more years,
we have time to prepare thoughtfully. Pastor Je and the Session now invite all
of you to join in this conversation. Your prayers, insights, and creative ideas
are essential as we consider how to embody Christ’s love to our future
neighbors. Please share your suggestions with your Session
members or with Pastor Je directly. Together, let us discern how God may be
calling us to open our doors and hearts in this new season of opportunity.
Love INC Annual
Banquet
Love INC will host their annual banquet on Thu, Nov 6th at Zionsville
Fellowship Church. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $40 per person or $300 for a table
of eight. If you’d like to attend, please contact Nancy Turner.
PPM News
What a great month we had in August! The change of weather has been so nice this week, and the kids are really enjoying being outside. PPM is off to a great start, with 87 children, 76 families and 16 staff members (our newest one Kailey) is a PPM grad from a few years back!
The past week at our first staff meeting, I read a book titled Mr. Wolf’s Pancakes. As many
of you are familiar with fairy tales, the wolf is always the bully and doesn’t always have the
best intentions. In this book, the wolf wants to make pancakes and
reaches out to all those fairy tale friends to help with reading the
directions, going to the store, measuring and using the stove and offers them
pancakes to eat in return. Of course no one wants to help, but he perseveres
and figures it out on his own.
While making the pancakes, the friends smell them and decide to go join the wolf; he allows them to come inside. I am sure I don’t have to tell you what happens next, but the wolf did enjoy those pancakes all by himself.
I used this as a lesson for staff that sometimes people will seek out help
and are we going to be like the fairy tale friends and not help because we
don't like that person or are we going to get past those feelings and show
kindness. This was a great book, with a great lesson for even the children to
understand.
I am so excited to get this year going, we have some great new families
and children at PPM
Blessings,
Miss Lori
Organ Recital
This year marks the 45th anniversary of our beloved pipe
organ, an instrument that has lifted countless hymns and inspired worship
in our sanctuary for nearly half a century. To celebrate this milestone, Lisa
Hutcheson and the Worship Team are hosting a Special Organ Recital on Sun,
Sep 28th, at 2 p.m.
This event will not only showcase the beauty and power of our organ but
also honor the faith and generosity of those who made its installation possible
45
years ago. Over the decades, its music has accompanied baptisms, weddings,
funerals, and Sunday worship, weaving itself into the life and memory of our
congregation. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall,
offering time to share stories, reconnect, and celebrate the gift of music in
our church. We warmly invite you to join us for this special occasion—and
please spread the word so that friends and neighbors may come and rejoice with
us!
Rosh Hashana
On Tue, Sep 23rd, our Jewish neighbors will observe Rosh
Hashanah, the beginning of the Jewish New Year and one of the most sacred
festivals in Judaism. It marks a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal,
leading into the ten Days of Awe and concluding with Yom Kippur, the Day of
Atonement.
For us, it offers a reminder of our shared spiritual heritage.
The themes of repentance and renewal run deeply through Scripture. Just as the
ram’s horn calls God’s people to turn their hearts back to Him, so too are we
called to hear God’s voice and return to His ways in Jesus Christ. “Create
in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me”
(Psalm 51:10). While we do not celebrate it as a Christian
festival, we can join in spirit by praying for renewal in our own lives and
communities. May this season remind us that in Christ every day is an
opportunity to begin again, to seek forgiveness, and to walk more closely with
our Lord.
Peace & Global
Witness Offering
Beginning on Sun, Sep 7th, we will participate in the PC(USA)
Peace and Global Witness Offering. This special offering supports the work
of peacemaking and reconciliation—locally, nationally, and globally.
A portion of the gifts remains with our congregation to be used for
peace and outreach in our own community. Another portion strengthens the
witness of the wider church across our nation. The rest supports partners
around the world who are working for peace, justice, and healing in places torn
by conflict and oppression. Through this offering, we join with Presbyterians
everywhere in answering Christ’s call: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Your participation matters. By giving generously, you help share
Christ’s peace with those near and far. Please prayerfully consider how you may
support this important ministry.
Kelley
Gibbs-Budd
We grieve with our sister in Christ, Cyndy Gibbs, at the passing of her daughter, Kelley Gibbs-Budd, who died on Aug 16th following a bicycle accident. Kelley was a wonderful woman, full of life and promise, and her loss is deeply felt. Please keep Cyndy and her family in your prayers and offer them comfort in this difficult time. A Celebration of her Life will be held on Sun, Oct 19th, from 2—5 p.m. at the Harmony Club, 1414 W 151st St, Westfield, IN. You may read her full obituary here: Kelley Gibbs-Budd Obituary.
Marty Willard
We give thanks for the life of Martha (Marty)
Steere Willard, who passed away at the age of 90 on Aug 18th.
Marty was a beloved member of our church family and a devoted wife to Ralph
Willard. She will be remembered for her kindness, faith, and loving
presence among us. While we grieve her passing, we also rejoice that she lived
a long and faithful life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Memorial Service
will be held at our Church on Sat, Sep 6th, at 2 p.m. We
invite the congregation and friends to join in celebrating Marty’s life and
commending her to God’s eternal care. You may read her full obituary here: Martha Willard
Obituary.
Celebrations
Tue. Sept. 2nd Nick & Maria Hill’s
Anniversary
Fri. Sept. 5th Jeannie Shaw’s Birthday
Mon. Sept. 8th Ryan Nunley’s Birthday
Thurs. Sept. 11th Rob Williams’ Birthday
Fri. Sept. 19th Rob & Nancy Williams’
Anniversary
Sun. Sept. 28th Donna Bevington &
Margi
Walter’s Birthday
Church Calendar
Mon. Sept. 1st Labor Day (church office
Closed)
Sat. Sept. 6th No Bible Study
10am Geneva Center Celebration
2pm Marty Willard’s Celebration of Life
Sun. Sept. 7th Peace & Global Witness
Offering
begins
Communion
Sunday
Wed. Sept. 10th 1:30pm Faith Circle
Fri. Sept. 12th 11:30am BYOB
Sat. Sept. 13th 11:30am Bible Study
Tues. Sept. 16th 6:30pm Session Meeting
Sat. Sept. 20th 11:30am Bible Study
Tues. Sept. 23rd Rosh
Hashana
Fri. Sept. 26th 11:30am Gourmet Seekers
5:30pm Worship Team
Sat. Sept. 27th
No Bible Study
9am
IUMCH Breakfast
Sun. Sept. 28th Caring Sunday
2pm
Organ Recital
Comments
Post a Comment