We are now collecting one of our special offerings as we approach Pentecost on May 27.  Ten percent of the Pentecost Offering goes to child advocacy. Twenty-five percent goes to ministries with youth. Another 25 percent goes to Young Adult Volunteers, and 40 percent can be kept by our congregation for ministries that help children in our community. With each $50.00 we receive for the Pentecost Offering we will have the children place a flame on the branches. Our wish is that our congregation will be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to help children at risk here in Rolla and around the world.

(Summary by Frank Jessop)

Previously I spoke on how we are the salt of the earth. We season, we preserve, we facilitate change and we help others get unstuck.  Today think about us as the branches. Christ said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” This image shows how we are connected to Jesus, physically. We live, because he lives, we thrive in Him, and we bear fruit in Him.

Our choir today will sing, “His leaves turn outward, reaching out in welcome.” We are those leaves and our Membership committee wants first of all to welcome all visitors with the love of Christ. Secondly we want to follow through with return visitors. We do this through cards, calls, letters, and a gift bag. Thirdly our committee wants to integrate new and old members together in fellowship, much as the old fellowship committee did.  The first project was to produce the picture directory so we could get to know faces and names. We hope to continue this integration with monthly meals with programming, for example, the Game nights, Easter Breakfast, Church  picnic and gatherings such as the Joe Senne Farewell on May 27^th. Finally our committee wants to reach out into the community through programs of building use such as AA, Boy Scouts, and our Preschool. Other programs such as the Block party, Take a Child Outdoors, and special advertised services reach out to invite the community to engage in the life of Christ with our Church.  I have spoken with the Drama Force executive and they will be performing a Sunday evening event here, hopefully in the fall to which we will invite the public.

The active members of the membership committee include myself, Jonathan Kimball, and Britt Whitaker. Please consider joining this committee because we have much work to do to grow as the branches of Christ the Vine.

(Announcement made 5/13/2012 by Mary Kwantes)

First Presbyterian Church has three children’s and two adult’s Sunday School classes that meet after worship each Sunday. The children’s classes are younger elementary (children 4 – 1st grade), older elementary, and youth. The Journey Class is an ongoing adult class that meets for discussion in the classroom off of fellowship hall. Another topic-based adult class meets in the Saddler Lounge and discusses a variety of issues.

We will be holding a Vacation Bible School titled “Sonshine” this summer. It will be held Sunday June 3 – Thursday June 7 in the evening. A light snack will be provided.

(Announced on 4/22/12 by Susan Murray, chair)