We would like to include Lou Vogt’s oatmeal cookie recipe.

If anyone has Lenten Luncheon recipes that have not been submitted, would you please share it with us promptly.

Hand them to Carol Jessop or Fredi.

Thank you, Fredi

Carol is in Mercy Medical Center, 615 New Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63141; Room 4221.  Please keep her in your prayers.

We often have difficulty in bridging our differences with others.

If you would like to learn from an experienced, wise person in this area, please come and join us for:    “Crossing the Road”    presented by the Rev. Wilfred Orr.

The Rev. Orr served as Pastor of the Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland until his retirement in 2012. During his years of service there, Rev. Orr was a leading figure in the Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship. The proactive role played by this fellowship was significant in contributing to this district remaining one of the areas in Northern Ireland most balanced between Protestant/Unionist and Catholic/Nationalist populations in spite of the polarizing impact of “The Troubles.”

As a leading figure in the Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship, and as a pastor, Rev. Orr worked tirelessly to promote both stronger ties between churches of all traditions in the district and between those from different cultural, social, and political backgrounds.  In 2012, he was presented with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for “Service to Community Relations” in the Queen’s honors list.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) has recognized him as an International Peacemaker and brought him to the United States. He will be with us on Wednesday, October 9^th, presenting from 4-6 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall. We have much to learn from his experience in bridging differences.

The title of Pastor John Oerter’s sermon for the week of September 29, 2013 is “The Underside of the Miracle at Coogan’s Bluff” based on scriptures from 1 Timothy 6: 6-19.  The hymns for Sunday are Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun, and There is a Balm in Gilead.

Worship begins at 9:45 am, followed by education and fellowship.  Our church provides a Nursery during worship service.  First Presbyterian Church is located at 919 E. Tenth Street in Rolla.  Our website is www.rollapresby.org.

Upcoming events include:

Bonfire October 5 from 5-8 pm at the Whitakers.  Sign up outside the church office.

Popcorn sales by the scouts begin September 29 in the fellowship hall during fellowship time.

Reverend Orr will be here October 9 from 4-6 pm.

Health Kits for the Festival of Sharing are due by October 12^th.

Presbyterian Women Rummage sale is October 5 from 8 – 2 in the Fellowship Hall.

Peacemaking Offering will end October 6^th.

Pictorial Directory appointments are being made for October 23 – 26.  Go to our website at www.rollapresby.org to make your appointment now.

Public reception at the Olive Street Church is October 19^th from 10:00 – noon.

If you are able to provide transportation  to our support needed friends, contact Carrie Aswegan at 426-2733 or by email at craeaswegan@hotmail.com.

Newsletter article deadline for October is Wednesday, October 2.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

If any of you are suffering illness or debility in body, mind or spirit, we invite you to be present with us in worship, next Sunday, September 29th.  For the closing part of our worship, we will conduct a brief, simple Healing Service, following the guidance found in James 5: 13-14.  I have found that God always does something good and healing, though sometimes in ways we had not thought to pray for.

If you are interested or have questions, please call Pastor John [217-781-1630] or any member of our Worship/Music Committee.

Pastor John, on behalf of our W/M Committee

Articles for the October Newsletter is Wednesday, October 2.  If you regularly submit articles for the newsletter always remember it is the Wednesday before the first Sunday of that month.

Dates are October 2, for October

October 30 for November and

Monday, November 25 for December due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye.

Our Fall Stewardship Campaign is Coming!

When the words “stewardship campaign” come up, we often think just about making a financial commitment to the church for the coming year.

However, rightly understood, stewardship is far more inclusive than mere money.  We are called to be: “Stewards of the mysteries of God” as St. Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 4: 1 Being a Steward~Disciple of Jesus involves all that we have and are! We can be responsible Stewards with  all our resources:  our talents, our time, and our treasures … so that we can continue to bring God’s Shalom forward!

As members and friends of First Presbyterian Church of Rolla, the gifts we offer of our time, skills and financial resources, are holy gifts.  They are symbols of love and signs of grace offered out of joy and devotion; symbols of our covenant of love with Jesus Christ; made in response to Christ’s great love, which was offered first to us.  Consider Matthew 6:38: “Give and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

We pray for God’s guidance as you seek to determine how you will give of your own gifts of time, talent, and treasure to further God’s work through our blessed church.

On Sunday, October 1^st, we will begin our Fall Campaign. On the 13^th you will receive our Narrative Budget, a Commitment Card and an Estimate of Giving card.  The Narrative Budget will show how our Session intends to invest our financial gifts for our church for the coming year.  The Narrative will also provide examples where your gifts of time and talent can be offered.  The Commitment Card will give each of us an opportunity to make commitments to prayer, new spiritual disciplines and activities for the coming year.

During this time of transition and transformation, our church is challenged to move into our future confidently, energetically, generously and trustingly.  We encourage you to pray for specific discernment about what percentage of your ‘harvest’ God is leading you to give. Note that just a small percentage increase in our giving will allow us to meet our regular expenses with active giving!  Please give prayerful consideration of your gifts and commitments to God, through our church, for the coming year.

Grace and peace,

The Stewardship & Finance Committees

Prayer for our Listening and Speaking

 In all our relationships: in our church life, community life, and personal life may we follow the teachings of Jesus.  May we endeavor to speak the truth in love and be guided by scripture in our thoughts, decisions, and actions.  May we respect and listen deeply to one another, keep confidences, and avoid gossip.  May we pray for and with one another, building each other up, realizing every soul is precious to God.

We pray this, seeking to be in Jesus’ name, amen.

Ephesians: 4:15-16

     But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

Matthew 18:15-17

     If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.  But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 5:23-24

     So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 7:12

     In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

The title of Pastor John Oerter’s sermon for the week of September 22, 2013 is “Prayer Accents” based on scriptures from 1 Timothy 2: 1-7.  The hymns for Sunday are Morning Has Broken and What A Friend We Have in Jesus.

Worship begins at 9:45 am, followed by education and fellowship.  Our church provides a Nursery during worship service.  First Presbyterian Church is located at 919 E. Tenth Street in Rolla.  Our website is www.rollapresby.org.

Sunday School is held every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.  We offer a variety of classes for all age groups.  This Sunday will be Children’s Sunday School classes only due to the luncheon and Town Hall Meeting that begins at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

October 9^th from 4 – 6 p.m. come to meet and talk with the Rev. Wilfred Orr.  He is one our 2013 International Peacemakers, and is touring the U.S. hosted by the PCUSA.

The Mission Committee is collecting Health Kits for the Festival of Sharing until October 12^th.

Don’t forget to get your items ready for the PW Rummage Sale to be held on Saturday, October 5.  Items may be brought to the church on October 3 from 4-6 p.m. and Friday, October 4, from 8-4.  There is a sign up board outside the church office for those who would like to volunteer to work on Friday during set-up and on Saturday during the sale and cleanup afterwards.

The Peacemaking Offering will end October 6, which is World Communion Sunday.

Appointments are still being made for the new church pictorial directory.  If you have not signed up, please visit our website and make your appointment for October 23 – 26.  Folks do not have to be members to get your portrait done.  You will receive a free 8×10.  Additional pictures ordered will be here in time for the holidays.

The public reception at the Olive Street Church is scheduled for October 19^th from 10:00 – noon.  Please plan to stop by and extend the invitation to your friends.

This Sunday Circle 3 will hold services at the Manor.  Following the service will move to the home of Wendy Wilbanks for a Festival of Sharing Baby Shower.  Please bring your items for either a Baby Bundle or Layette Kit.  These kits will be assembled after enjoying one of Wendy’s cakes!

The deacon’s are looking for volunteers to help provide transportation to Sunday Services for our support needed friends.  If you are able to provide this valuable services please contact Carrie Aswegan of the Deacon’s Committee.  She may be reached at 426-2733 or by email at craeaswegan@hotmail.com.

The Preschool will be holding a Scholastic Book Fair daily beginning Monday, September 23 – September 27.  Times are  8-9, 11-12, and 3-5:30.  Please join us in the fellowship hall and purchase some books for your children and grandchildren.

A presentation will be held on Sunday, September 15 at 10:50 a.m. in the fellowship hall.  Public is invited.