To follow my journey through breast cancer and updates, please go to my website: www.takingitfromthetop.com.
Thank you for all the love and prayers.
Contact information: Call or text 314-220-0205; Facebook – Jennifer Rigano Denbo; Address: 821 Oxford Drive, Rolla, MO 65401.
This congregation uses in it’s worship a system of Bible reading called the lectionary. Some folks who know little of this practice have claimed that, whatever a lectionary is, it just proves that Presbyterians don’t take the Bible seriously. I disagree. The lectionary is simply a way of selecting different scripture readings (or lections) for each Sunday of the year. Over a three year period following this plan, you would read most of the Bible. It is simply a tool or discipline opening us up to the Word. When Jesus stood up in the synagogue and read the scripture, it was probably a part of an orderly series of readings similiar to our lectionary. Now it is true that the Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans and other groups have been using it much longer that we Presbyterians. In my early ministry folks in the reformed tradition were somewhat cautious about using it. About 80-90% of my sermons have followed the lectionary. There are exceptions. During Lent this year I would like to select scripture from Old and New Testaments that may stretch our understanding and practice of prayer. This would be our theme in the Sundays leading up to Easter. The word, “Lent” means lengthening. It was derived from the lengthening of daylight as we move out of winter. For the Christian disciple it came to mean lengthening or stretching our faith in a season of heightened spiritual discipline.
The theme and content of this Lenten preaching series will be new to me as well. It comes out of my need to grow in the life of prayer. That’s right, the pastor admits to needing help in the rhythm and scope of prayer. Also it is so important for this church to approach the interim time between called pastors with a commitment to pray constantly. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6) A first step in this interim period was the listening groups to know what concerns and hopes were expressed by members of the church. Along with that, we are to make our needs known to God with thanksgiving, and listen to what the author of all prayer is saying to us. Prayer is the life blood of knowing God and obeying God. In the school prayer we are all beginning or beginning again. So come and join us on the journey in Lent. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
The title of Reverend Gary Stratman’s sermon for the week of February 10, 2013 is “While He was Praying” based on scriptures from Psalm 99 and Luke 9:28-36. The hymns for Sunday are Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim; Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory; and Lord Make Us More Holy.
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 am. We offer a variety of classes for all age groups.
Newsletters are ready to be picked up in the office hallway. Please get your copy to help us save on postage.
Retired PW luncheon is Monday, February 11, at 11:45 am at Bandanas.
Family Night Luau is this Sunday evening at 5 pm. A Hawaiian themed dinner will be served.
Reverend Stratman will be holding an Ash Wednesday service on February 13 at 5:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday is Scout Sunday. Please join us in worship to recognize our Scouts.
February 2013 Newsletter (PDF)
Muriel Hatfield passed away January 29, 2013. Arrangements are under the direction of Null and Son Funeral Home. Graveside services will be on Friday, February 01, 2013.
Irena M. Kizer passed away January 22, 2013. Funeral services were Thursday, January 24, 2013 at James and Gahr Chapel in Salem, MO. Reverend Elmer Turnbough officiated. Interment was in Cedar Grove Cemetary.
The title of Reverend Gary Stratman’s sermon for the week of February 03, 2013 is “The Greatest” based on scriptures from Ps. 71:1-3 and I Cor. 13:1-7, 13. The hymns for Sunday are “Brethren We Have Met to Worship”, “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”, and “Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation”.
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 am. We offer a variety of classes for all age groups.
On February 9, 4-7 pm, Boy Scout Troop 83 will be hosting a Valentine’s Day dinner as a fundraiser for camping trips coming up this summer. The meal will consist of salad, spaghetti, garlic bread, and spumoni. Please come out and support our troops.
Please join us February 10 at 5 pm for a luau and the “Not So Newlywed Game”. We will start with a Hawaiian-themed dinner, and then Rob, our own Bob Eubanks, will host a fun spin-off of the old TV show. A signup sheet is in the office hallway.
The linen closet is in need of Queen sized bedding. We appreciate your donations.
February 03, the Sunday school children will be collecting canned food and money in “Souper Bowl” Sunday to support the food bank at GRACE.
My name is Gary Stratman. I am a native Missourian and have been a Presbyterian pastor for 35 years. Although we don’t know each other, I would guess that we have some thoughts and experiences in common. This may include change, some of it anticipated and planned for, but much of it unexpected. Perhaps you had a clear blueprint for your education or career, then the lines got a little blurry. Maybe an illness, yours or that of someone close to you, caused a bumpy detour. Unexpected change can also happen in the church with initial responses of distrust or even anger. More often there are thoughts of a more vague anxiety about the future. It has been my experience that God has a way of leading us through change that opens us up to unexpected spiritual growth.
After over 15 years as pastor of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield, MO my wife and I believed that we would remain there until retirement. God had other plans. With some surprise and anxiety, Deb and I found ourselves going through Interim Ministry training. Then we were on the road with interim pastorates in Austin Texas, Hollywood California and Boulder Colorado. We would not trade the experience of the last eight years. Now we have moved back to Springfield. In retirement we look forward to part-time ministries as God leads us. I hope to serve your congregation for the next two months until a longer Interim Pastor will be in place.
For now, I am thankful to the living Christ for bringing us together in worship and service.
Faithfully,
Gary
The title of Reverend Lindy Hardwick’s sermon for the week of January 27, 2013 is “Sharing Our Gifts” based on scriptures from I Corinthians 12:12-31a and Luke 4:14-21. The hymns for Sunday are My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less; Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation; Now Thank We All Our God; and Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing.
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 am. We offer a variety of classes for all age groups.
Cantata CD’s are available to purchase in the church office.
Preschool registration for school year 2013-2014 will begin February 01, 2013 for ages 2 ½ -5 years of age. Contact Candace Ludden, Director at 364-0992.
The last Session of the Listening Groups will be held on Monday, January 28, 2013 from 4-6 pm.
Sunday, February 3, the Sunday school children will be collecting canned food and money in “Souper Bowl” Sunday to support the food bank at GRACE.
Sunday, February 10 will be Family night. Activities include meal, fellowship and the “Not-So-Newlywed Game”.
The next mission/work trip by JCPDA is March 17-23 in Joplin, MO. Contact 417-234-4643 for more information.
February 9, 4-7 pm Boy Scout Troop 83 will be hosting a Valentine’s Day spaghetti dinner as a fundraiser for camping trips coming up this summer. Please come out and support our Scouts!
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN TIMES
January 2013
| First Presbyterian Church | Phone: 573-364-3852 |
| 919 East 10th Street | Fax: 573-426-5320 |
| Rolla, MO 65401 | Email: presby1@fidnet.com |
| Website: www.rollapresby.org | |
| Jeff Sandquist, Choir Director | |
| Kathy Mazzeo, Organist/Pianist | Candace Ludden, Preschool Director |
| Betti Jo Pyatt, Office Manager | Robert Garcia, Church Sexton |
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CHURCH OFFICERS |
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ELDERS |
DEACONS |
TRUSTEES |
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| Mary Kwantes (2012) | Karen Hudson (2012) | Chuck Bennett (2012) | |
| Dixie Finley (2012) | Pat Joslin (2012) | Ward Merrell (2012) | |
| Bob May (2012) | Judy Fox (2012) | Frank Jessop (2014) | |
| Katherine Cook (2013) | Carol Jennings (2013) | Robert Anderson (2014) | |
| Ming Leu (2013) | Jay Turner (2013) | Rhonda Kimball (2014) | |
| Jonathan Kimball (2013) | Carrie Aswegan (2014) | Ken Kwantes (2014) | |
| Susan Murray (2014) | Cheryl Koederitz (2014) | ||
| Vashy Rahaman (2014) | Pat Look (2014) | ||
| Britt Whitaker (2014) | Wendy Wilbanks (2014) | ||
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Cynthia Hobart – Clerk of Session |
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We are trying to streamline our newsletter delivery! At present, we spend approximately $45 PER MONTH on newsletter mailings. If you would prefer to receive an electronic copy of our newsletters via email rather than have them mailed or left to pick up in the hallway of the church, please email your family’s name and email address to: presby1@fidnet.com or use the signup sheet on the hall table. |
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| MISSION Committee
The Mission Committee would like to thank the congregation for the support of the mission work of the church this year. You did a wonderful job helping to spread the work of this church. We especially would like to thank you for all the help with food, gifts, and monetary donations for the eight families that we adopted for Christmas, and thanks to the Retired Ladies for the family they adopted. We appreciate all those who helped deliver the food and gifts to the families. GRACE for Christmas served 433 families including those adopted done by the community, Churches and other groups. The family and individuals counts through GRACE at the Christmas site are 382 families and 1154 individuals. Of the individuals, 105 were handicapped adults from group homes and/or the sheltered Workshop. Truly this community and church represents the true meaning of Christmas by helping those families and adults in need. We must remember what Jesus said, it is “better to give than receive”. The Joy Offering will be sent the second week in January. If you have coin boxes, please bring them to the church next Sunday and if you still would like to support the Joy Offering, please do so during the next two Sundays. Fifty percent of the Joy Offering goes to support racial ethnic schools and colleges, and the other fifty percent goes to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions. Frank Jessop Chair Mission Committee
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| Membership Committee
With the holiday season behind us, it’s time to start our member outreach anew. Our next event is game night, scheduled for January 13, 2013 at 5:00 pm. We will order pizza shortly after 5:00, hoping to eat around 5:30 or so. Bring a game, and come prepared to learn new games, too. This is a great way to pass the time on a cold winter’s night and has always been lots of fun. Next, we’re planning on having a kids’ talent night on February 10. More details to come. Finally, I would like to thank Mary Kwantes for her leadership over the past 18 months or so, and her continued dedication to helping our church grow. I would also like to invite anyone who has an interest in helping out to contact me. I welcome involvement at any level—help with long-term planning, or help with a single event, or anything in-between. Jonathan Kimball
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| Stewardship and Finance |
| Happy New Year! Thanks to everyone who made our recent Consecration Sunday a success. Now is the time for all of us to move forward with our new commitments to supporting God’s work in the world through our church. For those of you who do not fill out Estimate of Giving cards, I would still ask that you consider taking one more step towards tithing.
A year or two ago, my family started using online banking to fulfill our monthly giving. The way it’s set up, our bank automatically cuts a check and mails it to the church each month. I like it because we are far less likely to skip a month by accident or due to travel. If you do the same, please remember to change your monthly amount to match your increased Estimate of Giving. |
Thank You
Thank you from the Staff for the cards, gifts and well wishes during this holiday season. We appreciate every one of you. We hope you have a blessed New Year.
Thanks everyone for the great cakes, nice cards, hugs, and pats on the back. You only reach 90 once in a lifetime. I’ll shoot for 100 next. It sure meant a lot to me. Thanks again, Bud
A thank you note to my church family: My dad lived at the Veteran’s Home in St. James for six years. I want to thank you for the friendship and kindness you gave him over those years. Your cards, emails, visits, and prayers were very much appreciated. To those of you who brought chocolate and banana bread, well, you know how much he enjoyed his sweets. I would like to especially thank Marie, Robert, Pat, Carrie, and Dixie who visited dad in his last days with us. Friends are a blessing from God and dad was very blessed, as I am.
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and I wish us all a bright New Year.
Thank you,
Bill Neely, Jr.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A special meeting of the Session will be held on Monday, January 07, 2013 at 6:30 pm for the purpose of meeting with Diane Cooke, our liaison, during this time of transition. Doug Scott, Pastor of Crocker Presbyterian Church, will be moderator.