Ministry Staff

Christy Blue, Music Director pianoplayinggal@yahoo.com

Janet Hart, Pastor Secretary pastorsecretary@fpcpc.com

Diego Valencia, Maintenance facilities@fpcpc.com

Chuck Wiggins, Transitional Pastor cjw049@gmail.com

Session

Class of 2020: Sandy Asaro, Lynn Webster, Elaine Woods

Class of 2021: John Gamble, Ernest Rose, Laverne Sinkia

Class of 2022: Joan Barry, Alzie Lee, and Ron Smith

Deacons

Class of 2020: Judi Anderson, Norma Campbell, Donna Young

Class of 2021: Barbara Edwards, Jean Heim, Sandee Pellerin

Class of 2022: Veronica Betts, Brad Messick, and Pauline Paquin

Trustees

John Gamble, President Ron Smith, Vice President

Ambrose Woods, Treasurer Sandy Asaro, Secretary

Class of 2020: Clarence Diersing, Member at Large

Class of 2021: Nancy Sharpless, Member at Large

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2230 Hariet Street Port Charlotte, FL 33952 (941) 625-5045 www.fpcpc.com

MARCH 2020

About Holy Week

Lenten Preaching Series

DRAW ME NEARER… TO THE CROSS

May I never glory in anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ …. Galatians 6:14

Lent is now upon us, and what a wonderful opportunity to focus on the person and work

of our Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose of Christ coming to this earth could be summed up in

two words: THE CROSS.

There are countless favorite hymns we sing about the cross: When I Survey the Wondrous

Cross; The Old Rugged Cross, etc. And we’ll be singing those during these weeks of Lent.

For the Lenten preaching series DRAW ME NEARER…TO THE CROSS, each week I

will focus on different images portrayed in Scripture give us of Jesus’s approaching death.

It is quite breathtaking, actually. And they are summed up so beautifully in the Presbyterian

Church’s Confession of 1967. Seen together, they are like a multi-faceted diamond radiating

God’s love.

Won’t you join us in worship each Sunday? Week by week, hopefully we will be

challenged and captured by the words of the old gospel hymn: Draw me nearer… blessed

Lord, thy precious bleeding side! See you in worship this Lord’s Day,

Pastor Chuck

FEBRUARY SESSION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The Session ordinarily meets on the 2nd Sunday of each month and receives the meeting

agenda on the 1st Sunday of the month. If, at any time, you have any questions or concerns

for the Session, please send that information to our Church Secretary by the end of the

previous month so the Session has time to prayerfully review.

by Sandy Asaro

A Congregational Meeting has been called for Sunday, March 15

following worship for the purposes of electing new Nominating

Committee members, receiving the 2020 Budget, and receiving the

2019 Ministry Reports.

The December/End of 2019 Year Financial report reflects an Annual

Income totaling $296,404 and Annual Expenses totaling $322,792.

The January 2020 Financial Report reflects a Monthly Income of

$22,223.12 and Monthly Expenses totaling $12,941.42.

The January 2020 Membership report reflects 133 Active Members and

6 Affiliate Members.

The Deacons will be implementing an Advocacy Program that will

allow additional care to be provided to our church family if somebody

becomes admitted to a health care facility.

The potholes in the parking lot near the food pantry are being repaired.

A committee has begun work on the use of the Blessings Grant that our

church received from Peace River Presbytery for building community

relations.

o First Friday Fellowships will be resuming soon. Watch the

announcements for details.

Thanks to your support, our children and youth raised $1636 and 927

cans for our church’s food pantry from the national Souper Bowl event.

Pastor Chuck has begun a Sack Lunch Bible Study that meets

Thursdays at Noon and is based on the book entitled, “Believe: Living

the Story”.

Sandy Asaro will be doing her Christian Education Internship at

Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples this summer for her master’s

degree through Union Presbyterian Seminary.

We will primarily be using the silver hymnals during worship.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

LUNCHEON A SMASH HIT!!

and Hazel Mason’s sweet potato pudding; Barbara Edwards’s

potato salad; Richard Rohlehr’s seasoned rice and beans;

Donovan McLennon’s fried fritters; Telacia Gamble’s

cornbread; Pearl Ahmad and Valencia Officer’s fried chicken;

and Sandy Kruse’s iced tea and lemonade. Laverne Sinkia and

Dottie Gamble also did the wonderful decorating.

A little known fact: Did you know that people came all the

way from Scotland to enjoy this feast? They promised to bring us

HAGGIS next year when they return. (Note: if you don’t know

what haggis is, Google it!) Our Transitional Pastor Chuck was

heard to have asked the servers - seemingly with a straight face -

Can we do this again next week?

You could tell by the delightful aromas wafting out of the kitchen area along with the lines

snaking around the New Life Center that this year’s Black History Month Luncheon was

something to behold. Every seat was taken, and there was not much left over!

Dishes included Dottie Gamble’s collard greens and coconut pies; Laverne Sinkia’s rice

and peas and steamed cabbage/carrots; Gail Gamble’s macaroni and cheese; Ashuntee

Gamble’s sweet potato pies; Veronica Betts’ fruitcake and fried plantains; Rosemary

Barrett’s jerk pork; Norma Campbell’s curried chicken; Alzie Lee’s jerk chicken; Courtney

PEOPLE ENJOYING PEOPLE GROUP (PEP) OF FPCPC

Military Heritage Museum

Friday, March 13th

10:00 a.m.

Palm Garden for Carpooling

On Friday, March 13th, the PEP group will be visiting the Military Heritage Museum. The

museum is located at 900 West Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda. Handicapped Parking is

located under the museum close to the elevator. There are many interesting exhibits at the

museum. March 13th is K-9 Veterans Day, which honors the service and sacrifices of

American military and rescue dogs. The programs (free/donation) include the Punta Gorda

Police Department showcasing their Canine Officers with a special demonstration, the

Southern Chapter of the U.S. War Dogs Association K-9 War Dog Advocates discussing their

organization and providing a free war dog swag, meeting war dog Lenna, and listening to a

lecture with War Dog Advocate Bill Schroeder.

More details about this special day will be coming in our church bulletin. Please contact

Jackie Witt at: 585-356-2568 or email her at kfwitt@hotmail.com to let her know if you plan

to attend. Thank you.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING and ST. PATRICK’S DAY LUNCHEON

Sunday, March 15th

Following the Worship Service

A Congregational Meeting has been called for Sunday, March 15th for the purpose of

electing new Nominating Committee Members, receiving the 2020 budget, and receiving the

Session report. We hope you will stay after church to participate in the Congregational

Meeting and then enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon in the New Life Center.

Duke and Nora have spent their winters in Port Charlotte for thirty-

six years, buying their home on Peckham Street in 1984. They lived

in Punta Gorda on Riverside a couple years before. Helen Langdon of

Community Theatre fame first introduced them to FPCPC, and they

have become associate members and loyal choir members ever since.

Their dwellings grew from a small 28-foot trailer to a 35’ trailer located near the air base.

They eventually bought a 220-acre farm in rural Groveport, Ohio with the Air Force Base

nearby. In March of 1962 Duke was stationed at Everux, Normandy, and Nora and two

children, Doug and Jana Leigh, followed in May. They lived in France for two years before

returning to their farm, bringing with them a third child, Laurie. Their son, Doug, died in a

racing accident at Indy in 1987. They have four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Duke’s Air Force career spanned 20 years, 11 spent in Maintenance for SAC and the last

9 years as Flight Engineer for C 130’s. They returned from France with a Volkswagen so it

only stands to reason that they would open a Volkswagen Auto Parts business. Nora was

actively involved with business operations and became State Chairman of the National

Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). With 55,000 businesses strong, Nora traveled

the State of Ohio representing NFIB.

Now retired, Nora enjoys a good game of Mah-jongg every Tuesday and Thursday and

Duke still owns a 1943 L2 airplane, which he still flies. He’s owned a variety of planes but

this one is parked in their hangar on the farm in view of their farm house and the business.

This year will mark 67 years of marriage, a milestone in itself.

When they return to Ohio this summer, Duke will resume his quest of ridding their ¾ acre

pond of muskrats. He says with a twinkle in his eyes, “I’m going to get a sniper rifle with

night vision! I’ll get those muskrats this year!”

By Barbara Edwards

SPOTLIGHTING OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Nora and Duke Vermeer

Nora was born in Waverly, Ohio; Duke in Sioux Center, Iowa; both were raised in a rural,

small-town environment. Nora started business college in Columbus, Ohio in 1951. Duke had

joined the Air Force on October 20, 1950 and was stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base.

The girls at the rooming house where Nora lived would meet the young Air Force cadets on

the weekends. It seems that Duke was one of the few that had a car, so they grew to know

each other on week-end outings. One such outing had Duke and a fellow cadet driving to

Nora’s home to visit her mother and attend the county fair. Many Sundays and fried chicken

dinners later, Duke and Nora were married in 1953.

We did it!! Thank you to all who

donated canned goods

and/or money to our FPCPC

Food Pantry!

We couldn’t help as many

as we do without the

generous donations of our

congregation!

Thank you!

Youth Group News

P-I-Z-Z-A WITH PASTOR CHUCK

Christian Ed Chair, Ruling Elder Sandy Asaro, has announced that on Tuesday, March 24th,

our Youth Group will be having PIZZA WITH PASTOR CHUCK. In addition to enjoying such

nutritious comfort food that everybody likes, Pastor Chuck will lead a few games, have an

opportunity to get to know our children and youth and vice versa, and allow our young people

to talk/ask about whatever is on their minds.

What you may not be know is that “back in the day” as a young seminary student, Pastor

Chuck was Area Director of Youth for Christ/Campus Life in Allentown, Pa. But that was over

40 years ago…might he still have some tricks up his sleeve?

CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

9:00 – 9:50 a.m.

Youth Room

Our children and youth Sunday School students will learn about the First Sin, Adam’s Call,

Woman at the Well, Pool of Siloam, and Lazarus. They will participate in activities to illustrate

the fall of man; how Jesus calls, teaches, and heals us; and how we should respond to His

teachings. These will help them in their response to daily challenges and in helping their friends

to follow Christ’s teachings also.

Mar. 1st The First Sin: On this first Sunday of Lent, children and youth will learn who

committed the first sin and how it was done. They will put themselves in Adam and Eve’s place

as they reflect on temptation. They will discover the importance of trust and that getting into

trouble is not the end of the story. There is forgiveness and second chances. (Genesis 3:1-24)

Mar. 8th Abram’s Call: Children and youth will see how God blessed Abram so he could

bless others. They will know the definition of blessing and consider times when they have been

a blessing or were blessed. They will discover that as they make donations to a charity of

their choosing and make blessing poles to celebrate that they are blessed to be blessings.

(Genesis 12:1-9)

Mar. 15th Woman at the Well: Children and youth will know that Jesus is the living water.

They will consider how precious water is and demonstrate the uses of water and make a

comparison with Jesus. Children will make a craft from water bottle covers to remind them that

Jesus is the living water. (John 4:5-42)

Mar. 22nd Pool of Siloam: Children and youth will discern that Jesus is the light of the world

and see what Jesus taught about it. Jesus healed the blind man so he could see. Children will

make beaded zipper pulls, as they remember that not everyone can see the light of the world.

They will also role-play as they learn this and be happy that Jesus helps us see. (John 9:1-41)

Mar. 29th Lazarus: Children and youth will perceive the difference between living now and

living forever as they compare the resurrection stories of Jesus and Lazarus. They will learn

about the kind of healing that lasts. They will know that if we believe in Jesus now, we can live

forever. They will make a mural to remind them of this. (John 11:1-45)

By Veronica Betts

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Parlor

We meet every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the parlor, and we would be so happy to

have new participants join us as we study various books of the Bible.

By Theresa Phillips

COMMUNION ENVELOPES

Communion Envelopes for March supports the Meals on Wheels Program. The mission of

Meals on Wheels of Charlotte County is to prepare and deliver meals to those who require such

assistance due to their inability to prepare meals or obtain food for their nutritional benefit.

Meals are well-balanced and nutritious. Meals can be specialized for clients who are diabetic

or vegetarian. To be eligible for the Meals on Wheels program, you must be elderly, disabled,

homebound, and/or unable to shop and prepare meals for yourself. There is a small fee for the

meals, and there are hardship programs available. The service is available Monday through

Friday throughout the year.

By Joan Barry

On February 22, 2020, at the Punta Gorda Event Center,

Quilts of Valor Foundation of Winterset, Iowa, awarded a

“Freedom Quilt” to Brad Messick of our church on the

recommendation of the Disconnected Piecers Quilt Guild at their

semi-annual Quilt Show. The Guild meets monthly in our

MacDonald Hall. Brad volunteers to arrange and recover the hall

for the group’s gathering each month. Brad served in the U.S.

Navy during the Vietnam War on a destroyer. The nationwide

Quilts of Valor’s mission is “To cover service members and

veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of

Valor.”

By Jan Baker

VETERAN BRAD MESSICK AWARDED QUILT

FIRST FRIDAY GATHERING

Music, Cornhole Contests, and Food!

Friday, April 3rd

6:30 p.m.

Turquoise Tables

Being a recipient of a Blessings Grant from Peace River Presbytery, First Presbyterian

Church has the opportunity to expand its outreach program into the Parkside community in

ways never before possible.

The newly formed Grants Committee is enthusiastically gathering ideas and harnessing

musical talents to provide a variety of entertainment venues for First Fridays of each month

under the oaks at the turquoise tables. Our first gathering will be on April 3rd and will

highlight the many talents of Tom Hackett, our men and women from the guitar group

currently practicing here every Thursday, and musicians from the Gilchrist Park Tuesday

Evening Performances.

Everyone enjoys a competition, so we’re bringing out the cornhole games along with first

place incentives to capture the attention of the young and the young-at-hearts. Top this off

with a grilled hotdog, and you have an evening of entertainment for all church members and

residents of the Parkside Community.

Our Youth group will be inviting Parkside residents to our Friday event when they canvass

the neighborhood with free tickets to attend. They will also be making signage to display

current events on church grounds. We are hoping their active participation will entice other

young people to attend and bring their families.

With the support and participation from all church members, we are expecting a positive

outreach program linking FPCPC to Parkside. Come join the fun!

By Barbara Edwards

FPCPC’S OUTREACH – VETERANS!!

Did you know that First Presbyterian Church Port Charlotte has a Veterans Ministry? This

group is led by Brad Messick and his "helper" Sandee Pellerin. This ministry is open to all

veterans, and they do not have to be a members of our Church. There are monthly meetings and

social events that provide food, fellowship, and information about various issues concerning

our veterans. The group meets on the second Thursdays of each month at 10:00 a.m. Please

contact Brad Messick 941-391-7830 for more information.

FOOD PANTRY

Tuesday, March 3rd and March 17th

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, March 11th

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

This institution is an

equal opportunity

provider and employer.

February was a busy month for the food pantry! Once again, the congregation of the First

Presbyterian Church Port Charlotte met the goal the youth set for the Souper Bowl of Caring!

We collected 927 cans of soup and a monetary donation totaling a whopping $1,636! The youth

did a great job of collecting the cans – many of you were greeted in the parking lot that morning

– and of counting and organizing the cans after the service. Our congregation may be small but

we always step up to meet a challenge and to help our neighbors. Blessings and THANK YOU!

During the following weekend, several Food Pantry volunteers were found shivering in front

of the Publix at The Port Charlotte Crossing Shopping Center as part of a food drive sponsored

by Harry Chapin and Publix. The drive took place at all Publix stores in each county served by

Harry Chapin. Volunteers from the local food pantry agencies staffed each site along with a

Harry Chapin volunteer. Our Harry Chapin volunteer, Dave, brought along his grandson for

the day. It was their first time at a food drive, and by the end of the day, they were really

impressed with the response, as were we. We collected 1,416 items for a weight of 1,343.8

pounds. As patrons entered the store, we passed out shopping lists and happily collected cans

and donations as patrons exited the store. We got to keep all the items donated for our own

food pantry but the money went to Harry Chapin. That’s okay with us; without Harry Chapin,

we would not be able to give out any meat, fresh produce, fresh milk, or eggs. We don’t have

every one of those items all the time, but we do depend on Harry Chapin for more than canned

goods. Thank you to the several of you who braved the cold breeze and shopped; we were glad

to see familiar faces supporting our efforts. A big thank you goes to the volunteers: Joan Barry,

Barbara and John Danylak, Barbara Edwards, Brad Messick, Sandee Pellerin, Janet Scott, Ken

Scott, and Kamron Scott. Yes, I was also there looking for a warm spot without wind!

Our final February event was our mandatory Civil Rights Training held in the New Life

Center on February 17, 2020. A total of 31 volunteers and “wanna be” volunteers attended.

This year Sandy Asaro was kind enough to give up part of her President’s Day holiday to do

the Powerpoint for us which meant we had color pictures this year. As this is our only formal

meeting of the year, this is the time we discuss ways to improve the pantry and new ideas.

Thank you, volunteers, for attending. Thanks to you, volunteers, we have never had a complaint

filed about our pantry. Hey, I think this turned out to be one long thank you letter! Yes, I do

thank God every day for the volunteers, for the donors, and for allowing our food pantry to

become such a successful mission.

January statistics: 149 households served; 325 unduplicated people; 450 duplicated people

includes people who come to both Tuesday pantries. Children – 74; ages 18-64 – 170; age 65+

- 81.

CHANGING LIVES MISSION STATEMENT: “Reflecting God’s light and love, empowering Christ-like living”.

The welfare of each member of the First Presbyterian Church is the primary concern of the nine

Deacons you elected. Our guidelines direct us to Christ’s commandment, “Love one another as I have

loved you.” (John 15:12) and to “bear one another’s burdens” (in Galatians 6:1-10.)

To ponder the questions, “how does our committee carry out the church’s Mission Statement,” and

“how do we do that well,” we must first know our origin in the Bible. Scripture doesn’t describe the

nature and duties of deacons, but very early seven men were elected to serve as deacons to aid the

apostles by taking care of some of the physical needs of the congregation. (Acts 6:1-6) Early Protestant

reformer, John Calvin, believed that the primary task of a deacon was to take care of the poor and to

distribute alms. To be a deacon involves becoming a servant to others, thus the Greek “diakaneo” to

serve, is believed to be the origin of the word “deacon.”

How do we serve the congregation today? We prepare the communion trays each month, and we

coordinate the family socials held each month. Those are acts of our ministry, easily seen. But what we

do behind the scenes is far more meaningful.

The members of the congregation are divided into nine groups of people we fondly refer to as our

“flock.” We reach out to our flock by personal contact and offer our time and service to them should

they have a need arise. We want each person to feel we care for their welfare. Our member-contact

program is reviewed each meeting to determine if a member in our flock is ill, needs transportation to

church functions, or to doctor’s offices, or just to have an open line of communication. We Care.

Our R U O K ministry was established so that ailing members would be contacted each day at the

same time of day to make sure they are all right. Visiting Shepherds visit members in the hospitals,

assisted living/rest homes, and those who are home-bound. We Care.

Our Fellowship Activities are planned each month to bring the members of the congregation together

in a social atmosphere to make new friends within our church family and to enhance existing

relationships. We send cards to members each month to let them know we are thinking of them and

they are in our prayers. We Care.

We reflect God’s light and love by showing members we care and are interested in their well-being.

We are attempting to change members’ lives by showing them we truly care about them. We hope our

outreach will lift their spirits if they are lonely or down-hearted; we hope our outreach will assure them

that we are by their side if they are gravely ill; and we want them to feel confident that their church

family is constantly with them and will not forsake them.

We are in the process of collecting information about an advocacy program. We recognize a need

for such a program through the church, where members of the congregation become an advocate for an

ailing member when their immediate family is not living nearby, thus assuring the ailing member that

he/she will have a person that the medical facility can notify and can legally supply information about

the patient’s current condition. We are hoping that we will be able to offer this service to the members

in the very near future. The office will keep records of the advocates and patients and will communicate

with all medical facilities. A network of communication will be established, which is non-existent

presently.

Do the Deacons care about our church family? You bet we do! We feel our actions reflect God’s

light and love, empowering Christ-like living.

By Barbara Edwards By Nancy Sharpless

FOOD PANTRY

Tuesday, March 3rd and March 17th

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, March 11th

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

This institution is an

equal opportunity

provider and employer.

February was a busy month for the food pantry! Once again, the congregation of the First

Presbyterian Church Port Charlotte met the goal the youth set for the Souper Bowl of Caring!

We collected 927 cans of soup and a monetary donation totaling a whopping $1,636! The youth

did a great job of collecting the cans – many of you were greeted in the parking lot that morning

– and of counting and organizing the cans after the service. Our congregation may be small but

we always step up to meet a challenge and to help our neighbors. Blessings and THANK YOU!

During the following weekend, several Food Pantry volunteers were found shivering in front

of the Publix at The Port Charlotte Crossing Shopping Center as part of a food drive sponsored

by Harry Chapin and Publix. The drive took place at all Publix stores in each county served by

Harry Chapin. Volunteers from the local food pantry agencies staffed each site along with a

Harry Chapin volunteer. Our Harry Chapin volunteer, Dave, brought along his grandson for

the day. It was their first time at a food drive, and by the end of the day, they were really

impressed with the response, as were we. We collected 1,416 items for a weight of 1,343.8

pounds. As patrons entered the store, we passed out shopping lists and happily collected cans

and donations as patrons exited the store. We got to keep all the items donated for our own

food pantry but the money went to Harry Chapin. That’s okay with us; without Harry Chapin,

we would not be able to give out any meat, fresh produce, fresh milk, or eggs. We don’t have

every one of those items all the time, but we do depend on Harry Chapin for more than canned

goods. Thank you to the several of you who braved the cold breeze and shopped; we were glad

to see familiar faces supporting our efforts. A big thank you goes to the volunteers: Joan Barry,

Barbara and John Danylak, Barbara Edwards, Brad Messick, Sandee Pellerin, Janet Scott, Ken

Scott, and Kamron Scott. Yes, I was also there looking for a warm spot without wind!

Our final February event was our mandatory Civil Rights Training held in the New Life

Center on February 17, 2020. A total of 31 volunteers and “wanna be” volunteers attended.

This year Sandy Asaro was kind enough to give up part of her President’s Day holiday to do

the Powerpoint for us which meant we had color pictures this year. As this is our only formal

meeting of the year, this is the time we discuss ways to improve the pantry and new ideas.

Thank you, volunteers, for attending. Thanks to you, volunteers, we have never had a complaint

filed about our pantry. Hey, I think this turned out to be one long thank you letter! Yes, I do

thank God every day for the volunteers, for the donors, and for allowing our food pantry to

become such a successful mission.

January statistics: 149 households served; 325 unduplicated people; 450 duplicated people

includes people who come to both Tuesday pantries. Children – 74; ages 18-64 – 170; age 65+

- 81.

CHANGING LIVES MISSION STATEMENT: “Reflecting God’s light and love, empowering Christ-like living”.

The welfare of each member of the First Presbyterian Church is the primary concern of the nine

Deacons you elected. Our guidelines direct us to Christ’s commandment, “Love one another as I have

loved you.” (John 15:12) and to “bear one another’s burdens” (in Galatians 6:1-10.)

To ponder the questions, “how does our committee carry out the church’s Mission Statement,” and

“how do we do that well,” we must first know our origin in the Bible. Scripture doesn’t describe the

nature and duties of deacons, but very early seven men were elected to serve as deacons to aid the

apostles by taking care of some of the physical needs of the congregation. (Acts 6:1-6) Early Protestant

reformer, John Calvin, believed that the primary task of a deacon was to take care of the poor and to

distribute alms. To be a deacon involves becoming a servant to others, thus the Greek “diakaneo” to

serve, is believed to be the origin of the word “deacon.”

How do we serve the congregation today? We prepare the communion trays each month, and we

coordinate the family socials held each month. Those are acts of our ministry, easily seen. But what we

do behind the scenes is far more meaningful.

The members of the congregation are divided into nine groups of people we fondly refer to as our

“flock.” We reach out to our flock by personal contact and offer our time and service to them should

they have a need arise. We want each person to feel we care for their welfare. Our member-contact

program is reviewed each meeting to determine if a member in our flock is ill, needs transportation to

church functions, or to doctor’s offices, or just to have an open line of communication. We Care.

Our R U O K ministry was established so that ailing members would be contacted each day at the

same time of day to make sure they are all right. Visiting Shepherds visit members in the hospitals,

assisted living/rest homes, and those who are home-bound. We Care.

Our Fellowship Activities are planned each month to bring the members of the congregation together

in a social atmosphere to make new friends within our church family and to enhance existing

relationships. We send cards to members each month to let them know we are thinking of them and

they are in our prayers. We Care.

We reflect God’s light and love by showing members we care and are interested in their well-being.

We are attempting to change members’ lives by showing them we truly care about them. We hope our

outreach will lift their spirits if they are lonely or down-hearted; we hope our outreach will assure them

that we are by their side if they are gravely ill; and we want them to feel confident that their church

family is constantly with them and will not forsake them.

We are in the process of collecting information about an advocacy program. We recognize a need

for such a program through the church, where members of the congregation become an advocate for an

ailing member when their immediate family is not living nearby, thus assuring the ailing member that

he/she will have a person that the medical facility can notify and can legally supply information about

the patient’s current condition. We are hoping that we will be able to offer this service to the members

in the very near future. The office will keep records of the advocates and patients and will communicate

with all medical facilities. A network of communication will be established, which is non-existent

presently.

Do the Deacons care about our church family? You bet we do! We feel our actions reflect God’s

light and love, empowering Christ-like living.

By Barbara Edwards By Nancy Sharpless

FIRST FRIDAY GATHERING

Music, Cornhole Contests, and Food!

Friday, April 3rd

6:30 p.m.

Turquoise Tables

Being a recipient of a Blessings Grant from Peace River Presbytery, First Presbyterian

Church has the opportunity to expand its outreach program into the Parkside community in

ways never before possible.

The newly formed Grants Committee is enthusiastically gathering ideas and harnessing

musical talents to provide a variety of entertainment venues for First Fridays of each month

under the oaks at the turquoise tables. Our first gathering will be on April 3rd and will

highlight the many talents of Tom Hackett, our men and women from the guitar group

currently practicing here every Thursday, and musicians from the Gilchrist Park Tuesday

Evening Performances.

Everyone enjoys a competition, so we’re bringing out the cornhole games along with first

place incentives to capture the attention of the young and the young-at-hearts. Top this off

with a grilled hotdog, and you have an evening of entertainment for all church members and

residents of the Parkside Community.

Our Youth group will be inviting Parkside residents to our Friday event when they canvass

the neighborhood with free tickets to attend. They will also be making signage to display

current events on church grounds. We are hoping their active participation will entice other

young people to attend and bring their families.

With the support and participation from all church members, we are expecting a positive

outreach program linking FPCPC to Parkside. Come join the fun!

By Barbara Edwards

FPCPC’S OUTREACH – VETERANS!!

Did you know that First Presbyterian Church Port Charlotte has a Veterans Ministry? This

group is led by Brad Messick and his "helper" Sandee Pellerin. This ministry is open to all

veterans, and they do not have to be a members of our Church. There are monthly meetings and

social events that provide food, fellowship, and information about various issues concerning

our veterans. The group meets on the second Thursdays of each month at 10:00 a.m. Please

contact Brad Messick 941-391-7830 for more information.

Youth Group News

P-I-Z-Z-A WITH PASTOR CHUCK

Christian Ed Chair, Ruling Elder Sandy Asaro, has announced that on Tuesday, March 24th,

our Youth Group will be having PIZZA WITH PASTOR CHUCK. In addition to enjoying such

nutritious comfort food that everybody likes, Pastor Chuck will lead a few games, have an

opportunity to get to know our children and youth and vice versa, and allow our young people

to talk/ask about whatever is on their minds.

What you may not be know is that “back in the day” as a young seminary student, Pastor

Chuck was Area Director of Youth for Christ/Campus Life in Allentown, Pa. But that was over

40 years ago…might he still have some tricks up his sleeve?

CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

9:00 – 9:50 a.m.

Youth Room

Our children and youth Sunday School students will learn about the First Sin, Adam’s Call,

Woman at the Well, Pool of Siloam, and Lazarus. They will participate in activities to illustrate

the fall of man; how Jesus calls, teaches, and heals us; and how we should respond to His

teachings. These will help them in their response to daily challenges and in helping their friends

to follow Christ’s teachings also.

Mar. 1st The First Sin: On this first Sunday of Lent, children and youth will learn who

committed the first sin and how it was done. They will put themselves in Adam and Eve’s place

as they reflect on temptation. They will discover the importance of trust and that getting into

trouble is not the end of the story. There is forgiveness and second chances. (Genesis 3:1-24)

Mar. 8th Abram’s Call: Children and youth will see how God blessed Abram so he could

bless others. They will know the definition of blessing and consider times when they have been

a blessing or were blessed. They will discover that as they make donations to a charity of

their choosing and make blessing poles to celebrate that they are blessed to be blessings.

(Genesis 12:1-9)

Mar. 15th Woman at the Well: Children and youth will know that Jesus is the living water.

They will consider how precious water is and demonstrate the uses of water and make a

comparison with Jesus. Children will make a craft from water bottle covers to remind them that

Jesus is the living water. (John 4:5-42)

Mar. 22nd Pool of Siloam: Children and youth will discern that Jesus is the light of the world

and see what Jesus taught about it. Jesus healed the blind man so he could see. Children will

make beaded zipper pulls, as they remember that not everyone can see the light of the world.

They will also role-play as they learn this and be happy that Jesus helps us see. (John 9:1-41)

Mar. 29th Lazarus: Children and youth will perceive the difference between living now and

living forever as they compare the resurrection stories of Jesus and Lazarus. They will learn

about the kind of healing that lasts. They will know that if we believe in Jesus now, we can live

forever. They will make a mural to remind them of this. (John 11:1-45)

By Veronica Betts

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Parlor

We meet every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the parlor, and we would be so happy to

have new participants join us as we study various books of the Bible.

By Theresa Phillips

COMMUNION ENVELOPES

Communion Envelopes for March supports the Meals on Wheels Program. The mission of

Meals on Wheels of Charlotte County is to prepare and deliver meals to those who require such

assistance due to their inability to prepare meals or obtain food for their nutritional benefit.

Meals are well-balanced and nutritious. Meals can be specialized for clients who are diabetic

or vegetarian. To be eligible for the Meals on Wheels program, you must be elderly, disabled,

homebound, and/or unable to shop and prepare meals for yourself. There is a small fee for the

meals, and there are hardship programs available. The service is available Monday through

Friday throughout the year.

By Joan Barry

On February 22, 2020, at the Punta Gorda Event Center,

Quilts of Valor Foundation of Winterset, Iowa, awarded a

“Freedom Quilt” to Brad Messick of our church on the

recommendation of the Disconnected Piecers Quilt Guild at their

semi-annual Quilt Show. The Guild meets monthly in our

MacDonald Hall. Brad volunteers to arrange and recover the hall

for the group’s gathering each month. Brad served in the U.S.

Navy during the Vietnam War on a destroyer. The nationwide

Quilts of Valor’s mission is “To cover service members and

veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of

Valor.”

By Jan Baker

VETERAN BRAD MESSICK AWARDED QUILT

PEOPLE ENJOYING PEOPLE GROUP (PEP) OF FPCPC

Military Heritage Museum

Friday, March 13th

10:00 a.m.

Palm Garden for Carpooling

On Friday, March 13th, the PEP group will be visiting the Military Heritage Museum. The

museum is located at 900 West Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda. Handicapped Parking is

located under the museum close to the elevator. There are many interesting exhibits at the

museum. March 13th is K-9 Veterans Day, which honors the service and sacrifices of

American military and rescue dogs. The programs (free/donation) include the Punta Gorda

Police Department showcasing their Canine Officers with a special demonstration, the

Southern Chapter of the U.S. War Dogs Association K-9 War Dog Advocates discussing their

organization and providing a free war dog swag, meeting war dog Lenna, and listening to a

lecture with War Dog Advocate Bill Schroeder.

More details about this special day will be coming in our church bulletin. Please contact

Jackie Witt at: 585-356-2568 or email her at kfwitt@hotmail.com to let her know if you plan

to attend. Thank you.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING and ST. PATRICK’S DAY LUNCHEON

Sunday, March 15th

Following the Worship Service

A Congregational Meeting has been called for Sunday, March 15th for the purpose of

electing new Nominating Committee Members, receiving the 2020 budget, and receiving the

Session report. We hope you will stay after church to participate in the Congregational

Meeting and then enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon in the New Life Center.

Duke and Nora have spent their winters in Port Charlotte for thirty-

six years, buying their home on Peckham Street in 1984. They lived

in Punta Gorda on Riverside a couple years before. Helen Langdon of

Community Theatre fame first introduced them to FPCPC, and they

have become associate members and loyal choir members ever since.

Their dwellings grew from a small 28-foot trailer to a 35’ trailer located near the air base.

They eventually bought a 220-acre farm in rural Groveport, Ohio with the Air Force Base

nearby. In March of 1962 Duke was stationed at Everux, Normandy, and Nora and two

children, Doug and Jana Leigh, followed in May. They lived in France for two years before

returning to their farm, bringing with them a third child, Laurie. Their son, Doug, died in a

racing accident at Indy in 1987. They have four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Duke’s Air Force career spanned 20 years, 11 spent in Maintenance for SAC and the last

9 years as Flight Engineer for C 130’s. They returned from France with a Volkswagen so it

only stands to reason that they would open a Volkswagen Auto Parts business. Nora was

actively involved with business operations and became State Chairman of the National

Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). With 55,000 businesses strong, Nora traveled

the State of Ohio representing NFIB.

Now retired, Nora enjoys a good game of Mah-jongg every Tuesday and Thursday and

Duke still owns a 1943 L2 airplane, which he still flies. He’s owned a variety of planes but

this one is parked in their hangar on the farm in view of their farm house and the business.

This year will mark 67 years of marriage, a milestone in itself.

When they return to Ohio this summer, Duke will resume his quest of ridding their ¾ acre

pond of muskrats. He says with a twinkle in his eyes, “I’m going to get a sniper rifle with

night vision! I’ll get those muskrats this year!”

By Barbara Edwards

SPOTLIGHTING OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Nora and Duke Vermeer

Nora was born in Waverly, Ohio; Duke in Sioux Center, Iowa; both were raised in a rural,

small-town environment. Nora started business college in Columbus, Ohio in 1951. Duke had

joined the Air Force on October 20, 1950 and was stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base.

The girls at the rooming house where Nora lived would meet the young Air Force cadets on

the weekends. It seems that Duke was one of the few that had a car, so they grew to know

each other on week-end outings. One such outing had Duke and a fellow cadet driving to

Nora’s home to visit her mother and attend the county fair. Many Sundays and fried chicken

dinners later, Duke and Nora were married in 1953.

We did it!! Thank you to all who

donated canned goods

and/or money to our FPCPC

Food Pantry!

We couldn’t help as many

as we do without the

generous donations of our

congregation!

Thank you!

FEBRUARY SESSION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The Session ordinarily meets on the 2nd Sunday of each month and receives the meeting

agenda on the 1st Sunday of the month. If, at any time, you have any questions or concerns

for the Session, please send that information to our Church Secretary by the end of the

previous month so the Session has time to prayerfully review.

by Sandy Asaro

A Congregational Meeting has been called for Sunday, March 15

following worship for the purposes of electing new Nominating

Committee members, receiving the 2020 Budget, and receiving the

2019 Ministry Reports.

The December/End of 2019 Year Financial report reflects an Annual

Income totaling $296,404 and Annual Expenses totaling $322,792.

The January 2020 Financial Report reflects a Monthly Income of

$22,223.12 and Monthly Expenses totaling $12,941.42.

The January 2020 Membership report reflects 133 Active Members and

6 Affiliate Members.

The Deacons will be implementing an Advocacy Program that will

allow additional care to be provided to our church family if somebody

becomes admitted to a health care facility.

The potholes in the parking lot near the food pantry are being repaired.

A committee has begun work on the use of the Blessings Grant that our

church received from Peace River Presbytery for building community

relations.

o First Friday Fellowships will be resuming soon. Watch the

announcements for details.

Thanks to your support, our children and youth raised $1636 and 927

cans for our church’s food pantry from the national Souper Bowl event.

Pastor Chuck has begun a Sack Lunch Bible Study that meets

Thursdays at Noon and is based on the book entitled, “Believe: Living

the Story”.

Sandy Asaro will be doing her Christian Education Internship at

Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples this summer for her master’s

degree through Union Presbyterian Seminary.

We will primarily be using the silver hymnals during worship.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

LUNCHEON A SMASH HIT!!

and Hazel Mason’s sweet potato pudding; Barbara Edwards’s

potato salad; Richard Rohlehr’s seasoned rice and beans;

Donovan McLennon’s fried fritters; Telacia Gamble’s

cornbread; Pearl Ahmad and Valencia Officer’s fried chicken;

and Sandy Kruse’s iced tea and lemonade. Laverne Sinkia and

Dottie Gamble also did the wonderful decorating.

A little known fact: Did you know that people came all the

way from Scotland to enjoy this feast? They promised to bring us

HAGGIS next year when they return. (Note: if you don’t know

what haggis is, Google it!) Our Transitional Pastor Chuck was

heard to have asked the servers - seemingly with a straight face -

Can we do this again next week?

You could tell by the delightful aromas wafting out of the kitchen area along with the lines

snaking around the New Life Center that this year’s Black History Month Luncheon was

something to behold. Every seat was taken, and there was not much left over!

Dishes included Dottie Gamble’s collard greens and coconut pies; Laverne Sinkia’s rice

and peas and steamed cabbage/carrots; Gail Gamble’s macaroni and cheese; Ashuntee

Gamble’s sweet potato pies; Veronica Betts’ fruitcake and fried plantains; Rosemary

Barrett’s jerk pork; Norma Campbell’s curried chicken; Alzie Lee’s jerk chicken; Courtney

Ministry Staff

Christy Blue, Music Director pianoplayinggal@yahoo.com

Janet Hart, Pastor Secretary pastorsecretary@fpcpc.com

Diego Valencia, Maintenance facilities@fpcpc.com

Chuck Wiggins, Transitional Pastor cjw049@gmail.com

Session

Class of 2020: Sandy Asaro, Lynn Webster, Elaine Woods

Class of 2021: John Gamble, Ernest Rose, Laverne Sinkia

Class of 2022: Joan Barry, Alzie Lee, and Ron Smith

Deacons

Class of 2020: Judi Anderson, Norma Campbell, Donna Young

Class of 2021: Barbara Edwards, Jean Heim, Sandee Pellerin

Class of 2022: Veronica Betts, Brad Messick, and Pauline Paquin

Trustees

John Gamble, President Ron Smith, Vice President

Ambrose Woods, Treasurer Sandy Asaro, Secretary

Class of 2020: Clarence Diersing, Member at Large

Class of 2021: Nancy Sharpless, Member at Large

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2230 Hariet Street Port Charlotte, FL 33952 (941) 625-5045 www.fpcpc.com

MARCH 2020

About Holy Week

Lenten Preaching Series

DRAW ME NEARER… TO THE CROSS

May I never glory in anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ …. Galatians 6:14

Lent is now upon us, and what a wonderful opportunity to focus on the person and work

of our Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose of Christ coming to this earth could be summed up in

two words: THE CROSS.

There are countless favorite hymns we sing about the cross: When I Survey the Wondrous

Cross; The Old Rugged Cross, etc. And we’ll be singing those during these weeks of Lent.

For the Lenten preaching series DRAW ME NEARER…TO THE CROSS, each week I

will focus on different images portrayed in Scripture give us of Jesus’s approaching death.

It is quite breathtaking, actually. And they are summed up so beautifully in the Presbyterian

Church’s Confession of 1967. Seen together, they are like a multi-faceted diamond radiating

God’s love.

Won’t you join us in worship each Sunday? Week by week, hopefully we will be

challenged and captured by the words of the old gospel hymn: Draw me nearer… blessed

Lord, thy precious bleeding side! See you in worship this Lord’s Day,

Pastor Chuck