CHURCH CURRENTS First Presbyterian Church 210 S. Wayne Street

Milledgeville, GA 31061

phone: 478-452-9394

fpchurch@windstream.net

www.fpchurch.org

We seek to glorify God through:

Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth,

Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice

and environmental stewardship.

July 2015

We are on the radio Our worship service is broadcast on WKZR

(102.3 FM.) every Sunday morning at 11:00AM

Summer Fellowship Time

Summer is here, as our recent heat wave confirms.

While we scatter for vacations and family visits,

our after-church fellowship time becomes even

more important for staying in touch as a church family.

Thanks to Faye Heal, Margie Dodd, Nancy Holbrook,

Alice and Mike Tenold, and Mary Baker for providing

our refreshments in June. Thus far, we have two of the

four July Sundays covered.

July 5 - The Callender family

July 12 - Millie Murphy

July 19 -

July 26-

We need volunteers to provide a beverage and simple

refreshments for July 19 and 26. Please contact

Alice Tenold at 478-968-7513 or amtenold@charter.net

if you are able to help.

Coord. of Children &

Youth Ministries:

Gloria Burns

Issue No. 232 July 2015

First Presbyterian Church

Organists: Kate Phillips

Jenny Moore

Director of Music:

Jennifer Flory

Admin. Asst.:

Dianna Hendricks

Child Care Providers: Charis Andrews Amelia Andrews Kathleen Green

Interim Pastor:

Rev. Martha

Starnes

Bullet Points from a Month of Sermons

► Do you want to dream new dreams – and believe those dreams into life?

It is the Spirit who enables us to envision and shape our future.

God’s Spirit gets into our spirits and things begin to change.

God’s Spirit is the difference!

► God is a God of relationships who wants to be in relationship with each of us.

Relationships take time, communication, effort, and understanding.

Oneness with God happens gradually, as we practice the spiritual disciplines

of reverence, confidence, and gratitude.

► A spiritual discipline requires faithful practice and execution.

What will happen if you begin a daily discipline?

» Christ’s spirit will renew your spirit.

Whatever the condition of our faith, we all need to strengthen it.

► Where is the hope in our attitudes and actions?

Giving continual thanks, in all circumstances, is a way of professing our trust in God.

We show reverence, live with gratitude, and gain confidence by intentionally building an

intimate relationship with our God.

► Faith is about us reaching out and spending time with God, who in turn, reaches out and draws

us ever closer.

► I pray you will be encouraged and let the Spirit continue to equip and shape you. God is working!

In that we can be confident!

Blessings!

Martha

2015 2016 2017 Elders: Dave Baarda Marianne Edwards Jan Clark

John Bradley Sam McChesney Doris Moody

Anne Smart Nancy Miller, Clerk Charlie Morgan Deacons: Margie Dodd Joseph Dean Joel Burns

Millie Murphy Becky Henderson Nita Peavy

Bill Werts, Moderator Alice Tenold Irene Tchamna

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP

From the Treasurer:

As you can see, the financial picture was much brighter for the month of May. Our officers continue to look for ways

to control costs. Also, there were 5 Sundays in May and that increased the contributions for the month.

An update on our financial progress for the month of May and the year-to-date:

May 2015 YTD

Contributions $16,809 $79,996

Other Income 178 1,840

Total Income 16,987 81,836

Budgeted Expenses 16,660 99,488

Net (Loss) 327 (17,652)

As we enter the summer season, while school is out and we scatter for vacations, we will be relying on your

contributions to continue so that we can meet the financial commitments of our church.

As always, the financial reports are available on the bulletin board near the church office.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Anne Dennis asdennis@windstream.net or 478-452-6860

THE FINANCIAL REPORT ON THE BUILDING PRESERVATION AND RENEWAL FUND

Next June we will celebrate the 190th anniversary of the founding of our church. The construction on our current

building began with the laying of the cornerstone in 1904. Over the years repairs and updates are needed to maintain

our facilities. In 2010 the church undertook a Building, Preservation and Renewal project. The purpose of the project

was to make necessary repairs and updates to the heating and cooling system to comply with the code including

asbestos abatement. Along with this project, required related work included construction of an airtight room around

the organ so that the air to the organ room came from the sanctuary rather than the basement, other duct work,

controls and wiring, fire doors, exit lighting, etc.

In order to raise money for these projects a Building Preservation and Renewal Fund was started. From 2011 to 2015

contributions to the fund totaled $154,026. This included $102,505 in 2011, $44,673 in 2012, $4,865 in 2013, $1,543

in 2014 and $440 in 2015. Additionally, funds totaling $167,632 were moved from the church’s reserve investment

accounts (New Covenant Funds) in 2012 to cover the anticipated expenses. Additional contributions in the amount of

$34,699 were designated specifically for the new sound system bringing the total amount of money available to cover

the projects to $356,357.

The expenses for the main Building, Preservation and Renewal project totaled $302,774. The cost of the new sound

system and related expenses totaled $36,804. Additional projects during this time period totaled $15,511 for a cost of

$355,089.

(See accounting information below)

JOIN US FOR STUDY & WORSHIP

Sunday School 9:45AM Potluck Wednesday 6:30PM

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00AM Bible Study 7:15PM

FPC BUILDING PRESERVATION 2010-2015

Income

Capital Campaign 2010 $0

2011 102,505

2012 44,673

2013 4,865

2014 1,543

2015 440

sub-total 154,026

Money transferred from Investments

NC-Manse 2012 94,738

NC-Memorial 2012 6,919

NC-General-loan 2012 65,975

Contributions for Sound System 2013 34,699

TOTAL $ 356,357

Expense

Building Preservation & Renewal Project

Adams & Day Architects 39,500

Dyer Construction 229,767

Superior Environmental 21,945

Southeastern Systems (fire alarm) 220

Schlueter Pipe Organ 11,237

Other Expenses 105

sub-total 302,774

Sound System

Technical Services 34,026

Crawford Electric 2,778

sub-total 36,804

Other Projects

Johnny Williams painting 5,765

Crawford Electric 1,384

Merritt Carpet Cleaning 1,286

Skyline Construction roofing 5,740

Teague's Woodworking 936

Executive Cleaning 400

sub-total 15,511

TOTAL $ 355,089

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

YOUTH MISSSION TRIP

Thornwell Children's Home Three adults (Gloria & Joel Burns, and Frida Elangwe) and three youth (Dorothy & Rebecca Elangwe and Chigozie

Odihe) traveled to Clinton, South Carolina to visit, learn about, and offer support for the children and adults at

Thornwell Children's Home. Upon arrival on Friday we were invited to join the community meal in the old dining

hall. We were then given a tour of the campus and information about the history and ongoing mission of the Home.

We were housed in a vacant cottage just like the children live in. There was a full kitchen so we cooked some of

our own meals. Friday afternoon we swam in the pool on campus with the children and their cottage parents. Satur-

day morning we worked to clean and organize the recreation center, this gave us the opportunity to play a little pool

on their table when we finished the work. We were able to tour the cottage that houses the youngest children and

talk with the cottage parents about their work and how the Home functions. After lunch we returned to the swim-

ming pool for the afternoon. We had morning and evening devotionals each day at our cottage. Thornwell is

affiliated with the PC (U.S.A.) and is supported by churches in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Our Church

has used mission funds to support Thornwell for many years.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Shining Star: See the Jesus in Me!

Jesus told his followers that they were the

light of the world in Matthew 5:14a, and

went on to talk about letting your light shine

so that others may see your good works and

give glory to your Father in Heaven. Thus

we have been learning to let our lights shine

brightly for Jesus. Children and adults have

gathered on Wednesday afternoon to experi-

ence and share God's light among us

through music, Bible stories, games, crafts

and fellowship. Thanks to parents for bring-

ing your children, and to our adult and youth helpers, for being willing to share

your talents with our children.

A good time has been had by all!

We continue July 1 and 8, so be sure to be there.

Any questions about VBS or youth group, please contact

Gloria Burns, 478-454-6285 or gloryb.ce@gmail.com

NURSERY SCHEDULE: July 5 Irene Tchamna

July 12 Elizabeth Baarda

July 19 Anne Smart

July 26 Donna Bennett

As always, thank you for your service to the church

and to this ministry.

Anne Smart

CHURCH COMMUNITY

FROM THE DESK OF MARION ROBINSON

Pressed between the pages of a dusty album is a vintage photograph, a seasonal park

ranger in her prime, as green then, as the very uniform of the National Park Service. Again, my restless wandering spirit turns to Cumberland Island, where beginning

Sunday, June 21, I will serve as a volunteer camp ground hostess at Sea Camp.

I departed for the coast Thursday morning, June 18. Each of you are in my thoughts. Remember me through snail mail:

Cumberland Island, NS

101 Wheeler Street

St. Mary's, GA. 31558

If I have access to email, you will hear from me. And too, I'll post on Facebook. Until we meet again, best love and wishes for only good and happy things always. God bless,

Marion

PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The PNC continues to work carefully and prayerfully through many applications for the position of pastor of our

congregation. We do, however, have some good news to report at this time. We have scheduled interviews with

two applicants. As part of the interview process, both will lead worship at a neutral site, which are at two of the

Presbyterian Churches within our Presbytery. Once both applicants have gone through the interview process, the

committee will meet again to see whether either applicant will qualify as a viable candidate for our next pastor and

whether that individual will consider a call to our congregation. Once the committee has made its recommendation,

the process will need the approval of both the Session and the congregation before a formal call can be extended.

We are excited in the progress we are making in the search for our next pastor. If everything works favorably, we

are still at least several months away from making a presentation to the congregation. The committee feels strongly

that we not rush this process, but continue to carefully and prayerfully evaluate all avenues open to us as a

committee to present the best qualified pastor for your consideration and vote.

Please continue to pray diligently for this whole process to work well, so that ultimately

God's will be made real for us in our congregation.

On behalf of the PNC,

John Lamsma

CHURCH BULLETIN BOARDS

Marion Robinson puts a lot of time into the church bulletin

boards to provide the congregation with information, news

and events. Seeing that she will be away over the next few

months, she has asked that someone would provide infor-

mation for the boards while she is gone. If you have any-

thing you would like to share with the congregation, please

email it to the office, fpchurch@windstream.net, or drop it

by during office hours. If you have any questions, please

call the church office, 478-452-9394. Thank you.

JUNE PRISON FAMILY LUNCH We were all thankful for the A.C. in our Fellowship Hall on

Saturday, June 20. It was hot outside, but inside the warmth

was from friendly chatter, the heat outside did not bother us

at all. Thanks to Rosemary Begemann, Alice and Mike Tenold,

Barbara Rowe and Bob Wilson, Becky Henderson, Jim

Poyner, Gene Gunter, Margie Dodd, Millie Murphy, and

Grace Anne Azahar, with your help putting the lunch

together and clean-up afterwards so that the Fellowship Hall would be ready for Sunday.

The food was especially good according to our guests, so thanks to all who made and brought food.

It is a great feeling to see others enjoy what you have prepared. Thank you,

Millie Murphy and Margie Dodd

FOOD PANTRY We bring canned goods for the food pantry on the first Sunday of each month; the same day we celebrate the Lord’s

Supper. Items needed are canned meats, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, snacks for lunchboxes,

soups, mac and cheese, pasta and spaghetti sauce. Each week our volunteers distribute food to many families in our community, some

weeks we have helped as many as 23 families. Your donations enable the Food

Pantry Ministry to continue to provide food to these families. Volunteers are needed! Contact Mary Baker, 478-457-5444 or

mmbaker65@hotmail.com if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.

VIP’S CORNER (Visually Impaired Persons)

VIP’S Learn About Fire Safety

Mr. Corey Dennis, from the Training Department of the Milledgeville Fire Department was the June guest speaker for

the VIP Support Group. He went over basic rules of fire prevention and high-

lighted a few precautions especially geared to those with low vision. He reminded us of the importance of having a working fire/smoke detector and

checking the fire extinguishers to make sure they have proper pressure. He

suggested the use of a strobe detector to help find one’s way in the case of a fire.

He also said to check the volume of the detector before purchasing it to ensure the

volume was adequate if one had any hearing loss. Mr. Dennis informed the group

that the fire department had free smoke detectors for Milledgeville residents, but

the strobe ones could be purchased as Wal-Mart or Lowe’s. He also advised us

that the fire department would check the pressure on our extinguishers. He em-

phasized the importance of cleaning out space heaters and chimneys each year to prevent fires, and to be very mindful

of the condition of electrical cords and appliances, especially at holiday times. The STOP, DROP & ROLL response to clothing on fire was discussed as well as ways to put out various types of

fires. We were also reminded that the most important thing to save in a fire was ourselves. We should get out and

have a designated place for family members to meet outside the home. It was a pleasure to meet this affable man and we appreciated his taking the time to talk to our group. Our next meet-

ing will be July 15th ( 3rd Wed.) at 10:30 AM. This will be our annual picnic. Everyone is asked to bring a covered

dish to share as we will be celebrating the holiday with a beach party themed indoor picnic. Anyone interested in

attending is cordially invited to join us.

Anne Milladene Harry Marjorie

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

MID-YEAR CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

It is almost time for the distribution of the mid-year contribution statements. This year we are trying something

different. In order to save money on printing and postage, we will be emailing the statements to all those who

have an email address. The statements will be sent under a secure site to ensure your privacy. For those who do

not have an email address listed with the church office, I will print your statement and have it available Sunday,

July 19th. If you do not want to have the statement emailed to you, please contact Dianna at the church office or

myself by July 5th.

Anne Dennis - Treasurer

Those with Limited Mobility:

Mary Carlton

Helen Danuser

Ben Gautier (& Donna)

Fred Heal (& Faye)

Bob & Eloise Lamb

Jo Ann Manley

Polly Morrison

Gloria Smith

Chuck & Ruth Treptow

This congregation & our life & ministry together during this transition time

The Pastor Nominating Committee

Illnesses:

Joseph Dean, back at work after brief hospital stay

Haywood Edwards, home from rehab

Julie Montemayor, Becky Henderson’s mother, in rehab at assisted living in Arizona

Cephas & Jean Starnes, Martha’s parents

John Fish, the Baarda’s son-in-law, leukemia, back at home after bone marrow transplant

Ted Flynt, Jacqueline Northington’s son, cancer

Joseph Callender, Craig’s father, recovering from open heart surgery

Russell & Kathleen Edwards, Marianne’s parents, numerous health problems

Amy Smith, colon cancer

Joe Owens, continuing recovery from broken back (and Charlotte)

Nancy Selecman, Sue York’s mother

Betty Owens, Joe & Charlotte’s sister-in-law, cancer

Tom Murphy, colon cancer, Kathy Carroll’s brother

Roy Pound, Sunda Coleman’s father

Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman’s son

Ricky Spear, Vera Bales’ brother, chemotherapy after colon surgery

April McMillan, in remission, Jeanene Vinson’s granddaughter

Leigh Humphrey, friend of Bill & Ruby Werts, kidney failure

Marty Flory, Jennifer’s mother-in-law, ongoing health issues

Sympathy:

We extend our sympathy to the family of Mary Barbara Tate, who died on June 28.

In Assisted Living:

Jonnie Tenold, Mike Tenold’s mother, Green Acres

Katherine Lyda, Louise Sallstrom’s mother, Green Acres

Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns’ mother, Savannah Court

Laurette Smith, Harbor Chase Room 319, 1385 Silver Bluff Rd. Aiken, SC 29803

Reba Vaughan, Pine Gate, 300 Charter Boulevard Apt. 109, Macon, GA 31210

Birth

days

Anniversaries

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

“This is the day

which the LORD

hath made;

we will

rejoice and be

glad in it.”

1

4:00 VBS

5:00 PNC

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

2

3

4

5

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship w/

Communion

Food offering received

6

Office Closed

5:30 Christian

Education

7

9:30-10:30 Food

Pantry

4:00 “Mourning

After”

8

4:00 VBS

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

9

10:00 Bottle

Brigade

10

11

12

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

12:15 Deacons

13

5:30 Stewardship

& Finance

6:45 Property

14

9:30-10:30 Food

Pantry

15

10:30 VIP’s

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

16

2:00 LIR Reading

3:00 LIR Writing

17

18

12:00 Prison

Family Lunch

19

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

5:30 Session

20

21

9:30-10:30 Food

Pantry

9:30 Samaritan’s

Ministry

22

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

23

24

25

26

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

27

Newsletter

Deadline

28

9:30-10:30 Food Pantry

5:15 Kiwanis 6:30 Bridge

29

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

30

31

July 2

Christina Azahar

July 8

Glen Kohlhagen

July 9

Kashera Robbins

July 10 Jack Bivins

July 13

Sam McChesney

July 15

Teri Anne Bradley

Jude Hirsch

July 16 Jennifer Flory

July 2 David & Elizabeth Wells

July 30 John & Cissy Lane

July

July 23

Keleigh McGill

July 24

Bill Werts

July 25

Joel Burns

July 28 Romanus Elangwe

July 31 Linda McKnight