Email Newsletter: Today is Thursday, August 17, 2017

JOHN CALVIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 12567 Natural Bridge Road | Bridgeton, MO 63044

Call 314-739-3066 | Check us out at www.jcpchurch.org

WOMEN’S MOVIE DISCUSSION GROUP We are using the DVD series Half Truths by Adam Hamilton, for the purpose of exploring statements that we as Christians, often make that seem true, but when examined may not hold up to the true message of Scripture. Such as: “Everything Happens for a Reason,” which we discussed last week. After closer examination of that half truth, a larger truth came to light – namely, that everything that happens is not God’s will. Instead we can say that whatever happens, God is able to work through it, to redeem it, and to bring good from it.

This Sunday we will dig into the common saying “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves” (mistakenly thought to be in the Bible) and explore some ways in which it has a hint of truth as well as other ways in which it is absolutely untrue.

9:30 Sunday in the Library – All women are welcome!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 When Lauren and Brian were teenagers, we agreed to respect the privacy of their rooms and we said we would not go in there for any reason; however, that meant they would be responsible for cleaning and keeping their room as neat as they wanted. All went well for a while until we were missing almost every fork we had in the house. Eventually we confronted them and low and behold, when we went with them into their room, we found forks, plates, other silverware and a bunch of glasses. Most things had unidentifiable stuff growing on it. But beyond that, in each room, you could hardly walk. There was so much JUNK! Teenagers love to accumulate junk, but I think most adults are about as bad. I love it now to hear both my son and daughter complain about how messy and full of junk their children's rooms are!

We know about this kind of junk and we know when we get too crowded with this kind of junk, but rather than take the time to clean out the junk - we just work around it. And so it is with our selves - even our spiritual selves. We tend to work around the junk rather than try to get rid of it. That is not what the Apostle Peter suggests. And so this Sunday we will talk about junk - spiritual junk - that keeps us from enjoying the benefits of being a child of God and we will talk about why this junk does not remove itself, but it needs to be cleaned out.

We also this Sunday will ordain and install two Elders. See you Sunday!

SATURDAY AUGUST 19

You are invited to an

OPEN

HOUSE

At John Calvin Presbyterian Church

August 19 | 1-6pm in honor of the

newlyweds

Kelley & D.J. Hook

Celebrate with us as we wish them safe

journeys before they move to California!

MUGS & MUFFINS FOR WOMEN

All women are invited to come to the JCPC Library this Sunday to get together for Mugs & Muffins, a time in which you don’t have to bring or prepare anything! Please join us from 9-9:30 for coffee, muffins and conversation.

Pastor John will be organizing a new member's class for September. The class meets one evening as Pastor John takes the group through a Power Point Presentation on the history of the church and our church and how our church runs within the Presbyterian system. Then after attending the class you would be eligible to fill out an application to join our church and will subsequently meet with the Session to be received. The last step is a public recognition of your membership during worship. See Pastor John if you are interested in becoming a member of our church.

8/17 Grace Kelly 8/19 Cory Lipscomb 8/22 Susan Barnum 8/24 Eileen Pierce 9/1 Jason Baker 9/3 Bob Teahan 9/7 Michael Basso Ken Myers 9/8 Etta Mae Tyler Jennifer Baker

Photos below are of soloist, Kellen Brixey who provided the Special Music during worship on Sunday, August 13. He sang, Walking Like Giants by Stars Grow Dim.

“We’re not giving up, with every step He’s still here with us, whatever comes our way, we’ll be walking like giants, walking like giants …” There’s powerful truth in these lyrics – that no

matter what obstacles we're facing, we will always have God's strength on our side.

Please pray for Sarah, Christen and Izzie Richmond-Commuso in their time of sorrow as Sarah’s

father Stephen Richmond passed away August 9.

eSCRIP PROGRAM UPDATE John Calvin Church received $138.30 from the Schnucks’ eScrip Community Card Program during April and May 2017. This increases our total receipts to $10,145.34 since we started the program. This program includes both Food and Pharmacy purchases. Thank you for your continued support. If you would like to sign up for the program or need a new card, call Marion Elliott, 314-739-5372, for information on how to receive a card.

Carl Vogler loved John Calvin Presbyterian Church and its people. You touched the hearts of the family with your participation, food, labor for the preparation and clean-up of the meal.

We also appreciated your prayers, cards, acts of kindness and visitations during his illness.

We feel so blessed. Thank you, Thank You,

The Family of Carl Vogler

MEN'S BIBLE STUDY Pastor John is planning on resuming the Men's Bible Study sometime in September and wants to see if we can expand the participation in the group. One thing that drives participation is the topic and Pastor John is looking for suggestions for topics to cover, so if anyone has a particular topic... this could be a book of the Bible, a character in the Bible or a theme and how the Bible addresses the theme, please see Pastor John.

TRIVIA NIGHT The Church is planning a Trivia Night this fall to be held at the Maryland Hgts Community Center (this is the new building) on Friday, October 6. Our goal is to have at least 20 tables. So it is important that we have table captains who will be responsible for recruiting 8 people to fill their table. This is a great opportunity to invite people outside of our church to this event. If you are willing to be a table recruiter, please see Pastor John. The theme is: THROUGH THE AGES. There will be 8 categories and ten questions per category. Each question will pertain to a decade between 1917 and 2017. The categories are: Scientific Inventions, Food Creations, World Leaders, Entertainment, Health and Medical, Travel, In-Print (Book, papers, magazines) and Sports Authority. So for example one question from say Entertainment might be: In the 1930's a comedy duo performed a skit for burlesque crowds that involved names like "what", "I don't know", "Yesterday", Today." What is the name of the duo? (Answer given on Sunday).

Or here is another sample question from Scientific Inventions: In 1972, Ray Tomlinson created a system to allow one computer to talk to another. The symbol he chose was the @. This would be the beginning of? (Answer on Sunday)

The night should be filled with great fun and will also include a silent auction. Please mark the date and let's fill the room.(All kinds of beverages are allowed at the Community Center).

Sunday, August 27

Dedication of Banners during Worship

Monday, August 28 Session Meeting, 7pm

Wednesday, September 6 The Handbell Choir will

resume meeting. Contact Tara Barnum if you’d like

to participate.

Sunday, September 17 Church Picnic Held at JCPC

I AM THE BIBLE I am the Bible, God’s wonderful library. I am always — and above all — the truth. To the weary pilgrim, I am a strong staff. To the one who sits in darkness, I am glorious light. To those who stumble beneath heavy burdens, I am sweet rest. To him who has lost his way, I am a safe guide. To those who are sick in sin, I am healing strength and forgiveness, To the discouraged; I am a glad message of hope. To those who are distressed and tossed about by the storms of life, I am an anchor, sure and steadfast. To those who search for salvation, I reveal the Savior of the world. I am the Bible.

~Author unknown

Thanks to those who signed

up to bring Birthday Cake for Coffee Hour!

August: Gil & Marion Elliott

September: Bob & Sandra Barclay

October: Chris & Lisa Moore

November: Jack & Tara Barnum

December: Stephen & Jennifer Hardy

The photos on this page are a small representation of the Celebration of the Life Service held in memory of JCPC member, Carl Vogler. This service took place at our church on Saturday, August 12 followed by a Bereavement Meal in which our church community

came together to show support, comfort and love for the Vogler Family and Friends during their time of grief.

PC(USA) LEADERS CONDEMN WHITE SUPREMACY, RACISM Read more: https://www.pcusa.org/news/2017/8/14/pcusa-leaders-condemn-white-supremacy-racism

In the aftermath of the events of August 11 and 12 in Charlottesville, the Presbyterian Church (USA) reaffirms its condemnation of white supremacy and racism, names them as sin, and renews its commitment to disrupting them and working for justice and equity. We give thanks for the presence and faithful witness of church members who stand against white supremacy and racism. Individually and collectively the church, including Presbyterians, stood against hate in Charlottesville. We grieve for Heather Heyer, who was killed while standing witness; we grieve for state police officers H. Jay Cullen and Berke Bates, who died in a helicopter crash while monitoring events in Charlottesville; we pray for the recovery of all who were injured. We acknowledge that Scripture has been misused to justify white supremacy and racism. However, we proclaim that the Bible’s message presents a far more consistent and insistent witness to God’s love for diversity and justice. White supremacy and racism stand in stark, irreconcilable contradiction to God’s intention for humanity. We acknowledge the church’s complicity in the creation of white supremacy and racism. We confess the church’s failure in challenging and disrupting white supremacy and racism. Too often we have accepted the status quo. Too often we have stood silent in the face of injustice and oppression. By God’s grace may we remember the events in Charlottesville; repent of our acquiescence and failures; and renew our commitment to proclaim and live the good news of Jesus Christ. May that commitment lead us to stand against, speak against and work against racism and white supremacy, this day and every day. May it be so. Amen. Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II Stated Clerk of the General Assembly PC(USA)

The photos below are of the Blessing of the Backpacks during worship at JCPC on August 13, 2017. All students and those

working in the educational system were invited to come forward where Pastor John offered a prayer and

blessing to start off the 2017-2018 school year.

The photos below are of the JCPC Praise Team on Sunday, August 13, 2017. Members of the Praise Team shown below: Matt Miller, Steve Dill, Jackson Barnum, Amy Brixey, Barb Hanson, Mary Myers and Shirley Kaczmarski