The GrapevineV o l u m e 5 6 • I s s u e 7 • j u l y 2 0 1 1

Summer Fun With Fremont!

All Church Conference,

See page 2

Family Movie Night,Seepage 4

Fremont Softball,See page 4

Prime Time for Seniors,See page 8

Basketball,

See page 5

Summer Choir,See page 11

Rummage Sale,See page 10

NOTE: See inside for four statements on definitive issues for the church (yellow insert).

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July 24Classic 8:55 AM • Modern 11:00 AMDr. Donald H. Baird, preaching“Original peace”Genesis 31:43-54

(USPS 210040)A newsletter published monthly by Fremont Presbyterian Church 5770 Carlson Drive, Sacramento, CA. 95819.

Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to address above.

The deadline for news items is printed on the back page. Submit all news items in writing including your name, phone number and date of submission to the Publications Coordinator mailbox or e-mail them to BeCky LuCero at: becky@fremontpres.org. Contact church office with address changes.

Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Sun., 8:30 AM-12:30 AM

Telephone: (916) 452-7132 FAX: (916) 452-2160 Webpage: www.fremontpres.org

July Worship Schedule

July 10Classic 8:55 AM • Modern 11:00 AMDr. Donald H. Baird, preaching“Original Blessing”Genesis 27:1-42

July 3Classic 8:55 AM • Modern 11:00 AMDr. Daniel C. Willson, preaching“Original cOnsumer mentality” Genesis 27:1-42 • Communion

July 17Classic 8:55 AM • Modern 11:00 AMDr. Donald H. Baird, preaching“Original wOrship”Genesis 28:10-19

Join us for a wonderful week in the Santa Cruz mountains as Fremont goes to our annual All-Church Conference! This is a time of fun, growth, refreshment, family and memory-building. Prepare for a wonderful week!

Adult Program: Adults (including college students) enjoy inspired teaching each morning from Dr. mark labberton, a nationally recognized speaker who will encourage you, challenge you and help you gain new insights on your life in Jesus Christ. A devotional time is offered each weekday morning in the chapel before breakfast. You can participate in a small group that dis-cusses the speaker’s topic of the day.

Children’s Program: Kids love ACC, filled with fun ac-tivities, games, crafts and Bible lessons to meet the unique needs of each age group. Activities will also be provided for some evening programming. The rest of the day and night is yours to schedule with your family. All programs led by familiar Fremont Children’s staff members.

All-Church Conference, July 31 - August 6 Mission Springs Conference Center

Youth Programs: Jr. High: 6th-8th grade. Each morning from 9:30 to noon, students enjoy crazy activities and Bible lessons. Throughout the week, students go on special afternoon adventures and participate in service activities. High School: 9th-12th grade. Program runs each evening from 8:30-10:30 pm. Great fellowship, Bible teaching and group events highlight the week.

regiSter now! (forms available now in the church office) or go online at allchurchconference.com. Contact: Kalen and Jordan Skinner: keshoff@sbcglobal.net (Deans) • Callisa and Phil Kong: ichthus6@gmail.com (Registrars) • Mark Eshoff: mark@fremontpres.org (Conference Coordinator)

The Grapevine

This second half of Genesis introduces us to the whole concept of being “God’s People.” This second ORiGinS series defines what it means and what it does not mean to be “Chosen.” If we are going to be this “Chosen People” it would be helpful to know the “prophets,” our “ancestors” in faith, and what they went through to flesh out what it means to be “God’s People.”

July 31Classic 8:55 AM • Modern 11:00 AMDr. Donald H. Baird, preaching“Original wrestling match”Genesis 32:22-31

FremonT presbyTerian church 3

Nothing New Under the Sun

Words from Pastor Dan

is there anything of which one can say,‘look! this is something new’?it was here already, long ago;it was here before our time.

Those are words from the first chapter of Ecclesias-tes. They’re preceded by a sentence which has de-veloped into nothing less than a proverbial cliché within our culture – there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9). Of course, technologically speaking, some things are new. People living when Ecclesias-tes was written (centuries before the birth of Christ) would never have even dreamed of microwave din-ners, flush toilets, Ford Mustangs, inter-continental air travel, or iPads. In regard to human behavior, however, there really is nothing very novel. While attending a conference back in May, I heard a theolo-

gian say, “Of all the false teachings with which Christianity currently has to contend, there is not a single one that wasn’t around 2,000 years ago!”

This summer we’re continuing the sermon series we started last summer on the book of Genesis. Don titled that series “Origins,” because the Genesis texts refer either to first-time events or to how certain things came into existence. Last year we considered the Original Wedding (Adam and Eve), Original Sin, the Original Flood, the Original Rainbow, and the Original Promise – to name just a few. As we resume the series there will be more ‘original’ topics: Original Match-Making, Original Wrestling Match, Original Slave, Original Long-Range Plan.

Those very old accounts from Genesis will focus, primarily, on the three Patriarchs – Abra-ham, Isaac, and Jacob – and on Jacob’s favorite son (out of 12), Joseph. For some, the sto-ries we explore each Sunday will be familiar; others will be hearing them for the first time in their lives. All the same, no matter how well-known or unknown those ancient stories may be, they will confront every one of us with some very contemporary topics. Together we’ll be taking in-depth looks at faith, consumerism, deception, grace, distrust, jealousy, discouragement, and forgiveness. As contemporary as those topics may be, there’s noth-ing especially new about any one of them. So as we make our way through Genesis we’ll come face-to-face with that truth which is recorded in Ecclesiastes: there is nothing new under the sun.

I know it’s tempting to ‘go on vacation’ during the summer, not just from Sacramento but also from Sunday morning worship. “After all,” we think, “it’s just for a couple of months, then we’ll get back into it when school starts.” I would urge you to fight that temptation and to engage – each week – in “the fellowship and the prayers.” I would especially encour-age you to dive into this series on Genesis; because while there may be nothing new to the ups and downs we all experience, still, you’ll find that God has some very fresh things to say about how to negotiate our way through life’s mine field and come out eternally alive!

“..faith, consumerism, deception, grace, distrust, jealousy, discouragement, and forgiveness...there’s nothing especially new about any one of them.”

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Devotional for July

FIRST DAY EVENING - THE TEACHER

O GOD, We bless thee,our creator, preserver, benefactor, teacher,for opening to us the volume of naturewhere we may read and consider thy works.Thou hast this day spread before us the fuller pages of revelation, and in them we see what thou would have us do, what you require of us, what you have done for us, what you have promised to us, what you have given to us in Jesus.We pray thee for a conscious experience of His salvation, in our deliverance from sin, in our bearing His image, in our enjoying His presence, in our being upheld by His free Spirit.Let us not live uncertain of what we are, of where we are going. Bear witness with our spirit that we are your children;And enable each one to say, ‘i know my redeemer.’Bless us with a growing sense of this salvation.if already enlightened in Christ, may we see greater things;if quickened, may we have more abundant life;if renewed, let us go on from strength to strength.Give us closer abiding in Jesus that we may bring forth more fruit, have a deeper sense of our obligations to him, that we may surrender all, have a fuller joy, that we may serve him more completely.And may our faith work by love towards Him who died, towards our fellow-believers, towards our fellow-men.

From The Valley of Vision; Banner of Truth TrustCarlisle, PA 17013. Used by permission.Complete book available from the publisher.

The Grapevine

Fremont Family Night at the Movies! Tuesday, July 26th

6:00 PM, Community Life Center • Free AdmissionInvite your friends and family to come to Fremont’s Movie Night! Bring a sack dinner, pizza or eat before. We will pro-vide popcorn, drinks, and candy to buy. Feature Film: the chronicles of narnia: Voyage of the Dawn treader.

Fremont SoftballSoftball season is in full swing! Jordan Skinner is coordinating the Fremont softball teams. We are participating in the Christian Church League and games are played at the Capital Christian Center on Monday and Tuesday nights. If you are interested in play-ing, contact Jordan at 452-7132 or jordan.skinner@mac.com.

MOPS

MOPS Evening Group Starting This Fall

Come join other Mothers of Preschoolers (birth - 5 years) to share the joys, triumphs and hurdles that we all go through during this time in our lives. A new MOPS Group will be held once a month on Thursdays evenings beginning this Fall (specific dates and times TBD) in Geneva. Planning for next fall will be-gin this summer. We expect that our meet-ings will include video presentations, speak-ers, refreshments, and time to socialize. We are looking forward to growing our MOPS group, reaching more moms, and meeting you! To find out more about MOPS, check out MOPS.org For more information regard-ing the evening MOPS group at Fremont, in-cluding opportunities to serve in leadership, contact mops@fremontpres.org

5FremonT presbyTerian church

For HigH ScHool,contact lysle Spangler: lysle@fremontpres.org.check out our website:

oneelement.org

college: Fusion. connect with other college 20’S & grow in your relationship with christ. contact Brian Dougherty: Brian@fremontpres.org.

For For more inFo: jorDan@FremontpreS.org

For jr. HigH: cHeck out our weBSite For eventS!:

my1liFe.org

Junior High Ministry • High School Ministry • College 20’s Ministry

are you or someone you know… in college or heading for college? a member of Fremont? planning to major in, or have a strong interest in, music, drama, or fine arts?

If the answers to these questions are yes, then you or someone you know is a candidate for the JOhn Dewey pigman memOrial schOlarship. Two $1,000 scholarships may be granted in 2011.

John Dewey Pigman was a Fremont elder, choir member, and active in many other areas of church life. He died on August 9, 1978. The Pigman Scholarship was established by Session action on February 8, 1979 using a bequest from John’s estate. The scholarship is also funded by additional gifts made over the years as memorials to John. Application forms are now available.

To receive an application, stop by or call the church office at 452-7132. Applica-tions are due July 8th. References and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results are also required.

Call for Applications • July 8th Deadline

Children’s MinistryUpward Basketball Summer Camp

VOlunteers neeDeD FOr upwarD BasketBall

summer camp.

This summer is your chance to spend a few hours or a whole week in a nicely air conditioned gym teaching kids about the love of Jesus and how to handle a basketball. Camp runs July 18-22. We have morning, afternoon and maybe evening ses-sions. We need all sorts of volunteers - with and without basketball skills. Please call 916-629-4667 or email fremonthoops@gmail.com with questions or to volunteer.

Thank you for all of the Vacation Bible School do-nations! Because of your generosity, over 350 kids will experience God’s love through crafts, games, Bible lessons, snacks and a PandaMania experience where they know that “God is Wild about You!” We look forward to this week and can’t wait to see what God has planned!

6

Local Mission

One Day to Prevent Homelessness

Again this year Fremont is joining numerous congregations and the City of Sacramento in the “One Day to Prevent Homelessness” campaign. This is part of Mayor Johnson’s effort to end homelessness in Sacramento. Last year Fre-monters donated $6,409.00 and 1,851 families and indi-viduals were assisted with housing.

Participating congregations are asking their members to donate the equivalent of one day’s rent or mortgage pay-ment. This is entirely voluntary. The city’s goal is to raise $400,000 even though matching federal funds are not available this year. The funds will be managed by the Sac-ramento Region Community Foundation and distributed to three Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program providers in Sacramento. They are Lutheran Social Servic-es, Salvation Army and Volunteers of America. None of the funds will be used for administration.

If you would like to participate, please make your check out to Fremont with the memo line notation “Prevent Home-lessness.” We will take donations on July 24 and 31.

The good news is that families who were at Fremont with Family Promise benefitted last year and found housing through the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program. However, there are many more families out there still waiting.

Thank You!Thank you to ev-eryone who gave to the One great hour of sharing Of-fering. A total of $8,414.00 was sent from Fremont and split evenly between flood relief through Presbyterian Disaster As-sistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program and Self-Development of People. Your generosity is an expression of Christ’s love in a time of extreme need.

The Grapevine

Wicker Baskets: Summer means travel-ing and finding soap, shampoo, lotion and oth-er items in our motel rooms. Many of us do not use these amenities. There are, however, many homeless peo-ple who can use these items when they turn to Loaves & Fishes or Francis House for help. Please collect these items and put them in the wicker baskets in the Narthex and the coffee bar area in the CLC. There are other items that are also needed and they are listed on the bulletin board in Fer-guson Hall. Local Mission thanks you as do the recipients of your donation.

Local Mission

Christmas in JulyEvery year the Earl Warren Christmas bag shoppers take advantage of the Back to School savings in late July and August. We buy all of the items to fill the Christmas bags and the shoppers need to be reimbursed. Please make a donation to the Earl Warren Fund to help defray these expenses. If you want to sponsor a whole class and help de-liver the bags donate $150. Otherwise any amount is welcome to make Christmas a little brighter for the students at Earl Warren Elementary School.

Short-Term MissionsHave you ever thought of participat-ing in a short-term mission? Would you like to serve the poor through medicine and sharing the Good News with them? Would you like to spend two weeks in Jamaica in Feb-ruary 2012? then consider this …

Jamaica Medical Mission

Who? Doctors, dentists, nurses, dental hygienist/assistants, phar-macists, health educators, handy-men/women, general helpers, spouses and teens

What? Short term (2 weeks) medi-cal mission serving the poor who have little or no access to medical care and sharing the Good News with them.

Where? Manchester Parish, Jamaica

When? February 18th – March 2nd, 2012

Cost? Participation Fee $750 + Airfare

Why? An incredible blessing expe-riencing God’s grace as we minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the Jamaican people.

Are You Interested? Would you like to serve the poor through medicine and sharing the Good News with them? Would you like to spend two weeks in Jamaica in February 2012?

Contact Dr. Pat Tansey (Pat Mitzner), at 683-4389. Early ap-plication is necessary to assure a spot on the team.

7FremonT presbyTerian church

Fremont is blessed to have visits from two of our mission partners in July. Joann neal with Rafiki will make a presentation on her work in Tanzania on Wednesday, July 6 at 7:00 pm. Then on sunday, July 10, Doug and gordana sjostedt will talk between services about their work with Campus Crusade for Christ and the Jesus Film. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from those we support through your monthly giving.

Mission Partner Visits

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Giving Back

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” -Jim Eliot

Give Back ConfidentlyWhen people show their full faith in God, He responds. Often, we face financial challenges; often these challenges are tests of our will and behavior. God is always looking for an excuse to bless us, and when we give Him a reasonable chance, He invariably blesses us more than we could ever imagine.

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heav-en and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all people life and breath and everything else… For in him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:24-25)

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For information about any trips, contact Lu Bakken at (916) 481-2035 or Kathy Bos at KB’s Travel [CST#207972040], (916) 689-5117. Brochures/flyers for all trips are available from Lu or the church office. Everyone is welcome to join our trips.

FLY WITH FIRS!

Seniors Travel • On the Go with FIRS & Friends!

FIRSFriendship • InspirationRecreation • Service

Seniors Ministry

July and August will be vacation time but we will be together again September 14th. Have a great summer!

Prime Time is My Time!Prime Time!for Active Adults (55 +)

Fremont offers many different opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. One of the most personal and friendly istHurSdAy’S Prime time. This loosely structured group begins in Fer-guson Hall with coffee and table games at 9:30. At 11:15, folks gather for a neighbor-hood walk or the healthful Qi Gong class. This is a fun way to stretch out and learn relaxation skills. Then we all gather to en-joy visiting and eating our sack lunches. Dessert and coffee are available for $3. The leaders of the group, including Pas-tor Dan, have jokes and stories to share, and other participants are encouraged to do so as well. Sometimes there’s also a special program or activity. Then it’s on to table games until 2:30! Current favorites are Kings in the Corner and Mexican Train. If you don’t know how to play, we’ll teach you! Newcomers welcomed!

Buildings and Grounds The Building and Grounds Committee met on June 7, and reviewed a full agenda of items. The costs through the end of April were pretty much on budget except for the PG&E bills. The cost was way over budget, and we are taking measures to reduce it. We also know that the weather will help.

Mark Eshoff reported on the long delayed campus signage pro-gram. This issue has been in progress for almost ten years and we were all pleased with the proposal.

Joan Smith reported on the landscape committee progress and what she is planning for irrigation and trees, and how well the vol-unteers provide their service.

The full committee met in the sanctuary and reviewed the condi-tion of the pews. The committee made a decision that the first repair is the vertical supports. The “seat to back” joint will have to wait. Dick Baker will start by showing a staff person how to do the repair. This repair should have been started by the end of June. What we really need is a group or an individual with carpentry skills and good physical condition which will allow him to work close on the floor to do repairs.

The committee received a letter from a folding partition supplier on what to do with the Ferguson Hall partitions. There is no way to repair the existing partitions and the cost for replacements is beyond our budget. We will attempt to remove the existing parti-tions to get rid of the eyesores.

Volunteerism is something we depend on, so please volunteer to help in some manner with our facilities. The committee always welcomes your suggestions, and invites you to participate. We need members to step forward and become leaders

The Travel Committee will meet on Friday, July 8, in the CLC, room 202, at 10 a.m. We will plan fun and exciting day trips for the 2011-2012 fall, winter, and spring season. We will also plan for extended trips for 2012.

If anyone has any ideas for future day trips, please call Lu Bakken at (916) 481-2035.

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Session Notes • Meeting of May 25Following are some action and informational items from the Session meeting of May 25, which might be of interest to the general congregation. These notes are not intended to reflect the total work of the Session at the meeting. If you are interested in more information about a particular item, please contact any member of Session.

This meeting was the last Session meeting at Fremont for Rev. Jeff Hoffmeyer. In recognition of his contribution to Session, there was a time of sharing how Rev. Hoffmeyer has been a blessing and there was cake to enjoy together.

Session held its semi-annual Leadership Retreat, jointly with church pro-gram staff, on Saturday, June 4.

Elder Marcia Garrison made two presentations from Illubabor Bethel Synod of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. The first was to Fremont Presbyterian Church in recognition of two decades of support. The second was to Elder Carol Skinner in appreciation for her work in teaching as part of the English for Ethiopia effort.

Elder Ken Moody announced that a search committee for the Interim Min-ister for Congregational Life and Small Groups has begun work. A non-or-dained person is being sought.

The Financial Report for April showed General Fund revenues (total) were $145,273 and expenses were $154,771, giving a loss for the month of $9,498. However year-to-date revenues of $569,524 exceeded Budget by $6,463 and year-to-date expenses of $616,461 were less-than-budget by $10,944, giving a year-to-date loss of $46,937, with a variance from Budget of a surplus of $17,407.

Actions:• Adopted four white papers: In Christ Alone, The Centrality of Christ in the Life of the Church; The Value of Scripture; The Value of Presbyterian Form of Government; and The Value of Belonging to a Denomination. These papers set forth fundamental beliefs about our faith. They will be sent to those on the Grapevine mailing list in early June.

• Authorized Fremont to join congregations throughout Sacramento partici-pating in the “One Day to Prevent Homelessness” Campaign. This will be the second year that Fremont has participated.

• Agreed that the Mariner’s Fleet can hold a rummage sale/fundraiser in Ferguson Hall, August 20-21.

• Authorized the annual Witness Offering (Evangelism) to be held on June 19, with any funds collected to go to Ethiopia Mekane Yesus for the purpose of building a church for the Negele. The Negele are excellent evangelists and live close to Masha, the area with which Fremont has the most connection.

Elaine Moody, Clerk of Session

Nominating Committee

FremonT presbyTerian church

The Nominating Committee is quietly working behind the scenes, continuing the pro-cess of finding those whom God is calling to be leaders of Fremont in the coming year. Please pray that God will lead us to mature Christians who will serve with commitment, joy, and integrity.

If you have suggestions for people who know and love the Lord, whom you believe the Lord may be calling to serve in a leadership position, please contact Lynn Jordan, Elder for Nominating Committee, at Jordan.Lynn@sbcglobal.net or leave a note in her box in the mailroom in the church office.

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, July 4th.

July 4th

10 The Grapevine

Divorce Ministry

DivorceCare is a special weekly seminar and support group for people who are separated or divorced.

Email Pat or Marcia: DivorceCare@fremontpres.org

Sundays from 6:00 – 8:00 Upstairs in the Community Life Center at Fremont,Classroom #201

DIVORCECare

DIVORCE Someone you know is hurting

Serving Sunday morning Pastries generously Provided by

ettore’S BAkery!

A Little Taste of Heaven . . .

Fremont Coffee Bar

Serving JAvA City CoFFee, non-CoFFee drinkS And muCH more! oPen SundAyS 8:30 Am – 11:30 Am

& during special events.

sanctuary Flowers: Honor the memory of a loved one with flow-ers in the sanctuary on a Sunday morning. Remember someone special on a birthday or anniversary with flowers of celebration. Call Barbara Kennedy at 489-5665 to sched-ule a Sunday.

Mariners

FremontBookstore

OPEN SUNDAYS 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Your Christian Resource in East Sac

Going GreenIf you would prefer to receive your Grapevine via email, please respond online at: www. fremontpres.org. Click the “News from Fremont” link on the home page.

the mariners are having a “rummage sale” again!

Saturday, August 20th, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.Ferguson Hall

Set up is on Friday, August 19th from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM. If you do not belong to a Ship, but have an item or two that you would like to donate to the sale, please bring it to Ferguson Hall on Friday. For more information, you may call one of the Co-Chairmen, Bob Silvis, 933-1099 or Bob Nosler, 635-4452. Our Fleet needs the funds to take care of important renovation projects at our church. Be sure to attend on Saturday, August 20th. Breakfast and lunch will be for sale as well. See you there!

Volunteers are needed on our Audio visual tech team. Contact Mike Mitchell, 452-7132 x 255.

AV Help Needed!

Pastor/Head of StaffDr. Donald H. Baird

Associate Pastor - Congregational Care & MissionDr. Daniel Willson

Minister for Congregational Life & Small Groupsvacant

Executive MinisterMark Eshoff

Minister of Music & Worship Arts Cheryl Eshoff

Minister of Modern Music and College/20’sBrian Dougherty

Director of Sr. High MinistryLysle Spangler

Director of Jr. High MinistryJordan Skinner

Director of Children’s MinistryDu Willson

Director of Member Ministry (interim)Kalen Skinner

Outreach CoordinatorCate Williams

Executive SecretaryCathy Cole

Administrative AssistantAmanda Jantz

OrganistStephen Drew

Technical Ministries CoordinatorMike Mitchell

Memorial CoordinatorJeanne Wallis

Parish nurseCarmen Enz

Children’s Program AssistantMelissa Hightower

Childcare/nursery DirectorsKerry FinleyMelissa Hightower

CLASS oF 2013Russell Brown(Student Ministries)

Don Davison (Specialized Ministries)

Char Gezi (Member Care)

Chris Jaime (Development)

Ken Moody (Personnel)

Fremont nursery School Director(vacant)

Publications CoordinatorBecky Lucero

Publications AssistantSteve Carey

Business ManagerJohn Walden

Facilities CoordinatorMelanie Andrews

Giving SecretaryCarolyn Walden

Accounting Clerk (interim) Linda Brown

Maintenance TechnicianMike Mitchell

CustodiansJason EdgeEduviguez GamesMike JeanAlice KakumbaBlanca LacayoChris McNally

Bookstore ManagersNicole DorwayHeidi Taghavian

Coffee Bar ManagersAnn BrucePam Dolk

CLASS oF 2012Robert CookSara DunnEileen HughesMarie KootstraMarni LoveMarsie MottMike NevinLynne ReichLynn SnyderChuck Uribe

CLASS oF 2013Agnes AndersonAmanda DeferrariJim DeferrariCharleen GorrellLora HarrisMarcia HouseLorna SandersJanice Stone ThomasSteve SylvanusWes Yee

Church Staff

(*Moderator )

Elaine Moody (Clerk of the Session)

CLASS oF 2011Dale AustTimothy Aust*Katie DaySara DurhamPaul MillerBob NoslerRuth RangeRon RottHarriet Taylor

The Session Deacons

CLASS oF 2011Andy Bodemeijer(Evangelism)

Sean Doherty(Outreach)

Brooks Erickson(Administration)

Dan Johnson(Spiritual Develop-ment)

Clair Parsh(Music & Arts)

CLASS oF 2012Marty Boersma(Adult Education)

Marcia Garrison (Mission)

Lynn Jordan(nominating Committee)

Vicki Meyer(Worship Support)

Carol Skinner(Children’s Ministries)

cornerstonenew members’ class: next class begins July 10th at 10:15 am. Call 452-7132 for more info & schedule.

Jesuschristhimselfas the

corner

ston

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Ephesians 2:20Congregational Prayer on Sundays, 10:00 AM, Gathering RoomPlease join the Fremont fam-ily in prayer between worship services in the Gathering Room, off the breeze way, between the Sanctuary and the courtyard. This is a chance for our congre-gation to seek the Lord in prayer, asking him to lead.

Come Sing in the Summer ChoirHave you always wanted to sing in the choir, but couldn’t find the time, or the cour-age? Well, here’s your chance. You are invited to join the choir for

one day. Come on Sunday morning, July 24, rehearse with the choir, and sing for the 8:55 worship service. Come to the Sanctuary at 7:45 a.m. to pick up mu-sic. Rehearsal will begin at 8:00 am. We will not wear robes, and we will not pro-cess, so it will be easy for you to blend in. Please let us know if you are planning to join us. Email Cheryl at cheryl@fremont-pres.org or Vicki at vicki@fremontpres.org or call 452-7132.

FremonT presbyTerian church 11

visit us on the web: www.fremontpres.org perioDicaLs

5770 carLson DrivesacramenTo, ca 95819

(916) 452-7132www.FremonTpres.orG

The Grapevine: A newslet-ter published monthly by the Fremont Presbyterian Church, Sacramento, CA. Entered in the Sacramento, CA Post Office November 7, 1955, as periodicals under the Act of Congress of March 8, 1977.

For the august issue: Monday, july 11

pLace aDDress LabeL here

NOTE: See inside for four statements on definitive issues for the church (yellow insert).

Four statements on definitive issues for the church

1. In Christ Alone

2. The Value of scripture

3. The Value of the Presbyterian Form

of Government

4. The Value of Belonging to a Denomination

Dear friends,

Included in this booklet is a series of four statements on definitive issues for the church, submitted to the congregation of Fremont Presbyterian Church by its Session. In of-fering these papers, having been guided by prayer and Scripture, Fremont’s Session hopes to facilitate reflection, discussion, and prayer.

To that end, we plan to schedule a series of congregational forums in the near future to engage in that dialogue and further our knowledge and understanding of these impor-tant priorities in the life of the church. If you have comments or reflections you desire to share with the Session on these issues, please email them to: issues@fremontpres.org

May God bless you as you engage in these topics.

In Christ,

Andy BodemeijerMarty BoersmaRussell BrownDon DavisonSean DohertyBrooks Erickson

1

Marcia GarrisonChar GeziChris JaimeDan JohnsonLynn JordanVicki Meyer

Ken MoodyClair ParshCarol SkinnerDonald BairdJeff HoffmeyerDan Willson

2

1. in christ aloneThe Centrality of Christ in the life of the Church

When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. –Matthew 17:8

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. –Colossians 1:17

Christ beside me, Christ before me;

Christ behind me, Christ within me;

Christ beneath me, Christ above me;

Christ to the right of me, Christ to the left of me.

–St. Patrick

We intentionally begin with Christ, for he is the head of the Church, and the author and perfecter of our faith. Theology, our understanding of God, is necessarily founded on Christology, our understanding of Christ. Three topics in particular are crucial in the discussion of the centrality of Christ: Salvation in Christ, Christ as the Head of the Church, and Christ’s Ongoing Mission.

salvation in christIn Acts 4:12, we hear the following on the lips of Peter, as he is defending himself before a Jewish court: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.” This verse speaks to a profound and fundamental truth of the Christian faith, that salva-tion is not possible apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ. The reality (and universal nature) of hu-man sin and estrangement from God is only dealt with through the reality of the event of Jesus Christ: his identity, life, death, and resurrection.

Is this not, though, overly intolerant? Why must Christ be the only way? What of other religions, and their claims to knowledge of God and salvation?

In addressing these important questions, it is crucial to stress that maintaining the uniqueness and cen-trality of Christ for salvation is first and foremost a response of faithfulness to Jesus’ own perception and teaching concerning himself. Jesus understood himself to be central to salvation (as does the whole of the New Testament) 1. This centrality, though, certainly should not prompt disrespect for those of other faith traditions. Further, it must be affirmed that God desires that all men and women come to knowledge of him (1 Timothy 2:4), and so the Spirit of Christ is active throughout the world. That this is so is evident from how widespread is the Christian faith, finding expression throughout the world in many different cul-tures. There is no single Christian “culture,” but rather, Christ expressing himself in the diversity of his cre-ation. At the core of this expression is his offer of salvation to all men and women. Although Jesus’ offer of salvation is free to all, we have a responsibility to accept his offer. In truth, this is a wonderfully tolerant and inclusive offer! How wonderful, that God “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”(John 3:16)

1 See Romans 10:9, John 3:16, and John 14:6. See also the Presbyterian Book of Confessions, 6.058 and 7.170.

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christ as the head oF the churchNot only is there no salvation apart from Christ, but also there would be no church apart from Christ. The New Testament and the church’s confessions throughout history have consistently defined Christ as the “head” of the church. In Colossians 1:18 we read: “Christ is the head of the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” 1 This verse makes clear that Christ is the head of the church both in the sense of be-ing its source and in the sense of being its only and final authority. Christ’s founding of and authority over the church is established by his resurrection. God’s kingdom breaks into the world through this resurrection, and the primary mark of this in-breaking is the church. Before ascending to the Father, Jesus instructs his disciples to wait for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4). Because the disciples did so, Christ founded his church through his Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13). This “waiting” is an ongoing practice of the church. As the bride of Christ, the church joins the Spirit in praying, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:17, 20). What all of this means is simply this: without Jesus, there is no church! Without Jesus, the church does not exist and cannot act.

Although it is easy enough to say that Jesus is the head of the church, it is not always easy to main-tain this understanding. Because Jesus is the founder and authority of the church, the church must be faithful to Christ, no matter the cost. This may, and often does, mean running against the currents of culture and society. The “script” by which the church lives out its faithfulness to Christ is Scripture, which guides and directs the church as the body of Christ in the world.2

christ’s ongoing MissionRecognizing that Christ is the head of the church brings with it another crucial recognition: the church does not exist for itself. The call of the church is to exist for those outside of its boundaries, both by making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) and by proclaiming God’s justice (Luke 4:18-21). In so doing, the church is actually participating in what Christ is doing through his Spirit. Our Book of Order wonderfully captures this principle by insisting that the church is called to take part in this mis-sion of Christ, “even at the risk of losing its life.” 3

Christ continues to be active throughout the world. The church is his hands and feet, eyes and ears, mouth and heart. We must, then, actively seek Christ’s guidance, primarily through prayer and the study of Scripture. Through these practices, Christ will guide us through his Spirit as to how he is working and how he wants us to participate in the building of his kingdom.

Christ, then, is central to the Christian faith, in that he is the only way to salvation, is the head of the church, and leads its continued ministry in the world. Although much more could be said of the centrality of Christ, perhaps no more needs to be said than the words of Peter, responding to Jesus’ question as to whether he and the other disciples would ever abandon him: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68).

1 Other key verses of Scripture include: Ephesians 1:22-23, John 15:5, and Matthew 16:18. See also the Book of Confessions, 4.050, 5.131, 6.140-145, and 9.10, as well as the Book of Order 1.0100.2 For more thoughts on the authority of Scripture, see Statement #2 on this topic.3 G-3.0400. See also Jeremiah 29:7, Acts 1:8, and 1 Peter 2:9-12, as well as the Book of Confessions 8.17.

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2. the value of scripture

the authority oF scripture One of the unique characteristics of Presbyterian (Reformed) theology is its absolute depen-dence upon Scripture. The Reformation dates its origins to Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenburg Chapel in Wittenburg, Germany on October 31, 1517. The modern day equivalent to this form of communication would be to send out a Tweet or post on Facebook, and it quickly became a challenge to Christianity’s claim at that time that Truth was found equally in the Bible and in Tradition. Martin Luther claimed that Tradition could be wrong from time to time, but the Bible would always be an unquestioned authority for Christians. Standing before Roman Catholic authorities who had the power to excommunicate him, Luther declared, “Here I stand! I can do no other.” John Calvin, the father of Reformed theology, joined Luther in this affirmation, saying that only the Bible, Old and New Testaments, held authority. Summing up this idea in a sentence, Calvin wrote (and we Presbyterians have echoed for 500 years), “Sola Scriptura,” or SCRIPTURE ABOVE ALL.

Presbyterians, in virtually every confession in the Book of Confessions, affirm that same conclusion. As the Scots Confession declares, “As we believe and confess the Scriptures of God sufficient to instruct and make perfect the man of God, so do we affirm and avow their authority to be from God, and not to depend on men or angels.” [3.19]. It was here that Luther found the authority to stand up to the Pope, it is here that Reformed theology finds all of its authority, and it is here that the church today has the authority to stand up to its troubled secular world.

For Presbyterians the authority of Scripture must come first in everything. Other denominations lift up other authorities in addition to scripture. The Roman Catholic Church, for example, holds tradi-tion and Scripture as having equal authority. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church, said tradition, logic, experience, and Scripture held equal authority. Others have held that history, “new revelations,” public opinion, and personal preferences have authority equal to or greater than that of Scripture. Against such things Presbyterians have stood firm. Without Scripture, we Presbyterians have no theology. Out of Scripture comes everything we know about God and the lives He would have us lead. Without Scripture, we are only guessing who God is and gambling on how to live our lives. With Scripture, as the Psalmist said, “[His] Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” [Ps. 119:105]. Without God’s Word, we join the parade of the “blind leading the blind.” With Scripture, we have the Word from God that is clear, inspirational, and the basis upon which we can rest our eternal life.

Such authority is claimed, not just by Presbyterians, but by the Bible itself. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” [II Timothy 3:16].

the interpretation oF the BiBle Much of the Bible – especially those parts that are central to our faith and salvation – is given to us in very plain, clear, and straight-forward language. On the other hand, there are passages that require more attention and effort in order to fully understand their meaning and application to our lives.

The right interpretation of the Bible is not accomplished by human effort alone. We need the guid-ance of the Holy Spirit to help us understand God’s Word and apply it to our lives. In I Corinthians 2:12, the Apostle Paul writes about the vital role of the Holy Spirit: “We have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” The work of interpretation begins with humility and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

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As we read, investigate, study, and apply the Bible to our lives, we are assured that God is faithful and will help us in our understanding. The Westminster Confession reminds us, “We must read the Bible with high and reverent esteem, being absolutely convinced that it is truly God’s word and that only he can enable us to understand it. We should read with a desire to know, believe, and obey his will as revealed in the Bible. We should pay careful attention to its content and the extent of its mean-ing, meditate on it, apply it to our lives, deny ourselves under its direction, and use it as the basis for our prayers.”

Given this caution, the whole of the Presbyterian heritage and Fremont’s specific history is assaulted by those who would suggest that the Bible is only one of many ways to know God, or that the Bible is in error in certain parts because it is “culturally biased” or “humanly created.” We should be greatly disturbed by those who would invite compromise with the content of Scripture in order that there might be denominational “unity.” We should reject all efforts which, whether as changes to a Book of Order or a Book of Confessions, contradict the clear content of the Bible. In this we are in lockstep with Presbyterians of the past 500 years. Here we stand. We can do no other.

3. the value of the presbyterian form of government

In a survey done by our Presbyterian magazine, Presbyterians Today, it was reported that Presby-terian members, elders and pastors overwhelmingly felt that the most distinctive attribute of being a Presbyterian, as opposed to belonging to some other denomination, was its form of government. We would agree. Presbyterian denominations have gleaned from scripture a form of government that is so wise that the founding fathers of the United States of America adopted it as the basis for America’s constitution and it has withstood the test of time well for the last 225 years.

Our church history has, for the most part, been defined by this government. Thousands of our for-bearers in faith have died to preserve this form of government, as others tried to force down upon us bishops, priests and other authorities, seeking to transform the Presbyterian form of government into one more akin to other denominations. We are the beneficiaries of their great sacrifices. They knew that, just as the bulb determines the flower, so the polity of a church reinforces its theology.

Our name, “Presbyterian,” comes from our form of government. That is, we are a church governed by its “elders” or, in Greek, “presbuteros.” Presbyterians are not a church governed from the top down or dominated by its clergy, as are so many other denominations. Instead, we are governed by a Constitution (Book of Order) that guarantees that within the boundaries of Scripture and the Book of Order, every local congregation should identify, by the leading of God’s Holy Spirit, its own lead-ers, including its pastors. We do not believe that a congregation should have a pastor unilaterally imposed upon it by its denomination, nor told how to spend its benevolences or carry out its ministry. Conversely, we do not believe that a congregation should be given free and unfettered rein to call any leader it pleases or do whatever it fancies. There is a system of checks and balances to insure a healthy interplay between autonomy and connectedness. The body as a whole is more important than any of its parts, including any of its leaders, and no individual is wiser than the whole. We are all sinners, leaders and followers alike, but not all at the same time and in the same way. Therefore, we need the majority to temper and correct the minority in the lives we live and decisions we make in the name of Christ. Everyone who confesses Jesus as his Lord and Savior has equal access to God’s Holy Spirit, and, therefore, an equal vote with any other church member.

It would be tragic if we were to lose our Presbyterian polity, whether by ignoring and disregarding its requirements, or by allowing its foundations to be chipped away and eroded through sheer apathy and ignorance. Each of us bears a responsibility and a privilege to understand and appreciate its protections and to hold each other and our denomination accountable to it.

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4. THe VAlue oF BeloNGING To A DeNomINATIoN

Recently, Folsom Presbyterian Church changed its name to Journey Church. Indeed, many church-es in the Sacramento area no longer carry a denominational title, as evidenced by such names as Church of the Harvest, Whispering Pines Church, Radiant Life Church, River of Life Church, and Adventure Christian Church. Upon inquiry as to the reason for Journey’s name change, the pastor replied, “When people look for a church these days, they aren’t looking for a denomination. They’re just looking for a great congregation.”

Is this true for those who are joining Fremont Presbyterian Church? How many of those who have joined Fremont over the past 15 years came from a Presbyterian affiliation? Of the over 1,300 new members received during this period, less than 10% came from Presbyterian churches or even a Presbyterian background. In a recent Cornerstone Class, participants were asked to identify their church backgrounds. 23 different denominations were mentioned and only a handful of those responding had an exclusively Presbyterian background. Obviously, people are not joining Fremont because it is a “Presbyterian” church. They are joining Fremont because they love the ministry they are receiving here and they love the Fremont family.

All of this should cause us to reflect on whether belonging to a denomination -- any denomination -- really matters any more. Has the day come to join the crowd and drop the denominational tag from our title or even drop being a part of a denomination? Does being “Presbyterian” carry a value that is worth owning? Undeniably, yes!

Being protected from an inward and self-centered orientation is the most important reason for belonging to a denomination. This is a tendency of all institutions, but especially the church. How easy it is to begin to think that the “important world” stops at our doors and our preservation is and should be our primary concern. This, of course, is not Biblical, as Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:24.

21 Again, just as Jesus ascended into heaven, He said to his disciples, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21. A denomination reminds a local congre-gation that it is not an end unto itself, but a “sent people.” A denomination pulls the local congrega-tion out of its comfort zone to participate in that larger body, whether it wants to or not.

Secondly, a denomination promotes a broader ministry for the local church, moving it from an exclusive spot on a map onto a global canvas. As big as a local church’s vision for mission may be, a collective vision from many congregations is always bigger, enabling the church to both see and do more, while at the same time avoiding duplication, distraction and discouragement. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Presbyterians were known for their enthusiasm for mission and evangelism, taking the gospel out from the wild west of the United States all the way to Egypt, India, Korea and Hawaii. This denomination was a world-changing movement that no local congregation could pos-sibly have accomplished on its own.

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Third, a denomination can prevent the local church from becoming radicalized in its theology and decision-making processes, setting and enforcing clear boundaries of acceptability. Church history is fraught with those who would espouse strange and heretical affirmations about Christ, the world, humanity, or God, with no one to check them. Usually, such false conclusions are reached over a long period of time, accumulating one small error after another until they reach the point of no return. A denomination can bring discipline to the local church, addressing theological errors before they become heretical because the denomination isn’t caught up in the passion of a “new discovery” or the influence of a charismatic leader. Not belonging to a denomination is to court introspection, irrelevance and heresy.

Can we expect the secular world to understand any of this? Probably not. Is there great value in trying to promote our particular denomination over others in the course of initially winning souls for Christ? Probably not. That will come with maturity and experience while growing as a Christian. Should this deter us from belonging to a denomination or reduce the value of being specifically Presbyterian? Definitely not. While the days of the denomination being a magnet for membership are over, that does not mean that the benefits are nonexistent or unimportant. Indeed, one need only read the rest of the daily headlines to see the abuses that happen when congregations are left to their own devices and operate as lone rangers.

coMMents If you have comments or reflections you desire to share with the Session on these topics, please email them to: issues@fremontpres.org