A/V Updates

We are still looking for people willing to learn how to run the sound system and carillon and record Sunday services. If you are interested in helping out, talk to Bill Wentling or call him at 623-476-2426. You can also leave a message at the church office, 623-974-3605.

Please also let Bill or the office staff know if you are scheduling an event at the church that will require microphones, the projector in Swain Hall, or any other audio-video equipment setup. We would appreciate at least a week’s notice if we have the equipment on hand, and a month’s notice if we will have to rent or borrow anything.

2014 Per Capita

The 2014 Per Capita rate is $31.00 per person. What exactly does that mean? The Department of the Stated Clerk at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) explains it this way:

The Westminster Confession of Faith says, “all believers are, therefore, under obligation to sustain the ordinances of the Christian religion where they are already established, and to contribute by their prayers, gifts, and personal efforts to the extension of the Kingdom of Christ throughout the whole earth” (The Book of Confessions, 6.058).

Per capita is a fundamental way in which all of the nearly 11,000 congregations and mid councils of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are connected and participate in the work of the wider church.

Because it is rooted in the connectional and covenantal nature of the Presbyterian church, as affirmed by the ordination vows taken by elders and ministers of the Word and Sacrament, per capita could be called the Presbyterian Covenant Community Fund.

How important is per capita? Per capita is as important as being Presbyterian!

Per capita funding is how Presbyterians mutually share the costs of coming together to discern the Spirit’s leading for the future:

• It is how Presbyterians are trained to become better elders and ministers.
• It is how Presbyterians discern God’s call in their lives. 
• It is how Presbyterians participate in the life of the wider church by serving on GA committees and commissions. 
• It is how Presbyterians participate in the life of the Church universal as we commit ourselves to work and live in fellowship with “all persons in every nation” (Book of Order, G-4.0101)

To learn more about the history of the per capita offering, go to http://oga.pcusa.org/media/uploads/oga/perspectives/perspectives-nov07-per-capita.pdf

When you receive your offering envelopes for 2014 (they may be picked up in the narthex hallway), you will see one marked “Per Capita.” Thank you for your contribution!

Presbyterian Women in January

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

In looking back, Presbyterian Women had a very good year.  We tried some new things and they worked out very well

A new year gives us the opportunity to renew ourselves and try again new things and ideas that we only thought about before.  This is a good time to invite new and present women of the church, who do not attend Circles or Gatherings, to come and visit us.

Circles are groups of women who meet monthly to have a Bible study and fellowship.  The groups are smaller and you get to know each other in a friendly atmosphere.  We have a Horizons Bible Study Book we use that is exceptional. 

Circles meet as follows:

• Circle 1 meets the second Tuesday of the month at 1:00 pm in Annex #2
• Circle 2 meets the second Tuesday of the month at 2:30 pm in Annex #1
• Circle 3 meets the second Wednesday of the month at 9:00 am in Annex #2

Gatherings are meetings held usually on the 4^th or 5^th Wednesday of the month in Swain Hall.  They are announced in The SPIRE and the bulletin.  Gatherings begin with the devotion, followed by brunch or lunch and a program.  Brunch Gatherings are at 9:30 am and Luncheons are at 11:30 am.  We have interesting and inspiring programs.  All women of the church are invited. 

Please come and share fellowship with us this year.

Another good idea for the coming year is to subscribe to Horizons Magazine.  This magazine has articles of interest to women you won’t find anywhere else.  There are six issues a year.  They have a Bible Study Resource in each magazine that pertains to our Bible Study for the year.  Plus, when you subscribe you get a copy of the 2014-2015 Horizons Bible Study, which is the study we use in our Circles.  It comes in the spring.  We will have subscription information on our bulletin board in Swain Hall. 

Our annual Christmas High Tea was a huge success.  Many hours of work go into this event.  Special thanks to the men of the church who served as waiters, the ladies who decorated and hosted the tables, and to Nita Cinquina, Gail Bickel, and Tina Trowbridge (and many others) for their dedication and leadership.

COMING UP

Coordinating Team meets Wednesday, January 8^th, at 11:00 am in Annex #2.  Please plan to attend, CT members, we have important budget matters to consider.

Bible Study with Pastor Harrell Davis will not be meeting in January due to a scheduling conflict.

January 22^nd is our Chili Luncheon at 11:30 am in Swain Hall.  Men (and Ladies) of the church are all invited.  This is to honor the men. 

Saturday, March 1^st—Mark your calendar for the Presbyterian Women Presbytery Spring Gathering.  It will be a retreat at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale.  We will arrange for car pools to leave from the church.  There will be more information on time, etc., later.  These PWP Gatherings are inspiring and worthwhile; you won’t want to miss this. 

Blessings to all,

~Diane Nestlebush, Moderator

January Fellowship Dinner

Help "Undecorate"

"Dr. D." has been rescheduled!

January at University of Life

University of Life meets on Fridays with an 8:30 am continental breakfast to enjoy together. Guests are always welcome at these informal gatherings that are of interest to aware Christians. Please bring a friend and join us in Swain Hall; the class begins promptly at 9:00 am and runs for a short hour.

Here are the programs scheduled for January:

• January 3: How did Earth form? Are there other “earths” in the universe? Can we hear sounds from space? What is the “blue jewel” in a beam of light? Why is earth so unique? Who needs a moon,anyway, and why are we “tipped?” Is Earth only a coincidence, or, possibly, a miracle? Don’t fail to see this film by Christian Astronomologists who have some answers. “The Privileged Planet” is an astounding look at earth through new-age astrology.

• January 10: Guest speaker Jane Brazzese of Benevilla will discuss many community services available at their Surprise and other local facilities. She will have excellent information for problem times.

• January 17: A little peek at what “mission money” does. Barbara Anderson will discuss what is presently happening at the Ganado Navajo Reservation. Joan Steel will talk about a friend’s experiences at a Presbyterian mission in Jacarta, Indonesia. Walt McMartin will bring us up to date on what is happening at our local Habitat for Humanity project and Dr. Rev. Francis Younkin will talk about the Presbyterian Mission he was associated with in Thailand. Questions afterwards.

• January 24 and 31: Our winning combination of Bert Blom and Adam Hamilton will investigate “Forgiveness.” How does practicing forgiving benefit you? Why will forgiving improve your own peace of mind, happiness and health? Be prepared to contribute.

Also on January 31, following Bert’s University of Life presentation, we will have a “punching party” to punch holes and string rubber bands through church brochures and invitations to the February Fellowship Dinner. These items will be distributed as door-hangers the week before the dinner to encourage more of our neighbors to visit the church. All helpers will be greatly appreciated! (Bring a hole punch if you have one.)