Transcript
FOUNTAIN HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
IN TOUCH
Fountain Hills, AZ
August 2015
From Our Pastor, Rev. Bill Good
A HARD TURN. . .
The high priest Hilkiah said to
Shaphan the secretary, “I have
found the book of the law in the
house of the Lord.”
When the reclaimed treasure was shared with the
king, he assembled all Israel and read it aloud so
that the people might again hear the life-giving
word of God.
(2 Kings 22:8)
On a certain Sunday morning
not long ago a member of our
church family shared her distress, “I just don’t understand why we have to take this hard turn to the
right.” She was, I assume, speaking from a theological perspective.
Her question troubled me then; and it troubles me
still. It makes me wonder about things lost. And
things found.
2 Kings 22 recounts a time when Israel had wandered far from its roots. Under King Manasseh
and his son Amon, the historic faith of the nation
had been surrendered to pluralism and idol worship. 18 years after succeeding to power at age 8,
King Josiah signaled a turn by commissioning a
renovation in the temple which consequently unearthed “the book of the law”1 buried under the
altar. It seems that what would ultimately become
the foundation of our Bible had gone unknown,
unseen and unheard in Israel for some 75 years.
FHPC VISION & MISSION STAMENTS
Our Vision:
Living God’s love.
calls us to . . .
Our Mission :
Reach out to all with faith and love.
I share this story because it seems to me very
much of a piece with what we have been doing
here at FHPC over the past few years – dusting
off our Bibles and reclaiming the power of the
heritage left us by all those who founded and
grounded this family of faith.
A quick scan of the topics of the recent sermon
series contrasting Progressive and Traditional
Christianity reveals that they comprised nothing
more than a catalogue of the most basic and timehonored tenets of the traditional Presbyterianism
which has given identity to FHPC since its earliest
days. Eschewing the distraction of “hot button”
social topics such as same sex marriage and abortion, they focused enclusively on explorations of
core theological issues such as the saving authority of Christ, the reliability of the Bible, and the
significance of the resurrection.
In fact, as I prepared those individual sermons I
Continued on page 5...
CHURCH OFFICE
SUMMER HOURS
June 1 through September 8
Church office will be open
Monday through Thursday from
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The office will be closed on Fridays.
In Touch
page 2
Focus on Finance
OUR CHURCH STAFF
Rev. Bill Good
Pastor/Head of Staff
Rev. Stan Jones
June Income
$ 37,378
Budget
$ 32,700
Parish Associate
June Expense
$ 34,996
Budget
$ 37,199
Yr to date Income
$ 235,631
Budget
$ 224,700
Yr to date Expense $ 209,886
Budget
$ 217,334
Pastor Ken Brown
Associate Pastor
Debby DeBernardi
Director Christian Formation
Marta Ludwig
Administrative Coordinator
Debbie Fisher
Director of Music Ministry
Dorothy Parris
Pianist
Caryl Bates
Organist
Lynn Medley
Completing the second quarter of 2015, we have managed to keep our expenses
below budget, and income above budget, thanks to
everyone keeping up their pledges. The third quarter is
the toughest, your prayers and support will see us
through this period.
Custodian
CHURCH TREASURER
Linda Lull
CHURCH SESSION
Class of 2015
John Brockelman
Helen Quigley
Terri Schmidt
Chris Young
Class of 2016
Sally Atchinson
Bob Lull
John Skewes
Arlene Stewart
Class of 2017
Mary Alice Bivens
Bonnie Hollabaugh
Aleyne Larsen-Craig
Helen Roesch
Ron Waldo
BOARD OF DEACONS
Moderator: Nancy Wulfmeier
Class of 2015
Ben Fast
Jack Morris
Ruby Pearson
Bev Watters
Class of 2016
Suzie McCready
Dorothy Rudack
Donna Sims
Nancy Wulfmeier
Class of 2017
Michele Hasley
Mary Lee Lehrich
Cynthia Linton
Linda Warren
******
Respectfully,
Linda Lull, Treasurer
On the Inside:
Our Pastor, Rev. Bill Good .. .. .. .. . . . .. . .. . . . . .. . . . ..
Focus on Finance .. .. .. ..… … … … .. . … .. . .. … . .. . .
Relationship with PC (USA) . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . .
Media Ministry .. … .. . . . .. .. . . .. .. . .. .. . . . . . …. .. . ..
Mission Ministry . . … . . . .. .. .. .. . . . .. . . . . … .. . . . . ..
Presbyterian Women .. .. .. …. .. . . . . .. . … .. . . .. . . ..
VBS 2015 Photos … .. . . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Not Yet a Member? .. .. .. . . . … . … . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .
How Can You Help? .. .. … . .. . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facebook .. . . . .. . . . . . . .. .. . . … .. .. . . . . .. .. .. .. . . ..
VBS 2015 Photos. .. … .. .. .. … … ... .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . ..
Christian Formation .. . .. . .. .. .. .. …. .. . . . . .. . .. . . . .. .
From the Director of Christian Formation .. . . . . . . . . .
VBS Photos (Kitchen Crew) .. . … .. … .. . .. .. . .. . . ..
FHPC Foundation.. .. … .. .. . … .. .. . .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . .
Lockboxes for Seniors . .. . .. .. . . . . .. .. . .. .. . . . . . .. . ..
Library Footnotes.. … .. …. .…. …. …. …. …. …. …
Music Ministry .. … … .. .. .. .. …. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . ..
Member Spotlight...Did you Know? .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . …
Necrology for 2015… .. … .. . . .. … .. … . .. . . .. . . ….
August Birthdays .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . ..
Snow in July!. .. .. .. . . … . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . … . . .. .. .
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August 2015
Presbyterian Church (USA)
UPDATE ON THE DISCERNMENT PROCESS REGUARDING OUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PC(USA)
Your Session voted to affirm the Congregations wishes, expressed in the Straw Poll in February,
to enter a time of discernment and continue our discussions about the possibility of separating
from The PC (USA) with the Presbytery. They also voted to consult with other churches who
may also be contemplating this move before going forward. We are in that process now.
Your Session also voted to join the “Fellowship Community” (www.fellowship.community) .
This is a group within The PC (USA) that gives us a forum to discuss our goals for mission, outreach and the future of our church. The exchange of ideas will be beneficial if we decide to stay
within The PC (USA).
We have no further meetings planned at this time. In an effort to continue transparency and
open communications, if you have any questions, please ask a Session member, if we don’t have
the answer we’ll get it. If you have any comments, anything that hasn’t been said that you feel
needs to be said, say it to a Session member. If we need to have a meeting, we will.
This is God’s church and we are good stewards of his property. Now we need to be good stewards of our family, his family. Pray for his guidance for this family to do his will and we will be
stronger in our faith for it, no matter what the outcome.
Also, Pray for your Session, this is far more than what they signed on for.
May God be with all of us,
John Brockelman
Not all ministry is in front of the congregation, there is much to do behind the scenes as well! The
tech team could use some willing volunteers who feel called to use their talents behind the spotlight.
We need a few people to learn the video and sound equipment to serve as coverage during vacations
and unexpected times of need. If you have an interest, we could use people in either service. Please
contact Ron Waldo at 480-228-1575 for more information about how you can be involved!
page 5
November 2012
page 4
In Touch
Mission Ministry
Water for MANA House
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord
saying "Whom shall I send? And who
will go for us?" And I said, "Here I
am Lord, send me!" Isaiah 6:8
Here we are Lord, gathered together to
do what you ask of us. We here in the
Mission Ministry want to be there
Terri Schmidt, Elder
when the Lord needs someone to go
forth and spread his Love and Word to those in need. You
need no special talent or skill to spread God's Love and his
Word. If you want to join our committee to help those in
need, we will welcome you. We are always looking for new
projects and new ways to spread God's Love and his Word.
Here are some of what we are up to now.
Extended Hands Food Bank
We are continuing to collect canned and nonperishable food for the Food Bank.
Every Sunday we provide a shopping basket at the front doors to the
Sanctuary to place your food donations in. Our local Food Bank provides food for over 300 families in
our town. They are always looking
for donations to help feed these
people.
The Friday Night Fish Fry is closed for a couple of
weeks to give the Kitchen Volunteers some vacation time.
This is just one of the things the Food Bank does to raise
money to help supplement the Food Bank as well as help out
with money to help with rent or utility bills. They will reopen the first Friday of September. Some of our committee
will be there to help out again. If this is something you may
be interested in doing, you can contact either Bonnie Hollabaugh or Terri Schmidt.
School Supplies
We are collecting School supplies again this year.
We will be collecting through August. School will start August 10th, and we will take it to the school as close to the start
as possible, but will take all supplies given as we receive
them. The supplies we will be collecting are: spiral writing
tablets, #2 lead pencils, erasers, crayons, Elmers glue sticks,
colored pencils, and boxes of Kleenex. This has been a project we have taken on for several years because there are
many children that can not afford these items and the schools
can not afford to provide for them. We want to say Thank
You for helping us with this project again this year.
Thank you for all of you who have so generously given cases of water. We
have given over 24 cases of water
so far this summer, we have also
collected $30.00 to be used for
water for the Veterans. With our
Arizona heat the homeless Veterans and those at MANA House
are in need of water. We will
continue to collect water throughout the year. Water is such an important staple for survival and is a much needed item for the homeless.
School Backpacks
We have joined with S.W.A.T.T. and several
other local Churches, as well as Extended Hands and
Max’s Closet for this project. There are over 300 children on the roster at Extended Hands Food Bank in the
age bracket of 0-20. Now we know not all of these are
school age or even attending school, so Lisa Hadsall of
Max’s closet told me her goal is 130 backpacks filled
with school supplies. If you would like to join in on this
project, we are asking you to buy a backpack and fill it
with the following items: hand sanitizer, hand-i-wipes,
Kleenex, ruled spiral notebooks, #2 leaded pencils, colored pencils, crayons, erasers Elmer’s glue sticks, and a
personal plastic water bottle. You can drop off these
backpacks in the Narthex or the Church Office, or if you
prefer you can take them to Max’s Closet or EHFB. Remember school starts in August and the sooner we can
get them to the kids the better.
This is just one of many projects we hope to do
with S.W.A.T.T. and other local churches. We look forward to continuing working side by side with our fellow
Christian brothers and sisters, spreading God’s Love and
his Word. We also have several other projects on the
back burner, trying to work out the details and will let
you know about them as soon as we have all the details
worked out.
If this is something you feel is of interest to
you, please let us know. We would love to have you join
our Mission Ministry Committee. We meet the second
Monday of the month at 4:00 pm in the Conference
Room. We will welcome you with open arms. God is
good and we want to tell as many people as we can, starting here in Fountain Hills.
Thank you to all who so generously donate their
time and food and money. You serve God well and we
are happy to be a part of your family in Christ. May God
Bless you all.
In Touch
page 5
August 2015 page 4
Mission Ministry
MISSION PROJECT – SUPPORT OUR TROOPS/VETERANS
Many thanks to those of you who generously participated in our Summer
Project to help our homeless Veterans by donating new t-shirts and socks for
the warm summer months. The delivery was made to MANA House in
downtown Phoenix the last week of June and they were thrilled with all the
boxes and bags that were loaded full of badly needed items. In addition to
this delivery, there was also a load of magazines and books that was delivered in the same week to the Veterans Hospital/Home in Phoenix. We continue throughout the year to collect gently used clothing, toiletries, books,
DVD’s, CD’s and magazines that will be delivered throughout the year on a
regular basis. Deliveries are made when there are enough items collected to
do so. There are two boxes for you to place your donations located at
Church. One is in the Narthex on the table and the other one
is in the Fellowship Center located on the left side as you enter. Any questions, please just ask me.
Donna Sims,
Deacon
From our Pastor continued from page 1...
found comfort and inspiration in recognizing that
I wasn’t preaching anything different than founding pastor Glenn Atchinson had preached from
that bar stool in Little John’s 40 years ago.
So, does this represent some “hard turn to the
right?” Not unless somebody moved the boundary markers.
of a re-turn -- like Israel we “have found the
book of the law in the house of the Lord” and are
sharing it publically. This doesn’t seem to me so
much a hard turn to the right as it is a hard turn
to the center. Thanks be to God for guarding
and guiding us on our continuing journey of discipleship.
Here’s the point: Jesus Christ – not the culturally
modified one, but the one we meet in the Bible –
is now, just as he has always been, the center
around which all life revolves here at FHPC. He
calls us to follow him. . . and so we have, and so
we do.
Grace and Peace,
1
If we’ve made a turn here it’s more in the nature
Commonly understood now to be either the 5 books of
the Pentateuch or, perhaps, the book of Deuteronomy.
page 7
December 2011
page 6
In Touch
Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team for 2015-2016
Moderator: Maurene Gerson
Mission Coordinator: Sandy Larson
Vice-Moderator : Linda Capron
Librarian: Barbara Oakeson
Secretary: Bonnie Matty
Membership/Yearbook Coordinator: Linda Warren
Treasurer: Maria Berry
Bible Study Coordinator: Evelyn Hrunek
Publicity: Ilene Berg
Search Committee: Arlene Stewart
Morning Circle Leader: Suzie McCready Evening Circle Leader: Judy Irvin
Afternoon Circle Leader: Martha Baxter
Historian: Office Angels
Hooked on Books Leader: Jan Hoff
New Member Chair: Carol Fuls
Out n’ About Leader: Nancy Wulfmeier
COME JOIN US!
PW Circles will begin meeting in September for a new season of shared
faith, friendship and outreach. All Circles – morning, afternoon and evening
– are open and eager to welcome new members, whether you are new to our
congregation or a longstanding member of FHPC. If you have wondered
what Circles offer, this is your chance to find friendship, expand your knowledge of scripture and to follow Jesus’ example
of mission. Carol Fuls can help you find a Circle that meets at a time most convenient for you. See her at worship service,
or call her at 836-2346. Circles meet monthly at the times and places shown below:
Morning Circle 9 a.m.
Afternoon Circle 1 p.m.
Evening Circle 7 p.m.
2nd Thursday
1st Tuesday
3rd Monday
Adult Center
Fountain View Village Chapel
Members’ homes
2015-2016 BIBLE STUDY
Did you know there were more than 800 references to water in
the Bible?? Sometimes there is too much water (think Noah);
sometimes there is too little water (think drought in the desert). Our bodies are 60 percent water; our brains are 75 percent water. Just as water nourishes our bodies, so the scriptures on water nourish our souls. This study has been reviewed by members of FHPW and comes highly recommended!
The author of this year’s study, Judy Record Fletcher is a
teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She received a BA in English and history from Lamar University
and an MDiv from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Judy has served as a director of Christian education and as
a pastor. She has written for Presbyterians, Lutherans, and
the United Church of Christ. She has served as keynote
speaker, director, and preacher for conferences at every
governing body level of the denomination. She has chaired
special committees for the General Assembly.
After serving as executive of the Synod of the Sun for 14
years, Judy retired in July 2011.
Do you know how the Horizon
Bible Study is selected?? Members of Presbyterian Women
around the country suggest topics
or potential writers by submitting
their comments and ideas to the
Churchwide Coordinating Team
Bible Study Committee. Any
suggestions that are considered
are then field tested to identify strengths and weaknesses
in the texts chosen for each lesson, the language used to
communicate ideas, the questions for discussion and the
overall helpfulness of the study for spiritual growth and
page 7
August 2015
daily living. Any PW group can apply to be a field tester.
You can read more about the selection process at the back of
2015-2016 PW/Horizons Bible Study.
Isaiah 55: Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
Ilene Berg
The road of life
God of our life,
there are days when the burdens we carry
chafe our shoulders and weight us down;
when the road seems dreary and endless,
the skies gray and threatening;
when our lives have no music in them,
and our hearts are lonely,
and our souls have lost their courage.
Flood the path with light,
turn our eyes to where
the skies are full of promise;
tune our hearts to brave music;
give us the sense of comradeship
with heroes and saints of every age;
and so quicken our spirits
that we may be able to encourage
the souls of all who journey with us
on the road of life,
to your honor and glory.
—St Augustine
-The Newsletter Newsletter
by Communication Resources, Inc
Random Thoughts As We Age
Even duct tape can't fix stupid ... but it can muffle the sound!
Why do I have to press one for English when you're just gonna transfer me to someone I can't understand anyway?
Of course I talk to myself, sometimes I need expert advice.
Oops! Did I roll my eyes out loud?
At my age "Getting lucky" means walking into a room and remembering what I came in there for.
Chocolate comes from cocoa which is a tree ... that makes it a plant which means ... chocolate is Salad !!!
I hate when he plays Everest!
In Touch
page 8
VBS 2015 Everest
People make all the difference:
Top, left to right: Debby DeBernardi and Jo Nelson; Debbie Fisher; Debbie Fisher, Bonnie Hollabaugh, Ron Waldo and Jaime
Brown; Bottom from left to right: Sandy Heunisch with her VBS crew; Judy Irvin; Suzie McCready; Heather Greco.
Not Yet A Member?
*If you are attending our church and don’t have membership in another church, you can join our church by profession
of faith and receiving the Sacrament of Baptism or, if you’ve already been baptized, you can join by reaffirmation of faith in
Jesus Christ.
*If you belong to another church, but would like to transfer your membership
to our church, we can arrange for a letter of transfer from your current membership
church to ours.
*If you are a winter visitor and are an active member of another church “back
home”, you can become an affiliate member at our church here and maintain your full
active membership there.
For additional information, please contact Aleyne Larsen-Craig at 602-625-6201, Sally
Atchinson at 480-837-1054 or call the church office at 480-837-1763.
Sally Atchinson
& Aleyne Larsen-Craig
page 9
August 2015
Did you Know? (continued)
How can you help?
23. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and
eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Fry's Community Rewards Program
The more our church family shops at Fry's, the more monetary support our church will have. Won't you consider registering to allow Fry's to donate a portion of your grocery
expenditures to our church programs?
24. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, broccoli, and almonds.
25. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
26. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or
things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy
in the positive present moment.
27. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and
dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
Register for the Fry's Community Rewards Program
Go to https://www.frysfood.com/topic/community?
activePage=community-rewards-2 make sure you enter the
whole address to visit the Fry's web page.
•
•
28. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
29. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Forgive them for everything!
30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
31. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to
disagree.
32. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
If you already have an account online, select Sign
In at the top right of the page. Enter your email
and password then click Sign In.
If you don't already have an account on line: click
Register at the top right of the page.
- Fill in the required fields, (be sure to write down
your password).
- Enter your zip code to find your preferred store.
From the drop-down menu below Find Store,
select your store. Now click Create an Account.
- You must sign up for a V.I.P. card to sign up for
the Community Rewards Program
- Check your email for a confirmation, click the
hyperlink in your email, and finish creating your
account.
- In your account, enroll for Community Re
wards program, using the new FHPC
organization #84123
33. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea
what their journey is all about.
Facebook
FACEBOOK PAGE: Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church
Go to our website and click on Facebook on our home page. When you are there also click on the like it
icon. When you do that you will get news feeds directly from our site whenever anything new is added.
It is just another way to stay connected.
Reverse economy
In Love Does (Thomas Nelson), Bob Goff describes his childhood interactions with a storekeeper. Goff would
choose some candy, spread his change on the counter and let the man count out what was owed. One morning,
judging by the man’s face, Goff could tell there wasn’t enough money.
“We’re one penny short,” the storekeeper said. After a long pause, he took one of Goff’s pennies, rubbed it with
some vinegar and revealed a coin that looked brand new. Returning to the pile, the man said, “In my store, shiny
pennies are worth double.”
Goff says that was an important lesson about Christians’ role in Jesus’ economy, where the poor are rich and we
must give to receive: “We get to decide that people, including ourselves, are worth more than others might figure and
that following Jesus means doing the math differently sometimes,” he writes. “Because actually we’re all on the same
side of the counter when it comes to needing a little help and grace and a shiny penny now and then.”
-The Newsletter Newsletter
by Communication Resources, Inc
In
InTouch
Touch
page
page 10
8
VBS 2015 Everest
page 11
August 2015
VBS 2015 Everest
Go to Facebook to see all the wonderful pictures of VBS in full color!
In Touch
page 12
Christian Formation: Recap VBS Everest
During the week of July 6 – 10, the
Presbyterian church took on a little
different look. Believe it or not, it
was actually snowing…in Fountain
Hills…in July. We saw such things
as snowshoes, pine trees, and snowy
mountains. We received visits from
animals like marmots and markhors. There were close to 150 extra
people on our campus, and it was
amazing.
Bonnie Hollabaugh, Elder
Vacation Bible School this year
was done as a collaborative effort
with the Church of the Ascension,
as it was last year. Working with
our Catholic brothers and sisters to
show God’s love proved to be a
truly uplifting experience. We had
approximately 73 kids who attended, from nursery-aged through
fifth grade, and close to seventy
volunteers. Approximately 57% of
the kids who attended are not connected to any specific church family.
Trek Rockrambler (who looked an
awful lot like Andrey Lull) was
really in a sticky situation. All
Trek wanted to do was scale the
great mountain Everest, but
things kept happening to him
which prevented his progress. He started off with
a cold, then he didn’t have the
proper supplies. At times, he
felt discouraged, but in the end,
and with God’s ability to provide, Trek finally reached the
summit! Each day, he would
come in and share his experiences with the group. Through
his insightful conversations with
Debbie Fisher (which we have
all had, I’m sure), Trek found
out that God is always keeping
an eye on everyone, and that He
is always with us.
Each day, there was one specific Bible point for the kids to
learn. These Bible points were then illustrated in several different ways throughout the day. Bible Expeditions showed the
Bible point through skits that were taken from the Bible. The
KidVideo area gave kids an insight into some of the ways that
other people were showing God’s love and told the story of
actual people. Imagination Station gave the climbing crews the
chance to see the Bible point through science gizmos and experiments that the kids were able to do. Glacier Games gave
the crews some lessons in teamwork, but done through playing
games. Mountaintop Treats, which were prepared by a group
of kids each day, was the refreshment that everyone needed
midway through the morning. The Bible points that were illustrated were, “God has the power to provide”, “God has the
power to heal”, “God has the power to comfort”, “God has
the power to forgive” and “God has the power to love us forever.” Simple points, but very important ones.
Throughout the course of the
week, there were two separate
mission activities that we were
involved in. The local mission
was to collect food and nonperishable items for the Extended
Hands Food Bank. The global
mission included raising money to
send New Testament Bibles to
kids in Thailand. Many kids in
Thailand do not have a Bible that
they can read, so through Operation Kid-to-Kid, Bibles are being
provided in the Thai language. Throughout the course of
the week, enough money was
raised to send 212 Bibles to Thailand. It was amazing to hear
the kids talk about the things
that they did at home so that
they could earn the money to
donate.
Overall, the experience of Everest was one that will not
soon be forgotten. Throughout
the week, we were all blessed
by the music, the stations and
the people. A special thanks
goes out to the key people who
made it happen, to the people
who prayed for the experience,
to the people who did a zillion
things behind the scenes, to
the people who got up on stage
and the people who took pictures and ran slide shows. Climbing Everest truly was a team
effort! Thank you for being part of the journey!
page 13
August 2015
From the Director of Christian Formation
Thanks to our Christian
Formation Summer Interns:
Evan and Logan Cain!
When Evan Cain, who played Jesus
during our Weird Animals VBS, contacted me this summer about a potential internship, I sensed God was up to
something good for FHPC! What I also discovered was
a twin brother, Logan Cain, of equal passion and dedication to our Lord with a longing to serve. Both young
men are honor students at Azusa Pacific University in
Biblical Studies. Both have a variety of talents of which
most of you have enjoyed at VBS and second service.
What some of you may not realize is that they have
been empowered as Christian Formation summer interns to create new ways of “connecting” and
“becoming in community” as they adventure in developing a summer ministry which uses some of their passion
and expertise. Here is their introduction to their new
summer ministry that kicked off at Stalling’s home with
a dozen college students in attendance. They meet
weekly and in addition will offer another social and mission activity before most students return to school. Below is an exciting logo created by Evan and a summary
of the ministry purpose by Evan and Logan:
ReFrame is a youngadult ministry that
seeks to help graduates and college students answer some of
this generation’s most
fundamental quesSame Truth
tions about God, reliReFramed for
gion, and life in geneToday’s Generation!
ral. Through conversations centered on the Bible and scholarship, we discover more about who God is, how God worked in history, and how God can use students like us in history
today. Through vulnerable dialogues and experiences
addressing doubts, fears, and genuine concerns we
seek to build and deepen our relationship with God and
each other with a resultant strong foundation of spiritual
and moral character.
As a summer ministry, ReFrame acts as a place where
students and graduates can reorient themselves toward
the important values and questions of life and begin to
embody these values in mission. Therefore, ReFrame
acts as a launchpad to drive all of us toward an identity
(in Christ) and the right direction (telos) as we prepare
for the year ahead.
Special thanks to their beautifully spirited and talented
girl friends, Shannon and Eternity, who supported
them, their ministry and our faith family this summer.
Please take time to appreciate them this month!
Nothing Happens Outside of Relationships:
VBS Highlights
Relational Ministry!
Here are a few quotes and stories:
Kids have spiritual awareness! VBS was the
first time I “visually” could “see” the Holy Spirit
manifest through the kids! My kids could embrace spiritual things that even adults can’t!
Crew Leaders show evidence of the Holy
Spirit: Eternity was so patient with her climbing
crew of kids. I saw the fruit of the spirit in her!
God knew just where to place her!
Thank you for the experience of allowing the
Holy Spirit to speak through me. It was unlike
any other feeling or experience I have ever
had!
-Logan Cain
From Task to Relationship
When asked if I could assist a crew leader with
one of the girls in her group, I was not sure I
could. I was terrified, thinking of the task. However, I said I would do my best. We both were
hesitant with each other. Well, within the hour,
she was my best friend and she said to me, "I
love you Suzie". We were inseparable for the
balance of the week. I fell in love with her too,
what a sweetheart! We were sad to part on
Friday, I had a nice conversation with her
mother and grandmother, and told them our
story, which made them very happy. God put
Anna and I together, for a good reason, a
SHARED LOVE relationship! I hope to see her
again next year at VBS !
Fondly, Suzie McCready
Inspiring Leadership at FHPC: Seeing Bonnie Hollabaugh and Ron Waldo take a week’s
vacation to minister was an incredible witness
and a challenge to follow!
Continued on page 15...
In Touch
page 14
VBS 2015 Everest
Amazing VBS Kitchen Volunteers! Thank you!
Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church Foundation
“An Investment Today for the Life of Our Church Tomorrow”
Distribution of FHPC Foundation Funds
At the end of every year, FHPC Foundation determines funding that is available to the
Church for the following year. For 2015 the Foundation allocated $4,900 to the Church.
Through the Foundation evaluation procedure, the money was awarded to Ron Waldo, who is in charge of the
Tech Department for the Church. The money was used to provide campus wide Wi-Fi Equipment, Live
Streaming Web Cam, a Music Office Computer, new Library software, expanded accounting software usage
and mounting of the Projector in the Fellowship Center. The actual cost for the project was under budget at
$4,790.61. Thank you Ron!
To learn more about the Foundation, contact a member of the Board of Trustees. They will be happy to answer your questions and assist you in becoming a “LEGACY” member of the Foundation.
Foundation Board of Trustees
Barbara Oakeson
Matt Jefferson
Roy Nickel
John Skewes
480-837-5563
480-837-6001
480-688-8392
480-292-9021
Susan Phillips
Dawn Lau
Ben Fast
480-837-1225
480-837-2607
480-837-1119
page 15
August, 2015
Continued from page 13...
My generation looks for genuineness- kids and adults
embodied it at VBS! Everyone was who they are. Kids
were so genuine-it was amazing! -Evan Cain
VBS is not the only place God is active… thank you
church and FHPC Leadership!
I almost gave up on church, then I came here for the internship. There is “realness” here and Jesus is using this
experience to show me that we can have intimacy in the
church. - Evan Cain
Fall Ministries resume for Christian Formation after Labor Day! We are excited and
looking forward to John Biven’s teaching in
September, Sylvia Burke’s study on Daniel
beginning in January, Life with God for Elementary and Preschool on Sunday’s and the
Big God Story for Elementary on Wednesday
nights.
I have appreciated meeting and the accountability. It is a
different kind of accountability, it is not judgment, rather it
helps us see what the Holy Spirit is doing. -Logan Cain
Lockboxes for Seniors
A work in progress
A Christian is always in the process of
becoming, never in the state of having become. The Christian life is not being pious
but becoming pious, not being healthy but
becoming healthy, not being but becoming,
not rest but exercise. We are not yet (what
we are to be), but we are becoming it. It is
not yet done and has not yet happened. It
is, however, going on and coming to be. It
is not the end, but it is the way.
—Martin Luther
Prayer — it’s in our genes
I don’t think prayer is merely a sociological
phenomenon. I don’t think it’s something
we do just to fit into a community or when
we’ve exhausted all other options.
I think it’s hardwired into our spiritual DNA,
God is the inevitability of humanity’s search
for true meaning.
- Jared Brock,
A Year of Living Prayerfully
-The Newsletter Newsletter
by Communication Resources, Inc
In Touch
page 16
Library Footnotes
LOTS OF CANDLES,
PLENTY OF CAKE
By Anna Quindlin
Who doesn’t like birthday cake?
This book is not
about birthday parties, but it is one of twelve books on the PW
reading list and has never been checked out.
Well, not until last Thursday. I recommend it
without reservation.
It is a book for women, it’s “our age”, which
can cover several decades. There is no mystery, no exotic love affairs, no tragic events;
but it will take you back to memories you
cherish as she writes about life from late middle age to early old age. For instance, does
this sound familiar? “When I was young I
used to make fun of older couples, with two
guys in the front seat of the car and the two
women in the back, used to wrinkle my nose
at parties where the men were in the living
room with beers and the women in the kitchen
filling platters with cold cuts. But now I totally get it. I love
hanging out with other women.”
Quindlin has lots to say about friendships and their importance in our lives. Close girlfriends can be more therapeutic
than therapists. Husbands rarely understand the importance
of frequent phone calls (daily?) to one special friend, and
also wonder how a friend you’re in touch with only a few
times a year, can still a be a “best” friend. I feel so fortunate
to have one of those “best” friends, and when we get
together it is a special gift.
Because we have lived through many of the struggles of
maturing, we have lots of advice stored up ready to
share; but we often painfully learn that when we share
this with a different generation it sounds like a different
language to them. Things don’t really
change much from one generation to another. What things were not allowed in
your family? What rules did you have for
your children? Adults have been critical of
the clothes teenagers wear forever. As we
age, Quindlin says we can gracefully accept changing mores or stubbornly become
old coots.
Even though Quindlin is only 62, she has
great insight into aging and the things that
make a difference in a retired person’s life.
It’s not a how-to-book, but delightful stories that touch the heart and make you
smile. I guarantee you will find yourself in
the pages of this book more than once.
See you at the Library!
Vivian Virden
A broken body
The video for “broken Together,” a contemporary Christian song by Casting Crowns, features a married
couple struggling through a lifetime of faults and failings. But the song’s message applies to church families, as well, according to lead singer Mark Hall.
Instead of trying to appear perfect and put-together on Sundays, he says, Christians need to be real
with one another in an honest, “broken together” community. “In community,” Hall says, “we can tear the
plastic off and just be ourselves. We can say, “You know what, we don’t have it all together at our house,
and it’s kind of a mess. But Jesus lives in this mess, and he’s walking with us through it.”
-The Newsletter Newsletter
by Communication Resources, Inc
page 17
August, 2015
Music Ministry
If you are able to attend either of
our services through the summer, you have no doubt
been hearing some wonderful
and thought provoking music
offered up by our music staff
and those who have stepped into
our special music slot as soloists, duets, quartets and instrumentalists. Our "Home By Another Way" has stepped up with
extra musicians adding to the
fun with brothers Logan and
Debbie Fisher, Director of Music
Evan Cain adding to the guitar and percussion sections, and Eternity Stallings adding
flute and vocals! It's so fun to have young Christians
come in and add to the joy of being among other faithful
souls! They have been good friends of Jon Trautman and
Jake Eberspacher for years, and they have great respect for
each other!
They also have the attitude it takes to play with Hilltop,
one of freedom to improvise in the Spirit, playing overlapping genres which makes the music of this service so
unique. We often see people in this service who have already attended the 9:00 a.m.! Although I am musically
involved with both services every Sunday, respecting both
for what they nurture in me and others, I am blessed each
Sunday! The sermons delivered each Sunday have never
failed to be spiritually inspiring, leading both services to
be welcoming and inclusive of all who seek to deepen
their faith in God, our Father, Jesus, His Son, and His
Holy Spirit which guides us all.
Before we approach the season where our music groups all
begin rehearsing, I have decided to accept an invitation to
sing in a 24 voice choir made up of singers from all over
the valley made to me by a Director friend, Michael
McCall, to sing the "Lux Aerterna," "Illumination" and
"Contre Qui Rose," compositions of Morten Lauridsen. The composer will be in attendance at both venues in
September, one being the Scottsdale Center for the
Arts. We will combine with Master Choirs of two of our
state Universities, performing these works which draw
spectacular reviews, commenting that the music sounds
like what is imagined of "music upon the arrival in
Heaven!"
My final thought is in saying farewell to Jake Eberspacher,
who has been a musical part of this church for the last 10
years. He will be traveling on to College, leaving Hilltop,
pursuing a degree in computer sciences. He has been a
part of my week for so long, and I absolutely love
him. He has always been level headed, sincere, and willing, and I respect him so much. Good luck, Jake, in all
you do. On the other hand, Jon Trautman, who will also
be heading off to college will be staying with Hilltop, continuing to get his musical fix while no doubt giving his
Professors a run for their money!
"O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the
earth! Sing to theLord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day!"
Psalm 96: 1,2
Deborah Fisher
Director of Music Ministries
quote, written by Henry van Dyke:
"Time is too slow for those who wait,
too swift for those who fear,
too long for those who grieve,
too short for those who rejoice,
but for those who love — time is eternity"
Okay, I caught him, now what do I do with him?
In Touch
page 18
Member Spotlight …. Did you know?
John & Mary Alice Bivens
If this article were an interview, it would go like this:
Q: Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
John: I was born and grew up in Wingate, North Carolina in
a home still owned and occupied by a family member. I’m a
Tar Heel born and bred and remained so until I became a 1st
Lt. in the US Army following my graduation from N.C. State
University.
Mary Alice: I was born in Grand
Rapids, Michigan as my father was
the Pastor of a Presbyterian Church in
Muir, MI. We moved to Minnesota
when I was 3 yrs old and moved to
Anchorage, Alaska shortly after I
turned 15.
Q: How long have you lived in Fountain
Hills?
John & Mary Alice: We moved
here from central Phoenix in 2000
after deciding to downsize and reside
in the delightful community of Fountain Hills.
Q: How many siblings do you have?
John: Two. My brother, 9 yrs my senior now deceased, was
among those who served on Okinawa in WWII. My sister
has been married to a Southern Baptist minister for 66 years.
They and their 5 children still live in or nearby my home
town.
Mary Alice: I’m the eldest of my siblings. My sister just
retired from Disney World where she has worked since the
park opened. My two younger brothers, who live across the
country from each other, are still my best friends.
Q: How long have you been married? How did you meet your
spouse?
John & Mary Alice: Some 58 years ago, after graduating
from the University of Minnesota, Mary Alice returned to
Anchorage, AK, to begin a career working with kids in a
public recreation program. John was stationed at nearby Ft.
Richardson. As an active member of the post-high school/
college group at the Presbyterian Church he happened to be
in their office planning a “Welcome Back” party when he
was less than impressed with the person he was introduced to
as the Pastor’s eldest daughter. Never-the-less we became
fast friends. We were married the following January after
deciding we really wanted to spend the rest of their lives
together.
Q: What was the craziest or silliest thing you have ever done?
(If you can mention it!)
John: Thinking I was in condition to hike the Grand Canyon
from the North Rim to the South, all 28 miles, and actually
doing it.
Mary Alice: Being convinced by the President of the
American Motorcycle Association that I could ride such a
machine safely up a winding mountain trail in Moab, Utah.
The experience resulted in my having one of the biggest
bruises I’ve ever had. I did finish the ride, nonetheless.
Q: What was your first job?
John: I worked on our family farm all my high school years.
My first “real” job was as an officer in the U.S. Army.
Mary Alice: My first ever was baby-sitting the neighbor’s
kids. The first professional job was establishing a year-round
recreational program for the city of Anchorage.
Q: What has been your favorite job, either paying or non-paying
and why?
John: I have been blessed with several enjoyable jobs. I
guess my favorite would be as the first Director of the
Delaware State Planning Office. Working directly with the
Governor, State Legislature, and providing services for the
public was a great learning experience. I also served as the
Assistant Director of ADOT, heading the first
Planning Division, employed to help make the
old Highway Department into a multi-modal
Transportation Department.
Mary Alice: My most rewarding job was and
is being a mother. Professionally it would be
as the Director of the Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission (now integrated
into Arizona State Parks).
Q: How long have you been a member of our
Church?
John & Mary Alice: We’ve been
members of FHPC since moving here in 2000.
Q: What was the most interesting event or
accomplishment in your life?
John: I had the privilege of developing the first plan for the
Atlanta Rapid Transit system (MARTA) which essentially
has been built as planned. I also was involved in Magnetic
Levitation transportation systems nationally and internationally. Just wish Phoenix would have thought outside the
box and used this technology for its rail system.
Mary Alice: The answer to this question is intertwined
with my answer to the following question. I spent my
sophomore college year attending the Beirut College for
Women (now Lebanese American University). This experience forever changed my life and became a major factor in my becoming the person I am today.
Q: Have you ever had a life changing experience?
John: Yes, more than once. The most recent was our trip to
the Holy Land to replace 1600 olive trees a few years ago.
That trip kindled a passion for peace within me that calls
me to action whenever there is an opportunity.
Q: What is the best advice you were ever given?
John: Stand by your Christian principles. Once you make a
commitment, keep it.
Mary Alice: As a mother of two young girls and a traveling husband I was advised to become involved in activities
that interested me and my girls outside of the home. So,
when John was home we were happy to all be at home
together.
Q: Who would you say has had the most impact on your life?
John: My parents and my wife.
Mary Alice: My father and his sister. My spiritual journey
was intricately begun by my father and my zest to be my
own person was instilled in me by my Aunt Mary.
Q: Who in your life would you say you might have had the most
positive influence on and why?
John: I think I may have had the most positive influence on
our three children and on some of my many employees.
Perhaps that influence came by example, firmness, and
unconditional love.
Continued on page 19...
page 19
August, 2015
Hospitalized? Call the church!
With deepest sympathy we list
those members who have passed
away in 2015.
Billy Neal
Sylvester Taylor
Marjorie Koepke
Dallas Shuck
Jack Schuler
Paul Barker
Mildred Aimone
If you are sick, hospitalized or home recovering from illness, we want you to call the church and let us know! In a congregation like ours where people leave in droves for extended
summer months, it is easy for the staff, elders and deacons to
assume, when we don’t see someone, that they are simply
“vacationing away”. The truth is that some of you are sick and
we are not aware of it.
You can help us by simply letting one of the staff know of your
situation. We have an excellent support system in place due to
the diligent efforts of our deacons. Help us serve you by communicating your situation.
John & Mary Alice Bivens continued from page 18
ÂjxÄÄ wÉÇx? g{Éâ zÉÉw tÇw yt|à{yâÄ áxÜätÇà‹A
XÇàxÜ à{Éâ |ÇàÉ à{x }Éç by à{ç _ÉÜwAÊ
Matthew 25:21
Mary Alice: Outside of our children, I probably have had the most
positive influence on those who worked with me at AORCC.
Q: What would be your best advice you might offer to someone today?
John: The best advice I could give is to strive to follow Christ, pray
daily, and live a life of service to others.
Mary Alice: The best advice I can give to anyone is to be true to
yourself and put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. To a young
married couple it would be to never go to bed on an argument.
(John & I never have!)
Q: There are many wonderful things about our church,
what do you like best?
John: The most important thing about our church is the love, care,
and friendships.
Mary Alice: The #1 important positive aspect about our church is
the feeling of love, support and care I get from and with our members.
HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAYS!
08/03
08/04
08/06
08/08
08/08
08/09
08/09
08/10
08/11
Carol Hencz
Jerry Miles
Rodger Bachman
Ken Brown
Norm Collins
Samuel Hissler
Letha Neely
Ben Owens
Maurene Gerson
08/12
08/13
08/14
08/15
08/15
08/17
08/17
08/18
08/20
08/22
Charlotte Hissler
Pat Ahrens
Ruth Tessmer
Byron Hodgson
Myka Mitchell
Andy Hasley
Suzie McCready
Mary Ann Nickel
Wanda Collins
Charles Eberspacher
08/23
08/23
08/26
08/26
08/27
08/27
08/29
08/29
08/30
Lynn Medley
JJ Prokupek
Maria Berry
Kent Martinson
Korah Manzanares
Richard Uphoff
Keith Junk
Ashlynn Mitchell
Margie Brown
Non Profit Organ.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Permit NO. 299
Scottsdale, AZ
Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church
13001 N. Fountain Hills Boulevard
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Current Resident or
In Touch is published monthly; deadline for each issue is the 15th of the month before publication.
News and information should be submitted to the church office in hard copy, or email to
[email protected] Editor, Marta Ludwig; Proof Reader, Helen Roesch; Staff Photographers: Gary
Oakeson & Michele Hasley; Production and Circulation: Mary Wernecke, Bobbie Dangremond, Ruby
Pearson, Marilyn Humes, Mary Martinson and Vivian Virden. Travel to Bulk Mail Post Office: Mary
Martinson.
VBS 2015 Everest
Snow in July?
Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church
13001 Fountain Hills Blvd. - Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Phone - (480) 837-1763 Fax - (480) 837-1729
Office E-Mail Address:
[email protected]
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
www.fhpresbyterian.info
Pastor/Head of Staff: Rev Bill Good
email:
[email protected] cell phone: 480-329-8090
