The Messenger - March 5, 2009

Pastor's Ponderings
by Rev. Neal Neuenchwander

March 5, 2009

Five Reasons I Believe in the First Presbyterian Church:

Reason #5: The Opportunities at Hand

One advantage of being the pastor in your church is that I get to see new projects being formed. In most cases, I am not the alchemist who is "stirring up" all this stuff. Only God can do that! But I get to see ideas germinate in some commission and take root as enthusiasm grows. So, here are just a few of the projects that I know to be germinating in our church.

• Children's Ministry. One new family in our church came from a congregation that used "Awana," a wonderful weekly ministry for kids. Awana involves music, recreation, study, and (often) crafts to develop an enthusiastic faith in children. This mother offered to help us start such a program, and Sue Headley received an endorsement for this effort from our Children's Ministry Commission. We will have to adapt "Awana" to our setting, and there are lots of details to work out, but we think that we can launch something truly exciting in the fall.
• Men's Ministry. The primary outreach to men in our church has long been athletics. We are thrilled to welcome women into all of our sports teams, but men usually form the majority of a co-ed sports team. And, at least in church, they rarely form a majority anywhere else. We'd like to change that. And we'll start by gathering men for breakfast and conversation at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 14. We hope to get men thinking about their own spiritual development and ways we can enhance it at the church.
• Youth Ministry. Our primary Camping Experience for children in this church has been held at Forest Home, an excellent Christian Camp in the San Bernardino Mountains. This camp has a fabulous ministry to children, but teenagers often need something a bit more rigorous and something a bit more "wild." Thus, we are sending several teens to "Rockin' Waters," a wilderness experience in Central California, where they will challenge rushing rivers and high cliffs to find a sense of adventure in the Christian Faith.
• Couple's Ministry. Several members of our Beachcombers group went to see a powerful film the other day. It's called "Fireproof," and it's about the challenge of sustaining a strong and faithful marriage as the years go by. One couple liked it so much that they have begun a personal ministry, delivering this film to others (for viewing on a DVR) along with a free pizza to enjoy. Kim and I had a blast when our turn came, and we'd love to share this gift, too. If you'd like to see the film with your sweetheart, just pick a night and call us. We'd be happy to "deliver."
• Long-Term plans. Several weeks ago, I wrote about the Acts 16:5 Initiative, which our Presbytery is launching this very year. I mentioned that this Initiative had revitalized several congregations in the PCUSA and that session had approved our participation in it. Now, I can tell you that we have assembled a great combination of "veterans" and "newcomers" to assist us in this effort: Jim Waters, Tim Gray, Dottie Hill, Coreen Iwai, Pete Petersen, and Shane Armstrong. They bring a wonderful assortment of leadership gifts, and I truly look forward to my work with them.

Of course, this is just a list of what is NEW at First Pres. Space does not allow me to discuss the well-established programs that regularly bless our women, men, and youth. Nonetheless, I hope that several of you who read this article will be encouraged by these new efforts and seek to support them. And, if nothing old or new really tickles your fancy, I hope you'll be encouraged to "stir up" something else. More often than not, all it takes is a neat idea and a team of willing hands to make great things start.

Neal

Calendar
Week of March 5, 2009

• Friday

  8:30 am
  Tennis breakfast at Carrows

• Sunday

  8:30 - 9:30 am
  Adult Sunday School
• 9:30 am
  Worship (Pastor Neal/Paul Purdy); Children and Youth Sunday School (Sue Headley)

• Monday

  6:30 pm
  Youth Praise Band (Tim Gray)
• 7:00 pm
  Women's Bible Study (Kim Neuenschwander)

• Wednesday

  7:00 am
  Breakfast Club Bible Study at Carrow's (Bob Erbacker)
• 1:00 pm
  Women's Bible Study (Kim Neuenschwander)
• 2:30 pm
  Beachcomber Beta Group
• 4:30 pm
  Cherub Choir (Emily Anderson)
• 4:30 pm
  Gospel Gang (Lesley Sirianni)
• 5:30 pm
  Kings Chorus (Lesley Sirianni)
• 6:30 pm
  SonLight Singers (Lesley Sirianni)
• 6:30 pm
  Jr. High Fellowship (Todd Bender)
• 7:00 pm
  Prayer Group
• 7:00 pm
  Chapel Bells (Nan Roberts)

• Thursday

  11:30 am
  Forever Young Luncheon
• 7:30 pm
  Chancel Choir

Looking Ahead

• March 8
  Congregational Meeting After Church

Editor's Corner

2009 Church Directory

Celebrate Our Church, Tell Our story . . .

Don’t forget to Schedule Your Portrait Appointment TODAY!

We are about to create a piece of history. Our new directory will capture our mission, celebrate our ministry and immortalize our church now and for future generations.

Did you know group portraits could be scheduled? Staff, Chapel Bells, choirs, youth groups, school faculty, prayer groups, etc. Just thought you’d want to know.

Signups SUNDAY, March 8 and March 15th after church

You can also Signup Online 24/7 at www.firstpressanpedro.org

Photography Days! Tuesday, March 24 through Friday, March 27 from 1:30p to 8:50p, Saturday, March 28 from 9a to 4:50p. Appointment slots are filling up!

Volunteers needed as a host or hostess during the photography sessions. Contact Andrea after church or at 310/831-2249.

STAFF: When scheduling portrait session appointment it is important that STAFF be indicated on the Portrait Session Signup Sheet and highlighted in YELLOW. Notify the Appointment Scheduler!

To make comments or be added or deleted from The Messenger mail list contact: Tim Gray

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