February 2016

In This Issue:

Pastor’s Message The Church Mouse

2 3

Greeters, Fellowship, Liturgists, Deacons, Birthdays

4

Announcements 5 6

Christian Ed. Corner Calendar

7 8

Church Information 9

February 2016

BELLVIEWS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH DALLAS CENTER, IA

UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 7

Souper Bowl of Caring

February 9

Elementary Reading

February 10

Ash Wed. Service

@ 6:30 p.m.

February 14

Session Meeting

February 28

Worship Committee Meeting

We at FPC have a vision to… Know Jesus:

To listen to his story, to sing his praises, To paint His portrait for all to share

First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Center

Page 1

General Office Hours 9:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday

Pastor’s Office Hours 8:00 a.m.—Noon Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

Faith & Prayer

Are you afraid to pray? Did anyone ever ask you to pray at an event, a church class, a worship service, or with your family, and all of a sudden you felt as if someone had asked you to climb Mount Everest? Sweat beaded up on your brow, you started staring at your shoes or the ceiling, and maybe your face flashed hot? Maybe you didn’t know what to say, how to say it, or maybe you just told yourself that prayer ‘is not your thing?” Maybe you’ve used this line before, “I am just not good at praying in public.” Or what about this: have you ever received an e-mail from the church prayer chain requesting prayer for someone in need, or been asked by someone to pray by e-mail, phone, or in worship…and you said you would….but then never did? If God knows what we are going to ask even before we ask it, what’s the point of prayer, right? I believe in God, I’ve confessed Jesus is my Lord and Savior, God’s got me whether I pray or not so what’s the point? I know, I know…Pastor Adam, where are you going with this! So here is the gist. Did you know that your prayer life reflects your faith in Jesus? If faith is about trusting God then should we not center our lives on God and what God is doing in the world? The heart of worship is prayer. The key to faithful discipleship is prayer. In prayer we listen and discern, trusting that God is speaking to us, guiding us, making each of us whole, equipping us, strengthening us to be kingdom people. So…for your challenging question this month….when do YOU pray? How often? Once a day? Once a week? Only when you participate in worship? When the world seems to be crashing in around you? When something fantastic comes your way? When do you pray? I’m convinced that maturing in our faith can often be stifled by our inability, unwillingness, maybe even our fear to pray; to make God a part of our everyday lives. Perhaps, starting this February, we make prayer a regular thing. Prayer when you first wake up or when you are going to bed. Pray before school or work. Pray for your friends and your family. Pray that God’s will be done in the world. Pray for courage to fol-low Christ with every step you take and every word you speak. How do you pray? Here’s some suggestions. Address God. Reflect on who God is and what God is about. Petition God for the good of others. Trust that God’s got hold of you and the world. Let God be a part of your life. Remember what God has done for you. Pray for guidance, strength, and discernment. Sit in si-lence with your full attention on God. Make time for God. Participate in worship as often as you are able as our community prays together. Pray, dear saints. Pray. Who you are and who we are as a congregation is grounded in prayer. Who you are called to be and who we are called to be together is grounded in prayer. Do you feel called to grow in your faith to better follow Christ in your life? Pray. Do you feel called to grow in faithful ministry and in num-bers as a congregation? Pray. Let’s jump into February with our lives centered on God. Prayerfully, Pastor Adam

February 2016 Page 2

Did you know that your prayer life reflects your

faith in Jesus?

February 2016 Page 3

How? What? Why?

How many did Moses lead out of Egypt? 10,000; 40,000; 5,000; 20,000; 1,000? Exodus: 12:37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed crowd also went up with them, and livestock in great numbers, both flocks and herds. There must have been women, if only to clean up after the livestock, the kids, and the men!

Why did Abraham call Sarah, his wife and mother to Isaac in her old age, his sister? It was a deception that saved his life. She was his half-sister. At the time, they lived in Gerar as aliens, and Abraham told King Abimelech that she was his sister because he feared he would be slain if it were known she was his wife. Genesis 20

What happened to Paul and Silas imprisoned in chains during an earthquake? Their jailer was all shook up. Acts 16:25-34

Job: 14 1:2 A mortal, born of woman, few of days and full of trouble, comes up like a flower and withers, flees like a shadow and does not last. It’s interesting to muse on the passages as written by different authors – from prose to pedantic.

How did it become so heavily populated so rapidly in biblical times? Jacob/Israel, Esau’s twin, had sons and a daughter by two wives, as well as by their maids, and of his numbered sons there were twelve, ultimately the twelve tribes of Israel. How would you like to possibly have 120 grandchildren, more or less? Of course once Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery in Egypt, the family gatherings lost some of their luster.

Why do you suppose so many older people fear aging? Might it have something to do with what is written in Psalm 71:9? Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.

How did Christ become known as the Lamb of God? This evolved from the Old Testament concept of the sacrifi-cial lamb. Jesus was sacrificed and his death removed the sins of the world. John 1:29

Why is a pig considered an unclean food even though it has a cloven hoof? It does not chew a cud. Leviticus 11:7 Psalm 39:12-13

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry;

do not hold your peace at my tears. For I am your passing guest, an alien, like all my forebears. Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more. Beautiful prose.

Why do you suppose that a two-page book in the Bible became one of the most popu-lar of children’s stories? Jonah: 1-4

Musings from, The Proverbial Church Mouse

GREETERS for

Feb/mar

Feb 07—Jon & Kara McClure

Feb 14—Cathy Kelly

Feb 21—Carolyn Knoll

Feb 28—Ardie & Glen Enderson

Mar 06—Jon Kimple, Patty Howard

Mar 13—Barry Gehlsen

Mar 20—Janet Hougham

Mar 27—Carolyn Kinney

Fellowship for

Feb/mar

Feb 07—Jon & Kara McClure Feb 14— Feb 21—C. J. & Erin Lane Feb 28—Mike Jones, JoAnne Ramaeker, Rachel Hillman

Mar 06—Duane & Liz Heaberlin Mar 13—Aaron & Mallory Brown Mar 20—Dana & Vicky Myers Mar 27—Sherry & Riley Madole

If you are not able to serve on the day scheduled, please trade with someone or call Cindy Carpenter at 515-833-2152.

Birthdays in February

Feb 01—Maria Howard Feb 02—Charles Rhinehart Feb 02—Tina Greiman Feb 03—Lynn Chambers Feb 03—Damon Chambers Feb 04—Julie Kopecky Feb 06—Chloe Beavers Feb 06—Sam Greiman Feb 06—Laura Hooten Feb 07—Linda Ivers Feb 07—Trent Drake Feb 08—Adrienne Knoll Feb 10—Turner Kopecky Feb 11—Curt Pion Feb 21—Aidan Brown Feb 22—Kenneth Shepherd Feb 22—Jack Settle Feb 25—Amy Lawton Feb 26—Georganna Beavers Feb 26—Paci Chambers Feb 28—Audie Carman Feb 28—Todd Lawton Feb 29—Natalie Fowler

Page 4 February 2016

LITURGISTS For February

Feb 07—Mallory Brown Feb 14—Arlene Swendsen Feb 21—Michelle Hansen Feb 28—Jim Gardner

Deacons FOR

Feb/mar

Feb 07—Amanda Niebuhr-Lint Feb 14—Corey Coon Feb 21—Jeff Van Houten Feb 28—Shelby Johnson Mar 06—Kara McClure Mar 13—Corey Coon Mar 20—Shelby Johnson Mar 27—Amanda Niebuhr-Lint

February Anniversaries

Feb 11—Tom & Karla Pinegar 1978 Feb 14—Craig & Linda Ivers 1991 Feb 19—John & Shirley Thomas 1955 Feb 28—Chris & Eva Helps 2009

February 2016 Page 5

2016 MEMBERSHIP ANNIVERSARY 60 Year Member None 50 Year Member Carolyn Knoll Linda Myers Dana Myers 40 Year Member David Shields 30 Year Member Chloette Bircher John Pinegar Tom Pinegar John Chambers Don Chambers Alan Clinkinbeard 20 Year Member Betsy Bejarno Denise Kelly 10 Year Member Tyler Carman Cody Childs Maria Howard Barbara and Rick Ross Cindy Kisting

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND

OTHER ELECTED POSITIONS OF THE CHURCH

(AND CORPORATION)

Motion made and approved to meet on the second Sunday of each month following worship, except February 7, 2016 and May 10, 2016 at 6:30 PM. Motion made and approved to elect the following. Dates of service are 2-1-2016 through 1-31-2017. Moderator of Session: Pastor Adam Smith (according to the Book of Order) Clerk of Session and Corporation: Elder Nancy Wilson Treasurer of Session and Corporation: Elder Sue Beavers Assistant Treasurer: Brenda Johnson Provide for weekly counting and recording of offerings: Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer &/or one of any Ruling Elder President of Corporation: Elder Ryan Coon Vice President of Corporation: Elder Ann Beavers Registered Agent: Elder Gary Wilson Presbytery Elder Commissioner: Elder Ryan Coon Presbytery Alternate Elder Commissioner: An Elder will be elected as needed. Nominating Committee Chairperson: Elder Darci Kidd Nominating Committee Vice Chairperson: Elder Jeani Shepherd Authorized Signer for USDA: Elder Dennis Br itson Older Adult Ministries & Congregational Health Minis-try-Contact to Presbytery: Elder Cathy Kelly SESSION STRUCTURE FOR 2016-Committee Assignments Christian Education: Betsy Bejarno Chr ., Ann Beavers, Haley Greiman Evangelism: Ryan Coon Chr ., Darci Kidd Fellowship: Richard Myers Chr ., Ryan Coon Mission Outreach: Ann Beavers Chr ., Cathy Kelly Nominating: Darci Kidd Chr ., Jeani Shepherd Personnel: Gary Wilson Chr ., Betsy Bejarno Property/Memorial: Duane Heaber lin Chr ., Gary Wilson Stewardship: Cathy Kelly Chr ., Richard Myers Worship: Jeani Shepherd Chr ., Duane Heaber lin

Harvey Emmanuel Lane, son of C. J. and Erin Lane, and brother of Catherine, was born on December 4, 2015. May there be many happy adventures ahead. Praise God for this wonderful blessing — a son and baby brother! Congratulations!

February 2016 Page 6

First Presbyterian Online!

Don’t forget to keep up-to-date with the life and ministry of FPC using the church web-site: www.dcpres-byterian.org. You can find information about church events, listen to Sunday’s worship messages, look through photos, download forms and monthly newsletters, lift up prayer requests, and the like. Also find us on Facebook at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Center or follow us on Twitter at First Presby. Church @ FirstPresbyDCIA. We’re always open to feedback to find ways to better communicate the life and ministry of our congregation to each other and to the world around us.

Praise Team Rehearsal

If you are interested in being a part of the praise team as an instru-mentalist, a vocalist, or even interested in run-ning the sound board and tech equipment, you are invited to join us on Saturday morn-ings @ 9a.m. for re-hearsal.

Celebration of Communion

Communion will be celebrated the first Sunday of each month. Additional Communion dates will remain for Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, & Easter services.

A sign of spring is near!! Ash Wednesday is coming up on February 10!! Pastor Ad-am is planning a short Ash Wednesday service for that evening at 6:30 PM. Please plan to attend to begin your Lenten journey! (Choir practice will fol-low at approximately 7:00-7:15)

Celebrating Baptism Fynn Henry Drake was pre-sented for Christian baptism by his parents Trent and Ab-bey Drake on November 8, 2015.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER

Mark your calendars for Christian Ed. in 2015-2016!!! Things to look forward to this year:

•Confirmation for 7th and 8th graders •Adult Christian Education

•New opportunities in Youth Ministry •Lots of ways to get involved and volunteer

DATES TO REMEMBER Sunday School Winter/Spring 2016

March 13 No SS March 20 No SS March 27 No SS, Easter Sunday April 24 Last Day of SS May 1 SS Recognition

WOW Nightly Schedule for 2015-2016: 5:00-5:45 Class time/Confirmation 5:45-6:15 Activity/Music/Linkage 6:15-7:00 Dinner WOW is for kids who are in Kindergarten-12th grade. Active participation by at least one parent (grandparent or family member) of every youth is required. This participation is a critical signal to the youth that this program is important. Since the staff is voluntary, part time service by a large number of people is essential to keep the many activities going. At least as important, however, is the morale boosting effect of a parents' physical presence and visible support of the program. You can sign up to help in the following ways: Classroom Teacher, Activity Leader, Kitchen food prep/serving, Dishwasher, Vacuum/Clean-up, and Table Parent Registration is required if your children will be attending WOW this year, but guests are always welcome to join us!

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LINKAGE

Linkage is our youth program for all mid-dle and high school youth. Linkage in-volves a whole lot of fun, fellowship, com-munity, mission, service, and learning. The middle school group meets at the church on Wednesday evenings along with WOW. The high school group meets at the church on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m.

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February 2016 page 9 Bellviews

Church Address:

First Presbyterian Church 1204 13th Street

PO Box 368 Dallas Center, IA 50063

Contact Information: Pastor: Rev. Adam Smith

Cell: 515-528-3538 Church Phone: 515-992-3531

Church’s Website: dcpresbyterian.org

Pastor’s E-mail: pastor@dcpresbyterian.org

Church’s E-mail: office@dcpresbyterian.org

The Session Church Staff

Pastor…………..Rev. Adam Smith Secretary……….Nancy K. Zehr Choir Director…Jeani Shepherd Organists…...….Carol Arrasmith, Jeani Shepherd & Nancy Wilson Pianists……..Carol Arrasmith, Joanne Knoll, Pat Lint & Sarah Smith

Board of Deacons

Class of 2016 Kara McClure Amanda Niebuhr-Lint Class of 2017 Marco Bejarno Corey Coon Class of 2018 Craig Ivers Jeff Van Houten Youth Deacon Shelby Johnson

Class of 2016 Ann Beavers Betsy Bejarno Ryan Coon Class of 2017 Duane Heaberlin Cathy Kelly Gary Wilson Class of 2018 Darci Kidd Richard Myers Jeani Shepherd Youth Elder Haley Greiman Treasurer Sue Beavers Clerk of Session Nancy Wilson Capital Development Committee: Sue Beavers, Dennis Britson, Trent Drake, Tina Greiman, Mitch Hansen, Duane Heaberlin, Shelley Horak, and Aaron Wilson