First Presbyterian Church
115 - 6th Ave. NW
P.O. Box 188
Independence, Iowa 50644
Come and
See!
- John 1:46
Phone: 319-334-3523
Fax: 319-334-4134
Email: [email protected]
Website: fpcindependence.com
THE SLURRY WALLS OF LIFE
2 All in the Family/
Synod 2014
3 10 Things You May Not
Know About Me/PW
4 VBS Memories
5 Window Project
6 Youth News
8 September & October
Worship Schedule/
Birthdays/Anniversaries
10 160th Celebration & Kickoff
11 Christian Ed News
KERYGMA
FIRST PRESBY TERIAN C HURCH
• Labor Day, September 1st • Nat’l Grandparents Day, September 7th • Patriot Day, September 11th
• First Day of Autumn, September 21st
• World Communion Sunday, October 5th • Columbus Day Observance, October 13th • Reformation Sunday, October 26th
Rev. John Hougen Home: (319) 334-5175
Email: [email protected]
Church Office Phone: (319) 334-3523
Fax: (319) 334-4134
Office: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Website www.fpcindependence.com
Staff Kathy Eilers
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Kathy Smith Secretary
Email: [email protected]
George Hemmer Custodian
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
On Sunday, September 14, we will be celebrating our 160th anniversary. Stop and
think about that. 160 years of life and ministry and mission in Independence. I want to
encourage members and friends of FPC to come and join us on that Sunday. Following
our 10 AM worship service we will have fun and games for the whole family including a
picnic lunch sponsored by our Hospitality Team. At FPC we have a wonderful history.
There have been so many marvelous people who've been a part of this congregation
over the many years of its existence that have made this church a wonderful place to
worship, serve God, and form wonderful relationships with friends and family. And
while we have a rich history, we are not done by a long shot.
Our Property and Finance Team is currently engaged in a project to replace our
windows. They are starting to rot and we also would like to increase the energy
efficiency of them. We are currently undergoing a campaign for people to contribute to
our new windows which I hope you will consider contributing to. Our leadership is
committed to ensuring that our facility is kept current and looking nice. We are always
proud and pleased when visitors comment on how nice of a facility we have. Thanks to
the generosity and commitment of people like you we have a building we can be very
proud of and that supports the ministries in which we are engaged.
Beginning Wednesday, September 10, our Sunday school program is going to move to
Wednesdays. This is an attempt to increase attendance and participation not only by
our children but also our adults as well. Each Wednesday from 3:30 to 5:00 Treasure
Seekers (children age 3 through 6th grade) will gather for crafts, games, treats, music,
and a Bible story. On the first and third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7 PM
adults will gather for a study led by Pastor John. The start date for this is September
17 and our first study will be on the book of Esther. In addition at that same time on
the first and third Wednesday of each month our youth (grades 7-12) will gather for a
Bible study. Our youth group (grades 9-12) will also gather on Sunday evenings. Lastly
beginning on September 28 we will be starting a confirmation class for seventh and
eighth graders.
We are 160 years old but we are still going strong and doing wonderful things in our
community. Thank you for all you do to be a part of all that is going on in our
congregation. We are so thankful for your participation, for your generosity, and for
your presence among us. It's not the things that we do, it's the people that we do
those things with. At FPC we have a wonderful group of people and I am thankful to
God for each and everyone of you. Together we will trust God for the next 160 years.
Pastor John
Anniversaries, Windows, and Wednesdays
SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2014 P AGE 2
Many thanks to all who contributed to our
special music offerings this summer! We all
enjoyed your gift of song which made our
summer worship services more meaningful.
Bless you!
Melody Malek
TRIVIA NIGHT SEPTEMBER 28th at 6 p.m.
Proceeds go to the HOT program.
Synod School 2014 By Mary Klotzbach
We entered closing worship of Synod School as a line of African drums were beating
and the huge goose of the Holy Spirit was poised to send us back to our homes and
communities to be the church. We said Good bye to Veeda from Pakistan who warmed
our hearts with her accounts of the work of Presbyterian schools in her homeland. We
thanked Lois, a missionary and diplomat for 16 years in Central Africa and South Sudan
for allowing us to Scype the Boyd family and enquire about their work in education. We
thanked Bill Davnie for updates on Russia, Ukraine, and other mid East countries where
he had lived and worked for many years. And we embraced Elona, the Delaware Indian
woman who brought us up to date on the current status of American Indians.
Every morning before worship Bill Humphreys gave us a resume of daily news, ball
scores, and choice comics. Then the Dean, Jeff, led us in singing Happy Birthday to the
celebrants. This was followed by a family leading devotions. And then, Bob and the four
Sarahs acted the parts of Peter, Paul, Rhoda, Annanias, and Phillip to bring the Bible
stories alive. Children participated in worship before leaving for their classes led by
teachers doing the Conga.
Our Convocation speaker was Anna from McCormick Seminary and she spoke to us
from the perspective of our faith regarding evolution and resurrection, opening our eyes
to the wonders of God’s creation
The long list of daytime classes included Bible study, yoga, bell choir, basket weaving,
prayer shawls, art share, etc. We enjoyed visiting with old friends and making new
friends around the table eating delicious food from the Servery. In the evening there
were movies, mini classes, star gazing, and the Coffee House where families enter-
tained with singing, guitars, accordions, and other instruments. Back to our homes
with plans to attend another great year at Synod School.
We think Christian Education is important. We think giving our children and
adults a quality Christian Education experience matters.
So…
Starting Wednesday, September 10, we will begin something new.
Treasure Seekers: pre-school (age 3) through 6th grade will
gather every Wednesday from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. They will
have snacks, games, crafts, music, and a Bible lesson.
Questions? Visit with Kathy Eilers or Amber Krusey.
On the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings from 6:00
to 7:00 pm youth and adults will meet for Bible
Study. Youth in 7th to 12th grade will meet
together led by Kathy Eilers. The adults will meet
and be led by Pastor John.
Confirmation Class (7th and 8th grades) will be meeting
monthly. The first class will be Sunday, September 28,
8:30-9:30 am.
The Youth Group (grades 9-12) will meet Sunday evenings
from 6:30 to 8:00 pm (subject to change).
And now for something completely different...
KERYGMA P AGE 11
We will be having our Fall Kickoff and celebration of our 160th Anniversary NEXT Sunday, September 14th. Following worship there will be a picnic and activities for everyone. Thanks to our Spiritual Life and Hospitality Committees for organizing this event. They will be serving maid rites, hot dogs, chips and drinks and there will be ice cream to go along with our anniversary pies! Please bring a side dish to share and come for some fun!
SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2014 P AGE 10
TUG OF WAR Presbyterian Women met at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd at the church.
The Hostess was Lynda Fiester. Shirley Rozendaal introduced the new study,
“Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of II Corinthians”.
The Fall gathering will be in Mt. Pleasant on Saturday, October 4, 2014.
Quilting Sessions for the next couple of months will be September 9th, 23rd and
October 14th, 28th from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Any woman is welcome even if you’ve
never picked up a thread. If you have any questions call Ruth Liscum at 334-3515.
KERYGMA P AGE 3
1. I love games. It doesn't matter board, card, dice...I love to play. My favorite is backgammon.
2. I worked at my uncle's berry farm for many summers as a kid and could identify 10 different varieties of strawberries at one point.
3. I had a pet pig for a few months as a kid.
4. I was a nanny in Washington D.C. for 2 summers.
5. I worked at an all girls camp in the Adirondack Mountains of New York for 4 summers.
6. I did my student teaching at the American International School in Vienna, Austria.
7. For 2 weeks, I helped scientists collect data on an endangered species of zebra , Grevy in Kenya.
8. I love to bake cookies, cakes and pies.
9. I love to go hiking, camping and canoeing.
10. I love watching old movies from the 1930s and 40s. Katharine Hepburn is my favorite actress.
SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2014 P AGE 4
A special thank you to Janet Harms, Kelly Mitchell, Amanda Whitaker, Joni Ruffcorn, Kaylee & Kyle Eilers, Sean Geertsema, Brian Smith, Jenna Shonk, & Avri Ruffcorn for helping out with our Jungle Safari VBS!
~ Kathy Eilers
KERYGMA P AGE 9
2 Presley Conklin
3 Heather Johnson
Joseph Kaiser
4 Marian Conklin
7 Dorotha Sundquist
8 Judy Hess
Catherine Smith
9 Mari Butler
Eric Smith
10 Don Butler
11 Kathy Eilers
12 Mike Loveless
13 Jim Rozendaal
Laura Smith
14 Adam Ownby
15 Mary White
16 Angeline Sauer
20 Rick Frye
21 Lillian Cue
24 Talon Rodriguez
25 Allison Anderson
27 Braden Scott
Mike Hamilton
Samuel Hamilton
28 Bette Butler
30 Brock Eldridge
12 Monte & Lillian Cue
14 David & Chris Nelson
15 Steve & Beth Diers
18 Mike & Carrie Hamilton
Eric & Catherine Smith
19 Ryan & Kelly Mitchell
25 Jeremy & Jeanne Adams
Ushers: Co-Head Ushers: Roger Bahr, Don Mumm
5, 12, 19, 26: __________________________________________
Elder Greeters:
Oct: Norma DeJong, Melody Malek
Greeters: Children’s Sermon:
5: Dorotha Sundquist 5: Pastor John
12: Adams’ Family 12: Lynda Fiester
19: Mary Klotzbach 19: Janet Harms
26: Tammy Steenbock, Winona West 26: Melody Malek
Acolytes:
5, 12: Laura Smith, Katelyn Van Buren
19, 26: Alison Trimble, Jenna Smith
Flowers:
5: Margaret Ownby In Memory of Her Father
12: Hamilton Family in Memory of Douglas, James & Celia and Aunt Ruth Hamilton
19: Dorotha Sundquist
26: __________________________________________
Bulletins:
5: TeStrake Family
12: __________________________________________
19: Adams’ Family
26: __________________________________________
Fellowship Treats:
5: __________________________________________
12: Laura Smith For Her Birthday
19: Janet Harms
26: Andrea Ownby
Coffee Prep/Clean Up:
5: Frankie Bowden, Margaret Ownby
12: Andrea Ownby
19: Jon & Kim TeStrake
26: Tammy Steenbock
SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2014 P AGE 8
Ushers: Co-Head Ushers: Roger Bahr, Don Mumm
7, 14, 21, 28: Marcia Henderson, Justin Hougen
Elder Greeters:
September: Bill Burkett, Don Mumm
Greeters:
7: Frank & Sandy Sauer
14: Judy Hess, Ruth Hamilton
21: Lynda Fiester, Marcia Stoneman
28: Trimble Family
Acolytes: Children’s Sermon:
7, 14: Alison Trimble, Jenna Smith 7: Amber Krusey
21, 28: Anna Ruffcorn, Jenessa Barloon 14: John Butler
21: Mark Geertsema
28: Ruth Liscum
Flowers:
7: _______________________________________
14: Judy Olsen In Memory of Bill Heusinkveld
21: Audrey Conklin in Memory of Son, Jeff
28: Frankie Bowden in Memory of Arnie
Bulletins:
7: _______________________________________
14: Monte & Lillian Cue in Memory of Mother, Helen Nellist
21: _______________________________________
28: Frankie Bowden
Fellowship Treats:
7: Don & Carole Mumm
14: 160th Celebration
21: Frankie Bowden
28: The Trimble Family for Alison’s Birthday
Coffee Preparation/Clean Up:
7: Frankie Bowden, Margaret Ownby
14: Andrea Ownby
21: Jon & Kim TeStrake
28: Tammy Steenbock
1 Lucille Cottrell
Alicia Scott
3 Adam Nash
Melissa Savage
4 Megan Sorg
6 Tonia Weis
9 Clarence Rouse
10 Doug Kaiser
Lori Eschen
12 Jean Main
Dave Martin
13 Donna Jones
15 Tammy Steenbock
14 Jordan Geertsema
19 Marcia Henderson
20 Tony Rouse
Sondra Seward
21 Judy Olsen
Kyle Eilers
24 Bennett Diers
Shirley Rozendaal
26 Alison Trimble
3 Jason & Jaclyn Barber
Dale & Yvette Siglin
4 Mark & Leah Geertsema
9 Doug & Audra Kaiser
10 Tony & Dawn Rouse
15 Roger & Karen Bahr
28 Dick & Susan Watkins
29 Kevin & Pam Peterson
KERYGMA P AGE 5
Dear Friends of FPC,
Our Session, led by the Property and Finance Committee, has been
fully engaged in making our church building more energy efficient.
Recently we have installed new light bulbs throughout the building
that use a fraction of the electricity of our former bulbs. We have had
our insulation evaluated to ensure it is adequate. We have had energy
audits to determine what our needs are. We have concluded that our
single pane windows are very inefficient and costly. In addition a
number of our windows are starting to rot. It’s time to replace our windows.
We have 59 windows in our church. It will cost us $52,112.25 to replace them with a more energy
efficient (200% more efficient) double pane windows. We believe this is a project that is much needed
and which will have an immediate positive effect on our energy bills.
As part of our mission of adding value to the community we are committed to maintaining and improv-
ing our beautiful building. Our building is used not only by us, but by many organizations to include the
Scouts, the hospital, and the Red Cross to name a few. We enjoy hearing the nice comments about our
building and we are focused on it’s upkeep.
We are asking that you consider supporting our new window project. Your generous gift will assist us
in being more energy efficient and keep our building looking great. Each window will average $884.
Would you consider buying a window? Would you be willing to give something towards this project?
Please fill out the form below and return it to the church office.
And as always, thank you for your generosity.
Sincerely,
The Property and Finance Team
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I/We want to support the New Window Project. I/We will commit to buying a window for $884 or
giving ___________. I/We will give our gift:
_______ one time gift _______ weekly ________ monthly
Name(s) ___________________________________________
SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2014 P AGE 6
We were blessed again to be able to go to Nashville and work with the refugee kids at
the apartment complex. Thank you to everyone that made this journey possible.
Kathy Eilers
Thanks
to
Jeff &
Julie
Jetter
for
hosting
us in St.
Louis!
KERYGMA P AGE 7