by Nancy YoungNancy Young became fascinated with the origins of religions many

years ago when she started teaching Junior High classes using thePresbyterian “Faith and Life” curriculum. That teaching started a multitudeof questions: Why are there two creation stories? What was going on thatinspired the prophets Jeremiah and Amos? What was the world like thatPaul saw? Why are the Gospels so similar yet so different?

Since those early teaching days and years, questions keep cropping up.Study and travel over these past thirty years had brought Nancy new insightand understanding, especially concerning her idea that Christianity certain-ly was not created in a vacuum of time. Our roots of religion began manythousands of years ago. Humanity and religion are totally interwoven.

Nancy is delighted to share her enthusiasm with pictures and discussionat a course, “Symbols, Myths and Rituals”, on Tuesday evenings fromMarch 15th through April 12th, in Fellowship Hall from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.You are invited to attend a kickoff potluck dinner on March 15th from 6 to6:30 p.m. That evening, you can attend both the potluck dinner and classor just the class. When signing up for the potluck, please let us know whattype of dish you plan to bring. Contact Paula Hare (paulahare@covad.netor 276-6338, ext. 13) by March 8th to register. v

Blessings In Our Livesby Rev. Aaron JanklowAssociate Pastor

God has blessed each one of us in so many ways, but there are cer-tain times in our lives when those blessings may be difficult to see.During those times we are called to trust that they are indeed there.

As we enter the season of Lent this month and begin our journey tothe cross and resurrection, I cannot help but rush ahead to the road toEmmaus following the resurrection (Luke 24:13 – 35). On the road toEmmaus, two of Jesus’ followers are making the walk away fromJerusalem. They are likely confused, saddened, and perplexed by theevents that have transpired. Jesus, who they thought was the Messiah,had been crucified, and these two did not yet know about His resur-rection. The One who they thought would save them, now seems to bejust a faded hope. As they walk away from

T he S pireThe Community Church by the Sea

FIRST PRESBYTERIANC H U R C H O F D E L R A Y B E A C H

March 2011

T he S pire

Deacons’ Corner . . . . . . . . Page 5Kim Winker

Church Improvement . . . . Page 7Barbara Vanderkay

INSIDE . . .

Continued on Page 2

Ash WednesdayService

Ash Wednesday is the begin-ning of the Lenten Season whenwe ready ourselves for Easter.Join us on Wednesday, March 9at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Wewill read scripture, raise ourvoices in song, and consider thegift of God’s grace. v

Maundy ThursdayService of Communion and

TenebraeThursday, April 21st at

7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

The service of Tenebrae,meaning darkness or shadows,has been practiced by theChurch since medieval times.Join us as with music andScripture we walk with Christthrough the seven events ofGood Friday.

At each stage, a light will beextinguished until only theChrist candle remains. TheChrist candle will be carriedinto the Sanctuary on Eastermorning as we celebrate theresurrection of our Lord. v

Chancel Choir Concertby Don Cannarozzi

Director of Music

On Sunday, March 27th, theChancel Choir and soloists willpresent a concert in our Sanctuary.The concert will include severaloperatic arias and a complete per-formance of Gabriel Faure’s“Requiem”. The concert is free, butan offering will be taken. Proceedswill go to the Music Fund.

Why not make it a “concert anddinner” evening? Come at 4 p.m. toenjoy a concert to benefit our MusicFund and then stay for a SpaghettiDinner at 5 p.m., the proceeds ofwhich will go to our Youth MissionTrip Fund. v

Spaghetti Dinner by Mitchell Del Mastro

Come join us on Sunday, March27th in Fellowship Hall for a greatspaghetti dinner! The youth willprovide a ample supply of deliciousspaghetti, good service and greatentertainment. Tickets are $5 inadvance and $6 at the door. Lookfor the Youth in the Courtyard in thecoming weeks to buy your tickets.You can also call the church office(276-6338). This is a fundraiser toget money for our Mission Trips.Come any time between 5 p.m. and7 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Aaron Janklow, M.Div.Associate Pastor

Jo Garnett, M.C.E.Associate for Senior Ministries

Donald J. Cannarozzi, M.M., J.D.Organist / Director of Music

James K. Poch, S.M.M.Associate Director of Music

Jen BuceChildren’s Ministry Coordinator

Nancy FineOffice Manager

Christine Davis Paula HareAccountant Secretary

Aaron Strippel Rita AveryHead Custodian Custodian

T he S pireEDITOR:Tim Knapp

LAYOUT:Bonnie Lallky-Seibert

PROOFREADER:Barbara Vanderkay

SPECIAL THANKS:Printers Choice

C hurchS taff

First Presbyterian Church33 Gleason Street

Delray Beach, FL 33483phone: 561-276-6338fax: 561-272-8505

e-mail: administrator@firstdelray.comweb page: www.firstdelray.com

If you or a family member

are hospitalized, please

notify the church office.

Even if you give the name

of the church upon

admission, the hospital

will NOT notify us.

Jerusalem and towards Emmaus, a strangerwalks besides them, until finally, over a meal,

their eyes are opened and they recognize this stranger for who He truly is– the Risen Christ.

While there are times when it is difficult to feel God’s love or blessingsin our lives, we need to learn from the disciples’ experience on the road toEmmaus. We need to know that God is with us. God has blessed us won-derfully through Jesus Christ. Even when those blessings are difficult tosee, keep walking, knowing that God loves us always. v

Drive Carefullyby Bob Teninga

Chair, Property Committee

We are truly blessed with manyactivities on our church campus. Fromour early morning fellowship opportuni-ties to our many night meetings, itseems that something is happening allthe time here at First PresbyterianChurch of Delray Beach.

In today’s hectic-paced world, itseems that we run from activity to activ-

ity. With the increased traffic on ourlocal streets “in season”, and the open-ing of the Intracoastal bridge, some-times we run late for whatever event weare attending.

Please take the time to slow downwhen approaching the church and drivingin the parking lot. People may be crossingthe parking lot or driveway at the sametime that you are arriving for your event. Itis better to arrive a minute or two late thanrun the risk of hurting someone in yourrush. Remember that this applies toSunday mornings as well. v

Continued from Page 1

Save the Date!This year’s Vacation Bible School will be held from June 6th through June 10th.

More information will follow as we get closer to this annual event.2

by Jen Buce

What a weekend we had! Forty seven members from ourchurch gathered together for some fun and an opportunity to get

closer to God. Although the weekend was a little cool for us Floridians, the weath-er was absolutely gorgeous for our time out in nature. We started the day withsinging, and learning that our theme for the weekend was “Maybe it’s Time for aChange”. The day continued with horseback riding, a mean game of kickball(youth against adults), a hayride that ended up stuck in the sand, a talent show, ands’mores by the fire that Etienne Kinnear had waited so patiently for since Fridayafternoon.

Sunday Morning was opened with worship. Each age group had prepared a por-tion of the worship service. The adults opened with the Call to Worship, which was a skit about “change”, the chil-dren prepared the Prayer of Confession in which each wrote something that they wanted to change or felt they haddone wrong and then balled the paper up and threw it away in the fire. The youth did the Concerns of theCongregation with a popcorn prayer and had everyone pray aloud together. Rev. Aaron reminded us of the impor-tance of leaving our busy lives behind and taking time to relax and spend time with the ones we love and to reflecton all the wonderful blessings God has given each and every one of us.

It is never too late to make changes in your life even though at times it may be scary, but always remember, whenyou think you may be alone taking those steps and chances, you always have God by your side helping you. Younever walk alone when you have God in your heart! Thank you, First Presbyterian, for such a great weekend, oppor-tunity and experience. v

3

Christmas EveOffering Update

by Jeanne HeavilinCo-Chair, Mission Outreach Committee

“‘Lord, when was it that we saw You hungry andgave You food, or thirsty and gave You something todrink? And when was it that we saw You a stranger andwelcomed You, or naked and gave You clothing?’ Andthe King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as youdid it to one of the least of these who are members ofMy family, you did it to Me.’” (Matthew 25:37b-38, 40)

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you for yourgenerous Christmas Eve offerings.

Roselaine, Joseph and their three children lost theirhome after Joseph lost his plumbing job and didn’thave the money needed to find another home.Roselaine is trying to develop her food service businessthrough the incubator program at the Green MarketCafé in Boynton Beach, run by the Community CaringCenter. Joseph is going through the certificationprocess for accounting (which he had done in Haiti)and is waiting for placement in a new position. Wewere able to provide the deposits needed to enable themto move into an apartment.

Since we first met them, Rosalaine has had somemedical problems and is scheduled for tests at JacksonMemorial later this month. Doctors suspect she mayhave a tumor on her kidney but are not sure. She has notbeen able to work much and will have significant med-ical bills, even with Medicaid. Please keep this familyin your prayers.

The Guevara-Cervantes family was living in amobile home that desperately needed new flooring.When we saw it, we realized that a bigger issue wasmold and they needed to move. Their oldest son,Damian (three years old), suffers from Torticolis andhas required, and will continue to require, numeroussurgeries. They needed a decent home in which to carefor him. We were able to provide them with funds topurchase a clean, used mobile home, free of mold.

Takelia, a single mother of two, works two jobs tosupport her family. Because of her pyorrhea (an infec-tion of the gums and bones), she is barely able to eat. Wehave made arrangements to have her teeth extracted atthe Caridad Dental Clinic and will provide her with den-tures. (If any of you know someone who makes denturesand would work with us, please let us know).

Lakeshia is another single mother (of six) who hadbeen homeless. With the help of Adopt-A-Family, shehas a place to live. She is working part-time and wouldlike to find a full time position or a second job but hadno transportation. We are providing a used car for herso she can support her family.

Johnnie is raising his two children who had beenabused by their mother and her boyfriend. He is ahandyman and trying to become established so he canmeet his expenses. We are providing assistance for foodand utilities until he can realize sufficient income fromhis business to support his family.

You have given these five families the help and thehope that they need to build a better future. Thank youagain for your generosity and your caring.

If you are interested in mission and would like to beinvolved, please accept our invitation to serve on theMission Outreach Committee. We meet on the secondWednesday of each month. For more information,please call Jeanne Heavilin, 561-901-8714 or Dr.Doug Goldsmith, 561-734-2339, Co-Chairs. v

The Presbyterian Women will be sponsoring a “Meet

the Author” event on Friday, March 18th at 10:30 a.m. in

Fellowship Hall. Ethel G. Hoffman is the author of

“Mackerel at Midnight: Growing Up Jewish on a

Remote Scottish Island”. The book features a collection

of remarkable stories about the meeting of two diverse

cultures in a unique landscape. Ethel will talk about her

family fleeing Russia a century ago and finding a safe

haven in Lerwick, Shetland Ireland, where they opened

“Greenvald’s”, a shop on Commercial Street. Her book

features a lot of wonderful recipes combining the two

cultures. All women of the church and their guests are

invited to attend a morning coffee event with some spe-

cial surprises prepared by the Presbyterian Women’s

Board. Look for more information in the Sunday

Bulletin. This is a fundraising event for the Presbyterian

Women’s Organization. Proceeds from our charitable

events have been given to the Achievement Center for

Children & Families, the Milagro Center, and Thornwell

Home, a Presbyterian sponsored home for orphaned

children. Tickets are available on Sundays after both

services through Monday, March 14th or you can contact

the church office (276-6338) for more information. v

“Meet the Author”

4

Meet Your Deacon Sundayby Kim Winker

It’s time again for our annual “Meet Your DeaconSunday” reception March 20, 2011! This fun, fellowshipevent is hosted by your dedicated Deacons and is head-ed up by Deacons Maryann Assad and Miriam Kalett,with assistance from Judy Hodge. Join us in FellowshipHall after the 9 a.m. worship service, from 10 to 10:30a.m., or after the 11 a.m. worship service, from noon to12:30 p.m.

Enjoy good conversation while sampling deliciousfood and refreshments brought in by each Deacon. Wehope you will join us to meet your Deacon on Sunday,March 20th!

Deacons Now Accepting Scholarship Applications

by Kim Winker

The Deacons’ Scholarship Committee is now acceptingapplications from members of our church who are headingoff to college this fall. The award this year is $1,200.

Get your scholarship application in the church’s mainoffice. Hurry, the deadline to submit your completed appli-cation is March 15, 2011!

The purpose of the Deacons’ Scholarship is to assistdeserving members of First Presbyterian Church of DelrayBeach who are pursuing full-time higher education andwho have been involved in church and mission activities.For more information, please contact Paula Hare at 276-6338, ext. 23. v

“Deacons’ Corner”

by Lisa Ode

We are getting ready to kick offanother Beth Moore Bible studyseries for the spring. Over the sum-mer, we studied the book of Esther.In the fall, we studied Isaiah in aseries called Breaking Free. Thewomen who have attended thesestudies have found them to be a realblessing in their lives. We haveenjoyed wonderful fellowship as weare getting to know each other. Butmost importantly, we have growncloser to our Lord and Savior, JesusChrist. Building a closer relationshipwith Him is the number one reasonwhy we continue our Bible studies.Are you longing for a closer relation-ship with the Lord? Do you want togrow in your faith? God longs tomeet with us every day and not justSunday. Bible study has helped mestay on track in my goal to meet withthe Lord every day and stay in Hisword. Having five days of homework

each week is a wonderfulway to do that. I hope tosee you at our springstudy. Bring a friend!

Spring Women'sBible Study: “Daniel -Lives of Integrity, Wordsof Prophecy” by BethMoore. A faith-buildingstudy of prophecy andhow to live with integrityin today's self-absorbedsociety. The prophetDaniel faced unbeliev-able pressures to com-promise his faith, livingin a hostile culture, and confrontingtemptations and threats. Today,believers in Jesus Christ face manyof the same trials. The first half ofthis 12 week study deals withDaniel’s life as he faced the kind ofpressures and temptationsChristians encounter today. The sec-ond portion explores thrillingprophecies from the time of Daniel

through the second coming of JesusChrist. Join us on Tuesday eveningsfrom March 1st through May 31st inthe Christian Learning Center from6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Contact Lise Ode(liseode@att.net or 414-4118) toregister.

“Thy Word is a lamp to my feetand a light to my path.” (Psalm119:105) v

5

Women’s Bible Study

by Jim Poch

Associate Director of Music

That is the last line of every verseof an old gospel song that you mayremember. It begs the question,“Who are ‘they’?” Here at FirstPresbyterian Church of DelrayBeach, “they” are the WestminsterRingers. They enjoy wonderful funand fellowship, beautiful music, andthe opportunity to serve God bysharing songs with the congregation.But many of our “golden bells”(actually, bronze) sit idle in the casesbecause we don’t have enoughhands to ring the full five octaves ofhandbells or three octaves of choirchimes. You could be part of thisrewarding ministry by joining us.Experienced ringers are available tomentor beginners. Please call JimPoch (276-6338, ext. 24) to askquestions or express your interest!

Another Opening,Another Showby Jim Poch

Associate Director of Music

On Palm Sunday (April 17th) thechildren of our Sunday ChurchSchool will open our 9 a.m. and 11a.m. worship services with a shortChancel drama. In song, dance, and

dialogue, they will tell the story ofthe first Palm Sunday, culminatingin the waving of palm branches dur-ing the opening hymn. The produc-tion will be rehearsed on Sundaymornings at 10:30 a.m. (startingMarch 13th) to allow participationby a greater number of our children.There will be speaking roles foreach child who wants one, whoattends at least four rehearsals, andcommits to being present for bothservices on April 17th. v

by Linda Prior

The Annual Spring FirstPresbyterian Church GolfTournament will be held on Sunday,March 13th, at 2:30 p.m., at theLakeview Golf Club on Dover Street.The cost for golf, including gratuity,is $20. Dinner will follow at 6 p.m. atthe Lakeview Golf Club. A buffet ofgreen salad, pasta, meatballs, andchicken will be available for $10.People who do not play golf are wel-come to attend the dinner. Winnerswill be recognized at the dinner.Reservations will be taken in theCourtyard following services onMarch 6th, or you may call LindaPrior at 330-0245. Reservationsmust be made by Tuesday, March8th. v

Spring Golf Tournament

“When They Ring Those Golden Bells For You And Me”

LEFT: The winning teammembers at the Fall 2010Golf Tournament: ClaireClydesdale, Barbara Geyer,Bob Geyer and Bob Young.

6

by David Fellows

Who would have thought that Ray, the BestMan at my wedding 24 years ago, would bethe first person I would support as a brandnew Stephen Leader?

It had been a very busy week at theLeadership Training in Orlando. Tomorrow,Sunday morning, we would have our CommissioningService, say good-bye to our new friends and be on ourway home. Over a break, I took a moment to give my friendRay a surprise call to see if we could get together for a quickvisit in Leesburg before I headed back to Boynton Beach. Icould hardly believe it when his fiancée, Linda, answered thephone and told me that Ray had suffered a major stroke whilehaving a stent implanted and was currently in rehab inLeesburg. Ray hadn’t told anyone about the stroke becausehe didn’t want them to worry. They definitely wanted me tocome up.

During our visit, Ray asked what I’d been doing inOrlando for a week. I welcomed the opportunity to explainthe Stephen Ministry program. I told him StephenMinisters were trained listeners who could provide spiri-tual support. Ray liked the idea that he could free Lindafrom the burden of being the main person he shared histroubles with. When I asked Ray if he would like me tosee about locating a Stephen Minister for him, he thought

for a moment and replied, “I think I’d like that.”On Monday morning I contacted Stephen

Ministries, identified myself as a StephenMinister from our church, explained the situa-tion and gave them Ray’s location. They gaveme contact information for a local church witha Stephen Ministry program. I made the con-tact and they followed up with Ray. In subse-

quent visits, Ray told me how helpful the visitswere. His Stephen Minister even happened to be a

retired physician. The only things I ever knew about theirinteraction were what Ray chose to share with me. Rayalso gave me permission to share this story with you.If you know of someone at a distance from our church

who might benefit from meeting with a Stephen Minister, thisis how things work:

Let the person know that Stephen Ministers are trained tolisten and support people going through difficult times.

Ask he or she would like to be contacted by someone toexplain the program to them.

If the answer is “Yes,” give their name, address and phonenumber to Rev. Jo Garnett, Dick Walgrove, or David Fellows.

One of these Stephen Leaders will then contact theStephen Ministry Home Office for a local church referral.

You can rest assured that your friend will receive the sameconfidential, loving spiritual support the Stephen Ministerwould give to a member of his own congregation; becausewe’re all members of the same family. v

Stephen Ministers Lighten the Load

Church Improvementby Barbara Vanderkay

Now is the time for all goodPresbys to stand up and hear theapplause! Thanks to all who helped inany way, the Step-Above-Rummagesale was a smashing success, withalmost record receipts of about$21,000 so far. We also had recordnumbers of workers every day for thetwo weeks leading up to the sale. Weall worked hard, but it was definitelyworth it; the socializing was terrificand everything was accomplished onschedule.

There were many members whovolunteered as salespeople during the

event. Since we had record atten-dance, particularly on Thursday, wewere especially glad to have all theworkers.

We had wonderfully helpful menavailable all the time: lifting, carrying,directing cars and people, and thenselling like professionals.

As usual, the church staff rallied tothe pressure of the event and gave usungrudging and reliable assistance intheir various areas of expertise.Thank you!

Regie Moorcroft once again wasthe organizer and director of theevent, working longer and harderthan anyone else. Special thanks toher for her dedication.

It is hoped that the camaraderiefelt during these weeks will lead to anew closeness among the membersof First Presbyterian Church and per-haps greater participation in other

church activities with new friends.A record number of items were

sold to eager customers, many ofwhom came back for more on anoth-er day.

There were a record number ofcompliments for the sale: Best organ-ization, Excellent merchandise,Everything clean and working, Goodprices, and most helpful and friendlyworkers. v

Celebration of Eternal Life…

Our Deepest Sympathy asa congregation is extended to thefamilies of the following membersupon the death of their loved ones:

Lorna Snelgrove – February16, 2011 v

7

NonProfit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDWest Palm Beach, FL

Permit #3064

The Community Church by the Sea

FIRST PRESBYTERIANC H U R C H O F D E L R A Y B E A C H

33 Gleason Street, Delray Beach, Florida 33483

Sunday MorningWorship Services

9 a.m. & 11 a.m.Please join us on Sunday mornings as we worship the Living God together.

Church SchoolAdult Church School 10 a.m.

Education Hour Sunday School 10 a.m.Worship Hour Sunday School 11 a.m.

Youth Fellowship 5 p.m.

This newsletter is available online at www.firstdelray.com. Ifyou are interested in receiving an electronic copy of thisnewsletter, please email Nancy Fine at nancyfine@covad.net.

Interim Pastor Updateby Bob TeningaInterim Pastor Nominating Committee

Before the retirement of Dr. Bush, now our Pastor Emeritus, the Interim Pastor Nominating

Committee was formed to the specifications of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida. The Church

Information Form was completed so that pastors across the country could see our need for an Interim

Pastor. The form has been published and so far we have over 75 applicants for the position.

We are now down to the top three candidates and two personal interviews have been completed.

Additional personal visits are currently planned and scheduled. Our goal is to have the Interim Pastor

here by April 1st.

At the Session Meeting on February 15th, it came to our attention that some people have not yet

pledged because of not knowing who our Interim Pastor would be. Let me assure you the Committee

holds this congregation and this church in the highest regard; please pledge.

The power of prayer is fabulous so please pray, as we do at each Committee meeting, for the best

Pastor to be with us.