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Presbyterian News

First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw, Michigan

Volume 84, Issue 4 April 2016

CHRIST IS ALIVE!

Tis the Season of Easter—the time of year when we engage more intently what it means to pro-claim the risen Christ in the world today. As we heard on Easter morning, this proclamation calls us to engage our doubts, ambiguities and struggle personally with what it means to be “Easter People” 365 days a year! In this newsletter, you will see many opportunities to engage in what it means to be church through service, study, and community events. Over the coming weeks, we will also be hearing more about the Commissions and committees of the church and ways that you can be more in-volved. As you learn about these ministries, I hope you will prayerfully consider the many invitations and opportunities to “wade deeper” into this faith community; to risk diving in beyond just writing a check or coming to worship on Sunday, and to offer up your time, talents, and self to serve God’s mission in our community. Proclaiming the Good News is hard work, and even “Easter People” need some time off! Thus, I will be away on Spring Break visiting family during the first week of April, and taking a much-needed rest after a very full and fruitful Lent and Holy Week. Thank you to the many folks who have encour-aged me to take time away, and especially to Tom Shoemaker for delivering the message in wor-ship on April 3. I look forward to rejoining you refreshed and revived on April 10, to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with you and ordain and install new Deacons! Until then, may the excitement, wonder and challenge of proclaiming the risen Christ bring you peace and unexpected joy! In Christ,

Tiffany

Rev. Tiffany McCafferty

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Presbyterian News April 2016

FLOWER CHART

Flowers are always a wonderful addition to our wor-ship service and often mem-bers and friends are not aware if someone has already ar-ranged to bring a bouquet or plant for a certain date. To make it easier to pro-vide flowers for a service, a flower chart has once again been made available for those wishing to sign up. The chart, posted on the bulletin board in the narthex, shows the dates that are available and you can either sign up for a date yourself or call the office (657-3111) and leave information

that you would like added to a Sunday bulletin (perhaps to mention the celebration of a particular event) and your name will be placed on the chart. Flowers can be an ar-rangement or plant you have purchased and brought in to share or flowers from your gar-den.

Thank you in advance for your help.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC

All children (toddlers through those finishing fifth grade), parents, grandparents and teachers are invited to an end-of-church school picnic with Pastor Tiffany and Children’s Gathering teachers right after church on May 22! Please mark your calendars for this fun, end-of-season Sun-day Children’s Gathering. During the summer, we plan to have nursery care and activities for children during worship. Come and celebrate together!

Many heartfelt thanks go out to the Paw Paw Family Fare grocery store! They donated 45 puff

jackets to our Prisoner Re-entry Program to be distributed to the guys who come into our community

with no outerwear. It was such an extraordinary act of kindness, as well as being another show of

visible support for those who need help in our community. The

Family Fare manager, Donovan Strock, facilitated the donation

(he is pictured below), so if you see him in the store, please stop

and thank him again for their generosity and support!

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Editor’s Note: The birthdays and anniversaries are Computer generated. If we are missing your special day or our information is incorrect, please notify Sue in the church Office. Thank you.

Presbyterian News April 2016

04/02 April Miller Sheeran 04/04 Susan Erion 04/04 Jerry Miller 04/07 Kristen Welling 04/08 Mary Adams 04/10 Scott Beck 04/11 Samuel Vought 04/13 Luke Pursley 04/14 Timothy Combs 04/15 Betty Faul 04/15 Sally Yarbrough 04/19 Kathleen Weisner 04/21 Betty Wassman 04/24 Don Weaver 04/30 Clyde Maylath

04/03 Robert & Crecia Tiffany 04/05 Rick & Sally Yarbrough 04/05 Frederick & C. Sue Martin 04/06 Frank & Eilene Summe 04/10 Harold & Freida Duringer 04/13 John & Carie Faul 04/15 Bert & Jan Ogden 04/25 Doug & Colleen Stiles

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Want to learn more about the Women of the Bible? On April 27, 2016, the Presbyterian Women will begin a book study during our meetings. The book we will be using is “All the Women of the Bible” by M. L. del Mastro. We will be discussing a different woman each month. Please come and join us in the Library of our church at our new meeting time of 10:00 a.m. Plan to stay after the meeting for Lunch with Friends. All women in the church are welcomed at Presbyterian Women!

BAKED GOODS NEEDED

Cookies, brownies, pies, cakes, muffins, candy or whatever your specialty is, start baking! The bake sale is coming up. It is always a vital part of our Annual Thrift Sale.

Please put your goodies on paper plates and place the plates in plastic baggies. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap.

Bring them to the church library, Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, April 15

th or 16

th. Any questions, please call Marge at 375-0518.

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Presbyterian News April 2016

PAW PAW COMMUNITY CHORUS PLANS SPRING CONCERT

The Paw Paw Community Chorus, sponsored by the Paw Paw High School Choirs, will present their 16th Annual Spring Concert, on Sunday, May 1, 4 p.m., at the Paw Paw High School Performing Arts Center located at 30609 Red Arrow Highway,

Paw Paw. The chorus, under the direction of Theresa Vaughn, will be accompanied on piano by Linda Havens. The following selections will be presented by the chorus: Theme from New York, New York, The Sound of Silence, You Made Me Love You, May It Be-from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Song of the Lonely Mountain from The Hobbit-An Unexpected Journey, Dust In The Wind, If I Had A Hammer-A Tribute to Peter Seeger (Medley) and Rodg-ers and Hammerstein On Broadway (Medley). Members of the chorus are as follows: Anita Boynton, John Boynton, Barbara Bryant, Bill Buhl, Les Buhl, Denise Campagna, Wendy Charles, Dave Clark, Carol DeHollander, MaryAnn Douglas, Darrel Drummond, Michelle Dulaney, Cheryl Erickson, Susan Erion, Wendy Estrada, John Fisk, Marianne Garrett, Mary Griffin, Orville Griffith, Linda Hassler, Dee Henderson, Gretchen Hudeck, Karen Johnson, Charlotte King, Joyce Kovacevich, Nancy Lyle Beck, Peaches Maize, Jane Makowski, Michele Makowski-Weaver, Phyllis Mandigo, Christine Mortimer, Patrick McCafferty, Kathy McCloskey, Ann McGrew, Margaret McNeil, Jan Ogden, Lenore Orozco, Loise Perkins, Pat Peters, Ike Porter, Joy Porter, George Powless, Hannah Powless, Hollie Powless, Grady Reinoehl, Connie Ruch, Teresa Rzonca, Vicky Scheerhorn, Ron Schincariol, Lorraine Serbenski, Michael Sey-moure, Gerry Stackhouse, Doris Stratton, Tom Thomas, Marlene Tucker, Fran Van Meter, Ida Verschoof, Anna Vervoort, Jean Vorachek, Steven Vornsand, Kathy Weisner, Cindy Whitaker, Caleb Whitfield, and Dave Wilder. Although there is no admission charge to this concert, voluntary donations are very much appreciated.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

March turned our mission focus to One Great Hour of Sharing. The Presbyterian Church funds world-wide efforts to provide dis-aster relief, hunger relief and support for self-help programs through monies raised by OGHS. Our goal as a church for mission giving in 2015 was $500. We exceeded that in an im-pressive way and so our new goal for 2016 was raised to $750. Our youth participated again this year by filling their fish banks (Gracies) with spare change. The offering was received on Easter Sunday and our totals were an eye pop-ping $1,185.97. Again, we give thanks to our generous giving faith community here at First Presbyterian.

The “Wired Word” class is off to a great start – the table in the library is full every Sunday about 11:20,

and great discussions ensue! So far, the topics have included, human traf-ficking, zero tolerance, the story of a policeman whose beat is the Skid Row district of L.A., and the verbal violence present as the candidates campaign for President. It has been interesting, thought provoking and when you leave the room, you certainly take something with you! Please join us if you are able – there are a number of folks who appreciate receiving the topic and a brief overview by e-mail prior to the class. If you are interested in being part of that group, please let Sue know at the office. Classes will resume on April 10

th, after Spring Break. Hope to see you

soon!

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Presbyterian News April 2016

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS… AND SMILING CHILDREN

When Children’s Gathering resumes at 9:30 on Sunday, April 10, our younger children will be getting their hands dirty planting flower seeds. With a little soil, water, sun-shine and love, we hope that the seeds transform into beautiful flowers that we can sell at the church plant sale on Saturday, May 21. Even more exciting is our vision for the money that we earn. Our little ones plan to join the church-wide Prisoner Re-entry Program to provide basic necessities to folks who’ve recently arrived in the Paw Paw community, having come from Jackson Prison. The little kids have decided that brand new socks make everyone feel cozy and welcome, so providing those is our goal. You probably first heard about this project on Palm Sunday when our Middle School and High School youth laid down coats in the aisle during worship. Wendy, Sue and the older youth will be coordinating this project. Look for more information in another article. The children know how Jesus washed his disciples’ feet to show that He was willing to be a serv-ant Messiah. They have heard that by doing for “the least of these,” we show our love for Jesus and

God. Here is a chance for them to see the efforts of their own hands trans-form into flowers and then into new socks for people in need. We hope that your kids and grandkids can join in this project that will begin on April 10 and culminate on our LAST Sunday School ses-sion on May 22. It’s a chance for our youngest church members to have fun working together while accomplishing something worthwhile out in our community. Spiritual Formation Commission

Pat Conner, Randy Silber, Wendy Mickle

PRISONER RE-ENTRY PROGRAM UPDATE

Thanks all for your wonderful notes of support and hope that you wrote during the Palm Sunday worship service! The intent is that each one of those will find its way into a backpack or bag with the other items we are collecting, and the bags/backpacks will be given to the released prisoners when they check into the motel. There were several items mentioned during the service on Sun-day which we are also collecting – reusable water bottles, toilet paper, Bibles, stamps and envelopes, plus pens/pencils and paper. If you are able to donate any of these items, please drop them off in the classroom upstairs across from

the nursery.

Thanks so much for your generosity!!

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Presbyterian News April 2016

IT'S HERE...THRIFT SALE INFORMATION

SALE DATE: APRIL 16, 2016 8AM to 3 PM. FELLOWSHIP HALL

Donations accepted 3:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday and

from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Friday

Set-up Thursday April 14 Workers needed 3pm - 8 pm (We need folks who can do some moderate to heavy lifting.)

Sorting and Pricing continues Friday April 15 Workers needed 8am through late afternoon (or early evening) to sort items, price, & arrange Lunch out - buy your own, a chance to chat and visit as we eat

Sale Day Saturday, April 16, 7:30 am to 3:00 pm Some workers needed for sale CLEAN UP CREW 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Return church to order.

As you can see, there's enough work for everyone who would be willing to help, our task is big but so is the fun and fellowship. This is a church wide project and funds from this sale continue to benefit the work and expenses of the church.

Some of our needs (for a successful sale) are outlined below.

Again, we need workers. It's really helpful if you sign up for a specific time as it makes it easier to plan. If you're not sure what exact times you will have available, just letting me know what day you would like to help is great. On the day of the sale workers sign up for specific times and stations so all spots are covered. Clean up is a new crew, hopefully full of energy to help put the building back in order, get leftover items packed up and ready for pick-up and returning our display materials back to storage. Check the display board in the Narthex at the church for the workers sign up sheet.

Should you have large pieces of furniture, or treasures more than you can stuff into your car, or are physically unable to get your donations to the sale, please contact Jan Wilder at 657-6161 so that we can arrange a pickup. We welcome donations from friends / relatives and neighbors who have items they would be willing to donate, any questions, please call Jan at above number.

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Presbyterian News April 2016

The building and grounds committee wants to give a big “thank you” to all the people who helped with our Spring cleaning Saturday. Fifteen men and women came and de-cluttered, sorted and reorganized the church closets and storage rooms. Thanks also goes to chef Jerry Dundon and men for the hearty breakfast that they prepared and served to everyone. We all worked har-moniously together and many hands made light work!!

Pat Peters

MISSION AND WORSHIP COMMISSION

Cents-ability:

Question: What are those silver buckets about that we pass around the third Sunday each month?

Answer: Those are our Cents-Ability buckets. The collection of money from those buckets goes to local and world-wide projects that feed the hungry. This is part of our collective response to share God’s love with others. In the 2015 year our monthly free will offerings for cents-ability totaled to over $1400. The distribution from each is 25% to local mission and 75 % to denominational hun-ger relief programs. Our local dollars support Eleanor’s pantry. Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” CROP Walk coming April 24 This year the CROP Walk will have an added focus, that being to honor Eleanor Miller. Eleanor was known widely for her efforts to support United Christian Services and her ministries to the needy. CROP walk is sponsored by Church World Service and is an ecumenical effort to raise funds for food, medical care, disaster relief, and self-help development. Last year over 20 area churches combined efforts to raise $15,267 for CROP. Twenty Five percent of the dollars raised come back to help fund local efforts to care for those in need. We will again participate as a congre-gation. You can play a part by either walking on the 24

th of April in the 5K event, by sponsoring a

walker, by helping to raise funds for walkers, or by volunteering to help on walk day. Sign up sheets for walkers will be available in the Fellowship Hall after church each Sunday in April. You may also give online by going to: WWW.CROPHUNGERWALK.ORG/PAW PAWMI.

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First Presbyterian Church 120 Pine Street Paw Paw, MI 49079

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Presbyterian News Volume 84, Issue 4

Presbyterian News

First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw, Michigan

Calendar Dates To Remember

April 1-9 Pastor Tiffany away on vacation. For emergencies contact Rev. William Christians at (269) 423-4981 (Work) or (269) 512-2018 (Cell).

April 3rd - Adult Bible Study resumes at 8:45 a.m.

April 10th - Sunday School resumes

April 10th - “Wired Word” Class 11:20 am - 12:30 p.m. resumes

April 16th - Annual Thrift Sale 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

April 21st - Pot Luck starts at 6:00 p.m.

April 23rd - Men’s Breakfast

April 23rd - Theresa Vaughn Student Recital from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. in Sanctuary

Subject: April Greeters

3 - Jan Ogden 10 - Sue Miller

17 - Patty Kendall 24 - Royal & Judith Haefner

Head Usher for April Marge McKee