From the Pastor…

Someone once made the observation that if you

want to fear or be disgusted with America,

watch the news. But if you want to fall in love

with America, go on a trans-continental bicycle

tour. Reports on the news tend to sensationalize

as they focus on the War and the Economy. Vi-

olence, political struggle, and scarcity are main

themes to the saying that prioritizes reported

headlines, “If it bleeds, it leads.” Stories with

positive focus, “human interest” as we call

them, are barely mentioned at the end of a

broadcast. Certainly the world is complicated

and the news items should not be ignored or

glossed over, but basing our worldview on the

experience of watching corporate media is lim-

iting and tends to make our lives contract rather

than expand and explore.

Bicycle tours, by contrast, literally take you out

of the fast lane of the mainstream. The slower

pace and more frequent stops encourage interac-

tion with other people and the natural world.

From a bicycle, for example, you can actually

hear the water of a stream as you ride over a

bridge, you feel the wind as you notice the grass

bending with the breeze, and you can wave at

people as you notice them looking at you as if

you’re some kind of wildlife.

Parking a bicycle that is fully loaded with racks

of panniers, bundles of gear, and shiny parts is

often an icebreaker for conversations. Little

markets that are usually driven by become

treasured oasis’ offering well appreciated

breaks.

F I R S T P R ES B Y TE R IA N O F S A N D P O I NT , I D A H O

J u ly - A u gu s t

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THE GRAPEVINE

Rather than avoiding or looking the other way,

many people actually approach to ask how

you’re doing, where you’re headed, and share

something about themselves. The longer the

tour, the more opportunities for connection

with people, putting you in touch with the

heart of America by relating with people face

to face.

Hosting two cross country cycling events this

summer, our congregation recognizes that our

Christian faith breaks the ice. Hospitality as an

expression of God’s love casts out fear and

invites interaction and care. One cyclist, Paul

Shol from Fargo, North Dakota, is raising

awareness of economic justice, supporting low

income families through the school system he

works for as a teacher. The Bike and Build

group raises awareness regarding the need for

affordable housing. By visiting face to face

their message gets the personal touch and

helps bring about positive change, especially

benefiting people in difficult situations.

Christian faith calls us to trust in Jesus Christ

as we journey in faith. Though the church may

not be in the mainstream of our culture any-

more, we can share love and joy in many ways

as the Holy Spirit leads. Whether we are in the

checkout line at the grocery store, walking

along a sidewalk, or interacting with our

neighbors, our faith helps “break the ice” with

a genuine concern for the other, a listening

ear, and a love that casts out fear.

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Enjoy the summer, and wave and talk with

those cyclists through welcoming care.

Deep Peace,

Pastor Andy

KIDS ALIVE SUMMER DAY CAMP

July 25 - 28 we participate jointly with United

Methodist and First Lutheran churches to pro-

vide a day camp for the local children. Our re-

sponsibility is for Wednesday, July 27th, when

we need to provide breakfast for the Lutherha-

ven staff (usually 4 young adults) that come to

run the day camp, morning snacks of fruit and

crackers for the children, and a couple of volun-

teers to prepare and serve those snacks. We al-

so need a volunteer to provide dinner to the Lu-

therhaven staff that evening. If you could help

with any of these items, please contact Mary

Sturgis via email at sturgismc@icloud.com or

call at 208-304-3009. There is a signup sheet

on the bulletin board by the office. Thank you

so much for considering helping.

KIDS ALIVE DAY CAMP (cont.)

The Day Camp theme this year is “Rooted,

Imagine What Will Grow!” and is part of

Camp Lutherhaven’s day camp ministry. This

is for kids entering grades K-6, with youth

volunteers grades 7-12. Adult volunteers

working with children are required to fill out a

consent form for a background check; contact

Susan in the office for this. Thank you!

MEMBERSHIP UPDATES

Adding to the Active Roll, on June 21 the Ses-

sion met with and voted to receive Dan and

Jill Murphy, both by Reaffirmation of Faith.

Dan and Jill are recently retired and are new

permanent residents, although they have visit-

ed the area for many years. Bill Bissell was

received by having his membership reinstated.

Bill originally joined the church in 1983 but

after a few years moved out of the area, re-

turning recently following his retirement. Sa-

mantha Bissell was received by Profession of

Faith, as she was baptized here as an infant

years ago but has also moved back to the area.

Becoming an Active Member is an intentional

step of celebrating Christian faith through par-

ticipation and commitment to the worship,

mission, and service of Christ through this

congregation and the larger church to which it

is connected. Welcome new members!

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PEACE GARDEN

The Session voted to receive the recommendations of the Peace Garden Committee to continue

the transformation of the church yard into a Peace Garden outdoor sanctuary that provides a wel-

coming space for people of the church and community. Some of these recommendations include:

Removal of the chain link fence on the south edge of the yard

Relocating the Memorial Garden from under the maple tree to the east, closer to the street

Installing round picnic tables under the birch tree

Creating a catering patio outside the church back door

Installing a Little Free Library box with benches

Installing a bike rack

On July 20 the Peace Garden Committee will hold an informative presentation for the neighbors

of the church from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. This presentation will include a slide show illustrating the

benefits of the Peace Garden for our larger community.

MEMORIAL SERVICE, RECEPTION, AND PICNIC

On Saturday, August 13, 2016 we will gather in Resurrection hope for a Memorial Service honor-

ing the life of Carl Olson. His wife, Joanne, and their family invite you to First Presbyterian

Church at 3:00 for this service, followed by a light reception in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is in-

vited to gather for a picnic later that afternoon at Farragut State Park. A flyer with directions will

be available.

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SEPTEMBER PEACEMAKING

SERIES

We have another interesting line-up for the Sep-

tember Peacemaking series we call "Getting to

know our neighbors - Peacemaking through

community". In the past two years we have

hosted and heard from the Holy Myrrhbearing

Women Orthodox Church from Naples, Id, the

local Quaker Community, the local Jewish

Community, the Sravasti Abbey, Tibetan Bud-

dhist monastic community from Newport, the

Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, the

Sandpoint Sangha Meditation Group, the Mon-

astery of St. Gertrude Benedictine community

and the local Baha'i community. These discus-

sions have been enormously enriching.

The line-up for this September has not been

confirmed so you will be hearing more about

that later. However, you can tentatively pencil

in Wednesday evenings, 5:30-7:00 p.m. , Sep-

tember 7, 14, 21 and 28, 5:30-6:00 p.m. is a

gathering time with light refreshments, and dis-

cussion time is from 6:00-7:00 pm.

The series has been well attended by the com-

munity and it is a delight to be able to offer it

again. Please contact Judy Labrie if you would

like to help out in any way.

Judy Labrie, Peacemaking Series Committee

FINANCE

As of June 30, 2016 please be aware of the

following needs and priorities as we meet the

financial needs of our church.

1. As of June 2016 our Year-to-Date

Budget requirements is $66,462.00, cur-

rent offering received Year-to-Date ending

June 2016 is $60,917.30. Currently year-

to-date financial giving is short $5,544.70

of meeting the giving budget.

2. Per Capita Apportionment for 2016 is

now at 90% paid. Thanks to all members

for responding to meet this financial com-

mitment. All members are encouraged to

please pay the $34.00 per capita for 2016.

Please note “per capita” on your

check’s memo line.

Dave Sturgis, Finance

MISSIONS

We are providing a place to stay and meals for

a solo cyclist, Paul Shol, who is raising aware-

ness an fund for a project called “Legacy

Children’s Foundation”, which assists chal-

lenged youth. Paul will be arriving in

Sandpoint, Friday afternoon or evening, July

15th. If you would like to be among those

meeting and greeting him at the church, please

let Marilyn Robertson know, and she will try

to predict his arrival time that day after he up-

dates us. (maridaho@gmail.com (208) 263-

9537)

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TIMELY TIPS FROM KERMIT THE FROG

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women have recessed for the summer. However, a friendly reminder to

start saving for the fall Rummage Sale, October 7-8. Please contact Susie Haskins to

order a Bible Study book on “Who is Jesus”. This study will examine how the Old

Testament and Paul’s letters view the Messiah.

Barbara Rolph

Kermit says “Its Easy Being Green

The Earth Care team and Kermit want to share some “royal” gardening tips. In a

recent TV documentary about Queen Elizabeth’s gardens, it was mentioned that she

prefers to avoid using chemical pest controls. Her gardeners keep the rose beds free

of aphids by using a garlic spray, possibly just in water. (A recipe was not given.)

A Google search has several articles, including one with a recipe for a garlic/

cooking oil spray. That was from http://www.gardenguides.com/, and entitled

“Homemade Spray for Aphid Control”.

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Dear Church Family:

I hope you had a very nice holiday and I was thinking of America for the Fourth of July! How won-

derful it is for me to have my American Church Family. You are often on my mind, I give Thanks

for welcoming me and teaching me so much. How to extend God’s Love and care to "sisters and

brothers" we meet.

I have learned so much from the care and compassion of our Church members; and the support I

have received in my training and my mission to help others during these last three years. It brings

humble feelings to my spirit. I will bring this with me forever and I am so thankful for every day I

wake up, read my Upper Room and Jesus Calling, sitting in quiet and praying and giving Thanks for

the blessings I receive. I pray that you all having some sunshine in your lives.

My sunshine is little Elias (Elijah) whom just turned 1 year; what a joyous miracle it is for me to ex-

perience him and this time with my family.

Love,

Margareta

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July

3 Chuck Scott

7 Alexandra Krames

8 Marian Ruyle

15 Barry Gage

18 Enid Thompson

21 Bob Maricle

25 Anna Bates

31 Chuck Bauer

August

3 Bill Bissell

4 Shelley Wogman Bellotty

6 Dan Murphy

7 Samantha Bissell

9 Jill Murphy

10 Darcy Taylor, Peik Wahl

17 Vern Fleisher, Emily Taylor

20 Lyle Campbell

22 Terrin Dustman, Susie Haskins

27 Shirley Parker

30 Phyllis Meagher

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Calendar Announcements

Sunday Summer Worship— 9:30 a.m. Fellowship, following service

Monday 6:00 p.m. Al-Anon

Tuesday Book Study Group—2:00 p.m. Contemplative Prayer Group—3:00 p.m.

Wednesday 5:30 p.m. Companions in Christ on 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, Church Breakfast will resume September 7th, 8:00 a.m. at Connies (first and third Wednesdays of the month)

Choir Practice, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Thursday 12:00 p.m. Al-Anon 7:00 p.m.—Alcoholics Anonymous

July

3 Noisy Offering & Food Bank Collection

12 Worship & Music meeting at 4:00 p.m.

24 City Beach Service

25-28 Kids Alive Day Camp

August

12 Creating Moments of Joy Seminar—First Lutheran Church (see announcement poster on page 6)

13 Carl Olson Memorial—3:00 p.m. at FPC

14 Outdoor Service in the Peace Garden

24-26 Bike & Build—Hosting by FPC

Regular Monthly Events

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First Presbyterian Church

Ministers: Members and Friends

Pastor Andy Kennaly

417 North Fourth Avenue, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864

208-263-2047 office@fpcsandpoint.org

pastorandy@fpcsandpoint.org

Pastor cell phone: 208-304-5488

www.fpcsandpoint.org