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The Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green, Kentucky

Volume 20 March 2016 Issue 3

Pastor’s Column 1

Christian Education 2

Missions 3

Church/Community 4

Youth Ministry 6

College Ministry 7

Financial Report 7

Session Report 8

Feb. Birthdays 10

Feb. Calendar 11

In January, the Session of our church heard a report recommending that we have a “Rededication Celebration” to confirm my call to the pastoral ministry of our church, the church’s call to me, and the members’ call to each other. This, as they say, “set me to thinkin’.” My sense of call to the church is strong. I think that the Christian church, and our ministries of care for the needy, and our commitments to mutual trust, and the valuation of human dignity, and even our devotion to the rule of law give the church a critical role for blessing and civilizing the world. The 16th century reformer and proto-Presbyterian, John Calvin, said that a call to ministry has two parts. One part is internal, which includes God’s call to the individual, and one is “external or ecclesiastical,” which relates to the church and its order and structure. This is why we, in the Presbyterian Church, not only require that our ministers have a “sense of call” from God, but also a specific call issued by a congregation. Calvin said, “We hold that this call of a minister is lawful according to the Word of God, when those who seem fit [receive] the consent and approval of the people.” For this reason, the people we ordain in the Presbyterian Church (pastors, deacons, and elders) are all officially elected by the people to their positions. The call of God confirmed by the call of the people is summed up pretty well in a benediction I often use. “Go out into the world in peace, have courage, hold on to that which is good; return no one evil for evil, strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering, honor all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the Holy Spirit.” This benediction is largely drawn from I Thessalonians 5:12-24, in which the Apostle Paul is describing the characteris-tics of the Christian community. We serve the Lord in our relations with each other. There is a practical side to my call. I think our church is strong enough, and placed in the right spot in the community, to do great good. I want to be a part of what’s happening! My call is also mysterious and spiritual. I think God has brought us all together for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. I fit the church and love the church. I am doing good work here. The church, for its part, is still teaching me and helping me in many, many ways. We are truly “heavenly partners in a holy calling.” (Hebrews 3:1) Much has happened in our church and in our lives in the last 13 years. I was called to the Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green in 2002, and began work here in January of 2003. The church needs to be willing to engage new ministries and embrace new people, as we live and work together. We cannot stay the same, except in one respect: We must continue to love one another dearly. Know you are loved. Matthew

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Christian Education

Families! Saturday March 19 will be our annual Easter Egg Hunt at Sandy and Bob Franklin’s home, 1740 Greenview. We will gather at 2pm for games and activities, followed by the Egg Hunt at 3pm. There will be separate areas for preschool and elementary children. Bring a basket! And invite a friend too-this is a great way to introduce someone new to our church. Donations of cupcakes, brownies, cookies will be needed for our Egg Hunt Cake Walk. They will be collected at the church on Friday March 18. Especially helpful are platters/containers that do not need to be returned. We also seek donations of bottled water and Capri Sun. Questions? See Leslee Kirkconnell.

It is One Great Hour of Sharing season! One of four special offerings of the PC(USA), our gifts to OGHS are divided between the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Self-Development of People. Sharing Calendars, with a daily reading and suggestions for donations, are available, along with coin banks (great for families).

We will collect our offering on Sunday March 20 during worship (although your gift is welcome anytime-simply mark your check ‘OGHS’ or ‘One Great Hour of Sharing offering’. Watch for special bulletin inserts and an envelope. Our church has been generous in the past and we hope for your continued generosity. Vacation Bible School will be June 19-22 at Christ Episcopal Church, 5:30-8:00pm. We will be using “Water Around the World” a new curriculum from Living Waters for the World. We plan to have a full-scale model of one of the wells constructed for clean water. Help will be needed for VBS, so please stay tuned. The week is always a great mixture of hard work, warm fellowship and learning. We also hope many of our youth will be with us as helpers-a great way for them to develop some leadership skills in the church. Save the date and watch for more information! Easter Sunday will be a busy time at church. Sunday School will take a break, so please come and enjoy breakfast together with your church family, ahead of worship at 10:30 (or following our Sunrise service!). (continued next page)

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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES: Floyd Hays Ellis Bible Study - Conference Room - The Floyd Hays Ellis Bible Study - Contact Charles Reid Parenting Class – in Room 202 Christian Thought Class – Room 207– led by Dr. Wayne Hendrix UKirk—in Room 201—College Students

Missions

Children’s Church will continue to meet with a slightly modified schedule for children up to grade 2. Leadership will rotate and Leslee Kirkconnell will be provid-ing materials. Children will remain in worship on first Sundays, as that is the day we observe the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. On Easter all children should attend worship with families (no Children’s Church). Volunteers are needed to help with Children’s Church for the next several months. Materials will be provided. We need two adults each Sunday, both of whom must have a completed background check. We will be building a rotating

schedule so no individuals need miss worship more than once in a while (our goal is each volunteer will be present once over a six week to two month period). This is an excellent way for you to get to know our children and to share your faith with them! See Leslee Kirkconnell. Especially for Families (although anyone can do this!). The Real Patrick is an activity for your family to learn more about this special saint and why we have the March holiday in his honor. Go to http://www.vibrantfaithathome.org/item/the-real-patrick to find an activity to do together. Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week, when we celebrate the final week of Jesus’ life. As a family, you can have your own Palm Sunday procession (this would be an EXCELLENT way to prepare for worship on March 20). Go to http://www.vibrantfaithathome.org/item/parade-with-palms Parents, you are the primary faith educators of your children! Use these activities to help fos-ter conversations about faith at home. Let us walk with you and help you with this critical task-you aren’t alone, but you are most important! And do bring your children to all the Holy Week activities you can-they do understand more than you might imagine and they are an important part of the family of God here at The Presbyterian Church!

INN KEEPERS and other volunteers needed for RITI on Thursdays in March. The sea-son for this program is coming to an end next month and we have been so blessed to have staffed the other 15 evenings. Please consider this opportunity. Time commitment for our innkeepers is 9 pm to 5 am. Sign up on the clipboards in the 10th street lobby. EQUAL EXCHANGE Fair Trade Coffee sales will take place on Sunday, March 6th. Need chocolate? Need coffee? Need tea? Sales will take place on the landing out-side the chapel before and after worship service on March 6

th.

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Church and Community

LENTEN DINNERS CONTINUE The Wednesday evening dinners/services con-tinue through March 16th. They start with supper at 5:15pm and the worship service at 6:05 p.m. Please sign the Sunday pew pads or call the church office to reserve a space for dinners.

GOOD FRIDAY Please join us for a worship service in our Sanctuary on Good Friday, March 29 at 12:00 noon. HOLY WEEK NOON WORSHIP SERVICES (there will be a lunch served except where noted) -Monday, March 21 at Christ Episcopal, Dr. Jay Smith preaches -Tuesday, March 22 at the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Kyle McDougall preaches -Wednesday, March 23at State Street United Methodist, Rev. Fred Brown preaches -Thursday, March 24 at State Street Baptist, Dr. Jeff Reynolds preaches -Friday, March 25 at First Church of the Nazarene, hosted by BG/Warren Co. Ministerial Association (12-1pm, no lunch)

EASTER LILIES will be available for purchase to honor or remember loved ones on Easter Sunday. Forms will be available in the Sunday bulletins in March (or in the church office) to reserve a lily or to make a donation in honor of those special persons.

EASTER SUNDAY SCHEDULE A Sunrise Service will be offered Easter morning, March 27,

at 7:00am in the courtyard. A breakfast in Fellowship Hall will follow. The Easter worship service will be at 10:30am. There will be no Sunday School. Please note that the

church office will be closed on the Monday following Easter (March 28th).

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Our deepest sympathy is extended to the following members and friends of this church who have recently lost loved ones:

Shirley Karrick in the death of her sister-in-law Shirley B. Hewitt Megan Webb in the death of her father-in-law J. Russell Webb

The family of Ron Lucas

MAUNDY THURSDAY DINNER AND WORSHIP The Maundy Thursday dinner will be Thursday, March 24 at 6:00pm and will be followed by a worship service at 7:00pm. The dinner will be a middle-eastern meal, and childcare will be available in the nursery if requested (please make reservations). Tickets are available at the church: $8.00/adults, $5.00/students & children, or $20.00/family. All are welcome and encouraged to participate!

GORDONEERS Do you recall, remember at all, those wonderful, wonderful years: 1946-1964? For the March Gordoneers - Friday the 11th at 6 PM - please bring the usual dish, and something from 46-64 to show, share or WEAR. These can be pictures, objects no longer in use: Skate keys, 45 RPM Adaptors, 78’s, 8-tracks, sheet music, TV Guides. Patty Greninger, Nancy Keyser and Charles Reid will be your hosts. The program will be a trivia participation game with Arnie Petrus as Emcee. Get ready to test your recall. Be there or be square!

EASTER EGG HUNT Remember that our annual Easter Egg Hunt is on Saturday, March 19th at Sandy and Bob Franklin’s home, 1740 Greenview. Games and activities will start at 2:00pm , to be followed by the Egg Hunt at 3:00pm. There will be separate areas for preschool and elementary children. Bring a basket and a friend!

MUSIC PRIOR TO WORSHIP With the presentation to the church of the Peggy Pack Memorial Piano, a further blessing came to the congregation: piano music before the Call to Worship… gathering music, we like to call it. It includes the playing of hymns, some older and some newer. Again, we express gratitude to the Pack family. We also want to thank Mike Kanan and Shirley Karrick for so graciously volunteering to play beautiful music prior to worship. A TIMELY REMINDER! Daylight Savings time will begin on Sunday, March 13th. Remember to set your clocks ahead on Saturday, March 12th.

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Youth Ministry

MARCH 2016 YOUTH & COLLEGE NEWS:

SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH GROUP will meet every Sunday beginning with the Junior High study 5-6pm, combined dinner and game time 6-7pm, High School Study 7-8pm. WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOUTH FELLOWSHIP meets every Wednesday at Spencer’s Coffeehouse (5-6:30pm). This is a casual discussion group. Dur-ing Lent we’ll meet at the church for dinner & worship. PAST EVENTS:

We had a great weekend in Murray (Feb 19-21) at the Winter Youth Retreat. The theme was My Name is Loved, based on Psalm 139 - I am fearfully & wonderfully made. UPCOMING EVENTS: MONTREAT YOUTH CONFERENCE 2016 - JULY 16-23. “ A World of Difference” is the theme. Cost $350 with first deposits of $50 due on February 1. Subsequent payments of $100 are due March 1, April, and May 1.

From the Planning Team: The 2016 Montreat Planning Team hopes this conference, through the work of the Holy Spirit, will make a difference in your life. This conference strives to create a community of safe space, where you can gain a deeper understand-ing of God. It will allow you to explore differences and similarities together as well as make connections with neighbors near and far. As you prepare for this experience at Montreat, the team will be praying for you and your journey here. David Muffett will be serving on the Theta Planning Team for weeks 3 & 4.

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Our church elders: Gary Ahrendt, Pam Bratcher, Franklin Berry, Charlie Capito, Sam Evans, Jim Harris, Fred Higgins, Brad Howard, Julia Roberts, Nancy English, Bobby Rabold, Diane Simmons, Margaret Stein, Larry Warden, Denny Wedge. Our church deacons: Karol Ahmed, Barbara Brindle, Peggy Carthrae, Shannon Dyche, Kim Fergu-son, Kelly Goad, Sheryl Goad, Larry Gildersleeve, Cathey Green, Wayne Hendrix, Frederica Kernohan, Nathan Love, Marilyn Mattingly, Donna Meredith, Charlotte Prow, Kevin Reber, Ken Royse, Ann Rudolph, Janet Schwarzkopf, Diane Simmons, Debbie Trickey, and Judy Whitson.

Our UKirk Worship Service, Sacred Space, begins at 8:15pm every Wednesday in the Sanctuary or Chapel emphasizing the beauty of our sacred worship spaces. The service is contemplative in nature and lasts about 45 minutes. We utilize the UWorship resource developed by the

UKirk Collegiate network. It follows the lectionary and is designed for a semester schedule. The students will use Room 201 for their meeting/fellowship space. During the Lenten season, we’ll combine with the dinner and worship in Fellowship Hall at 5:15pm. Theology Pub continues to meet 7pm every Thursday at Mellow Mushroom. Join us for free pizza and great discussion. For more information on our youth and college ministries, contact David Muffett at david.muffett@bgpres.org .

Financial Report

College Ministry

121,574

49,573

121,022

45,542

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

Receipts Expenses

Financial SummaryYear to Date January

2016

Budget

Actual

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Session Report

FEBRUARY SESSION REPORT

The Session met for its regular meeting on February 16, 2016 in the Church Conference Room. Highlights of the meeting are as follows: Matthew Covington and the Session discussed the mission and responsibilities of the Pastoral Care Committee, being formed, with encouragement and assis-tance being foremost. Nominations to the committee are being sought from the congregation. Leslee Kirkconnell presented her report and spoke on the plans for Vacation Bi-ble School currently set for June 19-22, 2016 and on plans for establishment of a Bible study n Monday nights at the Church. On motion, the Session gave its approval for the first unit of the study to begin on February 22 and to end on March 21, 2016. It will be taken from The Kerygma Program’s Hosanna study. The Session was pleased to receive the report that church finances are in the positive column for January. Presbytery delegate Tom Moody had presented the Session with a positive re-port concerning the February 9, 2016 meeting of Western Kentucky Presbytery. Elders on Parlor duty for the remainder of February and beginning of March are: February 21

st—Bobby Rabold; 28

th—Denny Wedge; and March 6

th—

Margaret Stein. The next regular meeting of the Session is set for March 15, 2016. James D. Harris, Jr. Clerk of Session

Our church elders: Gary Ahrendt, Pam Bratcher, Franklin Berry, Charlie Capito, Sam Evans, Jim Harris, Fred Higgins, Brad Howard, Julia Roberts, Nancy English, Bobby Rabold, Diane Simmons, Margaret Stein, Larry Warden, Denny Wedge. Our church deacons: Karol Ahmed, Barbara Brindle, Peggy Carthrae, Shannon Dyche, Kim Ferguson, Kelly Goad, Sheryl Goad, Larry Gildersleeve, Cathey Green, Wayne Hendrix, Frederica Kernohan, Nathan Love, Marilyn Mattingly, Donna Meredith, Charlotte Prow, Kevin Reber, Ken Royse, Ann Rudolph, Janet Schwarzkopf, Diane Simmons, Debbie Trickey, and Judy Whitson.

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Minutes: Congregational Meeting The Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green

January 31, 2016 11:30 A.M.

The Session having called a congregational meeting to receive the Budget for 2016 and to confirm the Minister's terms of call, and due notice having been given, the meeting was called to order by Moderator Matthew Covington following the 10:30 A.M. worship service. The Moderator called on the Chairman of the Finance Committee who presented the Budget for 2016 advising that it was a balanced budget and unanimously recom-mended by the Finance Committee and unanimously adopted by the Session. The Moderator called on the Clerk of Session who confirmed the Minister's terms of call advising that as the terms of call were not changed from 2015, no congregational action was required according to the Book of Order G-2.0804. The Report of the Discernment Team having been received by the Session and unanimously adopted at the regular Session meeting on January 19, 2016, and no congregational action being required, it was presented to the congregation, as follows: The discernment team was recommended by the leadership team that interfaced with the Church's consultants. The team was approved by the Committee of Chairs of the Session and commissioned by the congregation on September 20, 2015. It's mission was to "assist in moving the Church forward, help ascertain what if any changes should be made by the leadership in the endeavor, and to assist in implementing the recommendations of the [Healthy Churches] consultants, as appropriate." The team consisted of Karol Ahmed, Gary Ahrendt, Emily Davenport, Jim Johnson, Sheila Reeves and Charles Reid. Regular meetings, fact finding ,personal interviews and spiritual inquiry marked the team's journey. The team made 3 recommendations to the Session—First, that Dr. Covington is the right Pastor for our Church and that he continue in service to the congregation; Second, that a Pastoral care committee must be established; and finally, that we should have a "re-dedication celebration" to confirm Dr. Covington's call to the Church, our call to Dr. Covington and our call to each other. Upon receipt of the report, the Session discharged the team, it's duties having been completed. The congregational meeting was adjourned with prayer. Respectfully submitted, James D. Harris, Jr. Clerk of Session

Below is information from the Discernment Team’s report to Session in February:

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March Birthday

March 1

Betty Jo Beard

David Gentry

Anna Sue Heller

Drew Mauldin

March 2

Alex Love

Jeane Smith

March 3

Mary Kirkwood

March 4

Jonathan Hendrix

Michael Nade

March 7

Patty Greninger

Rita Rudloff

March 8

Peggy Carthrae

Buzz English

March 10

John Franklin

March 12

Jeffrey Johnson

Luke Johnson

Todd Kessler

Bryce Phillips

March 13

Ahmad Gilliam

Alex Maudlin

Katie Wyrick

March 14

Kate Grise

March 15

Karol Ahmed

Chuck Webb

March 16

Colton Nade

Eleanor Short

March 18

Beth Tyrie

March 19

Sarah Johnston

Kelly Wyrick

Daniel Zeller

March 20

Will Barrick

Christine Long

Connor Siddens

March 21

Bob Hunt

March 22

Leigh Ballard

March 23

Earlene Chelf

Nina Njoku

March 24

Lynn Reeves

March 25

Emily Cooper

Bud Schlinker

Jamie Simpson

March 27

Henry Heller

March 28

Clark Carthrae

Dorothy Reeves

March 29

Sarah Ellis

Mike Kanan

March 30

Katrina Barnhill

Phillip Burkeen

Toni Stahl

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March Calendar

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

11:00am Special

Care 2:00pm

Staff Mtg. 7:00pm Deacons

2

5:15pm Youth

Fellowship 5:15pm Lent

Dinner 6:05pm Worship 6:45pm Chancel

Choir

3

6:00pm RITI 7:00pm

Theology Pub

4

10:30am

Morning Prayer

5

6

9:00am Children’s

Chimes 9:30am

Children’s Choir 9:30am Sunday

School 10:30am Worship 11:30am

Fellowship 5:00pm Youth

Group

7

10:00am MM Ed

makeup date 11:00am Circle 3 7:00pm Bible

Study WKU break

8

1:00am Special

Care 7:00pm Evening

Circle 7:00pm Camera

Club

9

9:15am Wed Morn

Circle 9:30am Circle 6 5:15pm Youth

Fellowship 5:15pm Lent

Dinner 6:05pm Worship 6:45pm Chancel

Choir

10

6:00pm RITI

11

10:30am

Morning Prayer 6:00pm

Gordoneers

12

13 Time Change

9:00am Children’s

Chimes 9:30am

Children’s Choir 9:30am Sunday

School 9:45am Sunday

Circle 10:30am Worship 11:30am

Fellowship 5:00pm Youth

Group

14

11:30am

Circle 9 7:00pm Bible

Study

15

11:00am Special

Care 11:00am Finance

Min 2:00pm Staff Mtg. 7:00pm Session

16

11:00am Circle 4 5:15pm Youth

Fellowship 5:15pm Lent

Dinner 6:05pm Worship 6:45pm Chancel

Choir

17

6:00pm RITI 7:00pm

Theology Pub

18

10:30am

Morning Prayer

19 2:00-4:00pm

20 Palm Sunday

9:00am Children’s

Chimes 9:30am Chil-

dren’s Choir 9:30am Sunday

School 10:30am Worship 11:30am

Fellowship 5:00pm Youth

Group

21

12:00pm Lenten

Worship /Lunch

at Christ

Episcopal

7:00pm Blble

Study

22

11:00am Special

Care 12:00pm Lenten

Worship /Lunch

here 2:00pm Staff Mtg. 7:00pm Missions

23

12:00pm Lenten

Worship /Lunch at

SSUMC 7:00pm Chancel

Choir

24 Maundy

Thursday 12:00pm

Lenten Worship

/Lunch at State

St. Baptist 6:00pm Dinner 7:00pm Worship 6:00pm RITI 7:00pm

Theology Pub

25 Good Friday

10:30am

Morning Prayer 12:00pm

Good Friday

Worship

26

27 Easter Sunday

7:00am Sunrise

Service In the courtyard 10:30am Worship

28

Office Closed

29

11:00am Special

Care 2:00pm Staff Mtg.

30

31

6:00pm RITI 7:00pm

Theology Pub RITI ends

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The Presbyterian Church 1003 State Street Bowling Green, KY 42101 (270) 843-4707 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Organization Permit No. 202

U.S. Postage Paid Bowling Green, KY

The Presbyterian Church Bowling Green, Kentucky

(270) 843-4707 www.bgpres.org

The Presbyterian Church Staff

Dr. Matthew W. Covington Pastor

Thomas N. Moody Organist, Pastoral Assistant

Leslee Kirkconnell Director of Christian Education

Wayne Pope Choir Director

David Muffett Director of Youth Ministries

Property Administration

Richard Barefoot Financial Administrator

Steve Moore Treasurer

Cheryl Gregory Secretary

Jim Harris Clerk of Session

Dana Patterson Director, Preschool Learning Center

Cedric Whitney Custodian

Michael Spencer Sunday Sexton

Ellie Osborne Children’s Music

Abby Potter College Intern

“Our reason for being is to manifest

the good news of Jesus Christ in word

and deed so that disciples are made by

means of inspiring and engaging worship,

relevant and reliable education,

compassionate and caring fellowship,

meaningful and magnanimous outreach,

to the glory of God.”

The full-color newsletter is online at

www.bgpres.org. March 15 is the deadline

for the April 2016 newsletter. Please send your

information to the church office at info@bgpres.org

March 2016