THE TOWER First Presbyterian Church, Waco, Texas August 1, 2019

Volume 62, Number 8

The deadline for the next edition of the Tower is noon, Thursday, August 1. Please e-mail submissions to office@firstpreswaco.org or bring to the church office. The next edition of the Tower will be mailed August 21.

Editor: Laura Streetman, First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Austin Ave. Waco, TX 76701, 254-752-1665 www.firstpreswaco.org The Tower is published monthly by the First Presbyterian Church, Waco, Texas.

Sermon Series for August

The Book of James: The Importance of Human Agency and Action

Join us as we consider faith, works and grace. We’ll consider texts within Genesis

and James that prepare us for a greater resourcefulness in complex circumstances.

August 4: “Trials and Hardship” Genesis 15 and James 1

August 11: “Faith and Works” Genesis 18:1-15 and James 2

August 18: “Sailing in our Communication” Genesis 18:16-33 and James 3

August 25: “Cultivating, Planting, and Reigning” Genesis 22:9-19 and James 5

Race, Equity, Groundwater and the Acts of the Apostles

I recently attended a Race Equity Ground Water event sponsored by the

Waco Foundation. Their goal is to engage leadership and community

members of Waco in questions of race, equity and justice. In their opening

comments, they asked us to consider a fish bowl that holds one or two

fish. As we observe the fish bowl, we may notice that one of the fish

has met their demise and floats to the surface of the water. We say to

ourselves, “Poor little guy, just couldn’t make it!” One dead fish allows us

to imagine that there must have been something inferior in that fish that

failed to thrive. Then the trainers invite us to imagine a lake of water. As

we walk past the lake, we notice that a vast majority of the fish in the lake

are floating on the surface. So many did not make it. Observing this, we say, “There is something wrong with that

water!”

On the matter of race and equity in our culture, the evidence is that there is something wrong with the proverbial

water. It’s not just a Waco “lake” or Texas “lake” but it seems to be in the “groundwater” that feeds the many

environments of our nation.

The Acts of the Apostles is a vivid and fantastical narrative about the challenges of spreading the good news as the

Apostles encounter other cultures. In narrative after narrative, the Apostles struggle with how the waters of baptism

shall flow freely to “others.” Spoiler Alert: the Good News of the Gospel does flow with increasing generosity as

the narratives unfold. One of the more beautiful passages in Acts is 8:26-40. This is the narrative of the Ethiopian

Eunuch, who takes initiative for his own baptism. Power and initiative are, of course, at the heart of equity and

justice. Philip the Apostle is simply of service in the baptism and then mysteriously departs the scene. The passage

illumines inter-race relations, issues of equity and, most importantly, reminds us that God’s baptismal groundwater

seeks to nourish and sustain all people regardless of differences in ethnicity or cultural rank.

Our sense of baptism and the Acts of God through the Apostles can help us do our small but significant part in

restoring our culture’s groundwater to right condition that all may thrive. I admire Waco Foundation for their work

and leadership. It is a strong echo of the work that God in Christ has long called us all to do.

Faithfully, Leslie

THE TOWER PAGE 2

Calendar

Celebration Notes from our Deacons:

16 - Triton Moore; Pat & Lula Mae Pattillo, Emily & Karl Stottlemyre 17 - Deane Johnson, Ian Odajima, Renee Stubenrauch; Jennifer & Jason Lundquist 19 - Amelia Sudderth; Mandi & Cary DuPuy 20 - Jackie Lott, Ella Harper 21 - Scott Wagner 22 - Lesley McAllister, Molly Cox 23 - Charlotte Henderson, Ellen Elliot, Jeremy Goodman, James Switzer 24 - Kathleen Minshew, Jennifer Ferretter 25 - Debbie Christensen, Camden McAllister 26 - Bob Young, Anna Bradley; Mary Helen & David George 27 - J.P. Davis 29 - Beverly Durrett, Tim Logan; Keri & Dan Knight

1- Amy Payne 2 - Lou Armstrong3 - Paul Kluge; Merry & Rick Bruner4 - Susan Armstrong; Sue & Bob Young Jennifer & Chris Chance

5 - Austin Hamilton, Adam Hamilton, Raeanna Moore 6 - Melanie Millar 8 - Lavinia Haltom, Linda Reed 9 - Ken Frazier, Mary Senter 10 - Eileen Turner; LaRaine & Carr DuPuy 11 - Phyllis Falco, Andrew Poor, Alexander Poor 12 - Karter McNair, Hollyn McNair, Mabry McNair 13 - Sue Weir 14 - May Bolte; Beth & Paul Hicks 15 - Dottie Fornoff, Aleisha Green, Fuller Drew;

Nancy & Drew Risinger

The Deacons invite you to look up an address on Realm

and send a note or text in celebration

to those you know or are beginning to know.

In Memory - We give thanks to

God for the life and faith of

Willa Jones. Her memorial service was

held on July 10.

Thursday, August 1 September Tower deadlineSaturday, August 3 Service Saturday, The Cove, 9amSunday, August 4 Worship at 8:30am and 10:30am, Leslie King

preaching Sunday School, 9:15amMonday, August 5 Office Holiday Diaconate Committee Meeting, 5:30pmWednesday, August 7 Children’s Chime Camp, 6pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7pmSaturday, August 10 Fall Sunday School Teacher Orientation, 9amSunday, August 11 Worship at 8:30am and 10:30am, Leslie King

preaching Sunday School, 9:15am Ice Cream Social, 6:30pmTuesday, August 13 Faith on Tap @Barnett’s Pub, 6pmWednesday, August 14 Retirees on the Road, 10:30am Children’s Chime Camp, 6pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7pmThursday, August 15 Grief Group with Dr. Helen Harris, 6pmFriday, August 16 Men’s Breakfast, World Cup Café, 7am

Saturday, August 17 Grace Presbytery Southern Church Regional Event,

9amSunday, August 18 Worship at 8:30am and 10:30am, Leslie King

preaching Sunday School, 9:15amMonday, August 19 Session Committee Meeting, 5:30pmWednesday, August 21 September Tower mailed Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7pmThursday, August 22 Community Race & Relations Coalition, 5:30pmSunday, August 25 - New Beginnings Sunday Worship at 8:30am and 10:30am, Leslie King

preaching New Beginnings Breakfast, 9:15amMonday, August, 26 CE Committee Meeting, 5:30pm Youth Advisory Board Meeting, 6:30pmWednesday, August 28 St. Cecilia Bell Choir Rehearsal, 6pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7pm

THE TOWER PAGE 3

Tapping the Living Water and Letting it Flow From our Souls–

FPC 2019-2020 Sunday School Class List

Class Name Room

Number

Teachers Point of Interest

2 and 3 Year Olds S201 Katherine Ehlers Jessica Morrow Joe Morrow

Our 2 and 3 year olds will be dipping their toes into the water with an introduction to Bible stories and fun

adventures.

Pre-K/ K C305 Charlotte Henderson LeeAnn Priebe 2 additional team members needed

Kids will go a little bit deeper into their Bible study and get their ankles wet with activities and lessons.

Grades 1-3 C307 Melanie Cook April Wagner 2 additional team members needed

Wade into the waters in this class and begin to understand the deeper meaning of the lessons.

Grades 4-6 C306 Adam Redmer and Toni Portacci-Redmer 2 additional team members needed

Float, soak up all that has been learned and begin to swim.

Middle School C302/303 Kathryn Delk Lauren Olivarez Marla Jaynes (sub) Emily Stottlemyre (sub)

Swim deeper and begin thinking critically about the bible and lessons that are taught.

High School C301/303 Callie Carruth-Harper Mike Harper Jamie Delk 1 additional team member needed

Develop surfing skills to balance what is learned vs what is taught and asking harder questions.

Adult Classes

(detailed info

below)

Room

Number

Teachers Learning to swim in waters that are over

your head.

Covenant Class C202 Dick Kannwischer Craig Clarkson

This class uses the Living Word curriculum which guides the participants through the liturgical season.

Deep Dive into the Bible C201 Dee Dee Carson Team TBA

Dive into different ways of reading and understanding Scripture, such as the Bible as literature or history or as

personal guide.

Fellowship Class F105 Joe Sudderth Pat Patillo Cathy McPhee Dick Turner

This class will use the Uppity Women of the Bible series to guide their lively conversation each week.

Science and Faith C203 Steve Driese Leslie King Charles Stern Melissa Switzer Chuck Weaver

This class will consider the foundational texts of scripture, doctrine and scientific

exploration. Discussions will honor the kin-like relationship between science and faith.

Sunday Morning News Foundation Parlor

Wes Field Amy Goodman Drew Risinger

Discussing current topics and their relevance in our lives and to our faith.

Did you know?:

THE TOWER PAGE 4

Outreach:

Here is a Realm question for this month!

As a reminder, the church is not sending out quarterly giving statements. Do you know

how to access your giving report? If you are on a computer, under the Community tab

locate the Giving tab. You can review or print your contribution statement. If you use the

filter button, you can see prior dates. If you access Realm on your phone, locate the Giving tab. Look under

history to see this years gifts. If you see any discrepancies, feel free to call the church office.

Dilemma of Detention Centers

Many of you have been concerned about the detention center situation at our border. Presbyterian Church and our Disaster Assistance program have some suggestions for response. If you are interested in gathering to discuss what our denomination is doing, please contact one of the Pastors by email, phone, or a visit to the office.

The Outreach Committee invites you to a Service Saturday at The Cove on Saturday, August 3, beginning at 9am. We will clean and organize to help them prepare for the

arrival of students as school begins. Sign up in the Narthex to join the fun!

August Service

Coffee Fellowship Hosts:

4 -- Nancy & Drew Risinger

11 -- Sarah & Jordan Ochel

18 -- LaRaine & Carr DuPuy

25 -- Elinor & J.P. Davis

Sanctuary Guild:

Marylaine Driese, Sara Odajima, LaRaine Dupuy

Presbyterian Women will begin anew

in September. We have two groups -

one meeting on the first Monday

Evening of the month at 6:30pm with

the second group meeting on the

second Monday of the month at 1:30pm. Come join

in with the ladies of the church in these Bible study

groups.

THE TOWER PAGE 5

Events & Opportunities:

Join the Retirees on the Road for lunch and learning to play Keno in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, August 14, at 10:30am. In order to play the game, please bring a gift worth $10 wrapped up in a gift bag. We will preorder boxed lunches from Panera, which will cost $10 and can be paid for that day. Sign up in the Narthex and make sure to note any food allergies on your sign up!

Join the Congregational Life Committee for our annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, August 11, at 6:30pm. We will enjoy homemade ice cream and a few rounds of Bingo before summer winds down. Come join us for the fun and fellowship! Sign up on Realm to let us know if you plan to bring homemade ice cream. There will be a prize for the crowd favorite!

Grief group with Dr. Helen Harris of Baylor University

This will be a facilitated grief group that meets every other month and follows a

curriculum for grief and well-being. We’ll meet in C203 and work with a group

covenant that facilitates individual growth and healthy group functioning. The first

90-minute gathering is August 15 at 6pm. This group is open to community

members and members of First Presbyterian. Please RSVP on Realm or in the

Narthex. Below is a summary of the sessions.

August 15: The Pressures of Time October: The Possibilities of Change

Early December: The Pretense of Hibernation

Mid-January 2020: The Potential of Winter

End of February 2020: The Presence of Love April 2020: The Promise of Growth

The Alta Vista Pledge is….

Together we will learn.

Together we will grow.

Together we will take pride in ourselves, our school

and the community we know.

Together we will create a better world.

Voyagers go!

We are entering our 7th year of service alongside Alta Vista. If you are interested in being a tutor/mentor to a

student, please join us for an orienting meeting on September 7th at 10am in room C201. Representatives from Alta

Vista will be with us to discuss issues of cultural difference as well as provide a “state of the school” report.

Join us for a yummy breakfast of breakfast tacos, fruit, donuts, coffee and juice on August

25th to celebrate New Beginnings Sunday! Thank you again this year to our host family –

Mark, Monica, Mackenzie, and Max Anderson and the Christian Education Committee.

Breakfast will begin at 9:15am in Fellowship Hall and will be followed by a brief description

of each class offered in Fall.

The Tower

First Presbyterian Church

1100 Austin Ave.

Waco, TX 76701

Return Service Requested

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAIDWaco, Texas

Permit Number 216

Office Hours: 9—12 and 1—5 Monday—Friday

Gratitude:

Thank you, Amy Goodman, for teaching our

children how to play chimes! Each Wednesday

night, Amy teaches our chime campers how to play

chimes, read music, sing, AND sign in American

Sign Language to songs. FPC is blessed to have a

member who is passionate about chimes and bells

who is passing her knowledge and technique to our

children. Our chime campers performed during the

10:30 service on July 14 and plan to perform again

at the end of August.

Chime Camp

Performance