The Lighthouse - Amazon S3 · The Lighthouse July 2016 Dear Friends, I hope and pray that everyone had a fun and restful summer. My family and I just returned from visiting my brother

The

Lighthouse July 2016

Dear Friends, I hope and pray that everyone had a fun and restful summer. My family and I just returned from visiting my brother and his family in Basking Ridge, NJ and my mom and stepfather in Syracuse, NY. We had a great time visiting and playing and relaxing together. As the carefree days of sum-mer fade away, we see a change on the horizon: the start of another school year! We have new children attending new schools like Kid’s Day Out for the first time. We have children making the jump from elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school and high school to college and beyond. The winds of change are blowing all around us. A bigger change came almost 15 years ago to our nation and society. The events of September 11, 2001 changed everything. It changed how we trav-el by plane, how we see ourselves, increased security at large public events and more. I was serving as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Family Ministry at the Presbyterian Church of Upper Montclair, NJ, ten miles due west of Manhattan. The majority of our members worked in the City with some in the World Trade Center buildings. The other pastors and I called the entire membership roll to a worship service that evening. The sanctuary was packed! We prayed together; we heard scripture read and proclaimed; we held hands and cried on one another’s shoulders in order to bring com-fort and hope and peace to everyone. Two of our members died that day. Fifteen years later, the memories of that devastating day are still fresh in my

mind. The stories of people I know are still clear in my memory. Fifteen

years later, it is still a scar on our collective psyche, but one day it will be

healed and made new. “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev. 21:5) .

In Christ, Pastor Scott

September

CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS PAGE 2

SESSION NEWS PAGE 3

STEPHEN MINISTRY PAGE 3

MISSION & OUTREACH (& LETTER FROM BRIANNA) PAGE 4-6

KDO PAGE 7-10

CALENDAR & BIRTHDAYS INSERT

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Church Announcements The MOC Fellow-

ship Dinner for September will be Tuesday the 20th at Clear Springs Res-taurant, 1629 South SH 46. We will gather around 6 and order our meal at 6:30. Because of poor attendance last season we will meet every other month. If interest improves we will go back to a monthly schedule. The sign-up sheet is posted in the cre-denza.

SERMONS FOR SEPTEMBER September 4 (one service @ 10am); Preaching: Scott Nowack Calendar: 16th Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: “Counting the Cost”; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Luke 14:25-33 September 11; Preaching: Scott Nowack Calendar: 17th Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: “Days of Grace”; Exodus 14:19-31; Matthew 21:18-35 September 18; Preaching: Rev. Carrie Graham Calendar: 18th Sunday after Pentecost Texts: Jer. 8:18-9:1; Ps. 79:1-9; 1 Tim. 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13 Events: Theological Education Sunday (9/18) Congregational Mtg. nominate and elect elders and trustee (9/18) September 25; Preaching: Scott Nowack Calendar: 19th Sunday after Pentecost Sermon: “True Riches”; Psalm 91:1-6,14-16;Luke 16:19-31

The MOC Devotional Breakfast for Septem-ber will be Friday, the 9th at 7:30 AM in the Church Activity Center. The cooks are Dave Wright, Mike Linscomb, and Scott Garrett. The devotional comes from the Book of Judges Chapter 11 about Jeph-thah, one of 6 major judges. The sign-up sheet is posted in the credenza.

LADIES NIGHT

OUT: The Reel, 1683

State Hwy 46, New

Braunfels will be the

location for our La-

dies Night Out on

September 27 at 6:00

p.m. The signup

sheet will be posted in

the narthex on the

credenza. If you have

any questions, please

contact Dorothy Pol-

lock 210-260-8010 or

830-560-1109. Come join the Lunch

Bunch for lunch at

Las Fontanas Mexican

kitchen. Date: Tues-

day, September

6th Time: 12:30

pm Sign-up sheet in

the Narthex.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND COM-BINED WORSHIP SERVICE: How long was it been since you have had a chance to enjoy the combined musical talents of both the Praise Band and the Sanctuary Choir? Well that’s too long. On Sunday, September 4th, Labor Day weekend, NBPC will have one worship service at 10 o’clock, featuring singing and instrumental presentations that will bring an extra special touch to your Sunday worship experience. There will be no Sunday school class that day.Please join us and bring a friend. You will be glad you did.

Where Are The Old Blue Hymnals? As many of you have noticed by now, the “old blue hymnals” have been re-placed by the new hymnal, Glory to God, thanks to two generous donations from our congregation. Now when we sing a hymn, you have the choice of following along by looking at the screen or by using the pew hymnal. We also have large print books at the back of the sanctuary on the hall tree. So what about the old hymnals, many of which have dedication stick-ers on the inside cover? Well, the worship committee has boxed them up and will do-nate them on a later date. But before they are given away, the congregation will have an opportunity to select one or more for their own library. Starting Sunday, August 28th, the books will be on display in the activity center. Please drop by and select your copy. If you cannot pick one up per-sonally, please call Pauline Reynolds and she will reserve one for you.

Thank you to the wonderful con-gregation for the prayers, food, calls, visits, and all the care during my recent illness. -Em Riding

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The following are highlights from the August 9 Session meeting:

Treasurer Rosanne Stockhorst repor ted that total offer ings in July were $45,592 and expenses were $35,584. Our

deficit has been erased for the time being.

Pastor’s Report (Rev. Scott Nowack): No repor t. Rev. Car l McCauley filled in as the moderator since Pastor Scott

was on vacation.

Clerk’s Report (Julia George): A new Inquirer ’s Class will star t in September . The congregational Stewardship

Luncheon will be held Nov. 20 in the Activity Center.

Christian Education Committee (Sharon Jebens): The Fall Sunday School cur r iculum will feature two classes — one

for preschool through 1st grade and one for 2nd through 6th graders — which start Sept. 18. All of the adult classes have

scheduled their fall curricula. Planning is ongoing for high school students.

Communications Committee (Kar i Hutchison): Session approved the sale of Tshir ts, polo shir ts, and caps/visors fea-

turing the new logo at cost to church members. Work continues on the website. Promotional items featuring the new logo

have been ordered.

Congregational Care Committee (Jody Cosson): Receptions for Joe Rogers’ and Jan Kennady’s funerals were con-

ducted. Birthday calls continue.

Facilities Committee (Joyce Taylor ): A painting contractor will power wash and paint the tr im on the Sanctuary and

the front entrance.

Fellowship Committee (Austin Talley): Family Fun Fellowship will be Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 5:30 pm. A farewell lunch-

eon for Brianna will be held on Aug. 28.

Kids Day Out (Laura Smith): The first day of school is Monday, August 29.

Membership Committee (Ann Brunn): The 2016 Pictor ial Directory is in and available in the Nar thex. An updated

church history is in the works.

Mission & Outreach Committee (Jer r i Petmecky): See detailed highlights elsewhere in this newsletter .

Personnel Committee (Michael Meek): The nominating committee is working to fill positions for the Session Class of

2019 (4 members) and Trustees (2 members). The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee has narrowed

the field and hopes to have a recommendation soon.

Stewardship Committee (Char lie Felts): The theme for this year ’s stewardship campaign is “Shar ing

the Light.” The campaign gets underway Oct. 23.

Worship Committee (Dave Wright): There will be a combined service at 10 am on Sunday, Sept. 4.

Two separate anonymous donations are allowing for the purchase of hard copies of the new hymnal, Glory

to God, for the Sanctuary and for the purchase of large print hymnals.

Stressed? Discouraged? Lonely? Sad? Don’t Suffer Alone. Help is Available. It’s Okay To Be Human… We’re brought up to be strong, self-sufficient, independent people. We tend to think that if we ask for help, it’s a sign of weakness. So we try to keep our struggles hidden, stuffed deep inside. However, that’s not God plan. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s bur-dens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” God wants us to care for others—and allow others to care for us in our time of need. If you’re sad or struggling inside, don’t suffer alone. Ask for help. We’ve got a team of Ste-phen Ministers who are ready to listen, care, encourage, pray, and help you through a tough time. Men are matched with men, and women with women. (It’s completely confi-dential too!) To find out more about Stephen Ministry for you or someone you know, talk with one of our Stephen Ministry leaders: Susan Bell (830.625.1102); Scott Payne (830.625.6705); or Anne Felts (830.625.4803).

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Trash Pickup Day! It was all hands on……the side of the Loop 337……..when NBPC members welcomed the day at 7 am and picked up trash on Aug. 13. A special thank you to the volunteers who participated in the record-setting Adopt-a-Highway trash pickup (less than 90 minutes). We serve our com-munity in this capacity four times each year. Join us!

Come visit the Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services! They are having a BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 11 am to 2 pm and all are welcome to come! Please RSVP to [email protected] or call 512-922-1683. The address is 6355 Whitby Rd in San Antonio. Your Mission and Outreach Committee will be sending birthday cards to the Moms, kids and teen-agers at the home; and of course we will be doing a Christmas Angel tree for those residents during Ad-vent. It sure would be nice to have a face to go with a name, wouldn’t it? So come on down to the BBQ! The committee has voted to give an annual gift to

the PCHAS which is essential for them to continue

to provide the support and care these families so

desperately need.

Donation to Louisiana Flood Victims The members of New Braunfels Presbyter-ian Church are simply amazing. Thank you so much for pulling together and do-nating almost $2,000 on one Sunday in August to the Presbyterian Disaster Assis-tance Fund to help our Louisiana neighbors after disastrous floods hit the southern part of the state. Of that amount, $500 came from the Mission & Outreach Committee’s budget. We are awed at the generosity!

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Mission & Outreach News Briefs We helped Pack the Bus thanks to all of you! A lot of

school supplies made their way to Communities in

Schools to help students that CIS serves. To see the

impact you are having on these special students, please

go to www.cis-sct.org/news-room/.

Help us paint a stud! During the Mission Fair on Sept. 11

in the Activity Center you can help us paint the stud

NBPC is sponsoring to be used in the next Habitat for

Humanity home. We will provide the paint and brush.

All you have to bring is your creativity!

Speaking of Habitat for Humanity…..the organization

that we support through the annual Apostle Build

(churches in NB that provide financial support and man-

power to build one family a home)…….a new executive

director has been named. She is Crystal Moore and has

been with the Comal County Habitat affiliate since 2009.

In all, she has more than a decade of experience with

Habitat.

Connections in New Braunfels would welcome any of

the following items on its Wish List. Simply drop your

donations off at 1414 W. San Antonio St. or 705 Comal.

Items include art paint, brushes, craft materials, duffle

bags or soft-sided suitcases, large laundry bags, games

and recreation supplies, entertainment gift cards, HEB/

Wal-Mart gift cards, pens, pencils, paper, portable CD/

DVD players, clock radio with MP3 lines, hygiene sup-

plies, sample size toiletries, school supplies, sports balls,

towel sets, beach towels and water toys, twin size sheets

& blankets, and canned food.

It’s the little things that count. Our church, under Joyce

Taylor and her grandchildren’s efforts, has established a

“Little Free Library” at the SOS Food Bank and it is

our way to provide children’s books to those who visit.

We will be collecting and donating children’s books on

an ongoing basis. Bring your donations and place them in

the shopping cart in the hallway. They will make their

way to a child who needs access to books. As NBPC

member and SOS Food Bank liaison JoAnne McBrayer

reports, “There have been many huge smiles on the faces

of the children who come in with their parents as they

leave with their very own book.”

The Mission & Outreach committee approved a Grant to

Small Churches r equest of $2,000 from St. John's

Presbyterian Church in Austin for its Reserve Fund

Drive. Dr. David Jones, who was the interim pastor at

NBPC for a few months in 2013-14, is St. John’s interim

pastor now. See the thank you letter from St. John’s in

this newsletter.

A very special THANK YOU to Bob Presley for serving

the past three years as NBPC’s liaison to Family Prom-

ise. In this volunteer role Bob has facilitated and coor -

dinated the church’s hosting efforts every three months

when FP families stay in our church facilities. His leader-

ship and organization skills will be missed! The next FP

week at NBPC is Sept. 25 – Oct. 2.

GRANTS FOR SMALL CHURCHES Below is a thank-you letter from a church NBPC has helped through our Grants For Small Churches program: Dear Jerri, Our elders met on Sunday, August 14th and they asked me to express in writing our deepest ap-preciation for the $2000 mission grant by the Mission Committee of New Braunfels Presbyteri-an Church. We will apply the $2000.00 gift to our August goal of reaching $4000.00 in extra giving, and I can assure you that your gift will surely help us reach our goal. This means that one of our gen-erous members will donate an additional $1000.00 to our Reserve Fund Drive—turning the monthly goal of $4000.00 into $5000.00. We also wish to thank you for inviting us to ap-ply for additional funds in 2017. We will most certainly take you up on that offer as we prepare to get our church ready to call our new pastor in 2017. We are all so impressed that your church estab-lished a fund specifically to help small congrega-tions like ours during challenging times, and we hope that as we grow we can help other churches in the future. So on behalf of our entire congregation and all of our elders--we express to you our warmest grati-tude and deepest thanks! Please send my love and best regards to all my friends in New Braunfels. Blessings & Peace, Rev. David Lee Jones, Th.D.

Prayers Please contact the church office if you or a loved one are in need of prayers. Now you can also make this request on our website, nbpres.org. Prayers al-so can be requested weekly on the bulletin tear-offs. Visits Many thanks to all the caring people in this congre-gation who visit and assist those who are unable to be out and about. Some of our visitors meet on the first Tuesday morning of each month at 11 am in the church parlor for a quick update. If you would care to know more about this vital church ministry, please join us. The meeting will last less than an hour, and you will leave feeling blessed. Also, if you would like a visit, please call the church office so that we can accommodate you.

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Learn more about the Missions we support Which agencies and organizations does NB Presbyterian Church support financially and/or through volunteers? How can you help? Learn more by visiting the Mission Fair on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 9:30 to 11 am in the Activity Center. There will be more than a dozen organizations represented including CASA, SOS Food Bank, Salvation Army, Family Promise, and Meals on Wheels. Jean Jones will be there with the blankets, pillow cases, and prayer shawls group. A building stud will be painted by anyone who wants to participate (water soluble paint). The stud will be used in a future Habitat for Humanity

home.

LEFT: Pat and Joe Turner visit with Signe Fredrickson, staff development officer with the Presbyterian Pan American School, locat-ed in Kingsville, during last year’s Mission Fair.

FROM BRIANNA…. There will never be enough words to express how thankful I am for this church community and for all that

you all have given me over the last 2 years and 9 months. All the experience, the advice, the support, and the love

you have shown me has been overwhelming and is something that I will truly cherish everywhere I go for the rest

of my life.

A lot of change in staff has taken place in the time I’ve been here. When I first arrived David Jones was the

interim—specifically for healing and wholeness, then Linda Dinsdale retired, Bob Malsack came on next as the in-

terim, and finally Scott was installed as the pastor. Looking forward to see there is an associate pastor on the hori-

zon is an exhilarating time. The future that the associate pastor will bring is going to be new and exciting.

To see how much this church has rallied together and supported one another through all the transitions has

been inspiring. This is a community that truly loves each other. I can see that love by how interested and invested

you all are in each other’s lives.

I am excited also for what is next on my own journey. As you know, I will be moving to Switzerland this

Fall for a program to further my education. I will be studying for five months at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in

Geneva, Switzerland from September 12, 2016 until January 30, 2017. Once I return home in January, I will begin

my one year pastoral hospital residency in Austin. I am looking forward to exploring the hospital side of ministry in

a longer term setting to see where God is calling me.

Again, as most of you know, Aaron and I are engaged, and we will be getting married in May of 2017. The

date is not set exactly, but we know we want to hold the ceremony at NBPC!! We are so grateful, both individually

and as a couple; for all that NBPC has taught us about our relationship with God and one another.

I’ve included my contact information below. Additionally, I will be posting and updating everyone back

home about my life in Switzerland via a blog. The url for that will be luckevichsforlife.blogspot.com. Check there

for updates and pictures in the weeks and months to come.

Thank ya’ll again for all the love and support you have poured out on me and on Aaron. I’d like to share my

two favorite blessings. One comes from Numbers 6:24-26, “May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord

make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give

you peace.” And the second comes from Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in

believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Go in Peace.

Grace and Peace,

Brianna Benzinger

New Email Address: [email protected]

Temporary Switzerland Address: (valid only September 12th2016—January 30th 2017)

Brianna Benzinger, c/o Ecumenical Institute, Chemin Chenevière 2, 1279 Bogis-Bossey, Switzerland

New Permanent Address: 1701 Alleghany Drive, Austin, Texas 78741

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Please submit all materials for The Lighthouse to the church office, or by email to

[email protected] by Thursday, September 15th for the October 2016 Newsletter.

Worship Information * 9:00—Worship Service * 10:00—Christian Education (all ages) * 11:00—Worship Service

373 Howard Street New Braunfels, TX

New Braunfels Presbyterian Church 373 Howard Street New Braunfels, Texas 78130 Phone: 830-625-5141 FAX: 830-625-5161 Email: [email protected]

Web site: www.nbpres.org Church Office Hours: Monday –Thursday 8:30am-3:00pm; Friday 8:30am-12:00pm

MINISTRIES AT WORK… Want to BE INVOLVED in the Life of the

Church? Contact one of the committees of your choice and make a DIFFERENCE!

Julia George—Clerk of Session [email protected]

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/YOUTH

MINISTRY Sharon Jebens

[email protected] COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY

Kari Hutchison [email protected]

CONGREGATIONAL CARE Jody Cosson

[email protected] FACILITIES MINISTRY

Joyce Taylor [email protected] FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY

Austin Talley [email protected]

KIDS DAY OUT MINISTRY Laura Smith

[email protected] PERSONNEL Michael Meek

[email protected]

MEMBERSHIP MINISTRY Ann Brunn

[email protected] MISSIONS/OUTREACH MINISTRY

Jerri Petmecky [email protected]

STEWARDSHIP Charlie Felts

[email protected] WORSHIP MINISTRY

Bob Nolen [email protected]

Dave Wright [email protected]