Tower Notes (USPS 634720) is published · 8/5/2015  · August 9, 2015 9:00 Everyday Issues: Downstairs Youth area – Many churches claim that all Jesus’ disciples were male, and

Tower Notes (USPS 634720) is published

Weekly, except week of Christmas, by First Presbyterian Church, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur, IL 62523. Periodical postage paid at Decatur, IL. Postmaster: Send address changes to Tower Notes, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur IL 62523 (217)429-4195; (217)429-4712 FAX www.firstpresdecatur.org or email: [email protected]

********************************************************************************************************************* VOLUME 47 August 5, 2015 NUMBER 30 ********************************************************************************************************************* August 9, 2015 8:00 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel 11th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9:00 a.m. Christian Education Hour 9:15 a.m. NewSong Worship Service – Chapel 10:15 a.m. Chapel Class – Chapel 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary

First Presbyterian Vision and Mission Statements VISION: As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to be an open, caring, compassionate congregation,

and to bring about positive changes in our community and world. MISSION: We celebrate, explore, and demonstrate our Christian faith in loving service. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: 1) Continue to be an active community-oriented congregation; 2) Develop a passion for discipleship and advocacy; 3) Celebrate unity of purpose with diversity in action.

DECATUR CELEBRATION

PARKING FUND RAISER

Parking Plea! We Need your Help!

The Youth need at least 5 more volunteers to help monitor the parking lot – 3 volunteers on Saturday from 6-8 p.m., and 1 volunteer each on Saturday from 10 to 12,

and 4-6. Please call Christl in the church office or Pam Neeley at 413-8087 to volunteer. Thank you for helping, and we mean a BIG THANK YOU! We have a volunteer sheet in the office for you to sign up. We pray someone has these hours available. On August 7, 8 & 9 during the Celebration we are charging $5 for one-time visits, or for $20, you may rent a space for the entire weekend. The weekend pass allows you to come and go as often as you wish with the guarantee of a parking space during the times when the parking lot is monitored. You may also transfer the parking pass to a family or friends when you are not using it. The lot will be monitored on Friday, August 7, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Saturday, August 8, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and on Sunday, August 9, from 12 noon until 8 p.m.

SPECIAL MUSIC ON SUNDAY

The "2nd

Wind Flute Ensemble", under the direction of Mary Little, will perform music

during the 10:30 service this Sunday, Aug. 9. They will be doing a jazzy version of "Trust and Obey", and beautiful arrangements of "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need", "Be Thou My Vision", and "For The Beauty of The Earth". Don't miss these 7 talented and skilled musicians as they enhance Sunday's worship service.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 4:00 – 6:00pm

OFF TO DUBAI On February 16, 2015, at the invitation of Khalaf Al Habtoor, John Kay visited Dubai.

You are invited to learn about this Mideastern country and his experience there. Debbie VanZant will have fun with school-age children in the Church School classroom. At 5:00, the children will join the adults for supper. Please let us know by August 16th if you will be

attending so that we will know how much food to

prepare. Sign up in the Gathering Room, or contact the

church office by phone or email. Let the church office

know if you will need child care for preschoolers and

younger.

Tower Notes

Notes

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

PRAYER CONCERNS Festus Paul has moved to #307 of the assisted living area at Hickory Point Christian Village. Helen Corcoran broke her wrist as her daughter’s golden retriever pulled her to the ground while bolting after a cat. Surgery will be Wednesday, August 5, and therapy starts August 11. Debbie Eckart has been diagnosed with pernicious anemia.

In Memoriam

Maxine M. Mussulman January 29, 1920 - July 27, 2015

Uphold us now, O Lord, as we entrust her to your

boundless love and eternal care.

Our sympathy is extended to the family of Maxine Mussulman, who died July 27, 2015, at the age of 95. Her four children were able to be with her during her last days. She had 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur, IL 62523.

THANK YOU

Hi Everyone, I’m so grateful for your thoughtfulness, your kindness and your generous heart. I miss everyone there, and Miley, thank you for the beautiful card. Stay well. Your Sister in Christ, Debbie Eckart (Jeanette Swartz’s side kick)

NEW ADDRESSES Debbie Eckart 3130 Cotati Drive Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406

CHURCH SCHOOL HOUR

August 9, 2015 9:00 Everyday Issues: Downstairs Youth area – Many churches claim that all Jesus’ disciples were male, and therefore women have no leadership role in the church. The New Testament presents a very different picture. Jesus was a radical! Join Bill Keagle as he leads a discussion concerning “Jesus and Women”.

10:15 a.m. Chapel Class – Chapel

WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT Thurs., August 27, 2015, 5:30pm Anna Thai-Sushi Restaurant 253 N. Main St. Be sure to RSVP!

"The Assassination Tree" A brick column to hold the plaque for “The Assassination Tree" was scheduled to be built by masons this week. It joins a bench "planted" in a flower bed in the parking lot, northwest of First Presbyterian Church. They are the final activities ending a long effort to commemorate the large gingko tree believed to have been planted by Carrie Newland Hostetler on April 15, 1865, the day when America began to mourn the death of its 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. A core sample taken last fall has authenticated the age of the tree. Tom and Barbara Hostetler, and their daughter, Anne Hostetler, are relatives of Mrs. Carrie Hostetler and were among financial contributors to the project. Others included Joyce Reeves, Ann Seidman, and Jerry Redford, who managed the project. Thanks also to Terry Hogg, a member of First Church's grounds and gardens committee.

VERY GOOD

August 9 SUNDAY GREETERS

Before Service #1 Volunteer #4 Carol Williams #2 Ron and Earline Wisher #5 Chuck Boes #3 Yvonne Lewis Computer Tech Norm Jensen Web Team Media Tech Theresa Boes Jackie Evans Andy Rauff

E-mail concerns to [email protected]

WORSHIP SERVICES

August 9, 2015 11TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Rev. Miley Palmer, preaching Mac Moore, 8:00 a.m. lay leader

Terry Hogg and Pam Neeley 9:15 a.m. service leaders

Susan Moore, 10:30 a.m. lay leader

Scripture Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Sermon

“Can't We All Just Get Along?”

Flowers

The flowers this Sunday are given in loving memory of John May,

from his family.

August Ushers Myung Kim, captain

Dan Austin Bob Bullock

Joli Cirks Jim May

Eric Nevitt-sub Charlie Platt-sub Pat Smallwood David Williams Mike Zia-sub

Worship Aids

Children’s bulletins, large-print Bibles, and hearing amplifiers are available for use

during worship. Ask any usher.

AVAILABLE FLOWER DATES:

August 23 & 30th Purchase

Sunday flowers in memory of your loved ones- 429-4195 or [email protected].

1ST PRES STRING

BAND PRACTICE Every Wednesday at

5:00PM in the Choir Room until the AC is fixed – All levels welcome. Call Doug at 521-1314.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY – NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED

We are using a study guide, “The Present Word” and applying it to our modern lives. We meet from 7 to 8 each Thursday morning at church. Come, try us on for size! Questions? Contact Jerry Atkins, Dick Fiala, Paul Rosenberger, George Batson or Ray Landon

Peacemaking

During the showcase Peacemaking will sell olive oil and

Equal Exchange coffee, tea and cocoa in the Gathering

Room. Please stop by to learn more on what the committee

does inside and outside in the community.

GRANDMA’S YELLOW PIE PLATE, OR WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH ALL THIS STUFF? For anyone who has downsized or cleaned out a loved one’s home,

they know the decisions go on and on. How can we make this easier and more satisfying? “The Workbook – Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate? “- is designed to be an effective tool for a variety of family groups working to make decisions in different situations. The Health Ministry Committee will lead a 3-Sunday Adult Ed class – August 16, 24, 31 –

using this workbook. We also know the wisdom among members of the congregation from their personal experiences in making decisions about who gets what and why. We want to bring together the thought provoking ideas of the workbook with the real life experiences we all may have had. I will make copies of the worksheets we will use, or you can purchase the workbook yourself at www.bookstores.umn.edu – (Enter “books”; enter “UMN extension publications”; enter “family” and scroll to bottom, left row and enter on Grandma’s Pie Plate book.

Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate? Workbook A Guide to Passing on Personal Possessions

University of Minnesota/Extension 2011

We look forward to exploring this very practical and important topic with you. Our goal is to foster family communications that will lead to smoother transitions. Phyllis, Parish Nurse

CHURCH SCHOOL HOUR

August 9, 2015 9:00 Everyday Issues: Downstairs Youth area – Many churches claim that all Jesus’ disciples were male, and therefore women have no leadership role in the church. The New Testament presents a very different picture. Jesus was a radical! Join Bill Keagle as he leads a discussion concerning “Jesus and Women”.

10:15 a.m. Chapel Class – Chapel

OUR NEW PASTOR?

First Presbyterian Church Prayer Chain To request prayer for someone, call any one person on the prayer chain. Contact Lori Jensen or Yvonne Lewis for further questions or information. An alternative to making a phone call is to send an email to the church at [email protected] and/or [email protected]. Your prayer chain people who pray for you are compassionate and caring. We do have a request for those who call in petitions for prayers: Please update Yvonne Lewis or Lori Jensen following your initial request within two weeks, so we can all pray specifically and intelligently.

Joan Brown 877-0880 Gayle Bruckner 877-4116 Marty Cushman 433-0526 Jean Gift 428-1698 Lori Jensen 429-3400 Yvonne Lewis 423-8727 Susan Marshall 422-0824 Verlyn Rosenberger 877-4789 Harriet Sadowski 428-5607 Jane Spires 520-1884 Sue Weinstein 454-7819 Joan Winick 428-5437

Deacons Meeting SUNDAY, August 9, 2015

11:45 A.M., Dining Room

Presbyterians Today Subscribe and renew for inspirational issues of Presbyterian Today. Paying through the church offers you a discount as we are charged a group price of $17.95 for each member. There is a table dedicated for sign-ups for new and continued subscribers through August 11 in the Gathering Room. There are past issues to thumb through to check out the contemporary social issues that so many people struggle with today, and many meaningful stories about Christian education and mission. Give some thought to enriching your Christian reading today! Checks should be made payable to First Presbyterian Church.

DOVE WILL BE HELPED

Through our main address book, some of our members are getting spam from “Ann Elder”. Do not open it. Either delete

it or send it to your spam folder. I called Comcast and they told me to change my password. I receive them too, but from postmaster or heritage, and I delete them. I was told they are about weight loss. We apologize. Ann Elder