erin newsletter, sept. 2011
DESCRIPTION
Monthly newsletter of Erin Presbyterian Church -- Knoxville, TNTRANSCRIPT
The BeaconThe BeaconThe BeaconThe Beacon A PUBLICATION OF ERIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 200 Lockett Rd. — Knoxville, TN 37919 — (865) 588-5350 — www.ErinPresbyterian.org
PASTOR
Rev. John Stuart [email protected]
SESSION
Mr. Charles Snodgrass Clerk of Session
CONVENORS Joy Bornhoeft, Fellowship
Kelli Crisp, Discipleship [email protected]
David Eggers, Stewardship [email protected]
Mike Sharp, Outreach [email protected]
LouL Tate, Creative Expressions [email protected]
Dale Webb, Property [email protected]
STAFF Nancy Berry, Organist
Jenny Dell, Administrator
Camie Entrekin, Nursery [email protected]
Joe Jaynes, Choir Director
Karen Stump, Christian Ed.
Youth Director, Vacant [email protected]
September 2011
A Message From The Pastor
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be
established. —Proverbs 16:3
Dear Friends,
I cannot believe that ten years have almost passed since
that terrifying day in 2001. 9/11 will be seared in the hearts
and minds of all of us who can remember those tragic and
awful moments. It was a fearful and frightening morning.
Many of us felt as though the End of the World had actually come. The sense of
doom and gloom was everywhere.
Most of us can remember what we were doing on that day of infamy. As many
of you know, I was at the hospital holding the hand of, and saying prayers with,
a dear friend of mine, David Thompson. His wife Linda was sitting across from
me, and we both watched David’s vital signs drift away. The world was going
crazy outside, and we felt very isolated, vulnerable, and abandoned in the ICU
room.
David died just before noon. He was the same age as I am now. He had been a
wonderful member and dedicated elder of our church. He was a personal
friend of mine and, at this time of year, I go over to visit his grave in Edgewood
Cemetery.
In years to come, we’ll be known as the “Phoenix Generation.” We rose again
from the ashes and dust of the Twin Towers to begin living our lives once more.
Rev. John Stuart
Continued on pg. 5...
Connections Class, Sundays @ 9:45 am Led by Rev. Stuart, Noah’s Ark Room
September: The Names of God
The Connections Class continues to look at the special names that are given to
describe God in the Bible. God isn’t just called “God” in the scriptures.
He is sometimes known as El Shaddai, El Roi, Jehovah Jireh, Emmanuel, Abba.
In fact, there are many names for God in the Bible that we have forgotten.
During the Sunday morning Connections Class in September, Pastor Stuart will
be leading the weekly studies and discussions about God’s amazing names.
October’s Topic: “Play it Again, Psalm”…a look at some psalms from the Bible
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SEPT. BIRTHDAYS 6 — Joe Jaynes
6 — Ethan Sharp
6 — Joshua Stinnett
7 — Lydia Foster
7 — Donald Quinley
8 — Ann Jenkins
12 — Estelle Duncan
13 — Savannah Bilbrey
13 — Eva Lynch
16 — Jane Ellen Jackson
16 — Madeline Stinnett
17 — Aiden Lamb
19 — Allyson Streckfuss
20 — Buster Quinn
20 — Jamie Webb
21 — Larry McKay
26 — Tad Geschickter
26 — Brad Getz
26 — Apryl Quinn
26 — Katina Sharp
27 — John McKenry
27 — Tom Pfeifer, Jr.
29 — Nicole Waters
Oct. 1 — Regina Bishop
Oct. 2 — Evelyn Lowry
Oct. 4 — Allen Criss
NEWSLETTER Submissions to “The Beacon”
are due on the 20th of each
month. Your articles may be
submitted by calling 588-
5350 or by sending an email to [email protected].
PRAYER CHAIN Would you like to receive
weekly prayer requests by
email, phone, or even text
message? Call the Church
Office to sign-up for the
communication of your
choice!
CONGRATULATIONS! To Rob & Eva Lynch on the
birth of their grandson,
William Douglas Quinley,
on August 16.
To Mike & Mary Nelle Cate
on the birth of their grand-
daughter, Lucy Olivia Cate,
on August 24.
History of Sunday School It was good to see so many of you at
our Rally Day Celebration! As the new
Christian Education year begins, let's
take a look at the history of Sunday
School.
In the 1780s, the Industrial Revolution
had children working at least 12 hours a
day, six days a week. The only day left
for education was on Sunday. Churches
opened their doors and began to teach
children reading and writing skills using
the Bible. Over time, they added in
other elements of religious education
such as the catechism, hymn singing,
and prayer training. In the 1870s, State
education took over the basic academic
training, but Sunday School remained
for faith development. Sunday
School was considered an essential
part of one’s childhood development
until the 1960’s when permissive par-
enting became part of the culture.
In Matthew 28:19, God calls us to “Go
and make disciples of all nations baptiz-
ing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” One
of the disciplines that equips us to be
God’s called disciples is regular study of
the Scriptures, fellowship with other
believers, and time spent in prayer and
worship. Sunday School is a great place
to make that happen! For children, we
offer age-appropriate classes. We also
have a generous selection of Sunday
School options for adults. All adult
classes welcome rotation, so feel free
to move between a variety of classes. If
you have any question about which
class might be a good fit, do not hesi-
tate to ask!
—Karen Stump, Interim CE Coordinator
Presbytery School of Laity The Presbytery is offering a class on
Christian Ethics, taught by Maryville
College professors Bill Meyer and
Andrew Irvine. The class meets at MC
on October 8 & 29 from 9:00 am—3:00
pm. For information, call Elizabeth
Wilson at (865) 671-4132. Cost is $65.
Peacemaking Speaker As part of PC(USA)’s peacemaking focus
on October 2 (World Communion Sun-
day and the day we receive the Peace-
making offering), Majd Lahham from
the International Orthodox Christian
Charities (IOCC) in Damascus, Syria will
be our guest speaker in Pastor Stuart’s
Connections Sunday School class.
Lahham, a molecular biologist by edu-
cation, has been volunteering with the
Syrian Arab Red Crescent (similar to the
Red Cross) since 2004 and is currently
Assistant Project Director for a multi-
sector Iraqi refugee program, including
education, vocational training, commu-
nity service projects, distribution of
relief items, and psychosocial services.
Anyone interested is welcome to
attend. — Donna Schall
Thoughts on Stewardship Stewardship is about more than money
and budgets. It is about God — who
God is, how God is present in the world,
and what God expects of us. Steward-
ship is not only a primary moral respon-
sibility of Christian disciples, but also a
way of understanding the nature and
purpose of God.
Stewardship begins, continues, and
ends in God who is the Economist/
Householder, who creates and
manages the world with love, justice,
and generosity.
Our Stewardship reflects our praise and
thanks! — John Moxham
Let’s Do Dinner!
Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 5:15 pm
Olive Garden, Kingston Pike
Contact Mary Scarbrough at
691-8658 or Barbara Brazelton
at 693-3749.
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Jan 1 - Aug 25, 11 Jan 1 - Aug 25, 10
Income
Creative Exp. Income 7,023.40 6,386.30
Discipleship Income 2,603.50 5,434.59
Fellowship Income 4,845.53 4,744.81
Stewardship Income 462.26 2,046.57
Memorial Income 4,704.00 720.00
Outreach Income 3,671.51 3,789.85
Offerings 215,349.96 234,040.10
PW Income 12.00 45.00
Total Income 238,672.16 257,207.22
Expense
Creative Expressions 18,093.31 11,977.21
Property Team 51,683.98 28,414.15
Discipleship Team 13,650.21 17,306.18
Fellowship Team 8,797.35 7,224.44
Outreach Team 28,349.64 32,079.51
Stewardship Team 81,785.72 96,786.45
Worship Team 2,251.87 2,765.50
Pastoral Ministry 72,448.80 71,886.84
Memorial Expenses 14,806.84 76.10
Session 709.11 667.76
Total Expense 292,576.83 269,184.14
Net Income -53,904.67 -11,976.92
GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET
Profit & Loss Year-to-Date Comparison (Through August 25, 2011)
First Friday Game Nights This Fall
Back by popular demand… Game Night at Erin! Reserve the first
Fridays of September, October, and November for fun and fellowship...
and feel free to ask a friend to come along! Bring a favorite game to teach
others, join in a rousing card game of Hand and Foot, or try a round of
Mexican Train dominoes. Novices are welcome. The fun starts at 7:00 pm
in the Fellowship Hall and lasts until the games are done! Popcorn and
soft drinks will be available. Bring a snack to share if you wish.
Nursery care needed? Let the office know by Wednesday of game week.
Older children interested? Let the office know by Wednesday of game
week. They can bring games they would enjoy playing or watch movies.
— Pat Wallin
Erin Choir Needs You!
Do you have an interest in lifting your
voice in praise somewhere other than
the shower? Then the Erin Choir is
the place for you! New voices will be
welcomed in every section: soprano,
alto, tenor, and bass. No formal vocal
training is required — just a willingness
to learn. We welcome all ages, from
senior high students to senior adults.
We believe that God is worshipped in
many ways. Consequently, the Choir is
committed to performing a wide variety
of music, from classical to contempo-
rary. More importantly, we strive to
have fun with the music and with each
other. In addition to singing, we share
joys and concerns and support one
another with prayer and compassion
each week.
Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Please join
us and experience it for yourself. We
practice each Wednesday night from
7:30-8:30 pm. Questions? Contact Joe
Jaynes, Choir Director, at 588-5350 or
Attention Chess Players!
The Pastor would like to organize a new
Chess Club on Wednesday’s from 5:00—
5:40 pm to teach our kids how to play
this great game. If you are interested in
helping, please contact Pastor John. If
you have an old chess set and board that
you’re not
using and
would like
to donate
it to the
church,
that would
be most
welcome,
too! 3
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: Profit & Loss Report (Through August 25, 2011)
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: Statement of Cash Flow (Through August 25, 2011)
Through Aug 25, 11
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income 816,306.76
20000 · Accounts Payable 52,349.35
Net cash provided by Operating Activities 868,656.11
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
13001 · Building
13002 · Kitchen
-1,311,797.00
-30,932.20
Net cash provided by Investing Activities -1,342,729.20
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
25000 · Line of Credit 507,655.90
Net cash provided by Financing Activities 507,655.90
Net cash increase for period 33,582.81
Cash at end of period 33,582.81
Through Aug 25, 11
Income
40000 · Capital Campaign
41800 · Non-Pledged Giving 70,934.04
41900 · Pledges 873,314.75
45000 · Memorials 2,718.48
Total Income 946,967.27
Expense
60000 · Expenses
60100 · Administrative 32,679.20
60200 · Building and Property Security 97,981.31
Total Expense 130,660.51
Net Income 816,306.76
Senior Adult Ministry At the next Senior Adult Ministry
(SAM) meeting on September 15, Dr.
Lee Angle, a chiropractor who has
been helping the Tate family, will be
our guest speaker. The meeting will
start with a bring-your-own-bag-lunch
at noon and the talk will begin around
12:40 pm. SAM will provide the drinks
and dessert.
In October, SAM hopes to have an
expert on living trusts and living wills.
In November, we’ll attempt another
showing of the film “Amazing Grace”
with some folks from Highland Presby-
terian in Maryville. January is slated
for a mysterious “paper clips” film
recommended by Bill Brazelton.
Due to the change of venue for the
Fall Watts Bar Cruise (Watts Bar Belle
is defunct; the cruise will now be on
pontoon boats holding only ten
people), the SAM. Council has decided
NOT to organize an Erin group tour.
Individuals who are interested in the
cruise, via pontoon boats, should
contact MoeFaye Travel directly at
[email protected] or (865) 577-
4643 Two dates, September 28 & 29,
are now available at a cost of $89.
— Donna Schall
Wednesday Night Dinners Resume September 14 The smell of Autumn is in the air, and soon the smell of Wednesday Night Dinners will drift through the Fellowship
Hall, as well! We hope you’ll join us for dinner. Everyone is invited. We do request that you make reservations by
noon on the preceding Tuesday by calling the Church Office at (865) 588-5350—we would hate to run out of food!
Dinner is served promptly at 5:45 pm with a suggested donation of $4.00/adult and $2.00/child. Yes, this is a slight
increase, but in order to provide you with a good, nutritional meal, we need to compensate for the rising cost of food.
It’s still a bargain, and we hope it won’t deter you from sharing a meal with us! Come join the fun and consider partici-
pating in one of many Wednesday evening activities after dinner, as well. — Dan & Betty Gibbs
Menu for Sept. 14: Sweet & sour pork, rice, buttered carrots, salad, apple cobbler, and ice cream
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Yum!
Pastor’s MessagePastor’s MessagePastor’s MessagePastor’s Message ...(Cont. from pg. 1)
It has been a hard journey,
and with the impending
wars came recession; but
the steel, grit, and determi-
nation of the people in this
dear country has never wa-
vered. We love our free-
dom too dearly to let it go.
We believe in hard work
and of committing our-
selves to the future of our
people.
We remain faithful to God
and in Him we do trust.
Our enemies may have
tried to destroy our
character and resolve, our
nation, and our liberties,
but we have held on to
freedom and faith for
centuries: We will never
surrender to darkness or
despair, to unbelief or
anarchy.
My prayer for all of us this
month is that wonderful
verse from the Book of
Proverbs which is quoted
on page 1. It has helped me
though many trying times
and moments of personal
crisis. It is a promise of God
that can be truly relied
upon no matter who we
are, what we face, or what
we have still to do. May it
also be your prayer
through the power and
presence of our Lord Jesus
Christ in our hearts and
homes, churches and
communities, nation and
world.
Commit your work to the
Lord, and all your plans
will be established.
God bless you all. —John
What Are the Monthly “Breadbreakers” Dinners? Greetings, fellow Erinites! It’s that time again when all of the Fall programs and
activities get geared up for another amazing year at Erin Presbyterian. Bread-
breakers will resume monthly dinners on Friday evening, September 16 at 6:30 pm.
For those of you who are new to Erin, you may be asking “What is Breadbreakers?”
Breadbreakers is a group for ALL ages….young, senior citizen, or somewhere in
between. Everyone is invited whether you are married, single, or again…. some-
where in between! We meet once a month for dinner, fun, and great fellowship.
How well do you truly know the people sitting around you in the pews on Sunday
morning? Aside from greeting each other each week, what do you really know
about them? Just because you’ve gone to church together for years, and see each
other once a week, doesn’t mean you really know each other on a personal level.
Everybody has a story to tell, and it’s amazing what we can learn about each other
if we just take the time to listen and share. It’s also a wonderful way to develop
new and deeper relationships with those we worship with.
During the Fall months, dinners are held on 3rd
Friday’s, and in January, dinners
begin meeting on 3rd
Saturday’s.
The monthly dinners are usually held in a member’s home (depending on the
number of participants and how many the host can accommodate). Occasionally,
we will meet at the church or at a restaurant. The host will provide the main
course and drinks for the dinner, and everyone who attends will bring a side dish
to share. Please know that you DON’T have to host a dinner in order to attend. It’s
understood that not everyone is able to host a group for various reasons, but that
doesn’t mean that you should deprive yourself of a wonderful evening with your
fellow church friends!
PLEASE join us as we kick off our 2011-12 year with a dinner on Friday evening,
September 16. Watch the Sunday bulletins for more information to follow. There
will be a sign-up sheet in the bulletins on September 4 and 11. Childcare is also
provided at the church, as needed.
Also included in the bulletin will be a calendar of the dates for all of the scheduled
Breadbreakers for the 2011-12 year. Please consider hosting a dinner this coming
year, and be sure to indicate the maximum # you would be able to entertain.
Remember: being a host is not necessary in order for you to attend.
We look forward to a great year of being with old friends, making new friends, and
learning the stories we each have to share… and of course, a lot of wonderful
dinners! See you on September 16! — Suzanne Levering
Submit Ministry Photos for Church Website Do you have some great photos highlighting the ministry areas of Erin? We’d love
to incorporate those into the church website.
Please email photos to [email protected] or place hard copies in Jenny
Dell’s box. Photos will be returned if you write your name on the back. Include a
description and names of people in the photo.
(Release forms will be obtained from parents of minors before placing images online.)
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OUR VISION To be a hearth of faith; a lighthouse in our community; a beacon of God’s Word.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
5, 12, 19, 26
AA
7:30 pm
5
Labor Day
Office Closed
12
PW Circle IV
7:00 pm
6
Let’s Do Dinner
5:15 pm
Discipleship,
Fellowship, &
Property Teams
7:00 pm
13
PW Circle II
10:00 am
Staff Mtg.
6:15 pm
Stewardship
7:30 pm
20
Newsletter
Deadline, 5pm
27
Worship Mtg.
7:00 pm
7, 14, 21, 28
Adult Handbells
6:30 pm
SonShine Co.
6:30 pm
Choir
7:30 pm
14, 21, 28
Handchimes
5:00 pm
Wednesday
Night Dinner
5:45 pm
8
MOPS
9:15 am
15
SAM Council
10:30 am
SAM Lunch
12:00 pm
Session
7:00 pm
22
MOPS
9:15 am
2, 9, 16, 23, 30
AA
8:00 pm
2
Game Night
7:00 pm
16
Breadbreakers
6:30 pm
10
Men’s Breakfast
8:30 am
4, 11, 18, 25
Sunday School
& Nursery
9:30 am
Worship,
Nursery, &
Children’s
Enrichment
11:00 am
EPC Youth
5:00 pm
4
Communion
11:00 am
CEX Team
12:30 pm
11
Convener Mtg.
12:30 pm
Personnel Mtg.
4:00 pm
11, 18, 25
DaySpring
3:30 pm
Journey 7
4:15 pm
Such Is The
Kingdom
5:00 pm
Right Spirit
6:30 pm
September 2011September 2011September 2011September 2011
ERIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 200 Lockett Road
Knoxville, TN 37919-4808
Ph: (865) 588-5350
Fax: (865) 584-7775
www.ErinPresbyterian.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
POSTMASTER: DATED MATERIAL. PLEASE DELIVER BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2011.
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