taize worship: inside this issue: treasuring god’s gift ......dec 11, 2018 · mas gift...

C A R M I C H A E L P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H

Volume LVIII Number 11 December 2018/January 2019

Inside this

Issue:

From Pastor Keith 2

A Communion Testimony

4

Welcome, New Members!

5

Showing God’s Love

6

Gathering Place Showcases Artists

7

Harvest Festival a Success!

8

Robertson House Update

9

In Our Church Family

10

Library Corner 11

Health Ministry Matters

12

Presbyterian Women

13

Scuttlebutt 15

Wednesday Works 16

Year-End Gifts 18

December/January Calendars

See Insert

As you all know—or are currently finding out—we are start-ing to move into the next stages of the

CPC Christ-mas Gift

Minis-try.

This is our very best* ministry, when we get to give local families the Christmas morning that we would want for all children.

If you are reading this before December 2, there is still time to sign up to buy** and give someone a gift! After that, you may

still donate to the deacons’ fund, which pays for food and gifts that nobody

claimed. The deacons could also use volun-teers—read on!

Gifts must be checked in by Sunday, December 9. Earlier is OK! Please include the tags from the sign-up tables or attach a paper with the family num-ber, the recipient’s name, and the contents to the gift. Please en-sure the tags or notes are firmly attached! Also feel free to in-

(Continued on page 3)

In the Old Testa-ment, the prophet Isai-ah proclaimed, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is giv-en … And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Fa-ther, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6-7) What could he mean?

For years the people waited, and waited,

and waited. Years and decades passed, hun-

dreds and hundreds of years. And then the

Lord sent his son in the most un-expected way, as a babe in a man-ger, no room at the inn. The an-gels sang, the shepherds came to see, and the wise men brought him

gifts. We all know this (Continued on page 3)

Taize Worship: Treasuring God’s Gift this Christmas

Christmas Gift Ministry by Laura Garwood

The Mission Bell—December 2018/January 2019

As I write this article, we are just two days away from Thanksgiving, a time to be with family and friends and to give thanks. But it is also a time for hope, as the smoke induced haze that has covered our area for over a week now is finally lifting, and the hoped-for promise of rain is on the horizon.

A word of hope is so important, so encouraging and desperately needed in our world today, especial-ly for those who have lost everything in the Camp Fire, east of Chico. The devastation is horrific by any definition, the loss is overwhelming, and yet, there remains hope.

Hope is also an ele-ment of the church season we know as Advent, a season we enter on De-cember 2. Advent is ob-served in many Christian churches as a time of ex-pectant waiting and prepara-tion for both the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas as well as the return of Jesus at the second coming. It is a time filled with hope for the prom-ise of a Messiah to save God’s people. Hope is an attitude toward the future, living with the assurance that God’s promises will be kept. The sea-son of Advent recognizes both

Pastor Keith DeVries Writes:

“Hope is the Inseparable Companion of Faith”

the coming of Christ at the in-carnation of Jesus birth more than 2,000 years ago, and his coming again as judge at the end of time.

Hope and expectation are important elements of our New Year celebrations as well,

as we say good-bye to the past and welcome the new. More importantly, the New Year brings with it the season of Epiphany on January 6. The word Epiphany means “to show forth” or “manifesta-tion,” alluding to the appear-ance of the Christ child to the Wise Men and to the rest of the world. Epiphany declares that the hope of Christ is not just for one group of people or one nation, but for the whole

world.

Jurgen Moltmann says that, “Hope is the inseparable companion of faith. Hope is noth-ing else than the expectation of those things which faith has be-lieved to have been truly promised by God. Hope nourishes and sus-

tains our faith.” It is this hope that we cling to, that we rely on, that can trans-form our very being. It will not shield us from disaster or tribulation but assures us that God has not and will not abandon God’s people. Yes, hope remains and thrives, even in times such as these. The Apostle Paul says it like this to his sisters and brothers in Christ in Rome, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glo-

ry of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance pro-duces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5)

With thanksgiving and hope for the future,

Pastor Keith

“It is this hope that we cling to, that we rely

on, that can transform our very being.

It will not shield us from disaster or

tribulation but assures us that God has not

and will not abandon God’s people.”

Volume LVIII, Number 11

THE MISSION BELL

(USP 593-640)

Published Monthly by

CARMICHAEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

5645 Marconi Ave., Carmichael, CA

95608

Periodicals Postage Paid at Carmichael, CA 95608

Postmaster send address changes to:

Mission Bell 5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA 95608

… Christmas Gift Ministry...

clude a nice note for the recip-ient.

We purchase all gifts no-body has signed up for, usual-ly early the next week. The deacons will re-imburse those who would like to help shop. If you can buy but not wrap, there will be a Wednes-day Works wrap-ping party on De-cember 12. Donations of wrap and gift bags needed!

Sunday, December 16, is delivery day, and we want your help! We will have con-tact information and maps ready for drivers, who can come to McMillen Hall. If you are a deacon, we already plan

(Continued from page 1) on seeing you that morning, wink wink.

If you can sign up for a gift, donate money, help with gift check-in, shop, wrap pre-sents, or deliver, please contact

Laura Janik.

*According to Rachel Ratliff, preschool direc-tor

**A tip from Eliz-

aBeth Phillips: If you have trouble getting around or

you run out of time, you can purchase gifts from https://smile. amazon.com. And using this web address means you can also donate a portion of your total to Carmichael Pres-byterian Church.

beloved Christmas story.

This Advent and Christmas season, how are you preparing for the promised One? How are you preparing your hearts to meet the son of God? Have you set aside time to seek him—to be still and worship him? Like Mary, let your hearts ponder God’s promise.

You are invited to join Jenny DeVries and Kathy Daigle, spiritual director, in the Chapel for Taize Worship from 6:15-7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19 and January 16. Come seeking God and the Christ child. Be still and know. Find your heart touched and your spirit filled with his promised peace as we lift our voices in song and listen to the word of God.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eter-nal life.” (John 3:16)

(Continued from page 1)

… Taize ...

Mission

Bell

Deadlines

January 14 for the February 2019

newsletter

February 11 for the March 2019

newsletter

Submit articles to: Amy Lerseth,

Mission Bell Editor at

[email protected] or leave articles in the Mission Bell box in the

church office.

https://smile.amazon.com

https://smile.amazon.com


The service of in-home communion is very personal for me. When my mother was living here at El Camino Gar-dens (many years ago now) I requested communion for her from St. John’s Lu-theran Church in downtown Sacra-mento. People came and served her communion, which was so meaning-ful to her, as she was 300 miles away from her home congregation. It just impressed me how much an impact it had on my mom. I feel it is something that must be done for those who are house-bound. Pastor Jim Clark got me started. I accompanied him and got the elements ready. I was overjoyed to be asked to do this. I went with Pastor

Carol Pagelsen for a while. Then I started on my own when I was an Elder, and continued to serve for years. For a while it was too much of a commitment and I wasn’t reliable enough to have a reg-ular assignment. But now I’m doing it again with Marie Se-

gur. We both get to spend about an hour once a month with Mel and Bettye Majesty.

There are even times when I have been able to bring more of my time and talents to serv-ing people. One time I was serving a lady who was blind and she loved hearing me read

A Communion Testimony by Margo Scandella with Pastor Ivan Herman

the Psalms to her. She was so touched by the words and my presence she would say, “Keep reading, keep reading!” Another time I got to play my cello for another woman who

was also blind. She loved hearing the cel-

lo play familiar church hymns.

I have also played for Bettye and Mel, but we mostly

just sing whatever song Bettye wants to sing, from “Rock of Ages” to “Down by the sta-tion, early in the morning, see the little pufferbellies all in a row.” She knows every word of the hymns— every word —

for several verses!! We do a lot of singing with the Majes-tys. But most importantly we just make the time we have with them be ‘their’ time, reading, singing, and praising God.

While I could never get up and speak in front of the con-gregation about these things, I wanted to share how I feel about the experience of being a server. I’ve been so touched with this ministry of serving communion. It really is a mar-velous experience to provide the Lord’s Supper in this close setting. We really feel the Holy Spirit with us, and those we serve are always so grateful and appreciative.

Give to the Christmas Joy Offering

December 16 Your gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering support past, present, and

future leaders through gifts to church workers in their time of need and students in their time of promise. Retired church workers

receive critical financial assistance to support them through life’s challenging circumstances and students receive assistance while

they discover and pursue professional goals at three Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.


The 2019 sign-up list is in the Welcome Center for you to do-nate flowers to adorn our Sanctuary

during worship on Sundays! The cost is $35 for one bouquet or $70 for both bouquets. It’s easy to do:

Look for the “Sanctuary Flowers” binder in the Wel-come Center

Choose an open date

Fill in all the information requested

You can choose to pick up the flowers after the 11:00 a.m. worship service or have them delivered to someone who is home-bound, recuperating from surgery, or in need of cheering up.

If you wish to donate both bouquets on a Sunday, please mark both boxes

Submit your payment to the church office. Please make checks payable to Carmichael Presbyterian Church and note “flowers” and the date on the memo portion of your check.

Reminder slips are in the front of the binder for your convenience.

This is a great way to cele-brate a special occasion or to remember a loved one.

Donate Sanctuary Flowers

Welcome, New Members! These folks were received by Session as members of Carmi-

chael Presbyterian Church on October 17 and welcomed during worship on November 11. It is our joy and privilege to welcome them into our faith community! Photos by Bruce & Sharon MacLean

Jackie Hewitt

Ross Hewitt

Bob & Joan Clark

Darlene Little

Joan Oakley

Mary Menssen

(received by Session on November 27)

If you are planning to move or have recently changed your address, telephone number, or email

address please call Church Secretary Julie Ueltzen

at 916-486-9081, email [email protected], or drop a note in the offering plate during worship.

You are important to us! Please help us keep our database current so you won’t miss CPC news.

Changes In Your Life?


Christmas, of course, is a time of love—God’s love for us demonstrated by the birth of Jesus. When we show love for others by our loving ac-tions, we are reflecting God’s unconditional love. In 1 John 4:12, we’re reminded, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is perfected in us.”

One way that CPC shows love for others is through the Stephen Ministry program. Stephen Ministers are caring Christian friends, ready to listen, care for and provide one-to-one Christian care to help others through whatever difficult time that they are fac-ing. Some great news for this holiday season and the coming years-- we have two new Stephen Ministers, Deb Sweetman and Millie Payne! They will be commissioned on December 23, and will join our other ac-tive Stephen Ministers: Mike

Aretsky, Donna Cavness, Er-nie Chard, Bonnie Hard, Jan Hill, and Viki Tozier.

How do we as Christians show God’s love for others at this time (and indeed, all year)? We show it by our pres-ence, our willingness to be there for someone, to listen, and sometimes, to extend a

helping hand to someone in need.

When you know someone is struggling during the holi-days, here are some simple ways you can make a big dif-ference:

Offer to help in specific ways. Try to anticipate needs and

ways you can help. For exam-ple, you might ask, “May I bring you dinner?” Or offer to rake the lawn, walk the dog, etc., or “Can I

help put up the Christmas lights?” Re-

member, however, to follow the person’s lead and not just impose your help.

Help people pace themselves. The holidays are busy, and those who are hurting may need help or permission to slow down or do less than they ordinarily would. Let people know it’s okay to con-serve energy, take breaks, and pick which activities and tradi-tions to take part in.

Ask people how they’re really doing. During the busyness of the holidays, it can be easy to just interact with people on a surface level. Finding a good time to ask hurting people how they’re really doing—and then listening—is a powerful way to care.

Validate feelings. When peo-

ple do open up and share, lis-ten and then show that you believe them and accept their feelings. Letting people know it’s okay to feel whatever they’re feeling can provide a lot of comfort.

By relating in these ways, you can help hurting people find comfort and hope in a dif-ficult time.

So, yes, we like to think of the holidays as being a won-derfully enjoyable time where we show others how much we love them. However, hurts, struggles, crises, and problems don’t take a vacation. Many times challenging situations seem even worse during the holidays because everyone else seems to be enjoying life while you are feeling down. If you are experiencing a diffi-cult time --emotionally, spirit-ually, or relationally--you don't have to suffer alone. Re-member Stephen Ministers are available to help you through the tough times. It's free. It's confidential. And it will make a difference in your life!

If you know anyone who might benefit from a Stephen Minister, share with them about what Stephen Ministry could offer them. For infor-mation about Stephen Minis-try, contact one of the Stephen Leaders: Kelly Holland, Mary

Thomas, Len Tozier, John


Showing God’s Love by Misty Dunn, Stephen Minister/Leader


Wallace, or Misty Dunn.

And may God, in His great love and compassion, be present with

you in ways that touch your heart and show His ever-present

love.


The current art show in the CPC Gathering Place Gallery features the amazing work of three talented artists: Sheila

Mun Jacobs, Joan McMurray and Sally Durante. Take a close look at the details in the big, bold, whimsical bird sculptures created by Sheila

Mun Jacobs, her paintings—and her massive three-panel

wall hanging of sea life created on solar panels, using both natural and recycled ma-terials. Sally Durante’s bold and beautiful angel paintings were inspired by her family—and will draw you in for an-other look during this holiday season. Enjoy Joan McMur-

ray’s colorful paintings of a sunset and stunning flowers--and her photo of a river of white lilies. Expect to be de-lighted and surprised at what has caught these artists’ eyes and inspired them.

Our Janu-ary-February 2019 show will feature another three tal-ented art-

ists: the stun-ning photog-raphy of Bruce, Sharon and Whitney MacLean,

long-time and active members of our congregation. We can’t wait to see their latest and fa-vorite images!

Another show planned for 2019 will feature visual art in-spired by the poetry of Karen

Gannon. If you are interested in creating art for that show,

CPC Gathering Place Showcases

Three Artists or joining the Art Committee, please contact Priscilla Mau-

erman.

On a personal note, the members of the CPC Art Com-mittee are deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of our be-loved friend and fellow artist, Darrell Torgerson, who was always such an inspiration. Darrell truly believed that all people are artists just waiting to be discovered. From pre-school children to youth and adults of all ages, he really loved helping members of our

congregation display their God-given talents—and believed that by all of us working together we have made CPC a lit-tle bit more wonderful place to worship our Cre-ator. Godspeed, Dar-rell—we love you and miss your big heart, twinkling eyes, and fun-

loving spirit.

Clockwise from top: 1. The Art Committee fondly remembers com-mittee member and fellow artist, Darrell Torgerson, who passed away in October. 2. Clair Daugh-erty and Darrell Torgerson at a past art show.3. Sheila Mun Ja-cobs with one of her whimsical sculptures. 4. The artwork of Joan McMurray, Sheila Mun Jacobs, and Sally Durante is featured in the Gathering Place through De-cember.

… Love ...


With the help of over 50 CPC volunteers, the October 24 Harvest Festival was a suc-cess. Nearly 200 adults and children enjoyed inflatable bounce houses and slide, a petting zoo, “trunk or treat-ing,” a costume parade and contest (with five winners tied!), a cake walk, games, crafts, and a BBQ dinner. All these activi-ties required considerable volunteer time, and we could-n’t have hoped for a better re-sponse from the congregation, both adults and youth.

There isn’t enough space to list all of those who dedicated their time, ener-gy, and baking skills to make this 7-ring circus fun for all, and I would forget someone if I tried, but I must note a few who went above and beyond the efforts of even our other wonderful volunteers.

Branden Rogers, for not only bringing the food and su-pervising all aspects of the meal, but for being responsible for making sure we had plenty

Annual Harvest Festival a Success! by Harvey Swenson, Chair, Fellowship and Nurture Division

of cups, plates, etc.

Misty and Bill Dunn, for the hours spent selling tickets in the Gathering Place before and in the courtyard during the festival and for taking care of the cash and checks in-volved.

Julie Leporiere, for getting things started as part of the

working group, and, with hus-band David, arranging and repackaging some of the cup-cakes, cakes, and cookies and sticking with the cakewalk throughout the evening so every kid could win.

The two Kathy Ls, Lewis

and Lewin, who managed to deal with “trunk or treat” dis-plays that exploded from an expected ten or twelve to

twenty. They spent nearly the entire evening managing things in the parking lot.

Finally, Lisa Torgerson, who took the time before (and during) her sabbatical to ar-range for CPC youth to assist in supervising activities and help with clean-up. Lisa was able to function at her usual amazingly competent level in spite of only returning to work the day before the Festival.

Oh, and for her bean recipe, which Branden faithfully exe-cuted.

For the other four dozen or so dedicated volunteers, a very sincere “thank you.” You did a good deed for the CPC community. I hope you’ll par-ticipate in our next Harvest Festival as well.

From top: 1. CPC’s youth decorated the church van for “Trunk or Treat.” 2. McMillen Hall was filled with diners, cos-tumes, and games. 3. Kids of all ages en-joyed the petting zoo.


What’s Happening with the

Robertson House? by Barbara Farley

to Carmichael HART to create transitional housing.

A transitional house is where up to four people live with a house manager for

three to six months. Each resi-dent signs an agree-ment to live in a shared housing environ-

ment, to help provide mainte-nance of the property, and to work with trained staff to ad-dress the issues that led them into homelessness. The goal is for each resident to move into permanent housing at the end of their stay. The residents do not pay rent. They may be asked to leave if they do not meet the program require-ments.

The Administration Divi-

sion appointed a sub-committee to explore this and other options, including sell-ing the property, renovating and renting the property, and working with Carmichael HART to use the house for an-other purpose. After careful consideration, the committee concluded:

• If CPC sold the house, it would defeat the purpose for which it was pur-chased, to make our own-ership of the property be-

tween Marconi Ave. and Robertson Ave. complete. Also, if it was sold “as is,” CPC would get less than we paid for it in 2003.

• If CPC renovated the house, we would have to borrow money. Since we have recently paid off our prior debt, this was not seen as a

good option. Also, the committee did not want CPC to become property managers or have to hire a property management company.

• Carmichael HART shared with the committee that they had leased a home on property owned by Ameri-can River Community Church (on Walnut and


In January 2018 the house at 5660 Robertson Ave., which CPC purchased in 2003 (known as the “Robertson House”) became vacant.

The Ad-ministration Division of Session asked CPC’s Buildings and Grounds Committee to inspect the house and give an estimate of cost to bring the house up to standard.

With the help of Ron Mor-ris, our Maintenance Manager, it was estimated that it would cost between $20,000 and $60,000 to renovate the house. The lower estimate would make the house livable; the higher estimate would make it market-ready, with a new roof, fully renovated kitchen and bathroom, new heating and air conditioning, and dou-ble pane windows.

The Mission Division, aware of the housing needs in the Carmichael area through its work with Carmichael Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART), suggested to the Administration Division that they might rent the house


a good faith donation to the project of up to $10,000.00 since we will benefit in the long run having the prop-erty renovated. The money spent on the house will not come from member pledg-es to the general fund. It will come from undesignat-ed funds outside of CPC’s operating budget.

• A committee of CPC mem-bers will supervise the ren-ovation to be sure the prop-erty is being renovated to the highest standards.

If you have questions or want more information, con-tact Barbara Farley at [email protected].

… Robertson House ... gram. After extensive dis-cussion, Session then voted to enter into an agreement with Carmichael HART.

• The Administration Divi-sion is now in the process of developing a five-year lease agreement with Car-michael HART. HART will be working with HomeAid, a non-profit organization of contractors who renovate properties that will be used to support moving home-less people into permanent housing. HART will write grants and work with Sac-ramento Self Help Housing to fund the costs of the pro-ject not covered by HomeAid. CPC will make

North) for $1.00 a year. The lease agreement allowed HART to renovate the house in cooperation with Sacramento Self Help Housing to use it for transi-tional living for homeless women in Carmichael.

• After conversations with representatives of Carmi-chael HART, Sacramento Self Help Housing, HomeAid, and an attorney, the committee recommend-ed to Session that CPC en-ter into a lease agreement with Carmichael HART to use the Robertson House for a transitional living pro-


Save the Date! Annual Meeting of the

Congregation

Sunday, January 27 12:30 p.m.

in McMillen Hall

The program includes lunch, fellowship, the budget for 2019; electing ruling elders, deacons &

nominating committee members; the 2018 annual report; and Terms of

Call for our pastors.

Watch the Sunday Parish Notes for details!

In Our Church Family

Please lift up in prayer these members of our church family who have recently lost loved ones:

Pastor Ivan Herman & fam-ily on the loss of his uncle, Lee Kanipe.

Joanne Linsday and family on the loss of Targe Lindsay

on October 30.

Mary Torgerson and the Torgerson family on the loss of Darrell Torgerson on Oc-tober 31.


Library Corner by Doris Beckert, CPC Librarian

in art, literature, and photog-raphy. Each chapter ends with discussion questions and a

photo assignment for creat-ing a selfie in response to the chapter. The lengthy introduction spells out his philoso-phy.

The other is Finding God in a Bag of Groceries (261.8) : Seeking Food,

Discovering Grace, by Laura Lapins Willis. She writes about her

program of feeding the needy in rural Tennes-

see. Taking a tiny food pantry and watching it grow to feed hundreds sounds fa-miliar to us at CPC. Willis il-lustrates her points with sto-ries from her interaction with clients: Rebecca who wanted baptism, Carly the homeless addict who accepted kindness but refused AA, Frances with the painful hands.

Santa has some new books in his bag for the library. Let’s start with two Christmas books for children.

◼ Home by Another Way;( E Tay) by Barbara Brown Taylor is a re-telling in modern lan-guage, of the story of the three wise men on their journey to Bethlehem, which the author pro-poses as a search for enlightenment. Melanie Cataldo illustrates the Magi as Middle East-erners and sets the back-drop in Biblical times. The author is an Episcopal priest with several awards to her name.

◼ Angela and the Baby Jesus,(E McC) by Frank McCourt, tells about an incident when his mother was a child. The illustrations are in subtle blues and grays that reflect the sweetness of the story.

Two other new books have intriguing titles.

Selfies (301 Det) : searching for the Image of God in a Digi-tal Age is by Craig Detweiler, a writer and speaker. He ex-amines the selfie phenomenon

Also new in the library is Desmond Tutu’s book for chil-dren, God’s Dream (E Tut) re-cently read by Peggy Krong to the children during a Sunday worship service. The illustra-tions feature the wide-eyed faces of multi-cultural chil-dren, a sharing circle and a rainbow. Archbishop Tutu distills his philosophy of unity and forgiveness for the very young.

There are also some Christ-mas DVDs for the kiddies:

◼ How Can I Celebrate Ad-vent?

◼ The Legend of the Three Trees

◼ The Original Christmas Clas-sics (Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, The Little Drum-mer Boy, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman) 2 discs

◼ and more on order from Adventures in Odyssey, coming later.

CPC is a busy place! Are you planning a meeting or event in the new year? Remember to reserve your room early! It’s easy!

Just stop by the church office to fill out a room request form OR call the church office at 916-486-9081 OR email [email protected] or [email protected].

We’ll need to know: The date and time for your meeting A contact name and phone number Where you would like to meet, if you have a preference, Any special set-up or equipment needs.

Planning a Meeting?


I hope every-one took notice of the Nobel Prize in medi-cine several weeks ago. Two investigators were awarded the prize for a new approach to cancer treat-ment that harnessed the im-mune system to specifically target and destroy the cancer cells without damaging nor-mal tissue. The progress is tru-ly astounding. Cancer is one of our most dreaded diseases. We all know X-RAY and chemotherapy are often suc-cessful in helping patients, but rarely result in a cure.

My nephew, a salmon fish-erman in Alaska, came to Seat-tle about eight years ago to get treatment for a cancer of the throat. Cancers of the head and neck are difficult because they spread early to other parts of the body. He was asked to enter a double blind study testing a new experi-mental drug that involved the immune system similar to the Nobel prize. In studies of this kind, patients don’t know whether they are getting the experimental drug or a place-bo (a sugar pill). As it hap-pened he received the experi-mental drug “Erbitux” and is alive and cancer free today. These drugs are known as

“monoclonal antibodies” and they focus specifically on tar-geting the abnormal cancer cell similar to the way our body will fight off an infection with a bacteria or virus like polio vaccine.

A second case is that of for-mer President Jimmy Carter. He developed metastatic can-cer, meaning his melanoma cancer had spread to both his liver and his brain. He also en-tered a study and received a drug called “Keytruda.” Key-truda is also a drug that makes

Health Ministry Matters

“A New Day in Cancer Treatments” by Richard J. Frink, MD

use of the immune system and is cur-rently advertised on TV. President carter is alive and well some 5 years later and is cur-

rently cancer free. Keytruda is owned by Merck and Co. and they have scaled back most of their other drug development to concentrate on Keytruda.

These two drugs, Erbitux and Keytruda, are not effective in everyone and some patients have serious side effects, or made worse. Who ever thought this was going to be easy. The main message here is cancer treatment is undergo-ing a major shift as investiga-tors work with the immune system.

We are approaching the time of year when we clean out closets. If you have usable warm clothing for adults and children please bring them to one of the collection bins in the Welcome Center or Church Office until January 6. The

greatest need is for practical warm clothing especially gloves, warm sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets. Underwear and socks are needed as well, but should be new, not used, items.

This clothing will be distributed at the Supper on Saturday dinner December 15, for emergency needs during Winter Shelter January 6 to 13 and, if there is clothing left, at Supper on Saturday January 19. Thank you for helping provide warm clothing for those in the Carmichael community who need them.

Annual Clothing Drive


Rejoice and celebrate! Lis-ten to the music. Raise your voices in song. Gather togeth-er and await the coming of the Christ child! Once again Pres-byterian Women (PW) invite all to the table—a time to gath-er, to rejoice and to celebrate Advent and the coming of the hope and prom-ise of Christmas. El Camino High School’s renowned Concert Choir and Treble Choir will be there to entertain all with beloved Christmas carols and seasonal music. And enjoy a tasty, decadent chocolate des-sert by Jackson Catering and Events. You can also shop for some treasures at the Jan Stone Opportunity Table. Come and celebrate the holidays with us!

A $5 donation will reserve your place at the table for this year’s PW Advent Gathering on Thursday, December 6, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. in McMil-len Hall. Your donation will

you have question or would like to join PW, please call Carole Jacobi, PW Moderator.

December 20—Lesson 4: God with Us When We Seek God

In Lesson 4, we will focus on how God summons God’s

people, espe-cially God’s leaders, to walk in God’s ways, and to seek God. Lesson intro-duction states “Lesson 3 dealt with the discourage-ment that comes with a loss of heart. This lesson explores what hap-pens when the heart is redirected. The era of the

kings was an undeniably stormy period in Israel’s histo-ry, and more particularly in the relationship between God and God’s people. The unfaith-fulness of both the kings and the Israelite people permeates the stories of Chronicles and Kings. When the kings and the people continually turn away from God to seek other things, other rewards, other reassur-


support El Camino students and the choir leadership. Call Carolee Roach or Ginny

Rodgers or sign up in the Gathering Place between ser-vices by December 3.

Our PW Circles continue to

meet from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the third Thursday morn-ings—December 20 and Janu-ary 17—for fellowship, mis-sion, and this year’s Bible Study, “God’s Promise: I Am With You.” Please join us for the Pastor’s Bible Study on the second Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. in the Howard Crowley Room or at one of the PW Circle meetings. PW Bible Study books are available for $12. If

PW Celebrates the Season at Advent Gathering

Thursday, December 6 at 1:00 p.m. featuring the

El Camino High School Concert Choir and Treble Choir

Advent

Gathering


ances, other security and other gods, the question raised is this: If the kings are unfaithful, and the people are unfaithful, will God remain faithful?” The question gives the tension be-tween a seemingly conditional promise and God’s unconditional love. (Primary Scripture will be: 1 Chronicles 28:1-21; 1 Kings 11:1-13, 29-39.)

Prayer: Faithful God of faith-less kings, forgive us, we pray, for all the ways we are just like these kings and your people who turned away from you. We confess that

(Continued from page 13) we often do not seek you or serve you, and seldom serve with the whole-hearted devotion you de-

sire. In your mercy, God, hold fast to us when we

fail you. For the sake of your promises, do not forsake us. And when we turn our hearts to you, O Lord, be found by us,

we pray. Amen.

January 17—Lesson 5: God with Us When We’re

Powerless

In Lesson 5, we will focus on God’s promise of presence when we are powerless and how that presence invites us to lay down our weapons of wor-ry and keep our eyes on God. In the lesson introduction Bi-

PW Circle Meetings Dorcas: The World Service Sewing Circle is for those who enjoy

sewing for mission projects. Meets in the Howard Crowley Room on Tuesdays, December 4 and January

8 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Leader: Carolyn McGregor

Mary Martha: Meets in the Gathering Place on Thursdays, De-

cember 20 and January 17 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Co-Leaders: Kathy Daigle ([email protected]), Judi

Stewart ([email protected]), Lisa Benadom

([email protected])

Naomi: Meets in the Church Parlor on Thursdays, December 20 and January 17 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Leader: Bonnie

Hard ([email protected])

Rachel: Meets at the home of Margo Scandella, 4669 Notting-ham Circle in Sacramento on Thursdays, December 20 and January 17 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Leader: Margo

Scandella ([email protected])

… Presbyterian Women ... ble study author, Amy Poling Sutherlun, states “I am a crea-tive and frequent worrier. My ‘what ifs’ are sometimes bril-liantly specific and the worry-ing is too often my first line of defense. But today’s lesson confronts that stance (one I suspect some of you might share), first with the instruc-tions of Deuteronomy 20:3: ‘Today you are drawing near to do battle against your ene-mies. Do not lose heart, or be afraid, or panic, or be in dread of them, and then with the ex-ample of King Jehoshaphat who, in the face of over-whelming threat, boldly chooses to ‘stand still and see’ what God will do (2 Chr.20:17).” Through study of scripture and through discus-sion we will examine the para-lyzing power of worry and how through God’s promise of presence we can relinquish that power. (Primary Scripture will be: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30; Deuteronomy 20:1-4).

Psalm 27:7-9: Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! ‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek God’s face!’ Your face, Lord, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!


Scuttlebutt News from CPC’s Mariner Ships

Clipper Ship Skippers: Ed & Janann Poteet

The Clipper Ship met on Saturday, November 10 at the Gathering Place to plan for the 2019 program schedule and to elect officers. Thelma Wever opened with a moving de-scription of how the Prayer Shawl Program at CPC helped her during a difficult time and prayer.

Judy Sweeney led the meeting and several topics were discussed before the election of officers and devel-opment of the 2019 program. Several ideas for Cargo and Caring contributions were suggested and will be consid-ered at a future meeting. Next was the Christmas Gift Minis-try. The Clipper Ship is taking two families and members signed up to provide gifts.

The new officers for 2019 are: Judy and Terry Sweeney (Skippers); Gary and Char-

lene Lee (First Mates); Dee

Irwin (Logkeeper); Thelma

Wever (Chaplain); George

Burbank (Cargo Master); Ter-

ry Sweeney (Mission Bell Re-porter); Jim Hill

(Signalmaster); Carol Dobler (Care and Share); and Janann

Poteet (Photographer).

The program for 2019 will include a presentation about evangelism and Russia, a Val-entine’s Day party, lunch and video at Eskaton, a presenta-tion about Cuba, Bocce ball,

attending a theatrical perfor-mance of “Rain,” pizza lunch, barbecue, Oktoberfest, and Christmas lunch. Planning is still occurring for some of the events and they are subject to change. Also a discussion oc-curred about having the Skip-pers of all Mariner groups meet to discuss the status of each group and possible changes to strengthen and pro-mote Mariners at CPC.

We ask for your prayers of healing and support for: Den-nis and Nancy Marks, Jim Jackson, Ed Poteet, and John

Irwin.

Companionship

Skippers: Dave & Priscilla Mauerman

On November 3 the Com-panionship met in the Howard Crowley room to consider our calendar of events for next year. But first, Priscilla Mauerman asked each of us to pri-vately com-plete a per-sonal ques-tionnaire for a guessing game to be played later. Following a lengthy discussion of the 2019 calendar, we left CPC to meet

at Kico’s on Arden Way for a Mexican dinner. Service was slow, but the food was good, and the margaritas were great.

Our next event will be Christmas caroling at senior residences followed by a white elephant exchange, al-ways a hit! If you’d like to vis-it our ship, please contact our Lookouts, Sharlene and Joe

St. Clair.

Friendship

Skipper: Lisa Torgerson

HMS Pinafore

Skippers: Harry & Carol Jones Our November meeting

was again centered around a well-known member of CPC. This time it was John Wallace who enlightened us about an

organi-zation called the Sus-tainable Empow-erment Leader-ship Founda-tion (SELF). The founda-tion,

started by Dr. Jen Cavalari, works to empower the people in various communities in


Nancy & Dave Studer and Dave & Chris Beeby enjoy margaritas after the Companionship 2019 plan-ning meeting.


Dinner Time at 5:30 p.m. Once a Month Full Dinners: $6 adults, $3 children

Other Wednesdays, Pizza & Salad: $5 adults, $1 per slice for children & youth ALL DINNERS INCLUDE BEVERAGES AND DESSERT.

for Children & Youth 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Child Care (ages infant–4 yrs.), #102 With the wonderful Mary & Paul Camozzi

Waterfall (grades K-5), Music Room This children’s choir has fun singing and learning

about music as they prepare to sing during both worship services several times during the year! Led by Nancy Studer and Kathy Phillips.

Middle School Youth Group (grades 6-8), Upper Rooms Middle Schoolers meet every other week for crazy games, fun, learning, sharing, and prayer. Led by Lisa Torgerson and Matthew Lillie. Meeting Dates: December 5.

High School Youth Group (grades 9-12), Upper Rooms

High Schoolers meet every other week for fellowship, games, a brief talk, small group discussions, and prayer. Led by Lisa Torgerson and Alex Cavalari. Meeting Dates: December 12.

for Adults 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.

Bible Study, Howard Crowley Room Join

Pastor Ivan for Bible study and discussion. Bring your favorite Bible!

Taize, Chapel (January 16 only) A Gathering for Prayer, Chapel

Come lay your burdens at the foot of the cross, and sit quietly in the presence of God. Join in prayer with others as we seek God’s heart.

Library Open Spend some quiet time reading, studying, or just browsing the volumes in our church library.

7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir, Music Room

Sing praises to God, enjoy fellowship, and learn music to lead in worship at the 8:45 a.m. service each Sunday. Directed by Randy Benfield.

Wednesday Works will break for the holidays December 26-January 16.


and personality, and the innu-merable ways in which he had made our lives better as well as the lives of countless others.

If you might be interested in attending one of our future

meetings, please contact Harry or Carol Jones or any other member of H.M.S. Pinafore for information.

Holy Scow Skipper: Terryl Summers

Kinship Skippers: Bill & Erin Pace

Lifeboat Skipper: Hal Holland

Nautilus Skippers: Tom & Brenda Mock

A nearly full crew of Nau-tilus shipmates and their guests got both a literal and audio/visual taste of Vietnam at the Pho Bac Hoa Vietnam-ese/Chinese restaurant when Skipper Brenda Mock com-bined lunch with a fascinating narrated visual tour of the country. We learned a lot about the everyday lives of both city and rural folk and discovered that Vietnam has edged into what used to be Hong Kong’s specialty of mak-ing clothing to order. Tom

Mock modeled a fine silk ki-mono-style robe and Brenda passed around nicely styled shoes made to the exact trac-


… More Scuttlebutt ...

Honduras. John went as a vol-unteer on a recent trip to Honduras sponsored by SELF. He flew into Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. John then traveled to a village named Nuevo Paraiso

(about 30 minutes from the capital).

John gave us an audiovisu-al presentation showing how SELF was helping to build a clean water tank with a capac-ity of 13,000 gallons in Nuevo Paraiso. The tank now pro-vides water for the 100 people in the village, plus another 1,500 children from neighbor-ing towns who attend school there. The water comes from a nearby well and is pumped into the tank during periods when the town has electricity available.

At the same time, SELF was engaging in medical mis-sions in other nearby towns. Among the services provided

(Continued from page 15) were medical consultations with nurses and doctors, den-

tal care (including clean-ing and extractions), eyeglasses, OB/GYN services, and pharmacy

items such as antibiotics and analgesics. In many cases, this is the only medical care peo-ple receive during the entire year. SELF also provided medical information to the in-habitants in subjects like den-tal care, STDs, OB/GYN is-sues, etc.

In addition, SELF gave in-struction in how to purify a five-gallon bucket of water. Entrepreneurial skills were also taught to students so they could learn how to provide for themselves and their families.

After John finished his presentation, we set aside some time to talk about Dar-

rell Torgerson, his character

Clockwise from top: 1. John Wallace shared about SELF (Sustainable Empowerment Leadership Foundation) at the Pinafores Sep-tember Meeting. 2. Pinafores Pat & Gene Chaney and Dick Piper enjoy refreshments. 3. Marcia Law and Dave & Marie Segur share fellowship at the Pinafores meeting.


… End of the Scuttlebutt ...

ing of her feet. Brenda and daughter Tiffany shared a hair-raising story about the

sort of taxicab ride that tour-ists in every big city dread.

Our final meeting of the year in December will be a low-key affair with dinner at the Mocks following wrap-ping for the gifts members have purchased for the CPC Christmas Gift Ministry.

Skipjacks

Skippers: Jack & Carolee Roach

Tradewinds

Contacts: Jack & Jerri Pefley


Any contributions that you would like included on your 2018 giving statement MUST be received by 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 27. If you have not completed your 2018 pledge, or can make an ad-ditional gift, please do so by December 27.

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Shultz, Finan-cial Administrator at 916-486-9081 or [email protected].

Year-End Gifts

Brenda Mock narrated a visual tour of Vietnam for her Nautilus ship-mates while they enjoyed lunch at a Vietnamese restau-rant.

The Marathon is Coming!

Sunday, December 2

The running of the California International Marathon will close some intersections near the church. The race

starts at 7:00 a.m. near Folsom Dam. Fair Oaks Blvd. is part of the route.

If you cross Fair Oaks Blvd. on your way to CPC, plan to leave home early and avoid the race course on your

way to church.

For a complete listing of road closures and times, go to https://runsra.org/california-international-

marathon/course-information/

Luncheon & Auction

17th Annual

Start thinking about how YOU can support CPC’s children and youth with an auction donation! Donation forms will be available in January.


Our CPC Staff Remembering that the mem-

bers of Carmichael Presbyterian Church are the ministers and missionaries of our faith com-munity, our Pastoral Staff and Support Team provide leader-ship and specialized ministries.

The Rev. Keith L. DeVries

The Rev. Ivan N. Herman

Randy Benfield, Director of Music

Trina Spivack, Accompanist

Jenny DeVries, Contemporary Worship Leader

Marti Wallace, Mission Bells & Carillon

Director

Lisa Torgerson, Children’s & Youth Ministry Director

Matthew Lillie, Children’s Ministry Intern

Paul & Mary Camozzi, Childcare Providers

Rachel Ratliff, Preschool Director

Karen Gray, Pastors’ Secretary

Julie Ueltzen, Church Secretary

Paul Shultz & Mary Menssen, Financial Administrators

Ron Morris, Maintenance Manager

Christian Bolen, Custodian

Josh Hogge, Custodian

Lisa Levering, Wedding Coordinator

Contact Us by telephone:

CPC Office 916-486-9081

Office after–hours line 916-486-1406

Health Ministry 916-486-0604

Stephen Ministry 916-486-0604

CPC Preschool 916-486-9189

Food Closet 916-483-9232

Fax 916-486-3771

To leave a voice mail message for a staff person when the office is closed, dial 916-486-9081. When the machine answers your call, dial the person’s extension.

Keith DeVries 203 Ivan Herman 202

Karen Gray 201 Julie Ueltzen 200

Paul Shultz 205 Lisa Torgerson 204

Randy Benfield 208 Ron Morris 206

via e-mail:

Keith DeVries [email protected]

Ivan Herman [email protected]

Randy Benfield [email protected]

Julie Ueltzen [email protected]

Karen Gray [email protected]

Paul Shultz [email protected]

Ron Morris [email protected]

Lisa Torgerson [email protected]

Rachel Ratliff [email protected]

Or link to email through our website www.carmichaelpres.org

Enjoy CPC’s Sunday services, even if you can’t make it to church! The 8:45 a.m. service is recorded each Sunday and DVDs are mailed on Wednes-days along with a copy of the worship bulletin.

If you or someone you know would like to receive a weekly DVD, please contact the church office at 916-486-9081 or [email protected]. There is no cost for this service.

Don’t have a DVD player? Give us a call, the church may be able to help!

Can’t Make it to Church? Join “Church Flix!”

Sunday Morning Education Opportunities

TIME VALUE MAIL

5645 Marconi Avenue

Carmichael, CA 95608-4423

Carmichael Presbyterian Church Periodicals Postage

Paid at CARMICHAEL CA

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Traditional Worship Service - 8:45 a.m. (with traditional hymns and organ)

Contemporary Worship Service - 11:00 a.m. (with the Contemporary Music Team)

Sundays at CPC

For Children and Youth Infant & Child Care

8:30 A.M. -12:30 P.M. Infant/Toddler Care (birth-4 years), Room 102

Cry Room (with video feed of worship service), #101

1st Service Pull-Out Program (following “Time for Young People” at the 8:45 A.M. service)

Spark, 4 years-2nd grade, Room 104

Children’s Sunday School 10:00 A.M. -10:55 A.M.

Godly Play, 4 years-Kindergarten, Room 207 Whirl, 1st– 3rd grade, Room 206

Connect, 4th-5th grade, Room 205

Youth Sunday School 10:00 A.M. - 10:50 A.M.

Middle School & High School (6th-12th grade), Room 211

2nd Service Pull-Out Programs (following “Time for Young People” at the 11:00 A.M. service)

Spark (4 years-2nd grade), Room 104

For Adults 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Speaking Christian Join Dick Piper in reading and discussion of Speaking Christian by acclaimed Bible scholar Marcus Borg. In this book, Borg argues that the very language Christians use has become dangerously distilled, distorted, and disconnected from the beliefs which once underpinned it and calls for a radical change to the language we use to invoke our beliefs. Copies are available for purchase. Meets in the Crowley Room

taize worship: inside this issue: treasuring god’s gift ......dec 11, 2018 · mas gift...

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