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: fpdec@comcast.net

********************************************************************************************************************* VOLUME 47 July 1, 2015 NUMBER 25 ********************************************************************************************************************* July 3, 2015 OFFICE IS CLOSED July 5, 2015 8:00 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel 6th 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 The Youth will once again rent parking spaces for the Decatur Celebration held on August 7, 8 & 9. One-time visit passes are $5, 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. In addition, the Youth need volunteers to help monitor the parking lot. Two-hour shifts are available. Please call Christl in the church office or Pam Neeley at 413-8087 to volunteer. Thank you for your support in this fundraising effort.

CANNED AND BOXED GOODS ACCEPTED SUNDAY

First Sunday happens July 5! Share your blessings with the needy as you bring your food

donations to all services for Northeast Community Fund. You may also bring food or monetary donations on Monday morning.

Also, on the first Sunday of the month, the Peacemaking committee will sell olive oil and Equal Exchange

coffee, tea and cocoa in the Gathering Room. Thank you for your support.

Greetings from Frugal Froggie! He's "hopping"

that you are making the best of the summer

season.

Recent Frugal Froggie and Finance Committee

activities include the following:

May, Cocagne & King has begun an

accounting services project to “baptize our

balance sheet” and provide the church with

a fresh starting point. There will be

additional support for using Power Church

to create the 2016 budget.

We met with Soy Capital Bank about the

church’s investments there. Another

meeting is scheduled in late September to

obtain an update.

We are investigating possible pension and

benefits changes for the church Staff

beginning in 2016.

We determined that the church has no

financial responsibility for the Elmwood

Apartment Building. Individuals who are

interested in helping with the Elmwood

Apartment Building are encouraged to

contact DOVE directly at 428-6616.

We plan to start developing the 2016

operating budget for the church in July.

We are also working to change the

stewardship process.

We welcome your feedback. Please contact a

member of the Finance Committee with any

questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Chug-a-rum! Frugal Froggie, Dan Austin, Dianne

DeVore, Bob Dunn, John Kay, Jan Mandernach, Frits

Pronk, Phil Smith, Trish Spinner, and Elmer Turner.

Tower Notes

Notes

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

PRAYER CONCERNS: Thank God for our freedoms!

NEW ADDRESS René and Helen Corcoran 3319 Tallywood Court Sarasota, FL 34237-3224 Cell: 1-217-358-4283

THANK YOU Dear Friends (Mission Committee), Thank you for your donation to the Northeast Community Fund for feeding and reaching out to families in need. In May we assisted 1582 families with a Food Basket and of those families, 78 were new families. You are a faithful and generous community partner. Thank you!! Jerry Pelz, director

Thanks to the Adult Ministry team for organizing the 2nd Annual Church Picnic last Sunday, including Rob & Katie Eytchison, Pam Neeley, Paul & Verlyn Rosenberger, & Donna Washburn. Despite the erratic weather, 50 people met in the dining room, ate a wonderful variety of food, played games and enjoyed time together. There will be another summer opportunity to get together on Sunday, July 19 from 4-6 pm, to hear about India and enjoy a light meal. Be sure to mark your calendar now.

Mission Committee, Thank you for your support of the Oasis Day Center. During 2014, 2429 individuals walked through the doors at Oasis Day Center. We are committed to utilizing the Oasis Day Center as a safe haven for individuals who are homeless or have nowhere else to go, regardless of the reason. Again, your support is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Diana Knaebe, President/CEO

PRAYER SHAWL GROUP’S RECENT VISIT TO AN ALPACA FARM

SUMMER FUN AT FIRST PRES

You are invited to attend two special events this

summer for food, fun, and fellowship:

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 4:00 – 6:00,

EXPERIENCING INDIA, A COUNTRY OF

CONTRASTS! Cathy and Chuck Force will share

pictures of their brief trip to the “Golden Triangle”

of New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur (the Pink City) after

their Hindu wedding

A light supper will follow at 5pm.

Sign up in the church office or Gathering Room by

Sunday, July 12th

, so the meal can be planned.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 4:00 – 6:00,

GOING TO DUBAI with John Kay

VERY GOOD

July 5 SUNDAY GREETERS

Before Service #1 Yvonne Lewis #4 Cheryl Thompson #2 Sue Grieve #5 Wally Minnis #3 Marsha DeVore Computer Tech Andrew Taylor Web Team Media Tech Theresa Boes Jackie Evans Andy Rauff

July 5 COMMUNION SERVERS 8:00 a.m. – Marty Cushman 9:15 a.m. – Pam Neeley 10:30 a.m. – Current Elders & Deacons Other Elders Sue Grieve Verlyn Rosenberger Susan Moore Connie May Jody Hantel Kathy Beube Kathy Thornton Norm Jensen Cheryl Thompson Sue Weinstein July Newsletter Volunteers Money Counters Yvonne Lewis Jean Gift Susie Marshall Mildred Weaver Shirley Moore

ALPACA FARM

E-mail concerns to: amcelder@comcast.net

WORSHIP SERVICES

July 5, 2015 6TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Rev. John S. Kay, preaching Mac Moore, 8:00 a.m. lay leader

Jackie Lawton, 9:15 a.m. service leader Verlyn Rosenberger, 10:30 a.m. lay leader

Scripture

II Cor. 12:2-10

Sermon “The Discipline of Freedom”

Flowers

The flowers this Sunday are given by Brenda Aymer in loving memory of her

brother, Ron Boyer.

July Ushers Myung Kim, captain

Joli Cirks Debbie and Ralph Czerwinski

Eric Nevitt-sub Nancy and Tom Force

Charlie Platt-sub Trish Spinner

David Williams

Worship Aids Children’s bulletins, large-print Bibles, and

hearing amplifiers are available for use during worship. Ask any usher.

AVAILABLE FLOWER DATES: July 12

Purchase Sunday flowers in memory

of your loved ones- 429-4195 or fpdec@comcast.net.

Caregiver's

Support Group will not meet in July. If you

need to contact someone,

you may call Phyllis

McPherron at 412-8838 or

Connie Requarth at 972-

6304.

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.

DINNER AT THE GOOD SAMARITAN INN ON JULY 5

On Sunday, July 5, we will be preparing and

serving Sunday dinner to the diners at the

Good Samaritan Inn.

How can you help?

You can help assemble the casseroles,

prepare fruit, get desserts ready, etc. No experience is needed.

We will meet at the Inn at 9:00 a.m. You can also come to the Inn

immediately following the 8:00 service. The casseroles will go into

the ovens in time for you to attend the 10:30 service.

A big thank you to the 9:15 service attendees for volunteering to

serve the meal.

Thanks to everyone for donating sweets, cooking the meat, and

volunteering your time. We could not serve these hungry people

without your help.

Volunteers Needed Beth Bachtold is the registration coordinator for the Rodney T. Miller Lakeside Triathlon. This year's event is Sunday, July 12, with the kids’ race on Saturday, July 11. She is looking for

volunteers to work at packet pick-up on Friday evening, July 10 from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday evening July 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. or Sunday morning, July 12 from 5 to 7 a.m. The pre-race packet pick-up is at the lakefront at Nelson Park, very close to the Beach House restaurant.

Volunteers, who would not need to miss Sunday morning church activities, will check athlete IDs and distribute race materials like bike and helmet stickers, swim caps, and shirts. Volunteers can work an entire three-hour shift or just an hour or two.

If you are interested and available, sign up with your information and preferences at www.decaturtriathlon.com/volunteer.aspx. Thank you!

CHURCH SCHOOL HOUR

July 5, 2015 9:00 Everyday Issues: Downstairs Youth area – Math, Science and Faith – On Sunday mornings July 5 and July 12, mathematician Dr. Jim Rauff, biologist Dr. Norm Jensen and Dr. Bill Keagle will lead a discussion on Math, Science, and Faith in the Youth area. The focus will be on how the questions raised by science and theoretical mathematics relate to our faith and belief systems. Is there a conflict between science and faith? Does a scientific understanding of the universe tell us something about the nature of God? Bring all your questions and doubts to the discussion!

10:15 a.m. Chapel Class – Choir Room

GOOD SAMARITAN INN JULY 2, 2015 The first Thursday of each month is when First Presbyterian Church prepares and serves at Good Sam. Hours are: 9-11 a.m. – food preparation 11-1 p.m. – serve The Inn operates solely on the good hearts of volunteers. It is located at 920 N. Union Street.

2 VOLUNTEERS wanted FOR AUGUST NEWSLETTER – 429-4195 OR email fpdec@comcast.net.

July Birthdays

Katya Sublett—2 Kelsey Dunn—3 Dennis Paul—3 Thomas Hostetler—7 Jan Kelsheimer—8 Mary Shepherd Walker—9 Mary Winick—9 Charlie Blackburn—11 Molly Paul—12 Lucy Lundt—14 Rachael Paul—15 Naomi Davis—16 Alan Tish—16 Will Yepsen—16 David Falk—18 Maddie Locke—18 Pixie Fennessey—19 Dick Ward—22 Michael Delaney—23 Cheryl Schmidt—23 Maddox Anderson—24 Peg Luy—24 Vern Holmlund—25 Jennifer Wittig Bagnas—27 Rich Harned—27 Barbara Keagle—27 Courtney Kingery—27 Brooke Nelson—27 Carl Schloz—28 Rob Cook—30 Don Luy—30 Tyler Melvin—31 Joan Tinch—31

Did we forget someone? Please let us know!

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

July 2015

BR – Bell Room C – Chapel CR - Choir Room DR – Dining Room GR – Gathering Room L – Library PO – Pastor’s Office S – Sanctuary YA – Youth Area - Basement

(7am-AA) 1 8:30am Tower Notes Folders – L 9:30am Parish Visitors – GR 1:30pm Worship Planning – L 5:00pm String Band Practice– CR

(7am-AA) 2 7:00am Men’s Bible Study-GR 9:00am Volunteers @ Good Sam

(7am-AA) 3

Office Closed

(7am-AA) 4

5 Sacrament of the Lord’s

Supper 8:00am Worship – Chapel 9:00am Serving at Good Sam 9:00am Christian Education 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 4:00pm Serendipity – PO

(7am-AA) 6 8:30am Money Counters

(7am-AA) 7 10:30am Staff Meeting – YA

(7am-AA) 8 8:30am Tower Notes Folders – L 1:30pm Worship Planning – L 5:00pm String Band Practice– CR

(7am-AA) 9 7:00am Men’s Bible Study-GR

(7am-AA) 10

(7am-AA) 11

12 8:00am Worship – Chapel 9:00am Christian Education 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 4:00pm Serendipity – PO

(7am-AA) 13 8:30am Money Counters

1:00pm Pink Smoke – C 5:00pm Nominating Comm. -GR

(7am-AA) 14 10:30am Staff Meeting – YA 4:00pm Health Ministry - L

(7am-AA) 15 8:30am Tower Notes Folders – L 1:30pm Worship Planning – L

5:00pm String Band Practice– DR

(7am-AA) 16 7:00am Men’s Bible Study-GR

(7am-AA) 17

(7am-AA) 18 Youth leave for Montreat!

19 8:00am Worship – Chapel 9:00am Christian Education 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 4:00pm Evangelism Fellowship

Series – India – GR 4:00pm Serendipity – PO

(7am-AA) 20 8:30am Money Counters

1:30pm Women’s Bible Study-GR

(7am-AA) 21 10:30am Staff Meeting – YA

(7am-AA) 22 8:30am Tower Notes Folders – L

1:30pm Worship Planning – L 5:00pm String Band Practice– CR 5:30pm Evang. & Memb. Mtg-L

(7am-AA) 23 7:00am Men’s Bible Study-GR 5:30pm Women’s Night Out

@ St. Nicholas Grille 101 S. Main St.

(7am-AA) 24

(7am-AA) 25 Youth return from Montreat!

26 8:00am Worship – Chapel 9:00am Christian Education 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 4:00pm Serendipity – PO

(7am-AA) 27 8:30am Money Counters 1:00pm Pink Smoke – C

(7am-AA) 28 10:30am Staff Meeting – YA

(7am-AA) 29 8:30am Tower Notes Folders – L 1:30pm Worship Planning – L 5:00pm String Band Practice– CR

(7am-AA) 30 7:00am Men’s Bible Study-GR

(7am-AA) 31