T h e F i r s t P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h o f N a p l e s
January 2015
IN THIS ISSUE From Dr. Browne Music
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Missions Presbyterian Women Calendar
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Preschool
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Children and Youth News and Events
9 9 Preschool students Ella Linares and Bristol Bunting
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Rev. Dr. Will Browne,
Interim Pastor/Head of Staff
We begin a new year – the mental marking of our organization of days so that we can track our lives. 2015 – it seemed a long time away at a time in my life that seems like it was just yesterday. It gets to me to think about time and leads me back to this quote from Presbyterian writer and pastor, Frederick Buechner.
willb@fpcnaples.org
as Isaiah says (57:15), “inhabiteth eternity” but stands with one foot in time. The part of time where he stands most particularly is Christ, and thus in Christ we catch a glimpse of what eternity is all about, what God is all about, and what we ourselves are all about too.” I believe we love and serve our God who created time itself. I believe God can stand both within and without time and that God’s love and grace transcend all limits of time. 2015 will be the year God chooses it to be. But for me it starts well as it starts in grace with all of you at FPCN.
“Eternity is not endless time or the opposite of time. It is the essence of time. If you spin a pinwheel fast enough, all its colors blend into a single color—white— which is the essence of all the colors of the spectrum combined. If you spin time fast enough, time-past, timepresent, and time-to-come all blend into a single timelessness or eternity, which is the essence of all times combined. As human beings we know time as a passing of unrepeatable events in the course of which everything passes away— including ourselves. As human beings, we also know occasions when we stand outside the passing of events and glimpse their meaning. Sometimes an event occurs in our lives (a birth, a death, a marriage — some event of unusual beauty, pain, joy) through which we catch a glimpse of what our lives are all about and maybe even what life itself is all about, and this glimpse of what “it’s about” involves not just the present, but the past and future too. Inhabitants of time that we are, we stand on such occasions with one foot in eternity. God,
_________________________ ~originally published in Wishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner, Harper & Row, 1973 p. 23
The Staff of First Presbyterian Church of Naples thanks you for all the Christmas wishes and holiday cheer you’ve sent our way and wishes you a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed New Year. It’s been a privilege to serve you and we look forward to a prosperous 2015!
Music
Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, briceg@fpcnaples.org
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A Season of Music The Chrysalis Chamber Players Sunday, January 25, 2015 4:00 p.m.
Rutter Requiem The Chancel Choirs of First Presbyterian Church and Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church Brice Gerlach and James Cochran, conductors Sunday, February 22, 2015 4:00 p.m.
The Chrysalis Chamber Players present a concert of music from the Baroque era. Highlights include the Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, the Harpsichord Concerto in D minor and the Double Concerto for Oboe and Violin by *concert location—Vanderbilt J. S. Bach. Featured soloists are: Mary Bowden, Presbyterian Church trumpet, Catherine Lam, harpsichord, Judy Christy, oboe and Daniela Shtereva, violin. You will not want to miss the opportunity to hear a Baroque chamber orchestra in a live concert. This is a unique concert that will showcase amazing talent. You will recognize many of these famous pieces.
Mary Bowden
Catherine Lam
In the spirit of musical kinship, the Chancel Choirs of First Presbyterian and Vanderbilt Presbyterian Churches combine for a concert celebrating the music of John Rutter. Rutter will celebrate his 70th birthday in 2015. The featured work for this concert is his much beloved Requiem with Michele Byrd as the soprano soloist. In addition, the choirs will sing many favorite anthems by the British composer including Look at the World, For the Beauty of the Earth and A
Gaelic Blessing.
Judy Christy
Daniela Shtereva
Please note...this concert will be held in the Sanctuary of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, 1225 Piper Boulevard. Plan to arrive early to secure your seat!
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Missions
Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net
Please put these dates on your calendar for 2015: February 6 - Workday at Mision Peniel
February 28 Meals of Hope
ó and didn’t you just love our 2 Santa's who signed you up? Pat Warner and Ed Wilson?),
February Mission Tour
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Missions
Betty Mangos, Mission Committee Chair, cmangosdds@comcast.net
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Feed the 5,000 Luke 9:10-17 April 11 - Relay for Life The Salvation Army is the food pantry that gets our January collections. The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Their mission is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to meet human needs in His name. Suggested items are: 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Missions
cans kidney, pinto or baked beans cans tuna, chicken, or ham jar peanut butter jar jelly or jam can fruit can vegetables box macaroni and cheese pound dry pasta jar pasta sauce pound rice
Ushers will have a Publix bag ready for you as you leave the Sanctuary on the first Sunday of the month. Please return it with your donated items to the Sixth Street entrance of our church when you come to worship on the second Sunday of the month. Checks are welcome and should be payable to the "First Presbyterian Church" with the memo marked "Feed the 5,000."
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Presbyterian Women
GATHERING NEWS The Gathering on January 7 will be a style show by Chico’s featuring outstanding FPC ladies as models of the lovely clothes. The luncheon will be at noon in Spencer Hall. Reservations may be made following church services on Sunday, January 4 for $7.
Ann Goodnight, PW Moderator, flgoodnight@aol.com
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARDED AT DECEMBER GATHERING Honorary Life Memberships are awarded to individuals by their local church groups to honor members for their commitment to Christ and the mission of the church. This tradition was started in 1912 and the contributions to this fund support the training of women for future leadership in the church.
First Presbyterian Women awarded an Honorary Life Membership to Betty Mangos. Betty has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since 2003 and has served the Presbyterian Women in many committee positions as Chico’s of Venetian Village well as Moderator. She has also been on congregational presents a one of a kind style show committees and Board of Deacons and is now serving as featuring ten models of our very an Elder on Session. In an attempt to surprise her with the own Women’s Circles to bring us announcement she was not forewarned. As we started to joy and lots of smiles. tell about it she could not be found at a luncheon table but was found in the kitchen helping to clean up! The menu for the luncheon is Congratulations and thank you . meatloaf, oven roasted potatoes, salad and dessert.
BIBLE STUDY NEWS The circle Bible Study continues with the video of the third month, GREAT THINGS FOR US, shown on January 12 and 22 at 10 a.m. in Room 204 and studies at the circle meetings. Please watch the bulletin for information on a weekly study to begin later in January.
Thank You
BLANKET and WARM CLOTHING COLLECTION
Thank you for your generosity during 2014; as of December 15, 2014, your PW pledges or donations The annual collection of new or gently used blankets, totaled $10,920.00. We had budgeted $7,900 for 22 single bed linens, sweatshirts, sweaters and jackets will be different benevolent agencies and of that total, we donated held on January 18 for St. Matthews House, the local $7,784.91. Besides that, we gave a $750 Christmas shelter for the homeless. Monetary donations are also donation to Mision Peniel bringing our total up to accepted, please make checks payable to Presbyterian $8,534.91. Women. Items can be brought to the table in Spencer Hall.
FEBRUARY 4 GATHERING Our program will be guest speaker, Reverend Miguel Estrada of Mision Peniel, who will share information on this mission program in our area.
When you add in the amounts that were given through our different collections through the year (an additional amount of $2,839.18), Presbyterian Women donated, as of December 15, 2014, a grand total of $11,374.09. Many lives have been touched by your generosity. Thank you for making all of that possible!
Calendar
Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, sandyp@fpcnaples.org
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January SUNDAY
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MONDAY
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8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Installation of Officers 10:15 a.m. Children’s Sunday School 11 a.m. Adult Ed. Class 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
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Church office closed
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking
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7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate
10 a.m. Sew&Sews 11 a.m. HUDDLE 4 p.m. Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking
9 a.m. Prayer Shawl 11 a.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group 11 a.m. Personnel Committee
10:30 a.m. PW Coordinating Team 12 p.m. PW Gathering 2 p.m. Budget/ Finance 4 p.m. PNC meeting 7 p.m. Choir
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location)
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8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 10:15 a.m. Children’s Sunday School 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
10 a.m. PW Bible study video 10:30 a.m. Men’s Club
7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking
8 a.m. Facilities Committee 9 a.m. Prayer Shawl
4 p.m. PNC meeting OUTREACH 7 p.m. Choir DEADLINE 11 a.m. HUDDLE 4 p.m. Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
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7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate
9:30 a.m. Love Circle 10 a.m. Friendship Circle 12 p.m. Sunshine Circle 1 p.m. Peace/Honor Circle 3 p.m. Welcome Back Tea 4 p.m. PNC meeting 7 p.m. Choir
10 a.m. Sew&Sews 10 a.m. PW Bible study video 11 a.m. HUDDLE 4 p.m. Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking 6 p.m. Dinner for All
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8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 10:15 a.m. Children’s Sunday School 11 a.m. Adult Ed. Class 11 a.m. Ice Skating trio 12 p.m. Cumberland Church
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location)
9 a.m. Prayer Shawl 9:30 a.m. Faith/Joy Circle 5:30 p.m. Deacons
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8:30 & 10 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. New Member Class 11 a.m. Naples Zoo trip 12 p.m. Cumberland Church 4 p.m. Season of Music Concert
7:30 a.m. Blood Drive 10:30 a.m. Men’s Club
7 a.m. Breakfast Bible Study (separate
4 p.m. PNC meeting 11 a.m. HUDDLE 7 p.m. Choir 4 p.m. Youth Group 7 p.m. Cumberland Church
location)
9 a.m. Prayer Shawl 4 p.m. Session
9:30 a.m. Cookie Baking
SATURDAY
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Preschool 2015-2016 Preschool Enrollment Enrollment start dates: Church members January 12, 2015
Current students and siblings January 26, 2015 Open enrollment February 9, 2015
Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org
Andelino began by using the power of social media (Facebook) to get his friends and family involved. He’s been collecting food from participating friends and adding it under his family’s Christmas tree. He’s even used money he received for his birthday to buy food to add to the collection. He and his mother will have delivered the collection of food items to the Harry Chapin Food Bank by the time you read this article.
Enrollment packets will be available in the church and preschool offices and online beginning in January. Happy New Year! No doubt by now you have enjoyed time with family and friends, opened the gifts, thrown away the paper and bows, and may be contemplating when to take down the Christmas decorations. Christmas is a wonderful time of year for both young and old. I personally enjoy seeing the Preschool children’s faces as we celebrate the holiday with parties. By the time we are finished, there is so much energy and excitement in the air that Christmas break is a must for the teachers! Everyone needs a chance to recharge their batteries. Many of the Preschool teachers have their students participate in a literacy activity this time of year when the children draw a picture, cut out magazine pictures, or “write” a letter explaining what they want for Christmas. Quickly the pages can be filled with dolls, Legos, action figures, bikes, and most recently, tablets and cell phones. A friend of mine had a different idea this year. A previous student of mine, Andelino, from another child care facility where I was once employed, decided he wanted to give more than he received this year. Andelino celebrated his 13th birthday in early December. He wanted to help those individuals less fortunate than himself this holiday season so he began a food drive.
First Presbyterian Church offers the chance to participate in the Angel Tree to provide Christmas presents to children that may not otherwise receive gifts. We also participate in Feed the 5000. We offer the chance to package meals for Meals of Hope. There are lots of opportunities to share our fortunes with others. Remember to always count your blessings; never overestimate your fortunes while underestimating other’s misfortunes. Spread the love and compassion of Jesus Christ all year long.
Ashley Houk Preschool Director
Shana Dublan, Director of Children and Family Ministries shanad@fpcnaples.org
Children and Youth
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Family, children and youth Events Youth Sunday Outing - January 18 Plan to attend our Youth Sunday outing to Germain Arena for ice skating. Please join us for the 10 a.m. worship service and we will leave after church. We will enjoy McDonald’s for lunch and be back at the church by 3 p.m.
We are launching a parent’s night out called “First Fridays”. February 6 from 5-9 p.m. is our very first night. We will have a themed evening with a movie, dinner and crafts based on the movie Cars. Christian Education is looking for volunteers to help with set up, dinner, crafts and clean up. These jobs Family Outing Sunday, January 25. will not take the whole four hours, so if you are able Directly following the 10 a.m. service we will head to to donate a small amount of time I WANT TO TALK the Naples Zoo for an afternoon of fellowship and TO YOU. fun. This event is only $5 per person and requires pre-registration. Are you a skier? We have planned a week of fun and would like you to join in. We are looking for chaperones to help with our Spring Break Ski trip. The trip will take place in March. For more information about participating please call Shana Dublan.
News and Events
If you are interested in any of the above events either as a volunteer or participant, please contact Shana Dublan, Director of Children and Family Ministries, at shanad@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311 ext. 229.
Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
HUDDLE
Dinner for All
All men are invited to a lunch time Bible Study each Thursday at 12 p.m. in Spencer Hall. On January 8 we will continue with the study of Jude and then 2 Peter.
Each month we gather in groups of usually 5-8 in the comfortable setting of someone's home for fellowship and a meal. Church members, friends, couples and singles, are invited to Dinner for All on Friday, January 23, 2015.
Please bring your lunch and a Bible.
For more information or reservation, please contact Diane Stellema at 239.455.8796.
Prayer Shawl Ministry meets each Tuesday from 9—10:30 a.m. in the Youth Room. Please feel free to join us when you can. For information contact Gail Clark at 313.310.0282
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News and Events
Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
Thank You WHAT can we say? December 21 at the 10 a.m. service was a very humbling experience for us. Money counting was a labor of love for us, but unfortunately, with other obligations at Moorings Park, the days are not long enough. The proclamation was wonderful but the beautiful cross was too much. It is so meaningful to us as we well remember the Saturday the huge glass cross came into the Sanctuary inch by inch. It meant so much then and this lovely miniature brings back beautiful memories. We have it in our bedroom opposite our bed so it is the last thing we see at night and the first thing we see in the morning. What a way to start the day! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts--we are grateful, we are teary, we are overwhelmed. Dan & Sherrie MacLea
1 vacuum cleaner—$900 Replacement of 4 round tables—$400 Replacement of 2 Christmas trees for Spencer Hall—$880 each Locked cabinet for audio/visual equipment in the Youth Room Pulpit and Lectern (See Will Browne)
Donations for the above items would be welcomed and appreciated. Please contact Sharman Pfaus (sharmanp@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311) with any questions on the items for the wish list.
January 21, 2015 3 p.m. Join us for an afternoon tea to welcome back our winter residents. Everyone is invited. Reservations required 239.262.1311
Many thanks to Janie Brown Casassa who fulfilled the wish list item of 4 round tables and to Jackie Cusick for her contribution towards one new vacuum cleaner.
In Memoriam Katherine Dix October 18, 2014
Ann Stork November 8, 2014
Joan Crosby December 9, 2014
Alice Sherwood December 22, 2014
William Craig December 21, 2014
News and Events
Kathleen Law, Coordinator of Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org
BLOOD DRIVE
The Men’s Club
Monday, January 26 7:30 a.m.—12 p.m.
Welcomes
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Sign up in Spencer Hall on January 11 & 18 or call Mary Vande Voren 239.353.1620
Rev. Dr. Will Browne Monday January 12, 2015 Eat before giving blood Drink water on donation day Photo ID is required There is no upper age limit
New Member Class If you are considering making First Presbyterian Church of Naples your church home, in full membership or as an affiliated member with your northern church, we invite you to attend a New Member Class on
Sunday, January 25, 2015 11 a.m. in the Parlor For more information, please contact Sharman Pfaus at sharmanp@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311 ext. 236.
10 a.m. coffee & fellowship 10:30 a.m. program (ladies are welcome) Our guest speaker, Dr. Browne, comes from multiple generations of Presbyterian clergy and an extended mission family who collectively have served and lived in eight countries. He grew up in India as a child of Presbyterian Church (USA) missionaries. He received degrees from the College of Wooster (B.A.), Vanderbilt Divinity School (M.Div.) and Princeton Theological Seminary (D.Min.). Will loves the study, teaching and preaching of the Gospel. As one called to preach, Will has preached in many countries including where his words were translated from English to French, French to Tschiluba and then, Tschiluba to Lingala. Will also has a deep interest in missiology and ecclesiology, loves classical music and Bobbie McFerrin’s jazz, reads fiction and loves movies with happy endings. His travels for the church have taken him to meet with partners in mission in 51 countries. Will is married to the Rev. Dr. Lal Hmingliani Browne who serves as Associate Pastor for Congregational Care at the Church of the Palms in Sarasota, FL. They have a son, Francis, and daughter-in-law, Anne-Catherine, and fantastic granddaughters, Lilly and Emily.
Non-Profit Org. Postage PAID Naples, FL 34102 Permit No. 8
First Presbyterian Church of Naples 250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 www.fpcnaples.org 239.262.1311
Valentine’s Dinner with a Sing-a-long and entertainment by Peter Strachan singer—comic—impersonator accompanied by Brice Gerlach
February 13, 2015 Tickets are available following the services in Spencer Hall or online $15 per person/$30 per couple Includes a delicious meal prepared by St. Matthew’s House Catering and served by our Youth Group. If you have questions, please contact Bill Kearney 239.348.2871 or Jan Garner 239.434.2438