TOWER TIMES, Feb. 1996
First Presbyterian Church
101 E. Foothill Blvd.
Monrovia, CA 91016 (818)358-3297


1996 will be a great year The following is the Stewardship Statement given by Elder Mel Larson on Sunday, January 14, 1996: 1996 will be one of the greatest years of revival and renewal in the history of our church! Almost a year ago the issue of renovating the Social Hall came up again... Being an old retired engineer who loves to design and build things I thought maybe I could help so I joined the committee to plan the new facility. It turned out to be far more than an engineering project for me. It was an experience that deepened my belief in God and very much strengthened my Christian faith. We were a group of very different backgrounds and interests as we started our task of deciding which way to steer the project and how to go about it. As we proceeded our differences seemed to melt away to a common consensus as if someone was steering our hands to a common purpose. Suddenly we realized we were being guided by Gods all powerful hand and helped along for the good of His church and His congregation. Ask the other people who shared in this experience including Dana Young, Les Peterson, David Solid, Eric Beilstein, Bud Moberg, Frank Potter, Chris Escarcega and Luigi Girotto. We have now arrived at the daunting task of raising the funds for the project. Several of us from the original committee opted to continue on the fund raising committee. There was some skepticism about raising the $600,000 the project is estimated to cost and we investigated our options thoroughly. Again God guided our hands to the final unanimous decision which was to seek help from a well recommended consultant. My skepticism has melted away. I believe Gods hand will be there to guide all our hearts and hands in the coming months. Howard Cargill, our selected consultant, is our Joshua. He will lead the people of First Presbyterian Church to build foundations for the future. Be sure to become a part of this exciting adventure and share in this opportunity to strengthen our Christian faith. Dear Lord, we have been blessed with material goods beyond our needs. We often thank you, Lord, for this bounty. We fail to realize, however, that our true blessing comes not through these obvious things but through Your love and the capability You have given to us to love and be loved by others. As we undertake this obvious project that we can all see, feel, touch, help us to reach beyond to the real benefit which is being part of this church and its on going work. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

The Presbytery of San Gabriel
cordially invites you to a
Service of Installation for
The Reverend Cynthia Reyes Fillmore
as Associate Pastor
Sunday, February 11, 1996
Four oclock in the afternoon at
First Presbyterian Church
101 E. Foothill Boulevard
Monrovia, California

Reception to follow


The Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held in the Social Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 4th. Everyone is invited. The Fellowship Committee is providing spaghetti, rolls, drinks, and table settings. They are asking all those families whose last names begin with A-M to bring a salad for 12 and all those whose last names begin with N-Z to bring a dessert for 12. The various fellowship groups in the church are being asked to decorate tables. The most interesting table will be awarded $50.00 for their 1996 activities! Table decorating may begin after 4:00 p.m. Come and bring family and friends to this night of food and fellowship.

Session

Session Committee Chairs gathered in the Fireside Room, January 18th, for a dinner, graciously prepared and served by our pastors. It was agreed that Budget and Planning would meet for dinner, prior to  Committee meetings each month. Cost of dinner will be shared by all. The remainder of our time together was spent discussing our budgets.

At 7:15 p.m., Pastor Ripley opened the Session meeting with a tape: John MacArthurs Marks of a Healthy Church. Such a church must have Godly leaders, functional biblically-based goals and objectives, and must have a strong emphasis on discipleship. 

The Clerk of Session, Dana Young, then received approval on the Minutes and the Clerks Report. Jim Mustain, our Treasurer, gave the year-end financial report. Committee Chairs discussed fiscal responsibility and accountability and members of the Session and staff were encouraged to get pre-approval on all bills.

New plan for Staff reports: Both pastors submitted a page-report, included in the Session packets, instead of the previous oral reports.

New faces: Joanne Spring, Art Thomas, Hazel Harken, Leah Wehman, Paula Potter, David Porco, Allen Thomas. There have been new Committee Chairs assigned as the result of members rotating off Session. Linda Horn, Personnel Committee; Paula Potter, Worship; Leah Wehman, Christian Education; and Ed Sharpe, Nominating Committee. Ed has been serving on this committee and hopes to have a Co-Chair to join him.

The main business was the budget, each committee reported its total and the church budget for 1996 has been set at $425,900.

MISSION AND STEWARDSHIP RALLY. Westminster Church, February 3rd, 9:00 - 3;45. Featuring: MARJ CARPENTER, G.A. Moderator-dynamic and humorous speaker, AND DR. PETER KUZMIC. Professor of Mission at Gordon Conwell Seminary, a respected authority, another tremendous speaker. Also featuring European pastry, Hungarian folk dancers, fantastic European food fair for lunch for reservation and information call 714-289-1019. INFORMATION and update on HABITAT: The Duarte project needs volunteers and has posted the dates of February 3rd and 17th. Call BILL McKINLEY, 818-355-7407. Help us finish the first 8 units and move the families into their new homes. SALVOS to our adult groups Mission Giving. Betsy Guyers fine and complete report is on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Here are just the totals: 4th Sunday collections in Narthex to EVSH & Unity Center $1171.75 Deacons-Foothill Unity Center 1988.65 PWC to Unity & PW of Presbyterian Outreach 2675.00 Mariners Cargo 850.00 WONDERFUL! THANK YOU! TOTAL $6685.40 STARTING NEW ASSIGNMENTS: Tony and Jodi Egan, our missionary family with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Tony is implementing a computerized maintenance program for the Buildings and Grounds Department. Jodi will be doing bookkeeping in the same Department. Theyre renting a new 4-bedroom house which they hope to buy in 6 months. Extra copies of their letter in the Narthex. IN our January 10th meeting, we discussed the needs of our own Youth, leadership, the search for a Youth Director. We ask all of you to pray daily that God will send us the right person to direct our youth. ON a table in the Narthex, theres a great $2 bargain: Mission Study Yearbook. NOT every seat is taken! We have a place for YOU! Join us Feb. 7, for the Mission Committee in the Fireside Room at 7:00 p.m.
New Bible Study Lorie Pope Pauly will be teaching a new Bible Study beginning February 18 at 10:30 a.m. This is an exciting opportunity to learn what authority we Christians have to use Jesus name in doing business on His behalf. Expect to take hold of the power of His name and let Him change your life! Youll come away with a better understanding of your value in the Body of Christ. See you in the Fireside Room!!! Community Healing Service Sunday, February 25 6:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church First Presbyterian Church Worship Team Rev. Ripley will preach the message Come, join in this special community service! Service of Reconciliation and Covenant Sunday, March 31st 7:00 p.m. First United Methodist Church Born out of a vision to symbolically and intentionally create an environment for racial reconciliation through Christ, Rev. Greg Douglass has invited the community of Monrovia to come together as the Body of Christ. Our prayer is that this time of worship will offer healing and hope to our broken world. Let us each commit to join our brothers and sisters for this worship service. YOUTH DIRECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE The Search Committee has been hard at work the last couple months sending position descriptions and flyers to churches and Christian colleges in the area. Some applications have been received and the committee will begin interviews in February. The Committee will also be contacting churches and schools personally, to ensure they are aware that the position is still available. Please pray that God will lead them to the person He has called and chosen for Youth Director of our church. The Body of Christ Which part of the Body of Christ are todays youth? They are the hands of the body, reaching out through new fellowship activities to welcome others into Christian life. Youth are also the eyes of the body, looking eagerly to the start of our second millennium since Christ. And they are the feet of the body, carrying the church into the future. Youth will be the decision makers, the planners, the teachers, and the parents. The future of the church lies in the hearts of the youth, and I can assure you the hearts of the youth lie in the hands of God. Stacy Rupprecht, a young adult member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona, as printed in the 1995 Mission Yearbook of the Presbyterian Church, p. 129. Please continue to pray for the Youth Director Search Committee.

C.M.A.T.

During the coming months, please pray for the Childrens Ministry Action Team. We continue to listen for the Holy Spirits leading as we develop plans and goals that are in keeping with Gods purposes for His children.

Childrens Ministry News

A significant part of Childrens Sunday School last year was Betty Wilsons regular times of sharing missions around the world. Beginning this month, on the first Sunday of each month, Betty and Ann Archer will again be coming to both hours of Childrens Sunday School and introducing us to peoples from around the world and their need for Christ. Betty embraces our children with love and shares missions as a living, integral part of our daily Christian walk. Thank you to Betty Wilson, Ann Archer and the Missions Committee!!!!


Kids Choir News

Were working hard singing rounds (the first step to learning harmony parts!) and practicing speech rhythms, or ostinatos. Marge Platt has been a great help in keeping us looking good in our robes and concentrating on our work. Taping our performance songs for practice at home seems to be working well; let us know if you have any suggestions or ideas about practicing. Our rehearsal dates for February will be the 7th and 21st, at 4:00 p.m. in the choir room, with a possible performance on February 25th at the 10:30 service. Our biggest need at this time is for snacks to give us energy to practice. If youd like to contribute, well be happy to accept, things like fish crackers, cookies, fruit, punch or lemonade. You can either drop the snacks by just before practice or give them to Kathee or Debbie to start a kids choir snack pantry. Please dont contribute any candy thoughwere all sweet enough as it is! Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!    

Love, Kathee and Debbie

Just a little note Many thanks to all you generous people who have contributed flowers for our sanctuary every Sunday year after year. Our service was surely blest by your generosity and our shut-ins given pleasure when the Deacons delivered the flowers following the service. I am not a shut-in, but received part of last Sundays bouquets and can only assume its because Im retiring as flower chairman. The flowers were lovely and I thank you. Any future flower planning will be handled by Elaine Smith at 357-2951. Mary Lou Kropke (Thank you Mary Lou for many years of service as Flower Chairman) All of Ruth Kramers friends will be distressed to hear that she has had a stroke while visiting her daughter in Germany. Her speech and mind are completely all right, but she is paralyzed on her left side. She would appreciate hearing from any of her friends. Send mail: c/o Judy Schluchter Am Stenpatt 53 48341 Altenberge, Germany
Promise Keepers 96 Nothing is so crucial to men today as leadership. Churches, families, and communitiesthe worldare all crying out for men of conviction, integrity and action - for men who will not betray what they believe - for men with a mission. This past summer over 700,000 men were drawn to PROMISE KEEPERS CONFERENCES across the country. Their hearts were stirred to honor and worship Jesus Christ. Starting on Monday, Feb. 5, our church will be showing the first of six speakers that have spoken at one of the conferences over the last three years. This will begin a six week series for men and women in our church. We encourage women to come and watch these outstanding speakers and see for themselves what Promise Keepers is really about. Each film will be shown from 7:30 - 8:30 on Monday nights, in the Fireside Room. Men, you dont want to miss any of these films. Ladies, bring the man in your life to these films or come by yourself beginning Feb. 5 with Chuck Swindolls talk entitled The Power of a Promise Kept. More information and dates will follow. Mens Ministry Men, get out your calendars. Mark these dates! Saturday, February 10th at 8:00 a.m. Second Saturday Breakfast in the Fireside Room. The men of Monrovia Presbyterian Church will prepare the food. We are encouraging a few more churches in the area to join us. If you have never been to a breakfast meeting this would be a good one to try. Bring a friend! Promise Keepers Bible Study meets every Monday evening 7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. All men welcome! Great news: Our Bible Study group has paid all the expenses to allow our Pastor to attend the Pastors Promise Keepers Conference in Atlanta, Georgia from February 13-16. Have a wonderful, safe, and blessed trip, Bill. The Gathering of Men is hosting a breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton on Wednesday, February 28th at 6:30 a.m. The speaker is retired seven-term Congressman Bill Dannemeyer. During his tenure he was often called the Taxpayers Watchdog. He is an entertaining and stimulating speaker. the combination of political insights and Christian faith will be something you wont want to miss. See Bill Ripley or Jeff Platt for details. The cost is $15 plus $2 for parking. Lets get a bus load!
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN OF THE CHURCH After experiencing a beautiful weekend at the OAKS on our annual retreat this is what we would like to share with you: The Mountain: I want to build a house up on this mountain Way up high where the peaceful waters flowto quench my thirsty soul up on the mountain. I can see for miles up on this mountain. Troubles seem so small they almost disappear. Lord, I love it here up on the mountain. My faith is strengthened by all that I see. You make it easy for me to believe up on the mountain. Oh, up on the mountain. I would love to live up on this mountain. And keep the pain of living life so far away. But I know I cant stay up on the mountain. I said I'd go, Lord, wherever You lead. For where You are is where I most want to be. And I can tell were headed for the valley. My faith is strengthened by all that Ive seen. So Lord help me remember what Youve shown me Up on the mountain. You bring me up here on the mountain for me to rest and learn and grow. I see the truth up on the mountain. And I carry it to the world far below. So as I go down to the valley knowing that you will go with me, this is my prayer, Lord, help me to remember what Youve shown me up on the mountain. Up on the mountain.. I cherish these times up on the mountain. But I can leave this place because I know someday youll take me home to live forever up on the mountain. by: Steven Curtis Chapman & Geoff Moore Mariners Have we got a treat for you! Mariners are sponsoring a fund raiser at Glendale Centre Theatre on March 13th. The musical is ready-made for us, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. The play starts at 8:00, but we will have a church bus leave the parking lot at 6:30, so nobody has to drive if they dont care to. Price of tickets - $12, Ride on bus - $2. We hope to have many from the congregation in addition to Mariners in attendance. For more information call Mary Lou Kropke at 358-8489.
Work Day Saturday, February 10 8 a.m. - 12 noon Please come and help get our church into shape for the spring! Ushering Make new friends! Learn the names of people you sit next to every Sunday in church! We are looking for people, young, younger, old, older, male and female, to usher at our Sunday morning services. No experience necessary, just a smiling face! Please call the church office and leave your name, telephone number, and which service you attend and we will call you and give you all the details about schedules and times. We also need people to run the sound system at the10:30 a.m.service. Its easy to learn. We will train you. See sound system operator any Sunday.
The Joshua Sermon Series Continues in February February 4 Making the Most of Mistakes Joshua 9 February 11 The Day the Sun Stood Still Joshua 10 February 18 Principles for More Victorious Living Joshua 18 February 25 Cynthia Reyes Fillmore to Preach Lenten Sermon Series: The Church Gods New Society By Associate Pastor, Cynthia Reyes Fillmore What does it mean to be the Church of Jesus Christ? The Lenten sermon series, beginning February 25, is based on the book of Ephesians. John Stott calls Ephesians the gospel of the church, because it presents the kind of community that God seeks to create with us in Christ. As the church, we are called to be the Body of Christ and the family of God. We are called to model to the world reconciliation and unity in a way that gives witness to the saving and transforming love of Jesus Christ. Lent is a season of preparation. During this time, we prepare ourselves to celebrate Easter, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In order to help you enter into this season of preparation, weekly study guides for the series will be available beginning Sunday, February 18. Throughout this time, let us be in prayer in two ways: 1) that God will speak to us regarding how the life of Christ is being made manifest in our relationships with one another; and 2) that we will hear through this new understanding of ourselves new ways that we are to bring Christs saving love to the world.
Growth Groups Therapist Pat DeVorss, M.S., M.A., Marriage, Family and Child Counselor Intern will be holding two different programs for counseling opportunity in Room 206. Group size is limited so reservations are a must. The fee for these groups is $5.00 per session, scholarships are available. For more information leave a message for Pat at 358-0155 (L.I.F.E. Counseling). FLYING SOLO Feeling lonely and overwhelmed with the responsibilities of single parenting? Join others in a caring Christian therapy group How to discipline in healthy ways Making your kids feel really loved Time management, energy conservation Dealing with your ex Dating issues Dealing with loneliness How to take care of yourself Eight Sessions, Wednesdays, beginning on August 2nd 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. MAKING PEACE WITH YOUR PAST In a safe Christian therapy group, explore how the painful experiences of childhood have affected who you are today Learn how to change the deep negative beliefs about self-bad, stupid, etc. deal with the sadness of not having the love you needed build healthy relationships set boundaries to protect self and others balance feelings and reason Eight Sessions, Wednesdays, beginning on August 2nd
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© 1996 URLy Sylke All Rights Reserved CREDITS