First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup the Chimes
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First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup The Chimes OCTOBER 2016 412 West Pioneer Puyallup, WA 98371 VOLUME 64, ISSUE 7 253-848-7243 www.fpcpuyallup.org Rev. Sue Watkins, Pastor Neighborhood Spirit Commission “Schools Are Our Valued Neighbors” challenge held surprises and rewarding experiences for several of us. Each of the schools responded with sincere thanks and hugs. Maplewood Elementary posted on facebook a picture of the treats and note they received. They said it was from a local church and it was awesome!! While it is a bit scary to step out and do something like this, all of the reports indicated it was a very rewarding experience. Thank you to all of you who took the challenge! Neighborhood Spirit Commission’s October Challenge is about fire safety. October is fire prevention month. November 6 is when we change our clocks back and we should change the batteries in our smoke detectors that day. “Working Smoke Detectors Save Lives.” Here is the challenge: We will give you a 9 volt battery and a reminder card. You write a note to a neighbor saying that you care about their safety on the reminder card. Then deliver it and the battery to them. As in all of the challenges, pray to the Holy Spirit as you work on and accomplish this challenge. Allow yourself time to experience the encounter. Once you have completed the challenge, please fill out a report and turn it in. You can do this as often as you would like. Consider joining with a family member or friend to do this challenge. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 Page 2 | www.fpcpuyallup.org | October 2016 From Our Pastor We are surrounded by signs of the changing of the seasons. Just last week we were hanging on to the last vestiges of summer, but today it is fall. For lovers of sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and jumping in piles of leaves, there is palpable joy. I’m more of a summer kind of gal, and my season has just ended. Permit me a wistful look back at the warm days of berry harvest, and our anniversary trip to Ocean Shores before I turn my attention to the moment at hand. Then again, it is Blue Friday and I am wearing the Russell Wilson jersey my parents sent me for my birthday! World Communion Sunday is just around the corner, and I think of the Christians all over the world who are also sharing in this sacrament on this day. And I remember my brother in Christ, Ken Turney, who loved “Worldwide Communion Sunday” (as it used to be called) because it was the first time he presided over communion after his ordination many years ago. For us, fall also means a season of reflection on our stewardship. Some pastors shy away from stewardship season, but I do not. It is such a blessing to preach an encouraging word about God’s faithfulness to us as we are reminded to be faithful to him! This year we will spend four Sundays with one passage from 2 Corinthians as we consider our pledges for 2017. The key verse reads: “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us…” Our first message had to do with Abundance. In what ways are we blessed by God, and in what measure? Our second message will be on Thanksgiving. What does our gratitude look like? Third, I will be speaking about Generosity. What does it mean to have a generous spirit? Finally, we will bask in God’s Grace. We do not earn God’s grace by giving. It is just the opposite. God loves us before we do anything for him. God’s grace prompts our response. Fall is a grace-filled season. All seasons are grace-filled seasons because God is the author of them all. Maybe I will go down the street and order a pumpkin spice latte… Armory Meal Preparation & Serving On the 4th Monday of each month at 4:00 pm, our church prepares the meal that is served at the Puyallup Armory to homeless and low-income neighbors. If you would like to help with this ministry, please The Freezing Nights season begins in November. contact Lloyd Morgan (922-7241) or FPC will be hosting guests on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Phyllis Smith (848-5734). Tuesdays through March. Volunteers are always welcome. October 2016| www.fpcpuyallup.org | Page 3 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN “MAY WE CHOOSE LOVE” is the theme for Presbyterian Women this year. Our monthly gatherings will focus on loving ourselves, love in our community, love in our faith, love in our church and love of our family and friends. Gatherings are held the first Monday of each month at noon in the fellowship hall. Our next gathering is October 3. The focus is Love for Ourselves. What do you do to take care of yourself? How do you show love to yourself? There will be an informal discussion, sharing suggestions and ideas of what works for you. Mark your calendar and come learn a new way to love yourself! SUPPER CLUB Have you missed gathering with your friends from Supper Club? Fall has arrived and it is time to kick off our potlucks and programs for the season. PW BIBLE STUDY Our first event will be October 22, at 6:00PM. Steve Fox met with us last spring and shared an interesting 2016-2017 program. At that time, he told us his next trip was to Cuba and many of you expressed an interest in his excursion. This is the question the study will attempt to answer. He has returned from Cuba and will be We will listen to how our four Gospel writers portray sharing his experience with us. Jesus, how Paul describes Jesus, and how Jesus is Looking ahead…..We will also have talked about in Hebrews, and other early Christian Supper Club on November 19 and on writings. Then we will see how our Jewish and Muslim December 17. Mark your calendar so sisters view Jesus from their perspectives in the you don’t miss these exciting programs! Abrahamic faith traditions. Finally, we will consider how Christians from a variety of cultural perspectives answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” Come join in this interesting study within one of three Circles at First Presbyterian. Circle meetings are held in the parlor. The Hoff-Nicholson Circle meets on the 3rd Wednesday at noon, Chase-MacInnes Circle meets the 3rd Thursday at noon and the Eve Circle meets at 7PM on the 4th Thursday of the month. All women of the church are encouraged and invited to attend. PRESCHOOL BAGGING Thank you to those who came to help the Mission Commission with the preschool bagging ministry in September. Our next bagging session is planned for Thursday and Friday, October 27th and 28th, at 9:45 am. We’ll be meeting in the library to pack food bags for our Bates preschool students. All are welcome to participate in this important ministry. October 2016| www.fpcpuyallup.org | Page 4 Scriptures for October October 2, 2016 20th Sunday after Pentecost Lamentations 1:1-6 Psalm 137 2 Timothy 1:1-14 FPC, as a member of the Puyallup Main Luke 17:5-10 Street Association, will be participating in this year’s Boo-Allup in Puyallup trick or treating October 9, 2016 event. Be sure to stop by for a treat! 21st Sunday after Pentecost All dressed up, but nowhere to go? We’d love Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 to have your help handing out treaties to our Psalm 66:1-12 local sweeties. The festivities last from 3-6:00 pm on Halloween. See you then! 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19 YOUTH GROUP October 16, 2016 22nd Sunday after Pentecost The Junior High youth have a very full schedule Jeremiah 31:27-34 for October. Be sure to save the following dates: Psalm 119:97-104 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 October 2 (5:00 pm carpool): Casting Crowns Luke 18:1-8 concert in Kent. October 9 (6:30 pm): Regular Meeting October 23, 2016 23rd Sunday after Pentecost October 16 ( 6:30 pm): Hannah Webber will Joel 2:23-32 speak about her mission work in Psalm 65 England. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 October 23: The youth will be serving Luke 18:9-14 meals at the Tacoma Rescue Mission. October 30, 2016 24th Sunday after Pentecost October 30: Picha Pumpkin Patch Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 Psalm 119:137-144 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 Luke 19:1-10 CORE MINISTRY Youth, ages newborn through 5th grade, are invited to join us for CORE on Wednesday evenings. This mid-week ministry is an opportunity for our kiddos to get together for fellowship and fun. A kid-friendly dinner will be served. We’d love to see you there! Upcoming CORE dates are: October 12th and 26th, 6:00-7:30 pm October 2016| www.fpcpuyallup.org | Page 5 Office News October Birthdays The church office hours are from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please note, the office is closed most Wednesdays from 11:30 am -12:30 pm for 4th- Ramona Adams a weekly staff meeting.