The Montgomery Presbyterian Church Newsletter
T HE C HIMES MAY 2016 Hunter Farrell, Director of World Mission for the PC (USA) Mission Agency writes: “The year 2012 marked the 175thanniversary of international mission by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Over the years, Presbyterian missionaries have planted churches, built hospitals, and started schools on every continent. The seeds sown by those missionaries have, in many places, developed into self-sustaining churches and institutions now led by local Christians. In fact, more than 94 million Christians around the world now belong to churches that were founded or co-founded by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) mission workers. Today, nearly 200 mission co-workers in approximately 50 countries are engaged in equally vital ministries of sharing faith and working against poverty and violence. Presbyterian World Mission helps Presbyterians offer a witness to Jesus Christ in today’s world by sending mission personnel to face the challenges of evangelizing and continuing the historic emphases of the Church. In collaboration with U.S. Presbyterians and global partners, World Mission inspires, equips and connects communities of mission practice to engage in God’s mission: to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, help the most vulnerable—women and children—and promote reconciliation amidst cultures of violence. We invite you to step into the circle of global discipleship with World Mission.” May 15 is PENTECOST Sunday; the day we celebrate the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit given to empower his followers to be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” The session has invited mission co-worker Emily Seitz to share the story of her family’s ministry in Taiwan on that Sunday. I am delighted to have met Emily and Jonathan, mission co-workers with the PC (USA), while they are currently on furlough in Cincinnati. I am looking forward to being encouraged and challenged as we hear what the Spirit of God is doing in the Global Church. I hope you will join us for the celebration.
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Adult Sunday School 9am-10am Coffee & Fellowship: 10am-10:25am Worship: 10:30am-11:30 am Children are dismissed for Godly Play on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Sundays
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CALENDAR MPC EVENTS
Grace and Peace,
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3-4
Michelle
SOWING SEEDS
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Jonathan and Emily Seitz serve at Taiwan College and Theological Seminary at Taipei, helping to prepare leaders for the Taiwanese church. Jonathan serves the school as professor of theology and missiology. The seminarians he prepares for ministry typically begin their ministries in Taiwan’s small, rural churches. In addition, he teaches lay leaders as part of the seminary’s Lay Academy and pastors who return for continuing education.
FINANCE
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PRESBYTERY
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COMMUNITY
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MAY 2016 Sunday 1
Monday 2
Tuesday 3
9:00 am Adult CE, Kemper Parlor
Wednesday 4
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
5
6
7
12
13
14
19
20
21
27
28
6:30p: Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:30p: Choir Rehearsal
10:30 am Worship Service 1:30 pm Montgomery Care Center Jubilant Singers Concert 3pm
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9
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9:00 am Adult CE, Kemper Parlor
Noon– Lunch Bunch
10:30 am Worship Service
6:30p: Bell Choir Rehearsal
Mother’s Day
15
11
7:30p: Choir Rehearsal
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PENTECOST 6:30p: Bell Choir Rehearsal 12 pm Rebekah Circle 10:30a-11:30a: Worship Service
7:30p: Choir Rehearsal
Session
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23
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9:00 am Adult CE, Kemper Parlor
6:30p: Bell Choir Rehearsal
10:30a-11:30a: Worship Service — Ordination/ Installation of Officers
7:30p: Choir Rehearsal
Brunch Following Service 29
30 MEMORIAL DAY
10:30a-11:30a: Worship Service
25
Office closed
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The Chimes
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MPC EVENTS Brunch Following May 22 Worship Fellowship will host a brunch following the Worship Service on Sunday, May 22. A sign up sheet can be found in the Gathering Room. Please sign up if you can attend, so that we may get a head count for planning purposes.
Next Lunch Bunch The next Lunch Bunch is Wednesday, May 12. Join us at noon in the Gathering Room to hear Pastor Michelle speak on the topic of Angels. Bring a bag lunch and join the discussion.
Musicians Needed for Summer Worship Services Calling all musicians! The Worship Committee is looking for musicians to provide Special Music during the Worship services over the summer, while the Chancel Choir is on vacation. If you are willing/able to provide music for our service (or would like to recommend someone) please sign up on the schedule in the Choir Room. For any questions, contact Doug Frank, 513-604-4892 or
[email protected].
May Mission Drive Mother’s Day Card All women of the church are welcome to sign the Mother’s Day card in the Gathering Room. This card, along with a donation, will be sent to Bethany House, in honor of the women of MPC.
Congratulations to our college graduates: Keaha Marsh, Jessica Neuenschwander, Bridget Simpson, and Jennifer Springer.
Blood Drive June 22 The MPC blood drive will be held 5-7 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 in the MPC parking lot. All are invited to donate on that date, and are reminded not to donate after April 22 so that they are eligible in June.
During May we will collect toilet paper for Lighthouse Youth Services. Please leave donations in the bin in the Gathering Room. Thank you for your generosity.
Grace Walther Relocating to MN
MAY 2016
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Fish Fry Results Revenue from the 2016 Fish Fries was $2,594.84. We will round that to $2,600 and present checks of $1,300 each to Eastside Coalition for Habitat for Humanity in Cincinnati and Operation Give Back in Montgomery. Many thanks to all of our volunteers. This would not be possible without all of you.
MPC EVENTS Work days for the 2016 Habitat for Humanity season have been announced: June 4 (MPC provides lunch), July 2, Aug. 13 (MPC provides lunch), and Sept. 17. No experience necessary. Sign up in the Gathering Room. For questions, see Dave Daniels, 300-9073.
What is the Per Capita Contribution About? Periodically the office puts out reminders about paying Per Capita, but what does that assessment mean? And what happens with that money? Per capita funding is how Presbyterians mutually share the costs of coming together to discern the Spirit’s leading for the future. It pays for the expenses of the General Assembly, as well as:
It is how Presbyterians are trained to become better elders and ministers. It is how Presbyterians discern God’s call in their lives. It is how Presbyterians participate in the life of the wider church by serving on GA committees and commissions. It is how Presbyterians participate in the life of the Church universal as we commit ourselves to work and live in fellowship with “all persons in every nation” (Book of Order, G-4.0101)
MPC’s assessment for 2016 is $30 per church MEMBER (not household). We are assessed based on every living member on our rolls and we have to pay that full amount regardless of how many designated per capita contributions we actually receive. To date we have received just 38% of the total amount for which we are assessed. To those who have already submitted a per capita gift, we thank you and are very appreciative. We ask all other members to prayerfully consider making this designated gift. For more information visit http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ecclesial-and-ecumenical-ministries/per-capita/
Adult Sunday School Continues Through May 15: Salvation & Atonement How do Jesus’ death and resurrection “save” us? What does Jesus “save” us from -- or for? Join Adult Sunday School, 9-10am in the Kemper Parlor April 3-May 8, as we study the Bible and discuss these central questions of our faith. Study guided by: Donna Frank, Karen Simpson, and Steve Thiel.
"Better late than never" my father used to say. So I thank you, belatedly, Pastor Michelle and all my MPC friends for cards, thoughts, and prayers sent to me recently. One card said "There is no speed limit on the road to recovery" but for me recovery has been slow and evasive. My dear little Care Bear is precious and has been very comforting----thanks Deacons!! My adventure started with a horrific reaction to medication with the allergy nobody knew I had. It wiped out my appetite and my mental and physical abilities. So it was hospital, re-hab and move to independent living at Mason Christian Village. I'm settling in here and feeling better now. I hope to see you more often but I've given up driving for now. Thank you for your care and concern!! 206-437-9489 so call to chat or come to visit. I miss you all.
My cell number is
Love and Blessings, Mary Ellen Bagamery
The Chimes
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SOWING SEEDS Praise God for the wonderful response to our Sowing Seeds Capital Campaign! If you were in church last Sunday you would have received a one-hundred thousand dollar bar. That’s because in the first six months of our capital campaign we have received $118,000 towards our three-year goal of $280,000. We have been so blessed by the generosity and faithfulness of this congregation. So far we have used these funds to purchase the beautiful new choir robes, pay off the mortgage and enable the finance committee to present a balanced budget for 2016. In addition, we have set aside approximately $11,000 for missions. You will hear more about the use of the mission funds in the coming months. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone in the congregation who has so generously shared their resources as we continue on this spiritual journey.
FINANCE
Reminders from the Treasurer
Pentecost Offering The Pentecost Offering will be received Sunday, May 15. This Offering is devoted to nurturing and guiding young people as they lay the foundations for their futures — providing opportunities to deepen their faith, find the joy in serving others, and seek God’s will for their lives.
If you are going to be purchasing items for the church (food, supplies, flowers, etc.), when possible, please contact the office in advance of the purchase to get a tax exemption certificate for the vendor. This will save the church from being charged tax.
If you are making a contribution to the church via STOCK, please notify the office/Treasurer to be on the lookout for it, as well as to get specific instructions to give to your financial institution so that the transfer can be made efficiently. We will give you the DTC number and the account information.
PRESBYTERY Biblical Imagination Conference with Michael Card June 3-5 Covenant First Presbyterian Church (717 Elm St. Cincinnati) will host a weekend filled with deep spiritual teaching, inspiring music and rich fellowship. Singer, Songwriter and Scholar Michael Card will help us understand the riches, the power, and the artistry of God’s word. For more information, contact Covenant First Presbyterian Church at 513-621-4144 or www.covfirstcurch.org Dates: Conference: Friday, June 3—Saturday, June 4 Friday: 6:30-9:00 pm Saturday: 8:00am-5:00pm Concert: Sunday, June 5 Doors open 6:30; Concert begins at 7:00 pm
Prices: Conference (includes conference materials, refreshments and concert admission) Before 5/3: $68 After 5/3: $88.00 Concert: Before 5/3: $14.00 After 5/3: $18.00
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MAY 2016
Montgomery Women’s Club Destination Paris Luncheon and Fashion Show Saturday, May 14 Doors open at 10:30 am Manor House 7440 Mason-Montgomery Road Fashions by Chico’s Raffle Baskets, Door Prizes, Cupcake Raffle Proceeds support the New Beginnings Program of Assistance Leage of Greater Cincinnati and other community charities. New Beginnings helps victims of domestic abuse start anew. Tickets $35 For reservations call Judi at 513-793-8787
*The Montgomery Woman's Club continues to grow their future, give to the community and have fun. In addition to the Fashion Show, members of our Sew ‘n Sews sewing group, the Lazy Daisy Garden Club, Investment Club, and Card Stamping Club are always active with projects. Additionally, members bring Angel Food cake and gifts to the Montgomery Care Center to celebrate residents’ birthdays. “We will inaugurate our incoming board and officially adjourn for summer, but we won’t be invisible, as we will have volunteers for Fourth of July, Bastille Day and many other activities within the community.” Membership is open to women in the Greater Cincinnati area. Call 513-852-1901 or find us on the web at www.montgomerywomansclub.org .
COMMUNITY Concert May 7 at Sycamore Presbyterian Sycamore Presbyterian Music Series will present a concert Saturday, May 7 at 7pm in their sanctuary. Enjoy classical music by a piano trio (piano, cello, and violin), Salon 21. Jeong-In Kim, the music director for SPC and the pianist of the trio, is dedicating this performance to the congregation in appreciation of her tenure at Sycamore. Be sure to come and enjoy this beautiful chamber music featuring Jeong-In and her two fellow, talented musicians...then talk with the performers after the program. The free concert will feature a free will offering with proceeds benefiting the SPC Music Program.
Jubilant Singers Concert “A Musical Journey” will begin at 3:00 on Sunday, May 1st in the MPC Sanctuary. It will include 2 keyboardists and about 6-8 other instrumentalists including a combo for the presentation of “Momma Mia.” Much of the music represents composers from the world over and traditional /spiritual music from the USA. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Light refreshments will be provided after the concert.
Montgomery Farmers’ Market Opens May 7 What began in 2010 as the MCLA class project, the Montgomery Farmers’ Market will kick off its 7th season on Saturday, May 7, 9am-12:30pm. Happening each Saturday through October in the parking lot of Montgomery Elementary School, this year the Market will see the return of many past favorite vendors bringing a range of produce, fresh eggs, baked goods, and coffee, as well as new vendors who will offer artisan-made cheese, microgreens, and French eclairs and pastries.
THE CHIMES Montgomery Presbyterian Church Newsletter
Looking Ahead... Upcoming Dates of Note
Reverend Michelle Bacon, Pastor Office Hours: 8:30a-4:30p Mon—Thurs
[email protected] 513-891-8670 SUBMISSIONS for THE CHIMES are due by NOON on the 15th day of each month. Send articles to
[email protected]
June Sat. June 4
Habitat for Humanity Work Day
Wed. June 8
Lunch Bunch
Fri. June 10
REDS outing
Wed. June 22
MPC Blood Drive
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Montgomery Presbyterian Church 9994 Zig Zag Road—Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED