Tower Notes Weekly Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Illinois

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Worship Highlights
August 9, 2009
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sarah Grace Moore Montgomery, preaching
Rev. Jim Montgomery, liturgist

Lay Leader
Carol Fuller

Sermon Title
“Living Bread”

Scripture Lessons
Psalm 130
John 6:35, 41-51

Special Music
Come, Ye Blessed
Paul Rosenberger

Flowers

The flowers this Sunday are in loving memory of John May, given by his family.

August Ushers
Myung Kim, captain
Dan Austin, Merrill Dees, Ken French
Kyle Mason, Rob Glenn
Jim May, Jeanette Swartz
Susan Whitaker
Ron Wisher, Mike Zia

Worship Aids

Children's bulletins, large-print Bibles and hymnals, as well as hearing aids, are available for use during worship.

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Pastor's Perspective on…Sunday's Preacher

This Sunday we welcome back One of Our Own into the pulpit. What a joy it is to welcome Sarah Grace Moore Montgomery . Sarah is often assumed to be my daughter; although that's not true, I don't mind claiming her at all.

Sarah is the daughter of Mac and Susan Moore. On July 23, 2005, she and my nephew Michael Montgomery, were married here at First Pres. Sarah grew up in this church and is now a Seminary student in Charlotte, NC. For the last several years, she has been an Inquirer and Candidate under the care of our Session and Presbytery, the steps necessary to take in preparation for becoming an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in our denomination.

Sarah is coming back to the presbytery for her Annual Consultation and, when approached by me and our Session, agreed to preach and lead worship this Sunday. I know you will enjoy seeing her and hearing her preach to her home congregation.

I look forward to seeing her, and to seeing you in worship and in service,

Jim

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9:00 a.m. Adult Church School Hour
Sunday, August 9, 2009

Present Word – New Creation in Christ – Unit III, Called to Choose Life , focuses on discussion of People Rebel. Scripture reading is Numbers 14:1-12. Ray Landon, Audie Penn, and John Winick lead class in the pastor's office.

Everyday Issues Class - Holding on to Personal Independence; Helping Loved Ones Do So – Attorney Dan Moore , who has concentrated his law practice in elder law since 1990, will lead a discussion on many aspects of this important subject, especially focusing on elder care situations. Bring questions!

Adult Connections Class – CHAPEL CLASS

The Chapel Class continues its study of Parables from the Back Side: Bible Stories with a Twist . This Sunday's parable is Ch. 4, “The Seasons of the Soil”. It's Jesus' parable from Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23. Books are available in the church office for $12.50; or you may buy one in class on Sunday.

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Sunday Church Picnic

We are PLANNING A POTLUCK PICNIC for August 23 from noon to 3 at Rock Springs . Write it down now so you won't miss a day to be outside. Of course, if it rains, it will be inside at the church! More on the event next week.

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HANDBELL WORKSHOP

• Learn to ring, review skills, ring some fun music

• Sometime in late August, time and date chosen by participants

• Leave your name in the office, or call Barbara at 875-3655.

• SOON!

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER NEEDS
302 S. Union Street - 428-6616

Healthy snacks
Baby food, bottles and nipples
\Bottled water
Disposable diapers
Baby wipes and lotion
Diaper rash cream
Nose syringes
Medicine measuring spoons and cups
Cough drops and OTC cold medicine
Shampoo and conditioner
Paper towels and toilet tissue
Fabric softener
Large bars of bath soap

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Computer Savvy?

Jackie Lawton , our Sunday computer tech and website manager at First Pres, would like to get to know anyone who is computer knowledgeable to bounce off ideas when she needs them. We have a couple of names, but we certainly don't want to forget anyone who is and would like to contribute (youth included). E-mail Jackie at lawtonj01@comcast.net . It' s not a big commitment at all – just to offer your knowledge and ideas when needed. Thank you.

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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

Monday, August 17
1:30 P.M., Gathering Room

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Now is the time to think about joining the Sanctuary Choir this fall. The first rehearsal will be Wednesday, Sept. 9. Tenors and Basses start at 6:30 PM, and everyone else rehearses from 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM in the second-floor choir room. The choir is made up of singers with different musical abilities, and we have a great time singing together. Come join us if you can!

Doug Nicholson

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Central Illinois Organizing Project

CIOP MEETING WITH FEDERAL RESERVE OFFICERS

We have only eight tickets remaining for the multi-community fact-finding meeting with two U. S. Federal Reserve Officers at the Civic Center on Saturday, August 15 , from 9:30 to noon, sponsored by CIOP.

Here's why we plan to attend:

• We want to join with other CIOP organizers to inform the Federal Reserve Officers about serious economic problems in Central Illinois .

• We want to obtain promises of positive accountable federal actions, such as stimulating the economy.

• We expect to hear a critical keynote address by William Greider, Washington Post Correspondent.

• We believe it's our Christian responsibility and obligation to stand up against injustice.

If you can support the CIOP groups in Central Illinois and can commit to attending this important meeting to demonstrate the need for justice for all, please pick up a free ticket from us this Sunday in the Gathering Room after both services or call us at 877-4789.

Paul and Verlyn Rosenberger,

your CIOP representatives.

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RESHAPING CHRISTIAN IMAGINATION: An open invitation to join Sister Glenda's class

The wonderful thing about Christian tradition is its many stories. The readings and discussions that we engage in invite us as adult Christians to re-imagine and re-evaluate our Christian faith in light of the contemporary story of our expanding universe. Some of the spiritual writers who have guided our quest are Diarmuid O'Murchu, Barbara Fiand, Michael Morwood and Judy Cannato.

You are welcome to join our spiritual journey on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Sessions begin at 2:00 p.m. in the Gathering Room.

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OUR CHURCH FAMILY

PRAYER CONCERNS

Pat Force , cancer

Bill Noblitt , cancer

Laura Lycan is in St. Mary's Hospital.

Ruth Pace is at home and is to be off her feet for a few months.

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THANK YOUS

What a blessing you are to be involved at First Presbyterian Church! We appreciate all our members and friends of First Pres.

Salvation Army will be receiving a piano from us since they have none, compliments of the Worship committee.

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FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP

The deacons are always looking for someone to co-host with them on Sunday mornings in the Gathering Room. Perhaps you would be interested in offering your time once a month or whenever you can be available. Call 429-4195 to add your name, or contact Elysa Montgomery or Lucy Lundt.

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APOLOGY

Women's Night Out is always the 4 th Thursday of the month, except in November, it is on the 3 rd Thursday due to Thanksgiving, and we do not meet in December.

We had listed in our July calendar that WNO was on the last Thursday of the month, July 30, but it is actually on the 4 th Thursday , July 23. From that main calendar, we entered our error on our calendars and in Tower Notes. We deeply apologize and regret that some of you missed going on July 23. Please accept our apology.

The staff at First Pres

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NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Nominating Committee is beginning the process of selecting nominees for the office of elder and deacon for the Class of 2012. If you have a name suggestion, please contact a member of the committee: Gayle Bruckner, Wendy Morthland, Dick Fiala, Linda May, Marty Cushman, or Beth Coit. Gayle has a box in the Library if you want to leave it there.

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Church E-mails

Jim Montgomery –jm1219@comcast.net

Miley Palmer –mileypalmer@comcast.net

Cyndy Ash–cashswimming@gmail.com

Brenda Aymer– bkaymer@gmail.com

Diana Bollinger – fpdec@comcast.net

Marsha Devore – devore.marsha@gmail

Ann Elder– amcelder@comcast.net

Cathy Force –cathyforce@comcast.net

Barbara Keagle – 875-3533

Jackie Lawton –lawtonj01@comcast.net

Jim Lycan –j . lycan@yahoo.com

Phyllis –pmcpherron@comcast.net

Doug Nicholson– nicmusic@aol.com

Jeannie Rade – jeannierade@juno.com

Karen Yepsen– kyymtl@comcast.net