1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

THE MESSENGER
First Presbyterian Church, Fargo
November 2014
All Saints Sunday
On Sunday, November 2, during
worship we will name and recognize
those church members who have died
this past year. There will be an opportunity for family members to come forward to light a
candle in remembrance of their loved ones.
Short-Term Choir Opportunity
Perhaps your schedule does not permit consistent participation in our Sanctuary Choir. We invite you to
join us for one special, short-term choral singing opportunity as we prepare for the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans
Service, November 9. Rehearsal is on Wednesday,
November 5, 7:30-9:00 pm. We will be participating
in both the 9:00 & 11:00 services. Whether you are an
active participant in our choir, an occasional singer,
relative, family friend, or interested guest, you are
welcome. Contact Sally Harmon for more information at sharmon@firstpresfargo.org.
Thanksgiving
Dinner
One of the longstanding traditions of this church has
been to provide meals on Thanksgiving Day to those
who otherwise may not have a meal. You’re being
called on to provide desserts, peel potatoes and chop
vegetables, prepare gravy, carve the turkeys, fill the
trays, deliver the meals and clean up. A book with all
the details for volunteers is located at the Welcome
Desk. You are invited to sign up for the tasks that you
and your family wish to do this year.
Thanksgiving Eve
There will be no Wednesday night activities on
Thanksgiving Eve, November 26. This includes
Wednesday night dinner and music ensembles. The
focus that evening will be preparation for our annual
Thanksgiving Dinner.
Don’t forget to turn
your clocks back 1
hour on November 1.
REMEMBER!
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON NOVEMBER 9
Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans
Join us on Sunday, November 9 at either 9:00 am or
11:00 am, for our annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans worship, to celebrate the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian church. A translation of the name would be
“blessing of the tartans.” Kirk is the Scottish word for
church and a tartan is the plaid-patterned fabric, usually wool, that clans or families use to distinguish
themselves from other clans. Essentially, tartans provide a visual link to clan identity and heritage.
Kirkin’ worship services have been held throughout
North America since the early 1940’s, but the tradition is rooted in 18th century Scottish faith and patriotism. It is said that when English conquerors banned
the wearing of Tartan in 1745, some Scottish families
began to carry swatches of the material concealed under their clothing into their church services. At some
point in the service, when the minister gave a blessing, the clanspeople would touch their hidden bits of
Tartan as a way to recommit themselves to their Lord
and their Scottish heritage.
The Church
Mouse Corner
•
I sit towards the front of the sanctuary
on Sunday mornings and am thrilled
to hear the volume of the many voices behind me as we sing our hymns
and profess our faith. – C.H.
•
Do yourselves a favor and try out the Pastor's Class
some Sunday morning. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you may learn about your faith and
yourself! – G.E.
•
I hear that the Worship Committee and Session
have been holding spirited discussions about the
best way to practice communion. I’m grateful for
their commitment and energy. – K.O.
The purpose of the Church Mouse Corner is to share
congregation members’ perspectives about the happenings at First Presbyterian. We want to hear from
you. Send your comments to ChurchMouseFPC@gmail.com.
Churches United
PW News
You may already be aware that laws
about serving meals at Churches
United have changed. No longer are
we able to bring in food from our
home kitchens to be served at the
shelter. The meals need to be prepared at Churches
United or at another certified kitchen. We are appealing to cooks and servers in our congregation who are
willing to help prepare and serve meals at Churches
United on the second Thursdays of the month. If we
have several groups/families/friends willing to help in
this way, we will cover our obligation and the same
people won’t need to cover every meal. So, are there
people among us who are willing to prepare a meal or
two to help us fulfill our responsibility as a member
church of Churches United for the Homeless? If so,
please contact Elder Sharon Secor from the Mission
Committee or Pastor Mary Holtey.
Church Women United: Church women United
Holy Buckets
The Emergency Food Pantry (EFP) is in need of some
items. We will be collecting shampoo, bar soap, liquid hand soap, feminine care items, dish soap, laundry
detergent, paper products, diapers, and cleaning supplies. These are items that cannot be purchased by
using food stamps. The EFP is also very low on
canned fruits/veggies. Please leave donations in the
green Holy Bucket bins located in the West Foyer or
in the EFP bin inside the coat room.
Sheltering Church Training
Once again this year we will join with other congregations to provide emergency housing over the winter. Our week is February 22-March 1. The sign up
for volunteers will come later. In the meantime
there’s much to be done. Primarily, we need to get
volunteers trained. If you did not attend a training session last year, you are invited to do so now. Here are
the dates and times (all sessions will be held at First
United Methodist Church on First Ave. S. in Fargo):
will meet Friday, November 7 at 9:30 am. at Olivet
Lutheran Church.
PW Board: The PW Board meeting will meet on
Tuesday, November 11 at 10:00 am. Please note the
time change. There is no General Meeting/Luncheon
that day.
Church Bazaar: The Bdecan Ministry Team will
be taking part in the Moorhead Center Mall Church
Bazaar on November 14 & 15 to help raise money to
pay for the salary of Joe Obermeyer, the Youth and
Outreach Coordinator at Bdecan Presbyterian Church
in Tokio, N.D. We are looking for people to work between 10:00 am-9:00 pm on Friday, November 14
and 10:00 am-5:00 pm on Saturday November 15.
In addition, if anyone would like to donate any crafts
or baked goods, that would be wonderful. Baked
goods need to be labeled with what the product is and
the ingredients in it. It would be helpful if you would
price your items also. Any craft items not sold will be
returned to the person donating them. Please contact
Donna Preston at 701-238-7414 or preston@cord.edu
if you can help or donate items. Don't forget to come
and shop that day too!
Circles: Circles meet November 18 at church in the
Jennie Roberts Room at 9:30 am, l:00 pm and 7:00
pm. All women are welcome to attend our monthly
Bible Studies.
This month's lesson explores the meaning of Paul's
reference to "old" and "new" covenants in 2 Corinthians and considers how these ideas relate to our contemporary understanding of Christian relationships
with people of different faith traditions(2 Corinthians
3:1-4:6).
If you are interested in learning more about the circles, contact Sue Van Osdel (232-5320) or Ruth Colwell (484-5600) or visit the PW Bulletin Board in the
west foyer.
Mission Sewing: Mission Sewing will meet on
Tuesday, November 25 at 9:00 am. We will continue
working on quilts and making personal hygiene products for girls in Africa. No experience is required and
members are willing to help newcomers. There is always coffee, goodies, and good conversation.
Saturdays: Nov. 8,
Dec. 13, Jan. 10 and
Feb.7 from1-3 pm
Thursdays: Nov. 13,
Dec. 18, Jan. 15 and
Feb. 19 from 7-9 pm
We’ll need upwards
of 80 volunteers for
this ministry. Watch
the bulletin and Messenger for news on the shift
schedule sign-up and additional ways to serve!
Thank you very much to the congregation members
for the flannel sheets, fabric, and monetary contributions for our personal hygiene products. They shall
keep us going for a few months; however, we will
need more in the future. This is an ongoing project.
Pg. 2
August 2013 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
General Fund Only
Meet Your Session Members
The session is the council for the congregation. The
session shall have responsibility for governing the
congregation and guiding its witness to the sovereign
activity of God in the world, so that the congregation
is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and
witness.
There are fifteen ruling elders, who are active members of the congregation, divided into three classes of
five each. Pictured: Jim Misialek, Phil Martin, Travis
Voegele, Rick Greener, Joni Nudell, Troy Schmidt,
Carol Prafcke, Sharon Secor, Cynthia Baumgardner,
Ann Ulliman, Gracia Fulwiler, and Roberta Mohagen.
Not pictured: Grace Hudson (youth member), Alexa
Mazaheri, Craig Rise, and Mike Lochow.
YTD August
Actual
YTD August
Budget
Income
$528,594
$497,489
Expenses
561,611
557,447
Net
-$33,017
-$59,958
Milestones
We begin a new column in the Messenger listing
births, baptisms, weddings and deaths within our congregation. In addition, we are emailing our members
and friends notifications and funeral arrangements
when a church member dies. We hope to stay better
connected with one another, especially in times of joy
and sorrow.
Births: We rejoice with Brian and Susan (Kenien)
Peterson upon the birth of a son, Elijah Paul on October 14.
Baptisms: We welcome James Philip Gadberry, son
of David and Melissa, as one of the newly baptized on
October 19.
Weddings: We celebrate with Marjorie Schlossman
and Ivan Weir as they were married on October 11 at
Roberts Chapel.
Library News
Looking for a quiet place?
Try the library alcove to: sit-rock-relax-read!
Deaths: We ask for God’s comfort and care upon the
deaths of Robert Johnson on October 1, William Morrow on October 18 and Prudy Erickson on October 21.
Advent Decorating Party
All members and friends are invited to remain following worship on Sunday, November 23 to decorate
many areas of the church for the holiday season. A
soup and bread lunch will be provided by the worship
committee. The work party will culminate with the
lighting of the Sanctuary Christmas tree and a soup
lunch. This is a particularly family-friendly event. All
ages are welcome to participate.
The Table
The Table (FPC’s college ministry) would like to send
care packages for finals week to our members who are
college students. We would like to send the packages
in early December so please email current addresses
of
college
students
to
Scott
at
sdobovsky@firstpresfargo.org or drop them off in the
church office by November 23. A sign up sheet to
provide package items will be located on the volunteer
opportunity board through the month of November.
Please talk to Scott if you would like to help stuff the
packages and/or deliver some of the packages locally.
The Youth Ministry
has a great group of
youth taking part in
Sunday night youth
group and other activities. New people try Sunday night and related activities each week and are enjoying it so much that they
continue to join us. So, if you have not tried Sunday
Night Youth Group (6-8pm), please join us. If Sunday
night doesn’t work for you, watch for other events in
the near future that take place on other nights. This is
a very welcoming group so join us and see what we
are all about.
The next youth event is a progressive dinner on November 23 from 5-9 pm or earlier (depending on travel time and how long each course takes to eat). For
this dinner, the youth ministry is looking for people to
host the various courses at their home. You do not
need to have youth in the ministry to host. Any questions about the progressive dinner, please contact
Scott at sdobovsky@firstpresfargo.org.
Pg. 3
First Presbyterian Church, Fargo
650 2nd Ave N
Fargo, ND 58102
Phone: 701-293-6311
www.firstpresfargo.org
The Pilgrimage: Guides for
Those with a God to Glorify
The word “liturgy” means “work of the people.”
Worship is a carefully crafted and well-ordered practice aimed at the glorification of God and the edification of God’s people. Many of us worship regularly
but may not have considered the many meanings the
liturgy can yield.
This class meets on Sunday mornings from 9:1510:15 (lecture only) in the Social Hall, and on Sunday afternoons from 4 - 6 (lecture plus discussion)
in Meeting Rooms 2 & 3.
11/16- The Lord’s Day: Why We Worship on Sunday
11/23- By Water and the Spirit: Understanding the
Sacrament of Baptism
11/30- Do This in Remembrance of Me: Understanding the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
12/7-Seasons of Faith: The Ebb and Flow of the Liturgical Calendar
Books available in the library: Worship and Spirituality, 2nd Ed., D. Saliers, 1996; The Companion to the
Book of Common Worship, P.C. Bowers, 2003.
Nurse’s Note
Lord knows, there are plenty of reasons to worry. But
in case you're not worried, many professionals do it
for you. Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking predicts
that the human race won't survive the next thousand
years. British astronomer Martin Rees gives us only a
50-50 chance. Stephen Petranek, editor-in-chief of
Discover, lectures about "15 Major Risks to the
World and Life as We Know It." Environmentalist
Paul Ehrlich writes, "humanity's prospective collision
with the natural world..."
In any case, the "we-are-all-done-for" mindset existed
in the first century as well. The apostles had taught so
persuasively about Jesus' return that a rumor spread,
Jesus had already returned. In Thessalonica, the rumor had Christians concerned. No wonder the apostle Paul writes to this church
urging them "not to be quickly shaken in mind or
alarmed" (2 Thessalonians
2:2). Not shaken or alarmed.
That's called peace! Our lives
are in God's hands!
Church Events Calendar for November 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Wednesday Schedule
Sunday Schedule
5:00 Wednesday Night Dinner
5:30 St. Andrew’s Brass/
Genesis Ringers/Goliathon
6:15 Children’s/Youth Choirs
6:30 Westminster Bells
7:30 Sanctuary Choir
9:00 Confirmation/
Youth Sunday School
9:15 Children’s Sun. School/
Pastor’s Class
9:45 Sanctuary Choir Warm-up
10:30 Sunday Worship
6:30 Youth Group
2 ALL SAINTS DAY/
COMMUNION
3
4
5
Sunday Schedule
6:45 Narcotics Anonymous
9:00 Mon. Morning Breakfast
Group (Fry’n Pan)
7:00 B&G Committee/
8:00 Bulletin Article Deadline
10:30 TH Lecture Series(Fargo Holiday Inn)
1:30 Staff Meeting
4:15 Personnel Committee
6:00 Worship Committee/
Narcotics Anonymous
10-5 Faith Com. Nurse Hrs.
Wednesday Schedule
6:30 Mission Committee
9
10
11
12
13
Irregular Sunday
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
8:30 Sanctuary Choir Warm-up
9:00 Kirkin’ Service
11:00 Kirkin’ Service
6:00 Youth Group
6:45 Narcotics Anonymous
9:00 Mon. Morning Breakfast
Group (Fry’n Pan)
6:30 Education Committee/
Health Ministry Cabinet
6:45 Man Up
8:00 Bulletin Article Deadline
10:30 PW Board Meeting
1:00 Staff Meeting
5:30 Connectivity Committee
(Atomic Coffee)
6:00 Narcotics Anonymous
7:00 Board of Deacons
10-5 Faith Com. Nurse Hrs.
Wednesday Schedule
1:00 Library Committee/
Prayer Shawl Ministry
9:00 TH Board Meeting
10:00 PW Bible Study Leaders
12:00 First Pres(s) Book Club
5:00 Serve at Churches United
16
17
18 PW CIRCLES
19
20
Sunday Schedule
4:00 The PilgrimageGuides
6:45 Narcotics anonymous
9:00 Mon. Morning Breakfast
Group (Fry’n Pan)
6:30 Session
8:00 Bulletin Article Deadline
1:00 Staff Meeting
6:00 Narcotics Anonymous
10-5 Faith Com. Nurse Hrs.
Wednesday Schedule
23
24
25
26
27 OFFICE CLOSED
Sunday Schedule
11:30 Advent Decorating
12:00 Msgr. Deadline
4:00 The PilgrimageGuides
6:45 Narcotics Anonymous
9:00 Mon. Morning Breakfast
Group (Fry’n Pan)
8:00 Bulletin Article Deadline
9:00 Mission Sewing
11:30 Friends of Nokomis
1:00 Staff Meeting
6:00 Narcotics Anonymous
Irregular Wednesday
NO WED. ACTIVITIES
5:00 Thanksgiving Prep.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
8:00 Thanksgiving Meal
Assembly Begins
Fri
Sat
1
Don’t forget to set your
clocks back 1 hour!
6
7
8
9:00 Kirkin’ Orch. Rehearsal
14
15
10:00 Leah Circle
11:30 Narcotics Anonymous
21
22
5
28 Friday
29 Saturday
30 SUNDAY: ADVENT 1
Sunday Schedule
4:00 The PilgrimageGuides
6:45 Narcotics Anonymous
Meet our newest
members!
Sarah Swanholm & Chaz
Bombenger
(engaged to be married Nov. 15)
Scott & Jennie Swanholm
Maurice & Maria Harvey
Tom Clusiau
Andrew Joos & Jayme Job
Virginia & David Stern