Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IN TOUCH
Fountain Hills, AZ
February 2016
Our Mission :
calls us to . . .
In Touch
page 2
Focus on Finance
Dec. Income
$ 41,767
Budget
$ 39,175
Associate Pastor
Dec. Expenses
$ 54,769
Budget
$ 41,267
Marta Ludwig
Yr to date Income
$441,466
YTD Budget
$428,000
Yr to date Income
$ 427,861
YTD Budget
$ 428,000
Administrative Coordinator
Debbie Fisher
Director of Music Ministry
Dorothy Parris
Pianist
Caryl Bates
Organist
Lynn Medley
Custodian
CHURCH TREASURER
Linda Lull
CHURCH SESSION
Clerk of Session
John Brockelman
Class of 2016
Sally Atchinson
Bob Lull
John Skewes
Arlene Stewart
Class of 2017
Mary Alice Bivens
Bonnie Hollabaugh
Aleyne Larsen-Craig
Helen Roesch
Ron Waldo
Class of 2018
Norm Collins
Yvonne Ellingson
Jerry Miles
Helen Quilgey
Jack Reynolds
BOARD OF DEACONS
Moderator: Nancy Wulfmeier
Class of 2016
Suzie McCready
Dorothy Rudack
Donna Sims
Nancy Wulfmeier
Class of 2017
Michele Hasley
Mary Lee Lehrich
Cynthia Linton
Linda Warren
Class of 2018
Sandy Larson
Elvira Ruiz
Ray Schmidt
Bob Titus
******
We finished the year off in a positive position thanks to you for your
faithful commitment to our church. YTD Income exceeded YTD Budget
by $13,466. We also were successful in keeping our expenses below
budget through most of the year and below income by $13,604. As a result Finance decided to
pay some of the 2016 expenses using 2015
funds in order to prepare a Balance Budget for
2016, and to hopefully meet the Meridian Bank
loan requirements at year end. 2016 will be a
challenge going forward, but I am sure working
together we will be able to meet that challenge
and continue all the programs we look forward
to fulfilling.
Respectfully,
Linda Lull, Treasurer
On the Inside:
Pastor Bill Good .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . . .. .. .. ..
Focus on Finance .. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .
Upcoming Events . .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
Mission Ministry . . . . . .. .. .. .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . ..
Presbyterian Women .. .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . .. . . .. ..
How Can You Help? .. . . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . .
Lockboxes for Seniors. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. . ..
Not Yet a Member? .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .
Concert Series 2016 . .. . .. .. . . . . .. . . . ..
Friend & Family Sunday . . .. . .. . . . . . .. .. . . . . .. .. . .
Christmas Eve 2015 .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. . . . .
Christian Formation .. . .. . .. .. .. .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . .. .
National Day of Prayer .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This and That .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. . . .. .
FHPC Foundation.. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . .
Hilltop Outing .. .. . . . .. . .. . . . . .. . .. .. . .. . .. . .
Thank you from John Brockelman.. .. .. .. . . . .. . . . ..
Facebook. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. . .. . .. .. .. .. . . ..
Library Footnotes.. .. . .. . . . . .
Music Ministry .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . ..
Member Spotlight...Did you Know? .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . ...
Necrology for 2016 .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . .. . .
February Birthdays .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .
Uphoff Family on the Fourth of Advent . . .. . . . . . . .
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page 3
February 2016
We still need more volunteers to help with the Rummage Sale. If you havent signed up, there are
still openings so please contact Helen Roesch (480) 837-2142 or Marta (480) 837-1763 as soon as possible.
Here are a few important dates to mark on your calendar:
NOW Start to gather up new and gently used items to donate. Consider more valuable items for
the Boutique Department. Donations are tax deductible.
February 6, 12:30 pm Information meeting for all volunteers, Fellowship Center
February 28 to March 3 (Noon) Deliver your donations to the church
February 29 to March 2 Volunteers will pick up some furniture and large items; call the office
for more information and to schedule an appointment
February 29 to March 3 Volunteers work as needed through the week to set-up departments
March 4, 9 am to Noon Early shopping for volunteers
March 5, 7 am Volunteers arrive at church for the big sale! There will be coffee, rolls and munchies
for your breakfast.
Were looking forward to seeing you at the volunteer information meeting on February 6, 12:30 pm. in the Fellowship Center.
page 5
November 2012
page 4
In Touch
Mission Ministry
Blankets Plus Mission Project -This year our annual Blankets Plus Sunday will be observed on
March 6 with the Minute for Mission presented the week before on February 28. This special offering provides a chance to
support a mission program which provides thousands of blankets, as well as various building and agricultural tools to those
areas beset by disasters around the world. For more than 60
years, congregations across the U.S, in partnership with Church
World Service, have been responding to
Jesus call to be a neighbor to those in
need. Our congregation is helping impoverished communities here in the U.S. as
well as around the world with the basic
tools they need to sustain themselves and
their families.
When disaster strikes, people often need blankets and much
more. They need food, shelter, safe water. And as the recovery process unfolds, they need tools, training, and other resources to help them rebuild their lives. In the past year there
have been earthquakes, flooding, tornados, and wildfires either
here in the U.S. or in other parts of the world. Contributions to
Blankets Plus mean that Church World Service is there for the
long haul as families recover from disasters such as these. And
they help families struggling against grinding poverty as they
seek to develop viable, sustainable communities and livelihoods. Please be generous in your support for the Blankets Plus
offering.
Jer. 29:11 I know the plans I have for you, declares the
Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future.
In Touch
page 5
February 2016
page 4
Mission Ministry
MISSION
PROJECT
SUPPORT
OUR
TROOPS/VETERANS
Our Winter Project to help our homeless Veterans by donating new sweatshirts and
socks was a success and I cant thank you enough for all of your donations which will
help out our homeless vets keep warm during these cold winter months.
Delivery will be made to MANA House in Phoenix probably within this
next week. A delivery of magazines, books, toiletries, CDs, and DVDs
was made last week to the Veterans Hospital/Home. Please remember
that these items, along with gently used clothing, is collected and delivered continuously throughout the year. Deliveries are made when there are enough items
collected to do so. There are two boxes for you to place your donations located at
Church. One is in the Narthex on the table and/or floor and the other one is in the Fellowship Center located on the left side as you enter or you may also
drop off any items at the Church office and they will call me. A
total of 17 Christmas cards were also mailed to our Churchconnected Military members (the List of names is included in our
weekly Bulletins and on-screen) with several notes inside written to
each individual. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
just ask me. Many thanks to all of you who very graciously donated
some sweatshirts/socks. Cant thank you enough.
Donna Sims,
Deacon
page 7
December 2011
page 6
In Touch
Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team for 2015-2016
Moderator, Maurene Gerson
Librarian, Barbara Oakeson
Vice-Moderator (Program), Sandi Thompson
Historian, Office Angels
Secretary, Bonnie Matty
Search Committee, (open)
Treasurer, Maria Berry
Membership Directory, Arlene Stewart
Publicity, Ilene Berg
Bible Study Coordinator, Maria Berry
Mission Coordinator, Sandy Larson
New Member Contact, Carol Fuls
Circle Leaders
Morning Circle, Suzie McCready, Joy Fick
Afternoon Circle, Martha Baxter
Evening Circle, Judy Irvin
Hooked on Books, Leader, Jan Hoff
Out N About Leader, Nancy Wulfmeier
FEBRUARY EVENTS
February 5
February 2/16
February 11/18
February 11
February 15
February 17
9 a.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
9 a.m.
7 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
Noon
Amos 5:21-24
others insights during a Bible study and share the joys and concerns of our Church
family. Each meeting is topped off with a delicious dessert, and for the last couple
of years, we have also enjoyed a wonderful December potluck dinner at Donna
Yordys home. For more
than ten years now, we
have helped to support a
young lady, Schella Similien, through Compassion
International, from whom
we have received many
pictures and letters communicating her love and
appreciation. Each member of our Circle has their
own unique gifts which
we appreciate in each
other, and we work great
as a team. Please consider becoming a member
of our group. We would
love to have you join us.
Patsy Knoy entertained the ladies during the
PW Winter Gathering
page 7
February 2016
Recipe for Friendship in PW Circles
Shortening Provides texture. Our fellowship and friendship with our sisters in the Lord can add much depth and texture
to our lives. We blend together in unity as part of the body of Christ.
Sugar Adds sweetness. Our fellowship with our sisters adds such a sweet taste to our lives. If we didnt have sugar in
our cookies, wed sure miss it. The same is with our fellowship with our sisters. We cant leave it out of our lives.
Eggs Holds ingredients together. Sisters in the Lord are someone to lean on. We are held together by fellowship with
them. We are stronger because of them, their prayers, and their love in the Lord. We have a special bond in Christ.
Vanilla Adds flavor. Sisters add that flavor we need. They give us that extra sensation. Without friends and fellowship
we become kind of bland.
Flour Adds substance. We need the substance a sister in the Lord can add. They give us many things by way of mentoring us when we dont even know it. Their shared testimonies and way they live their lies has an impact on us.
Baking Soda Leavens. Leavening agents in baking helps to lighten the dough. Friendship with our sisters in Christ
lightens our burdens through their prayer and encouragement.
Salt Enhances flavor. We know that friendships add flavor, and just when we need it they help improve the tastefulness
and quality of our lives. Friends are the type of people that know just what we are going through and are there
when we need them.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips - The kind of chocolate chips we normally add to our cookies is semi sweet. Our sister
friends tell us what they feel and think and thats okay. They can be honest and truthful
to us. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).
NutsOptional Just a little craziness in a sister friend is great! Sometimes a little zaniness in our friends can be just
the ingredient we need.
Mix ingredients thoroughly and bake up with love!!
Ilene Berg
HOOKED ON BOOKS
On Wednesday, February 17th, Out n' About will be having lunch at the Ahnala Restaurant at the Radisson Hotel at Fort
McDowell Casino.
We will meet there at noon. For
information or reservations contact Nancy Wulfmeier at 8373021.
In Touch
How can you help?
page 8
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
** FREE **
JUST CALL
THE CHURCH
OFFICE
837-1763
Star search
Dont look for the flaws as you go through life; and even when you find them, it is wise and kind to be somewhat blind
and look for the virtue behind them. For the cloudiest night has a hint of light somewhere in its shadows hiding; it is
better by far to hunt for a star, that the spots on the sun abiding.
-The Newsletter Newsletter
by Communication Resources, Inc
Sally Atchinson
page 9
February 2016
Feb. 9th
Feb. 23rd
Mar. 8th
Mar. 22nd
In
InTouch
Touch
page
page 10
8
Debbie Fisher with Anne & Sunniva Graves and Sandy Heunisch
page 11
February 2016
In Touch
page 12
Christian Formation
Christian Formation Opportunities:
Sundays
10:15 AM Sabbath Day Bible Study
10:15 AM Elementary Life with God
11:15 AM Blessed Beginnings Nursery
11:15 AM Preschool Life with God
Wednesdays
The Way on Wednesdays
(Sept-May)
12:00 PM Lunch & Bible Study
5:00 PM Elementary Big God Story
6:00 PM Bible Study
HELP WANTED!
Need volunteers for:
Cooking
Clean up after event
Running computer
3. You and I need to be childlike rather than childish. Some adults never seem to grow up. Ever noticed that? They are
childish, but thats not the same as being child-like. Childish behavior seems silly. Child-like behavior is sober and sensible.
Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all. So Jesus said. Kids believe what you tell them, if they trust you. God wants grown-ups to be that gullible. Be child-like without becoming childish.
Continued on page 13...
page 13
February 2016
Heavenly Father,
Ignite our schools with Your Holy Spirit.
May there be such a move of Your grace and power in
our nations school systems that alcohol, drugs, guns,
pornography and illicit sexual activity cease to be issues.
Turn the hearts of the students towards You.
Make our schools a safe place to be, with an atmosphere
that encourages our children to abide by the Golden Rule.
Infuse guidance, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding
in legislators, justices, school boards of education
and teachers that they may teach our children effectively as
they provide honest accurate knowledge.
In Jesus' name we pray. AMEN
Continued from page 12 from Pastor Ken
Are you sitting down? Paula Poundstone, the stand-up comedian, quipped, Adults are always asking kids what they want to be
when they grow up 'cause they're trying to get ideas. I know this much. When you teach kids, your mind will be ablaze with
fresh ideas. Youll learn a ton more than they ever will.
I have been asked to be the pastoral liaison to the Christian Formation team, led by Elder Bonnie Hollabaugh. With Debbie DeBernardi stepping down, we want to make sure we dont lose any of the momentum she has built. So I will work closely with
Bonnie and her team to provide vision, counsel and insight for the task at hand.
Bonnie has established a new email address for Christian Formation. It is fhpc.cf@gmail.com. Feel free to communicate any
questions or concerns to us via email or contact either of us on our cells. Mine is 480-268-3731 and Bonnies is 480-399-1769.
Feel free to text or call either of us. Especially if you want to help kids by helping us out.
Only one question remains. Do kids matter to us? To our church, that is? Bonnie and I say, Yes! A big fat YES! What do you
say?
In Touch
page 14
Jean Ipema
Dawn Lau
Ben Fast
480-837-1770
480-837-2607
480-837-1119
page 15
February 2016
THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who came to the Family Meeting on January 10. We had a great attendance and you allowed us to get the information out without questions in the interest of time. By the time you read this ,we will have
had a meeting with ECO on January 30 where you will have had the opportunity to ask questions.
I pray that everyone will take the opportunity to be at the upcoming meetings with the Presbytery Commission,
which should start soon. They will start with your Session and then the Congregation. This is your opportunity to
speak, be heard and counted.
I hope that we all will pray that when the process is complete we will remain a family in Christ committed to do
Gods will in this church. This will be the same church the day after the decision is made as it was the day before.
May God be with all of us.
John Brockelman
Facebook
FACEBOOK PAGE: Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church
Go to our website and click on Facebook on our home page. When you are there also click on the like it
icon. When you do that you will get news feeds directly from our site whenever anything new is
added. It is just another way to stay connected.
In Touch
page 16
Library Footnotes
Church World Service: Fifty Years of Help and Hope
by Ronald E. Stenning
Many people have heard of Church World Service (CWS),
but dont really know who they are and what they do.
This book provides a look at the story of this organization
which is the relief, development, and refugee agency of
the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
(NCCC), representing thirty-three Protestant, Orthodox,
and Anglican member communions in the United States,
including PC USA. It begins in the year
1946 which marked the end of the bloodiest
and most destructive war in human history.
Much of Europe and large parts of Asia were
in ruins. Hundreds of thousands of people
were hungry and homeless, some in camps,
others carrying all their worldly possessions
wandering from one place to another looking
for food and shelter.
Many relief agencies had been established
prior to this crisis and their proliferation created a need for
an inclusive, ecumenical, and coordinating instrument for
overseas relief and reconstruction. Church World Service
was established to be the coordinating agency in which
issues could be discussed, and decisions agreed to and
carried out. It was also to be a means of making joint appeals for funds to carry on the service work of the
churches. One of their early efforts was sharing a record
wheat crop transported in Friendship Trains across our
country, then shipped overseas to starving people in
Europe. Very successful, a general appeal for farm commodities under the name Christian Rural Overseas Program (CROP) followed. CWS also began working with
resettling refugees from parts of the world that had experienced natural disasters as well as civil and regional wars.
Barbara Oakeson
page 17
February 2016
Music Ministry
I love our screens! Kudos to
those who had
the vision and
tenacity to make
them happen. I
love seeing people sing, heads
up, voices full,
sometimes glancing as we share
in singing a great
hymn, or a
great rhythm!
Debbie Fisher, Director of Music
It is such a
feeling of connective motion and so pleasant. It certainly reminds one of the beautiful motion of the Spirit.
In the second service there is a meet and greet pause
where everyone stands and wanders about the room
having a moment of conversation, recognizing one
another and sharing a strong hug of encouragement
with a friend, all while Hilltop plays music in the background. It is like a dance as we look out
watching everyone in that connective
motion, and knowing God is the reason
for it all. You will see Christ in their
hearts, in their eyes, and in their smiles.
For that short period of time you are
steeped in the culture of His love, and
you can just know..just feel.. and just be
grateful.
Now the music must help to prepare our
hearts for the reception of Lent.
I lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence does my
help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made
heaven and earth.
Psalms 121: 1-2
Deborah Fisher
Director of Music Ministry
Leaps of faith
My coming to faith did not start with a leap but rather a series of staggers from what seemed like one safe place to another.
Like lily pads, round and green, these places summoned and then held me up while I grew Each prepared me for the next
leaf on which I would land, and in this way I moved across the swamp of doubt and fear to the verdant pad of faith on which
I somehow stay afloat today. Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies
-The Newsletter Newsletter
by Communication Resources, Inc
In Touch
page 18
all being born a year apart from each other, attended the same
high school where their mother was Guidance Counselor.
John received his Bachelors degree in Accounting from
Fresno State University. Following graduation, he worked at
a big eight accounting firm and later became a Certified
Public Accountant.
After a two-year long-distance relationship, Carol moved to
Fresno to be nearer to John. There she began her career as a
Real Estate Appraiser. The two married in 1978 and had two
children Stephanie, who is now an actress living with her
actor husband, Josh, near Hollywood, CA, and Ian, an Office
Administrator for a law firm in Houston, TX.
John and Carol left smoggy, foggy Fresno for picturesque
Fountain Hills in 2007. John now works in downtown Phoenix as the Chief Operating Officer of a law firm and Carol
works for Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, Scottsdale, doing
graphic work.
They church-shopped for years before finding a home at
FHPC under the pastoral leadership of Bill Good. They love
their church family where John is Elder, Finance, and Carol
produces The Weekly e-news and other special design projects.
Both love to read books by Nelson DeMille and Ken Follett,
and are beginners at the game of Pickleball. John golfs on
occasion and Carol enjoys her volunteer work with Four
Peaks Womens Club and HopeFest Phoenix.
page 19
February 2016
Hospitalized? Call the church!
If you are sick, hospitalized or home recovering from illness, we want you to call the church and let us know! In a congregation like ours where people leave in droves for extended
summer months, it is easy for the staff, elders and deacons to
assume, when we dont see someone, that they are simply
vacationing away. The truth is that some of you are sick and
we are not aware of it.
You can help us by simply letting one of the staff know of your
situation. We have an excellent support system in place due to
the diligent efforts of our deacons. Help us serve you by communicating your situation.
Xx { | {x } by { _wA
Matthew 25:21
Fo r G
od so
loVed
t
thAt h he world
e gave
onL
His
begott y
En
So N ,
thaT w
h
belIev oever
es
iN him
but ha
vE ev should not
erlasti
ng life perish
.
(John
3:16, N
K JV )
Melba Versaw
Bella Bennett
Roy Nickel
Emily Owens
Ben Fast
Susan Lickman
John Bivens
02/12
02/16
02/17
02/18
02/20
02/21
02/23
Melinda Stanton
Rose Marie Kramer
John Bacher
Tim Halchuck
Jane Haynes
John Wyman
Shawn Uphoff
02/25
02/25
02/25
02/26
02/26
02/27
02/29
Jacquelyn Miles
Josephine Nelson
Nancy Polgar
Barbara Oakeson
Tyson Robinson
Sandy Larson
Kitty Youngquist
In Touch is published monthly; deadline for each issue is the 15th of the month before publication.
News and information should be submitted to the church office in hard copy, or email to
fhpc.marta@gmail.com Editor, Marta Ludwig; Proof Readers: Helen Roesch & Jean Ipema; Staff Photographers: Gary Oakeson & Michele Hasley; Production and Circulation: Mary Wernecke, Bobbie
Dangremond, Ruby Pearson, Marilyn Humes, Mary Martinson and Vivian Virden. Travel to Bulk Mail
Post Office: Mary Martinson.
Trey, Richard, Shawn and Emerson Uphoff were candle lighters on December 20, 2015 the 4th Sunday of Advent