GOOD TIDINGS Northminster Presbyterian Church

3131 61st Street, Sarasota, Florida 34243

February 2013

FEBRUARY WORSHIP SERVICES

Sundays at 10:30

Christopher Carlson, Pastor

February 3

The Passion of God

Luke 14:25-34

February 10 What Does Love Got to

Do With It?

Psalm 36:5-9 John 13:1-17

February 13, 6 PM

Communion Service &

Soup Supper

in the Fellowship Hall

February 17 Gifts of Women Sunday

Rev. Helen Heffington, Guest Pastor

February 24

What Good is God?

Luke 22:39-53

What Are You Giving Up for Lent?

Lent is the forty days from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday (or for some Easter Eve) and recalls the forty days of fasting and prayer Jesus spent in the desert preparing for the beginning of is ministry.

Traditionally, Lent is time of preparation for the believer—through prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving, and self-denial— for the celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Lent is partly misunderstood by many because of the distortions about it we hear from the non-believing world around us. Just as Santa Claus has become a substitute for Jesus at Christmas, and the search for eggs and candy has become a substitute for the celebration of the Resurrection at Easter, so Lent has become parodied as a time of giving up things, preceded by as much “sin” (Mardi Gras) as you can get in before the depravation begins.

Lent is a serious time when we think about our sinfulness and our need for continual repentance. We remember our Lord’s death and the lengths he went to for our salvation. Prayer and self-denial are appropriate activities during this time. However, in doing these things we must always remember what God really wants from us. In short, God wants us and a relationship with us. The practice of “giving up” our time, things, or pleasures has no value in itself if we fail to surrender ourselves to God and his will.

Therefore, Lent is not about giving things up. It is a time of recommitment and renewal of our relationship with God. God first wants us, not our things. If you want to give up something for Lent, begin with giving up the stubborn desire to live your life your way and surrender to his. Also, though Lent is a serious time of remembering what God has done for us through Jesus and to refocus our lives on him, we should remember too that Lent is a time that moves toward celebration. In the midst of repentance, there is always the promise of restoration. In the midst of the pain and sorrow of a journey to the cross, there is always the hope and joy of the resurrection.

So, what are you giving up for Lent? Start with yourself and then let the celebration begin.

In His Grip,

Pastor Chris

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MISSION MINISTRY

OUR LOCAL MISSION: BETH-EL FARMWORKERS MISSION

Beth-El Mission, located in Wimauma, Florida, was established in 1976, and is a covenant partner of Peace River Presbytery and the Presbytery of Tampa Bay of the PC USA and Grace Presbytery of the Cumberland PC.

Beth-El’s mission is to help farm workers achieve self-sufficiency through its open opportunities to worship, its extensive education programs and the many services it provides to meet basic needs. Among its core programs are worship, a food pantry, education, counseling and more.

ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK

Northminster supports All Faiths Food Bank year round. Please remember to bring donations of food staples and place them in the yellow barrel in the Narthex.

DONATION DELIVERY ASSISTANCE

Bill Marvin is available to pick up household items for delivery to local charities. Please contact Bill or the church office to arrange for pickup.

FREE WHEEL CHAIR MISSION Founded in 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is "to provide the transforming gift of mobility to the physically disabled poor in developing countries, as motivated by Jesus Christ."

In the third world, millions of disabled people crawl around in the dirt or have to be carried to get where they want to go, so for $72.00 you can literally buy a wheel chair and change a life. FWM founder, Dr. Don Schoendorfer, an engineer and inventor, came up with a wheel chair design that is durable and all-terrain and can be made and shipped for approximately $72.00. FWM works around the world in partnership with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations, sending wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people, providing not only the gift of mobility, but of dignity, independence, and hope.

ASH WEDNESDAY

SOUP DINNER AND COMMUNION SERVICE Nearly everyone knows the clichés concerning Lent: we are to “give up” something as a kind of obscure penance. Not so! Rather, Lent is a time to take on something. For at the very heart of the Christian faith is the death and resurrection of Jesus. Lent is a time of participation in the life, suffering, death and resurrection of our Savior and Lord. We do this by remembering, by praying, by worshipping and by living out our faith.

What better way to start the season of Lent than with an Ash Wednesday Service? We will have a simple soup dinner, followed by a service with music, a message and ashes. Please join us on February 13, at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

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TAKE A BITE OUT OF OUR MORTGAGE!

Every Monday during February you will have the opportunity to take a bite out of NPC's mortgage by just eating out at the Red Elephant Pizza and Grill on University Pkwy. This offer is good all day long and for carry out orders, too!

Present the special offer flyer when you order and 15% of your check will be sent to Northminster. What a great way to enjoy eating out and helping the church at the same time.

Flyers will be handed out every Sunday during February. You must take this flyer with you when you go to eat. Remember to invite your friends and pick up a flyer for them too!

PRESBYTERIANS EATING OUT

Presbyterians Eating Out will be going to Applebee’s at 3255 University Pkwy on February 15th at 5 PM. Please remember to sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Hope to see everyone there for great fellowship and good food.

SUNDAY COFFEE FELLOWSHIP Please stay after the Sunday worship service to greet our visitors and catch up with your church friends in the Narthex over a cup of coffee and some pastry.

Many thanks to Gene and Mary Ann Colter who prepare and serve the Sunday coffee and snacks!

FELLOWSHIP

HEARING ASSISTANCE:

Northminster’s Sanctuary is equipped with a Hearing Loop which magnetically transmits sound to hearing aids and cochlear implants with telecoils (T-coils). Talk to your hearing aid provider about installing a t-coil in your hearing aid - OR you may already have a t-coil that only needs to be activated!

A limited number of headphones for use with the Hearing Loop system are available from the ushers.

February 24, 2013 at 11:30 AM

after the Worship Service

At this meeting we will review the annual report,

amend the NPC By-Laws and elect officers.

Please plan to attend.

ADVENTURES IN MEMBERSHIP CLASS

If you are interested in becoming a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, or just finding out more about us, this class is for you! You will find out about what Presbyterians believe and how they compare in church government to other denominations. We will find out about YOU and introduce you to some of the programs of Northminster. Adventures in Membership (AIM) Class will be held on Sunday, February 10, in the Library following the worship service (11:45-2:00). A light lunch is included. Please sign up in the Narthex.

THE PARISH LIFE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

The Parish Life Committee has distributed many prayer shawls to Northminster members, and their friends and relatives, who are going through an illness and are in need of warmth, prayers and comfort. Each shawl is knitted or crocheted with love and prayers and finished with a little cross charm attached to the fringe.

If you would like to give a shawl to someone you know, please contact Judy Haywood.

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Your 2012 Statement of Offerings was

mailed near the end of January. This Statement itemizes all gifts to the church during 2012, including pledges, building fund, mission, flowers, etc. and can be used in filing

your income tax returns.

Please review your statement when you receive it and, if you have any questions, call Isabel Oake in the office.

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

The Northminster Presbyterian Church Annual Report provides a summary of activities, events, and committee endeavors from the past year. Pick up a copy to get a full picture of the vitality of this Christian community. It may also serve to inspire you to join a committee or study group, or to get involved in church life in other ways.

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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

FEBRUARY PW MEETINGS

Monday, Feb. 4, 10:30: Coordinating Team

Thursday, February 7, 12:00: Esther Circle

Monday, February 18, 10:00: Ruth Circle

Wednesday, February 27, 10:00: Mary Circle

BOUTIQUE ON WHEELS Coming February 11

There will be a private

showing, of the latest collection of cruise, resort and casual related separates, jewelry and accessories, as well as a wide variety of styles and sizes so that there will be something for everyone….with a 10% discount on purchases! To add to the fun, ten gift certificates will be given! Purchases may be made with cash, checks or major credit cards.

The event will held in Fellowship Hall and begins at 11:30 with a bring-your-own-sandwich lunch. Dessert will be provided. Don’t forget to sign up to attend. Be sure to invite your friends to enjoy this free event.

CELEBRATE THE GIFTS OF WOMEN SUNDAY

February 17, 2013 This Sunday service honors women through whom God is transforming the church in an emerging era. Glimpses of God’s vision for the church—as in Isaiah 55: 1-13 inspire us to be open to change. In this text the prophet powerfully proclaims that God’s alternative reality is both here and on the way! The message holds both challenge and promise. Our guest minister for this service will be Rev. Helen Heffington. Helen is a Parish Associate at Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church in Ft. Myers. Previously she has served at Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral, as well as being a Hospice Chaplain. She has traveled several times to be with Navajo Presbyterians in Arizona, and has recently worked with Catholic Charities ministering to farm workers in Immokalee, Florida. All women are reminded to wear red to the service on this Sunday.

PW’S ANNUAL THANK OFFERING

Many times throughout our years we whisper a Thank You to our God. An opportunity to do more than the whisper is to support needy women in the United States and world wide so they, too, want to whisper a Thank You. Thus consider a generous donation to the Thank Offering. Checks should be written to PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN. Some of the 26 recipients of the Offering are; • Rural Washington, Christian Clinic Mobile Health • San Francisco, Recovery Programs for women

seeking a way out of prostitution • Salt Lake City, Sudanese Children's religious

education • Pakistan, Computer and English Language for girls • Kenya, services for victims of HIV/AIDS • Congo, Cereal dryer and silo for food security

FASHION SHOW AT WHITFIELD Last year we had so much fun at the Whitfield Presbyterian Women's Fashion Show and luncheon - and we have been invited again this year! The event will be at 12 noon on February 19. Ladies, you will want to put this delightful event on your calendar, and be sure to put your name on the sign up sheet so we can let Whitfield PW know how many will attend! Whitfield Presbyterian Church is located at 7045 N. Tamiami Trail.

At Northminster Presbyterian Church

February 10 & 24 March 24 April 21 May 5

At Church of the Palms 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, Florida 34239

March 10 April 7

Put these dates on your calendar and be prepared to join the crowd at each one of these concerts. The five dollar donation gets you in the door for a great serving of exciting and uplifting concert band music.

In addition, the Jazz Ambassadors Big Band will play concerts at the following dates at Northminster. Their shows start at 7:30 PM and are also $5.00.

February 17 March 17

Page 6 GOOD

The band is playing to SOLD OUT houses. You don’t want to miss out on their great music so come EARLY and make sure you have a seat. Two concerts are in store for you at Northminster this month: on February 10 the theme is Valentine and Our 16TH President and on February 24 the theme is Home in Indiana. Where else can you have so much fun on a Sunday afternoon for $5.00? The 2012-2013 Season has nine more Concerts. All concerts are at 3:00PM and admission is $5.00.

A late, but very sincere, Thank You to all our good cooks who contributed the delicious cookies that filled the baskets at Christmas- time for our homebound members. Also our appreciation to the Deacons who made the

deliveries. It takes a team effort to be able to do this and so we say, “Thank you and

God bless you all!”

Parish Life Committee.

To our NPC church family,

Thank you so much for your prayers, cards, phone calls and visits during the period of Tom's surgeries and ongoing recovery. We know that it will take some time to recover

fully, but we can see progress every day. It is such a blessing of be part of this family. Also,

hats off to the "cookie angels." mmm.....!

Tom and Nancy Haislip

THE SOUND OF MUSIC! FROM THE SUNCOAST CONCERT BAND

80TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

TIDINGS Page 7

Year to date actual (as of 12/30/12) Sixth Month of Fiscal Year 2012-13

Month F/Y 2012-13Year to date

Receipts $38,112 $169,740 Disbursements $29,589 $175,714 Balance $+8,523 $- 5,974

December is the sixth month of our new Fiscal Year 2012-13. Year-to-date disbursements exceeded our receipts by $5,974. The significant increase in December receipts reflects more of our winter congregation arriving, year-end contributions, and mission giving. We expect our receipts to continue to increase significantly through the end of our fiscal year in June of 2013. Please make every effort to stay current with your pledge and giving plans. Your generous support of our operating budget and the many activities of our church is appreciated and needs to be continued as we grow and expand.

Jack Tibbets, Business and Ministries Administrator

Have you checked out Northminster’s our on-line giving option yet? Online Giving helps make sure your pledge, building fund payments and mission gifts are received regularly, on the schedule you designate. You will be able to check the status of your giving at any time, from the comfort of your home. Go to Northminster’s web page at www.npcsarasota.com and click the Online Giving tab at the top of the page. There you can print easy instructions on how to sign up or go directly to the Online Giving page to register.

If you have any questions, please call the office.

We look forward to seeing our winter friends, who have begun to arrive

from their northern nests. Please call or e-mail the office as you return

to Florida so that we can make sure your contact

information is up to date.

A Tax Note Did you know you can contribute IRA funds directly to Northminster (or any qualified charity)? In recently passed tax rules, there is a continuation of the IRA direct contribution rules for the balance of 2013. So, if you choose, you can also make a 2013 direct charitable IRA contribution during any month of 2013. However, the ability to contribute for 2012 was only valid until January 31, 2013.

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday—Thursday 9:00 - 3:30

Friday 9:00 - 2:00

DEADLINES

• Sunday Bulletin announcements are due in the office by noon every Wednesday.

• Good Tidings: Articles, reports, and announcements for the March 2013 newsletter are due on Friday, February 15. The preferred method of submission is by e-mail to office@npcsarasota.org.

• Session Committee Monthly Reports are due in the office by Wednesday, February 13.

OFFICE ANGELS Many thanks to Mary Lou Lefferson, and two new volunteers, Debby Miller and Genie Tejckl, who helped staff the office in January.

SAVE PAPER,

SAVE POSTAGE READ THE GOOD

TIDINGS ONLINE!

Help us save paper and postage by reading the Good Tidings online, please call or e-mail the office to be removed from the snail-mail list. You will receive an e-mail reminder each month when the newsletter is posted with a link to our website, www.npcsarasota.com.

Page 8 GOOD TIDINGS

NPC E-Mail Addresses

Check your e-mail address books to make sure you are using the most current addresses for the church and Pastor Chris. If you are using the Juno e-mail address for the office, please update with the addresses below. We will be deactivating the old Juno address soon and we want to make sure we receive all of your e-mails!

Office/Isabel - office@npcsarasota.org

Pastor Chris - pastorchris@npcsarasota.org

1 B-J Dotzour 5 Manny Gonzalez Tom Haislip 6 Bill Marvin Audrey Sagers 11 Judy Egan 12 Bob Ryan 13 Jerry Landis 14 Logan Dutton 19 Betty Jo Dutcher 22 Jennifer Veal 23 Mary Ribeiro 25 Elaine Cline 27 Tim Underwood Rich Rhodes

February 2013 Northminster Presbyterian Church • Sarasota, FL

Locations

EB=Education Bldg FH= Fellowship Hall L= Library S= Sanctuary

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 6:30 Big Book-AA

2

3 9:00 Sunday School (CR) 9:45 Choir (S) 10:30 Worship 10:00-1:00 Iglesia* (FH)

4 10:30 PWCT (L) 5:00 Fellowship Committee (L) 6:00 Cub Scouts 7:00 Boy Scouts

5 9-12 Medical Ombudsman 9:00 Bible Study(FH) 10:30 Staff Mtg.(L) 3:00 Finance Com (L) 4:00 Bible Study (FH)

6 10-3 Artists (CR) 2:00 AIM Com (FH) 6:30 Brownies (FH)

7 12:00 Esther Cir(L) 2:00 Liturgists (L) 6:45 Choir (S)

8 6:30 Big Book-AA

9

10 9:00 Sunday School (CR) 9:45 Choir (S) 10:30 Worship 10:00 Iglesia* (FH) 1:30 AIM Class (L) 3:00 Suncoast Band Concert (S)

11 11:30 PW Fashion Show (FH) 6:00 Cub Scouts 7:00 Boy Scouts

12 9-12 Medical Ombudsman 9:00 Bible Study(FH) 10:30 Staff Mtg.(L) 1:00 Personnel (L) 2:00 Deacons (L) 4:00 Bible Study (FH)

13 Ash

Wednesday 10-3 Artists (CR) 10:00 Mission (L) 6:00 Communion Service & Soup Supper (FH) 6:30 Brownies (EB) Session Committee

Reports Due

14 6:45 Choir (S)

15 5:00 Presbyterians Eating Out 6:30 Big Book-AA

Good Tidings Deadline

16

17 9:00 Sunday School (CR) 9:45 Choir (S) 10:30 Worship 10:00 Iglesia* (FH) 7:30 Jazz Concert

18 10:00 Ruth Cir (L) 6:00 Cub Scouts 7:00 Boy Scouts

19 9-12 Medical Ombudsman 9:00 Bible Study(FH) 10:30 Staff Mtg.(L) 4:00 Bible Study (FH)

20 10-3 Artists (CR) 6:30 Brownies (FH) 7:00 Session (L)

21 6:45 Choir (S)

22 6:30 Big Book-AA

23

24 9:00 Sunday School (CR)9:45 Choir (S) 10:30 Worship 10:00 Iglesia* (FH) 11:30 Congregational Mtg 3:00 Suncoast Band Concert (S)

25 6:00 Cub Scouts 7:00 Boy Scouts

26 9-12 Medical Ombudsman 9:00 Bible Study(FH) 10:30 Staff Mtg.(L) 3:00 Stewardship (L) 4:00 Bible Study (FH)

27 10-3 Artists (CR) 10:00 Mary Circe (L) 6:30 Brownies (FH)

28 6:45 Choir (S)

* The Spanish-speaking Iglesia del Redentor holds Sunday services in our Fellowship Hall.

GOOD TIDINGS Northminster Presbyterian Church 3131 61st Street Sarasota, FL 34243-2542

Northminster Presbyterian Church “Called by Christ. Sent by Christ.”

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE: 10:30 AM

STAFF: OFFICE HOURS: Christopher C. Carlson, Pastor 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM Monday—Thursday pastorchris@npcsarasota.org 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Friday Isabel Oake, Office Administrator office@npcsarasota.org Jack Tibbets, Business & Ministries Admin. PHONE: 941-355-4729 jack@npcsarasota.org FAX: 941-351-2162 Sally Kirby, Clerk of Session E-MAIL: office@npcsarasota.org clerkofsession@npcsarasota.org WEBSITE: www.npcsarasota.com Edward L. Stiles, Jr., Music Director Jay Snyder, Organist

Northminster Presbyterian Church Good Tidings is published for members and friends of the church to promote its programs and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Please notify the office of any address, phone, or e-mail changes.

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #526

Manasota, FL

PLACE LABEL HERE

CURRENT RESIDENT

“In God we trust”

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