Greetings:

I can’t wait to begin the Bible Study Class this Wednesday at noon in the fellowship hall. I’ll be talking about the Book of Ruth and reflecting on the three main characters: Ruth, Naomi and Boaz. This book was written thousands of years ago – sometime between 500 to 100 B.C.

I like this book for many reasons. Number one, it tells us what it means to be a woman of God, to live under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, and to be a creative part of God’s creative power. Number two, it reminds us that life – its substance and meaning, is made up of a series of defining moments – moments of loss, risk, change, transformation, relationship and survival. Each of these leave their own special mark in our lives that shape us and define us as we journey through life.

This story also tells us how interracial marriages were frowned upon in early Israel. And, it remains us that a woman without a husband, in a culture where a woman’s social security depends on her being linked to a man, is a sorry sight.

It shows us how one can seize the moment in life to become someone new, to start again alone and in a place other than one’s beginnings. We can take what appears as God’s one and only will for us or we can stretch ourselves to the limits of ourselves to find the God who waits for us and they allows us to become what God wills in our lives.

From the beginning of this little book through to its completion, we see where choices are made – bold choices filled with faith that the God of yesterday is also the God of today, that the God who took one thing away has something else in store for you!

This is the story of Ruth, but it can also be our individual story, as well as the story of the church! I hope and pray you can find time in your schedule on Wednesday’s at noon to come and together experience the Holy Spirit giving us direction, but more importantly giving us hope and showing us the power of God’s love!

In Christ’s Love,

Lyle

Firs t Presbyter ian Church Presbyter ian Post

Being God’s Church, WE ARE. Living God’s Vision, WE WILL.Being God’s Church, WE ARE. Living God’s Vision, WE WILL.Being God’s Church, WE ARE. Living God’s Vision, WE WILL.Being God’s Church, WE ARE. Living God’s Vision, WE WILL.Being God’s Church, WE ARE. Living God’s Vision, WE WILL.Being God’s Church, WE ARE. Living God’s Vision, WE WILL.Being God’s Church, WE ARE. Living God’s Vision, WE WILL.Being God’s Church, WE ARE. Living God’s Vision, WE WILL.

Being God’s Church, I AM. Living God’s Vision, I WILL.Being God’s Church, I AM. Living God’s Vision, I WILL.Being God’s Church, I AM. Living God’s Vision, I WILL.Being God’s Church, I AM. Living God’s Vision, I WILL.Being God’s Church, I AM. Living God’s Vision, I WILL.Being God’s Church, I AM. Living God’s Vision, I WILL.Being God’s Church, I AM. Living God’s Vision, I WILL.Being God’s Church, I AM. Living God’s Vision, I WILL.

February 2017 Volume 15, Issue 167

First Presbyterian Church, 104 N. Illinois St., Monticello, IN 47960 www.monticellofpc.org

Members: John Million; Beverly

Fischer; Jim Davis

Members who are Nursing Home

Residents:

Parkview Haven (Francesville): Jean Hanway

Lake View Village: Carla Bever

White Oaks Health Campus: Ruth Smith; Billie Clouse; Bob Phelps; Sandy Leverenz; Jo Lottes

All unspoken prayers.

Church Directory

Lyle Ewing Transitional Pastor

De Anna Paschen Administrative Assistant

Julie Houck Youth Group Leader

Bobbi Doll Director of W.E.B. Preschool

Laura Lee Choir Director

Marilyn Denton Organist

Lucy Jacob Treasurer

Bill Cook Custodian

Flordeliza Sare Nursery

Website: www.monticellofpc.org

facebook.com/monticellofirstpresbyterianchurch

THE SESSION:

Pastor Lyle Ewing Moderator

Joy Bailey Clerk of Session

CLASS OF 2017:

Shelly Hay, Jay Janke,

Sara Phelps, Dave Anderson; Betsy Bossaer

CLASS OF 2018:

Judy Bertram, Dennis Boyd

Larry Fisher, Buzz Horton, Jerry Kolter,

CLASS OF 2019:

Jody Headdy, Ed Brothers;

Theresa Baker; Marilyn Moss

THE DEACONS:

Reesa Phillips Moderator

Dan Flora Vice-Moderator

Jessica Phillips Secretary

Andi Janke Treasurer

CLASS OF 2017:

Reesa Phillips, Dan Flora, Dave Kelly

Stephanie Thompson, Jessica Phillips, Austin White

CLASS OF 2018:

Andi Janke, Tina Young,

Jenelle Foddrill, Pam Hollingsworth

CLASS OF 2019

Lin Bridge, Sonja Russell,

Margaret Sherry, Ardis Bramlage

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN:

Liz Rice President

Judy Bertram Vice (Assist.)

Jane Harvey Historian/Secretary

Linda Maudlin Treasurer

Program Leaders:

Spring: Peg Horton & Sharon Williams

Fall: Meg Andrews & Kelly Haygood

Christmas: Sonja Russell & Sue Winings

Nominating Committee:

Leslie Goss, Margaret Sherry & Donna Thompson

Michael Sabasko, (friend of Julie Houck); Larry Foddrill, (Jenelle Foddrill’s father); Alisa (Julie Houck’s granddaughter); Trooper Tyan Winter (Jay Janke’s friend); Nate Conley (friend of the Janke & Bramlage fami-lies); Brenda Flattery (friend of Pam

Hollingsworth); Rob Finley

Our Christian Sympathy is extended to the Family and Friends of Daughtery Family (friends of Jenelle Foddrill); Mark & Leslie Agerter for their son Michael (friend of Jay Janke); Jerry Long; Scott Schutte (nephew of Jane Harvey). Please keep them in your thoughts and pray-

ers.

David Bailey (NAVY) (son of Richard Bailey); Sean Fite (ARMY) (son of Tom & Julie Houck); Alex Layher (USMC) (grandson of Mert

and Lucy Jacob);

Monica Bourg Layher (ARMY) (granddaughter–in–law of Mert & Lucy Jacob); Brian Strantz (NAVY) (son of Tom & Julie Houck); Brad Switzer (USMC); Ericka Teegarden (US Coast Guard) (granddaughter

of Carol Moore).

Friends and Relatives

Prayer Concerns

Service Men & Women

Sister Churches

First Presbyterian Church, Highland, IN, The Rev. Linda S. Skaggs

Hobart Presbyterian Church in Hobart, IN. The Rev. Jeffery C. Carter

Lima Presbyterian Church in Howe, IN. Dave Hughes, CRE

Salem Center Presbyterian in Hudson, IN. The Rev. Dr. Maria Lolita Rutland

INVITING PEOPLE/MISSIONS

Chair Exercise Class

The Chair Exercise Class for mature adults and those with mobility limitations has been scheduled for Thursday’s from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The classes will be held every Thursday for a 12 week program.

Please come and join the fun!!

HEART Fellowship - Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Agenda

11:15 a.m. – Service in the chapel

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

12:30 p.m. - Program

Pastor Lyle will talk about Holy Cross Hermitage, “A Russian Orthodox Monastery in the mountains of West Virginia.”

Reservations requested by noon on Monday, February 13, 2017. These reservations can be made by signing up on Sunday or by calling the church office.

Random Acts of Kindness

First Presbyterian Church will be practicing Random Acts of Kindness.

Each week, you should practice a new Random Act of Kindness upon family, friends, and complete strangers. Each Sunday, Pastor Lyle would love to hear about your experience about giving or

receiving any Random Acts of Kindness. Here are some to get you started:

Week One: Offer to take a senior to the store

Week Two: Stop by a nursing home and visit a resident

Week Three: Leave an extra big tip for the waiter/waitress

Week Four: Open the door for another person

REMINDER:

Food Pantry Pick-up – February 27, 2017 thru March 4, 2017

For questions, contact Mark Hay.

Annual Congregation & Corporate Meeting February 12

A congregational meeting is called for Sunday, February 12, following the time of worship and a meal. The agenda of the meeting is to approve the minutes of the previous congregational meetings. We will elect two members-at-large for the nominating committee. We will also review the necrology re-port, the report of session, the approved budget for 2017 and the annual report of 2016. A report on the plans for 2017 will be given.

SESSION

The “Big Six” Through On Our Way, the following “Big Six” are the priorities our congregation has identified as being most important to us. Priorities are listed in order of greatest importance. With the involvement our of Deacons and PW, all members of our congregation are committed to the successes of our teams! We

invite you to become involved with the team of your interests and passion!

Priority #1: WORSHIP

Session Chairpersons— Jody Headdy, Jay Janke

Key Responsibilities

Music Communion Worship Leaders Ushers Flowers Holy Week AV Team Advent Pulpit Supply

Special Services Weddings/Funerals Baptisms Members Deacon of the Month Acolytes Greeters Honorary Sundays Quiet Bags

Priority #3: YOUTH

Session Chairperson—Shelle Hay Julie Houck, Youth Director

Key Responsibilities

Youth Groups Commitment Service Montreat Geneva Center Annie Horton Award Parade Backpack Project Fundraising Wild Game Feed

Caroling Safe Child Training White County Fair Fifth Sunday Services Sunday School Fourth Grade Bibles Senior Sunday-- Recognition

Priority #5: EDUCATION Session Chairpersons— Sara Phelps, Jerry Kolter

Key Responsibilities

Teacher Training Curriculum Sunday School Commissioning: Teachers & Volunteers Bible Study

Heart Ministry WEB Preschool Adult Education Confirmation Class Vacation Bible School

Priority #2: INVITING PEOPLE/MISSION

Session Chairpersons— Larry Fisher, Judy Bertram, Marilyn Moss

Key Responsibilities

Fellowship—Schedules Backpack Project White County Fair Heart Ministry Exercise Class Soles for Souls Food Pantry

Community/Soup Supper Honorary Sundays WEB Preschool Mission Funds Visitor Bags Caroling Fundraising-- (Ex: Pizza Hut, etc.)

Priority #4: COMMUNICATIONS Session Chairpersons—

Betsy Bossaer, Theresa Baker

Key Responsibilities

White County Fair Parade Heart Ministry Exercise Class Facebook FPC Website Photos

Post—Monthly Signs Newspaper Radio Pamphlets Visitor Bags Communications/ Publications

Priority #6: OPERATIONS

Session Chairpersons— Ed Brothers, Buzz Horton,

Dave Anderson, Dennis Boyd

Key Responsibilities

Nursery Church Staff Evaluations Financial Reports Monitoring: Accounts Collections Maintenance/Facilities

Trust/Endowments Distribution: Funding Memorials WEB Preschool Budgets Scholarships

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OUR CHURCH AT WORK

The Monticello First Presbyterian Church will regularly take pictures &/or videos of our church

activities and its members. Those pictures may be used in brochures, put in the paper, put on our

website or for other uses. If you do not wish your &/or your family member’s pictures to be used,

please make this wish known, in writing, to the church office. No names will ever be used for

children under the age of 18.

AUDIO

February 5th

Jim Haygood

Jay Janke

February 12th

Mike Rice

Steve Hoffman

February 19th

Mike & Theresa

Baker

February 26th

Clarence Ponsler Holly Fabricius

ACOLYTES

USHERS

Nina Dellinger

Sue Drake

Judy Bertram

Linda Land

Andi & Jay

Janke

Reesa & Jessica

Phillips

Betsy & Greg

Bossaer

Mark & Shelle

Hay

Dave & Bonnie

Kelly

Tom & Jennie

Peters

FELLOWSHIP

Scouts

Congregational Mtg.

Dinner

Hosted by

Congregational Life

Cinda Wilhite

Kelly Rice

Meg Andrews

Theresa Baker

Holly Fabricius

Kelly Haygood

WORSHIP LEADER

Dave Kelly

Judy Bertram

Dan Flora

Reesa Phillips

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER

Jay Janke

Betsy Bossaer

Reesa Phillips

Betsy Bossaer

FLOWER CALENDAR

Mert & Lucy

Jacob

DEACON

Dan Flora

Dan Flora

Dan Flora

Dan Flora

Your Church Library

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS

Kroger Community Rewards

!!!Update!!! Donation of $326.82 as of 12/31/2016

Did you know that every time you shop at Kroger you can automatically give to the Presbyterian Women!?! By attaching a community reward number to your Kroger rewards card, PW will receive money from Kroger. This does not take anything away from your own

rewards or discounts at Kroger. This is an added bonus for the church given by Kroger. PW will use these monies to give more to the youth and Deacons and to purchase and update needed items for the church. PW can help you get your card enrolled. If you already have a Kroger account on the internet, sign into your account, click on Community Rewards tab and

enroll with the church’s number 62176. If you have any questions or need help contact De Anna in the office, 574-583-5878, she will quickly get your card enrolled.

Two new books in our church library were donated by Presbyterian Women in memory of Louise Martin, both written by Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author. The Broken Way – A Daring Path into the Abundant Life helps us who feel broken in some way. The back cover sums up the book: “There’s a way that beckons you into more time, more authen-tic relationships. There’s a way, especially when things aren’t shaping up quite like you imagined, that makes life take the shape of more – more abundance, more intimacy, more God.

One Thousand Gifts – A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are – beckons us to abandon ourselves to the God who overflows our cup. As Ann Voskamp invites us into her own moments of grace, she gently teaches us how to biblically lament loss, turning pain into poetry. The books invites us to engage with truths that will serve up depths of God’s joy and transform our lives forever.

Explore your Church Library… to grow in faith and spirit!

The Gordon/Jackson Scholarship

Application forms are available in the Church Office.

Remember to “sign-in” when you pick up your application.

The Deadline for these forms is April 3, 2017

THE APRIL 3rd DEADLINE IS FOR THE APPLICATION, RECOMMENDATIONS, TRANSCRIPTS, ETC… NO FORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER APRIL 3rd

If you have had any changes in your home address, phone number, email address, or Facebook, please contact the Church office in order for us to update our records and keep in touch with you.

Church Closing Information

Guidelines for when church services, committee meetings are cancelled and church office is closed due to weather.

Sunday Morning Service Cancellation:

Any Sunday Morning Church Service will be cancelled if there is a Level 2 or Level 3 alert for White County that is called between Sat.- 8:00 pm to Sun. - 10:00 am. Information can be found on the WMRS website, www.wmrsradio.com under cancellations, or by calling 1-800-261-7623 or on the radio broadcast. We will also post it on the Church’s Facebook page. We will also go the following TV stations, WLFI TV 18, www.wlfi.com and WTHR TV 13, www.wthr.com. Click on Weather; then on Closings and Delays. We will also try to email or call members. You may also call Pastor Lyle if needed.

Church committee Meetings Cancelled:

The committee Team Leader will determine if meeting will be cancelled. They are to be conservative in making their decision. Meetings can always be rescheduled or held on the following Sunday after worship service.

• Appears to be snowing and ice – cancel. • Appears to be cleaned up prior to meeting – Committee Leader to decide.

Church Office Closed:

• Twin Lakes School Corporation on 2 Hour Delay – get into the office when you can. Staff should call office and leave message.

• Twin Lakes School Corporation Closed – Staff to call if you cannot make it in. Staff should not take unnecessary risks getting into work. Use your judgment in making decision.

February 2nd

Janet Anderson

February 3rd

Jo Lottes

February 9th

Jody Headdy

February 10th

Nina Dellinger

Sara Phelps

February 12th

Bonnie Harmon

February 14th

Bev Fischer

February 15th

Scott Andrews

February 18th

Amber Brothers

February 21st

Jim Leverenz

James Wildrick

February 22nd

Kelly Haygood

February 23rd

Janie Anderson

February 27th

David Winings

February 14th

Buehl & Marion Ponsler

February 16th Bob & Sharon

Williams

INVITING PEOPLE/MISSIONS

DEACON NEWS

BOARD OF DEACONS COMMITTEES 2017

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

*Reesa Phillips *Pam Hollingsworth *Lin Bridge

Jessica Phillips Andi Janke Ardis Bramlage

Stephanie Thompson Jenelle Foddrill Sonja Russell

Dan Flora Tina Young Margaret Sherry

Dave Kelly

Austin White (Youth)

*Second term

MODERATOR Reesa Phillips

VICE MODERATOR Dan Flora

SECRETARY Jessica Phillips

TREASURER Andi Janke

PRAYER/CARE As a Group

BENEVOLENCE Dave Kelly, Reesa Phillips

THANKSGIVING BASKETS Tina Young, Reesa Phillips, Dan Flora

COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES Reesa Phillips, Andi Janke, Dan Flora, Jessica Phillips

SOUP FOR SOULS Lin Bridge,

RUMMAGE SALE Reesa Phillips, Pam Hollingsworth, Jenelle Foddrill

QUIET BAGS Deacon of the Month

NOMINATING COMMITTEE Jenelle Foddrill

Pastor Lyle’s Noon Bible Study Coming February 1st

Beginning Wednesday, February 1, we will spend the next four weeks studying the Book of Ruth. Although this book only has four chapters, it has much to say to us today! The three main characters in this book are Ruth, Naomi and Boaz. Within these four chapters we see how these three individuals remained strong in character and true to God even when the society around them was collapsing.

We will be meeting at noon in the fellowship hall Wednesdays during the month of February. Please bring a lunch with you and we will spend an hour eating, praying, talking, listening, but most importantly feeling the Holy Spirit working in our midst as we discern God’s word in the Book of Ruth.

Time Line for Calling a Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Monticello

(Please note – this time line is an estimate subject to change.)

January - March

• The session will make a request to Committee on Ministry to call a congregational meeting and elect a PNC. The church’s Officer Nominating Committee will come up with a list of candidates..

• The request will also include a job description and budget for our “called” pastor.

• We will update our “Journey of the People of God” assessment. (This is being finalized now.)

• Wabash Valley Presbytery Visionary Leader (Executive Presbyter) Jennifer Burns Lewis will meet with session and give a presentation on “Mission Insight”. This mission tool will help us see the demographics, economic status and many other insights of people who live in and near Monticello.

A representative from Committee on Ministry will be assigned to our church and will work hand-in-hand with our Pastor Nominating Committee.

April

Pastor Nominating Committee, with help from the Committee on Ministry liaison, will write a “Mission Information Form” or what was formerly known as a “Church Information Form”. The session also works on the Mission Information Form regarding the church’s mission, position description of pastor and parameters for salary negotiations. When final approval is given by session it is sent to Jennifer Burns Lewis (Presbytery Visionary Leader) and Committee on Ministry for approval.

May

• When approval of Mission Information Form is finished, our church e-mails it to Louisville to be matched with pastors searching for a call.

The Pastor Nominating Committee will also explore other media sources for calling a pastor ie. – magazines, publications, seminaries, word of mouth, etc.

June – July

• Look over Pastor Information Forms that are coming in from pastors, begin to narrow down candidates and then conduct preliminary Skype interviews.

The Pastor Nominating Committee will request Jennifer to make a reference checks on candidates. The candidate’s Pastor Information Form will be sent to Jennifer for review. If everything checks out okay, the committee can narrow things down to the final candidates.

August

The Pastor Nominating Committee interviews final candidates in person and hears them preach at a neutral pulpit. They will then negotiate terms of call and request the Committee on Ministry to make an Examination Interview.

September

After a successful interview and all the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed, Committee on Ministry gives us permission to call a congregational meeting to present the candidate. The candidate will lead the worship service. After the service, the Pastor Nominating Committee and the Committee on Ministry liaison will introduce the candidate during the congregational meeting. A vote on the candidate and terms of call will take place in a sin-gle vote.

Session Members -- 2017

Clerk of Session: Joy Bailey

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

*Shelle Hay *Larry Fisher *Ed Brothers

*Sara Phelps *Jerry Kolter *Jody Headdy

Dave Anderson Dennis Boyd Marilyn Moss

Jay Janke Judy Bertram Theresa Baker

Betsy Bossaer Buzz Horton

(* indicates second consecutive term on session)

Team-Based Ministry

Session Team Leaders

Communications Betsy Bossaer, Theresa Baker, co-chair

Education Sara Phelps, Jerry Kolter, co-chair

Inviting People/Mission Larry Fisher, chair, Judy Bertram, elder,

Marilyn Moss, elder

Operations Buzz Horton, chair; Dennis Boyd, elder

Ed Brothers, chair; Dave Anderson, elder

Worship Jody Headdy, Jay Janke, co chair

Youth Shelle Hay, chair

The 2016 Annual Report will be ready for your review on February 5, 2017.

2016 year end financials will be in the Annual report.

Please pick up your copy in the Fellowship Hall.

OPERATIONS

12/31/2015 Checking Balance $ 6,757.25

Offerings: $ 219,072.00

Other Income: $ 173.10

All Operating Income: $ 219,245.10

Operating Expenses: $(211,980.34)

Net Income . $ 7,264.76

Net of Payables & Receivables: $ (7,577.86)

Net Transfers from Savings: $ 276.12)

12/31/2016 Checking Balance: $ 6,720.27

YTD Investment Income for 2016 $ 6,581.21

Cash Flow Report for Month Ending 12/30/2016

2017 Per Capita is $39.75

Greetings:

Did you ever see the movie “Up”? It was a comedy-adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures in 2009. The film centers on an elderly widower named Carl Fredricksen and an earnest young Wilderness Explorer named Russell who fly to South America by floating in a house tied to helium balloons. They couldn’t do that with just one, or two, or three balloons. They had to have a HUGE number of balloons lifting the house together in order to make the journey. The same thing is true with our church “per capita” share which funds our presbytery, synod, and general assembly. Per capita is not a tax or a fee. Instead, it’s “us” doing our part to lift the church and help it along on its journey. When we, members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), pay our per capita, we are acting like those individual helium balloons that, when joined together, are able to do amazing things! The 2017 Per Capita share from Wabash Valley Presbytery is $39.76 per member. (We are asking for $39.75, since some give $40.00 which evens out in the end). It is broken down in this manner: Our presbytery receives $28.45. Our synod (the Synod of Lincoln Trails) receives $3.81. The General Assembly receives $7.50. The amount of $39.76 isn’t a huge amount of money. But when you multiply that amount by everyone in our church, and every Presbyterian in our region, it then becomes significant and can help “lift” the ministry of the Presbyterian Church “Up” and in the direction God is leading us! If you haven’t had the opportunity to pay your individual per capita membership, we hope and pray you’ll do so. You may drop it off at the church office or simply mail it. With your contribution to per capita, together we can “lift up” the ministry that is taking place here at First Presbyterian Church and in the Presbyterian Church at large.

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Lyle

2016 Contribution Statements have either been emailed or mailed to you as of Tuesday ,

January 24th. If you did not receive one or having trouble opening your email,

please contact Lucy or De Anna in the office.

W.E.B. NEWS

Hello from our little corner of the Church!

Happy New Year! I will jinx us by saying we have had a mild winter so far. We do have a couple of make up days due to weather delays. We will make them up when the weather becomes more dependable.

Our Christmas programs had a wonderful turn out! One program was attended by the folks from the courthouse. The electricity had gone out there so they came to see a fellow employee’s daughter in the program. It was fun to see new faces in the crowd. Santa visited after each program to hear Christmas wishes and pass out candy canes. I loved the look on the children’s faces when he came in during the song “where is Santa?” We hope all of you had an enjoyable Christmas, too!

January took us into the tropics. We talked about island life, sea life, and pirates. We learned about the letters S, W, O and X. The children worked on their Brown Bear, Brown Bear books. They illustrated each animal and learned how we bind the individual pages into a book. We painted, colored, played with play dough, practiced our printing, and learned how to play a couple of new classroom games. Tomorrow (January 27) is pajama day. Everyone will wear their favorite pjs and bring a stuffed animal. We will celebrate with pizza and an indoor snowball fight.

We have been blessed with donations from a few WEB families. We received a wooden tree house for our play center…wooden animals included, musical instruments for our band, dress up items and four laptop computers for the children to use for learning games. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

February will bring our healthy heart unit, Valentine’s Day parties and a field trip to Young McDonald’s Farm at the high school. I’m sure we will be very busy in our little corner!

Kindness matters. We are all different, yet we are all the same. We can have our own opinions, but need to be respectful of opinions that are different than our own. We will work on being kind in the classroom. Remember to work on being kind in your everyday lives.

Love to all….Bobbi and staff.