letter

---

The official newsletter of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth

penn street LETTER

October 21, 2016 Volume 15, Number 22

THE





p. 2 p. 3 p. 4 p. 5 p. 6 p. 7

Blue Zone Purpose Workshops Offered this Fall

The Wellness Committee and the Blue Zones Project invite you to participate in one of the upcoming Blue Zones Purpose Workshops. If you are looking to determine or re-evaluate your skills and how they can best be used to help others, you’ll find this workshop very beneficial.

Workshop Options October 22, 1-3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church (3621 Tulsa Way, Fellowship Hall, Fort Worth) October 26, 9-11 a.m. at the Women & Children’s Building at Presbyterian Night Shelter (2401 Cypress, Fort Worth) November 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel (Ballroom, 1701 Commerce Street, Fort Worth) You may register at https://fortworth.bluezonesproject.com/events/landing and click on the event you want to attend and click at RSVP. For more information, please contact Wellness Committee member Mary Kay Roberto at 817.946.1125.

Pastors’ Corner All Saints Worship & Labyrinth Walk Messiah Chorus Forming Holiday Volunteer Opportunities Recent Event Photos Joys & Concerns, Emergency Contact Info

Thanksgiving Basket Project Every fall, FPC partners with the South Central Alliance of Churches to support the Thanksgiving Basket Project by preparing and contributing food bags containing items for a Thanksgiving meal given to those in need. Please view the shopping list below and bring items to the red carts outside the Great Hall and in the Narthex on November 13 and 20. Donations of money are also appreciated; checks can be made out to First Presbyterian Church with “Thanksgiving Baskets 2016” in the memo. Please follow the package size requests and include only listed items. Additional sacks are given to larger families. Can you help distribute baskets on Tuesday, November 22 from 2-4 p.m.? If so, contact Suzie Lotven at Lotven@ sbcglobal.net or 817.927.7213 who coordinates this ministry.

Grocery List: __ One 15 oz. can cranberry sauce __ One 15 oz. can corn __ One 15 oz. can green beans __ One 15 oz. can yams __ One 15 oz. can fruit __ One 6 oz. pkg. Jello __ One 15 oz. can chicken broth __ One 14 oz. bag stuffing mix (or 2 4oz. boxes) __ One box cake mix __ One can cake frosting __ Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, or small box of tea bags *Note: Health regulations require that food be in the original packaging/containers.

Pastors’ Letter Dear Friends, The Sunday, October 9 issue of Parade in the Fort Worth StarTelegram contained an article that caught my eye as I read the paper early that morning. “A Feeling of Awe May Be the Secret to Health and Happiness” by Paula Spencer Scott explores the work of psychologist Dacher Keltner’s work called Project Awe.  Keltner defines awe as “the feeling of being in the presence of something vast or beyond human scale, that transcends our current understanding of things.”  He goes on to say that people “often talk about awe as seeing the Grand Canyon or meeting Nelson Mandela.  But our studies show it can also be much more accessible –a friend who is so generous you’re astounded…” Spencer Scott draws from Keltner’s research several insights.  “Awe binds us together.”  “Awe helps us to see

things in new ways.” “Awe makes us nicer and happier.” What struck me about the article that early Sunday morning before coming to a morning of worship is the reality that worship is a weekly opportunity for us to experience awe together.  Whether an anthem a choir sings that moves us, a line from a sermon that  awakens in us an excitement for the gospel, a phrase in a prayer that is poetry to our heart and soul, light glimmering through a stained glass window, a kind word from a greeter as we enter the building, a hymn sung together that causes our spine to tingle, a hug or handshake when the peace is exchanged that conveys genuine warmth and welcome  – and so much more.  Worship is filled with awe. What a gift! How do you experience awe at First Presbyterian Church? I’m grateful we share the experience of awe with one another.  God’s Peace to You,

LEFT: First Presbyterian Church at Sunset. Photo courtesy of Laura Armstrong. | Do you have a photo of FPC, our ministries, or events? We’d love to see them! Send to Teresa Tysinger at [email protected]. or bring by the church office.

SUBMISSIONS

Please send submissions for this newsletter to Teresa Tysinger, Director of Communications, at ttysinger@ fpcfw.org or drop by the church. The deadline is Wednesdays at 12 noon a week before you’d like the information to run. Thank you!

The Penn Street Letter (USPS 019-125) is published bi-weekly for $12 per year by First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102-3496. Periodicals postage is paid at Fort Worth, TX and at additional offices. Editor: Teresa Tysinger; Managing Editor: Pam Burkholder POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Penn Street Letter at 1000 Penn Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102-3496.

2

penn street LETTER

Free Seminar on Planning Funerals and Memorials

All Saints' Worship & Labyrinth Walk Tuesday, November 1 On All Saints' Day we are reminded that God was with the faithful in the past, and we are reassured that God is with us today, moving us and all creation toward God's end in time. It is a time to expand our awareness to commemorate the great cloud of witnesses above and around us (Hebrews 12.1) as well as to remember those who have died during the previous year.

On Sunday, October 23 at 4 p.m. in room 237 the Rev. Dr. Michael Waschevski will be leading a free seminar for church members on Planning Funerals and Memorial Services. The seminar includes theological and pastoral reflection on the purpose and focus of Christian funerals and memorial services while also dealing with practical aspects of planning. In addition to reviewing the Funeral and Memorial Guidelines approved by the Session, worksheets will be available for personal use. Making plans in advance can be a great gift to your family. To register, please contact Celeste in the church office at 817.335.1231, ext. 261 or [email protected].

Book People in November The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks is the book for the November meeting of Book People. Brook’s fifth novel, The Secret Chord is based on the life of King David. David springs to life on every page through Brook’s vivid and energetic writing. The prophet Nathan narrates the story so we learn a lot about him and others he interviews as he weaves the majestic story of one of the Old Testament’s most beloved people. Book People meets on Monday, November 14 at noon in Room 305. Church members and friends are welcome. For more information contact Elizabeth Johnson Pense at [email protected]. Book People does not meet in December and January. Spring 2017 books are Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker on February 13, Grace and Grit on March 13, Britt-Marie Was Here on April 10 and The Dovekeepers on May 8.

In celebration of All Saints' Day, you are invited to walk the labyrinth in remembrance of a loved one on November 1, any time between 12-6:30 p.m. A worship service to observe All Saints’ Day will be held in the Sanctuary at 7 p.m. You may walk the stone labyrinth in the newly dedicated Memorial Garden, or you may walk a smaller, canvas labyrinth in the Youth Room, located directly east of the gym. If for any reason you would rather appoint another to walk the labyrinth in remembrance of your loved one(s), it would be the FPC Labyrinth Guild's great privilege to serve in this way as you sit near the labyrinth. Watching another walk the labyrinth in remembrance of your loved one(s) on your behalf can be a moving experience, while being less physically taxing on you. Members of the Labyrinth Guild will be available at each labyrinth to provide information and to assist attendees upon request.

Next All-Church Brunch: Sunday, November 6 Everyone is invited to the next all-church brunch on Sunday, November 6. The meal is served between 11 and 12:30 p.m. The menu will be chili with fixings -perfect for the cooler (hopefully) fall weather. Cost is $7 per person; $25 family maximum. This brunch will be hosted by the Fellowship Committee. December’s brunch will be Christmas themed on Sunday, December 11, hosted by the Communications Committee. Mark your calendars now!

WWW.FPCFW.ORG

3

Samaritan House Supper Clubs Calling All Cooks! For decades our church has hosted a monthly supper at the Samaritan House on Hemphill Street on the first Tuesday of the month from 5-7 p.m. We are currently in need of more volunteers to continue this compassionate ministry. The mission of Samaritan House is to create a supportive community providing housing and resources for positive change in the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS and other special needs. Volunteers are needed to provide and serve a meal for about 40 residents the first Tuesday of every month. This is a wonderful way to provide hospitality and compassion for those in our community who appreciate not only a meal but especially a friendly face. If you are interested in volunteering in this way, please contact Robyn Michalove at [email protected] or 817.335.1231.

Messiah Chorus Forming: All Are Invited to Sing this December On Sunday, December 11, the Chancel and Fellowship Choirs, accompanied by keyboard and strings, will combine to present selections from Handel’s Messiah at the 9 and 11 a.m. services. If you have sung Messiah before, or have always wanted a chance to sing this masterpiece, know you are welcome to join the Messiah Chorus. Five choruses will be sung, along with soloists singing selected arias and recitatives. The Messiah Chorus will sing: And the Glory of the Lord; O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion; For Unto Us a Child is Born; Glory to God; and Hallelujah!

Habitat for Humanity Interfaith House Build Help Build a Home for the Ayro Family Many volunteers are needed to help with the interfaith house build at 5419 Carver Drive on the following dates: Saturday, November 5 (Sign Up Deadline: Tuesday, October 25) Sunday, November 13 (Sign Up Deadline: Friday, November 4)

Sign Up at http://vhub.at/presbyterians

Wednesday rehearsals will be held from 6:30–7 p.m. in Room 244 on November 9,16, and 30 as part of the Fellowship Choir rehearsal. A Saturday rehearsal for the full Chorus will be held on November 12 from 9–11 a.m. in the Chancel Choir room. A dress rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, December 7 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. To join the Messiah Chorus, or to receive more information, please contact the Rev. Dr. Michael Waschevski in the church office.

4

penn street LETTER

Rashonda Ayro with her children Jeremiah, age 12, Andrea, age 9, Kendall, age 8 and Kenderick, age 6.

Be a Holiday Helper This Holiday Season Sometimes students and adults have extra time to volunteer during the holidays. Here are some ways to serve during the upcoming holiday season through FPC ministries.

Thanksgiving Baskets See page one for information on donating items for the Thanksgiving Basket Project. Collection is November 13 and 20.

Christmas Toy Store Our second annual Christmas Toy Store for families with children 5th grade and younger who have been involved in ministries through Community Crossroads for at least 3 months will be on Saturday, December 10 in the FPC Gym. Parents sign up in advance (for a small fee) and shop at the store (for each child, they select two toys, a book, socks and underwear and then a family game). The store offers parents both dignity and choice in selecting gifts for their children.

How you can help: 1. Look for the manger scene outside the Great Hall on the first three Sundays in November. Select a “star” containing the child’s age and gender for you to purchase item(s) for that child. Bring your unwrapped gifts back to the manger scene toy receptacle on November 27 and December 4. Please do not spend more than $40 per toy. A printed suggestion list for age appropriate toys will be available. 2. Purchase and donate items from the following list:

- socks and underwear for ages 0-11 - new books for kids 0-11 - family games for children 3-11 3. Not a shopper? Give gift cards or a check donation (memo line: Christmas Toy Store 2016); other church members who love to shop can then purchase more gifts to stock our store. We also need volunteers to set up the store on Friday, December 9 during the day and help at the store on Saturday, December 10 in shifts. We especially need Spanish speakers on Saturday! To volunteer, contact Mary Kay Roberto at marykay.roberto@ sbcglobal.net or 817-946-1125.

Home for the Holidays For the past 5 years, Tarrant Churches Together has coordinated a meal for formerly homeless individuals and families currently residing in transitional housing through the City of Fort Worth’s Directions Home program. Each year, University Christian Church has opened its doors to host this lunch and we can use your help. You can: 1) volunteer to be a table host; 2) provide a 14.5x10.5 roasting pan of stuffing, mashed potatoes, and/or green beans or bring dinner rolls, pies/cakes for dessert, or; 3) help greet guests, serve the meal and/or help set up or clean up. For more information or to sign up, visit tarranttogether.org or email [email protected].

First HAND Food Volunteers are needed to pack and distribute groceries on Wednesday, November 23, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (or any time within those hours) at Community Crossroads, 1516 Hemphill. Contact Dawn Shepard at [email protected] for details.

Mobile Food Pantry Help pack and distribute groceries on Wednesday, December 21, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. at Broadway Baptist Church. Contact Dawn Shepard at [email protected] for details.

First HAND Food Volunteers are needed to pack and distribute groceries on December 22, 28, and 29; and January 4 and 5 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (or any time within those hours) at Community Crossroads (1516 Hemphill). Contact Dawn Shepard at [email protected] for more information.

Samaritan House Meals Serve a meal at Samaritan House on Tuesday, December 6 or Tuesday, January 3, 5-7 p.m. Contact Robyn Michalove at [email protected]. Read more on page 4.

WWW.FPCFW.ORG

5

Engaging the World...

At the Cowtown Brush-Up on Saturday, October 1, the 9-person FPC team painted the home of Sandra Smith in Fort Worth. The house was painted white with turquoise trim.

Inspiring Disciples...

FPC was pleased to host Dr. Mary Mikhael, the first female seminary president in the Middle East, for an ecumenical conversation on the Syrian crisis on Saturday, October 1 with community partners.

Engaging the World... The FPC Youth Group packed an amazing 24,336 meals on Sunday, October 2 at the Kids Against Hunger meal packing event. Volunteers included youth, parents, and their siblings. GREAT JOB fighting hunger!

6

penn street LETTER

Looking For Vintage Church Materials If longtime and multigenerational members of FPC have such treasures - from a child’s scribbling on notepads provided in sanctuary pews and labeled “for small Presbyterians” to Sunday school certificates - the researcher and author of our history book would love to photograph or scan them for possible inclusion. Of special interest are “miniature barrels” (about 3” in height) handed out to children for the collection of coin offerings many decades ago. Please contact Juliet George at 817.732.4675 or julietgeorge7@ sbcglobal.net.

Joys & Concerns Following are the joys and concerns shared as of October 12, 2016 (due to printing deadlines). To respect the privacy of those listed, names are included only when the individuals grant their permission. Our loving sympathy to... Family and friends of Ed Gilbert, who died on October 6. Ed is survived by wife, Alice Gilbert. Ed had been a member of our church family since 1950. Family and friends of Jim Wright, who died on October 3. Jim is survived by wife, June Wright. Jim had been a member of our church family since 1969. Jill Goff on the death of her mother, Mary Janice Goff, on September 23. Our loving thoughts and prayers are with... Kay Wilson, David King, Bill Shaffer, Keith Pugh, Ed Cook, Nancy Gedge Carlson, Chuck Sullivan, Lou Hopps, Corinna Nation, Margaret Francis, and Molly Hutchinson, who are recovering from surgery or injury. Lisa Shiner, Jacquitta White, Martha Mattox, Ann Chappell, Clark Williams, Mary Neita Werner, Sue Lowry, Marge Shiner, Ben Mathias, Elizabeth Bean, Katie Dyslin, Neil Zipp, Frances Blake, Bill O’Grady, Gene James, Carolyn Lischio, Jane Drew, Rush Klein, Mac McCoy, Nancy Nelson, Ed Martin, and Dalia Scott, who are dealing with illness or undergoing treatment. Ken Wilson and Jane Watson, who are on hospice. Our caring prayers for extended family include... Judy Vicknair (sister of Kay Wilson), John DeMore (son-in-law of June Sprott), Mary Krueger (sister of Wanda Williams), Lisa Koenig (niece of Clark Williams), Bill Schmid, Sr. (father of Bill Schmid, Jr.), Janet Laminack (cousin of Julie Sphar and Vance Laminack), Scott Schroeder (brother of Tom Delaney), Hugh Leslie (Brooke Rollins’ father), and Kathy Kline (Frank and Maxine Kruse’s daughter). Marty Kinard (Larry and Bettye Kinard’s daughter-in-law), Mark Bryant (Joanne Sarsgard’s son), and Susan Chenault (Frances Chenault’s daughter). Prayers for peace in our world, for the safety of Nathan Gunter (Russell and Vivian Norment’s nephew) who is stationed in Korea. Also for the safety of Diego A. Saldivar, who is serving in the US Navy. Diego is son of Becky and Rene Saldivar. Please continue to pray and express care for those many members who are struggling with illness, grief and personal hardship. Our congratulations and best wishes to... Shannon and Kate Norris on the birth of Elizabeth May Norris on September 17. Elizabeth is also the granddaughter of FPC members, Jim and Linda Pavlik Lattimore.

In an effort to keep our membership database up to date, below is a form that gives you the opportunity to provide the church office with emergency contact information for yourself, if you wish. If you have any questions, please call the office at 817.335.1231.

Emergency Contact Sheet for

____________________________________________ Member Name Primary Contact: Name: __________________________________________ Relationship: _____________________________________

Address: _____________________________________



_____________________________________



Phone: ______________________________________

Other Family Members: Name: __________________________________________ Relationship: _____________________________________

Address: _____________________________________



_____________________________________



Phone: ______________________________________

Name: __________________________________________ Relationship: _____________________________________

Address: _____________________________________



_____________________________________



Phone: ______________________________________

Name: __________________________________________ Relationship: _____________________________________

Address: _____________________________________



_____________________________________



Phone: ______________________________________

Name: __________________________________________ Relationship: _____________________________________

Address: _____________________________________



_____________________________________



Phone: ______________________________________

WWW.FPCFW.ORG

7

penn street THE

LETTER

Inspiring Disciples... Engaging the World

First Presbyterian Church 1000 Penn Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 PERIODICALS POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Penn Street Letter, 1000 Penn Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 Church Office Ph: 817.335.1231 Fax: 817.335.5663

WWW.FPCFW.ORG

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23 8 a.m. Worship Service 9 a.m. Worship Service 10 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 10 a.m. Church School 11 a.m. Worship Service 12:10 p.m. Evangelism Committee 12:15 p.m. Adult Christian Nurture Cttee. 3:30 p.m. Carol Choir 3:30 p.m. Messengers Youth Choir 3:30 p.m. Choristers Rehearsal 4 p.m. Planning Funerals & Memorials 4:30 p.m. High School Study Hall 4:30 p.m. Middle School Youth 5:30 p.m. All Youth Dinner 6 p.m. High School Youth 6 p.m. Middle School Bells MONDAY, OCTOBER 24 6:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Study 9:40 a.m. Wellness: Yoga Stretch 11:30 a.m. Busy Women’s Bible Study 6 p.m. PNS Playgroup: Young Adult 7 p.m. Discipleship/Covenant Group

Chapel Great Hall Room 218 Various Sanctuary Room 304 Room 305 Room 243 Room 244 Room 245 Room 237 Atrium Youth Center Youth Center Youth Center Room 245 Room 304 Room 109 Room 310 Away Parlor

A complete calendar of events is at www.fpcfw.org/calendar. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 10 a.m. PW Day Circles Begin Various 6:30 p.m. Boomers Dinner at Joe T’s Away 7 p.m. Young Adult Bible Study Group Away WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26 9:40 a.m. Wellness: Fun with Zumba Room 109 10:45 a.m. Bible In Depth Room 237 12 p.m. First HAND Open for Clients Com. Crossroads 5 p.m. Beacons Potluck Supper Gym 5:30 p.m. WOW! Worship on Weds. Com. Crossroads 6 p.m. Fellowship Choir Rehearsal Room 244 7 p.m. Grace Notes Rehearsal Room 245 7 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Room 218 7 p.m. Elder Training Room 237 7:30 p.m. Senior High Bible Study Away THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 8:30 a.m. EEC Fall Carnival Gym 12 p.m. Planned Giving Task Force Room 304 12 p.m. First HAND Open for Clients Com. Crossroads 3 p.m. Just Faith Small Group Stripling Conf. Rm. 5:45 p.m. Stephen Ministry Continuing Ed. Room 100 7 p.m. Strings of Faith Rehearsal Great Hall FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28 8:30 a.m. EEC Fall Carnival Gym 10 a.m. Wellness: Tai Chi 2nd Flr. Concourse