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The official newsletter of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth

penn street LETTER

November 4, 2016 Volume 15, Number 23

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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 [email protected] 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 (or 2 4oz. boxes) __ One 14 oz. bag stuffing mix __ 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’ Corner Advent, Messiah Chorus Forming Habitat Build, Christmas Poinsettias Holiday Volunteer Opportunities PW Events, Christmas in Whoville Joys & Concerns

Everyone is invited to the next allchurch brunch this 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. Hosted by the Fellowship Committee. Cost is $7 per person $25 family maximum. No reservations required.

Room in the Inn Winter Season The winter season of Room in the Inn begins Monday, December 5 in our Gym as we welcome fourteen men experiencing homelessness to have an evening of hospitality and respite at our church. Church members are available to play games, eat dinner, engage in conversation, and greet our guests. If you can come between 5-7 p.m. (or anytime in between), please let Marnie Meeks ([email protected] or 817-335-1231) know in advance. Bring your families. Let’s practice hospitality!

Pastors’ Letter Dear Friends, Reformation Sunday has just passed: October 30. Its purpose is to revisit and remember the lessons of the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Such lessons are legion, but for Presbyterians in particular it’s fun to recall the interconnection of faith and public life which spawned the church as we know and live

within it. John Calvin, our spiritual forerunner, was not merely a remarkable thinker, an intellectual’s intellectual. He was a preacher, too, and as providence had it, also a civil servant. A refugee, Calvin lived in Geneva not once, but twice, and the second spell handed him enormous power and authority. He envisioned a new sort of government, specifying which responsibilities the civil servants would hold, and which duties the church would undertake. (For what it’s worth, Martin Luther did somewhat the same in Germany, but Luther’s theology left great power in the hands of the civil authorities, the princes; Calvin gave much more authority to the clergy.) Calvin wrote ordinances, worked alongside Geneva’s City Council, and was personally engaged in civic details even as practical as street and sewer systems. Maybe that’s why Karl Barth, among the greatest theologians of the last century, envisioned ministers preaching with the Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. God is very much alive, and God is very much involved in the world, now, today, here. Bringing scripture to the streets, then, the Christian’s task is learning to see the world through God’s eyes in order to see God-in-the-world through our own eyes. All of which makes me happy not to live in Calvin’s Geneva. (It’s possible, with postmodern sensibilities, to see Calvin’s Geneva as an authoritarian theocracy.) Rather, I’m delighted to live in the 21st century United States, flawed and frayed though it is. What is most remarkable to me about American democracy is twofold: first, our commitment to freedom of religion, and second, our embrace of diversity. As for religious freedom, it is nothing short of remarkable that a civil authority allows the possibility that citizens will have a higher allegiance than citizenship itself. Astounding! Our nation allows us to commit first to God, and second to nationality, which is the puzzling paradox that sends the hair on my neck bristling every time I hear the national anthem. And, if we have the freedom to engage such a paradox, others must be free to choose the same, even if their faith

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differs from our own. Hence, though it is sometimes tense and difficult, diversity becomes our great strength. The threads which join us together are mutual trust; and commitment to justice for all; and basic respect for our democratic institutions and officials; and a willingness to confess, even begrudgingly, that our political opponents might just have some window on truth. We lack civility because we lack humility, and humility is of necessity a choice. You cannot not give humility to another person. We may only choose humility for ourselves. The election is next week. If you haven’t already, please vote. Enter the booth with both the Bible and the newspaper in mind. Envision God’s Kingdom – here now but not completely, not yet. Bring your faith to the task. Doing so is in our history, in our blood, and in our call. Then, when the victors are announced and the organized incivility is over, let us worship together, side by side. Let us choose humility. After this dust-up of an election, our nation needs us to be people of hope, honor, and blessing. May we be so. See you in church,

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.

Let’s Think About Advent... As you quickly skim this article, you may gasp, “Advent...already?” Yes, it’s November and Thanksgiving is near. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the first Sunday in Advent – the liturgical season which prepares us for the celebration of Christmas. Here’s a way to start planning now for a more sacred season. Because we are a large and diverse congregation, the Spiritual Formation Subcommittee provides you with multiple options to consider in order to bring the Incarnation and its mystery to the center of your holiday season. 1. For personal daily devotions we provide free copies of Sacred Space 2016. This familiar devotional provides short readings and questions for reflection and questions for reflection and contemplation. You may pick these up in the church office and take them home to enjoy. 2. For music lovers and particularly for families, we suggest purchasing Joy to the World by Ray Pritchard from Amazon. For $2.99 you can download 31 daily devotions, each the story behind a familiar carol. Also, there is a YouTube link to a video recording of the hymn. We hope you find yourself humming a carol a day! 3. Two covenant groups will read and then meet weekly to discuss The Advent of God Through Mary by the Rev. Terry Mattson, which is also available as a download from Amazon for $4.99. Carol Tombs will lead an evening session on Mondays at 5.30 p.m. beginning November 28 while Karen Hosch will lead a noon meeting starting on Thursday, December 1. Groups will meet in the Parlor. 4. Finally, we invite you to participate in an Advent labyrinth walk at 5 p.m. on December 4. Here, each of us becomes a pilgrim journeying to center as the light fades to darkness. Then, we await together the advent of the Light of the World.

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! 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.

Have You Made Your 2017 Pledge? Commitment Sunday was October 23. But it’s not too late to submit your pledge. There are two easy ways! 1. Mail or bring by your completed pledge card to the church office. 2. Visit fpcfw.org/give and fill out the online form. The Stewardship Committee will be making follow-up calls on November 15. We’d love to hear from you before then. Thank you for your generosity!

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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.

Changes to the Penn Street Letter in 2017

Teresa Tysinger (second from left), Director of Communications at First Presbyterian, was a powerful speaker at the Presbyterian Women’s Tuesday Together on October 18. From early childhood, Teresa knew she would be a writer. We thank her for sharing her lens of a deep and abiding faith.

Beginning in January 2017, the Penn Street Letter will move to a monthly schedule. Once a month, the printed newsletter will continue to provide information about upcoming events, reminders, and ministry updates. In addition, the monthly print editions will report on exciting happenings throughout the life of the church. Weekly news and updates will be provided through the Penn Street Online, FPC’s electronic newsletter, as well as through our other communication outlets like Sunday bulletins, website, social media, and more. If you are not yet subscribed to the PSO, you may do so at fpcfw.org/news/join-mailing-lists/. Note: Printed versions of the PSO will also be available in the church office.

SAVE THE DATE!

Presbyterian Women’s Christmas Celebration Tuesday, December 13 10:30 a.m. Wassail Fellowship 11 a.m. Worship Service 12 p.m. Lunch Invitations with complete details will be mailed soon to women of the church.

ORDER POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS In Honor & Memory of Loved Ones

This Christmas, the FPC Worship & Music Committee will be placing live poinsettia plants in worship spaces from December 18 – January 1. You may purchase a plant in honor or memory of loved ones using the form below and turning it in, with a check made out to First Presbyterian Church and “Poinsettias” marked in the memo line. Cost is $15 per plant. Forms are due in the church office by December 15. Plants may be taken home after worship on January 1. Those not picked up will be given to homebound members. Thank you!

Given in Honor / Memory (please circle one) of:

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Given by:

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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; December 22, 28, and 29; and January 4 and 5. All dates are 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 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.

Samaritan House Meals Serve a meal to 40 residents at Samaritan House on Hemphill Street on Tuesday, December 6 or Tuesday, January 3, 5-7 p.m. (FPC serves the first Tuesday of each month.) This mission creates a supportive community providing housing and resources for positive change in the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS and other special needs. Contact Robyn Michalove at [email protected].

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Formula and Diapers (FAD) Ministry Sees Nearly 200% Growth in 2016 FAD (Formula And Diapers) is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church created to help meet the needs of families with infants and toddlers. Church volunteers distribute the diapers and formula to members of our community in need at Community Crossroads on the third Monday morning of every month. Volunteers also spend time with parents who come for supplies, often offering encouragement and a listening ear. Between January and October of this year, FAD has seen an incredible growth of persons served. The number of families served grew from 31 in January to 99 in October. The number of children served grew from 41 in January to 126 in October. From January-October, 351 containers of formula and 765 packages of diapers have been distributed! First Presbyterian Church is astounded at the extension of outreach this fairly young ministry has already had in the community. The ministry and its faithful volunteers surely embody the church’s mission to “engage the world.” We thank the volunteers for their time and continue to pray for the children and families touched by the ministry. You can help continue the important work of FAD by donating formula (Similac Advance Stage 1 Formula) and diapers (all brands and sizes). You may also make a check payable to Salt and Light Together, Inc. and mark it in the memo line for FAD.

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Joys & Concerns Following are the joys and concerns shared as of October 27, 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 Ken Wilson, who died on October 16. Ken is survived by wife, Marilyn Wilson. Ken had been a member of our church family since 1949. Our loving thoughts and prayers are with... Jody Buening, Glynda Coffey, 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. Jane Watson, who is on hospice. Our caring prayers for extended family include... 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.

The Care Team Appreciation Taco Thursday event honored all of those in our network of care teams that offer one another support. A great time was had by all!

Please continue to pray and express care for those many members who are struggling with illness, grief and personal hardship. Arlington/Mansfield Care Team had a great time at Melinda and Pete’s home this evening. We had wonderful costumes: witch, dominos, Captain America, minions, scary skeleton face, golfer with his caddy, scary masks as well as pretty masks. Of course the food was delicious, and lots of conversations always makes this Care Team even more special.

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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

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THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

A complete calendar of events is at www.fpcfw.org/calendar.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 8 a.m. Worship Service Chapel 8 a.m. Stephen Ministry Leadership Room 100 9 a.m. Worship Service Great Hall 10 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Room 218 10 a.m. Church School Various 10:45 a.m. Wellness: F4 Meals 3rd Flr. Concourse 11 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary 11 a.m. Stephen Ministry Supervision Room 100 11 a.m. Sunday Brunch Great Hall 12:15 p.m. Children’s Christian Nurture Room 312 3:30 p.m. Carol Choir Room 243 3:30 p.m. Messengers Youth Choir Room 244 3:30 p.m. Choristers Rehearsal Room 245 4:30 p.m. High School Study Hall Atrium 4:30 p.m. Middle School Youth Youth Center 5:30 p.m. All Youth Dinner Youth Center 6 p.m. High School Youth Youth Center 6 p.m. Middle School Bells Room 245 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 6:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Study Room 304 9:40 a.m. Wellness: Yoga Stretch Room 109 11:30 a.m. Busy Women’s Bible Study Room 310 12 p.m. Board of Trustees Room 304 5:30 p.m. Congregational Care Committee Room 305 6 p.m. Fellowship Committee Room 312 6 p.m. Christian Nurture Youth Youth Center

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 10 a.m. PW Day Circles Begin Various 5:30 p.m. PW Martha Circle Parlor 6 p.m. PW Miriam Circle Room 226 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 8:30 a.m. EEC Grandparents Lunch Great Hall 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 5:30 p.m. WOW! Worship on Weds. Com. Crossroads 6 p.m. Fellowship Choir Rehearsal Room 244 6:30 p.m. PW Mary Magdalene Circle Away 7 p.m. Grace Notes Rehearsal Room 245 7 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Room 218 7:30 p.m. Senior High Bible Study Away THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10 12 p.m. EEC Grandparents Lunch Great Hall 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 5 p.m. Security Task Force Office Conf. Room 6:30 p.m. PW Mary Circle Away 7 p.m. East Side Care Team Away 7 p.m. Strings of Faith Rehearsal Great Hall FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 10 a.m. Wellness: Tai Chi 2nd Flr. Concourse SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 9 a.m. Combined Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary 9 a.m. Messiah Chorus Rehearsal Room 218