FIRST NEWS
We are God’s people, led by the Holy Spirit, Christ’s servants in the world.
First Presbyterian Church of Temple, Texas
www.fpctemple.org
Reverend Ken Ritchie
[email protected]
August 2015
Church 254-773-3407
FROM THE PASTOR
I am looking forward to August! Three times this month we will gather to share a meal! What a blessing this is! Sharing
a meal was quintessential to the ministry of Jesus to forming a community of grace. On August 9, we will be celebrating
the retirement of the mortgage which will include a meal after worship. On Friday, August 14, we begin the new local
community outreach project, “Are We There Yet; Taking It to 76501” with a meal. On Sunday, August 30 we will enjoy
breakfast together before worship as we celebrate Rally Day and the beginning of Cross Training. I hope you will plan to
be at all three!
When I was young, one of phrases I dreaded to hear each August was, “back to school.” It wasn’t that I hated school, or
did not do well in school. School just always seemed to get in the way of having fun! The choice between classroom or
beach or the ball field seemed clear to me at the time! However, education and knowledge have taken me far in life! In
fact, it has been an amazing journey of discovery and growth sparked by many a selfless and dedicated teacher! Plus, as
a parent, “back to school” approached heavenly status!
Learning is not just for the young. One of the phrases I hear often from people is the desire, “to grow in faith.” Who
doesn’t want to grow in faith? Most all of us recognize the importance of growing in knowledge of God’s grace and love,
and growing in understanding of living in grace and love. Scripture is replete with invitation to be formed and shaped in
God’s grace and love – calls for us to grow in faith, the very thing most of us desire to do.
Cross training is an exercise regimen that uses several modes of training to develop a specific component of fitness. For
example, a runner might add weight training or swimming to their running regimen. For us who exercise for health,
cross training means using many different activities to ensure total fitness. Many think that cross training reduces the
risk of injury, enhances weight loss, improves total fitness, and enhances exercise adherence.
Long before the exercise world discovered the benefits of cross training, Christians have been cross training for our call to
discipleship, a path towards formation in the likeness of Christ. Jesus invites us to deny self, bear our cross and follow
him. Discipleship is hard work. Discipleship is learned. Discipleship requires nurture and practice. Discipleship is a part
of every Christian’s journey of faith, whether we are younger or older, whether we have been a Christian for many years,
or for a short time.
Over the centuries the church has used various terms to describe this process of training and education, nurture and
formation. The early church used the term catechism. It is still a term in some faith traditions. The Sunday school
movement began in the 1780’s as a way to educate poor working class children. Religious education was, of course,
always a core component. After compulsory state education was established Sunday school was limited to religious
education. In recent years, attendance at Sunday school in many churches has been declining.
However, the need to grow in faith, whether for a child or adult, remains. Sunday school might seem intimidating,
boring, old, archaic, or even disconnected from real life. So, this year we introduce, Cross Training. Cross Training is
intended to be creative, give room for exploration, questions, and discussions in a safe and encouraging environment. It
is intended to provide strength and direction for the other parts of life. Cross Training will be for youngest amongst us
and the oldest. One of the adult offerings will be, “Living the Questions,” about which we will hear more on August 30.
So, let’s make a commitment to Cross Training for our children, grandchildren, and for ourselves.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Ken
Faith Clips
Pastor Ken and Barbara are leading a
different type of Sunday School class this
summer for adults and youth. (Young children
are meeting in a separate class) Each class
will begin with a film/video clip. These clips
will often be a scene from a movie, or they
might be a popular YouTube video. After
watching the clip we will use discussion
questions to explore various themes and
topics related to faith. The class will meet
each Sunday in August after worship in the
sanctuary. Some of the films from which a
clip will be taken are “Unbroken”, “Still Alice”,
“On the Waterfront”, “African Queen” and
“American Sniper”. Hope to see you there!
Finance Committee
With our announcement of the extraordinary
gift which allowed FPC to retire the mortgage as
of July 1, the Finance Committee has shifted
focus. We now have a very simple balanced
budget for the remaining 6 months of 2015.
Over the past year, we have had to borrow from
our Special Funds in order to pay the simplest of
monthly expenses. We have learned to be good
stewards and have become very frugal with
spending.
With the continued giving of the congregation
and continued careful spending, it is our hope to
have Special Funds back in place by the end of
the year.
God is good, all the time!!
Report on July 28, 2015
Stated Session Meeting

The Pastor reported on the work of the Strategic
Facilities Task Force and provided a preview of what
lies ahead regarding decisions about the building.

Donna Bowling reported on her work with the Grace
Presbytery New Beginnings program.

The Session approved a Celebration of the payment
of the mortgage on August 9, 2015. Fellowship is
planning a Potluck Supper.

The Session approved a dinner presentation by Rev.
Sharon Bryant, PCUSA Missionary to Thailand, on
September 9, 2015. A free will offering will be
collected for her mission. Fellowship is planning a
Potluck Supper.

The next Grace Presbytery meeting will be at First
Presbyterian Church, Richardson, on Thursday,
October 1, 2015, from 9:00 am. to 3 p.m.

Stewardship and Finance reported on the current
financial situation.

CE reported that they will be meeting with parents of
young children as well as young adults to talk about
their education needs.

The weekend of August 14th to 16th, we will have an
all-church VBS event, “Are We There Yet? Taking it to
76501,” which will include a potluck, study, and work
at Jefferson Elementary School.

Needs for the church nursery are now registered at
Target. A nursery workday is scheduled from 9 a.m.
to noon on August 29th. Volunteers are needed.

Rally Day will be August 30th. Breakfast will be
provided. The Cross Training program will be
presented.

New Member Outreach is planning Saturday movie
nights beginning in September.

Pastor Ken will be gone on September 6th, so
communion will be on August 30th. A student from
APTS will preach that Sunday.

The next stated session meeting will be August 25,
2015.
The Green Team
Solid Waste – The Landfill
by Carol Hodge
Numbers 35: 34 “Don’t pollute the land in which you
live. I live here, too. I, GOD, live in the same
neighborhood with the People of Israel.”
The Temple landfill receives up to 1600 tons of garbage per
day. As noted in last month’s article, the City also
contracts with several surrounding communities for solid
waste.
True or False
1. The landfill is teeming with life, with rodents, flies,
and other critters that feed on the garbage.
2. Methane and other gasses from the landfill are
released into the air.
3. The Temple landfill generates enough renewable
energy to power all the homes in Temple.
4. We have enough space in our landfill to last
generations.
All false!
1. First the landfill puts down a thick layer of clay,
then a plastic liner with a gravel layer to drain the
liquid through pipes to a treatment plant. This
prevents liquid from leaving the landfill or seeping
in to the earth. Then a layer of sand, the compacted
garbage, and another layer of dirt or sand is placed
on top of the waste every day. Except for seasonal
seagulls, the landfill is devoid of life.
2. There are extraction wells throughout the landfill
that siphon off the gasses and send them to a
venting flare.
3. Not yet! We do not generate enough gas to make
electricity, but in larger landfills, such as Austin,
the gas from the landfill powers a modified gas
turbine engines to generate electricity.
4. We must get better at recycling. Our present
landfill is only going to suffice for 14-15 years.
Canon City, CO 81212
CTLC is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven, faith-based
pantry located in Temple that provides groceries,
gently used clothing, and household items to Bell
County residents who are struggling to make ends
meet. First Presbyterian Church is collecting items
that are most needed. There is a collection bin in
the Atrium. On the last Sunday of each month
(August 30th, this month) these items will be
dedicated in worship and then delivered to the
pantry. There are also volunteer opportunities at
CTLC if you are interested. Talk with Pastor Ken or
check out their website, www.ctlcministries.org. The
following items are most needed this month:
Canned vegetables, any type
Toilet paper
Liquid laundry soap
Liquid dish soap
In August to
11 Kaitlyn Bane
15 Jasmun Coppage
16 Trooper Agee
16 Jake Bowling
24 Misty Majors
27 Fancy Jezek
30 Donna Bowling
We are currently updating our birthday list.
Please let us know if we need to add yours to our list!
WORSHIP LEADER and FLOWER SCHEDULE
New Address for
Dan and Anne Reed
3040 Stratmoor Dr.
CHURCHES TOUCHING LIVES
FOR CHRIST (CTLC)
August
02
09
16
23
30
Lay Leader
Natalie Ozment
Kevin Cushman
Vicki Maxwell
Jo Elwood
John Elwood
Children’s Sermon
Fancy Jezek
Jacque Elliott
Open
Janice Smith
Kevin Cushman
Flowers
Open
Open
Paul & Chris Boldt
Open
Robert & Dene Ozment
First Presbyterian Church
Monthly Newsletter
12 West French
Temple, TX 76501
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.fpctemple.org
Pastor: [email protected]
Join us for worship!
Sunday Morning at 11 am
LOOKING FORWARD TO GOD SPEAKING INTO OUR LIVES
August 2
Ephesians 4:1-16
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
The Mature Christian
August 9
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Imitating God
August 16
Ephesians 5:15-20
Spiritual Happy Hour
August 23
Ephesians 6:10-20
It’s Not Easy
August 30
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Hands and Hearts
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper