First Press First Press 2500 Church Street, Belton, TX 76513 2500 254-939-2115 Church Street, fpcbelton@gmail.com Belton, TX 76513 www.fpcbelton.org 254-939-2115 fpcbelton.org fpcbelton@gmail.com November 2017 June 2015 NEW CLASSROOMS Many Thanks to all The just painted Nursery Fall Decorations by Belinda Baker Youth Room Nursery Attendants Jamison Schilling and Chloe Poe Pre-school Room New Classroom By Julie & Arthur McPhail
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS Page 2 The Session met on October 17, 2017 at 6:15 in the Fellowship Hall. The meeting opened with prayer and a reading of Galatians 3:23-29. Ralph Gore was elected Interim Clerk of Session by acclamation. The Session approved the minutes of the Stated and Called meetings 9/19 and 10/15 respectively. The Session welcomed Erin Sims into membership. A pledge of $1,000 to Grace Presbytery for 2018 was approved. Building use was approved for Presbyterian Women on Sunday, 10/22 at 3 pm meeting and Saturday, 11/18 Holiday Bake Sale from 9 am-2 pm. The Session also approved Johnnie Schilling s request to use the Pavilion or Fellowship Hall for gladiators work out club in the event of inclement weather. The Session is confident that there will not be any building use conflicts, because the club meets from 4:50-5:50 AM! A big shout out and hearty Thank You to the folks whose service we would like to highlight: Church Work Day Helpers: Fulton for heading up the team! Diane Oberto and Sue Simon for power washing the Pavilion and Memorial Bricks; Lynda Allmer for moving trees and tree limbs; Julie and Arthur for painting the nursery; Terry Coyne, Dan Jelly, all who participated! Thank You So Much. Robin and Harriet and all who volunteered for the BEST National Night Out! A good time was had by all. Kay Atwood for arranging Polka Sunday and to all brave enough to do the CHICKEN DANCE! Susan Jones for the beautiful sunflower arrangement in the sanctuary. Johnnie Schilling for organizing our Gift of the Heart Hygiene Kit assembly line, Susan and Fulton Jones for the delicious, hand-made Spaetzle and Jaegerschnitzel. Ralph Gore for serving as Interim Clerk of Session and for mowing the back lot. The Spiritual Development Team is considering an intergenerational Sunday School event during Advent. The Missions Team, along with the Session, is considering a Guide to FPC Belton for our visitors and new members. This guide would explain those terms which may be unfamiliar to newcomers, such as Helping Hands and Body of Christ Clinic. Fulton Jones gave an oral report about the meeting of Grace Presbytery which he attended in Tyler, Texas on September 30. The Session will meet next on November 14 at 6:15. Written reports, written motions, and all agenda items are due to Ralph Gore before Tuesday, November 7 th.
National Night Out A Great Success! Page 3 The Middletones For Polka Sunday Gift of the Heart Hygiene Kits Please help us re-stock the freezer with casseroles. This ministry was created to help anyone during times of illness, death in the family, surgery or any other emergency. CASSEROLE MINISTRY The food can be casseroles, soups, stews or other side dishes. Wrap in freezer friendly material. Write cooking instructions and ingredients on food.
From the Pastor s Desk Dear Saints, We will join together on November 12 to celebrate God s Extravagant Generosity toward us with our It Only Takes a Spark Dedication Worship and Potluck Lunch Celebration. In response to God s Extravagant Generosity, we offer our gratitude and thanksgiving to God for God s gracious and extravagant gifts. I can think of no greater gift than the gift of life itself, except for the gift of the resurrection of the body, which we are promised through Jesus extraordinary faithfulness. How will we respond to this one life God has given us here on Earth? Can we, too, respond to God s Gift of Life with extraordinary faithfulness? The one who sows a small number of seeds will also reap a small crop, and the one who sows a generous amount of seeds will also reap a generous crop. Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver. God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work. Sponsored by the Belton Ministers Fellowship Sunday, November 19th at 6:00 pm UMHB Campus Manning Chapel 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8
The Rose Family stopped off at the Grand Canyon (pictured left) on their way to their new home. They are now in Monterrey, CA! Franzi and her brother, Sebastian (left). Edward (right) has decided it s nap time. He has seen enough. WE MISS YOU ALL!!! HOLIDAY Buy your Cakes, Pies, Cookies & Candy at: Market Days Downtown-Central Ave. Look for FPC Vendor Booth Saturday, November 18 Starting at 9:00 am About Amazon Smile AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support FPC Belton every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to FPC Belton. Fall Flower Arrangement by Susan Jones Important: Look for and choose First Presbyterian Church Belton Texas in the charitable organization list before you make your purchase.
H-E-B Food Rally Get your running shoes ready! On Thursday, November 9, at 6:00 a.m., teams will participate in the annual H-E-B Food Rally sponsored by Belton FFA and Belton H-E-B Plus! Teams will race to find a pre-selected list of food items, and the first team to complete the race correctly wins. FPC Belton would like to have a team to donate these items to Helping Hands. If you are interested in putting together a team of two people, contact Brad Hobbs at brad.hobbs@bisd.net. Page 6 Thanksgiving Grocery Distribution Wednesday and Thursday November 15-16 at Helping Hands During these two days, clients who have previously signed up for Thanksgiving groceries can come shop for their families for turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. This allows our neighbors to celebrate their holiday at home and prepare a meal with their families. If you are interested in donating groceries or volunteering to help with distribution, please contact Helping Hands: (254) 939-7355 or info@helpinghandsbelton.org. On Friday, November 17, Helping Hands will participate in Food for Families, the largest single-day food drive in Central Texas. The Belton drop off location is H-E-B Plus! on Main Street. All donations received at the Belton drop off site will benefit Helping Hands. If you would like to pass out fliers beforehand or help the day of, Helping Hands is looking for volunteers. Contact information above.