FOUNTAIN HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Our mission is to reach out in worship, education, fellowship and service to all.

IN TOUCH
Fountain Hills, AZ
From Our Pastor A WALK IN OUR ORCHARD
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 These words and images from the very first of our 150 psalms have repeatedly arisen in my spirit as our family of faith has begun to re-gather in these waning days of summer and as fullness of life has begun to return to FHPC. I am mindful that I am nearing the end of my first year as your pastor and, at the same time, that we are approaching our fortieth year as a church. We have embraced and celebrated our rebirth and all that is new in the life we are sharing; yet this has only been made possible by the strong and tested foundation that has been prepared over years of steadfast faith. It seems to me that the captivating image of the graceful and productive orchard situated by the running stream is one that reflects our life as a church. Theres durability here: the life-giving water of the Spirit flows ceaselessly; deep roots reach for nourishment, providing sustenance for trunks grown broad and branches grown long under the challenge of storm and wind. But theres freshness here as well: rich fruit comes season-by-season and crisp new leaves are always just a breezy day away. The contents of this edition of In Touch testify to the quickening of rhythms that accompany our reverse migration each fall. But as we once again take up the work of our life together, let us not be so caught up in busyness that we fail to take a quiet walk around and survey our orchard here at FHPC. Do we look like the one the psalmist sees? Test our branches: do they seem strong and shapely? Look at our leaves: are they lush and deep-hued? Most especially, taste the fruit. Jesus told us, Every good tree bears good fruityou will know them by their fruits (Mt. 7:20). On September 24th our elders and deacons will be gathering for a day of visioning as they jointly meditate on the condition of our orchard and the character of the fruit it is producing. But, we are -- all of us together -- stewards in Gods garden. So in the meantime, I encourage you to take your own walk. And, I invite you to let me know what you see. Tell me about the fruit you find. How does it taste to you? Would you be happy to offer it to Jesus? Grace and Peace,

September 2011

YOUTH AND ADULTS: Wednesday Evenings Continue OK. . . OK. . . OK. . . I HEAR You!!!
Rob Bells tour de force presentation of The Gods Arent Angry has generated such a powerful and positive response that were going to continue our journey with him through his short-form Nooma video series for 5 consecutive Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 7th. Bells Nooma videos are designed to compellingly illuminate some aspect of Christian faith and life. Each one runs about 14 minutes; leaving ample time for personal reflection and group exploration. As we did last spring, we will share a pot luck dinner from 6:30-7:00 (see our website for details on whobrings-what!), then well all gather together from 7:00-8:00 for the video and discussion led by Pastor Bill. When youre not there you miss a lot! And, we miss you! So, come join us as we continue to seek God together through fellowship and shared faith.

In Touch
OUR CHURCH STAFF Rev. Bill Good
Pastor/Head of Staff

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Focus on Finance
July Income July Expense $ 25,654 $ 26,683 Budget Budget $ 19,457 $ 25,302

Rev. Stan Jones

Parish Associate

Debby DeBernardi
Director Christian Formation

Marta Ludwig
Administrative Coordinator

Yr to date Income

$ 218,993

Budget Budget

$ 196,476 $ 195,590

Debbie Fisher
Director of Music Ministry

Yr to date Expense $ 196,851 Difference $ 22,142

Dorothy Parris
Pianist

Lynn Medley
Custodian

CHURCH TREASURER Bud Fuls CHURCH SESSION Class of 2011 Norm Collins Peggy Linkin Helen Roesch Class of 2012 John Brockelman Susan Phillips Terri Schmidt John Wyman Class of 2013 Charlie Eberspacher Susan Owens Jim Roy Donna Yordy BOARD OF DEACONS Moderator: Ruby Pearson Class of 2011 Ralph Berry Bud Fuls Linda Maples Chandler Roesch Class of 2012 Ben Fast Ruby Pearson Bev Watters Chris Young Class of 2013 Yvonne Ellingson Sandy Heunisch John Schopbach Donna Sims ****** Rev. Glenn Atchinson
Pastor Emeritus

As anticipated in our summer months, the income in July fell short of expenses, but only by a small margin compared with our budgeted predictions. The Year to Date value for income remains considerably higher that our budgeted amount, while the Year to Date Expenses fall within the budgeted range. We continue to be in a sound financial position at this point in our operating budget. With the recent addition of our Director of Christian Formation Ministries, Session has approved an increase to our 2011 annual budget to cover this expense for the fourth quarter. The current operating surplus will be sufficient to meet this new commitment. Respectfully, Bud Fuls, Treasurer

On the Inside:
From Our Pastor. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . Focus on Finance .. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. . . Rummage Sale is Coming .. .. . .. ... . .. . Mission Ministry . . . . Evangelism Ministry .. ... Presbyterian Women .. .. .. .. . .. .. . . . . . Can You Name These Couples? .. .. . . .. .. . .. . . . .. . . . Family Fun Night .. . .. . . . .. . .. .. .. .. . ... Christian Education .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . Director Christian Formation .. .. . .. . . .. Music Ministry.. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . .. .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . Library Footnotes.. .. . .. . . . . . . .. Need Accurate Addresses .. .. .. .. . .. . . .. .. . .. .. Necrology for 2011 .. .. . . .. .. . .. . .. . . . September Birthdays . . .. ????? .. .. . . ... .. .. . . .. .. . . .. 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 14 15 15 16

See if you can find the error!

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September 2011

Congregational Fellowship & Life

RUMMAGE SALE
On Saturday, March 1, 2012, we will have our church-wide rummage sale. We need for each of you to begin saving high quality merchandise that can be sold at this sale. If you have a storage area that we can use to store merchandise until March please call the church office. Otherwise, you will have to save your items until March. We will be looking for volunteers to work the various departments. Listed are the areas we will be collecting merchandise for the sale. Holiday/Home decorum Books Crystal, Dishes, candleholders House wares Linens/Crafts/Bathroom items Mens Clothes Womens Clothes Purses/Shoes Childrens games/toys/clothes Hold Department Jewelry Paintings/Frames Vases/flower pots/arrangements Electronics/Small appliances/Tools/Sports equipment Cashiers

If you are interested in helping with one of these areas, please contact - Donna Yordy at 837-6169

Its Here! Its Here! What a wonderful surprise we had in mid-August when a large number of boxes were delivered to the church officeit was the new wonderful fabulous FHPC cookbook! Even though the cookbooks arrived ahead of schedule they will go on sale immediately on Sunday mornings. Winter visitors need not worry well have plenty available in the fall but you can also call or email us and well reserve your copies. The cost for the cookbook is a bargain at $15.00. There is also a limited number of cookbook stands which sell for $1. In addition to getting a cookbook for yourself, we encourage you to purchase books for others on your Christmas and birthday lists! Remember the profits will support our Sunday Fellowship. An additional benefit of this project is the building of church community through cookbook conversations. After you try a recipe we urge you to seek out the recipe donor and thank him or her. Most people love to talk about their recipes and these cookbook conversations may help us to get to know each other in new ways. CLAF Committee: Chris & Jen Young, Committee Chair: 388-5075, [email protected] Helen Roesch: 837-2142, [email protected] Suellen Monahan: 837-1136, [email protected] Linda Warren: 837-9162, [email protected] Peggy Kurkjian: 816-0301

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Mission Ministry
Community Outreach Effort
Grocery Box Pick up: Another Blessed Success!
John 4:35 you know the saying, Four months between planting and harvest. But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The kindness and the love, All Box Team members served with such joy and great smiling faces that it made for a Blessed morning! Jack Morris and Lisa Kern heading up the transport Box Team! How beautiful are hands that serve...Touching lives...being faithful. ASK ME ABOUT THE GOOD DEEDS DOZEN and The FH Box Team. There is room for YOU! 480-837-1763. Please, continue to pray for this ministry FHPC Mission Unit Blessing, Terry, Tom and Lisa ********

New!
Vendor

A Word from Good Deeds Dozen

Angel Food box will continue to be an excellent budgeting tool for your congregation. Our order in August was over forty boxes Wise people make good stewards. Angel Food Ministries Order Deadline: September 18, 2011 Delivery Date: September 24, 2001 We have changed our vendor (food supplier) from Treasure Box to
This is our third Grocery Box delivery and it is exciting. We are now joined by Jerry & Candy Caldwell from the Fountains UMC, Jim & Carol Hardin of the FH Christian Center, Regina Vernaska and Leann Gratz the Church of the Ascension. We are receiving orders from several churches and the community at large. Carol Fuls, Carol Hardin, Carol Goode so many Carols we almost

www. Angelfoodministries.com
Unfortunately TB will no longer be available in AZ. We found that Angel Food is even better in quality, price and variety. This continues be an economical meal program of a pre-assembled box packed with well over $100 worth of delicious, high quality frozen food offered to individuals and families for a range of $22.00 to $46.00. There are several menus of protein, vegetable, side dishes, kids pack, deserts and For specialty items. Go to www.angelfoodministries.com to order or to review the menus choices. Our delivery location remains the same and ordering is the same Ask your church office about cash orders if you are unable to order on line or need help. You may place an order at Fountain Hills Presbyterian church office during office hours 480-837-1763-For additional information call ( 480) 525-0155 and Leave a message For Terry Martin or Lisa Kern. Food Box Orders will be picked up at: Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church 13001 N. Fountain Hills Blvd Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

broke into song! The Bivens, Evelyn Hruneck, Jo Nelson all contributing, uplifting spirits. Marta is still carrying us on the cash orders. We had several donation boxes and to see the gratitude on the faces of the recipients is seeing Gods Love in Action. A Job Well Done Box Team! Thank you.

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September 2011 MORE THAN JUST COFFEE

The Support Your Troops Project has been supported well by the Church these hot summer months and I cannot thank you enough. The end of September will be the time to begin the hard push for the Holiday Boxes, which includes collecting many different items to signing Christmas Cards. If you recall, last years push for signed cards was a huge success with many signing at least two boxes of cards each, making it possible to include a minimum of a dozen different cards from a dozen different people in each box. As of now, I have plenty of boxes on hand. Do not know for sure yet, but if I see it might be at all possible, the total number of Holiday Boxes just might be increased this year and that is something that I have been wanting to do for several years. Current Needed Items batteries, small Kleenex and small foot powders.

-Donna Sims

When is a cup of coffee more than just a cup of coffee? When it is Caf Justo- Just Coffee; coffee with a mission. Since 2002, many American churches have provided support for Mexican coffee growers to stay on their farms rather than migrate to the United States. Thats a lot from a steaming cup of caf Arabica! The Mission Committee will return the Just Coffee sales to FHPC members and friends this October. For those of us who have enjoyed Just Coffee in the past, we are delighted! For those new to Just Coffee, we will kick off sales with a tasting of the various blends and roasts available: 100% Pure Arabica, Robusta( high-octane), Decaf and 100% Pure Marago (chocolaty taste). All roasts are a full pound- 16 ounces! Just Coffee exceeds the fair trade requirements, and is USDA Certified Organic. Stay tuned for additional information! -Arlene Johnson

More Ushers Needed: we are in need of more ushers and greeters. If this is something you feel called to do please call the church office or Peggy Linkin at 480-807-5456.

THE PRAYER MINISTRY

The King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe, Arizona, has an especially dedicated prayer group. Each week it sends out letters to certain members and friends of the congregation advising them that on a selected day and at a certain time, the group will be praying for the people receiving the letters. The letters tell the recipients that the prayers will be that you and your loved ones will experience Gods great love for you. The prayer group supplies a contact name and phone number that the recipient can call if there are special needs or concerns. The letter ends with this encouraging statement: We are glad that you are a part of our church. You are deeply loved and appreciated. Love and joy, King of Glory Prayer Ministry Through prayer, worship, dedication and service in Christs name, the King of Glory Church has grown to over 3,800 members.
-The Newsletter Newsletter

In Touch

page 6 The breaking of bread

The pastor began her Time for Children with a statement and a question. I did something yesterday which I have not done in a long time. What do you think I did? Paid your bills, answered a 10-year-old boy. After the congregations laughter subsided, the pastor said, No, I played baseball. Then she went on to say that she couldnt see the ball well without her glasses. She compared her inability to see with the inability of two of Christs followers to see that the person who joined them on their walk to Emmaus was really the risen Christ. They only truly recognized the risen Lord when he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them (Luke 24:30, NRSV). Christ was revealed to them in the breaking of the bread. We, too, may sense the presence of the living Christ as we take Holy Communion.
-The Newsletter Newsletter by Communication Resources, Inc

Evangelism
The next new member inquiry meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 13th at 6:00 PM in the Narthex. Anyone interested in becoming a member of our church or even just finding out more about what it means to be a Presbyterian is welcome to join us. This meeting lasts about 60-75 minutes and will address Presbyterian beliefs and ideals and all that FHPC has to offer. New members will be presented to the Session for approval then to the congregation during the church service on Sunday, September 25th. -Susan Phillips Elder, Evangelism Ministry Unit

Blessings count
Some years ago, a newspaper profiled the lives of an elderly Christian couple. When the pair was first married, they decided to use their God given gifts to help others. They focused primarily upon serving through their church and life-care retirement homes. Their love and service down through the years prompted a foundation to honor them for their caring philanthropy. Upon receiving their award, Mr. And Mrs. Davis Illingworth spoke of the motto that had been the guiding rule of their lives: Count your blessings, and make your blessings count.
-The Newsletter Newsletter by Communication Resources, Inc

NEW FACEBOOK PAGE We have created a new Facebook page that is better than our initial trial site. PLEASE LOOK FOR THIS PHOTO OF THE CROSS IN FRONT OF THE ATRIUM for the correct page. Please sign up again as a friend there. When you are there also click on the like it icon. Hopefully you will like it. When you do that you will get news feeds directly from our site whenever anything new is added. It is just another way to stay connected.

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September 2011

Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team for 2010-2011 Moderator: Ilene Berg Mission Coordinator: Mary Alice Bivens Vice-Moderator (Program): Jan Hoff Historian: Barbara Oakeson Secretary: Linda Warren Membership/Yearbook Coordinator: Maria Berry Treasurer: Maria Berry Bible Study Coordinator: Evelyn Hrunek Publicity: Letha Neely Search Committee: Jeanene Schopbach
TRIP TO WINSLOW AND LEUPP Following are some of the high-lights on this 2-day trip. Friday, October 21st..Meetings held in Winslow Presbyterian Church. Welcomed by Rev. Linda Worsnop. Followed by a talk on the history of Winslow. Saturday, October 22nd..Presbyterian Church in Leupp. Theme for the day is on Eagles Wings. A representative from Menaul School in New Mexico, will give the key note talk. Plus, there will be the History of the Navajo People, and info on The Code Talkers and their training at Ganado, as well as other interesting and informative subjectsand planned activities. Transportation: Busround trip$44.00 (box lunch & bottled water) Registration for Gathering. $10.00 Over night options: Quality Inn in Winslow.double rooms.$82.26 LaPosado$109.00 Motel 6..? Econo Lodge..$69.00 This planned trip for the PW Women sounds like a MUST DO. More info and phone numbers will be available at the time of Registration. These forms will be available at the end of August. The above info has been submitted by Donna Yordy. A PLACE CALLED HOME Fall Gathering.October 24th. During this meeting Sharon Morgan will give a talk about the trip to Fountain Hills Sister City of Ataco, El Salvador. A group of 60 Family Community and Career Leaders of America (FC-CLA) students and chaperones made a 2-week trip to deliver much needed items to the people of Ataco. While there they helped construct 20 homes that their efforts had raised the funds to build.

Other dates to keep in mind. Church Women UnitedNovember 14, 2011 Winter Gathering.. January 30, 2012 Investing (not about money). Presenter: Leota Didier Rummage Sale..March 3rd, 2012 Womens Sunday .March 18th, 2012 Spring Gathering.. April 21st, 2012 A Visit from 19th Century Arizona Presenter: Barbara Wyman Church-wide Gathering. July 18-22, 2012

Letha Neely

OUT TO LUNCH We will resume meeting for lunch on the third Wednesday of each month, so be sure to mark your calendar. Our first outing will be on September 21 at the All American Sports Grill on the corner of Saguaro and Avenue of the Fountains at 12 noon. We will order off the menu and checks will include tip and tax. For reservations call Arlene Olsen at 837-4271.

In Touch

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Can you name these couples?

4 Answers can be found on page 15

Not Yet A Member?

If you are interested in joining our church family, please see or call Susan Phillips at 480-837-1225 or call the church office at 480-837-1763. Our next inquiry class will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the narthex. Pastor Bill will share information about Presbyterian Beliefs and Ideals and Susan will explain the programs, groups and numerous opportunities to get more involved in our church. If you choose to join at this time, you will be presented to the Session for approval and then to the church congregation on Sunday, September 25.

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September 2011

Family Fun Night

In Touch

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Christian Education
Mens Bible Study
As I sit here trying to decide where to begin, I am thinking of how thankful I am. I want to take this time to thank you, the congregation, for all of your support and wonderful words of encouragement. You had such great confidence in me as I took over the big job of leading the Christian Education department. While I came into this position blindly, I was able to muddle through with the Grace of God and Terri Schmidt, Elder all of your wonderful support. I am now looking forward to happily turning over the reins, so to speak, to Debby DeBernardi. To those of you who have not yet met our Director of Christian Formation, you will be in for a real treat. She will officially start her reign the first part of September. I will still be actively involved in most things, Debby will just be the big chief and I just another worker. I just wanted to start this article out with my thanks to all of you, and to ask you to continue supporting our department with your help and volunteering, This is such an exciting time in our lives, and so much of this is due to all of you and your wonderful support. THANK YOU! The mens Thursday morning bible study will begin soon. John Bivens has graciously agreed to lead the study again this year. I think they will continue to study the books of Samuel. Stay tuned and we will get you the information about the start date. When they do meet, they will meet in the Adult Center on Thursday mornings at 7:00am.

Nursery
We are still looking for someone who would be interested in helping with the Nursery. We will be having a regular soon. Anabelle Grace Good has been to see us a few times. We hope as we grow, our nursery enrollment will grow also. If you are interested, please contact Debby DeBernardi or leave a message with Marta.

Teachers and Helpers Needed

We are in the process of trying to get programming started for the fall season. We are asking for people to be teachers who are interested in helping to formulate our young peoples Christian Education. We are making big plans for Sunday mornings as well as Wednesday evenings, and need teachers and helpers. We will have a table set up in the Narthex for awhile so people can sign up. If you have more questions, you can contact Debby DeBernardi, or leave a message with Marta and someone will get in touch with you.

Family Fun Night

Our family fun night was declared a huge success. We had about 50 people in attendance to enjoy food, fellowship, and entertainment. We started the evening off with the little ones bouncing in the Sponge Bob bounce house and the teens in the Youth Center playing ping pong, foos ball, and air hockey. I think that Charlie Eberspacher even had the Wii hooked up to the TV. We had wonderful side dishes and desserts to accompany our Brats and Hot Dogs. The little ones then went back to the bounce house or to the Godly Play room to color. Then at 7:00pm the magic began. We had a magician from Balloons and Magic out of Glendale. She kept us all entertained, from the little ones to the adults. (See photos on page 9) The excited squeals from the little ones added to the enjoyment. I think it is safe to say that all who attended had a magical time. Thank you to Chandler and Helen Roesch for all the help cooking the Brats and the Hot Dogs and recruiting the help in the kitchen.

Koffee Klatch
Koffee Klatch is back again this year and will begin on Tuesday September 20th. Reverend Stan Jones has agreed to lead the class again this year. This year he wants to lead the class in study through a book by Yancey. Koffee Klatch meets on Tuesday mornings in the Adult Center at 9:00 am. If you have Tuesday mornings free and feel the urge to enjoy lively discussions and fellowship, please join in on the fun. I want to ask you all to continue to pray for our growth. Especially, I ask for prayers for our Education Department as we grow and make plans for new programs. Please ask God to bring the right people to us in the many ways we will be able to use them. Thank you all for your continued support. Terri Schmidt Christian Education Elder

Pastor Bills Bible Study

Our journey through Mark is still a very enlightening experience. As Pastor Bill leads us through Mark, we are learning so much about the life of Jesus and Gods plans for him as well as his followers. So much in what is being taught is so relevant to our lives today. For those of you who have not yet joined us on Sunday mornings, there is plenty of room. We are learning and having fun doing it. If you would like to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings, we are in the Adult Center and would love to have more thoughts and discussions with anyone who wants to join us.

~Laugh Loudly~Laugh Long~Laugh Wholly~

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September 2011

From the Director of Christian Formation

My husband and I are excited to join a faith family that has so much love, compassion, knowledge and desire to live a Jesus-centered lifestyle. You are a people joining in Gods mission to this community and world. We are honored to be with you.
Debby DeBernardi, Director

will help them discover and understand their identity, their calling and what it means to live a Jesus-centered lifestyle as an agent of Gods love and blessing to others. We all will be formed as we join together in shaping lives of faith and impacting our community. This generation can be and will be difference-makers in their role in Gods restorative mission. Please introduce yourself to me so that together we can discover your part in this holy endeavor of the spiritual and faith formation of every person from infants to teens to mid-lifers to seniors! Every skill, passion, time availability, and gifting is honored. Make a difference in the life of a difference-maker! In order to be relational and intentional in serving young families, we will be offering a time of community connection in October and an educational time in November. Various ways of being involved are available. Review the sign-up in the church office or contact Debby DeBernardi, [email protected] for your part! Harvest Pumpkin Patch with Petting Zoo / Pony Rides Saturday, October 22 2:00 - 5:00 pm Hosted by Fountain Hills Presbyterian 13001 N. Fountain Hills Blvd. Prepare for the Harvest and feed the hungry! Bring your non-perishable food donation to join the fight against food scarcity for kids. Bring your family to select your pumpkin for the season, participate in a craft or cupcake walk, and enjoy a cup of cider as kids interact with the barnyard animals and ride a pony! Save the date. Costumes welcome! Wired for Success Early Brain Development Workshop Saturday, November 5 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Hosted by Fountain Hills Presbyterian 13001 N. Fountain Hills Blvd. Can parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers positively impact a childs IQ in daily life? This free workshop presented by New Directions Institute and funded by APS addresses new and cutting-edge developments in neuroscience and presents practical methods for stimulating healthy early brain development in children birth-5 years old. Many interactive experiences and video clips will reinforce the useful concepts. Parents, grandparents, caregivers, early childhood and sunday school teachers will learn and be affirmed in how to encourage a childs learning. The

I have prayerfully sat with questions like: God, what is your hearts dream for the children, students, singles and families in Fountain Hills? What is your will? The questions lead me back to a breath prayer of Holy Spirit, Eternal Guide, show us the way. I trust God to show us the way as we step out in faith to discover our way for the spiritual and faith formation of home and church. Spiritual formation for this generation must be integrative and become the DNA and fabric of our ministry! I am excited to join God and you in shaping a life of faith through prayer, scripture, relationships, spiritual disciplines and various practices and activities that promote an openness and responsiveness to God.

Information to kids and teens is interconnected. So a narrative, transformational process that connects all learning to Gods Redemptive story is essential along with reflective times, spiritual disciplines and service. We can no longer be satisfied that people come to know about God, they must encounter God, experientially learn His ways and be guided in their maturation through mentoring and service. Community is the context, the immediate family being the first sacred community, supported by the faith family. Everyone has a part. Every spiritually able adult is (and is needed) to be an educator, spiritual mentor and a faith friend for children, students and families. Parents, although the primary nurturers of the faith, need support, resources, and mentors in the context of a wider community for spiritual parenting and grand parenting. As parents learn and practice holy habits and rhythms they are more confident to join children and teens to grow a faith identity and purpose in life. The church must be about helping families of all types to shape lives of faith by modeling and providing environments and moments in time where a person can encounter and respond to God. The spiritual formation of children will lead to Christlike character formation. Spiritual mentoring of students

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Fall Ministry Teams

same concepts may also be used for healthy spiritual development, so faith-based organizations will also want their staff and families to attend! Come and invite others to this high quality time! Dont miss it! Register by calling Marta at 480-8371863 by November 1st. Elementary-Preteen Sunday morning 9:00 family worship. Sunday morning 10:30 small groups incorporate spiritual disciplines and helps kids not only access the Bible on their own but also learn how to study and relate Gods Word beyond the classroom! FaithFriends integrate the informational and formational approach for kids to be open and receptive to God. Family Currents and Family Blogs keep families growing in faith together. Wednesday evenings 6:30 offers TruStory Gods redemptive plan for elementary age kids. TruStory helps equip parents and grandparents to be the primary spiritual nurturers through the resource HomeFront. Free mobile app! Middle School and High School Sunday morning 9:00 Family Worship. Sunday morning 10:30 students will serve the church or meet in a spiritual formation group to learn about how to grow deeper as a disciple of Christ and practice placing oneself in a position to be transformed by God to live a Jesus-centered life authentically. Various studies throughout the year. Spiritual Formation Small Groups may also meet in various locations/times. Wednesday evenings 6:30 Although these groups will be separate, they can come and hang out for fun, food, games, and music as we focus on reaching out to see what we can do for our community and school campuses to build deeper relationships among us. Other Events such as prayer walks, retreats, camps, trips, fun and service events to be planned for building relationships and encountering God.

Fall Ministry Teams Forming

What? You havent found your part for shaping lives of faith this fall? Dont fall out this fall, contact Debby DeBernardi to discover what your fit might be! Grow in Faith Together You are invited to the table to find your fit! Discover the various ways you could be involved in the GIFT of growing in faith with others. ***As teams form and are equipped, the following ministries will be offered in September: Blessed Beginnings Nurseries (birth - 3 years old) Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings offers early childhood healthy spiritual and brain development. The nursery time is designed to foster trust, a beginning concept of God and emotional bonding in a safe, secure environment. Brain Boxes also incorporated from the Wired for Success Workshop. Preschool - K Sunday morning 9:00 worship with family. Families can also choose to place younger ones in the nursery. Sunday morning 10:30 offers Faith Buzz - highly relational, interactive experience full of Gods truth and spiritually forming for all types of learners. Wednesday evenings 6:30 offers TruWonder, an interactive environment that is God-centered and spiritually forming. No more fragmented bible stories and lessons. Every story is in the context of Gods Big Story with creative video story telling, worship music, media and HomeFront resources for parents. Parents even have a free HomeFront mobile app for spiritual parenting, monthly updates, resources and more!

Left Behind A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, he said, but his wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. The boy asked, What happened to the flea?
-The Newsletter Newsletter by Communication Resources, Inc

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September 2011

Music Ministry
I hope you can feel the same joy through the words of this article that I feel while writing them. I am excited to begin a new season of choir and bell rehearsals. We have a wonderful service for which to prepare our music, and wonderful voices and ringers in which to fulfill the musical needs of our church, as we carry on in the journey of our Faith. I'd like to announce that, in addition to Helen Quigley, our Secretary of the Music Ministry Membership, Jo Nelson will be in charge of our Music Ministry Library. She has had plenty of experience to go along with keeping things simplified and organized, being an engineer. We'll keep the music flowing through the year, into and out of our folders. Thank-you, ladies, for handling these positions. It is very much appreciated. The rehearsal schedule for Celebration Singers and the Celebration Ringers is as follows: Starting THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 CELEBRATION RINGERS: 5:30-6:30 PM-Sanctuary This is a great way to exercise your mind and upper body! You are welcome to step in and ring with us! We play in the worship Service once a month. More during Christmas and Easter services. CELEBRATION SINGERS:7:00--8:30 PM-Sanctuary This choir has a wonderful sound, with a variety of experienced singers all gathering in the Sanctuary for an hour and a half of good, deep breathing, and the singing of anthems as we prepare for the Sunday worship service. Please, know that you are welcome to join us, even if you are in town for a little while. We'd love to have you! You may contact me through the church office or church directory if interested in further details. The Summer Session Series of "Special Music" was absolutely heartfelt, and, definitely "sure" presentations of Praise to God. Thank you, all 27 of you, who brought a well-rehearsed musical presentation into our worship service. I am still hearing from the congregation how a piece of music presented by you touched them in such a way, that they felt the sweetness of God's love and mercy. What a wonderful gift God has given to us in music. Music and the hope of heaven. I must tell you about the splendid, intimate, God attended conference held at Zephyr Point, at Zephyr Cove, Nevada on the shore of Lake Tahoe. The property is owned by the Presbyterians, purchased in 1925 for $6,000. It has cabins from back then which you can still rent. It also has 2 lodges that house conference attendees. We had one lodge which housed the 48 of us attending Tuning @ Tahoe. We had rehearsals in a large room, singing into a wall of tall windows overlooking the lake from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sometimes I'd lose focus, for just a minute, while watching para-sailors high up in the sky being pulled across the lake. (I found out from Dorothy that she WAS actually para-sailing in the ocean, off the Gulf side of Florida about the same time!) We sightread about 250 anthems through the week. We worked specifically on 8 anthems, becoming very familiar with them in order to be able to perform them Thursday evening for our concert. The 48 singers included the clinicians who each directed 2 pieces. Music is always so thrilling to sing when being directed by the composer. You will hear our choir singing music from the composer, Rosephenye Powell, who brought such inspiration into the room with her interpretation of text from scriptures commissioned of her by other churches. You will hear a piece written by the Conference Dean, Alan Petker, "I Will Follow Your Call," which is based on the book of Job, whenever Pastor Bill wants to incorporate Job's lesson into a sermon. We had interpretive classes on text, vocal pedagogy, warm-ups, Taize, and absolutely invaluable conversations with Directors who have church choirs of all sizes and denominational blends. I found some great answers to some very serious questions. I came back very excited to be returning to the church family of FHPC with a progressive thinking congregation anyone would be proud to be a part of. We are truly an active, healthy congregation. We do have movers and shakers in our church, and people who are truly guided by prayer and belief, our most important tools. We have a fabulous minister who speaks to us in everyday terms of Christianity. The trip to Tahoe truly inspired me, but, I must say, I've been inspired for quite awhile now. The trip assured me that we, as the Musical Ministry Unit of the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church are blessed. Very, very blessed. I look forward to this years music ministry program with renewed confidence. Thanks be to God!
"Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; give to Him glorious praise. Say to God, "How awesome are Your deeds! Because of Your great power, your enemies cringe before You. All the earth worships You; they sing praises to You, sing praises to Your name." Selah Psalm 66: 1-4

Deborah Fisher Director of Music Ministries

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In Touch

August 2011 page 14

Library Footnotes
BOOK REVIEW: City of Tranquil Light, by Bo Caldwell
A friend hands you a book to return to the library saying, This is a good book. What is your response? My advice: read the book before returning it to our church library. So it was, that I read this story of one mans calling to serve as a missionary in North China in 1906. A novel inspired by the lives of the authors maternal grandparents, you will not believe it is not a true life story of Will and Katherine who spent 27 years in China. When Communists began the takeover of the country, they were persuaded to leave, because their presence as Christian missionaries was endangering the people whom they had taught and whom they loved. I share these moments from the book that touched my heart: At a time when Will was in complete despair, lost, injured, hungry, angry with God, fearful for his life...he remembered something his father told him when he was young. Courage is not strength in the absence of fear, but strength in the presence of fear. Will asked God for courage to withstand whatever lay ahead and felt His forgiveness wash over him. Katherine was a nurse and worked endlessly tending to the multitude of patients in everyway that she could. At a time when she was near exhaustion, Will suggested the three remaining patients could wait until the next day. Her answer, Which of these would you send home? The first mans eyes were inflamed and nearly swollen shut; the second man was coughing hoarsely; the third man was bent over with stomach pain. Would you have us care for their souls and ignore their bodies? Bandit thieves were an everyday threat to the work of Will and Katherine, but when the bandit chief was close to death in jail, Will tended t his wounds and his needs. Later, this man said he did not understand this kind of forgiveness, but he could see that God was real to Will and he wanted that same God in his life. His last declaration was that he was a changed man, not because of Wills words, but by the life Will lived. Will explained, Faith is a gift. All we can do is be open to it. The rest is up to the Giver of that gift. And it is never too late to receive it. Upon their return to the U.S., Will and Katherine found everything new and strange, just as they had felt when they first arrived in China. Friends often spoke of the sacrifice they had made by going to China, but Will had never felt that way. He had followed the desire of his heart. But later he realized there had been a sacrifice after all, a surrendering of one thing of value for the sake of something more valuable. The sacrifice wasnt in going to China; the sacrifice was in leaving. WOW! What a great book! - Vivian Virden

Sink or swim? Peoples stories about learning to swim often sound like this: My dad tossed me into the water. I didnt have a choiceI flailed around until I found myself swimming. But an elderly Christian tells a variation of this story: Wanting to teach me to swim, my father threw me off the dock into the lake. I sank But then he goes on: So my father jumped in with me. The story tellers wisdom shines in his application: God doesnt toss us into life and leave us alone to sink or swim. By sending Jesus, God jumped right in with us to save us from death, hold us protectively and help us navigate life.
-The Newsletter Newsletter by Communication Resources, Inc

Important information about addresses!

We are now mailing out the monthly newsletter to all members, affiliate members, friends and prospective members. It is very important that we have a correct address for you. It is especially important for those of us who have two addresses. Our computer program can maintain two addresses and if we know your months of residency here, the program knows which address to use for mailings. We mail out the newsletter in bulk mail. But if we have the wrong address, it gets returned to us and we are responsible for full postage for it and you miss out on the newsletter. Can you please help us and insure that we have the correct dates for your alternate address? Please call or email the church office with your information. 480-837-1763 or [email protected]. Thank you for your time and caring.

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September 2011

Hospitalized? Call the church! If you are sick, hospitalized or home recovering from illness, we want you to call the church and let us know! In a congregation like ours where people leave in droves for extended summer months, it is easy for the staff, elders and deacons to assume, when we dont see someone, that they are simply vacationing away. The truth is that some of you are sick and we are not aware of it. You can help us by simply letting one of the staff know of your situation. We have an excellent support system in place due to the diligent efforts of our deacons. Help us serve you by communicating your situation.

With deepest sympathy we list those members who have passed away in 2011 Jack Hrunek Dick Patterson Ruth Sherick Molly Pitcher Ron Behrends Thelma Blake Eric Blake Jim Rudack Paul Brisbane Maida Navis Walter Breidenbach Bob Hutchinson Dick Dresser Sheri Atchinson Rinfret

GRANDPARENTS ANSWERING MACHINE Good morning . . . At present we are not at home but, please leave your message after you hear the beep. beeeeeppp ... If you are one of our children, press 1 and then select the option from 1 to 5 in order of arrival so we know who it is. If you need us to stay with the children, press 2. If you want to borrow the car, press 3. If you want us to wash your clothes and ironing, press 4. If you want the grandchildren to sleep here tonight, press 5. If you want us to pick up the kids at school, press 6. If you want us to prepare a meal for Sunday or to have it delivered to your home, press 7. If you want to come to eat here, press 8 If you need money, press 9 If you are going to invite us to dinner or want to take us to the theater, start talking we are listening!

Well done, Thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy Of thy Lord.
Matthew 25:21

09/02 09/03 09/04 09/05 09/07

Can you name these couples...answers? 1. Richard & Shawn Uphoff 2. Marilyn & Charles Humes 3. Pat & Bill Covault 4. Leanne & Gary Reynolds 5. Bob & Linda Lull 6. Maria & Ralph Berry

HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS!

Peggy Linkin Marilyn Humes William Quigley Sylvester Taylor Toni Patterson 09/09 09/09 09/10 09/16 09/19 Paul Barker Bradley Kern Ron Henningson Jerry S Maples Ann Stavely 09/20 Vivian Virden 09/24 George Mortimer 09/28 William Delahanty

Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church 13001 N. Fountain Hills Boulevard Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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If anyone is not getting our newsletter or Presb-E-News and would like to, please let the church office know at 480-837-1763.

In Touch is published monthly; deadline for each issue is the 15th of the month before publication. News and information should be submitted to the church office in hard copy, or email to [email protected] Editor, Marta Ludwig; Assistant Editor, Carol Hencz; Proof Reader, Helen Roesch; Staff Photographer: Gary Oakeson; Production and Circulation: Mary Wernecke, Bobbie Dangremond, Ruby Pearson, Arlene Olsen, Marilyn Humes, Barb Hegwood, Vivian Virden and Joyce Stott. Travel to Bulk Mail Post Office: Mary Martinson.

Favorites from Our Table Cookbook The cost for the cookbook is a bargain at $15.00. There is also a limited number of cookbook stands which sell for $1. In addition to getting a cookbook for yourself, we encourage you to purchase books for others on your Christmas and birthday lists! Remember the profits will support our Sunday Fellowship. Cookbooks are available on Sunday mornings or in the church office during the week.
A very happy Helen Roesch with our new cookbooks...

Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church 13001 Fountain Hills Blvd. - Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 Phone - (480) 837-1763 Fax - (480) 837-1729 OfficeE-Mail Address: [email protected] Summer Office Hours: Monday Thursday : 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. www.fhpresbyterian.info Pastor/Head of Staff Rev Bill Good email: [email protected] cell phone: 480-329-8090