OCTOBER,  2017 -  MESSENGER   

GREENFIELD   AVENUE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH

1455 S. 97^th St., West Allis, WI 53214

Church Office (414) 453-3710     Pastor Kevin G. Tarvid  (cell) 414-588-0159    

Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 AM    www.gapc-usa.com   Sunday Church School  10:45 AM

 

                                                                           Faith    Hope   Love  =          

                                                                     GREENFIELD  AVENUE  PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

                                                                                          

                                                                                       GAPC              

Worship  Schedule  October 1  -  October 29, 2017

 

Sun.  Oct 1 - 9:30 AM    World  Communion

First Reading:  Exodus 17:1-7

Second Reading:  Philippians 2:1-5

Sermon: “Sharing in the Spirit”

Liturgist/Children’s Message: Sally Tarvid

Servers:  JT Gall, Lori Johnson, LB Smith & Sally Tarvid

 

Sun. Oct 8 – 9:30 AM     “Anniversary  Celebration” & “Penny Sunday”

First Reading:  Psalm 19           

Second Reading:  Philippians 3:4b-14
Sermon:  “To Be Found in Christ”

Liturgist/Children’s Message: Sue Smith

 

Sun. Oct 15 – 9:30 AM   

First Reading:  Psalm 106:1-6, 19-22

Second Reading:  Philippians 4:1-9

Sermon:  “Don’t Worry about a Thing”

Liturgist/Children’s Message: Sandy Reichert

 

Sun. Oct 22 - 9:30 AM     “Penny Sunday”

First Reading: Matthew 22:15-22

Second Reading: Psalm 99

Sermon: “Like God Needs a Footstool?”

Liturgist: Peter Jansen

Children’s Message: Pastor Kevin

 

Sun. Oct 29 – 9:30 AM   

First Reading:  Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17

Second Reading:  Matthew 22:34-40

Sermon:  “Hasn’t Change in All These Years”

Liturgist/Children’s Message: Lori Johnson 

 

 

 

ON  SUNDAY, OCT. 8,   we’re having a VERY SPECIAL  CELEBRATION during worship (& after!)  Oct. 4 is the 25^th Anniversary of Pastor Kevin’s ordination as a member of the clergy in the PC(USA); and Oct. 1 is the 35^th Anniversary for Sue Smith as our Church Secretary/Administrative Assistant.  Because Oct 1 is WORLD COMMUNNION SUNDAY, it was decided to hold a joint ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION for these two folks on October 8.  There’ll be a special LITANY during the service, with some food & festivities following worship. 

(We have it on good authority that the menu includes PIZZA & CAKE!  What a winning combination!)  We hope everyone will be here to share this happy day with Pastor Kev & Sue!

 

 

The date of FALL  FEST has been moved to SAT. NOV. 4, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.   There’s NO RUMMAGE SALE this year, for we just don’t have enough workers to handle one.  However, we’ll STILL have our incredible BAKE  SALE; our WONDERFUL RAFFLE (with one  $500.00 cash prize, & 2 cash prizes of $250.00); our delicious CAFÉ; the greeting card sale, the Spinning Yarns sale, & MORE (some GREAT surprises)!  Please tell EVERYONE you know what the DATE of this event will be, & invite them to come for the food, fun, & fellowship!  Of course, we’re asking our BAKERS to make lots of tasty temptations we can sell, and we need DONATIONS of MANY RAFFLEL BASKETS, filled with new & desirable items!  Please plan to donate one (or more!)  Coordinator Laurie Elliott will have sign-up sheets ready on Oct. 1, so you can tell us how YOU will help!  You’re needed!

 

FROM  OUR  PASTOR:    Happy October, Beloved!

          Sue and I are both recognizing big milestones this month, and we want to celebrate with you!

          It will be 35 years this month that Sue has been our Administrative Assistant.  (That hasn’t always been her title, and in truth she has always been much more than that!)  Sue has been: teacher, editor, writer, planner, counselor, friend, visionary, theologian, and........

          It’s hard for me to imagine that it’s been my pleasure and honor to serve beside her for more than half that time!

          As for me, I am recognizing 25 years of ordained ministry.  I cannot believe the time has passed so quickly!  I look back on that day in October, 1992 with so many happy memories: to be surrounded by loved ones: family, friends, and those who helped shape my ministry.         

I have two wishes regarding that day…  I wish that you could have been there (but we didn’t yet know that God would send the Tarvids to you seven years later…) and how I wish that everyone who gathered on that day could be with us on October 8^th.  (While so many are now in heaven, I’d like to think that they will be with us in Spirit.)

I hope that Sunday, October 8^th will be a time to look back, express my deep gratitude to you and God, and especially to celebrate.  Our plan is for pizza, cake & ? 

I also want it to be a time to look forward, to realize that, while these are big milestones, we have many more miles to climb.  We have holy work to do together, and in many ways, these next few years need to be quite different from the last 25 or 35.  The world is changing, and it’s time for us to embrace that change.  It’s exciting, and a little scary, all at the same time!

I know that life is full, but I would love for us all to gather on Sunday, October 8^th, for worship and celebration.  I’d like to thank you, and reminisce with you, and look forward with you.  Ecclesiastes 8 (and the Byrds) remind us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven.  I think it’s time to party!  God loves you.  Me too

                                                     -  Pastor    Kevin

                      THE OFFERING WE TOOK ON SEPT. 7 FOR PDA, (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance), to provide help to victims of Hurricane Harvey, brought in a generous total,  $702.00, for which we’re very thankful.  Session has decided that, due to the mind-boggling disasters wrought by Hurricanes Irma, Maria, (& other possible hurricanes, though we hope there won’t be more this season …) we’ll CONTINUE TO ACCEPT DONATIONS THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER.  Thankfully, by that time, “hurricane season” is expected to be over … so we’ll send in a “lump sum” check to PDA, from GAPC.  Please don’t forget to write “PDA” on the “memo” section of your check, so Church Treasurer JT Gall can send it to the correct destination, & Church Financial Secretary Dan Lefevre can credit it to your donations.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR AMAZING GENEROSITY to help those in such serious need!  (Please see Matthew 25:31-46 to read what Jesus tells us about serving those who are in need.

SUNDAY SCHOOL on October 1 will be a continuation of the discussion on Stories of Importance for the Young & Young-at-Heart, which began on Sept. 24, led by Sue Smith.  The October 1 discussion will center on James Clavell’s “The Children’s Story”, (though it’s REALLY more for grown-ups, this time).  Judy Dickson remembered this story from a series Sue led many years ago -- & tells us it made such a lasting impression that she’s never forgotten it.  Originally appearing in Reader’s Digest as a long “short story”,  (a novella), it was published in  book form 1981, & its message is timeless. We won’t say more, because we don’t want to “give it away” but it contains a truth that is something we need to remember.

             and …

On October 15, Pastor Kevin & Sue Smith will speak about Stephen Mitchell’s translation of Lao-tzu’s  Tao Te Jing, which means “Book of the Way”.  It’s a classic manual on the art of living, which looks at the basic predicament of being alive, & gives advice that imparts balance & perspective, a serene & generous spirit.  This book is about wisdom in action.  It teaches how to work for good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with the Tao (the basic principle of the universe), & applies equally to good government; to child rearing, business, & ecology.  This best-selling version by Mitchell has been widely acclaimed as “a gift to contemporary  culture.”

                       and …

On October 22 & 29, we’ll talk more about the Tao, with Sally Tarvid leading us in discussion about incorporating the Tao in our lives.  It’s fascinating, thought-provoking … and fun!  You don’t want to miss ANY of these opportunities for learning & discussion.

MORE ABOUT FALL  FEST  -  Because we’ve made a  DATE  CHANGE  for  Fall Fest this year, it’s ESPECIALLY important for everyone in the church family to let friends, relatives & neighbors know that instead of being on a Saturday in late October – THIS  YEAR  it on the FIRST SATURDAY of NOVEMBER.  Even though we’re doing our best to “get the word out” about the change in date, unless we talk it up, some folks might show up here on an October Saturday, only to find that … oooops … We’ll have flyers for you to give everyone “on your list” which will give all the necessary information, but we want this to remain our MOST SUCCESFUL fund-raising effort yet, so please do help us spread the word.

                            THEN …

We’re ESPECIALLY  INTERESTED in offering GOOD  QUALITY  BASKETS for our  RAFFLE.

Everything that’s been donated to our raffle in previous years has been EXCEPTIONALLY NICE – and we’re counting on our folks to continue to provide donations of new, highly appealing items for the 2017 Fest.  Laurie Elliott is in charge of coordinating Fall Fest, & also of the raffle (with great help from Sue Pope & Dolly Edward)  Please bring your raffle prize donations to Pastor Kevin’s office BY  THURSDAY,  OCTOBER 26, so there’s plenty of time for everything to be arranged in attractive baskets.   We have it on good authority that, in addition to the three INCREDIBLE  CASH  PRIZES, there will be two sensational FISHING BASKETS,  & WINE  BASKETS …

                           AS  ALWAYS,

we’re depending on our BAKERS to provide LOTS & LOTS of yummy things for the BAKE SALE.  It always does wonderfully, & we plan that this year, it will be the best yet!   

                       AND  IN  ADDITION …    

There’ll be equal exchange coffee, tea, chocolates & jewelry available; breathtakingly beautiful 2018 CALENDARS for sale, free blood pressure checks, delicious food at the café, & MORE !!

 

 

 

  

CONGREGATIONAL  MEETING for  ELECTION of OFFICERS in the “Class of 2020” will take place on Sunday, October 29, immediately following the worship service.  It’s very important to have everyone here, to cast their vote.

 

The PEACE & JUSTICE COMMITTEE shares the following information with us:

The Alzheimer’s Association announces the Milwaukee County Partnership Memory Cafes.

The Memory Cafes are places where persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (CI), Alzheimer’s, or a related dementia can go with their care partners to just socialize & have fun with other people going through similar things.  A memory Café has no real agenda or stated purpose except to enjoy each other’s company.  Cafes provide a time where you do not need to focus on the diagnosis & have a great time connecting with each other as a family, or to create new friends.  Each Café meets monthly on an ongoing basis.

First time attendees are required to register by calling Wendy Betley at 414-479-8800. We’ve posted times & locations of the Cafes on the front bulletin board of the church, for your information.  We hope this will be helpful to many people, who need to know that they aren’t alone; support is available.

 

A PHONE MESSAGE from HEIFER PROJECT told us:  “Thank you SO very much for the generous donation you made to our organization at the end of May.  You are making an incredible difference in the lives of SO many people!  We can’t say ‘thank you’ often enough!”

 

The NEW  CHURCH DIRECTORY we HOPED to  have ready for distribution in

September – isn’t.  But it WILL be available in OCTOBER, for SANDY  &  DONNA  will be proofreading it VERY SOON.  Several folks have already  notified us of changes in home & email addresses and/or phone numbers.  However, if YOU have had an address, phone number, or email change about which we have NOT been notified, PLEASE call the church office & tell Sue or leave a message on voicemail.  We’re doing our best to make sure the new directory will be as up-to-date as possible.

After the first proofreading, we can make corrections; after the second proofing, it will be printed.  We plan to have it “ready to go” by October 22.

 

 

Faith Spaghetti Dinner -  Our friends at Faith Presbyterian Church, 3800 W. Rawson Avenue in Franklin are holding their Annual  SPAGHETTI   DINNER, catered by That’s Amore, from 4:30 – 7:00 PM on Saturday, October 7.  Cost per ticket is just $10.00 for adults & children over age 10; tickets for kids ages 4 – 10 are $4.00; & children under age 4 may eat FREE.   You may reserve your ticket by contacting Bonnie in the church office at 414-421-3860.  Proceeds go to support the mission projects of Faith’s Deacons.

 

  

We’re sorry, but we haven’t been able to attach names of merchants who provide scrip to our monthly Messengers.  We HOPE our newsletter & Sunday morning announcements will inspire you to PURCHASE as much SCRIP as possible on the second Sunday of each month!  Here are just a few:  PICK ’N SAVE,  SAM’S CLUB, WAL-MART, MENARD’S, SPEEDWAY,  & KOHL’S)  There are MANY, MANY more, so many that we just DON’T have room to list them all.  Please do look over the Scrip pages in the narthex BEFORE the second Sunday of the month, so you can decide well in advance which ones to order on “2^nd Sunday”.    Then, when you need a gift card for any special occasion -- a birthday, an anniversary, a wedding or baby gift, a graduation gift – or simply a gas card for yourself – place your order with Church Treasurer JT Gall  on the second Sunday of each month, & your gift cards will be here the next week!   It’s one of the best ways you can help out the church budget!

 

We support GOOD SAMARITAN OUTREACH CENTER’S FOOD  PANTRY, & each month, we suggest a CHALLENGE  ITEM  for you to donate,  as generously as possible.  Remember, you may donate ANY non-perishable food items at ANY time!  Good Samaritan reminds us that:  “Your contribution of food is more significant because it enables Good Sam’s to provide greater variation in the food that we distribute.  We tend to provide our community members with a somewhat routine menu of food, & we are delighted to be able to surprise them with different foods.”  For  OCTOBER,  we suggest canned and/or dried BEANS.

 

Don’t forget to help us as we continue to support WILSON SCHOOL! This fall, we’re beginning our 5^th  year helping this WAWM elementary school by making donations of back packs & school supplies.  This school, (like so many others in the area) has a significant number of students whose parents, through no fault of their own, cannot afford the necessary school supplies.  Teachers & administrators often dig deep into their own pockets to provide for these children, whom they care about so deeply.   This this is a year-long, ongoing mission for us, so once school is actually in session, we don’t stop bringing supplies … we keep providing them!  THANK  YOU!!!

            and …

We’ve just received the following note: “Dear Members of Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church,

Thank you for all of the school supplies that you donated to Wilson Elementary.  It was so generous, and we very much appreciate it.  You put smiles on so many children’s faces!  Thanks again!    The Staff & Students at Wilson”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCTOBER 2017

CALENDAR

 

 

 

 

Sun Oct 1      9:30 AM – World Communion Day

 

Sun Oct 8     9:30 AM – We’re celebrating two very special anniversaries during worship *

                   10:45 AM – ANNIVERSARIES’  PARTY in Jack Reichert Hall * 

 

Tues Oct 10   7:00 PM - Resources Committee

 

Sun Oct 29   10:30 AM - Congregational Meeting for Election of Officers immediately following

                                           worship *

 

Mon Oct 30  6:30 PM – Peace & Justice Comm.

 

Tues Oct 31  - Happy  Halloween !!          

 

 

“LIFE  EXPECTANCY  WOULD  GROW  BY  LEAPS  &  BOUNDS  IF  GREEN  VEGETABLES  SMELLED  AS  GOOD AS BACON.”   - Doug Larson