March 12, 2017 North Kent Presbyt erian News

TIME CHANGE THIS SUNDAY MARCH 12TH
BE SURE TO SPRING AHEAD ONE HOUR BEFORE
BED ON SATURDAY SO YOU WON’T MISS A 
SINGLE MOMENT OF SUNDAYS ELITE SERVICE!
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Children.  All children ages 4 to 10 are invited to join the Sunday school class following the Object Lesson. The topic is “Lead by Serving” Matthew 20:20-28.   The lesson teaches to imagine specific ways the story calls us to follow Jesus in leading by serving.
 
Pastor Karen's email isPastor.nkpc@gmail.com    Her office hours are Monday - Wednesday 9:30 - 3 pm, and she wants to have lunch or coffee with you!
 
Camp Greenwood registration is now open! As a partnering church with the Greenwood Ministries Association, all campers from NKPC get $35 off their registration fee. Use coupon code: church17partner.  Also register by March 15th to get an extra $15 dollars off!
 
LET’S DO IT – SEND OUR KIDS TO CAMP! We would again like to assist in sending all our children to Camp Greenwood this summer.  You can help by contributing bottle/cans in the T-room, or take them in yourself and put the cash receipt in the collection plate or make a clearly marked cash donation. The tree in the Narthex is tracking our fundraising progress ($10 per leaf), help make it "leaf out" our support for the $2,000+ we seek!
 
Announcing: The Trouble Clefs! A Youth and Children's chorus who will be singing with the Chancel choir for Easter.   Anyone is welcome to join us. Rehearsals March 19 and April 2 at Noon.  See the choir director foe more information.
 
Knitting and Crocheting More Prayer Shawls:  Our prayer shawl ministry supplies have been reorganized and new patterns and instructions added!  If you would like to create a prayer shawl, you are welcome to do so. All the supplies are free.  New knitters and crocheters are needed!
 
Ringers Needed! For a ringing good time, join our Hand Bell choir, either on a substitute or regular basis.  Talk to the choir director for details.
 
NKPC is now on Twitter and Instagram!!You can follow us, our username is @nkpchurch. If you would like to make an announcement through Twitter or post a photo through Instagram... you can e-mail them to nkpcsocialmedia@gmail.com. The posts will be made as soon as possible. The tweets must be 140 characters or less. Thank you!
 
Forty Days-Forty Items! Last Wednesday, was the first day of Lent. Your Mission Committee has a challenge for you: A Forty Day Closet Purge! Each day until Easter, we want you to remove one item from your closet or jewelry box and place it in the clear trash bag provided by your Mission Committee (table in Narthex). At the end of Lent, bring the bag to church. We will donate women’s items to the Working Women’s Closet at the Women’s Resource Center and Men’s items to the North Kent Community Services. They will be shared with someone who can really use them, and you will have more room in your closets!

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need.  Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge, start new lives and work together to strengthen their families and communities.  The Presbyterian Hunger Program receives 36 percent of undesignated gifts, while Self Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance each receive 32 percent.

NKPC Mom-to-mom sale - Saturday, March 25th from 9AM-4PM in the Teeuwissen room. Moms are invited to rent a booth and bring their gently used baby/toddler "stuff" to sell to other moms. Booth rental and shopper admission fees will go to fund the work of Presbyterian Women. Donations of plastic bags for shoppers' purchases would be greatly appreciated.
 
Bible Readings a list of Lenten suggested readings is available on the table in the narthex.  Pick one up and pursue readings to help with your Lenten experience.
 
Please reserve 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 20 and join New City Kids for The Turnaround. Based on Isaiah 61:1-4, The Turnaround shows how God’s goodness stops us in our tracks, turns us around, and makes a way out of no way. Join us at the beautiful Wealthy Street Theatre for an evening of laughter, dance, video, drama, and the amazing music of New City Kids. New City Kids is an inspiring youth leadership development program where 100% of alumni graduate high school and go to college. Let us know that you will be there! RSVP by visiting www.newcitykids.org
 
SESSION MEETING SUMMARY – February 20, 2017
 
Treasurer’s Report – We have a February ending cash balance of $42,740.
 
Review of Notes from the Officer Training Retreat on February 4, 2017. Discussion indicated the training was a success. It was suggested that although a similar format would be adequate next year, by the third year it would no longer work, so thought has to be given to future trainings. Pastor Karen suggested that it’s something for Adult Ed to investigate.
 
Pastor's Report: Pastor Karen submitted a report of many of the activities she was involved with in February, including a phone call to a PCUSA colleague, lunch with the pastor of Rockford Congregational Church, meetings and phone calls to members and church friends. And her regularly scheduled activities such as worship and prep, committee meetings, etc. 
Pastor Karen reported that she will be having lunch and leading worship on the 4th Monday of each month at Story Point.
 
Calendar Review for March, 2017: PW is planning a Mom to Mom sale as a fund raiser on March 25. The Men’s Fellowship and J.O.Y. bike ride, as well as the Youth Crew Hunger Fast, were already scheduled for that day. The three groups will figure it out.
 
NKPC has been requested to host the Minutes Review on May 6. The Clerk’s Annual Questionnaire is ready to enter and send.  Although past its due date by a few days, it will be sent to PCUSA by Wednesday. 
 
Deacon's Report: Deacons have signed up for flowers, after church coffees, visits, shepherds and lambs. They will meet again the 3rd Sunday in March, after church. 
 
Committee Reports:
 
Missions:  Souper bowl Sunday resulted in a collection of 50 containers of soup, vegetables, and condiments and $90 in cash. Food went to NKCS, cash will go to NKCS or to World Vision as part of the Hunger Fast/30 Hour Famine Youth Crew fund raiser. Youth Crew will make the decision.
 
A group is continuing to investigate helping refugees through the THRIVE program.
March activities are being planned: One Great Hour of Sharing, 40 Day Closet Purge, Promotion of Presbyterian Disaster Relief, and setting a date to make cookies and fruit kabobs for Ronald McDonald House.
 
Pastor Karen mentioned that there would be another program regarding refugee aid at the Micah Center at Eastern Ave. CRC in Grand Rapids on Saturday, February 25.
 
Christian Ed. -   Children & Youth: Progress is being made creating a worship center in the Sunday School room.  A poster is being made to promote Camp Greenwood NKPC Scholarship Fund.
 
Christian Ed. - Adults:  In addition to the review of the retreat mentioned above, it was reported that the J.O.Y. Bible study will be starting a study of Genesis. The group meets at 1:15 on Tuesdays. A Session member is needed to chair the Adult Ed committee. Tabled until next month.
 
Membership:  The committee is planning a Spring Fling with a meal at the church near the end of April. 
 
The next meeting of Men’s Fellowship will include some basketball bracketing. 
 
It was suggested that our sign announce that we offer Sunday morning child care. 
The committee is working with the marketing committee and facilities and stewardship to set up a disc golf course.
 
Easter Egg Hunt: Discussion suggested it be on Palm Sunday weekend. The Hunt was referred to the Youth Crew to work out details. Donations of plastic eggs and candy will be requested
 
Worship:  There will be an Ash Wednesday service the evening of March 1 at 7 pm.
 
Facilities & Stewardship:  The new hymnals have arrived.   Donations covered most of the cost for the new hymnals 
 
Air conditioning project is moving forward with B&V Mechanical. Installation is planned for the last two weeks of April.
 
Waste enclosure needs repair, and may be relocated.
 
Filling holes in the stucco where birds are nesting will occur in March, before the birds begin building nests.
 
Front sign: Zoning requirements were discussed. Existing footprint may be used, keeping the approximate size of the present sign. Lights are OK, flashing lights are not.
 
A March room cleaning event will be held to address the mess in the storage room. Items will be tossed or recycled. Plans are underway to make the process fair and open.
 
New Business – Pastor Karen requested time off to attend her daughter’s robot competition the weekend of March 17-20. The request to grant the time off was approved.
 
Next Meeting Date – Adjusted to Monday, March 13, 7 PM.
 
Adjournment at 9:10 PM with prayer led by Pastor Karen.
 

This Week of March 12, 2017 through March 19, 2017

Sunday March 12, 2017
 9:30 am:  Discussion Group “Living Questions”
10:00 am:  Choir Rehearsal
10:45 am:  Worship Service
 
Monday March 13, 2017
10:30 am:  Moms & Munchkins (Free Play Group)
 7:00 pm:  Boy Scouts
 7:00 pm:  Session

Tuesday March 14, 2017
 7:30 am:  Men’s Breakfast (Mr. Burger, 5181 Northland Dr.)
 1:15 pm:  JOY  Bible Study
 6:30 pm:  Handbell Choir
 7:00 pm:  Women’s AA 
 7:30 pm:  Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday march 15, 2017
 8:00 am:  Women’s Breakfast (Russ's 3966 Plainfield Ave. NE) 
 7:00 pm:  AA

Thursday March 16, 2017

Friday March 17, 2017
 9:00 am:  Morning AA  

Saturday March 18, 2017
 8:30 am:  Men’s Fellowship

Next Sunday March 19, 2017 
 9:30 am:  Discussion Group “Living Questions”
10:00 am:  Choir Rehearsal
10:45 am:  Worship Service
12:00 pm:  Trouble Clef Rehearsal