Bill’s Bestowals:
“Let’s Give ‘Em a Taste of Jesus!”
“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the (one) who takes refuge in him.”
(Psalm 34:8)
Annette Hays offered a wonderful devotional to our youth group some time ago. A particular segment in it caught my eye in light of our FPC mission statement, which is to “make the Kingdom of God real for the hungry, thirsty, stranger, poor, sick and prisoner.” Here it is:
Several years ago, a funny thing happened in New York City: five new pizza parlors with five different owners opened up on the same block. It soon became clear that there wasn’t nearly enough business in the neighborhood to support all five, so the competition to survive became fierce. As part of his campaign to attract customers, one of the pizza parlor owners put up a sign, which read: “Ours is the best pizza in the city.” The others quickly followed suit. “Ours is the best pizza in the state,” said the second owner’s sign. The third owner’s read: “Ours is the best pizza in the country.” Not to be outdone, the fourth owner erected a sign boasting, “Ours is the best pizza in the world.”
Finally, the fifth owner’s sign went up which read: “Ours is the best pizza on the block.”
Which sign do you think was the most attractive to the community? I believe it was the latter, because the average person tends to care more about their own neck of the woods than the rest of the world.
What a cool story! Although I VERY much believe we should care about the world and share in bringing about God’s will for it, it starts with having the best ‘pizza’ on the ‘block’”; AKA, giving our local community a taste of God’s love!
I believe we are doing that. A smattering of why I say that:
† Despite the heat, we had more people assist with our “Helping Hands Sunday” activities than ever on June 29.
† Our Lunches of Love program is serving an average of 250 needy people per week during the summer. We’ve tripled from 2024! (We offer food on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Trinity Lutheran has accepted our challenge to join us! I have heard they serve an additional 50-60 per week.)
† Walk-In Assistance: We assist an average of 8 families per month who walk-in our office, seeking assistance. Most often it is assistance with a utility bill, some need a room for the night, others need help with rent, clothing or fuel. At this time, we can only afford to help families once per year, or those numbers would be “budget-bustingly” high.
† “Carus Cares”: A non-profit organization started by and largely run by members of FPC. This organization typically matches whatever assistance we offer. What an incredible additional blessing!
† Food for the hungry: We now keep canned foods / staple items in the church to offer to those who simply ask for food. We have probably 5 requests per month. We also take some of it to stock the “Blessing Box” in front of the courthouse.
† Our youth group and a number of individuals in our congregation assist regularly at the “Acts of Love Food Pantry.” This is a hands-on ministry to feed our community, and they can always use more volunteers. There is a lot of work to do there!
† Vacation Bible School: This excellent annual ministry is less than a month away, and this year we will have a pre-school class for the first time!
† Summer Interns: Our summer interns, Dania Curry and Hannah Laing, are clocking a lot of hours serving at many of the above ministries, and others.
What a list! First Presbyterian – YOU – are showing this community that there is a God of love that we follow. You are helping them “taste and see that He is good.” You are making His Kingdom real as we act as Jesus’ hands and feet in this community, and beyond!
Shalom! Pastor Bill
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July 2025 Calendar:
Sunday: Fellowship Hour at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.
Worship at 11 a.m.
Tuesday & Thursday: Lunches of Love, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday: LIFT (Living in Faith & Trust) at 5 p.m.
July 1: Mission Committee Meeting – 5 p.m.
July 4: Independence Day! O O O
July 4: Fireworks at Elk’s Lodge. (More info below)
July 5: Fireworks at Tapley Park. (More info below)
July 8: Building & Grounds Committee Meeting – 10 a.m.
July 8: Membership & Evangelism Committee Meeting – 5 p.m.
July 20: Presbyterian Women’s Salad Sunday following Worship.
July 20: Decorate the church for VBS following Salad Sunday lunch.
July 21: Stewardship, Finance and Administration Committee Meeting – 1 p.m.
July 21-July25: Vacation Bible School
July 24: Fellowship Committee Meeting – 1 p.m.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
2 – Cathy & Tims Edwards 21 – Sharon Chambers
5 – Tracy Tate-Allphin 23 – Dustin Pitts
7 – Cathy Edwards 28 – Linda & David Spurgin
14 – Gini & Robbie Burt 30 – Tricia & Wes Stiefer
16 – TJ Thompson 30 – Al Hernandez
SERVING THIS MONTH:
Ushers: David Spurgin & Chuck Schroyer
Communion Preparers: Susan Seitz
Communion Servers: Garrett Lundberg, Chuck Schroyer
Earl Harrell, Linda Murphy & Leon Myers
SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:
July 6: Personal Care Collection
July 27: Goodland Academy
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Dear Family of Faith,
Some news for you:
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS:
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ACTS OF LOVE FOOD PANTRY: Thanks to all who have been helping at the food pantry! For those who are willing to serve during the month of July, here are the times they really need help:
Wednesday, July 9, 4-6 p.m.
Thursday, July 10, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Would you please make the hours you are willing to serve known by “reply” e-mail? I’ll post your response so the Food Pantry will expect you. Thanks!
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: “TRUE NORTH”: On Sunday, June 20, we will be decorating the church for VBS. We need MANY hands to get it done! Please consider staying after lunch to assist. Also, don’t forget to invite all the kids you know! Application forms are at the church, or you can cut and paste the advertisement below to social media.
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Our CHURCH ELECTRONIC CALENDAR may have updated event information. To access, go to our website: www.firstchurchmena.org. Simply click on “Calendar” at the top, then click on any date or activity of interest. Arrows on either side of the current month will lead you to past or future months.
Do you receive CHURCH E-MAILS? They come out irregularly, but offer new events, updates and prayer concerns. If you don’t, please let the church office know. The office e-address is now: office@firstchurchmena.org.
Blessings! Pastor Bill
