Pastor’s Blog
June / july 2021
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
Dear First Presbyterian Family,
“The Golden Rod is Yellow; the corn is turning brown; the trees in apple orchards with fruit are bending down. By all these lovely tokens, September days are here, with summer’s best of weather, and autumn’s best of cheer”. My pastoral colleague and friend Joshua Long shares this poem just about every fall. He learned it from his grandmother. While September can seem like August Part Two in Texas, we have begun a new season. School-and Football-have returned in full force. Our minds have turned to Fall Festivals and Halloween, Thanksgiving, and yes, even now, to Christmas. We have many days to enjoy. However, this is the “Harvest” phase of the year. It is a time to reap the work of what has gone before, to celebrate the present, and to begin to build for 2022.
October 3 we will officially begin our 2022 Stewardship Campaign. “‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former’ says the Lord of hosts.” These words come from the Prophet Haggai. The Hebrew people had returned in successive waves from Babylon. The people had spent 70 years in exile. Most of those who came to the Promised Land were born in captivity. The people began to rebuild the Temple during those early days of the Return. However, they did not complete the job. Eighteen years later Haggai encouraged the people to get on with the task. It took some doing, however, in the end they built a new temple.
We began 2021 inspired with such words as: recalculate, renew, and rebuild. We had hope with the vaccines. We had the confidence to return to two services and to add some trappings of worship from before. We had set backs-“Snowmaggedon” and the Delta Variant are just two of them. We make progress, we have challenges, and then we get back to work. 2021 is a year to recalculate, renew, and rebuild. It is a year to lay the foundation. We can look to 2022 as a time to complete the work-and a time to see something new take place. As always some things will remain the same. Yet, what we create in a post-Pandemic world will be different. We will not go back to February 2020. During the next several weeks we will hear about new opportunities for 2022. I invite you to listen, to ponder, to pray, and then to respond as we seek to build a new church in a new world.
Worship: We continue to gather at 8:45 and 11 AM on Sunday. We are also making a few steps back to a more recognizable pattern. Sunday, October 3 we will celebrate World Wide Communion Sunday. We will offer Traditional Communion as well as the Miracle Meal Communion kits. Also, as of September 26 the Bibles, Hymnals, and Attendance Pads are back in the pews. Special thanks goes to Renee and Edie who made the hymns and scriptures available to us over the past eighteen months.
Mission: We continue to exceed the 100 Can Challenge. Address Mesquite will take place October 2. Once again FPC Mesquite will be present. We will host another Blood Mobile on October 17. The Mission Committee met September 22 to dream big dreams for 2022. Despite the many challenges of the pandemic, we have continued to serve our community.
Christian Education: The Faith Builders and the L.I.F.E Youth met again this month. Both groups will begin to meet on a regular basis. Sunday School continues to operate. Adults have their online option with Steve Leake as well. Though it is September-we are already looking to 2022 and what could take place then.
Fellowship and Congregational Care: Fellowship Gatherings will return!!! Saturday, October 2 we will gather at 4 PM at Town Center Park. This year the church will provide box meals and canned/bottled drinks. Games will be available. Ben Clifton will help lead us in our Vespers Service.
Mission Support: Slowly but surely the Wilbanks Hall Repair Project is nearing completion. I hope to report in November that it is finished. See the pictures of the latest progress.
Sermons:
October 3: The Church at Thyatira, Revelation 2:18-29
October 10: The Church at Sardis, Revelation 3:1-6
October 17: The Church at Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13
October 24: The Church Laodicea, Revelation 3:14-22
October 31: The Church at the Crossroads, Ephesians 2:8-9
November 7: The Glory of the Second Temple, Haggai 2:6-9
Thank you all for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Jones Doughton
AUGUST NEWSLETTER
Dear First Presbyterian Family,
Greetings!!! After a July sabbatical (hence a June-July issue), our newsletter returns.
We began “Back to Church 2.0” on July 4. We returned to two services. We offer Summer Sunday School. We are mask optional. During the weeks to come we will, if the way be clear, relax the precautions we have used now for just over a year. During the next several weeks we will begin again in so many ways.
In the meantime-reflect on this: August can be more like a suburb of September rather than a summer month. It is easy to get caught up in back-to-school and the start of related activities. It will take effort to enjoy the gift of this month. I encourage you to take some moments to use August as a summer month. To take time to rest. Take time to remember the past, to re-evaluate your present, and to reflect on the future.
From The Prayers of Peter Marshall:
“Thanksgiving-on a Summer’s Day”
“We give Thee thanks, Lord of heaven and earth, for the promise of summer, for the beauty of this day
-a day that shall ripen grain, that shall provide good things for the table,
that shall make all growing things rejoice, that shall make more sweet the music of the birds,
that shall make more beautiful the gardens which Thou has planted and watered.
We thank Thee for the fertility of the land that encourages us to sow and to plant.
We thank Thee for the dependence of the seasons, for all Thy sustaining providence by which men (and women)
work today and harvest tomorrow. We well know, our Father, that we are not worthy of Thy bounty, but help us to be good stewards of that bounty. We thank Thee for the endless delight of our lives on this lovely earth. Amen.”
Thank you all for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Jones Doughton
may 2021
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Thus begins Ecclesiastes 3. Those words come to mind as I reflect on our upcoming month of May. We begin the month with the Kentucky Derby-a Rite of Spring. We conclude with Memorial Day. That milestone serves as the unofficial start of Summer. During the month academic years wind down. If a student does not graduate in May, it will take place in early June. May can represent the final maturity of Spring. It opens the door to Summer. May is one of the three great transition points in our calendar. It is yet another time to look back and reflect-then look forward with purpose.
May 2 we will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion in worship. Also, that weekend several of our men will return to Mo Ranch for the Men’s Retreat. This will be a special moment as the event did not take place in 2020.
May 9 does triple duty. It is a day for us to remember and give thanks for our mothers. It is a day to honor Pete Alen for his MANY years of service as Church Treasurer. We will acknowledge his service at all three services. Worshippers are invited to gather in the parking lot following each worship service. From there the cars will caravan to Pete’s house for a “Drive-by Salute”. If you would like to show your appreciation for Pete by giving him a card, we will be collecting them in the Welcome Center until May 9. It is also a day for the Presbyterian Women to present a very faithful member with the Life Membership Award.
May 16 we will recognize our Seniors. Their parents will set up their displays in the Narthex. Attendees will be able to view the displays and congratulate the Seniors following each Worship Service. The sermon that day will serve as a charge to our Seniors-and it will be a message for us all as well.
For the past several years we have had a May service that acknowledges Memorial Day. The service includes music with a more patriotic flavor. There are prayers for our country. There is recognition for those who have served and have gone before us. This year that service will be on May 23.
Rev. Dr. Craig Krueger will serve as the Guest Preacher on May 30. He has preached here on numerous occasions. He has become a friend of this church and I am sure you will appreciate his message.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Jones Doughton
APRIL 2021
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
Sunday, March 22, 2020, we held our first recorded service for First Presbyterian Church during Shelter in Place. Ben Clifton directed and sang with the Ensemble Choir of Debbie and Dave Edling, Brenda Greer, and Paula and John Kusewitt. Ryoji Shimpo accompanied them with the organ and piano. Suzanne Ivy recorded the service and created the videos. I hastily figured out how to get an iMovie product up to YouTube. Late that afternoon Renee sent out the email with the links. First Presbyterian had entered a new era for worship.
The next weekend the worship team began to meet on Saturday at 9 AM. During the first weeks I began a series of midweek messages and updates. Soon I developed a pattern of messages twice a week. One message focused on prayers, hymns, scriptures, and short reflections. The other message focused on a Bible Study series. Later, I went to once a week reflection. Steve Leake began to record a Sunday School lesson for all adults. Sheila Rich-Hammer, Jan Sloan, and Elna Singleton led Zoom lessons for children and youth. We returned to in-person worship in June with a host of guidelines. We continued to record worship for YouTube. In due course larger groups could meet with appropriate guidelines. The Youth and the Men’s Council have begun to gather. Next month Presbyterian Women will gather in person as well.
I have reflected on our first “Corona-versary”. I began to write down some observations. I have put some of them in the form of Commandments. Here are five:
First: Thou Shalt Connect. As a family we have met by Zoom, written notes, made phone calls, sent emails, and sent texts. It is easy to become isolated at such a time. We must continue to stay connected.
Second: Thou Shalt Continue to Engage in Mission. We have maintained our benevolences. We were able to provide money for gift cards for PCHAS residents. We have supported WARM, the emergency shelter of Sharing Life. They cared for 80 people during “Snow-mageddon”. We have given over one thousand pounds of non-perishable goods as well.
Third: Thou May Plan, yet Thou Shalt be Willing to Change. Over time we have made plans to gather safely. We have created timelines-and we have updated and revised those timelines. We have taken the initiative, yet, we have pivoted to change when needed.
Fourth: Thou Shalt Learn New Things. Many of us have joined Zoom meetings, participated in studies by YouTube, and worshipped by YouTube. I have learned more technology in one year than I had learned in the previous ten years.
Fifth: Though Shalt Ask-What Does This Make Possible? In the months ahead an increasing number of us will be vaccinated. Though we have a good pattern for now, we will most likely (keeping #3 in mind) establish a new pattern for 2022 and the years ahead. This is an undiscovered country for us.
We are approaching our annual celebration of the Resurrection. I am praying for our own resurrection in 2022. Please join with me as we look for options. We are poised to write a great new chapter for this church.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Jones Doughton
march 2021
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
The Session and the Board of Deacons met last night for an update on Wilbanks Hall. We covered what had happened over the weekend of February 19-21. We reviewed the initial clean up and where we stood as of March 3, 2021. We covered the next steps going forward.
February 19-I get a call that the water pipes around the sprinkler system in Wilbanks Hall had broken. Jesudas Thanaraj was with Fire Department. Water and power were cut off to all the buildings as a precaution.
Saturday morning, I met with Renee Stormer and David Howard (Chair of Property Committee) to survey the damage. Along the way we also contacted Eric Schwartz, John Kusewitt, Brandon Hall, and Dave Edling. All were on the property at some point during the weekend. These individuals had worked with an earlier Task Force.
We looked, assessed, and made phone calls. Karen Ebling, Property Manager for Grace Presbytery, contacted me while we walked the grounds. Presbytery is aware of our situation. I will go ahead and say that I have attended a Zoom meeting with the Presbytery Response Team. I have leads to follow for possible assistance. Currently they know of 29 churches that have sustained some damage.
Sunday evening, I got a phone call that we had water running from the building out to the parking lot. I contacted David Howard. I met him at Wilbanks Hall. In the end we learned that the valve to the Fire Sprinkler had broken and the water came from the dedicated water main to the system. Dave Edling called a friend and the friend called a friend. In the end the main was turned off.
Renee has begun the conversation with Insurance Board, our insurers. To date an adjuster has made an initial survey. We are meeting with the adjuster, another adjuster, and a contents specialist this Saturday.
Brandon contacted Restoration Solutions. Over the past ten days Water Out, a company that Restoration Solutions uses, has taken out the sheetrock, insulation, and boards destroyed by the water. They have removed the carpet. They have packed up debris. The process includes dehumidification followed by drying. They will also spray the building with an anti-microbial solution to prevent mold.
We are still getting all of the facts together as the property is cleaned. The Session, with the support of the Board of Deacons, formally authorized a the Wilbanks Hall 2021 Repair Task Force. It is comprised of: Renee Stormer, David Howard, Eric Schwartz, John Kusewitt, Brandon Hall, and Dave Edling. They are authorized to act on behalf of the church to engage the best people with the task ahead of us. They will regularly report back to Session. This will be part of the agenda for the Stated March 17 meeting. We will keep the congregation updated at regular intervals.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement. ~Jones Doughton
march 2021
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
The Session and the Board of Deacons met last night for an update on Wilbanks Hall. We covered what had happened over the weekend of February 19-21. We reviewed the initial clean up and where we stood as of March 3, 2021. We covered the next steps going forward.
February 19-I get a call that the water pipes around the sprinkler system in Wilbanks Hall had broken. Jesudas Thanaraj was with Fire Department. Water and power were cut off to all the buildings as a precaution.
Saturday morning, I met with Renee Stormer and David Howard (Chair of Property Committee) to survey the damage. Along the way we also contacted Eric Schwartz, John Kusewitt, Brandon Hall, and Dave Edling. All were on the property at some point during the weekend. These individuals had worked with an earlier Task Force.
We looked, assessed, and made phone calls. Karen Ebling, Property Manager for Grace Presbytery, contacted me while we walked the grounds. Presbytery is aware of our situation. I will go ahead and say that I have attended a Zoom meeting with the Presbytery Response Team. I have leads to follow for possible assistance. Currently they know of 29 churches that have sustained some damage.
Sunday evening, I got a phone call that we had water running from the building out to the parking lot. I contacted David Howard. I met him at Wilbanks Hall. In the end we learned that the valve to the Fire Sprinkler had broken and the water came from the dedicated water main to the system. Dave Edling called a friend and the friend called a friend. In the end the main was turned off.
Renee has begun the conversation with Insurance Board, our insurers. To date an adjuster has made an initial survey. We are meeting with the adjuster, another adjuster, and a contents specialist this Saturday.
Brandon contacted Restoration Solutions. Over the past ten days Water Out, a company that Restoration Solutions uses, has taken out the sheet-rock, insulation, and boards destroyed by the water. They have removed the carpet. They have packed up debris. The process includes dehumidification followed by drying. They will also spray the building with an anti-microbial solution to prevent mold.
We are still getting all of the facts together as the property is cleaned. The Session, with the support of the Board of Deacons, formally authorized a the Wilbanks Hall 2021 Repair Task Force. It is comprised of: Renee Stormer, David Howard, Eric Schwartz, John Kusewitt, Brandon Hall, and Dave Edling. They are authorized to act on behalf of the church to engage the best people with the task ahead of us. They will regularly report back to Session. This will be part of the agenda for the Stated March 17 meeting. We will keep the congregation updated at regular intervals.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement. ~Jones Doughton
February 2021
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
As I write these words, we are in the first weeks of a new Administration. For some people this is a time of hope. For others it is a time of concern. We still have the Pandemic. Vaccines are now available to the public. However, the vaccination process is taking time. The Incident at The Capitol is not quite three weeks in the past. As a nation we are trying to make sense of that event as well as other events of the past year. People are drawing many different conclusions. Many people are at odds. We are still navigating uncertain waters. There is hope, there is concern, and there is tension.
This is our February Newsletter. This is the month of Valentines. That leads to the topic of love…and that usually leads pastors to refer to I Corinthians 13 a.k.a. “The Love Chapter”. Here are a few observations.
First, the people of Corinth were in the midst of great divisions. That included: four factions, different views of Gifts of the Spirit, “worship wars”, and moral failings among members. That was just the tip of the iceberg!
Second, Paul did NOT write The Love Chapter to say, “Way to go!”. He wrote it to challenge the people to respond to the Holy Spirit. He wrote it to say, “This is love in action, this is what you are called to do.”
Third, these descriptions fall into 2 categories: “Is” and “Isn’t”. Both lists include seven actions. Notice that the “Isn’t” category is more reactive and the “Is” category is more proactive.
Here are the Seven “Isn’t” attributes: 1) v.4 “Is not jealous”, 2) v.4 “Does not brag”, 3) vs. 4 “Is not arrogant”, 4) vs.5 “Does not act unbecomingly”, 5) v.5 “Does not seek its own”, 6) v.5 “Does not take into account a wrong suffered”, 7) v.6 “Does not rejoice in unrighteousness”.
Here are the Seven “Is” attributes: 1) v.4 “Patient”, 2) v.4 “Kind”, 3) v.6 “Rejoices with the truth”, 4) v.7 “Bears all things”, 5) v.7 “Believes all things”, 6) v.7 “Hopes all things”, 7) v.7 “Endures all things”.
Fourth, only Jesus Christ loves perfectly. I do not present this list to put a burden on any of us. The words of I Corinthians 13 inspire me to pursue Christ and His perfect way. We can use these verses to pray for ourselves, our friends and family, and our world. What if we prayed: “Lord, may my love be patient”. “Lord, may my (spouse, sibling, parent, child, friend) love in a way that believes all things.” “Lord, may (any elected official) not be arrogant or seek his/her own. May that person rejoice in the truth.”
This chapter gives us all food for thought. May we listen, ponder, and then respond.
Jones Doughton
December 2020
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
Christmas songs, carols, and anthems add so much to the season. My top three are “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, “Joy to the World”, and “Holy Night”. Each hymn speaks in a special way to the awe, the majesty, and the holiness of the season. Each one speak of joy, wonder, and peace.
I also enjoy the secular songs that populate the airwaves at this time. Some of them are just fun. Some of these songs speak to deeper issues of the season. At this point my favorite three are: “We Need a Little Christmas”, “I’ll be Home for Christmas”, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.
“We need a little Christmas” comes from “Mame”. She sings this song one week before Thanksgiving Day in the early days of The Great Depression. She has lost her money, many possessions, and now her job. Back home with her nephew and staff, she has them put up their Christmas decorations and make merry. This song speaks to Hope.
“I’ll be Home for Christmas” made #1 for all four week in December 1943, four weeks of January 1944, and then four weeks in December 1944. When first written, this song spoke to a person in Los Angeles longing for Christmas Back East. However, sung in the context of World War II, this song spoke to the longings of millions who were separated from loved ones by War. This song speaks to Love between family members.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” comes to us from “Meet me in St. Louis”. At this point a family anticipates a move in the coming year. The children are sad at the prospect of their last Christmas in their beloved home. Judy Garland, who plays the oldest child, sings it to the youngest. This song acknowledges the present sadness. However, it also points to Joy in the moment and future happiness. Frank Sinatra later produced a cover that emphasized the Joy even more.
Each of these secular songs acknowledges challenges. Each song speaks to Joy in the moment, Love that knows no barriers of miles, and Hope in the midst of adversity. In Jesus Christ we have Joy that goes beyond circumstances. We have Love that knows no bounds. We have Hope that goes beyond present challenges. Advent and Christmas 2020 WILL be different. As you listen to the great hymns, songs, and carols of the season; as you listen to the secular seasonal songs that speak to our deepest longings, I pray that all of us will be guided by those words to Jesus Christ.
Jones Doughton
June / july 2021
OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
Dear First Presbyterian Family,
“The Golden Rod is Yellow; the corn is turning brown; the trees in apple orchards with fruit are bending down. By all these lovely tokens, September days are here, with summer’s best of weather, and autumn’s best of cheer”. My pastoral colleague and friend Joshua Long shares this poem just about every fall. He learned it from his grandmother. While September can seem like August Part Two in Texas, we have begun a new season. School-and Football-have returned in full force. Our minds have turned to Fall Festivals and Halloween, Thanksgiving, and yes, even now, to Christmas. We have many days to enjoy. However, this is the “Harvest” phase of the year. It is a time to reap the work of what has gone before, to celebrate the present, and to begin to build for 2022.
October 3 we will officially begin our 2022 Stewardship Campaign. “‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former’ says the Lord of hosts.” These words come from the Prophet Haggai. The Hebrew people had returned in successive waves from Babylon. The people had spent 70 years in exile. Most of those who came to the Promised Land were born in captivity. The people began to rebuild the Temple during those early days of the Return. However, they did not complete the job. Eighteen years later Haggai encouraged the people to get on with the task. It took some doing, however, in the end they built a new temple.
We began 2021 inspired with such words as: recalculate, renew, and rebuild. We had hope with the vaccines. We had the confidence to return to two services and to add some trappings of worship from before. We had set backs-“Snowmaggedon” and the Delta Variant are just two of them. We make progress, we have challenges, and then we get back to work. 2021 is a year to recalculate, renew, and rebuild. It is a year to lay the foundation. We can look to 2022 as a time to complete the work-and a time to see something new take place. As always some things will remain the same. Yet, what we create in a post-Pandemic world will be different. We will not go back to February 2020. During the next several weeks we will hear about new opportunities for 2022. I invite you to listen, to ponder, to pray, and then to respond as we seek to build a new church in a new world.
Worship: We continue to gather at 8:45 and 11 AM on Sunday. We are also making a few steps back to a more recognizable pattern. Sunday, October 3 we will celebrate World Wide Communion Sunday. We will offer Traditional Communion as well as the Miracle Meal Communion kits. Also, as of September 26 the Bibles, Hymnals, and Attendance Pads are back in the pews. Special thanks goes to Renee and Edie who made the hymns and scriptures available to us over the past eighteen months.
Mission: We continue to exceed the 100 Can Challenge. Address Mesquite will take place October 2. Once again FPC Mesquite will be present. We will host another Blood Mobile on October 17. The Mission Committee met September 22 to dream big dreams for 2022. Despite the many challenges of the pandemic, we have continued to serve our community.
Christian Education: The Faith Builders and the L.I.F.E Youth met again this month. Both groups will begin to meet on a regular basis. Sunday School continues to operate. Adults have their online option with Steve Leake as well. Though it is September-we are already looking to 2022 and what could take place then.
Fellowship and Congregational Care: Fellowship Gatherings will return!!! Saturday, October 2 we will gather at 4 PM at Town Center Park. This year the church will provide box meals and canned/bottled drinks. Games will be available. Ben Clifton will help lead us in our Vespers Service.
Mission Support: Slowly but surely the Wilbanks Hall Repair Project is nearing completion. I hope to report in November that it is finished. See the pictures of the latest progress.
Sermons:
October 3: The Church at Thyatira, Revelation 2:18-29
October 10: The Church at Sardis, Revelation 3:1-6
October 17: The Church at Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13
October 24: The Church Laodicea, Revelation 3:14-22
October 31: The Church at the Crossroads, Ephesians 2:8-9
November 7: The Glory of the Second Temple, Haggai 2:6-9
Thank you all for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Jones Doughton
AUGUST NEWSLETTER
Dear First Presbyterian Family,
Greetings!!! After a July sabbatical (hence a June-July issue), our newsletter returns.
We began “Back to Church 2.0” on July 4. We returned to two services. We offer Summer Sunday School. We are mask optional. During the weeks to come we will, if the way be clear, relax the precautions we have used now for just over a year. During the next several weeks we will begin again in so many ways.
In the meantime-reflect on this: August can be more like a suburb of September rather than a summer month. It is easy to get caught up in back-to-school and the start of related activities. It will take effort to enjoy the gift of this month. I encourage you to take some moments to use August as a summer month. To take time to rest. Take time to remember the past, to re-evaluate your present, and to reflect on the future.
From The Prayers of Peter Marshall:
“Thanksgiving-on a Summer’s Day”
“We give Thee thanks, Lord of heaven and earth, for the promise of summer, for the beauty of this day
-a day that shall ripen grain, that shall provide good things for the table,
that shall make all growing things rejoice, that shall make more sweet the music of the birds,
that shall make more beautiful the gardens which Thou has planted and watered.
We thank Thee for the fertility of the land that encourages us to sow and to plant.
We thank Thee for the dependence of the seasons, for all Thy sustaining providence by which men (and women)
work today and harvest tomorrow. We well know, our Father, that we are not worthy of Thy bounty, but help us to be good stewards of that bounty. We thank Thee for the endless delight of our lives on this lovely earth. Amen.”
Thank you all for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Jones Doughton
may 2021
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Thus begins Ecclesiastes 3. Those words come to mind as I reflect on our upcoming month of May. We begin the month with the Kentucky Derby-a Rite of Spring. We conclude with Memorial Day. That milestone serves as the unofficial start of Summer. During the month academic years wind down. If a student does not graduate in May, it will take place in early June. May can represent the final maturity of Spring. It opens the door to Summer. May is one of the three great transition points in our calendar. It is yet another time to look back and reflect-then look forward with purpose.
May 2 we will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion in worship. Also, that weekend several of our men will return to Mo Ranch for the Men’s Retreat. This will be a special moment as the event did not take place in 2020.
May 9 does triple duty. It is a day for us to remember and give thanks for our mothers. It is a day to honor Pete Alen for his MANY years of service as Church Treasurer. We will acknowledge his service at all three services. Worshippers are invited to gather in the parking lot following each worship service. From there the cars will caravan to Pete’s house for a “Drive-by Salute”. If you would like to show your appreciation for Pete by giving him a card, we will be collecting them in the Welcome Center until May 9. It is also a day for the Presbyterian Women to present a very faithful member with the Life Membership Award.
May 16 we will recognize our Seniors. Their parents will set up their displays in the Narthex. Attendees will be able to view the displays and congratulate the Seniors following each Worship Service. The sermon that day will serve as a charge to our Seniors-and it will be a message for us all as well.
For the past several years we have had a May service that acknowledges Memorial Day. The service includes music with a more patriotic flavor. There are prayers for our country. There is recognition for those who have served and have gone before us. This year that service will be on May 23.
Rev. Dr. Craig Krueger will serve as the Guest Preacher on May 30. He has preached here on numerous occasions. He has become a friend of this church and I am sure you will appreciate his message.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Jones Doughton
APRIL 2021
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
Sunday, March 22, 2020, we held our first recorded service for First Presbyterian Church during Shelter in Place. Ben Clifton directed and sang with the Ensemble Choir of Debbie and Dave Edling, Brenda Greer, and Paula and John Kusewitt. Ryoji Shimpo accompanied them with the organ and piano. Suzanne Ivy recorded the service and created the videos. I hastily figured out how to get an iMovie product up to YouTube. Late that afternoon Renee sent out the email with the links. First Presbyterian had entered a new era for worship.
The next weekend the worship team began to meet on Saturday at 9 AM. During the first weeks I began a series of midweek messages and updates. Soon I developed a pattern of messages twice a week. One message focused on prayers, hymns, scriptures, and short reflections. The other message focused on a Bible Study series. Later, I went to once a week reflection. Steve Leake began to record a Sunday School lesson for all adults. Sheila Rich-Hammer, Jan Sloan, and Elna Singleton led Zoom lessons for children and youth. We returned to in-person worship in June with a host of guidelines. We continued to record worship for YouTube. In due course larger groups could meet with appropriate guidelines. The Youth and the Men’s Council have begun to gather. Next month Presbyterian Women will gather in person as well.
I have reflected on our first “Corona-versary”. I began to write down some observations. I have put some of them in the form of Commandments. Here are five:
First: Thou Shalt Connect. As a family we have met by Zoom, written notes, made phone calls, sent emails, and sent texts. It is easy to become isolated at such a time. We must continue to stay connected.
Second: Thou Shalt Continue to Engage in Mission. We have maintained our benevolences. We were able to provide money for gift cards for PCHAS residents. We have supported WARM, the emergency shelter of Sharing Life. They cared for 80 people during “Snow-mageddon”. We have given over one thousand pounds of non-perishable goods as well.
Third: Thou May Plan, yet Thou Shalt be Willing to Change. Over time we have made plans to gather safely. We have created timelines-and we have updated and revised those timelines. We have taken the initiative, yet, we have pivoted to change when needed.
Fourth: Thou Shalt Learn New Things. Many of us have joined Zoom meetings, participated in studies by YouTube, and worshipped by YouTube. I have learned more technology in one year than I had learned in the previous ten years.
Fifth: Though Shalt Ask-What Does This Make Possible? In the months ahead an increasing number of us will be vaccinated. Though we have a good pattern for now, we will most likely (keeping #3 in mind) establish a new pattern for 2022 and the years ahead. This is an undiscovered country for us.
We are approaching our annual celebration of the Resurrection. I am praying for our own resurrection in 2022. Please join with me as we look for options. We are poised to write a great new chapter for this church.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement.
Jones Doughton
march 2021
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
The Session and the Board of Deacons met last night for an update on Wilbanks Hall. We covered what had happened over the weekend of February 19-21. We reviewed the initial clean up and where we stood as of March 3, 2021. We covered the next steps going forward.
February 19-I get a call that the water pipes around the sprinkler system in Wilbanks Hall had broken. Jesudas Thanaraj was with Fire Department. Water and power were cut off to all the buildings as a precaution.
Saturday morning, I met with Renee Stormer and David Howard (Chair of Property Committee) to survey the damage. Along the way we also contacted Eric Schwartz, John Kusewitt, Brandon Hall, and Dave Edling. All were on the property at some point during the weekend. These individuals had worked with an earlier Task Force.
We looked, assessed, and made phone calls. Karen Ebling, Property Manager for Grace Presbytery, contacted me while we walked the grounds. Presbytery is aware of our situation. I will go ahead and say that I have attended a Zoom meeting with the Presbytery Response Team. I have leads to follow for possible assistance. Currently they know of 29 churches that have sustained some damage.
Sunday evening, I got a phone call that we had water running from the building out to the parking lot. I contacted David Howard. I met him at Wilbanks Hall. In the end we learned that the valve to the Fire Sprinkler had broken and the water came from the dedicated water main to the system. Dave Edling called a friend and the friend called a friend. In the end the main was turned off.
Renee has begun the conversation with Insurance Board, our insurers. To date an adjuster has made an initial survey. We are meeting with the adjuster, another adjuster, and a contents specialist this Saturday.
Brandon contacted Restoration Solutions. Over the past ten days Water Out, a company that Restoration Solutions uses, has taken out the sheetrock, insulation, and boards destroyed by the water. They have removed the carpet. They have packed up debris. The process includes dehumidification followed by drying. They will also spray the building with an anti-microbial solution to prevent mold.
We are still getting all of the facts together as the property is cleaned. The Session, with the support of the Board of Deacons, formally authorized a the Wilbanks Hall 2021 Repair Task Force. It is comprised of: Renee Stormer, David Howard, Eric Schwartz, John Kusewitt, Brandon Hall, and Dave Edling. They are authorized to act on behalf of the church to engage the best people with the task ahead of us. They will regularly report back to Session. This will be part of the agenda for the Stated March 17 meeting. We will keep the congregation updated at regular intervals.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement. ~Jones Doughton
march 2021
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
The Session and the Board of Deacons met last night for an update on Wilbanks Hall. We covered what had happened over the weekend of February 19-21. We reviewed the initial clean up and where we stood as of March 3, 2021. We covered the next steps going forward.
February 19-I get a call that the water pipes around the sprinkler system in Wilbanks Hall had broken. Jesudas Thanaraj was with Fire Department. Water and power were cut off to all the buildings as a precaution.
Saturday morning, I met with Renee Stormer and David Howard (Chair of Property Committee) to survey the damage. Along the way we also contacted Eric Schwartz, John Kusewitt, Brandon Hall, and Dave Edling. All were on the property at some point during the weekend. These individuals had worked with an earlier Task Force.
We looked, assessed, and made phone calls. Karen Ebling, Property Manager for Grace Presbytery, contacted me while we walked the grounds. Presbytery is aware of our situation. I will go ahead and say that I have attended a Zoom meeting with the Presbytery Response Team. I have leads to follow for possible assistance. Currently they know of 29 churches that have sustained some damage.
Sunday evening, I got a phone call that we had water running from the building out to the parking lot. I contacted David Howard. I met him at Wilbanks Hall. In the end we learned that the valve to the Fire Sprinkler had broken and the water came from the dedicated water main to the system. Dave Edling called a friend and the friend called a friend. In the end the main was turned off.
Renee has begun the conversation with Insurance Board, our insurers. To date an adjuster has made an initial survey. We are meeting with the adjuster, another adjuster, and a contents specialist this Saturday.
Brandon contacted Restoration Solutions. Over the past ten days Water Out, a company that Restoration Solutions uses, has taken out the sheet-rock, insulation, and boards destroyed by the water. They have removed the carpet. They have packed up debris. The process includes dehumidification followed by drying. They will also spray the building with an anti-microbial solution to prevent mold.
We are still getting all of the facts together as the property is cleaned. The Session, with the support of the Board of Deacons, formally authorized a the Wilbanks Hall 2021 Repair Task Force. It is comprised of: Renee Stormer, David Howard, Eric Schwartz, John Kusewitt, Brandon Hall, and Dave Edling. They are authorized to act on behalf of the church to engage the best people with the task ahead of us. They will regularly report back to Session. This will be part of the agenda for the Stated March 17 meeting. We will keep the congregation updated at regular intervals.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement. ~Jones Doughton
February 2021
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
As I write these words, we are in the first weeks of a new Administration. For some people this is a time of hope. For others it is a time of concern. We still have the Pandemic. Vaccines are now available to the public. However, the vaccination process is taking time. The Incident at The Capitol is not quite three weeks in the past. As a nation we are trying to make sense of that event as well as other events of the past year. People are drawing many different conclusions. Many people are at odds. We are still navigating uncertain waters. There is hope, there is concern, and there is tension.
This is our February Newsletter. This is the month of Valentines. That leads to the topic of love…and that usually leads pastors to refer to I Corinthians 13 a.k.a. “The Love Chapter”. Here are a few observations.
First, the people of Corinth were in the midst of great divisions. That included: four factions, different views of Gifts of the Spirit, “worship wars”, and moral failings among members. That was just the tip of the iceberg!
Second, Paul did NOT write The Love Chapter to say, “Way to go!”. He wrote it to challenge the people to respond to the Holy Spirit. He wrote it to say, “This is love in action, this is what you are called to do.”
Third, these descriptions fall into 2 categories: “Is” and “Isn’t”. Both lists include seven actions. Notice that the “Isn’t” category is more reactive and the “Is” category is more proactive.
Here are the Seven “Isn’t” attributes: 1) v.4 “Is not jealous”, 2) v.4 “Does not brag”, 3) vs. 4 “Is not arrogant”, 4) vs.5 “Does not act unbecomingly”, 5) v.5 “Does not seek its own”, 6) v.5 “Does not take into account a wrong suffered”, 7) v.6 “Does not rejoice in unrighteousness”.
Here are the Seven “Is” attributes: 1) v.4 “Patient”, 2) v.4 “Kind”, 3) v.6 “Rejoices with the truth”, 4) v.7 “Bears all things”, 5) v.7 “Believes all things”, 6) v.7 “Hopes all things”, 7) v.7 “Endures all things”.
Fourth, only Jesus Christ loves perfectly. I do not present this list to put a burden on any of us. The words of I Corinthians 13 inspire me to pursue Christ and His perfect way. We can use these verses to pray for ourselves, our friends and family, and our world. What if we prayed: “Lord, may my love be patient”. “Lord, may my (spouse, sibling, parent, child, friend) love in a way that believes all things.” “Lord, may (any elected official) not be arrogant or seek his/her own. May that person rejoice in the truth.”
This chapter gives us all food for thought. May we listen, ponder, and then respond.
Jones Doughton
December 2020
Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
Christmas songs, carols, and anthems add so much to the season. My top three are “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, “Joy to the World”, and “Holy Night”. Each hymn speaks in a special way to the awe, the majesty, and the holiness of the season. Each one speak of joy, wonder, and peace.
I also enjoy the secular songs that populate the airwaves at this time. Some of them are just fun. Some of these songs speak to deeper issues of the season. At this point my favorite three are: “We Need a Little Christmas”, “I’ll be Home for Christmas”, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.
“We need a little Christmas” comes from “Mame”. She sings this song one week before Thanksgiving Day in the early days of The Great Depression. She has lost her money, many possessions, and now her job. Back home with her nephew and staff, she has them put up their Christmas decorations and make merry. This song speaks to Hope.
“I’ll be Home for Christmas” made #1 for all four week in December 1943, four weeks of January 1944, and then four weeks in December 1944. When first written, this song spoke to a person in Los Angeles longing for Christmas Back East. However, sung in the context of World War II, this song spoke to the longings of millions who were separated from loved ones by War. This song speaks to Love between family members.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” comes to us from “Meet me in St. Louis”. At this point a family anticipates a move in the coming year. The children are sad at the prospect of their last Christmas in their beloved home. Judy Garland, who plays the oldest child, sings it to the youngest. This song acknowledges the present sadness. However, it also points to Joy in the moment and future happiness. Frank Sinatra later produced a cover that emphasized the Joy even more.
Each of these secular songs acknowledges challenges. Each song speaks to Joy in the moment, Love that knows no barriers of miles, and Hope in the midst of adversity. In Jesus Christ we have Joy that goes beyond circumstances. We have Love that knows no bounds. We have Hope that goes beyond present challenges. Advent and Christmas 2020 WILL be different. As you listen to the great hymns, songs, and carols of the season; as you listen to the secular seasonal songs that speak to our deepest longings, I pray that all of us will be guided by those words to Jesus Christ.
Jones Doughton
