First Presbyterian Church
Maysville, Kentucky
21 West Third Street
P.O. Box 490
Maysville, KY 41056
(606) 564-3639
MISSION OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
To worship and glorify God while working together in Christian fellowship.
To grow spiritually both as individuals and as a congregation.
To faithfully respond to God’s call to reach out to all in loving Christian service
CHURCH STAFF
Interim…...............…Rene’ Whitaker
Church Secretary…....Pat Calchera
Choir Director.....…...Nicholas Denham
Music Coordinator….Janet Stitt
Organist…................Suzan Ross
Nursery Attendant…..Kim Thompson
Clerk of Session – Bruce Bellingham
Treasurer –
Class of 2010
Bruce Bellingham
Peg Crum
Marilyn Garlitz
Kate Zweigart
Class of 2011
Pat Webb
Ted Willim
Andrew Wood
Bob Zweigart
Class of 2012
Nicholas Denham
Cathy Webb
Karen Wood
2010: Dan Crum
2011: David Harnish
2012: Ernie Siders
SESSION COMMISSIONS
Spiritual Life………………................................................………...Karen Wood and Kate Zweigart
Worship.......................................................................................Nicholas Denham and Ted Willim
Personnel………………………...........………...Bob Zweigart, Andrew Wood, and Bob Hendrickson
Outreach…………………..................................……..…………………….Peg Crum and Pat Webb
Finance & Stewardship……………………….Bruce Bellingham, Taylor Wood, and Sparky McDowell
Congregational Life.........................................................................Marilyn Garlitz and Cathy Webb
Happy Valentine's Day! On February 14, many Christians celebrate Valentine's Day. Valentine, a Roman priest, was made a martyr in 270 A.D. because of his love of Christ and his persistence in the Christian way of life. He often ended his kind and helpful letters to others with the words "Your Valentine." Later, as Christians remembered and honored this saint, they signed their letters of affection with the same words. St. Valentine is considered by some Christians to be the patron saint of lovers and the helper of those who are unhappily in love. Some Christians call St. Valentine's Day a feast day. It seems fitting for all Christians to make it a "love feast" day. Make it a day when we joyfully share our love and appreciation for our dear friends, family members, and all those who are part of the family of God. If you know of a shut-in or person who would appreciate a card, please remember them on this Valentine's Day.
A February Message from Your Pastor
Greetings from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! I am writing this in the middle of my third day of class.
This week it is Science and Theology: History and Theological Methods. The course is being taught by Dr. Peter Hess, who is the Faith Project Director at the National Center for Science Education. The reading has been intense and often one or another of us says: "What is this author talking about?!" And we literally aren't sure what the words mean that the author has used. In some ways it is a lot like reading Ezekiel or Revelation ... the language patterns are different than we might be used to or the language is symbolic or metaphorical ... or it is used in a way that is outside our comfort level.
This is the first time in a long time that I have purposefully put myself in a context that is at least mentally uncomfortable. Maybe the last time was seminary.
But we began today's conversation with a prayer about God calling us to places of discomfort. Sometimes we have to be uncomfortable in order to be able to learn something new (I think).
Perhaps the actual readings we have done this week won't be things that I will use to prepare for my next sermon for Sunday morning. However, I do think that this discomfort is similar to what some of you may be feeling as you anticipate a new pastor. How will things be different? Will life at First Presbyterian Church still feel the same? Will "I" be comfortable?
And these (and many more) questions are all appropriate to ask. Change causes us to anticipate and to wonder. It raises our anxiety and leads us to uncertainty. And yet, each day we remember that God is with us. God is calling us to new life ... just like God called the Israelites and like Jesus called the disciples. It is a blessing to be able to witness the joy of something new (even if we feel a bit anxious). Perhaps waiting for a new pastor is similar to waiting to graduate from high school or waiting to get married or expecting a baby. We have worries, but we are drawn forward by the possibilities that lie before us.
And so we remember the stories that share God's promises of new life. Of course, this month draws us into the season of Lent which asks us to reflect on the ultimate promise of new beginnings in the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. As we prepare our hearts to draw together for this season, let us focus on the promises of the past that carry us into the present and prepare us for the future.
May we rejoice in the mercy of forgiveness, the depth of God's love and the gratitude we feel for these gifts of life and life made new.
Even as we are apart, may we continue to pray for one another, the Church and the World. And may the peace of God which passes all understanding guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. See you soon.
Blessings and Peace,
Rev. Rene'
Start collecting your old Christmas stuff, clothes you've outgrown, dishes you are tired of, etc. for the rummage sale coming this summer. Last year, the rummage sale generated $600 and half of that went to the Food Bank for holiday baskets. Start simplifying your life while helping others!
Penny Brophy, Betty Haydon's daughter
Cathy Webb's mother
Victims of the Haiti Earthquake
Candice Beckett and her 3 daughters
Bill Cox, Cathy Reynold's uncle
Clem Street, Pikeville First Presbyterian Church
Orangeburg United Methodist Church and Mason Harrod
Limestone Ministries
This newly incorporated organization has found a home in the First Christian Church (next to the Mason County Food Bank). This ministry will serve as a clearinghouse for persons needing assistance in Mason County. A nine member board, made up of both clergy and lay people, has oversight of the organization.
Funding for this organization will come from a variety of sources including individuals, churches, and publicly or privately funded grants. The offering from last week's Community Thanksgiving Service was designated for this purpose by the Limestone Ministerial Association. The Session of First Presbyterian Church has also set aside $1,000 of the 2010 budget for this purpose.
If you would like to include this ministry in your holiday giving, you may send a check made payable to Limestone Ministries, c/o Father Michael Henderson, 31 E. Third St., Maysville, Kentucky 41056.
FEBRUARY DATES TO REMEMBER
February 7 - Karen May is filling the pulpit
7- Youth Bake Sale after worship in the Fellowship Hall
8 - Rev. Whitaker returns from her Study Leave
10 - Bible Study at 5:45 p.m.
10 - Evening Circle meets at 7:00 p.m.
10 - Choir practice at 7:00 p.m.
14 - Transfiguration of the Lord (Communion)
15 - President's Day - Church office is closed.
17 - Ash Wednesday (Communion) Worship Service at 7:00 p.m.
21 - Mid-Winter Dinner at 5:00 p.m.
22 - Presbyterian Women meet in the Fellowship Hall at 10:30 a.m.
22 - Session Meeting at 5:30 p.m.
24 - Bible Study at 5:45 p.m. Choir Practice at 7:00 p.m.
20 - Bible Study 5:45 p.m. and Choir 7:00 p.m.
25-Feb 8 - Rev. Whitaker on Study Leave
27 - No Bible Study...Choir 7:00 p.m.
Joey O'Cull................................................4
Andrew Bentley..........................................4
Evan Bothman..........................................14
Brecken Chamness....................................16
Evelyn McClanahan..................................17
Woodson T. Wood...................................22
Jack and Betty Haydon.............................23
Brittney Harnish.......................................26
Michael Bentley........................................28
Rayne Davenport.....................................28
Bring sugar free candies and cookies on February 7th for the youth to take on their visit to the nursing home.
Also, the youth are having a Bake Sale on February 7th and the proceeds will benefit the BackPack Program.
If you wish to donate directly to the BackPack Program, a basket is in the Fellowship Hall. If you wish to donate a check, make it payable to the First Presbyterian Church and note "BACKPACK" in the memo line of the check.
After the holidays, the food banks become very bare even though the need continues for those who are facing challenges in meeting day-to-day expenses. Please remember to continue to donate to the Food Bank. The most needed items are spaghetti sauce, boxed spaghetti, macaroni and cheese dinners, dried beans, saltine crackers, cornbread mix, peanut butter, oats, cereal, canned soups, canned vegetables, and canned fruit. A basket for the Food Bank is located in the back of the Sanctuary. Cash donations are welcome as well. If you wish to make a donation to the Food Bank, you can send it directly to the Mason County Food Bank located at the First Christian Church in Maysville or make the check payable to the First Presbyterian Church and make a note in the memo line of your check on Sunday morning noting the amount of your contribution to the food bank.
MID-WINTER DINNER
The annual Mid-Winter Dinner will be Sunday, February 21 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All church members are invited. There will be sign up sheets in the back of the church and in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome and any men interested in helping with the dinner are asked to contact Dan Crum. Any questions? Please email dbcrum@maysvilleky.net or call the church at (606) 564-3639.
NAOMI COLLINS
Naomi Margaret Kalb Collins was born October 10, 1916 in Bracken County, Kentucky. Naomi was received by certificate at the First Presbyterian Church in Maysville along with her husband, W. B. "Bert" Collins on April 13, 1952. She is the proud parent of three children: John, Jane, and Susan. She was a 6th grade teacher for many years while her husband was the Mason County Agriculture Extension Agent. She enjoyed a long and happy marriage until her husband Bert passed away in 1984.
She was very active in the church, in the choir, as an Elder, and as a Sunday School teacher when she was able. Nell Jo Marshall related that Naomi was brought up in the Lutheran Church as a child, but she is definitely a Presbyterian as an adult! She was always in attendance at choir practice and stayed in the choir to help fill the seats as long as her health allowed her to be there.
Several congregation members, Peg Crum, Nell Jo Marshall, and Betsy Parker among others, all spoke of her wonderful ability to lead the Sunday School class, which by Nell Jo's estimate was for over 40 years. Peg said that in Naomi's Sunday School class, the ladies would crowd in the church office with their Bibles and books ready to listen to her lessons. They would be the first to begin and always the last to end! Her lessons were always well prepared and her Sunday School students loved her. Betsy Parker said that Naomi is truly a woman of great faith and trusts in the Lord and that she was a great student of the Bible. She said that Naomi's love for teaching and her knowledge of the Bible was reflected in her lessons during the Sunday School class. Everyone I spoke with said that the classes were interesting and informative.
Naomi attended Evening Circle and was a member of the Presbyterian Women. She attended the prayer group also. She supported the church in her service and in material ways also. She was instrumental in the purchase of the Fellowship Hall tables and chairs in 2004 that are still in use today. She was always willing to help in any way possible and had a ready smile for all.
Speaking with Mildred King, who was Mrs. Collins' past principal at Woodleigh Elementary School and eventually Jones Elementary, gave me new insight at how well-loved Naomi was as a teacher in her sixth grade classes. Mrs. King said all the children thought the world of Mrs. Collins, but she remembers one child in particular who really loved her. He came by way of the local children's home and was brought to the elementary school. The teachers took turns getting students brought in and this time it was Mrs. Collins' turn. This little boy was quite a handful and very active, so Mrs. Collins had him sit by her desk during the day. The young man grew very attached to her during that school year, so much so that he continued to sit by her even when he didn't have to. While he continued to misbehave and curse when he was in gym or other outside activities, while he was with Mrs. Collins, he was well-behaved and never spoke a naughty word. Her kindness and good nature gave this young man the mother figure that he craved. Mrs. King said that Mrs. Collins was a hard worker, cooperative, and an excellent teacher and treated all of her students with that same care and kindness.
Mrs. Collins may not be able to be active in the church or community, but the community, her family and her church family will long remember her as a Christian, a wonderful, caring mother, and a beautiful person.
