"The Body of Christ, Broken For You."

"The Cup of the new covenant, poured out for you."

For nearly a year now we as a family of faith have shared our lives and stories not only in continued ministry together, but around our family table and the Eucharist. It is those words, “The body of…,” and “The Cup of…,” we have heard said to us now for almost 52 Sundays straight, walking up grabbing a variety of breads and dipping them into the common cup which is filled with the sweetest of juice.

We’ve come in the best of times and celebrated. We found ourselves coming forward with grieving hearts. We’ve come at times even when we didn’t want to. Some of us, including me at times, come wondering, “What exactly is going on here?” Either way, we’ve come, just as we are, who God had intended us to be, to partake in a meal which is about giving thanks. It has been a year of crumbs falling to the floor and we’ve added purple polka dots to our once solid colored carpets in our chapel and sanctuary. It is in these crumbs and stains we are reminded of who we are and we follow them into the world, where we are met by Christ in those we meet.

It is a practice, much like prayer is, much like meditation is, and much like going to the driving range to hit a bucket of balls is. Yet at the same time, it is more than a practice. “A practice,” says author Nora Gallagher, “is meant to connect you with what is deeply alive, to stir in you the same kind of aliveness that the disciples of Jesus must have felt around him.” What is different too about the Eucharist is that it is not done alone, it can’t be done alone, but everyone is needed and everyone is welcomed. Each one of us comes to the table bringing our own stories, bringing our own gifts, and when we are together and the stories begin to be told, we are made aware just how much we have in common and how we are not that different. Celebrating the Eucharist isn’t a practice which is limited to just Sundays at 8:15 and 10:30, but instead, it transcends the practice and transforms us into a people who live a Eucharistic life.

God has made peace with us, the world, through the Eucharist, the good gift of Jesus. We take part in a ritual, a meal, a reminder of the Passover, called the Eucharist as a way of remembering and returning to who God is and what God has done in Christ. Again, the Eucharist is a mystery, and the Eucharist is about more than the ritual itself. Jesus allowed his body to be broken and his blood to be poured out. Paul writes often in his letters about how hard pressed he and the young church goers of those days were too, and he tells of how he has allowed his body to be broken and poured out. In Paul’s letters, some of this breaking and pouring is perhaps not literal and some of it is, but Paul was speaking of something deeper. He is speaking of a whole way of life.

Paul later writes to his friends in Corinth and says, “For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.” Paul is speaking of the healing of the world and how when we identify with the suffering of our neighbor and we commit ourselves to doing something, it will cost us something.

He continues, “So then, death is at work in us, but life as work in you.”

This is what the Eucharistic life is about. For someone to receive, someone has to give. For someone to be fed, someone has to provide the food. If someone somewhere benefits, then someone somewhere has paid something.

God gives us life through the breaking of Christ’s body and the pouring out of Christ’s blood. And God continues to give the world life through the body of Christ—who Paul tells his friends at Corinth is them.

Brothers and sisters, we of First Presbyterian Church are indeed the body of Christ, called to live a Eucharistic life. We are not a meaningless, profane people, but instead, we are a living, beautiful people called to participate in the reconciliation of the world to God. As Christians then, living an Eucharistic life is allowing our body to be broken and our blood to be poured out for the healing of the world.

One of those great hurts for the world is the issue of hunger. According to breadfortheworld.org, an estimated 1.02 billion people in the world go hungry. Each year, 3 million under-five children die because they are undernourished. In the United States, over 49 million people—including 16.7 million children—live in households struggle to put food on the table. That means one in seven households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger. As of 2005 there were 4.17 million people living in Kentucky and more the %15 of people living in this Commonwealth are living below the poverty level.

Our youth group has committed ourselves for the month of February to pour ourselves into bringing awareness of hunger in our area. For years we have participated in a ministry called, “Souper Bowl of Caring,” and we usually gather before and after the services on Super Bowl Sunday and collect money to donate to local ministries in the area such as the H.E.L.P. Office and the Boulware Center. This year though, we wanted to do more and we wanted to do something everyone could participate in.

Between our Kids for Christ, Junior and Senior high, we have raised just over 35 pounds worth of food and just a little of $50. Although we did not set a ‘goal’ in regards to how many pounds we wanted to raise, we did have an expectation of raising more than 100 pounds. We then, continue to encourage you to bring in canned goods and leave them outside my study. We are hopeful then we can provide bread and juice for those who often time are left wondering where they will get their next meal.

Don’t stop though just with the youth group. There are other great opportunities for you to participate in. Ministries like the Backpack Ministry have begun to pour themselves out to providing food for children and their families in our public schools. There is the shopping cart placed near the chapel canned goods to be taken to the H.E.L.P office. Within our own denomination the ministry of Presbyterian Hunger Program works with congregations and partners around the globe to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes. There are indeed many ways for us to get involved in standing up against hunger.

In the Eucharist, there is an invitation to be the new humanity, to take the good news to the world. To suffer, to bleed, to open the heart, to roll up the sleeves, to have hope that God has a plan to put the world back together, and its called the church. Perhaps then as we begin our journey in Lent, we can ask this question: what does it look like for us to break ourselves open and pour ourselves out for the healing of those around us?

May we then, continue converting all of our abilities and skills and energies and entrepreneurial skills, into ways of bringing justice and peace to world longing for reconciliation. May we also begin empowering the powerless to make a better life for themselves. Above all, may we continue to come to the Table, you and me, them and we, with all of our baggage, with all of our doubts and fears, with our joyful and peaceful hearts, and taste just how good the Lord is.

Peace to you brothers and sisters,

Adam

Prayer Concerns

Presbyterian Women

Click here to read the monthly Presbyterian Women Newsletter.

From Flip Flops To Snow Boots

As many of you have noticed your beloved custodian Don has traded in his snow shovel and snow boots for a few months vacation in Florida. I, in reverse, have left my flip flops in Honduras and picked up some warmer clothes and snow shoes. My name is Jenny Bronsink, and I have been filling in for Don while he is on vacation. I have been cleaning the church for about a month now, and will be here until March.

When my brother in law, Jonathan, heard about my return to the states and the need to raise support to be a missionary, he offered me the opportunity casually, not realizing my love for cleaning. It has been an enjoyable time here in Kentucky, staying with and reconnecting with family, doing a stress-free job of keeping the church clean, helping a few times with CDO, as well as getting to know your church family in the process.

I have been living in Honduras for 2! years working at a bilingual Christian school. This past year, a new opportunity for ministry presented itself to work at a day care for mothers who cannot pay for childcare.

Foundation Casa de Luz (House of Light) is a day care in one of the poorest areas of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. It provides free childcare to families in the neighborhood of Las Palmas, so that parents can go to work and raise money to feed their families. The goal of the foundation is to teach Biblical values and themes to the children. The average mom at Casa de Luz earns about $183 a month to support her family... keeping in mind many items cost the same in Honduras as the U.S. According to the World Bank, Honduras is the third poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Some of the kids have no water in their homes. Without Foundations Casa De Luz, some of the children would be left at home all day or all week while their mother works. One little girl, Nayeli, is 4 years old. Her mom works all week and only sees her on Saturdays. She would be uncared for except for a deal made with a neighbor who could watch Nayeli at night and on Sundays, and she can be at CDL during the day. Another little girl is Alecia; she is 2 years old. Her mom abandoned her, and she would be in a government center if it were not for our willingness to take her in, so her grandmother can work and take care of her at night and on weekends. Many children, that cannot be watched, are locked in their homes all day while the parent goes to work, which can be very dangerous in many ways.

So my time in Kentucky and in the States is to tell my story, and let God talk to people’s hearts about being involved in this daycare. If you are interested in hearing more about my ministry I have a blog at http://jennyhonduras.blogspot.com/.

I also wanted to mention that my time in Owensboro has brought another visitor and missionary to the church and area. My boyfriend, Aben, from Honduras, had the chance to visit me and First Presbyterian on his travels around the states. He, too, is raising support to do ministry in Honduras. He works with Youth For Christ Latin America, and has a heart for the youth and poor of Honduras also. In Tegucigalpa, over 100 families live and work in the city garbage dump, and about 500 people live close and come to work in the trash dump, sifting through the garbage. His ministry is to provide a hot meal and share the Gospel to the people who need it most desperately. If you want to learn about his ministry check out his blog http://yfcaben.blogspot.com/ and more specifically look at his youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr1EtnaVeZM.

We have similar passions and goals to serve and help the poor in Honduras, so every opportunity for the church of Christ to help the poor is an important opportunity. Every week I have heard a message about helping or serving the poor, I have seen signs for the Souper Bowl of Caring, I have seen blankets sitting in the hall for people who may need them. It is our mission, as the church of Christ, to help those who do not have all that we have been blessed with. We would love to see a group from your church visit or be involved in missions in Honduras in some way

From The Youth Upper Room

We enjoy breaking bread so much we are inviting you, the congregation of First Presbyterian Church, to come and join us on Sunday nights for a variety of events. If you don't feel as if you can 'hang' with the young'ins, we invite you to come and share a common meal with us. We would love to better learn your story and we would love to tell you ours.

Contact Adam for more information!

Confirmation 2010

This is a reminder to this years Confirmands and Mentors of the informational meeting this Saturday at 10 am. See you there!

Session Highlights

• February 27 will be gala to benefit the Gilliland family. Dinner at 6:00 p.m.
• Feb. 28 will be next church-wide Commissions meeting. Dinner will be at 5:00 p.m. with small groups following. The congregation is encouraged to attend and join one of the many work groups.
• The Session was asked to consider the history, function, and oversight of the "Small Gifts and Memorials Fund," which is solely comprised of memorial contributions made in honor or in memory of an FPCer who has died. Since the "Small Gifts" fund is never invested, the Session, after discussion, approved by consent that the Session will oversee the Small Gifts and Memorials Fund and its use in consultation with the families of those who are directly involved. The Session gives thanks both to the Trustees for their desire for clarity of their role relative to this fund and to all those who have considered our congregation when remembering the life of one who has died. Thank you.
• The Session approved by consent a motion by the Worship & Music ministry to have communion by intinction every Sunday as well as March 24 (Lenten Service), April 1 (Maundy Thursday) and December 24 (Christmas Eve).

Melissa Gilliland Benefit Gala

The FPC Men's Ministry, with support from various Sunday School classes, the Senior High Youth Ministry, and Presbyterian Women, will be hosting the Melissa Gilliland Benefit Gala on Saturday evening, February 27, at 6:00 PM, at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Tickets will be sold at $15/person to the first 150 people. Anyone, however, can make a donation, whether you can attend the dinner or not (commonly called "ghost reservations"). It will be a night comprised of great food (Prime Rib, Baked Potato, Green Beans, a Roll, Salad, Dessert, and a Drink) and great entertainment (provided by world-renown concert Pianist Dr. Diane Earle, fellow FPCer, on the harpsichord) designed to raise funds for Melissa's college tuition and living expenses! Please call 684.1467 or email the church office (churchoffice@firstpresbyterianowensboro.com) to reserve your tickets, which you may pick up either in advance or at the door, once payment has been made. See you there!!!

FPCers Black History Month Kirk Night Program

Join your fellow FPCers of all ages as we join for our February Kirk Night event (event though it's more like "Kirk Afternoon")! We will celebrate Black History month by attending together the Evansville African-American Museum. We will depart from the church parking lot at 2:00 PM. We will tour the museum at 3:00, after which we will share dinner together. Bring $3.00/person for the museum and money for dinner (we'll decide together where we want to eat!). We will most likely be home by 6:30. Come, let us celebrate the beauty of our nation's heritage as it has been (and is being) shaped by our African-American brothers and sisters!

Churchwide Meeting Night

Our second Churchwide Meeting Night - a monthly gathering of all of our ministry teams complete with dinner and evening worship - will be Sunday evening, February 28 beginning at 5:00 PM. Please call the church office, email us, or tick the box in your Friendship Pad in worship to inform us of your intentions to join us. And please invite others in our congregation. We need everyone who is gifted for ministry to join us. That means, we need everyone! See you Sunday, February 28, at 5:00 PM.

Needed: Gently-Used, Everyday Clothing

Cleaning out your closets and drawers soon? Please think of the women at the OASIS women’s shelter as you do. Presbyterian Women are collecting clean, gently used (or new) items for these women. Many have had to leave an abusive situation very quickly without taking any personal items, so they are in need of many things. They are especially in need of comfortable, everyday clothing such as sweats, casual pants and tops, pajamas, underclothing, socks, and comfortable shoes (such as tennis shoes). All sizes are needed. Please place the items in the basket in the Clinton Place entrance.

Thank you all for the generous donations of hats, mittens and gloves, and socks for Eastview Elementary School. We have received a nice note of appreciation from their Family Resource Center director.

Health Ministry

Follow Your Heart to the HealthPark Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 4 to 7 PM. There will be activities, booths, and presentations. It is a free community event.

Haiti Relief Contributions

According to a bill passed in Congress, contributions for Haiti earthquake relief made between January 12th and February 28th, 2010, will be allowed as a deduction on

2009 tax returns. Taxpayers are not required to claim a 2010 contribution in 2009 but have the option to do so. Please contact Staci Horn at the church office for a giving statement to reflect this; otherwise, your contribution will be included as normal on your 2010 giving statement.

So far, our congregation has contributed $4,160.

Patti's Notes

Can you believe that Wednesday, February 17 is Ash Wednesday? That means that Easter and spring are fast approaching. The snow will be melting, hopefully, and trees and flowers blooming.

I will be going on vacation to a warmer place, so please take time to look at the schedule.

• God’s Children Ring/Sing—Sundays at 9:00 AM. We will not meet February 28 or March 7. Please come Sunday, February 21 to practice at 9:00 AM. We will be ringing our hand chimes, along with the adult bell choir at the 10:30 service.
• SING Youth Choir—Sundays 4:15 to 5:00 PM. We will rehearse on February 21, March 14 and March 28. We will NOT meet on February 28, March 7 and March 21.
• Adult Bells—Thursdays 6:15-7:00 PM. We will NOT rehearse on February 25 or March 4. We ring Sunday, February 21 with God’s Children Ring. Please come Sunday at 9:00 AM to rehearse.
• Adult Choir—Thursdays at 7:00 PM. On Wednesday, March 24, we will rehearse after the Lenten service at our church, rather than Thursday, March 25.

Exercise

• Strength Divine—Sundays at 2:00 PM. We will not meet February 28 and March 7.
• Zumba—Sundays at 3:00 PM, Wednesday at 7:10 PM. We will NOT meet February 24, February 28, March 3 or March 7.

Reminder

Just as a reminder, if the City Schools are closed due to weather on a day when we would normally have exercise class or a music rehearsal, we also cancel. This would be Wednesday or Thursdays. This alleviates having to make so many phone calls and keeps your safety foremost, rather than getting out at night.

Upcoming Events

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