Each month during 2006, we shined the spotlight on one of the vital ministries and missions of First Presbyterian Church. We hope this helps you get a clearer picture of what the church does and - if you are ready to volunteer - how you can help.
View the video review of 2006 below.
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Or download the video and play it in Windows Media Player: (wmv - low resolution)
Letter to the Congregation
from Pastor Dave Weidlich
First Presbyterian Church is near the end of 125 years of serving Jesus Christ and the community of Petaluma. The church has introduced hundreds of people to Jesus Christ and helped thousands grow as fully devoted followers of Jesus. The church has been a destination for worshipers, first on 4th Street and, more recently, on B Street. The church has worked with other churches to found community outreach ministries, like the Petaluma Kitchen, the Petaluma Food Pantry, PEP Housing, and FISH. Happy Day Presbyterian School was founded thirty-five years ago. Thousands of children have begun their education on a firm foundation, right here on our campus. The church founded Hope Counseling twenty-five years ago, to provide quality, Christian counseling at low and, sometimes, no cost. We have a fruitful history.
The question before us now is, "what will First Presbyterian Church accomplish in the future?" or "What will our generation do for the work of God in Petaluma?" For most of the past year, the Session has been attempting to answer those questions by prayerfully discussing and writing vision goals and strategic objectives for our church. We have solicited the suggestions and dreams of our elders, staff, commissions, committees and various other groups. We held a congregational forum to introduce some options for our campus and hear feedback from you. We went back to work, turning vision goals into concrete plans for personal discipleship and church growth. We are coming to the end of this project and now we are anxious to share our plans with you.
We shared a summary at the Neighborhood Dessert Groups, which met Oct. 8-22. We also shared a video that showed some of the accomplishments of 2006. We are hearing back from the groups some great reports. We appreciate the feedback we have received, which has been reported by the Neighborhood Group presenters. If you would like to review or share the information that was presented at the groups, you will find an online version of the video, church goals and other information at this website (see right column).
To summarize, we plan to continue our current ministries, including two hours of worship and Christian Education. In addition to this year's budget, we want to add an additional part-time staff member to take our growing Youth Ministry to the next step. We also hope to provide cost-of-living adjustments for our current staff. It will take all of our energetic participation to make this happen. We need you.
Enclosed you will find your Pledge Card for 2007. We are asking you to prayerfully consider your giving goal for the coming year for the General Fund of the church. In addition, we will continue the Building Fund for the Sanctuary renovation that was completed in 2003. This Spring, we plan to hold a Capital Funds Campaign to cover the loan for the completed Sanctuary renovation plus other projects that have yet to be decided. Until then, if you will pledge and give for the Building Fund, you will help us continue our loan payments.
Please pray about the commitment you will make for the coming year and bring your completed Pledge Card to either Worship Service, November 5. This will be a joyful celebration of our faith in God's faithfulness.
Thank you to our hosts who warmly received us into your homes. Thank you also to our Elders and Leaders who served as Presenters. Our Stewardship Team, headed by Jim Donnelly, also deserves our thanks. And we thank you for actively participating in God's mission through First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma.
Yours in Christ,
Come, Grow with Us
by Jim Donnelly
Planting lettuce and sweet peas in the fall garden, reminds of the Parable of the Sower as told in Chapter 8 by Luke. Jesus warns crowds gathering to hear the Word of God: many who hear will be like seeds that fell on the path, or on thin, rocky ground or among thorn bushes. Seeds spread on the path are only good birdseed, seedlings on rocky ground get no moisture, seedlings among blackberries and thistles get crowded out. Seeds in fertile ground produce a crop a hundred times greater than planted.
Liking this simple story, disciples ask, “What does it mean.” Jesus says of all who hear God’s message: those on the path will not believe, those on rocky ground will lose interest; those in the thorns will be choked by worry, riches, responsibilities and pleasures of this life. Only those on good soil, having a good heart, will persevere to become mature followers and produce a crop.
Mysterious berry vines appear overnight to crowd new plants. It takes constant care to raise a crop – we can’t take vacations from our gardens or we come back to thorn bushes and dead plants. We must be diligent to harvest a crop. Sowing God’s message takes our perseverance.
It would be nice to just plant seeds, then go off on a vacation from our gardens or hire a gardener. Automatic sprinkler systems water for us when we are gone. No one sees a backyard overgrown with thorns.
Our Christian youth especially need our concern to grow as Christians. Let us pray for successful hiring of a new youth pastor next year. Growing together in Christian community, we keep meeting new needs. Together, we hope for an even greater crop next year.
What We Do and Why:
Stewardship is basically discipleship. We are learning to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ in the use of our time, talents and treasure. Stewardship says God is the owner, we are stewards, charged to use our/God's resources for God's purposes.
Who is Involved:
This year's Stewardship Team is headed by Jim Donnelly with Pastor Dave, Bill Linstrom, Loren Dooley, Brandi Fliflet, , thirty-six Neighborhood Hosts and fifteen Presenter/Discussion Leaders.
Volunteers Needed:
Would you like to join the Stewardship Team. Talk to Jim or Dave. We'd love to get you involved.
Giving Benefits the Giver
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - Luke 6:37-38
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
“They have scattered abroad their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. - 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (TNIV)
Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands.
Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
They themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will never be forgotten.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. - Psalm 112:1-3, 8
"Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: 8Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ’Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. - Proverbs 30:7-9
Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." - Luke 12:15 (NIV)
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. - 1 Tim. 6:9-10 (NIV)
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Luke 12:34 (NIV)
Contact:
If you would like to get involved, or have questions, please call Jim Donnelly or Dave Weidlich.
