PresbyNews

Faith Presbyterian Church

Volume 32, Number 5 March 6, 2007

625 Florin Road, Sacramento, CA 95831

916-428-3439

www.faithpresby.org

Faith Happenings

Sunday Services:

9:00 and 11:00

Graded Sunday School  P - 5th  9:00  

Adult Ed 9:30-1030am and 10:30-11:30am

Graded Sunday School P-5th   11:00

Munchies Bible Study 9:00am

Munchies

(Jr. High School Fellowship)

Thursdays 7-9:00pm

Patrick Vaughn

CREW

Sr. High Fellowship

Wednesdays 7-8:30 pm.

Quinn Vaughn

March 17, 21, 28 at 6:30pm

Lenten Worship & Communion

March 11  Spring Foreward

March 11 2:00pm Installation of Pastors Patrick and Quinn Vaughn

March 17  3:00pm Cotton Patch Gospel at St Anthony's

March 17  3:30pm Chorister Childen's Concert

March 18 - 25 Family Promise

March 23-25 Women's Retreat

April 1   6:00pm  Supper Club

April 5  Maundy Thursday   Dinner at 6:00pm.  Worship at 7:00pm

April 6  Good Friday  4:00pm through 8:00pm  Self Guided tour of the stations of the cross in Link Hall.

April 8  Easter Sunday   Services at 6:30am, 9:00am and 11:00am

Faith Presbyterian Church

2007 Schedule of Lent

A Journey to Jerusalem

Lent is the 40-day period of renewal and preparation before Easter.  It begins on Ash Wednesday.  For hundreds of years, Lent has been an important season for Christians to meditate, study, pray, participate in spiritual disciplines, and renew their vows to the Lord as they strive to increase their understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection.  Our hope is that you, and others you might invite, would participate fully in the Lenten activities we have scheduled here at Faith.  May God renew us and prepare us to celebrate again all he did for us on the cross and at the empty tomb!

Joan Stock Class – Encounters on the Way to Jerusalem

-Sunday mornings, Feb. 25-April 22, 9:30-10:30, Room 2

Wednesday Evening Lent Worship & Lord’s Supper

Gathering Around the Table

-Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., March 7-March 28

Palm Sunday Worship

-Sunday, April 1st, 9:00 & 11:00

Maundy Thursday Worship

-Thursday, April 5th, 7:00 p.m. (All-church dinner at 6:00)

Good Friday Stations of the Cross

-Self-guided service on April 6th, anytime from 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday Worship

-Sunday, April 8th, 9:00 & 11:00

-Also, we’ll have a Sunrise service this year!  (time6:30AM)

Installation of Patrick and Quinn

                                                                 i

Faith’s congregation and Faith friends are cordially invited to attend the installation of Associate Pastors Patrick and Quinn Vaughn on Sunday March 11 at 2:00pm in Faith’s sanctuary.

              Participating in the installation will be Barbara Farley, Moderator of the Sacramento Presbytery, the Rev. Matt Overton, Associate Pastor at St Andrews in Yuba City, and Jane Klein, Elder from Bethany Presbyterian Church, who has been the liason between Faith’s Associate Pastor Nominating Committee and  Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. Pastor Jeff Chapman and Associate pastor Jim Zazzera will also participate.

              Everyone is urged to come and support these two fine, young additions to Faith’s pastoral staff. If you have questions, contact Quinn at 428-3439.

COLDS HATE POSITIVE PEOPLE

Dread colds?  Then be a Little Miss Sunshine.

That's the word from researches who tested the emotional outlook and immune-

system capabilities of a group of adults.  Cold viruses had a harder time taking hold

in the people who had mostly positive things to say.

Apparently, emotions play a role in immunity.  Positive

thoughts not only help you steer clear of colds but also might make you colds

milder if you do get sick.  Good reasons to look on the bright side and to get help if

you habitually feel negative, anxious, or depressed.

 Of course, thinking warm, fuzz thoughts doesn't replace cold-killing facts.

So follow these sniffle stopping tips as well:

   1. Wash your hands frequently, especially if you spend time with someone

       who is sick. Keep hand towels separate to minimize the spread of germs.

   2.  Avoid spending time with people who are newly sick; they are most

        infectious during the first few days of illness.

   3.  Eat foods high in Vitamin C--oranges, strawberries, and red bell peppers

       are good choices.  Get a big boost of Vitamin C with a supplement

   4.  Avoid touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.

   5.  Get plenty of rest.

Of course, you can help other people stay healthy , too,  by washing your hands

after you blow your nose and covering your mouth with a tissue or the inner crook of your

elbow when you sneeze.  Because let's face it, what goes around comes around-soon or later.

Children's Ministry

A community loving Christ, building disciples, serving all.

We shared Luke 17:11-19 on March 4th We talked about A HEALlNG FAITH-JESUS ENCOUNTERS A GROUP OF OUTCASTS - Take a few minutes with your children and grandchildren to share this scripture together.

March 11th we will be studying Luke 18: 15-17. ALL CHILDREN ALLOWED-HOW CAN WE INCLUDE EVERYONE? Chat with your children. They may surprise YOU Or you may surprise them.

March 18th TBA

March 25th TBA

March 25th C.E. Meeting between services.

July 9th VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS COMING!!!

Other opportunities for our children in this area and Elk Grove are Bible Study

Fellowship and AWANA.

Questions??? Call Pam Rock, C.E Elder at 393-1493 or Melinda Lewis, C.E. Director at 428-3439   ext 306.

Children’s Concert at Faith

On Saturday March 17  at 3:30pm, Faith Church will host the Chorister’s Guild Festival. There will be over one hundred children working with a nationally known children’s choir director and composer named Janael Krehbiel. The concert will last about an hour. One children’s choir will be using handbells. This is a wonderful opportunity for Faith’s young people to sing with a large group.

Janeal Krehbiel, is the founder and director of the Lawrence Children’s Choir, and is a clinician and festival director for churches and schools throughout the United States. She has been the featured clinician at St. Olaf College, Westminster Choir College, Montreal Music Conference, and the North Carolina Summer Instate of the Choral Art. She has held seminars at colleges and universities, directed camps and festivals, and published many articles about choral music for children and youth.

Call Carolyn Tillman if you have questions.

Starving Hunger by Quinn

45 youth, 12 adult ministry team leaders, 30 hours without food, Ipods or cell phones, 60 kids saved from starvation for a year from $22,000 earned (over $5,500 that is quadrupled by Government Grants), priceless prayers lifted to God & countless lessons learned. These numbers make up a wonderful weekend had just two weeks ago here at Faith Presbyterian Church.  Our youth groups (Crew and Munchies) devoted themselves to 30 hours of Famine. You may be wondering why youth would be willing to give up not only their time, but also give up eating for 30 hours.  It’s simple: we went without food so others can eat.

A tangible result of the Famine is that this simple act of going without food on behalf of children half a world away also draws participants closer to Christ. They experience compassion -- feeling the pain alongside children who don’t have a choice about their own circumstances. Just as Christ chose to suffer on behalf of the whole world.  Here is one of our youth’s reflections from the 30 Hour Famine;

“During the beginning of our fast many of us were fine, but on the second day hunger started to have an impact on our bodies. Some of us couldn't think straight, for others their bodies didn't work the ways they should have. Towards the end of our fast we became agitated as we anticipated the end of our fast and the dinner that was awaiting us.  But I after I got home I started thinking as I fell on my bed ready to sleep. This is how we felt after only 30 hrs of famine, what about those all over the world that have to go through this on a daily basis? If our bodies felt fatigue after only 30hrs how about them? If our brains couldn't function without food for a few hrs. how must they feel everyday?

I thought about that I as went to sleep and hoped, truly hoped that the money we raised along with the thousands of churches across the nation will help those who are in need and someday end their suffering.”

Posted by: Anthony (JFK Student)

Another reason groups do the 30 Hour Famine is to grow closer together…to create camaraderie by working side-by-side toward a common goal.  To foster this we not only fasted from food, but we also fasted from Ipods, cell phones and all electronic devises.  This was almost as hard as fasting from food…but it allowed space and time to be with each other without distractions. We also served in our Sacramento Community by making lunches for and playing with children and their families at Mather Community Center.  Any left over lunches were given to hungry and homeless folks on the Downtown Streets of Sacramento.  In all of this we grew in our solidarity with the poor, closer to one another and ultimately closer to Christ. 

Do you have a career talent or experience

you’re willing to share?

If so, the Lay Ministry Committee invites you to sign up below so that

those searching for the right career field or looking to change professions

might contact you. We have so much talent to share in our church,

and this is just one more opportunity to make a positive difference in

someone else’s life.

What is involved? That really depends on you and the person who contacts

you. At a minimum, it might be simply a phone call. If more interest

develops and it is workable, it might mean a day of shadowing you on

the job. There are many options, and how it unfolds is entirely up to you.

We just want to help make the linkage. Retirees who have stayed current

in their fields are encouraged to participate.

              If you are interested in this project, please call Glenda Arellano 393-9679 or

e-mail to garellan@ix.netcom.com

If you would like to have your name listed along with your field of

expertise, please complete the form below and send it to the church

office or put it in the offering plate.

Name

Field of Expertise

Phone Number

E-mail Address

March, 2007 ~ Ministry Opportunities

To Our Faith Family:We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for the love and support we have received from all of you. To say that we feel the warmth of all the loving arms surrounding us is truly an understatement. Thank you forkeeping our family in your prayers and for making the memorial service a beautiful tribute to Grace that we will treasure forever.

In God's Love,  Carl Vigren and family

Family Promise

        Faith’s week for Family Promise is from 5:00pm Sunday March 18 to 8:00am Sunday March 25.  If you are a new volunteer, please plan to attend a brief training session after the second service on March 18 in Room 5. All volunteers are welcome.

              On Sunday March 25 after the second service there will be a debriefing in Room 5. If you have comments or questions about the week, we look forward to seeing you.

Sue Hooper 393-2633.

Cotton Patch Gospel Returns

David L. MacDonald will again present the Broadway Playhouse Production of the popular musical Cotton Patch Gospel during March as a benefit for Family Promise.  St. Anthony’s Catholic Church will host 2 performances:  Saturday, March 17th at 7:00 and Sunday, March 18th at 3:00.  The sound difficulties which occurred last year have been corrected and the choreography has been reworked.  Donations of $10 for adults and $5 for children are requested.  This presentation of the story of Jesus in contemporary language and bluegrass music is intended for all ages.  Everyone is invited.  Tickets will be available after February 15th from Cynthia Crow (392-9141).

 “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley”—Hymn of the Month—March 2007

Submitted by May Tucker, Director of Music in Worship

Composer:  James H. Cone, 1972

We are now immersed in the Lenten period of our Christian calendar.  One Spiritual that stands out to me is “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley”—#80 in the Presbyterian Hymnal.  The following lyrics were the original version of the composition.  You will notice that the Presbyterian Hymnal Committee took liberty in the editing of the published version.

"I MUST WALK MY LONESOME VALLEY"

I must walk my lonesome valley, I got to walk it for myself, Nobody else can walk it for me, I got to walk it for myself.

I must go and stand my trial, I got to stand it for myself, Nobody else can stand it for me, I got to stand it for myself.

Jesus walked his lonesome valley, He had to walk it for himself, Nobody else could walk it for him, He had to walk it for himself

James Cone is without question the leading proponent of Black Theology in America.  His books (12 books), articles, and lectures haves exercised great influence inside and outside the Black community.  His most famous book—Black Theology and Black Power published by The Seabury Press in 1969 of New York stated very clearly that his works were not just written to express his faith, but to influence other Black folks in their Christian faith.  In order to understand a Negro Spiritual, let us take a deep look at the history of American slavery and the Christianization of slaves.  It will serve us well to examine our past as I try to describe this tragic part of the American history. 

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY

Between 1517 and 1840 it is estimated that twenty million Blacks were captured in Africa, transported to America, and brutally enslaved.  The experience of these Blacks - and their descendants - serves as the backdrop for understanding contemporary Black Liberation Theology.

During slave trading days, Blacks were crammed into ships like sardines into a can and brought across the Atlantic.  Many died at sea from dysentery, smallpox, and other diseases.  Some starved themselves to death refusing to eat.  To prevent this form of suicide, hot coals were applied to the lips to force the slaves to open their mouths to eat.  Upon arriving on American shores, the slaves - men, women, and children - were forced to work from sunrise to sunset.  Even old and ailing slaves were forced to work.  Black theologian Anthony Evans tells us "Black women were raped at will by their masters at the threat of death while their husbands could only look on.  Families were separated as they were bought and sold like cattle.”—“Biblical Theology and the Black Experience”

For tax purposes, slaves were counted as property - like domestic animals.  Eventually, however, a question arose as to how to count slaves in the nation's population.  The Congress solved the problem by passing a Bill that authorized the U.S. Census Bureau to count each slave as three-fifths of a person. 

THE CHRISTIANIZATION OF SLAVERY

Initially, there was heated resistance to evangelizing among slaves.  The oppositions were: (1) the hearing of the gospel required time that could be economically productive; (2) slaves gathered together in a religious assembly might become conscious of their own strength and plot insurrections under cover of religious instruction; (3) there was an English tradition of long standing that once a slave became a Christian he could no longer be held a slave.  In addition, many whites were repulsed at the suggestion that Blacks could go to heaven.  Regardless of many intense arguments, missionary work eventually began among the slaves in the early 1700’s and many of them became Christians.  The brand of Christianity that was preached to them, however, was one that justified slavery.  It was argued that Paul and other New Testament writers issued specific instructions for master-slave relations, thus apparently sanctioning the practice.  Moreover, a curse of slavery was placed on the "sons of Ham" (Gen. 9:20-27) - who were interpreted to be Blacks.  The curse was placed only on Ham's son, Canaan - whose descendants later occupied Phoenicia and Palestine.  Most Blacks accepted the slave brand of Christianity at face value.  Moreover, white missionaries persuaded the Blacks that life on earth was insignificant because obedient servants of God could expect a reward in heaven after death.  But as more Blacks began attending white Christian churches, restrictions in seating, communion services, and property ownership caused many blacks to seek autonomy in their own congregations and ultimately, separate denominations.  So, by the mid-1700s, Black slaves had begun meeting in private to worship since authentic worship with whites was impossible.  There is sufficient historical evidence to conclude that themes later developed by Black Liberation theologians were present in these early slave meetings in at least a nascent form.  ? For example, God was interpreted by the slaves as a loving Father who would eventually deliver them from slavery just as He had delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage.  Jesus was considered both a Savior and an elder brother who was a fellow sufferer. 

                                                                        The slaves got it, now how about us?  Are we ready for Lent?                                                  

The ARCO schedule of games for the Kings' 2006/2007 NBA season.  Faith received exactly the games that we asked for as follows.

    Friday      April 6th          7:00 p.m. start    Utah

.   Friday      April 13th         7:00 p.m. start    Golden State

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Worship Helpers

Published by Faith Presbyterian Church

625 Florin Road, Sacramento CA

(916) 428-3439, FAX 428-0248

www.faithpresby.org

Editing staff:

Jim Park (jamespark02@comcast.net)

Dianne Brown (Sierraskymktg@netscape.net)

Susie Hughes (susan_hughes@synectics.net)

Kathy Pehrson (kkpehrson@yahoo.com)

Marthe Sweet (marthesweet@earthlink.net)

Jeff Chapman, Pastor

Jim Zazzera, Quinn Vaughn and Patrick Vaughn

Associate Pastors

Worship 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Presby-NewsPublished twice monthly

Faith Presbyterian Church