July Note from Pastor Jon

Filed Under Archives, Pastor's Notes

            Wow!  We have been saying for sometime how cool it has been this summer, but I think the temperature is finally catching up. 

Summer is definitely upon us, and I would invite each of you who receive our newsletter to join us for refreshment and renewal as this hot summer saps the energy from you.  Come and be reenergized and strengthened this summer through:

  •   Prayer
  •   Worship
  •   Bible Study
  •   Christian Fellowship
  •   Service

In Matthew 10:42 we read that Jesus says: “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple … he will certainly not lose his reward.”  Who are you encountering in your life, who desperately needs to have a refreshing cup of cool water as they face the heat of whatever situation they are in?

The ministries that our church participates in cannot succeed without you and the special gifts you have been given by God.  Join us this summer as we minister both to those inside and outside our walls, offering them a place of rest from their weary journey.  Come and be a part of what we are doing, and you will find your own life refreshed as well. 

There is an interesting side effect when you begin to minister to others.  The more you do to help someone, the more you learn and get out of it.  Come and find the refreshment offered only through Christ to those who worship and serve Him.

                                                                                            In His Name,   Pastor Jon

Posted July 7, 2009, 9:47 pm | Comments Off 

First Presbyterian Church is Offering a SCRIP Program

Filed Under Archives

Presenting a way to give to the church by doing what you already do!

We are offering a Session approved SCRIP program to interested persons as a way to give to special needs of the church without altering a single penny of your household budget.  You have seen SCRIP before, though you may not realize it.  If you have ever used or bought a gift card, voucher, or gift certificate, then you have already used SCRIP without knowing it.

How it benefits the church. Some stores allow large purchasers of gift cards and certificates to buy at a discount.  A national clearinghouse for SCRIP has been created which allows us to participate, with the church receiving anywhere from 1% to 13% of face value of the gift card.   The amount of discount depends on the retailer.   Generally.  restaurants have the highest percentage kept by the church while large retail stores average between 2% and 7%.

How you can help. If you are able to plan your purchases in advance, whether groceries, gifts, etc., you could purchase SCRIP certificates prior to going shopping and while spending the exact same amount of money allow a percentage of your purchase to be retained by the church.

For example: A person gives $100 in gift cards to an electronics store to relatives.  Through a SCRIP program at church, one could purchase the same gift cards for the same amount that could be bought at the store location.  The church might only pay $97 for the cards, allowing the church to keep $3.

$3 doesn’t seem like much. If one person buys one gift card, then this really is a drop in the bucket.  However, if each month your household spends $150 in groceries and gives $200 in gift cards for birthdays, the SCRIP savings to the church would be $40.  That would be for one family, only using SCRIP for groceries and gifts.  Imagine what could be given to the church if many families were able to use the SCRIP program in many parts of their shopping plans.

What types of store SCRIP or products can be purchased? Grocery stores, electronics stores, home improvement, restaurants, fast food, auto parts stores, airlines, cruise lines (directly booked), hotels and motels, health food stores, craft supply stores, camera stores. long distance phone cards , bookstores, coffee shops, gas stations, online stores, department and chain stores that you might find at the mall, outdoors and sporting goods stores, hair salons, office supply stores, toy stores, pharmacies, ice cream shops, clothing and shoe stores,  movie theatres and movie rental businesses.

If you have any questions or would like to place an order for SCRIP, please contact the church office or sign up on any Sunday.   SCRIP certificates ordered on Sunday and will be available for pick up  the following Sunday.

Posted July 5, 2009, 4:57 pm | Comments Off