FEBRUARY, 2008

THE MESSENGER

GREENFIELD AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

1455 s. 97^th St., West Allis, WI 53214

Church Office 414-453-3710

www.gapc-usa.com gapc@execpc.com

Sunday Worship Schedule - February 3 - March 2, 2008

Sun Feb. 3 - 9:30 AM Communion Worship

First Reading: Matthew 17:1-9

Second Reading: II Peter 1:16-21

Sermon: “You Will Do Well to Be Attentive”

Liturgist: Ed Griffith

Children’s Message: Pastor Kevin

Ushers: Gail Kloes, Jenny Lefevre, L & P Anderson

Servers: Barb B, Judy D, Lori J, Laurie Kadunc

Sun Feb. 10 - 9:30 AM

Southminster Presbyterian Church Presents

“Heartbeat”

Worship Leader: Sandy Reichert

Ushers: G Smith, Eric & Matthew Arenz

Sun Feb 17 - 9:30 AM

First Reading: John 3:1-17

Second Reading: Romans 5:12-19

Sermon: “The Righteousness of Faith”

Liturgist /Children’s Message: Terry Arenz

Ushers: Libbie Jansen; JJ, Derek & Kaitlyn Saugstad

Sun Feb 24 - 9:30 AM It’s’ “Penny Sunday”

First Reading: John 4:5-11

Second Reading: Romans 5:1-11

Sermon: “Where Do We Get that Living Water?”

Liturgist/Children’s Message: Jan Wilke

Ushers: T Liempeck, J& J Dickson & Kevin Kadunc

Sun March 2 - 9:30 AM - Communion Worship

Servers: Barb B, Judy D, Judy O Heather S.

First Reading: John 9:1-11

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14

Sermon: “You Are Light!”

Liturgist/ Children’s Message: Diane Edward

Ushers: Gail Kloes, Jenny Lefevre, L & P Anderson

Sunday, Feb. 10 is the SOUTHMINSTER Presbyterian Church Youth Music Ministry visit to GAPC! Their production this year is titled “Heartbeat”, & is a musical review revolving around the young people’s discussion of their faith. There are 25 kids ages 7^th through 12^th grades performing in this year’s program; it’s the 29^th year they have put on a traveling show!

A free will offering will be conducted, which is used to support the church’s summer youth mission trips. Southminster Director of Christian Education Laurel Hamilton tells us: “This year we’re going to New Orleans, where we’ll do home rehab (residential, that is.) We’ll be staying at a Presbyterian Church there, & they take care of EVERYTHING, so we can really concentrate on our work.”

You’ll want to be sure to be here Feb. 10 -- & invite your friends & neighbors to come, too. It’s always an inspiration to see the results of the hard work & dedication of these remarkable youngsters (& the “production crew”, who help make it possible.) See you there!

From Our Pastor : Hello, Loved Ones! It’s Lent again. How does time fly by so??? Every few years or so, at Lenten time, I am drawn again to that great Presbyterian Poet, Ann Weems. In her elegant and eloquent style, she captures the spirit of the season, with all of its complexity. This is simply:

Lent:

Lent is a time to take the time

to let the power of our faith story

take hold of us,

a time to let the events

get up and walk around -

in us,

A time to intensify our

Living Unto Christ,

a time to hover over

the thoughts of our hearts,

a time to place our feet

in the streets of Jerusalem

or to walk along the sea

and listen to His word,

a time to touch His robe

and feel the healing surge through us,

A time to ponder,

and a time to wonder

Lent is a time to allow

a fresh new taste of God!

May this be a delightful season for you, and for the ones you love. May this be

a wonder-full time to share with your faith family! Call me.

Peace,

Pastor Kev

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE is here at GAPC at 7:30 PM on Wed.,Feb. 6. It’s a “Fab Four” event, as we host Forest Park, Heritage & Faith churches & usher in the Lenten season. There’s a fellowship time, following the service; we hope you’ll be willing to bring some cookies or bars, to share.

Starting Wed., Feb. 20, we’ll hold Wednesday evening Lenten worships, which will begin at 8:00 PM. Here’s how it will work: At 6:00 PM, everyone is invited to attend a light “fellowship” meal, here at the church. (Those preparing the meal will be here at 5:30.) Following the meal, Chancel Choir or handbells will practice; they’ll be ALTERNATING weeks, practicing for an hour & a half.

(We will NOT have a worship on Feb. 13, as Pastor Kevin will be on vacation that week.)

We hope you’re as excited as we are about the Lenten worships. Plan to be with us!

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Tortilla Snacks (Doty’s “hit recipe” from the Music Department Christmas Party)

2 - 8 oz containers cream cheese

1-4 oz can diced green chilies, - undrained

1-6 oz can black olives, drained; finely diced

1 onion, finely chopped

8-6” flour tortillas

Mix 1^st 4 ingredients. Spread 1/6 of mixture on a tortilla, top with another tortilla & 1/6 of mixture, another tortilla & 1/6 of mixture, & top; repeat the process with the remaining 4 tortillas & the other ½ of cream cheese mixture. Wrap in foil or Saran Wrap & refrigerate a few hours or overnight. Cut into diamonds. Serve plain or with salsa.

YOU’RE INVITED TO A WEDDING!!! “Anne Elizabeth Dettman and Robert Michael Kaczmarski, together with our parents, request the honour of your presence in celebration of our marriage, Saturday, the Ninth of February, 2008 at Two O’Clock in the afternoon at Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1455 S. 97^th St., West Allis, WI.”

SPECIAL PEOPLE

Hilda Czaplewski, home following heart catherization & placement of a stint. She’s doing well.

Lillian Anderson, who underwent medical testing.

Peter Jansen, off to basic training in San Diego, with the Marines.

Joanne Jakubowski, who will undergo knee replacement very soon.

Church friend Karen Telander Muskavitch, whose cancer has returned.

Continued prayers for:

Lorraine Beining

Marj Tarvid

That we welcomed Loretta Nalencz as our new organist on Sunday, Jan. 8.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

February 3 - Ann Liempeck

4 - Peg Larson

6 - Nicole Martin

10 - Lois Kraft (she’ll be 91!)

13 - Ed Griffith & Arliss Evans

15 - Linda May

16 - Jamie Gamache Wendling

18 - Chris Saugstad & Tiffanie

Jansky

19 - Louise Berte & Adam

Jansky

20 - Lucy Duga

22 - Lynn Heinrich (Even though she’s no longer our Parish Nurse, she loves us -- surprise her with a card!)

24 - Mark Brodaczynski & Sue

Martin

26 - Scott Johnson

Mar 1 - Ruth Lefevre

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

February 26 - Tom & Erin

Reichert

DIRECTORY CORRECTIONS

An Oooops! We inadvertently left Sam Reichert’s name out of the new church directory, although his parents John & Amy, & big sister Ainsley, are listed. Please add Sam’s name to that listing. (Sorry, Sam!)

and ...

Sandy Reichert’s email address has changed. It’s now:

sreichert@wi.rr.com

A SPECIAL “THANK YOU” to all the dedicated folks who helped “Un-Hang the Greens” on January 6. It was such a busy morning, but by golly, it everything got done!

We also want to thank everyone who purchased poinsettia plants for Christmas. What a beautiful addition to our holiday decorations!

What WONDERFUL send-offs we had for Sheri Masiakowski (who left us to become organist for St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Milwaukee) on Dec. 30; and Peter Jansen (who departed to serve in the United States Marine Corps) on January 6. Thanks to all who helped with the festivities for these occasions!

“THANKS A BUNCH” TO:

The unknown individual(s?) who took & mailed our December issue of the Messenger (presumably so we didn’t have to pay extra postage! It contained our 2008 church directory, so was extra heavy!) Thanks for being our “secret Santa”.

and ...

John Gamache, who spoke with us about Celebrations of Life, Memorial Services, & Funerals during the Adult Discussion Group on Jan. 20.

and ...

Kathy & John Doty, whose Dec. 30 duet, “Mary, Did You Know” was so lovely & moving.

and ...

Peter, Larry & Elizabeth Jansen, whose “We Three Kings” special music on Jan. 6 added such a fine touch to our worship.

and ...

Nicole Martin & Melissa Gall, who provided a piano/flute duet during the offertory portion of our Jan. 6 worship.

and ...

The Jansens, for the delicious sheet cake they provided for our “Salute to Peter Jansen“ on Jan. 6.

and ...

The good folks who sliced cake, made coffee, washed dishes, etc., for the “Salute to Peter” event.

and ...

Bob & Janet Lefevre, visiting from Arizona on Jan. 20, who treated us to another of their stirring musical numbers.

and ...

All who helped in the kitchen, & with set-up & clean-up following the Annual Meeting Pot Luck.

and ...

Our handbell ringers who attended the bell workshop at Concordia University on Jan. 26.

and ...

Gail & Dick Kloes, ever-faithful office volunteers.

GREETERS:

Feb 3 - Jean Kern

Feb 10 - Bob & Jean Seiberlich

Feb 17- Joanne & Bill Haschker

Feb 24 - Jean & Bill Toepfer

Mar 2 - Peg & Lee Larson

Adult Discussion Group

Feb. 10 - No Class (Southminster kids use the library.)

Feb. 17 - Jeri Gamache introduces the class to chair Yoga (it feels great! Be sure to come!)

Feb. 24 - Pastor Kevin teaching “The Meaning of Membership” for potential new members, Confirmation Class members, (& all who’d like to have a refresher course!)

THE AFTER CHURCH CAFÉ to benefit the Peace & Justice Committee is coming up on Sunday, Feb. 24! It begins immediately after worship, in Jack Reichert Hall, & runs until 1:00 PM. There’s home-made soup (chicken noodle; bean; & vegetable beef with barley); make-your-own sandwiches; beverages, cookies & bars. Donation is $5.00 for adults, & $2.50 for kids age 12 & under. The committee does such important work; the funds raised by the café will support committee commitments in the community.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT returns on Saturday, February 23. It’s TACO NIGHT here at the church, beginning at 5:00 PM & ending about 9. It’s a “build-your-own-taco” plan; we’ll prepare beef & chicken. You’re asked to bring your favorite topping & perhaps a dessert to share!

Don’t forget fun & exciting board games, as well. Bring your family, friends & games!

WANTED: FLOWER CHAIRPERSON

After several years of outstanding work as our “flower chairperson”, Laurie Karrels has retired from that position. It’s an important job, for it entails selecting our Easter Lily plants, Christmas poinsettias, having a single red rose at the church on mornings when there’s a baptism, & getting flowers or plants for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, & other occasions when we need “real” flora & fauna in worship.

If you are interested in helping the church in this way, please speak with Laurie Kadunc, chairperson of the Nurture/CE Committee, or Pastor Kevin.

Do consider it it’s a wonderful way to help your church, & for those who have a talent with flowers, it’s a great creative outlet!

MILLER PARK DATES to staff Sportservice booths are: Wed., April 9, 7:05 PM; Fri. April 25, 7:05 PM; Sat., April 26, 6:05 PM; Saturday, May 10, 6:06 PM; Tues. May 13, 7:05 PM: Fri. May 30, 7:05 PM; Sat, May 31, 6:05 PM; Sat June 14, 6:05 PM; Sat. June 21, 6:05 PM; Sat., July 5, 6:05 PM. JR Saugstad has sign-up sheets, (& they’re available at the back of the sanctuary for you to take, as well). Just fill out the dates YOU can work (& remember, you must have training, first ) hand them to JR at worship, or put them in his coat-room mailbox, & you’ll be good to go! We raised a LOT of needed money for the church with this effort the past two years let’s make 2008 the best yet! And remember if you’re willing, we can sign up for additional dates, after completing these first 10!

It’s Easy to “Care”

As Deacons we really try to show our care for each and every one of you as members of our church. We’d like to share that caring opportunity with all of you. We know that often it is difficult to know what to say to friends dealing with various crisis or illness or even to figure out how to be most helpful to them. We have recently updated our “Care Notes” collection and encourage you to help yourself to notes which might be helpful to you or to people you know. These notes deal with topics ranging from how to best help a sick or grieving friend to information to help folks through situations such as: miscarriage, divorce, caring for aging parents, facing surgery, dealing with Alzheimer’s, mental illness, cancer, heart surgery etc. There is also a separate box dedicated to subjects dealing with grief (whether it is your grief or a need to help someone else who is grieving). There is a section which offers help in dealing with the crises that children encounter such as abuse, anger, death of a friend or pet,

bullying, divorce and many more. These booklets are free to take and if you can’t locate the one you need feel free to ask a deacon for help. The boxes are located on the book-shelves in the narthex. When words fail you, leaving one of these booklets with a friend can really show you care. - Sandy Reichert

Special thanks to our custodial volunteers for January. Dusting, vacuuming, mopping & cleaning were: Phyllis Shudy, Griffiths, Dicksons, Dick Kloes, Deanna DeTroye-Brown, and the Hagens.

You may have noticed the following announcement in our Sunday bulletins:

“WE WARMLY WELCOME ALL CHILDREN IN WORSHIP! Parents with children of ANY age are encouraged to bring their little ones into the sanctuary with them during our services. Should the children become too restless, parents may wish to take the youngsters into the nursery.”

Well, we really mean it! An article which appeared in “ideas! For Church Leaders” magazine explained why it’s important (& our congregation has advocated exactly this for many years.) Here goes.

A reader wrote to the magazine, commenting that she’d seen a flyer in the pew rack of a church she was visiting, called “The Child in the Pew: What Is that Child Doing?”

The woman read the brochure, which explained that the church welcomed & encouraged children to attend worship there. In part, it said:

“Bringing children into the sanctuary is something like letting them eat at the dinner table: even though their manners can be far from elegant, it’s done in the hope that they are a valued and important part of the family.

Children giggle, poke, & swing their legs, simply because they are children. But they also sing, pray, and give with us.”

It explained that we should all not only accept, but also VALUE, a child’s “childishness” in church, because they are LEARNING that the church values them & wants them. Additionally, while they are present, they are actually learning HOW TO BEHAVE in church.

The pamphlet acknowledged that, to parents, bringing a child to worship can sometimes be traumatic. But then, so are a good many aspects of parenting. Children are part of Christ’s church! Years later, we will see them as adults, bringing their children to learn about becoming part of a church family.

A child who is brought to worship grows up knowing that the church is more than just “God’s house”. It is their home, as well. Your Christian Education/Nurture Committee was so impressed with this article that they decided we should share it with everyone in our church newsletter.

We are so blessed that at Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church, we love children enough to welcome them as part of our worshiping community!

Sat. Feb. 16 at Carroll College 9:00 AM — 2:30 PM

For Elders, Deacons, and all church leaders and members! Are you an elder, currently serving your congregation? Or the Clerk of Session? Or do you regularly worship?

Are you interested in justice?

Would you like to see what other churches are doing mission-wise?

Join everyone at

Church Leadership Training Day!

At Carroll College’s

Student Union

100 North East Avenue

Waukesha, Wisconsin

A. Elder Training,

by Gregg Neel

For both the new and experienced elder, Greg will work with you as you

uncover both the practical and spiritual requirements of being an elder.

B. Clerk Training,

by Judy Bell

“All I have to do as Clerk of Session is take notes at the meeting? Then I’ll do it!” Maybe, maybe not. Come find out for sure!

C. Spiritual Labyrinth,

by Wendy Wosoba Everyone needs to take time for spiritual practices, and sometimes, to experience a new one. Try this one.

D. Justice,

by Ernie Glenn

Why is it sometimes so hard to find? And how can you, as one person, make a difference?

E. Making Worship Fun,

by Tom Launius

Not just your parent’s worship, but for the child in everyone!

F. Bible Study,

by Beth Neel

Enjoy and learn as you discover new meaning from your old Bible.

G. Presbyterian Women’s Organization Officer Training,

led by Helen McMaster, for all PWO officers, and for

those who would like PWO at

their congregation.

H. It Took a Presbytery to Open the Grocery Store, After the summer flooding in Minnesota, hear how John Knox Presbytery worked together for the sake of a

community.

Morning Worship

led by Tom Launius,

Presbytery Moderator

Afternoon Gathering led by Rebecca Imes. After all the listening sessions around

the Presbytery this past summer, what have we learned? Where do we go from here?

FEBRUARY, 2008

CALENDAR

Sun Feb 3 9:30 AM - Communion Worship

Mon Feb 4 6:00 PM - Fit & Faithful Exercise

7:15 PM - Transformation Committee

Wed Feb 6 7:30 PM - Ash Wednesday Service *

Thurs Feb 7 1:30 PM - PACE meets

Fri Feb 8 6:30 PM - Wedding Rehearsal

Sat Feb 9 2:00 PM - Marriage of Annie Dettman

& Robert Kaczmarek

Sun Feb 10 9:30 AM - Southminster Musical *

Mon Feb 11 6:00 PM - “Fit & Faithful” Exercise

7:10 PM - Resources Committee

Wed Feb 13 6:30 & 7:30 PM- Handbells & Choir

Thurs Feb 14 1:30 PM - PACE meets

7:00 PM - Friends of MS meets

Sat Feb 16 8:30 AM-CLT Registration at Carroll *

Sun Feb 17 9:30 AM - Handbells play in worship

Mon Feb 18 6:00 PM - “Fit & Faithful” Exercise

Tues Feb 19 7:00 PM - Session meets

Wed Feb 20 6:00 PM - Lenten meal

6:30 - 8:00 PM -Handbells or Choir (TBA)

8:00 PM - Lenten worship

Thur Feb 21 1:30 PM - PACE meets

Sat Feb 23 5:00 - 9:00 PM - Family Fun Night *

Sun Feb 24 10:45 AM - Pastor Kevin teaches a

“New Member” class

10:45 AM - Peace & Justice “After

Church Café”

Mon Feb 25 6:00 PM - “Fit & Faithful” Exercise

7:15 PM - CE/Nurture Committee

Tues Feb 26 4:00 PM - Presbytery, at Southminster

Wed Feb 27 6:00 - Lenten meal

6:30 - 8:00 PM -Handbells or Choir (TBA)

8:00 PM - Lenten Worship

Thurs Feb 28 1:30 PM - PACE meets

Sun Mar 2 9:30 AM - Communion worship

Pastor Kevin will be on vacation from Sun., Feb. 10 through Sat., Feb. 16. While he’s away, please contact Deacon’s Member Care Coordinator Sandy Reichert in an emergency. She’ll see to it that one of the pastors who “covers” for Pastor Kev while he’s away is available to you.

Administrative Assistant Sue Smith is on vacation from Jan. 29 - Feb. 20. (After 25 years in the church office, she thinks it’s past time for a LOOONG one!) Worship bulletins have been printed in advance through Sunday, Feb. 24. If you have announcements that do NOT appear in the bulletins, please feel free to make them orally during the appropriate time in the service. Thanks for your help!

We’re encouraging our folks to send lots of letters to our Marine recruit, PETER JANSEN, who’s in basic training in California. Here’s the information: letters or notes, all positive in attitude, should be sent to:

Jansen, Peter, T.

3^rd BN Lima Company Plt 3242

39000 Midway Ave., Unit 5

San Diego, CA 92140-5535

Let’s let Peter know he’s in our prayers, & that we’re thinking of him!

* Article about event appears in newsletter.