Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church

GREENFIELD AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -1455 S. 97^th St., West Allis, WI 53214

SAVE THE DATE: Sun. Feb. 14! The Southminster Presbyterian Church Youth Music Ministry will be here to present their 2010 musical, “Godspell” as our worship service. Some of our young folks will sing a number or two with them. Invite everyone you know to join us for this special event!

FROM PASTOR KEVIN -- Happy New Year, Beloved!!!! It’s a time of year for looking ahead. Some folks this year are doing so with fear and trepidation.

I heard a show on the radio where the host was asking people if ours is a nation in decline. Most of those who called in thought so. There was lots of talk about lack of leadership and moral failure.

I am much more optimistic these days, and I hope I can share some of that with you. We have been through some rough times in the past few years. The world is a mess. The economy continues to struggle. But I think I see a bit of dawn and the end of the tunnel.

And here’s why: I expect a powerful period of spiritual renewal. I believe that, when things are at their roughest, that’s when folks turn toward God.

There is one power that no challenge, problem or obstacle can beat, and that, of course, is the love of God in Jesus. The Gospel is just what the world needs today, and we are just some of the folks who can make sure the Word gets out.

Our little church, working with our partners, can make a big difference. I can’t wait!

The Annual Congregational Meeting & Pot Luck Lunch will be held on Sunday, Jan. 24, with lunch served at 11:45 AM. It’s an important day on the church calendar, as we review 2009, elect folks to the Nominating Committee & Audit Committee, & vote on the Pastor’s Terms of Call. AND -- there’s FABULOUS FOOD! You’re asked to bring a salad, entrée, or dessert to share; we furnish the coffee, milk, & rolls. We also ask that you bring your own tableware; it saves SO much clean-up time in the kitchen, afterwards. The meeting begins as close to 12:30 as we can get it, & seldom lasts more than 45 minutes. We must have a quorum of our membership at the meeting, so DO plan to be here!

UN-HANG THE GREENS - Once Epiphany’s past (it’s on Jan. 6), it’s time to remove the holiday decorations. We’ll take them down following worship on Sun., Jan 10, & we need YOUR help! It doesn’t take long with plenty of willing workers -- & it won’t get done by itself. Parents, while your children are in Sunday School -- why not lend a hand?

CHURCH LEADERSHIP TRAINING DAY will be held on Sat., Feb. 13, 2010, from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM at Carroll University in Waukesha. The theme “Revisiting Our Past to Strengthen Our Future”, features morning & afternoon workshops. The day begins with registration, socializing & continental breakfast at 8:30, & continues with welcome/announcements & opening prayer from 9:00 - 9:10. Morning workshops run from 9:15 - 10:45, followed by a break. From 11:-11:45 we’ll enjoy worship, led by the J.O.Y. Singers (Just Outstanding Youth) from Christ Presbyterian Church. They’ll escort us through “The Gospel Presented in Dance”, which is “a non-traditional worship experience” which “illustrates the ever-expanding interpretation of hearing God’s message.”

A sampling of the workshops: “Predestination & Other Fancy Presbyterian Words”; “Intentional Clarity for church Leaders”; “Elder Training”; “Deacon Networking”; “The Internet & the Church”; “Bridging the Disconnect”; and “New Old Things: Beyond Video Screens & Bongo Drums”, which is advertised as “a frank look at how (and why) some churches are growing disciples under the age of 40. The answers might surprise you.”

Headed by a dedicated group of pastors & lay persons, the workshops will inform & inspire participants.

Laurie Kadunc has brochure/registration forms; registration is $10 per person, but the “Early Bird Special” enables us to register up to 5 people BY JANUARY 29, for only $30! See Laurie right away!

Stu Lefevre, a cherished member of our church family, passed away on Dec. 7, after a period of declining health. Our hearts & prayers go out to Ruth, & all the members of the Lefevre family. Pastor Kevin led a celebration of Stu’s life on December 15.

Florence Gehrke, a member of GAPC for many years, passed away in early December. Pastor Kevin officiated at a graveside service on Dec. 11.

Lin Bradley had a nasty fall, & is in special need of prayers. The pain makes it difficult to complete her dialysis treatments.

Megan Ewert continues to suffer from very painful back problems; the recent surgery was not as successful as she’d hoped.

The Rev. Tom Dietrich, a retired Presbyterian pastor who grew up at GAPC, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Nov. 30. Rev. Dietrich had served as “pulpit supply” on several occasions in recent years, while Pastor Kevin was on vacation, & was remembered by many. Those wishing to send messages of condolence to Tom’s widow, Dorothy, may write to her at

That we received Millie & Tom Tarnowski into membership on Dec. 20. WELCOME! We’re so glad it’s “official”!

In the birth of Aiden Matthew Kuglitsch, to Sandy Kuglitsch, on Dec. 5. Aiden comes to join a sister, Mary. Congratulations!

For Elsie Mae & Ken Arenz, celebrating the birth of their new great-granddaughter! Makayla Ann Moraza, daughter of Malachi & Debbie, was born on Nov. 25. Everyone’s doing very well.

For RuthMary Gamache, who celebrated the 14^th anniversary of her heart transplant on Dec. 18.

What a great job the Nathan Hale High School drama department did on “A Christmas Carol”! Melissa Gall was stunning; our Stephanie Jervis was a crew member! We’re so proud of our young folks!

Tyler Smith & Terry Arenz got to ride the ZAMBONI as it cleaned the ice between periods at the Admirals game!

Melissa Gall won the lead role of “Dorothy” in the Nathan Hale High School spring production of “The Wizard of Oz”. It’s to be presented the first 2 weekends of March. Mark your calendar, so you don’t miss out. (Let’s see if we can get a BIG group from the church family, to attend!)

NOTES OF THANKS ...

“I am so very grateful to the members of the church family who remembered me in so many ways at the time of Marve’s death. The cards, calls, hugs, & expressions of love & concern mean more than you can know. I also appreciate all the help from those who set up for the meal which followed the memorial service, helped with the serving, & provided bars & cookies. Thank you so much!”

- Marie Hagen

“I received so many cards & other expressions of caring & love when Stu died, ” says Ruth Lefevre. “There are no words which can adequately convey my gratitude, but I do want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone. Many thanks, also, to those who baked cookies & bars; set up for the supper; & handled other details on the day of the memorial service.

This is such a caring congregation!” - Ruth

Those who helped with set-up, serving & clean-up after the memorial service for Marve Hagen.

Those who helped with set-up, serving & clean-up after the memorial service for Stu Lefevre.

EVERYONE who worked so hard on MUSIC for the holiday season. Chancel Choir, the Handbell ringers, God’s Guild, the Sunday School Children & young people, those who provided “special music”, Loretta Nalencz, Jill Lukas, Janice Borkenhagen, Terry Arenz (we hope we didn’t forget anyone) - it was all WONDERFUL!

Mark Brodaczynski, who coordinated the group trip to the Milwaukee Admirals Game on Dec. 20. 32 of our folks attended, & cheered the Admirals on to victory. (Mark’s hoping to get another group together to go to a game in late February or early March.)

Jenny Lefevre, who wrote “Follow That Star!”, the delightful play our Sunday School “kids of all ages” performed on Dec. 20. And thanks, too, to the “kids” who performed in it.

Donna & Marv Saugstad, for hosting the wonderful Open House at their place following the Christmas Eve worship. Their hospitality is the greatest!

THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY PARTY will take place on Fri., Jan. 8, at the home of Pastor Kevin & Sally Tarvid, beginning at 7:00 PM. It’s for EVERYONE who has provided music for our congregation during the past year: Chancel Choir, God’s Guild, Handbells, children, other musicians, and their family members (did we leave anyone out? You get the picture ...) You’re asked to bring a plate of your favorite hors d’ oeuvres, or some chips, or a “sweet treat” to share”, & be prepared to ENJOY an evening full of FOOD & FUN -- 2 of the things we do best. (Judy Dickson is our favorite “party crasher” ... we’ll be disappointed if she & Jim aren’t there ...)

HEY! NEW MEMBERS! Do we have your birthday & anniversary (if applicable) dates? We list these significant events in our monthly Messenger, as well as in Sunday bulletins. We’d hate to MISS anyone ... so please, if you’re not sure whether you’ve provided us with that information, speak with Administrative Assistant Sue Smith, to check.

We Love Our Custodial Volunteers ! For December, those dusting, vacuuming, mopping & cleaning were Alan & Terry Arenz, Bill & Joanne Burke, Jim & Judy Dickson, Ed & Bobbie Griffith; & Phyllis Shudy. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! These volunteers continue to be our “Custodial Angels”, for it’s a vitally important means of keeping our expenses here at the church down! DO, PLEASE, consider helping the church in this way!

A GENTLE REQUEST: We have SOOO many wonderful new members, & visitors -- & it’s VERY helpful for them to learn our names when we wear our NAME TAGS. Let’s do our best to remember to wear the name tags, to make it easier for them to get acquainted. Thank you!

PER CAPITA FOR 2010 is $27.10 per church member. New folks often ask, “What IS Per Capita?” Quite simply, Per Capita funding is the way Presbyterians mutually share the costs of coming together to discern the Spirit’s leading for the future. It’s a fundamental way in which nearly all of the 11,000 congregations & governing bodies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are connected & participate in the work of the wider church.

When we pay our Per Capita assessment, we help support the wider church by funding a VERY LARGE amount of the work of the church, (about 26% of which goes to support the work of the General Assembly, our highest governing body.) And, of course, Per Capita also helps to support the work of the presbyteries & synods.

Per Capita is an amount that is over & above the amount you may have pledged to the church for the year. It’s particularly important to PAY your Per Capita amount each year, because the church MUST pay it out of our general operating funds, if individual members do NOT pay their share. There are offering envelopes marked “Per Capita” in your envelope box; it really helps us if you pay it as early in the year as possible! Questions? Go to www.pcusa.org/percapita to learn ALL about it!

BLOOD DRIVE 2010 Those who donated blood at our first blood drive this past November will want to know that a date has been set for THIS year’s drive. It’s Sat., November 6, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, , & we’re hoping to have AT LEAST 35 DONORS lined up -- MORE would be better, for often, folks arrive to donate, but must turned away, with regret, because of low iron counts, too-high (or low) blood pressure, etc. Mark your calendar! The Blood Center of Wisconsin is the ONLY supplier of blood to more than 50 area hospitals!

(HAVE FRIENDS WHO MIGHT LIKE TO DONATE? Invite them to take part, for it’s painless, easy, doesn’t take much time, & is a great way to “give back” to the community!)

I’m afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign imports.

The drive-thru restaurant window is convenient, but I seriously doubt it’ll ever catch on.

No one can afford to be sick any more. The $35 a day the hospital charges is too rich for me!

REGULAR EVENTS

DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR

SUNDAY 9:30 AM - WORSHIP

10:45 AM - Church School for all ages

Communion 1st Sunday of each month

2nd & 4th SUNDAYS - “Penny Sunday”

MONDAYS - 6:00 PM - “Fit & Faithful Exercise”

TUESDAYS - 5:00 - 6:00 PM - TOPS in library

WEDNESDAYS 6:30 PM- Handbells

7:30 PM - Chancel Choir

THURSDAYS - 1:30 PM -People w/Arthritis Can Exercise

2nd THURSDAY of each month from 7:00 - 9:00 PM,

“Friends of Multiple Sclerosis” meet

Pastor Kevin’s USUAL “Day Off” is Friday

Sun Jan 31 Your February newsletter will be available for pick-up in the narthex

our DEADLINE is APPOROACHING VERY RAPIDLY! Committee chairpersons, your reports must be in the church office NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, JAN. 10, 2010. Of course, sooner is always better ... Your Administrative Assistant will award shiny gold stars (& a hearty hand-clasp) to those who get them in EARLY!

Did you notice? WINTER IS HERE! Just a reminder: be sure to WATCH CHANNEL 12’S “WEATHER WATCH”, if you’re concerned that church may be canceled due to weather. Barb Brunett will have the code number to call in to the station ... but if YOU think it’s too dangerous to come out ... remember: safety first! God will understand if you choose to stay home to due to snow, or the cold weather -- & so will we!

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

For the month of November, 2009

INCOME $ 21,556.98

EXPENSES $ 15,653.77

As of Nov 30, 2009 $ 5,903.21