Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church

The Southminster P.C. Youth Music Ministry performs “In the Belly of the Whale” for us

It’s Lent again. Oh, Joy! A time for renewal and discipline and reflection and…

You know that I am always one that hesitates to suggest that we “give up stuff” for Lent. Usually, I would rather see us “add stuff”, like prayer, worship time, self-care, connection with God and each other…

But this year, I’d like to propose that we try to give something up - or at least crank back on the dial…

In the Church, every once in a while, the issue of “pressure” comes up. It’s really very natural… When folks are working so hard, we are tempted to reach out to others and say: “help!!!!”

The problem is, if the other person perceives this as pressure, and they are so busy as well, discomfort arises. No one likes to feel pressured - no one. It makes us feel guilty, and defensive, a little angry and overwhelmed

The nature of God’s grace is that we give and do what we can, and when we can’t, we just can’t. Serving together in love means being able to say: “I’m sorry, but no.”

This is not to say that a little encouragement isn’t okay. We can all use a little encouragement - sometimes. We just need to learn where the pressure line is, and try very hard not to cross it.

It’s always good to ask God what we need to be doing at any given time in and for the Church… and then listen carefully! If this is ever an issue for you - call me. We can talk. God loves You. Me too!

OUR 20th ANNUAL GREAT PANCAKE BREAKFAST (doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun?!?) It’s right here in Jack Reichert Hall on Saturday, March 21, from 7:30-11:00 AM! Prices are just $5.00 for adults; $3.00 for kids under age 12. They’re DELICIOUS, & you may purchase advance tickets NOW! (There are many ways you can help, as well. We need kitchen helpers, folks to help with set-up on Mar. 20 at 6:00 PM; tell “Chief Flipper” JT Gall, “count on me, I’ll be there”, by signing up on the sheet at the rear of the sanctuary. It’s there, TODAY!

worship on Wed., April 1, at 6:30 PM. It’s educational, explaining the ancient Jewish feast of Passover, which Jesus celebrated with the disciples on the night he was betrayed. We encourage everyone in the congregation to be present to share in the experience, for it is powerful.

usual wonderful egg dish, with donut holes, juice, coffee, milk, rolls, all for the extraordinary price of $5.00 for adults, $2.50 for kids under age 12. Tickets will be available on March 22, & we do encourage you to purchase them in advance, so we know how much food to prepare! L.B. Smith & Dick Kloes are in charge of this delicious occasion, & they’d love to have your HELP … we need folks to help with set-up & clean-up, help in the kitchen by pouring coffee, washing dishes, serving, etc … are YOU able to pitch in? There’ll be a sign-up sheet at the rear of the sanctuary, so you can indicate your “areas of expertise …” MANY THANKS!

Church in New Berlin, at 7:30 PM on April 9. It’s a joint worship of the “Fab 4” churches. Forest Park is located on at 2300 S. Sunny Slope Road, (south of the tracks, between Greenfield Ave. & Cleveland Ave. See you there!

Judy Olson & family. Judy’s husband Larry Olson passed away on Feb. 13, following a courageous fight against cancer. Pastor Kevin led a celebration of Larry’s life on Feb. 16. Our condolences to all Olson & extended family members.

Stan Telander, a former member of GAPC, & family. Stan’s beloved wife Rose lost her battle against lung cancer on Feb. 14. A memorial service was held at the family church in Bloomington, IN at noon on Mon., Feb. 16. A memorial service for the Telander’s daughter, Karen Muskavitch had just been held in Bloomington; Stan reported that they rushed to have the service for Rose while family members were still in Indiana. Our sympathy is extended to all in the Telander family.

Vince Berte, at Hales Corners Health Care Center, with some very serious health concerns.

Hilda Holle, who was hospitalized in December, and again in January. She’s now back at home.

Lori Johnson, who underwent hip replacement surgery Feb. 12. She’s home, healing very nicely, & hopes to have the staples removed by the time this Messenger is distributed.

Lin Bradley; our homebound folks; those who are struggling financially; & all who are engaged in job searches.

For Emily (Gall) & Jared Drury, on the birth of a daughter, Ava Christine, on February 1, in Ft. Myers, Fla. The little one weighed in at 7 lbs 11 oz., & was 21 inches long. New grandpa JT Gall reports that everyone’s doing very well … (& he & “Aunt Melissa” are walking on air!)

Dan & Pam Bailey, who are grandparents once more. Brady John Thomas Wachiowack was born to Tiffany & Mark on New Year’s Eve.

That Louise Berte is back in worship with us as frequently as possible. She’s still using a walker, but looks wonderful.

That Kristina Tarvid is scheduled to begin an exciting new job at Columbia/ St. Mary’s, on Mar. 22.

Her granddaughter Jennifer & husband Tony McLean (moving back to the Milwaukee area; Jennifer’s already here) are the proud parents of Hailey Lynn McLean, born on Feb. 2. The little one tipped the scales at 6 lbs 12 oz, & was introduced to the congregation in worship on Feb. 22. What a cutie!

Grandma-to-be Pam Leintz reports that Becky & Gene’s expected baby, due in June, is a girl. They’re SO excited! The family sends love to all at GAPC.

Lucy Duga reports that Herman is improving a little at a time. “We miss all of you,” they tell us. We miss you, too, Lucy & Herman!

“The tremendous support of the folks at church has been incredible,” says Judy Olson. “There have been so many cards, so many prayers, and calls; SO many of the people from church attended the visitation & funeral for Larry … Pastor Kevin & Sally have been so wonderful. I just can’t express my thanks often enough for the great kindness & love that’s been shown me. Thank you, thank you, to everyone.”

A Special “Thank You” to our friends at Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church. We wish to thank everyone for all the get well cards, calls & prayers for both of us as Cindy continues her battle with breast cancer.

Love to all -

David & Cindy Nelson

“I am so grateful for our caring church family,” Lori Johnson tells us. “The cards, phone calls, prayers, meals, all the loving concern as I’m recovering from hip replacement surgery - this congregation is amazing! I can’t say ‘thank you’ often enough, but I want everyone to know how much my family & I appreciate it!”

Names, addresses & phone numbers of our newest members will be published in our new church directory, which will be included with your April Messenger.

SPECIAL THANKS to Mark Brodaczynski, who made arrangements for 36 folks in our church family to attend the Milwaukee Admirals hockey game on Feb. 8. The seats were wonderful, the mood was festive (our 1st place Admirals won in an exciting 5-4 victory), the church name was announced among “groups attending”, & everyone had a highly enjoyable time! A great experience fork “kids” of ALL ages … the youngest was 5, & our number included several in the 80+ age group. WHAT FUN! Thanks, too, to the drivers who helped with the car pool.

Kerstin & Jenny Lefevre, & Sandy Reichert, who tiled the Family Meditation Room; & Spencer Myers, Ed Griffith, & Kerstin, who applied grout; & Alan & Eric Arenz, who put in a speaker, & will take care of the necessary work on the radiator; & Kerstin & Ed, who painted.

Dick Kloes, who worked hard to replace 2 faulty burners on the range in the church kitchen, & also provided a solution to problems with other burners.

All who contributed to the Souper Bowl of Caring. This was the 20th year, & we raised $200 to feed the hungry.

Bobbie Griffith, who has spent so much time on our coffee fellowships. Thanks, additionally, to all the others who continue to help with this effort, in so many ways.

Loretta Nalencz; God’s Guild; Larry Jansen & Sue Smith; Eric & Matt Arenz & Kayla Jervis & Melissa Gall, all of whom provided special music during the month of February.

Everyone who supported the Peace & Justice After Church Café on Feb. 22. Nearly $200 was raised to support the committee’s many causes.

Jenny Lefevre, who single-handedly cleaned up the shelves in the library, & arranged neatly the books & periodicals which have been kept.

Office volunteers Gail & Dick Kloes, dependable & cheerful as they assemble our news-letter, file nametags back on the board, & complete other assigned tasks.

“The purpose of this letter is to answer question on why I’m collecting empty prescription pill bottles.

Once a month, I bring the bottles to a lady named Marge, who lives at Clement Manor. Each time I bring them to Marge, it is a very exciting event for her. She tells everybody in the halls that A WHOLE CHURCH collects these for her, & she waves the bag around so everybody can see them! I have asked her what she does with them, & Marge says they are for a Third World mission project. Some of you have asked me how do they get them there, as postage is so expensive. So, I asked Marge.

She brings them to another lady who resides in another area of Clement Manor, & they package them in bundles of 100. Marge doesn’t know what happens to them after that. I didn’t think to ask her how they bundle them. Sometime, I will. In fact, I will keep asking Marge questions, though I don’t know if I will receive any more answers than I have now.

Even though I haven’t met the purpose of this letter, it is enough for me to know that some “little old ladies” are getting some busy work & doing their part to make the world a little better. So, please keep giving me your empty prescriptions containers.

I hope each one of us can have the warm & exciting feeling that a whole church family thinks of us sometime in our life! Thanks, & take care.”

OUR HEALTHY NEWSLETTER comes out on Sun., April 5, & we’re inviting YOU, the folks in the congregation, to submit articles you’ve written, or information you’d like to see included, in it. Healthy recipes you’ve created are always welcome, too! It turns out several folks who’ve not previously contributed have areas of expertise on which they’ll do pieces … speak with Sue Smith, in the church office, for additional details. DEADLINE for your articles is Monday, March 23. (We ARE limited for SPACE, so if an item you submit doesn’t make it in the upcoming issue, we’ll get it in the one which will be published in the summer.)

We Love Our Custodial Volunteers! For February, those dusting, vacuuming, mopping & cleaning were: Laurie Karrels, Ed & Bobbie Griffith, Phyllis Shudy, the Dicksons, Kay Ulma, & the Schmelings. 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!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL It’s that time of year again when our thoughts turn to planning VBS. Even though there is snow on the ground we are already planning VBS. This year it is Camp E.D.G.E. (Experience, and Discover God Everywhere). The when is August 10-14, 9am till noon. The where is going to be Forest Park, we had hoped to host at Greenfield this year but with how we are growing Kristen, Heidi and myself decide for consistency and building space we would stay where we are settled. As we go along we will have more information.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Each year, at Easter, GAPC participates in the One Great Hour of Sharing special offering. We thought you might be interested in learning more about this offering: it’s history, how the money is used, etc. So -- here goes:

Immediately following World War II, U.S. Protestant churches made appeals for relief and reconstruction in areas devastated by the war, primarily Europe & Asia. In 1949, the leaders of several denominations formed a committee to organize an appeal for support of the separate campaigns of their churches. Their joint statement in support of this effort remains remarkably contemporary:

“This nationwide, united effort by America’s Christians has an importance far beyond the practical goal of fund-raising. For this great joint program will not only strengthen the vitally important relief and rehabilitation work of the churches overseas, but it will also prove to all the world how great is the power generated when Christians unite in a common cause.”

A program called One Great Hour was broadcast on the evening of Sat., March 26, 1949, over major networks & many independent stations. The script was written under the direction of playwright Robert Sherwood. The cast included some of the foremost dramatic & musical talents of the time, such as Gregory Peck & Ida Lupino; President Harry Truman brought greetings. The broadcast closed with a request that listeners attend their local church the following morning & make a sacrificial contribution. No exact measure of receipts was possible, but it was estimated that more than 75,000 churches participated.

The next year, the offering was repeated, using the name “One Great Hour of Sharing” for the first time. By 1954, the goal for all giving to One Great Hour of Sharing was $8 million. At times, One Great Hour of Sharing was coordinated with the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Fund Appeal for Overseas Aid, & the Jewish Passover Appeal. Free time & space were donated to this joint appeal through the Advertising Council.

From the beginning, this has been an ecumenical effort. As denominations changed & merged, OGHS has varied from 8 to 29 participating communions. Currently the One Great Hour of Sharing committee officially comprises nine Christian denominations: American Baptist Churches USA; African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; Church of the Brethren; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Cumberland Presbyterian Church; Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); Reformed Church in America; United Church of Christ; & the United Methodist Church. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) calls its offering Week of Compassion. While each denomination allocates its gifts differently, all use their funds for ministries of disaster relief, refugee assistance, & development aid, & each denomination does a significant portion of those ministries through Church World Service. Today, projects supported by One Great Hour of Sharing are under way in more than 100 countries, including the U.S. & Canada. In recent years, Presbyterians have given about $10 million annually, & the other denominations together have received a similar amount.

The gifts received by the PC (U.S.A.) are, roughly, divided into thirds. Each of 3 programs -- Self-Development of People; Presbyterian Disaster Assistance; & the Presbyterian Hunger Program -- receives 32% of the offering. The remaining 4% goes to the Presbyterian Hunger Program for its work on homelessness & affordable housing.

There you have it. For the entire Lenten season, you’ll find special pew envelopes marked One Great Hour of Sharing; you may contribute to this special offering at any time during this period. Easter Sunday is traditionally “the day” when this offering is celebrated.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about OGHS, & that you’ll be as generous in your donation, as possible. Thank you, in advance.

SYNOD SCHOOL takes place at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, from July 26 - 31. It’s a great experience for everyone in the church family as they worship together, stimulate minds & spirits with a variety of educational courses, & spend time enjoying the fellowship with Presbyterians from all around our Synod of Lakes & Prairies. Catalog & registration materials will be available in the narthex, soon.

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 - 7:30 PM - Mid-Week Worship

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

our church parking lot looking for unlocked cars. PLEASE lock your car when at church, keep all valuables out of sign, & call the West Allis police if you see something occurring.

EASTER FLORAL ORDERS - There are different options for Easter Floral Tributes this year! Order sheets will be available in your Sunday bulletins, (or you may send a check to the church indicating your choice of flowers, with information on “in memory of” or “in honor of”, included.) DEADLINE - Mar. 29.

“Flower Lady” Jan Wilke says: “You may have noticed that the cost of flowers has gone up a little this Easter. We’re purchasing them from a Wisconsin grower of high quality plants, not obtaining them from places which bring flowers in from South America or Canada. We hope you’ll enjoy the beauty of Easter with your gift of flowers for the sanctuary.” Please note: when placing your order, DO remember to indicate whether you’ll be TAKING your plant home after the service, or LEAVING it in the sanctuary, to be enjoyed in coming weeks.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

For the month of January, 2009

INCOME $ 10,644.98

EXPENSES $ 11,456.58

As of January 31, 2009

a LOSS of ($ 811.60)