Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church

THANKSGIVING EVE worship here is at 7:30 PM on Wed., Nov. 26. It’s a joint service of the “Fab 4” churches (GAPC, Faith Church in Franklin, Forest Park in New Berlin, & Heritage in Muskego.) Four pastors; four choirs (rehearsal for choirs begins at 6:30 PM in our music room, downstairs). The theme of the evening will be “Giving Thanks in Times of Trouble.” We are truly blessed; we have SO much to be thankful for! Invite your friends to join us!

We’re asking everyone who attends the service to bring some non-perishable food items with them that evening. We’ll share them with a local food pantry. The OFFERING we accept on Thanksgiving Eve will go toward our mutual ministry with Heifer Project, International.

Immediately following the service, you’re invited to the church library for our

incomparable PIE FEST! Our talented church bakers are asked to bring PIES to share; there’s fellowship with the “wider” church family, just an old-fashioned good time! Judy Dickson & Sue Smith are “shepherding” the event.

I had lunch with the other Pastors of our “Fab Four” Churches last week. It’s always good to be with Pastors Roger and Bill, and now we’ve welcomed the Reverend Debra Bergeson-Graham to our gang. Yayyy!!!!

We were planning ahead for our Thanksgiving Eve service - (back here at home this year!) - and we were reflecting on how difficult it could be to give thanks in complicated and challenging times like these… Is it harder to be grateful when the world seems to be going to “heck in a hand-basket”?

We’ve all heard the saying: “God will never give you more than you can handle.” And I’ll bet there have been times when we’ve all proven that wrong!!! What I do believe is that, especially in hard times, God gives us some wonderful gifts: hope, faith, love… and a community to share them with. Even in the darkest valley - we need not fear - for we are never alone. God and God’s children are always ready to stand by us.

Sally and I got a chance to spend just a couple days in retreat on Washington Island last weekend. Whenever we are there, we like to go to People’s Park and watch the sunset sink into Green Bay. It was a beautiful day, but we knew the clouds were due to arrive just about sunset. Sure enough, they showed up just at the wrong time. I was ready to be really disappointed - but God had a little surprise for us… The clouds gave way just enough to give us the most spectacular sunset I’ve ever seen in my life!!! My heart thrilled and my throat lumped!!! We held each other as we watched the myriad of colors dance across the sky - until the park was completely dark. For me, the message was clear - God says - “Don’t worry - I’m still in charge!!!”

I guess there are always things we can be grateful for - even when times are tough! I’m always grateful for God - and for You!!!

YE OLDE CHRISTMASSE FAIRE is a wonderful day that’s right here at the church on December 6! We hope you’ll tell your friends & neighbors to help us publicize the event. Please pick up several of our colorful flyers from the narthex, & give them to EVERYONE you think might be interested!

Ye Olde Christmasse Faire was a HUGE success last year, & we aim to make this one even BIGGER and BETTER! We offer SO much in the way of entertainment!

Jean Kern, who underwent medical testing to determine a cause for severe headaches she’s been experiencing.

Dick Kloes, not feeling as well as he’d like. It’s hoped that adjustment of medication will solve the problem.

Louise Berte, doing better, but still not as mobile as she’d like to be. She & Vince miss being with us on Sundays. (We miss them, too!)

Cindy Nelson, a dear friend of the church, who will soon begin treatment for breast cancer. We were so pleased that she & David were with us in worship on Oct. 19.

Leah Karrels, who suffered a separated shoulder in a playground accident. It’s improving nicely.

That Peter Jansen (our favorite Marine) was home from San Diego for a 2-week leave. He headed back (driving a “new to him” Chevy Cobalt on Oct. 31.)

That our “God’s Guild” singers appeared at Forest Park Presbyterian Church in New Berlin on Oct. 24.

That Megan & Steve Ewert are sharing duties as our nursery staff members. (As many of our folks know, this delightful couple are son & daughter-in-law of Deanna DeTroye-Brown). A formal welcome to you both!

Former members Rose & Stan Telander dropped in for a visit on October 6! They send greetings to all in the congregation, & were SO impressed with all our beautiful building improvements! Rose continues her battle against cancer, but though tired, is feeling well. What a treat to spend time with them!

We received a note from Pam Leintz, who reports that things are busy in their Georgia church. They’ve recently done a bit of traveling, as well. It’s always wonderful to hear from them.

A Note of

Thanks …

“To All of Our Friends at Greenfield Avenue Church -

Thank you for all of your prayers & concerns for Herman. He is doing a little better.

Thanks again.

- Lucy Duga “

JR & Heather Saugstad, who shepherded our Miller Park fundraising efforts, and ALL the staffers (too numerous to name here) who put in so much time & HARD work ! As a result to this project, we were able to add a total of $7,000 to the church budget!

who headed up our VERY successful FALL FEST on Oct. 18! Our total profit was an impressive $3,000! (The rummage sale brought in $1900; the bake sale realized $800; & kitchen sales were $300. FANTASTIC!)

to ALL who helped with FALL FEST! Those who prepared food & helped in the kitchen; set-up & clean-up persons; bakers; those who donated rummage; those who marked & sold rummage & bakery items; those who sold cards & “scrubbies”; those who handed out flyers or helped with publicity; those who CAME to Fall Fest. Please know how very much your efforts are appreciated!

ALL who are adding to our Sunday & Wednesday worships with special music. (Peter Jansen sang on Oct. 22, & it was WONDERFUL!)

Scott Dettman, who spoke at our Peace & Justice “Potato Topper” Luncheon on Oct. 26.

Everyone who worked so hard on the Peace & Justice Luncheon. We were able to raise $165.

Walkers & sponsors for CROP Walk (Oct. 12.) Greenfield Avenue Church raised over $600 to feed the hungry. Thanks, too, to those who brought FOOD ITEMS, which our walkers took to McKinley Marina to donate. We’re so proud of the generosity of our congregaton!

Larry Smith, who assembled the October newsletter, & Sandy Reichert, who assembled the November newsletter. (They filled in for Gail & Dick Kloes, who will be back at work as office volunteers, soon.)

Special thanks to our custodial volunteers for October. Dusting, vacuuming, mopping & cleaning were: Judy & Jim Dickson, Arliss & Hugh Evans; Peter Zoeller; Ed & Bobbie Griffith; JR, Heather, JJ, Derek & Kaitlyn Saugstad; & Dan, Kerstin & Jenny Lefevre. 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!

Planning Meeting for “Ye Olde Christmasse Faire” is on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 6:30 PM. We’ll be “fine-tuning” the details, as we plan for this extraordinary event! We’d love to welcome you on board. Kerstin or Jenny Lefevre will be glad to provide details.

“1984” is the Nathan Hale High School fall play, which will be performed at the school on November 13, 14, & 15. Melissa Gall & Josh Kosler are hard at work as crew members. If you’d like to attend, (it’s sure to be a hit!) please speak with Melissa for details. She’ll be glad to tell you all about it!

A GREAT RECIPE !! Phyllis Anderson donated her delicious pumpkin cake to the Fall Fest; we divided it into 12 slices, & it sold out it 5 (count ‘em,) 5 minutes! Several folks asked if she’d share the recipe, which Phyllis graciously did. It follows, below. (We also had requests for her recipe for Chipotle Apple Pecan Cake, which is spicy. It’s too long for us to print here, but if you’d like that extra spice in your life, speak with Administrative Assistant Sue Smith. She’ll be glad to make a copy of that recipe for you.)

Mix 1st 6 ingredients. Pour in 9 x 13” pan. Sprinkle cake mix over filling. Pour melted butter over top. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1-1/2 hours or until knife inserted half-way from center comes out clean. Check after 1 hour so it does not over bake. Freezes well.

DID YOU REMEMBER to change the BATTERY on your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors when you set your clocks back an hour when we went off Daylight Savings Time on Nov. 2? It’s the recommended procedure, so that your detectors are ALWAYS in good working condition! If you forgot … now’s a good time to change the batteries, so you’ll stay as safe as it’s possible to be!

Some time ago, we received the following email at the church office. Where it originated, we have no idea, but it talks about things to be thankful for. Here they are:

Pray & consider, and say “Thank You” to God through generous giving, that we may continue God’s work in the world.

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

7:30 - 900 PM - Chancel Choir meets ( alternating weeks)

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

On Saturday, Nov. 29, we’ll gather at 9:00 AM to DECORATE the sanctuary & narthex for ADVENT & CHRISTMAS! It’s always an exciting time of fun & fellowship, for in addition to making our building especially lovely, we visit, enjoy snacks of cheese & crackers, & (pure & simple) have a GOOD TIME! We’re always looking for willing helpers. Young children are welcome, for they can help decorate the “Children’s Tree” which will be set up in the narthex. No matter what your age, it’s ALWAYS one of the best ways to start off the holiday season. Be here to help us remember … Jesus Is the Reason for the Season!

Administrative Assistant Sue Smith will be on vacation from Nov. 10 - Nov. 20. Therefore, the bulletins for Sunday Nov. 16 AND Sun. Nov. 23 will be printed prior to her departure. If you have an announcement which is NOT included in one of these bulletins, please feel free to announce it during worship on either or both of these dates. Thanks!

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

For the month of September, 2008

INCOME $ 13,278.21

EXPENSES $ 13,714.81

As of September 30, 2008

a loss of ($ 436.60)