Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church

Church Office 453-3710 Pastor Kevin G. Tarvid Pastor’s (cell) 414-588-0159

FROM THE BOOK OF YARD WORK, Chapter 8:1-12 “And God created autumn, so that the people might enjoy the colors of the leaves, & the plants & trees might ready themselves for the winter’s rest, which was to come. And so the leaves fell, & behold, they lay upon the church yard in vast array. Then speaketh the Resources Committee: “Behold, the time has come to rake, & pick up, & make spiffy.” (Spiffy? Yea, spiffy.) Therefore it was decreed that on Saturday, November 7, a YARD CLEAN-UP DAY shall take place at Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church, that the leaves may be recycled into mulch. Saith Chairperson Ed Griffith: “Please bring thy rake, & be at the church at 9:00 AM. We will furnish the leaves.” YOUR assistance is needed with this project. Thank you in advance, for your support.

BRING A FRIEND ... On Sun., Nov. 15 we are having a “Bring a Friend to

Church Day”. Bring all your friends! The person who brings the most friends will receive a $25 gift certificate to Applebees! Pastor Kevin has addressed this subject in his letter, which follows ... Read on! There’s a POT LUCK LUNCH following; please bring an entrée, a salad or a dessert to pass, & please, Greenfield Avenue members, bring a little extra food for the Pot Luck, for the “Friends” who will be joining us. Help the people in your lives to find our wonderful church! If you have questions, please contact Kay Ulma or Sue Pope.

Here’s a date I want us all to be thinking of… November 15^th, 2009. It is our first ever: “Bring a Friend to Church Day.”

Let’s make sure that this is a banner day for all our members, and all our friends. Let’s make it special for everyone.

You know they say that there is no such thing as a “Free Lunch.” Not true! Our pot-luck will be spectacular that day, and all guests will be included - gratisimmo! (free)

I would love to see the church so full that day that we have to pull out all the stops - extra chairs - the balcony - snuggled up close to each other.

I’d love to see us focus on making our excellent worship - even more excellent! Maybe we can have a few surprises!!!

If you have anyone in mind- please invite them to join us - that day - and any day. If there is someone we haven’t seen in worship in a while, re-invite them.

Maybe you have an idea for a special way to decorate for that day - or a special way to celebrate!!!

Rides to church are more important than ever. If you would be willing to provide a ride - or you need one, please let us know!

If you are able and willing to make space in the parking lot and in the sanctuary- that ministry is also very much appreciated. Thank You. God loves you. Me too!!!

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING FOR ELECTION OF OFFICERS in the “Class of 2012” will take place immediately following worship on Sunday, Nov. 8. Be sure to be present to cast your vote for all the good folks who are willing to take on the work of the church!

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP for the “Fab 4” churches (GAPC, Faith, Forest Park & Heritage) will be held at 6:30 PM on SUNDAY, NOV. 22, at Faith Presbyterian, 3800 W. Rawson Rd. in Franklin. Although there is no “Pie Fest” associated with the event, refreshments will be served following the worship. Pastor Deb tells us: “All you need to bring is yourself, & as many friends & family members as you’d like to invite!” There will be a combined choir, under the direction of our own Jill Lukas, & it’s sure to be wonderful! Offering received will go to support the Fab 4 churches youth who will be attending the 2010 Triennium. (Pleas DO bring non-perishable food items for the Faith Food Cupboard.)

Donna Saugstad & Family. Donna’s sister Dorothy passed away following a long period of declining health. Pastor Kevin led a graveside service on November 7.

Toni Jansen, home from the hospital. We’re thankful she’s able to be back with us in worship.

For Marve Hagen, who celebrated his 90^th birthday here with a coffee fellowship following worship on Oct. 25. Many, many folks from the congregation came to extend their best wishes on this wonderful occasion. (Marve’s actual birthday is Oct. 28.)

For Amanda Williams, who has TWO wonderful bits of news! She’s been selected to play on the Diamond Club Girls Fast-Pitch Softball Team, from Germantown. It’s a traveling team, which will have games throughout Wisconsin. Practices are underway now, & games will begin in the spring. AND, Amanda won a lead role in the MacArthur Elementary School’s musical production “American Stars”. She will play the part of “Prancer”. WOW! Congratulations!

That Leah Karrels was elected Student Council President at Underwood Elementary School!

Elsie Mae & Ken Arenz have retired, & have moved from Waterford to New Berlin -- much closer to family & church! BEST WISHES in your new residence.

That Peter Jansen is home on leave for several weeks. He’ll return to San Diego on Nov. 8, & ships out to Afghanistan on Nov. 17. Our prayers go with Peter & all the men & women who are serving our country.

“SERVING GOD & COUNTRY” - Jan Wilke tells us: “I am looking for photos of church members or family members of our church family (brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.) now serving in the U.S. military here or overseas. I would like to have a photo, with the name, rank & address of the individual serving, to post on the narthex bulletin board. We would like to honor those individuals, & also, to send them cards from time to time. Please place it in my church mailbox. Thank you!”

Nov 2 - Lee & Peg Larson; 22 - “Friends of the Church” Lynn & Jim Heinrich;

EVERYONE who worked so hard to make FALL FEST a huge success! Our exceptional bakers; those who donated rummage; the folks who moved large items for the rummage from storage to the church; everyone who MARKED rummage; Marv Saugstad, who prepared all the BBQ; Diane Edward & Sue Pope, who obtained the raffle/silent auction items; all who worked Oct. 31 in any capacity. SPECIAL thanks to the “Laurie/Lori/Laurie Show” ... our fantastic coordinators, Lori Johnson, Laurie Kadunc & Laurie Karrels.

The Nominating Committee, who worked hard to provide us with candidates for the “Class of 2012” for our upcoming Congregational Meeting for Election of Officers (on Nov. 8, immediately following worship.)

Leah Karrels, who performed a piano solo during “Introit” time in worship on Oct. 11. Leah composed the piece herself! And to God’s Guild, who treated us to “Awesome God” as an introit on Oct. 25; & to “surprise” guest soloist Peter Jansen. How blessed our congregation is to have such talented & giving young people!

The CROP walkers & those who support them! At last report, our congregation helped them raise $490 to feed the hungry ... & the amount of FOOD donated to the walk was AMAZING!

Barb Brunett, who coordinated our October Kringle sale, & all who took orders from friends, & bought, Kringles. We raised $791 for the church!

We Love Our Custodial Volunteers ! For October, those dusting, vacuuming, mopping & cleaning were Anne Sheridan; Ed & Bobbie Griffith; Phyllis Shudy, Hugh Evans, & the Dicksons. 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!

POINSETTIA ORDERS - Poinsettia order forms for plants to decorate the church for Christmas will be in your Sunday worship bulletins on Nov. 15, 22, & 29. We must place our order with Milegar’s by Dec. 1, so YOUR FINAL DAY TO ORDER is SUN., NOV. 29. Milegar’s has exceptionally lovely plants, but they need to know well in advance how many pots we’ll want, so the plants can be “forced” to ensure full color on the flowers. In the event that you’re not able to be in worship on the order Sundays, send your check for $8.50 per plant to the church office by that date, indicating your choice of a red, pink, or white poinsettia. Also, we’ll want to know whom you’d like listed “in memory of” or “in honor of”, that is, the names of those folks you’ll be remembering.

BLOOD DRIVE - On Sat., Nov. 21, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church is the site of a BLOOD DRIVE, to assist the BloodCenter of Wisconsin in saving the lives of friends, family members, & neighbors who need blood at any of the more than 50 local hospitals to whom they supply blood. EVERY SINGLE DAY, the center needs to collect over 800 units of blood; between 20 & 30% of that blood comes from drives such as this. WHO RECEIVES THE BLOOD? Accident victims, caner patients undergoing chemotherapy, premature babies, those undergoing surgery, to name a few. Donations to the BloodCenter of Wisconsin are the ONLY source of blood for local hospitals.

A MINIMUM of 25 persons must sign up in order for the blood drive to take place, but 35 is the ideal number. Marv Saugstad is taking reservations. Please call him to let him know you’d like to be a donor, & tell him what time on Nov. 21 works best for you. The church and the Equitable Reserve Association of Neenah, a non-profit fraternal organization (which provides the bike & helmet for give-away at Strawberry Fest) co-sponsor of the event.

HANG THE GREENS (& Deck the Halls) - Who are the Greens, & why are we so upset with them we want to hang them? And what did the Halls do, to make us so cross that we want to “deck” them? (Tee Hee ...) Sat., Nov. 28 is the date we’ll decorate our sanctuary & narthex for the Advent/ Christmas season, by putting up the big Christmas tree in the sanctuary, & getting all the trimmings up! There’s much to do, but with many eager helpers, it’s accomplished rather quickly! AND .. there’ll be coffee, & things to munch on for those who get hungry from all the activity ... 9:00 AM is the appointed hour. Make it a “family” time, for the younger children can help trim “their” tree in the narthex! See you there!

GIVING STOCK TO THE CHURCH - Well, I did it again this year. For my pledge I gifted stock that I had inherited many years ago. All I had to do was complete and submit the form from my brokerage account and include information related to Greenfield Avenue’s brokerage account numbers and firm and do a direct transfer from my brokerage to Greenfield Avenue’s brokerage. I receive the tax deduction of what the stock is worth now. I pay no capital gains taxes on the transferred stock or worry what the cost basis was. Giving cash to church sometimes is very hard to do with this economy. This way I know the church will receive my pledge and I don’t have to worry about having the cash.

Registered Representative and Securities offered through Packerland Brokerage Services, Inc., Member FINRA & SIPC

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (extended recently through 2009) allows individuals to make distributions to public charities directly from their IRA accounts without including the distribution in income nor is it deductible as a charitable contribution. This rule only pertains to IRA owners over age 70 ½ years and is limited to charitable IRA “rollovers” of up to $100,000 per year, per person through December 31, 2009. Need help? Call me.

Registered Representative and Securities offered through Packerland Brokerage Services, Inc., Member FINRA & SIPC

With the help of many Presbyterian congregations in our area, Christ Presbyterian Church at 1930 W. Walnut St. in Milwaukee, has been able to make the lives of countless children a little brighter at Christmas for 40 years. How? Through their Children’s Christmas Toy Store! This year, the Christmas store will take place on Sat., Dec. 12, from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The “store” serves children through age 12, & items needed include: toys, games, coloring books, crayons, markers, small gifts for all ages, balls, mittens, gloves, hats, school supplies, dolls, cars, puzzles, books, etc. Your donations of money (checks should be made out to Christ Presbyterian Church”, & designated to “Christmas Store”) help in meeting ongoing needs of the people the church serves. PLEASE BRING ALL ITEMS YOU’RE DONATING TO GAPC BY SUNDAY, DEC. 6, & place them under the tree in the sanctuary. We’ll see that they are delivered to Christ Church the next day. GAPC has supported the Toy Store so generously in the past; with the economic challenges facing so many, our efforts this year will be especially appreciated. Thanks, in advance, for your generosity & caring!

MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS Last season a group of us had such a super time attending a Milwaukee Admirals game! Mark Brodaczynski is making arrangements for us to go again ... & December 20 is the date that’s been chosen. “Our” Admirals are playing the San Antonio Rampage, with opening face off at 4:00 PM. Price will be announced; please let Mark know you’d like him to pick up tickets. Plan to join us, for it’s an EXCELLENT way to relax & escape the demands of the holiday season!

INTERFAITH, WEST CENTRAL is a wonderful non-profit organization which has helped older adults in Milwaukee County through its “Neighborhood Outreach Program” for 35 years. Our Peace & Justice Committee supports Interfaith, & our P& J Committee Chairperson Barb Brunett serves as a member of Interfaith’s board. LeAnn Launstein, the Director of Interfaith West Central, sends the following message:

“Dear Friends, Thank you so much for participating in the Interfaith West Central Plant Sale during the weekend of September 12-13. It was the first time that we held the sale & it was a big success. We raised about $3,000 for our program to help older adults remain living in their own homes. Thank you to everyone who purchased a plant or helped with the sale! It was wildly successful; we SOLD OUT 562 mum plants! Thank you again for your support.”

Several members of the church volunteer at Interfaith, providing rides to appointments, or to the grocery store, for the seniors Interfaith serves. On Nov. 13, the Neighborhood Outreach Program will hold its first fund raiser luncheon, “Pull Up a Chair in Your Neighborhood”, at Klemmers Banquet Center, 10401 W. Oklahoma Avenue. Tickets are $30, & can be purchased by Jackie Anderson. A highlight of the luncheon will be a painted chair auction featuring area artists’ work. A variety of prize drawings will keep the luncheon interesting & fun. Prizes include a flat screen TV, jewelry, tickets to various theatrical, musical & sports venues, restaurant gift certificates, etc. Local celebrities will also be on hand to support the event. YOU are invited to attend!

SAVE THE DATE!!! The West Central Jewelry Sale of New & Gently Used Jewelry will be held on Sun., Dec. 6, from 8:30 AM -- 12:30 PM in Steiger Hall, on the lower level of St. Matthias Catholic Church, 9306 W. Beloit Rd. in Milwaukee. Barb Brunett has been collecting jewelry for this event ... why not pop in after worship, & check it out? It’s a good cause.

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

Mon Nov 2 7:15 PM - Christian Ed. meets ** means Article about event appears in newsletter

Thurs Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Holiday - Our church offices are CLOSED on this date.

Stewardship is about making choices, as individuals and in community. It is more than giving money to the church. Stewardship is about being faithful disciples, caring for and managing all that God has given us.

Stewardship is not just one part of Christian discipleship; it involves every aspect of life in all the stages of life. Stewardship is the grateful response to God’s grace and goodness. It requires a consideration of how our choices affect us and others, of how we can be good caretakers of the created world, and of how we can best serve God as disciples of Christ.”

Why do people give? Results of a survey taken several years ago indicate that the most compelling reasons for giving are: out of a sense of gratitude for God’s love and goodness; out of a desire to contribute to God’s work in the world; from the desire to support the work of their local church.

Without the gifts of our time, talent, & treasure, there can be no church, for its ability to do Christ’s work in the world depends on our sharing of these three. With the Thanksgiving holiday rapidly approaching, we realize that November represents for most of us a time to give thanks, & to reflect on our many blessings. Please pray, and consider, and then consider giving thanks in the form of a financial commitment to the church, as well as through generous gifts of your time, and talent.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY For the month of September, 2009

INCOME $ 11,454.89

EXPENSES $ 11,484.62

As of Sept 30, 2009

a LOSS of ($ 29.73)