Park Avenue Presbyterian Church

Ordination and Installation of Elders and Deacons

2012-01-16T14:18:00.001-06:00

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

On January 8, we ordained and installed elders and deacons with prayer and the laying of hands by the minister, ruling and teaching elders.

Brendan Peterson and Dorothea Trotter were ordained and installed as Elders and Myrna Agan was installed as an elder. Ruby Allsup and Mary Smith were installed as Deacons. Sheryl Parker will be ordained as a Deacon at a later date.


Myrna, Ruby, Brendan, Dot, Mary

Christmas Pageant

2011-12-12T20:48:00.000-06:00

On December 11, the children re-told the story of the birth of Christ in their annual Christmas Pageant. They concluded by singing "The Friendly Beasts" and "Away in a Manger".

Children's Church - House of Prayer

2011-11-26T20:19:00.000-06:00

During the summer of 2011, the Children's Church program studied "Faith Under Construction" and built this House of Prayer which was dedicated on Children's Sabbath Sunday. The House of Prayer is complete with magnetic and wipe-off boards for posting thoughts and prayers and stained glass windows with a view of the cross.

Welcome, new members!

2011-11-25T07:05:00.001-06:00

On Sunday, November 20, we welcomed several new members into the life of our church.
By Profession of Faith: Brandon and Lindsay Prothero
By Reaffirmation of Faith: Pat Trotter, Claire Harper, Tim and Sharyl Thompson, Dan and Phyllis Danes
By Letter of Transfer: Phyllis Weeda
As Affiliate Members: Joan Wengert, Hazel Neil, Kay Montgomery
Reactivation of Membership: Doc Gamble, Bernie and Lois Lane

We are excited to have them join in the work and ministry of PAPC! Welcome!!

Des Moines Presbytery Outstanding Senior Adult

2011-11-09T20:24:00.000-06:00

The Des Moines Presbytery honored thirteen outstanding senior adults from local churches in the presbytery. Mary Lou Briles from Park Avenue Presbyterian Church was one of the honorees and deservedly so.

She has served as Clerk of the Session, Chair of the Worship Committee (which included securing pulpit supply during the time between pastors), member of the Mission Committee, and member of the Memorial Committee. She has served as a deacon, member of the Pastor Search Committee (two times) and on the committee to find a new secretary. She has attended church wide meetings of Presbyterian Women at Purdue, Iowa State University, Louisville and recently on an Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Her involvement in Presbyterian Women has included leading Bible studies, serving meals, doing rummage sales and a recent addition to her busy schedule is being a member of the Des Moines Presbytery Leadership Council... and the list goes on of her unselfish giving in the life of the church.

What a beautiful demonstration of her commitment to Christ! Congratulations, Mary Lou, on this special honor!!!

Locks of Love

2011-11-06T17:04:00.000-06:00

Rachel, before (left) and after (right).
Rachel, now 12 years old, first heard about Locks of Love from her third grade teacher. Rachel made the decision she wanted to help, so she began letting her hair grow long. This past week, her hair was cut, bagged and shipped to Locks of Love.

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Read more about Locks of Love at http://www.locksoflove.org/

We're very proud of Rachel and, doesn't she look great with her new short haircut!!

Little Dresses for Africa

2011-11-02T18:45:00.001-05:00

The ladies of Park Avenue Presbyterian Church have been sewing little dresses. The sewing started with a project called, "Little Dresses for Africa," in the Spring of 2011. One of our members, Dorothea Trotter, asked her mother to make one dress so the ladies could see how they looked. Dorothy Schultz did make a dress and then she made more and more and has made over 250 so far! Her goal, she says, is to make 500. The ladies of the church are sewing dresses too, but have a long way to go to catch up with Dorothy.

Our church was one of several churches that gave money to buy water storage tanks for LaLlanes, El Salvador. We were able to receive a census report on the number of girls, boys, mothers, and fathers living in LaLlanes. The ladies thought it would be nice to send each little girl a dress. Then, we thought it would be nice to send each mother a dress. Then, we thought it would be nice to send a pair of shorts to each of the boys. On November 8, 2011, a delegation from First Presbyterian Church in Dallas Center, IA, will be taking 85 dresses and shorts to the people of LaLlanes for us. We are thankful that they are able to do this for us.

The ladies and Dorothy continue to make dresses and shorts. We will be sewing throughout the Winter and will send them on to the project, "Little Dresses for Africa," in the Spring. Perhaps by then we will have 200 or 300 more to send.

Reformation Sunday

2011-10-29T15:13:00.000-05:00

Reformation Day 2011
To the congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):

The church affirms Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei, that is, “The church reformed, always to be reformed according to the Word of God” in the power of the Spirit. (Book of Order, F-2.02)

Presbyterian roots go back – way back – nearly 500 years to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation when, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a church door in Wittenburg, Germany. Luther, John Calvin, and other leaders of that movement would be astounded today to see the fruits of their faith-filled, courageous witness: The gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed in word and deed in and through worshiping communities around the world that seek to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and confront injustice in its many forms.

We celebrate our reformed heritage and continually draw nourishment from these deep roots, especially during this present time of dramatic change within and beyond the church. Change generates both excitement and anxiety, possibility and perplexity. Where is God leading us? What is out there on the horizon?

Looking extensively to the past, however, or gazing anxiously to the future can lead to missing what is happening in our midst now. God spoke through the prophet Isaiah: "I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Isa. 43:19).

Today, in our time, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is in the midst of another reformation. God is creating a new church in and through us. Signs of it and responses to it are plentiful:
New worshiping communities are springing up, many of them looking different from traditional congregations.
We have a new Form of Government that provides more flexibility for congregations to do mission more effectively in their particular contexts.
Special committees and groups across the entire church are envisioning new possibilities for the church in the 21st century, possibilities that reflect a growing multicultural reality and the need to adjust our structure from a corporate, top-down approach to one that enhances even further the work of congregations and presbyteries.
It is both an exciting and unsettling time in the life of the PC(USA). We suspect that Calvin felt similar pangs of anticipation and anxiety when he was in the midst of another season of dramatic change in the life of the church. Yet Calvin's strong faith in a steadfast and sovereign God is evident in his hymn, "I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art." One of the stanzas reads:

Thou art the life, by which alone we live,
And all our substance and our strength receive;
Sustain us by Thy faith and by Thy power,
And give us strength in every trying hour.

As we celebrate and give thanks for the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, we also celebrate and give thanks for the mission and ministry of the PC(USA) in this time of another great reformation. Like Calvin and his colleagues, may we respond in unity with eagerness, faithfulness, wisdom, and joy:

Our hope is in no other, save in thee,
Our faith is built upon thy promise free
Lord, give us peace and make us calm and sure
That in thy strength we evermore endure.

To God be the glory!

Cindy Bolbach
Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010)
Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Linda Valentine
Executive Director, General Assembly Mission Council
Landon Whitsitt
Vice Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010)

30 years of Music

2011-10-07T11:26:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, September 25, Lisa Modlin presented a worship service of organ music, scripture and song she designed around the theme "We Come". Worship was followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall celebrating Lisa's 30 years of service as the organist of our church.

Follow this link to view the worship program and listen to the service.
http://www.box.net/shared/0i0r9ttfea7d22blpcy1

What if..........?

2011-09-22T09:33:00.000-05:00

What if you knew that 16,000 die each day of hunger?
What if you knew that feeding six people costs $1.20?
What if you found out you could change the world?
What if you volunteered to help Meals from the Heartland?

On Friday, September 2, six PAPC'ers joined with a whole lot of people in Hy-Vee Hall to package meals for Meals from the Heartland. Over the course of two hours, we packed 20 boxes of food, each box containing 36 packages of food, each package feeding six people. That's 4,320 meals!!

Meals from the Heartland is a non-profit organization composed of volunteers who package meals for delivery to starving people around the world. Throughout the year, there are several small mobile packaging events, but once per year, a major event is held in Des Moines over the course of four days. Overall, the 2011 event packaged over 4.2 million meals! PAPC is happy to have been a part of that!

Visit their site at http://www.mealsfromtheheartland.org/

Cross Ministries Back to School Event

2011-08-14T18:30:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, August 2, 14 members of PAPC, along with members of other Presbyterian Churches in the Two Rivers Partnership, hauled boxes of school supplies to the basement of Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church where the supplies were unpacked and sorted onto grade-specific tables. Another group of churches takes over the following day to put the supplies into backpacks. Over 900 new backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils, paper, glue, crayons and other school supplies were distributed to children in underprivileged households in the Des Moines area. When all the work was done, we were treated to ice cream sundaes at Smokey Joe's!


Dan and Lisa


Lisa, Gary and Tyler


Doris and Peggy


Dot and Pat


Nile and Ben


David


Heather and Karen


Dustin, MaryLou, Laura and Nile

Little Dresses for Africa

2011-07-19T09:41:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, July 16, several women of PAPC gathered in Fellowship Hall to sew dresses for little girls from places that have been hard hit due to rough economic times, natural disasters or are just poor countries in general. Dot's mother, Dorothy Schulz, has sewn 100 dresses to date and we have a challenge for the rest of the church to match her in total!

Dot and Dixie (looks like they're enjoying themselves!)

Dot's mother, Dorothy, showing some of the dresses she's made.

Faith Under Construction

2011-06-11T18:33:00.000-05:00

The summer Children's Worship Program begins Sunday, June 12. Faith Under Construction is a six-lesson unit of scripture with a wonderful "building" theme. It highlights the spiritual elements of how our faith is an ever-evolving entity, beauteous at any given time, but, ever on the move. During this time, we will be applying basic construction props and setting with ample listening to the Master Builder - Jesus Christ.
Mark these dates:
June 12: [Blue]Prints of Pentecost
June 26: Footing of Faith
July 17: Tools of Trust
July 31: Girders of Grace
August 21: Trusses of Triumph
August 28: Completed in Christ

Pentecost Offering - June 12th

2011-06-11T18:28:00.000-05:00

When you give to the annual Pentecost Offering, you're helping real people: children at risk, youth, and young adults.
People like the children of La Oroya, Peru, which is one of the 10 most polluted cities in the world. Nearly all of the children there have sever lead poisoning because of a smelter owned by a U.S. manufacturing company. In all, almost 12,000 children are affected.
A children's movement in La Oroya called CAMBIALO - which means "Change it!" wants to shine a spotlight on this smelter that spews toxins into the air every day. The Pentecost Offering has helped CAMBIALO produce and present weekly radio spots about what's going on in La Oroya.
When you give to the Pentecost Offering, you're also helping Young Adult Volunteers like Robert Morrison, who works with the gritty streets of Los Angeles to help the homeless and young people who need adult mentors. Working with the organizations People Assisting the Homeless and La Casa de Communidad, he is making a difference.
The Pentecost Offering also funds an online daily devotional called d365.org, co-sponsored by the PC (USA). More than 1 million people, including many young people, have visited this interactive site. The website guides visitors through five steps: pausing, listening to God's Word, thinking about it, praying, and being guided by the devotion through the rest of the day.
10% of the Pentecost Offering goes to child advocacy. 25% goes to youth ministry. Another 25% goes to Young Adult Volunteers, and 40% is kept by congregations for ministries that help children at risk. PAPC's 40% will go to CROSS Ministries where food and school supplies will help needy children in the Des Moines area stay healthy and in school to become productive adults.

Congratulations 2011 Graduates!!

2011-05-22T18:41:00.002-05:00

Shauna Agan, granddaughter of Myrna Agan, graduates Magna Cum Laude from Simpson College with a BA degree with majors in Political Science and Corporate Communications and a minor in History with a specialization in Pre-Law. This fall she will attend American University Washington College of Law in Washington D.C.

Anna Caligiuri, granddaughter of Virginia Cole, graduates from Lincoln High School.

Bryan Cody, grandson of Frank and Betty Friend, graduates from Western University of Health Science. He will receive his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and plans to practice in California.

Chelsea Nicole Link, granddaughter of Jerry and Lena Saunders, graduates from Dallas Center-Grimes High School and will attend DMACC this fall majoring in Culinary Arts.

Laura Myers, granddaughter of Robert and Jeanne Burnett, graduates from Mounds Park Academy, St Paul, MN. This fall she will be attending Connecticut College in New London, CT.

Brendan Kyle Peterson, son of Dan and Lisa Peterson, graduated Magna Cum Laude from GrandView University with a degree in History and a minor in Theatre Arts. He is employed at Living History Farms as an 1850 Farm Historical Interpreter/Assistant Site Supervisor.

Brett Timmins, granddaughter of Myrna Agan, graduates from Southeast Polk High School. She plans to attend Iowa State University this fall to pursue a degree in Agriculture Education as an FFA teacher.

Congratulations and Best Wishes! May God bless you in your future endeavors.

Thank you, Virginia

2011-05-17T14:13:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, May 15, PAPC honored Virginia Cole who retired as our secretary after 12 years. Virginia served under four pastors: John Nipper, bob Cook, Mel Roblee and David Stipp-Bethune. During fellowship time, the children presented a tribute to Virginia, reading a short paragraph for each letter of her name. "V" is for vigilant;"I" is for ideas; "R" is for rare, "G" is for good-natured, giving, and generous; "I" is for imagination; "N" is for nice; "I" is for intelligent; and "A" is for accountable, accurate, adaptable, accepting, approachable and attentive. Virginia may not be in the office any more, but she is still a member of the church and we'll see her in worship and she'll still be working with the children.

(Read it right to left!)

Virginia

Easter Treasure Hunt

2011-05-17T14:05:00.000-05:00


Alex


Nile and Ben


Dustin, Tyler, and Nevaeh


Maddie and Ruby

After Easter Worship, the children enjoyed a treasure hunt. Clues led them to different areas of the church ending in Fellowship Hall where they found a treasure bag.

Bread for the World

2011-05-03T13:06:00.001-05:00

Each year, thousands of churches across the country set aside a Sunday when members are asked to write letters to their representatives and senators in Congress. These letters are brought forward as an "offering of citizenship".
This year's Offering of Letters urges Congress to reform our nation's foreign aid programs - to make them more effective in reducing hunger in Haiti, Africa and other parts of the world that struggle with poverty and disease.
PAPC Mission Committee has designated May 8th as our Sunday to collect and dedicate letters written by you to send to our congressmen. Write a letter in your own words or using the format below, put it in a stamped envelope and bring to church on Sunday.
Address your envelopes:
Senator Charles Grassley:
135 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Tom Harkin:
731 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
Representative Leonard Boswell:
1427 Longworth House Office Bldg,
Washington, DC 20515

Sample Letter:
Date__________
Dear Senator_________ or Dear Representative_________

I'm asking you to reform the way the United States delivers foreign assistance so it will help millions of people in poor countries move out of hunger and poverty. Streamlined and more efficient U.S. foreign aid programs will ensure that our tax dollars are used effectively.
By focusing our aid dollars on moving people out of poverty, we help foster economic growth and opportunity. Fewer people struggling with poverty and stronger, growing economies in developing countries contribute to our own national security as well.
This is why I am asking you to support reforms in the ways we deliver and administer U.S. foreign aid.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)

Session members host Fellowship hour to welcome Rev. Claude Jones and Annamaria

2011-04-19T14:43:00.000-05:00

Welcome Rev. Claude Jones

2011-03-25T14:16:00.001-05:00

The Session and congregation of Park Avenue Presbyterian Church extends a welcome to Rev. Claude Jones as our Temporary Supply Pastor. He will serve half-time, working 25-30 hours per week.

Rev. Jones served as pastor at Douglas Avenue Presbyterian Church for 23 years. He graduated from Dubuque Seminary, which is a Presbyterian Seminary. He is currently Director of Church Relations for the University of Dubuque College and Seminary. His wife, Anna Maria, is a teacher with the West Des Moines School District.

We welcome Rev. Claude Jones and Anna Maria to our Park Avenue Presbyterian Church family!

Part-Time Secretarial Position Available

2011-03-22T13:27:00.001-05:00

THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.

We are seeking candidates to fill the position of Church Secretary. This is a part-time position, working 20 hours per week. Responsibilities include providing general administrative support to the Minister and church staff, maintaining church records and calendar, preparing bulletins and newsletter, screening phone calls and other miscellaneous duties.

The ideal candidate will have excellent PC, grammar, spelling and math skills. The position requires tact, the ability to maintain confidentiality, and good interpersonal skills. Must be organized and proficient in multi-tasking. Must have technical knowledge of a personal computer and able to use word processing and spreadsheet software.

Contact Clerk of Session Mary Lou Briles at 515-285-1074 or marybriles@aol.com

Together we DO make a difference!

2011-02-04T13:11:00.002-06:00

"Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me"
(Matt. 25:40)

PAPC members have been faithful in mission and special needs giving for many years. 2010 was no exception!

We contributed financially to: PCUSA, Theological Education Fund, El Salvador Mission, Des Moines Area Religious Council, CROSS Ministries, Pioneer Baseball League (physically challenged children), Church World Service Blanket project, One Great Hour of Sharing, Rural Partnership Offering, Christmas Joy Offering, Food Pantry, Pakistan Presbyter Education Board, Haiti Earthquake recovery, Meals from the Heartland, and Souper Bowl Sunday..

In additional to monetary gifts, we also contributed: food and personal hygiene items to the DMARC Food Pantry, pop can tops for Ronald McDonald House, sandwiches and cookies to Hope Ministries' Hope Cafe, and school supplies for CROSS Ministries back to school program.

Members served lunch at Hope Cafe, sorted and tagged items at Hope Ministries' Thrift Shop, sorted and prepared school supplies for Cross Ministries' Back to School Program, and participated in Hope Ministries "Walk a Mile in Their Shoes" Walk-a-Thon at Copper Creek Lake.

PAPC also sponsored two special events. In January, all interested people in the Presbytery were invited to hear Pastor David Stipp-Bethune speak about, and share photos from, his trip to the Holy Land. In October, other south-side Presbyterian churches joined us to hear Veeda Javaid, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan speak. She gave dynamic examples of how education plays a vital part for understanding and respecting others, for a life that is beyond starvation and the hope for the future of many.

Our mission committee has worked hard to give members many different opportunities to support mission causes both locally and around the world and our members have responded generously with both money, gifts, and gifts of time!

DMARC Emergency Food Pantry

2011-01-26T19:07:00.000-06:00

Rev. Sarai Schnucker Rice, Executive Director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council will be in our pulpit on Sunday, January 30. PAPC has been a regular supporter of the DMARC Emergency Food Pantry and we'd like to make an even bigger donation of food this month in honor of our guest preacher. If you are able, pick up an extra item or two this week and bring it to church on Sunday. Donations can be left in Fellowship Hall on the designated table. More information on DMARC can be found on the web at www.dmreligious.org

MOST NEEDED FOOD ITEMS
Des Moines Area Religious Council Emergency Food Pantry
100% Juice (tomato, orange, or vegetable in a can or plastic bottle)
Fruit (canned in water or 100% juice, not in heavy syrup)
Vegetables (tomatoes, green beans, mixed vegetables, or sweet potatoes, canned with
no salt added)
Beans (dry or canned in water)
Peanut butter
Meat (tuna or chicken canned in water)
Whole-grain dry pasta or egg noodles
Brown rice (regular or instant)
Vegetable soup (low-sodium)
Whole grain crackers (wheat saltines)
Spaghetti sauce
Cereal (instant or regular oatmeal with no sugar added, whole grain cheerios, wheat
chex, wheaties, granola or shredded wheat)
Shelf-stable low-fat UHT milk (in aseptic packaging, no canned milk)
Infant/baby formula
Diapers and baby wipes
Personal products (shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene, toothpaste, or deodorant)
Fresh whole grain bread items (with generous expiration dates)
Fresh fruits and vegetables (potatoes/sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, carrots,
grapes, oranges, tomatoes, melons, broccoli, or bell peppers)
Please donate far before expiration and prime ripeness.
Thank you!
As a reminder, DMARC can also buy food wholesale thanks to generous cash gifts.
We are grateful for both cash and food donations.

Sandwiches for Bethel Mission Cafe

2011-01-18T17:12:00.000-06:00

On Sunday, Jan 9, PAPC members and guests prepared 200 ham and cheese or turkey and cheese sandwiches which were delivered along with a cookie or bar for dessert to Bethel Mission's Hope Cafe. This was our second opportunity to participate in this mission event and many members enjoy donating cookies, meat, bread and cheese as well as assembling all 200 sandwiches! Our children even get involved by bagging the dessert items.

Hope Café is a place where anyone from the community can come and receive a free meal three times a day. Hope Ministries is able to provide this valuable service to the community thanks to the generosity of many caring individuals, churches and local businesses. (http://www.hopeiowa.org/facilities/cafe.php)

Christmas Joy Offering

2010-12-14T15:08:00.000-06:00

The Christmas Joy Offering will be received on Sunday, December 19.

This offering is shared equally by the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, which provides critical assistance to Presbyterian church workers and their families, and Presbyterian-affiliated racial ethnic schools and colleges, which enables students to develop their gifts and find their calling.

At some point in their lives, many ministers, other church workers, and their families need help beyond what the Benefits Plan and personal resources can provide. Some need relatively limited, yet critical, assistance – to afford a hearing aid, for instance, to continue their ministry. The Christmas Joy Offering recognizes the faithfulness of current and retired church workers through its gifts to the Assistance Program, which in turn helps these individuals and families through difficult times by providing shared, emergency and other types of grants.

The Presbyterian Church has long promoted education by establishing and supporting racial ethnic schools and colleges. The Christmas Joy Offering funds provide scholarships to deserving students as well as help with basic operating costs. These institutions develop leaders in the church and in society, and they enable students to discover and pursue their professional goals.

You can bring Joy to deserving individuals by participating in this offering!

Services Cancelled

2010-12-12T07:24:00.000-06:00

Sunday, Dec 12 services have been cancelled due to weather conditions. Stay inside, stay warm, safe and dry and we'll see you next week!

Mitten Tree

2010-12-07T13:50:00.000-06:00

There are many needy children that need to be kept warm during the winter, so the P.W. is sponsoring a "Mitten Tree" again this year. Please bring new mittens, scarves, and hats to decorate the tree located in Fellowship Hall. These items will be donated to a local school for distribution. Let's cover the tree with warmth to share!

Presbyterian Women's Group studying Revelation

2010-12-01T18:33:00.000-06:00

In their Bible study, the circles will be studying the 6^th chapter of Revelation. In this lesson we will explore how to approach the images created by the opening of the first six seals. In order to reach the hope at the end of the journey in Revelation, we must first experience great conflict and judgment.

Deborah Circle meets for a “Sack Lunch” on Thursday December 2^nd at 1:00pm in Fellowship Hall.

Lesson Leader: Mary Lou Briles

Devotions: Peggy Sanders

Lydia Circle meets on Thursday December 2^nd at 7:00pm in the lounge.

Hostess Dot Trotter

Devotions Jeanne Funaro

Lesson Leader Mary Lou Briles

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service

2010-11-24T07:39:00.000-06:00

Park Avenue Presbyterian joins Clifton Heights Presbyterian, Fort Des Moines Presbyterian, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and Christ Lutheran churches for the annual combined Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service. This year's worship service takes place at Christ Lutheran Church, 6411 S.E. 5th (by Southridge Mall), at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 24.

2010-11-22T20:05:00.000-06:00

On Sunday, November 21, the congregation filled and then overflowed the Cornucopia with 186 non-perishable food items! All items are donated to the Food Pantry of Central Iowa. What a great gift! Once everyone had gathered around the Communion Table, we joined in singing the Doxology: "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!"
Throughout the year, we continue our mission by collecting non-perishable items for the Food Pantry. On a weekly basis, these items can be placed on the designated table in Fellowship Hall.

“The Gift Box… and a Thank You”

2010-11-19T09:53:00.000-06:00

“The Gift Box… and a Thank You”

Dear Friends,

My last few weeks with you at Park Avenue seemed like whirlwind, and now, the whirlwind Holiday Season is upon us, and I’ve begun a new ministry. Our calendar will soon turn to a new season and a new year and the rhythm of our lives chugs steadily along.

I wanted to take a moment to say “THANK YOU” for my gift box(es).

• Firstly, “Thank You” for eight amazing years of ministry. I’ve shared with so many people all the great things I got to participate in during my time at Park Avenue. Not only in Des Moines and with our community, but also the many opportunities you allowed me where I shared in the work of the larger church. More than just trips, I’ve met and enjoyed friendships with lots of people around the church, and was able to bring lots of things back to try at Park Avenue.

• Secondly, “Thank You” for all your many kindnesses, caring, and concern. My family and I were greatly blessed in our time at Park Avenue. Desireé and I got married. You helped us through her father’s death. You held our hands as we welcomed our three children in to the world. You made us feel special and loved.

• Thirdly, “Thank You” for your hard work and ministry. There are lots of things I’m proud of that we shared in together. Our mission projects—from El Salvador coffee to Hope Ministries, from CROSS Back-to-School to DMARC and Bidwell drives; our partnership events, our Presbytery participation, and international speakers. We’ve done a lot, supported much, and redefined the realm of God’s Kingdom on earth.

• Fourthly, “Thank You” for your participation. From Sunday mornings to Thursday evenings and everything in between. From those who went to Presbytery and accepted the challenge of serving the church or participating with the church beyond our local community. What a blessing to have you along for the ride.

• Fifthly, “Thank You” for your courage. You called a young pastor and allowed him to grow with you. I think we learned from one another. It wasn’t without bumps and hiccups along the way; but we managed and are richer for it. Hang on to that courage as you keep the faith.

Finally, let me say “Thank You” for your gifts of generosity and support, even as I move on. What a blessing to have shared the journey with you! Thank you for all your kind words, and for your generousness. The Kindle was a perfect gift. I’m excited to have access to a new kind of library! And the resources to get it started. I’ll never give up the actual library, but having a virtual one that’s easy to carry and use… will be marvelous. “Thank You” for the great send-off on the 14th. Know that it was a special time for me.

Know, too, that I meant what I said to the children that morning. That as we remember one another, it’s important to hold one another in prayer. Before God, all of us are drawn closer together—even across the earth’s great distances. Advent promises that God is with us, always; holding us together in Christ.

God’s blessings be with you and for you as you continue your ministry and as I begin again.

Rev. David Stipp-Bethune

Vern Benda--Presbytery of Des Moines Older Adult Award Nominee

2010-11-10T19:25:00.000-06:00

The Presbytery of Des Moines, at its November 9th Called Meeting recognized 17 older adult award nominees, nominated by Congregations across the Presbytery. Park Avenue's own VERN BENDA was nominated by one of our elders and endorsed by our Church's Session with an application submitted. The description of Vern's contributions to the life of our congregation included many hours helping to maintain heating and cooling for our Church, helping maintain the building, countless hours of time and significant gifts of materials and labor for many, many projects.

Vern and the other award nominees were invited to a special recognition during the Presbytery Meeting, including a powerpoint presentation with information about each nominee, and a special invitation to join the Presbytery as its guests for dinner. Park Avenue was very proud to be respresented by Vern.

Veeda Javid at PAPC

2010-10-13T22:51:00.000-05:00

Tonight at Park Avenue, we hosted Veeda Javid. Veeda is a Pakistani Christian, who works for the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan, overseeing a number of Presbyterian schools for girls.

Veeda shared several moving stories about her work and the witness of our denomination in Pakistan. Additionally, she shared photos from the recent devastating floods.

Sandy Wagener, who is a member of our Presbytery's Stewardship Committee, challenged Park Avenue along with Clifton Heights and Fort Des Moines Presbyterian Churches to raise $20,000 to build 1 classroom in Pakistan. It's a big challenge; but after Veeda's stories and the photographs... it isn't can we?--only WILL WE?

A Rainbow at Park Avenue

2010-09-01T20:52:00.000-05:00

There was a rainbow over Park Avenue Presbyterian Church on Tuesday morning (8/31/10).

I once heard a sermon about the meaning of God's rainbow. The Biblical story about the rainbow is that it's God's promise that God will never again destroy the whole earth through the waters of a flood. So the sign of the rainbow is a reminder not to be afraid.

But the point the sermon was addressing was not this promise. Instead, the preacher chose to focus on what's real when we see a rainbow. We can easily recall God's promise, but far more practically is that when we see a rainbow, it's usually behind a storm. Most often, when you see a rainbow, it's a sign that the storm is over.

A rainbow often means that the storm is over. But the rainbow only exists because it's still raining. When we see the rainbow, it may be that the storm is over at our location, but it's still raining somewhere else. The rainbow, more than just a promise of what might not be, is an opportunity, an invitation... to do something now.

A rainbow generally means we're safe. Standing in the doorway, looking out the window, we can see God's promise. We should also be thinking about inviting others to come in out of the storm and be safe with us.

There's the rainbow, Park Avenue! God's promise to us. Our opportunity to invite those around us to come in out of the storm and the rain and encounter the living Christ. There's the rainbow!

The storm is over. But there are others waiting to hear the word. It's our opportunity. Our invitation. It's God's rainbow.

CROSS Ministries Back-to-School Report

2010-08-28T09:42:00.000-05:00

Our friends at CROSS Ministries and Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church have provided this link to see the recent CROSS Ministries report given at Presbytery.

http://gallery.me.com/cgpresby/100114

By following the link, you should be able to view the movie. You may have to scroll down to the "movies" section of the page and then click on the 2010 version with the giraffe.

There are a number of Park Avenue folks who appear in the video, since we helped with organizing materials to be put in the backpacks. But you also get a chance to see just how much impact this event has in our community.

Don't forget, this Sunday (August 29th) we're worshipping in the park at Fort Des Moines Park.

Join us for Worship In the Park, Sunday, August 29th!

2010-08-26T21:17:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, August 29th, Park Avenue Presbyterian Church will be Worshiping in the Park at Fort Des Moines Park on Des Moines' southside.

Fort Des Moines Park is located off of SE 5th Street, at Southridge Mall. Directional signs will be posted at the park. We've reserved Shelter #2--that's the second shelter, near the playground and the restrooms.

Worship begins at 10:00am (that's 1/2 hour later than usual), so if you happen by the church for worship as usual, you'll still have time to get to the park.

Worship will be followed by an all-church picnic. Fried chicken and sides with drinks and desserts and table service will be provided. A free will offering will be received to offset the food costs.

The forecast is for nice weather and we're generally pleasant folks; so venture out and join us for worship as we experience God's good creation firsthand.

JOIN US FOR BACK TO SCHOOL BLESSINGS AUGUST 22ND

2010-08-19T22:06:00.000-05:00

Sunday, August 22nd, Park Avenue Presbyterian Church will include a special blessing for our school-aged children and their backpacks, our school teachers and administrators, and everyone who's "going back to school" and those of us who support them! Here's how it works. During worship, we'll invite our children, parents, teachers, administrators, and the congregation to participate in the blessing. We'll be praying for them, and sending them with the promise of our support and care.

Anyone can participate. Join us for worship at 9:30am this Sunday morning, August 22, 2010.

About: SUNDAY, AUGUST 22ND!!!

2010-08-11T15:45:00.000-05:00

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN!

THE INSECTS ARE ANNOUNCING THE SLOW END TO SUMMER!

THE SMELL OF THE STATE FAIR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER ON THE BREEZE...

AND OUR STUDENTS ARE SOON GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!

SO SUNDAY, AUGUST 22ND, WE'RE INVITING OUR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AND ANY SCHOOL TEACHERS OR ADMINISTRATORS OR STAFF TO JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL BLESSING.

BRING YOUR BACKPACKS OR SCHOOL STUFF AND WE'LL BLESS THEM AND YOU, TOO!

SO PARENTS, REMIND YOUR CHILDREN. AND ADULTS, REMEMBER YOUR BRIEF-CASES OR FOLDERS OR ADMINISTRATIVE KITS. AND JOIN US FOR A BLESSING!

Helping Cross Ministries...

2010-08-02T16:03:00.000-05:00

Sunday, August 1st, members and friends of Park Avenue joined our brothers and sisters with the Two Rivers Regional Partnership of the Presbytery of Des Moines and went to work at Cross Ministries--housed at Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church. This is an annual event, where partnership laborers help to set up and prepare for the CROSS Ministries back-to-school-supply and backpack give-away.

Boxes have to be unpacked, and items have to be unwrapped.

Items have to be carefully counted and prepared for re-packing.

Some additional sorting and re-organizing is always in order.

Each item is prescribed by list and count, by grade, and per backpack.

By this point, things are looking counted, stacked, organized, and ready.

Whew! No looking back, that's a big stack of crayons!

Other groups take over from here. The Annual Back-To-School-Supply Event happens soon. There's always a tremendous need. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,000 backpacks will be prepared for children and their families.

If you'd like to help CROSS Ministries and their back-to-school supply drive, donations can be forwarded to CROSS Ministries at Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church. 1050 24th Street in Des Moines; 50311.

General Assembly and what happens to churches in the meantime...

2010-07-14T16:27:00.000-05:00

I had the privilege of spending several days last week at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s General Assembly. This is the biennial gathering of the governing body for our denomination and includes more than 700 elected leaders from our 173 presbyterys and a number of youth, seminary, and eccumenical advisory delegates.

What happens at General Assembly? All of the commissioners and advisory delegates are divided into committees to consider the business of the whole denomination. This includes setting budgets, confirming staff positions, and acting on a wide range of overtures and recommendations that come from presbyterys and denominational offices. It's like a meeting of congress, a church retreat, a family reunion, and convention all thrown into one thing.

Too much of the time, the work of General Assembly goes unnoticed. It gets buried in the minutia of everybody's daily living. And often, what gets covered in the news media is only what seems to be salicious and controversial.

This year's Assembly, the 219th in our denomination if you're keeping count, acted on a ton of business. And in the hundreds of transactions, there are a few that will garner a lot of attention from a lot of folks as being both good and bad. And here are a few of the things that you might be hearing about.

The General Assembly voted (again) to recommend a change to our church's constitution that would change the language that currently prohibits the ordination of self-avowed practicing gay and lesbian persons.
The General Assembly voted to direct the Board of Pensions to offer benefits to same-sex couples so that individuals covered by our healthcare and pension plans were available to domestic partnerships.
The General Assembly voted to receive a controversial study document and minority report and recommend them for Church study, focused on the issues of peace in the Middle East, particularly addressing the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
The General Assembly discussed, but eventual voted down (twice) a change in the language describing marriage. The proposal would have changed "between a man and a woman" to "between two people." This change would have made the constitution more current for states like Iowa that allow same-sex marriage.

While all of these decisions were made by General Assembly, there's a process before any of them become permanent. First, all the recommendations must be voted on by the 173 member presbyteries of the denomination. And while the General Assembly made "headline news" by making some of these decisions, the process is not completed. Stay tuned. No current policies have been changed. Over the course of the next year (yes, it will take that long) presbyteries will be voting. Most Presbyteries will consider these and other General Assembly actions at meetings this winter, after sufficient time to study and consider the reports.

While the denomination has been making news, or while some of us have been thinking about historic decisions--it will be some time before anything happens.

So now's the time to ask questions, engage church leaders, read official reports, consider the moving of the Holy Spirit. More than just being "for" or "against" such things, Presbyterians are called to discern what God is inviting or asking us to do and be. And we can't "discern" if we've already made up our minds! This is an opportunity for all Presbyterians to learn about the work and inner-workings of our church and to strive together to be a faithful witness to Jesus Christ.

The truth is, that despite these actions, our congregation is called to live out our witness to Jesus--undeterred. What General Assembly decides is important, but it doens't mean that our goals have changed any. What General Assembly enacts is significant, but it doesn't mean that we suddenly have to stop everything we're doing in the name of Jesus. We haven't been called to account, but maybe invited into broader, fuller ministry--and it's still being decided.

So, rather than jump to conclusions and assumptions, let us be called together to acts of discernment. Let us be discerning about what God is calling us to do and be as Presbyterians. Let's ask questions, talk to our congregational leaders, be informed, and stand ready as our presbyteries make their decisions and the work of the church moves forward.

Rev. David R. Stipp-Bethune
Pastor, Park Avenue Presbyterian Church

219th General Assembly (2010) - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

2010-07-10T12:08:00.000-05:00

Here's a link to information about the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The General Assembly has been meeting since July 3rd, and concluded its work on July 10th.

Click on the link below to access the letter written by denominational and General Assembly leaders about the work completed this week in Minneapolis, MN.

219th General Assembly (2010) - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The General Assembly is the highest governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) the denomination to which Park Avenue Presbyterian Church belongs. While there is other work still to be accomplished by our 173 Presbyteries around the country, the work this week in Minneapolis is the beginning.

it's Pentecost

2010-05-20T10:30:00.000-05:00

This Weekend at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church...

2010-05-13T19:36:00.000-05:00

Sunday, May 16th is the last Sunday in Easter. Worship on Sunday will focus on a story from the Early Church about living out the life and witness of Jesus in the world. The Kingdom of God seems strange to a lot of human culture. So come and see how "off the mark" we might be!

Sunday, May 23rd we'll celebrate PENTECOST. Pentecost is the observance of the gift of the Holy Spirit to early believers, what many refer to as the starting point of the Church. On this Sunday we'll be receiving our denomination's Pentecost Offering that goes to support youth and young adult ministries and mission projects. 60% of the offering goes to the denomination's projects; and 40% remains for us to use in our own community. Our congregation has designated that our portion will go to CROSS Ministries, a local outreach agency housed at our sister congregation, Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church.

Sunday, May 30th is Memorial Day Weekend and we'll be celebrating Memorial Dedication Sunday for our congregation, remembering the memorial gifts we've used in the last year for various church projects.

Also on the 30th, our congregation is serving Sunday Sandwiches for a local ministry. We're inviting our congregation to HELP make and package sandwiches to be delivered later in the day.

This is a good time to mention that our Service Committee is meeting tonight, making plans for our Sandwich project on May 30th as well as service projects on June 26th, and in July, and August. For June 26th we'll need cake bakers and servers to serve fro 11am-1pm.

We're active in mission in our community. If you're interested in helping, the old addage is "many hands make light work." And the lighter the work, perhaps, the more we can do.

Our congregation has been instrumental in helping to support the Pioneer League Baseball--a special league for handicapped children. Our committee is designating a gift for the Pioneer League that was started by members in our congregaton 20+ years ago.

We'll also be participating in the annual CROSS Ministries Back-to-School Supply Drive. That will be in July. And, speaking of Back to School, here's a picture from last year's work day at Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church:

This Week at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church...

2010-05-06T11:01:00.000-05:00

SUNDAY, MAY 9TH, is the 6th Sunday in the season of Easter; it's also Mother's Day. So, bring your Mom and join us! We'll again be celebrating the resurrection and new life of Jesus, and by extension the new life God offers to us--for old barriers to be broken, for brokenness to be healed, for chances to start over.

We'll be hearing and concentrating on two Biblical texts in worship this Sunday. We'll be going along with Paul on a Sabbath Day, when he decides to leave the city and go down by the river to look for a place to pray, where he sits with a group and women and speaks to them.

And we'll also find Jesus in Jerusalem healing a man on the Sabbath--where we're told Jesus is thwarting sabbath laws. We'll try and uncover what's really going on, since Jesus seems to be more about putting down sins rather than putting back laws.

To tide you over, here are some pictures of the Pools of Bethsaida in Jerusalem, where we will find Jesus in our gospel story.

A plaque, reminding passers by of Jesus' powerful means to help us--always.

Overlooking the "Sheep Gate" and the Pools of Bethsaida. In Jesus' time, the walls of the city were lower than they are today. Here, or near here, John tells us Jesus encountered a crippled man who was left for 38 years. One Sabbath day, Jesus tells him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk."

One reason the man may have been "left" or that no one would help him, was that too often, human afflictions were wrongly associated with sinfulness. Jesus heals many people whose afflictions are not sin-related; AND, Jesus heals some whose condition appears to people in the story to be the result of their sins. Jesus shows no partiality. Why do we?

See you in Church.

Today was Spring Clean-Up Day at Park Avenue Presbyterian

2010-05-01T14:25:00.000-05:00

Saturday, May 1st was our Annual Spring-Clean Up at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church. We're grateful for everyone who turned out and helped turn the place upside down and get it looking right again.

Now we're ready for worship tomorrow--inside and out!

Here are a few pictures of people working hard:

Mary Smith in the flower garden...

Chuck Russo and Jack O'Neel wrestling a tree...

Jan Nielsen dealing with debris...

L-R: Don Jones, Gary Nielsen, Dan Peterson, Jan Nielsen, Lisa Peterson

Dan Peterson hauling the parking lot gunk away...

Chuck Russo and Bendan Peterson doing some fill-in work...

So come all the way into the life of our congregation. There's work to do and people to work with. There are opportunities to serve and others to serve with. A place to worship, and people to worship with.

If you're If you need a place to belong, if you are hungry for God and eager to follow Jesus, join us in this ministry. You are welcome here; you are needed here.

May Days at Park Avenue

2010-04-29T20:55:00.000-05:00

This weekend we begin the month of May. While the Easter Season continues for the next three weeks, we also have some other special observances.

SUNDAY, MAY 2ND: We celebrate the Lord's Supper during morning worship; join us for the banquet feast of God's Kingdom!

SUNDAY, MAY 9TH: Easter continues, but we'll also be celebrating Mother's Day.

SUNDAY, MAY 16TH: The Last Sunday in the Season of Easter.

SUNDAY, MAY 23RD: PENTECOST! We celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit for believers in Jerusalem and to believers the world over! This is a special liturgical observance. We will receive the Pentecost Offering, a special offering in our denomination. A portion of the offering is set aside for us to use in our community!

SUNDAY, MAY 30TH: This Sunday we'll celebrate Memorial Dedication Sunday. It's also Memorial Day Weekend! We take time on this weekend and in the service to remember those who have gone before us and whose memory strengthens our fellowship and community together.

May is a special time in the life of our Church community as it's a special time in the world around us. May's flowers are in full bloom, as is the Church's celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Come and join us as we celebrate God's many, many blessings!

PC(USA) - Presbyterian News Service - The boat is gone

2010-04-24T20:48:00.000-05:00

Here's a link to remarks our General Assembly Moderator, Byron Wade, shared at a recent event in Northern Minnesota. Check it out if you want some insights into the changes that are upon us.

PC(USA) - Presbyterian News Service - The boat is gone

Our Service Committee is meeting tonight...

2010-04-06T19:56:00.000-05:00

Our Service Committee is meeting tonight. Our Service Committee works to help engage the congregation in mission projects.

We're talking about helping Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church with some of the new needs, since CROSS Ministries, which is headquartered there, is opening a new branch for the DMARC food pantry.
We're discussing how to meet our commitment to help prepare meals for Hope Ministries. 200 sandwhiches and 200 cookies, individually wrapped will be prepared and served.
A month later, we will be providing a side dish, a dessert, or men's deodorant for Hope Ministries.
In August we'll be signing up volunteers to work in the thrift shop for Hope Ministries. So we have projects and need worker hands in June, July, and August! Come join the fun! We'll have details in our church newsletter.
Our participation in our denomination's Pentecost Offering means that 40% of the monies we receive are to be designated by our congregation to local ministries, focused on helping youth and children. We will designate our portion of the offering this year to support the ministry of CROSS Ministries.
Cottage Grove Presbyterian has some work they'd like to share with others. Cleaning out rooms, sorting things for a rummage sale, sweep and clean rooms after items have been removed. April 24, May 1 and May 8. We'd like to make a pitch for our congregation, but these dates aren't working for members of our committee. We're going to advertise to get a group for May 8th and include it in a Minute for Mission on April 11th.
Maybe our own church needs to have a clean-up day--for the exterior, and the interior? Something to think about.

You can look for upcoming mission opportunities in our bulletins, minute for missions in worship, and the newsletter. If you have questions or would like to participate, please contact the church office for additional information or to sign up.

Easter Sunday

2010-04-04T12:24:00.000-05:00

Christ is risen!

He is risen, indeed!

Holy Saturday...

2010-04-04T00:11:00.001-05:00

Some pictures of why we've been waiting. These were taken by my friend Karla in Jerusalem, at the Garden Tomb.

If you're looking for Jesus, don't go to the tomb!

Good Friday...

2010-04-02T23:49:00.000-05:00

Today was Good Friday, traditionally, the day Jesus died--having been crucified at the hands of both religious and political authorities.

The day ends with Jesus being buried near to the place of the crucifixion, in a garden, in a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid.

When I visited Jerusalem last fall, we found the Garden Tomb was very near to our hotel. Unlike the Church of the Holy Sepulcre, the Garden Tomb is owned by a group of Britians who preserve the site that seems to match the stories the gospels present as a likely place where Jesus may have been buried.

My friend Karla took this picture of our friend, Chips, while we were visiting. On this Good Friday, this picture speaks a great deal to me.

Tomorrow is Holy Saturday. A day of waiting.

It's Maundy Thursday...

2010-04-01T11:23:00.000-05:00

Many Christians will celebrate this day primarily remembering two stories. The gospels split 3 to 1 over what happens at the evening meal. John's gospel tells us a story where Jesus takes off his clothes, ties a towel around his waist, takes the role of the lowest servant, and washes his disciples' feet--telling them to do likewise. The other 3 gospels remember that after tonight's meal, Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, gives it to his disciples, telling them that "this bread is my body." Then with the wine, pours a cup and and tells them "this cup is the new covenant in my blood," asking them to do these things "in remembrance of him." And while we celebrate today with the good news of God's awesome, unfathomable love, it's hard for me to celebrate knowing the details that come after.

Not long ago, I had a chance to walk down the Mount of Olives and into Jerusalem, through Gethsemane, up the first-century stairs at what is believed to be Caiphas' house. I walked most of the Via Dolorosa. I remember standing in Gethsemane looking across to the Old City walls. I knew the garden where I was standing wasn't necessarily the place where Jesus would have walked; I knew the city walls had been changed several times since then. In the middle of broad daylight I tried to imagine the darkness and shadows, and what surely would have been the lighted torches of the soldiers coming to try and possess Jesus.

I was convinced that by nightfall, in the darkness, Jesus would have seen them coming.

I have a hard time imagining a "celebration" over dinner ahead of time. Surely the disciples knew, too, that something was afoot. How could they hear Jesus' words and not be perplexed? Like we often are, they seem ready for the inevitable and in denial all at the same time.

On the night before our pilgrimage group was to return home from the Holy Land, we gathered for a "last supper" in Jerusalem. We gathered for worship first, then went to dinner. We sat around large tables, enjoyed several courses, we laughed, we remembered, and we were anxious. In a very few hours we'd board our bus at 1:30am to travel to the airport and begin the long journey home. We knew we'd face the scrutiny of security and the usual uncertainties about air travel; we all had different destinations once we arrived back in the United States. But that worship and that meal together would seal our experiences.

I'd like to think that Jesus gathering with his disciples was more like our experience. That at dinner, among close companions, Jesus shared himself--laughing, remember, calming anxious inner feelings--like everyone around him. That they would remember and share in God's goodness and God's love despite what was going to happen to them.

All too quickly, the meal ends. Jesus goes to Gethsemane. The soldiers of the high priest arrive. Jesus is taken into custody.

Rev. David Stipp-Bethune

It's Wednesday of Holy Week

2010-03-31T10:24:00.000-05:00

It’s Wednesday of Holy Week. For church-folk, particularly pastors, worship leaders, accompanists and musicians—it’s the “calm before the liturgical fallout commences.” Tomorrow begins the Triduum, the traditional observances Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil. We’re at the high-point of the Church liturgical calendar, and the “other” high holy day for many people aside from Christmas. So “WELCOME” as we celebrate the demonstration of God’s Kingdom and the faith of God’s people!

But today’s lectionary reading puts a downer on my last deep breaths of preparation. Mark 12: 1-12:

Then he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 2 When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. 4 And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. 5 Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. 6 He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not read this scripture:

‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
11 this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes’?”

12 When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away.

My wife visited Drake University’s Remembering Hiroshima & Nagasaki: Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-Bomb Exhibit yesterday. As she described for me some of what she saw, including pictures depicting human flesh melting and body parts on fire, I couldn’t help but imagine crucifixion being that kind of horrific image in its own day. And while I suppose a great many people are put off by the idea, I can’t help but be compelled by Jesus’ parable to think that our violent tendencies as human beings are rooted in the great inhumanity we inflict on one another and on Jesus himself.

Jesus knows us as human beings. He knows that our answer is often “to come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.” He knows how we try and justify the violence we do to others—even in the name of defending ourselves or our way of living. He knows we often put greed or our entitlement ahead of others’ basic needs. He knows the challenge of human beings who always believe themselves to somehow be better than others, rather than being equal before God.

As I was reading this morning using an online morning devotional, http://www.d365.org/journeytothecross Sandra Curtis asks, “When the God who owns everything shows up and asks us how we shared, what will we say?”

Knowing that we have returned evil for evil, that we are bent toward violence against one another, that we believe some people are more valuable to God than others, can Easter’s resurrection have the power to give us pause? And can we see in the acts and works of Jesus, the possibility of dissenting from the ways of the world, and enlisting ourselves in the ways of God’s kingdom?

In the calm before the liturgical fallout happens, how can we help Easter renew us and reignite in us the power of God’s claim in and on our lives?

Rev. David Stipp-Bethune

It's Tuesday of Holy Week

2010-03-30T16:54:00.003-05:00

Today's daily lectionary reading from the gospels is Mark 11: 27-33:

27 Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple,
the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him 28 and said, “By what
authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?”
29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell
you by what authority I do these things. 30 Did the baptism of John come from
heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” 31 They argued with one another,
“If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32
But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they were afraid of the crowd, for all
regarded John as truly a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.”
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing
these things.”

And I've always thought that Jesus is offering up a trick question to the chief priests, the scribes, and elders. As if Jesus were trying to get them to lay their liabilities on the table so he could teach them or show them the better way. As if Jesus were trying to play the old shell game--which shell is the ball under--"did John's baptism come from heaven or is it from human origin?"

As usual, the religious authorities are afraid to answer. Maybe it's true--they don't know. But Mark doesn't present it that way. They are hamstrung over which answer to offer so that they can successfully conquer Jesus.

On Tuesday of Holy Week we see Jesus going back to the Temple. Only yesterday, the Temple was equivocated to that fruitless fig tree that got withered. I've always thought that Jesus was interested in seeking the religious authorities "get it," recognizing their weaknesses and abandoning them. Somehow, they never do.

Today, someone asked me a question that I didn't particularly want to answer. I felt like the religious leaders must have felt--"it's really a trick and if I say this or I say that I'll have my head on the chopping block!"

On Tuesday of Holy Week, we all get a chance to go back and re-think, or consider anew. To find Jesus, again, looking a second time at the religious leaders and perhaps asking, "are you ready to think in new ways," "believe the impossible," "be changed forever"? The religious authorities were out to get Jesus, but I don't think Jesus was out to get them in the same way.

If this journey is about seeing in new ways and understanding things anew and second chances and forgiveness; if it's about leaving leaving behind the ideas that we've grown out of and embracing new possibilities... then I'm glad Jesus comes back to us and beckons again--"follow me." What if Jesus is saying that to our church?

Then none of us are really on the chopping block and we have every opportunity to take up the journey with Jesus and follow him.

It's Monday of Holy Week

2010-03-29T14:10:00.002-05:00

Today's reading in the daily lectionary from Mark's gospel follows yesterday's celebration of Palm Sunday:

Mark 11: 12-25

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; 16 and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. 19 And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

20 In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. 24 So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
25 “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

While we're often inclined to think about this passage in relationship to the last several verses, the part about the power of prayer and forgiving others, it shouldn't be lost in this week when we Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus that the gospel writer is inviting us to think about "endings." That may seem strange when everyone's anxious to grasp ahold of the resurrection and jump straight up to heaven.

The gospel offers us a moment of pause when Jesus effectively "ends" the fruitfulness of the fig tree. Perhaps in isolation this event speaks to the power of prayer. But in Mark's gospel, the context comes when Jesus marches up to the Temple in Jerusalem and overturns the tables of the money changers. In this context, is Jesus dealing as well with the ministry or fruitlessness of the Temple and its leadership? And if so, what might this suggest about our congregation?

Sometimes I think that Christians (particularly in the United States) have become far too focused on ourselves, our own needs, and the promise of our own salvation. So we're quick to jump up at Easter and remind ourselves of what God has done for us. But we're often slow at recognizing what God may be intending for others--in our own community or around the world. We're good at recognizing "what God has done for us," not so good at discovering what God is doing for others, too.

For Presbyterians, many discussions about "fruitfulness" and "fruitlessness" bring to mind the loss of members. Our denomination has been declining for some time. We'd like an Easter resurrection to turn that around! But what if the "end" Jesus declares for the fig tree, and seemingly for the Temple and it's leadership has the possibility of giving way to a new form of life?

One of my colleagues asks a question in his reflections on this passage: "If Jesus sauntered by our church one day looking for fruit, what would he find?" Something to think about, not only for those churches that are struggling, but especially for those that are doing well--is our fruit the right kind of fruit, etc.

The Easter journey can be a fruitful one, I believe, if we are willing to ask the hard questions about our life in Jesus. It seems to me that the promise the resurrection offers is also the chance to give up our fruitlessness. If so, what might that mean?

We're Ready to Kick Off Holy Week this Sunday

2010-03-26T23:11:00.002-05:00

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the traditional kick-off to Holy Week. With our new church sign installed, we're ready to walk with Jesus into Jerusalem for the last events of his life. You can join us this Sunday for worship at 9:30am.

Sunday Evening, our congregation participates with Fort Des Moines and Clifton Heights Presbyterian Churches for our last Sunday Evening Lenten study event for this year. 7:00pm at Clifton Heights.

Maundy Thursday will be celebrated next Thursday at Park Avenue at 7:00pm. The Fort Des Moines and Clifton Heights congregations will be joining us. We'll celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Good Friday we worship with the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd at 7:00pm; with Fort Des Moines and Clifton Heights joining, too.

Holy Saturday, we have an Easter Vigil Service at Clifton Heights at 7:00pm with our congregation and Fort Des Moines joining in. A service of Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows will be included.

Easter Sunday, our congregation worships at the usual time of 9:30am.

If you have questions about any of these activities, contact our church office or use our e-mail address: papresbyterian@msn.com.

Today at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church

2010-03-24T10:42:00.002-05:00

We've been waiting for winter to "go away" so that we could have our new church sign installed. We've been "Adventing" about this sigh, that is waiting in hopeful anticipation, and now, the day has come. Joy to Des Moines, our sign has come! Let drivers receive her well!

Easter Preparations in Full Swing

2010-03-22T21:17:00.002-05:00

Over the next two weeks, Park Avenue Presbyterian Church will be celebrating the holiest time of the Christian Year.

This Sunday, March 28th is Palm Sunday--marking the beginning of Holy Week. On Palm Sunday we recount Jesus' entry into Jerusalem for the last time.

During Holy Week, we remember and celebrate the events of Jesus' last days and hours.

Maundy Thursday recounts the night Jesus celebrated the first Passover meal with his disciples, giving them a new commandment to love one another, and gifting the Church with the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

OUR MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST AT 7:OOPM with the congregations at Fort Des Moines and Clifton Heights Presbyterian Churches joining us. We will celebrate the Lord's Supper as a part of this service.

Good Friday recounts the day that Jesus is crucified and dies. Less of a celebration and more of an observance, this is the day Christians remember Christ's suffering and death on the cross.

OUR GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE WITH THE CONGREGATION OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD ON FRIDAY, APRIL 2ND AT 7:00PM. Our congregation and the congregations at Fort Des Moines and Clifton Heights will join our Lutheran brothers and sisters for the traditional observance.

Holy Saturday is a day of waiting between Jesus' death on Friday and the first witnesses of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. Christians wait during this time in prayerful hope of the news of the resurrection. The Easter Vigil is a service of remembering God's promises coming into being, of hopeful anticipation of Christ being raised. The tradition of waiting through the to greet Easter morning gave way to converts being baptized so as to participate with the faithful on Easter morning.

WE WILL CELEBRATE THE EASTER VIGIL WITH WORSHIP ON SATURDAY, APRIL 3RD AT THE CLIFTON HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF EASTER LAKE. Again, Fort Des Moines, Park Avenue, and the Clifton Heights congregations will join together for a service that will include the reaffirmation of baptismal vows.

Easter Sunday is the pinnacle of Christian liturgical celebrations. "Christ is risen!" is the joyous announcement of the faithful.

Our congregation will gather at our usual worship time of 9:30am on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection.

If you have questions about these or other events in the life of our congregation, please contact our church office or e-mail us!

Tonight, our Deacons are meeting...

2010-03-16T19:17:00.002-05:00

Tonight at Park Avenue Presbyterian, our Deacons are meeting. Deacons are an ordained ministry of compassion. Our Deacons have several ministries, primarily serving as as the connection for many of our shut-in members as well as having an active ministry with families of members who have died.

We're talking tonight about some conbined ministry with our Service/Mission Committee who will be working with Hope Ministries in the next few months helping the congregation prepare meals and some other "helping" activities.

We're in the process of updating our mailing and contact lists. We've filled Liaison positions with several church committees and elected a new corresponding Secretary.

It sounds like we're reading to take on a NEW outreach possibility. We're going to have spring/Easter plants for our residents who are in nursing or assisted living facilities.

We'll also be talking about this Summer's meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Minneapolis, MN.

Daily Devotional Available Online

2010-03-09T15:49:00.002-06:00

If you've been looking for a daily devotional, and havn't found one you like in print, or if your struggling to find high-quality personal spiritual resources online, you might want to try this link: http://www.d365.org/. You'll find a devotional for each day, complete with simple prayers, a scripture reading and an written reflection. It can be done in a few minutes, or you can take longer. We commend it to you.

What's Happening this week at Park Avenue

2010-03-04T22:24:00.002-06:00

Sunday, March 7th is the THIRD Sunday in the Season of Lent. It's also the first Sunday of the month, when we celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Join us for morning worship beginning at 9:30am, followed by fellowship and Sunday School for kids and adults.

Sunday evening we continue our Sunday Evening Lenten Study with Fort Des Moines and Clifton Heights Presbyterian Churches. We're meeting this week at Fort Des Moines Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of South Union and Payton. Our study meets from 7 to 8pm each Sunday evening through Palm Sunday.

There are several upcoming meetings next week, including Session on Monday evening and our Memorial Committee on Thursday morning.

Plans are falling into place for our Holy Week Observances. Thursday, April 1st, Maundy Thursday, will be hosted at Park Avenue with Fort Des Moines and Clifton Heights. Friday, April 2nd, Good Friday, will be hosted at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd on SW 9th Street, with Park Avenue, Fort Des Moines, and Clifton Heights Presbyterian Churches and Christ Lutheran Church. Saturday, April 3rd, Easter Vigil will be at Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church with Park Avenue and Fort Des Moines Presbyterian Churches. All services begin at 7:00pm.

If you have questions about events or activities, please don't hesitate to contact our Church Office. E-mail at papresbyterian@msn.com; or 282-8309 by phone.

This Week at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church...

2010-02-21T11:45:00.003-06:00

This morning we celebrated the First Sunday in Lent. The Season of Lent continues over the next 6 weeks until Easter Sunday.

Our congregation, together with Fort Des Moines and Clifton Heights Presbyterian Churches is having a Lenten Bible Study on Sunday Evenings. Because of weather, we'll be starting on Sunday, February 28th, 2010. We're studying Michael Lindvall's Knowing God's Triune Story, selected by GA Moderator, Bruce Rayes-Chow for his 2010 Moderator's Bible Study. We'll meet starting on the 28th from 7-8pm.

We continue to have Sunday School for Adults and Children on Sunday mornings, following our 9:30am worship service.

Goings on at Park Avenue

2010-02-13T11:31:00.002-06:00

This Sunday, February 14, 2010, TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD SUNDAY falls on Valentine's Day. So invite your valentine to join us for worship where we celebrate Jesus being transfigured for us.

Jesus' "transfiguration" marks a TRANSITION in the liturgical calendar as we move from the season of Ordinary Time to the Season of Lent. Mardi Gras is this week--Fat Tuesday--as Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

On WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17TH, we'll celebrate ASH WEDNESDAY with a traditional liturgy including the imposition of ashes. Our Worship Service will begin at 7:00pm in our Chapel (located on the upper floor of our education wing).

Next SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST is the FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT. Lent is a season of penitence in preparation to celebrate Jesus' RESURRECTION on Easter Sunday.

This year our Lenten Services will be marked by reminders about the importance of our baptism and Jesus' work of restoring creation.

SUNDAYS during Lent, we will gather for a special SUNDAY EVENING LENTEN STUDY on Sunday evenings from 7-8pm. Along with Ft. Des Moines Presbyterian Chuch and Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church, we'll be studying Knowing God's Triune Story, by Michael Lindvall. This book has been chosen as the 2010 Moderator's Lenten Bible Study by current General Assembly Moderator, Bruce Reyes-Chow. Stay tuned for details.

When Holy Week arrives, we'll also be celebrating Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.

Thanks for checking us out. See you in worship!

PC(USA) - Presbyterian News Service - Collegial leadership

2010-02-05T17:39:00.000-06:00

Check out this link for some words about ordained pastoral leadership offered by Joe Small, Director of the Office of Theology and Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

PC(USA) - Presbyterian News Service - Collegial leadership

Joe suggests a radical reordering of our understanding of ordained ministry. Is he right?

This Weekend at Park Avenue...

2010-01-22T17:13:00.006-06:00

Oh the weather outside's been frightful...but we're hoping that by Sunday it'll be more delightful, that it definitely won't be so cold, we'll just worship, we'll just worship, we'll just worship!

JOIN US SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30AM for Worship followed by Fellowship.

Just so you know and are we aware, we have had ice in our parking lot. While the streets have been mostly clear, the parking lot poses a particularly slippery walk to the building. We'll check and make sure in plenty of time BEFORE worship that the Church is accessible from the parking lot without too much risk.

We like to make decisions about worship early; and we appreciate being able to postpone activities to a time when we might make it safely. Should we not be able to worship on Sunday, we'll make plans for another date if possible.

But if you're looking for an opportunity to glimpse warmer places, at 2:30pm we have a special program presented by our pastor on his recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Refreshments will begin at 2:30 followed by the program.

THIS SUNDAY AT PARK AVENUE--JANUARY 24TH

2010-01-18T21:52:00.003-06:00

The Sea of Galilee from Mt. Arbel in Israel

This Sunday at Park Avenue... Rev. Stipp Bethune will present a program about his recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Refreshments begin at 2:30pm followed by a multi-media presentation. If you'd like a glimpse of the Holy Land and spiritual pilgrimage, join us!

What's Happening at Park Avenue This Week

2010-01-15T18:30:00.004-06:00

Sunday, January 17th: Worship 10:30am, followed by our Annual Congregational Meeting. Session has invited the congregation to join in a special informational dialogue about the budget for 2010 and beyond. This is an important meeting for all church members, to be held following worship and fellowship.

Tuesday, January 19th: Our Board of Deacons meets at 7:00pm.

Wednesday, January 20th: Our Sr. Citizen's Breakfast gathers at 8:30am at Dahl's Cafe on Fleur.

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 24TH: Rev. Stipp-Bethune will present a special program about his recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We'll begin with refreshments at 2:30pm, followed by the presentation.

IF YOU'VE BEEN SEEING THE NEWS ABOUT HAITI AND ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO HELP...

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has issued an emergency appeal for Haiti, where millions of people have been affected by a major earthquake that struck the country on Tuesday, January 12. PDA is rushing an initial $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds to help provide immediate emergency relief to the affected people. Funds are being sent through our ecumenical and local partners working in Haiti.

What you can do:

You can stand in the gap for disaster survivors and help the church in this response. GIVE. The generous sharing of your financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and special designated giving provide resources needed to assist with immediate and long-term recovery needs. Individuals may give through your local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site, or by sending a check to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); P.O. Box 643700; Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700 Please include the special designated giving account DR000064 – Haiti.

What's happening at Park Avenue...

2010-01-08T19:00:00.002-06:00

This Sunday, January 10th, we are celebrating a special worship service. We will celebrate the reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, commission our congregation, ordain and install new officers, and share in the celebration of the Lord's Supper. It's Baptism of the Lord Sunday when we hear the story of Jesus' baptism and remember our own. It's a special service for God's people. Won't you join us? Worship begins at 9:30am.

Some Christmas Joy

2009-12-26T21:32:00.004-06:00

On Sunday, December 13th, Park Avenue celebrated our annual Children's Christmas Pageant. And as we celebrated the nativity of Jesus this week on Christmas Eve (despite a major winter storm), perhaps these images give us a chance to warm our hearts at the Lord's presence with us once again.

A baby and a sheep waited in the stable for the cast to assemble.

Mary and Joseph came...

...with a whole cast of familiar characters.

And we remember, and are blessed.

A special "thank you" to all who helped make this possible, and to Laura Kutz for sharing the pictures.

We pray your "Christmas" was blessed and bright.

CHRISTMAS EVE ANTICIPATIONS

2009-12-22T21:05:00.002-06:00

AT PRESENT, Park Avenue Presbyterian Church is ready to celebrate the Nativity and Incarnation of Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve, in a special worship service beginning at 8:00pm. This service as planned includes candlelighting and the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Right now, worship is as scheduled. However, the weather forecasts are suggesting ice and snow may be a problem.

We try our best never to "cancel" services, choosing to postpone them until a time when we can safely participate. That will be our plan this week, to attempt a service on Christmas Day if we cannot on Christmas Eve.

If we do change the time of our planned service, we'll update this webpage as well as activate our telephone calling tree within the congregation, and send word to local media outlets. So please, stay tuned.

As always, everyone needs to make safe decisions about your own ability and willigness to attend worship in inclement weather. Though many streets may be relatively clear, our parking lot can be another issue.

In the mean time, God's blessings be with you in this special holiday season.

Here's what's Happening at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church:

2009-12-17T22:45:00.002-06:00

This weekend we observe the LAST SUNDAY in the season of Advent. The celebration of the Incarnation--Christmas--is celebrated next week.

This Sunday we receive the Christmas Joy Offering during morning worship.
Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Worship Service begins Thursday, December 24th at 8:00pm. Join us for a special service to begin the Christmas Season.
CHRISTMAS lasts from December 25th through January 6th.
Sunday, December 27th we will be celebrating Christmas and singing some of our favorite Christmas Hymns!

If you're looking ahead to next year:

Sunday, January 3rd is the second Sunday after Christmas.
Sunday, January 10th we will ordain and install new officers, reaffirm our baptismal vows, have a special commissioning service for the congregation, and celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper during morning worship.
Sunday, January 17th is our Annual Congregational Meeting--a meeting for the whole congregation following morning worship.

As always, thanks for checking us out! Have a blessed conclusion to your Advent and a captivating experience of the incarnation!

Here's what's happening at Park Avenue this week...

2009-12-10T22:50:00.002-06:00

Here's what's happening at Park Avenue this week.

In case you were wondering, our parking lot has been PLOWED. We have lots of parking available. However, the city plowed across the south entrances to the lot today (off of SW 10th and Boulder). You can still access the parking lot off of SW 9th street and Pleasant View.
Sunday is our annual Children's Christmas Program Presentation during morning worship. Join us for a special presentation of the Christmas story offered by our youth and children.
This is the THIRD week in Advent. We'll hear a minute for mission about the Christmas Joy Offering that we'll receive during morning worship on December 20th.
Our Memorial Committee meeting, that was scheduled for Thursday, December 10th, has been RESCHEDULED FOR Thursday, December 17th.

If you're making plans for Christmas Celebrations, please note the following:

Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service will be held on Thursday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) at 8:00pm. We will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and sing LOTS of Christmas hymns during this service.
We DO NOT have Christmas Day Services.
Sunday, December 27th is the First Sunday after Christmas. We will be singing Christmas hymns during this service.
Sunday, January 3rd, will be the Second Sunday after Christmas, with Christmas hymns sung during the service.
Sunday, January 10th, we will celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, a service that will include reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows and Commissioning of the congregation; the ordination and installation of newly elected officers, and the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

Many people appreciate knowing our winter-weather cancellation policy. We try to decide earlier rather than later about postponing any worship or church-related activities. We make every effort not to "cancel" but to "postpone" and "reschedule" the worship event or activities to a time when the weather should permit.

We try to get word out using a calling-tree to notify congregation members, but also post online and use local television stations for weather-related concerns.

Thanks for checking us out! We pray you are having a blessed Advent Season and look forward to seeing you in worship!

We're having a Service/Mission Committee Meeting tonight...

2009-12-02T19:08:00.002-06:00

Here are some of the things our Service/Mission Committee is talking about tonight:

We're making plans to participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring Offering on Super Bowl Sunday (February 7th) and to have a Church World Service "Blanket Sunday" on February 28th.
We're trying to work on our Presbytery Pledge for 2010--the money we will be able to give for General Mission to our denomination and local governing body.
We "think" that Sunday, January 24th will be a good date for Rev. Stipp-Bethune to have a program about his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. A part of the program will be inviting folks to contribute money for Computers for Mar Elias Educational Institutions in Ibillin, Galilee. We'll have food and a program with pictures.

Our next Service/ Mission Committee meeting will be Wednesday, January 13th at 7:30pm.

Blessings,

David Stipp-Bethune

What's Happening at Park Avenue...

2009-11-26T22:31:00.002-06:00

Here's what's going on at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church:

This Sunday, November 29th, is the FIRST SUNDAY in the Season of Advent. Advent is the season anticipating the coming of Jesus at Christmas. We'll begin our worship service by "Hanging the Greens" in preparation for celebrating this special season.

Sunday, December 6th, our worship service will include the celebration of the Lord's Supper (or Communion).

Our Children are preparing for the Annual Christmas Program, to be a part of Morning Worship on Sunday, December 13th.

We will receive the Christmas Joy Offering on Sunday, December 20th.

Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service will be December 24th at 8:00pm.

...from Jerusalem

2009-11-06T12:56:00.005-06:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am writing from Jerusalem where we are staying across the street from the Damascas Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem. We have had a wonderful journey to this point. We spent a week in Galilee along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and now are spending a week in Jerusalem. Today, we walked into the Old City from the Mt. of Olives, and followed the via dolorosa, visiting most of the 14 stations of the cross in the Old City. We got to see some of the very old parts of the city, as well as some stones that date back to at least the first century. Literally walking where people have walked for more than 2,000 years, it's a humble reflection on our nation that is less than 300 years old!

We spent time this morning in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before his betrayal, arrest, trial, suffering and death. The olive trees and their offshoots are also dated to the time of Jesus--but olive trees don't have rings that divulge their age! We visited the Church of all Nations which bears the "rock" on which Jesus supposedly prayed that night in Gethsemane when his disciples could not keep awake.

Jerusalem has yet to make its full impression on me. I'm struck by the fact that while Jesus comes to Jerusalem with a purpose, and suffers and dies here, the story moves out from here into all the world. I'm feeling much more a part of that story tonight, than I am the one where Jesus dies.

What is really powerful about being in Jerusalem is the history. Parts of the Old City date back to the Hasmonean period, which is King David and Solomon, close to 1,000 years before Jesus. The part of that city are long since "buried" under the many other things that have happened here. There is a long list of "conquorers" who transformed the city, sometimes destroying things and building over them; sometimes "reusing" buildings that were already here; sometimes cutting things off and building around them or through them. What an amazing place with such rich history, all of it intertwining with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim history.

This is truly an amazing place to simply walk and be, surrounded by thousands of other pilgrims, coming to touch and be touched by "holy places."

Our small group had a long conversation today about how our tradition doesn't have these kinds of "holy places." We are used to the idea of making holy any number of places or spaces as we need them and use them. It's different from some of these places in Jerusalem that are contested among the Christians, let along the Jews and Muslims. For example, the Church of the Holy Sepulcre is "owned" by no less than 6 Christian groups, including Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Armenian Christians, Ethiopian Christians; they do not always get along, and so since the 12th Century, a Muslim family has been the responsible keepers of the keys to the church. You think Presbyterians have a hard time with change--we saw a ladder that's remained in place for more than 80 years because they can't agree on the repair work that needs to be done!

As I think about our congregation in Des Moines, I'm struck by the amazing opportunities we have to witness to joy and justice and promise of God's reign--and not be distracted by our differences of opinion. We have the blessing of sharing with the world the love of God in Jesus Christ--the power to reshape lives. We have the promise of not being people who are corrupted because of what we believe, but empowered by the faith that moves mountains. And I hope that we are together, bearing a witness to what God intends to be in the world--the one who loves us beyond measure.

Our group leader reminded us that this partof the world has always been oppressed. The list of conquorers is long and detailed in human history. We don't believe this is what God intended, but we know this has been the way it is. We are daring to hope for peace in a world that's always been ripe for violence. A wise man shared with our group earlier this week, "God does not kill." We are trying to be mindful.

Blessings be to you this week, as you prepare to worship in Des Moines on SW 9th Street--and we ready ourselves to worship in Jerusalem and in Bethlehem.

Shalom,

Rev. David Stipp-Bethune

What's Happening at Park Avenue This Week

2009-10-24T20:51:00.002-05:00

Here's what's happening at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church this week:

Sunday School for Children has begun again. The Sunday School Hour follows worship (at 9:30am) and fellowship (10:45am).
Rev. Stipp-Bethune is back preaching this week after two weeks being away on paternity leave.
During Morning Worship, we will celebrate Reformation Sunday as well as a special Commissioning Service for Rev. Stipp-Bethune, who leave this week for a two-week pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Rev. Stipp-Bethune will be traveling with the "A Journey of Faith" Program at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia; the group is composed of 20 church pastors and two group leaders. They'll spend a week in Galilee and another week in and around Jerusalem. You can follow the journey at: www.journeyoffaith2009.blogspot.com.

Next Sunday is a special observance that doesn't often fall on a Sunday: All Saints Day. The Rev. Marcy Campbell will be preaching and leading worship which will include the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Rev. Campbell is a member of Des Moines Presbytery and lives in West Des Moines.
Sunday, November 8th our congregation will celebrate our annual Veteran's Service. Worship will be led by our Director of Music, Dean Zingg, and we will recognize those who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces.

Some other things going on in the days and weeks ahead:

Stewardship Season has begun, with Stewardship Letters soon to be sent to congregation members. We will celebrate Stewardship Dedication Sunday on November 15th when we will receive and dedicate pledge cards.
Sunday, November 22nd is Christ the King Sunday--the last Sunday of the Church year. We will have a special celebration, including celebrating the sacrament of baptism.
Wednesday, November 25th we will celebrate our annual Thanksgiving Eve Service with Fort Des Moines and Clifton Heights Presbyterian Churches and Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and Christ Lutheran Churches. The service will be at 7:00pm at Fort Des Moines Presbyterian Church (located at the corner of South Union and Payton streets).
Sunday, November 29th is the FIRST SUNDAY of the season of ADVENT. Advent is the season of waiting and preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Our worship service will begin with the Hanging of the Greens in preparation for the Season.

Thanks for checking us out!

What's Happening this Week at Park Avenue

2009-10-17T16:00:00.002-05:00

Thanks for checking out what's happening in our congregation.

This Week's Happenings at Park Avenue:

This Sunday, October 18th, we're participating in the Two Rivers Regional Partnership Pulpit Exchange. We're welcoming Patti Spencer-Burdette to our pulpit.
Our Adult Sunday School continues its study of Dietrich Bonhoffer. They meet after worship and fellowship.
This week we begin our fall Children's Sunday School program.
Sunday, October 25th, we will participate in a special commissioning service for Rev. Stipp-Bethune, acknowledging his upcoming pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

What's Happening at Park Avenue

2009-10-02T23:53:00.003-05:00

Thanks for checking out what's happening in our congregation.

This Week's Happenings at Park Avenue:

This Sunday, October 4th, we celebrate World Communion Sunday. We will share the Lord's Supper in our congregation, along with churches all over the world. World Communion Sunday is a special day of Christian Unity.
This Sunday, part of our offering will be received for THE RURAL PARTNERSHIP OFFERING for the Presbytery of Des Moines. The Rural Partnership Offering goes to support mission projects in our Presbytery and around the world. Our Sister Parish in El Salvador, an international mission opportunity in our Presbytery and Denise England (PCUSA missionary in Egypt) will receive portions of the offering.
Our Adult Sunday School continues its study of Dietrich Bonhoffer. They meet after worship and fellowship.
Children's Sunday School may start on October 18th.

Next Sunday, October 11th, we welcome the Rev. Bob Cook to our pulpit. Bob previously served as an Interim Pastor at Park Avenue.

Sunday, October 18th, we'll participate in the Two Rivers Regional Partnership Pulpit Exchange.

Sunday, October 25th, we will participate in a special commissioning service for Rev. Stipp-Bethune, acknowledging his upcoming pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

What's Happening at Park Avenue

2009-09-26T14:12:00.002-05:00

These are the things we've got going on at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church in the days ahead.

This week's events:

Sunday, September 27th we're celebrating the 26th Sunday in Ordinary time.
We have a Congregational Meeting to elect Church Officers to be held at the end of worship this week.
The October Newsletter will be available for pick-up after worship.
Our Adult Sunday School class continues it's study of Dietrich Bonhoffer. The Adult Class meets following morning worship and fellowship.
Wednesday, September 30th, our Service/Mission Committee meets at 7:00pm at the Church.

Next Sunday, October 4th is World Communion Sunday

A Word about World Communion Sunday, OCTOBER 4TH:

World Communion Sunday is celebrated by Christians around the world. It's a day of celebrating Christian Unity, joining together in the celebration of the banquet feast of the kingdom of God. Our congregation, joining thousands of others, will celebrate the Lord's Supper during morning worship. You don't have to be Presbyterian in order to participate; all those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are invited to join us.

Also on World Communion Sunday, we will receive the Rural Partnership Offering--an offering collected by our Presbytery to be used to support mission projects and opportunities supported by the Presbytery of Des Moines.

FUTURE EVENTS THAT ARE COMING UP...

Sunday October 11th, we will welcome the Rev. Bob Cook to our pulpit.
Sunday October 18th we will participate in the Two Rivers Regional Partnership's Annual Pulpit Exchange.
Sunday, October 25th, we will have a special Commissioning Service for Rev. Stipp-Bethune, acknowledging his upcoming pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

As always, thank you for checking us out. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 9:30AM.

This Week at Park Avenue...

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Here's what's happening at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church this week:

Church Calendar of This week's Events:

Sunday, September 20th we're Celebrating Theological Education Sunday in our denomination. It's also the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time--which means only 10 more weeks until Advent!
Our Adult Sunday School class has resumed for Adults. They meet each week following morning worship and fellowship.
The deadline for the October Newsletter has passed. If you have items that need to be included, bring them to church this Sunday!

FUTURE EVENTS THAT ARE COMING UP...

Our congregation will have a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, September 27th for the purpose of electing Church Officers in the class of 2012. Our Presbytery is celebrating the Ordination of Brian Diebold at a 4pm service at First Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa.
October 4th is WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY. We will celebrate the Lord's Supper as well as receive the RURAL PARTNERSHIP OFFERING during morning worship.
Sunday October 11th, we will welcome the Rev. Bob Cook to our pulpit.
Sunday October 18th we will participate in the Two Rivers Regional Partnership's Annual Pulpit Exchange.

Thanks for tuning in. Join us for Worship on Sunday mornings at 9:30AM.

Weekly Update

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Here are the upcoming events and activities at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church:

Church Calendar of This week's Events:

Sunday, September 6th, we celebrate the Lord's Supper during Morning Worship. This is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Monday, September 7th is Labor Day. Church Offices are closed in observance of the holiday.
Thursday, September 10th, our Memorial Committee meets at 10:00am at the Church.

We're looking forward to Sunday, September 13th when our Adult Sunday School Class will resume. The Adults meet following worship and fellowship each Sunday during the fall; it can be hit and miss around all the holidays, and they resume a regular schedule through the spring.
We will also have Sunday School for Children, still yet to be scheduled. We'll keep you posted!

Upcoming Dates, Reminders, and Events:

September 10th is the deadline for Session Packet items.
September 18th is the deadline for Newsletter Submissions.
September 20th is Theological Education Sunday.

Thanks for tuning in!

Recent Activities at Park Avenue

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What did we do on our summer vacation?

Each year, we take a Sunday and celebrate "Worship in the Park." We leave the friendly confines of our familiar sanctuary and venture out to the familiar outdoors of Fort Des Moines Park.

We worship.

We enjoy sitting closer together.

We might worry a bit about how cool this particular Sunday turned out to be.

And we look forward to lunch afterwards!

But mostly, we just share and enjoy the presence of the Lord!

We'll be back at our familiar location this Sunday at 3120 SW 9th Street. Join us for worship, and we'll see you there.

Weekly Update

2009-08-27T22:55:00.004-05:00

Here are the upcoming events and activities at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church:

Church Calendar of This week's Events

Sunday, August 30th is Worship in the Park. Our congregation will worship at Fort Des Moines Park (located off of SE 5th Street south of Army Post Road). Worship begins later, at 10:00am. Worship is followed by fellowship and then a fried chicken luncheon with all the fixins. Bring yourself, your appetite, and a little something for the free-will offering to cover the cost of the food. Table service and plates, drinks and cups will all be provided. It's our annual pilgrimage and the weather forecast looks, "nice."

Sunday afternoon, the Presbytery of Des Moines is celebrating the ordination of Cyndy Ripperger to the office of Minister of Word and Sacrament in a special worhsip service at First Presbyterian Church in Creston, Iowa. Rev. Stipp-Bethune will be preaching at the 4pm service there. Anyone who's interested is welcome to attend.

FUTURE EVENTS:

Sunday, September 6th our congregaiton will celebrate the Lord's Supper during morning worship.

Monday, September 7th is Labor Day. Our church offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.

Our Memorial Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, September 10th at 10:00am at the Church.

Rally Day, the traditional return of Sunday School classes for Adults and Children is Sunday, September 13th.

We're saving a place for you! Come and join us for worship and more.

Weekly Update

2009-08-21T15:38:00.002-05:00

Here are the upcoming events and activities at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church:

Church Calendar of This Week’s Events:

Sunday, August 23rd, we celebrate the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time. Worship begins at 9:30am, followed by fellowship.

FUTURE EVENTS:

Next Sunday, August 30th, is our annual "Worship in the Park" at Ft. Des Park [the county park is located off of SE 5th street just south of Army Post Road (the entrance is by Southridge Mall)]. We’ll be worshipping and eating at Shelter #2—drive through the park until you pass the modern toilets and playground. The parking area is paved and there are good sidewalks. There are plenty of picnic tables, so you don’t need to bring chairs.
Worship in the Park Worship begins at 10:00am--so you can leave home a little later. If, by chance, you go to the church as usual, you'll still have plenty of time to travel to the Park for worship at 10!
Following worship, we'll share fellowship and a meal of fried chicken with the usual sides. You need only to bring your person and your appetite, and a donation for the free-will offering to cover the costs. Food, plates, table service, drink, etc. will be provided.

Also, Next Sunday, August 30th, the Presbytery of Des Moines will celebrate the Ordination of Cyndy Ripperger to the office of Minister of Word and Sacrament at a 4:00pm service at First Presbyterian Church in Creston, Iowa. Rev. Stipp-Bethune is serving on the ordination commission and preaching for this service. Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Our Worship Service on Sunday, September 6th, will be at our regular worship hour of 9:30am at the Church, and will include the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

Recent Events and Activities at Park Avenue

2009-08-13T11:36:00.002-05:00

Park Avenue hosted PC(USA) Missionary, Denise England for an Ice Cream Social. Denise (wearing green) works in Egypt as a nurse-consultant and has served for a year in hospitals and geriatric units in Cairo.

An annual event, usually the first week of August is the CROSS Ministries Back to School Give-Away. Park Avenue joins with our Two Rivers Partnership with 7 other Presbyterian Churches in Des Moines, and helps to get supplies ready to be packed in backpacks and given away.

Boxes must be sorted and unpacked.

Supplies have to be sorted.

Each table has a different class with different supplies.

Supplies must be stacked, ready to be packed.

Park Avenue members were joined by Presbyterians across Des Moines to get things ready. 1,200 backpacks, packed with school supplies, were given away by CROSS Ministries on August 6th and 7th.

Weekly Update

2009-08-13T11:19:00.006-05:00

Here are the upcoming events and activities at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church:

Church Calendar of This Week’s Events:

Sunday, August 16th: Worship at 9:30am. A celebration of the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Wednesday, August 19th: Our PAPC Sr. Citizen’s Breakfast meets at Dahl’s Café on Fleur Drive at 8:30am.

A NOTE ABOUT WORSHIP ON AUGUST 30TH: August 30th we will have “Worship in the Park.” We have again reserved a shelter at Ft. Des Moines Park, off of SE 5th Street, by Southridge Mall. There are restrooms near-by; and the shelter is accessible on paved surfaces (which means you don’t have to travel through the grass to get to worship!) Mark your calendars and plan to join us. Worship will begin at 10am—allowing a 30-minute window for you to get from the church to the park if you forget!

The Calling of the Church

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In the "Foundations of Presbyterian Polity", Presbyterian congregations are described as "Christ's faithful evangelists." Evangelism is often described as those activities designed to go out and compel new members to become a part of a Christian community; but one would be remiss ending there. Being "faithful evangelists" for Presbyterians means additionally:

Demonstrating by the love of its members for one another and by the quality of its common life the new reality in Christ;
Sharing in worship, fellowship, and nurture, practicing a deepened life of prayer and service under the guidance of the Holy Spirit;
Participating in God's activity in the world through healing, reconciling, and binding up wounds; ministering to the needs of the poor, sick, and lonely; engaging in the struggle to free people from sin and oppression; giving itself in the service of those who suffer; and bearing witness to the establishment of Christ's just, peaceable, and loving rule in the world.

These are the things we are hopeful about declaring using this new weblog. Ours is a community that seeks to fulfill not just what we think is good for us, but a community that hopes to bring God to the world. We believe that Sin is forgiven, that Reconciliation is accomplished, and that the dividing walls of hostility are torn down. We believe God makes a difference in our lives, and that our sharing our encounter with God offers the world a new perspective. We believe that sharing in the simple things of faith, we are sustained by a living God who enables us to live in new ways. That "new life" isn't just reserved for an after-life, but that new life is possible, now. We're seeking to be different, and to be made different by our living encounters with God.

Our plan is to update this blog weekly, sharing the news of our congregation and inviting everyone to join us in celebrating God's goodness. Check in to see what's happening, and don't hesitate to let us know how we're doing.