Dear Church Family and Friends,

My friend, Suzy Law, who is the music director at First Presbyterian Church in Sapulpa, OK, says that “Originality is the noble goal of all philosophers and musicians of note. Therefore, to be right as rain, I must avoid trite sayings at all costs.”

I agree. After all, clichés are a dime a dozen. At the drop of a hat, I am often tempted to go against the grain and hunker down with a good convenient saying. But if the shoe fits, I always say, wear it! Sometimes I miss the boat by saying things I later regret, like “money doesn’t grow on trees” and “not for all the tea in China.”

It’s especially easy to do in a sermon. Like a kid in a candy store I test the waters with sayings that are old as dirt. I am occasionally called on this, being accused of the same song and dance, however, when I run up a trial balloon, everyone seems pleased as punch and once again I am out of the woods. When we are on the same page, we play with the hand we are dealt, just like the big boys. Rome wasn’t built in a day and sermon sayings are often the ace in the hole we need. Now I may be barking up the wrong tree, because sometimes it’s an uphill battle to try and say something unique. It’s easy as falling off a log to resort to squeaking through a sermon by the skin of my teeth.

So, I have taken you down the garden path with my silly little sayings. But in all seriousness, sayings can sometimes hold volumes of truth. Take the Book of Proverbs, for instance. It is filled with wonderful quotes. I bet you can think of some yourself. Who hasn’t quoted, “spare the rod, and spoil the child.” Or, “a soft answer turns away wrath”. And, “pride goes before the fall.”

Sometimes, people think sayings are in the Bible when they are not. For example, “God helps those who help themselves” and “moderation in all things” are not anywhere in Scripture. Neither are: “to thine own self be true” and “cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Actually, there are those who would argue that the proverbs I quoted in the above paragraph aren’t even in the Bible because those exact words are not used. And, in some translations, it is difficult to ferret out the quotation that we know as familiar.

I think the important thing to remember is that whether we use often heard phrases to communicate God’s love for us, or verbatim Scriptural quotes to convey it; sharing our love and commitment to Jesus Christ is always profound and original when it comes from the heart. Share your story today with someone new.

Your Pastor,

Nancy Taylor

Wee Kirk Conference

October 5 - 7

Held at Western Hills Guest Ranch

In Wagoner, OK

Velma D. Blandford Library

Here’s the scoop on the new stuff.

Fred Reed has given the library 2 DVD’s containing the August 18th Veterans’ Dinner. Thanks, Fred!

Large print books: A Simple Christmas by Huckabee, The Perfect Christmas by Macomber, A Dream to Call My Own by Peterson, The Shadow of Your Smile by Clark, Honeysuckle Summer by Woods.

Waiting for you in regular print: Forsaken by Jordan, House Rules by Picoult and Bitter Sweet by Spencer (these two are good stories, the donors say), and all three books in the Sommerfield Trilogy by popular Christian author, Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Two new-to-us regular print books I have enjoyed this month: 100 Currier & Ives Favorites has color prints with interesting commentaries for each print. It’s a good breakfast book; it lies flat so you can read while you eat. Sam

Levenson’s book, In One Era & Out the Other is his “loving, laughing reach of hands across the generation gap.” I laughed, I smiled, I remembered. You will, too.

Kathryn Templin, Librarian

Please sign up now!

To help with our

First Presbyterian Church Booth

At the

Baxter County Fair!

September 15 - 18

Lots of slots are available

Bulletin board in the hallway

Between the sanctuary and fellowship hall

During the heat of summer, and a hot summer it has been, I am focusing on our Christmas music. The choir has met two times in August to work on our Christmas Cantata, “Born a Savior, Born a King” by John Purifoy which will be presented the second Sunday, December 12th

Our cantata last year in December 2009 was “Touched by a Child, Touched by a King”, another cantata by John Purifoy.

I would like to recognize and thank everyone who provided us with special music during our Sunday a.m. services this past summer. Those persons are:

Pat Baker, Sharon Boatright, Charlotte Cherry,

The Barjoch Strings (Betty Dykstra, Arline Shaw, and Ellen Pugh), Lillian Euers, Wayne Faust, Lucy Hewitt, Netta and Bill Hoversten, Janet Newman, and Nancy Pool.

We welcome new member Bev Preble, and we still have room for new members. I encourage anyone who would like to sing with us to contact me or a choir member. We will be in the choir loft on Sunday, September 12th.

Marilyn Seel

Beth Moore Simulcast

“Living Proof Live”

Saturday, September 18

Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

Event is from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cost is $25, includes lunch

Held at First Baptist Church, Mountain Home

We have several ladies from our church already signed up.

If you are interested in going,

Please contact Pastor Nancy soon!

A Word of Thanks

A Big Thank You

To all those who helped to make

Our Salute to Veterans Party

Such a success!

A DVD of the program

Is now available

You may stop by and check it out

From the library

God Bless America!

Losing two brothers in two months was heartbreaking. Thank you all for what you did, what you said and who you are.

I will always be grateful for your thoughtfulness and consideration.

Phyllis Gladson

Dear Church Friends,

I wish to thank you for all of your sincere prayers and good wishes during my illness. They were much appreciated.

With love, Donna Gamelin

Dear Friends,

When illness strikes in the wee hours and lands you in the hospital, you really are grateful for the care and caring of others.

Thank you for your prayers, calls, and cards. Thank you, Karen and Pastor Nancy for your visits.

Kathryn Templin

Thank you so much for all the cards while I was in the hospital and after I came home. I also want to thank a special friend for his homemade chicken soup. It is amazing to me how many caring people there are in our church family. It means the world to me to have you care. My new knee is doing really good and I am very pleased with it. Thank you again for all the care you have shown me.

Kay Kunkel

Dear Members of the Presbyterian Congregation,

Thanks for thinking of me with your card. I very much appreciated receiving it.

Where as it is nice to be back with family and friends, it is difficult to leave my friends in Arkansas behind.

Thank you all for being a part of my life, especially after the death of Norbert. Should I have the opportunity in the future to return to Arkansas for any reason, I will hope to see some of you then.

With warm wishes,

Virginia Hartzheim

The Congregation extends sympathy to the family of Mr. David Schuetz who passed away Friday, July 23, 2010 at Care Manor Nursing Home, at the age of 100. Memorial services were held Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel, with The Reverend Nancy L. Taylor officiating.

The Congregation extends sympathy to the family of Mrs. Ruth Steffan who passed away Thursday, July 22, 2010 at Hospice of the Ozarks House, at the age of 89. Memorial services were held Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church with The Reverend Nancy L. Taylor officiating.

The Congregation extends sympathy to the family of Mrs. Betty Jean Brave who passed away Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at Good Samaritan Village, at the age of 78. Funeral services were held Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Kirby Family Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Fred Taylor officiating.

Page 6 September 2010

September 22, 5:30 p.m.

Program will be a presentation by

Arkansas Cursillo

Learn about this inspiring retreat

Held twice a year at Ferncliff Camp

Report from Personnel and Administrative Committee

The members of the Personnel and Administrative Committee are Janet Newman, Moderator, Ralph Gillespie, Vice-Moderator, Judy Faust, Barb Hough, Doris Nichele, Kathryn Templin, and Rev. Nancy Taylor. We meet the fourth Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m.

The Committee set three goals for the year:

1. Revising the guidelines of the committee

2. Developing a standardized form for staff evaluations.

3. Updating and developing standardized staff position descriptions.

These goals have been accomplished.

In July, individual reviews of each staff member were conducted. The reviewing persons were Rev. Nancy Taylor, and moderators of various committees.

The church is blessed to have such an outstanding staff consisting of: Rev. Nancy Taylor, Minister; Ruth Hough, Office Manager; Chris Constantine, sound engineer; Amy Kellum, custodian; Marilyn Seel, choir director/organist; Helen Harding, part-time secretary, and Carolyn Saul part-time secretary.

The nursery attendant position is vacant and at the moment is being filled with volunteers from the congregation.

Janet NewmanModerator of Personnel and Administrative Committee

Mark your calendars for

Sunday, September 12

We will kick off our Sunday School Program

For 2010-2011 at 9:00 a.m.

Following the 10:00 worship service,

We will have our Annual Church Picnic

Please join us!

Dear Church Family,

I am so blessed to be a part of such a loving church home!

First, I want to thank you all for the cards, prayers and good thoughts during my recent bout with melanoma. I am happy to report that the melanoma was completely removed and no further treatment is required - praise God!

And how can I even begin to tell you how very much I appreciate the recognition and celebration of my ministry anniversaries - 1 year here at FPCMH - and 15 as an ordained pastor! The cake was lovely and delicious! And the roses! As I sit writing this thank you note, I am still enjoying the beauty and the fragrance of this thoughtful gift.

My prayer is that I may continue in joyful ministry for many, many years to come!

God bless you all, Pastor Nancy

September 11, 1-4 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church

Sponsored by

Christian Education Committee

A little girl became restless as the preacher’s sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered. “Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go’?”

A boy was watching his father, a pastor, write a sermon “How do you know what to say?” he asked “Why, God tells me.” “Oh, then why do you keep crossing things out?”

A little girl was sitting on her grandfather’s lap as he read her a bedtime story From time to time, she would take her eves off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again. Finally she spoke up, “Grandpa, did God make you’?” “Yes, sweetheart,” he answered, “God made me a long time ago ““Oh,” she paused, “Grandpa, did God make me too?” “Yes, indeed, honey,” he said, “God made you just a little while ago.” Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, “God’s getting better at it, isn’t he’?”

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Begins September 8, 10:00 a.m.

We will be studying Isaiah this semester

Books are available in the church office

And are $6 each

More trivia from my cousin, the professor.

Q: Why are many coin banks shaped like pigs?

A: Long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made with a dense orange clay called “pygg”. When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as “pygg banks.” When an English potter misunderstood the word, he made a bank that resembled a pig. And it caught on.

Q: Why do men’s clothes have buttons on the right while women’s clothes have buttons on the left?

A: When buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid’s right. And that’s where women’s buttons have remained since.

Q: Why do X’s at the end of a letter signify kisses?

A: In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous

Q: Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called “passing the buck”?

A: In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility, he would “pass the buck” to the next player.

Q: Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast?

A: It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink. To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host. Both men would drink it simultaneously. When a guest trusted his host, he would then just touch or clink the host’s glass with his own.

Q: Why are people in the public eye said to be “in the limelight”?

A: Invented in 1825, limelight was used in lighthouses and stage lighting by burning a cylinder of lime which produced a brilliant light. In the theatre, performers on stage “in the limelight” were seen by the audience to be the center of attention.