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Newsletter for August 12, 2022
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Our Sunday Summer Schedule:
8:30 a.m. Arise! Unplugged worship in the Tree of Life Chapel
10:00 a.m. Traditional worship in the Sanctuary
***Reopening Task Force Update***
Due to rising COVID numbers, the church's Reopening Task Force encourages and welcomes all to wear a mask while in the church building.
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New Hire Updates by Rev. Dr. Bill Smutz
Two new employees will begin their service to First Presbyterian Church on Monday, August 15. I am both delighted and excited about their becoming part of our staff team!
The plan is to have a photo and more extensive biography in the next newsletter, but let’s briefly meet our two newest team members:
Bill Larson – Yes, another ‘Bill’ is joining the staff! Can you ever really have too many people with the great name of Bill😊? Bill will be serving as the church’s Business Administrator. This is a diverse position which includes responsibilities in the areas of finance, office operations, physical plant operations, and much more. For the past 19 years, Bill has been managing operations at the Edison Theater on the Washington University campus. He brings a wide range of important skills and experience to First Presbyterian!
Megan Ligeti – Megan will be serving First Presbyterian in the vital area of Communications. Through this programmatic-level position she will be helping to identify and convey the church’s “brand” to the congregation, as well as the larger community and beyond; which is a critical need for thriving 21st Century churches. Megan’s portfolio involves the website, current and new social media platforms, the electronic sign at the corner of Adams & Kirkwood Roads, and the design and look of all church publications. Megan’s background includes advertising as well as similar work for another church in the St. Louis area.
While Bill & Megan will not have a lot of Sunday morning visibility, I trust that all of us will extend to them our typical open-arms and open-hearts welcome to First Presbyterian!
These two positions, and these two people, mark a significant step for the congregation. Their joining the staff team reflects the desire of the hard-working members of our Session to enable First Presbyterian to remain vital and nimble in the present day, as well as provide a strong foundation for faithful ministry and leadership with the next pastor.
This kind of commitment to God’s future requires resources – all of us sharing our spiritual and financial resources. The upcoming stewardship appeal will invite us to consider afresh our part in the mission and ministry of the church through our giving dollars and time. In the meantime, keeping current with our pledge giving – especially during summer months when we’re usually not at church as often – or making a financial gift because it has been awhile, will make a huge difference and will be deeply appreciated.
See you in person or online this Sunday!
Bill
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Support Flooding Clean-up and Relief Efforts
On July 26, the St Louis area received between 5 and 12 inches of rain bringing flooding and related damage to many homes and businesses. If you would like to contribute to the clean-up and relief efforts, please CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW. First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood will gather your gifts and pass them to the entities performing this important work.
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Funeral Service Announcements
Paul W. McNeely, age 85, passed away Saturday, June 25, 2022. A memorial service will be held on August 13 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood.
Al B. Moore, age 96, passed away August 2, 2022. Visitation will be held at Kriegshauser West Mortuary, 9450 Olive Blvd. on Sunday, August 14th from 12:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Al has requested that NO TIES be worn at his visitation. The funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood on Monday, August 15th at 10:30 a.m. Internment will immediately follow at Bellefontaine Cemetery.
In our prayers, let us give God thanks for the life of Paul and Al, the gift of resurrection to new life, and remember their families at this tender time.
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From Bill Stein, Director of Music Ministries
Dear Friends,
Now that August has arrived we are gearing up for another season of music! I’m excited about the year to come and what we are planning for the congregation and community.
Chancel Choir rehearsals begin on Thursday, September 1st at 7:00 p.m., and our first Sunday to sing is September 11th. NOW is the time to sign up for Choir, or gather more information on joining. Contact me with any questions or concerns you have.
Chancel Ringers will resume rehearsals on August 14th. Interested in playing in the bell choir? We have lots of fun and make great music! Contact me with questions or to sign up.
Children’s Choirs and Musikgarten Classes also begin on September 14th and we have room for all children ages 3 months through 8th grade in the following:
Musikgarten – age 3 months to 4 years
Cherubs – grades K, 1, and 2
Choristers – grades 3, 4, and 5
Middle School Ringers – grades 6, 7, and 8
We are proud of our music program for children, and all are welcome to take part. Contact me with questions or to enroll.
I hope you all received information in the mail about our upcoming Con Spirito concert season. We have an amazing line up of musicians and programs, and we count on your support to bring this to life. Thank you for your donations and gifts. If you did not receive a letter and brochure, please let me know and we will get information to you right away.
May God continue to bless us and guide us as we journey together.
Faithfully yours,
Bill
Bill Stein
(314) 965-0326
bstein@kirkwoodpres.org
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Summer Choir
What is Summer Choir? We are a group of folks that enjoy singing for worship in an informal way. We gather an hour before church, learn a simple anthem, and sing for the service. We don’t process, wear robes, or use folders. This is a great way to get a “taste” of the Choir or just join in singing for fun. We have 2 Sundays that Summer Choir will sing:
- August 14: rehearsal at 9:00 a.m. in the Choir Room (lower level) and sing at 10:00 a.m.
- August 28: rehearsal at 8:45 a.m. in the Choir Room (because of 9:30 a.m. Congregational Meeting) and sing at 10:00 a.m.
You don’t need to RSVP – just show up, ready to sing! I hope to see many of you there!
Bill Stein
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Confirmation Class Forming
Here at First Presbyterian in Kirkwood we do our confirmation year in 8th grade, which means it is time to get students signed up for class! The class meets on Sunday mornings from 10-10:50 a.m. in Room 007, but our kickoff will be on Sunday, September 11, at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel. This gathering will be for parents AND students to go over the plans for the year, allow time for questions and give out a calendar for the program year.
In order to plan our calendar, we are hoping to have you let us know that your student will participate by using the link below. There are some standard questions for data work but also some tell-us-about-your-student info.
https://forms.gle/BKQe6RroUoouxnFV6
We are looking forward to another year of learning, fellowship and growing closer to God.
For more information reach out to Rob Monroe - rmonroe@kirkwoodpres.org |
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Mission Trip to Help Rebuild in Kentucky
***UPDATE: There will be an informational meeting on September 11, 2022, at 10 a.m.***
Mission Committee members are busy arranging a mission trip to western Kentucky from October 30-November 5 to help rebuild after a catastrophic storm in 2021. You might not recall the specifics of the storm, as there have been too many disasters of all kinds. To refresh your memory, in December, 2021, a violent, long-track tornado moved through Western Kentucky, causing catastrophic damage and taking 57 lives. Residents are now in the rebuilding phase. This area is a 3-hour drive from St. Louis, which means it's convenient even if you can only come for part of the week. We will be working with Hopkins County Emergency Management and with Habitat for Humanity. They promise there will be plenty of work for all skill levels. If you're interested, just pencil in that week and watch for more details this summer.
If you have questions, email Liz McCane ( lizmccane@gmail.com) or Georgina Sikorski ( gwsikorski@gmail.com). |
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Check Out Our New Online Giving Platform!
The Church has adopted a new online giving platform which will integrate our back office systems, improve the user experience and lower our fees. If you have not tried online giving, here is your chance. You can do a onetime gift or set up reoccurring payments and pay with ACH direct from your checking account, via credit card or using GooglePay.
CLICK HERE:
https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/kirkwoodpres and follow the prompts. Or, text GIVE to 314-293-4922, or, scan the QR code to go directly to our giving portal. If you have any questions, please reach out to accounting@kirkwoodpres.org.
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Tuesday Book Club
Beginning on Tuesday, September 6, the Tuesday Book Club will resume our weekly gatherings at 10 AM in the Fireside Room. We typically read/discuss approximately 100 pages per week on a variety of book topics. Our opening book will be The Presidents Club: Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity, by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy. A very readable book, it offers a fascinating look at the rivalries and relationships of the few people who know what it is like to be president from Truman to Obama.
All Book Club participants are invited to submit suggestions for future books, and a vote will determine what books will be generating our lively discussions in the coming months. To be added to the email list for the group, contact Karen Koch at kochkarenp@gmail.com. Everyone is welcome.
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History Book Group, 10:30 Thursday, Every Other Month
At our next meeting, September 22 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 029, we will talk about Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson, an applauded biography that demonstrates even remarkable greatness does not mean being flawless. For more information, contact Carlin Scanlan (ccscanlan@swbell.net) or Don Lewis (donlewis610@gmail.com).
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Ushers Needed!
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Feeding the Homeless
St. Patrick’s Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Thanks to you, First Pres members cooked and donated over 300 breakfast casseroles to St. Patrick’s Center last year! The need is ongoing. For more information, please contact Julie Nesvig at j.nesvig83@gmail.com. |
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Metropolitan Orchestra Concerts
August 28, 2021: The First Presbyterian Church Parking lot at 6:30 p.m.. The program is called Cartoon Classics and features the music of Beethoven, PDQ Bach, Brahms, Rossini, Struss and Dvorak.
September 3, 2021: On the front steps of Kirkwood City Hall, 6:00 p.m. ( Kirkwood Road will be closed before and during the concert). The program is called Around The World and features works by Sousa, Bernstein, King, Grainger, Hanssen and more.
Concerts are free, but a free offering will be taken. People need to bring a chair.
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4th Wednesday
Book Club
The 4th Wednesday Book Club will meet again on August 24, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. over Zoom. We will be discussing Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice by Bill Browder. A financial caper, a crime thriller and a political crusade, this is the true story of one man taking on Putin.
Bookmarks for next year are available at the church welcome desk and in a wicker basket by the back door under the doorbell. If you want to be added to the email list, please contact Julia Abreu at julia@abreu.net.
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Little Free Pantry Donations Needed!
Our Little Pantry is a part of the solution for those with food insecurities. Our Little Pantry
is located near the Jefferson Avenue entrance of the church. Whether there is a need for
food or a need to give, our Little Pantry helps feed neighbors, and nourishes all of us.
Please give what you ‘can’ (we especially need canned meals/meats, fruit, and veggies). Thank you!
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Men's Bible Study
First Pres men of all ages are invited to join us Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom. We take turns reading aloud, ask questions, discuss what the Holy Spirit might be saying, and even share in laughter.
Contact Tim Morrison at (314) 456-9936 or timothy.lee.morrison@gmail.com with any questions.
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