The Presbyterian Light

We have a sign in the church kitchen that says, “Help us keep our kitchen clean.” This is not necessarily a complaint about past users. It is a request which in essence is asking users of our kitchen to care well for what they are borrowing: space, floor, sinks, pans, pitchers, silverware, dishes and the list could go on and on. We would like those who use the kitchen to leave it like they found it.

This is a simple concept, and it refers to all manner of things. You’re working in the yard, and after you get swatted in the face by a low branch one too many times, you go in search of a saw to fix this right now! Knowing you don’t own one but your neighbor does, you go borrow it, and recognizing it is not yours, you take very good care of it so you can return it in the same condition as it was when borrowed. You rent a house or an apartment and the landlord wants a damage deposit. It’s unstated but it is once again that expectation that you will keep this “borrowed” property in good condition.

The whole idea of caring well for borrowed things is not anything new, but it seems that it is rarely applied to God’s creation. Perhaps it is because many of us don’t realize or stop to think that the world, all creation is God’s not ours. We have it on loan. In Genesis 2:15, we read, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” Rather than saying God gave the Garden of Eden to Adam outright, it implies that Adam was working under God’s supervision to care for what God loaned him. Adam is the steward, the one who manages God’s property.

In Animal Dreams, Barbara Kingsolver gives these words to her character Loyd, a Native American. “The spirits have been good enough to let us live here and use the utilities, and we’re saying: We know how nice you’re being. We appreciate the rain, we appreciate the sun, we appreciate the deer we took. Sorry if we messed up anything. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble, and we’ll try to be good guests.”

Suddenly understanding, Codi remarks, “We’re still here sleeping on God’s couch. We’re permanent houseguests.”

This is the challenge now before us. Especially here in the United States , we have not only lived as if the world’s resources are inexhaustible. We have assumed they are ours to do with as we please. As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of God’s creation.

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01	Scott Zelenik
03	Norma DeRose
	Hensley Leach
05	Marge Stone
07	Margaret Sanman
15	Tom Hepburn
22	David and Lisa Bettner
25	Marilyn Pryor
29	Ellen Lawton

The Session met on April 15^th for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting was opened with a devotion and prayer by Pastor Bea and the business on the agenda was taken care of. The treasurer’s report was reviewed and accepted as written.

Pastor Bea discussed her feelings about the direction we, as a church, have taken in the past few year. She feels that our missions must be congregation driven. We should use as many of the variety of talents that our congregation possesses and always show appreciation for their contribution to the church.

Good communication between the pastor and congregation is very important for the church’s compatibility. We also need to know the recipients of our outreach and especially not spread ourselves too thin.

The Deacons gave us several ideas for use of memorial money and the session was very much in favor of the purchase of a power point program and equipment.

The Administration team announced that Birney Brown will be chairman of the Investment Committee to oversee the church’s investments. Dave Larson and Harold Hutchinson, a representative from the session, are the other members. A workday is scheduled for April 19 as it was rained out last Saturday. The team is still discussing ideas for possible use of the Mac Gaddie memorial money.

The Worship and Planning team announced a “Stewardship of God’s Creation” service on Sunday May 4^th. While Pastor Bea is on vacation on May 11^th, a number of church members will coordinate and lead the congregation in the service “A Stewardship of Time”.

Pastor Bea was given permission to perform a wedding service at the church for nonmembers. Our church bylaws state that the church may be used by nonmembers if our pastor presides at the service. Pastor Bea gave the Maunday Thursday church service and communion at Greenfield in March and received many comments of appreciation from residents and staff. She hopes to continue to do this at the home.

Mark your calendars! Sunday, June 8 is the annual Church picnic hosted by the Deacons. The worship service and picnic will be at Zearing Park at 10:30 am. Look for more details in the June Light.

A big “Thank You” to the Jr. High Sunday school class for the very nice Easter cards you sent to the congregation.

Many have asked who was responsible for the Easter cards and wanted to express their thanks. Zac Schultz, Kristyn Bettner and Krista Naaktgeboren are members of the 7^th and 8^th grade class taught by Janet Naaktgeboren. As part of a class assignment, the class was to send a card to another person. They were given some examples of cards they might make, the project grew and they ended up spending several hours making the cards and addressing the envelopes.

To Zac, Kristyn, Krista and Janet, the church members sends their sincere thanks and want you to know you touched everyone with your kindness.

Bea sent an email to Brent Batiste at Northern Illinois University saying that they were in our prayers following their tragedy and this is his response.

It is amazing how God uses what can be intended for evil for His own glory and our own good. Many students are seeking and asking questions about God and our students have been standing up and have really sought to be a blessing to the campus.

From the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center : Thank you for the outstanding blood drive you held recently. Your service and leadership on behalf of the community blood program is greatly appreciated. Thirteen units were collected at the drive, and because of your combined generosity, as many as 39 patients will benefit from lifesaving blood products. We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of dedicated sponsors like you, who believe in our mission and care enough to take an active role in the blood program.

We never know who will need blood next, but we do know that our donors and sponsors are always there to meet the need. Collectively, you may be a quiet, caring minority, but your generous actions speak loudly. Simply put, what you do, saves lives. Thank you, for your partnership and all you do to make lifesaving possible.

Graduation Sunday will be May 18^th. We will recognize our graduates during worship and have a reception following in Fellowship Hall hosted by the Christian Growth and Nurture Team.

Text Box: High School Graduate Emily Naaktgeboren

In high school, Emily distinguished herself as a scholar, was active in sports and expressed herself in art and drama. Her scholastic awards include: Honor Roll all four years, National Honor Society member, a member of the Society for Academic Achievement, an Illinois State Scholar and Math Moves U Scholarship recipient. Awards in track include: Academic All-Conference in cross country and track and the BCR Girls Cross Country Team 2006.

Emily has demonstrated her abilities in art: in many ways at church, and received “Best of Show” for her artwork submitted at the Bureau County Fair. In 2005, Emily was the Wyanet Summer Festival Queen. Her extracurricular activities at Bureau Valley High School included: cross country, track, Varsity Club, Drama Club and Treasurer of the Art Club. Emily took piano lessons for 10 years and shared her talent with us at church, by providing special music in the summer and playing for our Christmas programs. She was an active member of Puppets and taught Sunday School for the preschool class.

Emily is at home with her parents, Russ and Janet, and sister, Krista. Older sister, Kari, is completing her first year at Iowa State University . When not at home, you will find Emily working as a life guard at the Bureau County Metro Center and also working at Colonial Hall Rehabilitation Center .

In the fall, Emily will be heading to Illinois State University and will major in Drama. Emily, your church family wishes you success and prays for your happiness in the future and in all you chose to do!

Zac attends Logan Jr. High School and will graduate from eighth grade in May. His favorite subjects are Science, Literature and Art. He has been listed on the Logan Jr. High Honor Roll every grading period.

Last June, Zac helped with the games at Vacation Bible School . He has been involved with the puppets and worked the Silent Auction and Ice Cream Social. He is a member of the Jr. High Sunday School class. On Wednesday evenings, Zac attends a youth group at the Princeton Bible Church with friends.

At home, you will find Zac reading a good book. On the computer (playing games) or involved in an arts & craft project. He made and donated several bird houses for our Silent Auction at church last August. In the summer, he helps with the mowing at home and is responsible for caring for his pets. Included is a pet pig, Pepper, two dogs, Opie and Zodiac, and a number of un-named pets. A very special activity when the weather permits is playing golf. We have heard his Dad has to work really hard to beat him!

Zac spends time with his cousin, Luke, who lives in the “neighborhood.” They may be found jumping on the trampoline, splashing in the pool or out hunting antlers. Zac lives at home with his parents, Mark and Debra and older sister, Dana. He also has an older sister, Nicole.

We know Zac will have success at Princeton High School and we will be here to encourage him in everything he chooses to do.

The Presbyterian Women continue to have their afternoon and evening Circle meetings. On Tuesday, May 6th, Evening Circle will begin at 6:30 pm with set-up for the Mother, Daughter, Friend Celebration on Wednesday, May 7^th. On Wednesday, May 21^st , Afternoon Circle will begin at 1:30 pm with Ann Mickow as hostess and giving the lesson.

The Mother, Daughter, Friend Celebration will be Wednesday, May 7^th beginning with a 6:00 pm potluck supper. Please bring a dish or dishes to share according to your group size. The program this year will be given by a local storyteller, Mick Henneberry. Mick was raised as an entertainer – performing as a unicyclist, trumpeter, drummer and juggler. He toured over one million miles as one of six children in a eight-member family troupe. More recently, he has been practicing law for over twenty-five years as a private attorney and public defender representing civil and criminal clients in Illinois .

Why does he do story telling? He believes “Nobody has my unique combination of life experience to share and teller’s enthusiasm- backed up by song, juggling and drumming.” The program is suitable for all ages and everyone is welcome.

Join us for the Celebration on May 7^th. This annual event always combines good food, fellowship and good entertainment for your enjoyment.

In association with Church World Service and Church Women United, Presbyterian Women is sponsoring the Tools and Blankets program during the month of May.

The Tools and Blankets program provides the right tools at the right time, making a difference in the lives of children and families the world over, whether faced with an emergency or struggling to keep food on the table. Gifts to Tools and Blankets can provide blankets, tents, and other emergency shelter items in the wake of a disaster. Refugees returning home can be helped with tools to rebuild and seeds to replant fields. Families living in drought-plagued areas are helped to dig wells for clean, safe drinking water, and for water to irrigate crops and gardens.

When disaster strikes, Church World Service is there. When people struggle under the crushing burden of extreme poverty, CWS is there, too, thanks to the support of caring people and congregations across the country through Tools and Blankets. Your support provides a rainbow of caring to those in need in some 80 countries around the world.

See what a difference we can make together! Please give to Tools and Blankets during May!

Please make your check payable to First Presbyterian Church and note ‘Tools and Blankets’ on the memo line.

On Friday, May 2^nd, Church Women United recognizes May Friendship Day and it’s theme of “God’s Wisdom Inspires Hospitality”. The underlying scripture is found in the book of Matthew 25:35,40: Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me……Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Hospitality, of course, is simply the act of welcoming. We in CWU emphasize the importance of welcoming – warmly welcoming newcomers especially, but also one another as we gather together again for worship, study, and Christian service. God’s extravagant hospitality draws us to the depths of our spirituality and then brings forward, time and time again, to live in more extravagantly welcoming ways, so we can reach out to the stranger and care for those in need. As God plants love within us, so we are called to plant the seeds of love wherever we go.

We have opportunities to host fellowship hour after worship in May and June. Please sign up on the sheet in Fellowship Hall.

Family Dinner and Bible 101 will resume in the fall. Thanks to all who cooked and participated!

Our Food Pantry Collection Sunday is May 11th. The theme is “Food for Thought!“. Breakfast cereal and instant oatmeal are the items needed this month. Thank you for your participation.

On the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall hangs the latest newsletter from Blackhawk Presbytery. Take a look at it to see what is happening in the Presbytery.

Logan Jr. High will have their annual Spring Concert at Princeton High School auditorium on Friday, May 2^nd, at 7:00 pm, directed by Jeremy Lehman .

Princeton High School Music Department will hold their annual Ice Cream Social on Wednesday,

An Intercessory prayer group meets every Monday at 3:00 pm in the church library. Please pray about and consider joining this group. We lift up in prayer the cares and concerns of our church, the community and the world. We are “loving our neighbor on our knees”.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,

Please keep in mind those members of our congregation that would appreciate a visit or a note:

Communion:	04	Julie Brown	Ushers:	Don May
		Birney Brown		Becky May
		Pam Cochran		Terry Williams
		Elena Hilmes		Tanya Williams
Deacon:		Becky May
Lay Assistant:	04	Harold Hutchinson
	11	Birney Brown
	18	Harold Hutchinson
	25	June Larson