THE TOWER Volume 63, Number 2
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THE TOWER
First Presbyterian Church, Waco, Texas February 1, 2020
Volume 63, Number 2
Suzy’s Prayer
On the first day of the New Year, a dear friend of mine
came through Waco. I knew her first as a member of the
Pastoral Nominating Committee that called me to First Pres
Osawatomie. She led Christian Education with a humility
and optimism that grew our program robustly. During one
summer when we were studying Jonah, she helped
construct a giant whale for our church lawn. Children and
adults crawled into and out of the belly of that whale. She
has been a ‘whale of a Presbyterian’ all her life!
I met DJ, her and her husband in the Franklin parking lot
and we hugged a good long while….eight years is a long
time to not see a friend. We caught up on family, friends and life. Suzy is doing a lot of traveling with her
unflappable husband, Arlen. They are tending to their bucket list as she has been diagnosed with ALS. She said to
me there are two things that will fast track your Medicare: hospice and an ALS diagnosis. I know you can imagine
how tender and important it was to be with her. She and Arlen walked into your Sanctuary with their heads back
and eyes wide for its beauty. They were so complimentary and gracious about the building you have stewarded
here in Waco. It was by the font that the three of us bowed our heads and prayed for stamina, endurance and a
sense of connection across the miles. DJ met us in Chapel Parlor with Kleenex. We needed them!
Before she left, Suzy looked at me, chin high with a faithful defiance. She said, “you know, Leslie, I may have
ALS, but it does not have me.” As if to say ALS does not have the “real” me.
As they prepared to leave, we hugged at the top of the Franklin parking lot stairs, at the base of them, by the
portico, and again at her car. She made her way back to Kansas and I returned to work here in Waco. But the
prayer…her prayer lingers like an aura that informs my life and perhaps has something to say to all of us. Come
what may, from the wisdom of Romans 8:38-39, “… neither death, nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God.” May her prayer, that our lives may have to carry certain burdens, but those
burdens don’t define us, be our prayer, even before we are urgent for it.
Faithfully, Leslie
Don’t miss our new take on the annual All Church Retreat on February 21-22! We will
gather in Valley Mills, Texas at the Olson Vineyard and Ranch for fun, fellowship, and
education. We have lowered the costs and made the travel to and from a bit easier so
that more of us might be able to attend, and we hope you will come enjoy the new
format with us. You have the option to participate on both Friday and Saturday, or just
one or the other, so choose the time frame that works for you and come join the fun.
If you missed the registration deadline (Jan 19) and would like to attend, contact Dee Dee Carson to see if there
is space available.
The deadline for the next edition of the Tower is noon, Thursday, February 6. Please e-mail submissions to
office@firstpreswaco.org or bring to the church office. The next edition of the Tower will be mailed February 19.
Editor: Laura Streetman, First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Austin Ave. Waco, TX 76701, 254-752-1665
www.firstpreswaco.org The Tower is published monthly by the First Presbyterian Church, Waco, Texas.
THE TOWER PAGE 2
Sunday, February 2- Communion Sunday
Calendar
Sunday, February 16-Art Show Reception
Art Show Begins Worship at 8:30am and 10:30am, Leslie King
Worship at 8:30am and 10:30am, Dee Dee Carson preaching
preaching Sunday School, 9:15am
Sunday School, 9:15am Monday, February 17
Monday, February 3 Baylor Lifelong Learning, 10:30am
Baylor Lifelong Learning, 10:30am Session Committee Meeting, 5:30pm
Diaconate Committee Meeting, 5:30pm Wednesday, February 19
Wednesday, February 5 March Tower mailed
Graduate Bible Study, 3:30pm Graduate Bible Study, 3:30pm
Youth Study Hall, 6pm Youth Study Hall, 6pm
St. Cecilia Bell Rehearsal, 6pm St. Cecilia Bell Rehearsal, 6pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7pm
Thursday, February 6 Friday, February 21
March Tower Deadline Men’s Breakfast, World Cup Café, 7am
Saturday, February 8 All Church Retreat Begins @ Olson Ranch
Service Saturday @Compassion Ministries, 9am Saturday, February 22
Sunday, February 9 All Church Retreat @ Olson Ranch
Worship at 8:30am and 10:30am, Dee Dee Carson Sunday, February 23 -Youth Sunday
preaching Worship at 8:30am and 10:30am
Sunday School, 9:15am Sunday School 9:15am
Monday, February 10 Monday, February 24
Baylor Lifelong Learning, 10:30am CE Meeting, 5:30pm
Presbyterian Women, 1:30pm Global Mission Task Force Meeting, 5:30pm
Outreach Committee, 5:30pm Youth Advisory Board, 6:30pm
Tuesday, February 11 Wednesday, February 26 - Ash Wednesday
Faith on Tap, 6pm Graduate Bible Study, 3:30pm
Wednesday, February 12 Youth Study Hall, 6pm
Graduate Bible Study, 3:30pm St. Cecilia Bell Rehearsal, 6pm
Youth Study Hall, 6pm Ash Wednesday Service, 7pm
St. Cecilia Bell Rehearsal, 6pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7:30pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal, 7pm Thursday, February 27
Thursday, February 13 Retirees on the Road, Kissing Tree Vineyards, 1pm
College Lunch @ Baylor, Noon Friday, February 28 & Saturday, February 29
Saturday, February 15 Rainout Date for All Church Retreat
Sanctuary Guild Meeting, 10am
Celebration Notes from our Deacons:
1- Bill & Dwana Nesbitt 16- Meredith Palm
2- Becky Ward, 18- Barry & Laura Shank
David Summers 19- Pat Pattillo, Jason Dalrymple
3- Don Risinger 20- Matt Stottlemyre, Carolyn Maxwell, Karrie Kluge, Greg Palm,
6- David Young Amanda Lassetter, Mae Ehlers, David Gray
8- Joe Stubenrauch 21- Pam Holmes, Dick Kettler, Asher Benton
9- Mike Morrison, Eleanor Goodman 22- Lisa Weaver, Hunter Rollins
11- Courtney Priebe 23- Roger Kirk, Nancy Lacy
12- Donna Black, Ocoee Morgan 26- Royce Duty
13- Abigail MacLemore 28- Nancy Risinger, Cary DuPuy, Gabe Field, Sandra LeFevre;
14- Hutson Harper J.P. & Elinor Davis
15- David Dow, Claire Drew;
Mark & Monica Anderson
The Deacons invite you to look up an address on Realm and send a note
or text in celebration to those you know or are beginning to know.
THE TOWER PAGE 3
Educational Opportunities:
February 2020 March 2020 (March 15 - April 12)
February 16, bring your smart phones and Lent as a Line Dance….don’t worry, we will be
preview the movie MegaMind as we consider taking Lent very seriously as we consider
Heroes in the Faith. This sermon series will Choreography in Cruciform in this series.
highlight the relationship between Nathan and Youth will help out in this series as we
King David as well as Luke 24:44-49. consider what it means to move forward, side
to side, and back as we follow the road to
Jerusalem.
April 2020 (April 19-May 3) May 2020 (May 10-24)
Artistry in Anastasis Love Viscerally – Join us for a consideration of
the Song of Solomon as an erotic text that
This Easter season we will look at the Eastern
opens more fully into intimacy with self, others,
church’s art work and their communal
and God.
understanding of Resurrection. This series will
include the traditional Risen-Christ narratives
as well as Epistle readings from Romans,
Hebrews and 1st John.
Stewardship:
Welcome to our new class of Ruling Elders and Deacons who were ordained and installed to service on January 19.
When you get a chance, please thank them for their willingness to lead and serve.
Elder Class of 2020: Lily Coffman (Y) Elder Class of 2022: Bill Beaty, Craig Clarkson, Dan Francis, Phil Hering,
Roane Lacy, Greg Palm, Scott Wagner, Lisa Weaver
Deacon Class of 2020: Mackenzie Anderson (Y), Mary Lynn Klingman Deacon Class of 2021: Shannon Field
Deacon Class of 2022: Katherine Ehlers, James Hill, John Kerley, Janet Kettler, Ruth Kuhns, Michelle Plaskett,
Linda Reed, Brad Willis
Stewardship Fantastic! Our congregation gave First Pres a powerful stewardship response
for the upcoming 2020 year.
Here are some highlights:
2020 Pledges have hit a historic high of $600,132.
17 new pledges came in with an average amount of $2,500.
Repeating pledges increased an average of 5.9%
Additionally, we received feedback from congregants that more personalized stewardship
letters were helpful in their decision to increase their pledge.
Behind the scenes, your Session has been hard at work to steward your gifts in ways that are responsible and also
visionary. Any of us would be happy to share more of our financial work with you. Each of you make a profound
difference in our ability to lead well. Thank you for “having our back” and arriving so powerfully for the future of First
Presbyterian and her ministry.
In Christ, Your 2019 and 2020 Session
THE TOWER PAGE 4
Children and Youth:
Thank you to everyone who participated in both collecting coins for KidQuake for 1st – 6th graders is
the Children’s Christmas Offering and the Reverse Advent March 27-29. The cost of $125, which
Calendar. The $ 574.22 offering was donated to Talitha Koum to help includes food, lodging, and a T-shirt,
support their mission and programs for South Waco families, and the is due on February 23. Contact
food collected (280 pounds) through participating in the Reverse Kathryn at dce@firstpreswaco.org, for
Advent Calendar was given to Caritas. Thank you for walking registration information.
alongside our children and teaching them how to give graciously
and generously during the Christmas Season.
Out of the Mouths of Babes...
Following his recent visit to
Texas, Cathy McPhee
received this delightful note
from her 11 year old
grandson, Trent.
On the way home from our annual Christmas Posada in December, Porter Carson was full of
questions about the Christmas story he had just seen and heard. From the back seat, I heard a
litany of questions. “Mommy, was Jesus born? Was he naked in Mary’s tummy? Is King Herod a
bad guy? Is Mary taller than Joseph? Is Mary older than Joseph?” The questions continued for
days as he sorted out all of his thoughts about Mary, Joseph, and the arrival of baby Jesus. I
found myself incredibly grateful for all those who worked to make our Christmas Posada
happen, because their presence helped Porter gain an interest in these sacred stories in a new
way that reading his children’s Bible at home had not been able to accomplish. Dear old mom
and dad have nothing on all of you innkeepers, shepherds, angels, wise men, and Mary and
Joseph who arrived to help our children live the story! Pastor Dee Dee Carson
Raccoons and the Bible
At Children's Church recently, we reviewed the story of God calling to a sleeping
Samuel. The discussion, possibly because God called to Samuel at night time,
evolved into a discussion on raccoons. Each child became engaged to share their
own raccoon story. Porter and Joey have raccoons in their front and backyards.
Keats has raccoons somewhere in his home. Mae is glad she does not live in
Waco due to the raccoon problem because she has chickens. After a lively
raccoon discussion and remembering raccoons are God's creatures, Henry said he
would say our prayer. Henry prayed, "I have raccoons in my front yard." (pause)
I asked Henry if this was his prayer and he said, “Yes it is.” From God calling
Samuel to raccoons, the amazing, wonderful children of FPC are always integrating
God's message into their lives. Linda Reed, Children’s Church volunteer
THE TOWER PAGE 5
Upcoming Events:
The Retirees on the Road are headed to Kissing Tree Vineyards in Eddy, Texas
on Thursday, February 27, at 1pm. Join the group for a wine tasting and fun
adventure to a new place. Sign up in the Narthex if you plan to attend.
Presbyterian Women will meet on
Monday, February 10, at 1:30 in the
Fellowship Hall. PW participate in the Sanctuary Guild
Fellowship of the Least Coin, a Save the Date!
movement that has been in existence The first meeting in 2020 will be February 15. We’ll
more than 60 years. The least coin of polish the church silver, go over our new handbook,
a country is collected and in turn, the offerings learn about the paraments and get to know each other
support project grants around the world. Join us better. Join us for a continental breakfast at 9am in
for fellowship, study of the Ten Commandments, Fellowship Hall. Sarah Lieber, 2020 Moderator
and giving this February!
The Outreach Committee invites you to a Service Saturday at Compassion Ministries on February
8 at 9am. Compassion Ministries is one of our downtown neighbors doing great work to provide
housing and support to vulnerable people within our community. We will work that day to help
them organize some spaces and move around larger pieces of furniture and equipment to help out
their staff. All ages are welcome to come join the fun! Sign up in the Narthex or on Realm.
Our annual art show will be on display in the Atrium from February 2-16, with a
reception celebrating the artists during Coffee Fellowship on February 16. Make sure to stop
to visit the art and appreciate the wealth of artistic talent within the congregation. Our
gratitude goes to Bill Franklin and Bill Beaty for setting up the art show.
This is First Pres
Are you interested in learning more about First Presbyterian and
membership here? Join the pastors for conversation and information in the
Chapel Parlor on March 9 at 5:30pm. There will be tours of the building,
historic information and a chance to meet others who share your interest in
our church life. Text your RSVP to Leslie at 254.214.5999
Hidden Common Ground and USA Today
First Presbyterian has been honing our skills at Public Deliberation throughout the last
half of 2019. In 2020, USA Today will cover the groups across our nation who are
deliberating important topics. The partnership includes Public Agenda, the National
Issues Forum, and the Kettering Institute. First Presbyterian of Waco has enrolled as a
site for this partnership. Throughout 2020, we will hold Saturday deliberation forums
on important national topics. All in the community are welcome to these three-hour
events. There will not be an event in February; this is a correction from last month’s notice. We hope you will mark
your calendars for March 7, June 6, and October 3. All forums will be held between 1-4 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
The Tower Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
First Presbyterian Church
1100 Austin Ave.
PAID
Waco, Texas
Waco, TX 76701 Permit Number 216
Return Service Requested
Office Hours: 9—12 and 1—5
Monday—Friday
February Service
Coffee Fellowship Hosts:
2 - Craig & Kellie Clarkson
9 - Jeremy & Rebecca Mercer
16 - Pete & Sue Patrick
23 - Delores Horne &
Emily Bohn
Appreciation:
What a gift it was to round out the work of 2019 with two remarkable offerings into our
wider community! Our Christmas Eve offering supported the work of Meals on Wheels and
raised $7449, which is a large enough gift to cover the costs for Meals on Wheels to feed
FOUR senior adults for a year. Equally impressive is our Children’s Offering to Talitha
Koum, which accumulated $574.22 worth of pennies, dimes, nickels, and quarters. As we send these gifts into the
wider world, we are celebrating your generosity and your willingness to give attention to those around us in need
during such a busy holiday season.
Iron Yard Art
Are you interested in a one of
Thank you to everyone who helped a kind iron work of our
make our rib fundraiser a success! church façade for 40?
Our youth appreciate your support. Carr DuPuy has designed
these timeless and durable
A financial update will be in next pieces. Proceeds will go to benefit the ministry of
month’s Tower. the Diaconate. Order by calling the church office
at 752.1665 or by visiting our Presbyterian store
online at www.firstpreswaco.org.
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