Greenfield Avenue Presbyterian Church

1. Expectations - Session Approved

   1. Masks: Currently, MASKS ARE OPTIONAL FOR THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED; ALL OTHERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS. 

   2. Physical Distance: We expect 6’ distance from anyone who is not in your household.

   3. Bulletins: We will have bulletins in worship. 

   4. Offering: Will be collected as you enter and leave the sanctuary in a “Church Box”

2. Other Worship Opportunities: 

   1. Online: LiveStream and recorded on YouTube. Please send Rev. Jones an email (revjones96@gmail.com) and share how the LiveStream or YouTube production worked or call 608-205-7428.

Printed Resources: Printed bulletin, sermon notes, and Friday Notes will be mailed to those who want to continue to receive them.

Join Us for Lemonade and Iced Tea after the Father's Day Service in the backyard of the church.

June 20th Bulletin

June 20th Worship Service

Summer Worship

As we prepare for the return of weekly, in-person worship, I want to remind you that whether we are gathered in-person or online, we are invited to maintain divine Worship. In the Letter to the Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 

In some sense, it’s an odd time to be returning to in-person worship. Summertime is often when we grieve the dearly departed. The departed to the lake, departed to vacation, departed to picnics, and sundry other distractions. Now, we have the concern of who will come back to the sanctuary. I know I’ve enjoyed worship in my pajamas and eating breakfast. I hope you will not neglect worship but embrace worship, whether online or in-person as the GAPC Body of Christ gathers for worship.

Grace and Peace,  Bruce

Return to Worship June 6th, 2021

Interim Ministry

Jeri-Lynne Bouterse, a transitional pastor in Ohio wrote an article for The Presbyterian Outlook - “The in-between time: Interim ministry as sacred space” in 2019. 

Leading Change

Some of the most important work in interim ministry, though, is introducing change — even at the exact time when many congregants may feel that too much change has already happened. “I think the most important thing a transitional pastor does is to get the congregation to the understanding that things are changing. And to help them see into a future that is different from their recent past. Sometimes this is made extremely difficult because the pastor is beloved or is still physically in the area. It is even more important for the transitional pastor to help the congregation understand the ‘end of an era,’ whether positive or negative,” said Brenda Barnes, the interim pastor of NuValley Presbyterian Church in Rural Valley, Pennsylvania.

The interim must lead the congregation through “change at a rate they can absorb,” as a former congregant often reminded me. Effecting change is not easy! My colleague Brian Harroff describes this well. He formerly served as a transitional pastor before accepting a call as pastor of Royster Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Virginia.

“You can’t do the job without ruffling feathers,” he said. “But if you make them hate you, they stop working with you.” Some of these changes are going to be “heavy lifting.” It seems the heaviest lifting addresses problems in staffing that church leadership has been afraid to touch. Pastors following interims report that this task is too often left undone. Interims admit that staffing issues are predictable during transitions and they are also the most difficult, but the most necessary, to resolve.

Skilled interim ministers fill the in-between time not with a space holder, but an intentional space filler. After I share these insights with sessions, instead of asking why they need an interim pastor they ask, “How long will all this take?” I simply hold back a sigh and say: “I don’t know. God’s timing is God’s timing.”

Rev. Jones’ Schedule 

Planned Sabbath and Work from Home: Rev. Jones plans to be in the GAPC  Office  for recording worship and for requested appointments each  week. Otherwise he will work from home. You can always call.

Rev. Jones’ Schedule

• June 21 Monday - Vacation day - 

going to UW LaCrosse to begin program for incoming freshmen. 

• June 22 Tuesday - work from home 

• June 23 Wednesday - present in the GAPC office

• June 24 Thursday - hope to be in Lacrosse for State Track if JJ qualifies

• June 25 Friday - Sabbath

God Needs You

I found this image on the internet. I did find a couple of different verses with this image which reminds me of Uncle Sam Needs You! Ephesians 4:16 NIV

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” 

God invites us as a faith community to support the Body of Christ with our gifts and talents. At GAPC, God is looking for Christians (you) to serve. 

1. We are still searching for 2 people to serve on the Nominating Committee. This short term commitment includes 3 meetings and a few phone calls. The Nominating Committee will present a slate of officers to serve as Elders and Deacons. This Committee will meet 3 more times this year to present a slate of members ready to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) to find our new GAPC pastor. 

2. The next step in our Mission Study will be to take the results of our survey and craft Mission and Vision Statements. If you would like to help with this Contact Rev. Jones who will coordinate the process. revjones96@gmail.com or 608-205-7428.

3. Continue to find ways to serve our Lord through the events and activities of GAPC.

God gives us talents to share supporting the growth and building up of the family of God. God wants you to do your part. Christianity is not a spectator sport, God wants you to be active in living your faith through service to others. 

Grace and Peace,  

Bruce

 We have a team! “Relay for Life” is on the ground and running! The event is scheduled for July 16th. Start thinking about your role as a participant and/or supporter. More information in future issues.

Elizabeth Jansen

Click on the link below to open the PDF to show the list of retailers that participate in our scrip program at GAPC.

https://shop.shopwithscrip.com › Shop › Product

We accept scrip orders the second Sunday of each month.  There are order forms on a table at the back of the sanctuary along with a printed list of retailers.  Simply fill out an order form along with your check made out to "GAPC" and place them in the box on the same table. If you wish to mail in your order with your check, it must be received no later than the Saturday before the second Sunday of each month.

Scrip cards will be availabe for distribution to participants the third Sunday each month.  If you wish to have your scrip mailed to your home, please indicate that information on the order form.