FPC Update
First Presbyterian Church
909 Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN 55379
Church Office: (952) 445-3562, Pastoral Care: (651) 285-0813
e-mail: shakopeefpc@msn.com
January 2008
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From the Interim Pastor
Easter arrived so very early this year, evident by the 6 inches of snow on the ground on Easter morning. Many of you laughed along
with me (or perhaps cringed at me) saying that I was going through Lent this year “in a funk” over the early date.
But whether we were ready or not…Easter came. And a glorious celebration it was, proving again what I know in my heart, that God’s
ways are not our ways and God’s time is not our time. And that God’s ways and timing are always perfect. The chilly, snowy morning
demonstrated, just as I shared with the children on Easter morning, that the resurrection of Christ has nothing to do with spring and
its symbols of fertility. It is all about God’s incredible miracle of life victorious over death.
So first, to our worship leaders, our choirs, our decorators, our staff, our ushers, our officers, our members and all who had a hand in
worship last month, thank you for bringing life to the Holy Week and Easter story once again at FPC, bringing to mind and heart, that
the core of our faith and proclamation is the Resurrected Christ.
My appreciation is also for our church leaders on the Session, who carried their own kind of cross during Holy Week, working with
diligence in the face of difficulty to relieve the financial burden of the congregation. After considering and taking every other option
available, the Session has chosen to redefine its relationship with me as interim pastor, and with our office manager/treasurer. I
agree with their decision, but it is not without its challenges.
The challenges for me and for Sharon, our office manager, are to prioritize our responsibilities within the time now available, and to
manage our household finances with less income. The challenge to the congregation is to adapt to less staff and still uphold the
mission and ministry of the church, and also to face squarely the need for a meaningful and significant increase of funds to sustain a
full time pastor so that the PNC can converse in good faith with candidates for the installed pastor position. I invite you to join the
leaders of your church in committing your stewardship, your time, talent as well as your treasure; not only in faithful and regular giving,
but in planning and participating in the various fundraising initiatives they will bring to you.
God’s ways and timing are not ours. But in Christ, God redeems all things, and will use this time for us to learn new ways of being
and serving and growing. Where we may be unable to see clearly with certainty, we trust that we can go forward in faith.
Grace and Peace in Christ,
Cynthia L. Ray, interim pastor
Youth Plant Sale
Our Youth Fellowship members are taking orders for spring plants including hanging baskets, pots and flats.
Flowers, vegetables and herbs are available. Order forms are in the church lobby. Please return with payment by
April 5. All orders will be available for pickup on May 10. Proceeds from the sale will support the youth mission trip
to Colorado.
Garage Sale - Saturday, April 25-26
Donations
We are accepting clothing, toys, books, shoes, boots, household items and furniture in good and working condition.
We also need plastic and paper bags, hangers and clothing racks. Donations will be accepted April 21-24. Please
price your household items. We will have prices available for clothing. Baked goods are also needed for the bake
sale.
Sale
Spread the word to your friends and neighbors to come to the sale. We also need volunteers to help with set-up,
sales and tear-down. A sign up sheet is on the Fellowship Hall door.
Calling All Chocoholics!
1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 3 - Fellowship Hall
Tickets: $12 for program and dessert
Save the earth! It's the only planet with chocolate. Guest speaker, Constance Gade will present the history of
chocolate. There will also be special music. Tickets are available at the church until April 27. If you would like tickets
to sell, contact Frieda Olin.
2008 PER CAPITA
The per capita apportionment is the required assessment of $28.98 per active member of the church to support the
administrative costs of the presbytery, synod and General Assembly. For 2008, our church’s per capita
responsibility is $5,535.18. We are asking every member to do what they can to offset this amount. Please
consider writing a check (earmarked on the memo line “per capita”). Thank you.