SpireVolume 56#1-January 2015

T HE S PIRE
Volume 56, Number 1
JANUARY 2015
Just these lines...to give doxology to our triune God for all of His faithful blessings to His church here in 2014 as we now enthusiastically move into our dynamic
church’s 158th year of worshipping and serving our Lord here, near and far! In
church, January is sort of like September, as there are new ways to get plugged in
to small groups as well as special concerts and seminars….see inside!
When Christian poet Maya Angelou went to be with the Lord in 2014, I read…..
Maya Angelou’s Guide to Life in Nine Tweets
1. Listen to yourself and in that quiet you may hear the voice of God.
2. The most called-upon prerequisite of a friend is a listening ear.
3. How to Love: Have enough courage to love.
4. How to find happiness: When we decide to be happy we accept the responsibility to bring happiness to someone else.
5. How to be successful: You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t
make money your goal. Instead pursue the people and the purposes you love.
6. How to forgive: Let the brain go to work. Let it meet the heart; and you will be able to forgive.
7. How not to compromise on your quality of life: I agreed a long time ago, I would not love at
any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think is right, I will not do it.
8. How to appreciate every day: This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.
9. And how to fight against what’s wrong in the world: We must be warriors in the struggle
against ignorance.
Who/what are my guides to life? What are yours? Are they in sync with God’s guidelines? How can the
various opportunities that my church as well as other spiritual venues open our hearts, minds and wills
to know and follow the way, the truth and the life of the One whose birthday we’ve just celebrated
anew?
Raymond
P.S. Please note three new and hopefully informative Spire features for 2015—”Go Figure”,
“In This Corner” and “Holy Humor.” Also, are there members who would like to help provide leadership
with Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, Grief Share small groups, Lunch and Learns??? Call me
collect!
A monthly publication of
First Presbyterian Church
511 SE Third Street, Ocala, FL 34471
Phone: (352) 629-7561 Fax: (352) 629-8066
www.fpcocala.org
The Reverend Dr. Raymond Guterman, Pastor
The Reverend Darren Bess, Associate Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Ray Ruark, Pastor Emeritus
Congratulations to Liz and
Joe Dickmann who welcome their eighth grandchild, Sebastian William,
who was born on December
1 to Karen and Rob Hughes
in Summit, NJ.
Coming in 2015…..
FPC Local Artist Concert Series!
Here is a taste of things to come,
watch for more details as we enter the new year!
February,* Sunday 3 p.m. Fellowship Hall
Jazz Quartet
March 8, Sunday 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Spring String Fling
March 29, Sunday Worship 8:15 & 11 a.m.
Chancel Choir Cantata
May 16, Saturday 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Cross & Crowns CD Release Concert
September*, Saturday 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Women of Worship Gospel Choir
New Missionary Baptist Church
Thank you for all the prayers and cards during my
surgery/healing. A special thanks to PW Circle #8
for the additional support of meals. Please continue prayers as I begin my Chemo/Radiation
treatments.
Gera Fleming
Salvation Army Bell Ringers - OURTHANK
YOU. Our kettle was filled each day. Star ringer
was four year old Kaiden Winfree who charmed
much money out of pockets. The cold didn't deter
us. - Gera Fleming
October*, Sunday 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Josiah Armes, Organist
First Presbyterian Orlando
November 1, Sunday 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Marion Chorale
Patriotic Concert
December 6, Sunday 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Marion Chorale
Holiday Concert
* Exact Date TBD
Thank you to the Bill Russell, Don
Slone, Bill Rainbow, John Hagood and
John Peterson families who provide the
beautiful window and chancel Christmas
greens in the Sanctuary each year in honor
of our Savior’s birth and in loving memory of
long-time faithful member Nina Weeks who
made these provisions for our church for
many years!
Gus and Alta Gustafson ring the Salvation Army
bell and represent FPC at the Churchill Square
Publix recently.
FPC FAITHFULNESS REPORT
Worship attendance
11/30
12/7
12/14
12/21
8:15 a.m.
53
76
81
58
9:30 a.m.
139
134
162
193
11:00 a.m.
101
124
136
147
Total
293
334
379
398
In this Corner
In the annual appeal for poinsettias in a
Presbyterian church in Nevada, the request
ended with “Please place your donation in
the envelope along with the deceased
person you want to remember.”
—Marj Carpenter
Tithes and Offerings
10,660
43,771
12,701
19,829
Weekly Giving Need
17,205
17,205
17,205
17,205
Year-to-date Need
826,225 826,225 843,430 860,635
Year-to-date Received
742,839 786,610 799,311 819,140
Fellowship Hall Makeover Fund
Save Our Steeple Fund
55
1,497
35,149
2,035
562
JOIN THIS
TRIP!
VIP (55+) (VERY IMPORTANT PRESBYTERIANS)
Luncheon and Program
Thursday, January 8
Join Pastor
Darren
for his new
class
“Sacred
Journey”
beginning
January 7
The class will organize the material found in
Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling into an eight
week curriculum designed to equip laity in counseling others effectively, either in the context of
the church or in the context of everyday life. I
believe, as fewer people seem to be coming to
churches, but more people are open and need
help managing stress, anxiety and fear; compassionate, engaging and helpful encouragement
from an equipped Biblical counselor and friend.
This could be one of the best ways to share God’s
love and the message of Jesus Christ to lost and
hurting people.
You have two choices of sessions to attend.
Morning and evening classes begin January 7th
and run through February 25th
• Session 1 will meet in the Choir Room at
9:30 a.m.
• Session 2 will meet in the Conference Room
at 6:30 p.m.
Another Disciple Journey is
Upcoming!
Jean Morse’s Disciple class will
focus on Philippians beginning
January 14 at 10:00 a.m. on
Wednesdays in Room 1. Newcomers are always welcome!
The meeting starts at
11:30 a.m. with lunch at
noon in Fellowship Hall
Program: FPC’s own Don Lessman on guitar,
playing gospel and secular music
Menu:
Chicken parmesan with Fettuccini
Alfredo, Greek or Italian salad,
fresh bread and Light dessert
Cost:
$6
Be sure to make your reservations on the Friendship Pad or call the church office (629-7561) on
or before Tuesday, January 6. Please request
GLUTEN FREE if needed. Please remember to
bring paper products for Interfaith.
Greet ‘n’ Eat Time!
Out to Dinner
Fellowship
Thursday, January 15th
The Out to Dinner group will meet Thursday,
January15 at 5:30 p.m. at Blanca's Cafe (Ocala
Palms, 5174 NW 26th Ave.) RSVP by
Monday, January 12 to Cathy Taylor 671-3730.
Holy Humor
In Birmingham, Alabama, a Presbyterian junior
high youth coordinator asked the group to write
down any three of the Ten Commandments they
could remember. One youth included, “The fifth
commandment is humor thy father and thy
mother.”
Calling all FPC Men! Presbyterian Men will meet on Thursday, January 29
at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall —Great meal—Great price ($6)—Great speaker!
Our January speaker will be Pat McGinnis
She’s a missionary in Africa and former FPC member. Her husband, Mike, will be here too!
Menu: Cheesy chicken pasta casserole, with fresh bread, salad and select desserts
RSVP to attend Presbyterian Men on Thursday, January 29, 2014
Name(s): __________________________________________ Phone: __________________
Presbyterian Women—From the Presbyterian Women Moderator’s Desk….
To all the women of First Presbyterian Church of Ocala for January 2015:
Combined December Circle meeting brought fellowship, good food
& Bible study! Plan ahead (already!) for 2015 events!
This year we tried something different for the Circle
Christmas Meetings. We always have a problem
finding a restaurant that will fit our groups and also
be able to hear the Bible Study. It was suggested this
year we try a group meeting in Fellowship Hall with
Tom Weaver doing the study and Alan preparing the
lunch. Well, it turned out to be a terrific idea. We all
loved it and want to repeat it next December. Our
only problem was that the 55 attendees were only
from the daytime circle members. Unfortunately the
evening circles couldn’t join us. Perhaps we can figure
something for them next year. Any ideas, please let
me know.
January returns us, both individually and PW-wise, to
our normal schedules. Our next event is the Gifts of
Women Sunday Service. I think I may have a worship leader so please keep it in your prayers that she
can make it!! Then I can concentrate on getting
someone for our Spring Gathering. It is amazing
how far in advance these arrangements need to be
made as everyone is so very busy. Their calendars fill
up quickly.
Please mark January 16th on your calendar for the
Church Women United’s Human Rights Celebration. It will be held from 9:30 a.m., until noon at
Fort King Presbyterian Church, 13 NE 36th Avenue. I hope to see you there.
Reminders for January:
• Circle Duty is a combined “all circles” month. If
we are needed, the circle leaders will be contacted
• January 6th is the Bible Mentoring Meeting, 5:30
p.m. in Room 1.
• January 6th is the PW Coordinating Team Meeting, 7:00 p.m. in Room 1.
We all hope you had a super, special Christmas and
wish you the best for the 2015 New Year.
Serving Him by serving you,
Fran Gilchrist, 454-3155, [email protected]
Presbyterian Women Circle Meetings for January 2015
Bible Study and Fellowship with your Sisters in Christ
Circle
Date
Time
Meeting Place
Contact
Phone
Bible
Mentoring
January 6
5:30 p.m.
Room 1
Tom Weaver
622-6028
PW Coord.
Team
1
January 6
7:00 p.m.
Room 1
Fran Gilchrist
454-3155
January 13
2:00 p.m.
Conference Room
Renie Clark
351-4694
3
January 19
9:30 a.m.
2361 NW 51st Terrace
Louise Kail
369-1284
4
January 13
6:30 p.m.
Choir Room
Sue Brawner
875-4608
5
January 13
10:00 a.m.
Room 1
Esther Arango-Palencia
732-6626
7
January 13
11:30 a.m.
Choir Room
Fran Gilchrist
454-3155
8
January 13
2:00 p.m.
1819 SE 32nd Lane
Donna Guterman
351-9398
9
January 12
7:00 p.m.
3374 SE 50th Place
Marlene McMurrer-Shank
572-8822
Presbyterian Women’s Program Meetings for January 2014
Ways to Serve with your Sisters in Christ
Program
Date
Time
Location
Contact
Phone
Prayer Partners
January 15
1:00 p.m.
Parlor
Grietje Lewis
732-0270
Prayer Shawl
January 22
1:30 p.m.
Conference Room
Liz Diener-Dickmann
732-6368
WeCare (sewing)
January 26
9:30 a.m.
Room 1
Donna Guterman
351-9398
Stress Free Book Club
January 27
1:30 p.m.
Conference Room
Luella Nazaruk
694-6856
January Book Selection: The Chance by Karen Kingsbury
January Birthdays
2
Raymond Guterman
Joyce Heenie
3
Marsha Knepp
Dirk Lewis
Gwen Peterson
Logan Rodgers
5
Steve Koch
7
Dorothy Behrens
Lyn Rainbow
8
Jerry Rost
9
David Berndt
John Berndt
Benjamin Manthe
10
Bobby Richardson
Adam Schuler
Howell Winfree, II
11
Molly Jank
Rhonda Kirk
12
Austin Adams
Leslie Wiechens
13
Laird Manning
14
Maria Myers
15
Diane Andrews
Joyce Baker
Lilli MacKay
Luella Nazaruk
Kaylin Rodgers
Tammy Wildy
16
Sandra Dailey
Brooke Langley
18
Lora Barrett
Sue Brawner
Charlotte Hafner
Grietje Lewis
Trish Mosby
19
Thomas Essick
Ramona Gant
B.J. Hafner
Connor Patrick
20
Austin Dailey
23
Randy Briggs
Connor Davis
Sally Howell
24
Chris Bissett
William Cone
25
Kelsey Adams
Anna Goedert
Helen Gottlieb
Kathy Kaufman
Gene Wiechens
26
Mina DiGeronimo
Barbara Karlosky
Laura Moore
21
Erin McClary
27
Kathy Hart
Jason Knoblock
Graham Moore
Steve Taylor
Sid Varner
28
Mary Moore
Shelby Welch
29
Russel Dingman
Lamar Knepp
30
Bill Futch
Mikey Kelly
31
Aly Sanderford
Our Presbytery of St. Augustine’s Mutual Mission Program
announces 4 opportunities for us to get
involved in its 2015 mission work!
FPC Resting Elder Richard Kirk, Moderator of Presbytery’s Mutual Mission Program—in announcing
2015’s scheduled events—lists four areas in which members’ can participate in this program begun 30
years ago. These opportunities include
January 10-17
Dental and Housing
April 17-22
Adult Exchange (in Florida)
June 14-20
Medical/Dental/Housing
July 8-21
Youth Exchange
In closing, Richard states, “Everyone should use the gift they received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms [1 Peter 4:10]….Thank you for sharing a variety of gifts with us!”
Another opportunity to learn and experience Mutual Mission!
In other news about the Mutual Mission Program, members of the committee will visit local churches to
share a dinner of Jamaican cuisine and a power point presentation with information about the program.
Locally, the visit will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3 at Ft. King Presbyterian
Church.
For more information, contact Richard at 352-425-8526 or online at mutualmission.org.
We Remember This Month in Prayer
J.R. Blackwell (Mary Kaufman’s nephew), Jane Cameron, Jamii Fuseler (the Pickards’ niece), Lucille
Griggs (Genesis), Helen Hayes (Marion Thomas’ sister), Noel Trentham Hutcheson (Brooke Cole’s
sister), Tineke (Grietje Lewis’ sister), Sue Murphy, Maria Myers (Hampton Manor), Karen Reiss (The
John Reiss’ daughter-in-law), David Owen (Gene and Dee Owen’s son), Janice Schafer and Doris
Steinhardt (Emeritus East), Ken Tipper, thanksgiving for our 2014 stewardship season, safety for those
repairing and renovating our church steeple, a brand new year of mission and ministry in and thought our
Lord’s church here and our men and women serving in the armed services.
Welcome, New Members!
We warmly welcome our 22 new members who have been received into our church family by our
Session since August!
Scott & Kathy Andrews (1239 SE 11th Street, Ocala, 34471, 678-557-3939) joined by reaffirmation of
faith. Scott grew up in our church and has moved back to Ocala with his family. Their daughter, Emma,
is a fifth grader at Eighth Street Elementary. They attend the 9:30 and 11 o’clock services.
Chris & Teresa Bissett (1307 SE 65th Circle, Ocala, 34472) joined by reaffirmation of faith. Chris is a
chiropractor in the Villages and Teresa is his assistant. They have two children and attend the 9:30
service.
Bob & Viann Brady (6568 SW 62nd Avenue, Ocala, 34474, 854-9612) joined by transfer of letter from
the Dunnellon Presbyterian Church and are both already singing in our chancel choir.
Chris Cepil (45 Wyllys Avenue, WesBox #90887, Middletown, CT 06459) joined by profession of faith.
Chris is Sara Bennett’s boy friend, a 2014 IB graduate of Vanguard, and a student at Wesleyan
University.
Kathy Cooley (2108 SE 12th Street, Ocala, 34471, 622-9979) joined by reaffirmation of faith. Kathy
has retired from teaching and attends the 9:30 service. Her children, John and Katie, were confirmed
and are members of FPC!
Christina Gankiewicz (1101 SE 27th Street, Ocala, 34471-5926, 789-6486) joined by reaffirmation of
faith. Christina is Betty Williams’ daughter and attends the 8:15 service.
Jean Hall (5470 NW 26th Lane, Ocala, 34482) joined by reaffirmation of faith. Jean is an aunt of Ruth
Ann Oster and Ramona Gant and attends the 9:30 service.
Pat Interdonato (477 A Midway Drive, Ocala, 34472, 687-1663) joined by reaffirmation of faith. Pat is
a volunteer with Marion County Public Library and attend the 11 o’clock service.
Ruth Lewis (12051 NW 100th Street, Ocala, 34482-8630, 620-9970) joined by transfer of letter from
First Presbyterian of Port St. Lucie and is looking forward to getting involved in mission and visitation.
Ruth attends the 11 o’clock service.
Dana Robinson (2739 NE 60th Lane, Ocala, 34479, 873-3300) joined by reaffirmation of faith and
attends the 9:30 service with her son, Gavin.
Joseph & Jenney Sims (747 SE 45th Terrace, Ocala, 34471, 274-5159) joined by reaffirmation of faith.
Joseph works with the Florida Highway Patrol. He and Jenney have three children and attend the 9:30
service.
Mayfair Taylor (P.O. Box 1338, Ocklawaha, 32183, 288-4042) joined by transfer of letter from her
church in Roswell, Georgia. A former member, Mayfair attends the 11 o’clock service.
David Tipper (597 NE 45th Terrace, Ocala, 34470-1497, 694-6389) is Ken’s son and attends the 11
o’clock service with his dad. David has just completed a degree in computer technology and is seeking
employment/willing to help people at home with training and repair.
Scott & Monica Waldren (4930 SE 44th Circle, Ocala, 34480, 572-8338) joined by reaffirmation of
faith. They attend the 8:15 service with Scott’s father, Larry, Sr.
Skip Wilson (10325 SE 42nd Court, Belleview, 34420, 425-8515) joined by profession of faith. Skip
began attending this fall with Jane Beebe.
Dan & Joanne Woerner (14745 NE Jacksonville Road, Citra, 32113, 910-384-4263) joined by reaffirmation of faith. Dan and Joanne, both retired bankers, are involved in the Disciple One class and
attend the 9:30 and 11 o’clock services. Joanne loves her horses and Dan loves his dogs!

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