TIME WELL SPENT
A publication of the acitivities and ministries of the Historic First Presbyterian Church
May 2008

MEET ME  AT THE WELL
   By HFPC Member Mary Ann Crompton

In the year 1879, a well was dug in Phoenix when the
Brush Church began its ministry.

The well became deeper as
Historic First Presbyterian Church
laid it cornerstone in 1927.

This gathering place has nourished
generations of people
seeking and searching for their
faith in God.

Today, you and I gather here to worship
God and share in spiritual fellowship.

A fresh bubbling spring of water
refreshes our soul.  What a marvelous place
to come to meet Jesus and mature in our faith.

Jesus says, “Come!  Drink living Water.
Be refreshed.  Meet me at the well!”

Loving and Sharing Christ
from the Heart of Downtown Phoenix

The Well
Rev. Nathan Byrd

The challenge before us is to connect with new constituencies to the glory of God.  Use this summer as a time to pray, discuss, and plan.  Then present ideas.  We will use these ideas to take risks, reach out, and attempt to connect with God’s people in ways we never thought of before.  We know for a fact that large sections of humanity are lonely, feel isolated, and seek connection.  Scripture says that the answer is Jesus.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, we must get the message out.  It is a matter of life and death.  Please take a look at the chart on page three.  Come forward with the specifics to fill this chart.

I look forward to a summer of air-conditioned prayer, discussion over cold water, and planning with our sleeves rolled up.  Its summertime and living is hot.  Hot with ideas, hot with action, and hot for the hem of Jesus’ garment and the continued opportunity to bask in the refreshing Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life.  

SONOMA CASUAL  DINING

Neighborhood Restaurant

 Located under the parking  structure on the S.E. Corner of Van Buren and 1st Ave

A portion of Sonoma Restaurant’s proceeds will be donated back to HFPC.

Sonoma Casual Dining is aware of the community services for which HFPC subsidizes up to 60% of rent/utilities.  HFPC recognizes the need for Arizonans for Children, DUCK and Whole Life Foundation.

If you do not have a coupon, please present them with an HFPC business card (located in pew pockets or front reception desk).

Please support this neighborhood restaurant.
If you would like coupons that benefit the church
to distribute at your downtown workplace or condo, please contact Teresa Young at treetur@netzero.com.

The daily specials tested have been excellent.  You can either serve yourself through a cafeteria line, or be waited upon (go to bar area and request wait service).  If you like rich blended coffee, you will enjoy the coffee served at the espresso bar.

OUR SISTER CHURCH
Desert Hills
Presbyterian Church
34605 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Carefree, AZ 85377

WHOLE LIFE FOUNDATION

The clock is still ticking on contributions towards Whole Life’s new mission building, which will be used in addition to their office space at HFPC.  Please continue to pray for their fundraiser as well as the people they serve.  If anyone knows of someone who is able to help, please call Isabel McMahel at  602-256-7169.

New Museum Downtown
By Rev. Nathan Byrd

A new Children’s Museum will open downtown.  The location is Van Buren and 7th Street.  Huge opening day events will take place on June 14 and 15 between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM.  The Museum Public Relations Team anticipates over 10,000 will join in on the celebration each day.  Take some time and visit with our new neighbor. 

COME TO HISTORIC FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH!
By Mary Ann Crompton

Be refreshed at the well and have a cup of living water.

The Holy Bible is brimming full of refreshment to quench our thirst and fill us with God’s   Holy Spirit.

Cups of peace, joy, love, wisdom, divine guidance, friends, fun, fellowship, and answers you are searching for are being served.

2008 ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
By Deana Wingate

Once again our HFPC Youth competed in the Odyssey of the Mind, which is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.  Schools from all over Arizona compete locally each year in this creative, problem-solving, extra-curricular program.  However, HFPC is the only local church    involved.  Not only that, but this year we had two teams enter the competition, the Junior High Theatrics Team and the Junior High Structure Team. 

In the theatrics problem, each team had to present an eight minute performance that revolved around a particular theme and incorporated specific required elements.  Our Junior High Theatrics Team presented a musical which focused on three eccentric characters involved in solving an earth system issue.  Within this context, the team also integrated Christian beliefs and practices into their solution. 

For the structure problem, each team had to design and build their own edifice using only balsa wood and glue.  As part of this year’s problem, teams were required to balance golf balls on their structure as they tested it to see how much weight it could support.  An eight minute performance was also required of the Structure Team, for which they chose to present their  unique interpretation of the Tower of Babel Bible story and the distraction of God’s people with the game of golf.

Both HFPC teams competed at the Central Region Tournament at Tempe High School on March 8.  The Theatrics Team came in sixth place, and the Structure Team came in first by creating the structure that could support the most weight of any team that day (56 pounds  officially and 105 pounds unofficially).  They then qualified to compete in the Arizona State Tournament that was held at Ironwood Ridge High School in Tucson on April 5.  At the State Tournament, the Structure Team took second place by being able to support 150 pounds with their structure.  This placement qualifies them to compete at the World Finals being held at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, from May 31 to June 3.  Unfortunately, the team will not be able to compete in this competition due to prior commitments.  Nevertheless, this is quite an accomplishment for our HFPC Youth!

2008 SENIOR SERVICE AWARD
By Kim Wagner-Hemmes

Congratulations to Mamie Miller, who was the recipient of this year’s Senior Service Award presented at the Orangewood Presbyterian Church on April 17.  This annual award is given by the Presbytery of Grand Canyon to recognize our   senior members for their service within our church and community.

Unity of Word and Sacrament
By Rev. Nathan Byrd

The unity of the Word and Sacrament is a valuable theme in our Reformed/Presbyterian       heritage.  The thought here is that the sacraments without the preached word are just their ordinary elements.  Without the preached word, we have just water, just bread, just juice, and just wine.  However, with the preached word we believe Christ to be uniquely present.  The sacraments are a sign and seal, the word made tangible.  The word without the sacrament becomes just a lecture according to Martin Luther. 
Throughout time the church debated how often to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.  The minimum in the Presbyterian Church USA is quarterly.  Most churches work it monthly these days.  John Calvin wanted to celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly and often.  What would be your preference? 

Visual Arts
By Rev. Nathan Byrd

The Reformed/Presbyterian tradition historically affirms the visual arts as a gift of God.  However, the tradition tends to minimize the use of visual art in its sanctuaries.  The reason for this is that John Calvin thought the preached word and sacraments were enough to reach God’s people.  Nonetheless, while outside the context of worship, people of the Reformed/Presbyterian stripe enjoy and appreciate the visual arts whether or not pieces have religious themes.   Beauty is beauty, and beauty in the visual arts is a gift from God.  Now, as sinners, as people who are less than perfect, human beings can abuse this gift.  It does not take long to find examples of such misuse within the visual arts. 

HFPC FINANCIAL REPORT
The following pertains to the THREE MONTHS ENDING MARCH 31, 2008

The pledge and loose plate offerings were $4,010 less than budgeted through March 31, 2008.
Other income was $4,153 less than budgeted through March 31, 2008
Through March 2008, $103,863 has been transferred from the Foundation to the general fund.  During 2008, $414,599 has been budgeted to be withdrawn from the Foundation and transferred to the General Fund.
Expenses were $4,435 less than budgeted through March 31, 2008.  This was primarily due to timing differences for payroll.
On March 31, 2008, the general fund account reflected a deficit of $3,515.
On March 31, 2008, the balance in the First Presbyterian Foundation was $942,615.
Please contact Donita Young, Financial Secretary at 602-254-6356, ext. 110 if you have any questions and/or need additional information concerning the church’s finances.