Carol Buckhout Editor   

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The other day I was listening to a radio program about life priorities. The speaker was talking about how our lives seem to be getting busier and busier, yet the sense of fulfillment and contentment for many of us is becoming less. Consider this: what would happen if for Lent, we gave up those activities in our lives that were unimportant and unfulfilling. The list of these activities will be different for each person, but what if we said, “ no” to TV, cell phones, the internet (particularly Facebook) ... and said “yes” to worship, prayer, Bible study, working for charitable causes, and relieving the suffering of others?

Blessings,
Pastor Randy

Members and Visitors—Sign in, Please!

The Deacons have prepared new attendance forms that are placed in each pew. Please sign in to indicate your presence in worship. And, if you’re seated with someone you don’t know, extend a welcome and offer the form. This will help the Deacons follow up with members who are absent or visitors who would like to know more about CSPC (Four new families visited in January!)

New Contact Info?

The Deacons are working to keep the CSPC directory current. Please send changes of address, e-mail address or phone number to Joe Johnson johnsonjose82@aol.com. Also, the most recently updated version of the directory is now in each family’s mailbox.

Souper Bowl Offering on Super Bowl Sunday

On Sunday, Feb. 5, CSPC’s youth will lead worship at both 8:30 and 11:11 services. They will also be receiving the Souper Bowl offering for hunger relief programs. Bring your change (or bills) to make a change for those who need our help to feed themselves and their families.

Stewardship and Giving Statements

Giving statements for 2011 are in the Narthex. The error discovered on some statements has been corrected and these copies have been stapled to the envelope. The corrected statements should be used for your tax returns. Please pick up your 2012 stewardship envelopes from your mailboxes or contact Karen Greenhow, 380-0632 or glk47Karen@aol.com,if you need envelopes.

Other Deacons News

At their Feb. 2 meeting, the Deacons worked on goals for 2012 to visit shut-ins, create church growth events, mission events and expand CSPC’s marketing and outreach efforts.  These efforts include creating a brochure about CSPC and putting our logo on shirts and sweatshirts that our members can wear when we volunteer in the community. Deacon contact is Troy Bitter (titantroy.ky@gmail.com)

Lenten Worship at CSPC

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, CSPC will gather each Wednesday for a fellowship meal at 5:30 and a short worship service beginning at 6:30. On Maundy Thursday, April 5, we will share a Seder meal.

The nursery will be available for all services and child-friendly worship activities will be offered in the Narthex.

About CSPC’s Per Capital Assessment

Each year Presbyterian congregations pay an assessment to fund the life and mission of our national denomination, including our Presbytery, Synod, General Assembly and mission work. The assessment is paid for each active member of the congregation, based on the previous year’s rolls.

You can participate directly in the life of our church universal AND help CSPC’s budget situation by contributing your per capita assessment of $27.80, using the giving envelope provided for that purpose.

February Wish List at River Ridge

The Helping Hands at CSPC are gathering sweat pants (sizes 6-8 and 10-12) as the wish list item for February. Please shop for generic/co-ed styles in colors that can be worn by either boys or girls. Donations can be left in the shopping cart in the Narthex. The River Ridge School Family Resource Center will receive ongoing mission support from CSPC. Look for the monthly “wish list” items to support this program.

If you would like a receipt for these donations, fill out the receipt form in the church office and see Troy Bitter, Carol Buckhout or Ernie Elliot for a signature to confirm your donation. The forms may be left in their boxes in the office; they’ll return them to you. Thanks for being a Helping Hand!

Session Notes:
At its stated meeting January 17, 2012, the CSPC session:

•Accepted with regret the resignation of Carol Points from the board of Deacons;
•Directed the nominating committee to find a candidate for the unexpired term on Deacons;
•Voted to receive Jonathan Harrison and Katie Kaiser by transfer/profession of faith;
   - Approved the baptism of Lincoln James, their son;
•Received an oral report from the Building and Grounds Committee;
•Authorized children/family ministry team to review and discard children’s books and books, as needed , and to see these at a yard sale at a later date;
•Approved study leave for Rev. Schafer for April 14-25, vacation March 16-18 and possible bereavement leave for May 24-June 13;
•Approved re-scheduling the Reed/Parine wedding for Sept. 14, with building use permitted Sept. 13 and 14;
•Decided not to go forward with consultation by Rev. Hart Edmunds on conflict resolution;
•Voted to allow youth to lead worship at both services on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 as part of Souper Bowl Sunday mission offering, with communion by Rev. Schafer and assistance by youth members in place of elder/deacons;
•Received a report from Deacons on attendance tracking forms;
•Approved the revised 2012 budget, incorporating additional pledges and reduced FICA and per capita expenses for a reduced deficit of $52,654’
•Designated Troy Bitter, Deacon Moderator, and Carol Buckhout, Clerk, to sign receipts of gift in-kind for CSPC members. Ernie Elliot will continue to sign receipts as he is available;
•Scheduled a Lenten worship planning meeting with session members, moderator and the worship facilitator, Saturday, Jan. 28;
•Elected Terry David commissioner to the stated meeting of Presbytery, Feb. 14;
•Accepted preparation/examination of Walt Cottongim for office of ruling elder;
•Scheduled ordination and installation of Walt Cottongim for Sunday, Jan 22 at 8:30 worship service;
•Instructed Rev. Schafer to invite Brad Neal to attend February stated meeting to review his progress with seminary education;
•Voted to express appreciation to Janet Stadtmiller for her ten years of faithful service as Clerk of Session at 11:11 worship Jan. 29.