Eastminster Presbyterian Church (USA) | Trussville, Alabama

VBS, June 11-15; EPC and Grace

gfritsma — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:24:25 +0000

Eastminster and Grace combine once again for Vacation Bible School, Monday, June 11–Friday, June 15, 9–11:45 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 6110 Deerfoot Parkway. Registration begins now. Please support VBS by providing graham crackers, vanilla frosting, blue food coloring, “Goldfish,” color sprinkles, mandarin oranges, blue Jello, swim masks, and beach towels. Click the invitation letter below for more information.

Grace-EPC VBS Invitation Letter

Pentecost, May 27, at Grace

gfritsma — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:01:33 +0000

Pentecost, Sunday, May 27, 11: Joint worship at Grace (Deerfoot Parkway) with Eastminster:

White doves flight
Outdoor activities for the kids
Burgers and hot dogs picnic (please bring a side dish or dessert)
Dress Is casual—WEAR RED AND YELLOW!

On Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles fifty days after Christ’s resurrection. Often overlooked, it is a significant day in the Christian calendar and one truly worth celebrating!

Friday Night Live May 11, Pancake Breakfast, May 12, 2012

gfritsma — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:41:37 +0000

On May 11 FNL was back in full form with 75 in attendance. There was “open mic”, worship music, a “word from our sponsor,” board games, basketball, video games, movies, volleyball and a wonderful meal served by FNL student adviser Holly Greatorex. Thanks for all the volunteers and student aides who make this growing ministry possible. Please contact Micah Dowling and let him know when you are available to assist.

Our Montreat pancake breakfast raised $225 for our students’ upcoming Montreat adventure! Special thank you to the Scholl family and Kayla Dailey for your kitchen supervision. Montreaters Rebekah Scholl, Katy Johnson, Celeste Tate, Kevin Little, Amber Watson, Tiffanee Albano, Christian Collins, and Kayla Dailey and hopefully others will be joining us for a week of enrichment on July 8–14 in Montreat, North Carolina.

See photos of our May 11 FNL and May 12 breakfast on Facebook.

Youth Retreat at Montreat July 8-14

gfritsma — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:07:52 +0000

Here is the flyer with plans for the youth retreat “Perfectly Imperfect” at Montreat, North Carolina, July 8–14, 2012.

Montreat Youth Week Flyer

Fifth Sunday of Easter, Holy Communion

gfritsma — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:30:28 +0000

Today’s prelude, “Fairest Lord Jesus,” communion hymn, “Communion,” and postlude, “I Saw the Light” were provided by the Eastminster Worship Ensemble; Tara White, Melissa Scholl, Connie Smith, Micah Dowling, and Pete White. Our offertory anthem, “You Are Lord,” was provided by the Chancel Choir directed by Wayne Hutcheson and accompanied by Connie Smith. Our lectionary readings today included our Epistle, I John 4:7–15, affirmation of faith, I John 4:16–21, and Gospel, John 15:1–8.

Pastor Frandsen led us in the Word of God from John 15 with the title, “Doing Nothing.” We can actually do things without the Lord, but nothing worthwhile. We struggle to abide in the Lord, as many interior voices distract or even condemn us. Perhaps, like a race horse, we need blinders to keep our eyes on Jesus so we can accomplish things that matter. Where are our orchards and vineyards, are we working there?
Living in Christ we have access to supernatural powers. Who is Jesus? He is our “I Am,” he is the source of our power, and we need to “plug in.” None of us have seen God, but everyone has met a few “Jesuses” in their lives, and we need to be “Jesus” for others. How do we know? Read the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–26, and recall that Mother Theresa said, “I don’t remember that the Lord spoke of success, rather He spoke of faithfulness and love.”

Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 29, 2012

gfritsma — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:35:49 +0000

Today’s prelude, “Sing Together” was provided by Rebekah Scholl, accompanying herself on the guitar. The Eastminster Worship Ensemble, Tara White, soloist, with Melissa Scholl, vocals; Connie Smith, vocals and keyboard, and Pete White, guitar; sang the offertory “How Great Thou Art,” and the postlude, “Your Grace is Enough.” John Holcomb was our liturgist, and led us in the Call to Worship, Psalm 23; New Testament reading, Acts 4:5–12; Affirmation of Faith, Colossians 1:15–20, and Epistle, I John 3:16–24. Our meditation today, “Is the Lord Really My Shepherd, “led by Pastor Michael Frandsen, was based on John 10:11–18.

Psalm 23 reads, “I shall not want.” “Shall” is an imperative, it means business! While following Jesus does not guarantee a fortune, we “shall” receive all the spiritual gifts we need. Despite what we may think about sheep, they are smart enough to be led by their master’s voice; nevertheless, from time to time one becomes lost. Are we part of the 99? No, “I am probably the one that is lost.” “How can Jesus find you unless you know you are lost?” Once found, we may pray for Jesus to send us the lost, but watch out, the answer will come! In the Eastern US, old congregational churches erect signs announcing their origin that say, “Gathered together in 1690,” or “Gathered in 1710.” Like sheep, we are the lost who are gathered, and are prepared to serve God’s lost sheep.

Youth Activity Photos April 20 and 22

gfritsma — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:03:27 +0000

See the Facebook photos for Friday Night Live, Friday, April 20, 2012, and for Kingdom Kids, Sunday, April 22, 2012.

Youth Mission Trip July 22-28

gfritsma — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:38:52 +0000

Youth pastor Micah Dowling is planning a youth mission trip to Mobile for July 22–28. Our youth will join the youth from Oakmont Presbyterian Church. The program is provided by Urban Mission Camps 2012, sponsored by the Presbyterian Church, USA. Please select the link below to see the brochure for UMC details, and if you would like to go, contact Pastor Dowling at 616-6780.

Urban Mission Camps 2012: Mobile

Sunday, April 22: Preschool Recognition

gfritsma — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:38:11 +0000

This Sunday’s worship experience included a special blessing, the children and parents of our Eastminster Preschool and Mother’s Day Out programs, led by Tamatha Patterson, were present to provide recognition and thanks to our teachers. The children treated us to two special songs prepared for recognition Sunday, led by Youth Pastor Micah Dowling and teacher Melissa Scholl. Our prelude and postlude were both provided by the Eastminster Worship Ensemble, and our Chancel Choir, led by Wayne Hutcheson and accompanied by Connie Smith, provided praise with their offertory anthem, “Every Valley.”

Our liturgist today was John Holcomb, who read from 1 John 3:1–7. Our Gospel lesson was Luke 24:36–48, and Pastor Frandsen led us in a reflection, “Where is Jesus Now?” In the upper room, and each time Jesus appears, His greeting is shalom aleikhem, “peace be with you.” Jesus provide peace, He shows up within you and me, He shows up when we hurt. Jesus is present in those whom we meet who are in need, He lives in us when we provide food for the hungry. In our actions, we are the church.

Flapjack Run Saturday, April 14, 2012

gfritsma — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:46:19 +0000

Here are 220 Facebook photos of Saturday’s Flapjack Run, which included “Eastminsterites” Melissa and Jon Scholl; Holly, Micah, and Silas Dowling; Diane, Michael, and Jackson Frandsen; Margaret and George Fritsma, Rosemary Holcomb, Larry Thach, Connie Smith, and Tara White. Congratulations to Jon Scholl for his first-place finish, to Micah Dowling for his second place finish among the “faster pastors,” and to George Fritsma for being the last man standing! Thanks to Micah’s family for coming to cheer us on, and to the organizers for a job well done.