Join Us Sunday Evenings for Presbyball and Croquet

Those of you who have stopped by the church at 7:00 pm on Sunday evenings have witnessed the evolution of an exciting new sport, variously called Presbyball or Beachyball. Although this sport traces its roots to the traditional game of volleyball, the ingredients that make it unique include a giant beach ball, warm summer nights and good fellowship, the presence of lemonade and perhaps a goody, and rules that evolve to fit the participants abilities.

We are now pleased to offer croquet as a second outdoor pastime on Sunday evenings! None other than Paula Presly has issued a challenge to all the potential croquet players out there. Do you have the nerve to face her?

Our Presbyterian games will be on holiday over the weekend of July 4th, but they will continue every other Sunday, starting July 11. We hope to see you there!

Live Simply to Live Free

In Sunday worship, we have been examining the book of Galatians. A great theme in this letter from Paul is Christian freedom, which we have noted is the freedom to do what God wants us to do, not the freedom to do what we want to do. Doing what we want to do is really slavery to ourselves and our old nature.

One of the keys to living a free life is to live in simplicity. When we live simply, we do not have as much to distract us from the pursuit of a devout life.

A book I turn to often for spiritual nourishment is the classic Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. The chapter on simplicity starts, “Simplicity is freedom. Duplicity is bondage. Simplicity brings joy and balance. Duplicity brings anxiety and fear.”¹ Foster then suggests ten principles for simple living:

• Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
• Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
• Develop a habit of giving things away
• Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.
• Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
• Develop a deeper appreciation of the creation.
• Look with a healthy skepticism at all “Buy now, pay later” schemes.
• Obey Jesus' instructions about plain, honest speech (Mathew 5:37).
• Reject anything that will breed the oppression of others.
• Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal²

Yes, some of these suggestions are extreme. No, I have not achieved all of them. Yes, it is a particular challenge to live in simplicity with children in the home. These simple suggestions serve as an exhortation to all of us. See you in Church!

Pastor Leslie

1 Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline (New York: Harper & Row, 1978), p 69.

2 ibid., pp 78–83.

Notes of Thanks

Thank you for your many prayers and for your support for Bob Giovannini and his family during the past two months. Bob is making remarkable progress, and we thank you for your concern and help.

Mary Giovannini

Meet Fred Wheeler, the Man Behind the Flowers

You may not have met Fred Wheeler, but if you've been anywhere near the church, you've most certainly seen the effects of his work. Fred is the man behind the beautiful plantings of gladiolas, tulips and other plants that you can see around the church, the Westminster House and the Rollins apartments.

Fred is a Kirksville native, has lived in the Rollins apartments for the past twenty years, and has been the manager there for the past four years. He says that he “never had a thing to do with plants” until his daughter suggested he buy some house plants for his apartment. Later, he began to plant flowers around Rollins. When the hedges between Rollins and the Westminster House were taken down, Fred began planting there as well.

Although it takes him an hour just to water all the plants, Fred doesn't spend all his time gardening. In addition to managing the Rollins apartments, Fred works in the photo department at Walmart. Those of us who use the church in the evening should also appreciate that Fred is kind enough to check the church each night, making sure the lights are off and the doors locked.

So, the next time you see Fred at the church or around town, take a minute to shake his hand and thank him for all his behind-the-scenes work.

Notes from the Archives

Ten years ago this month...

Stanley and Doris Bohon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 9, 1994, although they were officially married in December of 1944. If you see them, congratulate them on sixty years a little early this year!

The Christian Community Clinic celebrated its first anniversary on July 16, 1994.

Twenty years ago this month...

A ``singspiration'' was held on July 1. All the Sunday-school classes got together to sing their favorite hymns, and the church as a whole was invited to attend. The Press reported that ``Dr. Danfelt will be our song leader and there will be special music by Robbie Gleason.''

Thirty years ago this month...

The Press reported the death of Mrs. Ruth Fowler on June 1, 1974. Ruth Fowler was the first woman elder of our church, serving from approximately 1961 to 1963.

Forty years ago this month...

The mystery of the missing guest book, as reported in last month's Lantern, was resolved. Where do you think the guest book was found?

(a) In the dish cabinet in Fellowship Hall.
(b) Behind the couch cushions in the parlor.
(c) In the rack on the back of a pew.
(d) In the Sunday-school rooms, colored with crayons.

Parlor Refurbishment Will Begin Soon

The Memorial Committee has undertaken an exciting project for the church. By the end of August, we hope the church parlor will be completely refurbished from top to bottom. Before painting can begin and carpet can be laid, we have a few parlor items in which someone in the church might be interested: one gold love seat, two white lamps, two end tables, six side chairs, and the used carpet remnants.

If you would be interested in any of these items, we would appreciate a donation and quick removal. Items must be picked up by July 13!

For more information contact Linda Hudnall (665-2620).