March 2015 Final copy

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Escalon Pres March 2015

! !

SEEK: to bring others to Faith in Jesus Christ ! v SUPPORT: personal Growth through God’s Word ! v

SERVE: in Mission locally and globally SUSTAIN: a Christ-Centered Fellowship

Forward In Faith Continues 2015 EPC Capital Campaign

Campaign Vision Dessert Evenings

Victory Sunday

February 26 - March 10

April l9

These dessert evenings are informal gatherings in small groups to present the details of the Capital Campaign and hear your questions. No requests for donations will be made at this time. Thank you for attending - these have been encouraging thus far.

On this Sunday we will receive your prayerfully considered pledges towards the Capital Campaign in a service of worship. Results will be announced a few weeks following. Capital Campaign questions can be directed to: Jerry Hougland

Celebration Sunday

and Jerry Barton (co-chairs)

March 29 On this Sunday our entire Congregation will gather together in the Faith Center after worship for lunch to hear for the final time the vision for our Capital Campaign. Pledge cards will be handed out at this time. March 2015 Newsletter

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The Life of Jesus - Let’s Follow It By Joel Adams

I am fortunate to select music for each season of the Church Year. In playing, singing, and listening to various compositions, I become fully drenched in the spirit of that season. Most of the time that review process takes place a couple months prior to the actual season itself. Yes, I am “Harking the Herald” in the high ninety degree days of summer. I then get the pleasure of working with the choir to prepare the music closer to the time it is shared with you and offered to God in worship. It is thru this process that I have grown in my understanding and respect for the Church Year. As humans, we enjoy the vistas of mountain tops and the lofty position in which it places us! We enjoy and desire to stay where there is beauty, joy, and happiness. On top of a mountain you can see everything for miles and miles. From high places you are different, even superior to those below. The sun, moon, stars, and clouds seem touchable! We have all heard the term “I feel like I am on top of the world.” We are warm, powerful, and loving life. We can relate both physically and spiritually to this place! Have you ever been in a dark, scary, and seemingly endless place? Are you there now? I remember being asked to climb and crawl thru a cave as part of a “team building” exercise a couple years ago. What is around the corner in a cave? You literally have to touch and feel your way thru. You listen earnestly for the leading and prompting of others who are with you. You feel alone, but you are not. You really want to get to the end of the cave and see light. You really want to find a way out of the darkness! Someone get me out of here…help… enough already…I am ready for that high mountain again! The music of the Church Year is real world! In the following of Jesus, we are taken through the wondrous story again and again. We soar with Christ during His resurrection, singing joyous tunes that attempt to be fitting of such a life changing event in history! We adore and hail Him for His Ascension and Reign and sing majestic tunes that are suitable 2

for THE KING. We celebrate the Pentecost and rejoice with enthusiastic tunes that remind us of the Holy Spirit’s work in this world and our personal lives. We marvel and sing with awe at the birth of Christ. Songs of reverence and joy help us remember that God sent Jesus during Christmas. The reverence and almost delicate nature of some of these tunes are sung and played in response to the indescribable love of God for us. The joy is an infectious response to what this all means for us! These are mountain tops and truly joyful moments! You have your personal spiritual mountain tops too! With great exultation we sing and play, for there is profound joy in the Lord. During Advent and Lent the music is intentionally different. Contemplation, longing, and sometimes sorrow are the themes. Minor keys are more often used, which gives the feel of unresolved tension and slight stress. During advent we remember and share in the anticipation, frustration, and earnest desire the world had for a savior! We remember, but we also recognize and proclaim our current need for a savior. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel Who Mourns in Lonely exile here, until the Son of God appears! Unknown 12 th Century author, commonly sung to VENI EMMANUEL

During Lent we look forward, as with Advent. We wait for the Lord. We examine our lives, in light of the cross. The songs are contemplative and reflective in nature. There is a looming sadness mixed with a transformational sense of life changing things to come. Good Friday and the music of this Holy Day contains the darkest of all sacred music. You will find somber, dissonant, and even wrenching compositions throughout history. Composers and arrangers are communicating the inward conflict, the physical pain, the gravity of our sin, and the spiritual abyss of a world without the Son of God. So, with deep sorrow, we sing on Good Friday

March 2015 Newsletter

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Choir (cont.) By Joel Adams

O Sacred Head now wounded, with grief and pain weighed down What language can I borrow, to thank thee dearest friend! Bernard Clairvaux, 1153, commonly sung to PASSION CHORALE

EPC has continued in a tradition of an evening Good Friday Service each year now for 11 years. This choir – led service has taken two different directions. We started with very dramatic and riveting music that communicated the passion of Holy Week and Good Friday. The service has also gone in a simple, reflective, and somber direction. We have changed the time from 5pm to 6pm to 7pm and back and forth again. We have landed on 7pm for this short service. Because the service is so meaningful, our goal has been to get more attendance. The somber, sad, and low moments of Jesus’ life are things we associate with as humans. Our lives are filled with valleys, caves, and mountains. We experience death, life, joy, sadness, peace, hurt, etc. Jesus experienced life and walks with us as a High Priest who understands us fully. As we walk with Jesus, we can learn how He responded and handled those same situations we find ourselves in day to day. So, whether you sing with great sorrow or with joyful praise, sing whole heartedly and with skill unto the Lord. GOOD FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 7PM – THE STORY This is a different approach to the service, which I hope will be enriching for all. The music is powerful and moving. The choir will lead us in music that allows us all to adore and worship The Lamb of God. The readings will bring to life the stories of those who were closest to Jesus in His final days. You will hear from Peter, Mary, Judas, and others. Supporting the choir will be Shannon Stanley, choir accompanist and a string quartet. The choir will spend significant time and energy preparing the music for this service, so we would love to share it with as many of you as possible. Please mark your calendars for this powerful service of worship March 2015 Newsletter

Mission Outreach by Dave Hall

Feed My Starving Children We had a group of 41 people signed up to do the Mobile Food Pack on February 21st. Some of us met at the church and drove down together and some went directly to Hilmar Covenant Church were the food pack was held. They had over 200 volunteers attend the 9am to 11am packing session. After a brief orientation on the program and how the packing process was to proceed, we divided up to different table locations and started working. The goal for the two hour session was to pack 200 cases of 36 bags that contained 6 portions each. At the end of what seemed like a very short two hour session the group had packed a total of 332 cases. The food pack met their goal which was to pack 550,000 individual meals and a total of 77 pallets of boxes for the 3 day session. We had a very enjoyable and exciting time and you could feel God’s present with all those who were there. We hope to be able to attend the session next year so look for information as it becomes available.

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Men’s Breakfast

March 2

Men! Join us for breakfast on the first Monday of every month at Perko’s in Riverbank. We meet at 8:00am and enjoy faith, food and fellowship. Come be a part of this group and connect!

AAUW !!

March 19

The American Association of University Women (AAUW), founded in 1881, is the nation's leading organization advocating equity for women and girls. A panel discussion on ‘Ending the Culture of Violence On School and College Campuses’ will be held on March 19th, from 7 - 9pm, at Martin G. Petersen Education Center 720 12th Street, Modesto CA Discussion Topics: Crime, High School Dropouts, Sexual Assault, Substance Abuse, Breakdown of the Family Unit, Mental Health. Please come and learn how you can support your community.

Youth Weekend! !

March 6-8

Youth Camp 2015 is March 6-8 and will be at the Thompson cabin in Arnold. Please be in prayer for the high school group and the adult volunteers as the turnout this year is wonderful. For more information, please contact Mike Fahey 872-0315.

Salvation Army! !

March 28, April 18

Sign up sheets are in the Faith Center for March 28 and April 18. We need volunteers to prep, cook and serve. A separate sheet to sign up to provide cookies is in the Faith Center. See Mervin Bruns, Steve Reader or Dave Hall for questions.

Local Father Son Retreat Taking goD at his word Speaker

Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr. Founder, Chairman, and teacher of highlands ministries.

Activities Discover ways spies use secret codes to communicate and how to break them! • Night game of capture the flag • JP Racers • Adventure Recreation • Camp Fire Fun • Camp ends with an amazing brunch on sunday

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May 1-3

Speaker Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr. Founder, Chairman, and teacher of highlands ministries. Taking God At His Word • Night game of capture the flag • JP Racers • Adventure Recreation • Camp Fire Fun • Camp ends with an amazing brunch on sunday. Prices starting at... Adult (10 & up): $139 Children (3-9years): $69.50 *Early registration prices end April 2nd. Please visit: www.Jennesspark.com for more info about the camp and special bonus day offer.


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EPC Youth Group

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Wednesdays / JR High / SR High

EPC Junior High group meet from 5:30 to 7:00 and the Senior High Youth from 7:00 to 8:45. For further information contact our Youth Director Mike Fahey. Come join us and have some great fellowship, teaching and fun!

Third Wednesday

March 18

We will be serving pizza on March 18th. The suggested donation to offset the cost is $20.00 per family/$5.00 for an individual. Additional proceeds will go to the Calvin Crest fund. April 15th will be a pasta night. Third Wednesday’s are hosted by your Youth Ministries Team, dinner will be from 5:30PM-6:30PM, followed by activities for children 5th grade and under. There will also be a time for fellowship for adults. Following the meal the Youth Group will gather (6th-High School) and at 7:00PM the choir will begin.

Studies for Adults • • •

Various

Adult Sunday School - Sundays (9:15 -10:15 Fireside Room) Women’s Circle - 2nd Monday of Each Month (1:30 pm Fireside Room) Men’s Study - Saturday Weekly (7:00 am Escalon Golf Course)

Ladies Night Out

March 13

Women! Join us in March (Second Friday of every month) to ‘get away from it all’ and go out to dinner. We will be meeting at at 6:00pm. Come have great fellowship with us while enjoying a cooked meal out at various restaurants. Please R.S.V.P. to Joyce Noble.

Women’s Circle! !

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March 9

The circle is a small group meeting of very special women where: * Faith is nurtured and growth takes place through study, friendship & outreach * We are challenged to stretch beyond our limits * We move beyond the safe places of life and reach out to others. Our Women’s Circle will meet the second Monday of each month (September – May) from 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM in the Fireside Conference Room. All women of the church are welcome to attend as we plan to expand our perceptions, deepen our understanding and reflect on our lives as Christian women.


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Session Notes

Deacon Minutes

By Cheryl Hall

by Dicksie Woodward

Tuesday, February 24 was a combined Session/Deacon meeting. Our moderator, Rev. Troy Onsager, opened our meeting with prayer at 7:05 pm.

The 2015 Deacons are eager to serve our congregation in the ministries of nurturing fellowship, caregiving, preparations for enhancing our worship service and outreach to our community. To be successful we ask you, our congregation, to know who your deacon is to contact for any thoughts and concerns. Deacon Sunday, March 1, 2015 will be an opportunity to meet and communicate with your deacon. We also welcome your support in the deacon ministry.

Information from Session: Capital Campaign News: Session and Deacon members were able to view the new Forward in Faith video and brochure. Great job by the Capital Campaign Committee! Jerry Hougland, Corinne Thompson, Rick Guevara were at the meeting for the presentation and to answer questions. February 25-March 10 The Campaign Vision, Phase I Invitation was mailed out. People were invited to a Dessert & Question/Answer Meeting with Pastor Troy. These meetings will take place in individual homes. Thank you to those who are hosting these meetings. March 29 is Palm Celebration Sunday. There will be a time of worship, lunch and a time to revisit Phase I information. Financial Commitment Cards will be passed out at this luncheon. April 19, Victory Sunday, we will collect the Financial Commitment Cards back from the congregation during our regular Sunday Service. Results will be announced in early May.

Salvation Army - Preparation and serving of meals on February 28th. Thanks to all who helped. February 21, 2015 we served a buffet for the memorial of our beloved Bob Golden. Thanks to all that helped serve and furnished desserts. Please keep Marilyn and family in your prayers. A big thank you to Tom and Marsha Love and Tisha DeHaven for their devoted years of service to the deacons. A big welcome to new deacons: Charlie Dodge, Patti Farhat, Joyce Noble and Tom Walls. Remember to contact your deacon or the office for any help or concerns.

Information from Pastor Troy: Elders and Deacons were updated with contact information for Session, Deacons and also current staff information. Each person introduced themselves and their current position as a Deacon, Elder or Staff member. Pastor Troy discussed Elder and Deacon responsibilities. We are a team-based ministry. Each Team having specific responsibilities, as does Pastor Troy. His pastor role takes on many duties, including being supportive to all the ministries of EPC. He also directs those who come to him with ideas and suggestions to the correct ministry that can help. He suggests we invite others to join in the various ministries in our church. Everyone who wants to help has a place at EPC. We are thankful we can bear witness to Jesus through our ministry work. March 14 there is a Mission Affinity Group meeting. Three churches are meeting from the Modesto/Stockton area. We need at least 6 Session Members to attend. Pastor Brian Ralston will be preaching this Sunday, March 1st. March 8 we have a guest speaker. 6


February 2015 Newsletter 6:00 PM Good Friday Service

Good Friday

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C.A.R.E. Sun…Dry In A Bag Deacon Sunday

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