Click on the links below
to see what's happening at Steel Lake
Presbyterian Church! |
DO YOU HAVE NEWS
WE CAN USE?
If you have announcements that you would like included in the weekly News You Can Use, please send them to officeadmin@steellake.com
The deadline for submission is Tuesday of each week. |
NEW MEMBER 
On Sunday, June 19th, we received into membership Amor de la Pena-Katsaros by Reaffirmation of Faith. Members of her family include her husband Thomas Katsaros, and children Elias, Noah and Athena.
Please add her address and phone to your church directory:
24120 22nd Avenue S.
Des Moines, WA 98198
253-486-2280 |
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July 1
SAM'S ALERT -- JULY
Join us for the Rainier's baseball game on Friday, July 1st. The tickets are $9.95 each and comes with a voucher for a free hot dog and soft drink. We will meet at Cloverdale Pizza on 6th Avenue in Tacoma at 5pm for a bite to eat and fellowship before the game. To purchase tickets, please contact Ed Altizer (253-517-3585 or 206-915-8909)
August 14
SAM'S ALERT - AUGUST
SAM's annual planning meeting will be Sunday, August 14th, in the home of Janet and Bud Reinick. We will begin the meeting with a potluck at 5 PM. Please bring new and exciting ideas for our monthly activities beginning this October through September 2012. Mark your calendars today to save the date! |
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July 6 & August 10
HYMN SING
Mark your calendar for two summer-time hymn sings: Wednesday evenings July 6 and August 10 at 7pm in Starkey Friendship Center. Bring finger food to share together after the singing. We were gifted with a used but good condition baby grand piano that will reside in Starkey, and this will be our first chance to break it in! |
July 9
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY APOSTLES' BUILD
Workers are busy at the Habitat for Humanity Apostles' Build this summer. If you are interested in helping out, workdays are held each 2nd Saturday, from 9am - 4:30pm. For any questions, please contact Bud Reinick (253-874-4134). |
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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Tuesdays at 1pm in the Lakeside Room. Everyone welcome! |
OFFICE HOURS FOR JULY AND AUGUST
For the months of July and August, the office will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 4pm and closed on both Mondays and Fridays. The office will once again be open on Mondays after the Labor Day holiday, starting September 12th. |
YOUNG LIFE WORK CREWS
Once again, SLPC has the opportunity to serve Young Life (YL) work crew members on their way to and from Camp Malibu in British Columbia. We will provide the crews a place to rest their heads and a "Grab and Go" breakfast (juice, muffins, etc.) as they travel to and from Malibu. There are about 80 workers each time. The remaining dates we will serve breakfast are Saturday, June 25
Monday, July 18
Wednesday, July 20
Sunday, August 14
If you wish to donate to this effort (time, money, or supplies) please contact Lou Olmstead (253-517-3095) or May Isaacson (253-335-5772). |
July 11-15
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Join us for "Shake It Up Café" Vacation Bible School at Steel Lake, July 11-15, from 9am to noon, for ages preschool through 5th grade. It's free! Sign up via our website or pick up a registration form in the narthex brochure rack. For any questions or to volunteer, please contact Kim at 253-569-4235 or kim-trent@ comcast.net. |
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October 28-29
WOMEN OF FAITH
It's back! WOF "Over the Top"
When: October 28-29, 2011
Where: Key Arena
Times: Friday, 10am to 3:30pm, 7pm to 10pm; Saturday 9am to 5pm
Cost: $89 for the whole weekend; 2 boxed lunches included
If you missed this last year you won't want to miss it this year. This will be a memory maker for sure. Please call Wynnelle Woods )253-854-3837) or Sandy Florence (253-874-0479) if you have any questions. 
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News You Can Use - June 23, 2011
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Last Sunday I shared with the congregation a trend we noticed regarding giving here at Steel Lake. The months of January, February, March and April were fairly strong. We were under budget on income, but we weren't overly worried. I mentioned that we noticed a significant drop in May, not only in financial support but also in terms of the number of families contributing. There could be a variety of factors that contributed to this drop. People may have been saving for their summer plans. Several families were out of town during the month. Others give once a month or quarterly.
But we also now know that the passage by the national church of Amendment 10A has negatively impacted giving. Several families have said that they are withholding their pledges because of that vote. I am saddened and concerned by that.
I am saddened because it means that there are at least some members out there who are not entirely sure that they want to remain a part of this congregation. Some may be withholding their support of our congregation, waiting to see how Session responds to the national vote. Others may believe that withholding their giving sends a message to the larger denomination. Yet others may be using their money to attempt to exert control over this congregation. I am concerned because, whatever their motivation, withholding tithes and offerings immediately hurts our own church family while having very little impact on the national church.
Since my arrival back in 2008, I have always found it odd that there is a code of silence when it comes to people's giving to the church. As your pastor, it seems to me that not sharing the particulars of your financial stewardship with your pastor is similar to withholding a major portion of your health history from your doctor. How can your pastor or your doctor diagnose and treat your health (spiritual or physical) without knowing what is going on in that area of your life?
The reality is this: our denomination has passed Amendment 10A. It was not this congregation. Even though Amendment 10A has passed, I don't suspect that this congregation will see any changes in its ordination practices at any time in the near future. The other reality is this: by withholding pledges, the financial health and viability of this congregation is put at risk. It puts our ministries and programs at risk. It puts this congregation at risk. It puts the staff at risk. It puts their families at risk.
There are more open and healthy ways of expressing your displeasure, opinion or seeking to influence the church than wielding money as a hammer. I would invite those who are withholding their pledges to come and talk to me so that I can understand their motives. I would also invite those who are dissatisfied, worried, unsure, or questioning to come to me so that we can have a conversation, open up a dialogue, and address any issues that need to be addressed.
In closing, I would invite everyone in the congregation to rethink and reaffirm their commitment to financial stewardship at this time. I would also invite everyone in the congregation to rethink the current code of silence when it comes to financial giving. I would suggest that being open with your pastor about your giving may be a spiritually healthier approach. My ultimate hope is that all of us can reaffirm our commitment to this congregation and focus on the mission and ministry that God has laid before us.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Brent |
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 Stewardship Update
For May, in spite of a five week month, total income of $39,575 again ran less than the budget of $50,168 by $10,593. Ordinary expenses of $43,618 were also less than the budget of $48,929 by $5,311, but the Net Loss for the month was $4,043. Year-to-date, total actual Income of $219,876 was less than the budget of $241,712 by $21,836, a very significant amount. Total actual expenses of $240,410 were also less than the budgeted expenses of $265,701 by $25,291, still leaving us with a net loss of $20,534 for the year.
For a time, your Stewardship Committee considered holding a Capital Campaign to cover major maintenance items which could not be included in the budget. However, considering the present weak economy and the possible impact on our congregation of the recently adopted Book of Order Amendment 10-A, plus the fact that our offerings are running substantially behind pledges, it was decided that this is not a good time to embark on a campaign. All interviews with consulting companies were cancelled and we have adopted a "wait and see" attitude for the next few months.
Realizing our financial situation, Committee Chairpersons, especially Building and Grounds, have been carefully holding down their spending this year, and for that we are most grateful. In the meantime, if at all possible for you, we would ask that you please keep current with your pledge giving so that we can maintain the fiscal health and strength of our church.
We pray for God's guidance as to how we can best fulfill His will for Steel Lake. May He continue to bless the ministry and mission of Steel Lake as He has done in the past.
PEGGY MAY
Stewardship Chair |
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MAY 2011 | |
Income: |
ACTUAL |
BUDGET |
VARIANCE | |
Regular Offerings |
26,653 |
34,672 |
(8,019) | |
One-Time Offerings |
0 |
583 |
(583) | |
Other Offerings |
55 |
0 |
55 | |
Other Income |
12,867 |
14,913 |
(2,046) | |
Total Income |
39,575 |
50,168 |
(10,593) | |
Expenses: |
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Ordinary Expenses |
43,618 |
48,929 |
(5,311) | |
Total Expense |
43,618 |
48,929 |
(5,311) | |
Net Income (Loss) |
(4,043) |
1,239 |
(5,282) | |
YEAR TO DATE | |
Income: |
ACTUAL |
BUDGET |
VARIANCE | |
Regular Offerings |
143,897 |
160,157 |
(16,260) | |
One Time Offerings |
6,898 |
2,915 |
3,983 | |
Other Offerings |
4,126 |
4,075 |
51 | |
Other Income |
64,955 |
74,565 |
(9,618) | |
Total Income |
219,876 |
241,712 |
(21,836) | |
Expenses: | | | | |
Ordinary Expenses |
240,410 |
265,701 |
(25,291) | |
Total Expenses |
240,410 |
265,701 |
(25,291) | |
Net Income (Loss) |
(20,534) |
(23,989) |
3,455 |
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SUNDAY'S OFFERTORY
This coming Sunday, the offertory Peggy Jeffcoat will play, is entitled "Borning Cry". The text of the song, printed below, covers the human life span and celebrates the faithfulness of God, who is present throughout each season of our life.
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child.
With a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
To find where demons dwell.
When you heard the wonder of the Word,
I was there to cheer you on.
You were raised to praise the living Lord
To whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
And you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
From dusk till rising sun.
When the evening gently closes in
And you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
With just one more surprise.
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized
To see your life unfold. |
 July 8 & 9, 15 & 16"RESURRECTION" RUMMAGE SALE
Our 8th annual "Resurrection" Sale, held in the Steel Lake gym, will soon be here. The schedule of donation drop off and sale dates are listed below. If you have any further questions, please contact Rod Woods (253-854-3837) or Sandy Florence (253-874-0479).
DONATION DROP OFF
Sunday, July 3 from 11am to 2pm
Monday, July 4 there will be no drop off
July 5 through July 7 from 6pm to 8pm
Wednesday, July 13 from 6pm to 8pm
SALE DATES
Friday, July 8 from 9am to 4pm
Saturday, July 9 from 9am to 4pm
Friday, July 15 from 9am to 4pm
Saturday, July 16 from 9am to 4pm
SALE COMPLETION PARTY
Saturday, July 16 at Azteca, for adult workers, approx. 7pm. |
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