1 A church in Springfield, MO, has used a delightful idea for Mother's or Father's Day. They invite the children to transform their sidewalks around the church building into a giant Mother's or Father's Day card. The children draw greeting cards on the sidewalk with colored chalk. The children also create cards for fathers/mothers whose children are not present or are too far away to attend. After church everyone goes out to admire the greetings. The newspapers and television folks love this day! This is visual and they can do quick interviews about thoughts on Mother's or Father's Day. The spring rain comes and washes them away!

2 A pastor in Kentucky found that a local sheltered workshop produced large posters which were laminated in plastic and mounted on sticks. They are most often used by politicians during elections. They only cost 75 cents each. The church ordered 1,000 of them so that every member had a handful. The posters have a huge Pentecost symbol in them (flame). People were encouraged to place the placards on their front lawns. Everyone in the community knew who the church was when it came to calling attention and celebrating Pentecost.

3 A church in Hawthorne, CA, had shut-ins call everyone who had been married, baptized, or had a funeral conducted for a loved one in the past 12 years. They were invited to the special homecoming at Pentecost Sunday. This process gave a some in the church who often don't get to share their gifts, an opportunity to contribute in a special way.

4 The folks in Brownsville, PA, celebrated Pentecost Sunday in a very colorful way. They wanted to portray visually the flaming tongues of the Holy Spirit. They hung a number of crepe paper streamers from the ceiling above the chancel. One end of the streamers (in fiery colors of red, orange, and yellow) were attached to the unseen side of the beam. The streamers were then partially unrolled, down near the floor. During the worship service, the congregation saw the fire-colored streamers reaching from the ceiling to the floor. Just before the benediction, the streamers were unrolled the rest of their lengths and stretched into different parts of the congregation. The pastor then explained that as the Holy Spirit had empowered and commissioned the disciples then, the Holy Spirit was also calling us now, sending us to do God's work in the world.

For more media ministry and mission tips visit www.pmm4u.org and listen to the Passages Radio Program via the Internet! Link your website to www.passages.org

A number of events in honor of this milestone will be held throughout 2008. All are invited to celebrate with the congregation at a dinner on May 18, 5 PM at Missouri Country Club (2210 Country Club Drive, Columbia) The deadline for reservation is Friday, May 2nd. $20/person, children age 12 and under: $7/child. Please call the church office (573)445-4469 for details or reservation. Congratulations Trinity!

Visit www.care4kids.org to read about recent developments and download the Bridge newsletter. See how your support is making a difference in family after family and one child after another. The goals of Presbyterian Children’s Services – to build self-esteem, foster healthy development and restore families are being honored by individuals and government agencies around the state as they see the results in action.

Congratulations First Presbyterian!

Mission Teams with openings are:
Media Promotions
Senior-Mid High Youth
Family Enrichment Ministries
Social Justice and Peacemaking
Church and Society
Hungarian Reformed Church Partnership
Disaster Assistance
Campus Ministry
New Church Development
Criminal Justice

Call the presbytery office (573)635-9221 or 1-800-635-3178 for more information or the person to contact for the Mission Team you'd like to know more about.

A primary purpose for this website is getting out the WORD–not just the Good News of God's Grace made real and personal in Jesus Christ, but also sharing information, opportunities and encouragement for ministry–ministry within congregations, among congregations and to others throughout and around the world.

When you have information or events to publicize, please post events yourself or contact Vicki at the MUP office (573) 635-9221 or vicki@mupresbytery.org

The contemporary worship at 7:00 p.m Saturday began during 2007 and has exceeded expectations in reaching others in the community. Much in the world has changed since September 1932 when the church was organized, but God's provision, and the blessing and encouragement of Christian fellowship, endure in the lives of believers.