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Haysville FCC Newsletter
Vol. 08 Number 42
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Retirement of Dr. George J. Lespagnard January 4, 2009
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In Celebration of his 52 years of serving God and the Church we
dedicate the Haysville FCC Newsletter to our retiring pastor, Dr. George J.
Lespagnard. George and Anita began serving First Christian Church April
1988 and ended their pastorate January 4, 2009 with a reception honoring
their years of service.
George Julian Lespagnard was born in Chase County, KS on March 31,
1934 to Ernest and Gladys Lespagnard. He had three sisters awaiting his
arrival, Blanche, Rusty (Ruth) and Ernie.
George graduated from Cedar Point, Kansas High School in 1952. He
received his BS in Education at Emporia State Teachers College (ESU) in
1956 and in 1959 he received his BA from Manhattan Christian College.
George received his Master of Divinity in 1966 and his Doctorate of
Ministry in 1971 from Phillips Theological Seminary, Enid, Oklahoma.
George and Anita Fox-Lespagnard were married June 11, 1960 at
Broadway Christian Church, Wichita, Kansas. Their children are Randy
Lespagnard and Jennifer Lespagnard-Breese and extended family.
CHURCHES GEORGE HAS SERVED
Hartford Christian Church Hartford KS and Strawn Christian Church,
Strawn, KS
December 1954 ~ June 1957
First Christian Church, Herington, KS
July 1957 ~ September 1963
First Christian Church, Conway Springs, KS
September 1963 ~ August 1966
Gerber Christian Church, Gerber, OK
September 1966 ~ May 1970
Jet Christian Church, Jet, OK
June 1970 ~ August 1971
Council Grove Church of Christ (Christian), Council Grove, KS
August 1971 ~ June 1977
Presbyterian Church, Madison, KS
October 1981 ~ May 1982
Memorial Christian Church, Muskogee, OK
February 1985 ~ October 1986
First Christian Church, Henryetta, OK
November 1986 ~ July 1987 (Interim)
New Covenant Christian Church, Muskogee, OK
August 1987 ~ February 1988 (Interim)
First Christian Church Haysville, KS
April 1988 ~ January 2009
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NOTE FROM THE INTERIM PASTOR
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As I am preparing for the interim ministry at Haysville, the
words of an old hymn come to mind: “Where He Leads I’ll Follow.”
Then there are the words of another great hymn that says: “I’ll go
where you want me to go dear Lord.” When one ministry comes to a close,
I wait on the Lord to lead and guide me for the next opportunity of
service. I am never sure where that will be, but I am ready to go,
wherever that might be. It is amazing of the opportunities that God has
given to me in ministry. I look at this exciting phase in my life as
“Just One More Adventure.”
The lectionary lesson for January 11th is the Baptism of our
Lord. What a great beginning Sunday for us as we remember the Baptism of
our Lord, which marks the beginning of His ministry. It is also a time for
us to be reminded of our own baptism, and to remember we were baptized into
Christ.
I look forward to getting acquainted with you along with
living and working in the greater Haysville area. Exciting days are ahead
as we continue to build, as the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:20:
“Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (and many
previous pastors and ministers), Jesus Christ himself being the chief
cornerstone.”
Milton Bryarly, Interim Pastor
Interim Pastor: Milton Bryarly
SUNDAY SERMON: January 11, 2009
Title: Memorable Memories
Text: Mark 1:4-11
Sunday, January 4, 2009
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m.
WORSHIP: 10:40 a.m.
OFFERING: $10,587.07
ATTENDANCE
Sunday School: 45 Worship 129
VISITORS
Kansas City, MO: Randy Lespagnard, Jeanie Wooten, Laura Lespagnard
Emporia, KS: LeRoy and Karen Garnett
Wichita, KS: Robert Fetrow, Karla Kelly, Blanche Williams, Rainey
Daly and Braden, Renee Bridwell, District Minister
Florence, KS: Ernie Hurdle, Harvey Wells
Rose Hill, KS: Carol Mason
Overland Park, KS: Anetta Kay Webster
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PRAYER LIST
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Dan Atkeson family, Jack Braden, Ernie Hurdle, Lynn Garrelts
family, Jim West, Tom VonFeldt, Ed and Pat Carr, Beulah Rees, George and
Susan Hatcher, Tony Brocato, Kirby and Pat Barnes, Elijah and Jeremiah
Atkeson, Matthew Proctor, Shaunna Hall, DeAsia Harding, Janet Goldwater,
Shirlene Crain, Randy and Shea Reust, Kathleen Etheridge, Mary Jane Bell,
Neva Middleton, Pete Andrade, Vicki Miller, Jim and Laura Spears-Vargas,
The Men and Women Serving Our Country
PTL! Plinio Andrade’s brother, Pete, has improved.
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DID YOU KNOW?
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Our Interim pastor, Milton Bryarly, arrived in Haysville Monday,
January 5th. We are looking forward to meeting and getting acquainted
with him. Welcome to First Christian!
The congregation unanimously approved the 2009 budget and church
officers in a congregational vote Sunday, December 28, 2009.
Ryan and Emily (Eastman) Bradbury are going to be parents again!
Aaron Devan was deployed to Afghanistan on Monday.
Shane Griffin was released from prison Monday. Continue to keep him
in your prayers.
Church Family,
Merry Christmas to all! Jack has good days and bad days. January 7,
I’m scheduled to have a total hip replacement, should be in the hospital
3 to 4 days. Best Wishes for the coming year. Jack and Charlene Braden
KATHY CLUBB’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP WILL NOT MEET THURSDAY, JANUARY
8.
“TABLES OF EIGHT” WILL MEET AT 6:00 PM, JANUARY 17, AT THE HOME
OF MARLENE FETHER.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Ralph and Hazel (Whitehouse) Morgan
17246 Bluestem Rd.
Atlanta, KS 67008
620-394-2425
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INTERIM PASTOR
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A “WELCOME MILTON” GET-TOGETHER AT THE CHURCH AT 6:30 PM,
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9
This is a casual “Come and Go” pizza get- together to meet
Milton. If you didn’t indicate on Sunday that you would attend and you
wish to, please call the church office, 524-5884, no later than 10:00 a.m.
Friday, January 9th so there will be time to get an accurate count for
ordering pizza.
Thanks, Search Committee
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BAPTISM
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Family and friends witnessed the baptism of Laura Lespagnard,
Sunday, January 4, 2009 at First Christian Church. Laura is the daughter
of Randy Lespagnard and Jeanie Wooten, and the grand daughter of George and
Anita Lespagnard. This baptism was special as Laura is the last person
George baptized before his retirement. We pray that Laura will receive
many blessings as she begins her walk with God.
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THANK YOU
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Thank you to everyone who came to the New Year’s Eve
get-together to help take down the Christmas
decorations and welcome in 2009. We had a lot of fun, especially
those who took down the Christmas
tree! We wish each of you God’s blessings throughout the New Year
and thanks for your help.
We want to thank everyone for dinners brought in twice a week for us
and for all the extras given to us at Christmas. Everything was delicious
and we believe the saying “Church women are the best cooks.” Thank you
all again and God bless. Kirby and Pat Barnes
Thank you so much to my friends in the Seekers Class! The gift card
to Perfect Peace is so much appreciated . . . and so are each of you. It
is a blessing to me to be a part of such a wonderful group. My prayer for
each of you for the New Year is that we will continue to grow in our faith
together, discovering with joy the purposes of God’s will for our
individual lives and how we can support and encourage each other along the
way. Thank you again for the Christmas gift. Love, Marsha Devan
Thank you so very much for the generous Christmas gift and for
allowing me to serve our church in the capacity that is a blessing to me.
Thanks too, to those who gave me cards, gifts, and all the “goodies,”
God bless each and every one of you! Dee
Thank you for the generous gift. It is appreciated very much.
Carolyn Schottler
Thank you for the delicious lunch at a busy time of the year. Ray
and Kathleen Cowin
On behalf of Lola Jayne’s family,
Thanks so much to all of you ladies for the wonderful food you had
for us at the church. My dad, Melvin Jayne, was very pleased at how nice
everything was and it gave the family, especially ones from out of town a
chance to visit with us and have some wonderful stories to tell and
memories of mom. Sheryl Barnum
Scott and Nancy Sturm would like to thank Dale Atkeson, Austen
Mundell and Billy Falley for helping them move furniture from storage to
their new basement.
We want to thank you for the wonderful and memorable day you
prepared for us Sunday, January 4, 2009. At both the worship service and
the afternoon reception we were honored by your thoughtful preparation,
your kind words, your cards and your generous gifts. It all means a great
deal to us.
Having just finished looking at the pictures and reading the
comments in the memory book you prepared for us, we are overflowing with
joy and gratitude because of the precious relationship God has given us. We
deeply appreciate your friendship and love. George and Anita
To My Wonderful church family . . .
Thank you all for the generous Christmas gift and year-end bonus.
It is such a privilege to serve here at First Christian as the youth
leader. We have such amazing youth. I truly love my job. Thank you again
for your love and support. Machaelle
Thank you to my Church Family for the Christmas gift. I enjoy
"doing what I do"! - David
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CHURCH GROWTH
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Family Fun Night
This coming Saturday the 10th will be Family Fun Night. Bring some
soup, sandwiches or your favorite dish to share with others. Following
dinner we play board games, cards or dominos. If the children don’t wish
to join us for games, they may watch a DVD. Join us at 6:00 p.m. for a fun
evening of good food and fellowship.
Cookies for a Cause
Next week we will be telling you about Cookies for a Cause for the
month of January and we will be enjoying cookies and lemonade after church
service. Jennifer Nicholson will be telling you about the cause.
Thank you to EVERYONE who helped with George and Anita’s
retirement reception. Church Growth
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IN SYMPATHY
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Our sympathy is extended to the family of Inez Agers. Inez
passed away December 20, 2008 in Wichita, Kansas. Funeral services were
held at First Christian Wednesday, December 26, 2008. Burial was Saturday,
December 27, 2008, Anderson Cemetery, Piedmont, MO. A Memorial has been
established with First Christian Church, 7465 South Meridian, Haysville, KS
67060.
Friends,
Floyd Martin, Steve Martin’s father, passed away on Saturday,
December 27, following a lengthy illness. Services tentatively are
scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Kern Park Christian
Church in Portland, OR. The church’s address is:
6828 SE Holgate Blvd.
Portland, OR 97206
Prayers for Steve and his family, especially as they travel to and
from Oregon would be appreciated. Cards and notes may be sent either here
or to his home address at 3115 SW 19th St.
Topeka, KS 66604-0174.
Grace and Peace, Paxton
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