Welcome Ladies and Friends of Irvine Presbyterian Church

Thanks for checking out our web page! Consider these pages invitations to come, pray for, and become involved in our Women’s Ministries gatherings. Within you will find information about upcoming opportunities for fellowship, creativity, and growing in Christ alongside other IPC women. We provide you with this information ahead of time so you can prayerfully make choices and plans; be ready to invite others; and become acquainted with ways you can get involved and serve. Please visit our website often for updated information about our gatherings.

This year’s Women’s Ministries team is busy planning gatherings where we can come, find rest, restoration, and fresh life in Christ−where we can learn with other women what it means to “do life” with Jesus. Know that each occasion will be prayed over in the hope that each woman who comes will feel cared for and have the opportunity to experience more of God. We are eager to follow where God is leading us as we uncover what Jesus has for us this coming year. We will hear from women who have been part of our rich heritage of strong faithful women, as well as from women new to us filled with enthusiasm and the joy of serving.

We are thrilled to offer a variety of gatherings for you to attend:

Year-long Bible Studies on the Gospel of John
Our growing Mentoring program
Ladies' Time Out, Walk on the Beach, January 17, 2009
Spring Craft Night, February 6, 2009
Winter Retreat, March 20-22, 2009
Spring Café, April 25, 2009
Spring Solitude Retreat, May 15-17, 2009
Women In the Word:, Summer Bible study, July 22-August 26, 2009
Summer Retreat, August 14-16, 2009

So, Come, Invite Others & Join Us as We Invest in Our Relationships with Jesus!

Theme Verse 2008-2009"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk    with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28 ­ 30 (The Message)

Rev. Barbara Buck, Chaplain, Women's Ministries Advisor
Jo Anne Norlin, 2008−2009 Women's Ministries Volunteer Coordinator

A Few Words About Our Theme Verses

While gardening a few months ago, I discovered a hummingbird nest perched in one of our rosebushes. Excitedly my family and I watched and waited for the two minuscule eggs to hatch, keeping surveillance as the mother bird kept her offspring warm and secure. Time passed and we noticed the mother came less frequently, then not at all. The eggs never hatched! I was so disappointed and for about five minutes gave God a piece of my mind. I had put such hope in watching the babies hatch, grow, and then leave the nest, and had thought it would make a great anecdote for this booklet. Then I was reminded that we are to Come to Christ with all we have, in all seasons of life—not just when things go our way, but more importantly when life goes askew and we can’t make any sense of it at all. This is the best season to Come… In those periods our heart soil is most fertile, eager for His care and work.  

In the season of life I am in, the mom of a son soon to finish training as a medic in the Army and then off to God only knows where, and a daughter going to college over 1000 miles away from home, I find myself less sure of who I am or am to become. Our nest is empty and life can sometimes feel like hard work, without meaning, and scary. I am so comforted and challenged by this year’s theme passage from Matthew 11:28. "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

This invitation is extended to us in all seasons of our lives. It’s there for us when our nests arepacked full and we are overwhelmed with what needs to be done. He calls us to Himself so He can be our strength, guide, and protector. When our nests are broken or when what we planned and hoped for just didn’t hatch, He is able to lead us to rest, peace, and wholeness again. And when our nests are empty and we are aching with the void of what once was, He is so ready to show us how to find joy, life and even dance!

Jesus invites us to himself, a place of rest, comfort and transformation. We’re invited to get away with Him so he can restore life to us, teach us while we walk side-by-side with him, and show us how to really take pleasure in life. He longs to be our shelter in times of storms, to whisper in our ear “You’re ok; your father has you safe in his arms.“ We are invited to get away with Him even in those times when life is routine and ordinary. He promises to give us what will truly fit us. The surprising thing about all this is, it is not just for our benefit. Jesus longs for us to keep company with Him for His own pleasure, as well as our transformation. He loves being with us; wow, he even misses us when we don’t show up!

No matter what season of life you are in right now, you have been extended a never-ending invitation to come to Jesus, with whatever you have in your nest, yet most significantly with your true self. And we as your Women’s Ministries Team invite you to come join us this year as we flesh out what that calling looks and sounds like.

Jo Anne

Walk on the Beach!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Put on your sneakers and come join us, Saturday January 17, 2009, as Christi Long leads us on a relaxing or invigorating walk along stunning Crystal Cove Beach.

Whether you want a fast-paced walk or would prefer to meander along, this outing will accommodate all levels and paces.

We will meet at IPC at 8:30am and carpool down to the beach; or if you would rather, you may meet us at the beach parking lot near where the shuttle leaves.

Either way, come enjoy the fresh sea air and fulfill your New Year’s resolution while chatting with friends and making new acquaintances. Bring some money if you would like to enjoy a shake after our walk.
 
Please RSVP to Talene Stone, (So we know to look for you!)

Women's Bible Studies
Fall 2008

Our Verse for Fall Bible Study 2008:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.
We all live off his generous bounty, gift after gift…
This endless knowing and understanding...all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.”
John 1

The Gospel According to John

How well do you know yourself? What do you want from life? Do you know how to love? How to be loved? These are questions to which you might think you know the answers, but just like nature, human life has many seasons and we're constantly growing and learning. Come explore with us what it means to know yourself as God knows you, be filled with God's love, and live life fully. Discover or re-discover Jesus ~ role model, teacher, friend, and the way to eternal life. In 2008-2009 IPC Women's Bible Studies will be studying The Gospel According To John, using Douglas Connelly's John: The Way to True Life as our Bible study guide. Written by the beloved disciple of Jesus, John the fourth and last gospel in the Bible is a radical story of our incredible God who came to earth as Jesus, and lived and walked with people in human form. Our study will comfort and refresh our faith, inspire our daily walk in today's frenzied world, and restore us with new love, hope, joy, and peace. Each week's study will examine different facets of how Jesus impacted people: allegiance, faith, doubt, and rejection were some of the people's reactions towards Jesus. We will see how Jesus himself responded to various situations, relationships, and feelings such as sickness, friendship, and betrayal; he displayed compassion, healing, loyalty, forgiveness, and above all, love. These are demonstrated for us in the life of Jesus through his interactions with strangers, as well as friends and followers like Peter. With its metaphors of light, darkness, knowledge, life and death, John's gospel is both a theological argument and a passionate adoration of our triune God. It offers everybody, new believers and old, whether you know Jesus Christ or not, a delight beyond measure.

There are three different options of Women's Bible Studies for you to chose from. Click on the Bible Study links above for information about each.

We'd love to see you at any of our Bible Studies, so please come as often as you can. If you miss a week, you can catch it at a different time; cross-overs between the Monday night and Wednesday Bible Studies are very welcome.

It’s never too late to join any of these studies—Just come to any one of the meetings!

Monday Night Bible Study

Dates: September 15 to December 1
Times: 6:45 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Fireside Alcove
Cost: $15, with scholarships available
Teacher: Anita Coleman

Contact: Helen Tornquist , or evenings (949) 350-5220

All women are invited; our usual attendees are working women and women for whom evenings are more convenient. Anita Coleman will be returning from co-teaching the spring study of James, to lead our evening Bible study through the yearlong study of John. Her commitment to the Monday Night Bible Study began 3 years ago during the study of Daniel. Since that time, she has answered the call to coordinate various administrative functions, lead small groups and taught several lessons. As the primary instructor, Anita will enjoy using her God-given talents to bring the women of IPC together in fellowship and commitment to study His Holy Word!

Fall 2008 - John: 1- 9

Study Guide:  Doug Connelly.  John: The Way to True Life.  InterVarsity Press.  Rev. ed.  2002.

Starting and Closing Dates: September 15 – December 1, 2008
Length:  11 sessions (+ 1 “Fellowship Evening”: 11/24)

During the week, pray for your 'partner' faithfully and at next meeting, do follow up on prayer requests that were exchanged.  Homework (HW) is optional. Individual, daily lectio divina (LD) is optional too although you are highly encouraged to do this daily on your own; you can select the verse from the reading assigned for the week or from the group lectio in the prior week.

Session Dates and chapters covered (Chapter references are to the Connolly study guide)

September 15 – IPC Women's Ministries Bible Study Guidelines & Introduction to The Gospel of John HW:  chapter 1 discussion questions)

September 22 – chapter 1, John 1 (HW:  chapter 2 discussion questions)

September 29 – chapter 2, John 2 (HW:  chapter 3 discussion questions)

October 6 – Ch. 3, John 3 (HW:  chapter 4 discussion questions)

October 13 – Ch. 4, John 4 (HW:  chapter 5 discussion questions)

October 20 – Ch. 5, John 5 (HW:  chapter 6 discussion questions)

October 27 – Ch. 6, John 6 (HW:  chapter 7 discussion questions)

November 3 – Ch. 7, John 7: 1-52 (HW:  chapter 8 discussion questions)

November 10 – Ch. 8, John, 7:53-8:11 (HW:  chapter 9 discussion questions)

November 17 – Ch. 9, John 8: 12-59 (HW:  chapter 10 discussion questions)

November 24 - “Give Thanks” Fellowship evening; no bible study (no HW!)

December 1 – Ch. 10, John 9 (HW: review chapters 1-10 discussion questions)

(CHRISTMAS BREAK- 5 weeks)
Practice Lectio Divina

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Dates: September 17 to December 10, with November 26th off for Thanksgiving
Times: 9:00 to 11:10 a.m.
Location: Youth Lounge
Cost: $20, with scholarships available
Teachers: Amy Brown & Jean Webb

Contacts: Lori Woods or (949) 502-3784; and Diana Van Horn or (949) 305-5802

Women from all seasons of life come together for community, worship, prayer, acts of service, and study. We are all on a journey of discipleship, with the goal of growing closer to God. Our teachers this fall are Amy Brown and Jean Webb. Amy is the Director of Children's Ministry at IPC and enjoys ministering to women through teaching from God’s Word. Jean, a wife and mother, is retired from Biotech research and loves teaching Sunday school and Bible studies at IPC. They both have a passion for The Word that is contagious. We are blessed to have two such experienced leaders. Children, 2-5 years old, can anticipate a morning of fun activities as they learn about Jesus in the BIG (Being Imitators of God) program. Nursery care is available for children up to 2 years old.

Classic Women’s Bible Study

Dates: September 17 to December 10, with November 26th off for Thanksgiving
Times: 1:00 to 2:15 p.m.
Location: Fireside Alcove
Cost: $10, with scholarships available
Teacher: Chaplain Barbara Buck

Contact: Beverly Hiller or (949) 786-8627

Our study is geared to women 60 and older. Anyone is welcome. Our teacher is Barbara Buck, Chaplain for IPC, ordained in specialized ministry. Barbara works on a part-time basis at IPC to provide churchwide pastoral care, including participation in Women’s Ministries and assisting senior adults in the Primetimers program. She also works part-time as Chaplain for Regents Point, a local continuous care retirement community that is part of the Southern California Presbyterian Homes network. Prior to her ordainment, Barbara ran a PR-consulting company and was on staff in youth ministry at a local church.

Welcome to Have Stitches Will Travel

We are the knitting, crocheting and sewing ministry of IPC created to meet people’s needs in the name and service of Jesus Christ.  You can either join us on the church campus or do your handwork at home.  Whether you prefer to work on smaller items like hats and scarves, or the larger items like Prayer Shawls or lap blankets, we welcome your participation.  When you are knitting or crocheting for one of our mission projects, we can provide yarn to you free of charge.  We also offer free crochet hooks suitable for making the smaller items.  Completed articles are donated to children and adults in need around the world, from near to far.

From beginners to experts, or somewhere in-between, all are welcome!  Many of our regular knitters or crochetiers are excellent and patient teachers if you want to learn.

We offer two options for you:

We meet every Monday after the Labor Day Holiday in September through June in the Fireside Alcove from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.  During July and August we meet only on the first Monday of the month. 

Throughout the year, on the first Monday of each month, we take time during our regular gathering to pray over completed items.  We pray for the person who will ultimately receive our gift.  We pray for Christ’s gift of salvation to grace that person’s life and for the Lord to draw the person near in comfort and compassion.

Even if you only have an hour to spare, or can only make it once or twice a month, you are welcome to join us.  No need to RSVP.  Just come and join the fun.

We will share our supply of yarn with you to work on at home, at your own pace.  Recognizing that not everyone is available to meet on Monday afternoons, we’ve arranged it so that you can still be part of our ministry!  Also, some people prefer to knit, crochet or sew when they are waiting at a doctor’s appointment, or as part of their evening routine, or while watching television.  If you are one of these people, we still welcome you to be a part of Have Stitches Will Travel!

E-mail Mimi Laue or call 949-551-2077 for complete information

While there are plenty of names listed above, WMSC is always seeking women to join in service. If you are looking for a place to get connected with other sisters in Christ, contact Chaplin Barbara Buck and she can help find a special place for you.