VBS Leader Needed

VBS is up in the air! The Christian Education Ministry team would once again like to host VBS HERE at First Presbyterian.  However, at this time we have no one willing to chair/co-chair this event. As chair, responsibilities would include general organization, recruitment of additional volunteers and promotion of VBS. This year’s curriculum is “SKY” by Group publishing. Dates and times have yet to be determined. If you are willing to volunteer in this capacity or any other please sign up on the CE bulletin board in the Grand Hall or contact Katie Shelton at bobandkt@comcast.net .
 EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD.    Mark 10:27

Lent: Self-examination

Self-Examination:  Each Tuesday morning from 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 a.m., February 28 through April 3, the Chapel will be open for a time of quiet reflection and self-examination.  This is a self-guided time of introspection, however Pastor Fran will be available for prayer and discussion if needed. The 40 days of Lent are a blessing from God, a time to right all the wrongs that fill our lives and a time to renew our relationships with God.  May you observe a holy Lent as you prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Lenten Works of Love

Works of Love:  If you would like to engage in a spiritual discipline in observance of Lent but time and scheduling is a factor, you are invited to participate in a work of love.  Each week you will receive the names of two people who need to be remembered in prayer.  At a time that fits your schedule and for the amount of time you are able to devote, you can hold those persons in prayer.  Cards will be provided for each person on the list so you can send them a note letting them know they are remembered and held in prayer.  This is a simple, but meaningful way to deepen your Lenten experience.  If you are interested, please contact Pastor Fran.

Lenten Prayer Wednesdays, 11:00 am

If you would like to add an intentional time of prayer as one of your Lenten observances, please join our prayer group which meets regularly in the church library on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 a.m.  Each week we gather to pray for those appearing on our church prayer list; for our congregation and other churches in our community; for our community; for our nation and for our world.

Lenten Reflections

Please join Pastor Fran every Thursday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 in the Chapel for a time for spiritual reflection centered around readings from Scripture and the Lenten resource entitled, Way Words by John Indermark.  This time of gathering will be centered around Lenten themes beginning Thursday, February 23 through April 5.   If you would like to participate, the resource for the class, Way Words, can be ordered from www.cokesbury.com or you may contact the church office to order the book.  If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Fran. 

Blanket Sunday Feb. 26th

Most of us carry a spare tire in our cars.  Being prepared for the unexpected can make all the difference in an emergency. Church World Service has learned that lesson well over its more than 60 year history of responding to disasters and other urgent humanitarian crisis. Our Blankets + Offering will go to support the life-saving work of Church World Service here at home and around the world.  Often, the first thing CWS provides in an emergency is a blanket for warmth, comfort, and sometimes even shelter.  But as needs change, other things are required – tents, food, water, and the tools and materials to rebuild.  That’s why it’s called Blankets +.  When we see the results of a disaster, its easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless, but through CWS blankets +, our contributions add up and enable CWS to respond effectively when people need the help most.  Together we can do a lot!  Please be generous.

Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2012

On Ash Wednesday, Pastor Fran will be in the Chapel for Prayer and Imposition of Ashes from 7 – 8 a.m. and again from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.  Please enter through the outside entrance of the Chapel located at the north side of the Sanctuary.  There will be an Ash Wednesday worship service that evening at 7 p.m.

Worship Time Changes March 4

Starting Sunday, March 4, 2012 the Sunday morning schedule will be:

8:00 a.m.       Contemplative Service            Tyler Memorial Chapel

9:00 a.m.       Contemporary Service            Fellowship Hall

10:00 a.m.       Christian Education Hour
11:00 a.m.       Traditional Service                  Sanctuary

The traditional service will continue to be heard on the radio on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. on WNIL 12.90. 

Why the schedule change?

Salad dressing needed

 The Deacons are in need of Salad dressing for the Food Pantry.  We want to thank everyone who helps with the needs of the Food Pantry.  Your help is greatly appreciated.

Please set donations in a bag outside the Food Pantry door.

Bridge Night

Bridge Fun Night will be this coming Saturday, February 18^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor and is open to all.  Please bring a snack to share. For questions call Nancy Acosta (683-2657).

Kid's choir, handchimes and bells!

Choir, Handchimes & Bells
Class Meets Wednesdays 4:30 – 6:00 PM
Performs 3rd Sunday; Class Day Trip in June

Our new Minister of Music is approaching the children's music class as if they were all there for private lessons. Russell is working on a rehearsal plan that is more convenient for families. If you would like to see your student learn music skills through the church, bring them to class.

Nursery Volunteers needed

Five families have welcomed newborns in the past month at FPC! The average number of children that the nursery serves on any given Sunday is 4 kids while the average age is 4.7 years old. Please contact Aida Brawley if you can help out once in awhile, have a student with a Babysitting Certificate or high school student that regularly babysit and would like to serve in the nursery. Thanks!

Sunday School Spruce-Up Project Update: Many thanks to the Deacons for their $1000.00 donation! New “Hands-On” Bibles, chairs, wipeboards, etc. have recently been added to our freshly painted classrooms. NEW: Students will now go directly to their classrooms at 9:30AM. Children's Chaple has been discontinued; students may give their offering during a Worship Service.

Videos of Worship Services

Know of an upcoming worship service you'd like to see again or show your friends? Let us know in advance, and we'll arrange for videotaping the service, and have a DVD available for you to borrow. We will videotape special services (Fifth Sunday, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost), but we will no longer routinely record worship services. Many thanks go to our youth, who volunteer to make these DVDs. Please contact Stephanie Layman to arrange for the videotaping.

We need your corn muffins or dessert!

The Deacons request donations of dessert and/or corn muffins in support of the annual Chili Supper.  We are asking the congregation to help by donating a dessert and/or corn muffins to serve 24 people.  The desserts and muffins need to be dropped off at the church on Friday, February 24, 2012 by 3:00 P.M.  There will be a cart in the upper hall on which to place them.  Please help make this fund raiser a rousing success!  See or call Tala Welch at 269-262-0665.  Thank you!