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Lenten Happenings at FPC Midweek morning prayer in the sanctuary: Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Come for 10, 20, or 30 minutes at 7, 7:30, 8, or 8:30. Welcome to a low-key time of peace, listening, and some talking (to God) too! Midweek Bible study and soup supper. 5:15 p.m. study, 6:00 p.m. soup supper. Room 25 in the church school. The study is oriented around scripture and Don Miller's Blue Like Jazz (a young man in today's world, his journey to Christ, and our journey in Christ). Holy Week service TBA. Lent is journey to Easter. What was God really up to in Christ? Lent is a special season of discernment of that. Ordinations and Installations Congratulations to newly ordained and/or installed deacons, who will serve on the Board of Deacons in the class of 2015: Jane Gundry, Jo Kemink, Nikki Livermore, and Denise Young. Congratulations to the newly ordained and/or installed elders, who will serve on the Session in the class of 2015: Brad Bender, Cindy A. Bender, Roxanne Rahoi, and John Erickson. Godspeed! FPC Adult Bible Study The FPC Adult Bible Study is meeting Sunday afternoons at 5pm for 1-hour studies in Luke's Gospel. We got started with Luke at the church, as you know, during Advent worship services. We continued with Luke in the sanctuary through Christmastide. Now this Epiphany we are both organizing worship and the adult study with a chapter of Luke a week. Room 25 in the church school--all are welcome! If you miss a class don't worry, you won't be lost, just come to the next one. Detailed schedule available in the fellowship hall. Annual Congregational Meeting The church will hold its 146th Annual Congregational Meeting following the worship service on Sunday, January 29th, 2012. The Annual Report, 2011 is available for download on the Staying Connected tab. An audio/visual version of the Annual Report, 2011 is available here. Confirmation 2011 Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 2011 on their Confirmation, January 8th, 2012: Maggie DeHaan, Lewis Ostrander, Kyle Sutela, and Elliot White! Thanks to the Mentors Brad Bender, Mark Durow, Jill Martin and Marc Tall. Video Christmas Greeting 2011 to You from First Presbyterian Church It is here. Merry Christmas! Upcoming Advent and Christmas Celebrations December 4th, 1:30 p.m. - Bay de Noc Choral Society concert at Bethany Lutheran Church December 11th, 7:00 p.m. - Ninth Annual Community Christmas Concert at St. Joseph and St. Patrick Parish Church. December 18th (in service) - FPC Children's Christmas Presentation December 18th, 7:00 p.m. - FPC Advent/Christmas Concert December 24th, 7:00 p.m. - FPC Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 25th, 10:30 a.m. - Christmas Day Worship @ FPC - "Lessons and Carols" in the format of King's College, Cambridge Officers Elect class of 2015 Congratulations to our recently elected officers! Deacons Jo Kemink, Jane Gundry, Denise Young, and Nikki Livermore Elders Roxanne Rahoi, Cindy A. Bender, John Erickson, and Brad Bender Officers orientation takes place Saturdays December 3rd and January 7th. Please keep these ones in your prayers! CROP Walk 2011 Save the date: 12:30 p.m., starting at the Boniface Art Center, this year's edition of the Church World Service CROP Walk, an event to get food to the hungry. Confirmation 2011 We keep these youth and their mentors in our prayers this fall as the confirmation class gets underway: Maggie DeHaan - mentor Jill Martin Lewis Ostrander - mentor Mark Durow Kyle Sutela - mentor Marc Tall Elliot White - mentor Brad Bender Class meets weekly for 15 weeks; mentors and confirmands meet 8 times for learning activities. God speed! 10th Anniversary 9/11 - Sunday 9/11/11 The church will gather in solemnity, remembrance and hope on 9/11/11 for a special service of music, prayer, scripture, and reflection. Church Exterior Trim Work Bee, August 2011 Monday August 8th through Saturday August 13th - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The dates and times have been set for the high up, scrape- sand- caulk- prime- and paint church exterior trim work bee. We'll have 4 shifts of 3 hours each; sign up sheet in the fellowship hall. Man lift and all materials and supplies provided, just bring yourself and a good pair of work gloves. Sublime Musical Events - Coming Soon StrikePoint, an internationally acclaimed handbell ensemble from Minnesota, will offer a concert June 29th at 7:30 p.m. And The Gravelle Family Singers will offer "A Little Summer Nightmusik" in honor of the upcoming wedding of daughter and sister Elizabeth Gravelle on July 1st at 7:00 p.m. In the FPC sanctuary. Both recitals free of charge. May, 2011 - Farewell Brenda Adiska, Welcome Leah Hopkins After 5+ years of superb and superbly faithful service as Childcare Director, Brenda Adiska moves on to new callings. Brenda, thank you for running a great church nursery. The Personnel Committee has selected Ms. Leah Hopkins as Interim Childcare Director. Welcome aboard, Leah! EskyGrow As part of its summer outreach FPC will participate in the EskyGrow community gardening project, helping to plant this May and taking a week per summer month for weeding and picking. This is a beautiful grass-roots community initiative that FPC is delighted to support. Contact Laurie Beggs or Jill Martin for more information. Welcome New Members This Sunday May 15th we welcome new members Mary Lou Baker, Paul Brodin, Carolyn Pelto and Denise Young. Welcome! Upcoming Weddings, 2011 Friends, we have a number of weddings at FPC this year. Keep these young beloveds in your prayers for a lifetime of faithfulness and joy: Catrina Nyberg and James Brandt - April 16th Mikki Gersich and Justin Berg - April 29th Katie McKnight and Joshua Tryon - May 7th Christine Cannon and Joshua Richards - June 4th in Traverse City Elizabeth Gravelle and Casey Wilson - July 3rd Karli Carpenter and Ron Jenshak - July 23rd
Eastertide Events @ FPC Resurrection of the Lord: April 24th. Church School in recess. Youth Sunday: May 1st (The 2nd Sunday of Easter). The Youth always outdo themselves! This year the theme is "Hope," and as this is a communion Sunday, the Lord's Supper will be celebrated with confirmed Youth as the communion servers. Come and hear amazing messages and music! Holy Week Events @ FPC Palm Sunday: April 17th. The usual festivities and foreboding that sets in as Christ enters Jerusalem. This year the readings from Mathew's Gospel. Maundy Thursday service of scripture, prayer, and Lord's Supper: 7pm April 21. Good Friday Escanaba Ecumenical Service: 12:10 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., April 22, this year at First Presbyterian Church Lenten Studies and Soup Suppers - Wednesdsays, March 16 - April 13, 2011 Friends, grab your friends and make your way to our mid-week Lenten meetings this year. We're gathering Wednesdays at 5:30 pm for study and conversation on "The Great Lenten Themes" in Room 24 in the church school. Soup suppers featuring homemade soups made from locally-grown produce and meats follow in the fellowship hall. Here's our schedule: The Great Lenten Themes
Abstinence and Fasting – March 16th
Contemplation and Prayer – March 23rd
Simplicity and Quiet – March 30th
Remembering our Foundational Stories – April 6th
Charity and Good Works – April 13th Ash Wednesday Service - March 9th at 7:00 p.m. Deacons and Elders ordained and installed - January 30th, 2011 Congratulations to Anne Vande Water and Miriam White who were ordained as Deacons; and to Jeff Beggs who was ordained as Elder. Congratulations and God speed to all who were installed for terms of service on the Board of Deacons: Dot Meyer (class of 2013), Miriam White (2014), Anne Vande Water (2014) and Elizabeth Wilson (2014). And who were installed for terms of service on the Session: Peter Denman (class of 2012), Mary Van Dyke (2013), Bob Meyer (2014), John Klim (2014), Priscilla Green (2014), and Jeff Beggs (2014). FPC Adult Study The FPC Adult Study group meets Sundays at 5pm in the church library. The most recent decision of the group is to do some study with the popular public radio show Krista Tippett on Being (formerly "Speaking of Faith"). Krista Tippett interviews leading religious authors, thinkers and activists on timely subjects with a world-wide perspective. Check the weekly church bulletin for the show of the week, or call the church office for more information. Our task is to review and engage the offerings in each show through scripture, prayer, thought, conversation...decaf coffee and the occasional pastry. Right on! Annual Congregational Meeting FPC will hold its Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, January 30th, 2011. The Annual Report for the year ending December 31st, 2010, will be mailed or emailed to you on Friday, January 21st. We look forward to a lively and productive meeting! Christmas Card 2010 The church Christmas Greeting to you is on YouTube, here. God bless you! Advent Services and Musical Events - 2010 Friends, as always there's a lot going on to celebrate this great season. Stay tuned with Sunday morning announcements. Here are a few things to note on your family calendars so far: 1st Sunday of Advent, Nov 28th, Deacons and Pastor offer service at Bishop Noa Home, 2:00 p.m. Come and pass the peace with out neighbors 2nd Sunday of Advent, Dec 5th, Bay de Noc Choral Society annual Christmas concert, 1:30 p.m. Bethany Lutheran Saturday, Dec 11th, FPC Annual Cookie Sale (10:00 a.m.) / Youth Group Angel Shopping 3rd Sunday of Advent, Dec 12th, / Festival of Choirs, 7:00 p.m., St. Joseph and St. Patrick Church 4th Sunday of Advent, Dec 19th, FPC Annual Advent/Christmas Concert, 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service @ FPC, 7:00 p.m. 50% of offering goes to Adult Foster Care organizations in the community
"Hanging of the Greens" - Advent 2010 Carol, Nancy, and Joan offer a special invitation to join them on Friday and Saturday, Nov 26 and Nov 27, for our annual festival of hanging of the greens. As you know the church is transformed every year with trees, wreaths, lights, chrismons, and more! We giggle a lot and hard work never felt so good. See you there! update: Thank you Hal and Jill, Joy, Chip, Miriam, Laurie, and Julie for your great help! Thanks-Giving Prayer Service @ FPC It will be Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, Nov 23rd, at 7:00 p.m. Pies to follow! Food Collection, Salvation Army A note from Joy Kuivinen: Friends, we're collecting food for the Escanaba Salvation Army in the Fellowship Hall the weeks of November 8th and 15th. You always give so generously, and this year the needs are great. Thank you for your support. Youth Group Rake n' Run - 2010 It will be Saturday, Nov 6th this year! We're meeting at the church at 9:00 a.m., and will have lunch together when done. Hymn Sing Sunday - October 24th A special "call to worship" to all FPCers and their friends in the community who love to sing! On this Sunday we will sing at least 6 or 7 of your favorite hymns, with a mini-reflection offered by Pastor Scott on hymnody. Thanks to all who returned response cards on what your favorite hymns are. We have plenty of material to work with! CROP Walk, Peacemaking Offering, and World Communion Sunday on October 3rd The CROP Walk will start and end this year at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. FPC is usually high on the list of top sponsors...let's walk strong again this year! Contact John Klim or Cindy Bender for more information. Walkers will have their forms the Sunday before and the Sunday of, during Fellowship Hour. Peace and Plenty! FPC Adult Study The FPC Adult Study will resume its program beginning September 19th. It meets Sunday afternoons at 5pm in the church library. All are welcome! Here's our fall schedule: Sept 19th
“What Scott learned on sabbatical” Sept 26th
Group Discovery: “What Is a Christian?” Oct 3rd
Sighting a Pop Culture Gospel on TV (“The Gospel According to Pop Culture”) Oct 10th & 17th
“Church Doctrine. What is it like to study it?” - 2 sessions Oct 24th & 31st
"Scripture. What is it like to study it?” - 2 sessions Nov 7th, 14th, 21st
A book read TBA "Summer's End" Scott's back, and his first Sunday in the pulpit will be September 5th. The K-7 church school and choir start their program year September 12th. The acolyting program is being refreshed and re-organized (parents, your acolyting youth will be contacted shortly for refresher training sessions).
Mini-Makeover - Alliance Against Violence and Abuse - Summer Outreach 2010 It's a go, and it will be Monday June 28th through Friday July 2nd! At least we think it will be a "mini" makeover. We have bedrooms to paint, a small room to build (framing and drywalling), shelving to install, a playground to equip and landscape, etc.! For more information have a look at the project document below, or contact Laurie Beggs, Elder. We need your help--there's a sign-up sheet in Westminster Hall, or you could express interest by calling the church office. See you there!
Summer Salvation Army Saturday Meals - FPC Serving The first will be Saturday July 10th. Kicthen and hospitality staff needed from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Miriam White, the coordinator for the July 10th meal. The second will be Saturday August 28th. Contact Laurie Beggs, the coordinator for the August 28th meal. Pastor's Sabbatical - July and August 2010 It's a done deal! Pastor Scott will take 2 months sabbatical this July and August. Scott approached the Personnel Committee last November expressing interest in taking a short sabbatical in this, his 7th year as installed pastor, and provided them with a sabbatical plan at that time; the Personnel Committee unanimously approved it; in December the Session unanimously approved it; and...this winter the Presbytery Committee on Ministry unanimously approved it. Wow! So now we'd really better get this done! There will be newsletter notes and announcements in service, and...for really interested parties...the detailed Sabbatical Plan document is available in the church office. Please forward any questions or comments to the Personnel Committee, Clerk of Session, or Pastor Scott. We thank you for your support!
Youth Sunday 2010 It will be May 9th, Mother's Day. The youth are already underway with their planning but it is not too late to join in. Contact Maggie Tall. The theme this year is "blessing". Eastertide Worship This Easter Sunday April 4th the kids will be in their finest, the sanctuary will be full of lilies, the choir and the organist/pianist will offer their usual amazing musical ministry, and...we'll hear the story again of the empty tomb. The absence...that fills us up! Thereafter, for the remaining 7 Sundays of the Eastertide (the Season of Easter), the Revised Common Lectionary commends to us this year readings from the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Pastor Scott has taken on a particular interest and ambition to present the wonders of that book as well as he can...asking for the fullest help of the Holy Spirit. "Let us listen to hear what the Spirit says" about the 'middle' and 'end' of things this Eastertide @ FPC! One Great Hour of Sharing The OGHS offering will again be received this Palm Sunday. Stay tuned for Minutes for Mission and other announcements about this special offering and its support of three PC(USA) worldwide missions: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self Development of People, and the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Communion Instruction in the Church School A three-session special unit on communion instruction will be offered in the K-7 Church School on March 7th, 14th, and 21st. We will employ the WeBelieve/Workshop's unit on The Last Supper, and Pastor Scott will give specific orientation to our practice of celebration of the sacrament. Parents, please ensure your children attend. Welcome New Members Barbara Baird, Patrick Baird, John Erickson, Brett LaFave, and Nicole Livermore! God bless us all with a hallowed journey. Organ Dedication Recitals #3 and #4 We are delighted to announce that John Ignatowski, Director of Sacred Music and Liturgy at St. Joseph/St. Patrick Parish will give a recital Saturday evening March 6th at 7:00 p.m. Press release here. And we are delighted to announce that Sally Briggs, Betty Lundin, Dale Nyberg, and Miriam White will offer a group recital, with support from the Sanctuary Choir and the First Bells on March 19th at 7:00 p.m. Press release here. These will complete our organ dedicatory recital series! Inquirers/New members Group - Winter 2010 A group is being formed for those interested in exploring membership at First Presbyterian Church. We'll meet on two Saturday mornings: February 27th, 10:00 a.m. March 6th, 10:00 a.m.
Drop in for a good cup of coffee, and some inquiry into the regular, traditional, normal, historic, orthodox Christian faith for today...the one practiced with gusto and joy right here at First Presbyterian Church. Salvation Army Saturday Meal FPC will next serve the Saturday meal at the Escanaba Salvation Army on March 27th. To volunteer, please contact Miriam White or Jill Martin. Lent 2010 @ FPC Ash Wednesday Service - 7:00 p.m. February 17th We will celebrate the traditional observances, including the imposition of ashes upon the forehead.
Prayer Services: Prayer service for healing - February 24th Prayer service for peace - March 3rd Prayer service for discernment - March 10th Prayer service for Christian agape love - March 17th Prayer service for bearing our cross - March 24th Time: 5:30 p.m. service. 6:00 p.m. soup suppers. The sanctuary will be open at 5:00 p.m. for quiet time and reflection. These will be gently guided times of prayer, with scripture and song.
The Maundy Thursday service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on April 1st @ FPC; including, of course, the celebration of the Lord's Supper. The Good Friday Escanaba Ecumenical Service will be held from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, April 2nd. All clergy and churches will participate. The nursery will be open every Lenten event at FPC from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday.
Wild Game Feed - 2010 Edition! Thanks to the Paul and Denise DeHaan Family we can again look forward to a delicious after-service luncheon on Sunday February 21st featuring the game of Upper Michigan. We think it's the 5th Annual, but it is hard to keep count! Contact Paul if you can contribute. Congratulations and Godspeed to our officers elect Deacons class of 2013 Nancy Laundre Janet Hall Lorie Landis April Durow
Deacons class of 2012 Joan Murray
Session class 2013 Laurie Beggs Kathy Christianson Cynthia A. Bender Paul DeHaan
Session class of 2012 Thomas Richards
They will be ordained and installed in service February 14th!
Organ Dedication Recital - February 5th, 2010 The organ dedication recital will be offered by Wisconsin organist Dr. John Behnke. It will take place Friday evening February 5th at 7:00 p.m. To find out about Dr. John Behnke, click to his website. This is a free recital paid for by your generous contributions to the Organ Fund. Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, bring anyone who loves music! Organ Recital We are delighted to announce that local organist and friend of the church Bob Williams will offer a recital on the new organ Sunday afternoon January 24th at 3:00 p.m. More recitals of local organists are in the works--stay tuned for more information. Organ Dedication Sunday - Annual Congregational Meeting - January 31st, 2010 The Session has called the Annual Meeting of the Congregation for the customary date: the last Sunday in January, which is January 31st, immediately following the worship service. In service on January 31st the Sanctuary Organ will also be dedicated in the service of the Lord our God. Adult Study - New Class - A Protestant Discovers Mary Why a study on Mary the Mother of Jesus? Because Mary will challenge us with her obedience to the word of God, and she is a model for all Christians. The Question: What can we believe about Mary? What? A 6-part adult study group led by Dr. Gary Shiplett When? Sunday evenings, 7:00 p.m., January 17th through February 21st, in the library of First Presbyterian Church. Books will be available during the fellowship hour January 10th at a book table. December 27, 2009 - Church Photo Directories Available The New Church Photo Directories are printed and are in the Westminster Hall for pickup! There is one for every household in the church. DONE! ORGAN NEWS Consequent to last week’s visit of the Lauck Organ Company of Otsego, MI, in which the organ was tonally finished and tuned, The Year-of-Our-Lord-2009, Sanctuary Organ Upgrade and Refurbishment Project IS COMPLETE. A new console, new intermediary systems, many new pipes, and newly refurbished pipes have been installed. The organ will be commissioned on Sunday, January 31st, and an inaugural series of recitals will commence beginning Friday evening February 5th with a concert by renowned Wisconsin organist Dr. John Behnke, and thereafter by many local organists too. The Session of the church extends its hearty thanks to all who have contributed to this $70,000 project. Advent 2009 @ FPC Special events and services: FPC Advent/Christmas Concert: Sunday December 13th at 7:00 p.m. 7th Annual Community Christmas Concert: December 18th, 7:30 p.m., St. Joseph and St. Patrick Parish Church FPC Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: 7:00 p.m.
Lighting The Neighborhood It's an evening of being out and about in the neighborhood, singing carols, greeting our neighbors, and (thanks to Earthkeepers U.P.) giving away a gross of CF Lightbulbs. We come back to the church and enjoy a hot meal! Friday evening, December 11th, meeting at 6pm. See you there! Sanctuary Organ News The Lauck Organ Company of Otsego, MI has just completed its second of three site visits to install its "Opus 62," which is a blend of brand new components and refurbishments and upgrades to the 1915 Hook and Hastings Organ which has been located in the sanctuary since 1942. We'd love to tell you all about it...but here's the second best way to do this: check here here here and here And the first best way to do it...is to come to Sunday services ahead! An inaugural organ recital series will take place in the new year, stay tuned for more information! Funding Ministry (aka Pledge Dedication) Sunday is... November 15th! Please prayerfully consider your giving to the church, to fund the ministries of the church, and return a pledge card for dedication on that day. Annual "Funding Ministry" Luncheon, October 25th Yes, we used to call it the "Stewardship" Luncheon. This was our way of making a special and enjoyable time to place before the congregation, retrospectively, what we've done in stewardship of your tithes and offerings, and prospectively, what the plan of the leadership of the church is for the next year of the same. In other words, this luncheon and the whole of our stewardship program has been about (thank you Rev. Gary Shiplett!) Funding Ministry. So we're going to jump in all the way this year and do the name change. Members and Friends, we invite you to the Annual Funding Ministry Luncheon on Sunday, October 25th following service. Yes, we're still offering encouragement for all of us to be Good Stewards, at an individual and family level, of all the gifts God has given us. But we're making very clear that what monetary giving to the church is for is to fund the mission and ministry of the church. See you there! New Church Photo Directory Congregational Care and membership is delighted to announce the production of a new church photo directory! Photos will be taken September 17th, 18th and 19th. More information and sign up in the Fellowship Hall. Particular questions to Don Fitch. We encourage everyone to participate! FPC Hosts the Delta County CROP Walk this year First Sunday in October - the 4th - World Communion Sunday - and CROP to minister into local and world hunger...it's a yes, eh? Upcoming After-Service Events September 20th - viewing of Rick Steves' Iran September 27th - Elinor Benedict poetry reading In the Fellowship Hall with coffee and pastry. Church School Year Begins - Choir Program Year Begins - September 13th! 9:00 a.m. K-7 Church School, Confirmation Class, Choir Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. Service 9:00 a.m. - Noon Nursery for our littlest church-goers 7:00 p.m. Adult Study at church members' homes - we begin at John and Beth Klim's on this day. See you there! Special Service - August 9th 2009 Hymns, prayer, scripture and enjoying the peace of the sanctuary. Service at Bishop Noa The Deacons and Pastor will offer service at the Bishop Noa Community Home chapel, Sunday afternoon June 21st at 2pm. The church at large is invited and welcomed to attend to greet our neighbors at Bishop Noa and to pass the peace of Christ. Graduates Recognition in Service, and Breakfast May 31st Senior Recitals Becky Bender - May 16th Tory Wood - July 11th Eastertide Outreaching Earthkeeper's Tree Give Away - May 3rd. For your home and/or camp. We'll have about 200 saplings. They will be blessed in service. Exterior Church Beautification Project - planters, flowers, shrubs, trees. Coming early May, stay tuned. Contact Mo Curry or Jess Farkas for more information. Presbytery Point Spring Work Camp - May 15th through 22nd. For the camp schedule click here. Wow! Is there a lot offered at camp this summer! Adult Bible Study Update Congratulations to the FPC Adult Bible Study Group which completed a 16-week study in the Gospel of Mark between January 11th and April 19th! The study of the group did much to inform us, and to inform the worship of the entire congregation. The study group takes a brief recess now, then re-convenes with the Session for book study on May 17th at 7pm. Coming Soon - Vacation Bible School '09! Dates: Monday June 22 through Thursday June 25 Time: 6 - 8 pm Hosts: Central Methodist Church Directors: FPC's Hal Martin and Linda Peterson
Friends we're building on two previous years of very successful Tri-Church Vacation Bible School. Remember "Take the Plunge" and "Rainforest Adventure"? This year's VBS, "ROME: PAUL AND THE UNDERGROUND CHURCH" will be our best yet. Registration forms will shortly go out to the churches. In the meantime, check here for more information! Youth Sunday April 19th. Annually one of our best services, not to be missed! This Youth Sunday 6 of our upper Youth will preach on resurrection texts! Various youth offering music, and Elder Rod Rahoi will offer the "Adult Time"! Holy Week Services 2009 Maundy Thursday: 7pm FPC Good Friday: Noon-3pm, Ecumenical Service hosted by Central United Methodist Church. Easter Sunday: 10:30 a.m.
A Note from Pastor Scott Hey folks, how you doing? It's mid winter and maybe some blahhs are setting in. Listen, keep the faith, keep up with your rest, catch up on the housework and bills and all that stuff, get plenty of Vitamin C...you'll feel better...and... Well, what else? I want to suggest three things. Every Sunday after service I hear from folks they are glad they braved the cold, snow and ice to come to service. The music ministers to them, the prayers, the peace, the fellowship...sometimes I even hear a good word about The Word I am offering! It's "big bang for the buck" every Sunday morning @ FPC. Ditto what folks are saying about Adult Study Sunday evenings at 7pm at various church members' homes. We're working our way through the Gospel of Mark, and you can climb aboard any time...we're deliberately making these so that you don't have to be present in the whole series. Third, I just want to say, stop by anytime and let me see if I can set a couple good cups of church coffee in front of us. Bring me up to date on your doings and we'll share in a word of prayer. Let us give thanks for all the good, and ask for God's help with our challenges. Thanks for reading my message to you, and...Peace of Christ! Scott
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UPCOMING - Wednesday's in Lent - Ash Wednesday and Cross Making Ash Wednesday is February 25th this year, and we will gather for service as customary for us at 7pm. Thereafter, we will continue with our much-loved "Wednesdays in Lent," including program and soup supper. The mission and outreach commission is excited to announce that this year the program will include cross-making in the fellowship hall. Stay tuned for more information about this special intergenerational, hands-on, focusing-on-the-way-of-Jesus congregational event. Annual Congregational Meeting 2009 Thank you to all, all the leaders in the church and all the members and friends, who made the Annual Congregational Meeting on January 25th such a success. We had a delightfully large amount of great conversation, plus executed all our business. The Finance Commission and Session are delighted to announce that First Presbyterian Church again begins a year having established a balanced budget. Wild Game Feed #4 Or is it #5? We are losing count! Anyway, the Congregational 2009 Wild Game Feed will be held after service February 8th. Worship Service Distribution Ministry The Worship Commission is delighted to announce that we are now recording and distributing to our homebound members weekly CDs of services. Thanks to Peter Denman, Elder, for his vision and initiative on this! We are using the technology purchased with the recent sound system upgrade to its fullest. And we are getting rave reviews from the recipients. Officers, Class of 2012 The church is delighted to announce that the following persons have been elected by the congregation, trained, and examined by Session to lead us as officers in the class of 2012: Deacons-elect: Paul DeHaan, Jo Kemink, Hal Martin, Joyce Schrock. Elders-elect: Bryan Bender, Lori Cossette, Mo Curry, Jill Martin. Ordinations and installations will take place February 8th. Mid-Winter Youth Group Meetings The youth group leaders are excited to announce our mid-winter youth group meeting series. We're meeting Wednesdays at 7pm in the library, snacks provided, Yeah! Schedule: 1 – Jan 14 – Self and Others 2 – Jan 21 – Present and Future 3 – Jan 28 – The Now God 4 – Feb 4 – Growing and Maturing 5 – Feb 11 – Challenge 6 – Feb 18 – God And... Annual Congregational Meeting It will be held, as customary for us, the last Sunday of January, the 25th, in the sanctuary following the worship service. The Annual Report is available for download, here. Advent/Christmas at FPC Advent/Christmas Concert: Sunday, December 14th at 7pm, Sanctuary
Children's Christmas Presentation: Sunday, December 21st, in the Lord's Day service, 10:30 am
Christmas Eve Service: 7pm - music, drama, candlelight
Mission to the USA - Complete The church and the whole community has been so blessed by Rev. Allen Nafuki's mission. He is kind to leave us with his report to the Synod of the Covenant's Mission to the USA committee. It is here. Stewardship 2008 We are enjoying weekly messages from the elders and other leaders in the church! The annual stewardship luncheon is November 9th, and Pledge Dedication Sunday is November 23rd. Thanksgiving week beings for us where it should--at church--where we give thanks for all that we are by God's grace, and for all that we have, by God's grace. All Saints Day @ FPC - Celebrated Sunday November 2 We will celebrate All Saints Day in service Sunday morning November 2nd. For this year on this day the worship committee is planning on a rite of remembrance and celebration of the saints known to the congregation. In this rite we will ask the assembly to come forward and place on the communion table a photograph or similar item which represents the memory and legacy of a saint you knew and loved. We will then pray and sing to celebrate the saints and give praise to God who is powerful and faithful, and whose promises are sure. We’ll remind you in the weeks ahead. Be thinking about what you would like to bring to service November 2nd. All the baptized faithful are saints.
Missions and Outreach Retreat We will hold our first ever Missions and Outreach retreat Sunday afternoon October 19th in Bark River. Prayer, discernment, conversation, movie clip, meal--a review of our program and going forward from here. All are welcome. Pot luck. He's Here! Welcome Rev. Allen Nafuki He is a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (South Pacific), and after months of preparation and planning all around the Synod and right here at First Presbyterian Church, he is here as a mission partner in the Synod of the Covenant’s Mission to the U.S.A. program. Pastor Nafuki has journeyed to Delta County for a six week residency hosted by FPC to share in ministry with us, and to lead us in new ways of thinking about, and living, the gospel. Welcome, Allen! In partnership with Pastor Nafuki, the Mission to the USA Committee here at FPC has developed a full and exciting 6-week ministry plan. This is posted in the fellowship hall, and is also online as a "public calendar" on google.com. You'll need a sign in to see it and to keep up with the latest on Pastor Nafuki's work at FPC and in the community; don't worry you won't get any spam from google.
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Adult Study @ FPC We're trying something different and new for adult study at First Presbyterian Church. We've moved the time from 9am to 7pm Sundays! Choir members and church school teachers and those giving rides to our older church friends--well they've long had difficulty being able to make the morning study. So we're giving it a try at 7pm. Also, we're holding adult study in different church members' homes, 2 sessions per home. We announce in the bulletin each week where we're meeting--what a great way to get to know each other better. Finally, we're exploring a number of different forms of study. Plain old fashioned Bible study; explorations in basic Christian theology (let's make that simpler--how about, "Christian thinking"), current events, and explorations in discipleship and spirituality. Update: Wow! Class has grown from 5 to 8 to 11! Seems to be working! Pascagoula Mission - Hurricane Home Recovery - Is A Go! Our away mission team was commissioned and blessed in service Sunday, August 3rd, and they departed Sunday, August 10th for a full week of home construction labor. They are hosted by the First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula, Mississippi. Let us keep Cindy, Becky, and Sam Bender and Pastor Scott in our prayers. End-of-Building-Project Celebration Weekend July 19th and 20th, 2008 By the grace of God and the faithfulness of God's people, the building project (expansion; renovation; stained glass windows) is over and the mortgage has been fully paid! Here is the schedule of events for the celebration weekend: Saturday July 19th, 5-8 pm Parking Lot Party. An all-Friends, Neighbors, Community Event. Picnic dinner, music, activities for the kids. Cost: free.
Sunday July 20th, 9:30 am Service of thanksgiving, worship and homecoming. We'll hear from invited guests and give special praise to God faithful and gracious. Fellowship-Hour-Plus following service. We're going out into the parking lot to burn the mortgage, then coming back into the fellowship hall for a fine luncheon.
We'll see you there! Building Project Completion! The Session of the church is pleased to announce that in April the last payment was made on the building addition--a project which began in 1998. We give thanks to God for His great faithfulness, and for the great faithfulness of the church. The Session is also pleased to announce that FPC will host an "End of Building Project" Celebration Weekend. It will be Saturday July 19th, and Sunday July 20th. Stay tuned for more details. Summer Schedule As of Sunday June 8th the Church will be on 'summer schedule'--service at 9:30 a.m., fellowship hour to follow, church schools in recess. Mission to the U.S.A. We are delighted to announce that First Presbyterian Church has been selected to receive visiting pastor Rev. Allen Nafuki of the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, from October 1st through November 12th this year. Pastor Nafuki is one of 8 church leaders from the South Pacific that the Synod of the Covenant PC(USA) will receive this fall as part of its "Mission to the U.S.A." program. We look forward to a time of rich sharing and discovery of common identity, witness, and mission through this important synod-level mission program. Friday May 9 @ FPC! Annual Spring Salad Luncheon 11:00 am - 1:30 pm Mother's Day Dance 8:00 - 10:00 pm Announcing Vacation Bible School '08 Monday through Thursday, June 16th-19th. Again this year a three-church event: Central United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church. At FPC. Let the neighborhood kids and their parents know about it! Next Inquirers/New Members Class Saturday mornings May 3rd and 10th, 10 a.m. Please call the church office to let us know your coming! Holy Week Services Maundy Thursday - scripture, hymns, Lord's Supper, music - 7:00 p.m. March 20 2008 Good Friday Escanaba Ecumenical Service - Noon - 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church March 21 2008 Childcare provided at both services. Wednesdays in Lent @ FPC -- February 13 through March 12 2008 This Lent we're meeting Wednesday evenings in the sanctuary for brief services beginning at 6:00 p.m. Then it's Soup Supper in the fellowship hall at 6:40 p.m. On the Band's Play List: Sanctuary Old Rugged Cross The Summons You Are My All in All Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley and more...
Childcare is provided. Mission Trip Planning The missions and outreach group is zeroing in on an international mission trip for this summer! Check out the Missions and Outreach tab above, or give our co-chairs a call (Leaders tab). We're meeting most Tuesday evenings in the library at 6:00 p.m. to make it happen and we need your support/help/blessing. You're invited to orientation sessions at the Pastor's House Monday Feb 18 8pm and Thursday Feb 21 8pm. Bring your appetite for dessert and we'll talk international mission! Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday 2008 This year Ash Wednesday service is at 7:00 p.m.; the Sanctuary Choir and First Bells will offer music. Maundy Thursday is at 7:00 p.m.; the Lord's Supper. Good Friday is the Escanaba Ecumenical Good Friday Service, this year held at First United Methodist Church on South 6th Street, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. New Deacons and Elders installed - Class of 2011 On February 3rd Denise DeHaan was ordained as Deacon, and installed along with Deacons Nancy Denman, Paddy Fitch and Mary Van Dyke. Also on that day Peter Denman was ordained as Elder and installed along with Elders Jesse Farkas, Don Fitch and John Klim. Annual Congregational Meeting 2008 The annual meeting of the congregation was held Sunday morning January 27th. Thanks to all who made it a success. The 2007 Annual Congregational Report is available for download on the Staying Connected tab.
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Mini-Makeover - Alliance Against Violence and Abuse - Summer 2010
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