Our youth will collect $1 donations after each
service on February 4. There will be two soup
pots - one for each team. Place your $1 vote
in either soup pot to support whichever team you
think will win the Superbowl! Money received will be donated to Church Community Services. Together, we can make a difference. Everyone WINS in the "Souper Bowl!" Thank you for caring!

Haystack dinner. Come make your own haystack, enjoy fellowship, and find out all the workings of our church and its activities. Sign up on the sign-up sheets in main level and lower level hallways!

Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is coming February 21. Watch for further details on Lenten worship and special services.

"Love your neighbor as yourself." One way Presbyterian
Women try to walk the path of Jesus is by promoting and supporting mission opportunities. On January 28, the congregation will be asked to support the Tools of Hope/ Blanket Offering of Church World Service. Five dollars will purchase a blanket for someone who is cold; $15 provides a hoe, shovel, and rake to a family, enabling them to grow food; $30 provides twenty five-gallon jugs of water, bringing clean, safe water to those in need; $72 provides an emergency food pack. We have received so much – let's share with our neighbors! We can make a difference, and we will!

It's time our church considers another capital campaign.

Why now? Several years ago, our consultant, Jeff Patton, warned us that if we are to stay in this building, we'll need to put major money into it -- $1-2 million, if I recall. The Session and Trustees have had a capital campaign in the back of their minds for awhile, but it's taken a long time to get firm figures on updating our heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Due to diligent work by Bob Huber, Doc Atkins, Troy Scott, and the Trustees, we now have those figures. And they are high.

The trustees retained consulting engineers to review our HVAC system, and they reported that we have a very well-built building that will last a long time, but its mechanical systems are beyond their life expectancy. In the past few years we've had multiple leaks from 45-year-old valves; some leaks have lost several thousand dollars worth of glycol. No one can say when or where the next leaks will come, only that they will appear somewhere, at the most inconvenient moment.

After careful consideration, the Trustees have decided, and the Session has approved, to replace the 2-pipe system which serves our Chapel and Sanctuary (and some other areas) with a 4-pipe system, with different pipes carrying cooling and heating. The existing fairly-new boilers will most likely be retained, but all controls, pipes, valves, air units will need replacing. The current ice-bank chiller system will be replaced with an on-demand chiller. The offices and classrooms, including areas not currently air-conditioned, will be served by wall units similar to those now serving the fellowship hall/Bridge area. Estimated cost for this HVAC work: $830,000.

Hence, a capital campaign.

Is such a campaign good news, or bad news? Contrary to first impressions, I believe it is good news. Capital campaigns involve much work for a few, some work for many, and generous giving by everyone. But they also help energize and focus a congregation, and that's good. Indeed, we need that.

HVAC improvements will not be the only focus of the campaign. There are other building needs and improvements, such as new windows in the sanctuary (and possibly elsewhere), kitchen stoves and dishwasher, lighting improvements in both Chapel and Sanctuary, restroom renovation, etc. And we will also consider projects to expand our ministry possibilities, including possibly purchasing adjoining land and/or expanding our building.

We're in the process of putting together the steering team for the campaign. Watch for further details. And pray for the process, and for our church.

Psalm 1 says "He who delights himself in the law of the Lord is like a tree planted by streams of water - 'strong, steady, and fruitful.'"
In all of our busy-ness, let's never forget to remain faithful to delighting in God's word.

There are so many things demanding our attention; so many commitments to keep us busy, so many opportunities to be distracted; so many excuses to put off our time in the Word, or at least decrease the time spent. But, let's not do that. Let us be like the one of whom David speaks - "one who delights in God's law,"...one who understands the life giving quality of the Word of God, one who draws strength, focus, passion, and peace from the well of the His Word. And then, that same one becomes strong with roots going deep and reaching far. Their leaves do not wither and they are fruitful.

What is our fruit? The children, of course. The children growing into adults serving God, raising Godly families, running Godly businesses, etc. I know you join with me in desiring that our fruit be fruit that remains. Jesus tells us in John 15 that we must remain in Him, that we cannot bear fruit without remaining in Him...like the branch cannot bear fruit without remaining on the vine. Then, in verse 16 He says; "you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last." He appointed us to "bear fruit that lasts." As we work with children, we do not want to bear fruit that falls from the branch early. We want the children in our care to place their feet on the pathway that leads to heaven...and to remain on that pathway, permanently.

So, then, let us go back to the beginning and delight on the law of the Lord and draw our life source from the vine.

In our attempt to place the children's feet on a heavenward path, we have been discussing the topic of "tithing" of the first fruits of our labor. We have been using a curriculum called; "Deal or No Deal." We are having a grand time. Just as in a vineyard, many workers are needed to produce a final product, so it is in Children's Ministries. We cannot do the work with just a few. There are many needs. Can you come and fill some of them?

Mary Freed and I will be attending Children's Pastor's Conference next week. Pray that we will be given additional wisdom in working with our children. The time is well spent as we seek to discover what new and creative ideas God will give us to work with the children of First Presbyterian.

Linda's Resignation

I feel that God has had His hand on my life during the past year and a half that I have served as Children's Ministries Director. He has now opened the opportunity  for me to serve as a full-time Associate Pastor at my former church. Thank you for all you have done to help with the growth in the children's area. I will miss your friendships and your kind words. Keep working for kids! The rewards are eternal!

Linda Hartman, Children's Ministries

  Infant/Child CPR Class

When an emergency strikes, will you be ready?
On Saturday, February 24 we will be hosting an American Red Cross training class, which will cover Infant/Child CPR and Basic First Aid. This class is ideal for new parents, babysitters, child caregivers who need to renew certification, and anyone who wants to be prepared! We've arranged the class so our nursery care workers can be well trained, and are opening it to the congregation and community. Please spread the word. The class will meet 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., with lunch included. The cost for the entire day, with lunch, is $50. Registrations (with payment) are due in the church office by February 18.

Thursday Bible Discussion

Stories in Stained Glass As you sit in the Sanctuary or Chapel, you find yourself surrounded by beautiful stained glass art, but it is so much more. The pictures represent and retell the story of our faith! Join us for a six week exploration of the symbolism and stories told in the Sanctuary window, along with a look at the Chapel window and Sanctuary banners. We meet at 12:00 noon every Thursday, beginning February 1. We'll start each week in Room 101.

Saving Jesus ...Ever feel as if Jesus has been kidnapped by the "Religious Right?" For a lively video-based discussion of Jesus for the third millennium, led by some of our leading thinkers from the center and left of the Christian spectrum, join Steve Braden Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. in the Reception Room, starting February 4.

The Gospel According to the Simpsons

This class is a revealing look at the very theologically serious subjects that are regularly examined within the context of this very popular television series. I think you will find it to be enjoyable and enlightening. The leader is Jim Rasp. Books will be available in the classroom for $10.50.

Women's Spring Retreat

Sure, it's cold, grey, and maybe even snowy. But Spring is on the horizon, and you'll want to set this date aside now! Behold, I am making all things new! Women's Spring Retreat at Fernwood Botanical Gardens - Saturday, April 14. The cost is $20.00. Registration is due by April 8.

Having a Mary Heart
in a Martha World

Would you be interested in joining a small group book discussion on Sundays, at 12:00 (following the Sanctuary service)? Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World was written by a minister's wife for anyone interested in putting aside the "busy-ness" of life to try to explore a greater intimacy with Christ. You don't need to be female to appreciate the perspective of this articulate woman. If you're interested in participating in this group, please contact Nella Putman at 574-298-4637 by February 5. If there's enough interest, we'll order books and decide when we want to begin the meetings.

Men's Softball

There has been interest expressed in re-establishing the Men's Softball team this spring. If you would be interested in playing and/or coaching, please contact Kathleen O'Connell or call the church office. If there are enough potential players, we'll start getting the team organized!.

The Brown Bag Book Bunch meets on the first Monday of each month at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the current book. The upcoming selections are:

February

No Ordinary Time: A chronicle on Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Doris Kearns Goodwin

Join us in the Reception Room.

 

Presbyterian Women

We commit ourselves:

to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible Study,

to support the mission of the church worldwide, to work for justice and peace,

and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God's Kingdom.


The Cookie Walk is a labor of love – and if you've ever seen the boxes and buckets and Tupperware containers, etc, etc, of cookies that come in for the Cookie Walk, then you know how much labor we're talking about. Not only do women (and men) spend hours baking and decorating, but many hours are spent getting the church ready for the big day, working during the Cookie Walk, and cleaning up afterwards. Thank you to everyone who helped make the Cookie Walk a success this year - those of you who baked, worked, and purchased. With your help, PW raised over $2,000 - all of which goes directly to mission. Thank you!

Another labor of love is the Mitten Tree. Lots of hand-knitted (or crocheted) (or purchased) items appear each December on the three "trees" in the church. This year, we donated the following items to St. Paul's Clothes Closet: 63 pairs of mittens; 12 hat and glove sets; 61 hats; and 11 scarves. Wow! Thank you all so much for your
generosity!

Love is in the air - Valentine's Day is almost here! Presbyterian Women will have a Valentine's Day Party on Saturday, February 10. Watch for more details in upcoming bulletins!

PW Bible Study

The monthly Bible Study for PW circle leaders is changing meeting
dates. We will now meet the first Thursday of every month (beginning February 1) at 11:00 in Room 101. While the study is geared toward those who will be leading their PW Circle's monthly study, anyone is welcome to join us. This year's theme is In the Beginning: Perspectives on the book of Genesis.

Church Community Services (CCS), our ecumenical food pantry, distributes bags of food and (as funds are available) assistance with rent and utility payments to local families needing emergency help. Our church supports CCS with regular donations from our mission budget, and a number of our members make individual contributions toward rent assistance (since CCS now incorporates the work of the former Dave's Place). Several of our members volunteer at CCS, and they can always use more volunteers! We collect grocery donations each Sunday on the following schedule:

First Sunday - Fish (canned tuna & salmon) Second Sunday - Spaghetti & Spam (sauce & canned meat) Third Sunday - Oral Hygiene & Toiletries (toothpaste, personal care) Fourth Sunday - Canned Fruit Fifth Sunday - Cleaning Supplies for Faith Mission

Dear First Presbyterian Friends,

Mary Seddon

Thank you for the lovely poinsettias which were delivered to our homes. The kindness and thoughtfulness was appreciated.
Avia Baker
Waneta & Bob Follett
Isabel Kauffman

Do you have a prayer concern?

Walter E. Lerner
May 18, 1921 - January 14, 2007

 

Our condolences go to the family of Jeff Gowdy, who died on January 5, 2007. Jeff was grandson of Helen Hovey.

Also to Bill & David Rice on the death of their sister-in-law, Bonnie Rice, on
December 12. 

A big thank you from the staff for their Christmas luncheon and gifts from the Personnel Commission.

A thousand thanks to Nancy Gerber for her years of service to the church as the coordinator of communion servers. She has lovingly been called our "communion police," for she has helped us to serve the Lord's Supper with the dignity it commands. For ever thankful!
The Board of Deacons

Thank you so much for the socks, underwear, and the many sweat pants and shirts...your thoughtfulness is much appreciated. Believe me, all those items will be long gone by spring time!
Christ's blessing upon all of you!
Lois Keisling, RN
Beardsley Elementary

What a wonderful response to our Advent Dinner! We thank all of you for participating in this event. Special thanks go to Colleen Goode, Julaine and Tim Yoder, Jim & Vernease Pyles, Mary
Seddon, Kathleen O'Connell, Kip Lytle, Todd Miller, and Jill Stoll, and all the others who worked so hard to make this a fun evening!
Betty Rice, Fellowship Commission

Missing Overcoat...Jim Pyles is missing a long black overcoat! Late December he
picked up a coat which he thought was his and later found out it wasn't. In his possession is a long wool black coat, size 46R, Label Chaps (Ralph Lauren). If you have his coat and are missing yours give Jim a call at 264-1379.