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Features & News
April 18 - May 8, 2004
Worship Schedule Sunday 8:30 a.m. Worship in the Chapel 9:45 Church School
11:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. Contemporary Worship: The Bridge
Recent Newsletters
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Two Weeks at a Glance Monday, April 19
8:00 a.m. - PBJ/ Room 100
11:30 a.m. - Nifty 60's/ Christiana Creek CC
Tuesday, April 20
7:00 p.m. - Session
Wednesday, April 21
9:00 a.m. - Worship Team & Staff
9:30 a.m. - Ruth Circle/ Room 100
10:45 a.m.- S Group/ Room 101
11:30 a.m. - The Bridge Worship Team
5:00 p.m. - Combined Melodia Choir & Jr. Chorale Rehearsal
6:15 p.m. - Handbell Choir Rehearsal/ Room 100
7:00 p.m. - Small Group/ Reception Room
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, April 22
12:00 p.m. - Brown Bag Bible Study
5:45 p.m. - Dinner/ Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m. - All-Church Gathering/ Fellowship Halll
Friday, April 23
5:45 p.m. - Dinner/ Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m. - All-Church Gathering/ Fellowship Halll
Saturday, April 24
5:45 p.m. - Dinner/ Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m. - All-Church Gathering/ Fellowship Halll
Sunday, April 25
8:30 a.m. -Worship/ Chapel
9:45 a.m. - Church School & Choir Rehearsal
11:00 a.m. - Worship/ Sanctuary
5:00 p.m. - The Bridge Service/ Fellowship Hall
6:00 p.m. - The Bridge Dinner/ Fellowship Hall
6:30 p.m. - PYF & Classes
| Monday, April 26
8:00 a.m. - PBJ/ Room 100
Tuesday, April 27
7:00 p.m. - Deacons/ Reception Room
7:00 p.m. - Lydia & New Paths Circles/ Room 100l
Wednesday, April 28
9:00 a.m. - Worship Team & Staff
10:45 a.m.- S Group/ Room 101
11:30 a.m. - The Bridge Worship Team
5:00 p.m. - Combined Melodia Choir & Jr. Chorale Rehearsal
6:15 p.m. - Handbell Choir Rehearsal/ Room 100
7:00 a.m. - Small Group/ Reception Room
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, April 29
10:30 a.m. - Small Group/ Room 101
12:00 p.m. - Brown Bag Bible Study/ Room 100
1:00 p.m. - Abigail Circle/ Reception Room
Friday, April 30
9:15 a.m. - PW Spring Gathering/ Mishawaka
Saturday, May 1
8:00 a.m. - Spring Clean-Up
Sunday, May 2 Communion
8:30 a.m. -Worship/ Chapel
9:45 a.m. - Church School & Choir Rehearsal
11:00 a.m. - Worship/ Sanctuary
5:00 p.m. - The Bridge Service/ Fellowship Hall
6:00 p.m. - The Bridge Dinner/ Fellowship Hall
6:30 p.m. - PYF & Classes
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Church Consultation Events
Our consultant, the Rev. Jeff Patton, will be with us Thursday-Sunday of this week ( April 22-25). Jeff will be meeting with a variety of groups and people during the days, but there are three evening all-church events. Please attend all that you can! Thursday April 22
| 5:45-6:45 Dinner (Fellowship Commission)
7:00-9:00 Seminar with Jeff Patton
| Friday April 23
| 5:45-6:45 Dinner (Presbyterian Men)
7:00-9:00 Seminar with Jeff Patton
| Saturday April 24
| 5:45-8:30 All-Church Dinner (Presbyterian Women) & Seminar with Jeff Patton
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The Thursday & Friday dinners are provided as a convenience to our members. There is no program during the meal those days .
The Saturday dinner, however, is integrated with the program. A free-will offering will be taken at each meal.
Nursery care for infants & toddlers will be provided at each event. Both members and friends of our church are invited.
Please RSVP to the church office (or on Sunday) for the meals you will attend.
Upcoming Special Events
Saturday, May 1
| Spring Clean-Up Day 8:00 a.m.
| Sunday, May 2
| Children's Musical at 11:00 a.m.
| Sunday, May 9
| Mother's Day
| Sunday, May 16
| Mark Hayes Concert 7:00 p.m. (Miller endowment)
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Will you pray with me? Those words, usually spoken in worship, are particularly appropriate as we begin our consultation with Jeff Patton. There has been, and will be, a lot of work in connection with the consultation: questionnaires filled out and tabulated, data gathered and compiled, events planned and organized, conversations and seminars. All this on top of otherwise busy lives. The temptation is to be so wrapped up in the busyness of it all that we don’t take time for prayer. But, as I think Jeff will attest, prayer is at the heart of this process. To achieve what God wants it to achieve, it must be bathed in prayer. Please pray for: - Jeff Patton, as he seeks to be both pastoral and prophetic - speaking the truth in love about what we are doing well, and what we aren’t.
- The Ministry Audit Task Force (Stu Barb, Steve Eldridge, Diane Evans, Katie McCormick, Pat Van Dyke, Sean Wall, and Terry Wood), as it shepherds the process.
- Our church, that it may have strong individual participation in the process and willingness to hear and consider what Jeff will have to say.
- The program staff (Kathleen, Celia, Jennifer, Tim, and me), as it meets with Jeff and hears his recommendations and advice.
- And yours truly, since a significant part of the process seems to focus on the lead pastor.
As we approach the consultation, I want to remind you of several things: - The session requested this consultation because, after a couple of years of study and reflection, and a couple of years of little growth, it believed that we need to do some intentional planning and strategizing if our congregation is to have a healthy future.
- There is no pre-determined outcome to this consultation.
- There are no hidden agendas for this consultation - my agenda is simply to have an outside evaluation of our ministry and mission and suggestions on what we can do to help our congregation discern and carry out God’s mission for it.
- In the same vein, there are no “sacred cows” that cannot be discussed in the consultation. This means it will probably include such “hot-button” topics as location, building, and worship style, in addition to many other issues that are less controversial but maybe more important (e.g. new member assimilation, visitor welcoming, matching skills to positions, etc.).
- Jeff has received the results of our Ministry Audit, and will share some of his observations while he is here. He will also be talking with staff, officers, and a number of others during the consultation. His final findings and recommendations won’t come until after he leaves.
- Jeff’s recommendations will be shared with the congregation and carefully and prayerfully considered in the months ahead. The process by which they will be considered has not yet been determined, but it will be an open process, with opportunity for input.
- This consultation is the beginning of a planning process that will continue in the fall.
- The cost of the consultation is estimated to be about $6,000. Half of this has been underwritten by the Presbytery’s Church Development & Redevelopment Committee.
- If at any time you have questions or concerns about the consultation, please don’t hesitate to speak to me or any of the session.
So, please join me in praying for this process and for our congregation. 
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Activities and Events
On Sunday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m., Mark Hayes, pianist, composer, arranger, and producer will present a concert in our sanctuary. Also featured in this concert are the Chancel Choirs of First Presbyterian Church, Goshen; Faith United Methodist Church, Goshen; Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, South Bend; and our own Chancel Choir.
The free concert is sponsored by the Ralph and Barbara Miller Endowment for Arts and Enrichment and is open to the public at no charge
Hacienda Giveback Day
The PYF (Presbyterian Youth Fellowship) is having a Hacienda Giveback Day on Wednesday, May 12. Cut out and use this coupon, presenting it to your server when paying for your bill. Hacienda will then donate a portion of the bill to our First Presbyterian Church Youth Triennium Fund. We greatly appreciate your support. For more coupons, please see a PYF youth.
| The Olympics are Coming!!
 Yes, the Summer Games are in...Elkhart!! SonGames 2004 is our Vacation Bible School for all ages theme this year. You won’t want to miss the opening ceremonies at The Bridge on Sunday evening June 27, and then VBS the evenings of June 28 – July 1 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Mark your calendars today and contact Cheryl Ann Miller or Mindy Suhr, Elders, or Jennifer Pitcher, Children’s Coordinator, today to become a Coach, a Team Sponsor, a Flag Bearer, or a variety of other FUN and WINNING activities!
| The FLAMINGOS are back! Make sure to get your insurance so that you won’t wake up one morning to a flock of pink birds covering your yard. Insurance is only $10, and can be purchased this Sunday and next. If you are so lucky as to find those birds in your yard, you’ll need to call the PYF Flock Squad and pay $25 to get them removed. All proceeds will help us attend this summer’s Presbyterian Youth Triennium Conference at Purdue University.
| Spring Clean-up
 It’s time for our spring yard clean-up on May 1. Join the trustees in sprucing up our grounds. Works starts at 8:00 a.m. Bring your rake. Donuts and coffee provided
CAR WASH!
The PYF will host a car wash on Saturday, May 22 from 10:00 a.m. until 200pm We appreciate your support, helping us attend the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. (Let’s just hope it’s sunny out!)
| Melodia & Jr. Chorale Musical
On Sunday Morning, May 2 at the 11:00 a.m. service of worship, the Melodia and Jr. Chorale will present the musical, Aardvarks on the Ark. This short drama, by Mary Val Marsh, tells the story of Noah and the animals through narration, choreography, and song. On Sunday, May 2 the Melodia and Jr. Chorale will celebrate their last Sunday of the choir season together. Please join them for this festive occasion!
| C is for Coping
You’ve heard of C is for Coping, but you don’t really know what we do or who we are? This small group has been meeting from 10 - 11 am. on the first Monday of every month in the Reception Room for over two years now, and we thought it was a good time to update everyone. Although we’d like to be put out of business, so to speak, with cures for all cancers, reality tells us otherwise. So, should cancer enter your life, either personally, or through a family member or friend, and you need a place for some listening, caring, positive support, give us a visit! Jennifer Pitcher facilitates this group and we always welcome “new” Cope ers and Thrivers! (We recently learned of an article that convinced us that we were Thrivers, not just Cope-ers! But we don’t want to rename the group.)
| Living with Grief: Alzheimer’s Disease
A class will be held at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 3601 E. Bristol Street, on Wednesday, April 28, 12:00 p.m. registration. This class is led by Vanette Kashmer.
For more information call 264-3321.
| Presby Day.. .Westminster Presbyterian Church invites you to attend the forthcoming gathering of Presbyterian seniors and their friends for another Presby Day of spiritual growth, education, fellowship, lunch, and life enrichment, to be held as usual at First Presbyterian Church, Lincoln Way, Mishawaka, Thursday, May 6 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. |
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Church School Classes. Sunday Morning at 9:45 a.m.
Sonshine Kids class for pre-schoolers in Room 106.
JAM (Jesus and Me) Time for elementary age children upstairs. Bible stories are learned and experienced in creative ways using the Workshop Rotation multi-sensory model.
Youth Sunday School... The Junior & Senior High Classes meet in the Sr. High Room.
New Horizons ongoing class for youth and adults with special needs. This is taught by special education teacher, Cheri Lea, and is held in Room 108.
Faith on the Children’s Book Shelf, April 18, May 2, and May 9, led by Kathleen O’Connell, in Room 101.
Tough Issues...Rudy Gourdine will be leading a class on Challenges of Being a Widow with help from Freya Burket, Luella Karay, and Samuel Mama on Sunday, May 9. On Sunday, May 16 Rudy will lead a class on Spirituality and Aging. These classes will be held in the Reception Room.
Sunday Night Classes at The Bridge
Stories in Stained Glass.. .You asked for it, you got it! Stories in Stained Glass is back. This class - an exploration of the stories and symbolism in the Sanctuary stained glass window, will meet on Sunday nights, after The Bridge. Come for worship - stay for dinner and discussion. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about one of the wonderful artistic expressions of faith in our building - all the while enjoying it’s nighttime beauty. (The window is absolutely amazing at night, when it is lit from outside!) Kathleen O’Connell will lead this four-week session at 6:30.
Brown Bag Bible Study-Thursdays at Noon
Feeling God’s Blessing When Things Are Distressing…A new Thursday noon Bible study began April 15. The Rev. Walt Davis, our soon-to-be parish associate, will lead a six session study of Philippians. Bring your Bible, a brown-bag lunch, and an inquiring mind.
Healing Service: On Thursday evening, May 6, we will have a service of healing and wholeness.
Come to the chapel at 7:00 p.m. for a time of scripture, song, and hands-on prayer.
National Youth Triennium
Ths summer (July 20-25) presents an opportunity for youth between the ages of 15 and 19 years of age that will not be available again until 2007. The theme, “No Longer Strangers” (Ephesians 2:14-19) will be developed throughout the week through daily presentations, worship, workshops, recreation, and small groups. Wabash Valley Presbytery has been assigned 70 delegate spaces, which will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. So get your registrations in early! To get your registration form see Kathleen O’Connell, or download one from the PYT website. Because space is filling up fast, we are asking for youth to register by Sunday, April 25. A $50.00 deposit must accompany the registration.
Brown Bag Book Bunch
The Book Bunch is reading some great books! If you're a reader, come join us! Our next meeting is May 3, 2004, at 11:30 am. Our list of books for 2004 is almost complete, but we can always make room for more. If you have a book to suggest, please do so. We'll see you next year!
| May | Hidden Power: presidential marriages that shaped our recent history, by Kati Marton | | June | East of Eden, by John Steinbeck | | July | Angle of Repose, by Wallace Erle Stegner | | August | A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving | | September | The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown | | October | Probable Future, by Alice Hoffman | November
| Leap of Faith, by Queen Noor |
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Awesome April!
April 21 Wednesday
| Ruth Circle, 9:30 a.m. | | April 27 Tuesday | Circles Lydia & New Paths,7:00 p.m. | | April 29 Thursday | Abigail Circle, 1:00 p.m.
| April 30 Friday
| Spring Gathering, Mishawaka
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The Marvelous Month of May May 2 Sunday
| Birthday Offering
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| May 4 Tuesday 11:00 am.
| Bible study |
| May 6 Thursday 1:00 p.m.
| Abigail Circle |
| May 11 Tuesday 6:30 p.m.
| Coordinating Team |
| May12 Wednesday 1:00p.m.
| Circle I |
| May 19 Wednesday 9:30 am.
| Ruth Circle |
| May 20 Thursday 1:00 p.m.
| Abigail Circle |
| May22 Saturday 12:00 noon
| Spring Luncheon |
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God’s Vision: Our Calling
The Spring Gathering is Friday, April 30. Fellowship, worship, and mission will center us as we gather with other women of our Presbytery. If you have not yet made your reservation, call Alice Morris (522-9985) as soon as possible. Speaker: Janice E. Catron, author, award winning Bible study writer, educator, and ordained minister
Place: First Presbyterian Church, Mishawaka
Time: 9:15—2:15
Cost: $7.00
Mark your calendar!The Spring Luncheon will be Saturday, May 22, at noon. Catie Brownewell will present our program. Watch for more details! Our Calling to God’s Vision
June 11-13, women from the Synod of Lincoln Trails will gather in Bloomington, IL. The Keynote Speaker will be Lillian Oats, PWCCT (Presbyterian Women Churchwide Coordinating Team) Vice- Moderator for Justice and Peace. Cost is $105 (before May 10), $125 (after May 10). Contact Alice Morris (522-9985) to make your reservation.  Have you sent in your recipes yet? I have to admit — I haven’t either — but I did pick out about eight that Fm considering. So far, I have one beverage, one sauce, two casseroles two desserts — well, you get the picture. Choose your favorite recipes, copy them down, and send them in. We’ll decide the categories for you — you don’t have to worry about that. June 6 is the deadline, but if you send them in now, you won’t have to do it later. The cookbook is going to be great, but it’ll be even better with your recipes. Send them in now! Tools of Hope / Blanket Offering... Each year, the congregation is asked to go an extra mile and give to the Blanket Offering. Every year, the congregation meets that challenge and gives generously. This year we received $1,805. Wow! Your gifts will provide hope and shelter to people all around the world. Thank you for your generosity! THANK YOU! to all who have brought hand towels for Church World Service. The baskets will remain in the hallways for your donations through May 4. The new hand towels are needed for the Church World Service project of assembling health kits for people in need. Presbyterian Women Officers
Moderator
| Harriet Sloop
| Vice-Moderator
| Barbara Harman
| Secretary
| Patricia Charles
| Treasurer
| Marsha Brownewell
| Mission/Sewing
| Jane Cherepak, Jill Stoll
| Publicity
| Alice Morris
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Circle Moderators and Representatives
Abigail Circle
| Debby Wright
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| Circle I
| Jill Stoll
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| | Lydia Circle | Cheryl Ann Miller
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| | Ruth Circle | Mary Wagner
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| | New Paths Circle | Carol Steede
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| | Foundation Representative | Mary Seddon
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| | Church Women United Representative | Patricia Charles
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Back to || Index || Top || Home
“Hope in the Lord, Jesus Christ”
“The best week my family spends together all year.”
“Synod School is a week of fellowship, relaxation, learning, and worship with Presbyterians around the Synod. Whether it is your first time or your fifteenth time, it always feels like home.” | Class Choices of Bible Study, Crafts, Theology, Music and Much more!
July 11-16 at Hanover College Hanover, Indiana
Creative Worship
Music, Music, Music
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Intergenerational & Adult Programs
| April 20 | Retired/Retiring Pastors “What’s Your Plan?” | | April 25-30 | Harmony, Heritage & Horses; Unraveling the Amish Puzzle | | May 11-12 | Profession Church Secretaries Retreat | | June 4-5 | Pastor’s Spouse Retreat | | July 7-9 | Grand Camp | | August 1-6 | Intergenerational Wonders of Watercolor & S’mores and More | | September 7-9 | Silent Retreat | | October 4-7 | Expressions in Glass: Explore the Nearly lost art of Stained Glass Making |
2004 Geneva Center Summer Camp Schedule
| Event
| Capacity
| Grades
| Cost
| June 11-13
| You & Me
| 24
| 1&2
| $85/$65
| Week One
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| | June 20-25 | Discovery Camp 1
| 28 | 4-6
| $230
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| Explorers 1
| 14 | 7-8
| $235
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| Pathfinders
| 14 | 9-12
| $240 | Week Two
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| | June 27– July 2 | Discovery Camp 2
| 28 | 4-6 | $230 |
| Wilderness
| 10
| 6-7 | $235 |
| LIT
| 14 | 11-12 | $235 | Week Three
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| | July 7-9 | Firstimers
| 28 | 3-5 | $125 |
| Grand Camp
| 30
| 6-12
| $120 | Week Four
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| | July 11-16 | Jr. High Riverwalkers1
| 14 | 7-8
| $240 |
| Explorers 2
| 28 | 7-8 | $235 |
| Sr. High MAD
| 14 | 9-12 | $240 | Week Five
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| | July 18-23 | Discovery Camp 3
| 28 | 4-6
| $230 |
| Jr. High MAD
| 28 | 7-8 | $240 |
| Sr. High Riverwalkers
| 10
| 9-12
| $240 | Week Six
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| | July 25-30 | Elementary MAD
| 28
| 4-6 | $240 |
| Jr. High Riverwalkers 2
| 10 | 7-8
| $240 |
| Campference
| 40
| 9-12
| $240 | Week Seven
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| | August 1-6 | Intergenerational Watercolor
| 24
| All
| $475/$395 | September 4-6
| Family Camp
| 24
| All
| $90/$70 |
For more information or to register please contact Geneva Center, The Camp and Conference Center for the Presbytery of Wabash Valley 574-223-6915, www.genevacenter.org or info@genevacenter.org |
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| This 'n' That Phyllis CormicanAugust 20, 1918 - March 28, 2004
| Calling all Men!!.! Presbyterian Men needed to help with the evening meal on Friday, April 23. Volunteers please call Chuck Vetter at 264-6990 or Howard Thursday at 295-8381.
| Congratulations to
Connie & Ron Minzey on their newest grandson, Breckin R. Minzey, born to Tim & Apple Minzey on March 7, 2004.
And also to
Dick & Sue Griffen on the birth of their newest grandson, Michael Timothy O’Bryant, born to Dick’s daughter, Debi & and husband Tim O’Bryant. | High School Seniors will be recognized on Sunday, May 23, at the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Graduates, please call the church office and let us know your plans after graduation. We’ll include those plans in a future newsletter! Also, if there are any other graduates (college, technical school, etc.), please call the office with that information.
| Dear Friends and Family at FPC,
Sincere thanks for the Caring Card Sunday, April 4. What a tremendous blessing and a bright spot in the day. Thank you to Janet & Richard Scholtes for delivering the Caring Card, the church bulletin, and the copy of March/April Upper Room. Jim is up and down. He’s facing tests and possible surgery in the near future. Thank you for your prayers, and please keep us in your prayers. Happy Easter!
Our love,
James & Delores Peterson
The thoughts and prayers of the congregation are much appreciated. I’m progressing nicely, just not as fast as I’d like to. Thank you for the caring card!
Rich Morris | You are a blessing...
I called upon God to show Himself to me,
He has blessed me with...
A letter bearing good news,
A caring voice on the phone,
A forgiving heart,
An invitation to share a cup of tea,
A ride to church,
A knock at the door,
A new beginning.
God showed Himself through friends,
both old and new.
I am blessed once more!
Dee White
(author unknown)
| The second Sunday of every month is Pantry Sunday, when we encourage everyone to bring canned or packaged food for the Church Community Services food pantry. CCS is able to purchase food for 14 cents a pound, so if you wish to donate funds instead of food, designate your check by writing on it “CCS.” Pantry Sunday is May 9.
| Shopping List: cereal (13 or 14 oz. boxes), spaghetti noodles (1 lb. box), spaghetti sauce, macaroni & cheese, crackers, all kinds, tuna or other canned meat, Ramen noodles, pancake mix & syrup, jelly, toilet paper, bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste & toothbrushes, deodorant, laundry detergent (powdered), feminine hygiene products, dish soap, diapers (especially sizes 4 & 5). CCS thanks you for all your help!!
| Newsletter Deadline
The next newsletter will be inserted in the bulletin on May 9, and mailed the following week to those who are not in worship. Please submit articles for that newsletter by April 30. | Do you have a prayer concern?
Do you know of someone in the hospital, recovering from illness, etc.? Let us know, so we can hold you or your friend in prayer. Contact Pat Van Dyke or Bea Pyle to be placed on the prayer chain, or send information to prayer@www.presbyelk.org .
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| April 25 | May 2
| May 9
| A.M. Preacher
| Steve Braden
| Steve Braden
| Steve Braden | P.M. Preacher
| Kathleen O’Connell
| Kathleen O’Connell | Kathleen O’Connell | Liturgist
| Ruth Linton
| Vern Pitcher
| Mary Ann Graves
| Special
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| PW Birthday Offering
| Newsletter
| | Greeters | Jackie MacKenzie
Carol Eldridge
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| 8:30 am Ushers
| Linda & Delbert Schrock
| Ruth & Jack Linton
| Ruth & Jack Linton
| | 11:00 am Ushers | Carrie, Mike, Derek,
Erin Drews
| Jane & Doc Atkins
Lynnette & Nico Valentijn
| Mary Jane & Rob Blanken
Jake Free & Art Wyatt
| Choirs
| Chancel Choir
| Melodia, Jr. Chorale & Chancel Choirs
| Chancel Choir
| Hospitality Host
| Suzanne Wyatt
| Marsha Brownewell
| Betty Rice
| Counters
| Betty Kegerreis
Bill Loftus
| Todd Miller
Sean Wall
Alex Eraybar
| Todd Miller
Sean Wall
Alex Eraybar
| FISH
| Anna Bishop
Anita Gorden
| Mary Seddon
Jen Elliott
| Angie David
Michelle Scott
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