SOUPER BOWL OF CARING & PIZZA WITH THE PASTORFebruary 7
Due to COVID restrictions, our youth are unable to host their traditional soup cook-off this year for Souper Bowl of Caring, but they’d still like to support the drive to feed hungry people. On February 7, Super Bowl Sunday, please bring to church canned soups to contribute to the Pantry. After worship, youth members are invited to a special lunch meeting in the youth room to meet Pastor Katie and join a discussion about the possibility of an intergenerational mission trip this summer. All youth in sixth through twelfth grades are encouraged to attend. Social distancing and masks will be required.
LENT IN PLAIN SIGHT
A new study opportunity will be offered during the season of Lent for youth and adults on Wed evenings from 6:30-7:30 pm. or on Thurs mornings from 11:00 am-noon, both via Zoom. The devotional book is called Lent in Plain Sight and is written by Jill Duffield and divided into six chapters for the six weeks of Lent, each chapter focusing the readers’ attention on an everyday object, something we encounter in our daily living—like coins, dust, shoes, bread—and asks us to consider through these objects the possibility, the promise, that God is present, speaking, and seeking to be in a relationship with us. Please email Leah and indicate which time you will likely attend so we can plan for numbers. Books can be purchased now in the church office or on Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary for $5.00.
"LENT-IN-A-BAG"
What do jellybeans, pony beads, rocks and tissue paper have to do with Lent? How can I teach my kids about prayer and make it part of our family life? The CE Committee wants to assist all to observe Lent and prepare hearts and homes for the celebration of Easter. They are putting together a bag full of items that will support all ages in their prayer lives, help us understand the meaning of the symbols and stories during Lent, and provide some crafts and activities which might have been part of the Sunday School experience in regular times. If you’d like to have one of these bags, you may pick it up at the church office beginning February 15 or it can be delivered to your home if you prefer. Call and let us know.
SEASON OF LENT BEGINS - ASH WEDNESDAY
February 17, 6:30 pm
Lent is the season of the church year set aside for reflection and preparation before the celebration of Easter. The season is 40 days long, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on holy Saturday, the day before Easter. Members and friends are encouraged to begin the season of Lent with us on Wednesday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary or online via Facebook Live. Our brief service of worship will include the traditional imposition of ashes, though worshippers will be encouraged to mark themselves or those in their family group only. For anyone worshipping at home, a packet of ashes will be available for pick up at the church beginning February 8 during office hours, or you may contact the church office to arrange for home delivery before the service.
IT & MEDIA (A/V) UPDATE
From Bruce Deadman: First Pres is in the process of completing a number of badly needed improvements to our IT infrastructure and media capabilities.
Details here. Taking into account contributions on hand, the campaign goal will be about $15,000. Please give serious consideration to making a generous contribution. Without these improvements, First Pres would not be able to effectively reach out to our virtual congregation, provide effective WiFi service for our many committees and other groups, or enjoy enhancements to both our live and virtual worship experience. We also need help operating sanctuary media for services and other events. This includes the virtual Sunday service and operating the projector and screen when they become operational. Experience is not necessary and training will be provided. Please contact
Pastor Katie or
Bruce Deadman if you are interested in either of these opportunities.
PASTOR KATIE ESTES IS HERE!
Welcome and blessings, Pastor Katie! We are blessed that you have been called to us! We know that the members of the congregation will make her, daughter Grace, and son DeShawn feel very welcome here, even though the pandemic continues to limit what we are able to do in person. As Pastor Katie says, "While COVID-19 makes so much of our church life together different or challenging, I am certain that God has abundant blessings in store for us still. Let’s discover them together!"
CHURCH HAS REOPENED
Sundays, 10 am
First Pres has re-opened for worship on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in a revised format, with operational policies and procedures which have changed for everyone's safety. The service is also broadcast on Facebook Live - please see full information on Upcoming Events page.
ZOOM GATHERINGS CONTINUE
Sundays 11:15 am
Our virtual meetings continue, so that we have the opportunity to see each other and speak face-to-face. We use Zoom - video on your computer or smartphone, or you can listen/participate by phone. Sundays at 11:15 a.m. join the Zoom fellowship gathering following each worship service. Use the information you received most recently in an 8/13 email to join.
Or if you have misplaced your information, contact Amy Wittman by email or call her at 920-737-7717 for IDs. To listen only, you can call (312) 626-6799 to which you will again need the meeting ID. (Marj Krause Crowl is on the phone in the photo.)
Presbyterian Pantry for the Month of February
The pantry has moved back inside to serve our guests, with new precautions posted for everyone. Please continue to use social distancing and EVERYONE must wear a 
CHURCH HAS REOPENED
Sunday Worship at 10am
920-437-8121