Lenten Book Group. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH S BEHIND THE SCENES OUTREACH MINISTRY with the

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1 C h u r c h S c h o o l 9 : 1 5 a. m. S u n d a y W o r s h i p : 1 0 : 4 5 a. m. 110 North Adams Street Tallahassee, Florida Phone (850) Fax (850) office@oldfirstchurch.org w e b s i t e : w w w. o l d fi r s t c h u r c h. o r g Pastor s Blog: b r a n t c o p e l a n d. c o m CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: 9:00 AM 12:30 PM AND 1:30PM 5:00PM, Monday Friday Lenten Book Group During this season of Lent you are invited to join us in reading and discussing Bryan Stevenson s book, Just Mercy. This book has themes of justice, betrayal, renewal, resistance, and redemption. Through his experiences working with prisoners, Stevenson helps readers see beyond headlines and court rulings to meet the people behind the bars. Books are $10. And can be picked up in the main office or purchased at our local bookstores or on Amazon. We will meet on Tuesday, Feb 27 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the first half of the book and again on Tuesday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m. to finish our discussions of the book. New Tax Law Presents Incentives for Charitable Contributions Using IRA Distributions The new law has made it likely many people will no longer itemize deductions on their tax returns for tax year It doubles the standard deduction to $24,000 for couples ($12,000 for singles). Although you may not itemize, for those who have IRA s and are over 70 ½ years old, charitable contributions can be made with pre-tax dollars via their required minimum distributions (RMD). Up to $100,000 of your RMD can be given to a charity, such as the church, without being subject to income tax. It must come directly from the holder of your IRA, but that is generally easily done, many even provide blank checks for IRA holders. Several church members have already used this approach to meet giving and pledge desires. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH S BEHIND THE SCENES OUTREACH MINISTRY with the Many years ago IRS & AARP jointly developed a Nationwide Volunteer Program called AARP Tax-Aide, using approved and secured computer software for FREE Federal Income preparation for people with low incomes. With the approval of the Session and Brant, we ve opened our doors each week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 11 am to 3 pm as one of four locations in town to serve low and middle-income folks from February 1 through April 15 for the past 8 to 9 years. Tax preparers are trained, tested, and certified during January. Last year over 300 returns were prepared and filed at First Pres. Well over 1,000 at all locations. Volunteer numbers are dropping. This year we have only three or four preparers and one facilitator (who signs in and organizes client s documents) each day at First Pres. Each tax return is prepared, quality reviewed by a second preparer for accuracy, and then e-filed. Additionally, the office helps, as Lori responds to phone call questions, and makes coffee available for clients. Clients are a diverse group and all are grateful for this service. Submit items for publication to: newsletter@oldfirstchurch.org no later than noon on the Monday of publication.

2 Pastor s Column by Brant S. Copeland This week First Church will host a pancake dinner on Shrove Tuesday and an Ash Wednesday service with (optional) imposition of ashes and Communion. When I was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament back in 1978, I would have said that events like these would never take place in a church I served. Needless to say, my mind has changed. I grew up a son of the manse. My dad was a Presbyterian minister who served his entire ministry in communities where the predominate Christian culture was Roman Catholic. He went to college after WWII, and then to seminary. Back then, Presbyterians tended to define themselves over against other Christian traditions. Or at least over against the Roman Catholics. (And yes, I was taught always to say Roman Catholics, not Catholics so as to emphasize that Rome didn t have sole claim to the catholicity of the Church.) If someone had proposed to Dad that his congregation host a Pancake Supper, he d have welcomed the idea, but not as an observation of Shrove Tuesday. As for Ash Wednesday, that, in his mind, was even more Roman than Shrove Tuesday. Presbyterians were Protestants. Protestants didn t go in for that kind of thing. For Presbyterians of a certain generation, being reformed meant being not Roman. However, I grew up in the days of Vatican II, when Protestants of all stripes began to discover how much they have in common with other Christians. As both Protestants and Roman Catholics looked at the early church and its practices before the Middle Ages, they discovered that at the heart of Christian worship is an ordo, a shape of worship that goes all the way back to the New Testament. The Protestants become more open to ancient words and practices that predated the Reformation and the Roman Catholics began to re-think the practices that elevated clergy and relegated the congregation to mere spectators. Somewhere along the way, I lost some of my own preoccupation with Protestant purity and became less uptight about reclaiming things like sung prayer, the lectionary, weekly Communion, and even ashes on Ash Wednesday. I even accepted the idea that Presbyterians could eat pancakes and have fun without worrying about John Calvin and John Knox spinning in their graves. Laissez les bons temps rouler. See you Tuesday and Wednesday. Rebekah Circle will meet on Tuesday, February 13th at 10:00 am. Marge Meeter will host our meeting and Bo Elzie will lead our Bible study. Dorcas Circle will meet on Tuesday, February 13, at 10:30 a.m. at the home of Patsy Kickliter, 4117 Covenant Lane. Brant Copeland will lead our study of Lesson 5 in Cloud of Witnesses, and Margaret Stakenas will be our hostess. Lectionary Readings February 18, st Sunday in Lent Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25: Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15

3 NO Middle and High School Youth Sunday, February 18, :30 p.m. Due to the Youth Conference at Dogwood Acres this weekend there will be no youth group this Sunday. Adult Bible Study Class Room 202 The Adult Bible Class will continue our study of Exodus with Chapters 4-5. Visitors are always welcome to join the class; we read the scripture first and then discuss its meaning for us today. Hearing the Word Room 205-Conference Room This class meets to discuss scripture and theology as it relates to participants lives. February 18th Inquirers Class Westminster Room, #208 After a month away, I am back in my Apartment at Westminster Oaks and doing well. I wish to express my gratitude to you for your prayers, concern, and love for me. Madee Schestopol The Inquirers continue with Living the Questions 2.0 (about). The provocative theological discourse among progressive theologians featured in the videos and among class participants will make you think. Newcomers welcome; each session in the series stands on its own. This week s program is titled, Debunking the Rapture. Our background reading is pp in LTQ2- SessionMaterial-Binder2.PDF (please contact the church office if you need a copy). The Annual First Presbyterian Giving Statements If have not received your Giving Statement, please contact the Church Office. I am very grateful for all the cards and expressions of love that I have received since my mother's death. Jean considered First Presbyterian Church her "other congregation". Over her many visits to Tallahassee she grew to dearly love the people and the place. Thank you for remembering Jean, Brant and me. ~~ Andra Copeland If would rather your Giving Statement be mailed rather than , please contact the Church Office.

4 850-TALLY-HO YOUTH EVENT This past Sunday our youth group learned about Thornwell Children s Home and made valentines for the cottages. Shrove Tuesday Pancake-a-thon Tuesday, February 13, :30-7:00 p.m. Westminster Room There will be PANCAKES, bacon, veggie sausages, GAMES, beads, masks and just a fun filled time of fellowship for all ages. Come enjoy the evening. No reservations necessary. Ash Wednesday Service & Supper Wednesday, February :30 p.m. Worship in the Sanctuary (*childcare in the nursery for those who prefer to have young children there) 6:30-7:15 p.m. a simple supper in the Westminster Room Begin the season of Lent with the practice of mid-week worship and taking time to be present with your church family. Mid-Week Lenten Service and Supper Wednesday in Lent: Feb 21, 28, March 7 & 21 6:00 p.m. worship in the sanctuary (childcare in the nursery for those who prefer to have their children cared for during this time) 6:30 p.m. simple fellowship dinner

5 JOIN THIS WITNESS AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY Governor Scott has signed a death warrant for Eric Branch and scheduled the execution for Thursday, February 22, at 6:00 p.m. This will be the 27th execution over which this Governor has presided. If the courts do not issue a stay, two events are scheduled to protest this and all executions. At the time of the execution, a brief candle-light vigil will be held at the Governor's Mansion. At noon the next day--friday, February 23--a Service of Remembrance will take place at the Rotunda of the Capitol Building. For many years, both our congregation and our denomination have been on record in opposition to capital punishment. We invite you to add your voice of protest by attending one or both of these services. If you can attend only one, consider attending Friday's Service of Remembrance. Because Florida's Legislature is in session, the service at the Capitol Building stands to have the greater effect. Session Retreat For those elected elders currently serving on the Session. This will be a time to engage in discussions related to the vision and vitality of our congregation. Friday, February 23 6:00-9:00 p.m. Westminster Room Saturday, February 24 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Westminster Room

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7 First Presbyterian Church Calendar for February 2018 Date Time Event Location Comments Sunday Schedule 9:00 a.m. Nursery Opens Education Building 9:15 a.m. Church School Education Building Care for children last through the worship hour 10:45 a.m. Lord's Day Service Sanctuary All are welcome Wednesdays 4:30 p.m. Choristers Choir Room St. John s Episcopal Church 7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Choir Room First Presbyterian Church Tuesday 2/13 5:30 p.m. Shrove Tuesday Westminster Room Pancake Supper Wednesday 2/14 6:00 P.M. Lenten Service Sanctuary Sunday 2/18 10:45 a.m. Infant Baptism Sanctuary Session Meeting Wednesday 2/21 6:00 P.M. Lenten Service Sanctuary Friday 2/23 6:00-9:00 P.M Session Winter Retreat Supper in the Westminster Room following the service Darsey Elizabeth Strange with a reception in the Westminster Room after Worship Service Following Worship Supper in the Westminster Room following the service Saturday 2/24 9:00 a.m.-2:00p.m. Session Winter Retreat Wednesday 2/28 6:00 P.M. Lenten Service Sanctuary Supper in the Westminster Room following the service Childcare at FPC on Sunday Mornings Our nursery and preschool rooms are staffed by childcare providers from the Heavenly Helpers Agency. These childcare professionals are background checked and trained in infant/child first aid and CPR. They are present in both rooms from 9:00 a.m. Noon each Sunday. Main Floor Nursery: Our nursery is for infants and toddlers who are not yet 2 years old. Parents can drop children off beginning at 9:00 a.m. and children will be cared for through the worship hour. There is a sign in sheet for parents to list who will be picking their child up, an emergency phone number and any particular needs the child may have while in the church s care. Children should come with a bottle or sippy cup, preferred snack and diapers. Diaper wipes and additional snacks are available. Two Year Old Class: Two year old children have their own Sunday school class upstairs in room 307 during the church school hour and in 305 during the worship hour. Preschool Classes: Beginning at age three, children attend our preschool class in Room 305. There are four teachers who rotate responsibilities for preparing and leading the church school lesson during the church school hour, 9:30 10:30 a.m. There are two Heavenly Helper caregivers in the classroom helping the teacher. At 10:30 children have snack and the teachers leave to attend worship and the caregivers stay to supervise and interact with the children as they enjoy the housekeeping, block town, train set, light board and other centers in the room. Care for children lasts through the worship hour.