FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

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1 OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS TO SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST, TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO SERVE, AND TO GLORIFY GOD. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH March 2018 Just a few inspired words about what I see God doing at FPC Rev. Susan But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. selected verses from Matthew 6:1-18 Lenten Practices Continued... A reminder that our four (4) Lenten Discipline/Devotionals are 1) Reading all 4 Gospels in 40 Days, 2) Contemplative/Meditative Prayer, 3) Early Church Fathers Lenten Readings, and 4) Lenten Poetry. Many of us wonder how Lent snuck into Protestant observance, since it seemed to be such a Roman Catholic thing when we were growing up. Lent is a time to deepen our relationship with God, and that s good for Protestants as well as Catholics! Here s a snippet of what John Arnold wrote about Lent on our church website: Lent can be a tradition for the sake of tradition, which doesn t honor God. Or, Lent could produce significant growth in your faith. The difference depends on your intention and your obedience. Is your motivation to draw near to the Lord, grow in your faith, or another spiritually worthy goal? Are you choosing actions which will help you walk more faithfully, more obediently? March Worship & Study Schedule Sunday-11:00 a.m. Worship Sunday-6:30 p.m. Study Wednesday-6:00 p.m. Family Night Supper Thursday Brown Bag Study The Screwtape Letters 1 The Power 4 1 Samuel 17:32-49 & Mark 4:35-41 Communion Sunday The Waiting 11 2 Sam. 1:1, & Mark 5:21-43 Strategic Discipleship 4 Facilitator: M. Gilliland Strategic Discipleship 11 Facilitator: M. Gilliland Lenten Studies 7 EASTER Chuck Morgan Lenten Studies 14 TBD The Screwtape Letters 8 The Screwtape Letters 15 The Stain 18 Song of Solomon 2:8-13 & Mark 7:1-8, 14-16, The Temple 25 Isaiah 50:4-9a & Mark 11:1-14 Strategic Discipleship 18 Facilitator: M. Gilliland Strategic Discipleship 25 Facilitator: M. Gilliland Lenten Studies 21 HOLY WEEK Gay Thompson Maundy Thursday 29 FNS moves to Thursday The Screwtape Letters 22 The Screwtape Letters 29

2 The Texarkana Downtown Community Garden Crew will explore urban gardening options with interested residents of the downtown area on Monday night, March 5 th. We want to determine interest in individual 4 x 8 plots within a fenced area at our original site at 4 th and Laurel Streets. Saturday, March 31 starting at 10:00 p.m. at FPC. Snacks will be provided. Bring your family, friends & neighbors for Easter-egg-finding fun! We are asking for more volunteers for the following dates; April 8, 2018 and July 1, Please contact the church office or Pat Davitt at Randy Sams Mission The 1st Sunday night of each month a dinner is served for the shelter. Below is the schedule of volunteers in charge of these dinners. March 4 *Linda & Stacy Cogbill Susan & Kurt Andrews, Marilyn McCulloch April 8 *Ruth & Buddy Bell Lil McClerkin & Sarah Propps (*Denotes Group Coordinator) Additional volunteers would be helpful for these months. Please contact the team coordinator to offer assistance. Seven Towers Bell Festival 2018 Hosted by First Presbyterian Church April The festival course will begin on Thursday, April 19, at 9:00am, and will run through 12:00 noon Friday, April 20. Areas covered will include handling, rounds, call changes, plain hunt, plain bob, grandsire and some surprise methods. Helpers are wholeheartedly encouraged to sign up. To avoid extra participation fees, meals will be at individual s expense. Light snacks, drinks, and light breakfast on Friday will be provided during ringing course. Sign up sheet can be found on our website at Please contact the church office or Remica Gray for more information. Thank you to our volunteers for Liturgist and Children s Sermon for the month of March 2018! Liturgist: Children s Sermon: March 4 Chuck Morgan Beth McHenry-Pope March 11 Maggie Morgan Chris Walraven March 18 Ruth Penney Bell Griffin Johnson March 25 Danny Gray Chris Walraven

3 Presbyterian Women Updates March 2018 MARK THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR! PW Coordinating - March 5 at 4:00 p.m. in the Library PW Joint Luncheon at Northwood Church - March 12 at 11:45 a.m. The March Joint PW Meeting is Moving! This year we will be the guests of the PW of Northwood Presbyterian Church for our annual Salad/Dessert Luncheon Richmond Rd Texarkana, Texas Monday, 12 March 2018 Gather at 11:45, Dine at 12 Noon Special Guest Speaker will be Cody Howard, the Executive Director of Mission Texarkana (Church Under the Bridge and the Friendship Center). They are graciously providing all the food this year, so you might consider taking nonperishable foods for the Hero's Pantry or items for Randy Sams. ALL women are invited!! ANGEL QUILTS 2018 Angel Quilts begins its eighteenth year by reaching a milestone of having made over 2000 quilts. The four churches involved with Angel Quilts have definitely been fast at work this year making and distributing many quilts. This year has brought many blessings as we celebrate being sisters in Christ as well as wonderful quilters. Last fall, First Presbyterian Church hosted a luncheon to celebrate the Angel Quilt sisterhood. Many friendships were made and many were reestablished. Beverly Coleman from Dr. Eichler s Cancer Clinic was the guest speaker. As the Chemotherapy Nurse at the clinic, she was able to distribute Angel Quilts to the cancer patients who came for their treatments. She related how she was able to present the love, encouragement, and healing of Jesus Christ through the Angel Quilts. She told them how many prayers came with the quilts. The center of the ministry of Angel Quilts is the prayers that each church sends with their quilts. Beverly was able to see a change come over the cancer patients as they were presented their quilts. To date, there are about 60 quilters. So many dedicated quilters come each week to quilt. Many are not able to come to the quilting session, but they are dedicated to doing their quilting jobs at home. There is a job for anyone at all the Angel Quilt groups who has a passion for sharing the love of Jesus Christ, who wants to help cancer patients going through a difficult time and who wants to become part of a group who love and support each other. The four Angel Quilt groups include First Presbyterian, AR, First Baptist Moores Lane, Trinity Baptist, and Williams Memorial Methodist. First Presbyterian meets on Thursday from 9:00 12:00 in the Annex of the church. Anyone wanting to join the First Presbyterian Group should either call the church at , or Beth Morgan at Remember, you don t have to be able to sew or quilt to be an important part of Angel Quilts. There is a job for everyone.

4 WEEKLY EVENTS SUNDAY 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 11:00 a.m. Worship 6:00 p.m. Sunday Night Worship 6:30 p.m. Youth Group 6:30 p.m. Adult Evening Study MONDAY 12:00 p.m. Noon Prayer 6:00 p.m. Boy Scouts - Annex TUESDAY 9:00 a.m. Staff Meeting 12:00 p.m. Noon Prayer 3:30 p.m. Kilpatrick Elementary WEDNESDAY 10:00 a.m. Card Ministry Team 12:00 p.m. Noon Prayer 6:00 p.m. Family Night Supper 6:30 p.m. CLICK 6:30 p.m. Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Godly Play - Evergreen Residents 6:30 p.m. Youth Group 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY 9:00 a.m. Angel Quilts 11:50 p.m. Noon Prayer 12:05 p.m. Brown Bag Bible Study 3:30 p.m. Kilpatrick Elementary SPECIAL EVENTS THURSDAY, MARCH 1 10:00 a.m. Sharing Place 5:15 p.m. Stewardship Meeting SUNDAY, MARCH 4 10:30 a.m. Around the Coffee Pot 12:15 p.m. Christian Education Meeting - Library 5:15 p.m. Youth Team Meeting - Library 5:30 p.m. Taizé Service 6:00 p.m. Dinner for Randy Sams 4 Julie Lavender 5 Claire McCasland 7 Kevin Thompson 8 Susan Morehead 8 Alex Sexton 13 Edna Upchurch 14 Chuck Morgan 15 Hodge Thompson 17 Kaley Thannum 21 Daniel Seiler 22 Ruth Penney Bell 23 Jordan Johns MARCH CALENDAR 24 Karin Lincoln 25 Doug Anthony 25 Shannon Davitt 26 Jeannie Sexton 28 Kathy Boyles 28 Greg Groenke 29 Don Johnson 31 Ryan Black First Presbyterian Church MONDAY, MARCH 5 4:00 p.m. PW Coordinating Meeting - Library TUESDAY, MARCH 6 7:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast SUNDAY, MARCH 11 Daylight Savings Time Begins - Spring Forward 3:00 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m. Taizé Service MONDAY, MARCH 12 11:45 a.m. PW Luncheon - Northwood Presbyterian Church 2:00 p.m. Federal Retirees Meeting WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 5:00 p.m. Diaconate Meeting THURSDAY, MARCH 15 10:00 a.m. Sharing Place SUNDAY, MARCH 18 5:30 p.m. Taizé Service TUESDAY, MARCH 20 7:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 5:00 p.m. Evangelism Meeting - Library THURSDAY, MARCH 22 5:00 p.m. Session Meeting SUNDAY, MARCH 25 5:30 p.m. Taizé Service WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28 6:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY, MARCH 29 Maundy Thursday 6:00 p.m. Family Night Supper 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service FRIDAY, MARCH 30 Good Friday SATURDAY, MARCH 31 10:00 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt - FPC SUNDAY, APRIL 1 Easter Sunday 10:30 a.m. Around the Coffee Pot 6:00 p.m. Dinner for Randy Sams No Sunday Evening Activities MONDAY APRIL 2 Office Closed - Easter Holiday ANNIVERSERIES 14 Kristen & Brad Gibson 16 Karen & Marty Flowers 27 Lyndsay & Jeff Morgan

5 FPC Worship Committee Lenten Taizé services - a time of reflection and meditation. In the south of Burgundy, France, lies a small village called Taizé. This village, founded over seventy years ago by Brother Roger, is home to a monastic community devoted to prayer and reconciliation. While many people make pilgrimages to Taizé to experience the community and prayer life, most experience Taizé through the ways that community comes to us, namely by the characteristics it has contributed to Christian worship practices. While Taizé worship as practiced in the monastic community cannot be simply imitated, it can and has been adapted by many Christian communities in the United States. Taizé worship is a prayer service consisting of scripture, meditative singing, and periods of silence. Repetition of liturgy, prayers, and songs is an important part of Taizé worship. The music is simple. Psalms are often sung as songs in the services along with other hymns. Simple, powerful phrases are focused on and repeated to aid with the meditation. Silence is also an important part of Taizé services. At planned times the music and liturgy cease, giving people a chance to reflect on what they have just been singing and saying. (comments taken from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Taizé services at First Presbyterian Church have been scheduled for the following Sundays during the Lenten Season: March 4, March 11, March 18, and March 25. Services will begin at 5:30pm and will be held in the sanctuary. North Texas Presbyterian Pilgrimage A Pilgrimage weekend is three days long but lasts a lifetime. The next NTPP is April 5-8, Briarwood Retreat Ctr. near Richardson, TX. Go to to register. Scholarships available. Arkansas Presbyterian Pilgrimage Three Days for a lifetime The next ARPP is April 19-22, Camp Paron in Paron, AR. Go to to register. Scholarships available.

6 Monthly Financial Highlights - February 2018 January January YTD YTD Actual Budget Actual Budget Income $ 16,102 $ 21,500 $ 16,102 $ 21,500 Expense $ 32,749 $ 25,251 $ 32,749 $ 25,251 Net Gain (Loss) $ (16,647) $ (3,751) $ (16,647) $ (3,751) Texas Presbyterian Foundation Funds Initial Amount Invested $ 166, Income Earned Since Inception $ 31, Subtotal $ 198, Unrealized Gains Since Inception $ 48, Total Value of TPF Funds $ 246, as of January 31, 2018 DOORWAYS HOME PROGRAM CONTINUED FPC will continue the ministry with the Doorways Home Program of Randy Sams Outreach Center and Mission Texarkana (formerly The Friendship Center). The goal of the DH program is to help transition the homeless in Texarkana into homes of their own, providing funds initially to help with rent and utilities. Inspired by the PDA Cleanup Buckets, our aim is to help them with basic cleaning supplies and other necessities when they first move in. We will be taking donations of items as well as financial donations. Any of the following items would be a huge welcome! Questions? Contact committee members Aimee and Michael Gilliland, Betty Anthony or Sue Ellen Hall. Items for a Welcome Home! Mop/bucket/Pinesol/ Broom/dustpan/kitchen trash can/liners Toilet brush/scrub brush Vinegar/baking soda Laundry basket/liquid detergent Microfiber cloths/latex gloves Paper towels/toilet paper/ Dishwashing soap/handmade dishcloth/sponges

7 2018 Presbytery Meeting Hosted by FPC Introducing the Students of the Solid Foundations Tutoring Program Charles Ciara Jordan Mallory Jada Alexis Avion Corday Adaedrion Jada Journee

8 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 516 Pecan Street Texarkana, AR (870) CE Consultant Church Staff Reverend Dr. Susan M. Arnold, Pastor Cell: (903) Leah Doughty, Christian Ed. Consultant Cell: (260) Rebecca Johnson, Administrative Assistant Ron Cantu, Custodian John Arnold, Technology Support Sheila Moore, Clerk of Session Beth McHenry-Pope, Moderator of Diaconate Maggie Morgan, Church Treasurer EASTER LILIES If you are interested in donating Easter Lilies, please complete the information below. We ask that you return this form and a donation of $10.00 per Easter Lily to the Church Office by Wednesday, March 21, For more information, please contact the Church Office at (870) PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY Name: Date: Telephone Number: Quantity: Memorial Designation: Honorarium Designation: Form of Donation: Cash: Check: Total:$ Signature: