The Chimes. First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup. Ash Wednesday Service March 1st 7:00 pm. Voices at the crossroads. Lenten devotionals

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1 First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup The Chimes MARCH 2017 VOLUME 65, ISSUE West Pioneer Puyallup, WA Rev. Sue Watkins, Pastor Voices at the crossroads Ash Wednesday Service March 1st 7:00 pm Wednesday evenings beginning March 1 at 7:00 p.m. During the season of Lent we will have the opportunity to hear firstperson dramatic portrayals of witnesses to Jesus death and resurrection. Each Wednesday evening, March 1- April 5, we will gather at 7:00 in our Sanctuary to hear from The Centurion; Mary Magdalene; Simon of Cyrene; Pilate s wife; Joseph of Arimathea; and Mary, the Mother of Jesus. After we listen to their story each week, we will move into the Fellowship Hall for table discussions about what we have seen and heard. We will conclude by 8:00. Child care will be available. On March 1, the story of the Centurion will be heard within our brief Ash Wednesday service which will include the imposition of ashes. Two more witnesses to Jesus death and resurrection, Nicodemus and Judas, will appear at our Maundy Thursday service on April 13. Plan to make Voices at the Crossroads a part of your Lenten journey this year. Lenten devotionals The 2017 Presbyterians Today Lenten Devotional, written by Jodi Craiglow, a former English teacher who is passionate about the power of story, presents 47 first-person narratives of people who knew Jesus. Readers will meet people such as Mary, the Shepherds, Nathanael, Simon Peter s Mother-in-law, and Temple Teachers who give us an account of their experience with, or reaction to, meeting Jesus. Each creative first-person narrative is paired with a selection from Scripture and includes a concluding prayer. The colorful art pieces that accompany the devotions depict the way different people meet and know Christ through symbols and images. Copies are now available in the church office. For those who are able, a $2 donation is suggested.

2 Page 2 March 2017 From Our Pastor Last month I shared some initial thoughts about how we might make a difference in our world regarding human trafficking. My first impulse was, and is, to uphold the young and vulnerable people in our lives. If every person understood how valuable her or she is as a child of God, then it would be less likely to fall victim to human trafficking. Another strong factor in vulnerability is poverty. The desperation of no food, no home, and no family has led many people into the sex trade just to survive. The abuse suffered in this life are unspeakable. What can we do to alleviate poverty? The various ways we offer ministry to homeless people make a difference. It is entirely possible that some of the folks who receive meals at the Armory, or stay the night in our churches through Freezing Nights, might be kept from the complete desperation which has thrown others into trafficking. We also contribute to the Food Bank, and provide hygiene items through our affiliation with Love, Inc. These measures provide more than a little relief. They provide hope. Many of the children who attend pre-school in our building do not have enough food at home. Their parents want to provide it for them, but resources are hard to come by. Just this morning, a crew of our church members packed bags for these children to take home for the weekend, bags with nourishing food to help keep hunger at bay. We have to keep working on behalf of the poor. Last month I wrote, Sometimes the problems of this world seem too big, too overwhelming. When we are faced with hard realities and we perceive that there is no way for us to make a difference I do believe that we are making a difference. I had not always thought about it in terms of keeping people out of human trafficking, but now I do. I am certain that there is more to consider. I encourage you to continue to pray with me or those who are vulnerable to human trafficking, that they would remain safe. Also, pray with me for those who are already caught in that terrible world, that they might be freed. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:19 The Per Capita amount for 2017 is $39 per person. Please make sure to mark your checks with per capita in the memo line. Your Financial Team thanks you! Children s ministry position available Children s Ministry Now Hiring! We are looking for a new Activity Time Teacher so that our current teacher Aubrie can focus fully on her role as Nursery Director. This is a paid position requiring up to 2 hours per week. Teacher will prepare lesson/activity from curriculum provided by the Children's Ministry Coordinator for an average of 6 children/week (ages 4 9). Activity time is held in an upstairs classroom during the last hour of church. All supplies will be provided by FPC. We are also in need of a Nursery Worker. Please see Darice in the office for full job description and to apply.

3 March Page 3 Presbyterian Women Our next Gathering will be at noon on March 7th. Join us for a salad lunch and the dedication of our Least Coin Offering. Mr. Steve Fox will be our guest and presenter. He will tell us about his work with Global Volunteers. Global Volunteers has been in existence for over 30 years and has served communities is 32 countries around the world. The organization s vision is to wage peace and promote justice worldwide through developing partnerships. These partnerships empower local people to be responsible for their own development and advancement. Join us to learn more about Steve Fox s mission experiences. Supper Club All adults are invited to Supper Club on Saturday, March 12th. Dinner is at 6PM with the program to follow. Plan to bring an entrée, salad, or dessert and join the fellowship and an interesting program from Steve Fox. Mr. Fox volunteers with Earthwatch Institute. Earthwatch is a non-profit environmental organization focused on connecting everyday people with the world s top scientists to conduct vital field research. Steve will be sharing his work on archaeological projects in the Canary Islands, Australia, and South Africa. Come! Join us for a fun evening. The idea for the Fellowship of the Least Coin emerged as a vision from God to Mrs. Shanti Solomon of India. She was part of the Pacific Mission Team of seven women from different countries that traveled in Asian countries after the World War II, in September It was organized by Dr. Margaret Shannon on behalf of the women of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. Shanti Solomon, who was refused a visa to Korea, went to Manila, Philippines while other members of the team proceeded to Korea. She reflected on the experiences of their travel in the war-torn countries of Asia and was inspired to promote reconciliation, justice and peace. On the return of the team, she suggested that prayer could transcend every national boundary. She challenged the Christian women of Asia and the women from the Presbyterian Church of the United States to combine their efforts and resources and launch a project of justice, peace and reconciliation on an international basis. It was to be a project of Christian prayer and positive action in which every Christian woman could participate, no matter what her economic position was. Every time a woman prayed she was to set aside a least coin of her currency. It was an encouragement to the women of the team to demonstrate their unity in Christian faith, regardless of their country or economic circumstances. They all accepted it as their sincere desire to express their solidarity with suffering humanity and with women of every nation. Office News The church office hours are from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please note, the office is closed most Wednesdays from 11:30 am -12:30 pm for a weekly staff meeting.

4 March Page 4 Scripture Lessons for the Coming Weeks You are welcome to read the lessons in preparation for Sunday Worship and you are also invited to a Bible Study with Pastor Sue each Wednesday at 9:30 am in the Parlor. CORE Ministry Youth, ages newborn through 5 th grade, are invited to join us for CORE on Wednesday nights from 6:00-7:30 pm! This mid-week ministry is an opportunity for the kiddos to get together for fellowship and fun. A kid-friendly dinner will be served. We d love to see you there! Upcoming CORE dates: March 8th and 22nd Vacation Bible School We are in the beginning stages of planning our Maker Fun Factory VBS and are in need of materials! Please help by donating any type of recyclable items. Examples include: Coffee cans, plastic containers, plastic or metal lids, 1 or 2 liter bottles, newspapers, boxes, egg cartons etc. Anything we can use to create something out of nothing! Please bring your donations to Lizzie or the office. Thank you in advance for helping our children learn that they were Created by God and Built for a Purpose! Scriptures for March March 5, st Sunday in Lent Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 Psalm 32 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 March 12, nd Sunday in Lent Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5, John 3:1-17 March 19, rd Sunday in Lent Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95 Romans 5:1-11 John 4: 5-42 March 26, th Sunday in Lent 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Preschool Bagging All are welcome to join the Mission Commission as we pack bags of food for our Bates preschool students. Join us on Thursday and Friday, March 30th and 31st at 9:45 am.

5 March Page 5 March Birthdays 6th- 7th- 8th- 11th- 13th- 16th- 17th- 18th- 20th- 22nd- 23rd- 25th- 26th- Sara Couture Cheryl Hodgson Bob Bruce Nola Gene Byrd Emily Cockle Philip Sinner Mary Briskey Rebecca Price Saige Lyons Blake Roscoe Scott Eagan Christine Howard Johanna Park Wilson McKnight Maury Byrd Winifred Peach Drew Picha Shirley Ashburn Adam Asher Wayne Chan March Anniversaries March 3 John and Jeanne Washburn Do you have a special person or date to commemorate? Inspired by nature? Looking for ways to glorify God? Remember, you can sign up to provide flowers for the Sanctuary on Sundays. Sign-ups are located on the Worship and Witness bulletin board. Many thanks! A Note of Thanks The Webber and Dennie families would like to thank you for your prayers, cards, and loving care after the recent passing of Haakie Dennie. Special thanks to the Deacons for their help at the reception following the service. Truly, your kindnesses are the reflection of Christ's love. March 20 Eric and Nicole McKnight March 22 Garry and Sandy Anderson March 28 Keith and Berniece Johnson Beginning Sunday, March 12th Alleluia ringers fundraising event Mini-Bread Loaf Sale March 19th Mark you calendars! The giving of small loaves of bread has been a tradition in America since the turn of the century. Many of us grew up in homes where banana and zucchini breads were special treats at birthdays, weddings, family gatherings. Taking this one step further, Alleluia Ringers will be offering an array of mini-loaves at an upcoming bake sale on March 19. Breads offered for sale will include apple cinnamon spice, blueberry-poppy seed, classic cranberry, jeweled fruitcake, fruit 'n nut, lemon poppy seed, orange-date nut, pumpkin spice and mango-date nut. All proceeds will go toward the ever-increasing cost of sheet music and supplies for the bell choir. Stop by our festive table and take home some yummy treats. We thank you in advance for supporting this beloved music ministry.

6 First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup 412 West Pioneer Puyallup, WA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Join us for worship!