A Pleasing Aroma SUNDAY MORNINGS

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First Presbyterian Church A community serving and worshipping Jesus Christ our Lord Member: ECO A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians Website: http://firstpresbishop.

com Phone: (760) 872-2261 March 2017 A Pleasing Aroma One of the first signs of Christmas in the Thomsen household is the sweet aroma of the Christmas tree filling the house.

1 First Presbyterian Church A community serving and worshipping Jesus Christ our Lord Member: ECO A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians Website: firstpresc@gmail.com Phone: (760) March 2017 A Pleasing Aroma One of the first signs of Christmas in the Thomsen household is the sweet aroma of the Christmas tree filling the house. Yes I am writing about Christmas in March because it is never too early to start thinking and talking about Christmas. Anyway back to the tree Our tradition is to buy or cut down (the preferred method) our tree shortly after Thanksgiving. In a short amount of time (very short is a much more accurate description) the tree is in the house. Almost instantaneously our house starts to fill with the sweet smell of the Christmas tree. The aroma is a sure reminder that Christmas is on its way. It would be very safe to say that I find the aroma of the Christmas tree to be very pleasing. Have you ever considered that there is an aroma that pleases God? No it s not the Christmas tree. Our prayers are an aroma that is pleasing to God. When you pray God is pleased. In Psalm 141, David s request is that his prayer would be as incense before God. In Revelation 5 the prayers of the believers are described as bowls full of incense. This season of Lent (March 1 Easter) at First Presbyterian Church is being set aside as a season of prayer. During Lent we are asking you to set aside time each day to pray. It might be 7 minutes, an hour, or even all day. The amount of time spent in prayer is strictly up to you. Even though we are asking you to pray for our church it is up to you how you will pray and what you will pray for. As a helpful tool we will distribute an optional prayer list each Sunday morning. The list will include suggested prayer topics. You are invited to add your name to the poster in the sanctuary to indicate your commitment to pray during Lent. The whole thing kicks off this Ash Wednesday (March 1 at 6:30 at the church) but you can join in at anytime This Wednesday, Sunday, next week, anytime. During this season of Lent we will be a church united in prayer. How cool is that! When we pray as a church we will be pleasing to God. How much more cool is that!! Eager for Lent and our season of prayer, Pastor Peter P.S. Gentlemen be on the lookout for more details for the start of our new Bible studies and small groups for men. SUNDAY MORNINGS Worship 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary Communion is on the 1st Sunday Nursery Care (0-3) Mighty Lambs 9:50 Little Lights Kinder-2nd Gd. 9:50 Son Lights 3rd-6th Gd. RHP Class 7th-12th Gd. Sunday School (1st Sunday Movie & Popcorn -Called at beginning of service 2nd 5th Sundays ~10:20 a.m. -Called to go from sanctuary Adult Sunday School 9:00-9:45

2 2 ADULT SMALL GROUPS First Presbyterian Church MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY - Monday evenings, 6:30 p.m. Johnson Room - For more information contact Jeannie Hutton MONDAY NITE LITE - Monday evenings, 6:30 p.m. Patterson Room - For more information contact Lynette McIntosh TUESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY - - 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Patterson Room - For more information contact Peter Thomsen WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY - - Wednesday mornings, 9:30 a.m. Patterson Room - For more information contact Ellen Siegal PASSION BIBLE STUDY AND LUNCH - Wednesdays at 12:00-1:00 p.m. Hillis Hall - For more information contact Jennifer Montin WOW BIBLE STUDY - - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. Patterson Room - For more information contact Kris Langley RECOVERY BIBLE STUDY Celebrate Recovery Materials - Thursday, 5:00 p.m. Patterson Room - For more information contact Lynette McIntosh at MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES In the life of the church, there are many ideas for serving others. Session would like to hear your ideas. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is leading you to help in one of the following ministries: 1. Bishop Care Center: We usually go on the 4th Monday of each month to visit the residents and host a sing-along time. 2. Bible Studies: We have many Bible Studies from which to choose. Check the calendar for times and places or call the church office (760) Would you like to help with the Children s Ministries of Kid s Club Sunday School, occasional help in the Nursery on Sunday or either of our Youth Group nights? 4. Prepare food for our monthly Share Your Blessings dinner or for the fellowship table?

3 FROM FEAR TO HOPE The Gospel on Fire in the Middle East Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship (Frontier Fellowship is a ministry that we support here at First Presbyterian Church.

3 3 FROM FEAR TO HOPE The Gospel on Fire in the Middle East Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship (Frontier Fellowship is a ministry that we support here at First Presbyterian Church. This is a portion of an article written by Rebecca Ellecamp, from their December 2016 newsletter.) I would like you to pause for just a moment, wherever you may be, and know that Jesus Christ is moving in this world despite extraordinary evidence suggesting otherwise - the rise of radicalism, political and racial tensions in America and the largest migration crisis in modern history. PFF Assoc. Director, Dan McNerney, shared about God s work through PFF partners in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Dan s powerful witness to Christ s hand in the Middle East reminded me that we humans - all of us - are so small, and that God is great and very capable of doing exceedingly more than all we can ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). It was on 9/11, that Dan first heard God s call to the Middle East. Dan shared, They were getting lots of requests for Bibles and copies of the Jesus Film. There was a spike in interest in the Gospel. Moderate Muslims were saying I m not with Al Qaeda. they were starting to search for something more, wondering if their Qur an ok d the bombing and terrorism in New York. In the midst of fear and uncertainty, Egyptian Muslims began reaching out to Christians, resonating more with the views of Jesus followers than of radical Islam. Throughout the Muslim world, radical and political forms of Islam were being rejected. Unbelievably, the horrors of 9/11 created a mission movement in Egypt that continues to flourish today. A few years later, Dan got wind of an exciting new move of God s Spirit in the Muslim world, this time in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Because of the constant transfer of people, and the UAE s desire to appeal to foreign workers, the environment is much more open than other Middle Eastern nations to foreign ideas, including religion. It is some of the most fertile ground today for engaging Muslims with the love and message of Jesus. Muslims from the Persian and Arab worlds still seek answers in this time of significant crisis. Some Muslims meet Jesus in dreams and visions. In the Persian world, more than 3 million Muslims have turned to Jesus. Many now say Persia is the fastest growing church in the world today. PFF is now supporting new ministry initiatives in the UAE. Two leadership training programs and two other programs, discipleship and healing ministries, support Arab speaking pastors who are first responders to the overwhelming demand of Arab Muslims wanting to know more about Jesus and the Christian faith. Indeed, God is doing a new thing!! Though the world seems dark at many times and in many places, I encourage you to dare to hope. Pray for the many Muslims, near and far, who seek an encounter with Jesus Christ!!

4 March Anniversaries: Don & Joanie Paul March 27 Bob & Betty Denton March 28 April Anniversaries: None March Birthdays Steve Anderson March 7 Betty McCloud March 10 Monty McCloud March 14 Jeanine

4 4 March Anniversaries: Don & Joanie Paul March 27 Bob & Betty Denton March 28 April Anniversaries: None March Birthdays Steve Anderson March 7 Betty McCloud March 10 Monty McCloud March 14 Jeanine Williamson March 16 Linda Jernigan March 19 Betty Denton March 24 April Birthdays David Cano April 1 Jerry Coleman April 2 Darlene Walkup April 2 Emily Hembree April 4 Christy Morton April 4 Penny Haye April 5 Harriet Stone April 6 Jenny Rowe April 10 Betty Johnson April 12 Ken Haye April 13 Cheryl Adams April 16 Joy Niewald April 16 Matt Fisher April 18 Paula Weller April 18 Tyler Hembree April 19 Marilee Knight April 19 Dan Pool April 19 Betty Wagoner April 19 Bonnie Jahn April 25 Nancy Coleman April 26 Heidi Rickford April 29 Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others. Love isn't always "me first," doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel. Love takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, and ever looks back, but keeps going to the end. Love never dies. 1 Cor. 13:4-8 Message

5 Library Notes - This month s book highlight: Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Rose This is an inspiring story of a newlywed American Missionary who survived four years in a notorious Japanese prison

Your Librarian, Anne Sutherland ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LENTEN SEASON - March 1 - April 16 This Lenten Season we are seeking a special emphasis on prayer for our church.

In one of the studies he mentioned how he asked his church for 120 prayer partners who would commit to pray daily for the church, the pastor and his family. This really had an impact on their church.

5 5 Library Notes - This month s book highlight: Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Rose This is an inspiring story of a newlywed American Missionary who survived four years in a notorious Japanese prison camp in the jungles of New Guinea. This book is very inspiring and faith building. It shows God s watchful care over a young woman caught in war. Your Librarian, Anne Sutherland ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LENTEN SEASON - March 1 - April 16 This Lenten Season we are seeking a special emphasis on prayer for our church. This idea started with a WOW Bible Study lesson on prayer by Max Lucado. In one of the studies he mentioned how he asked his church for 120 prayer partners who would commit to pray daily for the church, the pastor and his family. This really had an impact on their church. Pastor Peter thought this would be a wonderful way to celebrate this season of Lent. Sign up in the Johnson Room to commit to prayer for the seven weeks and see how when we redouble our commitment to pray, God will redouble His promise to bless!! Anne Sutherland, Karen Inderbieten & Kristi Boxley MISSION BELIZE We have just received notice that plans are underway to go to Belize in May (19th to 27th) of If you are interested in going you may contact Renee Taylor. This is her villagechurchmissions@gmail.com You can make a check out to First Presbyterian Church in order to support the trip. If you would like to participate, the cost per person this year is $ plus air travel. This would be great timing to start recruiting support for yourself! You may also talk to Michael or Cynthia Quinn for more information. Their phone number is:

We are excited to note that our kids will be joining with our sister ECO church affiliates, so they will be getting to meet some like-minded fellow travelers.

6 6 YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS It's time to get ready for Summer Camps and we have some information that you might find valuable. This summer we will be sending our young people to CALVIN CREST SUMMER CAMPS in Oakhurst, CA. We are excited to note that our kids will be joining with our sister ECO church affiliates, so they will be getting to meet some like-minded fellow travelers. There are three age groups and two camp dates: Sherwood Forest - 4th to 6th grades, July 16 to 22. $370 per camper. Junior Hi - 6th to 8th grades, July 16 to 22. $420 per camper. High School grades 9th to 12th, July $420 per camper. It is required that we provide counselors at a 7 to 1 ratio and there is no charge to be a counselor! So perhaps this might fit into your summer schedule. More information will soon be forthcoming but if you have kids in these age groups you might want to look at your summer calendars and fill in the dates. If you are not familiar with the Calvin Crest facility you may look it up online at

7 7 MARCH FELLOWSHIP GOODIES March 5 - Drake, Korngiebel & Hutton families March 12 -???????????????? March 19 - Dave & Patty Cano March 26 - Steve, Penny & Judy To sign up for the rest of the year, you will find the sign-up sheet in the Johnson Room

org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED march s Contest!!! Betty mc cloud won february s contest!

8 8 Pre-Sorted U.S. Postage PAID Bishop, California Permit No. 5 March 2017 First Presbyterian Church 585 North Main Street Bishop, CA (760) firstpresc@gmail.com firstpresbishop.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED march s Contest!!! Betty mc cloud won february s contest! she will get the prize of $20 the correct conclusion to the word search was : lord come quickly Do the search on page 7, turn in your answer to the office or us, and We will draw a winner from the correct entries on march 23. Have fun! Keep entering you ll win eventually! Love, bonnie jahn & Marilee knight

SAVE THE DATES SUNDAY MORNINGS

SAVE THE DATES SUNDAY MORNINGS First Presbyterian Church A community serving and worshipping Jesus Christ our Lord Member: ECO A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians Website: http://firstpresbishop.org Email: firstpresc@gmail.com