Mission of the Month. Congregational Meeting. Financial Update. Spotlight on Hospice Brazos Valley. Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

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1 Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church February S Franklin St, La Grange, TX Mission of the Month Spotlight on Hospice Brazos Valley Hospice Brazos Valley has been providing end-of-life care to central Texas residents since Serving all or part of 17 counties, the organization has offices in Bryan, Brenham, and La Grange as well as an Inpatient Facility in Bryan. This non-profit, community-based, community -supported organization offers comprehensive care when curative treatment is no longer possible or desired. Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support and spiritual resources for individuals with a life-limiting illness so they can live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a loved one at the end-of-life Hospice care can be provided wherever the patient considers home. Patients receive care from a team of skilled professionals whose goal is to increase quality of life as they approach death. Care is provided regardless of race, age, faith, diagnosis, or ability to pay. The organization also provides a wide-ranging bereavement program that includes counseling and support for loved ones both before and after the patient s death. Hospice Brazos Valley is a member of the Texas Non-Profit Hospice Alliance and the Texas New Mexico Hospice Organization. They are accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc. (CHAP), which certifies organizations as having met the highest standards of excellence for home and/or community-based health care. More information regarding Hospice Brazos Valley is available from the La Grange office; phone In February, the First Church Missions Committee will send a $300 contribution to support the work of Hospice Brazos Valley. Congregational Meeting The Session has called for an Annual Meeting of the Congregation to take place after the 10:30am Worship Service on Sunday, 3 February The Session will present the 2018 Annual Report and the 2019 budget. The Annual Report will include a final report on the Manse Renovation and the Security System installation. Then, in accordance with the Book of Order, the congregation will elect members to the 2019 Officer Nominating Committee. Financial Update We would like to thank the members for a month of extraordinary giving. Entering December, our operating expenses exceeded our revenues by about $31,000. Contributions in December exceeded $46,000. As we closed the books on 2018, revenue was $207,952 and operating expenses were $207,411. Thus we had a minor surplus for the year. God Bless! Jim Allbright, Treasurer

2 Prayer List CHURCH Care Inn Charlene Wood, Bernice Wood (W.O. Wood s mother) Seton Towers Nursing Home Minnie Meyer Monument Hill Nursing Home Walter Noll Jefferson Place Jo White, Mary Stanhope Hospital Sandra Medley St. David, Austin Bonnye Karger Encompass, Austin Helen Stewart St. Mark s, La Grange At Home Dru Hartman, Janet Parker, Dorothy Elliott, Tony Scanapico, Suzanne Manning, Hugh Hall, Nathan Hurst, Suzy Romberg, Max Karger, Emily Harrison (Chris Harrison s daughter), Don Grigsby (Larry Grigsby s brother), Sean Keegan (Jan Keegan s son), Jennifer Cooper (McElroy family friend), Clay Good (Marti Collum s partner), Brian Harvey (Brenda Benes grand-nephew), Yvonne Speed (Debra Schwartzenburg s mother), Carolyn Loesch (Linda Borgstede s sister), Gordon Brock (Heidi & Richard Schultze s friend), Charles Carter (Linda Albers brother-in-law), Macee Prause (Renata Leach s friend), Lara Beth & Freddy Perez (Jeremy Janda s sister & brother-in-law), Katy Smith (Linda Albers niece), Heather Davis (Gross family friend), Deputy CJ Lehmann and his family In January, we crowned a repeat Champion at the Chili Cook Off. For a second year, the Linda and Larry Grigsbys won with their stirring rendition of Aunt Louise s Chili. Seen above, Ben and Jenn Schovajsa get ready to sample the goods before casting their votes. Military J.J. Allbright, Sergio Meneses, Blake Leverett, Ken Roberts Newly Married Betty Moore and Tim Lewis Deep Sympathy For John and Debra Schwartzenburg on the death of Debra s mother, Yvonne Speed For W.O. Wood on the death of his brother, Gene Wood. For Bill and Arlene Billings on the death of Bill s sister, Geneva Sewell Prayer requests may be sent to the pastor or church office. Our Chili celebration included a mountain of side salads and dessert that were delightful! Celestial Seasonings, led by Kim and Kirk Craig, were the second place finishers in this friendly, annual competition.

3 Thanks from Dru Hartman Once again my family of faith at First Pres has been there when I needed them. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate the concern you have shown. Your prayers, visits, and cards have sustained me. Thank you for the wonderful food, errands, and transport to appointments. Special thanks to the children s Sunday school for the delicious cookies and to the FPC quilters for the beautiful quilt. I am so thankful and proud and humbled to be a part of a congregation so caring. Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto Me (Mt. 25:40). Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow. Although mistakenly attributed to Albert Einstein, this phrase resonates with the cycles that accompany a new year. In January, the First Church Session picked up the planning task, many in new areas of responsibility. We gathered as a whole for a half-day retreat that might have had this phrase as its motto. Session members shared mission stories and mission statements shaped from their work in leadership of this congregation. Together, we named the commitments and callings that are particular to this community of faith. We had some fun. Using Hemingway s six-word biography as a guide, we shared our personal sixword biographies and six word mission statements. We then shared our stories exploring the identity of this congregation by examining our roots and our experiences of life at First Presbyterian Church. We talked and sifted and identified words that touched the core of our character we gathered them and condensed them and then drafted this six-word statement: COMPASSIONATE ACTION: MODELING FAITH, BUILDING COMMUNITY We now have the joyful task to use these words as a beacon for mission and ministry as to and through this congregational community. Together, the Session and Session Committees will take this broad statement and tease out how it might guide today s planning while laying a foundation for the future. I am excited to see where the Spirit will lead us. Pastor Martha Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. This award-winning program helps folks manage falls and increase activity levels. UPCOMING CLASS Tuesdays and Thursdays February 5 thru February 28, :00 11:00am Randolph Recreation Center 653 East Pearl (Building B) REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED Class size is limited to 12 participants. No Fee. To Register: Please contact Sally Garrett or Jenifer Boening at Do you provide care for a loved one with Alzheimer s, dementia, or chronic conditions? You are not alone! We know caregiving can be stressful! Stress Busting Program for Family Caregivers Every Wednesday February 6 thru April 3, :30 1:00pm Fayette County Agricultural Building, Rm Svoboda Lane A light lunch will be offered REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED Class size is limited to 12 participants. No Fee. To Register: Please contact Sally Garrett at

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6 February 10 Second Sunday Lunch: Souper Bowl The Second Sunday of February, we are putting out the call for SOUP at our monthly pot-luck. Bring your favorite soup, crackers, bread, or dessert. Call the play signal what you will bring on the Souper Bowl sign-up sheet on the Church Life bulletin board. During the meal, we will hear from Second Chance Emporium about the work toward a new facility. For more information, contact Church Life chair Rebecca Halder (nechanitz1950@gmail.com). February Second Chance Work Week This is your opportunity to help the greater LaGrange community. In 2018, Second Chance gave more than $200,000 in donations to area organizations. During our work week, First Church will partner with St. James Episcopal as volunteer store staff members: sorting, shelving, and preparing the store to be open for business on Friday and Saturday. For more information contact our Second Coordinator, Linda Grigsby (ljgrigsby@gmail.com). First Presbyterian Church 205 South Franklin Street (PO Box 368) La Grange, TX Return Service Requested