HIGHLIGHTS First Presbyterian Church Port Angeles, Washington We ve begun a new sermon series in the book of Mark. We ll be going through the entire book chapter by chapter and I trust that you will find as I do a deeper appreciation for what Mark writes, how it connects to the rest of scripture and how it relates to our lives. As we begin our time in the book of Mark it s helpful to keep in mind that his purpose in writing is to tell the story of Jesus. He writes in his own unique, succinct way, one story falling off his pen right after another. And, it s important to know that Mark writes with only one goal in mind: that his readers will all come to faith in this Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah of the world. That s it. Mark wants us all to have faith in the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Faith. Sometimes don t you wonder what it really is? Mark gives us the answer all through the book, through the stories beginning in the very first chapter. Here s just one: Jesus calls his first disciples as they re out at work fishing. He calls out to Simon, and his brother Andrew, and then to James and his brother John saying: Follow me and I will make you fish for people. Totally crazy thing to ask someone to do right? But, maybe even more crazily, they do just that! They immediately drop what they re doing and follow him. That s it. They don t go back to work the next morning, they just go off with Jesus to fish for men. Mark wants us to think about this. He wants us to turn this story carefully around in our minds. To think that this is the sort of thing that Jesus does as
he steps into someone s life; that he might ask us to do something that takes us off our chosen path, takes us off our plan, our own personal fiefdom-building endeavors. Mark gives us this story and wants us to consider that faith very well might mean dropping what we re doing, abandoning what s taking up all the space in our lives and heading forward following Jesus. That s a totally radical, counter-cultural, possibly crazy looking thing to do. But, there it is, and here we are, people maybe only curious, a bit intrigued by this Jesus guy. Or, possibly thinking we re pretty Jesus savvy people; that we know all about being a Christian, we ve been one for a long time.but, this story and this image of what faith looks like is for us old time Christians, too. In fact wherever we re at in our journey of faith, this book is for us. Because even if we ve dropped our nets, so to speak, even if we ve got some following Jesus years under our belt, this question of what our faith looks like is one we need to face afresh pretty much every day. And, what we perceive Jesus asking us to do and how to follow might look different today than it did 5 or 10 years ago. And, just maybe, we ve gotten so used to Jesus we don t even realize he s standing there asking us yet again to follow him. We ve maybe sorta tuned Jesus out without really realizing it. Well, for all of us, the book of Mark has got something to say. It s going to bring Jesus into clearer view for us, and at the same time we re going to see ourselves in sharper focus. It s going to be interesting, and maybe even a new adventure is ahead for us! So, let s dive in together! Let s pray that the Spirit sparks up our minds & hearts, and that we ll hear Jesus voice in fresh new ways! Let s even pray and be open that Jesus Christ will change us in radically new and exciting ways! Ready, set? Let s go! Pastor Wendy 2
The Session met January 19, 2017 and took the following actions: Reviewed the Financial Report through December 31, 2016 Approved the proposed church budget for 2017. The Session encourages members to return their Pledge cards as soon as possible Approved moving the Session Retreat to February 25, 2017. Approved Karen Walter as a Counter Approved the Counter Procedures for processing offerings and other monies that come to the church Approved rolling over a bank certificate of deposit that matures May 7, 2017 for an additional year. STEP UP TO STEWARDSHIP Here are some thoughts to ponder from Pastor Rick Warren: Our time on earth and our energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships, and resources are all gifts from God that he has entrusted to our care and management. We are stewards of whatever God gives us. This concept of stewardship begins with the recognition that God is the owner of everything and everyone on earth. We never actually own anything during our brief stay on earth. God just loans the earth to us while we re here. It was God s property before you arrived, and God will loan it to someone else after you die. As borrowers, then, are we as diligent to God as we are to the bank? FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY CLASS CHURCH FAMILY, I want to thank the Session and all of you for sponsoring another term of FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY. This class has thirteen registered participants. Eight are part of our church family with five being from the community at large. This fourth series is part of our service to the community. It is my privilege to coordinate these programs. For each series members of our church family have assisted and supported the program in important ways; and I am indebted to them. Our reward is walking beside the participants and learning of their successes in money management and positive changes in lives. If you have any interest in future FPU classes, let me know. Rosalie Doty 3
Greetings First Presbyterian Church, We want to extend a warm and heartfelt thanks for the endless generosity you provide to our schools. Members from your congregation spend countless hours working with our students, making cookies & treats for our faculties, and recently provided huge baskets of household items (and more) during the holiday season to many of our families. Lives are hugely impacted because of your willingness to serve our community in this capacity. We are so incredibly thankful for all you do. Sincerely,Amity Butler, Gary Pringle, Jay Sparks, Joyce Mininger, and Michelle Olsen (Franklin, Hamilton, Dry Creek, Jefferson, and Roosevelt Principals) CONNECTION CENTER NEWS! Bridget Edgington (elder) serves on Outreach & Fellowship and has put together our brand new Connection Center in the Fellowship Hall. It is such a fabulous way for both visitors and regular attendees to easily get connected with the life of our congregation! Bridget has created new welcome cards for the pews. And new brochures for each ministry area so we can easily learn what s going on and sign up for things we re interested in! Also, Shawn Dawson s whipping up awesome coffee drinks for us at the Connection Center on Sunday mornings between services and don t forget all visitors get a free drink! Thanks to Bridget for her fabulous work, and to Shawn for manning the espresso machine! Three cheers to both! LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND The Good Time Gang is hosting a Valentine Dinner On Sunday, February 12th at 4:30 PM In F.P.C. Fellowship Hall The entrée will be provided. Sweet treats to be shared by those willing to do so. Everyone welcome bring a loving heart! Special entertainment is planned. Sign up at the Connection Center or call Pat Hyden, 457-1843. 4
5
2 Don Marshall 3 Sharon Bowman 5 David Hurd 6 Michael Birch John Cleall 7 Mary Ann Shea 8 Michelle Olsen Barbara Stevenson Mike Zimmer 9 Steve DeBiddle Judy Higbee 12 Lisa Anderson 14 Perry & Chris Keeling Robert Walter John & Chris Wright 15 Dorita Reed 17 Sammee Pearson 19 Jenna Bender 20 Alex Raynes 21 Marie Louise Beam Amy Mattie 23 Charles Whitney 24 Ann Allen 25 Loretta Chapman Edna Haworth 26 Janelle Stevenson 28 Bonnie McCloskey TAFY SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER Our church is scheduled to provide dinner for TAFY on Saturday, February 4th at 4 pm. The location is 711 E. 2nd Street. Plan on dinner for 70. People sign up for part of the meal, so it is not a burden on any one person. You can sign up for drinks, (juice or milk), a main dish, fruit, salad, or dessert. There is a sign up sheet outside the office. Thanks for thinking of the homeless and others less fortunate than us. It is very much appreciated. For more info call, Pam Fosnes, 452-4331. 6
The First Presbyterian Church of Port Angeles is a community of people of all ages who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and who seek to follow His teachings. We come together to worship God, to grow in our love and support for each other, and to learn about God s will for our lives. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we go out to the community and the world to share our faith and to serve others. Worship Assistants 5th Chris Buckmaster 12th Michele Haworth 19th Martha Bell 26th Lu Meiner 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Ushers 5th Bret & Diane Curtis Marty Melcher & Julius Johnson 12th Ardith Hansel & Jodee Force Curt & Carolyn Horne 19th Carol Foss & Chris Watkins 26th Chuck & Darlene Whitney Coffee Servers 5th Bobbie Buckley Congregational Meeting 12th Cynthia Isenberger 19th 26th Martha Bell & Beth Ann White Christmas Basket item: Dental Hygiene (toothbrushes, paste & floss) HIGHLIGHTS DUE Email, disk, mail or hand deliver By February 20th USPS Identification Statement First Presbyterian Church HIGHLIGHTS Published monthly by First Presbyterian Church; 139 W. 8th St., Port Angeles, WA 98362 7
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thusday Friday Saturday 1 8 am Women s Bible Study 1 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry 2 3 4 4:00 p.m. TAFY Dinner 6:30 pm Bells 7 pm Session Committees 5 8:30 & 11:00 Worship 9:45 am Sunday School 12:15 pm Pre-meeting Lunch 1:00 pm Annual meeting 6 7 7:30 am Fish Co. @Traylor s 8 8 am Women s Bible Study 9 10 11 7:00 p.m. Financial Peace University Class 6:30 p.m. Worship Team 6:30 pm Bells 12 8:30 & 11:00 Worship 9:45 am Sunday School 13 1 p.m. Naomi Circle 14 7:30 am Fish Co. @Traylor s 15 8 am Women s Bible Study 16 17 18 4:30 p.m. Valentine s Dinner 7:00 p.m. Financial Peace University Class 6:30 pm Bells 6 pm Session 19 8:30 & 11:00 Worship 9:45 am Sunday School 20 Highlights articles due 21 7:30 am Fish Co. @Traylor s 22 8 am Women s Bible Study 23 24 25 9:00 am Session Retreat @ church 7:00 p.m. Financial Peace University Class 6:30 p.m. Worship Team 6:30 pm Bells 26 8:30 & 11:00 Worship 9:45 am Sunday School 27 28 7:30 am Fish Co. @Traylor s 7:00 p.m. Financial Peace University Class 6:00 p.m. Deacons