February 2019 FPC News FLASHES Monthly Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Barberton Willing Participant Mark Your Calendar From the Pastor s Pen... 2.4 Ministry Meetings 2.7 Lunch Bunch 2.12 Finance Meeting 2.18 Deacon s Meeting 2.20 Session Meeting 2.28 FPC Hosts Soup Kitchen Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, But you have given me an open ear. (Psalm 40:5,6) I am indebted to John Schroeder for the following wonderful illustration. You know the scenario well enough. You have some terrific news, news you can t wait to share with your friends. You wait for just the right moment to pour out the details, but then you glace at your listener, only to find their eyes off in some distant place. It can be the case that we do the same thing to God in our time of prayer. God s wonders are before us, yet our minds are off in the distance, scurrying behind the noise of tasks and upcoming responsibilities and personal matters. Our impatience for a divine reply can often cause us to fill the silence with inner chatter and requests. It is not easy for us to listen to God and let God s presence surround us. Sometimes, we would rather have God do nothing but listen to us and our next urgent plea. 1
Pastor s Pen Continued As the Psalmist says, the wonders of God are all around us: a good friend who calls and inquires about your welfare, a kind-hearted neighbor who shovels your sidewalk, a welcoming community of faith, and the joy and strength we derive from family connections. In prayer we have the opportunity to give praise to God for the special gift of each day and the beauty we see in that day. Yet, we often spend our time in prayer trying to sell God the things we want to happen instead of celebrating those things God has brought into our lives. When we choose not to listen to God, we have closed another door through which God might enter and enhance another part of our life. But God is speaking all the time. We simply need to choose to listen. May our ears be open to the kindest, gentlest, and most life-affirming voice we will ever hear. Let s pause in every busy day and listen to the voice of God. May you know the peace of Christ each day, Pastor Richard Lapehn Small Groups There is a place for YOU here at FPC! Pastor s Chat Room You are invited to join us every Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the church Conference Room for a great discussion. Stop by & join us you won t be disappointed! Lunch Bunch The Lunch Bunch will be traveling to Dee s Diner in Barberton on February 7th. Meet in the church parking lot at 11 a.m. EVERYONE IS INVITED! Please call the church office to RSVP or if you need a ride. Wednesday Kid s Club Kid s Club resumes this month on February 6th. We are able to provide a safe place for local kids to come hear stories about God, play games, do crafts & eat a great meal. If you are interested in helping with this great outreach program, please contact the church office. Mission & Outreach This month our HOMEBOUND MEMBERS are Jim & Martha Kelley. Help us brighten their day with your cards & prayers. Send cards to: 1148 W Market Street Apt. 317 Akron, Ohio 44313. BACM Pantry Request For the month of February, BACM is asking if you could help by donating Macaroni & Cheese & Laundry Soap. Please place your items on the table by the Narthex or Parking Lot exits or outside the church office door. 2019 Per Capita Each year, the Presbyterian Church (USA) asks that members donate a small amount over and above their annual pledge in order to pay for the administrative costs of operating the governing bodies of the Church. The amount requested per member this year is unchanged from several previous years: $32.00. All of the per capita donations received by First Presbyterian Church are forwarded to the higher governing bodies for the purpose of supporting their work. Thank you for your support. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD Proverbs 19:17
Upcoming Events Ash Wednesday March 6th, 2019 Our Ash Wednesday Prayer Vigil will be held on March 6th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you are interested in signing up for a half hour time slot, please stop by the Chapel or contact Kathy Brown. Ash Wednesday Worship will begin at 7:00 p.m. Please join us in celebrating the beginning of Lent. Lenten Brunch March 10, 2019 Our Lenten Prayer Brunch will be held on Sunday, March 10th at Thano s Restaurant in Barberton at 12:00 p.m. Please join us for a Lenten Devotional & order some delicious food!. Flower Schedule We have many dates available & are in need of your help! Please fill out an order form on Sunday or contact Sue Rosinski if you can help with any of the openings. If you have a standing order that you would like to continue for a special date in 2019, please contact Sue so we can add you to the schedule. Thank you for your continued support. February 3 Eicher 10 17 Lapehn 24 March 3 10 17 K. Brown 24 31 3
Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God s grace in its various forms. I Peter 4:10 Youth News January sure did end on a cold note. Due to the extreme weather conditions, Wednesday Club was canceled for the first two weeks. Due to this, Wednesday Club will extend it s time two weeks. Our final Wednesday Club for the Winter/Spring season will be held on Wednesday, May 1st and not on Wednesday April 17th, as originally scheduled. Wednesday Club will not meet on Ash Wednesday, March 6th. The Children's Ministry is looking for donations of paper towel rolls, egg cartons, glass yogurt containers (Oui Yogurt) along with any size glass jar with a lid (mason jars, spaghetti jars, etc..). These items will be used by our Wednesday Club kids for various crafts throughout the year. Thank you for your support of our kids. Without your prayers, along with your emotional, financial and physical support we could not reach the children of the community. Catherine Adkins, Children & Youth Pastor Special Thank You The Worship Music and Arts Ministry Team would like to thank Kathy Brown for baking our Communion Bread each month. HOPE Hope is a wish for answered prayer. A relief and a help with our burdened care. For daily the path we walk unafraid. Is one softly covered because we have prayed. Many are the sorrows, the hurts and the fears, most lives aren t as easy as it appears. The hope that sustains us as we persevere, Is the knowledge that God will listen and hear, so when you feel downcast, discouraged, alone, Remember the love God has already shown. Though weary and tested, look up and you ll see, A rainbow of hope, through eternity. Yola Chapman 2004
Important Meeting Reminders 2.4 7pm Ministry Meetings 2.12 7pm Finance Meeting 2.18 6:45pm Deacons Meeting 2.20 7pm Session Meeting First Presbyterian Church 636 Park Avenue W Barberton, Ohio 44203 330.745.2161 churchmail@fpcbarberton.org Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. February Birthday s Happy Birthday 2.1 2.13 2.13 2.14 2.17 2.19 2.21 2.23 Jim Eicher Mendy Palumbo Mike Keenan Mike Rosinski Judy Protacio Michael Rosinski Joan McAnlis Katie Leach Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m. 4