FIRST PRESS Volume 22, Issue 3 March 2016 Pastor's Ponderings I am looking forward to a very meaningful March at FPC Corona. On Sunday, March 13, we will be blessed with the presence of our transitional executive presbyter Marilyn Gamm. She will be bring the message for the day and stay after worship for getting to know us time. Then, the next Sunday we will begin Holy Week and Holy Conversations On Palm Sunday, March 20, the theme of the worship service will be Seeking Understanding. Following the service we will enjoy a Palm Sunday Picnic with food and games for all ages. On Maundy Thursday, March 24, at 6:30 we will have a very special time of education and worship as we share a Seder (Passover) Meal. On this evening we will be celebrating the Passover in a manner similar to the way it was celebrated in the time of Jesus. The majority of the aspects of the meal will be as authentic as possible. The will be no hidden matzo, gifilta fish, hard boiled egg, or bare lamb shank bone (these practices are more modern.) The meal will be simple: lamb, unleavened bread, vegetables, wine or grape juice), the appropriate symbolic foods, the experience of the meal, however, will be rich and complex. The Passover was a festive occasion a celebration of a people s release from Egyptian bondage. It has been observed by the faithful since the time of Moses. Throughout the evening we will reflect of the meaning of each food and the ways in which Jesus Last Supper has become a Sacrament for us today We do not have the resources to provide a complete table setting. Each of us will need to bring our own place settings plates, silver wear, wine glasses, etc. I will be preparing the meal and leading through this educational, worshipful, and inspirational experience of sharing it. Come eat, pray, learn, worship, and celebrate on the way to Easter. On Easter Sunday, at 10:30, the theme of the worship will be: Signs of New Life Then on Thursday, March 31, we host a lite lunch and our transitional executive presbyter, Marilyn Gamm, will return for a discussion time called Holy Conversations. The focus will be on shaping the congregations and presbytery we are becoming. This will be a crucial conversation for the future of FPC Corona and the Presbytery of Riverside. Grace and Peace, Henry
INCOME AND EXPENSES GENERAL FUND February 29, 2016 Year to Date Totals Income 4,952.50 12,288.34 Expenses 11,825.34 20,637.26 Net Income -6,872.84-8,348.92 DEACONS FUND February 29, 2016 Year to Date Totals Income 150.00 375.59 Expenses 344.98 570.16 Net Income -194.98-194.57 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS SUNDAY, MARCH 13 2
FPC Family Shirley Gill s birthday Kelly, Jordan, Kristin & Duke visiting FPC so nice to see friends 3
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From your session.. At our February meeting: There will be a picnic after worship on Palm Sunday. See Mavis Hagan for details. Our approved Sexual Misconduct Policy has been received and is on file in the Presbytery office. Landscaping has been done in front of church. Interest has been expressed in having a Bible study group for older youth. By consensus, it was decided to give the Peacemaking Offering to Teen Challenge and the Christmas Joy Offering to the Retired Pastors Fund. Some palms will be purchased to lay at the foot of the cross on Palm Sunday. The Seder Dinner on Maundy Thursday will include communion. The traditional Flower Cross will be decorated on Easter Sunday. Pastor Henry is currently conducting a new member class and members will be received in worship on Easter Sunday. They will meet with the session on Palm Sunday to be approved for membership. 6
Holy Week Services Easter is early this year and is fast approaching. Palm Sunday, March 22, marks the beginning of Holy Week, with worship at 10:30 followed by a Palm Sunday Picnic. Great food and games for all ages. We invite you to join us on Maundy Thursday, March 24, at 6:30 pm. We will celebrate the Passover in a manner similar to the way it was celebrated in Jesus time by sharing together in a Seder dinner. Pastor Henry will cook the meal and reservations are needed so he knows how much food to prepare. Each person/family is asked to bring their own plates, silverware, glasses, etc. And finally, on Easter Sunday, March 27, we will rejoice together and celebrate the resurrection of our Savior at our 10:30 worship service. It has long been a tradition to decorate the large wooden cross in the sanctuary with flowers on Easter morning. We will do that again this year, and you are invited to bring flowers that morning to add to the cross. Plan to be with us to celebrate the joyous news of Christ s resurrection. 7
CELEBRATIONS MARCH BIRTHDAYS 4 John Nyeango 6 Margaret Ndipagbor 7 Hailey Galvan 13 Cory White 19 Derek Galguera Michelle Galguera 26 Christine Galvan MARCH ANNIVERSARIES 16 Randy & Ann Gudmundson (1985) MARCH PRAYER FAMILIES Don & Anne Purcell Frank & Alice Reille Lynda Rodisch Bonnie Smith Ty & Elizabeth Talbert Sylvia, Christopher, Amanda, & Angela Thorne Marjory Welch Lew & Cory White 8
MARCH 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 CBS 9:30am 2 3 Women's Bible Study 10am 4 5 6 Worship 10:30 7 Al-Anon 7pm 8 CBS 9:30am, Deacons 6:30pm 9 Loving Needles 6:30pm 10 Women's Bible Study 10am 11 12 13 Worship 10:30 14 Al-Anon 7pm 15 CBS 9:30am 16 17 Women's Bible Study 10am, Session 11:30am 18 19 20 Worship 10:30 21 Al-Anon 7pm 22 23 Loving Needles 6:30pm 24 Women's Bible Study 10am, Seder meal, 6:30pm 25 26 Women's breakfast, 8am Original Pancake House, Norco 27 28 Al-Anon 7pm 29 CBS 9:30am 30 31 Women's Bible Study 10am Worship 10:30 Vietnamese Church every Sunday at 1:30pm Adult Bible Study every Sunday at 9:00am Last Sunday of each month is Food Donation Sunday.
MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH WORSHIP, DISCIPLESHIP, FELLOWSHIP, MINISTRY AND MISSION March 2016 Volume 22, Issue 3 Our Church Staff Pastor (Transitional)... Henry DeGraaff Administrative Assistant... Judy Hanson Accompanist... Delia E. Martinez-Samojluk Church Treasurer... Terrie Burbank Bookkeeper... Teri White Phone: 951-734-1920 E-mail: judy@fpc-corona.org SUNDAY SCHEDULE 9:00AM Adult Bible Study 10:30AM Worship Service Sunday School (nursery care available) First Press deadline 22 nd of every month Editor reserves the right to edit for content & We're on the WEB http://www.fpc-corona.org On Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ coronafirstpresbyterian