Continued from preceding page On 4/17 we celebrate the Renewal Baptism conversion - Acts 9:1 6, (7 20). Paul, who was an enemy of the church, hears Jesus calling him, and changes his living so that he becomes one of the best known leaders of the early church. During worship we will hear of one person s faith journey. We will also take a moment to celebrate and remember our own Baptism. On 4/24 we Celebrate Work with community newcomers to church - In Acts 11:1 18 Peter has a vision at lunchtime where he hears God tell him not to call unclean anything that God has called clean. Peter comes to realize that everyone is to be included in the community of God s people. Let us celebrate God s inclusion of all people and invite a friend or family member to worship. On 5/1 we Celebrate the ministry of Presbyterian Men - Acts 16:16 34 the story of Paul and Silas in jail presents an opportunity to explore ways in which our church can connect with jails and prisoners in our community or region. What better example of the new life and opportunity for freedom that the prison ministry supported by the Presbyterian Men. We will celebrate and hear about the way God has used a bunch of old scrap metal to transform lives. On 5/8 we Celebrate the ministry of Presbyterian Women - In the story of Acts 16:9 15 Paul visited a group of women and they became believers and early church leaders. Our Presbyterian Women s group have faithfully held Bible studies, supported mission by virtue of the works of their hands and hearts, supported, cared for community members, and enjoyed the support of each other. During the Sundays of Easter we will remember and see the possibilities of the new life Christ offers us. Come worship, participate and celebrate. In Christ, Pastor Karel FPC HOLDS SPECIAL PALM SUNDAY SERVICE Many thanks to the people who helped make the Palm Sunday service special again this year. Participating in the service were Sara, Ryan and Amelia Reemtsma, Owen and Jackson Simonson, Erik, Traci, Rees, Julie, Avory and Anfin Anderson, Barb and Gary Shorrel, Bradley Davies and Isabelle Harmon. Jeannette Miller, Rick Keopke and Barb Meredith supplied the prayer rug, rope and bowl respectively while Karel Hanhart and Erik Anderson crafted the cross. Palm Sunday has become a special day in our church and one that could not happen without the help of so many people. DID YOU LOSE IT? WE HAVE FOUND IT! Several weeks ago a pair of prescription glasses was found in the church. It is in the workroom waiting for the owner to claim it.
MISSION COALITION CONTINUES THEIR WORK IN THE AREA The Chippewa Falls Mission Coalition continues to work hard to bring help to the needy in our community. In February the group collected 300 containers of laundry soap, 140 bottles of dish soap, 200 bottles of hand soap, 400 bars of soap, 120 bottles of shampoo, 25 bottles of conditioner and 50 items of miscellaneous toiletries as part of the annual Lather with Love project. One could say they cleaned up (sorry about that). All the items contributed by our church remained in our Food Pantry along with several boxes from the main collection. The Lighten Your Load laundry project has been so successful that it will continue through the summer. Bonnie Gullickson and Anne Welke volunteer from our church. The Tiny House homeless shelter has completed one tiny house measuring 8 X 12 on a trailer. The goal is to have a Tiny House village complete with a central area for cooking, and bathroom and shower facilities. If you are interested in contributing to this project, checks can be made out to Hope Park and dropped off at Northwestern Bank. This first tiny house cost $7,000. Meal packing for Foods for Kidz will take place at Parkview School on April 23. We hope to send a team of ten to pack rice to send to Haiti. The cost for each volunteer packer is $36. Even if you can t pack rice, you can sponsor a packer for $36. Bonnie and Anne will be setting up a team for this project and can answer any questions and accept donations. Start sorting out your old shoes for the Soles for Souls project which will take place in June. Men s women s and children s shoes in any condition are welcome. Watch the May and June Bells for more information. The Coalition meets monthly at various churches. The next meeting is at the remote location of Valley Vineyard Church, the old Moose Hall, 2 Bay St. The public is welcome. SESSION ADDS A SECOND MEETING TO ITS SCHEDULE In order to address the many issues that face our church, the Session is now meeting twice monthly. The regular business meeting will be held after service on the second Sunday of each month and the priority planning session is scheduled for the third Tuesday at 7:00. These meetings are open to the congregation and minutes of all meetings are in the tower in the Narthex.
WHO S GETTING OLDER? Not the women of our church, that s for sure. To further that goal, PW is hosting a salad lunch on April 30 at 11 AM which will feature a presentation called Seuss for Seniors, A Delightful Defense Against Aging. The speaker will be Maria Kneer, Community Outreach Coordinator for Sacred Heart Hospital Center for Spiritual Care and the Healing Place. The luncheon is by invitation only for ladies of First Presbyterian and Trinity United Methodist Church. Reservations are required and must be in to Anne Welke or Kathi Mandelert by April 15. SPECIAL FLUTE CONCERT PLANNED FOR MAY Our church sanctuary will be the scene on Sunday afternoon, May 1 at 4:00 for a special flute concert by Tim Anderson and Julie Majkowski Thomas. The concert, which will last about 40 minutes will include music by Gary Schocker and Anton Hoffmeister. Each number will be introduced and explained by the musicians who will be accompanied on the piano by Judy Brist. Tim is an attorney in Chippewa Falls and has been playing the flute since he was a small boy when he, like his siblings, studied under his father. He has been studying with Julie for about three years since she opened her flute and piano studio in Eau Claire. Julie is a librarian at Flynn Elementary School when she isn t playing the bass flute, non-traditional flutes and bass guitar. The concert is free of charge but a free-will offering will be taken and light refreshments will be served following the performance. MEMBERS PURCHASE EASTER LILIES FOR THE SANCTUARY Many thanks to the members who purchases Easter Lilies which graced the church on this holiday. Flowers were purchased by George and Sara Abendroth in memory of Forest Sr., Lorna and Forest Jr.; Alvina Drumm; Mary Flater; David and Patricia Gutknecht Family in memory of Emma B. Mika and David Joseph Gutknecht; Karel Hanhart in memory of John and Iola Hopkins; Mitchell Mandelert in memory of Fred and Anne Hillery; Barbara Meredith in memory of Bob Meredith and family; Hess Morrison in appreciation of Jeff and Deb Buckli and Gary and Barb Shorrel in memory of their parents.
UNITED WAY HONORS DRS. BIEGING Our own Dr. Deb and Dr. Jim Bieging have been chosen to receive this year s United Way Humanitarian Award for their continued work at the Open Door Clinic. Jim, who is a retired Marshfield Clinic physician, has been serving on the clinic board since its inception. He also donates his time to see clinic patients, review charts and do lab work for the clinic. An avid musician, Jim plays the trombone with a band called the Troppos as well as the local community orchestra. Jim has also played for several Sunday services at FPC. Deb, who is a retired pediatrician, served as the first coordinator of the Open Door Clinic and still fills in for Mary Meyers, current coordinator, when necessary. Deb divides her time between Chippewa Falls, which she calls home, and Bethel, Alaska where she ministers to the local population of children. When she is here, Deb sings also in the choir. We at FPC are so proud to host the Open Door Clinic and to have the Biegings as members of our church. Congratulations to you both! EASTER SPRING BONNETS APPEAR AGAIN For the fourth year in the row, the ladies of FPC pulled out their Easter bonnets and wore them to church on Sunday for the Easter Bonnet Contest sponsored by Al and Roxie Wolfe. The 23 ladies who entered their hats for consideration had their names placed in, what else, but the hat. This year the winner was Jinx Smith who was awarded a special Easter basket. The contest, which was prompted by the many hats Lea Dirks wears to church, included a minibasket for her. The Wolfes donated $1 for every hat entered in the contest. These funds, which were matched by some members, go to further the work of the Food Pantry. This project has proved so popular that it has been taken over by the Mission Team, which handed out flowers to each woman in the service on Easter. AGNES TABLE SET FOR JUNE 16 Our next turn at Agnes Table is scheduled for June 16 so mark this date on your calendar. For more information, contact Holly Gintz.