CURRENT NEWS AND ACTIVITIES
_____________________________________________________________
Ongoing and
general news….
Lenten
Guides.
Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season,
is
Wednesday, 22 February.
Members of First Presbyterian have written daily devotions
for the 47 days of Lent. This year's Lenten Devotional
Guide's theme is GOD'S GREAT GIFTS and will be sent through
the mail to most who receive the newsletter. Additional
copies will be available on the literature rack at the back
of the sanctuary and the gold table in the fellowship
hall.
Child
Protection Training for
all children and youth volunteers will be held
Sunday, February 12, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.,
upstairs in the
James House. This
time will enrich you whether you have been volunteering for
several years or are new to our church and would like to
understand what our policy concerning this important issue
is all about. All persons who wish to work with our
children or youth are required to attend this training.
Please contact Jacquie Schulz at
christianed@fpcnewport.org
if you
will be attending.
Soup
Kitchen. Our next monthly meal for
those who are hungry in our community will be
Wednesday,
March 7. Volunteers are needed to
help prepare and serve. The deacons will host a flu clinic
in the Hometime room during this Soup Kitchen. The clinic
is for guests, as well as members of the congregation,
administered by the Visiting Nurse Service.
Keep our
church warm without wasting energy. To regulate the heat in
the church, please use only the up and down arrows on the
thermostats.
Get
on our email list. From time to time we send
out messages about events, schedule changes or other items
of timely interest, as well as a weekly update. If you are
not sure you are on the list, call the office (847-1749) or
email Lee at secretary@fpcnewport.org
Drivers
needed. Several members need rides
to Sunday services. If you are able to offer a ride, or
know of someone who needs a ride, please contact the
Deacons or the office.
Music
ministry looking for more singers, hand bell ringers, and
instrumentalists.
Hand bell
practice Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., choir at 7 p.m. New
voices, bell ringers and instrumentalists are always
welcome, especially now as we begin to prepare for Lent and
Easter.
Coffee
Hour.
We need volunteers to help with this valued fellowship. All
supplies, including cookies, are provided. All you have to
do is keep the coffee urns filled, help clean up, and enjoy
the fellowship. Sign-up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall.
125th
Anniversary Celebration The year 2013 will be our
125th anniversary. If you are interested preparing for this
celebration, please contact Ralph Thomas at
thomasesar@aol.com.
Where
Did the Boxes Go? We
sent more than 160 shoeboxes to Operation Christmas
Child. The countries that received the boxes
include:
South
Sudan, Tanzania, Iraq, Malawi, and Democratic Republic
of Congo
Medical
Equipment.
If you have crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. that
you’re not using, let the Deacons know so they can help
those in need of such equipment.
Food
Bank. Every month, the Deacons
collect food items for the local food bank. Thank you for
your generous help in meeting the needs in our
community.
Attention
High School Students. Are
you looking for ways to fulfill your community service
hours? There are many opportunities here at FPC. Check
the senior high page for more details.
Young
Adult Fellowship. Find the
FPCNewportConnections group on Facebook or
contact connections@fpcnewport.org.
FPC
Mission Exchange is an e-newsletter about
our missionaries and their work. To receive monthly issues
send an email to missionexchange@fpcnewport.org.
Small
Groups Ministry We believe small groups
are the key to connecting with other members and
discovering and learning to use your spiritual gifts.
Please contact Dick and Cindy Price 619-0048, Bunny Miller
a683-0709, or Dave and Daryl Kolator at 846-8224.
Small
Group Bible study. We meet in the Hometime
Room at 7 p.m. every other Friday evening. In January we
will be starting a new book of the Bible. It’s a good time
to consider joining! Contact Bunny Miller (683-0709,
bunnym@cox.net).
Committee
on Music Ministry. This committee is
developing a philosophy of music ministry for FPC, and a
position description. If you would like to comment on our
future music program, please let your thoughts be known to
one of the committee members (Richard Ashmore, Tony
Ruggiero, Deidra Ricci, Robyn Buck, Jack Mancini, Jan Jones
or Jerry Spencer.)
We
honor our church family members in the military.
Please
continue to pray for those among our church family who are
serving overseas.
CDs of
Worship Services are now available. If you
are unable to attend services and would like to listen,
please contact a deacon or the church office.
Cookbooks.
More than 240
great recipes from FPC cooks. Only $10! Contact the church
office or sign the order form in the Fellowship Hall and
we'll see that you get a copy. For more info contact Sandy
Lang slang35@mac.com
Church
family directories. Electronic copies of the
members’ directory are available; call the church office,
847-1749.
Deacons'
request. If you have a financial,
spiritual, or other need, or know of someone who does,
please alert us. Use the yellow cards in the pew racks or
call the church office. Our Deacons Fund helps local social
service agencies as well as members of our congregation.
Nursery
News. Our nursery ministry
offers peace of mind for parents of babies and young
children while they attend Sunday school classes and
worship services. Nursery volunteers are always
needed. Contact Lynn at
683-0192.
Ongoing Women's Activities.
- Sarah
Circle has begun a new
study—Becoming a Woman of
Prayer, by Cynthia Heald. Groups
are now meeting Monday and
Tuesday evenings as
well as Thursday mornings. New participants are
welcome! Contact Laurie Aseltine.
846-1617. - Naomi Circle will meet Tuesday, Feb 7 at Ellie Green’s home. Sean Scott will offer devotions and Ellie will lead the lesson. .
- Sewing Circle meets Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m.in the James House. This lively group of ladies of all ages turns button-front shirts into hospital johnnies for patients around the globe.
- Sweet Hour of Prayer. A small group of ladies gathers every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. for prayer. They invite others to join this special time.
- Monday Bible Study continues with Becoming a Woman of Simplicity by Cynthia Heald and we welcome anyone who would like to join us.
- Knitting ministry. If anyone would like directions for making a baby sweater for new babies in our congregation, or others, please contact the church office.
- Secret Pals. We need a coordinator to keep this going. Contact Marge Foster (846-9271).
Women’s
Retreat. Mark
your calendars now. Saturday, April 28, here at FPC,
Sue Slaiger will teach on the topic “Daughters of the
King.” Contact Laurie Aseltine.Ongoing Men's Activities.
- Promise Keepers. This men's group meets Saturday from 8-9:30 a.m. in the Hometime Room to enjoy Christian fellowship, topical discussion and prayer.
Project Linus. Project Linus provides love, security, warmth and comfort to children (age 0-18) who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. They do this through gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans,” Please use new and washable materials to create a blanket of any size. Need a pattern? Want help starting or finishing your quilt? Contact Robyn.
Mark your calendars. The 10th Annual Women’s Retreat will be held here at FPC Saturday, April 28. Sue Slaiger will teach on the topic “Daughters of the King.”
Inquirer’s Class. Classes are held periodically for those who are interested in finding out more about the history, life and witness of FPC. Following the two-hour class, participants are welcome to join the membership of FPC. Dr. Maxwell leads the class. If you are interested in attending, please call the church office, 847-1749. You will be contacted regarding the date and time.
Dinner Club. We’ve formed our new dinner groups of six or eight to enjoy food, fellowship and fun together from October through March. We will soon be signing up for new groups. This is a great way to get to know your fellow worshippers all year long. Many lasting friendships have begun through our FPC Dinner Club. Our groups can always use substitutes, so please let the church secretary (847-1749) know if you are interested in joining on an occasional basis.
Drivers needed. Several members of our congregation are unable to drive and need rides to Sunday services. The deacons are helping but there are more needs than they can accommodate. If you are able to offer a ride, or know of someone who needs a ride, please contact the deacons or Ray Mignogna (480-9220).
Help our secretary help you. Our new data base software is up and running, and it needs up-to-date information to truly be useful. Click here to download and print a handy form for updating your information. If you would like to have an updated, electronic copy of our church family directory, contact Lee.
Library. Please return items as promptly as possible and place them in the cabinet under the display shelf in the Fellowship Hall. The Overdue or Missing list is growing! Please help by returning any overdue items you may have at home.
Please send all articles and announcements to Lee, secretary@fpcnewport.org, 401-847-1749, by January 20 for inclusion in the February newsletter..