Newsletter - First Presbyterian Church

February 2015
THE VIEW FROM HERE
Greetings,
We often associate February with Valentine’s Day. Every
once in a while I come across something on the Internet that is
worth sharing. Recently, I came across “Six signs you know your
marriage will last” and I thought at least one of them was worth
sharing.
“When something weird happens, my guy is always the first one I want to text.”
— Erin W., Highlands Ranch, CO
Seeing your guy as your person—the one you want to share gossip
or funny observations with—is essential, say Charles and Elizabeth
Schmitz, psychotherapists and authors of "Building a Love That
Lasts." “Good couples tend to view their partner as their best
friend,” says Charles. “Having inside jokes and stories is part of
what builds that bond.” That’s why it’s key to share funny anecdotes
about your day, even if they’re as minor as your coworker freaking
out because someone stole her Diet Coke from the communal fridge.
Making "I do" last forever is one of the biggest challenges
you'll ever face—and it's normal to worry about how you'll do it.
But, if your connection involves any of these things, rest assured
that you're in it for the long run.”
Many of you who read this have been married many years,
and you’ve experienced this. Others of you don’t have quite as long
of a history together. I hope that no matter where you are on that
continuum that you will see each other as your best friend.
As we enter February 2015, we will begin the month with
our “First Sunday Worship and Communion” at 10:00am, with a
potluck to follow. During the potluck we will conduct our annual
congregational meeting. Please stay and participate in the potluck
and the congregational meeting as well. Whether you are a member
of First Pres, or a regular attender, you are welcome to share in the
meal, and listen to what has happened in 2014, and what we anticipate for 2015.
Ash Wednesday is February 18th. Prior to the 7:00pmAsh
Wednesday Communion Service, we will have soup supper at
6:00pm.
We will be continuing the DVD series on “Reformation
Roots” on Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm until that series is
completed. If you have any curiosity about why there are so many
different denominations, you will find this series to be helpful.
“Come and See.”
Have a Great February,
Pastor Ken
Loving and gracious God, we give
you thanks that you have made
yourself known to us in the person
of Jesus, the Christ. Grant that both
our worship, and our lives would
honor his name in all we do.
Through his mercy, feed our spirits
with what they long for most: an
awareness of your presence with us
every day and in every aspect of our
lives. Help us to be alert to the small
and large ways you touch our lives
through both strangers we meet, and
friends and family with whom travel
on our life’s journey. These things
we ask in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
The Mission of First Presbyterian:
As followers of Jesus Christ, we will
nurture a Christian community that:
grows in God’s love,
cares for one another, and
responds to the needs of the world.
WING
We’re GRO
disciples of Jesus
who…
GROW in God’s love through...
weekly worship
regular group, family & personal study
CARE for one another through…
daily prayer
friendships in our church community
RESPOND to the needs of the world through…
service in and beyond First Presbyterian
generous giving
We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.
2 www.firstpresgf.org
First Presbyterian Church, February 2015
CLERK’S CORNER
Dennis Junk, Clerk of Session
At its Stated Meeting in January, Session:
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Heard that during the past month Pastor Ken has:
 Visited with two members in hospital and one in Transitional Care.
 Met with the Finance and Traditional Worship committees.
 Conducted Christmas Eve service.
 Lead adult study on the Reformation.
Voted to send the remaining $85.00 in the Peacemaking Offering account to CVIC.
Voted to pay off the remaining Per Capita balance from prior years of $13,489.79.
Heard the Personnel Committee, in an upcoming meeting, is reviewing the policies and meeting with Tatiana.
They hope to soon be interviewing a musician to replace Rachel, who is expected to leave shortly.
Heard the presbytery is planning a senior high mission trip for this summer. On the afternoon of 18 July they
would be in Grand Forks. Session approved an overnight stay in our building and approved scholarships for
any of our youth that would like to join on the mission trip.
Discussed whether to attempt to hire a summer intern to work on youth programs. It was decided to TABLE
the discussion until the idea could be discussed with parents of our youth.
Elected the following to serve as corporate and/or officers for the congregation:
Josh Lindenberg
President
Delphine Gregoire
Vice President
Dennis Junk
Clerk of Session
Chris Lander
Treasurer
Dennis Junk
Secretary/Sexton
Approved the examination of the newly elected elders and ordination/installation of the newly elected elders
during worship services on 25 January 2015.
Heard that the Pastor Nominating Committee has met twice.
Voted to hold the annual congregational meeting on 1 February 2015 after worship.
Session meets the second Thursday of each month at 7pm. The next stated Session Meeting is February 12,
2015. As always, members are encouraged as to attend with concerns or ideas to come to the open forum at the
beginning of each stated session meeting. If you are not able to come to the meeting in person, but would still
like your voice to be heard, you are welcome to write a letter to the session or seek out a member of session
prior to the stated meeting.
PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The members of the Pastor Nominating committee began regular meeting this month. Our hope is to have a
Pastor Candidate to be voted on by members of this congregation this summer or early fall. We are beginning
the process of writing the Ministry Information Form, which describes our congregation and the attributes we
wish our new pastor to possess. This form will be approved by the Session after which it will be forwarded to
our national church. We will then receive information back concerning pastor candidates to be considered.
We will keep you informed as we proceed. Please keep us in your prayers.
Randy Knutson, Jennifer Jorde, Linda Sander, Nance Grove, Terry Brenner, Sandi Kerr, and Fred MacGregor.
3 www.firstpresgf.org
First Presbyterian Church, February 2015
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Communion
10:00am
Combined service
11am Baked
Potato Bar
8
9am Contemporary
Service
10:10am Young
Children’s Worship
11am Traditional
Service
15
9am-9:30am CD
Ministry
9am Presbytery
Meeting
1:00pm Community Quilters
9
9am-9:30am CD
Ministry
9am Presbytery
Meeting
1:00pm Community Quilters
16
9am Contemporary
Service
10:10am Young
Children’s Worship
11am Traditional
Service
9am-9:30am CD
Ministry
1pm Community
Quilters
2pm Hessed Bible
Study
22
23
9am Contemporary
Service
10:10am Young
Children’s Worship
11am Traditional
Service
9am-9:30am CD
Ministry
1pm Community
Quilters
1pm-3pm Community Quilters
6pm Quilting Class
7pm Reformation
Roots Study Group
10
1pm-3pm Community Quilters
6pm-9pm Quilting
Class
17
1pm-3pm Community Quilters
6pm Quilting Class
7pm Reformation
Roots Study Group
24
1pm-3pm
Community Quilters
6pm-9pm Quilting
Class
7pm-8:30pm
Reformation Roots
study group
7:00pm Middle
School Group
9am-10:30am
Bulletin
Folding
7:00pm Korean
Prayer
13
8:00 am Men’s
Breakfast
9:30 Church
Quilters
11
12
4:00pm Finance
Team
6:00pm Church
Quilters
7:00pm Middle
School Group
7:00pm
Session
9am-10:30am
Bulletin
Folding
7:00pm Korean
Prayer
18
19
20
21
9am-10:30am
Bulletin
Folding
7:00pm Korean
Prayer
14
9:30amChurch
Quilters
4:30pm Ladies
Night Out
2:00pm-5:30pm
After Eve
6:00pm-6:30pm
KIN@ Day Report
25
26
27
28
1:00pmNewsletter
Folding
6:00pm Church
Quilters
6:30pm Quilters Coffee (sanctuary,
Kitchen, & Great
Room)
9am Bulletin
Folding
7:00p Korean
Prayer
9:30 Church
Quilters
Ash Wednesday
4 www.firstpresgf.org
First Presbyterian Church, February 2015
FEBRUARY
BIRTHDAY’S
Adult Studies &
Discussion Groups
Men’s Breakfast (conversation) -1st Saturdays @
8:00 am at Perkins on Columbia
Women’s Circles
A Bible Study groups meets the second Monday of
each month @ 2pm. A book group meets the third
Thursday of each month @ 2pm, During the Fall/
Winter months. Please contact the church office for
details
Janet Marwin
February 6th
David Vaaler
February 6th
Chloe Sherve
February 8th
Karen Tankersley
February 14th
Weezie Potter
February 19th
Hannah Sheppard
February 25th
Ladies Night Out
Every 3rd Wednesday @ 4:30 pm-7:00 pm at
Charles Jr. Sansburn
February 26th
Dakota Harvest.
Book Study
Book study every Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm in the
conference room.
Sunday Programs for
Children
CD Ministry
If you know anyone who would like to receive a
copy of the sermon and cannot make it to join us
in church on Sunday’s.
Please let us know .
Praise Team
Passionate for music? Then perhaps you are just the right type of
person to sign up for Praise Team.
If you are interested in joining please
seek out a member of the team, who
can be seen singing their hearts out in
the front of the church.
Young Children & Worship
10:10 am
Age 4 - Grade 6
February 8th, 15th & 22nd
Middle School Group
The First Presbyterian Church of Grand Forks is
excited to announce the Middle School Youth Group
will meet on Wednesdays from 7-8:30 pm. Come and
join us in discussions, devotions, music, service
projects, and socializing on:
February 4th
February 11th
Check us out and see what you think! It will be a great
time to hanging out and have some fun.
Volunteers Needed
The church is always looking for volunteers. If you
want to get involved in the ministry of the church,
please contact the church office at
701-775-5545
5 www.firstpresgf.org
First Presbyterian Church, February 2015
JOINT SERVICE AND POTLUCK
On February 1st, at 10:00am “First Sunday” Combined Communion Service with a baked potato bar to follow
at 11:00am. Session talked about how we might get people to set up and clean-up the monthly potluck lunches.
As it is, the same people have done the work, so the hope is that that can be spread out and involve more people. Linda Shaw-Elgin will coordinate the set up and clean-up for February, and will ask for someone to coordinate the Potluck for March 1. Each month, the one who coordinates the potluck will ask someone else/or a
couple of people to do the following month’s potluck.
For your convenience:
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for your
generous donation to Northland rescue Mission!
Because of you we are able to help those in need.
God Bless,
Alex
Auto-deduction of your monthly pledges is
available on or shortly after the 18th of each
month. Contact the church office at 775-5545 if
interested.
Did You Know?
Approximately 150 million Valentine's Day
cards are exchanged annually, making
Valentine's Day the second most popular
card-sending holiday after
Christmas.
Visit the Church Library
AT Zion Methodist Church
Thank You to all who came out and helped with the
Love feast on January 27th! Meatballs, gravy,
mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, pickles and fruit
were served to 194 people.
A Big thank you to Hope Korean for contributing
the fruit and helping serve.
Thank you for your
recent donation to Ethiopia reads
Professional
development fund.
-Ian
A wide selection of books & magazines.
Check out books using the pocket card.
Children’s books are also available in the
Gloriosa Room.
Prayer Chain
To request prayer
for yourself or a loved one,
please call:
Bonny Crow at 775-6425 or
email Tatiana at [email protected]
Please secure permission
before using a person’s
full name in your request.

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