Greetings! we are pleased to present your 2019 March-April First Presbyterian Church of Green Bay newsletter!
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"Food for Thought" by
Pastor Randy
Pastor Announces Retirement
Many of you will have received a letter from me or will soon. At the recent Session meeting, I announced my decision to retire. I don’t think this decision will come as a huge surprise since everyone knows I am of retirement age (66 in April). I want you to know that it was not an easy decision to make, nor would it have been any easier a year or two from now. I announce this decision as we approach the season of Lent and Easter.
It is sometimes said that as Christians we are to “live the Christian year.” Lent and Easter are about remembering the past and anticipating the future. What God has done in the past (the cross) and what God will do in the future (the resurrection) bears on our lives in the present. We are part of a story that changes the way we view reality
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World Day of Prayer
March 1
World Day of Prayer will be held this year at First Pres on
Friday, March 1. Every year Church Women United invite Christian women in a region or country to write the service. This year Slovenia, in Europe, had that privilege. It is a beautiful ecumnenical worship service and all women and men are invited to attend.
Coffee fellowship at 9:30 a.m. followed by the service at 10:00 a.m.
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Christian Formation
A Welcome Sanctuary
by Ben Menghini
Since I arrived here in Green Bay in July I have been talking to anyone who would listen about what it means to be a “family church.” I think it is one of the greatest strengths of this congregation to be such a tight knit group. Many have attended here for a major portion of their lives, have family members in the congregation, and count other members among their closest friends. These strong relationships are codified in First Presbyterian’s values statement, being one of five major values that we have identified for ourselves.
As a newcomer to the church, however, it is my perspective that this closeness can also be a double-edged sword. While the members already in place can draw strength from being a part of this group, it can also make penetration into the group from outside difficult. The intimacy and intensity of the relationships are enviable; they are also intimidating. For this reason, I have advocated a focus on casual inroads into congregational life. It also means we must evaluate what it means to welcome visitors.
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Augusta Jeffrey Award
Deadline March 3
The family of Augusta Jeffrey has presented First Pres with a fund from which a recognition award is presented each year to a member for outstanding volunteer efforts within the Church and through its programs.
You may nominate more than one person, but please limit your nominations to only one person per category. The nomination form must be filled out completely to be accepted. Each year, the winner of the Augusta Jeffrey Memorial Award will designate an honor gift to the area of ministry in which the Church is engaged that they deem most worthy.
Access the nomination form here.
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Lent Begins
March 6
Join us during this time of spiritual reflection and sacrifice
as we prepare for Holy Week and the Easter Resurrection.
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Imposition of the Ash Service
, Lent Begins
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All Church Bible Study / Lenten Study Begins
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All Church Bible Study / Lenten Study Begins
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Austin Channing Brown
March 9
Pastor Randy and the CE Committee invite you to join us for a day of learning with author Austin Channing Brown. The day includes a keynote and discussion on how white, middle-class,
Evangelicalism has participated in an era of rising racial hostility, inviting us to confront apathy, recognize God's ongoing work in the world, and discover how blackness--if we let it--can save us all.
The event, hosted by the Wisconsin Council of Churches, is
Saturday, March 9 at First Baptist Church in Madison, from
9:30 am - 5 pm. Please let Ben Menghini or Pastor Randy know if you are interested in attending.
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Gifts of Women Sunday
March 10
Sunday, March 10 at 10 a.m.
is the Gifts of Women Sunday service. During this service arranged with women, Pastor Randy will be talking about the role of women in church and society. In addition,
the
All Women's Choir
will be performing, so don't miss this. Invite your friends to what will be a beautiful morning service!
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Annual Meeting Rescheduled
March 10
Following worship on
Sunday, March 10
, you will have the opportunity to discuss the 2018 Financial Report and the various committee reports, as well as the 2019 Budget and 2019 Missional Action Plan. Booklets will be available in the narthex.
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2 for 2 at the U
March 12
The Outreach Committee invites you to be part of 2 for 2 at the U, which will be held at Mauthe Center on
Tuesday, March 12. We will be serving the kids chili and cornmeal muffins. We need volunteers, as well as fruit and desserts. Please let Stephanie Fahringer know if you can help with either or both! The fruit and desserts should be brought to the workroom by noon that Tuesday, and Stephanie will transport them.
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Grandparents Day
March 31
Grandparents are exceptionally suited to influence the faith formation of their grandchildren. The CE Committee invites you to share a special morning of prayer, games, and snacks on
Sunday, March 31, 11am-noon. Children are encouraged to invite their grandparents, and grandparents are encouraged to invite their grandchildren, and if you don’t have a relative close by, you are encouraged to invite a surrogate to enjoy the fun with you in their stead.
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Per Capita
Due by March 31
PER CAPITA is “the tie that binds” — annual support that unites the entire church in the ongoing and essential work that guides the Office of the General Assembly and benefits every congregation and every presbytery and synod. All Presbyterians are called to take part in the work shared by the whole church through per capita giving. The annual rate is a per-member apportionment. All congregations — large and small — are encouraged to participate, either through an annual budget item or through a special direct appeal to their congregations.
First Pres Green Bay has an annual budget item for per capita. In 2019, based on our membership of 260, and a per-member apportionment of $37.00, our congregation’s per capita contribution will be $9,590. This amount is due at the end of March. Thank you to every member who has paid his or her $37.00. To date, we have received $2.036.00, or 21% of the total amount due. If you have not yet paid your per capita, please designate your check or pay online. This is what Presbyterians do to stay connected and partner in ministry!
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Presbyterian Pantry
March & April Needs
For March, the Pantry volunteers are requesting donations of chicken noodle or tomato soup, and for April, macaroni & cheese. You can place them in the shopping cart in the narthex at your convenience. Don't forget, the Pantry can always use monetary donations!
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Lord's Table Training
April 6 & 7
Lord's Table / Communion Training Class will be taking place for youngsters on
Saturday, April 6th in the morning. The next day,
Sunday, April 7th, the children will join the rest of the congregation in Celebrating the Sacrament together in worship. Each year First Presbyterian Church of Green Bay holds a communion class in the Spring for children who will be entering the 3rd grade. Although parents have leeway to decide when their children will begin participating in communion, we offer the class so that children can better understand our practice and know better what they are involved in as members of our community.
The class will be held at First Pres on Saturday, April 6, from 9am – noon. Kathleen Ford, a Sunday School teacher and member of the Christian Education Committee, will be leading the class, as well as Pastor Randy Argall and members of the Deacons. We will celebrate Communion the next day, Sunday, April 7, at 10am in worship. Please join us for this time of learning and celebration. f you have any questions please contact Ben Menghini, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, at
CE@firstpresgreenbay.org
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Deacons to serve Dinner to
Homeless at St. John's
April 13
Deacons are serving dinner at St. John's Homeless Shelter on
Saturday, April 13. We'll need volunteers at 8:00 a.m. to help cut up all the veggies and help make the stew, as well as those to serve at the Shelter (be at First Pres by 4:30 p.m.) Questions, contact Kevin Kabacinski.
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Holy Week Schedule
April 14-21
You are invited to join us, as we remember Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection.
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Palm / Passion Sunday - Dramatic Reading; Palm Porkie Pancake Breakfast
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Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service
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Good Friday Service -
Symbols of the Passion Drama
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New in the library:
How to Survive a Shipwreck —
Jonathan Martin (2016)
Pastor Jonathan Martin has written a truly personal book about surviving life’s troubles by clinging to the goodness of God. This book is for anyone anticipating, experiencing, or coming out of an experience that shakes the foundations of your life.
“The first discovery of the shipwreck is that we have a higher capacity for pain than we ever could have imagined before we lost, before we failed, before we suffered…The surprise on the other side of the shipwreck is that, while your capacity for pain improved far beyond our wildest reckoning, now you have a capacity to feel everything deeper. You are capable of a depth of empathy and compassion that would have been unthinkable before…And from this new-found capacity for pain, for sorrow, for torment, for agony, for endless waves of grief, comes the biggest surprise of them all—your new-found capacity for joy.”
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When God Made You —
Matthew Paul Turner (2017)
Matthew Paul Turner offers kids an insightful and playful journey into God’s purpose for their lives. With captivating illustrations from David Catrow, this book helps kids find their incredibly unique and grace-infused meaning as a child of the Creator.
“You, you, when God dreams about you, God dreams about all that in you will be true.”
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Need a Meal or a Ride?
The Deacons have programs in place if you are temporarily in need of a meal or needing a ride to church. If you are recovering from an illness or surgery and are in need of a few meals to help you get by until you are recovered, the Deacons have a network in place to help you get through your difficult time. Call the church office and we can get that arranged for you. If you are in need a ride to church, the Deacons also have a network in place for you to be picked up and brought to church. Again, just call the church office and arrangements can be made. As Deacons of First Pres our primary goal is taking care of our members when difficult situations arise. If you are in need of a helpful meal or a ride to church please call the church office at 437-8121 or the Deacon Moderator Kevin Kabacinski at 619-4458.
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Ski Trip
Ski Brule
The annual Ski Trip to Ski Brule took place on January 25-26. Over 30 participants from the Green Bay and De Pere Presbyterian Churches hit the slopes and shared a memorable time.
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2019 Souper Bowl King
Kevin Kabinski
Congratulations to our newly crowned soup king, Kevin Kabacinski who won with his delicious and hearty Ham & Potato Soup. (Jenn Christianson presented Kevin with his tiara.)
We also offer congratulations and appreciation to
Ann Argall, Kathleen Ford, Patty Kabacinski, and Patti Mancheski, Loni McCormick, who also provided most delicious soups! All of the recipes people were willing to share will be posted on our website as we receive them, and can be accessed here. Voting on - and the soups themselves - raised
$493 for the Presbyterian Pantry! That's something we can all take great pride in!
Find recipes (those received) here.
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1st - Dave Solper
2nd - Mary Ginnebaugh;
Marilyn Van Langendon; Tyler Weise
3rd - Harland Merrell; Lisa Solper
9th - Thomas Halloran; Jean Maes
10th - Sue Russell
12th - George Hubbard
14th - Loni McCormick; David Young, Jr.
17th - Michelle Erickson; Lori Jansen
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18th - Nicholas Phillips; Barry Siewert
19th - Fern Kelley
21st - Harrison Christensen;
Malia Christensen
22nd - Roberta Brand
24th - Asher Early; Jessica Laughrin;
Jennifer Rowell
27th - Gary De Laruelle
28th - LIsa Olson
31st - Julie Johnson
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1st - Martha La Chapelle; Allen Russell;
Devin Wellner
5th - Bruce Deadman; Chris McNitt;
Lorin Mott; Clayton Rockow
6th - Blake Minor
8th - Molly Pettit
9th - Jean Jacky
10th - Daniel Solper
13th - Calvin Pettit
14th - Elizabeth Paag (Hubbard)
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16th - Dale Siewert
17th - Jill De Laruelle; Ann Kabacinski
18th - Corri Gossen
19th - Greg Dietzen; Wyatt Kabacinski
22nd - Irma Lyon
23rd - Eva (Ava) Aceituno
24th - Joanne Herman; Porter Siewert
26th - Don Lundin
27th - Justin Lardinois; Lynne Shober
30th - James Solper
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