Volume 11 | March 15, 2020

Greetings!

For the next few weeks, the Evotional will be sent out a day earlier (i.e., Sunday rather than Monday). This will allow you to listen to our virtual service online, since we will not be having live Sunday services.

Stay safe, healthy, happy, and know that you are loved.

Service spotlight ...

To listen to our virtual service for today, please click on the above graphic. It will take
you to the audio page for First Presbyterian Church. Then select the today's service.


Cancellations include our weekly Bible study, yoga, choir practices, Lenten dinners, Taizé services, Senior Singles, Walk & Talk, etc.

Until notified otherwise, FirstPres Food Pantry will remain open on Wednesdays. And, as of this moment, the Community Meal will still be taking place this Tuesday.

In our prayers ...

  • Please pray for Mac & Marilyn MacCaughey, Mary Lou Schuler, Evelyn Vanderheyden, Georgia Hall, Dean LaMarr, Bill Blandford, Kay Mahl, Mary Ralston, Annette Anderson, Louise Shapley, Don & Nancy Tobias, Marlene Wilson, Mary Jane Johnston, Larry & Ellen Cardwell.

  • Prayers for Cindy, Chuck & Lynn—siblings & in-law of Ed Lehmann, Samantha—friend of First Presbyterian, Christi— friend of Music & More and our church, Kesney—granddaughter of Andy & Denise Park, Tim—brother-in-law of Sheila Lawrence, Vonnie Massey—mother of Carrie  Massie, Mary—sister of Carrie Massey, Betty—grandmother of Jenny Humphrey & Jessica Smith, Charlie—niece of Carrie Massey & Kathi Wilson, Shawn—friend of Denise Park, Gillian and Ben—friends and former pastors of First Presbyterian, an unspoken prayer for spiritual healing.

  • Continued prayers for those serving—Lt. Col. Jay Brooke, Nicholas Hansen, Evan Humphreys, Mary Workman, Chad Lawrence, Jared Smith, Jordan Smith. 

  • Thoughts, prayers and love for all those who have recently lost loved ones; especially the Neal family with the recent passing of Barbara Neal—Ben's sister.

  • And special prayers for our congregation, our city, state, country and the world, during this chaotic time.

Pause, breathe deeply and reflect ...

"God's peace is always available - 24/7.
His joy is available too.
All day, every day!"


A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.
Proverbs 17:22 NLT

In the know ...


  • You’re invited to join us on Sunday, April 5th, for Palm Sunday worship. (Communion will not be served).

  • On Thursday, April 9th, 9:00AM to 3:00PM, the Mission Initiative, along with several other churches, are co-hosting the Maundy Thursday Foot Care Clinic. The clinic will offer foot baths, diabetic foot exams and more. These basic services will be offered to the public at no cost. These services are being offered at  the Hospitality Center at St. Luke's as a way of honoring the age-old tradition of ceremonial foot washing that is done in many churches on the Thursday before Easter in remembrance of Christ's washing of the Apostles feet.

  • That same evening, at 6:30PM, we will have Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service with communion.

  • The sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church will be open to the public from noon to 3:00PM on Good Friday, April 10th. During those hours, we invite you to come, sit in the silence and pray as you choose. We are in need of hosts to greet people, direct them to the sanctuary and invite them to pray or meditate   during this time. If you can help out, please contact Shelley. Thank you!

  • And all are welcome to join us on Easter Sunday, April 12th, for worship with communion.

A touch of spring ...

On Easter, we celebrate the risen Christ by adorning our sanctuary with spring flowers. They can be given in memory or in honor of someone you love. The cost is $15.00 per plant.

If you would like to remember someone special in this way, please click HERE to download and complete the form. Mail the form and your check to the church by Monday, March 23 rd .

First Presbyterian Church
716 College Avenue
Racine, WI 53403

Or you can order and pay for the flowers online at:
 
After worship on Easter morning, you are welcome to take your flower home with you.

Thank you!


On Sunday, April 19 th , the Mission Initiative will once again host the annual Cuban Sandwich Luncheon. It will immediately follow our Sunday worship.

To make this fundraiser economically frugal, this year we ask that the sandwiches be pre-ordered. Payment can be made in advance or the day of the fundraiser. To pay with your card, in advance, please click HERE and note in the comments that it is for the Cuban Sandwich Fundraiser and how many sandwiches you are ordering. If you would like to pay on the day of the fundraiser, please email the church office at: office@firstpresracine.org , providing your name and number of sandwiches.

If you are unable to pre-order, we will have some extra sandwiches available for purchase. There is a $5 donation for each sandwich -- dine-in or take-out.

Living our faith ...

On March 17 th , we will once again be responsible for the Community Meal.  Prep will start at 2:00 PM at church. We move everything to the meal site (1032 Grand Avenue) at 4:30 PM .  We serve the meal at 5:30 PM . If you can help in preparation, serving or donating food a sign-up poster will be on the bulletin board in Ihrman Hall.  

Questions? Call Debbie Yale 262-498-8753 or 639-5004. Thank you!


We are currently in need of hearty soups and stews.
Items can be dropped off weekday mornings.

Thank you!

Where to find us ...

For direct access to everything from our monthly newsletters to our weekly podcasts, click on
the appropriate link below:


In our community ...

The Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin (CAS) will present The Spirit Sings , an exploration of sacred music from ancient chants to modern praise music, on Saturday, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. - First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave., Racine, WI. The 60 voices of CAS will be supported in this wide variety of inspirational music by the fine pipe organ and piano at First Presbyterian, and by a praise band featuring some of our best local musicians.

Spirituality and song have long been closely connected. People the world over have expressed religious devotion by lifting their voices together in song. The human need to give voice to faith has inspired some of our most cherished music. CAS is excited to bring this beauty, warmth, and encouragement to our community as we anticipate spring.

This historical journey through sacred music will take the listener from the 11th century Easter chant “Victimae Paschali Laudes” to contemporary favorites such as “Garments of Praise.” Along the way, works from great composers such as Palestrina, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Faure, and Vaughan Williams will be presented. America will be well represented, including the Shaker song “Bow down Low” and Glenn Burleigh’s delightful gospel “Gloria” from Alpha Mass. Classic hymns such as “A Mighty Fortress,” “Praise to the Lord” and “Abide with Me” will invite audience participation.

All the guest musicians are talented and accomplished. Gregory Berg will contribute his excellent piano and organ playing. The praise band members have joined with CAS for several other concerts, including The Cry. Rebecca Engstrom – Violin/Vocals, Talia Engstrom – Vocals, Leif Olson – Guitar/Vocals, Mary Skop – Keyboard/Vocals, and John Traylor – Drums, are sure to inspire.

Tickets: Adults $15 in advance/$17 at the door, Seniors $12 in advance/$14 at the door, Students $5. Advance tickets available at Personal Touch Florists in Racine at 5445 Spring St., or online at www.choralartsonline.org , or at the door. Contact the CAS by email at admin@choralartsonline.org , or call 262-634-3250.


Join us for Implicit Bias Training, Saturday, April 4, 2020, at First Presbyterian Church of Racine, 716 College Ave, Racine, WI, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. David Liners, Executive Director for Wisdom and Catoya Roberts, former Wisdom Associate State Director will help us explore our implicit biases, the attitudes and stereotypes that we all have, despite our best intentions. Using a variety of activities, small and large group conversations, and individual reflection time they will help us begin to name our implicit biases and learn ways to keep them in check.

Seating is limited. Free parking and a light lunch will be available. A free-will offering will be accepted at the door.

Implicit Bias Training is the third offering in the Opening Our Hearts and Minds to End Racism Series sponsored by Racine Interfaith Coalition, Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates, Racine Police Department, Racine Public Library, Racine Vocational Ministry, Siena Retreat Center and University of Wisconsin-Parkside. For more information, contact S. Ann Pratt, OP, Event Coordinator, Dominican Center for Justice Resources, 262 898 4094.


An Irish Prayer

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.