Volume 7 | February 17, 2020
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Greetings!
We hope this week's Evotional brings you all the news, information and insight you've been wanting. Please feel free to comment on or share your weekly message with friends, family and co-workers.
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Please join us for worship on
Sunday, February 23
rd
at 9:30 a.m.
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- Please pray for Diane Lehmann, Georgia Hall, Dean LaMarr, Bill Blandford, Kay Mahl, Marge Henze, Mary Ralston, Louise Shapley, Don & Nancy Tobias, Annette Anderson, Marilyn MacCaughey, Marlene Wilson, Mary Jane Johnston, Larry & Ellen Cardwell.
- Special prayers for an unnamed church family, Christie—friend of Music & More and our church, Kesney—granddaughter of Andy & Denise Park, Tim—brother-in-law of Sheila Lawrence, Mary—sister of Carrie Massey, Ida—mother of Debbie Yale, Betty—grandmother of Jessica Smith & Jenny Humphrey, Charlie—niece of Carrie Massey & Kathi Wilson, Shawn—friend of Denise, Gillian and Ben—friends and former pastors of First Presbyterian, and the mother of Catherine Neal.
- Continued prayers for those serving—Lt. Col. Jay Brooke Nicholas Hansen, Jared Smith, Jordan Smith, Evan Humphreys, Mary Workman, Chad Lawrence.
- Thoughts, prayers and love for all those who have recently lost loved ones—specifically the families and friends of both Shawn Lawrence and Barbara Hansen.
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Pause, breathe deeply and reflect ...
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Lord, quiet my heart and still my soul as I wait on you during these moments alone. I recognize you as a holy and majestic God—one who deserves great praise and glory. All of creation testifies to your awesome and unique works. There is no one like you, no other god worthy of honor.
I want to focus on You, Lord, and to shut out all the distractions of the world. For these next few moments, it’s just you and me, God. You are Spirit, but you are a God who knows us so intimately. I like to imagine you literally sitting here beside me, because of your promise that you are Emmanuel—always “with us.”
As I think about the truths in your Word, may the meditation of my heart be sweet and honoring to you. I am not trying to clear out my mind. I simply want you to empty me of self and fill me with your Holy Spirit.
I long for your presence, Lord. Narrow my thoughts to include only those things that are honorable, truthful, beautiful, pure, and praiseworthy. I ask for your wisdom to apply these truths to my life morning, noon, and night—literally all through the day. For you are worthy to be praised all the time.
I remember your great faithfulness in the past and am so grateful that you shower fresh mercy and grace on me each morning. I rehearse your goodness through answered prayer and personal reminders to me daily of your love for me. Even when I feel alone or distant from you, you draw me back into your presence when I purposely slow down and draw close to you.
I treasure your Word and want to chew on the truths you reveal to me today. As I pull apart each piece and reflect on every principle and word of instruction, I’m asking you to guide me and teach me what you want me to know.
Is there a promise here for me to remember? Is there an action I need to take or a sin to forsake? Is there more for me to understand about your character? Help me personalize your message to my heart today. Your Word is powerful. I celebrate the strength and wisdom you will give me as I learn to honor and glorify you more.
I need you and love you, Lord. And I ask you to speak through your Word and in these quiet moments together. Whisper or shout into my spirit, whichever you want, and whatever I need the most. But most of all, just receive my praise as I focus my thoughts only on you. I’m listening and anticipating as I read and meditate on your beautiful Word.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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On Ash Wednesday, February 26th, we will once again be offering
Ashes to Go!
Pastor Mark will be standing outside our church (south entrance) that morning from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m., to offer ashes for those who work or travel through downtown.
Enter the parking lot from Park Avenue, pull up by the double doors for your ashes and a prayer from Pastor Mark and exit onto College Avenue. It's that easy!
And, while it lasts, we will supply you with a hot cup of coffee to go.
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Beginning Thurs., Feb. 27th, there will be a weekly Taizé service at 6:00 p.m. in our chapel.
What is Taizé worship? Taizé music emphasizes simple phrases, usually lines from Psalms or other pieces of scripture, repeated and sometimes sung in canon. But Taizé worship is more than music. Scripture, prayer, and silence come together in the Taizé experience to create a simple, deep encounter with God.
For more information about Taizé worship, you can visit the international website for the Taizé community: https://www.taize.fr/en. Better yet, come experience it for yourself firsthand!
That same evening, we will begin our Lenten dinners, at 5:00 p.m., in our Dining Hall. More information will be available very soon!
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Please come! Take a break! Enjoy Community! All are invited - congregation members, their families, friends and community members.
The
Building Community Initiative
will be hosting Lenten Dinners. These meals are a gift for all--a gift of a meal prepared with love; a gift of coming together to talk, share, and laugh; a gift of time out of our everyday routines so we can reflect on all that we have in common. The light meals will be held on six Thursdays during Lent, from 5:00 to 5:55 p.m., in our dining room. And we invite you stay for the Taizé service, at 6:00 p.m. in our chapel.
Dates: February 27; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2
To get a head count for meals, please let us know if you will be attending, and which week(s). Call 262.632.1686 or email office@firstpresracine.org
We look forward to seeing you all there!
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The
Music & Art Initiative
will be hosting the
Cool Art Youth Show
in the Chapel Gallery the months of March & April, 2020. If you are a young creative person up to high school age, we would love to share your pottery, jewelry, painting, photography, pencil drawings or artwork in any other medium! We will need your work dropped off in the gallery on Sun., Feb. 16th. Contact Kathi Wilson, Gallery Curator: director@racineartscouncil.org
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Maundy Thursday Foot Care Clinic
April 9, 2020 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Hospitality Center
614 Main Street
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 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.
You can help by donating:
- Socks
- Small foot powders
- Toe Nail Clippers
- Foot warmers
- Bars of anti-bacterial soap
- Small lotions
Thank you!
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What We Need for February ...
Hot and cold cereal!
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Volunteers:
- 1st Wednesday: Maria Hansen, Mac MacCaughey, Diane Lehmann, Austin Moulds, Taylor Moulds, Logan Lehmann
- 2nd Wednesday: Maria Hansen, Nancy Reeser, Bev Eifert, Autumn, Bill Anderson, *Becky Strommen, *Braden Strommen
- 3rd Wednesday: Myrna Kryger, Debbie Yale, Bill Anderson, *Prairie HS students
- 4th Wednesday: Kate Gleason, Steve Simpson, Pam Simpson, Sarah Seversen, Diana Lehmann, Austin Moulds, Taylor Moulds, Logan Lehmann
- 5th Wednesday: closed
*Denotes volunteers who are not members of First Presbyterian
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HOPES Center Winter Wish List for 2020
The items we provide during street outreach at night are almost all donated. This winter can use the following:
- Hand Warmers
- Heavy Blankets (full size) or sleeping bags
- Maruchan Instant Lunch Ramen Noodle Soup (the kind that comes in cups). We use beef, chicken, hot &spicy chicken, and hot & spicy beef flavors. In the winter, chicken and beef are most popular.
If you feel led to help with any of these items, they can be dropped off at the HOPE Center office at 521 Sixth Street (across from Indian Motorcycles), Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Did you know that there are more ways to benefit First Presbyterian Church through Amazon?
By clicking on the above graphic to select us as your charity of choice for
AmazonSmile
ordering. Each purchase you make through
smile.amazon.com
will give a percentage back to First Presbyterian.
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And if you click
here
, you can check out the wish list for First Presbyterian. Included in the wish list are various items to help maintain the church - inside & out and to stock the fireside room with new game equipment for our youth.
As always, thank you for caring about First Presbyterian!
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