CROSSROADS NEWSLETTER
Greetings! we are pleased to present your 2020 January-February First Presbyterian Church of Green Bay newsletter!
Pastor Nominating Committee Update by Bruce Deadman

Very briefly - we are hard at work, meeting frequently and very pleased with how the process is unfolding. 
Cozy Kids Campaign
January 1-31

The drive to collect winter items for the kids at Tank Elementary School has begun. First Pres aims to keep those kids cozy with a collection of hats, mittens, scarves, long underwear, jogging pants, jackets, snow pants, and boots - all of which can be gently used; as well as new underwear, socks, chapsticks, and tissues, and anything else that kids might need for the rest of the winter. Please place the items - by January 31 - on the table at the back of the sanctuary. We'll deliver them on February 3. Thank you!
Christmas Carol Sing
January 5, 10 am

Join us on Sunday, January 5, at 10 a.m. for a joyous rendition of our congregation's many favorite carols!
Interested in Chancel Choir?

The Chancel Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. and normally one evening per month.

Any singer interested in joining should contact Bob Nickel (920.493.0821 or roberthnickel@gmail.com.)
Deacons at St. John's
January 11

On Saturday, January 11, the Deacons will be serving dinner at St. John's Homeless Shelter. We will be making stew and need donated vegetables and volunteers. We will need people to cut up and prepare food at 8:00 a.m. and 4 people to serve to meet at First Pres at 4:30 p.m. to load up food and head over to serve at St. John's. Please sign up on the bulletin board if you can donate or volunteer. Thank you!
Christian Education Update

Thank you to all who attended Advent Workshop (even a week late, we had a great turn-out), but especially Kevin, Nancy, and Esther, George and Brenda, and Loni for sharing their talents and gifts of chili, cookies & frosting, greenery, and crafts to make the event a huge success!

Sunday School continues and we have been averaging 4-5 kids/week. Thanks to those of you who have been teaching (or are scheduled to teach in future months)! 

We have been working hard to plan out our calendar for 2020 and are hoping that you will mark your calendars and plan to attend some (or all) of the events below! Watch for more details to be shared as they are finalized.
Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Christian Events!

  • January 24-25 - Family Ski Trip
  • February 2 - Souper Bowl of Caring
  • February 27 - Thursday Lenten Studies begin
  • February 29 - Saturday Lenten Studies begin
  • March 1 - Sunday Lenten Studies begin
  • March 6&7 - 30 Hour Famine
  • August 3-5 - Vacation Bible School
  • August 7-9 - Family Camping Adventure @ Apple Valley

See details below.
Youth/Family Ski Trip
January 24-25

The annual Church Ski Trip to Ski Brule will be held January 24-25 and we hope you will join us!

Details are still being worked out, so watch our Facebook page and/or our website for updates. Please let Loni McCormick or Bobbi Holl know if you are interested in participating.
Presbyterian Pantry
January & February Needs

For January, the Pantry volunteers are requesting donations of peanut butter and jelly, and for February, canned tuna or chicken. You can place them in the shopping cart in the narthex at your convenience. Don't forget, the Pantry can always use monetary donations as well! 
Souper Bowl of Caring
February 2

Start prepping your best soup recipe! for Souper Bowl Sunday, February 2 (Super Bowl Sunday)! Soups will be served and voted on during a luncheon after worship. A free will offering will be taken and proceeds will benefit the Pantry. Please consider entering (sign-up sheet on the bulletin board) and join us for our luncheon to support this worthy cause.
Lenten Study - "A Journey Through Lent"
Beginning Feb 23, Feb 27, Feb 29

Our Lenten Study is titled “A Journey Through Lent” and is a combination video/book discussion. We are planning to hold meetings: Sundays following worship at 11:15 a.m. during the seven weeks of Lent ( starting February 23;) Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. during Commoners (starting February 27); Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. at the Men's Breakfast (starting February 29); and Cost will be $5 per book.
Unga Bunga Tribe
30-hour Fast
March 6 & 7

The Unga Bunga Tribe Youth Group's 30-Hour Famine will be held on March 6th starting at 1:00 p.m. and will end at 7:00 p.m. on March 7th. Watch for the youth to be fundraising for the event. Fundraising efforts will be donated to World Vision. Please pray for the youth efforts in fundraising and as they fast for 30 Hours.
Outreach Committee
Thanks you

Thank you to all of the generous people who made the Toy Shop a huge success again this year, in particular Jane. Thank you also to the Toy Shop and Pantry workers, and Jamie Daniel Depas the Elf - your assistance is greatly appreciated.

The Prayer Basket tags were all taken, and we thank our First Pres members, families, and friends. Three families from Tank had a joyous Christmas.

You all have filled many hearts, and we hope those whom we were able to serve this year, had a safe and very blessed Christmas.
Christmas Eve
Thank You

The Christmas Eve performance by the young people of "Christmas Acts of Kindness Experiments (C.A.K.E.)", was most entertaining! Between the singing and the story-telling, the audience was entranced.Thank you to all who were involved, including the performers, the organizers, the producers, the accompanist, and all of those who worked in the background helping with costumes, providing snacks, and more, to make it work. Congratulations on the success of all your effort and hard work.

Much appreciation to our performers for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service, including our organist for both services, Bob Nickel; pianist Rose Schumacher; euphoniumist Bruce Deadman; and members of the Chancel Choir.
Reminder:
Update your Pledge

If you are an online donor to First Pres, or if you would like to be, please take the time to review both your donation information, and your personal data. Log in on our website ( www.firstpresgreenbay.org) under the "Giving History & Profile" option at the top of the page. First time online donors should click the "Donate Now" tab.

If you've pledged a new amount to the Stu Bear Stewardship campaign, have a new email or home address, a new cell phone number, or new bank information, we want to make sure that we have the most current data possible.
Per Capita Payments Due
by March

Per capita exists as a way for all Presbyterians to share costs that belong to the whole church, to give meaning to the interdependent nature of the Presbyterian community.

Per capita is part of the glue that holds Presbyterians together. It exists to allow the whole church to share equitably in those things that make us Presbyterian:

  • our theological identity
  • our connectedness
  • our system of mid councils that allow elders and ministers together to discern the mind of Christ
  • our ecumenical connections that make us part of the church universal
  • our core structures that keep us together as a church
  • our call to work for full participation in decision-making

Per capita allows us to work with other churches to further the mission of Jesus Christ around the world. Per capita in 2020 will remain at $37.00 for every confirmed member of the congregation, and should be paid by this coming March. More details from PC(USA).
Volunteer Needed
for front yard sign

We are searching for a volunteer to keep the electronic sign in the front yard up to date. We estimate one hour or less a week. It is a Watchfire sign with Ignite software and we are working on getting it set up on Connie's laptap (it is currently only on Leah's.) Please let Jay Rietz know if you would be willing to take a look and possibly volunteer. Thank you! 
Financial Report
January Birthdays
1st - Lyn Early, Toy Sisavath

3rd - Duber Aceituno

5th - Julia Doenges

7th - Tom Escott, Sophia Salb

8th - Brianna Jimenez

12th - Julie Thomas

16th - Dayton Wellner

18th - Alex Bostedt, Nancy Wittman

19th - Vic Halloran
20th - Olivia Crooks

22nd - Stephanie Fahringer

23rd - Gabriela Jimenez

25th - Sandy Deadman, Theda Nero

26th - Elliott Stenson

27th - Tom Schoffelman

29th - Aaron Schoffelman

31st - Grace Ann McCormick, Tom Steeno
February Birthdays
2nd - Abby Fritze, Amy Wittman

4th - Susan Rietz

6th - Nancy Hedge

7th - Kristen Hedge

9th - Linda Higgins

11th - Lisa DeLeeuw

15th - Jody Sperduto

16th - Abigail Jackson
18th - Gifty Berko, Phill Mikulsky

20th - Amanda Jackson, Lauren Olson

22nd - Morgan Siewert

24th - Cindy Bayless

25th - Kayla Jones

26th - Sara Dietzen

28th - Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges
Dates to Remember

Vacation Bible School has been tentatively scheduled for August 3-5 Monday through Wednesday; with a Family Camping Adventure being planned for the weekend after at Apple Valley ( August 7-9 Friday night to Sunday), so be sure to add these to your summer calendars.