Off the Pres at FPC | E- ! nfo Letter | November 20 and 27, 2019

Events and Announcements in the Church and in the Community
Holiday Edition
(Next Issue: December 4)


Current Tally from the Pledge Cards after two weeks:
39 pledges returned
totalling $162,542
Dear FPC Congregation.

Session met last night to review the first draft of our 2020 budget, but we're still hoping to receive more pledges for our final pledge total, which is the biggest single element of our budget. If you haven't submitted yours yet, I want to encourage you to do so no later than December 4. You can either put it in an envelope in the offering plate or bring it by the office and leave it with our Financial Officer, Linda McCargar. That will ensure the Session has a final total before we meet a few days later to finalize our budget.

Last year's final pledge total was $208,946. With your help, we hope we can close the current gap to ensure that the church can fund as many of its highest priorities as possible in 2020. 

Thank you for all you've done, and continue to do, to ensure the strength and vitality of our mission together at First Presbyterian Church:

Know Jesus
Live in the Spirit
Join in the Father's Work

Chris Calwell
Moderator, Team Finance

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Our purpose with the weekly e-!nfo Letter is not to overwhelm but to inform. Even so, here at First Pres, we seem to rack up a full schedule more weeks than not!

But think of our church like the Thanksgiving quilt above: diverse threads woven together producing a singular source of warmth and beauty with a central message of Praise and Gratitude. And in this edition, we have TWO weeks to cover as the snow begins to fall and we take up the challenge to stretch ourselves beyond our beautiful corner here at 12th and 3rd. Take a look at the December schedule at the bottom of this edition. Note some of our new ventures in the works this year, especially:

- Our FIRST College Night event and meal at the Smiths (December 6 at 5:00pm)

- A new twist on how we will do our December BETTER TOGETHER this year (December 22 after the Cantata that morning)

- And a WHOLE LOT MORE!
Ask yourself "Where can I fit in?" and "How can I serve our gracious and loving God in this place?" As we've said in the past, especially with the holidays approaching, it's important to sit down with your calendar and this email and plug in those things that you, your family, friends and neighbors would like to participate in this season.   

Many Blessings! And a BIG THANKS to you for all you do!

For Operation Christmas Child the congregation and youth were able to make 33 boxes! Thanks so much for your generousity!


Monday, November 25 10:00am
Come join us!

Thanks!
BELL RINGING FOR THE SALVATION ARMY

Please sign up for a shift during Thanksgiving Week on the sign up sheet in Westminster Hall after Sunday service or contact Geni Miler (970-749-3473 or click here to send an email ) to sign up or find out more information.
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IN THE COMMUNITY
Durango Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Thursday, November 28, 2019
 
Please join a huge swath of the Durango community on Thanksgiving Day at the La Plata County Fairgrounds for this amazing event. This traditional meal is served free of charge and everyone is invited. Meet locals from all walks of life at this annual event and enjoy fellowship, company, and some of the best gravy around. If you would like to volunteer or have a meal delivered, call (970)259-4061 after November 1. Donations of pie are always welcome.
Location:
La Plata County Fairgrounds
2500 Main Ave
Durango, CO 81301

Thanksgiving Eve and Advent
Ecumenical Services and Soup Suppers 2019
PLEASE COME to the Adult Series for our Sunday School Class
This Sunday, November 24, we will continue our book study of Jesus Outside the Lines, a way forward for those who are tired of taking sides written by Presbyterian Pastor Scott Sauls. Members of the class are taking turns leading the study discussion.


 Jesus offers us a way forward - away from harshness, caricatures, and stereotypes
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PRAYER CORNER

Confirmation Sunday takes place December 8 during worship

Confirmation class students: Asher Smith, Eden Smith, Cameron Rowan, Lloyd Lasher, Nicolina Lasher, Kyler Harbison, Karson Harbison, Esai Gomez, Olivia Gomez
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As always, we add this note:


Remember: Prayer is POWERFUL and WORKS!
 A Team of Volunteers Began Planning Our Next Better Together

THE UPCOMING BETTER TOGETHER Event will be CHRISTMAS CAROLING on Sunday, December 22 right after worship.

WE WILL CONTINUE PLANNING ON
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 at 7:00pm.

We could use more hands for: hot chocolate, transportation, songbook assembly, instrumentalists, etc.
Contact the Church Office or Kent Norgren if you can join in the fun!

Meet Linda McCargar,
Financial Officer

Linda started her on-the-job training with former employee Kat Katsos about a month ago. She continues to train with Gail L. Smith, CPA, who will be helping her as needed. Linda is starting her second month in our Financial Department.

Born and raised in California Linda moved to the Durango area twenty-five years ago with her husband and two of her four children. Being a wife, mother, and grandmother has brought much joy to her life. She enjoys, hiking, cross country skiing, and bicycling. A member of Providence Presbyterian Church in Farmington for 20 years, she looks forward to serving the First Presbyterian Church Durango family.
The Newcomb Christmas Celebration

The Christmas party with our Navajo friends at the Assembly of God Church in Newcomb


Gift Tree for the Newcomb Christmas Celebration

Once again FPCD will have a gift tree in Westminster Hall starting Thanksgiving Week for us to take tags and buy small gifts for the children of Newcomb on the Navajo Reservation. Please open your hearts to these wonderful kids! The Newcomb Christmas Celebration takes place on Saturday December 14 and is a truly joyous celebration with singing, food, and the gifts. We encourage you to come help us celebrate with our Navajo partners. Cars will leave for Newcomb from the church at 8:00am that morning. Please contact Pat Wainwright or Jon Powell for more information.

Thanks. Jon Powell, Team Mission
IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Advent and Christmas 2019
Calendar of Events
 
Wednesday, November 27   6:00pm     
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Service & Pie Social    Christ the King Lutheran Church
 
Sunday, December 1   10:00am     
Advent 1 Food Bank Sunday, Guest Preacher Padriac Ingle, No Communion
 
Wednesday, December 4   6:00pm     
Ecumenical Advent Service & Soup Supper    St. Columba Catholic Church

Friday, December 6    5:00pm
College Get-together   Home of Beau and Kristin Smith 
 
Sunday, December 8    10:00am     
Advent 2 Confirmation Sunday & Holy Communion
 
Wednesday, December 11   6:00pm     
Ecumenical Advent Service & Soup Supper    FUMC
 
Saturday, December 14    8:00am 
  Newcomb Christmas Party (Leave Durango at 8:00am)
 
Sunday, December 15   10:00am     
Advent 3 Morning Worship & Children’s Pageant

Tuesday, December 17   6:00pm     
  Elder/Deacon/Staff Christmas Party    Home of Barb Conn

Wednesday, December 18   6:00pm     
  Ecumenical Advent Service & Soup Supper    First Presbyterian Church
 
Sunday, December 22 10:00am
Advent 4 Christmas Cantata
Sunday, December 22   11:30am 
Better Together Christmas Caroling in the Community followed by a Hot Chocolate Reception    Westminster
 
Tuesday, December 24  5:00pm and 7:00pm
Christmas Eve Services           5:00pm Family Service  7:00pm Candlelight Service with Holy Communion

Sunday, December 29   10:00am 
Morning Worship featuring a "Carol Sing"