2 Corinthians 5:16-21
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know Him no longer in that way.
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
*Preaching for us this week is Rev. Ian McMullen, Pastor to the Presbytery of North Central Iowa. Please join us at 10:00 am to hear a fresh voice in the pulpit!*
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Easter Flower Orders DUE DATE THIS WED APRIL 6
Our Sanctuary will be adorned with Easter flowers on Sunday, April 17th, 2022. You may order flowers in memory of a loved one, in honor of someone, or as a gift to the church. The flowers will be ordered from Petersen & Tietz Greenhouses:
Easter Lily- $13.00
Hyacinth (3 bulbs)- $19.00
Tulips (5 bulbs)- $19.00
Florist Mums- $19.00
Please write “FLOWERS” in the memo line of your check.
The deadline to order your flowers is Wednesday, April 6th. No orders will be accepted after that date.
Click HERE to access an order form. You may also call or email Amber in the church office.
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Dementia Friendly Training Adult Forum THIS SUNDAY:
First Presbyterian Recognized as a Dementia Friendly Faith Community!
Dementia Friendly Cedar Valley is a program of the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging that trains and certifies businesses, organizations, and individuals in practices which are “Dementia Friendly” (sensitive to and supportive of individuals with dementia).
On Monday, March 21, elders and deacons and several members of the congregation completed training offered by Megan Zimmerman on behalf of Dementia Friendly Valley, a program the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging and a part of Dementia Friendly America. First Presbyterian Church is the first faith community in the Cedar Valley to receive the training and certificate of recognition. Note the Certificate of Recognition on the bulletin board.
On THIS Sunday, March 27 individuals will have the opportunity to receive the training and be designated as a “Dementia Friends.” Talk with an Elder or Deacon who was present and hear how meaningful they found the experience. Megan Zimmerman, the Director of Dementia Friendly Cedar Valley, will attend the Adult Forum on Sunday, March 27 from 8:45-9:45 in Calvin Hall to lead this process. All are invited to attend. We hope many will be able to take advantage of this opportunity.
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Easter Egg Hunt
The church is holding an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 am to noon. We still need lots of donations of eggs and candy please! You can drop off in the office or bring to Amber during the week. Flyers will be put up at the Boys and Girls club and other locations to invite local children. The Christian Nurture and Fellowship team is asking the congregation to please donate plastic eggs and bite sized candy for this community outreach project. Please contact Terry Sage with any questions.
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Volunteer Help Requested
Do you have a few hours free on Thursday mornings? Do you like doing easy tasks that will greatly help someone else? We have a place for you. Each Thursday morning, Amber sends out the Pastor Connection and the weekly bulletin. She could use some expert help in folding, stuffing and sealing envelopes. Come at 9:30 a.m. It should not take more than a few hours and you will be done by 11:30 or before. If you are willing to commit one Thursday morning a month to help, please contact Jean Seeland, 319- 493-2015 or sign up in church office.
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Does Your Email Seem to Cut Off the Bottom of the Pastor Connection?
Some email hosts "truncate" or shorten a longer email. At the bottom of your email you should see something like the Gmail image below. Click on "View entire message" to see the full email.
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Hy-Vee Receipts
Have you been saving Hy-Vee receipts and wonder if they are still being collected? Well they are! Please drop them off to the church office before April 30 to benefit Cunningham School (our partner in education) this year. The school with the highest total in receipts will receive a monetary prize. Thank you for saving your receipts!
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Lenten Devotional Booklets
Lenten devotional booklets are available in the church office. If you would like one mailed to you, please reach out to Amber in the church office, 319-233-6145 or amber@1stpresby.org.
Art: "Fullness of the Tomb" by Lauren Wright Pittman copyright 2022 A Sanctified Art
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Lenten Lunch and Learn
Our church will hold our annual Lenten Lunch and Learn from noon to 1 pm, every Wednesday through April 13. This year, we will be learning from Adam Hamilton’s 6-weeks series on the Lord’s Prayer. Participants are invited to bring their own lunch to eat as we engage in discussion. We hope to see you there!
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Antique Quilts Wanted
We have been showing off new quilts in the hallway and keeping members updated on modern patterns or methods of making quilts. Starting in March and continuing for several months, we will be displaying in the hallway antique quilts belonging to members. Each quilt will be displayed for one month. Do you have a family heirloom quilt you would like displayed? Contact Mary Mumm. We are looking for quilts that have a story.
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Updated Church Directory
An updated church directory is now available! There are printed copies available in the church office, or click HERE to access a copy. If you need one mailed, please reach out to Amber in the church office, 319-233-6145, or amber@1stpresby.org.
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Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Please join us this Tuesday, March 29th, at 9am in Calvin Hall. All are welcome! Coffee will be provided. We hope you can join us!
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LIVE STREAMING WORSHIP Now Available!
We are now live streaming our Worship Services EVERY Sunday! The stream will start at 10:00 am on Sundays, and you can view it live on our YouTube channel wherever you have internet access!
If you are unable to watch the service live, the video will be recorded and you can watch at any time by clicking on the video on the YouTube page. The link is (Click Here) bit.ly/1stpresby.
You can also find the link to the YouTube page on the church website.
Click HERE for this week's bulletin.
We look forward to worshiping with you every week!
PLEASE NOTE: We will continue to meet IN PERSON at the church every week on Sunday at 10:00 am.
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Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed
We are once again accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. We currently have openings April 10, April 17 (Easter Sunday), April 24, and May 1. If you would like to donate, please contact Amber in the office to find a date that works for you. You can call the office or email Amber directly. 319-233-6145 or amber@1stpresby.org. Alternatively, you can let Nancy Valentine know on Sundays after service and she will relay your information to Amber. Thank you!
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Pastor On Leave
Pastor Pat will be on leave out of the office Mon. Mar. 28 through Sun. Apr. 3. She will return on Mon. Apr. 4.
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Church Office Closure
The church office will be closed Tue. Mar. 29. You can still call with any needs. Bible Study will meet at the normal time. Normal hours will resume Wed. Mar. 30. Thank you for your understanding!
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Thank You
Thank you for the kind, encouraging words, the prayers and the cards. It has been a long road but everything looks good now. I love all of the support! That is what makes our church so great! Thank you!
~Marsha Platt
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Thank You
Dear First Church Family,
Thank you for your kindness and generosity as I said goodbye to my time as your pastor. I deeply appreciate the luncheon, the many gifts and numerous cards received on my final Sunday and sent to my home in the surrounding days. I was so touched to see how much time and care went into planning a good goodbye. Your support, love, and blessing as I move to a new chapter of life is truly overwhelmingly. Please know that I will continue to pray for you all and will always count my time as your pastor to be among the greatest privileges of my life.
With much love,
Rev. Dr. Amy Wiles
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Church Prayer List
Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:
Lorraine Baker, recovering from heart surgery; Pat Narey, Kari O. Narey's husband, recovering at home from a bone infection in his foot; Richard Gajewsky, Tyler's grandfather, who was recently diagnosed with cancer; Sam Christensen, recovering from a severe fall at the Med Center in Friendship Village; Pat Koenig, dealing with back pain; Janice and Paul Graham, Jennifer Lightbody's parents, who are dealing with health issues- especially Paul who recently fell and severed a vertebrae; Sara Wexter, Betty's daughter-in-law, recently diagnosed with a severe health condition; Gloria Frerichs, recovering from a stroke at Northcrest; Joann Lockard, health issues; Barbara Benskin's brother, Bill Brenton, who is in hospice care; Joe Fernau, son of Marie Fernau, who has been diagnosed with lymphoma; Mable, great-granddaughter of Skip and Judy Mulock and their family, struggling with health issues; Steve Miller, ongoing health issue
Add to the Prayer List
Click HERE to submit a prayer request online. Our pastors will be praying for you and sharing concerns with the congregation as requested.
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Church Family Birthdays
We celebrate our members with birthdays in March and April. If you get a chance, please join us in wishing them a very happy birthday!
March
24 Cody McDowell
26 Dale Lottich
27 Cindy Trepp
April
03 Bradley Mananga, Tommy Roberts Sr.
04 Paul Kabel
07 Jim Christensen
08 Cathy Bowers, Alixanda Wimberley
09 Diane Ernster, John Wiles
10 Nicky Newhoff
11 Jo Beaver, Brian Powell
17 Gregory DeSerano
18 Peter DeSerano, Ryan Steere
19 Abby McClain
21 Charles Christensen
22 Bob Reisinger, Thomas Wiles
24 Karen Dew, Bradley Jessen
25 Tye Schellhorn
26 Molly Bovy
27 Nsiki Kukosama, David Schwab
29 Amanda Bovy
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Office Hours: M-Th 9:00am to 4:00pm
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