A Prayer to Begin Lent
As we pursue the season of Lent
create in each of us
a kneeling place,
where we may empty ourselves
of our self-importance
and become vulnerable
to your Word to us.
Help us set our faces firmly against friendly suggestions for
safe, expedient lives
and toward the risk of discipleship.
Loosen our grip on certainties
that smother possibilities.
Forgive our resistance to change.
Let us pursue the adventure
of losing our lives
in order to find them in you.
Guide us to follow the way of the cross
where despair is transformed
by the promise of new life
and where we are compelled
to intercede for those
who have more pain in their lives than hope.
When we are too eager to be "better than"...
when we are too rushed to care...
when we are too tired to bother...
when we are too preoccupied to listen...
when we are too quick to act
from motives other than compassion,
transform us.
Hold our feet in the fire of your Lenten grace,
so we can see our actions
in the light of your costly love.
Amen
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Meeting of the Congregation March 13
Session is calling a meeting of the congregation on March 13 to dissolve Terms of Call with Rev. Dr. Amy Lea Wiles. The meeting will be held in the context of worship at 10:00 am.
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Saying Farewell to Pastor Amy
As most of you know, Rev. Dr. Amy Wiles' last Sunday Worship Service will be Sunday, March 13th. Before she goes, we want to show our appreciation and love.
On March 13th, we will be honoring Pastor Amy at the church fellowship following the service. A light lunch will be served, and a card shower basket will be available. We are also collecting a love offering for Pastor Amy.
If mailing a card to the office, we encourage you to send it to the church office by Wednesday, March 9. If you wish to contribute to the love offering, please send your gift to the church office by the same date with a note indicating what it is for.
RSVPs for the meal are needed. The final day to RSVP is Monday, Mar. 7. They will be in the bulletins THIS Sunday, Mar. 6. You can also access a copy HERE or call the church office to RSVP.
Thank you for helping us honor Pastor Amy as we send her off with our love.
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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 Starts March 9
Starting March 9, our church will hold our annual Lenten Lunch and Learn from noon to 1 pm. This year, we will be learning from Adam Hamilton’s 6-weeks series on the Lord’s Prayer. We will meet every Wednesday through April 13. 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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Lunch with Pastor Amy
I would like to be able to spend my time in these coming weeks expressing my gratitude and love to the members of First Presbyterian. In addition to worship and Bible study, I will be enjoying my lunch at noon on Tuesday next week - Mar. 8. I invite any church member to join me for a time of fellowship as I begin to say goodbye to my time as your pastor. -- Pastor Amy
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Piecemakers Quilters
The Piecemaker Quilters will meet on Saturday, March 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The project is the “Tropic Quilt” which comes in four sizes (lap – king). Diane Castle and Mary Jones will be our instructors. Lunch will be Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos. The chicken will be provided and you are asked to bring the taco toppings, a side dish or dessert to share. Contact Jackie Bass to let her know which topping you will bring. As always, remember your “Sew and Tell” for after lunch. If you need fabric requirements for the project, contact Jackie.
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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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Dementia Friendly Training
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). Megan Zimmerman, the Director of Dementia Friendly Cedar Valley, will meet with church leadership (elders, deacons, and staff) on Monday, March 21 at 6:00 pm at the church to present the program for our church to receive designation as a “Dementia Friendly Church.” All interested members are invited.
A second program offers training for individuals to become “Dementia Friendly.” Megan Zimmerman 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.
Megan is a graduate of UNI’s Gerontology program under the leadership of Dr Elaine Eshbaugh. They have worked closely together on the Dementia Simulation House that has been established at UNI as a “learning lab” for students and the public to gain a greater understanding of environments that challenge individuals with dementia and strategies to mitigate those challenges.
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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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Lakeshore Center Camp Brochures
The Summer 2022 Lakeshore Center at Okoboji camp brochures have arrived and are available in the office.
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Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Please join us this Tuesday, March 8th, at 9am in Calvin Hall. All are welcome! Coffee will be provided. We will be looking at the upcoming sermon text. 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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Upcoming Church Meetings
Stewardship & Finance: Mon. Mar 7, Noon Church Office
Christian Nurture: Mon. Mar. 7, 2:30 pm
Deacons: Tue. Mar. 8, 3:30 pm
Session: Tue. Mar. 15, 6:00 pm
Piecemaker Quilters: Sat. Mar. 19, 9:00 am Fellowship Hall
*All Meetings Held in Calvin Hall unless otherwise noted
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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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Many Thanks
The Celebration Ringers would like to thank everyone for their support of the Ash Wednesday Supper on March 2. Special thank to the choir members who donated items for the supper and worked so hard to make the event a success. The $271 raised will help send eight of our ringers to the Area 7 Handbell Festival in Duluth, MN on June 9-12.
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Thank You
It was great worshiping with many of you on my birthday (Feb. 27) at a special service with Pastors Amy and Pat, with altar flowers in my honor. I thank Mary Mumm for setting up the special coffee with Donna Beaver and Dianna Powell helping serve, (They were kindergarten students of mine at Longfellow School). Thank you for your greetings, cards, and remembrances. You all are a blessing to me.
Mary K. Williams
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Church Prayer List
With Our Sympathies:
Lorraine Baker's nephew, Donald "Buck" Boice passed away Saturday, Feb. 26. We pray for peace and comfort for Lorraine and her family
Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:
Lorraine Baker, recovering from heart surgery; Pat Narey, Kari O. Narey's husband, who is at Mayo with 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; Marilyn Lottich, recovering from health issues at home; Joann Lockard, health issues; Marsha Platt, recovering from surgery, 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. If you get a chance, please join us in wishing them a very happy birthday!
March
08 Dan Davis
12 Eric Dew
13 William Barnes
15 Tom Campbell; Marge Polacek
16 Mark Bickley; Brady Swenson
18 Kim Swallow
22 Ann Sage; Heather Wheelock
23 Connor McClain; Rev. Dr. Amy Wiles
24 Cody McDowell
26 Dale Lottich
27 Cindy Trepp
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Office Hours: M-Th 9:00am to 4:00pm
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