A Note from Pastor Leslie

Calendars are funny things sometimes. I think of this every year when Easter moves around, occasionally messing up Spring Break plans and even more often making it terribly difficult to buy weather-appropriate Easter clothing for little ones. I can remember all too clearly a year of freezing at our outdoor Easter Sunrise Service because I refused to cover up my brand-new Easter dress with my boring winter coat. I’ll confess I had it much easier with two boys than my mom did with two girls. Button-up shirts can always have sleeves rolled up if it is too warm outside. And I haven’t ever had to fight tights onto an angry, squirming child.

Today is another day that is confusing calendar wise- it’s February 29, leap day. Because it only rolls around once every four years, Daniel’s friend, Dang, is only celebrating his 3^rd actual birthday today (if you don’t count the one when he was actually born!). For Dang and other Leap Day babies, leap day probably feels like a bit of a loss, since they don’t get to celebrate on their “real” day every year. I hope there are extra special festivities for all of those who finally get to celebrate today and feel like they miss out other years.

Today though, at Lakeside Middle School, there are 600 tiny frog toys hidden around the building for the kids to find— leaping animals to celebrate leap day. I love the thought of those pre-teens, probably literally leaping for joy when they find a hidden treasure. And that made me think of what a surprise gift this day is. 

Isaiah 55:12 reads “For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” There may not be tiny frogs hidden in your bookshelves, and you may not hear our mountains break into song, but there is hidden joy lurking around you today. I hope you take the time to look for it!

Communion Sunday and FPC Blessing Box

This Sunday, and the first Sunday of every month, is Communion Sunday and the FPC Blessing Box food collection. You are encouraged to bring food for the Blessing Box or give a check made out to the church with Blessing Box on the memo line. Please remember those less fortunate.

Hot Springs Music Club

The Hot Springs Music Club will present a “Spotlight on Sacred Music” this Sunday, March 3, at 3:00 p.m. This free program will be in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church (2350 Central Ave). Included in the performance is organist Janine Tiner from Little Rock, The Village Chorale under the direction of Tom Bolton, pianist Lowella Cherry, the First Baptist Church Ladies Ensemble under the direction of Sharon King, and the First Baptist Church orchestra under the direction of Eric Jones.

2nd Annual Lenten Lunch Series

Each Monday in Lent, you are invited to gather as a Hot Springs faith community as we center worship around the “Fruit of the Spirit” from Paul’s letter to the Galatians and share in a simple lunch and some fellowship. We will begin at 12:05 p.m. each Monday in the host sanctuary with a brief time of worship followed by a soup lunch.

This coming Monday, March 4, the host church is St. Luke's Episcopal (228 Springs St) with our very own Rev. Leslie Roper preaching.

Muses "Celtic Spring" Concert

The Muses Project opens its 2024 performance season with Celtic Spring, a unique blend of traditional and contemporary Irish, Scottish and English ballads, upbeat folk songs, and inspiring sacred tunes, March 6-11.

• Wednesday, March 6, 6:00 p.m.: Student Show at the Muses Cultural Arts Center, 428 Orange St. All artists, students, teachers admitted FREE. Must call 501.609.9811 to register.
• Friday, March 8, 7:00 p.m.: Woodlands Auditorium, 1101 DeSoto Blvd in Hot Springs Village. Tickets are $35.
• Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10, 3:00 p.m.: Muses Cultural Arts Center, 428 Orange St. Tickets are $35.

If you love Celtic music, this show that promises to delight with musical weavings that will transport you to the Emerald Isles and magical woodland glades filled with mystery, song, and dance, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Tickets are $35, online at www.themusesproject.org or call 501.609.9811.

Click this link for a special message from featured performers Chaski: https://youtu.be/dAMAc02809k

Easter Lilies

If you would like to contribute to the lilies that decorate the sanctuary for Easter, please click here for an order form. The deadline to order is Sunday, March 24. A list of donors, “in memory of” and/or “in honor of”, will be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin. You may also contact the church office (501-624-5646 or office@firstpreshotsprings.org) to place your order.

Mystery Member of the Week!

Well...were there any clues that gave away Dick Mattson as this week's mystery member? Such as his hidden talent? (Ha, Ha) Watch for next week's newsletter as we ask another member 8 questions about themselves. Will you know who it is? Happy sleuthing!!

(If you are asked to be a "Mystery Member", please keep in mind that it is okay if there are some people that may guess who you are. The purpose is for people that don't know you, to learn about you, and the ones that do know you, to learn something new.)

1.      Where were you born?

Jewish Hospital

2.      What was your first job?

Bottle Washer

3.      What is your favorite vacation spot?

Mexico

4.      What movie or television show could you watch again and again?

Gandhi

5.      What hidden talent do you have?

I have the unique ability to hide my brilliance.

6.      What was your favorite subject in school?

History

7.      What skill would you most want to wake up tomorrow and be able to do?

Woodworking

8.      Why do you love First Presbyterian Church?

The congregation of First Presbyterian are loving, caring and active in helping people that don't have the advantages and resources that we have.

Prayer List

Jeanette Cline had successful wrist surgery on Monday. The first night was rough, but the pain is subsiding and she is feeling much better. Pray for healing and for her husband, Gary, who is taking good care of Jeanette.

Linda Glover will be having a bone spur procedure on Monday. Linda is also now living at Village Springs Health and Rehab. If you would like to mail a card to her, address it to Linda Glover at Village Springs Health and Rehab, 1208 N. State Hwy 7, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909. If you would like to visit, she is in "Room 210 - Rose Avenue". Our prayers are with Linda.

Leslie Beane (son of Carolyn Bean) continues to struggle with his twisted colon, and now must undergo a stress test. Please keep Leslie and Carolyn in your prayers as doctors seek the best course of action.

Susan Griffin (daughter-in-law of Sandy Matheney) has been having an aggressive chemo treatment that affected her liver, which caused a need for daily dialysis. There is hope she may go home to continue treatment. Please continue to pray for Susan and her husband Monte.

Lan Burch (friend of several church members) had open heart surgery yesterday. The surgeon reported it was successful. Lan will remain in the hospital for 3 more days. Lan and his wife, Gay, are very appreciative of the prayers from our church.

As we pray for those we know and love, we also hold in prayer parts of the world that need the gift of peace this season, and for those who seek to bring help to those who suffer. We especially hold in prayer the people of Israel, of Gaza, and of Ukraine.

Prayer Requests 

Anyone who wants prayer from the Prayer Chain should email or call Jamie Williams, jsar43@gmail.com / (501) 276-2852 or Patricia Mills, paulpatmills@yahoo.com / (501) 545-5250 with your request. A request can be for yourself, a family member, or a family friend. It is also important to remember you may ask that the request be kept confidential. Only the Prayer Chain members will be notified and they will also be told it is to be kept confidential.