Links to Good Stuff
Sept 8, 2015 
eNews 
The 1stPres Newsletter
#LOVE1st

Blog of the Week

Eclectic Gifts
By Emily Rogers
 
I am an Eclectic. Webster's defines "eclectic" as "a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources." Yup, that's me. It took me a long time to become comfortable with owning that, though. When I was younger, I saw myself as uncoordinated, an outsider, as not even liking the same kinds of music that others did. I often thought there was something seriously wrong with me that I couldn't focus on having an abiding passion in just one thing.

Even though I spent most of my summers playing in the ocean and I swam fairly well, I was never drawn to be a competitive swimmer. In most physical attempts, I felt terribly awkward and gawky as a child, not able to coordinate my body to do what I thought it should. So,... Read More
 
Announcements

Announcing Dinners at 6ish!
 
Join us for Dinners at 6ish - the cool new way to meet people and have fun! Just signup and we will place you in a group of about 8, for a series of 3 or 4 potlucks in each other's homes. Be a host if you want to or just provide a dish if you don't - it's that easy! This is a great opportunity for members & visitors, young & old, single & married to get together and get to know each other better.  We'll have a flexible schedule to accommodate most needs so sign up for lots of food, fun and fellowship today!  Call the church office at 208-667-8446 or write "Dinners at 6ish" next to your name in the pew pad and we will be in touch with you soon.
- The Membership Team

A Note from the Deacons
 
The Annual Clothing Give-Away is complete for 2015 and was a huge success, serving 121 families with just over 300 children of various ages.  Noisy Offering designated their offering for school supplies to be given during the Clothing Give-Away and their efforts brought in around $550!  That was a LOT of school supplies tucked into 87 brand new backpacks!  When I said to one boy....that's a really nice backpack you picked out his reply was:  "This is the BEST backpack I've EVER had!"  The expression and grin on his face was priceless to see.  We had some fantastic coats and hoodies to give away, thanks to our local schools.  Very little was leftover and what was, was donated to Union Gospel Mission and Head Start for children in those programs.  Thank you to all who donated backpacks, contributed to the noisy offering, helped set up and tear down, to those who kept this effort in prayer and to the many others who assisted in so many ways.  We appreciate you all so much. 
In the coming months we will be participating in a fundraiser for On Sight for Seniors, our annual Christmas Family sponsorship as well as the many on-going projects the Deacon's are committed to on a monthly basis.  Thank you, from all of us who serve as Deacon's for your continued prayers and financial support.  We appreciate you all so very much. Karen Welts, Head Deacon 
  
Help Wanted at Glory Be
 
Glory Be Learning Center is looking for an experienced afternoon toddler teacher.
Hours: 1:30 to 6:00 Monday-Friday.
Applicants need at least one year experience in a group setting.
Age of children: 15months to 2 1/2 yrs
Low child to care-giver ratios
Wages: $8.00/hour
Please send your cover letter and resume to 521 E. Lakeside Ave. Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 or email office@1stpresdowntown.org 
Birthday Wishes
 
Art Randall will be turning 90 on September 12!
His family asks if those of you who know him would please send him a card and wish him well on this amazing milestone.

Help for Fire Victims

Our brothers and sisters in Kamiah and Kooskia on the Nez Perce reservation need our help. We have two native churches in Kamiah and an Anglo church in Kamiah and one in Kooskia that have been affected by the wild fires.  How can we help?
  • Please pray for all of those who are facing grief and fear.  Pray for safety and peace of Christ.
  • Funds! So many of the people who have been displaced by the fire will be seeking rental housing to get them through the winter, as many will not be able to replace their homes until next spring.  They will need help with all the usual things it takes to make a house run!  They cannot do that without assistance. Make your check to First Presbyterian Church and put "PDA" in the memo line. 
Church News & Events

Choir Practice Starts on September 10 
Thursday, September 10

It is time to make plans to sing in the choir! Being a member of the choir includes great fellowship, great use of your time and talent, and a place of your own to sit on Sunday. I have planned some fun music and we are going to work on a new Christmas cantata, "Sing With the Angels" by Joel Raney.

Join us for our first practice on September 10 at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Please use the East door on 6th Street by the stairs. Let's fill the choir loft and raise the roof as we worship the Lord together! Questions? Please call me at (208) 660-1639.  

Judy Flieger, Choir Director  
  
Newcomer Reception
Thursday, September 10
 
If you are new to the church, we would like to get to know you better. So you are invited to a fun Meet & Greet event on Thursday, Sept 10 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. This is a great opportunity to meet some people and find out more about getting involved in the life of the church. The event will be at Seasons Fresh Grill, 209 Lakeside, Downtown CDA. Delicious appetizers and beverages are provided!
RSVP to the church office at (208) 667-8446. 

Saturday's Retreat
 Saturday, September 12
 
Please be praying for this Saturday's retreat! We will be meeting to plan and discuss The Next Generation of Church in Coeur d'Alene. We want prayers for guidance, wisdom and participation - so people's gifts can be used at their fullest potential. If you are not going to be able to attend, please stay tuned for information about how you can become involved in the coming weeks.
Back to School Bash!
Sunday, September 13

Come Celebrate and Bless the Beginning of a New School Year! On Sunday, September 13 1stPres will celebrate and bless the children, students, and teachers in our church and community. We will gather as one worshipping community for ONE SERVICE that morning at 10:00am. All children of all ages are encouraged to bring their backpack or school bag with them to church and come forward to receive a special "Backpack Blessing" and gift as part of the morning worship service.
 
Following worship, the celebration will continue with a Block Party in the church Parking Lot with a bouncy castle, face painting, games, and prizes! Hot dogs, beans, chips, condiments and drinks will be provided. Please bring a salad or dessert. This event is for ALL AGES and the downtown community. So invite a friend and come join the fun!
  
Family Promise - Many Ways to Help
September 13 - 19
 
Have ever wondered what Family Promise is all about or perhaps have even thought
about being a Family Promise Host, but it seemed perhaps a bit too scary? You can find the answer to these and other questions you may have by participating as a hosting observer at any time during the week.

There are other ways to join in our Family Promise mission week here at First Pres.
  • Our second floor classrooms are converted into family bedrooms after the worship
  • service on the day the families arrive.
  • The classrooms returned from being bedrooms on the morning the families depart for the next Hosting Week church.
  • The bedding is washed and returned  for our next hosting week
  • Food is prepared and stocked in the kitchen for the evening dinners and morning
  • breakfasts.
  • And of course observing the dinner and or overnight hosting.

Are you touched by wanting to help families with children in our community that are without a home? Call the church office to set up a time that works for you and together we can make it happen. If you can't be a part of the Family Promise activities this week, please remember and pray for the families and for us a we serve them. Pray that the families would find new hope in their efforts to find permanent housing for those they love dearly. Pray for us as we serve the families that we will be worthy servants of God.

Cereal Social - Youth & Their Families
Sunday, September 13

Welcome to fall in DYG! Our Cereal Social is a family event to welcome our incoming 6th graders to DYG and welcome all of our students back to school! This is a casual, open house style event; drop-in and learn about what's happening this fall and ask any questions you may have.

SUNDAY September 13
 
9:15am-9:45am
Followed by our Back to School Bash - 1 Service @ 10am - with BBQ to Follow.
 
Questions?
Contact Kierstie | Youth Leader | kierstie@1stpresdowntown.org
  
  
1stPres Orientation
Sunday, September 20
 
This short class will be held in the Fireside Room between services (about 10:15am). It is a great overview of the history, mission and vision of the church. Taught by Pastor Craig. 

1stPres 101
Saturday, September 26
 
This will be a one-day class held on Saturday, Sept 26 from 9:00am to 2:00pm. It is a great way to find out more about the church and the Christian faith, and it will cover all the material necessary to prepare newcomers for membership. Taught by Pastor Craig. Lunch and a children's program will be provided.
Please RSVP to the church office (208) 667-8446. 

Save The Date!
Sunday, October 4
 
Save the Date - Sunday, October 4 following 2nd Service.
An ALL-CHURCH POTLUCK, TALENT SHARING, QUILT RAFFLE, and SILENT AUCTION will be held by the Women's Association as their annual FUNdraiser for missions, The Village at Orchard Ridge, FPC Kitchen, scholarships, and miscellaneous expenses.  Come join the FUN! The women will begin selling raffle tickets for the quilt this coming Sunday right after the 10am service. They will be in the Hunter Building area by the Welcome Desk. Be sure to get your tickets. 

Groups & Gatherings

Fall S.S. ARKade classes begin this Sunday
 
The 2015/16 Children's Sunday School ARKade classes will begin on Back to School Sunday, Sept. 13. Children 3 years and older attend the beginning of the worship service; following the Children's Moment, 3 year olds - 5th graders are dismissed to Sunday School ARKade classes located on the 2nd floor of the Hunter Building. The animal parade leads the way to the S.S.ARKade. The Sunday School ARKade takes place on Sunday mornings during the 9:00am and 11:00am worship services and includes SPLASH!, an Early Childhood class for 3 year olds - Kindergarten; First Five, a class for 1st & 2nd graders (only at 9:00 a.m.); and Bible Learning Ports, for elementary children to play and learn as they explore the Books of the Bible; Memorize Bible Verses; and become Scripture Sleuths finding God's answers to life's questions in the Bible. Children must be picked up and signed out at the end of the worship service by a parent/guardian. Don't miss the boat, come aboard the S.S.ARKade, Sundays at 1stPres CDA!  
 
Youth - Join Us This Fall!
 
DYG 2.0 meets SUNDAYS 10:30am - 12:15pm
 
Downstairs in the DYG (Downtown Youth Group) Room
Come hang out, jam out, and chill out as we dive into a relevant series asking questions about God, others, and ourselves!
 
Questions?
Contact Kierstie | Youth Leader | kierstie@1stpresdowntown.org

Women's Association Meetings Resume 

Ladies - Circle Groups & Women's Association Meetings Resume in September -  The first Women's Association Meeting will be at 1:00pm on Tuesday, 9/15/15 in the Fireside Room at FPC with a special program and refreshments. Newcomers are welcome to attend for sharing, caring, and learning. The Circle Groups will be using the Horizons Bible Study with the topical theme "Water" for 2015-2016. Circle Meetings are held in members' homes or at the church the first Tuesday of every month. The Association meetings have a different program each month. Both groups welcome newcomers. Please contact the Church Office at (208) 667-8446 or office@1stpresdowntown.org for more information.
 
Knitting for Warmth
 
Please join the Knitting for Warmth knitters every Friday morning from 10:00am to 11:30am in the Conference Room.  What a fantastic ministry to the sick, housebound, or those in crisis.  All knitters welcome. Contact Betty Cheeley at (208) 664-2612 if you have questions. 
Community Events

Family Promise - Cardboard Box City
 October 9-10

Help Family Promise of North Idaho raise awareness about the many homeless families in North Idaho by raising money and sleeping in a box for one night. Download your registration packet at www.familypromiseni.org or call us at (208) 777-4190 and we will send you one. 

There will be swag, prizes, music, food, and fun!
 
Oct 9 & 10, 3pm to 7:30am.
Community United Methodist Church 1470 W. Hanley CDA 83815