Links to Good Stuff
Nov 3, 2015 
eNews 
The 1stPres Newsletter
#LOVE1st

Blog of the Week

He Chose Me
Laura Koepke
 
When I read Steve Balas' recent blog about his school experience in England, I instantly identified with how he felt as people around him moved and left him alone. My dad was in the Air Force and we moved every two to three years so I also experienced loss as friends moved or more often, as I moved to a new place. The only difference is he stayed in one school for 12 years - he had roots with the security of familiar places. I on the other hand was always the new kid worried about learning a new routine and if I would find a friend to eat lunch with. Steve, I would have gladly changed places with you! ... Read More
Announcements

NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
 
We will have a congregational meeting on Sunday, November 8 following the 9:00am service. The purpose will be to vote on the nominated slate of church officers (Ruling Elders, Deacons) as well as the Members At Large of the Nominating Committee. Please mark your calendars for this meeting.

Calling All Youth
 
GOT GAME? All middle and high school aged students are invited to a DYG 2.0 Friday Fellowship on November 20 from 5:30-8:00pm at the church! Bring a friend for a night of games, pizza, and fun! 

Questions? Contact Kierstie at 

Candy Drive - Thank You!
 
You are all AMAZING!!! You far exceeded last years total of candy. This year was close to 500lbs of candy! Thank you everyone who brought candy in.
 

Trunk-Or-Treat Thank-You!
 
Last Saturday night, on a rainy, windswept and soggy patch of lawn at 6th & Sherman, in the little town of CDA, Idaho, valiant members of 1stPres braved the elements to decorate 8 trunks and trucks then gave out over 500lbs of candy and more than 1200 glow sticks to literally HUNDREDS of costumed children at the 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat Downtown CDA.  1stPres participated as part of the greater annual Trick or Treat Downtown CDA sponsored by the Downtown Business Association.
                                                        
There were lots of 1stPres and Glory Be families in the crowds! But most of the Trick or Treaters were simply members of the community who experienced the Love of Christ through the people of 1stPres.  Thank you to those who donated so much candy and those who were willing to dress up and decorate a car in the wind and the rain to give out candy and bring smiles to so many!  
 
And congratulations to the McCarty Christcare Group that won 1st place and the trophy for best decorated vehicle!
 
 

Operation Christmas Child
 
Operation Christmas Child is a project that delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world.  Last year our church filled 149 shoeboxes with gifts of toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement for Operation Christmas Child.  This year our goal is 200 boxes....and you can help! 
 
Pack a Box....
Boxes are available at the church for you to pick up or fill a shoebox of your own. This is a wonderful way to #LOVE1st children around the world!
 
Return your filled Operation Christmas Child box.....
Sunday, Nov 15. 
 
Bring your change......
for a noisy good time on Nov 15.  The noisy offering will be collected and contributed to Operation Christmas Child to help send gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world. 
 
Pray....for Operation Christmas Child.

Church News & Events

Spokane Choral Artists Concert
 Saturday, Nov 7
 
On Saturday, Nov 7 at 7:30pm, Spokane Choral Artists will present "A Choral Tapestry" at the First Presbyterian Church with director Max Mendez. This fabulous choral group will weave together their choral favorites through the centuries. Also featuring Jeffrey Van's "A Procession Winding Around Us" with guitarist John Paul Shields.  Advance tickets through  brownpapertickets.com are general $15 and students/seniors $12.  Tickets at the door will be $18 for general admission and $15 for students/seniors. Don't miss a wonderful concert in our own sanctuary.
 
Veteran's "Honor Parade"
 Sunday, Nov 8
 
To honor our veterans, on Sunday Nov 8 we are going to present a pictorial "Honor Parade" of our veterans during both services. Thank you for your service! 

Fair Trade Festival & Missions Celebration
 Sunday, Dec 6
 
Save the Date: The missions team invites everyone to our annual Fair Trade Festival & Missions Celebration on Sunday, December 6, 9am - 1pm in the gym. Please join us to learn more about our mission partners and to support international artisans by purchasing fair trade art and crafts.

Scholastic Book Sale
 Sunday, Dec 6
 
Once again we will hold a book sale during our annual Fair Trade Festival & Missions Celebration on Sunday, December 6, 9am - 1pm in the gym. Proceeds will go to support our Glory Be Learning Center.

Groups & Gatherings

Thursday Men's Group
 
Men's Iron Horse lunch group is discussing Bruce Feiler's Abraham. We're covering one chapter each week, and anyone is welcome to enjoy lunch and participate in the discussion (or not).  The Iron Horse has accommodated this group with a Thursday noon special soup added to the menu, and with scintillating and erudite conversation, how could any guy resist?  Meets Thursday's at noon at the Iron Horse on Sherman. Contact the church for info (208) 667-8446.
 
   
Sunday School ARKade - Children's Program
 
The Sunday School ARKade takes place on Sunday mornings during the 9:00am and 11:00am worship services. 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. Parents may accompany their children to class, but are not required to do so.The Sunday School ARKade includes SPLASH!, an Early Childhood class for 3 year olds - Kindergarten; First Five, a class for 1st & 2nd graders; 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!  
 
NEW First Five 1st & 2nd grade Sunday school ARKade class at 11:00
Due to an increase of children and families attending worship and Sunday school at 11:00, an additional children's Sunday school ARKade class has been added at this hour. The First Five class for 1st & 2nd graders previously only offered at 9:00 is now also offered at 11:00. This class introduces young children to the Bible, book by book. One year focuses on the Old Testament; the next year on the New Testament. The curriculum concentrates on the first five books of each Testament with a brief over view of the remaining books. Children in this class are encouraged and rewarded for memorizing the books of each Testament in order. The 1st & 2nd graders at both 9 & 11:00 this year are learning about the books of the New Testament.
   
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

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. 
Mission Partner Spotlight

Glory Be Learning Center
 
Glory Be Learning Center is a fully licensed preschool that occupies the main floor of the Hunter Building during the week. It has 4 classrooms with children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. It exists as a mission of our church.
 
Ways to support Glory Be
 
Volunteer:
  • With maintenance projects: putting carpet on loft stairs, hanging shelves in small bathroom
  • With making equipment: book bird house for outside, busy box
  • Play equipment: theater stage, swinging bridge, water wall, ball wall (like a marble wall but bigger)
  • In a classroom: reading books, art projects, games, signing
  • Misc.: organizing books in storage room, playground clean up (raking leaves, painting playhouse,
  • washing fencing, weeding garden...)
  • Getting classroom carpets cleaned
  • Measuring classrooms and drawing up (to scale) sq. footage to look towards new flooring.
Praying:
  • For the staff and families
  • Staff acknowledgement/appreciation (treats, gift cards, words of encouragement...), sponsor a work
  • shirt ($15.00 - $25.00 ec.)
Donation:
  • Classroom supplies: glue, dry erase markers, sharpies, plants, fish and fish food, knobbed puzzles,
  • Cleaning items: bleach, Lysol spray and wipes, Mr. Magic scrubs, dish soap, laundry soup, liquid hand
  • soap
  • Misc. supplies: garbage bags, plastic spoons, paper plates, paper towels, 5oz paper cups, zip lock bags
  • (lg. and sm.) sponsor a new paper towel dispenser ($30.00 ec.)
  •  Snack: crackers, canned fruit, cheese, yogurt, fruit leathers, granola bars, nutra-grain bars
  • General fund donations, any amount helps.

Contact the director, Susie Freligh, with questions (208) 651-2053.
Looking Ahead

Fall Concerts

November 7 - Saturday
Spokane Choral Artists
7:30pm - Sanctuary - See note above on where to get tickets

November 22 - Sunday
NIC Cardinal Chamber Orchestra
2pm - Sanctuary - FREE


Community Events

Northwest Sacred Music Chorale - Performances

Northwest Sacred Music Chorale will be performing at Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 N. 5th St., Coeur D'Alene on Friday, November 13 at 7:00 pm and again on Saturday, November 14 at 4:00 pm. We will also be performing at the Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist, 127 E. 12th Ave., Spokane on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $22 for adults and $16 for seniors, students and active military.