Links to Good Stuff
Nov 17, 2015 
eNews 
The 1stPres Newsletter
#LOVE1st

Blog of the Week

The Autumn Girls
Erica Waterman
 
Autumn is my very favorite time of the year.  As a child I spent many years living in the Midwest where Oak, Ash, and Mulberry trees greeted the season with a glorious array of colors.  My brother and I invested countless hours into throwing those little "helicopter seeds" into the air and betting Skittles or M&M's on which one would stay in the air the longest, spin the most perceived rotations, traveled the farthest distance or whatever strange competition we could come up with.  Don't even get me started on leaf piles!
Before I moved to Idaho my family lived in the Phoenix area and fall just never seemed to arrive there.  It just kind of seemed slightly less hot.  I missed autumn. 
 ... Read More


[Editor's Note: If you would like to hear The Autumn Girls singing visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/cdadowntownchurch.]
Announcements

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 

DYG Progressive Dinner
 
ATTENTION ALL YOUTH... ugly sweaters, friendship, and a 3-course, home-cooked meal! Why not? Mark your calendars, Saturday, December 19th, we will have the DYG 2.0 Progressive Dinner! For more details, PLEASE RSVP by Wednesday, December 9th. This will be a fun night that you don't want to miss!
  
Questions or RSVP to Kierstie@1stpresdowntown.org 

Shoebox & Noisy Offering Report
 
Thank you to those who participated in Operation Christmas Child either by packing a shoebox or by contributing to the cost of shipping the boxes. 1stPres packed 172 gift filled shoeboxes that will be shipped around the world to needy children as a very tangible demonstration of God's love.  Although we fell short of our goal of 200 boxes, we did surpass the 149 shoeboxes given last year, and we collected $1,197.29 through donations and the Noisy Offering, which will almost completely cover the cost of shipping all 1stPres shoeboxes!


Thanksgiving Turkeys
 
Thank you FPC family. Due to your generous 2015 Mission Budget, there is no need to rifle through the pew envelopes looking for the Turkey Envelope. It's not there this year. Turkey Gift Cards for the 2015 holiday season were purchased from the Mission budget. Following tradition, the $50 cards will be distributed  to families needing a bit of extra support during this time of year. These families include: FPC members recommended by staff,  our Christmas Basket families, Family Promise families, Glory Be families, and families referred by school counselors in our neighboring schools. We feel privileged to extend the blessings your giving has provided.
In gratitude, your Mission Committee


Church News & Events

Basketball Dudes
Wednesday, Nov 18
 
Anyone interested in playing pick-up basketball can join us in the gym at the church Wednesday nights. We will be starting up on Wednesday, November 18th, from 6:30pm-8pm. Call Steve Balas for details (208) 667-8446.

Harvest Of Blessing Potluck
 Friday, Nov 20
 
Young Families come join us for a Harvest of Blessing Potluck, Nov. 20, 5:30-7:30 pm in the church Gym. Please bring 2 cups of a cleaned, chopped vegetable to add to our pot of Thankful Soup that we will share together. We'll also make bread and butter, have games and activities to celebrate this season of Thanksgiving. Reservations required by 4pm Wed Nov 18. Call or email the church office: (208) 667-8446; office@1stpresdowntown.org.  

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, 8am - 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, 8am - 1pm in the gym. Proceeds will go to support our Glory Be Learning Center.

"A King is Born" Drama & Bell Program
 Sunday, Dec 6
 
This is a wonderful Christmas bell and drama program featuring the InJoy Ringers. It will be presented at both services - 9am and 11am. Invite your friends and family who love the bells!

Downtown Christmas Neigh-tivity
 Saturday, Dec 12
 
This year 1stPres will be sharing the love and joy of Christmas with the downtown community through a fun, family-friendly, Christmas Neigh-tivity on Sat. Dec. 12 from 1 - 4 p.m located at the Park on Sherman Ave. between Shenanigans and Pita Pit. There will be a live animal petting stable with donkey, cow, sheep, goats and even a camel; a manger scene complete with costumes to dress up in and pose for photos; carolers; free hot cocoa and gifts. Come and participate in this all new 1stPresdowntown Christmas experience. If you would like to volunteer as part of the Downtown Neigh-tivity please contact Steve or Lou at the church (208) 667-8446.

"Sing with the Angels" Christmas Cantata
 Sunday, Dec 20
 
A Christmas Cantata featuring select members of The Community Orchestra, with Ray Weaver as accompanist; directed by Judy Flieger will be performed at 9am, 11am & 4pm. This is a great Christmas tradition that you will not want to miss!
 

All-Church Christmas Cookie Exchange
 Sunday, Dec 20
 
Children and Family Ministries will be hosting an all church Christmas Cookie Exchange on Sunday Dec. 20 between services in the Gym. Participants are asked to bring one batch of homemade cookies or treats to the Gym by 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Between the services participants will be able to pack a to-go box of different cookies to take home and enjoy or to give to a friend. To-go boxes will be provided along with cookie decorating kits for children.


Family Christmas Eve Service & Un-Pageant
Thursday, Dec 24
 
Join us on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. for an unrehearsed and unforgettable Family Christmas Eve service and Children's Un-Pageant. There will be no auditions, no lines to memorize, and no one will be left out! Costumes will be provided. Everyone will be a part of telling the Christmas Story and go home with a special gift made by the children of 1stPres.


Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
Thursday, Dec 24
 
Join us on Christmas Eve at 9pm to celebrate the birth of Christ together. This will be a beautiful candlelight service, and communion will be served. A perfect occasion to invite friends and family to.


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!  
 
 
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. This is an open, community knitting time for anyone who would like to create a prayer shawl. Your shawl will be given as a gift of love, hope, and comfort to someone who is critically ill or in crisis. Knitting instruction will be available if this is your first project, and materials will be provided for FREE. Contact Betty Cheeley at (208) 664-2612 if you have questions, or if you know if someone who could really use the gift of a shawl at this time in their life. 

Due to the holidays we will not be meeting Dec 18, 25, or Jan 1.
Looking Ahead

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


Church Holiday Calendar
 
Thurs & Fri, Nov 26, 27
 OFFICE CLOSED

Sun, Dec. 6:   9am & 11am
"A King is Born" Bell & Drama Program

Sat, Dec 12:  1pm - 4pm
Christmas Neigh-tivity

Sun, Dec 20:  9am, 11am & 4pm
"Sing with the Angels" Choir Cantata

Sun, Dec 20:  10am
All-Church Christmas Cookie Exchange

Thurs, Dec 24: Christmas Eve Services
5pm - Family Friendly Service

9pm - Candlelight Communion Service

Sun, Dec 27: 10am
ONE SERVICE ONLY

Community Events

Northwest Sacred Music Chorale - Performances

Northwest Sacred Music Chorale  will 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.