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

Blog of the Week

Here I Am Lord
Emily Rogers
 
Many of you may not know that church staff meets together weekly. We rotate the duties of presenting a staff devotion for each meeting. It was recently my turn for that assignment. This blog is from that staff devotion.
It just so happened that Pastor's Sunday message that week talking about a covenant with God closely paralleled what I was already writing for my assigned staff devotion message. As my mother often said, the Lord works in mysterious ways!
Mom saw to it that my siblings and I attended church on a regular basis. She was raised Episcopalian, so that's what church we attended. My dad was raised as a Christian Scientist, but he rebelled against his parents'... Read More

Announcements

NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING  
 We will have a congregational meeting on Sunday, December 13, following the 9:00am service. The purpose will be to vote on the final two slots for nominated church Deacons. Please mark your calendars for this meeting.

Ecumenical Lunch - December 3 
We will be hosting the Ecumenical Food Kitchen on Thursday, December 3. Signup sheets are available on the hallway bulletin board by the kitchen and in the Hunter Building. If you have questions, please call Bev Rasor at (208) 765-3410. All help is needed and appreciated. Please signup for salads, casseroles, desserts, or help with serving our guests. 

Basketball Dudes - Resumes Tomorrow
See you on Wednesday, Dec 2, from 6:30pm-8pm. Call David Johnson for details (208) 651-0319.
Deacon's Christmas Families
Deacon's Christmas Family boxes are out in the gym along the back wall. We are going to help eleven families this year, three of them are from our own Glory Be School!
Jingle Books
Jingle books are new or gently used children's books that we are collecting to be given to children in kindergarten through 3rd grade at Christmas time in all of the schools. Last year each child received three.  They are hoping for five this year! There is a box for your donated book in the Gym.
Year End Giving Reminder
For many of us the Christmas season inspires even more generous giving than any other time of the year.  If you are considering making a year end contribution to First Presbyterian Church please keep the following in mind:
  • All contributions must be received in the office by 3pm on December 31, 2015. 
  • If you are mailing your contribution then it must be postmarked by December 31, 2015.
  • Contributions received/post marked after December 31, 2015 will be posted to your 2016 giving.
  • The church may only forward your donations to missions that we are currently partnered with.  If you would like to donate to an organization that we are not currently partnering with you must make the donation directly to them.  We cannot process them through the church office nor can we forward them on for you.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact our Bookkeeper, Erica (208) 667-8446
Church News & Events

Fair Trade Festival & Missions Celebration
 Sunday, Dec 6
 
Please join us at the annual Fair Trade Festival and Missions Celebration on Sunday December 6th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm in the gym.  Participants will help us allocate $1,500 to our mission partners through our token voting system.  Please join us to learn more about our local and global mission partners, to support fair trade, to support Glory Be through their book fair, and to enjoy children's activities and international treats. 

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!

A Parents' Nite Out
 Friday, Dec 11
 
Parents of infants-5th graders---WE HAVE A GIFT FOR YOU!  A gift of time!  On Dec. 11, 5-8pm bring your children to the church gym for a Parents' Nite Out. The children will participate in Christmas crafts, games and a movie while parents can DO WHATEVER THEY WANT!  Make reservations by email: office@1stpresdowntown.org or call the church office:  (208) 667-8446.  Be sure to remember to bring a sack supper for your child/children.  

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.

The Breakfast Bunch
 Sunday, Dec 13
 
The Breakfast Bunch - Serving you breakfast the old fashioned way!
Sunday, Dec 13, 9:45am-11am, In the Gym.
Everyone is Invited. Free-Will Donation in Support of Big Table. 

Come Hungry - Leave Full
 
DYG Progressive Dinner
Saturday, Dec 19
 
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 
"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 10am 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 attend.
 
Church Family Christmas Day Meal 
Friday, Dec 25
 
Are you feeling like you would like some company this Christmas? Our church family and their guests are invited to dinner at the church on Christmas Day. You may come as you are for a fun day of games, conversation and food. The church will be open at noon, and dinner will be at 4:00 pm. Come early and help prepare the meal, or help put together a puzzle, or share Christmas memories with others.
 
Dinner will be provided, but if you have a favorite Christmas dish you like to prepare, feel free to bring it or you can prepare it at the church. We would like those who wish to attend to sign up ahead of time so that we can prepare appropriately. A signup sheet is located at the Welcome Desk or you can call the church office to sign up. (208) 667-8446. 

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 Nov 27, Dec 18, Dec 25, or Jan 1.
Looking Ahead

Church Holiday Calendar
 
Sun, Dec. 6:   9am & 11am
"A King is Born" Bell & Drama Program
 
Sun, Dec 6:    8am - 1pm
Mission Fair Trade Festival in Gym 

Sat, Dec 12:  1pm - 4pm - Downtown Sherman Plaza
Christmas Neigh-tivity
 
Sun, Dec 13: 9:45am-11am Gym 
Breakfast Bunch 

Sat, Dec 19
DYG 2.0 Progressive Dinner

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

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

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

9pm - Candlelight Communion Service
 
Fri, Dec 25: Office closed - Christmas Day
  
Fri, Dec 25: Church Family Christmas Day Meal (signup required) 
 
Sun, Dec 27: 10am
One Service Only 

Community Events