Links to Good Stuff
Dec 15, 2015 
eNews 
The 1stPres Newsletter
#LOVE1st

Blog of the Week

My Peace I Leave You
Erica Waterman
 
As many of you have already heard, I have been honored to be called to be the Commissioned Ruling Elder at Bovill Community Presbyterian Church in Bovill, ID. I truly appreciate the words and notes of encouragement that you all have shared with me and I can't express to you just how much the love and support of this Church family means to me.  Please don't stop praying for the Congregation and their wet behind the ears Pastor.

This past weekend was my first weekend in Bovill all by myself. Because I needed to be there for a Session meeting Monday night the 2+ hour drive meant that I also had to stay overnight in town without my family for the first time.  As I climbed into my car... Read More

Announcements

Fair Trade Festival Report

Thank-you all for showing up and making the event such a great success! Top token earners were Ninos con Valor, Family Promise, and Big Table - but really, thanks to your generosity, everyone was a winner!

You can check out the chart below to see exactly how all the tokens were distributed.
Neigh-tivity Report

We had an amazing turn out! Between 1stPres and Trinity Lutheran we gave away 600 cups of animal feed, 150 carrots (for the camel), 525 cups of hot chocolate/cider (for the humans), 638 candy canes, 200 copies of the Christmas story in booklet format, and hundreds of invitations to our Christmas Eve services. But the statistic that matters most is all the love and smiles - and wonderful, happy Christmas memories - we helped make for families in our community. What a blast!!

Thank you so much to all the volunteers who made it happen!
Breakfast Bunch Report

We would like to thank our entire church family for your overwhelming support and attendance this past Sunday at our very first breakfast!! Because of your generous giving, we raised $560 (and donations are still coming in!) which will be turned into The Big Table's Unexpected 20's. These 20's will bless so many in our area during the Christmas season...all because of you! We would also like to thank our amazing volunteers for their willingness to join us in bringing back this important time for fellowship. Love and many thanks from all of us with The Breakfast Bunch!!!! See you in February!!
Church News & Events

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 [email protected] 
"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. 

20+C+M+B+16 = an Epiphany Tradition
Sunday, Jan 3
 
Epiphany Sunday January 3 - between services in the gym. Come to the 3rd Annual Epiphany Celebration at 1stPres. and learn about  Chalking of the Door. This ancient Epiphany tradition recognizes the coming of the Wise Men to the Baby Jesus and serves as a blessing of guests throughout the coming year. Join us Sunday, January 3, 2016 from 10:15 - 10:45am in the Family Center/Gym.

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 Winter!
 
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 | [email protected]

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
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

Perspectives on the World

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement is a 15 week (one night a week) course where you can interact with many of today's cross cultural and evangelical leaders and thinkers.

If you...
  • are  considering a call to full time missions
  • are planning a short term mission trip
  • have a call to intercessory prayer for reaching people with the Good News
  • or want to be a more effective  part of a 'sending ' church
Then this class is for you!

Starts in January. Sign up at:  perspectives.org/nidaho

For more information contact Rich Morrow at (208) 667-8013