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Dec. 22, 2015 
eNews 
The 1stPres Newsletter
#LOVE1st

Blog of the Week

Christmas Traditions
Becky Clegg
 
This month has sure been full of events and special gatherings. Sometimes I feel like a circus clown juggling many colorful balls at once trying not to drop one or in other words, have something fall through the cracks for the church. I'm grateful for congregation members and staff who keep me focused on the particular ball at hand and not get 'out over my skis' looking too far in the future. It's great to see many traditions stay strong in this church such as the bell program, Women's Christmas Tea, choir cantata and Christmas Eve services to name a few.
Speaking of Christmas traditions, I love my early mornings at home sitting and looking at the lights on our Christmas tree. I sit in the big recliner chair with my two doxies under the quilt and sip my cup of coffee with my Darth Vader Coffeemate (limited edition of course). In the winter it's also grand to sit with the gas fireplace roaring. It's a morning tradition that...  Read More

Announcements

One Service Only

There will only  be one service on Sunday Dec. 27th. It will be at 10am.
Our Deacons Thank You

What a blessing it is for 11 families this year that our congregation made Christmas a whole lot happier for each of them!  Eight families were from local elementary schools and three right here from our own Glory Be Pre-school!  Thank you to each and every person who supported this effort through donations of money, gifts, time and continually lifting up these families in prayer.  This church family is such a giving family!  Thank you, all of you, from all the Deacons. 
DYG Progressive Dinner
 
Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make the DYG Progressive Dinner a huge success! It was a great night full of food, fun, and fellowship! 
  
If you would like to get involved in youth ministry contact Kierstie@1stpresdowntown.org 
Church News & Events

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 for children to wear and to keep and take home. Everyone will be a part of telling the Christmas Story and go home with a special gift (one per household) 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. 

No S.S.ARKade classes on Dec. 27th 
Sunday, Dec 27
 
There will be NO classes for children (3 years - 5th grade) on Sunday, Dec. 27th. Children are invited to worship with their families. Nursery Care will be available for 0 - 5 year olds. Activity Packets will be given out as children return to their seats after the children's time.   

No DYG 2.0 on Dec. 27th 
Sunday, Dec 27
 
But we, the youth, will return, stronger than ever, in the new year. Have a great Christmas everyone!

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.

Family PJ Party
Friday, Jan 11
 
Young Families come join us for a Family PJ Party! We will gather Friday, Jan. 11,
5:30-7:30 pm in the church Gym.  This event is for families of children, infant to grade 5. Dinner and a movie are provided (we're having breakfast for dinner!) and all ages are encouraged to wear their PJs! Kids bring a pillow and/or a sleeping bag for comfy movie viewing. You are welcome to invite a friend, just be sure everyone makes a reservation. Reservations required by 5pm Wednesday , Jan 6.  Call or email the church office:  (208) 667-8446; office@1stpresdowntown.org
Groups & Gatherings

Thursday Men's Group
 
Starting Thursday, Jan. 7th the Men's Iron Horse lunch group will begin discussing
C. S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity". We're covering one chapter each week, and anyone is welcome to enjoy lunch and participate in the discussion (or not). This is a great time to join us!

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
 
There will be NO classes for children (3 years - 5th grade) on Sunday, Dec. 27th. Children are invited to worship with their families. Nursery Care will be available for 0 - 5 year olds. Activity Packets will be given out as children return to their seats after the children's time.   
 
Youth - Join Us This Winter!
 
NO DYG SUNDAY DEC. 27. 
 
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
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
 
Fri, Jan 1: Office closed - New Years Day
 
Sun, Jan 3: Epiphany Sunday 

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