Links to Good Stuff
Dec. 29, 2015 
eNews 
The 1stPres Newsletter
#LOVE1st

Blog of the Week

Pebbles in Heaven
Steve Balas
 
In high school I had a friend who had a girlfriend - and then he didn't. She dumped him. He didn't understand why. A look of shock and bewilderment and hurt pushed through his macho exterior and painted his face sad. I didn't know what to say. Her leaving him was not as surprising to me as how much it hurt him. I had believed in his macho line and hadn't realized that hidden underneath it, there was actually a tender interior.
 
I was standing there clueless, when a teacher told him, "There are many more pebbles on the beach." Something like that I had never heard before and I thought it was profound in the way it reset perspective on the whole matter. But really, I think it was the kindness in the teacher's face and the tone of her voice that soothed him, and told him that everything would be ok - and not the words themselves - because later, when I was hurting, that little saying didn't do a thing for me.

Announcements

Family Christmas Eve Service & Un-Pageant

 

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

 

Office Closed Friday

The office will be closed Friday, Jan. 1. Happy New year!

Church News & Events

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 an ancient Epiphany tradition that recognizes the coming of the Wise Men to the Baby Jesus and serves as a blessing of guests throughout the coming year. Join us this Sunday, January 3, 2016 from 10:15am to 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; [email protected]

Winter Retreat at Lutherhaven
Feb 5-7
 
1stPres 3rd - 5th graders are invited to attend the Grade School Winter Retreat at Lutherhaven. This will be one wild winter weekend extravaganza with friends, food, activities, games, worship, and hopefully SNOW! 1stPres children will register and attend as a group along with counselors from1stPres. Thank you to the Women's Association and the Deacons, 50% of the cost of the weekend will be covered for 1stPres children making the cost per child only $36 for 2 nights, 4 meals and 1 awesome weekend! February 5-7, 2016.
 
If your child is are interested in attending or if you are interested in attending as an adult counselor for the weekend, please contact Lou for more information (208) 667-8446; [email protected].
 
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
 
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
 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