Links to Good Stuff
Feb 3, 2016 
eNews 
The 1stPres Newsletter
#LOVE1st

Blog of the Week

The Report on the Annual Report
Steve Balas
 
Thanks to a lot of hard work by a lot of people, our 2015 Annual Report is out! This is a major project for us in the office. It's a killer too because it's squeezed in right after all the Christmas programs and activates - which is a really busy time for us - and it has to be printed and ready to go by the annual meeting at the end of January. Phew!!! I'll be honest, the last couple of years I experienced a lot of stress about getting the thing done. But thankfully this year was different - I actually had fun with it. Fun at work. Is that allowed?
Read More 

Announcements

Ecumenical Kitchen
 
We will be hosting the Ecumenical Food Kitchen on Thursday, February 4. 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 bring salads, casseroles, desserts, or help with serving our guests.
 
2015 Annual Report
 
The 2015 Annual Report is out and there is something in it for everyone! If you weren't able to pick up a copy last Sunday, stop by the church office or see Steve Balas. Or you can click here to go to our website and download the PDF version.
 
Lent Afternoon Services
 
During Lent, each Wednesday from 12:15pm until 12:50pm, we will be holding lunchtime prayer services in the sanctuary. These are open to the public and are a wonderful time of prayer and meditation. They begin on Ash Wednesday, Feb 10.
 
Have A Grad? 

Graduation is lurking around the corner and will be here before we know it! Is there a senior student in your family? If you know a senior in high school OR college, who will be graduating this spring, please let our team know. Thank you and good luck to all seniors in their final semester, and all of our students as they begin spring semester! 
-The DYG Youth Team

Please email names to Kierstie at kierstie@1stpresdowntown.org 
Children's Sunday School Offering  

"Everybody's got a water buffalo, yours is fast but mine is slow, where do they get them I don't know but everybody's got a water buffalo..."
 
Everybody does not have a water buffalo, but the Sunday school Children are doing something about that! The weekly children's Sunday school offering is used to purchase animals through Heifer Project Int. for struggling families around the world. Currently the children are giving money to purchase a water buffalo! In the month of January, the children gave $54 toward the $250 need to purchase a Water Buffalo.
 
A water buffalo can lead a family out of hunger by providing milk to drink and to sell. A water buffalo also has the strength to till soil and can help a farmer plant 4 times more rice than by hand. A water buffalo can also be rented out to other farmers for extra income. [Heifer Project is recognized as a world leader in using animals to address hunger and poverty through ecologically sound, sustainable agriculture. Learn more at http://www.heifer.org]

Glory Be Teacher Positions

Glory Be Preschool has one position available for:
  
An Afternoon Toddler Teacher 
Anyone who is interested should contact the director, Susie Freligh at (208) 651-2053.
Church News & Events

Next-Steps Series
Wednesdays, Jan 27 - Feb 17
 
A series of four classes taught by Pastor Craig that explain the fundamentals of the Christian Faith and the beliefs of the Presbyterian Church. A great "next-step" experience for everyone and a must for those interested or curious about membership in the church. The class meets in the Fireside Room at the church.
Step One - The Fundamentals of Christianity
101 - Jan 27, Wed.  6:30pm-8:00pm
102 - Feb 3, Wed.  6:30pm-8:00pm
Step Two - What it Means to be a Presbyterian
201 - Feb 10, Wed.  6:30pm-8:00pm
202 - Feb 17, Wed.  6:30pm-8:00pm 

Winter Retreat at Lutherhaven
Feb 5-7
 
This weekend seven 3rd - 5th graders and four adults from 1stPres will attend the Grade School Winter Retreat at Lutherhaven. This will be one wild winter weekend extravaganza with friends, food, activities, games, worship, and very likely... SNOW! Please lift up these children (and adults!) in pray for the weekend.


Parents' Nite Out Event
Feb 12
 
A special Valentine to young parents - a night out while we watch your children!
This Parents' Nite Out event is for families of children, infant to grade 5. There will be crafts, games and a movie for the kids - they can even invite a friend!
Friday, Feb. 12, 5pm-8pm. Reservations required.
Call or email the church office:
(208) 667-8446
office@1stpresdowntown.org
 
 
Camp Spalding Information/Registration Meeting
Feb. 14
 
February 14; between services (9:45 - 10:45a.m.); Fireside Room 
Camp Spalding Executive Director, Andy Sonneland, will be at 1stPres on Sunday, Feb. 14th. Andy will speak during both worship services that morning and participate in a Camp Spalding informational meeting for children (incoming 5th & 6th graders), youth (Middle and High school) and parents who are interested in learning more about Summer Camps at Camp Spalding. Important 1stPres registration and scholarship information will be available at this meeting.
 
Spalding Summer Camp Dates:
This summer incoming 5th and 6th graders from 1st Pres. will attend Juniors II, July 24 - 30. Incoming 7th and 8th graders will attend Jr. High II, Aug. 7 - 13.
High School students may choose from Leadership Camp, Sr. High Camp, or Clearwater Arts Camp.
 
If you have questions or if your child is interested in attending Camp Spalding with 1st Pres. please contact Lou Pennebaker.
 
 
The Breakfast Bunch are Back!
Feb 21
 
Sunday, Feb 21, between services (9:45am-11am), the Breakfast Bunch will be serving a delicious all-church breakfast. Stay after first service or arrive early for second service!
 
 
Noisy Offering
Feb 21
 
It's time to gather up all your extra change, from the bottom of your purse, from under the cushions of your couch, from the top of your dresser, from the pockets of your pants, from the center console of your car, from inside the washing machine or dryer, or from wherever you toss or find loose change and bring it with you to church, on Sunday, Feb. 21st. All money given as part of the Noisy Offering will be used to send children to camp this Summer at Camp Spalding.

Installation for Erica Waterman in Bovill
Feb 21
 
Bovill Community Presbyterian Church invites you to attend the installation of their new pastor, Erica Waterman, on Sunday February 21, at 11am. Potluck to follow.
405 4th Ave, Bovill, ID 83806

Questions may be directed to Erica at ericawaterman@ymail.com or call her at 208-704-0053.

Downtown Church Day Camp returns to 1stPres
Summer
 
Mon. July 11 - Fri. July 15, 2016 for incoming 1st - 6th graders
Be sure to mark your calendar and watch for registration information and additional details to come soon as well as additional Children & Family summer ministries, that are still being planned!

 

Volunteer Opportunities

Counters Needed
 
Have you ever wanted to help be part of our MONEY COUNTERS? We need a couple of good volunteers willing to assist on a designated Tuesday to count offerings. We need a high degree of confidentiality. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Becky Clegg at the church office (208) 667-8446.

Board Members for Family Promise
 
The Board of Trustees for FPNI are inviting people to consider being a board member.  The commitments are one meeting a month on the third Monday at 6:00pm for an hour and half; participating in one (or more) major fundraiser; and using your contacts to publicize FPNI special events. For more information please contact Board President Teri Burch  riverburch1@gmail.com.   
[Note: Although we host Family Promise families this position would not be a part of 1stPres.] 
Groups & Gatherings

Basketball Dudes
 
Anyone interested in playing pick-up basketball can join us in the gym at the church Wednesday nights. We meet from 6:30pm-8pm. Call David Johnson for details (208) 651-0319.
 
Thursday Men's Group
 
Starting Thursday, Jan. 7 the Men's Iron Horse lunch group will begin discussing
C. S. Lewis' "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 Thursdays 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 | kierstie@1stpresdowntown.org

Knitting for Warmth - Taking a Break
 
Knitting for Warmth will take a well-earned break for the winter. The good news is the group will start up again in mid-April. In the past two years, our knitters have made and distributed 192 prayer shawls. AMAZING. Thank you to all the ladies who have been such a key part of this ministry. We look forward to seeing you again in April.  If you have questions or want to be reminded in April, contact Betty Cheeley.  
Community Events

Family Promise Fund Raiser

The 8th Annual Wild Salmon Feast is coming Saturday, February 6, 2016, to Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d'Alene. This popular annual dinner and auction is a benefit for Family Promise of North Idaho's mission to shelter, feed and provide solutions to families in crisis of homelessness. The dinner features wild-caught sockeye salmon grilled to perfection (chicken entrée also available), salad, bread, rice, green beans and a beverage. No-host beer and wine are available, as well as the popular Dessert Auction. Tickets, $30 each, are available at TLC (208.664.5743), the Family Promise Day Center or by calling Jill Dougherty at 208.818.5465. Donation of desserts and/or silent and live auction item donations most welcome.