Links to Good Stuff
July 5, 2016 
eNews 
The 1stPres Newsletter
#LOVE1st

Blog of the Week

Free Hats & Cinnamon Rolls
Becky Clegg
 
Many of you know that each summer ushers in an annual camping trip to Challis Hot Springs in central Idaho for the Cleggs. We have enjoyed many years relaxing, sightseeing, and meeting a variety of people. This year my best friend and her husband drove up from Boise area to join us for a couple of days. When you stay in a campground you meet a variety of people who have a varied understanding of what camping really is. Some are new campers, others seasoned, retired recreation campers and then there are some selfish campers. Over the years I have noticed, to my chagrin, an increasing number of campers who are rude and disrespectful not only of other campers but nature. It's frustrating when people don't follow campground rules such as picking up trash, keeping dogs on a leash, watching children, respecting curfew and noise levels, etc. Over the weekend when we were there our camp hosts had to kick out one group that became unruly, drunk and very loud.
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Humans of 1stPres

Happy Tuesday, good people of 1stPres! This is one of your valiant Whitworth fellow's, Chris MacMurray. The goal of Humans of 1stPres is to share fractions of the testimonies that comprise the congregation of 1stPres, with the intent of utilizing each testimony to reveal the heart and essence of the church. Each post will contain a picture and the name(s) of the featured congregants, and a sample of our discussion that captures a prominent piece of the puzzle that is their story. My hope is that "Humans of 1stPres" will clearly illuminate the undeniable beauty of the body of this church.
 
 Dan Brown

Dan plays a special role in the 1stPres community, working "behind the scenes" in multiple departments of the church. Dan is on the Session here at 1stPres serving as the youth coordinator/director, while also serving on the praise band when he can, and as the IT technician keeping the computer routers and networks in check for the church's office. If you ever see Dan around, be sure to thank him for all of his service in the 1stPres community!
 
"Right around the time that I joined the church three years ago, Pastor Craig approached me and asked if I was interested in joining his men's group, which serves as a mentoring project for men who are learning what it looks like to take their relationship with God seriously. The timing of Pastor Craig's invitation was without a doubt due to God's handiwork. We crossed paths in a time of life where I needed that guidance and council. Prior to the mentorship, I had never done the sort of soul searching that Pastor Craig guided me through. I not only was able to learn more about myself through that process, but also about God and how He consistently works in my heart. This year I began co-leading the mentorship with Pastor Craig, and I'm still learning things about myself and God just by watching these other guys go through a similar experience I went through. It's such a reward to guide these men and witness them falling more in love with Christ."
 
The Downtown Report

 My Favorite Downtown Coffee Shop
Amy Cheng

Raised in the suburbs of Seattle proper, I have always been acquainted with the normalcy of big-city shenanigans, especially around the holidays. This 4th of July in Coeur d'Alene was a sweet taste of an authentic small-town community, from the downtown parade up and down Sherman to the long-anticipated fireworks show on the lake. It is no surprise that this place comes alive in the summertime. Going into my fifth week here, my expectations have shifted a bit, as my own background continues to provide context for my observations in Coeur d'Alene.
 
I am pleasantly surprised by the sheer amount of people who enjoy socializing in spaces such as local restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. It seems that with warmer temperatures comes the floods of crowds, frequently found sharing drinks, ordering finger foods, and jamming out to music from Live after Five on Wednesday evenings. Just last week, I had a friend visit from Spokane, and I decided to indulge him in the glory that is Crafted Tap House + Kitchen, located in front of 1stPres on 6th and Sherman. Since arriving in Coeur d'Alene, the other Whitworth fellows and I have had the opportunity to visit Crafted a few times. Their gastropub menu is composed of unique appetizers such as sweet potato fries with a generous heaping of gorgonzola fondue on top, or for the simple-minded, a gigantic house-made pretzel. One of my personal favorites is found in the "Handhelds" section, Mama T's-this chicken hamburger is the perfect portion size for dinner. Along with 50 beers on tap, Crafted also makes their food from scratch daily. Sunday and Thursday evenings are quite popular, especially with an hour of live music performed by a local artist.
From merely observing the outpouring of people who come and go to the numerous employees who work tirelessly in the afternoons and evenings, I can say that it has become one of the best-trafficked restaurants in the downtown area. The Crafted team aspires to be hardworking, diligent, and committed to quality service. I was fortunate enough to acquaint myself with a waiter there named Hunter, who dons a large beard and a few colorful arm tattoos. Even spending an hour with Hunter as our waiter, it was evident that his cheerful personality added to the overall atmosphere of the other workers.
 
As I continue to put my palate to the test in the many restaurants and coffee shops in downtown Coeur d'Alene this summer, I also am growing in my knowledge of the internal side of the food and hospitality industries. For me, it is a great honor to dive into this world that is so behind-the-scenes.

Announcements

1stPres Sunday Fundays
 
One Sunday per month, May through August:
 
Sunday Funday events are designed for but NOT limited to families with young children. All 1stPres members and friends of any age are welcomed. Most events will are FREE, however a few will have optional or minimal costs.
Plan to join us for the following Sunday Fundays:
 
Sunday, July 31 - Spokane Indians Baseball Game
(3:30 p.m. game time; minimal cost $5-$11/person. See details below.)
Sunday, Aug. 28 - Sunday Funday Surprise
(an afternoon of food, fun, fellowship and water play at Camp White located in Post Falls on the Spokane River, more details coming soon!)
 
Glory Be "Needs of the Week"
 
Our little friends at Glory Be Learning Center are in need of a few things:

Steam Mops (for sterilizing hard surfaces)
Panty hose (for art project)
Glue bottles
Cans of fruit
Paper plates
Liquid hand soap
5oz. paper cups

If you can help, please place your item(s) in the boxes underneath the Mission Board, in the hallway between the Hunter Building and the Gym.
 
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Your generosity  is appreciated!
 
Church News & Events

Middle Schoolers' Event
Wednesday, July 6
 
This week we will be playing Kajabe Can Can. If you've never played before you are going to love it! Come to the church at 6:30pm. We will be done around 8:30pm. Be ready to have lots of fun! Your friends are always welcome - and they will have fun too!!! Contact Nikii at the church if you have questions.

High Schoolers' Event
Tuesday, July 12
 
We'll meet at the church, then head out Gooey's at the Resort. 6:30pm - 8:30pm. You are welcome to invite a friend. Contact Nikii at the church if you have questions. 
 
Summer Sundays ARKade
Sundays | June 12 - August 28
 
Two different Summer Sundays ARKade classes will be offered throughout the summer during both the 9:00 & 11:00 worship services which began on Sunday,  June 12. This year, the Summer Sundays ARKade theme will be Parables: Simple Stories Jesus Told.
 
Elementary ARKade - Parable Productions   
Incoming 2nd- to 6th-graders will hear and act out the weekly parable, then hear a modern day parable that illustrates the same important spiritual lesson. Each week, the children can get a Know-A-Parable and Bible verse for home to prepare for the upcoming Sunday lesson. These children will conclude the hour in the ARKade game room for fun & games, animal crackers, and lemonade.
 
Summer S.P.L.A.S.H. Preschool Pond - Once Upon a Parable
3-year-olds to incoming 1st-graders will experience songs, prayers, and lessons that focus on the weekly parable. They will end the hour with snack, a coloring page, and free-play in the Preschool Pond classroom.
 
Downtown Church Day Camp
July 11 - July 15
 
Day Camp Dates: Mon. July 11 - Fri. July 15
Day Camp Times: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (with the option of a.m./p.m. extended care)
Day Camp Ages: incoming 1st- to 6th-graders
 
Downtown Church Day Camp will be a Wet N' Wild week. Mornings will be spent at the church and include skits, lessons, small-group activities, large-group worship and singing, crafts, and games. Each afternoon, we walk downtown and enjoy activities at different locations, like McEuen Park, Tubbs Hill, Sanders Beach, City Park, City Beach, and the NIC Campus. This year's Downtown Church Day Camp theme is Wet N' Wild. The daily Bible story lessons and activities will focus on a different Wet N' Wild Bible story.
 
Registration is now CLOSED! We have maxed our capacity for this year with over 60 children registered!
 
Sunday Fundays Spokane Indians Baseball Game
Sunday, July 31
 
 
Camp Spalding Registration 
 
This summer, 1stPres children and youth have the opportunity to attend summer camps at Camp Spalding. Summer camp provides a chance for children and youth to get away from the daily routine, to spend a week with fun, mature, Christian role models, and to experience God and His creation in a way that is unlike any other. Thousands of young lives have been eternally changed during summer camp experiences at Camp Spalding! This year, 1stPres children and youth are encouraged to attend the following camps at Camp Spalding:
 
Juniors II       July 24 - 30    for incoming 5th- and 6th-graders
Jr. High II       Aug. 7 - 13     for incoming 7th- and 8th-graders
High School students may choose from Leadership Camp, Sr. High Camp, or Clearwater Arts Camp
 
1stPres campers will receive a discount when they register through the church.
A registration code is required to register and to receive this discount. Each registration code is church- and camper-specific and can only be used once. Registration is currently open on-line at www.campspalding.org. You must request your camper-specific registration code(s) from the church BEFORE registering your camper on-line.  To request a code and receive detailed registration instructions or if you have questions regarding summer camp, please contact Lou Pennebaker by phone at (208) 667 8446 or email [email protected]  

Additional financial assistance is also available from the church for those who submit a scholarship application. Scholarship applications are currently available at the church.
 
Volunteer Oppertunities

Youth Volunteers Needed 
We are looking for people to join our Youth Ministry to help us make a difference in teen's lives. Contact the church office at (208) 667-8446.
 
Summer Sundays ARKade Volunteers Needed 

During the summer, our faithful and loving Sunday School ARKade volunteers who teach throughout the year are given time off to rest and relax. In their place, we need other volunteers to help maintain the Summer Sundays ARKade at both 9:00 and 11:00 throughout the summer! This summer, we will have one, full-time Whitworth Ministry Fellow working with Children & Family ministries. She will be working with Lou to coordinate and lead children's Summer Sunday ARKade. Additional volunteers will be needed each week at each hour. If you are interested, please contact Lou or simply sign up on Sunday morning on the sign-up sheets in Hunter Building. We would love to have you be a part of the fun & games, Parables, animal crackers and lemonade of Summer Sundays ARKade!
 
Can You Give Someone A Ride To Church?

We are looking for someone who can periodically give one of our members a ride to church when her regular ride is out of town. For details, contact the church office at (208) 667-8446.
 
Groups & Gatherings

Widows & Widowers - WW2
   
According to Pastor Craig's sermon series on "Living Well, and Dying Well," I am adding "Going On Well!"  If you have become a "single" through death, and are desiring to become part of a social group with the same challenges as you, consider joining Widows and Widowers Too (WWII).  This is a brand-new program getting started to provide a social outlet for members and non-members who are tired of being a fifth-wheel in a foursome!  You will be getting in on the ground floor of this program and can have some say in how it is going to work!  Give Karen Huber a call (208-667-6525), e-mail ([email protected]) and tell her you're interested!  We have lots of ideas and want to hear yours!!!!!          

Beyond the Broken Heart
   
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? Then you may want to come and be a part of our new grief support group. Contact:  Bev Turner (208) 659-9415, or
Judy Hays (208) 660-4083 for more info or to sign up.
     
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 of someone who could really use the gift of a shawl at this time in their life. This group will continue to meet in the summer. Come join us! 
 
Saturday Morning Men's Group
  
The Saturday Morning Men's Group meets every other Saturday morning at Bakery by the Lake at 7am.  They will be starting a new study with the book "The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows" by James Bryan Smith.

Contact Steve Balas (208) 667-8446 for details.


Thursday Men's Group - On Summer Break
 
The Iron Horse Lunchtime Men's Group is taking the summer off. Check back with us in the Fall.  Contact the church for info (208) 667-8446.
 
Community Events

Tuxedo Junction - Big Band - Free Concert

August 5, 2016 - Friday
Art on the Green
NIC Campus
Coeur d'Alene
In the Evening


BUTTERFLIES & MEMORIES EVENT

o   Thursday, July 21, 2016 - 5:30-7:30pm

o   The Village at Orchard Ridge (former "Coeur d'Alene Homes") - Under the Tent

o   Admission: $50 (includes heavy hors d' oeuvres, drinks, entertainment by comedian Adam Kessler)

o   This is our major fundraising event which supports our non-profit charitable mission. For ticket information, contact Kent Green at [email protected] or call 664-8119.