Links to Good Stuff
July 12, 2016 
eNews 
The 1stPres Newsletter
#LOVE1st

Blog of the Week

Be Still
Emily Rogers
 
For the 4th of July weekend, my husband, Tom, and I camped-out with friends who have a place along the Coeur d'Alene River. Not only were we having a terrific time, but the large number of people who floated past us on their variety of inner tubes, floating chairs, and kayaks were enjoying themselves, too. By focusing on just one person in each group, I found it easier to discern the degree of fun-or terror-they were having. We could usually tell another group was coming our way by the noise generated-mostly laughter, then shrieks as they hit the faster water just past our campsite. Noise...hm...
In the middle of the first night, I stumbled across the dew-wetted grass to check-out the outhouse. Fortunately, Susan's bear figure held a solar lantern to light my way in the dark. On my way back to the tent, at first I glanced skyward, and then I found myself frozen in the middle of their lawn, awe-struck at seeing the Milky Way and millions of stars lighting the sky.
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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 Koehler

Dan has been a member of 1stPres for a couple of years now. For just about a year and a half, he has participated and served on the 1stPres praise band. Recently, however, Dan was endorsed by the 1stPres session and Pastor Craig to be a candidate for the CRE (Certified Ruling Elder) program, which will allow him to pursue his dream of becoming an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian denomination.
 
"The story of how I chose to pursue being a pastor goes all the way back to when I was seven years old. I grew up around the Catholic church, and one morning in Sunday school a priest came to speak to us. One of the first things he asked us was if any of us felt that we were led to become priests. The only child with their hand raised was a girl-obviously not the sort of reaction he wanted or expected. As we all filed out of class, I remember he stopped me at the door and looked me square in the eye and said..."YOU!" and asked, 'Are you sure you aren't led to become a priest?' and I just stood there muted and confused, and then added, 'Because I think you're called to be a priest.' Long story short, after a bunch of doors being shut and others opening, I ended up joining the Presbyterian church and have known ever since I was seven that I wanted to be a pastor, all because of that priest. It's been very special for me to be affirmed by the 1stPres leadership as I pursue this life-long calling."
 
The Downtown Report

Coeur d'Alene Suburbia
Amy Cheng

As a born and raised American in the United States, the nuances of suburbia became normal and eventually expected in my comings and goings. Living amongst dozens of neighborhoods with tree-lined streets, cul-de-sacs, and cookie-cutter houses was never an anomaly during my childhood years. As a patriotic nation coming off a hectic week filled with celebrating the Fourth of July, followed up by countless acts of violence across the country, the value of nationalism couldn't be greater.
Have you ever gone down a residential street and counted the number of houses that are bare of traditional American flags? This morning while running down Government Way, I was struck with a sudden thought: how have the deep-seated roots of our nationalistic pride, as American citizens, influenced the way we view our lifestyles, and subsequently, the way we embody said lifestyles? It almost seems like a no-brainer, but those who have familiarized themselves with suburbia and don't know any different cannot possibly be expected to always behave in a culturally and socially sensitive manner.
Announcements

Parking Lot Palooza Time!
 
For the month of August, we are participating in the Wednesday downtown Farmer's Market events with a stall that includes games, water, and free face painting AND we will be providing a bounce house for kids to use free of charge. If you are able to come and help out with any of these activities (no experience required) there is a sign up sheet in the Hunter Building, or contact Steve Balas at the church.
Downtown Church Day Camp

Day Camp has been a radical success this far, and it's only Day Two! If you're not convinced, just ask your kid how much fun they had running around with shaving cream-filled balloons tied around their ankles. Three more awesome days of camp await ahead! 
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!)
 
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
 
Our little friends at Glory Be Learning Center send their thanks for all the supplies you have been dropping off for them. They are always in need of:
Paper plates (cheap, any size)
Glue sticks & bottles
Lysol spray & wipes
Liquid hand soap
5oz. paper cups
BUT they are urgently in need of one (or two) steam mops - theirs broke! 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!
 
Peel Those Labels!!!
 
The Campbell's Labels for Education program is ending next year, so please bring your Campbell's product label, package or upc code and leave it in the Glory Be box underneath the Mission Board, in the hallway between the Hunter Building and the Gym. For a complete list of participating products (you'll be surprised what's on it!) http://www.labelsforeducation.com/earn-points/participating-products Thank-you!
 
Church News & Events

Middle Schoolers' Event
Wednesday, July 13
 
This week we will be going Milkshake Wild! 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 19
 
We'll meet at the church, then head out to go Paddle Boarding. 6:30pm - 8:30pm. You are welcome to invite a friend. Contact Nikii at the church if you have questions. 
 
Face Paint & Balloon Tying Class
Monday, July 18
 
Have fun and be ready to help out with our Community Outreach events by learning a couple of important new skills. No experience required - age 13 and up. Come to the Fireside Room at the church from 5:30pm - 6:30pm on Monday, July 18. There is a sign up sheet in the Hunter Building.
 
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.
 
Sunday Fundays Spokane Indians Baseball Game
Sunday, July 31
 
 
Ecumenical Lunch
Thursday, Aug. 4

We will be hosting the Ecumenical Food Kitchen on Thursday, Aug. 4. Signup sheets will be 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 signup for salads, casseroles, desserts, or help with serving our guests.
 
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 Lou@1stpresdowntown.org  

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 Opportunities

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 (khube828@aol.com) 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 kgreen@theorchardcda.org or call 664-8119.