Links to Good Stuff
Sept 20, 2016 
eNews 
The 1stPres Newsletter
#LOVE1st

Blog of the Week

Falling
Becky Clegg
 
Last week my mother took a fall in their basement after missing the last step. I felt so bad for her, and, quite frankly, it scared me. Thankfully, she only broke a section of her left hand (she is right-handed). She could have just as easily broken an arm, a hip, or leg. She will have surgery on her hand this Tuesday so the doctor can put a pin in her broken bone. My folks have both been very careful to use a cane wherever they go, and they even have special spikes on their canes for winter months, and, sometimes if the weather is particularly bad, they don't go out. I'm so thankful for all their precautions, but things happen in life that we can't always control. We don't live in bubble wrap. I watch parents try to shield their children from bumps and scrapes and falls, but life happens, and I've seen little ones end up with a variety of broken bones.
 
Announcements

Singers and Musicians Needed for 1stPres Christmas Program
  
This year, we will share the joy, love, and peace of Christmas with our community in a special way. We are teaming with Trinity Lutheran Church to present a Christmas musical event at Schuler Auditorium in NIC's Boswell Hall on Sunday, December 18 at 2pm. We will present the cantata, "Tapestry of Light," a Celtic celebration by Joseph Martin.
The Cantata will feature:
  • handbell choirs
  • the Chordaleers (directed by Rose Dempsey)
  • the joint choirs of 1stPres & Trinity Lutheran
  • a full orchestra
  • you!
Singers and musicians are needed! We are extending an invitation for singers from the community as well, so please pass on this information. Practices are starting soon - you don't want to miss the opportunity to be a part of this great Christmas event!

Cantata Practices are as follows:
At First Presbyterian
Thursday nights, 7:45pm-8:30pm, beginning September 29.
Contact Judy Flieger at (208) 660-1639 or judy.flieger@gmail.com if you would like to participate or for more information.

Or at Trinity Lutheran
Sunday mornings, 8am, Rose Dempsey director. Start date to be determined.
Call Trinity's office at (208) 664-5743 if you would like to participate or for more information.
                         
Women's Circles
  
Our Women's Circles now have an evening group that will meet on the first Tuesday of each month to accommodate those who are unable to attend during the day. If you have any questions or would like to participate, please call Judy Hays at
(208) 660-4083.
 
Women's Circles are small groups of women that meet (generally in each other's homes) on the first Tuesday of each month. Each meeting includes light refreshments, devotions, and lively conversation. If you have questions about the Circles, or are interested in joining one, please contact the church office at (208) 667-8446.
Sunday School ARKade
 
Sunday mornings at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School ARKade takes place every Sunday morning during the 9:00am and 11:00am worship services at 1stPres. Children 3 years and older attend the beginning of the worship service. Following the Children's Moment, 3 year olds to 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 to Kindergarten; 1stFIVE, 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!
 
The Mighty 1stPres Choir is Back!
 
And we want you to join us! We practice on Thursday evenings at 7pm at the church. All singers are welcome and needed - 5th grade and up only, please. We would love you to join us! If interested, please contact Judy Flieger, Music Director, for more information at (208) 660-1639.
  
DYG is Switching It Up
Hey, everyone! Check out the new fall schedule for DYG!
 
 
AND Meeting on Sundays, too!
Hey, Everyone! Check out the new fall schedule for DYG!
 
 
All NEW On-line Children and Family Registration
  
Please help us maintain an up-to-date Family database and stay in contact with you regarding the ministries to children and families at 1stPres. If your family is new to 1stPres or if any of your family's contact information has changed in the last year, please take a few minutes to fill out the all NEW Children and Family registration form on line. Use the link found at the top of the Children's Ministry page of the 1stPres web site or go to www.1stpresdowntown.org/ministries/children/children-family-registration to update your family information or register your family.
 
Church News & Events

Thursday Men's Group
Thursday, September 22 
 
The Iron Horse Lunchtime Men's Group is meeting again after taking a break for summer.  We meet at The Iron Horse on Sherman Ave. CDA at noon. Currently we are reading 'Mere Christianity' by C.S. Lewis. All men are welcome to attend.
Contact the church for info (208) 667-8446.
 
Saturday Morning Men's Group
Saturday, September 24
  
The Saturday Morning Men's Group is starting back up after taking a summer break. We will be meeting this Saturday morning, the 24th, at 7am at Bakery By the Lake at 601 Front Ave. CDA. All men are welcome to attend.

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

Bible Sunday
Sunday, September 25
 
The Bible is the Word of God, written for the children of God. The Bible is a special part of one's faith journey. This Sunday, Sept. 25th, 1stPres will give Bibles to all 3rd-grade children and any older child who has not yet been given a Bible from the church. A special 1stPres Downtown presentation bookplate will be added to each Bible, making it a memorable keepsake. This will be a special moment in the faith journey of these children, and it is an honor as their church family to be a part of it!
 
The Breakfast Bunch is Back
Sunday, September 25
 
 
The Breakfast Bunch will be serving up their delicious breakfast ministry for everyone on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 9:45 - 11am in the gym. All are welcome! The free-will donations from the breakfast will be going towards improving the downstairs space of the sanctuary where AA meets. Improvements include new paint, new ceiling tiles, and more!
 
Come hungry - leave full!
Children's 1st Communion Experience
Friday, September 30
 
Ms. Lou and Pastor Craig are working to put together a special Communion training for children 3rd - 5th grade, with at least one parent attending with each child. This event will help children to understand the significance and symbolism of this Sacrament as well as help parents to be able to share and explore this special faith expression with their child. It will take place at the church on Friday evening, Sept. 30th. More information coming soon!
 
World Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 2
 
Sunday, Oct. 2nd is World Communion Sunday, and the 3rd - 5th grade children will remain for the entire worship service and will have the opportunity to participate and to lead various parts of the service as greeters, ushers, and singers with the praise team. They will also participate in Communion with their parents.
 
Brave Cave - A Parents' Nite Out
Friday, October14
 
Friday, Oct 14, from 5PM to 8PM we will host Brave Cave. This Parents' Nite Out event is for families of children, infant to grade 5. There will be cave activities and a movie for the kids - they can even invite a friend!
Reservations required by Oct 11!
Call or email the church office: (208) 667-8446, office@1stpresdowntown.org
Drop-off In the Church Gym. Please park and enter from the gravel lot on the west side of the church. And don't forget to bring a sack supper for each child!
 
Trunk-Or-Treat Downtown Coeur d'Alene
Monday, October 31
 
Once again, 1stPres will LOVE1st the downtown community through the Downtown Trunk-Or-Treat on Halloween, Monday Oct. 31st, from 4 - 6 p.m. at the corner of 6th and Sherman Ave. Plan now to be a part of this "Treat-rific" event. Register yourself or your team to enter a decorated trunk by downloading - click here - and filling out a Trunk-Or-Treat registration form and returning it to the church office. Candy will be provided to give out to Trick-or-Treaters and each Trunk will be judged and the name of the winning trunk will be inscribed on the Great Pumpkin perpetual trophy.
 
  Last Year's Winners
The Glory Be Buzz

Since we lifted the age requirements, we've had lots more "kids" showing up in our classrooms. (Even Pastor tried to sneak in!) 

 

Needs of the Week
 
Teacher Wanted
 
We are looking for an afternoon toddler teacher (working with children 1.5 to 2.5 years old). The shift is 12:30pm to 5:30pm - sometimes 6pm. Monday-Friday. Please call Susie at (208) 659-4482.

Our little friends at Glory Be Learning Center send their thanks for all the supplies you dropped off for them. With school starting, they are always in need of:
  • Paper plates
  • 5oz paper cups
  • dry snack foods, like crackers
  • liquid hand soap
  • canned fruit
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!
 
Volunteer Opportunities

Helpers Needed for Children & Families Events
 
CHILDCARE GIVERS needed for the Parents' Nite Out program. You would be part of a 3-person team working with infants to 3 year olds. The first event is Oct. 14, 5-8pm. For questions and more information, please contact Jane Penney at 208-769-4216.

HELPERS NEEDED: If you love children, doing crafts, playing games, helping with food service, set-up and decorating, we need you to be part of our team of volunteers for the Friday Families program, Parents' Nite Out and Family Potluck. These events happen once a month and volunteers can work as little or as much as they would like. Please call the church office (208-667-8446) or sign up in the Hunter Bldg. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Jane Penney at 208-769-4216.
 
Mattresses Needed
 
We have been contacted regarding a needy family that is moving from transitional housing to an apartment of their own. They are in need of 2 mattresses: one twin size and one full size. They are a single mom and 3 children ages 10, 7 and 3.

 If you can help, contact the church office at (208) 667-8446.
 
House Sitters Available
 
Wendy Wilson has some missionary friends serving in Serbia that will be on home assignment in Cda mid-Nov to mid-Feb and are wondering about any snowbirds that may need a house-sitter for that time. Do you know of anyone? Wendy would be happy to meet with them and make the introduction. Paul and Jody Hovda have a teenage son and are a sweet family.

Contact Wendy or the church office at (208) 667-8446.
 
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 Madie Pray at (208) 292-4778 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.  Come join us! 
 
Community Events

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is responding in Baton Rouge and the Gulf Coast
 
Situation
Starting August 11, 2016, regions in Louisiana and Mississippi experienced 10-20 inches of rain. FEMA reports that there were 6 fatalities, over 8,000 people in shelters and over 10,000 residential and commercial structures affected. 
 
PDA Response
PDA has reached out to the Presbytery of South Louisiana and the Presbytery of Mississippi to offer assistance. Six National Response Team members will deploy to the Presbytery of South Louisiana to do assessments, and two will deploy at the request of the American Red Cross to provide Disaster Spiritual Care. An initial grant and a church damage grant has been sent to the Presbytery of South Louisiana.
A Night of Worship