CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
Family Day at First Pres – April 22, 2023, 9:30-12 p.m. Opening Day at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo! What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with some of the best parts of God’s creation, animals? (My favorites are the bears, how about you??) Join the Children, Youth, and Families Ministry with this month’s Family Day at First Pres as we head to the zoo! It’s opening day, so it’ll be busy, but that means it’ll also be fun! Because we’ll purchase tickets ahead of time, RSVP to Pastor Carrie by reaching out to her via email. Look for more details as we get closer!
Save the Dates – MAD2 Volunteers, June 5-9, 2023 – Are you ready to get MAD2 for the Fine Arts? First Presbyterian Church believes that the arts are a window to and an outlet for the soul, and we have vowed to ensure that kids have access to the creative, imaginative world of the fine arts. That’s why they created a camp that explores music, art, drama, and dance through the minds and hearts of those entering K-5th grade. But we cannot accomplish this creative camp without the help of our volunteers. If you are available in the mornings, whether it’s one day, or all five, we would be grateful to have you! We are also looking for volunteers for Friday evening. Please visit the bulletin board by the elevator for more details and sign-up sheets.
Sunday School Today! – During our 11:00 a.m. Worship: Calling all kids between kindergarten and 5th grade! Join us for Sunday School with Miss Rachel and Friends! We’ll all start in worship together, and then after the Time with Children, we’ll head to our SS room as a group. We hope you’ll join us for fun, fellowship, learning, and…. of course…Bible Bucks! Woohoooo!
Nursery Available for Infants thru Pre-School: Jesus loves the little children, and we do, too! But should you decide that today would be a good time to explore the nursery, your child is always invited to drop in. Ask the office volunteer for a key fob and directions, and our skilled childcare employees will be excited to welcome your child while you worship.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Coffee with the Pastors: April 23, 2023: Have you been visiting and want to know more? Maybe you are curious about something we do in worship, want to know more about how to get involved, or wonder what we believe. If so, this is your chance to find out while getting to know others! Join us for “Coffee with the Pastors” on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in the Session Room (down the long hallway across from the Church Office.) Annie and Carrie will be there with coffee, ready to talk all things First Pres! Please let us know if you can come by emailing Annie (aepling@firstpresfortwayne.org) or Carrie (cwinebrenner@firstpresfortwayne.org) or by RSVPing in the office.
Audiology Health Seminar: Fort Wayne Audiologist, Dr. Tina Sheehan, will come to First Pres to talk about hearing loss in general and new research showing how untreated hearing loss leads to cognitive decline. She will address all your questions on Wednesday evening, April 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in McKay Hall. Printed information will also be on hand, so please let us know if you plan to come by calling the church office (260-426-7421), emailing Kathy Beatty (kathybeatty3755@gmail.com), or looking for a registration button on the Friday eNews.
THE ARTS
Music Series Concert: Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault, duo-organists will play a concert based entirely on repertoire for four hands and four feet on April 23rd at 4:00 p.m. The Chenaults have concertized extensively throughout the United States and Europe and have arranged and premiered over seventy organ duets, thereby making a significant historical contribution to this slighted area of organ literature. Because of their unique and refreshing repertoire, combined with their exciting and sensitive artistry, the Chenaults are in demand as recitalists and have established themselves as America’s leading duo-organists. A screen will be set up at the front of the church so that you can watch the choreography that it takes to have two people sharing the same notes!
FELLOWSHIP – DINNER GROUPS
Downtown Dinner Group: It’s that time again! Dinner Time! Due to the Easter Holiday, the Downtown Dinner Group will meet on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at Hall’s Gas House (305 E. Superior St.). Please RSVP to Joyce McGiffin at (260) 409-2426 or by email at krinks52@hotmail.com. All are welcome, and we hope to see you there!
MISSIONS
Empty Bowls & Soup: Save the date! Sunday, April 23, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Purdue Fort Wayne ceramic students are again working to help feed the hungry in our community. The Empty Bowls project, sponsored by the PFW Department of Art and Design, works to raise money for The Pantry at Purdue Fort Wayne, Blessings in a Backpack, and the PFW Student Ceramics Club. When individuals donate $35, they receive a beautiful, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted bowl ($30 each if you purchase two or more). First Pres Missions will provide delicious chicken noodle soup to fill your bowl after purchase! We will be accepting free-will offerings.
St. Joseph’s Meal Sign Up: Here is a timely opportunity to demonstrate that we are truly bearers of the Easter story. We will be providing the evening meal at the St. Joseph’s Mission on Monday, April 24th. There are 18 women in residence there and we are asking that you only provide enough of your dish to serve 8-10. The sign-up sheets will be in the small dining room after service today.
GREEN TEAM
IMPORTANT RECYCLING POINTS 2023:
- Recycle, reuse, or repurpose everything you can
- Minimize the use of single use containers including plastic bags
- Know the recycling guidelines wherever you live (in Fort Wayne, outside Fort Wayne in Allen County, or elsewhere)
- NEVER place recycling items in plastic bags before tossing them into the recycling bin
- NEVER place containers with liquids in recycling bins
- If you aren’t sure whether something is recyclable: “When in doubt, throw it out!”(in the garbage)
FELLOWSHIP – READING GROUPS
Table Talk: We will begin a new book on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
We are meeting via Zoom at 10:00 a.m. Reading is not assigned. “Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation” by Kristen Kobes De Mez (2021) will be the new book. You may check the public library or purchase the book at any store. We can order paperback copies for you, contact Marcie Weissner at (260-312-5733 or marcie5073@aol.com) by May 1. The cost of the book will be $18.14; (you can reimburse with cash, or a personal check made out to Marcie Weissner.)
If you have any other questions, contact Marj Sapp at 260.413.2639 or Marcie Weissner as above.