Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
THE CRIER March 2018
Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.)
Dear Friends in Christ, As we make our way through Lent, we always encourage members and friends to use this special season to deepen their spiritual lives. Prayer, scripture reading, acts of service and sacrifice all help us to draw closer to God. While some folks “give up” things for Lent, others add such spiritual practices to their daily lives. Our One Great Hour of Sharing Offering offers one such opportunity for giving and sharing. In the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition, we value scripture very highly. Bible reading is an important and valuable way to learn more about God and God’s will for our lives. Daily Bible reading and meditation on what has been read have long been held in high regard in our tradition. Many of you are joining us in the verse a day journey through Lent, whether electronically, or through the booklet that has been made available. Together, we are using the Scriptures to guide us on our Lenten journey. When we gather on Sundays, the reading and exposition (or interpretation and application) of Scripture are at the very heart of our worship. The Scriptures are read and proclaimed in the company of the gathered faithful, and together we hear and learn, and then go out into the world to live and do. On most Sundays, we use the New Revised Standard Version of scripture for the readings. Folks are encouraged to read along in the pew Bibles. Our current pew Bibles (and the Bible in the lectern, which the lay readers use) contain an older version - the Revised Standard Version - so the readings do not always match up. Some folks find this disconcerting, and it can be a little awkward to try to follow along. In an effort to make the community reading of Scripture as meaningful as possible, Session has decided that we will purchase new Bibles for the pews - these will be the New Revised Standard Version. We have found an edition that has fairly large and very legible print. We hope to have these Bibles in the pews by Pentecost, which is Sunday, May 20. We are offering members and friends of the congregation the opportunity to be a part of this project by donating money for the Bibles. We know of at least one donor who has already pledged to provide a significant number of Bibles, but we want everyone to have an opportunity to help us purchase Bibles in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one. Members are also free to order a personal copy for their homes. In this Crier, you will find a form for this very purpose, and special envelopes will be available in worship in the coming weeks. We who gather as the disciples of the living Word, our Lord Jesus Christ, can delight in this opportunity to make the written word available and accessible to all who enter our doors for worship. We can’t think of a better way to honor a friend or loved one during this holy season. As the coming celebration of resurrection and new life approaches, we pray that we might all spend more time with both the living and the written Word and that God will bless us richly as we do so. Grace and peace -
Page 2 If you shop online at Amazaon.com please remember to use the Amazon Smiles when ordering
Page 3
If you shop at Krogers, sign-up to help the church—enroll in Kroger Rewards
Holy Week—Easter
Maundy Thursday—We’ll hold this special service in our chapel, which is the perfect setting for it. It will be an opportunity to slow down, reach deep inside and recall the original Last Supper and the events
that followed. The service will begin at 7:00 p.m. on March 29th.
Good Friday—Bowling Green Ministerial Association and The Combined Churches will present the Annual Community Good Friday Services. This year will be a procession between downtown churches with services at Noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. at the stops along the way.
The Downtown Procession in Three Parts
Noon CONFESSION at Trinity United Methodist Church (200 N. Summit St.)
1:00 p.m. GRACE AND PARDON at First Presbyterian Church (126 S. Church St.)
2:00 p.m. STATIONS OF THE CROSS at St. Aloysius Church (150 S. Enterprise St.)
Worship Drama—This year’s Palm Sunday and Easter worship services include all our generations. Pastor Gary has created a drama that will take place over the two worship services and our students and adult readers will be a big part! Please be sure to marK your calendars for these special worship services.
Easter Egg Hunt—We’ll be having our annual Easter Egg hunt for the children at the church following the Easter worship. Miss Adriane has plastic eggs that can be picked up and filled for the children to find. Eggs are in the office, so please pick them up and have them back to the church office by Palm Sunday, March 25th.
Potluck Easter Brunch—There will be a Potluck following the Easter Service April 1st. Ham sandwiches will be provided by the Congregational Care Team. We are asking those planning to attend to bring a side dish and/or dessert to the potluck to share. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall to indicated if you are bringing a side dish or dessert. This will help to make sure we have an assortment of delicious items at the potluck.
ABOUT ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
One Great Hour of Sharing is an offering that makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffer the effects of disaster, conflict, or severe economic hardship, and for those who serve them through gifts of money and time. Today, projects are underway in more than 100 countries, including the United States and Canada. In the 1990s, receipts have exceeded $20 million annually. While specific allocations differ in each denomination, all use their One Great Hour of Sharing funds to make possible disaster relief, refugee assistance, development aid and more. Through abundant and generous gifts to OGHS, for many years Presbyterians have faithfully heeded God’s call to serve people seeking to reclaim and restore their lives. Our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing allow Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to restore communities around the world affected by natural and human-caused disasters. OGHS funds also help the Presbyterian Hunger Program work with Presbyterians and other partners to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in this country and internationally. Our sharing makes it possible for Self-Development of People to affirm the dignity of all by assisting in the empowerment of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people. The programs supported by OGHS depend on continued and increased support from congregations like ours. As a result of our gifts and the gifts of other congregations across the church, OGHS will continue to be a reminder that through the simple act of sharing, we are blessed and experience God’s abundance in surprising ways. Our congregation has been a longtime supporter of this offering, as together we are sharing hope that is a witness to God’s love for all creation. HOW IS MY GIFT USED? A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed. We will receive the One Great Hour of Sharing throughout Lent, and the gifts will be dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 1
st.
Three ways to give: Through the Congregation Text OGHS to 20222 to give $10
presbyterianmission.org/give-oghs
Page 4
Who will you invite to church this month?
Page 5
Please remember the church in your will.
Our church will provide the speaker and lunch on Wednesday, March 7th. Carol Fox, Director of CASA
(Court Appointed Special Advocates) will speak that day. Our own Gary DeLong and Lee Welling are CASA
volunteers. We are looking for volunteers to make a light lunch and serve. Let the church office know if
you are interested.
Presbyterian Women, Men’s Group, etc.………………..
Wine, Women, and Wisdom (WWW) is a women’s group that meets once a month to enjoy each other’s company, share refreshments, and look for wisdom in our discussions. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, March 13th at Blush Bridal Shop (100 S Main St, Bowling Green) at 7 p.m. Please contact Lee Welling to let her know that you will be attending at (810/ 444-
4049 or [email protected]).
Presbyterian Women are providing lilies for members of our church that would like to purchase one. Potted lilies will be delivered to the church and available for pick-up after the Easter Service. You may order a flower in memory of a loved one or as a gift. Prices could not be confirmed at this time, but look for more information in the church bulletins, in church emails, on the web-page, and on Facebook. You may call or
email Pam Orr at 419/353-2014 or [email protected]. Presbyterian Women will not be making deliveries this year.
Every three years Presbyterian Women have a church wide gathering. At one time it was held on the campus of Purdue U. with 6000 women (and a few men) in attendance.
This year the gathering will be held in Louisville, KY from August 2- 5. Registration is $425 and includes full programming, lunch on Friday and dinner on Thursday and Saturday. On Saturday synod lunches will be held at a cost of
$32 (at the Galt House (optional), other meals are "on your own" with a wide variety of places to choose from in the area.
Housing will be at the Galt House (site of the Gathering). and rooms range from $144-$325 per night with one to four persons per room. Room taxes and fees total an additional 16.07%. Self parking rate is $20 per day and valet $28 per day. To get information about programming, go to www.presbyterian women.org/gathering
Monday Books at 2—The book group is midway through The Bible’s Cutting Room Floor: The Holy Scriptures Missing From Your Bible, by Joel M. Hoffman. In a few weeks we’ll take on the novel Eli, by Bill Myers. New group members are always welcome. Our discussions are casual and wide-ranging. We meet every Monday from 2-3 pm at Grounds for
Thought. If you’d like to take part or need more information, contact Marcy St. John @[email protected] or 419/352-8715.
The Men’s Group will be meeting on Saturday, March 17th at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the church. The speaker this month will be Milt Hakel from the Dept. of Psychology at BGSU. All are invited to hear what Milt has to say.
90th Birthday Celebration for Betty Long! In honor of this special occasion, her children will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, March 17th at Simpson Gardens from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Betty was born on March 3, 1928 to Donald Bollenbacher and Frances Mawer. She married Elmer Long in 1948, has 3 sons and 4 grandchildren. Betty requests no gifts only your presence to celebrate.
Staff at First Presbyterian
Page 6
Co-Pastor Mary Jane Saunders
419/352-5176
Co-Pastor Gary Saunders
419/352-5176
Choir Director,
Josh Wang
Organist, Dr. Ed Duling
419/353-9273
Director of Christian Education
Adriane Weisert
419/494-1343
Office Administrator
Tammy Schnitker
419/352-5176
Sexton, Tim Duquette
419/806-4166
Office Information
Monday-Church Closed
Tues.-Thurs.-9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fri.-9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Phone: 419/352-5176
Fax: 419/352-8808
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:fir stpresbyter ianbg.org
The office is closed daily for
lunch 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Have you
‘liked’ us on
Facebook?
Just enter the
church name!
If you shop online at Amazaon.com please remember to use the Amazon Smiles when ordering
Who will you invite to church this month? Page 7
From the Finance Chair
Blessings and challenges – this is the best way to summarize the fiscal state of our church family. Since I tend to view my work on Finance in a positive light, I will start with some Giving news.
First, in 2017 we received just over $10,000 in unbudgeted and undesignated giving that we will use as carryover in the 2018 budget. Thank you!
Second, from the fall 2017 Stewardship Campaign, we had 35 individuals or families INCREASE their level of giving OR submit an Estimate of Giving for the first time.
This amounts to $19,986 in new revenue! This is wonderful! This is HUGE!
HOWEVER, remember that each year we have some givers pass-away or move-away. The increased & new giving helps to offset these annual losses.
For 2014-2017, Undesignated Giving averaged $236,559 each year.
For 2018, we estimate Undesignated Giving to be $240,764. A step in the right direction!
As I have said before, over the past 4 years, the church family has established a pattern of estimated giving… and then meets that goal and gives a bit more… and then the next year submits estimates of giving that are even a bit more. Small steps in a great journey, indeed!
Below, you will see how the church savings account has performed over the past 5 years:
Category: 12-31-2013: 12-31-2014: 12-31-2015: 12-31-2016: 12-31-2017:
Operations $256,341 $256,702 $225,093 $257,574 $249,309
Music $ 33,733 $ 33,869 $ 28,499 $ 38,380 $ 37,850
Building $ 28,874 $ 28,891 $ 18,325 $ 9,733 $ 7,900
TOTALS $318,948 $319,462 $271,917 $305,687 $295,059
Challenges remain and need to be addressed. The Lord has blessed us with savings that have helped us to get through some tight times. However, we cannot remain on “fiscal life-support” indefinitely by using savings to balance the annual
budget. We must become self-sustaining.
The 2018 budget uses $10,000 LESS in funds from savings to balance budget. Past withdrawals from savings have been $23,477 in 2014, $45,957 in 2015, $40,020 in 2016, $48,734 in 2017, and finally $38,734 in 2018.
The 2018 budget estimates total revenue of $313,531 (2017 budget was $305,807). This is an increase in total revenue of $7,724. Therefore, spending will need to be remain tight. Some spending highlights include:
The cost to the church for pastoral health benefits has been reduced by the Board of Pensions by $5,800 (they changed the formula).
Realistic budgeting by Session, Trustees, and committees is crucial. If we spend $1,300 on postage after trimming its use as much as possible, then we need to budget $1,300 the next year.
Funds for music supplies, organ/piano tuning and repair, and student stipends have been increased.
Building expenses are what they are, and we will pay them (service contracts, insurance, snow removal, gas, and utilities are all increased). Funds for repair and maintenance of the facility have been increased to $8,011.
The church’s practice of using an amount equal to 10% of prior year actual pledged giving for baseline mission support remains. This totals $20,570.
In addition to this baseline budgeted sum, we also do: special appeals like Puerto Rico, PW giving, children’s mission activities, Deacon’s Christmas party, special offerings, plus so much more. The dedication to mission that is realized by this congregation is amazing and we give so much more than most churches. Therefore, we will be giving far more than the baseline amount!
Humbly submitted in His Name,
Michael Penrod
Page 8
GOOD NEWS
Changing lives here at
First Presbyterian Church - March 2018
The Deacons Shop - our ministry of recycling used clothing to the people of Bowling Green. We sort & fold clothes on Wednesday mornings-come join us! We are always looking for volunteers to help sort clothes on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. or on Thursday at 9:30-11 when the shop is open. Also collecting blankets, trash bags, and
diapers. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering contact Janet DeLong at 419-353-1333.
The Wood County Alternative School is housed in our church at a minimal cost. Students who have not been successful
in traditional public school or who have special needs that a small environment can assist them can get a second
chance here! There currently are 10 students-2 in middle school and 8 in high school. Students have been enjoying
some extra days off in January and February due to holidays and the weather. Due to on-line curriculum, It is
an advantage that the students can work at home on these days. Again this semester, we have interns from
BGSU that assist staff and students. It is great for the program to have the extra staff and also great for the
BGSU students to have an "Alternative Education" experience. We are looking forward to Spring Break the
Week of March 4th! All of our students receive weekly “backpacks” from the Backpack Project provided by the
church. The program and also the Deacon Shop are of great benefit to our students and their families!
Our “Backpack Project” is a church mission through which we buy and pack food supplies for the students of the Alternative School, some of whom come from food-insecure homes. Because of your generous support the “Souper
Bowl” of Caring donations for the “Backpak Project” totaled $1282.13! Thank you for your gifts!
We provide space at no charge for La Conexión de Wood County, a self-help association for Latinos. They offer English as a Second Language classes here at our church twice a week, as well as holding monthly general meetings here. La Conexion English classes for adults and tutoring/homework assistance for children and youth continue every Tuesday and Thursday at FPC. From the director, “As always, thank you for your wonderful
facilities and generosity!”
SPECIAL OFFERINGS: Every month we send $1060 to the mission program of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to change lives for people in need all over the world. The final total received from the benefit dinner for Puerto Rico Relief
total was $3431. The Chili Cook-off raised $1200.98 for camper scholarships.
REMEMBERING THOSE IN NEED IN SUPPORT OF BOWLING GREEN CHRISTIAN FOOD PANTRY— Our church and other churches in Bowling Green have been long-term supporters of the local Christian Food Pantry by providing food items for those who need assistance. Our help continues to be needed for helping a significant number of local residents who continue to have difficulties meeting their basic needs. Please consider bringing food items to our church and placing them in the shopping cart next to the elevator or making a monetary donation. A small contribution from each of us can result in a BIG gift for others. Thanks for your support. Thanks, Dave Hyslop- on behalf of Deacons
The church also has two A.A. groups that meet here in our Fellowship Hall. One on Sunday evenings from 7-9 and the other on Tuesday evenings from 7-9. We also have a N.A. group that meets on Wednesday evening in the Green Lounge from 7-9.
If you shop at Krogers, sign-up to help the church—enroll in Kroger Rewards
Session Members
Chris Dunn Conner Geyman
Christina Guenther Emmy Hann
Carol Lashuay Christy Lunceford
Michael Penrod Marcy St. John Bonnie Stearns
Chris Williams
Deacon Members
Mary Bielen Janet DeLong
Beatrice Guenther Nancy Hess Dave Horger
Terry Housholder Dave Hyslop Betty Long
Doretta Schmidt
Deb Zappitelli
Trustee Members
John Barnes Dar Bevelhymer
Don Boren Gary DeLong Susan Dunn Drew Hanna Chet Marcin
Terri McNamara
Jason Sybert
Officers of the Church
Page 9
Different Ways to Help Your Church Earn Extra Cash
Kroger Community Rewards.
This is an easy way for the church to receive donations. The quarter’s (10/31-
1/30) our church received a check for $199.02. All you have to do is enroll or
re-enroll using the directions below. Then when you shop at Kroger, a portion of
your spending will be directed to First Presbyterian Church. Follow these
directions to sign up with Kroger:
Go to www.kroger.com, sign in, and click on the “community” tab.
Scroll down to Kroger Community Rewards.
Click on View Your Rewards Details.
Then scroll down to Community Rewards. It will show if you are enrolled to
benefit First Presbyterian Church.
If you are not enrolled, click edit and select First Presbyterian Church of
Bowling Green (Organization Number: 91930)
You may need to create an account, if you have not done so already. That's
pretty simple - just follow the directions on kroger.com.
Amazon also directs a portion of your purchase to First Presbyterian Church through the Amazon Smile program. We are new to this program, and are looking forward to receiving funds from Amazon.
Follow these directions to sign up with Amazon:
Go to: smile.amazon.com
Select First Presbyterian Church Bowling Green as your designated charity. When you search for the church, be sure it is for First Presbyterian Bowling Green, OH. There are many First Presbyterian Churches on the list!
Then when you shop on Amazon, be sure to start at the smile.
Amazon address in order to have your purchase credited to the church.
If you shop online at Amazaon.com please remember to use the Amazon Smile when ordering
Page 10
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - March 2018
Share Fair - This new event will be smack dab in the middle of our season for
One Great Hour of Sharing. The Mission Committee has loaned each student $20 to
make items for our Share Fair. The students will be making a variety of items,
including bracelets, bookmarks and other items to “Sell” for a donation to the
congregation on Sunday, March 11. The students will pay back their “loan” and the
profits from their sales will go to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering! Please plan
to join us on March 11 for this very special event!
Youth Group - This month, we’ll have a gathering on March 11 following the Share
Fair and on Sunday, March 25 in the Youth Room. Please be sure to RSVP if you
can make it!
Chili Cook Off! - Congratulations to our winners!! Our Chili Champ was Karla
Geyman with Taco Chili, 2nd place went to Maggie Layne with White Chicken Chili, 3rd place
and Kids’ Choice Award went to Katie Stygles with Low-Carb Chili. Thank you so much to
everyone who brought chili for the competition and voted with their dollars! With the help of
several major donors, including our friends Janet & Larry Sorrells, we met our $1800 goal!
“Souper Bowl” of Caring - We had an AMAZING “ Souper Bowl” of Caring collection on Feb 4. We
were able to raise $1282.13 for the Backpack Program here at First Presbyterian Church.
We Meet - We are in swing with our late winter We Meet dinners! Everyone is welcome
to join us on Wednesdays at 6:00 for fellowship and delicious food. We take turns cooking
and are always looking for new chefs! Please make plans to join us for card making at 5:30
and dinner at 6:10. RSVPs are appreciated, but not necessary! Be sure to check out our
sign-up sheet if you're willing to take a turn cooking the meal. Warm food and warm
friendship abounds!
Stewardship is Heart Work - Help children to see that God has given them
many blessings. You can do this by challenging children to make a list of God’s
gifts to them. You can also regularly compliment children on their special gifts-
simple things like nice handwriting, pretty smile, nice coat to keep you warm, etc.
Remind them that these special gifts are blessings from God and offer ideas to
them about how they can be grateful or share their gift with someone else. By
encouraging your child to recognize their talents and talents of other people, even
simple talents like being strong enough to carry a box or clever enough to figure
out a word problem, you’re teaching your child to be grateful for their talent and to
recognize talent in others.
Please remember the church in your will.
Page 11
Who will you invite to church this month?
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - March 2018
Sacred Space - During the month of March we’ll be working on the story of Easter and Holy
Week, including putting together a special display for the lobby and for Easter Sunday. We’ll also
be spending some time talking about our Share Fair and how they can be involved.
PrayGround - If you've been in our Narthex, you've noticed a new area called the "PrayGround" . This area
is designed for our young members to have a space to move and play quietly, while still being able to see and
observe our worship service. The PrayGround has a table with coloring pages, books and other soft toys. We will
continue to have the PrayGround available as a welcoming feature to our congregation, families and visitors.
Ways to Prepare for Easter
1. Set aside family devotional time. Start 10 days before Easter, and set
aside time as a family to read Scriptures about the crucifixion, death, burial
and resurrection of Jesus.
2. Listen to your favorite Easter hymns. Between work, home, bills,
committee meetings and church gatherings, we know life is busy. Why not
fill your vehicle with some of your favorite Easter tunes? Introduce old
hymns to your kids and sing along. After all, lyrics such as “on a hill far
away stood an old rugged cross” have a way of touching our hearts,
reminding us of His sacrifice, love and grace.
3. Organize a family service project. Read John 13 together, and decide as a family how you might reach out
and bless others. For that is exactly what Jesus asks us to do. Maybe it’s as easy as visiting an assisted living
location and joining them for a puzzle, bingo or reading aloud to them.
4. Create a Count Down to Easter calendar. Miss Adriane has ideas and materials that you can use to
make a series of boxes to open from Palm Sunday through Easter.
5. Make an Empty Tomb cake. You can google instructions or ask Miss Adriane for a simple recipe.
6. Read the Bible. YouTube has a variety of Lenten Bible reading plans or you can contact the church
office to get a copy of Pastor Mary Jane’s devotional for Lent. The Jesus Storybook Bible has beautiful
illustrations and easy read aloud style stories. Miss Adriane has a couple of copies of this Bible or you can order it
on Amazon.
7. Watch a movie interpretation of the Bible. The Bible Mini Series that was on TV is now available on
Amazon. You can also find adult and children versions of the Jesus Movie online for free. Take time to discuss
discrepancies on interpretation as a family and be sure to preview the film before showing it to your children to be
sure its age appropriate.
8. Dye eggs and talk about how eggs represent the resurrection and the Trinity
9. Make Hot Cross Buns, Pretzels or Empty Tomb rolls
10. Focus on new life and fresh starts. We all struggle with mistakes and sometimes it’s hard to forgive
ourselves no matter what our age. Jesus conquered sin and death and now we have abundance that is
sometimes hard to remember the day after Eater. Try memorizing a verse that inspires you to remember that
YOU are forgiven and Jesus gave us a fresh start.
Page 12 If you shop at Krogers, sign-up to help the church—enroll in Kroger Rewards
Spring into action! Here’s a short walk to take: Stand at the corner of South Grove and
Wooster and start walking towards downtown, on the south side of Wooster. Repeatedly look over at our church and say a prayer of thanks for our presence and mission in the heart of the community. Turn right onto Grove and continue walking south, ending by the corner room housing the Deacons’ Shop. Say another prayer of thanks for our outreach and service to others.
Now consider the actual church building and grounds. How can we improve what realtors call “curb appeal”? How can our outside appearance add to our invitation to enter the building? Since the removal of the junior high school, we have a much more noticeable presence, just one block from the center of downtown. Maintaining the plantings that enhance the exterior of our building, particularly on the north side and in
the courtyard, has become a task for which more hands are needed. Perhaps your hands?
It’s not complicated work, plus it’s fun to get dirty sometimes, right? We have both gardeners and non-gardeners on the landscape team, and the students of the Alternative School are always willing to help with any heavy work. If you like the anticipation of planting, or the catharsis of weeding, or the nurturing of watering, join in! If you can help for a week or a season, join in! If you’re not sure what you want to do, join in! If you’re unable to step in physically, please send up prayers for new helpers to sign-up and for our plantings to flourish!
For answers to questions or to say you’ll help—Bless you!—contact Marcy St.John [419.352.8715 or [email protected]].
The Toledo Walleye are honoring Hometown Hero Dick Powers (who was a long-time member here at First Presbyterian Church) on Sunday, March 25th at 4:45 p.m. There will be a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the Bowling Green High School Hockey Team, plus giveaways throughout the game and a free open skate for one hour after the game! This event is being sponsored by Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial. Reserve Your tickets today! Contact Amy Walters at 419/306-0906
or email her at [email protected].
From the Trustees—The Trustees are patting ourselves on the back. Last Spring, we decided to go with a variable rate for our natural gas usage. The church’s savings, over what it would have been if we had stayed with the fixed rate plan, has been $186.49 and $285.47 respectively for the past two months.
We have more good news! The leak in the Fellowship hall appears to be fixed. Last Fall we discovered a bulge on the south side wall. Fortunately the bulge was not structural but caused by wet wood. We cleaned out the storm sewer and the cleanout appears to have worked. The wall was
dry after last week’s very heavy rain. So now we will put the wallcovering back and the problem is solved. We hope! Don Boren, President Trustees
CASH FREE - One of our younger members sent in word that the worst moment of worship is the offering “because I never have cash – I use credit or debit cards for all my purchases.” We’ve listened! In the pews you’ll find cards like this, offering several ways to give electronically. The donation can be made by cell phone or computer, and the card allows one to place the information in the offering plate. Studies show that the act of putting an offering of some sort in the offering plate is a significant spiritual moment, and we want everyone to be able to participate. Questions? Gale Swanka, our treasurer, has taken the lead on this project for the Finance Committee. Contact her at 419 575 1478 or [email protected]. ALSO NOTE – these cards can be used to indicate gifts of time and talent!
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e
We
d
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
8:3
0 I
nte
rfait
h
Bre
ak
fas
t P
lan
nin
g
Mtg
.
9:3
0 D
ea
co
ns S
ho
p
6 L
a C
on
exio
n
7:0
0 C
ho
ir R
eh
ea
rsa
l
2
1 N
ew
sle
tte
r M
aili
ng
3
9-1
1 H
ori
zo
n Y
ou
th
Gro
up
Work
sho
ps (
DR
an
d Y
ou
th L
ou
ng
e)
4
10
Wo
rsh
ip w
/
Co
mm
un
ion
11
:30
Le
nte
n A
du
lt S
tud
y
Gro
up
7 A
.A.
5
2p
m B
oo
k G
rou
p
at
Gro
un
ds
Fo
r
Th
ou
gh
t C
off
ee
6
6 L
a C
on
exio
n
7 W
ors
hip
Mee
tin
g
7 A
.A.
7
9 S
ort
ing
Clo
thes
12
Len
ten
Lu
nch
es
6:1
5 W
e M
ee
t
7 N
.A.
8
9:3
0 D
ea
co
ns
Sh
op
6 L
a C
on
exio
n
6-8
La
Co
ne
xio
n w
/BG
SU
& G
lob
al
in F
H
7:0
0 C
ho
ir R
eh
ea
rsa
l
9
10
9
-11
Ho
rizo
n Y
ou
th
Gro
up
Work
sho
ps (
DR
an
d Y
ou
th L
ou
ng
e)
Se
t yo
ur
clo
ck
s a
hea
d
on
e h
ou
r b
efo
re g
oin
g t
o
be
d—
tim
e c
han
ge
on
Su
nd
ay!
11
10
Wo
rsh
ip
11
:30
Le
nte
n A
du
lt S
tud
y
Gro
up
11
:30
OG
HS
“S
ha
re F
air
”
an
d Y
ou
th G
rou
p
7 A
.A.
Da
ylig
ht sa
vin
g t
ime
12
2
pm
Bo
ok
Gro
up
at
Gro
un
ds
Fo
r
Th
ou
gh
t C
off
ee
13
6 L
a C
on
exio
n
7 A
.A.
7 W
WW
at
Blu
sh
B
rid
al
Sh
op
14
9
So
rtin
g C
loth
es
10
Sta
ff M
tg.
6:1
5 W
e M
ee
t
7 M
issio
n &
Con
gre
ga
tion
al C
are
Me
etin
gs
7 N
.A.
15
9
:30
De
ac
on
s S
ho
p
. 6 L
a C
on
exio
n
7:0
0 C
ho
ir R
eh
ea
rsa
l
16
9:3
0-3
:30
Red
Cro
ss
Tra
inin
g in
Mo
vie
Ca
ve
17
9-1
1 H
ori
zo
n Y
ou
th
Gro
up
Work
sho
ps (
DR
an
d Y
ou
th L
ou
ng
e)
9-M
en
’s G
rou
p i
n t
he
Fe
llo
ws
hip
Ha
ll
9:3
0 D
ea
co
ns’
Sh
op
1:3
0 9
0th
Bd
ay P
art
y f
or
Be
tty L
on
g @
Sim
ps
on
Ga
rde
ns
18
10
Wo
rsh
ip
11
:30
Le
nte
n A
du
lt S
tud
y
Gro
up
7 A
.A.
19
2p
m B
oo
k G
rou
p a
t
Gro
un
ds
Fo
r
Th
ou
gh
t C
off
ee
20
6 L
a C
on
exio
n
7 A
.A.
21
9
So
rtin
g C
loth
es
12
Len
ten
Lu
nch
es
6:1
5 W
e M
ee
t
7 D
ea
co
ns,
Tru
ste
es
7 N
.A.
22
9:3
0 D
eac
on
s S
ho
p
6 L
a C
on
exio
n
7:0
0 C
ho
ir R
eh
ea
rsa
l
23
6-1
1 B
oy S
co
ut L
ea
de
rsh
ip
Tra
inin
g (
FH
, C
YL
, &
YR
)
24
9-1
1 H
ori
zo
n Y
ou
th
Gro
up
Work
sho
ps (
DR
an
d Y
ou
th L
ou
ng
e)
7 a
m-6
pm
Bo
y S
co
ut
Le
ad
ers
hip
Tra
inin
g
25
P
alm
Su
nd
ay
10
Wors
hip
11
:30
1
1:3
0 L
en
ten
Ad
ult
Stu
dy G
rou
p
4 Y
ou
th G
rou
p M
tg.
4:4
5 T
ole
do
Wa
lle
ye
Ga
me
ho
no
rin
g D
ick
Po
we
rs
7 A
.A.
26
2
pm
Bo
ok
Gro
up
at
Gro
un
ds
Fo
r
Th
ou
gh
t C
off
ee
27
6 L
a C
on
exio
n
7 S
essio
n M
tg.
7 A
.A.
28
9 S
ort
ing
Clo
the
s
12
Len
ten
Lu
nch
es
6:1
5 W
e M
ee
t
7 N
.A.
29
Ma
un
dy T
hu
rsd
ay
30
9:3
0 D
ea
co
ns S
ho
p
6 L
a C
on
exio
n
7 M
au
nd
y T
hu
rsd
ay
Se
rvic
e i
n t
he
Ch
ap
el
8:0
0 C
ho
ir R
eh
ea
rsa
l
30
G
oo
d F
rid
ay
No
on
-3 p
.m.
Ec
um
en
ica
l
Go
od
Fri
da
y S
erv
ice
s i
n
BG
.
No
on
-
1-F
irs
t P
res
by.C
hu
rch
,BG
2-
31
G
rea
t V
igil
of
Ea
ste
r
9-1
1 H
orizo
n Y
ou
th G
rou
p
Work
sh
ops (
DR
and
Yo
uth
Lo
un
ge
)
First Presbyterian Church—March 2018
First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
126 South Church Street
Bowling Green OH 43402
phone:419/352-5176
email:[email protected]
web:www.fir stpresbyter ianbg.org
We are on Facebook.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
#23 U.S. Postage
PAID
Bowling Green, Ohio
Permit No. 23
Our Walk with the Lord - 2018
First Presbyterian Church
Rev
s. G
ary &
MJ
in F
lori
da
w/L
arry
&
Jan
et S
orr
ells
and L
iz U
hlm
an;
Pas
tor
Gar
y m
akin
g t
he
sign o
f th
e cr
oss
on
Co
rky’s
fore
hea
d;
Lis
a &
Jac
kso
n a
t th
e
Ash
Wed
nes
day
ser
vic
e; P
aint
Day
par
tici
pan
ts s
how
off
thei
r fi
nis
hed
“mas
terp
iece
s of
art”
!
