Reminder:

TIME TRAVEL, GHOSTS AND ZOMBIES:

A BIBLE STUDY FOR LENT

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays in Lent, beginning February 22, 2012

Explore how the Bible’s use of stories of paranormal phenomena sheds light on the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
in the New Testament church and for us today.

The Christian Education Committee is actively seeking a Sunday School Superintendent OR Co-Superintendents. This person(s) will work and is supported by the pastor and the Christian Education Committee to oversee the Sunday School Program. Please contact Lorraine Fiend at (308) 390-7455 if you are interested and/or more information.

Sunday School Superintendent Volunteer Position

The duties of the Superintendent of Sunday School at First Presbyterian Church of Kearney include:

• Securing teachers for classes that meet on Sunday mornings
• Coordinating selection of curriculum
• Facilitating teacher training in the fall
• Organize the teacher commission in September
• Become a member of the CE Committee

Wednesday Night Live Coordinator

The responsibilities of the Wednesday Night Live Coordinator at First Presbyterian Church of Kearney include:

• Programing
• Education
• Recreation
• Common meal

Thank you for your continued support of our Mission “to give glory to God through the helping of people”. Nineteen people currently call Crossroads home and have begun work on getting their lives back on track.

Our most critical needs are as follows:

1. Food—eggs, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, pasta, dried beans, cheese and

   canned foods especially in #6 or #10 cans.

2. Transportation for guests to medical appointments, jobs and job interviews, and

   support group meetings.

3. Phone cards
4. Paper products
5. Laundry products for use in “high efficiency” washers
6. Laundry baskets or bags
7. Trash cans—large and small—and trash bags.
8. Personal hygiene products
9. Cleaning products
10. Plastic totes
11. Food storage containers—4, 6 & 8 quart size
12. Baby monitor

Also, please pray for our guests as they work back towards independence and for their spiritual growth.

Reminder:

“FAITH NIGHT” AT UNK BASKETBALL GAMES Saturday, February 18, 2012
6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

UNK Lopers vs. UC-Colorado Springs

Come and represent First Presbyterian Church of Kearney at the final home game (Senior Night) against University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on February 18th at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. You will get a 2 for 1 with the women playing at 6 p.m. and the men at 8 p.m. Tell the ticket personnel you represent First Presbyterian and you will get the group rate of $4.00 per ticket! There will be some contests during half time of both games where members of churches can compete against each other for fun. Our home games are true Family entertainment where young and old will have a great time.

Lenten Lunches are held every Friday at Noon during Lent. The lunches are sponsored by the Kearney Ministerial Association and are open to everyone. The theme this year is built around We Are Called…. The community is invited to the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church, 4500 Linden Drive. The cost for the lunch is $5 per person, with a portion of the proceeds being given to local missions. The first service will be on February 19th.

SEEKING SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

The Christian Education Committee is actively seeking a Sunday School Superintendent. This person will work and is supported by the pastor and the Christian Education Committee to oversee the Sunday School Program. Please contact Lorraine Fiend at (308) 390-7455 if you are interested and/or more information.

Sunday School Superintendent Volunteer Position

The duties of the Superintendent of Sunday School at First Presbyterian Church of Kearney include:

• Securing teachers for classes that meet on Sunday mornings
• Coordinating selection of curriculum
• Facilitating teacher training in the fall
• Organize the teacher commission in September
• Become a member of the CE Committee

“FAITH NIGHT” AT UNK BASKETBALL GAMES Saturday, February 18, 2012
6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

UNK Lopers vs. UC-Colorado Springs

Come and represent First Presbyterian Church of Kearney at the final home game (Senior Night) against University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on February 18th at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. You will get a 2 for 1 with the women playing at 6 p.m. and the men at 8 p.m. Tell the ticket personnel you represent First Presbyterian and you will get the group rate of $4.00 per ticket! There will be some contests during half time of both games where members of churches can compete against each other for fun. Our home games are true Family entertainment where young and old will have a great time.

Reminder:

Prime of Life will meet on Sunday, February 12, 2012. Please note Prime of Life moved to the second Sunday in February because of the SuperBowl. Hosts for February are: Gayle and Wilma Woodruff, Dewaine and Betty Fisher, Vi Pimper, and Myron Haines. Contact one of the hosts to confirm your attendance. The Taize service is the program.

Prime of Life is a social group that meets at the church on the first Sunday evening of each month for a light meal, delightful program, and wonderful fellowship. We want to extend an open invitation to everyone of the “mature age” of 55 or older. Singles and couples are welcome.

Reminder:

A new directory listing members with their addresses, phone numbers and email addresses is in process. Please call the church office (234-4543) with any corrections by February 10th.

Thank you,
Rose Miller

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY READING LIST

All women of the Women’s Bible Study Circles are encouraged to turn in their reading list form recording the books they read in 2011. Please turn the form into the church office as soon as possible. The new 2012 reading list is now available. Please contact Ann Young, Reading List Coordinator, at 236-7020 or Rose at the church office.

Taize Worship Service

Sunday, February 12, 2012 – 7:00 p.m.

The TAIZE Community was first developed in Taize, France by Brother Roger Shutz in the 1940’s with an ecumenical group of church people from all over the world. It is from this community that TAIZE worship has come.

TAIZE worship includes candlelight, prayers, readings, soft music, and silence. The service is very meditative and offers a wonderful opportunity to be silent and center on the Lord.

The service is open to the entire community. Come as you are – and bring your friends.

SHEPHERD LEADERS’ COFFEE

Sunday, March 4, 2012

The Deacons are hosting a coffee for the Shepherd Leaders immediately after the worship service in the library on Sunday, March 4, 2012. Please come as we share ideas on how to care for our members (flocks) and learn what it means to be a Shepherd Leader. We promise not to keep you long!

Shepherd Leaders for the 2012 year include: Bev Gustafson, Kathy Gappa, Sara Sup, Suzzie Bresley, Germaine Oldfather, Barb Andersen, Thea Houser, Barb Friskopp, Joan Hartman, Susan Ingram, Georgia Byrn, and Karen Diestler. A BIG Thank You goes out to all of you for your help in supporting our church!

In case of inclement weather, please listen to KGFW-AM Radio Station 1340 or watch NTV Channel 13 for church cancellation. Notice will be posted by 8:30 a.m.

The youth group is hosting a SouperBowl Can drive collection at the church. Donations will be given to our local food pantry. Please bring non-perishable food items to church. We will have an area in the Narthex available to collect the items. We are collecting items now through Souperbowl Sunday which is February 5th.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, February 5, 2012

Following 10:30 a.m. Worship Service

All-Church Potluck following the Annual Meeting sponsored by the Evangelism Committee

Bring a covered dish to share. Table service and drinks will be provided.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

On Monday, April 23, the American Boychoir will be traveling to Kearney from Colorado Springs. The Worship and Music Committee has volunteered our church to host the boys overnight. Founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1937, the choir has been located in Princeton, New Jersey, since 1950. Its members – boys in grades 4 through 8 – come from around the country to pursue a rigorous academic and musical curriculum at the American Boychoir School.

There are 30 boys in the choir, so we need 15 families who could provide them with lodging and breakfast. To show their appreciation for our hospitality, the choir has offered to do a private mini-concert for the host families upon their arrival at our church. If possible, we would also like to offer them a potluck dinner. They will be traveling to Lincoln the next day.

If you could host two boys (separate beds), please let Sandy McKirahan or Kathleen Johnston know. This is a great opportunity for our church to extend our hospitality to the United States’ premier concert boy’s choir.

Youth group is going on a Ski trip this Spring, to Mt. Crescent in Honey Creek, IA. The group will overnight in Omaha and activities planned are:

-skiing
-snow tubing
-zibob sledding (Mini sled with steering capabilities)
-lazor tag
-roller skating

It will be a lot to pack into just two days! For more information please contact Jeff & Rona Newby or Tiffany Tarvestad.

Facts from February found under 90E:

Loving Each Other by Leo Buscaglia
A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado
Lovingly by Helen Steiner Rice
To Love and to Cherish by Dorene Waggoner
And under 09F Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline, M.D. and Jim Fay

Or choose whatever book your heart desires.

GOD LOVES YOU!

RECREATION DAY
Saturday, March 10
1:00-2:30 p.m.

Parents and Grandparents, mark your calendar and plan to bring the little ones to church on March 10th from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Light snack provided. We have a lot of playing in store – Dodgeball, 4 Square, and Basketball. Nursery Supervision provided for the younger children. No registration necessary. For more details contact the church office.

Classes are open! Whether you are 3 yrs or 103, please join us Sunday mornings for Sunday school. The bell rings at 9 am. While we take attendance, we don’t give tardies or report cards!

We have three adult classes to choose from. Thank you to all who participate, we couldn’t do it without both teachers and students 

A new directory listing members with their addresses, phone numbers and email addresses is in process. Please call the church office (234-4543) with any corrections by February 10th.

Thank you,
Rose Miller

Prime of Life will meet on Sunday, February 12, 2012. Please note Prime of Life moved to the second Sunday in February because of the SuperBowl. Hosts for February are: Gayle and Wilma Woodruff, Dewaine and Betty Fisher, Vi Pimper, and Myron Haines. Contact one of the hosts to confirm your attendance. The Taize service is the program.

Prime of Life is a social group that meets at the church on the first Sunday evening of each month for a light meal, delightful program, and wonderful fellowship. We want to extend an open invitation to everyone of the “mature age” of 55 or older. Singles and couples are welcome.

The Deacon “Warming Tree” Committee took the wonderful donations to the S.A.F.E. Center on Thursday, December 29, BEFORE the snow storms came this year. Thanks to many of our congregation’s members and their children.

We were able to deliver the following:

9 Blankets, throws and 1 beautiful hand- crocheted afghan
13 Girl’s mitten and hat sets
18 Boy’s mitten and hat sets
18 Winter/Scarves or warm muffler 1 pair leggings
2 pairs warm night booties
18 pairs warm mittens/gloves

The Deacon’s Committee of Diane Panowicz and Ruth Slominski would like to thank each of you who contributed to the S.A.F.E. Center project. If you have other coats, mittens, gloves, blankets and other warming pieces, please contact either Diane or Ruth and they will see that they are delivered to the S.A.F.E. Center’s office very soon, so that they will be given to those who need them to stay warm this winter too. Thanks, bunches! May God Bless each of you and may each of you stay warm also!

NEWS FROM SUSIE

(Susie Frerichs, local Presbyterian Missionary in Mexico)

January 14, 2012

Dear Friends at First Presbyterian Church,

Greetings to you from El Frijolillo where it is 60 degrees and drizzling, and feels like 40 degrees…and remember, that is both an indoor and outdoor temperature. Fortunately, the drizzle does not make it indoors, just the mud we bring in on our feet!

These are relatively calm days after the blur of activity between Christmas and New Years. Most of Abraham’s family was here for the holidays though we spent a good share of our time hopping from one Christmas service to the next. It was a happy time for sure and with a bit of saddness that the “party” was over, we have returned to our daily routine, Abraham in the fields (selling his orange crop, dividing bee hives, harvesting a bit of honey, and killing weeds in the corn fields and orange groves) and I at home preparing meals, cleaning house, and preparing classes and sermons for our Sunday visits to the Divine Savior church in La Laguna. This week I also attended classes of the Presbytery’s Bible Institute, prepared to teach Introduction to the Bible, but found I did not have any students (my class is a first year class and it appears we won’t have first year students this year)! With 5 faculty members and 5 students, I think it is safe to say I am not indispensable…..at least for the moment. We will see if any first year students sign up in February.

This next week (19th-21st) I will attend the presbytery’s first ordinary meeting of the year during which I will be received as a local missionary (I was received in membership at the Most Holy Trinity PC of Frijolillo January 8th). On the 22nd, Abraham and I will travel to the city of San Luis Potosi to retrieve my new resident visa and from there we will visit friends in Monclova, Coahuila and friends and my parents in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas before I head to San Antonio, TX for a 2 day meeting for PCUSA’s former Mexican personnel (at Mo Ranch the 28th and 29th). One of these days I will get up to visit all of you who have contributed to my support over the years, but I am hoping to get Abraham’s tourist visa first so we can travel together.

After the presbytery meeting and upon our return from the border, I will send a new update with more news and information about how you can continue to support the ministry here in the Huastecas. For the moment, please know how appreciative we are of your continued support of my salary and benefits (now actually severance pay). According to PCUSA reports, your church contributed $800.00 in October and $400.00 in November.

God’s grace and peace be yours in this new year. In Christ’s love,
Susie Frerichs de Hernandez

The Session held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 17th. Below is a summary of the actions taken by the Session.

The selection of Session Officers and Committee Assignments was conducted at this organizational meeting. Scott Matteson was elected to serve as Clerk of Session for 2012. Charlie Pickens was elected as Treasurer. Steve Miller was elected as Presbytery Commissioner to represent our church.

Committee Moderators and Session members helping on committees were approved as:

Christian Education: Tiffany Tarvestad
Congregational Life: Gary Feind
Evangelism: Lissa Woodruff and John McKirahan
Finance & Stewarship: Steve Case and Doug Giles
Memorial: Orlena Moyer
Mission: Pat Hild and John McKirahan
Personnel: Scott Matteson, Doug Giles, and Shirley McCammond
Property & Grounds: Steve Miller
Worship & Music: Kathleen Johnston and Shirley McCammond

The 2012 budget, 2011 Annual Statistical Report and 2011 Annual Report were reviewed and approved.

The holy season of Lent will begin this month on Ash Wednesday, which will come on February 22. Lent is the traditional Christian time to prepare ourselves spiritually so that we can fully appreciate and participate in the events of Holy Week: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, his Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, his crucifixion and death on Good Friday, and his rising from the dead on Easter. Lent is to Easter as Spring Training is to the baseball season, or studying is to taking a final exam. It is possible to play baseball without practice or to take a test without studying, but both the game and the exam will go better if we have prepared for them.

During Lent we want to better understand the person and work of Christ and he has done for us: what it means to call him the Son of God, his living and dying for us, his descent in hell, how his death on the cross overcomes our sin, and the quality of the eternal life he has won for us, and the claims of faith in a culture like ours that places so much emphasis on reason and science.

And that is why I invite you to Time-Travelers, Ghosts and Zombies: A Lenten Study. These science-fiction and fantasy characters that fill our TV sets, movie screens, video games and the pages of our books will lead us into a better understanding of how through the Bible our God reveals to us that we are reconciled by Jesus Christ who has redeemed us in the power of his Holy Spirit.

And yes, there are time-travelers, ghosts and zombies in the Bible.

The Lenten Bible Study will be offered as part of Wednesday Night Live. The Bible Study will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning on February 29 and ending on March 28. Supper will be at 6:00 p.m., so come and enjoy a delicious meal with friends. And please feel free to invite guests to be a part of the meal and the Lenten Study.

See you in church!
Stephen

TIME TRAVEL, GHOSTS AND ZOMBIES:

A BIBLE STUDY FOR LENT

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays in Lent, beginning February 22, 2012

Explore how the Bible’s use of stories of paranormal phenomena sheds light on the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
in the New Testament church and for us today.