Confirmation Classes 2010
Sunday, January 3 - 11:00 a.m.
Confirmation classes are held in the library following worship. The "We Believe" curriculum is an 8-week session ttat will be covered on non Family-Worship Sundays.
Special Adult Education Opportunity - The Palestinian/Israeli Conflict: Steadfast Hope - with Dr. C. Michael Liberato, MSU Visiting Professor
January 24 and 31 - 11:20 in the Reception Room
February 14 and 21 - 11:20 in the Reception Room
The land that is called "holy" is the same that seems never to be at peace. From Old Testament times to today's headlines of increased Israeli settlements in the West Bank, conflict seems to rule the day. Must it ever be so? Dr. Liberato has a doctorate in social-political ethics. He will lead our discussion on the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. We will use a Presbyterian Church USA book and DVD resource with the same title to learn about the facts on the ground. Do you know what a "settlement" or "road block" or the "wall" looks like? Is there such a thing as a "just war"? Can there be peace without justice? How does our faith impact our thoughts on this topic? Dr. Liberato will lead discussions drawing from his rich experience in teaching philosophy and ethics, visitng the Holy Land and serving as Director of Peace and Justice Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Lansing. We will invite students and other congregations to join us. Certainly our faith impacts our thoughts on this topic!
Annual Congregational Meeting and Dinner
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Annual Meeting of the Congregation and the Corporation of the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing, Michigan is called for Sunday, February 7th immediately following the morning worship service. The purpose of the meeting is to hear the Session's reports on the life, work and financial status of the church and to transact any other business which may regularly come before the meeting of the Congregation.
Dinner, hosted again this year by the youth of the Church, will follow the Annual Meeting. There is no ticket sale but donations will be acepted at the dinner to benefit the Youth Acticities Program and help defray dinner expenses.
Souper Bowl of Caring
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Again this year, donations will be accepted following the worship service. Thank you in advance for supporting the fight against hunger.
Fat Tuesday Potluck
Tuesday, February 16, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Delta Presbyterian Church
The third Annual Presbyterian Shrove Tuesday Potluck will be held at Delta Presbyterian Church (6100 W. Michigan Avenue, Lansing), Tuesday, February 16th. You are asked to bring most anything you want to bring to contribute to the feast - salads, main dishes, desserts, whatever. Beverages will be provided. For details, call Ellen in the Delta office 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Tuesday-Friday at 321-3569.
LOCAL MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES
Mission Committee - Servants and Service Program
The Mission Committee is starting a new venture to serve members and others in the community. A table, during coffee hour, will be staffed with Mission Committee members and supply information about local, national and international mission opportunities. We will be looking for interested people who would like to serve in some capacity, through the church and to the local, national and international communities.
The hope is to link projects and learning opportunities to people who are interested in information and/or serving.
Another opportunity includes people from our own congregation who need a little help now and then. Remember the song lyrics…”I get by with a little help from my friends…?” Well, we intend to be that help and be those friends! At the new Mission Table, we will keep a listing of “community-based projects.” These projects will come from within our own community and be available for small groups and/or individuals to serve by meeting those needs.
The Coat Project
5th-8th Grade Sunday School Kids
The kids of First Church gathered winter coats as a service project with a goal to collect 162 coats for people in the Lansing area in need. This goal reflected the 162nd year of First Church presence in Lansing.
Holiday Baskets
Christmas and Thanksgiving Food Baskets
First Church provided 100 Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for local familis.
Heifer Project Update
We bought a cow AND a water buffalo!
With the help of a very generous anonymous donor, the Junior Church children were able to save their half of the $750 necessary to purchase a cow and a water buffalo, whose purchase improved the lives of several needy families and their communities. We were successful last year and our efforts continue to see what we can do in 2010! You can support this program by providing opportunities for your child to earn money around the house that they can donate to this very worthy cause. Thank you!
Card Ministry
Postage Stamps Needed!
(This ministry supports our friends in Christ unable to attend worship.) Our faithful “Card Lady” needs some assistance. She has plenty of cards but could use donations of first class postage stamps to mail cards to members of the church family who are mostly home-bound. If you can spare some stamps, please bring them to the church office, marked “Card Lady.” Thank you!
Food Bank Special Needs:
Stovetop Stuffing mix, Jello (pudding or gelatin), cake mixes, plastic grocery bags - drop off at West entrance in marked bins.
Labels for Education
Collect the wrappers or caps of Campbell products and drop in the receptacles at the West entrance.
Empties-4-Cash
This program earns money from recycling printer cartridges to support youth mission trips. Receptacles are at the West entrance.
Two-Cents-A-Meal or Cents-ability
Cents-ability is a step against hunger and poverty. Contribute two cents per person per meal as an expression of thanksgiving. One hundred persons in a congregation would raise $180 a month and $2,160 a year for food bank and hunger programs.
PC(USA) Website for Children - Kids 4 Kids
Did you know that the PC(USA) has a website designed specifically for young children? The ministry of Child Advocacy has just launched a new design of Kids 4 Kids. This colorful, interactive and educational site is suitable for ages 8 to 12 and is designed to empower children on behalf of other children. The site features stories, games and a tool kit where children can learn about other ministries of the PC(USA). To visit the site: Kids 4 Kids.Visioning 2015
Education
Hospitality and Inclusiveness
Caring for Members
Supporting Mission
Four key ministry areas have been identified which have developed into four workgroups for study and recommendation to the congregation. The four Visioning Teams are Education, Hospitality and Inclusiveness, Member Care and Supporting Mission. Details to follow.