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Missions at FPC
More than 20 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group: "Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat." Since that day, more than $81 million has been raised for local charities across the U.S. through Souper Bowl of Caring. It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around Super Bowl weekend into the nation's largest celebration of giving and serving. Through this mission, young people learn what it's like to make a positive difference in the world. Be part of this movement that is sharing God's love with those in need. Every dollar and every item of non-perishable food donated goes to St. Vincent's House Food Pantry, Galveston. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 25:35 (NIV)
The "First Sunday" is the usual Food Pantry collection of non-perishables for Galveston's St. Vincent's House -- but you may bring items at any time! The collection basket is in the Fellowship Hall. There is a sign-up sheet near the church office, if you are able deliver the food to St. Vincent's one month. If you write a check for the Food Pantry, please note "Food Pantry" on the memo line.
** March 2012 will be Mission Month ** Haitian disaster relief continues...Ben Smith, a member of First Presbyterian and a former Youth Elder, recently contacted the church about a program with which he is involved that is continuing to give much-needed aid to Haiti following the devastating earthquake. There remains great need in that impoverished nation. The Session approved FPC's support of this project and if you would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please make your checks payable to First Presbyterian Church, with "Haiti" on the memo line.
Thanks to all who supported FPC's efforts for the Salvation Army Angel Tree 2011 ! This year's goal for FPC was surpassed -- 63 Angels were adopted.
Santas for Seafarers: Thanks to all who helped supply & pack the 35 Christmas gift boxes from
First Presbyterian, for the 2011 Galveston Seafarers' Ministry's Santa for Seafarers
program!
2011 Galveston County Interdenominational Holiday Food Program: Thank you to all who helped through donations of food, Kroger gift cards, or cash. Over $500 in gift cards, $85.00 in donations & 9 bags of Thanksgiving dinner food were collected at First Presbyterian.
Gleanings from the Harvest/Galveston Food Bank sent thanks to FPC for passing on Randalls Community Bucks, to purchase food for Thanksgiving.
Heifer International Alternative Gift Market - Catalogs & gift cards/envelopes available at the church. Note which animals you wish to 'purchase' & make checks to "First Presbyterian" with note at the bottom to "Heifer." Thanks to those who participated in this 'alternative gift' opportunity -- $245. in gifts were given through the church this Christmas-tide.
Our FPC Salvation Army Monday Night Dinner Teams need more members! Food is picked up at Sam's by FPC volunteers, prepared by volunteers in the late afternoon in the Salvation Army kitchen, then served at 5:00 p.m. (Salvation Army staff are around to help.) The Salvation Army's long-awaited new building should be ready for occupancy in January 2012. Since 1999, First Presbyterian has supported the Salvation Army (located on Galveston Island at 23rd Street & Broadway) with weekly dinner teams that purchase, prepare and serve meals on Monday evenings. Each team serves one Monday per month. Can you help? Contact the church office 409.762.8638 or Pat Bumpus. The Salvation Army plans to move to their new building in early February!
The Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is accessible online at www.pcusa.org/pcusa/cmd/mip/mybtoday.htmlOnline Mission Resource of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - God's Mission Matters - is available at www.pcusa.org/missioncrossroads Included are...lessons from the day: lessons from the Bible and true-life mission stories; parables that matter: matters of the Word, short mission matters; tools you can use: matters from pop culture, my story matters, recommended articles & books, an online forum to react to the monthly podcast *; ways to bear more fruit: hearing stories from mission workers about guiding principles for mission practice, Scripturally-based reflection; an opportunity to share your own stories; a God's Mission Matters Toolkit for deeper study & reflection. * A podcast is an audio file you download online to listen to on your computer or MP3 player. The Toolkit is also available for printing.
Staffing for Missions Elizabeth Godbehere, long-time Director of Christian Education, has made a lateral transition to a new job description -- Director of Missions, Assimilation, & Communications at FPC. Elizabeth will work with the Mission Ministry & local community mission partners; endeavor to link members & visitors with ministry opportunities within the church & with mission partners; and have a larger role in the area of communications, while continuing editing the church's website, Facebook page & Twitter feed.
Local Missions Salvation Army: Monday Meals - Since 1999 First Presbyterian has supported the Salvation Army (located on Galveston Island at 23rd Street & Broadway) with weekly dinner teams that purchase, prepare and serve meals on Monday evenings. Each team serves one Monday per month. Can you help? Contact the church office 409.762.8638 Galveston Seafarers' Ministry: 58 Christmas Gift Boxes were packed for the Galveston Seafarers' Ministry by the children & youth of FPC Galveston during Christmas 2010.
Jesse Tree: We are involved with and help support the Jesse Tree, a networking & referral agency for social services, officially located at 2622 Market Street in Galveston. Jesse Tree has been operating at Holy Rosary Church since Hurricane Ike, with donations now being accepted at their regular location, 27th & Market Streets. Jesse Tree has a continuing need for monetary support, toiletries for distribution and volunteers to help with food distribution & other projects. For more information on the Jesse Tree go to this website link: Galveston Safety Net
The Outreach Grant Fund Ministry of First Presbyterian.... As an act of stewardship, the First Presbyterian Church created an Outreach Fund Ministry using interest earned from Trust. Funds. Grants for the development and support of innovative and inspiring outreach programs are awarded annually. (The application process for 2011 grants is now complete.) An Outreach Fund Ministry was formed as a sub-committee of the Mission Committee to receive, review, and make recommendations on worthy proposals. Members of our church are involved in many community organizations and priority is given to proposals from these organizations. For more OFM information, please click here:
AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas (ACCT): The FPC Mission Ministry periodically provides Thursday Lunch for the local AIDS CCT.
The Luke Society operates a free walk-up clinic in the church's parking lot at 19th & Church Streets, each Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., in conjunction with a free breakfast program.
Meals on Wheels: FPC team members deliver hot meals to the home-bound through Edgewater. Contact Bill Bumpus for more information.
Thanks to all who supported our BABY SHOWER for the PREGNANCY AND PARENTING SUPPORT CENTER of Galveston County ! * * * World Missions: Global Missionaries with connections to FPC Galveston.... Rev. Debbie Chase, a PC (U.S.A.) missionary to Malawi, is a former member of this congregation Contact info: debbiechaseccap@malawi.net http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/chased.htm Malawi Facts link and Malawi Info from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) link For information on missionaries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) see www.pcusa.org/missionconnections
Heifer International: Heifer International
Alternative Christmas Gift Market: An Alternative Christmas "Fair Trade" Gift Market is held in October, featuring SERRV Fair Trade Crafts. Our proceeds from consignment & catalog sales go to FPC's mission work. Donations "in honor of" may be given to Heifer International (you receive a card to send.) In 2011, Christmas cards with photos of the church were also available for order.
2011 "Souper Bowl" Collection for St. Vincent's House: $1070.29 & a BIG box of non-perishables! Thanks to all who participated.
Special Offerings: A Presbyterian tradition for almost seventy years, the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), taken in December. Fifty percent of the Christmas Joy Offering receipts are distributed by the Board of Pensions for assistance programs providing support to retired and active church workers, their spouses and families. The other half supports Presbyterian-related racial ethnic education through the National Ministries Division of the General Assembly Council. & The annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering is taken by many denominations during the Easter season. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) divides this special offering between..... PC(USA) - Self Development of People PC(USA) - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance The PDA has been active in the Galveston-Houston area since Hurricane Ike. The PDA is also working on the problem of staff attrition - following disasters, churches usually experience a complete turnover in staff during the following 36 months, at a time when stability on continuity is most needed; our pastor, Rev. Dr. David Green, has assisted with this PDA project.
Many thanks go out to individuals & churches, who have contributed financially, by labor or through other donations to First Presbyterian or to East End Preschool & Kindergarten since Hurricane Ike!
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Sunday, February 5 
For information from Synod of the Sun (the
Presbyterian region
including Texas & Louisiana) on continuing post-hurricane relief
efforts see