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News & Announcements

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Lenten Wednesday Evening activities

6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Potluck Supper

6:45 - 7:30  Adult Bible Study on the texts of the Dead Sea Scrolls, with Rev. David Green

6:45 - 7:30  Bell Choir for elementary & youth & adults, led by Susan Parker

Child care available for younger children.

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Presbytery logo 

Tuesday Connect 

 Presbytery of New Covenant News
 
March 9, 2010
In Our Prayers
 
 
Rev. Connie Alexander, Honorably Retired - surgery last Wednesday (not foot-related)
 
Rev. Mike Cole, General Presbyter - hospitalized last week after severe food poisoning
 
Happy 84th Birthday to Rebecca Howard, Pinecrest Presbyterian! For many years, Rebecca was very active on presbytery committees. 
 

For the people of Chile and the workers who are assessing relief needs and providing aid and comfort after the recent earthquake. 

 

 
 

Each week, please pray for the congregations listed here. 


Quick Links
 

March/April Connections Newsletter 

 
 
 
Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend!
New button added!
It's easier than ever to FORWARD Tuesday Connect to those who might be interested in receiving this issue or becoming a regular subscriber. Notice the button we've added on bottom left. After providing an address, there's space for you to add a short note to your friend.
 
Please do not use the Forward button in your email program.
growing churches
Growing healthy missional churches in the PC(USA)
Make plans now to travel to St. Pete Beach Aug. 9-13 for the National New Church Development Conference at the Don Cesar beach resort. Ignite your passion to do new church, get inspired  with new ideas and methods, and learn about the tools necessary to do new church.
 
Tracks will be on "nuts and bolts" of new church development, leadership development, disciple making, prayer and spiritual formation, evangelism and worship.
Deadline approaching to apply for grant!
Applications for the Vision Initiative Grants are due in the Presbytery Office by Wed., March 31.
Linking for Ministry
A 3-day conference for smaller membership congregations interested in learning about cooperative ministry (clustering) will be held June 2-4 in Clinton, SC. Learn more about how clustering can revitalize the small church, enlarge its vision, and expand its capacity for worship, work, and witness. 
Brochure with details     Register online
NCD dedicates building
Iglesia Latina Presbiteriana New Church Development (NCD) cordially invites you to a dedication service of their building Sun., March 28, at 11:00 a.m. The church (formerly Third Presbyterian in Houston) is located at 1331 Studewood & 14th St., Houston. Pastor: Aurelio Rodriguez. 
Wanted: Happily Married Couples
Find the happiness God wants for you on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend! Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones-and focus only on each other. If you'd like greater depth, growth, and enrichment in your relationship, you'll like the difference a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend can make!
 
The next Presbyterian Marriage Encounter weekend in Houston is April 9-11 at the Crowne Plaza Greenspoint. Registration for this weekend will close March 25. More information/registration

 

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Adult Sunday School Classes:

Pastor's Class in 211-213 - "The Rest of the Story" with Rev. David Green

Ida Austin-Bereans Class in the Conference Room/Library studying "The Life of Christ" (tape & discussion)

Seekers Class in Room 108 - "Jesus' Parables About Priorities" (a short-term book study)

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 Sunday worship at First Presbyterian, in McCullough Hall

Worship at 11:00 a.m., preceded by Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. & Fellowship at 10:30 a.m.

Young Children & Worship during latter part of worship (Grade 3 & below.)

Communion on the first Sunday of each month.

Food Pantry collection for St. Vincent's House on first Sunday of month.

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Vacation Bible School 2010

June 7-11, 9:00 a.m.-12:00

Please put the dates on your calendar now!

 "Baobab Blast: God's Great Get-Together"

What is a Baobab?  It is a huge tree found in Africa that creates its own ecosystem, and is one of the world's oldest life forms.  It's hollowed-out trunk, leaves, foliage, nectar, fruit & bark provide basic life needs for many different creatures.  The baobab tree serves as a meeting place for people to gather, discuss and share stories.

2010 Bible stories:  Abraham goes to Canaan, Joseph & His Brothers, Jesus Calls the Disciples, The Good Samaritan, Philip & the Ethiopian

"Let the Lord lead you and trust him to help."  Psalm 37:5

The annual Mission Project of VBS at FPC is

 Heifer International

Check out  Heifer International's "Read to Feed" site for kids

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Download the latest church Newsletter

The above link is to a .pdf files requiring Adobe Reader

 ( Adobe Reader - Download Here )

Let Marsha in the Church Office know if you have not

 received your copy of the newsletter.

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Our sympathies go out to the family of the Rev. Jack K. Bennett, former Pastor and Pastor Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church, Galveston, Texas, who died on January 21, 2010.  A Memorial Service was held at First Presbyterian Church, Corpus Christi on Saturday, January 30th .

In lieu of flowers, family asks that contributions be made in Jack’s memory to the Haiti Education Foundation, 1801 W. Block, El Dorado, Arkansas  71730  or to the Jack and Liz Bennett Scholarship Fund at Austin Presbyterian Seminary, 100 E. 27th Street,  Austin, TX  78705.

 

Notes to the family may be sent to Gloria Morse, 1850 Valley Drive, Canyon Lake, Texas  78130.

 

Attached here is the text of a letter written by the Rev. David H. Green, also to be found on the front page of the website.  This link is to a .pdf files requiring Adobe Reader  ( Adobe Reader - Download Here )

 

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Updates

The Food Pantry collection of non-perishables for St. Vincent's House has resumed!  The collection basket is in fellowship hall.

Sign up on the list at the back of McCullough Hall to bring cookies for fellowship time.

Would you like to donate flowers for Sunday morning worship?  Contact the church office at 409.762.8638

Every Monday, FPC Teams prepare & serve dinner at the Galveston Salvation Army, 23rd & Broadway, 3:30-6:00 (serving at 5:00 p.m.)  The program is in its 11th year.  Helpers needed once a month!

 Thank you to those who crocheted and knitted pew shawls for Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church.  60 have been made.  Please bring any leftover yarn or completed shawls to the church office.  Thank you to those who contributed to this effort to say thanks to Moody for allowing us the use of their facilities after Hurricane Ike.

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Short-term Sunday morning Adult Class on "End Time Theologies" with the Rev. Gene Straatmeyer coming after April 18.

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November 2009 news story from Houston's Channel 39 News about FPC Galveston holding the first Sunday worship service ‘at home’ after 14 months:

http://www.39online.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=81592798-140a-492a-ab0e-e4fed24ef473

 

Jennifer Sayler's video reflecting over the past 14 months of clean-up, reconstruction and preparation for worship back in the FPC Galveston building, with Jennifer's anthem being sung by the Chancel Choir during our "homecoming worship" on November 29, 2009:  look for "Homecoming”  here:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Galveston-TX/First-Presbyterian-Church-Galveston-Texas/185034170717

Click below for recent photos from the

Education Wing of First Presbyterian Church

 Volunteers set up McCullough Hall for worship

(Photos by Rev. David Green)

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Check out our church Facebook page,

and become a "fan" of First Presbyterian Church, Galveston, Texas

Videos featuring the return to First Presbyterian (one by Jennifer Salyer and one from Channel 39 news) are on the Facebook page.

 

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If you lost your copy of Lively Stones, the history of the first 150 years of First Presbyterian Church on Galveston Island,

you may have a replacement copy free of charge.  Co-author Retta Lou Weber will be happy to sign copies on Sunday mornings.

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Prayer List

If you know of someone who would like to be added to the church's prayer list, contact Chris Keller at 409.763.3510, or call the church office at 409.762.8638.  The prayer list appears in the bulletin on the first Sunday of each month.  Please also let us know when it is time to remove someone from the list.

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How to Find the Church Offices

First Presbyterian Church is located at 19th and Church Streets, north of Broadway and south of The Strand, on Galveston Island off the coast of Texas.  The entrance to the church office is through the glass doors at 20th & Church Streets.

Link to History of First Presbyterian Church, Galveston

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Photos of First Presbyterian Church Education Wing, Fall 2009

First floor hallway looking east.jpg   First floor hall from 20th Street

 

IMAG0100.JPG  First floor looking west; new conference room to left

 

IMAG0060.JPG 

(Above)

Mr. Williams, Laurie & Cynthia working on the new Nursery, with many new donations from the NAEYC conference

 

New Parlor, new carpet, old wood from sanctuary (right) IMAG0063.JPG   

 

IMAG0107.JPG  First Floor Adult Classroom from hallway

 

IMAG0156.JPG  Second floor Youth Room

 

 

IMAG0154.JPG  Second floor Elementary Classroom

 

IMAG0105.JPG  Downstairs early childhood classroom

 

IMAG0157.JPG  New combined EEP/CE Workroom on second floor

 

IMAG0161.JPG  New children’s library on second floor

(Staff photos)

 

 Background information & early photos on the  Church Restoration

Members of the church's Restoration Committee and others in the congregation continue to participate locally with the work of Partners for Sacred Places.  For more about this organization & their work in Galveston (including a short video), go to their website:

Partners for Sacred Places

 

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The Life of the Congregation of First  Presbyterian....

If you haven't received a church newsletter or haven't given us your latest address, please call Office Administrator Marsha Scoggin at 409.762.8638 or email scoggin@galvpres.net

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Please keep the church office up to date on your contact information (snail mail & email addresses, & phone numbers) by calling the church office at 409.762.8638 or emailing to the church office at scoggin@galvpres.net

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  • Our FPC Salvation Army Monday Night Dinner Teams continue and need volunteers

  •  Would you like to bring donuts or cookies for Sunday fellowship?

  •   Or serve as a Lay Leader? 

  • Would you like to usher occasionally?   Worship Ministry Chair is Mandy Rider.

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Mail for Church Ministries: 

     We now have a Ministry mail boxes at the church (in the room behind the copier room.) The following people/committees have mail drawers in the cart:  Buildings & Grounds  **  Clerk of Session  **  Christian Education ** Finance  **  Ida Austin Class  **  Korean Church  **  Missions ** Music  **  Restoration Task Force

  

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Camp Cho-Yeh at Lake Livingston, a camp of the Presbytery of New Covenant

 

 

CHO-YEH

 

 

Family at Camp Cho-Yeh

 

Cho-Yeh is invested in building relationships and impacting the lives of your family! Join us for these upcoming events designed specifically for families:

 
 

 

Adventures for Life Weekends

Designed for Fathers and Sons (14 and up), AFL is an extended weekend of adventure and fun as Dads and sons explore their roles as Godly men.

2010 Dates: August 5-8

ADVENTURES FOR LIFE
Sign up for e-mail updates (click here)

 

 

PARENT CHILD WEEKENDParent-Child Weekends at Camp

You asked for it, so we are making it happen!  Parents can now join in the fun! Stay at camp with your camper for an over-night experience during the summer! Go blobbing, ziplining, rock climbing and more.  Make Cho-Yeh a part of your bonding experience with your child this summer!


2010 Dates: June 26-27 or July 24-25

Click here for more information

 

FAMILY FUN DAYFamily Fun Day 2010

We're taking Open House to a whole new level!  We'll start off with family worship, enjoy some lunch and then play the day away!  New to Cho-Yeh? Join us! Family Fun Day is the perfect opportunity to bring the family and see what Cho-Yeh is all about!

2010 Date: April 11, 10:30am-5:00pm

RSVP and more information (click here)

CHO-YEH TRADING POST
Cho-Yeh Trading Post
ONLINE

The Cho-Yeh Trading Post is now online! It is easier than ever to stock up on Cho-Gear for you, your family and your friends.  Shop now for Christmas!


http://www.cho-yeh.com/tradingpost

 

 

For more information about Cho-Yeh, go to www.cho-yeh.org, click on a

 picture above, respond to this e-mail or call us:


888-455-8326

 

 

Cho-Yeh Camp and Conference Center / 2200 South Washington Ave / Livingston, TX 77351

 

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Photos by church member Joe Trum of the early post-Ike interior remediation work being done at the church.....

 

 

 

 

in the sanctuary

(plastic tubes are filled with warm, dry air - walkways built for access)                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the chapel

(pews destroyed by flood, warped flooring removed)

 

 

 

 

 

The members of the FPC Restoration Committee are David Salyer (Chair);  Mary Alice Black, Bruce Frasier, Catherine Garrison & Lesley Sommer.

 For post-Ike updates from around the Presbytery of New Covenant and news about its churches, go to  www.pbyofnewcovenant.org

 

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Weddings at First Presbyterian:  Unfortunately, due to the damage to the church by Hurricane Ike, we are unlikely to be able to host weddings this year but you may contact the church office at 409.762.8638 for more information and you may download a copy of the  "Wedding Booklet" with information on guidelines for weddings at First Presbyterian.  This is a downloadable .pdf file requiring Adobe Reader.

Adobe Reader - Download Here

Resources available online:  "Hear the Word".....a new resource from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a Weekly Revised Common Lectionary podcast of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

 

Resources available through FPC...

Tales of an African Dog and Tales of an African Dog in Alaska and Tales of an African Dog in Texas, chilldren's books by Jean Straatmeyer, are still available.  The books are about "Alaska Malawi", a dog born in Malawi, adopted by the Rev. Gene & Mrs. Jean Straatmeyer, Americans who were in Malawi before moving to Alaska.  The Straatmeyers now live in Crystal Beach, Texas.  Cost of the books are $10 per copy (any additional donations will be gratefully accepted).  All proceeds of the book will be given to care of orphan children in Malawi. 

Lively Stones, the illustrated, hardcover history of First Presbyterian Church of Galveston, written by our own Retta Lou Weber & her daughter, Gayle Weber Strange, includes many photos & information about the early days of Galveston.  A copy was spotted in a local used book store - priced at $55.00 - and several copies are offered on Amazon.com for $50.00-$95.00.  Well, have we got a deal for you!  Brand new copies are available through the church office for a bargain price!   If you lost your copy in Hurricane Ike, you may pick up a free replacement at the church.

 

FPC's Child Protection Policy

 

 The Child Protection Policy was approved by the Session in 2005. A link to the policy is here:  What follows is the Child Protection Policy   Additional training sessions are planned for prospective leaders, youth group workers, substitute teachers and early childhood workers, and for anyone interested in learning more.

               

About Church Photos

Photographs taken during church events and programs may be posted around the church, used in brochures, or on the church website.  If you would rather your image/your family’s images not be included, please let the church office know.

Ministry Chairs: Please share news and photos with the church website.  And be sure to call the church office (409.762.8638) to schedule all your meetings and events on the main church calendar.

 

Note from the Financial Office: Please put a memo on all checks to the church to allow us to properly identify the category of giving. Thank you!  Please let the financial office know if you are changing your pledge.

Grocery Shopping Stewardship: Use your Remarkable Card at Randall's (link to 4542).  Use your scan card  at Kroger's - pick up a letter from the church to link your card to FPC.
 

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Photos from church fellowship events "under the tent" after Ike:

 

Conversation ensues & food is devoured during

the 2009 Spring Fling fellowship supper (below left)

 

 

Post-Ike parking lot Halloween Party for young children, October 31, 2008 (above & right)

 

 

 

 

Easter Egg Hunt in the Chapel Yard, April 2009 (below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Need Your Help to Care for the Congregation.......

In the event of hospitalization or other family crisis, please have a family member or  friend notify the church office.  (Pastors no longer have access to lists of those hospitalized.)  Your church family needs your help to be there for you!

The Congregational Care Ministry has also compiled a list of contact people for those members who don't have family living locally, in case of an emergency. 

Do you have an up-to-date will? A designated Medical Power of Attorney to make healthcare decisions for you if you are incapable? A Directive to Physicians and Family (also known as a Living Will) which includes your decisions about life-sustaining treatment?  Copies of these documents may be found at www.nhpco.org , with state-specific forms to share with family members living in other states. 

 

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