After worship on Sunday, October 22, please join us during coffee hour for a piece of pie and learn about our First Presbyterian Church budget goals for 2018.
September Financial Report:
Income year to date: $417,743
Budgeted year to date: $432,316
Deficit: $14,573
We thank those who continue to give
generously to support the ministries of our church.
We Grow When We Give Set up a recurring online pledge via the Presbyterian Foundation, who processes payments at the lowest possible rates for us, by clicking on the above give now button. Or turn in an EFT form to our office for direct withdrawal from your bank account.
WORLD IN PRAYER
For those interested in a weekly prayer that incorporates what is happening in the world. Click here where a new prayer is offered every Thursday.
Abbreviations Key: Allison Room (AR), Basement (B),
Dennis Hall (DH), Education Hall (EdH), Jones Wing (JW),
Library (L), OS (Off Site), Sanctuary (S),
Youth House (YH)
The coffee and cookie cart is back. Stop by the library after church. Browse the new books: fiction, inspiration for your spiritual journey, biblical exploration, biography, peace, being green, parenting marriage, good children’s stories and many more subjects for your enjoyment and spiritual growth.
Welcome!
I felt celebrated on my birthday, Sunday October 1st and want to thank everyone in that show of love and pie! It was a complete surprise. Special thanks to the amazing Presbyterian Women who helped make it happen. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy being your pastor and hope to celebrate many more birthdays as your pastor.
Having said that, I also squirm when celebrated. It may sound like a complete contradiction for a pastor to say this, but I have trouble being the center of attention. Part of that is due to my desire for equity. All of you deserve to be celebrated! However, part of being celebrated, affirmed or praised is more than that. It can reach and trigger a wide variety of feelings. To be celebrated and to celebrate another is an act of vulnerability.
God celebrates us. God invites us to a huge feast, a party! The kind of love God offers us is vulnerable and it reaches into our most vulnerable places. For some, that is so frightening that they immediately switch into fight or flight like the guests in the Parable of the Wedding Feast.
If you cannot join us in person, we will be attempting to stream, now in High Definition, through internet streaming.
Peace,
Rev. Matt Gough
Sign up this Sunday for the Fall Gathering of Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of the Cascades. Saturday, October 21st, 9:30am– 3pm Presenter Jennifer Morris from CARDV plus book reviews, skits & some surprises! $10 for lunch made by Jeanne Taylor-Whitty. Register at the table in the Gathering Space or in the church office during weekday office hours. Contact Lynne Martin or Judy Miller for information.
Volunteer coordinator needed to recruit/sign up volunteers from the church for the Men’s Cold Weather Shelter. The coordinator will work with the shelter to find suitable dates and then recruit/sign up volunteers from our church. The shelter is preparing to host as many as 40 men this winter, but volunteers are needed to do this. If you are interested in this position, contact Matt or the church office.
The Jesus Fatwah: Adult Education Class on Islam
In The JesusFatwah, Islamic & Christian scholars offer reliable information about what Muslims believe, how they live out their faith, & how we all can be about building relationships across the lines of faith. Choose:
-Noon class session, week 3 from Thursday, October 19th- November 2nd in the Allison Room. 5 weeks total.
-Or2 Evening Sessions beginning thisMonday, October 16 & Tuesday October 17, 7pm-9pm, Dennis Hall 3.
Cost: $3 for materials. Sign up with the church office.
Sunday, November 5th we will honor All Saints Day.
For this day of remembrance, we invite you to bring a picture of a loved one to be displayed as we commemorate those we have passed during worship.
November 11th- 9am
Fall Yard Clean Up
Bring your work gloves to our annual yard spruce up day. Many hands are needed to rake leaves & prepare for cold weather ahead.
Contact Charlie Bruce for more details.
Supporting Jonathan Isengingo. You may know Jonathan from his participation in worship, activities and volunteering together. He is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo which has suffered a complete financial crash. This has affected Jonathan and his family and may mean that Jonathan will not be able to finish his engineering degree and will be forced to leave the country.If you would like to know more and/or help then click this link.
On Sundays, help those with mobility troubles and new visitors by leaving the parking lot spaces and street spaces that are in front of the church for them. Consider carpooling. Use the lot next to the multicultural center or street parking along the park or on Madison Ave. Thank you!
Announcements
2018 Stewardship Launch, Sunday, October 22 after Worship, join us for pie during coffee hour and learn about our First Presbyterian budget goals for 2018.
Sunday, October 29 at 2:00 pm come celebrate the 500 Year Anniversary of the Reformation with a concert by our Chancel Choir, here, at First Presbyterian Church in the Sanctuary.
Carillon Revelry Bell Choir is raising money for a long-overdue refurbishment of our bells. We need nearly $8,000, and we welcome your support. Checks can be made to First Presbyterian Church, with a memo for “Bell Refurbishment fund.†Your donation will help pave the way for another forty years of ringing the rafters.
Reiki sessions are every Thursday of the month. Sign-ups for Reiki sessions from either 3:00pm-4:00pm or 4:00pm-5:00pm are available through the church office. Come join us! For more information and testimonies on the healing relief of a Reiki session, call the church office at 541-753-2228.
Flowers: Sign up to bring flowers to Worship. Flowers can then later be distributed to our homebound people! A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board across from the office.
Name tags – Many members and friends graciously wear name tags to be more hospitable. Temporary name tags are available in the Narthex or from an usher. If you make 1st Pres your worshipping home then let the office know and we will gladly make you a permanent one! If you have a name tag please wear one, and introduce yourself to your neighbors!
Just a reminder that there is no parking parallel to the yellow curb in the parking lot. Please only park in designated parking lot spaces or out on the street. On Sundays, parking is also available in the Multi-Cultural Center parking lot across 9th Street.
#worshipleader Is your child interested in being a part of worship? We’re always looking for kids to read or share their musical talents. Find Jonathan after worship or click the buttons in the left-hand sidebar to sign up!
To place an announcement in the Sunday bulletin send your request and exact wording (may need to be edited for space reasons) to announcements@1stpres.org
October Challenge Offering
CASA- Voices for Children is a non-profit organization that trains and supports Special Advocates to speak for a child who is a victim of abuse and neglect.
CASA- VFC serves every child in Benton County who is within the legal custody of the State of Oregon.
As an advocate, professionally trained volunteers stay with a child throughout the duration of their case. While in the welfare system, children have multiple caseworkers and can have multiple placements. Often, an advocate in the only constant in the ever changing lives of these children.
CASA- VFC gives an abused or neglected child a voice by advocating for their birthright to a safe, nurturing and forever family.
You may know Jonathan from his participation in worship, activities and volunteering together. He is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo which has suffered a complete financial crash. This has affected Jonathan and his family and may mean that Jonathan will not be able to finish his engineering degree and will be forced to leave the country.
