Join Pastor Matt and Family at Honeyman State Park. More info here.
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.
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)
February is Church Library Month ~ Be a Bookworm New books: 248.86/RIC The Cure for Sorrow: a Book of Blessings for Times of Grief by Jan Richardson; Video F/You The Shack; C/MC Hug Time by Patrick McDonnel, A book about hugs for all ages.
Winter Weather Policy
If the weather is making roads dangerous to travel, call the church
at 541-753-2228, press 7 for alerts or check the website at www.1stpres.orgBEFORE leaving for church. If the schools are closed due to weather during weekdays,
then our building is closed.
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!
Welcome!
“Either we are in the universe to inhabit the eternity of our souls and grow real, or else we might as well dedicate our days to shopping and kill time watching talk-shows”. John O’Donohue
The rhythm of the liturgical year has us in Lenten time. Often in a minor key, this time is marked by quiet and lento, other times crescendoing with into a majestic credo. Because of Ash Wednesday being on Valentine’s day and Easter on April 1st, we decided to explore the theme of Lovers and Fools. Each week we will experience the lives and witness of people who have advocated ways of being in and seeing the world that may seem like foolishness to some, but who teach us through words and/or actions the upside down way love of grace.
This week we will inhabit the the life of John O’Donohue. An Irish poet, writer and former priest, he uncovered the gift of Celtic spirituality, believing that ancient wisdom could offer desperately needed nourishment for the spiritual hunger experienced in our modern world. HIs writings stirred desire in people around the globe to cultivate a deeper connection to God, the earth and one another. His actions echoed his writings, spearheading environmental activism and advocating for soul, beauty and imagination in the corporate world.
Irish music, the Gratitude jazz band, a reading from the Song of Solomon, a chamber orchestra accompanying a choir anthem and the presence of Holy Spirit will stir anew your longing for God. And, we will be reminded once again as John wrote:
“We do not need to go out and find love; rather, we need to be still and let love discover us.”
Join us this Thursday at noon (with chair yoga at 10:45) as we expand our experience of O’Donohue
If you cannot join us in person, we will be attempting to stream, now in
High Definition, through internet streaming.
Peace,
Rev. Sharon Edwards
The church office and building will be open
on President’s Day, Monday, February 19.
Office hours are 9am-4pm.
PW Coffee: Be Scamproof!
Tuesday, February 20th,10am in Dennis Hall
If there is a way to scam someone, be sure, somebody is doing it. Matt Gough became familiar with many internet scams while working for a Tech Television Network. We could never keep up with the many ways people scam others. The best defense is to follow simple steps. Come learn what those steps are & enjoy fellowship & coffee.
Lent Study: Lovers & Fools
Class runs Thursdays at Noon, Feb. 22 – Mar. 22
This year Lent begins on Valentine’s Day and
ends on April Fool’s day, which is also Easter.
Join Pastor Matt & Pastor Sharon for a focused discussion on saints, mystics and prophets whose love of God, fellow humanity & life may seem foolish to many, but who left testimony to the power of that love to change the world.
Food Donations Next Sunday – we are asking our congregation to donate non-expired, non-perishable food items to help feed those in need. Please drop your donations off at the church office.
UPCOMING Feb. 20th, Great Decisions Class, 7pm, Allison Room.
Feb. 20th- PW Coffee, 10-11am, DH
Feb. 22nd- Lovers and Fools Class, 12pm
Thank you to all those who have volunteered to help
at the Men’s Cold Weather Shelter this coming week.
We truly appreciate your time and kindness.
February Challenge Offering: Friendship with Cambodia
The congregation of First Presbyterian Church has been a powerful presence in Cambodia for over 22 years now. For the past few years, our church has been supporting Friendship with Cambodia, a non-profit organization that has humanitarian projects in Cambodia.
Friendship with Cambodia and FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH support the following projects:
-Scholarship for poor rural students who are high achievers (85% are girls) to pursue university studies. (Less than 10% of the students in Cambodia finish high school).
-A shelter for street children. (Currently there are over 4,000 homeless children living in the streets.)
-Work to stop sex trafficking. (Over 5,000 girls under age 18 were sold to brothels in Phnom Penh and are being held as prostitutes.)
-Help for landmine survivors. We are responding to their needs for prosthesis, income generation, house repair, ect. (There remain 4-6 million landmines in the ground from 30 years of war. Every 3 days someone steps on a landmine.)
-Free medical care for children at the Angkor Hospital for Children. (The Piecemakers of our church have provided beautiful quilts to the patients.)
-Women’s Self-Help Groups offering micro-credit programs so that the women can start a business, build a house, purchase a cow or a bicycle, etc. (Women’s economic empowerment is one of the 2 best ways to end poverty. The other is education for girls.)
Please consider a donation to the Challenge Offering so that all of this good work can continue.
Announcements:
Sundays @ 3 presents The Delgani String Quartet; Jannie Wei & Wyatt True, violins; Kimberlee Uwate, viola & Eric Alterman, cello. A free concert event at Good Samaritan Church, 35th & Harrison, 3pm, Sunday March 4th. Donations are accepted and appreciated at the concert.
Wed, Feb 21, 5-7pm: Palestine – a meeting with Janet Lahr Lewis at theCorvallis Friends Meeting House;3311 NW Polk St., Corvallis. Potluck dinner at 5pm & discussion after our meal; all are welcome!
Janet Lahr Lewis is a Christian missionary who lived & worked in Bethlehem for ten years. She is currently with the General Board of Global Ministries for the United Methodist Church & serves as advocacy coordinator for the Middle East at the General Board of Church & Society in Washington, DC. For more information:541-740-4207 or corvallismeeting@gmail.com
Reiki Sessions: Thursdays from 3-4pm or 4-5pm. Come join us! Make an appointment with the church office by Wednesday during office hours. For more information & testimonies on the healing relief of a Reiki session, call the church office at 541-753-2228. There is no cost for this ministry.
Carillon Revelry Bell Choir is raising money for a long-overdue refurbishment of our bells. Thanks to you and memorial money given towards music ministry, We have raised raised the $8,000 needed! Thank you! To keep our bells well-maintained you can continue to support the bell fund. Checks can be made to First Presbyterian Church, with a memo for ‘Bell fund.’
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) toannouncements@1stpres.org
