http://www.fpcsb.org Patio eNews Update
An eNewsletter of FPCSB
Volume 74, January 26, 2007
Web Site: www.fpcsb.org

(If you have trouble viewing this Patio eNews on your e-mail, please view it on the church Web site)

Sunday, January 28

8:30 AM - Communion Service - Chapel

9:00 AM - Informal Worship Service in CFC
Sermon: "To Love as God Loves"
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13

9:00 AM - All church, All Age Education/Sunday School

10:30 AM Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: "To Love as God Loves"
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13

10:30 AM - Presbykids Activity Time.

The eNews will sometimes come out bi-weekly rather than weekly. The Sunday's scripture on January 14 will be 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and the theme will be "Abundant Gifts."

Peter's Message
Dear Friends,
I wrote to you last month about barriers, about how sincerity and kindness toward church visitors helps them overcome stumbling blocks to church, even to God. I mentioned that we are seen by many as a "big church" -- at least as viewed from State and Constance -- and therefore our hospitality and helpfulness are vital to overcoming any perception of coldness and impersonality. Responses to what I wrote suggest that a number of you resonated with the idea, that you have dealt personally with barriers in your faith journeys, and that you know the difference it makes when church members go out of their way to be welcoming.

Good news! We have a friend who will help us grow. Gary Demarest, Interim Pastor here in 2000-2001 and a friend of many, will be with us Saturday and Sunday, March 31 and April 1, to lead us in a better understanding of How to Be a Welcoming Congregation. As a longtime pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), a leader in our denomination, and former head of our church's Office of Evangelism, Gary has a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on. On Saturday, Gary will lead us in a congregation-wide workshop on our Welcoming theme; on Sunday he will challenge us further in preaching. A special weekend it will be.

Hence this invitation: Come! Mark your calendar today for the Saturday workshop on March 31. The time is 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. with breakfast included (expect a nominal charge, but nothing banquet-level). And then be ready to practice your skills at church on Sunday. Come to think of it, what we learn will not be Sunday-only knowledge. After all, the church is people -- even Christ's body -- so wherever we go we can help pull down barriers.

Did I mention that the Sunday Gary is here is April1? Hmmm. Let's see. What will be an appropriate welcome for our preacher on that day? Not that I'm at all mischievous. Not in the least. But I'll be pondering the question.
Grace and peace, Peter

A Congregational Meeting will be held

Sunday, January 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the Christian Fellowship Center

Dinner: $8.00 per person

Call Juleine at 687-0754 to make your reservation.
Or sign up on the patio.

Music Recital at FPC
On Sunday, January 28, 2007, from 4:00-5:00 PM, Emma Lou Diemer, organ, and friends Jeannette Klingler, piano, Audrey Sharpe, Ashley Harrell and Kristen Dittman, sopranos, will offer a music recital for our listening pleasure and inspiration. Reception to follow. **A free will offering will be requested to help defray expenses.**

Missions Conference Inspires
On Saturday, January 20, our church hosted our 5th annual Missions Conference. In cooperation with the Santa Barbara Presbytery, we invited many representatives from world mission projects to share their successes and concerns and to help us to understand the many ways we can help. The main speaker was the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, and his message that being a Christian is TO BE A MISSIONARY was inspiring and motivating to all who attended. If you missed this year's conference, be sure to attend next year! Special thanks go to Chuch Curtis and the active committee that organized this event.
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Presbyterian Women Hosts Rebecca Tinsley
On Monday, January 22, the monthly Presbyterian Women's meeting featured a delicious dinner based upon African menus and then heard how "Women Are the Solution to the Problems in Africa," offered by freelance journalist Rebecca Tinsley. Rebecca had a compelling photo presentation of conditions in Rwanda, especially, and of her plans to build a school for girls. We are praying for her success, and many who attended were inspired to offer donations. We are so fortunate to have people like the missionaries who spoke at our conference and people like Rebecca who have sacrificed so much and who keep moving forward with God's plan for His people. During the dinner, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Edythe Kirchmaier, who is celebrating her 99th birthday! Congratulations, Edythe!.
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PresbyCamp (Winter Break Version) Visits Reagan Museum and More
Meeting during January 2 through 5, fourteen kids and two counselors participated in a variety of activities, as the photos below attest:

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Early Childhood Center Visits Our Chapel

COMING EVENTS

First Presbyterian Church Music Recital
        Sunday, January 28                              4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
        Wonderful musicians in the Sanctuary, free will offering.

Congregational Meeting
        Sunday, January 28                              5:30 – 7:45 p.m.
        Annual Report of First Presbyterian Church, Supper: $8. call 687-0754

Winter Inquirer’s Classes Begin
        Monday, January 29                      7 – 8:30 p.m.
        Learn more about the Presbyterian Church: 4 week class. Call 687-0754

Adult Education in Anderson Lounge with Marilyn McIntyre
        Sundays in February                     9:00 a.m.
        “Reflections on Forgiveness” a 4-week series.

Senior Activities Program
        Friday, February 2                              10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
        Friday at the Movies: Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel”

Faith and Literature – Women’s Reading Group
        Wednesday, February 7                   9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
        Discussion of “Vintage Book of Latin American Stories”, pg. 119-143
        In Anderson Lounge. Call Loyda: 687-4995 for information

Senior Activities Program
        Friday, February 9                              10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
        Love Songs with Dr. Higgenbothan; and “Catch Phrase!”

Tom Hunter in Concert
        Friday, February 9                              6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
        Music for children of all ages. Tickets on sale soon.

PresbyFolks – Men’s Volleyball, UCSB vs. UC San Diego
        Thursday, February 15                   7:00 p.m.
        Robertson Gym, UCSB. $7 at door, see flyer in Reception Office
        Call only for van transportation: 687-0754. For  info: Nancy (569-2877)

Senior Activities Program
        Friday, February 16                             10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
        “The Stream Team”, speaker: Ben Pitterle. Plus: Bible Study with Judith.

Senior Activities Program
        Friday, February 23                             10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
        “Senior Living Consultants”, speaker, Peggy Renker. Plus: BINGO!

Annual Women’s Retreat
        Friday, March 9                         5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
        Saturday, march 10                              9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
        “Inward Journey – Outward Journey: the Call to the Spiritual Life”
        The Rev. Susan Copeland. Pick up registration form in Reception Office.
        Get the flyer and registration materials.

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

THE FLOWERS in front of the Pulpit this morning are dedicated by Gil and Carol Ashor in loving memory of their granddaughter, Alyssa Ashor. The Deacons will take the flowers to those unable to worship with us.

ADULT EDUCATION FOR FEBRUARY : Join Marilyn McEntyre in Anderson Lounge at 9:00a.m. for a series on Forgiveness.

“PER CAPITA PAYMENTS” Thank you to those of you who have made your 2007 Per Capita payment. Our church’s apportionment from Presbytery is $27 per member. Per Capita dollars are how Presbyterians share the costs of coming together to discern the Spirit’s leading for the future. Go to www.pcusa.org/dollarsandsense.com for more info. We encourage all members to help with their share of the apportionment. Contribution Envelopes are available in the reception office for those who have requested them. If you would like envelopes contact Tina at 687-0754, ext. 105.

FPC FOLK HEADED TO THE GULF! A dozen First Presbyterian members will be headed to the Gulf Coast March 17-24 to help storm-ravaged families rebuild. They'll be partnering with the church organization Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), with which several of our sister congregations have worked (St. Andrews, El Montecito, and Santa Ynez Valley). The base of operations will be Luling, Louisiana – one of six PDA "villages" where volunteers are housed, fed, and instructed. The group will most likely work on a home in the New Orleans area. Members from other churches will be in Luling at the same time. Who's going from FPC? Dave and Cynthy Ardell, Gil Ashor, Don and Esther Bennett, Kati and Peter Buehler, Chuck Curtis, Jay and Marilyn Torrey, and Bruce and Nancy Williams. Thank you in advance for your prayer support, and keep your eyes open for further developments.

EQUAL EXCHANGE COFFE IS HERE. We will be serving Equal Exchange/Fairly Traded Coffee at our Sunday morning coffee time. A basket will be placed on the table for your contributions. Fair Trade helps build pride; and independence, and empowers communities of small farmers in Latin America, Africa and Asia. In the midst of an economic crisis caused by historically low market prices, Fair Trade guarantees small farmers reasonable prices for organic coffee. If you wish to help you are welcome to purchase coffee, tea and chocolate for your home use. For more information you may view an 8 minute DVD and/or contact Judith Muller (687-0754 x. 108).

WOMEN’S RETREAT! There are few major road signs on the sacred path as we seek to enrich our lives on the journey inward. This year’s Women’s Retreat will explore how we walk the inward path alone, with family, within the context of the faith community and as service in the world. The Rev. Susan Copeland returns as this year’s retreat facilitator. The retreat is Friday evening (5:30 - 9:00 p.m.), March 9, and Saturday (9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.), March 10. The $40 fee includes dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday. Questions? Talk to Jacci Trandall, Kati Buehler, or Sandy Hess. Bring a friend to the Women’s Retreat! Get the flyer and registration materials.

PRAYER REQUESTS : The Prayer Chain is available to pray for your needs. In the Narthex and in the Fireside Lounge are new Prayer Boxes provided by the Congregational Care Ministry. Please fill out a request form and leave it in the box, or call Chuck at 687-0754, x 102. All prayer requests are kept confidential.

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS! The mission conference planning team wishes to thank the volunteers from First Pres who served as conference hosts and workshop hosts last Saturday (Jan. 20). It was a wonderful day for God's mission, with over 300 in attendance! --Chuck Curtis

PARISH NURSH SUNDAY! Sharon Troll will be here today to offer blood pressure screenings and hugs. She will also be distributing a congregational health survey at the beginning of worship and collecting them following worship.
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