http://www.fpcsb.org Patio eNews Update
An eNewsletter of FPCSB
Volume 78, February 22, 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, February 25

8:30 AM - Communion Service - Chapel

9:00 AM - Informal Worship Service in CFC
Sermon: "Prayer and Promise"
Scripture: Genesis 18:22-33

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

Adult Education this week:
At 9:00 a.m. in Anderson Lounge
“Reflections on Forgiveness"
(A four-week series)
The speaker is Marilyn McEntyre
   
10:30 AM Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: "Prayer and Promise"
Scripture: Genesis 18:22-33

10:30 AM - Presbykids Activity Time.

Peter's Message
Dear Friends,
In this month's Patio News (please check your mail) I am including a letter from Clifton Kirkpatrick and Linda Valentine, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and Executive Director of the General Assembly Council, respectively. I am doing this at their request; also because I want you to be informed about what is happening in our national church.

The letter is in regard to the likely announcement of the intention of some congregations in our denomination to leave the church. The issues are well stated by Clifton and Linda.

Tensions exist within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); that is no surprise to you. I have been familiar with them since my ordination in 1978--the same year the question of ordaining gays and lesbians was brought to the national church. While this particular issue continues to be a divisive one, I have been proud of our church for its commitment to work together for unity despite tension and strong disagreement. I was impressed by the effort, integrity, and thoughtfulness of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church, which reported to General Assembly last summer. Its work has been controversial, yet in my opinion staying together as a diverse body is itself controversial. In an age when civility is neglected and shouting is expected, having the grace to listen to and respect those who differ is an act of strong Christian faith.

I believe that practicing this quality of faith is vital to our ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara. We will differ on matters of some consequence, yet Christian communities are like families -- we stay together. We love each other. We learn to talk respectfully and to listen carefully. We honor the Prince of Peace who lives among us.

Do let me know if you would like to talk further about this. You can also learn more at our denomination's website (pcusa.org).

I am impressed by and grateful for our church's leaders. Thank you for your prayers for them, for our ministry here in this community, for our Santa Barbara Presbytery, and for the congregations nationwide in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

In Christ,
Peter

Outreach Dinner and Concert
Please invite your friends and neighbors to this exciting event!
Carl Christol Publishes New Edition of International Law and U.S. Foreign Policy
We are proud to note that member Carl Christol has published another scholarly work. Carl is an active member of our church and an important figure in his field. Congratulations, Carl!
Read the Book Description from Amazon.com:
The second, revised edition of International Law and U.S. Foreign Policy deals with America's most critical international problems, including new chapters on U.S. immigration policy; U.S. oil policy; and terrorism, unlawful detainees, and torture. More broadly, this comprehensive text examines the relationship between international law and important foreign policy decisions, including international criminal tribunals, the human environment and climate change, anti-personnel land mines, arms control and disarmament, the Middle East peace process, and the Iraq crisis from 2002-2006. These issues are presented with the aid of case studies, statutes, international agreements, and the views of leading scholars and jurists.
Read more about Carl and his work as a writer and as Emeritus Professor of Political Science at USC.





PRAYER AND INTERCESSION

Join us Wednesdays in Anderson Lounge for prayer 12:15-12:45p.m.
Pray for:

  • Missionaries and children at Thandanani (House of Refuge, So. Africa)
  • Those who are sick, hospitalized or recovering and need our support
  • Our military personnel serving in the Middle East: Maj. Greg Wolfe (son-in-law of Connie & Marshall Zaun); Gabe Thomas (grandson of George & Evelyn Thomas); 2nd Lt. Gregory Adams (step-grandson of Earle and Susan Howey); Lt. Sean Gardner, grandson of Jeannette Klingler; and Chaplain's Asst. Jonathon Marroquin (fiancé of Jennifer Hauser's sister); Sgt. Donald Adams (nephew of Jay & Marilyn Torrey); Kyle Lauth (grandson of Dolores Crisp) , the people of the Middle East, the pastors and people of the churches and for all those working for peace in Iraq and around the world
  • Congregation, staff at 1st Pres. Church of Lompoc Pastor Julie Leeth, retired minister Ernest Freund, and minister member at large Jeff Cotter

COMING EVENTS

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

Lay Readers Workshop
      Sunday, February 25                                  10:45 a.m.
      Important session for all who wish to participate as a Lay Reader.
      Training by Pastor Peter Buehler. Snacks provided.

Elder Alert: Latest in Schemes. Scams and Shams
      March 2 and 9, 2007                                  10:00 a.m. -12Noon
      Tannahill Auditorium - Shot Center 310 W Padre St, SB
      A must course for all who want to guard their financial stability.

Mid-Week Worship
      Wednesdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28              7:00 p.m.
      Thursday, April 5                                        7:00 p.m.
      Lenten worship in the Chapel. Prepare your hearts for Holy Week.

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.

Lay Readers Workshop
      Sunday, March 11                                      10:00 a.m.
      Important session for all who wish to participate as a Lay Reader.
      Training by Parish Associate Gordon Hess. Snacks provided.

Outreach Concert: St John’s Choir and Orchestra of Hamburg, Germany
      Wednesday, March 14                               7:30 p.m.
      Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and concert: $25, by reservation only.
      Concert only: $10. “Meet the Artists” reception to follow concert.

Congregational Breakfast and Workshop
      Saturday, March 31                                                8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
      Theme: “Faith Sharing and Being a Welcoming Congregation”
      Speaker: Gary Demarest. Cost: $5.

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

ADULT EDUCATION FOR MARCH: “Crises of the Christ” with Harold Englund. What were the major decisions Jesus faced and why were they important? These “crises” will show us Christ’s struggles and give insight into his mission and its results. Join us at 9:00 a.m. in Anderson Lounge.
BATTER UP! Our friends working in education in the Middle East are busy forming baseball teams. They currently have a need for baseball mitts. Lots of them; right or left handed; new or used. The CGO will have collection box by the reception desk until Sunday, March 4. (Gloves ship out on March 5th) Feel free to add to the collection.
“LOVE OFFERING for building supplies for the Gulf Coast Mission Trip folks” We'll receive it on Sunday, March 11 (all services). Everyone on the team is paying his/her own way, but the offering funds -- including Home Depot gift cards -- will help the team in their reconstruction efforts. Receiving the offering is a suggestion of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, one with which we are happy to comply.
FPC FOLK HEADED TO THE GULF! 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 will be headed to the Gulf Coast March 17-24 to help storm-ravaged families rebuild. The base of operations will be Luling, Louisiana – one of six PDA "villages" where volunteers are housed, fed, and instructed. Thank you in advance for your prayer support, and watch for further developments.
EQUAL EXCHANGE COFFE IS HERE. We are 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, and guarantees small farmers reasonable prices. You are welcome to purchase coffee, tea and chocolate for your home use. Contact Judith Muller (687-0754 x 108).
BRING A FRIEND TO THE 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.
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.
TODAY IS PARISH NURSE SUNDAY – look for Sharon Troll on the patio. February is American Heart Month. 1) Take the High Blood Pressure Quiz available at the Welcome Center. 2) Seek the answers are on the Health Ministry Bulletin Board. 3) Have your Blood Pressure taken by the Parish Nurse and receive a blood pressure tracker card.

SAVE A LIFE ....Learn CPR. Monday, February 26, 6-9PM at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. This course is designed for non-professional caregivers, teachers and any lay person who wants to learn these skills. At the end of this course participants will be able to describe the links in the Chain of Survival, describe and demonstrate the steps of CPR and relief of a Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (Choking victim) and describe and recognize the signs of 4 major emergencies in adults. You will receive a course completion card. $10 per person. Phone 569-7325 and tell them your Parish Nurse sent you (You may see me there).

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