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September 23, 2007

PresbyFolks Enjoys a Picnic and Ride on the Land Shark
On Saturday, September 15, the PresbyFolks had a picnic on East Beach and then boarded the Land Shark for a tour of Santa Barbara and then a ride out into the ocean. The initially foggy weather cleared so everyone enjoyed a beautiful sunny day in Santa Barbara. For information on future PresbyFolks activities, please go to our website.
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You are invited to join a Life Group!
            Sign up today for a small group that will meet weekly for fellowship, to study the scripture from Sunday’s sermon and for prayer.  From the following list, choose a time that works for you. The fall series begins the week of October 7th and will meet for six weeks.  If you are a previous participant, please sign up again.
            To sign up after September 24th, call Juliene at the church
or contact the group leader to indicate your interest.

                           Monday
Open to all: 7-8:30 pm  -- starts October 15
Group leaders:  Don and Esther Bennett, 569-2728
Location: Bennett home
                           Tuesday
Morning men’s group, 7:30-8:30 am  -- starts October 9
Group Leader: Gordon Hess, 682-8569
Location: church, Anderson Lounge   
                           Wednesday
Open to all:  4-5:30 pm  -- starts October 10
Group leader:  Anne Shelton, 967-2711
Location:  Shelton home or church, TBD*

Women’s group, 7-8:30 pm -- starts October 10
Group Leader: Kati Buehler, 898-3912
Location:  church or home, TBD*

Open to all, 7-8:30 pm – starts October 10
Group Leader: Peter Buehler, 687-0754 
Location: church or home, TBD*

Couples Group, 7-8:30 pm  -- starts October 10
Group Leader: Sandy and Gordon Hess, 682-8569
Location:  Hess home

Open to all, 7-8:30 pm --starts October 10
Group Leader: Lee and Diane Kirkpatrick, 967-3076
Location: Kirkpatrick home
                        Thursday
Women’s Group, 4-5:30 pm  -- starts October 11
Group Leader: Esther Bennett, 569-2728
Location:  church, Garden Room

*to be decided

Schedules and sign-up sheets will be available
on the Patio beginning Sunday, September 16.
Questions? Call Esther or Don Bennett, 569-2728 .

PRAYER AND INTERCESSION

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

Pray for:

·       Missionary Dave Sommers and the Ladera Bible Club

·       Those who are sick, hospitalized or recovering and need our support

·       Our military personnel serving in the Middle East: Andrew Gaston; 2 nd 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

·       Front PORCH Campus Ministries at San Luis Obispo, Director Patrick Hall and Front PORCH Campus Ministry at UCSB

COMING EVENTS

Adult Education in Anderson Lounge at 9:00 a.m.

        Sunday, September 23, 30 - Dr. George Gilmour: “The Psalms”

“Odd Month Ed.” in Anderson Lounge at 10:30 a.m.

        Sunday, September 23, 30 - Dr. Wennberg: The Moral Community

Homecoming Sunday

        Sunday, September 23                    before and after worship

        Sign up for Teams and Ministries on the patio

Lay Readers Meeting in the Christian Fellowship Center

        Sunday, September 23                    11:45 a.m.

Presbyterian Women’s Dinner and Program

        Monday, September 24                    5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

        Dr. Bob Ohman: “Hearing God’s Call” $9, call 687-0754 for reservation.

Senior Activities Program

        Friday, September 28                    10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

        Dances of Hawaii with Helen and her troupe; Plus BINGO!

Inquirer’s Class begins

        Monday, October 1                       7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

        Monday, October 8                       7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

        Monday, October 15                      7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

        Monday, October 22                      7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

        Meet with Pastor Peter Buehler in Anderson Lounge

        Learn more about First Presbyterian Church and the Christian faith.

        Call Juleine to reserve your spot. 687-0754 x 110.

Faith and Literature Women’s Reading Group

        Wednesday, October 3                    9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

        Meet in Anderson Lounge. Questions call: 687-4995

Mission Vitalization Weekend

        Saturday, October 13                       9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

        Sunday, October 12                          9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

        Here at First Presbyterian Church. Sign up today.

        See flyer for details. Lunch Saturday: $12, Lunch Sunday:$8

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

THE FLOWERS this morning are dedicated by Juleine Schmidt in honor of Jacci Trandal and Leah Gaston in celebration of their birthdays on September 19. Following worship the Deacons will take the flowers to those who are ill or homebound.

ADULT EDUCATION — Sundays in September

         The Rev. George Gilmour will present a series of four classes on the Psalms at the 9:00 hour in Anderson Lounge.

        Join Dr. Bob Wennberg in Anderson Lounge at 10:30 for his class on everyday choices and how they reflect one’s character.

HOMECOMING SUNDAY! There are tables on the patio for you to see what’s going on here at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara. This is your chance to sign up to serve in our many areas of ministry and mission. Build your faith and commitment to Christ by reaching out to the community. Enjoy a cookie! Feels like home!

NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE FAIR - Tuesday, October 2, at 6- 8:30pm at Montecito Covenant Church (671 Cold Springs Rd). Westmont, along with many national and regional Christian colleges will participate in this fair to provide you with information regarding admission, financial aid, student life and other important facts about Christian colleges. Questions? Contact: Westmont Office of Admission (565-6200) or e-mail: admissions@westmont.edu .

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY is October 7. We will receive the Peacemaking offering on that day. For many years our congregation has participated in the Peacemaking Program of the Presbyterian Church (USA) . The Peace Candle at the front of the sanctuary is a symbol of our commitment to the program. 25% of the offering is kept by our congregation for local programs, including support for the homeless in Santa Barbara, for peacemaking efforts overseas, and scholarships to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Conferences. One half of the offering is use d by the national church and 25 % by Presbytery for their Peacemaking programs. Envelopes will be available in the pew racks and in the CFC.

YOUTH EVENTS THIS WEEK: High School, Thursday night, 7-9 pm! No Friday Junior High Slam this week, due to All Church Retreat. Come sign up for the retreat instead!

COUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DIVAN… Our Youth Lounge is in need of new sofas because our old ones are falling apart. If you have a used couch you would like to donate, please call Sheri at 680-5609. We’ll come take a look at your convenience. If we can use it we will move it.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OLD PHOTOS of First Presbyterian Church activities ? The Celebration Team would love to have copies for our 140th Anniversary Party. Bring your photos to the church office - attention: Roberta MacKenzie.

FAIRLY TRADED COFFEE is served at our Fellowship time (currently only Regular, not Decaf). Your donation helps defray the added cost of this coffee which we purchase to help the small coffee growers. Packaged coffee is available for purchase on the patio.

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

Monthly Financial Report

Our church is dependent upon our pledges and donations to do God’s work in our congregation, community and the world. As has been reported in recent Congregational meetings and in the annual report, our expenses have exceeded our income for the past several years. The following report will be provided monthly to assure that members of the congregation are aware of the need for additional operating income in the near future. In the meantime, shortfalls in income from donations and other sources will be covered by the use of reserve funds which have been built up over previous years.

Church Operating Fund*, 2007 thru August

        Income: $ 604,479

        Expenses:       $ 750,281

        Difference:     $( 145,801)

*Does not include income or expenses of the Early Childhood Center

SAVE THE DATE for the First Presbyterian Church Retreat! Friday, September 27 & Saturday, September 28 at Rancho La Scherpa. The Retreat begins Friday night with a campfire program led by Mark Croshaw, singing and s’mores. Saturday will include a program by Dr. Gordon Hess and plenty of time for ropes course, crafts, swimming and games! We’ll end our time together Saturday with worship. Cost will be $25 - $95 per person, lots of options! We’ll have details coming up on how you can earn a free night at the Retreat (your cost would be $25). Download the brochure and registration form.