COMING EVENTS

New Year’s Eve Day, Monday, December 31 Office closes at noon

New Year’s Day - Tuesday, January 1, 2008       Office closed

Senior Activities Program

        Friday, January 4                               10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

        “Ride Across America” with Jill Gass, Sonia Ross & Jean DeBettignies

        Lunch:$5. This is a program for active seniors. Call Nancy: 967-7675.

Faith and Literature

        Wednesday, January 9                    9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

        Women’s reading and discussion group meets in Anderson Lounge

        All are welcome. Call Loyda (687-4995) for information.

Bible Study with Rev. Judith Muller

        Wednesday, January 9                    12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

        Bible Study group meets in Anderson Lounge. All are welcome.

Clipper Club – Spares and Pairs

        Friday, January 11                              6:30 p.m.

        Speaker: Officer Don Clotworthy of the California Highway Patrol

        Dinner: $13. In the CFC. Reservation required, call 963-103-

Chariot of Friends

        Wednesday, January 16                   9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

        We’re heading for the Sizzler in Goleta for a great lunch. Cost: $13

        Reservations required, call Dolores (899-2789) for information.

6th Annual Mission Conference

        Saturday, January 19                    9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

        Keynote speaker: Earl Palmer. Registration forms in office

        $20 registration includes lunch. www.sbmissionconference.org

Nelson and Friends Recital

        Sunday, January 27                              4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

        A delightful variety of music and performers. Free admission.

Congregational Dinner and Annual Meeting

        Sunday, January 27                              5:30 p.m.

        Annual Report of First Presbyterian Church, Supper: $9. call 687-0754

Presbyterian Women’s Dinner

        Monday, January 28                      5:30 p.m.

        Come find out about our special surprise program.

        Dinner: $9.In the CFC. Reservation required, call 687-0754

Join us each Sunday for Worship

          at 8:30 a.m.          Worship in the Chapel

          at 9:00 a.m.          Informal Worship in the CFC

          at 10:30 a.m.        Worship in the Sanctuary

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.

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

THE FLOWERS this morning are dedicated by Jim and Noni Patchell in celebration of their first year of marriage. THE FLOWERS are also dedicated by Margie Rhinestein in loving memory of her husband, Richard Rhinestein. Following the service the Deacons will take the flowers to those who are ill or homebound and unable to attend worship .

“ODD MONTH ED” in January: The New Atheists - Recently atheism has become all the rage, at least judging by a series of New York Times best-selling books claiming that belief in God is irrational and that "religion poisons everything." How credible are these claims? This is a four-week course led by Professor James Taylor, professor of philosophy at Westmont College, and a specialist in apologetics and the philosophy of religion (January 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 10:30 in Anderson Lounge).

ADULT EDUCATION – JANUARY "The Quest for Jesus in History, Archeology, and the Media" at 9:00 A.M. in Anderson Lounge, January 6, 13, and 27. Who was Jesus? Answers to this question have varied. How firm is the traditional answer given by the Christian church? Led by Bruce Fisk, Professor of New Testament, from Westmont College.

THE BEAUTIFUL BACKGROUND TRIPTYCH for the white nativity set at the back of the Sanctuary was commissioned by the Flower Guild to Bernadette Bakker in 1997. Bernadette was an artist who designed leaded glass windows as well as smaller pieces. Her work graces many homes and businesses throughout California. Bernadette and Mark Bakker were married in this church on May 16, 1987. She passed away in September of 1999 after a valiant struggle with breast cancer.

SCENE OF THE NATIVITY – Several years ago Mr. and Mrs. John Laury presented First Presbyterian Church with the beautiful white bisque Nativity set displayed each Christmas at the back of the Sanctuary. The set is from the Boehm Collection.

PRESBYTERIAN MISSION TODAY. New and refreshing things are happening in mission in the Presbyterian Church (USA). A new administration in Louisville is bringing renewal and a firm connection to our 170 year mission past. Art Beals, distinguished mission mobilizer, and Caryl Weinberg, veteran PC(USA) mission worker (Ghana, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Congo), will bring you up to date and present a view of the future. Sign up now for their workshop while registering for SB Presbytery’s Mission Conference on Saturday, January 19. Pick up a brochure or go to www.sbmissionconference.org

HONOR SOMEONE SPECIAL by dedicating the Sanctuary flowers on a Sunday for worship. Stop by the reception desk to check the Flower Book for available dates in 2008. Cost: $40 for one bouquet, $65 for two.

HOST A SAILOR - The Navy League of the United States, Santa Barbara Council (SBNL), will be hosting the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, January 11-14, 2008. You have an opportunity to host a sailor during the visit. SBNL is seeking volunteers willing to adopt a sailor. Volunteers may invite the Sailors to join them in a worship service, or to their home to sleep and eat or take them out. Interested? Contact Deborah at the SBNL (879-1598)