http://www.fpcsb.org
Patio eNews Update
 
An eNewsletter of First Presbyterian Church
of Santa Barbara
 
Volume 136, May 23, 2008
  
 
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)

Visit our new Photo Gallery

May 25, 2008

8:30 AM - Communion Service - Chapel

9:00 AM - Informal Worship Service in CFC
Sermon: "The Two Anxieties"
Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

9:00 AM - All church, All Age Education/Sunday School
(See scheduled Speakers)

10:30 AM Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: "The Two Anxieties"
Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Today we welcome director Lesley Sirianni and the SonLight Singers, from First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro, here on their spring tour.

10:30 AM - Presbykids Activity Time.

Peter's Message
May 23, 2008

Dear Friends at First Presbyterian Church,

This July, Judith Muller, our wonderful Associate Pastor, will be starting her well-earned sabbatical. With her month of vacation, Judith will be away from the church a total of four months, returning to us November 16.

Judith will be a key member of this pastoral staff for many years to come, so we want these months to be as restful and renewing as possible. Respecting Judith's time away, however -- especially when she is in town -- will require some discipline on our part.

Here's where you come in. As we want to continue to provide the best pastoral care we possibly can -- and provide Judith with the best sabbatical -- if you or someone you know in the church needs pastoral assistance:

  • Call us! Do not hesitate.
  • On weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., call the church (687-0754). Tell us your need or your neighbor's, with contact information, and we will respond. After 5:00 p.m., dial my extension (107) and leave a message.
  • If it's urgent (after hours), call me at home (898-3912). Same for weekends and holidays.
  • In an emergency or urgent situation, if you cannot reach me, call (Parish Associate) Gordon Hess (days - 969-4651, evenings - 682-8569).

 The Deacons have made special plans to provide care during Judith's time away. Presbyterian clergy in our congregation and community will also be assisting. Judith's sabbatical will be a good experience for us all, giving us an opportunity to exercise our gifts for ministry in a new way.

Thank you for your help during these upcoming months, for your prayers for Judith and me, and for your support for our leaders and church staff. The Apostle's words are profoundly true: Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. Together we celebrate this high calling.

Sincerely,

Peter S. Buehler
Clippers Have Dinner and Hear Ice Cream Bones
On Friday, May 9, the monthly Clippers dinner featured the wonderfully entertaining folk group Ice Cream Bones. Singing some favorites, a new composition, and leading the group in even more songs, the Ice Cream Bones were a great hit with everyone. If you are interested in participating in Clippers events, please call Juleine.
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Chariot of Friends Lunches at Willoughby World
On Wednesday, May 21, the monthly Chariot of Friends program gathered at Willoughby World for a fried chicken luncheon and great fellowship. For information about participating in Chariot of Friends activities, please contact Juleine.
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Planning for Our 140 Year Anniversary Celebration Proceeds Apace!
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Two Westmont arts professors are featured prominently in this week’s Independent.

Philip Ficsor’s world premiere of composer Emma Lou Diemer’s “Suite for Violin and Piano” is described as “luminous” on page 77 of the print version, and online here: http://independent.com/news/2008/may/15/santa-barbara-music-club/

John Blondell’s latest production with Lit Moon is glowingly previewed on page 81 of the print version, and online here:

http://independent.com/news/2008/may/15/lit-moon-theatre-home-and-abroad/

The photo features Westmont alumna Kate Paulsen, and the preview also mentions adjunct professor Victoria Finlayson and alumna Erin Brehm.
Friends,  
Attached in English and Spanish versions is a pastoral letter to the PC(USA) from Cliff Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, and Linda Valentine, Executive Director, General Assembly Council, in the wake of recent natural disasters at home and worldwide.  
Please share it with your pastors and congregations if you find it helpful to do so. The letter is online at www.pcusa.org/pda/letter-may14.htm (Spanish version: www.pcusa.org/pda/letterespanol-may14.htm).  
Also, please know of our prayers for those of you who are located in areas that have been hit by recent tornados as you offer support and pastoral care.  
Peace,
Sharon
 
The text of the letter follows:  
May 14, 2008  
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,  
Tornados in the United States, a cyclone in Myanmar, and an earthquake in China – all within the past few days and all with deadly and devastating outcomes. Thousands upon thousands of people have lost their lives. Literally millions have been affected directly and are at ongoing risk for diseases and other adversities in the aftermath.  
To have one such disaster is overwhelming; to have so many in such a short period of time is beyond comprehension.  
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding to these disasters in several ways by working with our overseas church partners, as well as presbyteries and congregations here at home, to offer immediate, on-the-ground help and make preparations for long-term assistance. You can find out more at www.pcusa.org/pda.  
Please join us in prayer for the countless people affected by these disasters: those killed or injured and their families, those who await word on the missing, those left homeless, on-site rescue workers, medical personnel, chaplains and pastors, congregations, relief agencies, government officials, and so many more. 
Explanations are impossible and words themselves seem so difficult to come by when such heart-wrenching tragedies happen. Yet, it is through the words of the Psalmist that we are reminded of the constant and abiding presence of God:  
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult….  
“Be still, and know that I am God….”  
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Ps. 46, selected)  
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which passes all understanding, be with you.  
Cliff Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly  
Linda Bryant Valentine
Executive Director, General Assembly Council  
************
Sharon K. Youngs
Communications Coordinator
Office of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
(888) 728-7228, ext. 5750
(502) 569-5750
(502) 569-8765 (fax)
sharon.youngs@pcusa.org

WHOLE LIFE SEMINARS
AT WESTMONT

"Flying Information"
How we learn to read codes, patterns, signs, and symbols and navigate webs of meaning - June 2-6, 2008 Tuition: $300 per person
Liberal arts education fosters a life-long passion for learning. Whole Life Seminars offer our local community the chance to pursue that passion. These week-long interdisciplinary summer seminars consider the arts, sciences, and current events through multiple lenses to provide a true liberal arts approach to the subject. Join us this summer for "Flying Information" where English professor Marilyn McEntrye and Computer Science professor Wayne Iba will consider how we gather, store, process, share, interpret (and misinterpret), apply, and impart information.
Our hope is that at the end of five days we might approach anything we notice or experience with a new set of lenses, that we might have developed a deeper sense of what it means to read signs and signals and words and images, and that we might see how heightening our awareness of our own processes may serve to make us both more curious, more lively, and more compassionate inhabitants of a world that is still "so vast, so beautiful, and so new." ~Marilyn McEntrye and Wayne Iba

To register or find more information please visit our website at www.westmont.edu/WholeLife/flying or call us at 805-565-6239.

Contact: Westmont College, 955 La Paz Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108

A Note of Thanks from the Malibu Presbyterian Church

From: Michelle Holmes [mailto:mholmes@sbpres.org]
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 3:15 PM
To: Peter Buehler
Subject: Malibu Presbyterian Church
Hello Peter
Not sure who to send this to, so...
In December 2007, SB First sent us a $200 donation for Malibu
Presbyterian Church following the fire that burned their sanctuary.  We
forwarded that money to the Malibu church.
I just wanted you to know that I received a note from the church today,
thanking us for forwarding the money:
"We are very excited about what the Lord is doing in our midst locally
and around the world through our various programs.  This year we have
also the added privilege of helping resurrect a new church and preschool
building to be a beacon of light on the hills in Malibu.  Thanks for
continuing to partner with us to help change the world for the good, to
the glory and love of God."
I'm not sure if the church sent a similar note to SB First, but I did
want to pass on their gratitude to you and your session/mission
committee.
Blessings,
Michelle

In Memoriam

Janet Miles - May 20, 2008

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

THE FLOWERS this morning are dedicated by Ben & Berni Newitt in celebration of the anniversary of their membership at First Presbyterian Church. Following worship the Deacons will take the flowers to those who are ill or homebound.

THE FLOWERS IN THE CHAPEL AND CFC today are from Michael and Jan O'Connor's wedding yesterday. Please enjoy! With love to our wonderful church family.

CONGRATULATIONS to Wayne Heisinger and Rose Anne Bowser who were married in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd on Thursday, May 22.

ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS IN MAY at 9:00 in Anderson Lounge - “Out of Iona: Seeking God the Celtic Way” led by our own Noni Patchell. And at 10:30 “Odd Month Ed.” concludes with Dr. Bob Wennberg and “Honesty in the House of God – The Big Problems”.

THE WHEELER-WADDELLS WILL VISIT us in November. John and Anne Wheeler-Waddell are Presbyterian missionaries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where they teach in the seminary. It has been years since their last visit to First Pres, so they will have a lot to say.

FIVE WISHES SEMINAR COMING IN JUNE. This is a living will that talks about your personal, emotional and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes towards end of life. Sign up on the patio for this one hour class. Parish Nurse Sharon will be on the patio to answer any questions.

CARE MEANS CONTACT, ASSIST, RELATE AND ENCOURAGE. Become a CARE-Caller at First Presbyterian Church. This is a ministry that can be done at your own leisure, helps keep our congregation connected and builds friendships. See Parish Nurse Sharon on the patio today.

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 x102. All prayer requests are kept confidential.

 

COMING EVENTS

Adult Education in Anderson Lounge

    Sundays in May                                          9:00 a.m.

      “Out of Iona: Seeking God in the Celtic Way” – Noni Patchell

      Sundays in May                                          10:30 a.m.

      “Honesty in the House of God – The Big Problems” Bob Wennberg

Celebrating Our Pastors

      Sunday, June 1                                           12:00 noon

      We will honor Pastors Peter Buehler and Judith Muller.

      Luncheon and program in the Christian Fellowship Center

      Lunch: $10.00. Sign up using the green cards at the front desk

Faith and Literature

      Wednesday, June 4                                    9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

      Women’s reading group will discuss short stories (pg 80-114)

      For more information call 687-4995. (meet in Anderson Lounge)

140th Anniversary Kick-off Celebration

      Sunday, June 22                                        10:00 a.m.

      Learn about early members and some of our history

      Enjoy refreshments on the patio between worship services

PresbyFolks English Country Dance Adventure

      Sunday, June 22                                        5:30 p.m.

      A participation experience for everyone! Music and dances from the

      styles of the Jane Austen era. Please wear comfortable clothing,

      and shoes you can walk in. If you have two left feet, bring them both!

      Dinner: $7. sign up at the front desk or email: jschmidt@fpcsb.org

Presbyterian Women’s Dinner & Program

      Monday, June 23                                        5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

      “Hearing God’s Call to Help a Family with Immigration Issues”

      Dinner and program in the Christian Fellowship Center

      Lunch: $9.00. Sign up at the front desk or call 687-0754

 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 are being covered by the use of reserve funds.

Church Operating Fund*, April 2008

                        Income:            $  283,704

                        Expenses:          $  392,444

                        Difference:        $( 108,740)

*Does not include income or expenses of the Early Childhood Center
The eNews Update is published weekly by The First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara. Dave McEachen is the Editor. Please submit articles and photos to david@mceachen.us. For more information, see guidelines for articles.
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