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November 23, 2008

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

ONE BOUQUET OF FLOWERS this morning is dedicated by Lois Oates in loving memory of Roger Oates. The flowers will be taken to those who are unable to attend worship.

ANOTHER BOUQUET is dedicated by Kati and Peter Buehler in Thanksgiving for God’s bountiful love. Following worship the Deacons will take the flowers to those who are ill or homebound.

ADULT EDUCATION for November 23 at 9 a.m . - Dr. Gordon Hess concludes his series on the novel The Shack by William P. Young.

“ODD MONTH ED” - November 23 at 10:30 a.m. – Join Lee Kirkpatrick for the final installment on “The Things That Are Difficult to Talk About”: The Nature of the Trinity.

NEXT WEEK we begin a new series on Advent led by the Rev. Susan Copeland entitled: “On the Road to Bethlehem” 9:00 a.m. in Anderson.

“YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT.”   Tyler Wilkes, now a graduate student at Azusa Pacific, continues the ministry begun while he was in college.  On Saturday nights he leads a team of students who feed homeless people on a street corner in Hollywood.  The students use their own money to buy the food. For more information about Tyler’s ministry call the church office .

A CHRISTMAS ROSE BLOOMS AT ANNUAL FESTIVAL - The Fourth Annual Westmont Christmas Festival, “Lo, How a Rose,” will ring in the advent season with three performances at First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance at State Street. Admission to the festival Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m., is free, but tickets are required due to limited seating. To reserve tickets or for more information, call (805) 565-7140 or e-mail festival@westmont.edu .

FROM KOREA TO THAILAND. Workshop leader Chan-Young Choi, now retired from the Fuller Seminary faculty, exemplifies the global nature of mission today. He was sent from Korea to Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Register for Mission Conference now by picking up a brochure or going to www.sbmissionconference.org

NEW FAIR TRADE COFFEE, CHOCOLATE, TEA, AND COCOA ON THE PATIO TODAY! Stock up on those holiday treats and gifts today. You will be helping farmers earn income they need to feed their families and improve their communities. This is a Presbyterian Coffee Project.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FLU SHOTS: Flu shots are available this year by Sansum Clinic, Longs Drugs, Walgreens and the SB Public Health Department. Please check the newspaper for times and locations. Sansum Clinic will no t be having a flu clinic at First Presbyterian Church this year. You may also check the Parish Nurse Health Board in the workroom for flu clinic sites . There will be no flu shots at First Presbyterian this year.

CHURCH HISTORY BRIEFS by George Goodall – We have a touch of the past in our midst and we didn’t know it! Most of us know Alexander “Sash” and Wilda Irvine. Sash is our Greeter par excellence at the door to the 10:30am service, while Wilda handles the reception desk and phone. Both of them have served our church most of their lives. BUT, did you know that Sash’s grandfather was one of our pastors in the 1920’s? The Reverend Alexander Irvine, PhD, D.D., retired to Santa Barbara after a distinguished career as a Presbyterian pastor, professor, and author. In those days, our Church held three regular services each week: Sundays at 11 am and 7:30 pm, and Wednesdays at 7:30pm. Dr. Irvine preached regularly at the Sunday evening service, as well as serving the Lord in many other ways. By the way our Church was located then on Anapamu Street, across from the Library, and our senior pastor was Rev. Clarence Spaulding, D.D. Now you can “greet our greeter” with this new information.

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. These shortfalls have been covered by the use of our reserve funds, which have been built up over previous years.

Church Operating Fund* Jan. 1 through October 31, 2008

Donations, other receipts       $    688,668

Expenses                                 $   (978,233 )

From reserves, as planned       $   (289,566)

* Does not include income or expenses from the Early Childhood Center .

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 place a request form in the box, email Chuck at: ccurtis@fpcsb.org or call 687-0754 x102. Requests are kept confidential.

PRAYER AND INTERCESSION

Pray for:

·       Missionaries Randa and Sandy Dinkler - IMPACT

·       Our pastors and church staff; Our elders and deacons

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

·       Our military personnel serving in the Middle East: 2 n d Lt. Gregory Adams (step-grandson of Earle and Susan Howey); Capt. Sean Gardner, grandson of Jeannette Klingler; Kyle Lauth (grandson of Dolores Crisp); Capt. Paul Dyer (brother of Stephanie Walstad); 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 First Presbyterian Church of Santa Paula Pulpit Supply Pastor Randy Working and retired minister Thomas Bousman