(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

March 15, 2009

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

ADULT EDUCATION FOR MARCH - Join us at 9:00 a.m. in Anderson Lounge for a Lenten Series on Acts of Mercy. We will hear from those involved in Christian ministries of mercy. March 15th - Dr. Marilyn McEntyre, Professor of English, Westmont College, Ret. “Lent: A Time of Permission” reframing the idea of spiritual discipline or sacrifice, also as an opportunity to seek deeper satisfaction in spiritual practice and to lay aside even pleasures that may have become burdens; March 22nd - the Rev. Steve Jacobsen, Executive Director of Hospice of Santa Barbara and former pastor of Goleta Presbyterian Church; March 29th - the Rev. Dan Stevens, Executive Director of Lifewater International and former pastor of Eastminster Presbyterian Church of Ventura; April 5th - Kati Buehler, FPC member. Kati will share her experiences as a participant in the annual Potter’s Clay Westmont mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico.

“ODD MONTH ED” IN MARCH - Dr. Gordon Hess will lead a discussion on The Shack. Participants are encouraged to read the book and bring a copy to the discussions which will progress through the four weeks of March. Join us in Anderson Lounge at 10:30 a.m.

SWEET NEWS - we have Presbycamp Peach jam left (from Gladys Bresslin's tree). Jars are $5 each and go to Presbycamp scholarships for this summer. In 2008 we gave out $1465 in scholarships to Presbycamp (Winter, Spring and Summer) helping with 20 placements. Look for Susan on the patio after worship or call 687-0754, x115.

NEWS FROM JIM WITTY.   Jim says in the Care Corps letter for March, “Finally it was time to leave [Sri Lanka] and we made our way south to the airport in Colombo. The airport was surrounded by the army, guarding it from attack by the “Tamil Tigers.” I did not feel safe even though we were miles from the fighting. Our plane took off but shortly afterward the “Tamil Tigers” dive bombed the city and the airport. We were grateful to be out of Sri Lanka! Pray for the Christians as they face such persecution.” The website for Care Corps: http://carecorps.org/home.htm .

HISTORY BRIEFS by George Goodall . - The earliest forms of the Celtic Cross have been preserved in two main forms – the “illuminations” or drawings by monks in the monasteries as they hand copied the Bible, and medieval stone markers surrounding the abbeys, chapels and monasteries in the British Isles. The last communities of the persecuted Celtic people who once roamed throughout central Europe were in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and parts of England. As these people became converted to Christianity they adopted the symbolism that we call the Celtic Cross. We remember their persecution and sacrifices that preserved our heritage during Lent.

THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Monday, March 16 – 7:00 p.m. – Charistans contact Loyda Márquez (687-4995)

Tuesday, March 17 -   7:30 a.m. -   Men’s Bible Study in Anderson Lounge; 5:30 p.m. - Deacons in Anderson Lounge

Wednesday, March 18 -   9:30 a.m. – Chariot of Friends meet in reception office; 3:30 p.m. - Painting Class in Youth Annex. 7:00 p.m. - Lenten Worship in the Chapel

Thursday, March 19 -   7:00 p.m . Choir Rehearsal (Nelson Huber, 687-0754, x 111); 7:00 p.m. - High School Youth Group (Sheri, 680-5609)

Friday, March 20 -   10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. - Senior Activities Program for active seniors in Garden Room; 6:00 p.m. - Junior High Slam (contact Sheri, 680-5609)

Sunday, March 22 – 8:30 a.m. – Worship in Chapel: 9:00 a.m. - Informal Worship in CFC; 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 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:

|       Missionary Andrew Kaddu in Uganda

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

|       Our military personnel serving in the Middle East: Tech Sgt. Donald Adams (nephew of Jay and Marilyn Torrey); 2 n d Lt. Gregory Adams (grandson of Earle and Susan Howey); Capt. Sean Gardner, (grandson of Jeannette Klingler); 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

|       Minister members at large Bart Tarman of Santa Barbara, Les Bishop of Los Angeles and Mark Anderson of Ventura