http://www.fpcsb.org
eNews Update
 
An eNewsletter of First Presbyterian Church
of Santa Barbara
 
Volume 173, August 14, 2009
 
 
Web Site: www.fpcsb.org
 

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August 16, 2009

8:30 AM - Communion Service - Chapel

9:00 AM - Informal Worship Service in CFC
Sermon: “Is it Easy to Please God?”
Scripture: Matthew 11:29-30

GUEST PASTOR: Steve Jacobsen

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

10:30 AM Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: “Is it Easy to Please God?”
Scripture: Matthew 11:29-30
GUEST MUSICIANS: The Dixie Daddies

10:30 AM - Presbykids Activity Time.

Peter's Message
Dear Friends,

What a wonderful summer at First Presbyterian Church. Some highlights include:

  • The conclusion to the Building a Bridge to Our Future financial campaign and happy realization that we can move forward with plans to call an additional associate pastor, purchase new church vans (a new van with a wheelchair lift is already in service), do some room refurbishment and program enhancement, and strongly support current ministries. (A full report of the campaign results will be mailed to you in September.) Having a successful campaign during trying economic times is cause for celebration. Hallelujah!
  • Along with your generous investment in the church, many of you were leaders in the campaign organization – 58 FPC members, to be exact. This includes a number of people who had not been engaged in leadership before. I’m especially glad about this.
  • Speaking of leadership, how about PresbyCamp! Mark and Susan Crowshaw again recruited top-notch counselors and counselors-in-training to keep this six-week June-through-July program one of the most sought-after summer camps in Santa Barbara.
  • The Grace Mosaic above the west door to the sanctuary narthex, commissioned by George Goodall in Barbara’s memory, completed by artist and FPC member Patti Jacquemain, and dedicated on June 28, is a blessing to all who come to worship. Read Hebrews 4:16 for the inspiration behind the inscription, Receive mercy, find grace.
  • I finished the second year of residency in my Doctor of Ministry Program in Chicago. Now the year’s parish project begins. I’m grateful for the eight FPC members who guide my process; I’m thankful to you as well for your interest and support. This year I’m hosting monthly sermon feedback sessions where all members, visitors, and friends are invited to come and say, “Nice sermon, Pastor.” Just kidding. What I’m hoping for is straight feedback and spirited discussion. Join me in Anderson Lounge for the first session, following the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, September 27.

Upcoming highlights for September:

  • Life Groups begin the week of  the 27th. In addition to groups meeting in homes and at the church, we’ll have a Wednesday noontime gathering at American Riviera Bank (Anacapa and Figueroa Streets) which I’ll be leading. Take advantage of these opportunities to grow in faith and friendship.
  • Choir returns September 13. Thanks to Nelson Huber, Joel Patterson, and all the musicians and soloists who shared their musical gifts with us this summer.
  • Session moves forward with the process for calling a new Associate Pastor. Stay tuned!

Grace and peace,

Peter

Life Groups Expand Offerings for Fall
You are invited to accept the Life Group Challenge and join with a small group of folks from the congregation to share in fellowship, Bible study, sermon discussion, and prayer.  To help you find a time that will work for you, three new opportunities are being offered.  Sign-ups for Fall will start September 13, and the groups will begin meeting the week of September 27 and continue for six weeks.
Pastor Peter Buehler will lead a Wednesday noon group for working people which will be hosted by Michelle Martinich at American Riviera Bank.  Participants may bring a sack lunch for the one hour gathering.
Kati Buehler will lead a women’s breakfast group Tuesday’s in the CFC.  Starting time TBD.
A group for our members out Goleta way will be led by Meryle Gaston and hosted by Diane and Lee Kirkpatrick. They will meet Thursday evenings. View the schedule by going to the website page or by clicking here.

Our New Youth Pastor (Who Arrives in September) Sends His Greetings:
Hello First Presbyterian SB Community,
It is my wonderful privilege to become a part of this church family as I begin to lead the junior and senior high youth groups in September.  I am beyond excited for this amazing opportunity and cannot wait to meet all of you.  Before we meet, allow me to share a quick background on myself. 
I am a southern California native, having grown up in Thousand Oaks for most of my childhood. I attended and graduated from a very small private school, Hillcrest Christian School, where I was actively involved on the volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams (any bigger of a school and I doubt I'd make all 3 teams)!  I continued my education in Thousand Oaks at California Lutheran University and majored in Sociology. My senior year I had space in my schedule to register for a PE class, so a couple of my friends decided that we'd register for gymnastics. Little did I know that I'd meet my future wife, Lindsay, in this class! Upon graduation from California Lutheran University, I decided to pursue a master's degree in Counseling and Guidance, as I wanted to work with adolescents. During my schooling, I had internships in middle school and high schools in Ventura County, which confirmed my enjoyment of working with teenagers.
In 2007, Lindsay and I got married and have enjoyed settling into our lives together. We currently live in Ventura with our miniature dacshund, Punky, and we love to spend time outdoors on the beach and with our friends. I currently spend much of my free time now surfing and riding my bike around Ventura.  Lindsay and I also enjoy the snow and take snowboarding trips with our friends each winter.
I am so grateful for this new opportunity to work with the youth of Santa Barbara. I look forward to not only showing the students my love for the Lord through teaching and fellowship, but also learning from the youth and growing in Christ together.  I can't wait to meet and will see you in September!
Blessings,
Josh Murray

Subject: Looking for housing
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
I'm a 63 yr. old PCUSA clergywoman looking to rent a room in someone's
home while studying at the UCSanta Barbara extension program in Goleta
to receive my TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
certification to prepare me for my 3-yr. appointment as a PCUSA Mission
Co-worker to teach English in the EECMY Seminary in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia
starting in late Jan 2010.

 My classes begin Sept. 21 so I am looking for housing for Sept.
21-Dec.
5.  I will be away for the week of Thanksgiving as there are no classes
scheduled then.

 I have been looking at the unfurnished studio apartments listed in the
wantads of the local paper and also I have checked Craig's list.  I am
concerned that I would be there for such a short time that the hassle
and cost are not worth it.

 I have limited savings to use for my housing.  I have already spent
$3300 for the tuition for this program and my presbytery in
Illinois--Great Rivers--will be supplying me with a $500 continuing ed
grant.
I am hoping to do some pulpit supply in the area whenever I am not
scheduled for Saturday and Sunday classes.  Otherwise, I know I will be
worshipping with you from time to time.

 I have been ordained for almost 20 years and just completed my second
pastorate at a federated church in Oneida, IL.  The new United
Methodist pastor was appointed to begin June 1 which has freed me up to
pursue this certification in a very condensed manner.

 I would appreciate knowing that you have received my email.  If I can
supply you or anyone with more information about myself and whatever
references are desired, I would be very happy to do so.  Ah yes, I am
not a smoker and I do not have any pets.  I can bring enough items to
make an unfurnished room, attic, or basement habitable.  I know God is
using this time to prepare me for the rigors of living in Ethiopia.

 In the event that I am unable to locate affordable housing, I will be
camping during this time.

Many thanks and God's blessings on you and your ministries,
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Weber
PO Box 66
Oneida, IL 61467
(cell) 309-368-5012

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

THE FLOWERS this morning are dedicated by Nelson Huber in honor of Jeannette Klingler’s 9 3 r d birthday. They are also dedicated by Dolores Crisp in honor of Jeannette Klingler’s 9 3 r d birthday. Following worship the Deacons will take the flowers to those who are unable to be with us .

SUNDAY SCHOOL VACATION! There will be no High School or Junior High Sunday School throughout August. See you in the Fall!

SATURDAY SUNDAE IS COMING! How can you help? Invite your friends and neighbors to attend – Saturday, August 29, open house style from 2 – 4 p.m. AND sign up to help out that day. Sign-up sheets are on the patio. You can scoop ice cream, welcome guests, supervise games, help with set-up or clean-up, blow up balloons… plenty of ways to be involved. Sign up today or call Juleine (687-0754 x 110) .

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to be an Olympic Judge? Ice Cream Olympics, that is! Come to Saturday Sundae on Saturday, August 29 (2-4 PM) and you could change the course of Ice Cream History!

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED about those wooden plaques in the front of the Sanctuary? Come to the Senior Activities Program on Friday, August 21 at 10:00 a.m. in the Garden Room. George Goodall will give a presentation explaining the 14 Shields of the Apostles. This will be followed by an audio tour of our great sanctuary organ presented by Nelson Huber. Want to stay for lunch? Call Nancy Johnson (967-7675)

Saturday Sundae is coming!

THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sunday, August 16 – 8:30 a.m. – Worship in Chapel: 9 a.m. - Informal Worship in CFC; 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary

Tuesday, August 18 - 7:00 p.m. – Mission Team in Anderson Lounge

Friday, August 21 - 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Senior Activities Program begins in the Garden Roo m

Sunday, August 23 – 8:30 a.m. – Worship in Chapel: 9 a.m. - Informal Worship in CFC; 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary

COMING EVENTS

Saturday Sundae & Ice Cream Olympics

        Saturday, August 29     2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

        Free ice cream, music and games!

        Fabulous music by Bushwood!

        Bring your family, friends and neighbors!

Saturday Sundae is coming!
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