Haiti Disaster Assistance: You can help!

Sign Up for Your LifeTouch Directory Portrait Session by Jan. 21 and Possibly Win a $50 Gift Certificate for Photographs!
We encourage you to sign up for your Portrait Session as soon as possible. There are three easy ways:
1. Sign up online. It's easy and only takes a few minutes. This can be done at any time day or night, except that on Saturday at 9 pm we "shut down" the online sign ups in order to print pages for Sunday morning sign ups at tables (see #3 below). The online sign ups are switched back on as soon as the Sunday table sign ups are recorded. Just click the link/image below to sign up online.
2. Sign up by calling Juleine at the church: 687-0754
3. Sign up at a table before or after services on Sundays: Beginning Jan. 10, tables will be set up after the 9 o'clock and 10:30 services. Look for the signs and the friendly volunteers!

Eighth Annual Santa Barbara Missions Conference, By Chuck Curtis
Over 300 people came to First Pres Santa Barbara on Saturday, Jan. 16 to experience a truly wonderful mission conference.  The team of Presbytery of Santa Barbara conference planners, heavily represented by First Pres people, put on perhaps the best conference out of all eight annual conferences.  The theme was “Missional Church,” and the conference featured the thinker most closely associated with that term, Darrell Guder, Dean of Princeton Seminary.  His 45 minute plenary address was appreciated by all, as it gave an historical and theological background to today’s church as it engages in mission.  Accompanying Dr. Guder and participating in a vey interesting dialogue was Ryan Bolger of Fuller seminary, who specializes in the same field of Christian study.  Rob Weingartner, Exec. Director of the Outreach Foundation, set the bar high as he began the morning worship with an excellent 10 minute message.  He said in effect, “Don’t allow the church to sit on the runway.  Let it take off and fly!”  Miriam Adeney, a distinguished missiologist and missionary from Seattle-Pacific University, ended the afternoon plenary session as she told stories from around the globe, stories of changed lives.  Among the 11 workshops were three Oxnard pastors outlining their ministry to youth-at-risk, Pam Scott discipling women on parole, and Mike McClenahan of Solana Beach, for whom “Sunday church” can be shutting the sanctuary door and going out into the neighborhood in response to people’s needs.  Kay Bowman served a delicious lunch in the CFC, followed by reports from Jim Witty, Dan Stevens, and other missionaries from within our presbytery.  A large tented display area and a book table, provided by Westmont College, added to this excellent conference.  Music was provided by the Ojai Presbyterian Praise Band, Nelson Huber, and Jeannette Klingler.

Among the attendees were mission leaders from San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties, and from the San Francisco Bay area

The speakers have graciously allowed us to record and offer their presentations.  To listen you may go to

See photos on our gallery.
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Clippers Hears about Elings Park
On Friday, January 8, Steen Hudson, the Executive Director of Elings Park, gave a very interesting talk on the history of Elings Park. His photos gave a great perspective on the many changes that have taken place in that beautiful land in Santa Barbara. If you would like to learn how you can participate in the activities of Clippers/Spares and Pairs, please contact Juleine.
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Dear Adopt-A-Family Sponsor!
We hope this email finds you settling in well to 2010!
As we are slowly putting away all the Christmas decorations and supplies from 2009 we can't help but reflect on what a fantastic Christmas season we had! Even though it is a very busy time of year for all of us here at The Salvation Army, it is also a time of great joy and satisfaction as we are able to provide for so many in our community!
And part of the reason we are able to provide for so many is because of the generosity of people like you! Your Adopt-a-Family sponsorship was not only a blessing to us, but a huge blessing to the families that received the toys, gift cards, and food.
We wish you could have been here when the families came to receive their gifts - we wish you could have experienced the smiles, the gratitude, and the many hugs. Our favorite part was when children came with their parents to pick up their items - the joy on their faces and the look in their eyes made our Christmas season extra special and the hard work so worthwhile!
Please accept our deepest thanks to you for your generosity this past Christmas through your Adopt-a-Family sponsorship - we see now that Santa Barbara is a very caring and generous community!
It is our prayer that 2010 promises to be a prosperous year for you and that God will bless you richly.
God Bless, 
Captains Philip and Lawry Smith,
Corps Officers
Santa Barbara

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

In Memoriam – Sam Kimbel – January 21, 2010

PLEDGE ENVELOPES - Your 2010 Pledge envelopes are available for pick up at the reception desk. Please remember to pay your Per Capita Apportionment which is $31.34 per person.

EPIPHANY WORD STARS are available in the Narthex if you did not receive one on January 1 0 t h . Copies of the poem are also available.

THE FLOWERS today are dedicated by Paul & Mary Brunner and Ray & Marilyn Kirchmaier in honor of Edythe Kirchmaier’s 10 2 n d birthday. THE FLOWERS are also dedicated by Carol & Gil Ashor in loving memory of their granddaughter, Alyssa Ashor, whose parents are Michael & Leslie Ashor. The Deacons will take the flowers to those unable to attend worship with us.

HELPING THE PEOPLE OF HAITI - The Presbyterian Church (USA) is responding to the earthquake in Haiti through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and its partners. You, too, can be part of God’s answer to prayer for those affected by this disaster. Information on the situation are available through PDA ( www.pcusa.org/pda / ). Funds from One Great Hour of Sharing are already helping with the initial response. You can give to the ongoing relief through PDA account number DR000064. Gifts can also be made by phone at (800) 872-3283 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST) and checks can be mailed to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND YOUNG ADULTS!! Josh Murray will meet you on the Patio on Sunday mornings at 10:30 for a pilgrimage to a nearby coffee shop or restaurant for a time of discussion, prayer, and fellowship.

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS: High School Ski / Snowboard Day trip to Big Bear . Saturday, January 30, meet at church at 5:00am. We have invited other youth groups from Santa Barbara to join us. Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, January 27 . Junior High Winter Camp at Forest Home , February 5 – 7: Cost $168. Still a few spots left; deadline to sign up is Today, January 24 .

FREE H1N1/SWINE-FLU VACCINATIONS , provided by The Public Health Department, are available to all people (over six months of age) at the following locations:  Earl Warren Showgrounds – January 25, from 3 - 7 pm; and Franklin Public Health Clinic (1136 E. Montecito Street) Tuesdays - 8 – 11:30am and Wednesdays - 1 – 4:30pm

BUYING FAIR TRADE through the Presbyterian Coffee Project ensures that more of the money we spend on coffee reaches the farmers that grow it. Come see the new shipment of coffee on the patio today. Your coffee hostess is Sue Schaefer. Coffee will be available after the 9AM and 10:30AM worship service.

THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sunday, January 24 – 8:30 a.m. – Contemplative Worship in the Chapel; 9:00 a.m. - Informal Worship in Christian Fellowship Center; 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary

Monday, January 25 – 5:30 p.m. - Presbyterian Women Dinner and Program in the CFC, $10, reservation required, sign up today .

Tuesday, January 26 – 7:00 a.m. – Women’s Life Group in the CFC; 7:30 a.m. – Men’s Bible Breakfast in Anderson Lounge; 7:00 p.m. – Session   in Anderson Lounge

Wednesday, January 27 –7:00 p.m. – High School Youth Group   in the Youth Lounge (Josh, 279-2391)

Thursday, January 28 – 7:00 p.m. – Chancel Choir in Choir Room (Nelson, 687-0754,111 )

Friday, January 29 – 10:00 a.m. – Senior Activities Program begin in Garden Room; 6:00 p.m. – Junior High Youth Group in the Youth Lounge (Josh, 279-2391)

Sunday, January 31 – 8:30 a.m. – Contemplative Worship in the Chapel; 9:00 a.m. - Informal Worship in Christian Fellowship Center; 10:00 a.m. – Congregational Meeting in CFC; 10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary; 11:45 a.m. – Sermon Feedback Session in Anderson Lounge

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, call Chuck at: 687-0754 x 102 or email: ccurtis@fpcsb.org. Requests are kept confidential.

PRAYER AND INTERCESSION

Pray for:

·  Mission workers giving aid to the people of Haiti

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

·  Our military personnel serving in the Middle East: Capt. Sean Gardner, (grandson of Jeannette Klingler); Kyle Lauth, (grandson of Dolores Crisp); Sgt. Erich Johnson (grandson of Beverly Smaniotto); Nicolas Jones (grandson of Allen & Ann Braithwaite); Andrew Gaston (brother of Leah Gaston); the people of the Middle East, the pastors and people of the churches and for all those working for peace in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world

·  Congregation and staff at Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, Pastor Jeff Bridgeman and Associate Pastor Steve Miller