Peter's Message
Dear Friends,
Changing the Sunday morning schedule, even for a Sunday or two, is a perilous thing. We tend to have one time set firmly in our minds for when worship happens – here at First Presbyterian Church it’s either 8:30, 9:00, or 10:30 a.m. Worship times have changed over the years, but these three are now engraved in my mind. I think my circadian rhythms are permanently set to FPC’s worship schedule.
Yet the session and I believe that having a different Sunday morning schedule twice a year – the first Sunday in June and the last Sunday in January – is worth it. For the sake of having the whole congregation worship together, even twice a year, it’s worth it.

So please write 9:45 a.m. in bold on your calendar for Sunday, June 6.

Why a joint service on June 6? Three reasons: 1)we can ordain and install our new elders and deacons together; 2)we can congratulate and pray for our graduating high school and college seniors together; and 3)we can meet our new Cherub Choir Director, Adelle Rodkey, together. And there’s a fourth reason: we can celebrate the Lord’s Supper together.
I’m excited about all of us being in one space at the same time. Even if it happens only twice a year it will be a blessing.
Would this be a good Sunday to invite a friend or neighbor to worship? Do Presbyterians like doughnut holes?!
See you on the 6th at 9:45.
Grace and peace,

Peter

Chariots of Friends Finishes Year with Lunch at the Yacht Club
After the "kick off" lunch at Willoughby World in September, lunch destinations included Solvang, Ventura, and several restaurants in Santa Barbara. On Wednesday, May 19th, the Chariots of Friends traveled to the harbor area to celebrate another year of community building. Special thanks for the success of this program goes to Geri Willoughby, Pat Corn, Dolores Crisp, and the many volunteer drivers and shotguns who make the trips possible. For information on how you can participate in Chariots of Friends, please contact Geri Willoughby.
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Youth Summer Mission Trip to San Francisco's Tenderloin District
This coming June, high school students from both First Presbyterian Church and Goleta Presbyterian Church will be serving together on a mission trip to the heart of San Francisco's Tenderloin District.  As we all know, a mission trip requires financial support, and what a better way to raise some cash than a good, old-fashioned croquet tournament.  So on Sunday, May 16th, First Presbyterian Church traveled north to Goleta Presbyterian Church for Croquet on the Green. This wonderful event raised over $1,000 for the trip and included a barbecue lunch, live music from one of our talented high school students, Heather Ehlen, and of course, a croquet tournament that included twelve teams of two.  It was a battle to the finish, and First Pres. took home the cup. We look forward to the chance to defending our title again next year!

Adult Education for June:
God in the White House -- a three part series
Designed to spark discussion and thought about how faith has shaped the
American presidency and electoral politics, this series will explore these
questions:
How did we get from JFK's eloquent appeal to voters in 1960 to ignore a candidate's faith when entering the voting booth, to presidential candidate
George W. Bush's declaration in 2000 that Jesus is his favorite philosopher? And what do we make of President Obama's inaugural appeal to dig deep into our souls to find the better angels of our nature?

Presidential politics and religion over the course of the past four decades
has taken some interesting twists and turns.  What do we, as thoughtful
American Christians, make of the "religionization" of politics?  Come join
this opportunity for significant discussion.  (Bio of moderator: Prof. Kathleen Moore, Professor of Religious Studies at UCSB, earned her doctorate in political science and law degree during the Reagan years. Her expertise is on the legal and political aspects of Muslim communities and contemporary Islam in western societies.)
Kathleen M. Moore, Professor
Religious Studies and Law and Society
UC Santa Barbara

More Youth News! Three New Confirmation Class Graduates
Three amazing students will be completing their confirmation and will be formally joining the First Presbyterian Church family this month.  Jimmy Kerman, Amanda Hur, and Matt Sims have all completed a confirmation process that included visiting other churches, various workshops given by Pastor Peter, Pastor Judith, and Chuck Curtis, service projects, and a "five talents" exercise. In this exercise students were given $5 to "invest";  taken from the Parable of Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30 and in Luke 19:12-27.  Each student was paired up with an adult mentor from the church.  The First Pres. family gives much thanks to Gene Schaefer, Susan Slattery, and Chris Martinich for taking the time and effort to invest in the lives of the these three wonderful young people and the future of First Presbyterian Church.

Annual Session Retreat at El Capitan Canyon
This year's retreat brought session members and clergy together for a time of fellowship, study, and discernment. What a wonderful group of people we have leading us in our ministry!
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LIFE OF THE CHURCH

TODAY WE RECEIVE THE PENTECOST OFFERING - The funds collected go to help children around the country – hungry, homeless, abused – children at risk. Forty percent will be spent here in our own community. Your gifts will go directly to help Santa Barbara children at risk.

CELEBRATE NELSON HUBER! Our choir is hosting a celebration following the 10:30 worship service to honor Nelson Huber for his past 8 years of service as Organist and Music Director here at First Presbyterian Church. Please join us on the Patio for cake and words of thanks.

“Fresno in July? NO WAY!!!” The short term mission planning team has heard these words as it prepares a mission experience for First Pres. Applications are available on the patio today. Application deadline is May 31. God is doing important work for refugees in Fresno and 20 from our midst will join him there July 25-31. Will you be with us?

FOR INFORMATION ON the PCUSA 219th General Assembly (2010) go to thepresbyterianleader.com. Doug DuCharme of our congregation will be attending and representing our Presbytery this July 3-10, 2010.

NEWS FROM MESOPOTAMIA. Greg and Chris C. have begun serving in Mesopotamia. They were blessed to find a home in their new village and have moved in. In this new location they continue to serve the Kurdish people. For details please see Ruth Schnicke.

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

WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR GRADUATING SENIORS in June, and celebrate as a church family. Please email Susan with names of our church's graduating High School or College Seniors. scroshaw@fpcsb.org

DO YOU KNOW that Fair Trade Caffeinated Coffee is served at First Presbyterian Church every Sunday? We are continuing to support this worthwhile cause and you can too by donating to the coffee basket. Fair Trade Coffee is also for sale following the 9 & 10:30 a.m. church worship services. Come and see our selection of coffee, teas and chocolates!!

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:

·       Missionaries Jerry & Candice Bingham and Andrew Kaddu in Uganda

·       God’s presence & guidance for our Assoc. Pastor Nom. Committee

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

·       Our military personnel serving in the Middle East: 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 Maria Presbyterian Church, Pastor Israel Gonzales and minister member at large Valerie De La Torre

THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sunday, May 23 PENTECOST – Wear Red – 8:30 a.m. Contemplative Worship in the Chapel; 9 a.m. Informal Worship in CFC; 9 a.m. Adult Ed in Anderson Lounge; 10:30 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary;

Tuesday, May 25– 7:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Breakfast in Anderson Lounge; 1:00 p.m. Tai Chi for Arthritis in Garden Room; 7:00p.m. Session in Anderson Lounge

Wednesday, May 26 –7:00 p.m. High School Group in the Youth Lounge (Josh, 279-2391); 7:00 p.m. APNC in Anderson Lounge

Friday, May 28 – 10 a.m. Senior Activities Program in Garden Room; 6:00 p.m. Jr. Hi. Youth Group in the Youth Lounge (Josh, 279-2391)

Sunday, May 30 – 8:30 a.m. Contemplative Worship in the Chapel; 9:00 a.m. Informal Worship in CFC; 9:00 a.m. Adult Ed in Anderson Lounge; 10:30 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary