4
The 6th Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Sharon Lincoln Greeters Jim Hummel & Paige Spalding Margie LaFontaine Ushers Janet Brown Bebe Spring Cindy Leggate Sharon Mathews Liturgist Karla Mahan Van Driver Chuck Leggate Sound Booth David Bauer Communion Diane Noddings Marlene Spencer Heather McLean Russ & Janet Kline The 13th Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder David Bauer Greeters Jim & Biff Hogue Lucile Weisbeck Ushers Jo Albin Pat Clark Kurt & Mary Grabow Liturgist Linda Luse Care Board Phyllis Brown Van Driver Don Harr Sound Booth Jeff Gruizenga Flower Delivery Phyllis Brown The 20th Palm Sunday Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Ken Eichenberger Greeters Chuck & Lois Maris Megan Lorentz Ushers Jerry Koch Bob Fedric Bill White Don Reed Liturgist Robyn Bauer Care Board Sharon Lincoln Van Driver Don Harr Sound Booth Chuck Leggate Flower Delivery Sharon Lincoln The 24th Maudry Thursday Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Chris Eriksen Greeters Tom & Ginny Helmer Ushers Chris Eriksen John Thompson Marjorie Stewart Sharon Brady Liturgist JoAnn Jones The 25th Good Friday Community Good Friday service held at our church at 7 PM The 27th Easter Sunday Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Sandi Schoenberger Greeters David, Robyn, Noah, Lauren Bauer Kay Doss Ushers Gary & Judy Lohnbakken Bud & Joanne Leuthold Liturgist Doris Backus Van Driver Don Harr Sound Booth Bob Culbertson Flower Delivery Chuck & Cindy Leggate April 3rd Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder David Bauer Greeters Carl & Vickie Johnson Judy Nusbaum Ushers Bob & Cathy Culbertson Earl & Sharon Henderson Liturgist Vicki Thompson Van Driver Charles Leggate Sound Booth David Bauer Communion Paige Spalding Jim Hummel Carla Bracken Sandi Schoenberger Jo Albin Memory Joggers for March 2016 Pastor’s Pen 2016 “He Is Risen!” On Sunday, March 27 we will proclaim with Christians all around the world that “Jesus Christ has Risen!” Easter Sunday represents the crux of our faith whereby Jesus Christ conquered the grave and overcame the powers of death, sin, and sadness. It has been said that Easter is the New Year’s Day of the soul as our lives are eternally changed by the events on that first Easter morning surrounding the empty tomb. The Bible is full of story after story of people who are transformed by the risen Christ. The lives of Peter, John, James, Mary, and Paul were dramatically changed by that single event. That event is still changing lives today through the Risen Christ who lives within us through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. I invite you to join us on Easter morning as we make the great claim that the power of God is alive and well. We will be offering two worship opportunities on Easter Sunday at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. On that Sunday I will culminate our current seven week sermon series titled, “Questions of Faith,” with the all- important question, What happened to Jesus’ body? Was the tomb misidentified when the women came to anoint Jesus’ body for burial early that Sunday morning? Was Jesus’ body stolen by grave robbers during the night? Or did Jesus truly rise from the dead? One of the best books I have read on this subject is Who Moved the Stone? by Frank Morison. We will explore these possibilities and discover the reason for greater belief and hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The Risen Christ provides the hinge of our faith. The Apostle Paul is bold to say, “If Christ has not been raised from the dead, your faith is futile; and you are still in your sins” (I Corinthians 15:17). Leading up to Easter Sunday I would invite you to join us for our Holy Week Challenge by attending all of the Holy Week services offered at our church. We will gather on Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 PM for a Maundy (sorrowful) Thursday service that will help us remember the pain and sorrow Jesus experienced before his crucifixion. On Friday, March 25 we will gather at our church with our neighbors from Peace Lutheran and St. Stephen’s Episcopal church- es for our annual ecumenical Good Friday Service at 7:00 PM. I look forward to worshipping with you on Easter as we reaffirm our trust in a God who is alive, who has conquered death, and who invites us to experience the joy of the resurrected life. Happy Easter to you and your families!! Pastor Dave INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Session Notes/ Finance/Church 2 Events/ PW/ Church and Society 3 Youth/ Notices/ Personal 4 Birthdays Mission 5 Calendar 6 Dinners of Eight Stephen’s Ministry 7 Memory Joggers 8 Coming Attractions: Lenten Lunch & Learn Series: Each Wednesday through March 16 at 12noon Family Promise returns to our church February 28-March 5 Yellowstone Presbytery meeting at our church March 4-5 Holy Week Activities: March 20-27 -Palm Sunday and Commissioning of Stephen Ministers: Sunday, March 20 -Maundy Thursday Worship: Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 PM -Good Friday Worship here: Friday, March 25 at 7:00 PM -Easter Sunday services at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM (free brunch served at 9:15) Presbyterian Women’s Praise Luncheon: Wednesday, March 23 at 12noon

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Page 1: 2016 Pastor’s Pen - Razor Planetmedia1.razorplanet.com/.../resources/1029957_March2016.pdf · 2016-03-01 · 2016 Income Expense Net February $ 25,395 $ 37,121 $ (11,726) YTD $

The 6th

Preaching

Dave Thompson

Key Elder

Sharon Lincoln

Greeters

Jim Hummel &

Paige Spalding

Margie LaFontaine

Ushers

Janet Brown

Bebe Spring

Cindy Leggate

Sharon Mathews

Liturgist

Karla Mahan

Van Driver

Chuck Leggate

Sound Booth

David Bauer

Communion

Diane Noddings

Marlene Spencer

Heather McLean

Russ & Janet Kline

The 13th

Preaching

Dave Thompson Key Elder

David Bauer Greeters

Jim & Biff Hogue

Lucile Weisbeck Ushers

Jo Albin Pat Clark

Kurt & Mary Grabow

Liturgist Linda Luse

Care Board Phyllis Brown

Van Driver Don Harr

Sound Booth

Jeff Gruizenga Flower Delivery

Phyllis Brown

The 20th Palm Sunday

Preaching

Dave Thompson Key Elder

Ken Eichenberger Greeters

Chuck & Lois Maris

Megan Lorentz Ushers

Jerry Koch Bob Fedric

Bill White Don Reed

Liturgist

Robyn Bauer Care Board

Sharon Lincoln Van Driver

Don Harr

Sound Booth Chuck Leggate

Flower Delivery

Sharon Lincoln

The 24th Maudry Thursday

Preaching

Dave Thompson Key Elder

Chris Eriksen Greeters

Tom & Ginny Helmer

Ushers

Chris Eriksen John Thompson

Marjorie Stewart Sharon Brady

Liturgist

JoAnn Jones

The 25th

Good Friday Community Good Friday

service held at our church at 7

PM

The 27th Easter Sunday Preaching

Dave Thompson Key Elder

Sandi Schoenberger Greeters

David, Robyn,

Noah, Lauren Bauer

Kay Doss Ushers

Gary & Judy Lohnbakken

Bud & Joanne

Leuthold Liturgist

Doris Backus Van Driver

Don Harr

Sound Booth Bob Culbertson

Flower Delivery

Chuck & Cindy

Leggate

April 3rd Preaching

Dave Thompson

Key Elder David Bauer

Greeters Carl & Vickie

Johnson Judy Nusbaum

Ushers

Bob & Cathy Culbertson

Earl & Sharon Henderson

Liturgist

Vicki Thompson Van Driver

Charles Leggate Sound Booth

David Bauer

Communion

Paige Spalding Jim Hummel

Carla Bracken Sandi Schoenberger

Jo Albin

M e m o r y J o g g e r s f o r M a r c h 2 0 1 6

Pa s t o r ’ s P e n 2016

“He Is Risen!”

On Sunday, March 27 we will proclaim with Christians all around the world that

“Jesus Christ has Risen!” Easter Sunday represents the crux of our faith whereby Jesus

Christ conquered the grave and overcame the powers of death, sin, and sadness. It has

been said that Easter is the New Year’s Day of the soul as our lives are eternally changed

by the events on that first Easter morning surrounding the empty tomb. The Bible is full

of story after story of people who are transformed by the risen Christ. The lives of Peter, John, James,

Mary, and Paul were dramatically changed by that single event. That event is still changing lives today

through the Risen Christ who lives within us through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

I invite you to join us on Easter morning as we make the great claim that the power of God is alive

and well. We will be offering two worship opportunities on Easter Sunday at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. On

that Sunday I will culminate our current seven week sermon series titled, “Questions of Faith,” with the all-

important question, What happened to Jesus’ body? Was the tomb misidentified when the women came to

anoint Jesus’ body for burial early that Sunday morning? Was Jesus’ body stolen by grave robbers during

the night? Or did Jesus truly rise from the dead? One of the best books I have read on this subject is Who

Moved the Stone? by Frank Morison. We will explore these possibilities and discover the reason for greater

belief and hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

The Risen Christ provides the hinge of our faith. The Apostle Paul is bold to say, “If Christ has not

been raised from the dead, your faith is futile; and you are still in your sins” (I Corinthians 15:17).

Leading up to Easter Sunday I would invite you to join us for our Holy Week Challenge by attending

all of the Holy Week services offered at our church. We will gather on Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 PM for a

Maundy (sorrowful) Thursday service that will help us remember the pain and sorrow

Jesus experienced before his crucifixion. On Friday, March 25 we will gather at our

church with our neighbors from Peace Lutheran and St. Stephen’s Episcopal church-

es for our annual ecumenical Good Friday Service at 7:00 PM.

I look forward to worshipping with you on Easter as we reaffirm our trust in a

God who is alive, who has conquered death, and who invites us to experience the

joy of the resurrected life. Happy Easter to you and your families!!

Pastor Dave

I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E :

Session Notes/

Finance/Church 2

Events/ PW/

Church and

Society

3

Youth/ Notices/

Personal 4

Birthdays

Mission 5

Calendar 6

Dinners of Eight

Stephen’s

Ministry

7

Memory

Joggers 8

Coming Attractions:

Lenten Lunch & Learn Series: Each Wednesday through March 16 at 12noon Family Promise returns to our church February 28-March 5 Yellowstone Presbytery meeting at our church March 4-5 Holy Week Activities: March 20-27 -Palm Sunday and Commissioning of Stephen Ministers: Sunday, March 20 -Maundy Thursday Worship: Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 PM -Good Friday Worship here: Friday, March 25 at 7:00 PM -Easter Sunday services at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM (free brunch served at 9:15) Presbyterian Women’s Praise Luncheon: Wednesday, March 23 at 12noon

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Church Info

Office Hours: Mon—Thurs 8:30 am— 4 PM 406-252-3434 [email protected] www.fpcbillings.org Sunday School @ 9:15 AM Worship Celebration @ 10:30 STAFF Pastor: Dave Thompson

Office Manager: Jeanne Thompson-Raney

Accompanist: Sandi Rabas

Choir Director: Janie Sutton

Custodian: Kent Fellingham

SESSION MEMBERS Clerk of Session: Marlene Spencer

Class of 2017 David Bauer Ken Eichenberger Sharon Lincoln Sharon Mathews

Class of 2018 Kathy Baskett Marv Brown Jeff Gruizenga Sandi Schoenberger Class of 2019 Chris Eriksen Jenice Fugere Chuck Leggate Heather McLean

SESSION MINUTES

Session Notes: The session met on February 9. This was the first meeting for new session mem-bers. Returning elders are Chris Eriksen and Jenice Fugere and we welcomed our newest elders Chuck Leggate and Heather McLean. The 2016 budget which had been circulated among the congregational members was approved. The baptism of William Lawrence Jones, infant son of Travis and Michelle Jones, was approved to take place on February 28 during worship. Will is the grandson of Bart and Lynne Erickson and the great grandson of Biff and Jim Hogue. The session also voted to allow Pastor Dave to attend the Board of Pensions Con-ference in San Diego, California, from April 6-10.

Financial snapshot

2016 Income Expense Net February $ 25,395 $ 37,121 $ (11,726) YTD $ 72,061 $ 94,164 $ (22,103)

Per-Capita is being received for 2016. Our church pays $45 per member to the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly

of the PC(USA) for it annual dues. If you would like to pay your share of the per-capita that would be appreciated. You

can write a check to the church and indicate on the memo line “Per-Capita.” We appreciate your giving to help off-set this

fund. Thank you!

FEB 2016

7th 218

14th 210

21st 199

28th 195

2016 Feb

Average

206

2015 FEB

Average

199

Flower Sponsorship Opportunities

Our flower sign-up sheet is located on the back table in the narthex. We invite you to sign up for a particular Sunday to sponsor the flowers either in honor or memory of someone or a special event such as an anniversary, birthday, etc. Suggested donation is $25. Special thanks to those who donated flowers during the month of February. They are Ken & Barbara Eichen-berger in celebration of Valentine’s Day; Suzanne Braun in memory of her father, the Rev. Milous Repka; and Jim & Biff Hogue in celebration of their great-grandson’s baptism on February 28 during worship. Following worship each Sunday, the flowers are distributed to people in the hospital, nursing homes, or among those who are unable to attend church.

Church Mice: The church mice over the years have had a difficult time keeping up with and keeping out of the way of Russ Kline. Russ has served God through his church community in nearly every capacity possible. A partial list of his activities include liturgist, usher, head cook for many dinners, session member, and long standing volunteer for the youth program. Once again Russ has stepped for-ward to work with the youth of our church. Thank you, Russ, for your selflessness and hard work for the benefit of everyone at First Presbyterian Church.

Food Bank Sun-

day

Our church was one of the first churches in Billings to desig-nate a monthly Food Bank Sun-day. We invite you to bring some non-perishable food items with you on the first Sunday of each month as we help local people in need. Our next Food Bank Sunday will be held on March 6. Thanks to all who brought food on Souper Bowl Sunday!!

Sermons available on-line

Did you know that you can listen to sermons on-line at our website at www.fpcbillins.org? Just click the “Listen to Sermons” tab on the upper right front of our church’s homepage. Stay connected even when you are away. Sermon for the past 12 weeks are archived on our church’s website.

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House rebuild is nearing completion

You might have seen the recent articles in the Billings Gazette of the Melvin and Bonnie Willis family whose house was destroyed in a fire last November. Their home is located at 1124 23rd Street West in Billings. Our church has set aside $5,000 in matching funds to help this family rebuild. Community members are asking to help with this effort as all funds will be used to rebuild their home. Many donated hours of time by contractors, plumbers, and electricians have been working on this project. If you would like to make a spe-cial donation to this project, you can simply write a check to our church and indicate on the memo line, “Fire Fund.” Melvin and Bonnie are hoping to be back in their house by the end of March. Thanks much!

Lenten Lunch & Learn Series continues on Wednesdays

Join Pastor Dave for a special noon series offered during the season of Lent. Offered every Wednesday from 12noon– 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall, join Dave for some lunch and learning opportunities as he helps to deepen our faith during the season of Lent. Dave is teaching a series on some of the most beloved Psalms in the Bible. He will be helping us take a fresh look at Psalm 23, Psalm 46, Psalm 53, Psalm 121, and Psalm 139. Some, including St. Ambrose from the 4th century, have described the book of Psalms as the “gymnasium of the soul.” Pastor Dave intends to use this series and the season of Lent to help strength our spiritual muscles. This five week series will continue through Wednesday, March 16.

Stephen Ministry Update A training class for Stephen Ministers continues through March 17. This group meets on Thursday evenings at the church from 6:00-8:30 PM in the Fireside Room. Their commissioning will take place during worship on Sunday, March 20. Upon completion of this training, each of our Stephen Ministers will be assigned a care receiver to whom they will provide skills of listening, encouragement, and spiritual help. More information about Stephen Ministry is available through JoAnn Jones, Doris Backus, Jack Bell, Shirley Shirley, or Pastor Dave.

Our Church’s Leadership Team Elders: Moderator of Session: Pastor Dave Thompson Clerk of Session: Marlene Spencer Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 David Bauer Kathy Baskett (2) Chris Eriksen (2) Ken Eichenberger Marv Brown (2) Jenice Fugere (2) Sharon Lincoln Jeff Gruizenga (2) Chuck Leggate Sharon Mathews Sandi Schoenberger Heather McLean

Deacons: Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Diane Noddings (2) Janet Brown (2) Peggy Cluff Kathy Ramage Pam Gore (2) Dodie Cox (2) Paige Spalding Ruth Kaufman Bob Fedric Marjorie Stewart Charlie Pinnick Janice Ward

(2) denotes a second consecutive terms that is currently being served.

Current Sermon Series: “Questions of Faith” Pastor Dave’s current sermon series: “Questions of Faith” continues through Easter. Here is his outline for the remaining weeks with date, theme, and scripture passage. March 6 When will Jesus return? Mark 13: 32-37 March 13 Why is there suffering in our world? Mark 14: 32-42 March 20 Why did Jesus suffer on the cross? Mark 15: 1-15 March 27 (Easter) What happened to Jesus’ body? Mark 16: 1-8

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SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

2016 1

9:30 Staff Meeting 9:30 Women’s Bible Study 1 Property Com-mittee

2 10 Grief Supp 12 Lunch & Learn 6 Youth Group 7 Choir Rehearsal 7:30 Young Adults

3 9-11 Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) 1 Mission Comm 6 Stephen Ministry 7 CE Committee 7 College Group

4 Presbytery Meet-ing begins at our

church at 12noon 6 Presbytery din-ner

5 10 Gluten Intolerant Group (GIG) Presbytery meeting

6 Food Bank Sunday 9:15 Sun School 10:30 Worship Communion 11:00 West Park worship

7 12noon BLT 6 Billings Child Care Assn Meeting in Fellowship Hall

8 9:30 Staff Meeting 9:30 Women’s Bible Study 7 Session Meeting

9 9-11 BSF Lead 12 Lunch & Learn 6 Youth Group 7 Choir Rehearsal 7:30 Young Adults

10 9-11 Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) 4:30 Stephen Min Supervision 6 Step Min Train 7 College Group

11 Church Office Closed

12

13 9:15 Sun School 10:30 Worship 11:00 West Park Worship

14 10 Worship Comm 12noon BLT 12noon Men’s Grp 6 Couponing Event in Fellowship Hall

15 9:30 Staff Meeting 9:30 Women’s Bible Study

16 9-11 BSF Lead 9:30 PW Board 12 Lunch & Learn 6 Youth Group 7 Choir Rehearsal 7:30 Young Adults

9-11 BSF 12 Congregational Care Team 6 Stephen Ministry Training Last One 7 College Group

18 Church Office Closed Newsletter Deadline

19 10 PEO Group

20 9:15 Sun School 10:30 Worship SM Commission 11:00 West Park worship

21 12noon BLT 4 Deacons Meet-ing

22 9:30 Staff Meeting 9:30 Women’s Bible Study

23 No BSF Lead 12 PW Praise Luncheon No Youth Group 7Choir Rehears 7:30 Young Adults

24 No Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) Maundy Thursday Worship 7:00 PM

25 Good Friday wor-

ship at our church at 7:00 PM

26

27 Easter Sunday 8:30 Worship 9:15 Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt 10:30 Worship 11 West Park Wor-ship

28 12noon BLT 12noon Men’s Group

29 9:30 Staff Meeting 9:30 Women’s Bible Study

30 9-11 BSF Lead PW Circles Meet 6 Youth Group 7Choir Rehears 7:30 Young Adults

31 9-11 Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) 7 College Group

2016

On a Personal Note

We extend our condolences to the family of Anna Mae Dyce who passed away on February 17. Her funeral was held in our church on Wednesday, February 24. Bob Shirley is recovering from recent surgery. Gary Bracken, Karla’s husband, has returned home from the hospital. Helen Montgomery and Roger Gibson (Ruth Ewen’s son) have both returned home after being hospitalized. Steven Ferestad, Jody’s son, is recovering from a broken leg in Bozeman following a weight lighting accident. Special thanks to Sharon Brady and a host of other ladies who cleaned the stove and kitchen on Friday, Feb. 19 John Urbaska has been recently hospitalized in Billings. Bebe Spring was hospitalized for a few days last month. She is now home and is doing better.

New Members’ Class to begin on Sunday, May 1

A class for new members will be held on Sundays, May 1 and 8 at 9:15 AM in the Fireside Room. This class, titled “So What’s a Presbyterian?” would be appropriate for anyone wishing to learn more about our denomination, back-ground, and mission. This class will be taught by Pastor Dave. New members will be welcomed during worship on Sunday, May 15 with a potluck lunch for all from the church to welcome our newest group of members.

P a g e 3

Presbyterian Women

The Presbyterian Women’s Praise Luncheon will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 23 at 12noon in the fellowship hall. All women are invited to come and celebrate God's many bless-ings. Please talk with Marlene Spencer if you have any questions. The PW Circles meet the third Wednesday of each month for study and fellowship. If you have an interest in joining a circle, please talk with Marlene or Better Nesmith. The PW Board will be meeting on Wednesday, March 9 at 9:30 AM in the Fireside Room.

Sunday school classes that are currently offered

Sunday school for all ages continues on Sunday morning for children, youth, and adults. Lots of great classes are provided for all ages! Hope you all with join us!

Classes for Kids: Kindergarten through 5th grade: This class meets at 9:15 AM with Leah Wright Middle School and High School: Youth meet in the downstairs youth coffee room with Russ and Heidi Sunday school during our worship service is held every week after the children’s sermon. A variety of teachers lead this class for children ages kindergarten through the 5th grade. Special Class for Adults: Building Better Relationships: Relationships are key in life and we all can make improvements in bet-tering our relationships with our family, friends, and neighbors. This class began on Sunday, February 28 and will continue through Sunday, March 20. Taught by Pastor Dave, this class will meet in the Fireside Room on Sunday mornings at 9:15 AM. Dave will help is us look at a biblical blueprint for extending forgiveness, loving deeper, trusting more, and communicating better. Join us for this important series. Church and Society guests for the month of March will be:

MARCH 6: Dr. Jay Cassel, Retired Professor of Religious Thought, Rocky Mountain College, “Teddy Roose-velt—A Man of Faith.” Dr. Cassel will explore President Roosevelt’s religious upbringing that led to a life long devotion to his faith. He also was a constant defender of religious freedom and tolerance.

MARCH 13: Kelli Toohill, Executive Director, Wise Wonders Children’s Museum. Kelli will discuss the teaching of STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) through interactive stations and exhib-its. The Museum reaches out to lower class children and their families and the greater Billings community. She will talk about the who, what, where, when and why of a children's museum? Interactive play and learning at Wise Wonders plus future goals for this not-for-profit organization.

MARCH 20: Dr. Nick Wolter, CEO of Billings Clinic. Dr. Wolter will give updates on the Affordable Care Act, and he will discuss the ways that hospitals promote a healing atmosphere.

MARCH 27: There will be no Church and Society Classes on Easter Sunday. Classes will resume on Sunday, April 3.

Special thanks to Shari Dayton for coordinating this class. If you have a suggestion for a speaker please talk with Shari as she is always looking for guest speakers.

Prayer Garden library is open and ready

Our new outside library, located in our Prayer Garden, is open and ready to be used. This newly refur-bished “garden” is located near the downstairs doors, to the right of the main entry door. Sharon Brady recent-ly placed some books inside the library deposit box for people to use. You can take a book and leave a book at your discretion. We invite you to use the prayer garden as a place of prayer, study, and quiet reflection. Several benches are in the garden for you use.

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Youth News: 15 youth and adults from our church joined others from Yellowstone Presby-tery from February 26-28 for the annual ski retreat in Butte. The kids enjoyed the weekend full of activities, which included growing in their faith, singing, playing games, skiing, and tubing. Special thanks to Heather McLean, Amanda Webber, Leah Wright, and Craig Hash who served as chaperones for this weekend. The youth will be serving Easter brunch on Easter Sunday, March 27. Join the church family at 9:15 on that Sunday morning in the fellowship hall for a wonderful Easter brunch. We will be having an Easter egg hunt for the kids with prizes to be given away. Youth group continues on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 PM for all middle and high school students. Join us for a full dinner, games, music, and learning. We have a great time every Wednesday evening and would love to add more youth to our group. Triennium Youth Conference is coming July 18-25. If you are ages 15-19, you won’t want to miss this excellent experience to Purdue University in Indiana. We will be driving to the conference where we will be meeting up with about 6,000 other youth from around the world for an action packed week of activities. If you have an interest, please talk with Pastor Dave as soon as possible. We would like to get our group registered ear-ly for the best chance of having an air conditioned dorm— a real plus when you are staying in Indiana in July. Don’t miss this awesome experience!

Grief support group continues every month

A grief support group within our church continues to meet the first Wednesday of each month from 10-11. This group is open to anyone in the church or community who is experiencing grief. Facilitated by Dr. Don Harr, this group provide support, encouragement, and help to those facing grief, loss, or transitions in life. All are invited to join this special group. The next group meets on Wednesday, March 2 at 10:00 AM at the church in the conference room.

Men’s group Our men’s group is meeting the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 12noon in the Fireside Room. Join other men for a time of encouragement, fellowship, prayer, and study. This group is studying the New Testa-ment book of 2 Peter which talks about living as people of faith. For more information about this group, please talk with Pastor Dave. The next meeting will be held on Mon-day, March 14 at 12noon. All men are invit-ed.

Upcoming Committee Meetings in March (All meetings are in the Fireside Room)

Property Committee Tuesday, March 1 at 12noon Mission Committee Thursday, March 3 at 1 PM Christian Education Thursday, March 3 at 7 PM Session Meeting Tuesday, March 8 at 7 PM PW Board Meeting Wednesday, March 9 at 9:30 AM Worship Committee Monday, March 14 at 10 AM Fellowship Committee Thursday, March 17 at 11 AM Congregational Care Team Thursday, March 17 at 12noon Deacons Meeting Monday, March 21 at 4 PM

Holy Week Events: Join us for the following events leading up to Easter! Come and take the Holy Week Challenge during this week leading up to Easter. We invite you to attend all of the services of this week that will take you through the last week of Jesus’ life. From the celebration on Palm Sunday as Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem, to his sharing the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, to his death on the cross on Good Friday, to the resurrection on Easter Sunday, come and journey with Jesus. Here is the schedule for Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday service will be held at our church on Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 PM Good Friday ecumenical worship will be held at our church on Friday, March 25 at 7:00 PM Early Easter worship will be held at our church on Easter Sunday at 8:30 AM Easter brunch provided by the youth group will begin at 9:15 AM on Easter Sunday. It’s free!! Easter worship Celebration will be held on Easter Sunday at 10:30 AM

P A G E 5

Mission News

They say, “it takes a village to raise a child.” First Presbyterian Church is acting as part of the village for so many of God’s children in the Billings area, Montana, the United States, and the world. This is an awesome responsibility and joyful honor. Lately our mission committee has been working with Family Promise, STEP-Chinook Horse program, Ponderosa Pines Nursing Home in Lockwood, and the Tumbleweed youth program in Billings. We are prayerfully and seriously considering the most important charities to support this year. Each possibility is being discussed and researched as we feel it is needed. So far we have stated that our priorities are Tumbleweed, Lewis and Clark School Food Pantry, One Great Hour of Sharing, MSUB Campus Ministry, and Eagle Rock Sanctuary. Next month we will look at more possibilities. Thanks to all who have signed up to help with our Family Promise week. Four families will be staying in our church from February 28-March 6. These families find themselves homeless for various reasons and out church is one among 13 churches which host these families on a rotating basis. Special thanks to Marv & Janet brown and Chris Eriksen who serve as our church coordinators for Family Promise. Ponderosa Pines Party! Several people from our church went to Ponderosa Pines Nursing Home in Lockwood on Monday, February 15 to spread some Valentine’s cheers. Valentine’s cards and cupcakes were shared along with singing and a devotional on God’s love. Ponderosa Pines is a low income home.

March Birthdays 3 Amanda Lambott 4 Hayden Gall 5 Linda Haden 9 Bob Fedric Judy Lohnbakken 10 Meghan Ascheman 12 Mary Lou Jacobson 13 Nikki Schaubel Laura Sterup 17 Ken Chase Gordon Cox Tom Drummond Barbara Eichenberger

18 Bill Ballard Kailey Roberts Maxine Schuman 19 Jane Corning Don Reed Peg Ostlund 20 Aaron TenHarmsel 21 Ray Noble 22 Will White 24 Cory Grabow 25 Guy Keenum 26 Josh Culbertson Julie Janiak

27 Kathleen Baskett 29 Heidi Henderson Sharon Mathews 29 Cindy Leggate Anniversaries 11 Ed & Alta Dakolios 19 Scott & Carol Harr 21 Bill & Colleen Lorentz

Pastor Dave becomes a volunteer BPD Police Chaplain

Pastor Dave was recently received as the newest volunteer chaplain for the Billings Police Department. He is among 11 clergy in Billings who serve as a chaplain. Duties entail being on–call several days a month, making him-self available if a police office requests the assistance of a chaplain. Most often requests come at the time of a tragic accident, suicide, or other death related incident. Dave sees this as another way that we, as a church family, can con-nect with our local community. When Dave is on call he will be driving the BPD Chaplain’s car which is commonly mistaken for a patrol car. As an aside, Dave worked for a police department as an intern while in high school and en-joys combining his work as a pastor with his appreciation for law enforcement.