Lenten Reflections have become an important tradition at FPC. Over 70 people have accepted the call to share their faith in this forum since 2001. The theme for this Lenten season will be, “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in harmony. (Psalm 133:1).” Last year we held all the Lenten Reflections in the chapel after fellowship for the first time. Feedback was positive, and we are doing the same again this year. The chapel is shrouded with a pall for the Lenten Season as a way of marking this time as a special observance. Please plan to stay and hear our friends share their stories of faith. This year may be the first time that we have ever had a two-part reflection, as we will be hearing from Georgian exchange student Aitan Rustomova all about her culture and experiences. February 18 Ron Rop February 15 Leon and Lisa Conklin March 4 Arisha Coffee March 11 Aitan Rustomova pt. 1 March 18 Aitan Rustomova pt. 2

FEBRUARY 2018

Rolling Out the Red Carpet

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poe tas an quos et praes ens et

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quidem veteres inter ponetur an

honeste, qui vel mense brevi.

High School Seniors & Current College Students:

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE!

Now is the time to start pulling together your résumé and transcripts. We have two scholarships you may apply for: · The Lakey Fund, which

requires that you be a member of FPC-Muskegon, in high academic standing, and have a preference toward Alma or another church-related college.

· The Nelson Fund, which

requires that you be a member of FPC-Muskegon and in high academic standing.

The amounts available will depend on how many students apply. Applications are available in the folders posted on the FPC Youth bulletin board. Please submit your application(s) to the church office. Questions? Contact the church office or email Ellen Prowant at ellie3220@frontier.com. Deadline: March 25

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Recipients will be notified in May.

Highland Herald A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church - Muskegon, Mich igan

Ladies… you and your friends are invited to the “Around-the-Town Luncheon” at Se4sons Gastropub (inside Muskegon Country Club) on Friday, March 9

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at noon. Sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board in the hallway by March 5

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2 Lenten Breakfast

2 Enrichment Classes

3 Mission News

On

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03/01 Chris Rausch 03/01 Mary Ellen Willcox 03/06 Allie Lindsay 03/07 Leon Van Rees 03/07 Paul Kara 03/10 Lila Coston 03/10 Mary Eschman 03/10 Pam Foster 03/14 Taylor Rull 03/15 Betty Dunn 03/20 Bob Friel 03/22 Marge Mathews 03/23 Norma Reynolds 03/23 Carol Moore 03/25 Linda Champion 03/27 Avery Dibble 03/29 Jennica Price 03/30 Hank Kacprzyk 03/30 Max DeVoogd

The Outreach & Communication Council would like to thank everyone who has participated in our Enrichment Classes during the past year. We have had a great turnout and had a lot of fun! For the next few months we plan to have more classes, some back by popular demand and some new. Watch the bulletin board by the library to sign up for a class.

A Publ i cat ion o f F i rst Presbyter ian Church

FPC’s annual Lenten Breakfast will be held on Saturday, March 24

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at 10 a.m. Our guest speaker will be Judy Konoff, Hospice Aide with Hospice of Michigan. Ms. Konoff helps in taking care of Bob Boelkins. A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board near the library.

A note from Judy: Hello Friends, I call you that because you are friends that I have yet to meet. My name is Judy Konoff. I am a Hospice of MI Hospice Aide and have been for 15 years now. I am the youngest of seven children. My father was a Baptist minister, my late husband, a Pentecostal minister. I have been around and involved with/in ministry most of my life. My family is musical; we sang together before my father would preach, from the time I was at least three years old. I have taught Sunday School for over 40 years, and pretty much have done around a small church anything that needed to be done including preaching and teaching. I love the word of God, His Presence and His people. I will do my best to bring what He gives me to share with you and am looking forward to meeting you!

February 24 Kathy DeCormier will teach another Genealogy class. Both beginners and moving beyond are welcome.

March 15 We are hoping for a flower arranging class with Skeeter from Wasserman’s. Details to be announced.

April 16 Another glass class with Jilly Barnes.

May To be determined.

June Canvas painting with Robin.

General Fund Financial Figures

2018 Year-End Dollars and Sense Summary

January Year-to-Date

Total Income (actual) $ 23,616 $ 23,616

Total Expenses (actual) $ 30,900 $ 30,900

Net Increase (decrease) $ (7,284) $ (7,284)

Budgeted Income $ 22,299 $ 22,299

Thank you for your continued financial support. Please include your name, check number and amount on your giving envelope. ~ Finance Council

I just want to thank everyone for all the nice things that were done for me including prayers, cards, gifts and things to make it easier for me. Hope to be getting around better soon. Thanks so much! Betsy Colella

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FEBRUARY 2018

Many people have been blessed by receiving a shawl in a time they needed to be wrapped in God's grace. In several cases, "elves" have placed finished shawls in our storage cupboard in the youth room--and the shawls have been put to good service. If you can commit to knitting a shawl for this FPC ministry, more shawls will be available to the souls particularly in need of comfort. You may come to the next meeting--March 6, 2018, at 2:00 pm--to begin or finish a shawl, or drop off your shawl in our labeled cupboard in the youth room. God bless your intentions.

Dear First Presbyterian Church of Muskegon, Thank you for your donation to First-Hand Aid honoring the late Lee Simpson through the fourth annual "Lee Simpson Family Thanksgiving Offering" at New Jerusalem Baptist Church during the joint 2017 Thanksgiving Eve Service. Our mission in Cuba is to diminish the suffering of the most marginalized Cubans, providing hope, dignity, and the basic necessities of life and health. Your support enables us to fulfill that mission. To see the good work your donation is doing, we encourage you to follow us on our website, www.firsthandaid.org, or our Face book Page, If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me personally at marc@firsthandaid.org. We join our Cuban friends in thanking you very much for your support. Eric Bohland Executive Director First-Hand Aid Caribbean Medical and Humanitarian Relief Corp. Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO of CHURCH WORLD SERVICE, thanks FPC for its financial support to help strengthen communities worldwide. Through our support of CWS, we are helping to fight the connected challenges of hunger, lack of access to safe water and improved sanitation and extreme poverty. From FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, Thank you so much for your ongoing support for the MOBILE FOOD PANTRY program here in Muskegon in conjunction with the local efforts of Feeding America. Through our Cents-Ability collections, First Presbyterian is able to pay its share of the costs of two food trucks a year with First Congregational Church. Our share for the two food trucks amounted to $1,002.30. Through the Mission programs of FPC, contributions were sent to MEDIATION and RESTORATIVE SERVICES at 27 E. Clay Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442, EVERY WOMAN'S PLACE, The MEDICAL SUPPORT FUND of Mission for Area People, and the continuing work of THE HOPE PROJECT.

FPC THANK YOU NOTES

BREAD FOR THE WORLD BREAD SALE

SUNDAY, MARCH 4th

Many, many delicious breads and baked goods were sold at our February Bread Sale thanks to our very generous FPC bakers and buyers. $102.25 raised from that sale will be contributed toward our BFW Covenant Church Pledge as we seek to be an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. Our next Bread Sale will be held Sunday, March 4

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“O Christ, we give thanks that during this season of Lent you come into our lives proclaiming God’s Salvation. Renew our faith in this good news so that we may raise our vices on behalf of those who hunger in our world. Amen.” ~Bread for the World “Lenten Prayers for Hungry People”

CENTS-ABILITY OFFFERING

Sunday, March 4th

$159.28 was collected in the Cents-Ability Offering, Presbyterian Hunger Program, in February. The offering is received the first Sunday of every month throughout the year. The Feeding America Food Truck and Supper House are recipients. If there is additional money the MAP Healthy Foods Pantry and Meals on Wheels receive contributions. The next offering will be received on March 4

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First Presbyterian Church 2577 Wickham Drive Muskegon, MI 49441-3182 www.fpcmuskegon.org

MISSION FOR AREA PEOPLE MARCH COLLECTION

Mission for Area People is celebrating 50 years of serving the

citizens of Muskegon Heights and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Mission for Area People Healthy Food Pantry served 2,274 persons in 2017. All recipients received a seven day supply of food for three meals per day. Mission for Area People Pantry is requesting a need for the following food items: pasta, peanut butter, brown rice, tuna fish packed in water, low sugar canned fruits, healthy cereals and healthy soups. Personal care and household items needed are deodorant, bar soap, toilet tissue, shampoo, disposable razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes and diapers as well as dish detergent and laundry detergent. When you shop for groceries and other items, please remember the many persons who rely on the MAP Pantry for assistance. Please keep in mind that all pantry and personal care items must be new and unopened. Canned goods that have expired or are dented cannot be delivered.

Mark your calendar! The monthly Men’s Breakfast will be held at Cherokee Restaurant on Wednesday, February 28

th - 8:00 a.m. Come for

good food, good conversation and a laugh or two!!