A Newsletter from the 495 Charles Avenue Phone: (989) 463-2940 First Presbyterian Church Family Alma, Michigan 48801 FAX: (989) 463-2094 Website: www.firstpres.net Email: office@firstpres.net

March

2019 Don Weis 2018

Update from Interim Pastor Search Committee

Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year

Introducing Pastor Joy Smith

Our new Interim Pastor will join us on March 15th. Pastor Joy comes to us from St. Paul, Minnesota, where she lives overlooking the mighty Mississippi with her husband, Chuck Paulson, a biology professor at Century College in Minneapolis. Her two children have left the nest: Hunter, who is living in Seattle and Kaden, living in Madison. She is devoted to her dog, Zack, who will be coming to Alma with her. Zack is a Great Pyrenees mix, so is a gentle giant.

Joy is originally from Georgia so has a hint of a southern accent. She began her college education in South Carolina, graduating with a BS in Psychology and moved on to Union Theological Seminary in Virginia graduating with a Masters of Christian Education. From there she graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in Georgia with a Masters of Divinity. Other post-graduate education includes Interim/Transitional Ministry Training, Clinical Pastoral Education, and Pastoral Counseling Fellowship. She is a strong proponent of continuing education and has studied a variety of topics

including racial equity, family systems, and the role of ministry in a changing world. She has made three pilgrimages to Israel/Palestine, the most recent being January of this year. We asked her to take a lot of pictures, and she is looking forward to being our travel guide at a Second Sunday luncheon. This picture is of Pastor Joy on the Sea of Galilee.

She has been a Pastor in Jacksonville, Florida, Baker, Minnesota and Burnsville, Minnesota; an Associate Pastor in Lake Forest, Illinois, Tucson, Arizona; and an Interim Pastor in Tucson, Arizona, Jacksonville, Florida,

Yulee, Florida, and St. Paul, Minnesota. She also served as Grant Coordinator/Adjunct Instructor at Concordia College in Morehead, Minnesota.

One of her references, Reverend Dr. Sue Westfall, told us, “Joy is a seasoned pastor with years of successful experience in a variety of settings. She is compassionate, a visionary, caring, and communicative. She is a leader with a good track record of being an activist who can help mobilize a church to pursue their vision. She is an excellent preacher, a good listener. She is progressive but is very respectful of others when they are more traditional. She knows she has to educate, dialog, and be nonjudgmental. She is discreet.”

Join us in welcoming Pastor Joy as she leads us in worship on March 17th.

Church Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9—3 Friday: 9-12

Food Pantry Hours

Tuesdays 1:30 – 3:30 (no fifth Tuesday)

Community Café

Thursdays at 5:30

Warwick Living Center: Donna Rowland, Pat Daily

Schnepp Health Care Center: Phil Smith

Masonic Pathways: Pam Brackbill, Mary Lou Byl, Jean Dice, Bob & Joan Fraker, Jo Garey, Nan Greening, Dean Mitchell, Jackie Smith, Dorothy Swanson

Arbor Grove: Don Rice (Deb Rockafellow’s father), Sally Thoe

Mary Free Bed Hospital: Edie Hillstrom

At Home: Al Bartholomew, Carolyn Near, Carol Layman, Barb Marble, Millie Meger, Bona Beckley, Fran Nesen, Roy Roach, Sarah Thorndike, Annerose White, Emily Czeiszperger, Katie Dixon, George Gibbs (Sue Deel’s dad)

Special Requests: Jonathan Boerner (Sally Geuder’s cousin); Jill Capozzoli (daughter of John McCormack & Shirley Hopper); Ann Williams and Scott Stearns (Jo Garey’s daughter & grandson)

Inquirer under our church’s care: Ted Webb (2018 grad, Louisville Seminary)

Our Deepest Sympathy to…

... the family of Cerise Bartholomew, mother of Al Bartholomew. Cerise passed away in Rogers, Arkansas on January 13, 2019.

...the family of Gen Gibbs, mother of Sue Deel. Gen passed away in Alma on January 16, 2019.

...Roy Roach at the death of his wife, Nora Roach, who passed away at Masonic Pathways on February 4, 2019. The Memorial Service will be April 6, 2019.

...to Jo Garey at the death of her husband, Barre Gary, on February 27. A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, March 9, at 1:00 at Doig Chapel.

...to the family of Ralph Hinderleider who passed away at Masonic Pathways on March 5.

For those who wish to send cards:

Warwick Living Center 842 W. Warwick Dr. Alma, MI 48801

Schnepp Health Care Center 427 E. Washington St. Louis, MI 48880

Masonic Pathways (all sections) 1200 Wright Ave. Alma, MI 48801

Arbor Grove 1320 Pine Ave. Alma MI 48801

• • •

Individual home addresses

are available from the church office

Church Staff

Church office __ phone ____________ 989-463-2940

Dir. Educational Ministries ______ Carlene Lyon ______ 989-463-6558

Sanctuary Choir Director ________ Anthony Patterson __ 989-906-4695

Organist _______ Al Bartholomew ____ 989-763-5248

Treasurer _______ Marsha Turner _____ 989-463-6250

Financial Secretary _______ Tadd Godfrey ______ 989-289-3324

Recording Secretary _______ Ellie Freed ________ 989-463-2918

Administrative Assistant _______

Nursery Supervisor ______ Sylvia Kinoshita

Custodians _____ Larry and Sue Sanders

Good Company Coordinator _____ Sherri Florez _______ 616-550-8111

Fill the Ark Project: Every week during the

Time for the Young at Heart children (and adults!) have been placing their donations into an ark at the front of the church. Through the Presbyterian Giving Catalog, we have ordered five families of chickens, a pair of goats, and a pair of sheep.

From Heifer International, we have ordered a pair of pigs, a water buffalo, and hives of honey-bees (we like to think small, too).

Some other animals we can order in the future would be rabbits, and a llama.

This is a tangible way for our young at heart to share blessings with others!

Thank you for your amazing generosity and support.

Thursday Men’s Breakfast

A time of fellowship and good food.

7:30 on Thursday mornings at the

JJ Ruby’s Restaurant on State Rd between

Alma and Ithaca

These Days Daily Devotions

for Living by Faith

Copies for April

through June, 2019, will soon be available

on the counter in the Narthex at the entrance

to the Sanctuary.

An envelope is provided if you wish

to make a contribution to defray costs.

Thank you!

Welcome, March!

Mark your calendar for our Second Sunday Series on March 10. Come enjoy a chicken pot pie luncheon. Dr. Ed Lorenz will speak about his recent trip to the border in El Paso!

Fellowship on the Fifth will be March 31. Stay for lunch, and board games will be available if you would like to extend the fellowship!

The Ash Wednesday Service on March 6 will incor-porate a soup supper and will begin at 5:30.

On Wednesdays at 5:30 from March 13 through April 10, you are invited to participate in a light supper of soup, salad and bread, followed by a study based on Max Lucado’s He Chose the Nails. Study guides are available.

As we seek spring and the promise of new life, let us all remember that Christ calls us to love one another. He will not judge by skin color, wealth, fame, or who you love, he want us to love and serve. He wants our hearts. May his love blossom in you.

Peace, Carlene

American Red Cross,

Blood Drive

Next Blood Drive Here:

April 16, 2019

Deadline for the April

First Pres Release: Monday, March 25

We have Wheelchairs and Walkers available!

Please check with the church office.

We’re happy to lend them out to our members and friends!

Please Note:

Copies of Rev. Mary Anne Evans-Justin’s

sermon from 2/24 are available on the

narthex counter. Her sermon provides a

vision of our transitional journey that is both

challenging and hope-filled as reflected

through the journey story of Abraham

and Sarah. Recommended as a

“Must Read!”

Welcome St Johns Episcopal Church

Sunday Morning Worship

10:30 a.m. Four Seasons

Room

Welcome St Johns Episcopal Church

Sunday Morning Worship

10:30 a.m. Four Seasons

Room

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

6 JEAN KIMBALL 7 JACKSON LUNEACK 8 ROSEMARY FISHER 8 NAN GREENING 9 BRYAN MCCRACKEN 9 RON TURNER 10 LINDA WILLIAMS 12 CATHY HORN 15 SUE DEEL 15 KAREN LINCOLN 15 ANNEROSE WHITE

16 CAROL ROSAN 17 RENU MASLOVICH 21 DAWN TERWILLIGER 22 CHASE ALLMAN-KNIEPER 23 NIKKI DEEL 24 MEGAN RADAZ 28 ROBIN LOTT

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES

15 DEB AND BRIAN ROCKAFELLOW

Lectionary Readings

March

March 3 Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2; Luke 9:28–43

March 10 Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1–13

March 17 Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17—4:1; Luke 13:31-35

March 24 Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1–8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9

March 31 Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

How Can I Help?

If you are interested in …

...being a Worship Leader: please contact Jean Kimball (463-4529).

...leading the Time for the Young at Heart: please contact Carlene Lyon (463-6558).

...volunteering at Community Café: please contact Heidi Faust (989-331-4330).

...helping with snow shoveling, please contact Mark Jewell (463-5223).

...helping with special projects in the building, please contact Mark Jewell (463-5223).

...helping in the church office, please contact Jeri Piccolo (463-2940).

01 Emily Maslovich 05 Mary Lou Byl 05 Barb Marble 06 Virginia Blandford 10 Andy Brumbaugh 15 Preston Elsea 18 Joyce Elsea 21 Roger Allman 26 Britten Krieve 28 Shirley Hopper 28 Dave Knarr

MARCH BIRTHDAYS!

MARCH ANNIVERSARIES!

19 Fran & Stan Nesen 28 Sherry & George Orihel

If we’ve missed your date,

please send it to the office!

Gratiot County Hope House

is a crisis cold-weather housing shelter serving

Gratiot County residents.

The shelter will open for its first season

on January 7, 2019 and is located

in the St. Louis Church of the Nazarene.

This shelter is for any-one who is living in

homelessness.

Call (989) 948-0404

Dial 2-1-1 is a free, confidential service available 24/7 to help people find

the local resources they need. Food, Health, Housing, Utilities, Job Assistance,

Crisis, Emergencies and Disasters.

ACTIVITIES TO GET US MOVING!

Cardio Drumming

is in Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Wed-nesdays (Tuesdays during Lent). If you are not familiar with this activity, go to YouTube and type in cardio-drumming. Fantastic! Anyone can do it. And it’s adaptable to all fit-ness levels. Try it!

YOGA at First Pres!

Never tried yoga be-fore? Take a class and discover yourself!

Mondays: 10-11 a.m. (Garden Room) or 6:15-7:15 p.m. (Fellowship Hall) Wednesdays: 6:15-7:15 p.m. (Garden Room)

Classes are for all lev-els of experience and pull from an eclectic mix of various yoga traditions. Infor-mation about the vari-ous classes is availa-ble from the church office.

The Women's Resource Center of MidMichigan operates the Career Closet, the purpose of which is to provide interview and business wear to the community’s women at no cost to help them “dress for success.”

The Career Closet accepts new and gently worn women's business wear: suits, slacks, blouses, shoes, purses, jewelry, bras, and scrubs and full length coats.

We are at 150 W Center Street in Alma (the northeast corner of Prospect and Center streets, kitty corner from Gratiot Community Credit Union and 2 buildings west of Commercial Bank).

Hours: Tue, 5:30 – 7:00 pm; Thu, 12 noon - 1:00 pm.

Found: red cap, eye glasses, earring; ladies watch, class ring, unidentified key, algebra textbook, coin token with cross.

Tokens for Ticos Contributions for January $26.71 for February $41.64

Remember to check the bulletin board inside the front door for information on local events and

newspaper clippings about our members! Please Note: The bulletin boards and posted items

around the building are frequently checked for timeli-ness. If we miss one, please bring it to the office or notify the staff. Thank you for your cooperation.

Tell Us What Is Going On in Downtown Alma!

Tuesday, March 19, 12-1:30

Fellowship Hall

Women’s Resource Center of MidMichigan Annual Membership Meeting —

Non-members welcome!

Presented by Aeric Ripley, Alma Assist. City Manager and Director of the

Downtown Development Authority,

And Alan Gatlin, Alma College Chief Operating Officer

and Vice President for Finance and Administration

Good Company Offers HOURLY Social Programming, in Response to Community Need and Request

•The program is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (except holidays) from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Swigart Fellowship Hall.

•Lunch is provided, however, refrigeration and microwave are available for those who prefer to bring their own.

•Enjoyable activities are designed for each individual to stimulate mental functioning and physical abilities.

•New participants MUST register in advance.

•$5 hourly rate includes all services.

Good Company

is a social day program an adult will enjoy visiting while their spouse or other

caregiver is free to tends to other activities.

Good Company Respite Care Program more information is available at

www.firstpres.net/good-company.

Good Company News Due to the recent weather conditions we had to close the program many days. We understand this can be quite difficult for our guests and their families. Safety is our priority. Our program is following the Alma public school closings. We are definitely looking forward to warmer weather. Many changes have occurred in the past month, but happy to report we still have eight guests enrolled in the program. Currently, we have three-part time and two contingent staff. Unfortunately, our two college volunteers had semester changes that doesn’t allow them to participate at this time. In January, a new guest joined our program. As he began to share stories we soon realized another guest knew of him from years ago. The gentleman's family brought a home movie of Houghton Lake Campground to share with our group. This became very special for one of our current guests, as she and her husband (who has passed away) were both in it! A very happy memory for her; she was delighted. We are preparing for some springtime crafts with our egg shell art. If anyone is up to saving eggshells we will need some. Have a great month!

— Sherri Florez, Program Coordinator

Alzheimer’s Support Group

1 p.m., Garden Room, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays

Next meetings: March 5 & 19

For information, call: Scott Hicks

(989) 875-5269

The Sabbath Group

The Sabbath Group continues to meet at 7 p.m. on Mondays. They are studying Marcus

Borg's book, Days of Awe and Wonder.

They will begin a new book soon. All women are invited to join the group.

If you have any questions or need a book, please contact Kathy Smith

or Jeri Piccolo.

Festival of Church Music

Concert by local church musicians, including Adam and Danny Dixon!

March 17, 3:00 p.m. Alma First Church of God

The Festival is to gather the congregations of partner churches to celebrate the work

being done by Love, INC of Gratiot County. A free will offering will be gratefully received.

Women's Retreat Update

After much deliberation, soul-searching, and

prayer, it has been decided not to have a

Women's Retreat in 2019. Some ideas have

been put forward for 2020, but new themes or

suggestions for speakers/facilitators would be

welcomed and encouraged. The retreats have

been wonderful vehicles for our congrega-

tion's women to get to know each other, make

new friendships, and strengthen older

ones. If you have any suggestions or would

like to volunteer to help plan for 2020, please

contact Kathy Smith or Jeri Piccolo.

Would you like to volunteer to …

...Learn how to change the message on the big sign out front? We can train you and also give you the appropriate announcements.

...keep track of the Emergency Snacks on our narthex counter? The expiration dates require watching, and then the snacks need to be replenished.

...learn how to operate the office copier and folding machine? We can train you to help produce our publications.

Would you like to learn our Sound System?

Our sound crew needs members! At least one person is needed on the Sound Board

for morning worship each Sunday Morning.

Occasionally someone is needed for a special service or for an event in Fellowship Hall.

If interested, contact office or Timm Thorsen!

First Presbyterian Church Mission Statement

We exist to make God’s love real. Empowered by the Holy Spirit:

•We live in Christ.

•We lead others to live in Christ.

•We share Christ’s compassion.

In FEBRUARY, our 2nd Sunday Meal was a Roast Pork Loin Dinner.

Our program featured Doug Ballard from St John’s Church who

presented “Episcopalian 101.” Thank you to Doug and our wonderful

kitchen staff.

If your date is not convenient, PLEASE CHANGE WITH SOMEONE ELSE ON YOUR LIST and report the change to the church office by the Wednesday prior to your date. Thanks so much for your help!

FPC March Serving Schedule

Community Café and Food Pantry

TUESDAY March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26 April 2

Food Pantry Carolyn Studley

Mary Hurley Deb Rockafellow

Mary Ann E-J Tincy Goggin Jeanette Weed

Ellie Freed Mary Hurley

Jeanette Weed

Ann Hall Sue Malone

Jeanette Weed

Carolyn Studley Topher Goggin

?

THURSDAY March 7 March 14 March 21 March 28 April 4

Community Café

Dave Pitts Roberta Charney

volunteers

Alma College Sodexo

Greek Life

Dave Pitts Roberta Charney

volunteers

Dave Pitts Roberta Charney

volunteers

Dave Pitts Roberta Char-

ney

Sunday 10:30 March 3 March 10 March 17 March 24 Mar 31

Head Usher Nick Piccolo Nick Piccolo Nick Piccolo Nick Piccolo Nick Piccolo

Ushers Brad Parsons

Crystal Parsons

Julie Frick Ron Turner

Topher Goggin

Julie Frick Bryan Dinwoody

Ann Baker

Julie Frick Sue Malone

Chuck Fortino

Julie Frick Sue Malone Ron Turner

Greeters Mark Jewell Deb Jewell

Sue Beckett Ann Thomas

Michael Selmon Sarah Horn

Ralph Grossbauer Barb Hattery

Ann Baker Ellie Freed

Count Offering Ann Baker Julie Frick Mark Jewell Sue Malone Sue Beckett

Worship Leaders

Bryan Dinwoody Adam Dixon Topher Goggin Jeri Piccolo Danny Dixon

Time for the Young at Heart

Carlene Lyon Jean Kimball Jimm Lyon

Nursery Sylvia Kinoshita Olivia Robinson

Sylvia Kinoshita Olivia Robinson

Sylvia Kinoshita Tamanda Store

Sylvia Kinoshita Stephanie Davis

Sylvia Kinoshita Olivia Robinson

Coffee Hour Hosts

Marsha Turner Ron Turner

Second Sunday Lunch

CE & Deacons

Anne Lambrecht Tim Lambrecht

Kim Winnie M. Trimmer

Julie Fortino Chuck Fortino

Joyce Elsea Jeff Elsea

Fellowship on the Fifth!

CE & friends

Communion March 3 Traditional

Set-up: Sue Malone Serve: Ann Baker, Susan Dinwoody, Bryan Dinwoody, Jean Kimball, Jimm Lyon Clean-up: volunteers

Communion April 7 Intinction

Set-up: Sue Malone Serve: Julie Frick, Ann Baker, Deb Jewell, Mark Jewell, ?, ? Clean-up: volunteers

Celebrating Transition by Ann Baker, Chair of Stewardship Committee The Stewardship theme for 2019 is “Celebrating Transition.” It’s an appropriate theme for this period of transition in which we hire an interim pastor, consider how we can make our ministry more meaningful and then conduct a search for a full time pastor. In transition we can recognize our strengths and celebrate what makes us resilient. We can maintain a strong sense of who we are, focus on where we are now and become the church God wants us to be. Transition in a church takes time, just as it takes time for the caterpillar to tran-sition into a butterfly and for an ugly duckling to become a swan. Transition will bring new opportunities to serve God’s purpose and we can make this period of transition matter. As in the Parable of the Talents, God has given us different gifts and talents. While it is up to each of us to determine how to employ the blessings we have, we know that God wants us to use them to make a difference in the lives of others. Using our many gifts and talents is especially important during this period of transition to ensure that our church is well equipped to take advantage of the promise that transition brings. W-5.5004 of the Directory of Worship in the Book of Order provides some guidance.

Giving has always been a mark of Christian commitment and discipleship. The ways in which a believer uses God’s gifts of material goods, personal abilities, and time should reflect a faithful response to God’s self-giving in Jesus Christ and Christ’s call to minister to and share with others in the world. Tithing is a primary expression of the Christian discipline of stewardship.

We are grateful for the commitment members of the congregation have expressed in the completion and return of 2019 “Estimate of Giving” pledge cards during the fall campaign. A willingness to be generous in giving is more important than the amount given. An Estimate of Giving is an indication of your goal for giving in 2019 and indicates your commitment to participate in Christ’s mission. During this period of transition it is vital that your support of the ministry of the church continue through the giving of money, time, and talents. If you have not yet completed an Estimate of Giving, think about the dollars you are not giving and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to give. Estimate of Giving cards are available in the church office and in the narthex. It is never too late to set a giving goal.

March 10!

March 2019 NEWSLETTER The First Presbyterian Church

495 Charles Avenue Alma, MI 48801

989-463-2940 (Fax 989-463-2094) Church Website: www.firstpres.net Office email: office@firstpres.net

Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.

visit us on Facebook and check out the church

calendar on line: https://www.firstpres.net/news-and-events/calendar/

Wednesday Lenten Suppers and Program 3/13-4/10

3/17: Welcome to our Transitional Pastor, Joy Smith!

3/31: Fellowship on the 5th

See inside for Coffee Hour Host Schedule

This newsletter is on our website. Help us save post-age and trees! If you would

prefer not to receive our printed newsletter, please

contact us by mail, phone, or e-mail.

Thank you!

First Presbyterian Church 495 Charles Avenue

Alma, MI 48801

RETURN SERVICE

First Pres Release NON-PROFIT ORG. PAID

PERMIT NO. 139 Alma, MI 48801

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FIRST PRES RELEASE

FOOD PANTRY NEWS Volunteers: We have a great team of regular volunteers who help in our food pantry. If you

would like to be a part of this ministry, we would welcome you at any time. Please contact the office or the pantry’s volunteer coordinator,

Marsha Turner.

In January our pantry served 18 families including 49 individuals.

In February our pantry served 25 families including 51 individuals.

We are open on Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m.—3:30 p.m.

Congratulations!...

...to Kim and Andy Brumbaugh on the birth of Gordon Michael Brumbaugh on January 17. He joins big brother Stirling.

...to Allison Ayers and Eric Lyon on the birth of their son Ewan Michael Lyon on January 26. He joins siblings Isabel and Alec.

Congratulations also to grandparents Carlene and Jimm Lyon!

Dear Church Family, I would like to thank everyone for the cards and well wishes. Thanks also to Mary Anne for her hospital visits and to Al for always being there for me. Sincerely, Barb Marble Dear First Pres Congregation, On behalf of the Board and myself, we thank you for your donations to Love INC, Gratiot County. Your monthly contributions have totaled $1200 for 2018. We have received over 250 calls since opening in November of 2017 and have done over 100 intakes listening and helping and our Gratiot neighbors in need. Our work is still just beginning and the sup-port of our Churches is the key to Love In the Name of Christ ministry. We are humbled by the difference a caring phone intake and follow-up calls reach to the heart of those suffering. Thank you for the continued work your con-gregation does every day! Many Blessings, Mona Hirson, Executive Director, Love INC Gratiot Thank you for sponsoring the blood drive on Feb. 19. We appreciate your dedication to the Red Cross, and we appreciate all the time and effort that you have put forth to ensure our success! We can’t help save lives without people like you! We were able to collect 53 units of blood. Thanks! Steven, Judy, Bridgette, Penny, Kerri, Jodie, Kelly, Mikayla, Marguerete, and

OFFICE UPDATE!

First, many thanks to the volunteers who are helping in the office!

During this transition, our office will be staffed 9:00—3:00 on Monday—Thursday and 9:00—noon on Fridays. Call ahead if you can to be sure someone is here. If Alma Schools cancel classes due to weather, our office will also be closed. We are looking for a few more volunteers to take on specific jobs. For example, would you be willing to change the letters in the sign out front? We can train you and also give you the appropriate announcements.

First Pres Polo Shirts, Men’s XL,

are available for free on the table in the narthex. If you would like to take a shirt and make a donation

to the fund of your choice (roof? pantry? Café?), that would be very welcome!