Notes (USPS 634720) is published Weekly, except week of Christmas, by First Presbyterian Church, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur, IL 62523. Periodical postage paid at Decatur, IL. Postmaster: Send address changes to Tower Notes, 204 W. Prairie Ave., Decatur IL 62523 (217)429-4195; (217)429-4712 FAX www.firstpresdecatur.org or email: fpdec@comcast.net ****************************************************************************************************************** VOLUME 46 January 29, 2014 NUMBER 5 *******************************************************************************************************************************************

February 2, 2014 8:00 a.m. Worship Service – Chapel 4th SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 9:00 a.m. Christian Education Hour 9:15 a.m. NewSong Worship Service – Chapel

10:15 a.m. Chapel Class 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary 10:30 a.m. Children’s Church Class

First Presbyterian Vision and Mission Statements VISION: As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to be an open, caring, compassionate congregation,

and to bring about positive changes in our community and world. MISSION: We celebrate, explore, and demonstrate our Christian faith in loving service. STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: 1) Continue to be an active community-oriented congregation; 2) Develop a passion for discipleship and advocacy; 3) Celebrate unity of purpose with diversity in action.

CANNED AND BOXED GOODS ACCEPTED SUNDAY

First Sunday happens February 2! Share your blessings with the needy as you bring your food donations to all services for Northeast Community Fund. You may also bring food or monetary donations on Monday morning.

Also, on the first Sunday of the month, the Peacemaking committee will sell Geo health bars, olive oil and Equal Exchange coffee, tea and cocoa in the Gathering Room. Thank you for your support

Wed., February 5 Taizé Chapel

6:15 p.m. Once a month, spend a quiet

45 minutes In the First Pres Chapel.

Songs, scripture, readings, Prayer, contemplation

1st Wednesday at 6:15 (before choir)

GOOD SAMARITAN INN – February 6, 2014 Mark your calendar. The first Thursday of each month is when First Presbyterian Church prepares and serves at Good Sam. Hours are: 9-11 a.m. – food preparation 11-1 p.m. – serve The Inn operates solely on the good hearts of volunteers. It is located at 920 N. Union Street.

The Parish Visitors invite you to a one- hour meeting on Wednesday, February 5 at 9:30 a.m. in the Gathering room.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO CONSUME SALT TO BE THE SALT OF THE

EARTH The average American consumes more than 4,000 mg of salt each day – nearly twice the recommended amount and 3 times the

maximum amount for people who have high blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends 1500mg for people who have hypertension and 2300mg for those who don’t. 80% of dietary sodium comes from eating out and from processed and packaged foods. About 12% comes from adding salt to what we eat. So, what to do? 1. Identify foods high in salt and avoid or find an alternative. 2. Season with herbs and spices rather than salt. 3. Ask for unsalted dishes when eating out. 4. Remove the salt shaker. Don’t worry, if you do all this, you will get enough salt for your body to function properly (unless you are training for the Olympics or working in 90 degree weather – ha-ha!) Stay sweet, not salty for Valentine’s Day, Phyllis, Parish Nurse

WHAT’S SHOWING Just Flicks at Central Christian Church Sunday, February 9 6:00 p.m.

Tower Notes

OUR CHURCH FAMILY PRAYER CONCERNS: Ruth Pace is in St. Mary's Hospital, room 749. Tests are being run to find out the cause of her light-headedness which resulted in her falling. Jeannie Rade had elbow replacement surgery on January 24. With family help, she is managing fairly well and improving daily with intense therapy. Claud Thompson is now at McKinley Court in room 211. Doug Peter, the son of our former Interim Associate Pastor Barbara Peter, took his life last Wednesday early in the morning. He leaves two daughters along with his mother to grieve his absence. Our sympathy is extended to Barbara and her family. Our sympathy is extended to Debbie Eckart and her family on the death of her mother Helen Dyer who died last week in Arkansas and was buried in Kansas. Our sympathy is extended to Ryan Holler and her family on the death of her father Rich Holler in Arkansas on January 23, 2014. Our sympathy is extended to Mary Ann Grohne and her family on the death of her nephew Fred Binkley in Danville, IL. THANK YOU First Presbyterian Church I want to thank you for your support while my husband Tom was in the hospital and nursing home. Thanks to Jim, Miley, Stu Ellis, Phyllis McPherron and Jean Gift for coming to visit him. Also thank you for the many cards and the lovely prayer shawl. Sincerely, Ruth Warfield Sunday’s Nursery Schedule – February 2

8:45-10:15am– Angela Schultz & VOLUNTEER 10:15-11:45am– Angela Schultz & VOLUNTEER

2 People are required in the nursery.

VERY GOOD February 2 SUNDAY GREETERS Before Service #1 Pam Neeley #4 Bob and Diane Dunn #2 Jerry Atkins #5 Wally Minnis #3 Steve Campbell Media Tech Coffee & Fellowship Andrew Taylor Cathy Force

February 2 COMMUNION SERVERS 8:00 a.m. – Mac Moore 9:15 a.m. – Richard Sublett 10:30 a.m. – Current Elders & Deacons Other Elders Jean Gift Betty Q. Smith Ralph Czerwinski Merrill Dees René Corcoran Pat Smallwood Liz Jones Kathy Beube Jody Hantel Helen Corcoran Susan Moore Dale Jones

Feb. Newsletter Volunteers Money Counters Irene Huff/Shirley Moore Betty Q. Smith Elysa Montgomery Earline Wisher Betsy Tietz

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

The “Labor of Love” Prayer Shawl ministry will meet monthly on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 10:00-11:30 A.M. (or

whenever you need to leave). We begin with a devotion, updates on members/concerns and chit-chat as we knit or crochet. Drop in anytime February 12.

Children's Sunday School Bible Verse - "We know that God has sent you to teach us. You could not work these miracles, unless God were with you." John 3:2 Leap of Faith - I know that God sent Jesus to teach me how to live. February Lessons: 2nd - Jesus Calls Fishermen 9th - Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-law 16th - Jesus Teaches the Beatitudes 23rd - Jesus Calms the Storm Thank you to Angela Crowe, Margi Nicholson, and Marsha DeVore for teaching in January. Marsha DeVore and Jaylyn Hale will be teaching the 9:00am class in February and Carol Fuller and Margi Nicholson will be teaching at 10:30am.

CHURCH SCHOOL HOUR February 2, 2014

9:00 Present Word – Unit II, LIVE JUSTLY IN THE REIGN OF GOD, focuses on discussion of “Hear and Do the Word”. Scripture reading is James 1:19-27. Ray Landon leads the class in the pastor’s office. 9:00 Everyday Issues – René Corcoran will review Martha Stout’s book, “The Sociopath Next Door”. 9:00 Youth Class – Junior- and Senior-high class is led by Chris Lawton. 9:00 and 10:30 Children’s Classes – Jesus Calls Fishermen

The 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be held from June 14 to 21, 2014 at the COBO Center in downtown Detroit, Michigan. This biennial meeting brings together commissioners and advisory delegates from all 172 presbyteries, as well as other delegates and observers from around the world. They begin and end with worship, and in between, there are celebrations, deliberations and inspirations for everyone. All of the general proceedings and worship will be streamed live via the internet.

E-mail articles to: amcelder@comcast.net

WORSHIP SERVICES

February 2, 2014 4th SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

Jim Montgomery, preaching Mac Moore, 8:00 lay leader

Mim McKinney Winder, 10:30 lay leader

Scripture Passages Micah 6:1-8

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Matthew 5:1-12

Flowers

The flowers this Sunday are in loving memory of Ki Kim, given by the family.

February Ushers

Myung Kim, captain Dan Austin Bob Bullock

Joli Cirks Carol Ferry-sub

Jim May Ellen Noblitt-sub Charlie Platt-sub Pat Smallwood David Williams Mike Zia-sub

Can you hear the Worship Service? We have 4 hearing amplifiers. Ask any

usher for one.

Men’s Bible Study

The 7 a.m. every Thursday morning

Bible study is on break until March. They will resume the study on the first Thursday morning in March.

1ST PRES STRING BAND PRACTICE

Every Wednesday String Band is taking a break

until February 19.

AVAILABLE FLOWER DATE: May 4 Purchase Sunday flowers in memory

of your loved ones- 429-4195 or

fpdec@comcast.net.

Session Meeting Highlights At the January 21, 2014, Stated Session Meeting, it was voted to adopt the following recommendations:

On the recommendation of the treasurer, that the proposed budget for 2014 be adopted.

That First Presbyterian Church participate in the

following four special offerings of the PC (USA): the Mission Committee will be in charge of One Great Hour of Sharing (April 20, 2014); Children

and Youth Team will be in charge of the Pentecost Offering (June 8, 2014); the Peacemaking Committee will be in charge of the Peacemaking Offering (October 5, 2014); and the Stewardship Committee will be in charge of the Christmas Joy Offering (December 21, 2014).

That Commitment Sunday for the 2015 operating budget pledge

drive be Sunday, November 9, 2014. That the Board of Deacons be authorized to purchase 125 soup

bowls and 125 dessert bowls using Memorial Funds at a cost not to exceed $750. (Rationale: Deacons have been serving soup and sandwiches for “Celebration of Life” meals in the last two years. We have either had to use plastic or paper bowls or we have borrowed bowls from another church. We expect the actual cost to be less than this.)

That the position of Children’s Ministry Team Leader be terminated

effective March 1, 2014. That Elders Jerry Redford and Mac Moore be elected Elder

Commissioners to a regional meeting of Presbytery on Saturday, February 3, 2014, to be held at Decatur Lampstand Presbyterian Church.

Thank You from By Grace

Happy New Year - I had a wonderful three weeks at By Grace with the children. Thanks to your continued support, the children had special food for the holidays. They had eggs on several occasions, goat meat for many meals and even chicken, fresh vegetables and fruit. Recently Bright Future Foundation (BFF), our sister organization, dissolved. Although this is sad, Stand Up For Grace will be continuing their sponsorship program. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please refer to our web page, http://www.standupforgrace.org/sponsorachildprogram.html. We have twenty-

two new children between the ages of three and thirteen for whom we would love to find sponsors. To be a sponsor, simply fill out the online form, print a hard copy from our web page and send it to our mailing address, send an email, or call. All of these options are listed on our web site. Sponsoring a child is only $30.00 per month. Your sponsorship will help to provide food, water, medical and school supplies for the child. Once you decide to sponsor a child, we will send you a picture and short profile of the child. Depending on the age, the child will write or draw you a picture twice a year. If the child is too young to write, an older child will write for them. The child’s picture will be sent with every letter. If you are interested, please let us know. This is an excellent way to help the children at By Grace for only $1.00 a day. Thank you so much for helping to make a difference in a child's life!! Pixie Fennessey, President, Stand Up For Grace

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

FEBRUARY 2014

C – Chapel DR – Dining Room FPC – First Presbyterian Church GR – Gathering Room L – Library MR– Music Room S – Sanctuary YR – Youth Room

"Away in a meadow all covered with snow The little old groundhog looks for his shadow The clouds in the sky determine our fate If winter will leave us all early or late."

- Don Halley

(7am-AA) 1

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper 2

8:00am Worship—Chapel 9:00am Church School 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 10:30am Children’s Church 4:00pm Serendipity

(7am-AA) 3

8:30am Money Counters 1:00pm Regional Presbytery

Meeting at Lampstand Redford/M. Moore

4:30pm Facilities Mtg. - L 6:00pm Peacemaking Mtg - GR 7:00pm Mission Mtg. - DR 7:00pm Worship Mtg. – L 7:00pm Adult Min. Mtg. - GR

(7am-AA) 4 10:30am Staff Meeting - L 5:15pm Tower Ringers

(7am-AA) 8:30amTower Notes Folders-L 9:30am Parish Visitors-GR 10:45am Backpack Assembly-L 4:00pm Church St. Kids-MR 5:15pm Church St. Bells 6:15pm TAIZÉ Service-Chapel 6:30pm Tenor & Bass 7:00pm Choir Practice

(7am-AA) 6 9:00 Volunteers at Good Sam

(7am-AA) 7

12:00pm Session Reports Due

(7am-AA) 8 11:00am Stand Up For Grace

Board Meeting - L

9 8:00am Worship—Chapel 9:00am Church School 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 10:30am Children’s Church 11:45am Deacons Meeting-DR 4:00pm Serendipity 6:00pm Just Flicks – at CCC

No Look Pass

(7am-AA) 10 8:30am – Money Counters 11:30am Catholic Charities

Board Meeting - DR 1:00pm Pink Smoke – C

(7am-AA) 11

10:30am Staff Meeting – L

4:00pm Planning for Worship-L

5:15pm Tower Ringers

(7am-AA) 12 8:30am Tower Notes Folders-L 10:00am Prayer Shawl – C 10:45am Backpack Assembly-L 2:30pm Caregiver’s Support-C 4:00pm Church St. Kids – MR 5:00pm Administration Mtg - L 5:15pm Church St. Bells 6:30pm Tenor & Bass 7:00pm Choir Practice

(7am-AA) 13

(7am-AA) 14 St. Valentine’s Day

(7am-AA) 15

16 8:00am Worship—Chapel 9:00am Church School 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am Chapel Class 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 10:30am Children’s Church 4:00pm Serendipity

(7am-AA) 17

10:30 BC PEO Meeting - DR

7:00pm Session – GR

(7am-AA) 18

10:30am Staff Meeting – L

5:15pm Tower Ringers

(7am-AA) 19 8:30am Tower Notes Folders-L 10:45am Backpack Assembly-L 4:00pm Church St. Kids – MR 5:00 Beta Pi Mtg – GR/C 5:00 1st Pres String Band - DR 5:15pm Church St. Bells 6:30pm Tenor & Bass 7:00pm Choir Practice

(7am-AA) 20

(7am-AA) 21 (7am-AA) 22 "February, when the days of winter seem endless and no amount of wistful recollecting can bring back any air of summer."

- Shirley Jackson, Raising Demons

23 8:00am Worship—Chapel 9:00am Church School 9:15am NewSong – Chapel 10:15am NewSong Mission 10:30am Worship—Sanctuary 10:30am Children’s Church 4:00pm Serendipity

(7am-AA) 24 8:30am – Money Counters 1:00pm Pink Smoke – C

(7am-AA) 25 10:30am Staff Meeting – L

4:00pm Planning for Worship-L 5:15pm Tower Ringers 6:00pm – 1st Pres String Band

plays at Primrose Retirement Community.

(7am-AA) 26 8:00am Matter of Balance

Coaches Training - DR 8:30am Tower Notes Folders-L 10:00am Prayer Shawl – C 10:45am Backpack Assembly-L 2:30pm Caregiver’s Support-C 4:00pm Church St. Kids – MR 5:00 1st Pres String Band - DR 5:15pm Church St. Bells 5:30pm Evangelism/Membership-L 6:30pm Tenor & Bass 7:00pm Choir Practice

(7am-AA) 27 5:30pm Women’s Night Out

at Taproot (formerly Porters)

(7am-AA) 28

"Surely as cometh the Winter, I know there are Spring violets under the snow."

-R. H. Newell

(7am-AA) M arch 1

February Birthdays!

Blair Dunn – 1 Jill Williams – 1 Jeannie Rade – 3 Marge Wollrab – 3 Debbie Patterson – 4 Nan Williams – 4 Beth Smith – 6 Esther Grissom – 7 Barbara Hostetler – 7 Gail Moore - 8 Holly Oaster – 8 Ryan Holler – 9 Ray Landon – 9 Norm Jensen – 11 Jon Locke – 11 Connie Requarth – 12 Craig Mandernach – 14 Abbey Netterville – 14 Dick Ferry – 15 Donald Wachter – 16 Rob Eytchison – 17 Eric Mason – 18 Kyle Mason – 18 JoAnn Franklin – 19 Brenda Delaney – 22 Susan Grieve – 22 Dan Austin – 24 Judy Blankenship – 24 Sierra Falk – 24 Mary Ann Grohne – 26 Earline Wisher – 28 Did we miss someone? Let us know! Call the office at 429-4195.