Church and Home March 2017

“Boldly with Christ We Belong, Believe, Grow and Reach Out”

First Presbyterian Church 1901 W Leota Street

North Platte, NE 69101

Telephone: (308) 532-1083 Fax: (308) 532-2968

Web site: www.fpcnp.org Church e-mail address:

office@fpcnp.org

STAFF INTERIM PASTOR:

Rev. Steve Nofel

ADMIN ASSIST: Naomi Okoye

CUSTODIAN: Linsey Nicola

CHOIR DIRECTOR: Connie McCreery

BELL DIRECTOR: Jill Dolan

CHILD CARE: Deb Welsh

ELDERS Clerk of Session:

Jon Beggs Dean Kurth, Treasurer

Rachel Allison Scott Baker

Lowell Fenster Chuck Francis

Ann Jones Kristi Leibhart Rick Libsack Nancy Mack

Ellie McClymont Ron Ochsner Martha Orcutt

Danny Ridgway Mandy Vargas

Deb Weitzel

DEACONS Howard & Ruth Gebhardt

Janet & Leroy Hare Tammy Miller

Maxine Mulder Zac Ochsner

Cyndee & Scott Orr Joy Petersen

Irene Ridgway Bev & Cecil Sallee

Bob Weber Rod Weitzel

Jenny Zachry

PW MODERATOR: Dixie Francis

In the military it is called basic training. Baseball players

call it spring training. Football teams and prizefighters call

it training camp. It is variously called internships, orienta-

tion, and immersion for different jobs, careers, tasks and

ministries.

It is all about intentionally dedicating yourself to prepare for something

important in your life. And what is more important than Easter!?! Easter is

the day that God affirmed and confirmed our forever forgiveness and salva-

tion. Easter is the celebration of THE GREATEST DAY IN HISTORY!!!

It is time to go into training. Lent begins on March 1, with our Ash

Wednesday Service at 6:00 p.m. Then we have 40 days to prepare our

minds, hearts and souls to get ready to sing out: Alleluia – Jesus Christ is

Risen. He is Risen Indeed!!!

What will your training for Easter look like? The possibilities are

endless, but I have a few suggestions.

Read a special devotional daily like These Days or an on-line devotion. It isn’t my cup of tea, but how about watching a favorite preacher on TV

each day? Take a hymnal home and page through it daily, singing your favorite

hymns or downloading them on youtube.com and singing along. Turn off the car radio and be quiet in the Lord. Beginning with Matthew, read through the Gospels for 40 days a little bit

at a time. Clean out your closet and set aside unwanted cloths and take them to the

thrift store. Volunteer at a local service agency for the next few months. Write an extra check to a service agency. Up the amount of money you put into the offering plate by 10%. Join us for Book and Bible Studies. Make a list of the people in your life, and intentionally and specifically

pray for each one. Maybe pray through the church directory weekly, and/or pray for our

church staff and our elders and deacons. Invite a friend for a meal. Rent, buy or borrow a movie with a Christian message each week. Give up a favorite food or a meal each week and every time you think

about it, say a prayer

The possibilities are endless.

The Grace and Peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with

your spring training.

Pastor Steve Nofel

March Anniversaries 3/3/1962 Mary and Tom Pendleton 3/6/1949 Howard and Ruth Gebhardt 3/14/1998 Barb & Bob Barr 3/23/2002 Wendy & Joe Staroska

Fellowship Time!!!

GIRLS' LUNCH OUT (GLO) "Girls" of the congregation no host lunch at noon on the first Wednesday of each month at the Espresso Shop downtown!

*Remember, Wednesday, March 1, 12:00 noon, or whenever you can get there.

MEN’S COFFEE HOUR - All Men of the church are invited to meet at the Pop Corner on Wednesdays at 9:00am.

MS FRIENDSHIP - meets the first Friday of the month at 6:00pm at the Airport restaurant. Open to everyone. RSVP to Pennie Mattke or the church office.

ALL are welcome!

Dear Friends, We just can’t “thank you” enough for the many up-lifting cards, phone calls, visits and delicious food coming our

way as Leroy recovers from heart surgery! It all means so much and we are very grateful to be blessed with your caring thoughts and deeds! Thanks to the miracle of God’s healing hand, Leroy is getting stronger each day! Love you all, Leroy & Janet Hare

1 Coy Baker 3 Janice Walters 4 Dax Connick Kyra Hacker 5 Larry Stobbs 6 Maxine Mulder 8 Spencer Clough 9 Kent Miller Matt Nofel 10 Ann Jones Jeff Petersen 12 Nancy Mack 13 Jon Beggs 16 Cash Cauffman

16 Franklin Oman 18 Scott Baker 19 Tate Schad 20 Vern Ehlers 21 Rick Dolan Kelly Ehlers Chandler Erickson Tenaj Erickson Jerry Nelson 22 Sharon Glenn 24 Jordan Gardner Janet Hare Tye Spellman 25 Maris Schad 26 Chuck Henline 28 Ron Norgaard Wayne Wickenkamp 31 Brad Dawson

2017 Directories are available on the table in the Narthex or in the church office. If you are not able to get to the church to pick one up - please call the church office and we will arrange to get one to you.

Please note: The address for Joy Petersen in the 2017 directory is incorrect. Her correct address is: 2115 West 4th Street *******************

Ruth Reynolds 619 W 6th Street

January Finance Report

January January Receipts Expenses Actual: $30,711.37 $17,343.71 Budget: $14,440.83 $18,852.97

YTD Receipts YTD Expenses Actual: $30,711.37 $17,343.71 Budget: $14,440.83 $18,852.97

The congregation is invited to provide lilies for Easter Sunday. There are 2 ways to participate: 1. Buy a lily in full for $15.00. 2. Contribute any amount towards the purchase of a lily.

Regardless of how much you contribute, the names of your loved ones will be listed in the bulletin on Easter along with the names of the donors. Orders must be in by April 1st.

FPC&ME

The Wednesday schedule is as follows: 3:30pm - Kids can be dropped off

(a light snack will be served and an opportunity to get homework done)

4:30-5:00pm - Worship 5:00-5:45pm - Lesson 5:45-6:15pm - Dinner is served

Invite your friends - neighbors - classmates and come and join us.

High School Youth Group Meets on Wednesdays from

6:30- 8:00pm Food and fellowship

Bring your friends!

Please contact: Renee Callaghan 530-1905 Susan Petersen 530-0189

Teachers & Cooks Needed!

The Christian Education Commit-tee is looking for teachers and cooks for our spring sessions . The lesson plans will already be put together. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the office or you can call Scott Baker

(530-9920) and let him know which Wednesdays you will be available.

Adult Study Opportunities All are welcome to join either of our adult studies: Thursday, March 2, 16, 23 at 7:00 p.m. is our Book Study on Have a Little Faith. It is never too late to join in.

Saturday, March 4 & 11 at 9:00 a.m. is our Bible Study read-ing together and commenting on the Gospel of Matthew. This is an easy group to jump in and out as

you can make it. We simply read along and stop when the hour is over. Then pick up at that point the next week. Like they used to say in school, no prerequisites required.

Dinner will be served from 5-5:45pm on Wednesday, March 1st, before the Ash Wednesday service which will begin at 6pm. All are welcome,

a sign up sheet is provided in the Narthex or call Scott Baker or the church office. We also need some to sign up for side dishes or desserts. There will be no FPC & Me that day. Bring the family and come for dinner and worship.

The Deacons met February 19 for a short meeting. We covered several items. Welcomed Joy Petersen to the group and as our new Secretary.

We would like to remind all parishioners that we are still 2 members short for the class of 2017, if anyone would like to volunteer. We could sure use the help. The Salvation Army dinner is March 17th and Zac Ochsner reported that several high school students will be helping us serve. Thank you. A sign-up sheet for the ushers was passed around: March 5th – Rod Weitzel and Irene Ridgway March 12th – Maxine Mulder and Janet Hare March 17th – Maxine Mulder and Janet Hare March 26th – Rod Weitzel and Joy Petersen April 2nd – Zac Ochsner and Irene Ridgway No drivers are signed up for the month of March. The sign-up sheet is in the office, with many Sundays still to fill.

- - Irene Ridgway, Moderator

Adventures of Bob and Kristi Rice Democratic Republic of Congo Kanaga, West Kasai

Keeping up With the Rices http://bobandkristi.blogspot.com/

Celebrating and transitions February 19th is the seventh anniversary of when we left the U.S. to move to DR Congo. In 2010, we landed in Kananga, a place we had never been, where we did not yet know anyone, and where we did not speak any of the local lan-guage. It took awhile, but Kananga became home, a place with friends, colleagues, our work, our routines, and where we finally felt comforta-ble with the language. Just this week we learned that we will not be able to return to Kananga to live and work. We grieve over this unexpected change of plans, but are at peace because it has become clear that it is the right decision. Before we look forward to whatever God wants to take us next, we celebrate some of our favorite thing about life in Kananga (in random order).

1. Eagerness and excitement evident on people’s faces when they could buy their own Bible.

2. Immediate, generous hospitality that we received again and again in people’s homes, whether our arrival was anticipated or not.

3. The faith and talent of our drivers on long trips, who would navigate through deep mud or precipitous holes, where I was sure the vehicle would tip over or get stuck.

4. Exuberance and pure joy on the faces of the children in the Ditekemena program, feeling loved and safe and valued.

5. Sunsets with rich colors and the outlines of palm trees.

6. Some of our friends who would show up at our door at random times, and say something like “I haven’t seen you for a few days. I had to come see how you were doing!”

7. Mangoes coming into season in November, and using them as many ways as we could – mango jam, mango cobbler, mangoes chutney, mangoes.

8. The palpable sense of God’s presence during the cross workshop portion of the healing and reconciliation seminar as people gave their pain to Christ and found freedom and forgiveness through the cross.

9. Making pancakes over the charcoal fire on our balcony on Saturday mornings. True comfort food!

10. Navigating the steep narrow paths down into the valleys where some of the poorest people live, often for a cell group meeting or to visit someone – lush vegetation but also plenty of mosquitos there!

11. Seeing the women in the savings groups showing the discipline to bring their savings and work together to make decisions, support each other, and resolve issues.

12. The satisfaction on people’s faces and sense of connection when a stranger learned that we lived in Kananga and spoke Tshiluba, and imme-diately started quizzing us on which local foods we eat “Do you eat bidia? And matamba? And buse? What did you eat yesterday?”

I could keep going – there are so many things we are grateful for during our time in Kananga. Of course, as with any place, there are also things we will NOT miss, but for now we celebrate the positives.

“Second Sunday = Second Purchase”

of an item for the Pantry

Bring an item (or two) and put them in the grocery cart on the Second Sunday - or - leave it in the pantry box any time during the week - or - take it to the pantry at 114 C St, between 1-3pm.

Home Communion: Pastor Steve along with one of the Deacons have been extending the table and taking communion to our shut-ins. If you have not re-ceived communion and would like to be receiving it, please contact the church office. Or . . . If you are just interested in a visit, we would like to hear from you also.

March 1 - Ash Wednesday No FPC & Me 5:00pm - Dinner for everyone 6:00pm - Worship Service

Please call Scott Baker or the church office to let us know how many will join us for dinner and if you would like to sign up for a side dish or dessert. Dinner will be served from 5-5:45pm.

March 5 - First Sunday of Lent

March 12 - Second Sunday of Lent

March 19 - Third Sunday of Lent

March 26 - Fourth Sunday of Lent

April 2 - Fifth Sunday of Lent

April 9 - Passion/Palm Sunday

April 13 - Maundy Thursday

April 14 - Good Friday

April 15 - Great Vigil of Easter

April 16 - Resurrection of the Lord Easter Sunday

Grace Ministries Food Pantry

January 2017 figures have been compiled and we were able to assist 123 families in January, totaling 290 individuals! The first half of the month started out rather slow, serving only 30 families. The second half, however, was a whole different thing, serving 93 families! On January 19th, we gave assistance to a whopping 14 families in just 2 hours! Our volunteer crew really had to hustle!!

There are many tasks at Grace Ministries Food Pantry. We are open to customers from 1pm to 3pm Monday through Friday. Usually 2 folks work that shift, assisting customers and filling out their paperwork, which accounts for 20 volunteer hours in a week’s time, 80 hours in a month’s time. But our 43 volunteers logged in 214 hours in January…..what goes on the other 134 hours?!

Director Dean Kurth spends about 40 hours each month for the Pantry. He’s one dedicated fellow! Dean does all of the paper work, spread-sheets and accounting to keep the Pantry running smoothly. He calculates input and out-put of food, volunteer hours, and all the records on our customers. He keeps abreast of all the state rules and regulations that we must follow. He works tirelessly making sure that the people that need food are getting it, and we are proud of him!

Nancy Mack spends about 28 hours a month, ordering and purchasing food and monitoring supplies in the Pantry itself. She’s amazing! She can move cases of canned goods around faster than you can imagine! She knows the Pantry inside and out and can probably tell you at any given moment how many jars of peanut butter are on the shelves! Thank you Nancy for your dedication!

The rest of the hours go to several jobs, such as preparing the ‘pre-filled bags’ of groceries that go to small one-person households or larger households. This is another big job that takes a lot of time and muscle. Volunteer hours are also needed for Walmart Distribution Center pickups, truck loading and unloading, filling shelves with food, and cleaning. My job is small in compari-son. I am the Pantry’s PR person, keeping you all informed with this monthly article, sending out thank you notes for each donation, writing the occasional ‘Letter to the Editor’, speaking for a civic group now and then, and fielding a few phone calls.

Our church can be very proud of the lives we touch through Grace Ministries Food Pantry! We thank you all for your continued support of time and funds, and for your prayers!

- - - Leigh Henline

GATHERINGS AND FELLOWSHIP TIME: PW Coordinating Team will meet Thursday, March 2, at 10:30am

Women’s Fellowships will meet in the church parlor on Thursday, March 9

9:30am - Morning Fellowship Hostesses: Maxine Mulder & Gertrude Stewart

6:00pm - Evening Spirits Hostess: Susan Peters

* If you have never been a part of one of the fellow-ships, and would like to start, please feel free to come to either the morning or evening fellowship. Also, if you are unable to attend each month, you are more than welcome to just show up when you are able to either of the fellowships. If you need a ride, please call one of the members of the fellow-ships or the church office. You are always welcome!

BIBLE STUDY: Presbyterian Women are studying our Mothers in Faith. Pastor Steve leads these studies for both the morning and evening groups. Each study begins with what we think we know about the women and read pertinent passages together. Then discuss what we feel about these women of faith and how they relate to us.

Join us Thursday, March 9,

at 9:30am or 6:00pm

All women are welcome!

SERVICE: March Service Committee

Coordinator: Deb Weitzel

Members: Lisa Ackerman, Leigh Henline, Jane McCarthy, Charlotte Nowlin, Annie Pankonin, Bev Sallee, Doris Wells

Pastor Steve’s contact information:

Church Phone: 532-1083 Cell Phone: (402) 202-2381

Email: pastorsteve@fpcnp.org

READING TIME: Attention Readers - The 2017 Reading List is on the cart in the Narthex along with the books that have been highlighted for this year.

Here are highlights from two of the books.

A Lantern in Her Hand Bess Streeter Aldrich Abbie Mackenzie dreamed of becoming a fine lady like her aristocratic grandmother, devoting herself to music and art. But at eighteen Abbie found a different dream, turning away from the promise of a comfortable life as a doctor’s wife to marry handsome, quiet, Will Deal. Together, they eagerly accepted the challenge of home-steading in Nebraska territory, where the prairies stretched as far as the eye could see, and only the strongest survived for long.

The Family of Jesus Karen Kingsbury In The Family of Jesus, novelist Karen Kingsbury will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately care more deeply about the Bible by helping you grasp the truths in Scripture not just with your mind, but with your heart. The characters in these short stories were among those closest to Jesus-Mary, Joseph, Jesus’ brother James, John the Baptist, Zechariah, and Elizabeth. Each has a compelling tale to tell.

Ladies don’t forget GLO “Girls Lunch Out”

Every 1st Wednesday of the month at 12:00 Noon

At the Espresso Café downtown

Many have been getting together regularly for lunch and would love to have you join them.

The next Luncheon is Wednesday, March 1st.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 9am “Men’s Coffee Hour” at Pop Corner 12noon Girls Lunch out @ The Espresso

NO FPC & Me 5-5:45pm Dinner 6:00pm Ash Wednes-day Worship Service

Rehearsals: 7:00pm Chancel Choir 8:00pm Bell Choir

2

10:30am PW Coordinating Meeting 7:00pm Book Study

3

6:00pm MS Friendship @ Airport

4

9am Adult Bible Study

5

1st Sunday of Lent 9:30am Choir Rehearsal 10am Worship / Communion

*Live Streaming @

www.fpcnp.org

6

7

9:00am Mission Fellowship

8 9am “Men’s Coffee Hour” at Pop Corner

4:30pm FPC & Me 5:45-6:15pm Dinner 6:30pm Youth

Rehearsals: 7:00pm Chancel Choir 8:00pm Bell Choir

9

9:30am Morning Fellowship 6:00pm Evening Spirits

1:00pm Mission Mtg

10

11

9am Adult Bible Study

12

2nd Sunday of Lent 9:30am Choir Rehearsal 10am Worship *Live Streaming @

www.fpcnp.org

13

14

9:00am Mission Fellowship

15 9am “Men’s Coffee Hour” at Pop Corner

4:30pm FPC & Me 5:45-6:15pm Dinner 6:30pm Youth

Rehearsals: 7:00pm Chancel Choir 8:00pm Bell Choir

16

7:00pm Book Study

17

Deacons host Salvation Army Dinner

18

9:30am PW Spring Brunch

19

3rd Sunday of Lent 9:30am Choir Rehearsal 10am Worship *Live Streaming @

www.fpcnp.org

20

4:00pm Finance

21

9:00am Mission Fellowship 6:00pm WAM

22 9am “Men’s Coffee Hour” at Pop Corner

4:30pm FPC & Me 5:45-6:15pm Dinner 6:30pm Youth

Rehearsals: 7:00pm Chancel Choir 8:00pm Bell Choir

23

7:00pm Book Study

24

25

Central Nebraska Presbytery Mtg @ O’Neill, NE

26

4th Sunday of Lent 9:30am Choir Rehearsal 10am Worship *Live Streaming @

www.fpcnp.org

27

7:00pm Session

28

29 9am “Men’s Coffee Hour” at Pop Corner

4:30pm FPC & Me 5:45-6:15pm Dinner 6:30pm Youth

Rehearsals: 7:00pm Chancel Choir 8:00pm Bell Choir

30

31

March 2017

First Presbyterian Church (USA) 1901 W Leota Street

North Platte, Nebraska 69101

Pastor: Rev. Steve Nofel

Our Purpose

“Boldly with Christ, We Belong,

Believe, Grow and Reach Out”

Tel: (308) 532-1083

Fax: (308) 532-2968

Email: office@fpcnp.org

pastorsteve@fpcnp.org

Web: www.fpcnp.org

Sunday Services

10:00am Worship

(Live Stream Broadcast at www.fpcnp.org)

Wednesday

FPC & ME (Sept - May)

Choir Rehearsals

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit 88

North Platte, NE 69101