PULSE THE

A NOTE FROM PASTOR PAUL

A little over a year ago, I announced that my time here as your pastor would be concluding at the end of 2021. As a way of preparing for that transition, I set in motion a kind of “Three Year Plan.” The goal of this plan is to bring our time together to a completion with a sense of fullness and gratitude—but even more to prepare for whatever comes next.

The first year, 2019, was spent planning and gathering resources. You may remember the survey we conducted in October.

Now we are in the second year of this plan. Again, this is not just about a change in pastoral leadership. But whenever you have a threshold moment like the change of pastor, it is an opportunity to do some looking ahead to the next phase in the life of the congregation. Research has shown that churches that continue to be vital and thriving communities have almost always been proactive, taking time to assess where they are currently, and then articulating some hopes and dreams for the future.

This year and next year, with the help of the Membership & Outreach ministry team, we are scheduling some small-group conversations. The first round, this year, we will be looking in the mirror, getting a better understanding of who we are now. The second round, next year, we will look out the window, trying to catch a glimpse of where God is leading us next.

During the months of May through June, we will be scheduling six small-group gatherings in homes and other spaces outside the church. I will facilitate these gatherings, and we will utilize the material we gathered during our sampling survey last October. But my expectation is that these gatherings will be more conversational. And then later in the year, we will plan an all-church gathering to share the highlights and insights of these conversations.

Even though we hope to keep these gatherings to small group size, we need as many of you as possible to

be part of these conversations. So, please be on the lookout for the information as it comes to you, and plan

to attend one of these gatherings.

Inside this Issue

ALL CHURCH GAME NIGHT—SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Bring a snack and your favorite game along!

NCI PRESBYTERIAN MISSION TRIP PRESENTATION

After worship on Sunday, February 23

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary

NEWSLETTER

February 10, 2020 Vol. 60 No. 3

www.fpc-mc.com | 100 South Pierce Avenue, Mason City, IA | (641) 424-4273 | firstpresbymc@gmail.com

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

+ Jane Jenkins

+ Family and friends of Noreen Coyan, who died recently

+ Karl Laudner

+ Rich Belles, husband of Cathy Belles

+ Darrel Fisher, at Good Shepherd Health Center

+ Terry MacGregor, at Heritage Care Center

+ Warren Woerner, hospice care

+ The Rev. Jack Collier, Pastor Paul’s dad, receiving hospice care

+ Lee Butler

+ Shirley Dean

+ Steve Adair

+ Julie Eaton, daughter of Lee and Judy Butler

Community Kitchen of North Iowa Annual Meeting

You are cordially invited to attend the Community Kitchen of North Iowa, Inc. Annual Meeting on

Friday, February 21, 2020 at the Community Kitchen Center

606 N Monroe — Mason City, IA

A social hour will be held from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm, followed by a short program. We hope to see

you there!

February Birthdays

February 12 — Amber Little February 12 — Matthew Little February 13 — Jim Kuhlman February 15 — Allison Long February 16 — Adam Lewis February 17 — Kara Ruge February 20 — Ivy Hertzel February 24 — Carter Long February 26 — Keely Hertzel February 29 — Mary Davenport

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday, February 26, at 7:00 pm in the

Sanctuary, we will observe the beginning of the season

of Lent with an Ash Wednesday service. The beginning

of Lent is marked with a special liturgy and the

imposition of ashes on the forehead, a stark reminder

that “you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” It is

a time to remember our mortality, and also to begin

the journey through the wilderness, in which we rely

only on God’s graces.

Wednesday Bible Study Readings Wednesdays at 10:20 am

Come join us in the Friendship Room as we look at the upcoming Sunday

scripture. We laugh, share, and learn about God working in us. What a

wonderful way to enjoy Bible study!

February 19 Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2 or Psalm 99

2 Peter 1:16-21; Mathew 17:1-9

February 26 Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Psalm 32 Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

IN THE EVENT OF POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS (please use your best judgement)

WEEKDAYS if MC schools cancel/dismiss early,

ALL CHURCH ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELLED

SUNDAYS check - KIMT | Facebook | discovernorthiowa.com

All Who Are Weary February 9th, 16th, 23rd

The Meeting Place @ 9:00 am

Do you ever feel so weary from the constant demands of life - demands that never

seem to stop? Tired from the household tasks, or from your job?

We’ll spend three weeks talking about our weariness, how it affects our faith, and what to do about it.

NCI Presbytery Mission Trip Presentation Sunday, February 23 - Friendship Room

Join us after worship to hear all about the NCI

Presbytery mission trip in Chipley, Florida. They spent the week serving residents who are still

picking up the pieces after Hurricane Michael hit the area in October 2018.

Mt. Kato Snow Tubing Saturday, February 15th (9:00 am-5:00 pm)

COST - $25 (covers lift ticket, tube rental and transportation)

Does not include lunch $ for McDonalds.

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Payment and Parent Permission (PPP) Form turned in

YOUR PAYMENT & PPP GUARANTEES YOUR SPOT!

We will LEAVE from FIRST PRESBYTERIAN parking lot

at 9:00 am, eat lunch in Mankato and then snow tube. We’ll leave Mt Kato at 3:00 pm and be home

by 5:00 pm.

Permission forms can be picked up at the church office.

All Church Game Night Saturday, February 22nd (6:00 pm-8:00 pm)

Join us for a fun night of cards, board games and laughter. Bring a snack to share and a

favorite game to add to the fun. All ages and friends welcome!

Ashes & Ice Cream Wednesday, February 26

After our Ash Wednesday service, come with our youth over to McDonalds for

an ice cream cone. We’ll talk about the worship service and how we can prepare

ourselves during the season of Lent.

Each Wednesday during the season of Lent we’ll gather at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall for a simple

soup meal followed by Vespers, a time of singing, readings, prayers, and meditation:

Wednesday, March 4 Wednesday, March 11 Wednesday, March 18 Wednesday, March 25

Wednesday, April 1

This is a great opportunity for us to engage together in our Lenten spiritual practices. All ages welcome!