‘Ahhh, and so here I sit, staring at a blank screen. Another day, another month, another Chimes

Pastor’s Letter to be written. So much to write, so little time, so little idea of what I’m going to say.’

No, really! On this particularly day, I will soon be going across town (actually, about a mile or so, to

St. Andrew) to attend our ‘Winter’ meeting of the Presbytery. And as soon as that’s over, I head right out

‘to infinity and beyond’… well, sort of. I drive to BR, and then on to Virginia to see our daughter

Christine, who has been so sick, and bring her caregiver/mother… alias my wife Barrie… back home to

LA so that she can take better care of herself!

And as my mind has been racing since about 4 AM with all of the ‘people I have to see and places

I have to go,’ it came to me what topic I wanted to address in this little missive. And that is the subject of

RELATIONSHIPS. ‘Say WHAAAT?’ ☺ Yes, RELATIONSHIPS. For you see, this very day, and the

snowy travel days that lay immediately ahead, are important not because of the business that will be

transacted at a meeting, or the cross-country transportation service that will be provided. What makes

going to be with church ‘extended family’ here, and with natural birth family up in the ‘frozen Nawth,’ so

meaningful is the joy of being with people that you genuinely love and care about. What matters most in

life is relationships… both horizontal and vertical…

As busy as my personal calendar will be the next week or so, in comparison the CHURCH calen-

dar is not nearly as full in the upcoming Lenten month of March. That does NOT mean, however, that

what we do have isn’t important. We have several opportunities to continue to build better relationships.

In fact, just a few days in, on March 6th, we will once again be holding our Ash Wednesday Service out

at our ‘Mission/MorganField.’ We had such a positive response last year… not only from our members,

but from some passing motorists who stopped for a ‘drive-by ashing’☺ … that I am very much looking

forward to THIS year. Especially with the excitement ‘building’ for our ‘project’ out on Corbina Road!

So, I invite you to join your fellow ‘penitent Presbyterians’… and, in turn, invite someone to join you!

There is another event, a brand-new one, that follows on the next two Sundays, March 10th and

17th. From 4-6 pm in the Fellowship Hall, we will be hosting a two-part series entitled “Begin with the

End in Mind.” Some of you might recognize that title from the “Leader in Me” program so successful in

our school system. This seminar will offer a variety of speakers and information that will help people

make informed “end-of-life” decisions that “provide peace-of-mind for them and their families.” This is

not only for our church members, but any friend or family member from the community that is concerned

about their ‘graduation’ to that ‘institute of higher learning.’ ☺ You know… that ‘vertical relationship’.

There is much more about this ‘in-reach’ and ‘out-reach’ event in this newsletter on page 3.

And finally, in terms of ways that we are seeking to build better relationships within God’s Church,

I want to particularly lift up the work of the Nurture Committee, chaired this year by Carla Washburn and

Inci Glover. Having recently met with the two of them, they have a wealth of ideas to ‘nurture’ our FPC

family. And not simply by affording more opportunities to EAT (Tho’ I AM all about that…). But more-

over, to offer more ways to interact, to fellowship, and (of course) to INVITE friends to join us. Not just in

our little ‘holy huddle,’ but OUTSIDE of our four walls. We are also looking at better ways to stay

connected with those who may not often, or at all, be able to be with us. So, I encourage you to speak to

one of these ‘lady leaders,’ and offer your input, and more importantly, your HELP…

2019 VOLUME 50, Issue 2

(Pastor’s letter continued on page 2 )

IN THIS ISSUE

Message from the Pastor 1/2

Day Light Savings—Reminder 2

Men’s Bible Study 2

Begin with The End in Mind- Series 3

FPC News/Announcements 4

Ash Wednesday Service 4

Men’s Breakfast 4

Family Night Supper 4

Women’s Bible Study 4

Birthdays/Anniversaries 5

Baskets of Love Ministry 5

Prayer List 6

Session Update 7

Sermon Topics 8

Calendar 9

Butterfly Release 10

Session Information 10

Page 2 MARCH 2019 Vol. 50, Issue 2

Day Light Savings

Reminder

March 10, 2019 (2 AM)

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead

on Saturday Night (March 9th)

You don’t want to miss Church

on Sunday, March 10th!

Men’s Bible Study – Weekly

7 am Thursdays @ Southern Spice

Currently Studying

"The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning

In life we can too often dwell on our limitations rather than our abilities and opportunities.

And one thing that I know about you all, is that you DO enjoy one another’s company. And that is a

GIFT… one to be SHARED! Don’t just keep that joyous spirit to yourself. Love and joy are kind

of like manure… they’re only effective if you spread them around. ☺

On my serious side… the right one… I would leave you with this verse from Hebrews:

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,

and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

No matter how BUSY any of us gets… and yes, those fingers are pointing back at me…

let us continue to ‘stir up one another’ with love… ‘encouraging one another’… building better

relationships with each other. And most certainly, with the God who brings us together…

Yours ‘together’ with Christ,

Chan

(Letter from Pastor Chan Continued …. )

Many of you have asked about an address for Nicholas… I’m sure he would appreciate cards, notes & goodies from home.

Nicholas Duffel Unit 3-F APO, AE. 09354

Please Notify the Church Office if there are any changes to the Prayer List.

We would like to keep the prayer list up to date, so that we can be sure we are lifting up in

prayer those church members & friends who are in need of prayer. Thank You

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND A two-part series to help people make end of life choices that provide peace of mind for them and their families.

Sunday afternoons , March 10th and 17th, 4 – 6pm Fellowship Hall of First Christian Church

Part One – Legal Aspects Leaders/Presenters – Willie Bellard, Mark Judson, Lenn Knapp and Sara Judson (Disclaimer – this workshop is a guide – see your own attorney, financial advisors, etc. for specific decisions)

Topics include: Power of Attorney Durable Medical Power of Attorney Living Wills Bank Accounts/Safe Deposit Boxes Wills/Successions Leaving a Legacy Overview of handouts forms to be completed and notarized, resources on planning the service and writing an obituary

Part Two – Preparing for Your Service and Creating Peace of Mind for Your Family Leaders/Presenters – Mr. Eaton Kittrell, funeral home advocate, Pastor Chan and Willie Bellard

Topics Include: Overview of options – embalming, cremation, timing & cost of options

Decisions on having body for viewing, visitations without body, etc. Costs of different funeral options

Service Planning Give options on what to include: music, scripture, eulogy, etc. Costs involved related to church, musicians, etc. Obituary – information, pallbearers, newspapers, picture

MARCH 2019 Vol. 50, Issue 2 Page 3

First Presbyterian News & Announcements

Family Night Supper Wednesday, March 20th

at 6 pm Fellowship Hall

Join us for an evening of fellowship

Please bring your favorite dish to share

Page 4 MARCH 2019 Vol. 50, Issue 2

You are invited to join us for the

Women’s Monthly Bible Study

The Horizon’s 2018 - 2019 Bible Study

God’s Promise: I am with You By Amy Poling Sutherlun

Lesson 6

Thursday, March 21st at 1:30 p.m.

In the FPC classroom All Women Welcome!

March 16, 2019

8:00 am

Meeting at Greater St. Mary Missionary

Baptist Church

1801 2nd Avenue Fellowship Hall

GUEST SPEAKER: TBA

Join the men of First Presbyterian Church

& Lake Area Churches for the best Breakfast in Town!

Ash Wednesday Service March 6, 2019 at 5:00 PM

Join us at MorganField

for a Special Service Reaching out to our community near and far

Sunday March 10th

On March 10, the congregation is invited to wear BLUE in recognition of “PDA Blue Shirt Day.” (see below)

On March 10, the congregation is invited to wear BLUE in recognition of “PDA Blue Shirt Day.”

On this day we will remember the compassionate ministry done throughout the world… and indeed, right here in our own area… by the men, women, and youth of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. From the safety of our sanctuary to the streets of our city, let us proclaim the motto of those blue shirts known around the globe: “Out of chaos, HOPE!”

March 1—Margaret Fontenot

March 4—Gay Nell Clements

March 5—Timothy Joseph

March 7—Barbara Tomek-White

March 8—Joyce Carr

March 10—Sarah Elizabeth Hood

March 10—Ginger Ashcraft

March 12—Courtney Fenet

March 13—Dan Plauche

March 14—Kimberly Jones

March 14—Marie Louise Livanec

March 15—Lori Kerr

March 20—Adam Knapp

March 21—Johnnie LaCombe

March 23—Holley Poe

March 26—Chris Tyler

March 29—Ashton Parker

March 30—Sara Judson

March 30—Naomi Bellard

3/04—David & Carol LeBlanc (1989)

3/10—Billy & Charlotte White (1998)

3/10—Randy & Carol DeRouen (1973)

3/31—Stephen and Ruth McLeod Rohs (2001)

MARCH 2019 Vol. 50, issue 2 Page 5

Baskets of Love Ministry Thank you for your donations!

Please keep the goodies coming

so we can continue spreading God’s love

through this special ministry.

We are touching lives and making a difference

for families during difficult times.

Non perishable snack items

individual servings/snack bags

granola bars or protein bars,

crackers, chips, cookies

Health Concerns

Charles Bettinger Christine Bothel & family (Chan & Barrie’s daughter)

Ed Chavanne Don Chavanne Lois Ferguson

Margaret Fontenot Annabella Gorham Lori & Tommy Kerr

Nancy & Jimmy Hanchey (Nancy-cancer treatment) Cleary Hinton

KB Lake Billie Morris Gerald Pullin

Carolyn Sharp Dorothy Strait Sallye Starks

Mason Broussard (Jill Zachary’s grandson) Jim Brennan (complications following surgery)

Friend of Edie Ausmus

Betsy Dennison (stroke)

Mike Dupuis—(stem cell transplant)

Tiffany Dugas—recently diagnosed with liver disease

(daughter of friend of Ann Knapp—a young newlywed)

Annette Harlow—(cancer treatment)

Michael Jackson (and his family, friends of C. McLeod)

Linda Lawson—Secretary for John Hood & Judge Bice

Larry & Sue Parker (Sue is on dialysis) Michele Reed (pain from brittle bones)

Sharon Hanchey (recovery from multiple surgeries)

Nancy Draughn (kidney failure)

Dr. Charles Smith (cancer returned)

(friends of Virginia Gayle)

Tom Cole, Sr. who is being treated for cancer

Leslie Mansell fractured tailbone, a painful injury

Mary Beth Ferrell very ill (Leslie Mansell’s mother)

Sallie Ferrell lung cancer (Leslie Mansell’s step mother)

Bo Huddle, recent diagnosis of cancer (Friend of the Taylors)

Health Concerns

Dr. Harcourt Stebbins Jeffery & Catherine Simmons (daughter Sarah Kate in

coma, at home now) - classmate of Mark Judson

Carol Stroderd (cancer treatment), friend of A. Knapp

Audrey Gott (8 yr old) - incurable eye disease, she is

losing her sight (Carla Washburn’s family)

Marvin & Pat Thompson (Carla Washburn’s parents)

Melinda Christ—has PLS (sub category of ALS) - in Rehab now, it has affected her throat, speech &

swallowing—(cousin of Carla Washburn)

Raven Dupre, stage 4 colon cancer – no treatment

(husband of cousin of Carla Washburn)

Virginia Vance—cancer (friend of Joyce Carr) Tracey Jackson – cancer (Joyce Carr’s cousin)

Rose – Breast Cancer (Margaret Fontenot’s Bother-in-law’s Sister)

In Sympathy Family & Friends of Nancy Wyman, who recently

passed away. (one of the LOL’s group)

Suzanne & Jim Meyer, who suffered the loss of their only child Jerrod.

Margaret Cromwell in the loss of her husband

Family & Friends of Crystal Butler, who recently

passed away. (friend of the Judson/McLeod family)

Encouragement Ellen Smith

Fran Plauche Joyce Carr

ALL Caregivers, and Pastors

All those affected by fire, floods, storms and violence in our country and across the world

Citizens of Wetumpka, AL & First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka—after tornado January 19th

Our Sister Church—The Dora Valentin Church & Guines Church—CUBA

Ekwendeni Congregation & Rev. Isaac Malongo Students (our Sister Presbyterian Church in Malawi)

Scott Allen & family— Lori Kerr’s Son & family (prayers of hope at a difficult time)

Jeanie & Frank Catania– prison ministry in Italy (Lori Kerr’s sister)

Board of First Churches United, and FPC & FCC churches

as we work toward a new Worship Center

Safety Nick Duffel– (serving in the military, Afghanistan)

All of our Troops serving at home & abroad Our First Responders

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind,

be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

Sermon Topics March 2019

March 3 – Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Luke 6:27-38 – “Forgiveness”

Sacrament of Holy Communion

This topic was to have been considered last Sunday, but due to the pastor’s absence,

a different message was heard. But given the gravity of this subject, and it’s important ‘place’ in our

lives, these verses bore consideration… regardless of their ‘place’ in the lectionary. From the example

of Joseph to his brothers, to Jesus’ example to us, there may be no word more closely associated with

relationships between God and man than that of “Forgiveness.”

March 10 – Luke 4:1-13 – “On WHOSE Wings?” – PDA Blue Shirt Day

Though perhaps more closely associated with our Roman Catholic brethren, the hymn

“On Eagles’ Wings,” is one of the most well-known and beloved songs in our Christian traditions…

even for Presbyterians. ☺ It is based on passages from both the Old and New Testaments… ones

that promise that those who trust in the Lord will not suffer harm, but be raised up from danger.

But … “On WHOSE Wings?”

March 17 – Genesis 15:1-6; Philippians 3:17-4:1 – “Being a Good Waiter”

Most of us are familiar with the job of being a server in restaurants or coffeehouses. It is one

that requires hard work and a lot of patience. Ancient ‘servers’ like Abraham, David, and Paul were

also no strangers to the importance of hard work and patience. Whether we serve at the whim of a

human customer, or at the will of a Divine Provider, one of the best, and most difficult, character traits

to have is that of “Being a Good Waiter.”

March 24 – 1 Corinthians 10:12-13; Luke 13:1-9 – “‘Wasting the Soil’”

Most all of us can think of people who have failed, sometimes miserably, to use the God-given

potential that they have. We can even doubt our own fulfillment, and utilization, of the gifts that we

have been given by our Creator. How many opportunities are we given to turn from our non-

productive ways in order to bear fruit… before the determination is made that one must be ‘uprooted’

because of “Wasting the Soil.”

March 31 – Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 – “The Greatest Story Ever Told”

Most of you will likely be familiar with the epic 1965 movie by this name that chronicles the

life of Jesus from His birth to His ascension… distilling the message of the Gospels into one single

story. So too might we consider the Parable of the Prodigal Son to also condense the Good News of

the Gospel into one single episode… our 21st Century version of “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”

Page 8 MARCH 2019 Vol. 50, issue 2

FEBRUARY SESSION UPDATE

1. The following recommendation was approved: That the dates for communion

be the first Sunday of each month; April 18 (Maundy Thursday); April 21

(Easter Sunday); June 9 (Pentecost); November 24 (Christ the King Sunday);

December 24 (Christmas Eve); and January 5, 2020.

2. The Outreach Committee is offering a two-part series entitled “Begin with the

End in Mind.” It will be held on Sunday afternoons of March 10 and 17. This

event will help people make end of life choices that provide peace of mind for

them and their families. Legal aspects as well as preparing for a service

(funeral, obituary, costs, etc.) will be presented. Please see the article on

page 3. and mark your calendar to attend.

3. The Nurture Committee has made plans for activities for this year. Some of

these events may include home visits/calls, fellowship (family night suppers,

movie night, lunch bunch, group dinners), special occasions such as Easter and

Heritage Sunday, and lots more. Watch for more news!

4. Ash Wednesday service will be held at 5:00 p.m. at our MorganField property

on March 6.

5. Maundy Thursday service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on April 18 in the sanctuary

of the church.

6. The Session received a report from First Churches United. The bid packages

should be sent out to contractors soon. It is hoped that a decision on the

contractor will be made by mid-April.

7. The 2018 Church Statistical Report was presented to the Session.

Submitted by Dorothy Strait, Clerk of Session

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH Lake Charles, Louisiana

Office: 337-433-4667

Office Hours:

Monday & Wednesday

9:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

2525 Second Avenue

Lake Charles, LA 70601

Mailing Address:

Post Office Box 4665

Lake Charles, LA 70606 –4665

E-mail: Office: secretary@1stpreslc.com

Website: www.firstpres-lc.org

SESSION

Rev. Chandler M. Willis, Moderator

CHURCH OFFICE: 337-433-4667

Dorothy Strait, Clerk of Session

Class of 2019 Dorothy Strait Inci Glover Edie Ausmus

Class of 2020 Josh Duffel Nancy Hanchey John Hood Class of 2021 Mark Judson Laura Landreneau

Carla Washburn

Harbor Hospice

Butterfly Release

Arcade Amphitheater at the Civic Center

Saturday, March 30th

Event: 11 am - 2 pm

Release will take place at 1 pm

(Please see fliers for more information…

they can be found at each entrance of the Sanctuary)

OFFICE HOURS: Please note that for

the next 6 weeks Wendy will be out of the

Office on Tuesdays & Thursdays.

She will continue to check phone messages

daily and will work from home on these days.

MARCH 10th