Vol. 21 No. 2

February 2015

First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury

Holy Communion will be served on Sunday, February 1st by Intinction. Home Communion will be served on Tuesday, February 3rd. Deacons Preparing Communion for February 1st: Todd & Becky Webster Elders Serving Communion for February 1st: Rod Stevens, Bill Fugate and JD Buchenau

February 1 Joe & Pat Small February 8 Spencer & Alyssa Homan February 15 Marilyn Wells February 22 Jay Walter

February 1 JD Buchenau February 8 Rob Hobart February 15 Volunteer Needed! February 22 Sandie Moore

In Our Prayers…

Mike & Michelle O’Shea, Jeanine Perez, Doug Travis, Susan Beye, Deanna Canonge, John Bouldrey, Deb Augsburger, Perry Rich, Mary Ellen Nylander, Phyllis Tipton, Ali Erakhane, Scott Green, Katie Metz, and Jeanie Ingram.

Liturgists

Deacons

Greeters Flowers

Communion

February 1 Jeanne & Dick Kafer February 8 Jennifer Ward & Family February 15 Alm & Perry Augsburger February 22 Craig, Karen, & Emma Oest

February 1 Lisa Kilgus and Pam Teske February 8 Todd & Becky Webster February 15 Phyllis Tipton and Jeanette Franklin February 22 Jennifer Stuckey

February Birthdays 2 Richard Roman 3 Dick Kafer 5 Rod Stevens Liz Hobart Jessie Murray T.J. Moore 6 Eli Homan 9 J.T. Cox 11 Darol Johnston 15 Keith Goembel 18 Marilyn Wells 20 Marissa Sutherland 23 Brian Ladeairous Susan Starr 27 Sean Forestier

February Anniversaries

2 Bob & Marge Curtiss 15 Isaac & Sara Okai 28 J.T. & Doris Cox

If your birthday or anniversary has been omitted, please

contact the church office.

Baptism Day

5 Ron Schlipf 5 Hayden Breen 6 Alma Augsburger Anna McKeon Jamie McKeon William Moore

Food Pantry Sunday

Sunday, February 8th

The Deacons have designated the second Sunday of every month as Food Pantry Sunday. This month, help us fill the box with canned fruits & veggies (canned peaches, pears, corn, green beans, etc.) The Deacons thank you for your help with this project.

Mission Opportunity Saturday, Feb. 28th

On Saturday, Feb. 28th “Threads, Hope & Love” in Washington, IL could use help sorting clothes from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. If you are interested in helping out, please see Anna McKeon for more details.

Celebration of Mission Sunday Sunday, February 22nd

Join us on Sunday, February 22nd as we celebrate all of our wonderful missions over the last year. Then stay after worship for an informational meeting regarding the July Mission Trip to Boulder, CO.

Christian Unity Service Sunday, February 8th

The Prairie Central Clergy Association will host the annual Christian Unity Service on Sunday, February 8th at 6:00 p.m. at the Baptist Church. Everyone is welcome!

Annual Meeting Sunday, February 8th

The Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 8th after worship. The purpose of the meeting is to receive reports from the church committees and act upon any business properly coming before the meeting. Annual Reports are now available for review.

Friendship Room Use Form

Did you know that the Friendship Room can be

rented for a small fee? The Building & Grounds Committee has created a new form for using the Friendship Room. Since Session must approve all use of the Friendship Room, this form will make it easier for the office and Session to coordinate use of the Friendship Room. Copies of

the form can be found on the church website (under “About Us” - “Forms”) or you can pick one up from the church office.

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Bowling & Pizza Party

Join us on Sunday, February 15th at 2:00 p.m. at Marchelloni’s for a FREE pizza and bowling party! Everyone is welcome to attend, even if you don’t want to bowl. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex.

New Members Class Starting February 22nd

A New Members Class will begin February 22nd. It will be held Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Friendship Room. New members will be received on March 29th. See Pastor Homan if you are interested in attending.

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions

of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world. Your generous gifts to this Special Offering help provide relief those affected by natural disasters,

provide food to the hungry, and assist in helping to empower the poor and oppressed. Special offering envelopes for One Great Hour of Sharing will be available in the pews during Lent if you wish to make a contribution. The envelopes may be placed in the offering plate.

New Members Class

Lenten Lunches at First Presbyterian Starting Wednesday, February 25th

Lenten Lunches are going to be held once more at First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury. Join us from 12:05-12:55 p.m. on Wednesdays during Lent for midweek worship and a free lunch. Below is a schedule of which churches will be leading worship and providing lunch, followed in italics by the name of the First Pres hostess who will coordinate each week.

February 25th ~ United Methodist (Shirley Mitchell) March 4th ~ Trinity Lutheran (Jeanette Franklin) March 11th ~ First Baptist (Gene Leffingwell) March 18th ~ Hosted by First Pres (Connie Rich) March 25th ~ Faith Fellowship (Kay Fugate)

We encourage you to take some time out of your schedule this Lenten season to properly prepare for Easter. And did we mention you get a free lunch?!

Easter Lilies

Sign-ups for Easter lilies will be available in the starting March 8th. If you wish to purchase an East-er lily to be displayed in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, please sign up in the narthex by March 22nd. You will be invoiced for the cost of each plant from Nature’s Design. Note that all lilies remaining in the sanctuary following Easter service will be de-livered to Fairview Haven.

Lenten Reminders

This year we are handing out St. Patrick key chains for you to carry with you throughout the Lenten season. We hope hav-ing this on your key chain will remind you every day Christ’s sacrifice.

Lenten Devotional

This year’s free Lenten devotional is A Wonderous Love by Henri Nouwen and C.S. Lewis. Two of the most widely read and respected spiritual writers of the 20th century, Henri Nouwen and C.S. Lewis, are brought to-gether in this Lenten daily devotional booklet. Nouwen and Lewis offer their deeply personal insights, under-standing and pastoral sensi-tivity in this booklet that is an ideal accompaniment for the holy season of Lent.

Easter Lilies

Holy

Week Palm Sunday

March 29 @ 10:15 am

@ First Pres

Maundy Thursday April 2@ 6:00 pm

@ First Pres

Cross Walk April 3 @ 1:00 pm

starting @ First Baptist

Good Friday

April 3@ 7:00 pm

@ Trinity Lutheran

Easter April 5 @ 10:15 am

@ First Pres

Pork Loin Dinner Tuesday, March 10th

The Pork Loin Dinner is just around the corner! The Pork Loin Dinner is the major fundraiser for Presbyterian Women’s mission and ministry for the year. They need the help of the ENTIRE congregation to make it a success. Here is how you can help:

Selling or Buying Tickets Adult tickets—$10 donation ($12 donation at the door) Children Ages 4 to 12—$5 donation Children 3 and under—Free

All the ladies of the church will be given tickets to sell, or you can contact the church office at 815-692-2963. We would like to have an estimated meal count by March 1st. Please provide Alma Augsburger with the estimated number of tickets you have sold/distributed by March 1. She may be reached at 815-842-3627 or alm013@hotmail.com. The money and/or unsold tickets should be submitted in the envelope provided to Ann Lage by March 1st. Donating Food or Helping with the Dinner There will be several sign-up sheets in the Narthex for food and/or helping coming soon. Help is also needed to set-up on Monday, March 9th starting at 5:00 p.m. Thank you so much for helping out in any way you can for this fundraiser. This is one of our biggest projects for the year and we appreciate all the help and support we receive. We can’t do it without you! If you have questions or need more tickets, just call the church office or Sandy Dawson at 815-692-3658.

Hearts at Home Conference

March 13th & 14th The 2015 “Hearts at Home” national conference is scheduled for March 13-14 at ISU. This annual conference is a Christ-centered organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Presbyterian Women will be assisting with the registration fee for mothers interested in attending. For more information, contact Alyssa Homan. Early registration ends February 18th.

PW Coordinating Team The next meeting of the PWCT is scheduled for February 3rd at the home of Alyssa Homan with Anna McKeon providing devotions.

Officers Sandy Dawson, Moderator (815-692-3658) Michelle Clemons, Vice Moderator (309-662-3711) Lisa Kilgus, Secretary (815-692-3956) Ann Lage, Treasurer (309-723-4043)

Together in Service Committee (Mission Opportunities)

Alyssa Homan, Jennifer Stuckey, Anna McKeon

Search Committee Alma Augsburger, Sara Reis, Donna Roman, Wendi Zimmerman

KITCHEN DUTY FOR FEBRUARY Alyssa Homan

Youth Retreat

March 13-14th

All 4th, 5th, and 6th grade kids are invited to the “Super Start” Youth Retreat March 13-14th in Bloomington. Worship will be led by Yancy, who has done all the music we have used in VBS for the last couple of years. There will also be a bike stunt team that will help the kids explore the theme of “Grace.” For more info please check out: http://ciy.com/superstart. If your child is interested in attending, please contact Robin Buchenau before February 11th.

30 Hour Famine The Senior High will be participating in a 30-hour famine to raise money to fight hunger the weekend of February 27th. They will spend the weekend at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church in Geneva.

Wednesday Bible Study

This group meets every Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the church fellowship hall.

Koinonia“κοινωνία”

A faith, food, and fellowship class aimed at 40-50 something’s meets on the 1st Friday of the month.

Koinonia will meet on Friday, February 7th @ 7:00 p.m.

at the home of Kelly & Cindy Kinate 312 W. Chestnut, Fairbury

Sunday Morning Adult Class

The Adult Sunday School class meets on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the Library. This group

is studying “God’s Not Dead.”

Christian Education News

John 3:16

This group of couples with children meets once a month for fellowship and study. Free childcare is provided. They are studying a video on marriage.

John 3:16 will meet on Friday, February 20th @ 6:00 pm

at the home of Spencer & Alyssa Homan 313 E. Wanda Lane

Spotlight on Sunday School

This Month’s Focus: Touched by Jesus

Memory Verse: “My Father is still working, and

I am working too.” - John 5:17

Feb. 1: Wedding at Cana

Feb. 8: Jesus Walks on Water

Feb. 15: Feeding 5,000

Feb. 22: Man Beside the Pool

From Dan Groce, Principal of Chatsworth Elementary School Thank you for your donation to our Needy Kids Fund. Your kindness is appreciated as we supply many hats and gloves. (Donations to the Needy Kids Fund was made as part of this summer’s VBS Mission offering).

A Giving Tree Family Just wanted to thank those who bought presents for my children. So thankful and appreciate the nice clothes.

Ron & Bonnie Gouge Thank you for touching lives around the world through your gift. We so appreciate your willness to partner with us in the Great Commission. It means so much that Fairbury is behind their home town boy! Thank you. May God bless you as you serve there.

Session Summary Session took the following action at the January 27th meeting which will affect the life and work of the church: Motion approved for Anna Ricketts to use the

Friendship Room the afternoon of March 21, 2015 for a bridal shower.

Motion approved for Christina Chavez to use the Friendship Room January 25, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a meeting for Calynn’s Quinceanera.

Motion approved to approve changes to Congregational Life Committee’s By-Laws.

Motion approved to pay to Deacon’s Assistance Fund $375.00 which was budgeted for but not disbursed to them in 2014. Line item in Treasurer’s Report of General Fund will be over budget for 2015 to offset under budget in 2014.

Motion approved to call the Annual Congregational Meeting for February 8, 2015 after worship service.

Motion approved to serve “High” Communion on March 1, August 9, October 4, and December 6, 2015, and to serve Communion by Intinciton on February 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 19, September 6, November 1, December 24 (both services), 2015 and January 3, 2016.

Our Mission Statement

We, The First Presbyterian Church of Fair-

bury, Illinois through

~ worshiping the God of love,

~ inviting everyone to experience grace through

Christ,

~ reflecting Christ in our daily lives,

are working with God (the Holy Spirit) to make

life improvements happen.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

(Proverbs 29:18, KJV)

TREASURER'S REPORT

12 Months Thru December 31, 2014

Actual Budget

Income

Pledges 146,986 148,538

Non-Pledged 10,938 7,000

Per Capita 2,701 2,500

Interest on Checking 20 25

Use of Church 250 150

Special Reserve Fund Interest 2,844 3,500

Bequest/Memorial Funds 20,090 17,756

Total Income 183,829 179,469

Expenses 178,240 179,360

Excess (Shortage) 5,589 109

First Presbyterian Church

101 East Elm Street

Fairbury, IL 61739

815-692-2963

www.firstpresfairbury.org

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