Category: General

January 9, 2024 – Did you know?

Cheri Simonet
Did you know? Tuesday Trivia!

Our Name that Member! feature gave us the opportunity to learn just how well we really know each other. But how well do we know our church?

Here’s this week’s Did you know? Tuesday Trivia!

In which year did Nursery Class begin?

A) 1933

B) 1967

C) 1955

Answer:

C) From January 15, 1956 Annual Report: “One of the new features begun this last year was the Nursery Class in charge of Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Schrevens.” Additionally, “Kings Daughters reported 10 meeting, 2 summer picnics, and that they had sold plastic bags, candy and miscellaneous in addition to magazine subscriptions. They sent Christmas gifts to children at the Missionary School at Spear Fish, S. Dakota, and also sponsored a Spring Fashion Show in April which was held in the church parlor.”

Thanks for playing!

We want you to do more than just play Did you know?, we’d also like you to contribute! If you have some church fun facts to share, please send those to Cheri at communications@firstpresgreenbay.org and we’ll have your contribution added to an upcoming Did you know? Tuesday Trivia!

Worship Service January 7, 2024

Cheri Simonet

On this Epiphany Sunday we reflect on Isaiah 60: 1-6 https://bit.ly/47Aii0M and Matthew 2: 1-12 https://bit.ly/3vBK2V6 and Pastor Katie shares with us about “Showing Up”.

Worship Service December 31, 2023

Cheri Simonet

On this First Sunday of Christmas we have a Service of Lessons and Carols. We reflect on Luke 2: 22-35 https://bit.ly/3vlpekX , Luke 2: 36-38 https://bit.ly/3RJIhNk and Luke 2: 39-40 https://bit.ly/48G2gmN. Pastor Katie returns as our worship leader.

Christmas Eve Worship Service December 24, 2023

Cheri Simonet

On this Christmas Eve we celebrate the coming birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and reflect on Luke 2: 1-20 https://bit.ly/3NLZrZt Our guest preacher for the evening is Tom Schoffelman.

Worship Service December 24, 2023

Cheri Simonet

On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Love and reflect on Luke 1: 26-38 https://bit.ly/3ubxYGr Our guest preacher on this morning is Nancy Siewert.

2024 Epiphany Sunday

Cheri Simonet
Epiphany

January 7th

“Epiphany” is a word meaning manifestation, revelation, or showing forth. At the Epiphany of the Lord (observed on the calendar on January 6th, or the Sunday closest to it) we celebrate the manifestation of God’s saving purposes to all the nations of the world.

Just as the Magi came from a distant land to worship the Christ child, God’s covenant of grace is extended to all people who believe the good news of Jesus Christ. In Epiphany, the symbolism of light is important—not only because of the star that guided the Magi, but also as it suggests the bright dawning of God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are called to bear Christ’s light in the world.

Our liturgical color changes from the blue of Advent to white for Epiphany, and we focus our attention on images of light and the showing forth of the Messiah in our lives. One way to celebrate the season of Epiphany is to start out the new year with a “star word.” A star word is a random word that becomes a prayer guide, a focus, a way to watch for God. God can use anything to speak to us. There is nothing magical about a star word. But a star word begins as a mystery; typically you do not choose it. And so, it invites investigation, attentiveness, waiting. A star word orients you to watch for God in a particular way, to be receptive to the Spirit who is moving right now in the world around you.

On Sunday, January 7th our worship celebration of Epiphany will include the distribution of “star words” for everyone present. Come and see what word might guide you in 2024!

2024 Cozy Kids Campaign

Cheri Simonet
Cozy Kids 2024

January 1st—31st

The Cozy Kids Campaign, formerly for the children at Tank School, will this year benefit Presbyterian Pantry guests. Our community at First Presbyterian aims to keep those kids cozy with a collection of items needed this year of:

• Hats • Mittens • Boots
• Jackets • Underwear • Socks
• Chapstick • Kleenex

Anything that will help the kids of our Presbyterian Pantry guests get through the winter would be greatly appreciated. All donations can be gently used – we’ll find a home for them. Please place the items – by January 31 – on the table at the back of the sanctuary.

Please help keep Presbyterian Pantry guest’s kids COZY this winter.

The Outreach Committee thanks you for your support!

New 2024 Bible Study begins in January

Cheri Simonet

Channel Markers: Wisdom from the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount by William G. Enright is the title of a new Bible study beginning January 10th & 11th and continuing through the season of Lent.

Eleven weeks may feel like a long haul, but it is split into two distinct sections and as always, participants are welcome to come and go as needed.

We meet on Wednesday evenings via Zoom at 6:30p and Thursday mornings at 11a in person at the church.

Consider beginning this new year with a commitment to studying God’s Word!

Channel markers are the signs that help sailors navigate through shallow, potentially dangerous waters. Our quest to live as God’s people call us to listen for words of wisdom from such “channel markers”—for life is a journey with choices to be made, values to be pursued, and priorities to be set.

In this study, the author describes the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as channel markers and offers new insights on these key pieces of scripture. Responding to our culture’s hunger for ethical guidance, he examines each commandment and the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount to explore why these texts are relevant today.

Books are available in the church office for $10 each. Please come join us!

Save-the-Date for Souper Bowl of Caring 2024

Cheri Simonet
Souper Bowl of Caring

Souper Bowl of Caring—February 11, 2024

As Super Bowl Sunday approaches that means it’s time for our 2nd annual Souper Bowl of Caring!

Since 1990, close to $193 million has been reported donated to local food charities across all fifty states with over 305,000 unique groups participating. Every dollar donated to Souper Bowl of Caring creates over $18 for food charities. The cause unites all communities to Tackle Hunger.

Our #FirstPresGB Souper Bowl of Caring is led by the Christian Education Committee along with Youth Group and is held annually on Super Bowl Sunday. The event is meant to bring an awareness to hunger and to curb hunger through soup. The cost will be $5/person and there will be 8 different soup stations for people to experience. Each soup sampler will have a chance to vote and judge our Souper Bowl winner. The awardee will receive the cherished Golden Ladle that’s passed on year over year to the awarded winner. The current Golden Ladle holder from our 2022 Souper Bowl of Caring is Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges for her Christmas Corn Chowder.

More details will follow in February’s newsletter but in the meantime, we’re looking for 8 soup chefs to help us pull this off! All you need to do is craft a crock pot full of your favorite soup.

If you’re able to be one of our 8 soup chefs, please contact Director of Children, Youth and Families, Joel Morien, at ce@firstpresgreenbay.org or sign up on the bulletin board.

January 2024 Fourth Sunday Forum

Cheri Simonet
4th Sunday Forum - Internet Safety

January 28th

PART 2—“Internet Safety: How To Protect Yourself Online”

Last November’s Fourth Sunday Forum featured our very own Lisa Olson who talked to us about internet safety. It was a great opportunity for learning and there was so much content to cover that we’re continuing the conversation where we left off and offering Part 2 on January 28th at 9am.

But don’t worry if you weren’t at Part 1 because Part 2 will cover different information. We’ll discuss how to look at apps to see the Privacy and User Agreements before you load something into your phone that could put your Personally Identifiable Information in jeopardy, and refresh everyone on how to make a safe password. 

Bring your questions and your concerns—coffee and treats will be available, too.