You are Invited to Share Your Faith With  

Our Confirmation and Commissioning Class

March and April are busy months for our confirmation class.  In addition to our regular classes, they have a retreat, a breakfast meeting with Session, and finally are confirmed and commissioned on Sunday, April 22nd.  If you would like to do something special for these six students, Michael Bennett, Ray Cintron, Michael Cole, Emily Overmyer, Andrew Smigelski, and Tayleigh Trumbull, read on!

In March, as they head up to Camp Storer for a final retreat, it has become a tradition that the parents, mentors, elders and deacons have been asked to write a letter with a prayer that they have for them, or to affirm some gift they see in them.  Sometimes they share a spiritual wish they want them to experience or pass on some gem of faith to them or share a special moment on their spiritual journey with them.  Some people have even included gifts such as a devotional book, bookmark or a copy of a poem.  When we are on retreat the students get to open them and read them out loud if they wish.  It is a moving experience for everyone, frequently with tears, as they realize how much their church family loves them.

 This year we would again like to extend the invitation to anyone in the congregation who feels called to share in the class's faith journey because you are an important part of their lives.  Many of you have witnessed their baptisms or nurtured them in the life of the church.  If you are interested, please have six copies (or Lynn can make the copies for you if she has them in advance) because letters will be given to each Confirmand.  If you could put them in Lynn Bova's mailbox by March 14th that will give her time to be prepare their packets.

Associate Pastor Nominating Committee Soon to be Formed

Please view the video below for explanation on why this committee is being formed.

APNC Explanation by Pastor Clint

The nominating committee is seeking people who are interested in being part of a search team to nominate our new associate pastor.  Might God be calling you to be a part of this team?  Please read the position description by clicking on the following link: APNC description and duties. (or the description may be picked up at the church office)  Serving as a member of the APNC promises to be very challenging, but rewarding!  If you would like to be considered for this team please make this indication to Elder Jack Hemple at jhemple@bex.net.      

Join First Presbyterian Church on Facebook 

Our church Facebook page has recently received a facelift due to the new "timeline" feature. Please join us for programming updates, Biblical encouragement from church staff, and information about the life of our church. Sharing the page with friends is a great way to invite a friend to worship and fellowship with us. Don't want to join Facebook? No problem. Our site is still accessible even if you are not signed into a Facebook account. Check it out at: http://www.facebook.com/fpcmaumee  

Easter Food Basket Opportunity 

You did an awesome job for Thanksgiving and for Christmas in representing Christ and brightening the time for 20 families. Can you believe it? Easter is coming and on March 4th we will have 'the tree up' with our standard 'A,' 'B,' and 'C' tags. Get on your mark, get set, prepare to shop and make a difference in the lives of needy families. Families will pick up their food baskets on March 27th. Thank you so much for being you and for being willing to be the hands and feet of Christ in this place. Jim Otis gave a great suggestion to buy and use SCRIP to purchase your donated food. ~ Twice the Blessing!

Session     

Session Highlights from February 27, 2012*

*Because the official session minutes have not yet been approved from this meeting, these are highlights only and are subject to change. After approval, full session minutes will be available in the church office.

The following items were included in the consent agenda which was approved.

• Motion to approve the Clerk's Report of February 27, 2012
• Motion to approve Session minutes from January 23, 2012 meeting.
• Motion to approve Clerk's submission of information requested by presbytery
• Motion to approve communion to be served at the Confirmation Retreat by             Elder Lynn Bova.
• Motion to accept Barbara Wingate as a member of this congregation.

Treasurer's Report: Elder Mary Siefke

Mary reported that pledge income was below budget by $9477 for the month of January but this is a common occurrence for that month. A fund transfer from the endowment funds for the months of December, January and February was made which made our total income for the month $21,824 above budget. Year to date, pledge income is $7117 below budget but non-pledge income is $19,577 above budget and all in total income is $28,296 above budget for the fiscal year. Total expenses are favorable to budget by $44,703 so the total income over expense figure is $72,999 which compares very favorably to the $10,279 total last year. Our savings and checking accounts are well funded and our total accounts increased by $314,969 last month due to the strong stock market. Mary reports that Deb Joslin who is our investment manager at Merrill Lynch is optimistic about future market conditions. She also reports that Deb is scaling back her work obligations and will be changing her position to be available as a consultant only. Jamie Happ, her longtime partner, who has a similar mindset and investing strategy will now be in charge of our accounts. All past fee structures will remain the same under the care of Jamie.  

Deacon's Report: Deacon Charlie Graves

The deacons are busy preparing for the Agape Meal on March 25. Charlie also confirmed that there are deacons stationed at the Broadway entrance to shepherd people into the building during construction.

Praise!: Janet Russ Jones           

Wedding Fees have been set as originally proposed. Janet announced that they were comfortable with the fee schedule and it will be reviewed annually as Session directed.

MO: Elder Crawford Strunk

They have started an outreach to the various AA groups that meet in our church. Pastor Steve Nelson and Clint Tolbert have introduced themselves, left prayer journals and offered to help them with any needs they might have.

The upcoming St. Paul dates are: Easter Sunday and June 24. Saturday dates are August 18, November 17 and December 15.

Fellowship Commission: Elders Judy Harbaugh and Doug Parrish

Judy reports that "Dine with Your Valentine" was a success with thirty couples participating. At this point at least three couples have signed up for the marriage weekend at Maumee Bay State Park.

The church directory is at the printers. The proof is back and looks great.

Nominating Committee: Jack Hemple and Charlie Sheets           

The committee is moving forward and letters have gone out to those currently serving whose terms are about to expire to determine if there is interest in continuing for another term (if applicable). The committee will meet on Monday and should have a good grasp of where they stand at that point.

Vision Team: Judy Harbaugh            

Judy briefly gave an update of progress on last year's strategic goals. She then explained the progress that has been made in working on determination of this church's core values. Pastor Clint explained that instead of policing the boundaries and being suspicious of different beliefs, it would be a benefit to find core values that we can all agree upon. To that end, the small committee composed of Kristen Wacha, Judy Harbaugh, Pastor Clint and Sarah Platz have worked with Rev. Hoyt Byrum from Vital Churches Institute and determined the timeline necessary to get the groundwork completed before a proposed session retreat date of April 27 and 28, 2012.

• Approved motion to approve the hiring of the Rev. Dr. Hoyt Byrum, senior Consultant from Vital Churches Institute, to facilitate our Core beliefs Survey and our April 27-28 Session Retreat.  

Project Team: Elder Jim Calderone

Jim reports that everything is progressing nicely, on time and on budget. Perhaps next month before the session meeting he may be able to offer a walk through of the site to session members.

Resource Development: Elder Marc Savage

   Work has begun in earnest on the annual stewardship campaign. The title will be "Sustaining the Kingdom" and it will follow the pattern of last year's successful campaign.

Pastor's Report: Clint Tolbert

Pastor Clint requested and received Session's blessing to form a team to explore possibilities for outreach ministries to young families in the future. (preschool, daycare, Montessori, etc.)

He would like to ask the Memorial's committee to consider purchasing new pew Bibles. According to the Book of Order, the pastor has responsibility for the translation being read from the pulpit; Session has responsibility for the translation of the pew Bibles. He would like to recommend purchasing the NIV version for the pews because it is what he preaches from.

• Approved motion to allow Pastor Clint to request funds to purchase the NIVversion of the Bible for the pews.

Old Business

Pastor Clint requests that Session bless Clint's signing the Fellowship Document which was handed out last month. This document pertains to him and not to the church and no objections were made to his signature.

New Business

Pastor Steve has started officiating at home communions. The deacons have taken ownership of this ministry. Home communions are offered regularly with a pastor and either a deacon or elder accompanying him.

Our collegiates of the week are Hailey Schurr and Lynn Secondo. Members may send a card or note to Hailey at 720 S. Park, #1, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Hailey's e-mail address is d.a.schurr@att.net. Members may send a card or note to Lynn at 701 Park Avenue, Apt. #5, Angola, IN 46703. Lynn's e-mail address is lesecondo@my.trine.edu. Please keep them in your prayers.  

Our home centered member of the week is Gil Mohr. Members may send a card or note to him at Swan Creek Retirement Village, 5916 Cresthaven Lane, #219B, Toledo, OH 43614. Please keep Gil in your prayers.

Please also keep Kristen Seibold and the Seibold family, Paul Cowdrey, as well as the Alpha Xi Delta sorority at BGSU in your prayers. There was a car accident early in the morning on Friday, March 2nd which resulted in the deaths of 3 BGSU women. Kristen was traveling with these women, but was traveling in the car that was not hit. Paul Cowdrey was part of the emergency response. Please pray for everyone involved. 

In Worship this Week: Sunday, March 11th, 3rd Sunday of Lent 

8:00 a.m. in our Chapel Service. Pastor Clint Tolbert is preaching. Confirmand Mike Bennett is Liturgist. Elder Bryce Harbaugh leads us in Spiritual Song. 

9:00 a.m. at the Edge Service in Fellowship Hall. Pastor Clint Tolbert is preaching. 

11:00 a.m. in our Sanctuary Service. Pastor Clint Tolbert is preaching. Confirmand Andrew Smigelski is Liturgist. The Chancel Choir sings.