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Dear Friend of FPC,
While driving to western Illinois Friday and Saturday to pick up my lovely wife, who had been in Iowa for three weeks, a strange thing happened. The check engine light came on intermittently and then toward the end of the trip it came on to stay. In the beginning the vehicle still ran fine, but by the time we pulled into the house on Saturday evening, the engine was running a little rough.
 During a few stops I would listen and check under the hood to make sure that there was nothing "life threatening for the car." This has happened before only on the other occasions it continued to run fine for the whole trip. So I take it in to get the code checked to see what is wrong and have whatever repairs are needed. Generally, it is a good thing that modern cars have such lights that warn you when something is amiss. In the old days, unless the vehicle was running poorly most of us would have no clue that something was wrong until we were broke down on the side of the road. Wouldn't it be nice if people had such a light system that would come on and a simple device plugged in to get the code? The good news for Christians is that God has given us the Holy Spirit in our lives to check our spirit and the go to the "Master Mechanic (God)" to help us get those things that are wrong in our lives fixed. God has given us scripture to help us be in tune with the Spirit so that we get a spiritual warning when something is a bit off. But I wonder, don't we as Christians and as drivers sometimes just ignore the warning lights of the car and of the Spirit and go on about our merry way hoping that it is just nothing. So this spring, I would urge you to be aware of the work of the Holy Spirit and the checks and warnings that are given all designed to help us to have spiritual lives that run smoothly and effectively for the Kingdom of God. Pay attention to the lights and to the Holy Spirit Warnings and live fully for God today. Blessings.
Pastor Steve
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| Upcoming Events (For full schedule of events, please see our website)
Theology Group, Thursday, April 26, 1:30 pm
Please join us on Thursday, April 26th at 1:30 p.m. in Room 009 at Union School (enter from Harrison St. Door 9) as we continue our discussion of "Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know - and Doesn't" by Stephen Prothero. Discussion of Chapter 4 will be led by Ann Braunschweiger.
Women's Spring Brunch: Links of Love, May 12, 10 am
Yes, the men are cooking for us again this year!! Please plan to join your sisters in Christ at our annual brunch on Saturday, May 12, 2012, 10 a.m. to noon or so. Our theme of the day is "LINKS OF LOVE" - connecting us with many issues our sisters face in the world today. We will have a program about the Presbyterian Women's mission trip to South Dakota where we were hosted by many Native American sisters who told us of the issues concerning them in their churches and on the reservations. We also have a "surprise" announcement about a local mission that FPC's women hope to become involved with in the near future.
Sign-up sheets will be in the Narthex, the coffee table in Fellowship Hall and on the table in the vestibule of the Chapel. You may also call your reservation into the office.
Hope to see many of you on the 12th. The food will be great, the company greater, and God's blessings greatest.
Graduate Breakfast, June 10, 10 am
 GRADUATES: If you are scheduled to graduate this summer or have graduated since last June, a graduate breakfast is scheduled for Sunday, June 10th, at 10:00a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Family and friends are invited. Please RSVP to the church office (419) 725-9061 by Thursday, May 31st and let us know the number of people that will come to celebrate with you. We need ALL graduates or their parents to contact Jason Armstrong or the church office with information about them and their graduation. Please download this form and e-mail it to Jason Armstrong (jarmstrong@fpcmaumee.org) or pick up a form from the Welcome Station and turn in to the church office.
Save these Dates!
It may be hard to believe, but summer is on it's way! Mark your calendars for these exciting church events:
- Vacation Bible School, June 10-14. "Clean Water for All God's Children," is the theme for this summer's Vacation Bible School. Learning about our responsibility for the goodness of Creation and for the care of the physical health of others along with facts about the world water crisis will be our mission focus. Mark your calendar now for June 10-14! More information will be available soon! If you are interested in helping, please contact Stephanie McClellan or Lynn Bova.
- Senior High at Workcamp in Racine, WI, June 17-23 Contact Jason Armstrong for registration forms at jarmstrong@fpcmaumee.org . Registration forms and payment are due to Jason Armstrong by Sunday, May 6th The cost of the trip is $100.00 per student. Please make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church
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| Announcements
Female Adult Chaperone Needed
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The Senior High students are in need of on an additional female adult chaperone (age 21+) to go with them to Work Camp in Racine, WI from June 17 - June 23. The adults going on the trip are Jason Armstrong and Lynn Secondo. The camp requires that we have one adult chaperone per every five students of each gender. As we have seven female students going on the trip, we need an additional adult female to go with us. Work Camp affords you time to grow in your faith while modeling service and love in Jesus' name to a community in need, the student's of our church, and the students you work with from other churches across the country. To the right is a link to a video that outlines the Work Camp mission (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtzN8ptD-iw) Please prayerfully consider joining the Youth Group in serving Christ and the community of Racine, WI this summer. If you have any questions about the camp, contact Jason Armstrong at jarmstrong@fpcmaumee.org or 419-266-5019.
The New Directories are Here!!
 And we want to get a copy to each household in our church family even if you did not have your picture included.
They will be available after each of the services on April 15th and April 22nd or if you can't wait, they are available now at the office. As you take your directory, make sure that your name is checked off on the roster so that we can be sure each family gets a copy.
Thanks to the many people who helped with this important project especially Kathleen Sheets, Susan Platz, John Pike and Dave Saunders.
Now we will be able to put names to familiar faces but also learn more about our church, our history, our ministries and our vision of Connecting Christ with Community.
Blessings from the Fellowship Commission and Team
Welcome Station Volunteers Needed
Did you know that volunteering to work occasionally at the welcome station isn't limited to Deacons? If you like to meet new people and want to help in this important mission of the church to welcome first time visitors, please contact Ann Sisinyak at amsis9@sbcglobal.net, or 419-865-7290. New schedules for all services will be organized in the fall.
New FPC Bike Club Forming Now!
Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I have hope for the human race. H.G. Wells
Do you like riding a bike? Do you like being outside in the fresh air? Do you need to get more exercise?
First Presbyterian Church is forming a bike club! Rides will be planned on local bike trails (flat ones!). Riders of all ages and levels of fitness are welcome. We will meet at a predetermined location, and riders can complete any or all of the planned ride. Group rides will take place twice a month, beginning in May, on Sundays. Riders are encouraged to go at their own pace-but please note-this is not a race.
Riders are asked to have the capability of transporting their bike to the ride's starting point, and providing their own water and snacks. A snack break will be part of each ride.
The first ride will take place on Sunday, May 6, beginning at 4:00 p.m., on the Wabash Cannonball Bike Trail. We will access the trail at Monclova Elementary School, which is located about 2 and a half miles west of St. Luke's Hospital, at the corner of Monclova and Waterville-Monclova Road. There is plenty of parking there.Be ready to ride at 4 p.m. The trail to Oak Openings is paced, and most of the bike trail in the park is paved as well.
Perhaps you're a seasoned biker - or perhaps you have a bike collecting dust in your garage and you've been meaning to get back on it someday Perhaps you're looking for a way to invite an unchurched family member, friend, or neighbor to join you in a church activity. This is your chance!
Interested? Please send the following information to Karen Calderone (by dropping it in Jim Calderone's church mailbox). Contact information is critical - a ride may need to be canceled due to weather conditions - so please indicate a method of contact (text or e-mail preferably).
Name (s)___________________________________________________________
Text message me at : _________________________________________________
E-mail me at: _______________________________________________________
Phone number: _____________________________________________________
For a flyer you may print out and give to a friend, or use to provide your information to Karen Calderone, click here.
Kirkmont Center News
Registration for Kirkmont is now open! The 2012 camp offerings include two new science camps, the return of Music, Art, Dance, and Drama Camp, and many other exciting opportunities for children as young as grades 4-12. Also available are Beginners Camp (4 days) and Kids Camp (children with an adult). Remember that FPC Maumee provides camperships for up to ½ of your fees but not to exceed $75. Go to www.kirkmontcenter.com for more information! If you have questions, please contact Lynn Bova.
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Say "thank you" and "good-bye" to Kathleen Sheets
This Sunday, April 29 will be Kathleen Sheets' last Sunday with our congregation as she will be moving to Massachusetts for a new ministry experience. Though only on staff with us for about nine months Kathleen has blessed this congregation tremendously! She has updated our communication ability significantly by managing our website and creating our weekly email newsletter, the FYI. She has also helped to care for the congregation through visitation ministry and staffing our "GriefShare" program. We will pray for and recognize Kathleen in all three services on Sunday. I hope you will be present with us for this send off. There will also be opportunity for you to offer a personal word of thanks to Kathleen during the 10 o'clock hour in Fellowship Hall.
- Pastor Clint
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Construction Update
 Our building renovation continues to move rapidly with an expected completion coming in mid-July. The rebuilding of the parking lot will be one of the next major areas of work for the construction crew. This will likely present one of the greater challenges for our congregation's worship schedule. On Sunday, May 6 the parking lot will be unavailable during the worship services. (It will be available this Sunday, April 29. This is contrary to what was announced during worship on Sunday.) The parking lot is also expected to be unavailable for a few weeks in June for paving. When the parking lot is unavailable we ask that those who are able, please park at Union Elementary School or on streets a block or two away from the church. This should leave plenty of street parking adjacent to the church for those who are challenged by a long walk. - Pastor Clint |
Discipleship
Theology Group
 Please join us on Thursday, April 26th at 1:30 p.m. in Room 009 at Union School (enter from Harrison St. Door 9) as we continue our discussion of "Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know - and Doesn't" by Stephen Prothero. Discussion of Chapter 4 will be led by Ann Braunschweiger. The next meeting will be May24th at 1:30 at Union School when Larry Hubbell will lead the discussion on chapter 5.
Wednesday Women's Bible Study
This week the Wednesday Women's Bible Study will not meet. See you next week, May 2 when we will discuss Lesson 8, Greatly Honored are Those Who have been Persecuted for the Sake of Justice! (Matthew 5:10; 13:20-21; Romans 8:31-39) We will meet on May 9 & 16 to discuss the last lesson in this study, Greatly Honored are You Who Put Your Honor on the Line for Christ's Sake! (Matthew 5:11-12;23:29-36; Luke 6:22-23). This group will break for the summer but plans to meet monthly in June, July, August and September on the second Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Panera's.
5F Fellowship Group
Group 5F will be attending the play Fiddler on the Roof at Anthony Wayne this Thursday, April 26th. If you are interested, please contact Diane Harper or Kristin Wacha. Next Thursday, May 3rd we will continue our Kerygma study Lord, Teach Us to Pray with Chapter 3, Willing Obedience, led by Lynne Rayl. May 10th we will discuss Chapter 4, Feeding Ourselves, led by Kristin Wacha. Please contact Lynn Bova if you would like a copy of the book. ($15)
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Mission & Outreach
MO! Mission and Outreach Commission has been spending some time considering a number of new Mission Outreach opportunities available in the Toledo area. The number of opportunities does not spread us thin but is a part of the effort to expand our spiritual vision, discovering ministries where a greater variety of FPC folks can get passionate about being involved.
 The Daughter Project is a local area effort that reaches out to young girls and women caught up in the human trafficking and sex industry in the area. The NW Ohio area is a hub of illegal activity that steals the life from girls and young women. The Daughter Project has caught the vision that with prayer and the right support, young girls and women can break those chains and discover a new way of life.
The South Toledo Project has targeted a South Toledo neighborhood and seeks to break the yoke of poverty and sin in the lives of young mothers by helping them get their GED and at the same time they help very young children discover a love for reading. This ministry is just a few miles down the road but is making a huge impact as community agencies and churches partner together to help some of the poorest people in our community start a new life and a new way of thinking. Spirituality as well as outreach are used to bring hope to those who have had little to be hopeful about.
We are also looking at ways to continue our long-time partnership with Habitat for Humanity in the community. Over the next couple of months you will hear about other ways to be involved in a Migrant camp outreach and other ministries. Jesus said, "In as much as you have done it to the least of these, my brothers, you have done it unto me." I am thankful that the folks of FPC take that challenge seriously.
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Growth Groups
Every week people from around the Church gather together in small Growth Groups to discuss their faith journey, the week's sermon and how it applies to life, to talk and pray about what and how God is working in their lives. The opportunity to share and hear God stories changes lives and helps people to grow spiritually. Pray for and consider joining a Growth Group as a way to strengthen your faith. Being a Christian is a "team sport" and having a great team to be a part of is important to becoming a victorious Christian. So, get in the game of life on a great team and see what God will do. |
 Confirmation
Confirmation and Commissioning: April 22 was a big day in the life of our confirmation class. Each of the students shared half of their statements of faith at one of the services and all were introduced at each service and confirmed at the Sanctuary service. We had the added joyful experience of celebrating the baptism of Ray Cintron at the Chapel Service. We welcome Michael Bennett, Ray Cintron, Michael Cole, Emily Overmyer, Andrew Smigelski, and Tayleigh Trumbull into the life of the church. Please welcome them, pray for them and encourage them in their faith journey! Watch for their complete statements of faith in the weeks and months to come. |
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Joys and Concerns
Prayer Concerns
Bill Cameron St. Luke's Hospital Pat Hemple Home Judy Campbell Manor of Perrysburg Bonnie Richards Swanton Health Care Our home centered member of the week is Gloria Smeltzer. Members may send a card or note to her at
2711 Riverview Drive, Maumee, OH 43537. Please keep Gloria in your prayers. Our collegiates of the week are Brianna Stalder and Jennifer Christensen. Members may send a card or note to Brianna at 1634 Noble Lane, #1, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. Members may send a card or note to Jennifer at 1432-B G Street SE, Washington, DC 20003. Keep Brianna and Jennifer in your prayers.
Birthdays Anniversaries
24th Jackie Blasiman Terry & Alice McColl (36th),
25th Bruin Armstrong, Dorothy Bonser Dennis & Lynn Bova (30th)
27th Alex Cintron, Donna Herold, Caroline Thomas
28th Judy Campbell, Calvin Siefke
29th Darren Abbott, Marlo Armstrong John & Deborah Joslin (34th)
30th Benjamin Marsh, Kayleigh Overmyer
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In Worship this Week: Sunday, April 29
 8:00 a.m. in our Chapel Service. Pastor Clint Tolbert is preaching. Pastoral Intern Kathleen Sheets 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. Jim Otis is Liturgist. The Chancel Choir sings "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" by M. McCabe.
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