3/12/2020 News from First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara

First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara | 21 East Constance Avenue, Santa Barbara

SINGLE SERVICE at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary until further notice

Dear First Pres Friends and Families,

Our Psalm for this coming Sunday is Psalm 46, which begins:

"God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change..."

As we journey through these days of heightened stress from changes happening all through our world, we are sensitive to the impacts on our local community, to impacts on our friends and families, and to the impacts on our own hearts and souls.

We can care for others to the extent that we are caring for ourselves, finding our own refuge in God, through daily practices of prayer, calm, routine, and health. Let me echo the words from the update letter sent yesterday, which you can read by clicking here: We do our best when we are well-prepared and actively engaged in efforts that further public health. Our peaceful presence as a church in the community can have a calming and deeply beneficial effect as we conduct ourselves with prudence, thoughtfulness, faith, and care.

In the midst of a changing world, what better place to put our trust than in God, who is our refuge and strength?

Thank you to all who have been in touch, offering help and assistance, and letting us know of needs. We will be keeping the communication lines open, now more than ever. Do not hesitate to be in touch.

Grace and Peace,

Erik

THIS SUNDAY :

Scripture: John 4:5-42

Sermon: Erik Wiebe

Join us at 10:00 am

QUICK LINKS:

Lenten Quarterly Newsletter

Last Sunday's Life of the Church

FPCSB Website

SINGLE SERVICE AT 10:00 AM UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

In an effort to keep our congregants as safe as possible with respect to COVID-19 until further notice we will move to a single worship service in the sanctuary at 10:00 am. The sanctuary provides the room needed to practice "safe distancing" from other individuals.

Our 9:00 am Adult Ed class has been suspended until further notice.

Please note that for the safety of our congregants, THE SUNDAY VAN MINISTRY HAS BEEN SUSPENDED until further notice.

SOUL FOOD DINNER & LENTEN SERVICE

REMAINING WEEKS CANCELED

In response to the COVID-19 situation, the remaining Soul Food and Lenten worship services have been canceled.

WOMEN'S RETREAT 2020

Friday, April 24 - Sunday April 26 | Calvin Crest

Calling all Ladies! Please join us at the 2020 Women's Retreat at Calvin Crest where we will carve out time and space for God to restore your soul. All you have to do is come and allow Him to lead you beside the still waters, and He will do the rest. The deadline to register is Friday, April 10, and the retreat is filling quickly so register now! A deposit is due when you sign up and the balance is due by April 10.

Scholarships are available. Please contact Susan Croshaw with questions or for more information on scholarships.

Visit the Calvin Crest website to learn more and register!

FLOWER POWER MIXER

Tuesday, March 24 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm | Lobero Theater

Everyone is invited to attend the next Flower Power Mixer on Tuesday, March 24, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm at the historic Lobero Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara. Tickets are $30 and raises funds for the flowers that adorn our sanctuary and spaces at First Presbyterian Church. Let's have a great turn out so we can have beautiful Easter flowers. Contact April Walstad (805-689-7123) for questions or to RSVP. More information can be found here .

PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE

Our team of 9 continues to meet weekly. We have received over 100 PIFs (Pastor Information Form, aka resume) to date and have sent questions to some of our top candidates. We also have listened to sermons from top candidates. We have learned that the process is slow, but we are putting our faith in God that he is with us and will help us on the journey to bring our new Pastor/Head of Staff to FPCSB. We are thankful for your continued prayers of encouragement, discernment and wisdom for the PNC.

Tristin Sherman

PNC Member

APPLY NOW: STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE

March 1 - April 30, 2020

First Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce that we will be offering scholarships for graduating high school seniors and adults who plan to further their education by attending community college, a 4 year college or university, trade school, graduate school or seminary. Applicants must have some connection with First Pres.

Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2020 and are available online or at the reception desk. Questions may be directed to Melinda Gerow (805) 708-8699. The Scholarship Committee of FPCSB is pleased to be able to provide these opportunities through the grace and generosity of First Presbyterian members!

To download the application please click here .

PER CAPITA

The 2020 Per Capita (“Per Cap”) is $68.80 per person ($137.60 per couple). What is Per Capita you ask? Each church within PC(USA) share the national, regional and local administrative costs by paying a “Per Capita apportionment” amount. Paying our utility bills keeps us connected to the utility systems so that we can benefit from the services provided. Similarly, paying our Per Capita keeps the Presbyterian system functioning, and keeps us connected! Here’s more information on per capita from the PC(USA) website .

Most donations to First Presbyterian Church are spent for operating the church and the missions we choose to support. The Per Capita Apportionment is only a small portion of the overall church budget, but $68.80 for each member adds up! Please consider writing that extra check along with your regular offering to cover your per capita amount. Thank you!

LENORE YOUNG'S FINAL ESTATE DISTRIBUTION RECEIVED

Lenore H. Young passed away on July 26, 2017. Recently, First Presbyterian Church received an additional $10,228 from her estate, which represents the final distribution. Previously, we received $354,000 from her estate, according to her trustee and longtime lawyer Stephen Frank, bringing the total gift to $364,228, a truly remarkable and generous legacy gift. Click here to read more about her legacy.

CRAFT GROUP

Mondays | 9:30 am - 12:30 pm | Garden Room

Transform your passion for knitting, sewing, crocheting, and craft projects into acts of service and a channel of blessing for our church and community.

Did you know our craft group has been getting together for 20 years? We're a small but mighty group of men and women that gather together weekly from January thru November to work on philanthropic projects. We're currently working on hand-tied quilts (which will most likely be donated to the Rescue Mission) and pillows for breast cancer survivors that will be given to Cottage Hospital. Our work has enabled us to raise money for the church for projects like repairing the church organ, fountain, drapes, and the advent wreath.

No craft skills are necessary for participation — we can teach you. And you don't need to bring any tools or materials — those will be provided. We'll enjoy coffee or tea, and a treat and share lots of laughs together. If you find joy in making things with your hands and doing good for our church and community, we'd love for you to join us!

COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Fridays | 10:30 am-1:00 pm | Their Facility

For more than 25 years our church has been serving lunch to anyone in need at a facility on 816 Cacique St. (just off Milpas). The ministry is called Community Kitchen, and the shelter where this takes place is called PATH. PATH is a nonprofit organization serving the homeless population. If you’d like to participate in this ministry please contact Don Bennett , and he will fit you in.

ALAMEDA PARK MINISTRY

Thursday, March 12

We partner with Oceanhills Church to serve our neighbors without homes on the 2nd Thursday of each mon th. First Pres prepares the food and Oceanhills transports and serves the food. Contact Chuck Curtis for more information on volunteer opportunities.

TRANSITION HOUSE

Monday, April 6 | 5:30 pm | Transition House

Transition House serves homeless families, offering counseling and tools to alleviate poverty and restore self-sufficiency. Responding to the growing need to help homeless families, First Presbyterian and two other churches founded Transition House in 1984, and we’ve served there continuously ever since. Currently four First Pres teams rotate to serve dinner on the first Monday of each month to the guests at Transition House. More volunteers are needed. Would you like to help? Please contact Lay Pastor Chuck Curtis .

WARMING SHELTER

We will be on call to be a Warming Shelter throughout the winter season should the weather forecast be 50%+ rain or temperatures below 39 degrees. Contact Chuck Curtis for more information on volunteer opportunities.

FRIDAY SENIORS

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

CHARIOT OF FRIENDS

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

ADVENTURERS

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

CLUB 456

Club 456 is youth group for students currently in grades 4, 5, and 6. Our evenings include sharing a meal, a Bible lesson, lots of games, and occasional special events off-campus. RSVPs are helpful, but drop-ins and extra friends are always welcome! Check out the Club 456 brochure here, and contact Susan Croshaw to get on the email list for the 2019-2020 school year.

JR HIGH & SR HIGH YOUTH GROUP

Sundays | 10:30 am - 11:30 am | Youth Lodge

We hope that you will find our time together to be a welcoming place that feeds your soul and encourages you to pursue a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. We look forward to our time together. Contact Amanda Hur for more information.

SUNDAY ADULT EDUCATION - SUNDAY MEDITATIONS IN LENT

THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

MEN'S BIBLE STUDY

Tuesdays | 7:30-8:30 am | Garden Room

Men, if you haven't been making this a part of your week we hope you'll consider joining— we'd love to see you! Our morning Men's Bible Study been going strong for over 35 years. Join us for fellowship as we discuss the Bible passage for the upcoming Sunday.

FAITH & LITERATURE WOMEN'S BOOK CLUB

Thursday, April 9 | 9:30 am - 11:00 am | Anderson Lounge

Join us on the 2nd Thursday of each month to discuss short stories, pages 189-206. Contact Loyda Marquez at (805) 687-4995 for more information.

CHARISTANS WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

Monday, March 16 | 2:00 pm | Rotating Homes

Join us on the 3rd Monday of each month as we explore the lessons using the Horizon study book. Note that this is the same study book and content as the Adult Bible study lead by Judith Muller on the 2nd Wednesday of the month.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY

Wednesday, April 8 |10:00 am | Anderson Lounge

Join us on the 2nd Wednesday of each month as we explore lessons using the Horizon study book lead by Judith Muller. Note that this is the same study book and content as the Charistans Women's Bible study that meets on the 3rd Monday of the month in rotating homes.

OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONALS

The winter issue of the Daily Bread devotional is now available in the narthex and the Fireside Room. You may request a monthly Daily Bread issue to be mailed to your home. If you have any questions regarding the devotional, please contact Don Montgomery at (805) 324-4122 or via e-mail.

CHANCEL CHOIR

Thursdays | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Choir Room

Chancel Choir is open to all ages and ability levels, so if you can read and generally hold a tune, you are the perfect fit. Reading music is helpful, but not entirely necessary for participation. The Chancel Choir rehearses every Thursday evening from 7-8:30 pm, excluding seasonal holidays. Contact Erin for more information.