A Reminder From Our Generosity Committee

We had 121 individuals and families pledge this year, and we are so very grateful for their generosity. We, Susan and Jessica, on behalf of the entire Session and the pastors, want to offer you all a heartfelt thank you for your support this year. Your pledged money supports every aspect of our church—the electric and water bills, the music we sing together, our children, youth, and college programs such as Sunday School and Bible studies, our mission and outreach, and all of our staff and pastors’ salaries. It also goes toward something you may have noticed on your pledge cards— “per capita.” Per capita is the $27 we must pay for every single member of FPC to support PCUSA every year. For example, First Presbyterian Church must pay $135 for a family of five every year.

With that being said, we ended up 11% short of our goal for 2023. Because of this shortfall and because of rising costs, all committees will have to cut their budgets. The Christian Education Committee will cut their scholarship funds. The Mission Committee will cut their International Missions and their support of Living River. UKirk will cut back on their retreats and conferences. We will not be able to offer raises to our pastors or staff this year with the pledges as they now stand. These will be extremely painful cuts to make.

However, if you are able, it is not too late to increase your pledge or to start pledging. If you are able to increase your pledge or to make your pledge, please email Kathy Rushing at info@fpcauburn.org or call her at the church office at 887-5571 by Tuesday, February 28. We will close out our budget at the end of the month.

Our 2023 campaign was inspired by Isaiah 9:2: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 

Thank you for shining your light into our church family.

Sincerely, 

Elder Jessica Barnes and Elder Susan Stanley

LENT AND HOLY WEEK CALENDAR

The season of Lent has begun. Below you will find a full calendar of all our Education, Service, Worship, and Fellowship offerings during this time. A downloadable PDF version of this calendar can be found here

This year's devotional can be downloaded digitally or we will print a set for you to take home and cut into a deck of cards. The cards, one for each day in Lent, offer activities encouraging us to pray, fast, and give as a means of walking through the wilderness with Jesus as we prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter resurrection. 

If you have not yet signed up to receive a copy of our Lenten Devotional, you may do so at this link. Printed copies will be available to pick up at church on Sunday.

Our Lenten Sunday School series for adults begins this Sunday, February 26 at 9:45am in the Chapel*. This study looks at stories of Jesus sharing meals with disciples, friends, even tax collectors and Pharisees, imparting wisdom as he shares the wine and grants forgiveness as he distributes the fish. This study provides biblical insights along with thought-provoking queries regarding our own time, such as whom should we invite to Sunday dinner and who is left out and left behind in our culture today.

*Please note that the 9am worship service taking place in the chapel typically lasts until 9:35/9:40am. Please approach the chapel quietly if you arrive early for Sunday School!*

Last Sunday, we had the joy of being led in worship by members of UKirk Presbyterian Campus Ministry. The students, including two preachers, did a great job proclaiming the Word and leading us prayer. Thank you to the students for their hard work and engaging leadership and thank you to the congregation for supporting UKirk Presbyterian Campus Ministry in Auburn! 

This Week at FPC

Sunday, February 26, 2023

9:00 AM - Worship Service with Weekly Communion (Chapel)

9:30 AM - Coffee & Fellowship (Baird)

9:45 AM - Sunday School for all ages

11:00 AM - Worship Service (Sanctuary)

Bulletin for February 26 worship

Sunday Parking Map

Children and Youth News

Children Pre-K through 5th grade

• In preparation for Children’s Sunday on April 23, the Children’s choir will begin rehearsals this Sunday. The children will meet in Baird Hall at 4pm for recreation and then head down to Conway Hall for rehearsal from 4:15 – 5:00. Then we will go back to Baird Hall for dinner from 5 – 5:30. 
• Children’s Sunday school will meet Sunday, 10–10:45 in their classrooms on the 1st floor.
• Godly Play: After the Word to Grow By (at 11 a.m. worship), children ages 4 to 2nd grade will go to the Godly Play room to worship together for the remainder of the worship service.
• Worship bags are also available for all children during worship.

Jr. and Sr. High Youth

• Jr. and Sr. High Sunday school will meet in the Youth Lounge on the third floor this Sunday.
• No youth dinner and fellowship this Sunday or next - have a great Spring Break!
• First Wednesday Fellowship: Jr. & Sr. High Youth meet in the church parking lot at 7 p.m. on March 1!

Birthdays

Feb. 27 - David Carter, Charlie Reed, Anna Wohleb

Feb. 28 - Nicole Boswell

Mar. 4 - Allison Moore

Anniversaries

Mar. 1 - Evert and Debbie Duin

Mar. 2 - Doug and Donine Cooper

Mar. 3 - Frank and Dorothy Hinkle Uhlig

Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

• Please continue to pray for many members of our church who are dealing with illness, significant health issues, grief, and difficult circumstances but at this time do not wish to be mentioned by name. Prayers of healing, wholeness, and comfort for many in our congregation.
• Continued prayers of healing and rest for Susan Stanley as she recovers at home after successful knee surgery. We also continue to lift up prayers of healing for Susan’s sister Ginger Hester. Ginger has been receiving treatments for health issues. Prayers for healing for Ginger and prayers of thanksgiving for all those who are caring for her. Prayers for Susan as she cares for her sister.
• Prayers for Dave Lindahl as he prepares for shoulder surgery this Friday (2/24). 
• Prayers for Brooke Myers as she cares for her father, Charlie Myers. Charlie is recovering from a fall and has moved to Morningside.
• Prayers of healing for Todd White’s sister in law Patty who was recently paralyzed after a routine surgery. Prayers for stamina and endurance as she is determined to walk again.
• Continued prayers of healing for Denise Salo’s brother Mathew Garrick as he recovers at home after a long stay at the hospital.
• Prayers of comfort for Liz Lindahl as she receives hospice care. We pray for strength and peace for her family as they surround Liz with love and care. 
• Prayers of healing for Debbie Duin’s friend Ann Suttles who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
• Prayers of healing for Carolyn William’s sister Beverly Huey as she navigates health issues. Prayers for Carolyn as she cares for her sister.
• Prayers of healing for Jessica Barnes’ father, Kit Bays, as he navigates health issues. Prayers for Jessica and all the Barnes family as they care for him.
• Prayers of healing for Kay Recknor’s friends the Rev. Mitzi Lesher-Thomas and her husband the Rev. Troy Thomas. Mitzi has glioblastoma brain cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy.
• Prayers for Amy Kilner and her family (daughter in law of Dorothy Moran). Amy is in need of a kidney transplant and is currently looking for a donor.
• Prayers of healing for Jason Banks (Margaret Brinkley’s neighbor). Jason is now back at work. However is recovering from successful shoulder surgery.