Heartfelt Thanks

The Worship and Education Commission wishes to thank Dr. Gene Klatte for his wonderful and enlightening presentation of The History of the New Testament. The twelve week lecture series completed on February 23rd and was an "eye-opening" experience for all attendees. Thank you very much, Dr. Klatte, for so generously sharing your time and knowledge with us.

 ~Donna Roth, Chair, Worship and Education Commission

Get Your Fish on Sunday!

The fish boxes for the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering will be handed out at the February 28 worship service. Please contact the church office if you don’t get one then.  The boxes will be collected on Easter Sunday.  Be sure to feed yours with your loose change (and maybe some folding currency) between now and then!

Food Bank Update

The Department of Health no longer allows the local food banks to reuse egg cartons, so please don’t leave any more egg cartons for them in the Agua Fria Room. Thank you!

Footnotes from Your Library

Your librarian has been blessed with some extra help. Marge Richards has graciously offered to assist in the work of keeping up our library. Hallelujah!

Now, what I would like to see next is more people discovering all the treasures hidden within these walls. At present only 3 people have books checked out and Marge and I are 2 of the 3. If you haven't already noticed in the Spire, the library is open every other Wednesday from noon to 3pm (at the same time the bridge club meets in the fireside room). C'mon in and set a spell. Test drive a few books while you're here.

For those of you leading bible classes, I have replaced all of the old bible reference books with later editions found in the pastor's book shelves. He has allowed me to pick and choose anything from those shelves that I thought might be interesting and/or useful. There just might be something in these newer books to supplement whatever portion of the bible you are currently studying.

If you think only the fiction section holds exciting reading, you are in for a surprise. Under MISSIONS, there are several books written by missionaries risking their lives in far-away places that make absolutely riveting reading. There are many humorous stories found under HUMAN RELATIONS. In fact, almost every section of our library has hidden surprise stories. If you would like some help in ferreting out some of these gems, please drop in on a Sunday or Wednesday and we will be glad to help you find something that catches your fancy.

PEACE & JOY from Carol & Marge

Presbyterian Women in March

The Horizons Bible study Come to the Waters is still capturing our attention when our two Circles, Rachel and Lydia, meet each month. Because each chapter is a “stand-alone” study about one of the many Biblical references to water, we invite all ladies who do not belong to a Circle to come visit and consider joining a Circle. This month Rachel Circle meets Tuesday, March 8, in Annex 3 at 2:30 p.m. on; Lydia Circle meets on Wednesday, March 9, at 9:00 a.m. in Annex 2.

Gatherings: A bring-your-own sack lunch was enjoyed on February 24th. The annual Birthday Offering was received. There is no PW Gathering in March. However, we have an Invitation to a special event in our West Valley! Nancy Childress has made us aware of the Desert Streams Spring Tea on Saturday, March 5th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Location: Grace Lutheran Church, 15820 W. Clearview Blvd., Sun City Grand. Tickets are $20 and available at the door. Please notify Gail Bickel (623-815-7290) or Nancy (623-974-3882) if you plan to attend.

Meetings in April:

• Saturday, April 16: Faith Presbyterian Church, Sun City, is hosting the PW Presbytery Spring Gathering, on Saturday, April 16, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The topic: Mission Matters Because God’s People Matter.
• Saturday, April 23: First Presbyterian hosts the West Valley PWP, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The Rev. Bev Phillips will provide an overview of next year’s Horizons Bible study. Circle members will be asked to bring refreshments.
• Wednesday, April 27: This is our popular annual Salad Luncheon at 11:30 a.m., with Circles providing a potpourri of homemade salads. Program will be a video, Women of the Bible.

Kitchen Shower: Those who work often (and long!) in our kitchen have observed that most of the linens—tea towels and dish cloths—are becoming threadbare. Let’s try to remember to bring extras we may have at home, or buy new items to donate.

“Action” items needed, always: Just inside the main entrance to Swain Hall is a place to leave “Education labels” (found on cereal boxes and soup cans). Personal hygiene items for Eve’s Place (shelter for women of domestic violence) may be brought to gatherings.

PWP Recommended Reading: Each year new titles are suggested and some purchased for our collection. Take time to browse through the collection of books that are available to check out.

Blessings,
Marge Hagerman, Co-Moderator

Call to Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, February 21, 2016, at 10:00 am in Swain Hall. In addition to the usual business transacted at an Annual Meeting, the purpose of the meeting is:

• To elect one deacon to fill a class of 2017 vacancy.
• To approve amending the wording of the Mission Statement to read: 

The Mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Sun City, Arizona, is to celebrate, enjoy and share God’s gifts in an active community growing in the Christian faith through worship, education, evangelism, fellowship and member support in the name of Jesus Christ.

In addition to the usual business transactions, the purpose of the Corporation meeting is to elect three new members of the Foundation Fund committee, one each for the classes of 2016, 2017, and 2018.

By Order of the Session. 
Evelyn Haas, Clerk of Session