Weekly NewsThe last of three 30-minute Taizé services begins at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, March 31 in the Chapel. Taizé is personal meditation through candlelight, scripture, music, cyclical singing and prayer. A simple soup supper will be served at 6:00 p.m. in the Committee Room.
Would you like to learn some painting tips and techniques? Painting classes will resume at Westminster Hall on Saturday, April 1 from 1 – 3:00 p.m. Jim Dunnaway will instruct and art supplies will be provided. Ages 18 and older. On Palm Sunday, April 2 at 9:15 am, we will meet at Westminster Hall for our Palm Sunday processional (weather permitting) with fellow community churches to the courthouse for a short ecumenical worship service. At 10:30am, during our regular worship service, the people of Wednesday Night Live! will be leading us in our worship service. Holy Week will continue this week with Maundy Thursday (April 6) to be observed at First United Methodist Church and Good Friday at First United Methodist Church. Easter begins with our Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. on April 9 at George Owens Park, 1601 S. Speck Road, followed by worship in the Sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. Adult, youth and children's Sunday school is at 9:15 p.m. Purchase a lily and honor the memory of your loved one(s). Your lilies will be placed in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 9. Cost is $11.00. Please make checks payable to “Jan Spencer” and you may also include the names of those “in honor of” or “in memory of” on the memo line on the check. For more information, please text or call Jan Spencer at 816-260-7631. Join in exploring that which God desires for us and how he puts his call upon our hearts that we might attain the fullness of being. The following are the remaining topics of this five-part sermon series titled “Called.” April 9 – Called to be an Easter People. The Children and Youth Easter play will be on Palm Sunday, April 2. Have you considered GenOn’s Youth Summit for your Youth & Young Adults this year? Registration deadline is from March 31st to April 21st but please reserve your spot now by turning in your registration to Melissa. For more details and registration, please see the informational details on the credenza. If you or a family member is graduating this year from high school, college, or trade school, we'd like to share the news of your accomplishment. If you're continuing in your studies, we'd like to send you a gift card. Please contact Melissa at fpcindep.dce@gmail.com or the church office with your name, address, and graduation. If you plan to retire soon, please contact the church office with details. Scholarship forms are available in the Parlour on the credenza and due by May 15. Committee Chairs and ChristCare Small Groups, Sunday school and other group leaders! Please gather your information needed for the events, dates, and times to be submitted for the 2023-2024 18-month church calendar. The Annual Joint Session/Deacon meeting & calendar planning is on Tuesday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Westminster Hall. Please submit your events and meetings by Monday, May 1, either by email, a phone call, or dropping it by the office. Thank you so much for your help. Debbie Sullivan has announced plans to retire as our Office Secretary on May 26 after 11 years of faithful service. Please contact Pastor Dave if you know of any qualified, outside candidates who might be interested. The job description is available at www.fpcindep.org. Resumes and Cover Letters may be sent to www.fpcindep.pastor@gmail.com. There will be a Fellowship & Refreshments reception following worship on May 21 to celebrate Debbie's retirement and thank her for being such an important part of our ministry team. The Divine Design craft group has resumed meeting on Thursdays from 2-4:00 p.m. in the Craft Room upstairs. All crafters are welcome regardless of the craft and as always a good time for fellowship. If you have questions, please contact Barb Graham at 816-803-5558 or at grahambarb1950@gmail.com Your 2023 Pledge envelopes are now available in the Parlour and ready for pickup. Sunday School Classes Start with Renewed Energy, Vision - Sunday School classes are now meeting with new curriculum and activities each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. There’s a class for everyone – Elementary in the downstairs classrooms, Jr/Sr Highs in their upstairs lounge outside the DCE office, and three Adult Classes (Saints Alive/VIPs in the Parlour, Guidance in the upstairs Dining Room, and Lost & Found in a downstairs classroom). We are still looking for part-time teachers for the elementary class on a rotation basis using the easy-to-follow curriculum provided. If you are interested in teaching or would like more information on a class, please contact Melissa Roe-Wilson at fpcindep.dce@gmail.com or (816) 726-5529. Ink Cartridge Recycling Program - due to the space in the Parlour for the large recycling/collection box and most cartridges and toners are not accepted in this program, Debbie will discontinue the recycling program. There are several ways to recycle ink and toners.
If your address, phone number and/or email address has changed or there has been any other life event such as marriage, new baby, etc. please contact the church office. The following schedule is for the Coffee Fellowship after worship. Please See Robbie Gorman for more details. 1st Sunday – (former members) VIP Sunday school class 2nd Sunday – Guidance class 3rd Sunday – Fellowship Committee 4th Sunday – Saints Alive class 5th Sunday – Ladies Circle groups When exiting the church building, please push all doors to ensure they are completely shut and secure and make sure the alarm is set as needed. Session voted Jan. 18 to share the following information from the CDC website* Close contact with someone who has COVID-19? – Where a mask if around others and get tested after 5 days or when symptoms begin, and:
* For full guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html Please submit all information including the Greeters, Ushers, and detailed requests for the Sunday bulletin by the Wednesday before you would like it added. Bulletins are finalized on Thursday mornings. Those wanting to get Facebook updates from Bonnie and Will Ratcliff as they battle Will's brain cancer recurrence can join the Will's Warriors group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/386853145972477. First Church now offers online giving for those faithfully making their pledge offerings and other contributions. You may use your computer or Smartphone to visit the FPC Giving Page (or look for the ❤GiveNow button on our website) and begin the process of simplifying (and if you want, automating) your financial contribution to the ministry of First Church. This service is thanks to The Presbyterian Foundation’s Online Giving Program, with no monthly or annual fees. The Presbyterian Foundation uses the Vanco Payment Solutions platform, an industry leader in providing churches secure and simple giving solutions in compliance with Payment Card Industry data security standards for handling, storing and transmitting credit card information. Contact Robby Klim of Finance Committee, David Melton of Stewardship or Pastor Dave with any questions. PER CAPITA $43.94 Total per capita for 2023 $31.19 —Presbytery $2.90 —Synod of Mid-America $9.85 —General Assembly |
Online Options
All in-person gatherings may resume at at the discretion of the group leader, with masks optional for those vaccinated against COVID-19 and everyone respecting each other's social-distancing, handshaking and hugging preferences. Calendar listings are place-holders only. Please contact meeting/gathering organizers to ask about a specific group's status.
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