<![CDATA[First Presbyterian Church of Warren

<![CDATA[First Presbyterian Church of Warren - Blog]]>Sun, 27 May 2012 04:40:37 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[A Yummy Dinner!]]>Sat, 26 May 2012 09:13:54 -0500http://www.firstofwarren.com/1/post/2012/05/a-yummy-dinner.html

The Presbyterian Women's Soup and Salad Dinner was a great success and raised almost $1000 for their group. They are giving a portion of the money to the Facility Enhancement Project and will save the remaining funds for mission opportunities throughout the year.

]]><![CDATA[A Mother's Day Poem]]>Wed, 02 May 2012 08:58:47 -0500http://www.firstofwarren.com/1/post/2012/05/a-mothers-day-poem.htmlWaunita Flint's sister in law loves to write poetry. Here is her latest written in honor of Mother's Day.
A Mother Is.....
A mother is.....
Someone who gave you, along with God,
The life you have today;
The one who gave you tender care
When as a babe you lay.

A mother is.....
The one who loves and prays for you
Each day that you may live;
The one who gives you of herself...
The best that she can give!

A mother is.....
Someone we take for granted
Until this day appears;
Please know the wishes do extend
Each day throughout the year!
For the mothers who are no longer with us.....

A song of remembrance for those in the past,
Whose faces are fading from mem'ry at last.
Their presence grows dim, it's hard to recall
The time they were here, this side of the pall.
Tis God's plan of mercy, to lighten the pain;
We're left with the love til we meet again!

Thank you, God for our mothers. Thank you
for the fat ones...they have such comforting
laps! Thank you for the skinny ones...they
have hearts as big as all outdoors! Thank you
for the short ones...their shoulders are wide
enough to carry all our troubles! Thank you
for the tall ones...we have someone to look
up to! Whatever their size, help us, God, to
remember only their special mothering traits,
and forgetting all else, thank you for them!
Amen
Jean Flint
2012

]]><![CDATA[Elizabeth's 102nd Birthday!]]>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:29:51 -0500http://www.firstofwarren.com/1/post/2012/04/elizabeths-102nd-birthday.html

Can you believe it?! Elizabeth R. celebrated her 102nd birthday last week. Though she fiercely misses her home at the Village of Warren Glenn, she is doing well at the Village in New Baltimore.

Five women traveled there to host the birthday party for Elizabeth with cake, presents and all! Elizabeth had a wonderful time and enjoyed having great friends with her. She is funny and stubborn, and still fiery even at her ripe age!

Everyone at First Presbyterian Warren wishes Elizabeth a happy birthday and wonderful year! (Or, as the balloon says, "Another year of Fabulous!")

]]><![CDATA[A Peek at Holy Week and Easter]]>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:08:25 -0500http://www.firstofwarren.com/1/post/2012/04/a-peek-at-holy-week-and-easter.htmlOn Palm Sunday, the congregation gathered for a time of fellowship, as well as Adult Ed and Easter activities for kids. While the kids made Easter chocolates and did crafts, adults gathered to study the Holy Week stories of Jesus' arrest, crucifixion and burial. To guide our discussion, we used Resurrection Eggs that each contain a small object representing one part of the story. At the end, each group put their object in order of the whole story. Below, see their final product.

The Deacons have also been working hard assembling Easter baskets for kids at Second Mile Center and the Salvation Army. We know the kids will appreciate these goodies!

Don't forget about Maundy Thursday service at 7pm on April 5. And drop in to the sanctuary on Good Friday, April 6, between 12 and 3pm for a time of silent prayer and meditation. Readings will be heard on the quarter hour. Come and go as you please.

]]><![CDATA[Facility Enhancement Celebration and Stained Glass Window Auction]]>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:56:11 -0500http://www.firstofwarren.com/1/post/2012/03/facility-enhancement-celebration-and-stained-glass-window-auction.html

After church on Sunday, March 18 we celebrated the Facility Enhancements that have already been completed and kicked off our fundraising efforts to complete the project.

The completed projects include new vinyl siding on the west side of the church, carpeting in the main hallway and narthex, replacement of old windows with new energy efficient windows in the rear of the sanctuary and 4 years-3rd grade classroom, and glass block windows in Fellowship Hall to replace the original stained glass.

Though we were sad to see the stained glass windows go, some panes were cracked and they were not providing good energy efficiency. All 20 panels were preserved, however, and the congregation had an opportunity to purchase a window to take home a bit of the church's legacy with them. The auction was successful, and two windows were raffled off, allowing almost everyone to have a chance at a window! Framing of the windows is being offered by several members so that folks can gladly display the panes in their homes!

We are grateful to everyone who gave toward the effort and helped run the event. With gifts so far from the stained glass windows and sale of used folding chairs, plus several generous gifts to the project, we have raised $5201 toward the necessary $38,000. We look forward to having more members of the congregation participate in the project and celebrate the finished product. Remaining projects include a projector and screen in the sanctuary, as well as renovations to the front and rear of the sanctuary.

Click "Read More" at right to see more pictures of the event!

The start of our thermometer to track gifts to the project We're now at $5201!

Glenn serving as emcee for the event.

The auctioneers keeping good track of bids.

All the windows were different and everyone chose their favorites.

]]><![CDATA[Presbyterian Women's March Recipe]]>Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:14:24 -0500http://www.firstofwarren.com/1/post/2012/03/presbyterian-womens-march-recipe.htmlFruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips
1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
1 medium navel orange, peeled and finely chopped (mandarin can be used as well, drain)
3 medium kiwifruit, peeled and finely chopped
1 8oz can unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tsp sugar

In a small bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Cinnamon Chips
10 flour tortillas (8 inch)
¼ cup butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Brush tortillas with butter; cut each into eight wedges. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over tortillas. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes or just until crisp. Serve with fruit salsa. Stacey’s has a bag of cinnamon chips if you prefer not to make your own.

]]><![CDATA[Annual Soup, Salad, and Dessert Dinner]]>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:14:37 -0500http://www.firstofwarren.com/1/post/2012/03/annual-soup-salad-and-dessert-dinner.html

You're invited to the annual
Soup, Salad, and Dessert Dinner

at First Presbyterian Church of Warren

Join us for this great meal, sponsored by the Presbyterian Women.
Friday, March 30, 2012 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm

Adults and Youth $8.00
Children 6-11 years $3.00
Children 3-5 years $1.00

For further information call the Church Office at 586-751-1721

]]><![CDATA[Money Matters, 6 Months Out]]>Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:02:55 -0500http://www.firstofwarren.com/1/post/2012/03/money-matters-6-months-out.html

Last year Pastor Emma held a class called “Money Matters: Financial Freedom for All God’s Children" by Michael Slaughter. I did not know at the time what it was all about, I just knew that it sounded like something I needed to attend at this stage in my life.

At the end of 2008 I realized just how much money I lost from my savings when the market went south, a lot of administrative jobs at the company I retired from were being sent to Manila, and a lot of folks lost jobs and it will be years before we recover from this financial nightmare. In 2007 my home was worth $175,000 and my savings looked very good. At the end of 2010 my home was worth about $70,000 and my savings looked grim. I was (am) not sure if what I have left will last me all through retirement. It was time to take a long hard look at my money and what I am doing with it.

This class brought me the realization that I spend too much and that I did not have a true picture of where my money was going on a monthly basis. Emma shared an Excel home budget template with the class and I found that very useful. The class was not only about our own personal Money Matters but covered the Money Matters of the Church as well and how our contributions help the church grow. The book made me aware of “things” I’d bought that I really did not need at all and using credit cards that I should not have used. We cannot take “things’ to heaven with us, just the knowledge that we hopefully lived our lives well. It was so easy to pledge what I thought that I could afford to my Church but realized that if I cut back on unnecessary spending that I could in fact pledge more to my church to be used for God’s work instead of “things” sitting in a closet that I had not eve used yet.

We talked about the snowball effect on finances, paying all the small bills first and then taking those dollars and adding them to the bigger balances until one day the financial picture looks a lot better. That is where I am now and it is scary taking a long hard look at where my money goes. I am not in a position to fully give 10% to God, at least not yet, but it just may be a new goal in my life to get there. The book and the class showed us how to do God’s math, which is based on spiritual principles found in Scripture. God’s math results in:

Debt-Free Living,                                 Focus & Planning

A Disciplined Lifestyle                          Easy Simplicity

Surrender & Trust                                 Creating versus Consuming

Stewardship versus Ownership           Generosity

I created my own financial problems and I hope that after sitting in the class and reading the book that someday I can look back and remember what I learned and learn from it. It will take time and there are times right now when I see a “thing” that I want and in some cases I walk away and say to myself “you don’t need that.” I did end up pledging a few more dollars to Church this year and that gave me a good feeling to make it a part of my “budget” for 2012. I ask God to help me get through this year and to help me make good financial decisions so that I can be prepared for those uncontrollable expenses that come up now and then.

Gloria Stanley

]]><![CDATA[Healing Service]]>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:23:09 -0500http://www.firstofwarren.com/1/post/2012/03/healing-service.html

Last night we hosted a Service of Healing and Wholeness. This service provides an intimate atmosphere to experience God's presence and blessings. While the focus of these services is often those who are ill or coping with difficult times, out whole world is in need of healing, too. We offered opportunities for anointing and prayers, and the chance the pray for healing in all kinds of situations.

Worship stations guided our prayers to healing among neighbors, including communities, religions, and enemies; healing of God's creation; healing of economic systems, and healing among nations. Thanks to all the folks who contributed items to make the stations a powerful guide into prayer. And much gratitude to our choir for leading us in song.

-Worship Committee members

]]><![CDATA[The Way of the Cross]]>Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:19:32 -0500http://www.firstofwarren.com/1/post/2012/03/the-way-of-the-cross.html

Jesus said, "take up your cross and follow me." This season, we are focusing on the cross and the importance of its symbol to our Christian journey. The way of the cross is about sacrifice and choosing to do for others instead of for ourselves.

Members of the congregation were invited to bring in crosses that are important to them for this display in front of our communion table. There are crosses that we wear on jewelry, crosses that depict the Last Supper, crosses that inspire us, crosses that remind us of the pain of the crucifixion. Seeing these crosses each week during Lent directs our focus to a life of discipleship marked by service and sacrifice.

We hope that by Palm Sunday, the table will be overflowing with crosses that represent our faith and our shared Lenten journey as a community.

Pastor Emma

]]>