First Presbyterian Rockwall's Monthly Newsletter

LONG RANGE PLANNING

The LRP Group will meet on the following Sundays: 2/16, 3/2, 3/16 and 3/30. Anyone is welcome to attend, to join, or just visit and see what's going on. We meet in the conference room. We are in a study phase at this time. The group agreed at its last meeting to meet following worship every other Sunday until the end of March, at which time we'll decide whether to continue at the same time or to set a different day/time.

RECEPTION: Immediately following worship February 9th, a reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall to honor Kathy Collier. This will be Kathy's last Sunday with us as interim D.C.E. and the congregation wishes to express to Kathy appreciation for sharing her expertise in the field of Christian Education.

Christian Education focus may take Acts 2:42 as a key Bible verse:
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."
Remember, the context of this passage is the Day of Pentecost. Followers of Jesus received an empowering gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost signaled the presence of God to people in all situations, throughout the world. That Spirit is God's presence. They were empowered to proclaim the good news of Jesus. People of the town thought they were drunk. Peter alleged that it was too early in the morning to be drunk and launched into a sermon, resulting in 3,000 believers being baptized. They, the ones baptized, "...devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching..."

Teaching stands out in the ministry of the early church.
Teachers were at the beginning of the church's formation.
Teachers were also at the beginning formation of many faith journeys.

The Christian Education Committee encourages you to discover your skills and abilities, in order that you may explore how they can enhance the ministry of the education program. Contact Jill Culmo.

SESSION: The regular stated meeting of the Session will be Tuesday, February 18th at 7:30 PM in the conference room.

PROMPTS FOR SESSION MEETING:
1. Each moderator is to submit dates for committee meetings to the church office for inclusion in the monthly newsletter and record meeting dates on the calendar in the fellowship hall.
2. At the retreat a decision was made, that beginning no later than the month
of March, all committees would hold their monthly meeting no later than two weeks prior to the scheduled session meeting. The purpose of this is to allow time for committee information to be distributed, thereby constructing a starting point for problem solving and/or visioning. The aim is to make monthly meetings more than a reporting function.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE will meet Feb. 6th at 6:00 PM.

Immediately following morning worship February 16th, there will be a birthday celebration in fellowship hall for all our February"babies". They are:

Victoria Demura
David Gordon
Kathryn Helsley
Jenna Herring
Melanie Logue
Glenn Martin
Marinell Martin
Curtis Roughton
Brenden Tomlinson
James Tunnell

If you know of a February Baby who's not listed here, please contact the church office.

LADIES NIGHT OUT: met Monday Feb. 3rd for dinner at Mimo's in Heath.

MORNING CIRCLE: will meet Thursday, February 13th at the church, 10:30 AM. hosted by Lorraine Glover

EVENING CIRCLE: will meet Thursday, February 20th 7:30 PM at the home of
Janet Reeves.

BAKE SALE: The Presbyterian Women's monthly bake sale is held the 2nd Sunday of each month. The next bake sale will be February 9th. We will also
need baked goods for the Garden & Craft Show on February 22nd.

SHOWER THE GRANDPARENTS: there will be a "grandparents" shower for
Bob & Janet Reeves on Sunday, February 9th, 3:00 PM.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S DIRECTORY is now available. They are in a box on the counter in the fellowship hall. If you don't find one with your name on it, there are several unlabeled copies as well.
Please note: if you find any errors or if anything was omitted, contact Julie Hendon with the information. Many thanks to Julie who did a great job on the directory.

FLOWERS: The flower chart in fellowship hall has a few empty spaces-dates available through the end of June are: Feb. 23, May 25 and June 1, 8, & 29. (No flowers are used during Lent.) Flowers may be placed in the sanctuary in memory of or in honor of a loved one.
Cost is $25, payable to PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN, and sent to Kim Dobbs or left in the church office.

THE 3RD ANNUAL CRAFT AND GARDEN SHOW
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2003
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
ROCKWALL HIGH SCHOOL

The Presbyterian Women are calling for volunteers. The 3rd annual Craft and Garden Show is just around the corner. There is a sign up sheet in the fellowship hall for volunteers the day of the event.
Thanks in advance for your help.
The Presbyterian Women

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
FRIDAY MARCH 7, 2003

World Day of Prayer is an annual event that unites Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian men and women from all over the world in prayer.

Since its founding in 1941, Church Women United has been the official sponsor of World Day of Prayer in the United States. The offerings received make possible, in part, the mission of church Women United, and support its national and international commitment to eliminate the poverty of women and children, and build a world of peace and justice.

Plan now to attend the World Day of Prayer on March 7, 2003. This year the event will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Heath. A light lunch will be served following the service.

SOUPER BOWL

The Senior High youth collected a total of $126 on January 19 & 26 for the Souper Bowl of Caring. A check for this amount has been sent to the Helping Hands food bank. Thank you so much for giving to thosewho need our help. Please check the website www.souperbowl.org for more information on this inspiring mission which originated with a compassionate Presbyterian youth group in South Carolina in 1990.

MEMBERSHIP: February 8th at 6:00 PM, a spaghetti dinner and chocolate dessert will be served. Following dinner there will be board games and card games for all ages. You are invited to bring your favorite spaghetti sauce and your favorite games. A nursery will be provided upon reservation.

This will be the first of 4 game nights that the Membership Committee plans for 2003. We are looking forward to some fun evenings.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Church Wide Information Dinner, Sunday, Feb. 23rd at 6:00 PM, for sharing information to help understand the positions of Co-pastor and Associate Pastor, and the process involved in issuing a "call."

WORSHIP COMMITTEE: will meet Feb. 6th at 6:00 PM.

The Rev. Bill Edwards will conduct worship Feb. 16th. Bob Reeves will be leading a retreat for the First Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, TX.

USHERS FOR FEBRUARY: Roy & Julie Rowan
WORSHIP LEADER FOR FEBRUARY: Cheryl Tunnell
GREETERS FOR FEBRUARY: David & Mary Crutchfield

THANK YOU
First Presbyterian Church:
The pounding you gave Jason and I was absolutely wonderful. We are so grateful for all the love and kindness you have shown. This church family is so very important to me, and I will always hold you dear to my heart. Thank you for everything. God bless you all.
In Christ,
Jamie

OUR PRAYERS FOR
Kathy Miller's mother, Dorothy Pullen.