This Sunday, January 22

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: “Alive, After All,” by Rev. Rob Carlson

Scripture Readings: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 and Mark 1:14-20

Thank you to those participating in today’s worship:

• David & Beth Layhe, greeters
• John & Barb Geske, ushers
• Ellen Corder, audio tech
• Ross Heath, refreshment
• David & Shirley Rumminger, coffee cleanup
• Steve Mayhew, valet parking attendant

11:20 am Christian Education

There is a class for every age! As you leave the sanctuary, the hallway to your left will take you to our Education Wing.

Adult Classes

Meeting in Kehde Chapel: Sunday we continue our “This I Believe” series. We will begin writing our own essays with Ron Dorr.

Meeting in the Board Room: “What Presbyterians Believe,” with Rev. Rob Carlson. This class is for anyone who may want to refresh their understanding of the Christian Faith or those considering church membership.

Senior High students meet in Room 109.

Middle School students meet in Room 107.

Grades 3–5 meet in the Art Room.

Grades K–2 meet in The Valley for Godly Play

Preschoolers, ages 3 years and up meet in the pre-school room next to Kehde Chapel.

Nursery Care is available from 9:30 am–12:15 pm.

12:15 pm Life Stories Class meets in Room 108.

12:30 pm Women’s Connection’s Service Project in the Board Room.

5:00 pm Confirmation Class

6:00 pm Youth Group

Rembrandt Exhibit: “The Face of Jesus”

The Christian Education committee is planning a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts on Friday, Feb 3.  Meet at the church at 9:30 am to carpool; admission is $24 for adults. See Alice Townley for more information.

Women’s Connection on Sunday, January 22

There is no regular meeting scheduled this month, but those who would like to help are invited to a “work and conversation session” Sunday at 12:30 (after education hour) in the Board Room. We will assemble the hygiene kits, for which we have been collecting materials. Participants were asked to bring a bag lunch, but if you didn't know about it and are deciding "on the spot" to join us, there will be enough food and beverage for everyone! The more the merrier!

Cleaning Out Some Closets

The New Year leads to cleaning out, so a few of us are tackling the closets in the Youth Study Room (107) and Youth Fellowship Room (109), and in the Coat Room off Fellowship Hall. If you have stuff stored there that you want to keep, please label it “Keep,” date it “January 2012” and put your name or the committees name on it.  Otherwise things in the closets and coat room will be thrown out or given away.  If you want, you can also let Dorinda VanKempen or Biz Nieusma know your stuff is there. Please label by February 7; after that we will be cleaning out!

Cabin Fever

Cabin Fever is next week which means it’s time to start signing up for classes! Class times and descriptions are now available on the Fellowship Hall kiosk. There are two important reasons to use the sign-up sheets: 1) so teachers can have enough materials, 2) so Parish Life can have enough food available!

Coming Soon: New Church Directory!

On February 8–11, Lifetouch Church Directories will set up in our church to take pictures of you and/or your family for the new and improved pictorial church directory. You can sign up for your portrait session online today.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation

Session has called our congregation’s Annual Meeting for Sunday, February 5, in the sanctuary, following worship at approximately 11:15 am. All adult members of the congregation have a vote at the meeting and are encouraged to participate in the morning’s conversation. At the annual meeting, we will elect a Nominating Committee, we will vote on the Terms of Call for our Pastor, and we will review year-end reports from the Deacons and the Committees of the Session. Written reports will be available on Sunday, January 29.

Tutors Needed for Global Institute of Lansing

Now that our refugee high school equivalency program has merged with the Global Institute of Lansing, we are in need of tutors.  Tutors are needed during the day class which meets Monday–Friday from 10 am–2 pm at First Presbyterian Church and during the night classes which meet on Wednesday & Thursday nights from 6–9 pm at the Downtown Library and LCC.  Tutors will work under the guidance of the teacher and help students with the various courses they are working on and can also help with daily record keeping, like taking attendance. If you are interested in tutoring, or would like more information, please contact Paula Frantz. Starting at the end of January, the need for tutors/volunteers will be even greater during the day classes as one of the two teachers at GIL will be unable to be there on a daily basis. So if you have an hour or two a week that you could dedicate to helping our refugees studying for their high school diplomas, everyone at GIL would be very grateful.

This Sunday, January 15

10:00 am Worship

Sermon: “The Wings of the Morning,” by Rev. Rob Carlson

Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:1-12 and John 1:43-51

Thank you to those participating in today’s worship

• Gail Lira, guest pianist
• Sue Cobbett, greeters
• Nancy Beckwith, Steve Zaban, Barb & Dennis Hansen, ushers
• Izzy Taylor, audio tech
• Ben Wright, valet parking attendant

11:00 am January Birthday Celebration

 After the worship service, we will honor those born in January with cake, punch and coffee in the Fellowship Hall. If you were a January baby, look for your name on the cake. Everyone is welcome.

11:20 am Christian Education

 There is a class for every age! As you leave the sanctuary, the hallway to your left will take you to our Education Wing.

Adult Classes

Meeting in Kehde Chapel: Dr. Amy DeRogatis, MSU Professor of Religion will share her own published essay from “This I Believe” about having a child with a disability. Amy will also talk about how the church can be supportive to families with children who have special needs. Come join the discussion.

Meeting in the Board Room: “What Christians Believe,” and next Sunday, “What Presbyterians Believe,” with Rev. Rob Carlson. These classes are for anyone who may want to refresh their understanding of the Christian Faith or those considering church membership.

Senior High students meet in Room 109.

Middle School students meet in Room 107.

Grades 3–5 meet in the Art Room

Grades K–2 meet in The Valley for Godly Play

Preschoolers, ages 3 years and up meet in the pre-school room next to Kehde Chapel.

Nursery Care is available from 9:30 am–12:15 pm.

5:00 pm Confirmation Class

6:00 pm Youth Group

Mitten Tree

Thanks to all those who brought in hats, mittens, and gloves for our tree in the education wing. We were able to collect over 35 pairs of mittens and hats to donate this winter.

2012 Mission Yearbooks

Each year, The Presbyterian Church (USA) publishes a prayer book for the 365 days of a year. Each day, a part of the world wide church is lifted up for attention and prayer. It is a resource that informs people about the breadth and depth of our outreach across the United States and around the world. This year, on Friday, April 27, the work of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan is being highlighted and our church’s ministry is being featured on the page for that day.  This is a great honor for our congregation and recognition of our innovation and commitment to outreach in our community and around the world. The Mission Yearbooks are available for purchase in the church library at a cost of $10.

Women’s Dinner Out

After a break for the holidays, we’re back to our once-a-month supper out! On Monday, January 23, at 5:30 pm we will meet at Red Cedar Café, at the NW corner of Hagadorn and Grand River (1331 E Grand River, East Lansing). All women are invited!

Women’s Connection for all PCO women and friends:  There is no regular meeting scheduled this month, but those who would like to help are invited to a “work and conversation session” on our usual fourth Sunday, January 22. We will assemble the hygiene kits, for which we have been collecting materials. Meet in the Board Room at 12:30, and for a fun change, please bring a bag lunch. If desired, include a little something extra to share with the group. Beverages will be provided. Questions: Linda Sirmeyer or Shirley Rumminger.

Global Institute of Lansing’s First Graduation Ceremony

You are invited to help us in honor the first round of graduates from GIL! On January 20, 2012, the Global Institute of Lansing will be holding their first graduation ceremony from 11 am to 2 pm at the First Presbyterian Church (211 N. Chestnut, Lansing). There will be 12 students graduating on this day. Everyone is invited to attend and help honor these students who have worked so hard to earn their high school diploma. For more information, please contact Paula Frantz. We hope to see you there!

This Sunday, January 8

10:00 am Worship and Communion

Sermon: “Until the Moon is No More,” by Rev. Rob Carlson

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:4–11

Thank you to those participating in today’s worship:

• Pete & Sue Long, greeters
• Trudy & Gary Sturk and Michele & Jeff Arbour, ushers
• Chad Major, audio tech
• Michael Townley, valet parking attendant
• Kent Workman, refreshments

11:00 am Christian Education in January

There is a class for every age! As you leave the sanctuary, the hallway to your left will take you to our Education Wing.

• Adult Classes Meeting in Kehde Chapel

We begin a 3-week series based on the NPR Series “This I Believe.” We will discuss selected essays, have one of the authors join us, and begin to write our own essays.

January 8th: Essay discussion led by Kent Workman. (Copies of selected essays will be available in the literature racks.)

January 15: Dr. Amy DeRogatis, MSU Professor of Religion will share her own published essay from “This I Believe” about having a child with a disability. Amy will talk about what has and has not been helpful from well-meaning Christmas. Come join the discussion.

“What Christians Believe,” meeting in the Board Room on January 15 with Rev. Rob Carlson. These classes are for anyone who may want to refresh their understanding of the Christian Faith or those considering church membership.

• Senior High students meet in Room 109.
• Middle School students meet in Room 107.
• Grades 3 – 5 meet in the Art Room
• Grades K – 2 meet in The Valley for Godly Play
• Preschoolers, ages 3 years and up meet in the pre-school room next to Kehde Chapel.

Nursery Care is available from 9:30 am–12:15 pm

6:00 pm Youth Group

Annual Reports Reminder

Annual reports are due into the office on Wednesday, January 18. If you need a copy of last year’s committee report, please contact Laurie.