First Presbyterian Church

115 - 6th Ave. NW

P.O. Box 188

Independence, Iowa 50644

Phone: 319-334-3523

Fax: 319-334-4134

Email: fpcoffice@indytel.com

Website: fpcindependence.com

2 Sue Stilwell

3 Dawn Rouse

4 Jeremy Adams

Winona West

7 Beth Diers

Jane McGill

8 Nathan Copenhaver

9 Jon Holland

Christi Sauer

10 Gina Trimble

11 Justin Rouse

13 Mark Geertsma

Sam Rathbun

Jean Rouse

14 Ruth Ann Hamilton

Kelly Mitchell

17 Elizabeth Gray

18 Braylee Mae Malek

19 Rachel Barloon

21 Brody Bevans

Zach Steenbock

22 Chrystal Blin

23 Brynn Bonefas

28 Brian Smith

30 Clayton Conklin

18 Charlie & Sandy Hamilton

FARTHER ON

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Words from our Pastor 1

FPC Youth

FPC News & Notes

2

March Calendar 3

Birthdays/Anniversaries 4

MARCH 2015

If I were to ask you to use one word to

describe God, what word would you use?

I think most of us would say “love”. But

even as we do, is that response coming

from our head or our heart? And why is

that important?

I believe that Jesus is the love of God in

human form. He is the best way to know

and experience the love of God. So, what

do you know about Jesus? How did you

come to know what you know about him?

My educated guess is most of what you

know about Jesus came to you via the

church – by people in the church. Folks

like us.

Folks like us is what Paul calls “the body

of Christ”. Jesus calls folks like us his

“witnesses” and says we should do what

he commands. And what did he

command folks like us? Love God,

others, and self. Here’s what I know

about love. You can’t learn it by reading

a book. You can’t get better at it by

listening to a lecture. There is only one

way to learn about love. It has to be

experienced.

Have you ever lost a job, had a loved one

die, gone through a divorce, had a child

get in trouble, battled with depression,

been afraid of the dark, or struggled so

mightily you thought you were going to

die? How did the church, folks like us,

respond? Have you ever had a dramatic

turnaround in your life? You made a

significant change in your life. How did

the church, folks like us who are the body

of Christ, those commanded to love you,

respond to the changes you were going

through? Skepticism? Doubts?

Judgment? Support? Encouragement?

Here’s the deal. Do you experience the

folks like us as helpful or hurtful? Why is

that important? Because this is the Jesus

you know.

During Lent we are talking about love

and the Jesus we know. In 1 Corinthians

13 we learn of God’s love. A love that is

patient and kind. A love that does not

hurt others and is not self-seeking. A

love that does not keep score. A love that

does not delight in evil and rejoices with

the truth. A love that always seeks our

best interests. A love, Paul says, that

“never fails”.

In worship during Lent we will encounter

the many ways that “Love Never Fails”.

Each week we will meet a special Lenten

Visitor who will assist in growing in our

understanding and appreciation of the

love that never fails.

We are the church. What kind of Jesus

do you know? What kind of Jesus have

you experienced? Because that is the

Jesus you are showing to others. Here’s

what I know is true for all of us. We all

need a love that never fails.

Pastor John

PASTOR

John H. Hougen Email: pastorjohn@indytel.com

Church Office Phone: (319) 334-3523

Fax: (319) 334-4134

Office: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

Website www.fpcindependence.com

Staff Kathy Eilers

Youth Ministry Coordinator

Email: fpcyouth@indytel.com

Kathy Smith Secretary

Email: fpcoffice@indytel.com

George Hemmer Custodian

Newsletter

articles need to

be in the office

by March 19th to be printed in

the next newsletter.

• Daylight-Saving Time, March 8th

• Brunch following worship, March 15th

• First Day of Spring, March 20th

• IHS Pancake Breakfast, March 22nd

• Palm/Passion Sunday, March 29th

MARCH 2015 PAGE 2

Community Life Team – Our annual Community Pork Loin Dinner and Silent Auction is on April 22 from

5:00 to 7:00 pm and the Team is busy getting ready for it. Ticket prices will be same as a year ago:

$7 in advance, $8 at the door, $4 for K through 6th grade, and free for children 5 years and under. A

new twist this year is we plan to offer employees of Independence Schools a $5 ticket. So many of our

programs are in partnership with the schools and we want to show our appreciation for their being

wonderful partners as we seek to positively affect the lives of folks in our community.

We have a need that you can help us with. Our Backpack Program (which serves 154 children each

week with a bag of food for the weekend) needs peanut butter. We need 462 jars of peanut butter –

that’s enough for each child to get 3 jars between now and the end of the school year. Peanut butter is

an important staple and we are having trouble getting any through the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. So

stock up on PB and drop it off at the church.

Hospitality Team – Our next Brunch is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, following worship. Proceeds

from the brunch will support the youth group’s mission trip this summer. Also, the Team is discussing a

Family Fun Night in April. Watch for details! We plan to have food and games for the whole family.

Spiritual Life Team – Summer Camp is not that far away and NOW is the time to be getting your

children registered for Camp Wyoming. We have brochures at the Hospitality Center. And don’t forget

that the church pays ½ for your child to attend camp. It’s a great experience and space fills up. Get

moving on this so you get the camp you want!

Treasure Seekers made over 51 Valentines that were delivered to the care centers.

Youth sell Younkers

Community Day

booklets to raise money

for their upcoming

summer mission trip.

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