FIRST PRESS The monthly newsletter of

Estherville First Presbyterian Church

March 2016

Members of our Confirmation class attended a Confirmation Retreat at the Lakeshore Center at Okoboji February 19-21st. They enjoyed worship, bible study, free time, relationship building as a group, and worked on their Faith Statements. When talking to the youth they said they really enjoyed attending this retreat and spending time together.

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Celebrations at First Presbyterian Church!

Committee Happenings

By the Numbers

March Calendar

Did you know you can make automatic contributions to the church? Never worry about writing a check or missing the offering plate! Go to www.esthervillepresbyterian.com and click on “make a donation” to give a one-time gift or to set up regular contributions..

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Something to celebrate at First Presbyterian Church If you have something to celebrate, let us know so we can share it with

our family of faith in next month’s newsletter!

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Anniversary Congratulations 13- Dennis & Barb Koenecke 13- Merle & Kolleen Sorum 22- Lance & Heidi Origer

Way to Go… *Deacons for caring for families in need of support in February. * Committees of the church for all your hard work. * Congregation for participating in the “Meet the Need” for the Avera Medical Group. *Natalie Brown for chaperoning the Confirmation class to their retreat. * CLO Committee and everyone that helped with the Fat Tuesday Celebration. * Everyone that participated in the CE Theme Basket Silent Auction. *Judy Bixby, Julia Graves, & Diane Swalve for volunteering in the office while Katie was on vacation.

Per Capita for this year is $32.37 per

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Birthday Wishes 2- Riley Shryock 2- Lowell Swalve 3- Jean Wiant 3- Andy Brown 3- Don Clabaugh 3- Hanna Ruschy 5- Fauntelle Blagg 6- Dennis Koenecke 6- Andrew Thelen 7- Tim Egeland 7- Evy Strenge 10- Bev Juhl 12- Natalie Brown 12- Marcy Sander 14- Koral Rosendahl 24- Charlee Dalen 26- Sophie Poole 28- David Kaltved 29- Dawn Ruschy 31- Elaine Jensen 31- Mary Juhl

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Committee Happenings

Building & Grounds – No notes. The next meeting will be March 13th 11:30am following worship. -Julie Graves, Chairperson

Christian Education –The CE Committee held their annual Theme Basket Silent Auction during the Fat Tuesday Pancake Feed. This year the auction and pancake feed weren’t highly attended but they were still able to raise approximately $350.00 for the mission trip fund. The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 8th at 5:00pm. -Katie Hanson, Chairperson

Congregational Life/ Outreach – No notes. –Jolene Greving, Chairperson

Deacons – No notes. The next meeting will be Monday, March 14th at 5:30pm. –Heidi Origer, Moderator

Finance –The finances are aligned with the budget for the year at this time. The next meeting will be Thursday, March 10th 5:30PM. -Brian Bixby, Chairperson

Generosity Team –February’s “Meet the Need” was donating new or gently used children’s books for Avera Medical Groups waiting areas. Thank you to everyone that donated. This month’s “Meet the Need” will once again be donating food items to the Emmet County Food Pantry. The next meeting will be Monday, March 7th, at 6:30PM-Lisa Hermanson, Co-Chairperson

Personnel – No notes. - Lowell Swalve, Chairperson

Worship – The Worship meeting was opened with a welcome to 3 confirmands, Isaac Hanson, Rachel Origer & Izaak Sander. Each committee member was given a list of the pulpit supply schedule thru the month of July. The Lenten services were discussed, including the order of palms and Easter plants for the sanctuary. The Easter plant orders will need to be in the office by March 13 so the order can be placed with HyVee. The committee decided there would be no Maundy Thursday service this year. The next meeting will be Monday, March 7th 5:30PM. Lori Donovan, Chairperson

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By the numbers… Average Worship Attendance January 2014 – 82 January2015 – 72 January 2016 – 64 Pastors’ Stats Presbytery meetings – 0 Visits – 0 Home Communion was served on February 7th by elders George Shadle and Steve Rose and deacons Evy Strenge and Jan Greig.

General Budget

2016 General Budget - $157,265.72 Budgeted Giving as of 02/23- $24,194.73 Actual Giving as of 02/23 - $37,926.20

If you would like to sponsor a radio broadcast please sign up on the table located in the back of the sanctuary or contact Katie in the office. There are many dates still available. The cost is $65.00.

The Presbyterian Women disbanded December 31, 2015 and the remaining PW funds of $6,037.97 were transferred into the First Presbyterian Church’s general fund on January 22, 2016. Thanks, Mary Clabaugh

Thank you to Natalie Brown for chaperoning the Confirmation Class to their retreat February 19-21st. We greatly appreciate it!

Thank you,

The Confirmation Parents

The Holy Moly Book Group will be meeting on Thursday, March 10th at 10:00am. This month’s book is Unwritten by Charles Martin. If you would like to read the book and join the group please let Katie know in the office.

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723 First Avenue S. Estherville, IA 51334 712-362-4772 www.esthervillepresbyterian.com

YOUR LEADERS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH Ruling Elders – Brian Bixby, Beth Carrico, Lori Donovan, Julia Graves (Clerk of Session), Jolene Greving,Melissa Gruwell, Katie Hanson, Lisa Hermanson, Steve Rose, George Shadle, Lowell Swalve, Craig White

Deacons – Heidi Origer (Moderator), Janet Anderson, Mavis Evans, Jan Greig, Jim Hill, Pat Johnson, Elaine Kaltved, Cheryl Klingbeil, Paul Moffitt, Evy Strenge, Diane Swalve, Georgia Whitehouse.

Building & Grounds – Julie Graves (Chair), Aaron Ruschy, Jack Bixby, Walt Jensen, Larry Harsin, Kevin Strenge, Carl Ruschy.

Christian Education – Katie Hanson (Chair), Liz Bixby, Natalie Brown, Bobbi Jo Ruschy

Congregational Life/Outreach –Jolene Greving, Sandy Harsin, Paul Moffitt, Shirley Moffitt, Chelsey Moffitt,

Finance – Brian Bixby (Chair), Shirley Moffitt, George Shadle, Lavonne Ruschy

Generosity Team – Beth Carrico (Co-Chair), Lisa Hermanson (Co-Chair), Janet Anderson, Judy Bixby, John Klingbeil, Kevin Sander, Diane Swalve, Craig White

Personnel – Lowell Swalve (Chair), Shirley Moffitt, Aaron Ruschy

Prayer Chain - Belva Henrickson, Marilyn Syverson, Velma White, Jean Wiant, Dee Zinnel

Worship – Lori Donovan (Chair), Paula Beaver, Beth Carrico, Paul Moffitt, Evy Strenge, Margaret White

Pastors and Staff –Katie Hanson, Administrative Assistant & Treasurer; Andrew Thelen, Organist & Choir Director; Craig Kesler, Custodian

First Presbyterian Church