First Presbyterian
Church of Tonawanda
.
Because God's
love is for all
Everyone is always welcome.
We pray that God may bless you with
peace, inspiration, and strength. We are a community, seeking to learn what it means
to follow Jesus. No matter what you may
be going through no matter where
you may be on your faith journey,
you are most welcome here!
Live Worship Steaming available and Service in Church
at 10:30AM Sundays!!!
It will be streamed on Facebook Live on our Facebook page
www.Facebook.com/firstprestona/live
NEWS FOR THE PEWS
FROM THE PASTOR April 25, 2024
Dear Friends,
Earth day reminds us just how precious our world is, and how fragile it can be when we don’t nurture it.
The same can be said about our worship communities. Do we approach church worship as stewards or as consumers? Sure, we all hope to be inspired and motivated by worship, the sermon, the music, and the other gathering times in our church life. But do we also acknowledge our role as stewards, nurturing and shoring up our church so that it is sustainable through future generations?
Have you seen this one on social media?
“I didn’t like worship today...”
That’s Ok. We weren’t worshiping you
~ Francis Chan
Join FPCT for worship this Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 10:30am in person and livestreamed on Facebook. “Created to Nurture” continues our “Created to Create” theme. Scriptures this week include 1 John 4:7-21, Psalm 22:25-31, and John 15:1-8. As God’s creation, carrying God’s image, we are created to love, to care for and nurture one another and our world. Do we treat relationships as transactions or blessings? Do we treat the earth as consumers or as stewards? Join us to pray together, hear stories from scripture, and find your home here at First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda.
I’ll be on Study Leave next week. If you need pastoral care, please reach out to the office or to Laura Marohn, Moderator of Deacons.
See you soon,
Pastor Rebecca
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Eli Lilly Grant Opportunity
What if the work we are doing to grow our own congregation could become a resource and a model for other churches? What if we could access financial help in the process? We still have a long road ahead if we are to fill our pews and our livestream with smiling faces, and our church building with faith-affirming programs to support all ages. And yet, God IS working in our midst. We are seeing deeper connections, signs of growing faith.
Last month I submitted, with Session’s approval, a letter of intent to apply for an Eli Lilly grant program. Our proposal (with complete budgets, financials, and timelines) is due May 6th.
Lilly is offering up to 60 grants of up to 1.25 million for up to 5 years of support through their “Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative.” This program supports the design of “intergenerational corporate worship services and prayer practices that more intentionally and fully engage children and nurture their faith.”
Congregations may apply, providing their programs will reach 12-24 additional congregations and the children and families they include. Our own All Age Faith Formation program, partnering as it does with the Center for Christian Growth of Western New York, appears to be a good fit. We have a year’s worth of practical experience and six sessions of curriculum.
The week following Easter I will be on my first of two Study Leave weeks for the purpose of preparing the grant proposal. Please pray for this opportunity. If you would like to be a part of this grant proposal, please reach out to me. If you are willing to help implement these plans through our own Prayground, All-Age Sunday School, or the next Main Event (April 12), please reach out to me.
As a church, we’ve committed to Growing in Faith Together and Letting our Light Shine. What if God IS doing a new thing in our midst? Will we be able to see it? Be a part of it? I believe God is at work here! Can you not see it? Will you step up to help?
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Upcoming Activities:
UFO (Unfinished Objects) – Wednesday, May 1 at 12pm
UFO (unfinished objects) will meet on May 1st from 12-3 PM in the dining area. Come and enjoy the fellowship even if you have no UFO to work on. Bring lunch if you wish. Cookies and coffee will be provided. Your UFO may be needlework, scrapbooking, organizing photos/recipes, or anything else! Any questions, call Pat Loeswick.
Communion – May 5
Communion is coming up on May 5th. If you would like to receive homebound communion, please call the church office (716-692-1319) and let us know by May 2nd.
Circle 2.1 – Wednesday, May 15 at 10am
Circle 2.1 meets the 3rd Wednesday of month (April, May, June) at 10am to keep in touch and discuss outreach projects and donations that can benefit our church and community. Our meetings are casual, friendly, and always involve coffee and snacks along with lots of camaraderie. It’s a great time to keep in touch and do good deeds. Hope to see you there. For more information, contact Linda Apple at 716-693-6889.
Outreach and Mission Activities:
Elementary School Project
One of the programs that the Deacons are sponsoring is the Elementary School Project. These items are used by the elementary school nurse when there is an accident which makes a change of clothing necessary. Your donation of underwear, socks, sneakers, and shorts or pants can help make a child comfortable after an uncomfortable event. See the attached list for sizes needed.
The Warrior Clothes Closet is also in need of adult and child size clothing, new or gently used. This is at the high school and is available to anyone in need.
Body and Soul Pantry: The pantry closet is up and running again. See the attached list for needed items. Many of these items can be purchased at the Dollar Store. Any questions, contact Diane Charsley or Marilee Mathias.
The Winter Wear “Giving Tree” Project: Our winter mission is closing down this weekend. We'll be packing up our remaining winter items after May 1, our next UFO date. If you have items to donate for next year, please bring them in before May 1. Are you knitting, crocheting, or creating fleece items? Or would you like to learn? Let us know, or come to UFO on May 1 from 12 to 3. If you need yarn or needles, let us know! Many thanks to Gail Borycki for all her efforts in this project and to all the people who donated items.
SHOPPING LIST OF ITEMS FOR OUR MISSION PROJECTS
(TOTES ARE IN THE NARTHEX)
Elementary School Project
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Underwear - boys and girls sizes 6 and 8
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Socks – boys and girls socks for shoe sizes 12-3
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Sneakers – kids sizes 12-3, new or gently used
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Clothing – boys and girls size 6 and 8, stretch waist shorts
or stretch waist summer weight pants
Body and Soul Pantry
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Men and Women’s socks
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Shaving Cream (5oz)/razors
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Bar soap
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Toothpaste/Toothbrushes
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Toilet paper
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Mac & Cheese
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Peanut butter (16-18oz)
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Cereal/instant oatmeal
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Pasta
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Canned vegetables/fruit
* Discord church server
Reach out to Billy or Pastor Rebecca to be added to the Discord server. We're beginning to use this to share CE files and curriculum, as well as offer an open space to chat and share.
* Church To-Do list has been moved across the narthex to the Outreach board for easier access. Be sure to check to see what you can do!!
Church T-shirts - All orders have come in. If you need a different size or color, sign up on the sheet or let us know in the office.
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Adult Sunday School
Please take a few minutes & read the appointed Lectionary readings that we are using for April 28, 2024 to find YOUR special message.
Come join us Sunday at 9:30am to discuss the lesson.
Ex 19:1-6 1John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Ps 118:19-25
How Do These All Come Together?
COVENANT – Our PROMISE
*Moses was given the terms of God’s covenant, “Now if you will obey me & keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.”
*John spelled out what the basis for our part in God’s covenant was/is, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.”
*Jesus helped us understand how to stay strong in our covenant. How God would “help” us keep our terms of agreement thru monitoring of our productive endeavors; by “pruning” us as needed, by helping us rely on the Holy Spirit, & by TRUSTING to use LOVE as an action word.
*The Psalm remembers Christ as the cornerstone & reminds us that each day is a new day in our covenant & to make LOVE an action word!
Question for you:
What are you doing to maintain your part, your “branch” of the covenant with God/Christ?
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REMINDERS
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The Deacons are organizing coffee hour every Sunday after worship. Please join in for fellowship and coffee; the sign-up sheet is in the Narthex.
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PRAYER CONCERNS
If you have a prayer request, please contact Pastor Rebecca at 315-317-6140 or the church office at 716-692-1319.
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CALENDAR
Thursday, April 25
9:00am – 2:00pm Office Hours
10:00am Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)
6:00pm Hearts4Worship
6:45pm Bell Choir
7:15pm Choir
Saturday, April 27
10:00am Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)
Sunday, April 28
9:30am Faith Formation (All Ages)
10:30 am Sunday Worship for all ages (Sanctuary)
11:30am Coffee Fellowship for all ages (Parlor)
Monday, April 29
10:00 am Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)
Tuesday, April 30
9:00am – 2:00pm Office Hours
Wednesday, May 1
9:00am – 2:00pm Office Hours
12:00pm-3:00pm UFO Group
Thursday, May 2
9:00am – 2:00pm Office Hours
10:00am Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)
6:00pm Hearts4Worship
6:45pm Bell Choir
7:15pm Choir
Saturday, May 4
10:00am Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)
Sunday, May 5
9:30am Faith Formation (All Ages)
10:30 am Sunday Worship for all ages (Sanctuary)
11:30am Coffee Fellowship for all ages (Parlor)
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List of Officers
ELDERS
Class of 2024 Class of 2025 Class of 2026
Betsy Crocker Tom Dugan Michael Barry
Patricia Loeswick (One Year) Nancy Rolando
William Welch, IV
DEACONS
Class of 2024 Class of 2025 Class of 2026
Mike Donovan Linda Barry
Lynn Hyland Gail Borycki
Alvin Marohn Laura Marohn
Marlene Tyrrell
TREASURER
- Tom Dugan
Church Parking Lot
Please, if you are able to walk, we would appreciate if you would park on the surrounding streets near the church
and leave the spaces in our parking lot for our folks who need them most. Thanks very much.
Hunger Sunday:
Don't forget that the third Sunday of the month is Hunger Sunday. Food and cash donations are welcome
and proceeds are donated to the Twin Cities Community Outreach. Any food items may be dropped off at Donna and Bruce Blinston's front porch at 25 Elmwood Park West. Thank you for your continued support.