May Flowers are Here!
In some ways May brings an end to the church year. We will have our last meetings of Sunday school, Adult Forum and the Wednesday After school program in May. The preschool will also end its year this month. The work and activity of the church will go on and continue through summer.
May 2-Communion-"Jesus' Death as Human Inevitability" this sermon is another approach to understanding Jesus' death, following April 18's sermon on the Substitutionary Atonement.
May 9-"An Unfinished Parable" today's sermon is the second in the series on The Prodigal Son.
May 16-Ladies' Sunday-Barbara Goldthwaite will preach and women will lead every part of worship this morning. This is to balance Gentlemen's Sunday, which we observed last fall. The Youth Group will hold a fundraiser car wash after church this day.
May 23-Pentecost-This is the day we celebrate the Holy Spirit entering the disciples. It will also be the last day of Sunday school, so a picnic is planned. You are encouraged to wear either red, in honor of the Holy Spirit, or picnic clothes. If you wear red picnic clothes that would be good too!
May 30-Trinity Sunday-This is the only Sunday on the church calendar that is given to a theological concept. Christians believe that God is Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, or Father, Son and Holy Ghost...but what does that mean in our daily lives? Find out May 30!
See you in church,
Pastor Tom
Homestead Solutions, Inc.
During this economic downturn several in our community have experienced problems with loans and payments. Following is information about an agency here in Oshkosh that provides free counseling to address these difficulties. Share the news with those who might need assistance.
Homestead Solutions, Inc. is a Non-Profit HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency, located in Oshkosh. Their purpose is to work with homeowners who are at risk of, or are already having difficulties keeping up with their mortgage payments. They help homeowners avoid foreclosure. Because Homestead Solutions, Inc is a HUD-Certified Agency, clients can feel confident that they are not getting involved in a scam. This agency is funded by a grant through the US Government, so in most cases there is no fee for their services. For more information call 920-230-3324.
April Session Report
Your Session met on Tuesday, April 20. Elder Noreen Johnson shared a devotion based on some research she's been doing on her family's history.
Property & Finance Committee chair Tim Matelski reported work is nearly completed on running electricity to the garage.
The Spring Clean up Day was scheduled for Saturday, May 1. Work will run from 8 a.m. until noon. Donuts will be provided.
Treasurer Barry Johnson reported that the budget is in pretty good shape through the first quarter of 2010.
The Mission Interpretation Committee reported our support of Project Open Door and the Samaritan Counseling Center is very much appreciated. Open Door passed its fourth anniversary this month.
Gil Malkowsky reviewed the church's financial records from 2009 and reported they are in excellent condition.
Next month Elder Vi Tews will bring something in the Treasure Box to share.
So goes the work of your Session.
Taize Song and Prayer Service
You are invited to experience a Taize service of song and prayer Thursday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m., at First Congregational Church, Oshkosh. Taize worship includes meditative song, simple prayer, and reverent silence in an atmosphere of quiet candlelight. Piano and other instruments, with outstanding cantors, lead songs that quiet the soul and lift up the spirit. Taize is both ancient and new, drawing people of many denominations -- Catholic and Protestant -- into common worship, a place of quiet healing. All are welcome. (FCC is at 137 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh, just two blocks west of the huge sundial on Main Street.)
Ralph DiBiasio-Snyder, First Congregational Church, Oshkosh
Ladies' Sunday!
May 16 is the day when the women of the church will be ‘in charge' of all aspects of worship - from ushering to *singing, from reading and speaking to serving coffee. Gentlemen, come and enjoy!
Women may sign up for some things in the Westminster Room, or speak with Suzanne Vette or Carmen Shaw if you would like to participate.
*All interested women are welcome to be part of a Women's Chorus that day. Tentative rehearsal times are Sun., May 2, at 11:00 a.m., and Sun., May 16, 8:45 a.m.
Watch for further announcements about this special event!
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Do you knit or crochet? Are you interested in being a part of Prayer Shawl Ministry? The need is great, your talents can help fill this need, while offering a chance to "live" your faith and increase the outreach of First Presbyterian Church. Please help this ministry become a reality. For more information call Terri Zillges 231-3003 or e-mail at
zillges@sbcglobal.net or sign the sheet in the bulletin.
The Community Outreach Committee
The Community Outreach committee has some exciting plans for the summer and fall. Circle the following dates on your calendar:
Noon, Tuesday, July 6th - Green Lake Festival will be providing a free concert in our sanctuary. Two Green Lake Festival performers will be here playing the cello and piano. The concert will be followed by a soup/salad/bread luncheon in Magnolia Hall.
October 2nd our church will participate in the Gallery Walk. Prior to the walk there will be a harvest dinner followed by a performance of the community bell choir. Watch for more details.
Coming soon videos of recent scriptures and sermons can be accessed from our web site www.oshkoshpresbyterians.org. The picture gallery continues to be updated and there are also new recipes each month. It's been an exciting process to watch our site expand and evolve into a great web site for our own members and community at large.
Noreen Johnson, Chair
Per Capita
Each year, our Session contributes a per capita payment of $29 for each confirmed member. This contribution provides our share of operating expenses to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and our synod and presbytery. We have the opportunity to offset this expenditure. Will you consider an additional contribution to our church of $29 for each confirmed member in your family? Your help with this will assure additional operating fund for our church. Please send a check, or place in the collection plate, and mark the check "Per Capita" on the memo line.
Thank you for your consideration.
Congratulations to Gil Malkowsky!
At the United Way's Day of Caring breakfast, Friday, April 9, Gil Malkowsky was presented with the United Way Life Service Award. Gil has been an active volunteer in the community for many years, not only here at First Presbyterian. He received a lovely plaque for his efforts. He was taken completely by surprise by this award. I am confident he is quite embarrassed to read about it in the newsletter!
Thank you, Gil, for years of faithful service!
Remember in Your Prayers ............
Kathy Anderson asked us to pray for the troops in Bagdad. Her son is stationed there and they are noticing an increase in violence.
Also pray for our nation: people, leaders, believers will return to the 3 Basics-Faith-trust-mercy.
Finally pray for Rose Mehne who fell and is in the hospital.
Pastor Tom
I want to share a phone conversation I just had with Sandy DePeaux. After having her stitches out yesterday with permission to shampoo her hair, she feels a lot better and will return to the doctor in one month. Her headaches are less and the nasty twinges she experienced in the past are not as bad. She plans on going to the local pain management doctor who will decrease her pain meds. On the whole, she feels very positive about her outlook. Presently she just needs more time to completely heal and get her strength back.
Please pray for Linda Calica's grandson, Ethan. He is in intensive care in Portland, OR. Linda plans to fly to Oregon next Saturday.
To my church family. Thanks for all the prayers they do work. I will be in Portland on April 10th. Ethan is getting stronger and will have surgery on Monday April 12th to place a feeding tube in his stomach and then may be able to go home within a week. I will email with more news once I am there.
Please pray for Sharon Engel's friend, Rachel's mom and their whole family. Rachel's mom was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Please ask for prayers for my friend Linda Block &
family. She was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Thanks. Terri Z.
We were asked to pray for John Cross's mother who was
hospitalized in Florida and also "for all our young people as they make decisions in their lives. May they be a blessing
Oshkosh's 2010 "National Day of Prayer"
On Thursday, May 6, 2010 Oshkosh will again join with communities across American to unite from12 noon to 12:45 PM for the 59th National Day of Prayer. Come join us at the Oshkosh City Hall, 215 Church Ave around the flagpole by the front entrance. The theme for this year is "Prayer for Such a Time as This".
Annual End of the school year trip
To The N.E.W. Zoo and Bay Beach
June 16, 2010
8:30 - 5:00
Fee: $5
(Includes admission to the Zoo and 8 tickets at Bay Beach)
All are welcome!
Children 6 years old and under must
be accompanied by an adult.
Permission slips can by obtained by contacting Carol Joubert
Brat Fry
Camp Scholarships
July 9, 10 and 11
10am until 7pm
Pick and Save South
We are looking for help grilling and serving. There are two or three hour shifts available. What a great way to spend a couple of hours. The proceeds from the sale will befit our camp scholarship fund.
Please sign up on the sheets in the Westminster room or contact Carol Joubert.
Youth Group Car Wash
Sunday May 16th
Following coffee hour. An opportunity from the youth group; leave church with your car sparkling in the sun.
Sunday School Picnic
May 23, 2010
11:00 AM
At the green space next door
Wear your red picnic clothes to church.
The Christian Education committee is looking for a few people to help with this event. If you can grill a hot dog or serve one on a bun we want you. Please call Carol Joubert, Rosangela Berbert or Sharon Engel to offer your skills. We will also need someone to lead a few games; is that you?
If you attend Sunday school, have thought about attending Sunday school, have children attending Sunday school or are glad we have Sunday school you are invited to join the picnic fun.
Sunday School
If you have ever wanted to get involved with Sunday School come meet with the Christian Education Committee 11:00 on May 16th. We will share topics for the 2010/11 year and the schedule. There will also be a time for questions and answers so that you can prayfully consider this ministry. We are looking forward to meeting with you as this opportunity sets it self before you.
Camp
If you have not yet registered for camp, now is the time to do so. A camp catalog can be obtained from Carol Joubert or you can check the web site at www.ucci.org.