First Presbyterian
Church of Tonawanda

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

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NEWS FOR THE PEWS                                                                                                                                 

FROM THE PASTOR                                                                                                                                   April 18, 2024

 

Dear Friends,

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This season, we explore creation and our role in it. What part of our created world is your favorite part? Where in creation do you most feel the presence of God? Did you know that you (and I, and all of us!) are created in God's image? We were created to create! How do you use your God-given gifts to create space, art, relationships that leave the world a little better than you found it?

 

Join us each Sunday morning at 9:30 for All Age Faith Formation and an opportunity to create, by yourself or with others. We have art materials, craft materials. You might bring yarn or fabrics to create something. Consider gardening as an act of creation. What will you create?

 

Join FPCT for worship this Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 10:30am in person and livestreamed on Facebook. “Created to Love” continues our “Created to Create” theme. Scriptures this week include Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23, 1 John 3:16-24, and John 10:11-18.  As God’s creation, carrying God’s image, we are created to love. We have salvation through the love of Jesus.  How well do we love? Join us to pray together, hear stories from scripture, and find your home in our diverse community at First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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. 

 

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.  

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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SHOPPING LIST OF ITEMS FOR OUR MISSION PROJECTS

(TOTES ARE IN THE NARTHEX)

  

Elementary School Project

• Underwear  -  boys and girls sizes 6 and 8

• Socks – boys and girls socks for shoe sizes 12-3

• Sneakers – kids sizes 12-3, new or gently used

• Clothing – boys and girls size 6 and 8, stretch waist shorts 

or stretch waist summer weight pants

 

Body and Soul Pantry

• Men and Women’s socks

• Shaving Cream (5oz)/razors

• Bar soap

• Toothpaste/Toothbrushes

• Toilet paper

• Mac & Cheese

• Peanut butter (16-18oz)

• Cereal/instant oatmeal

• Pasta

• Canned vegetables/fruit

 

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​* 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.

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* 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 21, 2024 to find YOUR special message.

Come join us Sunday at 9:30am to discuss the lesson.

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Zech 10:1-12   1John 3:16-24   John 10:11-18   Ps 80:1-7

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How Do These All Come Together?

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The ACTION word, LOVE:

*Zechariah predicts God’s LOVE in action “From Judah will come the cornerstone, the tent peg, the bow for battle….”, so that EVERYONE can be united & brought back from wherever to be with God.

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*John wants us to know that” God showed us, “…what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.” We now know what we can do to LOVE, “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”

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*Jesus shared His LOVE for us thru the parable of the Good Shepherd. A dedicated LOVING example thru the actions of caring for others with expecting nothing in return.

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*The Psalm reflects confession of sin & the hope to be brought back into God’s LOVE again.

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Question for you:

Have you used LOVE as an action word today?

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REMINDERS​​

•  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 18 

9:00am – 2:00pm        Office Hours

10:00am                      Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)

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Saturday, April 20

10:00am                      Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)

 

Sunday, April 21

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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Monday, April 22

10:00 am                              Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)

 

Tuesday, April 23       

9:00am – 2:00pm        Office Hours

1:00pm                        Deacons Meeting

 

Wednesday, April 24

9:00am – 2:00pm        Office Hours

 

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)

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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

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 TREASURER 

  - Tom Dugan 

 

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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.  

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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.  

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