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                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                   January 23, 2025

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Dear Friends,

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​Join us at FPCT for worship this Sunday, January 26, at 10:30am in person and livestreamed on Facebook.  Elder William Welch IV will be leading us in worship.  He will be discussing “Jesus’ First Sermon” and how the young gain their voice through God.  Pastor Rebecca’s back surgery at ECMC went well. She hopes to be released today or tomorrow to continue healing at home. Gail Borycki is currently at Northgate recovering from a fall. She welcomes cards rather than calls or in person visits while she focuses on rehab (cards can be sent in c/o Lielah Carroll, 48 Fremont Street, Ton, NY 14150).

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Scriptures this week include Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-20, Psalm 19 and Luke 4:14-21.  Join us to pray together, hear stories from scripture and find your church home, here at First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda.

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See you soon,

Elder Diane Charsley

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​ANNOUNCEMENTS

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​​​​​​​1.  **For pastoral care while Pastor Rebecca is out of the office, feel free to send her a text, or reach out to Marilee Mathias, Diane Charsley, or the church office. Her surgery was on Tuesday morning, January 21, at ECMC, and she hopes to be back to responding to your calls, texts, and emails within a few days.

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2​​​​​​​.  Our Pastor's Study book group continues on the 2nd and 4th(or 5th) Wednesdays at either 11:00am or 7:00pm. These discussions will be offered in a hybrid format, meaning you can join Pastor Rebecca in the Parlor for the study, or log in from home via Zoom. Here is the book, and the dates we will discuss it:

• Wednesday, January 29, 11:00 am or 7:00pm, when we will discuss Tish Harrison Warren’s Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work, or Watch, or Weep, 2 of 4 (Part 2: Chapters 3, 4, 5)

• Wednesday, February 12, 11:00 am or 7:00pm, when we will discuss Tish Harrison Warren’s Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work, or Watch, or Weep, 3 of 4 (Part 3: Chapters 6-12)

• Wednesday, February 26, 11:00 am or 7:00pm, when we will discuss Tish Harrison Warren’s Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work, or Watch, or Weep, 4 of 4 (Part 4: Chapter 13)

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• Book is available in Kindle, Audiobook, Paperback, Hardcover, and Used formats from booksellers. Click the image for the Amazon link.

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WEEKLY ACTIVITIES:

• Church Stretch  -  Exercise for Body and Soul:  Mondays at 6pm

Diane Charsley leads light exercise and stretch sessions on Mondays for men & women of all fitness abilities. Come pray with your body and soul!  

 

• God Loves Me Storytime – Tuesdays:  10am-11:30am

Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to a weekly story time with stories about God’s love.Free play and crafts will be available along

with a snack and a prayer.  ​

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Body and Soul Pantry:

The Body and Soul Pantry is up and running again thanks to a new structure built by Brian Burns.  Many thanks to Brian for building the closet.  If you have any questions, please contact Marilee Mathias.  The pantry could use the following items: 

• Deodorant

• Shaving Cream (5oz)/razors

• Bar soap

• Toothpaste/Toothbrushes

• Toilet paper

• Cereal/instant oatmeal

• Pasta

• Canned vegetables/fruit

• Canned soup with pop-tops

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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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 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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Adult Sunday School   

Please take a few minutes & read the appointed Lectionary Readings that we are using to find YOUR special message.

Our class meets at 9:30am each Sunday morning

 

                                                                                                      PLEASE JOIN US!

                                                                           Neh 8:1-10;  1Cor 12:12-31a;  Luke 4:14-21;  Ps 19

 

How Do These All Come Together?

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UNDERSTAND God’s Word & then USE it:

*Nehemiah had all the people come together to hear & UNDERSTAND God’s Word so that they could be strengthened to USE it as they not

only rebuilt Jerusalem, but “rebuilt” their own lives.

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*Paul shows us that we have to UNDERSTAND that our gift from the Holy Spirit is to be USED together with others’ gifts to move God’s PLAN along; that not one gift is greater than another.

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*Jesus was trying to help the people UNDERSTAND the meaning of Isaiah’s prophecy so that it would be USED to “…set the oppressed free”, “…the blind to see”, “..the captives released…” all according to God’s PLAN.

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*The Psalm helps us UNDERSTAND God’s Greatness thru creation, & as we USE His Laws, there are rewards that await those who follow them.

It also asks that as we USE His Laws, “May the words of my mouth & the mediation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock & my redeemer.”

 

Question for You:

In what ways are you growing in your UNDERSTANDING of God’s Laws & how do you plan to USE your gifts?

                                                 

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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

                                 

Wednesday, Jan 29  

9:00am – 2:00pm     Office Hours

11:00am or 7:00pm The Pastor’s Study:  Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work, or Watch, or Weep

 

Thursday, Jan 30  

10:00am                    Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)

6:00pm-8:00pm       Choirs Practice

                       

Saturday, Feb 1

10:00am                    Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)

 

Sunday, Feb 2

9:30am                       All Age Faith Formation (Parlor)

10:30 am                   Sunday Worship for all ages (Sanctuary) 

11:30am                    Coffee Fellowship for all ages (Parlor)

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Monday, Feb 3

10:00 am                   Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)

6:00pm                      Church Stretch

 

Tuesday, Feb 4

9:00am – 2:00pm     Office Hours

10:00am-11:30am   God Loves Me Storytime    

                                   

Wednesday, Feb 5   

9:00am – 2:00pm     Office Hours

12:00pm                    UFO (Parlor)

 

Thursday, Feb 6  

10:00am                    Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)

6:00pm-8:00pm       Choirs Practice

                       

Saturday, Feb 8

10:00am                    Alcoholics Anonymous (Circle II Basement)

 

Sunday, Feb 9

9:30am                       All Age Faith Formation (Parlor)

10:30 am                   Sunday Worship for all ages (Sanctuary) 

11:30am                    Coffee Fellowship for all ages (Parlor)

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​​​List of Officers

SESSION 2024-2025                                

Diane Charsley & Clerk of Session

Tom Dugan, Treasurer

Michael Barry

Nancy Rolando

Sue Schurr

Billy Welch

           

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DEACONS 2024-2025

Betsy Crocker, Moderator

Linda Barry

Gail Borycki

Laura Marohn

Bonnie Sibley

Associates:      Lynn Hyland, Treasurer

                        Marlene Tyrrell, Sunshine

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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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