First Presbyterian Church of Fairbanks

First Light

Volume 20 Issue 4 April 2011

AND JESUS SAID

A Tenabrae Service
Thursday, April 21st 6:15 p.m. dinner,
7:00 p.m. worship service

This dramatic service of darkening shows how our rebellion towards God snuffed out the life of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday. And it was precisely that death that has brought us forgiveness!

Easter Services
April 4, 2010 8:45AM & 11AM
Easter Breakfast at 10AM in the Fellowship Hall

“FRAZZLED FEMALE”

New Women’s Bible Study”……begins on April 19th.

Is life a bit hectic? Do you feel stressed? Are you having problems managing your time or organizing your life? Are you struggling with any difficult people or relationships? If you answered “yes” to any of the questions, then you should consider attending the “FRAZZLED FEMALE” Bible Study. This new study will assist participants in discovering practical Biblical help for confronting issues in our lives that can often leave us not only feeling “frazzled” but also discouraged and defeated. The class will also provide special opportunities to help us grow in our relationship with Jesus and experience more of His peace and joy in our lives.
All women in the church are encouraged to invite a friend and come join us on Tuesday mornings from 10-11:30 am. This new 6-week long class begins on April 19th. We will meet in the FPC conference room and childcare will be provided. If you have any questions or want to sign up for the class, please contact Donna Brewer (479-4426).

The Presbyterian Women will be sponsoring a Spring Rummage Sale on Saturday, April 2, at 9am.
Needed are volunteers for Friday, April 1, at 9am to set up and on Saturday to help with the sale. Please bring good used clothing, toys, books, and household items to the church no earlier than March 28. The rummage sale has a twofold purpose: 1) to supply clothing and items to local customers at a low cost and 2) the monies go to support local and other mission work. Contact Suzanne Black, 457-7300 or Margaret Gray, 452-3788 to volunteer.
Thank you in advance to all who volunteer and support us in this project.

First Tuesday’s Prayer Meeting
5:30 p.m. April 5 @ the Church

The Power and Importance of Prayer

Easter’s resurrection power is a present day reality for every follower of Jesus, though most Christians live relatively powerless lives. Why? Part of the answer is an ineffectual prayer life.
Jesus' disciple John said, "Whoever claims to live in Christ must walk as Jesus did" (1 Jn. 2:6). Over the years, Jesus' disciples have learned to do what he did. And of course one of the hallmarks of Jesus' life was a commitment to prayer.
We read throughout the gospels that Jesus would regularly go away to a quiet place to be with the Father and to pray. The disciples watched Jesus and saw that he was a man of prayer. They asked him to teach them to pray and Jesus taught them what we’ve come to call The Lord’s Prayer. When a particularly difficult ministry situation arose that stumped the disciples but not Jesus. “The disciples asked Jesus, ‘Why couldn’t we cast the demon ought?’ Jesus said to them, ‘This kind can come out only through prayer’” (Mk. 9:28f).
Do you want to see God move more powerfully in and through you? Then prayer is something you’ll benefit from giving more attention to. Do you want to see Holy Spirit move in your life and in your pre-Christian friends’ lives? Pray for them by name and for their salvation every day.
Here's what a few others have said about how to pray:
"...I learned as never before that persistent calling upon the Lord breaks through every stronghold of the devil, for nothing is impossible with God. For Christians in these troubled times, there is simply no other way." - Jim Cymbala
"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer." - John Wesley
"To stand before men on behalf of God is one thing. To stand before God on behalf of men is something entirely different." - Leonard Ravenhill
"The prayer that sparks revival begins long before the countryside seems to awaken from its slumber in sin. It starts when men fall on their knees and cry out to God. That's where true intimacy with God takes place and we begin the journey of being transformed into the image of Christ. And as men are transformed, the course of a nation can be changed." - Wellington Boone
"The true spirit of prayer is no other than God's own Spirit dwelling in the hearts of the saints. And as this spirit comes from God, so doth it naturally tend to God in holy breathings and pantings." - Jonathan Edwards
"I am perfectly confident that the man who does not spend hours alone with God will never know the anointing of the Holy Spirit." - Oswald J. Smith
"Any church may have a mighty man of God for its pastor, if it is willing to pay the price and that price is not a big salary but great praying." - R.A. Torrey
"At the heart of every revival is the spirit of prayer." - Arthur Wallis
Let’s commit ourselves to being people of prayer. Seek the Lord…call on his name, and watch what God does through you.

Your partner in prayer,
Pastor Andy

So the churches were strengthened in faith and grew daily in numbers. Acts 16.5

FPC Saints,
Well, the Moodys have been in Fairbanks five months, and- between you and me-- of those five months, we prefer March to all of ‘em. Just in case you were wondering… The sun is a good thing!
One of the many highlights of my initiation into life at First, has been my interaction with the Acts 16.5 team. The Acts 16.5 initiative is a three year process in which congregations engage to increase their effectiveness in ministry in our changing cultural context.
It’s been said that if you’re over 40, you are a ‘cultural immigrant’- not a native, things feel foreign to you- how people communicate (example: texting, not talking on the phone), the whole social media scene (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube), assumptions about family, marriage, about God, about spirituality. Lots has changed, increasingly so… and yet, nothing has really changed. The human condition, the fears, the desire to be loved, to belong, to have purpose, to find hope and reconciliation - that God shaped vacuum within each man and woman, boy and girl on the planet. None of that has changed, and neither has the Gospel.
And so the Acts 16.5 initiative calls us the church to reboot, if you will, by digging our roots deeper into scripture and our triune God who has revealed himself to us in the person of Jesus, by obediently following Jesus deeper into the living water of the Holy Spirit, and consequently bearing good, lasting fruit to the glory God and the benefit of His world.
You’ll be hearing more concrete things about Acts 16.5 in the coming months. Have a great April. I hear the sun gets even better!

In Christ,

Pastor Dave

Session Meeting News

At our March 15th meeting the elders gathered for time in the word, prayer and the following business:

• Moved our April meeting to the 12th at 6:00 p.m.
• Approved allowing Hannah Ekblad and Annie Sisson use the church facility May 23-27 to offer children’s music camp called Summertime Sounds. The camp is for kids age 5-7 and will be limited to the first fifteen. This project is toward the completion of Hannah and Annie’s Girl Scout Gold Award.
• Accepted the resignation of deacon Peggy Hirt as Peggy will be moving to Missouri .
• Heard exciting reports from various ministry teams who reported: Progress with the Acts 16:5 Team, a new evangelism class, the purchase of a new drum set, Life Groups and discipleship ministries are progressing well, Youth Voltage Outreach Lock-In, and a new Pizza and Parenting class.

Friday April 1 Morning: Ps. 22, 148 Evening: Ps. 105, 130 Jer. 11:1–8, 14–17 Rom. 6:1–11 John 8:33–47
Saturday April 2 Morning: Ps. 43, 149 Evening: Ps. 31, 143 Jer. 13:1–11 Rom. 6:12–23 John 8:47–59
Sunday April 3 Morning: Ps. 84, 150 Evening: Ps. 42, 32 Jer. 14:1–9 (10–16) 17–22 Gal. 4:21—5:1 Mark 8:11–21
Monday April 4 Morning: Ps. 119:73–80, 145 Evening: Ps. 121, 6 Jer. 16:(1–9) 10–21 Rom. 7:1–12 John 6:1–15
Tuesday April 5 Morning: Ps. 34, 146 Evening: Ps. 25, 91 Jer. 17:19–27 Rom. 7:13–25 John 6:16–27
Wednesday April 6 Morning: Ps. 5, 147:1–11 Evening: Ps. 27, 51 Jer. 18:1–11 Rom. 8:1–11 John 6:27–40
Thursday April 7 Morning: Ps. 27, 147:12–20 Evening: Ps. 126, 102 Jer. 22:13–23 Rom. 8:12–27 John 6:41–51
Friday April 8 Morning: Ps. 22, 148 Evening: Ps. 105, 130 Jer. 23:1–8 Rom. 8:28–39 John 6:52–59
Saturday April 9 Morning: Ps. 43, 149 Evening: Ps. 31, 143 Jer. 23:9–15 Rom. 9:1–18 John 6:60–71
Sunday April 10 Morning: Ps. 84, 150 Evening: Ps. 42, 32 Jer. 23:16–32 1 Cor. 9:19–27 Mark 8:31—9:1
Monday April 11 Morning: Ps. 119:73–80, 145 Evening: Ps. 121, 6 Jer. 24:1–10 Rom. 9:19–33 John 9:1–17
Tuesday April 12 Morning: Ps. 34, 146 Evening: Ps. 25, 91 Jer. 25:8–17 Rom. 10:1–13 John 9:18–41
Wednesday April 13 Morning: Ps. 5, 147:1–11 Evening: Ps. 27, 51 Jer. 25:30–38 Rom. 10:14–21 John 10:1–18
Thursday April 14 Morning: Ps. 27, 147:12–20 Evening: Ps. 126, 102 Jer. 26:1–16 (17–24) Rom. 11:1–12 John 10:19–42
Friday April 15 Morning: Ps. 22, 148 Evening: Ps. 105, 130 Jer. 29:1 (2–3) 4–14 Rom. 11:13–24 John 11:1–27 or John 12:1–10
Saturday April 16 Morning: Ps. 43, 149 Evening: Ps. 31, 143 Jer. 31:27–34 Rom. 11:25–36 John 11:28–44 or John 12:37–50
Sunday April 17 Morning: Ps. 84, 150 Evening: Ps. 42, 32 Zech. 9:9–12 1 Tim. 6:12–16 or Zech. 12:9–11, 13:1, 7–9 Matt. 21:12–17
Monday April 18 Morning: Ps. 119:73–80, 145 Evening: Ps. 121, 6 Jer. 11:18–20, 12:1–16 (17) Phil. 3:1–14 John 12:9–19
Tuesday April 19 Morning: Ps. 34, 146 Evening: Ps. 25, 91 Jer. 15:10–21 Phil. 3:15–21 John 12:20–26
Wednesday April 20 Morning: Ps. 5, 147:1–11 Evening: Ps. 27, 51 Jer. 17:5–10, 14–17 (18) Phil. 4:1–13 John 12:27–36
Thursday April 21 Morning: Ps. 27, 147:12–20 Evening: Ps. 126, 102 Jer. 20:7–11 (12–13) 14–18 1 Cor. 10:14–17, 11:27–32
John 17:1–11 (12–26)
Friday April 22 Morning: Ps. 22, 148 Evening: Ps. 105, 130 Gen. 22:1–14 1 Peter 1:10–20 John 13:36–38 or John 19:38–42
Saturday April 23 Morning: Ps. 43, 149 Evening: Ps. 31, 143 Job 19:21–27a Heb. 4:1–16 Rom. 8:1–11
Sunday April 24 Morning: Ps. 93, 150 Evening: Ps. 136, 117 Exod. 12:1–14 John 1:1–18 or Isa. 51:9–11 Luke 24:13–35 or John 20:19–23
Monday April 25 Morning: Ps. 97, 145 Evening: Ps. 124, 115 Jonah 2:1–10 Acts 2:14, 22–32 John 14:1–14
Tuesday April 26 Morning: Ps. 98, 146 Evening: Ps. 66, 116 Isa. 30:18–26 Acts 2:36–41 (42–47) John 14:15–31
Wednesday April 27 Morning: Ps. 99, 147:1–11 Evening: Ps. 9, 118 Micah 7:7–15 Acts 3:1–10 John 15:1–11
Thursday April 28 Morning: Ps. 47, 147:12–20 Evening: Ps. 68, 113 Ezek. 37:1–14 Acts 3:11–26 John 15:12–27
Friday April 29 Morning: Ps. 96, 148 Evening: Ps. 49, 138 Dan. 12:1–4, 13 Acts 4:1–12 John 16:1–15
Saturday April 30 Morning: Ps. 92, 149 Evening: Ps. 23, 114 Isa. 25:1–9 Acts 4:13–21 (22–31) John 16:16–33

The lectionary readings are found at pcusa.org lectionary . They can also be emailed to you daily.

Youth

What is something that starts small and grows and grows until it provides shade for the birds? What is something that adds flavor and character to anything it touches? Spicy Mustard of course! That is the new name for our First Pres. Youth Group! We know that even with faith the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains, and that we should be on fire and flavorful like salt and spice in our faith! I'm sure you can't wait to see our new logo and t-shirts, but in the meantime these upcoming events should keep you busy...
April 8 - THIRST - A night of worship, fellowship, food and games for all youth across the Fairbanks area. This month is at Bethel church. Meet at First Pres to carpool at 6:30pm!
April 15 - Voltage - A night of fun and outreach right here at First Pres. Invite as many friends as you can - the goal is to fill the church, there will be icebreakers, games, and an important opportunity to share Christ with new people! This will take place 8pm - 8am.
April 29 - 30 Hour Famine - This is one of my favorite events and a near perfect opportunity for service. We will be raising funds to fight hunger locally and globally, fasting for 30 hours straight, doing local service projects, and spending time in worship and fellowship. This is an amazing opportunity to stand in solidarity with those in deepest poverty and work to serve our neighbors across the world.
Questions? Ideas?
Contact David McConnell-Booher at the church office, 452-2406!

Calling all church families and kiddos –
We have some super fun stuff planned for April

Pizza and parenting
“Raising kids is not for the faint of heart. Raising kids to follow Christ, in a culture that is little help, is even harder. For six Friday nights we will eat pizza together, watch and discuss the video series, ‘Raising Kids with a Faith that Lasts.’ This six part series from Focus on the Family should be a very helpful resource to all parents. “ Friday Nights – April 1-May 6 6 – 8 p.m. Childcare will be provided.

Palm Sunday Palms
First Pres kids have the honor of processing (walking) into the church at the beginning of the 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. church worship services. The children will carry in the palms and then pass them out to everyone in attendance. It will be a fun celebration of Jesus’ parade as he entered Jerusalem. Mark your calendars now.

Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 23, 10 – 11:30 a.m. right here at the church. This is a GREAT event to bring friends too!

Mother’s Day Children-Led Worship
This is a brand new event that we are REALLY excited about. On Sunday, May 8, the kids are taking over the church. Seriously! Our children will be leading worship – greeting, taking the offering, singing, prayers, readings and Ms. Emily will be preaching. There will be a mandatory rehearsal on Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to noon.

4th, 5th and 6th grade overnight
Friday, May 20th – more details to come – mark your calendar now!

Family Project for April

A chance to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami
(From the Yukon Presbytery) - If you would like to contribute in a tangible way, consider Gift of the Heart kits. These kits are an excellent "hands on" project for youth groups and other groups that want a tangible way to be involved. Hygiene kits are in high demand right now. These kits include:
1 - hand towel (approximately 16" x 28", no fingertip or bath towels)
1 - washcloth
1 - wide-tooth comb (remove from package)
1 - nail clipper (no metal files or emery boards; remove from package)
1 - bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
1 - toothbrush (in original packaging)
6 - Band-Aids® or other adhesive bandage strips
Please do not add toothpaste to the Hygiene Kit. Toothpaste which has an extended expiration date will be added to Hygiene Kit shipments just prior to shipment. Seal all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure.

Items we need:
Egg cartons
Plastic Easter eggs
Anything beachy to decorate for VBS

Finally – a reminder about Vacation Bible School “SonSurf Beach Bash VBS” where kids get to Meet Up, Look Up, Join up, Open Up and get Fired Up for Jesus. June 6th – June 10th 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
God is SO good and is up to some amazing stuff here at First Pres!!!
Woot! Woot!

Ms. Emily Miner,
Children’s Ministry Director

STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JOB

Begins April 3 during the Sunday School Hour

In one man’s story, the relationship between man and God is explored profoundly. The plot is simple: Job is a good man overwhelmed by sudden calamities. A simple plot, but in the course of it the author deals with questions as relevant now as they were three thousand years ago:
What is God Like? Is He really perfectly good, just, and sovereign as the Scriptures tell us?
What is man in God’s eyes? Is he a worm, a prized work of art, an enemy, a friend, or a pawn?
What does God expect of man? What is righteousness? How should a person relate to God?
What is faith? Can a person doubt and question God, and still have faith?
Why do people suffer? Is suffering always punishment for sin? Does God let innocent people suffer?
Why do people obey God? Do they do it to gain rewards and blessings? Would anyone keep worshipping God if there were no tangible benefits?
How can someone help a friend who is suffering? What are some of the right and wrong things to say?
You are invited to join Bill Beaudoin’s adult Sunday school class as they search the scripture for answers to these questions.

THE BOOKSHELF…

A Sacred Sorrow: Reaching Out to God in the Lost Language of Lament
by Michael Card
NAV Press
A Book Review by Diane and David Henry:

This book explores the experiences of Job, David, Jeremiah, and Jesus as they poured out their pain, confusion, grief, and deepest sorrow in sincere honesty before God. As we, too, learn the art of lament, we will discover a new dimension of God’s Presence with us and hesed (“loving-kindness”) toward us. This understanding will cause our praise and worship to be more meaningful — whether we are on the mountaintop or wandering through the valleys of life.
Excerpt (page 137):
“Jesus understood the honesty represented in the life that knows how to lament. His life reveals that those who are truly intimate with the Father know they can pour out any hurt, disappointment, temptation, or even anger with which they struggle…Each time we refuse Him entrance to our holy place, every time we doggedly deny our sacred right of lament, we tell the world in effect that the cross has nothing to do with us. Without realizing it, we plug our ears so as not to hear Him lamenting for us to God.”

Bingle Camp News

Summer is coming and what better place for the kids to spend some quality outdoor time getting to know the love of Jesus Christ while having fun than at Bingle Camp on Harding Lake. Bingle Camp has programs for youth first grade through high school. Pick up a brochure in the Narthex or go online at www.binglecamp.org.
Of course a camp like Bingle always needs help to keep things going. We need the following:
Bookkeeper- The Bingle Board needs a volunteer bookkeeper to keep the books throughout the year. Claude Klaver has done this job for many years and has expressed a desire to step down. He has agreed to stay and work with a new bookkeeper until they are trained. Call Ray Miller 452-3993 if you are interested.
Camp runs from mid June through mid July and we are taking applications for:
Counselors- 18 and above- Stipend offered. Call the Camp Office 479-0562 or check online.
Junior Counselors- 12 and up to assist counselors, working with the campers. Volunteer for a week or more. Call the Camp Office 479-0562 or check online.
May 14, is clean up day at Bingle Camp, so grab your work gloves and come join us for fun, fellowship, food, and a little work to get camp ready for the summer season. Call Ray Miller 452-3993 for more information.