SAVORING THE LECTIONARY: Sunday, March 26
Kurt Grossman will lead the Sunday morning Lectionary Study, beginning at 9:00 in Room 302.
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)
The OGHS offering is collected each year during the week preceding Easter. This long-standing special offering benefits three specific ministries within the Presbyterian Church (USA). Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) receives 32% of the OGHS offerings nationwide. Through PDA, PCUSA workers and volunteers work alongside communities as they recover/rebuild, and help people find hope after natural or human-caused disasters or crises. Disaster Assistance restores hope!
GREAT CHILI COOK-OFF: Sunday, March 26
The Great Chili Cook-Off will be held in the Dining Room following Worship on Sunday, March 26. Special thanks to our Congregational Life Committee for sponsoring the “Chili Cook-Off” with OGHS receiving the benefits of this fun event!
ORGAN RECITAL at FPC with CAMERON CARPENTER: Monday, March 27
Our congregation will host a recital by world-renowned organist Cameron Carpenter on Monday, March 27, at noon. Carpenter is in Kalamazoo for performances with Fontana Chamber Arts and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. We are privileged to have been invited to host this extra event! The recital will last approximately one hour, with time for personal interaction following the musical performance.
THOUGHTFUL READERS BOOK GROUP: Monday, March 27
“Everything I Never Told You”, by Celeste Ng, will be discussed by the Thoughtful Readers Book Group on Monday, March 27, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 300. When teenager Lydia Lee is found dead in a local lake, her Chinese-American family, living in 1970’s small-town Ohio, tumbles into chaos. A profoundly moving story, “Everything I Never Told You” is both a gripping page-turner and a sensitive family portrait, exploring the divisions between cultures and the rifts within a family. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact Kathy Campbell at (517) 803-0481.
BLOOMQUIST TRAVELOGUE: Sunday, April 2
Join Bob and Beverly Bloomquist and members of the Health Ministry Committee on Sunday, April 2, for a travelogue, hiking from Kathmandu to Mt. Everest base camp. On the way we’ll visit various mountain villages. Learn how Bob and Bev prepared for this 3-week trek in the Himalayas. Hike on up to Room 314-315 (following Worship) and join us!
EASTER FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY: Deadline: Sunday, April 2
The Chancel Guild encourages you to memorialize or honor someone at Easter by purchasing an Easter flower. The flowers will be placed in the chancel for Easter Sunday in a display that will glorify God, as it symbolizes the joy and splendor of the resurrection. An order form is available at the church entrances and will be inserted in the March 26 Announcements.
OUT-TO-LUNCH BUNCH: April 7
The Out-to-Lunch Bunch is an informal group from our church that gathers together to have lunch and conversation on the first Friday of each month. All FPC members are welcome to come. We order from the menu. The committee asks that your reservation be made the day before each luncheon. On April 7 we will go to Food Dance Café, 401 East Michigan, Kalamazoo.
INQUIRERS CLASS: April 23
If you are not yet a member of FPC, you are invited to participate in an Inquirers Class on Sunday, April 23, following Worship. Watch for more details in future Sunday Announcements, or contact Heather Kortlandt at 352-1451 for information.
FPC HANDBELL CHOIR
Interested in playing in the FPC Handbell Choir? Whether you are a beginner or experienced ringer, middle school age through adult, please contact Cindy Hunter at (269) 377-2478 or
cindy.hunter@kalamazoofirstpres.org.
NEW WEBSITE
The Communications Committee is excited about the launch of a new website for our congregation! We hope it will provide a valuable way for church members and anyone in our community to connect with our congregation’s ministry and mission. Check it out at sanctuaryinthecity.org or kalamazoofirstpres.org. Observations, comments, and suggestions are always welcome. Please contact Jim Van Buren.