Ecumenical Epiphany Service

Don't forget we have our Ecumenical Epiphany Service at First Christian Church this Sunday, Jan 5th at 10AM.  We will not have worship at our church Sunday.  See you there!  First Christian is located at 901 Penn Avenue.

Christmas Eve!

Join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec 24 at 6PM.  Lessons and carols with communion.  See you there!  Merry Christmas

Community Dinner at PFC

Hi, Friends-You may have seen the announcement, but Side A Brewing and other businesses are offering a community dinner at the PFC!   Dinner will be chili. This is open to everyone in the community and they especially want to reach out to those who might not have access to a hot meal.

We as a church have been invited to help with setup and clean up and provide people to mingle with those eating.  I (Pastor Keith) plan to be there and I believe Don Hair and Jo Carmichael have already volunteered to help with dishes.  Want to help, too?  Contact Brittany at brittanyd.sideabeer@gmail.com.  

Here is their original announcement:

Side A Brewing, Kneads Bakery, Jax Dog Cafe and Books and the Presbyterian Friendship Center have partnered to provide a FREE holiday community dinner. The dinner will be held Saturday, December 21st from 4pm-8pm at the La Grande Presbyterian Church Friendship Center. Donations will be accepted but not required and donated to local programs including the Backpack program, the Angel Fund and the Union County Warming Station.  

Spontaneous Christmas Pageant and Starman Party

The Spontaneous Christmas Pageant is coming up soon!  Dec 15 during worship followed by the Starman Party.  There is no such thing as too many Marys!  Or Wise Girls!  The kiddos get to pick who they want to be!  Remember to bring the kids, grandkids, and the neighborhood kids!  It is always fun and an easy way to invite someone into the life of the church!  Even adults are welcome to dress up!

Christmas Eve Service

Looking ahead...Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Communion will be at 6PM Dec 24th.  Please join us!

Hanging of the Greens

Hi, Friends-Just a reminder that tomorrow is the First Sunday of Advent!  Happy New Year!  We will do some minor decorating during worship tomorrow followed by the full sanctuary decorating right after service with a potluck lunch.  From the list, it looks like we will have plenty of soup! 

Come help get the sanctuary ready for the coming of Christ!

Neighbors Together Thanksgiving Dinner

Neighbors Together will be hosting their Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 28^th.   They are looking for volunteers for both Wednesday and Thursday.  On Wednesday they will be doing set-up and preparation.  Thursday’s volunteer opportunities include serving as “table hosts” just to make sure everyone is comfortable and determine who might need some additional assistance.  Doors will open at 11:00 am on Thanksgiving.  There will be beverages (coffee, tea, juice) available at that time.  It is meant to be a social hour where people can just mingle and visit.  There will be music during this time.  Dinner service time is 1:00 pm.  If you have questions or want to volunteer, call 541-963-9126 or send an email to:  outreach.grv@gmail.com. 

EOU Study Snacks

It is that time of year again!  Our Mission folks asked us to send out the information on the Study Snacks.

Besides Hanging of the Greens, we will collect the Study Snacks on Dec 1st.  We will either 'basket' them up or pass them on to our K-House people to do that.  This year they are looking to get the following:  Apples or oranges, fruit cups, snack cracker packets, granola or protein bars, pudding cups, hot chocolate packets, tea, candy bars, fruit snack packets, microwave popcorn, and trail mix or nut packets.  

We will have a signup sheet in the back of the sanctuary as well.  Thanks in advance for reaching out to the EOU students before finals!

10 Years!

Tomorrow, Saturday, Nov 9 marks our 10 year anniversary as serving as your co-pastors.  In recognizing this milestone, we want to celebrate you on Sunday, Nov 10!  After service, we will host a Congregation Appreciation Potluck at the PFC and we want you there to say thank you for growing with us during these 10 years.  We are bringing the cake. Even if you didn't sign up to bring something, that's ok. Bring something if you can, but help us celebrate the joy of seeing Jesus in action through you!  See you Sunday!

It is Star Time!

It is time to make the Star Ornaments that decorate the sanctuary during Advent.  These are the stars the Star Man gives to children after the Christmas Pageant.  It is a tradition to only have adults involved in the making of the stars since they are a gift to the children.  Please join us on November 7 from 4-6PM in the parlor to work together on this project.  Thank you!

Estimate of Giving for 2020

A message from your Generosity and Stewardship Committee:

If you have previously turned in your Estimate of Giving Card for 2020, thank you so much! If you haven't, you are invited to bring yours in this Sunday for worship so we can dedicate your abundant gift to the church.  See you Sunday!

Blessings,

Dennis Young and Sondra Rosholt

Hopefully, you got your donut  fill today!  Autumn wouldn't be autumn with out the Bazaar...nor raking leaves!  Come help cleanup and rake leaves at the church Nov 9 at 10AM.  The Scouts have been invited, too!  Let's get the church looking nice and ready for winter.

All Saints Celebration

This Sunday, Nov. 3 at 9:30am worship, we will be celebrating All Saints. As part of the service, we will remember and read the names of beloved ones who have died. 

On Sunday morning, there will be a list at the back table in the sanctuary for you to write the names of loved ones you would like named. We will also set up a table in front where you can place a photo or small memento of beloved ones. 

It is always a moving remembrance time, as we celebrate the whole communion of saints, God's people through history and across time and space, whose stories continue to inspire and instruct us on our own journeys of faith. We hope you can be with us this Sunday. 

Peanut Butter Drive for Friday Backpack

Hi, Friends-We are doing a peanut butter drive for Friday Backpack this fall.  Our goal will be to bring in 100 jars of peanut butter by the end of November.

They take jars from 15-16 oz, no glass.  The brand is not important, but they try to stick with the name brands.  So next time you are at the store, please remember to pick up an extra jar or two!

ps-I also learned, ending today, that if you have a Safeway card, the Safeway brand jars of peanut butter are $.99. 

World Communion Sunday

This Sunday, Oct 6, is World Communion Sunday.  We are celebrating worship at Zion Lutheran with them and our brothers and sisters from First Christian Church, St. Peters Episcopal Church, and The United Methodist Church.  Worship will be at 10AM.

You are invited to wear international cloths or bring clothe from foreign countries that can be used to decorate the sanctuary!

Community Fellowship Night Dinners!

Dinner is on!

Our Community Fellowship Night Dinners start up again Oct 2nd.  There will not be a dinner Oct 9 as the Friendship Center will get new carpeting.  We will start back up Oct 16 and have dinner every Wednesday through Nov 20.  Suggested donation is $3.00.  Many thanks to Merlyn's Catering for cooking again this year!

I'll Push You

I’ll Push You

A Documentary for Our Times

Sunday, September 29^th at 3:00 pm

Free Showing with Discussion

First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary

I’ll Push You is an inspirational exploration of the true meaning of friendship, generosity, and vulnerability.  It’s about two best friends who grew up together in Ontario, Oregon who embark on an epic journey when Patrick Gray agrees to the crazy proposition to push Justin Skeesuck in a wheelchair across the 500-mile pilgrimage of El Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. 

Learn about The Camino and why it draws people from every walk of life and faith tradition as a journey of self-discovery.  Follow Justin, Patrick, the filmmakers and their fellow pilgrims as they show how our lives depend on sacrifice not greed, vulnerability not security, community not isolation, and love not fear, true antidotes for our time.   

I’ll Push You is also available in book form for those who wish to read about this adventure before viewing the documentary.  Order it wherever books are sold.  Then come to the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary showing on September 29th. 

Youth Sunday, Sept 8

Hi, Friends-The youth that went to Nederland, CO this summer will share their experiences this Sunday, Sept 8, during worship.  Come hear about the awesome, transformative experience they had and support our youth!

Exciting Opportunity

Hi, Friends-

As many of you may know, Ruth Young and I have been participating in an intergenerational ministries cohort since March.  We usually meet over the computer, but this next week our coaches from the national office will be here on Wednesday, the 21st.  I'm organizing a dinner gathering that evening from 5-7 so people can hear about the work they are doing and help bend our thoughts a bit about how we think and do ministry in the life of the church.  This does not mean you will be asked to be on a committee!  But I would invite you to come, hear and participate that evening, and share with Ruth and me any ideas that the Holy Spirit might share with you.

We will probably meet at the PFC, but I will send out a note about the exact location early next week.  Let me know if you plan to come by Monday the 19th so I can arrange food.

Worship at Westminster Woods Sunday

Hi, Friends-Just a reminder that we are worshiping with our brothers and sisters in Christ from Pendleton this Sunday, Aug 18, at Westminster Woods.  Note the service starts at 10:30AM!  This is a change from previously announced.  The service will be followed by a potluck, so please bring a dish to share.  If you need directions, here they are:   https://pendletonpresbyterian.com/westminster-woods/locationmap.html

We will not have worship at our church Sunday.

Loftus Glen Picnic

I can't get the info to come over!  So I will type it all in.

Loftus Glen Picnic, July 20, 11AM-3PM

Bring:
Meat to BBQ
Salad to share
Dessert to share
Folding table & chairs
Invite a friend!

Directions:  Head to Wallowa county, via Elgin.  When you get to Lostine, keep right at the Blue Banana Coffee Shop on the Lostine River Road.  Go six miles, turn left at gateway.  If you cross the bridge over the river, you have gone too far!

Loftus Glen Picnic

Mark your calendars!  The Loftus Glen picnic near Lostine will be July 20th.  Stay tuned for more details and directions coming your way soon!

Pentecost

Sunday is Pentecost!  Remember to wear red in celebration of the Holy Spirit!  We will also take a special offering for the church's HELP Fund.

Holy Week Happenings!

Just a reminder about the Holy Week happenings

Come celebrate the night Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper on Thursday at 5:30 in our sanctuary.  There will be Mediterranean foods to enjoy as part of service. Communion will be served.  No foot washing this year.

Our Ecumenical Good Friday service will be held at the Methodist church this year.  Service is at 7PM.

Bring a flower to decorate the Blooming Christmas Tree cross on Easter morning at 9:30AM.  There will be two baptisms and we will also celebrate the Lord's Supper.  Invite a friend to come with you to this celebration of Christ's resurrection!

Hi, Friends-As many of you know, Eugene Peterson, author of The Message translation of the Bible passed away in 2018.  In celebration of his memory and many works, we are offering a Lunch and Learning series during Lent and Eastertide.

During Lent, we will read together his book Tell it Slant, A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in his Stories and Prayers.  In the first portion of this book, Peterson delves into the stories and parables Jesus tells on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem and ultimately the cross.

During Eastertide, we will delve into his book Practice Resurrection, A Conversation on Growing Up in Christ.  This is Peterson's 'commentary' on the book of Ephesians.

Our tentative plan right now is to meet at noon on Tuesdays starting March 12.  As this will be here before you know it, we need to get a head count to order books.  So if you could let us know by Feb 17 that you are interested in participating, that would be great.  Keith and Laura

Scout Sunday at First Pres

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 3,  Troop 514 will serve their annual pancake breakfast in the PFC as well lead the morning service. You can enjoy pancakes from 8:00 AM to 11:30.  Your free will offering will help support our Troop activities.

And Jesus said, "Come and See..." Grow in discipleship, reach out in faith, grow the church...If these ideas appeal to you, come to an initial interest meeting for the "Come and See" initiative Sunday after worship. This initiative will support you in stepping out in faith to invite others into relationship with God in Jesus Christ through the worshiping community of First Presbyterian Church. At this organizational meeting, we will share this inspiration and select a monthly meeting time with those who are interested.

Interested, but can't make it? Let us know and we will put you in the mix as we find a date and time that works for all of us!

How is your relationship with Time? Are you dazed, distracted, and drowning in busyness? 

Do you long to find more quality time for what matters most? 

In “The Time of Your Life” class,you will get current in the flow of Time 

using time-tested tools of Christian wisdom

to transform frantic fragmentation into connection, coherence, and continuity.

Our first class is tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 16th, 4:30pm in the church parlor. 

Please let me (Pastor Laura) know you are coming! 

I hope to see you there!

Epiphany Service and De Greening

Hi, Friends-just a quick reminder that this Sunday's service, with the other church is at our church and the service will start at 10AM instead of our usual 9:30AM.  

That afternoon, Laurie Graves and I will 'De-Green' the sanctuary starting at 3PM and would love your help!  We don't need a lot of people to make this happen but a couple more people will make it happen much quicker.  Thanks in advance! Keith