Praying for…

Rebecca Dallavo, Russell Morgan, Elmer Whyte, Lily Sanders, Helen Burkland, Della Bull, Shirley Davidson, Shirley Spencer, Willene Ziebell, Robert Ryan, Amy Hensley, Audra Sibaugh, Katie Jo Sanderson, Kevin Strand, Nancy Harvey, Pam Noble, Marge Kildow, Rev. Bill Kramp, and Pastor Dave Barnes.

Former First Presbyterian Pastor Dave Barnes suffered a mild stroke during church last Sunday morning.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

 

HAVE YOU RETURNED YOUR PLEDGE CARD?

The Finance Committee wished to thank all of you who have returned your signed 2012 Pledge Cards.  We urge all of you who have not done so to please sign your cards and return them to the office as soon as possible.  We are working on the budget for next year and we need your signed cards.  Thank you.

 

Notes of Interest

CAROLING TO SHUT-INS (Mariners and all singers)

Our usual Sunday Christmas caroling to church friends and shut-ins has changed from a Sunday afternoon to Saturday afternoon.  PLEASE join us in the church dining room to get a list of people to entertain with carols and Christmas songs.  The date is Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 3:00 p.m., meeting in the church dining room.  Please bring a dish to pass for a potluck when all return from serenading-usually around 6:00 p.m.

 

First Hands Puppets

**Open to ALL ages**

Wednesdays—Now thru December 13

4:45 – 5:45 p.m.

 Leaders:  Mary Conklin, Sally Borgetti

Fall Enrichment Schedule

Wednesday Nights

 Vegetarian Meal by Chef Diana Kramer

6:00-6:45 p.m. ($5) Children’s Menu available (13 and under free)

Stewardship of Life Series

Program at 7:00 p.m.

November 30

Program:  Science and Faith Part 2

Speaker:  Bill Baskin

John Ortberg Book Study

“Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them”

Facilitator: Julie Manning Glovier

Call Valarie at 815-968-0478 by noon Monday to register for Meal and/or Programs.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SOUP KITCHEN

Soup Kitchen is looking for volunteers to help on Saturday, December 3.  We are also in need of different varieties of pies (either homemade or store bought).   A sign-up sheet is located in the Dining Room.  This is one of our bigger Soup Kitchens and several volunteers are needed.

 

Special Angels

Names of children from Haskell Elementary, in need of their own special angels, will be hanging on the Angel Tree.  Please take a name as a commitment to provide a specific child with several suggested gifts, helping to make his or her Christmas special.  Gifts should be returned wrapped and labeled with the child’s name by Sunday, December 11.

RING FOR SALVATION ARMY

How about giving a Christmas gift of your time for the needy of Rockford.  Our congregation is helping the Salvation Army with their Kettle Drive two more times this year. Both locations allow us to do this INSIDE the store. People are asked to sign up in Fellowship Hall for two hour shifts.  If you have done this before you know how rewarding an experience it is. Please sign up at Church or email David Jones, davidj6226@aol.com.

 

GIVE FAIR TRADE

Olive Oil infused with chili peppers: $12

Tea: $4

Chocolate bars: $3.50

Gourd Ornaments: $7

Let us help you select the perfect gift!  Fair For All has a nice selection of regular drip and whole bean Fair Trade coffees.

 

FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE

Have you checked out the new website for the church yet?  The calendar and events section is still under construction.  Under the staff section you will notice that the email addresses are a little different.  Here they are:

Rev. Beth Wagner: revbeth@firstpresrockford.com

Valarie Van Winter:  valarie@firstpresrockford.com

Elizabeth LaGrande O’Leary:  liz@firstpresrockford.com

Sally Borgetti:  sally@firstpresrockford.com

 

MITTEN, GLOVES, SCARFS AND SOCKS TO FILL OUR TREE

The Mitten Tree is up in our upstairs lobby to help collect warm things for those who need them.  Warm things include new hats, mittens, gloves, scarfs and socks of different sizes and colors.  Experience tells us that the small stretch gloves are not very durable during snow ball season.  So, please bring heavier gloves to put on the tree.  We’ll deliver the items to the school board for distribution by their health care unit.  Small things go to Rockford Day Nursery.

 

COOKIE & CANDY WALK AND NEARLY NEW SALE

Sunday, December 4 is approaching quickly and we look forward to another great sale.  But, we need your help.  Bakers are needed again this year to make those delicious cookies and candies.  Crafters are also asked to make holiday crafts and bring those in also.  If you have some items at home that are nearly new, bring those in for the sale.  Please bring your cookies and other contributions to the church between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3.  Remember that the funds received enable the Women’s Ministry Committee to provide special events and to share in Presbyterian offerings and local missions.

 

 

First Presbyterian Church

 406 North Main Street

Rockford, Illinois 61103-6876

Telephone: (815) 968-0478 • Fax:  (815) 968-1067

Email: firstpres@firstpresrockford.com

Website: www.firstpresrockford.com

 

Church Office Hours:

Monday: 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 8:30 a.m.—2:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 12:45—4:45 p.m.

Thursday: 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

Friday: 12:45—4:45 p.m.