First Presbyterian Church of Holland Michigan (PCUSA)

MISSION TRIP
Wow! We have had a wonderful response for volunteers to head south and help with rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. We will be staying in Mobile, Alabama at Grace Presbyterian Church. This is a small church (only 34 members) that has opened its doors and hearts to volunteers coming in to help with clean-up and rebuild. We will be working in Gautier (pronounced Goshay), Mississippi, about a half an hour away. We will be working through Gautier Presbyterian Church. This is another small church (68 members). We are proud First Presbyterian of Holland is supporting the work of the 102 members of these small congregations and the work of Presbyterian Church USA.

We will be leaving from the church on Saturday, Feb. 18th early in the morning, stopping for the night in Nashville, Tennessee and will arrive in Mobile, Alabama the evening of Sunday, Feb. 19th. We will leave Mobile on Friday, Feb. 24th and will arrive home the evening of Sat, Feb. 25th.

Please keep our mission group and the work we are doing in your prayers. You may not be able to make the trip, but a positive prayer in the right direction is a powerful tool.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY AND MORE
Twice a month, a group of men meet at church to reflect, discuss and gain insight into not only what the Bible teaches us, but also to consider and discuss thought-provoking spiritual concepts, beliefs and values that shape our lives.

We learn from the Bible, other reading materials and video presentations, of course. But we also learn a lot from each other in the give-and-take of discussion.

The informal meetings are held every other Friday at church, in the Meet and Mingle Lounge at 6:30 am. Yes, that’s early, but the mental stimulation and hot coffee provided more than compensate for a little loss of sleep! All are welcome—we have several who come from other churches. Plan to learn and share ideas and experiences at our next meeting on January 27.

For more information or to get on our email announcement list, contact Don Williams on-line at Williams@hope.edu. or call the church.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

It’s time to make your summer plans!! Please consider the following:

CREATION! CELEBRATION!

What: 2006 Church-wide Gathering of Presbyterian Women
“God’s Word—Light for the Journey”

When: Friday-Tuesday, July 7-11, 2006
Where: Kentucky International Convention Center
Louisville, KY

This is a time for celebration of many things — creation; 100 years of ordaining women as deacons, 75 years as elders and 50 years as ministers of Word and Sacrament; and the 50th anniversary of the Least Coin Offering. It is also time for being inspired, nurtured and educated — a time for making new
friendships and renewing old ones.

Scholarships for registration are available—See Clare Westendorp or Elizabeth Bristol or visit www.pcusa.org/pwgathering.

New date for the Presbyterian Women’s Annual Lenten Breakfast—April 5, 2006 at 9:30 am. This will be a hands-on-message and art project about Palms for Palm Sunday.

Our February newsletter is available for download! Click on the link below.

Profiles February 2006

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(Or you can download Jan29.mp3 directly.)

Join the Middle High Youth group on March 25th, as we travel to Harbor
Humane Society in West Olive, there we will have a tour, learn about
animals and play with and excercise their dogs! Please bring along an
item for donation to the shelter.
March 25th 1-3 PM. All dog lovers are welcome to join us!