Current Events

Note: Our newsletter is printed twice monthly. Most of the articles are included below. If you would like to receive a copy, choose "Contact Us" at the bottom of this
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Art & Soul Christian Family Art Ministry
Through a series of structured workshops, participants open their eyes and hearts to God's awesome power of the creative spirit, developing and using their artistic talents to help feed their creative soul and using these talents to help others. It is open to all ages, and family involvement is encouraged. See www.artministry.blogspot.com to see examples of exhibitor's artwork and event updates. See calendar for scheduled meetings.

Knitting/Crocheting Ministry
Selected Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., this new ministry welcomes those who knit or crochet or want to learn. Shawls and sweaters will be made for this outreach ministry. Yarn donations are welcome. See calendar for scheduled meetings.

Family Night
Selected Wednesdays beginning at 6:30 p.m., Family Night is held. Bring a food dish to share and join in the fellowship and a fun family activity. See calendar for the current schedule.

Sunday School Celebration
The worship service on May 18 will celebrate the role of children, youth, teachers, and youth leaders. Afterwards a potluck lunch will be held in the church dining room. Lemonade, coffee, and tea will be provided. Bring your own table service and a food dish to share. Everyone is invited. A magician will provide entertainment.

Summer Picnic
After worship on June 8, there will be a picnic across the street in Grafelman Park. Bring a food dish to share, your own table service, and a blanket or chairs for seating. Meat and beverages will be provided.

Vacation Bible School
VBS will be held Monday thru Friday, July 21-25, 6-8:30 p.m. Be sure to check back for more information.

Phase I Building Program
In 2003 our church completed the third year of a three-year building renovation program. Beginning in summer of 2001 the church exterior was repainted basic white. The steeple leak was repaired, rotted wood replaced, the west side railings were replaced, recaulking was done, the windows were reglazed, and a replacement front door installed. The addition of a transom window above the front door is very attractive and has brought light into the Narthex. More recently electrical work, in order to reach code in the Narthex, sanctuary and Fireside Room, has been completed. There are self-illuminating exit signs and emergency lights in the sanctuary and in the Fireside Room. New "dusk to dawn" lights have been added to the west entrance. We are exploring alternatives to provide better, enhanced lighting in the sanctuary and balcony, and plaster has been repaired. The sanctuary & Narthex interior has been painted. The sanctuary floor has been refinished, new carpeting has been installed, and the pews refinished. New pew cushions, chancel kneeling cushions, and new matching chancel furniture upholstery have been added. We rejoice as these needed improvements to our historic building, erected in 1865, provide a more comfortable, brighter, and safer environment and invigorate the spirit of First Church to pursue our many existing and new ministries with a renewed sense of purpose.

Phase II Building Program
Beginning in June 2004 a three-year fund drive began to raise necessary funding to install sanctuary air conditioning, improve sanctuary lighting and sound, and begin preparations to make our building more handicapped accessible.

Beginning in August 2005 work began to create a handicap access ramp on the west side of the church: a new asphalt discharge and parking area, access ramp and new steps plus the carpentry work to level out the thresholds into the Fireside Room and a new outside west door.

In February 2006 the bathrooms on the first floor were remodeled to provide access for everyone.

Air Conditioning for Sanctuary
As part of the Phase II Building Program, work began the week of June 20, 2004, to install air conditioning in the sanctuary. Work was completed, and the sanctuary was air conditioned for the first time on July 11, 2004.