Lenten Series 2012: Doing the Right Thing with Charles Colson

Join Charles Colson, veteran newsman Brit Hume, Joni Eareckson Tada, and many others in this special DVD and discussion series that explores the breakdown in ethics that is hitting our culture from all sides from Wall Street to our schools to our families. Starting Sunday, Feb. 26 at 9:50 am, we will watch the series each Sunday morning in South Chapel during Lent, followed by a discussion of the topics raised. Many FPC small groups will also be using the series to hold discussions during Lent. Get the participant’s guide from your small group leader or in the church library for $10. You won’t want to miss this life-changing series, which will encourage you to “go deeper” and examine your own challenges at home, school, and the workplace. Facilitator: Matt Pickard.

Session Votes to Identify Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians as Denominational Option

After a very encouraging and supportive congregational gathering on Wednesday, Feb. 1, the Session voted unanimously to identify the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO) as the body to which we will be dismissed if we vote to leave the PCUSA. Over the past three months, we have been exploring that group and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) as possibilities. Our conclusion is that between the two of them, there wasn’t a bad option, but we feel that ECO provides a slightly better fit for First Pres. We are very excited to have this piece of the puzzle figured out and to feel such a strong sense of unity and support from the congregation. Please continue to pray as the Administrative Commission meets and puts together the terms for our possible disaffiliation from the PCUSA.

Eric Jacobsen, Senior Pastor, FPC Tacoma

Denominational Options Gathering, Feb. 1 @ 7:00 pm

Come to the Congregational Gathering on denominational options this Wednesday, Feb. 1 @ 7:00 pm. Following a congregational advisory vote and Session vote last fall, FPC is currently in negotiation with our Presbytery to leave the PCUSA. As part of seeking a dismissal agreement, we need to determine the new denomination with which we want to affiliate. As the FPC Session informed the congregation last fall, the two denominations we are looking at are the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians being formed by the Fellowship of Presbyterians. We now need to decide which of these two denominations we want to affiliate with if we leave the PCUSA. Accordingly, the FPC Session invites all members and regular attenders to come to a special congregational gathering on Feb. 1 to learn more about these two denominations, to hear what the Session is currently thinking, to ask questions, and to provide input before the Session votes to identify the denomination to which we should seek dismissal. Everyone is encouraged to attend this important meeting! Additionally, before the meeting on Feb. 1 people are encouraged to read the information available about these two denominations at http://discernment.fpctacoma.com.

Looking ahead: As a reminder, after we we identify the denomination we want to be dismissed to and after we negotiate a draft dismissal agreement with our Presbytery, we will hold one or more congregational gatherings to present the draft dismissal agreement to the congregation and to take an advisory vote of the congregation about whether to accept the proposed dismissal agreement. We currently anticipate that this process will take another 2-3 months. Questions? Email elder John West at jwest@fpctacoma, com or contact Pastor Eric or Pastor Becci.

Women’s Retreat (Feb. 3-4) Registration Information

Sign up for the 2012 women’s retreat this week! The retreat will be this coming Friday and Saturday (Feb. 3 & 4), and tickets are $45.00. Tickets may be purchased at the church office during the week, Sunday mornings, at Tuesday & Wednesday Bible Study, and at MOPS.  Scholarships are available for those who need help with the registration fee. Just ask! Contact Pastor Becci Curtis at 253-272-3286 for more info. For any other questions please contact Carol Heath at 253-537-7980.

Here is some additional information you might find useful:

Location? The retreat is at FPC’s own Camp McCullough, 20665 SE 264th St., Covington, Washington 98042; 425-432-9470.

Allergies? If you have food allergies please call by Feb. 1st so we can make accommodations. Call Carol Heath 253-537-7980.

Transportation? If you need transportation, we will make a bus or van available but you must reserve a seat in advance. In an attempt to make the retreat accessible to everyone, we will make arrangements for transportation departing from and returning to the church parking lot. Friday: Depart at 5:15pm, return at 9:30pm. Saturday: Depart at 8:30am, return at 7:00pm. To make a reservation for a seat please call Carol Heath 253-537-7980 no later than Wednesday Feb 1, 2012.

Wednesday Night Programs Cancelled for Jan. 18

Because of the snow in the Tacoma area, regular Wednesday night programs (dinner, bells, kids’ activities, adult ed, choir) are being cancelled on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Programs will resume on Jan. 25. So keep safe and enjoy the snow!

New Classes and Programs at FPC Tacoma in 2012

Draw closer to God and learn what His calling is for your life in 2012 by participating in some of the wonderful new classes and programs at FPC Tacoma starting this month:

The Art of Marriage: Starts Sunday, Jan. 8
Sundays from Jan 8-Feb. 19 @ 9:50 am (South Chapel)
Strengthen your marriage skills in this interactive video class featuring experts, ordinary couples, mini-dramas, and practical strategies for dealing positively with stress, disagreements, changing feelings, and your need to leave a living legacy. Cost is $35 for the workbook. Childcare and Sunday School for infants through high schoolers provided during each session. For more information, contact coordinator Carolyn Havel at 253-272-3286, ext. 110 or chavel@fpctacoma.com. Meets in South Chapel.

Letters to Churches of Revelation: Starts  Sunday, Jan. 8
Sundays from Jan 8-Feb. 19 @ 9:50 am, Middleton Parlor
In the book of Revelation, Jesus sent special messages of encouragement and challenge to seven churches in Asia Minor. Although communicated nearly 2,000 years ago, these messages hold powerful lessons for our church today about love, truth, integrity, and how to discern God’s will for ourselves and for our congregation. Join John and Sonja West as they lead this in this in-depth and interactive Bible Study of a fascinating section of the Bible. Meets in Middleton Parlor.

Plus… join us for the special “Drive thru History” screening on Wednesday, Jan. 18th @ 7:00 pm as we tour (via video) the sites of three of the churches mentioned in Revelation 1-3: Sardis, Smyrna, and Laodicea. You won’t want to miss this entertaining and insightful look into a part of the New Testament that remains strikingly relevant for us today.

Celebrate Christmas 2011 at FPC Tacoma

Yearning to experience the true meaning of Christmas? Whether you are already a Christian or still seeking to find your way, we have some special events at FPC Tacoma this Christmas season to help you discover God’s extravagant love for you in Jesus Christ:

Advent Devotional  
Free Books Starting Nov. 27
Connect with God this Christmas by committing to set aside a few minutes each day to read, reflect, and pray. To help out, we are offering each family a free copy of the wonderful devotional, The Journey: A Season of Reflections. Get your copy of this book at the church library in Stone Hall on Sunday mornings as long as supplies last.

Family Advent Breakfast
Saturday, Dec. 3 @ 10:00 am-Noon
Start your Christmas season with our annual Family Advent Breakfast on Dec. 3 in Stone Hall. Features a hot breakfast, carol singing, and the making of a family advent wreath (and other crafts for kids). $5 per person or $20 per family at the door; or $12 per family if bought by Dec. 1st in the church or school office. For more info., call Carolyn Havel at 253-272-3286, ext. 120.

Director of Music Ministries Job Announcement

First Presbyterian Church of Tacoma is seeking a Director of Music Ministries. This is a part-time, 20-hours per week, salaried position. The job announcement can be downloaded here. For more information, please contact Karen Ackerson, Senior Ministry Coordinator, at kackerson@fpctacoma.com.

Great Truths from the Great Books

Explore the spiritual meaning of some of the world’s greatest books in this special series of talks and discussions in October and November at First Presbyterian Church, Tacoma. Whether you’ve read these books or not, come for some wonderful heart and mind-stretching discussions. Meets in South Chapel at 7:00 pm.

SCHEDULE:

October 5, The Lord of the Rings. J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy of men, hobbits, elves, and good and evil. Teacher/Discussion Leader: John West.

October 12, Jane Eyre. Charlotte Bronte’s Gothic tale of a young woman who becomes Governess at mysterious Thornfield Hall. Teacher/Discussion Leader: Sonja West.

October 26, Phantastes. George Macdonald’s fantasy that C.S. Lewis listed as one of the ten top books that shaped his vocational attitude and philosophy of life. Teacher/Discussion Leader: Hugh Milloy.

November  2, The Count of Monte Cristo. Alexander Dumas’s classic tale of intrigue, revenge, and redemption. Teacher/Discussion Leader: Katie Chase.

November 9, The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Milan Kundera’s novel of relationships, infidelity, and the meaning of life. Teacher/Discussion Leader: Connie Connally.

November 16, The Merchant of Venice. Shakespeare’s classic play about mercy, intolerance, and revenge. Teacher/Discussion Leaders: Doug and Anne Hopper

November 30, The Confessions of St. Augustine. Augustine’s autobiography exploring how our hearts are restless “until they rest in Thee.” Teacher/Discussion Leader: John West.

Session Votes to Request Administrative Commission

Dear Members of Our Church Family,

At our meeting on Oct. 11th, the Session of First Presbyterian unanimously voted to request the Presbytery of Olympia to form an Administrative Commission that will help determine the future of our church. The purpose of this commission would be to negotiate the specific terms that would ensue if we were to disaffiliate from the Presbyterian Church USA. Once those terms are agreed upon, the congregation will be asked to vote on whether to accept those terms and be officially dismissed to another Reformed body.