Please click here to access our entire newsletter known as "The Courier". If you would like to receive a hard copy by mail, please contact the church office at 607-746-2155 or email us at fpcdelhi@delhitel.net.  Join us in our mission as we celebrate God's love in our lives!

***Newsletter Deadline***
Newsletter articles are due in the office no later than Thursday, March 18, 2010 in order to be placed in the April Courier.

If you have an item or announcement to be placed in the Church Life section of the bulletin, it must be in the office by 9:00 on Thursday morning.

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Lenten Program

Lenten Supper and Study Program Continues into March

Our Wednesday evening Lenten Suppers will continue into the month of March through March 24th. Each week will be hosted by a different group within our church who will take care of set up, clean up and preparing a simple supper. The schedule of host groups looks like this:
• March 3rd … Board of Trustees hosting
• March 10th … Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study hosting
• March 17th … Pastor Allen and the Iron Chefs hosting
• March 24th … Session hosting

After supper we’ll continue our study of the miracles of Jesus as they are recorded in the Gospel of John where each of the miracles contains a deeper spiritual meaning beyond their impressiveness as mere wonders.

Programs will begin with supper at 6:00 p.m. and will conclude by 7:30 p.m. Come on out and be part of something special during Lent.

Mission Emphasis

One Great Hour of Sharing

Lenten Mission Emphasis

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do love me'? He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep'." (John 21:16-27)
More than sixty years ago, in response to the devastation of World War II, a Saturday evening nationwide broadcast asked Americans to give generously the next morning in their churches. More than 75,000 churches responded and the One Great Hour of Sharing was born. The One Great Hour of Sharing still exists today and works with a wide variety of churches and religious groups to provide disaster relief and help alleviate suffering all over the world. Our own Presbyterian denomination was active from the beginning in OGHS, and now uses funds for the Self-Development of People, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Over 20 million dollars has been received from Presbyterian churches in the past 10 years, and in the first week of the Haiti earthquake disaster, OGHS gave $100,000 to the relief effort.
Today the Self-Development of People, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Presbyterian Hunger Program each receive approximately one-third of the offering, except for about four percent that is used, currently through Presbyterian Hunger Program, to address homelessness and affordable housing. Together they witness to the love that Jesus Christ has shared with all and that he asks us to share with one another.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, through OGHS, works with displaced persons in Africa and the Middle East. ` The Presbyterian Hunger Program trains farmers in India in new food production techniques, and our Presbyterian Mission was part of the aid that reached tsunami victims in the Pacific. The One Great Hour of Sharing does not just give out aid, but works with churches and other aid groups to help people rebuild their lives. 

Recognizing that the hope we have in Christ is lived out in our hope for one another, we respond with gifts that help our sisters and brothers around the world find the hope for a brighter future. Please join Christians all across the country in opening their hearts to witness tangibly to the abundant love of God through One Great Hour of Sharing. We will receive our offerings for One Great Hour of Sharing during the Lenten season and dedicate the offering to its intended uses during Holy Week. In this time of especially great need in the world, we who are Jesus' disciples are all called to give generously; as Jesus says to us, "Feed my sheep."

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Haiti Relief

The Session of the First Presbyterian Church has approved a motion to donate $1,000 to the relief effort in Haiti at the Presbytery Assembly meeting being held here on March 6th. The entire offering being received at the Assembly that day is earmarked for Haiti relief. The Session invites the congregation to contribute toward this $1,000 amount if they wish by placing contributions in a Mission Envelope today clearly marked Haiti on the outside of the envelope or dropping contributions off in the church office prior to March 6th. Please place the contribution in an envelope and clearly mark Haiti on the outside. Thank you for any support you feel led to give to this important mission effort.

Urgently Needed for the benefit of the people of Haiti – all types of orthopedic equipment and prosthetic devices (braces, crutches, canes, etc.) Sponsored by “ALTSO” – “A leg to stand on”. Items may be dropped off in the new narthex. John Truscott will be serving as local contact person. If you have any questions, please contact John at 607-988-9081.

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 If you know of anyone who is in the hospital or in need of pastoral care, please call the church office. We would rather be notified ten times than not be aware of the needs of the church family!

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MISSION REPORT 

In the 2009 calendar year, the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi gave a total of $29,592.00 to missions ($22,732.00 in local mission and $6,860.00 in validated mission). These amounts are calculated from the 2009 annual report and include committees and organizations of the church. These figures DO NOT include apportionment which is paid to the Presbytery each year. In 2009, $7,535.88 was paid in apportionment. 2009 Annual Reports are still available in the church office. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

Mile of Pennies

**Remember to find your roaming pennies and bring them to church next Sunday so we fill our penny jug this month!***

Please look through your pockets, purses, drawers and car floors and bring your coins in to the “Mile of Pennies” jar in the narthex. The money collected from this jar now goes toward the “Fellowship of the Least Coin” supporting our extra-mile mission giving with our brothers and sisters around the globe. Brochures on this mission are available in the literature rack in the Memorial Hospitality Room.

Bulletin Board

CHURCH BULLETIN BOARD

Observe World Day of Prayer
Friday, March 5th, 2010


Daylight Savings Time officially begins at 2:00 am on Sunday March 14, 2010. Please remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday March 13th. We look forward to seeing you each and every Sunday morning!

If anyone is interested in continuing the traditional Easter Breakfast following the early service at the Flats Cemetery, please contact the church office. 

Anyone interested in membership here at First Presbyterian Church, please speak to Pastor Allen or call the church office at 746-2155. 

The 2010 Flower and Coffee Hour volunteer posters are up in Fellowship Hall. If you would like to donate flowers for the Chancel on a Sunday or if you would like to make cookies for Coffee Hour or help serve, please sign up for any of the available Sundays. 

Anyone wishing to participate in the Worship Service as Liturgist should contact the church office. 

Anyone wishing to greet members and guests as they arrive at church should contact Vicki Noble or the church office.

OFFICE HOURS
The church office is open Monday – Thursday from 8:45 am to 2:30 pm. The office is closed on Fridays. 

Upper Room Devotionals for March and April are now available on the information racks in the Memorial Hospitality Room and outside the church office. If you wish to make a contribution to defray the cost, there is a wooden box in the narthex.

Shop the WEB with igive and benefit FPC 

Sign Up for iGive.com Yet?
Shopping online Saves Gas & Time! You can even shop online during a snowstorm!- Now you can earn $$ for our Church while you shop at over 700 websites with iGive.com! It’s safe, private and very easy! Go to our link: 
http://www.iGive.com/1stPresDelhiNY

It Does Not Cost You or Our Church Anything! And With Special Deals offered It May Cost You Less!!

Join today following the directions on the link (ask Nancy at the Church Office if you need help) and earn up to 26 % of your purchases for our Church.

(The Session has voted to donate any $$ received from iGive.com directly to the Youth Group to help with their summer mission trip.)

Please contact Nancy at 746-3131 or e-mail nthom@delhitel.net 

Choir News

Cherub Choir rehearsals for 2010 will start March 7th at 9:15AM - 9:45 AM in the chapel. I hope to have enough children so we can really practice and learn 1 or 2 songs for the Easter season (sing possibly on Palm Sunday?) There are 4 Sunday rehearsals (including Palm Sunday) so if we really dedicate our time, should be fine. If the children are not ready to sing for Palm Sunday, then would have to be Easter Sunday or Sunday April 14th. More definite dates for this to follow. It is very important that we have more than 2 children at rehearsals so we can really make a good singing group and have lots of fun. See you all on March 7th. 
Linda Malcolm, Cherub Choir Director

Junior Bells will not be rehearsing for a while as Mrs. Mooney has hurt her hand and cannot ring bells or conduct. More to follow in next month's Courier as to those rehearsals.


Chancel Choir will rehearse each Sunday evening during March at 7:00 pm.

Campanile Choir will rehearse each Sunday in March at 6:00 pm in preparation to ring on Easter Sunday.

Donuts

Krispy Kreme Fund Raising Event March 28, 2010
Original Glazed 
Krispy Kreme Donuts

$7.00/Dozen - Pick Up by 1:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Delhi on March 28 Drop Off Orders in Church Office or Place an Order with a Youth Group Member Order on or before March 22, 2010 Please Pre-Pay
$7.00/Dozen

Are you planning on company for Palm Sunday? Do you need something extra special to serve for breakfast that day? How about some fresh Krispy Kreme donuts? Youth Group will be taking orders for Krispy Kreme donuts by the dozen, now through March 22. A few dedicated parents will drive to Krispy Kreme and pick up the donuts on Sunday, March 28 so that you can pick up your fresh donuts at church Sunday morning. The donuts are $7.00 a dozen. Payment is due with the order. See the form in this month’s Courier or see a youth group member at coffee hour.

Easter Lilies 

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2010 Easter Lilies Order Form

Easter is almost here! All members and friends of First Presbyterian Church are invited to provide LILIES for our Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 12th. The plants may be given in memory of a loved one, in honor of someone special to you, or as a gift to the Church. Those giving plants will be listed in the Church Bulletin on Easter Sunday.

If you wish to order a plant, please complete the form at the bottom of this page and send it to or leave it at the Church Office by March 28th. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE IT WITH THE FLORIST. Lilies are $10.00 each this year. Make checks payable to FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (please note “Lilies” in the memo section of your check), and WE WILL ORDER THE PLANT FOR YOU. Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page as this is the information for the Easter Sunday Bulletin. All plants must be ordered through the Church office by March 28th.

You may take your plant after the service on Easter Sunday, April 4th, but no later than Tuesday, April 6th - PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN THE CHURCH ALL WEEK! Protective wrappers will be in the Session Room for you to cover your plant in the event of cold weather.

Thank you for contributing to the joy and beauty of this celebration of Christ’s Resurrection.

BOARD OF DEACONS
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH


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PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION AS YOU WANT IT LISTED IN THE BULLETIN:

Your Name __________________________________________________________

In Memory of _______________________________________________________

In Honor of ________________________________________________________

I will pick up my plant after the Service on Easter Sunday _________
I will pick up my plant on Monday or Tuesday (4/5 or 4/6) _________
I do not want my plant; please give it to a member 
on the Deacon’s List _________

THE PRICE FOR THE LILIES THIS YEAR IS $10.00
REMINDER: Make checks payable to the First Presbyterian Church. Please note “Lilies” in the memo section of your check. Orders must be placed by March 28th.
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Food Bank

FOOD BANK DONATIONS 
Let’s all make a renewed effort and make this an everyday project.

All donations of food, cleaning supplies, and paper products may be placed in the food box located in the narthex. Cash donations may be given to Charles Eustis or left in the church office. Please make checks out to “The Delaware County Food Bank”. Thank you for your support of this everyday mission project!

FIRST SUNDAY - canned vegetables - all kinds, soups, canned or dehydrated, powdered milk, dehydrated Idaho potatoes, rice and Stove Top stuffing. Cash donations are welcome.

SECOND SUNDAY - canned fruit - all kinds; jelly; salad dressing; mayonnaise; peanut butter; catsup; salt; flour; sugar; etc. Cash donations are always welcome.

THIRD SUNDAY - canned meat products; tuna fish; sardines; salmon; etc. Cash donations are welcome.

FOURTH SUNDAY - potatoes and onions, breakfast foods of all kinds (no baby cereals); crackers, cookies, powdered milk - plain & chocolate; juices; cake mixes; biscuit mix; Bisquick; syrup; molasses; Jello; pudding; dehydrated foods; rice; macaroni; spaghetti; noodles; canned broth, etc. Cash donations are welcome.

FIFTH SUNDAY - potatoes and onions, all kinds of paper products - napkins, paper towels, toilet tissue; all kinds of cleaning products, face soap & laundry detergent. Cash donations are welcome. 

Wednesday Morning Men's Breakfast and Bible Study

The Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study continues to meet each Wednesday morning at 6:30 am. Following their hot breakfast, the group reads a section from the Bible and discusses it. Any men interested are encouraged to join at any time.  If you have any questions concerning the group, please contact Pastor Allen or the church office.

 PW Reminders

Presbyterian Women

PW will be hosting a luncheon at the Presbytery meeting being held at our church on March 6th. They are looking for donations of soup and cupcakes. Please see Kathy Sullivan or Karen LaFever if you are able to contribute.

The Blankets PLUS offering was received during the month of February. Contributions may be given to Kathy Beveridge or dropped off in the church office until March 15th.

March schedule

March 2nd, 2010 at 7:00 pm –Coordinating Team Meeting at the home of Janet Maxwell.

March 6th, 2010 – Presbytery Luncheon – donations needed!

March 15th, 2010 – Last day to turn in Blankets PLUS offering for 2010.

March 24th, 2010 following the Lenten Program – Esther Circle will hold a short meeting. 

Esther Circle

The Esther Circle will meet on March 24th following the Lenten Program at the church. A short business meeting will be held and handouts for Lesson 6 of the Bible Study will be passed out for at home use.

Lesson 6 Scripture: Ruth 1

Love That Goes Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Depression and despair can make it difficult to sense God's steadfast love. Yet that does not mean it is not there.
Ruth refused to let Naomi go; God's love will not let us go, either.



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Committee Meetings and Church Board Meetings

Upcoming Board meetings include:

March 10 – SESSION about 7:15 pm following the Lenten service (Chapel)
March 15 – DEACONS 7 pm (CR)
March 17 – TRUSTEES about 7:15 pm following the Lenten service (Library)

Remember if you have a comment or concern, please contact an ACTING ELDER or the Clerk of Session. Letters to the Session should be addressed to the Clerk of Session at the church office or home address. Our current list of officers appears in each newsletter and may also be found on the following link.

Ministry Boards

The Committees of the church welcome your input and are also looking for interested people to become involved in the work of the church. Please feel free to attend any of the committee meetings or talk to any committee member with comments or concerns. If you have any questions regarding committee structures or committee chairs, please contact the Nancy Althaus, Clerk of Session. 

The Committees of the church welcome your input and are also looking for interested people to become involved in the work of the church. Please feel free to attend any of the committee meetings below. 

The Fellowship & Friendship Committee will meet Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Library.

The Mission Committee will meet Friday, March 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the Red Room. Anyone interested in joining this committee, please call Barb Thompson at 829-6005 or Nichole Newbold at 434-7705.

The Christian Education Committee will meet Tuesday, March 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Red Room.

The Music, Worship and Sacraments Committee; Membership Committee; Stewardship & Budget Committee; and History and Archives Committee do not currently have meetings scheduled. Meetings will be announced in the Church Life section of the bulletin. Please watch for information. 

Chancel Guild 2010 schedule: 
Jan/Feb - Joyce Goff 
March/Apr - Bonnie Fleming 
May/June - Gail Dibble 
July/Aug - Bea Mooney 
Sept/Oct - Barb Thompson 
Nov/Dec - Heather Rosa

Church Photo Directory
As you all know we have completed the photography days for the new pictorial directory of our church family. We have been working on the final layout which is very close to completion and will soon be ready to submit for printing. We sincerely apologize for the unforeseen delay.
Once again thank you to all who participated by having their family photographed and to all who contributed their candid and military photos. 
Thanks for helping make our directory special! Please watch the Courier and Church Life for the release date.

Sincerely,
The Membership & Participation Committee- 
Nancy Thomson, Nancy Althaus, Betty Bell, Donna Burgin, Barbara Geywits, Janice Raitt

Senior Meals and Angel Food Ministry

JOIN US FOR SENIOR MEALS
CALL (607) 746-2250 for Reservations
Lunch served Monday—Friday
11:30 a.m.— 12:15 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
Conference Room

(Anyone 60 years of age or older can participate, including younger spouses & guests.)

MARCH ANGEL FOOD BOXES 
Orders for Angel Food boxes will be taken at The United Ministry of Delhi on Saturday, March 6th, 10 am – 12 noon; Tuesday, March 9th, 5 – 7 pm; and Saturday, March 13th, 10 am – 12 noon. Mail Orders: Must be received by Monday, March 15th. Checks are payable to ‘UMD Angel Food’. Mail to: United Ministry, PO Box 111, Delhi NY 13753. Online Orders: Deadline: Monday, March 15th, 11:59 pm
http://unitedministryofdelhi.webs.com/
Orders may also be dropped off at the Church Office during normal business hours (Mon – Fri, 9 am – 3 pm).
Distribution: Saturday, March 20th, 8:30 – 10:30 am. For more information call The United Ministry at 607-746-2191, email: umdelhi@delhi.net or visit http://unitedministryofdelhi.webs.com/ and click on the Angel Food link. 

Statements, Envelopes and Apportionment

If you would like a statement of your giving for 2009, please feel free to contact our Financial Secretary, Nancy Lee by calling her home phone (746- 6946). Leave a message if there is no answer and she will return your call. 

Envelopes for 2010 are available on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Please remember to pick your envelopes up today. If you cannot locate your envelopes or you have not used envelopes in the past and would like a box this year, please contact the church office.

TRUSTEES HIGHLIGHTS 
 The Trustees did not meet in February and will reconvene in March.
 Erna McReynolds from Smith Barney will be attending our April 21st, 2010 meeting at 7:00 pm. Erna was originally scheduled to attend the March meeting but will attend the April meeting due to conflicts. Please note this change. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

CHURCH AUDIT SCHEDULED
An audit of the church is to be conducted on March 8th at 5:15 in the Blue Room. Anyone who has any account of any sort...checkbook, savings, cash on hand, etc. from the church will need to bring all material to the church office by 10:00 am on March 8th for the auditors to review. Please drop the needed items off at the church office on or before Monday, March 8th at 10:00 am. Thank you for your help in conducting the business of the church in a faithful and professional manner. 

APPORTIONMENT
The Per Capita amount for 2010 has been set at $31.73 per member. Per Capita apportionment is based on membership as of December 31, 2008. 
Our apportionment is based on 240 members giving a total of $7,615.20. The membership number is based on the 2008 Statistical Report. The money is paid by our church to cover our share of basic operation costs of our Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. Each member is invited to contribute $31.73 to help pay this obligation.

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Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers meets here at FPC Delhi!

Weight Watchers meets here each Tuesday evening at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church of Delhi. Weigh-in begins 30 minutes prior to the meeting time. You may contact Weight Watchers at WeightWatchers.com or by calling 1-800-379-5757.

Items to Save that Lend a Hand

With a little effort, you can contribute to a cause without spending any extra money! Just save your cancelled stamps following the instructions below.

Cancelled Postage Stamps – cut ¼ inch beyond stamp. These are used to buy Bibles and Religious Education material both in the United States and around the world.
The method for preparing stamps helps to determine their value. Follow these steps: 
• Stamps should be carefully trimmed with a ¼-inch margin around the entire stamp or set of stamps. Please do not cut the stamp. 
• Stamps damaged during trimming are of no value and should be discarded. 
• Do not tear or peel stamps from the envelope or leave a large ragged piece of paper around the stamp. Metered imprints are of no value and should not be saved. 
• Discard stamps with extremely heavy canceled markings, those with pen or pencil marks and those with obvious defects such as staple holes, held on with tape, etc. Stamps cut by letter openers and machines cannot be marketed and should be discarded. 
• Leave stamps attached to very old post cards (pre-1950) as the entire post cards are worth much more intact. 
• Do not fasten stamps together with tape, rubber bands, thread, paper clips or staples. Stamps need not be counted since they are sold by weight, not number of pieces. 
We also collect Box tops for education – found on many General Mills products. These are given to Delaware Academy to help pay for educational supplies not in the budget. 

Pull tabs from beverage, soups, cat and dog food, etc. (any aluminum pull tab). These are used to purchase medical and non-medical items for Shriner's Hospitals for Children.