“Lent” – “the 40 days (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by Christian churches as a period of penitence and fasting…

during which many Christians do not eat certain foods or do certain pleasurable activities as a way of remembering the suffering of Jesus Christ.”

The above definition, as you might have figured, comes from the ‘gospel’ of Merriam-Webster.

As most of you know by now, at our Ash Wednesday I laid down a challenge… followed up the next day via email and Facebook… for the congregation to join me in a Lenten discipline of prayer. A way for us all to engage in a practice that would require some ‘sacrifice’ … ‘giving up’ that valuable resource that is nearly as precious to us as food, TIME… to remind ourselves of the example Christ gave us of suffering for what He believed in.

This ‘challenge’ consists basically of this: at 7:14, A.M. and P.M… in the words of that car commercial, ‘EVERY DAY’… you are being asked to pray. It doesn’t have to be some long, deep, articulate prayer… it could be a simple one sentence prayer. What I would ask you to focus on… though not necessarily exclusively… is the CHURCH. As I said in my electronic ‘compositions,’ it could be simply to pray that God’s will to be clear as we consider the future of this congregation. Or, to pray for the church’s leaders… or for one another… or for someone outside of our church community. Or to pray for yourself to be a stronger witness to God’s love and mercy, made flesh in Jesus Christ.

You don’t even have to take the ‘official’ posture of prayer, hands folded with knees bent. (In fact, if you are in the car at the time, I would strongly advise against such a position!) Just take a minute to silently lift up your prayer to God. Not for anyone to hear but your Heavenly Father. Remember these words of Jesus: “Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention… pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1, 6)

And while your memory may be better than mine… QUITE possible… I would suggest what helps me to stay ‘on track’ with this prayer exercise. Set your phone alarm. Just as I am reminded each day at 10:02 to pray the words of Luke 10:2 (“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”), so too am I reminded at 7:14 to pray. And WHY at 7:14? Gee, I thought you’d never ask! Well, most of you already know; it comes from 2 Chronicles 7:14: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

As we continue to pursue that ‘future and a hope’ (what Scripture? ) that God has promised us… the ones who are in truth ‘called by name’… let us focus on what is most important. Not some pithy mission statement. Not an immaculately-worded buy-sell agreement or church covenant. Not a perfect balance sheet. No, what is most important is that we fulfill those ancient words: ‘humble ourselves… pray… seek (God’s) face… turn from our wicked ways.” THEN God will hear us… will forgive us… will heal us. AND lead us… (continued on page 2)

THE CHIMES

Volume 48, issue 2

2017

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As we do these things during this Lenten season, may we grow in our appreciation that our Lord God is indeed with us…just as He was with Jesus in the midst of His trials and suffering. In a season in which we are to give up ‘certain pleasurable activities,’ let us in return take up what is to be a VERY ‘pleasurable activity’: talking with God. It sure pleases Him… PRAYERFULLY yours,

Chan

IN THIS ISSUE

Message from the Pastor 1

In This Issue 2

Maundy Thursday & Easter Services 2

Daylight Savings 2

In Touch with Outreach 3/4

Dinners with Friends 4

FPC News and Announcements 5

Men’s Breakfast 5 Women’s Bible Study 5 LP Pilgrimage 5

Camps/Conferences 6

Birthdays/Anniversaries 7

Prayer List 8

Sermon Topics 9

Session Update 10

Calendar 11

Church Information 12

Please mark your calendar for our meaningful Maundy Thursday Service, April 13 at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary, 2525 Second Ave.

Then plan to join us for Easter Sunday, April 16. We shall enjoy our traditional Easter breakfast, followed by an egg hunt, and a joyous worship service.

April 16, 2017

Day Light Savings Reminder

March 12, 2017(2 AM)

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead on Saturday

Night (March 11th). You don’t want to miss Church

at 10:30 am on SUNDAY, March 12th!

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__________________________________________________________

In Touch with Outreach

by Angie Dilmore

Who in our congregation enjoys bowling? For me, it goes in the category of “I’m really

bad at it, but it’s really fun.” So, either way, whether you’re a good bowler or a gutter ball

thrower, I hope you will sign up for our Big Brother Big Sister Bowl for Kids’ Sake team!

BBBS benefits children throughout our region and the country, including kids at our FPC

outreach, Oak Park Elementary School via their Lunch Buddy program. This fundraiser

has been the agency’s largest annual fundraiser for over 20 years. The event will take place

at Petro Bowl on Saturday, March 25. I signed us up for the earliest slot, 9:30. The theme

this year is “Bowl like a Star,” and participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite

celebrity. (Or you can simply wear your blue FPC shirt!)

After meeting their goal of $100,000 last year, BBBS-SWLA has set an ambitious goal of

$110,000 for 2017. “We are confident that the residents of Southwest Louisiana will help

us rise to the challenge. We have seen that our community is full of the generosity and

charitable nature that makes our area so special,” says Heather Hohensee, Executive

Director. I’m looking for a team of 6 bowlers. If you are interested, contact me, 240-8380,

angiedilmore@gmail.com.

BOWL for KID’s Sake Team - 2013

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10,000 Blessings Maybe you’ve noticed a poster board entitled 10,000 Blessings near the front church

entrance and maybe you’ve been wondering what it is about. Well, it stems from a

conversation we had at a Session meeting a few months ago. The topic of gratitude came

up. This reminded me of an excellent book by author Ann Voscamp, called One Thousand

Gifts. (I highly recommend it) That thought prompted us to go around the table and say

what we are grateful for. It was a very moving emotional experience, and we wanted to

include our congregation. Hence the poster board, where you all are encouraged to

consider and express the things you too are thankful for. Truly, we are all so blessed. ________________________________________________________

Dinners with Friends in April & May

Do you like to have dinner? Do you like to visit with friends over a good meal? Do you enjoy having to only prepare ONE part of the meal? Then Dinners with Friends is for you!

How will this work?

Church family may sign up as an individual or couple. Sign-up sheets will be available in the foyer at the sanctuary entrance or you can call or email the church office to let us know you would like to participate. Sign up will be open through Sunday, March 12th.

If you are willing to host a small group (probably 5 – 8 people) for dinner in April or May, note that on the sign-up sheet.

Dinner groups will be made from those who signed up and your host will be notified to coordinate the date and time as well as menu. Each person brings one part of the meal that is coordinated with the host. The same groups will enjoy each other’s company in April and May to help us get to know each other even better! (please see Sara Judson or Ruth Andrus if you have questions)

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"Calling Christians to a deliberate and a joyous living of their faith."

Louisiana Presbyterian Pilgrimage #13 May 18-21

The Wesley Center - Woodworth, LA Cost: $275.

For more info, please speak with Pastor Chan (brochures also available in room off Sanctuary,

or online at www.lppilgrimage.org)

A Pilgrimage is 3 days long, but it last a lifetime...

SATURDAY March 18th 8:00 a.m.

Come to Men’s Breakfast at Greater St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church

1801 2nd Avenue Fellowship Hall

Don’t miss the BEST breakfast in Town!

Guest Speaker – Nancy Tower Government By Gods design

The next meeting of the Women’s Bible study group

will be held at the church on

Thursday, March 9th at 1:30 PM

Women’s Horizon’s Bible Study 2016-2017 Who Is Jesus? What a Difference a Lens Makes

Lesson 6 – according to Hebrews

All women are invited to attend.

Please note the Change of Date

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WHY SHOULD I GO TO A CONFERENCE OR A CAMP?

Because I like to quilt… Because I like to sing... Because I like to learn more about God… Because I like to paint…

All of these reasons and many more are why you should consider MoRanch, Montreat, or Feliciana for a conference or camp experience.

Following is a flavor of the upcoming events at Mo Ranch in Hunt, Texas. Our church has historically offered one half of your tuition to encourage you to attend one of these events. The full list is available at moranch.org/attend-a-conference. (For a similar list of events at Montreat in beautiful North Carolina, please go to montreat.org/attend/conferences.)

MARCH Spring Break Getaway

Mar 5 – 19 Sun - Sun

Quilting Retreat – Spring

Mar 27 – 31 Mon - Fri

Photography in the Texas Hill Country

Mar 29 - Apr 2 Wed - Sun

APRIL Spring Painting Retreat

Apr 10 – 13 Mon - Thu

Easter at Mo

Apr 14 – 16 Fri - Sun

Bold Word Preaching Conference

Apr 24 – 27 Mon – Thu

MAY Summer Camp for Kids Golf Tournament

May 4 Thursday

Men's Conference

May 5 – 7 Fri - Sun

College Connection Conference

May 15 – 19 Mon - Fri

Women's Conference

May 30 - Jun 1 Tue - Thu

For more information, contact Ann Knapp at mimiannknapp@gmail.com or Chan at the church office.

JUNE Bible Study Conference

Jun 1 – 2 Thu - Fri

Women's Conference - Session II

Jun 2 – 4 Fri - Sun

Summer Camp 2017

Jun 4 - Jul 22 Sun - Sat

Day Camp

Jun 5 - Aug 11 Mon - Fri

Mo-Ranch Teen Adventure Day Camp

Jun 5 - Aug 11 Mon - Fri

Mo-TLC, Teen Leadership Conference

Jun 11 – 16 Sun - Fri

Mo/PAM Worship & Music

Jun 18 – 23 Sun - Fri

Youth Celebration

Jun 25 – 30 Sun – Fri

JULY Jr. High Jubilee

Jul 2 – 6 Sun - Thu

Multi-Cultural Youth Conference

Jul 6 – 9 Thu - Sun

Jr. High Jubilee - Session II

Jul 9 – 13 Sun - Thu

ART@MO

Jul 16 – 21 Sun - Fri

Young Disciples’ Confirmation Camp

Jul 24 – 28 Mon - Fri

Summer Camp in the Rio Grande Valley

Jul 24 – 29 Mon - Sat

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March 1—Margaret Fontenot

March 4—Gay Nell Clements

March 5—Timothy Joseph

March 7—Barbara Tomek-White

March 8—Joyce Carr

March 10—Sarah Elizabeth Hood

March 10—Ginger Ashcraft

March 12—Courtney Fenet

March 13—Dan Plauche

March 14—Marie Louise Livanec

March 15—Lori Kerr

March 19—Lee Roberts

March 20—Adam Knapp

March 21—Johnnie LaCombe

March 23—Holley Poe

March 26—Chris Tyler

March 29—Ashton Parker

March 30—Sara Judson

3/04—David & Carol LeBlanc (1989)

3/10—Billy & Charlotte White (1998)

3/10—Randy & Carol DeRouen (1973)

3/31—Stephen and Ruth McLeod Rohs (2001)

Our Deepest Sympathy is extended to the Henderson Family.

Chuck Henderson passed into the Church Triumphant

on February 19, 2017.

Please keep Paula Henderson and all the extended

Henderson/Adams family in your prayers.

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Health Concerns Harold & Joyce Carr

Lois Ferguson Margaret Fontenot

Evalyn Fuller Annabella Gorham Lori & Tommy Kerr

KB Lake (upcoming tests) Betty Lou McKellar

Cissie McLeod Victor Picheloup

George & Pat Swift Elton Williams

Mason Broussard (Jill Zachary’s Grandson) Sarah Emanuel (continuing cancer treatment)

Barbara Karkalits (lung cancer friend of Billie Morris)

Wilda Moon (friend of Billie Morris)

Larry & Sue Parker

Tom Rusnack (Angie Dilmore’s step-father)

Mark Schram (friend of the Taylor family)

Cammie Shaddock (friend of the Taylor family)

Kathy Fontenot (Lupus & RA)

(Daughter-in-law of Margaret Fontenot)

Faye Scott (friend of Joyce Carr)

NaTasha Carr (Harold Carr’s niece Breast Cancer)

Nancy Draughn (Kidney failure)

Marilyn Kudla

Dr. Francis McBride (Lung Infection)

Dr. Charles Smith (Lung cancer Surgery)

(Friends of Virginia Gayle)

In the Hospital Michael Jackson and his family,

(friend of Cissie McLeod)

In Sympathy Henderson Family

Bellard Family

Kerr Family

Wellington Family

Kay Gilliland (recent loss of her sister, Ann)

Bob & Jennie Williams

(recent loss of his mother)

Nancy Draughn (sudden loss of her son)

Family and friends of Evie Reed (5 year old), who recently passed away

Encouragement Scott Allen & Family— Lori Kerr’s Son & Family

(prayers of Hope at a difficult time)

Jeanie & Frank Catania– prison Ministry in Italy

(Lori Kerr’s sister)

George & Pat Swift

Jon & Sarah Emanuel

(considering a change in ministry)

ALL Caregivers, Pastors & Teachers

All those affected by the tornadoes in NOLA

Presbytery of South Louisiana—Olive Tree Housing

JOYS/Praise Dr. Anatole Karpovs (JOY- recently received a good

report on his cancer treatment), friend of Maura Mize

Tom Rusnack—Recovering better than expected

(Angie Dilmore’s step-father)

Safety All of our Troops serving at home & abroad

Our First Responders

All those traveling

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March 5 – Mark 6:36-44, Colossians 4:5 – “We’re Better Together: Reaching Out” Communion

Today we begin a 5-week series based on the current SS Bible study by Rick Warren, “40 Days of Community”… subtitled, “What on earth are we here for?” It explores 5 different components of what makes us a community of faith… the CHURCH. As we look ahead to a future in which we hope to better understand just ‘what on earth are we here for,’ we will begin this Lenten series by considering one of the ways that ‘we’re better together’ ... by “Reaching Out.”

March 12 – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12; Romans 12:5b; 1 Corinthians 13:7 –

“We’re Better Together: Belonging”

As important as it is for the church to ‘reach OUT’ to the larger community, in order to most effectively do so, the church must also ‘reach IN’ to one another… to BE a community in and of itself. Practicing what we preach of caring for others by caring for each other. We are better together when we foster a culture of “Belonging”…

March 19 – 1 Corinthians 13:4-6; Matthew 7:2-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “We’re Better Together: Growing”

We help grow the kingdom of God by reaching out in love to those outside our church body. We grow in our relationship with our fellow believers by reaching out to those in the church. But if we are to be more than a ‘pious social club,’ we must consider how we are helping our fellow church members in their spiritual journey… that we can only be ‘better together’ if we are “Growing” in our faith… March 26 – Mark 10:43-45; Philippians 2:1-4; Galatians 6:2 – “We’re Better Together: Serving “

In our previous weeks, we have considered how we, the body of Christ that is His church, help others in their journey of faith… be they inside or outside the body. But our reaching out to others is not always connected to one’s faith… we are also called to come to the aid of those where issues of faith are not a consideration. But simply that we demonstrate the unconditional love of Christ in the ways that we are “Serving”…

March 2017 SERMON SCHEDULE

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FEBRUARY SESSION UPDATE

1. The congregation has been called to meet on Sunday, March 5, 2017, immediately following the worship service for the following purposes: 1) to approve the Pastor’s Terms of Call, and 2) to receive the 2017 budget.

2. An Ash Wednesday Service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on March 1, 2017, (in the sanctuary).

3. Maundy Thursday service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on April 13. A Good Friday service will be held on April 14.

4. The following recommendations from the Faith Committee were approved: 1) That the funds from the Ruth Reedy account, donations by Christus St. Patrick, and the Tuesday Bible Study at noon be consolidated in the budget for Camps and Conferences. 2) That Andrew Dilmore, Sally Taylor, Mark Judson, and Pat Swift be added as members of the Faith Committee.

5. Nurture Committee announced that “Dinners with Friends” will be held in March. The Easter Brunch on April 16 will be the fellowship activity for April.

6. The following recommendation from the Nurture Committee was approved: That Mary Ann Booth be added to the Nurture Committee.

7. The following recommendations from the Operations Committee were approved: 1) That a three-person audit committee be appointed. 2) That the $5432.63 church insurance bill for this year be paid in one payment. 3) That the document “A Covenant for Sharing Resources” with First Christian Church be extended until March 2018. 8. The Outreach Committee is researching areas our church’s mission to the community.

9. The following recommendation from the Outreach Committee was approved: That Mark Judson and Willie Bellard be added to the Outreach Committee.

10. The following recommendation was approved: That Nancy Hanchey serve as our commissioner for the February meeting of the Presbytery of South Louisiana.

11. The Session has recognized the need for better concern for our congregation. Plans are being made to improve our care of our church family including prayer, visitation, and communication. Submitted by Dorothy Strait, Clerk of Session

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Lake Charles, Louisiana

Office: 337-433-4667

Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday

9:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

2525 Second Avenue

Lake Charles, LA 70601

Mailing Address:

Post Office Box 4665

Lake Charles, LA 70606 –4665

E-mail: Office: secretary@1stpreslc.com

Website: www.firstpres-lc.org

SESSION

Rev. Chandler M. Willis, Moderator

CHURCH OFFICE: 337-433-4667

Dorothy Strait, Clerk of Session

Class of 2017 Ann Knapp

Sara Judson

Angie Dilmore

Class of 2018 George Swift

Ruth Andrus

Maura Mize

Class of 2019 Dorothy Strait

Inci Glover

Edie Ausmus