CALENDAR OF THE WEEK Sunday, April 28th 8:15am-Prayer in the Chapel 8:50am-Combined Worship Service 10am-Confirmand Reception 10:15am-Final Sunday School 10:30am-Final Adult Ed 5pm-Middle School “Secret Agents” at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp Tuesday, April 30th 1:30pm-Women’s Bible Study Wednesday, May 1st 4:30pm-Weekly Prayer 6pm-Wednesday Women’s Bible Study 7pm-Handbell Practice 8pm-Choir Practice Thursday, May 2nd 9am-No Men’s Bible Study 11:53am-ACT II 4:30pm-PW Coordinating Team Meeting Saturday, May 4th 8:30am-FPC Clean-Up Sunday, May 5th 8:15am-Prayer in the Chapel 8:50am– Reformed Worship Service 10:00am-Graduate & Teacher Reception 11:15am-Reforming Worship Service

PRAYER MINISTRY

Each week we remember First Pres families in prayer, this week please pray for:

Don & Jean Goodenow, 21334 Linn St., Spirit Lake

Doug & Carol Stueven, 1413 28th St., Spirit Lake

Please pray for our members and friends of this church family who are facing various health concerns: Maddie DeWitt, Chris Koehler, Jody Ferguson, Lori Johnson, Pat Kelly, Mike Wiley, Kathy Huitink, Denice (Wiersma), Bart Duncan, Nan Woods, Rod Johnson, Dietrich Knabe, John Heim, Jan Richards, Macy Jennings, Elaine DenHerder, Kristen Martin, Marty Jenkins, Bill Cramer, Gary & Pauly Eaton, Elaine Greer, Connie Rohlk, Sherry Fuhrman, Brent Kasson, Jay Anderson, Heidi Brittain, Marvin Stockdale, Bob & Martha Graham, Colin Jensen, Oz Nelson, Jim Radcliffe, Kelly Jo Peterson, Dorothy Fiala, Bill Miner, Denise Beimer, John, Jacinda & Braelynn Tracy, Monique Nolting, Gary Hansen, Margaret Plunkett, Mickey Arneson, Rick Hayes, Lynn Baldwin, Ina Mayland, George Letscher, Junior & Barb Hanen, Greg Meendering, Joan Sterner, Jean Jones, Bobby Currell, Mary Larsen, Ruth DeJong, Ron Jenkins, Ida Estes, Kim Johnson’s Brother’s family, Nancy Lee, Todd Livingood, Mary Cornell, Mason & Stormi Howard

Please pray for our members and friends who serve in the Armed Forces: Staff SGT Jamie Lewis, 1st LT Whitney Lewis, 7017 Arnold Ave., Unit A, JBER, AK 99506; SFC Frederick, Jesse; SSG Amy Frederick, 134 Newburg St., Ft. Leonardwood, MO 65473; 1st Class PO Billy Joe Travis, 8583 Aero Drive, Apt 2043, San Diego, CA 92123; PFC; Colton Petersen, 1st LT James Fliss, PSC 41 Box 6588, APO, AE 09464-0066, United States; SGT Kenten Murray, Unit 4090, Box 2011, DPO, AP 96521-2011; Dillon VanderWilt, PSC 201, Box 6240, APO AE 09522-9998

Each week we pray for Missionaries that we support: Gideons International Gideons International is an association of Christian business and professional men and their wives dedicated to telling people about Jesus through sharing personally and by providing Bibles and New Testaments to anyone. While they are known worldwide for their work with hotels, they predominantly share scriptures in schools, prisons, jails, hospitals and medical offices. As of 2015, they have now distributed over 2 billion scriptures. These scriptures are printed in over 90 different languages and have been distributed in over 190 countries around the world. Several of our church members join others in this work of the local Gideons’ Camp.

Love Takes Root, PO Box 885, Spencer, IA 51301 www.lovetakesroot.org Love Takes Root grew out of a medical mission trip taken by Dr. Rick Wilkerson of Spencer, IA to Port Au Prince, Haiti in 2010. The needs of children impacted by the large earthquake then moved him to establish this local mission. Its goal is to improve the lives of children through the provision of shelter, education, and health in a self-sustaining manner. Their first and current project in Jacmel, Haiti has been the construction of an orphanage called LaConcorde housing nearly 60 children (done in 2013), an elementary school at the same site (done 2014), and creation of a medical/dental clinic (currently completed). The final phase in the current project is to build a secondary school capable of being self-sustaining. When all goals are completed, it is anticipated that a similar project will be started at a future site to be identified.

May 5th Reformed Worship Service

Liturgist: Lynn Peterson Ushers: Doug & Jean Kies and Wayne & Kathleen Johnson Greeters: Mike & Mona Scaletta Nursery: Lisa Kraus Video: Milt Nolting Sound: Jackie Jenkins, Mike Reekers & Tom Ditsworth Coffee: Ray & Diane Tucker

Reforming Worship Service Praise Team: Kari Bruinsma, Kaycee Arrowood, Kaitlyn Nelson, Kevin Grems, Dave Boon, Gary Lambert & Rachelle Gewecke Usher/Greeter: Nursery: Teresa Beck Sound/Ppt: Chris & Brice Pratt

Rides to and from church for this week is June Howatt (712)291-0858, next week is Jerry Erickson ~ 330-1951. Hospital Deacon: June Howatt.

Participating in this morning’s Reformed service are: Clint Loveall and Michael Gewecke, Pastor; Kathleen Johnson, Liturgist; Rachelle Gewecke, Pianist; Charlene Radcliffe, Organist; Barb Mendenhall, 8th Grade Handbell Choir Director; Liz Steiner, Adrie Stecker, Anna Frangenberg, Dave Graanstra, Dave Boon, Gary Lambert & Rachelle Gewecke, Praise Team; Ushers are Roger & Karen Lahm and Chris & Katie Luinstra; Greeters are Reeann Marra & Kathy Krueger; Jackie Jenkins, Mike Reekers & Ken Eckerman, Sound; Dan Vicker, Video; June Howatt & April Krull is in charge of the Nursery; Steve & Jan Richards prepared our coffee.

Birthday Celebration: Please join in wishing Gertrude Shipley a very Happy 90th Birthday on May 1st. Well wishes may be sent to Gertrude at 2115 1st Ave. SE, #1223, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. Happy Birthday Gertrude and we miss you!

YTD Financial Update: Thank you to all those who have responded to our financial needs. We have made progress but still have a ways to go. Your support is deeply appreciated as we work toward closing the gap. Below are our most current figures. Balances as of April 24 Budgeted Expenses – 197,136 Actual Expenses – 183,777 Income – 165,084

FPC Spring Clean Up: Bring your gloves, rakes, clippers, etc and join us at our FPC Spring Clean Up day on Saturday, May 4th. Coffee and donuts begins at 8:30am– and work begins at 9am. We have jobs for all ages. Everyone is invited!!! In case of rain, we will reschedule for Saturday, May 18th.

2nd Service Ushers/Greeters Needed: We are in need of Ushers/Greeters for our 2nd Service. Responsibilities include distributing bulletins and greeting worshippers at the center sanctuary doors as well as taking a head count of worshippers (including praise and worship team and those in the nursery. A sign-up sheet is located in the narthex.

Spring Cleaning?: When you are in the midst of your spring cleaning and are looking for a place to give your old sheets, lightweight blankets, and white thread, please keep the PW Sewers in mind, they are always looking for quilt-making donations. Thank you!

Wednesday Women’s Bible Study: The Women’s Bible Study will continue to meet each Wednesday evening at 6pm, with the final evening of May 24th. The study will continue to be led by Rachelle Gewecke and they continue with the Book of Ezra.

Andrew Allen Saxophone Recital w/Rachelle Gewecke, piano Sunday, May 5th at 4:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Spirit Lake. Admission is free and open to the public. A freewill donation will be accepted with proceeds to benefit the Nebraska Red Cross for flood relief.

Confirmation Sunday: This morning as we celebrate our Confirmation students we celebrate the relationships, faith commitment, and new life that they bring to our congregation. You are also invited to join us following the service for a short time of reception and celebration including refreshments.

Middle School “Secret Agents”: Middle school students are invited to join us for an evening of fun at the Okoboji Lutheran Bible camp on April 28 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. We will be eating pizza, playing an outdoor game called secret agents, and hanging out with some youth from some other local churches. Though registration is not required, it would be helpful if you could let us know in the office if you plan to attend. The event is free and open to friends. Students can be dropped off and picked up at the camp at 1203 Inwan St., Milford, IA, 51351. Be sure to set aside the evening of April 28 (after Confirmation Sunday services) for a great night of fun and fellowship!

Graduation Recognition: Graduation recognition will be held on May 5th during both services. If you graduates, plan to join us for the graduation celebration, please let us know in the church office. Students and their families are free to join us during whichever service you attend most often so that we can celebrate your achievement with you. Make certain to join us for the reception and goodies between services so that the congregation can celebrate with you!

Teacher Recognition: The Christian Education committee invites you to join us on Sunday May 5th as we recognize and thank the over twenty-five teachers who weekly give of their time and talents to share the love of Jesus Christ with our young people. From a grateful congregation, thank you! Join us for a reception that will follow our Reformed Worship service.

MISSION NEWS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY NEWS

Support Our Local Food Pantries: The congregations of our county take turns sup-porting the Upper Des Moines Opportunity and Spirit Life Fellowship Food Pan-tries. Long ago it was decided by the churches that the county would be best served by having these pantries. Our congregation has the opportunity to provide to the pantry for the months of April and October. Please consider donating your items during the month of April. Items may be placed in the wagon in the Narthex. Mone-tary gifts are welcome as well.

Okoboji 200: Again this year, pastor Clint will be participating in the Break the Cycle 200 (formerly Okoboji200) to raise money and awareness for sex trafficking relief. The BTC200 is a one day bike ride from Des Moines to Okoboji (though there are now oth-er routes in other states as well). If you are interested in learning more about the ride, you can find details at https://breakthecycle200.com If you are interested in donating to Clint’s fundraising you can do that online at https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/clint-loveall-btc200 or https://www.crowdrise.com/donate/project/clint-loveall-btc200/clintloveall Donations can also be made through the church and marked BTC200. The ride will be held on June 28 and on June 29th we will serve breakfast to some of the riders and families who will be heading back to Des Moines that day. A sign-up will be coming soon, but if you are willing to provide muffins, rolls, fruit, etc. or cook ome-lets that morning we will definitely need the help. Thanks again for your support of this great cause.