First Church to Kick off 40 Days of Love on Feb. 14
The Evangelism Ministry Team is proud to annouce that beginning on February 14 First Church will begin another church-wide study called the "40 Days of Love". The study will include sermons on Sunday morning and then small groups that will meet throughout the week. The set-up will be similar to "40 Days of Purpose" that was done in 2006. Everyone is encouraged to attend each Sunday as well as sign up for a small group. Several small groups grew out of our "40 Days of Purpose" study four years ago, and we hope to have even more small groups develop out of this study. Join us for "40 Days of Love" beginning on February 14.
First Church Sends Countless "Gifts of the Heart Kits"
In Phase One of First Church's reponse to the earthquake in Haiti, the church purchased, assembled and sent over 300 health kits, baby kits, disaster clean-up buckets to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland. The church also made a monetary donation to Church World Service to help with clean-up from the disaster. First Church has a group that is meeting to continue to discuss the way that First Church will help the people of Haiti. Watch for more details, including the possibility of sending several groups of people to Haiti later in 2010.
Bring a Friend to 5 @ 5, which Meets Every Sunday Evening
5 @ 5: Celebrating, Praising, Singing, Teaching and Fellowship, continues to meet every Sunday evening from 5:00-6:00 in the Sanctuary. With the new year bring new challenges from the 5@5 group. Each person is challenged to bring at least one friend that has not yet experienced 5@5 . If you have not yet been to 5@5 on a Sunday evening, then you too are encouraged to give it a try. The month on February is full of great speakers giving devotions. So check out 5@5 every Sunday evening from 5:00-6:00pm in the Sanctuary. For more information check out the 5 @ 5 Blog.
FCOB Sends Another Group to Louisiana for Disaster Response
Norm Gerber is lead a group of three people from our church on a Disaster Response trip to Chalmette, Louisana. The trip took place December 5-12. Norm traveled with Larry Seilhammer and Derek Young on the trip. The group worked in rebuilding houses that were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina.
True North Men's Group Continues to Meet on Monday Evenings
Upcoming True North--Men's Fellowship Group Schedule
Monday, February 15 (6:00-7:30): Study Night--Youth Room
Monday, February 22 (6:00-7:30): Service Night--Plans TBA
Monday, March 1: (6:00-7:30): Study Night--Youth Room
Mens Ministries Information
Kids Bible Story Time Meets on Friday Mornings
Parents, grandparents and caregivers can enjoy Christian stories and songs with their children. Afterwards there is a small snack, and activity and playtime. This is intended for children ages Birth-PreK. All children from our church and community are invited to participate. No registration is required, just join when you can. The story time is led by Heidi Bunn.
"True North" Sponsoring an "All Church Needs & Gifts Board"
The Men's Group (True North) is sponsoring a new ministry in our church called the "Needs & Gifts Bulletin Board." This board is next to the water fountain on the west side of the narthex, and our vision for this board is that it can be a place where anyone in our church can express a service need that they have while other members of the church and of the Men's group can try to meet those needs. The bulletin board itself will have two columns, one for needs you have and one for gifts (services) you can offer others. Please fill out a slip of paper with your name, your need or gift and you phone number and the Men's Group will try to fulfill those needs. If you have questions about the board please contact Derek Young.
Project Nimule Update
Emily Young has completed of her third summer in Nimule, Sudan. Emily traveled to Sudan on May 13, and returned August 5th. She has been a major part of New Community Project's "Project Nimule". First Church has also been a major part of Project Nimule, sending three members to Sudan in 2008.
Project Nimule Website | 
