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Opportunities for Service
Members of First Presbyterian Church minister to community, region, and world through many mission programs.
PCUSA Mission Yearbook, with prayer requests
LOCAL MISSION
Food Pantry
Please bring contributions to the shopping cart by the church office.
Current needs include:
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Link to Good Samaritan Food Pantry
Meals on Wheels
Contact Charlene Scott to volunteer for delivery of hot meals to shut-ins.
Neighborhood Watch
Group
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News item from the Daily Egyptian (Feb. 9, 2007): Watch group reaches out with students
Contact person: Bob Luebbers (lightson@.midwest.net)
(Also see Carbondale Arbor District.)
Church Women United
The THRIFT SHOP is located at 215 N. Illinois Ave., next door to the Carbondale American Legion. The Thrift Shop is a mission activity of the Carbondale Church Women United, the most ecumenical religious organization in Carbondale.
The "Shop" accepts donations of clothing, cooking utensils, electronics, and other "yard sale" type items. The items are resold to the public to raise funds for CWU mission activities. One of the mission activities of the Thrift Shop is to allow persons in need to select free items from the inventory.
The "Shop" has been a popular destination to find "vintage" clothing, costume apparel, and various decoration items. However, recently the CWU Thrift Shop has experienced a loss of business due to increased competition from a privately operated goodwill store, the Salvation Army, and the Thrift Store. Do not confuse the CWU Thrift Shop with the Thrift Store on E. Main that is operated by the WDBX radio station management.
The women of Church Women United ask that you support their mission work by shopping at the Thrift Shop on N. Illinois Ave. and by donating items to the "Shop".
Habitat for Humanity
Contact Lee Brackett or visit the Habitat
for Humanity website.
Spirit of Christmas
Gifts for children and other people in need, purchased and collected before
Christmas.
Marketplace
Summer vacation Bible school.
Rebuilding Together
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Rebuilding Together is a national grass roots volunteer organization that, in partnership with the community, rehabilitates existing homes of low-income residents, particularly the elderly, disabled, and families with children. The group organizes a yearly one-day blitz, renovating and repairing houses at no cost to the homeowner. Eligibility criteria are that the families own their own homes, are unable to do the work themselves, but are willing to work with the team. Rebuilding Together previews each house, selects those appropriate for their program, and devises a work plan for each house chosen. Contact Jim Calloway or visit Rebuilding Together |
Jackson County NAMI
Local chapter of NAMI,
the National Alliance on Mental Illness
Contact David King or visit the JC
NAMI website.
Prisoner Visition and
Support
Contact Diane Cash.
Preschool Program
Presbyterian Child Development
Center
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529-1264
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prespreschool@midamer.net |
Daycare Program
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529-1551
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preskids@mychoice.net |
REGIONAL and WORLD MISSION
Special offerings are collected through the year. Follow the links to learn how proceeds from these offerings are used.
- Souper Bowl,
- Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
- One Great Hour of Sharing,
- Peacemaking Offering,
- Christmas Joy Offering,
- Operation Christmas Child
- Tools of Hope.
Debakumar Singh is the child in India that we support monthly through Christian Children's Fund by giving during the Christian Education Hour. Your gifts help Debakumar and his family get the things they need -- seeds, animals, tools, and school supplies.
Marion Medical Mission helps establish sustainable medical care, clean water, and education in Malawi, Africa.
LINKS to additional mission programs
MISSION TRIP
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Each year, members of First Presbyterian Church travel out in
mission. SUMMER MISSION TRIP 2006 We welcome back our missionaries, from Gautier,
Mississippi. |
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Learn about the country of Honduras (can you identify it on a map?) and about the economy and working conditions of many of the people (half the population lives on less than one US dollar a day). Learn about the devastation wrought on the country by Hurricane Mitch (1998) and about how long it may take the country to recover from the disaster. Learn about the exports & imports of the country and about the "Human Development Index Rank" - a scale developed by the United Nations Development Programme.
For more information about past and future mission trips, please speak with Dorothy Baker, Cindy Buys, Pastor Janice, Elder Jane Swanson, or any member of the mission team. |
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Mission Trip 2004 DOOR network inter-generational mission trip to Denver. DOOR
NETWORK What did we do? |
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MORE
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES Mission
Yearbook, with prayer requests Click here for a list of opportunities to participate in church life.
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Learn
Learn,
as well, about our hosts - 
Opportunities within our Church
Opportunities for participation in worship.
The word "worship" is peculiar to English, deriving from the Anglo-Saxon weoršscipe, "worth-ship". To worship is to celebrate the worth, or worthiness, of God. We remember that God is the proper audience for our worship. All members of the congregation are participants in this performance, not just the leaders in the front of the sanctuary.
Worship Assistant
Each Sunday, we need a volunteer to help
the pastor lead the congregation in worship. All members, not just
active elders, are eligible for this service. Instruction will be
provided.
Alternative Worship
Planning Committee
We look forward to the renewal of some form of alternative
worship in the coming year. If you have ideas, wishes, talents,
or time you wish to contribute to this endeavor, please contact John Holt
or any other member of Worship Ministry
(including Pastor Janice).
Flowers
Flowers for the chancel are welcome and
appreciated every Sunday. Providing the flowers can be as simple
as signing up on the office door (we'll do the ordering).
Children's Time
Children's time during worship
provides a wonderful opportunity for children to become better acquainted
with the "grownups" of the Church. Materials are prepared
for you by the DCE, in consultation with the Pastor, that relate to the
scripture readings, sermon theme, or subject being studied in Church School.
There's a sign up sheet is on the office door.
MUSIC
If you play an instrument, SHARE
YOUR GIFTS!
Every month presents new opportunities for special music offering.
Please the sign-up on the office door. Instrumental music will be
placed during the offeratory, while vocal offerings will be in the traditional
"anthem" spot.
WE NEED MORE SINGERS!!!
If you enjoy singing, please consider adding your voice to the choir.
Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Rehearsals last an hour
each week--not such a huge commitment--and we have a liberal time-off
policy. Please consider joining us; let's fill the choir loft this
year and "make a joyful noise unto the Lord"! Talk to Pastor West,
Betty Person, or any choir member.
Acolytes
This is a special job for young
people (or the young at heart). Bring the Light into the sanctuary
at the start of worship, and carry the Light out again at the end. Instruction
can be provided.
Christian Education
Please keep the Sunday School department in your prayers. If you would like to help out in any way, even if you just have one idea for one craft, please don't hesitate to contact the Church office.
Christian Education Ministry is looking!
The Christian Education Ministry is looking for those of you that are interested in helping plan what stories and activities are passed on to our children, to help write lesson plans for the Gateways program. Although having taught in Gateways or a similar program is helpfu,l it is not required. If you would be interested in this opportunity to pass on your faith to the next generation, please contact the Church office.Sunday School Helpers
There is still a need for parents (or grandparents!) to sign up to lead opening activities for the Gateways program. Activities take place in Rm. 140 and include helping students put stickers next to their names on the attendance chart, reminding students to wear their name tags, receiving the offering, and dismissing the groups to their classes after music. The activities take approximately 15 minutes so there is still plenty of time to go to your adult classes!
Come see how our program is growing!Marketplace leaders
Leaders are needed to plan and coordinate activities for Marketplace, our vacation Bible school program.Youth Leaders
Ever wonder where the youth of the church are? Ever wonder who the youth of the church are? They're wondering about you too! If you find yourself concerned about the future of the church, make a start by contacting the office (or a member of Christian Education) to tell us you are willing to lead the youth of today.Children's Time
Children's time during worship provides a wonderful opportunity for children to become better acquainted with the "grownups" of the Church. Materials are prepared for you by the DCE, in consultation with the Pastor, that relate to the scripture readings, sermon theme, or subject being studied in Church School.
There's a sign up sheet on the office door.
Kitchen
The Presbyterian Women's Association has a rotating schedule to clean
the kitchen.
Please see Charlene Scott to add your name to the list of people who see
to this valuable task.
Food Pantry
Bring contributions to the shopping cart by the church office.
Bulletin Board
Volunteers Needed
Are you interested in doing bulletin
boards for the church? Supplies provided. Creativity a plus but
not needed. Talk to Pastor West or to Barbara Stewart.
Pizza = Playground
The local Papa John's Pizza parlor offers
an ongoing fund raiser for the Presbyterian Child Development Center.
The third Wednesday of each month is Presbyterian Child Development Center
night at the local Papa John's pizza parlor. They give the Center
20% of the sales when individuals specify that their order is for the
Center. The money is put into a fund for playground improvements.
Try it -- you'll
like it
Thanks to everyone who has been
using the Schnucks/Kroger/Arnold coupons. Do you know that if you
use just $50 a week in grocery coupons you will end up donating over $125
to the youth in a year's time? In order to donate that much through
chili suppers you would have to buy (and eat) 31 bowls of chili!!!
That's a lot of chili! If you haven't tried the coupons, please
do. We guarantee it's easier than eating a bowl of chili every week.
Bread Bakers
Several times each year, our church
members supply bread for the sacrament of Holy Communion. If you
are "called" to this service, if you would appreciate an opportunity to
bake Communion bread one or more times a year (or are otherwise interested
helping with communion), please speak to any member of the worship committee
of Session.
Last Update 02.12.2007