Music Notes

We express an enormous thank you and sincere appreciation to Matt Read for his dedicated service as Handbell Choir Coordinator. His time, skills and experience have greatly enriched and enabled our ringing through many years. While increased work commitments would make it difficult for Matt to continue coordinating the handbells, we are fortunate and very happy that he will continue to use his talents to ring with us.

Thank you Matt!

Handbell Choir resumes

Our handbells have been freshly polished and tuned up for the coming season.....they are beautiful! The Handbell Choir meets Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:15 pm. 

Ringers participate in worship services every month and occasionally more often.  On those days we also meet Sunday mornings to rehearse before the service. This is the best time of year to join the Handbell Choir. 

Please let us know if you are interested by speaking to one of us following next week's service or email info@marniegiesbrecht.com.

Did you ever want to sing in the choir?

Fall is the best time to start. Our first practice will be Wednesday, September 10 at 7:30 pm. 

We meet weekly on Wednesday evenings and on Sunday mornings at 10 am for rehearsals. If you have those times free and love to sing, please talk to Marnie or Joachim next Sunday, September 7, after the service, or email info@marniegiesbrecht.com. 

We would love to talk to you and it helps with planning and preparation to know who will be in the choir.

Adventures with Abraham!

Starting this September, our Sunday School children will be acting out and playing with the stories of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac. If you want to join in the fun, please email Rev. Mark at mdrchiang@hotmail.com. 

We're always looking for adults who feel passionate about serving in children's ministry!

Workshop on Change - early bird registration closes Sept 2

Fall workshop on change.  "Change is never easy, and we'll avoid it as much as possible."The Nurture Committee of the Presbytery of Edmonton-Lakeland is planning a Fall Workshop for Saturday September 20, 2014. The Rev. Peter Coutts from Calgary will be presenting it. He is an engaging, witty and overall great presenter. 

Early-bird registrations close September 2, and are $25. After that it is $30. See registrations on bulletin board.

Click on link for more details about the workshop: Presbytery Workshop on Change

Guest Organist - Jason Biel (Aug. 31)

Our thanks to Jason Biel who was guest organist today. A graduate of Canadian University College in Lacombe, Jason begins the Performance Certificate program in organ performance this fall at King's.

Thank you Jason!

FREE Winspear Concert (Aug 26)

Winspear Davis Concert Organ

On August 26, there will be a organ recital at the Winspear during the noon hour. Admission is free. 

Organists Cari Astleford and Wendy Nieuwenhuis perform on the Davis Concert Organ.

All are welcome.

First Church is Mobility Accessible

First Presbyterian is accessible for anyone with mobility challenges.

Elevator access at ground level is available from the southwest door...see picture to the right.  The elevator goes to both the sanctuary as well as to the church hall in the basement. Once on either of these levels, washrooms are readily accessible.

Anyone needing the elevator for the first time please call the church beforehand at 780.217.9504 to arrange a meeting with the church caretaker (Norm Marshall). 

Don't have a wheelchair?  First Church also has a wheelchair available to loan for anyone who may need to transfer a loved one from car into the church.

Join in on the ACTS (Sept 17)

Register now for FPC's Wednesday night Bible Study. Starting on September 17th, we continue our in depth look at ACTS. Advance registration is needed so the additional study materials can be ordered.

To register, email fpc@telus.net or call 780.422.2937.
For more information, email Nick Knoppers at jo.k@shaw.ca.

2014 Women’s Gathering a Huge Success

WRITTEN BY AMY MACLACHLAN

The National Presbyterian Women’s Gathering drew more than 600 people from across the country and around the world. Held over the May long weekend in Richmond Hill, Ont., the four-day event featured international guests, lively worship, informative seminars and challenging speakers, including Dr. Samantha Nutt, founder of War Child Canada, and Kim Phuc, who, as a young girl, was the subject of the famous photo of a napalm attack taken during the Vietnam War in June of 1972.

In addition, six women were recognized for their lifetime dedication to the church during the first Women of Faith awards banquet. 

“I was very pleased that all of our preparations were so well received and that people genuinely enjoyed being there and seemed to learn so much,” said Rev. Sarah Kim, executive director of the Women’s Missionary Society, one of the main supporters and organizers of the event. “But I was disappointed that so many of our African sisters were denied visas; their presence would have added even more to our event. We are in the process of forwarding a petition to the government about this.”

The conference theme was Burst Forth, and the stories that came out of the event are ones of spiritual renewal and transformation. The Presbyterian Record’s September issue will be dedicated to these stories. 

SOURCE: http://presbyterianrecord.uberflip.com/i/340925/9 

FPC's window facelift

On July 14, you may have noticed a change to First Church's exterior.  The southeast stained-glass window was removed for repair. Plywood is now in its place. Watch for updates as the repair work progresses. Donations to the FPC Building Fund are always welcome.  Please help keep our grand church in vibrant condition.

FREE Winspear Organ Concert (July 29 @ noon)

On July 29th, there is a Organ Concert at the Winspear during the noon hour. Admission is free admission. The organists are two we know and love:
- Grace Han (FPC's former organ scholar) and
- Jason Biel (FPC guest organist earlier this summer).

 

All are welcome.

Change Workshop (Sept 20 @ Dayspring Church)

	On September 20, 2014, Peter Coutts will be conducting a Presbytery workshop on Change. Peter is the author of the book How to motivate Churches to face the future.
Discussion Topics:	1.     The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Anxiety of Change 2.     Creating Readiness for Change 3.     Top 6 motivational mistakes leaders make 4.     Dealing with Dissent
Location:	Dayspring Presbyterian Church 11445-40 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T6J 0R5
Time:	9:30am - 3:30 pm
Registration fee:	$25 prior to September 2 $30 at the door Fee includes lunch and coffee breaks
To register:	Rev. Heinrich Grosskopf   By phone:       780-435-3111 (please note Office Hours) By fax:             780-434-8002 By post:           11445 - 40 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T6J 0R4 By website:     www.dayspringchurch.ca/church/contact.php.
This workshop is open to everyone, including those from other denominations.

UPDATE on Guided Building Tour (July 9)

Just a quick update on last week's guided history tours. First Church participated in the 18th annual Open Doors Edmonton Festival.  The festival is an exciting showcase of the rich history of greater Edmonton area and our contribution, through offering building tours, was a great success.

On July 9, during just a one hour period about 65 people toured our grand old church and took in a pipe organ demonstration offered by organists Dr. Marnie Giesbrecht and Dr. Joachim Segger (FPC Music Directors).  With such a short time window, this was a good turnout.  Thanks to Ken Munro, who lead the building tour along with Ian Scott who has been a member of FPC since the 1940s. Assistance from a number of other church members was vital. These included Darrel Babuk, an architect, who recently authored a new brochure on the history of FPC buildings, past and present, as well as Judith Strachan and Grant Nicol.

FPC was a proud participant and intends to offers guided tours again during the festival.  To learn more about the festival, visit Open Doors Edmonton Festival.  

Look in the foyer for the new brochure that was prepared for the event.


On the Road ....8 travellers heading to CanadaYouth2014

Congratulations to our 8 young people heading to CanadaYouth2014 next week. The Youth Group has worked hard in their fundraising to make this trip happen.


Surely a trip to remember....a week to last a lifetime.