Dear Friends of First Pres, September is here and that always means a flurry of things beginning around First Pres! Our second Community Chat on the topic of the PCUSA and the Presbyterian Fellowship is Wednesday, September 7, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm. The Minneapolis gathering has just happened and there is much news to share. This Chat is hosted by your Elders (see page 10) and is an important time for us to continue our discernment on the decisions in front of us as a congregation. I ask you to make every effort to attend. Growing Together Wednesdays (GTW) will begin Wednesday, September 14th. This is a great time to reconnect with friends while participating in small communities around the new sermon series on the book of Matthew. There is teaching on scripture, opportunities for families to engage in themes around child-rearing, a place to explore your spiritual gifts, and much more. Come learn about KidQuest, a completely redesigned set of activities for preschool–fourth grade. Kids participate in different activities such as Bible study, crafts, games, choir and small group study. I’m excited about this one and encourage you to bring neighbor kids with you . . . this is gonna be good. On Wednesday, September 21st at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, we host Kara Powell, Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute and Assistant Professor of Youth and Family Ministry, in a program called Sticky Faith. Did you know that after graduation from high school, nearly 40% of our youth stray from the Faith? Kara will unearth some of the toxic myths your students believe about the gospel, the church, their family, and youth ministry that cause them to shelve their faith. You’ll leave with practical ideas to help students stick with both ministry and faith for the long haul. It’s a free program and every person involved with a child or grandchild should attend. The week of September 25th we will host representatives from each of our four mission partners—Cuba, Egypt, India and Mongolia. There will be a number of opportunities during this week to meet them and learn about our activity in these areas of the World. At the end of this month we turn toward Stewardship. Our Stewardship Committee, led by Jim Martin and Scott Nilsen, asks you to pray over what our community of faith means to you. This is our home. This is our place—the place where we raise our children and celebrate the life and resurrection of our parents. This is where we meet spouses, provide a listening ear to our friends in need, and wrap our arms around our city. This is a critical time for us as a church family in so many ways. Jim and Scott ask for each and every person connected to First Pres to be in a time of fervent prayer for our future.
Many blessings to you all this month.
Jim Singleton, Senior Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs
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SEPTEMBER 2011 contents Partnership in MIssion . . . . . . . . . . 4 You Make Beautiful Things Out of Us . . . 7 Jourdan Foran Greenhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Greg Hartnett and Kelsey Lyndoe Tom Tang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Dale McClure Meet Your 2011–2012 Elders . . . . . . 10
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How Does Leadership Work at First Pres? . . 12 E-News and Worship . . . . . . . . . . 15 8
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Contributing Writers: Paul Batura, Susan Buenger, Jourdan Foran, Ralph Gates, Greg Hartnett, Leah Landolfi, Kelsey Lyndoe, Dale McClure, Alison Murray Contributing Editors: Pam Bland, Katie Dayton, Alison Murray, Amber Odvody Graphic Design: Beryl Glass, Mark Rantal Photographer: Alison Smith Proofreading Team: Mary Bauman, Daisy Jackson, Betty Haney, Marty Kelley, Karen Kunstle, Gretchen MurphyBowman, Linda Pung Cover: Photograph taken by Alison Smith on mission in Egypt with the First Pres Team in October 2009. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, © 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. First Pres Magazine September 2011, Volume Three, © First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, CO. Published by First Presbyterian Church, a non-profit organization. To contact First Pres Magazine: 719-884-6231 or 219 E. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1392 or magazine@first-pres.org. Printed in the U.S.A.
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Partnership in Mission During the week of September 25, we host our international and local mission partners (see page 6). Here are our international partners.
Egypt
Cuba
A Forbidden Country/A Forgotten Church In the early 1950’s, after the Cuban Revolution, the United States imposed an embargo on the Cuban government making it forbidden for most Americans to visit. During this period the church in Cuba went from having a strong evangelical presence to one with little influence or presence. The people of Cuba and their church were forgotten. But the Lord remembered them and began to move in response to their faithful prayers, in small churches which remained behind the scenes. First Pres partner church, First Presbyterian Reformed Church of Havana, has many active ministries: church planting, youth baseball, counseling services, computer assisted English programs, programs for the elderly, Bible studies and prayer groups, and vibrant worship services. Through our partnership we can explore what it is like to be a believer in Cuba today as they encounter their government’s new economic changes.
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First Pres has been in partnership with ministries in Egypt since 1996. The Lord led us to this place through prayer and our desire to connect with what He is doing in the Muslim world. It has been a journey of service, support, learning, teaching, mutual encouragement, and one of building understanding and trust. Individuals and teams from our church have poured out love, sweat, and tears of joy and sorrow for the people of this strategic nation. We have been privileged to interact with our Egyptian brothers and sisters who are strong in their faith, confident in the love of Christ, determined in their call to serve others in Jesus’ name, and bold in their witness. They are living as children of light and finding, especially in these turbulent times, that God is opening new doors for ministry and dialogue with their neighbors. We look forward to deepening our relationships and strengthening the bonds of fellowship in the years ahead.
India
Over one billion people live in India. Within predominately Hindu India, there are 4,635 distinct people groups speaking 438 different languages. The literacy rate for men is 65.5% and 37.3% for women. Only 6.32% of the population of India is Christian. But statistics don’t tell the whole story. Among our friends in India are many committed, well-educated Christians who have a heart to reach their brothers and sisters in the name of Jesus Christ. Our partners include church planters, evangelists, social service groups addressing practical needs, training programs for the underemployed and seminaries to train the next generation of Christian leadership. Most recently, we have been nurturing a church to church partnership with the Free Presbyterian Church of Kalimpong. This 600-member church is the host to a Compassion International Child Development Center. Our congregation sponsors over 150 children at this center. Through these relationships and partnerships First Pres can walk alongside friends, ministries and colleagues there to share the truth and love of Jesus.
MonGOlia
A Land of Opportunity Opportunities abound for the Gospel to spread across a nation hungry for integrity, morality and hope. The Mongolian church is a young, first generation church with the passion and excitement of the book of Acts lived out today. God is doing a great work through Mongolian Christians. Our partners in Mongolia, Mongolia Campus Crusade for Christ (MCCC), envisions winning the hearts of every countryman and reaching for Christ all the nations Genghis Khan once ruled. Strategically, they reach out to future leaders through campus, military, teachers and medical ministries. First Presbyterian Church sends teams to assist, encourage, enable, and build friendships with these young believers. As our partnership grows we hope to expand opportunities to be partners in faith and co-workers in service. Continued ☛
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Partnership Conference What’s this all about? In 2010, our First Pres missions teams felt called to create a time and place where our local and global mission partners could come together – the Partnership Conference was born! Beginning Sunday, September 25, and ending in celebration on Sunday, October 2, World Communion Sunday, there will be numerous opportunities for you to learn more about the mission activities of First Pres that week. The conference includes both our international partners and our city-wide partners. The Local and Global Missions Resources Teams and other First Pres committees involved in the conference will work in partnership with our guests to get a true understanding of our joint needs and resources. We will learn and work together to discern how God would have us use the gifts and resources of all of our partner churches and ministries, to build God’s church here and around the globe.
Conference attendees include International Mission Partners From Cuba: Reverend Benito Lazerique From Egypt: Reverend Youssef Samir and Dr. Medhat El Beblawy From India: Reverend Mathias Subba From Mongolia: Baatarsuren Buyanmandakh and Juvaa Batdorj Colorado Springs Mission Partners Springs Rescue Mission: Larry Yonkers, Joe Vasquez, Russell Gosslin Solid Rock Christian Center: Pastor Ben Anderson Mission Medical Clinic: Debbie Flentje YoungLives: Cindy Johnson Interfaith Hospitality Network
How Can I Participate?
Connect and celebrate God’s work with each of our mission partners, join us to learn more at 225 (our new mission facility at 225 N. Weber), 6–8 pm on the following days: Cuba on Sunday, September 25, 6-8 pm Hearing about our partners in Cuba will help you visit this forbidden island in spirit. MonGOlia on Tuesday, September 27, 6-8 pm Join dynamic Mongolian leaders Baatarsuren Buyanmandakh and Juvaa Batdorj to hear the vision God has given them. Greet, learn and celebrate our partnership in the Gospel! India on Wednesday, September 28, 6-8 pm Rev. Mathias Subba from Kalimpong will share about the work of his church through their Compassion Child Development Center. Egypt on Thursday, September 29, 6-8 pm Two of our partner pastors from Egypt will give an update on the Church after the revolution.
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he moment we pulled onto Mission Emmanuel’s property, I sensed the oasis around us. The view from the cluster of bamboo trees opened over a lush, green floodplain in the midst of a crowded, busy and festive city. The breeze whipped through as the sun beamed down on our eager faces. And then we heard the music. As we walked down to the open-air sanctuary, the Lord’s name was being exalted over all that was around us. Our time in the Dominican Republic was already rich with blessings. There was so much more to come. Mission Emmanuel, located near Santo Domingo, D.R., welcomed us with open arms. Their team of pastors, translators, and employees expressed God’s gifts of grace and provision from the moment we arrived at the airport until our final evening together. Marcus, our patient and understanding mason, taught a bunch of enthusiastic young adults singing Top 40 Hits how to lay a foundation of cement and rubble, working tirelessly to continue the construction of Ana’s house. The women of the Co-op came back the second day, after an awkward first day together involving language barriers and my own heightened expectations. Our translator on that second day, Rosa, brought so much light and understanding to our conversations. We were able to pray with the women and sing and enjoy each other’s company, all while teaching them how to make jewelry to financially support themselves. During the week, we sang “Beautiful Things” by Michael Gungor. You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of the dust You make beautiful things out of us I experienced the truth of these words during the leprosarium visit later in the week. We didn’t know very much when we arrived. We did know that the type of leprosy the residents had was not contagious, but many of them were abandoned by their families anyway. Honestly, we had no idea what to expect, but the grace of the Lord overflowed once again. During our time there, we hugged each other, wrapped arms around shoulders, and rested hands on knees. I’ll never forget Julia, one of the residents, clapping and smiling with deteriorating hands and feet as we sang, “You make beautiful things out of us.” Those deemed untouchable were in fact embracing us with the love of Christ. Please pray that the Lord’s beauty is seen by those that continue to serve alongside Mission Emmanuel and those served through them.
You Make Beautiful Things Out of Us By Jourdan Foran
Jourdan Foran is involved in the Young Adult and College ministries at First Pres. She’s lived in Colorado Springs for the past six years and works for Rachel’s Challenge. 9/11 | www.first-pres.org | 7
By Greg Hartnett & Kelsey Lyndoe
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t is in a blue house called GreenHouse where Jeff and Kathy Freyschlag started the latest chapter of their life together. They sold the house their three daughters grew up in and moved downtown to open their lives and home to a group of young adults looking to explore the world of ministry and community. They describe it as a “perfect storm” with many events happening at the right times. They found themselves experiencing empty nest syndrome and knew God was calling them to do something about it. They heard God loud and clear as so many doors opened along the way. It could only be part of a grander plan and they were willing to step out in faith. So many people and events played a role. If you want to hear the extended version, join us for dinner sometime! Both Jeff and Kathy have served First Pres Student Ministries and youth for many years and in many ways. They were active in Young Life, Jeff volunteers with the First Pres High School group and Kathy currently serves as
the administrative assistant for First Pres Student Ministries. Serving has taken on a whole new meaning with GreenHouse. With five additional people living under their roof, six by September, this means a full house all the time, people in and out every day and even spontaneous dance parties. All this is met with smiles, laughter and welcoming shouts from both of them. They help organize community dinners, early morning prayer and chores for the month! For us as Greenhouse interns, one of the most impactful aspects of the GreenHouse experience has been the opportunity to simply live life with Jeff and Kathy and to witness a Christian marriage. They are a critical part of GreenHouse and they are our rock. We celebrate Jeff and Kathy every day. Jeff and Kathy’s decision to follow God’s call on their lives has provided us with an opportunity to live out our call in ways we could never have dreamed. What a gift! Greg Hartnett and Kelsey Lyndoe, Greenhouse interns, are entering the second year of their commitment to GreenHouse.
Because of Jeff and Kathy’s ministry of hospitality, GreenHouse is able to provide interns to serve throughout First Pres. Emily Forster works in children’s, Kelsey Lyndoe in middle school ministry, Greg Hartnett in high school ministry. GreenHouse will welcome two new interns this fall—Ali Jo Forester will partner with YoungLife at Cheyenne Mountain High School and Nathan Hunt will work with First Pres Missions. GreenHouse is on the web at www.greenhouseministry.org. 8 | www.first-pres.org | 9/11
TOM TANG By Dale McClure
uring the 1880’s, many young Chinese men traveled to America to cash in on the economic prosperity in our country, finding work in California and the mines of western states including Colorado. Many found work on the railroads, on farms and some started their own businesses in retail, food service and laundry establishments. At this time, a number of Chinese immigrants settled in Colorado Springs, so First Pres started a Sunday school class for these immigrants. Kitty Griswold was the first teacher and later it was taught by Julia B. Seldomridge and Mary E. Arnold. Mrs. Arnold was married to our “bird doctor” (see Nov. 2010 issue of FPM) and Mrs. Seldomridge was the wife of one of our elders who was also a state senator. The January 1897 edition of Church Life gives this account of the reception of new members in the Sunday morning service.
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“Sabbath day, January 10th will long be remembered by our people as a day of rich, spiritual experience. A spirit of wonderful tenderness was evident throughout the entire service. When during the Baptismal service, a Chinaman [SIC], who had been led to Christ
by a fellow countryman bowed his head for the touch of emblematic water, interest deepened to the point of joyful tears. Yei On Tang made confession of Christ through an interpreter but his testimony was full of the assurance of faith.” That interpreter was most likely Tom Tang. Tom became a member of First Presbyterian Church in 1889. After Tom became “thoroughly Christianized” (as the Gazette stated) he returned to China to go to college and to carry the Gospel to whomever would listen. In a brown, dusty cardboard box, I found a hand written letter from Tom dated April, 1891 that originated from Canton, China. The spelling and grammar is Tom’s. He wrote: Mrs Seldomridge The Sabbath School you be superintend I hope you doing will and had a nice school and some boys will come join the church it is be a good news for me to hear and I not forget the school in Colo Springs because all pueple very kind to me I am study in college now I hope I do will Please tell Mrs Arnold I not forgetting her and she is work for the school God bless you all and hope you help me pray. Your friend, Tom Tang After several years Tom returned to Colorado Springs. He set up a successful laundry business then became a partner in a general merchandise store. It appears that Tom became involved in our church again and was instrumental in bringing more of his countrymen to Christ and into the church. From a Gazette obituary of 1896 we learn that Tom became seriously ill and went to San Francisco for treatment. He died in a hospital there apparently from lung and kidney problems. This is a great story of God at work in the lives of people. Praise be to God. Dale McClure, First Pres archivist, continues to shed light on who we are as a body of Christ. 9/11 | www.first-pres.org | 9
MEET YOUR 2011 AN ELDER, SOMETIMES CALL A RULING ELDER, serves on a body called the
Session in the role of watching over the whole ministry of the church. (The installed ordained pastors on staff are Teaching Elders. Technically all Teaching Elders who are installed are also on Session.) Within the body of Elders, some serve specifically as Trustees and some serve on the First Pres Foundation. An Elder serves a three year term and is eligible to serve two consecutive terms. First Pres has 21 Elders with 7 Elders turning over each year. The Elders in partnership with the senior staff leadership determine the path of our church. Meet four of our current Elders. For information and updates from our Elders, meeting notes, and Elder news go to first-pres.org/elders.
D O RO T H Y A LVA R E Z
PAU L BAT U R A
Dorothy and her husband, Steve, have been members of First Pres since 1993, when they moved from First Presbyterian of Hollywood, California. Inquisitive, friendly and social, this gifted mother of two is a delightful blend of comic and intellect. “I generally hang out in meeting rooms,” she admits. “I love committees!” She also enjoys teaching in Women’s Life or the College and Young Adult class on a Sunday. In addition to meetings and classrooms, she can often be found visiting with friends over coffee and regularly attends the 11:10 service. Given all that activity, Dorothy doesn’t have too much free time, but when those rare moments come, she enjoys reading, knitting, and eating food other people have prepared. Favorite book? Wheel on the School, by Meinert DeJong. Favorite movie? Stranger Than Fiction.
Paul and his wife, Julie, have been members since 2006, although he regularly attended prior to their marriage in 2001. A writer at Focus on the Family, he enjoys contributing to this magazine, and ushering at the 9:45 service. He is humbled to be a husband to Julie, who sings in Big Blue, and a dad to their boys, Riley, age 6 and Will, age 1. He loves everything about First Pres, from Jim DeJarnette’s directing and hymn writing to the church’s long legacy of inspired preaching from the eloquent Dr. Stevens to the captivating Dr. Singleton. Paul can be found running trails, including the annual Pikes Peak Marathon, wrestling with a home project, reading, working on the lawn and playing ball with the boys. Favorite book? A Touch of Wonder, by Arthur Gordon. Favorite movie? It’s a Wonderful Life.
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11-2012 ELDERS
H OWA R D B RO O K S
R A N DY CA S E
In contrast to his wife, Dale, who grew up at First Pres, Howard is a relative newcomer, having joined the church in 2005. His motherin-law is the beloved Gloria Chapman. A true student of the Word, he especially appreciates the church’s great teaching and its emphasis on the primacy of the Scriptures. He and his wife can generally be found at the Sunday evening service. He regularly volunteers at various functions, as well as being involved in a couple of small groups. Howard is a true adventurer, having hiked all but one (at press time) of Colorado’s 54 14ers, as well as competing in the annual Pikes Peak Ascent. Favorite book? “I can’t name just one book,” he said, “but I enjoy well-told nonfiction, particularly history, faith, and adventure.” Favorite movie? “Films that are redemptive, inspirational, educational, funny, or take me on an adventure.”
Randy has been attending First Pres since he was a baby, a half-century ago. He is a devoted dad and can be found attending the 8:20 service with his children, followed by serving as a co-leader in either the Children’s or Youth Ministries. He then heads up to First Pres North where he serves as one of the couriers of materials and an accounting liaison between campuses. Behind-the-scenes, he serves as vice chairman of the Trustees and is also chairman of the First Presbyterian Foundation. Randy says he’s “committed to giving back to the church and its people.” An outdoor enthusiast, in his free time, he can be found fishing, jogging, scuba diving and playing or watching a variety of sports. His favorite book? The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren.
2 011 - 2 012 E L D E R S Dorothy Alvarez Paul Batura Howard Brooks Randy Case Tracy Elpers
Craig Engelage Larry Entwistle Jeff Freyschlag Carol Galambos Ralph Gates
Lindy Keffer David Jenkins Leah Landolfi Annie Moore Cindy Sparks
Dick Schultz Peter Teets Mike Trapp James Warmack Meredith Yorkston
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How does Leadership Work at First Pres?
SESSION
As we continue our discussions around denominational issues, many of you have expressed a need to be reminded about how we work, how decisions are made and who makes them. For this issue of First Pres Magazine, you will find a guide to each of the leadership bodies that work together on behalf of our Congregation. In subsequent issues, we will cover how these bodies connect to make decisions.
Session. The First Pres Session is made up of 21 elected laity called Elders (sometimes called Ruling Elders) and the installed ordained pastors. These are the voting members of Session. The Elders are named on the previous pages, the ordained pastors follow. It is Session’s job to make the decisions and recommendations for the local church. The Session reviews our financial statements, membership, and ministry planning. Session typically meets from 7pm–9 pm on the third Tuesday of every month. Session meetings are open to all who wish to attend, but only Session members can vote on things that come before this body.
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Ordained Pastors. There are a number of pastors on the First Pres staff doing many different jobs, but just because a person might be an ordained pastor, not all positions are positions of call. A position of call has specific requirements and is subject both to this congregation and to the Pueblo Presbytery. We sometimes refer to these positions as Teaching Elders (hence the academic robes on Sunday mornings). Ordained pastors who are in a position of call to serve as a pastor to this congregation, and as such are voting members of Session, are: Jim Singleton, Senior Pastor Joe Farrell, Associate Pastor for Young Adults and Marriage John Goodale, Associate Pastor of Community Life Jennifer Oraker Holtz, Associate Pastor for Adult Ministries (part-time) Amber Odvody, Associate Pastor for New Church Development (part-time at FP North) Jim Smith, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care
Parish Associates. In the Presbyterian Church, all ordained ministers are attached to a congregation whether they are in a position of call or not. At First Pres, we have a number of parish associates who serve our church but are not paid and are not on our staff. You typically see them in worship on Sundays. Parish Associates who serve our church in this way are: Dan Jessup, Crissy Koons, Bob Mitchell, Sara Singleton and Pastor Emeritus John Stevens. Cliff Anderson also serves as a Parish Associate and is employed at the church as Director of Children and Youth at FP North.
Deacons. Deacons are elected and ordained officers of the church called to ministries of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ as set forth in Scripture. The Board of Deacons has 150 members in classes of 50, each serving three year terms. Deacons serve through monthly contact with groups of members assigned to each deacon and on Sundays by greeting you. Deacons host Memorial Service Receptions, Christmas parties in care facilities around our City, and they serve home communion and participate in other activities directly caring for members of First Pres.
Nominating Committee. One third of our Elders and Deacons move off those bodies each year and their recommended replacements are identified by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is already hard at work to identify Elders and Deacons for 2012-2013 year (7 Elders and 50 Deacons are needed). Members of our congregation who accept this Committee’s nomination to serve as an Elder or Deacon are presented for Congregational approval and vote at the Annual Meeting held in February each year. Serving on this committee this year are: Alice Fertig Bob Lanting, Chair Carolyn Hock Tracy Elpers, Chair Gordon Loux Wendy Buckler Gladys Perry Paul Clarkin Norma Robinson Mary Collins John Seifert Craig Engelage Katie Trapp Larry Entwistle
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E-News Connecting to your community within First Pres is just a mouse click away. Access our website to sign-up for our regular e-newsletters, and to find our Facebook sites, www.first-pres.org/enews to locate e-newsletters for the following areas:
Children Route 56 (5th & 6th Grade) I-78 eBlast (7th & 8th Grade) 912 eBlast (High School) Community Life
Men’s Ministry Missions Women’s Ministry
Click on the tab on the First Pres Home page to access our First Pres Facebook page. For the Student Ministries Facebook page, click on tab on www.first-pres.org/students. http://vimeo.com/firstpres for First Pres Videos. If you don’t have access to a computer, call Congregational Support at 884.6144 for further details about these ministries.
Join us in Worship on Sundays First Pres Downtown—219 East Bijou Worship with Choir—Sanctuary, 8:20 a.m. & 9:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship—Fellowship Hall, 9:45 a.m. & Sanctuary, 11:10 a.m. Contemplative Worship—Sanctuary, 5:00 p.m. beginning September
First Pres North—Discovery Canyon High School, 1810 North Gate Blvd. Contemporary Worship—11:00 a.m.
First Pres—Inn at Garden Plaza – 2520 International Circle Traditional Worship—10:15 a.m.
First Pres Online—first-pres.org Live streaming broadcast of Sanctuary services beginning at 8:20 a.m. For church information, call 719.884.6144 or mail@first-pres.org
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