Worship This Week 
Christ is risen…
Sunday, April 9, 2023
Text: Matthew 28:1-10
Christ is risen, indeed!

Easter Sunday  

Early in the morning, after the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb where Jesus’ body lay. Their hearts were heavy with the brutality of their friend’s death along with the destruction of their hopes about how he would change the world. They thought everything was over. How could they have imagined the surprise God had in store for them?

“Do not be afraid…he is not here, for he has been raised…”

                             
Find this week’s bulletin online here
Paper bulletins are available in the sanctuary.

Find Our Worship Online
Join us on Facebook or YouTube beginning at 9:20 (to enjoy the prelude; service begins at 9:30) for a LIVE stream of the service!
To find us on Facebook, search “First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon, Iowa.”
To find us on YouTube, search “FirstPresMV” to find our channel, then click on LIVE. 


EASTER SUNDAY POTLUCK BRUNCH!
Our church staff families are sharing a potluck Easter brunch in the social hall after worship this Sunday. Quiche, bacon, biscuits and fruit are on the menu so far. Bring something to share, or just bring yourself. All are welcome! An RSVP to Lori ([email protected]) is appreciated but not required.

EASTER SUNDAY ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN  
No Sunday School this week. Nursery is open.
Stop by the children’s worship station in the hallway outside the church office and gather:
   + colored pencils, coloring pages and puzzles to enjoy during worship 
   + a rainbow streamer to use during the hymns
   + children’s books that tell the Easter story
An EGG HUNT follows worship and we have a goodie bag for each child and a book for each family. 

SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE – APRIL 23
Sunday, April 23 at 10:45 in the Community Room
Are you interested in learning about and responding to the issues we face, locally and globally? The Social Concerns Committee guides our congregation’s financial support of various groups as well as service projects, service trips, and educational opportunities. 

COOPERATIVE YOUTH GROUP – ROOTED
Wednesday, April 12, 6:30-8:00pm at Seeds of Faith Lutheran for outdoor game fun!
Youth Grades 6 and older are invited to join us for this cooperative youth ministry led by First Pres MV, Seeds of Faith Lutheran and the MV United Methodist Church.

NEW MEMBERS’ CLASS COMING SOON
We have several people interested in becoming members of First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon. If this is something you would like more information about, please let Pastor Lori Wunder know ([email protected] or 319-431-2227).

THANK YOU, MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS! 
We had a terrific response to our appeal for volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels to neighbors in Mount Vernon during the month of April. All the dates are accounted for! Thank you!

FIRST PRES MV & MVL CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS
If you don’t have young children in your life, you may not be aware that there is a challenging shortage of childcare options in our communities. Community stakeholders met about this crisis last fall and various committees are exploring all the options, including the possibility of using our nursery to provide childcare for infants. Pastor Lori and Carol Daly are looking into whether our space meets the state’s requirements. the MVL Child Care Solutions work group is looking for an entrepreneur to run a daycare. The goal is not to provide income for our church, but to be of service to our community. We will keep you posted as things develop.

PER CAPITA PAYMENT
Each Presbyterian congregation shares in the financial support for the work of the wider denomination at the presbytery, synod and national level. This support is called Per Capita, an amount per member apportioned by the member presbytery (in our case, the Presbytery of East Iowa). Our congregation’s per capita is $40.70 per member, or $5403 total. We invite you to consider contributing $40.70 per member of your family to help cover this expense. Thank you!

CAMP WYOMING–REGISTER FOR SUMMER FUN!
Registration for summer programs for elementary, middle, and high school youth is open! Click here to check out what Camp Wyoming has to offer your kids this summer. Our congregation believes so much in this Christian camp experience that we will pay your child’s way.  

VBS–SAVE THE DATES!
Vacation Bible School has been set for Monday, June 12 through Friday, June 16 from 1:00-4:00 each day at Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church. Mark your calendars and plan to have your kids, PreK through Grade 6 be part of the fun! Cooperatively led by First Pres MV, Seeds of Faith Lutheran and the Mount Vernon UMC.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, April 9 – Easter Sunday
  8:15am Choir rehearsal in Community Room
  9:15am Nursery care is available
  9:30am Worship in the Sanctuary & Online
  10:30am Easter Egg Hunt for Children (lower level)
  10:30am Easter Brunch in Social Hall

Monday, April 10
  6:00pm Bunco in Social Hall
  6:30pm Session in Community Room

Tuesday, April 11
  1-3pm Church office hours 

Wednesday, April 12
   6:30pm Youth Group at UMC 

Friday, April 14
   9am-12pm Church office hours

Sunday, April 16 
  9:15am Nursery care is available
  9:30am Worship in the Sanctuary & Online
  Sunday School for PreK and up! Children will leave with teachers following Discovery Time (children’s sermon)
  10:30am Coffee Hour in Social Hall