First Presbyterian Church
Beeville, Texas
March, 2026
Volume 20, Issue 2Caring and Sharing
Why Isn’t Lent Exactly 40 Days Long?
Lent is associated with the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, but the number also echoes several Old Testament events:
The 40 days and 40 nights of the great flood
Moses’ 40 years as a shepherd in the desert before God called him to lead the Israelites out of slavery
Moses’ fast for 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai be fore receiving the Ten Commandments
The 40 years the Israelites spent searching for the Prom ised Land
The 40 days the prophet Elijah spent in the desert before meeting God on Mount Horeb
The 40 days that were given to the inhabitants of Nineveh before its announced destruction
But this year, Lent begins on February 18 (Ash Wednesday) and ends on Thursday, April 2 (Maundy Thursday), a total of 44 days.
Until the late 4th century, Lent began on the Sunday AFTER Ash Wednesday and ended on Maundy Thursday, officially lasting 40 days. Centuries later, Lent’s beginning was moved to Ash Wednesday, and the end was moved to Holy Saturday. The total timespan rose to 46 days, but the five Sundays of Lent and Palm Sunday were subtracted because the Catholic Church didn’t fast on those days, bringing the total back to 40 days.
In 1969, Pope Paul VI put the liturgical calendar into effect, decreeing that “the season of Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper exclusively.” Since that time, Lent ends on the afternoon of Maundy Thursday and lasts AROUND 40 days.
First Presbyterian Church
908 N. Washington St
Beeville, TX 78102
Phone: 361-358-5759
E-mail: fpc.bee@sbcglobal.net
LENTEN LUNCHEONS
The annual Margaret Moser Memorial Lenten Luncheon Series is held on the five Tuesdays of Lent, which began this year on February 24 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. To make reservations for each Tuesday, you will need to call their church office at (361)358-2730 by the Thurs day before each luncheon, so the cutoff for the March 10 luncheon will be Thursday, March 5 and so on. Our Presbyterian Women will host on March 10, and Rev. Diana Circelli will be the guest speaker.
Our Prayer List
If there is a name that you would like to add to the prayer list, please contact the church office. Names will be removed after a period of one month unless it is requested that they remain on the list.
Amy Hoffman (Gary Williams)
Barbara Hild (Meagan Jaure)
Carolyn Bender (Sarah Jaure)
Cindy Govella (Mary Joy)
David and Roylene Tiner (Debbie Fulton)
Debbie Benavides (Jackie Ries)
Don Taylor (Debbie Fulton)
Dorothy Sugarek (Nancy Sugarek)
Elizabeth Del Bosque (Debbie Fulton)
Gary Weise (Gary Williams)
James Pawlik (Sarah Jaure)
Jay Lawson (Gary Williams)
Jenni Griffin (Lisa Tindol)
Joann Boren (Debbie Fulton)
Jody and Fred Jennings (Susan Dirks)
Joe Jimenez (Ellen Walden)
John Dunn (Nancy Sugarek)
John Stevenson (Nancy Sugarek)
John Tatton (Susan Dirks)
Johnny Leal (Melinda Leal)
Kaiden Cook (Susan Dirks)
Katy Nance Roden (Lana Massengale)
Kelly Willis Thomas (Carol Williams)
Kimberly Brenner (Patsy Kinkler)
Lillie Ramon (Debbie Fulton)
Logan Scott (Lisa Tindol)
Mark VanDeventer (Susan Dirks)
Martha Stovall (Sarah Jaure)
Mary E. Perez (Sarah Jaure)
Mary Joy (Sarah Jaure)
Melinda Hammond (Debbie Fulton)
Michael Hyer (Debbie Fulton)
Michelle Bond (Sarah Jaure)
Mike Amador (Sarah Jaure)
Natalie Schendel Crotwell (Sarah Jaure)
Patrick Gray (Susan Dirks)
Phyllis Merrill (Sarah Jaure)
Samantha Smith (Sarah Jaure)
Sarah Jaure (Debbie Fulton)
Sherry Hatcher (Susan Dirks)
Susan Cave (Debbie Fulton)
Susan Crumrine (Debbie Fulton)
Susan Heard (Carol Williams)
Taylor Heard (Cherry McClintock)
Thomas Caruso (Mary Joy)
MARCH, 2026
March 1 - Communion
March 8 - Ellen Walden and Shirley Calvert
March 15 - Sarah Jaure
March 22 - Christine Stark
March 29 - Open
If you have any questions, please contact the church
SESSION MEMBERS
Class of 2026
Susan Dirks (Mission, Outreach)
John Richardson (Bldg./Grounds)
Frank Stewart (Fellowship)
Class of 2027
John Calvert (Bldg./Grounds)
Lana Massengale (Congregational Care, Personnel)
Gary Williams (Fellowship)
Class of 2028
Sarah Jaure (Worship)
Lisa Tindol (Personnel)
Justin Williamson (Outreach, Communications)
Louanne LeBourveau Clerk of Session
Cindy Hilliard Church Treasurer
MISSION STATEMENT
The First Presbyterian Church of Beeville is called to honor God through: Christ-centered worship, fellowship, outreach, and service encompassing the whole people of God.
Elderations - Louanne LeBourveau
At their February meeting, Session members:
Heard that Melany Rosenbaum and Justin Williamson will marry in our church on Saturday, March 14, with a reception following at the Beeville Community Center. Pastor Taylor will conduct the service.
Discussed several Building and Grounds projects
Approved storing some Red Cross materials in our last Sunday school room. These will be placed on rolling shelves and labeled
Heard about the Wednesday suppers that will continue in February. Cooks are needed for March, April and May.
Approved work to be done by a local website designer to build a new website for our church
Received more information about the IMCK Medical Support Organization that the Session decided last month to support
Heard about Holy Week and Easter services, including an Easter sunrise service to be held at Twisted Ranch chapel at 7:00 a.m. Pastor Roemer will lead the service and has invited other churches to participate.
Presbyterian Women
The Presbyterian Women's Circle will meet on Thursday, March 12 at 9:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Nancy Sugarek and Christine Stark will serve as hostesses, and Jeannie 3 Kesler will lead a discussion of Lesson 6 from the study book. As always, all women of the congregation are invited to attend the monthly Circle meeting.
Carol Williams
MARCH CELEBRATIONS
Mark Your Calendars!
Mar. 6-7 Presbytery Meeting FPC - Cuero
Mar. 8 Daylight Saving Time Begins
Mar. 10 FPC Hosts L. Luncheon - Rev. Diana Circelli, Speaker
Mar. 11 WNL
Mar. 12 Presbyterian Women
Mar. 14 Rosenbaum-Williamson (2 PM) Wedding
Mar. 25 WNL
Mar. 29 Palm Sunday
Apr. 2 Maundy Thursday Service
Apr. 5 Easter Sunrise (7 AM) Ecumenical Service Twisted Ranch (Breakfast to follow)
Apr. 5 FPC Easter (11 AM) Service
BIRTHDAYS
3 Melany Rosenbaum
8 Clinton Becker
11 Jane Cowart
12 Denise Scott
17 Allan Galloway
18 Korrie Rader
19 Linda Mahoney
23 Jennifer Heard
30 Cody Rader
ANNIVERSARIES
3 Margaret & John Dunn (2001)
8 Meagan & Eric Gonzalez (2020)
19 Alice & Larry McClintock (1977)
Wednesday Night Live
