First Presbyterian Church

Lenten Services 2015

God’s Call to Mission

Community Lenten Services

All are welcome

Come hear testimony about mission locally and globally

Join in Prayer and Fellowship across the churches and community

Prepare and Give Time this Lent

SUNDAYS in LENT at 5pm—places change as per schedule below

Date Topic/Testimony Place

Feb 22 New York Mission First Presbyterian—LP

March 1 Chrysalis/Walk to Emmaus Harris United Methodist

March 8 Habitat for Humanity Lake Park United Meth.

March 15 Ukraine Mission First Presbyterian—LP

March 22 Faith Missions Harris United Methodist

In Everyday Life

Good Friday, April 3 we will meet at the Lake Park Community Center for a walking/driving stations of the cross through town

We will have the youth Vigil from Good Friday Evening until Easter Sunrise Service at Harris this year

Ruling Elder Heath Rada, the current moderator of the General Assembly reminded the church in a letter dated Dec. 14, 2014 that “The PC(USA) believes in taking the Good News to all the world. Ninety-four million Christians around the world attribute the PC(USA) with being the source of their knowing Jesus Christ! Though we may have fewer full-time missionaries throughout the world today than we did 50 years ago, we now send thousands of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members (more than ever in our history) to serve in international missions—work missions, teaching missions, medical missions, etc. We all share in this role in ways and numbers that we never have before, and we model the Good News as we deliver needed services with our talents and gifts.” That got me wondering just what we have done that could be called mission this past year. So my end of the year report this year focuses on that.

We had many different opportunities for fellowship and outreach this year. The opportunities sometimes looked like fundraisers, other times like programs, but they all brought fellowship and community support. Our Souper Bowl Soup Supper was a good time last February not only to bring new folks into the kitchen, but also a time when community folks commented on the good hot soup, the chance to relax together, and the rest from the bustle of December and January. Our Merrymacs group brought pie over to the residents at the Lake Park Care Center. Our efforts at Ragbrai were appreciated by many riders as a quiet place to rest in the shade, have good comfort food and water, and “feel loved” as one rider commented. PW’s Mac and Cheese dinner, the Membership Team’s Father’s Day Grill out, the Easter Sunrise Breakfast, and the Turkey Supper all not only raised funds but more importantly brought folks both inside and outside the church together for fun and fellowship.

There were other ongoing ministries of mission—the youth group went on an mission trip to New York to help rebuild, that is true. But some of our members helped build the Habitat House right here in town too. Several of our members called on shut- ins over the course of the year. Others visited and cared for those who had lost a loved one. Others provided yard work, clean up, babysitting, and other “handyman” jobs to folks over the year. We took food to the food pantry, gave away 4 Turkey dinners to folks in need, Contributed to the continued employment of a Chaplain at the Lakes Regional Hospital through our membership in the Dickinson County Ministerial Association, sent 27 Shoeboxes to Operation Christmas Child, gave scholarships to camp, and sent blankets around the world with CWS.

Our church through the Deacons, some members, and myself directly helped 12 people in medical emergencies (not to mention the mission of those who are EMTs, nurses, and other emergency personnel). The Deacons took part in Adopt-A-Family in our name. We intervened and got help with several who had violent encounters in their home, with some that lost work, and with others who needed a meal. I helped several contact police or medical services due to mental health or assault situations. We provided clothing to 3 families out of what was left from our Trash to Treasures Garage sale in June. We gave apples, potatoes, grapes, hamburger, popcorn, squash, beets, tomatoes, and other food over the year to 28 different families in Harris, Lake Park, Round Lake, and Hartley. There were 3 folks that I am aware that through members and/or myself came to know and accept Jesus and began attending churches. We had members donate time and wedding gowns to make angel dresses. We provided family fun through the Family Game Night, the Easter Egg Hunt, and the Summer Painting in the park.

Our webpage has provided prayers and outreach to over 35 folks this year who have left prayer requests. Several more service men and women have contacted us about placing them in a congregation when they return home after listening to our worship services online. We have sent cards to servicemen through the Presbyterian Chaplains (PCCM). We have helped kids at risk, disaster services, sustainability services, justice and freedom advocacy, and assistance to retired church workers through our national offerings. And we have helped kids in our own school district with school supplies, coats, hats, gloves, boots, shoes, and books that have been donated directly by parishioners to families or provided through PIE or other organizations.

And we sent $100 in coins the Sunday School kids collected to our missionary from PCUSA in South Sudan to help build schools.

That is an abbreviated list only of the “mission activities” of which I am aware in this congregation. We may only be about 150 folk, but through Christ we are actively engaged throughout the world. Our call for the next year is to not only continue but to grow in our ability to listen to and heed Christ’s call. We are to bring Christ to the world, not wait for the world to discover Him. Let’s do that hand in hand in Christ’s leading.

Pastor Tim

New Men's Bible Study

Men of the church are invited to Bible Study, Coffee, and Fellowship on two Saturdays in February. February 7^th and February 28 at 8:30 am.

We will be using a study by Gene Getz called—The Measure of a Man: Twenty Attributes of a Godly Man. It looks at everyday ways and characteristics of being a Christian Man in today’s world from moderate living to balancing recreation and work. We will read Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3 as the study progresses.

Come join the group for a good time. You do not need to be a Bible scholar to participate in this study. We will look to the Bible and then lots of real world experiences. See Pastor Tim for details. If you can only make one of the Saturdays that is ok too.

Our Mission

Empowered through the Holy Spirit, we seek to embrace all people with the loving arms of Jesus Christ; by providing worship, fellowship and encouragement.

Welcome!

Welcome to First Presbyterian Church's website. We pray that you find God's blessings in your life and God's grace on your heart. I invite you to search our pages and find out a little about us and God's call to us here in Lake Park. If you can, join us in worship on Sunday or if that doesn't work, join us in prayer and praise to our Creator God and to our Savior Jesus Christ in your heart.

We are a community that seeks God's call to us, that gathers around the Gospel in prayer and fellowship, that strives together to be fed and hear God's story in Word and Sacrament, and that engages in God's mission of love and ministry in our community and our world.

We hope that you find a little about what we believe, what we do, and who we are in these pages. We are a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), a small part of the Universal Body of Christ called the church. If you are searching for a church family to better hear God's call on your life, we invite you to follow the Spirit's lead and join in fellowship. To God be the glory!

Rev. Tim Harmon, Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Lake Park