a family of faith, worshiping through evangelism and outreach
Welcome to the website of First Presbyterian Church! We hope this site informs, encourages and benefits you. We are a historic downtown church working hard to help one another grow in faith and to make a meaningful difference in our community. Here at our website you can become acquainted with our many opportunities designed to benefit you and our community and to honor God. Visit "Who we are" for a quick summary of who we believe God has called us to be. If you are new to Presbyterianism, check out Presbyterian 101. To gain a more in-depth understanding of our ministries, please browse our site. If you cannot find what you are looking for or have other questions, call our church office, 870-774-6453, or email us.
Click on the Lectionary date to read the Bible passages, and click on the Mission Yearbook date to read the full stories of God's work by God's people in the Church, both locally and globally.
Monday, March 15 - 6:00 p.m. - Tower Bells for Beginners; 7:00 p.m. - Tower Bell Practice
Tuesday, March 16- 7:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast and Bible Study; 11:30 a.m. - Joint Gathering of PW Circles
Wednesday, March 17 - 5:00 p.m. Preschool Board Meeting; 6:00 p.m. - Family Night Supper and Bible Study; 6:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Practice
Thursday, March 18 - 5:00 p.m. - Session Meeting
Plus regularly scheduled programs:Check our new and improved interactiveweekly calendar!
FPC featured on PCUSA Website...again!
FPC was featured in an article on March 10 as part of the PCUSA "Growing the Church Deep and Wide" series. Read "Fast Forward"for the interview with pastors Susan and John Arnold. In February our church was the featuredcongregation on the PCUSA home page, resulting in over 200 visits to this website during that time.
Revised Budget
On February 18, 2010, the Session approved a Revised Budget for 2010. It is available for viewing by clicking here. If anyone would like a paper copy, please call the Church Office. Since we are trying to save money and trees, the Committee decided to make this information available in a more environmentally friendly manner. Please contact either Hayes McClerkin, Moderator, or Betty Anthony, Treasurer, if you have any questions concerning the Budget or any other financial matters.
Stewpot Coming in April
Watch this space for more information on our April Stewpot classes... Plan to join us on Wednesday nights!
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PW Joint Circle Meeting in March
On Tuesday, March 16, the three Presbyterian Women circles of FPC will gather at 11:30 a.m., with a potluck salad lunch to begin at 12 noon. Following lunch, Margie Rhoads will teach Lesson 7 - "God’s Concern for Justice: The Cities of Refuge" from our Horizons Bible Study – Joshua: A Journey of Faith. A brief business meeting will follow.
Please bring a salad to be shared. Women from all of the other Presbyterian Churches in the Texarkana area have also been invited. Those who know someone personally at one of the other churches are asked to please extend a personal invitation. This is such a good opportunity to renew old acquaintances and make new friends.
The Hospitality Committee will provide drinks, homemade rolls and these delicious desserts…apricot tarts and three-layer brownies.
We hope that all of the women of our church will be able to attend. If you do not normally participate in circle, this will be an opportunity for you to share lunch and fellowship with those of us who do, learn a little about what we are doing and perhaps decide that you would like to be more active in PW and our circles.
Haiti Updates in the News
An article on the Haiti Education Foundation and how they have been affected by the recent earthquake appeared in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazetteon Friday, March 12, and an article on the work of Living Waters for the World in Haiti on Sunday, March 14. Please click here for the HEF article, and here for the LWW article to get a better picture of the challenges being faced and how folks are helping others.
Prayers for Chile
Please pray for the people of Chile and for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Chile, victims of an 8.8 earthquake which struck early on February 27th. Presbytery of the Pines and the EPCC are in covenant partnership. The latest update from PCUSA can be found here.
The Season of Lent
Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the season ofLent....the days leading up to Holy Week and Easter. There are many opportunities for worship and study as well as suggestions for ways to make this a blessed time of reflection for you and your family. For full details, please go to our special Lenten page.
FPC will hold its Maundy Thursday Worship and Holy Communion on April 1, following our regular Family Night Supper.
Sermon for March 14: The Sponge Mark 15:34-36 When we miss the mystery of Christ...
Diaconate Mission for March: Baby Care Kits for Haiti
The Baby Care Kit project is a wonderful example of people and groups working together to help others. Church World Service distributes the kits, which are gathered at and shipped from the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Center at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center. These will help mothers care for their newborn babies. Baby Care Kits ($39 value) contain the following items:
Six (6) cloth diapers
Two (2) T-shirts or undershirts (no onesies)
Two (2) baby washcloths
Two (2) gowns or sleepers
Two (2) diaper pins
One (1) sweatshirt or sweater (canbe hand-knit or crocheted)
Two (2) receiving blankets (1 can be hand-knit or crocheted)
Items must be new and under 12 months in size.
And the process starts HERE! There are several ways you can help. You may donate any of the items listed, make a financial contribution which will be used to purchase the items, or knit or crochet a blanket or sweater. Sweater patterns are available from CWS by clicking here. Final preparation and assembly of the kits will be one of the Stewpot classes coming in April.