First Presbyterian Church


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 CONTACT US by e-mail.



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.


Rev. John Arnold's recent blog post     The Practical Disciple

 

Daily Devotional -

d365 is a daily devotional for youth, the young at heart and all who are on a spiritual journey.


PNN: Presbyterian Neighbor News - Sun Edition

Keep up with the latest news from Pines Presbytery, Synod of the Sun and  PCUSA.

Go to our Video page for a visual look at the mission of both Sun and PCUSA.

 

                                     
Opportunities at FPC this week:

Sunday, August 29  - 9:00 a.m. - Early Edition; 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School; 11:00 a.m. - Worship; 4:00 p.m. - Handbells I; 5:00 p.m. - Youth Music; 6:00 p.m. - Youth Groups

Tuesday, August 31 - 7:00 a.m. - Men's Breakfast and Bible Study

Wednesday, September 1 - 5:00 p.m. - Christian Education Committee Meeting; 5:00 p.m. - Stewardship Committee Meeting ; 6:00 p.m. - Family Night Supper and Bible Study; 6:30 p.m. - Youth Groups meet in ECHO Center; 7:00 p.m. - Chancel Choir Practice

Thursday, September 2 - 6:00 p.m. - Worship Committee Meeting

Sunday, September 5, 9:00 a.m. - Early Edition; 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School; 11:00 a.m. - Worship and Holy Communion; 4:00 p.m. Handbells I; 5:00 p.m. - Youth Music; 6:00 p.m. - Youth Groups; 6:00 p.m. - Dinner for Randy Sams' Outreach Shelter


Plus other regularly scheduled programs: Check our new and improved interactive weekly calendar!


Vacation Bible School 'Praise Party: Back-to-School Cookout 

"Praise Party" was a great joy from start to finish!   Last Saturday, August 28, the FPC family and friends gathered again from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for food and fellowship to kick off the new school year.  Special thanks to Mark and Martha Nell Richards for their delicious burgers and hot dogs....and to the FPC youth who got everyone moving!

Click here for a look at the Praise Path!



Mens' Shoes and Clothing Needed for the Sharing Place

The Sharing Place (our clothing, shoes, and small household items closet) serves many in our community. Folks line up at the door on Thursday mornings to get these precious donations.  We desperately need donations of MEN'S SHOES and men's clothing.  Most of our clients are transients, or homeless, and their shoes take a lot of wear and tear, not to mention they usually are not the right size in the first place.
 
Clean out that closet today! Thanks for your consideration!!
 











 

 

Rally Day Coming Soon!  Save the Date....September 19th!

It's time for the new Sunday School year, so join the FPC family starting with breakfast at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 19th.  For a full list of the new classes and teachers, check out our Christian Education page...  There is a class waiting for you!  

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You'll also find info on the same page about our Brown Bag Bible Study which is beginning again NEXT Thursday, September 9th, at 12:05 in the Fellowship Hall.. Rev. Susan will be delving into Romans...All are welcome!  


Mission Work Weekend - Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home

Many thanks to all fourteen youth and adults who traveled to the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home in Monticello, Arkansas on August 5th through the 8thThe aim of this mission trip was to provide able bodies, helping hands, and loving hearts to children in need.  While there, we were able to organize a crafts classroom as well as their donations/clothing storage room.  We broke into smaller groups on Friday and had our evening meal with residents in their homes.  Saturday night, members of FPC youth and Rev. John led a musical service for our new friends at Vera Lloyd.

The Diaconate and Stewardship Committee's joint focus for September's Sharing the Plate will be the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home.  It began as a day nursery in 1910 to care for children of women working in a local mill.  By 1923, it had become a permanent place for children to live due to family illness or poverty.  Today the Home operates on an annual budget of $2.3 million and employs 38 people.

The Anne B. Wells campus in Monticello provides long-term residential care, emergency shelter, a transitions program, and respite care for youth ages 8 to 18.  Youth are nurtured, cared for, and taught a positive family model of living.  Their mission is "sharing Christ's healing love with children, youth, and families in crisis."  As we Share the Plate in September, your contribution to this worthy cause would be greatly appreciated.


FPC can look forward to hearing more about the trip and more about Vera Lloyd at a Family Night Supper in September.   Until then, check out these pictures!

Diaconate Mission for August - Feed a Runnin' WJ Ranch Horse

The VBS mission project and the Diaconate mission through August was to raise enough money to feed one of the Runnin' WJ Ranch horses for a year....$1,200.00The final total was over $1,200 (with 367 collected by the VBS kids!), so the horse won't go hungry!  

The Diaconate, the children of VBS, and Runnin' WJ Ranch all THANK YOU!

On July 21, the program for FNS was presented by Sam Clem, Director of Runnin' WJ Ranch. It was wonderful to learn more about this vital ministry in our community.  This year over 200 young people are already registered to participate, so volunteers are always welcome.