Vision Statement 2015
Click here for the complete statement.
Lectionary Bible Study
Wednesdays, 10:30 am - noon - Church Library
Go Deeper into Knowledge and Faith small group meets at the church using the lectionary selected Bible readings for discussion. Each meeting is unique so that participants may attend as their schedule permits.
Bread of Life Service with Soup and Bread Lunch
Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. - Molly Grove Chapel
TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
The Bread of Life service is a 20-minute uplifting worship service designed especially for those who live or work downtown with messages for those who want to know how to be faithful in today’s world. Reverend Tony Patrick delivers the message and musicians bring music for the heart.
Fresh baked bread and soup are served following the service in Litten Fellowship Hall.
Doors to the chapel are open on both Chestnut Street and Pine Street. For information call the church office at 517-482-0668.
Let Us Break Bread Together... and Have Soup, Too!
Sunday, September 12, Following Worship - Litten Fellowship Hall
Plan on staying after worship to eat a simple meal with your church family as we launch another program year. Our theme for the day will be "Hunger Awareness." Everything will be provided, so just bring yourselves downstairs after worship. The Mission Committee will be doing a short program to remind us about all we do locally to help fight hunger in our community, but also how we support hunger programs as a denomination globally. As Presbyterians, we are very committed to caring for hungry people everywhere. Come and learn more about what we do together as a community and what you can do as an individual to help stand against hunger in Lansing and around the world. CROP will also be kicking off again this fall, so there will be more information about that available, too. See you then!
World Communion Sunday Potluck
Sunday, October 3, Following Worship - Litten Fellowship Hall
This is World Communion Sunday. Last year's potluck celebration was a joyous (and delicious!) occasion to celebrate our Christian roots along with the unique variety of ethnic heritages within our church. Please plan to attend worship followed by a multicultural potluck. Bring a dish to share that celebrates your cultural culinary heritage, along with your family's table service. Drinks will be provided. We are blessed with a wonderfully diverse congregation and this is a delectable chance to experience that diversity! As one guest remarked last year, our World Communion church potluck was, "the only church potluck I've seen with haggis and goat on the same menu!" Join us!
Annual Book Sale
October 3-6, Pine Street Lobby
The Annual Book Sale will be open to the Church family only on Sunday, October 3 following the worship service.
Book Sale will be open to the public Monday - Wednesday.
Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Wednesday, October 6 from 10:00 am until after the Luncheon.
Volunteers are welcome and needed for set-up on Thursday, September 30 and Friday October 1, for running the sale during each time period, and for the clean-up which will begin after the Salad Luncheon on Wednesday. Contact the Church Office to help.
Annual Fall Salad Luncheon
Wednesday, October 6, 11:00 am - Litten Fellowship Hall
The Fall Salad Luncheon is quickly approaching. Workers are needed on Tuesday, October 5 in the morning as well as on Wednesday, October 6. Donations of salads and cookies are also needed. You can help promote the Salad Luncheon by picking up the posters and fliers that are available in the church office copy room and giving them to your friends and coworkers. Your assistance in this wonderful all-church project is greatly appreciated.
2010 Michigan Pilgrimage Opportunities
September 9-12, and October 14-17
Are you seeking an opportunity to get away, ponder your life of faith, and to reconnect or renew your relationship with God? How about a chance to experience an abundance of God's grace and love while enjoying a beautiful West Michigan setting? A Pilgrimage weekend provides a three day opportunity to study Christian living. The weekend is centered on short talks given by lay-people and pastors. Small groups are formed for discussion. Worship, singing, fellowship, and good food are all part of the three days. Check it out for more information. Michigan Pilgrimage.
International Mission Opportunity - Nicaragua
April 1-9, 2011
International Mission Opportunities are part of the Vision 2015 plan. A mission trip to Nicaragua is being planned for April, 2011. This trip is an intergenerational trip so it is open to high school students and older individuals who are able to endure the heat and basic living conditions of Nicaragua. The group will be led by the Council for Evangelical Churches (CEPAD). The group will visit CEPAD projects including the patio projects supported by our 2-cents-A-Meal money. The group may also visit historical sites, a rain forest, cloud forest, and a volcano. Participants will learn about living in a third world country from our Nicaraguan partners who have worshiped with us. The cost will be about $1500 per person which includes all travel, food, and lodging.
LOCAL MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES
Mission Committee - Servants and Service Program
The Mission Committee is starting a new venture to serve members and others in the community. A table, during coffee hour, will be staffed with Mission Committee members and supply information about local, national and international mission opportunities. We will be looking for interested people who would like to serve in some capacity, through the church and to the local, national and international communities.
The hope is to link projects and learning opportunities to people who are interested in information and/or serving.
Another opportunity includes people from our own congregation who need a little help now and then. Remember the song lyrics…”I get by with a little help from my friends…?” Well, we intend to be that help and be those friends! At the new Mission Table, we will keep a listing of “community-based projects.” These projects will come from within our own community and be available for small groups and/or individuals to serve by meeting those needs.
Two-Cents-A-Meal or Cents-ability
Cents-ability is a step against hunger and poverty. Contribute two cents per person per meal as an expression of thanksgiving. One hundred persons in a congregation would raise $180 a month and $2,160 a year for food bank and hunger programs.
Card Ministry
Postage Stamps Needed!
(This ministry supports our friends in Christ unable to attend worship.) Our faithful “Card Lady” needs some assistance. She has plenty of cards but could use donations of first class postage stamps to mail cards to members of the church family who are mostly home-bound. If you can spare some stamps, please bring them to the church office, marked “Card Lady.” Thank you!
Food Bank Special Needs:
Stovetop Stuffing mix, Jello (pudding or gelatin), 15-oz. cans of peas, beets and carrots, large cans or bottles of orange, apple, grape and berry juices, regular size brown paper bags - drop off at West entrance in marked bins. Cash and checks are also appreciated. Make checks out to First Presbyterian Church with the notation, "Food Bank."
Labels for Education
Collect the wrappers or caps of Campbell products and drop in the receptacles at the West entrance.
Empties-4-Cash
This program earns money from recycling printer cartridges to support youth mission trips. Receptacles are at the West entrance.
PC(USA) Website for Children - Kids 4 Kids
Did you know that the PC(USA) has a website designed specifically for young children? The ministry of Child Advocacy has just launched a new design of Kids 4 Kids. This colorful, interactive and educational site is suitable for ages 8 to 12 and is designed to empower children on behalf of other children. The site features stories, games and a tool kit where children can learn about other ministries of the PC(USA). To visit the site: Kids 4 Kids.Holiday Baskets
Christmas and Thanksgiving Food Baskets
First Church provided 100 Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for local familis.
Heifer Project Update
We bought a cow AND a water buffalo!
With the help of a very generous anonymous donor, the Junior Church children were able to save their half of the $750 necessary to purchase a cow and a water buffalo, whose purchase improved the lives of several needy families and their communities. We were successful last year and our efforts continue to see what we can do in 2010! You can support this program by providing opportunities for your child to earn money around the house that they can donate to this very worthy cause. Thank you!
Visioning 2015
Education
Hospitality and Inclusiveness
Caring for Members
Supporting Mission
Four key ministry areas have been identified which have developed into four workgroups for study and recommendation to the congregation. The four Visioning Teams are Education, Hospitality and Inclusiveness, Member Care and Supporting Mission. Details to follow.