Vacation Bible School - JULY 20-24

Filed Under Church Events

“PASSPORT TO JESUS” is the theme of this year’s Vacation Bible School to be held July 20-24 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.  Dinner will begin each evening’s activities.  Registration forms are available in Calvin Hall.  For additional information, contact Bruce at (402) 345-5383 or bwallace@qwest.net. 

Posted June 28, 2009, 4:15 pm | Comments Off 

June Note from Pastor Jon

Filed Under Church Events, Pastor's Notes

We have just celebrated Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, and with that celebration we recall the passion that existed in the early church at that time.  Here at First Presbyterian Church we have seen passion and excitement quite a bit recently.

Earlier in May we elected Rev. David Paul to be our Associate Pastor.  He will be starting with us June 1st and is excited to get to know the church and its members.  Incidentally, if anyone has a guest room available that David could stay in for June, until he closes on his new house, please let us know.

The Deacons just celebrated and had a very nice dinner for those members who have been with us for over 50 years.  The rich history that we have in these members just amazes me at times. What a blessing it is to join in community and worship with new members and 50 year members right next to each other!

Each Sunday after worship, members are going out to lunch for fellowship time.  This lunch group ranges from 8 to 35 people, and it is always a great time to get to know one another.  It is never the same group, and anyone is welcome to join.  We have gone to restaurants ranging from places like Noodles, Qdoba and Chipotle to Cracker Barrel, Burgerstar, and Red Lobster.  In each case the restaurant has worked with the church to help us out a little bit, but by far the best benefit has been the fellowship we have!

I have been hearing from various members who have been attending more frequently how wonderful it is for them to be back in church where they are sensing joy and a common mission once again. 

On Easter Sunday, I mentioned that we all are enriched when we can gather together and worship.  I also said that anytime someone is missing from our congregational worship we are diminished.  It is amazing what happens when you get a community of believers together and we worship the Lord..  If you have not been with us recently, please come by and see what things are like, you might be surprised!

                                                                                         In His Name,  Pastor Jon

Posted June 3, 2009, 2:55 pm | Comments Off 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN T-SHIRTS FOR SALE

Filed Under Church Events, Uncategorized

Would you like a First Presbyterian T-shirt?  They are available in adult and youth sizes.  Cost - $12.00 for short-sleeved and $17.00 for long-sleeved.  Order and pickup in Calvin Hall.  They make a nice witnessing tool for all at activities.  Get one today!

Posted March 8, 2009, 3:01 pm | Comments Off 

First Presbyterian Church is offering a SCRIP Program

Filed Under Church Events, Uncategorized

Presenting a new way to give to the church by doing what you already do!

We are offering a session approved SCRIP program to interested persons as a new way to give to special needs of the  church without altering a single penny of your household budget.  You have seen SCRIP before, though you may not realize it.  If you have ever used or bought a gift card, voucher, or gift certificate, then you have already used SCRIP without knowing it.

How it benefits the church.  Some stores allow large purchasers of  giftcards and certificates to buy at a discount.  A national clearinghouse for SCRIP has been created which allows us to participate, with the church receiving anywhere from 1% to 13% of face value of the giftcard.   The amount of discount depends on the retailer, generally restaurants have the highest percentage kept by the church, while large retail stores average between 2% and 7%.

How you can help.  If you are able to plan your purchases in advance, whether groceries, gifts, etc, you could purchase SCRIP certificates prior to going shopping, and while spending the exact same amount of money, allow a percentage of your purchase to be retained by the church.

For example:  A person gives $100 in gift cards to an electronics store to relatives.  Through a SCRIP program at church, one could purchase the same giftcards for the same amount that could be bought at the store location.  The church might only pay $97 for the cards, allowing the church to keep $3.

$3 doesn’t seem like much.  If one person buys one gift card, then this really is a drop in the bucket.  However, if each month your household spends $150 in groceries, and for birthdays gives $200 in gift cards, the SCRIP savings to the church would be $40.  That would be for one family, only using SCRIP for groceries and gifts.  Imagine what could be given to the church if many families were able to use the SCRIP program in many parts of their shopping plans.

What types of store SCRIP or products can be purchased?  Grocery stores, electronics stores, home improvement, restaurants, fastfood, autoparts stores, airlines, Cruiselines (directly booked), hotels and motels, healthfood stores, craft supply stores, camera stores longdistance phone cards , bookstores, coffee shops, gas stations, online stores, department and chain stores that you might find at the mall, outdoors and sporting goods stores, hair salons, office supply stores, toy stores, pharmacies, ice cream shops, clothing and shoe stores,  movie theatres and movie rental businesses. 

If you have any questions, or would like to place an order for SCRIP, please contact Garry Griffith at the church or signup on any Sunday.   SCRIP certificates are ordered on Sunday and will be available the following Sunday for pick-up.

Posted October 27, 2008, 4:57 pm | Comments Off