Volume 53 | December 29, 2019

Greetings!

Happy New Year to you and yours! We hope this week's Evotional brings you all the news, information and insight you've been wanting. Please feel free to comment on or share your weekly message with friends, family and co-workers.

Pause, breathe deeply and reflect ...

Dear God,

Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you've allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day.

We pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that you will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else. We ask that you will open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. We ask that you would help us release our grip on the things to which you’ve said “no,” “not yet,” or “wait.” We ask for help to pursue you first, above every dream and desire you’ve put within our hearts.

We ask for your wisdom, for your strength and power to be constantly present within us. We pray you would make us strong and courageous for the road ahead. Give us ability beyond what we feel able, let your gifts flow freely through us, so that you would be honored by our lives, and others would be drawn to you.

We pray that you’d keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations. That you would whisper in our ear when we need to run, and whisper in our heart when we need to stand our ground.

We pray for your protection over our families and friends. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the evil intent of the enemy; that you would be a barrier to surround us, that we’d be safe in your hands. We pray that you would give us discernment and insight beyond our years, to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways.

We ask that you would keep our footsteps firm, on solid ground, helping us to be consistent and faithful. Give us supernatural endurance to stay the course, not swerving to the right or to the left, or being too easily distracted by other things that would seek to call us away from a close walk with you.

Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for you, living independent of your spirit. Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds, and for allowing pride and selfishness wreak havoc over our lives. Forgive us for not following your ways and for living distant from your presence.

We confess our need for you…fresh…new…again. We ask that you make all things new, in our hearts, in our minds, in our lives, for this coming year. We pray for your refreshing over us.

Keep your words of truth planted firm within us, help us to keep focused on what is pure and right, give us the power to be obedient to your word. And when the enemy reminds us where we have been, hissing his lies and attacks our way, we trust that your voice speaks louder and stronger, as you remind us we are safe with you and your purposes and plans will not fail. We ask that you will be our defense and rear guard, keeping our way clear, removing the obstacles, and covering the pitfalls. Lord, lead us on your level ground.

We ask that you would provide for our needs, we ask for your grace and favor. We pray for your blessings to cover us, we pray that you would help us to prosper and make every plan that you have birthed in our heart to succeed. We pray that others would take notice of your goodness and could not help but to say, “These are the ones that the Lord has blessed.”

Help us to be known as great givers, help us to be generous and kind, help us to look to the needs of others and not be consumed by only our own.

May we be lovers of truth, may the fruits of your spirit be evident in our lives - your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set you way before us. May all your plans succeed. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing.

To you be glory and honor, in this New Year, and forever.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Prayer to Keep God First
by Debbie McDaniel
27dec2016
Service spotlight ...

You are also invited to our worship with communion at 9:30 a.m.
on Sunday, January 5 th .

In our prayers ...

Please pray for Mary Ralston, Annette Anderson, Ed Lehmann, Shawna Lehmann, Don & Nancy Tobias, Louise Shapley, Marilyn MacCaughey, Marlene Wilson, Larry & Ellen Cardwell, Mary Jane Johnston, Mary Soley, Marge Henze, Heidi Lawrence, Shelley Lawrence.

Offer up special prayers for Kesney—granddaughter of Andy & Denise Park, Ida—mother of Debbie Yale, Barbara—mother of Steve Hansen, Betty—grandmother of Jessica & Jenny, Charlie—niece of Carrie & Kathi, Shawn—friend of Denise, Michelle—friend of Sheila Lawrence, Mary—sister of Carrie, Gillian and Ben—friends and former pastors of First Presbyterian.

We ask for continued prayers for those serving—Evan Humphreys, Lt. Col. Jay Brooke, Mary Workman, Chad Lawrence, Nicholas Hansen, Jared Smith, Jordan Smith.

Thoughts, prayers and love for all those who have recently lost loved ones—especially Dodie Kerkman and family.
In the know ...
New Events:
  • Wed., Jan. 8 - Annual Report Deadline
  • Fri., Jan 10, 1:00 p.m. - FirstPres Book Club (Parkview Community Room, 5215 Douglas Ave., Racine)
  • Tues., Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. - Deacons Meeting (Chapel)
  • Fri., Jan. 17, 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Trauma Informed Care Seminar (Chapel)
  • Tues., Jan. 21, 2:00 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. - Community Meal Prep & Serve (1032 Grand Avenue, Racine)
  • Tues., Jan. 21, 2:00 p.m. - Investment Committee Meeting (Ihrman)
  • Tues., Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m. - Session Meeting (Chapel)
  • Wed., Jan. 22, 9:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m. - Continuum of Care / Point in Time
  • Thurs., Jan. 23, 11:30 a.m. - Senior Singles (Racine Country Club, 2801 Northwestern Ave, Racine)
  • Fri., Jan. 24 - Newsletter Deadline
  • Tues., Jan. 28, 12:00 p.m. - Daytime Circle Ministry (Chapel)

Recurring Events:
Sundays -
  • 8:30 a.m. - Confirmation Reboot (Parlor)
  • 10:45 a.m. - Confirmation Class (Pastor's study)

Wednesdays -
  • 12:00 p.m. - Bible Study (Ihrman Hall)
  • 4:00-7:00 p.m. - FirstPres Food Pantry
  • 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Yoga
  • 7:00 p.m. - Bell Choir Rehearsal
Living our faith ...

Food Pantry Delivery
Please note that beginning in 2020, the deliveries for our pantry will be on the third Friday of each month.

Food Pantry Volunteers
  • 1st Wednesday: Maria Hansen, Mac MacCaughey, Diane Lehmann, Austin Moulds, Taylor Moulds, Logan Lehmann
  • 2nd Wednesday: Maria Hansen, Nancy Reeser, Bev Eifert, Autumn, Bill Anderson, *Becky Strommen, *Braden Strommen
  • 3rd Wednesday: Myrna Kryger, Debbie Yale, Bill Anderson, *Prairie HS students
  • 4th Wednesday: Pam Simpson, Sarah Seversen, Diana Lehmann, Austin Moulds, Taylor Moulds, Logan Lehmann
  • 5th Wednesday: closed

*Denotes volunteers who are not members of First Presbyterian

A huge thank you to all of our
volunteers over the past year!


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