Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.
In-person: First Pres Sanctuary
Online: Facebook Live & YouTube
intention & action
Luke 9: 51-62 | (Jesus sets out for Jerusalem)
The “would-be followers” (as the NRSVUE calls them) have good intentions. They want to follow Jesus, but Jesus calls them to put their money where their mouths are. Somewhere between good intentions and impulsive action lies discipleship. On Ash Wednesday, we make a commitment to align our intentions and our actions.
Our friends at A Sanctified Art have provided a special e-reader version of this year’s Lenten devotional, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices. In order to protect their work, please refrain from sharing this link or posting it on social media. Click here.
| | | |
2025 Re-Confirmation Class Announced!
March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27, May 11, May 25 First Pres Campus
We are hosting a “re-confirmation” class starting next month that is open to all. We have one child who will be going through confirmation, and any adults who want to join the discussions are welcome. The plan is to hold Confirmation class after services on Sunday every other week from March 16 through May 25, with confirmation taking place on Pentecost – June 8. You and your family and friends would be very welcome to attend!
| | | |
Be a Flower Patron
Only 4 slots are left for sanctuary flower sponsorships: April 6, May 4, August 3, and September 7. If you’d like to sponsor one of these Sundays, let the office know which one. The cost is $45 per Sunday. Please write “sanctuary flowers” in the memo line of your check when making payment or use our only payment option. Sponsorships are on a first come, first serviced basis.
| |
| | |
|
|
|
First Pres is proud to be a collection site for "Help for the Homeless".
Look for the collection bin at the Hospitality Table by the church office. Or just drop off your donations at Festival Foods or Walgreens.
| | | |
|
|
Easter Flowers to Adorn the Sanctuary
Ordering Deadline: Sunday, March 23, 2025
Easter flowers will grace the sanctuary of First Pres this Easter and add to the beauty of our liturgical celebrations. Share the beauty of Easter by sponsoring a flower. Flowers can be given in memory of a loved one or to honor family and friends.
If you would like to be a patron, please complete the online order form. Payment options include online, mailing a check to the church office, or placing payment in the offerings box located in the church sanctuary. Please note “Easter Flowers” in the memo line of your check. Thanks so much for your support!
| | | |
Bad Weather Closure Info
In case of inclement weather, please check the following for closure information:
- First Pres Facebook page
- First Pres website
- Your email inbox (if you’ve provided the church office with an email address)
- Your mobile phone text messages (if you’ve opted in to receive texts from the church)
- WBAY-TV (ABC 2) (Green Bay - Fox Cities)
- WBAY website
| |
| | |
|
|
Brown Bag Bible Exploration
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 | Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Magnolia Hall at First Pres
Join us for a heartfelt gathering where we come together to praise God and study God’s Word, the Bible. You'll enjoy a warm and friendly setting as we explore the teachings and honor Jesus Christ! Remember to bring your Bible, your lunch, and your passion for discovering more about God’s message.
| | | |
Community Breakfast
Saturday, March 22, 2025 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Magnolia Hall at First Pres
Coming sooner than you think – the Community Breakfast! Join us with your family and friends for engaging conversations and delicious meals. Reunite with old friends and meet new ones. If you feel inspired, we’d be grateful for any help you can provide while you’re there. We’re seeking support in many ways – whether it’s setting up, cooking, cleaning, serving, or just chatting with guests. Let’s collaborate to make this a fantastic event for everyone! Whether you’re there to eat, volunteer, or both, it’s always a delight to see you and enjoy some time together!
| | | |
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Oshkosh Support Groups
Family Support Group | 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month | 6:30 p.m.
Peer Connection Support Group | 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month | 6:30 p.m.
920.651.1148 |525 N. Main Street, Oshkosh
NAMI Oshkosh’s Family Support Group is for those who have loved ones living with mental illness. Meetings are free, confidential, and lead by trained facilitators with lived experience having a family member with mental health challenges.
The Peer Connection Support Group is another free, confidential support group offered by NAMI Oshkosh. This group is a safe space for any adult living with mental illness to find support and community. Lead by trained facilitators who are in recovery themselves.
| | | |
WCC joins multifaith coalition in lawsuit opposing federal government rescission of ICE sensitive locations policy
From WCC Website
“The Wisconsin Council of Churches (WCC) is proud to join a multifaith coalition and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) in opposition to the rescission of ICE’s sensitive locations policy, which is a direct violation of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This decision directly interferes with our members’ ability to fulfill their religious mandate and serve all congregants equally and with the dignity they deserve. We don’t take this step lightly, but this extreme action from the federal government challenges a foundation of our faith and threatens to shatter our consecrated spaces. Our faith compels us to take a stand and protect our places of worship.”
| | | |
Letter of The Holy Father Francis to the Bishops of the United States Of America
Source: International Catholic Migration Commission
(In her February 23rd sermon, Pastor Deb reads excerpts from Pope Francis’ letter. The full text is provided below.)
From the Vatican, 10 February 2025
Dear Brothers in the Episcopate,
I am writing today to address a few words to you in these delicate moments that you are living as Pastors of the People of God who walk together in the United States of America.
1. The journey from slavery to freedom that the People of Israel traveled, as narrated in the Book of Exodus, invites us to look at the reality of our time, so clearly marked by the phenomenon of migration, as a decisive moment in history to reaffirm not only our faith in a God who is always close, incarnate, migrant and refugee, but also the infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person. Read more.
| | | |
‘People will starve’ because of US aid cut to Sudan
From the PC(USA) Washington Office
February 25, 2025
The freezing of US humanitarian assistance has forced the closure of almost 80% of the emergency food kitchens set up to help people left destitute by Sudan's civil war, the BBC has learned.
Aid volunteers said the impact of President Donald Trump's executive order halting contributions from the US government's development organization (USAID) for 90 days meant more than 1,100 communal kitchens had shut. It is estimated that nearly two million people struggling to survive have been affected.
Note from First Pres: Our voices need to be heard in Congress and the Senate. We urge you to contact your legislators to let them know that allowing starvation is not acceptable.
| | | |
|
Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. † In-Person † Facebook † YouTube | | | |
|
|
First Presbyterian Church is a member of More Light Presbyterians, a coalition of churches whose mission is to work for the full participation of the LBGTQ community in the life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in society. | | | | | | |
