First Pres Moving Forward, Strong Together... Join the Movement

The space between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is worth lingering in, now more than ever. As society becomes increasingly polarized, Holy Week challenges the dichotomies that divide humanity into categories like powerful and powerless, enemy and friend, innocent and guilty, “us” and “them.” As violence continues to be the favored tool of many nations, Good Friday exposes the injustice of punitive “justice.” And as COVID and climate change continue to wreak havoc across the planet, this sacred time lets us practice sitting with and protesting our own and others’ pain.

April 13, 2025 | Palm/Passion Sunday | 9:30 a.m.

In Person – First Pres Sanctuary | Facebook Live | YouTube

April 17, 2025 | Maundy Thursday | 6:00 p.m. | In Person – First Pres Sanctuary*

*We will not be livestreaming the Maundy Thursday service this year. If you're not able to join the service in person, we will be showing the 2024 Maundy Thursday service on Facebook for your convenience.

Luke 19: 29-40 (Jesus enters Jerusalem)

Jesus doesn’t instigate his own parade. Instead, just his quiet presence alone inspires the multitude to shout out and praise God. When the religious leaders try to silence the crowd, Jesus tells them that the noise level isn’t the point—even the stones would cry out if they were silent. It takes wisdom to know when our voice is needed and when it’s just noise.

Luke 22: 1-27 (Last Supper)

In his final hours, Jesus redefines power through acts of humility, including sharing a final meal with his closest friends and those who will soon betray him. After breaking bread, the disciples argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus tells them that the greatest must be the least and the leader must be the servant, turning their hierarchy on its head. According to Jesus, humility is powerful, and real power is shown through humility.

Luke 23: 32-49 (Jesus dies alongside a penitent thief)

As Jesus dies on the cross, one thief resists him and the other accepts him as Messiah. Jesus resists the empire but accepts his fate. We also are called to resist systems of power and oppression, and yet we ultimately have to accept that Jesus dies—and one day we will too. We have to discern what to accept as given and what to resist, what is “God’s will” and what is the result of our own unquestioned systems.

Daily devotional prayer cards from A Sanctified Art may be found here. Just click on the card in which you're interested and it will expand.

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.

Spring Is Here – So It’s That Time of Year

The time has come for our annual spring boiler shutdown on April 23, 2025. We’re hopeful that the colder temps are behind us. But, knowing that the heating has been shut off, please be mindful of weather reports and dress in layers when you come to the church for worship and events so that you are comfortable.

Who’s Graduating This Spring?

Please give the office a shout if you know of anyone in our faith community who is graduating from high school, college, vocational/trade school, etc., at the end of the spring semester. And just a reminder, graduates can be anyone from teenagers to adult learners. It’s great to acknowledge and celebrate these accomplishments by folks of any age! Thank you!!!

Be a Flower Patron!

Sponsoring flowers for Sunday worship is a beautiful way to remember your loved ones.

The cost is $45 per Sunday, and we have 2 dates still available for 2025: May 4 and August 3. All you need to do is use the link to choose a Sunday.

Your payment may be mailed to the church office or placed in the offering box in the sanctuary. Please write “Sanctuary Flowers” in the memo line of your check. Or use the convenient online payment option.

Note: Date reservations are on a first come, first served basis.

Sponsor Flowers Here

Pay Online Here

(choose 'Give to Flower Sponsorship' in the dropdown menu)

In Isaiah 58, we are called to be repairers of the breach. Showing our love and sharing our love are how we repair the breach in many of our interactions in this world. Throughout the Lenten season, we have been inspired by the stories of women who are answering Jesus’ call to love one another, and to put that love into life-changing action.

In every time and in every place, women have played this role — diligently, persistently, if often quietly — lovingly. Stop for a moment and think about the women we know — those in our communities and right here in our own church. Let’s pause to honor and remember the many faithful women in our lives.

But let’s not forget, we are the Church … together, and as the saying goes, it takes a village. Read more.

Give Now!

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Magnolia Hall at First Pres

Join us for a special gathering where we come together to worship God and explore the Bible. You'll feel right at home in our friendly environment as we dive into the teachings and celebrate Jesus Christ! Remember to bring your Bible, your lunch, and your excitement for discovering more of God's word.

Sunday, April 20, 2025 | Approximately 10:30 a.m. | Magnolia Hall at First Pres

The Easter worship service is scheduled for Sunday, April 20th at 9:30 a.m. After the service, everyone is warmly invited to join us for a light Easter brunch in Magnolia Hall. If you have some time to spare, come enjoy a lovely brunch and connect with both old and new friends! And don’t worry about bringing a dish to share; we’ll take care of everything!

To help us with planning, please call the church office by Monday, April 14th, to let us know how many people will be attending. Or use the convenient online RSVP link below. If you're unsure about coming and can't RSVP, that's absolutely fine! Just stop by, and you’ll be welcomed with a friendly smile.

RSVP here

Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Magnolia Hall at First Pres

Get ready for the Community Breakfast! Bring your family and friends along for some great conversations and tasty food. It's a perfect chance to catch up with familiar faces and make new connections.

If you're feeling motivated, we would really appreciate any assistance you can offer while you're there. We need help in various areas, like setting up, cooking, cleaning, serving, or simply mingling with guests. Let’s work together to create an amazing experience for all! Whether you come to eat, volunteer, or do both, it’s always a joy to see you and spend some quality time together!

Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – noon | First Pres Parking Lot

June will be here before we know it. So, it’s time for all of you gardeners out there to start your plant cuttings and get ready for our Great Plant Exchange! And if you’re not doing cuttings, no worries! Just come as you are to mix and mingle – and remember, you don’t need to bring a plant to take a plant!

Indoor and Outdoor Plants - free to a loving home!

Meet friends & exchange gardening tips

Drop off your extra flowers and plants to share with others

Donate plants in non-returnable containers

Pick up something new for your own garden

Non-invasive plants only!

Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Becket’s | 2 Jackson Street, Oshkosh

Questions?

call 920-203-4536 or email michele@daybydayshelter.org

You might not know it, but Day By Day Shelter has a facility dog. Phoenix is there for both the guests and the staff. He is an official staff member.

This cute fundraiser is all about raising funds for food, treats, vaccinations, and vet care for Phoenix; and here’s what you can expect from the “Pups on the Runway” event.

Dog and Pet Parent Fashion Show
Local Author Book Signing
Oshkosh Dog Expo
Raffle Baskets
50/50 Raffle
Silent Auction
Light Refreshments
Cash Bar

Well-behaved humans and leashed dogs are welcome!

It’s exciting to bring together people from all kinds of groups to celebrate all things dogs. The goal is to raise enough to pay for 100% of what Phoenix needs for a year plus a little extra to cover any unexpected emergencies.

Sunday, April 27, 2025 | 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Oshkosh Downtown YMCA

324 Washington Avenue, Oshkosh

This is the epitome of neighbors helping neighbors – fixing stuff for free. So, if you have anything that needs repair, stop on by the Oshkosh Repair Café. The Welcome Desk closes at 4 p.m.

Here’s what the “fixers” can help with:

household appliances * computers * electronics * jewelry * watches

small engines * bicycles * furniture * sewing * mending

Ground rules:

Limit of 3 items per person
under 18, guardian required
no firearms or weapons

If you have any questions about the Repair Café or would like to volunteer as a “fixer,” send an email to RepairCafeOshkosh@gmail.com.

Oshkosh Area Community Pantry: Breakfast Foods Drive

2551 Jackson Street, Oshkosh

Donation Hours:

Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3: 30 p.m.

It's time for this month’s Food Drive for Oshkosh Area Community Pantry. April’s theme is breakfast - the most important meal of the day. So, add an item or 2 from the list to your shopping cart and drop off at OACP.

They, of course, can still use any donations whether it be food or monetary, but this month they are encouraging donors to pick up breakfast foods to get the days started on a great note for OACP guests!

Presbyterians join push for ‘moral budget’ in Washington

By Darla Carter, Presbyterian News Service

April 7, 2025

LOUISVILLE — The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness stood in solidarity with Repairers of the Breach recently as the latter held a prayer and protest rally in Washington, D.C. to decry proposed budget cuts that it says would be detrimental to women, children and other marginalized people.

Supporters gathered outside the U.S. Supreme Court April 2 for the second “Moral Witness Wednesday” by Repairers of the Breach, a faith-based, anti-poverty organization trying to keep Congress from adopting a budget that it says would weaken the social safety net while benefitting the rich.

“We cannot go along with what is happening,” said the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach, who was speaking by phone to those gathered in person and online. “This budget is a budget for the greedy. It is a budget for taking. It is a shameful thing.” Read more.

Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. † In-Person † Facebook † YouTube

Learn more.

More Light Presbyterians

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.