Stewardship
As we look forward to the future, we are excited about what God has in store for our faith community. We believe that with your continued support, we can make an even greater impact and reach even more people with the message of love, hope, and salvation. Thank you for your generosity, faithfulness, and commitment to our church’s mission!
| | | |
Brown Bag Bible Exploration
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 | 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. | First Pres Multipurpose Room #103
Study it. Live it. Love it. Living a life with Christ is a lifelong journey. In God’s Word, the Bible, God gave us the perfect manual to get to know Him and learn to navigate this life we have been given. So, bring your Bible, bring your thirst for God’s Word, bring your lunch, and join us for Brown Bag Bible Exploration!
| | | |
It’s Brunch Time at First Pres!
Sunday, August 11, 2024 | 10:30 a.m. | First Pres Campus | RSVP by Wednesday, August 7, 2024
You just can’t miss this friendly, tasty event at First Pres! Featuring all the foods you enjoy (scrambled eggs, egg casserole, cheesy hash browns, and hot beef sandwiches), brunch at First Pres is so much more, though, because of the great folks you’ll meet and connect with! If you’d like to bring a dish to share, that’s wonderful (but not necessary).
Weather and bees will help us decide whether it will be an outdoor picnic or fun in Magnolia Hall. Can you tell we’re really committed to this event – it’s rain or shine! Do bring a lawn chair to enhance your comfort, especially if we’re outside on our Green Space!
And one last thing – bring yourself, bring your family, and bring your friends! The more the merrier!
| | | |
$5K for 5 Generations of Survivors Fundraiser
Monday, July 15, 2024 | 7:30 p.m.
Xe 54: a Wine & Cocktail Lounge | 1350 W American Drive, Neenah
For tickets, call or email Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services
920.235.5998 or info@christineann.net
This fundraiser in support of Christine Ann promises to be a fun-filled evening featuring comedian Tracy Schroeder. And you’ll have so many cool ways to give: quilts and basket raffles, fund-a cause, custom mugs and more!
| | | |
Day By Day Shelter Meal Team Support
420 Ceape Ave, Oshkosh
920.203.4536 | michele@daybydayshelter.org
Donation Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. or
by appointment
August is a slow time for meal teams at Day By Day, and you can help them stock their fridge and freezer. They are seeking freezer meals such as sloppy joes and casseroles (they can combine smaller portions, you don't have to bring enough to feed everyone!), and grill meats such as hot dogs and hamburgers. Picnic sides like potato chips and pasta salads are much appreciated, as well as lunch meat and sliced cheese.
As always, they happily accept donations of other food items, including non perishable items, butter, milk, eggs, string cheese, protein bars, cereals, oatmeal, and more!
Contact them today to arrange drop off!
| | | |
Mondays & Wednesdays | August 12 – October 23, 2024
Oshkosh Seniors Center North (Kiwanis Hall)
200 North Campbell Road, Oshkosh | 920.232.5300
Free Program | Registration Required by Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Bingo, exercise – hard to imagine! And yet, you’ll love this 10-week health promotion program that combines bingo with fun, inclusive exercises for everyone. Space is limited, so call OSC today to register!
| | | |
Minute for Mission: Hiroshima Day
August 6, 2024
by Dr. Andrew J. Peterson, Associate for Peacemaking, Presbyterian Peacemaking Program
Next year will mark the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. What should we mull over as we remember these bombings from our vantage point today?
As I considered this question, I was transported back to my high school’s freshman history classroom. I remember the teacher offering a lesson on the bombings as we neared the end of a unit on World War II. After she ended the presentation portion of the class, she turned to ask us to think about the U.S. military’s decision for ourselves. Were the bombings justified? Should we endorse them today? I remember feeling the difficulty of the question. The war, as we had been learning, was horrific and had spread like a cancer across much of the world. But the bombings were also horrific, as the pictures of the bomb sites and civilian victims we saw in our textbook made clear. I remember that lesson to this day because out of a classroom of perhaps 20-something students, I was the only one who thought that the bombings were a grave and immoral mistake. Read more.
| | | |
Presbyterian pastor calls for end to gun violence
August 7, 2024
by Darla Carter, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
A Louisville pastor recently summed up the nation’s gun violence crisis with a three-word refrain: “Enough is enough.”
The Rev. Dr. Angela Johnson, pastor of Louisville’s Grace Hope Presbyterian Church, delivered a brief but powerful sermon during a morning chapel service for employees of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
During the gathering, Johnson raised troubling questions about the state of the country where gun violence has led to more than 7,000 deaths this year.
“Have safety and security become things of the past?” Johnson asked. “What has happened to the idea of God’s beloved community? Have our cities become the degenerate cities of Isaiah’s time where justice and righteousness have been chased out of town by the right to bear arms and by neighborhood beefs? Enough is enough.” Read more.
| | |
1 John has wisdom for preaching in polarized communities of faith
August 8, 2024
by Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Preachers ascending the pulpit in a polarized church can turn to the letter of 1 John for, say, inspiration — or even a preaching series.
“It’s not an easy time for the preacher, trying to navigate our own biases,” said the Rev. Dr. Janette Ok, “much less those of our congregation members.”
Ok teaches New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary and recently led the “Equipping Preachers” webinar for the Synod of the Covenant.
“You don’t need me to tell you American democracy is struggling with this very topic” of polarization, Ok said, “and the church has not been immune to this.” The ruptures “between fellow Christians are too apparent and painful to ignore.”
Ok asked participants to name some of what she called “the enemies in the room, in our sanctuaries.” Responses included “stubborn and self-righteous folks,” “those who proclaim all the answers,” “single-mindedness,” “once they are removed from power, they leave” and “arrogance.” Read more.
| | |
Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. † In-Person † Facebook † YouTube | | | | | | |