First Presbyterian

JOIN US AS WE CANOE THE MOUNTAINS!

As we pass through our 150th year, First Presbyterian Church can be proud of its rich history. And our church continues to provide its ministry through strong worship and numerous mission projects such as the Economy Corner, the backpack project, and the community breakfast. But our church, like so many mainline churches, faces challenges. Christians are becoming a minority. Many people do not claim, and do not want, church membership. Our downtown neighborhood is changing. Our congregation is getting smaller. To thrive and survive, what will our church do? An excellent book, Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Presbyterian pastor Tod Bolsinger, outlines a strategy for addressing these issues.

Several small study groups are being organized this fall to read and discuss this book. Please consider joining us! Out of courtesy to the leaders, please call or email the leader of the group that you would like to attend. You may also call the church office at 263-0248 and leave a message. Many of these will be virtual meetings via Zoom. The groups are as follows:

• Sundays-Oct. 4-25 from 9-10:00 a.m. Led by Jeff Van Sickle via Zoom. Contact info-jtvansickle@hotmail.com or ph. 680-0344. **NOTE THIS CHANGE FROM MONDAY NIGHTS**

• Tuesdays-Sept. 29-Nov. 3rd from 2-3:00 p.m. Led by Alice Price at 807 N. Nims. Contact info-amariep7819@att.net or ph. 841-7942.

• Wednesdays-Oct.7-28th from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Led by Cynthia Berner via Zoom. Contact info-ictbooks@gmail.com or ph. 641-7587.

• Wednesdays-Oct. 7-Nov. 4th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Led by Brent Johnston in The Well & Zoom. Contact info-pastor@firstchurchwichita.org or ph. 263-0248.

• Thursdays-Oct. 1-29th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Led by Melinda Sears via Zoom. Contact info-sj.ml.sears@att.net or ph. 993-2763.

• Thursdays-Oct. 8-29th from 7-8:00 p.m. Led by Stephanie Hutchison via Zoom. Contact info-stevie.bird2@gmail.com or ph. 409-4529.

To view live streaming sermons on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. go to http://firstchurchwichita.org/media/Live-Streaming or click on the link to the right. 

To view Rev. Dr. Brent Johnston's sermons later in the week or past weeks, go to http://firstchurchwichita.org/media/sermons

Click on our Facebook link for all other church information including children and youth activities live streaming information.

Beginning September 20, 2020 through May 2021, there will only be one Worship service. It will begin at 10:30 a.m.

• The church will re-open for in person Worship services on October 4, 2020 with the following protocols/requirements: face masks required, maintain social distancing, only one entrance (to the building) will be open, temperatures of all participants will be taken, the collection plates will NOT be passed but instead will be placed at the doors, and there will be no congregational singing during services. Services will also be available via live streaming at 10:30 a.m. 
• The church is now open for meetings of 15 or fewer participants including outside groups. Requirements for the meetings are as follows: face masks are required in the building, practice social distancing and no shared food. In addition, due to the cleaning/sanitizing that will be necessary after a meeting, meetings must be scheduled through the office at least 2 days in advance of desired date/time.

Click on the link below to view our weekly newsletter.

https://firstchurchwichita.org/assets/documents/Weekly_News_Update_9-17-2020.pdf

Matthew 25 Church Initiative:

At the September meeting of Session, we became a Matthew 25 Church, committing to congregational vitality, addressing issues of poverty and race.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brent

Dear FPC Family,

The Session made the difficult decision to postpone our 150^th celebration.The unveiling of our documentary will be premiered at a later time when the threat from the COVID-19 virus dissipates. Right now abundance of caution is called for from our health officials and government officials to slow the spread of this virus which puts at risk the frail and those with compromised immune systems. As a faith community, our first priority is your health and well-being. Session will be meeting at its regular stated meetings on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. to discuss ways we can practice social distancing, but not spiritual distancing, encourage faith and not fear. 

I realize that this is a great disappointment for many as the 150^th Committee has done an excellent job building excitement. The 150^th Committee deserves our thanks and appreciation for the hard work they have done. And we look forward to the unveiling of the documentary at a later date.

I ask for your prayers for Staff and Session as they begin discerning how best to help the rest of us to practice social distancing but not spiritual distancing, encourage faith and not fear. Also, be in prayer for those in positions of authority to make decisions that lessen the spread of this virus and to protect health care workers in harm’s way. No doubt the changes that are being called for will affect all of us and maybe that is a good thing if it brings us closer together… realizing that we truly are our brother’s keeper. What affects one, affects all—because we are human beings created in the image of God, called to bear God’s likeness and love for the world in need of reconciliation. 

I close with what another President once said when this nation faced fearful times. He said we have nothing to fear but fear itself. As Christians we know this to be true because Jesus said in John 16:33 “In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” Feed your faith not your fear as God guides us through to the other side of this pandemic.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brent