First Presbyterian

To view live streaming sermons on Sunday morning at 9:30 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.

CAN LISTENING TO VOICES OF OTHER RELIGIONS AND FAITH COMMUNITIES LEAD US TO A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING AND PRACTICE OF OUR FAITH TRADITION?

This journey will be a small window on a large subject. Barbara Brown Taylor leads her college students through an adventure to better understand their own Christian faith through the eyes of other great faith traditions. Interspersed with her lectures the class will make field trips in the classroom with videos of leaders of other faith and Christian traditions as they answer the question, “How does your faith address: “Why does a loving God allow evil and suffering?

WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION IN FUTURE NEWSLETTERS.

The church has reopened for meetings of less than 20 participants. Requirements for the meetings are as follows: no shared food, practice social distancing, and face masks are strongly recommended. Meetings must be scheduled through the office at least 2 days in advance to ensure necessary cleaning/sanitizing after each meeting. Worship service will remain live streaming on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. until further notice. ~ Roy Yarbrough, Facilities/IT Manager

Click on the link below to view our weekly newsletter.

https://firstchurchwichita.org/assets/documents/Weekly_News_Update_8-13-20.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