First Presbyterian

​Join Us For Heritage Sunday, October 31, 2021

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for this year’s Heritage Sunday. This is an event you do not want to miss! On the last Sunday in October we celebrate our Scottish and Presbyterian Heritage with a service that draws its inspiration from a service that the Rev. Dr. David Walker attended at St. Giles in Edinburgh, Scotland. Special Music by the Caledonian Pipe and Drums, Mark Sweeney on organ, and from the Choir under the direction of Steve Bixler. Our very own Rev. Dr. Brent O Johnston will be preaching. 

Remember we have only one service at 9:30 a.m. As always the service will conclude out on the front lawn with more music from the Caledonian Pipe and Drums.

Youth Club meets every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Youth Lounge. Geri Doll is our Youth Director and has developed 3 separate age-group programs for youth between the ages of 10 and Senior High School.

*Senior High Youth Group (Grades 9-12)

*Middle School Youth Group (Grades 7-8)

*5-6th Grade Youth

Dinner is served at 6 p.m. After dinner, youth may choose between Youth Choir or free time where they can enjoy playing pool, board games, and other activities located in the Youth Lounge from 6:30 to 7 p.m. The youth study begins a 7 p.m. and concludes at 8 p.m. Transportation can be provided upon request and parental consent. Contact Geri for more details!

The adult study group is currently studying a book by Adam Hamilton called "Words of Life. Jesus and the Promise of the Ten Commandments Today." Please come join us in this intriguing book and video series!! There are two opportunities:

• Sunday mornings (Journeys Class) at 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. from October 17 through November 21 (no class on October 31). Dick Wieland will lead in the Hobbs Room and via Zoom.
• Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. from October 20 through November 24, led by Pastor Brent in the Hobbs Room and via Zoom.

If you would like to participate via Zoom, please call the office to be added to the Zoom group. Books are available in the church office for $20 each.

Please feel welcome to join us! Nursery care is provided for small children. 

Kid's Club meets directly after Sunday worship in The Well from 10:45 to noon. Liz Norris is our Children’s Director who is teaching a curriculum called “The Life of Jesus” from now through December, 2021. Sunday Kids’ Club is designed for parents to be with their children and have an active role in their children’s faith journey. This group also participates in a family fellowship activity one Sunday each month in place of Sunday Kids’ Club.

Click on the link below for the latest E-Blast!

https://firstchurchwichita.org/assets/documents/Weekly_E-Blast_10-21-21_Final.pdf

Afghan refugees are arriving in Wichita now and we need your help!

Here are a few quick facts :

· Most Afghan families are large (8-10 children).

· Most Afghan women are good seamstresses and make all their own clothes.

· Most Afghan women do not speak English. Husbands may have good English.

The IRC (International Rescue Committee) is the only resettlement agency in our area. They are overwhelmed with the number of newcomers arriving. The IRC has resettled 1300 refugees in the last ten years. Now, with the Afghan resettlement and the scheduled refugees from Syria, Eritrea, Sudan and the Congo. They could be taxed with resettling close to 1,000 in one year! 

The IRC is required by government contract to supply certain household items for each arriving family (bedding, kitchen items, furniture, etc.). These items are provided largely through donations. Each refugee is allotted a one-time stipend for food, clothing, etc. when they arrive. For example, a single adult is allowed $1,025.

What I just learned that surprised me…Whatever is not donated, must be purchased by the IRC and the cost is deducted from the stipend!! This could leave many people with little or no money for food and clothing!

So, how can we help? Donate or volunteer!

Donations:  The need will be great for financial gifts. You can send donations to the church office (denote IRC) or donate securely at Rescue.org/Wichita.

Furniture:  If you or someone you  know wants to donate furniture in good condition, contact Patrice at pcummings066@gmail.com to make arrangements.

Household items:  Everything you need to set up your house is needed. Bedding, towels, irons, kitchen items (dishes, pots/ pans, silverware, glasses, utensils, etc.). Good used items or new—drop off at the church, outside the office.

Special request (not required by contract):  Sewing machines, gift cards to JoAnn’s Fabrics, or you can check out the Amazon Wishlist to purchase household goods and have them sent directly to the IRC at www.amazon.com wishlist. 

Volunteers are needed to:

· Provide transportation to enroll kids in school, get a drivers’ license, or go to doctor appointments, etc.

· Help set up houses

Housing: If you or someone you know has housing available for rent, please contact Patrice. Housing is in short supply and will be a big challenge.

Thank you for your support! God Bless You!

https://firstchurchwichita.org/media/sermons/view/150th-anniversary-documentary

Matthew 25 Church Initiative:

At the September 2019 meeting of Session, we became a Matthew 25 Church, committing to congregational vitality, addressing issues of poverty and race.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Brent