Friends,

First off, a special invitation:

You’re invited to attend worship on February 23rd

Featuring a Moment for Mission from the Willmar Community Closet leadership

Followed by a Q&A session with coffee and goodies in John Knox Hall after worship.

I’m thrilled to announce that our new mission partnership with our 3rd floor tenants, the Willmar Community Closet (WCC) launched in January and is off to a great start. Our Building and Grounds Committee completed several projects to make the space suitable. As you read this it’s likely the final pieces of durable flooring are being laid down in a few rooms. This is on the heels of upgrades to lighting, fresh coats of paint, and repairs to doors, windows, and cabinets. You can be happy that our church is able to provide such a well-suited space for the WCC ministry to the community. Well done B&G Committee and volunteers!

On their opening night earlier in January, WCC welcomed over 160 community members, and handed out thousands of articles of clothing. Remember that WCC is 100% volunteer led and organized, relying on donations and grants to support their work. Please take a moment to visit and like their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/willmarcommUNITYcloset, so that you can add their collection and distribution events to your calendar. Note that they would welcome you as a volunteer! Scroll through their Facebook feed to find the link for information about how to do so. With their handy location on our 3rd floor, it makes volunteering so much more of an ease.

As one of your pastors, and on behalf of our Session, I’m so very proud of how you are tangibly supporting this charity while embodying what it means to be “The Church with HEART in the HEART of Willmar.”

Grace and peace,

Pastor Scott 

FEBRUARY

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Moving into a new year is always a time of celebration and excitement! Together let’s make some noise as we collect coins, bills and checks for the return of Noisy Cups for our church youth during the month of February. Beginning Sunday, February 2nd, you are invited to grab a cup off of the table in the Narthex, take it home with you to fill during the month, and then return it on February 23rd as we dedicate these special filled cups during worship that day. 

All money raised during the month will go towards future mission-related projects and trips. More specific information will be announced at a later date. Thank you for supporting our youth as they seek to serve others within our own community and beyond!

Mission Committee Corner

January 2025

JANUARY 2025 MISSION OF THE MONTH

Kandiyohi County Food Shelf

Please consider contributing to the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf this month. Your contributions will be submitted in time for the Food Shelf to benefit from a matching grant from the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. The more money we raise, the bigger their grant will be. More information on the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf is available in this newsletter and in the Sunday bulletin.

DECEMBER MISSIONS OF THE MONTH

• Christmas Joy Offering

This offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years. As of December 31, we have received $410 in offerings toward our goal of $1,000. You can still contribute toward this mission by indicating your payment should go to “Christmas Joy” mission.

• The Presbyterian Giving Catalog

This is a global mission to connect people as neighbors with others experiencing needs, supporting projects that grow gardens, bring water, provide education, tools and training, and link each of us, more closely with one another and with God. As of December 31, $805 has been contributed by our congregation to purchases from the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. There is still time if you wish to choose a gift from the catalog.

• Red Cross Blood Drive

The Red Cross blood drive at our church on December 27 was a great success! 55 pints of blood were collected - 10 pints over the goal. This was the first time in several months that the Red Cross had exceeded their goal.

WILLMAR COMMUNITY CLOSET

We are excited to welcome the Willmar Community Closet to the third floor of our church! Please consider supporting this local charity by donating used clothing and shoes and by volunteering. Volunteering to help sort and distribute clothing is a great way to get to know the fine people involved with this organization and to participate in the wonderful work they do! Details on donation/distribution dates and a sign-up sheet for volunteers is available on their Facebook page.

For any questions about the Missions, the FPC Mission Committee, or if you would like to join this committee, please contact Ben Lang or Deb Grunwald (co-chairs).

Thank you for generously supporting our mission programs at First Presbyterian Church!

First time donor!

55 pints of blood collected in December.

Thanks to everyone.

Volunteers Needed!!

We, at First Presbyterian Church of Willmar, provide meals every month during the school at Ridgewater's College Ministry. We are in need of some volunteers to help with the prep and distribution of these meals each month. Every month we provide a meal on the third Wednesday starting at 10am and going until around 1pm. The Tuesday before we will need help with the meal prep at the church. If this is something that sounds like you would be willing to help out with, please reach out to Roger or Carol Tatge at 320-894-0845 or rctatge@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance!!

PRAYER REQUEST

If you have a prayer request, please contact the church office or complete a request card and place in the offering plate. Requests are printed for one month unless otherwise requested.

Prayers for Healing & Comfort:

Will Martin - Connor Gabbert's Grandpa

Elaine Boyd (Trip to Guatemala)

Deb Holmquist

Bea Ourada

Andy Sjerven (Sheila Sjerven’s Stepson)

Bev Skare 

George Ruter

Jill Berglund (Mary Berglund’s Daughter)

Prayers for those Serving Elsewhere: 

Robert Holmquist, Navy Seal, being deployed (Rita Phillips’ Great Nephew)

LT. Matthew Sjerven, Colorado National Guard, Colorado Springs, CO

Tristian Woitaszewski (Terry Woitaszewski’s Nephew) Navy, Pensacola, FL

Perry Bishop (Bruce and Pam Quimby’s Grandson-in-law) Army, Fort Benning, GA

Rob Grunwald, U.S. Coast Guard Station/Saginaw River in Essexville, Michigan

Peter Rampaart, Rosemount, MN

Prayers for the Church Here and Abroad:

The People of Occidente Presbytery, Guatemala; 

Mark and Miriam Adams, Frontero de Cristo, Douglas, AZ.

Bdecan Presbyterian Church, Spirit Lake Reservation, ND

Also be in Prayers for:

California Wildfires

Israel/Palestine (war)

War in Ukraine

WE DID IT! We did finish 2024 in the black. The sidebar shows $127, but there is an additional $7,500 that the Budget and Stewardship committee has recommended the Session direct to be used for the work of the church. (At this writing we do not know how they will direct it, but will include that in the next Voice.). Considering the size of our budget and the expense of operating our church, this is a small but very welcome surplus.  

By the time you read this, the annual meeting will have been held. If you did not attend or see the Annual Report, the report is available on line or a hard copy at the office. The financial reports for 2024 and the budget for 2025 are included. Statements of the other funds are available by asking the Financial Secretary or the Co-Treasurers for them. Sometimes looking at a financial statement can be confusing. If you have questions you may talk to the Financial Secretary, Treasurers or members of the Budget and Stewardship Committee.

Connie Jensen Olson has been elected Co-Treasurer and will be working with long time Treasurer, Bea Ourada. Both are excited about the opportunities this will bring to the position.

The 2025 per capita is $46 per confirmed member. As has been our long time practice, we pay our per capital to the Presbytery as we receive it from you for January, February and March and then pay the balance in April. In 2024 we received a good share of the obligation from our membership. This is an in and out payment, so we are really grateful for whatever payment you can make as early as you can.

In 2024, $7,100 has been given as Extra Giving. Note, without this giving we would not be looking at a positive finish to our year. We are grateful for these gifts and all giving. We have been blessed in recent years with end of year numbers about even, and part of this has been help with Extra Giving. This ongoing practice helps with the end of year shortfall. God appreciates a cheerful giver, and so do we, the Budget and Stewardship Committee, financial secretary and treasurers! Thank you, we could not do this without you, nor could First Presbyterian be the Church with HEART in the HEART of Willmar!

A reminder to all Jr. and Sr. High youth and their parents. The youth will be ushering every second Sunday of each month during the school year. Please arrive no later than 9:40 a.m. to hand out bulletins and greet those attending worship. Thank you for serving your church family in this ongoing ministry.

THIS MONTH'S DATE IS FEBRUARY 9TH, 2025

CEYM Director Jill Boeyink will be on vacation the week of February 17th. Please direct any questions or needs to committee chair Jeff Sieck during this time.

You will soon be seeing all kinds of information about this year’s Vacation Bible School, “Road Trip - On the Go with God”! Mark your calendars now, and invite your friends to join us for VBS 2025 from June 22 through June 25!

Dear First Presbyterian Church Youth,

On behalf of The Compassionate Way, I thank you for the difference you made in the lives of individuals who are often overlooked and forgotten. You brightened the day of those who are struggling without basic necessities. Please know that your kindness and thoughtful gifts made a difference! May God bless you as you seek to extend compassion.

Sincerely,

Candace Adams

Teaching & Living Compassion! In December, I had the opportunity to meet virtually with middle and high school youth from First Presbyterian Church of Willmar. The topic of the evening was compassion. I was thrilled that this congregation wanted their students to learn about those who are marginalized and how to extend compassion to them. Also, equally important was the fact that they desired their students to embody compassion. After our time together, the students purchased items for individuals who were experiencing homelessness and senior adults. When purchasing items the youth asked themselves, “What would be comforting to you if. . . ?" The much-needed supplies were greatly appreciated. The Compassionate Way is thankful for those who partner with us!

Candace Adams

First Presbyterian Church Youth Group - We want to say a big thank you for your donation to Lighthouse Beginnings! We appreciate it very much! If you are ever in the area, please feel free to stop by our facility at 8055 Industrial Park Road in Baxter to see how your donation is helping the community. 

Sincerely, 

Lighthouse Beginnings

WINTER WEATHER

During the season of Winter Weather, it is possible that church related activities may be cancelled. As a reminder, evening children, youth and adult (WNL) activities will be cancelled if school in Willmar is dismissed early or cancelled. If school is cancelled, the church office will be closed. Cancellation of committee meetings and music rehearsals will be the decision of committee chairs and directors.

Listen to Q102/KWLM, KDJS AM 1590 or visit www.Q102.com/operationsnowdesk for any weather related announcements and on our church Facebook page.

Youth Presbyterian Giving Catalog Night

January 22, 2025

clearwater forest retreats

women's chrysalis

February 21-23, 2025

Clearwater Chrysalis is a balanced, faith-building program at Clearwater Forest. We welcome adult women from all Christian traditions. Our vision is to nourish and support the body, mind and spirit in community with other women.

The first Clearwater Chrysalis in 1984 featured speakers, exercise classes, Bible study, and workshops. Chrysalis has been held every summer since and an annual winter gathering since 1990.

To register go to: https://clearwaterforest.org/clearwater-chrysalis/ or lick the link below.

Go to our church website homepage at www.fpchurchwillmar.org and click on "GIVE NOW" or click the

"GIVE NOW" button to the right

You can still give in the traditional ways. This does not replace offerings by cash or check dropped in the offering plate or sent to the church. If that is how you prefer to give, please continue to do so.

MONTHLY CALENDAR

*Worship Services are held in the Sanctuary and streamed on our YouTube Page

Rev. Scott Thompson

Co-Pastor

scott.fpcwillmar@gmail.com

Rev. Leanne Thompson

Co-Pastor

leanne.fpcwillmar@gmail.com

Jill Boeyink    

CEYM Director/Music Team Director

jill.fpcwillmar@gmail.com



Deb Lang

Financial Secretary

deb.fpcwillmar@gmail.com

Tom Wodash  

Custodian

Bea Ourada -Treasurer

bfourada@gmail.com

Betty Knutson-Clerk of Session

bettyknutson722@gmail.com

320-222-1613

Church Phone: 

320-235-1263

Church Email:

fpcwillmar@gmail.com 

Pastoral Care

Emergency Phone:

320-737-0640

Church Website: www.fpchurchwillmar.org