Welcome Pastor Pedro!
We are so blessed to have Pastor Pedro Lione leading us in worship on Sunday, December 28th; and his message and time of reflection will undoubtedly leave us with abundant food for thought.
Pastor Pedro is a theologian and pastor based in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, where he serves as the lead pastor of Igreja Vida. He brings together a background in popular music and theology, with postgraduate studies in church planting and revitalization. Pedro recently completed his Doctor of Ministry in Missiology. He is married to journalist Susana Berbert; and they are parents to two children, Gloria and Judá.
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Matthew 2: 13-15, 19-23 (The Holy family flees to Egypt, then returns to Galilee once it’s safe)
The holy family fears for their safety and for their child’s life, like so many refugees around the world. Their valid fears motivate them to move—and so they seek refuge in Egypt until it is safe for them to return home. Instead of trying to push fear away, what if we used it as fuel? What if we harnessed that incredible source of energy for good, fighting for a world where no one fears for their safety? Utilizing our fear wisely not only helps others; taking concrete action also interrupts the fear that so easily paralyzes us. The work helps others, but the act of putting our fear to work changes us, too.
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Matthew 2: 1-12, 16-18 (The magi visit Christ; Herod responds with the massacre of the innocents)
As we end the series, Herod is still in power. Christ is born, but it feels as if the world has not changed. The temptation to give up is strong, especially in the face of violence. But the magi don’t let Herod’s fear-driven demands stop them from honoring the newborn Christ or returning home by a different way. They model for us what it looks like to be led by hope, moving through fear without letting it paralyze you. As this series ends and a new year begins, we proclaim: our journey continues, and fear won’t have the last word.
Resources
Christmastide Devotional † Epiphany Devotional
Credits
Theme & Series: A Sanctified Art, LLC | sanctifiedart.org
Graphic design by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman [ Photography by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
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Bad Weather Closure Info
In case of inclement weather, please check the following sources for closure information:
- First Pres Facebook page
- First Pres website
- Your email inbox (if you’ve provided the church office with an email address)
- Your mobile phone text messages (if you’ve opted in to receive texts from the church)
- WBAY-TV (ABC 2) (Green Bay - Fox Cities)
- WBAY website
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Sunday Flower Patronage - 2026
If you're interested in sponsoring flowers in 2026, kindly fill out the online form below and send your payment to the church office. Reservations will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $45 for each Sunday.
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Brown Bag Bible Exploration
1st & 3rd Tuesday Each Month
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
First Pres Multipurpose Room #103
Come together for a wonderful meeting where we'll explore the Bible as a group. You'll feel welcomed in our warm atmosphere as we exchange our ideas! Remember to bring your Bible, your lunch, and your excitement to learn more about God's word.
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Community Breakfast
Saturday, December 27, 2025 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
First Pres Magnolia Hall
We’re thrilled to welcome you, your friends, and family to the Community Breakfast for an incredible experience! Enjoy some tasty food and engage in wonderful conversations. This event offers a fantastic opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new friends.
We would really appreciate any help you can provide while you're here, if you're open to it. Assistance in various areas would be wonderful, such as setting up, cooking, cleaning, serving, or simply spending time and chatting with guests. Let's work together to ensure everyone has a great experience! Whether you're here to enjoy a meal, lend a hand, or do a bit of both, it's always nice to see you and make some beautiful memories together.
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For unto us a child is born
The Rev. Jihyun Oh notes that Jesus’ life and ministry counter the false logic of the time and place he was born
December 20, 2025 | Jihyun Oh | Presbyterian News Service
Dear Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Siblings in Christ,
As we begin another church year in this season of Advent, these words of the prophet Isaiah and immortalized in Handel’s “Messiah” call us to remember who God is and who we have been called to follow as disciples of Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Jesus came into the world in the shadow of empire, in a time when many felt hopeless against normalized violence and inequities, and powerless in the face of unjust laws and self-serving leaders. Jesus was born in a time when many religious leaders and institutions were neglecting the call of the prophets to work for peace and establish justice. Jesus entered into a world that believed that the powers and principalities and the ways of the world could save them.
For those who know the rest of the story, we know that Jesus’ life and ministry countered the false logic of the times into which he was born:
- The story of God-with-us, born as a helpless baby, not descending from on high ready to take control
- The story of the Son of God and his family living as refugees in another land, and in Galilee outside the centers of religious, social and political power
- The story of a Savior who, despite all hopes and expectations, did not come with armies and horses and weapons, but came with open arms and hosted open tables, where he ate with sinners and outcasts
- The story of the Lord, who, although he was God, served others while teaching of and living out the love and justice of God
- The story of the Mighty God who became human and eschewed violence, and instead healed, restored, forgave and reconciled, even as he died on a cross.
These stories proclaim that the logic of violence will not save us. Military might will not save us. Creating inequities so that we might have more while others have less will not save us. Perpetrating or supporting injustice and harm to others will not save us. Dividing the world into us and them and seeking to destroy everyone who is not “us” will not save us. None of these things will save us or keep us safe.. Read more.
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Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 a.m.
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| | First Presbyterian Church is a member of More Light Presbyterians, a coalition of churches whose mission is to work for the full participation of the LBGTQ community in the life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in society. | | | | | | |
