9:00 Sunday - Online in Zoom

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Meeting ID: 856 7771 8426

10:45 Sunday - Sanctuary

Please join us for coffee fellowship following the sanctuary service.

5:30 Wednesday Worship - Peace Garden

If for some reason the onsite services would need to be canceled,

we will post a notice on our website and Facebook.

Season of Creation

The Season of Creation offers intentional time to consider the role of all creation in Bible stories and in our lives, and to remember that humans are just one part of the ever-unfolding story of God’s creation. Join us for worship Sundays and Wednesdays as we celebrate this season.

What a joy it was to celebrate the season of creation at Lincoln Memorial Gardens on Wednesday with people of all ages.

This Sunday at the 10:45 service we will have special music by Becky Kemp, soprano.

Thank you, dear ones!

Moments in the past two weeks since my dad’s passing have made me ache. This is pain many of you know. Thank you for sharing this sad journey with me.

I’ve also had moments of deep sweetness. The kind notes, the many prayers, the thoughtful gifts, and your understanding have been gifts that reflect your care for me and my family. They reflect your generosity and faithfulness. Your care has been moving.

Your compassion is meaningful.

I’m grateful.

The memorial service for my dad, Mac, will be Saturday, September 27th, so I will be away that weekend. Our staff have reassured me that all shall be well. I will be in the office until then. Please know you can reach by phone 217.528.4311 x1020 or email RevSusan@LincolnsChurch.org.

Blessings of love and grace,

Clean Up Day September 6

Please mark your calendars for our September 6th cleanup day to pick up trash along Chatham Road. Meet at 7:55 a.m. at the SPARC parking lot (232 Bruns Lane in Springfield). Please email Jill Koester or text/call 217.971.0581 to let her know if you would like to participate.

No children under age 10 are allowed to participate.

Good Luck to our puzzle teams!

There might still be openings. Please contact Candy Thornton at thornaj3@gmail.com if you are interested.

We invite you to bring your pet or stuffed animal to service on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 pm as we give thanks for the ways that animals bless us.

Please be sure to bring a leash, harness, or carrier for your pet.

Q+ Community at FPC is making PBJ sandwiches

PBJ Springfield provides peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to local shelters, social service agencies and the mini-pantries around town. The sandwiches are made by volunteer groups and distributed on Fridays. 

On Thursday, September 25 at 6:00 pm our Q+ Community and some folks from CORAL will gather in the commons to put together the sandwiches. We will provide all the ingredients. For those who would like to join we will have a food/fellowship time after the sandwiches are made. Chaplain Tim needs a count of how many are participating. Please contact him to sign up or if you have questions.

Opportunities to Serve the Presbytery

Would you be interested in participating in the life of the Great Rivers Presbytery? At the last meeting of the Presbytery, we approved a new model of governance. We have been reporting on this in previous e-News. We have a number of openings for those who would like to serve on one of our commissions. The commissions and a description of their responsibilities is listed below. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Chaplain Tim.

Commission on Pastoral Leadership

-Purpose: to support, nurture, and strengthen active and retired pastors and CRE’s.

Commission on Congregational Life

-Purpose: to promote, and nurture healthy faith-filled relationships within and among congregations and with the presbytery.

Mission Commission

-To promote and nurture the missional action of the presbytery by building connections, encouraging collaboration among congregations for mission, social justice and peacemaking.

Operations Commission

-Purpose: to provide organizational support for the daily operation of the presbytery.

Committee on transitions

-Purpose: to work closely with churches experiencing transitions; guide sessions and PNC's through pastoral call process.

Committee on accessibility, representation, and equity

-Purpose: to advise the presbytery on the principles of participation and inclusiveness to ensure fair and effective representation in the decision making of the presbytery.

Sign up for the daily A Season of Peace email devotional

You can receive a daily devotional from the PCUSA during A Season of Peace, Sept. 7–Oct. 5, 2025. This season is a time of growth, encouragement, challenge, inspiration and education that invites you to consider your own relationship to peacemaking and justice. This year’s Path of Peace offers vignettes of Presbyterians and organizations that contributed to the civic and spiritual well-being of our church and world and made a significant impact on the common good here or abroad. Each offers us an example of how peace can be pursued in tangible ways. Our hope is that these reflections will spur personal spiritual and moral growth that moves us all to work together along the path of peace for the well-being of all of God’s beloved Creation. 

Click here to sign up

The Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice in our own communities and across the world.  

Your gifts to the Peace & Global Witness Offering are helping our neighbors in need — those who live next door, down the street, and across the globe. 25% of this Offering stays with our congregation to support peacemaking and reconciliation in our own community. 25% of this Offering goes to our mid-council to join with other congregations to support peacemaking work in our region. 50% of this Offering supports the work being done by Presbyterians across the globe.

We will be dedicating this offering on October 6th.

Do You Love Singing?

Join the choir! Singing has always been an important part of First Presbyterian Church's worship service. We are delighted to announce choir will begin again on September 14th. So, if you love singing and would like to get involved, join us Sunday mornings for rehearsal at 9:15 and singing at the 10:45 service starting September 14th. Email Becky Kemp for more information.

Renovation Update

Renovations are nearing completion which opens up more parking and multiple ways to enter and exit the building. 

Parking: the parking lot is available for use. The spaces marked "reserved" are available after business hours and on weekends. Also, during evenings and weekends, we may continue to park in the alley between the church and the federal building. Street parking is also an option.

Entering and Exiting the Building: 

In addition to using the garden door ramp or the big red doors on seventh street, we have a fully accessible entrance from the parking lot. On Sunday mornings, ushers will guide you to the sanctuary by the stairs or the elevator. Please note that shortly after the worship service begins the west entrance and the garden doors will be locked.

Click here to sign up

2025 Environment and Spirituality Summit

Watch Party

Our congregation has been selected as the central Illinois church to host this Watch Party due to our strong environmental commitment fostered by our Earth Care Team. Faith in Place is sponsoring this event, and staff member, Aiden Meyer, will be present to coordinate the evening. There is no charge for this event but registration is required using the link below.  

Those who attend will have the opportunity to meet others over dinner, watch the keynote address interactively on our big screen TV, and discuss the topic afterwards.

The full agenda for the Annual Environment and Spirituality Summit is available through this link, including 3 other sessions which you may view independently on September 29 and September 30. Questions about the Watch Party may be addressed to Don Ecklund or Judy Bartels.  

Register Here

Annual CROP Hunger Walk

No one in this world should be hungry. That is why the CROP Hunger Walk is more than just a yearly gathering. It is a 56 year old movement made up of compassionate people in more than 500 communities across the US.  The funds raised provide life-saving support including emergency food and resources, along with seeds, tools and programs helping families feed themselves in the future.

The Walk begins and ends at Third Presbyterian Church, 1030 N 7th Street, October 5th, with check-in at 1:00 and the Walk beginning at 1:30 pm. There is easy parking across the street and the church will be open for rest rooms. Everyone who donates will receive a beautiful free t-shirt, thanks to a generous donor.

CROP Walk volunteers have been dedicated to fighting hunger in Springfield and around the world for many years. Last year, our Walk raised $23,946.70 with $5,976 being distributed locally, primarily to Kumler Neighborhood Ministries and our Grace Lutheran and First Presbyterian Church Food Pantry. You can donate by participating in the two mile Walk and signing up folks to donate (see Don Ecklund for the sign-up form) or by giving your donation to Sally Jones or Don Ecklund who will make sure you get your free t-shirt. Many thanks to everyone who supports CROP Hunger Walk.

We are here for you

Please know that our Pastor and Chaplain are here for you. You may contact them at:

Rev. Susan Phillips

217-528-4311 ext. 1020

RevSusan@LincolnsChurch.org

Chaplain Tim Haworth

217-528-4311 ext. 1030

Tim@LincolnsChurch.org

Hospital Notices

Please note that the hospitals no longer contact local churches to let them know when a member is admitted. We encourage members and friends of First Presbyterian to call the church office to let us know when you go to the hospital so Pastor Susan and Chaplain Tim can provide pastoral support if it blesses you. We do not share any information without permission.

Shelter Meal Volunteers

Jesus says: "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in."

~Matthew 25:35

If it blesses you to help feed our neighbors, please join us on September 9 and/or September 23. You can assist with the preparation of the meals, serving, visiting or all of the above. If you are interested or have questions, please see Denise Bockmier-Sommers, Linda Johnson, Keith Dhom, or Frank Schultz.

Aaron C.

Skylar J.



8All events are via Zoom unless otherwise specified.

September 8

Building and Grounds Committee Meeting 2:00

Earth Care Team meeting 6:00 Commons

Communication Committee Meeting 6:30

September 9

Worship Committee Meeting 12:00

Joy of Movement 1:30 Commons

September 10

Mission Committee Meeting 4:00 Home of Sally R.

Wednesday Worship 5:30 Peace Garden

September 11

Joy of Movement 1:30 Commons

Finance Committee meeting 6:00

September 14 Communion Sunday

Reverend Susan Phillips to lead Service 9:00 Zoom

Reverend Susan Phillips to lead Service 10:45 Sanctuary

NOTE: Links to all events are attached to items on the church calendar.

If you click on the Zoom link in the calendar the invitation will open.

Worship Attendance

How to Join a Zoom Meeting

From your computer, cell phone or tablet:

Click the link provided.

To join a Zoom meeting via telephone:

Dial number given for the meeting. You will be prompted to enter the meeting ID provided followed by #.

Different Ways to Give

Thank you to everyone that shares in the Joy of Generosity at First Presbyterian! There are several ways to support our ministries and many ministries to support. In order to ensure your gift is credited to the correct fund, please take a moment to include the following information when making a donation:

1. Writing a check – Add the fund name in the memo section (Capital Campaign, Peacemaking, Samaritan Ministry, etc.)
2. Online portal – Select “Other Donations” when entering the amount then enter the name of the fund in the Notes section
3. Text giving – Text “$10 CC” to 217-284-2546, this example is a $10 donation for the Capitol Campaign fund. Other commonly used text codes are: Pledge, SM (Samaritan Ministries), Donate (Non-pledge), Peace, Joy, OGHS, Pentecost and BB (Brown Bag)

Church Contact Information

Our church numbers reach us even while we are working remotely.

Pastor Susan Phillips

RevSusan@LincolnsChurch.org

217.528.4311 X 1020

Chaplain Tim Haworth

Tim@LincolnsChurch.org

217.528.4311 X 1030

Bookkeeper, Tara Kaeding

Bookkeeper@LincolnsChurch.org

217.528.4311 X 1050

Administrative Assistant, Michelle Hastings

Michelle@LincolnsChurch.org

217.528.4311 X 4

321 South Seventh Street • Springfield, IL •  217.528.4311

www.LincolnsChurch.org