A few years back, our friends at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church hosted a presentation on faith in the 21st century by Presbyterian educator Rodger Nishioka, and several of us from First Pres attended. One idea that stuck with me from his presentation was the distinction he made between welcoming people into our communities of faith and inviting people into them.

I have been thinking about this distinction and its importance to the life of the church ever since. My apologies to those of you who have heard me say this before, but I think it’s important. The church needs to move from welcoming to inviting.

A lot of churches make statements about being welcoming, and I believe that First Pres is a welcoming place. Some time ago, I did an informal survey of groups in the church to ask what people wanted others to know about First Pres, and I created a word cloud from the results. As you can see, the word “Welcoming” figures prominently.

But the key to welcoming people to First Pres is inviting them into community with us. A lot of good work is being done on this by committees - Mission & Outreach, Communications and Evangelism come to mind - and in ways seen and unseen in the day-to-day life of the church.

But together let’s keep thinking about how to move from welcoming to inviting. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Peace!

Discipleship Coordinator

FPC's own Robyn Michalove is featured this week on Day1.org, the nationally syndicated ecumenical program presenting outstanding preachers from mainline denominations. Robyn's sermon, "#Blessed" draws from Luke 6.17-26 and Luke's Sermon on the Plain.

Day1 is broadcast by radio stations across the United States and overseas, and is also available as a podcast or online.

You're invited to Share the Love during an All Church Morning of Service on Saturday, February 12 at 9 a.m. in the FPC gym. We will assemble 1000 lunches (including making 1000 sandwiches!) for the Presbyterian Night Shelter. You may also contribute individual packages of applesauce, granola bars, or individual bags of chips or peanut butter crackers. On this Valentine’s weekend, let’s Share the Love with our neighbors at the Presbyterian Night Shelter! All ages (with adult supervision) welcome. Questions? Contact Robyn.

Members and friends of FPC are invited to enjoy a Valentine's Day treat on Sunday, February 13. The Fellowship Committee will be packaging and distributing holiday treats (prepared by our amazing FPC chefs) after each of the worship services that morning. Be sure to stop after worship to pick up your individually-wrapped treats!

You're invited to Tasty Third Thursdays, February 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Community Crossroads (FPC's outreach center located at 1516 Hemphill Street, Fort Worth). This month, participants will learn about year-round gardening and seasonal plantings, and receive a bag of compost. To register, visit Community Crossroads or contact Keri (817.335.1231).

First Presbyterian is partnering with Refugee Services of Texas (RST) by creating a Welcome Team of 4-10 persons who will be paired with a refugee family resettling in our community. Welcome Teams offer support to a refugee family for a limited time (3-6 months) during the initial resettlement of the family through RST. If you are interested in being a part of this team, please attend the hybrid format (you may attend in person or via Zoom) orientation on Sunday, February 20, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Click here to register for the orientation or reach out directly to Robyn Michalove.

We are not able to have our overnight this year, but we will have a "Late Night" on February 25 from 6-9 p.m.! We are excited for the ability to gather safely for a pizza party dinner, games and a movie here at the church. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Ann Nielsen.

On February 27 from 4-5:30 p.m., Meghan Michelson with the Birds and Bees will lead a live program that encourages and equips parents to have age-appropriate conversations with their young children about sex. This presentation is for parents with preschoolers through 3rd grade. Childcare will be provided for children birth through five years old and volunteers will lead an activity for Kindergarteners through 3rd grade during the program. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Ann Nielsen.

During the season of Lent, worship will be centered around a preaching series on Psalm 23. Preaching on the verses and themes of the psalm, hymns and anthems of various musical settings of the psalm and supporting liturgy will be a rich experience. In addition to worship, several Covenant Group opportunities led by clergy and staff will allow for deeper reflection on Psalm 32 as a Lenten discipline. The following meeting times are available, and you are welcome to register here or by contacting Celeste in the church office.

Beginning March 6 and 9, the Rev. Dr. Robyn Michalove and the Rev. Dr. Michael Waschevski will be teaching Revelation. This fascinating, and often misunderstood, book of the Bible has inspired and perplexed Christians from the time of its writing to present day. To register for Revelation, click here or contact Celeste in the church office. The Sunday class meets at 10 a.m. in Room 237 and the Wednesday class meets at 10:45 in a hybrid format (either in person or on Zoom.)

Creating a will gives your family peace of mind knowing your wishes, and leaves these last important decisions about your estate up to you and not the courts.

Creating a will is easy! Start with these five easy steps:

1. Determine the needs of your family.

2. List the ministries you would like to support.

3. Finalize recipients to be named in your will.

4. Contact an attorney.

5. Enjoy life to its fullest knowing your legacy of faith will live on!

Your will can be a faith statement -- not only a legal and financial statement. Once you have provided for your loved ones, you can choose to give to ministries that are meaningful to you. This decision of planned gifts is one message of your faith and an exercise of stewardship. A planned gift can be best accomplished when creating, reviewing, or rewriting your will.

If you have questions about setting up your will and/or including planned giving to First Presbyterian Church, please contact Dana Fickling (817.335.123 today.

The following prayer concerns are those we have received as of February 8. In an effort to respect the privacy of those listed below, names are only printed once permission from the individual is obtained. Are you in the hospital? Let us know by contacting Parish Visitors Jennifer Pettey or Jennifer Regen. Let us keep the following persons in our thoughts and prayers this week…

Velma James, Marion Lester, Mike Bailey, Barbara Holmes, Susie Kuipers, Paula Robertson, Janet Ragsdale, and Mike Millar who are recovering from surgery or injury.

Mary Ann Gardner, Mike Bryan, Betty Dunham, Lynn Montgomery, Marilyn Love, Paul Campbell, Catherine Elkins, Glynda Coffey, Sarah Graham, Jim Goble, Jerry Brownlee, Janelle Eklund, Frank Stewart, Karl Travis, and Frances Blake, who are dealing with illness or undergoing treatment.

Prayers for peace in our world and for the safety of Capt. Rolf Tilley (son of Katie and Jaret Tilley and the grandson of Janelle Eklund), who is serving in the US Air Force in Japan. Prayers for the safety of Pape Russell (grandson of Barbara Russell), who is serving in the US Navy. Prayers for the safety of Thomas Shelby (son of Ellen Buck and the grandson of Vance and Donna Laminack), who is serving in the US Navy in Japan. Prayers for the safety of Diego A. Saldivar (son of Becky and Renee Saldivar), who is serving in the US Navy. Prayers for the safety of Nathan Gunter (nephew of Russell and Vivian Norment), who is stationed in Korea. Prayers for the safety of Cullen Cline (grandson of Bill and Glinda King) who is serving in the US Navy.

Prayers for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, including medical professionals and healthcare providers.

We pray for our mission coworkers: Cindy Corell in Haiti, Jed and Jenny Koball in Peru, Cathy Chang and Juan Lopez in Manilla. We pray for our partner congregations: Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist in Fort Worth and for the congregations of Buen Pastor, Resurrection, and Cidra Presbyterian Churches in Cuba.