Weekly News — April 15, 2026

Contents

News

• Single Service April 19
• Matthew 25 Lent Campaign - UPDATED
• Spring Midweek Journeys Study Tonight
• Church Grounds Clean Up
• Under A Rest Bingo Day - NEW
• New Members Class - NEW
• Family Small Groups - NEW
• VBS Registration

Prayers

Single Worship Service Sunday April 19

There will be a single worship service at 10:00am on Sunday, April 19. The nursery will be open, but except for the Children's Musical, there will not be any other children's programs that morning. 

Matthew 25

On Easter we shared that in addition to far outpacing our original $25,000 goal for emergency housing needs, a church family offered to match any additional gifts that came in through the end of April up to $25,000. Church members have jumped into action on this match, and we’re on our way to a record-setting year.

Just this week your gifts have been used to help a couple experiencing homelessness get set up for new jobs, provided rental assistance for a single mom, and enabled us to partner with a number of local agencies to support families in crisis. Your gifts make a true and lasting impact in the lives of our neighbors.

Spring Midweek Journeys Study Tonight

A new book study has started this month and the book of choice is Reading the Bible from Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation by T. Christopher Hoklotubbe and H. Daniel Zacharias. This book will explore what it means to read the Bible from the lens of Indigenous peoples in North America, inviting us to learn from the faith of others and view Scripture from a new perspective. This study will meet on Zoom at 6:30 pm each Wednesday night, including tonight. Participants are asked to purchase the book on their own and let Sara Pantazes know if you plan to participate. 

Church Grounds Clean Up Day

Now that spring is here, the grounds around the church and our rental properties need some attention. We are looking for volunteers to help out on Saturday, April 25 (rain date Saturday, May 2), starting at 8:30am, to do weeding, mulching, trimming bushes, etc. If you would like to participate, please contact Carmelo Ortiz (2021cortiz@gmail.com) to sign up or for additional information.

Under A Rest Bingo Day

Under A Rest, an a cappella group from WCU which includes 3 of our own chancel choir members, is hosting an 80's bingo day in the fellowship hall on Saturday, April 25 from 11am-1pm.

New Members Class

If you’d like to find out more about membership at First Pres, plan to attend the lunch and class on Sunday, April 26. Sign up with Elizabeth Hess (ehess@firstpreswc.com).

Family Small Groups Forming

Small groups are a great way to grow in faith and grow in friendship with other church families, and we are hoping to get some new groups going this year!

Are you interested in joining a small group? What logistics would make it work for you? Parents with children zero through college are encouraged to fill out the survey below. Talk to Sara Pantazes with any questions.

VBS Registration is Open

Registration is now open for this summer's Vacation Bible School! Open to kids ages 4 - 5^th grade, this fantastic week will be filled with fun games and science experiments, playing with Bible stories, great music and friends! VBS will take place Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24 from 9am - noon everyday. Sign up through the button below and talk to Director of Faith Formation Sara Pantazes with any questions.

Thursday First Pres Prayers

This Month’s Prayer Request:

God of Renewal, as we journey through this month of April and witness the signs of new life all around us, we give thanks for the hope you bring. As the earth awakens and blossoms, remind us that your love is always making things new within us and around us.

Help us to live as people of resurrection hope, carrying light into places of darkness, offering kindness where there is need, and standing alongside those who long for comfort, stability, and peace. Strengthen us to be faithful neighbors, not only in word but in action, reflecting your grace in all that we do. We pray for all who feel weary or uncertain, that they may find rest and assurance in you. May our community grow in compassion and unity, so that all may experience belonging and care. We pray this in Christ’s name. Amen.

Each week we pray for our congregation at 12:00 pm on Thursdays.

Set an alarm or schedule it in your calendar to join us! You don’t need to only pray for the topic of the week, but you can continue to pray for previous topics as well or anything that God lays on your heart.

For those who would like to set up time to meet one-on-one with someone to navigate a time of transition or difficulty, Stephen Ministers are here to help.

Prayer Requests

If you would like to add a prayer (in joy or in time of need) to our Prayer Band, complete the website form, send an email, or call the church at the number below.

First Presbyterian Church | 130 W. Miner Street | 610-696-0554

GIVE | Visit firstpreswc.com

Thank you for your gifts supporting the mission and ministries of First Pres.