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To Make a Weekly/Monthly Offering | |
This Week at First Presbyterian Church
of Willmar
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Preparing for the Thirteenth Sunday
after Pentecost
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Jeremiah 18:1-11
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:5-33
Choose a word or phrase that especially grabs your attention. Pray from that word or phrase and ask God to help you connect to its particular invitation for you this week.
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Good Morning!!
THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR:
Tuesday, September 2nd:
10:00am: Staff Meeting in the Admin Office and Chair Yoga in JKH
4:00pm: Zoom Book Study
Wednesday, September 3rd:
8:00am: Women's Bible Study in the Friendship Room
Thursday, September 4th:
10:00am: Chair Yoga in JKH
Friday, September 5th:
10:00am-5:00pm: Church Rummage Sale
5:00pm-6:00pm: Bake Sale Drop Off
Saturday, September 6th:
9:00am-1:00pm: Church Rummage Sale and Youth Bake Sale
2:00pm-5:00pm: Willmar Community Closet Open for Shopping and Drop-Off Donations
Sunday, September 7th:
9:00am: Adult Ed in the Friendship Room
10:00am: Sunday Worship with Communion
11:00am: Fellowship in JKH
August 24th-September 5th: Rummage Sale Set Up
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Sunday's Online Worship Service
August 31st, 2025
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Current Worship Series
started Sunday, August 10th
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There is now a sign up sheet for volunteers
to sign up to help at the Rummage Sale
either Friday the 5th or Saturday the 6th or both
in the church Narthex!!
Thank you all in advance!
| | For those of you that use our church nursery on Sunday mornings, there will be no nursery attendant on staff until further notice. Please feel free to use the nursery. The worship audio will be running in the nursery during the service for your convenience. Parents should stay with their children while in the nursery. | | | Please have any announcement needed to be put in the bulletin or the weekly voice to Shara in the office the week before it is wanted to be shared with the congregation! Thank you! | |
COFFEE SERVERS ARE NEEDED FOR
ALL OF SEPTEMBER!!
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JULY OPERATING STATEMENT REPORT:
Receipts through July
$167, 776
Expenses through July
$168, 534
Expenses in Excess of Revenue
$758
Building Fund balance on hand
$116,917
Balance Due on the Internal Loan for 2022 Roof Replacement
and 2023 Parking Lot
$63,088
2025 Per Capita is $46 per confirmed member. Please pay as you are able. We appreciate receiving per capita as early in year as possible, but welcome payments throughout the year.
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Prayer Corner
Keeping you in the loop
with the most updated prayer needs
Prayers for Healing & Comfort:
Marian Carmer
Wilson Salter
Danette Ryan (Earl and Betty Knutson's Daughter)
Renee Allen
Rob Benson
John Ryan (Earl & Betty Knutson's
Son-in-law)
Will Martin (Connor Gabbert's Grandpa)
Vicki Carver
Bea Ourada
Andy Sjerven (Sheila Sjerven’s Stepson)
Bev Skare
George Ruter
Jill Berglund (Mary Berglund’s Daughter)
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
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Prayers for those Serving Elsewhere:
Robert Holmquist, Navy Seal, being deployed (Rita Phillip's 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, Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Station/Saginaw River in Essexville, Michigan
Peter Rampaart, Rosemount, MN
Also be in Prayers for:
California wildfire areas
Israel/Palestine (war)
Ukraine War
Conflict in Syria
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Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture, Reflection, Response, and Prayer
Scripture:
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely.
(vv. 1-4)
Reflection:
The psalmist proclaims that the formation of God has deeper reasoning than our understanding. God knows him in every movement and aspiration, in every way (Ps. 139:1-4). Like the potter's hands, God cradles the psalmist, "You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me" (v.5). That holy touch overwhelms him. It is "too wonderful," and unattainably high. It feels both tender and terrifying. Yet abiding in the place of being stressed, torqued, molded, and massaged by God produces intimate and unstoppable euphoria in God.
GERALD C. LIU
Response:
How have you experienced "God's holy touch" at work in your life? What words above speak most to your journey? How does it feel to hear that God knows you deeply and wants to love you, no matter what has come before?
Prayer:
O Lord, you have searched me and known me; help me to know you more, even as I am fully known in you. Amen.
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WEEKEND REFLECTIONS
FURTHER CONNNECTION
To do for yourself the best that you have it in you to do --to grit your teeth and clench your fists in order to survive the world as its harshest and worst - is, by that very act, to be unable to let something be done for you and in you that is more wonderful still. The trouble with steeling yourself against the harshness of reality is that the same steel that secures your life against being destroyed secures your life also against being opened up and transformed.
REDERICK BUECHNER (1926-),
THE SACRED JOURNEY
MAKING THE CONNECTIONS
Choose one or two questions for reflection:
- What connections have you noticed between this week's texts and other passages in Scripture?
- What connections have you made between this week's texts and the world beyond Scripture?
- What is God saying to your congregation in particular through this week's readings and commentaries?
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SABBATH DAY
SCRIPTURE OF ASSURANCE
Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (Psalm 143:8)
WEEKLY EXAMEN
- Take a quiet moment, seek out God's presence, and pray for the guidance of the Spirit.
- Consider the past week; recall specific moments and feelings that stand out to you.
- Choose one moment or feeling for deeper examination, thanksgiving, or repentance.
- Let go, breathe deeply, and invite Christ's love to surround and fill you in preparation for the week ahead.
- End with the Lord's Prayer.
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This week we name and celebrate folks in our congregation who are celebrating birthdays from September 2nd through September 7th,
and we offer them a blessing.
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September Mission:
Peace and Global Witness
The September Mission of the Month is Peace and Global Witness – a PCUSA special offering that draws us together to work as active peacemakers to share God’s presence of peace by seeking solutions that make peace possible.
Peacemaking is central to the gospel and the mission of the Church. The Peace and Global Witness offering provides the tools and resources for us as we join together connected as active peacemakers. It allows us to create resources for dealing with conflict and provide nurturing reconciliation, and stand in support of our global siblings, because the peace of Christ belongs to people everywhere.
50% of your offering supports the work for peace and reconciliation being done by Presbyterians across the globe. 25% goes to mid councils to unite congregations to support peacemaking in their regions. 25% stays with our congregation to use on behalf of those struggling through oppression and injustice. Congregations use the funds for peace education and training for children, helping families in need, assisting struggling teens and young adults, and for community care and engagement.
Your gift to Peace and Global Witness provides a way for our church to “Pursue what makes for peace” (Romans 14:19). Donations may be made at the church, mailed or be made through the church’s on-line giving portal.
If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot!
| | Other Church Announcements | | To Subscribe to the Frontera de Cristo Newsletter click the link below and check out their homepage! | | To Subscribe to the Family Promise Newsletter click the link below and check out their homepage! | | FROM PRESBYTERY OF MINNESOTA VALLEYS | |
Lost and Found
We have a grey OshKosh Warriors sweatshirt and a white water bottle in the office that was left out in the Narthex, if these are yours, please contact Shara in the church office.
Thank you in advance!
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PICTURES NEEDED:
If anyone has pictures from our 150th Anniversary Celebration on October 17th, 2021, please send them to Shara in the office at fpcwillmar@gmail.com. Thank you in advance!
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NEW DECOR IN THE CEYM OFFICE HALLWAY
HAVE A CHANCE?? CHECK IT OUT!!
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WE NEED YOUR CROCHETING
AND KNITTING TALENTS!!
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We are looking for individuals that are skilled in crocheting and knitting. If that is you, we would love you to help us make our church pocket prayer shawls. All the details are in the PDF button!
Thank you in advance!!
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Rural Voice Town Hall event, Sept 8, 5-8pm at Foxhole Brewing. Hosted by Southwest Initiative Foundation. The following is a quote from SWIF, President, Scott Marquardt: ‘no PowerPoints or speeches are planned. MPR’s Kerry Miller works the room, creating space for residents to share stories, lived experiences and insights to ensure the real narrative is shared. No political spin, just a forum for real people to talk about how immigration has worked.’ RSVP is required at this link (I’d encourage soon): Click here to Register
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We, at First Presbyterian Church, hope you have a wonderful week. If you have any prayer requests, please click on the "Prayer Request" button at the top and let us know!!
Sincerely,
First Presbyterian Church
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First Presbyterian Church
(320) 235-1263
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