This Week at First Presbyterian Church
of Willmar
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To Make a Weekly/Monthly Offering | | |
Preparing for the Third Sunday in Lent
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Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
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, March 3rd:
8:00am: Men's Bible Study in the Friendship Room
10:00am: Staff Meeting in the Admin Office and Chair Yoga in JKH
4:00pm: Zoom Book Study (Zoom ID:320 235 1263)
Wednesday, March 4th:
8:00am: Women's Bible Study in the Friendship Room
5:30pm: Wednesday Night Live
Thursday, March 5th:
10:00am: Chair Yoga in JKH
5:30pm: Music Team in the Sanctuary
Friday, March 6th:
4:00pm: Social Hour at Intuition Brewing
Sunday, March 8th:
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS - SPRING AHEAD
9:00am: Adult Ed in the Friendship Room
10:00am: Worship
11:15am: Fellowship in JKH
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WINTER WEATHER
During the season of winter weather, it is possible that church related activities may be cancelled. As a reminder, evening children, youth and adult (WNL) activities will be cancelled if school in Willmar is dismissed early or cancelled. If school is cancelled, the church office will be closed. Cancellation of committee meetings and music rehearsals will be the decision of committee chairs and directors.
Listen to Q102/KWLM, KDJS AM 1590 or visit www.Q102.com/operationsnowdesk for any weather related announcements and on our church Facebook page.
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Wednesday Night Live Meal
March 4th, 2026
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Sunday's Online Worship Service
March 1st, 2026
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We’re looking for helping hands to bless our church family by providing treats and serving during Fellowship Hour after worship. If you enjoy baking, picking up simple snacks, or offering a warm smile as you serve, we’d love to have you be part of this!
Please sign up at the table in the Narthex, contact Shara in the church office, or by clicking the link below.
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We are looking ahead to March, and we have two more dates that need to be filled for Coffee Fellowship. If you are able and willing to bring treats and serve, please sign up on the Volunteer Sign Up Link Button above, add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Narthex, or let Shara know in the office!
Dates that need to be filled: March 15th and 29th!!
| | 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! | | |
JANUARY OPERATING STATEMENT REPORT:
Receipts through January
$22,206.00
Expenses through January
$18,548.78
Revenue in Excess of Expenses
$3,657.22
Balance Due on the Internal Loan for 2022 Roof Replacement
and 2023 Parking Lot
$55,171.44
2026 Per Capita is $47 per confirmed member. Please pay as you are able. We appreciate receiving per capita as early in the 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:
Thomas Sands
Gertrude Kluver (Bonnie Kluver and Jackie Grothe’s Mother)
Heather Woroniecki (Pastor Scott & Pastor Leanne’s Niece)
Renee Allen
Vicki Carver
Bea Ourada
Andy Sjerven (Sheila Sjerven’s Stepson)
Bev Skare
George Ruter
Prayers For Those Who Grieve:
The Family of Jill Berglund (Mary Berglund’s Daughter)
The Family of Nancy Kaenel (Ron Kaenel’s Stepmother)
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:
-Caleb Woltjer, National Guard, Deployed to Kuwait soon
-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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Third Sunday in Lent
Scripture, Reflection, Response, and Prayer
Scripture:
Psalm 95
O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
(vv. 6-7a)
Reflection:
Look at Psalm 95's opening section as a step-by-step depiction of the proper relationship between God and God's people. First, we are to approach God with joyful, thankful praise (vv.1-2. Why? Because God created all that is, and no other god is worthy of consideration (vv.3-5). Next, we are humbly to worship God (v. 6). Why? Because God is our God, and we are God's own (v. 7). It is then, while we are reverently focused on the rightly sovereign God, that the psalmist exhorts us to listen to God's voice (v.7b). Such worshipful attentiveness to God is the correct attitude for faithful people.
LEIGH CAMPBELL-TAYLOR
Response:
What are some sources of joy in God's creation in your life? Praise God for these things. What does it mean to you that "God is our God," and you are God's own? Offer God humility and worship for this reality. Then, reflect: Today, how can I seek to listen for God's voice?
Prayer:
O Lord, maker of all creation, teach me to praise you, worship you, and listen to your voice, because you are my God, and I belong to you. Amen.
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WEEKEND REFLECTIONS
FURTHER CONNECTION
The Samaritan woman would become one of the most popular figures in early Christian art. She appeared in the mid-third century Dura Europas baptistry, in the Roman catacombs, and in early church mosaics. Usually wearing a striped dress, she stood at the well, bucket in hand, while Jesus sat nearby, speaking to her. Her boldness in disputation suggests that one way paradise flows into the world as living water is through those who raise questions, probe answers, and stay in the conversation.
RITA NAKASHIMA BROCK (1950-)
AND REBECCA ANN PARKER (1953-),
SAVING PARADISE: HOW CHRISTIANITY TRADED LOVE
OF THIS WORLD FOR CRUCIFIXION AND EMPIRE
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
My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel.
(Isaiah 56:7b-8a))
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 March 2nd through March 8th.
And we offer them a blessing.
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“What does the world require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’ (Micah 6:8). One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is centered in the call to do our part to advocate for justice so every person can truly live the life God intends for them. OGHS is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world.
Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education and opportunity. The programs supported by OGHS work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need:
Disaster Recovery — This emergency ministry enables our congregations and mission partners to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities adversely affected by crisis and catastrophic events.
Hunger Relief — Seeks to find out why people are hungry and encourage action that will address the underlying causes.
Poverty — Enters into partnership with groups of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people helping to facilitate their work and encourage a deeper understanding and involvement of the Church in the process of self-development.
Immigration/Migration/Refugees – Provides direct support to those navigating the complexities of the immigration system, advocates for compassionate and just immigration laws and policies, and collaborates with partners who directly respond to these critical and complex issues.
Climate Change – PC(USA) has developed resources and presentations created for reflection on economic and environmental justice issues, including environmental racism.
From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, the work of these programs fit together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. Through OGHS, our church transforms our words into deeds, and fear and brokenness into hope and wholeness.
Received during the season of Lent, your gift to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) provides a way to share God’s love with your neighbors in need. Donations may be made at the church, mailed, or be made through the church’s on-line giving portal. Fish banks are being distributed and are available at the church. The needs of our world are great, but when we all do a little, it adds up to a lot!
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Celebrate Easter Sunday With Us!
Join us Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope and new life we have through Him. We invite individuals and families of all ages to be part of this joyful and meaningful morning.
The morning begins with our Easter Breakfast from 8:30 am-9:30 am, a wonderful time of fellowship and community as we gather around the table to share a delicious meal together. It’s a perfect opportunity to connect with friends, meet new faces, and start the morning in celebration—menu: pancakes, sausage links, muffins, fruit, juice, water, and coffee.
Children are invited to take part in our exciting Easter Egg Hunt, filled with colorful eggs, treats, and plenty of smiles. This fun event is designed especially for kids ages 2 years old through 6th grade, and serves as a joyful reminder of the new life and joy that Easter brings.
We will then gather for our Easter Worship Service at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary with a special time of uplifting music, prayer, and a message centered on the hope and victory of the resurrection. Together, we will rejoice in the promise of new beginnings and the power of God’s love.
We warmly welcome you, your family, and your friends to join us for this special Easter celebration!
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VBS 2026 Mission Project
This year’s Vacation Bible School is set to take place June 7-10. “Snowball Mountain Challenge” will help participants find their strength in God!
This exciting winter theme lends itself to the obvious mission project…collecting new or gently used winter outerwear for children and adults.
Please begin collecting your donations now, while stores have these items listed below in stock. We will start receiving all items the first week of May. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please reach out to Jill Boeyink.
Desired items include:
- Hats
- Mittens
- Coats
- Boots
- Scarves
- Ear Muffs
- Snow Pants
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Earth Care Team
Seeking 3 to 5 people to form a FPC-Willmar Earth Care Team. There would be monthly meetings, some devoted to completing a certain list of actions. The goal is to earn a PC(USA) certificate as an Earth Care Congregation, as described in the Earth Care Corner of the January 28th Valley Bridge. If successful, FPC Willmar would be the 13th such congregation in MN, and the first in outstate MN. The team would select a subset of the 99 actions suggested in the Valley Bridge article. If so moved, contact Earl O. Knutson at 320-444-9615.
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Swift County 4-H is expanding its after school program in the county. We are in need of any supplies listed below. Any that can be donated are appreciated. There is a a box in the grocery cart for these items, no donation is too small.
Odds and ends of crayons, colored pencils, pipe cleaners, tissue paper yarn, pompoms, lids such as sour cream or cottage cheese and pony beads.
Thanks.
Swift County 4-H
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ROOTED CLASS MEETS EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING AS PART OF OUR
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE ACTIVITIES
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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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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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