This Week at First Presbyterian Church
of Willmar
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To Make a Weekly/Monthly Offering | | |
Preparing for the Week
Leading Up to September 6th
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Ezekiel 33:7-11
Exodus 12:1-14
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20
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 1st:
10:00am: Staff Meeting in the Admin Office and Chair Yoga in JKH
4:00pm: Zoom Book Study
5:30pm: Buildings and Grounds in the Narthex and Personnel in the Admin Office
Wednesday, September 2nd:
8:00am: Women's Bible Study in the Friendship Room
Thursday, September 3rd:
10:00am: Chair Yoga in JKH
Friday, September 4th:
4:00pm: Social Hour at Intuition Brewing
Sunday, September 6th:
9:00am: Adult Education in the Friendship Room and Pop-Up Choir Practice in the Sanctuary
10:00am: Worship with Communion
11:00am: Coffee Fellowship in JKH
Monday, September 7th:
OFFICE CLOSED-LABOR DAY
Wednesday, August 26th through Wednesday, September 9th: Tom is on Vacation
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Sunday's Online Worship Service
August 30th, 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.
| | 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! | | |
JULY OPERATING STATEMENT REPORT:
Receipts through July
$175,925.73
Expenses through July
$170,911.8
Revenue in Excess of Expenses
$5,013.85
Balance Due on the Internal Loan for 2022 Roof Replacement
and 2023 Parking Lot
$39.993.00
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. The Per Capita of $9,588.00 was paid, and the Per Capita giving is $6,565.50
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Stewardship is about more than budgets and buildings. It is about faith, gratitude, and the ways we respond to God's generosity in our lives. Each month, we'll share a brief reflection on how our gifts support the ministry and mission of First Presbyterian Church.
Your gifts help us live out our mission as
the Church with HEART in the HEART of Willmar.
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Stewardship Matters: What Difference Could One Dollar a Day Make?
When we think about generosity, we often focus on large gifts. But most ministry is sustained not by a few extraordinary donations, but by many ordinary acts of faithfulness.
What difference could one dollar a day make? One dollar a day is about $365 a year. Two dollars a day is about $730 a year. Five dollars a day is about $1,825 a year. For many households, those amounts may still feel significant. For others, they may represent a manageable step toward greater generosity.
At First Presbyterian, over 100 households currently give between $1 and $500 each year. We are deeply grateful for every one of those gifts. Each represents a commitment to the ministry and mission of this congregation.
But imagine what might happen if each household prayerfully considered taking one next step. Not because anyone is being pressured (this is not a guilt trip). Not because the church is in crisis (we aren’t). But because growing in generosity is one of the ways we grow in faith.
If twenty households increased their giving by just $5 per week, that would provide more than $5,000 annually for ministry. If fifty households did the same, it would provide more than $13,000. Small increases, multiplied across a congregation, can make a remarkable difference.
More importantly, generosity changes us. It reminds us that everything we have comes from God. It helps align our priorities with our values. It transforms giving from an obligation into an act of worship.
The question is not, "How much should someone else give?" The question is, "What is God inviting me to do next?"
For some, that next step may be beginning a regular giving practice. For others, it may be increasing a gift by a few dollars each week. For still others, it may be making a legacy gift or supporting a special ministry.
Whatever your next step may be, know that your generosity matters. Together, our gifts—large and small—help ensure that this congregation continues to worship, serve, welcome, teach, and share the love of Christ for generations to come.
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Prayer Corner
Keeping you in the loop
with the most updated prayer needs
Prayers for Healing & Comfort:
John Lease (Darcy Gubrud’s Father)
Michael Christensen (George Christensen's Brother)
John Tatge
Kathy Murphy
Michele Odens
Rita Phillips
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
Prayers For Those Who Grieve:
The Family of Logan Schroeder
The Family of David Radabaugh (Carol Tatge's Brother)
The Family of Jo Fehl
The Family of Gene Reuhle (Husband of Shirley Woods Ruehle)
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
-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 Riley, Kansas
-Rob Grunwald, Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Station/Saginaw River in Essexville, Michigan
-Peter Rampaart, US Army Headquarters, St. Paul, MN
Also be in Prayers for:
California wildfire areas
Israel/Palestine (war)
Ukraine War
Conflict in Iran
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The Week Leading Up To September 6th
Reflection, Response, and Prayer
Scripture:
Psalm 119:33-40
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. (vv. 34-35)
Reflection:
(This psalm) uses a host of synonyms for the Law (decree, precept, statute, commandment, ordinance, word, and promise) as a way to cast a wide net for all that God might speak. Before we can be warning speakers, we have to be God-seekers. We need to pray continuously for discernment, for understanding (Ps. 119:34); we need to long to know what is right and delight in the path of God's commandments (v. 35). This is constant discipline. We cannot call the church to account without this relentless listening for the Word of the Lord.
RON RIENSTRA
Response:
Reread the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:1-21), reviewing each one in a spirit of self-examination. What might God be inviting you to notice?
Prayer:
God of the Torah, teach me to understand and delight in your commandments, to observe them with my whole heart. Amen.
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WEEKEND REFLECTIONS
FURTHER CONNECTION
The Four Elements of Right Speech
- Tell the truth. Don't lie or turn the truth upside down.
- Don't exaggerate.
- Be consistent. This means no double-talk: speaking about something in one way to one person and in an opposite way to another for selfish or manipulative reasons.
- Use peaceful language. Don't use insulting or violent words, cruel speech, verbal abuse, or condemnation.
THICH NHAT HANH (1926-2022,
THE ART OF COMMUNICATING
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
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another.
(Ephesians 4:25)
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 August 31st through September 7th.
And we offer them a blessing.
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September Mission of the Month
“What does the Lord require of you?” “… to do justice and to love kindness and walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
This year marks the first time congregations across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are invited to receive the World Communion Offering. The World Communion Offering is a new way for Presbyterians to “love kindness” expressed in action, often involving mercy, faithfulness and steadfast commitment. Through this new Offering, we join with other congregations in supporting the wider church in the work of racial justice, gender justice, peacemaking, global witness, and ecumenical and interfaith relations. Any council of the church which includes congregations, presbyteries or synods who are engaged in local mission and ministry related to the causes supported by the World Communion Offering can apply for grants.
Some ways gifts are used for reconciliation:
- Funds participation in the Commission on the Status of Women - the largest gathering on gender equality at the United Nations, formulating policies that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide and the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls.
- Supports the Office of Public Witness (OPW), the public policy information and advocacy office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It awards grants as part of the Decade to End Gun Violence.
- Funded a delegation of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders and global partners' participation in the second International Migration Review Forum, a major United Nations gathering focused on global migration policy and advocacy.
- Supported a PC(USA) delegation that met with individuals and organizations in Jordan and Israel-Palestine who are providing ministry in their context as well as working on human rights and other deep needs in the region.
The prophet Micah is clear: Our love of God moves us to faithful action through justice, kindness, and humble living. Participating in the Churchwide Special Offerings is one way Presbyterians show their love for God and help all God’s children live into the fullness of Micah’s prophecy. In a world that often feels divided, this offering helps us remember that we belong to one another, even to people we may never meet.
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Roger was the heart behind our college meal ministry. On the third Wednesday of every month, he showed up with a hot plate, a big smile, and a genuine passion for caring for young people who needed a warm meal and a welcoming space. He didn't just feed body and soul; he built community around every table he filled. Through his tireless dedication and quiet generosity, Roger turned our monthly church dinners into a home away from home for so many students. His legacy of service, hospitality, and warmth will continue to inspire us all.
To honor Roger and keep his passion alive, we are committing to continuing this vital mission every month. However, we cannot do it alone; we need your help. Whether through cooking, serving, or supporting the program, it takes a team to keep Roger's gift to our students going strong. We are deeply grateful for his years of faithful service, and we will miss him dearly. He made serving these meals look effortless. Let's work together to keep it going.
Michelle Schoolmeester will coordinate meal preparation, and Darcy Forkrud will coordinate volunteers. If you are interested in helping with grocery shopping, food preparation, or serving food at the Campus Ministry Center, contact Darcy Forkrud or the church office. Our first meal will be on September 16th!
| | 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 | |
Nursery Supervisor (Part-Time)
First Presbyterian Church – Willmar, MN
First Presbyterian Church is seeking a caring and dependable Nursery Supervisor to oversee our nursery ministry during Sunday worship services and occasional church events. This part-time position (up to 5 hours per week) includes supervising nursery staff, caring for young children, and maintaining a safe and welcoming environment.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent. Childcare experience is preferred.
A full position description is available upon request.
To apply: Email a resume to leanne.fpcwillmar@gmail.com by August 31, 2026.
Nursery Assistant (Part-Time)
First Presbyterian Church – Willmar, MN
First Presbyterian Church is seeking caring and dependable Nursery Assistants to provide loving care for infants and young children during Sunday worship services and occasional church events.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old. Childcare experience is preferred.
A full position description is available upon request.
To apply: Email a resume to leanne.fpcwillmar@gmail.com by August 31, 2026
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Wednesday Night Live (WNL) is in need of passionate leaders to guide our children, grades 5 & 6. You do not need a theology degree, just a heart for kids. Our Wednesday night program is growing, and we need two leaders to spend one hour a week helping children discover the love of Jesus. You don’t have to be perfect to be a hero to a kid. You just have to show up!
If you can commit to loving, teaching, and hanging out with our amazing kids, Jill Boeyink would love to hear from you! You don’t need to create anything from scratch – we provide the full curriculum and supplies each week! Contact Jill to learn more.
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Check your Mailbox! Your family’s Christian Education packet will officially be on its way to your home the week of August 24th.
This packet contains everything your family needs to prepare for a purposeful, faith-filled, and successful upcoming year, such as a 2026-2027 CEYM calendar, a class list, a Wednesday Night Live (WNL) children & youth registration form and information about upcoming events.
Please look over your packet contents and return your completed registration form during the WNL kickoff on September 16 at 5:30 p.m. in John Knox Hall.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to Jill Boeyink.
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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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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 are almost out of pocket prayer shawls.
Anyone who has the talent of crocheting or knitting and is willing to make some more will be greatly appreciated!
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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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