Haggai 1:15b-2:9

Job 19:23-27a

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Luke 20:27-38

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.

Pastor's Note

United for Neighbors

Responding Together in Faith

The ongoing federal government shutdown has created real and immediate consequences for our neighbors here in Kandiyohi County. Programs like SNAP food benefits, MFIP food support, and energy assistance have all been affected. Locally, that means nearly $20,000 each day—just in SNAP alone—is no longer available to support seniors, persons with disabilities, and families with children. In total, roughly $800,000 in benefits will not be paid in Kandiyohi County this November.

These numbers represent more than lost assistance—they represent meals not shared, homes without adequate heat, and families facing impossible choices.

In this moment, we have the opportunity to stand together as people of faith and compassion—to be United for Neighbors. Jesus reminds us that when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for the least of these, we serve him directly.

First Presbyterian Church is joining other area congregations in a united effort to raise $20,000 to meet urgent food, heating, and housing needs across our community.

Here’s how your gifts can make a difference:

1. Kandiyohi County Food Shelf – Supporting direct food assistance for local families.
2. 
   
3. Willmar Area Community Foundation – Good Samaritan Fund – Providing help with food, heat, childcare, and transportation needs.
4. 
   
5. United Community Action Partnership (UCAP) – Meeting emergency housing needs, including support for military families unable to pay rent, mortgages, or utility bills during the shutdown.

How to Give:

Contributions may be made directly through First Presbyterian Church of Willmar.

Please indicate “United for Neighbors” in the memo line, and note which of the three partner organizations (Food Shelf, Good Samaritan Fund, or UCAP) you wish your gift to support. If you do not designate a recipient, funds will be divided evenly between the three. All designated gifts will be forwarded directly to the appropriate organization.

Together, we can be a living sign of hope and love in a time of uncertainty.

Good Morning!!

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR:

Tuesday, November 4th:

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)

6:30pm: Buildings and Grounds in the Narthex

Wednesday, November 5th:

8:00am: Women's Bible Study in the Friendship Room

10:00am: Marie Grunwald Visitation at FPC

11:00am: Marie Grunwald Funeral at FPC

5:30pm: Wednesday Night Live

Thursday, November 6th:

10:00am: Chair Yoga in FC

10:00am-3:00pm: Presbytery COL Meeting In JKH

6:00pm-8:00pm: Willmar Community Closet Open for Shopping and Drop Off

Friday, November 7th:

4:00pm: Social Hour at Intuition Brewing

Saturday, November 8th:

10:00am: Youth at LuLu Beans

Sunday, November 9th:

9:00am: Adult Ed in the Friendship Room

10:00am: Sunday Worship/Congregational Meeting

11:15am: Fellowship in JKH

The slate of officers presented to the congregation by the nominating committee includes:

• Elders, Class of 2028
• Curt Jans 
• Tammy Douglas 
• Sheila Sjerven 
• Janae Bell 
• Deacons, Class of 2027
• Cheryl & Jeff Tebben
• Jody Fernholz
• Lori Manzer
• Pat Clark

Sunday's Online Worship Service

November 2nd, 2025

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.

SEPTEMBER OPERATING STATEMENT REPORT:

Receipts through September

$218,152

Expenses through September

$217,122

Revenue in Excess of Expenses

$1,030

Building Fund balance on hand

$118,172

Balance Due on the Internal Loan for 2022 Roof Replacement

and 2023 Parking Lot

$58,865

 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.

Prayer Corner

Keeping you in the loop

with the most updated prayer needs

Prayers for Healing & Comfort:

Heather Woroniecki (Pastor Scott & Pastor Leanne’s Niece)

Marian Cramer

Renee Allen

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 Those Who Grieve:

The Family of Marie Grunwald

The Family of Rob Benson (Jan Benson’s Husband)

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

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

November Mission:

Frontera de Cristo

November's Mission of the Month is Frontera de Cristo. Through Frontera de Cristo, Mark and Miriam bring together people from both sides of the border, building relationships and understanding between them. 

Presbyterian Mission Agency and Office of the General Assembly, concluded its engagement in numerous global missions in March 2025. PCA (USA) recognized the many years of service, ministry, and commitment of Mark and Miriam, who served so faithfully as mission co-workers. Their impact on the work of Christ across the world is immeasurable. Losing the financial resources of PCA could have been devastating to Mark and Miriam. Thankfully Presbytery de Cristo and the Presbytery of Grand Canyon stepped forward to call Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado as Mission Co-Workers to serve with Frontera de Cristo in 2026. As a church and as individuals we now have an opportunity to provide for the continued growth of this vital ministry. Support for this ministry is more important than ever now that funding from PCA (USA) is gone.

The Des Moines Presbytery is sponsoring an immersion trip to Frontera de Cristo in Douglas, AZ November 15-21, 2025.

The Mission Committee will cover the trip cost ($850) for up to three people from our congregation to go, learn and share what they witness. There may be an additional cost for air fare. Contact Mission Committee Co-Chairs Deb Grunwald or Ben Lang for additional information.

The Mission Committee acknowledges the generosity of our congregation. Donations to the September mission of the month, Ridgewater College meals, exceeded the goal our church set by 20%! Food costs have increased and college students experience food insecurity more than ever. The gifts of First Presbyterian Church have been able to feed several hundred college students. To God be the glory! 

Ridgewater College Campus Ministry Recap

First Presbyterian Church – Annual American Red Cross Blood Drive

Our annual blood drive through the American Red Cross is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30th from 1pm to 7pm in the John Knox Hall at church.

We are looking for DONORS and VOLUNTEERS!  You can schedule your blood donation at this link American Red Cross Blood Drive - First Presbyterian Church - Dec 30, 2025 or if you have the Red Cross Blood Drive app, you can schedule there as well! 

We are looking for volunteers as well!  Deb Grunwald may be calling you to see if you can help throughout the day with making food, helping in the kitchen or being a greeter.  Please feel free to call Deb Grunwald with any questions 320-905-8104.

Thank you for your donations!  It SAVES lives!

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

For more pictures, go to our church website "Gallery" Page!!

This series invites participants to journey into the rich traditions of Celtic spirituality, exploring themes of creation, prayer, community, and pilgrimage. Drawing on scripture, Celtic saints, and spiritual practices, we will “walk the ancient paths” that continue to shape faith today. Each week we’ll take another step on this pilgrimage, discovering how the Celtic way invites us to encounter God in creation, in daily life, and along life’s journey. During the 9-week course the pastors will share photos, stories, and learnings from their Iona Abbey retreat in Scotland over their summer Sabbatical.

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