This Week at First Presbyterian Church
of Willmar
| |
To Make a Weekly/Monthly Offering | | |
Preparing for the Second Sunday of Easter
| | |
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
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.
| | |
Good Morning!!
THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR:
Tuesday, April 7th:
8:00am: Men's Bible Study in the Friendship Room
10:00am: Jill Berglund Visitation at FPC
NO Staff Meeting in the Admin Office and Chair Yoga in JKH
11:00am: Jill Berglund Memorial
NO Zoom Book Study (Zoom ID:320 235 1263)
Wednesday, April 8th:
8:00am: Women's Bible Study in the Friendship Room
5:30pm: Wednesday Night Live
Thursday, April 9th:
10:00am: Chair Yoga in JKH
11:00am: Sewciables in JKH
5:30pm: Music Team in the Sanctuary
Saturday, April 11th:
10:00am: Youth at LuLu Beans
Sunday, April 12th:
9:00am: Adult Education in the Friendship Room and Nurture and Fellowship in the Kitchen
10:00am: Worship
11:00am: Boxed Lunch Fundraiser in JKH
| |
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.
| |
Wednesday Night Live Meal
April 8th, 2026
| | |
Sunday's Online Worship Service
April 5th, 2026
| | |
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! | | |
FEBRUARY OPERATING STATEMENT REPORT:
Receipts through February
$40,742.08
Expenses through February
$43,246.48
Expenses in Excess of Revenue
$2,504.40
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.
| | |
Prayer Corner
Keeping you in the loop
with the most updated prayer needs
Prayers for Healing & Comfort:
Robin Raasch
Gary Hanson (Diann Anderson's Brother)
Penelope Kappes
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)
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:
-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 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 Iran
| |
Second Sunday of Easter
Reflection, Response, and Prayer
Scripture:
Psalm 16
Protect me, O God, for in you take refuge. I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." (vv. 1-2)
Reflection:
This plea for refuge and protection, with which the psalm begins, can be seen as a response to Peter's accusation in Acts 2:23 that "this man (Jesus), you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law." The Good Friday memories of violence are here used to evoke repentance and a new beginning. Peter invites the crowd to join him in his own movement from the denials of Good Friday to hope in the resurrection. God will protect those who cry out to God even, and especially, when they cry in repentance for evil that they have done.
RHONDA E. BEATON
Response:
This Easter season, how are you feeling invited to make a new beginning or to repentance? How are you longing for refuge or protection through an upcoming change, risk, or challenge? How do you find yourself longing to cry out to God this week?
Prayer:
O God, in you I take refuge; show me the path of life so that in your presence I might find and share the fullness of your joy. Amen.
| | |
WEEKEND REFLECTIONS
FURTHER CONNECTION
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm? Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace. If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near. Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine; We know today what wounds are, have no fear, Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign. The other gods are strong; by Thou wast weak; They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne; But to our wounds only God's wounds can speak, And not a god has wounds but Thou alone.
EDWARD SHILLITO (1872-1948),
"JESUS OF THE SCARS"
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?
| |  | |
SABBATH DAY
SCRIPTURE OF ASSURANCE
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is s high that I cannot attain it.
(Psalm 139:5-6)
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.
| | |
This week, we name and celebrate folks in our congregation who are celebrating birthdays from April 7th through April 12th.
And we offer them a blessing.
| | |
April Mission of the Month –
Clearwater Forest Capital Campaign
Clearwater Forest is a magical place both in presence and in spirit - a place where many feel closest to God and free to connect with their spirituality. Clearwater Forest is the shared camp and retreat ministry of the Presbyteries of the Twin Cities Area, Minnesota Valleys, Northern Waters, Northern Plains and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies.
As people of faith, we are called to be bearers of light in a world longing for hope, connection and renewal. This campaign is about expanding the mission of Clearwater Forest to Fan the FLAME of:
| | | | |
Faith Formation – Deepening spiritual growth and connection with God.
Leadership & Character Development – Equipping future generations to lead with faith and integrity.
Adventure Experiences – Encouraging confidence, teamwork, and resilience by overcoming structured group and individual challenges.
Mission and Service – Providing hands-on opportunities to serve and make a difference.
Environmental Education & Stewardship – Instilling a sense of responsibility for God’s creation.
| | |
Clearwater Forest is raising money to build a new Programs Building that will allow them to expand their FLAME offerings! This building will provide an all-season indoor space for worship, large-group gatherings, and recreation. It will expand their capacity for year-round programming, including retreats, leadership development, education, and adventure experience.
On April 12, a representative from Clearwater Forest will share information about Clearwater Forest and how you can support its capital campaign at our Sunday worship service. After church, our youth will be holding a box lunch fundraiser to raise money for scholarships to help our youth attend Clearwater Forest camps.
Please come and learn more about Clearwater Forest while supporting our church’s youth! Your donations to the April Mission of the Month will support the Clearwater Forest Capital Campaign.
| | Clearwater Forest Camp Description Video | | 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 | |
Palm Sunday
March 29, 2026
| |
|
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
| |
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.
| | |
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
| |
ROOTED CLASS MEETS EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING AS PART OF OUR
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE ACTIVITIES
| |
WE NEED YOUR CROCHETING
AND KNITTING TALENTS!!
|
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!!
| | | | | |
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
| |
First Presbyterian Church
(320) 235-1263
| | | | | |
