First Presbyterian E-News 9/17/2026

First Presbyterian Church

September 17, 2026 E-News

Upcoming Service for the Lord's Day

17th Sunday after Pentecost

Birthday Sunday

Sunday, September 20, 2026 ~ 10:30 a.m.

Preacher: Rev. Leslie Roper

Sermon: What Is Fair?

Scripture Lessons:

Psalm 145:1-8 and Matthew 20:1-16

A Note from Pastor Leslie

This week, the Mission Committee had their monthly meeting down at the Community Resource Center. It gave us the chance to see, first hand, the good work that they are doing, as well as hear from the director about the Hope Works program that our anniversary gift is funding for the year. Check out the picture of them and the update later in the newsletter. The work they do is pretty inspiring!!

While we were there, lunch was being served, and it was a pretty busy place. People were making their way through the halls, lining up to get their lunch, and breaking bread together around the tables. Even though the weather is still ridiculously hot, some opted to eat their lunch around the picnic tables that were just outside the room where we were gathered. Before too long, a commotion arose, loud and high pitched enough to shift all of our attention outside. Chris, the CRC director, just smiled. “Oh, I bet that’s Misty!” And sure enough, a glance out the window confirmed that he was correct. She’s not a danger to herself or to anyone else, we were assured, but she makes quite a ruckus when she’s off her meds. A few minutes later, her voice rang out again, and again Chris smiled. “Oh, Misty!”, he chuckled.

Later in our conversation, one of the committee members asked about the mental health component of the work that he does, and again the conversation returned to Misty. The reality was, she really didn’t have anywhere else to go where she could get the help that she needs. But she did have somewhere that she could go where they knew her name.

All I could think of throughout the rest of our meeting was a story from the gospel according to Mark. One of the leaders of the synagogue, Jairus, a well-connected and influential man in the community, came to Jesus asking for healing for his daughter. But while they were on the way, Jesus encountered another individual in need of help. This time it was a woman, one who had been bleeding for twelve years. For twelve years, she had been ostracized from the community. She tried all the doctors, all the healers, until at last everyone had shrugged their shoulders in defeat. And she was left alone. But when she reached out and simply touched Jesus’ cloak, she was healed. And maybe just as importantly, she was seen. “Daughter,” Jesus addressed her in front of the crowd. “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

We do not have Jesus’ power to heal. We don’t even have the power to provide mental health care to the countless individuals in our community who find themselves in need. But we can take our lead from Jesus. We can look, really look, at those we meet who find themselves in need. We can see them as people, and children of our own Creator God. And maybe we can even learn to call them by name. We cannot always offer health, or even the help that is needed most. But we can always offer dignity.

See you on Sunday!

Worship Service: Sunday, September 13, 2026

Sermon: Judge Not, Lest...

Scripture Lessons:

Psalm 114 and Romans 14:1-12

Birthday Sunday - This Sunday, September 20

On Sunday we will honor our members and friends celebrating birthdays in the month of September. Following worship, we invite members, friends and guests to the Fellowship Hall for Birthday Cake.

PW 5th Wednesday Night Out

The next PW 5th Wednesday Night Out will be September 30 at 5:30 p.m. We will meet at AI Sushi and Grill (1609 Albert Pike Rd., Suite J) next to Walmart in the strip center. They do not serve JUST sushi. They have hibachi, tempura, ramen noodle dishes, grilled chicken salad, and most importantly – fried cheesecake and green tea ice cream. We will have our own room that can accommodate up to 30 people. Please sign up if you plan to attend. A sign-up sheet is hanging on the “Sign-Up Board” located in the Fellowship Hall right outside the kitchen. By signing up, this ensures enough tables and serving staff to make for an enjoyable evening.

Church Office Schedule

Ferncliff Disaster Assistance Center

The Mission Committee has planned a 1-day volunteer mission opportunity for Friday, October 2, at Ferncliff Disaster Assistance Center in Little Rock. We will meet here at First Presbyterian Church Hot Springs (213 Whittington Ave.) at 8:00 a.m. and plan to return around 3:00 p.m. We hope you will join us for this volunteer mission opportunity!

If you are interested in going, please let Carol Mattson know so that no one gets left behind!!

Election Reminder

Updates from the Community Resource Center

At their monthly meeting in September, the Mission Committee met at the Community Resource Center and had the chance to hear from CRC director, Chris Joannides. It was an exciting time to hear more about the Hope Works program, that our 150^th Anniversary Gift is funding for the year. Five individuals at a time enter the program, and they are given part time work from the city, through the CRC, picking up trash in our city. In the mornings, they work in the community and, in the afternoons, they have the opportunity to work on their resumes, receive help applying for jobs, and learn skills that will make them more marketable in the work field. During the 10 weeks they spend in the program, they are housed for free and, if they complete the program, another organization will match their savings up to $350 towards a deposit and first month’s rent in a new place. It was amazing to hear some of the early success stories this program has provided. Way to go, CRC, and way to go, First Presbyterian Church!!

The Bargain Box

First Presbyterian Church Bargain Box is celebrating! Since 1968, the Bargain Box has given over $630,000 to provide educational scholarships, enhance healthcare, and meet the human needs for the Garland County community. It is the oldest non-profit thrift shop in Garland County.

On November 1, 1968, First Presbyterian Women began the Bargain Box thrift shop. It was originally envisioned to support nursing scholarships at St. Joseph's Hospital, then located across the street from First Presbyterian Church. Over the years, the mission of the Bargain Box grew to include dozens of agencies and families in need across Garland County. Today the Bargain Box can honestly say that there is not a charity organization in Garland County that they have not touched in some way, either through financial contributions or goods donated.

Every Monday morning, volunteers clean, check, price and display items that have been donated. On Wednesday afternoons, Bargain Box volunteers sell these items to the public.

The Bargain Box is open every Wednesday afternoon from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. We invite you to come and check us out and help us to keep on showing Christ's love through our actions... PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE!

A BIG thank you goes out to the Monday morning marking crew (some, but not all, are pictured below.

Also, a BIG thank you goes out to the Wednesday selling crew: Sally Pierce, Helen Bumpas, Carol Mattson, Mary James, Mary Ann Butler, Sandy Matheney, Becky Sommer, Ann Hiers, Jamie Williams, Jeanette Cline, Terri McKissack, Marsha Edwards, Kaye Lewis, Judy Hoefer, Johnnie Roebuck, Pam Lynch, Tommie Colvin, and Mari Simmons.

AND... a special thank you to all of you who help support Bargain Box by giving your donations and your support.

Meet Your New Member

Who was invited to attend the Air Force Academy before females were allowed?

Did you learn that it was Tommie Colvin? What a special honor that must have been for her. Be sure to ask her about her experience!

Bible Trivia

Bible Trivia is a fun way to review scripture, explore biblical characters, and learn key facts to boost your knowledge of the Bible.

Every other week we will give you a trivia question with the answer given the following week. Tell us what you believe is the answer, and why, by sending it to office@firstpreshotsprings.org.

Bible Trivia: Life of Jesus

Who tried to kill Jesus soon after he was born?

ANSWER: Herod

Matthew 2:13: Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”

First Presbyterian Newsletter

Every week we send out an updated church news email. If you would like to be added to the email list, please contact the church office, (501) 624-5646. Alternatively, if you or someone you know would like to receive a paper copy, please call the office.

The 2026 Flower Board is available to sign up to donate Sunday flowers!

Located on the wall by the 2 large closets in the Fellowship Hall, pick your date, add your name and special dedication. If you do not wish to write it on the board, or if space does not allow, please call, email or visit the office. You may do this at any time well in advance of your day. Cost is $38.50

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Thank you!

God Bless You on Your

Special Day!

Share your birthday blessings with our graduating Seniors! Each month on the 3rd Sunday, we celebrate church members' birthdays and ask those celebrating this month to make a donation in honor of their birthday to our scholarship fund. Thank you for supporting our graduating seniors!