For Prayer Requests

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25

Amos 5:18-24

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13



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.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

FURTHER CONNECTION

Our power is first in waiting for the end of darkness, for the defeat of evil; and our power is also in coming upon single sparks and occasional rays, upon moments full of God's grace and radiance.

We are called to bring together the sparks to preserve single moments of radiance and keep them alive in our lives, to defy absurdity and despair, and to wait for God to say again: Let there be light.

And there was light.

RABBI ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL (1907-72),

MORAL GRANDEUR AND SPIRITUAL AUDACITY

MAKING THE CONNECTIONS

Choose one or two questions for reflection:

1. What connections have you noticed between this week's texts and other passages in Scripture?
2. What connections have you made between this week's texts and the world beyond Scripture?
3. What is God saying to your congregation in particular through this week's readings and commentaries?

SABBATH DAY

SCRIPTURE OF ASSURANCE

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.

(Psalm 52:8)

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.

Good Morning!!

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR:

Tuesday, November 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

5:30pm: Building and Grounds in the Narthex

Wednesday, November 4th:

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

5:30pm: Wednesday Night Live

Thursday, November 5th:

10:00am: Chair Yoga in JKH

5:30pm: Music Team in the Sanctuary and Budget and Stewardship in the Admin Office

Friday, November 6th:

4:00pm: Social Hour at Intuition Brewing

Sunday, November 8th:

STAFF APPRECIATION SUNDAY

9:00am: Adult Education in the Friendship Room

10:00am: Worship with Staff Appreciation

11:00am: Coffee Fellowship in JKH

🍂 30 Days of Gratitude: Let’s Count Our Blessings! 🍂

As we enter this season of thankfulness, we invite you to join us for 30 Days of Gratitude! ❤️

Each day on Facebook and Istagram, we’ll share a new prompt to help us pause, reflect, and recognize the many blessings in our lives — both big and small. From the people who make us smile to the simple moments that bring us joy, there is always something to be thankful for.

🙏 Here’s how to participate:

✨ Check back each day for a new gratitude prompt.

💬 Share your answer in the comments!

❤️ Take a moment to read and encourage others as they share their blessings.

You never know how your words might brighten someone else’s day! Let’s fill our page with gratitude, encouragement, and reminders of God’s goodness.

We have the full month of November's 30 Days of Gratitude above, and if you are not on Facebook or Instagram, take a moment each day to reflect on each prompt.

🎄✨ Celebrate the Season with First Presbyterian Church! ☕🍪



The holiday season is almost here, and we’re excited to be part of Willmar’s Annual Holidaze Parade on Saturday, November 21st, starting at 6:30 PM! 🎅🎁

Keep an eye out for the First Presbyterian Church float and our beloved wooden horses as they make their way through the streets of Willmar, spreading holiday cheer! 🐴🎄

After the parade, come join us at First Presbyterian Church to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy some delicious cookies! ☕🍪 It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends, neighbors, and our community to celebrate the joy of the season.

Bring the whole family, enjoy the parade, and stop by for a little warmth and sweetness afterward. We look forward to celebrating with you! ❤️

🍪❤️ Help Us Spread Some Holiday Cheer! ☕🎄

First Presbyterian Church is getting ready for Willmar’s Annual Holidaze Parade on Saturday, November 21st, and we need your help to make our Hot Cocoa and Cookies event extra special!

We’re looking for volunteers to bake cookies to share with our community after the parade. Whether you love baking chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, or your favorite holiday treats, every batch will help make the evening a little sweeter! 🍪✨

❤️ Would you be willing to bake a batch of cookies? There will be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for those who would like to help.

Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and love with our church and community. Together, we can make this a warm and welcoming evening filled with holiday cheer! 🎄☕🍪

It has been a while since our children and youth have sold the delicious Butter Braid pastries that we’ve all come to know and to love, so now is your chance to stock up for the upcoming holiday season! Beginning Wednesday, October 21st you will be able to pre-order your Butter Braids, and with the sale only lasting two weeks you’ll want to be sure to order yours promptly. All Braids will be delivered just in time for your Thanksgiving guests to enjoy! Available flavors include: 

• Apple
• Blueberry Cream Cheese
• Cherry
• Cinnamon
• Raspberry
• Strawberry Cream Cheese
• Caramel Rolls

We need people to help out and volunteer for Coffee Fellowship on the following Sundays:

• Sunday, November 29th

If you are willing and able to sign up, please use the link above, write your name down on the sign-up sheets in the Narthex, or contact the church office!! Thank you all in advance!

Prayer Corner

Keeping you in the loop

with the most updated prayer needs

Prayers for Healing & Comfort:

Bob and Rita Dincau

Michael Christensen (George Christensen's Brother)

John Tatge

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 John W. Tatge (Brother-in-law of Carol Tatge)

The Family of John Lease (Darcy Gubrud’s Father) 

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: 

-Jay Goldenstein, National Guard Basic Training, Fort Leonard Wood, MO (Bennett & Shara Goldenstein's Son)

-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

Sunday's Online Worship Service

November 1st, 2026

Picture of all the candles lit from our All Saints' Sunday Service on November 1st!

SEPTEMBER OPERATING STATEMENT REPORT:

Receipts through September

$217.801.69

Expenses through September

$221,577.37

Expenses in Excess of Revenue:

$3,775.37

Balance Due on the Internal Loan for 2022 Roof Replacement

and 2023 Parking Lot

$36,499.22

 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

November's Mission of the Month 

Frontera de Cristo - what is it and is it legal?

Founded in 1984 by the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Frontera de Christo works to build relationships, support migrants, and address the root causes of poverty and violence across the U.S.–Mexico border. It's work is legal! And compelling!

Frontera de Cristo provides humanitarian aid, shelter, and resource coordination to migrants, refugees, and displaced individuals regardless of their legal status.

Because its primary physical service centers are located in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, much of its direct aid targets people who have recently been deported from the United States or those waiting to seek asylum.

The Reverend Mark Adams serves as the U.S. Coordinator for Frontera de Cristo. While he is permanently based on the U.S.–Mexico border in Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Mexico, he frequently travels to speak at PC(USA) churches across the United States. FPC hosted Mark here and has consistently supported Mark Adams and his wife Miriam Maldonado Escobar in their work. Mark's life mirrors what it means to follow Jesus in our time and place. 

The organization operates under a faith-based humanitarian mission rather than a legal filtering system. Here is how their work intersects with migrant care:

Direct Humanitarian Relief in Mexico

The Migrant Resource Center (MRC) and the CAME Migrant Shelter are located on the Mexican side of the border. They offer immediate relief to anyone in need, which includes:

• Deported Individuals: People who entered or lived in the U.S. without legal documentation and were subsequently removed.
• Asylum Seekers: Individuals waiting in Mexico for their legal appointments or processing to enter the U.S. legally.

ONE OF THE GIFTS of being part of the Presbyterian churches that support Mark and Miriam Adams is the reminder that we do not do ministry alone. Our congregations are connected to one another, to our communities, and to partners whose ministries help us see more clearly the joy and responsibility we have as followers of Jesus.

Please support Mark and Miriam Escobar Adams' ministry with the regular purchase of coffee from Cafe Justo and with a generous contribution to this month's Mission. Thank you, Beth Johnston, Mission Committee

Sharing God’s Love Through Giving

This November, the congregation is invited to support the Ridgewater Campus Ministry Food Pantry by collecting donations throughout the month.

As we enter a season of gratitude and giving, let’s remember our neighbors who may be experiencing food insecurity. Through our generosity, we can help provide nourishment, offer encouragement, and share God’s love with students and others who need a helping hand.

Every donation, big or small, makes a difference!

Thank you for joining us in this mission of caring for others and putting our faith into action.

There will be a collection area in the Narthex of the church!

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!

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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