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in Dear friends

Dear friends: October 28

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Dear friends,

In Latin, the word “community” means “shared together”. In essence community is the intertwining of our lives with one another. This is a central element of our faith: we share together the Sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism, neither of which are done outside the bounds of community in our tradition. We see the way Jesus shared together his ministry and life with his disciples and also the crowds who would gather around him to listen and learn.

Each November we begin the month marking All Saints Day. In worship we recognize those in our church family who have entered the Church Triumphant over the past year. At the end of September, we celebrate our Legacy Members (those who have been members of First Pres for 50 years or more). Both of these occasions remind us of how much our dedication and commitment matter to community, not for the sake of the community, but for our own well-being.

The community we build and sustain in our lives is in large part the legacy we leave behind. From the relationships we build through long parking lot conversations and bible studies, to the trips we take together learning about history and faith, to the ways we invest in one another outside the church walls through service and care. Our community at First Pres is a place where lifelong friendships are built on our common belief that we each bear the image of God. It is a place where our lives are intertwined with one another, a place where our faith can be deepened and our hope be encouraged. It is through our sharing of life together that we draw nearer to God and learn how to more closely embody Christ in our lives.

There are so many ways to connect at First Pres! Please contact me, another pastor, or Chris Bartley if you are looking for new ways to engage your faith. We are here to help you discover opportunities. What a joy and gift to share in this life together. Thank you for being an essential part of this community.

In Christ,
Ashley Drake Mertz
Associate Pastor for Care & Connection

in Kids

Dear friends: October 21

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As part of First Pres Children’s Ministry, our 4th and 5th graders gather once a month throughout the school year. Through service projects and fun activities, they build stronger friendships, deepen their faith, and strengthen their connection to the church. Our hope is that these experiences help prepare them for a smooth transition into the Youth Program.

As we kicked off a new fall semester last month, our 4th and 5th graders celebrated with an exciting tie-dye party. At first glance, it might have looked like a typical children’s ministry event: t-shirts, cotton candy, and plenty of tie-dye supplies.

But sometimes, the best things happen when someone gets an idea and runs with it.

During our summer Children’s Ministry Workgroup meeting, one of our young guests, a 3rd grader attending with his mom, heard us discussing the upcoming event and immediately sprang into action. He contacted his godfather, Ben, a tie-dye expert from Nebraska. Before long, Ben and his wife, Marie, were on their way to Fort Worth to share their tie-dye talents with our kids.

Moments like these are one of my favorite parts of children’s ministry. I love seeing our kids get excited, share their gifts and ideas, and discover what they can share with the life of the church.  

Ann Nielsen
Director of Children & Family Ministries

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