Notes From Pastor Steve

Spring/Summer 2025

Spring is almost over and now the Summer season is here! Of course that means that First Presbyterian Church is preparing for Vacation Bible School 2025. This year’s VBS curriculum is entitled: “True North – Trusting Jesus in a Wild World.” This is a non-denominational curriculum whose purpose is “just sharing Jesus’ love with everyone.” VBS is July 13th through July 17th. It begins with a light dinner at 5:30 pm with the programming taking place from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Ages: 4 years old through 5th grade.


March 8th was Game Night, hosted by Ann Coulson and Rachel Millinger. This was a fun and relaxing evening of good food, good fellowship and games, games, games! Thanks to Ann and Rachel for planning and preparing this event.


March 16th was the baptism of Ty Schaefer during our regular worship service. It is always a blessing to our church to have an infant baptized into our church family. We welcome Ty as a beloved child of God. On July 20th we have another baptism scheduled:  Lucy Bohnert will be baptized during that Sunday’s regular worship. I hope everyone can be present to participate in Lucy’s baptism.


Mary Blanford died on April 11th of this year at the age of 96. Mary joined this church on April 3, 1955 – she was a member here for 70 years! She was a recipient of the Lifetime Membership Award of First Presbyterian Church in 1987. Mary will be greatly missed by her church family.


On April 17th we commemorated the very first Lord’s Supper with our Maundy Thursday worship service. This service focused on the confession of the Roman centurion who said: “Truly this was(is) the Son of God,” at the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross. We concluded this traditional service with communion.


Easter dawned bright and early for us at First Presbyterian as the children and youth presented an Easter SonRise Service at 8:30 am. Their service focused on the last seven phrases of Jesus before his death and resurrection. The service included the decorating of a “flower cross” which then adorned our sanctuary for the next few worship services. A breakfast was provided for all after the SonRise Service and then the traditional children’s Easter egg hunt was held indoors (in the sanctuary!) due to the wet grass conditions outside. Regular Easter worship followed – He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!


The Board of Deacons held a church work day on May 17th and the building and grounds were certainly “spruced” up! Thanks to all the hard work by the Deacons and other volunteers to make this annual work day a success.


On May 17th we held an all-church picnic on the back lawn of the Silversmith’s House to commemorate the Birthday Offering which is annually sponsored by the Presbyterian Women. Over $400 was raised to contribute to the ministries designated by the Presbyterian Women – and a great time was had by all who attended the picnic on this beautiful day! Thanks to the Terry’s for cooking the pork steaks, hamburgers, and hot dogs for the picnic.


I have just received word that Marjorie Anderson died (June 4). Marjorie has been attending worship with us for the past few years. She liked to be a little late (on purpose) and she quietly came in and sat near the back on the south side of the sanctuary. She often wore a hat as she had been battling cancer for almost five years. Marjorie’s struggle is now over. She is at peace. May God continue to hold her in the palm of His hand. Prayers for her family and friends – she will be missed.


I look forward to the Summer activities of our church, especially the Vacation Bible School July 13th – 17th. First Presbyterian Church regular Sunday worship is at 10:45 am (with announcements beginning at 10:40 am),  except for August 10th, when worship begins at 8:00 am to accommodate the Jour de Fete activities. I hope to see you in worship this summer!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 (RSV)           

                                                                                         Pastor Steve