During the month of August, we are collecting supplies and/or funds for First Presbyterian Preschool –
The church’s Session is asking the congregation to donate items or funds to support our preschool program. If you wish to purchase items, use this list created by the preschool director, Jessica Arnold. Monetary donations can be made out to First Presbyterian Church Preschool with a notation of “supplies donation” on the check memo line. Collection bins are located in the narthex and outside the church office. THANK YOU!
First Presbyterian filled the Thanksgiving Cornucopia with donations for the Onslow Soup Kitchen.
First Presbyterian BLESSING the Community!
FPC’s BLESSING BOX (mini-pantry) is located on the church lawn. The Blessing Box Provides free, non-perishable food items, and hygiene items for those in need. Our motto for the Blessing Box is “Take what you need and leave what you can”. Church members/friends and the community are invited to donate. If you’d like to donate to the Blessing Box, please contact the church office at 910-455-2434 Tues. – Thurs 9AM – 3PM. The Blessing Box is located on the corner of 400 N. Bayshore Blvd., Jacksonville, NC. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUSITY!
REMEMBERING MR. FRED ROGERS
Fred Rogers was an ordained minister of word and sacrament for the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is a notable public figure whose work around peace and reconciliation are worth remembering. Rogers was also a pioneer in the world of Christian education and formation of young children. March 20th was his birthday and First Presbyterian Church will celebrate his ministry during 11am worship on the Sunday closest to that date.
Missionary Partnerships
First Presbyterian has promised prayers and financial support when able, to these partners in the mission field.
Cobbie and Dessa Palms in the Philippines
Cobbie and Dessa Palm have posted an update. Catch up with how God is at work in the Philippines by clicking here.
Cobbie serves the church as a mission facilitator. He leads seminars for local church pastors throughout the Philippines, enhancing their skills in church development and revitalization. He also develops curriculum and trains churches in peace and reconciliation for the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform.
Dessa coordinates the UCCP’s Theater for Evangelism and Advocacy, which seeks to train church workers and members to creatively communicate the gospel and bear witness to the transformative role of a caring and compassionate church. Find out more about their exciting work by clicking here.
Mission Opportunities
January
CHEW (Children Healthy Eating on Weekends) – The CHEW! Program assists children in our community by providing backpacks filled with child-friendly, easy to prepare meals over the weekend. First Presbyterian collects specific foods needed to pack in student backpacks.
February
Souper Bowl of Caring is youth across the nation working to fight hunger and poverty in their own communities around the time of the Super Bowl football game. On Super Bowl Sunday, church youth take up a collection (many use a soup pot), asking for one dollar or one item of food for people in need. They give 100% of their donation directly to the local hunger-relief charity of their choice.
April
Holy Week service and Easter worship celebration at 11am.
August & September
School supplies collected for neighborhood Elementary school
October
Trunk or Treat – The community is invited to enjoy a family-friendly evening where children can safely collect candy, play games and eat hotdogs in the church parking lot.
November
Christmas Cheer food donations
December
Christmas cards for Clyde Erwin Elementary School teachers and staff.
Ongoing Opportunities
CHEW food donations as needed
Onslow Community Ministries Soup Kitchen – food collections and volunteering in the Soup Kitchen
One Great Hour of Sharing – A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed.
