Pastor Leanne's Message for the month of March, 2023:

“150 Years”

   Believe it or not, this is not the oldest church I have ever served. During   my younger years, I was an Associate at a church in Princeton, built on    property deeded to them by William Penn. That was an old, old, building, with wide-planked wooden floors, and a sump pump in the basement which I always had to beat with a wrench to make it work during rainstorms. The graveyard for which we cared pre-dated the revolutionary war and the manse in which I lived had once been an inn, where revolutionaries came and conspired. Wow, those floors were crooked. Spill a glass of water there, and it would be on the other side of the room before you jumped up to get a towel.

   There is something special about serving a church with a long rich history. One likes to imagine it in earlier days and picture the people who met God there. I am grateful that in our case, there are narrations, archives and newspaper references that can help the imagination piece together a picture of a preacher exiting a train in Bismarck, of a street lined with casinos, of buggies and horses secured along the street and a small wooden building where Presbyterians gathered to worship. 150 years is a long, long time.

   Under such circumstances, the Apostle Paul described pastoring such a   church in terms similar to “shift work” or seasonal work in agriculture. In

1 Corinthians 3:6-8, he says, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.” When I look at the portraits of the many men who have pastored here, complete with their Geneva collars and dark, dark, clothing, (they all look very holy) I realize that no matter how long I am here, this is only my season, my shift.

But it is only your shift too. We are stewards of this community, temporarily charged with the faithful work of God and community here in Bismarck. Our first obligation is to please God with how we tend to this ministry and remember that we do not own it – God owns us.

For 150 years, the faithfulness of God has walked this church through its high points and low points, and look – we are still going strong! As the Apostle pointed out, the one single constant of the church is God who oversees the sowing and reaping or (more literally) the worship and service of the church.

We have so much planned for our celebration: a High Tea, special Worship Events, a Fair, complete with the band Braveheart, games for kids, old-time photos, a concert, and lots of yummy food. We can celebrate our three buildings, our role in the history of Bismarck, and our contribution to the Kingdom of heaven – that’s all good. But the real thing we celebrate is the faithfulness of God who walked our forebearers to this day, and now walks us into our future with joy.

So come on! Join in rejoicing! 150 years with God!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; God’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Leanne

2023 SCHOLARSHIPS

The Scholarship Committee of First Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce the availability of a limited number of scholarships for our church community. To be eligible for consideration to receive a scholarship, a student must be an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck or must have been an active participant in the life of First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck for at least three years. The awards are given for students at any level of study beyond high school. Four years is the maximum for receiving scholarships: these need not be consecutive years. Graduate students may apply for scholarships, providing they are within the four year maximum. The deadline to apply is May 12, 2023

DO YOU HAVE A NEED?

ARE YOU WILLING TO HELP?

We encourage you to continue to love your neighbor well at this time. Hebrews 13:16 challenges us to“dowhat is good and to share, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”Thank you for being the Church.

Are you in need of assistance that you can not get help? Email firstpresbyterian@fpcbismarck or call 701-223-6091 and let us know how we can help.

WAYS TO GIVE:

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3. Mail checks to First Presbyterian Church, 214 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501.

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First Presbyterian Church

is a Community called to love God through Worship and Prayer, receiving and serving our neighbors with the compassion of Christ, open to new beginnings and the spiritual growth of children, youth and adults.