Pastor Leanne's Message for the month of April 2024:

Well, I know it is spring, because I finally took the Christmas wreaths off my home door! Other than that, there is not a lot of evidence that the season is changing at this present time. I’m looking out the window of my office at the snow – it was 13 degrees this morning. I guess I have become a true North Dakotan, because I am taking it in stride. I know that soon it will be the

season of mud and thawing. I will be chasing two dogs around to try and wipe their feet off before they track all over the house. Then tiny greens will begin poking up through the ground. (I already saw my irises!)

And, right behind that… gardening!

That’s how it is with the seasons of life. They seem like they will never get

here until one day, we look around and realize that for better or worse, the changes we anticipated have come. Everything happens incrementally, until suddenly, all at once, it’s different.

One of my professors (in Pastoral Counseling) used to emphasize this truth when it came to recovery and growth. He would laugh, “everybody is looking for the magic bullet when they come into counseling, and when change comes and health arrives, the people who see them get all excited about miracle cures. But miracle cures never happen. Change evolves and grows until there is a tipping point. It may feel sudden, but it’s not. Behind every sudden, magic bullet event of change, there are hours and hours of evolving struggle and work.

It only looks easy – but it rarely is.”

As this spring, we had warmth, then cold, then warmth, then snow, things evolve and change in their own way and time. Real healing, real growth, real change, take faith and patience and diligence. But, with God’s help, it comes.

So take it a little easy on yourself. Nobody can fix everything all at once

and some things take a lot of time! Give yourself time for change to come,

and don’t give up when it looks like nothing good is happening.

Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time,

we shall reap a good harvest if we do not grow weary!”

Keep the faith! Better things are ahead.

Leanne

2024 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 17, 2024

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:

For those who are unable to worship with us in church, here are a few ways that you can continue to give:

1. Online bill pay with your banking institution.

2. Click on the "Give Now" button above to donate today.

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

SECURE METHOD TO DONATE Now Available!!
Click on the button below and donate!

CHECK OUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES/SERVICES

Click here to download the 2024 Scholarship Application

Click here to view the BULLETIN for Sunday, April 7, 2024
10:00AM service

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.