First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck

Pastor Leanne’s THROWBACK Message from May 2018

            What will God do?
     The Apostle Paul talks at length about variety of gifts and the diversity of callings that make up the church. He emphasizes that people of diverse backgrounds, nationalities, languages and experiences are poured into the same “gospel basket.” He praises the fact that, when the church is doing the will of God as planned, all of their individual gifts are employed for God’s use and again, their dedicated activities stir that “basket” resulting in surprises and miracles. God’s work is accomplished through mere people which sometimes seem randomly tossed together, yet scripture assures us, God has a plan.

     When it comes to the working of the church, I am a big believer that the diversity and individual giftedness of God’s people is God’s greatest delight. I really do think of a church as God’s basket, which on occasion God shakes, just to stir things up, and the combination of gifts and experiences form and reform into amazing acts of grace and mercy. It can be uncomfortable for us, the church, to feel things shifting—people scatter to fill in the blank spaces and hold the community together—but this is never bad. It’s something like the way that the pieces of a kaleidoscope can never land badly, just differently—but each movement only changes the beauty of the image, but never destroys it.

     In less than a month, God is adding me to the First Presbyterian Bismarck “gospel basket.” And, as the shuffling of gifts and diversity of experiences happens, the amazing Ashley is making an exit. That’s actually a lot for one community to absorb in a short period of time. My experiences of First Presbyterian Bismarck tell me that you are up to the task ahead.

     But, let us remember this: God never shakes up the basket without planning a surprise of grace that serves God’s mission and advances the gospel. As I contemplate the upcoming years with you I cannot help but wonder:

What will God do?
I always think that the key is openness to wonder, to surprise and to discovery—the kind of willingness to go alone on God’s ride that can only come in faith. For this we know—God has a plan and continues to show it to us in every change. Let us watch, wait, work and maintain our openness to wonder as we discover together what God will do.
Leanne

2026 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 Friday, May 15, 2026

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.

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!!
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Click here to download the 2026 Scholarship Application

Click here to view the BULLETIN for
April 26, 2026
10:00AM service

Click here to view our WORSHIP SERVICE
from Sunday, April 26, 2026
10:00AM service
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We welcome you all to come worship

You can visit us at 214 E Thayer Ave. or

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