Burns Supper (Jan 16)

Everyone is welcome to our Robert Burns Supper on the evening of January 16th. Tickets are on sale after each Sunday service.

Get In On the ACTS-ion! (Jan 14 @ 6:30 pm)

FPC's Wednesday night Bible Study resumes its study of the Book of Acts on January 14th at 6:30 pm in the social room.

For more information or study material, contact the church office or email Nick Knoppers at jo.k@shaw.ca.

Christmas Eve Service (7:30 pm)

On December 24 at 7:30pm, come celebrate Christ’s birth with a traditional Christmas Eve Service.

First Church's service will feature readings, choir anthems, choral solos, seasonal carols, candle lighting and a meditation by the Rev. Harry Currie.

FPC Community Dinner (Jan 24)

Ross Lepard is looking for volunteers for First Church's next Community Dinner on January 24th.

If you can contribute time for a shift, contact Ross by email at rlepard@telus.net or by phone at 780.469.8169. Volunteer sign-up sheets are located in FPC Wallace Room/Kitchen.

Mitten Tree

The Mitten Tree is once again setup in the Newcombe Room, ready to receive caps, scarves, and mittens for adults and children lacking warm clothing.

Join our Christmas tradition and bring items add to the Mitten Tree.

Fruit Cake & Church Calendars

The Ladies Aid begins its seasonal activities with the sale of FRUIT CAKES and CHURCH CALENDARS at coffee hour following the November 2nd service.

Quantities are limited, so don't delay! 

Bible Study adjourned

Our Wednesday night Bible study of ACTS has now adjourned, and will resume in early 2015.  Watch the blog for more information.

Annual Christmas Choir Concert (Dec 6 @ 4:00 pm)

First Presbyterian Church Choir will be holding their Annual Christmas Choir Concert on December 6th, at 4:00 pm.

The concert will feature our very own Choir, the Gateway Chorus, and the University of Alberta Faculty of Education Handbell Ringers.

OBITUARY for Reverend Dr. Richard Carlisle Smith (May 13, 1930 – October 14, 2014)

Sadly we announce the passing of Rev. Richard Smith.  Richard, a husband, father, minister, scholar, traveller, and teacher, passed away peacefully after suffering an injury from an accidental fall while on vacation. 

Richard was born in Marietta, Oklahoma and in 1951, after receiving his Honors B.A. in History from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, he attended seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated with a B.D. in May, 1954 and was ordained as Minister of Troy and Nonesuch Presbyterian Churches near Versailles, Kentucky. He married his life-long love Eddie Lee Embry of Clark County, Kentucky in 1954 and they were blessed with four sons. After receiving his M.A. in Ancient Languages and Literature in 1957 from the University of Kentucky and his Ph.D. in Ancient History in 1961 from the University of Illinois, he taught in Wisconsin and Texas prior to moving to Edmonton to teach Classics at the University of Alberta in 1965. He retired in 1995 after serving on many boards and committees and as Assistant Dean of Arts, Chairman of Classics and as Chairman and Professor of the University of Alberta School in Rome, Italy. He remained a member of the Presbyterian Church and filled the pulpit of many of the churches of the Presbytery of Edmonton-Lakeland, including serving as interim minister for First Church. He enjoyed being connected to his community and in addition to his almost daily bridge habit, he served on the ethics committee at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, as treasurer for his community association as well as providing pulpit supply, singing with the Richard Eaton Singers and serving as an elder of Dayspring Presbyterian Church for over two decades.

He greatly missed his much loved wife Eddie-Lee, who predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his parents Richard and Sue and his brother William, but he will live on through and his memory will be cherished by his four sons: Mark, Bruce (and wife Jill), Scott (and wife Meriam), and Brian (and wife Rosa) and his adored grandchildren: Julian, Christopher, Stephen, Amalia, Eric, Damian, Kyler and Aiden.

A service celebrating Richard's life was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday October 25, 2014 at Dayspring Presbyterian Church (11445-40 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta).

Published in The Edmonton Journal from Oct. 22 to 24, 2014

To see more click on the following link: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/edmontonjournal/obituary.aspx?pid=172899693#sthash.w9ng1kbC.dpuf

"Shubertiade" Chamber Music (Nov 15 @ 4:00 pm)

Join us for an afternoon of chamber music by Franz Schubert.  
Music will be performed by Christina Barry, violin; Josephine van Lier, cello; and Marnie Giesbrecht and Joachim Segger (Duo Majoya), piano in Newcombe Room at FPC on Saturday November 15th at 4:00 pm.  

Admission is by donation to the First Presbyterian Window Repair Fund.  

The suggested donation of $20.00 will help our stained glass windows. 

Craft & Bake Sale (Nov 30)

A CRAFT and BAKE SALE will be held by the Ladies Aid after the service on November 30. Now is the time to get out your sewing, knitting, wood-working, painting, baking supplies. 

Watch for further details.

Community Dinner (Oct 25)

Ross Lepard is looking for volunteers for First Church's Community Dinner on October 25th. 

If you can contribute time for a shift, contact Ross by email at rlepard@telus.net or by phone at 780.469.8169. Volunteer sign-up sheets are located in FPC Wallace Room/Kitchen.

Ladies Aid Fundraiser (Oct 19)

The Ladies Aid is offering a fundraising luncheon following the service on October 19, in lieu of the usual refreshments, in the Wallace Room. 

Photographs will be shown of the window being repaired, so that we can view this interesting process.

We look forward to all of you joining us.

OBITUARY for Edgar Palmer “Pal” Johnston (Dec 28, 1931 - Oct 3, 2014)

We would like to celebrate the life of Edgar Palmer “Pal” Johnston in his 83rd year, on October 3, 2014.  He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Mary of 56 years; children, Gordon (Raine), Ross (Mona) of Edmonton, Catherine (Graham) Philpot of Perth, Australia; grandchildren, Tim and Meagan Philpot and Posy Johnston; brothers, Murray (Joan) and Laurence, extended family and friends.

He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on December 28, 1931, and received his former education around the Toronto area. He then moved to Vancouver and graduated from UBC with a B Comm and articled for his CA and became a Chartered Accountant in 1961. Much later, he received his MBA from McMaster in 1967 and became a tax specialist with KPMG. Pal was a member of Mystic Tie Lodge and a member of OES Allenby Chapter.

A memorial service was held at First Presbyterian Church, 10025-105 Street NW, Edmonton, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2014.

To send condolences, please click here.

Oct 5 - Musical Additions

Join us on October 5th when we welcome brass players Wendy Grasdahl, Eila Peterson, Heather Segger and Jeanne Yang; and violinist Christine Barry as part of the Service.

Come hear them play.

Oct 5 - World Communion Sunday

This Sunday (Oct. 5) is World Communion Sunday. Next Communion at FPC will be Dec. 14.

ORGANIC - Organ Concerts at FPC (Feb 6, 2015)

RCCO Edmonton offers a great opportunity to hear 5 exciting organ concerts at greatly discounted series prices! Join us for the one concert at First Church.
DATE:            Friday, Feb. 6, 2015 TIME:             8:00 pm           LOCATION:   First Presbyterian Church Out of Ottawa Wesley Warren, Fellow of the Royal College of Organists in London and winner of a variety of awards and prizes, performs a colourful and inspiring program. Co-sponsored by the Royal Canadian College of Organists. See Joachim (FPC Music Director) for season's tickets. Available only until Oct. 20, 2014.
Costs: Adults             $25 Seniors:          $22 Students:         $15 Tix on the Square: (780) 420-1757 www.tixonthesquare.ca or at the door	Season Subscription: Adults             $70 Seniors           $62 Available in advance, call: 780.454.3882 Student Season Subscription: Call:                780.454.3882 for ticket pricing Email:             rcco@rcco.edmonton.ab.ca Website:         www.rcco.edmonton.ab.ca

2 Saturday Concerts @ FPC

Mark your calendars for two Saturday concerts at First Presbyterian Church

Nov. 15
Schubertiade: chamber music in the Newcombe room

Dec. 6
Three Choirs Christmas Choral and Handbell Concert

Enough for All: Thanksgiving & World Food Day

October 13 is Thanksgiving Day.

October 16 is World Food Day – a day designated to increase awareness of world hunger and poverty, and to inspire solutions for change. The season of autumn provides a time to reflect on the ways that we have been blessed, and to give thanks for all of God’s good gifts. As we harvest crops and enjoy large meals with our families, we also remember the global struggle against hunger and malnutrition.

Facts About Hunger

• God created the earth to sustain us all. However, hunger and malnutrition persist today, and the effects of climate change are making it even harder for people to feed themselves.
• There is enough food in the world to feed everyone, yet over 870 million people do not have enough to eat. Globally, that is one in seven people.
• At least 70% of the people who regularly go to bed hungry live in rural areas of developing countries. It is often smallholder farmers who produce food that are the most food insecure.
• Malnutrition is sometimes referred to as “hidden hunger” because a person can be consuming enough calories but lack essential nutrients.
• Children who do not get enough food or nutrients are at a higher risk for stunting and disease. A third of all deaths of children under five in developing countries are linked to under-nutrition.

SOURCE: http://presbyterian.ca/pwsd/2014/09/10/enough-for-all-thanksgiving-world-food-day

Orange Shirt Day (Sept 30)

Honour the Children: Orange Shirt Day is Tuesday, September 30, 2014

You’re invited to join with other congregations and national office staff on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, and wear an orange shirt in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, and an affirmation of our commitment to reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Click here to learn more about the PCC’s efforts in Healing and Reconciliation


The Story Behind Orange Shirt Day

“I went to the Mission for one year. I had just turned 6 years old. We never had very much money, and there was no welfare, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission School in. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had eyelets and lace, and I felt so pretty in that shirt and excited to be going to school! Of course, when I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt. I never saw it again, except on other kids. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! Since then the colour orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing.

“I finally get it, that the feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained in me from my first day at the mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years. Even now, when I know nothing could be further from the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter. Even with all the work I’ve done!

“I am honoured to be able to tell my story so that others may benefit and understand, and maybe other survivors will feel comfortable enough to share their stories. I want my orange shirt back!

—Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, Dog Creek, BC

Wearing an orange shirt is a symbol of so many losses experienced by those who were sent to Indian Residential Schools over several generations. Losses of family, culture, language, freedom, parenting, self-esteem and worth were experienced by everyone. Beatings, sexual abuse and neglect plagued many. Let’s not forget the children but honour them on September 30.

SOURCE: http://presbyterian.ca/2014/09/17/orange-shirt-day

Blanket Exercise (Sept 21)

Following this Sunday's worship, the youth would like to invite you to grab your coffee and join them in the sanctuary for the Blanket Exercise. The Blanket Exercise is an experiential activity that explores the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. It takes approximately 40-60 minutes.

The Blanket Exercise: A Learning Activity Exploring the Relationship Between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Peoples The Blanket Exercise is an experiential activity that explores the 500-year relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island (a name for North America used by some First Nations). The Blanket Exercise was developed by the Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ARC), one of ten ecumenical coalitions the churches brought together to form KAIROS in 2001. The Presbyterian Church in Canada is a member of KAIROS. This version of the Blanket Exercise includes references of significance to the PCC and its relationship with Indigenous peoples, and resources for leading discussion before and after the activity. This guide includes briefing and debriefing materials for church groups. The material can be adapted as needed to suit a variety of groups. SOURCE: http://presbyterian.ca/2014/01/20/blanket-exercise