Adventures with Abraham!

Starting this September, our Sunday School children will be acting out and playing with the stories of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac.

If you want to join in the fun, please email Rev. Mark Chiang at mdrchiang@hotmail.com. We're always looking for adults who feel passionate about serving in children's ministry!

What did you do this summer? ....CY2014?

Join us this Sunday to hear about what our Youth Group were up to this summer.  Our Youth Group members who went to Canada Youth 2014, commonly called CY2014, will be participating in the service.  Joined the Rev. Mark Chiang our youth leader, they will share a little about their experiences.  Here is a hint of the fun they had....

Brainstorming Session (Sept 28)

The Session of First Presbyterian Church is organizing a brainstorming session for stewardship and fundraising on September 28 in the Arthur Newcombe room after the Sunday service. 

Everyone interested is invited to come and share ideas, brainstorm and begin to make some plans. There will be usual light refreshments.

Volunteers Needed for Community Dinner (Sept 27)

Ross Lepard is looking for volunteers for our next Community Dinner on September 27th.

If you can contribute time for a shift in the Wallace Room/Kitchen, please see Ross for more information and to arrange your shift. thanks to the volunteers who helped serve over 60 people at the Community Dinner in May.

Contact Ross Lepard by email at rlepard@telus.net or by phone at 780.469.8169. Volunteer sign-up sheets are located in FPC Wallace Room/Kitchen.

Communion Sundays

The next dates for Communion at FPC are:

• October, 5 (World Communion Sunday)
• December 14

Presbytery News - Strathcona & Mill Woods Merge

Strathcona Presbyterian Church and Mill Woods Presbyterian Church are amalgamating congregations.  The Strathcona building will be sold and the new amalgamated congregation will worship in the Mill Woods church building. A new name has not been decided yet for the amalgamated congregation. On September 7th, two services were held to mark this transition.  At 4:00 pm there was a service at Strathcona Presbyterian Church (8116-105 Street) to close the building and to remember the ministry at that location.  At 7:00 pm there was a service at Mill Woods Presbyterian Church (6607-31 Avenue) to mark the amalgamation and recognize the continuing ministry of the Rev. Jean Bryden as she assumes pastoral leadership of the new amalgamation congregation.

NEW....Handbell Coordinator & Musicians in Residence

We welcome Mark Segger as Handbell Coordinator and forward to his work with us. and we welcome Mark and Heather Segger to our music team as "Musicians in Residence".

Watch the newsletter for the full story on these exciting new developments.

Music Notes

We express an enormous thank you and sincere appreciation to Matt Read for his dedicated service as Handbell Choir Coordinator. His time, skills and experience have greatly enriched and enabled our ringing through many years. While increased work commitments would make it difficult for Matt to continue coordinating the handbells, we are fortunate and very happy that he will continue to use his talents to ring with us.

Thank you Matt!

Handbell Choir resumes

Our handbells have been freshly polished and tuned up for the coming season.....they are beautiful! The Handbell Choir meets Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:15 pm. 

Ringers participate in worship services every month and occasionally more often.  On those days we also meet Sunday mornings to rehearse before the service. This is the best time of year to join the Handbell Choir. 

Please let us know if you are interested by speaking to one of us following next week's service or email info@marniegiesbrecht.com.

Did you ever want to sing in the choir?

Fall is the best time to start. Our first practice will be Wednesday, September 10 at 7:30 pm. 

We meet weekly on Wednesday evenings and on Sunday mornings at 10 am for rehearsals. If you have those times free and love to sing, please talk to Marnie or Joachim next Sunday, September 7, after the service, or email info@marniegiesbrecht.com. 

We would love to talk to you and it helps with planning and preparation to know who will be in the choir.

Adventures with Abraham!

Starting this September, our Sunday School children will be acting out and playing with the stories of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac. If you want to join in the fun, please email Rev. Mark at mdrchiang@hotmail.com. 

We're always looking for adults who feel passionate about serving in children's ministry!

Workshop on Change - early bird registration closes Sept 2

Fall workshop on change.  "Change is never easy, and we'll avoid it as much as possible."The Nurture Committee of the Presbytery of Edmonton-Lakeland is planning a Fall Workshop for Saturday September 20, 2014. The Rev. Peter Coutts from Calgary will be presenting it. He is an engaging, witty and overall great presenter. 

Early-bird registrations close September 2, and are $25. After that it is $30. See registrations on bulletin board.

Click on link for more details about the workshop: Presbytery Workshop on Change

Guest Organist - Jason Biel (Aug. 31)

Our thanks to Jason Biel who was guest organist today. A graduate of Canadian University College in Lacombe, Jason begins the Performance Certificate program in organ performance this fall at King's.

Thank you Jason!

FREE Winspear Concert (Aug 26)

Winspear Davis Concert Organ

On August 26, there will be a organ recital at the Winspear during the noon hour. Admission is free. 

Organists Cari Astleford and Wendy Nieuwenhuis perform on the Davis Concert Organ.

All are welcome.

First Church is Mobility Accessible

First Presbyterian is accessible for anyone with mobility challenges.

Elevator access at ground level is available from the southwest door...see picture to the right.  The elevator goes to both the sanctuary as well as to the church hall in the basement. Once on either of these levels, washrooms are readily accessible.

Anyone needing the elevator for the first time please call the church beforehand at 780.217.9504 to arrange a meeting with the church caretaker (Norm Marshall). 

Don't have a wheelchair?  First Church also has a wheelchair available to loan for anyone who may need to transfer a loved one from car into the church.