First Presbyterian Church

Redwood Falls, MN

Redwood Falls, MN
Give Now | Prayer Request

A Note From the Pastor

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This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.—Psalm 118:24

This is the time of year we have set aside to give thanks to God for all of God’s many blessings. 

A few weeks ago in church, I talked about doing a gratitude journal. Each day you are to write down three things you are thankful for whether it is small or big. The catch is that you are not to repeat anything that you write. It is a great exercise to see how wonderful our lives really are even if we are going through tough times. 

Grab and pen and piece of paper right now.

What are you thankful for? 

Being thankful for God the Creator, Jesus the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit the Sustainer is perfect way to begin. 

Write down all the relatives that have been loving and supporting to you. 

Write down all the friends old and new that have touched your life and made it better. 

Write down the names of teachers you have had at church from Sunday School, Release Time, Youth Club, Vacation Bible School, Youth Faith and Action to Confirmation etc. that have helped you grow and learn in your walk with God. 

Write down the names of pastors that have ministered to you over the years.

Write down the names of fellow church members that have role modeled how to follow Jesus from any church you have belonged to in your life. 

Write down the names of teachers that inspired you from elementary school, middle school, high school, college etc.

Write down the hobbies that you are thankful for that you have participated in the past or present.

Write down the places that you visited in other towns, other states or other countries that you are glad you had a chance to experience. 

Write down any gifts or talents that God has given you. 

Write down your favorite food that brings you joy.

Write down any television shows or movies that have richly entertained you.

Write down memories you have of the beauty of nature. 

Write down a favorite memory from a vacation that you took.

Write down jobs you have been thankful to do. 

Write down the names of book that have been meaningful to you. 

What if your favorite room in your home?

What is your favorite Bible passage?

What hymns or songs bring you joy?

Write down about time you have seen a prayer being answered. 

Write all of these blessings down and lift them up to God and prayer. Let gratitude fill your heart, mind and soul. Then go out and be blessing to someone in your neighborhood, your community, your surroundings and share Christ’s love by doing a random act of kindness. 

May you have a truly joyous Thanksgiving and may your gratitude over flow. 

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Scott Prouty

These Thanksgiving poems remind us that no matter what our circumstances, we can always find reasons to be grateful and give thanks. Through sickness and health, good times and hard times, God is our faithful protector. His love is the energy of our lives. Feel free to share these Thanksgiving poems and prayers with family and friends this holiday.

Thanksgiving Prayer 

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving DayWe bow our hearts to You and pray.

We give You thanks for all You’ve done

Especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.

For beauty in nature, Your glory we seeFor joy and health, friends and family,

For daily provision, Your mercy, and careThese are the blessings You graciously share.

So today we offer this response of praiseWith a promise to follow You all of our days.

—Mary Fairchild

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer 

Lord, so oftentimes, as any other dayWhen we sit down to our meal and prayWe hurry along and make fast the blessingThanks, amen. Now please pass the dressingWe’re slaves to the olfactory overloadWe must rush our prayer before the food gets coldBut Lord, I’d like to take a few minutes moreTo really give thanks to what I’m thankful forFor my family, my health, a nice soft bed

My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I’m thankful right now to be surrounded by thoseWhose lives touch me more than they’ll ever possibly knowThankful Lord, that You’ve blessed me beyond measure

Thankful that in my heart lives life’s great treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that placeAnd I’m ever so grateful for Your unending graceSo please, heavenly Father, bless this food You’ve providedAnd bless each and every person invitedAmen!

—Scott Wesemann

Thank You, Lord, for Everything 

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the breath to sayThank you for another day

Thank you for the eyes to see the world of beauty surrounding meThank you for the ears to hear your message of hope loud and clear

Thank you for the hands to serve and far more blessings than I deserveThank you for the legs to run the race of life until it’s won

Thank you for the voice to singThank you, Lord, for everything

Amen

—Submitted by Keith

Today and Every Day 

Lord, too often our prayersAre filled with impatience over what we wantInstead of gratitude for what we already have.

Remind us today and in the coming yearWhat is truly important.

Remind us to give thanks for family and friends.Remind us to be grateful for the work you have given us.Remind us to appreciate our many material blessings.

Most of all, remind us today and every dayTo give thanks for your precious Son Jesus,

And the sacrifice he made for us.

To give us eternal life with You in heaven.

Amen.

—Jack Zavada

Thank You for Their Life 

Lord, this year there’s an empty chair at the table.But instead of feeling sad, we give You thanks for (his, her) life.

(Name) helped make us who we are today.(His, her) love and wisdom got us through every crisis, large and small.

And we give thanks for the laughter. Lots of laughter.

Lord, You blessed us with (his, her) presence here on earth,But through Your Son Jesus, we will all be able to enjoy (name)

in heaven with You forever.

Thank You for this priceless gift.

Amen.

—Jack Zavada

Thanksgiving 

For each new morning with its light,For rest and shelter of the night,For health and food,For love and friends,For everything Thy goodness sends.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

We Gather Together 

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

He chastens and hastens his will to make known;The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,Sing praises to his name: He forgets not his own.Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,

Ordaining, maintaining His Kingdom divine;

So from the beginning the fight we were winning;Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine!We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.

Let thy congregation escape tribulation;

Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!Amen

—Traditional Thanksgiving Hymn(A translation by Theodore Baker: 1851–1934)

We Give Thanks 

Our Father in Heaven,

We give thanks for the pleasureOf gathering together for this occasion.

We give thanks for this foodPrepared by loving hands.

We give thanks for life,The freedom to enjoy it allAnd all other blessings.

As we partake of this food,We pray for health and strengthTo carry on and try to live as You would have us.

This we ask in the name of Christ,Our Heavenly Father.

—Harry Jewell

The Reason to Give Thanks  

In everything, give thanks.

It’s what the Bible says to doI thought, “Well that sounds easy,”‘Til I wondered what I’d do.If all the lights were darkened,All our energy was lost,There were no more heaters runningAnd I was stuck out in the frost.I imagined myself freezingEven left out in the rain,And thought, “What if there was no more shelterTo hide me from this pain?”And then how hard it would beTo find some food somewhere,My empty tummy crying outIt would be more than I could bear.But even in this gloomyAnd pitiful imaginationI realized I had not left outMy friends from this equation.So then, of course, I picturedAll of this again

With loneliness, no family, Not even just one friend.

I asked myself how I’d give thanksIf all these things were true,

And hope became an empty thing

Until I thought of You.

Of what Your Word has promised,

What Your Bible says is true.

You said: “I’ll never leave or forsake you.And though the mountains be removedAnd the earth falls into the seaI am still with you.My love is everlasting.I am your shield and great reward.I have chosen you and kept you.I have given you a sword.I pour water on the thirsty.I bind up the brokenhearted.Though you turned your face against Me,I have loved you from the start.I have given you the garment of salvation for your clothes.Every tear you’ve ever cried,And all your pain My soul knows well.And I have made a way to keep you.No one plucks you from my hand.I cannot lie.I can’t deceive you, for I am not a man.”It is with these words the Lord had spokenThat I finally understood.All I’ll ever need in this life is only in His hand.It’s true, most of us don’t comprehend real needWe are truly blessed.But when’s the last time we asked ourselves,“If all is gone, what is left?”So even if this life brings painAnd all possessions tankIn everything or nothing,He’s the reason to give thanks.

—Corrie Walker

A Note From the Pastor

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September Slides into Play

The summer months quickly flew by and now we have entered the month of September when everything kicks into high gear at church.

The Piecemakers will meet on September 7th and 21st at 9:00 a.m. If you like to quilt or help out, you are welcome to join them.

The Deacons will meet again starting on September 8th at 5:30 after not meeting over the summer.

The Chancel Choir is having their first practice on September 11th at 9:15 a.m. All are welcome to join! Come check it out and see how much fun we have. The choir will sing in church on September 18th.

Sunday School is starting up on September 18th with their kickoff for children and parents. Men and Women of the church, we need more teachers. If you would be willing to teach once a month, twice a month or each Sunday please let the Christian Education Committee know as soon as possible. The Committee is made up of Moderator Molly Miller, Marlys Mathiowetz, Ann Tiffany, Dorie Oja, Connie Bentson and Pastor Scott. Sunday School is offered to children three years of age through 4th grade.

Volunteers are always needed from Ruby’s Pantry which will be on the 20th of the month. Talk with Shellie Mammen if you have any questions.

Youth Club and Youth Faith and Action will start on Wednesday, September 28th. Youth Club will take place from 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. for kids ,Kindergarten through 5th grade. Ann Tiffany and Connie Bentson will be the leaders.

We will have a simple meal at 5:45 p.m. We will have a signup sheet for people to take turns making the meals. If you are willing to make a meal or two this year, please let Pastor Scott know.

Youth, Faith and Action will meet from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. this year. Students in 5th grade to 12th grade are invited to participate. We will focus on mission activities, games and getting to know others from our church and community. Pastor Scott will lead this along with parents when extra help is needed.

We are planning another Urban Plunge to the inner city of Omaha so we will be collecting soap, shampoo, conditioner, wash clothes, toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, razors and shaving cream, combs, and band aids to make up care kits. We also bring gently used coats, socks, mittens and scarves.

Our two weekly Wednesday Bible Studies will continue at 7:00 a.m. for the Old Testament and 2:00 p.m. for the New Testament. We average 6 to 9 folks at 7:00 a.m. and 3 to 4 folks at the 2:00 p.m. There is room at the table for you!

If you are looking for a way to become more involved at the church, please talk with me and will find a place to best use your God given talents.

Thanks to everyone that participates in the life of our church. All of us together make up the body of Christ.

May you have a wonderful September as the weather starts to cool, the leaves begin to change and the crops begin to be harvested. May God bless you and your loved ones!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Scott

Urban Plunge

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We Are Taking the Plunge… The Urban Plunge!

What is an Urban Plunge?!

Bring your youth on the ultimate urban mission trip to Omaha! Spread the Word of God, and the love of Jesus on a weekend trip with eternal significance. Experience new cultures within the USA, work with the homeless and those in need, discover your ability to serve others outside your comfort zone, discover God’s call for your life, and have life-changing impact within local communities.

For over 20 years Christ For the City International has been sending people into the world to transform lives and cities for the Glory of God. The Urban Plunge sends over 1,500 youth every year into 7 different cities within the United States.

We arrange all the details, partnering each group with 6-10 different ministries, allowing students to discover how God is calling them. In addition to planning the schedule, we also take care of the food, accommodation, and photos for your trip at a very affordable price. Each Urban Plunge team is accompanied by a trained facilitator, encouraging and debriefing your youth in how to live lives of purpose, challenge and incredible fulfillment for the Lord.

Experience genuine encounters with others, and God! Follow your calling and meet the need on an Urban Plunge, it will be more exciting, challenging and rewarding than you could ever dare to imagine.

Discover your mission today!

FPC will take the plunge Nov. 18-20!

**Kids 5th grade through adult are invited to join.

**Kids under the age of 13 will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Watch for more information to come from the Christian Education Committee!

Have any questions, contact Pastor Scott.


Photography by Miller Photography

First Presbyterian Church

235 East 4th Street, PO Box 444
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
507-627-8751

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