What’s New

Musings with Pastor Bruce

POIEMA  

First, read Ephesians 2.1-10.

As I was looking over this text, I got to thinking about the power of a word, or words—whether written or spoken. In one of his autobiographies, Frederick Buechner, a Presbyterian minister and author, recalls his introduction to his English teacher Mr. Martin who instilled in him a love for words. “…[T]hrough Mr. Martin [I learned] that words not only convey something; [but] that words have color, depth, [a] texture of their own, and the power to evoke vastly more than they mean; that words can be used not merely to make things clear, make things vivid, make things interesting and whatever else, but to make things happen inside the one who reads them or hears them (Sacred Journey, p.68).

The book of Ephesians is an epistle packed with the power and mystery of God’s grace. When Paul comes to what we now call ‘verse 10’ he writes you are God’s workmanship, we are what God has made us, God creates us in Jesus Christ. Paul chooses one word to “make things happen inside the one who reads them or hears them”:  and that word, in New Testament Greek, is poiema. Poiema means poetry, art, a masterpiece; we are God’s workmanship—this is who God created us to be.

Through the marvelous richness of God’s grace, you have not only been called to new and everlasting life in Jesus Christ but have been created with poiema –amazing, marvelous incredible gifts— to serve the Kingdom, to usher in the fullness of the reign of God. As believers in the Lord Jesus, we are God’s work, a new creation brought about by God’s power alone.

We are God’s people, God’s poiema. We have been given the knowledge of the great love that God has poured out for us and to us. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Shalom, Bruce

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8,9 NIV)

 Upcoming Events and Mission Opportunities

Don’t Miss Award-winning Author Sarah Towle on Saturday Evening!

Read more at

We know it’s summer but … Save the Date

Fall Fest 2024 is coming on Sunday, September 8, 2024

Food, games, loads of fun for all ages. Invite your family and friends to join us!

Growing Hands Gardening & Nutrition Class

First Presbyterian Church Farmington is partnering again for a second summer with Danika Community Development Inc. (DCDI) to provide the Growing Hands Gardening and Nutrition Class. We also partner with DCDI to provide the Resume Writing and Interview Workshops. The Gardening Class is structured to have half the time in the classroom and half the time in our gardens.

The class meets from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. every Saturday throughout the summer and covers soil prep and planting (already done!), growing herbs, how to make your own compost, fermenting, healthy eating habits, and much more. You are welcome to join us as we build a learning community centered around growing our own veggies and living a healthy lifestyle. If you would like to join us, please let Tom Neal, Colleen Tavor, or Sharon Cressman know what Saturday morning you are available. It is a great opportunity to meet new folks and to learn something new.

September 2024 FYI Deadline: Friday, August 23

Help us Fill Backpacks for Foster Kids on Sunday, July 21!

The Mission Ministry is teaming up with our Presbyterian Mission partners to help an organization called Faith Communities Coalition for Foster Care by providing filled backpacks for school-age children in the foster care system. We have committed to purchasing the supplies to fill 25 backpacks which will be distributed to the following organizations:  MDHSS, Second Mile Center, Bethany Christian Services, etc.

Please join us in filling up the backpacks on Sunday, July 21 at 11:30am. We will provide all the supplies – you provide the hands! There are 13 different back-to-school supplies needed for each backpack. If you would like to “sponsor” your own backpack, we’ll be happy to email you a list of the supplies. Contact: Nancy [email protected]. Hope to see you on July 21 during coffee hour!

Save The Date for Crossroads!

Sunday, September 29^th is our next day to serve at Crossroads of Michigan. Also, after September 1st, you may bring in men’s clothing donations and place them in the Mission Cove. Fall and winter clothing only! Label all bags “Crossroads”. Packages of socks or underwear are always greatly appreciated.
On May 19^th we served 480 people a hot and tasty meal. Mark your calendars to join us in September.
Thank you!

Presbyterian Players Wants You!

The Players are gearing up for their annual Christmas play. These plays have a rich tradition here. Would you like to be a part of it? We need actors, and we would love to have you on stage with us! If you would like to play a role, please let Sue Carlson or Laurel Scott know soon. The rehearsals are every Monday evening 6:30-8:30 p.m. from late September through early December. The performances are Dec. 11 and Dec. 15. If you would like to help in another way (singing or playing an instrument, assistant play coordinator), please let us know that too.

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
(John 13:34,35 NIV)

Church Happenings

Candles Along the Way –

Even When God is Silent

By Lorrie McVey

While on our recent trip to Europe, a God Moment that began over 64 years ago continued to deeply affect my life. As a child of 13 in the 1960s, while on a trip to visit family in Florida, I learned my paternal grandmother who died before I reached the age of 3 had been born Jewish.

I’d asked my Aunt Golda to attend Christmas morning church with me only to be told she could not as she was Jewish. This was quite a revelation, as I had assumed our family to be Christian. I learned my grandmother had converted to Christianity after moving from the deep south to Detroit around 1917.

This knowledge crashed against my school learning about WWII and the Holocaust, creating lifelong deep study of my Jewish connections, including those my family likely left in Europe when they migrated to the US, some as early as 1800. I felt a remarkable connection to those “left behind”.

With Paul’s help, I recently confirmed I have an ancestor who served in 1809 as a Rabbi in the longest continually operating Synagogue in the US. But I digress…In planning our trip to Europe, we incorporated my lifelong desire to visit Auschwitz. Amazingly, in preparing for the Cantata Academy Choral Spring concert we were to sing a song based on a poem attributed to someone in hiding during Hitler’s reign. I was honored to introduce that song at our concert, which many of you attended. Even when God is Silent, struck me as a poem that not only brought chills in view of its connection to the Holocaust but also one that can readily be adapted to our daily lives.

0Upon entering Auschwitz, I was shocked by the smallness of the gate we are all so familiar with reading “Work Sets You Free”. It always appears so large and looming as we see people walking toward it. It is quite small spanning what appears to be a single lane wide dirt road. As I looked at a railroad car which held 80-100 people; as I descended into the gas chamber and imagined the crowding, fear, and loss of hope in the remarkably small space where people surely knew there were going to die; as I stood at the cross roads of Auschwitz-Birkenau listening to our tour guide recite the process of selections and looking down the road where some lived and others turned toward certain death, I was filled with grief and sadness.

I could easily imagine being there, facing these times…and then, I fell. I was not looking where I was going as I took pictures – not that I need them to envision that moment – but because I felt I needed to memorialize. The ground surface is much as it was at the time the camp was in use and there are many trip hazards. It was a small, uneven spot that tripped me as I stood in what was the communal bathroom. I fell flat on my face, scraping my arm and leg. My knee ended up with a bruise and a cut that lasted the entire trip. My arm hurt with every turn at night. I immediately thought to myself, “Well, girl, you would not have lasted long here. You are healthy, wearing sturdy shoes, and (somewhat) alert, yet you would be dead in no time”. I could not fully imagine the difficult lives those who found themselves here lead. Yet, many found hope. I’ve read their stories. I do believe God added that “trip” within a trip to my life to bring home all I’d studied and learned over the years.

That first God Moment was at age 13 and I did not recognize it for what it was. This most recent God Moment was crystal clear. One shaped my life, the other will help me as I continue to grow.

This poem is alleged to have been written during WW2, on the wall of a cellar in a Ghetto. Some attribute it to a Jew in the Cologne concentration camp. It has been set to music by composer Michael Horvit at the request of Congregation Emanu El in Houston, TX to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Kristallnacht.

Traveling Jesus Photos

A few weeks ago, the Nurture Ministry and Membership Committee handed out a miniature “traveling Jesus” that congregants could take with them on vacation or wherever you go, whatever you do. Many of you sent photos back to Colleen Tavor, who has been posting them on the Narthex screen and we’re happy to share them with you here. Many of you have shared our Traveling Jesus with others that you meet and what a blessing that has been. May our Traveling Jesus continue to bless you and others along the way.

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Welcome to AV Tech Intern Lidia Neathamer

Please welcome Lidia Neathamer, our new AV Tech Intern. She’s another talented North Farmington student and is a great addition to our AV Tech Team; She understudied with Jaiden Thomas for several weeks and took over officially on May 26. Please stop by the soundboard after worship and introduce yourself to Lidia.

Social Justice Book Club Starts Again in September

The Social Justice Book Study Group got together for dinner at the Grand Tavern in Farmington Hills on Wednesday evening, June 12, as they celebrated completing their seventh book – The Sum of Us. We’ll be voting on our next book selection soon. We meet the last Monday of every month at 7pm via Zoom. Please join us! It’s a safe place to discuss hard topics. Watch for more information about the upcoming session in the September FYI.

JOY! Study will Open to New Members after Summer Hiatus

The JOY! Study meets via Zoom on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:00 p.m. and is now on summer hiatus. Watch for details of the fall session to be announced later. If you would like to join the group, please contact Sharon Cressman to receive the Zoom information.

Adult Bible Discussion – The Wired Word

All are welcome to join our Bible study on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. The class meets in the library and ends in time to join in worship at 10:00 a.m. Every week there is a new topic selected by The Wired Word staff based on current events and ideas. An advance copy of the weekly lesson is sent via email to each of the class members and friends requesting a copy. These meaningful discussions are a great way to share and get to know church members. Sign up by contacting Tom Neal.

Congregational Information

Session Meeting Highlights – June 19, 2024

1. The FPCF Session met on Wednesday, June 17, 2024. The first portion of the meeting was the annual Joint Deacon/Elder Meeting in which the officers leaving their positions were thanked and the newly elected officers were welcomed. After that, the session meeting started.
2. The following are Action Item highlights passed during the meeting:
3. The Rental Facility Use Policy, Facility Reservation Form and Day Use License Agreement were updated which should streamline the building rental process.
4. A janitorial, light maintenance position will be created.
5. Future session meetings will start at 6:30 p.m. rather than 7:00 p.m.
6. The church office Summer Hours will be Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.-03:00 p.m., with the office closed on Mondays and Fridays.
7. There will be a freewill offering for the Freedom House at the Meet the Author event which FPCF is hosting on Saturday, June 6, 2024, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
8. The Ordination/Installation of this year’s Deacons and Elders as well as the New Member will be on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
9. The Presbyterian Women (PW) Annual Lifetime Membership Award recognition will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024, during Worship.
10. The annual Corporate Officer election was held for the following positions:

• President: TBD
• Vice President: Anne Fuller
• Treasurer: Susan Cooper
• Secretary & Clerk of Session: Dorothy Tait

Pastor Mulder gave the following updates:

• Mission Self Study – Still looking for 1-2 members to fill the Mission Self Study Team. The team so far is Alvine Cooper, Ginny Hubble, Katie Malisow, Tom Neal and Colleen Tavor.
• The starting of “Miss you” calls to members and friends who have not attended in a while.

Submitted by Dorothy Tait, Clerk of Session

Cereal for Summer Collection Completed June 30

The cereal bins in the Mission Cove have been filling up this summer and the Mission Ministry is so appreciative of your continuing and faithful generosity! Sunday, June 30, was our last day of collection and all the boxes will be delivered in July to Westminster. Any cereal collected later will be given to CARES. Thank you again!

Choir and Bells rehearsals take a Break

June was the last day of Choral Bells’ season. They’ll be back in September. While the Chancel Choir pauses its Thursday rehearsals for the summer, you are invited to be part of Summer Choir. All you have to do is show up at 9:15 a.m. on Sundays to run through the hymns and the anthem before we sing at the 10:00 a.m. service. It’s a great way to check out the choir without actually joining. Please try us out!

Chancel Choir Summer Schedule Underway

If you would like to be part of the Summer Choir, all you have to do is show up on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. where we will run through the hymns and the anthem and at 10:00 we sing the service. After the anthem, you may move to a seat with the congregation. It’s a great way to try out the choir without actually joining. Please try us out!

Preschool Open Enrollment Continues

The Preschool is now open for enrollment for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. Please spread the word about our Preschool to friends and family who may be interested in enrolling. The program offers 2.5s, 3s and Pre-K (4s) classes.
Please visit our website: https://farmingtonprespreschool.org/enroll/ or call the preschool at (248) 474-9752 to schedule a tour and/or pick up your enrollment forms.

Join us for Coffee and Treats after In-Person Worship

We’d love to have you join us for Hospitality Time after our worship service in Knox Hall!
Stick around for a few minutes and chat.
If you can’t join us in person, watch our livestream:
1.  Go to our Worship Services page at: https://Farmington-Pres.org/worship/sermons.
2.  Click on the image that looks like this:

Congregational Concerns

We Keep In Our Prayers

We pray for members and friends who are sick, homebound, in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, those who are grieving or heavy at heart, and those serving in the military or as first responders.

To protect individuals’ privacy, we do not list them on the online version of our newsletter.

Thank You

Oakland County Foster Closet
Thank you so much for your support of our organization. It is because of generous folks like yourself that allow us to do this every day. We have helped over 12,000 kids and that is in part to your help. Thank you, Michele Austin.

Dannika Community Development Inc. (DCDI)
Thank you so much for your support financially and for hosting our Garden and Nutrition Project as well as our Resume Writing & Practice Interview Workshop. It is a great comfort to know that we have a place to go to support our programs.

World Central Kitchen
On behalf of World Central Kitchen, I want to thank you for choosing to donate $500 on April 19, 2024, in support of our work around the globe. We are so grateful for your help as we use the power of food to nourish the world. Thank you for your belief and trust in our mission.

Scout Troop 179
Thank you, Scouts! Over the Memorial Day weekend Scouts from Troop 179, Crew 179 and Cub Pack 179 placed American flags in several local cemeteries to honor Veterans as well as participating in the local parade. These are the three Scout Units that FPCF sponsors and are very active in our community. Thank You Scouts and leaders

News from the Church Office

If you or someone you know has an administrative background and would be interested in working in the office for six hours per week, please contact Sally Kirsten  or Bob Van Hamme.

Summer Office Hours and Upcoming Church Office Closures

Summer hours are now in effect. The office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and closed on Monday and Friday.
The church office will be closed on Thursday, July 4^th to observe Independence Day and on Monday, September 2nd in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Contacting Pastor Bruce

If you’d like to connect with Pastor Bruce, please use this email: [email protected]. His information is also on the Universal Church Directory app.

Church Security

Although we’re all eager to be outside and enjoy the warmer weather, be sure to take just a few extra seconds and make certain that doors are locked if you visit the church during off-hours. That includes removing any doorstops, resuming toggle switches to “lock mode” and giving the doors a tug to ensure they’re locked. Thanks for keeping the building and our church staff safe.

Office and Church Donations

Please note, regarding dropping off items and or donations to the church office, prior approval is required for ANY donations. If you leave something on the desk of Pastor Bruce and/or Carly’s desk, kindly leave a message of what the item is, what needs to be done with it, who is leaving the item and whom to contact.

Need to make a bulletin announcement?

All announcements for the worship bulletin must be turned in the week prior by no later than Tuesday at 12 noon or they will not go in the bulletin until the following week. The announcement request must include the dates in which it should be placed and removed in the bulletin. Font Size: Arial Narrow, Size 14. It is best if the announcements are attached in a Word document with an email.

Additionally, as a reminder, you will need prior approval for inclusion of an activity in the church calendar. Contact the church office at [email protected] with any questions and/or submissions.

Construction on 11 Mile Road continues to affect church entry

The City of Farmington Hills Department of Public Services continues its reconstruction of Eleven Mile Road between Orchard Lake Road and Farmington Road. This section of Eleven Mile Road is closed to through traffic for the duration of the road construction, which is anticipated to conclude in September.

For safety, consider exiting the church campus via the driveway that leads to Brittney Drive to safely access the traffic light. Visitors to the City Hall Campus (FH Police Dept., FH Fire Dept. Station #5, 47th District Court, etc.) must enter from the driveway on Orchard Lake Road. 

2024 Church Holiday Schedule for First Presbyterian Church Farmington

The church office will be closed on these dates in observance of the designated holidays.

Session Approved December 13, 2023 

July and August Calendars

You can view our monthly calendar at https://farmington-pres.org/events/.