What's New

The Lord is Risen!

A confession: there is a part of me that still doesn’t really understand Easter and the resurrection of Christ. That is, I believe that Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day, but what does that really mean? I know the theological answers I learned while in seminary. They’re both valuable and comforting to me, but there must be more. “The stone was rolled away,” John’s gospel tells us, but at times I keep bending over to see inside. “Is it really empty?” (We’ve all got a bit of ‘doubting’ Thomas in us).

Christmas fills us with elation, brings us hope, demonstrates God’s love for us as well as the whole world that Christ was coming into the world to be with us, to be one of us, to be life to a planet that was for all intents and purposes almost dead .

Easter fills us with awe, majesty and mystery; and we celebrate this for 50 days leading into Pentecost  (June 8). Christ is alive! Death has been swallowed up in victory! All things will be made new! Thanks be to God!

And yet….Easter remains partly a mystery to me. And I’m good with that. Not so much a mystery that I don’t believe it, rather that I fully don’t comprehend its magnificence and transcendence any more than I understand nuclear physics or internal medicine. Each year, I peer once more into the tomb; and the funny thing is I know what I am about to (or not to) find: it is empty, save for the linen neatly wrapped at the end of the stone where he was laid. But nonetheless, I look in. Why?

Maybe it’s just being human. And I’m good with that. As I age, I’m learning to trust God more; I’m learning to remember and trust the fidelity of God in the joy of Life and the defeat of Death. Maybe I shouldn’t doubt myself for looking in the tomb every Easter morning; instead, maybe I should be the child of God that I am, accept the gift that has been given by grace and go into God’s world in peace.

The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!
Shalom, Pastor Bruce

May 4, 2025 Annual Congregational Meeting, 11:15 a.m., Knox Hall

There will be an Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, 5/4/25, after the Worship Service in Knox Hall and virtually via Zoom. The purpose of this meeting is to nominate and elect the next class of Deacons, Elders, Nominating Committee Members and the Financial Review Team. A Q&A Session will be held after the meeting for any questions and comments. The meeting will open 5-10 minutes early to allow people to join.

Upcoming Events and Mission Opportunities 

Crop Walk May 4

As the Easter season closes, let’s all hope and pray for a world where all have food, voice and a safe place to call home. Thank you all for your incredible support in helping those less fortunate who are facing hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster through the CROP Hunger Walk. Now more than ever, your support is so needed and appreciated as we work together to provide resources and opportunities for our local community and communities around the world. Contact Dorothy Tait or see the weekly bulletin for instructions to walk or to donate.

Cantata Academy Choral comes to First Pres on May 3

Cantata Academy Chorale returns to First Presbyterian of Farmington on May 3, 2025 at 7 pm to perform a concert entitled Heaven and Earth. A variety of musical offerings will take the audience from Earth on to the Heavenly skies. Without a doubt, the finale will shake the building! Tickets are Adults: $20; Seniors & Students: $15, Children under 10 FREE. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Lorrie McVey or at the door on the evening of the event.

Cereal for Summer Collection: May 1 – July 6

No child should go hungry. However, many kids who rely on receiving breakfast and lunch during the school year often face long summer days without enough to eat. Join our annual CEREAL FOR SUMMER CAMPAIGN and help us feed hungry children in our presbytery. The Mission Ministry will be accepting cereal donations from May 1 until July 6. Thank you again for your continuing generosity in supporting this effort.

Youth United 2025

Youth United’s 2025 Service Experience will take place on June 23-24, 9-2 pm

Save the date (and invite your high-school or middle-school aged friends)! The theme for our 2025 service experience Unity and Hope. In between working on projects to benefit CARES clientele and other area nonprofits, teens will examine what their faith traditions teach them—and others—about promoting unity and hope. Founded in 2018 by a coalition of 10 congregations in Farmington and Farmington Hills, Youth United facilitates service experiences which allow multicultural youth ages 11-18 to explore the common values of their faiths while serving the community. FPCF’s own Karen Linnell and Laura Hedgecock co-lead the intergenerational planning team.

Registration is open. Both youth volunteers and adult mentors can use the QR code in the graphic or https://tinyurl.com/youthunited25.

For more information contact Laura Hedgecock or Karen Linnell or email us at [email protected] .

Donations Needed for Youth United

The Youth United planning committee is asking each community partner to collect the following items before Youth United begins on June 23 :

• personal care items: feminine hygiene products, tissue packs, toiletries (all sizes), hand sanitizers
• baby wipes, formula, diapers, food
• new socks (adults and kids)
• clean t-shirts (sizes adult small to large)
• gently used or new books for all age groups (from birth to adult) CARES food pantry:
• non-perishable food items
• toilet paper
• laundry detergent and cleaning products
• condiments (mustard, ketchup, syrup, jellies, BBQ sauce)

Thank you for your generosity and participation in Youth United!

CALLING ALL FPCF WOMEN (and Friends)

Join us for an afternoon of euchre on Friday, May 2^nd, 2-4 p.m., in the church Library. We play for fun and not competition! (Mostly…)

Please sign-up (TODAY!) on the kiosk in the foyer (next to the door to the garden). If you want to start a Bunco group, please sign up, as well. Any questions? See Nancy Prieskorn.

  June “Community Connections” Deadline: May 16, 2025

All are Welcome to the PW Spring Gathering on May 19

Our own travelin’ man, Jim Tubbs, will be the featured speaker at the Spring Gathering on Monday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m.  Presbyterian Women invites everyone, women, men, and guests, to “Travels With Jim,” when Jim will talk about his recent adventures at the Panama Canal and will perhaps share highlights of other international journeys.

PW will also hold a short installation ceremony and will serve coffee and desserts.  The optional annual PW Birthday Offering, which helps support life-affirming projects around the world, will be collected. Please join us. See Mary Carson or Deborah Draper with questions. Tickets are $5.00 and will be available at the welcome table in May.

We’re all invited!  May 18, BSA Troop 179

The Malisow family invites all members of the congregation to celebrate Calvin’s Eagle School Court of Honor, along with Jonas D. Reese, Nicole Wauldron and Noah Wauldron.

Save the Date for Vacation Bible School August 11 – 15

EGYPT – Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace

Where: Hope Lutheran Church, 39200 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48331

When: August 11 – 15, 9am – 11:30am

For more information and registration: use the QR code above.

We’re looking forward to a joint Vacation Bible School with Hope Lutheran Church on 12 Mile this summer! Alicia Herrle, their Children’s Ministry Coordinator, will be hosting and leading the program. There will be drama, games, snacks, music and fun galore! The 3 age groups are: 4-5 years old, 6-7 years old, and 8-10 years old. The cost is $20 per child. You can use the QR code above to either register a child or sign up as a volunteer. Space is limited to get your kids, grandkids, neighbor’s kids registered! And don’t forget to sign up as a volunteer!

Backpacks for Kids in Foster Care: Mission Opportunity

Your Mission team needs help from 2 people to help organize/set up the backpack filling event for foster kids which will take place on the 3rd Sunday in July. Remember how we do the Christmas gift tree in December? That is what we plan to do. Please email, call or talk to Nancy Prieskorn if you are interested.

Heads up! Members and friends who love shopping for back to school items! This year we have committed to filling 50 backpacks. Please watch for details on how you can help us fill 50 backpacks for elementary aged children who are in foster care. Mark your calendars to join us on Sunday, July 20, after the service.

Deacon’s Wellness Program – Beware of Scams – on June 8

The program hosted by FPCF Deacons is presented by Farmington Hills Police Dept Officers.  The program will address current “scams”, how to protect ourselves from scams and what to do if or we think we have been scammed.  Don’t miss this important program.

Your Guide to the Mission Cove

Where it is: The Mission Cove is in the “foyer” or the small space where you can find the stairs and the elevator. Normally we keep the curtains down but take a “peek” under the curtains (see photo above) so you know what is under them.

What it is: This is where our “collections” are held. The mission team will, throughout the year, collect various items for some of the agencies we support. When you bring things to donate, this is where the donations go until we are ready to deliver them.

What we collect:

1. Cereal for summer. This runs from May through the first week of July.

2. Donations for C.A.R.E.S. This is ongoing throughout the year. See the yellow card in the pews for what they need most.

3. Foster Closet of Oakland County. Their primary need is for hygiene products marketed for children. Also accepted are new packages of underwear or socks especially in teen sizes.

Blessing Bags: Please take another bag home! There are just a few left but we’d like them all gone this month. Make your own at home. Include socks, snacks, Chap Stick, skin lotion, and whatever else you feel would be useful and lightweight.

Saving our landfill collections:

*Eyeglasses. We are looking for someone to volunteer to take these for recycling 1 or 2 times per year.

*Used batteries.

PLEASE NOTE: We no longer take any clothing. Consider going to: “Pickup Please”. If you want to leave something at church to be donated, please talk to a Mission team member first.

Cinco de Mayo Potluck!

Please join the Nurture committee in a potluck luncheon celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, May 4 after worship.  Our potluck theme is “anything Mexican” with lots of room for individual interpretation.  Bring a guest and join the fun.  See you then!

Heritage Park Rouge River Clean Up

The Farmington Area Interfaith Association is rounding up religious organizations again this spring to help with the Heritage Park Rouge River Clean Up to be held on Saturday, May 17, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Let them know you’re from First Pres when you sign up here:

https://www.justserve.org/projects/896fcf14-fb71-44b0-beff-dee3d584faf9

Church-Wide Pray-A-Thon, Friday, May 9, 7:00am-6:00pm

What is a Pray-A-Thon? Continuous prayer throughout the day offered by members and friends.

Why have a Pray-A-Thon? A Pray-A-Thon brings together those of faith in a communal atmosphere. It is uplifting and empowering to pray in the company of others. Our church is near to recruiting a new pastor. In addition, we have decisions concerning finances and membership growth. We seek God’s will in these decisions for our congregation. Also, the Pray-A-Thon gives us an opportunity to pray for those currently serving in leadership positions, as well as those beginning such service.

How will the Pray-A-Thon work? The First Presbyterian Church sanctuary will be open throughout the day for anyone to come, and go, and come back as they please. The sanctuary will be candlelit with soft music playing to encourage a quiet spirit within.

You can sign up for a specific time slot in either of two ways:

• Using this Sign-Up Genius Link: https://bit.ly/4cSSwci

• Using the Sign-Up Kiosk in the foyer

Or, you don’t need to sign up, just come when it fits into your schedule. Like in the past, a chime will be sounded on the hour and half-hour so that you don’t need to keep track of the time. You can bring others to pray with you, if you wish.

If you can’t make it to the church, you are encouraged to participate where you are.

Fasting: Fasting is often practiced alongside prayer to intensify spiritual focus and seek God’s guidance or intervention. If you would like to add fasting to your participation in the Pray-A-Thon, that is okay, but please be careful. Those with health concerns should consult with their doctor before fasting. There are many ways to fast: you can skip one or two meals; you can fast for a certain period of time; you can “fast” from an activity, such as social media. Everyone should consider their health concerns before fasting.

When will the Pray-A-Thon take place? Friday, May 9, 2025 from 7:00am until 6:00pm, in the sanctuary.

If you have any questions, please see Sharon Cressman or Colleen Tavor

Happy Mother’s Day May 11

Congregational News 

Candles Along the Way –

Sharing Our God Moments

By Deb Anderson

I recently had a very hard day and I was tired after a very busy and laborious week mixed in with worry, societal disconnect, and the helpless rage of our chaotic world. My husband, Tim, and I stopped for lunch but the only thing that seemed appealing was a bowl of oatmeal. I haven’t had an appetite in weeks.

The diner was busy during the lunch rush. I used to love reading a newspaper when we’d go out for breakfast or lunch but no one seems to sell them anymore, at least in our rural community. So my phone is it now. I mindlessly looked at the headline news, briefly. The oatmeal might as well have been a spicy bowl of jambalaya as my stomach lurched reading about the Market free-fall and tariffs. I turned off my phone. Suddenly, an elderly lady was hanging up her jacket on the coat hook between our booths. Our eyes met and her warm, sincere smile with a nod felt like the hug I needed from my mother whom I’m still grieving for after two years.

I began to reflect on gratitude and blessings. I have a home, my days with my grandson Finn on Monday was amazing, and I looked at Tim as he read. I helped organize a luncheon memorial at church on Saturday for 160 people and he lovingly helped out with all the heavy work. Always supportive, why do I not thank him more than I do? So I thanked him.

Suddenly, I realized that the helpless desperation was gone. The rest of the oatmeal was good but a Coney dog suddenly sounded better. I got up to pay our bill and I snatched up the kind lady’s bill on my way up to the cashier. She thanked me on my way back. “No,” I stammered. “Thank you! Your smile is what I needed the most today!”

Your Part in Helping Our Planet

Thanks to all of you for bringing in your old toothbrushes, empty floss containers and toothpaste tubes! Because of you, 143 items have been collected since November that will now be recycled instead of being thrown away!

We applaud Colgate for starting a program to recycle these hard-to-recycle items. Once collected, the items are processed back into raw materials that manufacturers use to make new products. Dr. Larry DeGroat, DDS in Bingham Farms graciously accepts these items for recycling in the Colgate program.

The box with the orange label will remain in the Narthex for continued collection of your old oral care products and packaging. Thank You! As a reminder, you can bring in all brands of used/empty toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush outer packaging and floss containers for recycling. See Sharon Cressman if you have any questions.

Easter 2025

Eddie Matteson, Ron Prieskorn, and Paul Floreno (not pictured) prepared a fabulous brunch for us on Palm Sunday. Pastor Bruce delivered a special Easter message to a big crowd. Kari Gorman masterfully handled the children’s time during the service telling us about psanky eggs, and the cross was filled with flowers on Easter morning as we entered the narthex on Easter morning.

Narthex Makeover Completed

The Membership Team has completed the narthex makeover. We hope you enjoy the changes!

The Welcome Table has been set up and the new lanyard name tags are being used.

A family friendly area has been added in a corner of the narthex near the sitting area.

Mission in Action

We entered the gray metal door at Hospitality House Food Pantry in Walled Lake and observed the shelves of food in an area smaller than the Narthex. After a brief orientation and tour, we fell into our assignments. Some went to the warehouse to help with restocking shelves and the rest of us to the front lobby where clients wait to be taken “shopping”. “How will this compare to CARES?” I wondered. We took turns greeting each client as they came in and then escorted them around the pantry advising them of the limits they were allowed on each item of food. As with CARES, the clients are young, old, English speaking, and those who speak other languages.

Having the opportunity to accompany the clients felt significant in that I was witness to the careful selection of food each shopper needed to make to maximize the value. “Can I find an apple that is not too bruised or a cucumber that isn’t mushy?” “Do I choose the larger container because it has more servings or the one my children like to eat?” An older gentleman with a bright smile told me, “I always bring my reusable tote bags,” and “I only take what I can use because I know others may need it.” I can only hope I will have a keener appreciation for what many people go through in providing food for their families. Perhaps, Saturday at Hospitality House was one of those God moments.

Congregational Information and Concerns

Pipe Organ Update

Hello Church!

In case you missed the April 13 town hall, I wanted to share an overview of our current issues with our church’s organ.

Our organ has experienced substantial problems with its electronics, which have accumulated over the years and have steadily degraded its capabilities. Currently, the organ is operating without any air-blown pipes, and functions using only digital sounds. The pipe portion of the instrument is disabled because the electronics controlling the pipes are severely damaged. The physical pipes are just fine otherwise.

An ad-hoc organ committee has been formed to approach this problem thoughtfully and carefully. The committee is led by Ron Prieskorn, along with Peter Cartwright (organist), Larry Kniesel, Jeff Ely and Karl Cressman.

Our Rogers/Reuter organ was created as a “hybrid” instrument, meaning that it combines traditional pipes for the primary organ sounds with a digital suite to add a lot of tonal capability that would be otherwise unaffordable. Our instrument was among the first hybrid instrument in the United States at the time. Today, hybrid instruments are commonplace. The instrument was installed in 2004/5 as part of the sanctuary renovation and other facility upgrades. It was designed to last 40-50 years without much more than routine tunings. We are about halfway through its “design life” yet are confronting unexpected issues we believe are related to electrical power supply surges and interruptions. We believe that the electronics are “prematurely aged”, making the entire console progressively more difficult to repair.

As a team, we’ve been looking at various paths we can take, largely driven by what we can afford to do, and the future sustainability of the instrument. In order of increasing expenses, we are considering the following options:
1. Do nothing and allow the instrument to slowly or suddenly fade away.
2. Repair the existing instrument, leaving many questions about future reliability and parts availability.
3. Replace the electronics in our current organ console, with lingering concerns about mechanical reliability. It is possible to return the pipes to use as they were designed to do.
4. Replace the console with a purely digital instrument, leaving the pipes in place as decoration.
5. Replace the console with a new instrument, integrating the original pipes with a new digital console.

Our team has received a variety of quotes for options 3, 4 and 5 that range from $78,000 to $165,000. We have concluded that options 1 and 2 would be ineffective in providing any confidence in longevity. Option 3 provides more confidence about the future yet leaves us exposed for future mechanical failures and parts shortages. Option 4 offers a good future, however, does not use the pipes. Option 5 offers the best confidence in a sustainable solution and utilizes the pipes.
We are fortunate that the current instrument is at least partially functioning for now. It could fail without any notice, which makes our committee uncomfortable doing nothing.
Again, if someone has a lot of interest in this project, please reach out to our committee for more details. We thank you for your support and interest.

Respectfully, Karl Cressman

April 2025 Session Meeting Highlights

The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) co-chairs attended the April session meeting and provided an update on the committee’s progress. They presented the Pastor/Head of Staff Position Description as well as the Narrative Questions and Answers, recommended salary range and answered any questions from the group. The next steps will be to present this to the Presbytery for their approval and then create the online Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP) to actually begin the pastor search.

The Treasurer presented the March financial reports with a positive YTD balance. A discussion then took place on the recent Town Hall and what next steps could be. The Nominating Committee reported that all the open Deacon and Elder positions have candidates, and they are ready for the May 4, 2025 Congregational Meeting Election.

Session approved the following items:

• The purchase of (2) more licenses for Adobe Pro (or the most current Adobe software); one for the volunteer desk PC and one for the pastor’s PC. This should save time throughout the month by providing the ability to better share and update documents.
• The PNC’s Pastor/Head of Staff Position Description, Narrative Questions and Answers and Total Effective Salary range were all approved.

The Clerk reported there were 66 people in attendance at the Sunday, April 6, 2025 Communion Worship Service and that the next session meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee) Update

April has been a busy month for the PNC.  We gave an update at the Town Hall on Palm Sunday.  During our meetings the focus has been working on the job description for a pastor. We completed that task.  It was shared with Personnel and we received their input and approval.  Then it was shared with Session on April 23.  After discussion, the job description was approved! Our next step is to have it approved by the Presbytery at their May meeting.  We continue to pray for discernment and guidance from God.  We thank you for your prayers and ask for your continued prayers for the committee, our congregation as well as pastors who are looking for a church.

Lois Caito, Karl Cressman, Becca DeSloover, MJ Floreno, Donna Marvicson, Tom Neal and Bill Vincent

Join us for Coffee and Treats after In-Person Worship

Please join us after worship each Sunday for our fellowship time in Knox hall. Take a moment to enjoy fresh coffee, delicious treats, and most importantly, the company of your church family. Whether you’re a longtime member or first-time visitor, these informal gatherings provide a wonderful opportunity to connect, share stories, and strengthen our community bonds. Stay for five minutes or fifty—all are welcome at the table!

If you can’t join us in person, watch our worship service via our livestream.

You can watch our services live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5DRjYOmh4Y.

You can always access it from the front page of our website, https://Farmington-Pres.org, as well. Leave us a note in the YouTube chat and don’t forget to like the video. This helps us reach new people who might enjoy our services.

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.

Heart-felt Thanks

The Prieskorn Family
The Prieskorn family is grateful for your kind expressions of sympathy we have received after the death of Don Prieskorn. It was a great comfort for our family. 

Neighborhood House
On behalf of Farmington/Farmington Hills Neighborhood House, we would like to thank you for your very generous donations of $357 and $500. In order to achieve our mission of providing year-round aid for Farmington/Farmington Hills residents in need, we depend upon the kind support of others. We are very grateful for your generosity that allows us to continue to provide to so many others in our community. The Neighborhood House Board Members

2025 Church Holiday Schedule

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

QR Code for Donations!

If you ever forget to go to the ATM, or simply don’t carry cash on you, we’ve decided to include the church QR code for a more streamlined donation process. To donate, just scan the QR code and follow the prompts!