October2025 News and Information

What’s New?

CONGREGATIONAL RETREAT

Don’t miss this opportunity to attend our Congregational Retreat!

• WHEN: Saturday, October 11
• TIME: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm  (9:30 – 10:00 am, coffee/tea, snacks and fellowship)
• WHERE: Holy Cross Lutheran Church (located on 6 Mile Rd, between Middlebelt and Merriman Roads) in Livonia
• THEME: Living Our Vision: Welcoming All, Sharing Christ, Serving Others

Join us as our 3 guest speakers share insights and help us better understand how to “live our vision.”

We’ll enjoy a light lunch; drinks and snacks will be available all day.

November “Community Connections” Deadline: Oct. 17, 2025

 

 

---

 

 

Upcoming Events and Mission Opportunities

 

Join in a local effort to: Rise Against Hunger! Saturday, Oct.4

Rise Against Hunger* is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies. Rise Against Hunger works in countries worldwide to fight hunger, targeting communities facing high rates of food insecurity. We provide volunteer-packaged meals and other assistance, often through school feeding programs, to support nutrition, education and health for children and families facing hunger right now. We also partner with local leaders to implement sustainable agriculture and income-generating projects that support long-term solutions to food security and empower communities to become self-reliant and thrive. *

We have the opportunity to join in with our Mission partners at Faith Community Presbyterian Church in Novi to help pack 10,000 meals on October 4, 2025, at FCPC, 44400 W. 10 Mile Road in Novi.

• 11:00 a.m.- 12 p.m.: Pizza party for volunteers
• 12-1 p.m.: Unload truck/ Set up/ Training
• 1-3 p.m.: Pack 10,152 rice meals (1,692 packets)
• 3-4 p.m. Load truck, Clean up

Our goal is to recruit 45 volunteers- “packing” should take 2 hours if we have 45 or longer if we don’t have that many. Many of the jobs can be done seated so prolonged standing is not required.

Please go to the Sign-Up Genius link: https://tinyurl.com/FPCF-Rise

If you have any questions, please see Nancy Prieskorn

*Excerpted from the Rise Against Hunger website (RiseAgainstHunger.org)

 

JOY! Study Resumes Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m.

The JOY! Study is eager to begin our 6-week study of Sermon on the Mount by A.J. Levine. Levine introduces the major topics in the Sermon on the Mount, explains historical and theological contexts, and shows how the words of Jesus echo his Jewish tradition and speak forward to reach hearts and minds today. We meet via Zoom on Tuesdays, 7:00 -8:30 p.m. for a lively and thoughtful discussion. See Sharon Cressman for the Zoom credentials (and Zoom coaching, if needed!) We hope to see you there!

 

Social Justice Book Study Resumed Monday, September 29, 7:00 p.m.

The Social Justice Book Study Group has been meeting since September 2020. We read two books per year related to social justice topics and this fall we will be reading “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to do About it” by Richard E. Reeves. Voted by The Economist and New Yorker as the Best Book of 202! Join us for an interesting discussion! We meet via Zoom on the last Monday of each month at 7p.m. Contact Deb Hemmye or Colleen Tavor for Zoom details.

Craft Show Coming Soon!!!

 

The Fall craft show is coming soon and we are still welcoming crafters of all types. Volunteers who are willing to help at 2 hour shifts – please see Deborah Draper, Sue Cooper, or Leslie Moyna. We are also looking for great bakers, and we know there are many of you at FPCF!

 

PRESBYTERIAN PLAYERS WILL PRESENT “OPERATION: WHISPERING PINES”

Mark your  calendar for Wednesday, December 10 at 1:00 p.m. (note new time) for our annual Christmas Gathering. Your hosts are Presbyterian Women, and the event is open to all. There will be a musical program in the sanctuary as well as a stage play, “Operation: Whispering Pines” by Karen Jones, followed by refreshments in Knox Hall. The play is a comedy that tells the story of a group of feisty retirement home residents who outsmart the management that is trying to evict them at Christmastime. The motto of the play is “don’t mess with old people.”

 

Sunday School Starts!

As you know, we’ve been creating family-friendly areas in the sanctuary, narthex, and Knox Hall. We want families to know they are welcome here and we’ve prepared a place for them. Under the leadership of Karl Cressman, a weekly Sunday School plan is underway and weekly classes began on Sunday, September 14. If you would like to know more about this or be a part of it, please contact Karl.

 

Kids’ Worship Bags

The kids’ worship bags are available in the narthex at the welcome desk (on the wooden tree hanger). The activities in the bags are updated each week to reflect the lectionary readings for that Sunday as well as some other fun items. The yellow bags are for kids aged from preschool to 8 years old; and the white bags are for kids aged 8+ years. Kids are welcome to take a bag each Sunday to use during worship and/or to take home to enjoy. If your child forgot to pick up a worship bag before service, please let an usher know and they will get one for your child.

 

Calling All Euchre Players for A Fun Afternoon!

Formerly known as “Women’s Euchre”, we’re including men and women. We’ll meet on the first Friday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Church Library. If you are new to the game, we can teach you. Depending on the number of players, we may play a different game. Mark these upcoming dates on your calendar: Oct. 3, Nov. 7, and Dec. 5. Please see the sign-up sheet on the kiosk in the foyer!

---

Congregational News

Candles Along the Way– Sharing Our God Moments

 Juggling Time, Talent, and Treasure, by By Sally Kirsten

(delivered as a Moment for Mission on Sunday, Sept 21)

The Autumnal Equinox is here; first day of Fall; Pre-School is back in session; circles meeting again. A few trees are already changing color. And Fall means Stewardship time here at First Pres.

This year’s stewardship theme is our new vision statement: Living Our Vision: Welcoming All, Sharing Christ, Serving Others. (Check the bulletin board in the foyer.)

I once told you years ago that “Stewardship can be fun.” Remember these? (holding up the juggling balls) They are reminder that Stewardship has 3 parts. Time, Talent and Treasure.

Let’s address the “treasure,” the money, pledging first. (That is what we all think of with the term stewardship—yellow ball.) We need to create a budget for the next year to operate this building and do our mission outreach Plus, we are adding a new section to the Pledge form, which will be mailed in October. Our new organ is here. It is working digitally right now. Soon, we’ll hook up the organ to these beautiful pipes behind me. We took an anonymous survey this summer asking if people would be willing to help cover the organ’s cost. It was a positive response. The September Community Connections

(FYI) gave you an update on that. Here is the new format: There will be one pledge form with 2 parts (2 pledges). The first pledge part will be asking for your normal support for the operation and missions of this church in the coming year. What you pledge in 2026, you pay in 2026. The second part of this form will ask if you are willing to donate money to the cost of this new organ and how much. Please know the organ pledge can be divided up over a 2-year period. You can pay it as you wish; but you have 2 years to do so. You will make those decisions in October.

Now let’s talk about TIME (the blue ball). Here is a great opportunity for you, if you have the time. On Saturday, October 11,  we are having an all-day retreat off- site. We hope Elders and Deacons will attend as they are our leaders. However, it is not exclusively for them. We really want the whole congregation to attend. You may have ideas and suggestions to share with us. We value your opinions. The Stewardship committee is mailing out a letter which will include a flyer all about this retreat. Coming to your mailbox this week! (There are also copies of the flyer on the information table out in the Narthex.)

That brings me to Talent. (the red ball) Sharing your talents could be called “volunteerism.” We all have many talents or skills. Chances are if you love singing, play an instrument, are an electrician, or are an IT person, you are already sharing your talent with the Worship Committee, or Property Committee, or Comm/Tech. Those are excellent talents. But there are lots of ordinary skills or talents we all have that we can share: Driving someone to an appointment. Bringing a treat for the fellowship hour. Sending a card or note to a shut-in. Helping in the church office. Even simpler, something you probably do without thinking: smile, offer a kind word, give a hug. Simple gestures that show kindness. Those talents, offered at the right time, can improve someone else’s day. Keep in mind that God doesn’t ask us to give what we don’t have. But God does expect us to give what we do have.

In The Upper Room’s “Thought for the Day” box in the last few days, says it best:

• Helping others is easy when I use the gifts God has provided.
• God provides what I need to obey the call to serve.
• God will show me someone who needs my light today.

Here’s another talent: you can pray. Prayer is a powerful tool. Pray for family, neighbors, our church, our community, and the world. These are simple gifts and talents each of us has to minister to others. That’s our vision: welcoming all, sharing Christ and serving others. Time, talent, and treasure. When you put all three stewardship parts into motion, it’s fun. The secret is focus. And there may be times when we cannot handle 3 balls at once, which is OK too. We do what we can. I know you have heard it said “the more you give, the more you, yourself personally, get out of it.” Which is so true!

Whether you are here in-person or livestreaming, know that you matter. We at First Presbyterian Church of Farmington need you. Share your Time, Talent and Treasure with us, with others, for Christ. Help us make a difference!

 

 

Fall Fest was a Blast!!!!!

We had 107 people at Fall Fest 2025 and it was a blast! Here are a few photos!

                

  

---

 

Congregational Information and Concerns

Session Meeting Highlights – September 17, 2025

Highlights from the September session meeting include:

• The financial YTD balance was reported as slightly positive.
• The new organ was delivered and installed. The remaining components to connect to the pipes are yet to be delivered. As a follow-up to the recent Organ Survey, a special congregation organ campaign will be rolled out soon to help fund the new organ.
• Jim Tubbs was elected as the Session Nominating Committee Moderator with Sally Kirsten as the
  Elder Team Member.
• The 2026 Operating Pledge Campaign kickoff letter will be mailed out the week of September 22, 2025.
• There were 107 people in attendance at the September 7, 2025 Sunday Communion Worship Services, which was also the Fall Festival.
• Advertising and sign up methods have been rolled out for the October 11, 2025 All Church Retreat. All of the speakers have now been engaged.
• The next session meeting is October 15, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

Dorothy Tait, Clerk of Session

 PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee) Update

The PNC continues to meet weekly to review candidates.  We have had fewer candidates to review during the last two months. We continue to work well as a group and bring different perspectives to our discussions. We trust in God’s timing and ask everyone to continue to pray for our congregation, its ministry and for the pastor who God is calling to serve at First Presbyterian Church of Farmington.

Bill Vincent, Tom Neal, Donna Marvicsin, MJ Floreno, Becca deSloover, Karl Cressman, Lois Caito

We have an Organ!

Our new Rodgers 351D organ arrived on September 16, and the digital voices were operational the same day.  The second step is to bring the pipes back to life.  We are waiting for a module to arrive and then will schedule a specialist’s visit to complete the pipe integration.  A rough estimate is that we should be completed with the work by mid-October.

The new instrument includes a generational improvement in the electronics and sound accuracy and is expected to provide us with 40+ years of service.  We have an 8-year factory warranty on parts and labor.  The power-protection for the instrument is much more robust and directly addresses the primary root cause for the earlier instrument’s service issues.

Unlike our previous instrument, the new one can alter its timbre to better suit the literature. Organs are commonly a compromise to work across a variety of literature styles, never doing justice to everything.  Our new instrument can easily adapt the timbre to “American Eclectic”, “English Cathedral”, “French Romantic” and “German Baroque”.

Peter is pleased with the new instrument and will be exploring many of the “pallet of unusual sounds” now available to him.  Be encouraged to come up front after services and let him show you around a bit, especially young ones.  Ask him about harpsichord, saxophone and bagpipe sounds – there is so much more to explore!

Thank you for your interest and your support in bringing this project to fruition.  The organ is back!

Karl Cressman 

Job Opportunity

If you, or someone you know, is looking for a part-time position, 20 hours per week, First Presbyterian Church Farmington is looking for an Office Administrative Assistant.

Monday – Thursday 10-4, $20.00 Per Hour.  Microsoft Office knowledge is required.

 

Sunday Flowers

Please remember to take your beautiful flowers home with you immediately following the church service, if that is your intention: Otherwise, they will be donated to homebound church members. Thank you!

CHURCH SAFETY

Please help us keep our members and staff safe. If you have scheduled a meeting, gathering, or other event, please KNOW that you are the person responsible for church security. If you unlock the front door – lock it again when your event STARTS. This is especially important when you are meeting upstairs. When your event is over, make sure all exterior doors are locked as well as any interior doors you unlocked.

Please assign someone in your group to be the person responsible for locking the doors. The safety of our staff and members is important. Knowing that safety is a concern on people’s minds and that includes the security of our church building, the Property Committee is in the process of installing six cameras capturing both interior and exterior areas around the church. Three of the cameras are already in operation showing the approach to our front doors, the Narthex and the exterior of the Preschool entrance. The next three cameras to be installed will focus on Knox Hall, the hallway to the office, and the garden-side entrances.

We are grateful to Chris Ely for his expertise in helping with the purchase and installation of this system.

If you are in possession of a key fob or church keys which you are no longer using, please return these to the church office in an envelope with your name.

Thank you, The Property Committee

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 50 — all are welcome to gather at the table!

If you can’t join us in person, watch 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.

Church Calendar

You can access the up-to-date church calendar on the FPCF website at:
https://farmington-pres.org/calendar/

Prayer for Labor Day

Courtesy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

As the sun rises to bring in the new day:
We remember those who descend into the earth, their work begins in darkness, pulling from the earth, the resources we steward.
We remember those who work inside a building away from the light and brightness of the day.
We remember those who work outside in the harsh elements of our world, the bitter cold and sweltering heat of extremes.
We remember those who do not have a job to go to, who are struggling to meet the needs of their daily living expenses, for whom the day becomes long and arduous.
As the sun sets to bring in the evening of rest:
We remember those who work in the night.
We remember those who are trying to recover from their labor and toils of the day.
We remember those who participate in unsafe and dangerous work.
We pray for a renewed sense of dignity in their lives and in their work.
God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the worker. Make a place in our hearts for compassion to the men and women who labor tirelessly for basic necessities. Ensure a place for the men and women who are struggling to find work. Grant us your wisdom to greet and care for those who are unable to work due to illness or circumstances that prevent their participation. Be with the children who are not able to run and play, but instead must put in a hard day’s work to help their family afford to eat, to live. Be with us all, Christ Jesus, as we go about the busyness of our work. Hold us accountable not only for our actions, but most importantly to each of our neighbors. May we continue to work together to bring about your reign! We ask this in your holy name, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.