News & Events

Capital Campaign Mission Giving!

Capital Campaign Mission Giving Featured Mission Partner: The Northeast Emergency Food Program “Feed My Sheep” Are you aware of the transformative effect that FPC’s Capital Campaign Mission Giving gifts have had on our Mission partner Northeast Emergency Food Program (Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon)? Two years ago, at the urging of the discipleship group that started our partnership, NEFP submitted a capital improvement request of $17,500 to renovate/upgrade the pantry. After the request was granted, work was immediately started in August 2019 to install high efficiency, maintenance-free LED lighting fixtures; retile and seal the entire pantry floor; remove walls for safety concerns in order to provide clear lines of sight; repaint; purchase heavy duty shelving; and purchase commercial grade equipment for their Oregon Food Bank’s Food Demonstration Pilot Program. The Lower Pantry renovations were completed ahead of schedule and made [...]

Presbyter Brian Heron’s Sermon for a Time of Change

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The Presbyter for Vision and Mission from our regional Presbytery of the Cascades has recorded a sermon for the churches in our region, with his reflections on “negotiating this fragile and fertile time,” both for local congregations and for the Presbytery. The sermon is based on John 4: 7-19, and includes some of his personal journey as it pertains to his sense of call with regard to leading the presbytery through a process of transformation. Follow this link to Brian Heron’s sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WXpL1JuGpc Brian sends his greeting to our church, “I am deeply grateful for all of you and your ongoing faithfulness…” [...]

Pastors Note for Sunday, May 27th

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As I look out my window, I see a riot of color and new growth. This is especially welcome coming out of the dreary gray winter that is so prevalent in Oregon. After what seems like an interminable number of days of overcast skies, misty rain, and general dampness, we finally get to feel the sun on our faces and see everything spring forth in multiple shades of green. It is in times such as these that I am reminded of how expansive God’s work in the world is and how lavish God is with the gifts that are bestowed upon us. This coming Sunday, Trinity Sunday, marks the first Sunday in the season after Pentecost. This is the longest season in our liturgical year and is represented by the color green in the chancel’s vestments. (The notable exception for [...]

Pastors Note for Easter Sunday

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This week, as we journey through Holy Week, still in this prolonged season of the virus, signs of hope are interwoven with continuing concerns of when this will all lift. Beautiful spring days raise our spirits, and still concerning news of the virus numbers leaves us impatient for the days we pray are yet to come, of regathering and rejoicing. Meanwhile, you are invited to join us for Maundy Thursday worship at 7 pm by streaming for a beautiful service of communion, as we remember our Lord’s last supper and great commandment, that we love one another as Christ has loved us. On Good Friday evening, again at 7 pm by streaming, you are invited to worship with us on this solemn and holy day, as we remember our Lord laying down his life for us. The service will include Tenebrae, the extinguishing of candles, with readings [...]

Emergency Food Closet for Alder House Donations

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Over the past few months, the Emergency Food Closet (located in Julia West) for the Alder House residents has been growing! We are also looking to grow our group of volunteers, to sign up please follow this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=s.signup&urlid=60b0a4ca4a92ca2ff2-alder&view=calendar&mo=1 or contact Brenna at bdkman@firstpresportland.org We are also in need of body wash, small bottles of liquid laundry detergent, small bags of dry dog food, new men’s socks. To drop off or coordinate a donations pick up, please contact our church office [...]

Lenten Spiritual Practice Cohorts

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FPC is offering a different way to experience Lent this year with a spiritual practice cohort. Participants in the cohorts will learn to cultivate resilient faith, authentic connections, and grow a deeper connection with God by engaging in different forms of ancient and modern spiritual practices. Our themes will be: Journaling – Anam Cara (Soul Friends), Thresholds – Blessings, Landscape as Theophany (God revealed through nature) & Paradox. Cohorts will be offered during the six Tuesdays of Lent from 9-10 am & 6-7 pm, (beginning on Sunday, February 21st). Space is limited to 12 persons per cohort, available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to register for a cohort, please contact our church office [...]

An FPC Choral Benediction

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Members of the Chancel Choir offer a musical benediction for all FPC members and friends. God bless you and keep you this day and always. The Chancel Choir performs a Benediction by Peter C. Lutkin inside the First Presbyterian Church parking garage during the Pandemic. October 2020. [...]

Recent Events Presbytery Pastoral Letter

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Dear Cascades Faithful, Like you, we have been watching with deep sorrow the events unfolding in our nation’s capital today. The scenes of people* breaking through police barriers, smashing windows, and entering the Capitol building causing Congress to evacuate have shaken us up. We do not know what the next two weeks will bring as we continue to try to honor the peaceful transition of power that our country has prided itself on. What we do know is that we are people of peace and prayer. We do know that on this day of Epiphany we look to the One who revealed the character of God with truth, with light, and with love. What we do know is that our Christian faith calls us to “do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.” Micah 6: 8 [...]

Holy Listening; Ted Talks on Racism

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To continue our learning and exploration on racial justice, FPC invites you to a two-part class Holy Listening; Ted Talks on Racism Sunday, January 17th & 24th, from 9-10 am. Together we will watch a Ted Talk video on race from the perspective of a person of color; listening to their experiences, expertise, and examination of racism. We will then explore and reflect together. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81632238038 [...]

FPC Giving Tree has Wrapped Up!

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Our FPC Giving Tree was especially successful this holiday season. We gave over 300 gifts to 6 organizations plus hundreds of toiletry items to the residents of Alder House. Even during a pandemic FPC came together, learned how to give online and as always gave generously. #Proud to be a Presbyterian (First Presbyterian)! The organizations we gave to this year were: With Love Foster Care Support Life Change for Women and their Children Portland Public Schools (PPS) Homeless New Avenues for Youth Homeless EMO (Ecumenical Ministries Organization) HIV Day Center for Men and our wonderful Friendly House Senior Citizens [...]

Capital Campaign Mission Giving!

Presbyter Brian Heron’s Sermon for a Time of Change

Pastors Note for Sunday, May 27th

Pastors Note for Easter Sunday

Emergency Food Closet for Alder House Donations

Lenten Spiritual Practice Cohorts

An FPC Choral Benediction

Recent Events Presbytery Pastoral Letter

Holy Listening; Ted Talks on Racism

FPC Giving Tree has Wrapped Up!

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