First Presbyterian Church of Fresno

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres,

   It’s my joy today to introduce you to a new staff member on our FPC team. Josh Gillispie started this week as our new Technology Director. This is a new position for us, so let me explain it briefly.

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres,

It’s now officially been six months since this pandemic season began for us as a congregation. I remember reading Roger Taylor’s (our unofficial church historian) description of how the new pastor in 1919 wasn’t able to see the congregation for six months. I thought, “Wow, good thing we’ll be through this thing in a month or so.” I was so wrong. This has been tough, for sure. Yet, we’ve learned so much. 

Dear First Pres,

   This week we finally broke ground on the solar project in our church parking lot. This has been a very long process with lots of delays and frustrations along the way, but we are so glad to be here. The infrastructure is going up and soon we’ll be collecting energy from the sun. Hallelujah!

Dear First Pres,

   Just about all of us know someone who is being directly impacted by the Creek Fire. My cousin, Carol, and her family live on the ridge just at the top of the 168 four-lane. They don’t know for sure, but their home is very likely devastated. All they can do, just like so many others, is wait. Obviously, there have been several fires throughout California (and now up and down the whole west coast), but this one is close to home. 

Dear First Pres,

   It’s September, but it sure doesn’t feel like it to me. The kids are in school, but they’re not at school. College football is starting, but there will be no games in Bulldog Stadium this fall. We’re launching new things for FPC but it’s not our traditional school year launch. And instead of transitioning back to our “normal” Sunday morning schedule, we have learned a new normal for worship.

   Still, I want to make sure you know about some ongoing or upcoming opportunities for you to connect and grow in faith. 

Dear First Pres,

I’ve said this before, but it’s worth saying again. Months ago, when I sensed the Lord was calling our church to focus on prayer for the summer, I had no idea how much we’d need it. What a summer it’s been, and this week has been yet another very troubling week in our nation. 

Certainly, one of the things that the Lord has done in me during this season (really, since the start of the pandemic), is to expose my idols and my blindspots. It’s as if the Lord is using the trouble in the world to reveal all the places I’ve mistakenly put my trust. 

Dear First Pres,

Here are a few things that are important for you to know:

Sunday Morning Worship