Fire and Cross EmblemFirst Presbyterian Church
20 S. Walnut Street, Troy, Ohio 45373

 Last week-end the officers of our congregation and the Strategic Design Team (SDT) joined together for a retreat led by Tom Castlen, a consultant from New York. Tom has worked most recently as an Executive Presbyter and has spent many years working in the area of Congregational Studies. The retreat offered time for the leadership of FPC to begin the process of looking to the future vision for our congregation. While we do not have details yet for hour the process will unfold, there were two central themes to the process: 1. Conversations with the Congregation.  The SDT is committed to engaging the congregation in a variety of ways so that we develop the church's vision, not the SDT's vision. 2. Prayer and Discernment. Actually, we are not seeking the congregation's vision or the SDT's vision, but God's vision.  The consultant has pledged to pray daily for the SDT and the congregation as we go through this process. I believe that prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit, the congregation's willingness to envision our future as the body of Christ and the work of the SDT will lead to some wonderful discoveries in the next few months. I hope you will join me in making this adventure a high priority.

                                                            Yours in Christ,
                                                                      Richard

 May Worship:

 Sunday, May 4 –  “Casting Lots”  Acts 1: 23-26;  Celebration of the
                                         Lord’s Supper, Reception of the Confirmands 

Sunday, May 11 –  “Breathing Fresh Air”  Numbers 11: 24-30; Pentecost
                                        Music Time for Young Disciples

Sunday, May 18 – "Who are We?" Genesis 1: 1-2; Trinity Sunday
                                       Senior Recognition, Special Music at 11am service

Begin Summer Worship Times Sunday May 25
          8:30am Chapel; 10:00am Sanctuary  No Church School

Sunday, May 25 –  “Who Are We Reprise”