Along with gathering for worship on Sunday mornings, there are many other opportunities for all ages to connect with one another through serving others, learning together, and getting to know and care for one another.  

Please contact us if you would like to talk with one of our pastors or staff members to find out more about First Presbyterian Church at 479-273-5450 or send us a note and we are happy to connect with you.

Children & Youth

Children

We seek to provide a welcoming place for families with children, to help children know and feel the love of God, and to help parents guide their children along their faith journey. Children gather to play games, study scripture, engage in service activities, and grow together as people of faith. There are several children’s ministries available.

Each Sunday includes a children’s message. To check out previous Children’s Messages, click here. 

Youth Groups

Youth groups focus on faith, fellowship and service in order to form an inclusive and affirming faith community where they are accepted, known, and loved for who they are in Jesus Christ.

Our goal is to equip, empower, and encourage our young people to be a part of God’s active transformation of the world in which we live.

All 7th–12th graders are encouraged to attend Youth Group on Sunday evenings from 4-5:30pm during the school year.

During the summer, the Youth Group meets twice per month. Most activities will take place on Sundays from 4-5:30pm in the north parking lot of the church or in the youth room.

Throughout the year there are also opportunities to participate in camps, conferences, retreats, and mission trip experience.

Camps & Conferences

Throughout the year, there are opportunities for our youth to participate in trips and projects with other youth groups in our presbytery such as:

– Mission projects within our church and in our community. – Presbyterian conferences and camping opportunities (Fall 2021 and
Summer 2022)
– Summer Float Trips (Summer 2022)

Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women offers women in the church meaningful ways to live out their faith in the midst of a caring community of women. For more than 200 years Presbyterian Women’s groups have strengthened the Presbyterian Church and played a major role in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and witnessing to the promise of God’s kingdom. Our mission statement is:

Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves:

• To mature our faith through prayer and Bible study
• To support the mission of the church worldwide
• To work for justice and peace
• And to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom

Presbyterian Women is divided into small groups called “circles”. All women are welcome to join any and all circles that are of interest.

• There are two circles using the annual Horizon Bible study that meet the 2nd Thursday of each month:
  • The Rachel Circle meets at 9:30 am
  • The Martha and Mary Circle meets at 6:00 pm

Adults

Classes

We offer Sunday morning Bible study at 9:00 am as well as opportunities for special classes throughout the year on Sunday afternoons and some evenings.

Speaker Series

In the fall, we offer the annual Clabaugh Series with a guest speaker that leads two evening sessions and serves as our Sunday morning preacher.

Fellowship Events

About once a month, we gather for an all-church lunch or dinner, or some other kind of activity where we can get to know each other better. In the summer we enjoy going to Arvest Ballpark to watch a Naturals game and hear our choir sing the national anthem, and in the fall we enjoy an all-church picnic at a local park or an overnight retreat. Trunk or Treat in October is a favorite of all We celebrate the chance to be together whenever possible, through casual fellowship with refreshments after worship or special events such as congregational meals, receptions, an outing to the ballpark, or a fall picnic at a local park. We also organize smaller group gatherings where we can get to know one another even better. Watch our newsletter and eblast announcements for such opportunities.

Serving Others

Ways to Serve

God equips us for ministry together by giving us gifts and talents to share. Each one has unique gifts to offer in ways that serve others – gifts of helping, music, teaching, organization, technology, and so many others. As a church body made up of many parts and people working together, we respond to God’s love by continuing Christ’s ministries of love, justice, and compassion in the world as his disciples.

If you are interested in learning more about serving in our community and church, contact the church office at 479-273-5450 to talk with one of our Pastors, Elders or Deacons, and check out the different ministry opportunities on our website.

Serving our Neighbors

We have an active Mission Team that coordinates community, state, national and international mission activities. We are engaged with our neighbors and seek to serve them with God’s love.

Our Food Pantry serves people who struggle with hunger and food insecurity in Benton County. We partner with the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. We welcome volunteers to serve the Food Pantry in two ways: By preparing and packing boxes and setting the Pantry up for service on Fridays from 9:00–11:00 am, and by helping our neighbors who visit the Food Pantry when it is open on Saturdays from 9:00–11:00 am. 

We also serve with several community mission partners, including Havenwood (ministry with single mothers and their children), Souls Harbor (ministry with homeless men), Helping Hands (rent and utilities assistance, thrift store, and food pantry), Sharing and Caring of Benton County (serving families in need, especially at Christmas), and Canopy of NWA (refugee resettlement and support). We also actively support Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family Services, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and the Presbyterian Mission Agency. We are grateful to support a number of groups that meet at our church such as AA, community basketball, Scouts, and Girl Scouts.

Serving on Sunday Mornings

There are many ways to serve on Sunday mornings. Greeters warmly welcome people as they come into the church. Ushers hand out bulletins and collect the offerings. Our technology team handles the sound and visuals for the worship service. Others serve as liturgists and lead in prayer and reading scripture. On communion Sundays, a team sets the table with bread and juice.

Ministry Teams and Committees

Ministry teams and committees work to connect the gifts, time and talents of people with opportunities to serve. Our ministry teams and committees include Adult Christian Education, Children, Youth, My Friends and Me Learning Center, Worship and Music, Mission, Finance, Stewardship, Communications, and Community Engagement, Fellowship, History, Library, Presbyterian Women, Endowment, Scholarships, Property and Technology, and the Columbarium and Cemetery team. The ministry of our Deacons is expanded through teams that help with meals, cards, and transportation. There are many ways that your talents can be used in the life of the church.