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’s Ministry
First Presbyterian Church strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment where all children can grow in their faith. We offer a variety of ways for children to be a part of the life of the church. Children of all ages are welcome in our worship services. We provide worship bags filled with activities to help children participate in the worship service. Each Sunday service has a special moment just for children called the Children’s Message where they learn about the scripture lesson in a way that is relevant to them. The nursery is open each Sunday beginning at 9am for children up to age 5. Children’s Church meets directly after the Children’s Message for children age 3-2nd grade most Sundays. On Communion Sundays (1st Sunday of the month), Children age 5 and up stay in the worship service to participate in the Communion. J St. Kids meets on Sunday mornings from 8:45-10AM for K-6th graders. Parents are welcome to drop their kids off and head to the Adult Sunday School class in the library. The nursery opens at 9am for younger children. We also have a variety of other events and opportunities for children and families including movie nights, Trunk or Treat, and our annual Pool Party.
Youth Groups
Youth Group is faith formation for 7-12th graders. First Presbyterian Church of Bentonville strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment where all youth can grow in their faith. We strive to provide a space where questions are welcomed and where youth can be their full selves.
All 7-12th graders are welcome to attend Youth Group. Youth Group meets on Sunday afternoons during the school year from 4-5:30PM in the youth rooms (located near the gym). Youth explore relevant topics and Bible stories while having fun and engaging in thought provoking conversations and activities. There’s always plenty of snacks!
We also provide a number of ways for youth to serve, grow, and connect throughout the year. More information is provided in our weekly Youth Group email. Please be in touch with Katie McKenzie, our Director of Children and Youth Ministries, with any questions.
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
Young Adult Group (20’s, 30’s, and 40’s)
Our Young Adult Group is for adults in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s who gather to grow in community together about once a month. Activities, dates, and times are selected through group polls and conversations in their GroupMe app and have included: mini golf, white elephant Christmas parties, trips to Crystal Bridges, and more. Childcare is typically provided for these events with advanced notice.
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.
Clabaugh Speaker Series
In the fall, we offer the annual Clabaugh Speaker Series with a guest speaker that leads two evening sessions and serves as our Sunday morning preacher.
Fellowship Events
The ongoing fellowship activities of our church include a variety of settings, themes, and opportunities to connect with one another. In the summer we enjoy events such as a church night at the children’s museum, an outing to Arvest Ballpark to watch a Naturals game and hear our choir sing the national anthem, and an all-church swim party. In the fall we enjoy a congregational picnic at a local park, a “trunk-or-treat” festival in the church parking lot, and a Thanksgiving potluck. Throughout the year we celebrate the chance to be together whenever possible, through casual fellowship with refreshments after worship or special events such as a congregational Christmas brunch, receptions, and “Conversations that Matter” dinners. We also organize smaller group gatherings where we can get to know one another even better.
Watch our newsletter and eblast announcements for these 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 and other community events.
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.
Emergency Response Fund
Contributions will be used to help…
Households and individuals within our church family
Needs that arise within the local community
FPC partner organizations If you need assistance…
For confidential needs contact Pastor Georgia