Herald Newsletter

Events & Announcements

WNL Break Dec 25 – Jan 8

Resumes January 15

In the midst of your busy week, join us to refuel your body, mind, and spirit with a variety of children, youth, and adult programs.

FP Kids (K-5th) & Littles (0-4)

Christmas Eve Pageant Rehearsals |Wednesdays @ 6:15-7:30pm 

Calling all angels, shepherds, and stars of the season! Rehearsals kick off on Dec 4th from 6:15–7:30pm. Check your email for details.

Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th)

Lesson, games, and community! Bring a friend and learn and grow together! 

Church Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 18, 5:00-7:00pm, Pilgrim and Mayflower Hall

Pizza (freewill donation), Christmas cookies, visit Santa, and crafts for the whole family!

Faith Basics: Wednesday Worship 6:00-6:15pm

5 minute sermons on basic elements of our faith—like a super short Christianity 101

Adult Programs: Contact Addie Vortherms, Program Director, addie@firstplymouth.org

60 DAYS: Bible Study with Dr. Jim Keck

Dec 4 6:15-7:30pm, Pilgrim Hall.

Stories and Rhymes for Difficult Times: The Hidden Treasure of Emotional Resilience

Dec 4, 6:15 - 7:30pm, Chapel

Retired Psychologist Dr. Jerry Bockoven, will describe ways to bolster emotional resilience. Utilizing humor, teaching stories and poetic excerpts from his recently published book, “What Rhymes with Therapy”, Dr. Bockoven will address specific ways to manage anxiety, depression, grief and anger from a position of strength. Following the presentation, signed copies of Dr. Bockoven’s book will be available for purchase.

Magical Realism

Dec 11, 6:15-7:30pm, Pilgrim Hall. Magical realism is “a literary and artistic style that depicts the world as realistic while also incorporating magical elements, often blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.” Join Pastor JC and Dr. Ramón Guerra, Associate Professor in the English Department at University of Nebraska Omaha, as they introduce us to magical realism as a way to reinvigorate the way we read and interpret scripture.

Yoga

Dec 4 & 11 (no class on 18th), 6:15-7:30pm, *Location Change – Art Room (upstairs). Led by Jessica Jewell, Yoga Together Lincoln. All abilities are welcome. Bring a yoga mat.

“Bridging the Gap” for the Holidays

Dec 11, 6:15-7:30pm. Led by Leah Cech.

Join us for a conversation-centered session packed with take-home tools and ideas on how to engage tense relationships and dialogue in constructive ways. We will draw on bridge-building approaches developed by Interfaith America as we explore these skills.

 Events & Announcements

Thank You from FP Animal Ministry

Animal Ministry thanks the congregation for their generous support of our annual Pet Supply Drive for Lincoln Animal Ambassadors (501c3). They were overjoyed with our 2 barrels full of donation items.

Bread For The World Ministry

We ask our First-Plymouth friends to write Congress to ensure programs that address hunger and malnutrition, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and global nutrition programs such as Food for Peace, are fully funded through fiscal year 2025. We also ask that you urge Congress to pass a farm bill that protects and strengthens all domestic and global nutrition programs included in the bill.

Tips from the FP Sustainability Committee and Climate Action Team

First-Plymouth recycles and composts to reduce landfill build up.  Use the GREEN bins at F-P for compost. Use the BLUE bins at F-P for recycling.

Indigenous Working Group

Monthly Meetings: 2nd Thursday of the month (Dec 12), 5:00pm, Otis Young Room.

Recycle Your Holiday Lights

All broken strings of lights, extension cords, and insulated wires can be taken to any Lincoln fire station or Eastridge School now through January 10th. Lights on garlands/wreaths can be placed next to the bins. No boxes, bags, ornaments, artificial trees, or trash. Doing this keeps materials out of the landfill! Sponsored by FP Sustainable Living Ministry.

Board of Christian Outreach News

Upcoming First-Plymouth Opportunities to spread the Love!

  • The Giving Tree; Dec, 1, 8, final date December 15 in hallway

    Sign-up to donate for a First-Plymouth blood drive.

    Laundry Love, Saturday, December 14. Volunteers Needed.

    Distribute Neighborhood Gas Vouchers.

The New FP App is now Available

Stay connected, inspired, and involved with First-Plymouth Church wherever you go! Our brand-new app is designed to bring all the spiritual and community resources you love directly to your fingertips.