Apple River First Presbyterian Church

09/11/2023

In August, the decision was made to close the church. Thank you for giving this page some love and for participating in whatever way you have. The Apple River United Methodist Church and Catholic Church are active and would welcome you with open arms. Many children in the area have come to know the love of Jesus in this place. If you visited, you could still feel and hear the children running up and down the stairs to their classrooms, a church full of activity, a loving and lively pastor at the front, and men and women raising their voices together in harmony on Sunday mornings. We hope the spirit of this place goes wherever you go and that others will know the love of Christ because they know you.

04/11/2023

The family of Reverand Alvin Sigafus has shared with us that he has gone to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Reverand Sigafus passed away peacefully on Saturday evening after a short illness.

Alvin was a Presbyterian minister, having served parishes in Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, and Illinois. He and his wife Phyllis also served in the Hospice of Northwest Illinois ministry and participated in the JOY Singers of Freeport.

They were the founders and original organizers of the Good News Club for children in Apple River, which continues to this day. Together, they loved Jesus, their community, books, gardening, and their children and grandchildren with all their hearts. Reverand Sigafus was a loving, kind, and generous soul who welcomed everyone with joy and enthusiasm.

Alvin is the author of “The Journey of a Bashful Barefoot Boy to the Presbyterian Pulpit,” his autobiography, and “Listening to Leo,” a collection of stories told to him of happenings in the Apple River area as told him by Leo Gallagher. If you can find a copy of either of these books, they are well worth reading.

Alvin and his wife Phyllis are survived by four children: Lydia Hurst of Apple Canyon Lake, David (Morgan) Sigafus of Kenosha, Wis., Ann (George) Schmid of Nashua, N.H., and Rebecca Sigafus of Muncie, Indiana, plus three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

You can click the link for a full obituary. A celebration of life service will be held during the last weekend of July 2023.

In honor of Reverand Sigafus, please consider donating to The Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, or any program that supports the spreading of God’s word through charity or mission work (such as the distribution of Bibles.)

Please feel free to share your memories in the comments as they will be a great comfort to his children.

Reverand Sigafus, you showed us what a life well-lived means. All the angels are rejoicing as you have come home, but we will miss you until we meet again.

Alvin Dale Sigafus, 98, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, departed this life to be a part of the Heavenly Family on Saturday, April 8th, 2023, just in time to celebrate his first Easter sunrise service with his Lord. He was born September 21, 1924 at home on the farm of

04/02/2023

Happy Easter! We will be doing a joint service with the Methodist Church on Easter Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at the Methodist Church. Good Friday services will be at 5:00 p.m. at the First Apple River First Presbyterian Church. Maundy Thursday service will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Apple River United Methodist Church. Please join us!

12/25/2022

Due to the cold temps, we will not hold services on Christmas Day. Please stay safe and warm! Merry Christmas!

12/19/2022

Monday December 19th
GOOD NEWS CHRISTMAS PARTY
4:30 -5:30
Everyone is invited (children &adults) to hear the
Christmas Story! Enjoy fun and games!
Hot Chocolate and cookies!

12/07/2022

All are welcome! Join us on Thursday, December 15th, at the Apple River Stagecoach Event Center for a community movie night! Door prizes, treats, and a terrific way to be together during the Christmas season!

12/04/2022

Thought you might enjoy seeing a few pictures of the church at Christmas! We've been reflecting on how we experience Jesus in some of our traditions, like the lights on the Christmas tree. This tradition began with real candles on trees, in Germany. It comes from scripture. (Matthew 5:14-16) Jesus was speaking to a crowd of just ordinary folks. Yet Christ said to them, "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). Even today, you are the light of the world. That's how God intends to get his work done on earth today: through you! It's not just pastors and missionaries who are the light; it's everybody who loves the Lord. Jesus also described His people as being like light, which is on the outside. The light speaks of the testimony of a follower of Christ, revealing and illuminating the truth! Join us this Christmas, won't you? You are always welcome here!

12/04/2022

"This is my third year acknowledging Advent and my first year fully leaning into it. The idea of making room for–and intentionally sitting with–longing and anticipation has been grounding for me, and I feel like healing waits for me here. For many of us. 🫶🏾

Hope in the Scriptures isn’t just “wishing for the best.” There were people suffering under the very REAL weight of oppressive regimes, looking back at how God delivered His people in the past and anticipating that He would do it again in the future. They weren’t just hoping He would “arrive.” They were hoping He would set them free.

Advent sits in the tension of what has been and what will be. It’s the promise that liberation will follow suffering. And it’s the reminder that even though what I’m waiting for hasn’t happened yet, I’ve seen it happen before, and I believe it will happen again." - Oh Happy Dani

11/27/2022

We’re getting ready for Christmas too! Post pictures of your decorations in the comments below! Or, a favorite memory from days gone by at church!

11/15/2022

A quick note that the Good News Club won't meet on Monday, November 21st of Thanksgiving week! We are thankful for you, and we'll see you again on the 28th! Happy Thanksgiving!

11/14/2022

The Hope & A Future Campaign is just getting started! Would you like to be a part of it?! Here's the link to give! Some of you went here when you were children. As you think about the holidays and your memories, would you prayerfully consider giving a gift to help this generation of kids to continue to be blessed by this special place? We appreciate volunteers and prayers too! Let us know you're with us by giving us a "like" and if you would like to help out with an upcoming combined church movie night in Apple River, message us! Thanks so much! Love, love, love that you're here and part of this community online!

Help First Presbyterian Church reach their goal by donating or sharing with your friends.

10/29/2022

Check it out! This is what the teens club kids worked on last week! Making their space truly their own at the church! A trip to Walmart with Judy and others and they made it great! If you know a teen in the area, let them know the Teens group meets on Thursdays after school at the church!