First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, Florida

06/01/2026

Be a part of one of the most fun weeks of the year! We are still looking for VBS volunteers!
If you are or know an older teen looking for something to do this summer - this is a great place for them to get plugged in as well!

There is also a decoration day on Wednesday June 3! Drop in from 9am-12pm and help transform the building into a rainforest!

Sign up to volunteer at VBS on the church center app:
https://fpclakeland.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3392929

05/31/2026

Today we continued the Foundations sermon series through Titus and talked about what it means to be a Godly leader.

If you were in one of the three services, share your takeaways in the comments so we can learn together! Where has God called you to lead?

If you missed the messages they're always available for replay on Facebook and YouTube.

05/28/2026

This Sunday is promotion Sunday, don't miss it!

We know you can feel the end of the year craziness in the air as one school year ends and the summer begins. With the school year coming to a close we are promoting many of our kids from one stage of ministry to the next!

Kids who are moving up will be recognized in the 10:30am Vine service
💙 Rising Kindergartners from Pre-K to-> First Kids
💙 Rising 4th graders from First Kids to -> First 45
💙Rising 6th graders from First 45 to -> Surrender Youth

Sign your kids into their normal spot this week and they'll be recognized during the service.

See you there!

05/26/2026

We have more than 225 children registered to attend VBS, and we need additional volunteers. Please consider giving of your time as we host children from our church and our community for the week of June 8-12.

Each summer, more than 200 children flood into First Presbyterian Church for a week of fun, friendship, and foundational biblical lessons. Vacation Bible School, this year running from June 8-12, is one of the church’s largest community endeavors, relying on volunteers to make the week possible.

Hear from some volunteer veterans about their experience and why they keep coming back: https://fpclakeland.org/blog/vbsvolunteers/

Sign up to volunteer on the church center app:
https://fpclakeland.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3392929

05/26/2026

It's time to submit nominations for the next class of church elders!

The word presbyterian comes from a Greek word meaning elder. Ruling elders combined with teaching elders (pastors) form the top leadership of the church.

All ministry is the ultimate responsibility of these elders as they meet together in a gathering called the Session and participate in committees for different aspects of the church ministry and functionality.

Each ruling elder serves three years in the role.

Who do you think would be a great elder? Take a moment to nominate them: https://fpclakeland.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1231583

05/25/2026

A Memorial Day Prayer from Pastor John:

Lord God, until there is war no more and you wipe every tear from every eye, we will remember. We will remember those who have served and died for the sake of something greater than themselves. We will remember and give thanks for the men and women who knowingly put themselves in harm’s way so that others might be safer. We will remember the families who grieve this day and every day for brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, friends and spouses, who lost their lives while wearing the uniform of our country.

Lord God, until you beat swords into plowshares and the ox and lamb lie down together, we will remember. We will remember that peace doesn’t happen without peacemakers and violence won’t cease unless we stand in the breach and begin to repair it. We will remember that war is costly, the price paid in priceless lives cut short.

Lord God, until the Prince of Peace returns and death and crying are no more, we will remember. We will remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country. We will support those left bereft in their absence. We will remember to seek reconciliation, knowing that while we cannot control the ways of the world, we can seek to work for peace in our own lives and communities.

Lord God, until there is no need for men and women to place themselves in harm’s way, we will remember and give thanks for those who did and died.

In the name of the One who grants us the peace that passes understanding, we pray. Amen.

Prayer by Jill Duffield from Presbyterian Outlook magazine in 2017.

05/24/2026

Pentecost Sunday

Did you notice that the pastors in Classic services today were wearing red stols and many of the sanctuary paraments (the cloths on the communion table and pulpit) were also changed to red?

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the 49th day after Easter. In our tradition, the liturgical color for Pentecost Sunday is red. The color red symbolizes the "tongues of fire" and the passionate outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, as recorded in Acts 2.

To learn more about the church liturgical calendar you can visit: https://pcusa.org/worship-with-us/special-days-observances

05/24/2026

First Presbyterian Church - Lakeland Florida

05/23/2026

Happy Memorial Day weekend! We hope you're taking some time this weekend to gather with friends, neighbors, or grow group members! Reminder: The church offices will be closed May 23 & 25th.

05/22/2026

A few weeks ago during our Sunday morning Moment For Impact we had the chance to hear from the prayer shawl team and learn about how much time, thought, care, and prayer goes into each shawl or blanket that they make! Shawls are given to people in the hospital or in health need and the recipient can know they have been prayed for and are not alone.

Children's Ministry Assistant, Marion McDowell recently had the opportunity to take a prayer shawl to her dad Stanley Hough who lives in England.

Love and prayer know no borders! Thank you, prayer shawl team!