Want to find out about becoming a member at FPC? Please join us after worship on Sunday, April 29 in the Gold Room (South Building). Here is an invitation from Pastor Eric:

I’d like to invite you to consider attending the new members’ class, which is a great way for me to get to know you and for you to learn more about what it means to become part of the First Pres Family. The class includes a light lunch and will be done by 3:00 PM. We may be able to arrange childcare, so please let us know if that would be helpful to you. I’ve really enjoyed leading this class over the past couple of years and hope that you will be able to join us. Please let Karen Ackerson know if you are planning to attend (253) 272-3286 and don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Blessings,

Pastor Eric

Join us throughout today (5:00 am to 4:00 pm) for prayer and reflection in the cathedral-like Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church. Then come this evening at 7:00 pm for a meaningful Communion service where we commemorate how Jesus died for our sins in preparation for Easter.

Join us on Good Friday (March 30) from 5:00 am to 4:00 pm for reflection and prayer in the cathedral-like Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church. This is a meaningful, life-changing time for many who participate. A couple of years ago, someone who came was inspired to create the artwork highlighted here. How might God inspire you if you are able to come this year?

Join us on Good Friday (March 30) at 7:00 pm for a service that explores the meaning of Christ’s death on the cross through readings, songs, and a time of confession and repentance followed by Holy Communion. During the service, we will get to hear the premiere of a new song, “Lord, Lord, Why Would You Die For Me?” sung by Charlotte Kohler. The song was written for the Lenten season by FPC member Terry Estvold. Terry explains the story behind the song:

The song “Lord, Lord, Why Would You Die For Me?” was literally given to me as I was driving home just a few blocks from where I had been working on another song, which I had been struggling with for about two weeks.  I was a bit frustrated and decided maybe I needed to do something completely different. The refrain came to me during the next block and a half and during a stop at a red light.  I got in the door about sixty seconds later, sat down and wrote the words.  I then added the rest in the next half hour or so.  It really was a gift that has only happened to me so quickly once or twice before.  I did spend time the next two days making some changes before it was done.

The song itself is composed of five questions, four of them surrounding the main question of why Jesus would die for us.  The first “Is it something I have done or something I will do?” shows the paradox of thinking between the world and God’s family. Many feel Jesus died for people because they deserve it by living “good” lives.  We know better. He died for everyone but for no one who had earned or deserved. The only thing we had done to warrant his death was be born into sin and as far as something we would do, the only explanation is that we keep on sinning our whole lives so we are in need of grace. The next question “am I someone special” is also somewhat of a paradox. Because to God everyone is someone special which actually makes no one special. We are all loved and that is enough. He doesn’t see us as we see ourselves or each other.

The question “Is it because you love me more than I can know?” zeros in on exactly why Jesus died for us. He loves us. It’s simple and it’s true. We’ve all encountered people who just can’t accept that it had to be this way or nothing.But it was.It plainly shows how far removed we are in our current lives from his perfect holiness. Finally, the question is asked, “What is my worth, that you would die for me?”  I don’t think it’s a question we ask very often because when we look at ourselves and our lives compared to others that are famous, rich, successful or even more holy, we don’t feel uplifted by the comparison. But if we look at our value reflected in the eyes of our Lord who gave his perfect life out of perfect love for each one of us, it’s got to make us more grateful for his grace, more mindful of how we live and more joyful as we live.  Despite our unworthiness, our worth, in the eyes of our Lord, is truly humbling, immensely comforting and altogether astonishing.