First Presbyterian Church of Holland Michigan (PCUSA)

In 2008 First Presbyterian Church celebrated its 50th anniversary!

This is the raw video that was presented at the 50th Anniversary dinner.
Click here to play or download the video.

From the Holland Sentinel June 28, 2008

Holland’s First Presbyterian Church (USA) celebrates its 50th anniversary with a weekend of events, including receptions for past ministers. It caps a yearlong celebration that began last summer with an all-church picnic.

The church was organized by a group from the First Methodist church in Holland, and held its first unofficial service March 15, 1958, in the former Brooks Mansion at the corner of State Street and 28th Street. The first formal service as a Presbyterian congregation was held June 29, 1958, with the Rev. Charles VanderBeek as pastor.

Today the congregation has 550 members. Its pastor, the Rev. Linda Knieriemen, is the fifth senior minister to serve the congregation. Others have been the Rev. VanderBeek (1958-1961), the Rev. William F. Burd (1961-1970), the Rev. Ernest Freund (1971-1981) and the Rev. Tom Nelson (1982-2007). The Rev. Rick Campbell served as associate pastor from 1991 through 2004.

In addition to Knieriemen, the congregation currently is served by the Rev. Matthew Webber, associate pastor.

The three living past ministers — the Burd, Freund and Nelson — have been invited to attend a special “Meet the Pastors” reception today, June 28, at Evergreen Commons prior to the Celebration Dinner and Remembrance Program which begins at 6:30 p.m.

“Godspell,” directed by church choir director Chuck Norris, is scheduled at the church at 2 p.m. today, June 28.

Coinciding with the “Godspell” presentation is an art exhibit by members of the congregation. Work by seven painters, a jeweler, five photographers, four quilters, two who create miniatures, two carvers and one needlecrafter will be featured. One of the quilts depicts the stained glass windows of the church sanctuary.

On Sunday, a “Service of Celebration” will be held at 9:30 a.m. with the past and present pastors. It ends with an old-fashioned ice cream social.

Our July/August 2008 newsletter is available for download. Please click on the link below.

Profiles July/August 2008 2008

The Monthly Calendar and Sunday Schedule are now available for download. Click the links below.

July 2008 Calendar

August 2008 Calendar

July/August 2008 Sunday Schedule

TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Micah 6:6-8
I Corinthians 12:12-26

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Click the audio icon above to play the service or you can click here to play or download the service.
or
You can play or download the Sermon Taking the Long Way Home as preached by Rev. Matt Webber with Amanda Richardson and Sara Wildt.

Left click on the title to listen or right click and choose “save target as” to download.

Participating in Worship: Rev. Matt Webber, Amanda Richardson, Sara Wildt, Liturgist: Kathy Floch

Needs are mouthwash, liquid dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo and diapers sizes 4 and 5.

Most of you remember Abraham Nkhata from Zambia who was such an important part of our church family while he was studying at Western Seminary a year ago. He tells us that he misses us and has asked for us to pray for:

him in his new role as Moderator of the Copperbelt Presbytery
for the house projects which his church is doing
for the church’s finances
for his wife who is studying to be a registered midwife

If you would like to personally encourage Abraham, his email address is Nkhatabraham@yahoo.com.

ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Genesis 6:9-22, 7:24; 8:14-19

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Click the audio icon above to play the service or you can click here to play or download the service.
or
You can play or download the Sermon Noah’s Heartache as preached by Rev. Linda Knieriemen.

Left click on the title to listen or right click and choose “save target as” to download.

Participating in Worship: Rev. Linda Knieriemen, Sara Appleyard, Liturgist: Dean Kreps, Minute for Mission: Judy Faber.

The book we will be discussing is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The book study will be meeting for four weeks, Tuesday nights, 7PM. June 17, 24 and July 1, 8. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board! For more information contact Sara Appleyard.