Missions
Deacons
Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Offerings
WAFER
Haiti Mission Trip 
Youth Mission Trips
Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sale
Operation Christmas Child
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Board of Deacons
The Board of Deacons is composed of deacons who are nominated, elected, ordained and installed by the church. Deacons are called out of the congregation to provide a ministry to those in need, to the sick, and to the friendless.

The Book of Order describes the Ministry of the Deacons as follows:
The office of deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of need.

It is the duty of the deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed. They shall have the care of the property of the congregation, both real and personal, and shall keep in proper repair the church edifice and other buildings belonging to the congregation.

Presbyterian Women (PW)
Presbyterian Women (PW) is the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). With a history of more than 200 years, PW is committed to nurturing faith, supporting the church’s mission, working for justice and building community. More than 300,000 women live out these commitments through Presbyterian Women in exciting, growth-inspiring ways.

PW is open to all women in the church and provides a great opportunity for small group fellowship and study. Circles meet in the morning, afternoons and evenings.

Haiti Mission Trip
In January, 2010 a medical mission team, sponsored by First Presbyterian will return to Haiti for its fifth mission trip to Haiti. The team staffs a week-long medical clinic, providing care to the residents. More information about the 2010 trip will be posted soon. For more information contact Rev. Taylor Haley at the church (784-4248).

Youth Mission Trips
Our Youth Ministry Team is already working to plan our next summer youth mission trip. Previous summer mission trips have taken our students to the intercity of Denver, the small town of Cairo, Illinois and most recently to the suburbs of Chicago. Please watch this posting for updated information about a summer 2010 Youth Mission Trip.

WAFER
On the second Sunday of each month, the congregation hosts WAFER SUNDAY. Non-perishable food items and personal care goods such as toilet paper, shampoo, soap, etc. are brought to the church.  The items are transported to WAFER, a local food pantry. WAFER personnel report that the need is continuous. The pantry serves one in twenty households in La Crosse County. Some foods always in demand are peanut butter, cereal and soup.  Our WAFER  collection is sponsored by the church's Mission and Social Action Committee. 

Looking for a unique gift that gives something back to our world? Shop our exquisite collection of gifts and home decor are handcrafted in bamboo, stone, wood, natural fibers and ceramics.

To learn more about Ten Thousand Villages, visit their website www.tenthousandvillages.com

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love.  Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe.

People all over the country are filling shoeboxes, getting them ready to drop off during the National Collection week, November 16 through November 23rd. Over 3 million people in the United States will be filling shoe boxes for children in over 75 countries around the world. Last year there were more than 5 million shoe boxes sent from the US...8 million boxes were collected worldwide in 2008.

How can you be a part of Operation Christmas Child? Pack a shoe box! - Complete instructions for packing a box can be found on the Samaritan's Purse website, www.samaritanspurse.org/occ. But briefly, you would choose to pack a gift for a boy or girl in specific age category (2-4, 5-9, or 10-14), fill the shoe box with age appropriate gifts, include a $7 donation for shipping and drop your shoebox off at First Presbyterian Church during the National Collection Week.

During the National Collection Week, you can drop off you donation at our Coach House during the following times: 

Monday, Nov. 16th through Friday, November 20th
11 AM to 1PM and 6 PM to 8 PM               

Saturday, November 21st
10 AM to 2 PM                                    

Sunday, November 22nd
3 PM to 6 PM                                      

Monday, November 23rd 10
AM to 6 PM