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First Presbyterian Church of Arlington |
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Our commitment to mission is motivated
by the Great Commission, Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations,” and by
the Great Commandment, to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This commitment is expressed both through our financial support and by the hands-on help we give to a variety of missions. Read about current Missions at http://fpcamissions.blogspot.com/
Other Missions we support Alliance for Children This agency actually started at First Presbyterian Church on Christmas Eve of 1986. Eighteen years later, the Arlington Life Shelter has over 1,800 volunteers who provide food, shelter, and counseling to around 100 men, women, and children everyday. Over $400,000 worth of food is provided annually, along with help finding homes and jobs. First Presbyterian continues to support the Arlington Life Shelter financially. In addition, adult Sunday School classes regularly supply an evening meal for the Life Shelter. In May of 2009 FPCA volunteers painted the Life Shelter. Click here to see pictures of the hard working painters. Presbyterian Children's Homes Services Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services, founded in 1903, was created to serve the needs of orphans. This legacy of hope and healing continues today by providing Christ-centered services to children and families in crisis and need. First Presbyterian of Arlington is primarily involved through our support of the Group Homes in Itasca and Waxahachie. We do this specifically on Christmas Eve when our annual offering goes to support these two facilities. This community organization was founded in 1978 and provides food and clothing to the Arlington community. There are also seasonal programs such as School Supplies and Thanksgiving Baskets. First Presbyterian is involved to helping all of these programs with our financial support and donations of needed items. In 2004, the volunteers of Arlington Charities were recognized by the Star-Telegram newspaper with a STARS award. Call FPCA for more information: 817-274-8286. Each spring and summer First Presbyterian raises money to help build a new Habitat house, and then in the fall we recruit volunteers to work on the actual construction. This effort is a joint effort with other Presbyterian churches in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. FPCA supports Carter Blood Care by having a blood drive at the church about once every 6 months. Guidelines for blood donation. The Shidelers, members of Wycliffe Bible Translators since 1992, are currently assigned to the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL) in Dallas, Texas. GIAL graduates are future Bible translators and literacy specialists. Brett serves in GIAL’s computer support department and helps with safety issues. Marla serves in the GIAL library, providing information resources and services to GIAL students and faculty as well as other Wycliffe missionaries around the world. Learn more about the work of Bible translation at www.wycliffe.org/ Learn more about the mission of GIAL at www.gial.edu/ SafeHaven was formed in 2006 through a merger of Women's Haven and The Women' Shelter. SafeHaven works to change the lives of women and children affected by domestic violence every day. The Village is a premier retirement center in Dallas. It is a mission of Grace Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Village offers a “whole” community atmosphere on its 27 beautiful wooded and landscaped acres. It has housing options of independent living, assisted living, special care units, and nursing care. The Village has a capacity of 310 residents and has consistently received top-level rankings as a retirement community. This agency was started in 1977, motivated by the belief that all people have the right to participate fully in society and to live independent and active lives. Helping Restore Ability (HRA) provides assistance to persons with severe disabilities such as spinal-cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, emphysema, and other disabilities related to old age. HRA works in Tarrant, Dallas, and nine surrounding counties. This is a nationally recognized mission affiliated with First Baptist Church that touches the lives of around 11,000 people each week. Mission Arlington provides after-school tutoring, Bible studies, camps for children and teenagers, gifts for Christmas, school supplies, the world’s largest Easter egg hunt, dental and medical care, and Thanksgiving meals. First Presbyterian particularly works in partnership with Mission Arlington to proved emergency help to people. This organization works with other public and private agencies to aid and support children who are victims of abuse. Alliance for Children offers counseling, referral, and other support services. This agency provides approximately 2,00 meals each day to the disabled and elderly residents of Tarrant County. Many caring volunteers help make this possible, including Meals on Wheels volunteers from First Presbyterian Church. Tarrant County AIDS Interfaith Network The mission of the Tarrant County AIDS Interfaith Network is to mobilize people of faith in order to demonstrate God’s love to those people affected by AIDS. Programs include delivery of prescription drugs to those without transportation, support groups, one-to-one counseling, helping clients find needed services, and sponsoring a World AIDS Day worship service. During the Advent and Christmas seasons, the members of First Presbyterian bring mittens (and hats, gloves, scarves, and toys) to decorate trees located through the church. These items are donated to the Women’s Shelter and other local agencies. This wonderful outreach was started here at First Presbyterian. Many local charitable groups are questioned as to any pressing needs that require around $30 or four hours of volunteer time. These requests are collected, and then members of the church volunteer to meet a particular need. Share the Heart is done around Valentine’s Day each year. http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings
One Great Hour of Sharing – received on Palm Sunday and provides funds for
community development and emergency aid around
the world through the Presbyterian Church (USA) |
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One big outreach mission for FPCA is the Bazaarnival -
a gigantic rummage sale that is held on the parking lot and inside the
church, the last weekend of July. This is an
opportunity for members and their friends and families to contribute
time, talent and "treasure" to the church. Throughout the year
donations are collected and stored for this big event. Dedicated workers divide up all the donations,
and set up different rooms for adult clothing, children's toys and
clothing, special things (china and jewelry), holiday items, and one big
room full of miscellaneous items, large and small. Everything is
sold at very reasonable prices, so everyone can come and shop.
The Bazaarnival is a big mission outreach for FPCA and in spite of the
hard work involved, it is a wonderful time of good fellowship too!