​​Hands-On Mission Opportunity

The Mission in Service Committee is planning a volunteer opportunity with the organization “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” on Saturday, September 13 from 8:30am to 12pm at the Lowe’s in Westland (6555 N Newburgh Rd, Westland–approximately a 35-minute drive). Volunteers will make beds for kids who don’t have one, and will have the opportunity to learn, or hone, their skills at cutting, sanding, drilling, assembling, staining, and branding. Our goal is to make 50 beds! Register online. You will be asked to sign a waiver. Dress in clothing you don’t mind getting dirty and wear closed-toe shoes. All tools are provided and all skill levels are welcome. Minimum age is 12-years-old with a guardian. Car pooling will be organized. Come join us to help serve our community!

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Volunteer at Forgotten Harvest—Weekday &Weekend Opportunities

The Mission in Service committee is offering two kinds of opportunities to volunteer at Forgotten Harvest (15000 W Eight Mile, Oak Park). FH collects and delivers thousands of pounds of surplus food weekly to alleviate hunger and end food waste by providing nutritious food to families facing food insecurity. The Warehouse on 8 Mile is where we help pack rescued food from businesses to prevent food waste. We bundle food into sizable portions for food pantries, soup kitchens and individual families. The second opportunity is Client Choice Mobile Pantry (next to the Warehouse) This is a small venue where the volunteers help guests make food selections, much like shopping in a grocery store!

• Weekdays: Six volunteers needed in the Warehouse Thursday, September 18 from 9am-12pm, and in the Client Choice Pantry Thursday, October 23 from 8:45am-12pm. Volunteers must be 18 years and up. To signup, please contact Dave Keener at dakeener00@gmail.com.

• Weekend: 25 volunteers needed in the Warehouse Saturday, November 1, from 9am-12 noon. Volunteers 10 years and up must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Sign up online. You will then receive an email from Dave Keener inviting you to pre-register on the Forgotten Harvest website.

Sign up online, or on the Mission in Service bulletin board. Volunteer slots may be added if necessary. Questions? Contact: Dave Keener or Denise Huebner.

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Sign Up Today for CROP Walk

Support walkers by visiting the sign-up table in the CE Lobby, or visit to make an on-line donation. FPCRO’s team name is Fpcro25. This year, the CROP Walk is Sunday, September 21, starting at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ferndale, located at 540 W. Lewiston Ave. Walkers should arrive at 1:45pm for the 2pm start. Last year, the five participating churches raised $11,007 in donations. FPCRO raised $2,000 and donations were equal between on-line and in-person donations. This year, your donations are even more urgent with USAID in disarray. CROP Walk is another way in which to demonstrate FPCRO’s commitment to being a Mathew 25 church. Thank you for your continued support of this very important mission.

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Upcoming S.T.A.G.E. Meetings

S.T.A.G.E. (Somewhere To Ask God Everything) is a collaborative youth group which strives to build lifelong relationships, impact the communities we live in, and learn about and share the love of Christ! Join our newsletter by emailing stageyouth@gmail.com for all the details on our meetings, added service events during the year, and summer mission work! Meetings are open to all Middle and High School Students (6th-12th grade). Meetings are from 6-8pm unless otherwise specified.

• Regular meeting at First Presbyterian Church Birmingham on September 21

• Care Packages Service Project at Greenfield Presbyterian Church October 12

• Regular meeting at FPCRO on October 26

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Save the Date: Presbytery of Detroit Event at FPCRO

This September, the Presbytery of Detroit will host a visit from Co-Moderator of the PC(USA), the Rev. Cece Armstrong, who was raised in Detroit. On Saturday, September 27, from 10am to 1pm, FPCRO is honored to be hosting Rev. Armstrong at a Presbytery-wide event, with lunch included, in Kirkman Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to attend! A few volunteers from FPCRO will be needed during the event to greet guests and help with the boxed lunch. Questions? Contact Suzanne Lewand.

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Annual Meeting September 28

The annual meeting of the congregation and corporation of First Presbyterian Church will take place immediately following worship on Sunday, September 28 at 11:30am in the sanctuary. Annual reports will be available ahead of the meeting. Members are encouraged to attend and to vote; visitors are welcome to be present.

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Vision Event and Coffee Hour

FPCRO is called to be a beacon of hope and constancy in an uncertain world. To fulfill our vision, over the next three years we are Building Hope through a capital campaign. On Sunday, October 5, join us after worship in Kirkman Fellowship Hall to learn more about the vision and the campaign. Children and families are encouraged to attend, along with members of all ages!

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Teen Clean Closet

After worship on Sunday, October 12, please join us in Kirkman Fellowship Hall where we will assemble Hygiene Kits for the Teen Clean Closet. Their mission is to supply free new toiletry and hygiene items to young people and adults in the community who are in need. Royal Oak schools, YMCA, Youth Club, Mahany/Meininger Senior Center, have mini closets in their facilities. They also supply nearby cities. Come and help support their mission. Thank you!

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Save the Date—New Member Classes on October 12, 19, and 26

For those interested in learning more about the church or who are ready to join, our classes meet Sundays from 9-10am in the Fireside Room and conclude October 26 with breakfast and a brief Session meeting to receive new members. We’ll welcome you in worship at 10:30am that day! Childcare is provided upon request. Please RSVP to Pastor Emma or call the church office at
(248) 541-0108.

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Men’s Contemplative Group

This October, Rev. Matt Nickel will offer guided practices to increase mindful awareness of self, body, and connection to others. The practices will engage contemplative spirituality, breath work, mind-fullness, and nervous system regulation. No previous experience is required. Men of FPCRO and friends from the community are invited to participate on Mondays, October 13, 20, 27 at 7:30pm in the Fireside Room. Participants are encouraged to sign-up online.

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Building Hope Book Study

This fall our congregation will consider how God is building hope among us and how we can join God in that work. We'll read Hope: A User's Manual by MaryAnn McKibben Dana during October and talk about where we see hope, how we understand it, and how our faith helps us live into it. Join the book discussion in one of two ways:

• Either meet weekly on Wednesdays at 1pm at the church during October (October 8, 15, 22, 29) to discuss portions of the book each week.

• Or, come for a one-time discussion of the whole book on Tuesday, October 28 at 7:30pm. All events will take place in the Fireside Room.

The church has 25 signed copies of the book available for purchase for $16 each. Visit the reception desk to get yours. Or order your own copy online in paperback or Kindle version. An audio version is also available.

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Trunk or Treat Volunteer Opportunities

Our Trunk or Treat is a great time to be with children in our community. To make the event a success, we need volunteers to help with activities as well as decorated cars. Choose a fun theme for your car and join us! Sign up here or call the church office. The event is Friday, October 24 at 5pm. Your theme can be as simple as you’d like it.

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Candy Donations for Trunk or Treat!

Our exciting Trunk or Treat event is Friday, October 24. To make the event a success, we need candy donations. In the CE lobby there’s a kiddie pool for candy collection. Our goal is to fill the pool so we have enough for over 250 children we expect to attend. We would appreciate all candy donations by Sunday, October 12 to allow time for preparation. If you would like to make a monetary donation, you may include “trunk or treat” on your donation.

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Naomi-Ruth Circle Meets Wednesdays at 10:30am

Women of FPCRO, mark your calendars and attend Naomi-Ruth Circle! Circle meets at 10:30am in the Fireside Room the second Wednesday of the month September to June. We begin with fellowship and snacks, share joys and concerns, and learn of various missions, and conclude with Bible Study. This year’s study is “Sacred Encounters: The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in Luke through Acts,” produced by Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible Study.

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Opportunity to Usher on Sunday Mornings

The Worship and Nurture Committee is looking for ushers. Simply arrive 20-25 minutes ahead of
the 10:30am service to greet folks and hand out bulletins. After worship, retrieve the completed
pew rack Friendship pad forms. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the Narthex. Questions? Contact Gail Meengs.

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Need a Ride to Church?

The Deacons want to ensure that everyone who wants to come to church can get here! Roger Watson is the transportation advocate on the Board of Deacons. If you need a ride to church, or would like to have a ride occasionally, please get in touch with Roger. Or call the church office to get his contact information. Roger can work with you to see how we can arrange a ride for you to join us for worship.

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​Sunburst Singers Music Program for Children

Join our music program for kids (preschool through early middle school), following worship on the first and third Sundays of each month from September through June.​