​​Annual Meeting of the Congregation

The Annual Meeting of the congregation and corporation of First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak will take place immediately following the 10:30am worship service Sunday, September 27 in the sanctuary. Members are encouraged to attend, and visitors are welcome to be present. Copies of the 2025-2026 Annual Report are available at the reception desk and on the church website.

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S.T.A.G.E. Youth Ministry

The next regular S.T.A.G.E. meeting is September 27 from 6-8pm at Birmingham First Presbyterian and is open to all 6th grade through 12th grade youth. Bring a friend! S.T.A.G.E. (Somewhere To Ask God Everything) is a collaborative youth ministry for middle-and high-school youth. Meetings are on select Sundays at one of our collaborating churches. Scan the QR code for 
more information.
 

Can You Lend a World Textile/Fabric?

For World Communion Sunday, the Worship & Nurture Committee is interested in borrowing cloths/textiles from around the world to display on the communion table. These might be pieces of cloth, weavings, hangings, etc. If you have a textile to lend for this special celebration, please bring it to the church no later than Sunday, September 27 or contact Pastor Emma Nickel. Textiles will be available to take home after worship on Sunday, October 4 or we’ll hold onto them for you. (It’s a good idea to attach a tag with your name, or we will do so for you).

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Parent’s Night Out

We’re hosting a Parent’s Night Out for FPCRO families. Parents may drop off their children at the church for fun activities on Friday, October 2 from 6pm-9pm. This is a great opportunity for grown-ups to enjoy a night out. A pizza dinner will be provided for the children. Please sign-up with Joelle Jarrait to let her know your children will be there.

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Olive Wood Crafts Support Holy Land Christians

On October 4—World Communion Sunday—we’ll have the opportunity to learn about and support Christians living in the Holy Land as we welcome Mrs. Amal Abuaita to worship and coffee hour. At coffee hour, you can expect to see available for purchase handmade olive wood religious items. This mission, which has been positively received at other churches like ours throughout Michigan, supports Christian families in Bethlehem, strengthens their presence, and helps preserve the Christian witness in the land of Christ.

 

‘The Devil You Say’ Bible Study on Monday’s in October

Be afraid! Be very afraid! Or not! What’s the deal with the devil? Is he someone? Is he a ‘he’? Is he someone to fear? Does it matter whether we acknowledge the devil at all, or does it make more sense just to talk about evil in the world? And what does Jesus have to say about all this? Take a panoramic tour of Satan’s development in scripture from God’s prosecuting attorney to the source of quintessential evil. And consider what difference it makes to Christians today to understand. Sign-up here: https://bit.ly/4xPRjMe.

Great Lakes Pilgrimage Spiritual Renewal Weekend Oct 9-11, 2026

The renewal weekend, held at Echo Grove Camp and Retreat Center in Leonard, MI, is an experience in Christian sharing and living. During the weekend, nine talks will be presented, two talks are given by pastors, and seven by lay people. The weekend includes chapel each morning and evening, communion, small group discussions, sharing, music, singing, laughter, and prayer. Registration forms are available here. If you are interested in attending or have questions please contact Norm Bayne. If you need financial assistance to attend, please contact Pastor Emma.

 

Kids Against Hunger Hands-On Event

After worship on October 11, the Mission in Service Committee is hosting a food packing event with Kids Against Hunger. We need 50 volunteers to package rice and bean meals. The tasks are simple—measuring, bagging, weighing, moving product to totes. There will be sitting and standing positions available and all ages may participate. Join us for a quick lunch after worship and then the event will begin at 12pm. KAH is a non-profit humanitarian organization with a mission to provide nutritious food to impoverished children and families around the world. Please sign up using the Sign-up Genius link.

 

Trunk or Treat is Oct 23—Candy, cars, and volunteers needed

Our Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 23 from 5:30-6:3pm is a great time to be with children in our community. To help 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, or let us know if you can help with set-up, serving food, etc.! Sign up here or call the church office. Your theme can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like it. We also need lots of candy for the event. The candy collection is now underway. Bring your candy donations to the baby pool in the lobby.
 

Moms Night Out—Save the Date!

FPCRO moms of kids up through elementary age are invited to a Mom’s Night Out at Tavern on the Main in Clawson on Friday, November 6 at 6:30pm! Come celebrate surviving the fall craziness with fellow moms! Share your latest back to school routines, swap Halloween horror (or humor) stories, and kick back before the craziness of the holidays hit full force! Sign up by November 2 here to let us know you’re coming. Audrey Frieberg will be making reservations, so please sign up so we know you are coming. Get in touch with Audrey (alkline221@gmail.com) if you think you’ll arrive late or have any questions.

Fall Spiritual Formation Series—through Nov 10, 7-8:30pm

Deepen your awareness of God’s presence and cultivate habits of contemplative prayer. Led by Don and Pat Johnson, the group will read The Lazarus Life: Spiritual Formation for Ordinary People by Stephen W. Smith. Attend when you can and as often as you’re able—committee and board members should still attend their regular Tuesday meetings. The first session will be an introduction, and the remaining sessions will focus on one chapter per week in the book. Each evening will consist of two parts: facilitated discussion, followed by contemplative reflection and prayer. This rhythm of study followed by stillness is designed to integrate intellectual understanding with spiritual practice, creating space for both communal and individual encounter with God. The goal is not just learning but cultivating a deeper spiritual attentiveness within our church community and awareness of God’s abiding presence. Signup at the reception desk.

 

Chancel Choir Rehearsals Resume

Do you love belting out songs in the car on your way to work? Or perhaps you’re looking for a break from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star? Our Chancel Choir could be the place for you! Rehearsals take place on Thursdays from 7:30-9pm. We look forward to welcoming our members, old and new, for an exciting musical year in the church together. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenn Muse or Suzanne Lewand. We hope you can join us!
 

​Sunday School Volunteers Needed

As we are blessed with a lively Sunday school program, we are looking for volunteers who can help in the classrooms either as a helper or a teacher. This can be once or twice a month or whatever works best for your schedule. All the lessons will be provided to you ahead of time and supplies will be ready in the classroom. A sign up is available. Please reach out to Joelle Jarrait if you have any questions.

 

The Bible in a Year—Enter the Bible

Starting in September, join Pastor Emma to learn more about every book of the Bible over the course of the year. On your own, each week of the year, listen to one podcast episode of “The Bible in a Year.” Read each corresponding book of the Bible as works for you. Join Pastor Emma one Sunday evening at the end of each month to discuss that months’ books and episodes. Refer to the September issue of the Church Bell for the schedule for the first part of the year. Signup here if you plan to participate so Pastor Emma can be in touch. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to every meeting. Don’t worry if your ability to stick with the program comes and goes throughout the year. Signup anyway and do what you can!

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Chancel Flower Dedications

The new 2026-27 flower dedication calendar is posted in the CE Lobby hallway. You are invited to sign up to honor a loved one or a special occasion with flowers during worship. There is also a card to fill out with information. Please contact Chris Klein if you have any questions.

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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! Lynne Sullivan 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 Lynne. Or call the church office to get her contact information. Lynne 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.​