First Pres is home to numerous adult social and study groups that meet on a regular basis. Each group plans its own program and schedule, seeking to meet the needs and interest of those involved.
- Adult Sunday School
- Anchor Club
- Board of Deacons
- Men's Breakfast Group
- Navigators
- Prayer Team
- Presbyterian Women
- PW Sewing Group
- Session
Adults at FPC have a wide variety of classes from which to choose on Sunday morning. Each month from September to May, we try to offer at least three classes in areas such as Bible study, contemporary Christian issues, spirituality, social issues, or theology. Each course of study is presented in four- or eight-week units and is led by members of the congregation, the pastors, or outside speakers.
Classes in the past have included such subjects as the Parables of Jesus, Wrestling with Angels, Coffee and Current Events, Comparative Religions, the Mideast Conflict, Marriage and Stress, the Book of Job, and a class about Angels.
Because of the short duration of the classes, some will be offered again for people who may have missed them the first time around. There is something for everyone in our Adult Christian Education menu!
Anchor Club meets on the second Sunday of each month October through May) for a potluck at 12:15 p.m. in the church Social room. Following the potluck is a program, which in the past has included speakers and videos. Occasionally the group makes trips to other area locations for their meals.
Attendance ranges from 15 to 58 people, and the events are open to all members and friends of First Church.
The Men's Breakfast Group meets every other Saturday at 7 a.m. for a continental breakfast in the church's Social room. In the past the group has used video series, Pastor Chapman's sermons and the Serendipity Bible for their studies. For the fall, they are using the video series “That the World May Know,” which offers lessons based on various historical sites in the Holy Land
All men of the church are welcome.
Relying upon ...
Jesus, the pilot;
the Bible, the compass; and
the Church, the anchor.
Navigators is an adult social/service group open to all adults in the church. The group's mission is to offer Christian service and outreach, to establish Christian homes, and to provide Christian fellowship.
The group meets at least once a month for either a fellowship activity or a service project. Service projects have included youth mission trip fundraisers, construction and cleanup at Camp Wyoming, and building Habitat for Humanity homes. In the past, fellowship activities have included activities like dinner gatherings at members' homes, and an outing to a Cedar Rapids Kernels ball game.
We have a dedicated group of people who meet regularly to pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our congregation, their friends, and families. We also seek to lift up our congregation's staff, volunteers, and their many ministries so that the grace of the Lord may be known near and far.
Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study; to support the mission of the church worldwide; to work for justice and peace; and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God's kingdom. -- Presbyterian Women Purpose Statement
The Presbyterian Women's group at First Pres is comprised of two groups, Sarah Circle and Martha Circle. Sarah Circle meets the first Wednesday morning of each month and uses the Horizon Bible Study for their programs. Martha Circle meets the second Wednesday evening and has varied programs. Both use the Mission Yearbook of Prayer and the Circle of Prayer in their devotions. They participate in the Fellowship of the Least Coin, Birthday Offering, and the Thank Offering, all the proceeds of which go to those in need around the world.
Four to six women meet every Thursday morning at 9 a.m. in the Mission House basement to make quilts and other items for mission projects. Attendees bring a sack lunch with them and the group usually works until around 2 p.m. They have made regular size quilts, baby quilts and pillows for the Helping Hand Store. In recent years they have made quilts to give to graduating high school seniors from the congregation. Members have about 15,000 blocks cut and ready to sew into quilt tops. If you're interested in participating but cannot make a Thursday morning session, you are welcome to take blocks home sew them into quilt tops at your own convenience.
