VIEW FROM THE MANSE 2.0 - February 2026

 We ran out! For our most recent fellowship dinner we had two large pots of sauce and two large pots of noodles and both of them ran dry! I love that so many of you showed up for a meal on a Tuesday night (and, fortunately, we had extra sauce and extra noodles that helped cover the spread). It was a wonderful time and I don’t think anyone left hungry. We are planning another fellowship meal for Tuesday, February 10 at 6:15pm. It will be a carry-in crockpot meal. If you want, pick your favorite crockpot recipe and bring it in. We would love to have you join us. Look for a sign-up list in the weeks ahead.

          Some of you have been attending APC for a few months now. We would like to get to know you better and offer you a chance to get to know us. On Saturday, February 21, from 9-1, we will be offering a new members class. During this class we talk about what our church believes, its history, and what is required to become a member. We finish the class by sharing a lunch together. If you are new or you have been around a while and you are interested in joining our church community (or just knowing more about us), I want to invite you to join me for this morning class.

          One of the ways that folks in our congregation have deepened their relationships in the church and sought to care for each other is by joining a house group. House groups meet 3x a month for a meal, a short study, and a time of prayer. House groups include children and are often noisy and wonderfully chaotic. Each house group comes with a 2-year commitment. While that may sound like a long time, I think you would find that it flies by and, if your experience is anything like mine, you will wish it were not over. There will be a sign-up list in McLean Hall during the month of February for those who are interested in participating in the life of the church in this way.

          I am planning to spend a majority of the last week of January in Florida with some other pastors planning for the spring. I want to walk through the first half of Exodus with the church family for the season of Lent. Lent is the liturgical season that extends from Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18) to Palm Sunday. It is during this 40-day period that the church concentrates on prayer, fasting, and repentance; focusing on our need for Christ. The children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years after being rescued from Egypt. Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness for 40 days before he began his public ministry. It is my hope and prayer that looking at this section of the scriptures will prepare us for what Jesus wants to do in our hearts in the first half of 2026.

Bryan Fitzgerald, Pastor (bryan@argylepresbyterian.org)

Comments

New comments are not allowed.

Popular posts from this blog

VIEW FROM THE MANSE 2.0 - April 2025

  Recently, on a Saturday morning, APC hosted a new members’ class. This class has taken different forms in recent years. It was once offered on 6 consecutive Sundays during the Sunday school hour (and we may go back to doing that in the future). But, more recently, we have been taking a Saturday morning to cover all that material in a single day. It sounds daunting, but we take breaks and conclude with lunch from the Argyle Variety. I enjoy teaching this class immensely and I am usually assisted by a ruling elder (this past time I was assisted by Wes Clark).           The class is structured around the membership questions. There are 5 of them and they can be grouped into 3 categories; what does it mean to be a Christian, how do we live as Christians, and what is the Evangelical Presbyterian denomination of which APC is a part? Here are the membership questions: 1.   Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of G...
Read more

View From the Manse 2.0 - December 2025

  Someone recently made the comment that I look tired. That may be because of poor sleep in recent weeks. But in all likelihood, it is just that there are a number of hard, sad situations in the life of our church right now. It is a privilege to be your pastor and be present with you through these difficult seasons. Praying with Jesus for you all is a sweet calling. But this seems to be a common occurrence as we approach the end of the year and the season of Advent; more sadness, more darkness.           Advent is the season in the liturgical calendar that begins the year. It is time between times. We approach the birth of Christ in a manger while anticipating the return of Christ (what we frequently refer to as his second coming). And it is in this season that the church lives its life. Fleming Rutledge writes, “Advent is the season that, when properly understood, does not flinch from the darkness that stalks us all in this world. Adv...
Read more

VIEW FROM THE MANSE 2.0 - NOVEMBER 2025

  A few times throughout the year, the elders, deacons, and trustees take the time to meet together. This is important for our church because we want our leadership team working together and we want to have a common culture across the church.           During our October meeting we celebrated those who are cycling off our boards. When you are elected for one of these positions, you are elected for a 3-year term, with a good chance that you will be invited to serve for a second term.           Ellen Fullerton and Ray Steidle are cycling off the session after serving for 6 years each. They both came on session shortly after Steve and Kim moved to Texas. It is hard to believe that 6 years have passed. They both had the privilege of serving during some unfamiliar waters (pastoral transition and COVID) and I am grateful for their steady leadership.        ...
Read more