The Herald Newsletter

Issue 9  I  September 2025

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Give Love. Give Hope.

Pledge drive to begin October 4

The annual pledge drive to raise funds for the 2026 budget begins in early October. With your support, we can continue to have a powerful, positive impact in a world that needs more love and hope.

As a congregation, we together support our ministries and our community in hundreds of ways, bringing to life our mission to increase the love of God and neighbor.

Watch your mailbox in early October for full information about how you can be a part of supporting First-Plymouth’s worship services, music ministry, Christian education for children and youth, and community outreach to serve those in need, including the Hope House.

When you make a pledge of financial support of any size for the 2026 budget, you help bring love and hope to life for thousands each and every day.

Thank you for being a part of this wonderful church and all that we are

accomplishing to make the world more loving, hopeful and peaceful.

Bill Etmund, Chair

First-Plymouth Board of Trustees

Give Love. Give Hope.

Love. First-Plymouth

Celebrating 1 Year at FP South!

We’re excited to mark one year of worship and community at our FP South location! Join us on Sunday, Sept 21 for a sweet celebration—cupcakes will be served immediately following the 9:30am service (10:30–11:30am) in the social hall.

Come celebrate with us, and experience the joy of worship at FP South,

Sundays at 9:30am at Roper & Sons South Chapel (S. 40th & Yankee Hill).

 Hope House is Open!

Hope House is off and running, and we’re already seeing incredible impact!

100+ neighbor connections made

$2,000+ in gift cards shared

20+ volunteers engaged

71% of neighbors need support with housing assistance

29% need support with utility, food, or gas

We’re learning so much each week—and this is only the beginning! Want to be part of the journey?

Sign up to be a Navigator by emailing julie@firstplymouth.org

The Hope House is open on Thursdays, 11:00am-1:00pm.

Contact by calling 531-500-5507 or email hopehouse@firstplymouth.org

Donate to the Tool Library at Hope House

Contact Brent Lucke brent.lucke@nwlincoln.org

Phone: 402.413.1347

Supported by NeighborWorks of Lincoln and the Hope House of FP

Compline

Sunday, September 14, 7:00-7:30pm, Sanctuary

Ancient Worship for the modern soul

Pre-Compline series

Into the Stillness

Beginning Guide to Mindfulness Meditation

Join Jason Padilla from the Lincoln Zen Center for a free, all-ages introduction to mindfulness meditation. Afterwards, stay for Compline.

First-Plymouth Presents

Worshippers of Power

The Dark Underbelly of American Christianity

Sun September 28, 6:00pm (doors open at 5:00pm)

Screamers Family Restaurant (803 Q St) with live music!

Parking garage located directly across the street.

Theology on Tap

The Fire of Justice

The Radical Theology and Politics of Dr. King

Sept 8, Oct 13, Nov 10, 7:00–8:00pm

New Location! White Elm Brewery (720 Van Dorn St)

Join Pastor Juan Carlos for this bold and timely Bible series exploring the revolutionary vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Far beyond the safe and sanitized version often remembered, Dr. King spoke with prophetic fire about justice, nonviolence, economic inequality, and the soul of America. Together we’ll engage four of his most powerful writings and speeches—Pilgrimage to Nonviolence, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, The Three Evils of Society, and I’ve Been to the Mountaintop—and reflect on their theological roots and urgent relevance for today. Come ready to wrestle, reflect, and be transformed.

Women’s Circle 3 with Pastor KJ Langlais

It’s more than just a book study - it’s fellowship, friendship, and fun!

2nd Wednesday of each month 10:00am – 11:30am, September 10-May 13th, in Pilgrim Hall

Book this Year: Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again! By Rachel Held Evans.

“Inspired is both delightful and essential”, What does it mean, “the Bible is inspired?”

Books available at the meeting for a donation of $12. For more info, contact kj@firstplymouth.org.

Sundays, 8:15am in Pilgrim Hall. Join Dr. Jim Keck and Juan Carlos Huertas for a casual service of coffee, donuts and a good message.

Abendmusik kicks off a terrific 2025-2026 season with the international sensation, Polyphony, a concert you won’t want to miss! Polyphony, England’s most remarkable chamber choir, comes to the Midwest for the first time to bring the best of the British choral tradition to the Abendmusik stage. Conducted by Stephen Layton, Polyphony will sing an extraordinary program of works by Stanford, Tallis, Byrd, Duruflé, Mendelssohn, Rheinberger, and Pärt.

Friday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m.

Featuring a collaborative performance with the Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir. No livestream available.

Freewill offering to benefit Interfaith Housing Coalition.

See the full season concert lineup at Abendmusik.org

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Resumes Sept. 16, 9:30-11:0am, Calvert Parlor. Carolyn Zeisset, Leader.

Autumn theme: Voices of the Voiceless. Explore how prophets upheld faith and supported the voiceless and powerless in economically, politically, and culturally fraught times.

Exploring Archaeology and Jesus

Sundays, Sept 7-28, 11:30am-12:30pm,

Tower Room. Led by Leah Cech.

Many of us see the maps in our Bibles, have learned about what daily life was probably like in Jesus’ time, and catch a news story where someone claims a great find proves something in the Bible really happened. But what is it really like to be an archaeologist doing the work of history in the land where Jesus lived? Expand our understanding of the Bible in context, and develop appreciation for what the material past can tell us.

Between Services Book Group

Sundays between the 9 & 10:30am services (Begins Sept 7) Book: How We Learn to be Brave by Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington Church D.C. Contact pennylarsen66@gmail.com

FP Men’s Noon Discussion with Dr. Keck

1st & 3rd Wednesdays (Sept 3 & 17) Noon-1:00pm, online via Zoom.

Email addie@firstplymouth.org to get on the email list.

Helpful Tips to Avoid Falling

Presented by Aging Partners

Mon. Sept. 29, 10:30-11:30am, Calvert Parlor. Free and open to all. Led by Anne Heydt, Aging Partners. Learn various ways that people can prevent falling in their daily lives.

Men’s Early Bird Coffee Group

Thursdays, 8:00-9:00am (begins Sept 3) Study the Great Course Video series, the Apocryphal Jesus, ancient books about Jesus that are not in the current Bible. All are welcome!

FP Animal Ministry

Pet Memorial Service

Sun. Sept. 7, 1:00pm, Chapel

Are you or someone you know experiencing the loss of a pet? If so, we hope you can join us. This is open to anyone and is a short service of poems, prayers, and making a small keepsake that will help ease this loss. Feel free to bring a photo and thoughts you might like to share of this special animal.

Collection for Pet Supplies

In October, we will be collecting pet food and new and used supplies to assist Lincoln Animal Ambassadors, who help low-income people with their pets needs.

Introduction to Healing with Energy

Sat. Oct. 18, 10:00am-2:00pm, Calvert Parlor

This class will introduce the practice of using your mind and your hands to facilitate the healing process. We will learn about the energy system. The focus of the class will be on the field (also called the aura) and some practices that influence our healing and wellbeing. Bring a sack lunch. Beverages provided.

Facilitated by Margaret Rickers, a Healing Touch and Reiki Practitioner.

Fee: $40. Send your payment to First-Plymouth, c/o Addie, 2000 D St Lincoln NE 68502 to register.

Love the Planet

Sustainable tips from First-Plymouth’s Climate Action Team

Recycling or donating electronics helps conserve valuable natural resources, minimize air and water pollution, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing.

Church Grounds Clean Up Volunteers Needed

Sept 13, Oct 11: 8:30am-10:30am

Help keep the church grounds looking beautiful.

God’s Garden

Last day Sept. 28th in the outdoor patio.

Electronic Recycling

September 21, 8:30am-Noon, East parking lot (21st & A)

As you clean out your closets and garages, save any old or broken electronics to safely recycle (no TVs, large appliances (ovens, microwaves, irons), and no glass tubes, lightbulbs). Call Nebraska Recycles at 402-405-2365 for a complete list. Donations go towards making the church more sustainable.

Volunteers Needed

Help our facilities crew with setting up the 11:59am service on Sunday mornings (11:30am-Noon). Contact adam@firstplymouth.org for info.

Adoption Triad Sharing Group

Sept. 18, 6:30pm, Calvert Parlor

Persons who may be a birth parent of an adoptee, an adoptee, or an adoptive parent are welcome.

Grief Support

2nd Friday (Sept 12) 3:00pm, Calvert Parlor. Group led.

Tues. September 16, 6:00pm, Tower Rm. Led by Dr. Lisa Borchardt. Contact addie@firstplymouth.org to register

Jacob A. Mason to Work at The Carter Center

Following the conclusion of his pastoral internship at First-Plymouth this summer, Jacob A. Mason will assume a prestigious Graduate Assistantship at The Carter Center in Atlanta. The Assistantship will span Jacob’s third and final year of seminary at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.

Jacob’s research will focus on “Understanding Best Practices for Depolarization in Faith Communities in the U.S.” – including an emphasis on engaging young people ages 18 to 30 in peacebuilding activities. Jacob is excited to examine how communities of faith can most successfully engage in depolarization efforts in order to secure and advance a flourishing future for all of God’s people.

Indigenous Working Group

Monthly meetings 2nd Thursday monthly (Sept 11), 5:00-6:30pm Calvert Parlor (All are welcome)

Sep 4 Re-Member Group from Pine Ridge visiting FP 6:00-8:00pm

Sep 8 Ross Theater “Across the Creek” & “Finding Refuge” 7:15pm

Sep 11 Kevin Abouresk speaker at IWG meeting 5:00-6:30pm

Sep 13-19 Pine Ridge Week Visitation (nancygreen19@gmail.com for details)

Sep19-20 Otoe Missouria Days. Art exhibit at Center for Great Plains Study and other activities at Mahoney State Park

Sep 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  A public remembrance for victims of the Indian Boarding School era. Show solidarity by wearing an orange shirt to church on Sunday the 28th.

Oct 13 Indigenous People’s Day

Pickleball at FP

Join us for Pickle Ball!

Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00pm

Enter from the East parking lot

FP Singles Ministry

Check out the monthly events by getting on the email list. Email addie@firstplymouth.org.

Ministry Fair

Be Inspired. Participate. Engage.

Sunday, Sept. 14, 9:30am-Noon, Courtyard

Explore more than 20 ministries at First-Plymouth that offer opportunities to deepen your faith. Connect with fellow members who share your passions, whether it’s singing, serving others, sewing, or more!

Grape Expectations Church Social

A great way to meet others who also attend

First-Plymouth! Bring an appetizer and beverage (most bring wine) to share!

Next social: Sept 26, 6:30-9:00pm at Tim & Joan Creger’s home. RSVP for the address at

tandjcreger@gmail.com

$5 Sale on Plymouth Pride t-shirts

If you are interested, drop by the office M-F to pick up your shirt. Variety of sizes still available.