Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’

— Matthew 25

A Matthew 25 Congregation

Here at FPC we have taken on the call to serve as a Matthew 25 congregation. Matthew 25:31–46 calls all of us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. Convicted by this passage, we are called to act boldly and compassionately to see our neighbors through Jesus’ eyes and serve those who are marginalized or in need — people who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, strangers, poor or oppressed in other ways and in need of welcoming. What that means is that we aare committed to:

 

Dismantling Structural Racism

By fearlessly applying our faith to advocate and break down the systems, practices and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color.

Congregational Vitality

By challenging our congregation and members to deepen and energize their faith and grow as joyful leaders and disciples actively engaged with their community, seeing new disciples engaged in ministry and longstanding believers develop in faith as the gospel of Jesus Christ is shared in word and deed.

Eradicating Systemic Poverty

By acting on our beliefs and working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor.

Our Local Partners

  • Food of Faith

    Groups from the church gather at Trinity Episcopal to volunteer to purchase, prepare and serve a meal to area families in need. Everyone welcome. Contact the Deacons for more information or to volunteer.

  • Ramp Blitz

    Every spring the youth partner with our men's group and spend a Saturday building a wheel chair ramp through Disability Services’ annual Ramp Blitz.

  • Food Pantry

    The church maintains a food pantry which works in conjunction with local human service agencies.

  • Hands and Feet

    Our youth groups spend two days after Christmas each year visiting local non-profit agencies to offer their help and their presence in whatever ways are needed. Recently, the group has helped at Disability Services Resource Center, Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, the Bay Medical Care Facility, and Habitat for Humanity.

  • Helen Nickless Free Clinic

    provides medical care to those who do not have insurance and meet specific economic qualifications under the auspices of McLaren Regional Health Center. Helen was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Volunteers from FPCBC serve in a variety of capacities at the weekly clinic and the church served as an anchor in establishing the clinic's sustaining fund