First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck

 Pastor Leanne’s THROWBACK Message from April 2023

        Today’s kids will never know the excitement of being asked to stay after school to help clean the chalk boards. When I was in second grade at Longfellow Elementary, that was a special treat, one that always induced the fantasy that I was teacher’s pet. All of the learning we had conquered would be on those chalkboards, and I was commissioned to take an eraser and clear it off to make room for new learning. The immediate result was a blurred, streaky mess of chalk that produced unpleasant dust. The blackboards became pure chaos before I was given a damp cloth to wipe up the mess. The part I liked most came later, when a classmate and I were told to take the black fuzzy erasers outside and beat them against the side of the stone building. Squares of colored chalk appeared against the wall as the erasers gave up their chalk dust. I always left feeling quite accomplished, sure that the teacher thought most highly of me.

   It’s that streaky, blurry mess that was the chalkboard that has me thinking today - thinking about how that stage of chaotic chalk streak was necessary in between the writing of the knowledge we had attained and the knowledge that was yet to be imparted to us. Certainly it was not pretty, and the dust it produced could cause choking if one accidentally breathed it in. But, even the small mind of a child knew that the only way there would be room for the learning of tomorrow was if yesterday’s knowledge became blurry, confusing, disorienting.

     Honestly, I think that is like life – at least like the life of a disciple – because every now and then we all come to a time when what we know becomes confusing and refuses to serve a new day. Our souls are like that chalkboard – we must endure a time of chaos, of confusion, of disorientation before there is space within us for something new, something that enhances our much needed growth. It is not a season of the soul that we like, we often fight against the restructuring of our understanding. Transitions are messy and upsetting. They are also necessary if we are to grow.

   We need not fear nor fight times of confusion – what we need is to understand that times of unnerving transitions are not permanent, but they are necessary stages in the process of growth. The plan of God moves us through all the stages of life, the ones we enjoy and the ones that are uncomfortable, and God supplies us with answers in mysterious ways, through confusing times; but never fear, we are on our way to greater clarity.

     Hear the words of the prophet Isaiah to those who fear that the confusion of now is a permanent state: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. The Lord stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? The One who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. So, why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. God will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. The Lord gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Keep calm and know – better clarity is just ahead.

Pastor Leanne

2026 SCHOLARSHIPS

The Scholarship Committee of First Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce the availability of a limited number of scholarships for our church community.

To be eligible for consideration to receive a scholarship,

a student must be an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck

or must have been an active participant in the

life of First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck for at least three years.

The awards are given for students at any level of study beyond high school.

Four years is the maximum for receiving scholarships: these need not be consecutive years. Graduate students may apply for scholarships,

providing they are within the four year maximum.

The deadline to apply is Friday, May 15, 2026

ARE YOU WILLING TO HELP?

We encourage you to continue to love your neighbor well at this time. Hebrews 13:16 challenges us to “dowhat is good and to share, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”Thank you for being the Church.

WAYS TO GIVE:

For those who are unable to worship with us in church, here are a few ways that you can continue to give:

1. Online bill pay with your banking institution.

2. Click on the "Give Now" button above to donate today.

3. Mail checks to First Presbyterian Church, 214 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501.

SECURE METHOD TO DONATE Now Available!!
Click on the button below and donate!

Click here to download the 2026 Scholarship Application

Click here to view the BULLETIN for
March 29, 2026
10:00AM service

Click here to view our WORSHIP SERVICE
from Sunday, March 29, 2026
10:00AM service
(please make sure the video is not muted)

We welcome you all to come worship

You can visit us at 214 E Thayer Ave. or

tune in at 10:00am Sunday to our Live Feed on Facebook

CHECK OUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES/SERVICES