Author: Janine Hart

The Presby Press
January 2026

A Publication of First Presbyterian Church, ARP, Sebring, Florida

Pastor’s News and Notes
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. Isaiah 40:31

FPCS 2026 Renewal Theme
Proclamation, Pilgrimage, Praise

2026 Renewal Theme
The annual Congregation Meeting has been called by the session to be held immediately following worship on Jan 25. We will be electing Congregation Officers, approving the 2026 budget and receiving reports from our Treasurer and the Caring Christian Women (CCW) ministry. I will also give you a report on the status of our congregation and what lies ahead in 2026. We are reimagining our theme of 2025 (Reach Out, Reach Over, Reach Up) by emphasizing the gospel Proclamation, the Pilgrimage in discipleship and Praise of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Praise
Church family, as we stand at the threshold of a new year, we praise God because the One who carried us through every moment of 2025 is the same God who goes before us into all that lies ahead. The Bible reminds us again and again that nothing in our past is wasted in the hands of a faithful God. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).
Every challenge, every blessing, every season of waiting, and every breakthrough has been shaping us for what God is preparing next. Just as He led Israel through the wilderness to prepare them for the Promised Land, He has been preparing us, strengthening our faith, deepening our unity, and sharpening our purpose. And because of that, we can step into the future with confidence. “He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
So, we praise our Lord Jesus not only for what He has done, but for what He is already arranging ahead of us. We praise Him because His faithfulness is not seasonal; it is eternal. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23). Brothers and Sisters, let’s move forward with hearts full of gratitude and expectation. To Him be the praise, in 2026 and forever.
Proclamation
“Remembering that the kingdom is yet to come means we do not settle for the best of what this world has to offer, nor do we despair over the worst that this world throws at us. One day, all this will be swallowed up by the glorious reign of the Lord Jesus.” - Alistair Begg, Let Earth Receive Her King, p.162.
As we look around our community, it becomes unmistakably clear that the greatest need of the people around us is not simply a better life but a deep need for the life-changing hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Scripture reminds us that “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37). Jesus wasn’t describing a distant mission field; He was speaking about the people right in front of Him. That same harvest surrounds us today.
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Pastor’s News and Notes continued from p. 1

We live among individuals who are burdened, isolated, anxious, and unsure of where to turn. Many have never truly heard the good news that God loves them, that Christ died for them, and that forgiveness and new life are available through Him.
This is where we come in. God has placed our church in this community on purpose. Not to be silent observers, but to be bold witnesses. Not to retreat from the world, but to shine within it. Paul declared, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). That same power is still at work today, and God desires to work through us to bring that message to those who need it most. It’s a good refresher for everyone and a great opportunity to bring a friend, neighbor or someone who may be searching for meaning in this world.
One way the message is being delivered is through our Hope Explored Course. We are offering a course on January 11, 18, & 25 from 4:00–5:30 PM. We will meet in the classroom. We will also be offering Hope Explored on February 3, 10, & 17 from 10:30 – 12:00 at the Sebring Village Clubhouse.
I am looking for helpers to greet and hand out study material. If you are willing to participate in one or more days, please let me know.
Pilgrimage
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” Philippians 2:12-17
Paul’s words in Philippians remind us that discipleship is not a moment but a lifelong pursuit. He urges believers to continue in obedience to His Word not because we earn God’s favor, but because God Himself is actively at work within us, shaping our desires and empowering our steps toward His good purpose. This year, let’s lean into that truth. Let’s pursue Jesus with intentionality, humility, and joy. Paul calls us to live in such a way that we “shine like stars in the sky” as we hold firmly to the word of life. That kind of radiant witness doesn’t happen by accident it grows as we follow Christ daily.
One of the ways the church helps you to grow Christ-like is through Bible study. You can take advantage of either the Adult Sunday Bible Study each Lord’s Day at 9:30 or Wednesday’s Small Group Bible Study at 4:00. May God bless you on your pilgrimage walk.
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Pastor’s News and Notes continued from p. 2

Date Sermon Text
January 11 Genesis 6
January 18 Fellowship Meal Genesis 7
January 25 Mission Moment Genesis 8
Congregational Meeting
February 1 Communion Genesis 9

Member Anniversary
We want to wish a happy anniversary for the following brothers and sisters who joined our church in the month of December:
Debbie Donahue 6 years
Hugh Donahue 6 years
Jane Farrer 2 years
May another year bring you joy in our Savior Jesus Christ and love for one another in our church family.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13

Pastor Karl

Thank you to everyone who donated to our Veterans Tree project. Because of your generosity, the church collected 30 gift bags that include 60-70 pieces, all of which will be given to veterans in need .

The fellowship meal for January is a wonderful baked potato bar prepared by the CCW ladies. Come and join us and bring a guest!

In Memory of John Price
John Price was a retired missionary who attended our church for many years with his wife Doris. He recently passed away just a few days shy of his 100th birthday. John loved to memorize poetry and was particularly fond of the poetry of Amy Carmichael. He could recite many of her poems even in his later years. In his memory, this poem is one of his favorites.
Love through me, Love of God, There is no love in me; O Fire of love, light Thou the love That burns perpetually. Flow through me, Peace of God, Calm river flow until No wind can blow, no current stir A ripple of self-will. Shine through me, Joy of God, Make me like Thy clear air That Thou dost pour Thy colours through, As though it were not there. O blessed Love of God, That all may taste and see How good Thou art, once more I pray, Love through me, even me.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." – Isaiah 40:8
Joe Barney, a member of the local Gideons International camp, will be with us during our worship service on January 11 to update us on the organization’s activities. Our church has a long history of supporting this organization in their mission to spread the word of God.
According to their website, “For more than a century, The Gideons International has been known around the world as “the Bible people.” Many know the name from a Bible in a hotel nightstand, a Testament distributed at school, or a small pocket Scripture handed to them in their community places.”
A free will offering will be taken so that those who wish to, can support their ministry.

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
				1	2	3
4 / Sunday School / 9:30 / Worship / with / Communion / 11:00	5	6 / Deacons 1:00 / Session 2:00	7 / Bible Study / 4:00	8 / Outreach / Meeting 1:00	9	10
11 / Sunday School / 9:30 / Worship 11:00 / Hope Explored / 4:00	12	13	14 / Bible Study / 4:00	15 / 8:30	16 / 4:00	17
18 / Sunday School / 9:30 / Worship 11:00 / Fellowship Lunch / Hope Explored / 4:00	19	20	21 / Bible Study / 4:00	22	23	24
25 / Sunday School 9:30 / Worship 11:00 / Congregational / Meeting	26	27	28 / Bible Study 4:00	29	30	31

Birthdays
Richard Jumont
Bob Rhodes
Clanell Cameron
Anniversaries
None that we have a record of-please let us know if we have made a mistake.

Birthdays
Arlene Nordin
19 Joanne Harderwijk-Kube
Anniversaries
15 Dennis & Cheryl Green
Note: We do this for people who are organized and like to plan ahead. Next month we will publish February dates again along with March.

Church Staff and Officers
The Session
Jack Breed, Jim Underwood, Roger Warrick
The Diaconate
Dennis Green, Robert Harderwijk, Janine Hart, Pat Villere
Trustees
Barney Hart, Calvin Lomelino, Patricia Villere
Staff and Congregational Officers
Karl Davis – Pastor
Janine Hart – Church Administrator
Dan Parsons – Sexton
Barney Hart – Congregation Chairman
Pat Villere – Treasurer
Robert Harderwijk – Assistant Treasurer

The Presby Press is always looking for submissions, either on a one-time or ongoing basis. If you have a content idea or would like to provide content, please talk to Janine Hart or send submissions directly to the church email account.

First Presbyterian Church
319 Poinsettia Ave.
Sebring, FL 33870
863.385.0107
FPCSering319@gmail.com
fpcs.church
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