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Washington Ukrainian Humanitarian Center
Session has approved a powerful new outreach effort to support Ukraine , now entering its fourth year of war. From January 11 th to February 8 th , we’re partnering with the Washington Ukrainian Humanitarian Center ( www.uhcus.org ) to send life-saving supplies directly to those in need. In priority order, the Center is asking for new : First aid items : over-the-counter medicine for children and adults (painkillers, cold/flu, antibiotic, allergy, vitamins - all in pill for
churchoffice919
Jan 92 min read


Deacons Food Drive for UMD Pediatric Clinic
This month, the Deacons are leading a campaign to support the UMD Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic in Baltimore, MD , which serves children and families across our region and throughout Maryland. Earlier this fall, the clinic began asking parents if they worried about running out of food for their families. The response was heartbreaking—many said yes. To meet this urgent need, the clinic first connected families with local food resources. Then, with help from a Baltimore
churchoffice919
Dec 19, 20252 min read


Cold Weather Shelter: Feb 9-15, 2026
❄️ Cold Weather Shelter is February 9-15! The Howard County Cold Weather Shelter (CWS) is a collaborative effort between Grassroots Crisis Intervention, local faith communities, and the Howard County Government to provide emergency housing and services from November through March. The shelter is located at the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, 6700 Freetown Road, Columbia. Our church is signed up to provide meals — continental breakfast, hot lunch, and hot dinner —
churchoffice919
Dec 10, 20254 min read


Advent Devotionals 2025
This year we have an Advent devotional for everyone! If you would like any of these devotionals sent to you in a digital format or mailed to you please email your request to DCE Virginia Callegary ( vcallegary@firstpreshc.org ). Table Tent Devotional – These simple table tents are particularly good for families with children/youth. They provide weekly prayers and wondering questions that follow the traditional themes for each of the four weeks of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, an
Virginia Callegary
Nov 26, 20251 min read


Christmas Eve Schedule
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICES Wednesday, December 24, 2025 5:00 p.m. Children's Christmas Eve Worship Service A briefer service of carols and the story, especially for children and the young at heart. 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship Service In-person worship service. This service will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. 9:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship Service In-person worship service. Childcare for children age 4 and under will be available in the Nursery during all servi
Virginia
Nov 25, 20251 min read


Help Fill a Christmas Stocking – Share the Joy!
Join the Deacons and help bring holiday cheer to families in need by filling a stocking for a child. Stockings will be distributed through Columbia Community Care (CCC) and the Salvation Army. Pick up a stocking in the Lower Commons starting Sunday, November 9 . Return filled stockings with unwrapped gifts by Sunday, December 7 (no later!). CCC requests: Keep items gender-neutral and non-religious , as families come from diverse backgrounds. Include practical and f
Virginia Callegary
Nov 6, 20251 min read


2026 Summer Mission Trip to Guatemala
You can be part of the mission delegation of up to 20 people traveling to Guatemala July 1-10, 2026. The trip includes four days of activities with our partners, including meeting the scholarship students, visiting coffee fields, conducting a mini VBS, and a women's event. Then the group will travel to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Antigua and Tikal. Trip cost is $2,250. Financial aid is available, talk with Becky or Brett for details. Youth ages 14 and up are welcome and
Virginia Callegary
Oct 24, 20251 min read


Deacons 2025 Annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive
October 19 th – November 16th Join us in spreading holiday cheer! Together, we’ll provide: 🧺 Thanksgiving Food Baskets for families served by Bridges to Housing Stability 🛒 Giant Food gift cards for families supported by Luminus We welcome your donations of non-perishable food items (see list below). If you’re unable to donate food, cash contributions are also gratefully accepted and will help us fill in the gaps. Thank you for your continued generosity and support of this
Virginia Callegary
Oct 22, 20251 min read
The Fire 400 Campaign
What do all of the following things have in common: worship, fellowship, Bible studies, choir, Only One Can, Thanksgiving Baskets, community outreach, the Kipton Project, Warm for Winter, Faithful Circle Quilters and OSHER, etc.? All of these groups use the Church building. Just like your home, over time equipment needs to be replaced. In the Harris Commons you will find the pew envelopes to donate to the Fire 400 Campaign. The red number in the left corner of the envelope is
Virginia Callegary
Oct 17, 20251 min read


Two Decades of Transforming Lives in the Boca Costa Presbytery
History of the Scholarship Program First Pres began its scholarship program in 2005, awarding one scholarship to each church in the Union...
Virginia Callegary
Sep 12, 20253 min read


Fire Recovery Update
As of August 25, 2025 Good news on the repair front: The Structural Engineer will be submitting design plans to the County for approval...
Virginia Callegary
Aug 27, 20251 min read


Deacons School Supply Drive 2025
The Deacons will collect school supplies again this year. The collection will be a solely in-person drop-off in bins located inside and...
Virginia Callegary
Aug 1, 20252 min read


Worship in Branch Hall
Sunday, July 20th, we will begin a new regular schedule of worshipping in Branch Hall at 8:30 and 10:00 am. Both services will be identical.
Virginia Callegary
Jul 18, 20251 min read


Worship & Fire Recovery Update
Session met Tuesday, July 8, 2025 to deal with the fire recovery and related matters. Sunday, July 13 we will be worshipping for one more...
Virginia Callegary
Jul 11, 20252 min read


Fire at First Presbyterian Church of Howard County
A walkthrough of the fire damage with a healthy dose of God's love. On July 1, we suffered a fire at First Presbyterian Church. No one...
Virginia Callegary
Jul 2, 20251 min read


Invitation to Pride: Celebrating the Queer (LGBTQIA+) History of the PC(USA)
by Clarence Baney, for the Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee It’s Pride month! This means parades, people marching regaled in...
Virginia Callegary
May 29, 20253 min read


The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration
Consistent with our long-standing support for vulnerable immigrants, Session approved joining PC(USA) (and 3,000+ organizations and...
Virginia Callegary
Apr 16, 20251 min read


Holy Week Schedule
Sunday, April 13 - Palm/Passion Sunday Worship at 8:30 & 10:30 am, No Sunday School Thursday, April 17 - Maundy Thursday Long Table...
Virginia Callegary
Apr 3, 20251 min read


Join Us for the Hands Off March in DC – April 5, 2025
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness and the staff of the Interim Unified Agency will be participating in the Mass...
Virginia Callegary
Apr 1, 20251 min read


Our Church Is Certified As a PC(USA) Earth Care Congregation
First Presbyterian Church of Howard County was certified as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Presbyterian...
Virginia Callegary
Mar 28, 20252 min read
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