Welcome to the First Presbyterian Church of Bedford Indiana.

Established 1819

     The First Presbyterian Church of Bedford is a community of believers in Jesus Christ who seek to know God's will through worship, scripture, and prayer, and who feel called to share God's love through community and global ministry.  We are committed to providing a caring, welcoming and inclusive environment to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Please join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday morning.  You are also welcome to come at 9:30 for a Spiritual Formation Opportunity in the church library.
And if you can't come, watch our livestream!:  www.youtube.com/@churchoffice366 

Friday Email, May 22, 2026

When the day of Pentecost had come, (Jesus' disciples and others) were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Acts 2.1-4

To the Saints engaged in God's mission in the world through the Bedford First Presbyterian Church, greetings;

"When the day of Pentecost had come", this story begins. And the day of Pentecost has come, once again, fifty days after Easter for Christians, the same holiday (most commonly called the Feast Of Weeks) happens for our Jewish brothers and sisters, fifty days after Passover. The disciples and other followers of Jesus are all Jews (or proselytes, persons who follow Jewish practices) when this particular Pentecost arrives, and they are gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish Pentecost and also to continue to anticipate Jesus' promise to them that they were to wait on the gift of the Holy Spirit there.

And it happened. The gift of the Holy Spirit appeared as a wind and tongues--as of fire--as symbols of God's presence and presents. The persons upon whom the Holy Spirit descended begin to speak in other languages, with the Spirit giving them the ability.

Those of us who have been a part of the Christian Church in one form or another have heard this story so many times that perhaps its impact has been dulled. Can you imagine being in that room as these events are taking place? Can you imagine trying to shield yourself from the "violent wind" that "filled the entire house" (I can only imagine it being akin to experiencing a straight wind or a tornado or a hurricane)? And what are "divided tongues, as of fire...a tongue (resting) on each of them" all about? Can you imagine looking around at your friends and colleagues when the sound of many languages out of mouths that didn't speak those languages began to resonate amidst the wind and the tongues as of fire?

None of this is in their control other than their response to what is happening. I wonder what it was like for them. Were they grateful that the gift of the Spirit had arrived, or were they frightened? Did this experience remind them of Moses' encounter with the burning bush or Elijah's encounter with the wind as he huddled in a cave, or were they too overwhelmed to reflect on that in the moment?

The Day of Pentecost has come once again. I wonder how the Spirit will be present sharing presents in our midst this year.

Questions to ponder: What is the strongest wind you have ever experienced and how did you feel/what did you think as you did so? Fire both purifies and destroys, what is your main perception of fire in your life? How have your experiences with fire shaped your views? What language that you do not speak do you find charming, enticing; or challenging, irritating?

THIS WEEK AT FPC AND BEYOND:

   Saturday, May 23

          Monthly Free Pancake Breakfast, 8-10am, Fellowship Hall

   Sunday, May 24   The Day Of Pentecost

          Spiritual Formation at 9.30am in the Library

          Worship at 10.30am

          Fellowship at ll.30am in the Fellowship Hall

   Monday, May 25th     Memorial Day Celebrated

As we gather for worship on Sunday, either in person or online (www.youtube@com/@officechurch366), you are encouraged to wear red as a symbol of Pentecost.

The lighting upgrade in the sanctuary and repairs to the outside walls of the choir room have been completed. Thanks to Mark Benstin and others for overseeing these projects, and may the "brighter" light be with us!

The Session is pondering offering an early worship service opportunity on Sundays during the Summer, beginning at 8.30 or 9am. The service will be a half-hour in length and will not be a duplicate of the 10.30am service. Please share your thoughts and opinions on the insert in the bulletin and place it in the offering plate or with a member of the Session: Mike Abernathy, Mary Hardesty, Peggy Julian, Susan Scherschel, Betsey Makximenko, or Timm. Thank You!

Thank you for your submission of congregational favorite hymns. Thus far 68 hymns have been suggested, with only 5 duplicates. Thank you to everyone who has contributed (including Anne Hahn whose suggestions could fill a hymnal by themselves!). Your suggestions are still welcomed. We will begin singing at least one congregational choice hymn each Sunday between now and the end of November.

The Session encourages you to continue to share your thoughts regarding ideas of what the Holy Spirit is calling us to respond to in 2026, and to help correct the church directory (attached to this email) offering changes or corrections. Thank You!

The Mission and Vision Discernment Team led by Scott Greenan met on Wednesday, and a synopsis of their work is attached to this email. Thanks to Scott and Ed Voris, Mike Alexander, and Emma Jean Conklin for sharing their presence and their presents. A synopsis of their discussion is found in the attachment to this email. Please make and take the time to read over the thoughts. Your suggestions are specifically asked for in response to the proposed Vision Statement working document. Thank You!

Also in the attachment is the litany that was used giving thanks to God for the persons who assisted the Holy Spirit in sustaining this congregation from 2001-2005.

At the Assembly of the Presbytery of Ohio Valley on Thursday, the meeting included "A Celebration of the Saints: Ruling and Teaching Elder Necrology, January 1-December 31. Robert E. (Bob) Lee was named and remembered amongst the others. In addition, the Rev. David Lee, a retired Minister of Word and Sacrament who was among those who provided pulpit supply for the Bedford FPC during the years 2001-2005 made a point of sharing how much he had enjoyed conversations with Bob (including how they might be distant relations) and asked to be remembered to Marge Lee and to this community of faith.

Timm High personal notes:

     I will be traveling to visit my Mom in Minnesota departing Sunday afternoon and     

   returning on Friday.

     With thanksgiving and gratitude to the Session and to the Congregation for their support of       the loan of $15,000.00 to be used towards the down payment on the purchase of the home at     812 24th Street, I share with you that the loan has been fully repaid.

It's not only once again the Day of Pentecost, it's the Memorial Day holiday (a variation on "holy-day") in the United States. It's a day that has many meanings for people and was originally established (the earliest remembrance occuring in 1868, as a day of mourning and honoring military personnel who died serving in the United States armed forces. It's the unofficial beginning of Summer and the time when school-aged children begin their Summer break. It is a time to re-member and to give gratitude for those whom we knew and loved as well as for others. Check out the light post banners on John A. Williams Blvd for a reminder of Bedfordites for whom the day is celebrated.

Timm's contact information: timm.high27@gmail.com; 814.873.1910; 812 24th Street.

As we live into this final week in May of this year, may life find you doing the best you can in all you do with all you have, given God's help, amidst the challenges and comforts that come your way.

Blessings and Be Well...

Timm

Contact Information      First Presbyterian Church of Bedford,   1504 L Street, Bedford, IN 47421

 Phone: 812-275-5853

 YouTube Livestream:  www.youtube.com/@officechurch336 

Email: office@bedfordpresby.org

 Clerks of Session:  Betsey Makximenko, vbat62@comcast.net

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstPresbyBedford/  Be sure to like us!