Mardi Gras Madness 2026

Each year, it’s a sight to behold: Our congregation all leaning in together so that God’s children can have access to the blessing that is clean, safe drinking water. MGM 2026 is here—our 21st year of answering the call of Matthew 25:35: For I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. Our dinner planners are ready to start cooking this weekend. On Sunday, our decorating team will transform Nunan Hall into an elegant dining space. Our potters have strung together dozens of beautiful wind chimes and the last of the bowls and bunnies have been glazed. And we are all busy cooking and baking for the First Pres Freezer and What’s Cooking booths. Thank you, First Pres, for embracing this calling with gusto! Here are a few last minute updates for you:

Tickets: We still have dinner tickets available—contact Jane and she will get them to you (662-820-2361) or you can scan the QR code on the poster above or go to our church website and buy tickets that way.

We are encouraging everyone to get their tickets in advance (we will have some at the door as well). Please note that if someone purchases a ticket through the website, you don’t get a paper ticket—their name will be on a list at the event and they can just say the name the ticket was purchased under.

Do you know someone from our church who might have an issue getting out Monday night and could use their meal delivered to them at home? Reach out to Kendall—we have a few volunteer drivers for the job!

MGM Parade: The parade room (first classroom on the right off the breezeway) will be available from 5-7 for our little ones to be part of the Clean Water Krew! Contact Sarah Mitchell for more info: 601-906-4909.

First Pres Freezer: You can pick up meal containers and labels in the volunteer office. Drop your meals off any time between now and 3 p.m. Monday. Note! The First Pres Freezer will be in the Youth Lounge. The freezers are there now, ready to be filled with your delicious home cooking! There’ll be a sign-in sheet on each freezer for you to write down your name and what you put in the freezer. If you have any questions, reach out to Andrea McCann: 662-207-3679

What’s Cooking: See below for a note from the What’s Cooking Crew! Drop off time for food is 3 p.m. Monday.

Pottery: Here is just a small sampling of some of the beautiful pieces our potters have made. Stunning—they’ve outdone themselves this year!

This year’s MGM brings a NEW OPPORTUNITY: In addition to assisting our water partners with system parts, we will be working to help them solar power their water systems. Yes, this is going to be a heavy lift, going above and beyond. Many people (near and far!) will be chipping in together to make this happen. Reach out to Kendall Cox if you have questions about solar power: 662-931-1737.

The next Mission Mississippi prayer breakfast is Tuesday, February 17th at Emmanuel Baptist at 7 a.m.—come and bring a friend! We’ll see you there!

Click the video above to view the February 8th worship service.

IN OUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK

FPC FAMILY:

Libbi Cox

the family of Sarah Porter Smith

the family of Wendell Hoyle

MEMBERS IN ASSISTED LIVING

Pat Chambers

Bill Gamble

Jacquie Turner

NEW PARENTS:

Prayers of Thanksgiving from the congregation for the newest FPC baby! Congratulations to Olivia (Turner) & Michael Fancher on the birth of their daughter, Palmer Louise Fancher born on February 10th. Proud grandparents are Susan and Dr. John Turner and great grands, Jacquie and John Turner.

THOSE AWAY:

Courtney Bacon

Bright Hays

Judy Jones

Trude Powers

FPC FRIENDS:

Nancy & Jimmy Bradley (cousins of Betty Lynn Cameron)

John Cox

Margaret Dent (Mollie Stock’s niece)

 Lila Hood

Linda Fratesi

Bob Hoagland

Myra Kogutt (Terri Lane’s mother)

Vicki Lucas

Marshall Roberson (friend of Lisa Willis)

Carol Rogers (Donna Beckham’s sister)

Olene Sabbatini (Brittany Brozovich’s grandmother)

Kirk Simmons (friend of William Tindall)

Kristen DeAngelo Swafford & family (Wendell Hoyle’s granddaugher)

Rubye Warrington

Calendar, Week February 15-21, 2026

Sunday                     

Chancel Choir Rehearsal 8:45 a.m.

Sunday School 9 a.m.

 Worship 10 a.m. 

 Confirmation class 4:00-5:15 p.m.

Monday                  

Church Office & FPP closed

MGM 5-7:30 p.m.  

Tuesday                       

Administrative Committee meets noon

Wednesday             

Prayer Shawl ministry meets 1:30 p.m.    

Ash Wednesday Service 5:30 p.m.                             

Those Assisting in Special Ways This Week & Next                           

Children’s Sermon          

2-15 Jon Alverson, 2-22 Jobyna France

Livestream Camera      

2-15 William Lane, 2-22 Miller England

Liturgist                                 

2-15 Dave Clarke, 2-22 Kendall Cox

MOW Delivery                                                         

2-21 Mike Caulfield

2-28 Kathleen Montgomery & Becky Watts                                

MOW Tray Assembly                                  

2-20 Angela Phillips                                

February Ushers                                 

Harold Mitchell, Head Usher, David Bush, Carl Hagwood, Charlie Tindall

March Ushers                                      

Allen Spragins, Head Usher, Jon Alverson, Tommy Hart, Bob Robinson