Dear Families - Every day this Advent our FPC family is praying the Canticles (songs) four times a day - the Canticle of Zechariah in the morning, the Canticle of Elizabeth at midday, the Canticle of Mary at dinnertime, and the Canticle of Simeon at bedtime. We invite children to join us in this practice!

This podcast has four episodes - one for each prayer. These kid-versions of the Canticles are written and read by Pastor Kerrie with a chorus of people reading the refrain. Encourage your child to say the refrain with the group! 

Message by Rev. Doug Bunnell recorded November 26, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.

Luke 1:67-80; Scripture read by Nick Berard

Reflection Questions:

After months of silence Zechariah erupts in prayer to the God of Salvation and blessing upon his son.

• What would it be like to not be able to talk for 10 months? How would you be different?

• Zechariah’s prayer is all about God, what does he appreciate about God?

• How does Zechariah describe Jesus?

• What words of encouragement and blessing does he offer his son?

• What does it mean that the dawn from on high will break upon us? Has that happened yet?

Each Thanksgiving our Sunday service is transformed as members of our congregation share a deeply personal Thanksgiving reflection. This week we will be sharing four stories by Brad Day, Steve Thames, Jeanie Cox, and Greg and Christy Hart.

Our fourth message is by Greg and Christy Hart, recorded November 19, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.

Each Thanksgiving our Sunday service is transformed as members of our congregation share a deeply personal Thanksgiving reflection. This week we will be sharing four stories by Brad Day, Steve Thames, Jeannie Cox, and Greg and Christy Hart.

Our third message is by Jeannie Cox, recorded November 19, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.

Each Thanksgiving our Sunday service is transformed as members of our congregation share a deeply personal Thanksgiving reflection. This week we will be sharing four stories by Brad Day, Steve Thames, Jeannie Cox, and Greg and Christy Hart.

Our second message is by Steve Thames, recorded November 19, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.

Each Thanksgiving our Sunday service is transformed as members of our congregation share a deeply personal Thanksgiving reflection. This week we will be sharing four stories by Brad Day, Steve Thames, Jeannie Cox, and Greg and Christy Hart.

Our first reflection is by Dr. Brad Day, recorded November 19, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.

Message by Rev. Doug Bunnell recorded November 5, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.

Acts 21:7-15; Scripture read by Ozzie Lewis

Reflection Questions:

Paul listens to the counsel of his peers, but then follows Jesus on his own.

Message by Rev. Doug Bunnell from Sunday morning - October 29, 2023

Acts 20:17-38; Scripture read by Jan Dougherty

In a special set of episodes, Doug shares three special parts of Earl Palmer's memorial service at University Presbyterian Church this last June. Earl Palmer preached at First Presbyterian Church a number of times, and was a true legend.

In this part, we listen to a homily of hope by Pastor Doug, and a performance of Bring Him Home from the musical Les Misérables.

Earl Palmer Memorial Service on YouTube

In a special set of episodes, Doug shares three special parts of Earl Palmer's memorial service at University Presbyterian Church this last June. Earl Palmer preached at First Presbyterian Church a number of times, and was a true legend.

In this part, we listen to a poem written by Earl called "I Know a House."

I know a house that took me in to send me out and I keep finding this house in all of the places in my life as if it were as itinerant as I

My first memory of this place I call a house is of friendly fragrances the smell of evening suppers and coffee brewing, sometimes of old wooden doors that are out of fashion and sometimes the new aroma of children laughing

I came to know the people of this house who took me in and who send me out because they taught me here about the owner of the house and in time I learned his name

I always love best of all the main room right in the center of this house a room that seems always vast in size to me with its grand sounds solemn and joyous and the flood of colors on both sunny and cloudy days

I learned the memory of a royal past because of this house and like a waterfall cataract of some mysterious river that flowed around its open door I felt the powerful surprise of hope and resolve

I know this house and wherever I go I find it either settled in or precariously perched yet always the house that takes me in to send me out