First Presbyterian Church
of Dallas, Oregon
God says, "When I see the [rain]bow in the clouds, I remember my covenant with all the earth" (Genesis)
Jesus says, "Don't be afraid!" "I am with you every day ...." (Matthew)
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Come join us for worship at 9:30 every Sunday morning!
We welcome the Rev. Dr. Scott Crane as our new pastor! Scott will be with us half-time, focusing on worship and preaching.
Dallas Electronic Newsletter for November, 2026
This passed Sunday we read about the passing of Moses, and the end of an Era for the ancient Israelites. I made passing mention of generation theory’s term “Fourth Turning” as a similar passing of an era and herald of deep change. This happens regularly in generation theory’s repeating cycle of four generations. When the fourth generation type “turns” from young adulthood into midlife leadership, the spirit of the last 40-50 years shifts with them. In this Fourth Turning, researchers have identified an inevitable Crisis that must be pushed through by a “Nomad” generation before a new “Civic” generation succeeds current midlife Gen X (current “Nomad” generation type) leaders to build up a new societal culture which, if the pattern persists, will last for the next 80-100 years as the cycle begins again.
We are at that turning point now. Our Crisis has only yet begun bubbling; and should peak at or around 2030. What happens in the next 40 years? By 2070, a new “Awakening” will seize those who hunger for deeper meaning; it is possible that the spiritual resurgence of that time will be as dramatic as the Reformation of the 1500s. Its seeds are germinating even now. What can we do in the meantime? This is a classic moment of transformation. Generational cohorts are shifting – Baby Boomers have mostly retired, although the youngest ones are currently retiring to the tune of about 11,000 a day – and this through next year as that end of the generation turns 65.
The leadership positions they have held will continue to shift to the midlife Gen Xer’s and in some cases the oldest Millennials. When the Millennials finally hit their midlife career peaks, they will out number all other generations in the workforce, and our culture/society will shift to fit their overall generational ethos as they, as the next “Civic” generation, begins to rebuild all we have known and/or torn down up to that point.
As our faith reflects the trends of the shifting generations, most likely our “new religion” will either be much more Deist (God in general) that Christ-Centered. Or, if the projected writings of Phyllis Tickle and some others come to pass, much more Holy Spirit-centered. “Spiritual but not Religious” might be the new normal; if so, how might the Church shift into embracing such dramatic change? That depends. Ecumenical cooperation, collaboration, and merging of smaller congregations might become the next step for survival of Christocentric faith communities. Or, perhaps what we offer from our perspective becomes but one strand of a braid of Spiritual traditions that make up a greater interfaith whole?
Answers are never easy to find when we are talking about the future of something. But we can offer and share the depth of our faith as we yet again approach the turning of our liturgical calendar to its beginning in Advent on November 29th when we meet with our other three Polk Area Shared Ministry congregations in Monmouth, where we will wait “Until the Dawn” for the news of Christ’s birth, God’s incarnation, to be remembered once more among us.
Remember to set your clocks back for Communion this coming Sunday on November 1st !
Sincerely,
Pastor Scott
The Kindness Club
Congratulations to The Kindness Club for being awarded the "Outstanding Organization" at the 66th Annual Community Awards. Our church is privileged to support this most worthy organization that serves the children in need in our community.
Our church continues its mission to host the Kindness Club in our basement.
Friday Pantry is serving Students needing extra support of food and personal items can either shop the Friday Pantry or receive a Friday Bag which is delivered to their school at the end of each week.
So far this year we are assisting 139 students with food bags.
It is a blessing we are able to provide this space for this much needed mission for our community.
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Ways To Connect With Us:
phone: 503-623-3397
e-mail: office@dalpreschurch.org
website: www.dalpreschurch.org
text: 503-780-5211 (parish assistant)
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Loving, Affirming, Open minds,
Open hearts, Open arms.
We are a community of hope that worships God together, and enjoys each other's company as we support one another. We join together in sharing Jesus' love with the Dallas area, our state, our nation, and our world through participation in many mission activities.
What's Happening
What's Happening
Our doors are open,
Our days filled with activity.
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We would love to have you join the fun!
The Mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas is
to celebrate God's love, grow spiritually through God's word, care for others, and share our faith with the community and the world.
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