Pastor’s BLOG
Staying Connected in the Time of Omicron
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! It is hard to believe we are stepping into 2022. I expect it to be a big year for this congregation as your Pastor Nominating Committee is hard at work. While they do their task, it is important for you to keep doing yours! That is, participating in the mission and ministry of First Presbyterian Church. I know that the Omicron variant has brought on some limitations to in-person gatherings, but there are still many ways to be involved. Here are some ideas for you:
1. If you have internet access, you could join the Thursday Prayer Group at 11:00 each Thursday via Zoom. This group has met faithfully over a number of years, first in person, and then when the pandemic hit, they turned to praying together online. They see the Holy Spirit active in our church and world as they pray for concerns and celebrations among our church family and world. Emelie North is the convener of this group.
2. Stretch your Bible knowledge by becoming a participant in “The Story,” and reading through the Bible this year. Talk to Ann Keifer, our interim Director of Christian Education, about this great opportunity for spiritual growth.
3. Send cards to some of our shut-ins or others experiencing a hardship. It means the world to folks who are isolated or going through a tough time to hear from their church family. Consider writing just one card a week and see if that doesn’t help you feel more connected as well. Ask me for a startup list of names.
4. If you like hands-on work, but not in a crowd, talk to Building & Grounds elders Sammy McFarland and Ryan Gobble about how you might help with some of the odds and ends work that needs doing around the church.
5. Worship! You can join us at 9:00 or 11:00 in person, or 11:00 online. It’s important to continue feeding your spirit with God’s word.
6. Drop off a jar of peanut butter and/or a can of mixed vegetables (or more!) in the church lobby to help stock our local food pantries.
These are just a few ideas for living your faith this winter. There are plenty more! Pastors searching for a new congregation like to know the members take their faith commitment to heart. FPC is a wonderful, dynamic family of faith! I know God is preparing the right pastor for you and look forward to that day when you can welcome him or her into your fold. Please hold your PNC in prayer.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Nancy
Pastor Nancy
Rev. Dr. Nancy Jo Dederer,
Transitional Pastor
No Room?
Dear Friends,
Advent Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love to you! On this evening of the Third Sunday of Advent, I have been pulling my holiday dishes out of their packing boxes, washing them, and trying to figure out how they will fit in my already full cabinets. There’s no room. Does that refrain sound familiar? It’s been a few years since I’ve even used my festive dishware, but this year we are hosting our son and Chris’ mother and brother for Christmas so it seems right to spruce up the table with the holly dishes. I guess I will have to pack away some of my everyday plates and cups to make room.
It seems like a parable for the season. We have to juggle so much – the ordinary everyday responsibilities and expectations along with the special additions to the calendar and all those heavy expectations that come along with the holiday celebrations and family gatherings. Take time this week to consider what you need to put away to make room for this holy time. Old grudges that are so easy to bring up to the surface, differing viewpoints that divide the table instead of enrich conversation, the constant worry that not everything will go perfectly. These elements, and others I am certain you can name, have the ability to blast the holy right out of the holiday!
On January 9th we will celebrate the baptism of Jesus and reaffirm our own baptismal covenant. In preparation, I encourage you to ask others who may have been present at your baptism what they recall about that day. And/Or…have a conversation with some whose baptism you witnessed and share with them what you remember. What was the baptized wearing? Who stood with them? What happened in the service? How did the family or friends rejoice and honor the sacrament? Worshipers at both services will be invited forward to touch the water and remember their own baptism. Those who choose may be anointed with oil by Pastor Nancy. It will be a special day. We hope to see you there. Remember your baptism and celebrate!
This year, take a few moments to write down one or two things you value about the season. What traditions are most meaningful? What new thing(s) would you like to try? Maybe it’s a recipe from an in-law. Perhaps it is a different way of beginning the meal or letting someone else host this year. It could even be asking for 20 minutes of quiet time Christmas Day afternoon! Whatever it is that will enrich your Christmas, write it down! Ask your loved ones to do the same. Then find a little bit of time before Christmas Eve to share your thoughts with one another. There will be some give and take, some bending and stretching, but think of how you can gift each other with a holy-day that puts the focus on where it needs to be.
Emmanuel means God with us. I hope that in the midst of the busy-ness of the season you are able to take time to reflect upon God’s gift of Jesus Christ to the world.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Nancy
Rev. Dr. Nancy Jo Dederer,
Transitional Pastor
Happy New Year!
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the New Year in the church liturgical calendar. Advent is a time of waiting. Just like Christians throughout history, we wait for Christ to come again. While we think of late November and all of December as a time to get ready for Jesus’ birth, Advent puts emphasis on the promise that Christ is coming in all power and glory. We wait with Advent Hope. It’s not that we are “pie in the sky” waiters. No! Christians are called to continue the work of Christ as we wait. We have been given a road map on how to live: feed the hungry, visit the sick and those in prison, work toward justice and peace, and worship God with heart, soul, mind, and strength.
This Advent, we have a number of opportunities for you to prepare the way of the Lord.
On November 28, we will have just one service, blended, in the sanctuary at 11:00. This allows for the extensive setup to happen for our afternoon Christmas Family Night in Fellowship Hall. In morning worship, we will welcome our Boy Scout Troop #205 as they hold a short Eagle Court of Honor for our member Hoke Ayers. This is an incredible achievement and a milestone in Hoke’s life. Scouting is a long-time ministry of this congregation and we rejoice in this special award for one of our youth.
Be sure to return for Christmas Family Night at 4:00. This gathering brings us together with activities for all ages and a fellowship meal. Perhaps you’ll want to make an Advent wreath for your home or nativity ornaments. There will be lots of choices. It is a beloved tradition and everyone is welcome.
December 5th is a first Sunday of the month, which means an 11:00 blended service. It is the 2nd Sunday of Advent, and we will celebrate with a service that uplifts Jesus in the Signs of the Season. Children and adults will help lead the service this week as we unpack the meaning of some of our most cherished Christmas traditions and decorations.
December 12th and 19th we will be back to our two services for the 3rd and 4th Sundays of Advent. The 19th will be a service of lessons and carols telling the story of God’s gift of Emmanuel, God with Us.
Christmas Eve Service will be at 5:00 on December 24th.
As always, these 11:00 Sunday services will be available online at our YouTube channel so you can be connected online and/or in person.
May your Advent season be filled with hope, peace, joy, and love.
In Christ,
Pastor Nancy
Rev. Dr. Nancy Jo Dederer,
Transitional Pastor
Thankful Saints
Dear Friends,
Greetings, Saints! In case you missed the 11/7 worship service, when I say Saints, I’m talking to you! All God’s people are saints. As poet Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, A saint is a sinner who keeps on going.
Thank you to everyone who helped to bring forth a very special day for All Saints Sunday. The musicians, the beautiful table and floral arrangements, the luncheon, and table decorations-all worked together to bring glory to God and provide good fellowship with one another. Thank you also to those who have returned their stewardship commitment card. If you haven’t done that yet, there is still plenty of time. Your contributions help us to live into our mission. We need you!
We are in that month of Thanksgiving, when we are extra aware of God’s good and plentiful gifts to us. I encourage you to name at least one thing each day that you are thankful for, and try to be specific. Perhaps write them down before dinner or when you get up in the morning. Keep track of them and then on Thanksgiving Day, pull out your “Thanks List” and share some of them with your dinner companions. Encourage them to do the same. Maybe you’ll want to continue this thanks-living through the end of the year.
Be assured. I am ever grateful for traveling this journey with you.
All that I’ve needed, thy hand has provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Nancy
Rev. Dr. Nancy Jo Dederer,
Transitional Pastor
