One Great Hour of Sharing 2021
Started in 1949, One Great Hour of Sharing is a long-standing ecumenical effort aimed at raising the funds necessary to provide relief and reconstruction for communities in the aftermath of disaster.Around the world, people lack access to food, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) serves to help change the lives of people in these challenging situations. This offering provides a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self-Development of People, and the Presbyterian Hunger Program share this offering. You may give to OGHS by sending your gift to the church (checks payable to First Presbyterian Church, “OGHS” in the memo line) at PO Box 586, Lexington NC 27293, by texting OGHS to 91999, or by visiting http://www.pcusa.org/oghs.
Session Digest for March 7, 2021
The Session met in a special called meeting on March 7, 2021 via Zoom to discuss the reopening of our church sanctuary for worship.
The Reopening Committee met on Monday evening, March 1, 2021 to revisit the possibility of worshiping in our sanctuary. The safety and well being of the congregation has always been the priority of this group. The protocols and procedures put in place last fall were reviewed and found to be in order and still very important in order to open our doors safely. These include limited capacity with social distancing on the pews, making a reservation with the office, the wearing of masks at all times, taking temperatures, registering everyone who enters, entering from the 3rd Ave. entrance and exiting out the front doors of the church. Moving indoors will also mean no congregational singing or responses. Special music will be provided by instrumentalists, soloists, etc.
The Session was presented with several options to consider. After much discussion, a motion was made to gather outdoors to celebrate Palm Sunday, March 28 and Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. On April 11, 2021 we would begin opening our doors for worship in the sanctuary following the procedures/protocols listed above. All services whether outdoors or in the sanctuary will be live streamed. In the event of inclement weather the outdoor services would be canceled and a live stream service will be available. The Reopening Committee will be given the responsibility of revising or canceling in-sanctuary worship if they feel the safety of our congregation will be compromised, or we feel the protocols need to be reviewed. The motion carried.
As we move forward with this plan, it is with the hope that it will give our church family an opportunity to, as members of the body of Christ, worship and praise Him together once again.
Margaret King, Clerk of Session
Ash Wednesday 2021
Ash Wednesday Service Online, February 17, 7:00 p.m.The imposition of ashes on our forehead is to remind us that we are dust, and one day we will return to dust. It is a sign of our humanity. However, lest that word be too heavy a burden to carry, the ashes are imposed in the sign of the cross, a symbol of power over death, a reminder of Jesus’ resurrection and the promise of our own.
First Presbyterian Church will have a worship service available online at 7:00 the evening of Ash Wednesday, February 17th.
GLAMA (Greater Lexington Area Ministerial Association) will offer “drive-through” imposition of ashes at various locations in town throughout the day. Clergy will use “long-stemmed” cotton swabs to impose the ashes. Masks must be worn by all members in the vehicle as well as the clergy.
If you aren’t able or comfortable with driving by one of these locations, you may wish to consider mixing some soil with oil and using that to place a cross on your forehead. If you live with others in your household, consider having a brief ceremony with them at the beginning of the day. Read Psalm 51 together and place the sign of the cross on each other’s forehead or hand, saying the words:
~Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.~
DRIVE-THRU IMPOSITION OF ASHES
9 – 11 AM Parking Lot of First Baptist Church on Third Avenue (Rev. Alan Suber and Rev. Brian Alexander)
9 – 11 AM East First and Salisbury Streets. (Rev. Kathy Watford and Rev. Arnetta Beverly)
9 – 11 AM East First and Salisbury Streets. (Rev. Kathy Watford and Rev. Arnetta Beverly)
10 AM Drive thru at First Lutheran Church 320 South State Street (Rev. Matt Miller)
12 – 2 PM East First and Salisbury Streets (Rev. Elizabeth Horton and Rev. Lester Smith)
5 – 7 PM Parking Lot of First United Methodist and First Presbyterian Churches (Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Rev. Cheryl Skinner and Dr. Nancy Jo Dederer)
**Pastor Nancy will be “on call” from Noon-2 PM at the church. Please pull up at the Third Avenue office entrance and call the church to let her know you are there.
Women of the Word – Spring Study 2021
FORMAT: ZOOM Study“FINDING GOD FAITHFUL”
by Kelly Minter
In this 8-session video-based Zoom Bible study, you will:
* Encounter the trustworthy sovereignty of God.
* Learn to trust God’s purposes when life doesn’t make sense.
* Recognize how God is working in your waiting.
* Rest in the sufficiency of God’s presence in every circumstance.
* Encounter the trustworthy sovereignty of God.
* Learn to trust God’s purposes when life doesn’t make sense.
* Recognize how God is working in your waiting.
* Rest in the sufficiency of God’s presence in every circumstance.
Joseph suffered through betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment. But throughout his story, we are constantly reminded of God’s faithfulness. No matter what we walk through, God’s presence is constant; His provision is enough; and His purposes are unstoppable.
BOOK COST: $18.00 (scholarships available)
** Books will be available for pickup at First Presbyterian Church beginning February 2. Church office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 am-12 pm and 1-5 pm; Friday 9 am-12 pm. Please use the Third Avenue office entrance and ring the bell to the right of the double doors. Checks may be made payable to Katherine Team.
DATES: February 8-March 29 (8 weeks), Monday evenings only, 7:00-8:15 PM
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Please register by February 1 to office@fpclexnc.com. Please include your name, email address, and
phone number (cell phone preferred). **Your contact information will not be shared
with anyone outside of Women of the Word.**
Community Prayer Wall
Friends, I think we can all agree that this year has been challenging in many ways. On the bright side, these challenges have pushed us to be more creative – in the ways we worship, fellowship, and stay connected as a community. In an effort to nurture our connections as a community, First Presbyterian has created a prayer wall, and you (yes, YOU!) are invited to take part.The wall has been created on the outer garden wall (3rd Avenue side) at the church’s office entrance. There, you will find a table with instructions and supplies. We’re inviting everyone in our community to write a prayer and hang it on the prayer wall. Sharpies have been provided, but feel free to use your own if you have safety concerns.
Remember, the prayer wall is open to the community, so please help us spread the word by encouraging your friends and neighbors to add their prayers, hopes, and praises to the prayer wall. And for the prayer warriors in our community, please also help us by lifting these prayers before the Lord as we continue to love our neighbors this Advent season and beyond.
For those in the FPC family who have been largely housebound during the pandemic and who would like to add a prayer to the wall but do not want to risk possible exposure to COVID, please call or email Jeanna (336-248-2140 or office@fpclexnc.com), and she will add your prayer to the wall on your behalf.
All Saints’ Day
Sunday, November 1st is All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day is a universal festival of the Church. This festival day directs our attention to the richness of Christian history and the varied experiences of the grace of God by lifting up the lives of the saints.
The custom of commemorating all the martyrs of the Church on a single day goes back at least to the third century. All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1st) celebrates not only the martyrs and saints, but all the people of God, living and dead, who together form the mystical body of Christ.
On this special day we will remember those saints who have died since last November 1st. If you have a loved one who has died this past year and would like them to be remembered in the bulletin and in prayer, please contact Jeanna in the church office (office@fpclexnc.com or 336-248-2140), giving the person’s name, date of death, and your relation to them.
We need this information by October 25th for it to appear in the November 1st bulletin. In life and in death we belong to God. Amen.
