WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
OCTOBER 8, 2021
SUNDAY IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES
BEGINNING AT 10:30AM
LIVESTREAMED ONLY ON OUR
YOUTUBE PAGE USING THIS LINK.
Service will be uploaded to view later onto our Facebook page HERE.
A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON:
Beloved Community,
Last week, we held our first monthly staff meeting since Covid began. All seven of our ministry and office staff were together! Generationally, we span from Millennials to Gen Xers to Baby Boomers and beyond! This variety is a blessing to the church, and based on our first staff meeting, will most likely will provide quite a few laughs as we learn from one another. In this new beginning, I am grateful for our phenomenal staff as we connect and engage in ministry together.
Just as we seek for our ministries to connect and engage people with God, we also ask the question, “How can our facilities help connect and engage people in ministry?”
For many decades, the Parlor has been a gathering place for women’s circles, bridal parties, Bible studies, funeral visitations, community meetings, discussion groups, church meetings, and other ministries. Over the past two years, we discerned it is time to update the Parlor so that this tradition of ministry can continue. Many heads and hands have come together to create a plan for refurbishing the Parlor. Painting will start Monday, along with window treatments, and flooring following in later weeks. The vision is for the decor and furniture to be timeless, adaptable, accessible and inviting for all ages.
This Sunday, we have the privilege of welcoming Southern Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Edwin Davis to our worship service. He will bring Greetings from the Conference as he begins a Listening Tour of the Western Association. This visit is especially good news, as he received a kidney transplant this summer and is feeling well enough to travel!
Let us praise the God who meets us where ever we are, and calls us into new beginnings!
Love and blessings to each of you
Elizabeth
SERMON TITLE FOR OCTOBER 10, 2021:
“KEEPING FAITH IN TROUBLED TIMES: LEARN TO LAMENT”
Scripture: Scripture: Job 23:1-9, 16-17
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Click here to give securely on our website.
PLEASE BRING BAGS OF INDIVIDUALLY-WRAPPED CANDY TO THE CHURCH SANCTUARY OR OFFICE BY OCTOBER 25TH.
CONFIRMATION BEGINS FOR 9TH-12TH GRADERS
Beginning Wednesday, October 13th at 5:30PM (in the Fellowship Hall) any students Grades 9-12 are invited to attend classes. Confirmation will be a 20-session exploration of our faith and tradition where NO QUESTION IS OFF LIMITS! Check out the curriculum here: Confirm Not Conform,
Adult Confirmation
We can offer confirmation for adults, too. If you are out of high school, have never been confirmed in the UCC, or just want a refresher course, please let Rev. Horton know.
JOIN US FOR “NEXT STEPS”
On October 24th after worship, conversation is open to visitors, guests, and members about the life of the church. This is a chance to ask questions, and get to know us better. This will be held in person and via Zoom. Details to come!
PASTOR’S PANTRY ANNUAL HOLIDAY MEAL ASSISTANCE
In an effort to help Pastor’s Pantry feed their senior clients for their Annual Holiday Meal, our church will collect 400 cans of green beans by Monday, November 8. Please bring 14.5 oz. cans for this community outreach. This is a special treat outside of the monthly groceries clients already receive. Crates for donations are outside the church office and in the Narthex. Thank you for your help with this community outreach program!
SUPPORT OUR GIRL SCOUT TROOP
Girl Scouts Troop #2160 is participating in the Annual Nuts and Candies Sale. This sale helps support many of the troop’s activities, including service projects with First Reformed. You can order online or email Jianna Miller at jiannamiller@gmail.com to place an order. Orders can be shipped to you directly or dropped off at church. Jianna can take orders from you until October 17 and online orders for direct shipping can be placed until October 23.
ITEMS AVAILABLE TO ORDER: English Butter Toffee, Deluxe Pecan Clusters, Chocolate Covered Almonds, Sweet and Salty Mix, Peanut Butter Bears…and much more for $6-8
To see the full list of items, please go to bit.ly/jianna2021.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:
LITURGIST: Alane Holste
DIGITAL MEDIA TECHNICIAN: Jeremy Peterson
SOUND TECH: James Gray
USHERS: John Gray & Eddie Yates
ACOLYTE: Emory Smith BIBLE STEWARD: Elliott Smith
CHILDREN’S CHURCH: TBD
CELEBRATIONS
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS:
12th …Bill Robbins
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
OUR MEMBERS:
Lee Bouchard, Jeff Hutchens
AT HOME AND IN CARE FACILITIES:
Peggy Bates, Sherry Bonner, Ruth Essick, Pattie Everhart, Vogen Everhart, Lib & Jimbo Hinkle, Marguerite Leonard, Deanna Michael, Lib Sink, Carolyn Spivey, Adena Wall
OUR FRIENDS:
*Kiana Sinz (friend of Patti Lovell), *Franklin Waters (Cathy Whitley’s father), Earl Parker (Rev. Horton’s father), Bob Saylor (friend of John Maze), Jonelle Parker (friend of Frank Leonard), Connie Leggette (friend of Renee White), Ashley Thomason (Ron & Heidi Hutcheson’s daughter-in-law), Cheri Yates (Eddie Yates’ stepmother), Rev. Dr. Ray Howell III (Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington), Marc Frye (son of the late Doris Frye)
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES:
YOUTH MINISTRIES
SUNDAYS at 6:00PM: Youth Group (West’s home)
WEDNESDAYS at 6:30PM: Youth Study (Youth Room)
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOUTH STUDY HERE
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
SUNDAYS at 10:30AM: Children’s Church (Theater Room)
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR CHILDREN’S CHURCH HERE
WEDNESDAYS at 6:30PM: Children’s Fun & Activities (Fellowship Hall)
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHILDREN’S FUN & ACTIVITIES HERE
WEEKLY CALENDAR
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10:
9:30AM Bible Study: In-Person & via Zoom (Fellowship Hall)
“Bitter Complaints” Smithie Parrish (Facilitator), Job: 23: 1-9, 16-17, Mark:10: 17-31
10:30AM Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)
10:45AM Children’s Church (Theater Room)
Following Worship: Prayer Circle
6:00PM Youth Group (West’s home)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12
12:00PM 2CFAR via Zoom
7:00PM BOOK STUDY WILL NOT MEET TONIGHT…WE’LL RESUME NEXT WEEK WITH
CHAPTER 5
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13
5:30PM Confirmation Classes begin for Grades 9-12 (Fellowship Hall)
This will be a 20-session exploration of our faith and tradition where NO QUESTION IS OFF LIMITS! Check out the curriculum here: Confirm Not Conform
6:30PM Youth Group (Youth Room)
Assistant: Stacy West
Children’s Fun & Activities (Fellowship Hall)
Assistants: Jeremy Lovell & Jeremy Peterson
Choir Practice (Chapel Annex)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14:
4-6:00PM Clothes Closet Workday
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16
12:30PM Carry-Out Lunch Ministry
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17:
9:30AM Bible Study: In-Person (Parlor) & via Zoom
“Out of the Whirlwind” June Grubb (Facilitator), Job 38: 1-7 (34-41) Mark 10: 35-45
10:30AM Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)
10:45AM Children’s Church (Theater Room)
Following Worship:
Congregational Budget Meeting
Prayer Circle
6:00PM Youth Group (West’s home)
UPCOMING EVENTS…
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17 FOLLOWING WORSHIP:
CONGREGATIONAL BUDGET MEETING (Sanctuary)
A copy of the proposed budget will be mailed or
emailed to you for review prior to the meeting.
SUNDAY, October 24 FOLLOWING WORSHIP:
NEXT STEPS (Sanctuary) Join us If you’ve been visiting, have questions about our church or to find out what’s going on in the life of our church.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30 at 5:00PM:
ALL HALLOW’S EVE Spooky Service & Trunk or Treat (beginning in the sanctuary)
NOVEMBER 7:
HOMECOMING SUNDAY
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE 56th ANNUAL GATHERING
The Virtual Unified Southern Conference 56th Annual Gathering
Theme “Call to Care”
Scripture: “Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others”
(Philippians 2:4)
With COVID still in our mist, the Southern Conference along with three Association Annual Meetings had to shift back to being virtual. We will again this year rely on technology. In order to provide workshops that will have the proper time to engage in educating, equipping and empowering both our lay and clergy, there will be pre-annual meeting workshops from November 1st – 4th offered in the afternoon and evening. Opening worship will be on the evening of November 4th. The Southern Conference Annual Meeting business dates will be November 5th and 6th. The Association annual business meetings will be on November 5th.
The registration deadline is October 28th. You may register via mail, but you are strongly encouraged to use the online registration link. The registration fee of $50 covers the Southern Conference and Association meetings, as well as the pre-annual meeting workshops for the entire week. There is only one price to attend all or any one of the events offered. Those registered will receive the link prior to the start of the workshop and meetings via the email you registered with. In the coming weeks workshop titles, descriptions and presenters will be posted via the e-News and the soc-ucc.org website. You will be able to find pertinent meeting materials on the soc website for both the Conference and Association Annual Meetings prior November 5th.
Register online with Eventbrite HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-unified-southern-conference-56th-annual-gathering-tickets-187321482597
Download Mail registration form HERE
BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES
This study, entitled “Born to Trouble,” continues through October 24th and will focus on the Old Testament book of Job.
Come join us as we discuss the following passages and topics on the theme, “Born to Trouble.”
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89026528333?pwd=QzRrR0hocHJMN1hQazZXUGN5dWJnUT09
Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: Bible One tap mobile: +13017158592, 89026528333# US
October 10: “Bitter Complaints” Job: 23: 1-9, 16-17, Mark:10: 17-31 (Facilitator: Smithie Parrish)
October 17: “Out of the Whirlwind” Job 38: 1-7 (34-41) Mark 10: 35-45 (Facilitator: June Grubb)
October 24: “Now My Eyes See” Job 42: 1-6, 10-17 Mark 10: 46-52 (Facilitator: Eddie Yates)
SATURDAY TAKE-OUT LUNCH
We continue to need volunteers to help plate and serve throughout the month. Please think about giving an hour and a half once a month to help serve our community. We have cooks in place for each Saturday, but we could easily use four or more volunteers to help with serving. Contact our church office if you can help us! Thanks to all of those who cook, serve, bring desserts, and help make the lunch program a success!
CLOTHES CLOSET
As the night temperatures are falling and the weather is getting cooler, we are in need of warmer clothing, such as jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, etc. We also need men’s pants/jeans (waist sizes 29-34), men’s shoes/boots (sizes 9-13) and sleeping bags.
CHARLES ENGLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAM
Our church continues our partnership with Charles England Elementary School to help it meet the needs of their students for the 2021-22 School Year. They continue to need food for their “BACKPACK PROGRAM.” You may help by making monetary donations by check to First Reformed UCC with CEES in the memo line or you may contribute online at the church’s website.
MONTHLY PFLAG MEETINGS
Every 3rd Thursday, PFLAG meetings will be held in the church Fellowship Hall. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 21st 16th at 6:30PM. For more info, you may contact confidentially: 646-221-2442 or pflaglexingtonnc@gmail.com