WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
APRIL 23, 2021
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WALSH AND WHITE WEDDING
Renee Walsh and Travis White are excited to have their wedding livestreamed on First Reformed’s Facebook page HERE and our YouTube channel HERE. They invite their church family to join in the happy occasion on Saturday, April 24th at 4:00 in the afternoon!
LOOKING TOWARD SUNDAY: A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON
Sermon Title: Dare to Grow
Scriptures: Psalm 23 and Acts 4: 5-12
Dare to Live
Are you daring?
If you want to be like the followers in the Book of Acts,
then you should answer yes.
Over the next seven weeks we will explore the big and bold book of Acts –
where we see communities of faith come to grips with the mystery
and wonder of an empty tomb.
What does it look like to live on the other side of the Cross?
The followers in Acts show us.
They dare to open themselves up to the Spirit of The Resurrection.
They dare to allow the Living God to move through them.
They dare to defy the limits of the world.
They dare to surpass the status quo.
They dare to live in faith.
Will we?.
Dear Friends,
This Sunday we will follow the example of the church in Acts, in our Daring to Live series, as we “Dare to Grow.” What does it mean to grow in faith? In what ways is God calling you to grow?
How is God calling this church to grow?
As we celebrate Earth Day in worship, we give thanks for the 11 years of fresh produce that FRUCC’s Community Garden has provided to the Lexington area. And…. We give thanks for the growth that is happening in the Garden right now.
Beginning in May, the church will have a Garden Coordinator on Staff, Becca Franklin. She will take the lead in organizing the logistics of planning and planting. She also will help coordinate ways for the garden to expand and deepen in ministry.
Sometimes, “Acts of God” push us to grow a little more quickly than we had planned. Wednesday night during the severe wind, the maple tree split and landed over the potatoes and tomatoes. Luckily no other severe damage occurred.
As preparations are made for the removal of this decaying tree, we recognize God may have new ideas for this garden space.
Let us listen to God calling,
Let us pray for courage,
Let us Dare to Grow….
Seeking to serve faithfully with you,
Elizabeth
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Our service will be livestreamed at 10:30am.
You can worship with us online in two ways:
On our Facebook Page here.
On our YouTube Channel here.
If you miss the livestream, the services will be available in both of these places for you to watch at your convenience.
Click here for the worship bulletin.
Click here for to give securely on our website.
EARTH DAY 2021
Earth Day was Thursday, April 22nd. We will celebrate Earth Day during worship service Sunday, April 25.
SAVE THE DATE
Add June 13, 2021 to your calendar! We have scheduled our annual Sunday Picnic at Wildcat Farm for that day. We were unable to hold this last year because of Covid restrictions, and we missed being at Wildcat Farm the year before because of rain. (Our picnic was held in the Fellowship Hall that year.)
Arrangements are being made for our meal. You will not have to contribute any food items this year so this event can safely follow Covid protocols. Mike Brown has already agreed to man the grill. Susie Smith is working on plans for safe food service.
Dust off your lawn chairs and have them ready for June 13th!
APRIL CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS:
26th…Hense Walser…Sylvia Walser
28th…Emma Hartle…Pam Sink
29th…Kay Crouse…Katherine Skipper
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
OUR MEMBERS: *Sherry Bonner (recovery from fall), *Edgar Miller (knee replacement surgery), Lee Bouchard, Jeff Hutchens (receiving chemotherapy), Katherine Skipper, Heidi Hutcheson (recovering from surgery at home), Deanna Michael
AT HOME AND IN CARE FACILITIES: *Janelle Bunn, Marzell Crotts (Mountain Vista Health Park, Denton), Peggy Bates, Ruth Essick, Pattie Everhart, Lib & Jimbo Hinkle, Marguerite Leonard, Bob Shaak, Lib Sink, Carolyn Spivey, Adena Wall, Vogen Everhart (Brookdale)
OUR FRIENDS: The Family of Eddie Yates, The Family of Dot McCachren (Eugenia Holste’s sister-in-law), Billie Carr (Ben Hale’s mother, recovering from surgery), Nicole Holste (Alane Holste’s sister-in-law), Wendi Greene (Bill Robbins’ sister)
*Indicates newly added. Names will remain on the list for 4 weeks. To add a name to the prayer list please call the church office.
CALENDAR
SUNDAY, APRIL 25: FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER…EARTH DAY
9:15AM
Adult Sunday School via ZOOM HERE. (John 10:11-18) “Listen to My Voice” Facilitator: Smithie Parrish
(Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: 634119 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US)
10:30AM
In-Person Worship Service will also be LIVESTREAMED on Facebook Page HERE and YouTube HERE.
(COVID PRECAUTIONS FOLLOWED)
12:00PM
Please join us HERE for Noon Fellowship and Prayer Concerns via Zoom
(Meeting ID: 207 685 007 Passcode: 3n7IX8 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099)
TUESDAY, APRIL 27:
12:00PM
2CFAR meeting via ZOOM Join Meeting HERE. (Meeting ID: 873 4191 8684 Passcode: 222495)
7:00PM
Book Study via Zoom HERE. “Natural Saints: How People of Faith Are Working to Save God’s Earth” Facilitator: Edgar Miller (Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471 Passcode: 524570 Dial in: +1 301 715 8592)
THURSDAY, APRIL 29:
4-6:00PM
Clothes Closet Workday
SATURDAY, May 1:
12:30PM
Saturday Carry-Out Lunch Ministry
SUNDAY, May 2: Fifth Sunday of Easter: Holy Communion Sunday
9:15AM
Adult Sunday School via ZOOM HERE. (John 15:1-8) “Abide in Me” Facilitator: June Grubb
(Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: 634119 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US)
10:30AM
In-Person Worship Service will also be LIVESTREAMED on Facebook Page HERE and YouTube HERE.
(COVID PRECAUTIONS FOLLOWED)
12:00PM
Please join us HERE for Noon Fellowship and Prayer Concerns via Zoom
(Meeting ID: 207 685 007 Passcode: 3n7IX8 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099)
FIRST REFORMED UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST FLOWER PROTOCOL
SPECIAL NOTE:
It has been a tradition in our church to have flowers at the front of the sanctuary as a sign of creation and life. We encourage anyone who wishes to place flowers in honor or memory of someone to continue this tradition, however the guidelines for this ministry have changed.
- It will no longer be the church’s responsibility to order and communicate information to the florist(s) for individuals wishing to place flowers in the church.
- Previously reserved dates will no longer be carried over from year to year.
- Sunday flower reservations will now be made through the church office based on a yearly calendar.
- Flowers will be placed at the front of the sanctuary unless someone has already reserved the date. Then there is an option to place flowers in the Narthex.
- In order to place flowers/plants in the church, you must contact the church office either by phone or email to see if the requested week is open. (carolyn@frucc.org or 336-248-2617)
It will be up to individuals to provide the flowers and be responsible for all billing. There are only two florists in the area who have a key to the sanctuary for delivery of arrangements, C Ray Floral Designs (336-247-1694) and Reggie’s Flower Shoppe (336-731-8789). If you choose to use a different florist, you may contact the office to make arrangements for delivery. The church has several silk arrangements that may be used instead of ordering from a florist. These may be requested for use with a donation made to the church. The most appropriate seasonal arrangement will be selected from these.
It will be up to the individual to remove flowers from the sanctuary.
A calendar for each new year will be available for reservations by December 1 of the current year.
Information that must be provided for flower reservations:
Reservation made by:
Contact preference:
Bulletin information:
Arrangements after Sunday Service:
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE COORDINATOR NEEDED
The Board of Community Outreach is in search of someone to coordinate Red Cross blood drives held in our church Fellowship Hall. Betty Barr has done a wonderful job serving as coordinator since the Red Cross started holding blood drives at our church. The coordinator will work with the local Red Cross to coordinate drives with our church calendar. Being present on site during the day of the drive is another responsibility. Generally, this is from 12-7:00PM. Blood drives have been held 2-3 time per year. The next drive is scheduled for May 19, 2021. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information about responsibilities, please contact Betty Barr for details. (336-239-5001 or barrpiotcar@gmail.com). Information about signing up to give blood will be sent out soon.
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Living the Resurrection: Easter Season, the Adult Bible Study, continues Sunday mornings at 9:15AM via ZOOM. Easter is not a day, it is a season. So, our new Bible study sessions will be a six-week series which brings us up to Pentecost. The joy of Easter needs to sustain us until the Spirit can launch us into the next phase of experiencing the “kin-dom” of God.
The study focuses on the lectionary text found in John’s gospel, which are stories that follow the resurrection of Jesus. Our question throughout this series is, “How does this help me live today?”
Join study HERE. (Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: 634119 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US)
Gospel Texts and Session Titles:
April 25: John 10:11-18 “Listen to My Voice”
May 2: John 15:1-8 “Abide In Me”
May 9: John 15:9-17 “No Greater Love”
Also, Festival of the Christian Home (Mother’s Day)
May 15: John 17:6-19
“We Are Yours”
May 22: Pentecost Sunday
BOOK STUDY
The book study meets on Tuesdays, at 7:00PM via ZOOM. Edgar Miller is the facilitator for this study of the book Natural Saints: How People of Faith Are Working To Save God’s Earth. The important topics included for discussion throughout this book coordinate well with Earth Day celebrations in the month of April. Congregations and individuals seeking to integrate care of creation into their faith community will find inspiration and concrete advice in the lives of these natural saints. The book focuses on the following ministries:
McDuff Highlights Eight Key Ministries:
protecting human dignity
feeding the hungry
creating sacred spaces
responding to natural disasters
promoting justice
making a pilgrimage
educating youth
bearing witness
You may order your copy of the book from your favorite resource. You may join this book study Tuesday evenings via ZOOM at 7:00PM HERE. (Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471 Passcode: 524570 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US)
BE THE CHURCH WINDOW CLINGS
The Board of Evangelism has plenty “BE THE CHURCH” Window Clings still for sale. These are similar to bumper stickers, but they cling on glass instead and can easily be moved from place to place. Proceeds will go to the church’s general fund. The cost is $5 each. If you are interested in purchasing, please contact the church office.
OPEN HANDS SATURDAY LUNCH MINISTRY
Open Hands Ministry and First Reformed UCC Serve a carry-out lunch at 12:30 on Saturdays out of our Fellowship Hall kitchen. Volunteer or come for a carry-out meal for this Saturday Lunch. Contact John Maze if you would like to help. (704-524-6462)
IMMEDIATE PRAYER PARTNERS
Praying for another person is a powerful ministry that connects us more deeply to others and amplifies the needs before God. Formerly called the Prayer Chain, our newly named prayer ministry is Immediate Prayer Partners, coordinated by Patti Lovell. The Immediate Prayer Partner Ministry begins by calling Rev. Horton, the church office, or Patti Lovell with your prayer request. It will then be shared with volunteers who have made a commitment to offer intercessory prayer immediately when they receive the message. Depending on the volunteer’s preference, communication will be via texts, emails, or phone calls. If you would like to volunteer to be an Immediate Prayer Partner, please contact Patti Lovell at 336-309-9302.
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