April 24, 2022 Weekly News

WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC

APRIL 22 2022

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LOOKING TOWARD SUNDAY: A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON
Beloved Community,
Please wear Blue this Sunday. The last Sunday in April is known as Blue Sunday and is designated for faith communities to join together to pray for children who have been abused and to pray for those who help them heal.
Too often, churches have historically been places where abuse remains silent or is encouraged to keep hidden. We as the Church must face the facts:

One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
Most child abuse incidents are drug and alcohol related.
Within one year of aging out of the foster care system, 66% of victims will be homeless, in jail or dead.
There are over 100,000 children waiting for adoption in the United States.
One of the deepest callings we have as Christians is to care for the vulnerable. We join with The Dragonfly House and Lexington Police Department in the endeavor. The Executive Director Brandi Reagan and Police Chief Robby Rummage will speak in worship of their mission of rescuing and helping children who have been abused.

Afterwards, we will process in a Prayer Walk to the Uptown Square carrying some over 400 flags that represent the children who were served at the dragonfly house last year. How incredibly horrifying to learn that in 2021, approximately 400 children living in Davidson and Davie Counties were abused. Our walk ends on our church lawn where we will place the flags in the ground and pray for the child it represents.

How to Pray for Abused Children this Sunday:
Pray they will be rescued
Pray they are placed with caring people
Pray their minds and bodies can heal
Pray they find hope
Pray for those who rescue them
Let’s pray, educate ourselves, and volunteer until black and blue are just colors in a child’s crayon box.

Click here to watch a 4 minute video, entitled “Lost and Found,” which shows a powerful glimpse into the deep need for Blue Sunday.

Peace,
Elizabeth

SUNDAY’S SCRIPTURE: Mark 10: 13-16

PLEASE PRAY FOR…
Vogen Everhart, Jeff Hutchens, Bonita Hooper, Cheryl Walser, Lee Bouchard, Myrtle Latimer

MEMBERS AT HOME AND IN CARE FACILITIES:
Peggy Bates, Sherry Bonner, Ellen Bouchard, Ruth Essick, Pattie Everhart, Gerri Hill, Lib & Jimbo Hinkle, Marguerite Leonard, Deanna Michael, Carolyn Spivey, Adena Wall

OUR FRIENDS:
Sarah Lovell Biggers (Jerry & Patti Lovell’s daughter, Janice Mullineaux (Cathy Browder’s mother), Charm & Steve Ketner, Marc Frye (friend of the congregation)

CELEBRATIONS
APRIL BIRTHDAYS:
24th…Becca McKerlie
26h…Hense Walser…Sylvia Walser
28th…Emma Hartle…Pam Sink
29th…Kay Crouse

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
LITURGIST: Clifton Murphy
DIGITAL MEDIA TECH: Jeremy Peterson SOUND TECH: James Gray
ACOLYTE: Emma Hartle BIBLE STEWARD: Jacob Hartle
USHERS: John McCarn, Doris Sink

WEEKLY CALENDAR OF CHURCH ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY, APRIL 24:
9:30AM Adult Bible Study (Parlor)
“We Are Witnesses” Acts 5:27-32 Facilitator: Smithie Parrish

10:30AM Worship Service for Blue Sunday Day of Prayer
Special Speakers: Dragonfly House Executive Director, Brandi Reagan
Lexington Police Chief Robby Rummage
10:45AM Young Disciples

FOLLOWING WORSHIP: Prayer Walk to the Town Square

6:00PM Youth Group: Rev. Sieges & Volunteer Needed

MONDAY, APRIL 25:
6:30PM Women’s Life Fellowship’s Salad Potluck Meal at the home of Paula Lopp

TUESDAY, APRIL 26:
12:00PM Crucial Conversations on Faith and Race (2CFAR) via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87341918684?pwd=RmlVeWIvTlNXSnRnUktwdWg3cklYdz09
Meeting ID: 873 4191 8684 Passcode: Faith

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27:
6:30PM Choir Practice
Children’s Fun & Activities: Evan Sieges & Volunteer Needed
Youth Study: 2 Volunteers Needed

THURSDAY, APRIL 28:
4-6:00PM Clothing Ministry Workday

SATURDAY, APRIL 30:
12-1:30PM SATURDAY LUNCH MINISTRY

SUNDAY, May 1:
9:30AM Adult Sunday School (Parlor)
“Who Are You Lord?” Acts 9:1-6 Facilitator: June Grubb

10:30AM Worship Service…Holy Communion

10:45AM Young Disciples and Children’s Church Volunteer Needed

FOLLOWING WORSHIP: Reception to honor Paula Lopp and Carolyn Robbins

6:00PM Youth Group: Rev. Sieges & Volunteer Needed

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED EACH SUNDAY AND WEDNEESDAY
Please consider serving as an usher on Sunday mornings or volunteering to help with our children and youth on Sundays or Wednesdays. You may sign up using the links below or you may call the church office to volunteer.

Sign up to Volunteer for Wednesday Children’s Fun Night HERE
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F44ABAE28A7FE3-wednesday1

SUMMER OPPORTUNITY FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Discover 2022 … Catawba College Youth Theological Institute
Register NOW. Registration is now open at www.catawba.edu/discover
High School Session: July 10-15
Middle School: Session: July 17-22

Catawba College will welcome middle and high school students to participate in its Youth Theology Institute for the 8th year this July. Check out our website www.catawba.edu/discover or email us at discover@catawba.edu.
DISCOVER is a program that challenges youth during this formative time in their lives to engage in careful theological and moral reflection and activity, enabling them to discover God in new ways, especially as incarnational and interactive; discover who they are as children of God; discover how to live out their faith; and discover what they are called to do vocationally.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS GRADES 4-12

Johns River Valley Camp is making plans to provide Outdoor Ministry opportunities during the summer of 2022. COVID protocols are still being determined but we will put Camper safety first. Camps will be provided for Campers grades 4-12. Church youth groups and others are asked to inquire about our “Hospitality Model” in which you work with our staff to plan and provide a retreat experience which meets your group’s unique needs. We also continue to invite groups to plan Mission Camps involving meaningful projects and ministry opportunities. Please use THIS LINK for a copy of the flyer for 2022 Johns River Valley Camps for the summer. With THIS LINK you will find more information about the camps and can register online.

Ministers: The Congregation of First Reformed United Church of Christ,
104 East Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292
Phone: 336-248-2617 www.frucc.org
Pastor: Rev. Elizabeth Horton (elizabeth@frucc.org, cell/text #336-972-8895)
Minister of Pastoral Care: Rev. June Grubb (jgrubb3@triad.rr.com #336-248-5668)
Director of Children and Youth Ministries: Rev. Evan Sieges (evan@frucc.org)
Choir Director: Ellen Peterson (ellenrpeterson@gmail.com)
Organist/Pianist: Christopher Kiser (cdkiser94@gmail.com)
Administrative Asst.: Carolyn Robbins (carolyn@frucc.org)
Financial Administrator: Paula Lopp (paula@frucc.org)

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