WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
APRIL 30, 2021
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WORSHIP SERVICE FOR MAY 2, 2021
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?
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.
LOOKING TOWARD SUNDAY: A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON
Dear Friends,
I am grateful to spend Friday and Saturday at a virtual Racial Equity Institute training with over 30 representatives from different sectors of both the City of Lexington and Davidson County – school systems, government, law enforcement, healthcare, emergency services, churches. Several are members of our Crucial Conversations on Faith and Race (2CFar) .
Rather than looking at personal prejudices or bigotry, this training analyzes the data of our country’s structures and systems like healthcare, education, law enforcement, housing, banking, etc.
I am grateful to represent the congregation of First Reformed UCC. I look at this as a way God is working in this community. God is opening so many doors for us to minister and share truly good news. We are called to bring hope and healing to one another…to be a bridge builder.
As we approach Sunday, we read scripture that shows the Barrier Breaking power of God’s spirit. We will share in Holy Communion. You will be safely served in your seat.
Looking forward to the work ahead,
Elizabeth
Dear God,
We have words of tradition,
asking you to watch other those who work, or watch or weep.
This prayer is for those who are waiting,
for those who are pacing,
for those who are frozen still,
for those who are having all the feelings,
and for those who are numb.
This is a prayer for those who wish
they were working or watching
perhaps even weeping,
but instead are waiting,
hovering in that space
before the outcome can be known,
before the results can be deciphered,
before what is needed has arrived.
This is a prayer that hopes for a blessing,
that asks for a blessing:
a blessing of peace,
a blessing of courage,
a blessing of patience,
a blessing of this next breath,
a blessing of love that can be experienced
even in the midst of it all.
Keep watch, dear Lord,
over those who work or watch or weep this day
over those who wait.
For your love’s sake.
Amen.
~Written by Rev. Jemma Allen
GRADUATION SUNDAY
Graduation Sunday is scheduled for May 16. If you have a child who is moving up from Elementary School, Middle School or graduating from High School or college, please contact the church office as soon as possible, so we can make plans for Graduation Sunday. We also will need the following information:
Student’s Full Name
Moving from: _____ Elementary/Middle School to… _____ Middle/High School
Graduating from _____ High School and Attending… _____ University/College in the Fall
Graduating from _____ University/College with a major in__________
and Future Plans are__________
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!
MAY CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS:
4th
Tammy Rhodes
Lily Robertson
Aurelia Smith
Jones Walser
Stacy Sosebee-West
8th
Sherry Bonner
Ben Hale
Nathan Jessup
ANNIVERSARIES:
6th…Vance & Joy Walser
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
OUR MEMBERS: Sherry Bonner (recovery from fall), Edgar Miller (recovering from knee 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 Cindy Coble (Friend of Alane Holste), 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, May 2: Fifth Sunday of Easter and Holy Communion
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 HERE and YouTube HERE.
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, May 4:
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”
(Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471 Passcode: 524570 Dial in: +1 301 715 8592)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5:
6:00PM
AltarScape Team Meeting
THURSDAY, May 6:
4-6:00PM
Clothes Closet Workday
5:30PM
High School Youth via Zoom
SATURDAY, May 8:
12:30PM
Saturday Carry-Out Lunch Ministry
SUNDAY, May 9: Sixth Sunday of Easter…Mother’s Day
9:15AM
Adult Sunday School via ZOOM HERE. (John 15:9-17) “No Greater Love” Festival of the Christian Home & Mother’s Day (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 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)
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?
Chances are, every one of us knows someone living with mental illness. When it’s someone we love, we want to help but may not know the best ways to do so, which can be extremely difficult for all involved.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is a grassroots organization whose mission is to support, educate, and raise awareness for people affected by mental illness to build better lives. Although NAMI has 600 local chapters, the closest one to us is Winston or Concord. Joe and Cathy Browder have worked with NAMI in the past and are hoping to start a chapter in Lexington, so that local families and individuals living with mental illness will have the support they need.
To learn more about NAMI resources for mental illness, or just to ask a question, please e-mail Cathy at cmbrowder@gmail.com or contact Rev. Horton at elizabeth@frucc.org
FIRST REFORMED UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST’S FLOWER GUIDELINES
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. 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:
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.
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE NEWS OF
THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Click BELOW for the news of the of the Western Association and
Southern Conference of the UCC:
https://wnca-soc.org/enews/