December 12,2021 Weekly News

December 12,2021 Weekly News

WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
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LIVESTREAMED ONLY ON OUR 

YOUTUBE PAGE USING THIS LINK.
Service will be uploaded to view later onto our Facebook page HERE.

SERMON TITLE FOR DECEMBER 12, 2021:
“Closer to Home: A Home for All”
 Scripture:  Luke 3: 7-18
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Click here for the worship bulletin. 
Click here to give securely on our website.

ATTENTION CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENTS!
It is time to apply for the Hinkle, Sink, Swing Scholarship. Applications are available in the church office or can be emailed by contacting paula@frucc.org. Applications should be completed and back in the office by DECEMBER 31, 2021. 

LOOKING TOWARD SUNDAY: A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON

Dear Beloved Community,

As the nights of Advent grow longer, we may find times when we are overtaken by the darkness around us.  The Christmas lights shine brightly in our neighborhoods, yet our hearts may still sink into a weary world of grief, confusion, and anxiety. Do not despair, Beloved, if  you do not feel cheery and bright just yet…
 
Together, we will search for joy on this 3rd Sunday of Advent…to remember that Joy is not happiness or merely feeling cheerful.  Joy is much deeper. Joy is knowing that – no matter how weary we become — God always provides and sustains, comforts and heals, loves and loves some more!  
 
To celebrate this joy, Sunday will be a Christmas Music Extravaganza that begins at 10am! Prior to worship, we will hear duets from guest pianist Laurie Klaus and organist Christopher Kiser. We also will hear music from Mike Price and the Center Street Saxophone Quartet.
 
During worship the music of joy continues! Many of us have wondered, would we ever sing as a church family again? The answer to this question is YES! I am filled with joy to announce that for the first time since March 8, 2020 —  92 weeks (21 months) —  we will sing a congregational hymn!  We will continue to mask and distance, but thankfully, we will be able to join our voices and our hearts and make a joyful noise!
 
Beloved community, if it is at all possible for you to be present with your church family this Sunday – I urge you to please do so. 

Come, let us find the joy together!
Elizabeth

GRATITUDE FOR GIVING
As of December 3, 2021 we have received 32 pledge cards, totaling $105,620.  This means we are 33% toward our total goal of $319,762.

If you have not yet made a pledge for 2022, please consider doing so before the end of December.  Remember,

  • A Pledge card is NOT a binding contract; it is an estimate in good faith.
  • Only the Financial Secretary has access to the pledge cards.  Your privacy is maintained.

 Ways to Pledge:

  • Place your pledge card in the offering plate in worship.
  • Drop off your card at the church office (MWF from 8-Noon)
  • Email your pledge to paula@frucc.org
  • Mail your card to the church at 104 East Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292

WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS THIS ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS

  • DEADLINE DECEMBER 19: Donate gloves, scarves, toboggans, and socks to worship on Sundays or during the Advent Prayer Walk (December 16, 17, 18) for the Christmas Day Treat Bags for Saturday Lunch recipients  
  • Contribute money toward the Christmas Day Treat Bags for the Saturday Lunch recipients
  • DEADLINE DECEMBER 19: Bring a Christmas Card to church for our members who are sick, homebound, or in Care Facilities (names can be found in the Prayer List in the bulletin)
  • Volunteer to deliver fruit baskets and Christmas cards to our members at home. Pick up cards and baskets either after church December 19 or after the Youth Christmas Program that evening
  • Bring a side dish or dessert for the Christmas Day Lunch Ministry.                                 (Drop off times: Friday, December 24 between 3-5:00PM or December 25 9-10:00AM)
  • Give Alternative Gifts for Christmas OR place an angel on our Angel Tree to support our church benevolences 
  • December 19: Donate to The Christmas Fund (formerly The Veterans of the Cross and The Emergency Fund)
  • Volunteer to serve or cook for Saturday Lunch Ministry
  • Sort clothes or fill orders in Clothes Ministry                                                                Contact the church office if you have questions. More details may be found in the December 2021 Newsletter.

BIBLE STUDY THROUGH JANUARY 2, 2022
The gospel of Luke will provide the text for the adult education Sunday morning Bible study on the theme “Come Home for Christmas.” The new study begins with advent and continues through Epiphany.
WEEKLY TOPIC
NO BIBLE STUDY DECEMBER 12TH 

December 19th
“The Blessing of Home”…Luke 1:3 9-45
Facilitator: Rev. June Grubb
December 26th
“Lost at Home”…Luke 2: 41-52
 Facilitator: TBD
January 2nd
 “The Light of Home”…John 1:1-9, 10-18
Facilitator: Eulene Shepherd                    

               

USHERS NEEDED
Please consider signing up to serve as an usher on Sunday mornings. Open slots are available on most Sundays. You may use the Sign-Up Genius link below to pick a Sunday to volunteer. Feel free to sign up for more than one Sunday of service!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f44abae28a7fe3-usher

DECEMBER CALENDAR OF ACTIVITES IN OUR CHURCH
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
10:00AM         
Christmas Music Celebration by the Center Street Saxophone Quartet and Organ/Piano Duets 
(Sanctuary)       

10:30AM         
Worship

6:00PM            
Youth Group: Christmas Program Practice 
(Fellowship Hall)
 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15:
4-7:00PM         
Advent Prayer Walk and Holy Communion 
(Sanctuary)

6:30PM            
Youth Group: Christmas Program Practice (Youth Room)
Children’s Fun Night (Fellowship Hall)
Choir Practice  (Chapel Annex)
 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16:
4-7:00PM         
Advent Prayer Walk Stations and Holy Communion 
(Sanctuary)
 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17:
4-7:00PM         
Advent Prayer Walk Stations and Holy Communion 
(Sanctuary)
 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18:
9AM-12:00PM 
Advent Prayer Walk Stations and Holy Communion 
(Sanctuary)

2:00PM           
Christmas Program Practice 
(Fellowship Hall)
 
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19: DEADLINE TO BRING CARDS FOR OUR MEMBERS AT HOME
Help deliver fruit baskets and Christmas cards to members at home. You may pick up items from the Fellowship Hall following morning worship or after the Christmas Program in the evening. Sign up ahead of time by contacting the office.
 
10:30AM          
Worship


6:00PM            
Youth and Children’s Christmas Program: “Christmas Collision”
(Fellowship Hall)
 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24: CHRISTAMS EVE
3:30-5PM         
Drop off food items in the kitchen for the Saturday Take-out Lunch


7:30PM            
SPECIAL MUSIC PRIOR TO CANDLELIGHT SERVICE


8:00PM            
CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
9-10:00AM       
Drop off food items in the kitchen for the Saturday Take-out Lunch

11AM-1:30PM  
CHRISTMAS DAY TAKE OUT LUNCH AND TREAT BAGS 
(Kitchen)
All Volunteers Are Welcome!
 
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26: DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP & FUN!
10:30AM          
WORSHIP (FELLOWSHIP HALL)


FOLLOWING WORSHIP
GIFT EXCHANGE…BRING A $10 GIFT

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:
LITURGIST: Rev. June Grubb                                    
DIGITAL MEDIA TECHNICIAN: Jeremy Peterson          
SOUND TECH: Dave Fulton                                      
ACOLYTE: Lucas Peterson    
BIBLE STEWARD:  Ethan Lovell      
USHERS: Ann Hoffman, Doris Sink, Eddie Yates
  
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
*Jeremy Lovell (recovering from surgery), *Alisa Johnson (recovering from surgery), Edgar Miller (recovering from surgery at home), Marge Doty, Lee Ann Peele (recovering from surgery at home)

HOME/CARE FACILITITES:
J.W. Bates, Peggy Bates, Sherry Bonner, Lee & Ellen Bouchard, Ruth Essick, Pattie Everhart, Vogen Everhart, Gerri Hill, Lib & Jimbo Hinkle, Merle Hodges, Jeff Hutchens, Myrtle Latimer, Marguerite Leonard, Deanna Michael, John Potts & Janette Neal, Lib Sink, Carolyn Spivey, Adena Wall, Carolyn Yocum
 
OUR FRIENDS:
*Matt Hartle (brother of Casey Hartle), *Evelyn York (friend of Alane Holste), *The Family of Ruth “P-nut” Kennedy (friend of Alane Holste), Amanda Fulton and Nancy Zimmerman (daughter-in-law of Dave and Glenyce Fulton and her sister whose mother passed away on November 29), Lacy Belcher (Cathy Waitman’s aunt), Glenda Kiser (Christopher Kiser’s mother), Nicole Holste (Alane Holste’s sister-in-law), Joe Carpenter and Chuck Woodson (neighbors of Eugenia Holste), Mike Frick (friend of the church), Marc Frye (son of the late Doris Frye, Ashley Thomason (Ron & Heidi Hutcheson’s daughter-in-law)

CELEBRATIONS         
BIRTHDAYS:                                             ANNIVERSARIES:
12thDonna Coe12thSusan Morris & Charyl Clark
14thMarge Doty…Merle Hodges                 18thDoug & Barbara Sink
16thClayton Leonard
17thChristina Grzech

CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES:
YOUTH MINISTRIES
SUNDAYS at 6:00PMYouth Group (Fellowship Hall)

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, DECEMBER 12: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
9:30AM                       
NO BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK

10:00AM          
Special Music prior to service with performances  by:

                         Center Street Saxophone Quartet and
                         Organ/Piano Duet with Christopher Kiser and Laurie Klaus

10:30AM          
Worship Service
 In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)

10:45AM          
Children’s Church 
(Theater Room) Asst. TBD
Following Worship:
                        Prayer Circle

6:00PM            
Youth Group
 (Fellowship Hall)
 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15:
4-7:00PM         
Advent Prayer Walk & Holy Communion 
(Sanctuary)

6:30PM            
Youth Group 
(Youth Room) Asst: Dave Fulton
Children’s Fun & Activities (Fellowship Hall) Asst: Jeremy & Renee White
 Choir Practice (Chapel Annex)
 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16:
4-6:00PM         
Clothes Closet Workday
 with Kidz Dream Klub

4-7:00PM         
Advent Prayer Walk and Holy Communion 
(Sanctuary)
 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17:
4-7:00PM         
Advent Prayer Walk & Holy Communion 
(Sanctuary)
 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18:
9AM-12:00PM  
Advent Prayer Walk & Holy Communion (Sanctuary)

12:30PM          
Carry-Out Lunch Ministry


2:00PM            
Dress Rehearsal for Youth & Children’s Christmas Program 
(Fellowship Hall)
 
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DEADLINE TO BRING CARDS FOR OUR MEMBERS AT HOME
Help deliver fruit baskets and Christmas cards to members at home. You may pick up items from the Fellowship Hall following morning worship or after the Christmas Program in the evening. Sign up ahead of time by contacting the office.
 
9:30AM                       
Bible Study: In-Person & via Zoom

“The Joy of Home” (Luke 3: 7-18) Facilitator: Rev. June Grubb

10:30AM          
Worship Service
 In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)

10:45AM          
Children’s Church 
(Theater Room) Asst. TBD
Following Worship:
                        Prayer Circle

6:00PM                
Youth and Children’s Christmas Program: “Christmas Collision”
(Fellowship Hall)