December 19, 2021 Weekly News

December 19, 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 19, 2021:
“Closer to Home: SEEKING SANCTUARY”
 Scripture: Luke 1: 46-56
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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. HORTONDear First Reformed family,

Praise God for the sermons preached without words. 

I was reminded again that the God of new beginnings always brings life in the midst of the direst situations. 

Yes, the Good News was proclaimed in the joyous and spirit-led songs that filled our ears and hearts. 

Had I been present, I would have certainly still preached a sermon…that is what I am wired to do. However, this service needed no sermon from me. The sermon was preached by the hands of the musicians.  
As I watched the service, I quickly learned that perhaps this was indeed the “right” Sunday for me to miss. 

Monday morning, I was able to watch the service via YouTube. What a glorious time of praise!  The organ and piano duets of Christmas music filled my soul. Listening to Chris Kiser and Laura Klaus play so joyfully was incredibly healing. Mike Price and the Center Street quartet were phenomenal on the saxophones. They brought a new sound of life to the sanctuary!

As I drove to Winston that morning, I thought, “Of all the Sundays for me to miss!  This was definitely the wrong one…. so much beautiful music and so many talented musicians.”  

I surely missed worshipping with you this past Sunday! I want to extend a special thank you to Ellen Peterson and Rev. Evan Sieges for their willingness to pinch hit during my unexpected absence! Sunday morning, I realized I needed to take my dad to the hospital. Currently, he is still there. Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers for him over the week. 

Grateful for this beloved community
Elizabeth 

GRATITUDE FOR GIVING

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 TOPICS

December 19th
“The Blessing of Home”…Luke 1:3 9-45
Facilitator: June Grubb
December 26th
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY
January 2nd
 “The Light of Home”…John 1:1-9, 10-18
Facilitator: Eulene Shepherd
                 

DECEMBER CALENDAR OF ACTIVITES IN OUR CHURCH
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT        
Help deliver fruit baskets and Christmas cards to members at home.
You may pick up items from the Fellowship Hall following worship or after the Christmas Program this evening. Fruit baskets have name/address labels on them. Don’t forget the bags with cards, too!
PLEASE CHECK THE LIST BESIDE THE BASKETS FOR NAMES THAT DON’T HAVE VOLUNTEERS TO DELIVER.

 
9:30AM        
Bible Study: In-Person & via Zoom

“The Blessing of Home” (Luke 1:3 9-45) Facilitator: June Grubb   

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

10:45AM       
Children’s Church 
(Theater Room) Asst. Cathy Browder
 
Following Worship:
Prayer Circle
 
6:00PM            
Youth and Children’s Christmas Program: “Christmas Collision” (Fellowship Hall)
 
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22:
NO CHOIR THIS EVENING
6:30PM         
Youth & Children’s Christmas Party (Fellowship Hall)

Pizza will be served and bring a gift ($10 limit, please) to exchange            
 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23:
4-6:00PM      
Clothes Closet Workday

 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24: HOLIDAY…CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED
3:30-5:00PM  
Drop off food items in the kitchen for the Saturday Take-out Lunch

 
7:30PM                     
SPECIAL MUSIC PRIOR TO CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

 
8:00PM                     
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25: MERRCHRISTMAS!
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 SERVICE 
(FELLOWSHIP HALL)
 
FOLLOWING WORSHIP
GIFT EXCHANGE…BRING A $10 GIFT

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:
LITURGIST: Joe Browder                                      
DIGITAL MEDIA TECHNICIAN: Jeremy Peterson             
SOUND TECH: Dave Fulton                                  
CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Cathy Browder    
ACOLYTE: Lucas Peterson    
BIBLE STEWARD:  Ethan Lovell      
USHERS: Ann Hoffman, Doris Sink, Rich Johnson
  
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
Jeremy Lovell (recovering from surgery), Alisa Johnson (recovering from surgery

AT HOME OR IN CARE FACILITIES:
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:*Ed Leonard (Sylvia Walser’s brother), *Miller Abernathy (Sylvia Walser’s son-in-law), *Ronald Yates (Eddie Yates’ father), Matt Hartle (Casey Hartle’s brother), *Evelyn York (friend of Alane Holste), The family of Ruth “P-nut” Kennedy (friend of Alane Holste), Marc Frye (son of the late Doris Frye, Ashley Thomason (Ron & Heidi Hutcheson’s daughter-in-law)

CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS:                                                              
19thMaxx Clark
23rdParker Horton                           
24thBella Gentry
          Bryson Gentry
          Tim Potts
          Jay Whitley

ANNIVERSARIES: 
19thLee & Mary Jo Jessup