WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
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LOOKING TOWARD SUNDAY: A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON
Dear Beloved Community,
Long ago, a young couple found themselves in a dire situation. They were expecting a baby and were very far from home. Without resources or connections, far from family and familiar surroundings, they were displaced and struggling. With nowhere to go and no one to help them, would their baby even survive?
Until…
someone made room for them. It wasn’t home. It wasn’t clean or necessarily safe. But it was a place to find shelter. And on that night long ago, in the feeding trough, amidst the sights and smells of the cattle and sheep, a baby is born. In the confines of a cramped room abounding with chaos, a Savior has been born unto us.
He is Christ the Lord.
Jesus is born as an outcast, and yet he devotes his life to inviting people who are cast out. How will we respond?
I invite you to join us in the Sanctuary on Christmas Eve to hear the Sacred Story once again.
And to remember,
In the darkest of night, Christ Comes.
When fear overtakes, Christ Comes.
When you are excluded or outcast, Christ Comes.
Music starts at 7:30PM
Service starts at 8:00PM
In addition to our choir, hear favorite carols sung by Ellen Peterson, Emma West, Chris Allred, and saxophonist, Mike Price.
On Sunday, December 26 at 10:30AM, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for worship. Please dress comfortably. We’ll sing carols, have an inter-generational activity and gift exchange (Bring a gift…$10 limit!)
Grateful to serve with you,
Elizabeth
CANDLELIGHT SERVICE WILL BE LIVE STREAMED
ONLY ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE USING THIS LINK.
Service will be uploaded to view later onto our Facebook page HERE.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2021
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
SERMON TITLE: Finding Home
Scripture: Luke 2: 41-52
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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.
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
- 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)
- DEADLINE DECEMBER 31: Give Alternative Gifts for Christmas OR place an angel on our Angel Tree to support our church benevolences
- DEADLINE DECEMBER 31: 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 26th: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY
January 2nd: “The Light of Home”…John 1:1-9, 10-18 Facilitator: Rev. June Grubb
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:
LITURGIST: Rev. June Grubb
SOUND TECH: Dave Fulton
ACOLYTE: Lucas Peterson
BIBLE STEWARD: Ethan Lovell
USHERS: Ann Hoffman, Doris Sink, Rich Johnson
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
| We extend Sympathy to and share Christian Hope with Eddie Yates and family upon the death of his father, Ronald Yates, who passed away December 16th. |
Jeremy Lovell (recovering from surgery), Alisa Johnson (recovering from surgery)
AT HOME AND IN CARE FACILITIES:
Peggy Bates, Sherry Bonner, Lee & Ellen Bouchard, Ruth Essick, Pattie Everhart, Vogen Everhart, Lib & Jimbo Hinkle, Jeff Hutchens, Marguerite Leonard, Deanna Michael, John Potts & Janette Neal, Lib Sink, Carolyn Spivey, Adena Wall
OUR FRIENDS:
*Nicole Holste (Alane Holste’s sister-in-love), *Family of Will Swaim (friend of Alane Holste), Ed Leonard (Sylvia Walser’s brother), Miller Abernathy (Sylvia Walser’s son-in-law), The family of 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
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
27th…Renee White 1ST…Geraldine Hill
28th…Walter Hoffman Tom Phillips
Susan Miller
30th…Keith Johnson
Belinda Yates
31st…Camill Freeman
Myrtle Latimer
DECEMBER CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES IN OUR CHURCH
Sunday, December 26: First Sunday after Christmas
10:30AM
In-person Inter-generational Worship Service in the Fellowship Hall
BRING A GIFT TO EXCHANGE ($10 LIMIT)
No Children’s Worship
Wednesday, December 29:
Choir will not meet
No Children or Youth Activities
Saturday, January 1: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
11-1:30PM
Take-out Lunch (Kitchen)
All Volunteers Are Welcome!
Sunday, January 2: Epiphany and Holy Communion
9:30AM
Adult Bible Study: “The Light of Home”
John 1:1-9, 10-18 (Facilitator: Rev. June Grubb)
10:30AM
Worship Service:
IN THE PULPIT: Rev. Evan Sieges
Following Worship
Prayer Circle