| WEEKLY EMAIL FROM FIRST REFORMED UCC FEBRUARY 18, 2022 ————————————— HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SATURDAY LUNCH MINISTRY!In the February 2021 issue of the church newsletter, John Maze announced the beginning of a lunch ministry that would provide a free take-out meal to the public each Saturday. This day of the week was chosen because on all other days a meal was provided for those in need. Open Hands and First Reformed UCC joined together to start this new ministry and planned to serve the first take-out meal on February 13, 2021. As it turned out, bad weather prevented the meal from being served until the next week on February 20th. Since its beginning one year ago, Saturday Lunch has continued to grow into a successful community outreach ministry thanks to John Maze and many other volunteers from our church who have unselfishly provided food and volunteered their time in the church kitchen each week. LOOKING TOWARD SUNDAY: A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON Dear Beloved Community, I need to be honest. I am not looking forward to Sunday. In fact, I am D-R-E-A-D-I-N-G Sunday…3:00pm in particular. That’s when I will attend The Service of Farewell and Closure for First United Church of Christ, 1912 Waughtown Street, Winston-Salem, NC. Along with other former pastors, I am supposed to “say a few words.” How do I speak only a few words about a church that began in 1905 is closing its doors after 117 years of ministry? A church that took a leap of faith and called me as their Pastor when I was fresh out of WFU Divinity School. A church that showered Dan, Megan and me with love when we stood on the chancel and became a family. A church that grieved with me when we miscarried our first child. A church that held and swaddled our bouncing baby boys, passing them from pew to pew so I could preach. A church that showed me grace and forgiveness when I fell short. A church that encouraged my mother and helped me care for her during the painful years of Mom’s cancer. A church that wiped my tears and fed my family when she died. How do I come up with only a few words for a church I served for almost 10 years. When I think of this church closing, all I can think of is HOW THEY LOVED ME through the most important moments in my life. And for that I am grateful. And I am sad. For it feels like a part of my life is closing, too. This is my First Ever Farewell Ceremony for Closing a Church. At 3:00pm on Sunday I will stand in the pulpit and see in my mind’s eye the faces of the precious saints who went before me. I will compose myself and put on my preacher-game-face. I will do what they called me to do in 2002: Proclaim the Good News of the Gospel, Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Seeking to be faithful with you, Elizabeth Here are a few pictures of First United Church of Christ, Winston-Salem.    My apologies to those who tried to access the Congregation Meeting via Zoom, but could not. I didn’t have the camera set up correctly. Below are 2 items from the meeting for you to view.1. A slideshow of pictures from the past year: Moments from FRUCC 2021 CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM 2021 2. A slideshow of of the info presented and a summary of our recent survey questions. CLICK HERE TO VIEW SLIDES FROM MEETING AND RESULTS OF SURVEY If you didn’t answer the questions yet, please take 5 minutes to do so. For us to look forward, your participation and input is vital. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE QUESTIONS Grateful for you and the life ahead! Together with you in faith, hope, and love. Rev. Elizabeth Horton FEBRUARY 20, 2022 SERMON TITLE: LOVE IS: CONTINUOUS DISCOVERY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15: 35-38, 42-50PLEASE PRAY FOR: *Ron & Heidi Hutcheson and Family, *Kathleen Danze and Family, Tammy Rhodes (recovering at home), Alane Holste, Myrtle Latimer, Kathleen Danze, Cheryl Walser, Alisa Johnson MEMBERS 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: *The Family of Kiana Sinz (Friend of Patti Lovell), *Beth Wrenn (Friedn of Pattil Lovell), The Family of Ken and Curtis Holmes (neighbors of Jerry & Patti Lovell), The family of Glenn York (Friends of Alane Holste), Marc Frye (son of the late Doris Frye) JOB OPENING: FULL TIME CHURCH ADMINISTRATORto manage the operationsserve as a financial officerfacilitate the communications for the churchwork in partnership with ministry staff and lay leadership to further the church’s community-minded vision and inclusive mission to love God and love our neighbor. SKILLS NEEDED: This broad-spectrum role needs strong bookkeeping, communication, and organizational skills. Must be comfortable using various types of technology, digital platforms, and software. Must be able to maintain confidentiality at times. Church Administrator Job Posting 02012022 1.pdf CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS ON FAITH AND RACE Currently, CFAR, is a virtual community designed for intentional and honest conversations to help foster racial justice and reconciliation in our community. We meet Tuesdays at noon via Zoom. Thru February we will have conversations with local folks who share their own experiences of faith and race. Feb. 22, Cassandra Lockhart The group started out of First Reformed’s Board of Evangelism, under the leadership of Dave Fulton. In 2017, a small group from 2 black and 2 white churches (First Reformed, Second Reformed, St. Stephen UMC and Shadyside Presbyterian) formed the then East Lexington Collaborative Ministries. The Spirit led us beyond the boundaries of the 4 churches to many cross sections of this community. All are welcome to join in. Here is the Zoom Link to join 2CFAR Meeting ID: 873 4191 8684 Passcode: Faith NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP STARTING Beginning in April, we will have National Alliance on Mental Illness resources here in Lexington! The Family Support Group begins in April on the 1st and 3rd Mondays via Zoom. Cathy Browder will co-facilitate. She and her husband Joe have been instrumental in getting this ministry up and running. If you live with someone who has symptoms of mental illness, know you are not alone. Support and resources are available. Please feel free to speak with Cathy or Rev. Horton if you have questions. All are welcome. Click here to learn about NAMI Family Support Group BIBLE STUDY THROUGH FEBUARY 27, 2022 Themes and facilitators are listed below. via ZOOM at 9:15AMcontinues a Bible study based on Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. We will continue to meet “Love Never Ends: Being the Body of Christ” Join the ZOOM Meeting Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89026528333?pwd=QzRrR0hocHJMN1hQazZXUGN5dWJnUT09 Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: Bible Sunday, February 20th “Raised In Glory” I Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 (Facilitator: Eddie Yates) Sunday, February 27th “Seeing the Glory” 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (Facilitator: June Grubb) GIRL SCOUT COOKIES Girl Scouts 2160 will be selling Girl Scout cookies the whole month of February. This year’s cookies are: Caramel deLites (aka Samoas) Adventurefuls (new this year — brownie with caramel) Toast-Yay! (cinnamon toast) Lemonades Thin Mints Peanut Butter Patties (covered in chocolate) Peanut Butter Sandwiches Shortbread Thin Mints Caramel Chocolate Chip (Gluten-Free)They are $5 per box. Please contact Kivi or Jianna Miller to place an order. You can call or text Kivi at 336-870-0251 or email Jianna at jiannamiller@gmail.com The troop will also be leading worship on Girl Scout Sunday, February 27, and that will be your last day to buy cookies at church. Thank you for supporting our Girl Scouts! VERNON GASTON (V.G.) PRICE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Vernon Price was a man with accomplishments in many fields of endeavor, yet the things most dear to him were very simple – his family, his faith, his students and his town. For this reason, his family requested that a scholarship be established in his name and that the recipients of the award encompass the ideals held most dear by V.G. Applications are due to the church office by March 31. You can find a copy of the application HERE or contact the church office.VOLUNTEERS NEEDED SIGN UP TO HELP WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES FOR 2022 YOUTH MINISTRIES SUNDAYS at 6:00PM: Youth Group (Fellowship Hall) Sign up to Volunteer for Sunday night Youth meeting HERE 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 VLUNTEER FOR WEDNESDAY CHILDREN’S FUN & ACITIVITIES HERE USHERS ARE NEEDED EACH SUNDAY…PLEASE SIGN UP TO SERVE Please sign 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 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE LITURGIST: Doris Sink DIGITAL MEDIA TECH: Jeremy Peterson SOUND TECH: John Gray CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Alice Gray ACOLYTE: Lucas Peterson BIBLE STEWARD: Ethan Lovell USHERS: James Gray, Clifton Murphy, Lisa Nelson, Michell Winters CELEBRATIONS: FEBUARY BIRTHDAYS: FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES: 20th…Frank Callicutt…Janette Neal 20th…Larry & Betty Link 23rd…Susie Smith…Amy Hedrick 24th…Megan Horton WEEKLY CALENDAR OF CHURCH ACTIVITIES Sunday, February 20: First Anniversary of Saturday Lunch Ministry 9:15AM Adult Bible Study via Zoom: “Raised In Glory” I Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 (Facilitator: Eddie Yates) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89026528333?pwd=QzRrR0hocHJMN1hQazZXUGN5dWJnUT09 Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: Bible 10:30AM Worship Service (in person and via YouTube) 10:45AM Children’s Worship: Rev. Sieges & Alice Gray (Theater Room) Following Worship Prayer Circle 6:00PM Youth Meeting: Rev. Sieges & Betty Barr (Youth Room) Tuesday, February 22: 12:00PM 2CFAR (via Zoom) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87341918684?pwd=RmlVeWIvTlNXSnRnUktwdWg3cklYdz09 Meeting ID: 873 4191 8684 Passcode: Faith 7:00PM Book Study “The Book of Joy” (via Zoom) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84691635471?pwd=WnJHblBaK1pZamRRc29GMjFKU3ZQZz09 Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471 Passcode: Faith Wednesday, February 23: 6:30PM Choir Practice Children’s Fun and Games: Rev. Evan Sieges & Jeremy Lovell (Fellowship Hall) Youth Study: Dave Fulton & Volunteer Needed (Youth Room) Thursday, February 24: 4-6:00PM Clothing Ministry Workday Saturday, February 26 Lunch Ministry (Kitchen) Sunday, February 27: Girl Scout Sunday 9:15AM Adult Bible Study via Zoom: “Seeing the Glory” 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (Facilitator: June Grubb) 10:30AM Worship Service (in person and via YouTube) 10:45AM Children’s Worship: Rev. Sieges & Volunteer Needed (Theater Room) Following Worship Prayer Circle 6:00PM Youth Meeting: Rev. Sieges & Betty Barr (Youth Room) |
| 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) |