WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
JULY 23, 2021
IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICE BEGINNING AT 10:30AM
LIVESTREAMED ONLY ON OUR
YOUTUBE PAGE USING THIS LINK.
Service will be uploaded to view later onto our Facebook page HERE.
——————————-
Click here for the worship bulletin.
Click here to give securely on our website.
——————————
SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2021: “Rooted and Grounded in God’s Love”
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21
REV. HORTON ON VACATION
Rev. Horton will be on vacation Sunday, July 25th. Rev. June Grubb, our Minister of Pastoral Care, will deliver the message “Rooted and Grounded in God’s Love.” Be sure to join us Sunday for worship at 10:30AM.
——————————————-
COVID PRECAUTIONS
In light of the new CDC recommendations, the Consistory approved these guidelines for us to gather:
- If you have been completely vaccinated, you may remove your mask while you are seated if you wish.
- If you have NOT been completely vaccinated, please leave your mask on at all times as usual.
We ALL will continue to:
- Wear masks upon arriving to church
- Receive temperature checks
- Take attendance
- Socially distance
URGENT REQUEST FOR USHERS!
Ushers are needed for the remainder of July and for August. If you can help, please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F44ABAE28A7FE3-usher or contact Eddie Yates at (bbqman46@gamil.com).
NEW IN-PERSON BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES
Our in-person adult Bible study meets in the church Parlor at 9:30 a.m. We are continuing with the seven- week series, entitled “Geared Up for Life,” takes a walk through the Epistle to the Ephesians. This epistle divides neatly into two halves – the first half, Chapters 1-3, provides a theological foundation for the faith in some of the most beautiful language in the Epistles. The second half, Chapters 4-6, focuses on the ethical dimensions of the faith: How do we live it out? This second half reminds us that faith isn’t simply about believing, but about living. The series themes follow:
Sunday, July 25th
“Rooted and Grounded in Love” Ephesians 3:14-21(Smithie Parrish, facilitator)
Sunday, August 1st
“A Life Worthy” Ephesians 4:1-16 (June Grubb, facilitator)
Sunday August 8th
“Speaking Truth” Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (Dave & Glenyce Fulton, facilitators)
Sunday, August 15th
“Giving Thanks” Ephesians 5:15-20 (Eddie Yates, facilitator)
Sunday, August 22nd
“Armored” Ephesians 6:10-20 (Eugenia Holste, facilitator)
NEXT NAMI MEETING SCHEDULED
The next NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness/North Carolina) meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 6:00PM. This meeting continues discussions on creating a NAMI Chapter in Davidson County, Anyone interested may join the meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84806606681?pwd=SXNSeVhEVW11V1dDVnNwMEpnKzRVdz09
Meeting ID: 848 0660 6681 Passcode: Health One tap mobile: +19292056099 or 84806606681#
THE NEXT BOOK STUDY BEGINS IN AUGUST
On Tuesday, August 3 at 7:00PM we will begin our study of “See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love” by Valarie Kaur. We will continue to meet via ZOOM. (The link will be shared prior to the first meeting.)
Valarie Kaur—renowned Sikh activist, filmmaker, and civil rights lawyer—declares revolutionary love as the call of our time, a radical, joyful practice that extends in three directions: to others, to our opponents, and to ourselves. It invites us to see no stranger but instead look at others and say, “You are part of me I do not yet know.”
Kaur takes us on her journey as a brown girl growing up in California farmland finding her place in the world: as a young adult galvanized by the murders of Sikhs after 9/11; as a law student fighting injustice in American prisons; and as a woman trying to heal from her own experiences with sexual assault and police violence. “See No Stranger” helps us imagine new ways of being with each other—and with ourselves—so that together we can begin to build the world we want to see. You may order your copy of the book from your preferred bookstore and join us as we begin this new study on August 3rd.
MONTHLY PFLAG MEETINGS
Every 3rd Thursday, PFLAG meetings will be held in the church Fellowship Hall. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 19th at 6:30PM. For more info, you may contact confidentially: 646-221-2442 or pflaglexingtonnc@gmail.com
VISITS TO OUR MEMBERS AT HOME AND IN CARE FACILITIES
As restrictions are being lifted, would you like to make occasional visits to our homebound members and those in care facilities. Please let me know at elizabeth@frucc.org
PIANO LESSONS AVAILABLE
Are you interested in piano lessons? Christopher Kiser, our church organist/pianist, is opening up his piano studio for enrollment! Lessons are given individually and will begin in August/September.
If you or someone you know may be interested in taking piano lessons, please contact Chris by email or phone. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME!
Email: cdkiser94@gmail.com
Phone: (336) 469-4716
MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Alisa Johnson needs volunteers to help for cover routes for meal delivery. If you are willing to help one morning of the week or more, please contact Alisa at 336-357-0648 or alisajohnson912@gmail.com.
WORKING OUR WAY BACK TO REGULAR CHOIR PRACTICES
It has been a long time since our choir has practiced together and sung for Sunday worship services AND WE HAVE MISSED IT! We are starting some short practice sessions beginning in August following Sunday worship, just to get used to singing together again before regular choir practices begin on September 22nd.
If you are a regular choir member, we look forward to singing with you again. If you would like to be a part of the choir, join us on the Sundays listed below. Ask anyone who is a member…we have a lot of fun and get to sing some beautiful music together under Ellen’s direction!
Add these dates to your calendar…
Sunday practices in the sanctuary following worship from 11:30-12:30:
August 22 and 29
September 5, and 12
REGULAR CHOIR PRACTICE RESUMES ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 AT 7:00PM
BOOK DISCUSSION PLANNED
Take July and August to read Blessed Are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness, Family & Church for a planned discussion on August 24th. All are welcome to take part in this “IN PERSON” discussion about author Sarah Griffith Lund’s “raw, honest look at her father’s battle with bipolar disorder, the helpless sense of déjà vu as her brother struggles with his own mental illness, and serving as spiritual advisor for her cousin, a mentally ill man executed for murder.”
Several copies are available in the office for sharing (please remember to return borrowed copies so that others may borrow), or you may purchase your own copy at your location of preference. More information will be shared closer to the meeting date.
PLUS SIZE CLOTHING NEEDED FOR CLOTHES CLOSET
Our Clothes Closet partners with Meals on Wheels recipients who are mostly homebound. Several have need for 2X, 3X, and 4X clothes, men’s or women’s. Items such as T-Shirts, elastic shorts, legging type pants are particularly useful. If you have gently used clothing or can find a bargain at a discount store in plus sizes, please consider donating to this ministry. Our Church Office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-12:00.
JULY CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS: ANNIVERSARIES:
25th…Melody Evans 27th…Mark & Nicole Smith
27th…Betty Link 30th…Eddie & Belinda Yates
28th…Jeff Hutchens
30th…Sam West
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
OUR MEMBERS: Peggy Bates, Lee Bouchard, Jeff Hutchens, Deanna Michael
AT HOME AND IN CARE FACILITIES: Sherry Bonner (Brookdale, Rm. 208, 161 Young Drive, Lexington, NC 27292 Phone: 336-237-9897), Ruth Essick, Pattie Everhart, Vogen Everhart (Brookdale), Lib & Jimbo Hinkle, Marguerite Leonard, Bob Shaak, Lib Sink, Carolyn Spivey, Adena Wall
[BROOKDALE ADDRESS: 161 YOUNG DRIVE, LEXINGTON, NC 27292 MAIN PHONE: 336 238 1700]
OUR FRIENDS: *Gloria Briggs (Janette Neal’s sister undergoing surgery)
WEEKLY CALENDAR
SUNDAY, July 25: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
9:30AM
IN-PERSON Bible Study (Parlor)
Session 3 “Rooted and Grounded in Love” (Ephesians 3:14-21) (Smithie Parrish, Facilitator)
10:30AM
Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)
In the Pulpit: Rev. June Grubb, Associative Pastor of Pastoral Care
TUESDAY, July 27:
6:00PM
Property Committee Meeting (Fellowship Hall)
THURSDAY, July 29:
1:30-2:30
Clothes Closet Workday with help from Kidz Dreamz Klub
SATURDAY, July 31
12:30PM
Saturday Carry-Out Lunch Ministry
SUNDAY, August 1: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost…HOLY COMMUNION
9:30AM
IN-PERSON Bible Study (Parlor)
Session 4 “A Life Worthy” Ephesians 4:1-16 (June Grubb, Facilitator)
10:30AM
Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)
For details on all our ministries, contact Carolyn in the church office to subscribe to our weekly email.
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE NEWS OF
THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
https://wnca-soc.org/enews/