July 5, 2021 Weekly News

July 5, 2021 Weekly News

WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
JULY 2, 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.
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Click here for the worship bulletin. 
Click here to give securely on our website.
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 SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021     Identify Yourself: In-dependent or Inter-dependent
Scripture: Mark 6: 1-13

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARGUERITE LEONARD!
Marguerite Leonard is celebrating her 100th birthday today! If you’d like to wish her a Happy Birthday, you may send a card to her at 221 Shuler Circle, Thomasville, NC 27360.

LOOKING TOWARD SUNDAY: A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON 

Dear friends,
 
As our county celebrates our great freedoms on this Independence day, we, as a church,  are called to look at our own freedoms and what independence means as we follow in the way of Christ.   
 
This Sunday, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue in his hometown.  He is rejected by the religious leaders and many others who knew him and his family.  As a result, the ministry was impeded, and Jesus had a choice to make:  Quit or adapt. 
 
Jesus knew his worth was not dependent upon other People’s Opinions.  His worth came from God alone.  
 
Thus,  Jesus chose not to quit.  He adapted.  He sent out his disciples 2 by 2 and prepared them how to respond when they too face rejection.  
 
Rejection stings.  No one likes it, but it is inevitable.  As a follower of Christ, we are not dependent on other people’s opinions of us.  

We are free to love. 
We are free to live in faith.  
We are free to live out our calling.  
…And we will face rejection 

How will you respond? 
 
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday,
Elizabeth   

Beginning Tuesday, July 6, I am taking vacation.  Rev. June will be available if you need her.  
IN THE PULPIT NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 11…


Rev. Lester Smith, Associate Pastor at Union Baptist Church in Lexington. Rev. Smith is a former Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He studied at Hood Theological Seminary, is active in Crucial Conversations on Faith and Race (2CFAR) and an advocation for justice in the city of Lexington.

GENERAL SYNOD JULY 11-18, 2021
Upon my return, I will serve as a Southern Conference delegate for this General Synod.  Here is the link for you to explore the workshops, worship services, and other offerings. Also included is the link to the resolutions to be presented.
https://www.generalsynod.org/
https://www.generalsynod.org/proposed-resolutions/

BOOK STUDY MEETING
Tuesday’s Book Study Group will meet via Zoom at 7:00PM on Tuesday, July 13 to discuss plans for the next book study that will begin on July 20.

You may join the Book Study meeting via Zoom at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84691635471?pwd=d1JLRTV2K1dhZW85K1JwcUJXL2ZDZz09#success.  
(Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471  Passcode: 524570     Dial in: +1 301 715 8592)


COVID PRECAUTIONS

  • 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 are trusting in the honor system when it comes to these decisions.  
 
We ALL will continue to: 

  • Wear masks upon arriving to church  
  • Receive temperature checks 
  • Take attendance 
  • Socially distance    

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

MONTHLY PFLAG MEETINGS
Every 3rd Thursday, PFLAG meetings will be held in the church Fellowship Hall. For more info, you may contact confidentially: 646-221-2442 or pflaglexingtonnc@gmail.com

NEXT NAMI MEETING SCHEDULED
Another ZOOM meeting regarding  NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness/North Carolina) is scheduled for Monday, July 12, 2021 at 6:00PM. 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#

USHERS NEEDED
As we work to return to worship, we are all aware that things are still not back to “the way they were before,” but we are working in that direction.  One of the changes currently is with the ushers and usher duties.  As we work through this, would you please assist in this planning by signing up to usher in the weeks ahead. Sign up here: 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F44ABAE28A7FE3-usher

NEW 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.

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 336-250-6589 or alisajohnson912@gmail.com.
 
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
 
PLUS-SIZE CLOTHING NEEDED FOR OUR 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: 
5th …Paula Lopp                                              8th …Frank & Beth Callicutt    
7th…Cheryl Walser…Carolyn Yocum    
9th…Jacob Hartle…Mary Jo Jessup

PLEASE PRAY FOR… 
OUR MEMBERS:  Peggy Bates, Alisa Johnson Mike Brown, Bill Robbins, Lee Bouchard, Jeff Hutchens, Deanna Michael
 
AT HOME AND IN CARE FACILITIES: Ruth Essick, Pattie Everhart, Lib & Jimbo Hinkle, Marguerite Leonard, Bob Shaak, Lib Sink, Carolyn Spivey, Adena Wall, Vogen Everhart (Brookdale)
 
OUR FRIENDS: Charm Ketner, Cora Mae Atkinson (Beverly Lovell’s grandmother), Nancy Burton (Mother of a friend of Patti and Jerry Lovell), Beverly & Dave Ward (Ron Link’s sister and brother-in-law), Marc Frye (son of the late Doris Frye)
 
WEEKLY CALENDAR
SUNDAY, July 4: Holy Communion…Independence Day
10:30AM     Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)
 
MONDAY, July 5: HOLIDAY
CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED
 
TUESDAY, JULY 6-MONDAY JULY 12:
Rev. Horton will be on vacation. Please contact Rev. June Grubb (336-248-5668) or the church office if you need assistance during this time.
 
WEDNESDAY,  July 7:
5:00PM      Board of Trustees Meeting (Parlor)
 
THURSDAY, July 8:
4-7:00PM   Clothes Closet Workday                                                                                                    
 
SATURDAY, July 10
12:30PM    Saturday Carry-Out Lunch Ministry
 
SUNDAY, July 11: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
10:30AM   Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE) 
In the Pulpit: Rev. Les Smith, Associate Pastor at Union Baptist Church in Lexington. Rev. Smith is a former Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at US Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He studied at Hood Theological Seminary, is active in Crucial Conversations on Faith and Race (2CFAR) and an advocate for justice in the city of Lexington.
 

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