WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
June 18, 2021
IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICE BEGINNING AT 10:30AM
LIVESTREAMED ONLY ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE USING THIS LINK.
You may also view past services using the same 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 for to give securely on our website.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 20th: Identify Yourself
Scripture: Mark 4: 35-41
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UPDATE FOR 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 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
LOOKING TOWARD SUNDAY: A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON
The Tempest, by Kathleen Peterson
Dear Beloved Community,
Sunday we will hear the story of Jesus sailing on the sea with the disciples. He falls asleep while a storm begins. Even though many of the disciples are skilled fishermen, they seem to panic. Read Mark 4:35-41.
Pay close attention to the words Jesus says to the disciples.
Sometimes in church, we are given the message we must choose faith over fear; that if we have faith, then we should have no fear; or inversely, if we have fear, then we must not have faith.
What do you think?
If we have enough faith will all of our fear go away?
I have never found such responses helpful. Instead, quite the opposite, as this kind of theology reinforces people’s inadequacies and flaws. “I must not be doing something right in my faith because I still have fear.” I don’t think Jesus was using the tactic of shaming someone into a stronger faith.
As we continue in our series Identify Yourself, we will take a look at who we are in our sermon, Faith and Fear.
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday,
Elizabeth
Thank you!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU!
Dear FRUCC Friends,
Pastors Michael and Diane Simon of Victory in Jesus Christ Ministries would like to thank you for the donations and support of our ministry. These donations are greatly appreciated and are put to good use. We look forward to working with FRUCC Clothes Closet to combat homelessness and bringing about change for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Your Friends in Faith,
Pastors Michael and Diane Simon
FARMSHARE BOXES GOAL MET
THANK YOU! We have met our goal to sponsor 12 FarmShare boxes of fresh produce from Seven Sisters Farms! Thanks to your donations, Edgar Miller’s vision that all may have access to locally grown food, and Jamie Hollman’s creative cooking abilities, fresh produce will be included each week in the 80 meals prepared and delivered to elderly or disabled recipients of Meals on Wheels of Lexington.
JUNETEENTH FREEDOM CELEBRATION
Come join us on Saturday, June 19th at 6:00pm for at history tour walk. We will gather at the steps of St. Stephen UMC for this event.
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
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. Here is the link to sign up. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F44ABAE28A7FE3-usher
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL HEALTH
Another ZOOM meeting regarding beginning a Davidson Country affiliate for the National Alliance of Mental Illness/North Carolina (NAMI) is scheduled for Wednesday, June 23rd at 4:00. Anyone interested in joining the meeting should register in advance using the following link or contact Cathy Browder at cmbrowder@gmail.com:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kde-rrz8sHNO_0MNhM-Hi6D4RQxmTi8ve
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
NEW BOOK DISCUSSION PLANNED
Take June and July 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, or you may purchase your own copy at your location of preference. More information will be shared closer to the meeting date.
PENTECOST SEASON BIBLE STUDY
The Pentecost Season’s Bible Study entitled “When the Spirit Moves” will continue to gather by Zoom at 9:15 AM. Join study HERE. (Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: 634119 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US)
The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, June20 “Enduring the Storms”
Mark 4:35-41, 2 Corinthians 6:1-3 (Smithie Parrish, Facilitator)
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, June 27 “Giving What You Have”
Mark 5:21-43, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (Eulene Shepherd, Facilitator)
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.
JUNE CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS:
21st…John Gray
22nd…Peggy Bates
25th…Scott Gray…Alisa Johnson
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
We extend Sympathy to and share Christian Hope with the family of Katherine Skipper, long-time member of First Reformed UCC, who passed away on Wednesday, June 16th. A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 19th at Forest Hill Memorial Park.
OUR MEMBERS: Jasmine Cruz (recovering from surgery), Peggy Bates, Alisa Johnson (recently diagnosed with dermatomyositis), Mike Brown (recovering at home), Bill Robbins (recovering at home), 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: *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), The family of Dean Thornsburg (friend of Alane Holste, Marc Frye (son of the late Doris Frye), Immanuel Carothers (friend of Nina Smith)
WEEKLY CALENDAR
SUNDAY, June 20: Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
9:15AM
Pentecost Season Bible Study via ZOOM: “When the Spirit Moves”
Today’s discussion: “Enduring the Storms” (Smithie Parrish, Facilitator)
Mark 4: 35-41 & 2 Corinthians 6:1-3
10:30AM
In-Person Worship Service LIVESTREAMED ONLY ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE. Service will be uploaded onto our Facebook Page at a later time.
TUESDAY, June 22
11:00PM
Graveside Memorial Service at Lexington City Cemetery for Geraldine Westmoreland, mother of Frankie Westmoreland.
12:00PM
2CFAR Crucial Conversations on Faith and Race via ZOOM
7:00PM
Adult Faith Formation Meeting via ZOOM
WEDNESDAY, June 23
4:00PM
National Alliance of Mental Illness/North Carolina (NAMI) meeting via Zoom.
Anyone interested in joining the meeting should contact Cathy Browder at cmbrowder@gmail.com:
THURSDAY, June 24:
4-6:00PM
Clothes Closet Workday
FRIDAY, June 25:
64th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
SATURDAY, June 26:
12:30PM
Saturday Carry-Out Lunch Ministry AVAILABLE AT OPEN HANDS MINISTRY TODAY
1:00pm
Memorial service for Janelle Smith Bunn (Sanctuary) followed by reception in the church Fellowship Hall. All are welcome.
SUNDAY, June 27: Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
9:15AM
Today’s Bible Study discussion: “Giving What You Have”
Mark 5:21-43, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (Eulene Shepherd, Facilitator)
10:30AM
In-Person Worship Service LIVESTREAMED ONLY ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE. Service will be uploaded onto our Facebook Page at a later time.
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