WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
May 14, 2021
IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICE BEGINNING AT 10:30AM
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfZFOjObXH_bR8E-UG_gTA
Click here for the worship bulletin.
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SUNDAY, MAY 16: Dare to Believe
ASCENSION SUNDAY & GRADUATE SUNDAY
Scriptures: Ephesians 1: 15-23 and Acts 1: 1-11
LOOKING TOWARD SUNDAY: A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON
Sermon Series: Dare to Live
Do you dare?
The big and bold Book of Acts shows us what it means for us to “Dare to Live”
in the mystery and wonder of an empty tomb.
The church in Acts dares to open themselves up to the Spirit of The Resurrection.
They dare to allow the Living God to move through them.
They dare to defy the limits of the world.
They dare to surpass the status quo.
They dare to live in faith.
Will we?
Dear Beloved Community,
We celebrate graduates this Sunday. Young people transitioning from one chapter of their lives to the next. Excitement, questions, and wonder about the unknown road ahead —felt not just by the graduates, but their families, too.
Sometimes it’s just hard to believe this is happening.
This is one Sunday where the Liturgical Year coincides with our lives in a mysteriously beautiful way. It is Ascension Sunday. We see the Risen Christ gather his disciples close around him, only to leave them abruptly. The Resurrected Jesus ascends into heaven…. vanishes right before their eyes. They are left stunned and confused, wondering what to do next without him nearby.
It’s hard for them to believe this is happening.
Like the disciples, we find our lives and our faith filled with transitions. What is the transition you face right now? How is God calling you to respond?
In the service, the high school graduates will share with us a little about:
How their faith changed over the past few years?
What has the church meant to them?
Join us Sunday as we Dare to Believe.
Grateful to be with you on the journey,
Elizabeth
COME MEET OUR NEW GARDEN COORDINATOR
Saturday, May 16th at 12:30 you will have an opportunity to meet our new Garden Coordinator, Becca Franklin. Come just to visit or lend a hand in the garden. It’s time to plant tomatoes, basil, and weed. Come see what’s growing!
LAST SUNDAY FOR FELLOWSHIP & PRAYERS CONCERNS VIA ZOOM
This Sunday, May 16, will be our last week for meeting via zoom after worship services. Please continue to review names of our members and friends needing prayer who are listed in the bulletin and weekly email.
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
The next blood drive is Wednesday, May 19, from 2:30-7:00. Covid precautions will be followed. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Betty Barr, or you may stop by the fellowship hall between 2:30 and 7:00PM. (336-239-5001 or barrpiotcar@gmail.com).
The Board of Community Outreach is in search of a coordinator for future Red Cross blood drives held in our church. Betty Barr has done a wonderful job serving as coordinator since the Red Cross started holding blood drives here. The new coordinator will work with the local Red Cross to schedule drives with our church. Being present on site during the day of the drive is another responsibility. Generally, this is from 12-7:00PM. Blood drives have typically been held 2-3 time per year. For more details about responsibilities, please contact Betty Barr.
PENTECOST GIFT BAGS FOR OUR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS
Volunteers are needed to help prepare and deliver gift bags for our homebound members on Pentecost Sunday. Bags will be assembled on Saturday, May 22nd at 1:00 in the Fellowship Hall. They will be delivered after church on Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd. If you would like to help, please contact Susie Smith at skepley8@yahoo.com.
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OFFERING
Strengthen the Church offering will be collected on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021. Pentecost celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit to the demoralized and confused disciples. The Spirit changed the lives of the disciples, moving them from a place of fear to one of courage – they unlocked their doors and went out into the community. Peter, inspired by the Spirit, spoke, and taught a new and bold continuing testament. Lastly, the Spirit bridged the differences between strangers, allowing people to experience an extravagant welcome – everyone understood the disciples, each in their language.
Strengthen the Church donations will help the United Church of Christ continue as a Spirit-inspired and world-changing Christian movement. We will continue to benefit from best practices, insights, and innovations across the life of the UCC.
Donations may be made by check (please write “Strengthen the Church” on the subject line), or cash (please place donation in a labeled envelope), or you may give securely online HERE.
With your help, together we grow stronger!
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.
MAY CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS: 17th…Devin Odom…Susan Odom…Ashley Potts
ANNIVERSARIES: 19th…Jerry & Patti Lovell 20th…Dan & Elizabeth Horton
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
OUR MEMBERS: The family of Marzell Crotts, Mike Brown (recovering from a fall), Bill Robbins (recovering from surgery at home), Edgar Miller (recovering from knee surgery at home), Lee Bouchard, Jeff Hutchens, Katherine Skipper, Heidi Hutcheson, Deanna Michael, Janelle Bunn (receiving Hospice Care at home)
AT HOME AND IN CARE FACILITIES: Peggy Bates, Ruth Essick, Pattie Everhart, Lib & Jimbo Hinkle, Marguerite Leonard, Bob Shaak, Lib Sink, Carolyn Spivey, Adena Wall, Vogen Everhart (Brookdale)
OUR FRIENDS: *Glenda Kiser (Christopher Kiser’s mother, Grand Strand Medical Center), *Mark Frye (son of the late Doris Frye), *The Family of Ruth Weaver (John Maze’s aunt), *Immanuel Carrothers (friend of Nina Smith), Beth and Michael Bliss (daughter & son-in-law of Eulene Shepherd, recovering from car accident), Victor and Cheryl Moss (friends of Camille Morgan, dealing with sickness), The Family of Cindy Coble (Friend of Alane Holste), Billie Carr (Ben Hale’s mother), Nicole Holste (Alane Holste’s sister-in-law), Wendi Greene (Bill Robbins’ sister dealing with cancer)
* Indicates newly added. Names will remain on the list for 4 weeks. To add a name to the prayer list, please call the church office.
UPDATE ON JANELLE BUNN
Over the past several years, Janelle has lived through several seasons of chemotherapy treatments. At this point, the goal is to help Janelle stay comfortable. She is rather weak, but with help, she is staying at home. She rests much of the day, but Janelle’s gracious spirit is still strong, and her blue eyes still shine with kindness. It would be lovely, if you are able, to send Janelle a card expressing your love and prayers for her during this time. Her address: Janelle Bunn, 145 Gabriel Pointe, Lexington NC 27295
If you have other questions, please contact her daughter, Laura Olson at lauraolson0127@gmail.com.
WEEKLY CALENDAR
SATURDAY, MAY 15
2:30
Adult Sunday School via ZOOM HERE. John 17:6-19 “We Are Yours” Smithie Parrish, facilitator
(Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: 634119 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US)
SUNDAY, May 16: Ascension Sunday…Graduation Sunday
9:15AM
Adult Sunday School via ZOOM HERE. John 17:6-19 “We Are Yours” Smithie Parrish, facilitator
(Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: 634119 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US)
10:30AM
In-Person Worship Service LIVESTREAMED ONLY ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE USING THIS LINK. (https://www.facebook.com/firstreformeducc/live/)
(COVID PRECAUTIONS FOLLOWED)
12:00PM
Please join us HERE for the last week of Noon Fellowship and Prayer Concerns via Zoom
(Meeting ID: 207 685 007 Passcode: 3n7IX8 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099)
1:00PM
Consistory Meeting via Zoom
TUESDAY, May 11:
12:00PM
2CFAR Crucial Conversations on Faith and Race via ZOOM
Join Meeting HERE. (Meeting ID: 873 4191 8684 Passcode: 222495)
7:00PM
Book Study via Zoom HERE. “Natural Saints: How People of Faith Are Working to Save God’s Earth”
(Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471 Passcode: 524570 Dial in: +1 301 715 8592)
WEDNESDAY, May 19:
2:30-7:00PM RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE (Fellowship Hall)
Please contact Betty Barr (336-239-5001 or barrpilotcar@gmail.com) for an appointment or stop by at your convenience
THURSDAY, May 20:
4-6:00PM
Clothes Closet Workday
5:30PM
High School Youth via Zoom
SATURDAY, May 22:
12:30PM
Saturday Carry-Out Lunch Ministry
SUNDAY, May 23: Pentecost Sunday…Strengthen the Church Offering
9:15AM
Adult Sunday School via ZOOM HERE. Pentecost Sunday
(Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: 634119 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US)
10:30AM
In-Person Worship Service LIVESTREAMED ONLY ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE USING THIS LINK. (https://www.facebook.com/firstreformeducc/live/) (COVID PRECAUTIONS FOLLOWED)
BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY CALENDAR
Birthdays and anniversaries are shared weekly in our Sunday bulletins and monthly in our newsletters. If you have not noticed your birthday and/or anniversary, we probably don’t have it in the office. Please contact Carolyn (carolyn@frucc.org) so we may update our lists!
FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY
If you are interested in placing flowers in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, please contact Carolyn (carolyn@frucc.org) or call the church office (336-248-2617).
CHURCH PICNIC: JUNE 13TH!
Our annual Sunday Picnic at Wildcat Farm will be held on the second Sunday of June. Plans are in the works for a basic, simplified and Covid-safe service and lunch. The meal will be provided and will include hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixings, chips, dessert and soft drinks or water. The burgers and hotdogs will be served for you as you pass through the line and other items will be in individual packages for your safety. Bring your lawn chair and join us for some outside worship, food and fellowship. Look for more information in the June 2021 Newsletter.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?
CHANCES ARE, we know someone with a mental illness. When it’s someone we love, we want to help but may not know how.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is an organization who supports, educates, and raises awareness for people affected by mental illness and their families. NAMI has 600 local chapters, but not one close to us.
Joe and Cathy Browder have worked with NAMI in the past and hope to start a chapter in Lexington, so that local folks and families will have good support and resources around mental illness.
We are looking for 3 or 4 persons who are interested in learning more about how to get NAMI started in this area. Please e-mail Cathy at cmbrowder@gmail.com or contact Rev. Horton at elizabeth@frucc.org
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Living the Resurrection: Easter Season, the Adult Bible Study, continues Sunday mornings at 9:15AM via ZOOM. The study focuses on the lectionary text found in John’s gospel, which are stories that follow the resurrection of Jesus. Our question throughout this series is, “How does this help me live today?”
Join study HERE. (Meeting ID: 890 2652 8333 Passcode: 634119 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US)
Gospel Texts and Session Titles:
May 23: Pentecost Sunday
BOOK STUDY
The book study meets on Tuesdays, at 7:00PM via ZOOM. The book focuses on the following ministries:
McDuff Highlights Eight Key Ministries:
protecting human dignity feeding the hungry
creating sacred spaces responding to natural disasters
promoting justice making a pilgrimage
educating youth bearing witness
You may join this book study Tuesday evenings via ZOOM at 7:00 PM HERE. (Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471 Passcode: 524570 Dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US)
BE THE CHURCH WINDOW CLINGS
The Board of Evangelism has plenty “BE THE CHURCH” Window Clings still for sale. These are similar to bumper stickers, but they cling on glass instead and can easily be moved from place to place. Proceeds will go to the church’s general fund. The cost is $5 each. If you are interested in purchasing, please contact the church office.
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE NEWS OF
THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Click BELOW for the news of the of the Western Association and
Southern Conference of the UCC:
https://wnca-soc.org/enews/