November 14, 2021 Weekly News

November 14, 2021 Weekly News

WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
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LIVESTREAMED ONLY ON OUR 

YOUTUBE PAGE USING THIS LINK.
Service will be uploaded to view later onto our Facebook page HERE.

A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON:
Dear Beloved Community,
What a glorious Homecoming Sunday!  Thank you so much to:

  • Rita Lohr, who was unable to attend but helped coordinate the Worship Service.  
  • Jeremy and Keri Lovell and Jay and Cathy Whitley for sharing why they chose First Reformed as their home. 
  • Keri Hartle for singing beautifully about God’s love, 
  • Chris Kiser for amazing us with a gorgeous medley of hymns.  
  • Susie Smith for organizing the lunch, activities, set up and clean up.
  • Cheryl Walser for hosting and feeding us at Yarborough’s Restaurant. 

 We indeed are blessed beyond measure!  This Sunday,  we will Bless our Confirmands, Bella Gentry, Bryson Gentry, Jia Miller, and Kai Plummer.  These young people have embarked on a journey to learn and discover what it means to follow Christ.  They are asking questions, thinking critically, and teaching me a lot along the way.  The congregation will pledge to support them through this process. 

It’s Stewardship Sunday!
Time to turn in your pledge card.

Several weeks ago, the congregation voted to approve the budget for 2022.  The budget forecasts expenditures for ministries, such as outreach, staffing, facilities maintenance, supplies, etc.  The church has taken a bold step in faith by increasing the ministry goals for next year, thus increasing the budget needs.  

By completing a Pledge Card, you are giving an estimate of your intent to support the mission and ministry of First Reformed UCC.  Not only does the pledge card help forecast funding, but it symbolizes your partnership with the congregation.   

Giving money is not a requirement to be part of the church.  Some among us struggle financially, while others have more than enough. We may ebb and flow between these extremes.  Sometimes we receive support, and other times we give support.   

Through prayer, allow the Holy Spirit to guide what you give.  One method is work toward tithing, giving 10% of your income.  

REMINDERS: 

  • A Pledge card is NOT a binding contract; it is an estimate in good faith.
  • If you can’t estimate an amount to pledge, PLEASE still turn in a card to show support. 
  • Only the Financial Secretary has access to the pledge cards.  Your privacy is maintained.

Thank you for your support of what God is doing through this congregation. Please bring your pledge cards to worship this Sunday.  Extras will be available. 

Other Ways to return your pledge cards:

  • Drop off your card at the church office
  • Email your card to paula@frucc.org
  • Mail your card to the church at 104 East Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292

Seeking to serve faithfully,
Elizabeth 

SERMON TITLE FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2021:
“A Life that Matters: Authenticity”
Scripture: Mark 13: 1-8
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Click here for the worship bulletin. 
Click here to give securely on our website.

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 
“From Worship to DiscipleshipA Life That Matters”
The theme is intentional. By connecting the themes and scriptures from corporate worship to the small-group experience, we will be more fully formed into disciples of Jesus Christ. Our discussions for the first three weeks will be based on the Gospel of Mark.                             
November 14th:   
Not One Stone…
Mark 13:1-8(Facilitator: Eulene Shepherd) 
November 21st   
Everyone Who Belongs…
John 18:33-37 (Facilitator: Eddie Yates)
                           
USHERS NEEDED
Please consider signing 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
 

DECEMBER 4th & 7th

We have volunteer slots to fill for the Salvation Army Kettle Bells. Please review the options and sign up to help. Location is Lanier’s Ace Hardware at the back entrance on North State Street in Lexington. USE THE SIGN-UP GENIUS LINK BELOW.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49A5AA28A7FBCE9-salvation

SOMEONE WILL BE IN THE NARTHEX SUNDAY TO HELP WITH SIGN UP AND WITH GIFT CARDS FOR YOU TO MAIL


THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:
DIGITAL MEDIA TECHNICIAN: Jeremy Peterson          
SOUND TECH: John Gray      
USHERS: Mark Smith, Eddie Yates
ACOLYTE: Parker Horton                                             
BIBLE STEWARD:  Patrick Horton
 
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
We extend sympathy to and share in Christian Hope with Betty and Darren Barr and family upon the death of Betty’s mother, Ruth Howard Huneycutt on November 5, 2021.
 
OUR MEMBERS: *Lee Ann Peele (recovering from surgery), Janette Neal, Ellen Bouchard, Jeff Hutchens
 
AT HOME AND IN CARE FACILITIES: Peggy Bates, Sherry Bonner, Ruth Essick, Pattie Everhart, Vogen Everhart, Lib & Jimbo Hinkle, Marguerite Leonard, Deanna Michael, Lib Sink, Carolyn Spivey, Adena Wall
 
OUR FRIENDS: *Lacy Belcher (Cathy Waitman’s aunt), Glenda Kiser (Christopher Kiser’s mother), Nicole Holste (Alane Holste’s sister-in-law), Joe Carpenter and Chuck Woodson (neighbors of Eugenia Holste), Mike Frick (friend of the church), Marc Frye (son of the late Doris Frye, Ashley Thomason (Ron & Heidi Hutcheson’s daughter-in-law)

NOVEMBER CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS                               ANNIVERSARIES:
14th…Holt Biesecker                  16th…Pat & Amy Golden
17thAnne Bevan
18th…Dottie Walser
19thMaria Cruz…Gary Hahn
20thEmory Smith

CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES:
YOUTH MINISTRIES
SUNDAYS at 6:00PMYouth Group (Fellowship Hall)
 
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 VOLUNTEER FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHILDREN’S FUN & ACTIVITIES HERE

WEEKLY CALENDAR
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14: STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY 
 9:30AM         Bible Study: In-Person & via Zoom
                     “From Worship to Discipleship: Not One Stone
                      Mark 13:1-8 (Facilitator: Eulene Shepherd)
 
10:30AM        Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)
 
Following Worship:
                     Congregational Meeting to present nominees for 2022 Consistory
                     Prayer Circle
                     Consistory
 
6:00PM          Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)
 
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16:                                                                                                 
12:00PM        2CFAR Crucial Conversations of Faith and Race via Zoom
                       https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87341918684?pwd=RmlVeWIvTlNXSnRnUktwdWg3cklYdz09 
                       Meeting ID: 873 4191 8684     Passcode: Faith
                       One tap mobile: +187341918684# US (New York)


7:00PM          Book Study Group via Zoom: “Strangers No More”
 
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17:                                                                                          
5:30PM          Confirmation
 
6:30PM          Youth Group (Youth Room) Asst: Jeremy Lovell
                       Children’s Fun & Activities (Fellowship Hall) Asst: Smithie Parrish & Renee White
                       Choir Practice (Chapel Annex)
 
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18:                                                                                              
4-6:00PM       Clothes Closet Workday
6:30PM          PFLAG Meeting via Zoom
 
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20:                                                                                              
12:30PM        Carry-Out Lunch Ministry
 
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21:
9:30AM         Bible Study: In-Person & via Zoom
                      From Worship to Discipleship: Everyone Who Belongs
                      John 18:33-37 (Facilitator: Eddie Yates)
                            
10:30AM        Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)
 
10:4AM         Children’s Church (Theater Room)
 
Following Worship:
                     Prayer Circle
 
3:00PM          DECORATING COMMITTEE: Decorating the Sanctuary for Christmas
 
6:00PM          Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)