WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
SUNDAY IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES 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.
A MESSAGE FROM REV. HORTON:
Prayers for the Twentieth Anniversary of 9/11
written by Derek Weber, of UMC Discipleship Ministries
We remember, God of history and remembrance, we remember. We remember when the towers fell and the lives were lost; we remember the dust and the smoke, the despair, and the grief. We remember that sense of vulnerability and shock. We remember the numbness that overwhelmed us as we watched our screens for hours and hours, waiting for an explanation and understanding that never came. We remember.
We remember, God of hope and presence, we remember. We remember the heroes, those who rushed to help, who guided the wounded down innumerable flights of stairs, who rose to overwhelm those who held death in their hands. We remember the hours and the days of binding wounds and healing hurts, giving comfort, drying tears. We remember words of support and compassion from nations far and wide. We remember.
We remember in part because we see the ripples of that tragic day continue to impact our world twenty years later. We grieve with allies today as our allies grieved with us twenty years ago. And together we wonder if there will ever be an end . . . to violence, to war, to hatred, to death. We remember and we grieve our world’s inability to learn the things that lead to peace.
We call to you now in our remembrance, God of justice and of peace. Give us a will to truly pray that your kin-dom may come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen and Amen.
On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we honor the lives that were lost in this tragic act.
May we give thanks for those who served and saved, rendered aid and assistance.
May we give comfort to those who live with loss.
May we seek justice and peace where it is within our ability, and rely on you when the ability escapes us.
On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we build what has been torn down.
May we mend what has been broken.
May live your love when hate seems to reign.
May we bear witness to the cause of peace.
Amen.
Beloved Community,
God calls us to be peacemakers, and yet we see little around us that is peaceful.
Let us work for peace anyway.
Instead of giving ourselves over to our fears, let us give ourselves in faith.
Let us be courageous in living out our calling to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly even when we are afraid.
Let us live as disciples of the One who proclaimed, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Let us love –
Elizabeth
SERMON TITLE FOR SEPTEMBER 5, 2021:
“A Faith that Works: Toxic Talk”
Scripture: JAMES 3: 1-12
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:
LITURGIST: Marge Doty
DIGITAL MEDIA TECH: Jeremy Peterson
SOUND TECH: John Gray
USHERS: Raeann Allred, Alane Holste, John Smith
ACOLYTE: Emma Hartle
BIBLE STEWARD: Jacob Hartle
CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS:
12th…Lee Jessup
15th…Andy Sink
16th…Barbara Sink…Addie Walser
17th…Lynn Brown…Stephen Wall
ANNIVERSARIES:
18th…Eddie & Susan Miller
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
OUR MEMBERS: Janette Neal (recovering from surgery at home),Lee Bouchard, Jeff Hutchens
AT HOME AND IN CARE FACILITIES: Peggy Bates, Sherry Bonner (Brookdale, Rm. 208, Phone: 336-237-9897), Ruth Essick, Pattie Everhart, Vogen Everhart (Room 102 Brookdale), Lib & Jimbo Hinkle, Marguerite Leonard, Deanna Michael, Bob Shaak, Lib Sink, Carolyn Spivey, Adena Wall
OUR FRIENDS: *Ashley Thomason (Ron & Heidi Hutcheson’s daughter-in-law), Jimmy Grubb (recovering from a fall), Cheri Yates (Eddie Yates’ stepmother), Steve Ketner, Martha Moore, Rev. Dr. Ray Howell III (Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington), Marc Frye (son of the late Doris Frye)
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES:
YOUTH MINISTRIES
SUNDAYS at 6:00PM: Youth Group (West’s home)
WEDNESDAYS at 6:30PM: Youth Study (at church)
Sign up to Volunteer for Wednesday night Youth Study HERE
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
WEDNESDAYS at 6:30PM: Children’s Fun & Games (at church)
Sign up to Volunteer for Wednesday Children’s Fun Night HERE
SUNDAYS BEGINNING 9/26: Children’s Church (Theater Room)
WEEKLY CALENDAR
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11:
12:30PM
Saturday Take-out Lunch
SUNDAY, September 12:
9:30AM
In-person Bible Study (Parlor) Smithie Parrish, facilitator (James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38)
10:30AM
Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)
Kids Worship Connection
FOLLOWING WORSHIP:
CONSISTORY MEETING (FELLOWHSIP HALL)
CHOIR PRACTICE (SANCTUARY)
6:00PM
Youth Group (West’s home)
MONDAY, September 13:
6:00PM
Shelter Meal (Nina Smith & Team
TUESDAY, September 14:
12:00PM
2CFAR via Zoom
7:00PM
Book Study Group via Zoom: “Strangers No More”
Join the meeting using THIS LINK.
Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471 Passcode: Faith
One tap mobile +13017158592,,84691635471# US (Washington DC)
WEDNESDAY, September 15:
6:30PM
Youth Group (at church)
Children’s Fun & Games (at church)
7:00PM
Parlor/Property Meeting (PARLOR)
THURSDAY, September 16
4-6:00PM
Clothes Closet Workday
6:30PM
PFLAG Meeting via Zoom Request link by emailing: pflaglexingtonnc@gmail.com
SATURDAY, September 18
12:30PM
Saturday Carry-Out Lunch Ministry
SUNDAY, September 19:
9:30AM
In-person Bible Study (Parlor) Mike Hooper, facilitator (James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37)
10:30AM
Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)
Kids Worship Connection
FOLLOWING WORSHIP:
CHOIR PRACTICE (SANCTUARY)
6:00PM
Youth Group (West’s home)
IN-PERSON BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES
September 19th “Root of Conflict”
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 Facilitator: Mike Hooper
September 26th “The Power of Prayer”
James 5:13-20 Mark 9:38-50
Facilitators: Dave and Glenyce Fulton
ADULT BOOK STUDY CONTINUES IN SEPTEMBER
Continuing on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:00PM, join us for our study of “See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love” by Valarie Kaur. We will continue to meet via ZOOM using THIS LINK. Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471 Passcode: Faith One tap mobile+13017158592, 84691635471# US (Washington DC)
MONTHLY PFLAG MEETINGS
Every 3rd Thursday, PFLAG meetings will be held in the church Fellowship Hall. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 16th at 6:30PM. For more info, you may contact confidentially: 646-221-2442 or pflaglexingtonnc@gmail.com
CHARLES ENGLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAM
As part of our church’s Community Outreach Program, we continue our partnership with Charles England Elementary School to help it meet the needs of their students for the 2021-22 School Year. They continue to need food for their “BACKPACK PROGRAM.” Please consider helping with any donations listed below for this program, or you may make monetary donations by check to First Reformed UCC with CEES Backpack Program in the memo line or you may contribute online at the church’s website.
ITEMS NEEDED:
Juice boxes Applesauce cups Breakfast bars Ramen noodles
Cheese crackers Spaghetti-Os Chicken Noodle Soup Canned vegetables