WEEKLY EMAIL from FIRST REFORMED UCC
SEPTEMBER 3, 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:
Dear Beloved Community,
What good is religion in this day and age?
How does your religion inform your decisions day in and day out?
Is the church a museum of relics, filled with antiquated teachings or is there more?
In our sermon series from James, we are confronted with these questions. James wants us to discover if the religious words we speak with our mouths equal up to the actions shown in our lives.
According to James,
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27 NRSV)
Join me Sunday as we ask the hard questions about the relevancy of the institution of the church in 2022. May we be challenged to live up to James’ call to the church in our series: A Faith That Works for Today and Tomorrow.
We will share in Holy Communion Sunday and we will follow Co-vid Protocols in the sanctuary. If you are joining us online via YouTube you are invited to have bread and juice/wine ready so we can all eat and drink together.
Elizabeth
SERMON TITLE FOR SEPTEMBER 5, 2021:
“A Faith that Works for Today and Tomorrow”
Scripture: JAMES 2: 1-17
THIS SUNDAY: SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
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UPDATE FOR COVID PROTOCOLS
We continue to see numbers rise from the Delta Variant of Covid-19.
In the spirit of caring for the entire body of Christ, and listening to the CDC suggested guidelines,
We ask everyone regardless of vaccination status:
- please wear your mask when you enter the church house and keep it on as we worship together. We will have masks if you forget one!
- We will continue to social distance.
- We will continue to hold off on congregational singing. We will have beautiful music of soloists, ensembles, and instrumentalists
- If vaccinated, liturgists, singers, and preachers can speak from the pulpit unmasked.
- If NOT vaccinated, all who speak from the pulpit will remain masked.
- Groups that choose to meet in-person at the church do so at their own risk. First Reformed is not liable for illness or injury that occurs as a result of attending a meeting or event at the church.
As science evolves and public health information is updated, we will revise guidelines as needed. The mission for us is to provide a safe, supportive, environment to worship God and to discern how God is calling us in this world.
ADOPT-A-STUDENT PRAYER PARTNER
Would you be willing to pray for one of our students during this school year? If so, CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE or sign up HERE and we will match you with a student and their parent’s contact information. While this is a very simple request, it is a powerful ministry. Thank you for your faithfulness. You are making a difference in the lives of our students!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:
LITURGIST: Bonita Hooper
DIGITAL MEDIA TECH: Jeremy Peterson
SOUND TECH: Dave Fulton
USHERS: Raeann Allred, James Gray, John Smith
ACOLYTE: Emma Hartle
BIBLE STEWARD: Jacob Hartle
CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS:
5th…Kyndell Lovell
8th…Alyson Cruz
10th…Eddie Miller
11th…Doug Sink
ANNIVERSARIES:
5th…Dave & Glenyce Fulton
STAFF ANNIVERSARY FOR SEPTEMBER:
Paula Lopp (27 years)
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: *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)
WEEKLY CALENDAR
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4:
12:30PM
Saturday Take-out Lunch
SUNDAY, September 5: Holy Communion
9:30AM
In-person Bible Study (Parlor)
“Doers of the Word: Making Distinctions” (Eugenia Holste, facilitator)
James 2: 1-10 (11-13), 14-17, Mark 7: 24-37
10:30AM
Worship Service In-Person and Livestreamed Online (YOUTUBE)
FOLLOWING WORSHIP: CHOIR PRACTICE IN THE SANCTUARY
MONDAY, September 6: LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED
TUESDAY, September 7:
12:00PM
2CFAR via Zoom
7:00PM
New Adult Book Study begins on “Strangers No More” via Zoom HERE. (Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471 Passcode: 524570 Dial in: +1 301 715 8592)
THURSDAY, September 9:
4-6:00PM
Clothes Closet Workday
6:30PM
Board of Evangelism (Parlor)
SATURDAY, September 11
12:30PM
Saturday Carry-Out Lunch Ministry
SUNDAY, September 12: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
9:30AM
In-person Bible Study (Parlor)
“Doers of the Word: “Taming the Tongue” (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 IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL
CHOIR PRACTICE IN THE SANCTUARY
URGENT REQUEST FOR USHERS!
Ushers are needed for the remainder of the year. If you are able to serve according to the month assigned to you for 2021, please contact Eddie Yates to confirm. If you are able to help any additional Sundays, please sign up at from our weekly email HERE or you may contact Eddie Yates at (bbqman46@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
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
PIANO LESSONS AVAILABLE
Are you interested in piano lessons? Contact Christopher Kiser, our church organist/pianist, who is still taking enrollments for lessons! Lessons are given individually and will begin in September. If you or someone you know may be interested in learning to play the piano, please contact him by email or phone. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME! ‘
Email: cdkiser94@gmail.com Phone: (336) 469-4716
NEW ADULT BOOK STUDY
On Tuesday, September 7 at 7:00PM we will begin our study of “See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love” by Valarie Kaur. We will continue to meet via ZOOM.
Author, Valarie Kaur takes us on her journey as a brown girl growing up in California farmland finding her place in the world: as a young adult galvanized by the murders of Sikhs after 9/11; as a law student fighting injustice in American prisons; and as a woman trying to heal from her own experiences with sexual assault and police violence. “See No Stranger” helps us imagine new ways of being with each other—and with ourselves—so that together we can begin to build the world we want to see. You may order your copy of the book from your preferred bookstore and join us as we begin this new study on September 7th. You may join the study HERE. (Meeting ID: 846 9163 5471 Passcode: 524570 Dial in: +1 301 715 8592)
MONTHLY PFLAG MEETINGS
Every 3rd Thursday, PFLAG meetings will be held in the church Fellowship Hall. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 23rd at 6:30PM. For more info, you may contact confidentially: 646-221-2442 or pflaglexingtonnc@gmail.com
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE NEWS OF
THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
https://wnca-soc.org/enews/