TOUCHING DAVIDSON COUNTY WITH LOVE COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICES March 10, 2020 Vol. 194 No. 5 SUNDAY SCHEDULE Crossroads Worship 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Classic Worship 11:00 AM First Presbyterian Calling people to faith, Developing them as disciples, and Sending them to serve. We now have a list of projects for TDCWL! Projects include: delivering food boxes, crocheting or knitting baby caps for local hospitals, singing at nursing homes, visiting at nursing homes, making blankets for needy and abused children, and yard work. Sign-up sheets are posted on the Faith in Action bulletin board in the 3rd Avenue hallway outside the Fellowship Hall. We are asking everyone to please sign up for the project they wish to participate in by Sunday, March 22. Volunteers will have a chance to buy Touching Davidson County With Love T-shirts for $9 to $13 each, depending on size, later this month. Touching Davidson County with Love will kick off at 8 a.m. on April 4 at First United Methodist Church with a countywide gathering of volunteers featuring light refreshments, music and prayer. As part of TDCWL, we are also collecting items for Davidson Medical Ministries. For your convenience, the list of needed items has been on a lime-colored card, which may be picked up from the church office or the Faith in Action bulletin board. Donations may be placed in the cartons beneath the TV in the church lobby. For more information about TDCWL, contact Craig Koontz ([email protected] or 336-575-5096) or Bill Keesler ([email protected] or 336-250-0439). The Greater Lexington Area Minister's Association (GLAMA) sponsors a 30 minute noontime worship service on Wednesdays during Lent. Each week, pastors from different denominations take turns leading the service. Following the service, there is a light lunch served for just $5. These services are hosted by First United Methodist Church, who will also provide the meal. This service and lunch is a wonderful time to worship and fellowship with other Christians from the greater Lexington area. Inside this Issue From the Pastor...... 2 Christian Education. .. 3 Worship Schedule. ... 4 Holy Week.......... 4 Meals on Wheels..... 5 Preschool Registration. 5 Omissions........... 5 Ministries........... 6 Faith in Action....... 7 Prayer Concerns...... 8 Prayer Focus......... 9 Serving at Worship.. . 10 Activity Page....... 11 First Presbyterian Action Page 1
Transcript
TOUCHING DAVIDSON COUNTY WITH LOVE
COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICES
March 10, 2020 Vol. 194 No. 5
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Crossroads Worship9:00 AM
Sunday School10:00 AM
Classic Worship11:00 AM
First
Presbyterian
Calling people to faith, Developing them as disciples, and Sending them to serve.
We now have a list of projects forTDCWL! Projects include: deliveringfood boxes, crocheting or knitting babycaps for local hospitals, singing atnursing homes, visiting at nursinghomes, making blankets for needy andabused children, and yard work.Sign-up sheets are posted on the Faithin Action bulletin board in the 3rdAvenue hallway outside theFellowship Hall.
We are asking everyone to please signup for the project they wish toparticipate in by Sunday, March 22.Volunteers will have a chance to buyTouching Davidson County With LoveT-shirts for $9 to $13 each, dependingon size, later this month.
Touching Davidson County with Lovewill kick off at 8 a.m. on April 4 atFirst United Methodist Church with acountywide gathering of volunteersfeaturing light refreshments, music andprayer.
As part of TDCWL, we are alsocollecting items for Davidson MedicalMinistries. For your convenience, thelist of needed items has been on alime-colored card, which may bepicked up from the church office or theFaith in Action bulletin board.Donations may be placed in the cartonsbeneath the TV in the church lobby.
For more information about TDCWL,contact Craig Koontz([email protected] or336-575-5096) or Bill Keesler([email protected] or336-250-0439).
The Greater LexingtonArea Minister'sAssociation (GLAMA)sponsors a 30 minutenoontime worship
service on Wednesdays during Lent.Each week, pastors from differentdenominations take turns leading theservice. Following the service, there
is a light lunch served for just $5.These services are hosted by FirstUnited Methodist Church, who willalso provide the meal. This service andlunch is a wonderful time to worshipand fellowship with other Christiansfrom the greater Lexington area.
Inside this Issue
From the Pastor. . . . . . 2
Christian Education. . . 3
Worship Schedule. . . . 4
Holy Week. . . . . . . . . . 4
Meals on Wheels. . . . . 5
Preschool Registration. 5
Omissions. . . . . . . . . . . 5
Ministries. . . . . . . . . . . 6
Faith in Action. . . . . . . 7
Prayer Concerns. . . . . . 8
Prayer Focus.. . . . . . . . 9
Serving at Worship.. . 10
Activity Page. . . . . . . 11
First Presbyterian Action Page 1
First Presbyterian
A publication of First PresbyterianChurch of Lexington, NorthCarolina.
Mailing Address:P. O. Box 586Lexington NC 27293-0586
Physical Address:300 South Main StreetLexington NC 27292
Publication InformationThe newsletter is publishedsemimonthly on the 2nd and 4thMondays of the month (unless it isa 5-Monday month). Please submitarticles to the Office Manager bythe Wednesday before publication.
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!
As I write this week’s reflections, theworry over the spread of the CoronaVirus continues to grow. While thisvirus does not seem to have the lethalityof SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009), MERS(2012), or even the Flu, people arerightfully concerned about it. Any kindof respiratory virus is not something tobe taken lightly. However, the truth isthat a person is still much more likely toget the flu than the Corona Virus.Fortunately, prevention for allrespiratory viruses are the same. We allneed to wash our hands more often andmore vigorously; cover our mouths andnoses when we cough or sneeze, andstay home if we are sick.
Just today, I learned that the ChristEpiscopal Church in Washington, DChas suspended services out of anabundance of caution for the mostvulnerable because its lead priest hascontracted the Corona Virus. While weare no where near having to take thatdrastic step, I wanted you to know thatwe are thinking about ways to reduce thepossibility of transmission of suchviruses.
First, I would like to remind everyone tobe washing their hands while at churchand using the hand sanitizer dispensersthat are throughout the church building.
Second, I have instructed our cleaningfolks to wipe down all the door handlesin the building with Lysol twice weekly.
Third, I would like us to make a slighttemporary adjustment to our passing ofthe peace on Sunday morning. We willstill do so, but I would like to suggestthat instead of shaking hands we wouldbump elbows or do a pat on the back.This will allow us to continue to warmlywelcome one another and at the sametime lessen the possibility of thetransmission of germs.
Finally, I am looking into ways that wemight make the worship serviceavailable by live stream for those whoare sick and want to stay home, but donot want to miss the service. There is alot involved with this, so it may takeawhile to make this happen, but I’ll keepyou informed.
Throughout all this, let us remember thatGod is with us, and that ultimately, thereis nothing beyond the concern of God.Let us also pray for those who are sick,those who are caring for the ill, andthose who are working on vaccines andtreatment options.
May you be safe and well!
Your friend and pastor,
Pastor Lee
FROM THE PASTOR: HEALTH & SAFETY
First Presbyterian Action Page 2
This past weekend, March 6-8, we held ourannual retreat at Montreat. It was a wonderfulweekend for fellowship, spiritual renewal,worship, and fun together. This year we talkedabout personality and how God makes each of usuniquely. When we know and understandourselves and those around us better, it helpsdeepen relationships in every aspect of our life:professionally, personally, and spiritually. Part ofthe time was also spent learning about how ourparticular strengths can help serve the body ofChrist, the church. Just as Paul says in 1Corinthians 14-20 "For the body does not consistof one part, but of many. If the foot should say,‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to thebody,’ that would not make it any less a part ofthe body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I amnot an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ thatwould not make it any less a part of the body. Ifthe whole body were an eye, where would thesense of hearing be? If the whole body were anear, where would the sense of smell be? But infact, God has arranged the members of the body,every one of them, according to His design. Ifthey were all one part, where would the body be?As it is, there are many parts, but one body."
We are all different, and we all have gifts to giveand to receive. It is my hope that we will continuethis discussion with the larger congregation sothat we can strengthen and grow our churchfamily together!
Adult Sunday School for Lent:
John Knox - Donna Hurt will be leading a 3-weekstudy on the final words of Jesus March22nd-April 5th.
The two upstairs Adult Sunday school classes willbe combined for our Lenten Sunday school series:Amy Jill-Levine's "Entering the Passion of Jesus."It is a 6-week study that walks us through the lastdays of Jesus. In each chapter, she sheds newlight on the familiar gospel passages while alsodelving into the history and literature surroundingthe last days of his life. “Levine sets the narrativein historical context and analyzes the risks andmotives of the story's characters.” The study willrun from March 1st-April 5th. Come Join us!
What's Happening with Christian Education?
Meredith Trout, Director
First Presbyterian Action Page 3
LENT & SPRING WORSHIP SCHEDULE
HOLY WEEK EVENTS
Due to special services in the coming months, wehave printed a Lent & Spring Worship Schedule tohelp everyone keep up with the changes. If you wouldlike a copy, please look for the yellowbookmark-sized cards in the lobby, narthex, orfellowship hall. The schedule may also be accessed atour website: www.fpclexnc.com.
Here is the worship schedule for the next month:
Sundays, March 15, 22, 29C Normal schedule - two services.
Sunday, April 5C Palm SundayC Normal schedule - two services.C Communion observed.C Process to the Square at the end of the 11 AM
worship service.C Children's egg hunt in the afternoon (4:00 PM).
Thursday, April 9C Maundy Thursday service at First United
Methodist at 7:00 PM.
Sunday, April 12C Easter Sunday.C Single service at 11 AM - Sanctuary.C One Great Hour of Sharing offering received.
On Palm Sunday, April 5, we willhave two worship services -Crossroads Worship in thefellowship hall at 9 AM and ClassicWorship in the sanctuary at 11 AM -along with Sunday School at 10 AM.
We will observe the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supperduring both services.
At the conclusion of the Classic (11 AM) Service,those who wish may join us as we process to the OldCourthouse to participate in a brief Community PalmSunday Service sponsored by GLAMA.
We will NOT have a fellowship luncheon on thisSunday.
The Children’s Egg Hunt will be held in the afternoonbeginning at 4:00 PM in the fellowship hall. Allchildren are invited - don’t forget to bring yourbasket!
On Maundy Thursday, April 9, wewill join with our brothers and sistersin Christ at First United MethodistChurch at 7:00 PM for our jointMaundy Thursday Service. Theservice will feature the combined
adult choirs of FUMC & FPC, and Pastor Lee willpresent the homily.
On Easter Sunday, April 12, we willhave a single, combined worshipservice in the sanctuary at 11 AMwith Sunday School at 10 AM. Wewill receive the One Great Hour ofSharing offering.
The church office will be closed Good Friday, April10, and Easter Monday, April 13, in observance of theEaster holiday.
First Presbyterian Action Page 4
MEALS ON WHEELS FUNDRAISER
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION
OMISSIONS
March is national "March for Meals" month.Lexington Meals on Wheels is having a "We CareWednesday" at Applebee's in Lexington to raisemoney for Meals on Wheels. This has been a verysuccessful way for them to make money whileallowing folks to also enjoy dining out.
We Care Wednesday will be March 25 from 4:00-8:00PM at Applebee's in Lexington. Tickets are $10.00each and are valid for a hamburger dinner with friesand a drink. If you eat at Applebee's on this nightusing your ticket, Meals on Wheels will be givenmore than $5.00 for each ticket. Should you buy aticket and decide NOT to eat at Applebee's thatevening, Meals on Wheels will receive the entire$10.00.
Tickets may be purchased in advance from EmmyFloyd before and after Sunday School in the sidevestibule each Sunday morning through March 22.Thank you for your support!
Our Preschool is now enrolling students in all classes- 2, 3, and PreK. If you are interested in enrolling yourchild or grandchild in Preschool or know someonewho might be interested in sending their child toPreschool, please contact Director Jane Blackerby(336-248-2140, ext. 205 [email protected]).
Two people were inadvertently omitted from theMarch birthday list in the previous edition of TheACTION: Al Neal (March 7) and Rory Trout (March10). Please wish them a happy birthday when you seethem!
First Presbyterian Action Page 5
MINISTRIES IN MOTION
MUSIC MINISTRY
The Welborn Handbell Choir continuesrehearsing Wednesdays at 6:15 PM inthe choir suite.
The Chancel Choir continuesrehearsing Wednesdays at 7:00 PM inthe choir suite.
Coming Up in Worship:Our handbell choir will play in worship on March 15.Alison Lawson, violinist, will play the prelude andwith the choir during the 11 AM service on March 22.
PRESBYTERIAN TABLEThe Presbyterian Table meets each Thursday eveningat 6:00. This informal group is open to anyone, anyweek. Each person is responsible for his or her ownexpense. No need to make a reservation, just show upfor good food, warm fellowship, and lots of laughter!
SCHEDULE:
* Mar. 12 - Don Juan’s, 43 S Talbert Blvd, Lexington* Mar. 19 - Ruby Tuesday, 1044 Randolph St,
Thomasville* Mar. 26 - Christo’s (Hwy 8), 1718 Cotton Grove Rd,
Lexington
GRIEF SHAREGriefShare is "help andencouragement after the death ofa spouse, child, family member,or friend." First PresbyterianChurch is hosting this program,and it continues to meet Sundayafternoons at 2:30 PM.
An intercessory prayer group meets eachThursday at 11:00 AM in the Pastor’s Study tooffer prayers for our churchfamily, community, andcountry. Praying aloud is notrequired. All are welcome toparticipate any week.
Start your morning off right! All menof the church are invited to meet atVillage Grill on West Second Avenueeach Tuesday morning at 7:00 a.m. forbreakfast and devotions.
Small groups offer a place toboth grow in our relationshipwith God and in ourrelationships with other churchmembers through fellowship. Ifyou are interested in joining orfacilitating a Small GroupBible Study or would like more information, FaithAlbert at [email protected].
Do you knit or crochet? Would youlike to learn? The Prayer ShawlMinistry is open to anyone,regardless of their prior stitchingexperience. This ministry servesthose in life transitions. It alsoserves the stitcher by providing away to serve others. Shawls are
passed hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets in the churchparlor on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of eachmonth at 1:30 PM.
First Presbyterian Action Page 6
NUTS ON A MISSION
FOOD PANTRY COLLECTIONS
As part of our local mission work, we collect mixedvegetables for Pastor's Pantry each month. We aresetting ourselves a goal of 125 cans permonth. Your donations of canned mixedvegetables may be placed in the Pastor'sPantry crates in the church lobby.
Collected for February: 116 cans
Your peanut butter offering for Crisis Ministry is distributed to familiesand individuals in need through their foodpantry. Our monthly goal is to collect 125
jars of peanut butter. Your continued faithfulness tothis small but important offering is greatlyappreciated!
Collected for March: 90 jars
Thank you for your continued generosity to our localhelping agencies.
If you’re looking for a handy snack or asmall gift, Nuts on a Mission fits the bill. At $5 per pint jar ($60 for a case of 12),these water-blanched, salted peanuts arean easy, economical way to support ourlocal missions. Available in regular saltor lightly salted. To purchase, pleasecontact the church office.
SHELTER OVERNIGHT STAYSVolunteers are needed to stay overnight at the HomelessShelter. We need someone to stay on the 3rd and 4th
Wednesdays of each month. If you would like moreinformation, or if you would like to volunteer, pleasecontact Craig Koontz at 336-575-5096 [email protected]. You may also volunteer bysigning up on the Faith in Action bulletin board.
Volunteer Schedule:March 18 Chris BrookshireMarch 25 Birke McNeillApril 15 Chris BrookshireApril 22 Ed Kiefer
SHELTER MEALSFirst Presbyterian is responsible for preparing andserving a meal at Crisis Ministry on the thirdWednesday of each month. If you or your group wouldlike to volunteer to provide a meal at the shelter, or ifyou would like more information about volunteering,please contact Jeanna in the church office(336-248-2140 or [email protected]).
Meal Schedule03/18/2020 Tom & Sandra Smith & their
grandchildren04/15/2020 Joyful MOJOs Sunday School Class05/20/2020 Troop 205
FAITH IN ACTION
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Joe Check (serving in the Navy)Adam Horne (serving in the Marines)Alex Horne (serving in the Marines)Bobby Ver Halen (serving in the Army)L.P. Miller (cousin of Lucy Finley) - mobility issuesJohn & Betsy Hemmings (friends of Ginger Briggs) -
Betsy has Alzheimer’s DiseaseEd Holmes (friend of Ginger Briggs) - cancerCrystal Dean (sister-in-law of Lisa Poston Dean)Jeff Thobe (nephew of Nancy Gilbert) - has aggressive
cancer, starting treatment 2/25Red Wilson (father of Cathy Koontz) Lisa Lucas - upcoming outpatient surgeryJonah Hiller - seeing pediatric ophthalmologist
Al Cox (father of Gail Coltrane) - ALSShannon Rogers (daughter of Earl & Dakota Rogers;
cousin of Melody Durrell) - complications frompneumonia; pray for Earl, Dakota & Melody as well
Bill Bailey (friend of Ginger Briggs) - lung cancer, metastasized to brain
Harry Grier - aggressive form of Parkinson’sJim Supples - stage IV lung cancerMarlon Gaskins (son-in-law of Beverly Black) - fighting
cancerBob & Charlotte Rorie (friends of Gloria Bulluck)Curt Todd (friend of Jan Kiefer) - metastasized bone
cancer; pray also for wife JeanLinda Rowe - recovering from knee replacement
PRAYER REQUESTSYou may email prayer requests directly to:
[email protected], or fill out and submit a prayer request form at our website (www.fpclexnc.com). The requests go directly tostaff via email and are not displayed on the website.
All prayer requests are shared with Pastor Lee.
A full copy of the prayer list may be obtained fromthe church office or from our web site
(www.fpclexnc.com). To access the list on our website, please contact Jeanna in the church office
The congregation extends itssympathy to Meredith Trout
and her family due to thedeath of her grandmother,
Lucy Batts, last week.
Please keep Meredith and herfamily in your prayers.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Christy HillerMeredith AndrewsCharles Welby Guy KerleyMarian Van ZantKelly GreathouseRick SommersQuincy HarmanRichard WidenerCharles & Lisa DeanCary LewisSally LangKim Brafford Joe SentellElizabeth HamilPastor Lori Bowen
PASTORAL CAREDo you know of someone who would appreciate apastoral call? The pastor is always eager to learn ofspecial needs within the congregation. Pastor Lee maybe reached at the church (248-2140, ext. 202) or athome (956-5899). Your calls are always welcome.
For the ImpatientPierre Teilhard de Chardin was a French philosopher, Jesuitpriest, scientist and author of The Phenomenon of Man.Because Teilhard de Chardin knew people's tendency to beimpatient, he wrote a devotional titled "Waiting" thatincludes this:
Above all, trust in the slow work of God ….Give our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you,and accept the anxiety of feeling yourselfin suspense and incomplete.Above all, trust in the slow work of God,our loving Vine-dresser.
What Is Faith?"Sight is not faith, and hearing is not faith, neither is feelingfaith; but believing when we neither see, hear, nor feel isfaith; and everywhere the Bible tells us our salvation is to beby faith. Therefore we must believe before we feel, and oftenagainst our feelings, if we would honor God by our faith."
-Hannah Whitall Smith
Part of the Deal?Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, spread Christianity in thefifth century, helping people abandon pagan rites. One day,he was baptizing new converts, including the chief of afierce warrior tribe. Patrick leaned on his staff for support ashe lowered each person into the rushing river. As hebaptized the chief, he inadvertently pressed his staff firmlydown on the chief's foot.
The chief uttered not a word of complaint, but as hestepped back onto the bank, people noticed he was limping.Patrick apologized, asking, "Why did you not cry out whenI struck your foot?"
The chief replied, "I remember you telling us about thenails in the cross. I thought pain was part of my baptism."
-Homiletics
We encourage you to join your churchfamily in praying the following prayereach day for the week indicated.Suggested prayers will be focused onspecific endeavors that we areundertaking as a church. We encourageyou to cut out the prayer from thenewsletter and place it in a prominent place in yourhome as a reminder.
Prayer Focus for the Week of March 15Almighty God, when we feel used, abused, orminimized, remind us of Your love for us. When wefeel overlooked and unimportant, remind us that Youare El Roi, the God who sees us. When things lookbleak and hopeless, remind us that we have hopethrough Your Son. When we feel powerless, remindus that You are still on Your throne, and You are stillin charge. Help us to rest securely in Your love, OGod. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Prayer Focus for the Week of March 22Gracious God, we thank You for Your mercy andcompassion, that You do not deal with us as our sinsdeserve. Thank You, Lord, for your loving-kindnessand faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer Focus for the Week of March 29Holy God, You promised You would never leave usnor forsake us. Thank You, Father, for Your steadfastmercy and enduring love. Draw us ever closer toYou, teaching us how to walk in Your ways. In Jesus'precious name, we pray. Amen.
Prayer Focus for the Week of April 5Heavenly Father, this week we are journeying withChrist from His triumphal entry to his death on thecross. With the disciples, we will experience elationthat turns into confusion and then fades to darkness.Remind us, Father, of why Your Son had to die, butlet us also not forget that Sunday is coming. Ourhope rests in Jesus. Thank You, Father, for saving us,for cleansing us, and for transforming us daily intothe people You have called us to be. In Jesus' name,we pray, Amen.
First Presbyterian Action Page 9
SERVING AT WORSHIP
March 15, 2020Sun. School Superintendent: Richard GoffElder Greeter: Donna BryanLay Leader: Bill McMurray9 AM Ushers:Jimmy Holshouser and Joy
Harman11 AM Ushers: Craig Miller, Sammy
McFarland, Cathy McFarland, Ken Vander Schaaf
9 & 11 AM Children at Worship: Meredith Trout
9 AM Nursery: Gail Coltrane11 AM Nursery: Terri Henderson
March 22, 2020Sun. School Superintendent: Richard GoffElder Greeter: Faith Albert9 AM Ushers:Jimmy Holshouser and Joy
Harman11 AM Ushers: Craig Miller, Sammy
McFarland, Cathy McFarland, Ken Vander Schaaf
9 & 11 AM Children at Worship: MacParrott
9 AM Nursery: Margie Clark11 AM Nursery: Richard Goff
March 29, 2020Sun. School Superintendent: Richard GoffElder Greeter: Lisa LucasLay Leader: Brooke Zehmer9 AM Ushers:Jimmy Holshouser and Joy
Harman11 AM Ushers: C r a i g M i l l e r , S a m m y
McFarland, Cathy McFarland,Ken Vander Schaaf
9 & 11 AM Children at Worship: Lee Zehmer9 AM Nursery: Stephanie Kiefer11 AM Nursery: Anna Gobble
April 5, 2020 - Palm SundaySun. School Superintendent: Mark WhiteElder Greeter: Richard GoffLay Leader: Christie Brookshire9 AM Ushers: Craig Koontz and Terri
Henderson11 AM Ushers: Walt Rouse, Bill McMurray,
Jim Graham, Charles Bowyer9 & 11 AM Children at Worship: LeeZehmer9 AM Nursery: Volunteer Needed11 AM Nursery: Susan Whitesides
First Presbyterian Action Page 10
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Crossroads Worship9:00 AM
Sunday School10:00 AM
Classic Worship11:00 AM
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN ACTION (USPS 572-360)Published semimonthly by First Presbyterian ChurchPOSTMASTER: Please send address changes to:First Presbyterian ActionPO BOX 586Lexington, NC 27293-0586
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICESWednesdays at Noon at First UMC
NORMAL WORSHIP SCHEDULESundays, March 15, 22, & 29 - 9 AM & 11 AM
PALM SUNDAY WORSHIPSunday, April 5 - 9 AM & 11 AM
We will process to the Square following the 11 AM service.
