Uncategorized
Join us for Evening Prayer
February 23, 2021 
After almost a year, we are winding down Thursday night Evening Prayers. Cris Rivera will lead our final one this week, February 24. Originally on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the pandemic, these moments of worship, praise, lament, hope, and honesty have been an important part of our life together as FPC in these difficult times. We offer our deep thanks to all of the worship leaders – too many to name here – for faithfully sharing their gifts. A special word of thanks to Steve Rimmer, who has been the recruiter-in-chief for this ministry.
Ash Wednesday Worship
February 16, 2021 
LENT BEGINS! Join us on Wednesday, February 17 at 7 PM via FPC’s YouTube channel for a live-streamed service of worship with the symbolic imposition of ashes and holy communion. Click here to see the worship guide for the service. Remember to prepare your communion elements (bread and cup) before worship begins.
Lenten Book Study
February 11, 2021 
Brené Brown’s “Braving the Wilderness“
We will read this seven-chapter book one chapter at a time as we make our way through Lent. We meet over Zoom on Tuesdays beginning at 6:15 p.m. Click this link to join the class.
About the book: “Social scientist Brené Brown has sparked a global conversation about the experience of bringing meaning to our lives – experiences of courage, vulnerability, love, belonging, shame, and empathy. In Braving the Wilderness, she redefines what it means to truly belong in an age of increased polarization. . . . Brown argues that we’re experiencing a spiritual crisis of disconnection and introduces four practices of true belonging. She offers us the clarity and courage we need to find our way back to ourselves and to each other, and that path cuts right through the wilderness, the untamed, unpredictable place of solitude and searching.”
Here is a link to more info about the book and its author. Contact Mindy Douglas to join this Zoom discussion.
FPC Legacy Society holds Forum
February 11, 2021 
“Building Your Christian Legacy“
The FPC Planned Giving Committee would like to invite you to join us for a “Forum on Building Your Christian Legacy” on February 23, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom (see registration link below). We hope that whether you are already a Legacy Society member or are interested in learning more about planned giving, that you will join us for this special event.
Register in advance: ttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tduCtrzssH93AoVc91uG78MdpikCbuTL7. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the meeting.
Here is a video that tells a little about the Legacy Society at First Presbyterian Church. Learn more about our speaker, Joseph Moore, here.
What is the Legacy Society?
Planned gifts, no matter the size, have the power to change lives for generations to come. You can become a Legacy Society member by providing for the future mission and ministry at First Presbyterian Church in your estate plans or through a life-income gift. Whatever your financial circumstances or your charitable goals, you can make a gift that benefits you and your loved ones as well as the church’s mission of following Jesus through a love of God and love and care for our neighbor.
Annual Meeting of FPC
January 28, 2021 Sunday, February 21, at the end of our live-streamed worship (beginning at approximately 12 noon)
The FPC Session has called an annual meeting of the church to hear a report from the Finance Committee; to vote on changes to Terms of Call for the pastors, and to elect church officers (Class of 2022, 2023,2024) and persons to serve at-large on the Nominating Committee for 2021-2022.
Information on how to connect to the meeting via Zoom and profiles on the slate of officers for the election is being e-mailed to those with internet access and mailed to those without internet access. If you do not receive this information by Friday, February 19, please call the church office: 919-682-5511.
Pictorial Directory coming soon!
January 20, 2021 
Need help remembering what people look like without masks? Longing for a church picture directory? You know, the kind where the corners get crinkled and you write notes in the margins. Help us make it happen! If you haven’t already uploaded a picture to our online directory now’s your chance and here are directions! The instructions to install the ChurchLife app on your smart device are here. The instructions for uploading your picture to the online directory are here. We’ll use photos from the online directory to create our print version so we need your help. We want to see your smiling faces, so please take a moment and upload those photos! For more information on using the ChurchLife app or the kind of photos that work best in a directory, contact the church office: 919-682-5511. Please upload your photo by February 12. 2021. Thank you.
Interfaith Conversation
January 20, 2021 
Over two Sunday afternoon sessions, Rabbi Daniel Greyber from Temple Beth El and FPC’s Jerry Postema will discuss the sacrifice of Isaac. This difficult text, found in Genesis 22:1-18, has a complicated and rich history in both Jewish and Christian traditions. This interfaith conversation will consider that history and what challenging parts of our sacred scripture have to show us in modern times. FPC’s Margaret Keller will moderate, and Sharon Hirsch will host. There are two sessions, Sundays, January 24 & 31, 4:00-5:15 pm. Join us via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87187441461. Friends are welcome.
Sunday School Schedule for Sunday, December 27
December 26, 2020 
All Sunday School classes have been canceled for Sunday, December 27, with the exception of the Lectionary Class. In the Lectionary Class at 10 a.m., preceded by the sharing of news and concerns (9:45), Rev. Dr. Wilson Gunn will lead this discussion: The shepherds had left, but there were still surprises to come for Mary and Joseph: devout Simeon and prophetic Anna, through the eyes of faith, recognized who the child was and would be, and proclaimed that news to all in the temple. Join the class online here. (For phone access (audio only), call 301-715-8592.) If you need a copy of the handout of scripture readings, contact Wilson Gunn ([email protected]).
Retirement Celebration for Robert Daye
December 18, 2020 
At 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 20, the congregation will gather via the church’s YouTube channel (watch here) and hear stories and see photos from Robert’s 43 years with us as our sexton. Members of Robert’s family have been asked to join him for this momentous occasion. Robert is receiving two special honors on Sunday. Click here to view information about the first honor!