This Sunday, October 29, 2017, Scott H. Hendrix, Professor Emeritus of Reformation History and Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, will lead the 9:45 a.m. Faith and Community Class at First Presbyterian Church, Durham on Martin Luther and the Reformation. The class will meet in the Watts-Hill Hall.  It was 500 years ago, on October 31, 1517, that German monk and professor, Martin Luther, nailed his now famous 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral in Germany, beginning what came to be known around the world as the Protestant Reformation. 

Hendrix earned a Ph.D. in Reformation studies from Tübingen University in Germany and has chaired the Continuation Committee of the International Congress for Luther Research.  Among his many publications are Martin Luther: Visionary Reformer (2015), Luther (2009) and Martin Luther: A Very Short Introduction (2010).  Yale University Press writes of Hendrix’s most recent work,   “the author presents Luther as a man of his time: a highly educated scholar and teacher and a gifted yet flawed human being driven by an optimistic yet ultimately unrealized vision of “true religion”.  Relying on the latest research and quoting extensively from Luther’s correspondence, Hendrix paints a richly detailed portrait of an extraordinary man who, while devout and courageous, had a dark side as well.”

Hendrix lives in Pittsboro(Fearrington Village) with his wife, Emilee.  First Presbyterian is delighted that he will be with us as we observe the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation.

There will be a celebration reception on Sunday, October 29 following worship honoring Dorothy Graham for her longstanding commitment to First Presbyterian Day School and high-quality pre-school education in the Durham community.  Members are asked to bring letters of affirmation and congratulations to Dorothy for a scrapbook being compiled for her for this occasion.  Letters can be dropped off this week in the church office.

This Sunday, October 18, we will join a multi-faith effort to celebrate National Children’s Sabbath, recognizing the gifts that children everywhere bring to our life together.

We currently have more than 100 infants, children, and youth on our rolls at First Presbyterian, which is both a great joy and an awesome responsibility.  During worship this Sunday, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism, and dedicate new Bibles to our 3^rd graders.  New members will also be welcomed.  Please join us for our online worship at 11:00 a.m.  Click here. 

FPC’s Minister of Music, Kathy Parkins, will play on the White Rock Baptist Church of Durham’s “Bach’s Lunch” series on Thursday, October 12.  Lunch is served at 11:50 (the cost for the lunch is $4 but the concert is free). The concert will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Please call White Rock Church at 919-688-8136 if you’d like to order a box lunch.

The 2018 theme is: “Love in the heart of Durham” based on Jeremiah 29:7.  Click here to see the 2018 campaign brochure.  Click this link to access downloadable Time and Talent survey forms.  Hear about why supporting FPC with your financial pledge and pledge of time and talent is important from fellow FPC members:
Mercy
Carlo
Tony
Sheya

If you have questions about the pledging process, please call or email Tom Bloom, Business Administrator (919-682-5511; [email protected]).

Thank you for helping us reach our goals for 2018.

Join us at 7 pm on Monday, October 2 for the visit of international peacemaker Doug Baker from Northern Ireland. The event will be in our Fellowship Hall and will be a dessert potluck.

Doug will share from his 37 years of experience in a ministry of reconciliation in a context where centuries’ old religious, political and ethnic divisions led to nearly forty years of sectarian conflict. Come join us. Bring yourself, your curiosity, and a dessert to share.

EXCERPT:  The events of this past weekend in Charlottesville deserve a clear response from the church.  Let there be no confusion.  We, the leadership at First Presbyterian Church, denounce racism and any words, acts, or implications that are intended to raise one group of people over another and/or to cause harm to any person.  We denounce hatred and any acts of violence.  We believe that God is love and that we are called to love one another. (Click on the above title to read full response.)