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Outer Banks
Presbyterian Church
News & Notes
June 10, 2020
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In This Issue:
- June 14th Worship Service
- Devotional from Rev. Moore
- Session Updates
- Request for Ushers
- Room In The Inn
- Honoring Our Graduates
- Online Bible Study
- PCUSA General Assembly
- Assistance from Church
- OBPC on Facebook
- Online Giving
- Anniversaries & Birthdays
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- Click the button above to watch worship services live streamed on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. or watch any past services on demand.
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June 14th Worship Service
Luke 4:14-30
. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus announces to his hometown synagogue that he has been sent to “bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free.” Jesus explains that his central mission involves bringing justice and righteousness to those who are victims of oppression. How can we apply Jesus’ mission to our troubled world today? How can we follow Jesus’ lead in fighting for justice and righteousness?
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Devotional From Rev. Dr. Jody Moore
One of the gifts of being in our community of faith is that we get to share insights with one another. Many times, I have shared with you stories or ideas that a church member or friend has brought to my attention. In January, our congregation celebrated the ministry of Rev. John and Millie Rickers as they moved from the Outer Banks to be closer to their children in Norfolk, Virginia. John and Millie faithfully shared Christian cheer with so many in our congregation through their visits, the meals and Frosties (from Wendy’s) that they brought, and through the happy birthday phone calls. Over the years, John helped drive many of our members to doctors’ appointments and would take other members out to lunch who didn’t get to leave home very often.
Recently John and Millie sent us a devotional that they thought would help bring encouragement during this tumultuous time for our community and nation. I thought that I would share one of those devotionals with you as a way for us to continue to be blessed by John and Millie’s thoughtfulness. The devotional comes from the Jan/Feb 2020 edition of a devotional called “Today.”
When Waiting Feels Unbearable
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope
. Psalm 130:5
One of my favorite pastors used to warn, “Never pray for patience; you will not like how God teaches you.” Most people are not very good at waiting, whether it’s for food to be served, a traffic light to change, or test results to arrive. In our fast-paced world, waiting is usually an irritating inconvenience.
As a child, I eagerly anticipated Christmas. As a teen, I counted down to graduation and leaving the nest. As an adult, the longest weeks I ever experienced were those leading up to the announcement that I was accepted into a three-year clinical trial for treatment of my second bout with cancer. My life depended on it.
When the psalmist writes that his “whole being waits,” perhaps you – like me – can relate to that feeling. His heart and soul long for a sign from God, a flicker of light while hanging out in the depths of darkness. He wanders back and forth between calling out to God and reminding himself of the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Fear creeps into our waiting when there’s a possibility of bad news – and that can make the situation feel unbearable. Like the psalmist, we must keep our eyes fixed on God, the source of hope for this life and forever. There is no outcome that God will not help us handle.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we cautiously pray for patience as we deal with irritating little things and major, life-altering, fearful things. Thank you for your infinite mercy. Infuse us with unshakable hope in your Word.
Amen.
Grace and peace,
Jody Moore
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Session Updates
The Covid-19 Task Force and the Session plan to meet next week (on June 15 and 17 respectively) to evaluate current conditions and recommendations by state and local health officials. The date to begin in-person worship services will be re-evaluated at those meetings. Next week's News & Notes will be emailed on Thursday instead of Wednesday so that we may provide you with the latest updates based on decisions made by the Session.
On May 26, the Session approved a 20-point plan to re-open the church for in-person worship. In order to follow practices of safe distancing, there will be two worship services on Sundays with a maximum of 50 people at each service. The first service will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the second service will start at 11:00 a.m. We will have a system for people to register in advance for the service they want to attend so that we can regulate the number of people at each service. The process for registering for a service will be explained in detail before it is implemented. The 11:00 a.m. service will be live-streamed so people who do not feel comfortable attending in person can still worship from their homes. There are also plans for how to hold Sunday School and Children's Church. Please take the time to read the complete set of strategies by
clicking here
.
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Announcement: Ushers Needed
We are hopeful of the possibility of returning to in-house worship at OBPC on Sunday, June 28. The Task Force and the Session are continually monitoring all aspects of the Covid-19 situation. When we return on June 28th or later, there
will
be 2 services – one at 9 am and one at 11 am. Two ushers will be needed to serve at each service. The responsibilities of an usher will be a little bit different when in person worship begins. Instead of handing out bulletins, the ushers will direct worshipers to a table where they can pick up their own bulletin. Instead of passing offering plates, the ushers will point worshipers to stationary offering plates where individuals may place their gifts. One usher will now serve at the front door and one at the south door (the only doors open to enter the church). They will greet those entering and encourage them to remain six feet apart and direct them to one of the Elders at the entrance to the Sanctuary
who will
direct them to their seat.
If you would be willing to serve as an usher during this reopening process please contact Cathie in the church office. Serving as an usher during these uncertain times is a vital aspect to OBPC safely reopening. Some of our regular ushers will be unable to serve at this time, so it is important for some new people to volunteer.
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Room In The Inn
Pastor Jody received a note from Betse Kelly, the Operations Manager at Room In The Inn, which serves the homeless population of Dare County, to let him know about support given to the program by members of our church. He would like to share it with you:
"Just a quick note to let you know about the great support given to Room In The Inn especially the past two months during our extended season. The ladies of Dorcas (Circle) prepared two dinners and provided items for several breakfasts and also a cash donation. The ladies that helped were Karen Lurie, Ellen Carrico, EJ Markwood, Sharon Moore, Tanta Luckhardt-Hendricks. Also, another group and Linda and Ron Campbell made donations. Independent of the others was Lynda Wood who prepared an excellent dinner. Lynda is also an executive board member on the Room In The Inn board. Just wanted to let you know. Blessings, Betse Kelly"
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Honoring Our Graduates
Grace Folds is a First Flight High School Senior who was a recipient of the Outer Banks Presbyterian Scholarship. She will be attending the University of North Carolina at Pembroke this fall majoring in Fine Arts/Graphic Design. Congratulations, Grace!
This is the first submission we have had about one of our graduates. We know we have more and would like to hear about them. Do you have a high school or college student who has or will graduate this year? If you would like us to highlight a graduate in your life, please send an email with a brief description of his or her accomplishments and plans for the future to
office@outerbankspresbyterian.org
so we can recognize them in a future edition of our E-news, News & Notes. We know that this year has been particularly difficult for students who have had to forego traditional end-of-year celebrations and we would like to recognize their achievements. Thanks!
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Online Bible Study
Pastor Jody's alma mater, Columbia Theological Seminary, is having a second online Bible study.
Dr. Brennan Breed, professor at Columbia Theological Seminary, is excited to announce a five week study on the Book of Job that began on Sunday morning May 31st and continues until June 28th.
All are welcome to the free, hour-long conversation live-streamed to Facebook every Sunday morning from 9:30AM to 10:30AM EST, at
https://bit.ly/CTSofficehours
.
You can also watch the lessons later on demand. Participants who want a deeper experience may also register to receive free access to course material, complete with syllabus, downloadable readings, and audio-video links for further study. Register
here
for additional resources. For the complete schedule and more information, please
click here
.
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Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly
The General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church (USA) meets every two years. It consists of commissioners elected by each of its 172 presbyteries, including our own New Hope Presbytery. The GA is full of activities: business sessions, committee meetings, and sharing mission work. The assembly acts on hundreds of items of business, which it receives through the reports and recommendations of various assembly entities, and through overtures from synods and presbyteries. The 224
th
General Assembly was supposed to meet in person in Baltimore, Maryland June 20-27, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this General Assembly has been moved on-line. Please be in prayer for all of the Presbyterians preparing to meet virtually for this year’s General Assembly.
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Assistance from Your Church Family
Two important resources to remember during this time are our Prayer Team and our Assistance Coordinator.
- If you have any request that you would like the prayer team to lift up, please share it with the prayer coordinators. Our prayer coordinators are: Jean Basnight and Rosalyn Pugh and you may share a request with them by phone at 252-480-1028 (Home) or 252-619- 7661 (Cell).
- Elder Barbara Nock is coordinating services and requests by members and friends who need any type of assistance. Twenty-four people have volunteered to help. If you or someone you know needs assistance with groceries, pharmacy pick-up, or anything else, please contact Barbara at 252-255-5979 or nocktwice@embarqmail.com.
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Do you have a Facebook account? If so, we invite you to join OBPC on Facebook. Just Click on the button at the left, log on to your Facebook account, and select "join" on the OBPC group page. Some things you will find there include:
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- Announcements about the Adult Sunday School Class.
- Children's Church with Hollie.
- Posts from Pastor Jody and comments from members of the congregation.
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Online Giving
There are two ways to give to the church during this temporary closure. You may mail pledges and donations to the office at PO Box 2199, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. Or, you may give online. Just click on the Give Now button to go to our website, then click the button on the home page and follow the directions for online donations.
We are grateful that members and friends have continued to be very faithful with their financial gifts during this time. During the month of May the church received $14,100 by mail and $3,935 through online donations.
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Anniversaries this Week
- Mr. & Mrs. Mark Martin, June 11
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Birthdays this Week
- Karen Horne, June 11
- Marion Siefferman, June 12
- Ellen Carrico, June 14
- Tommy Henderson, June 17
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Outer Banks Presbyterian Church
907 S. Croatan Highway, Milepost 8.5
PO Box 2199
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
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During this time of irregular office hours,
you may reach Pastor Jody or administrative staff
by calling the office at 252-441-5897 and leaving a message or by sending an email to
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