PEWSLETTER
WEEKLY
First Presbyterian Church
Lincolnton NC
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Rowan LeCompte (American, 1925–2014) and Irene Matz LeCompte (American, 1926–1970),
Third Station of the Resurrection: The Walk to Emmaus
(detail), 1970
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Mosaic, Resurrection Chapel, National Cathedral, Washington, DC. Photo: Victoria Emily Jones. This mosaic shows Cleopas and Mary on the road with Jesus.
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Join us for worship at our regular 10:30 hour using
the links to the liturgy recorded from our sanctuary.
Listen for the
Call to Worship
;
a prayer
and read along with Acts 24:13-35, by clicking on the photo links above.
Thanks to Rev. Ken Mast for serving as guest preacher and Pam Sipe for serving as liturgist. The hymn is
Day of Arising
, chosen by our Organist and Music Director, Becky Beatty. Sing along with the link above.
Apologies for errors to the links for Becky's playing last week. Click on the link below for last week's Prelude.
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Hear our prayers for those we are unable to visit due to restrictions that guard everyone's health and safety
especially:
Helen Fox,
Evelyn Ross' mother;
our neighbors, family and friends.
Hear our prayers for those whose health and well-being are challenged due to recent or needed surgery, especially
Doris Lail,
Kristen Willis' mother
B
ryan Ross,
Jim Ross' son.
Hear our prayers for those incarcerated and vulnerable to spread of the virus in close quarters, for those with other health concerns that increase their vulnerability, and for those on the front lines of service in hospitals, grocery stores and other working environments.
Hear our prayers for owners of small businesses and employees furloughed or out of work; for those without checks in the mail or nets to break their fall.
Hear our prayers for parents and teachers, at-home-workers and college students and all who have shifted to meetings via virtual avenues to sustain their studies and businesses,
especially we pray for those who are fatigued by the constant attention to a small screen, and crave the closeness of a human face, the body language that enlarges our speech.
Hear our prayers for those who not only lack the luxury of electronics but also the basics of shelter, medicine, food and safety.
God of grace whose mercy knows no bounds or boundaries, hear our prayers, even as we pray,
"Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed be your name, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts as we forgive those indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation."
(This shorter version of the Lord's Prayer comes from Luke's Gospel, Chapter 11:2-4).
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Our lay leadership continues even while our worship services are suspended. The Session met on Tuesday, April 21, via Zoom. In attendance were Kathy Robinson, Clerk of Session, Rev. Kathryn Johnson Cameron, Moderator; Elders Joe Morgan, Pam Sipe, Scott Smith, Jim Ross, Judy Roberts and guests Jan Duncan, Treasurer and Rev. Cameron Murchison, Presbytery of WNC Stated Clerk and Acting General Presbyter.
Reports and Discussion
Property: Joe Morgan reported that there are two parts to the current insurance issue – the use of the building for the preschool and settling accounts.
A timeline for the Education building to be fixed for the Preschool to use is completely unknown. Joe has continued talks with Kristen Willis, the Preschool Director, about whether we can offer the church building to operate the preschool. After discussion, the Session voted and a letter from the Rev. Dr. Cameron, Moderator and Kathy Robinson, Clerk of Session, will be sent to Kristen Willis, informing her that we will not be able to provide a meeting place for the Preschool in the 2020-2021 academic year.
We will look for ways to support the preschool as it moves to a new location. The Session expressed gratitude for the long partnership with the preschool and hope for their future.
The second consideration of property involves damages and bills which are coming up to $237,000, with most insurance claims to date denied or disputed. Anthony Fusco, a Public Adjustor, has challenged those findings on our behalf, but there is no quick resolution to the problem and the potential cost to the church is overwhelming.
Shingles on the Education Building and the Fellowship Hall are completed and will be paid. Repeated repairs on the roofs of the kitchen and Narthex are still in process.
In light of other financial concerns, the Session discussed Personnel. As we go through these irregular times, Treasurer Jan Duncan was asked about our church’s payroll. We discussed what we want to do about compensation. With the Rev. Dr. Cameron excused, the Session voted unanimously to keep our staff (Dr. Cameron, Becky Beatty, Jill Goins, and Nancy Rudisill) at their full salaries through May. We will revisit this at our next Session meeting.
Mission: Pam Sipe has spoken to Christian Ministries about the Soup Kitchen volunteer duties in early May. Their new Covid-19 procedures are so different that she will probably ask that we not do it.
Worship: We will have a May 3, Virtual Communion during the Worship Service (online).
Next Meeting:Tuesday, May 19, 2020, place to be decided.
PLEASE NOTE: For security, all mail sent to the church is now held at the post office until Jill Goins picks it up
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Rumors and Signs of Resurrection: a reflection
by Pastor Kathryn J. Cameron
In the days following Jesus' death and rising from the dead, his followers must have found their sense of time twisted, their days running together.
This past week with rain and chill one day, sun and degrees in the 60s another and then rain again, I found myself wondering: what season is this?
On Wednesday or Thursday, I noticed the yellow iris bud in our front yard had opened, on a very rainy day. Was it a sign that God created the bulb to flower rain or shine?
"There's a Spring that waits to be/unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see"
So goes the hymn by Gary Freeland, as I was reminded by more than one musician this week.
Where are you seeing signs of Jesus in our midst? From what voices or little birds telling rumors of resurrection do you tune your ears?
Luke tells of how Jesus encounters inconsolable pilgrims on the road away from Jerusalem, their place of worship and community. Their story may guide us in our bewilderment during days when we cannot travel or be at home in our places of worship.
The hospitality of shared bread brings us close to God in Christ. Follow the crumb trail of communion, find your way sitting at your own table, giving thanks, saying grace.
Waiting for the grass to dry from last night's rain so you can mow the front yard, remember the water of your baptism.
Feel the breath of God's spirit in the unseasonable wind. Yes, it chills one's body, but also invigorates one's soul.
Share your wonder and your wondering with a companion over the phone. You might even walk around the living room as you talk, imagining you are walking with your friend around the block.
And in these ways, may the grace of God, the love of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit guide you in the week ahead. Amen.
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Where not our hearts
gradually catching fire within
us as Jesus spoke to us
on the road?
Acts 24:32a
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With hope in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ we give thanks for Barbara B. Crumley who died Saturday, April 25 at 10:46 am. Her husband Chip, who was with her earlier in the morning, will let us know when we might gather for a service of celebration. Barbara and Chip have been members of FPCLincolnton for over 45 years. Because we cannot send flowers or food at this time, please keep Chip and his family in your prayers. Cards may be sent to Chip Crumley, 803 East Park Drive, Lincolnton 28092.
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Church Staff
Rev. Dr. Kathryn J. Cameron, Bridge Supply Pastor -
pastor@fpclincolnton.org - (828)-450-7182
Rebecca Beatty, Director of Music, Organist -
becbea50@gmail.com
Jill Goins, Administrative Assistant -
admin@fpclincolnton.org
Kristen Willis, Preschool Director -
preschool@fpclincolnton.org
Nancy Rudisill, Sexton -
admin@fpclincolnton.org
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Office Hours
Suspended until further notice
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