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In-Person & Online
Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.
Call 888-969-5508 to listen to the service
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Last week one of you sent me a video of one of my favorite hymns. It brought me to tears as I sat in my office and listened to a soul-stirring rendition of “How Can I Keep From Singing?” by the NYC Virtual Choir and Orchestra (linked HERE).
The second verse in our hymnal (#821) is this:
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
Goodness knows we have each weathered some storms of life in these past 15 months. Our hearts hurt for our loved ones and community and world. There have been moments when we may have lost a little of our hope, and there have been moments that have filled our souls with Christ’s promise of new creation. Sometimes the music in our soul has been faint, sometimes loud.
On Sunday as we processed in singing “Holy, Holy, Holy,” I felt the emotion rise again in me, the music echoing in my soul, as we sang together in the sanctuary for the first time in almost 15 months. It doesn’t look quite the same yet, of course, but it is a step in that direction. Looking out and seeing so many of you, masks and all, reminded me that we can be a community of God’s people in the tumult and strife, as well as in the joys and celebrations.
Listen for the music ringing in your souls, friends. Christ is doing something new with each of us. How can we keep from singing?
Carrie
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Acknowledging Juneteenth with the FPC Racial Justice Task Force:
An Invitation to the Congregation
Join the FPC Racial Justice Task Force as we celebrate Juneteenth (June 19, 2021). This holiday commemorates June 19, 1865 when, at the end of the Civil War, Union soldiers brought word to enslaved Texans that they were now free. These enslaved people were many of the last Americans to learn of the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863 and the end of slavery in the United States; learn more about the history of Juneteenth here.
Recall last year that as a church, we watched Just Mercy (the movie based upon Stevenson’s eponymous book) and held a virtual discussion on the Sunday after Juneteenth.
Then join us (IN-PERSON) on the patio next to Calvin Hall on Sunday afternoon, June 20, 2021 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. for our discussion at First Presbyterian Church. We will have a virtual link (via Zoom) available for those who cannot join in-person.
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Congratulations FPC High School Graduates! |
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Garrett Hauk
Graduating from: Williams High School
Future Plans: UNC Chapel Hill
Favorite Verse/FPC Memory: Pittsburgh Mission Trip
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Larkin Owens
Graduating from: Greensboro Day School
Future Plans: University of Richmond
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Abby Thomas
Graduating from: Williams High School
Future Plans: NC State
Favorite Verse/FPC Memory: Pittsburgh Mission Trip; Jeremiah 29:11
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Jackson Williams
Graduating from: Williams High School
Future Plans: UNCW
Favorite Verse/FPC Memory: Helping build homes in Pittsburgh
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Congratulations FPC College Graduates! |
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Lucy Harden
Graduating from: UNC Chapel Hill
Future Plans: Student Teaching in Connecticut and pursuing a Masters of Science Education
Favorite Verse/FPC Memory: Senior Year at Montreat; Micah 4:4
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Rebecca Hunnicutt
Graduating from: UNC Chapel Hill
Future Plans: Medical Technician at Medstar Washington Hospital Center
Favorite Verse/FPC Memory: First Youth Group Trip to Portland
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College Graduates not pictured:
Scotty Grant
Graduating from: UNC Chapel Hill
Future Plans: Masters of Accounting at UNC; University of Chicago Booth Scholars MBA program
Favorite Verse/FPC Memory: Mission Trip to Belize
Matt Mehring
Graduating from: Appalachian State
Future Plans: Human Resources and Healthcare Administration
Hanna Williams
Graduating from: UNC Chapel Hill
Future Plans: Graduate Training program in healthcare communications
Favorite Verse/FPC Memory: Experiencing the world through mission trips
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Other Graduates:
Elizabeth Wooten
Graduating from: Vance-Granville College Basic Law Enforcement Training
Future Plans: Will be a Park Ranger at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
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Welcome Back to In-Person 10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship
As of now, and continuing through September 5, there will be one in-person and live streamed service at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. No sign-up is necessary and there will be congregational singing. Out of concern for those who are not able to be vaccinated for medical reasons and for our children under 12 years old for whom there is no vaccination, all worshipers will be asked to wear a mask.
For more information and the necessary protocol for this indoor service, please click here.
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You Asked for It! —
Summer Worship Series
We have begun a summer worship series entitled, “You Asked for It!” A couple of months ago, we asked you to suggest a title for one of our summer sermons —and the response was incredible. Your church staff had a difficult time selecting just 12 from all of the suggestions. As you will see from the list below, many of the sermon titles reflect what we have all encountered during the pandemic. The preacher was responsible for picking a text for each title, so it will be interesting to see where he/she goes with it. Join us each week either in-person or by live streaming.
Summer Worship Schedule
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June 13 — Carrie Tuttle — The Life of a Kitchen Sponge
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June 20 — Taylor Barner — If I Had Only Known
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June 27 — Ron Shive — You’re Frozen
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July 4 — Ron Shive — The Luxury of Religious Freedom
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July 11 — Taylor Barner — Stop in the Name of Love
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July 18 — Ron Shive — God’s Middle Name
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July 25 — Carrie Tuttle — You Can’t Always Get What You Want
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August 1 — Ron Shive — Canceled
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August 8 — Taylor Barner — Bless Your Heart
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August 15 — Ron Shive — For Heaven’s Sake
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August 22 — Carrie Tuttle — Life is a Highway
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Vacation Bible School is Almost Here!
Monday, June 21– Thursday, June 24
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Yes, Vacation Bible School time is just about here and we are gearing up for a fabulous week of finding God’s lights of: Truth, Hope, Faith, Joy, and Love with our Discovery on Adventure Island curriculum. Vacation Bible School is a timeless faith formation tradition that has adapted to changes throughout the years to continue touching the hearts of children, youth and adults in many ways. Last year we switched to a virtual VBS that was vibrant and showcased our creative workshop leaders. This year, we will meet in person on the front lawn for our great adventure. We look forward to seeing children, youth, and adults here celebrating this time of faith and fellowship. If you have not registered your children or your grandchildren, you still can! Check out this link to hear the music and to sign up!
Join the Flower Team!
Do you like to arrange flowers? Would you like to volunteer for something that is not a huge commitment but it VERY helpful to First Presbyterian? Come join the flower team! On Mondays, we create smaller arrangements from the flowers in church on Sunday. Then, the arrangements are available on Tuesdays for Deacons or PW visitors or others to come get to take to folks in the congregation. We hope to pull together a team so each person only needs to come in once a month. Please let Kathleen Seagroves or Carrie Tuttle know if you are interested. Or you may call 336-228-1703.
Small Group Inside Gatherings and Meetings
The church is now available Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and Monday– Wednesday, 5:00–8:00 p.m. for meetings of less than 20 people. Each meeting must be scheduled with Kathleen Seagroves in the church office and all established protocol followed that includes social contacting.
Church Nursery is Now Available!
Our youngest disciples (infants–5 year olds who have not yet started Kindergarten) are welcome to spend time in our tender loving childcare during the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Childcare providers will be ready to receive children at 9:30 a.m. at the door in the Mary Helen Long Garden. (The Garden is located to the right of the sanctuary. Walk down near the fountain and you will see the door to the right of the fountain.) Please provide snacks (no peanut products), drink, diapers, wipes, etc. Please contact our Director of Christian Formation and Education callbright@fpcburlington.org or 336-228-1703 x 223 for more information about nursery care or COVID protocol.
2021 Flower Donations
Thank you to all who donated flowers for our Sunday worship services during 2020! The Chancel Guild is planning for 2021 and your help is needed again. Floral donations are offered on a first come/first serve basis. If you would like to reserve a Sunday, please complete and submit the form attached here to Kathleen Seagroves in the church office or to Cindy Cothran, Chancel Guild chairperson. Thank you in advance for your donation!
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Hold the Dates for REI Phase I Workshop
Alamance Racial Equity Alliance will be sponsoring a Phase I workshop (presented by the Racial Equity Institute) on June 21-22, 2021 (Monday/Tuesday) via Zoom. You may register here.
Racial Equity Workshop – Phase 1
Moving the focus from individual bigotry and bias, the REI Phase I workshop presents a historical, cultural, structural and institutional analysis over two days. REI believes that organizations often work for equity with multiple understandings of racism that rely more on personal feelings and popular opinion. The lack of a common analysis creates complications to the goal of eliminating racial and ethnic disparities and producing equitable outcomes. With a clear understanding of how institutions and systems are producing unjust and inequitable outcomes, participants in Phase I are able to begin a journey to work towards social transformation and racial justice.
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Lemonade on the Lawn
The Fellowship sub-team will host Lemonade on the Lawn on the patio after worship starting July 4. Everyone is invited to stop by and grab a cool, refreshing lemonade. No snacks will be provided at this time.
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Save the Date!
Summer Night at the Movies Outdoor Fellowship Event on the Front Lawn
Friday, July 23
7:30 p.m. Ice Cream
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Contemplative Ministry News
Click here to read about Summer/Early Fall Contemplative Ministry opportunities in their quarterly newsletter.
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Adult Studies Classes
Adult Summer Studies — June 13, July 18, and August 22 at 9:00 a.m. in Calvin Hall. June 13 — All adults are invited to join Dr. Bruce Shields for a conversation on “Jesus, as Depicted in the Gospel of Mark.” Looking forward to seeing you all for this time of faith formation, education, and fellowship.
Children's Sunday School
Children and Families VBS Kick-Off Sunday, June 20 at 11:30 a.m. on the Front Lawn
Middle School & High School
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Dough Devotions — Starting Wednesday, June 16 at 9:00 a.m. and continuing throughout the summer, we will be gathering at the Biscuitville on S. Church St. (1700 S. Church St Burlington, NC 27215) in the mornings to partake in food and fellowship! Dough devotions are typically only for our high school students, but over the summer we would love to invite our middle schoolers to join us as well!
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Massanetta — June 17-20 virtual Massanetta Middle School Conference at FPC
Chancel Choir
During this time of no in-person activities, the Chancel Choir uses regular Zoom Gatherings to stay in touch, to express joys and concerns, to dream for the future, and to simply "see" one another and learn of worship/musical opportunities at the church. Join in the fellowship online at our Zoom gatherings. Contact Patrick Murphy for more information.
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Thank you for the Books!!
Books collected for Andrews Elementary School children during May have been delivered and are now home with them. Our faithful and giving church members collected over 400 books during this drive! Truly amazing! Many thanks from the PW Andrews committee and the students. Candy McCall and Lucy Kernodle Missions Committee.
FPC Furniture Ministry
Furniture Ministry office hours are Mondays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and otherwise by appointment. During that time, we will accept donations from church members who can deliver and otherwise on a selective case by case basis. Furniture will be given only to clients who can pick up. For more information, visit our website.
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Local Mission for June
Join in the June Mission by bringing non-perishable foods for the Food Pantry. Drop them off in the collection bins outside the CDC entry anytime during the week or when you come to worship on Sunday morning.
Build with Habitat for Humanity of Alamance County!
Habitat Alamance is accepting individual and group volunteers on the job site now, but you must pre-register with Cathy Lamb clamb@habitatalamance.org first so she can keep a limit on the number of people on the job site each day due to Covid and so she can send you a volunteer waiver and information sheet so you will know what to expect on the job site.
Details about serving:
- Work from 8-11:30 a.m. Tue-Sat
- Any able-bodied man or woman age 16 and older is welcome
- No experience is necessary. Habitat provides the tools.
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Congratulations to Ron & Sharron Joyce who will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 12. They were married on June 12, 1971.
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Diane Barnwell - ARMC - Room 126
Morgan Baker - Home
Dean Vaughn - UNC - Surgery - 6/7
John Erwin
Ellen Gensinger
Bill and Judith Rodgers
Jean Parsons
Jo Watts Williams
Don Bullis
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Church Business
Click here to view the minutes from the May 16 Session Meeting.
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You may give through our online platform Tithely here or mail your contribution to the church office: 508 West Davis Street, Burlington, NC 27215. Thank you for your support!
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