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Outer Banks
Presbyterian Church
News & Notes
June 18, 2020
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In This Issue:
- June 21 Worship Service
- Message from Rev. Moore
- Church Reopening Updates
- Elder Class of 2023 Nominations
- Request for Ushers
- 2020 Older Adult Award
- Congratulations Hollie!
- A Note to Gmail Users
- Online Bible Study
- 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 21 Worship Service
Leviticus 19:1-19, 26-28, and 33-37
. In the Old Testament, there are over 600 commandments for God’s people to follow. Leviticus contains an extended list of those commandments in its Holiness Codes, offering guidance for a variety of circumstances. In the New Testament, Jesus summarizes all of those commandments in the two Great Commandments. The original instructions for us to love our neighbors as ourselves are found in Leviticus. This text goes on to describe the compassion and kindness that we should display as God’s people.
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Message From Rev. Dr. Jody Moore
Update to Re-Opening Strategies
:
In this issue of
News & Notes
, you will read of the latest updates made by the Session to our re-opening plans. Some of those updates include plans for a Staycation Vacation Bible School during the month of July. At this point, the Session has decided to leave the date open-ended for when the church will re-open for in-person worship. Our live streamed services will continue each week for those who need to remain at home. Once North Carolina moves to Phase 3 in its re-opening, the Session will meet again.
When we are ready to open for in-person worship, the Session has already developed a detailed plan that can be implemented within 10 days of Session approval.
Devotional
:
John Wesley was one of the great leaders of the Reformation who founded the Methodist Church in the 18
th
century. While we celebrate his accomplishments today, John Wesley had to deal with a number of hardships and bumps during his life. Here are some entries from the diary of John Wesley. . .
- Sunday, A.M., May 5 Preached in St. Anne's. Was asked not to come back anymore.
- Sunday, P.M., May 5 Preached in St. John's. Deacons said "Get out and stay out."
- Sunday, A.M., May 12 Preached in St. Jude's. Can't go back there, either.
- Sunday, A.M., May 19 Preached in St. Somebody Else's. Deacons called special meeting and said I couldn't return.
- Sunday, P.M., May 19 Preached on street. Kicked off street.
- Sunday, A.M., May 26 Preached in meadow. Chased out of meadow as bull was turned loose during service.
- Sunday, A.M., June 2 Preached out at the edge of town. Kicked off the highway.
- Sunday, P.M., June 2 Afternoon, preached in a pasture. Ten thousand people came out to hear me.
The value of courage, persistence, and perseverance has rarely been illustrated more convincingly than in the life story of John Wesley. During this pandemic, we have needed faith, persistence, and endurance. Faith in God gives us the perspective to look past the current hardships and inconveniences, trusting in God’s provision, protection, and care. During this time, we are also called to persistence and endurance. It takes persistence to stay on the same course that keeps us safe and limits exposure to the virus. As we persevere, we need to take care of ourselves and remember that we belong to God, who is our strength and our foundation.
Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly
:
The General Assembly is the national gathering of the Presbyterian Church (USA) that meets every two years. Elders and pastors are chosen to represent their presbytery at the General Assembly (GA). Several years ago, our own Ben Cahoon was one of the elder representatives from New Hope Presbytery at the General Assembly. I have been elected to be one of New Hope Presbytery’s commissioners to the 2022 General Assembly in Columbus, Ohio. Earlier this year, I was selected to be an alternate commissioner to the 2020 General Assembly. As one of three alternates, we were only supposed to participate in GA if one of the elected commissioners was unable to go.
This has been a whirlwind week for me that is only beginning. On Tuesday, June 16
th
, I learned from the Executive Presbyter of New Hope Presbytery, Ted Churn, that one of our minister representatives was unable to participate at the last minute because of a family medical emergency. I have agreed to fill in for him. After the Session meeting ended on Wednesday June 17
th
, I participated in an online training session for GA commissioners. The General Assembly begins its work on Friday evening, June 19
th
, and the Assembly will conclude next Saturday, June 27
th
. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire General Assembly will be online; it was supposed to have met in Baltimore, Maryland this year. Some of the business that the Assembly was supposed to discuss has been pushed back to the 2022 General Assembly. I will still be eligible to be one of the commissioners representing New Hope in 2022. In the
News & Notes
last week, we asked you to pray for General Assembly and all of the commissioners. I didn’t realize then that prayer request would include praying for me! For the next week, I appreciate your understanding as I try to fulfill my work as a commissioner for the General Assembly while also keeping tabs on things around OBPC.
Prayer
:
Gracious God, you have called us to put our faith in you. We trust that you are our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Lord. During this pandemic, we pray for you to strengthen our faith and our commitment to you and your kingdom. We pray for the endurance and perseverance to keep going. We pray for you to encourage us Lord when we feel discouraged or overwhelmed. Please extend your blessings, wisdom, and energy to the commissioners and participants to the 2020 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church as it meets virtually over the next week. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Grace and peace,
Jody Moore
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Church Reopening Updates
The Covid-19 Task Force met on June 15 to evaluate current conditions and recommendations by state and local health officials. The Session reviewed and approved the Task Force's recommendations at its June 17 meeting. Below is the summary of changes to the previously issued reopening strategies. To read the entire revised plan, please
click here
.
Strategies for Re-Opening Church:
Additional Actions Taken by Session on June 17, 2020
Update to the Session Policy Approved on May 26, 2020
Key Updates Made by Session on June 17, 2020
:
A
.
The previous document allowed for in-person worship to begin sometime after June 26
th
. Now the Session has decided to have an until further notice, open-ended date for in-person worship to restart pending at least ten days of notice. Live-streaming and recorded services will continue. When Session decides to re-open the church for worship, there will be 45 seats available at each Sunday morning service, the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. The 45-person limit includes the pastor and all others participating in the service. Five seats will be held open for visitors or walk-ins who have not pre-registered. The Session still believes that we have developed a good plan for re-opening the church when conditions merit based on science and the data from the State of North Carolina, the CDC, and Dare County.
B
.
The section on music and worship was clarified to indicate that one or two musicians and one or two soloists will be allowed to participate in worship services. Because initially there will not be congregational singing when the church re-opens, some of the congregational singing responses will be phased out to match the format that will be used when the church re-opens.
C
.
Holy Communion will continue to be done virtually on the first Sunday of the month while the church is worshiping on-line only. Once the church re-opens, the Session will consider when communion may be served in the sanctuary using the protocols approved in the original re-opening document.
D
.
Tenant groups and Bible studies will not be allowed to return until after the Session determines that they can meet, which may be when the State of North Caroline enters Phase 3 initiatives that would allow for larger groups to gather indoors. The Scouts were given permission to meet outside provided they meet outside group limits specified by the Governor.
E
.
Vacation Bible School for 2020 will be known as Staycation Bible School 2020 using a curriculum “Feet that Follow” published by the Presbyterian Outlook. Staycation Bible School is a five-day curriculum and will be held virtually through the month of July. Packets of materials for the Staycation VBS will be available at the church for those families who wish to pick up additional VBS resources.
F
.
The youth group will be allowed to travel to Montreat, NC to stay in the house that our church has rented for a “back home retreat.” Our youth group will not interact with other churches—just with youth from OBPC. Parents will sign a liability-release waiver, giving their permission for their youth to participate. While in Montreat, our youth will participate together in the on-line curriculum provided by Montreat and Massanetta Springs. The youth group will also participate in service projects through Asheville Youth Mission, which partners with Montreat, and is offering outdoor mission projects for groups of 10 or less meeting social distancing guidelines. The dates for this “back home retreat” to Montreat are July 18-25, pending the state of North Carolina moving into Phase 3 of Reopening by that date.
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Nominations for Elder Class of 2023
The Nominating Committee is beginning to work on selecting 3 persons to serve as Elders for the class of 2023. An elder should be a person who is committed to their faith in Jesus Christ, is a dedicated member of Outer Banks Presbyterian Church, and works well with a team as we seek to serve the Lord. The Nominating Committee would like the help of the congregation. Ordinarily, we have placed a ballet box in the gathering space for you to indicate your suggestions. This is not possible while the building is closed, so we encourage anyone with nominations to contact directly the two elder representatives on the Nominating Committee, Bobby Gentry and Bob Messinger. You may contact Bobby G. at 757-718-8353 or
bobbygentryobx@gmail.com
and Bob M. at 252-305-9388 or
bobnance55@gmail.com
. Thank you for your thoughtful considerations!
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Announcement: Ushers Needed
When we return to in-person worship, 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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OBPC's 2020 Older Adult Award Recipient
OBPC selected Tom Williamson as this year's recipient of the Older Adult Award. Tom was born in South Carolina and spent his teen years in New York. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve and graduated from Howard University. He had a 30 year career with the Federal Aviation Administration before retiring to the Outer Banks. Tom is very active helping others through his work with Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis, and a mission outreach program called, "Caring Hands." Tom puts his handyman skills to use for the church as a member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and also by helping many individuals in the community. Tom loves to travel and has visited all seven continents. He is an avid reader, gardener, cook, and 5th wheel camper!
Click here
to read more about Tom's experiences, accomplishments, and service.
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Congratulations, Hollie!
We offer our congratulations to Hollie Writtenberry, our Director of Children, Youth and Young Families, for the honor bestowed upon her as Manteo Elementary School Teacher of the Year! Hollie is a graduate of Nansemond Suffolk Academy and the University of Mary Washington, where she received a Bachelors of Arts in Music and Education. She began teaching in 1999, and taught in Virginia and North Carolina where she is currently a music teacher at Manteo Elementary School. Congratulations, Hollie!
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Gmail Users: Are You Having Trouble Receiving
News & Notes
?
Gmail has several "in-box" tabs--there are tabs labeled "primary," "social," and "promotions."
Gmail moves marketing and bulk emails, such as deals, offers, and other promotional messages, into the "promotions" tab. Emails sent through Constant Contact, which is the program the church uses to create and send the weekly
News & Notes
, often end up there. Gmail's "primary tab" (which you probably think of as your "in-box,") includes all emails from people you know. If the weekly
News & Notes
is landing in your "promotions" tab and you want it to appear in your "primary" tab, all you have to do is click on one of the issues of
News & Notes
in your "promotions" tab and drag it into the "primary" tab. By doing this, all future emailed issues of
News & Notes
will appear in your "primary" in-box.
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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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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.
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Anniversaries this Week
- Bill & Brenda Brown, June 19
- Ron & Linda Campbell, June 19
- Richard & Melinda Mogowski, June 23
- Carl & Laura Lilieberg, June 24
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Birthdays this Week
- Cathie Feild, June 19
- Joseph Crosswhite, June 21
- Kevin Sheets, June 22
- Jim Perry, June 24
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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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