Reopening Worship Plans
At their February 16 meeting, Session approved a plan for a gradual reopening of the Sanctuary for worship. This plan is contingent on cases continuing to fall in our area of Chester County, and assumes an increasing availability of vaccines. With that in mind, Session approved the following plan:
 
Through March 14 – Continue with prerecorded 9:00 and 10:42 worship services
 
March 21 and 28 – Livestream 9:00 and 10:42 services from the Sanctuary
 
April 4 (Easter) – Hold four outdoor in-person worship services at the Abbotts’ Farm (6:30am, 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am). Prerecorded services at 9:00 and 10:42 will be streamed through the website and live.
 
April 11 – The Sanctuary will open for 9:00 and 10:42 services with 35 openings for attendance at each service; services will also be livestreamed. Services will be 45 minutes in length to allow transition time between groups entering and exiting.
 
We anticipate that in the weeks following April 11, we’ll be able to increase the number of in-person attendees to 60 per service. A date for this change will be shared as we get closer to that time.
 
Signups for the in-person worship services on Easter and following will be made available shortly; individuals can either call the church office to reserve a space or use Sign Up Genius (the link will be publicized in the near future). Those without internet access will be receiving a letter regarding this plan in addition to phone calls from their deacons.

If you missed the full update, please read it here: https://conta.cc/3pEH5uE
Family Hike
First Pres families will be gathering at Okehocking Preserve on Saturday, February 27 at 10 a.m. for a family hike! Bring your kids, dogs, water bottles and masks, and we’ll enjoy being together in the great wintery outdoors. We may need to make a last minute change depending on weather, so please let Sara Pantazes know if you plan to attend. 
Women's Group
All ladies are invited this winter to join in a monthly women's group via Zoom on the first Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. We'll spend an hour or so catching up with one another and having good conversation. No need to prep ahead and no need to sign up! Our next Zoom will be Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. Email Elizabeth Hess with any questions (ehess@firstpreswc.com).
Matthew 25 Lenten Campaign
Many of us remember moving into our first apartment – calling the utility companies to get the water, electricity, and gas turned on Seeing those bills come in with our names on them was both a source of pride and maybe some fear – would our jobs be enough to cover what we need? Would there be parents available to help if not? 
 
One of our neighbors was in a similar situation – moving into an apartment with her three young children after living in a motel. She had done all the work to make it to that step, only there was one challenge: in the middle of winter, she didn’t have enough money to cover the $500 she needed to get the heat turned on. 
 
Thanks to your Matthew 25 gifts in 2020, First Pres was able to pay the up-front heating costs to allow this young woman to move into her new apartment.  
 
This year, we’re hoping to help more of our homeless neighbors find safe, warm, secure housing. We’re seeking to build on the generosity of this congregation to make a deep and lasting impact in our community by raising another $25,000 toward emergency housing needs. 
 
Giving Inspiration: Did You Know? 
The average monthly utility bill of a family at risk of homelessness is about $350. Assisting with a utility bill allows a family to keep their heat or water running and not fall behind on rent.  
March/April Upper Room
The March/April Upper Room booklets are available for pick-up in a bin outside of the church ramp entrance. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please contact Elizabeth Hess (ehess@firstpreswc.com).
Zoom Lunch with the Pastor
All members and friends are invited to join Pastor Bob for lunch every Tuesday at noon for “Zoom Lunch with Your Interim Pastor.” There is no agenda for this 60-minute lunch gathering. I simply want to see your smiling faces and visit a while during our lunch break. Come and join in the fun of getting acquainted! Please email Bob (bsheldon@firstpreswc.com) to get the Zoom link.
In Memoriam
Our sympathy and prayers are with Elle Lewis and family in the death of her husband, Dr. Earl Lewis.
Pastoral Transition Prayers
Our pastors reminded us in their recent conversational sermon about the importance and value of prayer in our spiritual lives – in strengthening our relationship to God and to each other.  As you participate in prayer for our church’s transition, know that you are part of a company of many from this congregation who are likeminded in wanting God’s guidance and wisdom in the process.

The Topic for this Week: Pray for church leadership and staff as they continue to shift and change programming as the conditions of the pandemic change. Pray as they balance safety with the need to connect and support our congregation. 

You don’t need to only pray for the topic of the week, but you can continue to pray for previous topics as well or anything that God lays on your heart.

First Presbyterian Church | 130 W. Miner Street | 610-696-0554


Take care...