First News Weekly, January 19, 2023

Thanks to your generosity and the dedication of this year's Stewardship Committee, I am overjoyed to share that we have reached our 2023 stewardship goal — which was a 10% increase over last year’s pledge total! What a testament this is to FPC's commitment to generous giving.

It's also a reflection of your understanding that giving to the church is not just about supporting our ministries or keeping the lights on, but an imitation of God's extraordinary generosity toward us. As you know, giving is a spiritual discipline that, as Jesus reminds us, benefits the giver even more than the recipient. In the words of this year's campaign, your giving matters, to God, to Christ's church, to you, to all of us. THANK YOU for all the ways you give.

I hope you plan to join us for the Annual Congregational Meeting on January 29, which the Session has called for the purpose of electing new officers and voting on changes to the pastors' terms of call. During the meeting, we'll also hear the new outreach vision Session has approved, reflections from our new Associate Pastor Josh Andrzejewski on his first six months, and a report from the Finance Committee. I hope to see you there in person or online.

In faith, hope, and love – and with joyful gratitude,

Be on the lookout for an email tomorrow with more details, including elder and deacon nominees.

I N S P I R E

Join us For Worship

Join us in-person or online at 10 am, or anytime after, at www.youtube.com/fpcrichmond.

You can download and print a copy of this Sunday's bulletin here.

Sunday Schedule

9:00am J-Term: Jesus & Sitcoms (Library)

9:00am J-Term: Temple to Tabernacle (Room 216/Zoom)

9:00am J-Term: Making Sense of Christian Nationalism (Chapel/Zoom)

10:00am Worship (Sanctuary) & Children's Faith Formation (Room 206 & 207)

11:00am Cookies in the Commons

3:00pm Confirmation

4:00pm J-Term: Visio Divina (Library)

5:00pm Worship (Rec Room) & Children's Faith Formation (Library)

6:00pm Dinner (Rec Room)

Sunday Dinner Menu

Spaghetti & meatballs, garlic bread, and tossed salad

Suggested Donation:

$10-15 for adults, $5 for kids

($30 cap for families)

PRAYER LIST

Please keep in your prayers those with special concerns:

Bobby Cobb, health concerns
Leigh Comsudis (George Gretes’ sister), health concerns
Erin Fitzgerald, recovering from surgery
Larry Gegner (Karen Rohr’s brother), in home hospice care
Jan Hamby, recovering from heart bypass surgery
Bill Livingston (Sally Brown’s brother), in hospice care
Jane Neer, relief from back pain and recovery from surgery
Ila Porter, recovering from surgery
Bob Priddy, treatment for Large B cell Lymphoma
Errol Rohr, recovering from a mild stroke
Karen Sigel, relief from chronic back pain
Evalane Slaughter, upcoming surgery
Emily Tafel, please visit caringbridge.org/visit/teamemt, Emily has asked for prayers and privacy at this time.

Those rejoicing:

Kelsey Larus and David Smith who were married on November 26. Kelsey’s parents are Peggy and Bobby Larus.

We pray for members and family serving in the military:

Tripp Bowles, Jenny Sigel Burkett, Zach Kirk, Mason Louthan, Anne Marks, Nathan Thomas Meade, Connor Partlow, Peyton Spivey, Pierce Tarry, and Will Watkins.

How can we pray for you?

You can submit concerns and celebrations at fpcrichmond.org/prayer.

Check out Amy's Invocation for the Virginia House of Delegates!

S E R V E

Thank you for your donations to the December Coat Drive! We are grateful for your support.

Hospitality Helpers

FPC members, we have a job for you! Many hands make light work and an opportunity to have a good time with others. We need help with some upcoming events at FPC. Please take a look at this sign up and join us where you can: https://tinyurl.com/hospitality-helper. Thank you!

- Rev. Mary Kay and the Congregational Life Committee

Children's Faith Formation Volunteers Needed!

Are you looking to share your gifts of compassion, listening, and joy with little disciples in our congregation? We are seeking Faith Formation volunteers to support Children’s Ministry staff in the classroom. Check out our sign-up list and reach out to Rev. Nicole Ball for more information: Sign Up Here!

N U R T U R E

Discover First

February 5, 4:00pm

Discover First is a class for anyone who wants to learn more about First Presbyterian Church. Maybe you are ready to join our congregation? Great, this class is for you. Maybe you are still seeking and just want to learn a bit more about the church? This class is for you too! After the class, participants will have the option to become members. Click the picture above or visit fpcrichmond.org/discover to sign up.

FPC Goes to Montreat!

Come with us to the Women's Connection at Montreat

August 11–13

The keynote speaker for Montreat Women's Connection 2023 is Kate Bowler, PhD. She is a three-time New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and an Associate Professor of American Religious History at Duke University. She studies the cultural stories we tell ourselves about success, suffering, and whether (or not) we’re capable of change.

In addition to Kate's keynote presentation, Women's Connection will be a time for us to connect with old and new friends, a time to care for yourself, and a time for space and Sabbath. Learn more about Kate and view the tentative schedule on Montreat's website here.

We are looking forward to going together as a group from FPC. Our group reservation includes lodging, meals and conference registration. We would love for you to join us. Contact Kim Lewis at kpchlewis@comcast.net by Wednesday January 25th to let us know of your interest in attending or if you have questions.

Sister Stories 2023

NEW DATE: Sunday, February 5, 11:30am

Fellowship Hall

Sister Stories premiered at FPC in 2005 with the inspirational stories of women in our church. FPC Sisters Cynthia Haw and Micki Stout will share their stories. We can’t wait to hear from them! The program will be recorded and made available for viewing.

Look for the registration email early next week!

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Want to engage in faith formation? Find details and sign up for any of our year-round offerings at fpcrichmond.org/adultformation. There are weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly opportunities that you can join at any time.

Amy's Bible Study

Wednesdays at 12:15pm on Zoom

https://zoom.us/j/600841759 passcode: 257703

Contact: Rev. Amy Starr Redwine

Centering Prayer

Thursdays at 8:30am on Zoom

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84282378888?pwd=VFpsS3NXZW5nZThYZ3doWEQvNzM5UT09

Contact: Rev. Amy Starr Redwine

Covenant Class

Sundays at 9:00am in the Chapel or on Zoom

tinyurl.com/CovenantClass2

Covenant Class will return February 5