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Weekly News — March 22, 2023
Contents
This Sunday
- Sunday worship at 9:00 and 10:45
- Sing a New Song
News
- Easter Lily orders
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Matthew 25 Lent campaign - updated contributions
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Holy Week services - new
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Operation Easter Basket - thanks
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Christian Faith & Issues - this Sunday’s program
- Matthew 25 Coffee Donations
Preaching and Prayers
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Sunday Scriptures and Worship Notes
This week’s lessons are Psalm 130 and selections from John 11. The Rev. Tara Woodard-Lehman is preaching.
9:00 worship features guest organist Levente Kuzma.
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Sing a New Song
Each week, we will provide a link to a song which will be used in the Contemporary Worship service at 10:45. This month we will focus on the new song “Lead Me to the Cross" by Newsboys. Click here to hear the song.
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Easter Lily Sign-up
If you would like to help decorate the sanctuary with lilies and spring flowers this Easter, please fill out the form on our website firstpreswc.com/lilies. The cost this year is $15; you can pay by credit card through the website, or send a check. You can also email Karen Goldstein with your request. Note on your request whether it is in honor of or in memory of someone. Thank you.
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Matthew 25 Lent Campaign
Each Wednesday we see far too many veterans attending our community lunches who are struggling with housing and financial issues. While no one should wonder where their next meal is coming from, there is a particular ache when someone who served in the military is unhoused. It is estimated that across the country, 11% of homeless individuals served in our armed forces, and our community partners have told us that there are fewer and fewer local housing units designated for former service members. For this reason, our 2023 Matthew 25 Lenten campaign is going to focus on the housing needs of veterans. As in past years, our goal will be to raise $25,000 between Ash Wednesday and Easter. This year, the proceeds will be divided between a general assistance fund helping people with emergency housing-related needs, the Wednesday Lunch Program, and programs supporting former service members.
Help us reach this year’s goal through www.firstpreswc.com/give (or use the button below), selecting “Matthew 25 Lent Campaign” from the drop-down menu, or write a check with “Matthew 25” in the memo line.
As of today, we have received 70% of the $25,000 goal, from more than forty-five contributing members and families!
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Operation Easter Basket Update
Thank you to the dozens of people who donated items and/or packed the baskets last week! We were able to assemble sixty children’s baskets full of goodies that will be directed to the Salvation Army, the WC Food Cupboard, and the Domestic Violence Center, as well as forty laundry baskets of groceries for Migrant Ministry. Thank you to all who helped with this fun and important project!
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Christian Faith & Issues
The class is continuing its schedule of meetings on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, with videos from Jim Wallis’s Sojourners website series, “Justice for the Poor.” On Sunday March 26, at 10:30 AM, we will see and discuss the 15 minute video: Beyond “Serial Charity” to a Just Society. Please join us Sunday, March 26, in the Conference Room 109, at the bend in the first floor rear hallway; or for the ZOOM option, email Dan Campbell.
CFI is an adult Sunday School group that meets to discuss topics relevant to our culture—in PA, the U.S. and globally—and how we should respond based upon our Christian beliefs and values. Topics include issues of social justice, racial inequity, fair voting rights, protection of the environment, among others.
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Matthew 25
Coffee Donations
This year’s Matthew 25 campaign is focusing on the needs of veterans, who make up an outsized number of our unhoused neighbors. One way to support them is to donate coffee for distribution to vets through a local food cupboard or to be served at their support meetings. By purchasing from a company like Dunkin or Starbucks, who donate part of their proceeds to service members, your donation goes even farther.
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Upcoming Preaching Schedule
April 2 (Palm Sunday) - Tara Woodard-Lehman
April 9 (Easter) - Tara Woodard-Lehman
April 16 - Tara Woodard-Lehman
April 23 - Tara Woodard-Lehman
The 9:00 service each week is broadcast over WCHE at 11 a.m. each Sunday at 1520AM and also at 95.3FM.
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Thursday First Pres Prayers
During this month, the focus of our prayers with be Caregiving Ministries in our church, although there may be a week that focuses on something else. Visit the church’s website to learn more about this ministry listed under “Care.”
This Week’s Prayer:
Pray for specific programs of caregiving – Deacons/Parish Leaders, Stephens Ministry, Prayer Band, and informal caregiving from church member to church member in visiting those in the hospital, delivering flowers, bringing communion, and being present with those who are grieving.
Each week we pray for our congregation at 12:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Set an alarm or schedule it in your calendar to join us! 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.
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Prayer Requests
If you would like to add a prayer (in joy or in time of need) to our Prayer Band, complete the website form, send an email, or call the church at the number below.
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