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One In-Person Worship Service at
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. service will be live streamed
Call 888-969-5508 to listen to the service
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I was asked the other day, “Do you think we will get snow this year?” The Pittsburgher in me thought this was a silly question but I have since learned, living in North Carolina, that snow is not always a guarantee! We can go weeks without any snowfall, and even then it only stays around for a few days, pulling on heartstrings yearning for a snowy Christmas. Such is the season of Advent, practicing patient (or maybe impatient) waiting while looking forward hopefully to that heavenly arrival and celebration.
There is not an Advent that goes by that I am not reminded of C. S. Lewis and his cherished Chronicles of Narnia. In particular I think of the curse of the White Witch, which makes it so that it is always winter but never Christmas in Narnia. When we feel like we have waited so long, or like our hope is starting to wane, the promise that winter will break can seem far off. As we begin this Advent may we appreciate this season of waiting and give it its due time and attention, knowing that Christmas is coming; may we know that Christ is coming.
Taylor Barner
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Sunday Worship
Sunday worship is at 10:00 a.m., in person and live streamed.
Live Telephone Worship
To listen to the worship service, simply call 888-969-5508 at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday. You will also be given an option of receiving a weekly call prior to each worship service. Please help us and pass this information along to any church member or community member who would benefit from this opportunity.
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Alternative Giving is Just Around the Corner!
Beginning this Sunday, December 5 at 9:00 a.m. in the Witherspoon Room, you can come check out the different booths and displays set up by our Local and Global Mission Partners. We will have a variety of honor cards you can purchase to give to your loved ones and friends as Christmas cards and gifts. We also have tangible gift items such as candles and lip balm from Benevolence Farm, handcrafted items from Peru, and olive oil and Bethlehem olive wood creche sets from Palestine. The Witherspoon Room will be accessible on Sundays, December 5, 12, and 19 from 9:00-9:45 a.m. and 11:00-11:30 a.m. To view and print the order form, click here. Contact Charlotte Nance-Allbright for more information (callbright@fpcburllington.org or 336-228-1703 x 223).
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Taizé Worship – Sunday, December 5, 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
An Advent Taizé worship on the second Sunday of Advent will be centered around the themes of hope, peace, joy and love. In times of reflection, song and silence, may you be greeted by One who offers us mercy, grace, forgiveness and love. This service will be in-person only.
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2021 Advent Devotional
This year's devotional is "Close to Home" written and illustrated by A Sanctified Art. An electronic version of the Advent devotional has been emailed to you. A limited number of hard copies are available for pick up in the Welcome Center or the table outside of the church office. Contact Charlotte Nance-Allbright (336-228-1703 x 223) to have a copy mailed to you.
Advent – A Time of Watching, Waiting, Planning, a Time of Cherishing Hope, Peace, Joy and Love
Quiet Spaces Meditations will come to you via email each Monday of Advent. These short, thoughtful, contemplative readings accompanied by the harp give each of us space and time to quieten ourselves during this busy season and focus on the birth and promise of the Christ Child, the Savior of the world. Begin your Advent weeks with meditative quiet moments as you travel the Advent journey to the manger.
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YA Monthly Gathering
The Young Adults’ next meeting will be Saturday, December 11 at Red Oak Brewery at 6:30 p.m.! Join us for some great food, drinks, games, and fellowship! All are welcome!
College Gift Exchange
All of our FPC college students are invited to our annual hangout and gift exchange at Taylor’s house on Monday, December 20 at 7:00 p.m.! Bring a gift ($5 or less) and join us as we catch up, swap gifts, and watch the slideshow from this last year! RSVP to Taylor by Sunday, December 19!
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Advent Greening of the Star – Sunday December 12 and Throughout Advent
Everyone is invited to bring fresh greenery to “green the star,” which will be placed by the plaza between the sanctuary and chapel, beginning Sunday, December 12 (before and after the 10 AM worship service) and through the Advent season.
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Advent Lessons and Carols
A tradition at FPC for almost 60 years, Lessons and Carols is a much beloved service. For 2021 Lessons and Carols we will take a NEW opportunity: Sunday morning, December 12 at the 10:00 a.m. worship service. This will be An Advent Lessons and Carols—the lessons will begin with Genesis and focus on the One who is to come into our lives. Anthems sung by the Chancel Choir and many hymns sung by the congregation will prepare us for Christ’s coming as a baby on Christmas Day. An offering to support the Music Fund will be received.
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Lunch Bunch Book Club Rescheduled
Because of technical difficulties getting into Zoom on November 9, Book Club was canceled and the discussion of The Other Einstein was rescheduled for the regular meeting on Tuesday, December 14. We will meet at 12 noon IN PERSON in the John Knox Room to discuss the much anticipated book The Other Einstein. No Zoom meeting! What a treat — to resume our in-person gatherings with a book that stirs lots of thought and discussion!
Just a few reminders regarding the church’s COVID protocols: 1) If you wish, bring your lunch and a drink, dessert will be provided. We will not have any access to the kitchen, not even for water. 2) Wear a mask except when eating. 3) Enter the building by way of the black and white hall off the parking lot and come to the John Knox Room.
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Carols, Candlelight & Cocoa
Sunday December 19 5:15–5:45 p.m. — A Church-wide Caroling Event on the Front Lawn
Everyone is invited to this merry time together. Plan to stand, or bring a chair. Wear your festive Christmas clothes if you wish! As you enter, you may receive a warm cup of cocoa from the Fellowship Team. Enjoy 30 minutes of good ol’ caroling led by Patrick and a few special guests. We’ll distribute candles towards the end for use in the closing carol.
What carols will we sing? Share your favorites by December 13 with Patrick at pmurphy@fpcburlington.org or by calling the church office.
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Civil Rights and Racial Justice Trip — April 19-23, 2022
WHY are we going?
- To learn more deeply about our country’s history of racial terror in an effort to understand the ways that racism manifests itself today.
- To be on holy ground where Civil Rights activists risked (and many gave) their lives to move our country towards greater racial equity in many forms.
- To grow together in our personal and collective commitment towards antiracism within the Christian faith and in our community.
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To learn more about this trip, CLICK HERE.
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Small Group Inside Gatherings and Meetings at the Church may take place in person. Each meeting must be scheduled with Kathleen Seagroves in the church office (336-228-1703) and all established protocol followed, including social distancing and mask wearing.
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Children’s Ministry
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Sunday, December 5 at 11:15 a.m. (Room 220) Advent Sunday School for Children — “Animals at the Manger.” We will create disc ornaments to remember the animals at the manger.
Adult Classes in October:
The Enrichment Class
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Wednesday Evenings at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. On December 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 we will be studying the book The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem by Adam Hamilton. This advent class and discussion will be led by Jane Wellford. The Enrichment class is open to any adults of any age wishing to attend. Since Covid began, we have been meeting on Zoom for the past year and a half. We are still meeting on Zoom and holding our classes on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 pm. Contact Jane Wellford (wellford@elon.edu) or Catherine Matthews (csnn4145@gmail.com) for more information. If you wish to join us on Wednesday evenings, please see the Zoom link on our website here.
John Knox Fellowship
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December 5, 12, & 19 at 9:00 a.m. in the John Knox Room. "Christ in the Carols" led by Dr. Ron Cole-Turner. When we hear the music of Christmas, we find ourselves transported into a season of joy, rich with memories from the past and full of hopes for the future. In this advent series, we will listen again to the great carols of the Christian Church, like Joy to the World and Silent Night, Holy Night. On December 5, we will lift up the phrase, “a weary world rejoices,” as we think together about the special meaning of Christmas for our world this year, so weary with isolation and grief. On December 12, we will turn to carols like O Come, All Ye Faithful and Once in Royal David’s City, pondering the phrase “now in flesh appearing” as we reflect on the mystery of the incarnation. On December 19, we turn to Silent Night and to Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and to the phrase, “born to raise from the earth,” in order to ponder together how the coming of Christ raises in us the hope of sharing in the glory of Christmas.
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Soul Collage ® Workshop
Wednesday, December 8
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Facilitated by Terri Burleson
Do you long for a creative outlet that will let you express your spiritual nature? Do you enjoy discovering your God-created person through the creative arts? Then this workshop will appeal to you. Soul Collage ®, developed by Seena B. Frost, MA, M.Div., is a method of self-discovery through the creation and intuitive analysis of a deck of card sized collages created by each participant. Involving art, creativity, self-awareness, journaling, meditation and personal growth, it is a process that facilitates a dialogue with the soul. Terri Burleson notes that “it is a wonderful technique with contemplative groups and is helpful in learning ways to incorporate the mind, heart and body to listen to the Spirit.” Terri, a member of the Contemplative Ministry team at Westover Presbyterian Church in Greensboro and a certified Soul Collage facilitator, will lead the workshop at our church. Look for additional information on registration in the FPC Thursday E-blasts or call Charlotte Allbright through the church office (336-228-1703) to sign up to participate.
Contemplative Ministry Fall and Mid-Winter 2021-22 Newsletter
The Contemplative Ministries Team has produced a newsletter with information about all of their upcoming events and offerings. You may read it here.
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Housing Need for Afghan Refugee Family
First Presbyterian Church in Burlington has felt the call to welcome an Afghan refugee family to Burlington. We are partnering with Church World Service and need to provide proof of housing before they will place a family here. We have run into a few obstacles with the rental market, and are reaching out to you for help. If you have resources or information for rental options, please contact Charlotte Nance-Allbright (callbright@fpcburlington.org or 336-228-1703 x 223).
Furniture Ministry
The Furniture Ministry is open and we need your help! We especially need dishes, flatware, pots and pans, and lamps. Donations can be brought to the warehouse on Mondays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. We will also be picking up donations from church members and others on a selective case-by-case basis. Also, we need volunteers to sort and tag items in the warehouse and to assist with pick-ups. Contact us at 336-212-2937. Even during the downtime, the Furniture Ministry was able to serve 13 families, deliver eight beds and mattresses to Allied Churches, and pick up several donations of furniture. This unique First Presbyterian Ministry continues to bring vital assistance to our Alamance County brothers and sisters in Christ at their time of greatest need. Thank you for your support!
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Karen Hruslinski - Thumb surgery - 11/29
Al Beck
Sue McCrone-Bradshaw
Mimi Cowan's sister Laurie Marion
Don Stadler
Patricia Johnson
Mary Lou Massie
Paul Reeves
Diane Barnwell
Heath Tuttle
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