Recap of the 224th PC(USA) General Assembly

For any interested in a summary document of highlights from the 224th General Assembly (held virtually in June of this year), you are invited to read the document compiled by the Presbyterian Outlook. Following our presbytery's August stated meeting, a video report from our presbytery's commissioners (including Rev. Kathy Reed) will be available for viewing.
Shoe Drive SUCCESS!

MANY thanks to all of you who donated shoes, gift cards, and funds to the Virtual Shoe Drive held to benefit the children of Our House. We were able to fill every single slot on our sign up as well as offer the Our House staff some extra gift cards for children who may still need shoes. The FPC Mission Committee is truly grateful for your generosity and willingness to care for our neighbors in this especially challenging time.
Dear FPC Members and Friends,

At its June stated meeting the FPC Session approved a Phase-In Plan for Reopening. We give thanks for faithful and efficient work of the COVID Task Force, which went about its work with the greatest concern for the well-being of our congregation and greater Auburn/Opelika community.

For the time being, as we remain in Phase 1, we are asking that members with access to the building only enter if you have a purpose related directly to the implementation of the mission of the church. Before entering, please contact a member of the staff so that the date/time/exact location of your entering the building can be recorded and custodial staff informed. We ask that all members wear a mask the entire time you are in the church building.

We are grateful for your patience, support, and prayers.

Many thanks,
Kathy & Nick
Temporary Address Change

While the Property Committee reviews options on providing an updated on-site mailbox, the church has secured a post office box. Please use:  PO Box 3970, Auburn, AL 36831-3970. We will keep you updated on progress.
Adult Education Opportunities in July

Sundays, 9:30 a.m.: The Library Class
The Library Sunday School Class has begun meeting via ZOOM Sunday mornings 9:30-10:30. This is the agenda for the next few weeks:
  • July 19: Kathy Reed will attend and present an update on the recent General Assembly.
  • July 26-August 23: White Fragility by Barbara DiAngelo. Barbara Fletcher and Harriette Huggins are co-leaders for this book study.
  • August 30-October 4: How to be an antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (Leadership to be determined). 

If you are interested in participating contact Harriette Huggins to receive a link to the ZOOM meeting.


 Thursdays, 12 p.m.: Introduction to Bible Journaling
Join us for an introduction to Bible journaling led by Susan Fillippeli. Bible journaling involves the use of art to meditate on and study scripture. The point is not to make beautiful art, but to seek to better understand God’s word through creative expression.
Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/ychtyw4y
Password: 772773


Office Hours Bible Study 
The Office Hours Bible Study will be taking a break in the month of July, but will resume in August with a study on the book of James. Please look for an update in early August for specific details on how to participate.

Opportunities to Worship 

It is our hope to worship together via our church’s YouTube Channel and on WQSI FM TALK 95.9 at 11 a.m. this Sunday. Please let all your church friends know the different ways to experience Sunday morning worship. To view the service you can go directly to our church’s YouTube Channel via your computer, smartphone, or Smart TV app ( https://tinyurl.com/t7dl8vh ) or you can access the worship service through our website or Facebook page. Knowing we are at the mercy of technology, we appreciate your patience and grace if all does not go according to plan. Attached you will find a  bulletin for this Sunday’s service .
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24

   The words of the psalmist inspired our 2020 stewardship campaign, and we can find comfort in those words today. In these extraordinary times, it is important for us to reflect on the abundance of God’s grace and the gifts we have received. When we began the stewardship campaign in September 2019, we could not imagine what this year would bring; however, through all, God’s love endures, and the work of the church continues. In this time of online worship, we are reminded that giving is part of the church’s liturgy. Whether you share your financial gifts weekly, monthly, or annually, your offering continues to support our missions of worship, fellowship, Christian education, outreach, and UKirk, to name the broad categories.
   The church staff remains available to receive your pledge payments during this time, whether you elect to mail a check to the church office, process a payment directly from your bank, or use online giving. We do need to inform you that a flat rate of two percent is deducted from each contribution made through online giving. If you choose to provide your pledge payment online, please prayerfully consider whether you are able to add an amount to help off-set the processing fee.
 For members with children, remember it is important to talk to your children about giving, especially during this time when they may not see you put anything in the offering plate.
Peace,
Generosity Committee
Birthdays

July 19 Marilyn Garrett, Stephanie Prater
July 20 Katie Lauziere, Paul Talley
July 21 Katie Lee, Liz Lindahl
July 22 Katherine Irwin, John Perkins, MaryBeth Webeler
July 23 Dibba Spears
July 24 Marsha Bailey, Hannah Herring
July 25 Richard Patterson

Anniversaries

July 22 Chris and Josey Graves
A belated Happy Birthday! to our Director of Music, Dr. Damion Womack!!
Prayer Concerns

For the time period in which our church family is worshiping virtually, our pastors have decided that prayer concerns will be shared via weekly email. These individuals will most certainly be prayed for during our Sunday worship service, but their names and specific concerns will not be shared via broadcast.

Prayer Concerns:
• Prayers of healing and recovery for Liz Lindahl as she recovers at Arbor Springs Rehab after a brief stay at the hospital.
• Prayers for Jack Hughey (Carolyn Williams’ brother in law) who has been unable to have a heart procedure because the hospitals in Texas are currently at capacity due to Covid-19.
• Prayers for healing and recovery for Eddie Huggins (Harriette Huggins’ brother in law who is now home recovering from treatment for multiple myeloma.
• Continued prayers for all our health care workers and first responders as they navigate a new increase in cases and hospitalizations in our community.
YOUTH NEWS

Our Jr and Sr High youth will continue to meet via Zoom on Sunday evenings at 5:30, exploring a summer Bible study series from the book The Barefoot Way.

Parents of Children and Youth, don't forget to sign up for a porch pick-up time for our Food Drive that's going on now. A Signup Genius link was sent earlier in the week. For more information contact Chris Sarkowski at csarkowski@fpcauburn.org
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First Presbyterian Church | info@fpcauburn.org | (334)887-5571 | www.fpcauburn.org