HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
May 9, 2021
6th Sunday of Easter
WELCOME
Welcome to First Presbyterian Church of Tequesta. As you gather, please prepare yourself to worship the Living God.


Please download today’s bulletin here.
GIVE BACK

If you’d like to give a portion of what God has given you in Jesus Christ, you can do so by clicking the “give online” button or by mailing a check to our church office at:


FPC Tequesta
482 Tequesta Drive
Tequesta, FL 33469
COVID TASK FORCE UPDATE
Dear Church Family,
 
As the world and our nation continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, our Task Force wanted to provide an update of where we are and our plans for loosening safety protocols for worship and gatherings in the future. The Task Force uses real world data, primarily from the state health department, to follow outbreaks in our community and to make recommendations for church operations with the health and safety of our congregation at the top of mind. In serving you, the Task Force is committed to transparency and welcomes your questions, comments and concerns. Above, you will see a chart that members of the Task Force have put together, and have been monitoring since the first large outbreak in Florida last summer, which reflects the risk of holding in-person worship services – the higher the “risk score”, the greater the chance we have of seeing a service-related COVID-19 transmission event. Scores shown for each day reflect the average risk scores for that day, plus the prior 6-days (i.e., 7-day rolling average), and are based on publicly-available data from the Florida state department of health that track: (i) new daily COVID-19 case numbers (at both the county and local zip code levels); (ii) percent positive new test rates (in Palm Beach and Martin counties); and (iii) hospital intensive care unit (ICU) capacity (for all hospitals in Palm Beach and Martin Counties), which assesses the ability of our local health care system to respond to a public health emergency. Please note that this system has been intentionally designed to assess LOCAL risk; not risk across the state or country. The Session has been using this risk assessment to decide what safety measures to put in place for all our gatherings, and takes into consideration recommendations from the Task Force. The red, yellow, and green lines represent ‘risk thresholds’ that indicate when we need to consider tightening or loosening safety measures. When the risk was the highest (above the red line), we suspended sanctuary worship, other in-person meetings, and closed our office. As the risk lowered, we loosened those protocols by meeting in the sanctuary and continuing small in-person gatherings with masks and social distancing. 
 
The good news is that all currently available data and continued roll out of the COVID-19 vaccines indicate that the worst is behind us, and we expect to begin loosening some safety measures soon! The Task Force and Session are in discussions about how and when enhanced safety protocols – temperature checks, worship capacity/registration, and resumption of singing – can be safely removed. As the risk of infection gets lower (as shown in the chart above), the session will continue to make necessary adjustments to the worship service and gathering policies. Everyone, from the Task Force to the Session to our employees, desire to go back to “normal” as soon as we can! But the only way we will get to that point is when the data shows us we are able to loosen safety protocols while also taking care of one another in a Christlike way. Please keep both the Task Force and session in your prayers as they lead this process.
 
As I prepare to depart the Task Force and Session, I want to assure you that their important work continues! I am immensely grateful for our leaders and experts who have helped us navigate this unprecedented challenge. Not every congregation has been as lucky to have such leadership as ours. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the church office.
 
In Christ,
 
Pastor Dan
Notice of Congregational Meeting this Sunday
 
There will be a congregational meeting following the worship service for the purpose of approving the terms of dissolving the relationship between Pastor and the congregation. This is a standard procedure because the congregation always approves the terms of a pastor arriving as well as departing.
 
Members of FPC Tequesta can participate in 3 ways:
 
1. Attend the worship service in the sanctuary and remain after the service is over.
 
2. Attend the worship service in the parking lot and remain after the service is over. An usher will convey any questions or votes to the moderator.
 
3. Log into ZOOM at 10:45am and wait to be let into the room in order to participate. You can find the ZOOM information below:
 
                           Meeting ID: 912 292 371
                          Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/912292371
                          One tap mobile +13017158592,,912292371# US 
 
To download the agenda and related materials, click here.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you would like to share a joy or prayer concern, please email Kelly at kelly@tequestapres.org and your request will be shared in next week’s worship packet. Prayer requests will remain for 3 weeks unless updated.

  • For all impacted by the COVID-19 virus. For our medical professionals, paramedics, firefighters, and police officers. For those suffering from illness or facing treatment.
  • For those who have been impacted by violence or discrimination. For peace in our communities and opportunities for reconciliation. For the softening of hearts and the desire for justice. For the willingness to have conversations that lead to understanding, reconciliation, and healing.
  • Our leaders at every level, for wisdom and discernment as they make difficult decisions, for our Session and deacons.
  • For those burdened with stress and anxiety during this time, as well as those who facing financial uncertainty.
  • To all families who have lost loved ones.
  • Isabelle, Gwen, Jeremy, Suzie Dudas, Don Reibel. Prayers for the family of Jim Marshall as they mourn his loss. Penny, Kenley Drummond and Frank. We are also praying for Wendy, who is working with placing children at the Border. We pray for our veterans and their families, for those who need healing, those who need strength, those who need encouragement.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Chelsea Price - May 9, Alexis Rowe - May 9 and Linda Kelly - May 11th
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR MUSIC THIS WEEK
This Sunday we look forward to having Rob Jacoby as soloist. He has prepared a special Mother's Day anthem written in 2020 by Wendy Jensen. His final hymn is a poem, The care the Eagle Gives Her Young. "The care the eagle givers her young, safe in her lofty nest, is like the tender love of God for us made manifest." See you in church on Mother's Day.

GET CONNECTED
Volunteers are needed!
We are looking for loving individuals to help out during the week of VBS. We are also very excited to announce that we will be doing a one day VBS this summer on July 7th at the Real Life Children’s Ranch. If you would like to be a part of this wonderful hands-on mission opportunity, please see Crystal or Shannon.


Vacation Bible School is a week full of Bible adventure! We will take a journey back to a time long ago and far away place as we quest for the King’s armor. Knights of North Castle is a time for children to armor up with truth, justice, peace, faith and salvation. There will be cool music, exciting science, creative crafts, fun recreation, and unforgettable Bible stories. We can’t wait to see you at the castle! Our preschool enrollment is currently FULL, however we do still have space for elementary students!

VBS Wish List: Cardboard egg cartons, pool noodles, curly ribbon string bows, large boxes, white coffee filters
These items will help our VBS campers have a royal celebration this summer! Please drop off donations in the church office anytime.
First Presbyterian Church | 561-746-5161 | office@tequestapres.org | www.tequestapres.org