First News Weekly, May 4, 2023

Do you have favorite “tools” that you use to encourage and enhance your daily prayer life?

I find myself seeking different tools, especially since my attention span changes and I need to do different things to keep it fresh. There are so many tools available; sometimes I open up a daily prayer book, other times I might read a Psalm. Some days deep breaths and the prayer “Thanks, Help, Wow” are my daily devotion. I love hearing from others about what tools they find helpful.

This week Carol Collier shared a link with me to one of the Colliers’ (Bill and Carol) favorite daily devotions. It is a podcast called Pray As You Go which is accessible online or through a podcast player. Each day, there is some sacred music, a reading of scripture, and a brief reflection on the passage. Carol sent me this particular link because she knew I was preaching on John 14 this week. She learned about this tool in Amy’s weekly Bible study (a great tool you might want to check out – Wednesdays at 12:15 on Zoom) where they discuss the upcoming sermon scriptures.

Click here for a link to Pray As You Go. You might even take 10 minutes to listen as a way to consider the text we will hear in worship this Sunday.

The month of May can be a busy month for many, I know it is for me. It is good to be reminded to slow down each day and reflect on God’s love, presence, and care in our daily lives.

In 2022 we celebrated 20 years of partnership with Henry L. Marsh, III Elementary (formerly George Mason). This celebration included a $20,000 gift to the Henry Marsh school library! School staff handpicked 1,475 new books and a team of FPC volunteers helped to stock the shelves with all these new titles.

The expectation is that every church member supports at least one of our primary partners. You’ll hear more about the ways you can support our partners in the coming months. For now, join us in morning and evening worship on May 7 to celebrate our partnership with Henry Marsh and hear about the ways you can get involved with all our primary partners!

PRAYER LIST

Please keep in your prayers those with special concerns:

Everett Bond (Katie Morgan’s father), recovering at home
Linda Bryan (Ashtyn Bratt’s grandmother), recovering from surgery
John F Butterworth IV (Betty Butterworth’s son), health concerns
Sarah Campbell (Pat and Kit Campbell’s daughter), health concerns
Kimberly Cook (Principal at Henry L. Marsh, III Elementary School), health concerns
Larry Gegner (Karen Rohr’s brother), in home hospice care
Dan Grinnan, recovering from back surgery
Jamie Hobson (Julie McGrath’s husband), recovering from back surgery
Lally Jennings, recovering from a fall
Jay Kearney LoSardo (Jeff and Tara Modisett’s grandson), in the NICU
Rose Lane Nimmo, recovering from foot surgery
Reed Nelson, recovering from tonsillitis surgery
Jane Neer, relief from back pain and recovery from surgery
Sheryl Phillips, recovering from minor surgery
Caroline Raggi, recovering from eye surgery
Karen Sigel, recovering at home
Emily Tafel, health concerns
Joan Winkler, in hospice care
Walter Witschey, health concerns
Lauren Z. (Nicole Ball’s friend), recovering from surgery

Those grieving:

Derek and Amy Starr Redwine on the death of Derek’s aunt and Sarah, Quinn, and George on the death of their great-aunt, Marilyn Redwine, on May 1.

Those rejoicing:

Susan Quinn on the birth of her grandson, John (Carrington) Carrington Wilton Hogg, born on April 22. Carrington’s parents are Michael and Ann Somers Hogg.

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.

I N S P I R E

Join us For Worship

Join us in-person or online at 10am, 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 Covenant Class (Adult Faith Formation) (Chapel/Zoom)

10:00am Worship & Pew Play (Sanctuary)

11:00am Lemonade on the Lawn

11:15am Confirmation Info Session (Chapel)

5:00pm Worship & Pew Play (Rec Room)

6:00pm Dinner (Rec Room)

Sunday Dinner Menu

Chicken piccata with rice pilaf and a vegetable medley

Suggested Donation:

$10-15 for adults, $5 for kids

($30 cap for families)

Membership Email Update

Thank you to all who have responded to the Membership Committee’s survey about membership status. This email ("Your membership at FPC") went out to all the adults in our church database with an email address. It is our hope that you will help us by selecting the membership status that fits best for you.

We have had nearly 400 responses so far, but there are about 100 emails that have not been opened yet. At our Session meeting we learned that the email went to the Spam folder for a couple of our Elders. If you have not received the email yet, we appreciate you checking your Spam folder and responding. If you have questions or need help, please reach out to our membership chair Elder Caley Cantrell, cscantrell@vcu.edu or Rev. Mary Kay Collins, mkcollins@fpcrichmond.org. Your response will help us to get our database in good shape and move more effectively in our ministry.

S E R V E

HMES Dessert Fair

Help us host a Dessert Fair at HMES to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week! Sign up here to bring a designated dessert. The school has requested items be purchased, not homemade.

Drop off your dessert in the FPC kitchen on Sunday, May 7, 8:30-11:30am or 4:30-6pm with a note or post-it that indicates it is for the HMES Dessert Fair. If needed, place the item in the refrigerator (not freezer).

N U R T U R E

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://us02web.zoom.us/j/84364345508

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/CovenantClass23

May 7, 14, 21 | Stuart Nixon