To the members & friends of First Presbyterian Church of Glen Cove:
We have made it to Holy Week! In many ways, it feels like we never really left Holy Week of 2020. Though there have certainly been so many changes at FPC Glen Cove and in the world, we have all been in a season of ongoing reports of death tolls, mask wearing, anxiety, exhaustion, fear, and uncertainty. Even now, as Spring looms in the air and we move closer and closer to a time when we can embrace one another in the flesh, we know that we will not go back to what we called "normal"—at least not fully.
And not returning to "normal" has some important upsides for us to consider. For one, many in our nation have begun to grapple with racism and the ongoing effects of White Supremacy during this pandemic in ways that are necessary. As a result, we're experiencing the growing pains of peeling back the layers of our nation's history and the systems that we've inherited. This is certainly connected to one of the other painful lessons the pandemic has taught us: we are all interconnected. As much as we may seek to pretend that we are "independent" and our actions have no impact on those around us, the pandemic has shown us that our lives are deeply affected by what is happening all around the world.
As we return to Holy Week yet again, I pray that we would grow in our awareness of the ways that our lives are connected on a spiritual level. I pray that we would bear witness to the Good News of a God who is constantly working for the good of creation throughout the universe. And I pray that we would preach this good news just as much—if not more—with our actions as we do with our words.
As a community, we have spent this new year asking ourselves important questions to help us discern what our own new normal might look like. We've asked:
- Why do we come to church? How has church changed us?
- What is the good news that we have to offer at FPC Glen Cove?
- Why might someone connect to our community and claim us as their own?
- What can we do with our marvelous building that would serve our neighbors?
Friends, as we grapple with the ways that our own church community has been experiencing decay for some time now, may our hearts and minds join the Spirit of God to resurrect a church that is thriving—not in the former ways our church thrived, but in new ways that speak to the world we live in today. It's not going to be an easy journey to see this resurrection come to pass, but I know that you all are an incredible group of people and together, we can resurrect something incredible.
Peace,
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Pastor Lance (he/him/they/them)
P.S. Lucas and I are taking vacation the week after Easter and will be back in town the week of April 12th.
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Communications Manager Emmie is coming to visit!
Because Emmie lives in New Jersey, she works remotely. However, she wants to come to FPC, meet people, and hear their stories! She will be here on Friday, April 30th from 10 AM-8 PM. She is open either to meet in Pastor Lance's office or spend time outdoors, weather permitting, with both of us wearing masks and social distancing. (She is fully vaccinated.)
To sign up for a time slot, fill in this form (or call the church or send Emmie an email at emmie@fpcglencove.org). If you can't meet this day, you can email her to set up a time to talk on the phone or over Zoom on a Monday or Wednesday!
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We will offer both of these worship services both over Zoom and in-person. Both will feature cellist Josh Epstein.
April 2nd - Good Friday Tenebrae Service at 7 PM
We will create a meditative space for a service that will end in darkness.
April 4th - Easter Sunday Service at 10 AM
We will celebrate the resurrection of the risen Lord!
There also will be an outdoor multi-church community Easter Dawn Service in Morgan Memorial Park on April 4th at 7-7:30 AM. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
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We will have a guest preacher on April 11th!
We are excited to welcome Rev. Patrick Flanagan, a professor in the Department of Theology & Religious Studies program at St. John's College, and to have him share a Word from God with us.
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FPC now has a
YouTube channel!
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Glenwood Table
now has a podcast!
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Glenwood Table, one of FPC's partner ministries, has started a podcast and a Youtube channel to create spiritual resources for people seeking a faith for the 21st century. One of our recent episodes is an interview with FPC of Glen Cove's Communications Manager, Emmie Arnold!
Click here to listen to the podcast, here to watch it on YouTube, here to like Glenwood Table on Facebook, and here to follow on Instagram!
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Recipe Share
We'd love to learn and share recipes for foods you used to bring to church potlucks (ones that you can't wait to bring again when the time is right!) so that we can still feel connected through food as we wait. Share the details in this Google form.
While we wait for responses from you, here are a few of Emmie's favorite recipes:
- Middle Eastern lamb stew
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Shrimp scampi (the simplified recipe)
- Basically anything made in an Instantpot
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(Gluten-free!) Crepes with melted chocolate, blueberry compote, and almond butter
- Hot chocolate made on the stovetop: 2 cups of almond milk, 3 tbsp sugar, 3 tbsp good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder, and a splash of vanilla extract or peppermint extract
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Bible Study
9 AM on Sundays
(Not Happening Easter Sunday)
We are having some amazing conversations in our 9 AM Bible Study. We're asking big questions and really wrestling with the beliefs that we hold. Join Betty Ann Roel as she continues leading conversations about The Universal Christ.
For more information, please email Betty Ann at bettyann@northville.com, and click here to join via Zoom.
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Do you have ideas about how our building can bless the community even More?
The session is building a task force of church members who are interested in helping imagine the future of the church building and discern how to make our space even warmer and more inviting. If you are interested, please email Lance Cheney at lance@brush.com.
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Online giving
We are connected to an online giving center for churches called tithe.ly. You can give a one-time gift or set up a recurring gift by clicking here.
Please also consider giving memorial flowers so that we can add more beauty to our services. You can sign up by clicking here.
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Looking to pledge?
Why does pledging matter? Pledging helps us develop a realistic financial picture and plan our ministries for the year ahead. When you pledge, you're letting us know what you're planning to give for the whole year (not each week or month). Whatever amount you can commit to will help!
Click here to fill out your pledge form.
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Looking for info on the Covid-19 vaccine?
Check out the Nassau County website here to find out if you're eligible to get the vaccine yet. If you feel nervous or unsure about getting it, we encourage you to ask friends and family members the reasons why they have taken it.
Pastor Lance's reason: so that we can inch closer and closer to a future with more hugs, less masks, and the ability to sing together!
We are incredibly grateful to all of the frontline workers and researchers who are making vaccination distribution possible. Here's to a new future!
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info@fpcglencove.org | (516) 671-0258
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