| | |
Bi-Weekly Newsletter
April 23, 2025
| | | | |
IN THIS ISSUE . . .
Dear Friends,
- Pastoral Letter
- Letters from Members & Friends
Joys / Gratitude / Concerns
Worship Services
Spring Faith Formation
Spring Fellowship Events
Service and Mission Opportunities
| |
Pastoral Letter
Click here to read an article from Mindy about how we can celebrate Creation Care Sunday during Eastertide—honoring God’s good creation and exploring how caring for the earth can be a meaningful spiritual practice.
| | From Members and Friends of FPC | | |
Having joined FPC-Durham back in the mid-60’s we’ve developed many strong friendships among the congregation and clergy over the years and we miss seeing you on a regular basis.
Triggered by a 2021 move to Pittsboro, about 45 minutes from the church, we transferred our membership to Chapel in the Pines in Chapel Hill, Mindy’s former church, on Palm Sunday. We send love to the congregation, especially to those members we’ve known "forever". Our plan is to worship at FPC on occasion and look forward to those opportunities to see everyone.
May God bless each of you and continue to bless the ministry of FPC.
Bob and Sheila Breitweiser
| |  | |
Iglesia Emanuel, a Presbyterian church in Durham with a mostly Hispanic immigrant congregation, is seeking support from sister congregations to develop a group of "church advocates." Two or three advocates will sit in the narthex during Iglesia Emanuel's service to be the first ones to interact with ICE officers, should such officers come to the sanctuary during worship.
A training for interested persons will be held in the Iglesia Emanuel sanctuary on Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m. The church address is 2504 N. Roxboro Street. The training will be videotaped for those interested but unable to attend the training.
For more information, contact Jane Wettach.
| | | Joys / Gratitude / Concerns | | We extend our love & concern to all those listed here. | | The churchlife app can be used to locate address information for sending cards to individuals and families. You may also contact the church office if you do not have access to the app. | | |
Sunday, April 27
Creation Care Sunday
11:00 a.m. - Worship
Cris Rivera, preaching
| | |
Sunday, May 4
Third Sunday of Easter
11:00 a.m. - Worship
Esther Hethcox, preaching
| |
4:00 p.m.
Installation of Esther Hethcox as Associate Pastor
| | | |
Children are welcome to join Lenore Champion and others on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:00 a.m. in the Godly Playroom to learn and sing songs.
If your child is interested in taking part in Worship leadership, please let Lenore know!
| |
Children’s Choir will not meet April 27.
May 4 - Children, aged kindergarten-6th grade, are invited to a time of music with Kathy Parkins in the choir room after worship. We begin around 12:10pm.
| |
Journey's and Faith & Community
April 27: The Journey’s and Faith & Community classes will meet together in Watts-Hill Hall at 9:45am to discuss the book of Acts of the Apostles with Rev. Dr. William (Will) Willimon, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at the Duke Divinity School.
| The Journey’s class has been studying Acts for the past several months and has been using Dr. Willimon’s highly regarded and widely used book titled Interpretation of Acts: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. All are welcome. | |
Lectionary
Sundays 9:45 a.m.
Daye Meeting Room
Join us each Sunday at 9:45 in the Robert Daye Meeting Room for discussion of the lectionary readings.
on April 27: Alleluia! The resurrection has happened, and everything is different now. But some have not understood or accepted the message. How can it be presented in a way that will convince the doubters?
on May 4: A voice speaks with authority, and whether its message is mundane ("Cast your nets on the other side of the boat") or accusing ("Why do you persecute me?"), something in the voice makes us listen and obey. Have you ever heard that voice?
| |
Meaning in the Middle
Sundays 8:00 p.m.
via Zoom
| | |
MnM is a faith formation group and a fellowship community of adults in their late 20s to 40s – single or with life partners.
We are in need of hosts for our May in-person gathering and May discussions. You can sign up for one or both here. If you haven't already done so, please sign up for two weeks on the spreadsheet, and a giant THANK YOU to those who have already signed up.
| | | | Upcoming Fellowship Events | |
Yoga at FPC
Yoga will be offered at FPC on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Classes are held in Room 201 of the Education wing (unless Jane lets you know otherwise).
You may register by email before Tuesday at noon if you will attend Wednesday's class, and by Thursday at noon if you will attend Friday's. If more than six are in a class, we can move to the Fellowship Hall.
Beginning April 30th, Jane will have a sub for both Wednesday and Friday classes while she is away. More details to come.
| | |
|
Blood Drive
May 1 from 1pm - 6pm
FPC Watts-Hill Hall
Help save lives by donating blood. You can save up to three lives every time you donate. Sign up below or visit redcrossblood.org and use code "firstpres" in the box. If you are unable to give at this time, please forward this message to a friend or loved one. You may also contact Julie Whiddon for more information
| | | |
|
Men of Faith Breakfast
May 2 at 8am
Located at Mad Hatter's
Join us for calories, conversation and caffeine.
| |
Muffins and Mumblings
One of the joys of being in church together is that together, we are all the generations. On Sunday, May 4, we will celebrate that with Muffins and Mumblings. We'll spend the last 15 minutes of the faith formation hour, pairing up faith formation classes. Together, we'll munch, connect and explore intergenerational friendships.
Here are the pairings...
- 2s, 3s, 4s visit Journeys
- Kindergarten-2nd grade visit Lectionary
- The Somethings and Meaning in the Middle visit 3rd – 5th grade
- Middle and High School visit Faith & Community
| |
| | |
Installation of Esther Hethcox as Associate Pastor
May 4 at 4 PM
Reception to follow in Watts-Hill Hall
We are in need of volunteers to support the reception with set up and clean up, as well as bringing food to share. Use the button below to sign up.
| |
Presbyterian Women Circle
May 5 at 10:30am
Daye Meeting Room
| |
Landscaping & Gardening
Saturdays, May 10 and June 7
9:00am - 12 noon
If landscaping and gardening are your thing, feel free to join us. Contact Barbara to learn more about the work to be done.
| |
First Friends
Coffee Klatch
May 17 at 10:00am
| | |
Join us for a breakfast potluck with your favorite dish. Coffee and tea will be provided. Dress casual and comfortable for the weather. We will be outside if at all possible. RSVP using the button below.
See you there!
| | | | | |
