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Bi-Weekly Newsletter
March 25, 2025
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IN THIS ISSUE . . .
Pastoral Letter
Joys / Concerns
Worship
Winter Faith Formation
Winter Fellowship Events
Service and Mission Opportunities
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Pastoral Letter
Dear friends,
Click here to read a reflection from the McPherson Lecture and the practice of havruta, which comes from Aramaic and means “friendship” or “companionship.”
Grace and Peace,
Mindy
| | As April approaches, we invite you to help beautify our sanctuary with flower donations for Sunday Worship. If you feel led to contribute, please sign up below for a date to provide fresh arrangements in honor or memory of a loved one. Sign Up Here |
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We extend our
love and concern to:
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Patricia Mumford, who is in hospice care.
Additional concerns can be found here.
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EASTER LILIES will grace our sanctuary again this year on Easter Sunday. If you would like to honor or remember someone in the worship bulletin, please fill out this card and return it to the Church office. Make check payable to First Presbyterian Church, memo: Lilies. You may also follow the button below.
Excess funds will be given to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Deadline to participate is Palm Sunday.
| | 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. | | | |
First Friends Hike
Saturday, March 29 at 10:15am
Occoneechee Mountain Trail
We'll meet in the parking lot. The hike lasts about an hour. It includes a steep section with lots of steps and a beautiful overlook.
Bring a bag lunch, water and a chair. We will gather for lunch after the hike, approximately 11:30. If you prefer to skip the hike, meet us for lunch. We will be visible from the parking lot.
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We invite you to join us in a public action on March 29th at 1pm, on the south lawn of the North Carolina Capitol, hosted by the Triangle NC chapter of Mennonite Action. | | In the past year, we've witnessed a growing number of Christian leaders and politicians who have hijacked the teachings of Jesus and turned the church into a vehicle of Christian nationalist ideology. Our action will be one of many across the US and Canada that confront this ideology and provide a visible counter-narrative of what our faith teaches. | | | |
Sunday, March 30, 2025
4th Sunday in Lent
11:00 a.m.
Wilson Gunn, preaching
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Sunday, April 6, 2025
5th Sunday in Lent
11:00 a.m.
John Weicher, preaching
| | Sunday Morning Faith Formation | | Both middle and high school classes are off on March 30. | | |
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!
| After Worship . . .Children, aged kindergarten-6th grade, are invited to a time of music with Kathy Parkins in the choir room. We begin around 12:10 p.m. | | | |
Journey's
9:45a.m.
Wilson Parlor
We are currently reading and discussing the New Testament Book of Acts of the Apostles and will be using from time to time as a resource the Interpretation Series—ACTS: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching by William H. Willimon. All are welcome to join.
For more information please contact Andy Henry, Eric Wiebe, or Paul Baldasare.
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Lectionary
9:45 a.m.
Daye Meeting Room
March 30: It is hard enough for us to forgive one another. How is it possible that God, whom we have offended much more seriously, will forgive us? That kind of extravagant forgiveness seems almost unfair.
April 6: Tears turned into shouts of joy? Rivers in the desert? A proud, pious Pharisee ready to give up everything for Jesus? God is definitely doing a new thing. Are you ready for it?
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Faith & Community
9:45 a.m.
Watts-Hill Hall
March 30: Every Monday & Thursday, our neighbors from around Durham stop by for assistance, support and a listening ear. Join us in Faith & Community for the latest about our Walk-In Ministry, from FPCer Marie Sappenfield.
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Meaning in the Middle
Sundays 8:00 p.m.
via Zoom
(Link is sent on Sunday)
| | There will be NO MnM zoom meeting this Sunday, March 30 due to the start of Durham Public School spring break. We'll resume again on April 6. | We need leaders for our weekly Zoom discussions and our monthly in-person gatherings. The sign-up sheet for both is 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. | | | | There are so many different ways to mark this Lenten kairos time. If you are looking for a Lenten discipline, we suggest a few of the following devotional options here. | | | |
Lenten Devotions
The Last Days of Jesus
Monday - Friday
March 5 - April 18
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March Yoga
led by Jane Wettach
Yoga will be offered at FPC on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Classes are in Room 201 of the Education wing. Please let Jane know by Tuesday at noon if you will attend Wednesday's class, and by Thursday at noon if you will attend Friday's.
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Durham CAN Listening Sessions
Durham CAN creates a vehicle for ordinary families like yours to have a voice in community decisions that affect their lives, instead of leaving decision-making in the hands of a select few. Learn More Here
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Dr. Robert Parkins, University Organist, Duke University
April 6, 2025 from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
University Organist and a Professor of the Practice of Music, Dr. Parkins was first appointed Duke Chapel Organist in the fall of 1975. His solo recordings have appeared on the Calcante, Gothic, Loft, Musical Heritage Society, and Naxos labels. The last release (Salome's Dance) elicited the following remark from The American Organist: "His playing is elegant, with a freely flowing musicality that goes far beyond mere technical mastery."
There is no charge for admission. Paid parking is available on a first-come-first-served basis in the Bryan Center Garage at 125 Science Drive. ADA parking is available in the surface lot at the same address.
| | | which will tackle the power of narratives and how they can both uplift and harm communities.Wilson-Hartgrove will explore how myths have been used to stigmatize and oppress poor people and people of color and will offer insights into how moral fusion can serve as a transformative solution. Register now for this conversation at First Presbyterian Church (305 E Main St., Durham, NC 27701) on April 10th from 7-8:30 p.m. | |
FIRST FRIENDS
Upcoming Events
| | New members, join us for good conversation, pretty good food, and building the community of Christ. Feel free to reach out to Deborah or Christyn for more information. | |
Deborah Momsen-Hudson
919-417-8664
dmomsenhudson@gmail.com
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Christyn Klinck
919-475-3369
cfklinck@gmail.com
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Saturday, April 12
Join us for a Potluck at Jane Wettach & Paul Baldasare’s home. Connect with Jane here.
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Saturday, May 17
Coffee Klatch (am) at Cherrie & Andy Henry’s home. Connect with Cherrie here.
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