We are so grateful for the work of all our committees and volunteers who continue to find safe and creative ways to carry out the ministries of Christ's church. In the coming months we will be especially thankful for the work of our Congregational Nominating Committee, who will be discerning which individuals God may be calling to serve in the role of elder, trustee, and the 2021 Nominating Committee.

If you have ever served on Nominating then you know nothing makes their job easier than having recommendations from the congregation. Please take a moment this week to prayerfully consider whose gifts and talents might be just what our congregation needs in leadership right now, and take a moment to fill out the nominating form (available below) so the committee can receive your input.

Many blessings to you all as we enter a new month. We miss you, we pray for you, and we take comfort in the knowledge that God is present in our midst and calling us all to discipleship in Christ's name.

Grace and Peace,  Kathy & Nick

It's not too late! The FPC Nominating Committee is asking the congregation to submit nominations for the positions of elder, trustee, and the 2021 nominating committee. Here you will find an online form where you may submit nominations. Those who have been receiving hard copies of the weekly newsletter will receive a paper nomination form in the mail. Any who would prefer to mail in a hard copy nomination form are welcome to print out and complete the form or request one from the church office.

​The annual Flu Vaccine Clinic will be offered on Sunday, September 27, 2020 in the driveway/parking lot in the rear of the church building. The clinic will be available from 11 am until 2 pm. The clinic will be a drive-through event instead of being inside a building. You will enter the driveway from Thach Avenue alongside Baird Hall. If there is a line blocking the street, you can park in the lot behind the University Chapel. 

At the turn in the driveway you will obtain a clipboard with the insurance/permission form. You will sign the form and clip your insurance card with it. Then proceed to the covered area by the rear of the sanctuary. Stay in your car but roll down the window to give access to your arm. Everyone should wear short-sleeved garments such as T-shirts or casual tops for ease of access. When everyone in your car has received their vaccine, you will exit onto Gay St. 

The vaccine is offered with the assistance of The Drug Store staff and especially their pharmacist, Janie Fisher. If you have questions you can contact Jan Widell, Parish Nurse at 334-663-6668. If you are unable to attend this clinic, there will be other organizations and churches providing vaccine clinics in October. 

The church's session continues to monitor the trend of Covid-19 cases in our community and gets regular updates from the session's Covid-19 task team. It has been encouraging to see a downward trend in cases over the last month, however with the return of school and students on the Auburn University campus the Covid-19 task team wants to see how this affects the trend in cases over the news few weeks before making an assessment to move into the next phase of our reopening plan.

For this coming week we will remain in Phase 1 of the reopening plan.

Study at Home:

If you or someone in your family would like to receive hard copy Sunday School materials that can be utilized at home (without a virtual component), please contact Rev. Nick Reed and these will be delivered mid/late August.

Virtual Classes for Adults:

If you'd like to receive a zoom invitation to one of the following classes, please email the class contact person:

Day/Time: Sundays at 8:45am

Contact: Gayle Andress, dongayle17@gmail.com

This class will combine the historical setting material

in 2 Kings with the prophetic material in First Isaiah.

Day/Time: Sundays at 9:30am

Contact: Harriette Huggins, harriette.huggins@gmail.com

Sue Bradley is currently leading a study of 

The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis S. Collins.

Day/Time: Mondays at 12:00pm (beginning August 10)

Contact: Kathy Reed, kreed@fpcauburn.org

Register at https://www.ctsnet.edu/connect/alumni.

The latest installment of this series (on the book of James) is now available.

Bible Journaling Class

Day/Time: Thursdays at 12:00pm

Contact: Susan Fillippeli, fillise@att.net

This class explores the practice of bible journaling while reflecting on Scripture passages recently used in our church's worship services.

UKirk is excited to welcome back college students for the new school year! Though this year’s format may look different than past ones, UKirk is still providing opportunities for fellowship with a faith community and would love to get new students involved. If you know any students attending Auburn, or another college in the area, you can refer them to UKirk with this form or email Caroline Barnett.

We are looking to add a PW circle that will meet during the weekend. If you are interested in joining a weekend circle, please contact Kim Holman. This is a great opportunity for members that work during the week and/or have children or for anyone that would prefer this meeting time!

It is our hope to worship together via our church’s YouTube Channel and on WQSI FM TALK 95.9 at 11 a.m. this Sunday. Please let all your church friends know the different ways to experience Sunday morning worship. To view the service you can go directly to our church’s YouTube Channel via your computer, smartphone, or Smart TV app (https://tinyurl.com/t7dl8vh) or you can access the worship service through our website or Facebook page. Knowing we are at the mercy of technology, we appreciate your patience and grace if all does not go according to plan. Attached you will find a bulletin for this Sunday’s service.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24

   The words of the psalmist inspired our 2020 stewardship campaign, and we can find comfort in those words today. In these extraordinary times, it is important for us to reflect on the abundance of God’s grace and the gifts we have received. When we began the stewardship campaign in September 2019, we could not imagine what this year would bring; however, through all, God’s love endures, and the work of the church continues. In this time of online worship, we are reminded that giving is part of the church’s liturgy. Whether you share your financial gifts weekly, monthly, or annually, your offering continues to support our missions of worship, fellowship, Christian education, outreach, and UKirk, to name the broad categories.

   The church staff remains available to receive your pledge payments during this time, whether you elect to mail a check to the church office, process a payment directly from your bank, or use online giving. We do need to inform you that a flat rate of two percent is deducted from each contribution made through online giving. If you choose to provide your pledge payment online, please prayerfully consider whether you are able to add an amount to help off-set the processing fee.

 For members with children, remember it is important to talk to your children about giving, especially during this time when they may not see you put anything in the offering plate.

Peace,

Generosity Committee

Birthdays

Sep. 6 - Catherine Wernette

Sep. 8 - Karen Cochran, Ed Lee Spencer, Hallie Stewart

Sep. 9 - Katie Forster, Eleanora Wohleb

Sep. 11 - Mike Williams, Grant Yost

Sep. 12 - Karen Hickok, Kelly Shaffer

Anniversaries

Sep. 8 - Ed Lee and Ruth Spencer

Prayer Concerns:

• Prayers of joy are with Dani (Reeves) and Brett Henderson as they rejoice in the birth of their daughter Evelyn Jane Henderson this past week. We rejoice with Dani and Brett, as well as with Evelyn’s grandparents Steve and Jane Reeves, and great grandparent Hap Reeves, and the many proud uncles, aunts, and great aunts.

• Prayers of joy for Alice Walkup as she celebrates her 103^rd birthday this week (September 4)

• What a joy it was to witness James Harris’ baptism last Sunday. We rejoice with James, his parents’ Lee and Peter Harris, his grandmother Anne May, and all his family and friends.

• We continue to pray for many in our community dealing with health issues. Prayers of healing, wholeness, and strength for many who wish to not be named at this time.

• Continued prayers for our community leaders, educators, and healthcare workers as they are tend to all our well being. Especially we pray for the many students who have been quarantined from their school and classmates.

Two Sundays a month we will have Zoom Sunday school classes taught by our fabulous Sunday school teachers.

Pre-K through 1st grade will be from 9:45 – 10 am

2nd through 5th grade will be from 10:15 – 10:30 am

September 13 and 27

October 11 and 25

November 8 and 22

December 6 and 20

Also, once a month all Pre-K through 5th graders will gather for a Zoom Fellowship time.

Each Sunday morning our youth will gather on Zoom at 10:30 for a quick check-in before worship. Then each Sunday evening our Jr Highs will meet at 3 pm on Zoom and our Sr. Highs will meet at 6 pm on Zoom for regular Youth Group meetings. Zoom invites will be sent via the Remind app. If you have any questions or have not been receiving the emails, please contact Chris Sarkowski.