"Rooted and Grounded in Love"
2021 Stewardship Season
"that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith,
as you are being rooted and grounded in love.” - Ephesians 3:17
Make both your financial and time and talent pledge for 2022 TODAY (on or before Dedication THIS Sunday, 10/31!) at:
In celebration of our Dedication Sunday and Reformation Sunday, we will offer two very unique worship services this Sunday, October 31:
Our 9am service will take place in the sanctuary with communion and will follow the sign up system that we have been using throughout indoor worship in the pandemic. This service will also be recorded and shared via YouTube and on 99.9FM at 11am.
For those who would like an opportunity for worship and fellowship out in God's creation, we will be holding our 11am service at the Town Creek Park Pavilion. Here are a few important items to note about this service:
- You do not need to sign up in order to attend.
- Please bring your own chair or blanket to sit on, as well as a picnic lunch to enjoy after the worship service.
- Those able are asked to park across the street in the gravel lot and leave the closest parking spaces for those with mobility challenges or small children.
- You are welcome to dress casually for this service!
Whether it is in the sanctuary, at Town Creek, or virtually, we look forward to celebrating this very special Reformation, Dedication Sunday with you all.
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Thank You
We want to express our heartfelt thanks for all the beautiful sentiments expressed in the cards, letters and spoken word over the past few months as we have transitioned into “retirement.” Thank you for your faithfulness and love and may God continue to bless this congregation as you exemplify the love of Jesus in our community and world.
Steve and Karen Hickok
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On Sunday, November 14, our church family will join together for an intergenerational mission project with Rise Against Hunger. Rise Against Hunger focuses on finding long-term solutions for global hunger issues, while addressing short-term needs of communities. We will prepare prepackaged meals that will be sent out to those facing immediate hunger needs. Sponsored by Children and Youth, University Ministry, and Congregational Life committees, this is an intergenerational event where all church members, families, and friends are invited to serve others together.
To participate, you may register in advance here. When registering you will notice an option to donate - the sponsoring committees of the session have covered the full cost of our church’s participation so there is no need to make an additional donation at this time. |
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Sanctuary Flower Sponsors Needed
We still have one Sunday in November available on the calendar. If you would like to cover the cost of flowers for Sunday morning worship, please sign up on our SignUp Genius page. If you are unable to sign up online, you may contact Sarah Wolak at 334-728-7853 to sign up for a date. While the Sign-Up Genius page only has one slot available for each week, you are welcome to split the cost with another family-- just be sure to write both names in the comments section. The cost of the flowers has been increased to $50 per arrangement, not including tax and delivery fee. As before, you are welcome to bring the arrangements home after the service, or to leave them to be delivered to other members of the congregation. |
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Presbyterian Women Circles Meet Tuesday, November 9
- Circle 1 will meet at 9:30 a.m. at Linda Stark’s home at 1600 E. Samford, Unit 901, Auburn.
- Circle 2 will meet at 9:30 a.m. at Marianne Cone’s home at 105 Laurel Drive, Auburn.
- Circle 3 will meet at 2:30 p.m. in the church library.
If you are not already in a PW Circle and would like to join, you are most welcome. Circle leaders are Barbara Dunham #1 (229.881.2957), Susan Stanley #2 (334.203.1951), and Barbara Fletcher #3 (334.203.1484).
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In lieu of our traditional Christmas Mission Dinner, the Mission Committee will be hosting a Soup and Chili Luncheon following the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday, November 21. Look for more information next week on how to sign up to provide a crockpot of soup as well as where to make your donation to benefit the Lee County Salvation Army and DHR. |
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Sunday, October 31
WORSHIP SERVICES
9 AM In-person including weekly communion
11 AM In-person and virtual via YouTube/broadcast on 99.9FM
✵ 9:00 a.m.: In-Person, Indoor Worship - If you attend an indoor service you will notice many differences from our "normal" sanctuary worship. At this time, based on recommendations from our COVID Task Force and Session, we will have a very simple service without congregational singing, passing of the peace, and several other elements you might be looking forward to sharing with your church family. However, as local conditions and guidelines continue to improve it is our greatest hope that we will begin adding back in all these elements of worship we know and love. Thank you so much for your patience and grace as we try to maintain the greatest level of safety for our congregation, musicians, worship leaders, and our greater community.
At the sign-up link below (and the email containing the sign-up sent on Thursday), you will find detailed information on our current protocols for worship attendance.
✵ 11:00 a.m.: Virtual Worship - We are pleased to announce that we are live-streaming our worship service at 11 a.m. What this means is that those worshiping from home will be able to watch the service live as it is happening in the sanctuary. 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.
If you are unable to watch live at 11 a.m., a recorded version of the service will be available at these same links later in the day.
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Children and Youth News
Parents of Children and Youth - please see the update in Adult Christian Education Opportunities about the new “Modern Families” class that will begin this Sunday. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Reed.
Children Pre-K through 5th grade
• Because of the special worship service at Town Creek Park this Sunday, there will be no Children’s Sunday School, nursery, or Godly Play. Hope to see you for our Dedication Sunday celebration and picnic!
Jr. and Sr. High Youth
• Because of the special worship service at Town Creek Park this Sunday, there will be no Youth Sunday School. Hope to see you for our Dedication Sunday celebration and picnic!
• No Jr or Sr High Youth Sunday evening - Happy Halloween!
• First Wednesday Fellowship @ 7 p.m. (Nov. 3) - meet in the church parking lot!
Gameday Parking, AU vs. Ole Miss
Our parking lot will open at 11:00 a.m. for gameday parking, Saturday, Oct. 30.
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Church Office Hours
Beginning November 1 the church will be open from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., M-F for any members needing to drop in on church business. If the door is locked when you arrive, please ring the bell.
Masks are still required, and for contact tracing purposes a sign-in sheet will be placed on the small table outside the kitchenette where you will be asked to provide your name and the date/time/purpose of your visit. Small group gatherings must still be arranged with your designated staff person. Thank you for your patience and understanding as the staff continues to operate without designated volunteers to answer the door and phones.
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Session Approves Covid-Task Force Recommended Updates
Our Session continues to monitor the latest data and information in regards to Covid. At their stated October meeting, the FPC Auburn Session approved the following guidelines and processes for navigating the Covid-19 pandemic -
The current Phase-in-Plan for Reopening to be replaced with the following guidelines:
- Continue current protocols for contact tracing, social distancing, and masking as guided by the CDC and modeled by Auburn City Schools.
- Designate the COVID Task Force to make any needed guideline adjustments for small group gatherings and recommendations to Session for church-wide gatherings for First Presbyterian Church of Auburn.
We are grateful to have a Covid-19 Task Force that assess the ways we can continue to do ministry in safe and effective ways. The Covid Task Force members are Jennifer Stewart, Kirstin Yost, Emmett Winn, Jessica Barnes, Jim Wright, and Erin Brown. The church will continue to communicate any adjustments to current protocols for church-wide gatherings.
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Procedures for In-Person Meetings in Church Facilities
As you read the information below, please note that the church building is NOT yet open for general use. PLEASE do not enter the building without first contacting a staff member (preferably as outlined below, via email at least 48 hours in advance) so that we can continue to provide the greatest level of safety and sanitation.
If I am a part of a small group (circle, committee, bible study, etc.) that would like to meet on site, what steps should I take?
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PRIOR TO YOUR GATHERING - Contact your group’s designated staff member (please see below for a full list of staff resource persons for each ministry area). Work with your staff person to schedule a time and space for your group to meet. They will explain to you which entrance, exit, and restrooms your group should utilize for the time you are schedule to meet at the church.
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DURING YOUR GATHERING - Masks are now optional (unless children are present), although please be respectful of the level of comfort within your group. Proper social distancing should be observed and no food or drinks may be provided.
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AT THE END OF YOUR GATHERING - Coordinate with your designated staff person to ensure that a list of all attendees is submitted to the church (for contact tracing purposes), the space is properly cleaned and the church doors are locked upon exiting.
Who is my designated staff person and how do I contact them?
Please send an email at least 48 hours before your group would like to gather so staff members have plenty of time to communicate and avoid overlapping groups.
Please contact the following staff members with any questions or concerns in the
following areas:
Ministry Area | Staff Contact
Adult Education and Presbyterian Women | Kathy Reed
We thank you in advance for your patience and grace as we do our best to transition into this next (exciting!) phase of our reopening. Please know that in the weeks ahead we may find need to institute a more formal scheduling system in order to facilitate groups that desire to meet in the building. We will use the weekly email newsletter as a place to share these updates.
With much gratitude, The FPC Staff
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Birthdays
Oct. 31 - Rodney Greer
Nov. 2 - Will Arnold
Nov. 4 - Kevin Wells
Nov. 5 - Missy DuToit
Nov. 6 - Reesa Gerards, Jack Hamersky, Katie Lindsey
Anniversaries
Nov. 4 - Larry and Luann McQueen
Nov. 5 - Paul and Trish Dimick
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Prayer Concerns & Celebrations
For the time period in which our church family is worshiping virtually, our pastors have decided that prayer concerns will be shared via weekly email. These individuals will most certainly be prayed for during our Sunday worship service, but their names and specific concerns will not be shared via broadcast.
Concerns:
• Prayers of healing for Bill Combs as he receives treatment for cancer.
• Prayers of healing for Jason Banks (Margaret Brinkley’s neighbor). Jason is recovering at home after a car accident.
• Prayers for Carolyn Crinkley (cousin of the Barnes family), who is dealing with the news that her cancer has progressed.
• Please continue to pray for many members of our church who are dealing with illness or significant health issues, but at this time do not wish to be mentioned by name.
• We continue to pray for healing and wholeness for those dealing with issues related to Covid-19. We also continue to pray for all the health care workers as they tend to everyone’s well being.
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