We wanted to share a prayer with you all during this election week that we came across and adapted for you all. We shared this on our Facebook page on Election Day, but thought it a timely prayer for our nation as the votes are still being counted across the nation.

Grace and Peace,

Nick and Kathy

This morning dear Lord, the prayers of your people:

In this moment of all moments we pray fervently.

We pray anxiously.

We pray hopefully.

We may pray with faith.

We may pray with doubt, but we pray.

We pray, we pray, and we pray.

Holy Spirit, in this moment, teach us what we ought to pray.

Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for peace, peace around us and peace within.

We pray for peace of the deep and lasting kind, not fleeting or momentary calm, not a balm of distraction or platitude.

We pray for peace that wells within our souls, that comes from without — Your peace.

We pray for peace born not just of hope, but of confidence:

The deep recognition of God present.

God trustworthy.

God in charge.

God resolutely moving us, moving all of humanity toward God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

We pray for perspective — for Your perspective on what comes.

Whatever may be, let us fix our eyes on You with the firm belief that You are bringing about your kingdom, a forever kingdom built on fairness, mercy, and above all love and you will not grow weary nor faint nor tire of this effort.

Your kingdom will come.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray Lord for vision and trust in the loving and just world You are making.

We pray that we would see what You are working in our midst and if we cannot see it,

help us to pray harder.

We pray Lord because we need You.

We need Your humility and goodness.

We need Your fairness and patience and honestly in the inner places.

We need Your grace for human beings.

We need Your forbearance.

We need Your gentleness.

We need Your integrity.

We need Your love.

We pray Lord for the protection of Your people.

May we embody Your vision in our action and our thoughts and may You be glorified.

In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.

Amen.

The Session of First Presbyterian Church has approved an alternative method of voting to elect our officers during this time when it is unsafe to conduct a congregational meeting in person. The Nominating Committee has worked hard to prayerfully discern those whom God is calling to serve as leaders in our congregation during this important time. The following individuals are being nominated:

Elders, Session Class of 2024:

Jessica Barnes, Marianne Cone, Paul Dimick, Jesse Joiner, Katie Lee,

Susan McChesney, and Sarah Wolak

Trustee, Class of 2024:

Calvin Johnson

Nominating Committee, 2021:

Wesley Anne Barnes, Graves Lovell, Tracy Parsons, and Stites Whatley (and two Session members, to be determined in 2021).

Confirmed church members are asked to participate in this election of officers by clicking the following link to vote online prior to the congregational meeting on November 15 at 12 pm. (https://forms.gle/N6yrKEsXuEUWiXRb7)

Make Your Pledge Today!

On behalf of the Generosity Committee, thank you so much to all those who have already submitted your 2021 pledge.

If you haven’t yet had the chance to do so, please click here (https://www.fpcauburn.org/copy-of-give) where you will be able to watch our stewardship video and submit both your Financial and Time and Talent pledge online for the coming year. As this year’s theme reminds us: “God’s Love Endures” and we are so grateful for the generosity of all our members who serve as a living reminder of God’s love in these uncertain times.

Should you prefer to mail your pledge in, please do so as soon as possible. Anyone who has not yet received (or needs a replacement) paper pledge form should contact Kathy Rushing at info@fpcauburn.org.

Lay Readers are needed for the last Sunday of November and the last two Sundays in December. This commitment requires recording a video of yourself doing the prayer and/or Scripture reading that will be provided for you by a pastor and submitting it no later than the Friday before your assigned Sunday. We love seeing the faces of our church family members of ALL ages and are happy to offer technical help if needed!

Presbyterian Women Circles will continue to meet via Zoom on Tuesday November 10. Circles 1 & 2 will meet at 9:30 am, and Circle 3 will meet at 2:30 pm. Members will receive a reminder email prior to the meeting including the Zoom link. 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), Marianne Cone #2 (404.375.3940), Barbara Fletcher #3 (334.203.1484).

The latest information from the Alabama Department of Public Health over the last few weeks shows a downward trend in both Covid-19 cases and positivity rate, and Lee County continues to be listed as “Low Risk.” Based on this data, our session has voted to move to Phase 2A of our Reopening Plan (see chart for details.) Included in Phase 2A are two opportunities for in person worship and prayer, outlined here.

Sign up for Worship: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050548A8A92CA3FC1-outdoor3

Sign up for Chapel Prayer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044EA8AE2DA2F94-fpcchapel

Check out this great video by Nick Reed explaining the process.

**For worship sign-up, please sign each family member up on an individual line so we can monitor the number of participants. This will also serve as a resource if contact tracing is required later on.**

Parents of youth and children should wait to hear more information from Chris Sarkowski regarding approved gatherings for our youngest members.

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. Kathy Reed. We will be doing another delivery of copies of The Present Word (winter quarter) and These Days (Oct-Dec) when we have both of these materials available.

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

Beginning October 11, Mary Beth and Bob Webeler will begin leading the next study -

Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison.

Day/Time: Tuesdays at 12:00pm

Contact: Kathy Reed, kreed@fpcauburn.org

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

This class has begun a NEW series on the book of Mark.

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.

It is our hope to worship together via our church’s YouTube Channel.  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.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

Sunday Worship now on 99.9FM

We wanted to let everyone know that we found out that the radio station for our Sunday worship service has moved to station 99.9 FM. If you all know of anyone who listens to our worship service on the radio please reach out to them and let them know of this change.

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

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.

We have moved into Phase 2A!

Jr. Highs will meet this Sunday in the church courtyard from 5 until 5:45pm. Please enter through the gate entrance on Thach. Bring a chair. Masks are required.

Sr. Highs will meet in the Sarkowski's backyard from 6 until 7pm. Please come down the driveway to the backyard. Bring a chair. Masks are required.

Zoom Youth Group options are available for Jr. Highs at 3pm and Sr. Highs at 7:15pm. Zoom invites will be sent out via Remind.

Meetings are all weather permitting. Keep an eye on your email for updates.

Jr. and Sr. High Youth and Parents, follow us on Instagram @fpc_auyouth

Birthdays

Nov. 10 - Joan Foil, Steve Reeves

Nov. 12 - Susan McChesney,

Nov. 13 - Jeff Larson

Nov. 15 - Holly Mitchell

Anniversaries

Nov. 10 - Mike and Carolyn Williams

Nov. 13 - Spence and Kim Spencer

Nov. 14 - John and Barbara Wild

• Prayers of healing and comfort for Charles Johnson. Charles had successful surgery earlier this week.

• Prayers of healing and wholeness for many in our church family who are dealing with significant health and wellness issues but do not wish to be mentioned by name at the moment.

• Prayers for those in our church community and in our local community dealing with health issues related to Covid-19.

• Prayers for our nation as this election week continues.

What a joy and blessing the service of Ordination and Installation for the Rev. Caroline Barnett was for our congregation. We are so happy for Rev. Barnett, and so grateful for her gifts of ministry that she shares with FPC Auburn.