Our House Athletic Shoe Drive - ENDS July 15!
***17 Spots Remaining (as of July 3)***
Dear Congregation,
Many local Auburn children are in need of athletic shoes for the new school year. Please help in this summer's mission-The Our House shoe drive!
Sign up here now!!
Review the available slots with the child's first name, gender, grade, and athletic shoe size. You can sign up to purchase a pair of shoes or gift card for an Auburn child in need. Thank you!
1. A suggested gift card would be $40 for kids sizes, $50 for adult sizes.
2. If you purchase athletic shoes online, ship to: Cheryl Grisham at 530 Forestdale Dr, Auburn, AL 36830.
This should be done by early July to insure the shoes are shipped and received before the end of July.
3. If you purchase shoes or a gift card locally, contact us (
skejgi@gmail.com) and we will come pick up from your house (wearing a mask!) and deliver them to Our House.
4. All purchases should be completed by mid-July so the shoes can be distributed to the children BY the end of July/first of August and before school begins.
With love, hope, and gratitude,
the First Presbyterian Church Mission Committee
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
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Dear FPC Members and Friends,
At its June stated meeting the FPC Session approved a
Phase-In Plan for Reopening. We give thanks for faithful and efficient work of the COVID Task Force, which went about its work with the greatest concern for the well-being of our congregation and greater Auburn/Opelika community.
For the time being, as we remain in
Phase 1, we are asking that members with access to the building only enter if you have a purpose related directly to the implementation of the mission of the church. Before entering, please contact a member of the staff so that the date/time/exact location of your entering the building can be recorded and custodial staff informed. We ask that all members wear a mask the entire time you are in the church building.
We are grateful for your patience, support, and prayers.
Many thanks,
Kathy & Nick
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Fundraiser for Habitat
Phil Garrett has built 8 Carpenter Bee House/Traps that he would like to give to church members in exchange for $25 donation to Habitat for Humanity. Please contact Phil Garrett at 334-246-3115 if you are interested.
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June Session Meeting Highlights
During its Zoom on-line meeting on June 15 the Session:
- learned that income for January through May was $329,156; expenses, $310,187; and net, $18,969; that income for May was $54,433; expenses, $66,131; and negative net, -$11,698; and learned that received pledges are $30,000 less than budgeted pledges, that online giving has increased, and that non-pledge receipts are lower than anticipated;
- in response to encouragement by our presbytery, agreed to become a Matthew 25 congregation: (a) to build congregational vitality by challenging people and congregations to deepen their faith and become actively and joyfully engaged with our community and the world; (b) to dismantle structural racism by advocating and acting to break down the systems, practices, and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice, and oppression of people of color; and (c) to eradicate systemic poverty by working to change laws, policies, plans, and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor;
- approved the COVID Task Team’s Phase-in Plan for Reopening and Guidelines for Initial Reopening with this amendment: Masks must be worn throughout all phases;
- approved a motion that the Task Team (Erin Brown, Clyde Stanley, Jennifer Stewart, Emmett Winn, and Jim Wright) track the data and report weekly to the Session;
- learned that there will be an at-home Montreat experience for our youth this summer and that seniors will be recognized one Sunday in July; and
- learned that Kathy Reed will be a commissioner to the General Assembly, which will be on-line, beginning June 26.
Church members may read the complete, approved minutes for this meeting in the church office after the office has reopened.
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Adult Education Opportunities in July
Thursdays, 12 p.m.:
Introduction to Bible Journaling
Join us for an introduction to Bible journaling led by Susan Fillippeli. Bible journaling involves the use of art to meditate on and study scripture. The point is not to make beautiful art, but to seek to better understand God’s word through creative expression. Please let Rev. Kathy Reed (
kreed@fpcauburn.org) if you would like a recording emailed to you for later viewing!
Password: 772773
The Office Hours Bible Study will be taking a break for the month of July. It will resume in the month of August with a series on the book of James.
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Opportunities to Worship
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.
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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
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Birthdays
July 5 - Barbara Dunham
July 6 - Debbie Duin, Ashley Lovell, D'Arcy Wernette
July 10 - Chuck Gerards, Barbara Wild
July 11 - Dotty Wells
Anniversaries
July 5 - Jesse and Kellye Joiner
July 6 - Todd and Elizabeth White
July 7 - Bill and Ellen Sherling
July 10 - Ken Autrey and Janne Debes
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Prayer Concerns
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.
Prayer Concerns:
• We are sad to share that Don Bravaldo passed away Wednesday while receiving hospice care at home. Don’s health had been struggling for over a year and a few weeks ago he had another major set back and even spent some time in the hospital. A graveside service will be held in Albany, Georgia. Please continue to keep Joyce and their children in your prayers. Joyce shared she has been so grateful for all the cards, calls, and emails over these last few difficult months.
• Prayers for Bill Sauser as he recovers at home after a procedure at EAMC last week.
• Prayer for Harriette Huggins’ brother-in-law (Eddie Huggins) as he recovers from treatment for multiple myeloma.
• Prayers for many in our congregation dealing with health issues.
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YOUTH NEWS
Our Jr and Sr High youth will continue to meet via Zoom on Sunday evenings at 5:30, exploring a summer Bible study series from the book
The Barefoot Way.
Montreat@Home will begin Monday, July 13 for Sr. High youth. Sr. High parents and youth will receive more information, resources, and the schedule via email and the Remind app on Monday, July 6. Looking forward to exploring this awesome program that Montreat has put together!
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