STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN 2020
Stewardship Season is upon us and, although we are not able to gather for our annual Stewardship Potluck dinner this year, we are grateful to all of the members and staff who contributed to making the video presentation to introduce this year's theme: "God's Love Endures." Please take a few moments to enjoy the reflections from members of all ages, pictures from throughout this most unusual year, and musical offerings from some of our youth. Next week you can expect to receive a mailing with a proposed budget for 2021 and a paper pledge form, or you may submit both your Time and Talent and Financial Pledge today on our church website, www.fpcauburn.org (a popup window will appear, or you may go straight to the "giving" tab). |
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World Communion Sunday
This Sunday, October 4, we will celebrate World Communion Sunday virtually from our homes. Please be prepared with elements of your choice: bread and juice, water, or wine - in celebration of World Communion Sunday you may wish to substitute your bread with tortilla, naan, or some other form of bread to recognize our kinship with brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.
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Peace and Global Witness Offering
This Sunday, World Communion Sunday, we participate in the PC(USA)'s Peace and Global Witness Offering. One of four denominational offerings, this collection encourages the church to cast off anxiety and fear, discord and division, and embrace our God's mission of reconciliation to those around the corner and around the world. A portion (40%) is retained in our local community and offered to the Domestic Violence Intervention Shelter and the remaining amount is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice throughout the world.
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How to Cast an Absentee Ballot in Alabama
John Calvin, a father in the Reformed tradition, referred to civic participation as “the most sacred and honorable” calling. Because many will choose to honor this calling via absentee ballot this year, we have included the following helpful article from the Montgomery Advertiser. Please note that if you are mailing in your ballot, it is recommended that you use three first class stamps to do so! |
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Parish Nurse News
Our very first drive-by Flu shot Clinic was held on Sept. 27 in the church parking area. I want to report that it was very successful. Our driveway easily accommodated all who wanted a flu shot. We administered 78 injections through car windows. No one had a long wait as cars were spaced on their arrivals. I want to thank Janie Fisher and Craig Leonard of The Drug Store for providing the materials and the vaccines. They have helped us with this event for several years and always comment on how responsive our congregation is in maintaining their health. Thank you to everyone who participated. I also encourage everyone to get a flu vaccine this year as we face new health challenges and need all possible protection.
September is also a time when we usually have a blood drive at our church using Baird Hall. Because of the limitations on inside activity due to COVID-19, I am not able to offer this "giving" opportunity. However, I encourage any of you who can donate blood to seek out such opportunities as the local needs continue. All donations are used locally and greatly appreciated.
Your Parish Nurses,
Jan Widell and Erin Brown
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Christian Education Opportunities for Adults
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:
Old Testament Walkabout Class
Day/Time: Sundays at 8:45am
This class will combine the historical setting material
in 2 Kings with the prophetic material in First Isaiah.
The Library Class (UPDATED)
Day/Time: Sundays at 9:30am
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.
Office Hours Bible Study
***NEW Day/Time***: Tuesdays at 12:00pm
This class has begun a NEW series on the book of Ruth.
Bible Journaling Class
Day/Time: Thursdays at 12:00pm
This class explores the practice of bible journaling while reflecting on Scripture passages recently used in our church's worship services.
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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. |
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Opportunities to Worship
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 is being 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.
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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
Oct. 5 - Vonda Ball, Joan Duffett
Oct. 6 - Clint Cochran, Adam Smith
Oct. 7 - Donine Cooper
Oct. 9 - Todd Jolly
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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 Jean Talmage. Jean is recovering from surgery after a fall at home.
• Continued prayers for Kristina Lane as she remains on bedrest during her pregnancy. Kristina and Mitchell’s baby is due at the end of October. The Lane’s have been so grateful for all the meals.
• Prayers of healing for Lisa Stenner’s mother, Peggy Dunson who is now home from the hospital.
• 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.
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CE News
Children Pre-K through 5th grade
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
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.
Jr. and Sr. High Youth
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.
Jr. and Sr. High Youth and Parents, follow us on Instagram @fpc_auyouth
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