Although the last year has given us a much deeper understanding of what it means to “expect the unexpected”, there are at least a few things coming up in 2021 we are expecting with both hope and joy: 

Co-Pastors Sabbatical 

We are excited to be among the 140 recipients of the Lilly Endowment 2020 National Clergy Renewal Program Grant. As we enter our seventh year of service here at FPC Auburn we are grateful for this congregation's tradition of gifting its pastors twelve weeks sabbatical leave following six years of service. As we draw nearer to our time of leave (which will begin in mid-to late May) we will begin sharing more details about our personal plans as well as the opportunities this grant has created for our church, including guest preachers, lecturers, and opportunities for study. 

Virtual and Hybrid Opportunities 

Although the timeline continues to be a work in progress, it is our greatest hope and deepest prayer that in 2021 we will see a return to in person worship and programming. Until that time, we are in the process of making upgrades to our internet so that we can begin offering live-streamed worship services. We are also committed to offering both virtual and in person opportunities for worship, study, and committee participation until we reach Phase 5 of our reopening plan.

 

A Matthew 25 Congregation

In 2020 our session elders voted to accept the denomination’s invitation to become a Matthew 25 Congregation (https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/matthew-25/), dedicating ourselves to congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. In 2021 we hope to begin a more active pursuit of these topics. At the moment we are in the process of planning opportunities for study, worship, and programming during the season of Lent that will engage these subjects more deeply and help discern specific actions we might take as a church.

In a world where there is so much we cannot control, we cling to the promises of Christ’s hope and pray for ways to answer God’s call to seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly through our days. We look forward with joy to what this year will bring and invite you to contact us if there are specific ways you desire to be involved.

Peace, 

Kathy & Nick

✵ 11:00am: Virtual 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.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

Sunday Worship now on 99.9FM

Though we miss the days when we could gather around a table for dinner (and look forward to the day they will return), FPC is still making sure our college students are well fed! Since October, FPC has been providing the college students with weekly individually boxed meals from local restaurants.

The University Ministry Committee is asking for donations to the UKirk Meal Fund so we can continue to provide these meals to our students. Rather than volunteering to cook dinner one Sunday of the semester, as we have done in the past, we encourage you to give to this fund to help purchase safely-prepared meals for the students. If you would like to contribute, you may mail a check to the church (or drop it off in our secure mailbox). Checks can be made out to First Presbyterian Church with “UKirk Meals” noted in the memo line.

Thank you for your continued support of the college students and our ministry to them!

The Old Testament Walkabout class will continue its study of the history of Israel in the book of Second Kings. We are about to see the fall of Judah and, with that, the end of the Kingdom of Israel. In this segment of our studies, we will include selections from the book of Jeremiah and hear his words to these people as they experience the pain and suffering of the loss of much of what has defined them as a people. Class will begin at 9:30. If you would like to receive the zoom link for this class please contact Gayle Andress at dongayle17@gmail.com.

The Bible Journaling class will resume this semester on Mondays at 12pm. Even if you have never explored the art and practice of bible journaling before, all are welcome to explore biblical texts in this creative and meditative way. To receive the zoom link for this class, please contact Susan Fillippeli at fillise@att.net.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050548A8A92CA3FC1-virtual

Birthdays

Jan. 15 - David Lindahl

Jan. 21 - Trisha Dimick

Jan. 23 - Wesley Anne Barnes, Joyce Bravaldo

Pre-K through 5th Grade

Below is the Zoom Sunday school class schedule:

January 24

February 7 and 21

March 7 and 21

Pre-K through 1st Grade Zoom Sunday school classes will meet at 9:45am

2nd through 5th Grade Zoom Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15am

All Zoom invites will be sent at 9am the day of class.

Jr. High and Sr. High Youth

In-person youth group meetings will resume on January 24.

Jr. Highs will meet in the church courtyard at 4pm.

Sr. Highs will meet in the Sarkowski’s backyard at 6pm.

Bring a chair and masks are required.

Auburn’s spring semester begins this week, which means UKirk resumes its programming too!

This semester, UKirk has multiple opportunities to gather and grow in faith, including a Bible Study and fellowship night over Zoom. If you are or know of a student interested in learning more about UKirk, fill out this form or email Caroline, and she will be happy to contact you with more info.

• Continued prayers for Laura Booth’s 91 year old mother. Her condition following her Covid-19 diagnosis has taken a turn for the worse. She is now back in the hospital with significant health issues. May we also surround Laura with our comfort and prayers as she is unable to be with her mother during this extremely difficult time in her mother’s life.

• Prayers of healing for James Fukai’s father as he recovers from surgery. His father, Junichiro Fukai, is no longer in ICU but is still recovering at the hospital. Prayers also for James and his family as they care for his father. 

• Prayers of healing for Mary Simon’s daughter in law, Jessica Simon, as she has had a difficult time with her health due to a Covid-19 diagnosis. 

• Prayers of healing for Rev. Little (Amy Well’s former pastor) who is beginning treatment for a cancer diagnosis.

• As Covid-19 cases increase significantly and EAMC has reach record levels of Covid-19 patients we continue to pray for healing and wholeness of so many in our community facing health issues. We also continue to pray for all the health care workers as they tend to everyone’s well being. 

• Continued 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 our nation, especially for our leaders in government as they navigate our country through these fragile moments.