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Mission Update
Earlier this spring our church’s Session generously tithed $11,200 of its 2021 budget surplus to the Mission Committee with the suggestion that these funds be shared with organizations in our community reflecting First Presbyterian’s commitment to strive to be, “a nurturing community of faith that loves God and loves our fellow human beings as we love ourselves, giving special attention to those whom Jesus called the least of these – the poor, hungry, sick, lonely, imprisoned, and oppressed.”
For several weeks to come we will feature one of the organizations we were able to gift a donation of almost two thousand dollars to support their work. We give thanks to God for our local partners in ministry and the many ways they serve those in need with mercy and love.
This week’s featured organization: Our House
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Monday through Thursday the Our House ministry welcomes children from the Ridgecrest neighborhood for a healthy after school snack and homework help. They encourage and mentor the children to help them gain confidence in their abilities to excel in school. A closet full of basic school supplies and items that might be needed for special school projects (poster board, string, paint, etc.) is available to all children.
The first Saturday of the month Our House hosts a Breakfast Club for children and their families and throughout the summer they host day camps and provide lunch. For several years, FPC’s Mission Committee has partnered with Our House to provided needed back to school items such as backpacks and athletic shoes. We are so grateful for the work of Our House’s staff and volunteers and it is with joy that we support their efforts!
To find out more about the work of Our House, visit their website at: https://www.ourhouseauburn.org
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Men’s Bible Study
There will be a men’s Bible Study this Wednesday (July 6) at 8:00am in the church library. The church will provide all the Bibles, coffee, and donuts as we continue to explore the Parables of Jesus. We hope you will join us for this time of fellowship and study.
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Second Saturday Volunteers Needed - July 9, 9am-12pm
If you have not yet had a chance to join us for a Second Saturday at the Community Market, now is your chance! Volunteers are needed on July 9 from 9am to 12pm. All ages are welcome - children 12 and under should bring an adult with them. You are welcome to come for just part of a shift, please just make a note in the sign up so we know when to expect you!
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Community Garden
Throughout the spring and summer seasons, the FPC Garden has produced many successful harvests to offer the Community Market. According to Mattie Subba, coordinator of the market, our harvests have been very appreciated by the families that come to the Market.
The garden is beautiful and continues to grow and change. We have many existing plantings such as green beans, onions, and kale. Our newer plantings are the tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, butternut squash, & eggplant. They are flourishing! Sarah Wolak has been our amazing planner, planter, and constant worker. Thank you Sarah!
If you are interested in participating in our garden, please contact, Elder Katie Forster at forster306@charter.net. She will be glad to get you connected with watering, weeding, harvesting or delivering to the market.
Current Garden Needs:
- Watering: We are in need of a regular person to water each Thursday morning before 10 a.m.
- Weeding: The weeds are loving this summer weather! "One Great Hour of Weeding" will take place on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 and Friday mornings at 8:00. You do NOT need to sign up to come!
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Sanctuary Flower Sign-up
There are many available Sundays beginning in July for sponsoring flowers for our Sanctuary! The sign-up sheet is located outside of the receptionist’s office in the main church office building.
If you are unable to sign up in person, you may also contact Sarah Wolak at 334-728-7853 to sign up for a date. You are welcome to split the cost with another family-- just be sure to write both names on the line. 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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We Need YOU to Host Punch-on-the-Lawn!
Great Opportunity for Families to Serve!
Join us in the courtyard following the 11 a.m. worship service for a time of fellowship and refreshment. Greet your neighbors, introduce yourself to visitors, and enjoy God's creation as we spend time together in community.
Volunteers are needed to serve punch throughout the summer months. Please see this sign up link to reserve your date - you will be contacted ahead of time with details about setup and clean up. For more information about volunteering, please contact Kirstin Yost at at kmyost97@gmail.com or 910-309-1625.
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Exciting Changes!
Throughout the next several months you may notice quite a bit happening on the third and ground floors of the education building! Guided by our church's master plan, the Property Committee and representatives of Christian Education are working hard to renovate adult, youth, and children's classrooms. We hope to celebrate with an official unveiling in August as we begin the new program year. In the meantime:
- Thank you to all our groups who have relocated to new spaces for the summer!
- If you are interested in helping with various tasks that will arise throughout the summer (painting, furniture cleaning/painting/refinishing, cleaning and assembling furniture) please contact Rev. Kathy Reed or Chris Sarkowski.
- Finally, you may financially support this project by making a gift to the Facility Improvement Fund at https://www.fpcauburn.org/give. (More details to come soon!)
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Children and Youth News
♢ Don’t forget about our Google calendar! Go to the link below and follow the instructions to add our Google calendar to your device. For the safety of our children and youth, this calendar is private and can only be accessed through this link.
♢ Parents please note, due to the renovations going on upstairs continuing throughout June, July, and August, Children’s Sunday school will meet in Baird Hall and Youth Sunday school will meet in the Round Room below the chapel
Children Pre-K through 5th grade
• Children’s Church: After the Word to Grow By (at 11 a.m. worship), children ages 4 to 1st grade will go to the Preschool Room to worship together for the remainder of the worship service.
• Worship bags are also available for all children during worship.
• Children’s Sunday school will meet this Sunday from 9:45 – 10:45 in Baird Hall.
Jr. and Sr. High Youth
• Jr. and Sr. High Youth Sunday school will meet this Sunday from 9:45-10:45 in the Round Room below the Chapel.
• Jr. and Sr. High Youth will meet in the church parking lot this Wednesday from 7pm for First Wednesday Fellowship.
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Birthdays
July 4 - Stites Whatley, Matthew Wolak
July 5 - Barbara Dunham
July 6 - Debbie Duin, Ashley Lovell, D’Arcy Wernette
Anniversaries
July 3 - Steve and Margaret Craig Schmidt
July 5 - Jesse and Kellye Joiner
July 6 - Todd and Elizabeth White
July 7 - Bill and Ellen Sherling
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Prayer Concerns & Celebrations
- Prayers of healing for Mary Burkhart as she recovers from successful heart surgery earlier this week.
- Prayers of healing for Jo Cooper as she recovers from injuries sustained from a fall. Prayers as well for Raymond as he cares for Jo from a far. Hopefully Jo will be able to go home soon to Oak Park.
- Prayers of healing for Wyatt Yost as he recovers from successful surgery for his broken collarbone.
- Prayers of healing and wholeness for Dorothy Hinkle-Uhlig’s sister who is very sick from cancer. Prayers for Dorothy and all of her family as they care for her sister and surround her with love and compassion.
- Please continue to pray for many members of our church who are dealing with illness, significant health issues, and grief, but at this time do not wish to be mentioned by name. Prayers of healing and comfort for many in our congregation.
- Prayers for Tripp Hinkle’s mother as she recovers from successful surgery. She also received wonderful news that her latest scan was all clear.
- Prayers of healing for Catherine Wolfe’s grandmother, Sue Goosby. Sue fell a few weeks ago and is now moving into assisted living.
- Prayers of healing for Kay Recknor who is dealing with health issues with her knee.
- Prayers of healing and wholeness for the friends of the Barnes Family, Wes and Melanie Jackson. The Barnes family shared that Melanie will begin hospice care. Prayers for Melanie and all the Jackson family during this difficult time, and prayers for the Barnes family as they care for them from a far.
- We pray for the nation of Ukraine and we pray for peace as they face senseless violence and war from another nation. We pray that all will come to a peaceful solution and no more people will be injured or killed.
- Prayers of healing for Jason Banks (Margaret Brinkley’s neighbor). Jason is now back at work. However is recovering from successful shoulder surgery.
- Prayers of healing for Kay Recknor’s friends the Rev. Mitzi Lesher-Thomas and her husband the Rev. Troy Thomas. Mitzi has glioblastoma brain cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy.
- Prayers for Amy Kilner and her family (daughter in law of Dorothy Moran). Amy is in need of a kidney transplant and is currently looking for a donor.
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