Tuesday, December 15, 2020 |
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Sundays at FPC
8:30 AM Livestream Sunday Morning Worship in the Sanctuary (watch directly here)
9:45 AM Sunday School
We have new classes for Children and Youth, Confirmation and Adult classes: Christian Faith and Life, Feasting on the Word, Exploration, and Living Faith
(click each graphic for Zoom link here)
11 AM Outdoor Sunday Morning Worship
(We are broadcasting the service for those who would like to remain in your cars in the parking lot. Just tune in to FM 96.9.)
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December 20, 2020: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
Sermon: The Impossible, Chris Joiner
Hymns:
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O Little Town of Bethlehem
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Congregational Care - Caring for One Another |
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COVID Task Force Statement
On Christmas Eve 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts read to us Genesis 1:1-10 while orbiting the moon, and on July 21, 1969 astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped on to the lunar surface, fulfilling a pledge made by President Kennedy in May 1961 that the United States would land a man on the moon by the end of the decade. This stands as one of humankind’s greatest scientific and engineering achievements, made possible by a decade of intense and focused effort, and by gifts God has given us – our intelligence, our ability to cooperate with one another, and our ability to meet great challenges.
The SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are also an historic scientific achievement that would not be possible without decades of commitment from our government, pharmaceutical companies, and scientists. We say decades because the knowledge and infrastructure of the National Institutes of Health, the pharmaceutical companies, the FDA, our research universities, and our scientists were developed over decades. That made possible vaccine development and testing over a matter of months. We thank God for making this possible and view the vaccine as a gift from God.
The task force recommends that members of the congregation who are eligible for the vaccine receive it as soon as it becomes available to them. We also emphasize that the vaccine will not decrease the need for us to use face masks, physically distance, and practice good hand hygiene to prevent the spread of this infection. The task force continues to meet weekly (except Christmas week) and to monitor the recommendations of the infectious disease and public health experts that will guide us back to indoor worship as soon as possible.
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Service of Light - THIS Sunday, December 20, 5:30 PM
Each year during the Service of Light, we invite the congregation to write on pieces of paper the names of people and situations for which they are praying and then place them under a candle symbolizing them being lifted into God’s light. We will again offer this and other prayer opportunities during our Livestream Service of Light. We will invite you to light a candle at home during the service so if you would like one of the candles we use each year during this service, they are available outside the narthex this week.
For so many of us during the holidays, the magnitude of our weary world weighs on our hearts and minds. We wrestle with chronic pain, broken relationships, shattered dreams, fragile faith, and unexpected losses. Our grief and sorrow feel stark against the backdrop of festivity and joy that everyone else seems to be feeling. Observing Advent and Christmas in a world still struggling with pandemic illness means that grief, trauma, depression, and more are compounded by added anxiety and uncertainty. Not being able to gather with loved ones or worship face-to-face may make the holidays challenging. We are indeed a weary world.
Join us at 5:30 PM this Sunday, December 20, for our Livestream Service of Light where will remind each other that we are people of the light. Christ is our Light in the darkness, and we will offer our prayers for those who need to experience God’s healing and wholeness.
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Christmas Eve Service
Join us for our Outdoor Christmas Eve Service at 4 PM. The PREMIERE of our NEW organ will follow at 5 PM as Michael plays a 30-minute prelude that will lead into our livestream service at 5:30 PM.
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This Sunday is the last Sunday in Advent, so it will be the last Sanctuary on Sundays.
There are guided prayer stations (for all ages) that will be available throughout Advent: Weary World, Chrismon Find and Pray, Find Yourself in the Nativity, and Stars in the Sky. Sign up here.
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Stephen Ministry:
Manage the Holidays on your terms
How was your Thanksgiving Holiday?
Was it what you expected?
Have the family dynamics changed since last year?
Are you hesitant about what the Christmas season and the New Year hold for you?
Do you have anyone to talk to besides family?
If not, and you need some help getting through the holidays, Stephen Ministry is here for you. We can provide you with confidential, one to one Christian care. If you or someone you know could use the help of Stephen Ministry, please contact Stephen Leader Judi Arnold (615.579.0364 or [email protected]) or one of the FPC Pastors.
From your FPC Stephen Ministry family to yours. May you have a blessed Christmas!
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Yoga via Zoom
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Yoga is good for the body, mind, and spirit. It invites you to connect with your breathe and who doesn't need to taking more time to breathe deeply. Whether you have never tried yoga before or you practice regularly, we invite you to join us on Zoom each Wednesday morning at 8:30.
We practice together using a video and then have time for conversation and prayer. Click here to join us or contact Betty Barcheski ([email protected]) to learn more. All are welcome.
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Meal Ministry
A meal provided by your church family is much more than food. It is nourishment for the body and soul. If you would like to join our Meal Ministry Team. Contact Sue Mahurin ([email protected] or 615-516-7013) for more information.
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Saturday
Sunday
11 AM - Outdoor Worship
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