Dear friends,
Before I get to “the meat of the matter” for this week, I’d like to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you all for the many ways in which you’ve made me feel welcome here at FPC. In particular, thanks to all who participated in the virtual pounding to welcome me to Richmond. The numerous emails, phone calls, and cards have all filled me with anticipation as we continue toward a time when we might physically be in community again.
As we prepare to transition between Advent and Christmastide, Sunday’s worship service will take the form of a Festival of Lessons and Carols! We’ll see familiar faces reading lessons and sing carols that celebrate one of the great mysteries of our faith: the incarnation of Christ! While our festival will be based loosely on the King’s College (UK) model, we will present seven lessons rather than nine. Our chancel choir and soloists will be joined by the Chancel Choir of Suncrest United Methodist Church (Morgantown, WV), and Amy will deliver a sermon that explores how we respond to Jesus: God with us.
We hope you’ll be inspired by rehearsing again – in word and song – the story of our Savior’s birth. Please join in singing from your home, just as you would if we were gathered in person… for three reasons:
- These songs will lift your spirits… even if you’re already happy!
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You don’t want to be too rusty when we return to in-person worship.
- Most importantly, in times like these, traditions are not to be kept; they are about keeping us together.
Merry Christmas to you all and thanks for listening,
Jason N. Brown
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This year's Festival of Lessons and Carols will be our worship service on Sunday, December 20th at 10am at youtube.com/fpcrichmond. Join us for a retelling of the birth of Christ through music and scripture. Music will be led by our Chancel Choir and friends including Daniel Stipe at the organ.
For Sunday's Festival of Lessons and Carols, you can download a copy of the order of service here.
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PRAYER LIST
Those with special concerns:
- Pat Blanchard (Neely Barnhardt's mother), health concerns
- Nancy Bowman, recovering from back surgery
- Ken Horton, health concerns
- Peggy Larus, upcoming surgery
- Newby Mauck, recovering from knee surgery
- Bob Nolley III, recovering from surgery
Those who are grieving:
- Linda Lacy and family on the death of her sister-in-law, Marie Patricia Neville Woodall (Trish), on December 12.
- Rusty, Vaughan, Kate, and Taylor Aaronson on the death of Rusty's father, Russell Taylor Aaronson, Jr., on December 13.
- The family and friends of Garland Jefferson who died on December 14.
We pray for members and family serving in the military:
- Edward Allen, Tripp Bowles, Jenny Sigel Burkett, Matthew Horton, Zach Kirk, Mason Louthan, Anne Marks, Nathan Thomas Meade, Connor Partlow, Brian Riva, Peyton Spivey, and Will Watkins.
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The church office will be closed starting at Noon on Thursday, December 24th, and will re-open on Monday, January 4th. If you have a pastoral emergency during this time, please call the church office, 804-358-2383, and enter ext. 114 to reach a pastor on call. |
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ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Wilson's Bible Study
meets Thursdays at 7:30am on Zoom.
Amy's Bible Study
meets Wednesdays at 12:15pm on Zoom.
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J-Term 2021 will be a deep dive into topics and conversations that may be new to you! These January small groups will be meeting all throughout the week so choose one or choose them all! Groups start the week of January 10th so be sure to sign up by Wednesday, January 6th.
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OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC & ARTS
Monthly Musical Meditation
Fourth Sundays, January – May at 6:30pm
Jan 24, Feb 28, Mar 28, Apr 25, & May 23
Join our Music and Arts ministry team on YouTube for a monthly program of music to feed your soul.
Culinary Arts!
Jan 12 & 26; Feb 9 & 23 at 6:00pm
Join Minister of Music and Arts, Jason N. Brown, and some of our FPC friends for cooking and conversation about food, art, and life. We’ll make recipes available after each episode for anyone interested in preparing our meals. Check back with the Music and Arts webpage for more information.
Chancel Bells
Starting Wednesday, Feb 2 at 6:00pm
If you’ve ever wanted to join a handbell choir, this is your moment! Please consider joining our handbell choir with rehearsals starting on February 2nd at 6:00pm. For more information, please contact Jason N. Brown, Minister of Music and Arts.
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Christmas is coming. Less than 10 days away. How are you doing? Last week I offered a Making Space Service on Zoom. There were about 20 of us who gathered and spent some time in prayer, listening, writing, reflecting. It was a good space and provided some strength and encouragement for me as I enter into this very different Christmas experience. What are you noticing that is different this year? I encourage you to...Click here to continue reading.
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FPC Events Calendar
Take a look at all that is happening this week with FPC.
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Thursday, December 17th
7:30am Wilson's Bible Study on Zoom
1:00pm Centering Prayer Group on Zoom
4:00pm Planning Team meeting on Zoom
5:00pm Admin Council meeting
7:00pm High School Intermission
Friday, December 18th
7:00am Brothers in Christ on Zoom
5:00pm Pick up your meals by Journey Kitchen
Sunday, December 20th
Fourth Sunday of Advent
9:00am Covenant Class
9:45am Youth Kickstart! on Zoom
5:00pm Youth Christmas Gathering
Monday, December 21st
5:00pm Pick up your meals by Journey Kitchen
Tuesday, December 22nd
6:30pm Young Adults on Zoom
Thursday, December 24th
The church office closes at Noon
Friday, December 25th
Christmas Day!
The church office is closed
Sunday, December 27th
Monday, December 28th - Friday, January 1st
the church office is closed.
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Support the Ministries of FPC |
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You can support the ministries of FPC financially, by mailing a check to the church or using our secure online system. If you haven't already, we hope you will consider submitting a covenant commitment for 2021. By doing so, you help us know how best to plan for our ministries.
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Year-End Giving
Thank you for your generosity to FPC throughout the year. If you are considering a year-end gift to FPC be aware that all gifts must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2020, to be applied for this year. You can make a gift by mail or online. Questions, contact Church Accountant, Debra Harris. For creative ways to give to FPC visit fpcrichmond.org/firstfund. |
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Our mission is to inspire people to faith in Jesus Christ, nurture disciples of Christ, and serve the world that God loves to the glory of God.
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First Presbyterian Church
4602 Cary Street Rd, Richmond, VA 23226
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