Outer Banks Presbyterian Church News & Notes June 24, 2020

In This Issue: June 28 Worship Service Message from Rev. Moore Church Reopening Updates Elder Class of 2023 Nominations Request for Ushers 2020 Older Adult Award Congratulations Hollie! A Note to Gmail Users Online Bible Study Assistance from Church OBPC on Facebook Online Giving Anniversaries & Birthdays

Watch Services Online Click the button above to watch worship services live streamed on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. or watch any past services on demand. If you have a Smart TV, you may watch services via YouTube on your TV. Just search "Outer Banks Presbyterian Church" in the YouTube app.

June 28 Worship Service Genesis 1:1 - 2:3 . God is involved in creating the heavens and the earth. We praise God as our Creator. What kind of actions has God taken as Creator and what is God’s role in continuing to bring new life? The Lord has given humanity an important task: we are to be good stewards of this earth. What is our role as good stewards of the diverse creation God made? The flowers in the sanctuary on Sunday are given by Barbara Nock in loving memory of her husband, Richard (February 6, 1937 - June 18, 2007).

Message From Rev. Dr. Jody Moore       This week, I am serving as one of New Hope Presbytery’s commissioners to the 224 th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which is the national gathering of Presbyterians that takes place every two years. It is not the same meeting virtually, but I am still grateful for the common spirit, faith, and ministry that unites us as Presbyterians. It is still fairly early in the week and most of our decisions will be made in the coming days. I look forward to giving you a more complete update next week and continue to covet your prayers for all of the commissioners to General Assembly, including me, as we discern God’s will together.             I want to commend to you the Zoom Sunday School class that is being led by Tom Carrico on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am. They have studied a number of thought-provoking Biblical passages, books, and lessons during the pandemic. The book that they are currently studying is called Jesus, Pope Francis, and a Protestant Walk into a Bar: Lessons for the Christian Church . The book is co-written by a Presbyterian pastor named Paul Rock and an elder from Rock’s church, Bill Tammeus. Often when we talk about Protestants and Catholics, we focus on the differences, but this book celebrates the common spiritual pursuits among Protestants and Catholics that have been highlighted since Francis became pope in 2013.  Quotation from Jesus, Pope Francis, and a Protestant Walk into a Bar :            You will find the following story in the book on pages 43-44. “ Two young American soldiers became dear friends as they fought side by side during World War II. After one was killed in battle, the other risked his life to bring his friend’s body to a small French Catholic church, where a priest assured him there would be a proper burial. The priest also asked if the deceased was a Roman Catholic. His friend didn’t think so but affirmed that he was a great man and soldier.            Years later, the surviving soldier made his way back to that rural area of France to pay tribute to his friend. After the war, he had connected with his friend’s family and had learned that his friend, indeed, had not been raised Catholic. He also learned that the church would not have been allowed to bury his friend within the official church cemetery, due to the belief that the yard within the fenced grounds represented the kingdom of God and that only members of the true church—that is the Catholic Church—could be buried there.            Upon traveling to France and reaching the small church, the soldier searched among the graves beyond the churchyard but couldn’t find his friend’s gravestone. Frustrated, he eventually made his way into the old church, where he was surprised to find the same priest who had helped him years earlier. When this man inquired about his friend’s grave, the priest took him to a plot with a simple headstone just inside the fenced yard. Confused, the man spoke up, “But he wasn’t Catholic. I’ve read your rule books.” The priest looked up at him with a twinkle in his eye and said that he, too, had searched the rulebooks and didn’t see anything that would prohibit him from moving the fence. ”             Rock and Tammeus write, “ That’s what this book is all about. We are not seeking to deny or do away with differences in theology or doctrine or church history. We just want to make sure that, in the midst of all the guidelines and fence lines and rules, we are still making the church as expansive as God’s love seems to be. Sometimes that requires moving a fence or two, because often the things that keep us feeling left out or locked up are shackles in life that can, in fact, be adjusted or unlocked—or perhaps already have been. ”  Jody’s Reflections :            The more that I study Scripture, the more that I come to see that we often try to put God in a box and make God’s love more restrictive than it really is. I celebrate that for the Lenten worship services that OBPC hosts we draw together, not only Protestants, but also a number of Catholics throughout the Outer Banks. When we celebrate communion in the Presbyterian Church, we are authorized to welcome anyone who loves and serves Jesus Christ to participate in the sacrament because we believe that communion doesn’t belong to Outer Banks Presbyterian Church or to the PCUSA as a denomination. Communion belongs to Christ and he welcomes all those who worship and follow him. As we say in the Book of Order, which is Part 2 of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), “ In Christ’s name, therefore the Church is sent out to bear witness to the good news of reconciliation with God, with others, and with all creation. In Christ the Church received its truth and appeal, its holiness, and its unity. ” That means that Christ brings us together and sends us out in a mission to share his good news and to work for justice, peace, and reconciliation.  Prayer :            God, we pray for the virtual meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) that is taking place this week. We lift up all of the pastors, elders, and other participants and pray that your Holy Spirit will lead their deliberations. We thank you for the ministry of Presbyterian Churches throughout our nation, including the ministry here at Outer Banks Presbyterian Church. We pray for all of the members of this congregation, particularly those who are ill, lonely, or suffering. We pray for your comfort, your healing, and your peace. We continue to pray for all those who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.  Grace and peace,   Jody Moore

Church Reopening Updates The Covid-19 Task Force met on June 15 to evaluate current conditions and recommendations by state and local health officials. The Session reviewed and approved the Task Force's recommendations at its June 17 meeting. Below is the summary of changes to the previously issued reopening strategies. To read the entire revised plan, please click here . Strategies for Re-Opening Church: Additional Actions Taken by Session on June 17, 2020 Update to the Session Policy Approved on May 26, 2020 Key Updates Made by Session on June 17, 2020 : A .     The previous document allowed for in-person worship to begin sometime after June 26 th . Now the Session has decided to have an until further notice, open-ended date for in-person worship to restart pending at least ten days of notice. Live-streaming and recorded services will continue. When Session decides to re-open the church for worship, there will be 45 seats available at each Sunday morning service, the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. The 45-person limit includes the pastor and all others participating in the service. Five seats will be held open for visitors or walk-ins who have not pre-registered. The Session still believes that we have developed a good plan for re-opening the church when conditions merit based on science and the data from the State of North Carolina, the CDC, and Dare County. B .     The section on music and worship was clarified to indicate that one or two musicians and one or two soloists will be allowed to participate in worship services. Because initially there will not be congregational singing when the church re-opens, some of the congregational singing responses will be phased out to match the format that will be used when the church re-opens. C .     Holy Communion will continue to be done virtually on the first Sunday of the month while the church is worshiping on-line only. Once the church re-opens, the Session will consider when communion may be served in the sanctuary using the protocols approved in the original re-opening document. D .     Tenant groups and Bible studies will not be allowed to return until after the Session determines that they can meet, which may be when the State of North Caroline enters Phase 3 initiatives that would allow for larger groups to gather indoors. The Scouts were given permission to meet outside provided they meet outside group limits specified by the Governor. E .     Vacation Bible School for 2020 will be known as Staycation Bible School 2020 using a curriculum “Feet that Follow” published by the Presbyterian Outlook. Staycation Bible School is a five-day curriculum and will be held virtually through the month of July. Packets of materials for the Staycation VBS will be available at the church for those families who wish to pick up additional VBS resources.   F .      The youth group will be allowed to travel to Montreat, NC to stay in the house that our church has rented for a “back home retreat.” Our youth group will not interact with other churches—just with youth from OBPC. Parents will sign a liability-release waiver, giving their permission for their youth to participate. While in Montreat, our youth will participate together in the on-line curriculum provided by Montreat and Massanetta Springs. The youth group will also participate in service projects through Asheville Youth Mission, which partners with Montreat, and is offering outdoor mission projects for groups of 10 or less meeting social distancing guidelines. The dates for this “back home retreat” to Montreat are July 18-25, pending the state of North Carolina moving into Phase 3 of Reopening by that date.

Nominations for Elder Class of 2023 The Nominating Committee is beginning to work on selecting 3 persons to serve as Elders for the class of 2023. An elder should be a person who is committed to their faith in Jesus Christ, is a dedicated member of Outer Banks Presbyterian Church, and works well with a team as we seek to serve the Lord. The Nominating Committee would like the help of the congregation. Ordinarily, we have placed a ballot box in the gathering space for you to indicate your suggestions. This is not possible while the building is closed, so we encourage anyone with nominations to contact directly the two elder representatives on the Nominating Committee, Bobby Gentry and Bob Messinger. You may contact Bobby G. at 757-718-8353 or bobbygentryobx@gmail.com and Bob M. at 252-305-9388 or bobnance55@gmail.com . Thank you for your thoughtful considerations!

Announcement: Ushers Needed When we return to in-person worship, two ushers will be needed to serve at each service. The responsibilities of an usher will be a little bit different when in person worship begins. Instead of handing out bulletins, the ushers will direct worshipers to a table where they can pick up their own bulletin. Instead of passing offering plates, the ushers will point worshipers to stationary offering plates where individuals may place their gifts. One usher will now serve at the front door and one at the south door (the only doors open to enter the church). They will greet those entering and encourage them to remain six feet apart and direct them to one of the Elders at the entrance to the Sanctuary who will direct them to their seat. If you would be willing to serve as an usher during this reopening process please contact Cathie in the church office. Serving as an usher during these uncertain times is a vital aspect to OBPC safely reopening. Some of our regular ushers will be unable to serve at this time, so it is important for some new people to volunteer.

OBPC's 2020 Older Adult Award Recipient OBPC selected Tom Williamson as this year's recipient of the Older Adult Award. Tom was born in South Carolina and spent his teen years in New York. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve and graduated from Howard University. He had a 30 year career with the Federal Aviation Administration before retiring to the Outer Banks. Tom is very active helping others through his work with Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis, and a mission outreach program called, "Caring Hands." Tom puts his handyman skills to use for the church as a member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and also by helping many individuals in the community. Tom loves to travel and has visited all seven continents. He is an avid reader, gardener, cook, and 5th wheel camper! Click here to read more about Tom's experiences, accomplishments, and service.

Congratulations, Hollie! We offer our congratulations to Hollie Writtenberry, our Director of Children, Youth and Young Families, for the honor bestowed upon her as Manteo Elementary School Teacher of the Year! Hollie is a graduate of Nansemond Suffolk Academy and the University of Mary Washington, where she received a Bachelors of Arts in Music and Education. She began teaching in 1999, and taught in Virginia and North Carolina where she is currently a music teacher at Manteo Elementary School. Congratulations, Hollie!

Gmail Users: Are You Having Trouble Receiving News & Notes ? Gmail has several "in-box" tabs--there are tabs labeled "primary," "social," and "promotions." Gmail moves marketing and bulk emails, such as deals, offers, and other promotional messages, into the "promotions" tab. Emails sent through Constant Contact, which is the program the church uses to create and send the weekly News & Notes , often end up there. Gmail's "primary tab" (which you probably think of as your "in-box,") includes all emails from people you know. If the weekly News & Notes is landing in your "promotions" tab and you want it to appear in your "primary" tab, all you have to do is click on one of the issues of News & Notes in your "promotions" tab and drag it into the "primary" tab. By doing this, all future emailed issues of News & Notes will appear in your "primary" in-box.

Online Bible Study Pastor Jody's alma mater, Columbia Theological Seminary, is having a second online Bible study. Dr. Brennan Breed, professor at Columbia Theological Seminary, is excited to announce a five week study on the Book of Job that began on Sunday morning May 31st and continues until June 28th.  All are welcome to the free, hour-long conversation live-streamed to Facebook every Sunday morning from 9:30AM to 10:30AM EST, at  https://bit.ly/CTSofficehours . You can also watch the lessons later on demand. Participants who want a deeper experience may also register to receive free access to course material, complete with syllabus, downloadable readings, and audio-video links for further study. Register here for additional resources. For the complete schedule and more information, please click here .

Assistance from Your Church Family Two important resources to remember during this time are our Prayer Team and our Assistance Coordinator.  If you have any request that you would like the prayer team to lift up, please share it with the prayer coordinators. Our prayer coordinators are: Jean Basnight and Rosalyn Pugh and you may share a request with them by phone at 252-480-1028 (Home) or 252-619- 7661 (Cell). Elder Barbara Nock is coordinating services and requests by members and friends who need any type of assistance. Twenty-four people have volunteered to help. If you or someone you know needs assistance with groceries, pharmacy pick-up, or anything else, please contact Barbara at 252-255-5979 or nocktwice@embarqmail.com.

Do you have a Facebook account? If so, we invite you to join OBPC on Facebook. Just Click on the button at the left, log on to your Facebook account, and select "join" on the OBPC group page. Some things you will find there include:

Announcements about the Adult Sunday School Class. Children's Church with Hollie. Posts from Pastor Jody and comments from members of the congregation.

Online Giving There are two ways to give to the church during this temporary closure. You may mail pledges and donations to the office at PO Box 2199, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. Or, you may give online. Just click on the Give Now button to go to our website, then click the button on the home page and follow the directions for online donations.

Anniversaries this Week  Ike & Sharon McRee, June 27 Brad & Debbie Telthorster, June 28 Tommy & Dot Deal, June 30

Birthdays this Week  Bev Jones, June 28

Outer Banks Presbyterian Church 907 S. Croatan Highway, Milepost 8.5 PO Box 2199 Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Email: office@outerbankspresbyterian.org Website: www.outerbankspresbyterian.org

During this time of irregular office hours, you may reach Pastor Jody or administrative staff by calling the office at 252-441-5897 and leaving a message or by sending an email to office@outerbanksbrebyterian.org

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