"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows - this is God, whose dwelling is holy." -Psalm 68:5

"What you did to the least of these, you did to me." -Jesus

Dear FPC Members and Friends,

Scripture reminds us that to know or fully understand who we are, we must first understand who God is. Knowledge of ourselves is incomplete without knowledge of God. Over and over again, Holy Scripture reveals to us a God who creates, sustains, and redeems, but this is also a God who has particular concern for the poor, the outcast, and the vulnerable. Overlooked "nobodies" like children, orphans, and widows are treated like prized possessions by Jesus. He goes out of his way to see them, touch them, and bring them into the fold. And when this happens, we stand on holy ground. It's as the Psalmist reminds us: "Father to the fatherless, defender of widows - this is God, whose dwelling is holy."

This Sunday, we will reflect on two scripture readings that echo this revelation of who God is. The first will be from the Old Testament - the story of Sarah and Hagar found in Genesis 21:8-21. It's a stunning story about someone who easily could have been forgotten in the wilderness. Yet, God's grace and mercy are found even there, aren't they? Our second scripture reading is a challenging text from Matthew 10:24-39. Matthew 10 is one of the most troubling and challenging chapters in the entire Bible. If scripture is intended to "comfort the troubled and trouble the comfortable", then Matthew 10 is clearly on the troubling side of the scale! However, there are some beautiful and comforting moments woven through this challenging text, and what could be more comforting than to hear that God has loving concern for even tiny brown sparrows? I hope that you'll spend some time reflecting on these readings as we prepare to worship together on Sunday.

I also hope that you'll remember that life will bring you vulnerable moments of your own, but even in the midst of those troubling times, the God who created you will have a particular loving concern for you. On Sunday, we will also commission our second AIR Guatemala mission team, as well as Harrison Tullar, who will attend this year's PC(USA) General Assembly as a Youth Advisory Delegate. What a blessing it is to be a sending church in these ways!

May God bless you as you remember who you are... and WHOSE you are!

Grace and Peace,

Lee

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June 2026 Lectionary Readings

June 7

Genesis 12:1–9 | Psalm 33:1–12

Romans 4:13–25 | Matthew 9:9–13, 18–26

June 14

Genesis 18:1–15; 21:1–7 | Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19

Romans 5:1–8 | Matthew 9:35–10:8

June 21

Genesis 21:8–21 | Psalm 86:1–10, 16–17

Romans 6:1–11 | Matthew 10:24–39

June 28

Genesis 22:1–14 | Psalm 13

Romans 6:12–23 | Matthew 10:40–42

Center Point was established in 1967 by First Presbyterian and 3 other local churches to provide release-time education classes to public school students. It was created with the purpose of providing off-site religion classes to public school students but has slowly transformed into a successful and diverse student-and-family-centered non-profit with services that include counseling, life skills education, and mentoring. Center Point envisions a community where all students and families have educational and mental health resources they need to be successful. Their purpose is to enhance, strengthen, and change lives. You can support their ministry by signing up to be a Mentor or participating in their big fundraiser, Dancing for a Cause, held on August 22nd, 2026, by sponsoring a dancer. For more information go to their website at www.centerpointga.org

Family Promise Volunteers & Donations Needed

Our next Family Promise rotation is coming up on June 29, July 1, and July 3. We have several opportunities to support homeless children and families staying at Family Promise of Hall County and would love your help!

We are currently in need of Walmart or Publix gift cards to help stock the pantry and purchase meals, as our funds for this ministry are running low.

We are also looking for volunteers to deliver pre-ordered meals around 4:00 p.m. on June 29 and July 1. The meals will simply need to be picked up and delivered to the Family Promise facility.

On July 3, we will be celebrating Independence Day with the families by grilling hot dogs and hamburgers and serving snow cones. If you would like to help grill, serve, or assist with the festivities, we would love to have you join us.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact:

Rachel Greenwalt

770-654-6287

greenwalt2013@gmail.com

Thank you for helping us share Christ's love and hospitality with families in our community.