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Outer Banks
Presbyterian Church
News & Notes
July 1, 2020
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In This Issue:
- July 5th Worship Service
- Devotional from Rev. Moore
- Patriotic Concert
- Staycation Bible School
- Church Reopening Updates
- Elder Class of 2023 Nominations
- Request for Ushers
- A Note to Gmail Users
- Assistance from Church
- OBPC on Facebook
- Online Giving
- Anniversaries & Birthdays
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- Click the button above to watch worship services live streamed on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. or watch any past services on demand.
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July 5th Worship Service
Matthew 8:18-27
. Jesus teaches his disciples the urgency of leaving behind everything that gets in the way of following God. What other pursuits distract our attention and spirits away from God’s will? Then Jesus and his disciples get on a boat that goes to the sea and is swamped by the waves. His disciples worry that they are perishing, yet Jesus has the power to calm the seas and reassure their fears. In these unsettling times, how can we bring our anxieties to Jesus and seek his comfort, peace, and security?
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During the worship service we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The Session has authorized this opportunity for us to participate in virtual Communion as a visible reminder that Christ’s presence and love are with us even as we are not able to gather together as we normally do. Pastor Jody will bless the elements in the sanctuary and you are able to participate in communion from your homes. Plan to prepare in advance a piece of bread and either some grape juice or wine. You are invited to participate in virtual Communion whether you participate in the live stream or end up watching the service at a later time.
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The flowers in the sanctuary on Sunday are given by Rosalyn Pugh with prayers for unity, peace, and healing in our country.
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Devotional From Rev. Dr. Jody Moore
Last week, I was privileged to serve as a commissioner to the General Assembly, the national gathering of the Presbyterian Church (USA). I was an alternate to this summer’s assembly, but needed to step in when one of the commissioners had to step away for a family medical emergency. Ordinarily the General Assembly meets in person and this year’s assembly was scheduled to meet in Baltimore, Maryland, but we had to do all of our business online. I am grateful for all of the technological preparations that the Assembly staff made to enable hundreds and hundreds of commissioners and delegates to be able to meet virtually.
As an Assembly, we participated in a virtual worship service. In a Bible study of Lamentations 5, we discussed how it is a healthy, appropriate, and biblical response for us to express lament at hardships we experience, including during this global pandemic. We discussed current calls for racial justice in our nation and confessed our need to confront systemic racism. We heard about the sale of San Francisco Theological Seminary, which has been affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), to the University of Redlands and discussed mediation that will address how that sale will impact its ongoing relationship with the denomination. The General Assembly took action to provide funding and increased assistance to Presbyterian Churches on Native American lands. The Assembly discussed the ongoing support of Presbyterian Church (USA) missionaries that are stationed around the world and how some of our PCUSA missionaries have needed to return to the United States because of the pandemic. We also considered and approved flexibility in addressing potential ways to save money in the General Assembly budget, which will likely see a decrease in funding due to the pandemic. We elected Rev. Gregory Bentley and Ruling Elder Elona Street-Stewart to serve as our Co-Moderators, the highest elected position in the Presbyterian Church (USA), for the next two years.
I wanted to share with you one of the documents that the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved, which is a pastoral response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This pastoral response reminds us of what our faith in God teaches us about what we are currently facing during this pandemic. I invite you to read the full statement below in a spirit of prayer.
ON RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Why have you forgotten us completely? Why have you forsaken us these many days? Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored; renew our days as of old.
(Lamentations 5:20-21)
From the moment of Creation to today’s unprecedented pandemic known as COVID-19, God has called the church to embody the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh. In this time of global catastrophe, the church must rise to answer the call, offering its life as witness in word and work, heart and hand, in prayer and practice for the healing of the world God so loves.
This is not an initiative for new action or a reordering of priorities. Doing the ministry and mission of Christ is what the church is already about. Rather, this moment requires a response from the church to a world drowning in a great flood of suffering, fear, deprivation, abandonment, and death, compounded by the pandemic. The challenge before us is not so much about adjusting to a
new normal
in the days ahead, but how we will continue to grow as
new humans
in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the context of a destructive virus, how will we say and show the great ends of the church?
We must declare ourselves to be a community of faith, of hope, of love and reconciliation, of Gospel witness. (F-1.03) To that end we affirm that:
- In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are guided both by the evidence of science and our deepest values as a people of faith.
- We seek compassion and justice for the most vulnerable among us, especially those who have been further marginalized by the pandemic—older persons, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, the LGBTIA+ community, immigrant communities, impoverished and working poor persons, homeless persons and those for whom home offers no safety, those who are ill, afflicted, or challenged in body, mind, and spirit, persons living with HIV, and all whose lives are threatened because of harmful social structures and discrimination, which have been made even more apparent during the COVID-19 outbreak. We repent of the role we have played in these injustices.
- We pray for hope, courage, and wisdom on behalf of children and youth who must now move forward into a future where dreams, stability, and the social fabric have been radically altered. We commit to dismantling disparities in education, and in access to nutrition, technology, and necessary resources.
- With gratitude, we support and advocate safety for those who cannot avoid risks, such as hospital and health care staff, public safety employees, grocery workers, funeral home employees and so many others whose lives and well-being are just as essential as their jobs.
- We pray for and seek help for all those facing economic hardship and loss of livelihood.
- We advocate for access to good medical care for all who are in need, and for opportunities to earn a living and have fair wages.
- We desire wisdom for world leaders, and for our national, state, and local leaders, who are called upon not only to develop effective responses to this medical and economic cataclysm, but to provide a sense of comfort and hope for all those enduring fear and loss at this time. We share a special concern for the plight of nations that already struggle with high levels of poverty, inequality, and exploitation of their resources.
- We mourn with those who mourn the loss of precious lives, for the disruption of human relationships, and for those who suffer the pain of isolation.
- As we continue the gospel journey into all the world, we urge prayer and care for neighbors near and far so that all may be accorded respect as those created in the image of God.
- We invite congregations and worshiping communities to come to a larger, wider, rounder table, prepared for us by Christ alone, to imagine creative ways to celebrate our life together with our Triune God, whose presence has never been dependent on physical buildings or human timetables.
- We thank God for all those who labored faithfully on overtures and reports dealing with critical social and theological issues that were scheduled for this 224th General Assembly (2020), and we lament the delay in addressing these profound challenges. We invite the church to join in ongoing study and discussion of these heartfelt, faithful matters.
- We unite in prayer for pastors and church staffs, congregations, seminaries, teachers, mission co-workers, mission agency personnel, evangelists, champions of justice, for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and for the church in the world, that the Spirit will be upon all and sustain them as they carry out the work to which they have been called.
- We call on our whole church to commit to continuous discernment of how to meet the social justice, economic, and spiritual challenges of the pandemic. We set aside Sunday, October 25, 2020, Reformation Sunday, as a day of prayer for responding to those challenges.
As different parts of the church respond to the pandemic according to their gifts, may we bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. We hold fast to the everlasting love of God in Christ that has sustained us through the ages, through war, famine, slavery, persecutions, and pestilence, with the sure and certain hope that God will never forsake us. We stand on God’s holy word:
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with HOPE. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Grace and peace,
Jody Moore
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Let Freedom Ring Patriotic Concert
Sunday, July 5th, at 5:00 pm
The Outer Banks Presbyterian Church invites you to attend our
12
th
Annual Let Freedom Ring Patriotic Concert
from the comfort of your homes.
While we can't be together in-person this year, we are excited to be able to live-stream this patriotic presentation at 5:00 pm on Sunday, July 5th on our
website
and
YouTube
channel.
The
Let Freedom Ring
concert will consist of song selections to celebrate our country’s independence presented by a select group of singers and musicians. Additionally, we will honor both active military and veterans with a special musical medley of the theme song from each branch of the Armed Forces.
Our guest solo vocalists include Pamela Tanner, Christine Jackle, Elaine Spencer and Lainie Reed. The musicians who will be performing are Jason Evans, piano/organ; David Hopson, drums; Tim Briggs, Electric Bass/Piano;
Leslie Erickson and Billy Tanner, violin; and Sue Waters, viola.
To enjoy the concert, go to
www.outerbankspresbyterian.org
, at 5:00 pm on Sunday, July 5th, click on Media, and then click on Watch Services. Please pass this on to any friends or family members you think might enjoy watching, as well!
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OBPC Staycation Bible School 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have cancelled in-person VBS for summer 2020. However, we look forward to bringing you an online experience...STAYCATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2020!
Beginning July 1, materials will be available online and outside the church for grab 'n go pickup. These materials are designed to provide your family five days of Bible stories, crafts, songs, games, and fun activities. They can be completed at your leisure to accommodate your family's summer schedule.
Join us on Facebook for updates, live sessions, photo sharing and more!! Search Facebook group: OBX PRES STAYCATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2020. For more information, e-mail Hollie Writtenberry at
holliewrittenberry@gmail.com
. Please feel free to invite anyone with children to be a part of this exciting VBS adventure!!!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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- Announcements about the Adult Sunday School Class.
- Children's Church with Hollie.
- Posts from Pastor Jody and comments from members of the congregation.
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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.
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Anniversaries this Week
- Graham & Alicia Norwood, July 2
- Jack & Corinne Abernethy, July 3
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Birthdays this Week
- Anne Cramer, July 3
- Susan Harman-Scott, July 3
- Aidan Braswell, July 4
- Beth Tillett, July 4
- Mary Claire Hardy, July 5
- Kim Futrell, July 6
- Heather Day, July 7
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Outer Banks Presbyterian Church
907 S. Croatan Highway, Milepost 8.5
PO Box 2199
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
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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
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