125 years of First Reformed United Church of Christ

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Dear Beloved Community,

This Sunday we are in Week 2 of our sermon series, Living a Legacy, walking with Moses toward the end of his journey and asking ourselves what it means to live a legacy of faith?

Every day, we are handing something to the people who come after us. The way we love. The way we forgive. The things we stand for. The stories we tell. The courage we show.

In this week’s scripture, Exodus 32, the story of the Golden Calf, the Israelites feel so afraid and abandoned that they lose their way. Thinking they will find peace, they revert back to old patterns and behaviors they had learned from long ago – but do not bring lasting peace. You and I are not so different. 

Sometimes the most faithful act from a church is to ask, “What needs to end with us?” Throughout scripture, God’s people lose their way, and remind us faithfulness isn’t about pretending we are perfect. 

Sometimes our most faithful act is recognize what has gone wrong and choose a different path. A legacy of faith includes knowing what should end with us.

This Sunday, Kevin Cook will speak during service about his experience with First Reformed.

And you’re invited to join the Pick-Up Choir at 10am to practice. 

I hope you’ll come Sunday!

Elizabeth  

Visiting and want to learn more about the church? Come learn about life at First Reformed UCC. On Sunday October 25, after worship join Rev. Horton in the Parlor. We’ll discuss ways to get involved in ministry and join the church.

 Please let Rev. Horton know if you are interested.

(336-972-8895 or elizabeth@frucc.org)

Inquiry Class

Book of Life – 2026

First Reformed UCC Book of Life will be available in the sanctuary through November 1st. We began the Book of Life two years ago to remember loved ones who have passed away. Again, this year we have the opportunity to remember and add loved ones to the Book of Life.

Y

Celebrating 125 Years

with an Extra $125 of Gratitude and Generosity

Neighbors In Need Special Offering

Donations accepted during the month of October 2026

Gifts to Neighbors in Need support the United Church of Christ’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States.  One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). The other two-thirds of the offering support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, direct service projects, and grants.  Neighbors in Need grants are annually awarded to UCC churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities.

A donation basket will be out and donations are appreciated

Sunday Adult Bible Study

(Meet in Parlor Sundays - 9:30am)

October Bible Study

Breaking The Code

starting Oct. 18th

By Bruce Metzger & David deSilva

The Book of Revelation contains passages of great beauty and comfort, as well as passages that strike the casual reader as bizarre, bewildering, and sometimes frightening. Regrettably, there are those who have misinterpreted a 1st century message, written for a believer’s movement in crisis, as a vengeful prophecy for the 21st century, where God and Jesus are violently involved with the destruction of the world, as we know it. There are those who have been duped by a bad End Times theology, and it’s time to fix that! Join us for a 6-session study of BREAKING THE CODE by Bruce Metzger & David deSilva. Join us as we reclaim a vision of God’s healing love for our world, where we don’t seek to revenge it or escape it, but seek to change it for the better. The Adult Bible Study group invites you to join us on Sundays at 9:30 am, October 18th - November 22nd.  (Participant guides for the study will be made available for $10. We will be using a dvd-prompted resource for our sessions, as well.)

Music At First Reformed UCC

THIS SUNDAY - Oct. 11, 2026

Pick-up Choir

"The King of Love My Shepherd Is"

ALL ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE 

Participants meet in the Sanctuary at 10am for a brief practice session.

If you would like to join our Sunday morning choir, or you play an instrument and would like to share your talent during the worship service, please contact our Choir Director,

Ellen Peterson.

Would You Like to Help with Communion?

We are looking to expand our Communion Prep Team! Please scan the QR code to learn more about how you can get involved.

Pastor's Pantry Holiday Boxes

Canned Corn Drive from Oct. 4 - Nov. 8

First Reformed UCC will again be collaborating with other churches and organizations to provide canned goods for Pastor's Pantry for their Holiday Boxes.

These boxes provide a meal for seniors in our community that are food insecure. Our church will be collecting 500 cans of corn. This will be collected between October 4 thru November 8. Please bring on Sundays to the Sanctuary or drop off at the church office on Thursdays and Fridays.

Our Church has always met the 500 cans needed - let's do it again this year!

Please Volunteer to Park Cars on

Saturday, October 24th

during the 42nd Lexington BBQ Festival

This year we will be parking cars with assistance from our First Reformed Youth Group and need some church member volunteers to assist.

(Contact Eddie Yates (336)-225-1231 or bbqman46@gmail.com)

~ Your help with this event is greatly appreciated ~

Saturday time slots are in 3 hr. increments.

starting at 7 AM and ending at 3 PM.

If you can help but have time constraints, please give and hour or two and note in the comments.

(Several volunteers are needed Friday evening to assist blocking off lots)

October 2026 Calendar

Each Week

Mondays from 4:00-6:00pm     FRUCC Clothing Ministry

Mondays (2nd, 3rd, & 4th) from 5:30-7:00pm     Open Hands Meal

Saturdays from 12:00-1:00pm   FRUCC Saturday Lunch Ministry

Fellowship Hall Scheduled Events

10-17     Set-up for Congregational Meal – Fellowship Hall

Events and Meetings

10-11      Consistory, following Worship – Parlor

10-13     Board of Worship, 6:00pm – Parlor

10-14     Board of Evangelism, 5:30pm – Parlor

10-18     Congregational Meal and Budget Meeting,

               Following Service in Fellowship Hall

10-18     Youth Group, 5:30pm – EDU Building

10-21     NAMI Support Group, 1:00pm – Room 13

10-22     JV Football Team Meal, Fellowship Hall

10/24    Lexington Barbeque Festival

10/25     Inquiry Class

10/25     Intersections of Faith Bible Study at 4pm – Parlor

10/28    Women’s Fellowship, 11:30am, Yarborough’s Restaurant

10/30    BooBash from 6-9pm

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

November 1st - Homecoming

Join us for the Grand Finale of our churches 125^th Anniversary and Homecoming! We will have an original composition by Bruce Tippette, an original poem by Christy Hamrick, and guest speaker Rev. Ray Nance Howell IV. We will have a wonderful Homecoming meal following the service.



Broasted Chicken, Baked Ham, and an Anniversary Cake

Please bring Covered Dish Sides

Our 10:30 service will also be a Memorial Service for members who have passed during the past year. Please invite family and friends to enjoy this day of music, food, and fellowship! Watch our weekly email announcements and bulletin for more details as we get closer to the date.

November 8th at 4:00pm

NC A&T University Choir Concert at First Reformed UCC

Sponsored by Faith and the Arts of Lexington, NC

First Reformed UCC Youth Group

Oct. 4, 11, & 18 at 5:30pm

Future Youth Group meetings will be on the first and third Sunday of each month. 5:30pm - 7pm

Davidson County

First Hope Ministry - Homeless Shelter

FRUCC Meals Calendar

Intersections of Faith will be providing Monday - Nov. 9, 2026

107 E. First Ave., Lexington

Charles England Elementary School

We need individual pop-top cans of protein for the

take home weekend meals. Items such as Beanie Weenies, Ravioli, Beefaroni, and Pinto Beans are favorites.

We also need more plastic grocery bags.

Thank you all, Patti Lovell 💙🧡💙

FRUCC Clothing Ministry

In need of men’s clothes (especially smaller sizes). Shirts, pants, shorts, hoodies, and jackets are all in high demand. Also, we need toiletries for people coming through.

FRUCC Saturday Lunch Ministry Donations of bottled water needed. 

On the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 1:00-2:30pm

NAMI IN-PERSON SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS

Family Support Group meetings at First Reformed UCC in Lexington, NC. Meetings will be held in the Education Building located at 75 N. Salisbury Street, Lexington NC

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NAMI Connection is a support group for adults diagnosed with mental health conditions. Facilitated by trained peers, it encourages safe, confidential sharing in a flexible group setting. 

These meetings are via Zoom. To register, visit our Calendar; https://naminwpiedmontnc.org/calendar/, 

and click on a Connection meeting of your choice. Use the “Register” link to enter your information. This will get you to all scheduled meetings for that entry. Email: ncpsstraining@gmail.com 0pm  

• Every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. 

• Every Sunday 6:30- 8:00pm Young Adult Connection (18-40 years of age) 

• 3^rd Wednesday monthly from 6:00 to 7:30pm

• Every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. 

Dates to Remember the week of 10/10 - 10/18

Saturday, 10/10

12-1:00pm..... Saturday Lunch Ministry

Sunday, 10/11   Pick-up Choir

9:30am........ Adult Bible Study – Parlor 

9:30am........ Choir Practice – Choir Room 

10:00am...... Pick-up Choir Practice

10:30am...... Worship Service - Sanctuary/YouTube

                     Consistory following Worship Service 

11:00am....... Faith Forward Baptist Church – Chapel 

4:30-5:30.... Middle School Youth

5:30-6:00.... Youth Group Meal, Middle & High School

6:00-7:00.... High School Youth

Monday, 10/12

4:00pm..........FRUCC Clothing Ministry

4:30pm......... Trustee Meeting, Parlor

Tuesday, 10/13

6:00pm.......... Board of Worship, Parlor

Wednesday, 10/14

5:30pm.......... Board of Evangelism, Parlor

Saturday, 10/17

12-1:00pm..... Saturday Lunch Ministry

Sunday, 10/18 Congregational Meal and Budget Meeting

9:30am........ Adult Bible Study – Parlor

9:30am........ Choir Practice – Choir Room

10:30am...... Worship Service - Sanctuary/YouTube

Following Worship, please join in the Fellowship Hall

for a meal and to vote on the plans and budget for 2027

11:00am....... Faith Forward Baptist Church – Chapel

4:30-5:30.... Middle School Youth

5:30-6:00.... Youth Group Meal, Middle & High School

6:00-7:00.... High School Youth 

PRAYER CONCERNS

Lee Bouchard, Christie Plummer, Aurelia Smith, June Grubb, Susan Odom

AT HOME

Marge Doty, Lib Hinkle, Carolyn Spivey, Deanna Michael, Pattie Everhart

IN CARE FACILITIES

Peggy Bates – Grayson Creek, Welcome

Gennie Lou Byerly – Abernethy Laurels, Newton

Myrtle Latimer – Countryside Village, Stokesdale

Eulene Shepherd – Piedmont Crossing, Thomasville

FRIENDS

Paisley Phillips & her mother Britney, (Friends of Seth Poe)

Linda Flowers (Aunt of Elizabeth Horton)

Gary Peterson (Father of Jeremy Peterson)

Our Saturday Lunch Guests

Students, Faculty, and Staff of CEES

Those attending the UCC Cuba Study

Trip/Seminar in January

Your deposit of $100 is due October 15th, 2026