“As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God..
When shall I come and behold the face of God?” 
-       Psalm 42
 
February 12, 2021
 
Grace and peace to the saints of FPC Pottstown,
 
As we approach the one-year anniversary, of life in a pandemic, many of us can feel the words of the psalmist. It can seem like we have been traveling through a wilderness for a long time. This Lent, let us come to the waters, so our thirsty souls can find what they need. The wilderness can be a difficult place where we can feel lost – but it is never a God-forsaken place. For even in the desert, God gives us living streams. For even in the midst of our struggles, God is with us – as God was with Jesus in his own wilderness.
 
This Lent, we are providing what we hope will be several streams in our deserts – through worship, through prayer, through study, through service – and even through celebration! 
 
Here is the full list of offerings – come to the waters!

We hope you will join us this Wednesday, February 17, for Ash Wednesday worship. We will gather in the sanctuary and the service will also be livestreamed. We will mark ourselves with ashes and remember our baptisms in Covid-safe ways – and in so doing, we will bring our thirsty souls to God. Click here to sign up.
Lenten Devotional Booklets are available from the
Spiritual Formation Committee

You can pick up your copy at the church or contact Jaylee or Marie if you would like one will be delivered to you.
Final dates of our Midwinter Feast with Rev. Khristi Adams, our Pastor-Teacher in Residence

Offered via Zoom, please sign up online (links below or at fpcpottstown.org) or with Marie Kayati in the church office, 610-326-0620 or fpoffice@fpcpottstown.org.

Faith & Film: How Films Explore Spiritual Calling
via Zoom (7:30-8:30PM)

2/18 - Life of Pi - Sign-up: https://forms.gle/6udqhjkb7ZA2H8jVA

Watch the movie before the discussion,
either by streaming services, or DVDs available in the church library.

The Speeches & Spirituality of MLK
via Zoom (7:30-8:15PM)

2/22 - I Have a Dream 

Please read or listen to the speech before the discussion.
Faith & Nature Winter Walk in the Woods: February 28th
at Bryn Coed Preserve

Join us as we visit a new location for our annual winter event. Get outside with your family and friends as explore this Natural Lands Trust preserve located in the Kimberton/Chester Springs area. We will hike 2 to 4 miles on well-maintained trails winding through woods and fields.  

Masks are mandatory and we will strive for social distancing. Please wear appropriate boots or shoes as mud is always a possibility this time of year. We will meet at church to caravan at 1:00pm, or you can meet us at Bryn Coed at 1:30/1:45pm. Please confirm you are attending by contacting the church office or by contacting Mike Deegan via email (mdeegan2882@comcast.net) or by text (610-564-4167).
  
Tom Spitko is back from his post-surgery recuperation.

The halls are merrier these days with Tom back. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues his physical therapy for his shoulder. And many thanks to Tom Calvario who came in last week to do some vacuuming and cleaning while Tom S. was out (there certainly is no shortage of Toms around here!).
 
Being the Church This Week

  • Sunday, February 14 – Service of the Lord’s Day – 9:30AM In-person worship and live-streamed. Please sign up online.

  • Sunday, February 14 – Sr. High Sunday School Hour – 10:45AM

  • Sunday, February 14 – Jr. Seekers Virtual Scavenger Hunt – 11AM
        
  • Monday, February 15 – Presidents’ Day – Church Office closed                                                     
  • Tuesday, February 16 – Staff meeting – 10AM
                                   
  • Tuesday, February 16 – Church Library is open during office hours                                       
  • Tuesday, February 16 – Praying the Scriptures via Zoom – 7:30PM if you would like the link, email Kerry

  • Wednesday, February 17 – Music-less Rec – 4PM with Ms. Jaylee & Mrs. B
                                       
  • Wednesday, February 17 – Ash Wednesday Service – 7PM in-person and live-streamed, please sign up online

  • Thursday, February 18 – Sisters of the Way Bible Study – 9:30AM, in Fellowship Hall
                                      
  • Thursday, February 18 – Church Library is open during office hours
                                       
  • Thursday, February 18 – Community Meals – 5PM, in the lower parking lot
                                        
  • Thursday, February 18 – Girl Scouts – 5:30PM in Fellowship Hall
                                       
  • Thursday, February 18 – Chancel Handbells Rehearsal – 6:30PM
                                          
  • Faith & Film “Life of Pi” discussion via zoom - 7:30-8:30PM Sign up via Marie online or by calling the church office.     
 
Session Digest – January 27 Meeting

  • Received the final financial reports for 2020 and approved a budget for 2021 that incorporated the Personnel Committee’s reluctant recommendation for no staff raise because of the impact of Covid on expected financial contributions in 2021.

  • Approved unexpended Porter Broward grant money for 2020 be shifted to the Capital Improvement Fund since we were not able to make the full budgeted contribution to the Capital Improvement Fund in 2020.

  • Elected Sharon Sgriccia Clerk of Session and Jon Allen, Treasurer and Financial Secretary for 2021.

  • Approved Carter and Kerry taking study leave, February 2-5.

  • Agreed to extend the life of the Covid Emergency Fund indefinitely because of the continuing economic impact of the pandemic.

  • Moved the February Session meeting back one week because of Ash Wednesday.

  • Received reports from the Committees and Deacons.
       
Mission Partner: Centro Cultural Latinos Unidos, Inc. 
                                            
Grace and peace,                                                                                       
Kerry and Carter

Links for this Sunday



Young Children and Worship Video: Parable of the Great Pearl

Link for Ash Wednesday


The order of service for Ash Wednesday will be posted to the website next week, please look for it there to download.

The order of service is also posted to the homepage at fpcpottstown.org every week.
If for any reason you have trouble downloading it from this email, you can use the link on the website.
People-to-People Directory

The Hospitality Committee is ready to update our People-to-People Directory. If you have a business or service to offer other members of First Pres, please take a minute and fill out this Google Form with your information.

All entries will be compiled in a printed brochure and an online spreadsheet. The brochure will be available at church. The online directory will be posted on the members page at fpcpottstown.org and will be password-protected.
We have COVID-19 vaccine resources on our website.

You can also download the information sheet with clickable links here.
Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.  (James 1:17 CEB) 
 
At FPC Pottstown, we believe that our time, our talents, our earthly treasures are not our own; they are gracious gifts from God. God entrusts them to us, and calls us to use our gifts and our lives to make God's love known in the world.
 
The coronavirus has not stopped God's work! We continue to clothe, feed, educate and uplift one another, and our neighbors in need.  This work requires offerings of time, talent and treasure. Your giving makes that work possible. Thank you!