“We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses…”
                                                           Hebrews 12:1
October 23, 2020

Grace and peace to the saints of FPC Pottstown!

In the life of the church, we have entered the season of remembering. God in scripture is always calling us to remember, to pause to look back and name where God has moved and appeared, so that we can give thanks, and so that we can recognize and trust God’s movement in the present.

In this particular season of the year, the church calls us to remember something in particular: our ancestors, those who have lived and died trusting in God, and so they show us how to do the same. On Reformation Sunday, we look back towards the Scottish and Swiss mothers and fathers in faith who boldly and bravely, often at great personal risk and sacrifice, joined in God’s reforming movement to reclaim the authority of scripture, redistribute power, reorder priorities, and forge a new way of being Church in the world. 

On All Saints’ Sunday, we look into our own memories and remember those whom we have watched walk in faith. We recall the saints who, though they were sinners like the rest of us, sought to live in the grace, faith, hope and love of Christ; saints who, though they were flawed people, pointed us to the light of God’s perfect realm, and even reflected some of that light here and now.

On Dedication Sunday, we remember, and take our place in the stream of these ancestors and saints to stand alongside them. In the logo printed above, and on the banner hanging in the lobby of the church, there are hundreds of photos of real flesh and blood and breathing saints, men and women who commit over and over again to giving their lives to follow the One who leads us into Life. Since you cannot see these saints clearly on this page, we will tell you who they are: YOU! On November 8, we will stand and dedicate ourselves anew. As we do, we will be standing with the cloud of witnesses. In these weeks, we remember, so that we can more fully be someone in whom others see what we saw in them.

How will we be Church this week?
Sunday, October 25 -- Reformation Day Service of the Lord’s Day - 9:30AM, in the sanctuary and live-streamed. Bagpiper Don Walls will greet us as we arrive. Feel free to wear plaid!

Sunday, October 25 -- 21 Day Challenge Family Zoom Call, 4-4:30PM Whether or not you have finished the Bible read aloud challenge, families with young (elementary-aged and preschool) children connect via Zoom. Contact Jaylee for the link.

Tuesday, October 27 -- Bible study via Zoom, 7:30PM -- Carter has the link

Tuesday, October 27 - Mental Health Companion Circle - 7:30PM - Community room

Wednesday, October 28 -- Musicless Rec -- 4PM, with Ms. Jaylee and Mrs. B

Wednesday, October 28 -- Theology Reading group -- 7:30PM, via Zoom, contact Carter

Wednesday, October 28 -- Moms’ Gathering -- 7:30PM in Kerry’s driveway, RSVP to the church

Thursday, October 29 -- Sisters of the Way Bible study, 9:30AM, on the labyrinth or in Fellowship Hall depending on the weather

Thursday, October 29 -- Community Meals – 5PM, in the lower parking lot

Thursday, October 29 -- Dementia Companion Circle -- 7:30PM, Kerry’s porch
           
Update on the Menaul School ministry 
For many years, the Prime Timers have collected BOX TOPS coupons and soup labels to support the Menaul School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which provides college prep education to Native American, Latino, and other ethnic and Anglo students in a campus setting in the Christian tradition. The BOX TOPS program has recently changed to a scan method which is not conducive to a collection system for groups like us. So Prime Timers has decided it is time to seek other ways to help those in need. We are grateful for the steadfastness of the Prime Timers service, and to all of you who have collected labels and coupons for lo, these many years!

Upcoming All Saints’ Communion Service in the Peace Garden
The deacons are ready to deliver the bread and the cup following the service to anyone who would like to receive the communion elements but is unable for medical reasons to join us in the Peace Garden. Contact Marie via email or phone and sign up for a delivery.

Election Day Assistance
After much discernment and with deep regret, the Session decided that it was not wise to host a polling site this year. Unfortunately, those who are slated to vote in our building are now assigned to vote at MontCo Community College. We would like to offer a ride to MCCC to anyone who arrives mistakenly at the church to vote. Please let Marie know if you can ‘be on call’ for any part of the day on Nov. 3. We have no way of knowing how many people will need the assistance, but we would like to be able to offer it.

Mission Partner: Pottstown Library

Gladly,  
Kerry and Carter
Visit the stewardship page on our website!

Watch videos of thanks from our mission partners. Be sure to check back on Monday and Thursday afternoons as new videos are posted.

You can also quickly and securely complete your 2021 pledge card.

Questions? Contact the church office, 610.326.0620 or fpoffice@fpcpottstown.org.
The Spiritual Formation committee is looking for people to write meditations for this year's Advent devotional. You can sign up to write a devotional using this form, https://forms.gle/aEVtnE7hiMRAhRJA7 .

If you have any questions, email Jaylee, jferreri@fpcpottstown.org.
Links For This Sunday




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.
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!