“The sense of ritual is important for human beings, and that applies to the pandemic, too.”
L. David Marquet, retired commander of the submarine U.S.S. Santa Fe
 
February 19, 2021
 
Grace and peace to the scattered saints of FPC Pottstown,
 
In an article last week, one writer interviewed several astronauts and a submarine commander who had lived in isolation and “lock-down” for extended periods of time. One of them, Jane Poynter, spent two years as one of eight crew members in Biosphere 2, the enclosed ecological system in Oracle, Arizona. Commenting on life during the pandemic, she said, “’If we were only in lockdown for a couple of months, we’d all be fine…But it turns out that when you hit between four and six months, you get into what’s called ‘long duration isolation,’ when people start acting out.’”
It was then that rituals were crucial for buoying morale. L. David Marquet, a retired commander of the submarine U.S.S. Santa Fe, who once spent 87 days underwater, commented, “… under such radically changed conditions, rituals from before the pandemic have their place. …On the submarine, we did the best we could to replicate holidays,” he said. “It kept us grounded in the rhythms of the year and the rhythms of life… We put decorations up…The sense of ritual is important for human beings, and that applies to the pandemic, too.” (Jancee Dunn, “This Valentine’s Day, Take Love Lessons from the Astronauts.” Feb. 12, 2021, NYT) 

We know that rituals mark out the calendar year, and we need them. We need Valentine’s Day cards and candy, the first pitch of the baseball, the graduation march, the opening of the pool, the first day of school, the harvest festival, the Thanksgiving feast -- rituals like these frame the secular calendar year. 
The Church, in its wisdom, also gives us rituals that keep us grounded in the rhythms of the year and the rhythms of life. During the season of Lent, we practice several rituals to frame the season of preparation for resurrection and renewal: ashes on our brow to remind us that time is limited; water on the head to remind us of the fount of life; fasting -- from food, or time, or habits, or hobbies, to empty ourselves so that God can fill us; offerings that keep us from closing in on ourselves –mission collections, acts of service, One Great Hour of Sharing fish banks and activities; Lenten prayers and study that make space in our spirit to let Christ reach us and teach us; Lenten worship with its particular music, tone and character to express the fullness of the human experience.

All our rituals set the Lenten season apart from the rhythms of the rest of the year. For the good of your spirit, for the health of your household, for the benefit of your faith, we encourage you and your household to adopt some meaningful rituals this Lent. Look at the things going on in this community of believers and find a way to connect with the season. There are seven groups of fellow sojourners gathering (safely) in Lent, having open, inquisitive conversations of faith about one thing or another. Pick one. You don’t have to agree with them – Jesus’ disciples were always disagreeing. And you don’t have to sign up for years. 40 days. Like Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, a season of preparation and renewal. (You’ll find the links for signing up in the calendar below and at fpcpottstown.org/lent – please register online or call the church office.)

“Chris Hadfield, a retired astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency … lived in space for half a year. One of the best coping mechanisms he developed was to accept the ‘full reality’ of his circumstances. ‘Recognize that this [pandemic] isn’t a timeout in your life, and [it] isn’t an interruption or an imposition on your life. This is your life,’ he said.”

For now, this is our life. We don’t know how long it will continue, but God is here, and Christ is still teaching and working, and the Spirit is still creating and recreating. It’s a good season to rouse ourselves from our spiritual stupor and see what the Source, Guide and Goal of Life is up to.  
Lent at First Presbyterian 2021
 
Here is the full list of offerings – come to the waters!

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 date of our Midwinter Feast with Rev. Khristi Adams, our Pastor-Teacher in Residence

Offered via Zoom, please sign up online (link below or at fpcpottstown.org) or with Marie Kayati in the church office, 610-326-0620 or [email protected].
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 ([email protected]) or by text (610-564-4167).
Being the Church This Week
 
  • Sunday, February 21 – Service of the Lord’s Day – 9:30AM Please sign up online.
                                        
  • Sunday, February 21 – Sr. High Holy Moments in Lent – Jesus’ Short Stories: Finding Ourselves in the Parables with Kerry and Jaylee 10:45-11:45AM in the Community Room 
                                 
  • Sunday, February 21 – Streams in the Desert - Seeking Balance: Fairness in Educational Funding via Zoom - 4:15-5:15PM – Signup: https://forms.gle/juTMhQyC3aJcRFYo6  Register to get the link in your email or follow the link on the church Facebook page                                                                                                                         
           
  • Monday, February 22 – Cub Scouts – 7PM

  • Monday, February 22 – The Speeches & Spirituality of MLK – I Have a Dream via Zoom – 7:30-8:15PM Sign up online (https://forms.gle/v577971FUcMLmfUv5) or by calling the church office.
             
  • Tuesday, February 23 – Staff meeting – 10AM
                                      
  • Tuesday, February 23 – Church Library is open during office hours
                                   
  • Tuesday, February 23 – Mental Health Companions via Zoom – 7PM
                                               
  • Tuesday, February 23 – Bible Study via Zoom – 7:30PM if you would like the link, email Carter
           
  • Wednesday, February 24 – Music-less Rec – 4PM, with Ms. Jaylee & Mrs. B
                                    
  • Wednesday, February 24 – Session via Zoom - 7:30PM 
 
  • Thursday, February 25 – Sisters of the Way Bible Study – 9:30AM, in Fellowship Hall
                                       
  • Thursday, February 25 – Church Library is open during office hours
                                       
  • Thursday, February 25 – Community Meals – 5PM, in the lower parking lot
                                       
  • Thursday, February 25 – Girl Scouts – 5:30PM, in Fellowship Hall
                                        
  • Thursday, February 25 – Chancel Handbells Rehearsal – 6:30PM

  • Thursday, February 25 – Streams in the Desert via Zoom – 7:30-8:30PM Praying with Imagination – Sign-up: https://forms.gle/YuEvY9Nwfq6xZZHe9 - Amy Shutt will send Zoom link
 
  • Thursday, February 25 – Streams in the Desert via Zoom - 7:30 -8:30PM Loving our Neighbor: Listening to Learn – with Carter, Kerry, Kurt Holloway, Joe Sun, Khristi Adams and you; Sign-up: https://forms.gle/tmxGS1oEMPL3y2WG6 - Marie will send Zoom link                                              

Mission Partner:  YWCA   
                             
May the Lenten journey reset and refresh our souls,
Kerry and Carter
Links for this Sunday



Young Children and Worship Video: The Sower

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!