February 26, 2021
 
Grace and peace to the scattered saints of FPC Pottstown,
 
As we write this snow is on the ground, but we can hear melting snow running through our gutters. Winter is still here, but there are signs of what is to come! What an apt metaphor for where we are right now: we are still in Lent, still in the wilderness, but there are glimpses of resurrection life. Easter is coming!
 
  • Last Sunday in worship, Kerry needed to say “Good Morning” twice to be heard before the opening announcements – there was the kind of conversational buzz from folks greeting each other that we haven’t heard since before the pandemic! The sanctuary was close to being filled – with our social distancing requirements. Please don’t forget to preregister for worship via the website or by calling Marie. Our Deacons will help everyone find a place, and we have the service livestreamed into the Community Room for overflow.
 
  • We are making plans for Holy Week that take into account Covid – but which won’t let Covid have the last word! On Palm Sunday, we will have a procession of palms into the neighborhood – outside and socially distanced – following worship. Following the Maundy Thursday service in the sanctuary (also livestreamed), you can sign up for a spot in the Prayer Vigil that can be done in the sanctuary or at home. Would anyone volunteer to be a vigil keeper – staying up to let folks in and out of the church for the vigil during the night?
 
  • The Good Friday community Cross Walk will be virtual and posted on the website, and you can sign up for a time slot to walk in the labyrinth as an individual or as a family.
 
  • On Easter Sunday, we will have three services at 6:30 (in the Peace Garden), 8:30, and 10:30 with special brass music. The 10:30 service will be livestreamed. There will be no Easter breakfast but there will be an Easter egg hunt following 10:30 worship (outside weather permitting).
 
Speaking of Lent, we hope you will join us for one of the three Lenten Circles:
  • Praying with Imagination, Thursdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. with Amy Shutt
  • Loving Our Neighbor, Listening to Learn, Thursdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. with Carter and Kerry
  • Seeking Balance: Fairness in Educational Funding, Sundays, 4:15-5:15 p.m. with Carter, Kerry, and other community members.
 
All are on Zoom – you can get links from Marie, on the website calendar, or from Amy, Carter or Kerry. For more information about the Circles, check the website or Facebook page. Even if you missed the first one, you are welcome to join in!
 
Children and Families: Join the Lenten Bible Story Reading Challenge and One Great Hour of Sharing. Check your email or check with Jaylee for all the details or to arrange to pick up your Lenten Sunday School packet and fish banks.
 
Lenten Devotional Booklets available for all. You can pick up your booklet at the church or call the church office if you need one delivered to you.
 
Lenten Mission Collection
Al’s Warming Center provides shelter, simple meals, and connections to other local service agencies to people experiencing homelessness.  

We can help by donating the following:
  • Sweatpants in adults sizes
  • Shelf-stable, microwaveable meals or snacks
  • Checks made out to First Presbyterian with Al’s Warming Center on the memo line

Emmanuel’s Closet provides complimentary clothing to children, single parents, families, seniors, and those experiencing homelessness in and around Pottstown.

We can help by providing the following:
  • New and packaged socks and underwear for men, women and children

All donations can be placed in the Mission Basket in the church lobby.
 
Faith & Nature Winter Walk in the Woods 
PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE DUE TO PREDICTED RAINY WEATHER THIS WEEKEND
Sunday, March 7th 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 28 – Service of the Lord’s Day – 9:30AM Please sign up online

Sunday, February 28 – Jesus’ Short Stories: Finding Ourselves in the Parables with Seekers, Kerry and Jaylee 10:45-11:45AM in the Community Room
    
Sunday, February 28 – Streams in the Desert:– Seeking Balance: Fairness in Educational Funding via Zoom - 4:15-5:15PM – register to get the link in your email, or follow the link on the church Facebook page                                                                                                                         
Monday, March 1 – Cub Scouts – 7PM

Monday, March 1 – Theology Reading Group via Zoom – 7:30PM If you would like the link, email Carter or check the church calendar on the website
           
Tuesday, March 2 –  Staff meeting – 10AM

Tuesday, March 2 –  Church Library is open during office hours.

Tuesday, March 2 –  Praying the Scriptures via Zoom – 7:30PM If you would like the link, email Kerry or check the church calendar on the website
           
Wednesday, March 3 – Musicless Rec – 4PM, with Ms. Jaylee and Mrs. B

Wednesday, March 3 – Committee Meeting Night – 7PM (fellowship), 7:15PM (evening prayer), 7:30PM (Committee meetings in break out rooms) via Zoom. Look for the link from your committee chair or contact Carter or Kerry.   

Thursday, March 4 – Sisters of the Way Bible Study – 9:30AM, in Fellowship Hall
                                         
Thursday, March 4 – Church Library is open during office hours.
                                         
Thursday, March 4 – Community Meals – 5PM, in the lower parking lot
                                         
Thursday, March 4 – Girl Scouts – 5:30PM, in Fellowship Hall
                                         
Thursday, March 4 – Chancel Handbells Rehearsal – 6:30PM
                                         
Thursday, March 4 – Sr. High Labyrinth Lantern Walk – 6:30PM    
                                         
Thursday, March 4 – Lenten Circles via Zoom, 7:30 - 8:30PM                                                
  • Praying with the Imagination – Amy Shutt will send Zoom link or you can get link on the website church calendar

  • Loving our Neighbor: Listening to Learn – with Carter, Kerry, Kurt Holloway, Joe Sun, Khristi Adams and you - Marie will send Zoom link                                             
Mission Partner: One Great Hour of Sharing – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance   
 
May the Lenten journey reset and refresh our souls,          
Kerry and Carter
Lent at First Presbyterian 2021
 
Here is the full list of offerings – come to the waters!

Links for this Sunday



Young Children and Worship Video: Lenten Puzzle

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!