Weekly News Sunday Attendance: Zoom Sunday School (Dr. Stancil) = 52; Video Online Worship (vow) = 94
Holy Week and Easter at First Church will be a little different this year, and yet somehow the same. We will still have the cross outside the church with artificial flowers, we will still have Easter morning worship (Video Online Worship via Zoom), and you can still have Fellowship & Hot Cross Buns (or the equivalent) if you have a baker or resourceful shopper in your household. Just like not everyone can make it to church on Sunday, we know there are faithful, beloved members and friends of First Church who don't have access to a computer or Smartphone, so not everyone can participate in this particular way of staying connected. But everyone can make phone calls, send emails, post messages and send cards -- all important ways to join in our shared expressions of love, care and togetherness. Since our host churches understandably canceled Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, Bonnie Ratcliff is planning to offer instructions for at-home activities that families and individuals can do to observe these holy days. Also, both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will be reflected in our Palm Sunday VOW service as we follow Jesus in the final week leading up to the cross. Online Communion with the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated on Palm Sunday (first Sunday of the month) as permitted in guidelines for video worship by the PC(USA). To prepare for our Palm Sunday VOW service, please have a suitable beverage from your household and a grain or grain-substitute food set aside for this holy use and mystery. Pastor Dave will consecrate our communion elements and lead us in the words of institution as we join in the blessings of online Communion in the Spirit of Christ. A link for Video Online Worship will be sent each week to members and friends of the church. If you or someone you know is not getting the weekly All-Church email, please have email addresses sent to www.fpcindep.pastor@gmail.com. Also, you are welcome to forward the VOW link email to anyone you know who would like to join us for worship. But please do not post the VOW link online or share it beyond people you know and trust to help ensure our worship service is not disrupted by “party crashers.” LOGOS Zoom Gathering will be on Wednesday, April 1 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Bring your dinner and we will eat together and talk about how things are going for you in your household. We can talk about what we enjoyed about LOGOS this year and what you would like for next year. I can't wait to see everyone's face. The link will be sent out to you on Tuesday afternoon! Hope to see you all there! Resources and more are on the website. Visit our churches website (fpcindep.org) and find the "Resource" button. It can be found on the homepage and on the Children and Youth page under "Worship and Beyond." There are coloring pages, devotionals and a Bible time with me! The devotional is also found on the Weekly Announcement page. We hope that you find these useful. They will be updated weekly. Bonnie was asked to send out what we are going to be studying for Sunday School along with some questions to think about. Here they are: Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46 (The Sheep and the Goats) Questions: 1. What initially sticks out to you in this passage? Does it make you feel anything? If so, what? 2. Right now in your life, do you feel like you are more of a sheep or a goat? Why? 3. How might this passage help you to see others differently? Please continue to make your regular pledge offerings by mail or drop them off at the church office (please call first.) Please call the church office for any questions or concerns at 816-252-6662. Your pastor, staff, deacons and other servant leaders are available to help in whatever way they can. 2020 Per Capita - $43.04 If you have a special birthday or anniversary coming up and would like to celebrate with your church family, please contact the church office at 816-252-6662. If your address, name, email address or phone number has changed or have a wedding, or birth announcement, please contact the church office at 816-252-6662. |
Week at a GlanceIn-person gatherings of 10 or more postponed at least until May 16 in keeping with local and national restrictions. Calendar listings are place-holders only.
Weekly Devotional This is a devotional for all ages while we are at home trying to make sense of all that is happening. It will be updated weekly (on Thursdays) while we are in the midst of our restrictions for COVID-19. We hope that these find you comfort and joy and a peace of mind as we are all struggling to find God in the midst of these crazy times. May God Bless you and keep you safe.
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