Weekly NewsWe are pleased to announce that Taylor Tracy has accepted the position of Music Director and Praise Leader. Taylor comes to us from Avondale United Methodist Church and brings 9 years of Music Director experience, 4 years directing Bell Choirs, 10 years as a bell ringer, and a firm foundation and appreciation of Praise Music. Taylor plans to maintain office hours from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, by appointment Thursday, and from 8:30-10:00 a.m. Sundays. Please stop by and meet him as we join in welcoming Taylor to the ministry of First Church.
Due to the Rise Against Hunger event immediately after church, there will not be a coffee fellowship today, September 23. Rise Against Hunger – an international hunger relief organization that distributes food and aid to the world’s most vulnerable. The congregation will be packaging the food today, September 23. There are 20-plus people signed up to help and we need 45 to ensure things run smoothly. Please consider joining this mission outreach project for an hour or two immediately following worship. See Bob Stikeleather or Pam Long for more information. Sermon Series 'Just Words.' Our faith as Christians has its origins in the spoken word, when God in Genesis spoke into existence the universe, our planet, and all living things. This sermon series will explore the power of words to activate our faith in building up the Kingdom of God. Today, September 23, we will conclude with "Just Faith." Annual Rummage Sale: Gently used items in good condition may be brought to Westminster Hall on the following dates and times; today, September 23, & 30, from 11:30 A.M. -1:00 P.M. By appointment Monday-Friday from 8:30-11:30 AM. or 12:30-3:30 P.M. (816-252-6662 or 706-936-0327, ratcliff0615@gmail.com). If anyone can help haul, please let Bonnie know. Set-up is September 30 - October 2 with the sale from October 3 - October 6. Clean up starts 12noon on October 6, any help appreciated! The Mission Committee sponsors the 5th Sunday Brown Bags initiative to support Community Service League. We will be handing out the bags today and collecting them next Sunday, September 30. This is in conjunction with the Homelessness Coalition of Independence who is trying to put a spotlight on the issue homelessness in our community. This month’s emphasis is the need for cold weather gear such as gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, etc. And as always, there is a need for high-protein foods such as canned meats, boxed meals and peanut butter. Thanks in advance for your participation in Missions. Baking Bread for the Lord's Supper - Worship and Mission committees will be handing out mini loaf pans in a plastic bag next Sunday, Sept. 30, for families to bake a loaf of bread for homeless shelters. The loaves will be collected the following Sunday, Oct. 7, during our World Communion celebration and placed under the Lord's Table before being distributed as an act of outreach to God's children. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. The Peace & Global Witness Offering (formerly the Peacemaking Offering) supports the PC(USA)’s efforts to engage in peacemaking at all levels of the church’s life and enables the church to promote the peace of Christ by addressing systems of injustice and allows us to strengthen peace-building efforts around the world and locally by bringing witness through Christ. The ushers will provide envelopes for this collection on World Communion Sunday, October 7, 2018. Between now and through to October 7, you can sign up on the poster in the Parlour for Dinners (or lunch or breakfast) for Six (or seven or eight). Then, all those who have signed up will be randomly placed in groups of six, seven or eight. A host will be chosen from those who volunteer to host and they will contact the rest of the group to plan a date to get together. You can meet in someone’s home or eat in a restaurant chosen by the host. Drumm Farm Days 2018. This annual event is such a wonderful outreach program for all the Kindergarten students and their teachers in the Independence School District and your help by volunteering makes it successful! Please contact Yuri of the Mission Outreach group at 816-654-4284 for more information. Here are the dates: Monday, October 8, Tuesday, October 9, Wednesday, October 10, Thursday, October 11, Tuesday, October 23, Wednesday, October 24, Thursday, October 25, Friday, October 26. The training dates are Sept. 24 at 10a.m. or 1pm, or Sept. 26 at 1pm; email or call janet.gibbs@drummfarm.org; 816-373-3434 LOGOS is beginning October 10 at 5:30pm at WH. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. There is something for everyone. Please register children and adults using the form on the credenza or at our website: www.fpcindep.org. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bonnie Ratcliff at 706-936-0327 or ratcliff0615@gmail.com or Jill Esry at justjillesry@gmail.com. Operation Christmas Child: Please consider providing a box for our Operation Christmas Child mission project. There are instructions in the Parlour along with empty boxes. Feel free to take one of the pre-wrapped boxes to fill with treats for a child that may not otherwise receive a Christmas present; each box ships for $9. There are two options, donate at least $9 online and receive a tracking# to “follow the box” or write your check to “Samaritan’s Purse” and enclose in the box. Christian Education and Missions Committees sponsors this project. National Collection week begins November 12. If you have an address change, name change, email address or a new phone number, please contact the church office by email at fpcindep@gmail.com or call 816-252-6662. Thank you! Total 2018 Per Capita is $43.29 The allocation breakdown is as follows: General Assembly – $7.73 Synod – $2.80 Presbytery – $32.76 |
Week at a Glance |