Dear Church,

With Rev. Acton on Study Leave this week (a handful of at-home reading days to prepare for a seminar he will be taking in May on religious fundraising and stewardship), we are sharing in this post an update from Jeff and Christi Boyd, our PC(USA) mission co-workers in the Congo. FPCoG supports the Boyd’s financially and through prayer and we hope this update (and ones to follow) can be a regular source of inspiration and challenge to us to deepen our awareness and continue our support of Christ’s healing work worldwide.

Click to access BOYD_2023_02_PDF_UPDATE_FINAL-1.pdf

The Lord Bless and Keep you as we enter the final days of Lent and prepare for Holy Week, the palms, the passion, the breaking of bread, the cross, the tomb, and what lies beyond.

In Hope,

Your Friends at FPCoG

***

Announcements

*In-Person/Livestream Worship: Join us each Sunday at 11:00am in person or online (via Facebook live) for worship!

Online participation via Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/firstpresbyterianchurchofgarner

See our service from March 26, “Again and Again…God Renews Us.”

Facebook: https://fb.watch/jyMaE4LAF7/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRifGs81hoM&t=8s

Thanks be to God for  Rev. Molly Smerko who filled the pulpit to share this message as Rev. Acton was away on Continuing Education leave. Thanks be to God also for our deacons who helped coordinate “Lemonade on the Lawn” after worship!

Join us next week for Palm Sunday and the message that “Again and Again…God Startles us!”

*Masks are welcome but optional during in-person worship as we continue to contend with COVID and an emerging flu season. We also ask everyone to be still mindful of social distancing and respectful of the personal space of others even as we give thanks for being together.*

*Family Promise Week is April 2-9! We had a wonderful visit from Family Promise on February 26 and are excited to again partner with them by serving meals to the families they host. Contact Lisa Jackson to see how your gifts can be put to use in this mission effort.

( https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnVoq4myme-dojviM_kOHTMRgvRr?e=t5cQi1 )

*Building and Grounds Workday was March 25: Thanks to all who came and helped us spruce up the grounds and garden for Spring and Easter!

*Maundy Thursday Carpool: This year our Maundy Thursday service will be held on 4/6 at 7pm at  White Memorial Willow Springs, Their address is 1459 White Memorial Church Rd., Willow Springs, NC, 27592

WMPC is located about 20 minutes from the church when traffic is flowing! Most of the route is along Highway 50. Rush hour will make the trip a  little longer through parts of Garner. Give yourself at least 30-40 minutes of travel time or consider joining a carpool of FPCoG friends meeting at Cadence Senior Center (20 Minglewood Drive, Garner NC 27529) at 6pm. We will return to Cadence at 8:30ish pm. Please contact Rev. Acton with questions about this service.

*Easter Sunday: There are two services on easter at FPCoG:

9am in the Memorial Garden: A short prayer service followed by light refreshments and fellowship

11am in the Sanctuary: A full service of music, prayer, and proclamation that Christ is risen!

Bring flowers to each service to place on the flowered cross

*Walking Group: Join the Walking Group each Tuesday at 6pm. We currently meet at Cadence Senior Living Center (200 Minglewood Dr.). Dress warmly! If you have any questions, contact the church office at 919-772-0727. In the event there is inclement weather, we’ll just gather the following week.

*2023 Vision Update: In January’s edition of the Spire, Rev. Acton wrote about church leaders (session, deacons, and staff) exploring an emerging vision for FPCoG, rooted in the idea of serving our “neighbors.” The Session continued this conversation at its February meeting and approved the following recommendations:
1. Appoint a group that can help develop a consensus among the congregation for a vision of FPCoG rooted in the image of being neighborly towards our local, regional, and global communities.

2. Complete a demographic study of our region to better know who our neighbors are and what their needs might be.

The next step will be identifying people to serve on the “Vision Team” described above and identifying resources to help us complete a demographic study in a helpful way. The Team will be composed of active members of the Session, the Deacons, as well as the congregation. If you might be interested in serving and helping clarify the call God is issuing to FPCoG for its ministry now and into the future, please contact Rev. Acton or Mike Koenig, the Clerk of Session.

*Share FPCoG with Each Other and Our Neighbors! FPCoG is an active church! To help others know this (and to stay up to date yourself), please consider following and asking others to follow us on Facebook or Instagram!
http://www.facebook.com/firstpresbyterianchurchofgarner
http://www.instagram.com/firstpresbyterianchurchgarner/