Dear Church,
Last Saturday a long hoped-for occurrence happened! FPCoG gathered a group of volunteers to be part of a Habitat work team as well as helped provide lunch for the 20+ volunteers in attendance from churches other than our own.

I say “long hoped for” because it’s been some years since we have had folks feel able to serve in this ministry. And while you can’t turn back the clock, it is good to know you can get acquainted with your roots again! Our work that day was coordinated by Building and Grounds and Mission Ministry. Since I was unable to work myself, I’ll let Mission elder Melissa Miley tell you more about the day:

Thank you to Komivi and Regina, Chris and Christy, Jeremiah, Melissa and Kian, and Joshua Branthum from Boy Scout Troop 392 for helping to work on the Faith Build for Habitat for Humanity on this chilly and rainy Saturday. Also, Thank you to Lucy Paradies for getting the meal to serve to our group as well as one of the future homeowners and several of the faithful construction leaders that are probably there more often than not.

Due to the increased intensity of the rain, we were dismissed around 2:30 or so. I do not know all of the jobs that our church members performed because we were separated working on a few different homes. The Turpin’s were installing kitchen cabinets, the Ekoule’s were doing something in the closets I believe, I was helping with building a deck and helping Kian and Josh nail up OSB in the storage closet. I am not sure about Jeremiah, but I did see him using the miter saw to cut wood.

Christy, Joshua, and I are planning a “baffle” service project for Habitat which we will need the congregations help with during Faith Fest. They are used in the rafters. More details to follow.

Thank you everyone for your time on this worthy project.

Indeed, thanks to those who went out into the weather and to all those who in prayer and love continue to support our community in various meaningful ways. I look forward to reinvigorating our church’s efforts with habitat and hope you will, too! Thanks be to God indeed for this old and new way of living and sharing the good news of Christ!

The Lord Bless and Keep You,
Rev. Ben

Announcements

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

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

See our service from May 28, Pentecost Sunday, below…

Facebook: https://fb.watch/kTI2tpcjVk/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jhDtyX4tvA

On Sunday, June 4, we celebrate Trinity Sunday and Holy Communion as we also start a new series on the meaning and purpose of “Sabbath.”

*Masks are welcome but optional during in-person worship as we continue to contend with COVID and allergy, cold, and 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.*

*Youth Group Re-Starting: On Sunday after worship, youth, their families, and members of our faith Formation Ministry team will meet to brainstorm ideas for re-starting our Youth Group–a regular time of fellowship, study, and service for young people (5th grade and older.) Please contact the church office and speak to Rev. Acton about ways to be involved.

*Walking Group: Join the Walking Group each Tuesday at 6 pm. We currently meet at Cadence Senior Living Center (200 Minglewood Dr.). It’s getting warmer so make sure to bring a bottle of water! 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.

*This is Our Story! Later in the summer, we will again share a worship series utilizing favorite scriptures and hymns of the congregation.
During June we will collect our ideas! You can email Ben at pastor@firstpresbyterianchurchgarner.com with your suggestions.

Please note, we will have four Sundays for these selections, and we must pay attention to copyright on hymns since we live stream our service. Scriptures and hymns not used will be filed for future dates.

*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.

Our Group is now set! Thanks be to God for Elders Deb Wallace and Megan Snapp, Deacon Regina Ekoule and at large members Kathy Blue, Sandy Lee, Joe Prater, and Ken Summerville for being part of this work. They will not be alone though as the whole congregation will have opportunity to offer feedback and ideas as we discern together what God is calling us to be and do in 2023 and beyond.

*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!
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