Dear Church,

*This is the concluding post in our Friday series featuring quotes from Tish Harrison Warren’s words from Liturgy of the Ordinary

In  Liturgy of the Ordinary, Tish Harrison Warren describes friendships based on Christ’s modal of love  in this way:

Christian friendships are call-and-response friendships. We tell each other over and over, back and forth, the truth of who we are and who God is. Over dinner and on walks, dropping off soup when someone is sick, and in prayer over the phone, we speak the good news to each other. And we become good news to every other.

I experienced this last week during my time at the Montreat Middle School conference when I saw old friends and made new ones that share our purpose at FPCoG to live and share the good news. And I most definitely experienced this phenomenon this week during our Faith Fest when we gathered for fellowship, service, joy, and inspiration. You can see glimpses of all that in the photos below:

So thank you, friends, for being my friends. And take time, if you can, to let your friends know what they mean to you. In doing so, you can, as Warren says, make the gospel of Jesus Christ all the more visible.

The Lord Bless and Keep You As We Do So!
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

On Sunday, July 30,  we begin our annual: “This is Our Story!” series. Each week we will be looking at scriptures and focus in on one word that helps shape and form us as a Christian community on Sunday, we read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, exploring how this passage on time directs our attention to live in the moment of right “Now.” Join us!

*Masks are welcome but optional during in-person worship. 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.*

* Garner Area Ministry URGENT NEED: In June, FPCoG contributed 424 lbs of food to GAM to help alleviate food insecurity in our community. The shelves need to remain stocked though! Please bring donations of ANY and ALL non-perishable food items to the church or directly to GAM in the coming days, weeks, and months.

* The Session has called a congregational meeting for August 6th following worship for the purpose of electing officers to the corporation. Those elected will serve for the remainder of 2023. Those nominated by the Session are Deb McHenry (President), Martha Long (Secretary), and Melissa Miley (Treasurer). During the meeting, other names for these positions can be nominated from the floor.

*Grief Workshop: On August 5, 10am-12 noon FPCoG will host a workshop on grief led by Ruth Cooper a licensed therapist well versed in this topic. Please plan to join us and share this opportunity with others who might be interested.

*Walking Group: The Walking Group meets each Tuesday weather permitting. During these warmer months, please take precautions and stay hydrated! Because it has more shade, the group will return to walking at Lake Benson Park until the fall. The group meets weekly at 6:00pm

*Habitat for Humanity: Read here for news about South Wake County Habitat for Humanity’s year-in-review! Thanks be to God for this ministry and our ability to participate in the 2022-2203 Faith Build!

*2023 Vision Update: Our Group is now set and meeting! 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 the opportunity to offer feedback and ideas as we discern together what God is calling us to be and do in 2023 and beyond. Please pray for this process to be faithful and fruitful.

*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