Dear Church,
Our series in Genesis comes to a close this Sunday, October 15. It has been an immensely helpful series for me as I have relished the opportunity to take reflections and learnings from a spring and summer Bible study on Genesis and explore them in a variety of other ways in worship. It also feels timely, especially given world events from the last week as the Holy Land has again erupted in war and terror. The news is devastating, heartbreaking, horrifying. The horror was made even more real by disinformation flying around on social media and politicians getting their own soundbites in to score points for their campaigns.

As I shared in worship, on our email prayer chain, and with our elders over the past few days, these conflicts did not start overnight but are part of a continuing struggle between those who see themselves as children of Jacob and those who see themselves as children of Ishmael. The prayers we offer must be for innocents caught in the crossfire, both those described as Israelis and those described as Palestinians. And terror must be named as evil, condemned, and resisted.

I also believe that a peace which comes from the Prince of Peace also requires us to imagine and work for a world where bombs and terror are turned into, as the prophet Isaiah says, plowshares and pruning hooks. I don’t know how that happens in the Middle East, nor do I think any thoughts I might conjure would be helpful. But I do believe that the peace Christ offers, a peace we long for, a peace that is marked by love and reconciliation, does begin in our own lives. Our determined, stubborn work to be a more peaceful people, meeting hate with love, judgment with curiosity, fear with hope, and anger with empathy, can help. It can ripple out in ways we can hardly imagine.

So let us be about that kind of creative work. Let us lament the heartbreaking loss, but let us also turn our eyes to the ways we can still dig for hope, especially the hope of life which we believe comes in the midst of death.

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

See our service from October 8  here:

Facebook: https://fb.watch/nCyNdwuqAY/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCmZhYhfrjc

On Sunday, October 15, our worship series “Created to Be” comes to a close. During worship we will invite participants to bring forward their own creations (songs, poems, woodwork, knitting, paintings, drawings, etc) as a way to pledge ourselves to the continuing creative work of love and peace. Join us to live and share Good News in a world that needs it.

*NC Department of Health reports and data show a recent increase in COVID-19 rates, perhaps due to a summer seasonal surge. The church encourages people to be mindful about ways to protect themselves and others, including maintaining distance, washing/sanitizing hands, wearing a mask (always welcome at FPCOG but still optional), avoiding large crowds when you are not feeling well, and having a COVID test on hand. The church office has test kits on hand for those who need them. Please contact the office or pastor if you need one. Also, remember to get your COVID booster and Flu shot as you are able and feel led to do so.

*Congregational Meeting: At the conclusion of worship, we will have a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing new Elders and Deacons. For Elder: Billy Knabe, Melissa Miley (filling 1 year of an unexpired term), Deb McHenry, David Pease,  Paul Pedziwiatr. For Deacon: Kathy Blue, Bonnie Bowling, Regina Ekoule, Lorrie Icenhour

*NC Department of Health reports and data show a recent increase in COVID-19 rates, perhaps due to a summer seasonal surge. The church encourages people to be mindful about ways to protect themselves and others, including maintaining distance, washing/sanitizing hands, wearing a mask (always welcome at FPCoG but still optional), avoiding large crowds when you are not feeling well, and having a COVID test on hand. The church office has test kits on hand for those who need them. Please contact the office or pastor if you need one. Also, remember to get your COVID booster and Flu shot as you are able and feel led to do so.

*Our Fall Church Picnic will be on October 15 at 5 pm on the church grounds. Bring an appetite for good food and good fellowship!

*November Spire articles are due to the office by Monday, October 23^rd.

*All Saints 2023! FPCoG observes All Saints Sunday on October 29, 223. We will remember by name during the service members of our church who have died since October 30, 2022. If you have a loved one you would like to remember by name and with the lighting of a candle, please submit their name to the church office no later than October 22, 2023.

*Calling all Ringers! In worship on 11/26, our music contains the possibility of a handbell piece. We need at least 4-5 folks who might be interested in learning and playing the piece. Please contact Bill Rashleigh to be part of this ensemble!

*Confirmation has Begun! Our young people are undergoing the process of Confirmation during September and October, where they will deeply consider what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We have approximately a half dozen youth and adults serving as mentors involved in this process. Please pray for them!

* Garner Area Ministry NEED: 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.

* Crafting Crew: Attention crafters and other handcraft creators! The monthly crafting collective is restarting. We’ll be meeting on the first Saturdays of the month  from 10 am until noon. The next date will be November 4. Bring whatever you’re working on and a beverage of your choice. We’ll spend the time in fellowship and learning new skills. Kathy Blue will teach any crocheters who want to learn how to do broomstick lace. Come join us!

*Walking Group: The Walking Group meets each Tuesday weather permitting. Starting Oct. 17th, the walking group will meet at the Village at 6pm to walk. We will park at Cadence assisted living on Minglewood Dr. and walk 2 laps around the Village. If you have any questions, contact Martha Long at 919-744-0751. In the event there is inclement weather, we’ll just gather the following week.  The group meets weekly at 6:00 pm

*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!
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