Dear Church,

As part of our Lenten observations this year, we are welcoming mission partners to share where they have been “Connecting with Jesus.” Each of these partners will give updates on their organization’s work to share God’s love in our community, and to participate as a worship leader, offering prayers of thanks and intercession to God.

For the first Sunday of Lent we welcome Carlton McDaniel, Founder and Director of Able to Serve, a mission partner for the past 5+ years. ATS is a faith-based, community-funded nonprofit organization that believes every person, regardless of their abilities, is created by God to live a full life. Their mission is to equip adults with disabilities to be independent and connect them with opportunities to serve others in their community. FPCOG has supported this group in a variety of ways: through volunteer efforts, monetary donations through their annual silent auction, drives for items like board games and school supplies, and serving lunch one day a week during their summer program. We are excited to welcome Carlton!

To see a little more about ATS 20th year watch the videos below–a look back on their 20th year (via Facebook) and a video from their end-of-year campaign: Serving Every Season (via Vimeo) featuring Carlton and a number of program participants! See you in worship on Sunday–11am in our sanctuary!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/686899513628870

Announcements

• Family Promise: It’s time to start thinking about Family Promise again, and Easter comes early this year! We will be providing all the fixings for Easter baskets. We will need Easter candy (all candy must be individually wrapped), Easter grass, and small toys/party favors. Donation boxes are located in the breezeway and the classroom across from the office. All Easter basket donations are due at church by March 24, 2024 so the families have time to assemble baskets for their children. Our week to host dinner for our families is April 7-13, 2024. As we get closer to this date there will be a signup sheet posted in the narthex. We will need a main entrée and two sides for about 15 people. We will also need a driver to take the meals up to the Day Center each night. Please consider helping with this mission.
• March Spire articles are due by February 20th!
• The Thursday Morning Bible Study: The Thursday Morning Bible Study has resumed meeting after the break for the holidays. They just finished taking “A Brief Tour of the Sermon on the Mount” and are looking forward to beginning their Lenten studies. Please join us each Thursday at 10am!
• The Adult Sunday School class meets each Sunday morning at 9:30 am for thoughtful discussion and fellowship in the comfort of your home or live & in person. They are using THE PRESENT WORD Bible Study. Please contact Karen Lovering (919-418-3568) or Mike Koenig (301-520-0052) for more information. Hope to see you there!
• Walking Group: The Walking Group meets each Tuesday weather permitting. The walking group meets 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.
• Liftavator update: The Building & Grounds Team is pleased to announce that the initial deposit has been placed for the installation of the exterior vertical lift to be placed near the church office and choir room. Information on the liftavator and FAQ sheets can be found in the narthex. Additionally, Karen Lovering and Komivi Ekoule are available to answer any questions.
• Each year an Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women is conferred upon an individual in recognition of faithful service in some area(s) of the Church’s work. We will be presenting this honor to one of our own on Mother’s Day (May 12th). Please complete and return to Helen Losada or the Church Office no¬ later than Sunday, March 10, 2024.
• The Presbyterian Women will be selling Easter Hydrangeas to be placed in the Narthex and Sanctuary for Easter Sunday. Circle representatives will be in the Ogburn classroom collecting money and order forms on February 18th, February 25th, and March 3rd. The cost will be $25 per hydrangea. Please make the check out to Presbyterian Women. If you are not able to be in church you can send your order to Jane Knabe at 108 Full Moon Court, Garner, NC 27529. Please have orders in no later than March 3rd.