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Many Thanks for a Beautiful Holy Week and Easter
To all who made our Holy Week and Easter opportunities possible...
- the voices of choir members
- the potluck chefs
- youth who stuffed and hid Easter eggs
- those who ushered and set up communion
- the ones who stayed behind to clean up Baird Hall
- parents who wrangled children into uncomfortable Easter outfits
- you who filled the pews and flowered the cross
- and so many other things that likely went on quietly behind the scenes without anyone ever knowing...
THANK YOU for helping us all to have a meaningful and joyful week of worship, fellowship, laughter, and joy. We love our church family!
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The Mission Committee’s annual Our House Shoe Drive starts tomorrow! In these uncertain financial times, as well as the cost of buying shoes, the number of children in need of new shoes has increased to 56 children. It’s still exciting for little kids to get new shoes for school and we want to make sure all the kids at Our House get to experience the pride in having new school shoes.
Would you like to be part of this very worthy effort? Here’s how:
• You may purchase a pair of shoes or a gift card in the suggested amount of $50. If you purchase shoes, please include the sales or gift receipt for any needed exchanges.
• Click here to choose a child and get their shoe size. When you sign up, as well as your name and email address, please include your phone number in the ‘Comment’ box.
• If you choose to purchase shoes, please provide athletic shoes only. No sandals or dress shoes. ***For shoes, please include the sales or gift receipt.
• You may wish to include a person note or card with the child’s name, so they know the shoes were chosen especially for them.
• You may provide your gift cards or shoes in one of the following ways:
o Place your gift cards or shoes in Shoe Drive bin in the narthex on Sunday.
o Deliver to Cheryl Grisham at 530 Forestdale Drive, Auburn AL 36830.
o Call Marianne Cone (404.375.3940) for pick up.
• Questions? Contact Marianne Cone (404.375.3940).
The Mission Committee extends it thanks to the congregation for considering being part of this effort in what continues to be difficult circumstances for families in need.
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Additional Updates on Mission at FPC Auburn
As the Easter season begins and we are sent out into the world with the hope of Christ’s resurrection, we take a moment to give thanks for all the ways your gifts to First Presbyterian help support ministries far beyond our sanctuary walls.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
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FPC Legacy Funds to Benefit “East Meets Debt”
The East Alabama Medical Center Foundation has identified 2,630 families who have received services at EAMC in the last six years. The combined debt of these families has a total value of 17.9 million dollars. Through "East Meets Debt", EAMC has agreed to allow this debt to be forgiven for the discounted dollar figure of $358,000, a mere 2% of the total amount of medical debt owed. In partnership with other area churches and foundations, members of the First Presbyterian Church Mission Committee have committed over $4,400 of our church’s Legacy Fund income to the East Meets Debt campaign of EAMC in 2022.
Local Mission
Through our Church and Community Fund, the Mission Committee has pledged financial support to the following organizations in 2022:
- Auburn Daycare Centers Inc.
- Auburn City Schools Dental Clinic
- The Community Market
- Bravehearts Center for Place and Purpose
- Presbyterian Community Ministry
- Alabama Prison Birth Project
- REACH Respite Ministry
- WeHelp Coalition of Churches (Habitat for Humanity)
International Mission
For the first part of 2022, the Mission Committee has committed $1000 of our International Mission budget to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s efforts to provide relief in Ukraine.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
Second Saturday Volunteering at the Community Market
Join us on the second Saturday of each month at the Community Market to clean, stock, organize - whatever needs doing! You are welcome to come for all or part of a shift. Children under the age of 12 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up here to participate: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050548a8a92ca3fc1-second
FPC Community Garden
If you have not already signed up to weed, water, harvest, or deliver but would like to be involved, please contact Elder Katie Forster (334) 329-9672, forster306@charter.net to be included on future communications!
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New Sunday School Series Beginning April 24
What exactly do we mean when we say the "Word of God"? What do we believe really happens to the bread and juice during communion? What happens when someone becomes an elder? What is this "presbytery" we keep referring to?
Whether you are a new visitor discerning membership at our church, a life-long Presbyterian who may need a refresher on your Reformed Theology, or even someone who has been through elder training in recent years, we welcome you to join us for this four week series in the chapel where we deep-dive into the Presbyterian tradition.
(Please note - this is a NEW and different class, NOT a repeat of our former Presbyterianism 101 class.) Questions? Contact Rev. Kathy Reed (kreed@fpcauburn.org)
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Sign Up Now to Host Punch-on-the-Lawn!
Everyone's favorite time of the year is here! Join us in the courtyard following the 11 a.m. worship service for a time of fellowship and refreshment. Greet your neighbors, introduce yourself to visitors, and enjoy God's creation as we spend time together in community.
Volunteers are needed to serve punch throughout the spring and summer months. Please see this sign up link to reserve your date - you will be contacted ahead of time with details about setup and clean up. For more information about volunteering, please contact Kirstin Yost at at kmyost97@gmail.com or 910-309-1625.
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The Gerri Talley Memorial Layette Project Spring 2022
Help us fill the white laundry baskets with baby items from birth to two years old. Monetary donations are always welcomed and appreciated to help purchase other items as needed. Monetary donations can be given to Carolyn Williams or put in the Sunday offering noting for the Gerri Talley Memorial Layette Project. White baskets are located in the Narthex area and near the Baird Hall entrance until Sun., May 8, Mother’s Day. Clark/Wilcox Counties are the main recipients. Watch for a display at the PW Birthday Luncheon on Tuesday, May 10. Contacts: Harriette Huggins, Denise Salo, Carolyn Williams.
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Update on FPC COVID Protocols
On Wednesday, March 2, at a called meeting of the Session, the elders present unanimously approved the following recommendation from the COVID Task Force:
That there no longer be any Covid-related restrictions to church activities at FPC Auburn with the following two exceptions:
Masks shall be required
1. For the 9 am worship service.
2. For any person working with children under the age of 5.
Additional notes:
• Small groups within the church (e.g. Sunday School classes, PW circles, the choir) may decide among themselves whether or not to mask as they gather.
• The Covid Task Force will not meet again until convened by a pastor.
• We will continue to provide a virtual option for the 11 am worship service.
• We will keep the mask requirement at the 9 am worship service through Easter and will then reevaluate.
The task force also found this article helpful and suggests this information be shared both with the session and congregation: "If you are vaccinated, boosted, and wearing a well-fitted N95 or similar indoors, 'your risk is extremely low,' says Joseph Allen, a COVID and ventilation expert at Harvard.”
We continue to be grateful for the wisdom of our task force members and the faithful discernment of our session elders. It is with faith and hope that we move into the Lenten season and this next phase of our communal life together.
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Worship Arts: Exercise/Movement/Worship
Join us for 3 Mondays in May - May 9, 16, and 23, from 10-10:45 a.m. in Baird Hall. Strength, balance, and recovery exercises using Contemporary Christian music with focus on praise, worship, and reflection. Contact: Denise Salo 313.304.3248 denise_salo@yahoo.com
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Children and Youth News
Youth Sunday is May 1. Our youth have been working hard preparing to lead the congregation in worship! Jr. and Sr. High Youth will meet together at 4:00 in the sanctuary this Sunday to practice.
Also on May 1, children, youth, and their parents are invited to join us at 5pm in the courtyard for an end of the program year cookout. There will be food, fellowship, and games for the children and youth.
May 8, our children will be leading the 11:00 worship service. They will practice during the Sunday school hour on the 8th. See this Sign-up Genius link to sign your child up for a speaking part and/or a musical part if they’d like to play the piano.
Parents of 2nd through 5th graders,
Don’t forget to click this link and sign your child up to be an acolyte!
Children Pre-K through 5th grade
Parents, mark your calendars! VBS will be June 20-23. Registration will be opening soon! Stay tuned!
- The nursery is available from 8:45 until noon on Sunday mornings for children birth to age 3.
- Godly Play: After the Word to Grow By (at 11 a.m. worship), children ages 4 to 1st grade will go to the Godly Play room to worship together for the remainder of the worship service.
- Worship bags are also available for all children during worship.
- Children’s Sunday school will meet this Sunday from 9:45 – 10:45 in their classrooms upstairs.
Jr. and Sr. High Youth
- Jr. and Sr. High Sunday school meets weekly from 9:45 – 10:45am upstairs in the Sr. High room.
- Jr. and Sr. High youth will meet together this Sunday at 4:00 in the sanctuary to practice for Youth Sunday, followed by dinner in Baird Hall. They will be finished at 5:30.
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Birthdays
April 25 - Lucy Tamblyn
April 27 - Adam Brown, Joel Buchanan, Ki Seroka
April 28 - Bob Greenleaf
April 30 - Dan Henry, Chris Sarkowski
Anniversaries
April 29 - Jeff and Lisa Glasscock
April 30 - Steve and Jane Reeves
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Prayer Concerns & Celebrations
For the time period in which our church family is worshiping virtually, our pastors have decided that prayer concerns will be shared via weekly email. These individuals will most certainly be prayed for during our Sunday worship service, but their names and specific concerns will not be shared via broadcast.
- Prayers of healing and care for Jean Talmage. Jean has not been feeling well these last few weeks. Jean did share she would love any cards sent to her home, however she would prefer no visits or phone calls at this time so she can get some good rest.
- Please continue to pray for many members of our church who are dealing with illness or significant health issues, but at this time do not wish to be mentioned by name. Prayers of healing for many in our congregation.
- Prayers of healing for Doug Klinkenborg as he continues to heal and get good rest at home after a brief stay at EAMC a few weeks ago.
- Continued prayers of healing for Bill Combs as receives treatment for cancer.
- We pray for the nation of Ukraine and we pray for peace as they face senseless violence and war from another nation. We pray that all will come to a peaceful solution and no more people will be injured or killed.
- Continued prayers of healing for a family member of Myrna Walker. Myrna’s relative is now home and continuing to recover from hip replacement surgery.
- Prayers of healing for Kay Recknor’s friends the Rev. Mitzi Lesher-Thomas and her husband the Rev. Troy Thomas. Mitzi has glioblastoma brain cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy.
- Prayers for Tripp Hinkle’s mother as she receives treatment for cancer.
- Prayers for Amy Kilner and her family (daughter in law of Dorothy Moran). Amy is in need of a kidney transplant and is currently looking for a donor.
- Prayers of healing and wholeness for the friends of the Barnes Family, Wes and Melanie Jackson. Both Wes and Melanie are seeking treatment for significant health issues.
- Prayers of healing for Belinda (friend of Karen Herring), she has finished her treatment and is waiting on the results of the latest scans. Prayers for her spouse Pooie as she cares for Belinda.
- Prayers of healing for Jason Banks (Margaret Brinkley’s neighbor). Jason is now back at work. However is recovering from successful shoulder surgery.
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