*Sunday, February 4: 5th Sunday after Epiphany

• Sermon: Rev. Dr. Fritz Ritsch
• Worship Leader/Scripture Reader: Anna Peterson and Taylor Pike
• Flowers: Congregational Care
• Pennies for Hunger collected
• Head usher: Steve Yokeley Side usher: Blanton Youell

Tuesday, Feb 6: noon: Bible Study

*Sunday, February 11: 6th Sunday after Epiphany

• Sermon: Rev. Dr. Fritz Ritsch
• Worship Leader/Scripture Reader: Gavin Bush and Chase Kniskern
• Flowers: needed
• Head usher: Steve Yokeley Side usher: Blanton Youell
• Beacon's Fundraising lunch after worship- see article below

Tuesday, Feb. 13: noon: Bible Study

Wednesday, Feb. 14: 6pm: Ash Wednesday Service. Communion will be served

*Sunday, February 18: 7th Sunday after Epiphany

• Sermon: Rev. Dr. Fritz Ritsch
• Worship Leader/Scripture Reader: Morgan Cooke and Maddie Youell 
• Flowers: Bob and Sylvia Chilton
• Head usher: Steve Yokeley Side usher: Blanton Youell
• Reception after worship to celebrate Fritz's book being published.

Tuesday, Feb. 20: noon: Bible Study

*Sunday, February 25: 8th Sunday after Epiphany

• Sermon: Rev. Dr. Vicki Jones Johnson
• Worship Leader/Scripture Reader: needed
• Flowers: needed
• Head usher: Steve Yokeley Side usher: Blanton Youell

Tuesday, Feb. 27: noon: Bible Study

Pennies For Hunger: Feb. 4

The first Sunday of the month we pass around yellow buckets for our Pennies for Hunger offering. You can also give to this fund through the Realm app.(click here) Just go to the giving tab and select the fund "HUNGER"

Worship Volunteers Needed:

There are lots of ways to get involved during Sunday morning worship. We need scripture readers, flowers for the sanctuary, greeters, nursery helpers and Little Church helpers. There are sign-up sheets in the foyer, click the button below, or contact Anna at office@fpcma.com

Prayer List

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

Mae Turpin, Emily Burke Cheshire, Lydia Taylor, Sheila Gifford, Larry Watson, McKenzie Brinegar, Ann Yokeley, Jordan Tucker, Bill Rountree, Jean Arrington, Kathryn Benfer, Wendy Byrd, Mariah Tate, Katherine Heath, Lauren Worley, Emma Caroline Howell, Tim Long, and Kendra Eldridge.

If you have a prayer request, contact Anna in the church office or email office@fpcma.com.

In case of bad weather:

Messages will be sent out through Realm and on Facebook. We will also tell WXII to include us on their closings list.

Sunday, February 11th: Join us at the “Oh Love Garden” in the fellowship hall immediately following worship for a Valentine themed fellowship meal. Cost is $10 per person and $5 for children under 12. This will be a fundraiser for our beacon's summer activities. Sign up sheet using the button below, or the sheet on the bulletin board in the foyer. 

Help Tackle Hunger

It's time once again to help our area food pantries tackle hunger with Souper Bowl of Caring. Bring in cans of soup, or make a donation, and help tackle hunger! We will be taking donations through Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 11.

A basket will be in the foyer for donations. We will divide the donations between Yokefellow and Helping Hands. GO TEAM!!!

Ash Wednesday: Feb. 14

6pm: Imposition of the Ashes Services led by Rev. Dr. Ritsch. Communion will be served.

Godly Play and Faith Friends is moving to a new day and time!

We are going to start meeting a couple of times a month AFTER worship service in the fellowship hall from approximately 12:15 until 1:45 pm. We will begin Sunday, Feb. 4; with the theme for the month being “How do we LOVE like Jesus did?”. Lunch will be provided starting at 12:15, after which we will break up into smaller groups and do rotations of bible lessons, dancing and music! We will end at 1:45 and pickup will be either in the fellowship hall or outside on the playground (weather permitting). Adult volunteers will also be needed.  

Beacon News:

Youth in middle school and high school meet on Sundays from 5-7pm, in the Scout Hut for Bible study and fellowship. A light supper will be provided.

2/4: Make treats for the birds then go out for Mexican. Please bring money for dinner.

2/11: No meeting since we're hosting lunch

2/18: Escape Room

2/24: (Sat.) Winter Jam in Greensboro

2/25: Regular meeting

Please consider providing a meal for the Beacons one Sunday this month.

Fritz is a Published Author!

Congratulations to Fritz on the release of his book Reclaiming Power in Congregational and Community Ministry!

We will have a reception after worship on Feb. 18 to celebrate this amazing accomplishment.

There are several copies at the church for purchase or the church can order one for you. It is available in paperback and hardcover. Contact the church office for details. You can also order on Amazon: CLICK HERE

There has been some interest in doing a book discussion online. If you would be interested in participating, email Beth at beth.pequeno@gmail.com

Keenagers Announcement:

The “Keenagers” group at First Presbyterian is a social group of senior adults from the church. We would like to make some plans for activities for 2024. If you are interested in taking on a leadership role, please contact the church office. The ideal person we are looking for would make plans of activities for the group as well as be the primary communicator. 

Updates from the Session:

Financial Report: In December, our total income came to $23,318, and our total expenses came to $15,228. We received $142,110 in pledged giving for 2023, which is 80% of our total pledged amount for the year. We have received a total of $128,574 pledges for our 2024 generosity campaign. 2023 giving statements are being mailed out this month. If you have any questions about your statements, please call the church office. 

Minutes from November's Stated meeting: CLICK HERE

Next Meeting: Monday, Feb. 19 @ 7pm

Chrismon Ornaments Project

Our Chrismons need some attention before Christmas. Peggy Rees is heading up a group of people who are interested in repairing and/or creating some new ornaments. There are two workshops coming up in Virginia where participants are shown how to make Chrismons out of beads. We also have a few people who do needlecrafts, including cross stitch, who have volunteered their talents. If you are interested in helping, contact Peggy at reespar@yahoo.com.

Support Our Area Charities 

Baskets are located inside the Blessings Box located in the foyer for donations to these agencies.

February's special requests are:

Yokefellow:  Rice, Mayonnaise

Shepherd's House: Creamer pods

Helping Hands: Non-perishable food items, paper products and toiletries.

Assistant Teacher Opening

We are in need of an assistant teacher for a two-year-old's class. Please contact Mary Alice or Nicole for details and application.

Congregational Care & Outreach

Deacon Kim Branch is providing congregational outreach by sending birthday, anniversary, and care cards to members and friends on our prayer list. Please contact her if you have someone in particular that you would like to have a card sent to on behalf of the church. Email krhbtexan@yahoo.com or call 336-401-0733. 

To Receive Realm Messages by Text:

Never miss a message on Realm! Text the word "START" (in all caps) to 910-469-4825 to Opt-In to receive text notifications when we post communications on Realm. You should already be getting emails and push notifications from the app whenever we post something, but this will also allow you to receive the message by text. 

Adult Sunday School:

Odds and Ends: This is our longest established class and it meets every Sunday at 10am in the classroom located at the end of the long hallway upstairs.

Lunchtime Bible Study

Every Tuesday, Dr Ritsch offers an hour long Bible study starting at noon.

We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark.

Bring a lunch if you’d like as we discuss what both scholarship and our hearts tell us as we study God’s word.

Mary Botkin has moved to Colorado to live with her daughter. Her new address is :

Mary Botkin

6308 East Chase Road 

Fort Collins, Colorado 80528

Free at-home COVID-19 tests

Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests.

www.covid.gov

Find Local Services by Calling 2-1-1

NC 211 is a free, confidential, and multilingual health and human services information and referral system, available 24 hours a day in all 100 North Carolina counties. Managed by United Way of North Carolina and supported by many local United Ways across the state, NC 211 has continuously gained recognition as a trusted resource in the State and serves as a key member of the State Emergency Response Team.

North Carolinians can find help by dialing 2-1-1 (or 1-888-892-1162) or by visiting nc211.org.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

9-8-8 is the new three-digit dialing code to reach help for suicide and crisis help across the United States. Please help to spread the word about this very important topic, and encourage anyone you know who may need help to dial 9-8-8. Texting is also an option.

Session Members

Moderator: Dr. Rev. Frederick "Fritz" Ritsch

Clerk of the Session: Bob Keck

Elders:

Class of 2024:

Lydia Taylor, David Rives, Gene Rees and Steve Yokely and Anna Peterson (Youth Elder)

Class of 2025:

Kelley Jackson, Thomas Reisinger, Laura East and Jane Tesh

Class of 2026:

Carla Majure, Blanton Youell, Derek Higgs, and Bob Moody