Weekly Update: 4/18/24
GOD EMPATHIZES
One of the features of how power works in our culture, how money works, is stratification. The phenomenon that people find themselves suddenly at a distance from one another, divided along the lines of haves and haves not. Whether you’re talking about power, money, systems, possessions, birthrights, even beliefs, people can experience distance from one another to the point of losing our sense of shared humanity. But God does not do that with us. Despite being God, God is close enough to us to actually empathize with us, even at our most sorrowful. This week find some way to convey to God your deepest hurt, longing or wound. Do this knowing God actually wants to hear it.
QUESTIONS AS YOU WORSHIP THIS WEEK
As you prepare for Worship, consider the following questions:
- Why do you think God cares about our tears?
- How do YOU show you care about someone’s grief?
- Why do you think God allows experiences of sorrow?
- What role does music play in your faith?
ANNUAL YARD SALE
Our annual Missions Yard Sale is HERE!! If you haven't already, please bring your donations through Thursday from 9 am to 12 pm or 4 pm to 5 pm. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Volunteers (cashier's, folks to bag items, floaters, etc.) are needed the days of the sale. Please contact Carol Phillips if you are available. The Women of the church are doing their bake sale at the same time. Please bring your baked items early Friday morning or leave in the church vestibule Thursday. Your help is greatly appreciated!!
FAITH @ NIGHT THIS WEEK!
This Sunday at Faith @ Night ✝️we'll talk about how to "Sing Trouble" in our series "A Faith That Sings!"🎶
"Turn It Up" by Planetshakers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G4RpjgbxXk
"Gospel Song" by Rhett Walker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w45yZUcg4P0
"Forsaken (Psalm 22)" by Aaron Shust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vwwpkt7tWg
"Grace Got You" by MercyMe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtiUjNT_vAM
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING NOTICE
This Sunday, April 21st, at 11:00 a.m., in the Sanctuary, the Session is calling for a Congregational Meeting to address a request from the Civitans for the installation of a permanent fence structure and a presentation by the Session on a recommendation concerning the Manse as well as, more broadly, thoughts toward addressing many of other needs througPCUhout our church campus.
THANK YOU!
Thank you all for the prayers and support during Anthony’s recent health concern with his vision. He is doing well and your prayers were felt and a blessing to us!
—Anthony & Jennifer Vicinanza
SING A NEW SONG
We continue our study with the Follow Me curriculum series from the denomination, as we move through the Easter Season, centered on the theme “Sing a New Song!” The study offers the opportunity to think about music in the life of faith and the power music affords us for sharing what can’t always be put into words. As we move through the study, please share with the Spiritual Life Committee (Sam Beaudry, Caroline Massey, Christy Bailey, Alice Ray, Mandy Ealy, Brody Cameron, and David Ealy) your favorite hymns and why they’re your favorite. The study materials are available from our website, Facebook page, and from the church office. Opportunities to join with others in the study happen on Monday nights and on Sunday mornings (for children and youth). Contact the church office or Mandy Ealy (or Christian Education Director) for more information.
CHURCH MUSIC FACT
William Booth (1829-1912), the Founder of The Salvation Army, used religious music to attract more people to the church.…Booth had a lively band play secular music set with Christian lyrics. He called it “salvation music.” Booth’s Christian songs include “Onward Christian Soldiers,” “O Boundless Salvation,” and “Send the Fire.
BINGO
Join us for Bingo Friday, April 26th, at 11:00AM! Bring your friends and family for games and fun fellowship!
SPRING BIBLE READING PLAN
The Spring Bible Reading plan link is listed below and covers the scriptures we use in worship each Sunday, April 7th-June 16th. The plan can also be found on our website home page or there are copies in the office.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fa9foxwsfu02musrc3inm/Spring-II-Sermon-Plan-2024.pdf?rlkey=8t11f7mkaipyoukndhtwbcl5i&dl=0
ANIMAL SHELTER DONATION DRIVE
The Hawfields Youth group is hosting a donation drive for the Alamance County Animal Shelter this month. The shelter is in particular need of blankets, towels, canned and dry cat and dog food. To make things a little more fun, you can use your donation to ‘vote” for your favorite kind of pet: dog, cat, or other pet (rabbits, hamster, lizards. etc.). Just place your donation in the designated box in the vestibule to place your “vote.” We will let you know at the end of the month what kind of pet is the most favorite among our congregation! Again, they are in need of blankets and towels (these can be old or new) and dry or canned dog and cat food.Thanks for helping out!!
SALEM PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN SPRING GATHERING
The PW Spring Gathering, “Encountering Jesus in Today’s World”, will be held Saturday, April 27th at 9:00AM at Parkway Presbyterian Church in Winston Salem. Registration forms and additional information are available in the church office or in the link below. Cost is $5 for the conference only or $15 for conference and lunch.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4yssqc3hfk7mkrq1n7u53/2024-Spiritual-Retreat-Registration-Form-1.pdf?rlkey=3yo2h16su895x9aiw97y38ujz&dl=0
SPRING YOUTH GROUP MEALS
Please click the link below if you are available to provide a meal for a Youth Group meeting. Favorite menus include: chicken nuggets, pizza, Bojangles, taco bar, & subs. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D49AEA82EABFA7-47959271-spring#/
VBS DONATION
We are in need of empty cereal boxes for VBS. Please drop off any donations in Mandy's office. Thanks!
VBS 2024
Our 2024 VBS will be happening June 19th - 22th,Wednesday - Friday from 6PM to 8PM, with dinner offered at 5:15PM; Saturday from 9AM to 11AM, followed by a cookout lunch and games for all VBS families! You can click https://forms.gle/AjUDFFQ7qJo8Hvg59 to register today! Our 2024 theme is Seekers in Sneakers!
MANNA MARKET NEEDS
The following are the non-perishable items needed for Manna Market: mixed veggies, diced tomatoes, canned tomato sauce, jar spaghetti sauce, canned fruit, canned pinto beans, canned kidney beans, canned black beans, oatmeal, mac and cheese, jam/jellies, canned tuna, canned chicken, instant mashed potatoes, pancake mix, cereal, pop tarts, and saltines. Your donations are greatly appreciated!
BY THE NUMBERS—MARCH 2024
Giving Budget 2024........ $246,800.00
Year to Date................... $68,190.14
Needed monthly.............. $20,820.90
Month to date.................. $8,121.89
Needed weekly................. $4,804.81
Last week... ..................... $3,121.89
Helping Hands Fund............. $918.12
WAYS TO GIVE
In our church, we give in a number of ways. We give of our time through service and mission. We give of our prayers. We give financially through the tithing box in the worship space entrance, by mail, online and at the church office. We give of ourselves wherever we are.
PRAYER CONCERNS & CELEBRATIONS
The following are prayer concerns & celebrations given to us through email, Prayer Notebook at the entrance, by phone or word of mouth. Please use this list in your prayers through the week.
- Staff of the month: Beth Foust
- Jane Alexander—health concerns
- Celebrating the birth of Skylar La’Nee Bert (great niece of David and Mandy)
- Mike Boggus—recovering from heart surgery (grandfather of Riley, Quinn and Nixon)
- Joe Bolick—health concerns
- Lizzie Bowden—breast cancer diagnosis (wife of Tom)
- David Ealy—eye health concerns
- Jeff Karnes—prostate cancer
- Kathy Lee—recovering from heart procedure
- Carolyn Long—health concerns
- The Family of Richard “Dick” Murray—(brother of Devona Lee)
- Mary Jo Ray—health concerns (Betsy Rich’s sister)
- Millie Smith—heart trouble
- Tom Stone—health concerns
- Carol Thompson—at Pruitt Healthcare in Durham; Room #336-639-5397
- Barry Turner—family concerns
- Teresa Walls—at Peak Resources @ Brookshire; Room #604
- Wren Lee—5-week-old baby recovering well (Freddie Dixon’s friend’s grandchild)
Cindy Atkins, Rose Boderck (Room #103, Liberty Commons), Harriett Covington, Susan Loy (Alamance House), Kevin Monroe, Teresa Wall, Nathaniel Wall, & Pat Webster