Fridays@First - January 20, 2023
Fridays@First - January 20, 2023
January--Ugh
If the first half of January has been a little more complicated and demanding than you thought it would be, welcome to the New Year. Those of us who have had a tough week may resonate with the following:
Sometimes I just want someone to hug me and say,
“I know it’s hard. You’re going to be okay.
Here’s a cup of coffee and eight million dollars.”
Yellow Bag Sunday
As we continue to move through January, Yellow Bag Sunday is almost upon us. Around this time each year, we collect gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories for our friends at Miracle Hill Ministries. Please take a few minutes to explore drawers, closets, and cupboards, and if you have any of the above mentioned articles, collect them in yellow bags, which will be available beginning next Sunday, January 29, and then return them on February 12. Each year your donations make such a difference to those in need. Thank you.
New Member Weekend
Tonight and tomorrow, January 20-21, we are hosting Discover First, our first new member weekend of 2023. Over 58 people plan to attend, and I look forward to meeting them tonight. My colleague Rev. Dr. Claire Ripley, who does an excellent job on these occasions, will be heading up the weekend and would appreciate your prayers as our participants consider putting down spiritual roots and growing in their faith here at First Pres.
BEHOLD!
This Sunday morning at 9:30am, The Life & Light and Foster & Adoption Ministries are holding Behold! Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3) in Harper Chapel. All adults and senior high students are invited to attend and hear personal stories ranging from abortion to fostering to adoption. If foster care, adoption, or kinship care has touched you personally in any way, we invite you to participate in a group photo in the Chapel prior to the event, at 9:15am. Note: While children most definitely should join for the photo, the event is not age-appropriate for them due to the sensitive nature of the messages. Be sure to stop by tables in the Loggia for more information on ways you can help those who are vulnerable.
Sunday
This Sunday Rev. Dr. Brian Stewart will conduct the ordination and installation of new officers at the 11:00am service, a special moment for everyone involved. These are the individuals we elected at our Congregational Meeting in November. Please take a few moments on Sunday to welcome our new class of officers and assure them of your prayers and support as they provide leadership for us in the years ahead.
Last Sunday we passed out bookmarks relating to our new series of studies in the book of James, entitled “Designed for Growth.” The bookmarks are designed to help us explore the book of James and to encourage us in our own devotional life during the week. If you did not receive a bookmark last week please click HERE to print your own, or pick one up at the close of the service on Sunday.
In preparation for worship on Sunday morning, please take a moment to read James 3:1-12, as we will be immersing ourselves in this passage over the next two weeks.
Meanwhile, I trust you will have a great weekend, and I look forward to welcoming you on Sunday.
Yours in Him,
Richard