Archive December 21, 2020

BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE –

MONDAY, December 21 – 7:00 online on Facebook

Click here to go to our Facebook page

The Blue Christmas service is for those who are struggling this time of year. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, economic problems, physical needs, relationships, or the stress and anxieties of 2020, this service is an opportunity to connect with God around those feelings.

O Come O Come Emmanuel. These weeks leading up to the celebration of Christmas are a special time in the church. We contemplate the miracle of Jesus’ birth all those years ago. We also explore how the promise of Advent and the meaning of Christmas impact our lives now. This year we are looking directly at the challenges of 2020. Using the Biblical stories leading up to the birth of Jesus and the four traditional themes of the season: hope, peace, joy, and love, we discern powerful lessons from Jesus’ coming into the world. This Sunday we begin with The True Light Comes: Bringing Hope. Where is hope in 2020? Jesus offers hope that the world cannot. Join us as we start our journey to the manger. Join us online at our Facebook page at 11:00.

Here is some information to help you participate in worship online:

The response to our interactive opening prayer is “Come Lord Jesus, bring new hope to our world.”

• Today’s songs are “O Come O Come Emmanuel” and “I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light” Look up the words online and you can sing along.
• The scripture reading is John 1:1-14.
• Please leave a prayer request in the comment section so that we can celebrate God’s kindness and discern God’s will with you.
• Share an offering in our app in Givelify or send a check to the church.

We’re looking forward to worshipping with you. Have a blessed Lord’s day everyone!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice! God is doing great things, and we will raise our voices in worship. Join us in person at 332 Baynes Street or online here at Facebook Live at 11:00. Today, our message is “Setting an Example.” This message continues our sermon series entitled, “Extravagant Generosity.” During this month we’ll be focused on the nature of generosity and why it is a part of the Christian life. This morning we focus on how Jesus set the example of generous living.

Here is some information to help you participate in worship online:

• The response to our interactive opening prayer is “Let your example of loving, generous living inspire us all.”
• Today’s songs are “To God Be the Glory” and “I Love to Tell the Story” Look up the words online and you can sing along.
• The scripture reading is John 13:1-17 and 34-35.
• Please leave a prayer request in the comment section so that we can celebrate God’s kindness and discern God’s will with you.
• Share an offering in our app in Givelify or send a check to the church.

We’re looking forward to worshipping with you. Have a blessed Lord’s day everyone!

The First Church Food Pantry is open today from 3:00 to 5:00. All who need some assistance with getting meals on the table are welcome to receive a bag of groceries. We’re located at 332 Baynes Street. Please use the parking lot entrance. Delivery can be arranged if necessary. Please message the church.

Doctor holding a card with Get Your Flu Shot, medical concept

This Sunday all are welcome to come and receive a free flu shot. During this challenging season, we must do what can to protect ourselves. While these shots do not protect from COVID 19, they will help us all with another problem that happens during this time of year. Representatives from Rite Aid Pharmacy will be offering the shots at the church from 12:30 to 1:30.

All who come will be subject to temperature screening and will need to wear masks while in the building. Social distancing will be enforced, meaning only members of the same household will be allowed in the area at one time.

Here are our church announcements from last Sunday:

• Food Pantry: The food pantry has been seeing increased demand in recent weeks. We could use more donations of fresh produce and canned goods. Feel free to drop your donations at the church on Thursday during the pantry hours from 3:00 to 5:00. We also would welcome some more hands to organize and pack bags for our guests. 

• Grief Share is going well. Please spread the word to anyone who might benefit from being a part of this journey with supportive people who will help them as they heal from their loss.  

• We’re looking for more people to join our prayer team. If you’re interested, please contact pastor Scott. Also, feel free to invite anyone who needs prayer to either call or message the church for prayer at any time. 

• Wednesday Bible Study: meeting by Zoom this week. If you would like a link to the meeting, message the church.
• Join our Facebook group to join our conversations about what God is doing and ways we can live and share the love of Jesus.

The First Church Food Pantry is open today from 3:00 to 5:00. Anyone is welcome to receive a bag or box of groceries. Come to the church at 332 Baynes Street (the corner of Baynes and Potomac). We’ll be at the parking lot entrance. We can also arrange deliveries when necessary. Email or message the church for assistance.

Worship with us today!

Bless the Lord oh my soul. Let all that is within me praise God’s Holy Name! We are excited to worship the Lord this morning. Join us in person at 11:00 or online here at Facebook Live. Today, our message is “Are You in Debt?” Our focus is the idea of a debt of love and God’s amazing grace.

Here is some information to help you participate in worship online:

• The response to our interactive opening prayer is “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!”
• Today’s songs are Victory In Jesus and Amazing Grace.
• The scripture readings are Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20
• Please leave a prayer request in the comment section so that we can celebrate God’s kindness and discern God’s will with you.
• Share an offering in our app in Givelify or send a check to the church.

We’re looking forward to worshipping with you. Have a blessed Lord’s day everyone!

We are thrilled to share that First Church is worshipping in-person again. Our services are also available online via Facebook Live. There are several new procedures in place to keep everyone as safe as possible and combat the spread of COVID 19.

Please note the changes below:

• We strongly encourage everyone in a high-risk population to continue worshiping with us online. While we would love to see you in person, please make the best decision for yourself and your loved ones.
• Everyone must enter through the parking lot door. No other doors will be open for entry.
• Everyone must have a mask or an appropriate facial covering. If you need a mask, we will have some available. The mask is to be worn at all times while in the church.
• Everyone must have their temperature checked and sanitize their hands before entering the building. 
• Once inside, members of the same household may sit together. People may only sit in designated pews and areas. The available spaces are marked so that we can maintain social distancing in the sanctuary. 

 The Leadership Team and some of our sisters and brothers have taken extraordinary measures to help clean, disinfect, and ventilate the church so that we can begin worshipping together again. It is critically important that we follow these guidelines to keep each other safe. If you have questions, feel free to message, email, or call the church.

Join us for worship this Sunday!

First Church’s food pantry will be open today from 3:00 to 5:00.