Midweek: Wednesday, January 18th, 2023.

 

Midweek 1-18-23

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” Colossians1:3

In This Issue:           

•   Music Notes & Special Music-y Request       
•  Reminders
•   Greeters & Liturgists           
•   Celebrations & Live and Learn
•    Zionsville Banquet!
• Invitation to Share Knowledge & Experience
• Session Updates Covid Safety Protocols
•  A Position of Faith

“. . . that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans 1:12    

Music Notes: No rehearsals for Presbyterian Ringers. Chancel Choir Rehearsals are on hiatus until February 2nd.

MUSICIAN PARTY!    Saturday, January 21st 6pm~Allen and Jennie's~1500 Sunnybrook Lane

Lebanon, IN 46052       Singers, Ringers, Accompanists, and their spouses or guests are invited for an evening of song, food, memories, cocktails, and laughter! 

Special Music-y Request: Please bring, put in Jennie's mailbox, (or send digitally to jenniewoods1966@gmail.com) any pictures or memorabilia of the Chancel Choir, Presbyterian Ringers, Cherub Choir, Carol Choir, Cantatas, or worship ministry over the years so we can put together a display for a future celebration of worship at FPC.

Reminders: Liturgist for January is Arlene Quinn. Greeter for Sunday, Jan.22^nd , is Margi McConnaha. Treat bringer for Sunday the 22^nd is also Margi McConnaha.

Greeters: Why do we have greeters? Is it important? Is it necessary? When there is a greeter who meets you at the door, there is an automatic welcome. There is a “thank you for coming”. There is a “we are so glad to see you”. And these are genuine sentiments. We may feel that way anyway, but to communicate it verbally and physically leaves a lasting impression on the mind and heart of each individual. It communicates kindness and compassion. It speaks love to each person who comes through the doors. Does this sound intimidating to you? We can give you pointers and tips to bring it down-to-earth. Do you prefer to work with a friend? Sign up two or more at a time and do it with a friend! Want to give it a shot but don’t know what to say or do? We can help! Sign up and let us know your need and concerns. Contact Gretel in the office and she will put you in touch with other like-minded folk. Thank you for your generosity of spirit and willingness to serve. Is greeting people at the door and/or handing out bulletins serving the body? Absolutely!

Liturgists: Liturgists are a gift to the body of Christ. It is a blessing to those who share the liturgy as well as those who listen. It is an investment in time and energy, but the dividends reach beyond the service. The exercise of sharing the Word with the body of Christ and leading the body in a posture of prayer and worship reaches into the hearts of each listener, both those present in the building and those listening on-line. Only the Lord knows how the expression, the words, and the personal touch will impact the listeners. We invite you to consider being a liturgist for a month during the year 2023. If you have questions about what is required of liturgists, would like tips or training, or would like to speak with anyone who has served in this position before, please contact Gretel in the office and she will answer your questions or put you in touch with someone who can. First Presbyterian Church values the input of each and every one of you. We recognize there are a variety of gifts in the body of Christ, and we want to support you in exercising your gifts. Does any of this strike a chord with you? Please reach out to us: Gretel@lebanonfpc.org or (765)482-5959.

Sign-ups are on the hallway bulletin board for: Liturgists & Greeters & Treats. Please add your name to the lists or contact Gretel in the office and she can put you down for a spot.

“Congratulations to you! We celebrate with you! Know that we love you, and God loves you too!”   

According to my records, I do not have an official celebration to share with you this week. So, in recognition of the clever thought from “Alice in Wonderland”, celebrate your “un-birthdays” this week!

Live and Learn on Saturdays: Live & Learn Saturday January 21^st will be a study & discussion with Pastor Je. Hope to see you there!

Zionsville Banquet! The Zionsville Spring Great Banquets are just around the corner!  The Women's Banquet is March 2-5, and the Men's Banquet is March 16-19.  The Banquets are held at Zionsville Presbyterian Church.  Come enjoy food, fellowship, and the love and grace of Jesus Christ for 72 hours.  Complete the Guest Application at www.zpc.org/great-banquet/.  There is room at His table, and you are invited!

Invitation to Share Knowledge & Experience: An invitation is being extended to the body of FPC to share knowledge of life skills and work experience. Janet Landon works with GED students and Independent Living students at the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home here in Lebanon. She endeavors to help equip these students for occupational opportunities beyond high school. It is enormously beneficial when these students can meet people from different occupations and hear firsthand accounts of their work history: How did they get where they are? Did they struggle in school? What worked and what didn’t to prepare them and to overcome challenges? What can these students avoid and what should they strive for?

For example, recently Janet had a former youth group member from FPC come and talk to the students about being an electrician. This person struggled in high school, but was incredibly intelligent. He spent time explaining to the youth about the choices which he made, including those decisions which ultimately led to negative consequences.

How did this testimony affect the students? One of the youth really connected with this guest speaker.  The student was failing math and struggling to do what was asked of him. The day after this guest speaker, the student shared with Janet how helpful it was to hear that someone else struggled like he does. In 3 weeks’ time this student was able to bring his grade up, largely due to the interaction he had with the guest speaker.

            How can you here at FPC invest in the lives of these young people and make an impact on their future? This church body is full of people with interesting jobs and backgrounds. There is a wealth of experience, expertise, and compassion that can be shared with the students from the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home. If you are interested in visiting Janet Landon’s class and sharing with them, please email her: janetl@iumch.org

SESSION UPDATES COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS: Please make note of the following pieces of information regarding the steps FPC is taking to maintain your safety and well-being:

- FPC will continue to place the offering plate on the table by the entrance. During the doxology the

plate will be brought forward to be placed on the Communion table.

- Communion will continue to be served in individual serving packets to be picked up at the door

before the service.

- On-line worship service will continue to be available

- Hymns and scripture verses will be shown on the screen, but Bibles and Hymn books will be

available in the pews.

- Masks continue to be optional.

- Congregational singing and Choir performances will continue.

- NEW: Regarding Pitch-ins: food will be served from the serving tables with the servers wearing

gloves.

A Position of Faith: I would like to take a little journey with you through the book of Esther. I am going to jump in from somewhere towards the middle of the book, concentrating for the next few weeks on the beginning of chapter 4. If you are not familiar with the book of Esther, or wish to refresh yourself with the story, I encourage you to read the preceding chapters. There’s a lot we gain glean from this book. Let’s not rush through, but take some time to ponder a few passages. Let’s begin our time with a look at Mordecai. Mordecai is a faithful Jew living in the Persian empire, the uncle of young queen Esther, and a prominent player in the story of Esther.

"And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people." Esther 4:7,8

I imagine that Mordecai could very easily have spoken the words of Psalm 3:

"Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." (v.1-3).

Mordecai certainly cried out: "Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!" (v.7) 

            In Psalm 4, David asked God to hear him when he called. Then a few verses down he confidently declared to his enemies that God did hear him. Again, I can imagine Mordecai doing the same thing: in his distress, pleading with God to hear him as he prayed, while at the same time confident that God was listening. A lot weighed on Mordecai's mind as he sent word to Esther. His heart was indeed quite troubled for his people. He could have been held captive by his fears, long before his mortal enemy ever laid hands on him. But he knew God, and his faith propelled him to God.

            When we come to the Lord in prayer this week, will we approach Him from a position of faith? Can we approach our personal difficulties and struggles from a position of faith?

Dear God, I pray today that we would cry out to You. I pray that we would have such confidence in Your ability to handle our concerns that whether we lay down in peace or rise up and walk in newness of life, that we do so knowing You sustain us and salvation belongs to You. You are the lifter up of mine head. You are my shield. You are my glory. Hallelujah! Amen.  

                       

Interested in joining the prayer chain? Contact Phyllis Duff at (765)482-1485/ raduff2@att.net.

The following prayer is based on the hymn “Nearer my God, to Thee”, by Sarah Flower Adams (1841).

Dear Heavenly Father, 

“Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee; nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I’d be, nearer, my God, to Thee; nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven; all that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;

Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee; nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Then, with my waking thoughts  bright with Thy praise, out of my stony griefs, Bethel I’ll raise;

So by my woes to me nearer, my God, to Thee; nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly!

Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee; nearer, my God to Thee, nearer to Thee!”  Amen.