Weekly Announcements

 

For the week of
Tuesday, October 13, 2020 through
Monday, October 19, 2020

Tip: Commit to getting trained in mental health first aid. If you are interested in training, please let the church office know. 

 
"But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' "
 ~ Luke 18:12
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS

From Teresa Nixon: "CWF Group ll will meet on Monday, October 19 at 7 p.m. for a regular meeting. We will not be cleaning the FH and kitchen as is listed in the CWF booklet."
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The CWF is preparing for its annual Noel Market to be held November 7, 8 a.m. to noon in the Fellowship Hall.  This year's Market  will be modified, having no baked food items to sell, and no soup and cornbread luncheon because of COVID-19.  If you have items made for the bazaar, please get them to us so they can be advertised on social media.  

The CWF is also selling the Stained Glass Window notecards with envelopes, 8 for $10.00, and antique quilt raffle tickets.  The quilt was crafted in the 1940's and has a scalloped border.  Raffle tickets are $1.00 each, or 6 for $5.00.  To purchase tickets  please contact any CWF member, or Leah Hart at 270-293-1213 or leahhart54@hotmail.com, or tickets can be purchased at the Noel Market.     
 

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NOTE FROM THE PASTOR

 Dear Church Family and Friends,
 
We continue to grieve in the aftermath of the unexpected death of our beloved sister in Christ, Glenda Roos, who passed away on Friday morning, October 9, at the Murray Calloway County Hospital. She was surrounded by her loved ones as she took her last breath and transitioned over into her eternal home.  Saturday would have been Glenda’s birthday on earth, which she instead celebrated in heaven. Her family gathered at her home that evening to share precious memories of her.  As of this evening, we still have not received definite funeral plans, but we will email that information out once we have it.  While we originally intended to bring a bereavement meal to one of their homes following the funeral, the family has said that since our church brought meals to the hospital the week leading up to her death, Sammy Cunningham’s church would like to offer a bereavement meal for them.
 
I want to alert you that I will be taking a week off, beginning on Monday, October 19.  Russ has an early morning medical appointment with a neurologist at Vanderbilt that Wednesday, which will require us going into Nashville the day before. We have a number of other personal errands that we need to take care of that week as well.  Therefore, I will be off the grid all week.  I have asked our new youth directors, Matthew Sandiford and Elena Roberts, to oversee communion and bring a message on Facebook Live for Sunday, October 25, and to do my parts in our outdoor Simplicity Sunday worship service that day.  There will not be a Saturday newsletter delivered to the homes of those not on the internet or emailed out that weekend.
 
In Christian Love and Service,
 
Pastor Ruth

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YOUR HELP NEEDED!

 
The youth group will be filling a number of Blessing Boxes in the community this Sunday.  You may bring items for the Blessing Box to the fellowship hall (leave outside the door) or to our Simplicity Sunday outdoor worship next Sunday, October 18.
 
Keisha Kinsley and Andrew O’Rourke are hosting a fundraising event in memory of Andrew’s brother Pete. They are needing bottles of water and granola bars by this Saturday.  If you would like to donate some, please leave it outside the door leading into the fellowship hall. Someone will be by the church every day to check.
 
NOTE THE FOLLOWING CALENDAR CHANGE:  Because of the likelihood that a Presidential Debate will take place on Thursday, October 22, we have moved our discussion of the final chapters (20-31) of Janice Morgan’s book Suspended Sentence, to Thursday, October 29, from 7 to 8:30 PM.   Rev. Dennis Gray’s presentation as part of our “Sharing Stories About Race” series, originally scheduled for October 29, will be moved to a later date TBA.
 

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THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
 
NOTE: This week there will be workshops every evening as part of our virtual Regional Assembly.  All who registered for this will have received an email with log in information and a schedule. Therefore, there will not be a Wednesday Night ‘Virtual’ Live gathering this Wednesday.
 
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Tuesday, October 13, at 1 p. m. ~ CWF’s Group One will meet in the Fellowship Hall.  We will follow the reopening committee’s recommendation to stay six feet apart, wear masks, and provide our own snacks and beverages.  Let’s attend to enjoy spending time together after a long absence and to renew our commitment to the Christian Women’s Fellowship.
 
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Thursday, October 15, noon to 1 p.m. ~ The Sanctuary will be open for a time of personal prayer and reflection!
 
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Thursday, October 15, 1 p.m. ~ ROK prayer meeting has been CANCELLED both this Thursday, October 15, and next Thursday, October 22, since Nancy Dycus who leads this gathering has medical procedures those days.
 
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Thursday, October 15, 5-7 p.m. ~ Crystal Dillard and social workers with the local DCBS office will be using our church parking lot (and a table or two) to hand out pizzas to foster families in lieu of an appreciation dinner.

 
ACTIVITIES FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2020
 
A copy of our at-home worship service will be included as a link on our church website at www.fccmurray.com. A manuscript version of the sermon (which will be on the tenth commandment, “You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor” from Exodus 20:17) will be included as a PDF file that will be emailed out, which also will be attached to our church’s website at www.fccmurray.com.  Pastor Ruth’s message can be listened to on Facebook Live (technology and internet service permitting). You may access this by going to the Facebook icon on our church’s website or through your own Facebook page.
 
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10 a.m. ~ ‘SIMPLICITY SUNDAY’ WORSHIP CELEBRATION IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT:  A time of music, prayer, and communion will be offered in the parking lot at the back of the church. (Please park at the side of the church or, if you have mobility issues, you may park at the bottom of the back parking lot).
 
Special music: Mark Dycus will sing an arrangement of Blessed Assurance for solo voice and guitar 
 
Note: check your email and the church Facebook page if the weather looks questionable. We will get information out if we need to cancel. Those of you who do not have internet access will have to use your own judgment.
 
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COMMUNION: If you are using your at-home worship kits, we encourage you to take communion at 11 a.m., as you join with others at this time to share in the bread and cup. This Sunday we will be offering communion during our gathering on the church parking lot at 10 AM (weather permitting).
 
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OFFERING: You may mail your check to the church at First Christian Church, 111 North Fifth Street, Murray, KY 42071 or drop it off in the secure mail slot in the door beside the one leading into the fellowship hall. You may also give online through our Givelify app.
 
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CHILDREN’S ZOOM FELLOWSHIP GATHERING at 4 p.m. ~ the Zoom link will be emailed out before Saturday.
 
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YOUTH FELLOWSHIP GATHERING from 5-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall with youth directors Elena Roberts and Matthew Sandiford. The youth will be filling blessing boxes in our community with food during this special monthly outreach project.
 
 
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FINANCIAL GIVING
 

Thank you to everyone who has sent in their tithes and offerings to the church! We encourage you to continue to be faithful in the giving of your tithes and offerings by mailing them to the church at: First Christian Church, 111 North Fifth St., Murray, KY 42071 or giving online through Givelify!

If you rather bring your offerings to the church, there is now a mail slot, located in the door to the fellowship hall kitchen.