july · 2020-06-30 · 4 weekly devotions july 5—freedom celebration july 12 theme christ sets us...
TRANSCRIPT
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 410 Second Ave, Box 441 Sterling, IL 61081
Rev. Dr. Christina Berry
First Presbyterian Church
410 Second Ave.
P.O. Box 441
Sterling, IL 61081
(815) 625-0452
A heart for God in the heart of Sterling. [email protected]
www.firstpresbyteriansterling.org
Look for us on Facebook!
July
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Dear Friends,
As summer flies past, I imagine that you, like me, welcome the opportunity
to get outside a little more. And as the governor’s plan moves us into Phase
4, giving us more opportunity to gather in small groups, I imagine you,
like me, are excited to see some of the family and friends from whom
you’ve kept some distance.
I also imagine that you are anxious to come back into the church building
for worship. Certainly, we all look forward to that day. I wish I could tell
you that it will happen soon, but at this point the Session still does not feel
that it is wise to gather for worship. That said, we will be working on some
opportunities to gather safely in person for events other than worship. We
are imagining some outdoor gatherings and smaller group meetings as we
move into Phase 4 with hope and caution. Still, the recent upticks in other
areas that have re-opened more quickly make us proceed carefully. Meanwhile, I hope you are
participating in worship online. You can access the service every week at
www.firstpresbyteriansterling.org
As we are in these uncertain times, we are not only hopeful, we are joyful for the opportunity to
learn and serve God in new ways. Our Buddy Bags liaison, Janet Freed, has been busy meeting the
needs of the school families we serve. Earlier this summer, with the help of a generous donation
from Sterling Noon Rotary, Janet created and delivered activity baskets to Buddy Bags families. The
baskets contained books and outdoor games. The kids were thrilled to get them. Janet also keeps us
posted on needs families have, such as laundry soap, and our faithful volunteers respond. Janet was
also able to deliver a birthday basket for the brother of the little girls who was killed in the fire at the
Western Apartments.
(Continued on page 3)
Inside This Issue:
Christina’s Letter 2
Devotions 4
Nan’s Letter 6
Communion 8
Letter from Stronghold
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Thank You 10
B-CALM 11
Birthdays & Anniversaries
12
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Our participation in the summer Let’s Feed Our Children continues, but again, in new ways. The
program has traditionally provided sack lunches for children through the week; now they provide
bags of food for families.
Our congregation has also been active in racial reconciliation, and we’ve had more opportunities
this past month to continue that work. As our nation responded with grief and outrage to the
murder of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, we have joined with our
siblings in faith to work for greater justice. Many of our members participated in the Candlelight
Vigil at Macedonia Baptist church, and at the Diversity Committee Juneteenth ice cream social, and
many others continue their work individually. The Pastors United Against Racism that began in our
church building back in February of 2018 continues to meet, offering support and care for one
another as we continue to confront the sin of racism. Part of our work together and with the
Diversity Committee led us to seek out partnerships with Fox Valley Presbyterian Church in
Geneva, and the Kane and Kendall County Moms Demand Action group. With the help of grant
funds from our Synod and our Presbytery, we held a virtual event featuring Rev. Sharon Risher, just
days before the fifth anniversary of the shooting at Emanuel AME that took from her three family
members, including her mother.
A new opportunity for ministry that we’ve received is to support Stronghold. First Presbyterian
Church of Dixon has issued a Stronghold Challenge to other churches in Blackhawk Presbytery. You
can see it here: https://www.strongholdcenter.org/index.html
I confess to you (just between us) that my first reaction to the challenge was to shout, “Dixon, IT’S
ON!” because I know you will want to be part of this opportunity to support our amazing camp.
There’s more about the effort coming from the Mission Committee.
I recount all of these things to you in order to remind all of us that we have many reasons to
celebrate! All of the activities we began years ago – food for kids, a few books and some pastors,
sharing our building – all these seemingly small efforts have now given us the foundation from
which to do greater ministry for more people. This foundation is the one on which we will build the
future church: not a building, but a vibrant inclusive ministry that is vital to our community. This is
where the Next Steps Task Force will be doing its work. As we form and begin the work of the task
force, please pray for the members and the work they will be doing, seeking God’s leading as we
envision our congregation’s future.
In all of our days, in all of our work, let’s remember God’s promise through the prophet Isaiah,
which still holds true for us today:
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
Peace,
Pastor Christina
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Weekly Devotions
July 5—Freedom Celebration
July 12
Theme Christ sets us free to serve.
Text Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30; Galatians 5: 1, 13-18
Context Christ is not who we call him to be; rather, we become who Christ calls us to be.
Challenge How will you use your freedom in Christ?
Prayer Liberating God, set us free from our selves and free to love this world that you so
love. Amen.
Theme Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower, then explains it
Text Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Context When God spreads the news, it goes everywhere, even where it may not take
root and grow.
Challenge What sort of “soil” are you? How do you sow the good news?
Prayer God, you send the good news of your love and grace everywhere. Let it take root
and grow in us, and help us to share, too. Amen.
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July 19—Community VBS Worship
July 26
Theme This year’s CommUNITY VBS is a Virtual Backyard VBS. The theme will be our
WONDERFUL GOD! For each day there will be a Bible story, craft, snack and
songs. You can attend! Check out Nan’s letter for more details.
Day 1 Wonderful God, Wonderful World
Day 2 Wonderful Jesus, Wonderful News
Day 3 Wonderful Spirit, Wonderful Church
Text
Context
Challenge
Prayer
Theme Jesus tells the parable of the grain field and the weeds.
Text Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Context Sometimes the grower lets the weeds grow until the time of harvest. God may
not intervene in the “weeds” of our life together, but in the end, God’s justice
and love are the harvest.
Challenge What “weeds” impair your growth?
Prayer Gracious God, help us grow in faith and trust in you. Amen.
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Hello Friends,
As Christians, we know that we are all beloved children of God; all having been
created in the Image of God. And yet, our world continues to struggle with racial
injustice. So how do we as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and
sisters teach our children about racism? How do we teach our children about love
and peace and justice? This graphic is an important reminder that we start at the
beginning.
(Continued on page 7)
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I often say, let us continue to learn and grow in God’s love. Here is a site with a list of books that
will help us do just that, https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/toddler/childrens-books-about-race
After reading any of these books, here are some prompts and questions:
What was important in this story?
What bothered you about the story?
What did you like about the story?
Have you ever felt like one of the characters?
Have you had an experience or seen something like this happen – how did it make you feel?
What feelings did you have about this story?
I wonder why you felt ____.
I wonder what you would do in this situation.
I wonder how this story could have been different.
I wonder what made this happen.
May we all continue to learn and grow in God’s love.
Peace,
Nan
Please join us for Backyard VBS ONLINE, July 14-16! Backyard VBS includes Bible stories,
crafts, science activities and so much more! VBS will premier LIVE at 6:30 pm nightly on Facebook
or YouTube (addresses are on the other side of this card).
VBS Kit & Snack Bag Pick Up is on July 9 from 10–11 AM & 5:30 –6:30 PM in the St. John’s
parking lot (703 3rd Ave. Sterling)
Beginning July10 VBS Kits and snack bags can picked at Immanuel (501 8th Ave., Rock Falls) up
between 8:30 am—4:30 pm daily!
We are so excited to grow in God with you this summer! God loves you and never leaves you!
-CommUNITY VBS Team
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Communion Sunday is July 5, 2020
Our focus will be on the freedom we have in Christ.
https://firstpresbyteriansterling.org/
You may want to prepare your communion elements before you begin.
You may use bread and grape juice or wine, if you have it; if you don’t
have either, any sort of cracker or grain product, and any juice or even
water are fine. For those worshiping at home who don’t have access to
the Internet, you can still join in with your own prayers.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Invitation
Friends, this is Christ’s table, and all who love and serve Jesus, all who seek Jesus, all who would like to
get to know Jesus, are welcome to join him and join us in this feast. You are welcome! Come to this table
and partake in this meal!
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Leader: Loving God, from the beginning, you walked in complete freedom through the grasses of the
earth, and all creation sang of your goodness. You created us in your image, with freedom to choose: to
be at peace with you, or to follow our own will. Our selfish desires led us into rebellion against
you. Prophets spoke to invite us home, but our stubborn pride only grew stronger. When the burden of
our sin became too great for your heart, you sent Jesus to carry it for us. So we join in singing your
praise: Blessed is the One who yokes himself to us.
Jesus saw that we were enslaved to sin, so he led us into service; he saw us burdened with death, so
he to died lift our burden. In dependence on him, we are liberated from sin. So we ask now that you pour
out your Spirit upon this bread and this cup, that these gifts might nourish us. As we find our rest in
you, may we become restless in service to your children; as we engage with you in your complete
freedom, may we use our sacred freedom build a community of justice and righteousness; as we listen to
your silence, may we speak out for all whose voices are ignored by the world.
We pray now for all of this world, and all of its people; for our nation, for our community, for the church,
and for one another. We sing praise and glory with those who rejoice, and we weep with those who
sorrow. We pray your mercy on all who suffer in body, mind, or Spirit, and we trust that the Spirit prays
when we do not know how. All these prayers we offer to you, Holy God, in the strong name of Jesus,
who taught us to pray saying
All: The Lord’s Prayer
Words of Institution
Friends, on the night Jesus was betrayed, while he was at table with his disciples, he took the bread,
blessed it, broke it and gave it to them, saying “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance
(Continued on page 9)
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of me.” In the same way he took the cup and when he had blessed it, he poured it out for them. He
gave it to them saying, “This is my blood, shed for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” For as often
as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the saving death of our risen Lord until he
comes again.
Sharing the Bread and the Cup
Prayer after the Supper
Holy God, you have nourished us at your table, making us strong so that we may serve you by
serving others. Send us out now to do your will, nourishing faith, strengthening the desire for
justice, and feeding those whose spirits hunger for your Spirit. Amen.
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We thank you for helping us to target and meet the needs of the children in our communities through your support of the Let’s Feed Our Children program. Your gift has been invested in a service that is
helping to create healthier, stronger children in order for them to grow up to be our future leaders. - Let’s Feed Our Children
Toni & I want to express our gratitude to our Worship Team for the amazing work you all have done to make our congregation come together every week. T he talent that you all have been given and shared with all of us is a blessing. Toni & I are so happy to be a part of First Presbyterian Church. Love & Blessings, Toni & Diana
T hank you! Our family is enjoying our worship time together with your church family during this unusual time in our lives. We appreciate your sharing of music and message online very much!
Prayers for health and of thanksgiving, the Reter Family
Giving thanks for a light in the darkness, Ted & Hazel Buikema
We just worshiped with you from Wisconsin and it is awesome! I think you all look good with a little longer hair too. Christina, your message is so important today (as always). T hanks for keeping us safe
but also keeping us together virtually.—Peace, Julie & Bill Yemm
T hank you so much for your thoughtfulness! We greatly appreciated the muff ins and coffee. Sterling Post Office
T hank you for all your love, support, gifts, and kind words in my family’s time of need. Antionette Jones
T hank you for your prayers during my mom’s, Pat Cox, sickness. Our family appreciates it. Truly yours, the Cox Family
To my church family & friends, On April 30th, 2020, I had my last treatment of chemotherapy. It’s been a long journey, staring in September, with a break in February, to get the new aortic valve, and three more chemo treatments since then. I have some residual side effects of muscle and joint pain from the chemo, but I hope that improves over time. I’m just grateful to have reached this milestone, “NED”, no evidence of disease. I miss all of you, but that’s the new norm for everyone during this pandemic. I will rejoice when we can again meet in out beautiful house of worship. Stay strong, stay well, and thank you
again for your support during this time. It meant more to me than you know. Joan Velde
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B-CALM
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Please pray for: At Morningside - Fay Densmore, Don Olson At Parkway Center - Bill Griswold, Lois Steiner At Heritage Woods - Jacqueline Hoffman At Resthave - Ann Musgrove, Maxine Olson In the Service - Brad Gericke, Brandon Shultz, Payton Lowe Prayers for - Phil Sinroll, Phil Ward, Jessie Witt, Jerry Quigg, Lucy Ettinger, Pat Conklen, Barb Stern, Mickey Gage, Debbie Musgrove, Ross & Marlene Jennings, Mary-Terrie Snavely, Joan Velde, Ron & Jackie Williams
July
07/01 Hilary (Osborn) Wahlheim
07/06 Joe Anderson
07/09 Hanah Cassens
Steve & Lindsay (Davidson) Ebersole(A
07/10 Lois Grimm
07/11 Christina (Yemm) Duffy
Segue Lawrence Doering
Glenn & Gail Dancey (A)
07/12 Kevin & Samantha O’Keefe (A)
07/13 Sheryl Pace
07/15 Barbara Van Osdol
07/16 Mary Flint
David & Meli Cangahuala (A)
07/20 Kyle Knutsen
07/21 Jacob Conklen
07/22 Alan & Carla Connelly (A)
07/23 Brooke (Cox) Dir
Brad & Lisa Zacharski (A)
07/24 Melissa Etter
Alison Burkhalter
07/26 Rachel Pashon
Betty Pratt
Ann Camp
Dave & Judy Lowe (A)
07/28 Michael Dowell
Mary Lynn Tedrick
Jeff & Tarah Brown (A)
07/29 Amy Boze
Allen & Brooke Dir (A)
07/30 Dane Neidermann
Stephanie (Conklen) & Jacob Porter(A)
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