Home is Where the Church Is
People who have looked for a church and chosen First Presbyterian have often said, “Coming here, felt like coming home.” Others who are no longer able to attend or have recently moved away refer to FPC as their church home. This sense of belonging and community is where we have placed our emphasis during this period of shelter in place for protection against the corona virus.
Here are some of the ways we are bringing church to you:
Via Internet
Through our Website we provide weekly “Online Worship” services and two daily blogs, “Words of Encouragement and Hope” and “Keeping in Community.” In addition to worship, children and youth ministries includes weekly videos and resources for Kids Church and Youth Rendezvous. Through our weekly church email, we keep you up-to-date with church news; and we also make use of our church Facebook page to link and reinforce such communications.
Via USPS
For the 50+ members/friends who do not use internet, we produce and mail a weekly written newsletter along with a CD recording of the previous week’s worship service.
Via Zoom
Through Zoom conference calls we have been able to provide fellowship gatherings (see link below); teach adult education classes; hold small group Bible studies; conduct staff, Session, Deacons, and other committee meetings. Children’s Ministries has made use of Zoom to gather together groups of children (such as Club Paradise; Kids Church classes/small groups) for activities (e.g. scavenger hunts) and social interactions with students and leaders.
Daily Phone Calls
Caring Ministries has mobilized deacons, care givers, and pastoral staff to make daily phone contact with members and friends. Youth Ministries makes use of mobile phones and other devices to keep in contact with students.
If you would like to be involved in any of these church activities, please let us know via our Contact page.
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Growing Our Faith
Tim Stafford continues teaching his class of “Three Small Books—Ruth, Esther, and Jonah” offered via Zoom every Tuesday at 4:30 PM through May 26, 2020. If you would like to participate in the class live, use the Zoom link below.
Topic: Three Small Books—Ruth, Esther, and Jonah
Time: Apr 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19 and May 26, 2020 4:30 PM (PST)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/758425444?pwd=bzBpbWJhWFZQRkpkeEdvMmF5Szg4QT09
Meeting ID: 758 425 444
Password: 926535
To see the most recent recording of this class use this link.
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Church News
Sonoma County Health Officer, Dr. Sundari Mase, has issued a new requirement for us to wear face coverings when we are outside of our homes. She urged people not to buy N95 respirators or surgical masks because they are needed by health care workers. Here is a link to a video by Dr. Mase.
We list members and friends of our congregation who serve in medical professions or as first responders and who are actively supporting the health care needs of others during this time of the Coronavirus, so that you might pray for them by name.
Jennifer Ammons (nurse practitioner); Scott Campbell (nurse practitioner); Pat Caskey (MD); Robert Gailbraith (MD); Audrey Hargens (nurse); Kathy Karlen (occupational therapist); Robert LaCroix (firefighter); Gary McLeod (MD); Kristine Munroe (nurse); Ali Shoulders (nurse/hospital administration); Penina Ndegwa (nurse assistant); Joan Perry Ryan (nurse); Mike Weihman (firefighter); Matt White (police officer); Kent Yinger (MD).
In addition, we’ve received requests to pray for extended family members who serve elsewhere.
From Nancy/David Berto: David Duranceau (nurse); Elaine/Scott Carlson: John Carlson (nurse); Pat/Larry Cuneo: Elizabeth Barfield (nurse), Cerena Cain (nurse), Lyanne Holte (nurse); Leslie Yaegar (nurse); Barb/Rich Lawson: Herbert Richard Lawson IV (MD, Army); Linda/Joe Maloney: Cooper Maloney (firefighter); Parker Maloney (nurse); Marcia/Keller McDonald: Laura McDonald (nurse practitioner); Luke McDonald (MD, Navy); Vickie McDonald (MD, Navy); Carrie O’Donnell (nurse); Sharon/Carl Vanden Heuvel: Laurel/Gary Quast: Jared Quast (MD); Ben Vanden Heuvel (park ranger); Mike Weihman: Patrick Kubitz (medical tech); Erika Wong: Gloria Morrison (nurse).
We are equally grateful and pray for those of our church family and wider community who serve in essential work roles that put them in contact with the public. If you know of someone whose name does not appear on this list, please let us know.
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Sunday Fellowship via Zoom
We invite you to join us for a time of fellowship at 11:30 AM this Sunday via the Zoom invitation (below). You are welcome to drop-in and stay as little or as long as you like to see and greet one another, or simply wave.
Topic: Sunday Fellowship via Zoom
Time: Apr 19, 2020 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://bit.ly/2V92dwW
Meeting ID: 973 7870 7245
Password: 709119
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