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Worship This Week – October Sermon Series
Welcome Others: See Christ in Every Person—Friend, Stranger, Enemy
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Text: Matthew 25:31-46
Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost
October Birthday Blessing
Welcome Others:
See Christ in Every Person—Friend, Stranger, Enemy
“He will answer them, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth:
Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone
who was being overlooked or ignored,
that was me—you failed to do it to me.’”
~Matthew 25:45 (The Message)
“When hosts and guests are open to the presence of God in each other, an unexpected and truly miraculous thing happens: God knits hearts together in new and powerful ways. This can happen with family members and friends, but seeing Jesus in everyone usually requires that we leave our comfort zones. We simply cannot be hospitable with only our own small community of people like ourselves. We need to stretch into settings where we feel vulnerable.”
~Lynne Baab
Worship with us ONSITE or ONLINE!
Find this week’s bulletin online here: https://firstpresmv.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Bulletin-October-10-2021.pdf
Paper copies of the bulletin will be available in the sanctuary.
Or use a QR Code to download the bulletin to your phone!
Find Our Worship Online
Join us on Facebook beginning at 9:20 (to enjoy the prelude; service begins at 9:30) for a LIVE stream of the service! To find us on Facebook, search “First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon, Iowa.”
ON SITE WORSHIP – MASKING GUIDELINES
The Session of First Presbyterian Church makes decisions regarding gathering and masking in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Currently, the CDC recommends that vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas experiencing substantial or high transmission. Linn County is designated High Transmission by the CDC.
Please wear a mask during the service, even if you have been fully vaccinated. This applies to worship and other activities in the building. We will continue to watch the transmission rate carefully.
We are also reducing the amount of singing in our worship service, singing at the end of the service.
Thank you for your cooperation and caring! The live stream of the service will continue. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of Session or Pastor Lori (lori.wunder@firstpresmv.com)
WEDNESDAY EARLY OUT (WEO)
October 20, 2021
1:15ish to 3:30pm
Theme: Fun on the Farm!, Where Does Our Food Come From?
Join us at Abbe Hills Farm for another adventure in the fresh air!
We will meet at Laura Krouse's farm for a food tour, wagon ride, and help with some harvesting or chores. In addition, we will learn how God asks us to work the land and be good stewards of His Creation.
This is definitely an ALL ages event, so older kids and high schoolers are welcomed, too!
Understanding the special challenges we all are facing with in-person get-togethers, we are keeping this an outdoor activity with plenty of room for distancing. Masks will not be required. Parents are welcome to stay, but drop-off and pick-ups are fine. Abbe Hills Farm is a little over three miles out of town at 825 Abbe Hills Rd. Let Interim Director of Christian Education Jonathan Walsh know if you'd like your kid(s) to attend but have transportation issues. Also, please RSVP so we know if you are coming!
Jonathan’s email is education@firstpresmv.com
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS EVENT
Sunday, October 17 at 3:30pm
Memorial Park Gazebo
The Genesis story tells us that God created animals to be our companions. From pets who live with us to the creatures we watch from our windows, animals bless our lives and bring us joy! This gathering will celebrate the gift they are to us.
Bring your pets, or a photo or toy or other item, and we will have a short service of thanksgiving followed by individual blessings of our animal friends by Pastor Lori (and anyone else who wants in on the fun!).
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERY IN OCTOBER
Our congregation is responsible for Meals on Wheels delivery to our Mount Vernon neighbors in October. Meals are picked up from Southeast Linn Community Center at 11:15 and take around 30 minutes to deliver.
We are in need of volunteers October 18-22 and 25-26. Thanks for helping to care for our community!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094CABAF23A2F85-meals
THE BLIND SPOT JOINS PRESBYTERY BOOK STUDY
The Rev. T. Denise Anderson, Coordinator, Racial and Intercultural Justice, at Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Co-Moderator of the 222nd General Assembly (2016-18) will lead worship and an educational event at the November Presbytery Meeting. In preparation for that, she is encouraging the Presbytery of East Iowa to read Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.
The Blind Spot has decided to read Caste and discuss it together at our October and November meetings. Contact Pastor Lori (lori.wunder@firspresmv.com or 319-431-2227) if you have any questions
Join us, even if you haven’t read the book. All of us can learn from each other!
We will discuss the book at these meetings:
Wednesday, October 27 at 7pm via Zoom.
Wednesday, November 17 at 7pm via Zoom
Topic: Blind Spot Group Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/98526044167
Meeting ID: 985 2604 4167
AFGHAN REFUGEES IN IOWA
On Thursday, September 23, Pastor Lori attended an information session via Zoom to learn about what’s happening with Afghan refugees in Iowa. To watch a recording of the hour long event, click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgw5se5HvAM
Several agencies across the state will be involved; the Catherine McAuley Center will handle eastern Iowa placements. The situation is still fluid so it is unclear when refugees may arrive, or how many. The current estimate is late September through early October.
Catherine McAuley Center released this statement a few weeks ago:
https://cmc-cr.org/a-statement-on-afghan-refugees-and-special-immigrant-visa-holders/
THANK YOU, LAWN MOWERS!
Thanks to everyone who volunteered to mow the church lawn this summer! Scott Peterson took care of June, the Cranston family did July, and Mike Andresen is taking over for August into September. We really appreciate it!
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