This Week @1st 1/29/23

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“The occasion of a pastor leaving a congregation is an emotionally charged moment in congregation’s life… but the way in which such separations take place can lay the groundwork for a future…[honoring] the past, acknowledging the present, and [bearing] hope for the future...” ~ Rev. Dr. William R. Forbes, Transitions in Ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

This past Sunday, you celebrated Rev. Sharon’s time with you. Inevitably, there will be mixed emotions for a time. From excitement for her new path and journey to Iona, to feelings of bereavement at her leaving in such a time as this. These and many more feelings are quite normal to experience when a pastor leaves. Some may feel that there can never be a replacement, and this is true. Relationships between people – be they friends, partners, family, pastors and parishioners are unique to each individual engaged in them.

The guiding hope in all of it is that God is in the midst of us and with us, walking alongside us in all our mixed emotions. Being aware of what each of us are going through in our emotional landscapes assists in naming and living with those feelings. It also assists in recognizing that at some points we may feel like we can engage with others and at other points we may feel the need for quiet contemplation of all that has been. Embrace all of these, for they are representative of where you are. I hope and pray that you also are able to embrace the reality that those of us still here in this place have one another and this community of faith to support us. Through it all, may we each eventually find and share Shalom (Deep Peace) with one another.

In the words of Sunday’s lectionary, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” And, “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Peace,

Pastor Scott

Join us in our Sanctuary or online this Sunday, January 29th at 10am.
Worship will be streamed on our website, YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook page.
(Please note: We live stream to multiple video hosting services. Should a tech interruption occur, please try accessing our service through one of the alternate links.)

Scripture
Micah 6:1-8
Matthew 5:1-16

Sunday @10am Worship links:
Our Website
Our YouTube
Our Vimeo
Our Facebook Page

This Week @1st Contents:
Prayer Requests
Pastoral Care
Give Now

Read past emails here:
ThisWeek@1st archive

Website

Facebook

YouTube

Vimeo

Instagram

A note from Pastor Sharon:

Dear Friends,

I am still breathing in our time of celebration last Sunday. Thanks to the choir, band and worship leaders for inspiring us for our continued journeys! Thanks to all who provided such delightful hospitality at the reception! The stole is an exquisite work of art, and I can't wait to wear it in Scotland and tell all about the sacred places and people it represents.

I am also extremely grateful for the generosity of the Mission Sending Offering. Your gifts will help with the many costs of transitioning to service in the wider world! I truly feel blessed and sent with great love. Thank you!

Breathing in love. Breathing out love!

Sharon will be blogging about her experiences on Iona. Information will be available at a later date.

CLICK HERE to view the full recording of last Sunday's service and Congregational meeting.

CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos shared during Worship last Sunday.

An invitation from Session: Mission Sending Gift

"We celebrate with Sharon as she responds to this exciting call. Iona has a powerful and transformative impact on the whole church and the world. With Session's blessing, we are looking forward to supporting Sharon in her new mission field at Iona Abbey, Scotland.

In gratitude for our journey with Sharon and in order to assist with her transition away from 1st Corvallis and to Iona, Session has authorized a "Mission Sending Gift" to be offered upon completion of her ministry with us."

To read Session's full letter: CLICK HERE.

To contribute to our Mission Sending Gift for Pastor Sharon: CLICK HERE.

FINAL WEEK!

January Challenge Offering:
Gingoog Christian College

Gingoog Christian College in offers programs and services to support marginalized and disadvantaged individuals and groups in the city. Your contributions help provide educational opportunities for many economically deprived, but gifted, students who may otherwise have become easy targets of exploitative elements.

Click here to contribute to our January Challenge Offering

February Challenge Offering:
Friendship with Cambodia

Souper Bowl Lunch
Sunday, February 12th
Dennis Hall after Worship

Souper Bowl lunch is back! Join us on February 12th following Worship for a selection of homemade soups, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Hosted by the Fellowship committee; donations accepted at the door. If you’d like to make a soup or help with setup, serving, or cleanup, contact Teresa Welch, using your church directory or by emailing church@1stpres.org.

Ways to Give:

1. Send checks made out to First Presbyterian Church to 114 SW 8th St, Corvallis OR 97333. Please indicate the purpose of the gift in the
memo line.

2. Give online by visiting our website or clicking on the Give Now button below.

You will need to create a profile if you have not already done so, with an email address, password, and your bank information. You can use a credit card, debit card, or give directly from your bank account. You can set your gift to be one-time, monthly, etc.

3. Transfers of stock can be made through the church’s Edward Jones account. Contact the Edward Jones office at 541-752-1449 to set that up.

4. Qualified Charitable Distributions from your IRA, with checks identified with the purpose. (General Fund, Building Restoration, etc.)

Automatic Giving/EFT Note: For those who are currently giving automatically through EFT, or for those who would like to initiate it, please fill out the attached form and mail it or drop it off at the church office to the Attention of the Church Treasurer. You can also call the church and we can send you an authorization card.

The EFT Authorization Card needs to be filled out every year to be in compliance with banking regulations. Thank you.

Download the EFT Form

We have a great problem... Parking!

It has been wonderful to see our community returning in person to worship and volunteering during the week. If you are up for a short walk, please leave our parking lot and closest street spots open so everyone can join us.

We are a welcoming community! We are a welcoming community and we want to make worship accessible for all.

Library News
New in the Library

Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon by Melody Carlson. This story is based in Pendleton and Umatilla Reservation. The book provides a good look into the Pendleton Rodeo and reservation life and Native American history. F/CAR

How to check out a book or movie:

Search the library catalog online or drop by our church library. We have a wide variety of books and movies available to borrow.
When you are ready to return your item(s), drop by Sunday morning or during office hours, or email the office to schedule a drop-off appointment.

Pastoral Care & Prayer Requests

If you would like to share a request with our prayer chain, please email prayers@1stpres.org.

We ask that you not submit a request for someone else, unless they have given you permission to share their concern publicly.

If you, or someone you know, need some support during this time, please let our pastors know. We are happy to be available. Private requests, meant for the pastors only, can be directed to:

pastors@1stpres.org or 541-753-2228 ext. 117

Annual Report Request

Please submit your committee, group, or Pod's 2022 Annual Report by Tuesday, January 31st. You can email it to church@1stpres.org, drop it by our office during business hours, or leave a copy in the mailbox next to the 9th St entrance of the church.

COVID policy from Session: Masks & Vaccines

We allow for the optional wearing of masks and an honor system for vaccines. We are a church that values science, community, belonging and welcome. We encourage you to continue making decisions that help you feel safe, while balancing our human need for connection.

Weather Closure Policy

Winter weather closures: If the schools are closed due to weather on weekdays, then our building will also be closed. All planned events will be postponed or cancelled, including rooms rented for events. On Sundays, during extreme weather (ice/snow on the ground) please call the office 541-753-2228 & press “6” for alerts.

Bottle Drop Blue Bags

We are grateful to all those who donate their Bottle Drop proceeds to the church by using the blue bags. Please contact the office for blue bag pick up or drop off. Bags are now also available in the church office.

Please contact the church office for more information about:

~ Bottle Drop blue bag pick up or drop off. Sandy Willis has generously offered to drop off empty or pick up filled blue recycling bags. Contact the office for Sandy's cell phone number, so you can text her to arrange for bags to be left by your door for pick up and drop off.

~ Presby Pod or Volunteer Queries. Want to connect with one of our Pod leaders or schedule a Zoom meeting? Hoping to volunteer with our Yard Crew? Please drop us a note.

~ Membership class. Interested in becoming a member? You are invited to contact the church office or fill out the online membership form on our website.

Staff will be onsite 9am-2pm Monday-Thursday and 9am-12pm Friday. Our office assistant can be reached remotely between 10a-4pm Monday-Thursday and 9am-12pm Friday. Please contact church@1stpres.org or call 541-753-2228 for more details or to confirm staff availability before dropping by.

Our 9th Street entrance is now open M-F from 9am-2pm. Please ring the bell for entry should you find it locked during business hours.
Email us at church@1stpres.org or call us at 541-753-2228.

If you would like to update your mailing list preferences, contact name, or email address, please click here to update your subscription preferences.

Virtual Coffee Hour
Every Sunday at 11am

Join Zoom Coffee Hour at 11am
If you are prompted to enter a
Meeting ID: 856 887 113
Password: 643387

Church Family Prayer Requests:

For Jeani Shriver and all who are mourning Jerry Rooney's recent passing.

For Pastor Sharon as she transitions to the Isle of Iona and a new venture. Strength for the work of preparation and the challenge of a new role.

Church Family Celebrations:

OSU recently celebrated Betty Miner as a lifelong champion of libraries. (Click the image below to read the article featured in The Messenger.)

Dental Hygiene Drive

In partnership with Westminster House and OSU, First Presbyterian will be collecting dental hygiene products from now until February 12th. The goal is to provide oral hygiene resources for the underserved community. Supplies will be distributed to folks in need during Stone Soup dinners.

A collection box will be in the office weekdays and on the Gathering Space table each Sunday.

Products needed:

-toothpaste, any size

-toothbrushes, any size

-floss or floss sticks

-mouthwash

-lip balm/Vaseline

-cold sore treatments

Delgani String Quartet Concert
TONIGHT, January 27th at 7:30pm
in our Sanctuary

How do composers react to the realities of the world they live in? In response to the Vietnam War, George Crumb wrote his groundbreaking Black Angels: Thirteen Images from the Dark Land as "a parable on our troubled contemporary world." Watch as Delgani transforms into an electrified string & percussion ensemble to perform this mystic work full of numerology, imaginative sounds, and supernatural voices. In Black Angels, Crumb quotes the hauntingly beautiful melody that forms the heart of Schubert's late Death and the Maiden Quartet. Schubert's humanity is on display through his writing in this deep work with soaring melodies, outbursts of conflict, and peaceful moments of resignation.

Click here to visit their website for tickets.

Compass Rose Concert
Saturday, January 28th at 7pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

(click the image above for more details)

Free AARP Tax Preparation

Call 541-602-5829 to make an appointment in Corvallis or Philomath or 541-497-7194 to make an appointment in Albany.

Counseling Availability at Authentic Hope

Authentic Hope - Center for Peace and Empowerment is happy to announce that we have accepted a Masters Counseling Intern from Western Seminary who has great experience. He wants to work with individuals ages 16 and up (preferably college age or older). He has openings for 4-5 clients for short term therapy. He is prepared to help with grief, anxiety, adjustments and depression. Sessions would start in the next couple of weeks and he will offer 10-12 weeks of fee-based sessions. Please pass this on to anyone in need. They can call 541-974-8873 ext 3 and leave a message for a new appointment. Happy New Year!!

Thank you from Unity Shelter

The work of Unity Shelter, and the strong collaborative partnerships we build across the community to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness, are critical to the lives of so many. With every move from a shelter or transitional housing ino safe, permanent housing, we celebrate (18 in 2022!).....And we can't do it without you. Thank you for your support and commitment - it changes lives, every day.

Sincerely,
Shawn M. Collins, Executive Director

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Keynote Address with Jelani Cobb February 1st at 7pm Online & at LaSells Stewart

Jelani Cobb is a staff writer at The New Yorker, writing on race, history, justice, politics, and democracy, as well as Columbia University's Ira A. Lipman Professor of Journalism and next Dean of Columbia Journalism School.

He recently co-edited The Matter of Black Lives, a collection of The New Yorker's most ground-breaking writing on Black history and culture in America, featuring the work of legendary writers like James Baldwin and Toni Morrison.

This event is free and open to all, but you must register in advance. You can attend in person at LaSells Stewart Center or be sent a link to watch the broadcast live online. Click here to register.

Lent/Easter Fanfare Deadline
Wednesday, February 1st

In mid-February, we will be publishing a seasonal Fanfare featuring details about upcoming Lent and Holy Week activities. If you or your Committee/Group would like to share an event announcement, ministry highlight, or photo, please email your submission to fanfare@1stpres.org by Wednesday, February 1st.

If you would like to contribute a ministry highlight or share an event invitation, please provide the following information:

Your Activity/Ministry Event Title
Date and time
Primary contact and/or appropriate deadlines
1 or 2 sentences describing your event

Centering Prayer
Every Sunday at noon via Zoom
Join our Centering Prayer group
If you are prompted to enter a
Meeting ID: 811 6039 4104
Passcode: 674283
Contact Patricia Lacy for details.

Bible Study
1st & 3rd Mondays at 7pm
via Zoom
Join us on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month on Zoom. We'll be continuing our study of Peter with The Early Christian Letters for Everyone by N.T. Wright.
Join our Bible Study PresbyPod
If you are prompted to enter a
Meeting ID: 882 2199 3838
Passcode: 770326
Questions? Please contact Judy Gough using your church directory or email the church office.

In Stitches
2nd Mondays at 1pm in B3
Contact Sandy Willis for details.

Men's Munch & Ladies' Breakfast
2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 7am
at Elmer's Restaurant
Contact Gideon Alegado for details.

Tea on Tuesday weekly at 3pm
Join Tea on Tuesday on Zoom
If you are prompted to enter a
Meeting ID: 822 1263 8528
Passcode: Tuesday
Contact the church office for details.

Writing & Poetry Presby Pod
1st Thursdays at 10am
Join the Writing & Poetry Pod on Zoom
Meeting ID: 818 7110 9716
Passcode: 959360
Contact Patricia Lacy for details.

Please email church@1stpres.org for more information about any of these opportunities.

Recorded Services & Recitals

Christmas Day Service view here.

Christmas Eve 8pm Service view here.

Christmas Eve 5pm Service view here.

2022 Advent Recitals:
"Joyful Sounds of Christmas"
featuring our Chancel Choir with Ella Jones on violin: view here.

“Jazz Sounds of Christmas Joy”
featuring the Gratitude Jazz Band: view here.

“Of Shepherds and Kings”
featuring the Carillon Revelry Handbell Choir: view here.

Service of Solace view here.

Interfaith Cafe
2nd Tuesdays at 7pm on Zoom

Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 837 2529 7401
Passcode: VALUES
For details, visit Corvallis Interfaith Network.

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