Weekly Announcements
Join us for In-Person Worship
This Sunday, April 11, we will gather in the sanctuary for Sunday morning worship at 10:00 a.m.
To worship in the Sanctuary or Fellowship Hall, registration is required in advance. You may register by visiting www.fpcgastonia.org/services. Seating is limited, therefore, registration is required so that proper social distancing can be established ahead of time. If you are unable to register online, please call the church office and you will be registered over the phone.
In addition, please make note of the following guidelines as you consider if you and your family wish to worship in-person at First Presbyterian Church.
By attending in-person worship, you and your family covenant to adhere to all guidelines and measures that are included in this communication so as to protect the safety and wellbeing of our church family. There may be additional procedures that need to be implemented following our reopening; the Session and the Task Force appreciate your cooperation as we navigate these uncertain times.
To worship in the Sanctuary or Fellowship Hall, registration is required in advance. You may register by visiting www.fpcgastonia.org/services. Seating is limited, therefore, registration is required so that proper social distancing can be established ahead of time. If you are unable to register online, please call the church office and you will be registered over the phone.
In addition, please make note of the following guidelines as you consider if you and your family wish to worship in-person at First Presbyterian Church.
- When you arrive for worship, greeters will be in the parking lot to direct you to the closest entrance for your family.
- When entering the worship space for which you have registered, an usher will guide you to where you will sit so that physical distancing is practiced and maintained. Families and individuals will not have a choice as to the exact seat for which they will sit. Families will be seated together, at a minimum of 6 feet from the next family unit.
- Please take your temperature prior to coming to the church on Sunday morning. If your temperature is 100.0 or higher please stay at home.
- If you are experiencing other symptoms such as fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, or inability to taste and/or smell, please stay home.
- Congregants will be required to wear masks at all times, no exceptions.
- Restroom capacity is limited to one person at a time.
- Hand sanitizing stations will be available.
- While the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall will be open for worship, other areas of the building will not be open in order to maintain proper sanitization.
By attending in-person worship, you and your family covenant to adhere to all guidelines and measures that are included in this communication so as to protect the safety and wellbeing of our church family. There may be additional procedures that need to be implemented following our reopening; the Session and the Task Force appreciate your cooperation as we navigate these uncertain times.
COmmunion this Sunday
This Sunday we will observe the sacrament of Communion during worship. Prepackaged Communion elements will be provided for those worshiping in-person, or you can bring your own elements from home!
If you are worshiping with us via Livestream, we encourage you to prepare common elements from your home prior to the service. Any bread/cracker and wine/juice will work perfectly! We give thanks that during this time we can still come together around the Lord's table.
If you are worshiping with us via Livestream, we encourage you to prepare common elements from your home prior to the service. Any bread/cracker and wine/juice will work perfectly! We give thanks that during this time we can still come together around the Lord's table.
Nickel-A-Meal Offering
The Nickel-A-Meal offering supports both regional and international hunger programs that show compassion and do justice for those in need. The plan of Nickel a Meal is very simple. Each person puts 5 cents (or more) in a special bank for each meal they eat. This amounts to $54.75 per person per year. The money is sent to Presbytery where the funds are allocated as follows: International projects: 55%; Regional projects: 40%; Education and Administrative costs: up to 5% (with the unused portion allocated to international projects).
Our next collection will be this Sunday, April 11. Look for the red buckets on Sunday morning or make your donations at www.fpcgastonia.org/giving (select Nickel-A-Meal fund) or by mailing a check to our church. Thank you for your gifts as each nickel makes a big difference!
Our next collection will be this Sunday, April 11. Look for the red buckets on Sunday morning or make your donations at www.fpcgastonia.org/giving (select Nickel-A-Meal fund) or by mailing a check to our church. Thank you for your gifts as each nickel makes a big difference!
Transformer Repairs
Beginning on Monday, April 5, the church building will be closed and without power while repairs and upgrades are made to the building’s electrical transformer.
We anticipate that this project should take roughly three days to complete, but there is the possibility that it may take longer. In the event that repairs are not complete by Sunday, April 11, we still intend to gather for worship in the Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. More updates regarding the worship service will be available later in the week.
While the office will be closed on Monday, April 5, in observance of the Easter holiday, church staff will work remotely beginning on Tuesday, April 6, until power in the building is restored. If you have a concern during this time, please reach out via email as phone access will be limited.
Thank you for your patience as we make the necessary upgrades to maintain the building and keep our congregation safe!
We anticipate that this project should take roughly three days to complete, but there is the possibility that it may take longer. In the event that repairs are not complete by Sunday, April 11, we still intend to gather for worship in the Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. More updates regarding the worship service will be available later in the week.
While the office will be closed on Monday, April 5, in observance of the Easter holiday, church staff will work remotely beginning on Tuesday, April 6, until power in the building is restored. If you have a concern during this time, please reach out via email as phone access will be limited.
Thank you for your patience as we make the necessary upgrades to maintain the building and keep our congregation safe!
Congregational Meeting on April 18
The Session has called for a Congregational Meeting to be held on Sunday, April 18, starting at 11:15 a.m. after our 10:00 a.m. Worship Service. At this meeting, we will receive a report from the PNC that will introduce the selected candidate for the position of Senior Pastor. You will be able to join this meeting either in-person or by signing on via Zoom. Please be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks that will explain how to participate in the meeting the way you choose to attend.
Adult Ministries Survey
The Adult Ministries Committee is currently making plans for programming during the spring and fall quarters. Your feedback is greatly appreciated as they choose curriculums, lessons, and topics for study. In addition, Adult Ministries would like your input on the style and format of the programs it will offer. Please use the short survey below to share your thoughts on what you would like to participate in during the coming months
In-Person Sunday School
In-person Sunday School Classes will continue this Sunday! Please note the room each class has been assigned and how to exit the room to head to worship. Classes will meet at 9:00 a.m., prior to worship, unless otherwise noted below.
If there are questions about accessing lessons, please be in touch with your Sunday School class’s point person(s) to hear if and how remote lessons are being offered now that in-person learning is resuming.
Classes and Locations
Nursery (up to age 4) - Nursery classroom, lower level
Pre-K and Kindergarten - Pre-K/K classroom (across from Nursery), lower level
1st - 5th graders - Children's Wing, upstairs
6th and 7th graders - Lower level classroom
9th-12th graders - *PAD, Sunday evenings combined with Youth group gatherings
8th graders - *PAD, Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. thru May 2. Then, will combine with Mid. and Sr. High youth at PAD in the evenings
Salt - Parlor
Journey - Session Room
Connections - Connections Classroom (to enter and exit the building by way of the doors by the Columbarium)
Seekers - Seekers' Classroom
Henderlite Bible Class - Chapel (when headed to worship, use the patio outdoors to lessen traffic in the hallway where there is less opportunity to social distance)
Thanks to everyone for their patience and support of this reopening of the Sunday School ministry!
If there are questions about accessing lessons, please be in touch with your Sunday School class’s point person(s) to hear if and how remote lessons are being offered now that in-person learning is resuming.
Classes and Locations
Nursery (up to age 4) - Nursery classroom, lower level
Pre-K and Kindergarten - Pre-K/K classroom (across from Nursery), lower level
1st - 5th graders - Children's Wing, upstairs
6th and 7th graders - Lower level classroom
9th-12th graders - *PAD, Sunday evenings combined with Youth group gatherings
8th graders - *PAD, Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. thru May 2. Then, will combine with Mid. and Sr. High youth at PAD in the evenings
Salt - Parlor
Journey - Session Room
Connections - Connections Classroom (to enter and exit the building by way of the doors by the Columbarium)
Seekers - Seekers' Classroom
Henderlite Bible Class - Chapel (when headed to worship, use the patio outdoors to lessen traffic in the hallway where there is less opportunity to social distance)
Thanks to everyone for their patience and support of this reopening of the Sunday School ministry!
Sunday School Video Lesson
Please join us online as Richard Rankin presents this week’s Sunday School video lesson titled, “Ezra: Faith and Action Preacher.” The video lesson will premiere at 9:00 a.m. and will be available on-demand following the initial broadcast. You can find this video, along with our pastoral and staff videos, by using the link below.
wEDNESDAY nIGHT aLIVE! Spring Sing and Ice Cream Social
"I sing... You sing... We all sing... For ice cream!"
On Wednesday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m., Adult Ministries will host a Wednesday Night Alive! Spring Sing and Ice Cream Social! Join us in the parking lot outside the Chapel Portico for a socially distanced fellowship event. Church members should plan to bring their own chairs and wear masks as we gather. Ice cream sandwiches and other delicious items will be served along with bottled water. Then, we will be led in song by several church members, singing our favorite hymns from our hymn book!
We anticipate that this will be a joyous spring gathering full of fellowship, delicious treats, and the opportunity to connect with friends
On Wednesday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m., Adult Ministries will host a Wednesday Night Alive! Spring Sing and Ice Cream Social! Join us in the parking lot outside the Chapel Portico for a socially distanced fellowship event. Church members should plan to bring their own chairs and wear masks as we gather. Ice cream sandwiches and other delicious items will be served along with bottled water. Then, we will be led in song by several church members, singing our favorite hymns from our hymn book!
We anticipate that this will be a joyous spring gathering full of fellowship, delicious treats, and the opportunity to connect with friends
Presbyterian Women's Birthday Luncheon
We are excited to announce that the Presbyterian Women’s Annual Birthday Luncheon will take place in the church parking lot on Monday, May 3, at 12:00 p.m. Box lunches will be provided by Spindle City Cafe and will include 1/2 chicken salad sandwich with lettuce and tomato on wheat bread, fresh fruit medley, and triple chocolate pound cake, with water bottles and chips provided by the church. Each meal costs $8, or feel free to bring your own sack lunch!
We will not be using tickets this year, so we instead ask that you please RSVP online by April 23. Visit www.fpcgastonia.org/presbyterian-women to signup and place your lunch order!
We will not be using tickets this year, so we instead ask that you please RSVP online by April 23. Visit www.fpcgastonia.org/presbyterian-women to signup and place your lunch order!
Upcoming Blood Drive
Our next blood drive will be held on Monday, April 12, from 2:30-6:30 p.m. in the Chapel Parking Lot. Walk-ups are welcome, but advanced registration is recommended and preferred. Use the link below to schedule your appointment today!
Meals on Wheels
The Meals on Wheels Ministry is seeking volunteers to help with deliveries once (or more) a month. Deliveries only take about an hour, and food is dropped off at the door during the pandemic. Volunteers can pick any day to make deliveries. Once chosen, deliveries will be made on the same day each month. Dates can be exchanged with other volunteers should the need arise. Please contact Betsy Summer for more information.
Caring Cupboard
We invite you to check out our newly installed Caring Cupboard, located outside the Chapel portico entrance. This special cupboard will provide non-perishable food and toiletry items for our neighbors in need. If you see that our stock is running low, add a few pantry staples of your own! Non-perishable foods can include, but are not necessarily limited to: canned meats, canned vegetables of all varieties, fruit (in cans or plastic packaging), canned pastas (like ravioli, beefaroni, etc.), canned tomato sauce, boxed pasta (like spaghetti), canned soups and stews, macaroni-and-cheese boxes, rice, peanut butter and jelly (no glass jars, please!), granola bars, cereal. These small donations will help to fill in the gaps for families and individuals in our community.
Thank you to Kathryn Cupp, a student at Stuart Cramer High School, for making this project possible.
Thank you to Kathryn Cupp, a student at Stuart Cramer High School, for making this project possible.
Youth Casserole Fundraiser
Help our youth go to Massanetta Springs Middle School Conference and on their Mission Trip to Lexington County, SC! Pre-order a casserole made by our wonderful caterer Gwen Yon by going to the sign up genius and clicking on the casserole(s) you would like to order! Choose from baked spaghetti, chicken casserole, or veggie lasagna. An 8"x8" pan is $20 and a 9"x13" pan is $30. Orders must be in by Friday, April 16, and the casserole pickup will be from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 25. The FPC Youth are excited to go out into the world to learn, love, & serve—your faithful support helps them in so many ways!
To pre-pay, please click below to pay online, or bring a check or cash to the front desk of the church. Cash, checks, and cards will also be accepted during the pickup time on Sunday, April 25. If you choose to pay online, please be sure to also sign up on the Sign Up Genius below so we can easily keep track of who ordered what!
To pre-pay, please click below to pay online, or bring a check or cash to the front desk of the church. Cash, checks, and cards will also be accepted during the pickup time on Sunday, April 25. If you choose to pay online, please be sure to also sign up on the Sign Up Genius below so we can easily keep track of who ordered what!
1. Sign up for a casserole using this link
2. Then pay online by filling out the options below
Youth Adventure Day
Join the FPC Youth cohort going to the PWNC Youth Adventure Day at Camp Grier! We'll meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. and pick up breakfast on our drive to Old Fort, NC. Pack your own lunch, and dinner will be served at the camp. We'll return to the church by 9:00 p.m. that evening. Register on the church website and bring your $25 by the church office by April 17. Don't miss out on this day of fun!
Sunday Night Youth Group
Join us this Sunday, April 11, to prepare for Youth Sunday! We need all hands on deck for this youth group gathering, so please make every effort to attend youth group on April 11, and Youth Sunday on April 18! Dinner will be provided!
PAD Parking Lot
Mid. High - 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Sr. High - 6:45 - 8:00 p.m.
PAD Parking Lot
Mid. High - 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Sr. High - 6:45 - 8:00 p.m.
Children's Wednesday Night Alive!
Join us for Children's Wednesday Night Alive this Wednesday, April 14, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. outside in the Chapel breezeway. If it's raining, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall. We'll begin to think about all the surprises that occurred after Jesus rose from the dead!
Sunday School Teachers Needed!
We are still in need of a few more Sunday School teachers so that we can provide strong, consistent faith formation opportunities for all of our age groups. Currently, we still need 2-3 teachers for our PreK/Kindergarten class, and we also need 2-3 teachers for our 6th and 7th grade class. If you are unable to commit to teaching one of these classes but would still like to volunteer with our Sunday School classes, you can sign up to be a Sunday School Floater or someone who is able to step in and be an extra adult in a classroom when one of our teachers is absent.
If you feel called to serve the church and our children in one of these ways, or if you know someone who might be interested in this opportunity, please let Susannah Bryant (sbryant@fpcgastonia.org) know! Thank you so much for your continued support of faith formation in our church!
If you feel called to serve the church and our children in one of these ways, or if you know someone who might be interested in this opportunity, please let Susannah Bryant (sbryant@fpcgastonia.org) know! Thank you so much for your continued support of faith formation in our church!
Calendar Updates
During this time of transition following Donna's retirement, the church calendar will be managed by our Director of Communications. Please send any calendar requests, updates, or inquiries to Celeste Crowe at ccrowe@fpcgastonia.org.
Scholarship Applications now Available
The church business office is now accepting applications for scholarships intended to provide financial assistance to church members pursuing a secondary education.
Awards are based upon financial need; however, merit, academics, Christian character, and the record of service within the church are taken into consideration during the review of applications. Previous award recipients must re-apply and are not automatically eligible for continuance of the scholarship.
The deadline to receive applications has been extended through May 1, 2021. Please use the links below to download an application.
Awards are based upon financial need; however, merit, academics, Christian character, and the record of service within the church are taken into consideration during the review of applications. Previous award recipients must re-apply and are not automatically eligible for continuance of the scholarship.
The deadline to receive applications has been extended through May 1, 2021. Please use the links below to download an application.
FPC App Updates
On April 1, we began phasing out the old FPC mobile app, instead transitioning to using the FPC directory app exclusively.
For several months, we have maintained using both apps which, apart from the member directory, offer many of the same features and capabilities. After close examination of both applications, the Communications Ministry determined that the FPC mobile app offered less functionality, was more difficult to maintain and update, and was less cost effective than the FPC directory app. For this reason, we have decided to discontinue service of the FPC mobile app and solely promote the FPC directory app instead.
To download and access the FPC directory app: Visit the Appstore on your device and search for “Universal Church Directory.” Once downloaded, you will be prompted to enter your unique identifier. This code is unique to each family unit, and offers secure access to the online directory. If you do not know your unique identifier, please contact Celeste Crowe (ccrowe@fpcgastonia.org) or Trip Stewart (tstewart@fpcgastonia.org) to receive it.
Thank you for your patience as we make this transition! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Celeste Crowe for more information.
For several months, we have maintained using both apps which, apart from the member directory, offer many of the same features and capabilities. After close examination of both applications, the Communications Ministry determined that the FPC mobile app offered less functionality, was more difficult to maintain and update, and was less cost effective than the FPC directory app. For this reason, we have decided to discontinue service of the FPC mobile app and solely promote the FPC directory app instead.
To download and access the FPC directory app: Visit the Appstore on your device and search for “Universal Church Directory.” Once downloaded, you will be prompted to enter your unique identifier. This code is unique to each family unit, and offers secure access to the online directory. If you do not know your unique identifier, please contact Celeste Crowe (ccrowe@fpcgastonia.org) or Trip Stewart (tstewart@fpcgastonia.org) to receive it.
Thank you for your patience as we make this transition! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Celeste Crowe for more information.
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