Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-09-30
Wednesday, September 30th, 2020
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Join our Wednesday Zoom tonight at 7:00. On this 5th Wednesday of the month, we’ll meet for catching up and free ranging conversation. NEXT week is our monthly prayer service. This link is here:
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The Covid-19 Response Team meets in six days. Please chime in to me (or to them) about when we should begin face to face worship. Some churches that I know who have returned, have done so because they are small congregations meeting in large sanctuaries. They can be spaced far apart because they are so few saints in such a large space. That is not the case for us. I’d really like to hear from you on this. The members of the Team are Peter Yau, Tim Young, Judi Geistlinger, Ken Chapman, Ruth Craddock, Ron Deering, Mark Schoeffmann, and Eric Corbin.
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A short sermon:
This passage is one of my favorites. Christians are sometimes known as the exact opposite of what this passage urges: they are mean, hard-edged, arrogant, purists who aren’t very pure. I hate to admit that I sometimes fit that description. (What about you?) But I aspire to reach higher, and, by God’s grace, to do better. I strive to live as this passage invites me to live:
Colossians 3:12-14
12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (NRSV)
God helps me be the person I was created to be. I try to dress the part. God’s love is sufficient even when mine seldom is. Good News.
News:
PW News from Brandi Lowe…
Presbyterian Women’s Fall Gathering
Thursday, October 1
2 pm via Zoom
Program — Brandi Lowe, Moderator PW
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Everyone living in the United States on April 1, 2020 needs to fill out their 2020 Census form. A complete count is important because it determines how much federal funding comes to states and communities for services like education, health care, libraries, social services, and transportation.
The last day to fill out your Census form is September 30. Complete it online at my2020census.gov, or respond by phone at:
English 1-844-330-2020
French 1-844-494-2020
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Don’t forget these conversations on PUBLIC SAFETY: The City of Champaign is pleased to invite you to participate in a community listening session to share your vision for public safety in our community. All residents, business owners and community stakeholders are encouraged to take part. The goal is to help create better communication and understanding between Champaign Police, City Administrators and community members by allowing you to directly voice your thoughts and expectations around policing. Each session will include Chief of Police Anthony Cobb and Police command staff, City Manager Dorothy David, and elected City officials. The listening sessions will be moderated by Dr. Travis Dixon, an American media studies scholar and Professor of Communication at the University of Illinois.
Determining the future of policing in our community should be a collaborative process involving community partnerships, and the first step in that process is to hear from you. Each listening session will be used to gather information from the public so it can be shared with the City Council as they make future public safety policy decisions to best address the needs, interests, and values of our community. Virtual Listening Session Dates:
· Saturday, Oct. 3, 1-3 p.m.
· Friday, Oct. 9, 1-3 p.m.
· Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6-8 p.m.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the listening sessions will be held electronically using the Zoom meeting platform. More information on how to join and participate, including how to attend via Zoom can be found on the City’s website at champaignil.gov/
Humor (Hard times need godly laughter):
From Betty Hollister: Knock, knock. Who’s there? Goliath. Goliath who? Goliath down, you look-eth tired!
Good Word:
PHILIPPIANS 3:12b
I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Let us pray:
We humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou has prepared for us to walk in.
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
