The Heart of Mission
February 23, 2021
We have dipped our toes into the “in person worship” water. It was wonderful to see those of you who were there! However, if you are not able to be around people, we still have our “flagship” 9 am service online. And, Mindy has set up a wonderful Spirituality Center in the Chapel where individualized prayer and worship can happen in a safe and socially distant way. The pictures above show a little of it. A Reformed understanding of worship is that we worship and glorify God and then we walk out of the doors of the sanctuary into the mission field. What happens inside informs all that we do outside. So, worship and mission go together.
Continuing from last week, I will give you a scripture lesson and some daily mission tasks from the One Great Hour of Sharing material to help focus you on your Lenten journey. You might want to have a small coin bank (Fish bank, First Pres bank) to collect small coins as you do these activities. If you cannot give coins, think about acts of service you can do for others.
There is a lot of mission going on at First Presbyterian Champaign! May your Lenten walk take you exactly where God wants you to be!
Peace,
Rev. Dr. Rachel Matthews, Mission Coordinator
Wednesday, Feb. 24, What did you water for today? Using the map above, find the projects related to water, and say a prayer for each. (See the full map at pcusa.org/oghsmap)
Thursday, Feb. 25, Using the online OGHS map, look at the states where PDA is working. (One right now is Texas!). Read about one near to you and one far away, and make a generous gift for each as you offer a prayer.
Friday, Feb. 26, Health is one of our most important needs. The pandemic has made thousands of people sick. Say a prayer for each person your family knows who has had COVID-19. Then offer a prayer for those you do not know.
Saturday, Feb. 27, Find the international locations where PDA is serving. Prayer for these countries and give a gift for each. (This could be a least coin.)
Sunday, Feb. 28, Most people around the world don’t have access to the many varieties of fruit and vegetables we have. Gift one gift for each type of vegetable in your house.
Prayer of the week: Gather us all around your banquet table, O God, with all who hunger and thirst. May we join, together, to share the abundance you’ve intended for all. Amen. Lectionary: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38
Monday, March 1, Climate change is forcing farmers worldwide to either adjust their farming methods or move away. Give a gift for each type of animal you saw today. (Goldfish count.)
Tuesday, March 2, Thousands of “front-line” workers risk their lives daily to help those who have COVID-19. Say a prayer for the doctors, nurses and other medical staff who care for the sick.
Other mission activities you can do this week:
Make a commitment to adopt a local mission agency that partners with our Community Mission Deacons. Pray for our CMD which meets tonight at 4:30pm over zoom. The list of agencies is at the end of this email.
Join Frontera de Cristo on their Coffee, Conversation and Compassion zoom Thursdays at 6pm.
Join a Presbyterian Women study Thursday morning, afternoon or evening. They are studying Lament. They are zooming and always welcomes visitors. Check the daily email for zoom links.
Pray with Presbyterian Education Board (PEB) in Pakistan and/or join the Pakistan study group which meets every Wednesday afternoon from 1:30-3:00:
And, finally, pray for our sister congregation in Cuba. Our Cuba Steering Committee meets this Thursday at 5:30pm over zoom.
Let us keep all our mission partners in our prayers, those who are waiting to go back to their place of ministry and those who are able to work where they are. Listen for God’s call to you in their ministry.
Our PC(USA) Mission CoWorkers:
Mark Adams and Miriam Maidonado Escobar (Mexico)
Farsijanna Adeney-Risakotta (Indonesia)
Jeff and Christi Boyd (Central Africa)
Bob and Kristi Rice (South Sudan)
Our regional and global mission partners:
Kemmerer Village (and Camp Carew)
Lifeline Pilots
Marion Medical Mission
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Opportunity International
Friends of Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan Presbyterian Cuba Partnership
Special Offerings of the PC(USA)
Theological Education Fund
Young Adult Volunteers
Here in Champaign – Urbana:
CU at Home
CANAAN S.A.F.E. HOUSE
CANTEEN RUN
COURAGE CONNECTION
DREAAM
eMPTY TOMB, INC
FAITH IN ACTION
JESUS IS THE WAY PRISON MINISTRY
THE REFUGEE CENTER
RESTORATION URBAN MINISTRY
SALT & LIGHT
Here at First Presbyterian Church
FPCC Amateur Preachers
FPCC Environmental Committee working with Faith in Place
FPCC Presbyterian Women
FPCC ESL
FPCC Children, Youth and Families
FPCC Mission Possible/Go and Serve
FPCC Mission Team, World Mission and Community Mission Deacons
302 W. Church Street
Champaign, IL 61820
217-356-7238
info@firstpres.church
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